"I am." I said.

To no one there. And no one heard at all, not even the chair. Slight reference to a Neil Diamond song that usually cracks me up for that very line. However, today "I am" takes on a whole new meaning. I'm stealing this from someone else's blog. Not a tag, but you're welcome to steal it from me and put it on your blog. I think it will be fun, interesting, mind-stimulating, and very personality revealing:

I am: Woman, Hear me roar! (Except today, when I totally sound like a man because of my sore throat. Someone told me it was 'sexy'...I think it's embarassing! Think Mary Carillos...announcer from the Beijing Olympics!)

I want: To go away to a quiet island where I can read a book and listen to the ocean.

I have: Too many things to do, and not enough time to do them.

I dislike: Whining and whiners

I miss: My brother. More now than three months ago, probably not as much as I will in December

I fear: Losing my children...to illness, to accidents, and yes, even to bizarre stalkers and kidnappers

I feel: Paralyzed

I hear: Duncan Sheik singing the FINDING NEMO version of "Beyond The Sea" off my i-tunes account. I really need to get to a beach, and fast!

I smell: Nothing. I'm sick, dang it! However, if I had a choice, it would definitely be something baking...something yummy like pumpkin pie, or homemade bread, or lasagna. MMMMM!

I cry: Way too much lately

I usually: Try to be funny. I like to hear people laugh. Sometimes, the pressure to be a stand-up comedian 24/7 is a little too much. Maybe I should seek my serious side.

I search for: Lost papers in my endless piles. One day I WILL get organized and that will be an entirely different blog.

I wonder: If I wished upon a star...would the wish really come true?

I regret: Getting so involved in so many things that need to be wrapped up in the next few weeks. I'm missing my favorite season sitting inside at the computer.

I love: Phillip, of course...Whitney, Cassidy, Eli...friends...good books...warm summer evenings and beautiful fall evenings...and truffles! (The chocolate kind!)

I care: What others think. I know I shouldn't, but I do. Desperately.

I always: Remember to say, 'please', and 'thank you', and especially, 'I love you' before I hang up the phone with Phillip or the kids.

I am not: Ready for winter to come. I wish it could stay fall for months and months and months!

I remember: People's names, what they are interested in...fun mindless trivia...and when I thought 75 cents a gallon for gas was out of this world!

I believe: In a Father in Heaven who loves me and knows what is best for me and for my loved ones. I also know His timetable is not my timetable. This has been a very hard lesson for me to learn in life.

I dance: All the time...especially when no one is looking, or when I am public with my children so I can embarass them. Actually, I really am a good dancer, and proud of it!

I sing: Along with every song I every hear, and usually know all of the words. Songs make me happy; singing them makes me happier. Too bad I wasn't blessed with the best voice, but in a car, no one really cares!

I don't always: Take compliments very well. I usually have an excuse of why what someone comliments me on isn't true. I should work on this. So, if you see me, compliment me on something, and I will take it with simple gratitude.

I argue: Rarely. "Peacemaker" is my middle name. But I do like to argue with stupid people on tv...probably since they won't fight back!

I write: Because I love it...not because I'm good at it. I just love to do it!

I win: At cards. Sometimes by luck, sometimes by cheating.

I lose: Weight rarely. But I must be the same size as the average American woman, because when I go shopping, she has already purchased everything decent and good in my size.

I wish: Everyone in my life was as happy as they could possibly be, and that all of their dreams would come true. Maybe I will tell them to wish upon a star!

I listen: To all kinds of music. Depending on my mood, there's something out there to fit it, and I can probably find a copy of it to listen to.

I don't understand: The stock market. That's why I have Phillip around. Truthfully, right now, I'm glad I don't have to understand it. If I have questions my husband can't answer, (Which, by the way, is NEVER!) I can always find what I'm looking for from Suze Orman.

I can usually be found: Doing something for the family...or at the computer...or in the car...or, weather permitting, on my porch!

I need: My throat to stop hurting!

I forget: Confrontations. I am very quick to forgive, and not very easily offended.

I feel happy: Most always...after all, my name is Joy. This blog isn't long enough for everything that makes me happy. Just know that I am...and it's probably partly because of YOU!