Birthday wishes for Layla.

Today July 30, 2007 is Layla; Gather Goddess & Merlin and Coco's mom’s (cocomerlin), as the custom goes, Layla has prepared a little celebration of her life for us to share on her birthday with her.  Here is her story. 

 Hi Carol, I've been off gather for weeks. It's been a stressful time that I don't want to talk about but I did want to re-connect so here goes.

1) I've been a member of Gather for just over a year and have about 400 connections many of whom have wondered where I have I been lately. I've been curtailing my Gathering this summer but want everyone to know I'm BACK! I feel badly that I haven't been able to comment like I normally do. I pride myself on reciprocating every comment I receive.

I originally joined Gather for a writing contest but stayed for my ever growing love of photography. I love posting pics and have by the hundreds! Many have been voted into the top spots and Gather has featured some on the front page. My passion for photography led to creating my favorite group, Your Favorite Pics.

On Gather, my cats Merlin and Coco are as well known as I am. Merlin even has his own group called Friends of Merlin which hosted the first Gather kitty beauty contest. Yup, no doubt about it. I'm crazy about cats. Just when I thought I was destined to become a crazy cat lady, fate stepped in. I had been divorced for a long time, living in Toronto, Canada and had given up on remarrying. Six years ago I met and married my American honey after a whirlwind courtship. We live outside of New York in a lovely suburban town I jokingly refer to as the land of Stepford wives. I have two exceptional(usually)teen-age step kids who don't live with us.

2) I haven't worked full time since I moved to the U.S. Yay, I finally got my green card after six years and bureaucratic nightmare. In the past I have worked as a therapist, designer and educator. No, not all at the same time. Is anybody actually reading all this? ;-)

3) For the past four years I have turned my energies towards writing. Two novels and one film script later I am confident this is no passing fancy and something I need to do like breathing. Sure it would be nice to get published but that isn't my raison etre.

4) I am a triple Leo with a strong need for creative expression; drawing, painting, writing, photography, decoupage, cooking etc. Oddly enough since I started writing full time I rarely paint, at least not canvases.

5) Hobbies? see above. I also love gardening, collecting antiques and traveling.

6) I love hunting for seashells on exotic beaches and snuggling in front of a roaring fire with Merlin oops I mean my husband ;-)

7) Pet peeves? Only two? The first ones that pop into my head are rude, impatient drivers and bratty children. Rudeness in any form irks me. Yes, I still believe in sending handwritten thank notes.

8) I am big on animal rights, both domestic and wild. Cruelty to animals sickens me more than anything. Everyone can do something to help even if it's just getting a pet spayed or neutered.

9) I have been blessed with a life full of adventure with interesting people and places. The most important thing that's happened to me is the circuitous road to my spiritual life and do mean spiritual and not religious.

10) I would like to step out of my comfort zone and travel to India.

11) I celebrated a large birthday a few years ago in Toronto with all my family and friends. That meant a lot to me since we are scattered all over the globe.

12) My birthday wish? Apart from world peace? Being a guest on Oprah to promote my book ;-) and to learn how to post links to articles for question

13) I have no link but what I really want for my birthday is to have everyone read and vote for my entry of the Gather Romance novel contest. The contest begins August 1 and I will submit my entry close to the deadline of August 22nd. I promise; it's a fun read! Anyone interested or curious can simply check my content. I will be sending out a message to all my connections once it's posted.

14) I have no favorite song. Surprise me. Maybe something quirky like me?
Thank-you Carol(my fellow Montrealer) for doing this!
 

Happy birthday Layla from all your friends at gather, we hope we have made your day a memorial one.

Note to the birthday club members.  If you have not yet submitted your birthday dates to me please to so.  I need to prepare well enough in advance. Furthemore, when I send you the questions to do your celebration I need to have them back, at least one day prior to your birthday.