Currently, I am care-giving for an ill parent, my mother, who has ESRD and other medical conditions which make it difficult to care for herself. I'm also working on a cookbook and a couple of story ideas for potential novels. I'm 46, single, a mom with one son, and one very good dog. (And yes, my son is very good, too.) Sometimes life can be challenging, but when I have periods of downtime I like to spend some of it here at WikiAnswers, just doing my small part to create a 'Perfect WikiWorld'. These days, if I'm not caring for my Mom or on the computer, I'm in the kitchen experimenting with herbs and spices to create new and tasty dishes for my family and friends.

While not a classically trained chef, I am an avid home cook who has a very typical American family with a very real food budget, one that I like to squeeze the most out of in terms of both dollars and flavor. Friends and family often call on me for certain ideas, tips or tricks in everyday cooking, and for their special planned events as well. In addition, my mom's medical condition requires a strict diet which severely limits the amounts of phosphorus and potassium (among other things) she can have on a daily basis. Since the FDA does not yet require this information on food labels (although some companies volunteer it), it can be challenging to keep track of this information. This reality has forced me to approach cooking in a whole new way, and I've enjoyed the challenge of converting some very classic southern comfort foods into more renal friendly recipes.

Here's a list of some of my favorite things:

Favorite Color: Green, in all shades

Favorite Herb: Cilantro. I pick it up in the grocery story and just inhale as if it were a bouquet of roses. I also like the flavor equally well in Mexican or Vietnamese cuisines.

Favorite Flower: Carnations. I love the delicate, frilly petals and the subtle, clean fragrance. What can I say? I'm a complex woman with simple tastes, lol.

Favorite Body Part: My feet since I seem to have inherited one foot from each parent. I know it sounds crazy, but my left foot and the shape of my toes is much like my father's; my right, my mother's.

Favorite sayings:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana
"Love all, trust a few, do harm to no one." -Shakespeare
"Be careful poking under rocks. You never know what might slither out." -unknown
"Broken cookies don't have calories" - Unknown

3 Most Favorite Actors: Robert Duvall, Alan Rickman, Morgan Freeman
3 Most Favorite Actresses: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith
3 Most Favorite Movies: Nope, can't do it; just too many good ones
3 Most Favorite Authors: Nope, can't do this one either. I will say that for me, it's not just about the story, but the writer's ability to tell it. No matter how meaningful the story might be, if I get bored reading a lot of descriptive text, then I won't finish reading the story. For me, the story alone is just not enough.

Favorite Top 10 Songs: This one was tough and in the end, I couldn't even keep the list to 10. Those of you that visit frequently will notice that the list is still growing, lol. To hear any of these songs and more, grab your headphones and check out my page at Blip.FM as DJ Alisha4555. Right now, the following is my favorite mix:

Sweet Home Alabama as performed by Lynard Skynard
Travelin' Man as performed by Bob Seger
Bad Company as performed by Bad Company
Desperado as performed by The Eagles
I Feel Like Making Love as performed by Bad Company
Turn the Page as performed by Bob Seger
Half of My Heart as performed by John Mayer
Gimme Shelter as performed by The Rolling Stones
Carry On Wayward Son as performed by Kansas
Sober as performed by Pink
Please Don't Leave Me as performed by Pink
Feels Like Tonight as performed by Daughtry
Never Been Any Reason as performed by Head East
One Last Breath as performed by Creed (in particular, Scott Stapp)
If You Only Knew as performed by Shinedown
Life After You as performed by Daughtry
Dare You to Move as performed by Switchfoot
Breakdown as performed by The Script
Whataya Want From Me as performed by Adam Lambert
Who Knew as performed by Pink
Run to You as performed by Bryan Adams
I'll Be There For You as performed by Bon Jovi
I'm Going Home as performed by Daughtry
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You as performed by Bryan Adams
Someday as performed by Rob Thomas


About how I answer questions:

Factual (Dates, Names, Historical Events, etc.): Even if I think I know the answer I will look it up, and I do my very best to ensure that the source is reliable. If I find the information in multiple sources, but also find there's a discrepancy or debate about it, then I'll also mention it in my response.

How-to (Car Repairs, Cooking, etc): If it's something I know how to do, then I'll sum it up in as few steps as I can. If I don't, then I will attach the link where I found the information and then add a few words of personal advice based on my own experiences.

Math: I choose to believe that most of the questions asked here are by kids truly looking for help with homework and want to learn the information. I also believe that if they (or adults) are taught properly, then they will. If I answer a math question, then I will show my work, even if I've already done it on dozens of questions like it. If I come across a question with an answer but no explanation, I will edit it. Please don't take it personally. It really isn't.

Professional Advice (Tax Questions, Legal, Labor Laws, Medical etc.): I have 30 years work experience in a professional office setting, working my way up the corporate ladder to the position of Controller. I also have enough medical knowledge thanks to my mother's illness, to pass a nursing exam. I have definitely picked up a few things along the way. However, most questions of this type need specific professional advice. I will share what I know, but also direct the questioner to the appropriate authority or let them know where they can truly find help. Sometimes this is the best advice.

Personal Advice: I generally only answer these if the topic is one I can really relate to. When I give my advice, whether in a personal advice type question or any other topic, I try my best make it clear which parts are my opinion. I am a business professional, a mom, and I am human and so I give advice as I would to family members or friends that might discuss any of these topics with me. I hope that my responses are received as warm, open, honest, fair, and balanced. I like to live my life the same way, and I want my writing to reflect that.

While my contributions are starting to add up, I'm still fairly new to Answers.com. If you're here because you liked the way I answered your question, or if I helped you in some way, please recommend me. If you're here because I just edited your answer and you're pissed off, then please don't be. If I took the time to edit, then I honestly believed that I improved the response. If you disagree or if I've made a mistake (I do make them), then I would be happy to discuss to reach a mutually acceptable conclusion. If I can be of assistance to you now, then feel free to leave a message and I'll do whatever I can. E-mail: alisha @ WikiAnswers.com (no spaces)