L to R: My Boy, My Girl, My kids with their cousins.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Backtrack
Back in August when my kids went back to school, I took these pictures of them but my daughters' ID had her name and the name of her school on it. Since I didn't want them in view, I thought I was going to have to forget about posting them here. But after asking my best friend if he could help me out, VOILA! Here they are:
L to R: My Boy, My Girl, My kids with their cousins.
L to R: My Boy, My Girl, My kids with their cousins.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Whirlwind
I know, I know! I totally failed at my goal. So much has been going on and everytime I think I should write about it I feel exhausted just thinking about it. I really should write about the weekend in Breckenridge. It was ridiculously hard for both of us, but we made it through and he passed. I am so proud of him that whenever I try to tell anyone about it, I can't find the right words. The next step for him is to create a 45 minute form and perform it on Nov. 22 with the other people who made it through. Then he will get his conditional black belt. He has to do the form to music and after considering quite a few he decided to use Get Back by the Beatles. So far it looks great. Again, so proud...
My parents got a new puppy over the weekend. She is a 4 month old Standard Poodle. She is so sweet. Her name is probably going to be Layla, I love it.
We took the kids to Elitch's yesterday. They decorate the park for Halloween and have kiosks set up where the kids can trick or treat and get candy. We took my girl's best friend and Shell's best friend's son with us so the kids would have someone to ride the rides with other than each other. We went at noon so we could get cheap tickets. They were only $8 each and after 5:00 they were $36! It was a reasonably inexpensive way to spend the day.
I can't believe that Halloween is on Friday. We bought costumes for the kids last week. My boy is the villian from Scream and the girl is wearing a Renaissance style dress. We've never before allowed them to wear masks while trick or treating, but the Scream one pretty much demands it. My boy knows this is a big deal for us, but he assured us that he can see okay with it on. We'll be with them the whole time, so at least we can keep an eye out for him too.
Election Day is next week. I got my mail in ballot on Friday, and I've got it about halfway filled out. I don't want to mail it back in, so I'll be dropping it off this week. I'm definitely ready for the political commercials and calls to stop. Bring on the next president! Just as long as it's Obama...
My best friend will be here next Friday. I'm really excited, but I've got a lot to do before he gets here. My house is a filthy mess. The kids and I worked out a gameplan, and we'll get to work tonight. Bring on the cleaning and organizing!
That's all I've got for now. Time to get back to work. Oh and I think I'm getting a raise. Yay!
My parents got a new puppy over the weekend. She is a 4 month old Standard Poodle. She is so sweet. Her name is probably going to be Layla, I love it.
We took the kids to Elitch's yesterday. They decorate the park for Halloween and have kiosks set up where the kids can trick or treat and get candy. We took my girl's best friend and Shell's best friend's son with us so the kids would have someone to ride the rides with other than each other. We went at noon so we could get cheap tickets. They were only $8 each and after 5:00 they were $36! It was a reasonably inexpensive way to spend the day.
I can't believe that Halloween is on Friday. We bought costumes for the kids last week. My boy is the villian from Scream and the girl is wearing a Renaissance style dress. We've never before allowed them to wear masks while trick or treating, but the Scream one pretty much demands it. My boy knows this is a big deal for us, but he assured us that he can see okay with it on. We'll be with them the whole time, so at least we can keep an eye out for him too.
Election Day is next week. I got my mail in ballot on Friday, and I've got it about halfway filled out. I don't want to mail it back in, so I'll be dropping it off this week. I'm definitely ready for the political commercials and calls to stop. Bring on the next president! Just as long as it's Obama...
My best friend will be here next Friday. I'm really excited, but I've got a lot to do before he gets here. My house is a filthy mess. The kids and I worked out a gameplan, and we'll get to work tonight. Bring on the cleaning and organizing!
That's all I've got for now. Time to get back to work. Oh and I think I'm getting a raise. Yay!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Blogaversary
I missed it. My one-year anniversary of keeping this blog was on October 10. I'm really proud of myself for still keeping it up one year later. When I started it, I really wasn't sure if I would be able to, but I did. My posting has been spotty at times, and I think I've only recently become more committed to it. I'm enjoying it, and that's really what's important.
Tomorrow is the day. The Karate testing retreat starts tomorrow evening and I am FREAKING OUT. I am so afraid that I will not be prepared. Tonight I need to make sure all the food is cut up and in a central area for packing tomorrow. We will pack our suitcase tonight and make sure that all weapons and sparring gear are accounted for. I am hoping that I can sleep in for a little while in the morning, maybe my boy will too. We'll eat a good breakfast, pack up the car and leave around noon. We're stopping by to pick up ice from my parents (they have an industrial icemaker), and then off to the mountains we'll go.
Wish us luck!
Tomorrow is the day. The Karate testing retreat starts tomorrow evening and I am FREAKING OUT. I am so afraid that I will not be prepared. Tonight I need to make sure all the food is cut up and in a central area for packing tomorrow. We will pack our suitcase tonight and make sure that all weapons and sparring gear are accounted for. I am hoping that I can sleep in for a little while in the morning, maybe my boy will too. We'll eat a good breakfast, pack up the car and leave around noon. We're stopping by to pick up ice from my parents (they have an industrial icemaker), and then off to the mountains we'll go.
Wish us luck!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Looking Back
I've always been the type of person to have just a few close friends. I never had a large group of good friends. Groups of friends, but not necessarily ones I'd call close. I can tell you who my close friends were in every grade. It was usually 2 to 3 people, always girls. In eighth grade, I was a part of a close group of 5 friends, 2 of them were boys. I loved these people in the biggest way my 13-14 year old heart could. They still hold a place there, for what they gave me that year, a true sense of belonging & acceptance. 
Left to Right: Alex, Mary, Me, Nathan, Judy
Mary, Nathan & I had parents who were still married. Judy & Alex both lived with their dads and had minimal contact with their mothers. We all had younger siblings we could commiserate about. Judy was the first friend I'd ever had who was rebellious. I spent a lot of time at her apartment and being around her made me feel less of a goody-two-shoes. We were inseparable all year, but after high school started, we drifted apart. I am glad we have reconnected in recent years. Mary was a lot like me in many ways. We were not edgy or daring. Our parents had strict rules and we pretty much followed them. We were not the types of girls who got a lot of attention from boys. We were not popular, any of us really. Nathan was Mary's "boyfriend", and was a very sweet kid. He was Mormon and had the strictest parents of any of us. He was a wild child just waiting to break out. Right before the year ended, he became my first "boyfriend". Unfortunately, once summer started, his parents wouldn't let him go anywhere or talk on the phone for long. That relationship was doomed from the start. However, it did give me some self-esteem that I was lacking. SOMEONE was interested in me. It was a gift I'll never forget. Mary ended up going to a different high school than me, and I ended up losing contact with them both. I have been in touch with both of them occasionally over the years, but nothing lasting. I hope they are both happy and well. Alex and I have known each other since the third grade. We were not friends then and after moving away, he came back to my school in fifth grade. That's the first year I can remember wanting attention from boys and failing at getting it. I wanted Alex to like me. He did not seem to be interested. He popped up in my life again in 8th grade, and became part of my family of friends. He always had a smile for me and was goofy and endearing. He never acted like he was interested in anything more than being friends. Our little group broke up once the summer started and my relationship with Alex suffered the same fate. We found each other again later in high school, and feeling like maybe fate had a hand in all of it, I agreed when he asked me to be his girlfriend. It was very short-lived. It just wasn't meant to be, for many reasons, some more obvious than others. We parted ways and although we continued to run into each other here and there, it's only been in the last few years that we've become friends again. I cherish the memories I have of him, but really hold dear the relationship we have now. He is a true friend, one that I feel comfortable trusting with vulnerable pieces of myself. He is not a threat to my marriage, nor am I to his. But we have a history that, although it's missing quite a few years, is special to us both. I love him, he is my friend.
There are many times that I look at pictures of friends that I've had, many who I have lost touch with, and wonder how they are and what they are doing now. I wish that I had known then to hold them a little closer and appreciate them a little more. I miss them and sometimes I miss who I was when I knew them. There are many things I would have done differently (who can't say that?), but there is no way I would trade the friends I've had.
Left to Right: Alex, Mary, Me, Nathan, Judy
Mary, Nathan & I had parents who were still married. Judy & Alex both lived with their dads and had minimal contact with their mothers. We all had younger siblings we could commiserate about. Judy was the first friend I'd ever had who was rebellious. I spent a lot of time at her apartment and being around her made me feel less of a goody-two-shoes. We were inseparable all year, but after high school started, we drifted apart. I am glad we have reconnected in recent years. Mary was a lot like me in many ways. We were not edgy or daring. Our parents had strict rules and we pretty much followed them. We were not the types of girls who got a lot of attention from boys. We were not popular, any of us really. Nathan was Mary's "boyfriend", and was a very sweet kid. He was Mormon and had the strictest parents of any of us. He was a wild child just waiting to break out. Right before the year ended, he became my first "boyfriend". Unfortunately, once summer started, his parents wouldn't let him go anywhere or talk on the phone for long. That relationship was doomed from the start. However, it did give me some self-esteem that I was lacking. SOMEONE was interested in me. It was a gift I'll never forget. Mary ended up going to a different high school than me, and I ended up losing contact with them both. I have been in touch with both of them occasionally over the years, but nothing lasting. I hope they are both happy and well. Alex and I have known each other since the third grade. We were not friends then and after moving away, he came back to my school in fifth grade. That's the first year I can remember wanting attention from boys and failing at getting it. I wanted Alex to like me. He did not seem to be interested. He popped up in my life again in 8th grade, and became part of my family of friends. He always had a smile for me and was goofy and endearing. He never acted like he was interested in anything more than being friends. Our little group broke up once the summer started and my relationship with Alex suffered the same fate. We found each other again later in high school, and feeling like maybe fate had a hand in all of it, I agreed when he asked me to be his girlfriend. It was very short-lived. It just wasn't meant to be, for many reasons, some more obvious than others. We parted ways and although we continued to run into each other here and there, it's only been in the last few years that we've become friends again. I cherish the memories I have of him, but really hold dear the relationship we have now. He is a true friend, one that I feel comfortable trusting with vulnerable pieces of myself. He is not a threat to my marriage, nor am I to his. But we have a history that, although it's missing quite a few years, is special to us both. I love him, he is my friend.
There are many times that I look at pictures of friends that I've had, many who I have lost touch with, and wonder how they are and what they are doing now. I wish that I had known then to hold them a little closer and appreciate them a little more. I miss them and sometimes I miss who I was when I knew them. There are many things I would have done differently (who can't say that?), but there is no way I would trade the friends I've had.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Counting Down
We are in the countdown to the Breckenridge retreat now. 3 more days until it starts. I am FREAKING OUT and trying very hard to not let my boy see it. I am so worried about not being prepared. I'm pretty sure that I'll end up taking too much food, but better that than not enough right? We are heading up on Friday around noon and it should take us about 2 hours to get there. Check in time for the hotel is 4pm, so first we'll stop and eat and then we'll get everything moved from the car to the room. I am hoping we can then lay down and rest for a while until it's time to get started. He has to be dressed and ready to bow in at 7pm. And then the fun starts...
I put gas in my car this morning for $2.88 a gallon. I don't really have anything else to say on this subject, at least not that I want to get into right now. I just wanted to write it. I'm so happy that it's under $3.
I put gas in my car this morning for $2.88 a gallon. I don't really have anything else to say on this subject, at least not that I want to get into right now. I just wanted to write it. I'm so happy that it's under $3.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Lesbian Questionnaire
I got this from Denise's blog. Looked like fun. If she can do it, so can I!
Are you sure of your sexual orientation? Or are you confused? 100% sure. Have never had one day of confusion
Are you open with your sexuality? Or is it a secret? I am very open.
Who was the 1st person you told that you’re a lesbian? I think I told my best friend first. It's hard to remember because I "came out" to everyone at the same time. But I think I said the words out loud for the first time to him.
Is your hair short, medium, or long? It's just above my shoulders, so kind of short & medium?
Would you ever shave your head? I don't think so, too afraid of how I'd look without hair.
Do you own anything with the Gay Rainbow on it? Oh yes! I have two bumper stickers on my car, both kids have Pride stuffed animals, I have a necklace and keychain, Shell has a lighter and a bracelet. We love the rainbows.
Do you consider yourself a Stud, Androgynous, or Femme? Femme
What type of females are you most attracted to? I really like soft butch girls.
What FAMOUS Lesbian is your favorite? My favorite? I LOVE Rosie O'Donnell. And Melissa Etheridge. And Tammy Etheridge. And Leisha Haley. And...and...
Do you like watching The L Word? YES! I am so sad this will be the last season. :(
What is your favorite lesbian movie? Fried Green Tomatoes
Do you have any Pride tattoos? If not, would you ever get one? No. I would if the design was right.
Do you go to Gay/Lesbian clubs? On the rare instances that I go to clubs, yes they are.
Would you ever be a Drag King? (If you’re not already) No, I don't think it's in me.
What name would you go by if you did do Drag? I have no idea. Never thought about it.
Have you ever been mistaken for a Male? No
Would you ever have a sex change to become a Male? No
How do you feel about Homophobia? There is no place for it. Anywhere. EVER.
How do you feel about Gays/Lesbians having children? The same way I do about straight people having kids. It's not for everyone.
If it were legal, would you marry another Female? Absolutely. I'd like to wait until it's legal in my state or until it recognizes marriages performed in other states.
Have you ever attended a Gay Pride Festival? Yep
Do you wear make-up? a little
Do you carry a wallet - or a purse? Purse
Do you wear Male clothes? I borrow shirts from Shell sometimes, and most of them are men's. I don't buy men's clothes specifically for me, but I do wear them.
Do you prefer wearing cologne instead of perfume. On me? neither. On other women? Depends on what it smells like.
Do you have several piercings & tattoos? Not several. One tattoo and 2 piercings in each ear.
Do you have a crush on a female celebrity, if so, who? Janet Jackson
Do you have more Gay/Lesbian/Bi friends than you do Straight friends? It's about even
Have you ever been gay bashed? Thankfully, no.
Did anyone stop having contact with you after you came out of the closet? There were a few people that I lost touch with after, but in time they came around.
What is your favorite gay/lesbian quote? Focus on Your Own Family
Do you believe you were born a lesbian? Without a doubt.
Are you proud? Or ashamed of your sexuality? I am proud of who I am, sexuality and all.
Are you sure of your sexual orientation? Or are you confused? 100% sure. Have never had one day of confusion
Are you open with your sexuality? Or is it a secret? I am very open.
Who was the 1st person you told that you’re a lesbian? I think I told my best friend first. It's hard to remember because I "came out" to everyone at the same time. But I think I said the words out loud for the first time to him.
Is your hair short, medium, or long? It's just above my shoulders, so kind of short & medium?
Would you ever shave your head? I don't think so, too afraid of how I'd look without hair.
Do you own anything with the Gay Rainbow on it? Oh yes! I have two bumper stickers on my car, both kids have Pride stuffed animals, I have a necklace and keychain, Shell has a lighter and a bracelet. We love the rainbows.
Do you consider yourself a Stud, Androgynous, or Femme? Femme
What type of females are you most attracted to? I really like soft butch girls.
What FAMOUS Lesbian is your favorite? My favorite? I LOVE Rosie O'Donnell. And Melissa Etheridge. And Tammy Etheridge. And Leisha Haley. And...and...
Do you like watching The L Word? YES! I am so sad this will be the last season. :(
What is your favorite lesbian movie? Fried Green Tomatoes
Do you have any Pride tattoos? If not, would you ever get one? No. I would if the design was right.
Do you go to Gay/Lesbian clubs? On the rare instances that I go to clubs, yes they are.
Would you ever be a Drag King? (If you’re not already) No, I don't think it's in me.
What name would you go by if you did do Drag? I have no idea. Never thought about it.
Have you ever been mistaken for a Male? No
Would you ever have a sex change to become a Male? No
How do you feel about Homophobia? There is no place for it. Anywhere. EVER.
How do you feel about Gays/Lesbians having children? The same way I do about straight people having kids. It's not for everyone.
If it were legal, would you marry another Female? Absolutely. I'd like to wait until it's legal in my state or until it recognizes marriages performed in other states.
Have you ever attended a Gay Pride Festival? Yep
Do you wear make-up? a little
Do you carry a wallet - or a purse? Purse
Do you wear Male clothes? I borrow shirts from Shell sometimes, and most of them are men's. I don't buy men's clothes specifically for me, but I do wear them.
Do you prefer wearing cologne instead of perfume. On me? neither. On other women? Depends on what it smells like.
Do you have several piercings & tattoos? Not several. One tattoo and 2 piercings in each ear.
Do you have a crush on a female celebrity, if so, who? Janet Jackson
Do you have more Gay/Lesbian/Bi friends than you do Straight friends? It's about even
Have you ever been gay bashed? Thankfully, no.
Did anyone stop having contact with you after you came out of the closet? There were a few people that I lost touch with after, but in time they came around.
What is your favorite gay/lesbian quote? Focus on Your Own Family
Do you believe you were born a lesbian? Without a doubt.
Are you proud? Or ashamed of your sexuality? I am proud of who I am, sexuality and all.
So I'm not perfect...
I didn't post yesterday. But I'm not going to consider it a failure, just an opportunity to do better. So maybe I'll post more than once someday to make up for it. Maybe.
I had an appointment yesterday morning to get my teeth cleaned. No cavities for me! Then I dropped my car off to have the brakes looked at. I was really afraid that I might have to do the rotors too, but thankfully I just needed to replace the brake pads. I had them do my oil change and a couple of other maintenance stuff in preparation for our drive to Breckenridge next weekend. $400 later, I am now officially stressing out about where the money to pay for the test is going to come from. And how we are going to pull off Christmas. I've got to buy a plane ticket for my best friend to come next month and I really need to do it soon to try to get a good price.
One of my favorite TV shows is on tonight. I have been watching ER since the very beginning and this is the last season. I know that it doesn't have the highest quality writing, but it is familiar and I love the characters. I don't watch a lot of TV, compared to most people I know. On Mondays I watch The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother & Samantha Who (or at least I will be once it come back next week). Wednesday we watch Pushing Daisies. Then I watch ER on Thursday and Ghost Whisperer on Friday. I tape Oprah every day and watch when I can, usually deleting about a quarter of them that don't interest me. This year, I'm taping Dancing with the Stars because my girl wants to watch it, thanks to my mom who watches every reality/game/contest show that's out there and "shared" DWTS with my girl. Of course, she wants me to watch it with her. I do it because I love her. I would not be watching it if I didn't. Well maybe just to see Misty May-Treanor in skimpy outfits... On the weekends, Shell & I watch Food Network shows together. I love cuddling up in bed with her and watching other people cook. Of course, if things like the Presidential Debates or the Academy Awards or definitely Christmas movies are on, then my TV watching increases. But for the most part, that's it.
I had an appointment yesterday morning to get my teeth cleaned. No cavities for me! Then I dropped my car off to have the brakes looked at. I was really afraid that I might have to do the rotors too, but thankfully I just needed to replace the brake pads. I had them do my oil change and a couple of other maintenance stuff in preparation for our drive to Breckenridge next weekend. $400 later, I am now officially stressing out about where the money to pay for the test is going to come from. And how we are going to pull off Christmas. I've got to buy a plane ticket for my best friend to come next month and I really need to do it soon to try to get a good price.
One of my favorite TV shows is on tonight. I have been watching ER since the very beginning and this is the last season. I know that it doesn't have the highest quality writing, but it is familiar and I love the characters. I don't watch a lot of TV, compared to most people I know. On Mondays I watch The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother & Samantha Who (or at least I will be once it come back next week). Wednesday we watch Pushing Daisies. Then I watch ER on Thursday and Ghost Whisperer on Friday. I tape Oprah every day and watch when I can, usually deleting about a quarter of them that don't interest me. This year, I'm taping Dancing with the Stars because my girl wants to watch it, thanks to my mom who watches every reality/game/contest show that's out there and "shared" DWTS with my girl. Of course, she wants me to watch it with her. I do it because I love her. I would not be watching it if I didn't. Well maybe just to see Misty May-Treanor in skimpy outfits... On the weekends, Shell & I watch Food Network shows together. I love cuddling up in bed with her and watching other people cook. Of course, if things like the Presidential Debates or the Academy Awards or definitely Christmas movies are on, then my TV watching increases. But for the most part, that's it.
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