Between a rock, inlaws, a pregnancy and a hard place.

Sometimes I tell Robert that I picked the hardest situation to jump into. I met him and we hit it off immediately. We had a first dates where we couldn't stop talking to each other and didn't want the date to end. After that we were mostly inseparable. But it wasn't easy.

We were both just out of divorces. I never had to see my ex again, but he had a 2 year old with his. He had an ex, a toddler and was still reeling from nasty and sneaky divorce proceedings. He also had his mom and dad living with him, because his father couldn't work due to a myriad of health problems. And three months into our courtship I got pregnant. 

So to recap, I got a new little kid in my life, a complete stranger that would come to dictate some of it, both of our very real and heavy insecurities from failed marriages, live in in-laws and my first baby. 

Nothing like taking the hard road. But it's okay, because you know what I got in return? An amazing stepdaughter to love, learning to overcome obstacles, new found belief in myself, a live in loving supportive new family and my first beautiful little girl. (and later another beautiful little girl)

And most importantly I got the best thing in my whole world, my husband. He is my strength, my best friend, my heart, my other half. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

How did you meet your significant other?

Things I Love Thursday-The Pinterest Edition

I love pinterest. It's like my new google. I get 98% of my blog images from it. I get DIY projects and even recipes. It's basically my coping skill. They updated their format and so I have spent the morning playing with it and thought I could share some of my morning pins. You can follow me here.

My fan club is very small.

I introduced Pea to hot tea with cream and sugar and she flipped for it. 

It's so true!

I really want to make these.

What are you loving this Thursday?

A Crappy Parent-PYHO

Please god, let this be a phase. My five year old is a whiner. But only at home. She's an angel at school. But she gets home and she wants everything. Now. But she knows we have a routine and we don't do things just because she insists. So she whines, and whines and it escalates into a giant temper tantrum. 

I use a calm voice. I give her options. I put her in her room and explain that she can whine in there because the rest of the family doesn't need to hear it. She eventually calms down, she apologizes, we say how much me love each other, we do a few yoga breaths and all is good. For about five minutes. 

I don't know what to do. We have never been the type of parent who gives into that type of behavior. So why all of a sudden does she think that will work? Because it doesn't. Sometimes after an entire day of whining and tantrums, I lose it. Yesterday I probably picked her up to hard to put her in the room, and at the end of the night I got in her face and screamed "STOP!" All it did was make her cry harder and me feel like the crappiest person on earth. I am at a loss. I know it's a valid parenting technique to disengage and ignore. But I think whoever invented it was more concerned about the parents sanity then teaching the kids a lesson. I am a full supporter of that. 

Sweet Pea's personality is stubborn and obstinate.  I know that we will always have to battle against that part of her. But that's okay, I just want her to stop whining. So please, god let this be a phase. I can't imagine her like this as a teenager. 

She is our sensitive and high strung one, yelling and telling us what she wants when she wants us. Peanut is our repressive one, who we have to wheedle out anything that might be wrong. I told my 20 month old Bliss last night. "Please can you just be in between?" She told me no.  Sigh.

What do you do about whining?

Pick Your Theme Song

 I believe everyone should have a theme song. A song that plays in your head when you walk into a room. And most importantly, a song you can listen to when you are feeling low or anxious. Lyrics that remind you how kick ass you are. 

I don't think your theme song needs to be totally accurate, because then mine would be called "Pudgy Anxious and Impatient." That is not going to cheer me up when I need it. You should pick a song that embodies who you want to be in your secret heart. I have a surly friend who is over 6 feet and his theme song is "Walking On Sunshine." He says he imagines himself bouncing into the room on his heels. And that's what works for him.

I discovered mine by accident on a play list my husband made. It makes me feel bad ass and ready to dance. It's "I'm A Punkrocker." By the TeddyBears featuring Iggy Pop.

See me drivin down the street,

I'm bored with looking good.

I got both hands off the wheel,

The cops are coming.

I'm listening to the music with no fear,

You can hear it too if your sincere...

Coz I'm a punk rocker yes I am.

Well I'm a punk rocker yes I am.

I'm listening to the music with no fear,

You can hear it too if your sincere...

Coz I'm a punk rocker yes I am.

Well I'm a punk rocker yes I am.

See it's perfect! I put it on and remind myself that I'm a punk rocker, yes I am. So people shouldn't mess with me. It works for me. 

What works for you? What's your theme song?

I Totally Did and Have

How To Stop Being An Abuser

This picture breaks my fucking heart. It reminds me that verbal abuse can be just as damaging, and sometimes more, as physical abuse. If you are being abused, you can get help here.

People who abuse don't always realize that's what they are doing. Some just can't control themselves, due to addiction, impulse control, mental problems, etc. And some just don't care. And if you don't care there isn't anything I can say to change your mind, so go jump off a fucking cliff asshat.

If you suspect you are an abuser, you can stop the cycle of abuse. First of all know what abuse is. Abuse is at it's core when someone is mistreating or misusing someone else. (or something) You are violating the standard of treatment that is acceptable. Whether it be with words or blows.

Stop rationalizing that it's okay. It's not. And it never will be. Abuse of anyone is unacceptable, there are no excuses for it. The end.

Get professional help, for impulse control, mental problems or substance abuse. Fix what's wrong with you immediately.

You can have normal relationships, but you have to fix yourself. You can't make excuses and you can't blame anyone else. If you think you are abusing someone, please please stop and get help. Stay away from that person until you are sober, or have been deemed safe by a mental health professional.

It would have made me a different person if some of the people in my life had gotten help. The effects of abuse follow a person for the rest of their life. Please get help and if you know someone who is abusive, speak up, intervene, get them and their victim help. Don't think it's none of your business, because it will be when someone is dead. 

Tell me your story. Have you been abused or were an abuser? How did you get help?

Want Ad for a Better Me-Red Writing Hood

Wanted. A better me. Must be non-smoking and clean. My current me has to move out due to unforeseen circumstances. We just weren't a good fit. Do not apply unless you meet the following criteria.

New me must be patient, have excellent anger management skills and be very selfless. New me must enjoy exercises and not make excuses. New me must also enjoy cleaning and be an organizational wiz. New me must not like crappy daytime TV and does not get irritated at constantly watching children's shows. New me uses the Internet for a decent amount of time and doesn't ignore the laundry to spend even more time on it. New me should think it is the very height of entertainment to clean poop out of the tub and to answer the 85,000th "why" question of the day. New me will never have a headache or be too tired and only want to cuddle. New me should have shinier hair and a smaller tummy. New me will join the PTA and participate at more school functions. New me will not be snarky about other mothers when at said functions. New me will love vegetables and be deathly allergic to chocolate and diet dr. peppers. New me will not pick pointless fights with Old me's husband just because she is grumpy. These are non-negotiable.

If you think you are a good fit to be my new me contact me at newleaf@wantads.com. Please only serious inquiries. 

What kind of want ad would you write?

Be All That You Can Be-RemembeRED

I could feel the hot pavement through my heavy boots as we were rushed into formation. I stumbled from hot concrete to hot slippery sand. In a panic, I righted myself and straightened up. My vision was obscured by my cover, I could only see the back of my battles neck. The sun highlighting sand dusted through her hair.  More sand was kicked up as the next formation was hustled in. 

Spittle flew  as a red faced sergeant got in my face, yelling insults and commands.  His words obscured by memory. A fly buzzed next to my ear, I clenched my fist and stomach to keep myself from waving it away. 

An order came for the "front lean and rest position." I dropped to my knees spitting out the grains and preparing for push ups. Lowering my body, my arms trembled and almost slid out from underneath me. My face burned red from the exertion to stay straight, to not drop. My main goal was not to draw attention to myself.  Mocking voices rang out, as black boots stomped past us. My prayers were in vain, when a pair stopped next to me. I didn't dare look around, keeping my eyes focused on the ground. I could smell the starch and boot oil he was so close. He called to his fellow sergeants to assist in his mocking of my push up form. The other soldiers around me breathed audible sighs of relief as the legs moved on to their next victim. 

I felt tears building behind my eyes as we were commanded up and to "forward march." Our lines were clumsy and our marches not in step. The sergeant assigned to our rag tag group sing songed marches about penguins and tiny bubbles. He chanted which foot was next. His voice rose up at the end of each word, we repeated back to him and gradually got in step with each other. Our voices ring out in to the hot air, our feet drumming across the road. In the distant I could hear other platoons, with different versions of the same chants. Although it felt better to be doing what I was supposed to and not being yelled at, I couldn't get my own chant out of my head. 

Your leFT, Your leFT

leFT, rigHT, Your leFT,

What the fuck have I gotten inTO? 

Why did I sign up for thIS?

Your leFT, Your leFT.......

On and on, not just that first day but pretty much the entire boot camp experience.

What's your worst "what the f* have I gotten into" moment?

How To Avoid The Dark Side And Pay It Forward.

I'm sure you have all heard of the devastating wildfires in my neck of the woods. Batrops is about 45 minutes from where I live. It has affected our entire community. Even in the middle of people rocking out at ACL they have set up a wildfire relief fund. In two days a giant warehouse was so packed with donations, they had to stop accepting them, assuring people that they now had more then enough. 

The latest estimate is that the fire is 80% contained. It also rained today. Only for an hour, but I can only imagine the beleaguered fire fighters and exhausted victims standing outside with their faces upturned. The relief it must have been to feel cool water on their faces and know that their desperate please for rain had been answered.

When Kelly at Writing (and Dancing) with Chaos wrote about her Avoiding the Dark Side and Paying Forward Challenge. I immediately thought of the fire victims. 

My children have 80 gazillion toys. I'm sure that anyone else with kids has the exact same problem. The toy chest overflowing with unused toys and the floor cluttered with the few they actually use. It drives me crazy. So yesterday we went through all the girls toys. I told them what they wanted to keep had to fit in two toy chests between them. They were surprisingly excited about it and we only made a few edits. "No, you cannot keep your headless drawn on doll that you forgot you even had." That kind of thing. 

I explained to them that not everybody is lucky enough to have so many toys, and that some little kids had lost all their toys in the fire. They helped me bag everything up and we dropped it off at our local donation center. I'm sure tomorrow I will hear things like "But where is my headless drawn on doll that I forgot that I even had!?" But hopefully I can remind them why we were giving up some of their toys and point out all the ones they still have. (Note: That doll got put in the trash, not donated)

I am also going to work on avoiding the dark side and giving my love out.   If I get angry at someone I am going to hug them instead. And remind myself that most people aren't malicious and may just be having a crappy day. I will hug my babies and remember that we don't have that much time until they hate me and think I ruined their life. Now is the time to enjoy their unconditional love. 

Please go and join Kelly's link up and let us know how you will Avoid the Dark Side and Pay it Forward.

Food For Thought-The end of DADT, lady etiquette and how not to do the damn laundry.

Peanut is still struggling in school. They have a psychologist observing her. I'm glad the school is all about helping her. We're lucky to have their support. Other then that life has been mostly uneventful. Luckily. How was your week?

“Shatter my heart so new room can be created for a limitless love.”
— Sufi prayer

This is kind of old, but still inspiring. Flawz.

Can zombies stay kosher?

The Blogess told us how much she loves us a while back. But I just got the message, she has such a cute voice and I love her heatfeltness.

I am so ridiculously excited about this movie!

This movie, The Darkest Hour, looks a little stale and seen before, but I love apocalyptic movies so I'm still interested.

Peanut is OBSESSED with Pokemon. She would freak out over this shirt.

3 minutes inside the head of a two year old. Oh so true.

Zombies and Pin up art. Love!

20 Places to get your personal essays published. 

Fostering a transgender child. Great story, can't wait for the rest.

The end of DADT! I saw this clip of a soldier coming out to his dad, and bawled like a little baby.

Try to accept your past, it's all you can do. 

Geeky wedding bands. I think the girl could wear the Hans one though.

This is so true. You are not helping!

Sometimes we forget the people who died on 9/11, this post about one father honoring his daughter had me in full breakdown tear mode.

Seriously, the best manifesto I've ever read. Simple and to the point. What kind of tree are you? Can I be a marshmallow tree? I think that's ok. 

I so want these. But slippers always make my feet feel too sweaty. Maybe I will just get them for decorations.

Have you guys seen or written anything awesome? Share them in the comments please.

Food For Thought-Super heroes, punkrockers and cute babies.

It hasn't been a great week. I've been down and grumpy. But it's a new day and I have made  a decision to make it completely new. I'm tired of feeling this way and I am ready (so ready) for a change. Hopefully you have had a better week, if you haven't then I has internetz to cheer you up. Oh hai, internetz!

If you go home with somebody and they don’t have books in their house, don’t sleep with them. I think that’s very important.
— John Waters

Another Firefly t-shirt, and this one is super shiny.

Oh so true. You are unbreakable.

I got a little TED crazy this week. I love TED, it makes me feel scholarly. Here's a talk about reading the Koran. And another about how to fix our jacked up legal system. And one last one about leading after 9/11.

A teen used her life savings to open an orphanage in Nepal.  I love that her parents trusted her enough to just send it all to her.

I love what Gala  Darling does with her self love series and now she has a manifesto.  She also shared her wedding story and obviously I don't know her or her "Dish" but by the pictures and video you can tell how much they love each other. With all the impersonal, alter-egoyness of the Internet it's nice to see such genuine love and happiness.

Did you ever wonder how the Nielsen ratings works? Let these puppets explain it to you.

How can you say no to the coffee table of the gods?

These people lifted a car off a man and saved his life. What did you do today?

Matt Damon defends teachers.

Star Wars stands up for cancer.

Under the Mask tries to get into superhero's head, with pyscological evaluations.

I love this song. Maybe because I am a punkrocker.

Wow, this kid's parents are serious about halloween. 

Have you guys seen anything good this week? Share them in the comments.

Aesopian

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

-Aesop, The Lion and the Mouse

How Not To Break Up With Someone-Red Writing Hood

I had left the chat window open all night. But I didn't hear the ding.

The new message waited for me, the screen blinking to let me know someone had tried to contact me. I could never keep the time difference in Kuwait and Virginia straight. But he must have known I wouldn't be awake and would miss what he had to tell me. 

At first I was pleased to see a message from him. Until I read it. I had to read it more then once to understand it. Cheating? No, I wasn't cheating on him. What the fuck was going on? My heart was in my throat. I replied to the message, hoping in vain that he was still there. He said someone had seen me in Wal-mart with some guy. I racked my brain. The only person I spent any time with was my friend Kelly. Very obviously a woman. Someone had to be lying. But who would do that?

His last message was the worst though. After the accusations, he declared on an instant message that he wanted a divorce.  How could he send that through a fucking message? No chance to defend myself or get some clarification.

I was furious. But underneath it I was relieved. I could feel the tension leaving me and the permanent knot in my stomach untangling itself. I knew that wasn't a normal reaction. It made me stop and think what I really wanted. We hadn't been happy for a long time. I admitted to myself that our relationship was unhealthy, involving verbal and occasionally physical abuse. I didn't want to do it anymore if I was honest with myself.

The one thing I was absolutely sure of is, I did not want to be married to a coward who would demand a divorce over an instant message. Its not like I came to these conclusions immediately. I spent lots of time eating chocolate and painkillers in bed.

It turns out he accused me of cheating because he himself was cheating and needed an excuse. His cowardliness was a keynote in our divorce proceedings. He had his mommy deal with the divorce and refused to speak to me. I am still amazed that I knew him for so long and had no idea what kind of pathetic human being he was.

But he did me a favor. I believe the bad and the good experiences lead us to places we're supposed to be. And my path after my divorce led me to my true soul mate and life partner. That made the whole thing worth it.

What do you think is the worst way to break up with someone?

Things I Love Thursday-Growing little girls, homework and baking!

Things I Love Thursday is a chance for us to remember what we love and what we are grateful for, invented by the always amazing Gala Darling. 

As always, my family, husband and beautiful girls ♥ loyal good friends ♥ good movies like Thor ♥ my husband making me laugh hysterically ♥ making my husband laugh hysterically ♥ finding out what's up with Peanut and making a plan to deal with it ♥ the amazing support from you guys ♥ holding Bliss's hand when she walks ♥ Carrying Sweet Pea to bed after she passed out during a movie ♥ Making Peanut laugh ♥ Being comfortable and easily happy with Robert ♥ pretty much watching Bliss do everything, watching her figure stuff out is endlessly fascinating ♥ doing homework with Pea and Peanut ♥ making banana bread today because we have some way ripe bananas to use ♥ 

Sometimes my list is the same. Sometimes my week is pretty boring and I can't think of much to say and sometimes my week is all bad and its even harder to find something to say. But I think those are the weeks that are the most important to remember what I love and what I am grateful for. When I have to hunt for it and dredge it up. Even if it's just my family, it's important to remember what we have and what makes things worth living. So TILT isn't always something new and different, but it helps me bring more positivity in my life. And I hope it can do the same for you.

So what are you grateful for and what do you love this week? Let me know in the comments.

My Child Is Being Bullied-PYHO

Peanut is being bullied. There's a kid at her school who has targeted her and has gathered the other children at school to join in. They follow her around and say she's ugly and fat and that nobody likes her. My heart breaks for her. 

We didn't know, but we suspected. Peanut has always been a little weird. And we've celebrated it. Her social skills are not great either. She doesn't understand personal space and she'll randomly start barking like a dog in the grocery store. Maybe we failed her. But she's an amazing, kind, smart, funny, beautiful little girl. But I guess mean little third graders can't see that. 

 She's been acting out in school. She refuses to do certain activities, when the teacher tries to tell her something she hides under her desk or starts rolling around on the ground. We were baffled because we've never seen that behavior. She just doesn't act like that at our house, at all.  She has finally told us that it's because she doesn't want to be there. She'd rather sit in the office then be in her classroom with those kids.

I'm glad she told us.  I'm glad she trusts us enough to open up. Everything I've read says that is key to making sure your kid doesn't take the kind of drastic measures we hear about on the news. That they can talk to you.

We've told her that acting like that will make it worse. We told her that she needs to stick up for herself, tell them to stop, and then tell the teacher right away. We are going to make sure that she feels safe to be herself at home at least. We've told her that it gets better, and that those people don't matter in the long run.

But it's hard for her to hear that when she's being hurt now. We feel helpless, but we're not. We have an appointment with her teacher on Friday. And at home we can keep giving her love and helping her learn from this. Not to be consumed by it. And we will document everything, just in case. But it's hard not to go up there and want to punch that kids parents, or whoever is teaching him that behavior, in the face. Repeatedly.

What would you do about your kid bullying or being a bully?

How the Internet Turned Me Into a Criminal-Remembe(red)

I was a complete loser in middle school. I didn't have friends and when I wasn't being made fun of I was being ignored. My only other friends were the other losers. Friendships formed from scarcity and shared hardship more then mutual interests. Basically it sucked. A lot. 

When we got the Internet at home I discovered that their were other people out there like me. When I think about chat rooms now, I laugh at the geekiness and assume only 40 yr old men who live with their mother use those things now a days. But I did. I frequented many different rooms and had a different person for every one. I lied. I could be a 20 something college student if I wanted to be. I could be a 40 yr old man living with my mother. For a kid who hated being me, the Internet offered a way to reinvent myself. To be whoever I wanted to be. And it was addicting.

First I stayed up all night. Then I started skipping school. I skipped weeks of school. And when I did go to school I was just wishing I was home online and would skip out at lunch or earlier. I would get the mail before my dad and throw away the letters they sent home. 

Eventually I was found out. I spent a week in ISS (in school suspension) and quite a bit longer locked off the computer. When I was able to get back on. The shine was gone. I wasn't as enamored now that I realized there were consequences, I guess.

I do believe the Internet helped me to realize who I really was. I was able to find people who had the same interests as me. That made me more confident in my everyday life, I didn't feel as weird or out of place. I started to make friends in real life based on favorite bands or books. So although the Internet made me a criminal. It also helped me survive middle school and helped shaped me into the person I am now. 

What's your earliest Internet memory?

Hey, How's It Going?

Victims of 9/11 Still Dying

It's been ten years. Every single person can tell you down to the minute where they were and what they were doing the day of 9/11. I've written about it before. On that day hundreds of New York's finest thought they were saving people. And they did. For months afterward they thought they were sifting through ruble and dust to find the victims and give some families closure. And hopefully they did. What they didn't know was that they were becoming victims as they worked tirelessly in clouds of toxic gas, asbestos, mercury and benzene. All known carcinogens.

Its been ten years and people are still dying because of 9/11.They are suffering from respiratory illnesses, PTSD, depression and cancers. There is a 70% illness rate amongst 9/11 first responders. They have a 19% higher chance of developing cancer, then their colleagues who didn't work the WTC site. The number of NYPD officers that have died of cancer has more then doubled the number of officers who died at the buildings. These numbers are too big and too scary to ignore.  In December of 2010 our politicians held up a bill that would provide health care for them. The Zadroga Bill is named after a responder who died of a respiratory illness attributed to 9/11. 

They finally did pass the bill, with concessions of course. First of all to qualify for health care they have to first have be screened to make sure they aren't terrorists. Are you fucking kidding me? If that isn't enough of a slap in the face,  it doesn't even cover cancer. Oh but wait it does cover carpel tunnel. Gee thanks.

I can't understand why we would laud them as heroes, make movies about them, use them in political campaigns but just abandon them when they need the help. They all rushed without thought towards two collapsing buildings and stayed at extreme risk to themselves. But we're just going to let them flounder and die in thanks.

It makes me simultaneously furious and tearful. This sight explains a few ways that we can help and you can go here to contact your representative and demand they do something about it. Very few people are listening to the first responders. And soon they may run out of the breath and life to fight anymore. So speak for them and make people listen to you. Please.

How are you still being affected by 9/11 ten years late

This Has Been In My Head

I think its a good reminder. Sometimes we just have to let go. 

What song has been in your head lately?

Warning: Cute overload.

What's cuter then these guys? Oh yeah. My kids. I like to take pictures of my kids and use picnik to edit it in my own amateur fashion. So to track how much they've changed I created a blog. Ch-Ch-Changes. So if your bored but want to look at my adorable offspring then head on over. 

What's the cutest thing you've seen lately? 

And on an unrelated note. For my blogger users what do you think of the new interface? So far, not a fan.

Things I Love Thursday

Things I Love Thursday was invented by the always sparkly Gala Darling. Its just a way for us to remind ourselves what we are grateful for. I've been sick this week so I could really use a reminder. 

♥ my family, always. ♥ that I will soon not be sick! ♥ a good job that provides decent insurance ♥ the fires are starting to be contained and all we got over here was the smoke ♥ LO:SVU marathons ♥ Hanging on the couch with my hubs ♥ eating better and feeling good ♥ making brownies for a friends birthday today ♥ meeting Pea's teacher and little friends ♥ Peanut getting really excited about a kids 5k ♥ watching Bliss figure things out, like answering the phone, running away from me and climbing ♥ One Tree Hill ♥ Necessary Roughness ♥ Top Chef: Just Desserts ♥ All of you, of course ♥ my fantastic beautiful sweet husband ♥

What are you grateful for today?

Hungry-PYHO

I don't have a lot to pour my heart out about today. Its probably because I am too hungry. 

I should stop watching the Food Network.

Because, I am on a diet. I loathe that word.The definition is  "the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group." So technically we are all on diets. Even if its the "fried chicken smothered in chocolate cake and washed down with coke" diet. It's still a diet. Technically. 

I think you have to change your lifestyle, not try to diet for a couple of weeks. You lose 50 lbs and get off the diet and gain it all back again. But I have been struggling with changing my lifestyle. So I am hoping the diet can give me a nudge, or a running start push I need. 

I have been on a lot of diets. The most successful one was the Divorce Diet. You lay around in your bed, cry a lot, get mad a lot, eat only chocolate and soda and take painkillers to sleep. I lost 30 lbs in one month! 

Others I've tried were less successful. I did the cabbage soup diet which gave me the worst smelly farts. Come to think of it so did being vegan. The thought of grapefruit juice still makes me want to throw up after doing the mayo clinic diet in college. I did the Atkins AND South Beach diet. I ate a lot of hot wings. So tasty. I even tried the paleo diet, which did not make me feel like a caveman.

I just want to eat healthy and tasty food. I am an omnivore, so I don't want just meat or just vegetables. I want to be able to eat ice cream every once in a while. Basically I want to change my lifestyle, not be on a diet forever. Hopefully this time I can accomplish it.

What's the silliest diet you've tried?

RemembeRED-Childhood

I miss my childhood. It was far from idyllic, but I still miss it. 

I think I realized I was truly an adult  about six years ago. I had already been in the army and gone through an ugly divorce but it was a cat that brought it all home for me. I had taken over my cousin's room in Austin while he went to Hollywood to chase his dreams. He asked me to take care of his cat, Guinevere. She was a haughty grey outside cat. You could only pet her when she wanted you too. She was also pretty old. 

I worked nights then too. When I came home one morning my other roommate presented me with a dead Guinevere. My first thought was that my cousin was going to kill me! I thought the least I could do was bury it for him. I had never buried a pet before. 

When I was a kid we lived out in the country, so we had lots of animals. And when one died, my dad would take care of it before I got home then tell me that the dog or cat had gone to heaven. I never had to deal with the mechanics of it. 

I realized that day that I couldn't have my daddy do things for me. I had to bury my own pets now. 

I was an adult.

As for Guinevere we gave her a non-denominational service and marked her resting place. My cousin was understandably upset. He was also upset because apparently Guinevere was catholic and we didn't give her a catholic service. 

I guess another part of being an adult is knowing that you'll never make everybody happy, no matter your best intentions.  

When do you realize you were an adult? 

Happy Labor ....er.... Fire Day

So while the east coast floods, central Texas is burning. A wall of flames is creeping, no running across the dry grass. The fire fighters hoped to stop it at hwy 71 but the flames were so high that it leaped over the highway and continued on its way. They are evacuating families and pets. A hesitant proclamation that it will take a couple of days still to control this fire. Other fires spring out of nothing miles from the original blaze. 

So far our house is safe, but we have our shoes and my purse right by the front door. Just in case. I hope that no one else is effected by flood or fire and is enjoying their labor day. But I think we could use a few prayers if you have any to spare. 

Have a happy Labor Day and stay safe please.

Food For Thought-Winnie The Pooh, Affirmations and Sugar Skull Whales

I think I am getting sick, which kind of sucks.  My husband and I are embarking on a better eating plan because our cholesterol is too high and we don't need to leave any orphans. Especially since we don't know anyone we'd want to raise them. I had some lazy days and have been reading a lot of library books. I also had a bad day where I just picked a fight with Robert for no reason. I hate those days. It's supposed to rain here tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breathe. We saw Winnie the Pooh and I thought it was adorable. Although it did seem to be an hour and 10 minutes of watching Pooh go through the DTs from honey. But otherwise, adorable.

Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.
— Harper Lee

In the winter it's a great hiking spot, in the summer when the snow melts it's a lake! With benches and bridges and grass. Amazing pictures.

Amazing photography and speaks to my chubby little baker heart.

I can't imagine not wanting to live here!

A photographer had couples switch their clothes. Some of the results are funny because they look so silly, but I like the ones who still look like they would wear it normally.

It's the 20th anniversary of Thelma and Louise! I think a girly viewing party on netflix is called for.

The top 20 girl anthems. Do you agree? What would your list look like?

8 of the most bad ass make a wish wishes.

Would Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn be on ADHD or ODD meds today?

Two deliciously nerdy Firefly t-shirts that I want. 

Threadless always rocks my socks off. 

100 Years of Style. Love it!

Just in case you have trouble with this like my dumb ass. Its vs It's

8 Daily Affirmations that I can get behind.

And that's all the Internet wrote this week. 

What was your favorite one from my list? Have you seen any that I missed this week?