Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Post 39 - Adventures In Doggy Baths
Today's slide show involves a bath time experiment with my dog, Jilly. She hates baths. In fact, she's the only lab I've ever seen who hates water. But she does. H.A.T.E.S. it. So bath time is a huge pain in the a$$. An acquaintance of mine mentioned that she smears peanut butter on the side of her tub and her dog (not a fan of bathing) pretty much lets her do whatever as long as he gets to nosh on peanut butter while she's doing it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained so I gave it a try and here, for your viewing pleasure, are the results. THANKS, MELANIE S. FROM YELP!!!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Post 38 - Pride Week in Chicago
Wow. This was a CRAZY day... and I am thoroughly, utterly exhausted! As usual, I'm long over-due for an update but hey, you know what? I'm still keeping this blog active several months after I started it so, to me, that's a major victory. And thank you especially to Leah for prodding my butt and reminding me occasionally to keep at it. Teena too!
So today I went to my first Chicago Gay Pride Parade. I was informed that, while it's the second largest in the nation (San Francisco, of course, is the largest but honestly, after this three hour long thing today, I can't imagine that SF's parade is much bigger), it's the oldest pride parade! Anyway, WOW, what a day. I don't normally drink - not that I'm against it or anything; I just don't usually want to spend the money on something that's likely to make me act stupid and feel crummy the next day. But today was a day of fun and support and Duffy's had 44 oz. Pink Electric Lemonades at a killer price so... what's a girl to do? I bought a beverage. And it was GOOD.
My good friend and former flat mate, Hunter, met up with me and we had a blast! And, oh my, some of the things people wore were a little on the crazy side but, for the most part, it wasn't ridiculous or obscene, just people celebrating life and supporting each other. And. I. SAW. THE. STANLEY. CUP. From, like, 5 feet away (no joke)... it's HUGE! And Chely Wright was the Grand Marshall - how cool is that? Don't know who she is? Google her.
You know, as a Christian, I think a lot about this "gay thing." I have more questions than answers and most of my questions are based on the hateful exclusion of people for being gay. I mean, when I went through my divorce, the people from my church were so horrible to me. I was hurting and they turned their backs on me. My gay co-workers were the ones who held me up and said, "you're okay, honey, and this is hard but it's going to get better." I just don't understand. I mean, if being gay is a sin, then that's between that person and God. But if it IS a sin... doesn't the Bible say to obey the laws of the land? And doesn't the Bible say that there is only one unforgivable sin? And that in God's eyes, other than that one thing, a sin is a sin is a sin? If so... then why aren't people who break the law by speeding ostracized by the church? Why aren't people who pilfer a pen or a pad of paper from work called out? Why is it only the people who do drugs or the people who live lifestyles of an "alternate sexual choice?" I don't think I'll ever understand that as long as I have breath in this body.
But enough of that! On with the show! (more photos to follow when I have time to upload them)
So today I went to my first Chicago Gay Pride Parade. I was informed that, while it's the second largest in the nation (San Francisco, of course, is the largest but honestly, after this three hour long thing today, I can't imagine that SF's parade is much bigger), it's the oldest pride parade! Anyway, WOW, what a day. I don't normally drink - not that I'm against it or anything; I just don't usually want to spend the money on something that's likely to make me act stupid and feel crummy the next day. But today was a day of fun and support and Duffy's had 44 oz. Pink Electric Lemonades at a killer price so... what's a girl to do? I bought a beverage. And it was GOOD.
My good friend and former flat mate, Hunter, met up with me and we had a blast! And, oh my, some of the things people wore were a little on the crazy side but, for the most part, it wasn't ridiculous or obscene, just people celebrating life and supporting each other. And. I. SAW. THE. STANLEY. CUP. From, like, 5 feet away (no joke)... it's HUGE! And Chely Wright was the Grand Marshall - how cool is that? Don't know who she is? Google her.
You know, as a Christian, I think a lot about this "gay thing." I have more questions than answers and most of my questions are based on the hateful exclusion of people for being gay. I mean, when I went through my divorce, the people from my church were so horrible to me. I was hurting and they turned their backs on me. My gay co-workers were the ones who held me up and said, "you're okay, honey, and this is hard but it's going to get better." I just don't understand. I mean, if being gay is a sin, then that's between that person and God. But if it IS a sin... doesn't the Bible say to obey the laws of the land? And doesn't the Bible say that there is only one unforgivable sin? And that in God's eyes, other than that one thing, a sin is a sin is a sin? If so... then why aren't people who break the law by speeding ostracized by the church? Why aren't people who pilfer a pen or a pad of paper from work called out? Why is it only the people who do drugs or the people who live lifestyles of an "alternate sexual choice?" I don't think I'll ever understand that as long as I have breath in this body.
But enough of that! On with the show! (more photos to follow when I have time to upload them)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Post 37 - What A Whirlwind!!!
Wow, so lots of updates to share!
First, the visit with Marc. Can I just say this? I'm in love. No, make that Love. Capital L, no doubt about it. And make no mistake - I don't think either one of us is putting on the "oh, we're new and in love so everything is forgivable" act (hahaha)! But I am so happy, so excited about our future... finally finally finally, life feels right on track. It's difficult to explain. I mean, it's not that Marc completes me. For the first time in my life, I feel complete all by myself. But we bring out the best in each other - for SURE. And that is most definitely a good thing!
We had to say our "see you later" on Monday, 7 June. I was a little teary but not overly dramatic because I know our path now. This wasn't "good bye;" it really was, "see you soon - now hurry back!" We've got a lot of work to do and it all starts with me. I'm still not legally divorced from the ex and he's buggered off to who-knows-where in England. So finally, I can file for a default divorce. Thank GOODNESS. Once that's done, Marc and I are on our way to a K-1 visa journey together. Hooray!
Work! What's going on with work? Everything! I'm still nannying/managing households by day. But I've begun writing again (yes, for pay) at night - which is a big reason why I haven't been here. I'm writing and writing at a frenzied pace every day but it's not always here on this blog. I need to do something about that. A little check-in now and again to keep the pulse vibrating. Also, I think I need some sort of focus instead of just writing willy-nilly about whatever's in my head. I'll give that some thought!
So what else is going on? My youngest has been here with me for the past couple of weeks. She arrived the Saturday before Marc left. A week later, one of her best friends arrived and will be staying with us until Thursday. They've been wonderful and very, very... 8th grade (as well they should be at 12 and 13 years old)! So I'm happy as a clam that they're here and I'm utterly exhausted as well! Let's see... the friend leaves on Thursday and then, on Friday, my 15 year old arrives with one of her closest friends. I'll have two 15 year olds and a 12 year old occupying every corner of my tiny apartment. Pray for me! hahaha!
Alrighty, I need to get back to work for now but I really didn't want to let another day go by without checking in, whoever you are... chat soon!
First, the visit with Marc. Can I just say this? I'm in love. No, make that Love. Capital L, no doubt about it. And make no mistake - I don't think either one of us is putting on the "oh, we're new and in love so everything is forgivable" act (hahaha)! But I am so happy, so excited about our future... finally finally finally, life feels right on track. It's difficult to explain. I mean, it's not that Marc completes me. For the first time in my life, I feel complete all by myself. But we bring out the best in each other - for SURE. And that is most definitely a good thing!
We had to say our "see you later" on Monday, 7 June. I was a little teary but not overly dramatic because I know our path now. This wasn't "good bye;" it really was, "see you soon - now hurry back!" We've got a lot of work to do and it all starts with me. I'm still not legally divorced from the ex and he's buggered off to who-knows-where in England. So finally, I can file for a default divorce. Thank GOODNESS. Once that's done, Marc and I are on our way to a K-1 visa journey together. Hooray!
Work! What's going on with work? Everything! I'm still nannying/managing households by day. But I've begun writing again (yes, for pay) at night - which is a big reason why I haven't been here. I'm writing and writing at a frenzied pace every day but it's not always here on this blog. I need to do something about that. A little check-in now and again to keep the pulse vibrating. Also, I think I need some sort of focus instead of just writing willy-nilly about whatever's in my head. I'll give that some thought!
So what else is going on? My youngest has been here with me for the past couple of weeks. She arrived the Saturday before Marc left. A week later, one of her best friends arrived and will be staying with us until Thursday. They've been wonderful and very, very... 8th grade (as well they should be at 12 and 13 years old)! So I'm happy as a clam that they're here and I'm utterly exhausted as well! Let's see... the friend leaves on Thursday and then, on Friday, my 15 year old arrives with one of her closest friends. I'll have two 15 year olds and a 12 year old occupying every corner of my tiny apartment. Pray for me! hahaha!
Alrighty, I need to get back to work for now but I really didn't want to let another day go by without checking in, whoever you are... chat soon!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
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