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
Monday, May 24, 2010
Post 35 - He's Here, He's Here, He's Here!
...and I am over the moon!
Okay, so what's the skinny? Gosh, where to begin? Thursday morning, I went to work and was practically useless; I felt terrible because I love my job and I love to do wonderful things for my families but I couldn't help it - once I found the flight tracker online, I probably checked the little moving airplane on the map every 30 minutes! So, when I was on the L-train on my way to work, it was like "ooooh, he's half way over the Atlantic!" By Stella's snack time, "ohhhh, he's over Nova Scotia now!!" and then when she went down for her nap, "omg, he's flying over New Jersey!" His plane to Chicago departed from Atlanta at 3pm central time and I was so nervous about him making the connecting flight that I actually called Delta to make sure he actually made it ON the plane. Thankfully, the girl on the other end was compassionate enough to assure me that yes, he was on the plane and it was taxi-ing down the runway about to take off at that very moment. WOOOO!
By 5pm, he'd arrived in Chicago and at 5:15, I met my dragon man face to face for the first time. To say that we were both overwhelmed is an understatement! Add to that, Marc's fascination with a city like Chicago along with a heavy dose of jet lag and he was just speechless. We took the L-train home and I kind of let him look around at everything while we talked (and grinned a LOT) quietly. Once we got home, he dropped his bags, took me in his arms and that, boys and girls, was THAT.
Since then, we have slipped right into life together. To be honest, it's EXACTLY as I thought it would be. Only better somehow. We complement each other well (not a surprise to me at all) and our personalities are definitely well-suited to each other. I think we've both been alone long enough, too, that we truly appreciate - well, not just the kissing and the romance but the companionship, know what I mean? It's just really, really nice to have someone to wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee with in the morning. Add to that, holding hands, inside jokes, sharing meals and having talks about everything under the sun... I am in heaven!
Okay, so what's the skinny? Gosh, where to begin? Thursday morning, I went to work and was practically useless; I felt terrible because I love my job and I love to do wonderful things for my families but I couldn't help it - once I found the flight tracker online, I probably checked the little moving airplane on the map every 30 minutes! So, when I was on the L-train on my way to work, it was like "ooooh, he's half way over the Atlantic!" By Stella's snack time, "ohhhh, he's over Nova Scotia now!!" and then when she went down for her nap, "omg, he's flying over New Jersey!" His plane to Chicago departed from Atlanta at 3pm central time and I was so nervous about him making the connecting flight that I actually called Delta to make sure he actually made it ON the plane. Thankfully, the girl on the other end was compassionate enough to assure me that yes, he was on the plane and it was taxi-ing down the runway about to take off at that very moment. WOOOO!
By 5pm, he'd arrived in Chicago and at 5:15, I met my dragon man face to face for the first time. To say that we were both overwhelmed is an understatement! Add to that, Marc's fascination with a city like Chicago along with a heavy dose of jet lag and he was just speechless. We took the L-train home and I kind of let him look around at everything while we talked (and grinned a LOT) quietly. Once we got home, he dropped his bags, took me in his arms and that, boys and girls, was THAT.
Since then, we have slipped right into life together. To be honest, it's EXACTLY as I thought it would be. Only better somehow. We complement each other well (not a surprise to me at all) and our personalities are definitely well-suited to each other. I think we've both been alone long enough, too, that we truly appreciate - well, not just the kissing and the romance but the companionship, know what I mean? It's just really, really nice to have someone to wake up and enjoy a cup of coffee with in the morning. Add to that, holding hands, inside jokes, sharing meals and having talks about everything under the sun... I am in heaven!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Post 34 - ~squeeeee!~
Okay, so Kelley! Why haven't you written? Right? I know, I know... but I've been BUSY! And I never really know if anyone reads this thing anyway (except Leah, bless her!). But here's what I've been up to:
My Marc is currently en route to the USA via the Duesseldorf Airport and AirFrance. WOOOOO! I'm pretty darned excited! In just 18 hours, I will finally, finally, FINALLY know what it feels like to hold hands and hug my dragon man in person. Gosh, that's mind boggling. I've also been singing. Wanna listen? Sure you do. Here's my song I sang and dedicated to Marc in a contest I entered. It's pretty good, actually!
Phew. Tomorrow's going to be a pretty big day. Okay, not pretty big. Freaking huge! :) I'm so ready for this. Nervous, too! I mean *looks furtively around* I haven't had sex in more than two years! But that's not the main thing. I am meeting my future. He would have been worth the wait if I'd done it "the right way." Thank goodness, my God is a God of multiple chances. I am so grateful for what I have now, it takes my breath away. And yet, my feet are firmly on the ground. It's one of the things I love most about Marc. He says he puts me on a pedestal, yes, but that he keeps his hands firmly around my waist so I won't fall. He worries about his... you know... guy over 40 things. I tell him I will kiss his receding hairline when I see him. And his soft belly. I worry about the fact that I didn't lose 50 lbs before he got here. He tells me he loves every pound of me. *smile* I am excited, yes, but mostly.... I am content.
There's more news to share but I'm so exhausted and tomorrow is a big, big day! So off to sleep for me - good night, whoever you are. I hope your Thursday is amazing.
My Marc is currently en route to the USA via the Duesseldorf Airport and AirFrance. WOOOOO! I'm pretty darned excited! In just 18 hours, I will finally, finally, FINALLY know what it feels like to hold hands and hug my dragon man in person. Gosh, that's mind boggling. I've also been singing. Wanna listen? Sure you do. Here's my song I sang and dedicated to Marc in a contest I entered. It's pretty good, actually!
Phew. Tomorrow's going to be a pretty big day. Okay, not pretty big. Freaking huge! :) I'm so ready for this. Nervous, too! I mean *looks furtively around* I haven't had sex in more than two years! But that's not the main thing. I am meeting my future. He would have been worth the wait if I'd done it "the right way." Thank goodness, my God is a God of multiple chances. I am so grateful for what I have now, it takes my breath away. And yet, my feet are firmly on the ground. It's one of the things I love most about Marc. He says he puts me on a pedestal, yes, but that he keeps his hands firmly around my waist so I won't fall. He worries about his... you know... guy over 40 things. I tell him I will kiss his receding hairline when I see him. And his soft belly. I worry about the fact that I didn't lose 50 lbs before he got here. He tells me he loves every pound of me. *smile* I am excited, yes, but mostly.... I am content.
There's more news to share but I'm so exhausted and tomorrow is a big, big day! So off to sleep for me - good night, whoever you are. I hope your Thursday is amazing.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Post 33 - Glass Half Empty? Glass Half Full!
Okay, so here I am once again with another excuse about not writing. That's the bad news. The good news is... even though I'm not doing it every day, I am still maintaining this blog, which is totally a first for me! So as far as my ambitious goal of a daily entry? So far, a fail. But on the subject of my goal of actually keeping this thing going consistently, epic win! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
*firm nod of head*
So what's up in my little neck of the virtual woods? Everything, as usual. First off, Marc will be here in precisely six days, 20 hours and 36 minutes as I write this sentence. But who's counting? I am SO excited! And nervous! Not about meeting him face to face - that I am purely ready for, plain and simple! But he's been having internet problems and communicating without him having internet access is very hairy! I'm hoping and praying he'll be back online before next Thursday so we can finalise our plans but, if we don't talk, I'll just show up at the airport and cross my fingers. Ugh, I don't like not having a highly organized plan (with a Plan B and Plan C firmly in place) but I'll live. *grumbly sigh*
On the work front, I'm getting some requests to write blog content. For pay. Wheee! This is good news! I like writing. I like money. I like making money while writing. See? It's a beautiful thing! The day job is going well, too. I love the family that I work for and the itty bitty one that I care for is just too stinking cute. She's just discovered walking (a few steps here, a few steps there... a LOT of faceplants along the way so it's bruise city for her) and has great fun showing everyone how clever she is by wobbling from the couch to the table and back again. Good times for sure! It's been too rainy to get outside though so we've been cooped up indoors. Boo! Hiss! As my friend, Mia, said: Dear Mother Nature, why are you hating on us so much? We want to get outside and enjoy all you have to offer so ease up on the rain and cold a little, kthxbai!
Ooo. And here's news: my room mate's moving back in. Pardon my language but dammit! Ugh. Okay, so she owns the place (details! whatever!) but she's lived in it all of one month in the last 8 that I've been here and the last I'd heard, she wasn't coming back so I'd been getting kinda comfy. And *whispers* she's got issues. So I gotsta go... I can't stay around that kind of drama; I refuse to fill my life with bad vibes any more, you know? I just... won't do it. Which means I am now apartment hunting again. I've got several folks looking for me and trying to pull some strings for me so we'll see what shakes out. In the meantime, though, I'm just not worrying about it. The right place will turn up at the right time. The real estate agent might have a new condo for me to help out with, too, so ... I'll keep you posted as things develop.
For some reason, I am completely wiped out so I'm going to bed in a moment. I just... whew, 6 days and some change. Wow, this is really happening! :) :)) :))) :D
*firm nod of head*
So what's up in my little neck of the virtual woods? Everything, as usual. First off, Marc will be here in precisely six days, 20 hours and 36 minutes as I write this sentence. But who's counting? I am SO excited! And nervous! Not about meeting him face to face - that I am purely ready for, plain and simple! But he's been having internet problems and communicating without him having internet access is very hairy! I'm hoping and praying he'll be back online before next Thursday so we can finalise our plans but, if we don't talk, I'll just show up at the airport and cross my fingers. Ugh, I don't like not having a highly organized plan (with a Plan B and Plan C firmly in place) but I'll live. *grumbly sigh*
On the work front, I'm getting some requests to write blog content. For pay. Wheee! This is good news! I like writing. I like money. I like making money while writing. See? It's a beautiful thing! The day job is going well, too. I love the family that I work for and the itty bitty one that I care for is just too stinking cute. She's just discovered walking (a few steps here, a few steps there... a LOT of faceplants along the way so it's bruise city for her) and has great fun showing everyone how clever she is by wobbling from the couch to the table and back again. Good times for sure! It's been too rainy to get outside though so we've been cooped up indoors. Boo! Hiss! As my friend, Mia, said: Dear Mother Nature, why are you hating on us so much? We want to get outside and enjoy all you have to offer so ease up on the rain and cold a little, kthxbai!
Ooo. And here's news: my room mate's moving back in. Pardon my language but dammit! Ugh. Okay, so she owns the place (details! whatever!) but she's lived in it all of one month in the last 8 that I've been here and the last I'd heard, she wasn't coming back so I'd been getting kinda comfy. And *whispers* she's got issues. So I gotsta go... I can't stay around that kind of drama; I refuse to fill my life with bad vibes any more, you know? I just... won't do it. Which means I am now apartment hunting again. I've got several folks looking for me and trying to pull some strings for me so we'll see what shakes out. In the meantime, though, I'm just not worrying about it. The right place will turn up at the right time. The real estate agent might have a new condo for me to help out with, too, so ... I'll keep you posted as things develop.
For some reason, I am completely wiped out so I'm going to bed in a moment. I just... whew, 6 days and some change. Wow, this is really happening! :) :)) :))) :D
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