The Wandering Tigerblue

Poor neglected Blog

2010-04-29T16:49:00.002-05:00

Oh dear, I forgot about this blog and I had such good intentions of keeping it up the last time I posted. I must be getting old, just got a notice to sign up for my 25th class reunion. Funny thing is I had not thought about high school in years. Then I set up a Facebook page and all of a sudden there were these people wanting to friend me that seemed vaguely familiar but I just couldn't place them until I figured out they were from my high school. Time flys.....

Old Blog New Design

2009-03-15T10:12:00.008-05:00

March 15, 2009
Spring is in the air and that means the trees, other plants and all that green is coming alive again. I figure its time for my blog to start out fresh too. Now it has a new look and a new focus. Realistically I will not be able to keep up with posting everyday so I am going to try posting about the trips large and small that we take. We have a very busy spring and summer planned, with lots of camping trips, biking trips and our big trip to Washington DC coming up next week. I will try to post lots of pictures of our adventures. My gal may post sometimes too. Let's go.

Wednesday we are leaving for 9 days in Washington DC. In order to save as much money as possible we will travel via planes, trains, and automobiles to get out to our hotel in Chantilly, Virginia. Hopefully mama will not be thrown from the train.

Place I Cannot Wait to Visit

2008-09-12T18:02:00.003-05:00

These posts get more sporadic and each time I post I think I will get back to doing it regularly but alas it doesn't come to pass. So this time, no promises, I had the urge to post because I am excited about going to this place. Hopefully I will be able to capture a few pics next weekend to share. Next weekend is Hawk week and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth Minnesota. I am not sure why but after reading an article in a conservation magazine a couple of weeks ago I have been hoping to have a chance to visit. Luckily its the perfect time of year. Hawk Ridge is a perfect place to see migrating birds as they move south in the fall. One year they counted over 5,000 birds passing over Hawk Ridge in one day and that was only counting from 8am to 5pm.

Let the Games Begin

2008-08-08T16:10:00.002-05:00

The next 17 days are all about the Olympics for me. I love watching those sports that you only see in the Olympics. Tonight the opening ceremonies on TV eventhough they already happened. Even before I start watching the coverage I am behind. A little Mickey Mouse Olympics to start off the games.

Family Fun

2008-07-28T15:41:00.004-05:00

Lakewoods Resort on Lake Namakagon in northern Wisconsin

This past weekend my family spent the weekend together in a cabin at this resort. It was our annual birthday celebration. Instead of buying presents for my six nephews on their birthdays in the fall and winter we decided a few years ago to go on a family vacation in the summer instead. We do not have a permanent spot picked out yet but are trying different things each year. This year we may have found that spot.

We saved money by cooking our own food and saved headacheds with the kids by having a secluded yard for them to run around on without driving the neighbors crazy.

My family has been great accepting Debbi and her kids. She and Kathie(the twelve year old) came along and everyone treated them as a part of the family. Kathie had a great time even though she was the only girl amongst twelve boys.

We got my mom on a pontoon boat and she hates being on boats but had so much fun in the morning that she went back out on the boat in the afternoon. The boys had a peeing contest off the side of the boat. (Boys!) Ben the 4 year old all of a sudden had to pee every two minutes.

We caught a few fish. The kids swam off the boat. Adults had a few beers and we crashed at the cabin.

The best part every one had fun.

Rainbows

2008-07-03T14:03:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

My fishing adventure

2008-05-13T20:14:00.002-05:00

This post is empty just like my fishing line this weekend. I got zero, zippo, zilch, but I did drown a few worms. Hehehehehehe!

Cinnamon Crunch and Late Nights

2008-05-06T19:22:00.002-05:00

Posting as I eat one of my favorites a Cinnamon Crunch Bagel from Panera Bread. I may have found my hang out for Internet access. The local Panera Bread. Where else could I snack on my Cinnamon Crunch and see the world.

This post is for the purpose of getting out my frustrations at the way some parents deal with their children that just doesn't make any sense. Last night I sat up with my girlfriend, her son and his girlfriend outside on the curb waiting for LT's mother to pick her up. She ran away from home and has been staying at my gal's place for the last two weeks. She has been calling her mother daily to try to work it out so she can go home. Last night her mom comes over to pick her up or at least that is what we thought. After screaming at her for 20 minutes the mom leaves with her daughter left behind. Mom calls the police to come over suggesting that my gal is harboring a runaway teenager. When the police arrive they suggest that the girl wait outside on the curb for her mom to pick her up. At midnight the mother has yet to arrive calling the daughter to say she is not sure she will come to take her home. At this point the police ask my girl if it is ok for the daughter to stay at overnight. Of course!What is she going to do put her out on the street?

This evening my gal again called the police to let them know that LT was still at her house. The poor officer was so frustrated with the mother he was apologizing over and over to my girl. Thanking her for caring for her son's girlfriend and not putting her on the street.

I am sure that LT's mother is very frustrated with the choices her daughter has been making. My girl understand's that she is a very frustrated mom trying to deal with a teenage daughter and she is running out of ideas on how to handle the situation. My gal is a lot more generous towards the mother than myself. Sorry for the rambling things like this make me so frustrated and kinda mad.

Whewwww! Now that I got that off my chest. I think I'll have another cinnamon crunch and shop the Planet Shop.

Gone Fishing

2008-05-04T13:14:00.002-05:00

Next weekend May 10 is fishing opener in Minnesota. Strangely enough opening weekend always falls on Mother's Day weekend. I haven't fished since I was a kid at my grandpa Barnes' cabin on Blue Lake. This year 'cause my gal suggested it we are going fishing at 4:00am next Saturday. She has all the gear poles, hooks, nets, and stuff. I just bought my very first fishing pole of my own. So many to choose from and I have no idea what to buy. I stuck with the cheaper pole but those $100 poles look snazzy. She insisted that I buy my own tackle box and all the stuff to put in it. Most of it I have no idea what to do with but it looks shiny and has pretty colors. Hahahahahaha!

The plan is we have to stay out on the lake until we catch enough fish to eat. We'll go out with my dad's little fishing boat. Its just me, my gal, her daughter, and my dad. My mom's present is she does not have to go out at 4:00am. Hopefully we catch something like these girls.

March in Minnesota

2008-03-19T18:12:00.004-05:00

You may think I forgot I had this blog. Nope. My Internet access lately has been interupted at home and I am often lazy to get out and drive somewhere to find access. Now that the weather is getting better I will venture out more. So I should be posting more frequently. What to say oh what to say? I need inspiration. While I ponder what to post I'll just post these pics of March in Minnesota. Will the snow stay away? When will it be warm again? Hmmmmm............

50 Years of Building Blocks

2008-01-28T20:20:00.000-06:00

Oh the fun my brothers and I used to have with Lego's. Jumped on the computer today to see that its the 50th anniversary of the Lego building blocks. What a great toy! Love to hang out at Lego Land in the Mall of America with my nephew's because they have a place where you can sit down and play with Lego's. Hurrah for the Lego!

Now for a more important question. My girlfriend and I are talking about getting married this summer. Where and exactly when has yet to be determined. More importantly we are thinking about where to go for our honeymoon. Any ideas?

Museums,Parties,Hotels,LWord

2008-01-06T14:19:00.000-06:00

So far 2008 is starting out as a blast. After the New Year party at PI my gal took me to a hotel for my birthday. It was fantabulous to have a whole night without kids banging on the door at the worst possible times. Other than that I've been spending the week museum hopping. Saw the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Walker Art Center. Her work is so very cool. For me though even better than the art exhibit was the visit to A Day in Pompeii at the Minnesota Science Museum.

It was a packed house and luckily we had reserved tickets earlier because the exhibit was sold out. Volcanoes intrigue me. A volcano video to hawaiian elevator music.

This evening off to see the LWord Season 5 premier at PI. Hmmmm.....been spending a lot of time there this week.

My 100th Post

2007-12-27T14:03:00.000-06:00

To celebrate my 100th post a photo from one of my favorite web sites Earthshots.org. Everyday they pick a winning photo and this is today's choice a photo of a lemon shark. Finally made it to the 100th post. This is the time of year when many people are looking back on the past year and making lists of the best this or that of 2007. This year has been a very good year for me. My mom made it through another health crisis, I moved to a new apartment with a pool, I got to meet Uta, Edilma, Carrie and Fran in person and spend a great 4th of July weekend in Milwaukee with Minnie, I graduated, my parents moved to a new house, and I found a girlfriend.

Oh, how could I forget that I also came out to an old straight friend and to my family. Maybe not the best way to do things but I came out to my family this Christmas. Basically it was no big deal 'cause they had already figured it out for themselves. When I told them and introduced my girlfriend my mother's only comment was she seems nice, where did you meet her. So I'm done with the whole hiding thing which makes it so much easier.

My girlfriend also came out to her parents. Her Dad was ok with it. Not thrilled but accepted her and spent Christmas day with us at my gals house. Her mother on the hand. I will give you a clue there has already been a prayer service for my gal on Christmas Eve praying that she will see the light and the demon (that's me) will disappear.

This demon is looking forward to more adventures in 2008. Starting it out with some sliding tonight. New Year's Eve is the beginning of three days of celebrating. The official holiday and then my birthday. Have a great New Year all my blogging friends. I Love you all.

Family Christmas Traditions

2007-12-17T13:18:00.000-06:00

A few years back we started playing a game at the annual family Christmas party. The rules of the game are every adult spends $25.00 on gifts for the game. You may also regift anything you have received in previous years as well as include things you have around the house. All the gifts are wrapped.

Here's how we play the game: All the gifts are dumped into a pile in the middle of the floor and everyone sits in a circle around the presents. We roll two dice. When you get doubles you pick a gift from the pile. Once the pile is gone we set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes and start rolling the dice again, but now you steal gifts from other people's piles. During this time it gets a little hectic as people start to pick favorites and everyone now wants that gift. Nobody except the buyer knows if we are fighting over a bottle of wine or a rock. To give you an idea of the gifts in the pile this is what I brought for the game. Two gift boxes one with cheese and crackers another with Bailey's Caramel Hot Chocolate. In addition I brought a roll of toilet paper, Butt-Face soap, a pink fuzzy frame, a stuffed fish, and a bag of M&M's. I got stuck with the stuffed fish last year. It is the one present that has been in every game since the beginning. One more rule everyone must take home all the junk they win in the game.

This past Saturday was the party. It took 2 hours to play the game and I went home with a tool kit, massager, bath foam, hotties, plastic leftover containers, and a six pack of Lieneukugel with one full beer and 5 empties and a note saying they owed me a 5th pack.

What holiday traditions does anybody else have?

P.S. I brought my girlfriend to the party too. More about that next time.

The Next Chapter

2007-12-10T12:31:00.000-06:00

I know it has been a while since I last blogged. Time seems to keep getting away on me. I plan to put up a new blog and before I know it a month or two has passed. This blog is supposed to be about whatever pops into my head and my mind is tossing around a lot of things these days. Its hard for me to keep track of it all. I am ending one chapter of my life and starting another. Everything is good, great actually.

After 3 almost 4 years I am finishing school and getting my masters degree. I hadn't been thinking that much about it until the last couple of weeks when I was taking my last class. I wished for something all students want and it came true. You all know that I wanted snow a couple of weekends ago. I love snow but the main reason I wanted it on that day was that maybe I could get out of doing my last presentation. It worked! Amazing! I had a bit of senoritis and really was not into making that presentation.

Now I'm on the job hunt. I've decided to be open to moving almost anywhere. I'll see where this road leads me.

A video from one of my favorites Sarah McLachlan. I love the story Charlotte's Web too. To me the best part of the video the pig playing in the mud.

Have you ever ran away from it all

2007-10-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, especially lately, I cannot seem to catch up to myself. I run around to get everything done and when its time to rest a minute I find ten more things that need to be done. My girl and I have been talking lately about getting in the car and just driving away somewhere to relax. Problem is feeling that nagging responsible gene reminding us we need our jobs and she has dependents to support. Alas its worth dreaming about anyway...... Has anyone ever done that? Get in your car and drive away. Not a planned vacation or break but just take off for a while. If you have where did you go and what did you do?

Weekend Plans: Taking the day off of work on Saturday and getting up early to take my girl's daughter to the Minnesota Zoo. I'm hoping to see the tigers up close again. Its just her and I for the morning to get to know each other better. At noon its off to my parents house to finish digging through what remains of my junk there and hauling it to my apartment. A few odd chores need to be taken care of like changing the oil in my car.

Sunday is for adult fun. Well sort of. My gal found these cheap tickets to the Vikings game. This will only be my second time to a proffessional American Football game. Looking forward to eating and drinking at the dome and having a relaxing time. It would be nice if the Vikings can win a game.

Hope everyone has a super weekend.

Return from the shadows

2007-09-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

Wow! I didn't realize its been a month since my last post. My life sorta got turned upside down and twisted by a beautiful woman. I 've been away from the computer and lots of other parts of my life while I took a little time to get to know her better. I didn't know that me being in a relationship was going to cause the turmoil that it has for some of the people in my life. Here's a little update.

My last post left off with me and DJ getting together. Since then I think we've seen each other everyday. Is she the one??? I don't know. I know that I want to spend more time with her and we'll see where it goes. The two of us together created a challenge for her kids and unexpectedly from my kids (roommates).

Granted all of a sudden I seemed to have disappeared from the apartment for several days in a row, but I didn't expect to be cornered upon my return one evening. I come home to stay for a couple of days and within seconds get, "We miss you, are you ever going to be home again? We do not like her? She doesn't understand the lesbian world." (Did I tell you she has not been with a woman before? I may have left that out. I did say it was complicated and troublesome.) Throw me getting sick into the mix and its been a wild month. A month ago if you had told me I would be driving kids to work, school, and planning how to sneak away for alone time with my girl I'd have LMAO.

Anyway, I'm back to the blogging.DJ knows all about my blogger pals and how important you all are to me. One interesting thing we did was go to the Renaissance Festival a couple of weeks ago. It was a blast, butt got to the elephant rides too late. We did see bellydancers, a glass blowing demonstration and comedians Puke and Snot.

Dating adventures part 2

2007-08-16T12:16:00.000-05:00

K's protests go unheard (at first) besides we are not heading into the tent for the night just riding out the rain. Problems with a leaky tent and everbody getting wet because water is leaking in from the floor. This leads to screaming K and screaming DJ. After a few minutes things are quieted down and we all make up a story because thats a family tradition always done while camping. I am not having that much fun and now I'll be sleeping on a wet matress......hmmmm why was this a good idea? Rain stops alleluia! Everybody out of the tent.

Restart the campfire, make smores and find something dry to sit on. Once the candy is all gone it is apparent the plan is for DJ and I to stay out by the fire and talk. The girls are supposed to go to bed, Ha. This only happens after much whining and complaining from K. We talk, basically getting to know more about each other. We tell our life stories the short version. K continuously screaming from the tent for mommy to come in and stop talking or whatever we call it.

DJ's story is very complicated and troubled. I should be running the other way as fast as I can, butt its after 10pm and the park gates are closed for the night. Oh well, its in the tent we all go same sleeping arrangement accept K does sleep on air matress with mommy and I cling to the edge trying not to fall into the puddle. I do not sleep a wink and then have to get up to go to the bathroom. This sounds easy enough but the bathroom is an outhouse and I have no flashlight. Eventually find my way and when I return to the tent, DJ is awake and wants me to snuggle up next to her and cuddle. I did and it was nice. Of course a sleeping bag was used to conceal from K that mommy and I were not following her wishes.

When the sun came up we all got up and had breakfast. K talking about how happy she was that her older sister and brother would be moving out soon and she would have mommy all to herself. I thought nothing of it until DJ said something to the effect that K might have to share mommy with someone. K says why you gonna have another kid. DJ doesn't say anything but looks at me and I think Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wait a minute.

This is way long but I'm gonna catch you up to today.
That was last Sunday. I'm thinking that was interesting. I decided not to contact her and wait to see what she did. Monday night she asked me to come over to her house after work. Now I need to make a decision. Run the other way or take a risk. I figure wouldn't hurt to get to know her better.

At her house Monday night we sit on the balcony and talked.Talking leads to cuddling. Cuddling leads to....... Remember the roses sent on Tuesday. Minnie your right about the roses. And yes she liked them very much.

Tip for those that don't already know this: Lock bedroom door when children are in the house.

Busy Making Part Three of this Story

2007-08-14T12:30:00.000-05:00

So busy living part three of this story,ran out of time to write part two. It'll be here tomorrow. Hope she likes the roses I sent her today.

More dating adventures

2007-08-13T08:58:00.000-05:00

So yeah, my first impressions should maybe be reconsidered. I gave in to a 2nd date with DJ (she needs to have a name). After the baseball game DJ was emailing and calling daily asking me to go out again. She was very persistent inviting me to a different event each time. Finally she invited me to drive down and join her, K her 11 year old daughter, and G the daughters friend camping at a state park about an hour away from home. I really like camping, so I gave in. Sitting beside a campfire in the dark is a good place to get to know someone better.

Drove down to the park after work so it was late about 8:00pm when I got to the campsite. They were waiting for me to eat, steaks and hamburgers on the grill. After dinner plans to take the girls kayaking and fishing, butt mother nature has other plans and it begins to rain in a downpour. Everybody into one tent. So I'm wondering, what is the plan here for sleeping arrangements. Let's see kids on floor, grownups on air mattress. Hmmmm.......so I'll be sleeping next to DJ and its becoming clearer that she has planned this all out. I'm a little uncomfortable here, butt decide lets see exactly what DJ's got planned.

Problem: K has other ideas. She's not liking this arrangement. Thinks she should sleep on the air mattress with mommy and I could just sleep in the car.

This is getting long so to be continued.....

I'm It

2007-08-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

I love playing tag so thanks for tagging me Minnie. So here goes:

Rules

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves

3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

5. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

8 random facts about me:

1. I am 1/4 of a Wright County Fair 4-H Herdsmanship award winning team. There's a trophy somewhere. This means that me, my brother and our two friends were the best at shoveling and cleaning up cow crap for a week. We came in second the year before we won and devised a plan on how to win.

2. I like to listen to Imagination Theater a live mystery radio drama. I especially like the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

3. I've never seen the ocean.

4. I've never been drunk. Really. Usually 'cause I'm always the driver.

5. I have a fear of driving near water. Always feel that my car is going to end up in the water. Almost did end up in the lake when I took a corner a little to fast, but managed to get back on the road and only ended up with some weeds stuck in the fender of the car.

6. I like raw cake batter better than a cooked cake.

7. I worked in an egg factory peeling hard boiled eggs for a summer job one year. Learned the best way to peel eggs. I had to sign a form promising not to divulge the secret method.

8. I never want to lose touch with the kid inside of me.

I don't think I can come up with eight people to tag so I'll just tag a handful:

Aussie Girl

Cookie Brain

Edilma

Seymour

Do All Available Women My Age Have Kids?

2007-08-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

Update on Internet Dating: This is kind of boring so don't say I didn't warn you. I let my subscription to match.com run out, butt not before inviting a couple of women to email me outside of the dating service. Saturday I gave it one more try and set up a meeting with a gal that actually lives just a few miles from me. I was pretty sure she was going to show up 'cause she was persistent trying to arrange a meeting. It wasn't easy finding the time since she's got three of her own kids and a nephew living with her. Yeah, you read that right. Three kids. A 21 year old son, 20 year old daughter, and an 11 year old daughter.

We decided not to send each other photos so we had a blind date. Saturday we met downtown Minneapolis for the Twins baseball game. We had a good time texting trying to find each other in the crowd outside the dome. I had a good time watching the game, drinking beer and talking. She was enjoying time away from the kids. We talked a lot. Yeah, I talked quite a bit for me. Mostly though she talked about her kids. We're going to a Saint Paul Saints game in a couple of weeks.

Love connection? I don't think so. Nah, she's too much like me, but she's needing time away from those kids. A new friend is always good. On my way home I was thinking, she's the kind of gal I would have been friends with in high school if I had been out back then.

Had dinner with my straight friend tonight. She's got a new job so we don't see each other daily anymore. Only thing I can say about time spent with her....why am I always so attracted to women that are unavailable to me? Probably should avoid spending time with her for a while. Ugh!

BLT anyone! The first tomato from our garden. Picked today. Cucumber too. We've had a few of those already.

Update

2007-07-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

So.....what happened with my friend. We talked after work last night when I drove her back to her car. I told her I wanted to tell her something. I said: "I'm gay." She took my hand said: "I know." Leaned over and gave me a kiss on the lips. Hah! That's not exactly true.

What really happened. I said: "I'm gay." She said: "Oh, that is a surprise. It's a little uncomfortable. I've never had a close friend tell me anything like that before. I guess I just figured that my unmarried friends were unmarried for the same reasons I'm unmarried. Glad you felt comfortable telling me. This doesn't change our friendship at all. Who else is going to listen to my stories the way you do. See you tomorrow."

Me wondering: That went well. Will there still be candy and lunches?

I cannot help myself I wanna laugh today

2007-07-23T09:51:00.000-05:00

Technology and modern conveniences are trying to frustrate me today and make me scream or cry. I refuse, I'm going to laugh instead, because the crying and the screaming are stressing me out. Its not helping fix the issue anyway. Lately I've been taking life way to seriously. Not enough laughter.

I'm going to start posting more often for a little while. I'm not saying daily, and I'm not saying not daily. I doubt there will be any kind of theme and things will be very random. Here we go. Hang on its going to be a bumpy ride, but nobodies going to get hurt.

A few years ago I went to see Ellen perform at the State Theater here in Minneapolis. I couldn't stop laughing at her bit about walking into doors because its so true. Found it on youtube so here it is hope it makes you all laugh too or at least smile. I know its a long video, but its soooooo funny.

She say's it better than I can

2007-07-22T00:18:00.000-05:00

Update: Don't have any updates about coming out to my friend. There is nothing to report yet. Didn't get the chance to tell her, because her brother came home for a visit this past week before shipping out to Iraq and I haven't seen her very much these past few days.

A little spoken word from Pandora Scooter. I'm thankful for the poets and the storytellers in this world. (I miss your stories Lurker.)

Need to make a decision

2007-07-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

Warning!!!! This is a long post 'cause I have a lot of questions?

Decision Number 1:

My subscription to Match.com is about to run out in the next week. I haven't found anyone special in fact its been sort of a drag because I set up meetings with 3 women only to have them chicken out each time at the last minute. They all came up with some sort of excuse....I fell down the stairs and hurt my back, my friend is going through a breakup gotta spend time with her, I was there but did not see you. Whatever!!!!!I was just going to let it run out and forget about this online dating thing, butt today I was winked at by 3 more women. One from afar in Pennsylvania, one apparently in my neighborhood somewhere, and the third just over the border in Wisconsin. So I'm wondering: Should I sign up again for one more month, do I email them all and see if they want to contact me outside of match.com, or forget it 'cause nothing may come of it anyway? I'm leaning towards emailing them and asking if they want to contact me outside of match.com. Hmmmmm....this is a fun problem to have.

What do you all think?

Decision Number 2:

Minnie knows a bit about this one. An old straight friend of mine, recently moved back to Minnesota. We have been working together at this temp job for about 5 months now. A while back she sends me a couple mushy friendship cards. Then she brought me candy and this week she started bringing me a lunch. Problem is eventhough she's probably figured out that I'm gay by now I haven't officially come out to her. I know I need to that's not the question. I got to do it soon 'cause Thursday night I drove her to her car expecting she would jump out as soon as we got there. Instead she wanted to talk. I had to sit on my hands to prevent myself from reaching out and touching her. The question is when I come out to her do I let her know that I am interested or let that wait? This one I'm really nervous about. Sometimes I wish there was a neon sign on my forhead flashing...Lesbian then I wouldn't have to keep explaining it.

Taking a Break to have some fun

2007-07-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

Got enough work done so I can play in Milwaukee for a few days. So excited.......I cannot sit still. All packed and ready to go just a few last minute things to take care of. Didn't get all the homework done but enough to take some time off.

Work, Work, Work

2007-06-26T05:43:00.000-05:00

This photo is a good representation of me this week. I'm finishing up all the school work so I can go and play next week.

PS: Actually I love doing this stuff. Its all about the Internet.

My Dad

2007-06-16T22:22:00.000-05:00

My Mom, me and my Dad

(This picture was taken after I gave them a little scare by catching pneumonia at 3 weeks old.)

Growing up on the farm meant my Dad was always home to spend time with me and my brothers.

I've posted about my mom and now its my dad's turn. My dad's not much of a talker. He taught us by his actions.

Walk to the woods and pick wildflowers for mom on ordinary days. Feed the barn cats with fresh milk from the tank and make sure to scratch each one behind the ears everyday. Don't spend money unnecessarily, a beer bottle and a large nipple work just as well as the fancy bottle from the vet for feeding calves. Work a 16 hour day and when you can barely drag your feet to the house take the time to play a game of baseball with the kids on the lawn. If a neighbor or a stranger comes pounding on your door at night put your shoes on and help him. When the TV breaks, gather everyone around, turn the lights off and tell stories late into the night. On a hot summer day the best way to cool off is a water fight involving garden hoses and ice cream pails. Nobody is off limits, not even grandma.

That's my Dad.

Lollygagging

2007-06-11T09:52:00.000-05:00

Lollygagging, is one of my favorite words. I have often been told to stop lollygagging. One bloggers definition might explain why I like this word. Here's what they said about the origin of the word:

"First up in the batting order of possible "lollygag" clues is "loll," which is a very old word originally meaning "to droop or dangle." We use "loll" today to mean to relax or pass time idly, the sort of behavior that vacations are designed to encourage. There seems to be a plausible connection between this "utterly relaxed" meaning of "loll" and the "wasting time" sense of "lollygag." Another bit of evidence might be found in the fact that "to loll" also means to let your tongue hang out, and that "lolly" is an English slang term for tongue (quite possibly the source of the name of our friend the lollipop, by the way). Perhaps "lollygagging" arose from the perception that lazy lollygaggers were adept at exercising only one muscle -- their tongues."

What's your favorite word?

I Feel Lucky

2007-06-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

My mom's home, doing well, and I feel very lucky.

Ahhh! Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine. I love both characters in the TV series Star Trek Voyager. I found some fun videos on YouTube edited to look like Janeway and Seven of Nine were a couple. I liked this one because of the song by Mary Chapin Carpenter, "I Feel Lucky". I couldn't decide which one to post. I am not a big science fiction fan, but going into space appeals to me. I would love to be Captain Janeway flying around the universe and if we picked up a creature like Seven of Nine it would be my lucky day.

Would you want to fly in outer space if it was possible to do do safely?

Besides fantasizing about floating around the universe I will be spending my week watching my favorite sport of all, softball (Yep, basketball is in second place). The College Women's Softball World Series is taking place in Oklahoma City. I had a chance to catch a couple of games this weekend and hope to squeeze in a few more. Anybody play softball on a team or just for fun? I played softball in high school, at home with my bro's, on a 4-H team, and on a team at one of my first jobs. I was going to play on a team this year for fun, but life got in the way. Maybe next year.

The Power of Love

2007-05-23T23:25:00.000-05:00

Mom's doing better. It will be a long road to recovery. She is a strong woman and always amazes me. Hospital visits to see her will be a daily routine for some time. The questions are still the same and we'll be taking it minute by minute. I want to thank you all so much for caring and sending your love. I believe all those prayers and good thoughts have a lot of power and it worked. You are all angels.

No weekend get aways for me. There are boxes to be hauled and unpacked. Then the fun job of cleaning out the old apartment. I love the new place and cannot wait to be done with the old place. If only we were as organized as this picture.

Have a great weekend everybody. Again Thank You for your care and concern. It truely helped me.

Waiting

2007-05-22T09:14:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure why I'm posting this except that its a way for me to deal with the situation.

Thanks you to everyone for your good wishes and kind thoughts. It really does help knowing that you are out there thinking of me and my family. I can really use it right now. Thanks to any of you also for donating blood.

One thing I've learned about being in hospitals is that things go up and down. Unfortunately what was looking good yesterday is not looking so good today. I am writing this at 9:00am on Tuesday morning as I wait for a call. Waiting is a very hard thing sometimes. Yesterday a procedure to stop the bleeding in my mom's stomach was supposed to take about an hour and that was it. What happened instead was the need to do emergency surgery because of a life and death situation. An artery in my mom's stomach was bleeding and the doctor had a very difficult time sealing it off. She was bleeding profusely and required 7 pints of blood during the operation. So far thats 10 pints in two days.

Now we wait to see what happens next. As a complication of diabetes her liver is not functioning properly and this is what caused the bleeding. There are two procedures that can be done to help alleviate the pressure on the vessels to reduce the chances of more bleeding but the doctors suggest we wait. How long depends on what happens. As of right now the plan is she stays in intensive care for a day or two to recover from the surgery. Medication is used to try and prevent any more bleeding. It could be days, week, months maybe before any other procedures are attempted.

The big question is: Is my mom going to be ok? When will she come home? We don't know. We just have to wait.

Hospitals are scary

2007-05-20T16:17:00.000-05:00

This morning I was awaken by the ringing of my phone. It was very early so I knew it would not be good news. It was my Dad, calling to tell me that my Mom was being rushed to the hospital by ambulance. I had just talked to her on Wednesday and everything was good at least that is what she told me. We do not know the cause but she is bleeding internally and so far has had four pints of blood. She had been coughing up blood since Thursday morning but didn't think it was anything serious until she was so weak she could not get out of bed. What happens now? We do not know. A battery of tests, and possibly surgery to stop the bleeding.

Doctors and nurses with so many question trying to help and my Mom and Dad looking at me for answers that I just do not have. Gotta go get some sleep.

UPDATE: Good News, I think. No bleeding overnight. My Mom is complaining because the doctor will not allow her to eat or drink anything. The complaining is a good sign. The nurses have to be on their toes because my Mom will ask for food from anyone that comes into the room hoping somebody will not know about the restriction. She almost tricked the guy that came to get blood this morning into giving her some orange juice.

Hugs and Flowers

2007-05-10T23:49:00.000-05:00

A Spring flower and hugs for everyone because you make

me think, smile, laugh, cry,wonder......

Gizmo

2007-05-06T21:17:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted for a while 'cause my laptop was sick. Its all better now after a short stay in the hospital. I have been a jinx to all of my gadgets lately first I killed my cell phone because it got wet on one of my walks in the rain, then my laptop, hopefully nothing happens to my car.

Broken gadgets means a new toy for me. I have finally graduated to a camera phone. For the first couple of days I was dangerous with this thing. The pictures are not the best quality but after reading Kai's blog tonight I just had to post some Gizmo pictures. Our cute little Gizmo (baby picture above) has grown up into a blogging fan and she totally lost it reading Kai's blog.

Gizmo likes attention. She has devised a way to prevent me from spending too much time on the laptop.

Sometimes she is satisfied following the cursor across the screen. The flashing on the Planet Forum is fascinating.

Gizmo after reading Kai's blog.

(Actually this was her response to me trying to take the first picture with my phone, but I believe it would be her feelings about reading the blogs too.)

A little poetry

2007-04-17T14:12:00.000-05:00

I saw a little display in the library today announcing April as National Poetry Month. There was a time when I would say I did not like to read poetry, butt I changed my mind. Sometimes I'll pick up a book of poetry at random when I have just a minute to spare. I don't have a favorite poet or a favorite poem. These two by Alice Walker caught my eye the other day.

Reassurance

I must love the questions
themselves
as Rilke said
like locked rooms
full of treasure
to which my blind
and groping key
does not yet fit.

and await the answers
as unsealed
letters
mailed with dubious intent
and written in a very foreign
tongue.

and in the hourly making
of myself
no thought of Time
to force, to squeeze
the space
I grow into.

Nothing Is Right

Nothing is right
that does not work.
We have believed it all:
improvement, better, immediate,
fast.
The whole Junk.

It was our essence that
never worked.
We hasten to eradicate
our selves.

Consider the years
of rage and wrench and
mug.
What was it kept
the eyes alive?
Declined to outmode
the
hug?

Wishing for Peace Soon

2007-04-08T13:01:00.000-05:00

My friend's brother, Kevin leaves Tuesday for Oklahoma to begin his training before leaving for Iraq in July. He is a helicopter pilot with the Minnesota National Guard. He will be deployed to Iraq for 18 months. Kevin will miss the first year of his baby daughters life born just 3 weeks ago. Why?????????????

The Grand Canyon

2007-03-31T21:34:00.000-05:00

I have a list of things to do before I die. Does anybody else have a list like this? One thing on my list is hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, camping along the Colorado River, and hiking back up to the rim of the Canyon. The seed for this idea was planted on a trip with friends to the Grand Canyon in 2000. We were lucky to be there at the end of January during the off season away from the crowds. As crazy Minnesotans we thought all of Arizona was hot. We drove from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon wearing shorts and t-shirts, much to our surprise, there was snow on the ground and the temperatures were hovering around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. I was looking through some pictures this weekend and found a few from that trip. One of my favorite memories of all time. I thought I'd share them with you all.

Singing in the Rain

2007-03-24T21:49:00.000-05:00

I had my Saturday night all planned. The weather forcast was for a sunny early spring day. The plan was that I would get home from work and take a long bike ride. Well, Mother Nature had better plans. Instead of sun it was raining when I got home. I love walking in the warm rain. What a wonderful change of plans. The spring rain cleans off the dirt of winter. Anybody else like walking in the rain? What are some of your favorite songs about rain or that feature rain? One of mine Prince's Purple Rain.

Congratulations Minnie! You aced the quiz.

Answers:

1. C, Vernol Equinox

2. B, False

3. D, NCAA Div. 1 Men's Basketball Championship

4. C, Holy Saturday Baptismal Rituals

5. A, Arizona and Florida

6. A, Demeter

7. D, The labor movement

8. D, Fort Lauderdale

9. B, Halloween

10. B, Holi

A Springtime Quiz

2007-03-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have those times when life gets crazy and you feel like you're spinning out of control. I was making myself crazy, doubting my ability to get things done. I had to stop worrying and start doing. Now, that time has passed and I am ready to enjoy the beginning of a new season. I'm hoping to share some pictures of early spring flowers in Minnesota, butt its too early.

So here's a little quiz I found about Spring. I'll post the anwers this weekend.

1. Which of these events marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere?
a) Groundhog Day; b) Mardi Gras; c) The vernal equinox; d) Easter Sunday

2. Periodically, the Internet undergoes a "Spring Cleaning," during which time users must disconnect or risk the deletion of unused files. a) True; b) False

3. College sports fans get excited for which early springtime playoff series?
a) NCAA Women's Division I Softball Championship
b) NCAA Women's Division I Volleyball Championship
c) NCAA Men's Division I Football Championship
d) NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship

4. In the United States, wearing new clothes on Easter Sunday is a popular tradition. Where does the tradition stem from?
a) Milan's fashion week; b) Jesus Christ's robes on Palm Sunday
c) Holy Saturday baptism rituals d) Ancient pagan rituals

5. Baseball fans hoping to catch some spring training action must travel to at least one of which two sunny states? a) Arizona and Florida; b) California and Texas; c) New Mexico and Louisiana; d) Georgia and Mississippi

6. In Greek mythology, spring comes when this goddess is joyously reunited with her daughter each year. Which is it? a) Demeter; b) Athena; c) Aphrodite; d) Hestia

7. In many countries, May Day is a celebration of spring, but the first day of May also commemorates what? a) The Chinese New Year; b) Day of the Dead (Mexico); c) The civil rights movement; d) The labor movement

8. Which Florida beach locale was a notoriously popular destination for college students on spring break from the end of World War II until the late 1980s?
a) Panama City Beach; b) Key West; c) South Beach; d) Fort Lauderdale

9. Which American candy-focused holiday is similar to a Swedish Easter week tradition?
a) Valentine's Day; b) Halloween; c) Mother's Day; d) Christmas Eve

10. Which colorful northern Indian Hindu festival celebrates the arrival of spring?
a) Raksābandhana; b) Holi; c) Vaisakhi; d) Ganesh Chaturathi

Taking a Spring Break

2007-03-08T08:43:00.000-06:00

M.C. Escher Print

My life is getting a bit busy these days so I'm going to have to be away from the blogs for a few days just to keep up. It's a good kind of busy and know that I will be thinking of everyone even if I am not commenting. I'll be back about the time my calendar officially declares it Spring. Take care everyone and have a bit of fun and adventure for me I'll catch up soon.

March Comes in Like a Lion

2007-03-01T14:19:00.000-06:00

No biking for me today Mother Nature has other plans.

This is a photo from the traffic camera on the freeway near my apartment. I just got home and I'll be staying off the roads at least for this evening. This snowy weather and all the school closings has me remembering the snow days when I was in elementary school. Anyone have any good snow day stories to tell?

When I was in kindergarten we had a class calendar and for March we had to decide every morning if the weather was like a lion or lamb. Today is definitely a lion, butt its only
19 Days Until Spring and the temps are not that cold staying steadyaround 30 degrees Fahrenheit so I know this snow is going to melt away in a couple of weeks. Then I can get out my bicycle and really fly.

This is my favorite vintage poster and I wasn't going to post it yet butt today's weather calls for something special.

If you are in the storms path be careful. If you are enjoying the sun send some our way, please.

Spring Fever

2007-02-19T21:41:00.000-06:00

THIRTY DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

Time to get my bicycle out of the garage.

I'm not sure if I have mentioned before that riding bike is one of my hobbies. I've got a few of these vintage posters advertizing bikes to share with you in my next couple of posts.

Temperatures made it above freezing today and I could hear the snow melting as the water dripped outside my window. I took a walk and am thinking about getting my bike out and hitting the trails. There are many good bike trails near the Twin Cities. I have been lucky to have had the chance to ride my bike through a large part of northeastern and southeastern Minnesota. If you ever get the chance to bike along the North Shore of Lake Superior or the hills and bluffs near Lanesboro Minnesota don't let it slip away. I had my chance when I rode in a charity ride for multiple sclerosis (MS). Every year there is an organized ride of about 300 miles throught a different part of the state. All I had to do was ride my bike and just be. Anybody want to join me this year? Yes I got a sore butt after 300 miles on the bike, butt there were free butt massages every night. No kidding.

Actually this year I'm taking on a new physical challenge. Once I get myself all signed up for it I'll let everyone know what I am up to.

Have a great week everybody!

Sitting By The Fire

2007-02-04T08:27:00.000-06:00

Since its so cold outside for many of us I thought we needed a little fire.

Now we need a little music. This is my first attempt at making this music work. If you cannot hear it let me know. I heard something new to me on NPR yesterday. Jazz singer Tony DeSare just released his second album Last First Kiss here are a couple of songs. I had some trouble with the quality so hopefully it does not sound scratchy.

Click on play to listen to Let's Just Stay In

In case the songs do not play you can download it here.
Get Let's Just Stay In

Get Kiss

In honor of Prince performing at the Super Bowl today here is Tony DeSare's cover of Prince's song Kiss

Click on play to listen to Kiss

Happy Birthday to my Dad

2007-02-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Today is my Dad's 70th Birthday!

Tigers and Turtles

2007-01-29T09:40:00.000-06:00

I could't come up with anything original to post so I decided to post some photos of a few of my favorite things. My roommates developed a film from this summer and there were some good pictures of a tiger at the Minnesota Zoo and a turtle eating popcorn at a local park. Tigers are my favorite wild animal. Up close and personal. The only thing better would be if I could touch her.

This is a picture from last September. I posted about going to a park feeding the ducks popcorn, but the ducks were all scared away by this turtle. The popcorn was disappearing and we were wondering where it went then we saw her. Yes the water is murky and green. It gets that way in these little marshy ponds at that time of year.

Snow Tubing

2007-01-18T09:11:00.000-06:00

Update: So I wish I had a great story to tell you all about my date. Unfortunately there is no story because the date never happened. We talked on the phone the night before and decided we would make a change of plans and meet up at the Gopher basketball game on Sunday instead. She never showed up or called. She did call the next day to apologize and had some excuse about writing the meeting place down wrong and her cell phone not working blah, blah, blah. I have not responded and am not sure that I want to. I am moving on to continue talking with a couple of other women. Who knows what'll happen????

Since we just got about 8" inches of snow here in Burnsville, MN I've been itching to get out and do some sledding or snow tubing. There is a ski slope just a few minutes from my apartment and they have groomed snow tubing runs. I've actually never gone tubing before but love sledding so I want to give it a try and this weekend I may have a chance. It looks like a lot of fun. I just need to get me some of those plastic pants, because you know there is going to be some mishaps and I'll be in the snow like this.

These are not my pictures but I'll try to get some of the day.

PS: So this is going to be a first date with an active lady I have been chatting with online. I think we will end up maybe being friends but who knows we have never met in person yet.

Cold Turkey

2007-01-10T16:02:00.000-06:00

I am posting pictures of Diet Coke because I am saying goodbye to drinking it. I really do not want to but my dentist insists. My head is throbbing right now because of caffeine withdrawal, but I am determined to quit. Its been almost 48 hours without it. I think I'll get some ice cream to make it easier.

Update: Thursday,January 11th, Yipee the headache is gone! The ice cream did the trick. So now 72 hours without diet coke. I heard once that it takes 30 days to break a habit. I'll see. Ha! My dentist just called(not about the coke thing)but its kind of funny timing. I had to reschedule my appointment for today because the dentist has the flu. Oh and I was so looking forward to it. Not.

A Full Moon

2007-01-04T09:45:00.000-06:00

Sometimes my mind ponders crazy things today its the moon.
Do you think a full moon has an effect on people? Does it have an effect on you?

New Year's Resolution

2006-12-27T07:29:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Cheers!!!!

Usually I make the same old resolutions every year. I am going to eat better and exercise more and every year I forget about them by the middle of January. This year in addition to these same old resolutions I am going to aspire to live by a new life motto:

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “Woo Hoo, what a ride!”
(different versions of this quote have been attributed to Hunter S. Thompson and Mavis Leyrer)

I think I can stick to this one:)

Merry Christmas Everyone

2006-12-19T23:12:00.000-06:00

Joy, Hope and Peace is what I am wishing for all of you.

I want to let you all know that I am thinking of you and sending my love. This holiday more than ever I am tryng to cherish those special people in my life. I've loved getting to know all of you and reading your blogs and comments. Aussie Girl, Edlima, Heinzer, Kai,Lurker, Minnie, Seymour and Uta you are all beautiful special women. Have a great holiday.

Time for some fun!!!!

Holiday Parades, Shopping and Trimming the Tree

2006-12-11T13:59:00.000-06:00

Busy making memories of goodtimes this week. This is a picture of my favorite float in the Holidazzle Parade. We took the lite rail train downtown to Minneapolis to watch the Holidazzle Parade. This is a parade that runs every night starting the Friday after Thanksgiving until after the holidays. The parade was started 15 years ago as a way to bring people downtown for shopping. It is held unless the wind chill drops to 20 degrees F below zero. All the units in the Parade are based on Fairy Tails.Yes! People will stand outside to watch a parade even when its cold enough to get frost bite. Sometimes I think some of our brains have frozen.

The apartment is all set for the holidays. I love the lights, trees and wreaths that decorate the outsides and insides of homes. Sunday my roommate and I went out and got a small real tree. It smells sooo good in the apartment now. We had a little trouble getting it to stand straight because the trunk of the tree is curved. We decided because of these curves we must have a female tree. We improvised by using lights tied to a doorknob. It sounds crazy but it works. I have never had a real tree before.

My roommate (cookiebrain) made a gingerbread house for a table centerpiece out of graham crackers and Sugar Pops cereal. My other roommate (midnightstargazer) baked all weekend with her grandma and brought us 10 tins of baked goodies. So many sweets to eat. I may have a picture of our tree to show soon. No pics of the goodies I ate them already. Yummy, Yummy!!!

I love the Holidays!

Summer pics for a cold week

2006-12-03T13:57:00.000-06:00

Look at the cute kittens.

This will be me on Wednesay night after class.

World AIDS Day

2006-11-29T15:09:00.000-06:00

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Here in the USA many people think of AIDS as a disease from the past that is under control. Around the world over 40 million people are infected with AIDS. Every 8 seconds another person is diagnosed with AIDS.

This is my 50th post and its is dedicated to all the people that have died from AIDS and to those that suffer from the disease today.

The Corrs - Give Me a Reason - World AIDS Day - 2000

I'm Thankful For.......

2006-11-22T10:42:00.001-06:00

Thursday many people in the United States will be celebrating Thanksgiving. In my family Thanksgiving is not a huge holiday but we do get together to eat a lot and to have my mom's cherry pie. I started making a list of the things I am thankful for. Here is only part of the list there isn't enough space for the whole thing. What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for:
Sunshine
Smiles
The ability to walk, hear, see, touch, and smell
Family
Being gay
Friends
All of you on the blogs
Elka & KC
Pie
Cookies
Popcorn
Katie and Gizmo (the kitties)
Music
TV
Computers
Internet
Sports

An Answer in My Dream

2006-11-15T17:11:00.000-06:00

After three days of the flu bug, this morning I woke up at 3:30am feeling healthy and happy because of a wonderful dream that provided me with an answer that I have been waiting for. I haven't remembered my dreams for a long time. It has been years since I could remember any dreams I had. I was beginning to wonder if maybe I just didn't dream. How could that be possible? I am very glad that this was the dream I remembered.

December 17th will be the one year anniversary of the death of my baby brother. Timmy hung himself in his garage. He did not leave any note.

In my dream last night I was standing outside by a fence. I did not recognize the place but it wasn't scary. I was alone but I felt the presence of other people around me. There was a general sad feeling. Then a guy walked over and knelt down on this little patch of grass and when he got up he had a card in his hand. It was a pink card with little handwritten notes. I recognized the handwritting. The notes were the notes that people had written on the cards and in a small book at the funeral. The guy handed me the card and asked me to read it. He stood there and listened. I couldn't see his face he was looking at the card. Then he looked down at me. It was my brother. He was smiling like he always did. He just patted me on the back, smiled, waved and walked away slowly. It felt like he was telling me he was ok. The dream woke me up but not in a startling way. I was laying there and just opened my eyes and I was totally awake, but I remembered he looked good (not like the last picture I have of him).

Would you like to check out a lesbian?

2006-11-08T13:31:00.000-06:00

While surfing around the web I came across a story about a library in Sweden that started a new service. Borrowers may check out a "Living Book" for 45 minutes and ask questions. The "Living Book" can determine what he/she wants to answer. Some of the living books that have been borrowed so far include an Imam, a Muslim Woman, a Lesbian, a Journalist, a Hunter, and a Transvestite.

You can hear an interview with the librarian Catharina Noren, a borrower, and a Living Book here

Would you borrow a person or be a living a book?

A beautiful voice

2006-11-01T09:58:00.000-06:00

Corinne Bailey Rae- Put Your Records On

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!!!!

I first saw Corinne Bailey Rae on the Ellen show last week. She sang this song and I think she has a very beautiful voice. This song is from the self titled album Corinne Bailey Rae released in Februrary 2006. I hope you enjoy it too.

These are the lyrics to the song:

Three little birds, sat on my window.
And they told me I don't need to worry.
Summer came like cinnamon
So sweet,
Little girls double-dutch on the concrete.

Maybe sometimes, we've got it wrong, but it's alright
The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same
Oh, don't you hesitate.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.

Blue as the sky, sunburnt and lonely,
Sipping tea in the bar by the roadside,
(just relax, just relax)
Don't you let those other boys fool you,
Got to love that afro hair do.

Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alright
The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change.
Don't you think it's strange?

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.

'Twas more than I could take, pity for pity's sake
Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger
When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer?
Do what you want to.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.

Oh, you're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow

Corinne Bailey Rae Lyrics

Happy Halloween

2006-10-31T10:51:00.000-06:00

MAKING JACK O' LANTERNS

Just take a golden pumpkin
Of quite the largest size,
Cut all 'round the stem, just so,
Scrape out the inside below,
And cut two holes for eyes.
And now fix a nose beneath,
And such a great big mouth with teeth,
And you've a jack-o'-lantern!

Then fix a tallow candle,
Just big enough to light,
And when it flickers, see him blink,
And when it flares up, see him wink
And smile so broad and bright.
This is the jolliest sort of a fellow,
With cheery face so round and yellow,
This funny jack-o'-lantern.

-Anonymous

Gizmo's Debut

2006-10-26T20:11:00.000-05:00

Here's the new baby, Gizmo. She has won over our other baby, Katie and the two of them chase each other around the house everyday. Katie is camera shy but Gizmo loves to put on show. We love both of them very much.

A Visit from My Parents

2006-10-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone-Grammy's 2005

My parents are visiting me for the first time since I have moved into the apartment with my roomies.I am not out to my parents so my roomates and I are busy cleaning and straightening up the place. Let's see naked drawing of woman on refrigerator probably should come down. KISS poster by Tanya Cahlkin put behind door. Rainbow flag above couch and magnets on fridge stay. Then there is just the general cleaning and of course we must have music to clean by. Lately I have been listening to Melissa Etheridge CD's in the car so I thought I would share this video of Melissa and Joss Jones singing at the Grammy's to honor Janis Joplin in 2005.

It going to be a busy weekend. We are celebrating the birthdays of all my six nephews on Saturday so I am off to do some toy shopping. I love it. Then I have an excuse to push all the buttons on those toys that make noise. Heheheheheh!

Wishing everyone a beautiful and fun weekend!!!!

If I had a million dollars

2006-10-09T22:57:00.000-05:00

I bought some pumpkins this weekend from a farmer selling them in his front yard. It was a great deal 50 cents apiece. He had the radio playing in the background and the song that was playing while I was there was the Barenaked Ladies, If I had a million dollars. So I got to thinking what would I do with a million dollars today? After paying my bills and taking care of my brothers, my parents and a few close friends bills I would take that money and create my dream life.

I would buy a small piece of land in a rural area somewhere in the Midwest. Probably 50 to 100 acres. Start a small organic vegetable farm and orchard. I would grow apples, pumpkins, squash, gords, sweetcorn, watermellon, beans, peas and maybe even tomatoes. I would sell the crops from the yard. I would also have a small building on the property that would be a library. I would have books, music, computers and a fireplace in this library. There would be a big red barn with a huge open space to hold barn dances. I would have a huge party every year in the fall and invite all the Kelkian Army. You can be as loud as you want and party as late as you want because the nearest neighbors are probably over a mile away and they are at the party anyway. I think I was born in the wrong time period. I should have been born in the early 1900s like my grandparents, but then I wouldn't have computers.

So what would you do if you had a million dollars?

A new baby for my roomies and me

2006-10-07T21:01:00.000-05:00

You ever have those days when you think things are looking up for you then you turn around and you step off a cliff? This week I thought things were going great for me I had a job offer for a job I really wanted. I felt like things were finally settling down. Then bam! Turns out what I was told about the job is not so. Sometimes I feel like I take one step forward and then ten steps backward.

I am trying my best to pick out the good I am supposed to learn from these things and move on, but I just wish I would hurry up and find whatever it is in this world that I am supposed to do because I am getting tired.

Sorry to rant. Just gotta get it out, shake it off, and get going again.

This post really does have a happy purpose. My roomies and I have a new baby. Now we have two cats. Gizmo arrived in this world on September 5th but her kitty mommy got tired of taking care of six babies so she abandoned them. We got Gizmo, kind of the runt of the bunch, but she is the cutest little thing you have every seen. I do not have a photo so I'll try to describe her to you. She/He, we are not yet, is black with a muddy white patch under her chin. In a little over 2 weeks she has learned to drink and eat real food. Katie our other cat is a bit angry about the new housemate but they are getting used to each other. How can you have a bad day when you get home and a cute little kitten crawls up your leg to sit on your shoulder and gives you a kiss.

Tipping The Velvet "The Affair"

2006-10-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to get this post up for over a week and Blogger has been giving me a hard time, but finally it has worked. A while back I posted a Fingersmith fan video from Youtube and Kate the creator of the video introduced me to her other work. This is a more recent video she has created. I really like the videos and want to pass on her website to you all. I asked Kate if it was ok to share her website and she would love to have people see her work. If you like Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet check out more of her videos at:

http://katecatgalcreations.com

She created her own website after having some of her videos banned on Youtube. You may also be able to find the videos on Google.

Fall

2006-09-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

My favorite time of year in Minnesota starts tomorrow. I love the changing colors of the leaves, eating all those garden goodies and the warm days and cool nights. The weather is not cooperating right now but I hope we have a couple of typical fall days.

So many fun things are happening too. Baseball playoffs and the World Series. American Football games. School starts again. This fall is also a new beginning for me so that makes it cool too.

I haven't found that dream job yet, but everyday I realize how much happier I am being away from my old job. My latest new adventure is becoming a light rail commuter to downtown Minneapolis. It's fun to ride the train every night. I am sure the novelty of it will wear off sooner than later.

Let's Play Some Football

2006-09-16T07:47:00.000-05:00

I've been away from the blogs and the computer for a few days and I'm trying to catch up on reading all the blogs. I love technology but sometimes I like to unplug just for a little while.

The Minnesota Vixen Women's Professional Football Team

It's a grey, raining Saturday morning. A perfect day for a Saturday afternoon of watching college football. Bummer, I have to work all afternoon but I am looking forward to tonight because I am going to go watch the last game of the season for the Minnesota Vixen. The Vixen are a part of the Women's Professional Football League. I've been following the team off and on for the last couple of years. They are a professional team but not that many people know about them. If you want to check it out here are a couple of web sites.

The leagues web site is: http://www.womensprofootball.com
The Vixen's web site is: http://www.minesotavixen.com/index.html

A simple life.

2006-09-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

I couldn't think of anything to post so I decided to post about a couple of things that made me smile this week.

Did you know that turtles eat popcorn? Last weekend my roomies and I went for a picnic in this city park with a pond. It is really a nice little park with a dock and a gazebo at the end. We brought along popcorn to feed the ducks. The ducks were happily munching on our treat when all of a sudden they started to back away from the area. We then noticed the popcorn disappearing under the water. After a closer look there was a turtle swimming around and eating the popcorn. We tried to take a picture and I'll post it sometime if it turns out.

Have you ever had a professor sing in a non-music class? My professor sang a verse of a song a friend of hers wrote about our subject, metadata. This is my kind of teacher. She loves her job and she sings the blues.

I've been spending most of my time on the my search for a job and this afternoon I have an interview for an internship. It has been years since I've interviewed for anything. I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

Look What My Mom Dug Up!

2006-09-03T20:38:00.001-05:00

I went home today to visit my parents and was telling my mom about visiting the state fair animal barns. She pulled out this picture of me. Love the hat and the text at the bottom. I was quite the tom boy back then too. Can you believe my mom expected this kid to wear dresses.

HaHaHa! This was taken at the county fair where I was showing dairy cows as a project for 4H. I was 15 or 16 years old. I cannot remember exactly. I do remember this was the year my brother and I along with two neighbor kids stayed at the fair alone; four days and nights sleeping in the car trailer. Wonder what kinds of things we found to do?????? Whatever were our parents thinking??????

2006-09-03T20:38:00.000-05:00

Girl Interrupted

Watched Girl Interrupted last night. I know that the movie has been around for a long time but I just now had the chance to see it. This scene is my favorite one of the whole movie because of the line; "I'm a fucking shrub." LOL.

I Love Basketball

2006-08-30T12:06:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the first game in the WNBA Championship Series so I thought I would post some picks of a couple of my favorite players that will be hitting the court tonight. The game is between the Sacramento Monarchs and the Detroit Shock. I like both teams and just hope they have a couple of good games.

Yolanda Griffith my favorite for Sacramento.

Katie Smith my favorite for Detroit.

Wishing you all a happy humpback day. Good Luck and best wishes to everyone who may be embarking on new adventures this fall.

Monarchs 2 Detroit 1.

Blogger didn't want to cooperate

2006-08-26T11:22:00.000-05:00

Slide Show Highlights Of The Minnesota State Fair 2005

I was trying to post this video of the Minnesota State Fair yesterday and I got the video alright but blogger wouldn't let me access my blog. So here goes again today.

A lot of people are ending their summer here in Minnesota with a trip to the State Fair. I will be going also and just thought that I would share with all of you some slides I found on Youtube from last years state fair. Sorry for the music. I kinda like it myself but I am a little goofy sometimes.

I'm feeling a little lost today so I think I'll take a walk or bike ride around the lakes here in the Twin Cities. Being outside helps to make me feel connected to something.

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday.

Why is the road of life so bumpy?

2006-08-24T17:53:00.000-05:00

Today I resigned from a job that I have been working at for 14 years. I did this after spending the night awake all night pacing through the apartment just not able to clear my mind about things happening at work. I am not leaving under good circumstances and had not envisioned that this was the way I would finish my career with this employer. My heart was pounding so hard like I had been running a race. I called my brother at 4:00 o'clock in the morning to ask for some advice. He said; "It's time to get out. Don't worry about the money or insurance you'll figure out a way to get by you always do." Right now I'm not so sure about that but I just opened a fortune cookie that's been sitting in my car for a while and the fortune says, "Optimism and confidence will cushion the bumps in life." Maybe its a good sign. Somehow things work out.

Hope you all are seeing the sun today. We've had one of those cloudy days starting off with thunderstorms and continuing all day. Ummmmm.....kinda how I feel today.

I feel sad to leave in this way, but feel good to be out of a bad situation. My plan, take the good that I got from this job and move on to something better. Its not the best day that I've ever had, but it sure as hell is not the worst. Cheers to the future.

Tracy Chapman and Fingersmith

2006-08-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

I've been watching all the video's on the blogs lately and I thought I'd post one too since I cannot think of much to say these days. I love Tracy Chapman and had the chance to see her in concert this past year. I haven't seen the movie Fingersmith but it looks interesting.

I have been going going going lately. Feel like I have to get it all in before the winter comes and I hibernate for 9 months. Its all a part of my goal to get out more and meet more people. So this past weekend I went to a book reading, another eating gathering with the gals from Out to Brunch and a Saturday afternoon spent bonding with my roomies eating and watching a movie. So I said I could not think of much to say then I go rambling on about nothing. Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

Do Blue Tigers Really Exist?

2006-08-17T16:50:00.000-05:00

A few people have asked where they can find a blue tiger. Honestly I just made up the name because I like tigers and the color blue, but I found out some interesting information when I went looking for real blue tigers. (Well, intersting to me anyway.)

A missionary in the early 1900's spotted a blue(maltese) tiger in China. There is no proof of the existence of the blue tiger but experts suggest it could be possible since there are blue bobcats and lynxes.

I'm keeping my eyes open just in case a real blue tiger crosses my path.

I learned a new word while doing the research too, cryptozoology. The study of hidden animals. Sounds like a field that might be interesting to work in.

It is all very mysterious just the way I like it.

Wishing everyone a splendiforous weekend. You are all wonderful creatures.

A web site about blue tigers:
http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/maltese.html

Cookiebrain the food is fabulous.

2006-08-16T19:13:00.000-05:00

Do you like to cook?

I want to take a few minutes to thank the cook in our apartment. I really missed the good food while you were in Cali.

I live in an apartment with two roommates. Two of us do not like to cook much and recently when cookiebrain went on an extended vacation our eating habits suffered. I actually do know how to cook, I just do not like to do it and on my own I will live off of frozen pizza's and pretty much anything out of a box or a can. Cookiebrain makes complete meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and its all good.

Cookiebrain thanks for all the great meals and insisting that we eat at the table too.

PS. Sorry I missed dinner last night just one of those emergencies at work. You know I'll eat the leftovers.

I know the end of summer is coming because

2006-08-14T20:52:00.000-05:00

The Minnesota Vikings are playing on Monday Night Football.

And its my middle brother, Rich's (aka the fish) birthday.

He hates being called the fish, but as the older sister it is my job to give him a rough time.

Taste of India

2006-08-13T18:58:00.000-05:00

Two firsts in one day.

The first time I ever ate Indian food and the first event I attended with the lesbian group Out to Brunch.

I actually went through with it and went to the luncheon on Saturday. We met at a restaurant called, A Taste of India. Fifteen women attended. Up until I walked in the door and found the table where a few women were already sitting I was contemplating not going at all. Two hours later I had met and chatted with a wonderful group of very cool women. There were women from California, New York, Texas, Minnesota,and South Africa. I had a really good time and look forward to getting to know some of these women as friends. We talked about getting together to go bowling, hiking, biking, walking, drumming, dancing, eating, talking, going to Gopher football games, baseball games, and basketball games. They were all really nice women. I had a great time and am very happy that I did not chicken out. Don't think I met Ms. Right, but that'll happen when the time is right. In the meantime I am just going to have fun.

As a bonus I liked the food too. There was a buffet so I had a chance to taste a lot of different dishes.

I'm Back.........

2006-08-08T12:35:00.000-05:00

Made it through a busy weekend and decided to stay off the computer for a couple of days. Finished my summer course and now I am looking forward to having the month of August to enjoy and get some other things accomplished.

The title of this post has a two fold meaning. Yes, I am back after being away from the blogs for a week or so, but also the real me is back too.

Sometimes it takes a good kick in the ass to get us back on the right track. I was visiting with a good friend recently enjoying a cool glass of lemonade and I was telling her that I felt my life was so mixed up. She looked at me and said, "You are not being yourself." She is so right.

Since then things seem better to me. Its not that the circumstances of my life have changed its that my attitude towards things have changed.

So whats new with me. Well, if you have been reading this blog you'll know that I am looking for Ms. Right. I did join this social group and this coming Saturday I will be attending the first event. It's a newcomers luncheon. I was kind of chickening out but a phone call last night from the group asking if I was going at least got me to commit. I am also thinking about doing the event called Rusty Biking and a Singles event too. I'm nervous but its one of those things I am going to force myself to do.

A favorite quote

2006-08-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

Its a busy week for me so just want to wish everyone a beautiful week and thought I would share one of my favorite qoutes.

Work like you
don't need the money,
love like you've
never been hurt,
Sing as if
no one can hear you,
and dance like
no one's watching
Anonymous

A perfect day.

2006-07-31T18:56:00.000-05:00

Its way to hot here, but this past Sunday was a perfect day for me. Family, baseball, basketball, ice cream and a movie.

Has anybody hung clothes on the line? Went home to visit my parents and my nephews from Wisconsin were over for the night. They helped me hang my clothes on the line. A job that usually takes about 15 minutes took about an hour. They couldn't reach the line so I had to lift them up and at the same time hold the clothing on the line. Fun anyway they grow up so fast and I do not spend that much time with them.

No AC so we all lost a few pounds probably, but got to watch a baseball game with my Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister-in-law and nephews. We watched the Minnesota Twins come back to win against the Detroit Tigers. We are all sweating like pigs but jumping all about because the game was so exciting.

My nephew shouts out, "This is the best day of my life so far." He is five.

It was a simple day but a great day. Sorry to bore you all.

Useless trivia I found:
1810: The tin can is invented in Britian.
1935: The beer can introduced.

Have a great week all. I will work on more interesting posts in the future.

What can brown do for you?

2006-07-27T22:27:00.000-05:00

I was trying to come up with something to blog about and a coworker of mine called with just the thing. She was calling to let me know I could sleep in tomorrow.

Have you ever seen the movie Pay It Forward?

My coworkers car broke down on Monday. She does not live that far from me so I have been able to give her a ride to and from work. Today something happened that makes me believe there really are angels out there.

The UPS lady, her name is Deb, came by with some boxes for my coworker and wanted to put them in her car which of course was not there because its still at the shop. So she said she would just drop the boxes off at Deb's (my coworkers name is Deb too) house. When the UPS lady got off of work she went to Deb's house told her she was going to pay to get the car out of the garage and that is what she did. This is a total stranger that works very hard for her money paying over $300 dollars to help somebody out.

There's something good going on with the name Deb today.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Maya Angelo

Keep Smiling

2006-07-24T19:04:00.000-05:00

I have been writing a lot about myself lately and today I do not have much to say so I decided to post a short quote I read in the paper yesterday.

"The world is too small for anything but truth and too dangerous for anything but love."
---unknown

P.S. Congratulations to Floyd Landis on winning the Tour de France. An amazing accomplishment for a man that needs hip replacement surgery.

Sending out love and a smile to anyone reading this blog.

That's all folks.....

Part 2

2006-07-22T21:58:00.000-05:00

Part one. Find the One.

Part two. Conquer some fears and just do it!

I have a fear of water. Dread the idea of swimming or (don't laugh)driving near water. 'Cos what if my car went off the road into the water? I know crazy thoughts.

I wish I had pictures to go with this story but the disposable camera we had got soaked. The southeastern part of Minnesota is bluff country. It's my favorite part of the state because its so beautiful and different from the rest it.

So today my roommates helped me to take on my fear of water. We went to Lanesboro Minnesota and took a canoe trip down the Root River. Yes on our own, no guide or experienced canoer.(Is this a word, to lazy to look it up.) Three lesbians in a canoe left to fend for themselves. Mind you this was only my second time in a canoe. The first being a 10 minute ride at Pride this year. My roommates are not experienced canoers either. Thus we embarked on a 7 mile ride through the trees and bluffs of southeastern Minnesota.

A van drops us off at the launch point and we are left to get the canoe into the water, find our paddles, and lifejackets. Luckily the river is shallow. We launch and less than 5 minutes into the trip we manage to tip over the canoe because we are going sideways through a small rapids. We lost a paddle and our sunblock. Righted ourselves, dumped out the water and we are on our way to snag the floating paddle and yes it is our sunblock up ahead. We got that too.

Along the way we ran into a few weeds,a downed tree and several rocks. Lost a paddle a second time. Dented the canoe and each earned a few bruises. At the end of the ride midnightstargazer finds out we have been rowing the canoe backwards this whole time. I was sitting in the front with my knees up to my chin because there was no space, while cookiebrain had room for one more in the back. I was wondering about this but I didn't know, just thought that was normal.

By the end of the trip, we had figured out how to steer the thing and successfully made it through the biggest set of rapids we had seen all day. Yep, all with the canoe backwards.

Will I do it again? YEAH! I love being outside and even though it was kind of rough going we made it through and could still laugh at the end of the day.

I was keeping my eyes open for Ms. Right, but didn't see her.

Long Walks

2006-07-21T11:18:00.000-05:00

I like to take walks. This morning I hopped out of bed, checked my email and a few podccasts and put on my walking shoes.

When I started out I thought I would walk for about an hour. I was listening to podcasts and some music but that ran out so I walked in silence. Its amazing what you start to think about. This coming year I will reach one of those milestone birthdays and I was thinking about where I am in life at this point. It's nowhere near where I had imagined myself to be at this point in life, but it's where I am so now what?

I made a little plan in my head of where to go from here. First part, I have to get out and meet people. Specifically, I need to meet women. I believe that there is one person in the world for each one of us, but I just cannot seem to find her.

So what am I going to do? I am more than a littl shy,so I have to force myself to get out there and meet people. I found out about a social group called Out to Brunch in the Twin Cities area and signed up to get the newsletter and calendar of events. I will try to go to at least one or two events next month to check it out.

Maybe Ms. Right will be there too.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Introducing Katie

2006-07-18T12:37:00.000-05:00

A couple of posts ago I think I mentioned we had a new member of our household. Here she is. Her name is Katie. She is very playful all the time. When she wants me to stop reading and pay attention to her she will sit on the book or paper.

Lesson Learned with the Dishwasher

2006-07-17T09:03:00.000-05:00

So its a quiet Sunday evening at the apartment. All of a sudden at about 10:00pm I am called into the kitchen to come and look at something. Holy cow the floor is one big soapy lake! Did you know that regular dishsoap was not meant for the dishwasher? If you have ever seen anything on TV about the washing machine spewing out suds that is exactly what happens when regular dishsoap is used in a dishwasher. No harm done and we had a good laugh while soaking up the soapy water with towels, rags and a mop. No names have been used to protect the innocent. Sorry Katie you couldn't get to your food or litter box for a short time.

Lovely Rain

2006-07-16T08:33:00.000-05:00

Its been really hot here in good old Minnesota for the last few days. I believe we may have gone over 100 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday. I am sitting at a computer on campus today just watching the rain pouring down this morning. Its one of those rains that make for a great walk without an umbrella so you can get soaking wet.

Has anyone every done that? I used to do it all the time. I would do it today too but I have class in a little bit and sitting in wet clothes for 8 hours doesn't seem too appealing.

Its a great morning. First day of a two week vacation. Doing some learning this morning and basketball this evening. I'm going to go listen to the rain. To anyone who reads this have a great Sunday.

Dream Big

2006-07-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my friends and a little music I am calmed down. My best friend talked me down from doing something stupid. Thanks(you know who you are) I love you forever.

I love music of all kinds. Just finished listening to James Taylor, Tori Amos playing currently and on deck is Shakira. I heard somewhere recently that scientists believe our DNA vibrates to music.

In the middle of my outburst this morning at work a coworker handed me a sheet of paper with the lyrics to a song I have never heard. I don't know anything about the band or the song but the lyrics are nice. I wanted to share them.

Dream Big
Artist/Band: Shupe Ryan

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

(chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh,, be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see,
see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray,
pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles com your way.

I need to vent

2006-07-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

If you are reading this I apologize in advance its going to be rather ugly because I have to vent or I will explode.

I ask for vacation 3 months in advance. It gets denied the first time staffing is too short. I ask again now I am maxed out in vacation so everyday that I work without a day off I am losing money. I am assured yes you will have the two weeks off you requested and the weekend you need for your class. Then I come into work and posted all around are notes saying that management excluding all managers except me will be working this Saturday while the rest of the store takes a field trip. What the....? At this point I am ready to lock the door and leave my keys taped to it with a note saying I quit effective immediately. This comes after yesterday being denied a lunch break so that my boss can go take a lunch with his buddy while I work overtime to cover for him. Have you ever just walk out the door of a job? I am standing with one foot in and one foot out. The only thing holding me back is the fact that I have worked for this company for 14 years and feel it would be crazy to end it this way, and my best friend on the other end of my cell phone telling me to calm down and wait to talk to my boss when he gets in this afternoon. This is just the last straw built on top of a lot of other things.

I am so tired of working so hard. I just wish that for once something in my life would come easily instead of everything being such a struggle. I started working at the age of 8 for money because my family was poor and I needed to do my part to help buy just the necessary things like food and clothes.I know (well I gotta go back to work I'll finish this later.)

Hold on to Memories

2006-07-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

A picture posted today by Minniesota reminded me of some special stuffed animals that my little brothers had. I do not remember having a special toy or anything myself but my two youngest brothers did.

I'll just call them T and R for now. T & R both had a special Snoopy Dog. They each had their own. They were Christmas gifts from Santa Claus. They carried those dogs everywhere including outside on the tractor when we would ride with my Dad in the field. The necks were a problem area and the head were always drooping down. I think after a while they even lost an ear or two. T and R were so attached to those stuffed Snoopy Dogs that the cartoon Snoopy Come Home brought them to tears because if you have ever seen the cartoon Snoopy gets lost and starts to cry in the story. I remember sitting and watching the story as a family and my brothers started sniffling when Snoopy was crying.

R had another special toy named Bear. He was a mascot from the movie Bad News Bears. He wore a baseball cap and shirt. One of his arms was a baseball glove. Bear was given to him in the hospital after a serious accident on the farm that almost took his leg, but thanks to a couple of great doctors and many wonderful nurses he was able to keep his leg. The nurses gave Bear a hospital wrist band and celebrated his birthday in the hospital with my brother. R was in the hospital for a little over 2 months at that time and all the nurses loved him.

Why am I posting about this because I lost my brother T this past winter and right now I am thinking about him a lot. Memories are all that I have of him now and nobody can take that away. In my mind I can see him holding onto that Snoopy hands and face black from dust after being in the field with my Dad all day. He loved being on the farm.

Lazy Weekends

2006-07-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

Things are finally settling in to normal here at the apartment. We are all getting along great and have even made a new addition to our household this past week. We were given a cat by one of my roommates Aunts. She is a little over a year old and was found running across a busy freeway here in Minnesota. Maybe she was meant to be with us since we live near the freeway. I hope to be able to post a picture of her soon. Her name is Katie and she is light black with dark black stripes. Katie looks just like another cat we had on the farm when I was growing up. I am trying to find a picture of her to determine if my memory is correct.

Katie loves to be around people at least as long as they are paying attention to her otherwise she has found her favorite spot under a bed.

I am actually allergic to cats. This started when I came home from college. Some how I developed allergies, but I love cats. It is not really a big problem unless I hold the cat for a while.

Pride Post

2006-06-24T21:05:00.000-05:00

Just had to post in honor of Pride weekend. Went to the festival today but it was rained out. I am looking forward to going to the Parade tomorrow and hoping the weather cooperates throughout the day. I have been to Pride several times but this year I feel different. I do not have the words right now to explain maybe they will come to me tomorrow. Happy Pride to everyone.

Sometimes things just work out

2006-06-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile since I posted anything on my blog because it took some time to get Internet access at the new apartment. I am feeling much better now that it is working. This post may get long because I haven't had real Internet access for a while and I may go a little overboard. I have missed reading all the blogs and keeping up with the podcasts.

The new apartment is great. Somethings just seem to fall into place like how we got our cable, Internet, and a kitchen table all in the span of two hours last night. Up until last night we had been eating on TV trays and dreaming of finding a cheap table and chairs plus waiting for Internet. So here's the story. The cable guy calls and says he is going to be late. Two hours later he arrives almost four hours after the original appointment. So I am feeling better I will have the Internet in a short time. The phone rings its one of my roomies, HH, she found a table and six chairs for $20 bucks. Her grandma volunteers to help bring it over in her van.

Its 8:30pm or something like that and we are sitting down at our new table eating meatloaf and potatoes. Plus we are able to enjoy all this together with our neighbor that told us about the apartment in the first place. Things just seemed to work out. We end the night by watching Transamerica. I am happy.

Look for a future post about weeples. Forgot to allow comments firt time around.

Decorating

2006-06-04T16:39:00.000-05:00

Now that we are all moved in its time to decorate the place. We decided to work on the office space first. We made the smallest bedroom into an office space where we can work on the computer, have a second tv, and do art projects. Our first project is to create the milk mustache picture wall. One of my roommates HH has collected a bunch of those advertisments where different celebrities pose with a milk mustache. We should be able to cover the one entire wall with these. We do not have Internet access yet so I came to the library to catch up on everything. I have to go catch up on all the weekend podcasts now.

Wishing everyone a good week.

Moving In

2006-06-01T21:27:00.000-05:00

We got the keys and started moving in today. I have my car loaded with boxes and will be renting a truck tomorrow after work to move the big stuff. My roomies cookiebrain and midnight star gazer are moving in tonight. I cannot wait until tomorrow night. All this planning and talking will be over and the adventure begins. I realized today that this will be the first time ever that I will have my own bathroom.

Starting a new chapter in life

2006-05-29T08:19:00.000-05:00

June 1st is the big day. After 10 years of living in one place with family I am moving out to an apartment with two roommates. I am looking forward to a lot of things like saving money and time because I will no longer have a 50 mile commute to my job. More importantly I am looking forward to being able to live one life and not having to hide a part of my life half the time. I am not out to my family or to anyone in the area. I have been living in the same rural area that I grew up in where half the neighbors are my relatives and the other half changed my diapers when I was a baby.

I am jumping from one extreme to the other. My new roommates are half my age and live thier lives out and proud. I don't know whether this is going to be a good move or a disaster, but I am jumping in with both feet.

WNBA Season Begins

2006-05-20T09:01:00.000-05:00

I am a huge WNBA fan so I have to announce the opening of the season today. The Phoenix Mercury and the Sacramento Monarchs kick of the season this afternoon. Aside from the Minnesota Lynx these are two of my favorit teams. I have been following the WNBA from the beginning and so I am thrilled that ten years later the league is still around. I decided to make a top ten list of some of my favorite players over the years. Here they are in no particular order:

1.) Cynthia Cooper
2.) Sue Bird
3.) Sheryl Swoops
4.) Lisa Leslie
5.) Katie Smith
6.) Yolanda Griffith
7.) Tamicka Catchings
8.) Michelle Timms
9.) Janeth Arcain
10.)Seimone Augustus

Who are your favorite players?

I cannot wait to go to the Lynx season opener this coming Tuesday night.

Kids say the Darndest Things

2006-05-17T21:52:00.000-05:00

Watching American Idol tonight made me think of a cute story about my Dad and my little nephew. My Dad knows nothing about music, but he loves little kids and acts pretty silly around them. My parents were babysitting and my Dad starts to sing at the dinner table. The youngest of the boys (age 2) looks up from his high chair and says very cleary, "God have mercy." Good times.

Sifting through the music

2006-05-16T21:16:00.000-05:00

I am planning on moving soon so I am going through my CD's to see what goes with me and what moves on to someone else. I often buy music on impulse and my collection is very ecletic. To give you an idea here is the first bunch of CD's I pulled off my shelf in no particular order.

Bonnie Raitt, Ember Swift,George Winston,Barbara Cohen,Tracy Chapman,Elton John,Enya,Lori Line,Minneapolis Does Denver,Joan Armatrading,Indigo Girls,Toshi Reagon,Ann Reed,Jamie Anderson,Shakira,KT Tunstall,Racheal Yamagata,Wynonna Judd,Faith Hill,Garth Brooks,Keb Mo, Melissa Etheridge,Joan Baez,Shaina Twain, Tina and the B-sides.