NaBloPoMo - Presidential actions

Today, we elect a President. Fabulous. Now we can all go back to normal, and argue about important things like the Kardashians and X-Factor.

I'm not sure I could do the President's job. I mean - that's a crap-ton of pressure. I have respect for anyone who can take his personal beliefs, set them aside, and do what's best for everyone as a whole. I'm not sure I could.

I understand our economy is tanked and our foreign policy needs a lot of work. Some decisions need to be made - and as President, that's something I would delegate. Trust me - you don't want me in charge when it comes to that stuff . I can barely even balance my own checkbook.

As far as social issues... I guess I'd want to look at making sure that people's rights are protected in the Constitution. Take the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) for instance.

My opinion on same-sex marriage* aside, I have a real problem with the Constitution being used as a vehicle to take away rights. I prefer to think of it as a way to ensure and protect rights.

Truth be told, I think the Federal Government should keep its nose out of marriage. Since DOMA - a conservative initiative - put that nose where it doesn't belong, I think the government is obligated to make sure rights of all citizens are protected, at least as far as the Constitution is concerned.

I'm not gay, so I have no personal interest in protecting gay rights. But even if what matters to me personally is different than what matters to the next person - the point is, we all have personal rights that need protecting.

If I can't trust my government to protect the rights of my friends - how can I trust my government to protect my rights?

The answer is - I can't. I think the government needs to do whatever it can to reassure all people that their rights are just as imporant as the next person's.

*All that said - love is love. No one knows better than me how damn-near-impossible it is to find good, honest, pure, sincere love. I can't for the life of me wrap my mind around any belief that love should be restricted. 

If two grown, unattached, (mostly) sane people capable of making their own decisions can find love - who is anyone else to judge? Now cut it out.

NaBloPoMo - Election thoughts

Tomorrow is Election Day. This being a leap year, we're choosing a President for the next four years.

All I have to say is - thank goodness it's almost over.

I am tired of all the political rants on facebook, and in my office. I don't care what your political beliefs are - you're entitled to them, same way I'm entitled to mine. But if you can't be civil and nice, at least be quiet.

We all have different priorities. What's really important to me might be less important to someone else. It doesn't make either of us wrong.

What makes people wrong is when they flat-out refuse to accept that someone else might have a point, even when disagreeing.

What makes people wrong is when they resort to name-calling, pointing fingers, placing blame without solutions, and perhaps even getting a little mean and/or violent. That's wrong.

At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you choose what you feel is important, find a candidate that makes sense, and cast your vote.

Because if you don't vote - you can't bitch. We all know how hard I'll fight to protect my right to complain.

NaBloPoMo - Where to live

"If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?"

It's a popular question, and people love to come up with fancy answers that they think sound cool. A big city like Manhattan or Paris, or a cabin in the woods, or somewhere warm or tropical.

The truth is, at some point in our lives, we all have the chance to make this exact choice become a reality. Maybe it's right out of school, or just after marriage, or after a divorce or another life change. At some point, we can all decide to change it up, and move away from wherever it is we landed.

I chose to stay right in the same place. My dad is here, and X and I made our home here to be close to him. I could move now - but I haven't, and I have no plans.

Could that change? Of course. I might move for my career; truthfully, the most likely reason I'd ever move would be if I found the love of my life, and had to move to be with him.

But at this very moment, I could choose to live anywhere I want - and I choose right where I am.

NaBloPoMo - Favorite quote

Anyone who knows me will tell you I love a good quote. I speak in quotes often, and can come up with something that applies to just about any situation.

My inspiration for quotes? Maya Angelou, Marilyn Monroe, Sex and the City, George Carlin, Disney, and movies - to name a few.

I have two favorites (actually, I have more than that, but I'm picking two)...

"There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~ Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Why is that my favorite? After my divorce, I decided I needed to do take the gagillion framed photos of me and X off the walls. Replacing the pictures was easier than removing the hardware and spackling and painting, so I headed to a booth at a local craft fair, in search of replacement art.

I found this quote on a painted wooden plaque. I hung it in the hall, where I see it every morning when I leave my bedroom.

Most of us don't give ourselves enough credit for being brave, strong, or smart. I was one of those people - and this quote reminds me I deserve more credit.

My other favorite quote?

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid." ~ When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops by George Carlin

Why is that my favorite? I've been divorced and dating for nearly four years, and I haven't found a more accurate way to describe the relationship between men and women.

Seriously.

NaBloPoMo - A November project

Writing challenges are all over the blogosphere. The intent is to inpire bloggers to write every day. I don't write every day, for the simple fact that I don't have time every day. But I do write whenever I can, and I love a good bit of inspiration.

My friend turned me on to the NaBloPoMo prompts over at BlogHer.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Tell us your favorite quotation and why.

Friday, November 2, 2012

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Monday, November 5, 2012

What are your thoughts about tomorrow's election in the United States?

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

If you were President of the United States, what would be your first act in office?

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Talk about the last compliment you received.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

If you could have any job (and instantly have the training and qualifications to do it), which job would you want?

Friday, November 9, 2012

If you could change one thing about your life right now, what would it be?

Monday, November 12, 2012

Where is your favorite place to blog?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What is the bravest thing you've ever done?

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Tell us about the best meal you ever cooked.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Tell us about your favorite pet.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Would you buy your dream house if the price was right BUT you also were told it was inhabited by ghosts?

Monday, November 19, 2012

If you had to get locked in some place (book store, amusement park, etc) overnight alone, where would you choose to be locked in?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Talk about the opening of your favorite book.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Where is your favorite place to read?

Thursday, November 22, 2012

When was the last time that you cried? Why?

Friday, November 23, 2012

What is the hardest word for you to say?

Monday, November 26, 2012

Do you speak more than one language? How did you learn the additional languages?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

If you could instantly know any language in the world, which one would it be?

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Tell us about the worst trip you ever took.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tell us about three new blogs you found this year.

Friday, November 30, 2012

What has been the hardest part about blogging daily?



Shall we? OK. If you're interested in seeing what other participants are posting, click here.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Thirty

The challenge for day thirty.... A photograph of yourself today and three good things that happened in the last thirty days.

The best thing that happened in the last thirty days was my birthday party. As a member of the Cornerstone Group, which handles all the fundraising for Girls Inc., I participated in a challenge to host a mini-fundraising event in July. I chose to host a charity birthday party.

Several of my friends donated items from their businesses, including:

Stella & Dot
Madison Handbags
Thirty One
Ambiance Florals & Events
Partylite
Avon
Mr. Subb

A lot of my friends joined together and helped me celebrate by coming to my party, and/or making a donation to Girls Inc. as their gift to me. Baking Suit helped me a ton, and deserves a lot of thanks, and credit, as does my friend who helped me get a food donation (She's got an in with the food broker).

What else happened this month?

I freaking love these shoes. Thanks again, Baking Suit.

Well, there was the actual birthday, which I spent with wonderful company. We went on a boat ride, had a wonderful dinner, and I got a nice surprise. I also got some fabulous presents from friends and family, in addition to the donations.

I went on vacation. I spent my vacation raising a bunch of money for Girls Inc. ($588 thankyouverymuch!), attending smAlbany (and being interviewed about the experience), and waking up to a play-doh breakfast prepared by my favorite two-year-old. I spent some time with my Little, and visited the Vanderbuilt Mansion in Hyde Park. I even had a milkshake from Dairy Queen!

It wasn't a romantic vacation on a beach in Mexico - and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

In the last 35 years, science has given us things like cell phones, digital music, and cloning.
But this stuff still smells as bad as it did in 1977. What the hell?

I'm skipping the photograph of myself. You've gotten plenty of those over the last 30 days, and the pictures from my vacation are much more fun to look at, anyway.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Nine

The challenge for day twenty nine.... Something you never get tired of doing.

You know where I was going with this, don't you? But this is a family blog (sorta). So....

This. Blogging is something I never get tired of doing. I love to write, I love to share, and even though I'm not terribly successful - I'm satisfied with what I've done so far.

This is also not the only blog I author. So when you notice a lag in posts here - it's usually because my attention is focused elsewhere. It never means I've stopped writing.

I don't expect that will ever be the case.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Eight

The challenge for day twenty eight.... Your favorite movie.

No man is a failure, who has friends.

This isn't easy. I love a lot of movies, for a lot of reasons.

I love anything by Kevin Smith because his dialogue is smart, funny, and relatable.

I love Sex and the City (the first movie) because it really helped me through a difficult time, by teaching me that friends really can help you get through anything.

But the movie I love the most? Probably It's a Wonderful Life. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I watch it, or with how many different people; on the big screen, or on my teeny, tiny television at home. Every time I see the movie, it brings back fond memories, of decorating my tree, while the dog slept in the corner.

It reminds me that no matter how bad things seem, you never really know when life will turn around and get better. The catch is - you have to hold on.

And it reminds me that no matter what - if you have friends who love you, you really are as rich as you'll ever need to be.

     And literally every time I watch the end....I cry happy tears.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Seven

The challenge for day twenty seven.... Put your iPod on shuffle and list the first 10 songs.

I don't have an iPod anymore; I never bothered to replace the one that was stolen three years ago. I don't really listen to music that often.

When I do - it's usually Pandora. So when I put my homemade Pandora station on, these are the first 10 songs that played:

You Don't Belong - Daughtry
The Way I Are - Timbaland
By the Way - Hinder
Piece of Me - Britney Spears
I'll Be - Edwin McCain
Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band
Pop - NSync
L.O.V.E - Ashlee Simpson
Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season - Jimmy Buffet
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

What?

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Six

The challenge for day twenty six.... How have you changed in the last five years.

Let's see.... Five years ago was July, 2007. I had just turned 33 years old. I was still married - and happily. I thought my biggest problem was the ant infestation found when we replaced the sliding glass door in my kitchen. I had no idea how to handle the situation, and completely freaked out.

I worked for an insurance carrier, and thought I wanted a different job, but wasn't doing anything about it. I was the primary earner and we had a mortgage. We had a mortgage, which means we had a house. I took care of the inside; I had no idea how to care for the outside, how to use a tool, and I had no inclination to learn.

I believed I'd never need to know, because that was why I got married in the first place.

I was quiet, and shy. I wouldn't even walk into a restaurant first, let alone solo. I didn't have a lot of friends, and spent most of my time with my husband. I thought that was normal.

Five years later.... I'm not married. As it turned out, July 2007 was the last July I would be.

I no longer work for that insurance carrier. My job was eliminated as part of a corporate buyout. I still have the job that replaced it, which is largely the same. I'm more okay with it now than I was then. That doesn't stop me from trying to branch out and do a little for myself - something I wouldn't have done five years ago.

Most of the friends I have, I've made in the last five years. In fact, some of my closest friends are people I've met in the last two years. I regularly walk into situations solo, where I don't know anyone, and I don't think very many people would describe me as shy anymore.

I'm still introverted....but I think most people don't realize that's not the same thing as shy. Basically, being outgoing and extroverted is an effort for me, and it isn't my comfort zone. Something I've learned in the last five years is that sometimes, we have to step out of our comfort zone to survive.

I hang pictures, wall paper border, build furniture, mow the lawn, shovel the driveway. I've learned what I can do, what I can't, and what I just want to hire out.

The ants are gone - and five years later, I'm much better at dealing with my own problems.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Five

The challenge for day twenty five.... Something that you miss.

I thought and thought about this challenge. The truth is....as much as I like my things, I don't miss things. In life, I think things come and go, and are easily replaced.

Sure, some things carry a sentimental value, which is irreplaceable. But even if you lose a sentimental item, those feelings and memories aren't lost. Eventually, I think you find you don't really need the item to hold onto the memory.

So what do I miss? People. I have a terrible time letting go of people in my life.

They say people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I do believe that...and I know there are people who've come into my life who weren't meant to stay forever. But that doesn't make them any less important.

In fact, sometimes those "reason or season" people are the most important, and bring the most good and the most happiness. Then suddenly - they're gone.

I never take it well. Eventually, I come to terms with what is, and accept that these weren't "forever" people. I accept it - but sometimes, I still miss them.

I've never been good at goodbye.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Four

The challenge for day twenty four.... What's in your purse.

We talked about this last year, too. The only thing that's really changed is the purse itself.

• Makeup bag
• Wallet
• Phone
• Lip gloss
• Cuticle oil
• Perfume
• Nook
• Eyeglasses 
• Sunglasses
• and maybe a pen

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Three

The challenge for day twenty three.... 20 facts about you.

Oh good grief....

• I have two cats
• I always wear makeup - even on Saturdays
• I played the flute from the time I was 9 til I was 18
• My first real job was in a cookie store - where I learned to decorate cakes, but not actually bake
• Nuns have always hated me
• My natural hair color is dark brown
• I found my first gray hair when I was 18, and haven't seen my natural color since I turned 30
• I own at least two-dozen purses
• I own at least fifty pairs of shoes
• On my 21st birthday, I went to Yankee Stadium, and was almost denied the 21-and-over giveaway
• I got engaged on that same visit to Yankee Stadium
• The year X and I filed for separation was the last year the Yankees played in that stadium
• The year we filed for divorce is the year they knocked it down - how 'bout that?
• Every time I think I know how to handle a broken heart - someone breaks it more
• I've never worn white shoes after Labor Day or before Memorial Day
• My favorite cartoon character is Winnie the Pooh
• When I was 5 years old, I wanted to be Wonder Woman
• I've been known to have panic attacks; thankfully, none recently
• I suffer from depression, and I'm not embarrassed to talk about it
• These narcissistic posts are my least favorite of the "thirty days of me" project

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty Two

The challenge for day twenty two.... Bullet your whole day.

Since I'm on vacation, today wasn't my normal Monday.

• Wake up (way too early, and not at home)
• Long drive home
• Breakfast
• Shower
• Nap (much-needed)
• Work on thank-you cards
• Computer work (including blog catch-up)
• Gym
• Dinner
• TV/Reading
• Bed

Not a bad Monday. 

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty One

The challenge for day twenty one.... A photo of something that makes you happy.

Well, this should have gone up Sunday, July 22. Shucks. I got distracted.

Kitties make me happy. My kitties in particular. When they're sleeping, they really make me happy. It means they're happy and content - and not throwing up on my quilt.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Twenty

The challenge for day twenty.... The meaning behind your blog name.

This was actually a part of last year's challenge. It obviously hasn't changed.

Like I said:

I used to think I had it all figured out....everything was happening according to plan. I treated life as though it was one giant to-do list, checking items off in order.

Then....My whole world, and everything I'd come to trust and believe in, was gone. I was devastated; depressed, scared, anxious.

Slowly, I came to realize.....There was a lot of good coming out of my pain - good that might not have happened if things hadn't changed.

Turns out, the life I was meant to have is not the one I thought I wanted; it's not the life I ordered. But it's still the right life for me. 

The only thing constant in life is change.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Nineteen

The challenge for day nineteen.... Another picture of yourself.

June-ish 2012

Thirty Days of Me: Day Eighteen

The challenge for day eighteen.... Something you crave a lot.

Well, that's a loaded question.

In no particular order...

Sushi
Chocolate
Caffeine
New Shoes
Mexican (ummm...food)
Sun
Peanut Butter

....and occasionally, now I crave exercise. I blame Baking Suit.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Seventeen

The challenge for day seventeen.... Your celebrity crush.

Hardly a challenge.

Always my number one.

Thirty Days of Me: Day Sixteen

The challenge for day sixteen.... A photo of you and your family.

Last year, I showed three photos, all of me with my closest family members in various combinations.

My family hasn't really changed. I still believe that family is what you make it. No, we can't change blood ties. But the truth is, family is about more than just shared DNA. It's about who you turn to when you need something; who you can depend on; who you trust; who you love.

I have a lot of family that I've chosen. Here are a few of them.

She's my cousin - but not really. Long story.
She's also one of my absolute favorite people on this planet.
When my heart was broken, and all I could do was cry, she was right there for me.
That's family.

He's her son. He's the light in my eye. Always.

He's her younger son.
OK - I'm not in this photo. But I took it.