I didn't know it was possible!

I really didn't know it was possible for me to be even more disgusted by the state of affairs in Washington, but I am. And here's why.

Alberto Gonzales is a big friggin' LIAR!! There is now more proof and soon to be sworn testimony that he knew the whole time and that his fishy statements of last week were exactly that. Fishy. I'm not calling names here. I'm stating a fact. He told an untruth a.k.a. a lie.

This administration has got to go! When the President is afraid for his "closest advisors" to give sworn testimony and the attorney general is proven to be a liar IT IS TIME FOR THE ADMINSTRATION TO GO!!!

This is not a political theory experiment in a vacuum. These people are making devestating blows to the foundations that our form of government is built on and THEY MUST GO! Write your Congressmen, your Senators and be LOUD about it! Do it now!

A. Gonzales has to go

Thanks to Mickey for posting this link. Mr. Robinson has made a very clear statement about the whole situation. Talk about hitting the nail on the head! Mr. Gonzales is a product of an out of touch, greedy and dangerous political theory, and along with Cheney, Rove, Bush and all the other Bushistas he must go!

happiness

Happiness. It’s a word that encompasses something different for each person and in varying degrees. I’m not setting out here to discuss deep or profound happiness, but rather something that can give perspective on the things that make us unhappy or something that makes us smile or feel good. Oddly enough I’m not talking about sex here although the last sentence might give that perception.

For me this happiness is skateboarding. I’m on the couch with my boyfriend and we just popped in a skateboard video. And as I was sitting here mesmerized by these pros skating happiness came over me. No, I can’t skate like the pros, but I don’t have to. I see them just doing a push and kick and I know how it feels to be on that board. I know the feel of the board, the way the wheels feel as they roll along the pavement, and the way my feet feel on the board. I know that is what happiness feels like.

When I see guys skateboarding it makes me want to get out to the skate park immediately. I want to try to bump up what I can do and try some new stuff. I’m not that good, but it makes me want to be that good. When, and this is unfortunately very rare, I see women skateboarding it makes me proud and makes me KNOW that I can get better. While I’ll never be a pro that’s hardly the point in me being on a board. Skateboarders get on a board over and over because it’s our happiness. When that stops for me then I’ll know it’s time to quit. Until then this is my happiness.

quickly

What he said. Read it.

Hearts and years...

I'm in bed at 9:28 p.m. I feel like a child who has been sent to bed with the threat that Santa won't show up if I don't get right to sleep. I can hear my boyfriend downstairs shuffling paper and moving things about, but I know I can't go downstairs until tomorrow morning to find out what all the commotion is about.

Tomorrow is not Valentine's Day for me. Tomorrow is my 38th birthday.

Tonight I sit in bed with the laptop and wonder what surprises await me in the morning. I have time to think about what being 38 is supposed to mean, what goals I might want to associate with my year of being 38, etc. I am excited to see what prezzies I'm getting, but I am pretty excited with the kind words and funny things my friends will say to me. I already got this one.

So, what does 38 mean. It means there are still tricks to learn, friends to discover and enjoy, and smiles to be given. It means that I will get another day (hopefully) of giving to other people because it makes me happy. It means that I've been lucky enough to make it this far. It means that I get more chances to learn, forgive, laugh, love and partake. It means that my children are getting older and will soon be taller than I am and figure out that I don't know a lot of things. It means I get fruit tart for breakfast!! Being thirty-eight is just like any other age I've taken on- fierce and amazing.

still around

Yes, I am still around. It's been a huge adjustment to move from full to part time. That sounds really strange. I think that I have been doing more with the kids though. It's really awesome. I've been taking gobs of photos, but they aren't posted here. Hmmmm...maybe I should do more blogging.

Happy Birthday is in order

I have 100's of photos of myself, and Mynx probably has more than that of herself. Unfortunately, I can't find even one of us together. We need to remedy that soon! In the meantime, this is the best I could do to wish my dear friend a lovely birthday.

Couch sitting

I wrote this a couple days ago. I’m still sick, but I’ve been off the couch doing things. Like interviewing! The interview yesterday went very well and I have a second interview with them next week. I’m keeping hope alive on this one. It would be great.

I’m stuck on the couch today. I’ve been battling a cold for 3 weeks now and I’m finally giving in and taking a day to rest. Well, not do as much as I’ve been doing. Here’s a rundown of the holidays, the vacation, and the job search.

The Holidays-

I’ve often felt that a lot of the holiday spirit died with my grandmother. The careful and creative wrapping of gifts, the excitement of decorating the tree, and just the general joy were altered in some indescribable way that horrible November day. I have tried hard to make my children holiday’s happy ones full of all the dreams, lights and wishes that it should be and with that effort it has changed into something different, but special. My holiday season will always have a certain element of missing my grandmother, but I think building memories and traditions with my children is the focus that has changed it into something special again.

The Vacation-

Five days away from home doesn’t sound like very much time, and really I suppose that it’s not that long. It’s the same number of days in a basic work week. So, how can that time be effectively used to create a fully relaxing vacation? I suppose with unlimited funds that would be an easy task, however unlimited funds were available the question would be if one even needed a vacation. Well, despite the Danimal and I not having unlimited funds (remember I quit my job) we took a five day vacation that was actually long enough. We took two days to travel casually to and from our destination. During the first of the travel days we stopped at the Great Sand Dunes and took some fun photos. We also got more information so we can have a weekend camping trip there in the future. Our destination was Pagosa Springs/Wolf Creek ski area and we made it about 2 hours later than we’d planned, but the springs were hot and ready when we got there. They were a lovely après ski each of the 3 snowboard days, too!
What can I say about snowboarding? With crash pads and knee pads it’s a lot less hurty than without. Also, with a lot of powder the falls are a lot easier. :D We snowboarded for 3 days. The first was groomed conditions, the second full on fresh and falling powder, and the third a lovely mix of the two. Each day ended with food I didn’t have to cook or clean up after and then the hot springs. Our drive home was quite simply evil. The snow we had enjoyed on the slopes had turned the roads into a completely icy and windy way home. Seven hours after we left we were home. So, that’s how we had a 5 day vacation that relaxed us. (Notice how I left out the cursing, crying and whining the first morning back on the board?)

The Job Search-

What can I say? I’ve looked at a lot of job boards, read a lot of job descriptions and applied to a number of positions. I have an interview tomorrow so we’ll see how that goes. I’m taking my time in finding just the right fit. I am not taking the first thing that comes along unless it’s a good fit and fulfills more than just the need of a paycheck.

2007

MERRY NEW YEAR!!!! wOOt!!!!

impending death

Somehow THIS seems a lot more relevant than THIS to me. The constant deaths of innocent people is a lot more important than this one man who has ruined so many other lives. When will it end? That's all.



The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.
– James Madison

Dear Snow,

Dear Snow,

Thank you so much for your recent appearance at our home. We really enjoyed your visit. However, we really were not expecting you back so soon. And while we enjoy short visits this is entirely too much. I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you to leave for a bit. You can come back for a day or two at a time, but you are starting to effect our ability to work, play and live life normally. I can now snowboard in my front yard, but I would much rather be skateboarding. Thanks for your understanding.

Best regards,

Smoooochie

You can see photos of it all HERE. I'm sure there will be more after this current blizzard is done.

What Abby Said...

READ AND LISTEN!!

If anyone is in the area I highly suggest checking out this band. They are really quite enjoyable and yet another reason for me to take a trip to the SouthEast.

My Elfster!!

I just got this awesome CD from my sweet friend Mynxie. She got my name this year. She is the bestest EVAR!! Thanks, Mynxie.

I'm a quitter

I quit my job. My last day of work was today.

BUH BYE NASTY MANAGEMENT!!! SO LONG AND FAREWELL!!!

WooT! I'm taking off the next 3 weeks to chill and figure out what's next.

2006- a summary

A shout out for Mynxy for reminding me about this meme. This is a good one to do each year, compare to the last, and plan for the next. So, here is my list.

What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before? I learned to carve both front and backsides in a bowl. Visited Seattle. Deskunked my dogs. Snowboarded. Cooked a Tandoori Turkey.

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? Yes. I did. Yes. I will.

Did anyone close to you give birth? A LOT of people did. What was in the water? I think the count is up around 10 at this point with still one on the way.

Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no.

What countries did you visit? I only traveled domestically.

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? A really decent ollie. A maid.

What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? January 19th, 2006. We drove through a blizzard to Casa Bonita to celebrate Bronte’s birthday. April 1st we moved into our beautiful house.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? I paid off both my credit cards and my car. That’s pretty big.

What was your biggest failure? I bought Dan a kilt that he looks super sexy in, but he doesn’t like it because it’s still stiff.

Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major. I nearly broke my tail bone snowboarding and then got pretty banged up skateboarding. It was worth it.

What was the best thing you bought? My skateboard. Definitely my skateboard.

Whose behavior merited celebration? The American people for kicking the Thugs out of office. IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The Bushistas

Where did most of your money go? My children. I suspect it will remain that way for years to come.

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Paying off my debt! WoooooT!!!

What song will always remind you of 2006? Transformer by Gnarls Barkley

Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Happier
thinner or fatter? Fatter
Richer or poorer? Richer

What do you wish you’d done more of? I’m a broken record. I would have skateboarded more. I can’t skateboard enough. I need MORE!!!

What do you wish you’d done less of? Putting up with morons, both personally and professionally.

How will you be spending Christmas? With my boyfriend- he’s my sexy Santa. WooT!

Did you fall in love in 2006? Nope. I stayed in love!

What was your favorite TV program? The Deadliest Catch, Top Chef, Project Runway

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Yes. I do.

What was the best book you read? Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Offce

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2006? Lupe Fiasco

What did you want and get? My house! I love it!

What did you want and not get? A different job.

What was your favorite film of this year? Little Miss Sunshine!!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? My Hootie took me to my favorite restaurant.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A job where I am appreciated. That’s the one thing missing in my life right now. Well, and a maid.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Nice jewelry is key.

What kept you sane? The Danimal and skateboarding. No joke.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Keith Olbermann. GO KEITH!!!

What political issue stirred you the most? The B.S. in Washington.

Who did you miss? My grandmother. I always do. I always will.

Who was the best new person you met? I finally met Annetastic in person.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: Listen to people when they tell you who they are and believe them.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“And so they kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick push, coastAnd away they rolledJust rebels without a cause with no place to goAnd so they kick, push, kick, push, kick, push, kick push, coastSo come roll with meJust a rebelLooking for a place to beSo let's kick...and push...and coast”

Recently Said in My House

"Dan! Stop skateboarding in the house!"

"Geoffrey, Stop skateboarding in the house!"

"Bronte! Stop rolling through the house on your Heely's."

"Don't tell that I was just skateboarding in the kitchen."

Proclamation of Thanks!

I’ve been trying all day to decide if I would post about the various things that I’m thankful for. It seemed a little cheesy to talk about all that I’m thankful for, but even though I am thankful everyday for these things I don’t really share it with the general public. So, rather than just saying these are things that I’m thankful for in my life I’m proclaiming my thankfulness to the world.

WORLD, LISTEN UP! I AM MOST THANKFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE AND THINGS-

1. My sweet children. They are the light of every day and the motivation behind most of my determination.
2. My most amazing boyfriend, Dan. He’s without a doubt the most perfect person for me to spend my life with. He is my echo and partner in all things. Quite simply, I love him.
3. My dogs. They (like my children and boyfriend) keep life very interesting. And unlike my boyfriend and children give the best puppy love evar!
4. My dear friends, both near and far. I never would have made it this far without them. I hope I tell them all enough that they know who they are and how much I love them.
5. My beautiful 1886 Victorian house.
6. My debt free life. O.K. nearly debt free. I still have that darned student loan, but the auto and the CC debt from the ex are GONE!!!
7. My skateboard. It gives me hours and hours of joy. It’s my zen.
8. My mother and my father. In their own crazy ways they love me and let me know that I matter. It’s important to know that you matter.
9. A Congress that has a Democrat majority. While the Democratic Reps and Senators might be just as big of assholes as the ones they replaced at least King George and the Bushies don’t get a free pass anymore. Now if we could just get that fucker impeached I’ll have that to add for 2007.
10. Dan’s family.

The Word

One of my favorite blogs has something to say. READ IT.

Cape Town would be a lovely place to get married, actually

South Africa has given gays the right to be married. In most American states domestic partners, regardless of the length of time together, can't even get insurance benefits on one other the others plan. Good job America. Way to lead us into the future! :P

My NeeNee

It’s the ninth anniversary of my grandmother’s death tomorrow. This occurred to me regularly over the course of the last few weeks, but today is the day I realized it. There is a difference between having the knowledge of something and actually realizing it. Today I realized it. It hit me full force and I’ve been fighting tears off and on all day.
I don’t know what to say really. What is there to say about someone you loved as dearly as I loved her? There is no words that are adequate. She was my mother, my best friend, and my echo. I will miss her always.