A cool blog that I like called The Yellow Brick Road tagged me for something called 8 random things. So here are 8, maybe not known things about me, which was harder than I thought! And since I am supposed to tag 4 people, I tag One Weak at a Time, Must Love Dogs..., Lone Starr State of Mind and Knight of Nothing.
1. I have to sleep with a small fan on. It doesn't actually circulate any air, it just makes noise. I started sleeping with it on in college to drownd out the noise of the dorms, but now I have to have it - but it keeps Tanner awake, so I am trying to sleep without, but isn't good sleep!!
2. I used to be a blonde! Many of you just said "WHAT?!?!!" but yes in college I dyed my hair blonde, really blonde. It looked pretty good!
3. My parents have been married for 41 years. This is a big thing to me. They havne't always gotten along great, but they love each other and always work it out. It is certainly something I look up to.
4. I love to bake. I love baked goods...they are my weakness, but I love making pies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc!
5. While I think this might be a known fact, since I have an entire entry dedicated to it, I love coffee! I worked as a Barista for over 2 years where my knowledge of the drink and my love for it grew!
6. I hate working out. I know I should, I know it is good for me, I know I need to, but I hate it! I have to basically drag myself. I always feel better afterward and know it is good for me, but I hate it!!
7. I love wine! I want to become more knowledgeable about it, but I love wine. I contribute it to a bonding experience with my sister, who also loves wine.
8. I am the perfect consumer. If a commercial or show is made to make you laugh, then I laugh. If it is made to make you cry, then I cry. I can't help it. I fall for it every time! Those damn Visa commercials where the little girl is imagining walking down the street with an elephant, but really it is the toy elephant that her dad bought her at the circus totally chokes me up! So if you want to know if something is going to work on consumers, I would be happy to tell you!
Hope you enjoyed learning more about me!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Diet and some progress
I have been doing Nutrisystem for a little over a month now. I have lost a total of 16lbs. I know I have lost inches b/c my clothes are fitting better and I can tell there is a reduction in my belly. I no longer look as though I am 4 or 5 month pregnant! Now stop right there, I know you will say "you didn't look pregnant" but kids will say the darndest things and before I started this diet I was hanging out with a friend's 6 year old daughter and we went to the pool. While we were there she came up, put her hand on my belly and said "are you having a baby?" That might have been the last straw for me, knowing that I had to do something! I am glad I did. I have found NS to be very easy to follow and a good way to learn about portion control and what portions of things should look like. Now it is short on the carbs, outside of what is in the NS food, you really aren't allowed. This is the hardest thing for me b/c I LOVE bread and toast. Overall I have been impressed with the food. Sure some of it needs to be doctored with spices and salads get boring after awhile. NS has discussion boards where you can read about other people's ideas/struggles, etc.
Coming into the holiday weekend I am scared of what will happen on Thanksgiving. I am going to Tanner's sister's in Keller. I think there will be a ton of people. I can eat the turkey (4oz) and I am going to make myself some mashed cauliflower fake potatoes instead of eating the real ones. I am also in charge of pies, so I plan to make a lowfat or fat free pumpkin cheesecake and then a regular pumpkin and a apple pie (made with Splenda instead of sugar) But I love dressing and gravy! I am going to miss them! At least I can eat the cranberry sauce! And I guess as long as I don't gain weight a by-week of weight loss will be ok.
Hope you all have a Happy and Safe Holiday!
Coming into the holiday weekend I am scared of what will happen on Thanksgiving. I am going to Tanner's sister's in Keller. I think there will be a ton of people. I can eat the turkey (4oz) and I am going to make myself some mashed cauliflower fake potatoes instead of eating the real ones. I am also in charge of pies, so I plan to make a lowfat or fat free pumpkin cheesecake and then a regular pumpkin and a apple pie (made with Splenda instead of sugar) But I love dressing and gravy! I am going to miss them! At least I can eat the cranberry sauce! And I guess as long as I don't gain weight a by-week of weight loss will be ok.
Hope you all have a Happy and Safe Holiday!
Monday, November 17, 2008
PC America is getting out of hand
Today has gotten me thinking being PC is getting ridiculous!! Don’t get me wrong, I think all people are created equal, I am not racist or a bigot and I think everyone deserves the same rights. I do not, however think that I am a bad person because I used the word ‘black’ to describe someone of African American decent! I would not be offended if someone described me as ‘white’, nor ‘straight’ or republican. But why is it that I am made to feel like I practically used the “N” word when I said “you know that black guy”? I have friends that are black….all of which consider themselves American, not African American, because as my friend Sam said “I am from Florida! I haven’t been to Africa, my mom and dad haven’t been to Africa and my grandparents haven’t been to Africa!” I have gay friends, now I won’t use words like ‘dyke’ or ‘homo’ but I call them gay. They are GAY! I don’t judge, I am just using words to describe people! Come on world, when did it get sensitive to use adjectives? If I say them in a descriptive, not hurtful way, what does it matter?
I was watching a comic this weekend, he was making a lot of non-PC jokes, but they were funny. He was a Hispanic and poked fun at everyone equally. He made a comment that I thought was a poignant …”if you are white and don’t know if you should laugh or not, turn and find the nearest black or Mexican and see if they are laughing, if they are you’re good!” Why do only the white people have to figure out if it is ok to laugh?
I was watching a comic this weekend, he was making a lot of non-PC jokes, but they were funny. He was a Hispanic and poked fun at everyone equally. He made a comment that I thought was a poignant …”if you are white and don’t know if you should laugh or not, turn and find the nearest black or Mexican and see if they are laughing, if they are you’re good!” Why do only the white people have to figure out if it is ok to laugh?
Elf Yourself
I encourage you all to Elf Yourself! It is fun times! Here are Tanner and I doing a jig!
Send your own ElfYourself eCards
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
I am a Bette -- "I must be strong"
My friend Lauren had this quiz posted on her blog, so I thought I would give it a shot! I would say this is pretty spot on! :)
Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.
How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.
What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes
What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right
Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings
Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid
Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.
How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.
What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes
What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right
Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings
Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid
Monday, November 10, 2008
What a weekend
I flew home to Colorado on Thursday and met my dad, and some really cold weather! I was not prepared...good thing I can wear my mom's clothes! Friday I went over Aaron's mom's house and helped finish the picture board she had made for the memorial service and met his girlfriend. The board turned out awesome and it was fun looking back at Aaron's life!
The memorial service, on Saturday, was at a park in downtown C. Springs. It was a chilly, but sunny day. Blue skies with just a few dots of fluffy white clouds. Perfect! Aaron's stepdad, Mike, spoke then opened up the floor for the rest of us. I went first. I read my piece about our relationship and how I felt about him, how I would miss him. Then I had two letters from people who couldn't be there, and read those. I didn't make it through mine without crying, did pretty well through Scott's but lost it again through Chris' letter. A few others spoke, including an ex-gf from college....who by all means is crazy! It was weird b/c the tone of her letter lead people to believe she was his gf now, which wasn't true, but his now gf just couldn't get it together enough to say anything. It was nice to see so many people out for this, especially since it was sort of word of mouth.
It was nice that I had some support there. A group of guys from high school, that all knew Aaron and really were there for me. Danny, Kerry and Travis, thanks! Travis came and hung out with me after the service so I wasn't alone. It was nice to know that even after all this time, I can still call these people friends and our bonds are still tight. I wish it weren't things like this that get us back together again.
The lesson is that life is too short. Be kind to your friends, tell the people you love, that you love them - everyday. Don't miss out on the opportunity to spend time with someone, you never know if it will be the last time you see them.
The memorial service, on Saturday, was at a park in downtown C. Springs. It was a chilly, but sunny day. Blue skies with just a few dots of fluffy white clouds. Perfect! Aaron's stepdad, Mike, spoke then opened up the floor for the rest of us. I went first. I read my piece about our relationship and how I felt about him, how I would miss him. Then I had two letters from people who couldn't be there, and read those. I didn't make it through mine without crying, did pretty well through Scott's but lost it again through Chris' letter. A few others spoke, including an ex-gf from college....who by all means is crazy! It was weird b/c the tone of her letter lead people to believe she was his gf now, which wasn't true, but his now gf just couldn't get it together enough to say anything. It was nice to see so many people out for this, especially since it was sort of word of mouth.
It was nice that I had some support there. A group of guys from high school, that all knew Aaron and really were there for me. Danny, Kerry and Travis, thanks! Travis came and hung out with me after the service so I wasn't alone. It was nice to know that even after all this time, I can still call these people friends and our bonds are still tight. I wish it weren't things like this that get us back together again.
The lesson is that life is too short. Be kind to your friends, tell the people you love, that you love them - everyday. Don't miss out on the opportunity to spend time with someone, you never know if it will be the last time you see them.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
My Friend Aaron
I know people are wondering what happened...so here is the information I have on what went on. Aaron's mom is asking for a full autopsy, we will know more when that is over. His mom and I are talking daily. The story starts back in May when Aaron went to Puerto Rico with a group. While he was there, he was separated from his group and got in a cab. He was taken to the wrong part of town, where he was robbed and severely beaten. Aaron is trained in martial arts and a good fighter, so if it had been one or two people, he could have taken them. Since then he has been suffering from post traumatic stress and couldn't sleep or eat or go out. Thursday he was complaining of horrible stomach pains. His gf took him to the hospital. he was admitted for observation. They told Maura (his gf) to go home everything was fine. Friday morning he stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. They called his mom to come to the hospital after they had revived him. They were not sure how long he was without oxygen, but the doctor thought he had suffered brain damage. then while his mom was on the way, he suffered another cardiac arrest, it took them an hour to revive him and put him on life support. The doc told his mom there was almost no hope that he would recover. She decided to unplug the life support and he died between 6 and 6:30p on Friday. They have since found internal bleeding and the doc thinks he may have been bleeding out since May, but it was just so small that it wasn't until all the blood collected in his abdomen that he was in pain. They also believe he was suffering from minor seizures. His gf said that he would have these moments of 'zoning out', but they think there was previous brain damage and he was suffering this mini seizures. I know now that he is at peace and that give me peace.
Aaron and I have been friends or more than friends for 15 years. We met in high school history class. We dated briefly, but it just didn't work out, but we were always friends. While we have both changed a lot, our friendship hasn't. He called me every year on my birthday to sing to me. Aaron was a fun, outgoing, passionate man. He was always a gentleman and he was always a good friend. Aaron was the type of person to always put others first and make sure everyone around him was happy. I loved that about him. I have so many memories of him, I won't share them all. I am heartbroken and will have a place in my heart where Aaron will always be with me.
Pray for his mom and family. I know their grief is great.
Aaron and I have been friends or more than friends for 15 years. We met in high school history class. We dated briefly, but it just didn't work out, but we were always friends. While we have both changed a lot, our friendship hasn't. He called me every year on my birthday to sing to me. Aaron was a fun, outgoing, passionate man. He was always a gentleman and he was always a good friend. Aaron was the type of person to always put others first and make sure everyone around him was happy. I loved that about him. I have so many memories of him, I won't share them all. I am heartbroken and will have a place in my heart where Aaron will always be with me.
Pray for his mom and family. I know their grief is great.
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