10 little tidbits about me

It always makes me laugh at how surprised people that know me well are when I get angry. It's as if my generally easy going personality leads people to believe that they can get away with anything and I'll grin and bear it. I definitely do take a long time to get mad but once I'm there, forget it. So I thought it'd be fun to play "Here's what you may not know..."

1. I'm incredibly true to my Virgo sign. In fact it's frightening at times. I am extremely organized, particular about how I like things and I'm stand offish until you get to know me. I'm not a hugger if I don't know you well. I'm up front and often a little too blunt. I'm loyal to a fault. I take awhile to get angry or be highly emotional but once I'm there, forget it.  I'm a Virgo through and through.

2. My kids are my life. Everything I do, every day I work, every beat of my heart is for them. Hurt me, I believe in karma. Hurt them, I become karma. I am fiercely protective of them and if I know they're being treated wrong, I am a force to be reckoned with. They aren't perfect.. They're kids. With that being said, they're good kids because there's a balance between discipline and rewards in their daily life.

3. I believe that exclusive relationships, married or not, are about respect and selflessness. Yes you read that right. My feeling is that if I'm giving my heart, soul, mind, body and strength to someone, it's not too much to ask that in return. That means you do things even when you're too tired or its boring to you. You make someone else more important and spend every day making sure they know how wonderful they are. No looking outside the relationship is necessary in the form of emotional or physical affair or even porn (a topic I've blogged about before). If you truly appreciate what you have, you don't need all that.

4. I believe I am alone in this world on  #3. We have become a world that take loved ones for granted, a nation of me-me-me and it's all about what someone else can do for you. Someone lies to you, you get the blame for calling them out. Someone hurts you and it's your fault for not doing this or that. It is one thing to promise someone the world but wrote another to make it your daily walk in life.

5. I believe appreciation is more important to show than to speak. While telling someone you think they're great is awesome, actions speak louder than words.

6. I'll trust you out the gate but give me a reason not to trust you and it's your job to earn it back. You lie to my face and take advantage of my trust and we have a big problem.

7. I do not forget....good or bad. There is a book on the five languages of love. Mine are "words of affirmation" followed by a teensy point by "acts of kindness." Words are important. I'll remember every sweet thing but I also remember all the negative.

8. I loathe lying. I'd rather someone be up front and say they screwed up than lie and let me find out.... And I always do. I have an incredibly forgiving heart when honesty is involved. It's about trust. If you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing.

9. I am confident in who I am. I am comfortable in my body exactly as it is. I am comfortable with my ability to let things go when needed but speak my mind as well. Getting mad or putting me down doesn't change my core. It hurts but deep down I know it's wrong.

And finally....

10. I believe in being a gentleman or a lady. I believe that there is a way to conduct yourself. Spoiled high school games aren't it. Acting like some sort of borderline porn star isn't it. I believe in romance, respect and so on. Ladies should be willing to get dolled up and save something for the imagination. Men should be willing to focus on the effort their lady puts in and appreciate it. It's all good to hang out and have fun but there is a line (and it's not thin) between fun and complete lack of respect.

Three Post Thursday....Post 3

Throw Back Thursday.....I'm ashamed to admit it...I cheered. I normally can't stand cheerleaders anymore because a lot of them seem so stuck up and whore-ey (not ALL of them, obviously...but a lot of them ARE stereotypical which is sad).  I was also a band geek though...and in the art and math club....and I hung out with everyone.

Three Post Thursday....Post 2

My next topic is simply this....Relaxation. It's different for everyone and unique to your personality, traits, habits and so on.  I don't know that I entirely know what it is anymore but when I have the chance to relax, these are the things I find the most soothing (or the things I'd like the opportunity to see if it's most soothing).

Going for a Walk/Hike  Unusual for someone to find physical activity as their "zen" experience?  Perhaps.  I just find that I can clear my head when I walk.  Even better would be having someone walk with me but people anymore are so lazy about this stuff...I don't wanna, I don't feel like it, I'm too tired.  I walk every day at work (weather permitting) with my little work nuggets because I firmly believe in the benefit of fresh air and sun.  It's also for a selfish reason, though: I like to clear my head.  I like to set everything aside for a little and just enjoy the beauty around me.  It's part of the reason I moved out here....there's so much beauty in everything.

Spa Shower  I cannot bring myself to spend hundreds of dollars on a spa experience.  I just can't.  I try every weekend to spend an hour in the bathroom doing a sugar scrub and the works.  Inevitably, I come out after feeling better but also saying, "Touch me, I'm soft."  Those that know me well know I'm someone that can't stand the feeling of body hair (particularly leg stubble, etc) on my own body so I'm a stickler for feeling soft.  It's my one luxury as a mama...Bath and Body Works or Victoria's Secret lotions.  I like to be soft and smell nice.

Cleaning  Go ahead and shoot me the death glare now.  When I get really pissed off, this is my way of mellowing.  I don't yell....I clean.  The kids know that if I'm rigorously scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees, it's probably best to avoid asking me for something.  I will sometimes just do it for relaxation sake though.  There's something to be said for seeing how clean and pretty something looks after you've spent hours detailing it.

Massage  Okay this isn't one I've gotten often but it's definitely a nice way to relax.  Admittedly, I'm weird about the back of my neck because I've gotten two massages where my neck hurt more after from them being prodded so hard.  (I'm also weird about hair cuts because I can't stand when stylists dig their nails into my sensitive scalp...ouch!)  Still, a nice oil massage can make anyone feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

Walking 16th Street Mall.  16th Street Mall is one of my favorite places in Denver.  I love to just walk it and window shop.  I love the vibe...and I love Mellow Mushroom pizza. LOL

and finally...

Photography:  I would much sooner go somewhere beautiful and just snap pictures than sit in front of the TV and zone out.  I love my sports but I also love getting out in the middle of nowhere and snapping random pictures.  Editing is also relaxing but not quite as relaxing as the process itself. My dream would be to do this as a profession someday...travel photography or something.

Three Post Thursday....Post 1

I am opting for a three post Thursday today because I have a few things I want to share and they're not on the same topics.  Topic 1 (because, well because I'm me) HOC-KEY!!!  My Redwings have now officially clinched a berth in the play offs.  So to all of the naysayers who said that there was no way, I say "Pflllllllllt!" (<----- That's me blowing a raspberry).  Four more days and I can fill out my bracket on NHL.com.  While I love my team, I also respect the sport enough to be honest: they're not winning the Stanley Cup this year.  They made a tremendous run but I would probably dance naked in the streets of Denver if they actually pulled it off.  It's just not their year for it.  Does that mean I won't strut in my jersey during their games?  Hell no!  Of course I'll be walking around in my jersey, supporting my team.  I also wear my Avs jersey and support them because there is something to be said for supporting the team you live by. 

In other sports news, I missed my team (the White Sox) being in town to play my other team (The Rockies...yes I'm allowed to love both..one's AL, one's NL).  The game I wanted to go to (Tuesday's), we won 15-3.  The other two games, we got owned.  Do I want to kick and scream for missing a once every four year chance?  Yes.  Guess that just means that I need to take a trip back home and go to my first White Sox game...in their home stadium.  Enticing thought.  (Hate being a broke mama sometimes but they're worth it. )  Aside from a bit of bitterness at missing it, I'm really eager to see how this season goes.  There are only two series I give a crap about winning hard core...White Sox vs Cubs (it's a Chicago thing) and White Sox vs Tigers (because I LOATHE the Tigers).

Finally, there's the news that the pre season brings a rematch between the Superbowl Contenders.  Prepare yourself, Seahawks...it's gonna be ugly. We're coming out swinging.

My final little nugget of information is this....I may have to buckle and get cable again.  Yes, I've been loving the fact that I have a lower bill every month but man alive, not getting to watch the sports I want without going out sucks.  I'm about to lose my mind missing all of the hockey I've been missing.  I'd much rather yell at the TV in the privacy of my own home than a bar. LOL

Un-done

There are some things in life that you can't undo.  Some are absolutely humorous to the point of ridiculousness.  You can't un-see the photo of the photoshopped sumo wrestler in a bikini.  You can't un-see photos of your parents making out.  You can't un-see the scary clowns meme....ugh clowns *shivers*

There are other things that aren't ridiculousness.  There are words that you can speak that can change someone's life.  There are actions you can complete that forever change the course of your friendship/relationship with someone.  There are lies that you can tell...and then lies to cover up your lies.  They can all change everything.

You never truly realize how much someone is affected by your words or actions until you really sit down and talk to them.  What seems small and trivial to you is a huge deal to someone else.  The words you say in jest will haunt them for years to come.  Those things you said or did in anger will live in their soul forever.  This applies to children and adults alike.

Short and sweet?  Think before you speak.  If you blurt something out, apologize.  Don't live your life as if you're the only person that exists.

Raising a Teenager is Like.....

I love my kids but I fear for my sanity as they edge into the realm of the teenage years.  I'm told there is a Mother's Curse that makes your kids like you times a hundred.  I was actually thrilled to hear it as I was a really easy-to-deal-with teenager.  I held a job, did advanced classes, and hung out with good people.  I didn't really get into much trouble and I was relatively respectful compared to other teenagers.  I'm not entirely sure where some of the crap comes from if the Mother's Curse is true because I did NOT pull this stuff at all.  I'm ready to pull out my hair some days out of frustration.  So here is my synopsis of how raising a teenager is like training a monkey....

Raising a teenager is like trying to teach a monkey to use the toilet.  No, I'm not saying that they're dumb.  Teenagers are the farthest things from dumb as are monkeys.  With that being said, a monkey has no interest in using the toilet and a teenager has no interest in listening to their parents.  Trying to force them into it leads to eye rolls, attitude and the nails-on-a-chalkboard "Whatever" that makes me want to reach for the Midol blow darts.

Raising a teenager is like dodging the poo that the monkey throws at you.  Monkeys, by instinct alone, throw poo.  It's a defense mechanism but they also do it for fun or because they're frustrated or angry.  Having a teenager throw attitude at me works much the same way...it's like dodging the poo.

Raising a teenager is like trying to understand the screeches and grunts of the monkey.  Just like I can't understand a monkey trying to communicate with me, a teenager's attitude and roundabout everything-is-mom's-fault attitude is completely unintelligible as well.  Don't get it...probably never will.  All I can do is smile and nod and remember that they'll have kids someday too.

Raising a teenager is like looking at how sweet and mellow those monkeys look...right before they jump on you and eat your face.  Yep, I said it.  They're so sweet and mellow.  They're absolute angels...and then they pounce and you're left wounded and wondering what the hell just happened while they sit and happily gnaw on your nose.

Raising a teenager is like trying to feed a monkey a steak dinner.  You waste all of your time and effort creating this amazing "meal" for the monkey when all the monkey wants is a banana.  You waste time and energy trying to do all of these elaborate things to make your teenager feel like you care when the reality of it is that teenagers are in their own world...they just want the banana.

and finally....

Raising a teenager is like chasing a monkey in the jungle....they're better at climbing and swinging and you're really just wasting your time.  You can try, as you might, to keep up with the monkey in the jungle but in the end, you're wasting your time.  Teenagers are going to be teenagers no matter what.  You can drill respect into them and teach them right from wrong but hormones still exist and they're still gonna be jerks sometimes. 

Moral of the story?  Teenage attitude is not a sign of your parenting, good or bad.  They're gonna mess up, make bad decisions and act like jerks sometimes.  All you can do is keep trying to "train the monkey" and trust that, in the end, you're gonna end up with great results.

Wish List

This is my wish list for 2014's spring/summer/fall....

1.  Elitch Gardens.  I've been to Six Flags in two different states but not here yet.  Granted, I haven't been on a roller coaster since I had kids (post-pregnancy, I have more motion sickness stuff flare up) but I'm still ready to hit the coasters.

2.  Water World.  Again, haven't been to this particular venue.  Plus what better reason to strut around in your bikini!?!

3.  Colorado National Monument.  Oh the pictures I could take.

4.  Rocky Mountain National Park.  Yes I've been here.  Yes, I want to go again. 

5.  The Stanley Hotel.  I know it's cheesy but I still wanna go.

6.  White water rafting at Royal Gorge.  This was a blast and I'm told it'd be even more so with the rapids being more crazy this year.

7.  Royal Gorge itself.  I was there briefly but it was quick and painless because we had been rafting all day long.

8.  BRONCOS GAMES.  If I was going ideal here, I'd say at least three but I'd settle for one regular season Broncos game.

9.  Avs Playoffs.  OMG, I'd love to see some NHL play offs live!

10.  Rockies games.  I'm already going to one but I'd love to hit a few more.

11.  Camping.  S'mores and Coors.

12.  Dirty Girl Mud Run.

13.  The Color Run.

14.  Muckfest MS Fun Run

15.  Zombie Crawl

16.  Easter concert at Red Rocks...it'd be a blast to go to church service in the morning and Snoop Dogg at night. LOL

17.  Hiking, hiking, hiking.

18.  Climb another 14er.  My first weekend living out here (my birthday weekend), I hiked a 14er.  I wanna do another.

19.  St Mary's Glacier.  Been there done that but want to do it again.

20.  As much Downtown Denver as possible...particularly 16th Street Mall....and Mellow Mushroom


I'm sure there's more but this is my top priority wish list for the summer!