by Sarah | Feb 5, 2013 | Crap, Random
I don’t do Valentine’s Day.
In a relationship, happily married…I just don’t care.
Some might call it a carry over from my single & angry days…but it’s not.
I’ve never been a fan.
Erik, bless his heart, didn’t believe me when we were dating. A huge bouquet of flowers arrived at my work on Valentine’s day.
But to be honest, I preferred the bouquets (small or large) that came without reason. Without a ‘holiday’ telling him to man-up.
The single flower just because.
A pop he brought home because he was just thinking of me and knows of my addiction love enjoyment of the fountain drink.
Over time Erik got the picture, with my repeated sincere assurances that the last thing I wanted was something on Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want him to spend 3X as much on gift because someone decided that was the day it had to happen.
We’re married. We love each other. He shows me in a thousand little ways. With his constant support for my writing, for my blog, for whatever I put my mind to.
I don’t need platitudes, but I get offered words of thanks and appreciation sporadically in random moments and in serious moments.
Those are what I need.
Those are what I want.
Knowing I’m loved.
Appreciated.
Supported.
THAT is my Valentine’s Day. Every Day.
Not one day in the middle of February.
Every. Day.
by Sarah | Feb 4, 2013 | All About Me, All of Us, Crap, Random
I carefully avoided those year-end wrap-ups.
The stigma of “resolutions.”
But still…
As 2013 burgeons and develops…
With ugly, nasty January a moment in the past…
With so many things looming in the coming months…
A son 6 months away from a learners permit.
A novel I wrote releasing in 4 days.
A husband that is learning new ways to handle his bi-polar/depression.
Girls that are turning into real little people with tons of attitude.
I have to believe…
And say…
That for 2013 there is only one word that fits.
Change.
by Sarah | Jan 28, 2013 | Random
Ask me any day, any time, and I will tell you there is NOTHING better than Canadian chocolate. I’ve totally begged an old friend from Canada to send some over the border so I can nosh.
It’s not something I can get every day – so I have to say that I think I’ve found the next best thing.
See’s Candy.
I’m telling you, it’s epic.
I can safely say it’s the next best thing because Mrs. See (she’s real) is originally from Canada. So that woman knew chocolate when she came to the States.
I was so very fortunate to be able to head up to the See’s store with some of my favorite bloggers to gorge on sample some of their delicious treats.
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We got to learn all about the rich history of See’s Candy. Including fun trivia like the Lucy episode with the chocolate? It was filmed at See’s!
See’s candy is made from real, natural products. If you look at the side of the box – you can pronounce everything. Those real ingredients? YUM. The chocolate is smooth and rich – one piece almost feels like too much, but you eat it anyway.
Of course, everyone’s favorite part of the night was donning hair nets and creating our own box of candy. A little bit of competition to be the fastest didn’t hurt, either.
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I’ve already decided…while I’ve never been a Valentine’s person – I might have to lean on Erik this year to make a run to Keystone to get me a box of deliciousness. The one I brought home is almost empty…and that’s never a good thing.
by Sarah | Jan 24, 2013 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Random
With freezing temps & sick kids & edits & hubs & birthdays & Disney on Ice & chaos all around…I can barely get a coherent thought together much less a coherent post.
So what do I do? I steal a post from the ever loverly Emily, who stole it from her…and so on and so forth. I love posts like these anyway, and so as soon as I saw it I knew I’d steal it – just wasn’t sure when or how soon – turns out pretty damn fast.
So, here you go. 48 Questions You Never Asked, but I’m answering anyway.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes! My Great-Grandmothers – both of them. Sarah (she went by Sadie) and Melissa. I love this story and will tell you it if you ask. EVERY.TIME. Yup. It’s one of the areas my narcissism shines.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
I can’t give you an exact date but I know it was recent. There’s been much emotionally-stuffs going on.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Nope. My print is better than my cursive – but in a rush they both suck. I write like my Dad (sorry Dad).
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey Pastrami.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Three. Crazy. Insane. children. Love ’em most of the time.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Probably. I was always friends with the geeks & nerds…and I love theater people.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
NEVER (see also: ALWAYS).
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yup.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Hmmm. I used to say “No way in Hell would that happen”…but these days I’m more daring. I’d consider it (but probably chicken out).
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I hate cereal. But occasionally go through craving spurts where I eat Special K w/ strawberries (or fake-berries, whatevs).
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Never. Drives the husband up a wall.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically? Not nearly enough. Emotionally? Beyond imagination.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I’m a simple girl. Vanilla with caramel sauce.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they’re smiling.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red. I hate pink, I have always hated pink.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My body. Especially after the picture gold mine from 10 years ago I sifted through last night. What HAPPENED to me?
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My best friend Jess. She lives WAY too far away and transporters need to be invented already.
18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Budgeting. Seriously.
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
At the time I’m writing this? Brown slippers – it’s 3* out and my floors are COLD.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Pulled pork. Last night’s dinner. Yum.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Currently the news is on in the background. When i’m writing it’s often either Hard Rock or Love Songs radio on Pandora (depending on which story I’m working on).
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Burnt Orange.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
The smell of the pipe tobacco my grampa used to smoke – it evokes many memories and lets me know he’s still watching over me.
Vanilla or almond.
The wisp of smoke from a freshly extinguished candle.
The first fresh blast of crisp winter air you get in fall…it’s always so clean and cold.
Gardenias. Reminds me of my grandmother and my wedding.
24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?
They are very important to me…that doesn’t mean I’ll share them with you. I don’t talk politics to 99% of people. Or religion. I hate arguing so I don’t do it.
25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Both. But really? Mountain hideaway would win if I had to choose.
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
HOCKEY.
27. HAIR COLOR?
Currently? Chocolate Cherry. I like to experiment, though…so it could change at any time.
28. EYE COLOR?
Brown. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it (just don’t look too close especially when I’m wearing purple and they look green)
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yes! Hate myself in glasses
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Sorry. I can’t pick. Too many good things.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I hate scary movies. Husband loves them…
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Madagascar 3. Probably 30 times since it was opened Christmas morning.
Oh, wait…the last movie I actually somewhat watched was INK. I missed portions of it, but it was an interesting and unique film.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Burgundy…until I change later.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Both? I love Summer…but I also love Winter. Hell, all the seasons have my vote.
35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Mmmm….Cheesecake
36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Strength is preferred…but I get the importance of Cardio.
37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Computer.
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Mine. This one of Mine, too. (Hey, I’m reading proof copies for errors, shush. I’m not that narcissistic…much).
Also, I’ve been re-reading Harry Potter Series, and am currently on my least favorite (and longest) of all the books, Order of the Phoenix.
Also Hunger Embraced (by my crit partner, fun & sexy book)
Also MWF seeking BFF, recommended by her.
Also…oh, I’ll stop now. Let’s just say I read multiple books at once, k?
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
My mouse pad is my desk…so…a lot of crap. It needs a serious cleaning.
40. FAVORITE SOUND?
Rain.
41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
Uh…you can’t honestly expect me to pick?
42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Cafilornia. About 2 months before dah big quake in 89.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I can bark like a poodle. I can sing, dance, write, knit, crochet, sew, and…sometime I think I can mother.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Buffalo, New York (well, a suburb of it)
45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Indianapolis. Circle City. In my old(er) age…I kind of love it.
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46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Stupid pale yellow that I’ve hated forever. Can’t afford to change it so it stays. Stupid pale yellow.
47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Beige. Stupid brown/beige crap. One day I will own a car that is a color.
48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?
I sure do. It’s fun to answer random questions.
by Sarah | Jan 21, 2013 | All About Me, Crap, Personal, Random
Nine years ago my life was different. (Sort of) newly married, only one young son at home. I had no blog, but I did have an online existence.
In one of those (now defunct) online locales I met a girl that went by Vilanaa. We talked some, but we weren’t close. Then one day she emailed me to give me a file that the internet (and my stupidity) had eaten…and from that moment on we became fast friends.
I quickly learned her real name was Jess. We bonded fast over many similar experiences and laughed over the same jokes.
For several years we shared our lives through the internet & phone. Never meeting, but she was there for everything. The first person my husband called when I went into the hospital for the girls, for my gall bladder. I became the person she called for everything, joy to crisis. We watched each others kids grow up through pictures.
We finally met several years ago when I went out to meet her. Upon arrival I ‘forgot’ my kids in the car and rushed into a tight hug that lasted five minutes while Denver got the girls unpacked and met her boys. Many tears of joy were shed.
A year an a half ago she returned the favor by driving out here for my birthday. She was present for my first tattoo and my husband finally got to know the person behind the voice.
She is my best friend. Our friendship is amazing and strong and amazing again.
But she lives so far away. Without the invention of the transporter I can’t be there when she’s in true crisis. I have to be content with knowing she has a support system that is helping. I have to be content to be on the other end of the phone to remind her to breathe when she calls me in tears.
Last month I went out with two wonderful and amazing Indy friends of mine, Casey and Shireen. These two women are best friends like Jess and I, but they live in the same town(ish). They are able to see each other at least twice a month (most times) – but at the end of the evening they embraced in a tight hug that lasted several minutes. Both apologized to me, saying it sometimes makes people uncomfortable.
I told them don’t apologize ever for that sort of closeness. That if my BFF were here I’d hug her the same way every time. We all need the bear-hug friend…whether they are five minutes away, an hour away, or 12 hours away.
Treasure your bear hug friend and hug them as often as you can.
Because this 12-hours away crap? It sucks when your best friend needs you.
Now who can get those scientists to finish up the transporters ASAP for me? I’ve got to get a bear hug.
by Sarah | Jan 14, 2013 | All About Kennedy, Crap, Random
When I was 5 and living in Buffalo one of the best treats was when mom took us to Hills department store. That place had slushies and hot dogs in the front, and sometimes we got a treat after shopping. I loved going to Hills.
Then one day I wanted gum. I REALLY wanted gum while we were standing in line to leave. Mom told me no. I didn’t like that. I don’t remember swiping the gum, but I remember getting caught. Standing next to the car, Mom scolding me and then marching me right back into the store and admitting to the manager what I’d done.
I.Was.Terrified.
It stuck with me.
So when we had some incidents in November with K first lying and then stealing and lying about it, my first instinct was something similar.
The next morning I marched her into school and made her first tell the principal (lovely woman, BTW) and then her teacher (another great person) – and apologize for what she’d done. For the next few weeks until break K had to meet with the guidance counselor weekly. She lost some recess time and at home she was left to sit in the corner while her sister got to play and watch one of her favorite movies.
We thought – maybe it was attention seeking. Life was chaotic. Denver had just spent a week in the hospital and then another week getting PICC treatments. Maybe it was just attention.
But now…the behavior is escalating.
I’m worried. As worried as I always was when she was self-injuring. Because it’s a new type of self-injury.
The most difficult part about it is that she is GOOD. She lies without a blink. She swipes toys and books from her teacher, her classroom, and brings them home to claim them without a second thought.
I’m at a loss. I’m worried. She clearly remembers every time she’s been caught and gotten in trouble (and really, how many times have we missed?). I don’t feel like I can trust my own lovely, kind-hearted, snuggly girl…because she can lie so blatantly and fearlessly right to my face.
I can’t even begin to know how to deal with this. Or why she’s doing it.
Where do I even begin?
I don’t do Valentine’s Day.
