I really don't feel like writing anything today. I'm tired from the weekend and I have piles of paperwork to catch up on. Not to mention, I can barely keep my eyes open. So I will probably write tonight about the weekend and include a few pics.
Until then...
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Meet Sissy
People think it's cool that we have 5 cats in the showroom. However, there are a few downsides. Introducing Sissy. She is extremely chunky and this is why. If anyone has a dairy product at their desk, Sissy comes running. If you make the mistake of setting it down, it becomes hers.
When I eat my yogurt as I do every morning, I have to sit back from the desktop a few feet. She sits as far on the edge of my desk as possible and proceeds to reach, claws extended. She will tries to jump onto my chair, but I pull away. In other words, it's impossible to do anything but play "Dodgecat" (I just got the funniest image in my head.)
When I eat my yogurt as I do every morning, I have to sit back from the desktop a few feet. She sits as far on the edge of my desk as possible and proceeds to reach, claws extended. She will tries to jump onto my chair, but I pull away. In other words, it's impossible to do anything but play "Dodgecat" (I just got the funniest image in my head.)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Milestones
WOOHOO!!! Today is my 50th post! This may not seem monumental to some, but anyone who knows my journaling history will understand. I have several paper "journals" that have maybe 5 entries, My myspace page has just a few old ones, and my live journal may have lasted 2 weeks. So, as you can see, 50 is very monumental.
It seems only right that I share this in the memory of my niece. Friday, April 27 would have been her first birthday. Last year at this time we were excitedly awaiting the arrival of my sister's second child, a girl. I got a phone call at about 2 in the morning that she was in labor. I raced to Arlington and met my mom in the waiting room. My dad was watching my nephew Elijah at home.
The hospital had a dry erase board that showed the patients' names and their status (probably not really in keeping with HIPPA, but whatever). I was up every five minutes checking the board. At about 5:30 or 6 when I checked the board, all of my sister's stats had been erased - all that was left was her name. I went to report to my mom that I thought she'd had the baby.
Because of HIPPA, the hospital staff was not allowed to tell us anything. We didn't find out my nephew had been born until about 30 minutes later, so we knew this was probably the case with my niece. We moved to a waiting room closer to my sister's room - and we waited. Doctors and nurses were moving in and out of her room quite a bit, bustling with activity. Then I noticed that the doctors and nurses were all avoiding eye contact with us.
When I saw a nurse come out of her room in tears I knew something was wrong. Then I heard a sound that I will never forget. It is the most haunting thing I've ever heard and hope to never hear again - the wail of a mother finding out her child is dead. I didn't know that's what it was at the time because we still didn't know anything. We knew something was wrong, but never imagined anything like that.
Finally, the doctor and a nurse started walking down the hall toward us. The nurse was holding a box of Kleenex. This was such a surreal moment. It's as if time slowed down. I knew what they were about to tell us, but I couldn't wrap my head around it. The doctor escorted us into the room and told us about the complications.
The pregnancy was perfectly normal. The baby was full term and very healthy as was my sister. There was no way to know that the umbilical cord was tied in a knot. When she dropped into the birth canal the knot tightened, cutting off her oxygen supply. It wasn't until she was out that they even knew there was a problem. Eveyn never opened her eyes, never took a breath.
This is an extremely rare complication. There are knots and there are true knots. Knots are somewhat common, but are more kinks than knots. A true knot is exactly that and it is not so common. It is not predictable and rarely, if ever, shows up on a sonogram. Only about 1% of babies born with true knots die. Little Eveyn was in that 1%.
We spent the next few hours with Eveyn in my sister's room. The staff let us have as much time as we wanted. I held her, kissed her forehead, clung to her. This was my niece who I already loved so much, and she was gone.
We talk about Eveyn regularly, she is still a part of our family. For nine months she was alive, we just couldn't hold her. This will sound bizarre to a lot of people, but she had a personality. I felt like we did know her. So, this Saturday my sister is having a birthday party. Everyone is gathering to eat, spend time together, and have cake and ice cream. Unfortunately, I have to be out of town, but I will be there in spirit.
It seems only right that I share this in the memory of my niece. Friday, April 27 would have been her first birthday. Last year at this time we were excitedly awaiting the arrival of my sister's second child, a girl. I got a phone call at about 2 in the morning that she was in labor. I raced to Arlington and met my mom in the waiting room. My dad was watching my nephew Elijah at home.
The hospital had a dry erase board that showed the patients' names and their status (probably not really in keeping with HIPPA, but whatever). I was up every five minutes checking the board. At about 5:30 or 6 when I checked the board, all of my sister's stats had been erased - all that was left was her name. I went to report to my mom that I thought she'd had the baby.
Because of HIPPA, the hospital staff was not allowed to tell us anything. We didn't find out my nephew had been born until about 30 minutes later, so we knew this was probably the case with my niece. We moved to a waiting room closer to my sister's room - and we waited. Doctors and nurses were moving in and out of her room quite a bit, bustling with activity. Then I noticed that the doctors and nurses were all avoiding eye contact with us.
When I saw a nurse come out of her room in tears I knew something was wrong. Then I heard a sound that I will never forget. It is the most haunting thing I've ever heard and hope to never hear again - the wail of a mother finding out her child is dead. I didn't know that's what it was at the time because we still didn't know anything. We knew something was wrong, but never imagined anything like that.
Finally, the doctor and a nurse started walking down the hall toward us. The nurse was holding a box of Kleenex. This was such a surreal moment. It's as if time slowed down. I knew what they were about to tell us, but I couldn't wrap my head around it. The doctor escorted us into the room and told us about the complications.
The pregnancy was perfectly normal. The baby was full term and very healthy as was my sister. There was no way to know that the umbilical cord was tied in a knot. When she dropped into the birth canal the knot tightened, cutting off her oxygen supply. It wasn't until she was out that they even knew there was a problem. Eveyn never opened her eyes, never took a breath.
This is an extremely rare complication. There are knots and there are true knots. Knots are somewhat common, but are more kinks than knots. A true knot is exactly that and it is not so common. It is not predictable and rarely, if ever, shows up on a sonogram. Only about 1% of babies born with true knots die. Little Eveyn was in that 1%.
We spent the next few hours with Eveyn in my sister's room. The staff let us have as much time as we wanted. I held her, kissed her forehead, clung to her. This was my niece who I already loved so much, and she was gone.
We talk about Eveyn regularly, she is still a part of our family. For nine months she was alive, we just couldn't hold her. This will sound bizarre to a lot of people, but she had a personality. I felt like we did know her. So, this Saturday my sister is having a birthday party. Everyone is gathering to eat, spend time together, and have cake and ice cream. Unfortunately, I have to be out of town, but I will be there in spirit.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Alone no more...
My poor baby is home. She is doing very well and is spending most of the time sleeping - doped up on pain pills. I'm so happy she's back home! This place was empty without her. They used staples instead of stitches. I'm going to have to take her back in about a week to have them removed. Until then she's supposed to take it easy - no playing, running, etc.
Poor baby is going to have a rather large scar.
So, here it is! This is the piece of concrete that was pulled from her small intestine. It's not as big as what I thought, but it's still pretty damn big - about the size of a silver dollar.
This little rock is worth $1500!
Abby appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers! She requests that if you send a Get Well Card you fill it with cash to help her daddy pay for her procedures!
And to add to my joy at having my little girl home - Mark is home as well! We went to dinner and caught up. I mean, it's been 4 whole days! There was a ton to catch up on!
Poor baby is going to have a rather large scar.
So, here it is! This is the piece of concrete that was pulled from her small intestine. It's not as big as what I thought, but it's still pretty damn big - about the size of a silver dollar.
This little rock is worth $1500!
Abby appreciates all of your thoughts and prayers! She requests that if you send a Get Well Card you fill it with cash to help her daddy pay for her procedures!
And to add to my joy at having my little girl home - Mark is home as well! We went to dinner and caught up. I mean, it's been 4 whole days! There was a ton to catch up on!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
While the dog's away
Well, the Ft Worth Main St Arts Festival was a success. It was packed with hundreds of vendors and a few thousand attendees Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day and everyone came out for the largest art festival in North Texas. There were some amazing artists mixed in with the usual art festival
My second favorite was J.D. Hillberry. His drawings are unbelievable. Check out the Trompe L'Oeil section - everything in the picture is drawn - the tape, the pencils, the wood frames, everything. This one is called "Which Came First?"
A few favorites and honorable mentions are: Owen Mortensen (mixed media), Thomas Prinze (sculpture), George Raab (photography), and for fun - Jeff Leedy (Painting) and Jimmy Ellis (Digital). There were more, but in my opinion these were some of the best.
After getting pretty burned on my bald head we headed back to my parents' house (after grabbing a bag of Kettle Corn, of course). My sister and her husband brought my nephew and new niece over in the afternoon. This was the first time I'd seen her since the hospital, so we decided to take some pictures. I think mine numbered around 100, this is just one.
Sunday I went to breakfast with Brian and Mama. We went to Mama's Daughter's Diner. It has become quite the little bear hangout on the weekends! A little later in the day I went with Jason to a movie, "Boy Culture" at the Magnolia. It wasn't bad as far as gay movies tend to go - it was pretty funny. After the movie we went to the Door for 50 cent beer and grabbed a bite to eat. I came home and spent the rest of the evening talking on the phone and chatting online with Seattle guy. I'm really looking forward to my trip to Seattle in a couple of weeks!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Doing well...
After about a two hour surgery this morning, Abby is recovering and doing well. It turns out she swallowed a piece of concrete about the size of a fist (but not as thick). She's had that piece for months now and plays with it constantly. I didn't see the harm because of its size. Apparently her throat is much bigger than I give her credit for. I'm just amazed she didn't choke.
My appointment went well this morning. The doc did a sonogram of my bladder (it's a boy!!) and said that everything looked better. The best part of that is that he didn't have to shove any tubes up tiny holes. We're just going to continue the medication and see if it improves anymore. If not, it's time to talk to the shrink about adjusting those meds. He said that there isn't any known issue that would link the bladder stuff to my meds, but that usually they aren't taken together in the doses I'm taking them in, so I'm special.
I'm just glad the week is over! It was a very long week physically and emotionally. Tonight I'm resting. I've changed the sheets and am doing laundry while catching up on this week's tv. Tomorrow I'm going to the Main St Arts Festival in Ft Worth with my parents and possibly my sister and her family.
Afterward, hopefully, I'll be going to dinner with a certain someone I met on Easter. We started chatting last night and ended up online for almost 3 hours! It was great. I couldn't believe that much time had passed. Anywho, he's very sweet and happens to be very hot, so wish me luck! This is one I definitely want to get to know more.
My appointment went well this morning. The doc did a sonogram of my bladder (it's a boy!!) and said that everything looked better. The best part of that is that he didn't have to shove any tubes up tiny holes. We're just going to continue the medication and see if it improves anymore. If not, it's time to talk to the shrink about adjusting those meds. He said that there isn't any known issue that would link the bladder stuff to my meds, but that usually they aren't taken together in the doses I'm taking them in, so I'm special.
I'm just glad the week is over! It was a very long week physically and emotionally. Tonight I'm resting. I've changed the sheets and am doing laundry while catching up on this week's tv. Tomorrow I'm going to the Main St Arts Festival in Ft Worth with my parents and possibly my sister and her family.
Afterward, hopefully, I'll be going to dinner with a certain someone I met on Easter. We started chatting last night and ended up online for almost 3 hours! It was great. I couldn't believe that much time had passed. Anywho, he's very sweet and happens to be very hot, so wish me luck! This is one I definitely want to get to know more.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Poor Abby...
So, I guess Abby didn't eat a candle. Whatever she ate is about the size of the golfball and contains some metal because it showed up in x-rays (possibly a rock.) The vet referred me to a surgical center in Carrollton for an endoscopic procedure. That way they could go into her stomach and try to retrieve it without invasive surgery. A couple of problems with this...
Great Danes are prone to bloat (as are any large, barrel chested dogs). Bloat can lead to stomach torsion (where the stomach flips) which is the number one giant breed killer. In order to use the endoscope they would have to inflate the stomach. After surgery they would deflate it, but if they were able to remove the object and it caused irritation, it could bloat anyway, leading to torsion.
So I asked the vet at the surgical center what he would do if she were his dog. He said the full surgery. He said that a) they would without a doubt be able to get the object out (which is not a definite with the endoscopy), b) it wouldn't cause bloat, and c) they could tack her stomach in order to prevent torsion forever. When they tack the stomach it eventually adheres to whatever they tack it to (I don't remember) which prevents it from flipping for the rest of her life. AND the surgery only costs a few hundred dollars more. It's really a no-brainer.
So my vet transported her to the surgical clinic where she is spending the night before surgery first thing in the morning. As she's getting out of surgery, I'll be going into the Urologist's office. FUN! We'll see what wonderful things he plans on sticking up tiny holes.
Great Danes are prone to bloat (as are any large, barrel chested dogs). Bloat can lead to stomach torsion (where the stomach flips) which is the number one giant breed killer. In order to use the endoscope they would have to inflate the stomach. After surgery they would deflate it, but if they were able to remove the object and it caused irritation, it could bloat anyway, leading to torsion.
So I asked the vet at the surgical center what he would do if she were his dog. He said the full surgery. He said that a) they would without a doubt be able to get the object out (which is not a definite with the endoscopy), b) it wouldn't cause bloat, and c) they could tack her stomach in order to prevent torsion forever. When they tack the stomach it eventually adheres to whatever they tack it to (I don't remember) which prevents it from flipping for the rest of her life. AND the surgery only costs a few hundred dollars more. It's really a no-brainer.
So my vet transported her to the surgical clinic where she is spending the night before surgery first thing in the morning. As she's getting out of surgery, I'll be going into the Urologist's office. FUN! We'll see what wonderful things he plans on sticking up tiny holes.
I'm weak
OK, so I'm weak. This isn't news to me really, but I just hate when it's reinforced. I lasted all of one day without coffee. I just knew yesterday was going to be a long day and I really wanted my coffee. In the morning I got my usual from Starbucks - Quad Venti Nonfat No-whip Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Yum!
It got me going in the morning, and just as I was hitting a wall Stacie called offering to bring me some coffee. Temptress. (Although, I have talked her into buying many things she didn't need). So, by the end of the day I was hopped up on 8 shots of espresso. Normally I don't have a problem handling that much caffeine, but about the time I finished the second one I started getting nervous about getting my HIV test results (negative, by the way). So my stomach was in knots.Today I'll do the Quad in the morning, but I will probably skip a second one.
I'm worried about Abby today. Yesterday I got home and noticed she'd thrown up a little. It wasn't anything bad, but it had candle pieces in it. I guess it made her pretty sick, because all night she kept throwing up bile. Sometimes she would just retch and nothing would come out. This morning I'm taking her to the vet to get checked out. Danes have very sensitive stomachs, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
It got me going in the morning, and just as I was hitting a wall Stacie called offering to bring me some coffee. Temptress. (Although, I have talked her into buying many things she didn't need). So, by the end of the day I was hopped up on 8 shots of espresso. Normally I don't have a problem handling that much caffeine, but about the time I finished the second one I started getting nervous about getting my HIV test results (negative, by the way). So my stomach was in knots.Today I'll do the Quad in the morning, but I will probably skip a second one.
I'm worried about Abby today. Yesterday I got home and noticed she'd thrown up a little. It wasn't anything bad, but it had candle pieces in it. I guess it made her pretty sick, because all night she kept throwing up bile. Sometimes she would just retch and nothing would come out. This morning I'm taking her to the vet to get checked out. Danes have very sensitive stomachs, so it's better to be safe than sorry.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Taking my time today
I'm not killing myself today like I did yesterday. I was at work by 7am which means I had to wake up at 5:30. OK, yes, I admit it. It takes me over an hour to get ready. But, that includes breakfast, walking Abby, etc. Anywho by the time 12:00 rolled around I'd hit a wall. Not to mention I'm cutting back on coffee. So, basically yesterday was a very long day.
Today, I've decided I'm taking my time. I woke up at 6:30 this morning. I'm not in any rush to get to work. I technically don't have to be there until 9am everyday, but I like going in early because I get more done with nobody there. The problem is that I don't get to leave early on those days, so I get pretty worn out pretty fast. Today, if I get there at 8 that's fine. If I get there at 9 that's ok too. People will just have to understand that I'm only one person.
After work today I have to go get my HIV test results. I'm more nervous this time than I have been in a long time. It's not that I've been irresponsible, but this test covers the oh-so-brief period of sexual activity since the break up. I was with a few people that are positive (I don't discriminate) and although we were careful, you never know. With that on my mind today I don't want to add to the stress by going into work early and being exhausted in the afternoon.
I need my strength. I have a couple of clients coming in this afternoon. They're very nice, but very high maintenance. They'll both run me ragged and if I'm exhausted by the time they get there I might be a little bitchier than normal. SO - like I said, I'm taking my time.
Today, I've decided I'm taking my time. I woke up at 6:30 this morning. I'm not in any rush to get to work. I technically don't have to be there until 9am everyday, but I like going in early because I get more done with nobody there. The problem is that I don't get to leave early on those days, so I get pretty worn out pretty fast. Today, if I get there at 8 that's fine. If I get there at 9 that's ok too. People will just have to understand that I'm only one person.
After work today I have to go get my HIV test results. I'm more nervous this time than I have been in a long time. It's not that I've been irresponsible, but this test covers the oh-so-brief period of sexual activity since the break up. I was with a few people that are positive (I don't discriminate) and although we were careful, you never know. With that on my mind today I don't want to add to the stress by going into work early and being exhausted in the afternoon.
I need my strength. I have a couple of clients coming in this afternoon. They're very nice, but very high maintenance. They'll both run me ragged and if I'm exhausted by the time they get there I might be a little bitchier than normal. SO - like I said, I'm taking my time.
Monday, April 16, 2007
A Delicate Balance
I have another opportunity this week to get caught up on laundry, organizing, working out, some design work, etc etc. Mark is out of town until Wednesday and then goes out of town again on Thursday for the rest of the week. Brian isn't coming home this weekend either, so it looks like I'm gonna get to take care of a lot of stuff I tend to look past.
It's quite the opposite at work. This week is a national tile show (it's actually more exciting than it sounds) in Chicago and I'm the lone salesperson left in the showroom (they tell me I get to go next year). We have the warehouse guys and our office manager, but I'm the only one in the showroom. That's a lot of freakin work and it just continues to pile up, so I'm teaching some designers a lesson in patience - something Interior Designers do not come by naturally.
So - at home I can get caught up when left to my own devices, but at work I get behind. I guess life is about trade offs. Maybe that's why I'm ok with being left alone this week - there's a balance still - an even exchange. To me, life is all a balancing act. I don't expect everything to go wrong at the same time not expecting everything to go right. When I am organized at work (which I usually am), then I'm disorganized at home and vice versa. I don't think I'm happy without a little mess somewhere.
Aside: Why is it that when Abby drinks a ton of water she feels the need to come rub her face on my computer?
Where was I? Oh yeah - I think it's that whole creative mind thing. Most creative people I know at least have some little corner of their lives that is disorganized. I enjoy my disorganization. I don't necessarily like to look at it, but when everything is neat and tidy I feel like I'm living in a photograph, and I'm sorry, but life is not a photograph.
It's quite the opposite at work. This week is a national tile show (it's actually more exciting than it sounds) in Chicago and I'm the lone salesperson left in the showroom (they tell me I get to go next year). We have the warehouse guys and our office manager, but I'm the only one in the showroom. That's a lot of freakin work and it just continues to pile up, so I'm teaching some designers a lesson in patience - something Interior Designers do not come by naturally.
So - at home I can get caught up when left to my own devices, but at work I get behind. I guess life is about trade offs. Maybe that's why I'm ok with being left alone this week - there's a balance still - an even exchange. To me, life is all a balancing act. I don't expect everything to go wrong at the same time not expecting everything to go right. When I am organized at work (which I usually am), then I'm disorganized at home and vice versa. I don't think I'm happy without a little mess somewhere.
Aside: Why is it that when Abby drinks a ton of water she feels the need to come rub her face on my computer?
Where was I? Oh yeah - I think it's that whole creative mind thing. Most creative people I know at least have some little corner of their lives that is disorganized. I enjoy my disorganization. I don't necessarily like to look at it, but when everything is neat and tidy I feel like I'm living in a photograph, and I'm sorry, but life is not a photograph.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
On Rudeness...
Well, I've decided to monitor comments. Not because I hate confrontation - on the contrary - but because I don't want rude remarks to become a part of this blog. If you disagree with something I say, that's fine. I have no problem with that. But be constructive with your comments. Ask questions, dig deeper. I will allow constructive comments. What I will not allow are comments that consist of name-calling or rudeness - there's no reason for it.
I'm a good Texan boy with Texan values. I will never be rude to you, regardless of whether or not I agree with you or like you. This not only applies to blogs, it applies to everyday life. It seems that I'm bombarded by rude people all day long. Guess what? The world does not revolve around you and your needs. If someone comes into my work and they don't have the decency to get off the phone to talk to me, I will ignore them until they are off the phone. If people are demanding that their life and needs are more important than the person next to them, then I tend to be a little slower getting their stuff taken care of.
It doesn't benefit anyone to be rude. All it does is make the commentor feel superior for a brief moment and poke and prod the commentee. For that reason, comments will now be moderated. Again, 9.5 out of 10 will be allowed whether you agree with me or not. Like I said, I like confrontation. Just be respectful about it.
I'm a good Texan boy with Texan values. I will never be rude to you, regardless of whether or not I agree with you or like you. This not only applies to blogs, it applies to everyday life. It seems that I'm bombarded by rude people all day long. Guess what? The world does not revolve around you and your needs. If someone comes into my work and they don't have the decency to get off the phone to talk to me, I will ignore them until they are off the phone. If people are demanding that their life and needs are more important than the person next to them, then I tend to be a little slower getting their stuff taken care of.
It doesn't benefit anyone to be rude. All it does is make the commentor feel superior for a brief moment and poke and prod the commentee. For that reason, comments will now be moderated. Again, 9.5 out of 10 will be allowed whether you agree with me or not. Like I said, I like confrontation. Just be respectful about it.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The End of a Chapter
Tonight at 6:00 James Lee Clark will be executed. My emotions are running a little high today. He raped and murdered my best friend 14 years ago and after a couple of stays of execution and exhaustive appeals this should be over tonight.
I know that his death won't bring Cari back, but that bastard didn't deserve to have the past 14 years. His actions had such far reaching consequences. Because of our age at the time, her death had a profound effect on my life, permanantly altering it's course. I will never be able to forgive him for what he did, dead or alive, but it will be nice to know that he's dead. I just wish I could've been the one to end his life - it sure as hell wouldn't be as nice a death as the state is granting him.
I know that his death won't bring Cari back, but that bastard didn't deserve to have the past 14 years. His actions had such far reaching consequences. Because of our age at the time, her death had a profound effect on my life, permanantly altering it's course. I will never be able to forgive him for what he did, dead or alive, but it will be nice to know that he's dead. I just wish I could've been the one to end his life - it sure as hell wouldn't be as nice a death as the state is granting him.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I'm a Saint - no, really
I'm a really good person. I have a reputation for being somewhat bitchy and kind of negative, but the reality is that I am very sweet. What brought this on you ask? Yesterday, I loaned my ex a lump of money so he could pay his past due rent and electric bills. He hit a rough patch and needed a little help. I'm really the only family he has. He has a couple of siblings in CA, but they aren't really able to help him much. I'm not really in a position to do it either, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he were evicted. He starts a new job today and shouldn't have too much of a problem paying me back, so I'm not too worried about it.
Basically, the point is that even though I may come across as bitchy and negative, when it comes to the people I love, I would do anything for them. Those few people I've allowed myself to get close to and them to me have the amazing ability to see beyond the sarcasm and bitchiness. In exchange they get a friend who is loyal and will do anything they need. My loyalty is fierce. I'm like a guard dog in some respects. I will step between my friends and any threat they may face.
OK, this all sounds kind of dramatic.
Basically, the point is that even though I may come across as bitchy and negative, when it comes to the people I love, I would do anything for them. Those few people I've allowed myself to get close to and them to me have the amazing ability to see beyond the sarcasm and bitchiness. In exchange they get a friend who is loyal and will do anything they need. My loyalty is fierce. I'm like a guard dog in some respects. I will step between my friends and any threat they may face.
OK, this all sounds kind of dramatic.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Happy Resurrection Weekend!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Last night was the Lisa Lampanelli show. I thought she was funny on video and tv, but in person she's amazing. It was an interesting audience. There was a large gay contingency, but it just so happened that the people immediately in front, behind, and to the side of us were all straight. Lisa's show was full of gay jokes. The nervous straight people kept monitoring us to see if it was ok to laugh. It was bizarre. Once they noticed us laughing they felt it was ok for them to laugh too. Anyway it was a great show! I highly recommend seeing her if you get a chance (and if you can take a joke.)
After the show, Stacie went home and Mark, Brian, and I went out for "a couple of drinks." We hadn't been out in awhile, so we decided to hit the Round-Up. The place was packed and the drinks were strong! Good Times!
The perfect end to the evening came when I got home and went online to check messages. I saw that "Seattle Guy" was online. We've been talking for a few weeks now and he is an incredibly sweet guy, not to mention HOT! We talked for a little bit (well, until about 2:30am) and I went to bed. It was the perfect end to a great evening.
Today should be fun. To celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, we will have a nice breakfast and head out to the park to drink and hang out with every homosexual in Dallas. That is, assuming it isn't canceled due to weather. The symphony has been moved indoors, but from what we gathered at the bar last night, there will be plenty of people still out there.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Ella Grace is here!
This picture was taken about 30 minutes after she was born. Vitals: 7lbs 14.5 oz (not bad for 2 wks early) and 19" long. Everyone is doing GREAT! I can't express the relief that came over me. It has been such a stressful pregnancy for everyone. The tension was palpable this morning and when they announced that she was here and was healthy the tears poured from everyone!
I'm so emotionally drained I'm off to take a nap!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
The Big Day Is Here!!
Tomorrow I become an uncle again. My sister is scheduled for a C-Section at 9am to deliver her girl, Ella Grace. This has been a very tense week and tomorrow will be very surreal - happy, but difficult.
Last year at this same time my mom and I were sitting in the same hospital waiting for her second child, Eveyn to be born. We could go to the nurses station and see the progress of everything on a dry erase board. So, every 5-10 minutes I was checking to see if anything had changed. The last time I went up there, her name was erased. Normally, one would assume that this meant the baby was born. I thought otherwise.
We switched to a closer waiting room while trying to get the doctors' and nurses' attention. They just kept avoiding us. Finally we saw a couple of nurses crying, followed by the doctor. She was walking towards us like that scene you see in movies when someone is dead. She took us into a side room. Eveyn had died during the birth.
The umbilical cord was tied in a "true knot". When she descended into the birth canal the knot tightened cutting off her oxygen supply. This is an extremely rare complication and one that cannot be predicted. She was full term and perfectly healthy. It was a fluke.
My sister wasn't planning on having another child until awhile later, but the universe had other plans. She became pregnant in June. Ella is technically due a week before Eveyn was, but they decided to deliver by C-Section to minimize risk. It was scheduled 2 weeks early so there wouldn't be a chance that she would go into labor unexpectedly.
With her first child, my sister had complications and was rushed to emergency surgery. She lost a lot of blood and things were very touch and go. The second was a tragedy. The third? It will be fine. We're very excited and this time there will be many more of us at the hospital than last time. While I'm looking forward to holding my neice, I know I'll be confronting a lot of emotions tied to last year at this same time.
I will try to post pictures tomorrow.
Last year at this same time my mom and I were sitting in the same hospital waiting for her second child, Eveyn to be born. We could go to the nurses station and see the progress of everything on a dry erase board. So, every 5-10 minutes I was checking to see if anything had changed. The last time I went up there, her name was erased. Normally, one would assume that this meant the baby was born. I thought otherwise.
We switched to a closer waiting room while trying to get the doctors' and nurses' attention. They just kept avoiding us. Finally we saw a couple of nurses crying, followed by the doctor. She was walking towards us like that scene you see in movies when someone is dead. She took us into a side room. Eveyn had died during the birth.
The umbilical cord was tied in a "true knot". When she descended into the birth canal the knot tightened cutting off her oxygen supply. This is an extremely rare complication and one that cannot be predicted. She was full term and perfectly healthy. It was a fluke.
My sister wasn't planning on having another child until awhile later, but the universe had other plans. She became pregnant in June. Ella is technically due a week before Eveyn was, but they decided to deliver by C-Section to minimize risk. It was scheduled 2 weeks early so there wouldn't be a chance that she would go into labor unexpectedly.
With her first child, my sister had complications and was rushed to emergency surgery. She lost a lot of blood and things were very touch and go. The second was a tragedy. The third? It will be fine. We're very excited and this time there will be many more of us at the hospital than last time. While I'm looking forward to holding my neice, I know I'll be confronting a lot of emotions tied to last year at this same time.
I will try to post pictures tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Learning to Budget
Last night, after working out, Mark helped me set up a budget. I've made it to 31 without ever learning how to budget or handle my money which is sad since my dad is in the finance business. This is the reason I don't own a home, have bad credit, and despite making a living wage tend to have no money.
So we sat down and broke everything down. I'm not big on limits. I don't like being told that I can't do something, but I also know that I have to learn to control my spending or I'll never own anything or have decent credit.
One of the big monthly expenditures that caught both our attention is Abby's daycare. I pay $250 a month to send her to daycare M-F. At first I thought it would be non-negotiable. She needs the daily interaction with others or she gets depressed. (Again, Danes are highly sensitive.)
Then, on the drive home I had an epiphany! What about getting a second dog??? Now wait, hear me out. Overall it isn't much more expensive to have 2 dogs. If I had a second one, she would have company throughout the day and I wouldn't have to use daycare. Now I just have to weigh out costs of boarding an additional dog on occasion and additional vet bills. If that totals less than $250 a month, then I don't see why I shouldn't do it.
So we sat down and broke everything down. I'm not big on limits. I don't like being told that I can't do something, but I also know that I have to learn to control my spending or I'll never own anything or have decent credit.
One of the big monthly expenditures that caught both our attention is Abby's daycare. I pay $250 a month to send her to daycare M-F. At first I thought it would be non-negotiable. She needs the daily interaction with others or she gets depressed. (Again, Danes are highly sensitive.)
Then, on the drive home I had an epiphany! What about getting a second dog??? Now wait, hear me out. Overall it isn't much more expensive to have 2 dogs. If I had a second one, she would have company throughout the day and I wouldn't have to use daycare. Now I just have to weigh out costs of boarding an additional dog on occasion and additional vet bills. If that totals less than $250 a month, then I don't see why I shouldn't do it.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Recap
Friday -
Mark and I went to a new restaurant, Tradicion, 4334 Lemmon Ave. Dallas, TX (for the benefit of Google searches) for what has to be the worst dining experience I've ever had. I'm going to let Mark tell it though, he's much more dramatic than I am. Mark's Review.
After that we needed a drink, because ya know - they had no liquor license. We went back to Mark and Brian's, opened a bottle of wine, and watched Children of Men. Excellent movie, by the way. I headed home as soon as that was over so Mark could get his beauty sleep. He was going to the ranch Saturday morning.
When I got home I got online to check messages and ended up chatting with a very charming man from Seattle. We chatted well past midnight, until I was passing out. I'm trying to get him to meet me in San Francisco at Pride. Cross your fingers!
Saturday -
Left to my own devices, I spent most of Saturday morning picking up around the house. That didn't last long before I was distracted by the computer. I spent all day vegging until time for my massage that afternoon. I had never been to this man before. It was wonderful. As a bonus, he took me to dinner afterward. I went home and passed out - again.
Sunday -
I awoke energized and ready to tackle the day. I got up around 7, did laundry, and cleaned. Abby was extremely bored with me (she gets very spoiled at daycare M-F). I decided to take her to the dog park. We went to Petsmart first to get a new name tag where we ran into another young Great Dane. While Abby and she were doing their thing, I was talking to the owner and discovered that the dog park was closed due to flooding, so we went home.
When Mark and Brian got back into town we met Mama at Blades of Glory. I haven't laughed that hard in a movie theater in a long time. I'm not going to spoil it, but the chase scene alone is worth the $9 ticket. I was in tears!
Afterward, we went back to their place and watched The Women - my favorite movie of all time! Brian had never seen it, so it was time for some education. Another movie he'd never seen would be our second feature - Heathers. After the "I love my dead gay son" scene I headed home. It was almost midnight and I had to get my beauty sleep. This week is going to be a busy one!
Mark and I went to a new restaurant, Tradicion, 4334 Lemmon Ave. Dallas, TX (for the benefit of Google searches) for what has to be the worst dining experience I've ever had. I'm going to let Mark tell it though, he's much more dramatic than I am. Mark's Review.
After that we needed a drink, because ya know - they had no liquor license. We went back to Mark and Brian's, opened a bottle of wine, and watched Children of Men. Excellent movie, by the way. I headed home as soon as that was over so Mark could get his beauty sleep. He was going to the ranch Saturday morning.
When I got home I got online to check messages and ended up chatting with a very charming man from Seattle. We chatted well past midnight, until I was passing out. I'm trying to get him to meet me in San Francisco at Pride. Cross your fingers!
Saturday -
Left to my own devices, I spent most of Saturday morning picking up around the house. That didn't last long before I was distracted by the computer. I spent all day vegging until time for my massage that afternoon. I had never been to this man before. It was wonderful. As a bonus, he took me to dinner afterward. I went home and passed out - again.
Sunday -
I awoke energized and ready to tackle the day. I got up around 7, did laundry, and cleaned. Abby was extremely bored with me (she gets very spoiled at daycare M-F). I decided to take her to the dog park. We went to Petsmart first to get a new name tag where we ran into another young Great Dane. While Abby and she were doing their thing, I was talking to the owner and discovered that the dog park was closed due to flooding, so we went home.
When Mark and Brian got back into town we met Mama at Blades of Glory. I haven't laughed that hard in a movie theater in a long time. I'm not going to spoil it, but the chase scene alone is worth the $9 ticket. I was in tears!
Afterward, we went back to their place and watched The Women - my favorite movie of all time! Brian had never seen it, so it was time for some education. Another movie he'd never seen would be our second feature - Heathers. After the "I love my dead gay son" scene I headed home. It was almost midnight and I had to get my beauty sleep. This week is going to be a busy one!
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