I got hitched.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Help Get a Good Girl out of a Bad Situation..
I have recently become friends with a very sweet girl named Brittany. I have read Brittany's blog off and on over the past year after she left me a very nice comment on one of my other (anonymous) blogs.
Last month, Brittany shared her story at Violence Unsilenced.
There is a reason that VUS is the only 'button' I have in the side bar there (for now).. Most of my favorite blogs are all there in my blog roll, but if there is only ONE that you read out of all of them, VUS should be it. Go. Read. Support.. Please.
Now, Brittany is a lovely person. I have gotten to know her since her post there and from following her on Twitter. What it comes down to folks, is that she needs to move. She needs to relocate. Her current home situation is causing her all sorts of stress and anxiety that no person should have to live with.. it is toxic.
In an effort to help our dear friend, Aman and Cindy from Poobou have set up a donation account on PayPal that you may contribute to. There is also an email address attached for you to send her your encouragement and support.
I'm not one to solicit through my blog. And I don't see this as such. I only want you to help as you are able and as you feel led. But please, at least go and read her story and offer your support.
Thank you.
Last month, Brittany shared her story at Violence Unsilenced.
There is a reason that VUS is the only 'button' I have in the side bar there (for now).. Most of my favorite blogs are all there in my blog roll, but if there is only ONE that you read out of all of them, VUS should be it. Go. Read. Support.. Please.
Now, Brittany is a lovely person. I have gotten to know her since her post there and from following her on Twitter. What it comes down to folks, is that she needs to move. She needs to relocate. Her current home situation is causing her all sorts of stress and anxiety that no person should have to live with.. it is toxic.
In an effort to help our dear friend, Aman and Cindy from Poobou have set up a donation account on PayPal that you may contribute to. There is also an email address attached for you to send her your encouragement and support.
I'm not one to solicit through my blog. And I don't see this as such. I only want you to help as you are able and as you feel led. But please, at least go and read her story and offer your support.
Thank you.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Never Let Go - Part 5
Sara woke feeling groggy and confused. Her head hurt and her body felt as if it was stuck in mud. Laying in bed for a few more minutes, she tried to recall the night before.
At first, she came up blank. Then, Oh yeah.. date with Matt. She slowly replayed the dinner, the after meal stroll, and coming home in her mind. But then things were very foggy, fear crept in and a shiver ran down her spine. I can't remember.
Sara sat up carefully, swinging her legs over the side of the bed in preparation for a trip to the bathroom. Her crotch hurt. Oh, no. No no no no no.. What did I DO? What happened? Come on brain.. think. THINK. She felt embarrassed, self-conscious, and ashamed. But she didn't know why. Oh, jeez.. what Matt must think of me... Matt. As she thought of him, a lump of anger rose within her. She couldn't think of why she might be angry with him, but it was there. She dismissed it as just being angry at herself for the whole embarrassing situation.
Sara stood and walked to the bathroom, she still felt slightly sluggish but she made it okay. She pulled on some sweats and ran a brush through her hair before gathering it into a pony tail, and then went downstairs. As she entered the hall to the kitchen, she could smell bacon and hear someone moving around in the kitchen. That's odd.. Ms. Worthington should be at work by now..
As she walked into the kitchen, she saw Matt standing at the stove scrambling eggs. He turned when he heard her come in and smiled at her.
"Hey, sleepy head. You sleep okay?" he greeted her. She felt indignant yet vulnerable in his presence and wondered both why and how he was in the house. Surely, he hadn't been there all night?
"I'm... okay. What.. How did you get in?" she answered.
"Your key." he replied with a smile as he held up her house key. Sara's cheeks felt hot and she grabbed at the key, but Matt snatched it up away from her with a playful look. "What's the matter with you?"
"I think you should go, Matt.. I'm not feeling well."
"No."
"What??"
"No." The playfulness quickly dissolved into anger. "I come over here to make you breakfast and you kick me out!? What the hell is wrong with you Sara?"
"I.. I just don't feel.." Sara stammered as he stood there scowling at her.
"I don't want to hear your stupid excuses. You have someone else coming over here, don't you!" he turned away from the stove, hot spatula still in hand.
"No.. no, I.."
"Shut up!" he shouted as he swung and struck her in the face with the spatula. She cried out as searing pain spread across her face and her cheek burned red. Sara cowered and slumped into a chair at the table, but Matt came after her and, dropping the spatula on the table, lifted her out of the chair and shook her. "I've been so good to you, and this is how you treat me!? First trying to wear that slutty dress last night on a date with me, and now kicking me out when all I did was try to make you breakfast??" he shook her one more time before dropping her onto the floor and turning to walk out. On his way, he knocked the pan of eggs off the stove on to the floor.
"Make your own damn breakfast, bitch." he spat as he walked out of the kitchen.
Sara drew her knees to her chest as she sat on the kitchen floor and let the tears come. She listened as Matt walked down the hall and out the front door, slamming it behind him.
At first, she came up blank. Then, Oh yeah.. date with Matt. She slowly replayed the dinner, the after meal stroll, and coming home in her mind. But then things were very foggy, fear crept in and a shiver ran down her spine. I can't remember.
Sara sat up carefully, swinging her legs over the side of the bed in preparation for a trip to the bathroom. Her crotch hurt. Oh, no. No no no no no.. What did I DO? What happened? Come on brain.. think. THINK. She felt embarrassed, self-conscious, and ashamed. But she didn't know why. Oh, jeez.. what Matt must think of me... Matt. As she thought of him, a lump of anger rose within her. She couldn't think of why she might be angry with him, but it was there. She dismissed it as just being angry at herself for the whole embarrassing situation.
Sara stood and walked to the bathroom, she still felt slightly sluggish but she made it okay. She pulled on some sweats and ran a brush through her hair before gathering it into a pony tail, and then went downstairs. As she entered the hall to the kitchen, she could smell bacon and hear someone moving around in the kitchen. That's odd.. Ms. Worthington should be at work by now..
As she walked into the kitchen, she saw Matt standing at the stove scrambling eggs. He turned when he heard her come in and smiled at her.
"Hey, sleepy head. You sleep okay?" he greeted her. She felt indignant yet vulnerable in his presence and wondered both why and how he was in the house. Surely, he hadn't been there all night?
"I'm... okay. What.. How did you get in?" she answered.
"Your key." he replied with a smile as he held up her house key. Sara's cheeks felt hot and she grabbed at the key, but Matt snatched it up away from her with a playful look. "What's the matter with you?"
"I think you should go, Matt.. I'm not feeling well."
"No."
"What??"
"No." The playfulness quickly dissolved into anger. "I come over here to make you breakfast and you kick me out!? What the hell is wrong with you Sara?"
"I.. I just don't feel.." Sara stammered as he stood there scowling at her.
"I don't want to hear your stupid excuses. You have someone else coming over here, don't you!" he turned away from the stove, hot spatula still in hand.
"No.. no, I.."
"Shut up!" he shouted as he swung and struck her in the face with the spatula. She cried out as searing pain spread across her face and her cheek burned red. Sara cowered and slumped into a chair at the table, but Matt came after her and, dropping the spatula on the table, lifted her out of the chair and shook her. "I've been so good to you, and this is how you treat me!? First trying to wear that slutty dress last night on a date with me, and now kicking me out when all I did was try to make you breakfast??" he shook her one more time before dropping her onto the floor and turning to walk out. On his way, he knocked the pan of eggs off the stove on to the floor.
"Make your own damn breakfast, bitch." he spat as he walked out of the kitchen.
Sara drew her knees to her chest as she sat on the kitchen floor and let the tears come. She listened as Matt walked down the hall and out the front door, slamming it behind him.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Never Let Go - Part 4
For those of you just joining us, or if you'd like to reread the first few instalments, go here. Sorry it's been a few weeks since the last segment, life ran away with my brain and things have been rather hectic. Thank you for not abandoning me understanding.
*****************************************************************
After a few weeks of going out with friends and attending various parties, Sara and Matt were about to have their first night out on their own. Sara was enjoying the pace of the relationship and Matt didn't seem to be in a rush either. Normally, she would have been on her own with a boyfriend at this point, but something about him made her somewhat hesitant. Still, they'd been thoroughly enjoying each other's company and even Sara's friends were quite taken with the charming young man.
But there were moments, when she would catch him staring at her with that mocking grin that she'd caught in the moonlight in Lithia Park, and it never failed to send a shiver down her spine.
Matt was picking her up at 7 and she was giving herself one last look in the mirror as she heard the knock on the door. She grabbed a sweater and headed for the door.
"Hey there." she said smiling, as she opened the door to greet him. He looked so handsome in his dark jeans, green t-shirt, and leather jacket, she couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious in his presence. He wrinkled his nose at her as he looked her up and down.
"I don't like that dress." His words stung, and Sara could tell by his tone that he expected her to change before they left. She felt indignant, hurt, confused, and a little angry. Her heart raced and a feeling of desperation set in as she wrestled with the choice of obliging him or ignoring him.
Feeling very small and a little helpless, Sara tried to form a response.
"Really? I.. uh.. I have another one that I was thinking about wearing.. I'll go put that on instead." as the words fell out of her mouth, she couldn't help but say in her head 'No! what are you doing??' It was as if this boy had some power over her, she wasn't so sure how she felt about that.
Sara looked in the mirror when she went into her room to change. He's right, really. It doesn't look good on me at all. Totally not my color. She took the dress off and picked up a slightly more modest blue one off her bed, where she'd tossed it when she passed it up for the clingier red one, and slipped it on. Much better, she thought. Definitely more 'me'.
Matt smiled at her as she walked back out to meet him. "Much better." he said approvingly. Somehow his words comforted her and she felt as if she'd won in some small way. His approving smile eased the sting of the initial insult.
The rest of the evening was lovely. A romantic dinner outside and a short stroll through the streets of downtown Ashland. Matt walked her to her door after their date and leaned against the wall as she slipped her key into the lock. She turned to say good night to him and he quickly pulled her to him and kissed her. Reaching his arm around her, he opened the door, pulled her into the house, and closed it behind him.
I don't recall inviting him in.. Sara thought to herself as she squirmed a little in his arms.
"What's wrong?" he asked with his teasing smile lighting up his face.
"Nothing.. I just.." she stammered as he held her tighter.
"Shhh.." he placed his finger over her lips. "We don't want to wake the old lady now, do we?"
"I feel funny.." Sara said, her head suddenly was spinning and her vision blurred. She felt as though she might pass out and leaned into Matt.
"I know, babe.. Just relax. Let's go sit on the couch for a bit. You probably just had too much wine." his voice was gentle and lilting.
"Can you help me upstairs? I think I should go to bed." she couldn't think straight and her bed sounded just about perfect at this point.
"Of course. Good idea." he answered with a grin as he helped her up the stairs.
Sara could barely put one foot in front of the other by the time they reached the top of the stairs. Matt carefully helped her into her bed and pulled off her shoes.
And that was the last thing she could remember..
*****************************************************************
After a few weeks of going out with friends and attending various parties, Sara and Matt were about to have their first night out on their own. Sara was enjoying the pace of the relationship and Matt didn't seem to be in a rush either. Normally, she would have been on her own with a boyfriend at this point, but something about him made her somewhat hesitant. Still, they'd been thoroughly enjoying each other's company and even Sara's friends were quite taken with the charming young man.
But there were moments, when she would catch him staring at her with that mocking grin that she'd caught in the moonlight in Lithia Park, and it never failed to send a shiver down her spine.
Matt was picking her up at 7 and she was giving herself one last look in the mirror as she heard the knock on the door. She grabbed a sweater and headed for the door.
"Hey there." she said smiling, as she opened the door to greet him. He looked so handsome in his dark jeans, green t-shirt, and leather jacket, she couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious in his presence. He wrinkled his nose at her as he looked her up and down.
"I don't like that dress." His words stung, and Sara could tell by his tone that he expected her to change before they left. She felt indignant, hurt, confused, and a little angry. Her heart raced and a feeling of desperation set in as she wrestled with the choice of obliging him or ignoring him.
Feeling very small and a little helpless, Sara tried to form a response.
"Really? I.. uh.. I have another one that I was thinking about wearing.. I'll go put that on instead." as the words fell out of her mouth, she couldn't help but say in her head 'No! what are you doing??' It was as if this boy had some power over her, she wasn't so sure how she felt about that.
Sara looked in the mirror when she went into her room to change. He's right, really. It doesn't look good on me at all. Totally not my color. She took the dress off and picked up a slightly more modest blue one off her bed, where she'd tossed it when she passed it up for the clingier red one, and slipped it on. Much better, she thought. Definitely more 'me'.
Matt smiled at her as she walked back out to meet him. "Much better." he said approvingly. Somehow his words comforted her and she felt as if she'd won in some small way. His approving smile eased the sting of the initial insult.
The rest of the evening was lovely. A romantic dinner outside and a short stroll through the streets of downtown Ashland. Matt walked her to her door after their date and leaned against the wall as she slipped her key into the lock. She turned to say good night to him and he quickly pulled her to him and kissed her. Reaching his arm around her, he opened the door, pulled her into the house, and closed it behind him.
I don't recall inviting him in.. Sara thought to herself as she squirmed a little in his arms.
"What's wrong?" he asked with his teasing smile lighting up his face.
"Nothing.. I just.." she stammered as he held her tighter.
"Shhh.." he placed his finger over her lips. "We don't want to wake the old lady now, do we?"
"I feel funny.." Sara said, her head suddenly was spinning and her vision blurred. She felt as though she might pass out and leaned into Matt.
"I know, babe.. Just relax. Let's go sit on the couch for a bit. You probably just had too much wine." his voice was gentle and lilting.
"Can you help me upstairs? I think I should go to bed." she couldn't think straight and her bed sounded just about perfect at this point.
"Of course. Good idea." he answered with a grin as he helped her up the stairs.
Sara could barely put one foot in front of the other by the time they reached the top of the stairs. Matt carefully helped her into her bed and pulled off her shoes.
And that was the last thing she could remember..
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
How I'm Surviving Being a Mom of 5 Without Murdering Someone
Lots of sex.
What?
How do you think all these kids got here??
Yep, we're talking sex today, folks. I recently read an article that caught my eye in the SexIs online magazine produced by EdenFantasys regarding the much sought after 'female orgasm'.. more on that later (hopefully in a less run-on fashion)..
Seriously though, I find it sad that so many people don't make their sex lives as much of a priority once they become parents. Believe me when I say that I know how difficult it can be to make time/energy/effort to get each other in the mood, get yourself in the mood, and be capable of doing the deed.. but is it not worth it?
As they say, sex is like pizza.. even when it's bad, it's still good!
But there's more to sex than just good or bad, fun or chore, work or play.. it has benefits. As in, health benefits! Sex is good for you, both mentally and physically.
Here are some examples:
- relieves stress. who doesn't need less stress?
- boosts your immune system. even just once or twice a week can help your body produce more immunoglobulin A!
- burns calories. I know I have extra calories to burn..
- improves cardiovascular health. yep, all that huffin' and puffin' does a body good..
- boosts self-esteem. who doesn't want to feel better about themselves?
- improves intimacy. lets get that oxytocin flowing!
- reduces pain. hooray for endorphins!
- reduces prostate cancer risk. and cancer sucks.
- strengthens pelvic floor muscles. better than kegels!
- helps you sleep better. come on.. as parents, we all need better sleep, right?
It makes me wonder. Are they just not satisfied with their sex lives? If they're not, they should find a way to improve it. Because, sex is important! It's part of who we are.. it's how God made us.
Now, it's becoming more widely known that not all women are 'orgasmic'. Meaning, not all women have orgasms. When asked if they do, women give a variety of responses ranging from 'I can't.' or 'Hardly ever.' to 'I'm not sure.' and 'Yes, definitely!'.
I think it's wonderful that, despite the over abundant mingling of sex and culture, people are opening up more and realizing that a healthy sex life is indeed important. Even in more religious circles, I have noticed that women are more willing to open up to each other and discuss more intimate details to help better their lives in the bedroom. However, I have noticed that a lot of the discussion among women tends to be how to better please her man. And, while I am all for being all you can be in the bedroom, what about you, ladies?? Are you satisfied? Because that should be a priority too, just ask your man. I'm sure he'd agree.
There are a lot of things that are not covered in sex education these days. And while I don't think that everything needs to be covered when teaching our teens about sex, I do think that 1) they need more practical information than they are getting and 2) there needs to be resources for people who do want to find out more about the nuts and bolts of getting it on.
I personally have found the SexIs site interesting, informative, and even funny. Because when you really stop to think about it.. sex is very funny. Another good resource I have enjoyed is TheMarriageBed - for those who might still be feeling shy and would like a Christian perspective on sex and intimacy. So go, read, learn, and then get busy! It's good for you.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
New Kicks!
Hey! It's my 200th post! To celebrate, I'm showing off my new Vibram 5 Finger shoes. I thought about just posting a picture of them.. like this..
But then I thought, 'Why not show them in action?' So, here is a quick video for you. Don't laugh.. too much. I'm wearing Aman's hat because 1) it's raining and 2) I'm having a bad hair day. Shut up.
But then I thought, 'Why not show them in action?' So, here is a quick video for you. Don't laugh.. too much. I'm wearing Aman's hat because 1) it's raining and 2) I'm having a bad hair day. Shut up.
There ya go. Feel free to make fun of me. I have flat wide feet. It is so hard to find shoes that fit without pinching somewhere and/or giving me blisters. I am so glad to have found these (thank you Jess!). I bought the gray pair at a store in West Des Moines and wore them out of the store to do our shopping. I'm looking forward to ordering a black pair of KSOs, but if any of you would like to send me some, I'd gladly post another video of me walking around in them just for you. Because I'm generous like that.
************************************************************
In other news, I have some awards to show off! Let's get started..
This first bit of awesomeness is from Lisa at Unfiltered Insanity. If you haven't read her blog yet, go check it out. Aman is in the process of designing it, it should be done soon.. I think.
Next up I have a fabulous award that I am most humbled and honored to receive from Kat at the 3 Bedroom Bungalow. Kat and I totally need to get togeter and knock back a few. We've had so much fun getting to know each other online and can't wait to meet in real life.
And last, but most certainly not least! Another from Lisa. She created this bad boy herself to celebrate the unveiling of her new blog design! Check her out, if you like her blog, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you slapped this puppy up on your own page to link back to her.
I'm feeling stingy today.. after putting my mug on video for y'all. So I'm just gonna leave it at that. For you loyal readers of mine, feel free to grab an award for your own blog. I love you all, and you are what make this place worth while!
One last piece of business for the day: I have been contacted by Jump Start and asked to review their new online world and some of their software. I thought it sounded like a great idea since so many of you are parents as well and could benefit from this. With summer break upon us, who doesn't want some educational software to keep the kids busy, entertained, and learning? My midgets are certainly excited about checking it out. When I post the review, I will also have a giveaway for you all to enter, so stay tuned!
Peace.
************************************************************
In other news, I have some awards to show off! Let's get started..
This first bit of awesomeness is from Lisa at Unfiltered Insanity. If you haven't read her blog yet, go check it out. Aman is in the process of designing it, it should be done soon.. I think.
Next up I have a fabulous award that I am most humbled and honored to receive from Kat at the 3 Bedroom Bungalow. Kat and I totally need to get togeter and knock back a few. We've had so much fun getting to know each other online and can't wait to meet in real life.
And last, but most certainly not least! Another from Lisa. She created this bad boy herself to celebrate the unveiling of her new blog design! Check her out, if you like her blog, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you slapped this puppy up on your own page to link back to her.I'm feeling stingy today.. after putting my mug on video for y'all. So I'm just gonna leave it at that. For you loyal readers of mine, feel free to grab an award for your own blog. I love you all, and you are what make this place worth while!
One last piece of business for the day: I have been contacted by Jump Start and asked to review their new online world and some of their software. I thought it sounded like a great idea since so many of you are parents as well and could benefit from this. With summer break upon us, who doesn't want some educational software to keep the kids busy, entertained, and learning? My midgets are certainly excited about checking it out. When I post the review, I will also have a giveaway for you all to enter, so stay tuned!
Peace.
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