Back again ...

Hello dear readers ~
I'm taking a break from a mountain of unpacked boxes to let you all know I'm moved in and now in my new home. :o) I've somehow managed to lose drawer and shelf space along the way to our larger place because I can't seem to find new homes for all my stuff! I really didn't realize I had so much crap! Time to eliminate some of it I think!

Blogger is not being nice to me today! I keep trying to upload a photo of my new couch, but it won't let me! So if you want to see my new obsession - just follow this link and see the sofa called Aladdio - Crimson. I think maybe I love it too much - but if that is wrong I don't want to be right! LOL

My mother was very sweet and bought the kids a new bedroom set. For $199 we got them a bookcase/headboard, dresser and a night stand. It looks great. Brian has been very good about building them as he has the energy to do so.

I hope to get some pictures soon to share with you all. For a bit my posts may be delayed. Even though we moved a short distance (one block) the techno spirits didn't follow me. :o( My free wi-fi adventures are over. Whaaaa! I know need to find a new way to get my computer hooked up to the internet and since money is an issue, it may be a bit.

I need to run, but I'll post soon. Life is pretty good, school is in and routines are back! Chat with you again soon.

Close a door and a window opens...

So, this will be the last post at my old place...the last night I will ever sleep here. I must say - good riddance!

I've been reflecting on my time here over the past five years and so much of it has been plain terrible. During that time, I lost my best friend; lost my only real escape from my often mundane existance (aka my decade old online werewolf game with said former friend); lost two jobs; went through a terrible period in my marriage; nearly lost my marbles & was diagnosed as depressed; and finally, I saw the end of my parent's 37-year marriage...and those are just the highlights! So many more bad things happened from illnesses to broken down cars, but I will resist the temptation to whine about that too.

Yea - the memories in this house are as dark and tainted as any wyrm infested Pentex creation. (er, those who game the White Wolf system will understand that reference - for all you non-gamers, please see the picture to your left for a visual clue to what the hell I'm talking about!) Anyhow, let me just say I can hardly believe that we survived this place!

OK - not every moment here was hell on earth, but most of the time it felt like it. That's why even though I am a Christian, I've been looking through Brian's many books on Wicca this past week. I really want to bless our new house and flush out any lingering bad karma over there. I want, (and dare I say even deserve) a fresh start! I am not usually an optimistic person by nature, but I have this unshakeable feeling that this move could be the beginning to a brighter place in my life. Therefore, I'm making a real effort to toss out any old emotional baggage as I pack my belongings into cardboard boxes.

In fact, just today I mailed out a remaining symbol from my first marriage...it was a figurine that my previous spouse had been given by his grandfather. I don't know why I kept it. I don't know why I couldn't just toss it...but I feel very good about making the decision to mail it back to his parent's home in Texas. Brian was very supportive and understanding as I wrestled with this decision...when I finally packed it all up and took it to the post office, I could just feel the closure. It was a happy feeling. It was a long time coming.

When I finally walk out of this place for good, I'm not looking back. My ghosts will have to stay here without me. Let the next tennants worry about them!


The move is going well, by the way. We are ahead of schedule and have been lucky to get some help from my mother, Meaghan's best friend Jody (a ten year old packing maniac!) and my friend, JD actually left me a truck to use for a couple of days instead of just a few hours! That has helped so very much! Thanks to everyone. Keep those positive vibes coming!

Last but not least - don't forget that the new Gale Harold series, Vanished, premieres on Fox in just six more days! OMG! I love Gale...I can't wait. Finally, I can see him without a) paying for the honor (which I did for 5 seasons of Queer As Folk), b) without the terrible long-hair and beard as seen on the show, The Unit. I'm in heaven! (Is it just me, or does he look very "Fox Mulder-like" in his new part on Vanished? I think he is wearing the same suit! It will be interesting to see him dressed more often than undressed.)

Going...Going...almost gone

Today is the day - we pick up the keys to our new place! I'm excited about this change in my life, but I'm also a bit nervous too. I'm worried about the increase in rent and other stuff. It's just been a lot to handle I guess. I've done most of the packing so far, plus I've made all the neccessary arrangements regarding transfering our utilities and so forth.

My kids keep saying how weird it feels to them that we are actually moving. I guess they are right...in the past we've often spoke about getting out of this place, but we never did. This is the only home Brandon has ever known. Being a child who moved ALL the time, I never felt like doing so was strange. In fact, being in one city so long is what feels weird to me. I can't believe I've been in Columbus for so long.

Looking around my place makes me feel anxious. The bottom half is mainly packed, but upstairs looks the same as it always does. Regardless of how many possessions we have packed away, my family is still capable of leaving a trail of distruction as they move about the house. I'm trying to keep it all together - but inside I'm a wreck. I need order...I need calm. Time for a Xanax??

By Wednesday I'll be in my new home. I'll write then. Thanks to my friend JD...I always knew having a friend who owns a truck would come in handy. LOL

Wish me luck.

When life gives you lemons...

I thought everyone could use a laugh...the best part is that this is a TRUE story:

A friend of ours went to a local farmer's market in a small town just outside of Columbus. After picking out her produce, she noticed a little girl sitting across the street at a lemonade stand. She figured she'd give the kid a break and walked across the street to get a cup.

When she got to the stand she noticed there were no cups or any lemonade...curious she asked what the girl was selling. The kid explained she was keeping the lemonade in the refrigerator to keep it cold. My friend gave the girl her 50 cents and the kid disappeared into the house. When she came back out she handed my friend a cold bottle.

My friend was surprised to get a bottle of lemonade, but thanked the girl and left. It wasn't until she was down the road a bit that she went to open the bottle. Turns out the child had brought out a bottle of Mike's HARD Lemonade! LMAO!!! :o)

I swear...this really happened! 50 cents - what a deal! Can you imagine her parent's reaction when they found out what she was doing? This is so precious...in a slightly illegal way. LOL

Support the Arts...

I just read about this fantastic opportunity to support Ballet Met and save some serious money at the same time! Here's all the info:

Are you 22-35 years old? Are you crunched for cash, but still enjoy a night at the ballet?

Purchase a MetPass for only $15 and receive up to two tickets* to each show of the season for half the single ticket price! Plus, get all the benefits of a Member-Subscriber:--discounts on Academy classes--discounts at local restaurants--discounts to arts organizations--passes to rehearsals & Member-Subscriber only events--and more! To purchase a MetPass click here for a printable order form orcall the BalletMet Box Office at 229.4848. (*seating restrictions apply)

Meaghan took classes at Ballet Met and I truly endorse this fine dance company. I have yet to be disappointed by any of the productions I've attended, and their instruction is first rate. If you volunteer with them, you can earn free tickets too! I volunteered to go to a my local library's storytime dressed as The Nutcracker and ended up being able to take Meg to see The Nutcracker production (with floor seats) for only a few hours of work.

Amongst the "e"-living once again...

I think my previous post about how being on the computer too much makes me depressed was noticed by my laptop! For almost a week, I could not get on the damned thing. I could connect to the internet, but my computer could not find the server. As a result, I was given a "forced break" from the siren song of this techno temptress. With all the chaos surrounding my family's impending move and of course my participation in all the back-to-school rituals, I really didn't get to notice if the break improved my mental outlook.

Summer is rapidly coming to an end. While on one hand, I am eager for the school year to begin and for my life to fit neatly in a regular schedule again, I'm also trying to stop and enjoy what time we have left in August. I've been joining the kids in the pool instead of staying home doing work on the computer or house chores. My pale skin seems to enjoy the warmth of the sun and I've been lucky to avoid being burned so far. Brian and I are also trying to book the remaining weekends of August with fun outdoor events.

This fall I have given myself a goal - I want to place more focus on my family...with all I do with SpeakOUT and so forth, sometimes I overlook the simple joy of just being with my husband and kids. Yesterday afternoon we pulled the kids into bed with us and snuggled in the blankets together...the peace and quiet quickly disolved into an orgy of tickles and giggles however. :o)
It amazes me to look at my two kids now and remember how once they were these tiny, helpless little babies. How is it possible Meaghan will be 10 soon and is heading into 4th grade? Brandon, my baby, is no longer so 'little' either. He is 6 and off to 1st grade in a couple of weeks. We pulled out the measuring tape and Meg was 4'11" and Bran was 4'1". Whew!

Brian and I watched a rather creepy movie the other night...The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It runs a bit slow, but the parts dealing with Emily's possession were interesting enought to keep me watching. It's mainly a courtroom drama though. If you are into horror/suspense films, I'd recommend picking it up at the library. The fact that the film was based on the true story of Anneliese Michel and her supossed possession by 6 demons adds to the creep factor of the movie. Just don't watch it late at night & alone! I woke up later that evening from a sound sleep to use the restroom and I admit that I was a bit creeped out. I glanced at my alarm clock on my way back to bed to make sure it was 3AM! (If you watch the movie, you'll get that reference.) It wasn't...thank goodness! :o) Oh, don't expect a remake of "The Exorcist"...this doesn't come close.

On the TV front, don't even bother to waste your time on the new ABC Family series, Three Moons Over Milford. This show sucks! The producers were obviously trying to cash in on the 'everybody loves Lauren Graham' vibe from the fabulous Gilmore Girls, because the lead mother looks way too much like her for it to be a coincidence. (Thinking back on my viewing experience - the town looked way too much like G.G.'s Stars Hollow too!) Too bad Milford's mom (played by a badly aging Elizabeth McGovern) is a self-absorbed, rich bitch who is just impossible to feel empathetic toward. Her pouty, spoiled brat children are just as unlikeable. The show began with a good quriky idea (the residents of a small New England town start living life to the fullest when the moon breaks into 3 pieces, and one chunk is believed to be heading toward Earth leading to certain doom), but the resulting production is just plain unwatchable.

Well, I need to run. Many empty boxes are crying out for me to pack something into them. Sorry for the long break between posts...as long as my laptop cooperates, I will try my best to not be such a stranger.