100+

Back on January 20th, Inauguration Day, there was another, smaller and much less significant event than the swearing in of our 44th president. 

This blog reached 100 posts. 

I didn't really notice it until now, 10 posts later, and even now that I've realized it, it doesn't seem like that big a deal. I guess the positive way to look at that is that I have so much going on in my life, that I didn't even notice a landmark like 100 posts. Maybe it's just because I've been blogging forever (9 years on and off, and every single post about absolutely nothing :)

But in the blogging world, when your blog reaches 100 posts, I suppose it's like a birthday. It should be celebrated. And I am proud of this blog. I am proud of myself for continuously blogging for a purpose for over 100 posts. I started this blog in November of 2007 with a specific idea. I wanted to stay positive and to use this as a tool to help me focus on the positive. Even on the days when I felt like life sucked and I just wanted to open a blog window and scream out to the internet about all my problems, I forced myself to follow the intention of this blog, to think happy thoughts, to focus on the positive and feel better. 

Almost a year and a half later, I feel like it's worked. Sure, I still complain, all of us do. But I catch myself when I start to do nothing but complain and it's a reflex for me to find the good in a situation. Whether or not this development has to do with my blogging, who knows? But I know at least that it started here. And that it will continue here as long as happy things happen in my life, no matter how big or small. 

Thanks for reading, everybody. Knowing you're out there helps me stay positive too. Here's to another 100 posts :)

The Move

So, we moved. It was fast and hard and strenuous and well, I guess moving is kind of like teenage sex that way, as Sarah and I hypothesized. Think about the things they have in common:

• hasty
• physically uncomfortable
• a rush to get stuff from one place to another
• it's probably easier when there's alcohol involved
• you'll end up with bruises in funny places
• too many people want to offer you opinions on how to get it over with
• you'll feel awkward around the movers in the morning (well you would if they were still there the next day :)

But all that aside it is over and done. I got most of the packing done while Kris dealt with a 1-2 combo of stomach flu and work jerking him around. Our family and friends very generously helped us take a dozen carloads of stuff over and we paid movers to load a rented truck with our heavy stuff and unload it at the new house.

Oh. And we bought appliances. We own a fridge, a washer, and a dryer. Holy crap.

Living in the new place is very different. I feel like I'm playing house. This is the first place I've lived with a guy where it felt like it belonged to us and no one else. The first place we lived, we loved, but it always was obvious that we were living in an apartment in someone else's house. The place we've moved into feels like our own. We have our own space, indoors and out, upstairs and down. It's cozy and it suits us and it is sized more appropriately for two people than the last place was. I've cooked dinner for my guy there a couple of the nights so far and done laundry in the basement and folded it while watching TV with him. It's oh-so-domestic, it just doesn't quite feel real. I suppose I have a tendency to distrust anything that seems too good to be true. But the fact is I really really love it and he does too. And as soon as we're set up for company, we hope you'll all come see how good it is.

Of course that may not be until 2012 because I find myself so tired from the move that I have no energy to unpack. But that's what I have Kris for :)

Music to Move To

HA HA HA HA HA HA DO YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE? "MOVE" LIKE DANCING BUT ALSO BECAUSE I'M MOVING!!!!!

Oh my God, you guys. I'm sorry. This move, it's...well, moving sucks. This is happening so fast. And the house STILL seems way too intact for people who are moving in 3 days. I am on my own tonight, which sucks because I don't have help, but at least I don't have to take care of my ailing guy, which happened the last two nights, preventing me from getting much done. 

So, this is probably the last post from this house. It's been a good place to live. My first place with my guy. Good stuff has happened here. Good parties, good holidays, good times with good friends. Good memories. But I feel like, as good as this place has been, the next one is going to be even better.

So, in the tradition of my father, who used to make mix tapes for EVERYTHING, here's the playlist of what I'll be listening to as we pack up, move out, and I try to hold on to what's left of my tiny little mind. 

R.E.M. - Accelerate

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

Schocholautte - just about everything

The Everyothers - Every Other

Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

Nine Inch Nails - assorted goodness

State Radio - Us Against the Crown

CUTE BABY!

The ol' blog's slowed down a bit lately. Lots going on with the move and stuff. I have blogs planned, I promise you, but I haven't had the time to give you the quality blogging you deserve. That'll change. Soon.

In the meantime, watch this incredibly adorable video of my 6 month-old niece on the swings with her mommy and grandma.

Halloween

When we were little, my sister and I really wanted a pet. We both loved animals so much. A coworker of my dad's had a cat who had kittens in the fall, and right around our birthdays, he brought one of them home as a present to both of us. He even helped us name her, for the holiday that fell between both our birthdays, Halloween. Weenie or Weenster for short.

We loved our kitty. We played with her all the time. She loved to chase strings or ribbons or a laser pointer dot. We tortured her, as kids do, putting her in enclosed spaces, lifting up her front legs to make her dance, or trying to walk her outside on a leash.

She got into the strangest spots. Like all cats, she liked enclosed spaces and would step into any box make herself comfortable. I don't remember how she got on top of the ladder, but I suspect it had something to do with my dad.

We had a voice for her. It was like Roseanne's voice. My mom does it best. As cats tend to be, she always seemed annoyed with anything that wasn't exactly what she wanted.

She lived with an old dog that predated her, an excitable border collie, and my own adopted stray who came into her life after she was established as the Queen of the House and would hear no challenges.

Like most cats, napping was an art for her. She always found the best places to curl up. As we grew up, she became our mom's cat, as kids' pets tend to do. My mom always took the best care of her and made sure she was petted and warm and cozy at all times.

She lived to be 21 years old. Earlier in the week, she succumbed to kidney disease and last night we let her go. We all took a turn holding her and petting her and telling her we loved her. My mom sang the silly song she made up about her when she was just a kitten. And then she went to sleep.

I like to think she'll go to the guy who first brought him home and keep him company. Farewell, Weenster. I hope where you are there's a soft blanket, lots of petting, all the soft salmon cat food you want, and someone to dangle a string or point a laser pointer. I love you, kitty.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called the Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, they go to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been made ill or old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Happy Birthday Dad

Today you would have been 58. A lot has happened in the last 12 years, but I'd like to think I don't have to tell you all about it because you're somewhere where you can see it. I hope you enjoyed the Superbowl this year, we tried to do it up the way you would have. If I wasn't so sick, I'd raise a beer to you, but since I am, I'll have to toast with what you used to call "The World's Largest Orange Juice" and maybe some saltines with peanut butter too. 

I love you, Dad. Happy Birthday.