Feel Good Friday: Halloween

"There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."

I thought this week was going to be a challenge for me. How do you find a topic about Halloween that makes you feel good and happy, and not spooked and scared? I mean, dressing up and being ghoulish is, of course, fun. But how do you make it "feel good"?

Thank you, Charles Shulz.

Each and every year, I've made it my own little tradition. I know that many other people share this tradition, but I like to think it's mine. I curl up on the couch with a blanket, I snuggle down with Linus and his big beautiful believing heart, and I wait for the Great Pumpkin to make an appearance.

I love this season. Fall is probably one of my most favorite seasons of the year. The vibrant colors and the cold nippy fresh air. Knit sweaters and knee socks. Living in the Pacific Northwest means that Fall doesn't really begin until Halloween.

This Halloween I'll only be dressing up to pass out candy to the little kids. My adorable step son will dress up as a name tag and go door to door begging for free candy. Who knows what my husband will do, but I'm sure it'll be entertaining.

And as I look out my window at the reds, yellows, oranges, and browns, I look forward to Sunday night when I get to hang out with Linus, drink hot cocoa, and pass out candy to the neighborhood.

What is your favorite Halloween or Fall tradition?

Feel Good Friday: Parents

My last post got me thinking about my parents. My dad was a gruff man with sage advise. His sense of humor was slightly twisted yet subtle.

My mother is a generous, caring, loving woman. She's hilarious and cunning.

Often times I think of the negative attributes that I've inherited from my parents. I have little to no patience with things. That's from Dad. I tend to let people walk all over me. Thanks Mom! I have my mother's mustache and my dad's weird hammer pinky toes. (Thankfully I don't have Dad's ears or Mom's big toe).

It's rare that I sit back and think about the positive impacts that my parents had on me. But clearly, they've done something right to make such an awesome person. Yeah. I'm truly awesome.

Dad gave me my artist abilities. Albeit few abilities... they're still there. Mom gave me her generous, empathetic heart. My thick, wavy hair is Dad's. (I wont be going bald anytime soon). And my big blue eyes are very much Mom's.

As I embark on the journey of (step) parenting, I find myself thinking "What would Mom/Dad do?" and usually picking what I think they would do. It's strange. I hated those rules and chores and being told to clean my room. But damned if I'm not saying the same shit now.

So... Here's to all the fantastic Mom's and Dad's out there... Remember to call and thank them for their hard work.

Dear Diary,

I feel bad. I haven't updated a whole bunch other than my Friday post. I've been trying to keep this blog upbeat and positive, but the last few weeks have been a bit stressful and well, annoying.

I know, I know... I've only been married for 25 days. It's not my marriage, or even my husband who is driving me bonkers. It's been our so-called "roommate", if that's what you can call him. What do you call someone who doesn't pay bills and mooches off of you? Storage space stealin' creepster.

I digress. I want to remain upbeat. haha.

Here's the deal. This kid has been living with us for just a shave under 3 months and hasn't paid a single bill. Not rent, power, cable, food. Not. A. Single. Bill. Husband and I were trying to be patient, help him find a job, get on his feet, get his life together. But it comes to a point when you're helping someone who simply does not want your help. And you have to give up and let them fall. That is what happened last night.

Now, I know this isn't a happy, cheery post... But I've been on a silver lining kick lately. While it sucks that we had to kick him out of the house last night in order to keep a grasp of our sanity, at least we finally get to live like newly-weds. And maybe this kid will find the motivation to improve his life. Maybe he'll see the light. Probably not... but maybe.

As with all experiences in life, we try to walk away with some new found knowledge. I have to take a step back, remove myself a little to get a better perspective. But wow. My husband has my back. I mean.. I knew he had my back, but I mean... he REALLY has my back. Also, this particular incident has brought forth some wisdom my father gave me many years ago. I didn't like... I still kinda don't. But damn if it isn't true.

Education isn't free. College classes cost a lot of money. Life costs even more. I guess I just paid for a lesson on life.

Thanks Dad.

Feel Good Friday: Chilean Miners Rescue.. and the Power of Music

It's been a fairly uneventful week in my life. Just the usual stress of work and family. Trying to keep a household together. Aside from my own mundane life, this week was actually not that uneventful.

After 70 days of being underground, Chilean miners were finally pulled from the depths of the Earth. Reunited with their families and friends, mostly unscathed. A truly beautiful and heart warming story.

One particular story seemed to reach out to me this week. The man named Edison Pena.



Chilean Miner: Elvis Got Me Through the Ordeal
Posted by Devon Thomas

Rescued Chilean miner and avid Elvis Presley fan Edison Pena has gotten a VIP invitation to Graceland, the music lrgend 's longtime home in Memphis.

Pena, who is 34 and married, was the 12th miner pulled from the collapsed mine at 10:11 a.m. Wednesday.

He told reporters it was Elvis who helped him get through the 70 days in which he was trapped underground.. He even led fellow miners in singing Elvis songs.

When Graceland officials heard about this, they sent along a care package with a boxed set of CDs and picture of " the "king" and asked that it be lowered into the mine for Pena.

Now, Pena has been invited for a special tour of Graceland where fans line up daily to see where Elvis lived for 20 years before he died on Aug. 16, 1977, and to view his gravesite.

Kevin Kern, an Elvis Presley Enterprises spokesman, says the company also sent various gifts to Chile, including a picture, DVDs, CDs and sunglasses.

Pena was reportedly among the most depressed of the trapped men and asked rescuers to send down a photo of the sun. He tried to run every day for exercise.

Kern says he does not expect Pena in Memphis any time soon, saying there are more important things Pena needs to take care of.

It seems to me that most anyone I've ever met or known has a music story. A band or a song that has gotten them through a rough patch. Clearly, Edison's go to music is Elvis. Personally, not my favorite or one that I would go to.. But I can dig it.

This week I've turned to Adele for some sort of solace in my little crazy world. What music do you usually turn to in hopes of raising your spirits?

Feel Good Friday v. 1

When I decided to trash my other blogs and restart a blog here, I told myself that I would actually update it and keep up with it. I wouldn't let this one collect dust. And although my posting has been sporadic, it has been frequent. So for that, I am giving myself a pat on the back.

In an effort to insure that I actually do post semi-regular posts, I am going to start a "Feel Good Friday" post. My intention is to keep my spirits high at the end of each week, no matter how awful work or life was to me. I figured this is a good week to start since, well this week was a little rough, what with coming off of marriage highs and honeymoon euphoria.

Introducing, for the first time to this blog, Feel Good Friday.

Things that made me feel good this week:

1. A friend's wife had her baby shower on Saturday. I say a friend's wife because I've only hung out with said wife a couple of times. But I adore her. And I'm currently on a mission to make her my friend as well. No more of this "friend's wife" crap. In fact, my mission will be in effect tonight as we are going to a laser show at OMSI with said friend and his wife. Anyhow, her shower was a load of fun and I walked away with a new acquaintance, whom I also plan on making a friend.

2. Although work was overwhelming and tedious this week, it has been nice to come back to my routine. Pretty sure the puppy is pretty stoked on it as well. It's been really fantastic hearing "Congratulations" and "How's married life?".

3. New crafting projects!! Look at world!! Wedding planning is over and I'm already throwing myself at some Christmas projects. Pictures, I'm sure, will follow. Hopefully. If I remember to upload pictures.

4. I found out today that I will get to see one of my best friends every weekend for the next month. Happy dance, ACTIVATE!

5. I'm totally married... and damn it feels good to be a gangster.

What are you feeling good about on this glorious Friday?

Merging Money

Last night, Husband and I sat down and went over our finances. It's shocking to me to find out how little I knew about his finances even though we've lived together for over 2 years. The entire time we've been together, we've kept our finances fairly to our selves, rarely discussing them and only exchanging money for bills.

Prior to getting married, he and I had discussed what would occur with our money once we were married. It was probably a good conversation to have looking back, because it made last nights conversation go smoothly. We've agreed to keep part of our money separate, but to merge the majority into one account.

Once we came to that agreement, we budgeted out our bills and our debts. We've worked out a plan to have our debts paid off by the end of the year (If I take charge, it will actually be completely by December), and to start saving for the future. The Nest has a budgeting tool that I was looking at last night. For some reason it seems to have a lot of bugs, so I'll probably be looking for another one, or maybe just making my own spread sheet. (If you're reading this.... and have suggestions, please leave a comment!!).

I know that Husband and I are not the only people who will have problems when it comes to money, whether it's a lack of or just in general. To be completely honest, the subject totally freaks me out and makes me fret and worry. I'll be sharing my livelyhood, my income with someone else. I just have to remember to take a step back and remember that I'm asking him to do the same. I'm worried he'll spend it all, and he's worried I wont let him have any. haha. But, I'm confident that we will be able to work through any problems we come across as long as we communicate and work together as a team.

Holding Out

I've been trying to hold out on posting an update on pictures, but I simply can not wait any longer. haha.

I've been married for 10 days, and I gotta tell you. Not much is different. But so much is.

Makes no sense, right?

We're both back to work. We still live together. We lived together before we got married. Our house is still a wreck with wedding vomit. And we're still very much in love.

But I got a new ring. And I call him husband now.

And it's effing rad. I love being married. I love having a husband whom I cherish. And a new wonderful stepson that I can claim as my family (officially). I love it when people ask me, "So, how's married life?"

It's effing awesome. That's how it is.

Also, now that we're married and no longer planning a wedding... the crafting is officially open to whatever the hell I want to do. Good Riddance Wedding Planning!!!