More Love

Whilst I'm posting about cousins I may as well post about my cousin Matt who is getting married this October. His Fiancee is wonderful and I think really good for him.

Here are some engagement shots. As always, click to enlarge.

Love

I found this picture of my cousin, her boyfriend, and their dog (who shares their last names, hyphenated of course!).

To me, this sleeping family symbolizes the simplicity and ease involved in love.

I love them too!

Bad ending to an old flame

A guy I dated around Christmas/New Year's of 2008 just posted his WEDDING photos on facebook.

?????

When did this happen?????

Also, to add to the excitement, when we were playing a wedding two weeks ago and someone asked us if we were playing for an Indian wedding, THAT WAS HIS WEDDING!!! So he was at the same venue I was for his wedding. Trippy.....

Eco Fix it!

I had this clogged sink for WEEKS in my bathroom. I didn't want to use draino or liquid plumber, because those chemicals are super toxic. I tried buying an eco fix from from the grocery store, but it didn't touch this clog.

I read online that mixing white vinegar and baking soda will clear a clog. And SURE ENOUGH it did! I am so amazed that such a cheap and easy fix worked so well! Try it next time you have one.

Surfing in Madison, WI

I love my cousin Jesse!!!!

http://dekerivers.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/surfing-on-lake-monona-in-madison-sight-to-see/

Socialism and the Anti-Christ

I've been hearing a lot about "teabagging" (leave it to the super-prude conservatives to come up with the gayest name ever like that, since they DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS!) parties lately. The associated photos always contain some comment about socialism and usually something about Obama being the Anti-Christ.

First of all, the conservatives are implying that social programs are bad. Really? Things we all pay for and only some of us use, that's bad? Let me tell you what that is: heath insurance, auto insurance, homeowner's insurance, the police, the fire department, libraries, schools..... so yeah, I think these are all GREAT things! I like to know that if I call 9-1-1 I can get a public servant to respond to my cry for help. I like knowing that the kids in my neighborhood (as I don't have any myself) are getting an education in order to grow up and contribute to society.

As a matter of fact, I think helping thy neighbor and doing onto others as you would have done to you are CORE Christian values! Which means if someone is against social programs and helping the less fortunate they themselves would be the Anti-Christ!

Therefore, Uber Conservatives = Anti-Christ.

Personal Growth

I've been spending the past few years really trying to better myself. Classes, new hobbies, new friends, travel, forgiveness for bad things that have passed. Why shouldn't I strive to be the best, healthiest, happiest version of myself possible? Dating is difficult to work into this philosophy as we all act a little different when we first meet people, and before a relationship is defined there is a lot of seesawing and give and take and extra forgiveness (since there's no history or negative pattern to cloud the judgment) bending over backwards, etc…


It takes time to get to know someone, but also in that time I need to remember to be myself, and stay TRUE to myself and my values.


I've decided to stop with the pursuit of my latest date. He was so very cool and exciting when we met, and now he just seems kind of lost and sad to me. If I had a PARTNER, who was going through some trying times, I would be there to support him. But someone I've been dating for a month, it seems easier to cut my losses.


I am still holding out for an equal partner. Someone who will support me, and be in love with me, and vice versa. I want someone who is willing to grow and learn with me. Since I'm that way, there HAS to be a male counterpart to me within say 100 miles or so…..

Ethical Dilemma RESOLVED!

I hate Wal-Mart. I think the company and those who run it are pure evil. They have driven the demand for cheap, non-regulated slave labor items from China and helped close numerous American based companies. They are the employer with the MOST employees on social welfare programs in the country (as they don't pay employees a living wage). They consistently pay women less than men for the same work and seniority levels. And on and on…. http://www.now.org/issues/wfw/wm-facts.html

http://www.wal-martlitigation.com/currentd.htm

Despite my hate for them, they are the ONLY place in my city to sell a generic version of Lactaid. Which costs about a QUARTER of what actual Lactaid costs. *sigh* So I've been wrestling with hating myself for patronizing the store for ONE product that I NEED (which isn't available anywhere else).

Have you ever noticed how products you depend on and love get discontinued? Well, Wal-Mart no longer MAKES the generic bottles of Lactaid.

I spent quite a significant amount of time online searching for an alternative and FINALLY found one through Rite Aid's website. Of course we don't have a Rite Aid within 100 miles of where I live… but the shipping was free AND they had a $5.00 coupon. http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=76531&catid=9323

I made my first purchase of non Wal-Mart Lactaid in years (since Walgreens stopped making it) and it feels like I no longer have to be a hypocrite about hating Wal-Mart. I can now eat dairy with a clear conscious! And I can be pretty sure that I will NEVER step foot in Wal-Mart again!!!!!