HNT - The Hanging Curve Ball

"Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.
~Crash Davis in Bull Durham

I love that movie. It was the "small of a woman's back" that made me think of it when I found this picture among the ones I took.  Plus, I'm excited we are going to another baseball game on the 4th of July. How American is that?! 

Check out what others have done for their HNT this week by visiting Os.
Or check out those who are playing anonymously on OHNT.

Day 180 - VW

Two days over the last two weeks, Garbanzo has been getting instruction on how his engine works in his WV Bus. In about 18 hours of work, they got the engine running ... well enough that it can be driven.  In fact, he needs to drive it a lot. 

This bus is the front of the guy who helped him. A gorgeous VW bus he drives across the country helping people fix their buses. Neat guy. Very much a Zen master who finds Nirvana in doing bus repair. Interesting guy.

What Might Not Have Been

I almost didn't marry my husband.

We were midway through junior year of college, and we had been having the sort of "where is this going" talks you start having when you are getting closer to graduating and starting to think about what is next - where is next - etc. 

I knew his examples of relationships included many MANY fucked up examples and very few if any good examples. To him, certain steps in a relationship spelled pure disaster - the beginning of the end - so he avoided them as though even thinking about it would result in contracting the disease that would kill this relationship.  So, as you can imagine, our conversations went very poorly. 

As someone who grew up with good role models of relationships, I started struggling with what to do about this. I had been extremely tolerant of his relationship issues which included the first 2 years of our relationship hearing "I love you but I don't want to marry you" on a frequent basis. It only stopped when I pointed out that I didn't want to marry anyone, so that statement went both ways.  I really had, but this one - this one was a deal breaker.  Why was it? Because despite his assurance that he was committed, I always felt like he had one foot out the door. He had an escape plan, if you will.  He told me a story once of a girl who used to sleep with one leg out from under the covers because it made her feel like she wasn't totally in bed with the guy she was with. It made her feel better being partially out of bed already.  He understood where she was coming from with the story. I rolled my eyes and thought she was delusional and needed therapy.

See, that was the thing for me. I wasn't looking to get married immediately. I just wanted to understand our plan. I didn't want to go out into the big world post college and build a support system with someone who wasn't sure he wanted to be with me much past college.  We were either in this together, or we parted ways.  For me there could be no middle ground.  It was less about marriage but about commitment. And while he committed to follow me to the ends of the earth, he didn't see the absurdity in the fact he would not say words that made me think he was totally in this for the long haul - marriage or not.

I finally laid it out for him.  While I got what his issues with commitment and marriage were, I was sick of compromising what I wanted because he had childhood issues with it.  He needed, in my opinion, to work his shit out or get out of a relationship until he figured his shit out.  No more best of both worlds.  I couldn't handle it.  I needed him to make a choice.  This was one area I could not compromise.  THIS was the hill I was willing to die on.  In the end he did make a choice.....clearly the right one.

Five years later, we had a long talk about that moment.  He was still very hurt at the fact I was willing to give up what we had for what he viewed as something minor.  I explained to him that I never wanted him to make the other choice. It would have been a difficult thing for me to recover from had he walked away, but I needed him to get over his past so that we could have a future.  I needed him to realize that I was not his mom and he was not his dad and things would not go the same way they did for them and affect our kids the way it affected him.  And the position he had put me in was one that I tolerated for a while but decided I could not tolerate it anymore.  Not because I didn't love him, but he didn't see what it was doing to me.  And the relationship wasn't all about him and his issues. The relationship had to be about us.  And until that point, it wasn't about us - only him. 

We recently talked about this moment again, and he simply shakes his head at himself. Nothing in our life has gone in a way he feared. Mainly because we compliment each other in a way that results in a great relationship. Despite the fact we have been together for almost 19 years and married for almost 15 years, we have never lost that spark - or turned into that old married couple.  We've had our moments - mainly when our kids were younger and not sleeping....but even in those moments, we were still at our best.  Be up all night, change 5 diapers in a row, and you realize your choice is to laugh with your partner or cry - we usually cried because we were laughing so hard.

This situation between my husband and me is not something I often talk about.  But it is the driver behind my urging of friends to not compromise certain things in relationships. There are things you can compromise on, but everyone has that hill they will die on - the one thing they need to make the relationship really work.  In my case it was commitment to our relationship - understanding that our relationship was our own to succeed or fail as we made it happen.  In others, it may be communication. It may be a periodic outlet.  For us, our relationship works because it isn't constant work. We often comment it is like running. When you find that stride - you realize you aren't working that hard all of the time. Sure there can be hills to climb - and some are easier than others. But at the end of the day, it works because it doesn't feel like work. It works because we know when it isn't working, and we talk about it. Sure it doesn't result in the kind of situation I describe above, but we both acknowledge it and do something about it.  It's the awareness and communication that will make it successful - finding that stride that makes it feel effortless.

I want that for people I'm close to. I want effortlessness. I want passion. I want communication.  Because when you have it, it is all good.

Day 179 - Random

The church near my work.




Monday usually involves the VW bus group .... or more precisely ... I drink beer as Garbanzo talks buses. 

A Quickie

We heard the door slam as the last kid left the house. I was looking for something in the bedroom when I heard the door slam to the bedroom too.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked assuming it was Garbanzo.
"You" was his response.

He pushed me over the edge of the bed, undid my pants, pushed them off my hips, and slid his cock into me.

"Why are you wet?" he asked.
"You" was my response.

The moment alone was going to be only a moment. We both knew that. A kid could come back at any time.  So, he fucked me hard and fast while I was bent over the bed.  And with a final thrust, he came.

"You'll get yours later, I promise."

And I know I will....or more accurately, did.

Day 178 - Limp

Our voodoo lily has gone limp. That's the thing about these plants....no stamina. Comes out in all it's glory, then wilts almost immediately. At least it no longer smells like rotting corpse.

Face Down

Flat, on the bed, face down, I found myself.  His hands on my shoulders keeping me pressed down into the mattress as he fucked me hard from behind. All I could do is moan my response and enjoy the sensation. 

Flat, on the bed, face down, as I felt his cock leave my pussy.  Felt the wetness against my ass as he prepared to enter it.

Flat, on the bed, face down, I was held as he pushed into my ass.  No question as to if I wanted it - no choice really other than the choice I made when I chose to be with him....chose to give myself to him as his toy.

Flat, on the bed, face down, he laid on top of me. His lips on my ear as he alternated between biting it and kissing it.  Then moved to my back as he bit me gently, than hard - not moving inside me - letting me get used to the invasion.

Flat, on the bed, face down, I moaned as he moved - fucking me slow at first, then increasing to a faster pace.  My moans getting louder as he moved faster. My urge to push back was great, but the hand on my back and in my hair as he kept me where he wanted me - the feeling of helplessness - reminded me I was his to do with what he pleased.

Flat, on the bed, face down, he came - deep inside me - thrusting hard - taking what he wanted from my body. But also knowing I loved it.

Flat, on the bed, face down, he caressed me - hugging me - silently thanking me for spending the night with him so that he could push me, face down, flat on the bed, and do these sorts of things to me.

Day 177 - Cat on Cement

"Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
~Garrison Keillor

My cat's function is to greet everyone and make them feel like she really cares only about them. In reality, she has conned them all into giving her food, treats and rubs because she is clearly not getting at home.  Not the case, but all of the people on our street don't believe it. 

e[lust] #16

 Photo courtesy of Janie

Welcome to e[lust] - Your source for sexual intelligence and inspirations of lust from the smartest & sexiest bloggers! Whether you’re looking for hot steamy smut, thought-provoking opinions or expert information, you’re going to find it here. Want to be included in e[lust] #17? Start with the rules, check out the schedule in the site’s sidebar and subscribe to the RSS feed for updates!

~ This Week’s Top Three Posts ~

Sex Pistil's Guide to Sucking Great Cock - The penis is not something to be feared. It’s not something to hide from, and it’s definitely not something to be put up with the good china and used for special occasions only. The penis is alive and breathing, so to speak, and as such, is not a one-size-fits-all, if-one-guy-likes-it, all-guys-like-it kind of entity.

An Erotic Vignette -  "You will come, and when you do, you will yell my name. Because I own you." "No," she whispered again, terrified. The last part of herself... total control over her pleasure, the responses of her body... surely he couldn't... but his eyes said he could.

Dual Erotica: Tahoe - We finally reach our floor and excitement wars with nervousness in my head. After all, it's been a long, long time for me. I don't have the body I once had; I'm not nearly as experienced as you are. But there is no turning back, not that I want to

~ e[lust] Editress ~

Does Size Matter? - I am most definitely a size queen when it comes to my sex toys…but there’s a reason for that. Using a dildo is very VERY different from how I get fucked by a guy.

~ Featured Post (Lilly’s Pick) ~

I Want It All - Gender (identity) is different to (biological) sex. Biologically there are males and females, and those who identify as neither (intersex). But it’s sure as hell not that simple, no matter what society says.

See also: Pleasurists #80 and #81 for all your sex toy review needs.
 

All blogs that have a submission in this edition must re-post this digest from tip-to-toe on their blogs within 7 days. Re-posting the photo is optional and the use of the “read more…” tag is allowable after this point. Thank you, and enjoy!

Thoughts & Advice on Sex & Relationships

Along OUR Beating Path
 Bringing Sexy Back
 Equality
 Fear (No Loathing) in Las Vegas
 Getting Started in Swinging – Clubs
 I'm a woman, and I like porn.
 M says I'm a good girl!
 Nerves & Dysfunction - Erectile Issues in the Lifestyle
 Revelations (Of the Feminist and Slut Kind)
 Sex Addiction
 Submission is not an excuse to be Spineless!
 Semi-Rape - Couldn't Say No
 Toys Vs. Cocks
 Transtastic: On Why My Relationships are Queer
 Words, Words, Words

Sex News, Interviews, Politics & Humor

Sex Ed
 The Uncensored Realm of Internet Erotica

Kink & Fetish

67 orgasms will do this to a woman
 Bless Me Father... For I Keep Sinning
 Carnival
 Can I?
 Life List: TortureGarden Party…check
 Three is a Magic Number - Part 1

Erotic Writing

#8 - Sharing is Caring
 Alone
 A Gracious Acceptance
 disrobing
 Erotica: Like This
 Gagging her...
 Homecoming
 I Opened My Eyes
 Kiss
 Love, Sex And The Snooze-Button
 Not Now
 Phone Threesome
 Remember...?
 sex is sex no matter the sex
 sexy photoshoot - part II
 The Customer
 Tall Summer Grass
 The cave of unimaginable sincerity and beauty
 Very Far from Heaven
 With heels on

Day 174 - 176 - The Bus and Lily

Proof that his bus moved.




This is a voodoo lily. They are spectacular.
And when they open, they smell like rotting corpse.

Random Reflections

I saw this the other day and liked it. I think people sometimes forget the old adage that "little things mean a lot". And how that phrase goes both ways in terms of how it works for positive and negative "little things". 

A friend of mine the other day posted a quote that I think is somewhat related - directed more a parenting, but I think you'll understand:

"As parents, we guide by our unspoken example. It is only when we're talking to them that our kids aren't listening." ~Robert Brault

Why does it remind me of the first thing? Because it is often the things we don't place a lot of value on - the little things (in at least our minds) that are remembered. It's the unspoken things sometimes. It's what ISN'T said while the words are being spoken.  It's body language.  Those things that are "minor" end up being they afflict us negatively. Just like it's some of those same things that affect us positively.  Oh, and those are also the things people around us notice (including our kids). They speak louder than our voices.  Like I said, little things.

Enough soap boxing, if you will....

Let me summarize my work week like this:

But then again, I would assert, dealing with the same dumb ass executive each and every day where we have a variation of the same conversation over and over and over and over again will cause your mind to want to flee your body.  I suggested the other day that he just fire me if he didn't trust me.  Clearly that didn't work out for me.  And yes, I did say that to him - just like that. Still employed....Sigh.....

Why stick around if I'm kinda done? Well, I think I can have this project wrapped up by Sept 1st. It's almost become a necessity to prove that to myself. Plus, I want to throw it on the resume as a success, not a carefully worded mask for "failure".  Which, I guess would be a "learning experience"...not keen on it.

In other more exciting news, Garbanzo got his VW bus running!!! Woo hoo!!  There is a guy who has a cool business. He travels around the country in his own 1974 VW Air-cooled Bus teaching people with bus projects how to fix their bus themselves for a fee, of course.  As he says, they are going to break down. It's the nature of the beast. So instead of having this guy fix the problem for you, why doesn't he teach you how to do it.  After a good 10 hour day of work, they were driving up and down the street in front of the house.  Damn!  He may have another appointment opening for part 2 of this class, so it may only improve from here.  We'll see.  All I do know is that thanks to his extremely short cut off shorts, I now know he is well groomed AND prefers to go commando.  Yeah. Not something I needed to learn.

Garbanzo took our kids in for their physicals yesterday. Both are off the chart height wise (no big surprise). DJ was quick to point out that she's 5 inches away from being as tall as I am. I am acutely aware of that every day, so no shock there.  Indigo is four foot six now.  HUGE for a 7 year old.  Outside of learning that my oldest will be starting her period within the next year most likely, we also learned that Indigo has been walking around with a huge double ear infection. It has lingered for a while from what the doc said because there is some nice scarring on one of her ear drums.  Not good. ENT doctor, here we come!

Running is questionable for me right now.  After having a decent run with Garbanzo the other night (except for the feeling sick part which was thanks to the coffee I drank beforehand), I went out for a lunch run Wednesday. About 1.5 miles into the 3 mile loop, I start feeling pain in my knee.  I noticed I was WAY above my usual pace, and figure I need to slow down -maybe I'm pushing too hard.  Nope.  I finally stopped running as it was continuing was just making it worse.  I think I pulled a muscle in my thigh after the good run the previous night.  I suspect I started unconsciously compensating for it by running differently, thus hurting my knee instead.  I'm 8 days from the half marathon. I'm hoping some rest and proper care will make it so I can run without injuring it permanently. I guess I'll find out in the next few days.  Not good.

But on the positive side, I was running a 8:20 mile before it started hurting. And it felt good. That's a full minute faster than my usual longer distance times.

In other randomness, I have not posted pics for the last two days. Just haven't had time. I'll catch up tonight.

And, I leave you with some images from my new favorite site: Stuff No One Told Me.  I will only use three as the creator has threatened to kick anyone's ass who violates the rule.

Have a great weekend!
And for one reader, have a happy birthday. You know who you are. :)

HNT - Games

Games lubricate the body and the mind. 
~Ben Franklin

Yes, the right games DO lubricate the body.
I hope to be playing some of those later Thursday.

Check out Os to see who else is participating this week.
Or for some anonymous fun, check out OHNT.

Our Conversation over Beers

"Are you okay with how I'm changing?"

It was a legitimate question to my husband as I am not the same person he married. The last couple years have been a serious exploration of who I am with the past year being a series of events that have made me wonder if, perhaps, this is my midlife crisis.

"Of course I am. Why do you ask?"

So I explained.  The playmates. The solo play. The group play. Going out for beers on a more regular basis.  Doing my own thing versus just being at home with the girls. The list goes on.

He merely laughed at me.

"You are finally being you. There isn't the family side of Emmy or the friend side of Emmy or the wife side of Emmy or the blogger Emmy or the work Emmy.  There is just you.  The Emmy I have always seen. The Emmy I always wished people could see because it was the one I have always seen. I'm just glad you are letting others see the person I've always enjoyed."

I feel very lucky to be married to someone who understands. Who is not resenting me for it, but celebrating the fact I am having these discoveries.

Day 173 - Pretty Kitty

She is such a pretty cat. She sat next to us tonight as we sat on the steps relaxing after our run. I sometimes think she is more dog than cat in her personality.

The Man I Love

No...it's not Garbanzo this time, it's....



Last year, I received tickets to go see him when he visited my fair city, but I had to give them away. Actually, I chose to give them away. Instead, we went to Seattle and met Hubman and Veronica.  It was a good trade, in my opinion.

But Monday night, Monday night I got to see him.  Garbanzo got me another set of tickets to see him as part of his book tour.  It was part of my birthday present.

I like Anthony. He is one of the few people I know that uses the word fuck more often than I do.  Plus, his snark is my favorite kind. I love his books. I love his shows. And often wondered if I would enjoy seeing him in person. I mean, he's edited in writing and on his show. Could he be that great in person? Is he that quick witted? Does he talk like that?

Yes. Yes he does.

Tonight, he walked on stage, beer in hand, and wandered around drinking and talking. He went on and on about how Sandra Lee - the host of Semi-Homemade on Food TV confronted him after a viewing of Julie and Julia.  He and his wife were attending a post-viewing event, and she confronted him. You see, Anthony doesn't like people who call themselves chefs and who have crappy shows on Food TV. He has compared what she has done to cooking to what the Nazis did to Poland.  Yeah, he knew he was in for it.  The story was funny. In the end he learned that Sandra Lee's boy friend is the attorney general in New York. Yeah, he was screwed.  I laughed my ass off.

He went on and on and on about the Food Network guys. How there are few people on there he loves. He love Ina - the Barefoot Contessa - but he knows Jeffery, her husband, comes home not for her roast chicken but some of Ina.  Giada is a bobble head, but makes great food, in his opinion.  Garbanzo and I laughed more....and agreed with him.

When someone asked who busts his ass at home.  He answered he's a normal fucking guy at home.  He sits around watching Dora with his daughter.  That fucking Boots is awesome, and so is that smartass Swiper.  He was proud to share he knows every fucking song on that show.  Then he said honestly - my wife does.

It was a great hour as we enjoyed his presence.  I'm glad I got to see him.  I highly recommend you see him if you have the chance.  Assuming of course, you aren't easily offended. 

Day 172 - Ying and Yang

Any guesses which one is mine and which is Garbanzo's?
Yes, mine is the dark one.

We went to a German pub that opened up nearby, and we went there tonight after an event we attended. Don't ask me what I drank. I don't recall - and I won't pretend to speak German.  The cute blond waitress did.  And the bartender came by to deliver them - and flirted with me including him stroking my arm while he chatted with me. 

I think we'll be back again.
Oh yeah, the beer was rather good too!

Whispers in My Mouth

I love kissing.

image from vis.ualize.us

Lips meeting - tongues exploring - the building of urgency - the hope of more than just a kiss. 

A playmate once commented that he could always tell how the sex would be from the kiss.  If it was timid, sex would be the same. If it were aggressive, the aggressiveness wouldn't stop until both people collapsed fully spent.  For him, he always gauged it from the kiss as to if it would work out.

And I will have to say I agree with him.  One playmate I've had kissed in the most unpredictable ways.  I always felt like I was off kilter with him - unsure of what I was doing or what he was doing.  Sex can be similar. We have fun - but there is no flow.  Lots of fits and starts.  And I am left wondering if I should lead more or follow more. Cause going with the flow is almost impossible. 

Another playmate likes to aggressively take what is his - he is leading, and I am following but willing to meet his kisses with my own aggressiveness.  We have a way of almost getting a rise out of each other - even with our tongues.  And that always translates to the same in bed.

Another playmate is sweet, yet demanding.  He makes his intentions clear.  He loves kissing - he loves that connection and reconnection as our play has twists and turns.  I knew from the moment I kissed him we would have fun. We just sort of clicked from the moment our lips met.

There have been others, but you get the idea.  And this observation for me applies to men and women I've played with.

Kissing translates to sex pretty directly in my experience.  It is why a good kisser can get me so turned on that it is unbelievable. Good kissing takes my mind to the good sex that will follow.  And as the Chinese proverb says:

"Kissing is like drinking saltwater; you drink and your thirst increases."

Day 171 - Random Images on Sunday

This is a new project in Portland to bring acupuncture to the masses. This is a giant acupuncture needle.  It's about 15ft tall.  Ironically it is located in one of the high drug areas of the city. I doubt they needed a giant needle to give them encouragement.


Periodically as you drive near a bike lane, you find that the street painters had a bit too much fun with the bike images. In this case, they painted a juggling unicyclist. Awesome!


This is the picture that screams almost first day of summer, right?  Cold, rain, fog.  Screams summer!

Happy Dad's Day

When I was about DJ's age, I remember my dad finding a picture that he bought and gave to his dad on Father's Day.  It said:

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad."

For a ten year old, it made sense. You know there is a difference between the two, just not at the level you do as you get older - and see the difference not only in your friends' dads, but in your friends as fathers or coworkers.

My dad loved being a dad. I use the past tense because as an adult, the meaning of dad changes a bit.  But as a kid, he was the best. We played catch for hours in the front yard. When it was not with a baseball or softball, it was our never ending game of keep away with a Nerf football.  Hours we would play this game - a game that was usually broken up with laughter that stopped us from being able to stand up straight, or a stop in the action as we problem solved how to get the football out of the tree. 

When I was in college, he would - by himself - drive 5 hours to see my softball games. Then drive 5 hours back afterward.  Ten hours in the car to see my 90 minute game.  My senior year of college, I don't think he missed but one home game.  That is a dad.

As I've told my siblings, the man was far from perfect.  But his kids are all proof that he instilled values in us that make us contributing members of society, good spouses, and good parents. These measures of success kind of pushes his imperfects aside as a man and as a parent. 

My own husband is a great example of this too. I remember that day when DJ was born - and then Indigo - this man with baby in arms tears running down his face as he cuddled his daughter right after they were each born. I remember how excited he was when they were babies to have them all to himself over the summer - being a full-time dad.  And he did have fun as did they.  His favorite part was napping with them.  Even today, he has two willing napping partners on a rainy Sunday. And nine times out of ten, you will find they fell asleep holding hands just like they would when they were really little.

He has Indigo who wants to help him fix his bus.  He has DJ who wants to raid his graphic novels.  What did they do Friday on their first day together on Summer Vacation? Breakfast at Denny's - their annual tradition.  I love how they have their little things with him.  And just like my dad did with my softball games, he has come back from overnight field trips to see DJ perform in something - just to head back. He has had a teacher fill in for him during school so he could attend a play that Indigo's class was doing. He's a good dad. 

And I know other good dad's too. Men who demonstrate daily the difference between being a father and a dad.  I know I've mentioned it over and over and over again if you haven't picked it up - but TL is a great dad.  I am in awe of how he manages to be everywhere as a solo parent - and still work 40+ (heavy emphasis on the +) hours a week.  He loves his kids - and it is clear with all he does for them and says about them.  I love seeing that - hearing his concerns - hearing the pride in his voice as he talks about them. 

There are others in my life that demonstrate on a daily basis the difference between being a father to a child versus a dad.  My little brother who has all but adopted his step daughter as his own.  SG who is dad to his own son, his step sons and his son's half brother.  Domenico who speaks of his daughter with so much pride it makes me smile.  And I know there are many others - too many to list in this post.  And trust me, I considered doing it.  

So to all the men that are a dad to their kids:
May you all get breakfast in bed, the tacky tie, good sex, a phone call home from far away kids, a nap while watching whatever sport you choose, and the love of your kids. 

Happy Dad's Day to you all!

PS: And to all of the moms who are both mom and dad to your kids because the "father" will not engage or is not around like they should be - Happy Dad's Day too. I am a firm believer that the solo parent who has this duty gets both days thanks to the absent other parent - Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Day 169-170 - Roses and Yoda

Being married to a comic book/sci-fi geek, you find that you own things like molds that allow you to make pancakes in the shapes of Star Wars characters.  The girls say that the ears are the most tenderest parts of Yoda's head.  They ate them first.  He also looks funny without his ears - yet another reason to eat them first.  The other two molds were Darth Vader and a random Storm Trooper.  They were quite awesome, I'll admit it.  Don't know where Garbanzo found them, but I suspect they will be requested again.


The rain has been destroying my roses. But today, I found one that looks gorgeous despite the rain. And it is one of the "smelly breeds" of roses too. 

Day 168 - Lion King

When her birthday approached, I received an email letting me know I had an opportunity to buy tickets to The Lion King via a pre-sale.  So, I gave DJ an option. She could have a party with all of her friends. Or, I could buy an extra ticket for a friends, and we would all go see The Lion King in June.  After a bit of negotiation which included agreement to allow her friend to spend the night, she decided on The Lion King. 

For our 10th anniversary, Garbanzo had gotten us tickets to The Lion King.  We checked into an amazing room in downtown after dropping DJ off with the grandparents, then saw The Lion King. He got us amazing seats anyway, but they were made more amazing by the fact our seats were right next to where the actors went onto the stage from the audience. During the second act, I started feeling sick. Low blood sugar since we missed dinner due to the soccer game we had to attend (DJ's).  It was an ugly night after that. Hell, I barely remember the second act.  But I enjoyed it. And loved the fact we would get to see it again.

Taking three girls to see the show was fun. DJ's friend is a riot. They compliment each other very well.  And since her friend has a little sister too, she is very tolerant of Indigo.  Knowing how the play opens, I couldn't help but watch the girls and their faces as it started - all of the animals walking down the aisle next to us.  Their faces were all frozen in sort of an expression of "wow".  Hell, it silenced all three of them - a feat I didn't think was possible. 

At what the girls declared "half-time", they were babbling about all of their favorite parts. They were excited. And immediately wanted to go back in for the start of "the second half".  We got beverages (including my classy beer in a cup with a lid and a straw so I didn't spill), and followed the girls back to the seats.

Indigo fell asleep which was amazing given how loud it got with the clapping and cheering and such at the end. The other two sat there in awe.  And I felt like the coolest mom ever.

As we were leaving, DJ said to her friend "I'm SO glad I did this - this was much better than a party!! I want to do this again." Her friend agreed - and hoped she would get invited again. 

Next year at this time, we read it was going to be Mary Poppins.  Hmmm......I may have found a way to avoid doing the birthday party craziness. I like this plan.

Bullets over Friday

I decided given how I don't have one thought but many, I would employ the great bullets blog.

• I think the drama I had hoped would be ending at work is going to be taken to a new level.  After listening to round 2 of "I hate IT" from the executive whose project I managed, I summarized the info and sent it to the head of IT.  I'm sick of it personally - and he also has sort of an approach to this project that has me ultra-concerned.  The analogy I used was that the project I'm doing is like the re-commitment ceremony - meanwhile one of the people getting married is planning for the ultimate divorce and remarriage to the next person.  Kinda makes it hard to feel like there is a real commitment here. 
• This weekend is gay pride weekend in our fair city. This means that Derek is staying with us.  I've decided I should just pay for him to come down once a month and let him clean my house top to bottom. He'll get a trip to see friends. I'll get a clean house. He'll also make some money.  It's a win-win situations.  Derek - since you are likely reading this, interested?
• My parents showed up Wednesday night out of the blue.  Let me rephrase that - they called Garbanzo and asked if they could come and stay with us. He said sure. Then they all told me they would see me around 6pm.  Planning is clearly not my parents' strong suit.  They had fun with the girls. It was a nice evening.  And one that involved me sitting in a chair in the corner uploading my HNT picture and post while talking about the church woes with my parents.  Yeah, I'm going to hell.
• I started my day today at an ungodly hour. It could be worse, so thankfully the meeting I had to facilitate only involved someone in the Midwest.  I did realize fairly quickly upon arriving at the building that I didn't have access to the building before 7am.  Fuck.  Thankfully someone in building management knew me and got me into the building and up to my floor.  You not only need card key access after hours, but also card key access to work the elevator.   Oops.
• School ended for the kids on Tuesday.  They have been spending days with friends lately.  Garbanzo has finally gotten his room ready for the summer maintenance crew.  In his district, you have to pretty much pack up the classroom - or at least anything that is on the linoleum floor before you can leave.  He has all of the lockers for the middle school kids.  His room is huge and had the space the halls did not have.  This made his job a bit worse than usual.   Layer onto it a few other factors beyond his control, and it took a bit longer than usual.  But its done and he's done.
• 15 days until the half marathon.  
• This yellow thing in the sky has decided to make an appearance for the weekend. I'd call it its name, but I'm afraid to scare it away.
• Father's Day is this weekend. Don't forget to get dad a tacky tie or some sort of tool.  (Minds out of the gutter on that last one.)

Happy Friday!

Day 167 - Surprise!

This showed up today....with chocolate.
The card said "Because I love you."
A nice surprise.