My Sunshine

Well, hello everyone. I have been writing a little more consistently and I'm glad, writing always makes me feel better. With that in mind, I have some sad news.

Marshmallow 2004 - 2014

My Marshmallow passed away. On Monday she passed in her sleep. We went down to Carlsbad and my sister was going to take her in for euthanization because it was that time but she decided to go on her own terms. I do not think she suffered greatly, my Mother spent the whole day with her and said that she had breakfast but her auto-immune disease had returned. I knew it was a matter of time before that caught up to us. I felt like a coward for having my sister do it but I would start crying each time I even thought of that moment. However, I'm glad she went on her own terms. My brain still thinks of her as being at home, yesterday I thought to myself, "I wonder if she finished her water" and then it hit me she wasn't there anymore. Since I found out she passed in her sleep I have used every euphemism for death possible but I haven't said it, written it, or honestly thought it - Marshmallow died. I think everyone avoids that phrase until they're ready to admit it to themselves. For weeks now I have been spoiling her and just trying to avoid thinking or seeing what was about to happen. I couldn't imagine my life without her, I still can't. In the past few days I find myself thinking of things for her, checking on her, of seeing her very mischievous face in the mornings. Eventually I will be OK but for now I'm pretty sad and I miss her a lot. There are things that keep me occupied but my brain/heart aren't really present. I think I'll just be sad for a while.

One funny story about her. She learned Spanish as her first language so she would only listen to me if I was speaking in Spanish. English? What? Are you crazy?!

When I would wake up in the mornings my greeting to Marshmallow was singing this song to her, well parts of it. Only sometimes I would say Sunshine instead because she was blonde

The economic benefits of being beautiful

Well this is a lot sad!

Girasoles and Half-Year Recaps

Well we have passed the half-year mark and I'm wondering where the time has gone! I spent most of February sick so that wasn't awesome. I spent March & April limping. I'm not sure what happened in May, seriously I lost a whole month! I think I limped part of that month too. I think we need to recap and regroup for this year.

Things I have accomplished thus far in 2014:

Sunflower from my garden :)

• I joined the gym after all! I joined in April but didn't actually go until June. Yeah paid for 2 months I did not use but I blame it on the plantar fasciitis. Good progress made there (see Jaw Dropping).
• I've made progress in my gardening but I definitely didn't do the veggies or fruit; just not enough time.
• I have purged material things from my life but I have not simplified as I wanted to. I think I complicated instead. I volunteered for a political campaign and turns out I don't like volunteering. I really wish I did but I don't. Perhaps that type of volunteering is just not for me, perhaps food banks? I like food.
• I have watched less TV because I'm so busy but I have to admit there are days that I just go home and veg out in front of the TV, I do absolutely nothing and binge watch. This happens less and less but it still happens. Must work on this.
• I haven't tried that many vegetarian/vegan recipes but I have kept up with the 1/month. Perhaps that's why I haven't seen a dramatic dip in the weight - I'm still eating fast food.

Things I still have to accomplish - many. If I enumerate I might quit. Life has been good this year, new babies and new friends. Perhaps I'm not the jet-setting photojournalist I once thought I could be - motion sickness prohibits this - but life is pretty good over all. There are so many things to be grateful for, so much that makes me happy! OK. Today. Today is a happy day, I don't know why but it is. There shouldn't have to be a reason, lets just be happy.

Jaw Dropping

Good day everyone! I have been MIA due to many things, mostly due to the World Cup, it was fun but I lost $10.  Seriously we dedicated way too much time to watching the games at work. It was kind of funny and I am super thankful that I have a boss who also dedicated the same amount of time! It was an exciting Cup, with tons of upsets and surprises, can't wait until 2018! Apparently Russia is suspending the visa requirements to enter the country for the next Cup! How security will be handled is another matter.

I have recently discovered that my brain operates at a higher level whenever I exercise in the mornings. Yes I have been going to the gym at 630 in the mornings! Did your jaw just hit the floor? I know. If you had told me this 1 1/2 months ago, my jaw would have hit the floor too. However, I have a workout buddy from my lab and that makes all the difference. We push each other to go and workout, we also signed up for a Spinning class at 630, once a week. I paid $15 for it, damn straight I'll get my tuchus there! It has made a huge difference in my health. I feel lighter, more flexible, energized, I sleep better - simply put I feel better. I haven't seen a huge shift on the scale, no lies only 4 lbs lost so far. However, I have lost inches and my clothing fits differently. I will try to not obsess about the number but I know I will, I had to limit myself to only weighing myself 1X/week. I've been pretty good about it but I still worry about the number. I suppose I should focus on being fit but the number is what I think about. 

My brain not only operates at a higher level but I think of funnier things to post but then I forget them after I work out! Perhaps I am not operating at a higher level, I just dream I am because I'm really still asleep. I was walking up the stairs this morning to the machines I use at the gym and had the funniest thought but then I tripped and I completely forgot the funny thought. Not face planting took priority over my comedic skills. 

As for the volunteering, it's going. I think I may not be as generous as originally thought. Might be a bit of a miser. I will not quit but I have lost my enthusiasm. 

Well I hope everyone has a great week, failing that - a decent week.

Judging Since 1979

Hello all! Sorry for the lack of posting but writers block and the World Cup have interrupted my writing time. As I write this I am watching the USA vs. Belgium game, with 12 minutes in I hope that I win this game! By I hope I win, I mean that the game ends with a 1-0 score USA vs. BEL because if they don't finish like that my bracket is screwed. Please forgive any grammar mistakes (well the increase in mistakes) and any misspelled words. My attention is divided at the moment.

Besides the World Cup and the writers block, I have also been working with a political campaign. I am on team Wendy Davis! This summer I am volunteering, doing lots of block walks, and lots of phone banks. I started at the beginning of June and have wondered a few times since then, "What the hell did I get myself into?!" but it's this or sit at home on my ass. I have a lot of projects planned for my yard but they have moved along rather slowly due to my other activities.

Now let me dispel some misconceptions about my future governor (I'm being optimistic),  no official position on abortion, had a child while she was in HS, and is not an abortion barbie. The media is focusing on the filibuster she did last year because it protected funding  for women's clinics that also offered abortions. The bill essentially closed down all of the health clinics that focused on women's healthcare because their physicians were not affiliated to a hospital that was certified to perform the procedure (abortions). The certification from a committee on which Rick Perry's sister sits and it costs a pretty penny to obtain said certification. Anyway, Davis felt that the clinics funding was relevant as they provide other services at a graded pricing based on a woman's income. Your PAP tests, mammograms, birth control, and obstetric services for those women having children but can't afford insurance. My personal philosophy is if you don't believe in abortions, then don't have one. If you feel birth control is bad, don't take it. If you feel those who participate/believe in the aforementioned, then don't be friends with them. I don't tell you you're going to hell, when you post drunk party pictures on Saturday night and church pictures on Sunday. I judge you but not from behind God, I just judge you.  Yes, independent judging since 1979. Pretty sure I judged even as a child.

Well that has been bothering me for a while now, especially after yesterday. The Supreme Court has allowed 2 corporation to discriminate against women based on what type of birth control they choose to use. If you are on the pill, which is more likely to cause a miscarriage than any otehr type of birth control, they still pay. If you want an IUD or wish to use the morning after pill - DENIED. FYI the morning after pill does not cause an abortion, if not taken within 48 hours it permits fertilization of the oocyte but taken within 24 to 48 hours of unprotected intercourse simply prevents sperm from reaching the egg (explanation a little over-simplified). Although you should be re-evaluating your priorities if you are having unprotected sex.

OK off the soap box and the game is 0-0 still. GO USA!