30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 16)

Whatever tickles your fancy

Hmmm... what tickles my fancy today...? Let's talk about Outdoor School, since that's where DJ is right now.

First of all, for those who don't know, Outdoor School is basically five days of camp for sixth graders. They stay at a camp site for a school week, learn about science and the outdoors first hand, get to sleep in cabins, have camp fires and it's just a good time.

When I was in 6th grade I went to Camp Collins with my class. Back in the day we used to share a cabin with one of our classmates and six (maybe 8) girls from other schools. I have to admit, I was less than thrilled about my cabin mate because we didn't really know each other. I didn't have a lot of friends by the time I went to Outdoor School as it was only my second year at Lincoln Park Elementary and I always had one really good friend and didn't hang out too much with anyone else. My classmate ended up being cool but I met another girl in my cabin (Jenny) that I hung out with for the week. Funny how when you're a kid you can meet someone and five minutes later they're your bff. Anyway, Jenny and I got to know each other throughout the week and even wrote letters for a while after we returned back to normal life. I probably still have her letters in a box at home-I'll have to check that out.

Some memorable moments from Outdoor School are sitting in a circle on the ground outside and one of the instructors put a cage in the middle of the circle. He told us no matter what we should keep our hands to ourselves and not freak out, then he opened the cage and a little squirrel ran around the circle like mad and then took off like a mad man into the forest. I remember walking single file behind my most recent crush (a super cute counselor) and not paying attention and walking directly into him-my face meets his chest-and wanting to crawl in a hole and die. I remember camp fires, singing songs and cooking a burger on my hobo stove. (*Side note: I tried to find a hobo stove like the ones we made and no luck. I'll search more later but if you're curious you should Google it).

These days, kids go to Outdoor School with their own classmates, have the camps to themselves and they don't build hobo stoves. What the heck is that all about??? I've talked to several people that went to Outdoor School about the time I did and we all agree, one of the best things about Outdoor School was getting to know other kids. Still, it's a great experience and being able to spend a little time out in nature with your classmates is sure to create some bonding moments.

I hope the kids are having fun. I have to admit, I'm kinda glad it's raining this week. This is typical Outdoor School weather and the misery only adds to the experience.

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 15)

Bible Verse

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". -John 3:16

First of all, how fitting that this is today's blog.

When I was a kid and I lived in Portland on 181st there was a church bus that came around every Sunday and gave us kids a ride to church. I went because it was something to do; I wasn't raised in a religious household, we didn't talk about God or Jesus or the real meaning of holidays, so church was just something to do. In Sunday school they would give us little challenges and if we met the challenge we would get to pick a small prize. The only challenge I really remember was to learn this Bible verse and recite it in front of the classs. I remember receiving a little framed picture of Jesus, just a bit bigger than one you would find in Barbie's dream house. I loved that picture and took great pride in having earned it.

I like this verse not only because it reminds me a fond childhood memory, but because it brings me comfort, gratitude and is a reminder that although He holds my fate in his hands I have to choose Him in order to have everlasting life and one day be reunited with my loved ones.

I believe and I choose His way.

Happy Easter

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 14)

A letter to someone who has hurt you

I've take a brief break from blogging because I really had to think about this one. I was going to do it and I even started it. Then I decided that I didn't want to spend time writing about (to) someone that forces me to focus on the negative. Then I heard something on the radio that had me all gung ho and ready to go ahead and do this thang. Now I just have this to say:

I have been hurt by people in my life, I have also been the one to hurt others. I have spent a lot of time over the course of the last year thinking about what I want from life and what kind of people I want in my life. I have done a lot of growing as a person and have weeded out those individuals that don't quite meet my standard of friendship. People who tried to enforce their standards on me, people who do not respect-or even like-the positive changes I have been making.

As I said, I've hurt people too. I can honestly say that I don't want to hurt anyone and I don't intentionally hurt anyone. That being said... If you try to make me feel bad for doing what I think is necessary in order for me to be the best person I can... you gots to go. Plain and simple. It's nothing personal, wait-maybe it is. I will not live my life trying meet someone else's definition of a good friend, good mom, good person. I am me, I love me, in order to be happy I can only be me.

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 13)

Goals

Whew! This could take a while. Sit back, get comfy, and I'll try to keep it short.

My current goal (obsession) is living healthier. A couple of months  ago I finally got so fed up with my clothes "shrinking", I had almost nothing that fit me comfortably, and with being tired all the time. I work at a place where we get tons (literally) of junk food donated annually. Every week we get donations from Whole Foods, Haagen's, Starbucks, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, various catering companies and kind hearted souls in the community that just want to do something for those less fortunate. While the donations are appreciated... they have made my ass really big! My opinion of my physical self, along with the liklihood that I would inherit my families health issues, finally motivated me to start working out and eating better. I have a weight goal that will probably take me a very long time to reach, but I really want to live a healthy lifestyle so I will be patient and continue to work hard. One of my favorite quotes is: When I do good I feel good. When I do bad I feel bad. I'm sure Abraham Lincoln wasn't thinking of four mile walks, Jillian Michaels workout videos and stir fry for lunch when he said it, but it fits just the same.

Something I've been working and will continue to work on: I want to be a good person. I know what it feels like to be treated badly, looked down upon and made to feel less than. I don't want to make anybody feel that way and I want to raise a child that wouldn't want to make anyone feel that way. I am not perfect, but I continue to use kind (honest) words. I try not to react in anger and think about what I say before I say it. Sometimes when trying to get my point accross I might unintentionally hurt someone; I hope not. Another quote: All you owe anyone is your honesty, what they do with it is up to them. This one has gotten me through some pretty sticky situations in the recent past.

I want to go back to school for my masters degree. It seems that every time I think about it something else comes up. "My finances aren't right". "DJ needs me at home right now". ...okay, so those are the two big things that keep coming up. I will go back to school someday, but no matter what the reason, that time is not right now. I have faith that it will happen when it is supposed to.

My final, and most important goal: I want to raise a good person. Self explanatory, right?

I have other goals, some I've had for a while and some I will forget about before I go home tonight but I'm not going to drone on all day.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Oregonian's-maybe if we all close our eyes and wish real hard the sun will start to shine! Ready. Set. GO!

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 12)

Something you don't leave the house without

Day 22 asks about the contents of my purse, so I'll keep this simple. The things I don't leave the house without, even if I'm just carrying one of my cute little Coach wristlettes, are:

ID
Debit Card
Insurance Card
Cash-If I happen to have any one me.
TCBY stamp card (Clackamas and Tigard)
Cell Phone
Chapstick
Sunglasses

And that is all! If you've seen my purse you're probably calling me a liar right now. These are the things I have on me unless I'm strickly out getting my exercise around the neighborhood. Stay tuned kids if you wanna see-that's right SEE-what's in that big 'ol bag that I carry.

Have a great day, enjoy the sunshine (wink) and PEACE OUT!

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 11)

A photo of your family

I have family all over the United States. I have Mom's family, Dad's family, my military family and the friends that have been around long enough, and who are cool enough, to have made the cut as family. I can't write about them all, it would take a lot more time than I have and I would undoubtedly forget someone.

Here is a picture of my local family, the family that God gave me and I'm lucky enough to have on hand as my support system.

On your left, you're seeing my sister-in-law, my brother and their three boys. I don't know what I do without these people! First of all, my brother married a "Rose"-you know she's got to be fabulous with a name like that! Brian and Rose are two of the nicest people I know and I count Rose among my best friends. I'm grateful that my brother found a "good one" and held on tight! My brother... what can I say about him? Anyone who grew up with us can tell you that we were pretty typical siblings. We fought like crazy (although maybe more violently than most) but in true sibling fashion, we would defend each other against anyone. "I can call my brother names, but you better not"! After I left home and had been gone for a couple of years I came home and was overwhelmed at how much I had missed him. I can't even tell you how proud I am of my brother; he's a great dad, a fabulous husband and the best brother I could ask for. He is a great uncle to DJ and he even loves my dogs! My brother has been blessed with five children, the three here are Brian and Rose's three boys (ages 6, 10 and 12). These are three of the sweetest and most ornery (alternately) boys I know. They are the closest thing to siblings that DJ has on my side of the family and most of the time they act like brothers and sister. This makes me happy. Just as my brother and I did, they sometimes fight (mostly DJ and the 12-year-old nephew) and they also stick up for each other. (He was sent home from school one day for fighting with a boy who made her cry). I love these boys and I'm so thankful to have them in our lives.

Next up: My mama! I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm 37-years-old and my mother is still taking care of me. Along with Brian and Rose, my mother has made it possible for me to go to school while working full time, go on several child free vacations and to know that I can leave DJ in the capable hands of someone that loves her when I have things going on that take me away from home. My mother has several health challenges that would have most people saying "f-it, I give up", my mother continues to push forward and do whatever she can to help her family. My mother was told that she would be in a wheelchair, due to severe arthritis in her back and her feet, by the time she was 40. She's 63 and is giving the wheelchair the finger!

Finally, my sweet DJ. The light of my life and the reason I get up every morning. This child is, hands down, the best thing that ever happened to me! Without DJ I would not be the peson I am.

This is my family. I love you guys!

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 10)

Something You're Afraid Of

I've been thinking about this post for a while. Turns out - I'm afraid of a lot of things, my biggest fears though revolve around DJ. It's not that she has diabetes and what that can bring, it's not that she'll make poor choices and ruin her life, it's not even that she'll hate me. It is inevitible that her diabetes will bring chaos to our lives, she will make poor choices and she hates me at least once a week.

My greatest fear is that something will happen and I won't be able to be here for DJ. My own childhood was not perfect (is there such a thing?), but my mother loved me and was always there for me. DJ is lucky enough to have two parents that love her and want her 100% of the time and I am lucky enough that I get to raise her most of the time. When DJ was in third grade I was going through a divorce and, of course, with divorce comes debt. I was working hard to pay off debt so DJ went to live with her dad for a year. I was working three jobs the year she was gone, so I could pay down the debt and be able to provide for her when she came back home.

That year DJ was gone I was home long enough to sleep and that is about it. No matter what I was doing I was alsways thinking about DJ; I cried almost every day because I missed her so much. As a mother it is my job to provide for this child, care for her, love her, show her direction and teach her values. What would DJ do if she didn't have me? I know DJ would be fine, there are so many people that love her and would take care of her. My thought is this: How would she feel? Part of this probably comes from losing my own father, but I never want DJ to feel the kind of heartbreak that comes with losing one of your parents at a young age. I know what will be will be, but this is my fear. I just want DJ to grow up and have a life of her own, a family of her own, so she will be okay when something does happen to me or her father.

Is this morbid? I hope not. I really tried to think of something else to write about, but this is the thing that kept coming to mind. 

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 9)

A favorite picture of your best friend

Okay, this is a tough one because I have a few very close, I would even say best, friends. No surprise who this blog is about though.

My oldest and dearest friend. A and I met when she was in 1st grade and I was in 2nd grade. Our parents managed apartments together (hers was the manager, mine was the assistant). We were both in trouble for two totally unrelated offenses (I can't remember what mine was for and I will let her tell you what hers was for) and were forced to sit together on her front porch step while our dads groomed the grounds of the apartments. I will tell you, we hated each other. Oh Lord how I couldn't believe this cruel punishment of sitting next to this smart ass little know it all was not child abuse. I, of course, was an angel and she was lucky to be in such fabulous company. Ask her, she would agree! Tell you what, I'll ask her for you and let you know what she says.

Through the years our parents kept in touch, so of course we kept in touch. I'm happy to say that A and I warmed up to each other quite nicely. I think we even complimented each other. A was (and is) very outgoing and outspoken. I was more quiet and shy, at least until you got to know me. We were both little shits! A and I moved away from each other but spent plenty of time together, especially in the summer when we would spend alternating weeks (that's right, full weeks-our mothers were saints, I'm sure of it) at each others homes. There was much fun and laughter-which often landed us in bed early-and plenty of arguing, which also usually landed us in bed early. I remember going to bed before the sun went down many a night, oh, and lots of threats of "ass beatings".

A and I are going on (almost) 30 years of friendship. We have been through marriage, divorce (me), new life, loss of loved ones and too many memories to count. A is my family, her family is my family. Her sister is my sister. Her mother is my second mother. When her dad died I felt like it was my dad. When my dad died about a year later she knew exactly what I was going through.

As a single parent I carry the burden of the household responsibilities, which I rather enjoy most of the time, but when I need back-up, someone to vent to, bounce ideas off of, if I have a success and want to brag or need emotional support... A is my girl. She was the first person I called when DJ was diagnosed with diabetes (she beat us to the hospital) and recently she was the first person I called when we had to back to the hospital at 5:30 a.m. on Superbowl Sunday. I'm sure she broke every driving law on her way to meet us at the hospital again, hitting Starbucks in route, of course. I have said it so many times to many people, but I'm not sure I've ever said it to her: A is my biggest chearleader, my biggest fan, the believer that I can do anything and that I always deserve whatever blessings come my way. She helps me to believe in myself.

Honestly, I feel like I've gotten the better end of this friendhsip deal. A is a wonderful wife, mother, friend and example. I often think I wish I were as kind and loving as A. I can't even put into words what this friendship has done for me and how she has inspired me to do things I might have been afraid to otherwise. I hope I can make A feel half as special as she makes me feel.

Love you A, and I appreciate you more than you know.

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 8)

A Place You've Travelled To

I've travelled to a few places, but my favorite (which I was lucky enough to live for a while) was Germany. I was stationed in Germany from 1995-1999 and let me tell you-some of the BEST years of my life were spent there. I did not join the Army to "travel the world", like so many people I know do, but I can't deny that one of the benefits of joining was getting to spend some time in Europe.

While I was stationed in Germany I met some of the best friends of my life, family really. I also was able to travel to other European countries fairly cheap. Unfortunately I didn't make the most of my time in Germany, but I did travel quite a bit of the country, as well as visiting Spain, Belgium and much of France. Visiting other countries was fun, but Germany was my favorite by far.

Germany is much like Oregon in that it rains a lot, it's very green and it's absolutely beautiful. I always felt very at home in Germany and leaving it behind to come back to the states was a tough decision. DJ was born in Germany and I hope to take her back there so she can visit the place where she was born and maybe get a glimpse of why I love it so much.

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 7)

Favorite tv shows/movies

This one is hard because I have favorites in the moment. So, here are some tv shows and movies I can always watch again, but I might not call all of them "favorites".

• Friends (#1, the rest are in no particular order)
• That 70's Show
• Phineas and Ferb (yup, that's right)
• Just about any family sitcom that originated in the 80's
• Snapped (I almost forgot this one because I don't watch it very often).
• Any good celebrity interview show-not the 30 minute sleeze shows (not that I wouldn't watch them, but I could live without them).

• Beaches (#1, the rest are in no particular order)
• Grease
• The Wizard of Oz
• The Sandlot
• Bend it Like Bekham
• The Fox and the Hound
• Wedding Crashers
• American Pie
• You've Got Mail (a little embarassed)

Not only is Beaches my go-to cry movie, Wind Beneath My Wings is also one of the songs that is guaranteed to make me cry. 

This post is boring but it made the cut because it was on each of the 30 Day Blog Challenge lists I looked at. Also, you can probably tell a lot about a person by the shows they watch. I like to sit back and relax when I'm watching tv or movies. I don't want to try to solve a mystery (the mystery is already solved with Snapped) or have to think too much. You can also see by my list that I watch a lot of what DJ watches. Phineas and Ferb would be an exception, I think I like it more than she does! She's a Tom & Jerry kinda girl.

That's all folks.

Peace, love and happiness!

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 6)

A Picture of Something That Makes You Happy

What is happyness?

Happyness is seeing the number on the scale go down. Happyness is feeling my "fat" pants fit me a little looser and my "fat" shirts being too big. Happyness is craving healthy food and being able to say "no thank you" to all the junk I used to neeeeeed! Happyness is looking forward to a workout and loving the feeling I get after a good sweat, then feeling the soreness the next day because I have pushed myself. Happyness is good (mostly) music to distract me, motivate me and to make the time pass quicker. Happyness is making it to workout 3 on Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (despite that bitch's best efforts to kill me I made it)! Happyness is bonding with friends (new and old) over the common goal of a healthier lifestyle; sharing healthier recipes, talking about calories burned and calories consumed and supporting each other when one of us has a bad day. Happyness is talking about, and actually being committed to, running one of the many 5k runs this beautiful city of Portland has to offer. Mostly, happyness is sharing healthy quality time with DJ and believing that I will get to enjoy her for a long time, and someday her children if she chooses to have any. I am committed to being healthy. At one time that scared me and I felt like I would be missing out on so much... now it just makes me happy.

The items in this picture might not be the actual picture of happyness, but what each item does for my body, my well being, my self-esteem and my attitude... makes me happy.

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 5)

A Song to Match Your Mood-Nostalgic (Daydream Believer-The Monkees)

I know, I know. So many of you are thinking, "Rose is too young to be 'nostalgic' over The Monkees". Well let me tell you. I am NOT too young to be nostalgic over The Monkees re-runs.

What has got me feeling so nostalgic, you ask? Well, only one of my favorite people in the wold wide world! When I was a kid and I visited my family in Texas during my summer vacations I got to spend a ton of time with my cousin, A. It was rough going to for me and A at first-pretty sure we might have-maybe-hated each other for a minute. Truly, that period of time is pretty foggy in my memory and I remember all of the fun, often silly times we had and the many, many, many hours we spent watching (and quoting) the Monkees. A and I have recently reconnected on FB and have been sharing a few of our memories of our grandmother. So... the nostalgia has set in. Some other things I learned to appreciate while spending time with A:

-Cheesecake (I had never had it before hanging with her)
-Arby's
-Old movies (Love me some Tony Curtis)
-Satisfaction (the movie) http://www.metacafe.com/watch/6214738/fockers_featurette_exclusive/?source=playlist (all the dips are dancin'-one of my favorite quotes to this day)
-Accessorizing (which I still don't practice much, but I get it)
-Why the south is so fabulous
-Roller skating
-Family (I have a lot of it, but not close with many members)
-Live Concerts (The Monkees was my first concert, yes they were a bit older by the time I saw them... but they still rocked-I don't care what you say)!

-Head, the movie (yes, more Monkees)

Mostly what I remember is laughing.

A is a southern belle, she's crafty and creative. I am a northern tree hugging, animal loving, liberal. In truth, we were both pretty set in our ways and were probably who were destined to become by the time we met; yet somehow we overcame our differences and learned to appreciate them.

A and I both have girls, hers is almost 10, mine 12. We both share stories of our childhood with our girls, both of our girls are just like their mothers. Assuming they ever get the chance to hang out like we did... it could be reeeally good or reeeally bad. I choose to believe they would get to know each other, love each other and appreciate each other differences.

I love you A; I miss you and I'm so happy we've reconnected. You are my sister.

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 4)

My Parents

Mi madre y me padre... what can I say? I will tell you what I know of them; that is how I viewed them as a child and how I view them now.

Daddy: As a kid I always knew my dad loved me, although I don't know how I knew it other than my mother telling me he loved me. My dad lived very close to me most of my childhood but I rarely saw him. There were no birthday or holiday phone calls or gifts, he never saw a basketball game or a school performance of any kind. When I was in middle school my dad moved to Texas and I got to visit him for a few summers, but our contact was pretty much limited to that time together. I'm not trying to pull at any heart strings here. It was just the way life was. My dad loved me. I loved my dad.

As an adult I can look back on my childhood and realize that I probably did not see my dad much because he was lost in his addiction; when he moved to Texas he was sober and finally able to give me some of the attention and show me some of the love he felt for me. Dad moving to Texas also gave me the opportunity to meet the family (aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, cousins and grandmother) that have given me so many memories, which I hold close to my heart today.

Daddy passed away when I was 17. What I remember of him most is his personality. I do believe my dad was a love him or hate him kinda guy. He was funny, obnoxious and never wasted an opportunity to pull a good prank. My dad was not P.C. and frankly, he didn't give a damn My dad loved his family and his family loved him, even though he could piss you off in an instant! My dad had a million dogs (not literally), he used to breed them and sell them (I promise he was not cruel to his animals) and he loved them like they were people. Some of my favorite memories of my teen years were hanging with dad and the dogs; he even got me a goat one summer because I wanted to "take care of something". I got to bottle feed him and this goat was my buddy. (This is me, Pedro the goat and Cindy & Sally the Rat Terrier puppies. The only sweeter than the animals is my haircut. Can I get a wut-wut!).

I miss my daddy. I'm mostly sorry that he never got to know DJ or his other granddaughters and grandsons.

Momma: My mother was a single mother part of my life, but no matter whether she was single or married she was usually the bread winner and always the rock of our family. My mother is funny, witty and kind of a smart ass (kind of? HA!). She is where I got my sense of humor and my work ethic. My mother always made sure we had everything we needed and she tried hard to get us some of what we wanted. Looking back I would say that we were low income (or poor as they used to say) but I never felt like we were. We always had good food in our bellies, clothes on our backs a warm, safe place to sleep at night.

My mother was very strict; we didn't talk back, we did chores and followed the rules (as far as she knew anyway) and would think twice before doing something that would embarass her. My mother was also very loving. I never doubted my mothers love for me, I could feel it. When I was younger I used to think my mom was making fun of me or making jokes at my expense but I can honestly say, now that I am the mother of a pre-teen, she was probably laughing so she didn't knock me on my a**. (Remind me to thank her for that).

My mother had a difficult childhood, from what I understand, and in hind sight I can see that she did everything she could in order to do more for us than she had done for her. I am 37-years-old and my mother continues to give to me and brother. Everyday my mother gives in one way or another.

I want to stress one last time that I never, EVER felt like we went without the basic necessities. I also want to say that the most loving thing my mother ever did for me was to tell me how much she AND my dad loved me. Whatever transpired between my mom and dad, she always built him up to me. I can honestly say she never said an ill word about him, and that has continued to this day.

I love you Mommy & Daddy!

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 3)

Your First Love

Hmmm... are we talking puppy love? That first just figuring it out love? Grown up, we're ready to get married and have babies love? I will answer all three, or at least two out of three.

1) Puppy love. I was working at Burger King, maybe a junior in high school, and my good friend D walked in with his cousin J. J had just moved to Portland from Texas and was all tall and mocha skinned goodness. He was fiiiiiiiine! We had a two year on again-off again high school romance. This was the first boy I REALLY liked that REALLY liked me back. I would stay at his house on weekends (I slept on the cough upstairs with my friend and he in his basement bedroom. Believe it or not there was no creepin'), he would come to my school to visit me (I went to Douglas, he went to Cleveland) and spent a lot of time together whenever we could. His family was (is) fabulous and it was easy. It was a high school romance though, we were young and immature and trying to figure things out. After I left Oregon we would hang out when I came home and I run into him every couple of years or so. In case you're wondering, he still looks damn good and you can tell him I said so! :)

2) Figuring it out. I will not waste too much time on this one. I'll just say I was 18 and he was 22. He came into my life twice and the second time I was quickly reminded why it didnt' work out the first time. This one was very unhealthy and I learned a lot about myself.

3) Grown up love. I have to say it. The "baby daddy". He treated me well, was responsible and just a good person. I was still young, and he was even younger, but looking back I feel it was a good relationship. We had the baby but not the marriage. He's a fabulous dad and even though we argue and often don't agree with each others point of view we have a decent thing going on. We were 21 (him) and 24) when DJ was born and we just grew apart. I still love him as my daughters dad, but anyone that knows him don't go telling him I'm still in love with him because that is NOT the case. I care for him very much, let's not get any sh*t started here people.

That is all! Good day sir! (Said in the voice of Fez)

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 2)

The Meaning Behind Your Blog Name i.am.who.i.am I've been wanting to blog for some time but a few things held me back. I didn't know what to name it, I didn't know what to write about and I didn't want to piss anyone off. I have a LOT to say, but it mostly involves other people and often the stupid things they (or I) do. I also wondered, "If I write about 'that' what will people think of me"? I feared people would find my blog stupid or (even worse) uninteresting. Finally, I decided that I just have to be myself. I'm (mostly) happy with myself and if there's one thing I've learned in the past year, it's that those people that really love me will not judge me-especially for something as silly as this blog. Also, I'm a dork. My friends know I'm a dork. Most of my friends are dorks. I consider myself to have a pretty decent amount of common sense and know what is off limits as far as posting goes. So... I'm just gonna be me. If I happen to mention you in my blog, chances are I won't actually use your name, so nobody will know it's you unless you call yourself out. DJ's complaining she's hungry. I guess I have to feed her... again! Night all! i.am.who.i.am

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 1)

Introduction & Recent Picture of Myself

My name is Rose Browning, mother of one child and owner of two dogs. I grew up in SE Portland with my mom, step-dad and brother; I have a sister in Ohio and I have two brothers and two sisters in Ohio. I also have a sister and a brother "through marriage" (I hate the word "step" in relation to my family). I actually have more family than I can count in these two states and a few others sprinkled across the U.S.

I spent 7 years in the Army and was lucky enough to travel some, although I didn't take advantage of the opportunities I had-that might be my biggest regret in life. Now I work at a homeless shelter in Tigard, Oregon. Maybe not my "dream" job, but definitely a job that I love. I look forward to going to work in the mornings and if Ihave to put in some extra hours I don't mind at all.

I am lucky enough to have friends and family I can trust and I can count on; I just don't know what is more important than that! I am 37 years old; it has taken me that long to cultivate the fabulous life I have now. I have learned that things and people are not always what they seem, I have learned that people can outgrow each other and it's okay to move on, I have learned what is important in life.

(This pic was taken in February in Hawaii. I chose it because I wish I was there right now).

30 Day Blog Challenge (Day 0)

In an effort to blog more consistently I'm going to do this 30 day challenge. I always want to blog, but don't always know what to blog about... problem solved-for the next 30 days at least. Here is the list of topics for the 30 Day Blog Challenge:

• Day 0: The 30 Day Challenge explanation and description


• Day 1: Introduction, recent picture of yourself


• Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name


• Day 3: Your first love


• Day 4: Your parents


• Day 5: A song to match your mood


• Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy


• Day 7: Favorite tv shows/movies


• Day 8: A place you've travelled to


• Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend


• Day 10: Something you're afraid of


• Day 11: A photo of you and your family


• Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without


• Day 13: Goals


• Day 14: A letter to someone who has hurt you


• Day 15: Bible verse


• Day 16: Whatever tickles your fancy


• Day 17: Something you're looking forward to


• Day 18: Favorite place to eat


• Day 19: Something you miss


• Day 20: Nicknames


• Day 21: Favorite picture of yourself, all time, and why


• Day 22: What's in your purse?


• Day 23: A song that makes you cry


• Day 24: Something you've learned


• Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs


• Day 26: Your favorite book/author


• Day 27: Picture of the city you live in


• Day 28: A recipe


• Day 29: Your favorite web site


• Day 30: A picture of you today and 3 good things that have happened to you in the last 30 days.

I'm putting a reminder in my phone right now so I don't forget to blog every day. Be seeing ya'll! ***Disclaimer: I pulled from a couple of different sites for this list. They were very similar but each had some topics I just have no interest in visiting (i.e. Your dream wedding).