NaBloPoMo 2012

I haven't been blogging lately. I just haven't made it a priority. However lots of happened, so I figured I will use November to get back into the groove with National Blog Posting Month. I did it last year and it was a lot of fun. I have to get those creativity juices flowing again! I hope you hang around to see!

Crazy Week

So much has happened in the past eight days. I had intended to write about each event, but things just kept snowballing!

First, last Tuesday I went to my first Crosstown Classic! It was a wonderful time, although you would be surprised how hard it is to give away a ticket! I went with my mom, my cousin and one of my friends. It was wonderful weather and a good game, unfortunately the Sox did loose. Of course, they did win the next day!

Thursday was a whirlwind! I had my very first outdoor skate (to prepare for Sunday's Pride Parade). Afterwards I hurried up to Old Orchard Mall to a Janet Evanovich book signing! I was truly lucky to have a wonderful friend who waited in line for me so that I could make sure my first out door skate wasn't in front of 850, people.

Saturday I had my first AFSP even as the Outreach and Education Committee Co-Chair. We had our annual Bipolar and Depression Awareness Day. We had a good turn out!

And Sunday I skated with Derby Lite in Chicago's Pride Parade. It was a hot day and a long skate. But it was an awesome event to be apart of!



But the weekend also brought some heartache. Our little November had to be taken to the hospital. We learned that there was fluid in and around her lungs and her heart was four to five times too big. What this basically means is that we will probably only have another year with her. Tomorrow she goes to see the kitty cardiologist so that we can learn how to care for her for our remaining time with her and get a more specific prognosis.

That was my week in a nutshell!

AFSP Overnight 2012-San Francisco

June 9th and 10th Joe and I volunteered for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Overnight Walk in San Francisco. This was Joe's second walk and my third. As always it was an amazing experience. We met some amazing people, supported hard working walkers and helped make a difference in the stigma towards mental illness and suicide.

One of the most touching parts for me was a woman we met in the park where our Rest Stop was. When we arrived we had to clear out the park. While most of the people were upset with us, one woman was curious. She wanted to know more about us. As we continued setting up, I went over and chatted to her a bit. I wanted to thank her for understanding our need to empty out the park. While talking to her I learned that she had lost her brother to suicide in the past month. Being able to direct her to resources and plant a seed of hope meant a lot to me.

After we closed and cleaned up our Rest Stop, we made our way back to the site of the Closing Ceremony's where the Luminary bags were lining the end of the walk. The above is the one Joe decorated. I dedicated one to my struggle and another to the people who  have struggled along with me.

We are looking forward to hearing where next year's location is! *Fingers crossed for Chicago.*

2012 Garden

Last week (at least I think it was last week, my random lifestyle has my weeks all blended) my mom and I finished planting our garden. Like last year, I am taking advantage of her double lot and we are co gardening a bunch of vegetables.

Here we have asparagus (year 1), peas and some tomatoes.

kohlrabi and spinach

Peppers, broccoli and carrots

Pickles, cucumbers, zucchini and yellow squash

more tomatoes (we can them for year long use)

some green onions, but the late summer/fall home of Brussels sprouts! Yum!

Herbs. On the left is thyme, rosemary, dill, cilantro and chives. On the right is basil, parsley and sunflowers.

Cool Things About Being a Derby Girl

Here are some of the cool things about being a Derby (Lite) Girl:

1. I get emails from someone named Glass Kicker
2. I had a mouth guard container in my purse.
3. I get to exercise in a women's only class
4. I can wear polka dot shorts like its no big deal
5. It's pretty bad ass :)

It's Been Awhile

So, I have not done a lot of blogging lately. Life has been pretty hectic, so much stuff going on! First, its the last week of the semester. That translates to PROJECTS, PROJECTS, PROJECTS. At least they feel like they are all CAPS in my head. Derby has been pretty big, too. I am preparing (buying out door wheels and parade uniform) to roll in Chicago's Pride Parade. Really excited about participating in an extracurricular Derby event. Speaking of Pride, I'm still sun burnt from last years.... Also, there has been a lot of activism and volunteering to participate in. I am working with my committee to put together an AFSP Town hall and a Bipolar/Depression Awareness Day. Joe and I are also preparing for our vacation/AFSP Overnight next month. We are really looking forward to some time away from it all. So one top of all those commitments, there is also a house, two cats and a husband to take care of. I will try to get back to blogging more regularly. I miss expelling creative energy.

Meeting The Pioneer Woman

My AMAZING husband took me to Indianapolis for a Pioneer Woman book signing. He drove me all the way there, stood with me in line, and came up and shared a star struck moment with me.

We waited in line for at least three hours, and when the big moment came, I was too busy being excited to stay in the moment. But what I do remember, is how sweet she was. She took the time to have a real conversation with every body, pose for a picture and sign their books.

I am so excited to have met her! And to see that she really is as nice and funny in person.

But mostly I am grateful for my super patient, wonderful husband who would spend nine hours with me waiting for a 60 second moment. I love you Joe!

St Patrick's Day

This is always a fun holiday for me, mostly because of the time required in the kitchen. This year, like year's past, I made corned beef and cabbage (in the crock pot!), potato leak soup, and Irish soda bread. This year I also added potato leek pizza and a friend brought a yummy casserole! It was delicious! Here's the spread:

My New Office

We have a two bedroom apartment. The extra bedroom is supposed to be an office. In reality, it is Joe's man cave and my storage (for cooking appliances and books). In order for me to get a desk in there, we would have to buy new book cases, a desk and then do a whole lot of shuffling. In other words, it isn't going to happen, at least not within the next couple months when I need a desk/office area the most (classes, the extra volunteer responsibilities I took on, my crafty needs and vacation organization). So I decided that I was going to make my dining room an office as well. I usually do my work at the table, I like having the option of spreading out to organize my brain and my work. So I pulled some shelves out of the office to make my storage and am going to continue taking over the dining room table when we don't have people over. I am happy with my temporary arrangement. I believe it will get me through my spring and summer work.

2012 Garden

The past couple of weeks my mom and I began our seeds for our summer garden. And when I say mom and I, I mean mostly her. As she says, I am the busiest unemployed person....so my schedule is tricky.
Anyways, back to the plants. Mom planted: tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, yellow squash and zucchini. We will also be planting lettuce, spinach and carrots once we get outside.

Then I came over today with some herbs to plant and brussel sprouts, but that has to wait a few months before we plant them.

We plan on digging in the garden in May, and I look forward to a season of free veggies!