Black Friday Shopping

Who went shopping on Black Friday?  Not me!

It's never too early to get your strategy for next year.

Thanksgiving Breakfast

We made a breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls to eat while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Loved it!

The cinnamon rolls were really, really, really good. Way better than the cinnamon rolls in the pop tube.

Friendsgiving 2014

The good news is no one died from food poisoning. The bad news is I forgot to take pictures until after we had already begun to eat. We ended up with a total of 6 adults and a baby. The turkey turned out to be really good and really easy.

More Pre-Friendsgiving

You know it's a classy party when you get Johnboy & Billy('s) Southern Sweet Tea.
Fancy!
 (Apparently these people have some sort of radio show)

Pre-Friendsgiving 2014

The new word this year is Friendsgiving.  In case you can't figure it out, it's Thanksgiving dinner with Friends instead of Family.

HAPPY

FRIENDSGIVING

Where everyone gets to sit at the adult table!

As previously posted I'm "cooking" dinner for 7 other people.  Now it's down to 6 since we had some one bail due to the weather.  Totally cool.  At least this way she won't die from food poisoning.  And one less beach chair I'd have to set out since I don't have enough seating for 8 people.

Banana Pudding is done
Macaroni Salad is done
Mac n Cheese is in the crockpot
Turkey is in the oven

All that's left is green beans, gravy, rolls, and the mashed potatoes (which some one else is bringing)

I think I'm due for a bottle eh..... glass of wine.


I'll keep you posted on the drunken shenanigans as the evening goes on.....   Wish me luck!

Let it snow bitches

Not a whole lot but still pretty and enough to make me happy.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

First (teeny tiny) snow storm predicted for tomorrow.  Trace to 3 inches potentially more depending on the track of the system.  I LOVE snow and I don't give a shit how much we get.  I just want to see some snow!  Almost everyone has said the acorns and caterpillars are indicating that we will have a very snowy winter.  I may be moving next year and this will be my last winter here so it better go out with a BANG!

According to this handy picture I found on the internet, it states the smaller the band on the caterpillar the more severe winter we'll have.  I haven't seen any caterpillars to be able to make my own assumption on how harsh this winter will be.

I didn't find any educational pictures on the internet to show how acorns can predict the weather.  So we'll just have to find a caterpillar.  Where can I find one?

Where are you?  Have you gotten any snow yet?  If so, how much?  Do you like snow?

Why do I do this to myself?

In a previous post I let you guys know that I can't cook.  Not entirely true as I can cook enough to get by without us eating out everyday.  Well, since we don't have family close by anymore and we are not able to travel, I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner for us.........and 5 additional people.  First it was just us and the roommate.  Then another, and another, and another until we got up to a total of 8 fucking people!  Yes, this situation has brought out the F-word.  What the fuck was I thinking????  Obviously, I wasn't.  I apologize in advance to the people who will be joining us.  I'm thinking of having a disclaimer already printed for them to sign as soon as they walk in to the house, stating that they will not hold me accountable should they get food poisoning and die.

I can't cook!  Why would I even volunteer to cook for other people?  The only reason I can think of insanity.  Yeah, that's it!  Go ahead...lock me up.....then I won't have to cook.  Yay!  But can I bring my wine?

We are having....

Turkey (in it's own bag, I don't have to do anything other than put it in the oven and then take it out)

Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Mac n' Cheese (crockpot)

Macaroni Salad (specifically requested)

Rolls

Banana Pudding (specifically requested otherwise I would have just bought a pie)

Is it sacrilegious not to have pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving?

I'll be having wine for dinner.  And lots of it.

Are you cooking Thanksgiving dinner?  For how many people and what's on the menu?

Daytime TV Cooking Segments

I watch The Talk (a daytime talk show) during my lunch. It's either that or judge shows. I'll take 5 funny ladies, one of them a lesbian (Sara Gilbert), over down-trotted people looking stupid on TV arguing over a damaged $5 heirloom. (No offense to anyone who has been on one of those shows.) I have 2 problems with the show.
1. Why do we have to watch 20 minutes of the guest coming out and hugging all the hosts? Seriously, it doesn't need to take that long. Why not have them already out and sitting with the table. Then you'd have more time to talk with them.

And finally, what this post is supposed to be about...

2. The Cooking Segment. Cooking segments on talk shows are pointless. A. They rush through them so quickly and in less than 2 minutes there's a fully cooked meal on the table. That's not realistic. Fast food isn't even that quick. B. Stop making shit with ingredients I've never heard of or can't pronounce. What the hell are Cipollini onions and why would I buy an entire jar of pickled jalapenos for one recipe? Why can't you show me how to bake chicken or fry an egg?

Obviously I can't cook and I hate cooking. I'm always afraid I'm going to send someone to the hospital. Here are just a few of my cooking, kitchen, eating quirks...


I don't cook meat. Well, that's now quite true. I can shake'n'bake chicken and pork chops. If you want any other kind of meat at my house some one else better be cooking. The only exception is the CrockPot. I am really good at CrocPot cooking. Turkey Chili (meat cooked by someone else) and Chicken'n'dumplings are about it.
The lighting in my kitchen sucks so much that we can never tell if the above mentioned chicken and pork chops are completely done. Quite often we eat burnt pork chops jut because that way we know it's done.
I'm really good at burning dinner.
Generally I don't like to eat what I'm cooking.
I seriously wash my hands a million times. I guess I am that afraid of salmonella and my dislike of being dirty.
I do not use or eat anything past the expiration date. Nope. Not. Gonna. Do. It. I think this stems from drinking an expired and spoiled carton of milk in elementary school. I also don't drink milk because of that.

Sleeping Beauty is even less talented in the kitchen that I am. I will credit her with cooking ground turkey for me and she can grill. Otherwise, she seriously has to read the cooking directions on a can of green beans.

I'm cooking Thanksgiving this year. And by cooking I mean warming a turkey that has already been made. Let's hope I don't burn the house down.






How are your cooking skills? What kind of cook are you?

TGIF

It's Friday Pumpkin!  My weekend ahead and be summed up by this someecard.

Things I'm into

So with a new blog comes new readers.  You guys don't know me (and I don't know you).  Here's what's going on in my life these days....

School.......one more semester and then I'm done.  Accounting 2 and Financial Management.  Yech!

Movies:  The entire Harry Potter Series, The Hunger Games Series (I just saw Mockingjay Part 1 last night-the jury is still out on whether I liked it or not), The Divergent Series.

TV:   I don't have cable so I watch the local channels and Netflix, hence the reason I watch a lot of movies.  The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Dateline, and a little SNL if I can stay up that late.

Food:  I'm a big girl.  I like food!  Wait, I love food!  My favorite these days are the Hook and Ladder Lite from Firehouse Subs (tomatoes and regular mayo only) and pistachios. I can not stop eating pistachios.  They actually aren't that bad for you except for the salt and I just can't eat  unsalted pistachios.  NO.

Books:  I LOVE to read but I've got too much going on for me to be able to read for pleasure.  But my favorite two will always be The Bell Jar and The Last Lecture.

Work.  School.  Blog.  Food.  TV.  Movies.  That about sums me up.  Super exciting, I know.

Ellen and Rebel Wilson

The Pitch Perfect 2 movie trailer came out today and I can't wait until May 15th to see it!  Rebel Wilson is one of the many talented stars of the Pitch Perfect franchise.  I LOVE Rebel Wilson.  She could make death funny.  Rebel guested on The Ellen Show this week and this is what happened!

Homophobia

Listography - My top 5 Favorite YouTube Videos

I don't get on to YouTube often but when I do I find the sweetest, smartest, craziest, weirdest, stuff.  In true Listography style below are my Top 5 Favorite YouTube Videos, in no particular order.




Coming out of your closet - Ash Beckham - TedxBoulder
  While she does talk a bit about coming out of the closet this video is about coming out of your own personal closet and facing your fears.  Really great message

Ladies Looking
  A group of ladies read real messages from Grindr, SCRUFF, and Growlr.  If you aren't familiar with the previous mentioned websites, here's a warning, they are for gay men.  At least I think that's what they are.  Second warning...there is foul language.  My thoughts?  1.  Hands down one of the funniest things I've ever seen.  2.  Do guys really talk like that to each other?  3.  Who doesn't know who Tim Curry is?  And there is a sequel.  Enjoy!

Bad Lip Reading - The NFL
       Exactly what it says.  And they have a sequel. "I want cake now!"

Grandma's Smoking Weed for the First Time
     Again exactly what it says.  HIGH-LARIOUS!  What game are they playing?!

Gay Women Discuss the Holidays
    Shopping, receiving gifts, spending time with family, holiday dinner, and dressing up your cat.

Well, no that you've spent the last 45 minutes watching My Top 5 Favorite YouTube Videos feel free to comment and tell me some of your favorites!

Listography

LIST
As a noun
1.A number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other.
2.An instance of a ship leaning over in such a way.
3.Desire; inclination: "I have little list to write".

We all make lists. Some mentally, some written down, some written down and color coded or categorized in a neat little file box.

Some lists are part of a game (Remember that HOUSE game we used to play as kids where you listed a whole bunch of stuff and it was supposed to determine who we would marry, what kind of job we would have, what kind of car we would drive, and what kind of house we would live in-if only life were that simple). Some lists are quick and easy reminders (Dry cleaners, Car wash, Library). Some lists are embarrassing (Now who did I contract these crabs from?-and no I am not speaking from experience). Some lists are complex (Cutting people from a guest list is no easy task). And some lists are emotional (which reminds me I should probably start a will, even though I have nothing of value, I want to make sure my stamp collection goes to my Uncle Smitty-Just kidding, I don't have a stamp collection or an Uncle Smitty).

Lately my lists consist of boring things like items to be done at work, errands I need to run, people I need to send cards to, and even groceries.

Any way they are made and regardless of their topic....they are out there and everybody makes them.

Kate Takes 5 used to host a weekly List feature that I participated in. I know she is super busy and may not be completing this feature every week.  u I kind of like the idea so I'll be completing at least 1 new list each week (if I'm bored maybe more).  Each list will be 5 items on a certain topic.  There may be more that I would like to add but 5's a good base number.

If you have a suggestion for a list? Let me know!

Taking a step

Taken from HERE.

Lady

Yes, I am a lady.  With boobs and ovaries to prove it.

Not only am I a lady, I'm a lazy lady.  I don't do my hair (unless it's for some special event and usually not even then), I rarely wear dresses (weddings and Halloween), and I randomly wear make-up (usually if we go out at night).  While I do shave my legs I loathe it.  So much work and energy in to something that's just going to grow back in a couple of hours.

I do however like a good manicure (real nails, short, and rounded).

Gay

Yes, I'm gay.  I like the ladies.

The first girl I ever dated was in the Summer of 1998.

Most people know.  Work, family, friends, etc.  It's nothing that I hide from anyone (now).

I've had 3 relationships since 2001.

Relationship 1 was off and on for 10 years.   It was pretty f'ed up how it ended, and it seriously crushed me.  It was very complicated.  A few attempts were made to salvage the relationship but in the end I just couldn't do it.  My heart had been completely broken and no matter how hard either one of us tried my heart and our relationship couldn't be mended.  I still care about her well being.  After 10 years how could I not?  Plus, she has custody of the dogs we had together.  Thankfully, I am still able to see the pups when it's convenient for both parties.  She has found a new love.  I'm glad for her and I hope they make each other happy. (I seriously don't mean that in a bitchy way at all.)

Relationship 2 was off and on for 9 or 10 months.  It was passionate but in constant turmoil.  I can't blame it all on her, some of it was my fault.  I was indecisive and unsure.  She was accusatory and explosive.  It did not end well at all.  All ties were severed, and we have had absolutely no contact.

Relationship 3 is the one I am in now.  She will be referred to as T.  We met online in February 2013, We lived about 3 hours apart and spent our days off driving back and forth to see one another.  The driving got old and she eventually moved in with me.

As for relationships I am devoted.  I have NEVER cheated on anyone.  EVER.  And NEVER will.  I've been cheated on and I know how it feels.  I would never inflict that kind of pain on anyone.  I am mature enough to speak up before acting, and honestly I wouldn't put myself in that kind of situation anyway.  That's just not me.

Crazy

Yes, I'm crazy. Papers and prescriptions to prove it.  I don't mean to make light of it but some times you kind of have to.  Or at least that's how I cope with it.  No one really likes to talk about their mental illness.  It's not fun admitting that you are weak and need help.  But, one of my doctors put it this way.....  Mental health is a valid illness.  Just like a diabetic has to take insulin, Bi-Polar patients have to take medications too.

Officially I wasn't diagnosed with Bi-polar until 1997.  But, looking back at my teenage years I can remember having all these sad and self-loathing feelings as well as self-harm, but I didn't know what to do with them, nor did I know they weren't normal.  It wasn't until 1997, while I was a freshman year at college, that I was diagnosed as being Bi-Polar.  One thing led to another and there was a suicide attempt followed by a short stay in a mental hospital.  Over the last  17 odd years (Oh god, has it been that long?) I've battled with mostly depressive episodes with a mixed episode or two (I'm very rarely manic), and some self harm as well.  Due to a devastating personal event I completely fell apart in late 2011.  In 2013 I was also diagnosed with Personality Disorder Cluster C.  Cluster C is avoidancy, dependency, and obsessive compulsive personality (similar but not to be confused with OCD).   Click HERE to see what Dr. Wikipedia has to say about it.

With lots of therapy and medications I am doing loads better.  Currently I take medications that seem to be working well.  That's not to say all symptoms and thoughts are gone, but they are manageable.  I am a work in progress.

Bi-Polar disorder is not curable, so I'm just going to have to manage it for the rest of my life.  I've come to terms with it and I am in a really good place now.

Enough with the seriousness!

3 rules of Real

As uncomfortable as it is for me, I'm just going to put myself out there and be me.  Real.  Direct.  Uncensored.   Of course names and places may be changed to protect the guilty...I mean innocent, but please know that you are getting me.  All of me.  You may not like it, and that's ok.  You don't have to.  That's what makes us all different and unique.  It's my story, not yours.

So if I'm really going to put myself out there I've got to follow the 3 rules:
1.  Be Authentic - Be yourself
2.  Be Direct - Rip the band aid off and just say it
3.  Be Unapologetic - Speak your truth and never apologize for it

Numero Uno

Post Number one...

I never know how to start these things.  I'm essentially talking to myself, which is not uncommon, so I don't know why this is so hard.

I've blogged before but I never felt like I had a niche or purpose.  I know, I know, you don't have to have a niche to blog, but I felt like I was out there in no man's land just typing away with no purpose and no readers.  This time is a little different.  I'm using ME as my niche.  Something, for whatever reason, I had never considered.  I'm a lesbian, in a relationship, and I have a mental illness.  3 awesome niche's.  All, right there, inside of me.

Crazy
Gay

Lady

And I'm sure, a whole bunch of other crap too!

Knowing me, there will be plenty of other hilarious mishaps in my life 
that I will write about to keep you (hopefully) entertained.  

Of course I am more than the above mentioned descriptors.  I'm a daughter, sister, mom to fur babies, boss, employee, student, traveler, partner, and friend.  

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please don't hesitate to let me know.  And to all you lurky loo's let me know you are reading!  I won't bite, unless you want me to.

Now, on with the show!