Whether you like us or not, we're here.
Whether you think we deserve equal rights or not, we're here.
Whether you choose to accept us or not, we're here.
We're here and we're not going away.
We are your sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers.
We teach your children and inspire them to greater things.
We are the nurse that took your temperature.
We're here and we're not going away.
We are the doctor that cared for you.
Some of you are alive because we are that organ donor that you will never know.
We stand beside you in church, holding the same bible, singing the same hymn.
We're here and we're not going away.
We scanned your groceries at the supermarket.
That great meal you just ate, one of us prepared it for you.
Your wardrobe is largely due to our ideas and labor.
We're here and we're not going away.
We arranged the bouquet your daughter held walking down the aisle at the Baptist church.
That song you can't listen to enough, one of us wrote it.
We are the actors of stage and screen that you enjoy so much.
We're here and we're not going away.
We deliver your mail.
We groom your pet.
We increase your property value by renovating houses none of you will touch.
We're here and we're not going away.
Whether you think we're sinners or not, we're here.
Whether you understand we feel the same things you do, we're here.
Whether you acknowledge our existence or not, we're here.
We're here and we're NEVER going away.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
my lists
i've had a few people ask me about the list that i keep posting about on Facebook. In all reality, it's not really that exciting or any kind of big deal whatsoever, but it's being very helpful to me so far!
Basically, my list is just a standard to do list. i keep it because i tend to do better when i have things written down in front of me. And, also, it's easy to add to the list when something pops in my head so that i don't forget it later. Typical to do list standards lol My goal is not to get everything on my list done, but just to work towards getting things on the list done at all. they can be things as simple as take out the trash, or more involved like clean out my closet (which would take days i'm afraid)
The reason i post about it on Facebook is simple. Awhile back i talked about changing up my routines. Well, one of my routines is to come home and sit at the computer for hours at a time and not get anything done, only the bare minimum. So, i've simply challenged myself to work on getting things done on my list between the time i'm done with work and 9pm. Then, after 9, i can sit at the computer for however long i like and do whatever i want. So far, it's working for me!
Good times!
Basically, my list is just a standard to do list. i keep it because i tend to do better when i have things written down in front of me. And, also, it's easy to add to the list when something pops in my head so that i don't forget it later. Typical to do list standards lol My goal is not to get everything on my list done, but just to work towards getting things on the list done at all. they can be things as simple as take out the trash, or more involved like clean out my closet (which would take days i'm afraid)
The reason i post about it on Facebook is simple. Awhile back i talked about changing up my routines. Well, one of my routines is to come home and sit at the computer for hours at a time and not get anything done, only the bare minimum. So, i've simply challenged myself to work on getting things done on my list between the time i'm done with work and 9pm. Then, after 9, i can sit at the computer for however long i like and do whatever i want. So far, it's working for me!
Good times!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Camp Bear
i had a wonderful time last weekend at Camp Bear at Timberfell in TN. It was our 4th time attending and we always enjoy it. Already have our room booked again for next year!
One of the things i really love about CB is that in some ways it truly is attending camp. Of course, obviously, Timberfell is a campground so there are tents everywhere and cabins and a lodge and such. But, i'm referring to the people. It's so nice to go back year after year and see familiar faces of staff and friends we've made over the years. It makes a very relaxed atmosphere, which after a busy work year, i can always use.
i love the fact that, unlike other bear/gay events i've been to, this one is so open and friendly. Of course, like anywhere else, there are certain groups that hang out together all the time. i don't really think of them as cliques because they are all still welcoming whenever you walk by. At least, to me they are. And there are all types of guys there. Not everyone's a bear....i'm not lol but am still made to feel part of the event.
i'll admit that i'm not aggressive socially. i never really have been. CB gives me a chance to work on that, and i did this year. i met some great people and made a few friends. Thanks to places like Facebook, i'll be able to keep up with them til next year! Of course, i didn't get around to everyone on my list, but it gives me something to work towards next year!
If you've never been to CB before, you should definitely look into going next year. It truly does have a reunion atmosphere and i, personally, cannot wait til next June! Woofs!
One of the things i really love about CB is that in some ways it truly is attending camp. Of course, obviously, Timberfell is a campground so there are tents everywhere and cabins and a lodge and such. But, i'm referring to the people. It's so nice to go back year after year and see familiar faces of staff and friends we've made over the years. It makes a very relaxed atmosphere, which after a busy work year, i can always use.
i love the fact that, unlike other bear/gay events i've been to, this one is so open and friendly. Of course, like anywhere else, there are certain groups that hang out together all the time. i don't really think of them as cliques because they are all still welcoming whenever you walk by. At least, to me they are. And there are all types of guys there. Not everyone's a bear....i'm not lol but am still made to feel part of the event.
i'll admit that i'm not aggressive socially. i never really have been. CB gives me a chance to work on that, and i did this year. i met some great people and made a few friends. Thanks to places like Facebook, i'll be able to keep up with them til next year! Of course, i didn't get around to everyone on my list, but it gives me something to work towards next year!
If you've never been to CB before, you should definitely look into going next year. It truly does have a reunion atmosphere and i, personally, cannot wait til next June! Woofs!
Monday, May 27, 2013
recipe of the week - easy fruit pie
i love this recipe because it's easy and tasty. i've been making it for years. When i was young, one of my parents' friends, Pat Herrell, use to make this and bring it over for dinners with us. i fell in love with this pie and she wrote out the recipe for me. Sadly, i was still too young to read cursive handwriting so she got her son to type it out for me and i still use that recipe card to this day.
Fruit Fluff
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can fruit cocktail, drained
1 small can of crushed pineapple, drained
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 carton (9 oz) cool whip
Mix all ingredients and pour into 2 graham cracker pie crusts
Enjoy!
Fruit Fluff
1 can cherry pie filling
1 can fruit cocktail, drained
1 small can of crushed pineapple, drained
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 carton (9 oz) cool whip
Mix all ingredients and pour into 2 graham cracker pie crusts
Enjoy!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
memories and food
Memories and food seem to go hand in hand. At least, for me they do. So many great memories i have from growing up seem to revolve around food, the dinner table and the kitchen. When i was growing up, we always ate dinner at the dinner table at the kitchen. I really can't remember ever sitting in front of the tv for dinner, unless i was sick and then they'd let me do that. But every night it was family time to sit around and eat dinner and converse about the day.
Washing dishes also holds alot of great memories for me. i don't know why, but so many good conversations in my life were held at the sink. My Grandmother would tell me wonderful stories from her past and childhood while we washed dishes together. It was never a chore to me, just something to do as we talked. Of course, the fact that i also loved the dishes i was washing didn't hurt either LOL
And food holds good memories as well. As i'm really relearning to utilize our kitchen, i'm having the greatest time going thru old family recipe books and cards. Many of the recipes i don't remember having, but have enjoyed making. i especially enjoy the handwritten recipe cards. There's just something about seeing Mom's or Grandmother's handwriting that is special to me. And some of the recipes i make of theirs actually turn out like i remember them to be, which is also a perk.
But it's when they all come together in the present that it's the best for me. Having a few friends over last night for hot dogs was great. Nothing extraordinary in the kitchen, needless to say, but it was still a great time. Mom's hot dog chili and baked beans, Aunt Jan's potato salad recipe, Bobbie Yandle's lemon ice cream pie. Using Mom's china, my Great Grandmother Bivens' potato salad bowl, my Aunt Sara's cole slaw bowl. Might as well use the things if i have them and create new memories. And it's nice to include the past with friends who aren't even aware of it.
Ah, well....on to more dinners soon!
Washing dishes also holds alot of great memories for me. i don't know why, but so many good conversations in my life were held at the sink. My Grandmother would tell me wonderful stories from her past and childhood while we washed dishes together. It was never a chore to me, just something to do as we talked. Of course, the fact that i also loved the dishes i was washing didn't hurt either LOL
And food holds good memories as well. As i'm really relearning to utilize our kitchen, i'm having the greatest time going thru old family recipe books and cards. Many of the recipes i don't remember having, but have enjoyed making. i especially enjoy the handwritten recipe cards. There's just something about seeing Mom's or Grandmother's handwriting that is special to me. And some of the recipes i make of theirs actually turn out like i remember them to be, which is also a perk.
But it's when they all come together in the present that it's the best for me. Having a few friends over last night for hot dogs was great. Nothing extraordinary in the kitchen, needless to say, but it was still a great time. Mom's hot dog chili and baked beans, Aunt Jan's potato salad recipe, Bobbie Yandle's lemon ice cream pie. Using Mom's china, my Great Grandmother Bivens' potato salad bowl, my Aunt Sara's cole slaw bowl. Might as well use the things if i have them and create new memories. And it's nice to include the past with friends who aren't even aware of it.
Ah, well....on to more dinners soon!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
recipe of the week - Hershey Bar Cake
This is one of my favorite desserts! I use to make for Jennifer back in our college days! It's pretty easy, but tastes wonderful.
1 box of devil's food cake mix
1 small box of instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs (or 3 large eggs)
2 cups of milk
1 cup of oil
Beat eggs, add oil and milk. Then add cake mix and pudding. Pour into three 9-inch cake pans. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Cool cakes.
Icing:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
Mix ingredients above until thoroughly blended, then add:
8 ounces of Cool Whip
1/2 cup of Hershey's Chocolate candy bars, chopped (approx. 3 bars)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Frost cake and keep refrigerated.
1 box of devil's food cake mix
1 small box of instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs (or 3 large eggs)
2 cups of milk
1 cup of oil
Beat eggs, add oil and milk. Then add cake mix and pudding. Pour into three 9-inch cake pans. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. Cool cakes.
Icing:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
Mix ingredients above until thoroughly blended, then add:
8 ounces of Cool Whip
1/2 cup of Hershey's Chocolate candy bars, chopped (approx. 3 bars)
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Frost cake and keep refrigerated.
Money
Money seems to be the root of most problems these days. Well, lack of money seems to be the root of most problems these days. We are far from destitute, but spare cash still isn't something that we have excess of for sure. In some ways we're doing better financially than we use to. The rent we pay on our house is much more than what we paid for the apartment, but we're still managing to survive pretty well. Maybe we're spending less on other things because that money isn't there like it use to be. We love the house tho, and have no plans on leaving it any time soon!
I think I just need to come up with a better financial plan for myself. I've never been good with money and I've got to learn how to be. Sadly, I get my penchant for spending from my Mom and didn't get Dad's thriftiness! Oh well.
Any ideas on how to go about this? Suggestions would be most helpful. I have no intentions of getting a 2nd job, mind you. We have precious little time of our own as it is. I know I need to make a list of my debts, and Michael's plus our expenditures. That will be a good start for sure.
A financial plan will also help me in not flaking out and making myself really follow through with things. I tend to do that alot, not follow through. We shall see.
I think I just need to come up with a better financial plan for myself. I've never been good with money and I've got to learn how to be. Sadly, I get my penchant for spending from my Mom and didn't get Dad's thriftiness! Oh well.
Any ideas on how to go about this? Suggestions would be most helpful. I have no intentions of getting a 2nd job, mind you. We have precious little time of our own as it is. I know I need to make a list of my debts, and Michael's plus our expenditures. That will be a good start for sure.
A financial plan will also help me in not flaking out and making myself really follow through with things. I tend to do that alot, not follow through. We shall see.
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