Black? Red? Pink? Nude? Nope- NAKED!

If you're on the world wide Internets and have indulged in Facebook today, I'm sure you wondered why there was a giant color wheel all over status central. Well Boys- you weren't alone. Girls who weren't clued in wanted to know too!

Messages spread like mad to the female Facebook population about posting their bra color. The task: Just post the color. No explanation needed. Why? To support Breast Cancer and perhaps raise some eyebrows in hopes of increasing awareness. Simple enough, right?!

While you were wondering what the Hell your girlfriend was talking about when she put up white and in-training- I was reading an array of status updates. First and foremost- 85% of you ladies are wearing nude bras. I'm shocked about that actually. Secondly- some of you girls need to sweeten it up for your men... just saying.

What was that you asked? What was I wearing? While I will buy anything in black, and force myself to wear nude every now and then, and while I love love love my reds- I posted the word: Naked. If you're an avid reader you'll know that I was cut open on November 2, 2009 to extract a 7mm "pea of doom" as I've recently dubbed the little asshole. On November 12, 2009 I got my results back. Benign. Unfortunately, I'll fall into the "naked" status until my ::hopefully:: last post operation appointment at the end of February. It seems that like EVERYTHING that ends up cutting me open, both figuratively and literally, I take a while to heal. Since the wound is still fresh in my heart and in my head- I wasn't about to hold back and be shy about posting "naked" to show my feelings and unconditional support.

I'd like to thank all the women who posted- even if it was just to make your boyfriend wonder what you were up to. I'd like to thank the men who let it drive them crazy and who then retaliated and posted their boxer colors. You at least made me laugh.

But... I'd like to ask all the women who made a big stink out of it to wake the Hell up! Yes, it was a forward act of awareness. But you girls, especially northern girls, are used to the brash and the blunt lifestyle. You've got no gripes dropping the "C-Bomb" when your best friend pisses you off. You've never cared who you've offended when you walked into a room of your friends and said "what's up whores?" But posting a simple color is somehow offensive? Weird. Especially since those that were posting were doing so in support for something that can claim us all. How dare we do such a thing!!!

Well snobby girls- stuff your bras with this: 4 days after I found out my tumor was benign I came across this article: Mammogram Age Pushed Back to 50. Excuse me? With all of the mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, cousins, and best friends dying of Breast Cancer you want to PUSH BACK mammogram testing? Oh... I'm sorry- you didn't know they were going to do this? Oh... so you weren't AWARE that they were planning on pushing back testing by 10 years. I'm not a rocket scientist but it doesn't take a flipping genius to know how long 10 years is. I had my lump-tastic experience at 27 years old. So you're saying you think I should wait until I'm 50 to take see if I'm lump free? I didn't invent the Internet but are you saying women aren't being attacked by breast cancer until the age of 50? I'm sure my friend Google would disagree.

Here's the deal: I've got views just like the rest of us. Maybe this is just one of them. But I've also got this thing called a backbone and I'd do whatever it takes to support a cause that means a lot to me. No one says you have to post a color to show your support. I agree that it's not for everyone. But you sure as Hell shouldn't run your mouth with negative comments about those who did want to show support that way. So you'll shake what your mama gave ya in your "Feel Your Boobies" skin tight t-shirt but gasp in horror at the post: pink with black polka dots?? Really?! Move over, Bitches- we ain't got time for hypocrites like YOU. We've got a race to win...

Peace Out 2009

"The broken clock is a comfort.

It helps me sleep tonight.

Maybe it can stop tomorrow,

from stealing all my time. "

- Lifehouse "Broken"

Disclaimer: As you've recently read, I am a big celebrator of life. I love to laugh, smile, sing in the car, be with the people I love and soak up every aspect of life. With that said- F Off 2009! GOOD RIDDANCE! This blog is not to whine and cry about a horrible year but is to inspire a better year to come.

You know- 2009 started off as the best year EVER! I found myself on a cruise ship outside of St. Thomas as the magical ball dropped in NYC, kissing 2008 away and kissing 2009 hello. Honestly, the best New Years I've ever experienced. Two thousand and nine was going to be great- I had visions of private practice, homeowner-ship, offers to research therapy products, moving trucks, travel, a growing relationship, family coming to visit, and every awesome second that I got to spend with those I care for! I couldn't wait!

Then I got my ass dumped the weekend before Valentine's Day. No one wants the girl next door- they say they do but most want some spontaneous sparkly bombshell of a girl who they can barely hold onto. Which is fine- we all deserve to get what we want. Even though I lack spark and blinding sparkle- I make up for that in personality and overall fucking amazing. As you read on you'll find some recanted statements from a few men... HA!

Anyway- pack up and move on. As I've said before- Accept.Adapt.Overcome. And for the most part I did. Started dating again, made some great new friends, and really got a chance to explore Charleston now that I wasn't away every weekend. My family came to visit and I'm pretty sure they couldn't understand why I love this city so much but I feel the same way about Massachusetts so we're even.

As you know, about 2.5-3 months of dating Mr. Awesome he decides its completely normal to run off and elope with a girl he's known 2 weeks. Again- she's a model and total party girl. See- BLINDING sparkly and a roller coaster. EVERYONE wants a roller coaster ride. Not me. Good Luck. And still I sit here and wonder... Canoe vs. Kayak?

So my contract was up at work and I had already declined to move to Greenville, SC to work for some heavy hitters so I took the offer to work at my same location for the following year. I figured that I'd be ready for anything given my previous year of legal issues and exploding cases. Ha. I was wrong. I applied for my national certification, my C's (aka the Golden Ticket), then applied for my state license. Apparently my "interpretation" of the date I started at wasn't the same "interpretation" that the state had in mind. I was given a "choice" of fraud or illegally seeing clients. Both of which are against my code of ethics and that I'd be stripped of both my state license and national certification, translation: I'd never be able to work again in the United States again if after my hearing they took my certifications etc. So what did I do? Called my last boyfriends Law Firm... and hung up. Then I called again... and hung up again. Got together with some friends that have grown to be more like family, Austin and Katie, and poured out my situation to them. Katie had the same "rip the roof" off mentality I had. Austin on the other hand told me to stop being such a northerner and sweet talk them and write as many apology letters as possible before calling The Law Firm and actually speaking to someone. I was also advised to stop calling and hanging up on people because "it's rude." So I took the "Austin Road" and wanted to throw up with humiliation the whole way. But- he was right, it was all "a big misunderstanding." Which it was, after all, a misinterpretation of dates. Lesson Learned: If you can lose your license/certification over a date then imagine what else you can lose it over. I document EVERYTHING. Even how many stickers I give out...

Work roller coaster ended and I was happy to get off that sucker. It was time to get ready for Melissa's wedding extravaganza! Lots of events were coming up in the next few months so I had to buckle down. Woke up one morning ready to tackle the world and felt a lump on my breast. The "this can't be happening" moment was lost with my stubbornness to carry on as if nothing was wrong. Others lives were growing out of control with happiness and mine was drowning in negative events. Scheduled my lump removal for the first week of November so that I could concentrate on all of the wedding excitement.

Like I've said... September is my worst month! Grr.

Woke up the morning of Melissa's wedding, for lack of a better explanation, paralyzed. I had a sharp, paralyzing pain shooting from behind my ear and down my neck. So painful that I was seeing stars and passing out. I take pain well, and you'll agree if you've ever seen my tattoo. After some excruciating moments I made it to the chapel, doped up on painkillers, and was able to party the night away. The next morning it took me about 2 hours to get out of bed. To the Emergency Room I go. Do they find anything? No, but they gave me some great painkillers. After seeing what I thought was a specialist- I'm told that my vertebrae is literally crushing nerves and that its crazy that I've gone this long without pain. After FREAKING out I decided to go for a second opinion which has recently unveiled that there is nothing wrong with my spine. Phew.

Had my "lump" removed. Benign. Had my stitches removed. And that's all I'm going to say for now. Where is an ambulance chaser when you need one? Document, Document, Document! Cool Fact- I have been wearing a band aid since November 2, 2009. BEAT THAT NELLY!!! The other cool fact is TMI for the manly readers of this blog. But I am FINALLY starting to heal and grow scar tissue. Ugly scar tissue- but it's growing and has pretty much fully closed. I have decided to give up my extracurricular streaking as I am kind of self conscious about my scar. Sorry Boys.

There is no need to get into my horrible flight experiences of 2009 since at this point I think its honestly ME that attracts such events. But I did have to have an in-depth eye exam yesterday. This summer I got my eyes examined for the first time since 2001 and my doctor noticed that I have a very large optic nerve which is a red flag for Glaucoma patients. This meant nothing to me but I scheduled a specialty appointment anyway. Well, I finally went to that appointment. After failing a visual fields test twice and almost identically, very large pupils, measuring my optic nerve, and taking pictures it looks like I'm going blind. (This is my diagnosis). I have been assured and promised that I won't go blind because we'll monitor this and watch the transformation of my optic nerve and friends every few months. During the first sign of changing I'll go on drops that allegedly prevent the total blindness that my optic nerve is headed towards. This is something common in patients over 60. I just turned 27. I blame 2009 for this.

In closing I'd like to tie back in with my first "woe is me" paragraph. The girl next door. None of you want her until you wake up one day and realize that's all you've ever really wanted. That you were too cool for school and thought the sequined covered roller coaster ride was a life long bundle of joy. You didn't take into account that drunken fights at 2am in the middle of the street weren't so sparkly. That someone who is off their rocker wouldn't be someone you'd want to raise your children. No, you didn't think about how there is just no depth and heart to that glitter covered girl. You were too wrapped up in the games and stupidly mesmerized by the chase. So what do you do? You call the girl next door, 3 years later, and tell her you've made a mistake and she's "the one that got away." Well- we've already known this. We always have. And you're a fool for waiting 3 years to say something you knew after you let the words "goodbye" leave your mouth.

Peace Out 2009.

Stay Tuned for my 2010 Resolutions and Life List contributions! I'm soooo excited to post a written list of goals, hopes, and dreams to work towards! Especially after this post! As much as this post sounds full of spite its more of a way to let go of 2009 and its heartaches and to close the door behind me. Thank you to those I love who have picked me up, made me laugh, and helped to heal my soul with every speed bump, road block, or train wreck. All of my perfect moments in 2009 were thanks to you. All my love, all the time. Always Always.

"In the pain...there is healing."

-Lifehouse

Fight for Your Life...Every.Single.Day...

...Even if you aren't losing it.

"...Troubles they may come and go

But good times, they're the gold.

Just steady as we go..."

Dave Matthews Band

Part I

I don't think there is a person in the world who didn't once upon a time feel invincible. Myself included, I have walked through life doing the same old "it can't happen to me" dance as I play in traffic. Whether you've run away from home in the middle of the night, jumped off the monkey bars, ate cat food, or rode your "Tricycle of Doom" off a cliff in an attempt to fly- we've all felt invincible.

I've heard stories, from those I love, about the moment they felt that magical invincibility cape slip off. Still, like an idiot, I walked around feeling more aware of the dangers of life but not feeling any close brushes with the casualties of it all.

Everyday we wake up in SHOCK that our alarm is going off. Pissed off that it's Monday. Enraged that there's traffic. Upset that there's no coffee. Frustrated with our Blackberry's screaming off all the tasks we've got to do for that day. Wait... in SHOCK that our alarm is going off? Or in shock that we've made it another day? You mean you don't wake up happy? Happy that you've woken up?

Then one day I woke up. It was September- notably the worst month in my 26 years of existence. I wasn't in shock from my alarm clock going off. I wasn't pissed it was Monday. And my Blackberry was just a noise in the background of the sound of my heart pounding. I felt something. Something hard. Something I was trained to check for. Something that I knew didn't belong. Something that couldn't happen to me. For the rest of the day I pretended like this "something" was nothing. For those of you who don't personally know me- I WILL call 911 if there is a splinter under my skin- I have a PHOBIA of things sitting in me that don't belong. I got home from work and Googled my brains out. I woke up a million times that night talking myself out of this paranoia. Then I truly woke up. Made an appointment for this strange "bump" on my Tata behind a mole. After a rushed appointment- a date and time was set to remove this unwelcome part of me.

The first thing I did? Nothing. I didn't tell anyone. Not my parents, my sister, my brother or my best friend. I let them know I was getting a mole removed but that was the extent of it. Selfish? Maybe- but I had to do some serious thinking on my own before my thoughts were crowded with other peoples fears. The first thing I decided was that I'd be fine. No matter what happens- I'd be fine. The second thing I decided was that I wouldn't tell anyone of my lumps existence until it was out of my body. My third decision was that if my biopsy comes back malignant then a double mastectomy it is. Pardon my French but I don't fuck around. I'm a few weeks shy of 27 and not only single but haven't come CLOSE to finding "the one" so CLEARLY these babies haven't been carrying their own weight anyway! After some research I did find that it wasn't absolutely necessary or needed for me to excommunicate the girls. But still...

So after I played bridesmaid in my dear friend Melissa's wedding and strutted my tiger stuff around Savannah- I went under the knife. I remember when we were in the bridal suite, Melissa, kept fearing the nervous pee syndrome. I sat in the waiting room and went to the little girls room 5 times before they brought me into my room. As I sat in my skimpy little half cloth, half paper outfit on the cold table I thought- This is just fan-fucking-tastic. In here, literally freezing my boobs off, about to possibly dive straight into Hell. I will never forget the sound my pea sized lump made when it hit the pan. If my educational background wasn't so physics enriched I'd have thought you could hear that thud across the world. It was the sound of my invincibility cape falling to the ground. It was the sound of time stopping. Life halting. In the same breath it was the sound of freedom from this evil thing that had taken up space in my body- uninvited.

As the doctor singed "bleeders" and sewed me up, I realized I had new decisions to make now that this demon was gone from my body. She began to say that they'd have the biopsy results in 7 days and that no decisions would be made until then. I decided she was already wrong. I had 7 days of waiting. I could sit around coming apart at the seams or I could live my life as I normally would doing the things that make me happy. I chose to take a deep breath, put on a Snoopy Band aid, and be as normal and happy as possible. If the results came back cancer free, GREAT! I'll have just lived my life as I would any other day. If the results came back that the lump was indeed life altering- those were the last normal 7 days of my life. Ever. This was important to Me. So I asked the doctor to see what came out of Me. She chuckled and showed me. I asked her how many stitches she gave me. She smiled and said 13. I said that 13 is a good sign, it's my favorite number. I made my appointment to get my sutures removed. Friday, November 13th. I laughed and smiled. My 27th birthday.

After telling those I love of the news I got mixed reactions. Some angry that I didn't tell them, some shocked that I was able to participate in recent events, and some who freaked out for me. The first few days went fine. By the 11th day of my "7 days" of waiting- I was about to explode. I look in the mirror and want to cry. I look at the ugly developing scar and feel as though I can't breathe. Where is my biopsy?! Finally on Day 11, the day before my Birthday, I got the news. My evil pea sized lump was benign. And then I allowed myself to cry.

Part of me feels guilty for writing this blog. Guilty because I still sit here rattled by the whole event. I sit here looking at my tube of Mederma, dying to go ahead and use it. I sit here and tear up over the thought of this hideous scar on a part of my body that MAKES me a woman. That makes me a BEAUTIFUL woman. I sit here, guilty, for ever feeling invincible.

Part II

I've recently been playing email tag with a new pal and made mention of how important I think it is to fight for your life. I was asked who I aspire to be like- famous, fiction, TV, movie star etc. I racked my brain to think of who I would want to be like. After naming off a selection of people both in the public eye, and in my heart, I explained myself. I don't want to go a day without fighting for my life. I never just want to be the type of person that just sits there and watches my life go by. Just because we're not sitting here dying of a demon or disease doesn't mean we shouldn't be doing everything in our power to fight for our life and make it OURS. I have many sayings that get me through trying times. One is: Accept. Adapt. Overcome. This is a process that I use when trying to get through the harder things my heart is faced with. The other important one is My B's! Don't Bend, Break, or Back Down. I do not, will not, cannot participate in any action of those 3 words. I found myself repeating these 2 sayings throughout those 11 long days. I was ready to do whatever I needed to do to ensure a long and happy life. And I don't see why any other normal day should be different.

To those who read this and have had similar events occur in their life. Be it close calls or actual life crises- I applaud you. For reading through, for fighting, for being here, for smiling, and for everything else you do to fill your days. I've known a few people in my life who have had combinations of difficult childhoods, lost parents, or had something life altering happen to them at a young age. I've heard from many of them that the day they lost their invincibility cape was the day they realized they didn't know how to live their lives. That their perception and overall understanding on how life works was then warped and altered significantly. I realize my experience is minimal and nothing in comparison to the experiences of the strong men and women that I speak of. However, I do know that we've all fought. Whether it was with chemo, in counseling, through rehab, or like me in waiting. No one knows how to live their life. No one. You can travel the world, run off and get married, work your heart out, make millions, shut yourself in your room, or parachute out of a hundred fucking planes. No one knows how to live their life. We're not supposed to. We're just supposed to live it. Whatever that means to YOU is the important part. At the end of the day we just need to go to bed happy that we've lived another day knowing we've fought for our life. Fought by walking the beach at sunset. Fought by kissing the person we love goodnight. Fought by making sure we've laughed. Fought to open our eyes in the morning.

...Fight for Your life. Every.Single.Day.

To those I Love and those who Love Me:

"When the storm comes,

You shelter me.

When I don't say a word,

You know exactly what I mean.

In the darkest times,

You shine on me.

You set me free.

You keep me Steady as We Go..."

-DMB

A Very Savannah Halloween!

Ya Ya YA! We know Savannah is the go to place for St. Patrick's Day! But- it is gorgeous in October! Allison, Erica, and I decided we needed a weekend away and that we'd go explore some places! It wasn't hard to decide where to go- beautiful, fun, Halloween weekend, and you can walk around with open containers!But like I said- Beautiful! We spent the first day shopping at lots of cool stores and walking around in all the little squares! We got some delicious sandwiches and mac 'n cheese at the Firefly Cafe. We also bothered the waiter 10 times to kill a bee that was giving Allison hives. (ha!). I personally think he was too scared to kill the Bee because he kept lunging and then not doing anything but pissing the bee off. So Erica dove in and killed it herself! (And the crowd goes wild!) Soon we went back to the hotel after we finished up hunting for antique shops. Allison and I decided we'd fill a tub of warm water and pre-soak our feet for zooming around in heels! After some feet soaking- we mixed some drinks and fired up the hot rollers, straighteners, and hopped to it! After too many drinks and many attempts at applying fake eye lashes- we were officially a 3 Ring Circus!

I was OBVIOUSLY a Tiger, Allison a Marionette, and Erica was the Ring Master! Someone, not me, hailed a cab and off we went to Jazz'd. We were expecting delish tapas from all reviews we heard and it was "alright." Off we went into the world! We found Bar Bar and an outside band that was really fun! Unfortunately the band didn't stay out to play as long as we'd have liked! We quickly jumped around town looking for a place to dance! On our way we ran into Falcon the Balloon Boy, Nice Guy/Bad Guy, Ninja Turtles, Scary masked people, and general freaks. I will say this- Everyone just looks pretty average or normal in Savannah. I feel like when I stroll around Charleston there are TONS of beautiful guys and girls. Where as in Savannah it was pretty normal!

After what felt like FOREVER walking around looking for a bar to dance at- I started failing fast. The weekend before I had somewhat of a spinal crisis and had been on pain killers and muscle relaxers for a week or so. Once we started slowing down I started getting more and more tired! The more I drank the more I felt it completely appropriate to just take a snooze on a park bench!

So the girls grabbed me a cab and sent me back to the hotel. From the sounds of it they had a lot more crazy fun while I passed out in bed. I don't even remember changing out of my tiger costume but I did and I even packed up and ate cookies!

Back to my cab ride. I climb into the van (who DOES that?) and the man of my dreams comes up to the cab window and says "Take care of her- she means everything to me." Then we drive away. No- I didn't know the dude who eluded to the cab driver that I was his wife. Onward. Cabbie is a upper 30-something with a mullet like hair-do and deep drawl. Starts telling me I'm the hottest thing to ever climb in his cab but he'll be a "gentleman" since my husband asked him to be. I've never been so thankful to be married... cough. Cabbie, we'll call him Bubba, goes on about his recent life crisis. You see- Bubba is getting a newly divorced dude who live with his ex wife in their double-wide. Don't worry- Bubba is high class because he "owns out right" his double wide as he so strongly stated. Well- Bubba's ex-wife's boyfriend now lives with them too. "The day before Last" the boyfriend and Bubba got in a brawl. Bubba "boxed" the dude in the eye and dude broke Bubba's tooth. Like Bubba said- "I just put some Goodies on it and I'm good to go." The only reason he puts up with all of this is his 7 year old daughter, well that and the boyfriend is a damn good cook. We get to my hotel, I zoom inside, and turn back to wave a nice goodbye to Bubba.

The next day we all get up, feeling horrible, and need some southern grease to cure our deteriorating health. Clary's Diner it is! Other than the fact the hostess looks like she is literally WEARING an inner tube under her sweater- this place looks promising. Our waitress, lets call her Gertrude, is the Queen of the Waitresses. It is clear that Gertrude is the hottest waitress there. She walks with her hand on her hip, decked out in her penciled brows and the reddest shade of lip liner to ever walk through waitress diner land. She attempts to take my order and is taken back when I asked for a "grilled" bagel. Woman- you live in Diner Land. How do you not know what a grilled bagel is? First- you smother it with butter, then you put it on the grill over the bacon grease, and then you smother it with cream cheese. GET ON IT... and make me two please. After diving into my scrambled eggs with cheese, perfect bacon, home fries, and GRILLED bagel- I'm read to wrestle a dragon. The girls inhale their breakfast as I funnel a few Cokes and we're off!

After a great weekend in Savannah we are ready to return home to Charleston. Both are beautiful cities and I am so lucky to have all of this perfection at my finger tips. We are already planning some more trips and revisiting Savannah is definitely a must-do.

Love These Girls!

Happy Birthday to ME! Give Life, Give Blood-Not Presents

For those of you that know me well enough, you know that my most favorite day is Friday the 13th. It is the luckiest day on the planet for me! Whenever a Friday the 13th comes around- I celebrate! What's MORE exciting than Friday the 13th? Ohhh My birthday on Friday November 13th! It just so happens that this year my birthday IS on Friday the 13th! YAY!

You've probably noticed that even as an "adult" I start my birthday countdown about 2 months before my actual birthday. It is something that is so magical and special to me that I just can't help but ooze excitement over the approaching festivities!

I can think of millions of things I'd want for my birthday, but only one thing stands out in my mind. My favorite part about celebrating my birthday is celebrating my life. I live for spending time with those friends and family members that I love so very much. Since there is nothing I truly need I've decided to take a different route in my typical Birthday Celebration.

I'm asking those I love to Donate Blood for my birthday. I don't want presents and I don't need a card to know how much you love and care about me. These are things I already know. There are so many people out there that will not survive without blood transfusions. People I personally love and care for have had to have blood transfusions for various reasons. If someone hadn't been generous and donated blood, my loved one might not have lived to see another birthday of their own- let alone Mine. Many of us have had friends or family that have been in accidents, needed surgery, or even been diagnosed with cancer and were in desperate need of someone's donated blood.

I realize it might sound like a crazy request. But I assure you, it is an honest request. I truly want people to Donate their Blood. When Thanksgiving rolls around we are always donating canned goods and non perishable items to local food banks. Why can't we donate Blood to a Blood Bank? You're still giving to someone in need and in many cases- saving a life.

When my birthday rolls around, I can't help but feel like I'm sitting ontop of the world. Not only because I am the star of my own show (wink!) but because I've had yet another year of wonderful memories while living my life. I'd like to give others the chance to see another birthday so they can celebrate another year that they've been granted to live THEIR life the way they want to.

So Please, Donate Blood for my Birthday. Donate for Thanksgiving. Donate for your Mother, your Father, your Sister, your Brother. Donate for your best friend, the love of your life, and for strangers. Donate Blood for Yourself.

Below I've posted some links to various Blood Drives/Blood Banks in South Carolina as well as a website search around the country, and one specifically for Massachusetts. For those of you who are like me and cannot donate blood- I've gone and found a website with a list of things that both MUSC Children's Hospital and MUSC's Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, SC need donated. If you can't donate blood and do have some things you'd like to donate to either hospital/center- you can drop it by my house and I can bring all of the items together to be dropped off! For those of you who don't live in South Carolina- You can use Google to find what your local hospital may need donated.

I want this to be a yearly thing. With every year that passes and with every memory I collect- I'd like to give back and help someone else live another year as well.

Thank You in advance to those of you who have signed up to Donate Blood. Thank you to those of you who are doing it to make me happy even though you may be terrified to do so. It means so much to me, more than I can ever express. I better get moving and make millions of Magic Bars for everyone! Orange Juice and Cookies are nothing in comparison to my Magic Bars! Ask Anyone!

Much Love and Thank You's to those willing to participate. A hundred thousand words could not explain how happy this makes Me.

xoxo

Find a Blood Drive Search Engine

South Carolina Blood Banks

List of South Carolina Red Cross Blood Drives

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center

MUSC Children's Hospital

American Red Cross Donor Center MASSACHUSETTS

Do You Remember.....

... Dancing in September!

Or perhaps just surviving. Well so far I've made it. Today is officially the last day of the month! I've already jam packed my first few days of October with a "Mojitos and Stiletto's" event at Shine sponsored by my pal Hunter of Carolina Nightlife, dropping in on "Bowling for Autism" put on by Charleston School of Law, happy hour on Friday with my favorites ladys (who understands my daily battle!), Firefly Vodka Opening Party at Wadmalaw, and Dockside Fashion Show Charity event with Sarah Maxwell! All of these charities and sip habits will be followed by a bridge run with the lovely Megan- trying to keep our perfect parts looking PERFECT! Yay for October!

But also- Yay for sucking it up and making the best of a normally difficult month. I stated in one of my last posts that last September (2008), I was pleasantly distracted and really didn't have room in my heart to ache. After re-reading my own post I decided I'd actively try and keep busy- even if that meant learning how to knit. Which I haven't figured out yet for the record.

The month started off with a BANG as usual and is slowing down and leaving a more calm mark on my memories. The first two weeks of September were probably the worst two weeks of 2009. Or possibly the last huge chunk of my life. Move over heartbreakers and stupid boys, flat tires, and shrinking bank accounts. Helloooo Legal Trouble!! It's true. Not only was I convinced that I was about to dive into the legal ride of my life (again- move over future divorce if applicable), but I was pretty sure that I was going to need a new profession and obviously lots of tequila and tissues. I truly cannot remember a time where my stress level had elevated to such high areas. Like Austin said "This will Pass." And thankfully, for now, everything has been handled and hopefully DIED. You had better be knocking on wood as you're reading this!

Life turned upside down aside- it wasn't such a bad month, if you don't count the first two weeks. I did lots of exploring and event hopping with Allison and Erica this month! I've even thought of a few projects for at home and to do in the therapy setting! I've also started some research on Fluency Disorders and Selective Mutism! Go Me! I've even been crazy enough to apply for weekend jobs! I'm worried my medical setting therapy/evaluation skills are dying by the minute so I'd like to brush up on it by working!

I did think about those I love and miss but tried to spend those thoughts reflecting on more positive than negative thoughts. I did keep myself occupied during my crisis. I did refrain from crying until it was all over with. And I did blast the song "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire every chance I got for inspiration.

What? I'm musically motivated!

Thanks to those who held my hand this month. Both literally and figuratively. You all provided me with some pretty strong glue in many forms and it worked! Much Love.

I Hate Bikers.

...And by Bikers I mean Bicyclists. Don't get me wrong- I do enjoy the song "Bicycle" by Queen, although it's not nearly as good as "Fat Bottom Girls" or "Under Pressure." If you know me well enough, or if you've ever driven in the car with me, you'd know that I hate bikers. Share the Road. WHAT? SHARE THE ROAD?!?! Why? If I have to share the road with you, Mr. Bikeman, then why don't you share with me and ride on the SIDE of the road instead of IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE?! I'd like to think my 4 wheeled, 2000-something pound, mode of transportation with an engine would win this power struggle. So why don't you just safely ride on the side of the road and share like your damn t-shirt says? And another thing- It's a SIDEWALK! If I am running or walking on the sidewalk I should not have to jump into the bushes when you speed by. On the Sidewalk. Illegally I might add. That's right. The sign, t-shirt, and bumper stickers say SHARE THE ROAD. Not the flipping sidewalk. That is definitely mine. (Please keep in mind this whole rant pertains to adults and not children.) I don't understand why bikers don't have their OWN lane! That way they can speed along or go for a little joy ride in their own specified area.

Oh wait. You people do have your own area/lane... on the Cooper River Bridge here in Charleston, SC. I also hate bikers on this bridge. Not only do I have to deal with the 17 year olds who drive by and whistle or honk- but I've got to deal with various bikers/bike teams while I'm running. The 17 year olds drive by ONCE. You zoom by in your bike lane and whistle or make some pathetic remark and then come back, and back again! I get to put up with your spandex wearing whistling self multiples of times! You know what's also sweet of you? Yelling at me, in my running lane, to move out of YOUR way because another biker is going to slow. I thought you were sharing the road? Why not share with fellow bikers instead of barking orders at me while I'm going for a jog? I can read your t-shirt: Share the Road. Can't you read my shorts?? KEEP BACK 200 FEET! They're bright red- you can't miss them! By the way Biker's: Where are your Helmets? Do you have some desire to experience TBI first hand? Hmm... 

You know what else I hate? Biking COUPLES. Stab me in the eye. Why... why must couples peddle together? It makes me sick. This could be my I-don't-want-to-be-single self speaking... but I doubt it. So you and your sweetie want to spend some quality time together peddling around the world. Lovely. That counts as quality time together? Zooming down the road not saying anything to one another? Must be Love. I can assure you that when Mr. Right arrives here (he's currently walking here from like Europe or somewhere) he and I will not be biking together. We will most likely be speeding around in some fast car or doing wheelies on my motorcycle. We will especially not be biking side by side in the middle of the stupid road. What is this a love suicide pact? So Ethel and Floyd- please move your lollygagging selves over to the side of the road in a single file fashion so that you do not get seriously injured and sue me over your inability to pay attention to oncoming traffic. It would be greatly appreciated!

Some other options for those that love to bike. How about Mountain Biking? Go share the mountains with billy goats, mountain lions, and of course George W. Bush. I would err on the side of caution and not go during hunting season. I also heard the Tour de France is a good place to bike at. 

To those Pals I have that like to ride their bikes around town- I somewhat apologize if you find this offensive. I also hope you're at least wearing your helmet if you know I'm driving around!

Beep Beep!