Krista's LJ

AZ Advocacy Call

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:25:27 GMT

There is a current grassroots effort to send an empty envelope on April 10th to the governor and your legislators. On the back of the envelope print or write this:

"This envelope represents one infant, child or adult with disabilities whose life will be critically impacted by budget cuts. This envelope is empty because it represents what the lives of people who are vulnerable will be like without the support they need to live with dignity and respect. It also represents the emptiness that our communities will experience without the inclusion of people with disabilities. Sad... lonely... empty. Is anyone listening?"

http://www.azleg.gov/alisStaticPages/HowToContactMember.asp

Please pass this on.

Real Estate news and views

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:11:15 GMT

For those that may be curious as to the answer to "When are you and Chris moving in together."

Five Things, again!

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:23:14 GMT

Courtesy of bluebeegirl :
1. Succeeding against the odds
Kind of like when spookyfish24 labeled me with success, when people say I am successful. The only answer I have to that is that I am flat out stubborn. I don't give up easily and my tenacious attitude has been noted by many. Thank you :blush:

2. Breakfast Jacks
Ah! The fateful New Year's Party of 2005. Jeff and I emerged from the room where we, um, were sleeping and noted the array of prone bodies strewn around the house. We looked outside at the smoldering fire and at the usual aftermath in the dining room and kitchen. "Let's go out and bring something back!" was pronounced. Thereby an adventure ensued, because not much is open at 9 am on New Year's Day. We finally came across an open Jack-in-the-Box on 19th ave and that, my friends, is how the tradition of New Year's Day Breakfast Jacks was born. Who in the hell wants to cook breakfast casserole with a hangover?

3. Corsets *rawr*
I found this interesting, just because I rarely wear the device, even though they rock hard. That was a fun,fun day at Fetish Falls when I purchased my latest, and now we need to go do something to give me an opportunity to wear my new beautiful green silk one.

4. Your boys
My life, my miracles, my joy and my burden. The little beings that taught me responsibility, selflessness, and compassion. They are the reason I am where I am today and why I work as hard as I do. They have the unique ability to piss me off more than any other human ever has and to make my heart swell with more love, pride and devotion than any human ever has. They came from me, but they are them. I am starting the slow process of setting them free upon the world, and hope that what I have endeavored to teach them carries them through that process of self-discovery and growth called growing up.

5. Amazing Self Confidence with a dash of heady Sarcasm.
To Blaive. Which, surprisingly, I could not find a definition of on Dictionary.com. According to the Princess Bride, it means to Bluff. Deep inside I am actually a quivering mass of goo who has trouble believing people could actually like me, that I have any kind of competence, or that I am not continually fucking up. This is hidden well by several layers, including the top one of "Fake it until you make it". The sarcasm, well duh! That is part of our family's communication since I was old enough to talk. Thank you. Someday, enough people will tell me I am doing OK that I will actually believe it deep down, and not just at the surface.

Memery goes on...

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:46:34 GMT

I figured out the point of this meme- it makes you post! My answers to spookyfish24 follow:
Resiliency (there are SO many adjectives that fit here)
Wow- what do you say to that one. I seen shit man, and lived to tell about it? The definition of resilient is: "Able to recover quickly from misfortune; able to return to original form after being bent, compressed, or stretched out of shape. A human ability to recover quickly from disruptive change, or misfortune without being overwhelmed or acting in dysfunctional or harmful ways. As in "Our team showed great resilience," or "Our team had good resiliency."
It comes from a latin root that means to leap back. I think I am resilient, but I am not sure where that comes from.

Music
I admit it. I have a soundtrack to my life. I can't sing, and I was a mediocre musician, but give me notes floating through the air. I have an excellent sense of rhythm and pitch. It is frustrating that I have no talent. My taste is eclectic and runs from classical to industrial. And yes, one time in band camp... One of my early boyfriends was the tuba player.

Peeps
"People, people who need people. Are the luckiest people in the world." Oh, not those peeps, but the Easter candy? I don't like them anymore, but I used to love them and wait for them in anticipation every year. Then I would open the package and let them get stale and crunchy. I am weird. I embrace this.

Motherhood
It is a defining role in my life. I was first, having Konal at 20. spookyfish24 followed me quickly, though. My focus changed quickly. Most of my life decisions are made focusing on what is best for our family as a unit and my children. I love being a mother, even though it is a hard, hard journey. I can't wait to try again. I have drunk the kool-aid and love it!

Success
Wow! I mean, uh, WOW! I don't feel successful. I keep fucking things up- school, kids, life, relationships. I think it is more related to number 1. Somehow I bounce back and try again. I do have good friends, who love me warts and all and sense when I am isolating myself. I have wonderful family, even those related by blood. I have a network- professional, personal and support. I wonder if I just have trouble applying the word to myself.

Meme, Meme, Meme

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:34:10 GMT

Comment to this post and I will give you 5 subjects/things I associate you with. Then post this in your LJ and elaborate on the subjects given. The meme is from all over, but these subject/things are from elmocho.

1. Acceptance is not defeat.
This life philosophy comes from many places, I think. It may be rooted in growing up around and with disabilities, as well as my training as a therapist. It is also from body image circles- Self-acceptance is not defeat. It is also a big peace of mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. It is also why I am still going and a big piece of both my personal resiliency and our family resiliency.

2. Wine knowledge and lore.
I am not sure about the knowledge. You know more more about beer than I do wine. Wine is nostalgic for me. It reminds me of California and the Central Coast and my Dad. I love to find wine from the Santa Rosa vineyards and other local wines from both Santa Barbara county and from Arizona.
I find something therapeutic about drinking wine. It is more than the alcohol. There is a ritual to it- uncorking, pouring, the feel of the glass in your hand. I don't drink unless I have me time, so it is also associated with time for myself and relaxation.

3. Practical cleaning knowledge (use of vinegar and other non-packaged items).
Years of poverty and gleaning tips from elders and peers. Lemon juice, tang, baking soda, denture tablets, vinegar- all wonderful cleaning products.

4. Science Fiction fandom
We talked about this on the phone. Since you meant fantasy, I will take it as that. I never considered myself a 'fan' but just an enthusiast. I do have a large collection of traditional fantasy, which I grew up reading. It is pure escapism. I am surprised you didn't say princess, but that piece is related to reading fantasy and putting myself in the heroine's role. I preferred heroines who kicked ass, and did not realize I was reading a separate genre of feminist fantasy until my late 20's. It is also, similar to spookyfish24, it is also related to my background in Roleplaying games. We were partners in crime, and I will let it stand at that.

5. Baking
I miss baking. The feel of dough on my hands. The rhythmic movement of kneading. The smell of cookies fresh out of the oven. The first bite of gingerbread still hot. My mom and dad did most of the cooking, but the one thing they really involved me in was the baking. I remember making dozens upon dozens of cookies every Christmas for Dad to take to work with him. I made my first efforts at real bread in high school and started to take homemade bread to all SCA events.
Making bread is cheap. You can buy the basic ingredients fairly easily, and if you had storage, in bulk. We survived the 2 months before we lost the house in Flagstaff on my bread. I had a ton of left over baby cereal (fortified, yaknow) and dried milk that I used to increase the nutrition. Beans and bread.... the staff of life.
I don't really bake now because I don't have the time nor energy. I will again, and I know I have the skills to keep my family fed no matter what happens. I have even made bread in clay ovens before.

And now you know.

Uncle Jay is dying

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 05:00:23 GMT

I am writing about this journey over on my blog. It is not an easy time.

I need this on tape

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:11:37 GMT

So I can play it every morning. Sound familiar, Chris? If you want a surgery update, check my blog. :)

Dedicated to special parents

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:53:27 GMT

And just because everyone else is:

Your result for The Ultra Ultimate Personality Test...

The Giver

You scored 52 Extroversion, 65 Intuition, 59 Emotional, and 33 Spontaneity!

ENFJ

Outgoing and friendly. ENFJs cheif concern in life is other people, and fostering harmony and cooperation, between themselves and others. Warm personal interactions-strokes of approval and appreciation- keep them going in life. Sympathetic, cooperative and tactful, with high ideals, they make a consistent effort to say and do the right thing. They are patient and conscientious and make an effort to stick to a job until it's finished.

Relationships

ENFJs put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into their relationships. To some extent, the ENFJ defines themself by the closeness and authenticity of their personal relationships, and are therefore highly invested in the business of relationships. They have very good people skills, and are affectionate and considerate. They are warmly affirming and nurturing. The excel at bringing out the best in others, and warmly supporting them. They want responding affirmation from their relationships, although they have a problem asking for it. When a situation calls for it, the ENFJ will become very sharp and critical. After having made their point, they will return to their natural, warm selves. They may have a tendency to "smother" their loved ones, but are generally highly valued for their genuine warmth and caring natures.

Strengths

Good verbal communication skills

Very perceptive about people's thoughts and motives

Motivational, inspirational; bring out the best in others

Warmly affectionate and affirming

Fun to be with - lively sense of humor, dramatic, energetic, optimistic

Good money skills

Able to "move on" after a love relationship has failed (although they blame themselves)

Loyal and committed - they want lifelong relationships

Strive for "win-win" situations

Driven to meet other's needs

Take The Ultra Ultimate Personality Test at HelloQuizzy

Everyone's Doing It...

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:24:34 GMT

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm a

Romantic Spiritual Extrovert

To all of you

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:54:39 GMT

Community [is] a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed some significant commitment to “rejoice together, mourn together,” and to “delight in each other, make others’ conditions our own.”… Genuine community is not easily achieved or easily maintained; its avowed goal is to seek ways in which to live with ourselves and others in love and peace…. Once a group has achieved community, the single most common thing members express is, “I feel safe here.” (Scott Peck, 1987)

Thank you to my ohana for creating a genuine community.

NAMI Walks

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:26:02 GMT

Dear Friends,
I am writing you today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am participating in that is both very important and very exciting to me. It is NAMIWalks for the Mind of America, NAMI’s signature walkathon event that is being held in Tempe, AZ at Tempe Town Lake/Beach Park on March 29, 2009.
I started a team here at work because the work the NAMI does is so important to me. I am walking for Konal. I am walking for Steve. I am walking for Mom & Chris. I am walking for Cinder & Kyla. I am walking for Aidan. I am walking because I support Brain research and Stigma busting and being able to achieve without depression, bipolar or more holding you back. I am walking because NAMI was there when I needed them, and I want them to be there for others.
I would like to ask you to come and walk with me or to donate to support my participation in this great event. Visit my personal walker page to sign up: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks09/ARZ/kristalong. It features a link to my team's page there where you can see who else is walking with me. There is also a link so you can donate directly to me online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation.
NAMI, the Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness, formerly the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those whose lives are touched by these illnesses. This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, the law enforcement community and policy makers. The NAMI organization is composed of approximately 1100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office.
The goals of the NAMIWalks program are: to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved and to raise funds for NAMI so that they can continue their mission.
NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible. NAMI has been rated by Worth magazine as among the top 100 charities "most likely to save the world" and has been given an "A+" rating by The American Institute of Philanthropy for efficient and effective use of charitable dollars. NAMI has also been given 4 out of 4 stars by The Charity Navigator for short-term spending practices and long-term sustainability.
Thank you in advance for your support.

Come walk with me.

Sincerely, Krista Long

Spiritual goofiness

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:49:57 GMT

Stolen from elmocho

Your Spiritual Number is Seven

You bring knowledge and wisdom into people's lives.

You are an expert in many fields, and you give excellent advice.

Right now, your life is about perfecting your skill set.

You are almost a virtuoso at the thing you love best. With some practice, you'll get there.

You are highly intelligent and intellectual. You have profound analytical skills.

But you also have the soul of an artist. You long to create.

What's Your Spiritual Number?

Dear Santa

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:42:36 GMT

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

This year I've been busy!

Last Monday I turned bluebeegirl in for spitting (3 points). In August I donated bone marrow to zootdingo in a life-saving procedure (300 points). Last Wednesday I ruled Duluth, Minnesota as a kind and benevolent dictator (700 points). Last Tuesday I gave silverknight a wet willie, then I took it back (-5 points). Last month I broke pipolitics's X-Box (-12 points).

Overall, I've been nice (986 points). For Christmas I deserve a new dolly!

Sincerely,
katydaqueen

Livejournal Tomfoolery

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:46:06 GMT

Leave me a comment and I will reply with why I like you. If I don't know you, I'll either make something up or tell you why I like your LiveJournal. You must pay for the privilege by posting a message like this one on your LiveJournal.

Music Meme

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:54:37 GMT

Designed to make me feel old:

A.) Go to musicoutfitters.com
B.) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function and get the list of 100 most popular songs of that year
C.) Bold the songs you like, strike through the ones you hate and underline your favorite. Do nothing to the ones you don’t remember (or don’t care about)

1. End Of The Road, Boyz II Men
2. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix A-lot
3. Jump, Kris Kross
4. Save The Best For Last, Vanessa Williams
5. Baby-Baby-Baby, TLC
6. Tears In Heaven, Eric Clapton
7. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It), En Vogue
8. Under The Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. All 4 Love, Color Me Badd
10. Just Another Day, Jon Secada
11. I Love Your Smile, Shanice
12. To Be With You, Mr. Big
13. I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred
14. Black Or White, Michael Jackson
15. ~~Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus~~
16. ~~I'll Be There, Mariah Carey~~
17. November Rain, Guns N' Roses
18. Life Is A Highway, Tom Cochrane
19. Remember The Time, Michael Jackson
20. Finally, CeCe Peniston
21. This Used To Be My Playground, Madonna
22. Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough, Patty Smyth
23. Can't Let Go, Mariah Carey
24. Jump Around, House Of Pain
25. Diamonds and Pearls, Prince and The N.P.G.
26. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, George Michael and Elton John
27. Masterpiece, Atlantic Starr
28. ~~If You Asked Me To, Celine Dion~~
29. Giving Him Something He Can Feel, En Vogue
30. Live and Learn, Joe Public
31. Come and Talk To Me, Jodeci
32. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
33. ~~Humpin' Around, Bobby Brown~~
34. Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover, Sophie B. Hawkins
35. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do, Teven Campbell
36. Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg, TLC
37. It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, Boyz II Men
38. Move This, Technotronic
39. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
40. Tennessee, Arrested Development
41. The Best Things In Life Are Free, Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson
42. Make It Happen, Mariah Carey
43. The One, Elton John
44. Set Adrift On Memory Bliss, P.M. Dawn
45. Stay, Shakespear's Sister
46. 2 Legit 2 Quit, Hammer
47. Please Don't Go, K.W.S.
48. Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes), Mint Condition
49. Wishing On A Star, Cover Girls
50. She's Playing Hard To Get, Hi-Five
51. I'd Die Without You, P.M. Dawn
52. Good For Me, Amy Grant
53. All I Want, Toad The Wet Sprocket
54. ~~When A Man Loves A Woman, Michael Bolton~~
55. I Can't Dance, Genesis
56. Hazard, Richard Marx
57. Mysterious Ways, U2
58. Too Funky, George Michael
59. How Do You Talk To An Angel, Heights
60. One, U2
61. Keep On Walkin', CeCe Peniston
62. Hold On My Heart, Genesis
63. The Way I Feel About You, Karyn White
64. Beauty and The Beast, Calms Dion and Peabo Bryson
65. Warm It Up, Kris Kross
66. In The Closet, Michael Jackson
67. People Everyday, Arrested Development
68. No Son Of Nine, Genesis
69. ~~Wildside, Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch~~
70. Do I Have To Say The Words?, Bryan Adams
71. Friday I'm In Love, Cure
72. Everything About You, Ugly Kid Joe
73. Blowing Kisses In The Wind, Paula Abdul
74. Thought I'd Died and Gone To Heaven, Bryan Adams
75. Rhythm Is A Dancer, Snap
76. ~~Addams Groove, Hammer~~
77. Missing You Now, Michael Bolton
78. Back To The Hotel, N2Deep
79. Everything Changes, Kathy Troccoli
80. Have You Ever Needed Somone So Bad, Def Leppard
81. Take This Heart, Richard Marx
82. When I Look Into Your Eyes, Firehouse
83. I Wanna Love You, Jade
84. Uhh Ahh, Boyz II Men
85. Real Love, Mary J. Blige
86. Justified and Ancient, The KLF
87. Slow Motion, Color Me Badd
88. What About Your Friends, TLC
89. Thinkin' Back, Color Me Badd
90. Would I Lie To You?, Charles and Eddie
91. That's What Love Is For, Amy Grant
92. Keep Coming Back, Richard Marx
93. Free Your Mind, En Vogue
94. Keep It Comin', Keith Sweat
95. Just Take My Heart, Mr. Big
96. I Will Remember You, Amy Grant
97. We Got A Love Thang, CeCe Peniston
98. Let's Get Rocked, Def Leppard
99. ~~They Want EFX, Das EFX~~
100. I Can't Make You Love Me, Bonnie Raitt

I am sure I would remember more if I heard them. It just shows that I wasn't paying much attention. Some of the bolds are more nostalgic than anything.

I think it fits

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:32:07 GMT

Snagged from bluebeegirl:

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HBPC - The Visionary

Humanity, Background, Big Picture, and Color

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

memery

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:09:15 GMT

I am posting this on LJ because I am in the middle of redoing my other blog and decided to be lazy. So in the spirit of "I have so much better things to do" I am ganking this from revmamacrystal

The bold ones apply to me.

01. Bought everyone in the pub a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid

06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said I love you and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Done a striptease
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long, and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables. .

19. Touched an iceberg
20. Slept under the stars
21. Changed a baby's diaper
22. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
23. Watched a meteor shower
24. Gotten drunk on champagne
25. Given more than you can afford to charity
26. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
27. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
28. Had a food fight
29. Bet on a winning horse
30. Called in sick when you were not ill
31. Asked out a stranger
32. Had a snowball fight
33. Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier
34. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
35. Held a lamb
36. Enacted a favorite fantasy
37. Taken a midnight skinny dip
38. Taken an ice cold bath shower
39. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
40. Seen a total eclipse (of both sun and moon)
41. Ridden a roller coaster
42. Hit a home run
43. Fit three weeks miraculously into three days
44. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
45. Adopted an accent for an entire day.
46. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
47. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
48. Had two hard drives for your computer

49. Visited all 50 states
50. Loved your job
51. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
52. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
53. Had amazing friends
54. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country aboard ship??
55. Watched wild whales
56. Stolen a sign from uncle sam
57. Backpacked in Europe
58. Taken a road-trip
59. Rock climbing
60. Lied to foreign governments official in that country to avoid notice.
61. Midnight walk on the beach
62. Sky diving
63. Visited

Ireland

64. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
65. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
66. Visited Japan
67. Bench pressed your own weight
68. Milked a cow
69. Alphabetized your CDs or DVDs
70. Pretended to be a superhero
71. Sung karaoke
72. Lounged around in bed all day
73. Posed nude in front of strangers
74. Scuba diving
75. Got it on to "Lets Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
76. Kissed in the rain
77. Played in the mud
78. Played in the rain
79. Gone to a drive-in theater
80. Done something you should regret, but don't regret it
81. Visited the Great Wall of China
82. Discovered that someone who's not supposed to have known
about your blog has discovered your blog
83. Dropped Windows in favor of something better
84. Started a business
85. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
86. Toured ancient sites
87. Taken a martial arts class
88. Swordfought for the honor of a woman
89. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
90. Gotten married
91. Been in a movie
92. Crashed a party
93. Loved someone you shouldn't have
94. Kissed someone so passionately it made you dizzy
96. Had sex at the office
97. Gone without food for 5 days
98. Made cookies from scratch
99. Won first prize in a costume contest
100. Ridden a gondola in Venice
101. Gotten a tattoo
102. Found that the texture of some materials can turn you on
103. Rafted the Snake River
104. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
105. Got flowers for no reason
106. Masturbated in a public place
107. Got so drunk you don't remember anything.
108. Been addicted to some form of illegal drug
109. Performed on stage or recorded music
110. Eaten shark
111. Had a one-night-stand
112. Gone to

Thailand

113. Seen Siouxsie live. (and the banshees)
114. Bought a house
115. Been in a combat zone (Does my home count or when I was a social worker in South Phoenix?)
116. Buried one/both of your parents
117. Shaved or waxed your pubic hair off
118. Been on a cruise ship
119. Spoken more than one language fluently
120. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
121. Bounced a check
122. Performed in Rocky Horror
123. Read - and understood - your credit report
124. Raised children
125. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
126. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
127. Created and named your own constellation of stars
128. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
129. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
130. Called or written your Congressperson
131. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
132. ...more than once? - More than thrice?
133. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
134. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew
someone was looking
135. Had an abortion, or went to clinic with some who did
136. Had plastic surgery
137. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived.
138. Wrote articles for a publication
139. Lost over 100 pounds
140. Held someone while they were having a flashback
141. Piloted an airplane
142. Petted a stingray
143. Broken someone's heart
144. Helped an animal give birth
145. Been fired or laid off from a job
146. Won money on a T.V. game show
147. Broken a bone
148. Killed a human being
149. Gone on an African photo safari
150. Ridden a motorcycle
151. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of 100mph or faster?
152. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
153. Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
154. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
155. Ridden a horse
156. Had major surgery
157. Had sex on a moving train
158. Had a snake as a pet
159. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
160. Slept through an entire flight
161. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
162. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
163. Visited all 7 continents
164. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
165. Eaten kangaroo meat
166. Fallen in love at an ancient Mayan burial ground
167. Been a sperm or egg donor
168. Eaten sushi
169. Had your picture in the newspaper
170. Had 2 (or more) healthy romantic relationships for over a year
in your lifetime
171. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
172. Gotten someone fired for their actions
173. Gone back to school
174. Parasailed
175. Changed your name legally
176. Petted a cockroach
177. Eaten fried green tomatoes
178. Read The Iliad
179. Selected one "important" author whom you missed in school,
and read him/her
180. Dined in a restaurant and stolen silverware, plates, cups because
your apartment needed them
181. ...and gotten 86'ed from the restaurant because you did it so many
times, they figured out it was you
182. Taught yourself an art from scratch
183. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
184. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
185. Skipped all your school reunions so far
186. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
187. Been elected to public office
188. Written your own computer language
189. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
190. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
191. Built your own PC from parts
192. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
193. Had a booth at a street fair
194. Dyed your hair
195. Been a DJ.
196. Found out someone was going to dump you via LiveJournal
197. Written your own role playing game
198. Been arrested
199. Had more than one pet at a time.

Looking for Volunteers

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:15:52 GMT

Are you in Phoenix? Do you like NASCAR racing or helping others? I have a chance for you to do both. The MISS Foundation needs volunteers to work Friday and/or Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway for the catering department. Easy work, and each person we provide earns $100 for the Miss Foundation.

Experience the race and help others.

Let me know if you are interested.

People like me!

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:56:41 GMT

Top Commenters on katydaqueen 's LiveJournal
(Self comments excluded from rankings)

1	elmocho	10
2	cecemonet	7
3	djtseliot13	5
4	bluebeegirl	3
5	zootdingo	2
6	revmamacrystal	2
7	darthlefty	2
8	wenchcat	1
9	zamboni42	1
10	trilliana	1

bandobras

Total Commenters: 12 (1 not shown)
Total Comments: 55
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I wonder if they have anything like this for my blog?
Remember that it has an LJ feed for you curious types. kristasthoughts
</shameless self-promotion>

Ok, OK

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:37:25 GMT

It has been requested that I syndicate the feed from my main blog for y'all's viewing pleasure. It is done: kristasthoughts
Have fun!

I have Awesome Friends

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:57:21 GMT

So, my Monday Positive for this week is easy. I issued a call, and they came. Offers poured in, suggestions were made, and things look better. It seems more stable now, and I hope we will maintain it that way!

Computers are not the only way you all rock. Thank you for being there. I am feeling very loved today.

Merry Christmas

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:07:34 GMT

To all my friends and family reading this- Merry Christmas, Happy (belated) Solstice, and I hope to see you soon!!!

If you want to keep up with me, I blog mainly at my web site. :)

Girly Comments & Graphics

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and all that jazz....

Mama Focus Update

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:07:53 GMT

After careful consideration, I have submitted Tackle Hugs and Bonking Heads. Reviewing the previous entries showed me there were very few older children interactions in the contest. You can't vote, but you can comment. There is a new Sony Digital camera at stake, so I am really hoping that there is a chance :)

Need Help

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:11:12 GMT

OK! I have decided to enter this contest: Mama Focus Photo Contest!
I need to narrow my selections down to two pictures.

From the site:

We hope to see photos that show us what modern motherhood can be like: the ugly and the beautiful. We are looking for pictures with a fresh, unique perspective or that capture a moment, convey a feeling, or tell a story. We want interesting and unexpected shots that give us a peek into real mamahood.
Some themes you might choose to explore (but anything goes!): Self & Solitude, Work & Play, Sleep (or lack thereof) & Dreams, Nature & Nurture.

Composition and photographic excellence don't count, just pictures that capture a moment of motherhood. In my case, here are the contenders:

1)
Sunset Crater. Photographed by Konal.

2)
Wupatki Blowhole. Photographed by Konal.

3)
Working on Home Improvements. Photographed by Konal.

4)
Graduation. Photographed by Mom.

5)
At the Zoo. Photographed by Chris.

6)
Taxi Mom. Photographed by Aidan.

7)
Tackle Hugs in Tombstone. Photographed by Chris.

8)
Graduation. Photographed by Chris.

9)
Ready to go. Photographed by Aidan.

10)
Head Bonk in Vegas. Photographed by Chris.

11)
Vacation Fatigue. Photographed by Chris.

12)
Fishing with the Boys. Photographed by Chris.

13)
Taking a Nap. Photographed by Chris.

14)
Long Day. Photographed by Chris.

15)
Photographed by Chris.

Now you see why I am having a problem choosing. Please leave your vote in the comments. They have to be submitted by 11/30. (I invite you to enter too- for me, it is not about winning, but about capturing the diversity of being a mother)

NaBloPoMo- Day 21

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 07:27:10 GMT

Courtesy call_me_robert. Used with Permission

I was once an obnoxious fat person. I had lost 60 lbs through a fluke, and gloated. I would tell people that all they needed to do was make lifestyle changes and they would lose weight too.

To all those people, consider this your public apology. I was wrong.

So, if in my joy over a perceived change that was fleeting I hurt you or made you feel less than the beautiful person you are, I am sorry. I feel it, I know it, and I am sorry I perpetuated it.

To my sons, I owe another apology, and hope the strides I am taking now in acceptance are soon enough to correct the damage. Food is a joyful thing, and I hope I have not robbed you of that joy.

To myself I especially apologize. In my quest to find acceptance and love from the outside, I abused you. I am now at my heaviest point, which may not have been a problem if I hadn't tried to lose weight so many times. I have and still do at times, viewed you with disgust and loathing. I have indulged in the "if only" game, and ignored legitimate health issues just because I thought they were because I was fat and deserved to suffer.

I have stuffed myself into too small clothes because I didn't want to admit I had gone up a size.

And the worst thing, in this spirit of confession, is that I have unintentionally supported a societal hatred of fat that goes beyond logic. I have maintained the status quo and not stood up for myself and others. I have actively participated in fat shaming.

But words are one thing, actions are another.

So this week (with the caveat that I can not start until the semester is over) I have volunteered as Non-profit and Legal issues team lead for COFRA. This is the Coalition of Fat Rights Activists. I am sure I will have a lot more to say as time goes one, but at least, for know, I am putting my money, time, and energy into making a difference.

Of course, this is along with my work with Magellan, the Family Involvement Center, and the MISS Foundation. Somebody stop me!!!

Cross-posted from Krista's Thoughts.

And, all the other posts you may think you are missing are there too. I am just lazy.