Well, with the passing of the not-so-mini’s birthday, the holidays here are in full swing. Since its just the three of us for Thanksgiving, its a lot less prep than most people, especially since Cowboy is working that day, and I work graveyard the night before.
Crafting and cleaning are happening, since there is not as much time as I would like to complete the crafts. I have a few quilting projects to do, some crochet, and a few other crafting projects I want to get done, plus lots of baking. Since I am in an office now with a small staff, I would love to bring in some kind of fresh baked cookie every week for everyone to share.
Plus I want to make a few quilted ornaments for our tree since we are still trying to reestablish out collection after they were all lost in our move here.
This time of year, though, not having friends comes in handy, since I don’t have friends to get or make gifts for. Gotta look on the bright side of everything, right?
Cowboy and I were talking about the Not-So-Mini’s Christmas present the other day. His main gift is going to be a laptop since he is using my old one and the charging port isn’t working right. And Cowboy’s main Christmas gift will actually be Christmas and birthday together.

Recently, one of Cowboy’s coworkers put in his 2 weeks notice. When trying to decide how to replace this person, he suggested Cowboy for the job. When he got the call with the offer, we were surprised, this came totally out of left field.
Well, since it is, technically, a promotion, he accepted after we briefly discussed if he was up to the task or not. We decided that, yes, he can do it and is up for the task. Great!
Now, because the position he would be leaving is essential to the operation of the casino, he can’t really begin his new job until he is replaced on shift and the new person is ready to go solo.
After searching for about a week for a new person, I got a phone call. Apparently, they pulled an old application I had with the casino, asked everyone higher up, and Cowboy. They all agreed I can do it and there would be no conflict since we would not be on shift together and there would be no way one could supervise the other.
So, the job is mine pending my casino card (7 year criminal history, 9 panel drug test, and finger prints). As soon as the background check comes through I will give my notice at Goodwill and will be moving on.
Goodwill has been good to us. It has kept rent paid, kept the lights on and kept food on the table. I have made some great friends here and learned a lot of good things. The people there are all great and I have enjoyed my time with every one of them.
This is a great opportunity for my family and myself.

Getting a jump on things for the year. This is my “in progress” basket by my spot on the couch where I sit. 

When it is done, this will be a full size afghan that will be a gift for Cowboy.  I’m using a Caron Cake in Berries and Cream. 

Of course, I will post a picture of the finished product. 

Six months ago, we went to the feed store to look at adding another parakeet to our cage. We just went just to look with no intention of actually buying, just checking the general health of the current flock, the colors available and the activity. We were mainly looking for a female since our current female, Bird Snow, is an albino and, therefore, does not mate.
For a while, Cowboy has been wanting a different kind of bird, a small parrot. When we went into the area where they keep the birds, guess what was there? That’s right, small parrots, more specifically, lovebirds! So we went ahead and got a lovebird! Go in for a $20 parakeet, without even being positive we were going to buy one, and walk out with a $50 lovebird, plus food for her, since she doesn’t eat the same food as the parakeets.
Since we have gotten them, we have been working with the parakeets to hand tame them. Well, Ramsey has started to stand on my finger and eat seed out of my open palm! I can also, slowly, move my hand with him on my finger, without him freaking out! So proud of him!

I know it has been a VERY long time since I last wrote. Lots of time has passed and so much has happened. Well, I will be writing more often. I have so many ideas and plans for this blog that I hope to accomplish by this time next year!

I don’t really speak about this much, but I feel pain differently from others. I have a chromosome deformity that manifests itself in a form of CIPA, Congenital Indifference to Pain with Analgesia (to see a worst case, watch the House episode called “Indifference”).
For me, it manifests in not being able to feel specific types of pain and, when I do feel pain, in someone without CIPA, it would probably be enough for them to require heavy narcotic pain relief. To me, that is a cramp. I also can not regulate my body temperature. My coworkers have nick named me The Painless Wonder.
But, it is a curse, despite what some might think.
When we are in bed and my husband wants to hold me in his arms, I can’t have any blankets on and I need a fan on me at all times.
I tend to take too-hot showers (so my water heater has a safety to I don’t burn myself).
This inability to feel pain is why my teeth have rotted out. I don’t feel a tooth ache that would signify a cavity and, even with brushing and flossing, I don’t know about a cavity until the tooth has crumbled. Still think its awesome?
When I was pregnant with my son, I was in full blown labor at 25 weeks and did not know! Thankfully, I had a doctor’s appointment and the doctor realized I was contracting in time to save him.
In the climate I live in, I constantly have a frozen bottle of water with me and I can tell you where the air flow for the air conditioner points in most public establishments.
In the winter, I rely on the actual weather app on my phone (not the WTForcast app, that is just for fun, lol) to tell me how cold it will be so I know what kind of jacket I will need because I really can’t tell myself.
I wait until others in my home are dressed before getting dressed myself to decide how many layers I need.
I have overheated at work a few times. My coworkers know what to look for to see if I need to step under the air conditioner’s vent for a moment or grab a frozen water, thankfully.
I have to keep a close eye on my blood pressure for reasons other than my heart because, if I am in serious “pain” and not feeling it, my blood pressure will skyrocket as a way of warning me.
I have broken my foot more times than I can count without knowing it, my knee cap floats, my toes have all been broken. All because I can’t feel the pain and continue to push past when a normal person would know to stop.
I have woken up after a 4 day stretch at work unable to move my back because I, again, pushed past when a normal person would have taken it easy because I didn’t feel when I strained my back.
If I drink, I don’t realize when I am drunk because I do not feel drunk. This is why I am very careful when I drink and only drink weak drinks or limit myself to one beer.
I usually do not speak publicly about this issue. It is very rare and not really something I want out there. But, a few comments from people lately have caused me to speak out. They have called me lucky and said they wish they had what I have. No, you really don’t. Trust me on this.

Since my last post on what marriage is was such a hit, here is part 2….
Marriage is….
Going to his job after you get off work to wait for him so you can drive home together for a few extra minutes of together time.
Knowing she is uncomfortable with her long hair loose and down while out and about so you buy her cute hair clips and bandanas to wear.
Knowing he likes your hair down so you let it out of the braid or bun when at home, just to see his face light up as it cascades down your back, knowing that sight is just for him.
Going to bed hungry to make sure she has enough to eat.
Making his favorite dinner for him before he goes to work.
Its getting up early to drive her to work to spend a few extra minutes together.
Its planning to take PTO at the same time as him so you have an entire week to spend with each other.
Its turning to him with tears in your eyes after a hard day at work knowing he will let you cry it out.
Its rubbing her neck while driving home after she has had a hard day.
Its working together to make a good life for each other.
Its talking into the early hours of the morning and not running out of things to say.
Its playing the same video game together for 14 years because you both enjoy it.
Its building an archery range in the back yard because it is a shared hobby.
Its putting every spare penny, nickle, dime, quarter and dollar aside to take a dream trip on your 20th anniversary.
Its friendly teasing for the three months of the year he is older.
Its years of jokes and sleepless nights, worry and stress, love and joy.
Its everything all rolled into one package that makes your life complete.
Its not being able to picture your life without the other person.

For my own reasons, I am all for LGBTQ rights. The libertarian in me says, whatever you do in your personal life is none of my business, just don’t force it on me or continue to throw it in my face. You do you, Boo!
My issue right now is how people are reacting to the recent announcement that trans people will not be allowed to serve OPENLY in the military. Honestly, this is no change from the way it has been since the beginning of our great country.
A group of able bodied people is not being excluded from service. All able bodied people are, actually, welcome into the military.
So, why make the announcement? Well, the military is not a place for social experimentation. It is not the place to make a social stand or to make yourself stand out.
Why does the military wear uniforms? Why do they drill and march? Why do they have all those rules about conduct, dress, appearance?
Part of what the military does, how it functions so well, is that, from day one of basic training, they tear down the individual and begin building something new, something uniform. The military functions as ONE cohesive unit, everyone in lock step, everyone looking the same. You ever notice that, when a military formation is marching along, everyone is in the same uniform? If the uniform of the day is BDUs and you wear blues, you are not in the same formation. Everyone looks the same.
Being an individual is not a good thing in the military. THAT is why the announcement was made. It was not to exclude a group of people or to set things back. No, it was to ensure that we continue to be the greatest fighting force on the planet. That fighting force needs discipline, cohesion, unity and uniformity.
And guess what? When you CHOOSE to join the United States Military, you are CHOOSING to follow the policies. You CHOOSE to give up your individuality, you CHOOSE to agree to obey the orders of those appointed above you, INCLUDING the President. We do not force people to serve. Our military is 100% voluntary. Don’t like a policy? Don’t agree with what the military is doing? Then don’t join. Don’t force a social issue on the military.

No matter what you call it, finding a good, comfortable, sexy bra can be like finding the Holy Grail. It seems like lingerie designers seem to think that if you are larger than a D cup, your size is enough and you don’t need or want something that looks good. Function over fashion, right?
When you do find one that you like that does not look like it uses 3 yards of fabric, it is twice the price our smaller cup size sisters pay. Then, the retailer, usually Victoria Secret, will discontinue your new found bra. There are times when it is like the episode of Married… With Children when they discontinue Peggy’s bra and she is in a panic trying to find one she likes before the old one breaks.
Every time you wash your well fitting, sexy bra you feel like you should sacrifice something to the gods of elastic and underwires before putting it in the machine to ensure the garment survives the ordeal.
Because of the expense and difficulty finding one, most of us only have 2 good bras that fit well and also look good. You know the kind of bra I’m talking about. It just looks killer on you and provides the support you need when you have a larger chest. And if the bra breaks… Heartbreak.
While doing my laundry for work today, I found that, somehow, both underwires of my good bra were snapped!
I have one more good bra that fits well, but this loss hurts, not sure when I will be able to replace this bra. It is like losing a dear friend.