I made the announcement Friday. I will be retiring from derby, effective June 8.

Working 2 jobs and derby was taking too much time away from my family - and as a result stressing me out. I always said if it ever came to the point where derby was effecting my life with my family derby would loose.

It is time to slow down, take a deep breath, and RELAX.

I wont be disappearing entirely, I will likely become a rabid fan, or announcer.

The weekend was simply packed to the gills with friends and family. What more can I hope for? Saturday we attended a book signing for the book of Grants late (1965) Grandfathers poetry. I was more than a little confused as to how a author who has been dead over 40 years would sign the book. Little did we know that Grant and his Dad would be doing the signing since he did the data entry and his father compiled the poems. While we were there I played with the dogs, a Germain Sheppard, Anatolian Sheppard, great Pyrenees, and 2 Pitt bulls. We went home and Grant crashed out.

Dinner brought a happy event, I had dinner with Rose (a very dear friend from my sophomore year at OSU) and her husband Justin (incidentally I sold rose to Justin at a date auction - this led to their first date), Kathy (Justin's mom), and the Hobbits. Girl Hobbit is 7 now (I was there when she was born), and Boy Hobbit is 5 (I saw him when he was about a week old). Dinner was great and the kids are sooooo cute! It seems like every time Rose comes to Tulsa she brings a torrential down pour, this time was no exception.

I ran home to try to wake up Grant - no dice. All the while I was experiencing a severe case of cabin fever.Fortunately Kellie let me know that she was at Fox and Hound so I headed up there for a beer. As I was parking the sky began to once again open up - rain was pouring down in sheets. 1 beer in it was time to head home to wake up Grant and head over to Jocelyns to properly christen the new fire pit! It was a linguine, beer, wine, salad, and music kinda night. With the guys (and gal) from the band talking shop and Erin an I inhaling smores.. Then home to bed at 3AM.

Sunday was catchup day. It was nice to have a weekend with friends we don't see often, friends we do see more often, and family. I look forward to more of these!

Birthday started off bright.

Today the first contact I had from anyone was from Matt (my baby brother).

For the first time in 14 years he wished me a happy birthday. The last time he was 1 and a half going on 2, all I clearly remember is that he called me 'Sissy'.

I cannot tell you just how happy that made me. I further cannot tell you just how happy that text message made me this morning.

Over the weekend I had a few friends over for a night of beer (only my favorites - Linenkugel Sunset Wheat, and Marshall Sundown Wheat) and brauts. It was a modest gathering but seemed to fit the first annual 28th birthday celebration well. Damion, Jocelyn, Kelli, Kenny, Erin, Sean, Trick, and Scarlet.

We watched some basket ball,ok - Kelli, Kenny, and I watched. At this point my bracket was still looking good. For me it is loads of Big XII love - I just want the big east to loose.

Sunday brought the joint family party for myself and Robyn. The family opted to give each of us one large gift for Rob it was a Bookcase, for me a 2 person hammock. I am admittedly looking forward to a warm sunny day to fully use it. Additionally I have 3 gift cards that will go for shoes(!), some new work shirts, a nacho plate, Tulsa drawing, photo frame, and my le cruset tea pot (flame) on its way! And most exciting of all I now have a lawn mower (thank you hunny)!!!

Today I think we will gather at Split Rail for Ribs.

This past year has been a odd one for me. NPR has laid off many of the reporters I liked. I have switched jobs. For all intensive purposes Grant and I live on opposite sides of the planet. And I am finding my self yearning for a slower pace of life, hopefully the hammock will be the start of something new and good.

Due to a somewhat archaic belief that alcoholism is inherited I avoid drinking when I am sad, mad, numb, or in general hurt. I have a fear that I will follow down the same path that my biological father did. Largely I have stuck to my rule with one exception from years long ago.

The past few days have been a oddity for me. Not bad per-say. I have started working again and things are looking up. And yet I am in such a fog. It is like my eyes are so heavy they will fall out of the socket. Yesterday I was trying on dresses for a upcoming wedding and scratched my eye. As a result I was not up for derby practice. Today I made a unexpected choice. In an attempt to lighten the mood I opened a bottle of Sundown Wheat and settled in for a night of NCIS. This locally bottled beer is quickly becoming my preferred brew.

Since leaving the military way of life NCIS has become a relic of the way life used to be. No it really is nothing like the military life - but you take what you can get.

Since my evening 'meditation' I do find myself feeling a bit as if the weight on my shoulders is a little lighter. This will not become a habit, but it is nice to breathe a little easier.

Well, this blog thing is sucking here lately isn't it dear readers. I think it is safe to say my life just might be at last living on Tulsa Time.



Yes friends, in some ways life moves at a slower pace... however the family obligations are always 'round the bend. I have been doing my share of barn raising, vegetable gardening, and chopping down trees, well sort of. My parents new place has a barn, but the walls were rotting so Dad is re-doing it. Mom is planting a vegetable garden, I hope to get more out of it than just this sunburn. A few weeks ago we had some wicked wind that hit like 80mph sustained - we lost some limbs.

Marshall Brewing Co opened up at long last! I have tried all three of the beers that have been released so far. The sundown wheat is my favorite.

Grants work schedule has changed again. We are not at home at the same time as often now but we do get to see each other more so far that seems to be working well. Speaking of work I am now a employee of Nameplates Inc. And I did get a raise! As a result my hours at the rink have been cut back considerably.

Relay for life went well. I hit my $300 goal and feel pretty good about that! Thanks to all my Friends and family that made that possible. GCRG had a great time and we were able to help fight the fight against cancer.

Tomorrow I will be attending a contest at the Historic Cains Ballroom to cheer on my best friend of 26 years as she sings her heart out. Not only does she sing but she colors my hair any time I get the urge!

Oh and I should be back on skates in another week! My shoulder is almost fully recovered!


It is now time for me to prepare for another work day. But I will leave you with this.



Come visit me. I promise a sunset you cant find any where else on land.

2007 Resolutions

loosing 10 or more pounds and maintaining it- 5 down
add more photos to my portfolio
organize my photos
learn to pop back up from a single knee fall- got it, slow but got it
learn roller derby rules ---- reffed my first bout Feb 25, version 2.1 came out, think I know them pretty good
learn to make 5 new meals
attend 3 concerts ---- went to Shamrockfest March 10
try 6 imported beers ---- Bellhaven March 17, Harp March 23, Lindemans Peche Lambic, Wittekerke
See Andi---- Saw Andi March 9
be more diligent about the litter box
fold clothes on a semi-regular basis- Grant is really helping with this, thank you honey!
save money
get into a photography class even if it is not for credit
pay off 2 more credit cards---- one is DONE!!!
refinance Mazda
see Matt
wear makeup to work on a regular basis- doing really good about this
try lobster ---- this one is now out, tried crab only to learn that I am VERY alergic
go to at least 3 Zoo's ---- Tulsa Zoo Jan 6
diligently add $ to a honeymoon fund
learn to make REAL Sangria
eat less fast food- ony about once or twice a week!
volunteer ---- Ghent Winter Bar Crawl 2007, March of Dimes Walk America
work out regularly ---- does roller derby count?
continue learning who I am.
Visit the outer banks
Move---- we are moving to Colorado
Change Jobs
Get a raise ---- got a .90 raise Feb 5
Get a new Desk ---- shazam I have a new desk! March 4
Get a new Monitor ---- Got new monitor for birthday!
Get my Minolta's repaired
Eat more fruit and veggies
Take Vitamins
Visit 3 museums- Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Spy Museum (Done June 2)
Be a more active participant in SPS
Send in something to Post Secret.
Turn a profit on Cafe Press.
Sleep Better
Be More appreciative of the people in my life
Buy my referee gear---- shirt purchased!, fox 40 whistle a gift from Kenny
Add a monthly resolution

January- Join Roller Derby (Done)

Feb- Drop 5 lbs. (I suck)

March- Get back in to size 10 jeans. ---- I did it but it was not cute.

April- Control my temper.

May. I slacked

June. Get the house organized for the move.

So, the weekend left me feeling very accomplished inspite of a very rocky start.

I was susposed to go see a film with Lisa at the Naro in Ghent... (for my Tulsa Readers think the Circle Cinema) but alas, the parking in Ghent SUX and after approx 30 minutes of parking hunting I was late for the movie and gave up. Then drove to Lynnhaven to see any random movie to calm the nerves. This too was a bust same lack of parking, so I ended my evening at Target with christmas card shopping. Then home to do some html editing on the old blog (please notice the 'cool blogs' section to the left! <------) The next day brought a working saturday where once again I had to fight every rational urge to quit my job. And then a theruputic afternoon of demolotion at the Al's house. And a evening of friends, cider, beer, and a mix of irish/scottish and a tad bit of mexican folk tunes at Murphys. Where I had my third import beer, Woodpecker Cider(although there is some debate among friends as to whether or not I can count it as a beer ( I will be getting Mike's opinion on this one). Woke up to find that Grant will be home early! And then spent yet another productive day at the Al's doing more demo today, I just love home improvement!

Oh, oh go me!!!!!

- try 3 imported beers-2 down tried Rouge Kells Irish Lager and MOnty Pythons Holy Grail Ale!!!!!!




Please note, Tempered over Burning Witches!!!!

I learned a few things this weekend.
-It is important to have Friends who you can trust completely.
-It is important to repay said friends in every way possible.
-5 red bull and vodkas, tequila, coors light, and diet pills do not make a happy tummy.
-above mentioned also ensures that you cannot walk.
-I ain't ever doing that shit again.

So, the tummy is recovering, fortunately there was no headache, and I only puked the night of.

Jess, who does not have this link is someone I owe alot of gratitude and momentarily I am going to her place to clean, feed her kittys cause she is gone and detail her car. Yeah, I owe her big. I also learned this week that some people can surprise you from time to time and do something un-expected.

I am also learning that when I am worried/nervous etc... I do not know when to stop drinking.

And most importantly I learned that Red Bull/vodka tastes alot like Tums, and will make you not want to take tums to help with the queasy-ness.