He's one cool dude.

...The Art Teacher, that is!

Here are a few [material] things I adore about him:

Uno: He had 21 inch dreads & gauge ear piercings for awhile in college! There shows his love for Bob Marley [YES!]. For those of you who don't know what "gauge" means, an example is below...

He has a stellar boss, too. His principal said he should put 'em back in..."what the heck, you're an art teacher!"

Dos: He drives a pimp ass ride - a black Jeep Commander.

Tres: He has a RoCkSt*r shoe collection, including lots of funky-colored casual Pumas, Adidas', Nike's, New Balances, & zebra-striped slip-ons. His style is awesomly "cool dude."

It means a lot...

...when The Ex tells me "you're an amazing person" even post-divorce.

Cheers to what we were always meant to be...great friends. :)

At least I know I tried.

About 24 years ago in kindergarten, I remember arguing with this other little blonde girl over who got to play "mom" when playing "house" during indoor recess.

This strong-willed chica soon became my best friend & we were inseparable throughout elementary, middle school and high school - along with our other best friend T, whom we met in 1st grade. We were competitive friends when it came to grades, & playing games & sports, we would get in arguments one minute, but magically be BFF's again after lunch that same day. She, T, & I all have May birthdays, so we often had joint birthday parties, including a Sweet Sixteen celebrated at the Mall of America & a hotel in Minneapolis. We were sometimes mistakenly thought to be sisters & pretty much could have been.

As if 12 years wasn't enough, we ended up attending the same college & decided to room together our freshman year...yes, we both survived that without bloodshed. Although we were still close friends, we each gained some of our own friends throughout college & were no longer joined at the hip by our senior year. She was my Maid of Honor & I'm grateful to still have her friendship 24 years later...

...or so I thought. :(

I haven't been the best "girlfriend" to anyone in the last few years - losing touch when my marriage started going downhill & moving 2 hours away from all of them when The Ex got a job elsewhere, having long work travel seasons, then dealing with depression & not wanting contact with anyone. However, I still always think of my friends, care about them deeply, & do what I can to maintain contact with them whether it be e-mail, texting, a phone call, this blog, or Facebook when our lives are so hectic. Well, she apparently thinks otherwise.

Last time we got together for dinner, she showed up...to my surprise...because she never responded to my texts or calls when planning for the night. No big. As usual, we all talked & laughed as if there had been no time between meet-ups. It was great. :)

Well, over the last 2 months, she hasn't responded to any of my texts & doesn't have Facebook. I even sent her a package a few weeks ago in continuation of this post & included a funny card with a nice long note. Everyone's excited to get unexpected mail, right? My parents called [I was on the road for work] to say it had been returned because of an address error. So, I texted her again. [We're both not phone talkers] Fail. Still got nothin'. I called & left her a message asking what part of the address I was missing. Yet again, ignored. Ok, so maybe you don't have unlimited texts...then for goodness sakes, shoot me an e-mail that you're sitting at all day, everyday at work.

I found out my error on my own & put it back in the mail. [She has been in touch with our other mutual friends, so I know everything's okay...]

Here I am about a week or more later & I still haven't heard anything. Not even a "thank you."

Seriously? That's sad...after all these years. :(

To our 23 year friend T, I appreciate you keeping in touch. I love you and all of you other incredible buddies & am grateful to have you a part of my life.

To S, look me up. I miss you...honestly.

She never reads this, so I don't expect anything...

Hump Day HA!

Just a nice November drive from one high school visit to another & the beautiful blue sky is interrupted by this in front of me...somethin' I've never seen before...a friggin' deer carcass on the back of a Chevy Aveo...LOL, OMFG?!

Today is significant.

No. I did not win the lottery. If that was the case, I'd have written "significant" in all caps & it's doubtful I'd even be blogging...

No. I did not unexpectedly give birth in a toilet.

No. I did not elope with an eHarmony dude. I'm in southern Minnesota, that'd be no fun...

No. I did not get a raise. That requires Hell to freeze over, or the Easter Bunny to be proven real.

& no, it wasn't the day The Ex & I separated last year.

Today is my HALF BiRTHDAY! LOL, yeah, you may think that isn't significant. But, that means I only have 6 months left to PARTY like a twenty-something! That's insane.

Yep, on May 9th I will turn the big 3-0.

With the big deal out now, here are the top ten RoCkSt*R things I want to do with the time I have left in my 20's [no particular order]:

1. Lose 20 pounds. I lost 20 between last November & May, but have gained most of it back now that I'm no longer depressed & have been consuming large amounts of pasta during travel season nor have I had the time or energy to work out... It's a priority now.

2. PARTY LiKE A RoCkStA*R on New Year's Eve, because, boy oh boy will I be flippin' THRiLLED to near-death that this year is OVER!

3. Recruit a higher number of students to the College than last year, including doubling the # enrolling in the fall from Colorado [8].

4. Learn how to babysit. ...seriously, LOL. I have no experience with babies & I plan on babysitting my niece over Christmas break...so, that means the bro & sis-in-law must show me the ropes of how to deal with the poops.

5. Have a girls' night at least once a month with my group of high school/college friends.

6. Actually finish reading one of the books I have listed on the right, Open Door: A Journey to the True Self.

7. Sell my gosh darn house that's been on the market for over a year now. Wells Fargo, I hate you like I hate tots! That's an evil hate.

8. Create at least one piece of artwork that isn't photography. I miss this. I would like to do some form of canvas mixed-media piece with paint, text, & objects...hmmm...

9. Move out of my parents' house & for the first time, actually live by myself. Can't wait. Of course, this depends on stupid #7.

10. Get a massage once a month. I had one of the best ever last week - an entire full-body, one hour massage for only $20 at a school of massage [the way to go!].

Check back in May to see that I did accomplish all these & to read my dreams for my 30's!

The Fun Theory.

This is such a BRiLLiANT idea! :)

My First Impression.

I've shared with you some info on my eHarmony matches, so I figured I'd show ya what the guys see about me prior to communication [hopefully it's pretty accurate?]. For those of you who don't know me personally, here's a glimpse of the quirky blog writer. Me....

[remember, there was about 45 minutes worth of questions I also had to answer for additional information that is used for matching...that's not included here]

What are you most passionate about?

A LOT! ...family, friends, faith, watching & playing sports, art & photography, education reform & human rights advocacy, working with students, liberal politics, traveling, nature's beauty, being outside, dance...& ice cream, especially Cold Stone's Peanut Butter Cup Perfection! :)

What are the THREE things for which you are MOST thankful?

1. My unconditionally LOViNG & SUPPORTiVE family.
2. My career in education that I truly LOVE & have the opportunity to travel & MAKE A DiFFERENCE in the lives of other people.
3. LiFE. :)

Other than your parents, who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

Although he's a year & a half younger than me, my brother is the next most influential person in my life. He is one of my best friends & with our competitive nature, he has kept me motivated to do the best I can in every aspect of life. I also admire the perseverance & determination that got him through 3 marathons, 2 of which he was in terrible pain. We share many similar interests & he has been very supportive of me through the challenges of life.

The four things your friends say about you are: [had to choose from a list]

1. Creative
2. Kind
3. Passionate
4. Outgoing

What are three of your BEST life-skills? [had to choose from a list]

1. Finding pleasure and contentment in simple things
2. Finding new adventures and unique experiences
3. Sharing my beliefs through teaching, participation, and example

What is the most important quality that you are looking for in another person?

Sense of humor, respect, loyalty, affection... [couldn't choose only one, but I also could have listed several more...]

Other than your appearance, what is the first thing that people notice about you?

My laugh & enthusiasm.

What is the ONE thing that people DON'T notice about you right away that you WISH they WOULD?

My selflessness.

How do you typically spend your leisure time?

I enjoy any outdoor activities (camping, boating, fishing, rollerblading, walking, etc) & love watching or playing sports! I also enjoy spending my free time with photography, watching movies, working out, writing, or volunteering.

What are five things that you "can't live without?"

a. family
b. faith
c. affection/love
d. nature
e. Velveeta Shells 'n Cheese :)

Describe the last book that you read and enjoyed. What was it about? What did you like most about it?

I just finished my 3rd Augusten Burroughs memoir, "Possible Side Effects" & am reading Stephen Colbert's "I Am America." I tend to only read non-fiction & love both of these books' brutal honesty, wit, & sarcasm!

Describe one thing about yourself that only your best friends know.

When you become a best friend, you'll discover it as well...

Is there any additional information you would like your matches to know about you?

I'm a March Madness basketball & New York Yankees fanatic.
My favorite movies are "Jerry Maguire" & "Little Miss Sunshine."
I love chocolate.
I want to be a game show or "Amazing Race" contestant before I die.
I have traveled to 35 states & 5 countries.
I can parallel park like a pro, including 15-passenger vans! :P

***

That's me. Take it or leave it...

Dear Diary.

March 3, 1990

Dear Diary,

Today me my mom my brother and my grandma P. Went to a championship rodeo. Me and my brother got to pick out one rodeo thing to buy I picked a hat with a fether belt you put around it it's red, white and black. My brother got a trick rope.

- 9 year old rockstar

July 4, 1990

Dear Diary,

Today is the 4th of July. Me and C just got finished watching the Walt Disneys 4th of July spectacular on T.V. We were in the 4th of July parade for Super Valu in Urbandale. in about an hour we might go see fireworks if it quits raining.

- 10 year old rockstar

September 11, 1990

Dear Diary,

Today in gym class I made the sit-ups for physical fitness. You had to see how many you can do in a minute. And I got 48 sit-ups. My friend Stefanie got 85 sit-ups, she got so many because she only weights like 70 pound and she doesn't have much weight to pull up!

- 10 year old rockstar

[skinny b*tch! LOL.]

September 12, 1990

Dear Diary,

Today I found out that there is a new boy in the other class, and he drives you nuts!!! Because I have to sit by him in Reading class. He talks all the time!!! Stefanie thinks he's cute. I think he's okay.

- 10 year old rockstar