Countdown

It's been a while since we have had a good countdown on the blog. And now...we are in the last days of a good countdown! We are going on our first big flight required family vacation. We are taking a week and going down to  Dallas and Corpus. We are going to see my friends and family in Dallas for a couple days and stay with my best friend like I always do. We are planning on having an adult double date night out on the town the first night we are there. The second night we are having a BBQ birthday bash for ME with a bunch of my different friends, along with some of my family. Our Sunday and Monday are totally wide open and I am hoping to get some visiting time in with my good friend, Julie. And then we are heading down to Corpus and Padre to get our beach on. We are taking my nephews with us for their first ever vacation. They have only ever been away from the house two nights in their whole lives and they are 7 & 9 years old. Lorelli is sooo looking forward to hanging out with her cousins and going to the beach and swimming in the ocean. We are also planning on catching a baseball game while we're down there. It is a pretty low-key vacation with not too many big plans. Mostly just relaxing and hanging with friends.

But MAN - Could it JUST get here ALREADY?!?!

Intolerance

I am feeling kind of blah today. I let something really get to me yesterday when I probably shouldn't have. A high school friend of mine posted a link to a website as his Facebook status and asked his friends to join him in boycotting Home Depot. I was not angered by his post...everyone is welcome to have their own opinions...BUT I WAS UPSET by the page that he posted. It was just....filth.

I have been so lucky to be supported by such amazing people in my life since meeting Jennifer and falling in love with her and marrying her. I know that there are VERY anti-gay people and groups out there. But, thankfully, I have not had to face them too often. I was not raised in that kind of judgmental family. And none of my friends have ever been that hateful. And here in Ithaca, people are very open and friendly and liberal, so Lorelli has not had to face other people's hatred and judging.

I DO know it is out there. I read about it from afar. You see it on the internet. I know about it from the work that we do on the Crisisline. I am not SO unicorns and rainbows that I think that the world has changed and grown so much that all people will accept all other people. I DO pray for that day, though.

Because I was so upset, I went back and re-visited some of the things that my amazing friends have said to me in the last year and I wanted to share them with you.

"I LOVE YOU. I LOVE THAT YOU ARE HAPPY. I ALWAYS WILL......it doesn't make me care about you or your happiness any less. It doesn't mean that I don't want to continue to be your friend, or be part of a four headed goddess with you.....But I am truly glad that she gives you what you've needed for so long, and I want you to be happy, loved, valued, all those things that you deserve!!!"


"Girl or boy, lady, i am glad you are happy. It is super cool that you found what you want!"

"I am glad you're happy - well I guess to be honest, it would be more like spaz-out joyful - the way one is when one is in the thores of love. "

"And, as I said, I care about YOU and your sexual orientation, who you are married to or your religion are not factors in our friendship.......I think loving ALL people is important and don't go around making public stances against people for any reason"


Those are just a few of the amazing things that the people I surround myself with have said to show me that they love me and are behind me. I just needed to get this out of my head. Thanks for sticking around and reading. 

Hello Hello!!!

Do you know what today is? Do you??? Other than Tuesday??? And other than NOT Friday???

You don't? How is that possible? Well...I will tell you what today is....er....was....since the day is almost over now. Today....was the 5 month-iversary of my wedding to my loverly wife. FIVE months ago we ran away to Vermont and got married. Five months ago I became Mrs. Charisse Oates. Let me share with you some of the awesomeness of the last five months...mmmkay???


Taking in Yankee Stadium

Heading in to get married

Billings Farm in Vermont

Am awesome Christmas

Sledding

Family snow play

 Cookiepalooza 2010

Seeing the Statue of Liberty