A Story About Boy

Since I talk about Boy so much, I figured I'd tell you little anecdote about him, so you could have something to visualize whenever I talk about him.

Boy grew up in a very small, one-stop-light town in the western part of the state, the part that all those hick jokes come from. His school was closed the first day of hunting season and his rival high school had a "bring your tractor to school day." (I sware to you, I am not making this up). There is very little do to up there, besides play sports or drink, so they did a lot of both in High School.

And while Boy has left most of this country behavior behind him, there are still a few vestiges left that continue to surprise me. Sometimes when we go back to his home town I pretend I am a sociologist examining him in his natural habitat (this visual makes me giggle). The following story explains how Boy still has a little country in him.

Over the summer, Boy and I went to a holiday cookout at one of his friend's mother-in-law's house. Everyone was having a good time, drinking, playing corn-hole, and just catching up in general. Then--it got close to dusk and the mother's family members (like her middle aged sisters) started to set a tent up on the lawn. I was quite confused and asked Boy what they were doing.

Boy: Uh, they are setting up a tent to sleep in (like I was the silly one)
Me: So, these aunts and uncles are going to sleep outside on the lawn instead of inside in a bed or something?
Boy: Uh, yeah (again, like I was a nut)[Now, the house wasn't ginormous, but there was certainly room for a few carefully placed aunts and uncles].
Boy: I mean, we are sleeping in a tent too.
Me: SKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTT. Excuse me? (Now, I am a girl that likes to camp---but only when she isn't being visited by aunt flo and is fully prepared with all necessary camping gear- cute bandana included).

I quickly nixed this idea. Lord only knows what Boy was thinking, telling me hours before bed time, that in fact, we would not be going back to his parent's house, but we would be sleeping outside. That was NOT going to happen. Especially after the appearance of a giant wolf spider! But in the same breath, we are in our early 20s, and sleeping outside isn't really that big of a deal, and had I been prepared, I wouldn't have minded.

But--never in a MILLION years, would I let my aunts sleep on my front lawn in a tent. The more I thought about this situation, the more comical it became! I mean, honestly?! Who lets their aunts sleep on a tent in their yard? And the best part of the whole thing, was that this sleeping arrangement was pretty much 100% normal to the majority of people there. I was baffled and even more baffled that Boy wasn't baffled. Although his aunts have never slept on his front lawn, (his mother would never allow such a thing) he had certainly seen it happen at other people's houses before.

Anyways, I thought this was a fun little tale about Boy and how every once in a while things pop out of his mouth that are totally natural to him, and completely foreign to me. Which is not to say that some things I do are completely foreign to him, but we will get to those stories later.

Not Me! Monday

In case you haven't been introduced to Not Me! Monday, yet, here are a few details. A few weeks ago I stumbled across MckMama who plays "Not Me! Monday." Here are the rules to playing, but in sum, you just list a lot of things you "didn't" (read: actually did) do this weekend/past week. All in the name of admitting that we all make mistakes and aren't perfect.

1. I certainly did not almost polish off a jumbo tub of buttered popcorn at the movies! I would never eat that much popcorn!

2. I certainly did not waste an hour or two at work last week blogging. I would never be that irresponsible with a client's time.

3. I most certainly did not snicker my way through church giggling about how bad the choir was. Nope--I'm a way better person than that!

4. Of course I didn't secretly get angry at my sister for waking up at her boyfriends on Christmas morning and leaving Christmas dinner early to spend time with her boyfriend. No, if I was that annoyed I would clearly tell her.

5. Finally, I certainly didn't tie a Christmas bow around Cheeto's neck so he would look cute and left it on until he wrestled it off! Nope, I'm a nicer furmom than that.

Feel free to play along!

Trouble with BigSack

For the past seven months, my sister has revolved her life around her new boyfriend. It bothers me for so many reasons and yet, I don't tell her. I don't know if I don't tell her because I'm scared she will be pissed at me if I tell her the truth, or if I just want to leave her alone in her love bubble.

She is too old to act like this---in her mid twenties, she has an advanced degree and a specialized job. She is a grown woman, yet she overlooks family and lifelong friends to spend time with her boyfriend. An athlete her entire life, she has stopped working out because she says she doesn't have the time to run before going over her boyfriend's after work.

It's not like she is the only woman to have ever done this. At one stage or another, most of us leave our senses behind and abandon friends and family for a boy.

The trouble is, she has done this before and didn't learn her lesson. She did this with another boy and it ended because she suffocated him.

I think it bothers me the most because generally, in life, I am pretty independent. I often crave time alone and enjoy days off reading a good book with no one to bother me. This independence transcends into my relationship with Boy. Yes, we spend a lot of time together, but we also have activities/interests outside of each other. We frequently go out with out each other. I do not need to see him everyday. I like to give him a chance to miss me. I certainly do not skip out on my family to be with him on Holidays.

I just wish the girl would lead her life and find ways to fit her boyfriend into it, not lead her life around her boyfriend. Or, maybe I wish I had the strength to stand up to her and tell her she is acting like a high schooler and needs to act like a grown woman... However, it's likely that neither will happen and I will continue to brood inside until i snap about it.

3 Awards and a Guest Blogger

Since I had some serious weekend drama, I've been slacking in the "Tag/Award" department. So, this post will feature three awards and a guest blog spot by Cheeto (who was tagged)! YEAH!


I got the lemonade award from Mrs. Stilletos and from Sasika for showing (most likely) Attitude and (maybe) Gratitude. Thanks, ladies!! Both of these fellow bloggers are fabulous and fun and you should visit them!




This award comes with a few rules:
Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE!
Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Victoria also tagged me with the Smile award! Yeah, Thanks girl!

The qualifications to receive the award are:
A. Display a cheerful attitude.
B. Love one another.
C. Make mistakes.
D. Learn from others.
E. Be a positive contributor to the blog world.
F. Love life.
G. Love kids.

I'm not sure I always follow all of these qualifications, (besides Making mistakes--have you seen Not Me! Monday?) but maybe that is something to strive for.

The Rules:
1. Must link it back to the creator
2. Post the rules
3. Choose 5 people to give it to
4. Recipients must fit the characteristics above
5. Create a post to share this
6. You must thank the winner

And now....
On to guest blogging. Cheeto was tagged by Lulu and Jax from "I Now pronounce you: Husband, Wife, and Two crazy dogs." I know I promised no more crazy cat lady posts, so sorry.

So here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

So, here is Cheeto and his fun facts:
1. Although I have lots of favorite spots around the house, my new favorite is laying underneath the Christmas tree and batting ribbons of off presents.
2. Every morning when Littlesack's alarm goes off I come into her room, pounce on her bed, walk on to her full bladder, circle around her chest, and lay on her neck until the snooze goes off.
3. I also really enjoy drinking from any water dish that isn't mine. So when Littlesack leaves cups laying around I love to drink out of them. Sometimes she drinks from tall skinny glasses and my head won't fit inside I have to knock over the glass to drink the water. Littlesack isn't a fan of this game.
4. Although I LOVE tuna fish from the can, I won't eat the good tuna Littlesack gets from the seafood department.
5. Since I am an inside cat, the farthest outside I can go is out onto the screened-in back porch. I spend hours out here and often the squirrels and chipmunks taunt me since they know I can't come outside and chasethem.

and end guest blog spot!
****
Whew, what a crazy award season for me and my cat!
So, I have the feeling that most of these awards/tags have been around the blogroll block a few times and although I am really thankful for each of them, I don't want to make it repetitive, so I'm not going to tag anyone specifically.

However, if you want to play any of these tags, leave me a comment and I will certainly tag you. I just don't want to tag bloggers that have repeatedly been tagged.

If I don't post again before Christmas, I hope those celebrating Christmas have a wonderful one, and I hope those of you celebrating Chanukah enjoy the rest of the holiday!

Update Monday

1. Boy scored major points this weekend by seriously standing up for me to Jerk roommate. When Boy got home from work he talked (maybe yelled) with Jerk about how he handled the situation horribly and personally attacked me. Boy told Jerk that it wasn't acceptable for him to leave me notes like that, threatening me with spending time there, etc. Apparently boy was convincing because I got a voicemail from Jerk apologizing for handling the situation poorly and for leaving such a nasty note. I even got an in-person apology the next day.

So, since its the season for yuletide and good blessings, I will forgive, but I won't forget and this incident will certainly stay in the front of my mind.


2. Thanks for all the comments. I'm glad others have had crappy roommate experiences and can relate. To those that suggested I should have confronted Jerk immediately after I saw the note- you are totally right. But, when i get angry, I don't look pissed, I just cry. And it's very hard to stand up for yourself and say how angry you are, when you are crying like an ten year-old. It's something I really wish I could change.


3. The fact that Boy is paying for two shares of utilities is completely ridiculous and the fact that he let that go without a fight is ridiculous. But- a conversation for another day.


4. Yesterday Boy and I (and about 15 of his good friends from home) went to the Skins- Eagles game. While I'm more of a Ravens gal myself, I do root for the Skins and also love me some Chris Cooley. (Too bad his wife is the hottest thing since sliced bread). For Boy's birthday present I got most of his good friends together to all go to this game. Although very cold, we had a great time tailgating, watching the game, and partying for eight hours. I always enjoy catching up with the girls in that group. Even better- the Skins won in a fourth quarter nail-bitter!

I'd say I'd post pictures, but I don't like to bring my camera to events that involve multiple hours of drinking because I will most likely loose it, so there aren't any. But here is brief summary that you can imagine: Four hours of tailgating in freezing weather, me and Boy wearing about 8 layers of clothes each, Boy failing asleep in the first quarter because of a little too much tailgating fun, and enough wind to send a plate of hot dogs flying!!!


5. It's finally the week of Christmas! WEEEEEE!


6. I'm skipping Not me Monday! for the week---too much drama in the weekend.


7. For those of you that tagged me recently, I promise I haven't forgotten and will get to those posts this week. Look forward to guesting blogging by Cheeto (who was tagged) and an award from Mrs. Stilettos and one from Victoria. (YEAH!)

Seriously?

You have GOT to be kidding me!?! This note is what I woke up to this morning- a lovely little note from Boys' roommate- taped to the front door handle along with the "dish" that I did not wash. The dish was a 2x2 Tupperware dish that I was eating m&ms out of. (If it can be held up by tape----it's not a dish).

(If you can't read it- it says, "Little sack, Why do none of your dishes make it into the dishwasher? If you want to be up at this house you need to clean up after yourself!")

Boy's roommate is without a doubt the BIGGEST passive aggressive A**HOLE I have ever encountered. This note, was the straw that broke the camel's back. Because I am so ragingly pissed right now, I will tell you the series of bullsh*t things that Boy's roommate (we will call him Jerk) has put me through.


Background facts:
Jerk had his girlfriend living at the house for over a year before she paid for a single bill, utility, or otherwise and was there every day when Jerk wasn't (after a year of living there for free, she now pays bills)
My college roommate's boyfriend basically lived at my house and was very messy. and I HATED it. He was there more than i was there- slept every night there, etc. So, when I moved home, I vowed that I would not be "that girlfriend" and I would not be at Boy's house too much. I have kept that promise to myself very well, and am rarely there more than two nights a week.
I also make sure that all of my things are only ever in Boy's room and not in common areas, and that shared dishes (pot's, plates, etc) are washed immediately after use.

Instances of Jerk throwing straws at camels back:

1. Instance 1- Boy and I had been dating for about 2 years when I graduated, moved out of my college townhouse and moved back home. Up until that point Boy and I split time between hanging out at each other's places, but were never together for more than 2-3 nights per week. When I moved home, I would often go over Boy's after work on Friday and because of differing schedules, I would be at Boy's house before Boy got home. Instead of relying on Boy's roommates to be home- Boy made me a key. Fine.
One week day I had to stopped by Boy's house to pick up something I left there. Not expecting anyone to be home, I was frightened when Jerk was home and asked me what I was doing there.
LS: Uh, picking something up
Jerk: How'd you get in?
LS: I have a key
Jerk: How'd you get a key?
LS: Boy made me one.
Jerk: OH?! (Turn on heel and walk away)

So, being pretty intuitive I realized Jerk was not happy, quickly left the house, told Boy about it and began to walk to walk on egg shells, feeling very unwelcome.

2. Instance Two: Jerk is VERY particular about a clean house, which is fine. I like things tidy too. I can appreciate that. Over the 2 years Boy and I have been dating, he has yelled (yes, yelled and scolded) at Boy to clean up his dishes. Knowing how particular Jerk is about this--I always make sure that immediately after we finish eating dinner--the dishes are washed.

3. Instance three: Boy generally works on Saturday morning, so he leaves his house before I get up. Last weekend I got up to leave and a cup and a "dish" (again a small Tupperware I was eating baked cheetos out of) were sitting on the stairway, as a clear sign to me to put them the hell away. Because Jerk was in the kitchen and I wanted to avoid him, I stepped over the dishes and left the house. I wasn't giving into his passive aggressive bull shit.

4. Instance four: This morning I am leaving the house (again after Boy has gone to work) and find this LOVELY little note taped to the door knob. Just last night Boy told me I was "reading too much into Jerk's action." I was Freikin livid when I saw this note! Like, beyond a normal level of anger and pissed off-ness. First, I always ensure that out dinner dishes are done and I'm sorry that I left a cup out on the coffee table, because I forgot to put it away before bed. But I really don't understand why this is such a big deal. And, if it is such a big deal---all Jerk has to say is, "Hey, Littlesack, i'd appreciate it if youd put your cups in the dishwasher before going to bed." LIKE A GROWN UP!

So, I call Boy to tell him that I am certainly not overreacting, because well, Jerk left me this lovely little letter. (My favorite part of the letter is the "if you want to be here" like he is threatening from barring me from Boy's home like I'm a five year old child).
So, Boy promises me he will talk to Jerk about it.

And this is also the last straw for Boy too (who has way more patience than I have ever possessed). Apparently, Boy told me this this morning, but a few months ago, Jerk told Boy that since I was there more, I should have to pay utilities. Boy didn't feel like arguing, so he agreed. (don't get me started on why he agreed.) So, for the past few months the utilities have been split five ways (Jerk, jerk's GF, other roommate, Boy, and me) and Boy has been paying 2 shares. HONESTLY---WTF?!?!!?! I have, over the entire course of our more than 2 year relationship taken less than 10 showers there. I am also only there when Boy isn't for less than an hour most Friday nights. There is no way I am using enough utilities to warrant Boy paying two shares. And, I'm upset that Boy was paying that money and didn't tell me.

I have lost it! I am a 22 year old woman! I, nor my 24 year old boyfriend, do not deserve to be treated like we are children. I am at my wit's end and honestly have no idea what to do about it. Boy is going to talk to Jerk, but, I certainly don't want to go there anymore. But--where am I going to go? Living at home isn't awful, but I'm only doing it to save money while going to grad school. I have no place of my own, and If I can't go to Boy's, where will I go when I need downtime?

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no more to say, I am sorry that this is long and ugly, but I needed to get it off my chest because crying about it wasn't helping.

SO EXCITED!

1. THANK YOU all so much for your support during my hair trauma episode. It means more than you know. really. Love all of you!

2. On to more EXCITING Things...

This past July 4th weekend I went to my first music festival (I told you I was part hippie) at it was AMAZING. I can't say enough good things about it, but in sum, it was one of the best vacations I've ever had. I'll give you the annotated story of the trip.

If you don't know what a music festival is, here is a brief summary-

Basically a bunch of people (like 10,000) camp out for four or five days and drink and party all day and night. There are generally over 100+ bands over the four or five days to see and some trippy side events as well.

So, I saw an add on line last winter for Rothbury- a concert featuring Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and even B's favorite band The Disco Biscuits (plus a hundred or so others). I was immediately hooked because I LOVE ME some Dave! So, I convinced B (a music festival veteran) to go and over the next few months the line up got even better. I'd list all the bands I loved, but that may be boring to some of you!

The festival was in Michigan and we live on the East coast. So, B and I packed our camping gear up and drove all night and headed out to Michigan where the land is flat and the air is beautifully clean. We met one of his best friends out there who currently lives in Colorado. We set up our camp site (beer pong table and easy up included) and got to drinking! And the next five days could never have been better. I still can't put words into how awesome the whole trip was, especially the Dave concert. B and I stood really close to the stage and danced the whole time. Those few hours, were by far, the best hours of my life. Dave was AMAZING, the crowd was crazy and it was just ALL FUN. After the show I used words like "shredded his guitar" and those are words I never ever use. That, is how good it was. After we got back I downloaded the soundboard from the show and put it on my ipod. When I run to those songs, I get so happy I can barely keep myself from dancing. (Sometimes I play "air drum" while running, which probably looks more like "air seizure").

Although Dave was certainly the highlight, the whole thing was amazing. I saw some great bands that I'd never seen before. I took over 500 pictures on the trip of some of the craziest things i have ever seen. (My old icon--of that odd pumpkin thing, was from Rothbury, and was only one of many very odd sights).

Anyways, the site for Rothbury 2009 has been under construction for the past few weeks and I am addicted to checking it daily- crazy hungry for the lineup for this year. This is all the sight says now. AHHHHHH! I can't even contain my excitement for what this year is going to bring.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel like a kid at Christmas (hm, that seems appropriate?) Maybe, for this Christmas, I want Rothbury to list their line up for this year!