I write. I ramble.

The voters of North Carolina approved a Constitutional Amendment to ban same-sex marriage in their state. I truly do not understand why some people get so up in arms regarding same-sex marriages. No one is forcing you to marry someone of the same sex. All they’re asking for are the same rights and opportunities afforded heterosexual people.

Two men or two women marrying each other doesn’t tarnish the sanctity of marriage. One look at the divorce rate in this country dispels that theory pretty damn quick. You want to fix the divorce epidemic? Ban marriage altogether. You don’t want your children to see two men or two women holding hands or kissing in public? Banning gay marriage won’t make that happen. You want to use the religious angle? Last time I checked, we weren’t supposed to judge others. That’s God’s job.

What makes me absolutely livid over North Carolina’s amendment is the language itself. This amendment goes way beyond any other state laws that have been passed so far because it strips any type of domestic union from being recognized by the government for anything. That means that a woman who lives with her boyfriend may not be able to get an order of protection against her boyfriend should the need arise simply because they’re not married. If you live with your opposite sex partner but aren’t married, you could be denied visitation with him/her if h/she is in the hospital. This is unacceptable. The Man and I aren’t married. I’m certainly glad I don’t live in North Carolina right now. Although, Florida isn’t much better.

I definitely lean more to the right than the left on most issues, but I don’t understand why this is even a concern of the states’ or federal government. We’re talking about consenting adults who want the same rights afforded them as everyone else. Allowing same-sex couples to get married doesn’t affect anyone’s lives but those getting married. I truly just don’t get the opposition.

The bottom line is, don’t like gay marriage? Don’t get gay married. It’s really that simple.

At Mushroom Printing we have decided that what we need is not cowbell. It’s more Shut Your Whore Mouth!

Also: more Vodka.

Obviously.

So what we’re going to do is this. We’re going to throw a blog party. A WEEKLY blog party. Here’s what we’re doing: Each week, we’re all gonna rant. About what? Doesn’t matter. Can be a small post, a big post, whatever. If you write a rant on your own blog, we’re adding a link-widget so you can put your blog link to your own rant for us. If you have no blog or would prefer to write a rant in the comments, feel free. So grab a badge and let’s begin.

My rant today? Traffic. If there’s one rule of the road people need to remember it’s that the left lane is the passing lane. It’s not the lane you just sit in oblivious to the 5 mile line of traffic behind you. You don’t want to speed? Fine. Move the hell over! Holiday weekend traffic is bad enough without asshats just merrily driving along in the left hand lane. On my eight hour drive home from NC, I must have passed more people in the center and right lanes just to get around the slowass douche canoes in the left lane. I swear, there needs to be a position for police offers whose sole job is to pull over people who are just sitting in the passing lane. It’s called a passing lane for a reason!

This kid cracks me up!

Aidan: Mom, what is puberty?

Me: It’s when your hormones change, you start growing hair on your legs, arms, and face, and your voice gets deeper.

Aidan: Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Me: It’s a good thing.

Aidan: Then I want to catch puberty.

I know, I know…I said I wasn’t doing this on a weekly basis anymore. Well, WTF Wednesday has become new">Shut Your Whore Mouth Monday so that frees up Wednesdays again. I’m still not sure I’ll post every week, but when I’ve hit a milestone, you bet I’m gonna shout it all over the Interwebz.

This past week I lost another 2.8 pounds. That’s great, but what I’m even more excited about is that not only have I reached my first mini-goal, I’ve surpassed it. My first mini-goal was to lose 25 pounds. To date, I’ve lost a total of 26.4 pounds!! I have to tell you, that 250 looks a lot better on the way down than it did on the way up!

The real challenge is coming up with the holidays. If I can manage not to gain, I’ll be happy.

Aidan, today you turn 9 years old. It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital and confused as to why Raggedy Anne was messing with my IV. I had no idea it was Halloween. I had been in labor for 24 hours and was a bit delirious by this time. One emergency cesarean section later, and you were here.

10-31-02

I really don’t know where the time has gone. You have turned into a wonderful little boy. You are kind, loving and sensitive. You still love to cuddle with me, and I know that those days will soon come to an end, so I cherish every snuggle. I hope this year brings you nothing but good things. I love you, Little Man.

One of my favorite all time movies is When Harry Met Sally. I can pretty much quote the entire thing from start to finish. It’s safe to say I’ve seen it a few times.

One of the results of my recent weight lossis that my underwear is now too big. So this past weekend I bought some new underwear. I have a certain brand that I like and I just grabbed a package without paying any attention to the design. I grabbed a new pair today and it wasn’t until a trip to the bathroom that I noticed that these are day-of-the-week underwear. And just like in When Harry Met Sally, there are no Sunday underwear. Because of God. Obviously.

Three years ago today, The Man and I decided to commit to a budding romance and see where it led. I don’t think either one of us thought we’d be here, together and happy, three years later. I’m happy to say, though, that we are. These past three years have been the happiest and most fulfilling of my life. My life would be much less fun and interesting without you in it. We aren’t perfect, but I believe with all my heart that we are perfect for each other. I look forward to spending many, many more happy years with you. I love you.

He's definitely a keeper! I'm the envy of every woman in the office today.

Week 5 on Nutrisystem has come and gone. I lost 1 pound this week. That isn’t so bad considering I went to the Epcot food and wine festival on Saturday, and we had Carrabbas as well. I know slow and steady is the way to lose weight and that I’m most likely not to regain the weight lost this way, but I’m an instant gratification kinda gal. This one or two pounds a week is great, but I want to snap my fingers and be at my goal weight. I know, I know, it doesn’t work that way. So I keep plugging on. I have about 3 weeks of Nutrisystem food left, and then I’m on my own. I think I already have the portion control part pretty well handled. I just need to find new vegetables and new ways to prepare vegetables. I’m so over salad. Pickled beets are my go-to veggie this week. I had forgotten how much I like them. For now, it’s keeping the boredom with food at bay.

Total lost since starting Nutrisystem is 13 pounds and total lost since July is 19. I’m really happy with these results, and I’m going to have to go shopping soon. My underwear keeps falling down!

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated in any way by Nutrisystem. I pay for the program myself and all opinions are my own.

After one full week on Nutrisystem, I’m happy to report that I lost exactly 5 pounds!! I’d say that’s pretty good for just one week. I am getting more used to the program and all the fruits and veggies. It still feels like I’m eating all the time. I’m so busy at work, that I sometimes miss my morning and/or afternoon snack because time just gets away from me. I need to start setting an alarm on my phone when it’s time to eat my snack.

I haven’t added any exercise into the mix yet. I have a treadmill now taking up an enormous part of my living room/dining room. I’m trying to get used to the new eating habit, and plan to add exercise soon. Overall, I’m happy with my progress so far.

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated in any way by Nutrisystem. I pay for the program myself and all opinions are my own.