tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45508387653416030792024-03-13T17:36:04.404-04:00ChantelligenceChantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-1008235319582284692011-01-31T22:56:00.000-05:002011-01-31T22:56:53.679-05:00Project 52 - Week 4Week 4 my Princess turned 8. She has been ripped off two years in a row. I didn't write her a birthday post this year or last year. I still plan to write her a post this year after her birthday party on Saturday. All hope is not lost.<br />
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On her actual birthday we made cupcakes. The Princess loves to bake. She loves to help out in the kitchen anyway she can. Cleaning or cooking. I know, I'm lucky!<br />
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After we got the cupcakes in the oven, she sat down to have her reward.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TUeEFQT2HQI/AAAAAAAAAuw/FvJ7D-Ve4Fo/s1600/Project+52+-+Week+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TUeEFQT2HQI/AAAAAAAAAuw/FvJ7D-Ve4Fo/s400/Project+52+-+Week+4.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-23238260900890910742011-01-20T23:56:00.002-05:002011-01-21T00:15:56.855-05:00Project 52 - Week 3I had a vision for this photo. I saw it in my mind all week long. When I enlisted The Princess as my assistant, gathered her basketball and started snapping photo's....I found I couldn't create the photo in my head.<br />
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I am very uncoordinated on a regular basis. I couldn't quite figure out the alignment for the ball, her hands and my position/angle when taking the photo.<br />
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This is the one I chose for Week 3 of my Project 52. It's my favorite of the 24 photo's I took.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TTkUSGiSQ3I/AAAAAAAAAus/kFWEWjtQaMs/s1600/Project+52+-+Week+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TTkUSGiSQ3I/AAAAAAAAAus/kFWEWjtQaMs/s400/Project+52+-+Week+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love how you can see the entire ball, her hands which look big but are so small and precious. I also like how you can see her in the background just a little bit. She was watching Phineas & Ferb while I continually asked her not to move. She's a great sport!<br />
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Share your Project 365 photo's or Project 52. I'd love to see your photo's!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-33684767260499023202011-01-12T09:00:00.016-05:002011-01-12T14:21:26.223-05:00Poetry Day 2I'm back to share two more poem's with you. You can read the first post <a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/2011/01/poem-about-stress.html" target="_blank"><strong><em>here</em></strong></a>. Both poems were published in The American Poetry Annual by The Amherst Society in 1995. I was 17 years old and had not graduated from high school. I submitted a few other poems but they were so dark and depressing. I wasn't surprised when they were rejected. When I did receive notification that two of my poems would be published I had to beg my parents on hands and knees to order the book. If I accomplish nothing else in life, besides giving birth to two 8 lb 2 oz babies, I can say that I am a published poet.<br />
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Without further ado, and please remember I was 17, my poems.<br />
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<b>Wondering</b><br />
Love makes me wonder about life as I know it<br />
Sometimes love doesn't make me think at all<br />
You feel as though you're invincible, floating on a cloud<br />
And then one day the cloud floats away<br />
Along with the love<br />
You wonder what went wrong, why the feelings changed<br />
Get over it they say, but the love in your heart still says.<br />
-Copyright Chantel G.<br />
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<b>Remember</b><br />
You are all I can think about<br />
You are all I dream about<br />
Pictures of you flash in my head<br />
Your name escaped softly from my lips<br />
Did you hear me when I cried out your name late that night?<br />
It was you I wanted but I couldn't let you know<br />
It was you I wanted but I didn't let it show<br />
But now that we have grown apart<br />
We can never have what we once did<br />
I long for you to want me, to think about me, to even call me on the phone<br />
Our friendship couldn't sustain the pain you caused, but still I can't let go.<br />
-Copyright Chantel G.<br />
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You would think I had a serious love affair in high school right? You would be wrong but I still love ya! I never had a boyfriend. Probably because I was gay. Or it could have been because I went on one date in 9th grade against my parent's "orders" and of course I got caught. I think the word spread that I was too much trouble to date.<br />
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Do you have any heart wrenching love poems from your teenage years? Please share them so I don't feel so lonely.<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-71151115788422160712011-01-11T09:00:00.010-05:002011-01-11T09:00:05.815-05:00Project 52The start of the new year is full of hope, new opportunities, new chances to get it "right" and the start of...well new things.<b><i> <a href="http://www.nakevaphotography.com/3sixty5/" target="_blank">MyLove</a></i></b> and a few of my very talented friends are participating in Project 365. The premise is that you take a photo a day. I love this idea. I've thought about doing this come January 1 for a few years now. The problem is I'm usually recuperating on January 1st. You know, from the night before.<br />
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You can jump in and start any time during the year. While this is a nice idea it fucks with my perfectionist mentality. If I just jumped in, I would have missed X many days and I would have failed. I know this isn't true but damn that negative self talk.<br />
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I can barely remember to take my blood pressure medicine. The pressure to take a picture a day is overwhelming. Instead I'm going to rock Project 52. I don't even know if Project 52 is a real thing but if not, let's just say I started it. I will take a photo each week and share it here. I'll also post the photo on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chantelligence/" target="_blank"><b><i>Flickr </i></b></a>account.<br />
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Hopefully by the end of the year my photo's will show improvement. My hope is that this will be a lot of fun and I'll end up taking more than 52 photo's. Or not. If I can just have fun with this assignment and not freak out, I'll consider it a win.<br />
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Enjoy my Week 1 and Week 2 photo's. Are you participating in Project 365 or Project 52? Leave a comment and let me know! I'd love to check out your photo's.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TSvnsOrXVgI/AAAAAAAAAuo/tWni5lDdiAU/s1600/Week+2+-+Keyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TSvnsOrXVgI/AAAAAAAAAuo/tWni5lDdiAU/s400/Week+2+-+Keyboard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-1272845005189104712011-01-10T23:46:00.000-05:002011-01-10T23:46:29.028-05:00A Poem About StressWhen I was in younger and dealing with<b><i> <span id="goog_107372377"></span></i></b><a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/2010/10/on-being-gay.html"><b><i>this</i></b> </a><span id="goog_107372378"></span>and an abusive relationship which I have yet to write about, I wrote poetry. ALL THE TIME! It was the only way I could get my feelings out. I have notebooks full of dark, depressing odes to my life. Some of the poems are downright awful but I keep this notebook to look back on my life. I have come a long way.<br />
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This week I'll be sharing a few of my favorite poems. The first poem made me laugh and it's so silly. I can't remember where I was working when I wrote this. I obviously didn't enjoy the job. This poem resonates with me because I always feel stressed. It sad to think I felt this way 15 years ago! It's like I was predicting my future. I hope it makes you laugh.<br />
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<b>Stress</b><br />
Written: 6/12/96 by Chantel G. (maiden name)<br />
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Stress<br />
Stress wears your body out<br />
Stress fries your brain<br />
Stress makes you panic<br />
Stress who’s to blame?<br />
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Running around frantic<br />
A million things on your mind<br />
Who, what, when, where, why?<br />
Why must you do everything?<br />
Can’t these losers thinks for themselves<br />
A billion and one sticky notes<br />
One on your phone, on your desk, in the car, oh shit, there’s one stuck in your hair<br />
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Stress<br />
Stress wears your body out<br />
Stress fries your brain<br />
Stress makes you panic<br />
Stress who’s to blame?<br />
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Do this, do that, hurry now, don’t be late<br />
No time to eat, can’t even think straight<br />
Your feet ache, your back breaks<br />
Your head is split in two<br />
But before you crack or melt away<br />
I just have a few things to say<br />
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You are a good person<br />
You do the best you can do<br />
There are only 24 hours in this day<br />
Take time out to do for you<br />
Unplug the phones<br />
Read a book<br />
Call your mother and wish her well<br />
Do whatever you have to do<br />
Just take time out for you…ONLY YOU<br />
Please yourself, but do it soon because<br />
Before you know it…<br />
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The bloodhounds will be back on your back<br />
With do this, do that<br />
If they want things done down to a “T”<br />
Tell them to shove it up their ass!<br />
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*This poem is property of Chantel W. Stealing will result in junk punches.*<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-26763205063618689552011-01-08T10:53:00.001-05:002011-01-08T10:53:25.413-05:00It's Basketball timeI'm sitting on a dirty rolled up carpet inside one of our town's oldest Elementary Schools.<p>Today is the first basketball practice for the Princess. Our team consists of 11 2nd grade girls. We split the gym with a team of 2nd grade boys.<p>As the Z-Man and I sit together and watch the practice, its apparent how different boys and girls are. Of course I already know this being the mom of a boy and a girl but it's hilarious to watch.<p>The girls are incredibly chatty. In between instruction they're showing each other where they've recently lost teeth. They play with each other's ponytails and giggle.<p>The boys on the other hand are quiet and reserved. They look for instruction from their coach. I think because it's the first practice the rough housing hasn't begun.<p>Its going to be a fun 8 weeks. The Princess has made 3 baskets and she's full of smiles.<p>Hope you're weekend is full of smiles too!<br>Sent via BlackBerry from T-MobileChantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-53535571603075936372010-12-31T13:13:00.000-05:002010-12-31T13:13:41.891-05:00It's the last day of the year....alreadyHow did we get here so quickly? December 31st...again. This year has been a whirlwind. I had to look back at my handful of posts to jog my memory of what the hell I did. Apparently I was busy!<br />
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I drove from Maryland to Texas! 1,615 miles with my Love and the kids in a minivan. I didn't kill them and only once did I contemplate opening the door, jumping out and begging for mercy. I remember the kids being in awe at the number of cows we saw while driving through Arkansas. I remember going to check out model houses with the kids and envisioning a life living in Texas. The Z-Man said we couldn't live there because the houses don't have basements. We had so much fun visiting my Love's family. We had breakfast burritos which I could probably make at home but it wouldn't be the same. We went to the Riverwalk, the drive through Animal Safari and to Austin. It was an amazing trip and I can't believe we did it! I remember wanting to cry when I finally made the right turn back into our apartment complex after the long drive home. We're going to make the trip again in 2011. This time on an airplane. I hope!<br />
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This year I also went to Cleveland to take care of my good friend Sara. This trip was made by possible by some amazing friends who I've met through Twitter. I wish I could have stayed longer. I consider Sara and her family MY family.<br />
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My last trip this year was to NYC for BlogHer! At the end of the trip I lost my voice. It was a good time!<br />
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In between my traveling, I found time in the last two months of the year to be on TV. Just another day in the life of the girlfriend of a rock star. In October I was interviewed by WUSA 9 about bullying. You can read all about that <a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/2010/10/my-interview-on-wusa-9.html"><strong><em>here</em></strong></a>. This week I was on <a href="http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/stump-blog-gourmet/#"><em><strong>The Rachel Ray Show</strong></em></a>. It was a segment that filmed back in August while at BlogHer. This was completely unintentional. My insane cackle at the end will forever make me laugh at myself. In a good way.<br />
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In 2010 I continued on the weight loss journey. I tried a little of this, ate a little of that. I'm pretty sure that I weigh more than I did on January 1, 2010 but not too much more. Remember, that nice scale I bought so I could face the number? I shoved it under the bed where it now collects dust. It never had anything nice to say. I may pull it out in 2011, maybe not. I'm going to take it one day at a time.<br />
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This year my kids grew taller. The Z-Man has surpassed me in height at 12 years old. I'm still not okay with this. The Princess has spent the last few months without any front teeth. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. I call her my little old lady. I can say without a doubt that 2010, as busy as I kept myself, I truly enjoyed every second with my kids. Becoming a mom when you're 20 and 25 is incredibly hard. I think I'm finally growing up and learning to cherish every moment. My babies are growing up so fast.<br />
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I'm not making any resolutions for 2011. I don't see the point when I know I won't make it past two weeks. Why set myself up for disappointment?<br />
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My plans for the new year include more travel, more family time, more laughing, more smiling and enjoying the new found knowledge that deep down I am really happy. I've tried to resist the fact that I kinda like making a meal for my family. I think I'll embrace that in 2011. I'm coming into my own doing "mommy" stuff. There are times when it feels like me against the world. There is never enough money, I can never get enough sleep, I'm fat and I'm just damn depressed. I can't change the chemistry in my brain but I can change how I deal with the not so fun stuff.<br />
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I'm madly in love with my girlfriend, in a few weeks I'll be officially divorced from my babies daddy, my children are healthy. I have an amazing family and I feel truly blessed! For 2011 I'm going to focus on all the good and positive things that surround me.<br />
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I wish you health, happiness, laughter and love in the new year!<br />
Love,<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a><br />
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P.S. I'm moving to Wordpress and I've got a pretty new blog to debut in a few weeks. So excited!Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-6517899804683246702010-12-25T15:52:00.001-05:002010-12-25T15:53:38.961-05:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas from our family to yours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We wish you a day full of love, laughter and happiness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-60486843621139413522010-12-08T13:45:00.000-05:002010-12-08T13:45:10.566-05:00Our Family Holiday Photo ShootLast week My <a href="http://www.nakevaphotography.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Love</i></b></a> transformed our dining room into a photography studio. We had a backdrop, studio lights, her to die for Canon 7D and her new HP laptop. When the kids and I came home that evening we were very excited. It took awhile to get everyone situated and beautified.<br />
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We had fun posing, being silly and trying to remember how many seconds we had in between each shot. We ended up taking 90 photo's that night. I went through and picked my favorite's. The goal was to have 4 usable photo's for our Christmas cards. My love and I have been together since May of 2007 and we have never sent Christmas cards. It always seems too overwhelming. Don't get me started on how critical I am of myself. This year I decided we had to take photo's no matter what. I'm so glad we did!<br />
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Here are some of my favorite photo's.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TP_BMl6s2lI/AAAAAAAAAt8/TvpTAdyrWfA/s1600/CWFamily_Holiday2010_IMG_7D_T-0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TP_BMl6s2lI/AAAAAAAAAt8/TvpTAdyrWfA/s400/CWFamily_Holiday2010_IMG_7D_T-0083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TP_Ia4Yo--I/AAAAAAAAAuE/Lp6iX8BeKHc/s1600/IMG_7D_T-0102e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TP_Ia4Yo--I/AAAAAAAAAuE/Lp6iX8BeKHc/s400/IMG_7D_T-0102e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Damn, I make some gorgeous kids! We're a great looking family. Did you family take Holiday photo's this year? Do you send out photo cards of your entire family or just the kids?</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a></div>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-66455444726948490272010-12-07T12:27:00.002-05:002010-12-07T12:37:18.335-05:00Clearing Out The ClutterAfter I wrote <a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/2010/12/im-packrat.html" target="_blank"><b><i>this</i></b></a> post a few weeks ago, I saved it as a draft and immediately felt embarrassed. Embarrassed about holding onto things from 10-15 years ago. I re-read the post a handful of times and something inside of me clicked.<br />
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I decided that I didn't need to be ashamed. I just needed to let go. I committed myself to get rid of 100 things by the end of the year. I grabbed a basket and started throwing things in that I look at every day but serve no purpose other than to take up space.<br />
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I utilized <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/" target="_blank"><b><i>Freecycle</i></b></a> to give things away. I love Freecycle and I've been a member for 4 or 5 years now. I also listed a few things on Craigslist and eBay. I'm making great progress and plan to continue to meet my goal of 100 things gone. To make it harder on myself, I'm counting like items as one.<br />
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So, these cassette tapes? All 117 of them? GONE! I asked my kids if they could think of any reason why I should keep these? They said they didn't even know what a cassette tape was. I took them to the trash bin, took a deep breath and tossed them. It wasn't easy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TP5lSttNaMI/AAAAAAAAAt4/_7oT9XxeC58/s1600/IMG_8720+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TP5lSttNaMI/AAAAAAAAAt4/_7oT9XxeC58/s320/IMG_8720+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's a rundown on some other stuff that I've shown the door:<br />
<br />
*Teddy Ruxpin Bear<br />
*Unused Perfume<br />
*Cassette Case<br />
*Pocket Folders<br />
*Camera Case<br />
*Assorted Christmas cardS<br />
*Messenger Bag<br />
*Brown Boots<br />
*Mosaic Candle Holder<br />
*Clear glass vase<br />
*18 Kids Books<br />
*Dora Wallet<br />
*Fisher Price Doodle Pro<br />
*Blade free hair remover<br />
*Blanket<br />
*Friendship plaque<br />
*2 DVD-Rom computer games<br />
*36 Books<br />
*Journals/Notepads<br />
*Bottle Openers<br />
*Key chains<br />
*Caribbean Life Magazines from 2004<br />
*School directories from 2004<br />
*Never used Humidifier - SOLD FOR $20<br />
<br />
All in all I've rid myself of about 35 things. Only 65 more to go. I feel like a weight has been and will continue to be lifted from my shoulders. The remainder of this week I'm going to tackle my closet. I plan to donate the clothes to a women's shelter. I'm also donating old cell phones to <a href="http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/index.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Cell Phones for Soldiers</i></b>.</a><br />
<br />
I'm reclaiming my house from all this junk. I'm turning my house into a home. I'm experiencing a feeling of freedom that I haven't felt in years. That my friends, is amazing!<br />
<br />
P.S. In the land of Chantel, "come back tomorrow" means check back in 6-7 days.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-20665657841067971002010-12-01T12:29:00.000-05:002010-12-01T12:29:33.492-05:00I'm A Packrat<em>*This post was written on November 15th. It was the motivation I needed to make some changes in my life and reduce the clutter. Come back and visit tomorrow for the update*</em><br />
<br />
My Dad, God rest his soul, was a pack rat. My dad was famous for ordering things from those late night infomercials. When I'd arrive home from school, a new box would be waiting at the door step. I was allowed to bring it inside but I couldn't touch it. The boxes were rarely opened. They sat and collected dust. He collected so much junk and never used any of it.<br />
<br />
I'm finding myself in a similar predicament. It's not so much buying things and not using them. I don't know what it's like to have money to throw away like that. My problem stems from holding onto and keeping things from my past. Items that most of friends from middle and high school have long since parted with. I feel inexplicably tied to these items. Lately I've felt like they have a death grip on me. The further away I get from my school years the more I don't understand why I'm keeping these things.<br />
<br />
Will I ever use them again? No<br />
Do I ever look through the boxes and bag and reminisce? Maybe once a year<br />
Do I want to remember this time of my life? Sometimes<br />
<br />
Here are some of the things I'm holding on to:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZpvJTWtoI/AAAAAAAAAss/UhL62EUxoNo/s1600/PackRat-009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZpvJTWtoI/AAAAAAAAAss/UhL62EUxoNo/s400/PackRat-009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZxlZGncdI/AAAAAAAAAtU/zpd77yvBGJs/s1600/PackRat-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZxlZGncdI/AAAAAAAAAtU/zpd77yvBGJs/s400/PackRat-006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My friends and I were notorious for writing notes. In middle school we were obsessed with New Kids on the Block. We each had a favorite, Joe was mine. We would write notes to each other as if we were one of the guys, writing home to our "wife" while we were on the road. Some of these notes are hilarious. But why do I have a garbage bag full of them? Someone please help me throw these things away!<br />
<br />
Behold my graduation cap. I have the gown too. Yes, I graduated high school. <strike>Barely</strike>. I have the diploma and pictures to prove it. Why am I keeping this? Is there a reason? My daughter's high school colors will be green and yellow. She won't be able to wear it. I guess for Halloween I could dress up as a graduate but Halloween is over. Can you guys think of any logical reason to hold on to this?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZy5hN90FI/AAAAAAAAAtY/FxYDsDAt6BQ/s1600/PackRat+011-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZy5hN90FI/AAAAAAAAAtY/FxYDsDAt6BQ/s400/PackRat+011-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I love books! I've probably read these books a hundred times. I used to dream of being a teenage Molly Ringwald, in love with my high school boyfriend and getting knocked up. Trust me, it was better than my reality at the time. This is one book turned into movie that I loved.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZ07kKelcI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Le7kD596cEM/s1600/PackRat-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZ07kKelcI/AAAAAAAAAtc/Le7kD596cEM/s320/PackRat-003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My dad traveled when I was younger. He would always come back from his trip with <strike>junk</strike> gifts. I've kept these forever. Before I turned 17 and left for college I displayed these items on my bookshelf. Now? They're buried in the bottom of the trunk I took to college. Like this lovely item. I've never liked it. Yet, I've kept it for over 15 years. Someone save me from myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPaEkboxwcI/AAAAAAAAAts/0oBW84LeotE/s1600/PackRat016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPaEkboxwcI/AAAAAAAAAts/0oBW84LeotE/s400/PackRat016.jpg" width="283" /></a></div> <br />
I was the ultimate 90's hair band groupie. Before CD's there used to be these rectangular cassette tapes that played music. This photo is just a small sampling of my tape collection that I will never again listen too. Not shown are the endless Maxwell cassette tapes on which I recorded myself singing along to the radio. I don't even have a way to play these tapes. My ears bleed just thinking about the sound quality. So why keep them? What's the point? No, really I'm asking. Why?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZ5bhW3LnI/AAAAAAAAAto/bxRzaKn_Jr4/s1600/PackRat-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TPZ5bhW3LnI/AAAAAAAAAto/bxRzaKn_Jr4/s400/PackRat-005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I have baggage. Junk in my trunk. Literally and figuratively. I'm at a crossroads and I need one or two shoves in the right direction. Damn it, I'm a pack rat. I admit it. I have a sentimental attachment to all kinds of crap. I'm scared of what will happen if I throw this stuff away. Not in the universe will explode kind of way. It feels more like throwing the stuff away means it didn't matter.<br />
<br />
I analyze myself all the time. Twenty years ago I was in a fire. Our house didn't completely burn down but we as a family lost a lot of possessions. Even back then I kept "stuff." I was able to save a few items from our damaged home. The majority of my childhood memories perished. My childhood blanket, and dolls and books just to name a few. My body physically recovered more or less from 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Mentally maybe I'm still that little girl. Scared to let go. Holding on to the fear that one day everything will just....go up in smoke...<br />
<br />
What I do know is that my head feels ready to let go. I can't say the same for my heart.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-32373597355646058072010-11-25T13:10:00.000-05:002010-11-25T13:10:35.322-05:00ThankfulAs I sit here on my sofa, under a warm blanket with coffee in hand, watching "Wizards on Deck" with my kids, I realize how blessed I truly am. I tend to be a glass half empty type of person. On this Thanksgiving I can't help but see how full my life is.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful for my Love who is building her photography business day by day. I think she's a rock star and I can't believe she loves little old me.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful for the Z-Man and the Princess. They are incredibly brilliant, gorgeous, funny, down to earth, sweet and caring kids. They love me unconditionally as I do them. They say kids pick their parents. If that's so I'm honored they chose me.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful we have a place to live. We may be cramped but it forces us to be closer as a family.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful for my job. I just celebrated my 4 year anniversary. I have a very laid back supervisor and my co-workers are my closest friends.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful for my mom, brother, nieces, aunts, uncles and the rest of my extended family. I don't see them that often but I hope they know how much I love them.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful for my friends, yes YOU, who love and support me. My friends who make me laugh, smile and cry. My friends who love me even when I'm crazy.<br />
<br />
~I'm thankful for our troops serving here and overseas. Protecting our freedom doesn't take a break for Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
~I'm especially thankful for a good friend who invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. The only thing I have to make is deviled eggs.<br />
<br />
~Lastly, I'm thankful for elastic waistband pants.<br />
<br />
From my family to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-28246805575232721072010-11-10T11:32:00.002-05:002010-11-11T10:57:13.955-05:00Mom's Night Out with Hannah KeeleyLast night I had the pleasure of attending Mom's Night Out sponsored by Bounce. The event took place in the very relaxing <a href="http://www.l2lounge.com/" target="_blank"><strong><em>L2 Lounge</em></strong></a> in Georgetown.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNrQOHW31wI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/W5zFhCeecXs/s1600/P1020101-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNrQOHW31wI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/W5zFhCeecXs/s400/P1020101-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoyed the refreshing Bounce Bliss Martini. I may or may not have three.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNrRXvaFEGI/AAAAAAAAAsU/xsdkAcgNE1Q/s1600/P1020090-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNrRXvaFEGI/AAAAAAAAAsU/xsdkAcgNE1Q/s400/P1020090-1.JPG" width="260" /></a></div><br />
We had relaxing seated massage. I didn't want to move when my time was up. It was heavenly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwE3NNhEcI/AAAAAAAAAsc/PiF35skzVXM/s1600/P1020093-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwE3NNhEcI/AAAAAAAAAsc/PiF35skzVXM/s400/P1020093-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We didn't need to eat dinner courtesy of the appetizers served by Kate and Leopold's Cafe. This little mini burger hit the spot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwOGUkx9NI/AAAAAAAAAsg/1CV5spVUUZ0/s1600/P1020097-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwOGUkx9NI/AAAAAAAAAsg/1CV5spVUUZ0/s400/P1020097-1.JPG" width="327" /></a></div><br />
We all received Bounce's new Bounce Bar. I can't wait to stick this bad boy in my dryer. Leave it and forget it. Perfect for busy moms.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwOK3tVDCI/AAAAAAAAAsk/ncne0HTohYw/s1600/P1020092-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwOK3tVDCI/AAAAAAAAAsk/ncne0HTohYw/s400/P1020092-1.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><br />
The most exciting part of the night was meeting <a href="http://www.hannahkeeley.com/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Hannah Keeley</em></strong></a>. She's a mom of 7, yes 7 children. She's spunky, funny and incredibly down to earth. She did a Q & A with us and shared her tips and tools for managing life with a large family. Regardless of how many kids you have her words of wisdom were very motivating. A few things she shared really hit home with me:<br />
<br />
*Lay your clothes out the night before. Wake up before the kids. Instead of life waking you up, wake up to life.<br />
*Our decisions don't just affect our children. It's their children and then their children. We are affecting generations!<br />
*Change your mental messages<br />
*Don't wait for things to be perfect. Just dive in and do it. Sloppy success is better than not doing anything at all.<br />
*With every failure is an opportunity to learn and leads you down the path to success.<br />
*Don't try to do everything. Discover your purpose and live it!<br />
<br />
It was an honor to meet Hannah and all the other DC Area mom's. Thank you to <a href="http://www.mombloggersclub.com/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Mom Bloggers Club</em></strong></a> and Bounce. Every mom deserves a Mom's Night Out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwOQe-a-SI/AAAAAAAAAso/ZKY6QHlAfzw/s1600/P1020105-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNwOQe-a-SI/AAAAAAAAAso/ZKY6QHlAfzw/s400/P1020105-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-28546407552168424572010-11-08T15:06:00.000-05:002010-11-08T15:06:56.308-05:00Dear God,<em>Dear God,</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Please protect me, my family and my friends. And the bad things out there are really scaring me out, so please make them not happen and make me forget about it. And when I do forget about it, make it not happen. I've been having some bad dreams so please make those bad dreams go away.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>And mama's back hurts and I can't always breathe so please make that feel better.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>We all trust and love you and believe in you.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>In Jesus Name, Amen.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Love,</em><br />
<em>The Princess</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-6095252805827986872010-11-03T23:25:00.007-04:002010-11-04T00:51:24.737-04:00Happy Birthday to METoday is my birthday. At least for the next 33 minutes. How ironic that I look at the clock and the time remaining for my birthday is the same as my age. *ahem*<br />
<br />
I'm celebrating all week long, as I should. Celebrate with me with pictures!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqSth2-7I/AAAAAAAAArQ/j-G4oOgwBPo/s1600/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqSth2-7I/AAAAAAAAArQ/j-G4oOgwBPo/s400/IMG_0029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On Tuesday my Love and I went on a romantical dinner date</div><div style="text-align: center;">at the Melting Pot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqTa9q-lI/AAAAAAAAArU/CfdNAMhhNiY/s1600/IMG_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqTa9q-lI/AAAAAAAAArU/CfdNAMhhNiY/s400/IMG_0034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A few different cheeses, brie is the only name I remember with chives.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIrPmeeBSI/AAAAAAAAArw/4K1_AjrcIUs/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIrPmeeBSI/AAAAAAAAArw/4K1_AjrcIUs/s400/IMG_0041.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello lover! Cheese and bread = heaven </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqVbBETdI/AAAAAAAAArc/LYfX6jH4xGs/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqVbBETdI/AAAAAAAAArc/LYfX6jH4xGs/s400/IMG_0050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Speaking of lovers, there she is! My Love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIxcmDekBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/tzO0tEavjzM/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIxcmDekBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/tzO0tEavjzM/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Eat your veggies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIxtSqEcGI/AAAAAAAAAr8/eRAOwAWSq_M/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIxtSqEcGI/AAAAAAAAAr8/eRAOwAWSq_M/s400/IMG_0048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sprinkle this on your salad. Trust me! It was so good. The Melting Pot gave me one to take home for a Birthday present. Which I then left at the restaurant. I blame the bottle of wine (see next picture, top left corner)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqWaSjXfI/AAAAAAAAArg/NR_9Ukt1f3Q/s1600/IMG_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqWaSjXfI/AAAAAAAAArg/NR_9Ukt1f3Q/s400/IMG_0051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our amazing server Laura tossing in the Burgundy wine for our Coq au Vin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIt7X7g6FI/AAAAAAAAAr0/HqUtLYechFE/s1600/IMG_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIt7X7g6FI/AAAAAAAAAr0/HqUtLYechFE/s400/IMG_0059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drop in your potatoes right away. Those suckers take 10 minutes to cook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
Not pictured is our platter of raw shrimp, duck, chicken and steak. When you're not in the moment, photo's of raw food doesn't look very appealing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqZIGw-BI/AAAAAAAAAro/jVji1Xq0aXY/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqZIGw-BI/AAAAAAAAAro/jVji1Xq0aXY/s400/IMG_0069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Birthday Cheesecake</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIzu1gDFrI/AAAAAAAAAsA/sAhyDsPpz-Y/s1600/IMG_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIzu1gDFrI/AAAAAAAAAsA/sAhyDsPpz-Y/s400/IMG_0068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee for dessert.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqZ0769kI/AAAAAAAAArs/zA6sE3kIGC0/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNIqZ0769kI/AAAAAAAAArs/zA6sE3kIGC0/s400/IMG_0072.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One last picture before I make the chocolate creme brulee mine. All mine!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure how my Love and I got home. Four courses of delish food, excellent service and even better company. This was a great start to my birthday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today has been a whirlwind. I went to the DMV and renewed my license. I always go on my actual birthday. I think I do this because it helps me remember when it expires. I can't be sure. Who knows what my thought process was 10 years ago. Most likely I was home on my birthday with young children and needed to get out of the house. Anyway, I escaped unscathed after 45 minutes with a brand spanking new license.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Z-Man and the Princess both wanted to have lunch with me today. I raced home from the DMV and picked up the requested McDonald's and had lunch with both kids. At different schools in a 40 minute time frame. How lucky are my kids that on my birthday I bring them McDonald's for lunch? I even went back to McDonald's a separate time so the Princess would have hot french fries. There's a reason she's the Princess.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNI2amY2LmI/AAAAAAAAAsE/It3wq5gm2fE/s1600/_MG_8251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNI2amY2LmI/AAAAAAAAAsE/It3wq5gm2fE/s400/_MG_8251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> She's a Princess with a big heart! She "ordered" me to wear this all today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> I rocked it at lunch. I rocked it on the playground at recess. I rocked it while my best friend treated me to a manicure. I rocked it at the football field for practice. From this day forward, I declare, Chantel shall always wear a Tiara on her birthday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The final on my actual birthday celebration involved the team singing to me which I loved! The parents and kids gave me a card and inside there was cold hard cash. I can only use the money on myself. I'm thinking a facial. Or a massage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then I received the final final gift of the night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNI4OkSHcxI/AAAAAAAAAsI/PztDlty8bJI/s1600/IMG_8244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TNI4OkSHcxI/AAAAAAAAAsI/PztDlty8bJI/s400/IMG_8244.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's been an amazing birthday so far! I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-82099736911332619632010-10-27T12:11:00.000-04:002010-10-27T12:11:30.205-04:00My interview on WUSA 9If you follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/knowmeloveme"TARGET = "_blank"><strong><em>Twitter</em></strong></a><strong><em>,</em></strong> you may remember my tweets on the evening of October 9th. My son was forwarded a text message by four different classmates that alarmed both of us. The message stated to ignore another student, not to be his friend, make it last for a week and to forward to the rest of the 7th grade. I was infuriated that 12 and 13 year old kids would think to organize bullying via text message. It was late Saturday night and there was nothing I could do. Instead I ranted on Twitter. Those tweets garnered the attention of my friend Lindsay Mastis at Channel 9.<br />
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Yesterday afternoon I was interviewed by the lovely Peggy Fox from our local WUSA Channel 9 news station. The interview is below.<br />
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I'm not the type of person who seeks recognition or for that matter media attention. I have this little spot in the blogosphere where I write when I have time. My presence on Twitter is one of silliness, sometimes seriousness and venting about life. I'm thankful that my friends at Channel 9 found this situation worthy of reporting. Peggy and Keith were wonderful and put me at ease. I was a <strike>very</strike> tad nervous.<br />
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I received so many positive texts, emails, tweets and Facebook messages last night thanking me for speaking out and congratulating me on a job well done. I appreciate all the kind words!!<br />
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The bullying has got to stop! Gay or straight. Black or white. It doesn't matter. I don't think bullying is or should be a rite of passage to growing up. It was awful being bullied in Middle School. The constant fear when walking down the hall, scared of what might happen to me. I don't want that experience for my kids or yours. I believe all kids deserve to enjoy their childhood, have fun, and just be kids!<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-43545063923420780362010-10-25T14:11:00.000-04:002010-10-25T15:14:47.128-04:00Weekends are a blurOnce again, I lost a Sunday to sleep. I guess it only made sense that my body decided to rest. I set my alarm for 9 am on Saturday morning. I hopped out of bed and ran a few errands. I came back home for a little while and made some breakfast. Then I was back out again. I went to see my best friend's son play football. He plays on a different league than my son. Then I went back home to get ready for our game.<br />
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I got to the field at 2 pm. We were running over an hour behind so I sat around. I took some photo's but my heart wasn't really in it. During our game I was really fired up. It was a really tough game for the whole team. My son played running back and got beat up. He fought for every single yard. He was taking down the other team left and right on defense. I had a slight headache from yelling from the sidelines. I stayed for the last game of the night because, well I always do.<br />
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When I finally got home around 8:30, I parked myself on the sofa. My Love was working on an article. We decided around 9:30 to head down to DC for the Hudson Restaurant and Lounge 3 year Anniversary party. It was packed and a great turn out. I don't go down to DC very much anymore. Most of the events I would like to attend are during the weeknight. I still don't have a babysitter. Plus I'm tired after work. I had a few glasses of wine, I danced, I schmoozed then I was over it.<br />
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I found myself back on the sofa at 2 am. My Love made us a snack. I finished watching The Real Housewives of DC Reunion show(s) and I was out.<br />
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Next thing I know it's 5 pm on Sunday. So when I say I slept the day away. I really slept the freaking day away. I realize I'm running around all week long. Saturday's are football all day. I kinda miss Sunday. I had plans to attempt to edit photo's if my laptop cooperated, watch Football, clip coupons, do laundry, go to the grocery store. You know, the usual Sunday stuff. I'm getting tired of missing an entire day. Granted this usually only happens when the kids are with their dad. I don't know what to do. My mind wants to get up but my body refuses. To make matters worse, I'm still tired.<br />
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Now that I missed Sunday I'll be playing catch up all week long. So what did you do this weekend?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-67178477408172274472010-10-21T12:14:00.002-04:002010-10-21T13:59:18.532-04:00SidetrackedYesterday late afternoon, I opened up my blog and I was prepared to tell you a story. The story of our last football game in which it was a tie score. How neither team scored until we went into overtime. How we were 2 yards from a touchdown and the win when one our players fumbled the ball. How my son cried out of anger, frustration and sadness. How seeing my baby boy cry instantly made me cry. Before I could get any of that out I started blog surfing.<br />
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Two hours passed and I found myself with 10 tabs open. I was reading blog after blog and clicking this link and that one. The topic of these blogs: CRAFTS! As in painting, arts and crafts, creativity, making something beautiful from crap, sewing, and the everyday use of something called <a href="http://www.plaidonline.com/apMP.asp" target="blank"><b><i>Mod Podge</i></b></a>.<br />
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You see I am not artistic. I draw stick figures, lopsided hearts and crooked flowers. I do have a book full of dark, depressing poems from when I was a teenager. Two of the poems were published. But that's all I've got. My hands don't make things. Add in my perfectionist attitude and if it's not just right, I throw in the towel.<br />
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At some point during my blog surfing I came upon <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2009/09/mod-podge-mania-family-rules-canvas.html" target="blank"><b><i>THIS</i></b></a>. I thought it was a great idea and looked really nice. I went to everyone's blog who linked up and ooohed and aaahed over their pictures. Then I decided I had to make one! I think instead of "Family Rules" mine will be called "Words to Live By" or something similar. I don't know when I'll have time with Football ruling my life but I'm going to do it. I'm going to get my Love and the kids involved.<br />
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Reading those blogs, looking at the pictures more specifically the Halloween decorations I had a realization. My depression is once again controlling my life. I don't enjoy the simple things. I can't wait for things to be over so I can just sleep. Classic depression symptom in case you didn't know. I'm missing out on quality time with both my kids because of depression. That made me sad and angry with myself. I'm going to fight back. I want to fight back! For me, that's huge!<br />
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I can't remember how I started looking at those blogs but I'm glad I did. It sparked something inside of me. While I'm not the creative type, I'm going to do this with my family. I'm ready to create some memories with my kids and have fun!<br />
<br />
P.S. When I walk into Michael's I start to sweat and get anxious. Is there a cure for that?<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-30501618714501417242010-10-17T23:45:00.000-04:002010-10-18T00:11:52.410-04:00The Laundry LotteryI hate laundry. Who doesn't? All that sorting, measuring, washing, drying and folding. When my laundry room and the various laundry baskets are overflowing, I seriously consider moving to a nudist colony. Don't you?<br />
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One rule in my house is that I absolutely do not check and empty pockets of any kind. If I'm washing my 12 year old's underwear and the 7 year old's used to be white but now black socks, I'd like to limit contact with my delicate hands. The least they can do is make sure anything they hold dear is safe in their room.<br />
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Despite my constant reminders to check pockets before putting their clothes in the hamper, IT NEVER HAPPENS!<br />
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In tonight's edition of The Laundry Lottery, take a gander of what I've found. Can you guess who this week's culprit was?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLvHdqRXfnI/AAAAAAAAArA/YyAvxOWw5Xc/s1600/Laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLvHdqRXfnI/AAAAAAAAArA/YyAvxOWw5Xc/s400/Laundry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLvHzrPYfcI/AAAAAAAAArE/pOnbVAl03kQ/s1600/Laundry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLvHzrPYfcI/AAAAAAAAArE/pOnbVAl03kQ/s400/Laundry2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-26018971913518507882010-10-13T22:59:00.001-04:002010-10-13T23:07:20.565-04:00Wordless Wednesday: Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZvfJaju8I/AAAAAAAAAp4/IcVhEZax0nY/s1600/IMG_7378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZvfJaju8I/AAAAAAAAAp4/IcVhEZax0nY/s400/IMG_7378.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZvvfLX5VI/AAAAAAAAAqI/aiyzEWZzcFU/s1600/IMG_7609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZvvfLX5VI/AAAAAAAAAqI/aiyzEWZzcFU/s400/IMG_7609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZvxYQ0aiI/AAAAAAAAAqM/kRXc3iDPEK8/s1600/IMG_7612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZvxYQ0aiI/AAAAAAAAAqM/kRXc3iDPEK8/s400/IMG_7612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwZonFDcI/AAAAAAAAAqU/CFLHZ6UbJVg/s1600/IMG_7634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwZonFDcI/AAAAAAAAAqU/CFLHZ6UbJVg/s400/IMG_7634.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZxR71lZgI/AAAAAAAAAq0/N8bMQRgFQsg/s1600/IMG_7543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZxR71lZgI/AAAAAAAAAq0/N8bMQRgFQsg/s400/IMG_7543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwgsVMNBI/AAAAAAAAAqY/TF7BCL2HJuE/s1600/IMG_7596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwgsVMNBI/AAAAAAAAAqY/TF7BCL2HJuE/s400/IMG_7596.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwrsBB4PI/AAAAAAAAAqc/o-aIgmPbLbU/s1600/IMG_7525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwrsBB4PI/AAAAAAAAAqc/o-aIgmPbLbU/s400/IMG_7525.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwyNFBLxI/AAAAAAAAAqk/sOt7JMc_pvo/s1600/IMG_7508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ejPWcg2-x04/TLZwyNFBLxI/AAAAAAAAAqk/sOt7JMc_pvo/s400/IMG_7508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-69390185665422293022010-10-08T14:24:00.003-04:002010-10-08T16:26:09.060-04:00On Being GAYWhen I was in Middle School, my goal was to fit in. My blond hair, blue eyed friends wore blue/green eyeshadow. I did too. They hair sprayed their bangs 3 feet high. I did too. The fact that I was black and they were white was of no concern to me. Middle School was about blending into the crowd. My crowd consisted of mainly white friends. I didn't want to stand out. I didn't have an ounce of individuality and I was fine with that. I was constantly teased and bullied by the other black students at my school. I was hated because my skin was light. I was accused every day of "trying to be white" with my correct grammar, lack of Ebonics and "<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.goodhairdvd.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>good hair</i></b></a>".<br />
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In High School I was still trying to figure but who the hell I was. I went through the mandatory 1990's grunge phase. I wore all black. I dyed my hair purple. I didn't know where I fit in. Or who I wanted to be.<br />
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Throughout those 7 years of <strike>school</strike> <strikeout>hell, bullies, identity confusion, depression, suicide attempts, and an abusive father, I kept one thing to myself. Hidden deep inside my unconscious mind and kept repressed was the knowledge that I was gay. Even though I was aware of this information, I had no idea what to do with it. In fact, I had no desire to deal with it. I didn't know what it meant. I had enough problems in my life. I wasn't going to intentionally add something else to the mix.<br />
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I had a few friends in my latter years of high school who were gay. I can remember meeting them through other friends and finding any excuse I could to be around them. It felt right. It was comfortable. There was never any judgement. I wasn't too light-skinned or not pretty enough. I was just me. In the midst of feeling relaxed around them, there were a few times I wanted to tell them my secret. To whisper in their ear, "I'm just like you." I never did. I was still scared. I didn't know what would happen to my life once I said those three words.<br />
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Until I came out to my husband in 2004, whenever any feelings arouse about other women I quickly pushed them out of my head. I was active in my church and kept busy being as a stay at home mom. I made sure I kept busy so I wouldn't have time to think about being gay. At this point I knew I was gay. I knew I was miserable and unhappy in my marriage due to the fact that I was gay. Yet I still forced myself to suffocate my feelings. In the end it became obvious and unbearable. With the help of my husband I faced the truth. It wasn't so scary. I had a support group of other married and gay women. My family and friends were not shocked when I told them. I'm out, in a relationship with a woman I absolutely love and adore. I'm finally happy and at peace. My kids are amazing and wonderful. It took me 27 years (give or take a few, I'm horrible with math) to muster the courage to say,<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">I</span> <span style="color: orange;">A</span><span style="color: yellow;">M</span> <span style="color: lime;">G</span><span style="color: blue;">A</span><span style="color: purple;">Y</span></span></span></div><br />
When I think about <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2010/09/suicide_of_gay_teenagers_four.html" target="_blank"><strong><em>Tyler Clementi</em></strong></a> and the three other kids who committed suicide in September, I'm devastated. I know without a doubt that could have been me. I don't think of myself as closested at the time. I was in plain denial. I can just imagine if the mean, horrible, cruel kids I went to school with found out. The teasing. The incessant name calling. I think the reason I'm still here, alive and breathing is because I didn't deal with it. It's hard enough to be a pre-teen and teenager without harrassment by your peers for your sexual preference. Which is frankly none of their business.<br />
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I'm in awe of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender kids that come out in their pre-teens, teens or early adulthood. They have something I never did. Courage! Courage to say fuck you and stand up to the bullies. Courage to be out and proud. I never had this courage and I deeply regret it. Starting now I'm committing myself to finding a way to encourage, support and do whatever I can to help kids who are struggling the same way I did. If you're not gay, join your local <a href="http://community.pflag.org/" target="_blank"><strong><em>PFLAG</em></strong></a> organization. Show your support. Tyler, Seth, Asher, Billy and countless other bullied gay kids deserve it!<br />
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It's okay to be gay. It's okay to fall madly deeply in love with someone of the same gender. It's okay to be queer. It's okay to be a-sexual. It's okay to bi-sexual. It's okay to be born a girl but known you should have been a boy. Or vice versa. For the love of all things good in the world, it's ok to be gay.<br />
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If you're struggling with any issues related to your sexuality, or have thoughts of suicide, please visit <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Trevor Project</em></strong></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-56659524153935930742010-09-23T12:08:00.000-04:002010-09-23T12:08:22.751-04:00Starting EarlyI love love love to roast pumpkin seeds. When I walked into the grocery earlier this week and ran smack into a box of gorgeous orange pumpkins, I knew I had to buy one. I don't think I've ever roasted pumpkin seeds this early before. It wasn't even officially fall yet. $4 for fun quality time with the Princess. Totally worth it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-60452353837579994312010-09-22T11:41:00.000-04:002010-09-22T11:41:47.235-04:00El AlfabetoThe Z-Man is taking Gifted and Talented Spanish this year. When he successfully completes the full year course, he will earn one credit towards his High School Foreign Language requirement. What all this means, is that I make gorgeous and incredibly smart babies.<br />
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One month into school and they are studying the alphabet or El Alfabeto. They are also learning the days of the week, months of the year and counting. His teacher, Senora A. plays this video for them during class. When the Z-Man showed it to me, I couldn't stop bouncing to the beat. I've had this song playing in my head on repeat. You will too. You're welcome.<br />
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<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-65729449793138890172010-09-17T14:37:00.000-04:002010-09-17T14:37:03.886-04:00Open. Close.I open up my Blog, click new post and then nothing. I sit and stare at the blank screen for hours. Then I save the titled but blank page and sign out. I can't even tell you how many times I've done this open and close dance this week alone. It's not that I don't have anything to say. I do. It's just that 1) with my asshole troll who just waits for me to click "publish" so he can leave a nasty comment 2) fear of hurting those I love when I all want to do is write out my feelings... I don't say anything.<br />
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So that is where I am. I don't like how this feels. What is the point or purpose of this blog if it just sits? I have this self imposed notion that I should only write about happiness, sunshine and rainbows. In reality, the past few weeks have been filled with anything but. Can you end a sentence with "but" because I just did.<br />
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These past few weeks have been one bad situation after another. I don't mean bad as in I got a speeding ticket. I'm talking about foreclosure notices, cancer, chemo, death, crazy gunmen and natural disasters. Every.Single.Day I was receiving bad news about people that I love and care about. It's all been too much to bear. I feel like if I hear one more sad thing I'm going to lose my mind.<br />
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This morning as I was getting ready for work I was watching The Today Show. I stopped and listened to the incredible story about almost 2 year Gore Otteson. Despite all the bad news, the gloom and doom and depression of these last few weeks, I still believe in miracles.<br />
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<object width="420" height="245" id="msnbc1ae5da" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=39229696&width=420&height=245"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><embed name="msnbc1ae5da" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=39229696&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="opaque" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><p style="font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px; color:#5799DB !important;">news about the economy</a></p><br />
<a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="chantelligence.com" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/cnew21/chantel_siggy_bevel2-sm.png" /></a>Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15617572088272182936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550838765341603079.post-73225284609277260302010-09-11T09:00:00.025-04:002010-09-11T18:09:02.336-04:009 YearsI remember sitting down to write my 9/11 <b><i><a href="http://www.chantelligence.com/2009/09/8-years.html">post </a> </i></b>last year. It's hard to believe another year has passed.<br />
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I can't see a plane without my mind flashing back to the images on TV. I can't board a plane without anxiety. I can't think about all those who lost their lives without crying. I can't think about the families who have had to carry on without their loved one's for the past 9 years without feeling guilt.<br />
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I'm not the same person I was before September 11, 2001. The events of 9/11 are permanently etched into my soul. The more time that passes, the more people forget. The pain isn't as intense. The saddness isn't as overwhelming. As much as we don't want to remember what happened that day, we must not forgot.<br />
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Life is short. Make amends. Tell your friends and family that you love them. Hug your kids. Be kind to one another. Tomorrow isn't promised.<br />
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