Telling your spouse/boyfriend/significant other

I’m at a crossroads.  Do I tell D.P. about my journal being on-line for everyone and their brother/sister/dog to potentially read, or do I keep it to myself?

The reason I ask is this: the other day, after reading a hard-copy of the journal entries from our NJ NYC trip, D.P. asked why I call him D.P. in the ’story’.  I actually had the guts to tell him that other people are reading it, and he asked who.  Oh, dear, sweet baby jeebus.  I told him my mom, dad, sister, brother(s), Beth, Sina – the whole gang.  He commented how all of those people know who he is, and why didn’t I refer to him as [his real name]?  I told him I didn’t know why I didn’t choose to use his real name.  The truth is, I copied and pasted right from my journal on-line into a few seperate emails for friends and family, and into a Word document for D.P. to read at home – I didn’t have time to edit the copies.

This is a man who is VERY private, and I think it would devastate him to know that some of our dirty laundry is being aired in this fashion.  This is what I do, though.  This, my friends, is my release.  I write about my everyday life, in the hopes that my writing skills will mature, and that these stories may touch someone, somehow.

So, while I am completely open and honest about what he and I have going on, I have chosen to use his initials to respect his privacy.

Would you tell?  Should I use his real name in my blog?

 

25 things, people, or places that bring me pleasure

I’m inspired to compile this list after reading an entry by Beth at My Simpler Life. None of this list is in any particular order.  (What would be on YOUR list?)

1. Holding my baby for the very first time.

2. Seeing my child walk/talk for the very first time.

3. The smell of freshly mowed grass.

4. A hug/kiss/sweet word from a child.

5. Music, in any form.

6. Seattle, Washington, USA.

7. Family get-togethers, large or small.

8. Family photo albums.

9. Holding hands with someone I love.

10. Freshly washed bedsheets.

11. A good laugh.

12. Spending time with my closest friends.

13. Reese’s peanut butter cups and Chase Candy’s Cherry Mash.

14. Reading and writing.

15. Witnessing my child succeed.

16. Special time alone with each of my children.

17. Travelling with my ‘honey’.

18. Receiving an e-mail or letter from a friend that lives far away.

19. Creating new family traditions, following old family traditions.

20. Seeing a PAID stamp on a bill.

21. Spring cleaning.

22. An ice cold Dr. Pepper.

23. Attending church on a regular basis.

24. Daydreams.

25. Remembering my grandparents, Bud and Mary.

 

To be so young…

From Wind-up Records:

Tickle Me Pink bassist Johnny Schou was found dead this morning at home in Colorado. The quartet from Fort Collins was to celebrate the release of their debut album with an in-store appearance in Denver today. Further information regarding the band’s plans, and dates that have been previously announced, will be forthcoming in due time. Johnny Schou was 22-years-old.

To be so young, to have your whole life ahead of you… so sad, so very, very sad.

 

25 reasons I am proud of me

From Jennifer Wolf and About.com:

As a single parent, you have much to feel proud of!

1. You’re on call 24/7.

2. You make sure the kids are up in time to get ready for school each morning.

3. You kiss every boo-boo.

4. You recognize your children as uniquely gifted and valuable individuals.

5. You tuck them in at night and make sure they’re getting enough rest.

6. You plan every birthday celebration.

7. You make breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.

8. You help your children with their homework.

9. You’ve created a warm and loving home.

10. You’re the one who gets up at night when they’re sick.

11. You’re also the one who misses work to take care of them.

12. You’ve taught them the value of friendship.

13. You plan fun activities like rollerskating, bowling, and hiking.

14. You teach them the value of hard work.

15. You demonstrate the value of money by spending carefully.

16. You help your kids make good decisions on a daily basis.

17. You answer their questions about the other parent.

18. You read to them.

19. You’re the one keeping an eye on how much TV they watch.

20. You’ve learned to organize every aspect of your lives.

21. You know the difference between “wants” and “needs.”

22. You’ve taught your children to be responsible for themselves.

23. You demonstrate resilience and determination every day.

24. Your kids know they’re loved.

25. Your kids are proud of you, too.

 

The immutable influence of mothers

By Melissa Lafsky

Here’s an agreeable way to usher in Mother’s Day: A study released by The University of Melbourne’s School of Behavioural Science shows that a significant number of college students consider their mothers to be the single most significant person in their lives. Out of a survey of university freshmen, 40% listed their moms as the most important and influential person they’d ever known, compared with 25% for fathers, 17% for romantic partners, 12% for friends, and 6% for siblings. According to U. Melbourne associate professor Jennifer Boldero:

Dads are important too, but for many generation Y people their mother remains the most important person …

Many parents think that once their children grow up and leave school, they do not have much of an influence.

This survey tells us that mothers are still clearly having an impact on their children well into adulthood.

On that note, Happy Mother’s Day to all the influential moms out there.

See the original article here.

 

Getting romantic with help from Ralph Lauren

Guys, if your girl is the sort that loves chick-flicks and long walks on the beach, I’ve found the perfect gift for me her! There are times when only an unabashedly romantic gift will do. This gift set includes twenty four of the loveliest long stemmed pink roses grown, a classically designed julep cup, and a 1.7oz. eau de parfum. Check it out now!

 

Blogger Bingo!

Like I need to spend anymore time online.

Scour the web looking for matches to the funny statements on your blogger bingo card. Play Drama Queen Bingo, MySpace Bingo or Celebrity Hunt Bingo on your MySpace, Friendster, Yahoo 360, WordPress, Blogspot blog or your own website! You can even embed it into forum posts! Here is my current card:

Play Blogger Bingo with me!