Placing Bets on Marriage Equality in Florida...

I'm putting it out there. I see Marriage Equality in Florida by the end of the year. Let's see...

I don't know how many of you are following this but history is happening. This week we went from 19 states allowing Marriage Equality to 36. This happened because the Supreme Court has let all lower court decisions stand instead of fighting against gay marriage. In Florida we now have 5, yes 5 court decisions saying that gay marriage should be legal here, unfortunately each time Scott and Bondi block it by issuing a stay. Now they have asked for the stays to be extended past the election and that was granted!!! So 5 court cases, 1 in Tallahassee, have all been blocked by these two. Remember that when you vote. ‪#‎marriageequality‬ ‪#‎equalityflorida‬ Equality Florida

http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/_watch_rachel_maddow_explains_how_same_sex_marriage_states_nearly_doubled_in_36_hours

In My Own Skin...

It has been an on going process for far too many years to get to where I feel like I fit in my own skin. With my birthday a week away it has been on my mind more lately than usual.

What am I getting at? Well, it's hard to explain but I'm talking about the process of being me and being comfortable with who I am. I don't mean that just as in my body but I mean more like I'm more okay today than ever with who I am. I embrace most of my quirks and weirdness. I'm okay putting bugs on my nose and well, if you don't get that I'm fine with that, too. I am okay with being silly even when others are looking. I'm more okay now with having my own opinions. Yes, I know some of you will find it shocking that I ever had any reluctance in sharing my opinion. It's true though. I would over think that and even after sharing wonder why I dared to open my mouth.

I've come to terms with being me. Sounds like it would be something so normal to do but I think that people may struggle with this. I can't really be the only one, right? It takes effort and time and acceptance. Heck, I'm still working on that myself. But it's taken me getting to the 40 mark to get that. Wow.

I've Watched One Too Many Romantic Movies...

...and I think that has done me in with unreal expectations of romance. Well, that or I am just a huge romantic at heart.

Somehow those big-hearted gestures get me every time, yet in real life they just don't seem to happen. Well, maybe I've had a few romantic moments in my lifetime, maybe three, but I'll keep those to myself.

But never have these things happened:

• Delivery after delivery of floral arrangements filling up the room. 
• Flash Mob wedding, prom or date proposal. 
• Showing up with a picnic basket for a romantic evening date near a body of water.
• Those moments of dramatic speeches of "how much love there is," how "you are the one and only," "the whole world should know how much I love you..."
• The boom box held over-head playing "our song". (Okay, that is from Say Anything.)
• Giving me your one earring. (Yep, Breakfast Club.)
• The car waiting in the parking lot to take me away from reality. (Uh-huh, Pretty in Pink. It's all John Hughes fault I guess.)
• No showing up at my door with a special bottle of something. 
• Rose petal path to the bedroom. (I actually don't even like that one. So cliche'.) 
• Spa days scheduled because you know I needed it. 
• A brand new car with a huge bow sitting outside.
• A surprise vacation of my dreams with all details thought of ahead of time. 
• The surprise proposal with the perfect ring, in the perfect size. 
• Coming home to a candlelit dinner. 
• The long run across an open field into each others arms. 
• Kissing in the rain after a long time apart.
• Running to each other at the airport.
• Waiting to hear a dedication song just for you on the radio or at the skating rink.

But hey, those aren't real moments, right? 

What about you? Have you had any of those romantic moments? Want to share? Comment below. Let me know those things really do happen. 

Save the Drama for Your Llama.

There is wonder if my life needs chaos to survive. I know that change is inevitable but it always seems to find me. Or do I look for it?

Truth is change is scary. Then again, so is stagnation. I guess that is me always, always, always trying to find that balance. Doesn't seem to matter if it hits the personal life or the professional part... It's change none the less. 

Could Florida Be the Next State to Allow Gay Marriage?

Today was the day for the gay marriage case to be heard in Miami, Florida.

Wow! To think that Florida may soon allow this is kind of amazing. I actually got chills and tears welled up in my eyes reading some of the different quotes that came out of the hearing today.

And now we wait. They expect the judge to rule in the next few days or weeks from what I understand.

Interesting Fact from Equality Florida: "Every court to consider these federal constitutional claims since last summer’s Supreme Court decision has ruled in favor of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, including federal and state courts in Utah, Ohio, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin."

While I may not be one of those couples waiting eagerly in line to be the first ones married if this actually happens, I will be with them in spirit. My heart will sing and be happy knowing that we are that much closer to equal rights and that maybe, maybe one day, that will be something I can have too. 

A Girl Who Doesn't Know How to Be Loved...

It was pointed out to me today that this may be me... The Girl Who Doesn't Know How to Be Loved. 

So I guess that's me.

Thing is, it is me.

I've been accused of being "independent to a fault" or "fiercely independent". I took that as such a negative. That I was unloveable, didn't need others. That's not really the case. I do need others. I thrive with contact from others.

Maybe today I just understand it a bit more. She's right. That's me. Perhaps she just really gets me. :-)

Dating Profile

So for those of you not in the know and who don't follow SDL, allow me to explain. Yep, that's Single Dad Laughing, and the main man, Dan Pearce. Well, Dan decided to write a WONDERFUL online dating profile for himself and post it today. 

I am inspired. I am even using his format of questions. Go, Dan!

Scared but inspired. 

Well, here it goes. Wish me luck.

This is scary. 

Let's start with me...

B/W makes everything better

Au Natural

Relationship Status: Single, er, divorced? Well, dissolved. Okay, if you haven't read my last post we will just go with single. 


Age: 40. I said it. 4-0. But I don't feel like I am a day over 27. Unless you hear my knees make noise, then you'll think I'm 80. 

Have kids: Yep, and she's mighty cool. 

Want kids: Yep, the one I have. :-) Oh, more kids? Yeah, not so sure about that. I liked saying "one and done" for the last many years. 

Ethnicity: White, er, Caucasian... with some German and some French. But G'pa used to talk about some Native American and Scottish so I'll go with the Heinz 57 mix. That's not too unPC, is it? 

Body Type: Um, skippppp... no, really. I've got some extra pounds but they don't stop me. I'm active. Just this past weekend this body was Dragon Boating. I regularly do 5Ks, especially if it is a cool location or for a cool t-shirt. 

Height: 5'5" or 5'6" in the flip flops. 

Faith: I personally like that "Faith" is followed by "smoke" and "drink" so they can tell just how much of a heathen you are. Faith, well, as long as it isn't too organized I'm good. Spiritual = yes. Religious = not so much. But being raised in New Orleans I still find myself interested in some of the ritual Catholic stuff here and there. 

Smoke: Only when I am on fire. Wait, you've heard that one before have you? Okay, only when at a cool new Greek restaurant and they have the big hookahs to try and crazy stuff like cherry flavored vapor. Once. 

Drink: Yeah, what of it? I say, "I need a drink!!!" far more than I ever do it but if there is a new beer to try count me in. Also, if my step-dad is making a batch of mojitos I'm in as well!

Headline: Just a girl always looking for a fun adventure! Wait, what kind of fun adventure did you think I meant? 

Profile: (AKA All About Me) 

I'm looking for some folks to hang out with and do some of my favorite things. Maybe you can introduce me to a few of your favorite things, too. I mean favorite things as in a beautiful hike, a new restaurant, or a good farmers market. Not your favorite things like your lint collection or your set of Elvis coins. Wait, those Elvis coins could be pretty cool. 

I do love my family life and being a mom but I am surrounded in a world of my straight, married friends that I do love dearly. (Yes, I love you all deeply!!!!) I am out every where I go whether I set off alarms or not. It doesn't define me, but it is who I am. 

I love a good conversation and exploring new things and areas. Weekend road trips were made for me. I love being outside and doing anything that involves nature. Wait - most things that involve nature. Even I have my limits.

I'm originally from New Orleans. That's big. Really big. I get homesick and want to go back at a moments notice. Especially if I catch sight of my FB page and there is a picture of a beignet, snowball, street musician or Mardi Gras trinket. Or if my Mom calls and mentions that she just saw any of the above mentioned items. 

I am opinionated. I now own it. But only opinionated where it matters. Figure that one out for 2 points. 

I ride a motorcycle. Really, I do. I'm cool like that. Or bad. Or just a motorcycle rider. Sometimes. When the weather is nice. And it is daylight. 

I do crazy stuff like this picture sometimes. If you find it embarrassing, step away. If you'd join me you are my kind of person. If you'll laugh, even better. 

Being a Dork

My Interests: Didn't we cover that? Should I keyword myself? Here it goes...

nature, outside, photography, travel, adventure, motorcycles, tattoos, education, art, 5K, kayaking, dragon boating, hiking, festivals, music, food, fun, friends, beach, sun, movies, swimming, food trucks, new restaurants, roller derby

Sports & Exercise: Yep, and I'd love to do more! Want to sign up for a 5K together? Yeah!!  What about Dragon Boating?? Yahoo! Want to kayak and see the manatees? When? Okay!

Pets: Yep. And he is BIG. He's a Greyhound. Did I say big? Think miniature pony. No, that's a Great Dane you are thinking of. I said Greyhound. 

Political Views: I said I was opinionated, right? Well, single term those folks and then clean house. If I don't agree with you I probably won't vote for you. Crazy how that goes. 

Sign: Libra. Yep. I'm always searching for balance. ALWAYS.

Favorite Hot Spots: I live in Florida. Everywhere is a hot spot at this time of year. 

College: Yep, I went. A few times. I check the spot marked graduate degree usually.

Favorite Things: Seriously, like possessions? I like this laptop, my camera, my bracelet... 

For Fun: It just dawned on me who might read this. That's going to be fun, right?!?!?!? 

Last Read: Duh. Dan's dating profile. I  thought we said that way up top!

My Idea of a Great Date: I once upon joked and said to walk around IKEA and see if we pick out some of the same things. I don't think that is a half bad idea. Do you?

What I'm Looking For:  You are educated, honest and interesting. By interesting I don't mean you are a habitual liar (been there), or that you can't hold down a job. You aren't a couch potato or sleep the day away kind of person but an occasional day in is always nice. You have a positive attitude and a good head on your shoulders. You are taller than 5'6" (see my height comment). You have your life together but are just missing that one extra piece, or two. You must be able to handle sarcasm. Seriously. You must. 

***not looking for couples or to be a third of any kind. Thanks!*** (Crazy how you have to say that, right?!?!?!)

-------------------------------------What do you think???------------------------------------------------