United States of Motherhood

Washington Gay Marriage: Republican Representative Maureen Walsh Speaks Out in Favor of Same Sex Marriage

2012-02-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

My friends. Most of you know I am a fiscal conservative. I often call myself a MODERATE Republican.

However, I am often NOT proud of what my party does-- really what a minority in my party does--that reflects on me. I have often shuddered at the ugliness of what certain outspoken Tea Party advocates shout or the bigotry and close-mindedness of fringe parts of the Christian Right push on to the Republican agenda.

I have even considered switching to the Libertarian party. But today?

Today, after watching the testimony of Washington Republican Representative Maureen Walsh, I am in love.

I love her bravery.

I love her ability to go against the grain of our party and do what is right.

What is fair. What is equal.

Transcript:

I don’t wax as eloquently as most of the people on the floor here, but I have allowed my heart and mind to guide me on a lot of different decisions I’ve made in the legislature. I think sometimes that’s what we have to do.
I too don’t want to wag my finger at anybody about which way to vote on this. It’s certainly an issue of consciousness for me that I’ve been weighing very heavily for the past few weeks.
You know, I was married for 23 years to the love of my life and he died 6 years ago. I think of all the wonderful years we had and the wonderful fringe benefits of having 3 beautiful children. I don’t miss the sex, and to me that’s kind of what this boils down to. I don’t miss that… I mean I certainly miss it, but it’s certainly not the aspect of that relationship, that incredible bond I had with that human being, that I really really genuinely wish I still had. And so I just think to myself: how could I deny anyone the right to have that incredible bond with another individual in life. To me it seems almost cruel.
Years ago my daughter went to elementary school. Many of you have met my daughter she’s a fabulous girl, she’s wonderful, my boys are great too, but she’s really something special. She was the light of her father’s eye.
So she went to school and there were a whole group of kids picking on another kid, and you know, my daughter stuck up for that kid. Even though it wasn't the popular thing to do it was the right thing to do. I was never more proud of my kid than knowing she was speaking against the vocal majority on behalf of the rights of the minority. And to me, it is incumbent upon us as legislators in this state to do that. That is why we are here.
And I shudder to think that if folks who had preceded us in history did not do that, frankly I’m not sure I would be here as a woman. I’m not sure other people would be here due to their race or creed. And to me that is what’s disconcerting.
And someone made the comment that this is not about equality. Well yes it is about equality. And why in the world would be not allow those equal rights for individuals who are truly committed to one another in life to be able to show that in the way of a marriage.
My daughter came out of the closet a couple of years ago and you know what I thought I was going to agonize about that. Nothing’s different. She’s still a fabulous human being and she met someone she loves very much. And some day, by God, I want to throw a wedding for that kid. And someday I hope that’s what I can do. I hope she will not feel like a second-class citizen involved in something called a “domestic partnership” which frankly sounds like a Mary Maids franchise to me.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. That’s all I want to say.

How often do we see partisan politics force politicians to tout the party line or coalesce, moving away from the center? It's hard to move away from the pack. Just look at California's Proposition 8. Yes, it's hard to disagree, but not impossible.

Dignified Fraility: Quality of Life for Elderly Pups

2012-02-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

Seb is falling. Falling a lot. Each time my heart falls a little bit and breaks into a thousand pieces.

I am starting to get that sinking feeling we had with Grendel. Wondering when the dignity is gone.

With Grendel we knew it would end with the cancer. Hope was futile, so it was all about quality of her life. With Seb, it's not cut and dried. It's arthritis and fatty tumors. It's pain. It's frailty.

Still, we have always based our decision on mobility and more importantly, the wagging of the tail.

When the wag is gone, you know.

Yesterday, I took him on our typical walk around the block with a short detour in the woods. He fell.

And fell.

And fell.

There was very little wagging. It was more a hell-bent challenge he was staring down.

Since I am again dealing with my own health issues, the falls hit home.

I truly was not sure we would make it home. I try to cut our walk short. He refuses to stray from our course. If I pull his leash at all, the slightest pressure knocks him over. Stubborn old man. You win!

We walked 48 minutes and covered less than 3/4 of a mile. He stubbornly trod on. Then we would stop. He looked around dazed for a minute, then suddenly he would regain his momentum and his bearings. We inched on. I let him take the lead.

Three feet walked. One minute rest.

He is at least fourteen years old which is an amazingly long life for the 90 lb. crazy, bouncy, exuberant, naughty, but lovable dog returned twice to a kill shelter in Alaska before we snatched him up.

Now he is wise. He is calm water. He is stubborn. He is too proud for one so frail.

Lead on, Sebastian. Lead on.

Weight Loss, Tigers and Promises to Get Naked: Let's Streak!

2012-01-31T08:22:00.000-08:00

Motivation? Do you know where mine went? I've lost it.

It's gone missing. Resolutions gone. Feeling so tired.

I start hating on my body as always so I go to my latest ~~crack~~ Pinterest addiction and find this:

I need to be a @#$% tiger. Any other tigers out there that want to join my streak of tigers? Yes, apparently a pack of tigers is called a streak. I like that.

So much so that when I lose this weight, I promise to streak somewhere.

You heard me. Me prudish Scout. Will. Run. Naked. In. Public. When she loses 90 lbs.

So who is with me?

Yes! Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past, my friends. Heh!

Baby Born on Highway: While Driving [Graphic Video]

2012-01-24T09:04:00.001-08:00

Holy crap! Sorry, I am just shocked and amazed at this birth. The parents are just so calm:

Welcome to the world, Willow Mealea. I am so glad you are healthy.

Inspiration

2012-01-23T23:08:00.000-08:00

Source: modernemotive.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: i.imgur.com via Heather on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

Source: funstoo.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

Seattle Ice Storm: No Wussies Here

2012-01-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

This stuff is what is taking down huge evergreens and covering highways causing major accidents. If you are in the Seattle area, be safe and stay inside!!

Need a closer look??

Yes very beautiful and even more dangerous. So far we have power , but trees keep snapping which are taking out power lines.

One hundred eighteen thousand homes out of power in Seattle area.

Parking complexes are collapsing from the weight according to the news. Our Seattle snow was already super wet and heavy and now add an inch layer of ice and now more freezing rain!

Formerly of Fairbanks, I am often a label-er of Seattle citizens as being humongous wusses when it comes to snow. Apparently the LA Times and most of the country agrees.

In Fairbanks, they never plowed, it dropped feet at a time, got to -67, and there were never snow days. Seriously, if it was -10 or above, pre-school children were required to get their own #$% snow gear and mittens on and REQUIRED to go outside to play. Today we are on day three of snow days from schools.

I see Seattle snow usually as the most ridiculously entertaining event ever, especially all the douches who abandon cars in the middle of the road or screech about the end of the world because of a little powder on their lawn.

Case in point, this video I posted on Facebook:

Yes, our first two snow days were total crap like the video. But this ice storm today? Mother Nature is not @#$% around so stay inside with your families.

Our family will continue to enjoy. Well all except Eldest:

I am one mean mom. After three days, this is his first time in the snow. Why?

When do kids not look forward to snow days?

When snow days happen the days before finals and their mom gleefully says they now have MORE days to study.

ENDLESS day to scram.

I did take pity and finally let him out:

I even let him go sledding. However, although my Alaska-raised kid typically wears shorts and t-shirts in the snow, I did make him put some gear on. Silly kids!

We don't raise no wussies at the Scouty household!

What's the weather like where you are?

UPDATE: OHHHHHHHHHH CRAP! Power is out at our water station. Seriously CRAP. No flushing. Conserve water. Now this is something new, Seattle! WTF!!

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Stop Wasting Your Time

2012-01-18T17:11:00.000-08:00

Source: weheartit.com via Essie on Pinterest

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Motherhood: Double Digits!

2012-01-17T14:18:00.000-08:00

Someone is in utter shock that her last baby is TWO digits. Utter shock. Denial even! No more babies in the single digits in this household. Sigh...

Happy 10th Birthday to my beautiful baby boy:

The time has gone so fast and I have not regretted a minute of it. You were a wonderful surprise a decade ago!

You are smart. You are sensitive. You give me foot rubs when no one else will. You definitely still give hugs even when your older siblings are too cool to give their mom love in front of their friends.

Overall, you rock the Casbah, my not so little boy!

Be blessed, Li'l Man! Be blessed and always remember your Mommy loves you.

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Smells Like Teen Angst: Gloves Off

2012-01-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

What's that smell this mom smells?

Could it be teen angst with a side of stinky attitude?

Or maybe it's the crap-ton load of my preteen's hair burning up my beloved Dyson motor.

Either way something stinks in the Scouty household today.

Very, very stinky, but I ALWAYS win. Gloves off.

What's your most challenging Mom (or Dad) vs. teen moment?

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Curiosity Locked Our Kitty in the Dishtowel Cabinet

2012-01-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

Lulu the lazy cat faceplanting on couch.

Life is so hard being a kitty. After being released from a dishtowel cabinet dungeon that I saved her from--after a couple hours of being MIA-- she is too tired to breathe.

"Breathe putty cat, breathe!"

Giveaway: Not By The Hair of My Chinny-Chin-Chin

2012-01-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

Approaching 40 is a bitch. It simply is.

Body parts are simply not as bouncy as they once were. Roots turn a suspicious glittery silver. And no, not the vampire silver kind. More gun metal gray.

No, not Anderson Cooper and George Clooney, rawr. Think Frau Hilda Frumapus. Think Coach Beast. More indignity? I've been finding rogue branches on my chin, my friends. Let me repeat that.

On. my. chin. As in a dark, ant-leg looking alien beings in the style of the wicked witch.

This. Will. Not. Stand.

I considered burning the little f#$%ers to the ground. I considered laser treatment. I considered acid.

In the end, a product sent to me in the mail saved my skin in my apocalyptic hair removal panic. To be honest, depilatory creams scare me. They've scared me ever since the seminal moment in middle school everyone seems to have when they think Nair is a good thing. Then, since more is better, you leave it on too long and realize having skin, not burning, bumpy-WTF-did-I-do-to-my-legs-skin moments, is something to be valued.

So I admit, I was nervous when I was chosen by Olay and BlogHer to try out their New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo. They told me it was a uniquely formulated, two-step system designed to gently, yet effectively, remove unwanted facial hair, leaving skin smooth, conditioned, and visibly hair free.

The Skin Guarding Balm, applied before the removal cream, actually did hydrate my skin and guess what? No irritation, redness, nor other tell-tale signs that I'd just been boiled in acid like other hair removal creams.

Better yet? No branch coming out of my chin. Thank you, Olay. You saved my womanly pride. Feeling less Coach Beast and more girlie girl without the log in my chin.

Now if only there was something for those silvers in all the wrong places...

In the meantime, you'll find me rocking out to Pandora's 80's alternative mix-something my kids call "the oldies." Yep, feeling older than dirt but now way more feminine thanks to Olay.

What's cheering me up is I get to pass on some love to my readers. Yes, you!!

Leave me a comment or tweet commiserating with me with your own hair-in-all-the-wrong-places stories to be entered to win a $50 VISA gift card, courtesy of BlogHer and Olay.

Rules:

No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post; please leave someway to contact you ie it will be really hard to find you to tell you you won if you post anonymous
Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
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For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 1/3/2012 - 2/3/2012.
Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
While we’re on the subject of looking good, you might want to check out the “Looking Your Best” posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great tips and expert posts!
I wrote this post while participating in the Olay program on behalf of BlogHer. I received product information to facilitate my post and monetary compensation for the time to write my post.

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My New Year's Resolution

2012-01-01T20:49:00.001-08:00

Oh Noes: Katy Perry & Russell Brand & Another Celebrity Marriage Bites The Dust

2011-12-30T12:40:00.000-08:00

Aww, man. They were so cute together. So cute!

Source: ET

However, was it any surprise when her husband posted a picture of her sans make up, just waking up, unprepared...to the world via Twitter when her entire career is based on her looks, persona, and brand...that they are now divorcing?!

Katy Perry No Make-Up: As posted by her loving husband on Twitter

Katy Perry WITH Make Up

Majorly husband f@ck up, Russell. And you're the one filing the divorce papers??

I don't even let my husband post pictures of me with make up, hair brushed, awake for hours unless I give him triple confirmation...and then I still make him take down pics I have second thought about, don't you?

Still sad...

Inspiration Monday: Doing for Others

2011-12-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Angela on Pinterest

Jonah Mowry: Bullying, Being Gay, and Tears

2011-12-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

Watching this crushed my soul today. Being gay in middle school must be a nightmare. To all you mothers out there, some of your kids are being bullied and some are the bullies. Mothers of bullies, I don't judge you, I just ask for you try something different.

Talk to your kids about acceptance and TRULY being the type of person you would wish them to be--the non-judgmental kind. The kind that doesn't cause other kids to cut themselves. The kind that do not use "gay, homo, or fag" as slurs.

Ending bullying starts at home sometimes beginning in the 1st grade or earlier when this topic does not seem even relevant, but it is.

Nip bullying in the bud.

On Nightmares and Marriage: Divorcing My Husband

2011-12-02T17:56:00.000-08:00

I awoke today on the couch with a start. No worries. No fight with the husband. Just fell asleep watching TV...again!

So, I woke awoke with a start because I had a soul-crushingly REAL dream that my husband was divorcing me.

Usually, when I have nightmares, which is OFTEN, I go running for a hug from my husband of 15 years and it makes it all better.

Today, while it was only minutes before 6 AM, that darn husband was already dressed and gone. He actually is vying for husband of the year award by driving my two competitive swimmers at 4:45 to swim practice so I don't have to...

So, head drooping, there was no magical hug to make it all better until he met me at 7:30 AM to swap kids and bags at the middle school.

But that didn't even happen because the kids decided not to go to their second swim practice and hence no need to swap bags before he retraced his commute another 45 minutes to work...

Instead, he IM-ed me at 9 AM today to remind me to drink the coffee he made me at 4 AM!! so I wouldn't get a caffeine headache, coffee junkie that I am.

My response:

(9:10:47 AM) Beau: Did you find your coffee?

(9:10:50 AM) Heather: So bad morning. Woke up pre-6 AM with horrible dream you were divorcing me :((((((

(9:11:05 AM) Beau: that sucks. just a dream.

(9:11:19 AM) Beau: Actually, about that time I was thinking how much I love you.

(9:11:24 AM) Heather: Yeah, just a dream but very real. Was crying when I woke up

(9:11:42 AM) Beau: And while I was driving to work, a Cure song came on the radio that made me think of you more.

(9:11:51 AM) Heather: :)

(9:11:54 AM) Beau: esp since I didn't see you in the parking lot.

(9:12:10 AM) Heather: yeah i was actually looking forward to a hug

(9:12:15 AM) Heather: in parking lot

(9:12:38 AM) Beau: well, we could still meet behind the middle school for hugs in the morning, even if we don't swap bags ;)

And this is why I hope to be married to this man for 15 more years....times infinity!

Confession: A Little Twilight Humor

2011-11-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Christy on Pinterest

My 12 year old daughter went to see the latest Twilight movie with her friends this week-end. I acted relieved not to go.

Confession: Now I'm bummed that I have no "excuse" to go see it.

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On Weight Loss: Need Some Inspiration!

2011-11-28T21:59:00.000-08:00

Source: letintherain.tumblr.com via April on Pinterest

Starting over, day #1 gluten-free is done. Wahoo! However, it was not a healthy day.

Prime stars for dinner were green beans and mushrooms sauteed with bacon AND pancetta in bacon and pancetta grease which I did not drain from the pan.

..and that was AFTER I had my follow-up appointment this afternoon where I stood on the dreaded scale with the sympathetic nurse as a witness.

After this holiday week-end? It's official. I've gained back every pound lost this summer.

Tomorrow is another day...

I need to ignore that inner slut that says I cannot do it, but even more important? I need to stab my inner bacon bitch. Heh!

Filed Under So Wrong: My Eyes Are Burning

2011-11-28T17:26:00.000-08:00

Ewwwww! This made my eyes burn and now I am passing on that eye burn to you.

You're welcome!

Corn Turns Porcupine into Ewok: Story of My Life

2011-11-28T07:56:00.000-08:00

I know exactly how this little guy feels. Today, after a Thanksgiving week-end binge on GLUTEN, I go back to strict gluten-free. No wheat, rice, corn, barley, oats, or any grains really.

Check back next week, and I am sure I'll have turned into an Ewok too!

Waaaaah!

Happy Thanksiving From My Family 2011

2011-11-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

So many things to be thankful for this year, but number one, as always, are these guys:

I love my family beyond words.

I'm also so thankful for finally getting to the bottom of healthy issues. Post-ablation so far, so good. I'm working on gluten free and weight loss/lifestyle changes to see if those helps with my liver and immune issues.

Let's Eat!

However, I admit, after five days gluten free, I am so cheating this week-end. Who can resist caramelized onion and mushroom sage stuffing?

Mmm #1 favorite dish for my family with caramelized onions
sweet potatoes a close 2nd place

I'll be back on track by Monday though...Pinky promise.

Another highlight this year for me? My cranberry chef Li'l Man who made it all by himself this year.

Li'l Man Cranberry Chef Extreme

And I can't not highlight the fact that my Eldest surpassed my beloved husband CG in the height department with Li'l Man not far behind. I guess we are feeding them well.

My Boys

I hope y'all had awesome Thanksgiving experiences as well. Send me a comment with the highlights and what you are thankful for this year.

Best,

Scout's Honor

On Blogging: Uh-Oh Outing Myself in the Issaquah Press

2011-11-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

Yo guess who outed herself in the local newspaper?

When I first adventured out in ~~diarrhea of the mouth~~ speaking my mind, in public, on a blog, I went for the cop-out. I dubbed myself Scouts Honor and the rest was history.

Being anonymous let me write without filter. I talked about bullies, controversial politics, my kids' school woes, marital spats, frenemies, the preponderance of neighborhood trophy wives, and yes, my infamous uterus. Chit chat one might share share with a girlfriend over coffee, but might not ever cop to in public, now published, on the internet.

Over the years, my extended family found my blog and, oh @#$%$, there was drama. I learned to edit myself. Several very hard lessons and much tears later, I still managed to keep my name under wraps.

Then, last year, that all changed when my freelance work required use of my real name. I did not out myself lightly. I moaned. I whined. I ground my teeth and looked for loopholes. Finally I agreed because it was a great opportunity.

Even yet, my little blog business maintained a pretty deliberately crafted far-flung audience with only a few choice friends and neighbors knowing my double life truth. This blog was safely tucked away from neighborhood eyes and PTA boards. Heh!

Until. this. Week.

Click to read the Issaquah Press Parent Guide & Check out pages 27-28

A couple weeks back, I received a call from the local newspaper who wanted to do an article on the local mommy bloggers. I gulped and said yes.

The interview? Typical Scouty diarrhea mouth with beatific sound bites such as:

"There's no perfect marriage. There's no perfect kid. There's no perfect anything." she said in a recent interview. "I'm going to keep it real...If my uterus is bugging me today, I talk about my uterus. If it's my kids talking about masturbation, we talk about masturbation."

Ummmmm...Sorry kids. Yes, your friends' moms now know about almost every crazy conversation we've had over the kitchen table. So yep, guess who outed herself in the local Issaquah Press? Will I live to regret this? For those writers who've squirmed under the harsh glare of being outed, any advice?

Stay tuned...

Update: I've already been getting many a phone call and shout out from friends on Facebook. Ummm, please do tell what is the etiquette of chatting with someone at a Back-to-School meetings who knows I'm the loon who set her husband's shoes on fire?

Awkward...Heh!

Miami Cop Arrested for Speeding: It's About Time!

2011-11-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well it's about @#$ time the rules apply to the cops too. Don't get me started on the excuses he made for risking other people's life on the highway weaving at 120 mph in a government-owned car. Seriously, no one was dying or bleeding. He was off-duty and simply late for a school function.

Not sure he should still have a badge with that judgment! Are you?

On Marriage: Yet Another Reason I Love My NOSY Husband

2011-11-03T18:10:00.001-07:00

My husband has always been a little too comfortable in doctor's offices. Boundaries? What boundaries? He paces in OB offices and rummages through pediatricians offices.

He peeks in cabinets. He blows up latex gloves and fiddles with jars of tongue depressors.

He once even took out a speculum and started making it talk in a creepy voice just as the doctor walked in.

He does this mostly to embarrass me because I am easily embarrassed in these settings.

So it was no real surprise, he snooped in my medical files the nurse left available at the station where I was resting (and he was bored for 4 hours) waiting for anesthesia to wear off.

So I mentioned it in my last post about his comparing my newly scraped and cauterized uterus as a vast, barren alien planet with the nurse no less--but in a good way. As I told him I wrote about this fact when he came home tonight, his response to being nosy in my medical files in my last post?

It was to sing this:

(Video)

The important line being at 1:50 to be exact:

"I want the doctor, to take a picture, so I can look at you from inside as well."

Oh, honey: That would be so creepy coming from anyone but you! I love that song and love you. Just don't go quoting the Smiths anytime soon, m'kay?

Uterine Ablation, Novasure & Baby Steps: Praise Be Crispy Hoo-Has!

2011-11-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

If you follow me on FB or Twitter, you by now know I finally got THE surgery. All went well.

Due to family history of adverse reactions to anesthesia, we had to mix it up and went with propofol made famous by Michael Jackson and a spinal block. I was unbelievably scared, but luckily, it was quick.

I woke up less than an hour later. As the spinal wore off, the pain set in. Whether from the endometrial ablation, D&C, or fibroid removal, I will not lie, it was painful for 3-4 hours.

Very painful. But not as painful as the exhaustion and murky living after 34 day periods and literally bleeding to death for years.

Not as painful as missing kids' events and milestones--being confined at home because of one's period.

Not as painful as having one's life on hold. Or as painful as watching one's memory trickle away.

Now, the pain is manageable. I am living on Vicodin and fighting the urge to get back to business as a busy mom, rather than sit here on the couch and take it easy.

If you have followed my story, this is just a first step in solving my health issues. One of many that needs to be taken, but it is a step. It is putting myself first for once. It is making that decision to stop ignoring twinges and pains. Whether this procedure works or not, this is a step forward for me.

For all you mothers putting themselves last, I ask you to take a step forward like my community here has urged me over the years.

You are no use to your families if you are not healthy.

And besides then your husband won't see before and after pictures of your hoo-ha while you are sleeping off the anesthesia since he is always snoopy with the hoo-ha medical files and instruments at these wimmin exams and procedures.

So he then won't be able to tell you that your uterus now looks look like the"dark side of the moon" or some "other weird planet" and the where's the fun in not knowing that??

I now can say my uterus is positively celestial or at least I now have a witness that it's fried like chitlings which was exactly the point!