Now we're thinking in Portals

Yes, this is a repeat from my notes from 2 years ago. But been talking gaming lately, and thought it was appropriate.

Congratulations!!! You are in love with a unique breed. One who can sit endlessly looking at a screen and never seem to move but gets pure enjoyment out of the experience. This is great. As long as you don't mess with the gaming system area you can do whatever you want with the house, go out with friends, and have plenty of personal space. Now the bad news. You are in love with someone who can sit endlessly looking at a screen and never seem to move...

Anyhoo, I decided I wanted to write a few facts when it comes to you, the girlfriend/boyfriend of a gamer. Now I am a woman who married a non gamer. I find it funny listening to my friends complain about their gaming husbands because it sounds a lot like my hubby complaining about me. And of course, my husbands co workers thinks he is the luckiest man alive being married to gamer. I listen to them complain about what their wives nag about and it sounds a lot like me complaining about my hubby. So below are a list of things that you will just have to come to accept. It has nothing to do with being a man/woman. It is all about the game



1. Before we met you, Saturday was reserved for nothing but gaming. This has been our life style for God knows how long. We realize that we need to spend time together but don't expect us to be happy going antiquing/shopping/going for a walk at the park. We go because we love you, not because we want to. We will NEVER want to.



2. Since we are doing things we hate for you could you please let us have a couple Saturdays to sit and melt our brains? I mean, really? Is is so much to ask for you to leave us alone one day a week. You don't have to leave the house but just don't bug us that day, or give us the evil eye for sitting around doing nothing. (Yes we hear you say it's ok but your tone and your facial expression say much different)



3. We keep different hours than you. Staying up till 2, 3, 4 in the morning is normal for us. (And if we have spent the day at that art gallery you really wanted to go to, you forfeit your evening with us anyway, so pick one)



4. Just because you decide today is a great day to deep clean the house doesn't mean we agree. Here we are, minding our own business, playing that new COD and you bust out the mop bucket and dusters. Sorry hon. Doesn't work like that. We will keep on playing and you are just going to get pissy. But that is not our problem. YOU decided that ceiling fan was looking dingy, not us. Wait, we have a ceiling fan?



5. If we have a controller in our hands, don't talk to us. We may respond but we have no clue what you are saying nor do we care. Don't ask us where the new bookshelf should go, if the food you cooked taste good, when we should go see your mother. Just walk away. We are not listening.



6. Want to spend time with us. Pick a game you can play with us. For my husband and I, it's Mario Cart. I get to game, he gets quality time with me. Everyone is happy. Well almost....



7. Don't expect us to let you win. We play to win. That's why we game. Just because you and I swore before God to hold and cherish each other forever or had children together does not mean we have to let you win. Get over it. I know for a fact I will never be asked over to some of my friends house because I am "too competitive" I don't care either. I won. That's all that matters. And when we do win, we talk smack. We will rub your nose in it. We expect the same from you if you (ever) win.



8. Someday we may have children and realize that we will have to give up some of my gaming ways. I know this as a mom of a 4 year old and an 18 month old. I don't game NEARLY as much as I used to. I accept this. But if you really love us, buy us Halo Reach, then offer to take the kiddos out for awhile. We promise to return the favor.



9. BUT accept the moment that child is old enough to hold a controller it will be our life goal to turn him/her into a gamer. That way, quality time with the kids revolves around the almighty PS3.



10. And although we may not beat the kids as we beat you at games we won't just let the kids win either. I mean, how else do they know they need to get better. Besides, any child of mine better be giving me a run for my money before they are in kindergarten. If my child can't game...well we won't even go there.



So here you are. This is just the facts of life when you decide to love a gamer. You can't change them. Most of us have been gaming since before we could write our name. So next time that gamer is getting you down, take a deep breath, look over this list, and go buy that $100 dress you have been wanting. We probably won't even notice. (And your nagging is drowning out the screams of the dying in God of War, so just get out)

Who I am today

This isn't one of my funny blog post today. This one is serious. I have been holding off in writing it till I thought it would be a good time, but there is never a good time. I have a secret. A secret that I am scared is going to cause me lose so many people that I love and care about. But I know some of my post have been seen and I think it only fair you hear it from me. I don't believe in God. It's plain and simple. I have spent 28 years praying, worshiping, and serving a God that doesn't seem to exist. And when I decided to really get down and read the bible, it just seemed to convince me more that there can't be a God. What caused me down this road? A lot of things. But a big one is my relationship with Michael. I guess that is another secret. Michael and I are technically separated, though we still live together. The only reason we aren't divorced is our financial situation, my work schedule, and the girls. For years I have been the good Christian housewife and mother. And what did it get it me? Nothing, except an empty relationship with a man who doesn't truly care about me. So where do we go from here? I have no freakin clue truthfully. I love each and one of you on my FB. But, I know how deep some of your beliefs are. And I am afraid some of you won't want to accept me or love me the same. And that terrifies and scares me, but at the same time, I can't deny how I feel or believe. So I will have to wait and see how you all react. I do ask that this not become a flame or hate war. I will understand if you unfriend me. I do believe that people should be able to believe what they want, even if I don't agree with you. You are all my friends, and I hope that our friendships will survive this. Thank you for listening to me.

How motherhood has changed me.

I have never been much of a Susie homemaker kinda girl. Instead of an easy bake oven as a little girl, I had Dinosaur Mountain. My idea of gourmet cooking while single was hamburger helper. After I got together with Michael, our 2nd Christmas together HE got the really fancy pots and pan set and I got a Craftsman toolkit. But motherhood has changed this.

1. I actually want to go to a kitchen gadget store AND I know what most of the things do. Before I just assumed everything was torture devices you used on your husband when he pissed you off while cooking.

2. I have a wish list of kitchen items including but not limited to muffin tin set (yes, I need more than one), some sort of carrier for my cake and cup cakes, and different containers the different flours that I use. I think the fact I have different flours makes me cry the most.

3.I make things from scratch. And I mean from scratch. Pumpkin pies with fresh pumpkin, real sweet potato casserole. Hell,I even bake my own bread. And if anyone ever tells me you can't tell the difference, or worse, says store bought is better, remember, I am now very talented with large kitchen knives.

4. I used to have to call Michael at work if I was (attempting) to cook because I had no freakin clue where anything was. Now, not only do I know where everything is, I become very pissy when I go to reach for things and they are not where they should be. I guess I should tell him to read the last sentence of number 3 next time he puts something away wrong.

5. I don't use recipes anymore. I now look at a recipe, decide I don't agree with most of the ingredients, and make it my own way. Because, when you rock the kitchen like this mom does, you don't need a recipe.