Sofa Song

Another photo from the amazing Edgefield.
J and I passed a milestone today - purchase of community property. A couch and a love seat for the Skyline house. The last time I bought a piece of furniture with someone, it was Ivey's dad - in 1995.
Neck, shoulder, arm and wrist are sore.
Had almost too much fun at R's place last night. Strumming, playing wii bowling, drinking scotch and Irish whiskey. Had a run in with a police officer on the way home, but got off with a warning. Please note that I did not drive while impaired.
Plans to snuggle on the couch with J and watch a flick tonight. Hope you have cozy plans too.

Stand By Me

Although it's warm out, there is still a hint of the coming season. School starts next week and there will be changes in the household. Aiming to have regular evening mealtimes with the family, get back to working out at the gym, spend quality time at each home and generally get organized. I love fall. Summer is so short and full of expectations. The warmer weather has some high points. For example, I enjoyed sitting on the porch in a sleeveless shirt at 12:30 in the morning while at Edgefield. But for the most part, the heat just makes me sweaty and feel every extra pound I'm carrying. Fall is the pre-hibernation period, the time to prepare to hunker down for the drab, colder winter months. But there are still bright, crisp days and light in the evenings in autumn. And there is the pumpkin patch and Homecoming and Hallowe'en and holidays.
This fall is full of promise. I am in a relationship with someone who is happy to plan and dream with me. We discuss everything from the mundane to the fantastic. We talk about parenting and work and projects and dreams. We enjoy spending time together - whether it's watching TV, playing softball, running errands or weeding. I look forward to another season together.
Time to get to work. Hope your dreams are happy ones.

if it isn't her

Time is passing, as it does, somewhat uneventfully which, although it leaves me restless, is better than the bitter days I spent pining not so long ago.
What am I saying? Life is lovely! J and I celebrated our three month anniversary at a wonderful spot in Oregon this past weekend - McMenamin's Edgefield. Fun, delicious, friendly, beautiful, interesting, warm, refreshing, lively, relaxing... it had it all. We did a pub (and winery and distillery) crawl that lasted all day and into the night Saturday. Almost TOO much fun! There was a delightful soaking pool - and a bar there that served a tangy sweet beverage that was delish - a Ginger Zap, I believe it was called. And we overheard some amusing bits from some of the guests of the various weddings happening on the grounds. And there was music - and pool tables, and cigars, and a gift shop and a huge porch with rocking chairs. And my sweetheart treated me like a queen, surprising me with champagne and others delights the night of our arrival. Sigh...
Anyway, I'm nursing a sore neck - a remnant of last week's abbreviated slide into first base - and staying up way past my bedtime.
Hope all is well with you. I am thinking of you and I appreciate the kind words about missing my blog.

Daydream Believer

Photo is of Multnomah Falls, Oregon. Taken by J.
Up early this morning. Teenagers planned a trip to a local lookout to watch the sunrise. Didn't change their plans despite wind and rain. Ah, to be young.
I may have mentioned that I'm on a new med for my stomach/heartburn issues. It's been working delightfully well, which was underscored when I missed a dose one day and felt the familiar burn. Grateful that I was able to resume taking it.
I've been a bit pre-occupied by my sore neck. I'm definitely feeling hypchodriacal tendencies. Must work on diminishing that.
All is well in Nomi land. Gotta run.

Put Me In Coach

Lazy about blogging lately, but I'm a regular on Facebook!
Went on a "mini-vacation" this past weekend. What a perfect holiday! J and I did a major pub crawl, played in a warm soaking pool, ate great food and enjoyed time away from pets and work.
The picture above is from last week's work picnic. Much fun - despite a gravity surge that left me embarrassed, sore and laughing. A sore wrist, a little road rash and a stiff neck but dang! it was fun. That's J in the background taking a picture of me.
The teenager is back home and hanging out with friends again in the backyard. Less than a week until school starts.
Last night had dinner with a group of J's friends. J also met Ivey's dad when we picked Ivey up in Portland Sunday. So far we have got a lot of support - if we're happy everybody is happy for us. And we are so very happy :-)
Hoping all is well for you as well. Keep up those good thoughts!

Something

I've been spending my Internet time on Facebook. So Blogger has been ignored.
News? Follow up on blood bank story. The questionnaire I received was incomplete. The form at the donor place actually did differentiate between men and women and had many more lifestyle questions. Still, I never received a response to my email. By the way, I wasn't able to donate blood - for medical reasons. Dang.
Teenager is in Oregon for another week and then we will pick her up in Portland on our way back from a mini vacation. No dogs, cat, bird, teenagers, jobs, housework... Just me and my sweetheart :-)
It's been wonderful. I'm not superstitious but I don't want to jinx it. I'll say it's nothing like anything I've known. No anxiety, lots of reassurance, we both like each other and want to be together as much as possible. So yeah, it's pretty fantastic and I'm content.
In other news, Leroy Seivers of the mycancer blog died this weekend. His death feels close after reading him nearly every day for the past months. God rest your soul, Leroy. Thank you for sharing.
Sweetheart, it you're reading this, kisses to you. The rest of you will have to settle for thinking good thoughts.

Blood, Fire & Love

Recently the daughter of a co-worker was in a serious automobile collision. SHe is recovering but they are hoping to get blood donations to help offset the transfusion she had.
I signed up to give blood - I have given in the past but not since getting a tattoo. I received this eligibility checklist for review and was taken aback by one of the questions in particular. I chose to write to the Blood Center to challenge their use of this question. Review the list below and my letter to the blood center follows.

Are you eligible to give blood? Follow these prompts. If you answer yes, find out if you can donate.

· I am 18 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.

o Can donate. 16 and 17 year olds must have a parent consent form.

· I, or my partner, have AIDS/HIV or am at a high risk of having AIDS/HIV.

o Cannot donate.

· I gave blood 56 or more days ago.

o Can donate.

· I have had a cold or flu within the last 3 days.

o Cannot donate. Donate when you are no longer ill.

· I have diabetes, and it is under control right now.

o Can donate- you may be on or off medication.

· I have had hepatitis or jaundice after the age of 11.

o Cannot donate.

· I have had exposure to someone with hepatitis.

o Call the Blood Center at 1-800-366-2831 ext 2543 to find out if you are eligible.

· I am pregnant or may be pregnant.

o Cannot donate.

· I was pregnant but had my baby, miscarriage or abortion.

o Can donate- if over 6 weeks ago. Cannot donate- if within the last 6 weeks.

· I am currently menstruating.

o Can donate.

· I had cancer, my treatment was over a year ago and I am living disease free.

o Can donate- most types of cancer. People who had certain types of cancer cannot donate blood. Check with a criteria nurse by calling (206) 292-2543 to find out if you are eligible to donate.

· I recently had surgery but no blood transfusion or know any of my transfusions were Autologous.

(Meaning cells, tissues or proteins re-implanted into person they came from.)

o Can donate.

· I have had surgery within the past year and received a transfusion.

o Cannot donate- wait a year to be eligible to donate again.

· I am orally taking antibiotics.*

o Cannot donate- wait 72 hours after the last dosage.

· I had an injection of antibiotics.*

o Cannot donate- wait 7 days after the last dosage.

· *The medication or antibiotics given to me were to treat my Acne.

o Can donate.

· I am taking allergy medications, diuretics, diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, aspirin or Tylenol.

o Can donate.

· I am taking blood pressure medications.

o Can donate- for most medications.

· I just had an injection for measles, rubella or the MMR.

o Cannot donate- wait for one month after the injection.

· I just had a flu shot.

o Can donate.

· I just had a Hepatitis B shot.

o Cannot donate- wait two months after the injection.

· I am homosexual or have previously engaged in a homosexual relationship.

o Cannot donate.

· I have ear or body piercings done with sterile procedures and equipment.

o Can donate.

· I have ear or body piercings but the procedure or equipment was not sterile.

o Cannot donate.

· I have recently gotten a tattoo.

o Cannot donate- wait one year after your last tattoo.

· I have traveled outside of the US or Canada.

o Call the Blood Center at 1-800-366-2831 ext 2543.

Can donate 6 months after returning home depending on the country you visited.

· I have traveled to Europe.

o Call the Blood Center at 1-800-366-2831 ext 2543 to find out if you are eligible.

· I have traveled to Africa sometime in my life.

o Cannot donate.

· I have had malaria.

o Cannot donate- wait 3 years while you are symptom-free.

· I traveled to an area where you can get malaria.

o Cannot donate- wait one year upon returning home to the US or Canada.

Regarding eligibility:
If the answer to this question "I, or my partner, have AIDS/HIV or am at a high risk of having AIDS/HIV. " is "no", then why do you ask this "I am homosexual or have previously engaged in a homosexual relationship."?
Why would being a homosexual or having previously engaged in a homosexual relationship make someone ineligible to donate?
It appears to apply to both men and women – does that mean a lesbian cannot donate?
Wouldn't a more useful question be something to the order of "I've had unprotected sex outside a monogamous relationship" for persons of any sexual orientation?
The question appears archaic, misleading and irrelevant. Please explain.
Thank you.

I've Got a Flair

I love Facebook for the Flair!

Fly Me to the Moon

The teenager is on v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n in California. I'm staying up late playing on the 'puter. Currently hooked on Facebook flair (reference: "Office Space" 1999). Arts Festival weekend here. Not a lot to report. It's 2:58 AM and all is well. Thinking good thoughts and feelin' love.