As You Wish

Wow it's been a while. I've missed you all. I have been commenting, but for some reason I just haven't been in the mood for writing. I have lots to write about I just didn't want to type it all out. For now I will just give an update of what we've been up to and I will go into detail at a later time on some of these things.

• I bought my very first SLR. Can you say EXCITING? Oh man! I decided to go with the Canon 40d and it's absolutely amazing. So far I'm totally satisfied with this large purchase. I haven't downloaded any of the photos I've taken, but when I do I will post them.
  
• Andrew and I have been working on building a deck in our backyard. I have quite a few pictures to post of our progress, but I still need to download them. Maybe in the next few days you will get to see our progress thus far.
• I officially need a new job. It's not that I don't like my job; I really do like it. I have a great boss and coworkers and the work isn't too incredibly hard. The reason I need a new job is because our office building has been infiltrated by creepy crawlies of all kinds. I will name what I've come in contact with up to today: crickets, mormon crickets (yes there is a difference), lizards, snakes, beetles, flies, spiders, vinegaroons (a type of spider), and I'm sure I've missed something, but you get the point. I have seen each and every one of these inside the building and most of them in my office. I can't handle it anymore. I am constantly on edge and paranoid and I think if it doesn't stop soon I will need therapy because of it.

• My friend and neighbor Mrs. V is 9 months and 5 days pregnant as of today. We look like we could be sisters. This picture was taken outside the movie theater. It was unintentional, but Mr. and Mrs. V and Andrew and I all showed up to watch Wall-E at the same time. That was one of the best movies ever.
  

When I was a little girl I watched the movie Peter Pan for the first time and fell in love with the Indian Princess Tigerlily. From that point forward I wanted to be referred to as Tigerlily. My name, Allison, was too plain and I hated it. I informed my family that they must call me Tigerlily and I wouldn't answer to anything else. I was am a demanding person.

One of the funny things about me wanting to be called Tigerlily is not only is that the name of an Indian Princess, but it's also the name of a flower. I'm not comfortable with giving away my full name, but I will tell you that after being adopted my middle and last name both have something to do with flowers.
Another funny fact about this is before the adoption my mom and dad had to speak with a lawyer on several occasions to fill out paperwork and discuss what would happen. When I decided my name was now Tigerlily my mom began to get nervous. She just knew the judge would ask me what I wanted my name to be and I would tell him Tigerlily. In one of the meetings my parents had with their lawyer my mom asked if the judge would give me the opportunity to tell him what I wanted my name to be. She was relieved to find out that he wouldn't. I don't think the lawyer realized how nervous my mom was. *cue for my mom to wipe the sweat from her brow* It might not have been that big of a deal to most, but it was to her. At the very least she wanted to keep my name Allison on paper.


Recently my mom gave me a package and said she had a surprise for me. I opened the envelope to find the following.She was searching for new makeup and found this eyeshadow and couldn't pass it up. It's perfect!

*Pictures courtesy of Google Images

One of my earliest memories would have to be from about 22 years ago. I have a terrible memory, so the fact that I remember this is quite strange. I was 2 years old and I can remember seeing the back of my biological father as he walked out the door. I sat with my mom on the coffee table as she cried and I know that was a turning point in both of our lives (a turn for the better). I love my mother dearly and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. Ok well maybe I would trade her for a purse or a new pair of shoes…just kidding. I know that wasn’t even funny I apologize.

Moving forward…

That being said I hated seeing my mom upset, but I hated seeing her date even more. She was mine and no one else’s. I was a very selfish little girl and I wanted her to myself. Then one day when I was about 3 she brought him home. Who was this stranger? Why was he kanoodling my mom? I wasn’t having it. Whenever they sat together on the couch I would sit between them. Remember? She was mine.

I don’t remember this, but I’m told that enough was enough. I had to be stopped. They had heard a rumor that if you give a child a little bit of wine it will make them sleepy. That could be harmless right? I mean just a little won’t hurt. Right? They gave me a couple sips of wine and waited to see if I would drift off to sleep like they were hoping would happen. They were wrong! I was wired beyond belief, worse than before. Not to be cliché, but I was bouncing off the walls. As I write this I have an evil little grin on my face just in case you were wondering. That’s what they get for trying to get some alone time.

The more time they spent together I started getting used to him being around. Don’t get me wrong I still wanted my mom to myself, but that wasn’t happening. When I was 5 they decided to get married. That story has already been told here.

Around 1990 the company they were both working for decided to close its doors, so we moved to Winnemucca. That winter was horribly cold. We were renting a two story house at the time and my bedroom was downstairs. It was right next to the basement and I hated sleeping there by myself. For a few months my step-sister, Amy, came to live with us and while she was there I slept in my room with her. I’m sure she thought I was a loser little kid because she was in high school and I was in first grade, but I thought her and her twin, Amber, were the coolest.

After spending some time around my step-sisters and step-dad I started thinking. I know scary right? I began to realize that my last name wasn’t the same as my mom’s and I didn’t have anyone to call “dad.” This was quite perplexing for me. This had to change. I told my mom I wanted my last name to be the same as hers. She explained to me that the only way for that to happen would be for me to ask my step-dad to adopt me. So…I asked. He gratefully accepted and when I was 8 years old we went to court and my last name became the same as theirs and I had someone to call “dad.”

I’m going to digress for a moment to talk about my grandpa (my mom’s dad). He was AWESOME. I won’t go into too much detail here about my undying affection for him, but I do want to say that when I found out he was dying from cancer my heart was broken. I was too young at the time to fully understand all the details, but I did know that this monster was taking my Poppa from me and I didn’t appreciate it. The day before the adoption he was taken from us. My mom says that he wanted to make sure I was going to be ok before he let go. He knew he was leaving me in good hands with my dad. *clearing throat and wiping tears*

It was difficult to explain to my friends at school how I was able to change my name. They thought that if you were adopted that must mean you came from some orphanage and that your parents weren’t your “real” parents. I spent countless hours minutes explaining myself to them. I think they understood, but I’ll never know.

It has been 16 years since the adoption and I couldn’t be happier with the decision we made. Bob has been the best dad a girl could ask for.

Thank you so much for the life you have helped to give me, for adopting me, for loving me (even though I was am the biggest brat ever), for teasing me, for being there for me, for carrying me from your bed to mine, and for loving my mom. I know I wasn’t always into the thought of you being around, but I can’t imagine for even just one second not having you in my life now. I love you very much and I hope you have a Happy Birthday!

*Side note: Don’t judge my parents for giving me alcohol at such a young age. It really was only a little and I think I turned out fine. I think…

I apologize for the rollercoaster of emotion this post may have caused, but I don’t apologize for the information. I know while writing this I laughed, I cried, I rubbed my hands together in an evil manner, and I loved whole-heartedly.

It's challenge time again! This week's challenge over at Exposaroonie is "Your Location." If you weren't already aware I live in Winnemucca, Nevada otherwise known as "The Mucc." We have a population of about 8,000 people here. Our town was named after Paiute Chief Winnemucca. The meaning of Winnemucca is one moccasin.

Chief Winnemucca had a daughter named Sarah who was often called the Paiute Princess. She lived from about 1842-1891. Sarah was very influential for her time being one of very few educated Paiutes in Nevada. She was able to read and write in English and acted as an interpreter. Sarah was the first Native American woman to obtain a copyright and publish a book. She wrote an autobiography titled Life Among the Paiutes: Their Wrongs and Claims which accounted for the first forty years they had contact with explorers and settlers. There is a statue of Sarah Winnemucca in Washington D.C. at the National Statuary Hall for being a "defender of human rights, an educator," and an author.

You learn something new everyday. Did you ever think you would be learning something about Winnemucca?

Anyhoo...here it is...my entry:


This picture was taken behind one of the oldest buildings in Winnemucca. I really like how it has aged and I had fun trying to find the perfect area to photograph for this challenge.

Winnemucca is pronounced win-uh-muck-uh and it's Nevaaaaada not Nevawda. I'm just sayin'.

OH! I almost forgot if you want to vote for my picture you can go here on Friday June 13. Oh man it's going to be Friday the 13th muahahahaha.

I realize this is several days late, but better late than never.

I cannot believe it has been one year since I started blogging. Time sure does go by in the blink of an eye. My mom once told me when I turned twenty-one time would fly. I didn’t believe her. I am now twenty-four and I’m wondering to myself where have the past few years gone? Where have the past 24 years gone for that matter?

I’m at the point in my life where I have to make decisions for myself (not that I won’t be making decisions for the rest of my life, but…). What do I want to be when I grow up? Do I really want to go back to school? What should I make for dinner? Should I clean the house or lay on the couch? You know the important things.

I originally started this blog because of my good friend ALF. I always loved reading her stories and finding out what was going on in her life. I figured it would be a good way to communicate my feelings, laugh at my faults, and let people know what’s happening with out having to make a million phone calls (that of course in an exaggeration because I don’t even know a million people, but you get the point).

I didn’t realize a year ago I would be trying to keep up with 30+ different blogs, or that I would be twittering (you should most definitely follow me by the way), or that there are so many others out there feeling the exact same way I am, and I never imagined I would be participating in a photo challenge. It’s so crazy. And by crazy I mean awesome! I absolutely love that I started to blog.

I’m going to sum up this year with highlights from each month:

2007

June – I bought my very first brand new car.

July – Andrew invited me to meet his friends and family in Montana. While we were there he took me all over Montana from Glacier National Park in the North to Yellowstone in the South. It really was an amazing trip.

August – We went on my very first camping trip ever in Lake Tahoe.

September – We had a surprise party for my mom’s 50^th birthday. So fun!

October – We painted our house all by ourselves.

November – Andrew’s parents came to town to surprise him for his birthday and I kept it a secret from him. We also got to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt. Love her.

December – Andrew and I celebrated 2 years of dating. Woohoo! Go us!

2008

January – I was laid off from my last job. At the time it was terrible news, but when one door closes another is opened. You just have to keep your head up, stay positive, and keep your eyes open for new possibilities.

February – I got a new job working for one of the mining companies near Winnemucca.

March – I turned 24!

April – We found out my dad does not have cancer and his surgery to remove his thyroid went very well.

May – At work I got to change from working eight hour shifts Monday - Friday to ten hour shifts Monday – Thursday. Three day weekends are awesome!

June – Well…June will have to wait another year because we definitely aren’t far enough into it for me to be able to give any highlights.

Thank you to those of you who have been around since the beginning and hello to those of you who are new. I love comments just in case you were wondering, so if you are lurking (reading with out commenting) you should say hi. I don’t bite…that hard.

So...I was a complete slacker (sort of) last week and I didn't submit a photo to the Exposaroonie challenge, but I'm back in action this week.

The challenge for this week is to show what we think "Friendship is." The following picture is of Andrew and I in our backyard. He is always there for me making me laugh, being the shoulder for me to lean on, and listening when I need someone to talk to. Simply put he is the best. I love him and he is one the best friends I have ever had. Thank you for going along with me when I ask you to help me with a photo challenge. You're the sweetest.

If you like my photo you can go here and vote for me. Thank you in advance if you do decide to vote for me.

'cause you know I'm too lazy to run.

On Saturday May 31st my mom and I walked 3 miles in the local LaRena Smith Bengoa Run, Walk, or Ride for the Cure. I've wanted to do something like this for a few months now and when I saw the ad at the grocery store I knew I wanted to participate. Not even a week after seeing the ad my mom mentioned that she would be participating in this event for the second year in a row and I told her I was in. She originally wanted to walk 5 miles, but I knew for sure that would be the death of me, so I told her 3 miles would be my limit.

You see I'm quite lazy, I'm not proud of it and I know I need to quit, but I hate being a quitter. Jokes! Once our backyard project is complete I'm going to take exercising more seriously. No really I am. Oh you don't think so? Well...we'll see. Ok fine you're probably right, but I really do want to do something about my laziness.

So...back to the walk.

As some of you may know we had a little bit of a scare with my dad thinking he might have cancer, but thankfully after his surgery we found out his nodules were benign. A few weeks later we were informed that my aunt had lung cancer. I was so happy when we found out my dad didn't have cancer. I thought for sure our family was healthy again. It was time to be happy and celebrate. Not now. The doctor told her the tumor is inoperable and we are still waiting to see what the treatment will be (if there is one).

My aunt is one of the most awesome people you will ever meet. She is sweet, kind-hearted, strong-willed, loving, opinionated, creative, humorous and beautiful (just to name a few). When I was in high school she lived with my family and we were so close. She was more like a sister or second mother rather than an aunt. I truly valued her opinion and I asked her for it quite often. Practically everyday before school I would check with her to make sure my outfit for the day matched and I would always put on two different shoes to see which she thought went better (I still do this to this day - thanks for your help Andrew).

She constantly makes me laugh when she says things like, "I need to warsh the windels." Translation - I need to wash the windows. I know you think I'm making fun of you Auntie, but I only do it because I love you and I like to laugh with you. I don't know if you know this, but you are one of my most favorite people ever. I'm always so excited to see you when you come to town or we make the trip to see you.

My aunt has had several battles with illnesses in her life and so far she has beaten them. All I can say is I know this is a rough time, but stay strong. You are so tough I know you can beat this. We all love you very much and we are here for you.

If I could take the pain for you I would. I love you and I’m so proud to have been given the middle name Rose because of you, Ms. Fontella Rose.

During the walk my mom and I both wore a lanyard around our necks that had a picture of my aunt (her sister), my grandparents (her parents), and someone who would like to remain anonymous.

My grandfather passed away in 1992 because of cancer in his lungs, brain, and liver and my grandmother passed in 2002 because of lung cancer. I still to this day miss them both. I really wish they could have been around to meet Andrew and see me grow into the person I am today.

My grandparents on one of their anniversaries

The woman who would like to remain anonymous is very close to my family. She is a wonderful person and I’m so happy to say she is a survivor. I love this woman and her husband as if they were a part of my family. Every time I see these two in person they always get the biggest smiles on their faces and I hope if you are reading this you know how much that means to me. You are such a sweet person and I’m so glad my mom has a friend like you.

*Update – I have been working on writing this for a while now waiting for the perfect moment to post and since beginning to write this we have received an update on my aunt. She was supposed to be going to see the doctor on the 5^th to see if there is any sort of treatment for her situation. The doctor my aunt went to told her she needs to go through a whole new set of tests because in the 20 years she has been a doctor she has dealt with 3 misdiagnosed patients and she wants to make sure that isn’t the case with my aunt. We should be hearing something back in the next couple of weeks, so in the mean time we will be praying that this isn’t cancer.

I was reading Wishcake's blog one day and came across this post. I decided I wanted to check out how people find my blog and this is what has happened so far...

allie – ok so this makes sense because that is the name I’m using for this blog
brand new mazda 3 – my very first post on this blog was about my car
everyday conversation – I don't even know what to say...
hairy buttcrack pictures – um…eeeww! This actually came up twice. I know I don’t want to know, but why the heck would you want to see pictures of a hairy buttcrack? This post would have to be the reason these people were led to my blog. Guess what? You aren’t going to find what you’re looking for here.
How 2 wish a birthday – ok?
How long does a gi cocktail work? – Andrew needed a gi cocktail when he was having chest pain.
What to do if heart hurts – go to a doctor.

The following are strange, but they were brought here because of this. Many apologies Julie. I never meant for these creepos to end up here.

Poop and boobs – definitely do not go together.
Poop on boob – um…no!
Pooping boobs – huh?
Poopy boobs – gross!

To those of you who stumbled upon my blog hoping for some sort of poop or boob fetish and your desires were not satisfied I just want to say that you are weird and that is totally disgusting. I’m not judging…I’m just sayin.