Saturday... Nope....

Originally we were going to go out to Port Gamble and Point No Point today, but it was raining and  I was not feeling well at all.... 

...... so it got postponed, and I did some things that I could (working) from bed...  oh and there was this cat who kept walking on me and using me as a bed... 

Fri-YAY

Today I ended up taking Tina up to the court house ....  and then we ended up doing some Pokemon Go Spinner seeking, Tina started a (new) account and we were trying to get her into the levels ...

We ended up stopping at the Silverdale Waterfront briefly and decided to take a few photos ....  this is actually the first time I actually stopped here.

This is my buddy Nico .... he didn't talk much though....

Calahan and Tina ....

Later we ended up stopping at another of those spots in town that a lot of people don't know about, and I always wanted to take "couple" pictures in front of this mural ...

After, they decided to vape.  The true story is this....  Calahan and Tina started blowing their vape clouds into each other's faces, however Tina smoked Cal out...   Pic #3 (bottom left) he finlly got some cloud on her...

What it looks like.......   Tina is blowing her cloud into Cal's face, and Cal is sucking up the cloud...

Then we found out our back tire was low .....  not cool Universe, not cool.....

Then there are pretty kitties.....

That's pretty much the day ....

Just some Chatter....

First off ....  I have to share this photo of today....  Nathan insisted that I take a picture of him with his Pokemon blanket in his mouth.......  yes.......  "TAKE A PICTURE" didn't understand him for awhile....  then I figured it out ....

But don't worry Nate....  I gottcha ....  I got your picture of your Pokemon blanket in your mouth.... 

ANYWAY ...... 

Tina and I are talking a lot - getting to know each other and all this fun stuff....  been talking about the boys and their births and just the boys overall ....  she's missing her daughter horribly but .... she'll get through it because her daughter is probably in the safest place she can be right now given her ex and his stupid threats.... 

But it's funny too - because of course things  happened quickly between Cal and Tina but I really really really like her....  because...

She's just like me!!

It's crazy!  We have a lot in common but ya know, not everything of course... 

Calahan says .... "Well mom, you know that they say you marry a woman like your mother" LOL

I tell him I'm sorry, and that I hope he survives.... 

It's funny though.   She's sassy, she's sarcastic ... and she has lived through some stuff that sucks and that is what builds character ....

.... we both have some character...  that's for sure. 

But damn if I'm not falling in love with her too .... I'm glad Cal found her.  I can only hope that she's "the one" because I like her .... 

.......... may I never ever dislike her in any big ways...  I'm sure we'll have a moment or two because it's bogus to think we won't....  when you love someone, you fight with them ....

........ which should have been my first clue that my first marriage was shit.... because besides a few moments where I got so pissed at him, or when he was verbally beating me down .... we never fought. 

Anyway ....  nothing interesting happened today.  Not.a.damn.thing. 

So that's all ya get!!

It's Wedddddnesday....

We are about HALF WAY THROUGH our January ....  it seems like time hasn't gone by so quickly so far this year but ....  it will.   Some days drag on but some days are like.....  dayum, what happened?   It's crazy.... 

So today I worked on this some ...  btw, when did I get old enough to have a 23 year old and a 17 year old.  Just doesn't seem possible... or right. 

I'm still such a noob but I'm starting to get the hang of it a bit....  I do like a bit of variety but I almost wonder if it would be better to just find a bunch of things the same color or something ...  cuz this just looks a bit much.  I already don't like March (crying) but I haven't finished it. 

And although I have a lot, I don't have that much that I have a bunch of stuff the same colors and that... LOL ... 

But I did this, I did some planning for other things... and that sort of thing.   I was mostly just watching True Crime YouTuber Stephanie Harlowe - whom I just started watching yesterday - and working on all this stuff. 

Stephanie is 100% my favorite True Crime YouTuber to date.  I love how detailed she gets and how much info she manages to dig up, a lot of stuff (from the cases I know) .. that I didn't know... so it's pretty cool that I'm learning new things too.  PLUS I just love how she does her videos.  She's got her own opinion but she shares all of the theories and stuff.  And they aren't these short little 5 to 30 minute videos usually.  💜💜💜

You can check out her channel ....  True Crime Stephanie Harlow  <---- she was a beauty/make-up YouTuber before being a True Crime one, so of course those videos are there too .... 

I'll share more later....

Coffee & Hate ....

DB and I were talking this morning ....  I was telling him about a graphic I had seen and shared this morning.......

And then we were laughing about how much it sounds like DB....

..... but then DB says....  something and I remember laughing .... and then I said something like...

"Only with you, it's more like - Some people require inspirational quotes to start their day.  Me: Caffeine and Hate .... and then hate all day ..."  LOL

BUT as we were driving - running errands .... he was getting more and more hateful at drivers ....

I was like ... that coffee lasted long ...

He goes .....  "Well, people happened....."

and then we laughed and I ended up coming home and making these .....

The second one is the quote that we actually said in the car and we laughed at, then DB goes "you need to make that into a graphic"  .... lol.... 

So I did .....

Parenting....

Today feels like......

(this went up on FB today .... because Cal was being compared to someone manipulative, mentally and emotionally abusive.)

In our lives we choose to be supportive and loving.

Calahan watched me come out of an abusive situation and in the end standing up for myself and standing strong against it. I was no longer going to be manipulated and broken down by words. I taught my kids to stand up for what and who they believe in and because they have brothers who have medical needs and "typical" kids don't always treat them like kids who are just like them. You feel like someone is bullied, you stand up for that person. I mean even Cal got bullied as a child, badly, at his schools and it's good to see him when he stands up for what he believes in or someone who he feels is being mistreated. He is very protective of those he loves. I also raised him to be a good man. He is very kind hearted and loving, and he's still young and still learning and we might get annoyed with his lack of focus sometimes, lol, he's forgetful on those chores.... but he tries hard, and he usually means well. I've taught him to be respectful and sometimes respectful flies out the window, just like with anyone.

Cal has had a few girlfriends. There are the early girls who lasted a few months ... the stolen kisses in the alleys. We move to WA and he has a girlfriend for a short time and then he met his high school sweetheart. They dated for 5 years and, he had asked her to marry him at her graduation, he had even gotten her dad's permission to ask her. It was sweet. We worried though, because she had a very over protective family and they didn't get to see each other often. And slowly things began to change and things ended. Then there was ..... she who shant be named .... and her verbally and mental abuse of Cal, even some physical abuse... but it's like... I saw it and I got so mad, she was cheating on him and I had proof and he still believed her.... and I got so frustrated until I stepped back and looked at him and realized, I could get mad all I wanted and it wasn't going to change a thing. So I stepped back and looked at the situation ... and realized the only thing I was doing .... was losing my son and allowing her to win. So I started to remember he's an adult and he has the right to make his own decisions and his own mistakes. So I focused on supporting him. We'd talk about the various issues, but I tried not to get mad or let my anger about it show. I expressed my concerns and had to allow him to make his own choices.

What my son is NOT .... is abusive. What he is NOT is controlling. NOR is he comparable to someone who is.

Rough Day....

I had a really rough night last night.  I'm spending time with my hubby and I check FB only to find out ....  based on yesterday's blog (and other things) .... there was some backlash from certain people...  

At this time...  I'm not going to get into it .... because I'm hoping it'll straighten out.  

So I ended up - not sleeping ....  like at all.   Between my anxiety (even though I took my anxiety meds) and my natural and typical insomnia ...  I got spurts of sleep for literally a few minutes at a time ...  

This morning, I ended up taking Cal and Tina to the greenhouse I was telling them about.  We had a good time - it's a pretty amazing place... and getting more amazing from the sounds of it!  With additions of some trails and more structures like the Hobbit House....   it's going to be pretty amazing.  There is talk of a large mushroom structure you can walk in (or through) ...  and a dragon, and some other things....  

Then we headed to Mom's to babysit Elly .... Papa needed to go to work and Nana has a sewing conference this weekend ...  plus Elly is pretty epic ... I love spending time with her.

Except when I don't feel good ... lol... and boy oh boy I did not feel good today and yes, because of lack of sleep - I didn't feel good... plus normal every day struggles ....  that suck - but I've been dealing with since I was 15 when I got sick.

So ....... I'm not going to write a lot tonight.  I'll write more tomorrow and share pictures, and hope that I've gotten some sleep and that I'll feel better.  

The Masked Singer: WEEK TWO *GROUP TWO*

HOST: Nick Cannon  JUDGES: Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger, Jenny McCarthy & Robin Thicke 

This is WEEK TWO ......  the FIRST WEEK for Rabbit, Alien, Raven, Pineapple, Poodle and Bee to preform.

First Up:  RABBIT* vs ALIEN

RABBIT

HEIGHT:  5'11"
STRENGTH: Quick Footed

Week One Song:  "Livin' La Vida Loca"  Ricky Martin

THE CLUES:  "I am the Rabbit.  I spent most of my life on stage, but I was never alone.  Now I pop up here, and I pop up there.  Synchronized signing is my forte. It's like I've been training for this my entire life.  Preforming on stage, check! Preformed in a mask, check!  Have a voice, check check!  This rabbit is here to win and you better believe that the last mask standing is gonna be me."

The Objects:  First off, Rabbit comes out complete with a "twitch" and a straight jacket.  Clapper movie/tv/video thing.  Carousal.  "Pop up here, pop up there" multi rabbits popping up ...  desert...

Male or Female: Male

Judges Comments:  Ken: Insisting that it's an actor.  Robin: "I love the way you took one of the most famous songs and made it your own.  Definitely a real performer ....and the straight jacket, and the twitching, giving away you're a little different, you're an individual, you obviously have a sense of humor but I think somebody definitely who's been on stage many times before."  Jenny - says the clues were pretty good, Pop-up = pop group, boy band member ... maybe Boys II Men...  Robin says not Boys II Men, he doesn't hear the vocals of anyone in Boys II Men, Jenny says she hears the soul though and Robin agrees about the soul but definitely leaning more towards a Boy Bad...  Robin suggests maybe someone who is now preforming on Broadway.... Nicole is humming a lot and shaking her head in disagreement, she doesn't think this guy is a professional singer, and when she says this, Rabbit actually postures in offense.  Nicole says - the merry go round, it was all a bit dark a bit twisted, she's thinking a magician - she's thinking Chris Angel.  Ken says maybe more of a Donnie Darko vibe. He's thinking Jake Gyllenhaal ... like a committed...  "oh look he's still twitching now like an annoying method actor" Jenny and Robin go back to the Boy Band thing... Ken says it could be a pop guy like Lance Bass or Justin Timberlake ... Robin says that Joey Fatone is really not a bad guess...  Jenny pipes up saying it is not Joey Fatone, he's got a much bigger gut and she's friends with him

JUDGES ASKED:  Jenny:  "Mr. Rabbit ... are you in a band?" and Robin adds ... "or have you ever been?" 
ANSWER:  Rabbit answers ....  "Yes.... in a band."

GUESSES:
Judges:
Nicole: Chris Angel
Ken: Donnie Darko, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lance Bass, Justin Timberlake
Robin: Joey Fatone
Jenny: someone in a Boy Band

Mine: Joey Fatone, JC Chasez
DB: Corey Taylor from Slipknot

Cathy: Joey Fatone
Erin: Joey Fatone or JC Chasez

ALIEN

HEIGHT: 5'5"
STRENGTH:  Comes in peace ...

Week One Song:  "Feel It Still"  Portugal. The Man

THE CLUES: "I'm excited to be here because in my family anonymity is a completely alien concept. Growing up in the public's eye, my life was never really my own.  I let others define me but no one will ever control me again.  With this mask on, the tables are turned.  I see you, but you can't see me.  And now for the first time ever, the world gets to hear my voice, on my terms."

The Objects:  Wearing a sweatshirt that says "Don't talk to me"  Five alien's in a triangle.   Lots of shapes.... triangles and squares ...   there was a snake ...  a grid of 9 with five squares filled (kinda Brady Bunch ish with the two on the bottom looking up) .. pool with swan and beach ball....with desert/mountains in the background... palm trees

Male or Female:  Female

Judges Comments:  Robin: "Famous family" ...  Jenny: "used to being controlled"   Robin: Searching for independence."   Jenny "I think she's a model," Robin "Yeah, I'm getting like a Bella Hadid vibe right now."  Ken starts hitting on her.  Calls her a hot alien.  Nicole says that her voice sounded nice but she doesn't think she's a professional singer but then turns and says "I'm getting the whole oops I did it again vibes."  Jenny points out how one of the clues was how she doesn't like being controlled... so maybe someone who left a girl group?  Spice Girls.... "  Nick, "she hasn't broken this pose" ... and they say "well that's a model pose" ....  Robin says that from the way she moved and the way she danced, he's going to go with Bella Hadid.

JUDGES ASKED:  They were talking about family and her coming from a large family .....
ANSWER:  Alien says  "I have many sisters..."

GUESSES:
Judges:
ROBIN: Bella Hadid
JENNY: A Spice Girl
KEN: Kourtney Kardashion (after Nicole suggested a Kardashion)
NICOLE:  Britney Spears, Kardashian (Kourtney)

Mine:  LaToya Jackson, Kourtney Kardashian
DB: Kourtney Kardashian
Cathy: Kardashian or LaToya Jackson

Second Up:  RAVEN* vs PINEAPPLE

RAVEN

HEIGHT: 5'4"
STRENGTH: Empathetic

Week One Song: "Rainbow" Kesha

THE CLUES:  "All my life I've listened to other people's stories so now is my opportunity to share mine. I've always been a sunny kind of person an audience is something I've never had trouble attaining.  No one talks more than me.  But recently I suffered a tragic loss so doing this show gives me the chance to honor my beloved.  Being the Raven makes me feel like I've found beauty in the darkness.  Like a phoenix from the ashes I will rise up and find the light. So don't cry...baby.  This ones for you."

The Objects:  gate ...  shadow (male) beloved ....

Male or Female:  Female

Judges Comments:  Jenny:  "Cage on the head, Nick Cage maybe?"  Robin:  "Oh this could go to a wrestler, the cage - like a cage fighter"  Jenny: "Like MMA?"   Robin: "Talk show, no one talks more than me"   Jenny: "That sounds like a Broadway voice" ...  Ken says one word comes to mind - sincere.  Robin going on about how at first, with the cage, thinking she might be a cage fighter and after seeing the performance he no longer thinks that.  Raven says "I'm a lover not a fighter"

JUDGES ASKED:  Jenny:  "Have you ever hosted any type of talk show?"
ANSWER: Raven says "yes"

GUESSES:  Judges:
JENNY:  Sherri Shepherd
KEN: Sally Jessy Raphael, Star Jones

Mine: Ricki Lake <---- my strong guess.  Maybe Tamera Mowry-Housley

DB: LaToya Jackson
Cathy: Ricki Lake

PINEAPPLE

HEIGHT:  6'1"
WEAKNESS: Ripens Quickly

Week One Song:  "I Will Survive" Gloria Gaynor

THE CLUES:  "Aloha Dudes!  I have become the Pineapple because like me they are fun, tropical and go well with ham.  Although I look happy now, I've gone through some dark times. After beating a life threatening disease, this O.G. has decided to take things as it comes and never wipe the smile off my face.  Though I've been in the public eye for decades, I've always dreamed of being a singer. So consider this a check off my bucket list.  Life is short man, you gotta seize the day before your dreams go up in smoke."

The Objects:  Pink Cadillac, Ying-Yan (air freshener), Hula girl on the dash, bumper sticker that says "Pipe Dream" and license plate from "Pure Michigan" that says 52438T

Male or Female:  Male

Judges Comments:  Jenny: "Is it Chris Pine?"  Robin: "Yeah Chris Pineapple"  One of them (Ken I think) says "this Pineapple smokes pot" ...  Robin says he's has a feeling he's not a professional singer,  Ken says he has a Matthew McConaughey vibe.  Jenny "Maybe a comedian, he's funny"  Nicole "Adam Sandler vibes...." ... Jenny: "I'm thinking more stoner like Willie Nelson, who else is a stoner? Cheech or Chong but Cheech"

GUESSES:
Judges:
KEN: Matthew McConaughey
JENNY: Cheech or Chong
NICOLE: Adam Sandler

Mine:  zero idea ....
DB:  No idea...
Cathy: zeeeeeeerooooo guesses ....

Last Up:  POODLE vs. BEE*

POODLE

HEIGHT: 5'5"
WEIGHT: Fluctuates

Week One Song: "Heartbreaker" Pat Benatar

THE CLUES: "Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved to be on stage and take on a character.  Which is why I've chose the Poodle, because like me, they are sassy, smart, and best in show.  I come from a musical family, but I'm known for a different kind of talent. (4-1-5 <-- I thought she said, but I think it's ...)  But once I STAND UP!  My whole career has been about exercise my right to free speech.  But it's time to return to my musical roots to show the world a side of me it's never seen before. To figure me out you're gonna have to WOOOOORK!"

The Objects:  San Francisco (Bay area) <-- funny side note, I thought she said "4-1-5-stand-up" in the clues, 415 is the area code for San Francisco, hand weights (maybe exercising guru? Like Jane Fonda?)  Rainbow = LGBTQ community ....

Male or Female: Female

Judges Comments:  Nicole: She's got a hot body.... Jane Fonda?  Jenny:  She's clearly a performer that's comfortable on stage."  Ken complimented her on her stage presence, how everything clicked and it was really good.  Nicole was feeling the rainbow pride vibes. So she thinks it's someone part of the LGBTQ community ...  Jenny says she was thinking Ru Paul.  She also said she liked to make people laugh so there could be a stand up component.   San Francisco, Bay area, 4-1-5 area code, comedian .... it could be....  Ali Wong.  Robin noticed the exercise references and brought them out.  Ken says "was it fitness or 80's?"  Jenny shouts "Richard Simmons!"   After the "I'm here for your honor" comment, they are thinking law connected... Ken goes "I got it! Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginser in the house!"

JUDGES ASKED:  "Give us another clue..."
ANSWER:  Poodles says: "I'm here for your honor"

GUESSES:
Judges:
NICOLE: Jane Fonda
KEN: Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginser
JENNY: Ru Paul, Ali Wong, Richard Simmons

Mine:  Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin...
DB:  No idea
Cathy: Margaret Cho

BEE

HEIGHT: 5'4"
STRENGTH: Hard Worker

Week ONE Song:  "Chandelier" Sia

THE CLUES:  "In my long career I've flown to soaring heights.  And I've never wanted to stop doing what I love.  Being a worker bee keeps me young! You can call me Queen Bee but Empress also suits me.  Coming on this show I'm looking forward to singing to a new generation.  I want to see for myself that I still got what it takes to create a buzzzzzz, even behind a mask.

The Objects: (nothing really significant)

Male or Female: Female

Judges Comments: Professional, Seasoned, Mature singer.

JUDGES ASKED:  "We can narrow this down a bit, we feel you are a professional singer, what decade did you start singing?"
ANSWER: Bee:  "Fifties."

GUESSES:
Judges:
JENNY: Mary J. Blige, Lil' Kim
ROBIN: Diana Ross
Audience; "DION WARWICK"   (Nicole repeated)

Mine:  Dion Warwick? Gladys Knight 

DB: Gladys Knight.
Cathy: Gladys Knight

So We're Getting Married ....

So .......  my son is getting married!!  Not tomorrow ... or today ...  sometime, down the road...  we don't know yet, that's part of this whole thing.

WHERE do we begin?

Of course I never got the wedding I wanted, so I gotta reign myself back and remember - this is NOT my wedding, this is NOT my day .....

............ damn court house weddings. .

So since we need to keep this on the cheap side, we'll have to get and do things s.l.o.w.l.y.

So there are some things that need to be at least thought about - if not decided on.

1: Bride & Groom.......... oh, shooooooo - nevermind, we know that.

That would be Calahan and Tina Marie ....   I can't pretend that I'm not actually a wee-bit (alright more than a wee-bit) excited ... even in the short time they've been together, I have to say that I see a lot of love, respect, and compassion for each other....  and I do like what I see.

2: Theme?  Well - we actually know that too.  At his moment, it's Dragon/Fairies/Fantasy....  now get that weird look off your face and look at this......

....... you cannot tell me that's not wickedly amazing... 

3: Season ......   Tina already told me she's thinking Spring/Summer

4: Date........  JULY 31, 2020  <--- is what they are shooting for at the moment

5: Colors ......   She likes red, he likes green ....... that's screams CHRISTMAS!!!   LOL ...  but again,  Unknown ....  TBD ... 

6:  Where?  Do you want it Inside or Outside?  Inside where?  Outside where?  Church, Barn, Beach, Forrest, Park, near the Water .....  what is the vision ....

7:  Who do you want in the wedding party?  You need two witnesses, one for each of you - who will it be?

8: Who do you want at the wedding?  Is the wedding and the reception going to be separate?  Different days?  Who do you want at the wedding?  Who do you want at the reception?

9: What all do you want to do at your reception?  Do you want to just be relaxed and hang out?  Do you want to do cake, dinner, dancing, etc and so on?   If it's going to be separate from the wedding then where do you want that?   Back to the indoor, outdoor?  Etc and so on ...

10:  Do you want a dress?  Is he going to wear a suit or a tux?

I think that's a pretty good list to look at so far!  <3

Take a deep breath........ you are getting married!  Squeal!

Let's Get A Little Serious ....

Love can happen very slowly over time.  Like when you have a best friend and you've been best friends for years, and suddenly you are a senior in high school and this guy who  you've known forever is standing there in front of you - grown into this amazing guy - and suddenly you realize that you are absolutely in love with him ... because he is the one person that all your life has always been there for you through everything even knowing you are a little .. or a lot ... crazy.  Knowing that you can fly off the handle and take a leap into crazy-town.  But stands by you still, even when you are wrong.

Love can happen very traditionally ..... boy meets girl, boy likes girl... girl thinks boy is a creepy stalker, yet somehow finds it almost endearing .... and surprise.... nine months later girl is married to the stalker boy and had his baby ....  stalker boy is very happy indeed .....  (okay, maybe that's not traditional....)

Okay .... so traditional take two ..... girl meets boy, girl swoons, boy is intrigued, they exchange numbers, they pretend they aren't interested for awhile to not appear creepy but somehow they end up talking and talking and talking and they go on a date and there is awkward moments where they want to kiss but is that acceptable? .... ooooooh the hardships of courtships.   Well he makes that move, and she gets that first soft kiss, her foot pops and she's in love.  They date for a year (or more) and then he pops the question on Valentine's Day - he plans this elaborate meal at this expensive restaurant and the ring is hidden in her new glass of champagne and she ALMOST drinks it  ... but she manages not to and her eyes get as big as saucers and she pulls it out of the glass with a trembling hand.... he gets down on one knee and says "Girl, I have loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you.  You mean the world to me.  I can't imagine my life without you.  Will you please because Mrs. Boy!?"  And she screams YES and jumps up and down - somehow dropping the ring which he saves and places on her appropriate finger even though they are both trembling.  The wedding is the talk of the year, so beautiful and elaborate.  Everything was PERFECT - and he didn't sleep with the Main of Honor prior to the wedding!  <wink!>  Several years later they have a house, a mortgage, two point three babies and a dog.  He's miserable in his job and she's unhappy at home.  They ignore their problems and live "happily ever after"  ......

There is the strict Christian way.   Boy meets girl.  Boy courts girl.  They like each other.  They talk a lot.  Get to know each other.  Boy determines they are a good match.  Boy asks father's permission for girls hand in marriage.  Father gives boy hard time and then says of course.  Boy proposes.  Wedding is four months later because they want to save themselves for their wedding night and temptation is too much to handle so they rush the wedding.  Wedding happens, and it's amazing.  Cherries are popped ...  Life gets real.  Babies are born.  Either they are super happy or they are super miserable.

There is the unconventional way.  You get on a dating site, living in Wisconsin and meet this guy who lives in North Carolina.  He winks at you, and you see you have some things in common and you think, yeah - maybe we can be friends.  Clearly nothing is going to happen - he's in North Carolina. They talk for a couple days, non-stop, and are completely honest with each other about everything and somehow, they fall in love.  In three days.  In three days of talking (probably a few months of dating compacted into hours) .... they knew they were headed towards marriage.  In a few months, he moved to Wisconsin, they got pregnant, and by the end of the year, six months later and 18 weeks pregnant they got married.  She has two kids from a previous marriage, he has a child from a previous relationship.  Now they are a blended family.

The exact scenario where someone would scream - holy crap - you guys are not going to work, this isn't going to work - that's too fast.... that's not going to work!!!  Meeting, pregnant, married in six months?  NEVER would that work.

........... but it did.  Twelve years later and one more baby .....  and that's DB and I .... we literally did everything "wrong" and it worked.

........... not that our marriage has been easy, because it hasn't.  We've had our issues, and we've worked through them.  It's a matter of knowing that marriage isn't easy.  That feeling of a new relationship and those constant butterflies goes away and you guys are literally friends living as room mates who are having sex.  It's up to you, and your spouse, to keep that spark alive.  It's up to both of you to work through all those tiny problems and the big ones and communication is the ultimate key.  Communication and the willingness to listen and to understand and try to see things from someone else's point of view.  It's about supporting the other person, sometimes even when you don't like what they are doing, but still staying by their side, and being there if it does go wrong and failure happens.

Relationships are work.  Marriage is work.  No matter HOW you come together as two people in love, relationships and marriage will always take work in the end.  So who is to say who can and can't be together or what will or won't work?  Too fast, too slow, it's a matter of opinion and just because it's your opinion doesn't mean it's right for someone else.... and that's the truth of it.

What it truly comes down to .... is getting two people who like each other enough, are comparable enough, who want to be roommates who have sex and have feelings for each other and promise to be best friends forever .... and promise to put the work into their marriage to make it work, to work out problems and issues and who promise to remember why they are together in the first place.  THAT is the key.

 ...  and even then, a good solid marriage sometimes just doesn't work....  and a not so solid relationship works and is practically perfect.

...........sometimes, people fall out of love and just don't want to work on it.....

...................... and it does take both people working on it, in order for things to work.  So if one person just stops, and doesn't care anymore..... then there really isn't much someone can do.

Plus, there are things that one person in the relationship may not to get past ...  cheating, drugs, various things....  they are just deal breakers.  That is between the couple. We all have our breaking points.

THE POINT OF ALL THIS IS .........

.................. who are we to say what is too fast, too slow, or not right for someone.   Someone's soul-mate may come around any type of way.  So just understand that you can express your concern, your thoughts, your morals, your whatever .....  but you cannot make someone do something.  We are each our own people and need to be given the respect to be allowed to make our own mistakes.

And as a parent, I have to remember this too.

I can tell my child, I think you need to pump the breaks a little - however I can't preach at that without being an utter hypocrite.  Sure - DB & my story is the "exception" to the rule...  but is it?

Do what works for you ....

............. and don't let anyone make you feel bad for how your story began.....

Courage ...

Ohana

The Masked Singer: WEEK ONE

HOST: Nick Cannon  JUDGES: Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger, Jenny McCarthy & Robin Thicke


FIRST UP!  Peacock* VS. Hippo

THE PEACOCK

HEIGHT: 5'9
WEAKNESS: Craves Attention

Week 1: Performed "The Greatest Show" from The Greatest Showman <--- Really good!

THE CLUES: 
"I chose to become the Peacock because we both share a love for the spotlight.  When I was 5 years old I walked onto a stage for the first time, and ever since then, I was hooked! Putting on a show is in my DNA. But it's probably been awhile since your mom has had a poster of me on her bedroom wall!  And like my dear friend Michael Jackson once told me, if you are going to reinvent yourself, you have to become someone the world has never seen before.  It's never too late for this showman to make a comeback!"

The Objects:
playing piano, cards, ceramic/plastic dog

Male or Female:  MALE

Nick said "You got style too, I was gonna steal those shoes... I'mma holler at you later"

Judges Comments:
Nicole: Voice is like butt'ah.... mature voice.... impressed
Robin: He's a trained performer, professionally trained performer and been performing for many many years ....
Ken:  Joked it's a woman
Jenny:  Suggests it's Huge Jackman
Robin: Huge is like, 6'5

JUDGES ASKED: "Have you ever been part of a magic act and could you have been mauled by a tiger?"
PEACOCK ANSWER: "I have never been mauled by a tiger .... but I have been part of a magic act."

GUESSES:
Judges:  Huge Jackman, Zac Efron, Jimmy Kimmel, Teller (from Penn & Teller)

Mine:  Donny Osmond  <---- He is 5'9  ....  maybe David Hasselhoff (probably not, he's 6'4)
Cathy: Wayne Newton or Donny Osmond
Melzie: Donny Osmond
Ashley: Adam Devine (from Pitch Perfect)

THE HIPPO

HEIGHT: 5'10
STRENGTH: Unpredictable

Week 1: Performed "My Prerogative"
Week 1: UNMASKED

THE CLUES:  "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a competitor like me.  After all I need my strength. I'm one of the most dangerous animals in the kingdom.  I'm used to preforming in a mask in front of thousands of screaming fans. Every time I win, I just gotta dance, even if it gets me in trouble!  Hippo's got game, but I also have a voice, people just haven't heard it yet.  I concur every arena that I enter, and this one won't be any different.

The Objects:  Diner, pancakes, gold chains, $10,000 Bill, Orange Juice, Jukebox, Bat, Junkyard Car, Playground

Male or Female:  MALE

Judges Comments:
Nicole:  He's got moves (good dancer)
Robin: Not a trained singer, but you got moves.  I am thinking athlete
Ken: Gangsta ... Athlete, Charasmatic
Jenny:  Yeah I'm feeling that
Nicole: I'm thinking Basketball ....

JUDGES ASKED:  Are you a Basketball player?
ANSWER:  "My favorite pastime is bowling"

GUESSES:
Judges: (Robin) Odell Beckam Jr.  (Ken, Jenny) Deion Sanders (Nicole) Allen Iverson
Mine: (None and got Unmasked)


Second Up:  MONSTER vs. UNICORN*

THE MONSTER

HEIGHT: 5'8
WEAKNESS: Misunderstood

Week 1: Performed "Don't Stop Me Now"  <--- really good

THE CLUES:  "I am the monster because that's what the world labeled me.  I'm here to rewrite my "mixtape" to prove I'm more than just "puff and fluff."  I was the top of my game, but the game turned on me.  So I retreated into my cave.  Took a break from the public eye.  But now I'm here to set the record straight!  And show the world that no one can stop me from what I love.  So stay tuned, cuz this monster is BAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDD."

The Objects:
fan, cave, dance lights, upside down, boombox

Male or Female:  MALE

Judges Comments:
Ken: Professional signer
Jenny: Totally shocked
Robin: I wasn't expecting much from the monster because it's furry, and fuzzy, and sweet.... the voice was soulful
Nicole: I just want to squeeze you, playful performance, and I heard some soul
Robin: Absolutely, I could tell by the vocal tone that it was a mature voice, doesn't sound like a young person to me
Robin: I'm stumped because the voice is throwing me cuz it's so mature but he moves very young....
Nicole: I can't wait to find out who you are

JUDGES ASKED: Are you a professional singer?
ANSWER: "Not to everyone"

GUESSES:
Judges: (Jenny) P-Diddy, (Nicole) Gucci Mane, (Ken) Justin Bieber
Mine: Chris Brown maybe Cee-Lo
DB: Not Cee-Lo
Melzie: Chris Brown (but thought he was a better singer)

THE UNICORN

HEIGHT:  5'6
STRENGTH: Made of Magic

Week 1: Performed "Fight Song"  <- good job

THE CLUES: "Here's the story, of how I became the Unicorn.  My childhood should have been magical.  I grew up in one of the ric hest neighborhoods (Beverly Hills)...  and when I was little, I dreampt of singing.  But someone I admired told me I was tone-deaf.  All my life, people told me I wasn't worthy.  I'm not going to listen to them any longer.  No one is going to tell m e who I can or can't be.  By putting on this mask I'm showing myself, and the next generation of unicorns, that true magic comes from within.  All you have to do is believe.

The Objects:  Book, mirror, "You can't fly," "Your sparkle is distracting,"  "You're horn is too short!" .... 'You are Free" "You are Sparkle"  "You can fly"  "You are beautiful."

Male or Female:  FEMALE

Nick said "Definitely a special and rare performance!"

Judges Comments:
Nicole:  It's someone older and who's not a singer....

JUDGES ASKED: Nicole says "I don't know who you are at all"
ANSWER:  Unicorn responds "They call me Bird"

GUESSES:
Judges: (Robin) Linsey Lohan, (Jenny) Paris Hilton, Ireland Baldwin

Mine: Tori Spelling, Paris Hilton... mostly Tori Spelling
Mary: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry
Ashley: Tori Spelling 

Third Up:  DEER vs LION*

THE DEER

HEIGHT: 6'3
STRENGTH: Longevity

Week 1: Performed "Thunder"  <---- sings very well

THE CLUES: I chose the deer because they are incredible competitive.  I always considered myself a singer, not sure everyone will agree with that.  I think it's hard for people to get past who I am and what I'm known for.  Being under the mask, people will finally hear my voice. I've been knocked down many a times.  But in the Wild Wild West, you learn how to get back up and get back in the saddle.  RAVENS BEWARE!  I'm here to win.

(Dark hair, DB says, I saw the scruff of his neck)

The Objects:  fan, FOOTBALL trophy shown twice, antler shine,  arms upward outstretched, taping up the antlers.

Male or Female:  MALE

Judges Comments:
Nicole:  I love the way you came out, you took the stage like an OG, you came out like a warrior
Robin: Sounds like an athlete or a wrestling

JUDGES ASKED:  He said he was from the Wild Wild West right?
ANSWER:  Deer replies .... "Ah....  I love horses"

Robin: That's the biggest jokey in the world....
Ken: Maybe he's associated with a team with a horse....
Robin: Maybe he's a Denver Bronco

JUDGES ASKED:  Do you currently play or have you ever played in the NFL
ANSWER: Deer replies .... "I will have to take the 5th on that..."

Judges:  That's a YES!

GUESSES:
Judges: (Robin) Stone Cold Steve Austin, (Jenny) Chuck Liddell (Nicole) Payton Manning

Mine: Payton Manning
DB & Me: Jon Elway JR.
DB: Terry Bradshaw
Cathy: Payton Manning
Melzie: Payton Manning 

THE LION

HEIGHT: 5'6
STRENGTH: Noble

Week 1: Performed "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody"

THE CLUES:  "I'm the Lion and I'm here to roar.  This is my chance to see me preform without any preconceived notions of who I am.  Some may say I'm Hollywood Royalty but now I'm standing on my own. And I'm stepping away from my Pride to sing my heart out. I don't see a lion as just brave and courageous, true strength comes from embracing all your vulnerabilities.  So here I am behind this mask, and I am going to show my true self for the very first time."

The Objects: throne, gold, lots of bling, mirror, cape....

Male or Female:  FEMALE

Judges Comments:
Robin: The minute she walked out on stage, her posture was perfect, her legs were in front, she shook her hips right on time, that's well trained...
Nick:  You with the hips
Ken: I have said it before, but .... Robin stop hitting on the livestock!
Jenny: If you aren't a musical artist then you "Lion" cuz that was unbelievable
Robin: The Hollywood Royalty, I could see where you can get the talent from, I don't know where to categorize you ... are you a singer cuz you sound like a singer, but the way you were strutting could be a model/actress who was trained to sing?
Jenny: I mean she said "pride"
Nicole: Yeah she said she wanted to separate from her pack
Jenny: See I'm thinking a girl group
LION SAYS:  Well in my pride, there are loooots of women
Jenny: Maybe Pussycat Dolls
Nicole: No if it were someone in my group I'd know
Robin: Fifth Harmony vibe ... it's a girl group that's recently disbanded ....
Jenny: What about Destiny's Child
Robin: Yeah the way she walked out she had that power thigh Beyonce walk like Michelle Williams or Kelly Rowland.... but I would have recognized a voice from Destiny's Child....

GUESSES:
Judges: (Jenny) Lady Gaga (<- Nicole mentioned her first), (Robin) a Fifth Harmony Girl, (Jenny) Michelle Williams or Kelly Rowland ...

Mine: Rumer Willis <-- my #1 guess, Kardashian (maybe Khloe)
Amanda: Christina Aguilera
Melzie: Paris Jackson or Priscilla Presley
Mary: Nicole Ritchie or Rumer Willis
Mom: Paris Jackson
DB: Rumer Willis or Zoe Saldana