Actually, it doesn't feel much like spring right now because it is super windy. But we did get a thunderstorm last week. Total awesomeness! I love a good rain. It's starting to green up just a little bit. Calving and lambing season is in full swing, too. Calves are so cute and tiny! I wish they didn't grow into 1,000 pound bovines. Maybe Mother will get me a mini cow?
I can't believe Easter is next week! Lent went by so fast I never even missed not having ice cream or candy. Not that I won't be thrilled to have a basket full of candy, though!
I'm trying very hard to talk Aaron into coming to the family Easter party and bringing Viggo, but so far he won't agree. He says "maybe" but that means "no" to him. Maybe it's safer if he doesn't come since he got drunk at my family's Christmas party.
Alrighty, I need my blog friends to back me up on something. There is a chance I might be able to go on a road trip in six weeks, but Mother thinks I'm too young to go without her. I would be going with Olivia's (Mac's friend) family. Mac might not be able to go so she offered me her place. But Mother has to agree. Anyone have any tips to persuade her? Or am I too young to go without her?
Friday, March 30, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Versatile Blogger Tag
The awesome Bolton Girls tagged me! Thanks, I love doing random facts!
1) I have a stuffed Yeti on my desk and it's starring at me right now.
2) My friend Riley and I have sworn off boys until high school (or even college).
3) But that doesn't stop me from having a crush on my math tutor Aaron.
4) If I had to chose one food to live on it would be peanut butter.
5) My mother's name is Elizabeth Margaret and two of my sister's are named after her (Elizabeth and Kathryn Margaret "Kit").
6) I'll be taking karate again this summer.
7) I might be going on a road trip this summer.
1) I have a stuffed Yeti on my desk and it's starring at me right now.
2) My friend Riley and I have sworn off boys until high school (or even college).
3) But that doesn't stop me from having a crush on my math tutor Aaron.
4) If I had to chose one food to live on it would be peanut butter.
5) My mother's name is Elizabeth Margaret and two of my sister's are named after her (Elizabeth and Kathryn Margaret "Kit").
6) I'll be taking karate again this summer.
7) I might be going on a road trip this summer.
RULES:
1. In a post on your blog, nominate 4 fellow bloggers for The Versatile Blogger Award.
2. In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.
3. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog.
4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.
5. In the same post, include this set of rules.
6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each
their blogs.
I tag:
The Greens and the Roses
Sabine
Edie
Makennah
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Post in Which I Learned Something
Even though I'm on spring break I still had tutoring on Thursday. But I was glad since it gave me a chance to talk to Aaron without distractions. I didn't bother to try and be subtle (it's not my thing anyway) and quickly jumped into telling him about my family. First I told him about my dad: how he hurt Mother, was never there for us, moved us around constantly, and finally abandoned us. Then about my paternal grandparents who were the physically abusive ones to Nellie and Gillian and how they constantly endangered us. I told him how Nellie and Gillian were getting help and how the rest of us moved on by talking about what happened and not blaming ourselves. We knew we were safe now and all that was in the past. It still hurt, I told him, but it never consumed us.
Aaron listened quietly and nodded a few times to show he was listening. When I was done he said he was glad I told him. He said I was lucky to have such a strong family and great friends to rely on.
"You do, too," I reminded him, but he wasn't easily convinced.
"I don't think you're ready to hear what happened to me," he said. "It's really hard for me to trust people, and I care about you deeply, Em. I don't want you to be haunted by my past."
"But you'll feel better if you talk about it," I said. "I did."
Aaron shook his head. "I've told Sean and that was enough soul spilling for awhile. Please respect that, Emily."
What else could I do? I had to respect his wishes. But he did volunteer information about the guy at the park. "I tutored him before he went to college," Aaron told me. "He needed to get his math skills up a bit to get into a college level course. But he had only one thing on his mind."
Aaron's cheeks were pink, it was the first time I had ever seen any color on his face. I waited eagerly to hear what happened, but, of course, Aaron stalled and fidgeted and it was like pulling teeth to get him to continue. Eventually he did. The guy's name is Viggo and he's twenty. He's going to school to be a lawyer like his father.
"I'm not sure why, but he had a crush on me," Aaron went on. "I tutored him for about six months. But his father thought I was taking advantage of Viggo since I'm eight years older and Viggo was eighteen at the time and I got fired. I was apartment hoping and high most of the time. I wasn't surprised I got fired, but it pretty much threw me into a tailspin. I managed to get into a drug rehab program and Sean sponsored me, that's how I ended up living here."
I kept very quiet, afraid if I said something that he would stop talking. Aaron continued on, his hands busy playing with my math compass. "I've seen Viggo a few times since I was fired, but I wanted to respect his father's wishes. I hadn't seen him for about six months when we saw him at the park. But it wasn't really a chance meeting. I knew he brought his cousins there and was hoping to see him. He'd been trying to get in touch with me by email, but I wasn't sure yet if I wanted to reply. I still wasn't sure when I saw him. I didn't expect him to actually see me. That made things pretty awkward."
Aaron took a deep breath. Our tutoring time had been over a half-hour ago. Riley would be back from her orthodontist appointment soon. "We're going to start seeing each other again," Aaron said. "His father is coming around to the idea. We'll see if it works out."
"I thought you were with Nora?" I blurted. A million questions were about to pop out. I don't think I had ever listened so long and quietly before. Aaron half-smiled. "I go either way."
I didn't expect him to be so easy-going about that and I forgot all my questions. Riley and Sean came home then. They seemed surprised that I was still there, but Sean instantly guessed what we had been talking about. He told Aaron "good for you" and squeezed his shoulder. Riley was still in the dark, but Sean said he would tell her later. I'm certain Aaron had more to tell, but he looked pretty talked out. I had never expected my telling him about my family would lead to him telling me he was bisexual, yet it did and Aaron looked a lot happier. Maybe learning about his past isn't so important. I think his future is going to be a lot more interesting and a lot happier.
Aaron listened quietly and nodded a few times to show he was listening. When I was done he said he was glad I told him. He said I was lucky to have such a strong family and great friends to rely on.
"You do, too," I reminded him, but he wasn't easily convinced.
"I don't think you're ready to hear what happened to me," he said. "It's really hard for me to trust people, and I care about you deeply, Em. I don't want you to be haunted by my past."
"But you'll feel better if you talk about it," I said. "I did."
Aaron shook his head. "I've told Sean and that was enough soul spilling for awhile. Please respect that, Emily."
What else could I do? I had to respect his wishes. But he did volunteer information about the guy at the park. "I tutored him before he went to college," Aaron told me. "He needed to get his math skills up a bit to get into a college level course. But he had only one thing on his mind."
Aaron's cheeks were pink, it was the first time I had ever seen any color on his face. I waited eagerly to hear what happened, but, of course, Aaron stalled and fidgeted and it was like pulling teeth to get him to continue. Eventually he did. The guy's name is Viggo and he's twenty. He's going to school to be a lawyer like his father.
"I'm not sure why, but he had a crush on me," Aaron went on. "I tutored him for about six months. But his father thought I was taking advantage of Viggo since I'm eight years older and Viggo was eighteen at the time and I got fired. I was apartment hoping and high most of the time. I wasn't surprised I got fired, but it pretty much threw me into a tailspin. I managed to get into a drug rehab program and Sean sponsored me, that's how I ended up living here."
I kept very quiet, afraid if I said something that he would stop talking. Aaron continued on, his hands busy playing with my math compass. "I've seen Viggo a few times since I was fired, but I wanted to respect his father's wishes. I hadn't seen him for about six months when we saw him at the park. But it wasn't really a chance meeting. I knew he brought his cousins there and was hoping to see him. He'd been trying to get in touch with me by email, but I wasn't sure yet if I wanted to reply. I still wasn't sure when I saw him. I didn't expect him to actually see me. That made things pretty awkward."
Aaron took a deep breath. Our tutoring time had been over a half-hour ago. Riley would be back from her orthodontist appointment soon. "We're going to start seeing each other again," Aaron said. "His father is coming around to the idea. We'll see if it works out."
"I thought you were with Nora?" I blurted. A million questions were about to pop out. I don't think I had ever listened so long and quietly before. Aaron half-smiled. "I go either way."
I didn't expect him to be so easy-going about that and I forgot all my questions. Riley and Sean came home then. They seemed surprised that I was still there, but Sean instantly guessed what we had been talking about. He told Aaron "good for you" and squeezed his shoulder. Riley was still in the dark, but Sean said he would tell her later. I'm certain Aaron had more to tell, but he looked pretty talked out. I had never expected my telling him about my family would lead to him telling me he was bisexual, yet it did and Aaron looked a lot happier. Maybe learning about his past isn't so important. I think his future is going to be a lot more interesting and a lot happier.
Monday, March 12, 2012
And Now for Something Different
Taking a detour from the Aaron drama today. Don't worry, though, he's still my main focus. However, he has been having a few bad days and I want him to calm down before I tell him about my family.
Anyway, I'm certain spring has come! It's been so warm and sunny lately. It's awesome! Since winter has been a total dud this year, it might as well warm up for good. I'm excited for hiking and picnics.
Riley's dad made us pose for a picture before we could go play. Yeah, it was in the 60's, but I love my ghost hat too much to put it away yet.
First thing we did was climb a mountain. JJ is the strongest so she helped boost me and Riley up.
Next it was up a tree.
I'm not sure who took this picture of us, but it turned out cute. JJ is so excited to wear her bright, summer-y clothes again. Unfortunately the poor girl's wardrobe is stuck in the '90's! Gotta love her though.
Then we got this bright (stupid) idea to let all our Westies out. It was instant chaos. Coco and Colin found a crevice in the rock and proceeded to investigate. Misfit tried to get see, too, but Westies aren't known for sharing!
Yeah, they are all nice and grouped in that picture, but as soon as the crevice got boring each dog went in a different direction. Coco is the only one that comes when she is called. I know, I know, maybe we should teach them obedience, except Westies don't think like other dogs. They are way too smart and strong-willed. Eventually we did catch them all. Knut was the quickest, I swear that dog is motor-powered!
I can't wait for more nice days to play outside. I grew up in Las Vegas and the summers were the most miserable time do to the extreme heat. This is the first time I've ever looked forward to summer so much! Even mosquitoes can't ruin it!
Anyway, I'm certain spring has come! It's been so warm and sunny lately. It's awesome! Since winter has been a total dud this year, it might as well warm up for good. I'm excited for hiking and picnics.
Riley's dad made us pose for a picture before we could go play. Yeah, it was in the 60's, but I love my ghost hat too much to put it away yet.
I can't wait for more nice days to play outside. I grew up in Las Vegas and the summers were the most miserable time do to the extreme heat. This is the first time I've ever looked forward to summer so much! Even mosquitoes can't ruin it!
Friday, March 9, 2012
More About Aaron
After our park outing, I was way too curious to not pester Aaron with questions. Yesterday I had tutoring so it was the perfect chance. After we did some math I asked about the guy at the park.
"Yeah, I know him," Aaron said.
"How?" I asked.
He shrugged and so I had to carefully pressure him. He can shut down pretty easily if he feels attacked. I went through a couple different options of how they might know each other until Aaron agreed to one. Yes, he had tutored the younger guy, but he wouldn't say anymore.
A few math problems later, I asked Aaron where he had grown up at.
"Wisconsin," he said. "But I wouldn't call it growing up so much as being tortured." He very briefly told me that his step-father had been abusive and he had run away at sixteen. I wished I could have let him stop there, especially after what I learned today, but I kept pressing.
"Where did you go after you ran away?" I asked.
"Hitchhiked."
"For how long?"
Aaron shrugged. "Awhile."
"How did you get to Montana?"
Another shrug.
I tried to prompt him. There was a twelve year gap between when he ran away and I met him. I wanted to know his story. But he shut me out and said we were done for the day.
This morning Sean dropped Riley off at my house and I heard him talking to Mother that Aaron had gotten himself incredibly drunk and was in the process of destroying his room. He hadn't wanted Riley to know. I couldn't tell Riley either because she was all excited about a surprise her dad promised her for Easter. She is certain it's a new pet.
Right now she's watching a movie with Nellie and Kit. I want to talk to her since she knows Aaron, too, but I don't want to tell her I'm the reason Aaron got himself drunk. It would be nice to meet someone simple without as much drama as my own family has. I hope he gives me a chance to tell him about my own family. I think if he knows that I know what it's like to live in an abusive family, he'll be happier. Ones of these days I might be able to post something lighter! I hope I don't depress everyone.
"Yeah, I know him," Aaron said.
"How?" I asked.
He shrugged and so I had to carefully pressure him. He can shut down pretty easily if he feels attacked. I went through a couple different options of how they might know each other until Aaron agreed to one. Yes, he had tutored the younger guy, but he wouldn't say anymore.
A few math problems later, I asked Aaron where he had grown up at.
"Wisconsin," he said. "But I wouldn't call it growing up so much as being tortured." He very briefly told me that his step-father had been abusive and he had run away at sixteen. I wished I could have let him stop there, especially after what I learned today, but I kept pressing.
"Where did you go after you ran away?" I asked.
"Hitchhiked."
"For how long?"
Aaron shrugged. "Awhile."
"How did you get to Montana?"
Another shrug.
I tried to prompt him. There was a twelve year gap between when he ran away and I met him. I wanted to know his story. But he shut me out and said we were done for the day.
This morning Sean dropped Riley off at my house and I heard him talking to Mother that Aaron had gotten himself incredibly drunk and was in the process of destroying his room. He hadn't wanted Riley to know. I couldn't tell Riley either because she was all excited about a surprise her dad promised her for Easter. She is certain it's a new pet.
Right now she's watching a movie with Nellie and Kit. I want to talk to her since she knows Aaron, too, but I don't want to tell her I'm the reason Aaron got himself drunk. It would be nice to meet someone simple without as much drama as my own family has. I hope he gives me a chance to tell him about my own family. I think if he knows that I know what it's like to live in an abusive family, he'll be happier. Ones of these days I might be able to post something lighter! I hope I don't depress everyone.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Feels Like Spring
I can't believe how warm it is today! It is 60 degrees! Unfortunately I don't think it will last since it's kind of supposed to snow tomorrow. I do have my doubts about that, but I'm sure it will be cooler.
Because it was so nice out, Aaron and his (girl)friend Nora picked Riley, Kit, and I up from school and took us to the park. They brought us play clothes so we didn't have to wear our silly school jumpers. I was really surprised that Aaron planned this. He rarely leaves the house or even goes outside. No, I don't think he's a vampire. I know he isn't an alien either since I asked him. But I had to know why he suddenly had a change of heart. But, he being Aaron, didn't give me an answer. He just shrugged and said it was a nice day.
Anyway I wasn't going to let that distract me too much. Riley and I swung on the swings and Kit played on the monkey bars. Nora brought cookies and lemonade for a snack. Afterwards Riley and I talked Aaron into playing catch with us. There were a few other people in the park by then, but I didn't pay much attention to them... at first.
You should know that Riley can't throw a ball straight for the life of her. I didn't mind diving and running to catch her wild throws, but, of course, Aaron wouldn't. When Riley threw the ball to him it went way to his left towards the swings.
There was a college-aged guy pushing his little sister on the swings. What was the chance that he would know Aaron? I would have thought zero, but I would have been wrong. Aaron froze when the guy called his name. I asked Riley if she knew the guy, but she didn't and Aaron still hadn't acknowledged him.
Finally Aaron picked our ball up and nodded his head to the younger guy. He asked how Aaron was; Aaron said he was fine. The guy asked if Aaron wanted to hang out sometime; Aaron said maybe. Then Aaron tossed the ball to me (Riley can't catch a ball to save her life either) and walked away. Riley and I looked at each other and went after him. Of course I asked Aaron who the guys was and of course Aaron wouldn't tell me. Luckily Nora was there and said: "Didn't you used to tutor him?"
Aaron didn't deny it, but he wouldn't say anything either. Kit, who had been digging in the sand, joined us then. It was decided it was time to leave. It would have been nice to have a drama-free day, but the more time I spent with Aaron the more I can figure out about him. I hope he'll take us to the park again.
Because it was so nice out, Aaron and his (girl)friend Nora picked Riley, Kit, and I up from school and took us to the park. They brought us play clothes so we didn't have to wear our silly school jumpers. I was really surprised that Aaron planned this. He rarely leaves the house or even goes outside. No, I don't think he's a vampire. I know he isn't an alien either since I asked him. But I had to know why he suddenly had a change of heart. But, he being Aaron, didn't give me an answer. He just shrugged and said it was a nice day.
Anyway I wasn't going to let that distract me too much. Riley and I swung on the swings and Kit played on the monkey bars. Nora brought cookies and lemonade for a snack. Afterwards Riley and I talked Aaron into playing catch with us. There were a few other people in the park by then, but I didn't pay much attention to them... at first.
You should know that Riley can't throw a ball straight for the life of her. I didn't mind diving and running to catch her wild throws, but, of course, Aaron wouldn't. When Riley threw the ball to him it went way to his left towards the swings.
There was a college-aged guy pushing his little sister on the swings. What was the chance that he would know Aaron? I would have thought zero, but I would have been wrong. Aaron froze when the guy called his name. I asked Riley if she knew the guy, but she didn't and Aaron still hadn't acknowledged him.
Finally Aaron picked our ball up and nodded his head to the younger guy. He asked how Aaron was; Aaron said he was fine. The guy asked if Aaron wanted to hang out sometime; Aaron said maybe. Then Aaron tossed the ball to me (Riley can't catch a ball to save her life either) and walked away. Riley and I looked at each other and went after him. Of course I asked Aaron who the guys was and of course Aaron wouldn't tell me. Luckily Nora was there and said: "Didn't you used to tutor him?"
Aaron didn't deny it, but he wouldn't say anything either. Kit, who had been digging in the sand, joined us then. It was decided it was time to leave. It would have been nice to have a drama-free day, but the more time I spent with Aaron the more I can figure out about him. I hope he'll take us to the park again.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Riley's Room
Sorry I've been MIA for awhile! School has been taking up so much of my time and not a lot has been going on.
Anyway. Way back for Christmas, Riley was promised a new room and it's been slowly being put together and now it's finally done. Here's her critter corner:
The bird's name is Shay, and you know Colin the Westie. Shay is such a funny parrot! Although not the most appropriate one! Apparently Aaron taught him how to cuss and now that's all he wants to say. Riley is trying to retrain him, but every time Shay sees Aaron he starts cursing again. Aaron and Shay have to be separated now, hehe.
In the background you can kind of see Riley's cool bed. It's a trundle bed so I can sleep over and it's very comfortable. Her quilt has Scottie dogs on it. Oh, yeah, I'm holding a chicken. It's not real, but since Riley had Shay I didn't want to be left out.
Here's Riley and Shay again. Aren't they adorable? The pictures on the wall are from "Ice Age", Riley's favorite movies.
I'm trying to patiently wait for spring break and hopefully something more exciting to blog about.
Anyway. Way back for Christmas, Riley was promised a new room and it's been slowly being put together and now it's finally done. Here's her critter corner:
I'm trying to patiently wait for spring break and hopefully something more exciting to blog about.
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