This love is like water

and water gets rough

Had all I can stand

but I can't get enough

Let me love you again, 

give it one more try

Oh if the good Lord's willin'

and the creek don't rise

ASHLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER.

Well hello there party people! 

It's nice to write again. 

A lot has happened. I guess you imagined so since I haven't written since the beginning of September. 

So here's a little update. Most of you already know what's going on in my life anyway, but I'm going to reiterate because today I like redundancy. 

So September:

I donated bone marrow. We know this. I was on the news and got an incredible amount of attention. If you know me you know that attention, in particular, is not my most comfortable of positions. However, I believe that the NMDP received an influx of volunteers due to the publicity. I'm so glad that I could help out. It was an amazing experience for me and I would highly recommend everyone sign up. I'm serious. 

I did begin having a bit of right hip trouble but it wasn't anything that couldn't be patched up. I think I'm 100% now. I just found out about two days ago that I will be donating peripheral stem cells to the same patient in the near future. The good news is this means she did not reject my bone marrow and has engrafted and created 50% of my cells. They want to get her to a higher percentage so that's what I have to do the peripheral donation. This is similar to a blood donation, just longer...and more needles. This, I'm not looking forward to. However, if you're going to go, go all the way. 

Anyway, that about does it with the bone marrow thing. I'll keep ya'll updated. 

We also attempted to have my brother live with me during the end of this month. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and I ended up dropping him off at a Greyhound station with his guitar and $5 spending money. This may sound harsh, but it's the best thing that could have happened for everyone involved. I didn't speak about this on facebook, mostly because I was ashamed of how everything ended, of how hurt I was.

 I learned many life lessons during this time. Lessons that I thought I had already learned, but obviously did not. 

1. You can't change anyone, they have to want to change themselves.

2. It doesn't matter how much you give someone. Giving doesn't promote motivation. It doesn't promote a grateful heart. It doesn't buy you love or respect.

3. The people you love the most, let you down the hardest. 

4. The definition of tough love is letting go.

5. The definition of unconditional love is letting go.

6. The power of words, especially hurtful ones. No matter how thick skinned you are, we all feel the effects of words. It doesn't matter how "hard" you think your heart is. You are not impervious to being hurt. 

7. People who think they know everything, know a lot about nothing. This is true for both sides of an argument.

8. Let go of anger, it only hurts the angry person. 

9. Forgive, but don't forget. 

10. The unconditional and powerful love that my family has for me. 

I left this situation with a clear conscience. I know that I did all that I could possibly do. Maybe one day I'll get to give the chance that was given to me when I was a teenager. The chance that changed my life. The words that Mr. Dan spoke to me on the day that he picked me up from my grandmother's house mean so much to me now, "You're getting this, because you WANT this. We'll never give up on you, don't give up on yourself. I'm proud of you."

October: 

My favorite month of the year. 

The fall colors and Halloween. 

I loved going to the zoo with Colin, even though he was scared of my Panda mask. 

Jonathan and Becca came to visit in an attempt to evacuate Hurricane Sandy. 

They made it here in once piece and we had a really good visit. 

I've been taking pictures...ALL THE TIME. I just can't believe how many people want me to do this for them. It really is humbling and helping me to be a better hobbyist. I can't wait to see where the next few months take me with that. 

November:

We had an election. I voted Libertarian. Ha. 

Well, since we're still in Novemer, I'll leave it at that. A quick update. 

TOMATO, THE HUBS.

This past weekend Tomato and I attended our SIXTH Marine Corps Birthday Ball. SIX. I can't even believe that. The USMC Birthday Ball is special to us because it was technically our "first date."

It was the start to a very funny story actually. 

Tomato and I actually met a few weeks prior to the ball. He apparently thought I was "cute" which was funny in itself given the details of that event...but anyway, he invited me to the ball. 

I was not interested in dating him. I told him, "That's fine, but just as friends."

Fast forward to night of...he tried to kiss me. 

I turned my head, he didn't get a kiss. 

I was appalled. 

Because of that, he actually got me on the SECOND date weeks later on a bet. The rest was history.

I love these pictures. They make my heart smile. We actually would be on our seventh if it weren't for deployment. However, that's the Marines. 

 

ZERO, THE DRAGON and ALPHA, THE DOODLE.

I just love these guys to pieces. 

Alpha has become a full fledged addition to the family. You don't see Zero without Alpha, or Alpha without Zero. It's hard to believe he's been around since March. He thinks he's a lab, it's adorable. 

Zero is still snugglin', sheddin' and lickin' like a champ.

Song of the Day:

If the Creek Don't Rise by Dylan LeBlanc