Sorry!

I have no good reason for my silence. I think some of it is Katrina fatigue; I’m exhausted with reacting to the horror of it all. I have spent so much of my time thinking, reading, and watching the Katrina aftermath that I’m worn out.

I decided I wanted to do more, so I’ve applied to go on a relief trip as a vet tech later this fall. I don’t know if they’ll accept my application or not, or when I’m going to go. I hope they do and I can. I will keep you posted.

There is some other stuff going on in my life. I threw the mother of all housewarming parties Saturday night—it was a blast, and some fifty or so people came through my house. It really was fun. Serious thank yous go to Sarah, who spent a huge amount of time after cleaning up, and Elise for helping prepare the food. Not to mention A., Elise's husband, who did ALL the grilling.

It was a crazy mix of all of my communities. My family; my closest friends; my recovery friends; blogging buddies (Melanie, I got the sheets…they rock!); and my neighbors (In fact, my neighbors across the street got to meet the neighbors that live next door to us for the first time. We’re going to gloss over the fact that the people next door have been there for FIVE years and the people across the street even longer, and that the next-door-folks are black, and the across-the-street-folks are white, because I’m sure it had NOTHING to do with it). In fact, the only people missing where my new friends from church.

Church was awesome on Sunday. We had a wonderful grief ritual for September 11 and Hurricane Katrina, and I’d completely forgotten that Church is a place to process that stuff. While I can share about my grief at a recovery meeting, I cannot discuss my rage at the President—politics has no place there. It was divine (heh) hearing the Pastor pray for those that suffered, and “those that seemingly did nothing” both.

I was very nervous to be standing up and singing (I’m happy to get up and tell you about my crazy life, my uterus, or read my poems, but ask me to sing? Eek!). There are a total of nine people in this choir (and we sang “We’ve Got A Friend In Jesus”), so it’s a bit overwhelming. My voice is sucking…I sounded great during rehearsal but then during the performance my voice cracked and squeaked. I’ve struggled with chronic hoarseness for years (and have found the causes, all of which I’ve stopped treating). I need to get back into doing my voice exercises so that I can sing for longer than ten minutes.

This week my little town is hosting an arts festival, and the minister has asked me to speak about being an artist (I’m a poet, remember? My writing isn’t always about blogging and how much I hate Bush, I swear) and how spirituality factors into it. He’s also asked my mom to sing and play her guitar. I’m really excited about it. It feels pretty amazing to be so included already, when we’ve only been going a month.

Oh—and before you get all nervous, I sent the pastor the links to several of my God-based blog posts—so he knows the drill. I’ll try, really hard, not to swear in church.

Hmmmm… I bought my dress for Sarah’s wedding. It’s, well, ok. I look old and matronly in it, but it fits and has sheer sleeves that let my tattoos show through (hopefully eliminating the matron thing to some extent). It’s basically a sheer poncho over a pretty standard dress. Ah well. The wedding isn’t about me, after all. Oh, and you should go read her blog… the latest news is FABULOUS.

What else… oh, Charlie has adopted a new swear from the new HBO show Rome: “piss drinking son of a circus whore!” So far, he’s mostly directed this to the cats. I’m soooo looking forward to those future parent-teacher conferences.

Speaking of that (you know, in a way) it’s come to my attention that my current cycle is nearing its end—judging by my general irritation and crankiness. Next month, of course, we step once more upon the ART roller coaster. We’ve taken the preliminary steps; you know, dug up the money, made the arrangements. But I’m in denial about it, to some extent. There are other things I need to do—like call my OB and find out about those test results he called about months ago, get the result of my latest PAP for the RE. That sort of thing. But it approaches, and I’m still scared.

Maybe I’ll share about that in church on Sunday. Cause God knows it will be hard enough to not swear while I speak in public for five minutes—I can’t imagine going that long without discussing my fucking UTERUS.

Comments

[Sarah]

You are hilarious. That last line made me laugh out loud.

Last night S. and I watched this blooper show, and one was of a Sunday religious show in which a man was showing a woman this product to make candles burn slower. He mean to say 'eucharist', but said 'UTERUS' instead! LOL.

That's awesome you volunteered to use your vet tech skills! As long as it's AFTER the wedding. ;-)

[Cathy]

I love how you make me laugh. Cool about going to Lousiana (or wherever) to help out. Where do we get to read said nonpolitical, nonswearing poetry? I'm interested in your art and your ART (of course!).

[lisamc]

how cool that you volunteered your skills!

the party sounds fabulous and i am glad you find your church involvement helpful and meanigful.

wishing you all the best with the 'other' stuff.

take care

[Sandy]

Oh my Sarah! That blooper made me roar out loud! And Cecily - you never cease to amaze me. Big month next month. And wow about the church and the community. Just wow. So much going on. Man, I'm such an articulate writer - but I just wanted to share that I'm overjoyed at the tone of this post.

[Jen (yup, another one)]

Ah, Cecily, thank you for being you! Sometimes reading your blog just makes my day a bit better. :)

And I hope things work out for the vet trip...

[Jenn in AK]

I was about to ask what rock you were hiding under! Yes, do try not to swear in church. For some reason they frown on that.

Here's one - Robers' committee crap has started. And he's ducking questions about, um, EVERYTHING! No comment on abortion, civil rights, etc. Oh, how Bush is going to fuck up the courts!

Jenn

[Angela]

Big hugs! Obviously, keep us updated on the next cycle.

I think the application people would be making a huge mistake to leave you behind.

[Korin]

you crack my infertile shit up, girl. :) hoping next cycle is your last. Truly, madly, deeply.

[maia]

50 Guests?! Sounds like a great party!

[Melissa]

Cecily,
Missed reading your blogs.
Glad you are back!
Melissa

[Melessa]

"God knows it will be hard enough to not swear while I speak in public for five minutes—I can’t imagine going that long without discussing my fucking UTERUS."

ROTFL! I wondered if you were going to volunteer as a vet tech. I started to reply a couple of posts ago that if the Nat'l Guard wanted an old fat man like my DH, than you should have no problems signing up. But, it seemed like a bad time to make jokes.
It's good to see you and I'm glad your party went well. Now I'm off to check out Sarah's good news.

[Maryann]

LOL - I love how the neighbors across the street and next door were oblivious. I think it rocks that you got them together!

I'm with you on the Katrina fatigue. I've been at it (sorting and donating tonz-o-stuff) since last Friday, and it occured to me today that I forgot to do my homework which was due Sunday night! (Online class - finally finishing my degree at the ripe old age of 39!) Anyway it's good karma to let go of unused stuff and put it back out into the world, so maybe my prof will give me a break.

I wish you the very best with all your "stuff" going on soon.

:)
Maryann

[Heather]

You are too funny.

I was wondering what was up on the ART front, but I figured you'd let us know eventually.

That's very cool that you volunteered to go to the gulf coast!! They need compassionate people like you - hope you get to go.

[Sheri]

The party sounded like a rockin' good time and I'm glad you were able to get all your neighbors together.
Your last paragraph:

"Maybe I’ll share about that in church on Sunday. Cause God knows it will be hard enough to not swear while I speak in public for five minutes—I can’t imagine going that long without discussing my fucking UTERUS"

caused me to choke on my coffee from laughing. You know I'll be crossing all fingers and toes for a successful ART cycle. We'll be riding that rollercoaster with you girlfriend!

[Cindy (my 2nd post it feels so goooood)]

Piss drinking son of a circus whore.. OMG!! I love that line! Since I'm a political lil shit I can think of so many times that lil line could come in handy. *refraining from using it in public will be so hard* lol Nice to see you back, I love your blog its filled with humor, spitfire, and opinions on both sides of the fence, something that people need in their daily lives. Thanks and good luck to you in whatever you set forth to do.

[Ninotchka]

"Cause God knows it will be hard enough to not swear while I speak in public for five minutes—I can’t imagine going that long without discussing my fucking UTERUS."

Cec - You rock. I know I say it all the time. Please know you have my good thoughts and wishes on your upcoming ART efforts.

Your church and pastor sound awesome.

[Julie]

Your church sounds glorious! I'm glad you have found a spiritual home.

Good luck on the cycle babe!

[Linda B]

That is so great that you are going to go help out as a vet tech. I am happy that people are really taking care of the animals affected by the hurricane.

Also, I am happy to hear you are loving your church.

[Michele]

Hey Cec- Chris and I had a great time at the party! I was going to ask about when the FET cycle was stating, but it didn't seem like he right time, for some reason. I can't wait to come back over to your house to introduce Ethan to your kid(s)!!!!
Love ya, babe!

[Anna]

((((good conception to pregnancy to healthy birth vibes)))) for your next cycle.

what a wonderful church you found!! (I'd be jealous but I know I'm paying the price for moving so far away from civilization!) your pastor absolutely rocks.

[Debe]

I'm glad you posted again. I'm in a deep funk so I have nothing witty to say.

[cursingmama]

Practice with me.....
Gosh Darn
Dang Nabit
Golly Gee
Oh Shucks
Fart
Crap

It always takes me awhile to spit out a thought when I'm at school/church functions...censoring myself is a lot of work.