I don't share well...

I was watching a 20/20 program about a polygamist family. It wasn't the Warren Jeffs version. This guy had dated the first 2 wives together and had married them both on the same day. They knew what they were getting into and signed on for it, together. They were all consenting adults and no one was being forced into what essentially amounts to child abuse.

So far, I was kinda on board...

Except when they talked about the honeymoon night. Someone had to be first and you could see the pain in the eyes of the woman (even 20-something years later) who wasn't chosen to be first. It was sad. Very. Sad.

And then, after 20-something years of marriage the identical twin of one of the wives came to visit. And hubby decided he needed to add to his harem.

OK, so now I was totally not on board...

The 2 original wives were suddenly superceded by the shiny new wife. You could see the jealousy in all 3 women. The new wife because she wasn't an original. The originals because they weren't new. It was painful to watch. They tried to laugh it off and say it didn't bother them, but anyone with eyeballs could see what a difficult situation it was.

And it made me seethe with jealousy for them. He didn't have to share. Why should they?

I just can't imagine being in that position. It's hard enough just dealing with the various ex's of the people I date... but a wife? Right there? With a say in the matter? Oh hell no!

I guess it's a good thing that monogamy is my thing. Relationships are hard enough without the added stress of an extra wife or girlfriend roaming around...

It was a wild Christmas...

And there definitely was an animal theme going on in the present department...

BooBoo got hoody footies...

 If you don't know what "hoodie footies" are, consider yourself lucky. This set even had a detachable tail...

 I got a cute animal hat...

All the pups got bones...

The kids just got spoiled...

And my dogs got a bath (thanks to Rebel, who now has a clogged drain in his shower). But they are sparkly-clean and smell like Pert.

On the drive home from the Parentals, I ran into some weird weather.

It was pitch black to the East and sunny to the West...

And then I ran into some snow at the top of the pass. And a wreck...

But I made it home safe and sound and was able to enjoy the Christmas evening with Rebel and my shiny-clean Pert-smelling dogs. It was a good night...

Yesterday, Rebel and I decided to take a drive to the Metolius River and hike around...

What's that behind me? Is it gonna eat me?

Trying to get everyone to look the same direction seems to be a challenge for us...

Squirrel!!

Attempt #1 to get everyone looking the same direction...

Attempt #2

Attempt #3 (success!! kinda...)

And then we got to the mighty headwaters of the Metolius River...

Call me pessimistic, but I was kinda expecting more...

But we still had a good time and wore ourselves out. It was a great 3-day weekend but I just wasn't ready for it to be over already. I could have happily stayed in bed for another few days.

Oh well...

Back to work I go.

A few of my favorite things...

A very cute and *very* handy boyfriend...

Amazing fur kids...

Horses that want to go for a ride...

110lb dogs that think they are lap dogs...

Beautiful places to hike and play...

Beautiful sunrises on the farm...

Best friends...

I am very blessed. Have a Merry Christmas!!

Coal in my stocking...

I got busted yesterday and have landed myself on the "naughty" side of the list.

When I was married to Ex-hub there was one year that we were saving money to go to Hawaii to see on of my brothers married. We had saved somewhere around $2,000 when it happened... I got a call from Ex-hub saying that the car had broken down. We had it towed into a shop and were told that the engine had seized up because my dear, dear Ex-hub had forgotten to put oil in it.

I was so pissed. We fixed the car and didn't go to Hawaii. I could have killed him...

Well, yesterday Rebel had my car so he could put the brakes on it. When I called to ask him how it was going he berated me for my car being 2 1/2 quarts low in oil.

*oh shit*

Yes, that's right. I was an irresponsible twit... just like my Ex-hub had been.

That is so not like me. Typically I'm johnny-on-the-spot with stuff like this. I can't believe I let my VW get so low...

*hangs head in shame*

I'm getting it an oil change tomorrow. That should make it happier...

Once a cheater?

I think I've covered this topic before... but it struck my mind again yesterday, so I'm going with it.

I think if you've been reading this blog for any period of time then you'll know my stand on cheating. Absolutely not tolerated. Period.

However, I do have a confession to make. When I was with the Biologist he cheated on me. And I knew he had cheated on me. I read it from his own hand (yes, I was snooping). And still I was able to dismiss what I knew and try to believe him even though I knew the actual truth. It was bad. It made all of our dealings after that point contentious and not very much fun. Plus I was a paranoid wreck...

I will never do that again. But over the last few years I've tried to figure out why I ignored what I knew to be true and stick it out with the Biologist anyway.

The best answer I have is this: I wasn't quite ready to be alone.

I am human. What can I say...

Rebel's ex-wife cheated on him pretty early on in their marriage. He ended up sticking it out another 14 years only to find out she had been cheating on him the final 2 years of their marriage as well. I always wonder if the person she cheated with (and is still seeing, if I remember correctly) is paranoid that she'll turn around and cheat on him too. It just seems that if you had no regard for one relationship that you'll probably not suddenly change and have respect for the next one. But I could be wrong, I suppose.

All I know is that cheating is such a huge breach of trust and respect that I don't think you can get that back once it is gone.

At least, that's how I feel...

What's 300 miles between FWB?

Man... I have no idea how I go so lucky. Not only does Rebel only live a few miles from me, but he cleans my house when I'm out riding too. I'm thinking I'm hanging onto this one for a while.

But, what about those poor unfortunate souls who are not blessed with close proximity like Rebel and I are? How do you make a long distance relationship work? Or is it even possible?

I guess if all you want is a FWB kinda deal, then a long distance relationship is the perfect solution.

But... if you really want a committed relationship I'm just not sure how it can actually work. I mean, every time you see the person it's kinda new all over again. So it's really hard to gauge if you actually get along in the day-to-day area of things or not.

I guess it just seems that if you are that far apart, that things really never go anywhere and that you never get the opportunity to grow the relationship and move forward together.

Am I wrong on this one?

To buy or not to buy...

I have a dilemma. And I'm not quite sure what to do about it...

When Rebel and I first talked about Christmas we kinda decided not to do gifts. But I just don't think that I can stick to my guns on this one. I love Christmas... and I love to buy gifts for those I care about.

Rebel is much less of a Christmas lover (although he did indulge me this weekend and we drove around and looked at pretty Christmas lights).

So, what to do? To buy? Or not to buy? That is the question...