Off to Camp!

Alright y'all, the time has come. I leave early Friday morning and to be honest, I just don't feel like I have enough time. I have been running all day today, getting the house in order and the minute I stop is when I remember something else I need to do before I leave. Here are few things I need to do...

-Pick up the living room and dining room (which have become a staging area for packing)

-Finish packing

-Do a load of Laundry

-Make an address list of people to write while at camp

-Finish my medical form information

-Remember to grab the rug on the side of the bed to take with me

-Mop the Kitchen floor

-Stop and deposit money in the bank

Those are just a few of the things I need to get done. I will be back in two weeks and get 2 days off and then I'm back on for another 8 days. I will be trying to do some posts when I'm back for my days off, but I'm not sure how crazy things will get. If I don't get to post as much as I would like, I'm sorry. I truly appreciate all of you and thank you for sticking with me in my absence. This is an exciting time for me and I'm going to experience things I never have and do things I didn't think I could do. I already have and I haven't even left yet! 

Alright, I need to get my butt in gear and work on that list! I hope you have a great summer and I'll be back soon!

The Birthday Boy Fund

The Birthday Boy fund project is something that is near and dear to my heart. It's a charity that my husband developed to help trans people get top surgery. The initial development is to help him reach his goal of getting top surgery by his 30th birthday, but once that goal is met then others can apply and so on. He has come up with some great fund raise ideas (like a big girl beauty pageant, beer raffles, Photoshop contests, and even a hokie pokie-a-thon!). Surgeries for trans people are particularly expensive because it's not covered under insurance and few doctors will do them, so showing some support and checking out the site means a lot. Feel free to send him and email and he would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. 

Birthday Boy Fund

Jim and I have be together 4 years and have been married for 2 of those years. He is the most caring, funny, creative and smart dudes I know. When most people think of transgender people, they think of men wanting to become women, but in Jim's case he was born a women and has become a man. In the LGBT community Jim would be known as an FTM (female to male). FTM is the most "politically" correct way to say it. Calling someone a lady dude, she-male, "it", or just ignoring it and calling an FTM "she", will be received as hurtful and or mean. Sticking with FTM (or male to female MTF), or just trans is the most universally excepted and appreciated. 

Top Surgery is a procedure were they remove your breasts and give you the chiseled chest of your dreams! There are some Youtube videos you can check out. 

Now I know this is a very Liberal topic and not everyone is going to agree with Jim's cause, but to me this is something that I think should be talked about openly and hopefully if you support this cause, please feel free to contact one of us, or post a link to his blog. Getting this charity out there for people to see is what we are trying to do and we appreciate all the help we can get. 

Vlog Sunday: Vintage Hair for everyone!!!!

Saturdance! Cher Llyod

Cher Llyod was a contestant on the British X Factor. She made some really great song selections on the show and even though she didn't win (I think one directions won), I have made sure to follow what she did after. She recently released an album in the U.S., but this is my favorite song and video by her and I think it's adorable. This video is actually the inspiration for my crazy hair! Have a great y'all. I'll be doing a video tomorrow for real real, not for play play!

The Dog days of Summer!

 I haven't talked about the animals in a while! 

Lucky is doing awesome. He keeps Frank in check and is the official food watcher over-er. He guards the food from the cats and makes sure that no one can take his feast. Lucky was a rescue dog that had been abused by multiple owners. His first owners beat him and then his second owners had children with disabilities and the kids were to rough with him, so we took him home and the rest is history. It's been 2 years that we have had him and he was very skidish when we got him and he would cower at almost anything. Since he has lived with us he has become less afraid and more open and playful. He loves car rides and visiting friends and is always well mannered. He is 100% more social and friendly then when we got him. We love him so much and he and Frank make a great team! P.S. I get asked all the time what kind of dog Lucky is and to be honest we aren't quiet sure. We know that he is wire hair Parson Russell (part of the Jack Russell family), but he has brindle spots and we aren't sure what else???

Frank or Frankenstein, is getting so big! He will be a year old in August and we think he's done growing. We acquired Frank on a whim. Jim and I were in Santa Cruz for out Anniversary last year (September) and my best friend sent me a picture of him. She was at the flea market and they had puppies and I told her to get me one and I would surprise Jim. Well Jim knew I was up to something and I told him and he was so mad! He said "I agreed to another dog, and the only thing I said was, no puppies, and Chihuahua, and you got us a Chihuahua puppy!". Well I really hadn't thought of that. I just saw cute puppy and said yes! When we got back home and went to my best friends house to pick him up, Frank waddled right over to Jim and it was love at first sight. I will say that we got really lucky, because I don't normally like little yappy dogs and Frank is not yappy and has almost no behavior problems. I really think that Lucky and Frank keep each other in line.  

 We have 2 cats as well, and we love them too, but our dogs are a huge part of our lives. They go with us on road trips and come with us almost everywhere. I will miss them very much this summer and I don't want to be cliche and say they are our dog children, but they kind of are! Here are a few more random pictures of the boys!

 Have a great day and talk to you soon!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Hey everyone! It's Sunday again and it' totally snuck up on me. We had a friend from out of town this weekend, so I will be doing my Vlog tomorrow, like I did last week. Thanks everyone for being so patient and I appreciate all of you.

The Gossip- Saturdance

I find huge inspiration in Beth Ditto and Hannah Blilie. Not only for body acceptance aspects but as a gay fat chick, it's hard to find someone like you. In no way to I think I'm nearly as talented as Beth Ditto, but I admire her attitude and I feel like I'm similar in that way. I have no problem talking about being gay or being fat. I don't really have a problem talking about anything if you ask, but fat gay chicks are defiantly a minority and I get excited when I find one. I'm including two videos for you today. One of an awesome Gossip song and one of the band talking about being young and gay. Have a great day everyone!

Lazy day OOTD

This was a casual kick back day and I figured I'd show you what I wear when I'm being lazy. Also I'm pretty sure this or a variation of will be my go to look this summer at camp. It's comfy, and easy to move in. I don't feel self conscious in it and without trying I kind of look like Hunter S. Thompson. I totally wasn't trying to, but when I was editing these photos I realized that I kinda look like a more feminine version of Hunter S Thompson from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I feel like if I do, I'm gunna work it!

Top- Target (ages ago)

shorts- JC Penny

leggings- Target

Shoes- Blowfish

Hope everyone is having a great day :)

Here is a blooper! I see all the cool kids doing jumping shots, so I tried! I think I need to prefect this a little more before I post a real jumping shot! Oh well, I got off the ground at least!!!!

Easy Hair For the Fancy Girl on the Go!

This is my play on the traditional Swiss braid!

This is a great style for dirty hair. If you can keep a secret... I only wash my hair once a week. With the colors I use the more you wash the faster they fade.  Don't worry I still take a shower daily, I just wear a fancy shower cap. I also use a lot of dry shampoo  and I'm lucky to have pretty thick hair, so my hair doesn't get super oily. When I don't feel like doing much or am in a hurry, this is a quick go to hair style that I use frequently. 

Start with brushed hair. 

 Next Take a section from were you want to start. If you have a side cut like me, I start from the top of the back side of the shaved part. If you don't have a side cut, start at the front of your head were your hair is parted.

Seperate your chunk of hair into three sections and start to french braid. If you are unsure how to french braid check out some videos on youtube. That is what I do when I need to know how to do something!

Continue to braid following the curve of your head. Follow and try to stay close to your hair line. 

Once you reach the nape of your neck on the opposite side of were started, pin to secure. It took me 3 bobby pins. 

Tease the front of your hair... real big!

 wrangle your hair and smooth down and pin how you like to normally wear in the front. I chose to just with my standard pouf in the front. Gather the remaining hair on the one side and braid into a side braid. and you are done!!!! Congrats :)

Thanks everyone for stopping by :)

Monday is the new Sunday! Vlog time

As promised. Monday is the new Sunday. Here is the Vlog I owed everyone. I hope you all have a great night. If you have a minute, my friend Anna is starting a travel blog, to chronicle her adventures from England over to the U.S. to work at summer camp. Up and Away is super cute and totally worth checking out!

Vlog-less Sunday...

Hey guys I know today is Sunday Vlog day, but I've been a bit busy, so I will still be doing a vlog for you, but it will be tomorrow. So Monday will be the new Sunday. I hope y'all are having a good Mother's day and I will see you tomorrow!

Saturdance- Against Me!

With the recent news of lead singer, Tom Gabel coming out as trans. I thought we should celebrate him and his awesome new transition. Here's to you Tom.  Happy Saturdance!

P.S. Amanda I think this makes you a lesbian now!!!! Welcome to the family!

Naked in my bathing suit!

So I know I'm not the only one who feels self conscious in a bathing suit. It's something I have struggled with for a long time and for many years I refused to buy a bathing suit. In all honesty I feel more comfortable being naked rather then wearing a suit. I would wear shorts and a tank top to swim in and while I will not be wearing an itty bitty two piece I have decided to through caution to the wind and embrace the idea of a bathing suit.

I like to think that I dress well. I try to wear things that flatter my body, but I've come to a realization that even if I'm wearing the cutest, most flattering outfit, I'm still going to be fat. No matter how well something is draped or ruched, I'm not going to look like a skinny mini. In all honesty I don't want to. I dress for myself and wear what makes me feels good and what I think looks good on me. So with that being said I bought myself a two piece bathing suit. It's fashionable and doesn't look like my grandma gave it to me!

So to fully declare my body acceptance I am showing the world me, naked in my bathing suit.

I'm not wearing any makeup, no hairspray, no body shaper, this is me and my body in my swim suit and I couldn't be more happy!

 Top- Target

Bottom- Torrid

Glasses- CoastalContacts.com

This really is a big deal for me and a huge step forward in my self image. I truly hope this gives a few of you some courage to do the same.

I have to mention that blogging has helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin.Being able to share my thoughts and feelings towards body image, life's trials and tribulations is huge!  Knowing that others are reading and that I'm not the only one that feels that way is life changing. It helps seeing other bloggers like, Amy over at Vanagon Champion , and Rachele at the Nearsighted Owl, be advocates of self acceptance inspire me to do the same and share more. If you haven't had a chance to check them out I totally suggest that you do!

Thank you everyone for coming and checking out my little life hurdle. I feel so great about this and I totally give myself a gold star! 

2 Questions Vlog

Thanks to Elycia from LoveElycia and Rachele from The Nearsighted Owl for starting this fun Vlog game. I think this tag is a great way to get to know bloggers and maybe make a few new friends along the way! I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with! Happy Sunday!

Make sure to go check out Rachele's  Vlog...

 The Nearsighted Owl

Saturdance!!!!

I warned y'all! 

Most people know Kimbra from the Goyte  "Someone I used to know" song, But Kimbra is an awesome singer with a unique sound. To me, she almost sounds like one of the great jazz singers from the 50's and 60's. I love her quirky dance moves and toe tapping choruses. This is defiantly a great lady to listen to while driving! Enjoy and you'll see me tomorrow.... Vlog Sunday!

Summer Camp and Cats From Outer Space!

With camp being less then a month away, I figured I'd fill you in on what I'm doing this summer...

I will be working for the Girl Scouts of Northern California at a summer camp. My position title is Program leader of visual arts. What that actually means is that I'm a supervisor of arts and crafts. I'm pretty stoked on being able to hang out with kids, craft and get paid for it! I will be in wrangling 8 to 16 children (depending on the week) and also 2 assistant program leaders. Most of the program leaders are younger (18 or 19) and have been campers at the camp before. This is my first year doing this, but I'm sure this won't be my last. 

I will be living in the woods from the beginning of June until the end of August. I will live in a tent. I was told that I could bunk with the girls, but from what I remember about camp, it's staying up late and giggling and I don't mind the girls doing that as long as they aren't super loud or crazy, but I would also like to sleep and have my own little space. So tent it is! My one requirement for my tent is that I can stand in it. I don't want to feel super cramped in whatever I'm living in for the summer, so I found a 6 person tent and it will be my little tent mansion! 

Here is my check list for camping supplies that I still need! 

I have some clothes shopping to do as well. Most of what I own is dresses and that won't work this summer. I got an awesome pair of water/walking hybrid shoe. I'm pretty excited to wear them all summer. I was looking at them online through REI and they were $85 bucks and then one day Jim and I were wondering Ross and I found a pair for $30 bucks and I knew that were to be mine!!!! I also have been looking at a pair of Blowfish shoes for my everyday around camp shoes. I also stocked up on fun t-shirts, I went on threadless and they were having a massive sale (all their t-shirts were 10 bucks) so I snagged 5. I am super excited about my celestial cat shirt and will soon be rockin' it all summer. I'll grab pictures. I need shorts super bad. I'm pretty sure that my typical summer outfit will be slip on canvas shoes, leggings, shorts on top, tank top, awesome t-shirt, and a cardigan.  

Here is the list of clothes I'll be bringing...

I'm also looking forward to being the hang out chick. I'm pretty sure that I'm the only married one there and one of the oldest, but that just means I'm gunna be the awesome fun chick that everyone wants to hang out with. A lot of girls are coming from out of the country, and making them feel welcome and included is something I'm normally good at. My house is usually the place were everyone hangs out at so I'm guessing that this summer will be no exception. We work 8 days on and then will get 2 days off and if you don't have anywhere to go you can stay at camp or go with a friend, so my house will hopefully be the party spot for crazy camp counselors just like me!

Well tomorrow is Saterdance, so put on you dance pants and get ready to shake it! I'll be back with a vlog for Sunday. Talk to y'all soon!

P.S. Here is Celestial cat!