updated 2008 September 2

The bit about my beliefs that used to be here is being re-written after a long conversation with MrDanesi to better reflect how I view these things and to clarify some points. It’ll be back, honest.

I am lucky (and spoiled) enough to be a SAHM so I get to spend lots of time knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, beading, learning how to crazy quilt, working on my hand embroidery and sewing skills, playing with polymer clay, playing with digital scrapbook pages and kits, and mangling web pages. Yes, I do think I’m ADD.

I’ve had a love/hate thing with the online world since my very first website, more years ago than I want to count. I’ve had (or still have) at least a dozen different nicknames/usenames, at last count I have 34 email addresses. I’ve had and given up at least that many. I currently maintain three websites and three other blogs (one not public, just for testing stuff) across 4 domains. I’ve taken myself offline and away from the computer but never for long. I’m hooked, what can I say? Having hit my mid-30′s I think it’s a good time to make some changes in how I’ve organized myself and my life. As fun as it’s been to have those 34 email accounts, it’s not really necessary and it’s getting to be a bit of a bitch to maintain. The different nicknames…again, not fun any more and kind of pointless.

I’ve recently managed to pull myself out of hormone hell. Being in your 30′s and trying to deal with surgical menopause is a major pain in the ass. I know what panic is now, I know what fear is. The medical community would have everyone believe that removing a woman’s ovaries just means she can’t get pregnant, if she has any problems all she has to do is take this pill and she’ll feel as good as new (this is assuming they’ll believe her and not just pack her off to see a therapist first thing). Actually study younger women no longer producing hormones on their own, why would we want to do that? Not having insurance and dealing with the low-cost clinic and the morons there did not help my situation any…but I think I’m past the worst of it now. I’m finally able to truly get help, by doctors who are actually trained in this kind of thing and might have a clue.

The name here is one I came up with during NaNo a few years ago. I find it beautiful to hear, it rolls around in my mind very sweetly. I find Italian to be a beautiful language, period, and I fully intend to learn at least a little…someday (how much is that Rosetta Stone?). Carina is “pretty” or “cute” and no I’m not trying to be narcissistic! I don’t believe it’s wrong to think of yourself as pretty or interesting or even beautiful, I think the problem comes in when you believe it to the exclusion of all other opinions or opportunities for personal growth.

This site contains the probably poorly written bits of me I feel comfortable sharing with the world. While this does mean it’s all true and it’s all me, it does not mean it’s all there is to me. Don’t be fooled into thinking you know me from only reading these words, that would only make you seem ignorant. I don’t know how often I’ll update, I’m notorious for disappearing for weeks (or even months) at a time. Again, I invite you to either get a grip or go away if this bothers you. See, that’s something I’ve learned – it’s impossible to please every web surfer out there, and why would you want to? That sounds like a recipe for mediocrity if I ever heard one. I won’t apologize unless I’ve honestly done harm to someone else (tho I try very hard not to do things like that in the first place) and my definition of “harm” does not include pissing someone off with my language or attitude. I won’t censor myself more than is necessary to protect myself and my family. I assume if you’re reading this you’re intelligent enough to know what that little red X in the corner of your browser means. I’m not out to win popularity contests, would actually be horrified if I did…from what I’ve seen, the crap that’s “popular” these days makes me want to puke.

The cast of characters you may or may not read about in here are:
The people:

• MrDanesi – my husband (married 2007 November 17, together off and on for 13 years before that. It’s a long story.)
• GirlDanesi – our 16 y/o daughter
• BoyDanesi – our 12 y/o son

The Dog:

• Butkus – “my” huge-ass dog (~90 lbs). Given to “me” by my FIL because he knows how much I adore his dog.

The Cats:

• Stubby – the eldest pet, and the grumpiest. Found in the wilds of Michigan by my bitch-in-law and named Nails, I guess because she found it funny because he’s declawed. We ended up with him when she moved to an apartment that doesn’t allow pets and re-named him Stubby. I don’t think he cares as long as he’s fed.
• Scheemer – our son’s cat. BoyDanesi named the cat before we actually got him from MrDanesi’s Aunt so we’re not sure if it’s that or he’s just naturally a pain, but he continually manages to find the wool to play with. Every damn time.
• Keary – pronounce KEE-are-uh according to GirlDanesi. She was going for Celtic with the help of a friend. Fail.

The Kittehs (born 2008 April 8):

• Coconut – the first born and the only one we could easily sex at about 2 weeks. Think about it.
• Panda – named so by me for his bear-like look and because I think pandas are cute, he’s definitely the cuddliest of all the cats.
• Ninja (a.k.a. Sir Hoots-a-Lot) – the one who consistently pops up whenever (and wherever) he’s least expected.

Warnings/Disclaimers:
1) Because I consider this to be my own space and I pay for it yearly, I reserve the right to delete and/or edit comments I find to be made solely to be hurtful. I see no reason to allow hateful people to have a place to spread their poison in my space. If you can make your point while maintaining some degree of honesty and integrity, we won’t have a problem.

2) Along those same lines and for the same reasons – since organized religion is not a part of my life it will not be a part of my site unless it’s in my own words. I reserve the right to delete and/or edit comments accordingly.