Meat Balls

My husband and I recently made meatballs for supper, and they were the best ones we've ever made.  My husband really knows how to add flavor to the meats, and I tried a Barefoot Contessa trick of not smashing the meatballs together- just roll them together softly.  It keeps them moist.

Texas Republicans Hate Gay People

I saw this yesterday on Towleroad, and I thought about it all night.  If you're a Texas Republican, and you don't agree with this platform, then please speak up.  It's so hateful.  One day they better send me and all the other homos an appology.

From the Texas Republican Party 2012 Platform:


Homosexuality

We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle, in public policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction or belief in traditional values.

Family and Defense of Marriage

We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists. We call on the President and Congress to take immediate action to defend the sanctity of marriage. We are resolute that Congress exercise authority under the United States Constitution, and pass legislation withholding jurisdiction from the Federal Courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. We further call on Congress to pass and the state legislatures to ratify a marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman.

Neither the United States nor any state shall recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse. We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married. We advocate the repeal of laws that place an unfair tax burden on families. We call upon Congress to completely remove the marriage penalty in the tax code, whereby a married couple receives a smaller standard deduction than their unmarried counterparts living together. The primary family unit consists of those related by blood, heterosexual marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property.

Judicial Activism in Marriage

We support marriage and oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists.

Enforcement of the Defense of Marriage Act

We support the enforcement of the State and Federal Defense of Marriage Act by state and federal officials respectively, and oppose creation, recognition and benefits for partnerships outside of marriage that are being provided by some political subdivisions.

Marriage and Divorce

We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that the integrity of this institution should be protected at all levels of government. We urge the Legislature to rescind no-fault divorce laws. We support Covenant Marriage.

Family Values

We support the affirmation of traditional Judeo-Christian family values and oppose the continued assault on those values.

Sleeping Beauty

Our baby girl, Dooley, took a short nap in my husband's lap.  It was such an odd position, that we had to snap a photo.

Pizza Night

Last Friday night my husband, Dooley, and I ate at Fire Side Pies.  It was tasty and beautiful meal.

QOTD

How to have a lovely day:

• Smile at strangers
• Slow down
• Say thank you
• Give lots of compliments
• Dress nicely
• Wear perfume
• Observe and listen
• Be charming
• Laugh
• Wish people a lovely day

True Blood

Are you watching True Blood this season?  I think it's going to be an exciting season.  I especially like how Bill and Eric (former enemies) are forced to team up to fight Russell Edgington.

Saturday with Dooley

One of our favorite people, our daughter's namesake, and my best smelling friend (she always smells heavenly) spent the weekend with us.  While my husband studied away in our dinning room, Dooley and I did the following:

• Sweated and enjoyed the Dallas Arboretum (Beautiful!)
• Cooled off and watched Safety Not Guaranteed (Go see this film.)
• Ate a late lunch at Dallas' Velvet Taco (Delicious!  Yes, a gay man and a straight woman enjoyed Velvet Tacos.)
• Shopped (without buying anything) at North Park Center
• Went back home for happy hour with my husband!

Later in the night we went and dined on sushi with my husband.  It was a great day.

Dooley Dooley

Our daughter's (Sarah Dooley's) namesake Sarah Dooley is in town this weekend.  We're having fun, and I'll prove it in later postings.   Happy Saturday.

Pretty In Pink

Dooley has a new collar.  She looks good in pink, right?  I found this "pink diamond" collar on clearance this weekend.  It was half priced.  What a deal.

Happy Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day, and my husband and I are sons of excellence fathers.  My brother is the best dad to his two girls. One day (fingers crossed) we hope to be fathers too, and I look forward to trying to be as outstanding as my dad, my husband's dad, and my brother.  I want to experience the joy of fatherhood.

Flag Day

Thursday was Flag Day, and once again my buddy Jordan wished me a "Happy Flag Day" all day.  Of course if you take away the letter "l" in flag, then you have the derogatory word for homos, which is the joke.  This would be offensive, but Jordan is my good friend and I always hit on him in front of his wife (which makes her laugh) so this is just the way we play.

Happy Flag Day!

(And Jordan, I miss seeing you from behind.  Can you get your wife to take a few pictures of your ass in your charcoal grey suit pants and email them to me?  Thanks.)

Thirty Six Hours

Tonight I pick up my husband from the airport.  This is one of those weeks where we're only together for thirty six hours.  We both travel from time to time with work, and my husband is getting his MBA, which cuts into the weekends.  My goal is to make the 36 hours count, which is a good rule for life; make the most of your time, always.

Thank You Carrie Underwood

"As a married person myself, I don’t know what it’s like to be told I can’t marry somebody I love, and want to marry...I can’t imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love."

"Our church is gay friendly. Above all, God wanted us to love others. It’s not about setting rules, or [saying] ’everyone has to be like me’. No. We’re all different. That’s what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It’s not up to me to judge anybody."

- Carrie Underwood.

The above quote from Carrie Underwood got her in trouble with her Christian conservative fan base, and you have to read this article. I think Jesus would agree with Carrie Underwood because God is love, right?

Thank you Carrie Underwood for your support for equality. We need all the help we can get in order to achieve our goal of equality for all!

What the Hail

Our house and yard took a good beating with the crazy hail storm that rolled through our part of Dallas on Wednesday.  The skylight on our back porch was shattered. I was out of town, but my husband sent me this photo showing the "racquetball sized" hail that fell from the sky.

The insurance adjuster is scheduled to come see our house on Thursday.  My husband said I might get a new roof for my birthday.   Hey Honey, do they sell roofs at home section of Anthropologie, or at Williams-Sonoma, or at DWR, or at Wisteria, or at Americus Diamond?  I like birthday gifts to come from those stores, FYI.

On Guard

Trigger Monkey likes to lay on the rug in the entry way for two reasons.  First, his daddy is usually studying in the dinning room, which is next to the entry way, and Trigger likes to be close to his daddy.  Second, Trigger likes to bark at anyone that comes to the front door.  It's easier to hear footsteps approaching when you're in the entry way.  He's the loudest barking little hound dog.  He turns 9-years-old next month, and he has made me smile ever day since I first met the 5-month-old Trigger.

Relax on the Lawn

When it's beautiful outside baby girl likes to relax in the grass.  Isn't she the cutest French bulldog ever?  She turns 2 years old this month.  Happy Birthday Sarah Dooley!

QOTD

"What would be missed?
What idea would have gone unsaid?
What avenue would we have failed to pursue?
What radical invention, would have never gotten sketched?
Which innovation, never considered?
What ambition, never pursued?
This month, IBM celebrates the contribution of our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community.
Without this community, we would not be IBM.
IBM."

O, NPH and David Burtka

I finally got to watch the Oprah's Next Chapter episode where Oprah dropped into Neil Patrick Harris' and David Burtka's home to meet the twins and talk to the couple about being gay dads.  I actually watched the episode with my husband, since we hope to be gay dads in a few years.  NPH and David are living the dream; they have the home, the career, and the babies.

What I liked most is that their life seemed normal even though it was a bit more glamours and polished than our life.  You should definitely watch this episode if you want to see one representation of gay dads.

Why again can't two men that love each other get married?

Flat Tire

This wasn't a fun surprise to find after our yoga class.  Interestingly enough it is the second time we've had to change a flat tire after yoga.  My husband does most of the flat changing work, and I help where I can.  I hand him things.  I know how to unscrew a lug nut or two.  By the time I find the tire-changing directions in the owner's manual the flat is already changed by my husband.

I would like to thank the tire gods because I didn't have blow-out on the highway.

I would like to also thank the tire gods because my husband was with me when the tire went flat.  (Or should I be thanking the husband gods for that one?)

This flat could not be fixed.  So we bought four new tires.  And shocks.  It hurts when we spend money on my almost 9-year-old 4Runner with 140,000 miles, but tires and shocks are cheaper than a new car.  The tire man said that Toyota 4Runners will not die as long as you keep the oil changed.  He said he sees them with over 200k miles all the time.  Fingers crossed we make it to 200,000 miles, because right now I can't afford the cars I want to drive!

Thunder Up

I was in Oklahoma this week, and any time someone started talking about the Thunder I was secretly hoping they wanted to talk about The Thunder From Down Under instead of OKC's NBA team the Thunder.  (Is that wrong?)

Who knew a sports team was so important to a state?  Everyone in the state was talking about the Thunder's win over the Spurs.  The state was so excited you would have thought Oklahoma discovered the cure for cancer.  The state was so excited it was like everyone won the lottery.  It was a spectacle.  How's the state going to react if the Thunder actually wins the NBA finals?

And I would be so much more interested in basketball if those uniforms weren't so bulky.  We need to get smaller, tighter clothes on those athletes.  Their shorts - can you even call them shorts? - they are enormous amounts of material.

Desert Rose

My desert roses are killing it.  Since they are in the succulent family they don't require a lot of water, which is great for me when I'm on the road.

Fat Prevention

I have to travel for work a lot.  It's so hard for me to keep my weight in check when I travel, and I refuse to buy new pants if I gain weight.   The only way I can prevent myself from getting fatter is by eating a Fiber Plus bar for dinner.  As I'm eating my 150 calorie dinner I'm thinking about Central Market's Cowboy Casserole that we had for dinner on Sunday night.  I went back for seconds. I ate less salad so I could eat more Cowboy Casserole.  Good thing for me that they haven't invented Central Markets in Oklahoma...

QOTD

I know not all Republicans are anti-marriage equality.  I have many Republican friends that support marriage equality.  However, this "Ban Republican Marriage" bumper sticker makes me laugh because currently Republicans are the party of "ban gay marriage".  The Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, is anti-gay marriage after all.

One day, I hope sooner than later, the Republican party will be embarrassed for their anti-gay marriage stance.

The Bible has been used to justify owning slaves; the Bible has been used to prevent women from owning property and voting,  and the Bible has been used to prevent me from marrying the person I love.  Why can the Republican party not see that today they are on the wrong side of history?  

Mirror Mirror

Do you think by the time I die someone will have invented a way for me to take all my precious objects with me to the afterlife?  I ask because my husband is always telling me to quit buying "stuff" for the house.  He claims the point of life isn't to buy more stuff, and he also claims (incorrectly) that we have enough "stuff" already.  Of course, we didn't have anything on the west wall in the dinning room, which means when my uncle and I discovered this mirror at Wisteria a few weeks back I knew I had to have it.  Have you ever seen a mirror like that?  I like objects that are beautiful and interesting.

Of course I have to be smart about these things.  I cannot just go spend $200 on a mirror....while my husband is in town.  I waited until he flew off to his MBA program, and then I returned some stuff at Costco and got $170 in cash, and then I went to Wisteria and picked up the mirror!  It was a sample which means they only had one.  Then later in the week I went and picked my husband up from the airport, which saves him $60 in a cab fare.  All-in-all, I saved my husband so much money I would have bought two mirrors if they had two.  They only had one, and now it's all ours!  We live a charmed life.

More Salt

My whole life I've avoided salt.  My mother didn't cook with a lot of salt when I was growing up, and my taste buds never required that flavor.  I did Bikram yoga four days in a row, and by the fourth day I had to sit out most of the class.  Something was wrong with my body.  The yoga studio owner said that I must not be replacing the minerals in my body.  When you sweat as much as we do in Bikram the studio owner said it's important to supplement your diet.  One thing he had me do was add a spoonful of sea salt to a glass of water and drink it.  I did.  It was gross.  However, my body bounced back.  I was cured.

Who knew salt was so important?  If you eat a lot of salt, then start doing Bikram and it'll flush it all out of your system.  If you don't eat a lot of salt, like me, and you do Bikram yoga, then you'll have to eat more salt.

Do you think you can fit through the doggie door?

My husband and I like to play this game: When we have friends over to the house and after a few glasses of wine, or beer, or margaritas, or anything else have been consumed we like to ask the question: "Do you think you can fit through the doggie door?"

It's a hilarious game, because someone always tries to fit through the doggie door. Only one person (not counting our nieces Presley and Paxten) has succeed in actually fitting through the doggie door.

Two Step

Saturday my husband and I took Missy and Josh to The Round Up, which is the gay country dancing club in Dallas' gayborhood.  Josh grew up in a small town and is a former Texas Tech frat boy, who is currently the executive vice president of a bank in west Texas.  Josh didn't know any gay people before he met us.  Last night was Josh's first time to be in a gay country bar...

Since my husband knows that all small town boys are taught that if someone asks you to dance at a dance it is rude to decline, my husband asked Josh to dance.   Josh did not decline the offer (his mother raised him well) and my husband and Josh two stepped across the dance floor.  It was awesome.  Missy and I couldn't stop laughing and smiling.  It took my husband and Josh one lap around the dance floor before they were in sync, but by the end they looked brilliant.

The first time we met Josh he said "that's gay" as a synonym for "that's stupid" and he referred to dolphins as "gay sharks."  I didn't know why my old college friend Missy would want to marry a guy like that, but last night proves that first impressions aren't entirely accurate.  Josh honestly did not know any better.  (Again, we were the first gay guys he'd ever met.)  Our friendship opened his mind, and he changed.  This weekend he never once used "that's gay" and he even danced with my husband.

Weekend Meals

Our friends Missy and Josh were in town, and while we were waiting for my husband's plane to land we spent Friday afternoon at the Katy Trail Ice House.  We kicked off the weekend with loaded cheese fries. This is why I have to do yoga.  I enjoyed the fries, cheddar, bacon, chives, and jalapeños with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.  It's meals like this that make our yoga instructors always ask: "Why do you treat your body like a garbage can?"  All things in moderation, yes?  Yes.

QOTD

I saw this photo on the internets: "Claiming that someone else's marriage is against your religion is like being angry at someone for eating a doughnut because you're on a diet."

Pawn Stars

I added The History Channel's Pawn Stars to our DVR, and it's such an entertaining television program to watch in the mornings while I'm drinking coffee.  A father runs a pawn shop in Las Vegas with his father and his son.  It's amazing what walks in the door, but what keeps the show's momentum is the family dynamic between the grandfather-father-son, but the "Betty White" of the show is the non-family member Chumlee.  Chum's comments are hilarious, and sometimes I laugh out loud when he says something.

Evolved

His ability to evolve is one of the many reasons I appreciate President Obama.  It's easy to live out of habit, but I think one of the real joys in life is evolving your thinking as you receive more data/more information.  President Obama at one time wasn't pro marriage equality, but now he is pro marriage equality.  Hooray.

Maybe one day our country will elect a Republican President that is pro marriage equality too.  I hope.

Oklahoma

Remember I only recently learned that I'm 1/32 Cherokee Indian.  When I was on the road I stopped to fill up at the "Cherokee Trading Post."  I wanted to see my people.

This week I was in Oklahoma, and my clients gave me so much shit for the following 1) being from Texas, 2) living in Dallas, 3) going to UT, and 4) (drum roll) liking President Obama.  One guy said he had never met anyone that admitted to liking President Obama.

I think Oklahoma it is a beautiful state.  However, they're a little envious of Texas, because they like to bash Texas; it's never occurred to me to say something negative about Oklahoma.  I can't relate.

My clients are in the oil and gas industry, and they cannot hire enough qualified truck drivers.  I was looking at the numbers and the truck drivers that work a lot of overtime can make over $85,000 a year.  That's a lot of money.  If you know any unemployed truck drivers, then send them to Oklahoma.  It's boom times in that state, and it's hard to find a hotel room in some areas.