My Last Post

Wow.

I can't believe I wrote My First Post for Denver's Tumbling Leaf (DTL) almost seven years ago. My first blog post ever.

I was new to Denver by way of Chicago, and had just switched from working in school administration back home to teaching preschool in a new city.  My family, close friends and mentors were back in the Midwest, and I had only been dating my boyfriend Mark (now husband of five years) for a few years.

The day DTL was born, I spent a good portion of an afternoon staring at my laptop at Cafe Europa, a coffee shop around the corner from our house in Denver, and I finally bit the bullet and decided to start a blog. I didn't really realize what it would entail or what the purpose would be for posting a journal online for the whole world (Ha! Who am I kidding?  A few family members and friends, and a few less strangers) to see.

Basically, my new friend Jill that I met in Denver (now my best friend) was a blogger and I thought it was the coolest thing EVER.  (I still do.) And I kinda sorta wanted to be just like her. (I still do.)

***

In preparation for writing this farewell post, I spent the last few days reflecting on my old posts.  There aren't many - about 100 over seven years. I noticed that DTL quickly became a vessel for my self-discovery, whether or not I recognized it at the time.  I continue to learn about myself as I read and reread old posts, and notice patterns and nuances that once baffled me.

For instance, I only wrote ONE post in all of 2008.  At first I pondered, "Hmmmpfff.  Slacker.  What the heck were you doing with yourself in 2008?"  And then I read the post and it all came back to me.  Oooooooooh.  Duh.  A few things, actually.  I got married.  Was diagnosed with ADHD.  Quit my preschool teaching job.  Started grad school.  Went on a honeymoon.  Was diagnosed with a bladder disease.  Had my first recognizable bout of major depression.  Lost about 20 pounds.  And then turned 30-years-old five days into 2009.

DTL disguised itself as a form of free therapy. There were the Thingportants, Friday Fumblings, The Sunday Tumble, and the If You Really Knew Me series.  All vehicles in their own way to help kick start the connections necessary for me to cultivate positive change.  

***

Centered around a theme of "turning over a new leaf - again, and again, and again," this little online journal became a constant for me during a time of change, opportunity, heartache, growth and new beginnings. DTL slowly grew into a painstakingly honest snapshot of my life whenever I needed a creative outlet.  I'm glad that I used DTL exactly the way I intended:  for "seeking support and motivation as I twist, turn, and tumble through life."

When I was incredibly down on myself and feeling stuck and hopeless, I could fumble through a new DTL post and eventually gain a little perspective.  When I couldn't muster a phone call to a friend or family member or ask my husband for help, I would tumble into a DTL post and hope to later find a comment from a reader- an indirect and silent rally of reinforcement.

The process of tumbling and fumbling down that leafy memory lane has been surprisingly bittersweet.  I'll admit that DTL wasn't filled with award-winning writing or profoundly life-changing content for the masses.  But it was my first "blogging baby", if you will, and I'm proud of what it is, was, and will be to me in the future.

***

To my family, my friends, and some strangers out there in the blogosphere, thanks so much for your love and support over the years. I invite you to join me on my newest blogging adventure by following my new blog, The Rambling Richter. 

Farewell, DTL.
Twisty, turny, tumbly, fumbly...RAMBLE ON!

Fondly,
-Chrissy

Coined: Kardashiastache

As I was searching through some old DTL blog posts today, I came across a draft that I never finished (or posted) called "Coined: Kardashiastache."  It immediately brought a smile to my face, so I thought I'd finish it today.  Here it is, in all its blory (blog glory).  Enjoy!

Kardashiastache:  noun.  - facial hair on any member of the Kardiashain family.

(Photo credit: http://kimkardashian.celebuzz.com)

One evening a few years ago, my best girlfriends and I were enjoying some wine and trashy reality television when, alas, kardashiastache was coined.  I can't remember exactly how or why, but I think I have the E! network to thank for the awesomeness that ensued that evening.

Ever since that night, I began to believe that we're smack dab in the middle of a "coining craze" - the process of making up words by smooshing two of them together to make one fantastical kitschy new word.  This linguistically radical fad truly gives me the giggles.  But is it a fad? Or is the murds (making up words) fun here to stay?

Entire websites like this one and that one have been dedicated to the coining movement, but who knows? Could K-Stew and R-Patz eventually go back to being called (gasp!) simply Kristen and Robert?

Since the fate of this vocabularvention (vocabulary invention) trend is unknown, I'd like to pay homage to a few of the clever murducts (murd products) that continue to leave me in stitches.

Brangelina has been around for quite some time.  

Menver as well. 

Tannorexia one of my personal faves.  

ambivilane the striped area by an exit ramp where people often pull off when trying to decide "Is this my exit?"

Fashole thanks, Joan Rivers! 

Finally, in sincere celebration of this frocess (fun process), and with the utmost respect and admiration of the murduct coiner Akiram Glockem,  I leave you with this...  

-DTL

Graduation Day

During our stint as students at Life's Wondrous University (LWU), we're bound to fall into a semester or two of downright really tough times.

The LWU Unwritten Student Handbook clearly states that, "Each pupil has the right to deal with difficult situations on their own terms, in various ways."  (Well, in America, "Land of the Free," anyway!)

Some choose to write in a journal or organize a pow-wow with friends.  Others take a walk, drink, eat or sleep. Countless strategies have been developed and utilized by LWU alumni in order to get back on track.

Life's alluring draw is that it boasts an infinite number of opportunities for graduation days.  Landed a promotion at work?  Diploma!  Had your first child?  Diploma!  Made a life-changing mistake, but made sacrifices and worked hard make things better?  Diploma!

The better part of this past year has been pretty rough for me.  Let's just say that I've put myself on academic probation...  Details of my difficult semesters do not matter at this juncture.  What matters is that I've been routinely working with an LWU school counselor.  And the hard work has paid off.

I'm proud to admit that today I celebrate yet another graduation day.
-DTL

Pencil Me In

"Is it rude to sign a greeting card in pencil?" my friend Jill wondered out loud at her going-away party at my house last September.

I'm sure there are many different answers to that question.  (Emily Post may agree or disagree, however...)

In my humble opinion, the simple fact that someone took the time to write heartfelt words, package them up in a lovely card and present them to a loved one is the complete opposite of "rude."  

The deep thinker in me chooses to take it a step further, and view the "pencil" symbolically.  As a metaphor for dealing with life's events.  An elaboration:

-The fact that my best friend Jill lived in Denver for six years and recently moved to Des Moines reminds me that many things in life are not permanent.  We penciled Jill in as a "Denverite," and that doesn't quite apply now.

-The idea of "erasing" said pencil marks can look different to a variety of people.  To some, the erased marks can fade so much that over time, they can be completely forgotten.  One can choose to view the eraser as a tool for starting fresh.

-To me, pencil marks are permanent, whether you see them or not.  The words written in Jill's card to me may fade over time, but the message will stay with me always.

Crayon, Sharpie marker, blood, whathaveyou -- the gesture is what matters most.

On a lighter (or darker...you choose) note, since it's December 31st today, it's only fitting that I reflect on some of the things I've "penciled in" over the past year.  I'd make a detailed list below, but I think you get the jist. (I'll sit down with my pencil on my own time and crank it out...) Deep down I'd love to permanently erase some of my pencil marks from this past year, but I realize that they will permanently remain in my heart and contribute to my life's complete sketch.  Faded, worn or smudged to oblivion, they're my own personal marks, and I'm happy to have them.

Here's to creating sharp, strong and lasting (or lightly-pressed and smudged) pencil marks in 2012!  

-DTL

Introducing...Pretty with Pelvic Pain!

I realize my last few posts have consistently been about my interstitial cystitis.  IC has taken over my life a bit lately, which hasn't left much time to blog about much else.  I do have more exciting life stuff to share, such as the kitchen remodel my husband and I are in the midst of, our new car, my brand new job, etc.  Lots to write about...I promise to elaborate soon!

In the meantime, I want to introduce a fellow blogger. Meet Pretty with Pelvic Pain, also an IC-er, who seems to struggle with pain and pain management way more than I do.  If you are so inclined, check out her blog.  

My inclination is that the random support will mean more to her than any of us realize.

More to come!

Thanks for reading,

-DTL