Where do you go?

"Where do you go when you're lonely?"

It's a line from the song "When the Stars Go Blue." It is a statement that has always intrigued me. Today I thought about it again. And in the process, got this song stuck in my head for an entire day.

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But really? Where do you go? When you are lonely, or sad, or angry, or when you just have to work things out in your head?

The commencement of the new year has brought on many contemplative thoughts for me to sort through. It actually started a couple weeks ago and my mind is in overdrive trying to figure out what I'm really doing with my life and who I want to be.

At thirty, you'd think I'd have some of this figured out by now. Some of it I do. I'm married to an amazing man and have a beautiful and very clever daughter. We aren't going to have more kids, but that is a story for another day. I'm a writer who is in the process of editing my first novel. Honestly, life is pretty good.

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However, who I am, well, that is decided each and every day. Am I kind? Do I build others up or tear them down? Do I spent money on material possessions or is it the experiences I treasure more? Do I speak positivity into my life or complain? These are all questions with answers that change every day (sometimes by the hour) depending on to many things to even try to list.

So here I am, day two into 2016 and finding myself in a very introverted mood.

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Going back to this song...

"When the Stars Go Blue"

by Ryan Adams

Catchy isn't it?

Where do you go when you're lonely and feeling blue? Where do you go when you need to sort things out, make decisions or decide who you are going to be?

I go to words. I crack open a notebook or a new document and open the flood gates of my mind. I attempt to put my emotions and vague questions into words and ideas that I can share with the world. I create fictional characters and situations to explore the depths of development that otherwise stay in my head.

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I've said it many times on this blog that if I don't write I would be insane or at the very least eternally depressed. This is my altar, it is where I go with my problems and prayers. It is where I think the best and where everything somehow starts making sense (at least as much as it is ever going to.)

Where do you go?

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I believe everyone has a talent or passion that they continuously go back to. I know people who think better with a soccer ball under their feet or a violin resting under their chin. Some go to a blank canvas that is in need of shapes and color. Others to create code that brings the magic of gaming to life. Some seek out churches or gardens. Some cook, other's travel, or sing or dance or take pictures. There is no limit to the things possible to achieve this same therapy when it comes to life.

No matter how good our life is there is always a moment that hits us where we question everything. Where we lose confidence in ourselves and sometimes even those around us. Sometimes life comes at us fast or changes without warning and we don't know how to react. We get overwhelmed and feel conquered.

This instagram post featuring One Tree Hill character Peyton Sawyer says it best...

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All we need to do is breathe.

And write. Or read. Or play. Or sing. Or dance. Or code. Or cook. Or go have a night out with friends. Or...

Where do you go?

A New Day, A New Year ... Welcome 2016!

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Tomorrow reigns in a brand new year. I can't believe another year has already come and gone! Isn't that the funny thing though, the days go by so slow, but looking back on the year feels like it is speeding by.

I'm not a fan of new year's resolutions. I haven't made a list in years. Instead, I chose to do something a little different. I decide on a word that represents a challenge for me to grow in an attempt to better myself over the course of the year. This past year my word was confidence. Over the course of 2015, I have increased my confidence in myself and my abilities greatly. I look forward to my new challenge in the new year.

In 2016, my challenge is resilience.

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Resilience has two meanings: the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc, after being bent, compressed, or stretched; and the ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like. (Dictionary.com)

I tend to shrink whenever I am challenged. Instead of defending myself, I dodge the situation often running the opposite way. Resilience allows me to bend without breaking, building upon my newly found confidence, to be able to stand up for myself.

I also tend to feel guilty whenever I make a mistake and beat myself up about it. Resilience gives me the ability to recover and move on without self-condemnation, but the determination to do and be better.

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I look forward to beginning the publication process on my novel, which I am going to need resilience as I begin to receive feedback and criticism.

I'm sure there are cases where resilience will help me that I haven't even thought about yet. I'm excited to find out how much this character trait will help me become a better me. And how it will help me overcome my fears, insecurities and depression.

I look forward to 2016 and everything it has to offer. On the other hand, I am excited for what every day has to offer, whether it's the first day of the year or the last, a Monday or a Friday. Looking back on how quickly a year goes by, I want to focus on living in the moment and enjoying every part of life, the times of quiet solitude, overcoming struggles and joyous triumphs.

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Tomorrow is a new year and with that often comes this eagerness to change who we are. I don't want that, I like who I am. However, I can always be better. I can always learn more and grow as a person. That is what I want for the next year and the next day. For tomorrow I will wake up on January 1st, the beginning of 2016, but it will also be Friday, the end of this week. And I will enjoy the day and be thankful to be alive and surrounded by family and seek out goodness.

Live well and without fear, 

laugh every chance you get 

and love with all of your heart.

Cheers, Friend!

Happy New Year!

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My Love, Hate Relationship With Winter

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Here in Seattle, WA, it's felt like winter for several weeks now. However, technically, we still have about 15 more days before the season dawns. The temperature dropped to 32 degrees Fahrenheit a couple times now. It's steadily in the upper 40's to low 50's, upper 50's on a warm day. For this Southern girl, that is cold. Though, even in South Carolina, where we moved from, it is only a high of 60 degrees today, so it seems to simply be a cold winter all around.

Another dilemma the Pacific Northwest produces this time of year is the rain. People in general have this perception about Seattle that it rains constantly all year round. That is false. We hardly get any rain during the summer, but during winter that perception is strikingly accurate. It doesn't rain heavily, not the afternoon down pours I'm used to during a Carolina summer, but it is wet--constantly.

I'm stating this as fact because I don't want to complain. I love this area and the rain is actually extremely inspiring to my writing. However, I strongly dislike being cold.

On the other hand, I love the holiday season. I love the twinkling lights brightening up downtown, the Macy's star and the Christmas tree in Westlake Park. I love Egg Nog Lattes at Starbucks and that warm feeling you get when you come in out of the cold.

I love Scout, our Elf on the Shelf, and the fun that we have. I love the joy of decorating, bringing cheer and liveliness into our house. I love baking and drinking hot tea on a cold winter's night.

Do you see my problem? I don't like the cold, but specifically because of that unfavorable condition yields the reason I take so much enjoyment in being home where it is warm and illuminated.

I have a love, hate relationship with winter. Though, in many ways, that tension is a perspective to view all of life--a series of checks and balances, of give and take. I don't like walking outside in the rain, but when I get home and get cozy and warm on the couch with a mug of coffee and a good book beside the lights of the Christmas tree, it is a happy, satisfied feeling.

The sun setting by 5pm and the rain often make me feel gloomy and stoic, but the joy of giving to family and friends and the cheer of the season gives me joy.

I'll try to concentrate more on the joy for this month. However, we'll see what this post looks like after a couple more months of this weather without the wonder of the Holidays to keep me warm.

I Write To Give Myself Strength

I have a confession to make. I am a very fearful person. I try really hard to be brave, but deep down I'm scared. Scared of what you ask. I wish I knew. It was just in this past year or so that I realized that this type of fear is actually anxiety. For example, if I say something awkward, I have a hard time letting it go. The same goes if someone says or does something that I don't understand. The problem is, these types of interactions tend to happen on a daily basis. To top it off, I have a hard time standing up for what I believe in because deep down I question whether it is the right thing to believe at all.

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I am doing better. I am now brave more often than not. I am doing things that I only dreamed of years ago, like writing a novel for one. I am stronger in my beliefs and have rebuttals instead of doubts. This partly because of an increase in confidence, but mostly due to asking myself those hard questions and being truly honest with myself in the answer.

However, I am writing this in a moment when I do not feel brave. I often say that writing is my therapy and so here I am, once again at my keyboard just trying to figure out exactly what I am feeling. I don't know if it is strength or desolation that causes me to reach out in this form. Perhaps it is just the simple ability to connect with others in hopes that I am not alone.

I have always been emotional; going from happy to mad to sad and then back to happy again in a span of minutes. I have always had some sort of anxiety in my life, now that I know how to define that feeling of hopelessness and sometimes panic. It occurs even when I know in my head that everything is perfectly fine. In addition, I've always been a people pleaser, which come to find out, is not exactly a good thing.

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These are my struggles. Some days, let me tell you, the struggle is real. I feel like just trying to get through the day is exhausting. Not everyday, thank goodness, but some days are hard. Today was not a hard day, but somehow, I am still here sitting in front of a glowing screen writing to friends and strangers about doubt and uneasiness.

Am I good enough? I don't know how to answer that. On a good day, when I have confidence and wit I would say "absolutely." But in moments like these, all I can say is "I'm doing my best and I won't give up." Some days I think that is all you can say. The trick is to believe it. To keep moving forward, to change and grow and get up ready to try again the next day or in the next moment.

So here I am, a person full of doubt pretending to have confidence and hoping that one day that confidence will be real instead of simply a shield for my uncertainty.

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I am thankful that I have a love for writing. There are so many qualities in ourselves that see us through. Music also helps me, but I'm sure it is how musicians understand the world; how athletes understand the reason for living; how artists express emotion; and how scientists discover whole new worlds. I believe we all have something in us that we turn to when we need to sort out emotions and find direction.

Writing has saved me in more ways than I can count from the time I could string letters together to make words. I have written about friendships, heart breaks, life choices, moving, falling in love, becoming a mother and now about identity, anxiety and confidence. I love writing, and I love this space I've created where I can feel comfortable about being myself, flaws and all. I am thankful for this craft and how it makes me appreciative of all things, good and bad. Most importantly, I am thankful for not being alone.

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What is Normal Anyway?

For the last, going on, four weeks now, I've been waiting for that normal routine where I will be able to get so much writing done and I will feel great and rested and well...sane. However, it's been one thing after another preventing my perfect schedule from becoming a reality.

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First, there was a week of free time between summer camp and school. That week was planned for and I looked forward to all the time with Zoey. But then the teacher's strike happened, adding 6 more days that Zoey was home when she was supposed to be in school. I enjoyed the time with her, but we had no routine because she could go back to school any day. So it ended up being a free for all where we looked for things to do and in the end beat her Skylanders Trap Team video game that she got for her birthday with of all that extra time.

Finally, she got back into school, but there was an issue with transportation. For an unknown reason, the bus wasn't picking her up in the morning and arriving extremely late bringing her home in the afternoon. This caused me great stress and time trying to figure out what was going on and what we could do about it. This is still an issue going into the third week of school.

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Just to top things off, my work schedule was changed this week due to an overnight shift to complete inventory. The evening went well enough, but it always messes up my internal clock. It got my non-existing routine off even further because my body has an unusually lethargic process to get back into the order of day and night. I felt tired and off for a couple days after that one. I'm so thankful that I was working part time or I couldn't imagine the stress I would have had during the strike. As it stood, we managed, only sacrificing routine (and writing time).

So now it's been a good three weeks since normal, and only about four weeks since my part time schedule kicked in. I still haven't had this magical time where I can write and get everything else done. I still feel overwhelmed and off balanced.

So, I propose this question...

What is normal anyway?

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I'm beginning to think "normal" is a fairy tale, an imaginary place, that we can only dream about. Thus, I'm done letting my circumstances and timing control me. I'm tired of letting things happen to me. It's time to be proactive! I'm going to sit down and make it work. So here I am, at a computer once again and let me tell you...it feels good to write.

Focus on the other hand is still a problem, but hey...baby steps.

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Looking back on my posts, I'm publishing about once a week. I want to make that three times a week. However, what you don't see are all the words going into Google Docs that make up my novel. That is what I'm really excited about. I still put thoughts on a page, but it is different to really get into the story and spend time developing characters and plot. I'm looking forward to getting into the heart of my story.

And we'll see what ends up on my blog. I love the space for thoughts and rants like this. I would usually hesitate to post something like this, but the more writers and artists I meet the more I see that these trivial things, like real life, get in the way of our creative ambitions. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in the distractions and the quest to balance family, work, social life and the need to express myself creatively. I hope to be encouraging to someone else who is going through a hard time trying to balance everything. This is my outlet, my communication and my way to understand things, including my own confusing emotions. I'm not perfect, far from it, but I'm trying. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's hard. But no matter what it is, let's do it together. You are not alone, and neither am I.

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So what is normal? I believe normal is whatever we want it to be. I don't like feeling overwhelmed and my fear is that is becoming "normal." I want to change that. So, here I am writing it down and demanding a change of myself. No more fretting about getting things done. It all happens in it's own time. It's time to take a step back, write it down, take a deep breath, edit what I wrote down and begin all over again.

So here it is...imperfections and all. What is your normal? Does it need to change?

The Best Decade Ever...Happy Anniversary My Love!

Ten years ago, September 22 fell on a Thursday. On this day a neighbor and mutual friend of mine and Stephen's invited us both to a pot luck dinner. Neither of us knew that this seemingly insignificant event would change both our lives forever.

2005

Nine years ago, September 22 fell on a Friday. I had high hopes for the day as I traveled from Clemson University in South Carolina to Orlando, Florida to visit my boyfriend who as working at Electronic Arts at the time. It was our one year anniversary and I couldn't wait to see him. What waited for me was a huge surprise: flowers, wine and a ring. I didn't hesitate to say "yes" to Stephen's proposal.

2006

Eight years ago, September 22 fell on a Saturday. We spent the day with family and friends on a beach in Treasure Island, Florida. We said "I do," smashed cake in each other's faces and drifted away on a cloud. I was then, and still am, so proud to call myself Mrs. McCusker.

2007

This year Stephen and I have been together for 10 years. That is a whole decade of living together, sharing life together and supporting each other.

A lot happens in a decade. You become a different person after ten years. Think about it. When you are age 10, you are kid. At 20 you are an adult. So wouldn't it seem logical that at 30 you become something different entirely. That every 10 years would bring a defining characteristic about yourself that you may not be able to define previously.

One of the things that I truly believe make a couple work together over time, besides honest communication, is the ability to let each other change, grow and mature. It is surely true in romantic relationships, especially marriage, but the need is there in any type of relationship.

For the last 10 years that Stephen and I have known each other, he has been playing and writing music. His music is one of his greatest assets, one of the many things that made me fall in love with him. It allowed me to see who he was and how he thought through different events and emotions. Music is how he first told me he loved me. He wrote a song and played it for me at a park in Clemson, SC one week after we met. It was a perfect evening, especially since I already knew I loved him too.

Now, 10 years later, I feel like his music has a piece of me in it. Over these years while we have met many different types of people, lived in many places, worked several types and levels of jobs, been in and out of church, witnessed births and endured deaths of several people we loved including our own three miscarriages. We have also created a life together that we cherish dearly, our daughter Zoey.

2005

We have grown and changed and overcome many obstacles together. I love that I am able to share my life, hopes, dreams, fears and short-comings with this wonderful man who always makes me feel like I am the most precious person in this world. I can do anything when he believes in me.

I has been the best decade. I am so grateful and damn lucky that I found this man that makes me better and loves me with his whole being. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will hold. And the ten after that...and so on and so forth. I am so glad that I get to spend my days and years with him.

2015

Happy Anniversary, my love! It has been the best decade. It is the greatest life. I love you!

Burning Man Sculpture Inspires

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Additional Credit: Alexi Panos

I found this piece of art on The Mind Unleashed and it really spoke to me. It was an exhibit at Burning Man this year and seemed to be one of the most powerful pieces at the festival according to commentors.

The description by The Mind Unleashed is...
"The sculpture of two adults fighting, backs to one another...yet the inner child in them both just wants to connect and love one another."

I stared at the picture of this sculpture for far longer than I care to admit just soaking in all of the meaning it holds.

Here is another photo taken at the festival:

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Additional Credit: Ana Luisa

There is a quote by Confucius that often sticks in my head, "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." 

That is what comes to mind when I look at this powerful piece of art. All we want to do in this life is connect with others, to not feel so alone. We tend to get upset or get our feelings hurt over the strangest things. For the most part, we are all just bumbling through life trying to do the best that we can. 

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Even when things are going well, we tend to make up imaginary problems, at least I do. We set these expectations or restrictions on ourselves (or others) that are unrealistic and unnecessary. While looking at this sculpture, I am reminded to let go of all the anxiety and guilt and let that inner voice call out. 

We need to reach out to others past social standings, race, gender, sexuality and just love on each other. Why do we hold ourselves back anyway? All I want is love. I believe that is all most anyone wants in life is to feel loved, productive and connected. Just look at all the social media to connect with...but is anyone really connecting?

(This reminds me of the music video to "Alone" 

by Armin van Buuren, feat. Lauren Evans.)

Somehow, over the years, I have convinced myself that I can't be who I am and be loved at the same time. I'm not even sure exactly when it happened, but at some point I realized I was holding back more than I was putting myself out there. I'm learning, finally, that is ridiculous. We are all different, we are all meant to be different. How boring would the world be if we were all the same. However, it seems that is exactly what labels try to create...a place for everyone and everyone in it's box.

I'm done with boxes and labels. I've had a hard time with labels my whole life, probably because I never really felt like I belonged to any. I've had issues with identity too and have often felt like something was wrong with me. But why? I like Joe Martino's idea to let go of the idea of having to "fit in." In a world that is trying to make everyone the same, it is time to stand out, color outside of the lines and make a difference!

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I have a lot of different ideas stemming from the sculpture at Burning Man. Many of them are random and I'm not even sure if they relate. But, that's life. It's random and doesn't always make sense. I'm done apologizing for who I am.

We all have an inner voice inside of us, a soul, that just wants to connect and be remembered. We all fight sometimes, that is the other side of us all being different. I think it is okay not always to agree, but we still have to respect one another and it always helps to try and understand different point of views. 

The longer I live the more I prove to myself that I do not know everything. I absolutely make mistakes, and say or do the wrong thing. That's life, it's messy and hard and absolutely worth it! Because life is also spontaneous, luminous and glorious. I don't want to be afraid to connect or to be myself. In a world where you can be anything...be yourself.

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Who's Been Afraid to Chase Her Dream? Yep. This Girl. Working On That...

I've started this blog post so many times only to erase it all and walk away from the computer. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time blogging lately. Yes, I know I haven't been much anyway, but all of that was suppose to change...

...let me start from the beginning.

My family went on vacation to the east coast to see friends and family a few weeks ago. I left the city tired, burned out and cranky. More importantly, I was done being tired, burned out and cranky so I knew something had to change, I just wasn't sure what.

Over the course of the two weeks we were away, I had a huge range of emotions and ideas of what to do next. I was impossible for a good bit of that time because I was so uncertain about everything, right down to my own identity.

I knew I had to be driving my poor husband crazy, but he was ever patient with me. Finally just over halfway through the trip we stayed up late one night talking and he asked me a question.

He said, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Not the cookie cutter answer you spout to people who ask, but what do you want? Think about it. What do you want to do?"

His implication was "What is your dream?"

I really took this question to heart and came up with a conclusion, one that has been following me all of my life.

I want to be a writer.

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His follow up questions were harder, "Why aren't you doing it? What's stopping you?"

Good question. I talk about writing all the time. I dabble in it. Why aren't I serious about it?

What's stopping me?

Fear.

The only thing stopping me from following my dream is...me. I'm afraid. I've always been afriad. Afraid I wasn't good enough. Afraid I would waste time and energy chasing a pipe dream. Afraid I would let everyone down. Just afraid. I've been afraid all of my life. I don't know why; I never have.

Today I am inspired to write this post because I read a blog by Wil Wheaton (yes, the Star Trek guy). Something he said really spoke to me and showed me something about myself that I would like to share.

Wil Wheaton's blog is called WIL WHEATON dot NET and this post was titled Tears in Rain. Click on the links to read it, it is really good.

Anyway, he said this...

"Part of my Depression is this voice that never stops telling me that I suck. Part of my Depression is this constant fear that everyone will know how afraid of failure I am. Part of my Depression is this relentless worrying, in the face of mountains of evidence to the contrary, that I’m never going to do anything that matters."

He put into words all the reasons I never took writing seriously. It is a little voice that says "you suck." It is a constant fear of failure. It is wondering if "I'm never going to do anything that matters." I worry that my daughter and husband won't be proud of me and it is exactly that worrying that causes me to hesitate to do anything at all.

After reading this today I realized something very important about myself. I'm not as afraid as I was once. I still have fear, but I am brave. I am learning how to function despite those fears. Right now, I'm not afraid to write. That is empowering.

In the few weeks since we've been back from vacation, I have made some changes. I went back down to part time at work so I would have more time with my family and I could focus on my writing.

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I am writing!

It seems like such a simple thing, wanting to be a writer and writing. But I had to face so many inner demons to get this far. It helps to know that others, like Wil Wheaton, can understand the weight of that struggle. 

After it is all said and done, I am more happy than I have been in quite a while. And the most rested I've been in 6 months. I have been able to spend lots of time with my family, which means the world to me. I have been blessed to be home with Zoey for five years until just this past year when she went to school. I've missed that time with her and us all together more than I realized. 

And I'm writing. I mean I am really doing it! I havn't been blogging, even though I thought that would be the easier place to start, but I've been working on my book almost everyday. It is such a good feeling to be writing again. I don't have much that I can show to others, but I can see the huge strides I am making in my work and for once that is enough for me.

I've felt a humongous wave of support from my husband and daughter, parents, family and friends that keeps my head high even as those doubts try to flood back in. I'm finally doing it! I'm chasing my dream to publish a novel. I'm done with excuses and feeling guilty for no good reason. Now I can finally write about the act of writing too. What a breakthrough!

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I don't know if anyone else out there experiences some of these same emotions. I've always feared that I was the only one who was immobilzed by fear. I'm beginning to see that isn't the case at all, there are many of us who let those little voices of doubt carry a little too much weight too often. I believe it is time I talk about it. It is when we face our fears that they become the fuel for great accomplishment. This is a good start for me.

In the meantime, I'll be writing!

Amanda

The Writer's Life For Me

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It's been about three months since I've written on this blog. Honestly, it's been that long since I have written or been creative at all. That was a mistake. I have learned at several points throughout my life that I NEED a creative outlet. If I go to long without that type of release I begin to go a little crazy. (Just ask anyone who sees me on a regular basis and they would agree.) So on the realization that I need to write again to make sense of everything that is in my head, I have once again resurrected Tales From A Mother, the blog that has been with me through everything.

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However, the choice to write is easy. Of course I want to write. The problem comes with what to write. One reason I haven't been creative is that I don't feel like I have anything to share. I've been working alot lately and when I'm not working I spend my time with my family. I feel like I've accomplished great feats if I get the laundry done or are able to read a book for a bit. So writing and creating have fallen off the list. It will now get back on and get moved to the top.

I don't know what I will write about. I don't know what I'm writing about right now. But words are coming out and thoughts somehow magically organize themselves as I write.

I couldn't pass this picture up...I feel like this is the truth of my life. Sometimes, I just feel like I am a big mess. That's why I write. That's why I read...It lets me know I'm not the only one.

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"Writing is the painting of the voice." ~Volitaire

NFL Championship Game Day!

Football plays a big part of life in our house. We all settle in the living room every Sunday (as well as most Monday and Thursday nights) to watch the NFL play. We cook lots of food and enjoy the family time.

Stephen is a die hard Patriots fan. I've never really had a strong alliance to any one team. My Grandfather cheered for the Redskins and the Panthers were the local team where I grew up. But neither of those teams captured my spirit. So, for the last nine years (the number of football seasons Stephen and I have known each other now) I've been cheering for the Patriots.

However, this year we moved to Seattle. Turns out they have a pretty amazing football team. Say good enough to win the Superbowl last year.

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Stephen is still a die hard Patriots fan. However, my loyalties have wavered. Not just because the Seahawks won the super bowl last year, but because they are a benevolent group of guys. The entire organization plays an integral part in the community.

Seahawks players, Sea Gals and staff visit patients at local hospitals during the holidays and distribute Seahawks holiday goods to the patients:

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Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and his foundation, Blanket Coverage, hosted 25 families at the VMAC and surprised them with Christmas gifts:

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Quarterback Russell Wilson is a regular face in the Seattle's Children's hospital. The hospital's patients give him a big thank you for his support and encouragement:

I am humbled and proud to live in this city where so many people are trying to make a difference in the world. The Seahawks provide a rallying point for the community. The entire city becomes infected with pride and joy at watching the Seahawks play. Whether they play well or poorly, their fans are there cheering them on and giving a roar to the game. The players and the community win together and lose together...Seattle is the 12th man.

I love this video. The artists are local and shot this video all around Seattle. Zoey's school is even featured in it (the playground) though Zoey does not appear. It shows a glimpse of the spirit found everywhere in Seattle:

Thankfully, the Patriots are AFC and the Seahawks are NFC so Stephen and I are not often at odds in our football alliances. However, today is a special day. Both teams are only one game away from making the Superbowl. Today I will cheer for the Seahawks and then later for the Patriots. I have full respect for New England's powerhouse as well.

It will be a great day in the McCusker household. Full of football, super awesome nachos and lots of cheering (hopefully no booing).

Super Awesome Nacho Dip -- Thank you Stephen!

Waking up today brought a torrential downpour. It was raining so hard our patio couldn't drain it fast enough. It rains a lot in Seattle, but it doesn't often rain hard. It is more like a constant wetness and drizzle as opposed to the sky falling out. Today though, it shall be a good day in football with a wet and intense game.

I like it when the Seahawks play at home, it's always fun to hear your weather report on National television.

The view outside our window this morning.

The city is ready, I am ready and the game is starting...

The Seattle Space Needle
Photo by Stephen McCusker

Go Seahawks!

Go Pats too because Seahawks vs. Patriots would be the perfect Superbowl! I would win either way.

Woohoo, I love football season!

***********************************
UPDATE:

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Well that day of football could not have gone better! The Seahawks battle back from behind for a magnificent win! The Patriots dominated the entire game to a glorious triumph. It was a great day of football and it leads to quite the matchup in a couple weeks. Patriots vs. Seahawks in the Superbowl...it is a win win for me and I am so excited!