While I'd like to believe that I'm forever twenty-something, the fact remains that throughout some of the trials and tribulations I was forced to endure during my actual twenties, I've grown into the person I am today. And I wouldn't go back for the world.
Sometimes I tend to define myself by what I am to different people. We all do. I'd like this to be different. I want my readers to know what and who I am to me. You'll see a lot of that in this blog anyway, so I might as well expose myself a little bit here. Wait...what? There'll be none of that.
I have Native American and Celtic roots, with some Italian thrown in. I would like to learn more about my heritage. All I really know about my ancestors is that Ijkalaka Russell (daughter of Chief Eagle Man and niece of Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Sioux) is my grandmother's grandmother, and I'm somehow also related to Sitting Bull of the Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux.
I've lived what some people may describe as boring but what I would call a drama free content life, having grown up in northern Idaho in a happy home where it was stressed the importance of love, honesty, compassion, education, friends, family, diversity and culture, and being true to ourselves. My parents encouraged us to find our own spiritual path and we took every opportunity to learn as much about each spiritual/religious path as we could. It wasn't until my late twenties/early thirties that I discovered a path which made me feel at peace with everything in my life, my surroundings, and most importantly - myself. I tend to feel most connected to my Native side spiritually, but a lot of the Celtic beliefs speak to me as well. I'm not usually one to broadcast my religious beliefs, however, due to the sensitive nature of the subject and I believe it's a private matter. I also think that we are always growing, spiritually, and while I truly feel that the core of my belief system will always remain, some details may change in time.
Although I live far away from my mom and brother, we are as close as a family can be. I don't believe a family must live close (or even want to) in order to be close. We rely on each other tremendously for strength, courage, and unconditional acceptance and love. I am fortunate that my parents brought me up as an independent individual who can thrive on her own and feels comfortable out in the world without a tether. Sometimes I think it would be nice to live closer to my family so we could spend more time together, but the area in which they live is not for me, nor has it ever been.
We lost my dad in November 2001 to leiomyosarcoma (a form of cancer) four days after I married the love of my life; two months after Kiernan was born. The smile on dad's face while holding his new little granddaughter is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I miss him every day, though I can see him in my brother's eyes, hear him in his laugh, and I know he watches over us.
I don't believe in "tolerance". Tolerance has a negative connotation and implies that while you may not like something, you must learn to live with it. I believe in adopting a positive attitude toward our brothers and sisters. Educating ourselves, and allowing ourselves to be curious about one another brings understanding and forms bonds. There are so many different people and cultures in this world, in this nation alone, it's important to expand our horizons and learn from each other.
Obviously by now you know the name of this blog, and if you know me at all it's undoubtedly clear what it means.
I'm a gypsy of sorts. Though my husband's job in the US Coast Guard pays for our nomadic lifestyle, part of my soul needs to be free from being tied to a particular area and even without his career we would move around due to my need for new surroundings and adventure. I love to dance. Just about any dancing will do as long as I can feel the music, but belly dancing is my passion. I have a free spirited carefree attitude. I need spontaneity and freedom to change my plans at any given time or I feel trapped and rebel.
Sports are more important to me than they should be. Although this blog title is football focused, I'm also a hockey enthusiast and I dig baseball. I've fallen hopelessly in love with these sports and my teams. My Sundays in the fall and winter belong to the NFL. I love everything about it; the violence and the strategic marches down the field. Forever a Seattle Seahawks fan, I haven't missed a game on television in nearly 20 years, and I've even been fortunate enough to attend several at the field. The Colts have also held a place in my heart since I was young but my devotion lies with my Seahawks. I obsessed over hockey immediately upon setting foot in the minor league arena near my hometown and have never looked back. I even play as often as I can, as long as I can find a venue. My friends would most certainly love it if the season were shorter and they scheduled fewer games throughout the week. While I never understood the intense love affair some have with baseball, I do enjoy the mellow sounds of the game over my TV and I love being there in person. Something about the boys of summer makes the duration between the schedules of the rough and tumble boys of fall and winter more bearable. I'm fortunate to have a family who shares my passion for sports.
If you have any questions regarding anything about me, feel free to visit my Q & A page and shoot me a note!
