Xina – Our Monkey Life

Covidmas

It wouldn’t be a fitting end to 2020 if we weren’t stuck in quarantine due to possible exposure to the plague. No family. No friends. Just the 3 of us and a big old ball of stress. Gorilla works in a retail environment. Apparently his manager decided it was important that he be in theContinue reading “Covidmas”

I am not okay.

I am really not. I am depressed. I am in pain. I am struggling. It is quite literally exhausting me to keep pretending to be okay. All I want to do is curl up under the blankets of my bed, take a handful of benadryl and sleep for a week. I can’t find the joyContinue reading “I am not okay.”

What do you know now that you wish you knew then?

I recently asked this question of some parents of other LGBTQ kids. Some of the answers were sweet and some were heartbreaking. All were absolutely invaluable for me to read and take to heart. I hear many times people tell young LGBTQ people who are struggling that “it gets better”. And it does! Both forContinue reading “What do you know now that you wish you knew then?”

Future plans

Part of the reason I started this, wasn’t so much to be read as a blogger, but because I wanted a place to record our stories. I feel like everything in my life up to now has been preparing me for this moment. I want to write about it. I want to share my storyContinue reading “Future plans”

Sustenance

Feeding the family has bever been tougher. Monkey has been staunchly vegetarian for 6 months now. At first I wasn’t sure it was going to stick. He originally made his declaration with the caveat that he would still occasionally eat chicken nuggets. That exception has been since rescinded. I think he’s a lifer. Gorilla onContinue reading “Sustenance”

The best laid plans…

I had some pto to burn under the new use it or lose it policy. So decided Monkey and I would play hooky and go hiking. Then when I woke up, it was raining. So then I decided, ok, let’s go to the comic book store. Drove 30 minutes only to find they were closedContinue reading “The best laid plans…”

Trust.

I remember in 5th grade our school took us on a weekend camping trip to a state forest. I was 10 I think. One of the things we did was stand on a fence and fall back into the arms of our classmates. It was an exercise in trust. I have lost so many memoriesContinue reading “Trust.”

Meant to be.

I’m feeling reflecty. Is that a word? Probably not but I’m going with it. I have long been one to proudly proclaim that all of the choices and decisions I have made my entire life have led me to where I am right now. And I am good with where I ended up. Truly. IContinue reading “Meant to be.”

Error in judgment.

Apparently Monkey has reached the age where I can now embarrass him. Recently I had words with one of his teachers who was not following his IEP. This afternoon while visiting with my mom for Thanksgiving I relayed the story. Monkey overheard me telling her about it all and was PISSED because it embarrassed him.Continue reading “Error in judgment.”

Gorilla parenting

Ok, so I mentioned that Monkey told us last month he thinks he is gay. Honestly, this did not come as a shock to me. I’ve know since he was 2 or 3 that this was a distinct possibility. I am totally fine with this. It honestly doesn’t bother me at all. I mean, sureContinue reading “Gorilla parenting”