No News Is Good!

Alright, I've been thinking for some time now that I really need to stop watching the news. I have to admit that I'm a little addicted to it. And yeah, I watch because I want to know what the weather is so as not to send the kids to school in a parka on a 70* day. Truth be told, I'm fascinated by the world. But every night it's the same thing - the same demographic, committing the same crime, in the same neighborhood. The same chosen few, performing great feats of generosity, and patting themselves on the back. Occasionally, however, there's a story that literally guts me. A story that makes my spirit cry, my body hurt, and my mind short circuit. Last night I saw one of those stories, complete with video. Live footage of a man pulling a plastic back out of a river in Brazil, opening it up and finding a newborn girl - dressed in a pretty little pink outfit with a bow in her hair. Footage of people frantically ripping her wet clothes off her and wrapping her in a dry towel. Footage of her mother being led away in handcuffs as she told the story of "giving" her child to a homeless couple because she couldn't take care of her anymore. I was stunned. I was in disbelief. I hurt. And then I thought to myself - did I really need to see that? Did I really need to know that happened? Am I a better person because I have that information now? And the answer is NO! I am grateful; relieved; happy that child was saved. But then I wonder how many weren't, aren't and will never be. That pain is too much for me. So, I've decided that from this day forward, I'm not watching the news any more. I'll get the weather information I need from other sources. I'll listen to news stations on the radio (potentially icky too, I know). I'll read the newspaper and filter out the sensational stories that gut me. Does this mean I'm going to stop caring; trying to make this world better? HELL NO! I will "Think globally - Act locally!" I will continue to "save" stray animals. I will involve myself in affairs that instinct tells me to. I will help somebody who looks like they need assistance. I will teach my children to act with empathy and compassion. I will always screw up on the side of caution rather than safety. I'd much rather piss somebody off and be wrong than walk away from something I can change. So, my point? I don't know. Just that this world is really such a beautiful place; I'm tired of feeling like it's ugly. I'm a lucky girl all the way around. I like my world. I love the fact that I'm loved. And I love the fact that I have people I love. I'm going to operate from that station for awhile.

"Because We Can"

This was the photo on Roxy's birth announcements - otherwise known as the "because we can" photo. She's a glamour queen in the making, no?

Happy Girl

Good JuJu to you my fellow Dogs!

Last night I was reminded that it is Year of the Dog! Yipee! Every twelve years we canine governed humans get a good year - a year all to ourselves! Every twelve years every animal sign in the Chinese Calendar gets their own year, but 2006 belongs to the dogs, dammit! So, in honor of this most wonderous occasion, I want to sent love and good Juju to my fellow pups:

Marcie '70

Melisa '70

Amy '70

Olivia '94

and Tonantzin '94

I hope that this year is magical for everyone, regardless!

Take care of yourselves.

And take special care of the babies, the animals, and the wise ones who have lived longer than you!

Birthday Boy

Today my beautiful Noah is 8! He is something else too. Far older than his mere 8 years. I always thought he was an old soul, and every day he proves me right. Some of the things that come out of his mouth, are not of my generation let alone his. He is charming and witty, without trying to be. He makes us laugh constantly. He has deep eyes. And he feels comfortable enough to let me hold his face and gaze into them. He beams with this unusual confidence - like he knows what great joy he has just bestowed upon me. That he has given me a great gift, letting me gaze into his hypnotic eyes. And he has. He is quite remarkable. And I'm lucky that he chose me to be his mom.
Happy Birthday Beautiful!

Spoiled Freakin' Rotten!

Bobo & Satchel

Wisdom From The Fridge

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.

You may not be able to change the world, but at least you can embarrass the guilty!

A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country

GETTING BORED IS NOT ALLOWED

I am not especially defined by my sex life, nor am I complete without it.

It's not what you know, but what you do with what you know, you know?

The best things in life aren't things

Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you're an asshole.

GOOD GUYS FINISH FIRST

Get Healthy Cameo

READ, DAMMIT!

It's all about me

And Here's A Little Something I Call...HUH?

"You can burn the American Flag,

as long as you're rolled up in it!"

- bumpersticker on the back of a TOYOTA!

FOUR Jesus fish the back of an (Ford?) Excursion

because Jesus was for mindless mass consumption

Lola Louise & Satchel

Hangin' out on the couch

Tasty Tidbits On Me

1. My favorite food is Thanksgiving dinner.

2. I used to be costume characters ie:

Scooby Doo, Rainbow Bright, etc.

3. If I don't like a persons mouth,

I have a hard time talking to them.

4. My favorite color is pinky-orange.

5. I have celebrity friends.

6. I know 5 multi-millionaires.

7. I had a ballet, based on the game of chess,

created for me to dance.

8. I have lived in Seattle, San Francisco, & San Antonio.

9. I have managed a hair salon, been a vet tech assistant, sold high end shoes, engraved stuff at a mall kiosk, worked in a deli, & been a nanny.

10. I have 4 BIG dogs, 3 cats, a rabbit, & 4 fish.

11. I used to have a pet crayfish named Crusty!

12. I love the smell of dogs feet.

13. I also like the smell of clean wet dog.

14. The sound of cats cleaning themselves

drives me nuts!

15. My hero is my mom.

16. I love dry & steam saunas!

17. I can instantly flip - as in left to right/visa versa &

front to back/visa versa- any movement combination.

18. I used to be able to play Mary Had A Little Lamb

while facing away from the piano with my hands behind me.

19. I can twitch the lower lid on my left eye.

20. My best feature is my feet.

21. I have a lot of books - none of which

I've ever read cover to cover.

22. I have a degree in art.

23. I have driven through nearly every state in the USA.

24. I have won a trip to Florida, tickets to Duran Duran,

a day at a local water park, and

a "chance" to win a Harley Davidson, on the radio.

25. I don't believe in religions.

26. I'm a feminist.

27. I absolutely love my husband.

28. I have a habit of picking "stray" animals up

in front of their houses.

29. I used to hop trains when I was a teenager.

30. I think medicinal marijuana should be legal.

31. I had a fully conscious out of body experience once -

freaked me out & I never tried to do it again.

(and no I wasn't stoned - I was meditating!)

32. My favorite word is the "F" one!

33. I will never go out on the ocean.

34. I can't stand skiing.

35. I start painting projects (rooms) at 10pm.

36. My best friend is my soulmate.

37. My son Noah & I were both born on the

Tuesday the 27th at 12:00 -

he was born at noon, I was born at midnight.

38. I used to be a vegetarian.

39. I love basketball - thanks to my dad.

40. I used to have a thing for Grizzly Adams.

41. Marcie & I sing with eachother over the phone - daily!

42. As a kid I wanted to be the president of the National Wildlife Federation!

Say Cheese

On the verge of a smile!

Roxy is 6 weeks old today! Time is such a bizarre thing - it seems like she's so new to the house, but we're already in such a comfortable groove, that it seems she's been here forever. The thing with babies is that when you're waiting for them, you wonder what shift is going to take place. Then when they finally arrive, you forget it was any different before they came. Before Roxy was here, I used to go into her room and just sit. Holding my belly, I would wonder what she was going to look like, be like. Her room became my happy place - my place of enticement, excitement, anticipation, wonder. A daughter! After all these years, I was having another baby, and she was a girl. As my best friend put it - "Cosmic Justice" was headed my way. Bring it on! Now that she's here, Roxy's favorite place to be is her room. And her favorite thing is the vintage 70's mobile Marcie passed our way after a lucky day garage sale-ing. So, we're six weeks into this lifetime journey together. And from the looks of it, it should be smooth sailing until the "justice" kicks in. Life hasn't shifted that much. But it has shifted. And it's beautiful.

The Greatest Dog In The World

So today is the 19th. Starting Monday, I'm headed back to work. Which really doesn't constitute work, as the majority of the world see's it. I work two nights a week, a total of 8 1/2 hours, and then a couple of other gigs on Tuesday and Saturday morning. Regardless, I'm headed back to work. And I like what I do. I also love the fact that what I do affords me the luxury of being with my baby. I get to spend the day with my Roxy and then make up dances at night. It's a hard life. I'm freakin' lucky!
But, as I said, I'm headed back to work. And that means one thing - Daddy has to hold down the fort. I know he can do it. Overcome. Improvise. Adapt. That's the motto around here. But I know the house will look like a hurricane hit it when I walk through the door after 4 hours of being away. As long as it's still standing and all three children are intact, I will do my best to be gracious. Happy, happy, joy, joy - overcome, improvise, adapt!

How You Doin'?

Daddy & Roxy

Beautiful Roxy - happy with the world! Evan & Noah checkin' out the view!