A Tribute to Love

Brownie Love (courtesy of Allison)
True Love
Father & Son Love
Puppy Love

A visit with Jackson

Photo and person of the day

This is my friend Nate. This is Nate in his 'picnic' shirt. I told Nate this morning that I liked his shirt and he told me he has a pair of shorts that match, but that he doesn't wear them to work, although he does wear the shirt and the shorts together outside of work. So of course I had to take a picture.

Nate is awesome. Seriously - I wish you knew him (for those of you who don't). He's a very interesting person. He teaches bible study to youngins' even though he's a youngin himself - and yet he's not judgmental of me at all when I say inappropriate things or curse. He has a sweet wife and cute baby girl. He's funny and laid back and works in customer support - and honestly you have to be a special person to put do that job well and he is and he does.

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!

What I've learned

It hit me last night, hard, that no matter how long a person lives it's never long enough, especially for those they leave behind. 99 years is not enough time.

Yes you can be lucky enough to have your grandma for all of your 37 years (and counting) and yes you can be comforted by the fact that they lived and are living a wonderful happy life but when it comes time to say goodbye I'm selfishly just not ready.

Rick & Rob

I got Steve an iPod for his birthday and Spence is enjoying it - his two favorite songs: Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield and Dragula by Rob Zombie - I'm a proud Step-Mom!

Jan 16th

It's Bugg's birthday today. He's had a birthday dinner, birthday lunch and a broken chocolate b-day cake. He's also opened his presents and cards - feeling pretty special - and he should b/c he is.

Grandma has been in and out of the ER/Intensive Care and hospital for the last several weeks. She went back in the other night - her little heart is just not as strong as it used to be and it's not pumping things around as well it should or needs to be. Options are being considered - Grandma's option is "Eat Drink and Be Merry". I love her and I don't want her to go.

Posting some random pics from Xmas time that make me smile.

Super Sunday

We got so much done today. Groceries - check. Manicure - check. Care package contents complete - check. Pictures & transom from the farm hung - check. Laundry done - check. Bird feeder set up - check. Dinner made - check. Love when I can check check check things off my list!

Ahhh....Snow

It's been snowing these wonderfully light fluffy delicate flakes for the last few days and it's beautiful. Woke up this morning to the following scenes.

Paint and Canvas

We tried our hand at painting last night. So MUCH FUN!!! A little vino, some paint and lots of laughing. Can't wait to do it again!

Pictures

lots of pictures from Dec including the sweet b-day cake Bugg picked up, the owl book ends he got me, and the nightstand and dresser I got for a steal for Spence's room.

99 Red Balloons

My Grandma turned 99 earlier this week. We went to visit her and the rest of the Ohio family this past weekend to celebrate December birthdays and Christmas. As a side note - a few weeks ago she had a heart attack - mild as the docs put it - but really at 99 how mild can it really be? It was scary but she pulled through and is back to her 'old' self. And not to brag - but seriously folks - my grandmother is amazing. Heart attack aside she has aged gracefully.

She of course walks a little slower and hears a little less as she approaches the century mark, but she's still sharp. She still tries to get in her exercise, watches what she eats, reads, participates in activities and cares about her hair and makeup. She doesn't look 99 by a long shot and she has the cutest little butt that honestly I would die to have - which may sound weird but you know what I mean.

This weekend she was sporting a new necklace. It was quite fashionable and when I commented on it she told me she picked it out herself at the jewelery party they had at the assisted living home where she lives. Something about being 99 and still giving a flip about your jewelry AND being sharp enough to pick out something your hip young granddaughter would wear amazes me.

My hope is, if I'm lucky enough to live that long that I can be like her and not spend my days and nights in a diaper and/or having to pick my boobs up off the floor so I don't trip on them. (And if I do have to worry about the boob issue I hope Bugg is there with me to help!)

The friendly skies

It's been awhile since I've had much to say. But thanks to the sarcasm of the guy at the airport trying to sign people up for a Southwest Credit Card I've found my voice again - and it's pissed.

Bugg and I arrived at Gate C9 about 10 minutes ago, happy, full of coffee, and ready for our trip to Ohio to spend the weekend with the birthday girls; Jewels, Mom, and G'ma. As we approached the gate to sit down and wait to board, a Southwest credit card sales guy asked if we wanted to sign up for 'free travel'. I politely declined with a 'no thank you' and a smile. Then he said under his breath with more than a hint of bitch - 'fine, if you want to pay for it'.

That flipped on my bitch switch and I turned and curtly said "being a smart ass is not a good way to get business".

I was fuming - that pit of the stomach fuming you get when you have to make an ass of yourself b/c of something some other ass did. And fuming b/c damn it - keep your comments to yourself.

A letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams

MARCH 31, 1776
ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS

"I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.

"Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.

"Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.

"That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up -- the harsh tide of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend.

"Why, then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity?

"Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the (servants) of your sex; regard us then as being placed by Providence under your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that power only for our happiness."

How we spent most of our weekend

Natchez Trace Fall Peep show

A few weekends ago B and I went for a drive on the Natchez Trace to check out the fall foliage.The pictures of the trees didn't download for some reason. I'll work on that but for now you can enjoy looking at me, VB3, and the small waterfall.

Ya makin' me angry

This morning on the news there was a story about a bit of controversy surrounding a new billboard that went up in the area. The billboard says, 'Not Religious? You're not alone.' It was paid for by a group called Secular Life - and it is twisting the knickers of the Bible Beaters here.

Secular Life says they are not here to Bible bash but rather provide people who aren't religious a support group/network. This may or may not be true, I don't know anything about the group but the spokesman that was on the news seemed fairly level headed...doesn't matter...point is, they still have the right to put the billboard up.

This is what one local BB had to say: "It just absolutely wrong place, wrong town, wrong timing," said Green Hills resident Donnie Cude.

"It's a slap in the face to the Nashvillians and the people who have a strong foundation and do so much good for this town," said Cude.

"Do I respect that they're able to do that? Have to. Do I agree with them? No, I don't," said Cude.

I don't see how it's a slap in the face - I'm a Nashvillian - I don't feel like I've been slapped in the face. Thanks for your opinion Mr. Cude - but I'm sure you don't really respect one damn thing about Secular Life - your "have to" comment pretty much sewed that up.

The fact that the BB's are ticked makes me smile b/c it makes them more self righteous than usual - which is always fun to watch.

They can of course be ticked off - that's their right, BUT they really just need to zip it. It's not on the news every time they put up one their 'religious' messages on billboards. Fair is fair man.

So if the BB's continue to put up their "HELL IS REAL", "ABORTION IS MURDER", "WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY", and "JESUS" billboards then they can do like Jesus says and turn the other cheek if the other side wants to voice their opinion.

I'm sick of having people's religious and moral opinions shoved in my face - sick of it. Remember - when you're pointing your morality laden finger at me there are three more pointing right back at you. Oh and also - Jesus may love you but I'm his Favorite.

Domestic Bliss

This weekend we spent a lot of time doing domestic house type things. We bought a new dryer since the one we bought from the landlord a month ago decided to quit working last week. Bugg shopped around and we got a deal and then he spent much of the weekend doing laundry - 8 loads to be exact. Bless him.

I did the grocery shopping and organized and cleaned the pantry and discovered that there is something extremely satisfying about having a well stocked, well organized, clean pantry. I friggin' love it! I love just opening the door and checking out how nice it looks.

We also got a tv stand/media console, to use the adult terminology,the kitchen is almost done, and the other rooms are coming together - minus the living room which will hopefully have some direction after Wed night, first mortgage payment has been sent, and we got visited by a few trick -or- treaters. Oh - and an extra hour of sleep - not a bad weekend!

Shout out to John Bailey out there in ND!

An interesting site near the house

Halloween

We had one trick-or-treater - which means there's a good deal of candy left. I stupidly bought candy that I'd want to eat if there was any leftover.

Here are some pics from the work Halloween party.

Karma revisited

I have something on my mind - and it all came together while watching My Name is Earl. Yes - My Name is Earl. So Earl has just discovered Karma and is amazed at how if you do good things good things will happen to you...and for the most part I have always believed that too, in a very general way (not a tit for tat kind of thing but overall do good and good will come back). I also believe that if you do bad, a shit storm of wrath will (or should) come your way.

But sometimes it doesn't seem to happen that way in life. The good people get the shit storms and the evil ones never seem to get their due.

I know it's not my place to administer justice or wrath and I should focus on shoveling out grace and kindness, but in the tiny black part of my heart there is an ember of hope that the Karma shit storm will find it's way to those deserving few. But then does that make me deserving of a storm? Does that defeat the whole purpose of Karma - or is it human nature to want to see a little vengeance in action?

The reason for this latest round of internal(ongoing) debate involves cancer hitting two people I find very dear and I can't help but be a little angry and wonder where the hell Karma was/is?

A family friend recently died after years of battling cancer. She was an angel - I'm telling you - an angel here on earth. She had already lost her husband a few years ago to a form of cancer. Their two kids (who are adults now) no longer have a mom or dad. She was a true believer in God and I'm sure she's up there happy but it still makes me question things.

Another family friend was recently diagnosed with ovarian and colon cancer. She isn't even 50 and just saw the birth of her first grand baby a year or two ago. She is the sweetest, most loving person - and really deserves to see her grandchildren grow up. I hope she does. No I pray she does. I pray to Karma, God, Jesus and Mary that she does b/c I don't think I can accept the other option.

It just does not seem fair - but like Bugg says "the fair only comes to town once a year".

I've just been bad about posting lately...

This weekend was great! Parents were here and we made progress on the house and just enjoyed hanging out together. As an extra bonus Steve and Spencer came back early from camping out and so we got to spend time with them too.

Perfect cup of coffee this morning from DD and the sun is shining finally!

A letter to my fairy godmother

Dear Fairy Godmother,
Please send me money so that I may purchase a new work wardrobe for fall/winter.

Eternally Grateful,
N.B.

Naming your child Princess or some derivative thereof needs to stop.

Retouch much?

This is ridiculous - and ugly.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/image-of-ultra-thin-ralph-lauren-model-sparks-outrage-521480/

Saturday at the Circus

Steve's parents took me, Steve, Spencer & Lily to the circus on Saturday. The Shriners put it on every year. This is our second year seeing the show. Some of the highlights:

There was a David Lee Roth looking Big Cat guy. He had on black spandex pants with some side fringe, his hair - a 1980's looking blond shag, and his dance moves consisted of high kicks, turns, and leaps as he 'dazzled' us with his ability to control the angry tiger beasts.

The contortionist was ridiculously good - at one point she bent her body in half (legs over head)and held herself up by her teeth.

The ring master - a woman - was annoying as ever with her drawn out announcer voice - innnnn...creee.......diiiiiibbbbllllllllllleeeeeeeee.

Behind us a grandma felt it necessary to loudly give a play by play to her granddaughter - who was old enough to sit and watch it on her own without the added drama.

The elephants were impressive - if not a little sad. I feel sorry for them. The hot pretzel was good. The kids had fun and we ate at the German place on the way home - they had a cute polka band playing and crazy good apple strudel. Not a bad Saturday.

Could I get a 5 day weekend please?

Had a good weekend but I really need to catch up on sleep! Saturday night Snooky & Michelle came in from Lexington and we all went to see the Black Crowes at the Ryman.

Some more boxes have been unpacked, we have towels and rugs for our bathroom, and we've even talked some with the neighbors. Steve has been cleaning the old house and taking care of lawn type things at the new house. He got a cheap lawn mower off Craig's List and mowed the yard Sunday and tonight he seeded the back yard.

We spent a few hours on Sunday finishing up the cleaning at the rental after a much needed nap and we've been watching random old movies from Netflix (Predator, Airplane, Animal House, and Blues Brothers)as we patiently await the installation of our cable.

It's very slowly coming together and yet there's so much to be done to fill in the gaps but we'll get there.

ALS Walk

So me your udders!

This is where I stayed last night - in Belmont, WI. The only thing off the exit was the Baymont Inn, The Crazy Cow Saloon, and a BP.

This has been a great trip so far, good weather, pretty scenery, nice people - and indecent cows.

On my way to land of cheese and cheese heads!

Say Cheese

Thanks to an air card thing-a-ma-jig I have internet access for the time being. It's weird being disconnected from the usual media and info suspects - TV/Internet. We've been watching movies and I finished a book I started before we moved, but it would take some getting used to not having the comfort of the TV on a regular basis.

It's also taking some getting used to being in a neighborhood - the last place we lived there were only a handful of houses on our street and not a lot of coming and going - that and we lived mainly in the den which was in the back of the house. You could walk around naked beating your spouse and no one would bother you. Here though it feels like every time you go out your front door there's a neighbor saying hi. No more naked spouse beating. ( I have no idea where the spouse beating came from - it was either that or clubbing seals and I thought that might be even more offensive)

I don't mind the neighbors or the lack of privacy much; it's something that time and curtains/blinds will remedy, it's just a definite adjustment.


I'm headed to WI this afternoon to do another rock n roll campus tour. I'm sure my fans are already lined up waiting to get a peak. Ha. This one is going to be better than the last; we've got a souped up PowerPoint and my nerves aren't as bad. Rock on!

Getting settled in the new house. Unpacking going well first shower, violet is sniffing everything and spence is playing. No cable or internet for who knows how long.

Headline: Fallout over Obama Comment

President Obama called Kayne West a jackass regarding his 'performance' at the MTV VMA's and there's supposedly a fallout.

A politician tells the truth and there's a fallout. I know I know some would rather shout out 'You Lie' but in this case he got it right - Kayne is pretty much a jackass.

Slow news day.

First Home

We move into our new house on Friday. We closed yesterday and overall things have gone very smoothly and quickly. We are as packed as we can be and still live and have been eating a lot of fast food or microwave dinners - yuck!

I know I should be excited and happy and I am but more than anything I'm a giant bundle of nerves and anxiety. It's easing as we get closer to move date but this is a huge deal and I'm having a lot of anxiety about the responsibility of home ownership - co-ownership but still. I would assume this is normal and I know there's a lot more in life to be anxious over but I'm still nervous.

Soon it'll be home sweet home.