Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

Look, if you haven't seen this show then you are an unforgivable turd who lives life boring the shit out of everyone around you. First, the animation is delightful and addictive. As soon as the theme song starts, you should immediately start dancing. That's the only way to do it. I'm not saying this is educational tv, but it's better than being put through a series of learning programs on Noggin (which I love by the way, but can only stomach so much of) and not as bad as letting him watch . . the Simpsons, the Oblongs or Family Guy. It's clean, it's funny, it's adorable, it'a entertaining. Check it out on Cartoon Network. I sit down and watch it everytime it's on for a little lighthearted pick-me-up. I'm trying to do this crazy new thing called "Live Today". Try not to think about yesterday too much and avoid thinking about tomorrow a whole heck of alot as well. Seriously, thinking about something that hasn't happened is a total waste of time. Today is Today and in the exact moment when it happens, it's the only chance you will get to experience it. So, at the risk of sounding wholly cliche, stop and smell the bluebonnets, reach in and feel the texture of a plant's leaf, listen to the crickets and frogs and birds in your yard. On a cool summer evening, go outside and plop your ass down in a chair and stare at the sky, touch the fireflies and have a goofy conversation with your 4-year-old, or husband, or wife, or sister, or mom, or dog, or cat about what it would be like to ride a shadow, or whether you've ever seen a ghost, or what would happened if it rained lollipops. Last night, Jake and I sat outside in chairs facing each other with our legs wrapped up singing "Cowgirls, Cowboys won't you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out tonight, etc." Jake made up verses and we talked about the shadows. Our shadows have become our new friends who often play with us in the mornings. I have spent so much of my life worrying about the past and fretting about the future and it's this little fella I grew from a very small seed that has finally made me realize that it's this very moment that counts the most. And with that said, I'm going to make the most of this one and go do yoga to start the day.

Playdough

O.K. so I tried to start a new blog but I realized that it was stupid so here is the one post that was at that blog. I also linked to a really cute site where you can learn how to do other cool things with your kid, wife, cousin, niece, nephew, dog, alone, whatever. Hit the title of this entry. I've been doing a little baking so I might give you a bit of a how-to on that next time and I might even do a little starter (sourdough, that is). Yeah, call me Marta Hewlert or something. Sorry for the icky pics but to be honest, playdough isn't pretty to get to, just fun to play with, smell, taste and eat and . . . I'll stop there.
PLAYDOUGH, PLAYDOH, PLATO, ETC.
2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
1 teaspoon of food coloring (always use more).
2 tablespoons of oil
2 cups of water
1 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Cook it in a saucepan over a medium heat and you will get a soft, lovely, pliable playdough that is not only fun to play with, but yummy to eat. No silly, don't eat it. Make the alphabet with it. We always make tons of it because it lasts forever. Try not to get too stressed. It's messy and it should be. We forget how to be friends with our kids, so busy to make sure they are good little humans that arn't offending anyone. Just remember, who they are now is only a fraction of who they will become and what you do now will determine every bit of what they will become. Think about it. They get in our way and slow our day down. Oh, if only I could have a cup of coffee in solitude. Solitude will come your way. It's called "old age" and who you are now will determine who is by your side in 40 years. I would love to have Jake come by and visit me in my garden when I'm 80. What would you like?

My Red.

I dedicate this blog to the best little girl that ever came into my life. I just hope that someday I see her spirit running through the mist of the Shoal Creek dog park. I would love to see that smile just one more time. Baby girl, I love you. And Papa and Jake and Gus do to.

My Little Girl

On Saturday, April 15th, my sweet girl Red died. I was gone out of town and she died here at the house with Gus. She was the world to us, the glue in the family factory. There is a hollow place in our world now. We loved you Little Red Dog.

Oh sew Quickly...

I have no time to post. My life is a mess. Oh Calgon, take me away. So, when you drink too much Vodka it makes your brain dry up. Ouch. Come on brain, relax. Oooh. Jake is screaming. I am so excited because I have signed up for a beginners sewing class at First Samples and am going to pushstart my dream of being a DIY clothing designer. Woohoo. If you are interested you can click on the title to this entry and it will send you to thier sight. I read about it in the crappy Austin American Statesman (don't get me started on our great newspaper) and decided to muster up the $120 bucks to do it. I don't see why it seems like I never have time to do anything for myself unless I wake up at 5am, an then it's only yoga, but I'm happy about that. I just need time to sew. I also picked up a book about making clothes out of t-shirts, 108 ways to redesign a t-shirt. You can even make a bikini, as if, I'm packing this chunky belly into any bikini, oh god, give me back my skinny body, pleeeeezzzeeee. My Jake is filled with so many words. He's currently telling me how he spits on monsters and chases them up trees. I love the little fellow, he calls his burps "amaaaazing". I had him say his prayers today from school. It's so cute. I'm not religious but there is something about hearing your child say a prayer he has memorized and talking about God. It's a part of him that comes from somewhere else and has no connection to me. I feel like, in this space, he can teach me something. O.K. just wanted to spit out some words. Must get ready for soccer practice. Check out the slowly evolving link list. I have tons more, just give me time.

Would you be Interested?

I also write poetry and would love to share some with you as I start to get a creative urge. I haven't downloaded all of them onto my blog but here is one and there is a sampler at joannafried.blogspot. Just hit the title entry.


Mama

Streaming tears
melting
hearts foot soldiers
stand-by
Carry, carrying
to carry
I drive forward
unrelenting tears
silkening downward
ever scolding,
a stance
set forth by others
trying tears
plying, flailing, failing
again upright
mine
beats now,
mine
cries now
flying tears
with force and intention,
I melt to tender touches,
hearing
Mama,
Mama,
Mama


Also . . .here are some mamaku's that DID NOT get published at austinmama.com. oh well.

mom mommymommy
mama mama mommy mom
mom mommy mama

mom, play trains with me
just one minute, just one sec
mama play trains, please


Here's another:

Lost.
win a new set of emotions
experiences turn
over memories
relied up
on
expect a hand slung back
searching
a soft curve of
a neck, fitting snuggly
a sweet smell
in a tendril tasted
sleep
a heart cracks
the thought
a smooth clean feel
crossing lips
read deep my heart
can’t think
dreamt lost, signs
telling
at each bay
bliss missed
preciously
arrives late


Anyway, I only have a little time to post and poems are rambling through my head. If I died tomorrow, they would be what marked my life, filled with harsh reproaches towards my loves, and gentle caresses to my son.

A Lovely Day

It's a beautiful spring day and Jake and I just took off for a walk around the neighborhood checking out houses and looking for garage sales. No luck. I pulled him in his red wagon and got a nice little workout and he finally decided that a nap would be good. When we came home, I lifted him out of the trailer and carried him inside, his 42 lbs. wrapped around me, he lifted his head just enough to give me a kiss on the neck. We wonder why we got into this parenting thing, but for moments like these. I carried him into his room and we fell on his bed hugging each other. Both of us dozed off and now the house is quiet with both boys crashed in each room (Dad and the Jakester). I am hoping to take this time to squeeze in an hour of yoga, as I was too exhausted to try this morning after a late night at Shannon's Art Opening. Can I just keep linking to her site since she has the most wonderful pieces that hint at "springacoming" and often symbolize the love for children both here and there. She's really accomplished something cool with her art. Oh Shannon, if you ever bother to read this, put your artist's statement in your website. It's cool. Speaking of art, I pryed Jake away from the TV for awhile the other night and we did felt replications of ourselves. I've decided to start torturing you with bad art pieces that might actually get good over time, so that's what you see here. I'll take any art project these days and am hoping to try and take a class at Laguna Gloria soon. I figure one type of art might lead to another, you never know. Laguna Gloria offers so many great art classes ranging from painting, to computers and even a little metalsmithing and jewelry making, and textiles. I could live there. I am the most artistic unartist I know, or is it unartistic artist. Hmm. I'm reading Love and Logic, a guide on parenting. From what I can surmise over the 1st chapter, it's mostly about offering options and being sympathetic to the demise your child has gotten themselves into. I really enjoy it. "Oh, I'm sorry you have to go to your room because you are talking back to me, maybe next time you won't talk back and then you can stay here and play." This works for me . . .it' so much better than, "Goddammit, I told you to stop fucking talking back to me, get the hell out of my face." Not that I would talk like that, but I swear the thought has gone through my head a couple of times. I did not know that a 4-year-old could be a smartass, but apparently, when it's my son, yes, a 4-year-old can be a smartass. Oh well. You can check it out by clicking the link on my title entry. Meanwhile, it's almost 4pm and I'm gonna try to jam out some Kundalini, clean the house and maybe sew today. Everyday, I try to sew today. What do you try to do every day, but never do? How about you go out and grab some sunshine and remember that the only thing that is standing in your way of today, is you. Make some art, do some yoga, smell the fresh air and kiss your kiddos, pooches, cats, hamsters, birds or wife. Just go give some love.

Yes!!

I figured out the links. Maybe I will get this HTML shit.

Seeds to Sew

It's been a good day. I think I'm getting the hang of this work thing, no help from my liberated sista's. I'll get it, just in time for Jake to head off to school. Who knows what I'll do if another one comes along. A while back I mentioned Hip Home Ec. It's a groovy site and book where you can learn, do and interact with all sorts of crafty mamas, of which I aspire to be. I once took a crafter quiz and discovered that I might be best suited for baking and gardening. I'm not good with exact sciences and I love to get my hands dirty. Even though my aspirations are towards sewing, I will admit there is nothing at all more delightful than sticking my very non-manicured fingers into a big pan of bread dough or a moist pile of soil. Today, I did the latter. I had to take care of business during the 1st half of the day, but after lunch, Jake and I got busy digging up 1 of 2 garden plots in our backyard. Jake lost interest pretty quickly but I could not get enough. I couldn't believe how much YAAC (Yoga at all Costs) is really paying off. I had so much more strength than even a year ago and my sustaining squat quota really hung in there (ie. I was able to squat for long periods of time). I was proud of myself. I tilled away for a good couple of hours and then did the craziest thing which I'm sure will result in a barren garden. I just started digging holes and dumping packets of seeds in them, covering them with soil and watering the hell out of them. I got those suckers drunk. I discovered that Sunflower Seeds are just that, Sunflower Seeds. Amazing. I planted a couple of different types of Sunflowers, some Butter Marigolds, some creeping fuzzy thing and a red hot chili seed of some sort. My neighbor picked us up some strawberry plants so I dug some holes for them and stuck them in the ground too. I have no idea how this will all work out, but I'm sure my arms will be sore tomorrow. I love the idea of just tossing a bunch of seeds in and seeing what happens. I've tried the exact science of gardening and not only was it boring, it was unsuccessful. Jake had fun but he hates bugs and we have some nasty red bug that loves Box Elder leaves. I am baffled as to how to deal with it and can't stand the idea of living with it. I plan to get busy studying a very cool, fun and well designed book called "You Grow Girl". It's connected to a website that is linked to my title. No, I haven't gotten around to fixing my link page, as well as buying my shelves, organizing my desk and catching up on my bills. If I didn't have something I was procrastinating on, what the hell would I have to do.
I captured a thought while gardening. Recently, during a catering, I was standing at a buffet line describing the food we were serving and having mild chitter chat with the guests of the party. I explained that I was able to answer any question the guests might have and one fella said, "Whoa, then I'll ask you what next weeks lottery numbers are, haha" and I said, "Yea, if I knew them I wouldn't be here, hahaha". Then he said, "there is the whole meaning of life question" and I just laughed. My brain starting clicking as I realized that I had not even thought about that issue since the inception of that wondrous young boy we call Jake. I decided that the question must of only arisen after mankind had reached a point of being able to actually choose to not have children. I deduced that the real answer to the question, "why are we here" is to bear children, populate, reproduce, to continue the species, to have children that carry on this one of many species called Human. It keeps it simple. It's a legacy, atleast for me. It's what we take with us when we die, if you want. Or, you don't have to. Thanks to science. And it's good that we have a choice. I guess I was just realizing that I quit pondering my life's existence after Jake. For me, it was all about him. Jake really put it in to perspective and made me realize how huge it is to have a child or my own. I'm sure there are those out there who may regret it. . .I remember hearing how big of a life changer it could be. I really never acknowledged those comments. But now, when I see a couple who is pregnant, with what is obviously their first one. You know the types, thier hair still looks stylish and they have hip clothes on and you can tell they are getting 8 hours of sleep or more, well, I just want to walk up to them and say, "You have no idea what is about to happen to you, words cannot explain the flood of emotion and the sense of responsiblity that you are about to undertake." But, I don't, I just smile and remember when Jake was inside my belly, and . . well, I wish for another chance like that. O.K. Off to walk the dogs.

Got Love if you want, babe.

I hate to do this to you guys but I'm so on the fucking Kinks and I found a better lyric link. This one is way easier and not so many pop-ups. I love lyrics, it's poetry in action. I started on the Kinks because I couldn't get "Stop Your Sobbing" out of my head. When I popped in the CD I came across this song and I can't get enough of it. Jake even loves it. Good harmonica. Anyway, you know. Shake it.

Got love if you want, babe
Got love if you want, babe
I got love if you want it
I got love if you want it
I got love if you want it
You don’t ask all the while[? ]
You don’t ask all the while[? ]

I love you little woman
I love you little woman
The way your hair hang down
The way your hair hang down
But you mistreating baby, yeah
You been a long town
You been a long town

Got love if you want, babe
Got love if you want, babe
I got love if you want it
I got love if you want it

Another Night Out

I have linked the title of this blog to an awesome blog that I recently discovered. The Erwin House is being rebuilt in Crestview and the Erwins are talking about it on their blog. It's so great and filled with yummy, nutritional info nuggets about rebuilding and Crestview, etc. I am in awe and secretly wish I had thier life, just kidding. I really like mine. I love Crestview so much and am really happy Joel found our house. I do sometimes, often, fantasize about buying this house and adding on. I love our backyard. This house does have some goodness about it, but Morrow sucks and there ain't much you can do about that. We went out again last night and it was just too much damn fun. The Ron Titter Band is quite excellent. They are soooooo tight and soooooo into what they are doing. It's good to watch. It gets really exciting and then it's over. I could of used a longer set. Someday, I am just going to sit in the audience and drool over the uber hot drummer in the band. Wow. If anyone knows him, pluuuuueeeeez set me up. All the guys are super cute and they were wearing Black and White. Joel was strutting around 6th street like a bad boy that just left the wedding. It was hot. All my good and dear friends were out and the Tacodeli Mafia showed their support as always. Tacodeli. Good friends. Loyal supporters. I shelled out half a weeks pay for a babysitter again, but it's worth it to be young for a night. It's the cinderella complex. I get all gussied and go out for the night, race home by 3am to turn into Mom again. Joel and I stayed up till 4am, chatted wit da babysitter a bit, then passed out to tunes on the radio. It was all romantic and mom and dad need more nights out. Oh Beast! played after Ron Titter and I was swept back to the old days of oooogling over good bands. I'm really glad I lived it up when I did, pre-Jake. Hopefully, no one noticed the old fart grooving to the music. It's Sunday now and I'm finishing up this post. I did my 7 miler yesterday with my counselor, Penny. I have decided walking 7 miles is mentally like being washed, dried, ironed and folded. I feel so purged afterwards. Loverly. O.K. So, I broke down and did a myspace but I'm cheating by linking this blog to it. So . . .much . . .easier. I'm done. MUST . . DO . . YOGA. Go Ron Titter! You are my God.

Inside my brain . . .

My links are fucked up and I'm dying to put up a link list, just understand that I have not chosen to not have a link list, I just really don't know how to reinstate it and that sucks. I'm working on it. Anyway . . .

Can you hear this song in your head by Frankie Valli.

Oh, what a night.
Late December back in '63.
What a very special time for me,
'Cause I remember what a night.

Oh, what a night.
You know, I didn't even know her name,
But I was never gonna be the same.
What a lady. What a night.

Oh, I. I got a funny feeling when she walked
In the room and I,
As I recall it ended much too soon.

Oh, what a night,
Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me.
She was everything I dreamed she'd be.
Sweet surrender, what a night!

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under.
Oh, what a night!

Oh, I. I got a funny feeling when she walked
In the room and I,
As I recall it ended much too soon.

Oh, what a night.
Why'd it take so long to see the light?
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right.
What a lady, what a night!

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under.
Oh, what a night!
(Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do.)
Oh, what a night!
(Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do.)
Oh, what a night!
(Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do.)
Oh, what a night!
(Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do.)
Oh, what a night!
(Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do.)
Oh, what a night!
(Do, do, do, do, do. Do, do, do, do, do, do

That song is in my head right now. You too can find the lyrics to any song in your head by just going to the link connected to this title.

If I were amazing . . .

this is what I would do. Not only would I do yoga everyday, I would share the love by updating my yogadenada blog regularly, imparting all my insight about stay-at-home yoga with the masses, dropping in on my readers to help adjust poses, dim lights, light incense and rearrange artwork in order to get a proper view for balance. I would sew everyday and post pics regularly to my angrykitty blog. My wardrobe would be a collection of thrift digs, ripped and resewn and cool skirts made from the cloth in the sale bin at the local fabric store. I would be slowly starting my novel about growing up in the 70's with the original divorcee, simultaneously studying magazines from the 70's to do my cultural background work. Enlightened by my research, I would share the information by scanning the cool ads and photos from these great magazines from the 70's (Life, Better Homes & Gardens, etc.) and posting them in my blog. I would regularly release my inner emotional struggles through poetry and I would be studying creative writing, typesetting and design in order to provide myself with a skill that would enhance my money making abilities. Finally, I would buy a home here in lovely Crestview, and proceed to build a fantastic Dwellish, environmentally-correct home that we could live in until Jake and (maybe, a someday, Lola-type, if we can muster the energy to actually try again) other sibling type graduate from school. Oh yeah, I would also have a veggie and herb garden and maybe do a bit of knitting on the side. Instead, I do yoga, do some walking, clean the house all the time, hang out with Jake, read lots of magazines and drink wine, oh, I forgot, I WORK. FUCK WORKING. I hate working. We women took on toooooooo much when we said we would hold down the household, bear children and work. Who ever came up with this women's lib stuff is a pain in my ass. I'd just as soon go back to my grandma's world. Argh. So frustrating. I am channeling Grandma, I know she's out there, watching over me, hopefully she can give me some insight. On a lighter note, another thing I am doing is attempting to walk my ass off for the 3dayorg walk for Breast Cancer in October. Hold on to your ass because what I'm about to say may shock you. I am going to walk 60 miles in 3 days. Ouch. I walked 7 miles last night and I had to sleep in until 8:30am today. Yes, I know that's funny considering I used to sleep until noon regularly, but these days 6:30am is sleeping in, so, yeah, I basically slept all day today. Nonetheless, my dear friend Denise and I are planning to raise $2200.00 individually and walk in the 3dayorg walk. I know it's going to be awe inspiring and amazing and Joel said that he would do it if I got preggers. So, I have no idea what kind of effect that will have on him. Should be excellent. You sleep in tents at night along the way. I think it might hurt a bit because 7 miles is a push, but I'm going to try to build up to 15 miles in the next few months. Maybe it will get rid of this bellyo'mine that I've been lugging around for a year now. I also wanted to do it because I have experienced the shock of breast cancer in a very close relationship, a friend of mine who survived an agressive attack, but also because I never knew my beautiful Grandma Oma who was taken from my mom at a very young age by the ravages of breast cancer. Because of that, cancer is a fear that both my mom and I live with. If you are interested in the 3dayorg walk, hit the title of this blog and it will link you to how to get involved. You don't have to do it in Texas, you can do it all over this great land we call America, the United States. Oh yes. Need . . .more . . .coffee.

Happy Valentine's Day

I know all you guys who are married and such think you have it figured out about love and all but really . . you just never know. I thought I would be with my first husband forever and on the day of our divorce I actually thought we would get back together. No. That will never happen and we were not together forever, only 14 frigging years of my life. No big deal. Really, I thought that my boyfriend after Mark was the love of my life. My perfect fella, but no, he was not the final one for me, though he was good and I do still care for him. We remain friends and that is most important, kind of sacred. No, I think I have it figured out with Joel, it's called kids and sex (oh, I get it, trouble, sex makes kids). For Joel and I, it's "We will make this work for the Boy." But mostly, he continues to be my best friend. The one I want to be with at the end of the day, even if we have fought all day, and we do fight all day. But really, I knew we were the one when I put our names into the love calculator and it gave us a 99 percent chance. I mean Mark and I had a 33 percent chance. That says it all. You should really try it. Just click on the title of this entry and you to can get the closest thing to truth about your love. Meanwhile, do yourself a favor and go get some love on this holiest of love days. Joel and I took yesterday off and had a whole day of doing what we used to do when we didn't have anything to do. If you are married and have kids, you should do this regularly. If you arn't married and you don't have kids but you are in a relationship, you should appreciate your time together. AND. . .if you aren't married and you are single, hell, you should go do whatever the fuck you please because you can and you can never know how nice that is until it's not there anymore. So, go sign up for a 9-day yoga retreat today. That's what I would do. Happy Valentine's Day.

Penis, Women and Rock & Roll!?"

I feel bad for not having any links in my titles. I feel like it's my obligation. I feel worse that I have no links on my blog. I made the mistake of playing with my template and I lost all my links. There were some good ones and that is what makes it so bad. I've been listening to an awesome CD burned by a good friend (an ex-boyfriend) of mine. He burned it for Joel and I can only say. . .check out these bands: Cat Power, Holly Golightly, Kings of Leon and Magnetic Fields. I'm not going to share anymore, these are around and I know you can find them. Sometimes a band is so good, you don't want to let anyone in on the secret. Oh, I just thought of a link. If you don't read BUST, you should. It's the best fucking magazine ever. It's revolutionary. I wait, trembling at my mailbox every other month, for my next issue. I call the office if I notice that an issue is out and not at my mailbox. It's so good, I pour over every page, soaking it in like a chocolate addict eating a bonbon. Thank god for BUST, it saved me while living in that GOD FORSAKEN SHITHOLE CALLED COLORADO. Fuck COLORADO. I HATE COLORADO. O.K. Feeling better after I got that off my chest. So, Joel has been gone alot lately. Crazy, best friend visits, friend of family dies, band practice, catering, etc. So, Jake and I are getting to be very chummy. He loves me, what can I say. Today he explained to me that I was a WOMAN. "Yes, I am a woman." "Claire is a woman," he explains, (Claire is his best bud and Godparents child). "Yes, Claire is a woman," I reply. "I am a man," he states. "Yes, you are a man." I said. "Why am I a man?" He asks. "You are a man because you have a penis." I said. "And it's gonna get you in alot of trouble," I mumbled. "Someday," he said, "I'm going to have a big penis like Dad." "Yes, You Are," I exclaimed. He had his hands in the air, "This big." Hands spread wide, my heart filled with pride. That's my boy. He knows what he's got and he knows where he's going, now, let's just hope he knows what he's doing with it. Hit the link for BUST magazine.

A day OFF

It doesn't seem like it to most, but I work every day. Every day, including today, I take care of Jake, clean the house, wash clothes and even sometimes, cook a meal. I also squeeze in a little of that crazy stuff called paid work. Today, I am currently cleaning the house and this morning I did a little paid work. But, more than anything . . .I took today off. It was awesome. I did not shit-fucking-shit all morning except surf the internet and hang out with Jake while he hid under blankets, played with trains, worked on the Thomas the Train interactive CD's and just goofed off. We never turned on the TV, which was a fucking miracle. Finally, we headed out the door to do one responsible thing then I buzzed around doing things I always want to do but don't because I expect him to be an asshole and he was awesome. We went to a fabric store, a book store and a beauty store. Success at all three. It was beautiful and we went on a great dog walk and I observed my son, visualizing what he would be like in the future, as he crazily road his bike down this hill into a big mound of leaves, then hauled the bike back up the hill to do again. I was convinced he would break his neck everytime, but everytime . . .he made it. It is so exciting to see the daredevil in him and to see his willingness and willfullness to carry his bike up the hill himself. My god, he's becoming a boy. Now, I'm being responsible and picking up before we dig into a big bowl of popcorn and watch a japanese anime movie. It's a tradition with us to watch tv and eat popcorn when Dad's out of town, and, well, Dad's out of town. What a day.

These guys rrrrrock!

Hit the link and you will see. WWRTD. I finally got to see the darling man I call a husband rock it out with his new band "The Ron Titter Band" and I was pleasantly pleased. There is nothing better than seeing him play and we got to go out and be rockstars for the night. Babysitter came and took care of the Jake and though the pocketbook is hurting today and my brain is hurting today, I feel 10 years younger. It's good to know that I can still hit the town and have some fun. It's almost 12 noon and I have done absolutely nothing. All the guys in the band are awesome and I think they are really on to something. Strangely, the bands went downhill after them. It was thier first show and they were tight. You could really feel the presence of Ron Titter. As a woman of 41, there is something really sexy about a bunch of guys rocking it out that you know take it seriously and are dedicated. All the music is on and the lyrics are hilarious. Greg is an outstanding frontman. Go see them. It was so much fun having a drink at Club de Ville and checking out all the fashion. I am desperate for a grandma type. What to do. What to do. O.K. I am on project diet. Gotta lose the fat. Think I'll go check out my cardio tapes now. Just wanted to spread the word of Ron Titter. I think we need a holiday. You know, trees, gifts, big meals, in celebration of the birth of Ron Titter. Can I bitch about Chistmas a bit. No, I'll save that for another entry.

Super Heroes, Tampax and Feminism

I typed this title to tuck away in my mind a memory of a day that happened quite a long time ago but is pretty fucking relevant right about now. Men, now is the time to "avert your eyes" because what I'm about to describe is going to disgust you. I have given up on tampons. I am tired of shoving cotton sticks made of god knows what up my twat once a month for 4 days and having to deal with the aftermath. Ladies, I hope you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, this story isn't originally about that. I have used mini-pads with tampons for years. Lately, everytime I run into a convenience store to pick up more mini-pads they never have any so I resort to buying max-pads out of desperation. The first pack I brought home was quickly converted into SUPER HERO bands by Jake. He was fascinated by the packaging, ripping open numerous ones and putting them around our wrists like the control pad in The Incredibles. We were both wearing them around the house proclaiming SUPER HERO status. I managed to wrestle the pads away from him without losing all of them in the process. It was the remainder of this packet that turned me on to the fact that maybe tampons weren't for me anymore. I was chatting with my girlie (sistagirl) friend, who's name I will protect in light of the topic, and she said she had stopped wearing tampons. I was intrigued. I tried it out and I felt better. It's a little crazy, old-fashioned and such but I feel like I'm 12 again. I did some more research and found that a few other girlie friends of mine were on the same path. Hmmm. I sat down at my handy dandy notebook computer and did some hunting and pecking. What I wanted to find was that tampons were bad for you and I was on a path of good health. I didn't find anything, but I did discover a website that is worthy of a peruse. These girls are discussing different types of reusable and environmental menustration apparatus thingiemajiggers with wonderful sarcasm. It all made me think of how women are creating there own feminism. Feminism had taken on this new meaning. Before, we were working on gaining equal rights but now we are more about developing ourselves into a more natural form of who we really are. Feminists dress sexy, love to fuck, crochet, cook, sew and more. A feminist doesn't have to leave the house. A feminist is a mother, a stock broker, an artist, a baker, a banker. But most of all a feminist is a woman who is being a woman. Hit the title of this blog and it will link to the site discussing period related products. May you go forward on the path that is best for you.

Boobs, Nipples and HotDogs, Oh My!

So, last night Joel, Jake, Gus, Red and myself were at the dogpark. Jake and I separated off and we were racing to catch up with Joel and the dogs. I was able to run quite aways and was really impressed with myself because my ankle has given me tons of trouble since the sprain. Finally, I stopped running, saying, "Oh Jakie, Mom's boobs can't take it anymore", (I didn't have a bra on). Jake responded, "Yeah Mom, let's stop, my nipples can't take anymore either". Now, that's some good stuff. We have been having some lengthy conversations about girls and boobs, and boys and nipples. You know, trying to distinguish between the two and such. It's so much fun to break out in a run like a little kid again, the one good thing you can do for yourself and your child is to break out and break down and get on thier level and just be a kid again. It's easy. And it all goes in stride with something I just read today that really cracked me up. It came from an awesome article in The Sun Magazine. It's an excerpt from Rob Brezsny's new book "Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia". This is a brief piece in the article. The whole article is linked to the title to this entry. Rob Brezsny is the author of Free Will Astrology which is a syndicated feature in many free weeklies around the country. If you haven't ever seen it, well, I'm not sure what to say. He's very fun and wise and quirky and awesome.

"Make me one with everything," the buddhist monk said to the hog-dog vendor who was hawking food near the temple. The vendor made a frank with mustard, ketchup, relish, and onions. The monk took it and handed over a twenty-dollar bill. The vendor stashed the cash in his apron and turned his attention to the next customer. "But where's my change? the monk inquired. "Change must come from within, my friend, " said the vendor.

This article really focuses on a belief I have been pursuing for sometime, relentlessly at points. You have the choice to decide how you will perceive things. You can look at everything in your life with a negative influence or you can turn every single moment into a positive experience. It's easy to preach it but how easy is it to live it. I fail everyday, and I am reminded everyday of the absolute miracles in my life, mostly through Jake. Negative begets Negative. Is that right? Negative thoughts are like a nasty infection, eating it's way through lives and spreading itself everywhere, no stone left unturned. Stop, take a breath, and look around your life at what you can be thankful for. See the positive in every step. Nothing is directly happening to you. You just happen to be in the way at that moment. Anyway, catch a read. The Sun continues to awe me with outstanding literature in spite of themselves.

Just in time for Christmas

I know I've linked to her before but hey, she's my bestest of friends and I can't help myself. I love what she's doing. So, if you are looking for a truly unique gift or an awesomely beautiful card (that's 100% environmental) then hit the link to her site. Just surf around and you will find cool cakes that are made of wooden bases with her 100% locally drawn art pieces on them and coated with a caustic wax top. Check it out on her site because I suck describing it. Her cards are printed on paper that have seeds embedded in it and she uses soy ink so it's the gift that keeps giving. You and your child, mother, grandmother, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, dog, cat, etc. can plant this card and the memory will live on forever (as long as you water it regularly). Anyway, just check it out and you will see that she does a much better job of describing it than me. O.K. stay tuned for lots of positive living reading. My yoga is staying on track and making me feel very good about my core. Gotta get up and clean, clean, clean. The story of my life. Have a good week.