Another blast from the past...

Just found some old "stock photography" that I did through my agent. These are soooooooo old school. The photographer is Donna Day. She is fabulous. Dreamy and funky and cool. She has moved out of the country to sow her roots. She is a fabulous photographer and friend. Her Husband is a fabulous novelist.
They, and their gorgeous daughter Jade, are witnessing the world. They are so inspirational.
xoxo
Anna

Vienna ... I think we should all slow down...

Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
Are you still so afraid?
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)
Too bad but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself
That you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right(you're right)

You got your passion you got your pride
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you

Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you.

And you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through

Why don't you realize...Vienna waits for you
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

Thank you Billy Joel.
xoxo
Anna

Cooper's pics ... as promised...

These are some pics from our fantastical K-Dawg Birthday Celebration at Coopers. We had the most fun ... lots of laughter AND drinks. Enjoy.
I'd, also, like to ask that thoughts and prayers go out to my dear friend Sarah and her family. Her father is battling metastatic cancer and has been hit with pneumonia. He is in the hospital and is now unresponsive. Please, please say a prayer, light a candle, and/or send loving thoughts their way.
I HATE CANCER.
XOXO
Anna

Ah ... high school....

Well ... if you're gonna put it out there, I might as well share it as well. Behold this fabulous prom pic of my beloved sister-cousin. Sometimes it is a good thing that your folks didn't take lots of pictures. Oh wait ... this one is a professional pic. I CANNOT get over the bangs.
xoxo
Anna
p.s. I cannot say that my bangs were any smaller at the time.

Lovely long night at Coopers...

Well, we had a ball. Honored our girl on her birthday. Gals aplenty from Dawgs prior and post cancer diagnosis. A load of ladies celebrating the life and spirit of a wonderful woman.
Happy Birthday, Kristin.
Thanks for bringing us all together in celebration tonight.
You are missed.
xoxo
Anna
p.s. pics to follow

Happy Birthday, baby girl ...

I know it's a day early. But, I'm gonna be working tomorrow and then celebrating your birthday in style with our girlfriends tomorrow night. We love you, miss you, will celebrate you, and raise a shot of Patron for you my girl. So much has changed ... so much is the same ... so much is up in the air. But, the one thing that stands is that we love and miss you, dear girl. I know you'll be there with us. I wish you were there to raise a glass and crack us up. But, I KNOW that you'll be there in spirit making snarky jokes and keeping us laughing ... through the tears.
I love you dear girl. Happy Birthday to you. You are so loved ... so missed ... and so honored. Wish I could hold your hand right now and get a big hug. But, I know you're here.
I love you.
xoxo
Coochie

Sweet Edna St. Vincent Millay...

Lovely Sonnet:

"WHEN you, that at this moment are to me
Dearer than words on paper, shall depart,
And be no more the warder of my heart,
Whereof again myself shall hold the key;
And be no more, what now you seem to be,
The sun, from which all excellencies start
In a round nimbus, nor a broken dart
Of moonlight, even, splintered on the sea;

I shall remember only of this hour–
And weep somewhat, as now you see me weep–
The pathos of your love, that, like a flower,
Fearful of death yet amorous of sleep,
Droops for a moment and beholds, dismayed,
The wind whereon its petals shall be laid."

xoxo
anna

Big Leap...

Sometimes in life we need to make a choice, a decision, a leap. And, oftentimes, it's a gamble. But, if it's for the good of all parties ... in ones true heart ... it's all you've got to go with.
My heart says "yes" and is at rest.
And I still continue to be amazed at how blessed I (and my family) are.
xoxo
Anna

What ever happened to fun?

We get older and with age comes a lack of that sense of fun and giddiness that we all once possessed. Click on the following to check out what a few folks did in Sweden to try to put this idea of reintroducing "fun" into our everyday worlds:

http://itismonday.com/2009/10/the-fun-theory/comment-page-1/

So, so sweet.
xoxo
Anna

Finally ... Christmas pics...

Well, hot dawg! I finally got the damned photos up. This new fangled camera that Nonnie got us is much more advanced than this Mastodon of a computer. Great, now the computer AND I are not technologically inclined.
The holidays were lovely. New Years Eve was lovely. The family and friends, lovely. We were so lucky to be able to spend some time with Nonnie, who we'll see soon when we make it down to the YSC conference in Atlanta ... along with all the crazy Pratt-Warrens. By that time, Nonnie will be finishing up chemo and on the mend. Perfect timing to be able to head down and celebrate!
xoxo
Anna

Trying to download pics from fancy camera...

I'm still trying to upload pics from Christmas and New Years from the fancy camera that Mama got us. It's amazing. That thing hasn't had to be charged in weeks. However, it's confounding to my archaic computer. So, until I can figure out that nonsense, here's a lovely song by Feist: "I Feel It All." Cannot help my love of this video. It's a simple and theatrical show. Considering that she's in a marsh(ish) place, I figure that might be part of my draw ... but, the music is much more addictive than the video. I adore pyrotechnics and good writing ... and a nice striped shirt. Enjoy:

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvOOegxKIoI"

I feel it all, I feel it all
I feel it all, I feel it all
The wings are wide, the wings are wide
Wild card inside, wild card inside

Oh I’ll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll be the one to hold the gun

And I know more than I knew before
I know more than I knew before
I didn't rest, I didn't stop
Did we fight or did we talk

Oh I’ll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll be the one to hold the gun

I loved you more
I loved you more
I don't know what I knew before
But now I know I want to win the war

No one likes to take a test
Sometimes you know more is less
Put your weight against the door
Kick-drum on the basement floor
Stranded in a fog of words
Loved him like the winter bird
On my head the water pours
Gulf stream through the open door

Fly away, fly away from what you want to make.

I feel it all, I feel it all
I feel it all, I feel it all
The wings are wide, the wings are wide
Wild card inside, wild card inside.

Oh I’ll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll be the one who'll break my heart
I'll end it, though you started it

The truth lies
The truth lied
And lies divide
Lies divide

xoxo,
Anna

One more pic...

... and a great passage from the genius Wallace Stevens:

"...Evening, when the measure skips a beat
And then another, one by one, and all
To a seething minor swiftly modulate.
Bare night is best. Bare earth is best. Bare, bare,
Except for our own houses, huddled low
Beneath the arches and their spangles air,
Beneath the rhapsodies of fire and fire,
Where the voice that is in us makes a true response,
Where the voice that is great within us rises up,
As we stand gazing at the rounded moon."

This is another poem with which I had become acquainted in college.
"The voice that is great within us" is such a beautiful and inspiring phrase.
An entire book of 20th century poetry is named this ...
Makes sense.
xoxo
Anna

K-Dawg's Memorial Day with The Hoodies...

What a beautiful day I had. It's been a long time coming. And, fortunately, I was able to share it with some of my soul mates.
The Hoodies ... those of us that are in town ... made our way out to Kristin's resting place. It's a small, peaceful cemetery out in the country amongst pastures and evergreens and stillness. It's gorgeous.
We brought our chairs, blankets, Thermo-rests ... ohhhh, and lots of Patron. This might very well have been one of the most beautiful days of my life. It was the first time visiting her, as it's been so hard for me to muster the gumption to go on my own. I think it's the finality of the whole ordeal.
But, we had such an amazing visit with her. There is no question that she was there.
We played Tom Petty and ACDC on the "Boom Box", Drank TOO much Patron, laughed hysterically, and cried deeply.
But, you know what? It was perfect. There could have never been a more perfect visit with friends to honor our "Dawg".
We all left broken-hearted ... BUT STRONGER THAN EVER.
We've all been through so much since her passing: In our "YSC" world and in our lives personally. It's amazing how every next step continues to cement this sisterhood and strength of this group of friends. It's one for The Ages.
I might be stuck in this "Cancer Life-Boat" out in the middle of nowhere. But, I am DAMNED happy to have my girls sitting there with me as the waves pass by ... no end in sight ... sitting there with me: a bottle of Patron, a Boom Box, Funions, some smokes, Our Aunt Pam, Nachos, wine ... AND THE OYSTER SHUCKER!
Goodnight sweet Princess.
xoxo
Cooch

Year missing our K-Dawg...

Today marks the year anniversary of the passing of one the most beautiful women I've ever had the honor to know. Kristin left this earth on January 2nd, 2009 after an extremely brave fight against breast cancer. She is survived by her husband and 2 gorgeous girls ... and a plethora of family and devoted friends.
Her passing has left this earth with quite a bit less light and humor. Her passing has left many of us wondering "why?" on so, so many levels that it is too hard to address. She was one of the strongest women I've ever had the honor to know and her wit was unsurpassed. Her truths, even after her passing, continued to show her strength of character and her dedication to her friends and family.
I love you, dear girl. I hope you have heard and continue to hear our prayers.
You are so, so missed and thought of and spoken of daily.
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK ... WE SALUTE YOU!
xoxo
Sweet Coochie Croissant