Ahhhh ... love ...

Ain't it grand. I love, love it. Love, the whole idea ...
What I don't love is when ignorant people turn it into a circus or a game. They affect, truly, other individual's worlds. Had a client that is a therapist tell me about a sociopath client of hers the other day. Dear God, it hit home.
You know the sort of folks: might want to hug up on your wife or husband a bit too long ... tend to be the drunk person at that party that makes people uncomfortable while they make out with random men (a preacher, a married man, etc.). The guy that seems to be the "husband of the year", yet lets his family down incessantly. On the surface, these people tend to be the life of the party. Underneath, they shred lives.
When women and men can do nothing but pull this shit, it is obvious that that is their true nature. I get that. And they need help.
What I don't get is their propensity to be totally okay with it and blame others in the aftermath. AND, to continue to do so.
I, actually, had a "friend" who my husband would chat with online when we were no longer talking. Drama indeed. Touch of Junior High in that whole situation. But, after a year or so ,,,,, after the whole deal, it's makes total sense. Husband "got" it. I "got" it.
Any woman that feels that she needs to feed off of married men needs to get a hobby. OR, a therapist.
I think the therapist should be first choice. It's desperation at its finest.
The men that behave this way are just as guilty ... especially when children are involved. To "act" like a father and husband is one thing. To BE ONE is completely different.
To consistently drive a wedge between friends, families, and loved ones SHOULD make you reflect.
I guess that folks like that don't have the capacity to comprehend what would happen if such things were done to them.
And .... shame on them for not making an attempt to make things right.
In the end, the folks left in the wake have to pick up the pieces. And ....I'm fine doing it. Clearly well knowing that.
I live a beautiful life. I adore my friends and family. Cannot imagine throwing anyone that I "claim" to care about under ANY bus. Cannot imagine doing so.
If you're not happy in your life situation, then change it. Don't Take all of your energy and put it into betraying everyone around you and hurting your own family and that of others.
It's a move that only a cheap and selfish coward would make.
And, in the end, there are more people affected ... more than you EVER expected.


xoxo
Anna

God's speed...

To a sweet, sweet man. Frank Joseph Fede: April 16, 1918 - June 23, 2010.
All my love and prayers.
Thanks for sharing your kind daughter with me.
xoxo
Anna

I'm a bad, bad girl...

Sometimes we all need a bit of comic relief. Especially, if we are saving the lives of babies in a major medical institution.
So, when "someone" gave a call to one major medical institution in SC to let a PICU nurse know of and apologize for her dog's chewing up of an entire garden ... AND, having explosive diarrhea throughout the yard ... you'd think that she might not handle it so well.
To the contrary. She was pissed, but very eloquent. She told "said neighbor" that she works at a very critical establishment and that it could be talked about tomorrow......
She needed that break. I know for certain. The "caller" continued to press the fact that there was diarrhea EVERYWHERE and that the neighbor would like to make amends.
And, then ... she was let in on the joke.
Great sport.
Not sure who pulled this on her. But, from what I've been told, it was hysterical.
xoxo
Anna

Amazing new research ... sharing from CNN

"A new study in the journal Psychological Science finds that several personality traits are associated with definite brain regions. Scientists from the University of Minnesota, University of Toronto, Yale University, and The Mind Research Network in Albuquerque, New Mexico, collaborated on the study.

Participants were 116 people, half of whom were male, and all between 18 and 40 years old. They were given a personality test and then underwent magnetic resonance imaging.

The researchers found evidence in the brain for four of the "Big Five personality traits": extroversion,
neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. They looked at the volumes of various brain regions to see how greater or smaller volumes might be connected to personality traits.

A brain region involved in processing reward information, called the medial orbitofrontal cortex, seemed to be associated with how extroverted participants were. Extroverted people tend to be more sociable and talkative.

Brain regions associated with threat, punishment, and negative affect seemed to have something to do with how neurotic participants were. Neuroticism includes elements of irritability, anxiety, and being self-conscious.

Brain areas dealing with information about the intentions and mental states of other people were associated with agreeableness. Cooperation, compassion and politeness are part of agreeableness.

The lateral prefrontal cortex, involved in planning and the voluntary control of behavior, seemed to be associated with conscientiousness. People who are highly conscientious tend to be self-disciplined and orderly, rather than impulsive.

The one major personality trait that did not have an association with a brain area volume in this study was openness/intellect, which includes people who are creative, philosophical, imaginative, and intellectually engaged. This is also the only trait that has been associated with intelligence in previous research. Further study would be needed to determine how biology might be related to this trait."

Makes sense to me.
xoxo
Anna

My lady-love is losing her father...

... And, it is breaking my heart. I don't know what is in the air of late. But, I've had so many lads dealing with the loss of parents. It is unbelievable. The "good" thing is that my girlfriend, Courtney, has a great support network and that her father is in his nineties. He's lead a long, loving life. The BAD thing is that her father is in hospice and is dying. She flew home to visit him this past week. He is soldiering on along his path to the next journey. But, I simply cannot imagine having to do that with Mama or Dad. My dear girl Sarah lost her father earlier this year. My girlfriend Robin lost her adoptive father at Christmas. I'm so, so tired of all the losses. I know it happens more frequently as we get older. But, dear God, give a bunch of chicks that have dealt with so much shit A BREAK!
Tonight, I send all of my love and prayers to the Fede family.
Godspeed Papa Fede.
xoxo
Anna

One year later...

Neda Agha-Soltan died, this day, last year while PEACEFULLY protesting the strong arm(s) of the Iranian government. She was an extremely brave soul. I remember seeing the footage that day she was killed. It left a huge pit in my stomach. A beautiful and intelligent woman who was standing up and fighting for what she thought was true and fair. The world lost an great advocate and a strong voice that day. She was shot in the chest and laid in the street dying. Shame on you ... whoever committed this horrible murder. And, yes, it is murder.
Until we get the "true" story, I would like to extend some love and prayers to an amazing woman that had the guts (and balls) to go out there and fight for what she knew was right. A true Warrior.
xoxo
Anna

Little bit of Pappy love ...

Whelp.... Today is Fathers Day. I happen to have been born to one fine, fine man. My father has always been the guy that will tell the funniest jokes, hug you the hardest, drink you under the table, and back you up INFINITELY ... if he knows you're in the right. I've learned so much from this man. I grew up doing EVERYTHING that my brother did, as my father didn't look at me as "merely" a woman. I was his child. My vagina didn't did get in the way of the many opportunities and experiences that a father, generally, shares with a son. Nope ... not him.
My father was stern, but loving. He can cook like no other. Dad can still get up on a water ski and slalom (bad ass). My father can out-dance ANYONE I know. He has this ability to talk me off of the ledge if I'm in panic mode ... and that's pretty rare for me, of late.
He has been, and will continue to be, one of my heroes and best friends.
I am so, so blessed.
We love you Pappy. To the moon and back!
xoxo
Anna

Happy Birthday Mama/Sister...

Happy, happy birthday to you sweet Mama!
As some of you may know, my Mama has had an extremely long year. This time last year, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. After a double mastectomy and chemo, she is faring well. Her hair is coming back and she is feeling stronger each and every day.
Her diagnosis, following mine, was a huge blow to my family. But, everyone rallied, as is the custom in my fold. She weathered the storm stronger than any salty sailor one could imagine.
She is alive to see another birthday. She is alive to see her grandson grow ... and grow.
She is alive to remind us all of her bravery and resilience ... and faith.
Happy birthday Mama. Happy birthday cancer-club sister. Happy birthday to you.
May you see 100 more.
I love you.
xoxo
Pussy Willow

2010 Race For the Cure ...

Welp ...
We ladies of the YSC did it again this year. I'll share pics as soon as I get them.
We had such a fun/funny time. Silas walked nearly ALL of the 5K. It was astounding. The moments that he didn't walk, Jake (the husband of a cancer-club girlfriend) had him chasing some dude in a bee costume. He, literally, asked every police officer at every corner, "Excuse me, Officer ... have you seen The Bee?" They all seemed really perplexed. We all had a good laugh. Jake continued to chase down "The Bee" with Silas throughout the duration of the walk.
It's amazing to me that this walk has become commonplace to us ... like we're just meeting up for brunch.
It was, simply, another moment in our lives that we wanted to face. A moment that makes us feel like we're making a difference.
I didn't raise money. I just did the walk. At this point, that's about all I can contribute, unfortunately.
But, some of the gals raised lots of money. Kudos to you ladies!!!!! Julie, you ROCK!
I'm astounded by how much these women of the YSC continue to contribute to the cause. I'm astounded that there are so many OTHER causes (outside of BC) that everyone supports. Be it children's causes, animal causes, etc. It just slays me.
There is no better place to be than in a place where you witness women, that have faced their own deaths, rise up and grab their fears by the balls and say "Hey there! I'm gonna make you my bitch."
It's unbelievably inspirational.
I don't know what will come to be ... for all of us. But, I do know that it is such an inspiration to see all of these ladies move on from their battle with "The Beast" and become such strong women.
It's astounding.
xoxo,
Anna

Fabulous news about Zometa...

This is amazing! So glad that I've been able to have access to Zometa for THREE years and counting:

Zometa data presented at ASCO include a five-year follow-up analysis from the Phase III Austrian Breast & Colorectal Cancer Study Group-12 (ABCSG-12) trial which showed that the addition of Zometa to hormonal therapy following surgery improved disease-free survival by 32% (HR=0.68 [95%CI 0.51,0.91], P=0.009) in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early breast cancer[4]. These data confirm earlier results from ABCSG-12 presented at ASCO 2008[5]. Data from the ABCSG-12 study are the basis of the Company's US and European Union regulatory filings for Zometa in the treatment of adjuvant breast cancer.

"These five-year data are exciting for oncologists and patients alike because they confirm that adding zoledronic acid to a post-surgical hormonal treatment regimen can reduce the risk of cancer returning," said Michael Gnant, MD, lead investigator and Professor of surgery at the Medical University of Vienna. "If approved for this indication, zoledronic acid may offer early breast cancer patients the opportunity to further reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, when added to post-surgery hormone therapy."

ABCSG-12 is an open-label, multicenter, Phase III study that enrolled 1,803 premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive Stage I or II breast cancer, with fewer than 10 axillary lymph nodes involved. Patients were recruited for the study after surgery and initiation of goserelin treatment for ovarian suppression, and randomly assigned into one of four study groups: (1) anastrozole plus Zometa; (2) anastrozole alone; (3) tamoxifen plus Zometa; (4) tamoxifen alone. The treatment period was three years and the median follow-up period was 62 months.

The primary endpoint for all four study arms was disease-free survival. Recurrence-free survival, overall survival and bone-mineral density were secondary endpoints. Disease-free survival was defined as the length of time after randomization during which patients had no local recurrence, contralateral breast cancer, distant metastasis, secondary carcinoma and/or death from any cause. Recurrence-free survival was defined as the length of time after randomization during which patients had no local recurrence, contralateral breast cancer, distant metastasis and/or secondary carcinoma. Bone-mineral density was a primary endpoint of the sub-study. Exploratory endpoints included bone metastasis-free survival.

At the median follow-up of 62 months, disease-free survival events were reduced by 32% (P=0.009) with Zometa added to hormone therapy versus hormone therapy alone. This updated analysis continues to show no difference between tamoxifen and anastrozole use, but that adding Zometa significantly improves disease-free survival (HR=0.68 for both arms). Overall, side effects were consistent with known drug profile. There were no cases of renal failure or confirmed cases of ONJ in the study.


Just another weapon in my arsenal to kick Cancer's ass.
xoxo
Anna

And, a bit of fabulous news...

My beloved E-Beth came to visit me at the salon today, as her hair was ready to be "colored." And, color it we did. The same beautiful copper-red that we have done in the past. For some reason, it seemed brighter today. I don't know if it was because her hair has come back a bit lighter or what. In any case, she looked gorgeous.
She's faring well. Because of all the recent invasive surgery, her surgeon wants her to wait a few more weeks before she begins treatment. The wait is hard for her, certainly. I know she would just like to get on with it ... especially considering that she has spent nearly 2 months chasing a ghost. There was no cancer there.
So, she is waiting gracefully. I could never be that graceful.
Soon she will begin Ontak. She's done it before. At least, she knows what to expect. And, she responds extremely well to this treatment, despite the icky side-effects.
I just hate that she has been made to chase and worry about something that was never there.
Time wasted. Or was it?
But, the unexpected outcome of her being clear of cancer makes up for it ... in some weird way.
Love you, my girl.
xoxo
Anna

Beautiful and tragic day ...

Yes, yes it's true. My Mama got her results from her recent PET scan. And ......... she is as clean as a whistle. It was another long wait for our family. Another week-long wait.
But, she has "No Evidence of Disease."
I couldn't be more thrilled. My family's hearts are at rest knowing that we can ride out the next 6 to 12 months knowing that she is A-Okay. We're celebrating this awesome news.
Unfortunately, the other side of my family got some tragic news today. My Step-Mama's sister, for some reason unbeknownst to her family, took her own life this morning. So tragic, in itself. But, add to that her (my step-Mama's) twin brother, also, took his own life nearly ten years ago makes for one of the greater heartbreaks anyone in my fold has had to deal with. My heart breaks her. Breaks for their family that shouldn't have had to deal with this situation once ... not to mention twice.
"N" is holding her own. Heartbroken but strong.
I spoke with their mother tonight ... my "step-Grandmother."
She sounded so strong and thankful for all the support that they have been given. She said that she was finding strength through The Lord.
What a gracious woman.
I cannot imagine having lost two children. It doesn't make sense.
I will spend tonight being thankful that I'm here. I'll spend tonight being thankful that my child is here. I'll spend tonight being thankful that my Mama (and the rest of my family and friends) are doing well.
I'll spend tonight reflecting ...
xoxo
Anna

Overdue haircut ...

Welp ... my client Kathy, finally, made it back in for a haircut today. Kathy is the lovely lass that had to be taken to the ER after suffering a seizure during her visit with me at the salon.
She walked in with a beautiful handful of lillies ... I had a bouquet for her as well. It was as if we were on a date...
In any case, she's doing just fine. They have found that her seizure was caused by several new metastases to her brain. But, her doctors are setting up a plan for gamma knife radiation. She is so positive and ready to face this new "nonsense" head-on. AND ... SHE IS LAUGHING THROUGH IT ALL! We, actually, had an hilarious conversation about "sharting." Thank God I'm not the only one!
She is such an amazing woman. One of the most kind clients that I've ever known.
Please hold her in your heart and prayers. I'll keep you updated.
xoxo
Anna

Uh oh .....

So ... it seems that this fellow has a history of women that end up dead after he "dates" or "talks" with them. It's astounding. From CNN:

Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch man once considered a suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, is the suspect in the killing of a woman in Peru, Peruvian police officials said Wednesday.
Authorities in neighboring Chile are on a manhunt for van der Sloot, who fled there, Chile Interpol Deputy Prefect Eugenio Buines Arevalo told CNN.
Chilean police are looking for van der Sloot in various hotels and other overnight accommodations in the border region with Peru, he said. Van der Sloot will be extradited to Peru if captured, he said.
Police also are checking border and customs checkpoints. As of Wednesday there were no sightings of the suspect, and police were investigating if van der Sloot went deeper into Chile, Buines said.
There is "incriminating evidence" linking van der Sloot to the killing of 21-year-old Stephany Flores Ramirez, who was found with multiple stab wounds in a Lima hotel room Wednesday, Cesar Guardia Vasquez, of the criminal investigations unit, said at a news conference.
The hotel room where Flores was found was registered in van der Sloot's name, he said.
Video: Van der Sloot wanted in new case
Timeline: Natalee Holloway case
Video: Holloway suspect had new story
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Natalee Holloway
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Natalee Holloway Case
A hotel guest and an employee witnessed the pair entering the hotel room together at 5 a.m. on Sunday, Guardia said.
Police have video of the previous night, May 29, of van der Sloot and Flores together at the Atlantic City Casino in Lima, he said.
According to immigration officials, van der Sloot fled to Chile over land on Monday, Guardia said.
"We have all the evidence to show that the killer is this man," the victim's father, businessman and race-car driver Ricardo Flores told CNN en Español.
But van der Sloot's attorney, Joseph Tacopina, told CNN it was too early to make any conclusions.
"If history teaches us any lesson from van der Sloot/Holloway case, it's that there have been way too many false facts that have been leaked and rumors that have been proven untrue," Tacopina said. "We need to take a step back. I have not been contacted and the family has not been contacted. Joran has not been asked by anyone to surrender."
Ricardo Flores said that police found his daughter's car about 50 blocks from the hotel, and that inside, they found pills like those used in date rape cases.
Similar to the Holloway case, van der Sloot and Flores allegedly met at a night spot, in this case, a casino. Ricardo Flores said he did not believe that his daughter knew the Dutch citizen from before.
Both of them speak English, and at the casino they struck up conversation, he said.
Interpol has alerted its office in Chile and other bordering countries of the case and placed them on alert in case van der Sloot tries to leave that country, Peruvian Interpol Interim Director Gerson Ortiz told CNN.
An international arrest warrant could be issued in the next 48 hours, he said.
In 2005, van der Sloot was arrested in Aruba along with two other men, brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, in connection with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
In 2007, they were arrested a second time after Aruba's then-chief prosecutor, Hans Mos, said he had received new evidence in the case.
Van der Sloot, who was attending college in the Netherlands, was brought back to Aruba. But judges ruled the new evidence -- which included an Internet chat the same day Holloway disappeared with one of the three youths saying she was dead -- was not enough to keep them jailed.
In 2008, prosecutors sought unsuccessfully to arrest van der Sloot a third time after a videotape surfaced on Dutch television. In it, van der Sloot tells a man he considered to be his friend that he had sex with Holloway on the beach after leaving the nightclub, then she "started shaking" and lost consciousness. He said he panicked when he could not resuscitate her and called a friend who had a boat. The two put Holloway's body in the boat, he said, and then he went home. The friend told him the next day that he had carried the body out and dumped it in the ocean.
But an Aruba court ruled there was not enough evidence to re-arrest him. Aruban prosecutors said authorities had met with van der Sloot in the Netherlands, but in a two-hour interview he denied any role in Holloway's disappearance.

Could somebody stop these elitist boys from their tirades ... i.e. Martha Moxley.
xoxo
Anna
p.s. Joran, if you think "It's not nice to stare" I would counter with "It's not nice to murder ... repeatedly." Just saying

I knew it'd come to this...

I fear that I will never see my son again. Not that he's been abducted. But, after spending this week with his grandparents in Yakima, I imagine that he is gonna have a "sit-in" and refuse to come back to us. Dear God, the child is having the time of his life and cares NOT to share it on the phone with me. He cannot be bothered. I, finally, got a "Hey Mama, I love you ...." Then the phone was handed back to Grammie. It could be worse, I guess. He could be doing keg stands somewhere.
He's having such a lovely time and I am sure will go through withdrawal when he makes it back home.
Until then, enjoy your time My Mosey.
I miss you, miss you.
xoxo
Mama