My badass best girls from college days ...

These precious girls have been mentioned on this blog before. But, I'd just like to give a shout-out to them tonight. These women were my best friends in college and continue to inspire me. We've all moved on since the ol' days at The College of Charleston. Babies, love, death(s), marriages, work... work, art, sickness, money, loss of money, loss of marriage(s), life.
These women knew me when I was a VIRGIN. No joke.
And ... they knew me after I became a "non-virgin."
They were the first, actually, to know that I had ... at 22 ... gone "rogue."
We practiced our art(s) together. We laughed our balls off. We ate, drank, and lived art ... and supported one another ... and we have all been through the ringer. Each and every one of us. I cannot believe that each one of us dealt with such harsh issues. It's amazing to me.
So, I'd like to send my love to the "Charleston 7" tonight. A fabulous lot of women that I will forever hold close to my heart and soul. We danced to "Boogie on Reggae Woman" whilst getting ready for parties in Chuck-Town.
And on that note, I'd like to dedicate the following song to them. It was always one of our favorites. We'd sit and sing it late, late at night ... or driving along a beautiful coastal highway ... or, running naked on Folly Beach.
These pics were taken in Asheville. Celebrating Eli's pregnancy.
If any of you end up with girlfriends like this, try to hold on to them. It's such a blessing.
Though I wasn't there for the trip, I'm so blessed to still have them.
Cannot imagine my world without them. They are such an amazing FORCE.
xoxo
Anna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipUdoUcNmKI

xoxo
Anna W
p.s. I love you girls.

My top 10 most used words in Facebook posts...

I'm am "shocked and awed" by this list. I, actually, love it. I had imagined, prior to them coming up, that there would be a shit-load of cuss words. I imagine that it's only because I have a vast list in my repertoire. But, the following list made my heart smile!

My Top Words of 2010
Here are top words from my Facebook status messages!
1:Love - used 51 times
2:Silas - used 30 times
3:Happy - used 26 times
4:Sweet - used 23 times
5:God - used 20 times
6:Thank - used 20 times
7:Xoxo - used 18 times
8:Beautiful - used 18 times
9:B - used 18 times
10:Night - used 17 times

Not bad. Not bad, at all. We'll see what next year holds.
xoxo
Anna

Happy Cancerversary, Court!!!!

.... and to celebrate this most momentous occasion, it being her 5th cancerversary, she decided to chop off ALL of her hair and donate it to "Locks of Love." Bye, bye cancer. HELLOOOOOOO life!!!!
She was as nervous as a mama dear when she got to the salon. But, once she sat in my chair, she mellowed out. I cut about 10 inches off. I have to say, her new short "do" is ADORABLE!!! She rocks the cut and it suits her so well. Colie and Sarah were both there, as Sarah had an appointment after Court ... and Colie showed up to surprise her. It was a fabulous moment with fabulous ladies sharing in the "scalping."
Congratulations to you, sweet girl. I'm so blessed to have you in my world. We're all so thrilled for and proud of you!
xoxo,
Anna

Little Johnny Cash love ...

Loves me some Johnny Cash. Silas and I have rocked it out to him since Si was a babe. Check out the following video, via youtube, set to "God's Gonna Cut You Down."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxh-FfElY0M&feature=player_embedded


Lovely.
xoxo
Anna

January 15th ... KICK ASS THROTTLE ROCKETS!!!!

Well, well, well. Sounds like a beatin' is about to take place. The Rat City Roller girls, the roller derby here in Seattle, are having a match on January 15th. One of their teams, The Throttle Rockets, will be skating in honor of The Young Survival Coalition that evening. They are bruisers ... as are we.
The Rat City Rollers have a HUGE following. They are a bunch of bad-ass women that are also tremendous athletes. Plus, they knock the shit out of one another and then go and have beers and burgers after the match. I commend them for that.
So, get your favorite pink and black gear together (the Throttle Rockets' colors) and head out to Key Arena on January 15th.
We'll all be there ...
xoxo
Anna

Godspeed Elizabeth Edwards ...

My stomach is in knots and I didn't even KNOW this woman. I know the past few years have been quite "dramatic" in regards to her family and all that it's gone through. But, I have to say that she carried herself with such grace and strength during this whole process. Her disease did not seem to control her. She appeared to be leading herself down a path that many that I've known have walked.
I hate that she knew that she was leaving her children. I cannot begin to imagine the sadness that she and other women that are dying, due to ANY disease, feel. It overwhelms me at times to think of that ...
I pray that she and her family are at peace.
xoxo
Anna

Feeling Charitable???

If you're looking for a fabulous organization to spend some extra "charity" money on this month, I would LOVE to suggest Mirror Stage.
I've had the honor of working with them a couple of times. Suzanne, the managing artistic director, has made a point of introducing new works to us ... the "work-a-day world" folk. These are works that are fabulous, but may not have been seen on other terms. They are modern, edgy, funny, sad, thought-provoking, and fabulous.
So, if you have a few extra bucks to donate this year, please keep Mirror Stage in mind. It is, truly, a fabulous theatre company that is highly respected in the Seattle theatre community. It exposes us all to new works that we might never have seen ... new works that are amazing!

The link is: mirrorstage.org

xoxo,
Anna