Happy Birthday Precious girl ...

K-Dawg Birthday!!!!!!!
... We had our "Cooper's game-plan" set up.
However, we're all snowed in.  Who knows who will hoof it to the bar.
Doesn't matter one iota.
We planned a fabulous birthday party for you.  We're all celebrating it on our own terms tonight.

You are a constant in our worlds and souls, sweet girl.  Not a day goes by when each and every one of us look up at a gorgeous cloud, hear an amazing song, eat an amazing meal, watch our kids fall down ... get back up ... that we don't think about you.  You have been, and always will be, one of our touchstones and guiding lights, sweet girl.
We know you are here with us.
We know you are peaceful and safe.
And ... we KNOW that YOU know that we love you.
That's all we need to know precious girl.
xoxo
Anna
p.s.  DAMMIT I MISS YOU!!!!  Could use a bit of your snark today.

My sweet giant may have been smaller than me ...

Spent a snowy afternoon with Mr. Don watching "Big Fish" (again) for the first time in years.
It's such a lovely, lovely movie.  Fabulous cast, cinematography, writing, etc.
I have to say, this time around, I was much more affected by the film.  The father in Big Fish is dying.  His stories to his son are big, bold, and questioned by his son.
I've been there.
I never had the chance to ask my Dad questions that I had held close to my heart.  I never knew the extent of "his world."  The extent became apparent after his passing.
My father was that "big fish."
A big fish in a small pond  has quite a bit to protect and uphold.
I, simply, wish that I had been privy to a bit of that.
Hell, I wish I'd been privy to A HELL OF A LOT of that,  considering the standards to which I was held my entire life and my overly earnest relationship with my dad.
Lesson learned.
I know my father better than most.
I know my father would have spoken the truth to me if he knew he could fix it.
He couldn't.
I don't hold that against him.
Just wish we could have had one last heart to heart chat where I could look him in the eyes ... where he could share his worries ... where I could have helped console AND council him ... and where I could give him a smack ... and then, a huge hug.
xoxo
Anna

Time to get back into "the game" ...

Whelp ...
  Sounds like I've been lassoed into a voiceover gig by a client of mine that has just founded a new "start-up" with his brother.  Flexible hours, recording on my own terms/time, a regular gig for who knows how long.  Oh:  Sounds like it pays well, as I'll be the "voice" of their company as well.
  It's an ideal situation considering the single Mama deal is a full time job ... on top of my, already, full time job.
  I adore this client.  He's young, smart, and driven.  So, I'm glad to help him and his brother out on their new venture.
  Hopefully, it turns into something BIG!!!
XOXO
Anna
 

My song to you Mr. Frank ...

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

Had a wonderful conversation with the Roland ladies in Arkansas tonight.  Strong broads, they are!
Frank introduced me to this song.  It still moves me.
Silas and I are sending all of our strength and love to you and your precious family!
See you on the flip-side, Mister!
xoxo
Anna &  Silas
p.s. your wife just told me her favorite memory of me was when I did a swan dive (naked) off of your diving board in the back yard.  I'm, sort of, glad you missed that.

Godspeed Mr. Frank...

http://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/services.asp?page=odetail&id=26203&locid=14

xoxo,
Anna

Once upon a time ...

I was given the most amazing "mixed" CDs entitled "Oh Anna, Volume 1, 2, 3, 4,  ..."
Stumbled across one today.  Out of all the fabulous songs, this one was my favorite on one particular CD.
And, as the sweet lyrics say, "it's so easy to forget."
I wonder why it is so easy to "forget" for some people.  
Don't get me wrong ... I have a MAJOR short-term memory issue, thanks to chemo-brain.  It's the bane of my existence.  
I forget the "good ol' days".  I forget why I said what I said, did what I did, loved who I loved, ate what I ate, shat where I shat ...
It's been a long couple of years for me, my family, my friends.
I love a good kick in the ass to remind me how far we've all come ... and, how much farther we'll go!
So ... I mosey on, and on, and on, and on.
On the "Up Side", I'm having a good time moseying!




Pleasurehead - "Seafood"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-3wcNnzwwE




Remove the tie and you will find
that the details are now complete
and hope is a word that we both hope for
the changing seasons we both need

and You're so beautiful when you shine for me
and You're so beautiful when you shine, oh

There's not much left, it's been so long
and this reflection has not been kind
So we place our hands in these foreign skys
it's so easy to forget

You're so beautiful when you shine for me
You're so beautiful when you shine for me
You're so beautiful when you shine for me
You're so beautiful when you shine, oh

e so beautiful when you shine, oh 

xoxo, 
Anna

New Years Eve aftermath ...

Whelp ...
  I had a SPLENDID time on New Years Eve.  Hung out with a loverly friend and got to take in some amazing live music that happened to include one of my pals/clients playing drums.
  After the stroke of midnight, my buddy introduced me to his "two little friends":  the bottle rockets.
  At the time, it seemed like a good idea to shoot them out of his apartment window...
  After the fact ... not so much.
  A little "backfire" action occurred whilst setting mine off ... taking out my chest and FAVORITE dress, which I, promptly, had to remove because it caught on fire.  I'm not modest.  So.......
  After several days of trying to mend this damned wound, I had to make it in to "urgent care" today, as my entire chest is like a weepy hamburger patty.  So, now my left side is no longer envious of my right side and all its radiated glory.
  Mucho meds, lots of laughs with the docs and nurses, and a heapin' helpin' of them peeling the burnt skin off of my chest to "promote" healing ... don't try that at home ... I'm on the mend.
  Fingers crossed.
  But, what an amazing New Years Eve to remember.  Loverly time!
xoxo
Anna

My new favorite band...

Of Monsters and Men ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj5JO9j5jiI

Maybe I’m a crook for stealing your heart away
And maybe I’m a crook for not caring for it
And maybe I’m a bad, bad, bad, bad person
Well baby, I know

And these fingertips, they’ll never run through your skin
Those bright blue eyes can only meet mine across a room
Filled with people that are less important than you

Because you love, love, love when you know I can’t love
You love, love, love when you know I can’t love
You love, love, love when you know I can’t love, you…
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com 

So I think it’s best we both forget before we dwell on it
The way you held me so tight all through the night
It was near morning

Because you love, love, love when you know I can’t love
You love, love, love when you know I can’t love
You love, love, love when you know I can’t love, you...



Lovely, lovely song.
xoxo
Anna
p.s. HAPPY NEW YEAR!