How are we "making it?"

I, just like all of us right now, am struggling financially. Filling up the gas tank of my little Honda Civic is hard enough. I cannot even presume to imagine what those that have cars larger than mine are dealing with when they go to the gas station.
I don't think it's a societal/class issue at this point. I think, financially, we're ALL suffering. But, SHIT ... it's beyond belief what I'm paying for my daily commute (6 days a week), taxes out the Hoo Hoo that still don't seem to be helping those same roads that were supposed to be fixed, the new transit station in Mountlake Terrace on I-5, Mercer Street "redo".
So, what's happening to children's play areas that are being shut down?
Why, if the reason that they were shut down is to help the traffic/commute cause, are these "PROFESSED" areas of interest not getting any attention or major upgrades?
Throw a commuter a bone ...
Especially one that hates those that sit idle in the far left lane.
xoxo,
anna

Oh HOLLER!!!! A fabulous "foodie" blog ...

Well, paint me yellow and call me "slap-happy!"
Miss Luchie ... one of my best girlfriends from our "Cancer Club" ... has decided to start a blog based upon her love of food. This woman posts pictures of what she cooks every night. To say it's AMAZING is lame. She is the ultimate "Foodie." I see pics of her dinners and I want to smack her ... LIKE, REALLY HARD. She has this instinctual pallet. And, she loves to cook.
Sooooooo ... Go visit this blog folks. She's one of my favorite bad-asses EVER. AND, I LOVER HER DEARLY.
I am, personally, gonna attempt to try her recipes ... even if they don't include collard greens and sharp cheddar cheese.

http://unseasonedfoodie.com/

xoxo,
Anna

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SILAS ...

Wow ... what a long and fabulous weekend!!!!! Mister Mosey turned 5 yesterday. Would have blogged, but we had much more fun things to do! So, I'm a day late on the "Birthday Blog." I think that is pretty telling ... in a great way.
Saturday was spent with friends and family celebrating the most amazing BIG BOY'S 5th birthday. We had an amazing time swimming at our hotel. We, then met up with our pals at Buca De Beppo. All I can say is that we were all in a coma after all of the fabulous food and wine. The boys ate their weight in cake. The adults needed wheel barrows to get our asses out of our chairs. It was such an amazing birthday for my little man.
Thanks so, so much to our amazing pals and family for all of the sweet calls and presents.
Thank you Grammie and Grandaddy for all of your love and support for the birthday celebration!!!!!
xoxo,
Anna

Possibly one of the best monologues of all time...

Seventeen days after Spencer Tracy wrapped Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, he died. He and Katharine Hepburn were a love for the ages. You can see, as he's delivering the monologue, that she understands that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yt0wxoFl4o

It's such a lovely, lovely piece.
xoxo
Anna

A Candle Loses Nothing By Lighting Another Candle...

Godspeed Mohammad Nabbous ...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/03/20/nr.nabbous.libya.dead.cnn?hpt=C2


xoxo,
Anna

Why is it so hard ....

.... To figure this nonsense out????
So many animals are out there ... in shelters. Some shelters are "Kill Shelters" Some are "No Kill Shelters." But, they are ALL becoming swamped with animals right now.
These poor creatures never chose to be bred/born/neglected.
There are enough of these sweet peas to go around ... TWENTY MILLION FOLD.
All of my pets are rescues. I don't judge a pal that, truly, wants a pure bred pup. I, absolutely, understand that.
But, stats show that mixed bred dogs (especially those that are spayed and neutered) live a longer and healthier life than pure breds.
Soooooo .... if you are open to adoption/rescue, I would suggest looking into shelters that are considered "kill shelters." It's sad but true: you'd be saving a life. But, if it's more convenient for you, ANY shelter is better than continuing to propagate the population of dogs and cats right now. We need to reel in this incessant breeding of animals. Many of which are bought/gifts and end up thrown to a curb.
Not to sound like Bob Barker. But, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE spay/neuter your pets.
xoxo,
Anna

Carol "Nacho" Franco's 5th Cancerversary Party...

This is Carol. Carol is dancing ... with me. This is us LIVING and celebrating her 5 year cancerversary at AN AMAZING party at O'Asian last weekend.
Carol is one of my dearest girlfriends and a HUGE source of comfort, support, and love. She's been in my world for over 4 years now. She's been one of the dearest friends/sisters that I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know.
This woman will go to bat FOR ANYONE in whom she believes. She is generous ... almost to a fault. I'd welcome her into my foxhole anytime. She has a gal's back ... for true.
I look forward to the next 50 years of dear sisterhood with My Nacho. The laughs, alone, are worth it ... much less the entirety of her person. You are, truly, beautiful Mama. Inside and out.
I love you Nacho!
xoxo
Cooch