Happy 6th birthday to my MAIN MAN!!!

WHELP ... Mr. Silas celebrated his 6th birthday today.  We, actually, celebrated it with Grammie, Grandaddy, and pals this weekend.  But, today is the day.
It's the same day, that 6 years ago, I met him.  Held him in my hands after, nearly 3 days of labor.
My amazing dude has faced so, so much adversity.  Yet, he remains the most amazing gentleman and kind soul.
He does have a fiery side.  I adore that in him.  He will always be able to stand up for himself.  I've no concern about that.  But, he's so pensive and thoughtful and gracious.
I CANNOT imagine being more blessed with this little person being my child.  It amazes me ... EVERY day.
Soooooo ... we spent the weekend with Grammie, Grandaddy, Birdie, & Arlo ....
Spent some fabulous time out on the water on an Argosy Cruise ship ... thanks to Birdie.
Then, we had an amazing dinner at  Iver's.
Today, Silas and I had a "Bowl Off" for his birthday.  And, as per usual, he kicked my ARSE!!!!
EVEN with the damned bumpers up, that kid can roll a MEAN ball.
Next year, for his birthday, I'm gonna have him do my taxes.
I love you Mosey ... more than you'll EVER know.  You've more strength in you than most people have in their eyebrows.
You inspire me, infinitely.
xoxo,
Mama

And, yet again, Life marches on ...

It's been a while.  Life's been moving so fast and furiously for me, my family, friends, etc.
At some point, I'll backtrack and put up some pics of our adventures ... THAT'S FOR THE SC FOLKS THAT WON'T SHUT UP ABOUT IT!
Until then, I will update on our latest exploits, issues, and those of our precious pals.
Silas and I have been on many an adventure of late.  Spent an amazing weekend at a gorgeous log cabin in the snowy mountains at the beginning of the month.  He had his first ski lesson, which proved to be one the more hysterical experiences of my existence.
When you see your child take a nose-dive on skis ... and said skis end up over his own head in a cross formation ... you either laugh or cry.  I, personally, was crying from laughter.  It was a hoot.
After our fun adventure, he and I both ended up coming home with the flu.  Silas, as per usual, rallied.  I ended up with pneumonia.
This is where it gets "interesting."  I had to get some heart scans done, at the request of my oncologist, prior to my pneumonia nonsense.
Turns out that my heart has taken a beating from the Adriamycin that I took during chemo.
Sooooooooo ... my Lil' Ticker is in heart failure.
Though it cannot it be cured or reversed, we are able to help treat it with heart meds.  I will be on them for the rest of my life.  However, I feel blessed that we caught it in time.  I've 2 YSC girlfriends that have died due to Adriamycin inflicted heart failure.  So, we'll do what we can do to fight it.  I'm lucky to have that option.
In other news, my sweet Hoodie Pal Courtney lost her beloved puppy last week.  Duchess was diagnosed with cancer, herself, and passed quite suddenly the same week.  To say it's taken an toll on Court seems so bland.  This pup had been with her through EVERYTHING ... including her cancer, her losing friends, her losing her father, etc.  Godspeed sweet puppy.  Court is an amazing animal rights advocate and animal owner.  I wish more people that owned animals were more loving AND LESS CAVALIER ABOUT COLLECTING THEM.
It amazes me that humans "procure" animals because they think that they are great adornments for their homes.  You know, "I want a 'thus-and-such' because they are so cute."  Yeah ... you said that about your kids when they were born and your other animals that you could care less about NOW.  I get it.  Not lost on any of us.
How's about you rescue a damned animal and don't keep instigating this nonsense of overpopulation just to scratch your idiotic itch.
It's unbelievably narcissistic.
It just breaks my heart that my sweet friend is hurting so very much right now.  That she was such an amazing and attentive dog owner ... and she's left with such sadness while so many others could care less about their own pets.  It's morally reprehensible.
Godspeed sweet Duchess.
Soooooo .... that's that.
I'll post a billion pics soon to share with family that is breathing down my throat like a dragon on tequila.
xoxo
Anna

Happy Birthday Sweet Regan ...

My Sister "Outlaw" is turning 21 tomorrow.
Silas and I will be on the road ... heading to our super-secret log cabin in the snowy mountains.  Off the grid.
So .... as, we may not be able to send her a birthday call, this is her birthday song.
Our sweet girl deserves this and so, so much more - not only after all she's gone through with the loss of her young sister, her putting her head down and supporting her family, her striving to be an excellent student, her EVERYTHING  ... but because she's such a beautiful, strong, & loving woman.
I don't believe that I could have EVER been as strong as this young woman.
And, for that, she has given me an invaluable lesson in strength.  For that, I thank you.
Cheers sweet girl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gckGhM7GmWM

We love you and are so proud of you, gorgeous!!!!!
xoxo,
Silas & Anna

Brilliant weekend??? Check!

What does one do when they have had a fabulous weekend in Levenworth yanked from them when someone underbids them on a house at the f--king last minute?
Whelp ... One takes their kid on a cheap road trip for the weekend ... with the huge stinky mastodons that are, said, ones' dogs.  Now, in preparation for such a trip, you've gotta find a nice/clean/cheap HOTEL ... not "MOTEL" ... with a nice indoor pool.
I'm done with motels.
Creepiest one:  I was with my ex and we thought it would be fun to go to a seedy joint.  After a trip to the local super market, bleach in hand, we cleaned the room.  We took pictures of the blood splatters on the "head board" which was actually a panel of shag carpet.  I (as per usual) payed for the damned room.  And, the army mattress we slept on was thinner than a sheet of tissue paper and had what appeared to be shit-stains on it.  Again, bleach prevails.
I should have known this was to be a sign of things to come in our relationship.  Especially considering the fact that I had to pay for that dump.  But, I digress ....
Moving on .....  when one has 2 mammoth furry beasts in tow, it's important to check the pet policies at the hotels.  We found one that accepted dogs (up to 2) with no pet deposit.
SCORE!!!!
Had I known a hockey tournament was in the area, I would have nixed the idea.  Well, I would have nixed it unless they were grown men.  Hockey players are hot!  Just not the teenage version.  And, of course, these were the teenage version.
Obnoxious teenage hockey players aside, we had a blast.
Silas is still practicing his swimming skills, his hot tub decorum, his opening doors for inappropriately dressed 14 year old girls (cue vomit), his not saying "Mama, look at Otis' penis throwing up!" (don't ask), his .......................
But,  Man OH MAN, we had a fabulous weekend.  Good fun.  Good food.  Good Jumping on the bed.  Good swims.  Great laughs!
We finished our weekend over at Uncle Travis and Uncle Kevin's house for a few hours this afternoon.  Travis' Mama recently sent him his old GI Joe figurines from when he was Silas' age.  I, nearly, hit the floor laughing at the fact that my Gay Husband played with these.  It, actually, makes sense that they are still in such perfect condition!
Travis is such a love to my sweet boy.  They played with those dudes for an hour or so.  He is an amazing support to Silas.   Travis is enamored with Silas.  That says quite a bit to me.
It means the world to me for him to have such an AMAZING man in his life (amongst the many) ... even if he does wear more tinted moisturizer and designer clothes/shoes than me.  BITCH!
xoxo,
Anna
p.s. Many REAL men can and do wear tinted moisturizer.  I just hate that it looks better on them!

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