Adios 2008

Another year.

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the reflection. When thinking about all that has happened in 2008, it's hard to believe it all fit into 365 days.

There are many things that happened this year that have changed my life in some way, things I will never forget...

the birth of my niece Lilly Anna
the passing of my beloved dog Orville
attending the SCBWI National writing conference
starting this blog
applying for grad school
running a half marathon
the election of Barack Obama...

My old friends at The Today Show put together several "year in review" pieces. Check out The Year in Video, and all you pop culture junkies like me will enjoy this one as well. Of course there are dozens, so check them out and reminisce about 2008.

Happy New Year

I love the holidays as much as the next guy. Possibly more. I start up the Christmas music and drag out the decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I take great joy in wrapping presents, making my Christmas cards, and delivering poinsettias. It makes me feel all warm and nostalgic.

But come December 26, I'm officially over it.

Perhaps it's because I get so involved and carried away that post-Santa I can't stand the sight of another tube of wrapping paper. I get so buried in bows and presents and ornaments that the rest of my life withers away from neglect (notice the mass amount of blogging I did this month).

So, on this December 28th, I start the new year a little early. It's a new bright and shiny day. Time to remember the rest of my life, pick up where I left off and start anew.

And today I turn my focus to a new task. I am applying to the Vermont College of Fine Arts, in hopes of earning an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Let me tell you how much trust I have in you, because that's really hard for me to put out there. Now it's real.

But I'm taking a leap of faith. Faith in myself. Faith in what will be, will be.

Wish me luck.

Merry Xmas from Louie

Hi readers. Christina is in full holiday mode, and so I'm guest blogging for her this week. I'm Louie.

How's everyone doing? Personally, I'm exhausted! Between the parties, and shopping, and traveling the holidays can be rough, huh? Christmas came just in time because I was down to the bottom of the drawer on the holiday outfits! Whew! But this outfit is very fetching, don't you think? I like it. Except for the jingle bells. They can be a bit annoying. Jingle. JinGle. JiNGlE. Ugh! Sometimes I can't take it. Don't mind the few chewed, I mean non-jingly ones. They had it coming.

Anyway, my job was to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We hope it was a time of family, sugar, excess, and all the best stuff. Oh and joy, love, and peace, yeah, that's good too. But no jingle bells.

Happy, happy Xmas to all!

Where was I going with this...? Oh right, it's my birthday!

Side note: First, can I just say, Woo hoo! Mr. Cox and his disgusting turkey and cranberry sandwiches go DOWN! Thanks for your support everyone. A new thought provoking poll will be up soon. Anyway, moving on...

So, in two days I will be turning 29. It's pretty cool, I guess. I'm not upset about being closer to 30. I'm kind of excited about it. It's an accomplished age. A full blown adult. Still, it is weird cruising on down the road of life and not feeling different than you did when you were 17. (See my Generation Gap posting for more about that idea.) My mom has always told me that who she sees in the mirror is not really who she sees herself as. Her image of herself is about 28, and she's surprised almost every time she sees a 53 year old looking back at her. I could see that happening to me.

To jump to a different, yet relevant point, I'm thinking of climbing on the iPhone bandwagon and getting one when my Sprint contract is up in January. The iPhone. Now, while it's not completely mind-boggling on the surface, because we are totally desensitized at this point, think about the iPhone for just a minute. Think about all that it can do. Think about the technology that we currently have. It becomes mind-boggling when you think back to high school and how you waited around at home until your friends called you on the house phone-the phone you shared with your whole family. If you left before talking with that friend, you simply didn't see them that night. You got directions to where you were going or-dare I say it- you used a MAP. You planned parties and sent out actual paper invitations. Your answering machine recorded onto a tape. You watched commercials, or went to the bathroom in the interim and then literally ran back to the TV when your show came back on. You used a phone book. You'd never even heard of email, much less understood why a person needed it. You had photo albums with many unfortunate-eyes-closed-pictures on the pages. A mouse was a rodent. Blockbuster was king. And a busy signal was common.

So, while I don't feel like much time has passed, look how much has. I think that my generation will be one that sees some of the biggest changes in technology and lifestyle. It will be truly amazing to see my life through 50 year old eyes, or even 80. My children will grow up completely unable to imagine what life was like when I was little. Given the previous list, it will sound like we didn't even have running water. 1979 will sound archaic- all the way back in the 1900's! If I live to see 2079 and tell stories to my great-grandchildren at my 100th birthday, I'll tell them about the year I turned 29, and my very first iPhone. Lord knows Apple will have taken over the planet by then. My first iPhone will be like my grandpa's model A Ford...

Wait, how'd this post wander so far away...? I'm turning 29. Happy Birthday to me!

Just breathe

I've read that the simpler your life is, the more peace and happiness you find.

Also, I've been having this thing lately where I feel like I can't take a full breath. Kinda freaks me out. Hmmm...wonder if these two things are related.

My aunt left yesterday for three months in India. She and my uncle go every winter and meditate for 30 days. On Christmas day she will be meditating. When I was younger I thought my aunt was effing crazy. Weird. Bizarre. Who. Does. That? But having completed my own 10 day meditation courses, I'm wondering if she has the right idea.

When you're at a meditation course, you basically step off the planet for a bit. Being still and quiet is your only obligation. The day before she left, my aunt emailed me and said she was "ready to go...life is complex here."

Do you ever wonder what people did before modern civilizations? Forget cell phones and computers and lightning fast communication. Think small villages or farming communities. What did they do? They talked, and sang songs, made things with their own hands, and sat on their porches looking at the view in front of them and thought. Simple. Peaceful.

I sometimes feel like we humans have progressed and evolved so much, we've left ourselves behind. I wonder if we are really equipped to live in a system like we've created. It's fast. It's obligatory. It's constant over-stimulation. When do we breathe?

Notice that in my top 10-can't-live-withouts I have my phone, my computer, the Internet, my blow dryer! Those things aren't going away anytime soon. I love my technology, she says as she blogs away. But really, this breathing thing is bothering me...

Well, anyhoo, as I was sleeping walking my way through feeding the dogs this morning at 5 am, this commercial broke through the fog. I laughed out loud. A lot. And I appreciated it so much, I thought I would share. In the crazy, fast, over-stimulated, holiday decorated day that it is, take a second to laugh...and breathe. I know I enjoyed it.

Give thanks

Buddha said, gratitude is the road to enlightenment.

It's daily work of course, to recognize all that you have to be grateful for. It is very easy to get caught up in the morning rush hour, the annoying coworker, the cup of coffee you dropped down the stairs on your way out the door. But really, make a point to remember the big picture. It puts things in perspective.

I feel very lucky to have landed in the life I did. I was born in America in a time when women have equal opportunity and rights. I am (knock on wood) healthy. I have a family who raised me with love, paid for dance lessons, and put me through college. I was fortunate enough to find the love of my life very early. I have precious little beagles, and scads of friends and family who love and support me. I truly have a great life. And I tell myself that everyday.

This time of year, my kids at school always do projects declaring what they are thankful for. Inevitably it is a list of: my cat, my PS3, my bike, ice cream. And to a 7-year-old who hasn't yet realized "the big picture," those are the most important things in their lives. And why shouldn't they be?

So I was thinking, what might my short-and-sweet-list be? Aside from my good fortune and the people/animals in my life, these are the things I couldn't live without:

(In order of importance, believe it or not)

1. chap stick- simple I know, but seriously, I could not live in Denver and be without chap stick at any time

2. my phone

3. books

4. my laptop-especially the Internet

5. dark chocolate

6. lotion- see #1

7. soy milk

8. sunshiny days

9. blow dryer

10. music

Though I know it sounds odd to say, I give thanks for my blow dryer, I would look like a drown rat most of the time with out it. Priorities people.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. for those of you paying attention... Starbucks would be #11!

Rantings of an Addict

I’m not sure how other people’s work bathrooms look, but at my school we post various articles or motivational quotes on the walls. Last week, this is what I found posted. Check it out. I’ll wait.

So just let me respond.

First, Ms. Kristie Leong, M.D., stick to medical journals, because this little witty attempt at journalism, we addicts do not find humorous. Rather annoying actually. We are not “closet addicts.” Clearly you don’t know any true Starbucks patrons. We proudly carry our venti Starbucks cups into work every morning. And yes, the first glimpse of that sweet green sign in a foreign country makes our heart skip a beat. And no, it is not about the “fashionable Starbucks cup.” It is so much more… ahh, so much more.

1. Admit you’re an addict
Um, yea, we know that already…

2. Tell yourself it’s just coffee
Hold up! That is going too far. This statement, my friend, squashes all credibility you might have had. Starbucks coffee is not “just coffee.” It is the highest quality, freshest beans you can find blah-di-blah-di-blah, and besides, I have a personal theory it is laced with crack. Seriously it is Crackbucks. No one has ever used the phrase, “Oh, I go to Starbucks for the Wi-Fi.” No, we go for the crack. It is NOT just coffee.

3. Do the math
So, here’s the thing Kristie. This cliché is tired. Is that the best you’ve got? We KNOW how much cash we drink in a month. Ok, we know. But do you really want to start down that road? Shall we start calculating how much Americans spend on wants vs. needs? While we’re at it, let’s tally up how much is spent at happy hours. I don’t hear anyone railing against happy hours. Or maybe we could all start walking to work rather than spend money on gas. Oh, and forget going out to lunch, or tic tacs for that matter. I don’t think any of us would rather go to Belize than buy the $4.00 drink that makes our daily lives happy. Personally, I’ll take 365 caffeinated=happier days over 10 in Belize (where there probably isn’t even a Starbucks…). Because, don’t get me wrong, all of the above listed changes are great ones, if you’re looking to save money. But this is not your point Kristie. Your title isn’t “How to save money for a trip to Belize.” And finally, most addicts go straight for the crack: Venti drip. Very cheap. Darn, I guess that argument holds no water, or coffee, now…

4. Do it yourself
And here, we find the root: Corporate America. Well, for now I’m not going to touch that one. But again, maybe your title should have been, “I hate major corporations…”

Anyhoo, back to “do it yourself.” Here is where I can explain the love affair we addicts have with Starbucks. Let me start by telling you that I have been sober for over a year now. Sadly, my hyper-acidic stomach and I could no longer agree to disagree on my coffee addiction. My stomach won. Last October, I quit coffee. I’m still mourning the loss. Seriously. Everyday. I’m not exaggerating. For a while I thought Starbucks and I were no more. And that is when I was faced head-on with my Starbucks addiction. It’s not the caffeine (though the crackbucks is a serious drug to get over), it’s not the simple black, white, and green cup, it’s not the predictability of the store or perfect grande-skim-misto-with-sugar-free-vanilla-syrup, it’s not the reliable morning (or mid-afternoon, or 9pm) pick-me-up, or the stellar customer service, or the familiar smell when you walk in the door, or the fact that you are within spitting distance from a store at any given moment. It. Is. All. Of. Those. Things. Starbucks is a reliable friend that never disappoints. It’s a romantic experience, start to finish. It is an absolute addiction. The experience cannot be matched at Peaberry, Peet’s, or at home. Period.

5. Consider the calorie saving
Again, the addicts go straight for the crack. We don’t let milk and sugar get in the way. We may enjoy a great cream-laden beverage like everyone else. But we also don’t want to weigh 300 pounds by the end of the year. Since, let’s face it, this is a daily thing, we save our calories for the once a season specialty drinks like the Pumpkin Spice or Cinnamon Dolce lattes. (Seriously, I’m tearing up just thinking about those past loves.) Which brings me back to my personal confessions: I have since found a new drink to love at Starbucks. The green-tea-soy-latte has no crack, but the experience is pretty close. 160 calories.

And thank you to Kristie Leong, M.D. for letting me abuse you throughout this post. I’m not usually so fired up. But seriously, don’t mess with Starbucks.

Update!

Hey peeps. So I've been adding a bit of flair to the blog.


First, do you like the new picture? It reminds me of one of my favorite books, I'm not myself these days. If you haven't read it, well, you should. Fabulous, with a capital F. Josh Kilmer-Purcell chronicles a year in his gold-fish-filled life of drag queen stardom in NYC. You wouldn't believe what he does with the goldfish. No, it's not that, dirty bird.




Also, check out the new features (imagine me Vanna-pointing to the right of the screen), ooh ahh. If you liked my last post, you'll love the perma-post Currently Coveting. I have endless pieces to share, and I figured not everyone would like to read about YSL shoes and LV mini-dresses. If these acronyms mean nothing to you, you may not be interested in this column. You may, however, like to participate in the weekly poll. Turkey and cranberry sandwiches is the topic open to opinion at the moment. Just a little dispute between Mr. Cox and myself. Your help would be much appreciated.


See, we're an equal opportunity blog here at Christina Cox. Something for everyone! Enjoy!

Currently Coveting

Patent. Platform. Peep toe.

Yves Saint Laurent, people.


A far cry from my last shoe post, but hey, I don't discriminate. They are a bit more spendy as well.

Yves Saint Laurent, people.


Spendy schmendy. When in doubt, it's best to refer to Mr. Oscar Wilde:
"Anyone who lives within their means has lack of imagination."

Amen.

Around my water cooler

I'm sure that in your workplace today, there was talk of the election.

There was at mine too. Only, I hang out with 7-year-olds all day. Still, you'd be surprised at how similar your conversation and my conversation probably were:

[Names were changed to protect the innocent, yet hilarious.]

Mrs. Cox: We're going to read Arthur Meets the President because today is a special day. Who knows why today is important?

Alex: We have an assembly?

Mrs. Cox: No, it's election day. Today all the adults in America get to vote for who will be the next President.

Alex: Oh yea! I hope Bronco Bama wins! [we are in Orange and Blue Country, don't forget] Because that other lady is loco! [twisting his finger beside his head]

Andre: Can girls be President, or only boys?

Mrs. Cox: No, women can be the President or Vice President too. If John McCain wins tonight, Sarah Palin will be our Vice President.

Alex: Yea, she's loco! [resumes finger twisting]

Andre: Oh yea, I remember her. My Grandpa thinks she's hot!


See, even the kids know the most important thing about Sarah Palin is that she's hot.

Life's tough lessons

It happens to the best of us.

Sometimes we let excitement get the best of us, and we act without thinking. We throw caution to the wind. We leap before we look. We dig a mud hole, and stick our entire face in it.

And once the excitement is over, we realize that we didn't think that through very well. We didn't think about the consequence of our decision. We didn't realize we would really want to go back in the house once we were totally covered in mud.

I don't think so Big Man.

Total bummer, I know. Live and learn Freddy. Live and learn.

Loose lips sink ships

Yes, Madonna is freaking ripped.



But most of us don't have 4 hours a day to devote to working out.

Don't fret. Guy Ritchie has some comforting words for you.

With the divorce battle officially on and splashed across, well everywhere, Mr. Ritchie has begun venting a bit. Apparently, he was not a fan of Madonna's strict workout routine spilling that sleeping with her was (cue British accent here) "like cuddling up to a piece of gristle."



I don't know about you, but that makes me and my round booty feel a little better.

Yes, yes y'all

Holy crap you guys, I did it! I ran a half marathon. 13 miles! Sunday. I’m kinda too tired to write much more, but here are some highlights:


Here's me and my friend Danielle at about mile 3, still looking spry and bright-eyed. 20 points for those of you who can actually pick me out of this picture. Here's a hint, there's only two of us looking at the camera (thanks Kris!)...



Da-da-daaa, da-da-daaaa (cue the Rocky theme). Crossing the finish line. Check out how D's feet aren't even touching the ground!



Danielle, our rock-star-full-marathon-runner-amiga Heather, me :), and our adoring fans, Kari and Nic. I can barely walk at this point.


The Denver Marathon in numbers:

8,000 runners participated

13 countries represented

46 states represented

5,280 miles above sea level in Denver

26.2 miles for a full marathon

13.1 miles for a half marathon

3 months I trained

2 hours and 6 minutes was my final time for the half (yea!)

9:45 average minute mile

2 hours and 22 minutes was the final winning time for full marathon runner Basweti Jynocel (that’s only 16 minutes more than my time, plus 13 more miles, but who’s counting?)

5:25 average minute mile for Basweti (for 26 straight miles!)

1 hour and 10 minutes was the final winning time for half marathon runner Joel Hamilton

5:23 average minute mile for Joel

4 or 5 (I lost count) mimosas I enjoyed at brunch after the race

2 hour nap I took after the mimosa indulgence


Yes, yes y'all.

Tina Fey for VP, pt. 2

Of course McCain and Obama fling about Joe the Plumber right after my last post. Some how this metaphor was overused on a monumental scale, even by a politician's standard. Anyway, apply Joe the Plumber to any of the previous lists. It definitely deserves a spot on the list of ridiculousness.

I would title this post Joe the Plumber for VP, but I still think Tina Fey is better qualified. But I'd consider Amy Poehler as well!

Tina Fey for VP

As a person who is so sadly ill-informed on the politics that are consuming our media at the moment, I will not try to give any kind of educated opinion on it. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been paying attention, and watching the debates and all. But really, what the hell are they even talking about most of the time? They over sell their past voting records (why does the senate have 95 votes on the same tax issue btw?), how much their opponent sucks (which the other denies, quoting more voting records), and how their past proves they will fix all of the country’s current woes (while leaving out any real concrete plans).

So what is a Joe Sixpack to think? I am a pop-culture junky after all, and so I get all of my supplemental information from the Today Show, the Daily Show, and all the other shows that only feed you what they want you to think. So, my contribution is a gathering of the highlights, from this junky’s point of view:


Top issues:

1. The economy…aka highly privileged rich people telling you how they are going to fix our failing economy
2. The war…that was kinda supposed to help us gain energy independence…?
3. The energy crisis…(see #2 above)


What we’re really talking about:

1. Obama and his never-ending list of questionable “friends”
2. Michelle Obama’s wardrobe and feisty persona
3. Cindy McCain is hot, wow… how old is she?
4. Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin
5. John McCain… oh wait, no… no, we’re not talking about John McCain (except that he is really old… see #4 above)


Most over used metaphors:

1. Golden Parachute
2. Earmarks
3. Pork barrel spending
4. Main Street


Most over used word:
Everyone say it with me…

Maverick

…or Change, depending on your party (really one in the same, aren’t they?)


Phoniest phrases:

1. “I was talking to a small business owner in Des Moines…”
2. My friends
3. Folks (gag me)


A debate I’d really love to see:
In this corner…

Hillary “Pantsuit” Clinton
Sarah “Updo” Palin
Michelle “Fashionista” Obama


Exciting things that have come from this election:

1. For the first time, an African-American is very likely to be the next President of the United States.
2. American citizens are actually fired up, talking about the issues and the candidates, and ready to vote.
3. Saturday Night Live is on Thursday nights too!

Rough Life

Just another day in the life of a beagle...

Generation Gap

Last week I went home to Oklahoma to visit my family, and meet my new niece Lilly. You should know that Lilly is the first grandchild on either side of my family. She is the first baby since my youngest sister Sarah, who just turned 21.

In the days leading up to my trip, I kept wondering how I would react when I finally got to see the real, live, breathing and vomiting little baby Lilly. I wondered if I would cry. Or maybe begin to crave a baby of my own. Neither of those things happened. Rather, the first words out of my mouth were, “Holy s%!# Carrie, you’re a mom!”



My little sister is a mom.



My dad is a grandpa.

Seriously?

Most of the time, it feels completely normal that this has all happened. Carrie is 24, she and Steve got married last year. My dad is in his fifties, has glasses and grey hair like all the other grandpas. It all fits. I’m in my late 20’s. Of course my sisters are getting married and starting families. 'Tis the season, if you will.

But here’s the thing: none of this looks like I pictured it. In my mind, the adults in my childhood were “older.” Not in a biological sense, but in a “because I said so and I’m in charge” kind of way. I remember my idea of my parents, my aunts and uncles, in their then-fabulous-now-ridiculous 80’s glasses, driving their sweet maroon-striped mini-vans. They had it all figured out. I couldn’t wait to be an adult. I would be able to do whatever I wanted, receive mail addressed to me every day, and know how to make Strawberry Shortcake themed with pink frosting birthday cakes. I was always in such a rush to grow up.

And now I’m here, clicking back through my digital library of the photos I’ve collected of my brand new niece. These photos are the beginning of the next generation’s childhood memories. And THAT is the part that gets really heavy. I just don’t feel like the “adult” that I thought I would be, that I saw in my parents and aunts and uncles through my 6-year-old eyes. I am still that 6-year-old.

I feel like we (as in me, my husband, my sisters, my friends) are still fumbling along in our lives. Sure, we are getting married, building careers, having children. But we are taking one step at a time, groping through the dark without a flashlight. It scares me a bit that we’re the ones now “in charge.” If our parents in fact had a how-to manual, as it appeared back in the day, it got lost in the move. We are making it up as we go.

We are not the ever-perfect supermen that I saw my parents to be. Sure, there comes a time when every child begins to see their parents as real people with real imperfections. But in your early years, didn’t you think, didn’t you trust?! that your parental figures had this amazing grand plan for your day, your week, your life? They knew everything, could fix anything, and were the ultimate decision-makers of your universe. The reality (that I didn’t get until now) is, they were living the same 20-something life as I am, as my sister is, that is unpredictable, messy, and complicated. It’s not perfect. We hang on by our fingernails and make the best decisions we can. And apparently, put on a great front as the ultimate decision-makers of the next generation’s universe.

I guess my point is this: things aren’t always how you think they will be. The picture in your mind is just that, a romanticized expectation.



Maybe I just need a change in perspective. Outrageous 80’s glasses are back in style, after all.

Cox and Johnson

A law firm? Nope. A classic “adult film”? Perhaps. The perfectly-paired, yet totally-coincidental surnames of my mom’s sweet little girls? That’s the one.

Congratulations to my little sister Lauren and her now fiancé Mr. Erik Johnson! My family had the pleasure of not only being present at the proposal, but in on the whole secret plan. The gathering was disguised as Erik’s birthday, and hidden inside the biggest present was the ring box. Lauren was totally blindsided. I have it all on video, but my husband somehow taped the whole thing sideways. Once I figure out how to fix that little technical issue I’ll let you know. In the meantime, you can enjoy a few snapshots of the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

Awww!

My family is thrilled. We love Erik, and my sister deserves all of her happiness. Plus, the bonus is, on July 4th, 2009 (their set wedding date) my sister and I will be Cox and Johnson. Not Baker and Cook, Woods and Forest, Berger and King. Christina Cox and Lauren Johnson. What are the chances???

I heart Rain Boots (and Target.com)!

When it comes to fashion, I like color. A lot. I like patterns and texture. I like bold pieces that hinge toward ugly. Baby-puke yellow? Love it. Feathered accessories? Fabulous. Lime green anything? Especially if it’s paired with hounds tooth. I guess you could say my style swings a little to the left.

Enter the rain boot. Rubber. Bright. Obnoxiously patterned. Perfect!

After seeing this synthetic-breed of boot sloshing through a rainy SoHo last fall, it shot to the top of the must-have list. How did I not already own this fabulous footwear? I canvassed Denver, but my efforts proved fruitless short of a few random spottings here and there, and those displays were intended for children. Because really, what woman of nearly 30 would wear polka-dotted galoshes?

Um, this one.

With spring and summer came warm weather, chasing thoughts of stifling, knee high rubber boots far away. But in the cooling days of September, they are back. During a recent lunch with my girlfriend Danielle, the subject came up, as all most-important, discussion-worthy topics do, and she casually mentioned Target.com.

Freakin’ jackpot, people!

Since my giddy excitement over the mere 76 options has worn off, I’m left in rain boot overload. Here are some of my favorites: (not to be confused with the most ridiculous Target.com has to offer…)

There is the more subtle, classy option:

Noteworthy plaids (a must-have for this season!):

Fabulous prints:

A little slice of organic:

The “Audacity of Hope” model:

And some sweet graphics as well:

How is a bold-color-loving, pattern-and-texture-adoring, almost-ugly-piece-preferring girl supposed to choose?

Is it over the top to have 5 pairs of rain boots?

Eeny-meeny-miny-moe…

Work in Progress

Today is Monday. Upon my great high at the SCBWI LA conference, I swore I would treat writing more like a job, even though I already have two other jobs. No more, “I’ll write when I have time.” Let’s be honest- that just didn’t happen. No. My new job as a writer must have a schedule, like any other job. That schedule is Mondays 12-4. It’s a start. It must be a time when “I’m working,” and nothing else can be scheduled, or done, or cleaned, or organized. So there.

It’s Monday, 1:16 pm. I’m working. It feels awesome!

Home sick

I'm dog sitting for my parents right now. Here's how our days usually go:

CC: Hey, Boomer. How's it goin'?

Boomer: Good, thanks. Um, when are my parents coming back?

CC: A couple more days, don't worry.

Boomer: Ok, thanks. Can I have a chewy?

CC: Not right now, you just had one. Why don't you go out to play?

Boomer: Yea, ok... Um, when are my parents coming back?

CC: Aww, I'm sorry Boom, are you not having fun here?

Boomer: No, no, I'm having a blast! You guys are great. You're really good at the petting and all that. A little stingy on the chewies, and you're a little lame about me sitting on your lap... but you know... um, I just really like my parents. Are they coming today?

Iris: Yea Mom, when is he leaving?

CC: Oh, Iris, be nice!

Iris: Mpf...

Fred: Whatever. Could you guys keep it down? And forget about asking me to share my blanket.

Boomer: Hey, um... hi, are my parents coming soon?

Mi sobrinita bonita

I’m an auntie! I’m an auntie! I’m and auntie!

My sister Carrie and brother-in-law Steve had their little girl Lilly Anna on August 15th. Awww, I hear you saying. I know, right?!

As a person who rarely feels different than I did as a child, what wise knowledge might I pass along to my new cotton candy tufted niece? There are a few things I learned at a very early age, that still hold true today:

1. Dogs are the best friends you’ll ever have.
2. Dry cat food is salty, but edible.
3. Never doubt yourself.
4. Blond is totally better. Rock it!

5. Music is best played loudly.

6. Cool aunts always carry gum in their purses.

7. You can never have too many shoes.

8. Cherish family.

9. Peanut butter and crackers are a perfectly acceptable dinner.

10. "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

Welcome to the world, little one!

A blogger is born

I might be the last in my generation, and definitely the last in the writing community, to start a blog. I really just never thought anyone else might be interested in the thoughts and musings that rattle about in my head. But, alas, after officially declaring myself part of the world of children's literature by attending the SCBWI National Conference in L.A. earlier in the month, I realized it was important that I have some sort of online presence.

So here I am. Hi!

For those of you who don't know me, I am flattered you are reading this. And for those of you who do know me, I'm still flattered. Thanks for listening (or reading) as I use this as a practice pad, creating a forum for the necessary BIC (butt in chair) time much needed in my attempt to launch myself into the writing world. I intend to attach this blog to a personal website... at some point. That's a very large art project currently in the making. But you will be the first to know when it is launched!

For now I'm a blogger... finally.