Sleep Deprived Aunt

This is what happens when Taylor Mae spends the night and it's time to lie down:

What a weirdo...must get it from her Aunt! :)

Novocaine smile

I'm overdue. Long overdue.
I thought, since 2011 went out like a lion, 2012 would come in like a lamb. Notsomuch. My to-do list is growing at about a two to one ratio to my been-done list. So for now, novocaine smile will have to suffice. It gave Kiera and me a good laugh, at least.

Oh- and one more thing before I work on taking this elliptical apart (yes, I know): Happy MLK Day. I had to work today, but I'm thinking of taking next year off and taking the kiddo down to the National Civil Rights Museum, which is at the site of the Lorraine Hotel, where MLK Jr was assassinated. She and I have both been before-it's a wonderful museum-but never together. And I honestly cannot think of a better way to spend the day. I know a lot of people volunteered today in the MLK "day of service," so thanks to those who participated. I hope each American has taken at least a few minutes today to reflect on both the progress we've made towards equality and the work that lies ahead of us.

“The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”
― Eric Berne

Morbid 3.333333/Century-Day Ramblings

I've always said I wanted to have a modest memorial/burial once my time on Earth has come to an end. After all, it isn't like I'm going to know what type of coffin I'm buried in or what my spray looked like.
But after some careful consideration, I've decided otherwise.
Here's the updated version:

If a 1985 Chevy complete with ginormous headshot is good enough for Kim Jong, I figure it's good enough for me.

[Massive Procession Optional]

Disclaimer for crudely satirizing upon another human's death: According to a 2004 Human Rights Watch report, the North Korean government under Kim was "among the world's most repressive governments", having up to 200,000 political prisoners according to U.S. and South Korean officials,[51] and no freedom of the press or religion, political opposition or equal education:[52] "Virtually every aspect of political, social, and economic life is controlled by the government."

Rounding third...sans the mistletoe

If there is any better way to round out the long weekend than with Buble on the iPod, a glass of pinot grigio and pecan delight at ur side while lying in a hot bubble bath jet tub, someone please tell me where I may find it. Right now I feel heavenly (although have no fear-I will certainly pay for mine (and others') playtime tomorrow.) :)

Ahhh, what a wonderful weekend...

I hope you each were equally as blessed.
(++)

Christmas Came Early for Us

A bit of good...nay, GREAT news this week:

Jana's tests have come back and she is currently CANCER FREE!
[happy, happy, joy, joy]

Thanks to her 2nd stem cell transplant, she is showing no signs of cancer whatsoever.
Of course, there is no cure for MM (yet!) so it will inevitably show its ugly face again (there are some cancer cells in her body, but they are so few that the tests aren't even reading them), but-overall-the transplant was a success. This is especially wonderful news, considering the first transplant was not successful.

So: What's next...
Well, Jana's going to continue with a less aggressive chemo and she'll be tested every few months (more bone marrow biopsies, such fun) for the return. In the meantime, her hair is growing back and I assured her she'll be flipping it over her shoulders (and having it blow in the wind) in no time. :)

I can't tell you how excited Kiera and I are for this blessing. We are beyond ourselves in joy and thanks...for now, please join us as we continue to support the powerful thinking that advances the cure!

Celebrating Jana's wonderful news today (oh, and that little thing known as Christmas)

As this will be my last post before Christmas, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope the holidays bring you peace and joy. In the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to take the time to enjoy the people you love and the blessings in your life.

"Tis the Season...to Judge. Judge. Judge.

I woke up to about a dozen FB posts similar to these:

and, quite frankly, it's a rantful day. This only encourages my madness.

We get it. It's Christmas.
But guess what, people: It's also Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. And, even if you are a "Christian," Happy Holidays does NOT mean people are taking the "Christ" out of Christmas. What it does mean is that you're being wished Happy Holidays. This includes Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Hence the use of the word "holidays" to encompass all the holidays. It's so absurd to assume saying anything less than "Merry Christmas" is offensive.

It makes me think of the prayer in public schools issue. To talk to a proponent of prayer in schools, you would think that Christians are no longer allowed to pray in school. Not True. What you are not allowed to do is force the children to pray in school. You are the one trying to press your religious expectations on someone else, NOT the other way around. Likewise, expecting someone to say "Merry Christmas" makes you the aggressor. In my thirty-three years, I have never ONCE had someone tell me not to say Merry Christmas. Where does this idea even come from? Am I in my own little world and others are being scorned for it on a daily basis? No. It's a bandwagon issue that has never really even been an issue. Ask yourself the same thing: Has someone asked you not to say Merry Christmas? My guess is no. In fact, I'm certain the answer is no. So then: what is the issue? That someone else would chose to say something other that what you prefer? You tell me who is stifling the other's freedom.

You'll often hear saying you shouldn't be celebrating if you aren't celebrating Jesus's birth. But guess what, folks--you don't get to determine what everyone in the world celebrates, whether they subscribe to your beliefs or not. I've never heard of the pagan religion campaign against the celebrations of "Fall Festivals" and "Trunk or Treats" for those "opposed" to the Pagan Halloween holiday. In a parallel world, they would require you to subscribe to the "true purpose" of Halloween, otherwise you would be excluded from participating. And, of course, this isn't the case. Each and every holiday is what you make of it. Period. No matter how many Merry Christmases you proclaim, if you are not religious (or don't celebrate the "meaning" of Christmas in true form), you are simply a subject of a very expensive marketing campaign. And I venture to say that is the case for most.

[Don't agree with me? Try Walmart on Black Friday and PLEASE show me the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.]

As for me:
Well, I fully support your right to say Merry Christmas. Or Happy Hanukkah. Or Happy Kwanzaa. Or whatever it is you may be celebrating. I believe that the purpose of the season is to bring peace and joy and love to those you hold dear (and to others whom you may have never even met). I believe that whatever religion you subscribe to, accomplishing this is a wonderful and amazing thing.

And, if you pass me on the street and wish me Happy Holiday, I will smile, thank you for the well-wishes and return the favor.

On a side note, I googled the subject after composing this post and came to realize this is a much hotter topic than I'd realized. Here is a related story from USA Today.

[smh]...Ah GWB, you never cease to disappoint me.

Is there anyone left in the country who is still unconvinced that the "W" in George W stands for Worst? As in worst. president. ever? Ahhh...yes.

For a moment I forgot how ignorant a good majority of people are.

Check this.

I followed this sometime during the immigration reform talks, but I have to admit--once the deals were done, I didn't follow it anymore. I let it fall by the wayside (this happens more frequently than I'd like to admit), but now I am shocked at how the "fence" project has unfolded and am, admittedly, more than a little sympathetic to those in the "limbo" zone.