Beheading

Yesterday I went to the Grand Asian supermarket. The name says it all. The freshest selection of all things Asian --- every kind of "exotic" veggie and fruit and some not so exotic all at terrific prices.

In addition to produce, I needed a whole chicken and did not want to make a second stop to Kroger's. Bad idea.

This morning when I pulled my chicken out to prepare it to marinade for a chicken Marbella recipe there was more chicken then I had anticipated. The feet were still there and so was the head. Eyes and sad beak and all! I had no choice but to muster up the strength and whacked off the feet and the neck. SO GROSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Oh, I also whacked off the butt.

Back

Well, its been a nice ease back into "reality" after returning from vacation on Sunday. We loved being away, but let's face it, there's no place like home with your own bed (and toilet). I am so spoiled as my first full day of reality consisted of me going to painting class as opposed to say like, a job. Thank you Danny for providing me with the desires of my heart (OH and HOW!).

We both gained some poundage and are back into seriously eating well and drinking water and exercising. In addition to getting back into a healthy routine, I'm also getting back into spending time with God's Word (and Him). I had started a study in Colossians a while back and I'm back in it and hate to be so stupid as to say, "Wow, I love how wonderful scripture is!"

While on vacation I finished my second Amy Tan book The Bonesetter's Daughter -- which even though I had a bit of a difficult time at first getting into, devoured it and loved it. Again, so much of the mother character reminded me of my mom in such an uncanny way. The mother in this book has Alzheimer's (as did Amy Tan's mom in real life) and the symptoms and behaviors were almost identical to how my mom behaved in the last 7 or so years of her life. I am quite convinced its possible my mother had the beginning stages of Alzheimer's and we all just thought it was somehow cancer related. If you haven't read Amy Tan, you should. Especially you mothers and daughters out there.

Speaking of mother, I finished a painting inspired by a picture of my mom as a teenager. Its a rather small painting -- 9" x 12". I'm the girl that likes the 4 ft. x 5 ft. kinda size! Its a very meaningful painting that I am so very pleased with as it captures the many things in my heart about what I'm remembering and grieving of my mother.

title: Where Are You Yellow Swallow?
oil on canvas, 9" x 12"
2009

06.15.09: The First Day of the Last Year of the 30's

Yesterday was my birthday. My 39th birthday. How did that happen? Thanks to all of you for your emails and birthday wishes. Thanks Zoe for your gift; Danny got the mint :)

We are in south Nags Head enjoying/celebrating our anniversary, my birthday and Father's Day all into one! We left a couple of hours after Lauren got on the train for VA.

The house is a 3 minute walk to the beach and we have a great ocean view! Our first day was terrific with weather in the 70's. BamBam LOVES the beach and it has been a blast having him along. All three of us are lounging, snacking, sun bathing, lounging, SNACKING and snacking.

Vacations are so worth it. So are expensive wedding cakes. We followed the tradition of freezing part of our wedding cake and brought it with us. It was also my birthday cake yesterday, and I'm here to tell you that cake is STILL delicious after a year. The icing is not so great but that raspberry filling is YUM!

We also watched our wedding video and yes there were tears again when the vows were said. I'm not telling who's tears, but if you were there, I think you can make a good guess!!!

It was wonderful to see all the faces of family and friends again to remind us of how special that day was. And WOW, did I look amazing or what? SO SKINNY! 38 was a great year. 39 is starting off pretty well too ...

06.14.09: Lauren Send-Off

Sunday Danny and Lauren treated me to "pre-birthday" breakfast at Waffle House before she had to catch the Amtrak to VA for summer stay with the Bullocks. Lauren and I had a nice couple of days hanging out together and I was sad to see her leave. (Michael left the previous Thursday.)

Its so weird to think she is an official SENIOR in high school. Whoah. I admit it, I am a big talker and the thought of her leaving to go anywhere farther than UNC makes me sad. I've always thought I'd be looking forward to being an empty nester, but who am I kidding? I'm gonna be a bit of a mess......

Anyway, while we were waiting for the train, we had a fun photo shoot and Lauren is in her platform wedges sandals. Every time she wears them, we call her an Amazon because she towers over all of us!

06.13.09: Race for the Cure Raleigh

Last Saturday Danny, Lauren, and I participated in Raleigh's Race for the Cure. We were part of the team Danny formed and headed up through his work. (He is on their fitness/health committee or something like that!) As a whole, we raised over $2,000 --- thanks to many of you who contributed! This Race in particular raised over $2 million (imagine me saying this like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers).

I've never done the Race before. I think this is Danny's 3rd. He ran the actual 5K race in 27 minutes (Good job!!) and then joined Lauren and I for the walk. So he did his 6 miles for the day!
The weather was perfect and the course started in Meredith College and ran through a historic neighborhood in Raleigh where most of the streets were shaded by large Oak trees. Praise God!

The coolest thing about the race was its sense of community. Danny said you couldn't get this kind of feeling in D.C. As we worked our way through the neighborhoods, people were on their lawns with signs and sprinklers; kids were shooting us with water guns, musical brass bands played the theme to "Rocky" and so on. One of the coolest sights was a survivor sitting on her porch with her friend and dog with a huge sign that read: "Survivor since 1980." The groups that would walk by her would all start to roar in clapping and cheering as they passed her sign.

It was truly a warm, fuzzy community experience. I loved seeing how different all the participants were and I think it was a great reflection of the diversity of Raleigh -- one of the things I love about this city.

On another interesting note: A couple days before the Race, we found out the organization for Race for the Cure donates money to Planned Parenthood. A lot of money. The funds they give to Planned Parenthood are specific for breast healthcare/education. That's great. But as a wise friend also said, this really allows for Planned Parenthood to free up much of their other funds to focus on their initiative, which as Christians, Danny, Lauren and I do not support.

Since we had already committed to the race we followed through and did have a good experience. We believe in the cause of funding research to find a cure for breast cancer. Let's face it, either I or one of you that I know and love well, WILL probably be stricken with this disease. But will we choose Race for the Cure as a way to fight breast cancer in the future? Not sure.

Here are pix from our day.

So Sad about Shooting at USHMM

As many of you know, my last employer was the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. I was so sad to hear about the shooting and death of the security guard because of the white supremacist crazy nut.

I did not know the guard or recognize him, but one of the things I learned in my orientation at USHMM is that their security was top notch. They were wayyyy ahead of the game pre-9/11. In fact, after 9/11 many of the other Federal agencies came to USHMM to help up date their security.

Even though its been 2 years since I've worked there, I have a great deal of respect for the work that has been/being done there. I am so, so sad for the staff. I can't wrap my mind around the hate this stupid gunman has.

If you ever get a chance to visit the museum, I highly recommend it.

Group Show @ Helios

Last Friday was the "opening" for our group show. One of the other artists took some pix so I am sharing. Lauren, Danny, and I dropped by and got to chit chat with my instructor and another painter I know. Even though it was gray and rainy and I was sick with a cold, it was still cool. Lauren told me she was proud of me for getting back into painting and how cool and happy she was for me to return to something I am so passionate about.

We also had a great conversation with my instructor who said unsolicited that I should take my painting seriously because I am "very talented." YAY! Always nice to be affirmed about your talents by someone you respect. My next goal is to find studio space to paint hopefully this fall which Danny is seems to be more determined to make happen then me. :)
I'm so glad God created me to love the arts and painting. It is such a blessing to my inner spirit. Sounds corny, but true. I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that in many ways, painting is a form of worshiping God for me.

First Anniversary

Yesterday Danny and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary! Hard to believe just this time last year we were surrounded by so many friends and family all at once and how HOT it was!

We had dinner at the Carolina Inn which was where our wedding/reception was. Catrina-- if you're reading this, here was what we had for dinner:

Along with Biltmore Estate Champagne (Asheville, NC)

Me
Appetizers: Grilled White and Green Asparagus, Frisee, Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese, Shaved Radish, Latta Farm Sunny Side Egg, Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette

Entree: Hickory Nut Gap Farm Pork Chop, Collard Green Wonton, Toasted Sesame Rice, Snow Peas, Nappa Cabbage, Blood Orange Segments, Citrus Ponzu

Danny
Appetizers: Cornmeal Crusted Veal Sweet Breads, Spring Pea Puree, Oyster Mushrooms, Corn, Toasted Pecans, Apple Bacon, Chili Oil

Entree: Chili & Cumin Rubbed Bison Strip Steak, Crispy Oysters, New Potatoes, Vidalia Onions, Cremini Mushrooms, Dandelion Greens, Truffled Veal Jus

Dessert: Bread pudding with ice-cream and raspberries and they treated us to a chocolate brownie.

YUM!

As tradition of the Paper Anniversary, I gave Danny our wedding invite and rsvp card framed. He was more creative and did a fun scavenger hunt based on clues on six different cards. Each card had some sort of "paper" gift with it: notebook, paper roses pop-up, and books. His first card was a "regular" anniversary card but the design was in pink and brown -- just like our wedding. The remaining cards were reprints of Rothko (my favorite artist) and they were all filled with verses and loving words that give his vows a run for their money.

This first year really has been one long honeymoon. Say what you want about us being newlyweds but we have an AWESOME blessed fun loving marriage!!! All glory to God our Father for it!

To celebrate our anniversary, Lauren wore her bridesmaid dress to church :)

We are headed to Kitty Hawk for a whole week next Monday (my birthday FYI) and accidentally keep calling it our honeymoon. This year BamBam is joining us and still unsure if Beth is going to meet us for dinner!

I hate to sound like being happy is important, because as a Christian I know that is not what life is about. BUT can I just say, my husband makes me SO HAPPY!!

P.S. If you're interested in seeing a few pix in slideshow format of our wedding, CLICK HERE

UNC & the 'Apollo Theatre'

Last week Lauren attended a 2 day stay on the campus of UNC with their Project Uplift program for prospective 'minority' students. Its UNC's chance to court top minority students to consider UNC as their college choice. (In this family, we have no problem playing the minority and female cards when it comes to colleges paying attention to us.)

The morning I dropped Lauren off she didn't even want to get out of the car to go check-in she was so nervous.

"Get out of the car. You're practically an adult," I said lovingly. (No, really I WAS loving).

"Nooooo...... I don't want to. Can't I just live in my room the rest of my life?" She whined almost half serious.

So with a start like that I had anticipated that her experience might be only slightly positive at best. Turns out she had an amazing time and the dorms are "so NICE, like a hotel room almost!" Hmmmm, this is what a strong, successful sports program will buy you.

She loved the campus, the trees, the "amazing digital library studio" and "all the libraries!!" The food was not so great. And for someone who was thinking she wanted to go to a small college she said, "I am seriously being woooo-ed by this place."

The last night of the program there was an Apollo Theater program. If you don't know what the Apollo Theater amatuer night is all about .... SHAME on you. Anyway, Lauren tried out for it with her poetry slam "Beautiful" and got a slot to perform with 6 other students. Their talents varied from rapping, singing, playing the piano and stepping.

In the end no one was booed but the standing ovation and loudest cheers came for Lauren and she won! Talk about going out of your comfort zone! No money, no scholarship, but a nice Tarheel penant. Good job Lauren! And who doesn't look good in gorgeous Carolina blue....?

Animazement 2009

Hello there! I have been meaning to blog but have been a busy bee, not just a queen bee :P

The weekend before last Lauren went to the anime convention Animazement at the Raleigh Convention Center. If you are unfamiliar with the Anime world -- subculture, its like.... how do I say this? Those die hard Trekkies that go to Star Trek conventions and eat, drink, sleep all things Star Trek. Animazement is all about dressing up as your favorite anime character, and in Lauren's case it was Hinata from the Naruto series. Its also about all things Japanese pop culture. Like all subcultures it has its innocent, not so innocent, good and bad. Sounds like the real world.

Before the convention Lauren spent a lot of time online in the Animazement forums having discussions about the upcoming events. She created a forum called "Christians at Animazement" and to her surprise the forum filled with several participants who were believers and encouraged each other in their faith. There were participants that said, "I can't go to the convention but I'll be praying for you guys!"

After the sermon at church Lauren said she wanted to go talk to our pastor. When she returned, I was concerned something was wrong so I asked her what she talked to him about.
"Well, our church is always talking about how we want to reach out and serve the city of Raleigh and I know today, here in the heart of Raleigh is a whole group of people at Animazement who don't know Jesus. I asked Chuck [ our pastor ] to pray for this group."

"And?" I replied

"He was very excited for me and prayed right there."

You know what? It is by the grace of God that my child owns her own relationship with God. I'm good with this child never being "successful" with anything else in life. I'm good with this child in the hands of God without my interferance.

There is NO greater blessing than to have a child who knows Christ personally and owns their own faith and practices in places that would be scary. And I mean scary. Check out the picture here of her with the Japanese rock band at the concert whose influences are Bon Jovi and .... KISS who were all the rage at the convention. Those crazy Japanese!