Get in my belly...

I did NOT have cookies for breakfast. Unless I did.

MIA...

I'm going to start blogging again soon, I swear to sweet baby jebus. I've just had the most hectic 6 months of my entire life! But changes are happening and it's time to share my stories and post funny videos of cats sneezing and more of my bad food photography. That's what I'm here for. :)

Here I go...

We are moving to Nashville sometime next year.

I'm so luckily married to a boy who whole-heartedly believes that success will come once you're good enough. That if you work at your craft, constantly learning and improving, eventually people will be drawn to you instead of always searching for anyone that gives a damn. That thought process can either discourage or inspire. I'm embracing it. I've been really out of touch with people lately because I'm trying to put all my energy into preparing for Nashville. It's a city where people go when they figure out they're too good to chase their dreams in a small town. I don't know if that applies to me yet, but I feel like I need to be around other people that want the same things I do. A little healthy competition, a little camaraderie, other artists that understand this sometimes helpless feeling.

I know I have to be ready, because once we move, my chances will be better to run into someone who can do something with my little ditties. I have to be at the top of my game with my singing, my writing, my look, everything.

After we work a full day at the office, I've been coming home and studying songwriting books, listening to mentoring sessions, getting to know who the writers are in Nashtown, and actually attempting to craft better songs than I've ever written. Catchier hooklines, better melodies, clearer lyrics. Staying up until midnight lost in my thoughts and big dreams. I'm determined to be really proud of the tunes I pack with me when we move on down the road. I think people will actually like me, as a singer, better with these new demos. Even though I've been writing them with the intent of getting them published for other artists to record. I just think they're better songs overall, which makes me a stronger artist.

I'm scared. I'm excited. I get misty every time I think about it. Is it possible to cry a blend of frightened and happy tears?

XO marks the spot...

Today, Carl and I reached a whole new level of closeness. I didn't think it was even possible, but our bodies and souls are more in touch now than ever before...

We are both growing a giant pimple in the same spot on our respective foreheads.

That is what real love does to you.

Do/Don't...

After I posted an observation on Facebook last week, a girl suggested that I blog about my suggested Do's and Do Not's. Well, okay then...

DO LAUGH OUT LOUD
A gal that works in the office next to ours told me recently that she just hears me laughing all day long. I didn't know what to say to that at first. I was afraid she was going to say I have an offensive, brash cackle, but instead she said she likes listening to it. :) I hope all of my wrinkles come from merriment!

DON'T BALANCE TACOS ON YOUR COUCH
I learned this the hard way. A plate of tacos and salsa was sitting on the arm of our big red couch, when it was lured into the crevices. Being naive, as tacos often are, it fell head over heels for the couch's empty promises.

Dino-might...

My Little Sister asked if we could do one of our outings with her brother, "Tito". What sweet kids! They actually say please and thank you for things and really appreciate simple joys, like a good meal. Tito asked if we could go to a dinosaur museum, which I thought was so cute. :) Little boys are made of skipping stones and dinosaur bones!

These Are Holy Jeans...

I was at a concert the other night when a woman decided to block my view with this:























This is troubling, you guys! It would be one thing if she showed signs of just escaping a knife fight or narrowly avoiding a weedeater to the femur. But, no. She looked perfectly at ease and content with the redneck air conditioning method known as ripped jeans. I think it's more the placement than anything that I have trouble accepting...

Nashvegas...

Nashville is calling to me...signs all around.

Good Taste...

We've been anxiously awaiting Sandra Bullock's new cafe over the last few months! It's right down the street from our office and is full of charm, even doubling as a flower shop. I love the name and tagline:

Walton's Fancy & Staple
Perishable, Cherishable, Fetishable

Carl stopped in on their opening day and asked who did their branding, because it's impeccable, and one of the designers was there! She said that Sandra Bullock actually sat in on all the meetings and had sketches and swatches of everything she wanted. She obviously has an eye for good taste.














I'm a Facebook "fan" of our Austin Whole Foods and they posted a free event that we decided to attend. It was called the "Sonoma Stroll" and they invited wine makers from the Sonoma Valley in CA to set up and serve samples of their wares. We ran into our good friends, Eddie & Krista Blakley and their son, Lance, when we arrived, so we got to do the whole tour as a group! Then we dined on the rooftop while the sun set. Dreamy...

Nominee for Best Day Ever...

Last Friday, I somehow ended up having a day that shall go down in history! Ok, maybe not, but it was pretty badass.

I took my Donna Lee McBride out to her Bday lunch, where aside from me having vampire skin next to hers, we were presented with a squeeze bottle of butter at our table.
























Then we went to Matt McCloskey's CD Release Party - go download his record for free!! A couple hours into the shindig, Matt's wife decided that champagne was in order for such a momentous occasion, so he headed down to the gas station for a $6.99 bottle. That's how rock stars get girls pregnant.

Carl & I tried to position these CD's where they count, but mine ended up a little lopsided. I assure you what's underneath is NOT! :)
















We got a surprise booty call from Jim Frinzi later that night. He and his family were down at the Broken Spoke. Having never been to such a legendary and equally classy venue, we decided that sleep could be our bitch. When we got there, we paid the doorman who had the equivalent of two teeth, then headed over to their table, which was in a prime location - right next to the "sweat fan"!!!

Ralf, Jane, Me, Carl, Jim, Kiran along with Willie Nelson (seated):
















Butter, Cheap Champagne, and Sweat Fan = POTENTIAL BEST DAY EVER!!!

Growing Up...

I went on a field trip with my Little Sister, Gabby, and some of her schoolmates. We learned all about organic farming and prepped a wheelbarrow of onions for the Farmer's Market! I smelled incredibly delicious after that.

There was one little white girl there who didn't even realize it. She talked like she was from the rough side of LA and I truly believed she would cut me if she found out I was wearing the wrong color undies. But since I'm uber street smart, I just avoided eye contact and kept my mace cocked, locked, and ready to rock. The street WILL NOT claim another life!!!!!!! :)
















After nagging him the delightfully perfect amount, Carl took a picture for me with his Little Brother, Vicente! I have the feeling Mr. Miner will be looking UP to V-dawg pretty soon. :)

Lovely Ladies Night...

The Satellite Bistro didn't know what hit 'em last night when some luscious lasses in my life entered their dining district! These women are beautiful on the inside & out and I enjoyed having some girl time. :)

Let's go rollin' on the river of love...

I got to go kayaking with my Little Sis and a bunch of other kiddos the other day! I couldn't believe how peaceful it was out on Lady Bird Lake. We even rowed along the shore and met some turtles and swans, then on the way back to the dock, there was a string band on a floating platform playing music to everybody drifting by. Magic!

Serving...

Carl & I went to a Volunteer Appreciation event for CIS. We met some intriguing citizens - one who seemed to be using the event as a networking opportunity as he immediately handed out business cards to every person who made eye contact. Another guy explained in detail how a box of hair glue ended up stuck in his tree. :) You can't make this stuff up!

This lady is kind of a big deal, but I don't recall her name or title. I do remember that she served me cake:












I was suprised to see someone I actually knew! This is the sweet Alison Carmel:













They also served us a new product that I've been seeing at Whole Foods, called "coconut water". Carl described it this way; you know when you're done with a glass of milk and the glass is still slightly coated, but then you fill it up with water? That's how it tasted. :)

My 8-legged friend...

Yesterday, I was working from home when I saw something move on the floor. It was one of those big, brown, ugly jumping spiders. It's been a few years since I've seen one. I don't think Texas has them, so we must've brought it home from our trip, maybe in the suitcase or an instrument case.

I leaped up, but it was moving fast, so I looked around the room for something to hit him with (RIP). There was nothing within arms reach, so I turned on the kitchen faucet and used the sprayer on the living room floor.

Unfortunately, that just gave him a shower and he kept on running, so I grabbed a bottle of bathroom cleaner and started dousing him with that while he was on Carl's shoe. He then gave up and let me put him out of his misery.

Carl was amused by the 3' x 3' wet spot in our living room as well as the spider guts on the floor, which I left there in fear that he was just playing dead.

I do NOT miss all of the arachnids in the NW!

The key to life...

I read this today and loved it:

"When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy". They told me I didn't understand the assignment and I told them they didn't understand life."

Happy Nappy...

I knew it!!!

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03297/Aging-Gracefully-Napping.html

Just gotta be me...

That's how I feel a lot of days. Like a red umbrella. Would it be easier to be another black umbrella with things I think & do? Maybe. Could I do it? No way, dude.

Tater tale...

I've been working from home quite a bit lately, which I'm loving, but I have a problem with eating properly when I'm on my own. Sometimes I just forget about lunch until I'm ready to keel over around 4pm.

We also haven't been grocery shopping for awhile, and since we buy a lot of fresh stuff, we never have much food on hand. Around 1:30pm, I was hungry, so I decided to make myself a couple of baked potatoes in the microwave.

But, once I'd cooked the taters, I realized that we were out of our vegan butter. Crap. But since I'd already put SO much effort into washing off the potatoes and putting them in the microwave (exhausting!!!), I wasn't turning back!!! :)

So I used tobasco, salt, and dill.

I know. Sounds gourmet. I'm resourceful. Carl wasn't pleased with my meal choice when I told him, so he brought me home some DELICIOUS mexican takeout. yummmm...

The end.

Dirty Laundry...

I never really felt like I fit in with my family. When I was little, I remember telling my aunt that I felt more comfortable at her house than I did my own. As soon as I could, I was so ready to move out!

I got a 6 night a week gig when I was 18 that allowed me to save up enough money to buy a vehicle and get my first apartment, because my parents, though able, refused to help me in the slightest financially. My mother would have, but my father was adamant that I do it on my own. He didn't want me to move out because he wanted me to live at home forever, so he made it as hard on me as possible. It's a very strange fantasy that he had. My brother, Matt, who is turning 30 this year, still lives at home and has never had a real job. You can imagine how that's worked out for him.

My dad & I argued all the time before I left, resulting in him angrily slapping me across the face at one point. I talked to a counselor and shared what my home life was like and she urged me to leave as soon as I possibly could. That's all I needed to hear! I haven't been "home" since.

After I left, my dad directed his anger towards Carl for "taking me away", even threatening to kill him if he ever stepped foot on his property. Carl's never been anything but wonderful to me, he's everything a father-in-law should be proud of!

I haven't been able to have a relationship with my dad for about 8 years now due to him sending me mile-long hateful emails telling me what a horrible person I am, calling me things like "shameful & pathetic" and "an ungrateful brat, at best", so I finally had to break off all contact. For my own sanity.

Even after being chided by him for so many years, I know the things he said aren't true. IMHO, most parents would be glad to have me as their daughter.

His last series of insane emails contained dozens of photos of young girls he's "dating". All of them appeared to be around my age or younger (he's 66) and to this he said, "My thinking is this. Matt gives me everything I need or want, except for sex. So I won't marry unless she thrills me every time I look at her."

ewwwwww!!!

I am incredibly lucky to have a husband that loves me unconditionally. Who supports me and believes in me. I always wanted that from my family and still do, but have accepted that it won't happen.

So I've learned to fully appreciate friends who accept me as I am and live my life with a full heart and an open mind.