However Although Thus Several Several

Halloween come and gone

 

Happy Halloween! It's actually almost November 1st. We've been out all night - avoiding those goblins that get dropped off in our neighborhood to torture us.

When we got home we did a little birthday singing for Cowboy. Perhaps you remember that "Happy Birthday" is his favorite song? He was so proud to sing along:

 

Oh, how I love that dog. We think he's about ten years old...makes my heart hurt just thinking about it. Don't get me wrong - I love Clover, too, but Cowboy is seriously the best dog I've ever known. I've probably mentioned that a time or two.

Plus he's witty...likes to read Sedaris with PJ:

 

So did you get tricks or treats?

I wanna be a cowboy, baby

We just felt a dog named "Cowboy" should have a cowboy costume:

 

But then Clover wanted to try it on, too, and well, I think she looks more like a security guard at Opryland, USA than a cowboy...

Lifestyles of the Spoiled and Rotten

Hey, you know what? I let my blogiversary go by without even noticing. As of last Friday I've been blogging for two years! There are very few things I've done consistently for two years in a row, so I'm a bit proud of myself. Thanks for joining me. I'm still intrigued and fascinated and and and...by the whole thing...particularly by the connections and friendships that have resulted.

As promised, this week's posts will feature Clover and Cowboy in various Halloween costumes. And no, they typically don't mind the whole game. They like the attention. Bobbie Jo is the Costuming Director, and in most cases, is also the Lead Photographer. (I'm the Lowly Costume Minion.) In case you missed the costumes of previous years, you can click here, here and here to catch up.

First up, Cowboy in his $1 pig mask that was not intended for a dog, but I somehow could not resist it. (One dollar, for the love!) He also has a pig outfit that is made for a dog, but it doesn't fit so well. I must say that sizing is inconsistent with pet costumes. That would be my biggest complaint about the whole thing. We could only leave this mask on for a second or two because it sort of blocked his nose and impaired his breathing. (I didn't think of that in the heat of the excitement at the $1 spot at Target.) Oh, and check out his super cute Halloween jester collar. Bobbie Jo scored that, but I'm not sure where. (BJ, if it was Wal-Mart, I do not want to know.)

 

And then there's Clover...she's not as thrilled about her new costume this year. And I think it looks more like a lobster attacking a dog than an actual lobster. Just sayin'.

 

Oh yeah, there's more. And I've said this before, but I will say it again: DO NOT feel sorry for these dogs. Several people have told me they would like to die and come back as one of my pets. Seriously, you should be so lucky.

Feeling Halloween-y

I did a couple of layouts this weekend since I was in the Halloween mood and have about a hundred photos from my day at the pumpkin patch with Smudge and Banana. I used the excellent October Scripts kit and some Elle's Studio lovelies on each of these.

 

 

I was also part of an Halloween ATC swap on the Scrap, Etc. message board this month. We had the option to use any size card this time so I used these pumpkin playing cards I got in the $1 section of Target. I included a photo of my two favorite goblins on the back of each card.

   

 

Speaking of my goblins...stay tuned this week because I plan on sharing photos of them in their various Halloween costumes. (Yes, I said "various" ... as in "they each have several." Get over it.)

The absolute best option

I can't get this Over the Rhine song out of my head these days. I'll be glad when the election is over.

A little layout love

Real quick - the latest layout for Scrap, Etc. Design Team...using the Laundry Line goodies from My Mind's Eye (Sundress collection). This one is about spending the day with Banana while her mommy was busy birthing Addison. We got back to the hospital just in time for my brother to hold Addison up to the window. So it was only a few hours I got to spend with Banana, but we had a good time, and she loved having all of my attention. I wish I could have prepared her in some way for the fact that her life was about to change forever - you know, getting a baby sister and all - but how do you do that to child? No one bothered to warn me way back then...

Oh the pressure of it all

I've been obsessing about my last post. I'm worried I left out so many artists and songs that would need to be included in the soundtrack of my life. And you never know when Oliver Stone is gonna show up and start production, so I figured I better name a few others just because my life really would not have turned out the way it has without the music. And I'm sure Oliver would want to keep it real.

I've started a little list here on my desk of memories associated with music...and I'm going to keep it going and occasionally blog about those stories. I think I will share three song memories at a time. And some of you just might find something you like or something you had forgotten about. (By the way, I love looking at what someone is listening to on his/her iPod...I think it speaks volumes...and maybe I'll post my top 25 most played songs at some point. I promise it would be odd. And odd is good reading.) Anyway, I cannot hear the following songs without immediately going to the associated memory...I love how that works. The brain is a fascinating thing.

Every single time I hear "Taking Care of Business" I remember riding the Himalaya with my mom at Miracle Strip in Panama City Beach, Florida in the early 70s. She was young and tan and beautiful. And she was FREAKING out! A great memory.

"Let's Go Crazy" reminds me of the drive home from a last minute trip to the beach in the mid 80s with a dear college friend. We acted out the lyrics to this song over and over again like we were practicing for a Broadway show or something.

"Brass in Pocket" reminds me of my dad. I have a vague memory of being in the car with him when this came on the radio and he was major league into it. No idea when that was...I was in the 9th or 10th grade, I guess, and had only heard the song a couple of times before. I thought he was very cool. Still do.

What song would Oliver need to know in order to plan the story of your life?

Up Above My Head

We spent most of today at the Kentuck Festival of the Arts which is one of my absolute favorite things to do. It was the perfect fall day, and we heard some of the best music I've heard in a really long time. It got me thinking about the role that music plays in my life, particularly in my spiritual life. I remember telling a friend a few months after I got divorced that music was the only thing helping me and healing me...the only thing that made me feel better. That's been true for most experiences in my life - good and bad. They've all been set to music. And all of that emotion and all of those memories can be conjured up when I hear a familiar tune.

I feel closer to God in a song than any other place. Is that odd? So be it. I don't think He cares much how I get there. Just so I do.

Ruthie Foster performed at Kentuck this afternoon and she was unbelievable. Seriously. I realized during her last song that I was crying, and as we were leaving I told PJ that I felt like I had just been to "really good church." She has the most soulful voice I've ever heard. I had chills. "Walk On" has always been my mantra, and my soul has been renewed after her rendition today.

I saw Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt last weekend thanks to Kala, and I spent most of last week replaying those tunes in my head. Such unique and powerful voices...so many memories tied up in those tunes. And I never get tired of that sound or those lyrics...Just throw in some Dwight Yoakam and maybe a little Steve Winwood and a whole lot of Michael Jackson (oh and don't forget David Bowie) and you've got the soundtrack of my life. Really it's more than that...I could go on for hours...

When Phill died I spent a whole lot of time thinking about music and how it played such a huge role in our friendship. I have vivid memories of him playing Neil Young for me and me playing Dolly Parton (long story - don't ask) and Dixie Chicks for him. At his memorial service we all sang "Listen to the Music" together in his honor...just because music was such a huge part of Phill's life. His cousin, Emmylou Harris, sang at the service, and I will never forget it...the songs, the guitar, the outfit she wore...all of it. To this day, I can't listen to her latest CD without sobbing.  

Ruthie Foster opened the show today with "Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In the Air)." That song is on her latest CD (the phenomenal Ruthie Foster), and was originally recorded by Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the 1940s. The simple lyrics sum up what I'm trying to say here. Maybe I should have just left it at that:

"Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
Up above my head (up above my head)
I hear music in the air (I hear music in the air)
I really do believe, I really do believe there's a Heaven somewhere."

And we have a winner! PJ drew the name out of his Castro hat tonight.

Congrats, b! Thanks to all of you for commenting. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. I find it interesting that b won the copy of Churched considering she didn't grow up in church...perhaps the book will explain some things for her about the rest of us! b, I know where to find you, and I will get the book to you ASAP. You will love it. (And can you let V borrow it when you are done? Kala, you can borrow mine.) MPT, thanks for including me on the blog tour, and congrats again on such a great work.

Who are you? Who who who who.

I've really enjoyed the conversation going on in the comments from the previous post. Keep it coming! I love getting to know you a little better and I especially enjoy hearing about the experiences we've all had that made us who we are today. You've still got time to leave a comment and get in on the drawing for your own copy of Churched. I will draw a winner Sunday, October 19, 2008. You don't have to reveal anything about yourself in the comments. Just say "Hi" if you want. Or "Pick me." Or "Leave me alone." Whatever you want to say is fine. I know you will enjoy the book and I can't wait to share it with you.

Another way we can get to know one another: Join me tomorrow (Saturday, October 18, 2008) at Scrap, Etc. for a Creative Cafe Happy Hour at noon. We're making this cute little treat bag.

You can use it to give Halloween (or "Fall Harvest" for our really churched friends) treats and gifts. Or you can use it as a home decor item. (I know someone who did his entire home in an owl theme - I have photos to prove this.) Or you can keep it on your desk to hold your bottle of pills. Whatever you want. I'm easy. I just want you to come. It's only $2.00! And I might even fill it with some candy for you. (I'm keeping my pills, though.)

Oh, and don't worry - you will be done in time to watch the Bama game!

RTR, baby!

Hope after all

Most of you know that I read...a lot. And I've made resolutions in the past to focus less on self-help books and to read more for pleasure. (Let's not get into my past obsession with Phil McGraw and Anthony Robbins. Seriously, I'm very ashamed.)

I consider one of the greatest rewards of finishing grad school the time I gained to read what I wanted to read rather than what some business professor deemed interesting or worthy of discussion.

Most of you also know that I grew up in a Baptist church and went to a Baptist university. (Please don't judge if you're just now joining us.) I've mentioned here and here how that shaped my life. To this day I struggle with loving and simultaneously hating the experiences I had at 85th Street Baptist Church. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that the people there made me who I am today. The problem with that is the fact that I sometimes wonder (and worry) if they would be happy with who I am today. Why do I care? That's the bigger question.

Am I rambling?

Recently I read a great book, and you should read it, too. If you grew up in church, you should read it today. Churched by Matthew Paul Turner made me laugh and it made me cry. It also made me remember things I had long forgotten about my youth which in turn made me realize why I believe what I believe now - even the stuff I fight so hard to forget about or to not believe. Does that make any sense at all? I think it does. Especially if you grew up in a Southern Baptist church and struggle with how that all jives with your current struggle to just be a good person.

PJ and I found Matthew's blog, Jesus Needs New PR, several months ago and have spent countless evenings laughing hysterically at his posts. He gets us and he doesn't even know us. God bless him.

I'm not sure I've shared here how PJ and I have struggled with the whole church issue since moving to this God forsaken town. We miss our church. The fact that I even liked a church is big for me. (For the record, I will always hate Sunday School.) We've sorta given up on finding the same type congregation here. Maybe we are being unfair. Maybe we haven't tried hard enough. Maybe the fact that I knew we didn't belong at that church we visited as soon as I saw that pastor's hair isn't really fair. Matthew has made me re-think this whole thing. He writes:

It's not a perfect church, but I've grown up some and realized there's no such thing as a perfect church.

My church's praise-and-worship music annoys me sometimes. Actually, it's not so much the music I dislike but the light show.

God. Help. The light show. 

I often struggle with letting you see the real me...the one who did grow up believing one thing with all her might, but now does and believes another thing with even more might. The Teenaged Super Christian turned Somewhat Liberal 40 Something...

Being the Sagittarian I am, I try to keep it real. And to find someone like Matthew who can keep it real and still be a really funny and smart and good person...well, that makes me feel like there's hope for me after all. Hope for all of us actually. 

Get it here.

I have a copy of Churched to give to one lucky reader. All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is leave a comment. I will draw a winner on Sunday. Right before I don't go to church.