Biscuit but We Like to Call Him: B-Bwouy

I can not not not believe it has taken me this long to blog about someone so close my heart. This is Biscuit Crews. We have so many nicknames for him-B-boy, Beezy Weezy, B-Money, Biscuit Wiscuit and my favorite: B-Bwouy (say it like BigBoy from Outkast). He has been with Tim and I about as long as we have been together. He was with me as I got dressed for my wedding and as I cried with the loss of my mother. He tolerated Chicken and Loretta through their baby fazes and has grown into quite the dog. Biscuit is 49 Years Old in dog years, that is crazy because he still can play with the best of them.

Things I love about B-Bwouy:

1. The way he burrows under the covers (even the sheets) and sleeps.

2. He wakes up on Saturday and plops on Tim's chest to say "Good Morning" with a kiss.

3. I used to love the way he stole Richard's food.

4. He is sooo smart (he can sit, dame un paw, lay down and speak).

5. He hates Cool Ranch Doritos (so cute).

6. He loves to play fetch.

There is much much more I can say about Biscuit, but it's time to go have a steak in his honor at The Keg. This one's for you Biscuit!

Now Walk it Out

Last night I went to a super fun Hip Hop exercise class instructed by The Sun (that sounds like taah sun). I, of course, looked like a horse's ass, but was having a good time anyway and I got a workout I didn't even know I was getting. I would like to say I conquered the dance routine, but that would be a ball face lie. The made me move from the back of the class to the front which I thought was just awesome...not! (Perfect time to use that word again). At the end of the session we had to perform in front of the entire gym...I'm only kidding. However, we did have to perform in front of half the class which was funny. I realized that I wasn't as embarrassed as I once would have been. My face used to turn bright red at the mere thought of having to stand up in front of people and dance sober, but I guess the class was filled with people that couldn't really dance, so I felt at home. Now to those of you that know me, please do underestimate my skills. I have not let you down...I still got it (I think). I'm just not a hip hop girl, I'm more of a freestyler...ok. So, the picture appearing at the top of the blog is not of the girls at the gym class, but of some girls that really know how to 'Walk It Out' (sorry Katie, I know you know how, but I don't have a picture of you demonstrating).

Humbled

I feel very humbled today, as I just read The Nie Nie Dialogues. Wow! What an amazing woman! Here I stand complaining about things that I am too embarrased to even repeat and she is feeling physical and emotional pain that couldn't even dare be explained in words; yet, somehow she has a positive outlook to her pain. And that is because she is alive and has a wonderful family...nothing more...nothing less. I then recognize that I have what she has without all the pain to block my vision. So, with this vision being unblocked let me count the things I so easily overlook everyday.

1. I have a home.

2. I have nourishment.

3. I have a husband that loves me more than I will ever know.

4. I have a family that wants me to be happy.

5. I have an erray of wonderful friends that are there when I need them.

6. I have clothes on my back and extra in my closet.

7. I can walk to the gym and then proceed to work out.

8. I have 10 fingers and 10 toes.

9. I am not severily or terminally ill.

10. I am alive.

I know it is so very hard to pay attention to all that I have on a daily basis, but I am glad I am realizing it today. My heart goes out to Nie Nie and her family for all that they have been through and continue to go through, but I am happy for them all for approaching their life the way they have. It has inspired me to kiss my husband longer, play with my puppies more and make my home like my heart.

My Neighborhood-Broadway

I love my neighborhood! I love the people, the houses, the gardens and especially Broadway! Tim and I walked two tini tiny blocks to watch MILK on Saturday and arrived to find a huge line. So, in place of being late for the film we walked around the shops and talked to some local shop owners and neighbors. We had quite an interesting conversation with the owner of Mutiny Now! which is an art, book and record store. We discussed the difference between high end galleries and joe shmoe galleries, we both prefer joe shmoe. We discussed the Beat Generation and then Tim and I bought a book. Not because we needed it, but we felt compelled to support our community. We strode on down the road to one of my favorite shops Fancy Tiger and I proceeded to want everything I laid my hands on. And then as we rounded the corner to taking it to the house, all we could smell was PIZZA from Famous Pizza and Tim proceeded to want everything he could smell. Saturday's are wonderful days in general, but when you live in a neighborhood as "Gansta" as mine...it makes them even better.

NKOTB-NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

OK Jeanna, you brought this on. I just finished reading Jeanna's blog about growing up in the 80's and after glancing at #52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB", I knew I had to do this blog. I loved New Kids on the Block...loved them...especially Jordan Knight. Ahhhhh. My Aunt Karen and Uncle Terry bought Dusti and I tickets to the concert in Macon one Christmas (along with the John and Jordan dolls). I remember the concert like yesterday. I loved Jordan, Dusti loved John and Kelly loved Joey (it worked out perfectly without any arguing or fighting over boys).

Dusti, Aunt Karen, Uncle Terry, my cousins Kelly and Micheal and myself loaded up in the Jeep Cherokee and headed towards Macon (which to me, I might as well have been going to Atlanta). I remember the crowds and all the little girls yelling every time a bus came by. I wore my Jordan Knight shirt and I am sure some colored jean shorts, probably purple. When we got inside of course you wait forever and then someone thinks they see someone and everyone yells (that goes on for like an hour). But then all of sudden, the lights go out. The hair on my arms raises with excitement (Oh My God! Am I actually here Right Now!?!) . Then one by one (or should I say step by step) they walk out on the stage! Ahhhhhh! Ahhhhh! Jordannnnn! I love you!!! That's right, I said the "L" word to Jordan. Actually I screamed it out at the top of my lungs and then began crying. Did I think I was at a Beatles concert? Well, for me, I guess the New Kids were my Beatles. I sang along to every song and left a very happy (and I felt a more mature) 10 year old. Soon, I would forget about Jordan, Joey, Donnie, Danny and John. It really is funny to think about how absolutely in love I was with Mr. Knight and I was.

It's Not About What You Take From This World, It's What You've Left Behind

I want to say I've lived by that saying my entire live, but the truth is...I haven't. As I've gotten older, I've realized that things that I once thought were so important, now fall to the way side of relevancy. I read the quote printed above about six months ago and had to ask myself this question: What am I leaving and is it more than I am taking? Honestly, I wasn't leaving alot, but I was taking more than I needed. With the new presidential era, I want to really evaluate my life and what I am producing. Am I touching someone's life or am I only worried about my own?

Inauguration Day January 20, 2009

The day did come today, when America would change. I can see it on the faces of those surrounding me. I can feel it in the air and it feels...free. Not one person should be able to turn their cheek at the wonder that is taking place in this nation. My words will be short today, for I am left speechless but full of hope. My favorite point that Mr. Obama made in one of his prior speeches was that this is not a time for any hands to remain idle, it will take each and every one of us to get this job done. I feel blessed and thankful to be an American.

Thanks Everyday Food and Especially You, Martha

Thanks to Everyday Food Magazine and their January light issues, I hopefully will be able to postpone my tummy tuck...for now anyway. I have found several delicious and nutritious meals to prepare for T-Bone and myself. We began this week with a Pan Seared Chicken with roasted lemons and Sicilian olives=yummy. Tonight we will be making a Sweet and Sour Pork with Stir fry Vegetables=hopefully yummy. It is so hard to eat healthy these days with Paula Dean (whom I respect and love) preparing every meal with at least 2 sticks of butter (we should just freeze butter and put it on a popsicle stick for everyone to enjoy). A friend and I were discussing the travesty of eating out and how that ultimately has lead to a FAT AMERICA. Well, my potassium team (including Biscuit-yes Doc Larson says he's overweight) really has to relearn how to eat. I'll share with you our menu this past weekend and this was a usual menu.

Saturday: Brunch-Banana's Foster French Toast

Dinner-Shrimp and Sausage Cheese Grits

Sunday: Brunch-Breakfast Burritos (eggs, cheese, sausage, avocado, tom, salsa and more cheese)

Dinner-Over sized portions of Spaghetti with french bread

Now, how do you suppose we are to have any energy left over for exercising after eating that regardless of how fun it was...and it was. Well, now is the time to cherish our bodies. I do want children, I do want a long life, I do want to hike at age 65 and I do want to look gorgeous on my 50TH Anniversary Celebration. So, look out Richard Simmons...Lisa is ready to work it out!

A Walk in Winter: Washington Park

When it snows...it really does come down, you know.

What do you love about winter?

Is it the hot beverages or the snuggling?

Or is it the crisp feeling of the air blowing snow upon your head?

"Splish, splosh", say my boots drudging through the melting snow.

I'm looking forward to another cool burst of wind to knock me off my feet.

Brrrr, that is cold to the nose.

Hello Gloves! I am so thankful I didn't forget you today.

Why do you suppose the geese have not left yet?

I thought they had such a strict schedule...apparently not.

It is funny to watch them slide across the lake.

I smell...cold, ice.

When I inhale, my nostrils begin to freeze on the inside.

Thaw, now, thaw.

My Favorite Artist-Wassily Kandinski

Why do I love him? I love his use of colors, very vibrant and energetic, these colors stimulant the senses. As well, I love where the lines go, where they lead the eye. I would like to thank BlueSky for introducing me to his art and for inspiring me to dig deep for my portrayal of art.

Time for Change to Come My Way

Not only my way, but probably the vast population of the world. Resolutions, resolutions, who's got resolutions. I know two little potassium promoters that do! First, let's take a moment to gaze at my new husband, ah-hem I mean my husband's new haircut. Isn't he beautiful! I really do feel like I'm living with a different man. Well, on to those 2009 guidelines! In the past, I have always made them and broken them, but this year feels different. I think I have the clear mind to move forward and conquer all I have planned and then some. Tim and I have both made lists and have set monthly, weekly and daily goals for ourselves. For instance, sitting next to Jean George is a potty mouth jar. Whoever has the most slips in from the week on Sunday, does all the cooking for that day...and cleaning! So far, looks like we will both be in the kitchen this Sunday. It's hard but not impossible. Here are a few others that made the list:

1. Express yourself artistically more

2. Work more to train your wild beasts that you think are children

3. Live healthier life's (eating and exercising)

4. Save more money

5. Grow Spiritually

6. Write more letters

7. Be more Romantic

8. Reflect on inner self

9. Begin School in Summer or Fall

10. Refrain from judging others

I wish I could say that was the end of the list, but it's not. I want to work on myself daily to become a better person and if it takes making a list as a reminder, well... I'll do it. Wish me luck with all this work, actually send me some coffee cause I'm gonna need it.

Happy New Start of 2009 to You!