madge, the Boxer

Piper Ann Louise

Proud papa with Piper at 10 minutes old!
Piper trying to open her baby blues!

Mama and Piper!

Rylan's 1st Birthday!

What's going on? Why is everyone here? And what's on my head???

I think I'm gonna like this!!!

The Birthday Baby, eating Birthday cake, in his Birthday suit!

All cleaned up, checking out new toys with Mom!

Rylan @ 6 1/2 months!

Rylan seems to be camera-shy! He'll be 'talking' and laughing until he sees the camera; then he immediately cops a serious expression and holds it...until the camera's gone! I haven't been able to catch one smile/giggle yet, but I'll keep at it! He's a pleasant and fun little guy, with 2 teeth (and 2 top ones trying so hard to break through) and scoot/crawls all over the place. He sure adds sparkle to my day!

Baby Shower!

Gift table

The cake; white with strawberry center and buttercream frosting!

Rylan's presents!

Guest table centerpieces!

Beginning of the food table decor!

Ships Ahoy, It's a Boy!

Opening gifts...

Checking them out!

BeeGee demonstrating her handmade baby sling!

Rylan's bouncer!

More gifts!

Joni-Master of Ceremonies and Photographer At Large!

Mimi telling another one of her tales!

Smile!

I love you Rylan!

Rylan's Mom!

Can we talk about Mick Jagger?

So last night, I couldn't sleep. At all. I actually pulled an 'all-nighter', which I'm paying for today, lol!

Around 3am, immediately following the Biography show on Billy Idol (I still love him!), I found myself watching a show entitled, 'Being Mick Jagger'. As a long-time Stones/Jagger fan, I was quite impressed with the show and it got me thinking...

I got my first Stones album in 8th grade, after my then best friend turned me onto 'Paint it Black'. The album was stop sign shaped and the cover was like nothing I'd ever seen before (coming from a home where Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn were the norm, lol). I loved every song on it and so began my infatuation with 'Bad Boys' just like Mick! I couldn't avoid it, who could after hearing 'Ruby Tuesday'?

Fast forward a few years, to late high school. By then I had become a mess, complete with raggy jeans and t-shirts, a slew of bad boys of my own and more than a few unhealthy habits. I had albums (& 8 Tracks) by Aerosmith, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Nazareth (thanks Terri!) and Kiss. And I had 'Some Girls' by the Stones. So did my on & off again bad boy of the moment. On the road, at the Drive-In, around friends, etc., we immersed ourselves in the sound, and the lifestyle, of the Rolling Stones.

Fast forward a few more years; I'm in my late 20's, a single mom of 1, clean & sober. And the Stones are clean and sober, according to the gossip. But they're touring to promote 'Steel Wheels' and I was certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this would be one of their last tours. I mean, they're getting OLD! So I coughed up $25 for the ticket, even though I'd never paid that much before for a concert. I justified it though, after all, it was the Stones! Getting there was more difficult than usual, what with babysitters, old cars and limited money, but we made it in time to see 'Living Color' open the show at the old Cleveland Stadium. When the Stones came on, I was awed! The sights, the sound, the smells (lol), everything was just like I always thought it would be, save those 3-story blow-up dolls for 'Honky Tonk Women', lol! They delivered a show that I never would have imagined for guys their age, who lived as hard as they lived. It is still one of my favorite concerts ever, even though I have paid far more for tickets since then!

So, I'm watching this show in the middle of the night, reliving all these memories and it occurred to me...I've loved the Stones for over 30 years! I can hear certain songs, see concerts, etc, and recall who I was at that time; where I was, what I was like, etc. That's cool. I have the same feelings with some other music, but I can't think of any one person/group that has been around consistently and are still at it now...when I'm old, wearing bifocals and waiting on my first grandchild to arrive!

To the Stones, thank you Mick, Keith, Brian, Ronnie, Bill & Charlie (and anyone I missed)! Glad to have you along for the ride-Here's to many more miles!

A Good Summer's Day!

Well, it's been a long time coming but I'm finally catching up with myself, the kids and the house, so we were able to have a productive, then relaxing & guilt-free day!

DD attended a breastfeeding/nutrition class while DS and I got showered and ready to spend the day at the city pool. Everyone was ready about the same time and we hit the pool long before the parking lot filled up. Water was cold at first, but it wasn't long before DS and I were 'sommersaulting' under water! We had lunch at the concession stand (pizza, ghastly if you ask me) and came home for some R&R before supper and DD's birthing class.

DS went across the street to play with his future GF, lol, and DD went home to rest. All alone in the house, I read the paper, plotted tomorrow's yard-sailing route and started supper. I've been trying new recipes pretty regularly lately, so tonight we had Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich from this website: http://thepioneerwoman.com . Ree cooks food that appeals to the 'meat and potatoes' in me, but I'm sure she works harder than I ever would! If you get a chance, be sure to read the Love Story on her site!

So DD is at her Birthing class with her 'Coach Extraordinaire', DS is still with his girl, the dishes are done, the laundry is folded, the carpet is swept and the dogs are napping. In spite of the washer being broken, the car needing repairs and the weeds needing whacked, all is well in our world!

Pictures coming soon...