Hanging By a Thread

Chasing the Sun {Summer 2014 Bucket List}

This is the time of year I start to get antsy.

Every June I have a deadline for a big work project. I sit hour after hour at my computer during the winter as the snow falls and then through the spring as the snow melts away and teases us with a warmer day here or there and then the sun begins to stay up a bit longer and warm, shiny afternoons beckon to me from the window, and still, I sit working at my computer. Eventually, school comes to an end and my kids are excited for summer break to begin, and still, I sit working at my computer.

I began to get restless and fidgety. I try to make deals with myself about working for so long and then taking a break for a fun little adventure. I work deep into the night so that I can be out in the warm shiny days and lovely lingering evenings with birds calling and bunnies scampering and kids laughing.

And then, finally, when I think I can't stand it for a minute more, I finish my work and my summer break begins.

I love Minnesota for all of its beautiful seasons, but summer is so long awaited and free from schedules that it has become my favorite. And I think it is because of our long, cold winters that there are so many wonderful things scheduled from June 1^st to August 31^st each year.

It's hard to fit everything in, but we pack in a ton. Some things we do every summer, sometimes on a weekly basis; others things on our list are firsts. And the greatest thing of all is that so many summer activities are free! 

We make memories and create traditions all summer long that carry us through those seemingly endless cold, snowy days and nights in the winter. Here's what on our bucket list this summer…

1. Picnics at Lake Harriet Bandshell; a favorite tradition and favorite place; music (every single day through the summer), picnic dinners, awesome playground, beautiful views and walking/biking paths.
2. Swim at Bryant Lake Beach; one of our favorite swimming beaches.
3. Week on the TX Gulf Coast with family at our favorite beach; one of my favorite things ever.
4. Swim at the pool at least once a week, meeting up with lots of friends.
5. Visit Johnson Space Center in Houston, a trip we always look forward to; each time our experience is different since the boys' ages are too.
6. MN Zoo Giant Bugs exhibit and playing at the splash pad and playground and seeing all the familiar animals.
7. How to Train Your Dragon 2. I really loved Hiccup and Toothless in the first movie and seriously am so excited about this movie…it better live up to my expectations.
8. Outdoor Movies at Centennial Lakes; another beautiful, free, outdoor venue for music, movies, picnics, strolls, mini golf and lawn bowling.
9. Shakespeare in the Park; I love Shakespeare and there happens to be one in a park very near to me this year. It's Comedy of Errors; always a good one. And it's the one I saw outdoors in London one summer long ago.
   
10. MN Sculpture Garden Mini Golf; very tricky, artistic challenging golf, that is. Or mini golf at Centennial Lakes or putt putt at a park nearby, or maybe all three.
11. Open Field at Walker Art Center; Sunday afternoons are the perfect time for us to hang out in this space. I love to take a picnic, go to church and then walk over to the Walker and hang out all afternoon in the Open Field space. There are all kinds of activities from sports to games to arts and crafts to musical instruments and more there for the using.
12. Conduct a "Best Ice Cream in Twin Cities" Tasting Tour. We are pretty pumped up about this one. The Twin Cities has some REALLY good ice creams and custards! This one will be an all summer activity. We have already begun planning it out.
13. Attend at least one parade, even if it's the State Fair parade.
14. Visit Family in Texas; we love this road trip tradition.
15. Watch at least one fireworks exhibit; so many to choose from around here.
16. Golf; with my husband; with friends; and maybe with my boys (after their lessons this summer). I'm really not good, but I really enjoy playing.
17. Ride the new Green Line from Union Depot Station in St. Paul to Minneapolis stopping at the MN State Capitol, the Weisman Art Museum, Ax-man Surplus and exploring several cultures along the way. (Green Line opens June 14^th)
18. Pick berries at least once; blueberries, raspberries and strawberries available around here. So good!
19. Dine al fresco as often as possible; the possibilities are endless around here, but my favorite is W. A. Frost.
20. Go to at least one Minnesota History Center's Nine Nights of Music; this has been on the list for several years and we still haven't made it there yet. I think this is the year for it. Plus we want to explore their Toy Exhibit inside too.
21. Pizza on the Farm; two favorites: A to Z in Stockholm, WI off the Great River Road (amazing drive – even if I can't eat the pizza, it's worth it) and Red Barn Farm in Northfield (run by a friendly family from the barn/kitchen behind their home and they have a gluten free crust option that's really tasty!) Both options are relaxing, beautiful, full of animals and gardens and flowers and magnificent views of farm land. We love this tradition. Oh, and if you go to A to Z, go early so they don't sell out and so that you have time to stop at the pie shop in tiny, picturesque Stockholm to pick up dessert or stop on the way home for really great ice cream at Flat Pennies on the Great River Road). Remember you bring the plates, napkins, blanket or table and chairs, pizza cutter, candlesticks, flower arrangements, salad, apps, desserts, vino, lemonade, whatever you decide is necessary for your meal. And you take everything, even the pizza box, back out with you! Oh, there are bathrooms available in both locations! I don't go that rustic.
    
22. Go to a drive-in movie theater; eyeing the one in Litchfield right now.
23. Of course, we plan to frequent Riverview Theater too; we love this little, old (cheap) theater; some great classics being played this summer too.
24. Visit Little Mekong Night Market in St. Paul (near the Western Ave station on the Green Line).
25. MN State Fair; enough said
26. Throw a Lego Movie themed birthday party; working on figuring this one out…
27. Read, Read, Read
28. Writing, writing, writing
29. Adventure, Adventure, Adventure

Summer is an attitude. It's stopping at the fruit stand on the side of the road and then sitting in your car, eating a peach with warm juice running down your arms to your elbows and dripping down your chin; it's doing nothing but reading a book all afternoon on a quilt on a grassy hill; it's picnicking on any night of week, just because you can; it's swimming until your fingers and toes are all puckered and wrinkly and your shoulders are pink from a bit too much sun; it's finding out about an activity, location or event and piling into the car, heading there on a whim; it's ice cream long after bedtime; it's sitting around a fire pit, looking up into the pitch dark sky searching for stars; it's pulling over to read historical markers, following maps, visiting tourist traps, stepping back into history and soaking up as much sun as possible.

Here's to squeezing every last drop out of summer and making memories that last a lifetime. Over and out….

Anna

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Summer 2013 Bucket List {Let the Games Begin}

An Awakening {Spring Bucket List}

An Awakening {Spring Bucket List}

Spring comes slowly here in Minnesota. Beginning in March, there may be a few days that tease the winter-dulled senses and low, gray moods, but it's just a trick of nature. April shows promise, but too often the clouds hang low and dark and are filled with chilly rain and wet snowflakes.

And all the while, little by little, the snow melts away, the ground begins to green up, buds suddenly appear, little daffodil shoots push through the muddy soil and then comes May. And in May, Minnesota awakens from that long winter nap.

Our spring is short-lived and generally chilly, then warm and maybe hot, on occasion, but it gives way to long, beautiful, warm, sunny days full of leaves and grass and flowers and late walks and picnics and concerts at the bandshell and baseball games and swimming at our favorite lake and the sounds of kids calling to one another as they run yard to yard all afternoon and late into the evening….summer…the long awaited season.

And while our spring lasts a month to two months tops, I have a list of my spring must dos. Some begin our summer traditions, some are once a year events, but all are done with a renewed sense of life (mostly outdoors) and community.

1. Friends School Plant Sale. This one is coming up soon; May 9, 10 and 11 at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. It's HUGE (2,300 varieties of plants), and it's a lot of fun picking out all the tomatoes and herbs and interesting and tried and true veggie varieties and flowers, etc. If you go, bring a wagon or cart of any kind; they'll have boxes for you to carry home your little treasures. They have the BEST selection of tomato plants….so many to choose from. I always go on Friday; Saturday can be too late for some selections. Oh, and it's a fundraiser for a school; something you can feel good about.
2. Flint Hills International Children's Festival. This free festival in St. Paul is always a fun time. Art and culture and history and theatrics and dancing and music and ice cream and food and crafts and fancy ladies on stilts and a magnificent setting at Rice Park. The acts strolling through or on the various stages are amazing, daring or beautiful and often all three. Oh, and don't miss the ice cream man dressed as a clown, pedaling through on his bike/cart selling blue bunny bars that come with a side of a balloon animal or pirate sword; always a line and always worth it.
3. Open Field at Walker Art Center. Opens June 14^th (still spring here in MN). Closed last year for Walker construction, it's back this year. I'm SO excited. It is what it sounds like, but so much more. If you haven't spent a lazy Sunday afternoon or a warm, breezy weekday evening here at the Open Field, you really should plan to do so this summer. It's a great big, grassy field with a great hill in the middle and a patio with some tables and chairs and benches with an outdoor café with a grill and a view of downtown and right across the street from the Sculpture Garden. What do you need to bring? Nothing. There are board games and arts and craft supplies and instruments and balls and Legos and kites and yoga mats and so much more. You can choose to do a little bit of everything or nothing at all. Sometimes we bring a picnic and sometimes we buy a meal from the café. Let the kids run and play and bring a book for any quiet moments you get in between running and playing. We love this space.
4. Minnesota Orchestra Bugs Bunny at the Symphony. We can't wait for this event. There are several family friendly events at the orchestra this spring and summer. Check out their upcoming events.
5. Concert and Picnic at Lake Harriet Bandshell. This is something we enjoy doing all summer long. Picnic, music, fabulous playground, lots of families, a view of the sparkling lake; one of my most favorite traditions of all. Concerts are free and scheduled every single night of the summer starting on May 26^th.
6. Mother's Day with my Mom. Last May, my parents moved from Texas to Minnesota just in time for my mom and me to spend Mother's Day together. Last year, we ate brunch and then frittered away the afternoon going through little shops in south Minneapolis; something we rarely have the time to do.
7. Farmers Market. Yes, the big markets run year round, but our local market doesn't open until mid-May. I love the market, but it's really an experience that belongs to my husband and my boys. They like to get up earlier than I do, and then go to the market and grab a muffin for breakfast, pick up for fruits, honey, veggies and more, and then play at the park before coming back home with all their market finds. This leaves me with a quiet house for lovely, peaceful rest.

May is the month almost every night is filled with baseball, soccer, evenings out with friends, social events and school activities. It's always a busy month and the kids have started counting down the days until summer…and so am I. I do love those three months of no school and no homework and very few scheduled commitments. It's a time of fun and playing and adventuring.

And so, we will begin prepping for this time of being footloose and fancy free with our month and half of spring. What's on your list? Over and out…

Anna

An Open Letter to a Smug, Punk-Ass Twerp {AKA Justin Bieber}

Dear Smug, Punk-Ass Twerp, {And I mean that in the kindest way possible}

Wipe that stupid grin off your face! You are looking at some serious charges with your latest shenanigans.

If I were your mom, I would sit you down and have a serious talk with you before it's too late {of course, if I were your mom, we would have had many serious talks by now}.

You, sonny, have been given a gift. While I have no idea what you sing or what you sound like or why girls go wild for you, you must have some kind of talent. But your talent is not the gift. Many people have talent; a large number of people have a great deal more talent than you do {in my opinion}.

The gift is Opportunity. You have been given the opportunity to develop your talent; live your dreams; be a positive role model to look up to; travel the world; have amazing experiences; do things to help others and make a real difference in this world.

And yet, in your youthful, arrogant, ignorance you are squandering this gift. You make scenes everywhere you go; act like you are "somebody" with having done nothing; trash hotel rooms; drink alcohol {may I remind you, you are still a minor}; use drugs; race cars in residential streets; hurl insults and curse words at police officers; and expect to get away with all of it.

But let me tell you something, kid; you better straighten up your act soon! The world quickly tires at the escapades of such spoiled brats. There will always be another rotten, over-entitled teen "star" taking your place as your own star fades away.

If you continue slipping down this slope of over-indulgence and self-destruction your future is clear, but not bright or promising. You are a dime a dozen….so far. You are not special….yet.

So, Biebs, do you want to "be someone?" Do you want to "do something?" Do you want to be remembered for something other than your demise? Do you want to live to see the ripe old age of 30? Well, then GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER NOW!

Many have trod down that path; few have overcome the demons of wealth, of fame, of celebrity. This is your chance; take it or leave it. But don't wait long to decide; the window of redemption will not stay open long and certainly does not give superstar punks VIP treatment.

But take heart, you could still be a legend, regardless of which path you take. In fact, people {and cable TV} like to tell the stories of those poor, misguided, young souls who were eaten up by the world of sex and drugs and rock and roll and spit out as hollow shells of nobodies.

Is it really so hard to choose to do good for others, be a respectable, responsible and talented role model and live the good life of opportunity? For your sake, and your mom's sake, {and for all those screaming, fainting girls looking up to you} I hope you straighten up. And you can start by wiping that punk-ass smile off your baby face.

Over and out…

Anna

Summer 2013 Bucket List {Let the Games Begin}

Summer is here, and we are so ready for it! There are quite a few items on this list, but I don't want to miss anything this summer. It was a long winter!

The reason I publish ours is that perhaps it will inspire you to make one, remind you of something you meant to add to yours and hold me accountable and keep us on target for checking off a number of these.

This list was compiled with the help of the boys and the husband. It's a family effort because we all have different ideas of what summer looks like, but we also have a number of family traditions on this list that we all agree upon.

1. River Rats Water Ski Show on Mississippi River
2. Lake Harriet Band Shell Concerts, Picnics and Strolls
3. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie – Children's Theater
4. Chucky Cheese – Games Only {By special request from 4 YO}
5. Pick Berries
6. Road Trip to Texas ....all the way to the Gulf of Mexico this year {An area I LOVE}
7. Read books and books and books {applies to 3 reading members of the family}
8. Swim at Bryant Lake Beach
9. Breakfast on the Farm at Gale Woods Farm
10. Watch the sun come up from a beautiful setting
11. Golf with my husband {multiple times}
12. Walker Art Center Artist-Designed Mini Golf {with 2 for 1 coupons from Flint Hills International Children's Festival}
13. Movies in the Parks
14. Dinosaurs at the Zoo
15. St Louis Park Splash Pad
16. Find a Last Minute Air Fare Deal going somewhere... anywhere... and leave on a jet plane
17. Pizza on a Farm
18. A few camping/fishing trips for boys...at which time I will read books at home
19. Several summer camps for boys
20. Summer Pedicure with Christmas Gift Card
21. One Secret Agent Birthday Party for a certain 7 YO
22. Farmers' Markets
23. A day trip to Duluth
24. A vacation to Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota
25. MN State Fair
26. Dining Al Fresco on a few Date Nights; can't beat a MN summer night
27. Eat veggies and herbs out of our own garden
28. 9 Nights of Music at the MN History Center {At least 1 performance}
29. Hang out with Family
30. Have a Neighborhood Ice Cream Social
    
    
    {Oops! Missed one...Twins Game!!}

It may look like a lot, but this is the season we can go and do and spend lots of time outside without the restraints of school and deadlines! I fly by the seat of my pants and can pack a beautiful, fun, nutritious picnic and beach bag in just a few minutes and be on the go.

And I don't have to watch the clock worrying about bed times or homework or game times or dinner time. If we decide to run out and get ice cream on a hot, muggy night at 9 pm, we can!

In MN, you learn to live the summer months outside as much as possible, soaking up the sun and enjoying the lush green trees and grass and beautiful flowers while avoiding mosquitoes, ticks and the overabundance of other bugs and spiders that comes along with the summer. And God's gift to us after spending months wrapped in darkness and snow and cold, daylight until 9:30 pm during the summer!

Now, we may not get all of these items checked off; and that's OK, but we are sure to have a great summer. So, what's on your summer bucket list? Over and out...

Anna

Let the Words Out: Writing From the Heart & Finding Your Voice

Acknowledge Your Voice

A half written novel hidden away in a drawer or stored on a forgotten disc; song lyrics on paper napkins; beautiful prose or poetry composed in your head.

Long before I clicked the "Publish" button, I was scribbling out works in my head and on occasion in a small lined notebook.

Almost two years ago, I started typing the words, letting them out of my head, and I've been letting them flow ever since. As I write, everything becomes clearer and clearer to me, and yet there is even more that remains shrouded in shadows, which has yet to be explored. Writing has been such a blessing to me; so cathartic; so liberating.

Tonight I'm giving a program on "Writing From Your Heart and Finding Your Voice" and I thought I'd share some of my thoughts with you as I prepare for tonight.

Start writing

Writing is a way to express yourself, share your thoughts and ideas, tell a story and release your emotions, come clean about something that's too hard to say out loud, etc. It can be a letter, an email, a journal, a blog post, an article or a book, etc. The only way to write is to... well, write. I have found that writing begets writing. That is to say that the more you write, the more easily the words will come.

I write something almost every day and have been doing so for about a year now and the year before that I was writing about 4 to 5 times a week. It has become a habit. Sometimes I write for pay; sometimes I write for me; and sometimes I write for my audience.

Find Your Muse

Every artist needs a muse; and writing is connecting and molding words into works of art. For me, it's music, natural beauty, my family, my passions and my feelings that often inspire me to ponder questions from the depths of my soul and explore the perplexities of the world we live in.

Inspiration can come from anywhere: a bulletin board, a chance meeting, an overheard conversation, a friend, a book, a movie, an experience, the lyrics of a song, a particular mood, a news story, an idea, a walk around the lake; you name it. Once you start writing, you might be surprised where you find inspiration.

Use Your Senses

After I had been writing for a while, I began to notice that I am always ticking off mental notes about how something looks or what had been said or what something sounds like or how something made me feel, etc. for me to draw upon later if it fits with something I am writing. You must allow yourself to truly experience how and what you and others feel, see, hear, smell and taste.  

Writers are in touch with their emotions and all of their senses. This brings authenticity to your writing; this helps others relate their experiences to yours.

It will also allow you to explore your own thoughts and perceptions. You might be surprised to find how you feel about something or find that your reaction to something is not what you would have imagined, which leads to my last point.

Be Honest with yourself {& your audience}

Some days I sit down to write something on a particular topic and end up writing something totally unrelated. But if the words or emotions are there, I allow them to come out. I have been surprised by the thoughts and feelings that have bubbled up during my writing sessions. There are times my writing reduces me to tears and other times I am reminded of a poignant time in my life or a funny story from years ago.

Whatever it is that works its way to the surface, you must be willing to allow it to come to light and you must be honest with yourself. If others will read what you have written, forging a story or veiling your true feelings will be apparent to your audience. If you are writing for you, then there is no sense in being dishonest with yourself.

When you are honest, your story will mean more to you and your readers. It will give them a sense of who you are and will allow the reader to stand in your shoes for a bit. When you are honest with your feelings, your critics will find it hard to pick at you. It's hard to disparage a respectful, sincere account even if you're in disagreement with the subject. 

The Scoop

When you start writing allow yourself to be awash in your feelings and observations and let down your guard, your voice will emerge from your words. You can expect that your voice will change as your perspectives change. Don't fight it; just keep writing.

It's alright if that voice is angry or afraid or sassy or funny, all of these things or none of these things. All you can be is you. Writing shouldn't be forced; have patience with yourself as you begin gathering words and searching for your voice; it will come.

And don't get too caught up in the grammar. Use Spell Check and do your best. You might miss your timidly emerging voice for the worrying about the rule on semi-colons v. colons or whether it's OK to end a sentence with a preposition; don't. The words hold all the power; unleash them.

To borrow a line from Ratatouille and slightly modify it: Anyone can write. Over and out...

Anna

On Being a Kite or an Anchor

We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got

Cause it doesn’t make a difference

 If we make it or not

We've got each other and that's a lot

For love – we'll give it a shot

 Whooah, we're half way there

Livin on a prayer

Take my hand and we'll make it I swear

~ Chorus from Livin' On a Prayer by Richard Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child

Sometimes a song says it best. It's true; I've been a Jon Bon Jovi fan since the 7th grade, but when I heard this song on the radio as I drove home last night and I cranked it much louder than a middle-aged mom in a mini-van should ever crank any music and sang along for the umpteenth time, I took the words to heart and really heard the words of the song for the first time.

As I thought about these words, I was reminded of the wise words Will's aunt bestowed upon me over 15 years ago as she and I sat in a church pew during my brother-in-law's and sister-in-law's wedding rehearsal. She told me that a couple is made of two parts; one is the kite and one is the anchor. It won't work if both of the people in the relationship are kites or both are anchors; you'll either fly away and get tossed around at the will of the wind or not go anywhere and hold each other back.

I thought this was an interesting observation and have held on to this nugget of wisdom all these years, thinking of it from time to time, pegging someone a kite and another an anchor. But what I've come to realize about this analogy is that it's only half of the story.

Here's the other half; the two parts, the kite and the anchor, are not always played by the same person; they are not lifetime roles. Sometimes the wife is the anchor and the husband is the kite; and sometimes the wife is the kite and the husband is the anchor. That's the beauty of it.

We all have times that we are barely hanging on, flitting this way and that in the high winds of indecision and doubt. Other times we are so rock solid that nothing can permeate our strong, protective layers. In these times, if we are each playing our respective parts, there is nothing that can break us or sever the ties that bind. Together, we are unbreakable.

The kite must trust the anchor and allow the anchor to hold tight during the storms of life. And the anchor must allow the kite to fly for a while and test the currents above, knowing that the kite will return and take on the anchor role when the winds shift.

Lately, it feels like we've been livin' on a prayer" for a while, but Baby, just take my hand, we're half way there. I can be the anchor right now. Over and out...

This post is dedicated to my alternating kite and anchor, Will, who I've been "livin' on a prayer" with for a long time and I'll keep taking my turn as kite and anchor for the rest of my days, and I know he will too; and my dear, wise aunt-in-law, Carol, who is most often the kite, but is fortunate to have found her anchor long ago. I love you all.

Anna

Motherly Advice: Musical Inclination

All deep things are song.  It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls! 

~Thomas Carlyle

It makes me want to cry, jump for joy, shimmy and shake; it's a call to action, a mournful goodbye, the start of something beautiful; it brings memories of laughter, tears, victories, defeats, friends, foes, a day in a life, a year in a life, a night, a hour, a moment; it's the root of my passion; it's always in the background and often in the forefront of my mind; it's something I couldn't live without; it's intrinsically entwined into the very fiber of my being.

What is this necessity of life? Music. Simply music. There is a tune for any situation and any mood under the sun. There is a rhythm and beat to everything; just ask a child.

I didn't grow up in a musical household. My parents weren't opposed to music, but there wasn't always a radio playing or songs being sung or impromptu dance parties, but for me, music has always been essential to my existence.

These are music highlights of my life: I remember playing Christmas music on my family's big, clunky cassette player when I was 4. When I was 5, I had a Crystal Gayle cassette I listened to on the way to preschool. Oh, how I loved her beautiful long hair. I can still recall the cassette case with her photo; what I don't remember is where it came from or why I had the cassette. When I was 6, I donned my mom's flowing, colorful zip-up robe, tuned my parents' radio to a classical music station and "sang" along with operas.

When I was 10, I received my prized Sony clock/radio. I could listen to music in my own room whenever I pleased. And I did; I had music playing while I played dolls or Barbies or doodled pictures or pretended to be a doctor or a movie star. I had that Sony clock/radio for 23 years; that is, until Darling 1 repeatedly knocked it off the bedside table when he was a toddling 9 month old, eventually breaking it.

By age 11, I had a small jam box and was totally devoted to Amy Grant and Sandi Patty. Very quickly, my world of music broadened, as I moved into the teen years and started listening to rock stars like Bon Jovi and Guns and Roses and Madonna and country stars like Garth Brooks and Faith Hill. When I was 21, I attended Phantom of the Opera in London and fell hard for Andrew Lloyd Webber's music portfolio. And as an adult, my love of music continues to branch out thanks to Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3 The Current.

In our family, music is a given; it's fundamental. We all go around singing little ditties; humming tunes; moving to the beat of any musical notes; making our own music with real and makeshift instruments. Music is completely ingrained in the Darling Boys' brains and bodies; it always has been.

They adore Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen and Vampire Weekend to name a few. They are students of music. They even have a band. Their performances are small and exclusive. Destructive Kids, as the Boys so aptly named their group, can usually be seen singing, dancing, drumming and strumming in our living room. They sing original pieces such as Watching a Wedding and other composed-on-the-spot numbers. Music is in the cores of their beings.

I can't spout off song titles, album names, concert tours, music trivia, etc. No, for me it's simply the music itself; the lilt of a tune, the fast-paced beat, the slow love ballad. What's music to you?

It's Saturday…. Go eat some chocolate {this actually applies to everyday}. It's good for you, and you deserve it!

Anna

Nota Bene: I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all parents and kids are not created equally, but are wholly individual in personality and style. Regardless of these differences, the basic needs of love, patience and support remain constant. Here are the weekly affirmations, tips and reminders. Unless otherwise noted, these are entirely my opinion. Take them with a grain of salt, or not!

The List: Sources of Inspiration

For me, inspiration is something that causes great excitement and joy to the core of my being; inspiration can make me dizzy with thoughts and plans. To be inspired is truly a gift. I feel as though I have won a great prize; I feel as though I can conquer all the obstacles in my way; I feel as giddy as a child on a sugar high.

It's important to be inspired in every stage of life. There are always dry patches, inspiration droughts, if you will, along the way, but then when the inspiration arrives, it's like a much needed rain shower pouring down on the parched earth.

Every person is inspired by something different. The sources of inspiration are as unique as a person's character traits. Here are some things that inspire me:

1. Creating new recipes while cooking and baking in my kitchen {this is also a great diversionary tool, while waiting to be inspired};
2. A good idea;
3. Beautiful landscapes, both natural and man-made;
4. Music {anything with a great beat, but no R & B or Heavy Metal, please}
5. Jane Eyre;
6. Bible Verses;
7. Cool, crisp fall air;
8. IKEA;
9. Art;
10. Going on an adventure with my family;
11. Meeting new people;
12. Following my dreams; and
13. Watching my kids grow into individual beings with their own ideas and inspirations.

What inspires you? Are you allowing your creative channels to be open to receiving the rain of inspiration? Did something inspire you this weekend? Talk to me, friends. Over and out...

Anna

The List: End of the Summer Bucket List

The end is upon us. In exactly one month, summer will have ended and school will begin for us. It will be starting sooner than that for many. This year, with Darling 1 starting kindergarten, the end of the summer is even more significant for us.

It's been an outrageously hot summer for most of the country, and the humidity in the Twin Cities has been thick as a wall and as heavy as an iron weight pressing down from the heavens. This kind of weather puts a damper on summer fun in the sun.

With that said, there are still some things I really want to do before the summer is completely gone. So, despite the humidity and heat, I want to get out and get at least some of these things checked off the list.

1. Nine Nights of Music: MN History Center;
2. River Rats Ski Show: Mississippi River;
3. Movie and Music: Walker Art Center ~ Open Field;
4. A to Z Pizza Farm We did this on Tues & you can read about it here! We will go back again;
5. MN State Fair;
6. Swim at Bryant Lake Beach – We did this last weekend. We had so much fun. Again, we will be going back;
7. More Picnics at Lake Harriet;
8. St. Louis Park Splashpad;
9. Pick Fall Raspberries;
10. Breakfast on the Farm; Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista
11. Paddle Boat Ride: Centennial Lakes.

I didn't have time to link to these things, but I'll do it later.

I really dislike the term "bucket list." But I can't think of another way to convey what I mean. So, I'm using it. Can you think of another way to say it? And what's on your list...whatever you call it?

I'm already working on my fall fun list. Over and out...

Anna

The List: Essentials for Road Tripping with Kiddos

We're leaving on our road trip. I'm a chronic over-planner, over-packer, over-thinker, and I always have been. So, this doesn't make it easy when getting ready for a family trip. I usually do pack more than we need, but I'd rather have too many than not enough underwear, snacks, toys, clothes, etc.

Part of preparing for this trip is thinking of as many time occupying activities that can be done while strapped into a seat as possible. We have many hours ahead of us on the road. This is important!

Now if I can just make it all fit in the car and work out logistically as we travel along.

 

Here is my list:

1. Snacks, snacks & more snacks {I'll have mashed fruit, cheese crackers, pretzels, yogurt covered raisins, wheat thins, dried berries, string cheese, Pirate Booty & a wee bit of chocolate};
2. DVDs {Our preferences at the moment: Curious George, Diego, Cars & Cars Toons, Clifford, Muppets Take Manhattan & Bob the Builder};
3. Apple Juice & Milk {Packed in a cooler with ice, along with the string cheese and our picnic lunch};
4. Books {I'll scavenge the bookshelves and ask the kids to do the same and fill two totes bags, one for each kid, with a variety of books. I like to take books that have not been read recently and may have been forgotten about, as well as current faves. Lately, they have been all about the Elmo & Sesame Street books I've gotten over the past year from the $1 area in Target.};
5. Small Toys {In our case, Pixar Cars & McDonald Happy Meal Super Hero Figurines};
6. Music CDs {A mix of everything, but ABSOLUTELY NO KID MUSIC. That's just how I roll. We have a brand new mix CD that our sweet friends Jan and Hilary made for us to start the trip off with.};
7. Water & Caffeine for Mama;
8. A Few New Toys from my stash of sale items and Target $1 Area toys {It's always good to have a few toys they have never seen before to pull out at dire moments.};
9. Two Lap Desks {for coloring & drawing, playing cars, eating a snack and looking at books while driving.};
10. Coloring Books, Activity Books, Stickers, Notebooks, Pencils & Crayons;
11. Small Backpack for Each Child {filled by the child with whatever essential toys he deems necessary for the long trek in the car};
12. Favorite Snuggly, Stuffed Animal of the Moment;
13. Lots of Wipes & Target Bags for wet/dirty clothes and diapers.

I am going to arm my 5 year-old with the toy pincher/grabber thingy and a butterfly net for picking up dropped items from the floor. We experimented with this technique, and it's working about 50% of the time, depending on the object. The biggest issue while driving may prove to be all the dropped items they can't reach and want me to get right away, not when we stop in an hour or two.

I also plan to have a reserve of car games in my head for emergency diversions. I Spy is always a good one. One of our favorite made-up games is looking for cars that resemble Pixar Cars characters. This can be played in the city or on the open highway.

I am hoping and praying that Darling 2 sleeps in the car, at least on occasion. I have no hopes of Darling 1 sleeping in the car at all. I have strategically planned stops for eating and getting out for active play. Of course, we'll also stop 18 million times to go to the bathroom along the way.

OK! We're off and away and about to have a great adventure! I'll be checking in on Thursday. Over and out...

Anna

Motherly Advice

All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.

    ~T.E. Lawrence {best known as Lawrence of Arabia}

The other day, as Darling 1 sat strumming his little guitar, remembering a long ago lesson, he said to me, "I think I should be a musician." I agreed that he would be a good musician if he put his mind to it.

He and Darling 2 are currently wild about the band Vampire Weekend. They know the sound of the band and the voice of the lead singer, Ezra. They love to listen to all music, but at the present time they're infatuated with this particular band. In fact, they have formed their own small band, which they, all on their own, aptly named, Destructive Kids.

In this house, we are dreamers. It's what keeps us going day after day. At this very moment in our lives, if we didn't have dreams, we wouldn't have much. We never limit our Darling Boys' dreams, aspirations and plans, but instead we do our best to foster their passions, interests and talents.

During a recent discussion with friends about dreams while sleeping, I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had had a dream while I slept. One friend pointed out that I don't sleep long enough to get to the dream state. This is most likely true, but as long as I'm dreaming with my eyes open, I can keep going.

May we never cease to dream with our eyes open and to act on those dreams.

It's Friday…. Go eat some chocolate. It's good for you, and you deserve it!

Anna

Nota Bene: I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all parents and kids are not created equally, but are wholly individual in personality and style. Regardless of these differences, the basic needs of love, patience and support remain constant. Here are the weekly affirmations, tips and reminders. Unless otherwise noted, these are entirely my opinion. Take them with a grain of salt, or not!

Some Call It Worrying, I call it Accident Prevention

Mommy Brain

As a mom, part of my brain is dedicated to coming up with worse-case scenarios of what might happen to my Darling Boys if.... and then devising plans and solutions to avoid and/or survive such imagined occurrences.

Much has been written, spoken and tweeted about the death of Osama bin Laden this week. I'm thrilled he is out of the picture and that the U.S. has been able to thwart so many terrorist plots over the last 10 years, but interestingly enough, as much as I'm horrified of being caught in a terroristic attack, that's not the kind of scenario that usually pops into my head.

It's the everyday, freakish, what-are-the-odds-of-that-happening kind of catastrophic event that really concerns me.

Here's What Really Scares Me:

I'm scared to death of the day they are old enough to take off on their bikes {wearing well fitting, undamaged bike helmets} on adventures up and down and across streets; streets with no sidewalks or shoulders where drivers recklessly careen about in their vehicles without concern for the well-being of my children.

I'm petrified my Boys will choke on popcorn, marshmallows, tomatoes, small Lego pieces, Star Wars figurine heads {why, oh why do they detach from the body} or a million other items. Darling 2 did choke on a tomato just a few weeks ago. I did not freeze up and was able to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him and get the tomato unstuck. Thank God! I have played this scene over and over and prayed I would be able to do what I needed to do out of instinct; and I did.

I worry that my children won't get the proper servings of veggies per day or enough of the right kind of veggies or that the veggies they do eat will be contaminated with pesticides which will lead to cancer in the prime of their lives.

I contemplate what I will say when they come to me with broken hearts because their true loves don't love them back or kids they thought were their friends did something or said something that was not at all friendly. I fret about whether they will be well liked, well mannered, well accepted, well adjusted and happy as they grow and mature and become young men who never think this world is too much and contemplate their own demise.

I pray that a driver distracted by sending a text, reaching for coffee, putting on makeup, looking for a CD or having an in depth discussion over the phone does not cross into the lane I'm driving in and smash us to smithereens, but should this happen I pray that I will not die or be critically injured and leave my babies; and that the hand of God would protect my precious boys securely and lovingly strapped into their seats behind me.

I hope they never ride their bikes or run while listening to music through earphones that could muffle the sound of a trash truck, train or rabid dog fast approaching.

I take measures to ensure they don't accidentally ingest a poisonous plant or mistake a bleach bottle for a milk bottle or have access to brightly colored pills of medicine that look eerily like candies.

Crazy Lady?

Whew! I said it. Sometimes I even worry that by actually voicing these fears, they could come true. This list is not exhaustive and it changes as they grow, but this is how my heart and brain work; this is how I get through the horrible things that happen all in our world. And then I can focus on the beautiful, wonderful, magical things that also happen every day.

I think through these things; I take precautions; I implement plans; I teach my boys safety; and I pray a lot! Now don't mistake me for saying that I dwell on these things constantly and am all-consumed by tragedy and disaster. I'm not. Intense; paranoid; empathetic; analytical; planner; pray-er: yes.

The Scoop

I cannot always be there. I cannot stop everything from happening to them; and nor would I want to. In the words of a spunky, blue fish named Dory, "Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun for little Harpo. {Nemo}" From Finding Nemo.

I want them to take risks; the kind of risks that lead to innovation, creativity, discovery, love, laughter, success and sometimes failure. After all, it's from good, bad, happy, sad, interesting, boring, small and big happenings that a person learns and grows and experiences. These are good things, but, Please Lord, no shattering events that would break my heart in two forever!

You can tell by the links in this post that I've written posts about many of my motherly fears. What do you worry about? Or maybe you don't! Here's to a safe Thursday! Over and out...

Anna

You might also like:

The Right to Bear Arms in Your Home: McDonald v. City of Chicago

Celebrating the Red, White and Blue: Be Prepared to Follow the Law

Not Even for a Minute: Children Left Unattended in Vehicles

Motherly Advice

How can I tell you what is in my heart?

How can I tell you how much I love you?

How can I measure just how much I do?

 

How much do I love you?

I'll tell you no lie

How deep is the ocean?

How high is the sky?

 

How many times a day do I think of you?

How many roses are sprinkled with dew?

 

How far would I travel

To be sure where you are?

How far is the journey

From here to a star?

 

And if I ever lost you

How much would I cry?

How deep is the ocean?

How high is the sky?

~ How Deep is the the Ocean by Irving Berlin (1932)

My friend, a docent at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, gave me a copy of these lyrics during a tour she was conducting in conjunction with a piece of art we were discussing. I don't recall hearing it before, but if I had, the words had not registered. Seeing the words written out and listening to her read the words, I was struck by the depth of love described here. These words make me feel the joy of loving so deeply and the sadness of losing the one so dearly loved simultaneously. It leaves me feeling speechless; trying to decipher my feelings.

In my mind's eye, I picture it being sung as a lullaby over a sleeping infant, then toddler, older child and on up through the ages. My visions are similar to the book I'll Love You Forever, which leaves me feeling the same way as How Deep is the Ocean does. Yet it also implies a romantic love too; or it could encompass a whole family.

I have kept the thin copy paper version my friend gave me almost a year ago stuck in my planner. Every once in a while when looking for some particular slip of paper also stuck there, I come across these lyrics and read the words. These words have been impressed upon my heart, and I wanted to share them with you.

It's Friday…. Go eat some chocolate. It's good for you, and you deserve it!

Anna

Nota Bene:I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all parents and kids are not created equally, but are wholly individual in personality and style. Regardless of these differences, the basic needs of love, patience and support remain constant. Here are the weekly affirmations, tips and reminders. Unless otherwise noted, these are entirely my opinion. Take them with a grain of salt, or not!

How can I measure each and every part?

How Far Are You Willing To Go: Taking Risks

Guest Post by Dear Husband:

Risk

I've always fancied myself as a risk-taker. You know, the type of guy who would go skydiving or eXtreme river rafting; or even ride a bull. Yeah, that's right. I'm a care-free kind of guy who gets his kicks by taking risks. Nobody can stop me. Heck, while I'm at it I think I'll quit my job without another one lined up.

Who am I kidding? I have always wanted to do the aforementioned risk-taking activities and many more. I have even spent time planning out the things I would do, but for whatever reason I have never followed through. And now I realize I'm a fraud!

The closest thing I did to riding a bull was chasing a poor calf around a rodeo arena as a kid, trying to grab the ribbon off its tail. Now that calf was a risk-taker. Can you imagine the adrenaline he must have felt while close to a hundred kids hyped up on funnel cake and caramel corn in cowboy boots chased him around the arena?

The Real Deal

I respect those who take risks. I'm not only talking about physical risks, but also life-changing risks; the type of change that requires months and sometimes years of planning; the type that comes with a chance for failure and perhaps a possibility of great success. I've been thinking about all of this lately due to the recent decision a friend and her husband have made.

Shane Wyatt is a local Country Singer/Songwriter who grew up in Oklahoma only a couple of hours East from where I did in North Texas. In August 2009, Shane made a move that many only fantasize about doing. He quit his day job as Vice President of Development and Support to become a full-time musician. After a couple of years of songwriting, promoting his album The Last Cowboy and touring, he's taking the ultimate risk and chance of a lifetime. He's moving to Nashville, TN; Music City USA.

I can only imagine the amount of time, planning, patience, persistence and money it took to pursue this goal. This commitment took him a step closer towards realizing a dream he had been envisioning since he was a kid playing the fiddle back in Oklahoma. Of course, without the complete support from his wife I'm sure he would still be "pushing the paper" at his day job.

Which leads me to another important factor of risk-taking; a single person has more freedom to take risks. On the other hand, a person who is married or has a child or two must be a bit more cautious when it comes to taking risks; carefully weighing the outcomes and variables. And most importantly, the risk-taker must have the go-ahead and encouragement from his or her partner and kid(s) before taking the plunge.

Getting it Done

After a bit of careful self reflection, I've determined that I rarely let a situation go far enough to be considered a risk. Why is that? There are many reasons: lack of focus and drive; lost interest; too scared; the wife says no (bull riding, for example) and many more. But after I read the below list I also realized that I shouldn't always be so reluctant to take a few risks.

Tips for Effective Risk-Taking

1. Don't risk everything. You should only risk something that, in the event it doesn't go your way, won't ruin you financially, emotionally or physically.
2. Ask for what you want. More often than not, you will get it.
3. Avoid unhealthy risks. The risks you take should be positive. They should not put you, or others, at risk of physical or emotional harm.
4. Learn from failures. Inevitably, some of your risks won't pan out. Turn these failures into a positive by figuring out where you went wrong, then applying what you learned to your next risk.
5. Start right away. The more risks you take, the easier it will become. Remember, it doesn't need to be a huge risk to make a meaningful impact on your life. Some small risks to get you started include trying a new type of food, wearing a different style of clothing, changing your hairstyle or taking a weekend trip to someplace you've never been before.
6. Don't worry about what others think. Remember, this is your life, your desire, your risk. Keep moving ahead with what you want, even if those around you have different views.
7. If there's nothing to lose, take the risk. Oftentimes a risk may seem scary, but when you really examine it you'll find you have nothing to lose. If this is the case, always take the risk.

   (Source: www.sixwise.com)

Of course, there are many times a risk is just not worth it. Shari Peace, president of Peace Talks, a professional speaking firm, says there are signs that tell you when a risk is NOT a good idea:

1. There's a good chance you could lose everything.
2. You have to put a lot on the line to get only a little.
3. There are too many factors you can't control.
4. You feel the odds are against you.
5. There is no way to fix the outcome if it doesn't turn out how you want.
6. You have to take the risk before having a chance to prepare and/or evaluate it.

(Source: www.sixwise.com)

The Scoop

Within the last week I've been thrust into a risk-taking situation. Although not by choice, it has the potential for a very positive outcome. So, I'll be considering these steps while I plot the best route for me and my family. And I'll be using this list when a new opportunity with some risk rears its head. The trick will be to follow through by staying focused and interested, not being scared to risk a little in order to gain something.

Are you a risk taker? What steps do you take when planning to take a risk? Please go check out Shane Wyatt.

Dear Husband

You might also like:

Competitive Fire: Tips for Preventing Injuries in Youth Sports

Striking a Balance: Tips for Effective Decision Making

Taking the Plunge

Side B: Continued from Love Songs, Part 1; Q & A

Q & A

One of my favorite Current DJs, Mark Wheat, does an annual Valentine's Day Greatest Love Songs of All Time broadcast, which you can access here. And, if you're not so keen on love songs this year, access the Greatest Breakup Songs hosted by David Campbell here which aired on Saturday night {both are excellent play lists}.

Mark was kind enough to agree to do a Q & A with me last week regarding love songs. Here are my questions and his answers:

What is the top song request you get for Valentine's Day?

 

Over the years Etta James' "At Last" and Ben Folds' "The Luckiest" have been the most consistent vote getters.

 

What is the strangest Valentine's Day request you've received?

 

Not for V Day but I had a guy planning to have me play a song at a certain time for him to propose to. He said it was going to happen in January, but he never wrote back...I worry about him.

 

Approximately how many listeners make requests for the Greatest Love Songs of All Time?

 

Between 400-450 and it's been pretty consistent for the last 5 years.

 

Do you think there are more "lovers" than "haters" on Valentine's Day?

 

A lot of lovers hate Valentine's Day! I think we have equal parts of each within us and we try to maintain a balance. Lovers are more verbose!

 

Why do you think couples choose a song to be "their song?"

 

It's the first piece of music that they can agree upon.

It's as simple and as complex as that!

 

Do you & the Mrs. have a song? What is it? {if you don't mind sharing}

 

We bonded over a mutual love of producers like St.Germain and Tosca, but when we were married 9 years ago, my wife's best friend gave us a copy of Etta's song mentioned above. It was a nice thought and so brilliant that it has become a Current fave.

 

Is it more of an American tradition for couples to choose a song to represent their relationship?

 

No, I know that growing up {in England} we had to have a song with each girlfriend! But then I have always been a musichead!

 

If a couple doesn't have a song, what are a few good suggestions for them to try out?

    

Just listen to the show on Monday night or check the playlist, but it has to be their unique decision.

Thank you, Mark.

Mark has always been so gracious to answer my emails regarding music/artist questions, song requests and now this Q & A. I think Mark and all the DJs and behind the scenes people do a great job. In our home, we listen to all three of the MPR stations. Our Darling Boys have been raised on the music The Currentand MPR Classical stations play; and I'm proud of this fact. Not every 4 year old and 2 year old can identify Johnny Cash on the radio and get excited about it.

Contribute Now

I actually feel stress when I imagine a world without MPR if funding is lost or their member drives fall short because I NEED this radio station so much. MPR happens to be having a membership drive now. If you listen or if you want to reduce my stress levels, please do your part and pay ANY amount to become a member today. It's worth it.

 

Write Your Rep.

Which brings me to another point: the U.S. House of Representatives will begin debate today, Tuesday, February 15^th, on the House Budget Bill. The spending cuts outlined in this bill include cutting ALL federal funding for public broadcasting. I happen to feel that public radio and T.V. stations provide a much needed service exposing many listeners and viewers to music, news, art and culture for very little and most often no cost to the public, including children and young families who enjoy this great community asset regardless of economic status. Please contact your U.S. representative if you feel that federal funding for public broadcasting should be spared. You can find out more information and send a note to your U.S. Representative at 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting.

The Scoop

But, to leave you on positive note... If you live in the Twin Cities, please join me at Rock The Cradle on Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. This FREE event is sponsored by The Current, Children's Theatre Company and Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA). Enjoy music, art, books, puppetry, theatre, yoga and some snacks with all your favorite DJs. Our family's favorite part is always getting down at the Disco Party. For more information on Rock The Cradle, click here. Over and out...

Anna

Side A: Love Songs, Part 1

If music be the food of love, play on. ~ William Shakespeare

What does music have to do with love? Just about everything. Almost every song, regardless of genre or generation, is about love: unrequited love; good love; bad love; long lost love; the magic of love; falling in love; falling out of love; first love; last love; secret love; young love; love after many years, the upside of the love and the downside of love.

Music often sets the stage for falling in love whether it plays in the background at a bar, a restaurant, a movie, a concert or on the car radio; music allows you to get close to your potential new love without words when dancing, holding hands or snuggling; and music can bring back the feelings of first being in love; losing love; hitting some rough patches and making up again. One song can represent all of these things to a couple; or maybe different songs symbolize different phases of a relationship for another couple. Just like every couple's experiences and relationship is unique, so is their song and its meaning.

I ask you, what else can reduce us to tears, puff us up with love and confidence or give us a boost to follow our hearts? What else other than music can make us feel so much?

The Science of Music

I recently read an article about a study done at McGill University that found that listening to music triggers the same pleasure inducing chemicals in the brain as sex does. In this study, volunteers' brains were scanned while they listened to their favorite instrumental music, ranging from classical to punk to bagpipes even. The resulting scans indicated that as the thrilling parts of the music approached, the neurochemical dopamine was released by a part of the brain's striatum region. Once the musical climax occurred, the dopamine surged through a different part of the striatum. Dopamine is the same chemical associated with pleasurable feelings while eating, having sex or using psychoactive drugs.

Still think music isn't so important to love or life and our feelings about things? Think about your favorite love scene in a movie; or any favorite movie scene for that matter? Now take the music away. I bet its affect is not the same. Music adds passion and powerful feelings and emotions.

My World of Music

Music is an important part of my world. I love music and always have. And I thought I had a wide musical range until 89.3 The Current, a Minnesota Public Radio station, went on the air in early 2005. This young station's arrival on the scene coincided with the beginning of my working from home as an independent contractor. I began listening out of curiosity. The Current has now become a part of me; a part of our family; we've been sustaining members for years now. They have opened my eyes {& ears} to so many fabulous artists and musical styles; both locally and worldwide.

The Scoop

Later today, I'll be posting a Q & A with Mark Wheat, Current DJ and host of the Valentine's Day Greatest Love Songs of All Time. Plus I'll have a Motherly Law-style Public Service Announcement regarding MPR and all public stations. Over and out...

Anna

Motherly Advice

I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all parents and kids are not created equally, but are wholly individual in personality and style. Regardless of these differences, the basic needs of love, patience and support remain constant. Here are the weekly affirmations, tips and reminders. Unless otherwise noted, these are entirely my opinion. Take them with a grain of salt, or not!

Sing out loud in the car even, or especially, if it embarrasses your children. 

~Marilyn Penland

Sing and dance with your kids. Expose them to ALL genres of music. Nothing puts you in a better mood than some happy dance music. Here are a few of our favorite dance songs: Darling 1 suggests: We'll Find Another Way to Dance by Young Love, Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen and Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts; Darling 2 loves: Ave Maria by David Bisbal, I Like to Move It by will.i.am, and Real Gone by Sheryl Crow; Mommy grooves to: Human by The Killers, Dying Day by Brandi Carlile and Gimme Sympathy by Metric and Dear Husband adds his picks too: Queen of Apology by The Sounds, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah by The Flaming Lips and Swagger by Flogging Molly. Instant dance party!

It's Friday…. Go eat some chocolate. It's good for you, and you deserve it!

Anna