Coming soon . . . .

I have pictures!!! AND, I will post them very soon :) Check back for details (please).

Spread The Word To End The Word . . .

I was watching John McGinley (of Scrubs fame) on the Bonnie Hunt Show and I kept looking at his shirt thinking I would need to look up what this means: "Spread The Word To End The Word 03-31-09." Later on he explained his involvement with Special Olympics with his son who was born with Down Syndrome. While attending a Special Olympics Youth Summit in Idaho a group of athletes and John McGinley wrote a letter to Bill O'Reilly after the "r" (retarded) word was used to make demeaning remarks (to his credit, O'Reilly attempted to demonstrate sensitivity for the remarks). Advocates for The Special Olympics are now campaigning to end the use of the "r" word in a way that many have been accustomed to using for a very long time--including me. I am feeling very shamed as I cannot believe that I have so openly used this word for too long--and that I never gave enough thought to this!

However, I know I can change! This entire realization reminds me of my overuse and misuse of the term "gay." As a kid and teenager I would use the word to also make demeaning remarks about something that might look unfamiliar to me or to suggest that a particular person was doing something that I did not understand or agree with. But this changed when my very near and dear friend explained that he is gay. I could write a book about the way my life changed in the most wondrous way after that day, but I will abbreviate and, instead say that I stopped using "gay" and any word similar as a way to make unnecessary and painful remarks . . .that was almost 20 years ago.

Shamefully, I have used the "r" word and today I will stop. I love the notion of free speech and do not ask others to change their speech on my behalf, and that includes cursing/cussing, as I truly believe certain terms allow us to find our voice. However, utilizing terms such as retarded and gay, in irrelevant ways, serve one purpose and that is to strip the opportunity for everyone to have an equally relevant voice.

GOOD NEWS!!!

I (we--all the students in my program) just received this e-mail with very, very good news about our program! Advocacy, as Dr. Waldron says, DOES WORK! . . .

Professor Waldron:


Provost Capaldi has requested that I respond to your note to the President regarding the status of the MA in Communication at the West campus. In discussions with Dean Langland, it has been decided that this program, as well as several other master’s degrees, will remain operational at the West campus. Thank you for taking the time to advocate for the program. We truly hope that you will continue to build one of high quality.


Regards,

Dean Allison


Maria T. Allison, Ph.D.

University Vice Provost and Dean

Graduate College

Arizona State University

from a very dear friend . . . a much needed shove

A thought for the month:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask
ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others won’t
feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us: it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.

– Marianne Williamson

our valentines!

Ross surprised me with these lovely flowers! I love them . . . and him . . . so much! I am keeping them away from any heater air so they will last a long and lovely time! thank you my love!

And I really wanted the flowers to take center stage but, playing around with pictures on this blog, I often feel as though I am trying to solve some sort of Rubik's Cube--aaahh! The alternative picture is the little dog and card I presented to Ross for valentines day! I wanted a little shlab dog, and I found one, but they were all gone when I went back :( So we have a little valentine beagle--with my add-on ribbon!

happy heart day!

The ultimate valentine doggies! Born to spread lots of heart :)

a champ and his adoring fans . . .

Stump is the newest, and oldest--at 10 years old--doggie champ! Coincidentally, or not, our doggies are now categorized as geriatric clients by our veterinarian Dr. Noe (Bogart insists upon calling him Bruce). So you can imagine their excitement when we all gathered around to watch the news of this amazing little guy! They always knew that anyone, especially the aged, could be a contender!

frustrated by budget cuts . . .

Over the course of the past couple years, as a student, I have wondered what could possibly be next to change during my academic experience. My tuition has increased every single year since I have returned as a student. This includes actual tuition increases along with fees and the creation of new student fees. My favorite fee--which I maintain is a crafty tuition increase--is the 3.75% fee given to students who "choose" to pay their tuition with a credit card. This means students are paying the universities bank fee (which is why students cannot use VISA to pay tuition since VISA will not allow merchants to charge for the use of their card--experience from my banking days). And then, last year, I realized that my parking privileges would cost anywhere from about $300 - $900 depending on where I "choose" to park--so I did not buy a parking pass. As a graduate student I am paying over $600 per credit hour in tuition and fees (and most classes are 3 hrs). Yes, this is getting painful. I know, boo-hoo, especially coming from someone who will always believe that regardless of how I attain my education, it will always be a privilege.

After reading today's press release I am feeling a bit sore (and sour) over the announcement of the many university wide cuts --mostly to any and all colleges that do not include hard science and engineering (and yes, engineering "consolidated" but remains fully in tact). My college was "consolidated" earlier this year and today my graduate program was completely cut. To clarify, ALL graduate programs at the west campus have been cut. And we are no longer ASU at the west campus but instead, "New College." What kind of name is that? What does this new college mean? WHAT?!

Today's announcement is the nightmare many of us who attend and, for those we depend upon (at the west campus), have feared for several years. My experience with some of the most brilliantly-talented-passionately-devoted faculty/staff/students makes the very deep gouges to the heart (my heart!) of education all the more unbelievable. I have watched as this university president and his devotees have steered this university on a very dangerous path in the name of growth. Nobody could have predicted that this would ever be our current position. However, ASU might have been in a better place to take this countries and state economic blows if the administration had not been so blindly focused on growing the university, and its debt, at such breakneck speed. What happened to expect and prepare for the unexpected?

Shame on Crow. Shame on ABOR (arizona board of regents) and shame on those who have told me, as recent as last week, that ASU's tuition is "still a really good deal compared to other universities." My response, as recent as last week, explained that every single increase has been difficult and, furthermore, we are NOT PRINCETON! We are still a state school and we have NOT been getting a good deal. Give me a break.

gorgeous perspectives from Gold Canyon . . .

Look! I just stole some holiday golf pictures from Mathieu's facebook. I love these!

I have never seen one of these in real life . . . a bobcat!

pushing hope forward . . .

i honestly had something else written for today but, that was before i watched our vice president and president officially take their newest roles in our country. i am speechless. and i am grateful for feeling optimistic again . . . that maybe, and I really stopped believing this, maybe we can be everything we really, really, want to be.

we love, love, love la famille Canada!

Here are a few pictures from our unforgettable/memorable/favorite-holiday-ever, visit with our Canadian family! Martine, Nelson, Jessica, Lise, Michelle, Madeline, Patrick, Mathieu and Valerie flew all the way from Montreal and Quebec to spend the holidays with US in AZ! They left very cold and snowy weather behind and came to see us during one of our wettest and coolest (I hesitate to use the word "coldest" in comparison to Canada "cold") holiday seasons in a very long time! We still managed a lot of fun and they even found a day of golf, horseback riding, a football game and, as you will see, we did get in some other AZ activities too!

The BEST part was seeing everyone and getting to TaLk and LaUgH and TaLk and LaUgH and love every single moment we had together. We still miss you guys! And we cannot wait to visit Canada . . . soon!!

Gift exchange on Christmas day . . . we played the exchange game and I stole my gift--the greatest coffee assortment ever (no picture--but you can believe me)!

Valerie and Mathieu with the most adorable frame box (and they gave it to us!!)

Martine with much loved ornament!

Uncle Michelle--lap gift!

Jessica!

Marie, Patrick, Valerie and Mathieu

This is one of my favorites with Patrick! (why?!!)

We ate dinner together every night . . . we even hosted hot dog night at our house! Somehow we did not capture that particular hd event on film---imagine hot dogs on a grill with my new favorite addition--TOMATOES!!

THE atv adventure!

Amazing quad of cousins!

Jessica and PatrickMathieu and Ross

Valerie and Mathieu . . . couple extraordinaire!

Jessica and Patrick . . . awesome cousin duo!

Patrick speed atv'r!

Valerie and Mathieu atv rockers!

hot dog!

As many of you know, Ross is a hot dog grill master! It is really one of our favorite little weekend traditions and we often serve this little treat to our friends and family. It might seem like a lazy little meal but, we actually do put a little effort (read: heart and soul) into it. With that said, I don't think Ross will mind, too much, if I share a few of his secrets--we are firm believers in everyone's right to a great hot dog!

1) Only all-beef-hot-dogs--preferably Nathan's
2) Grandma Sycamore's Bread (though on more than one occasion we have used bakery bread/rolls)
3) MOST important . . .CELERY SALT!!

Ross carefully grills the hd's while I toast the bread (handy little image!). Ross prefers to have butter on his toast along with mayo, a bit of mustard, sweet relish and topped with celery salt. I personally like mine with a little mayo, sweet relish and celery salt. We also like to add chopped onions and shredded cheese . . . yum! While the Canadians were here we found that sliced tomatoes are also quite tasty, thank you auntie Martine! From time to time, when Ross is not giving me a hard time about it, I also like catchup (shhh! I also add catchup to my homemade corn tortilla taco's, YUM!--yes, an AZ native!). Though according to hd purists, catchup is a true no-no! Whatever! I have also had cucumber in my Chicago O'Hare Airport hd . . .maybe we can dream that tomatoes and cucumber will make this a healthy little meal!

So, during one of my recent blog browsing tours I came across a new site (for me) via recommendation from one of my favorites, A Soft Place to Land. The fun new place, and I am already really digging it, My First Kitchen (aka, Ten Minutes to Digest). I started off chatting about our favorite hot dog tradition so I can better explain the hd amazement I found at MFK: Butter-Suckin' Hotdogs. She offers a recipe (and click on the link for a 4 minute demo) and I am going to make it for Ross! It is the funnest hd idea ever . . . and you do NOT need a grill. But, I do suggest that you have some hd accessories (i.e., mayo, mustard, CATCHUP, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, heart and soul, etc.).

I used to avoid any and all hot dogs! Ross hooked me up with the right hd technique! And now we really must try Butter Suckin' hd's. Try it! Go on!

and hopefully this sums it up . . .

double click to read!

I found this column during my daily blog browsing on Apron Girls. I also have AG listed in my fave's and so I am really quite fond of this site. Today AG posted a column that caught my attention. As I was reading it, from the standpoint of a woman without human children (doggies do count!), I found myself realizing that it might also be necessary for this childless woman to also make a statement. Here is what I wrote on the AG blog:

I am one of those women without children. I am also a human, a friend, a partner, a good citizen and I have always treated children as though they are the brightest part of any day. Time is ticking and now, at age 38, I probably will not give birth but, I will always encourage and love any and all children I am privileged enough to know and especially those I don't know personally. Children need to feel important and loved.

My point, and this is something I have been struggling with for quite awhile and especially the past few days. Dear friends, please stop suggesting that I have missed my opportunity to be a better person by not technically parenting children. When I am continually asked the question: "When are you guys having children" it is so very old and so completely intrusive. Instead of saying "you would be such a good parent" say something like "you are so amazing, thank you for loving my children." Many of us exist and I would suggest that those of us like me would never suggest that a parent has too much time on their hands. We, I, am so aware of the life changing--for everyone--time it takes to have children. With this in mind, please understand that not everyone will give birth to children and we are still living and loving the world we live in.

As I finished writing on the blog I realized that quite possibly I was not being true to myself by posting surreptitiously. Please know that I am not disgruntled or somehow resentful. I have made a lot of choices in my life, most of which I am happy about. I am fortunate enough to have a partner that I love and thoroughly enjoy being with. I have amazing friends--always have. So for now, I remain a happy woman in love with Ross with a happy family of doggies! I hope you will do the same--love your family, whatever it looks like--and please, for the sake of all humanity, stop assuming that I cannot possibly be as happy as you!

two new blogs!!

I love the way new finds excite me--look, I found two new sites today! The first, Buzzings of a Queen Bee, come from a site I often cruise: Today's Creative Blog. Buzzings offers the most amazing ideas and advice. I knew I was completely hooked when I saw one of her recent projects, a repainted brass bed (which reminds me, I need to capture some pictures of my recent iron bed--love it!). Going on, while browsing Buzzings, I found a little pregnant . . . her writing is humorous and so candid. I am already sure I will check in with both sites regularly. Check them out . . . hope you smile!

today!!

I have been lounging around since our relatives left us to go to their homeland--Canada (I have some great photos--someday!) Then Ross was on vacation and then this week I have been a bit under the weather . . . and now a little anxious about getting this 09' thing going. I do not get into the whole new year and therefore new goals sham--way too fleeting. But today I started realizing that I must get into gear. SO, I opened up my saved e-mails folder titled "the universe," an e-mail message I get everyday (except weekends). I get funny, motivational messages that I read, reflect, giggle and sometimes ignore! Then I stick it in a folder. So I thought I would post a few of my recent favorites:

Let's find a new adjective for you, Connie...

How about, supercoolhappylovething?

Yeah, a bit clumsy.

How about, immaculate?

Yeah, ahh, tricky.

So, how about just, adored!?

Yeah, not new.

Last idea, Connie... imaginary.

Oh, that's really good.

Phew,
The Universe

------------------------

Know how to tell which of your new friends, old friends, and former friends actually understand you?

Easy, Connie, the ones who still love you.

I still love you,
The Universe

------------------------

You do realize, Connie, don't you, that there have been others - in lifetimes, millenniums, and civilizations past - who have been to some of the same "places" you've been to? Yet, they got so scared they lost control, turned away, or flat out quit.

Yep, and they surround you now in the unseen. Your greatest admirers.

Thanks,
The Universe

------------------------

Connie, every challenge is a stepping stone to a happier place than you even knew existed.

Oh, the magic,
The Universe

------------------------

Connie, one day soon you will be exceedingly glad for this very path you now tread.


To sign up for daily thoughts: http://www.tut.com/

a few great guys . . .

This is Ross after the P.F. Chang Marathon and his debut of a shaved head . . . love this head!

I found these pictures and thought that I would post them as a way to say THANK YOU to both, especially Ross, for all of his work on the house. THANK YOU ROSS!

And little Bogart is sporting his very little sweater. The one and only time he debuted this sweater . . . not a good fit!

A quick update . . . our house is really, really close to being done. I am completely amazed that I continue to find things to put away. I just cannot get on top of everything. But we are close. So, so, so close.

hip hooray!

We are getting closer! The cabinet wonder-men finished yesterday afternoon—woo-hoo! I put away a LOT of our kitchen stuff last night and I cannot believe how much room I have. Randy, one of the cabinet gurus, told me that I would never be able to get everything back in (I do not have the nerve to take a picture of “everything”—take my word, it looks like we are moving!). With that, I decided to part with a few things I no longer need. In fact, when I was going through my plastic bowls I decided that if a lid existed without a bowl, or vice versa, than it needed to be packed up for a better place (no, not the land-fill)! I love our new arrangements so much! I put our pots and pans in a completely different place than before and I told Ross that I believe it is magazine worthy (check out the picture!). When the cabinets are open, the pots and pans match . . . who could have EVEN planned such a thing?

On the bedroom front, Ross has been championing our new paint for our bedroom walls. He is very particular and really very careful to catch every missing spot. I am going back to the paint store today for one more gallon! I keep telling Ross “I am in LOVE with this paint!” I am in love with him too!

. . . i am so delayed!

I have wanted, really wanted, to post to my blog! I have been so caught up with all of our home updates (and it is really so exciting!!). Ross is in the kitchen painting RIGHT NOW and I am helping :) I will post pictures soon of our little, really HUGE, completed projects.

AND, I will admit that I have been in a bit of a funk lately . . . it's true. Sometimes the holidays are a little difficult to grasp, and love, and admire . . . its true. I even find myself wondering if I am really the Grinch! I have even wanted to post a little welcome wagon message to anyone and everyone that gets this Grinchy feeling during the holidays. I am comfortable admitting my Grinch tendencies as he is a darling little animated character and he eventually realizes he does not want to be mean! And please know that I do not look at holiday blogs or neighborhood lights and decorations with disgust. I just wish I was the kind of person that had my tree up the day after Thanksgiving! I am not! Where does this come from? Perfectionist tendencies? Unrealistic expectations? Memories of holidays past . . . the memories that fog holidays' future?

End of discussion. I made a commitment to myself this morning that there is not one reason why I cannot enjoy my upcoming holiday . . . with tons of family coming for a whole week, with menus to plan and decorating to do and sleeping arrangements to arrange--with proper bath amenities and comfy blankets and pillows. Oh, and what about LAUGHTER and FUN TIMES?! See, I am in a holiday mood just thinking and writing! Thanks for reading and I really do hope everyone enjoys their family and friends . . . always!

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

I saw this movie and LOVE it! It reminded me a bit of "Nancy Drew," another movie I really liked (I grew up reading Nancy!). Anyway, Kit is the most spirited little girl and the story is really very timely . . . see it and you will know why.

Madonna meets Becca . . . Halloween 08'

I could not help but think of a certain little 9 year old that really reminds me of Kit--brilliant, cute, independent, funny, thoughtful, artistic, active--loves playing outdoors (to name a few). I always hope, with all my heart and fingers crossed, that she (and children like her) will never lose what makes them so amazing . . . Becca, you-be-you!