Homegirl Quel (kel) in Austin

Success!

Gone

*This is today's page out of my Daily Photo Album.*

My backyard
January 30, 2009

I actually took this pic day before yesterday after I cut off half the length of my hair--and it was not a total disaster!

I didn't take a picture today. I've been in a bit of a daze...and very busy planning to go to my brother-in-law's funeral. He passed away yesterday morning.

Hair will grow back. We'll see our loved ones again in heaven. One of those statements is a little harder to believe than the other one, but both make the loss of each a little easier to cope with.

Happy Birthday to my blog! She's on her 5th year today!

Gone

 

...

There are no words really. Only facts. Yesterday he was here. Today he died. Today a family and a country are changed forever. He was such a bright light. He will be loved and missed forever.

There are no words really. Please send positive thoughts and prayers to the grandparents, parents, wife, siblings, nephews, family and friends of Peter Dennie of St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

P.M.Q.T.

Palm Tree

Cheeks!

Supermarket Stickers

My incredible sleeping baby

My son, who won't nap in his own crib for more than half an hour, sleeps like a baby (pun unavoidable) when we're running errands. This weekend, on the way to the store, he slept. And he stayed asleep when I removed him from his car seat, put him into his stroller, shopped (my husband pushed the stroller while I manned the basket), put him back into the car seat, drove home, and removed his shoes, socks and pants once inside. Through all that he was passed out.

When did he wake up?

When I placed him in his crib. As soon as his face hit the sheet he sat right up, grabbed the nearest object in his crib and started playing with it...and talking to it. He never even looked at me. He played in there alone for about 20 minutes before calling for company. I think somebody should invent a crib that simulates movements of a car ride and light man-handling. I'd be all over that.

Dutch Oven

Stroller Lock Toe

My right chuck is more scuffed up than my left chuck from locking and unlocking the back wheels on my son's stroller. We were at Zilker Park from like 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The weather was so beautiful that I stopped by our neighborhood park for another hour on the way home.

Screaming Baby Swinging

My January Clinique Insider video review is up!

This month I'm reviewing a double duty facial mask and a perfecting serum. One thing I didn't mention about the mask is that after you rinse, it leaves behind the tiniest sparkles on your skin--kind of how your blush might, you know? They affect how light, especially natural light, reflect off your face so you actually do glow! It's so pretty.

Old Calendar As Art

Worth A Thousand Words

Worth A Thousand Words

What I was doing when our first black American president of was sworn in.

10:39 a.m. - The dogs, Okie and Stella, are outside. I'm sitting on one end of the sofa, my husband is on the other end. His laptop bag, my cell phone and house phone fill the space between us. We both have laptops on our laps. He's working. I'm blogging. Our son is playing on the floor at our feet. The television is on CNN. Barack Obama is about to be introduced to the crowd. My adrenaline is high, as it has been for most of the morning. 

10:43 a.m.- Barack Obama is walking down the steps. My heart is beating so fast. My husband, Billy, just took pictures of the television screen. I 'm getting the camera now--just captured a picture of Zack playing on the floor with Obama on the tv. It will probably be my Daily Photo tomorrow.

10:48 a.m.- Rick Warren is praying.

10:53 a.m.- Rick Warren is still praying. I'm about to stop typing to give my son some attention. Aretha Franklin is singing "My Country 'Tis Of Thee." Her hat is fly. Sasha and Malia are dolls.

10:57 a.m.- Joe Biden is being sworn in on the biggest bible I've ever seen.

11:01 a.m.- I just sat back down after fixing my son a bottle of formula. I gave it to him and placed him in his playpen. Barack Obama is the president officially...it's noon East Coast time. I'm feeling tingly and emotional. Yo-Yo Ma and company are awesome.

11:05 a.m.- Obama is taking the oath! He said his middle name. IT"S OFFICIAL!!!! The United States of America is officially under the leadership of the coolest and blackest president in our nation's history. I feel my heart beating in my throat.

11:07 a.m.- President Obama is about to speak.

11:27 a.m.- Beautiful speech. My son fell asleep in my arms. My husband and I both teared up. Elizabeth Alexander is reading her poem, Praise Song of The Day. Billy is starting the shower. Zack is still sleeping in my arms--I'm typing with my left hand. It's 11:33 a.m.

Obama, y'all! Hail to the Chief.

Tree in Winter

The Perfect Tote

Now that my son is approaching toddlerdom, I carry more stuff with me when we're out and about.  I have tote bags, but I needed one that would A. be big enough to hold our picnic blanket, water bottles, camera, a toy or two, books, etc. , B. coordinate somewhat with whatever I might possibly wear (mostly black) as well as my current diaper bag (Storksak-Julie Bag) and not make me look like a bag lady, and C. be affordable. I went TJMax (always my first stop for bags) a few weeks ago and found the perfect tote!

Everybody, meet The Sak Handbags Pax Eco Peace Print Tote:

It retails for about $100, but I got it at TJMax for $39. It's pax coated fabric, so it's easy to clean. I was on the phone with a friend when I got it and told her I'd send her a picture. When I got home and googled it, I found out that the peace print  design was created by famous, French graffiti artist Gilles Jourdan and "is meant to bring peace and harmony to all that wear it", which makes the bag that much more special!