Baby Pictures

I finally have pictures of my baby Punkin. Isn't he the cutest thing! I love him so much! I've never had a cat before, so all this mama-love is new to me. My favorite parts of the day are when I fall asleep to his purring (he sleeps on my pillow above my head) and when he gives me kisses and cuddles in the morning. It's so nice having another warm body in the apartment.

In other news, we began school on Tuesday. So far my kids are talkative, but pretty good. I really hope that this year is better than last. I wonder if I'll ever have a year where I don't spend every day thinking of how to get out and do something else. A sign of unhappiness maybe? Hmmmmm.....

A few other Random notes.....My friend Lisa is back in Austin for a while. Yea! While I wish her husband wasn't stationed in Baghdad, I'm glad to have her close by again....There exists a small possibility that my best friends, the Happys, might return to Texas before Baby Happy comes to join us. Just the thought gives me shivers of happiness and causes spontaneous giggles...My friend Laura has been wonderful in helping me settle into becoming a cat mama. She has been checking in on me, but I've been so busy I haven't called back. Sorry Vel, I love you, and I swear I'll call you soon... {{big sigh}} I love my friends :)

Sad News

My father just called to tell me that my Uncle Wayne passed away this afternoon. He was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago and with pancreatic cancer several months ago. My uncle was never very close with his family and had no children of his own. He and my Aunt Vivian were married for about 30 years. I'm sad for her loss, even though I barely knew them. What breaks my heart is that I know for sure that he never gave his heart to Christ, so he will spend eternity away from God. To learn more about a life with Christ, please give me a call. To learn about cancer research and survivor stories visit the Komen Foundation, LiveStrong, or the American Cancer Society.

Favorite TV Episodes

Last night I was watching television when Fresh Prince of Bel-Air came on. Always a fun show, I kept it on while I was making dinner. I soon realized that it was my favorite episode, the one where Will's father (played by the wonderful Ben Vereen) returns for a brief moment, only to disappear and disappoint again. I thought to myself, "Of all the episodes of this show, I think this one is the absolute best." I started thinking through old television shows and picking my "best" of each of them.

My next thought was The Jeffersons. I vaguely remember a Halloween show where "Weezy", who I think was dressed as Mae West, witnessed a murder and then the murderer, who I think wore a rabbit costume, came after her.

My favorite episodes of All in the Family were both sad ones. I loved the one where Edith was assaulted in her home while Archie was next door planning a party for her. I also love the one after Edith died, when Archie sits alone on their bed and talks to her about how lost he is without her. This scene remains one of the most touching in my TV memory.

Archie walks into his and Edith's bedroom. And closed two empty drawers in the dresser. Archie sits down on the bed and finds one of Edith's slippers on the floor. Sadness encompasses him. To Archie the slipper represents Edith.

ARCHIE
It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was supposed to be the first one to go. I always used to kid you about you going first. You know I never meant none of that and that morning when yous was laying there. I was shaking you and yelling at you to go down and fix my breakfast. I didn't know. You had no rite to leave me that way.
[Archie starts to cry.]

ARCHIE
Without giving me just one more chance to say I love you.

Not all my favorites were sad, though. I love the episode of The Cosby Show where Theo moves into the "real world," the early episode of Facts of Life where the school flooded, and the Maltese Falcon episode of Kate and Allie.

I'm sure there are many, many more that I'll think of later. What are your favorites?