Today is Michelle’s birthday! My PseudoSis1! It’s been a helluva year for her and things are on the upswing…I know with my whole heart that this year is going to be the best one she’s had to date! We’re celebrating with the PseudoFam tonight and planning a Ludivine dinner for next week sometime to usher her into this new adventure properly. Today however, I give her one of her favorites…because she is one of my favorites. Happy Birthday sis!

Madchen is 30 today.

We celebrated this weekend with some football and some laughing and some beers, we shall celebrate next weekend even larger! But today, a little picture of her favorite because she is OUR favorite.

Your 30’s are a fabulous time…enjoy sister!

Everyone over on Facebook has been using their status updates to say what they’re thankful for. I would have liked to have joined that bandwagon, but somehow…I have not. I have been very cognizant of my blessings, however and still so remiss about posting them there or here.

So maybe I’ll give you 10 of them today, whaddya say? In no particular order of importance…

1. My Home. — I know Ive dubbed her Brokedown Palace, but really she’s been quite good to me. She holds me and Mandrea and the cats just fine. Warm. Cool. Away from the elements. Cozy. Comfortable. Inviting. She’s all of these things, and every month when I pay the mortgage, I say a little prayer of thanks.

2. My Family. — I’m heading to Arkansas this week to spend a brief bit of time with Mom and Bonusdad, and some quality time with the Wonderboys and their parents. I’ve never gone to Arkansas for this holiday and the fact that I will get to Black Friday shop with my sisser, makes me more excited than a kid on Christmas. We all have our quirks and our bits of crazy…but they’re ours and we have each other and that’s something.

3. My Bonusmom. –She’s included in the Family part but I wanted her to have her own number. I said to her today, “I’m sad for everyone in the world that doesn’t have a Bonusmom like you.” and seriously. I mean that. It had nothing to do with the fact that she’d just bought me a new toy for my birthday. She and I have a fabulous relationship that I honor and treasure. It’s grown over these years into something that I am extremely thankful for.

4. My new TOYS! –I got my ColorNook today. It’s freakin awesome. I’m so excited to delve into it and start reading! I’ve got so many books to read right now that I just want cave time and perhaps some cold weather to sock me in. Trouble is, between my ShinyShiny computer which I still love, and my new GrownUp TV…ohhhhhh all of these wonderful toys! I know you’re not supposed to covet things? pish posh. I do.

5. My Friends. Old and New. — I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I have more love in my life than most marriages see in two lifetimes. I’m not oblivious. I do not take it lightly or for granted. I am humbled by your presence in my life and your ability to find things in ME that brings you into my life, and makes you stay.

6. The Holidays. — Last  year was horrible. Perhaps I could have used meds. Who knows. Money was tight. Work was slow. I was coming off of a break up. Delving into all of the end of year relfection…it was bad. This year, I choose to be different. I choose to be happy and engaged and joyful. I choose to be aware of my blessings and to fight against the darkness should it creep up. Sometimes we just get underneath it and can’t rise. I know. It’s hard. But this year, I’m going to approach every day as a party with something to celebrate…because really? why not?

7. Good Health. — I’m so grateful and thankful that I’m healthy.  That you’re healthy. I’ve got a few members of the tribe that are fighting…and I know they’ll win. We’re all so lucky. I was watching the Today show yesterday and Matt Lauer spent some time at St. Judes. Tears. We’re all so lucky. We need to do everything we can to ADD minutes to this ride, not subtract.

8. Laughter.–I laughed all my eye makeup off Sunday at Gay Gospel Brunch. I laughed tonight at the stupid jokes our Shogun Chef was making, and then really got tickled rehashing The Hangover. Man oh man…when God invented laughter? THAT was the best day.

9. Pets–Since the weather has started to change, they have ALL been eating like Mary Kate at rehab. They’ve been snuggly and cuddly and Lil ole Black Sambo is so much with the love that he just drooled on my Nook. Sheesh. I was around Eddie last week and just fell in love with that little spaz-a-matic. One of the guys at work has a teensy baby puppy and brought her up today. Mmmmmmm…I’m thankful for the joy they bring into our lives.

10. Technology. I freakin love technology. I love the internet. I love my phone.  I love the blogs. I love the Nook. I love the Facebook. Not because I’m especially brilliant about working it, or figuring things out. But because it brings me closer to you. You all live in my phone. On my shiny shiny computer. You’re right here with me in my living room…and since I have yet to build our commune, or find a house big enough to hold us all…this is the next best thing. I unabashedly love it.

And one to grow on…

11. You. I love you.

12. and George Clooney.

Delbert is finally a Free Woman and we celebrated like rockstars last night. I’ve known this girl for years and years, since the 9th grade. I’ve loved her for all these years. Her laugh and her spirit are a bubbly as a glass of fine champagne…and yes…after a bit of time in her presence one feels a little giddy. I’m so proud of the woman she has become, and thankful that she has allowed me to remain a part of her and her girls’ lives.

I’m thankful, so so so thankful for her to be able to start a new chapter in her life. I look forward with great anticipation to what it will be.

Today we celebrated our dear Ryan’s birth. We went to the gay bar for Gospel Brunch. Drag queens. Choir robes. Mimosas. I laughed all of my eye makeup off. Spend the rest of the day with PseudoSis 1 and getting some serious quality time in. I got a tiny bit of facetime with Mgirl and Demetri then home to allegedly do some laundry.

i’m writing this from the bed. no laundry other than the dirty that’s over there in the bin. Tomorrow.

Meeting Bonusmom at the Barns & Noble to buy my birthday present! Nook! Halla! So excited. I have to hit the bank, the supply house, then work to bang out one client before she leaves tomorrow. I’m pretty busy which is reassuring. I’ve GOT to get bills paid and figure out what’s left over for early Christmas shopping on Black Friday.

but now…at 9:12 pm?

methinks I’m to the bed.

Here’s to freedom. And friends. And a week that ends with one big ass sale!

Ok. I JUST got home from seeing a rock your balls and face off production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I have to state here and now, that I have had unpure thoughts of the lead actor in all his drag and glitter glory. I’ve already got a talent crush on the fella, he’s roomates with one of my best good’s. But seriously. SERIOUSLY. Sitting there with Trisha tonight in a sold out house thinking Man. I could have me some of that glitterati red lipstick and holy shitballs he’s making me moist what with all the singing and those CHEEKBONES…

then. THEN I come home and approve a comment on the previous post. Take a moment here and let’s everyone go have a quick cookie lookie.

RIIIIIIIGHT?????

whoever signed in under Dax Shephard and made a comment? Good. Call.

I LIT UP off of this couch like someone put an angry inch in ME.

and now, I retire. I have a 9 hour day of banging hair with little time to eat nary a cheerie nor an oh. Yes. I am a whore for the money. I’m ok with it. You can be too. I retire…with a grin on my face, to sleep.

Perchance to dream.

Of Dax Shephard.

Or Hedwig.

Or Matthew Alvin Brown.

Or that damned glitter lipstick.

i have a crush on dax shephard.

parenthood is such a good show.

I’ve just finished watching last night’s ep of Parenthood. Are you watching this show? One need not be a parent to enjoy it. I love our Gilmore Girl, Lauren Graham. She’s just so good.

and the fact that she’s got this guy to work with…

and by “work with” I mean “DATE in real life”

I like it a lot.

Happy Humpday ya’ll. I’ve got an early morning “meeting” which is going to be one big bitchfest for all the Clubkids at the salon. But we need to all get on the same page and move forward. We’ve got negativity and the only thing these people know about TEAM is that the letters spelling ME are in the word. So. Hopefully, forward movement.

I’m up, showered, breakfasted and plying myself with some fabulous Kizz Coffee. It’s actually this…Brooklyn’s Gorilla Coffee. And it’s my favorite.

Let’s make this a good one…remember Thoughts Become Things. What are you thinking about today?

*whatever Normal is…

Had the best long weekend ever in NYC. My friends Chrome and Kizz made the best plans that included surprise karaoke, massages, a Broadway show…it included brunches and new friends and cannoli from two of the best places in the city, green markets, dog walks and dog walkers at the beautiful fall colored park, naps, cheese, olive bread, cider, great coffee, lotta stairs, but more than that, lotta love. I got weepy during the show the final night. In my usual “I’m so full of happy that I need to make room for more” kind of way. I was really weepy on the car ride to the airport, but the driver was doing a great Paula Abdul serenade so that made me smile. I arrived home to a BRAND NEW BATHROOM!

For my present, Mandrea painted another coat on the walls, put things in frames, added candles and a new shower curtain…it’s a grown up bathroom and it looks amazing. I went in there every five minutes last night to look at it. It’s so beautiful!

I got unpacked pretty much off the bat, and decided that because it was colder here than it was in NYC the whole week, and the rain was coming down…I needed soup. I opened the freezer and the pantry and then went to the store for a few things. Made a huge pot of veggie/sweet potato stew. So the house was warm, the soup was bubbling, the cats…OH lord the cats! They were two in the bed and Stormy in my lap most of the evening. Cuddly and missing me I suppose!

I fell asleep catching up on my tv, then woke up about 5. Ate some supper and talked to Mandrea a little then settled back into the bed for more rest. I woke up during Rules of Engagement, and again during Mike and Molly, so I just called it. Time of death for Monday: 8:30pm. I slept all the night through.

Back to the routine today. Must hit the bank, pay some bills, bang some hair. The norm. Chill tonight and tomorrow then hitting the local production of Hedwig with Trisha on Thursday, Darci’s birthday celebration on Friday, and Delbert’s divorce party on Saturday! Life is good and we must celebrate all of it!

Speaking of, I’d like to send a big fat shout out to my Pseudo Sis 1. She started her new job yesterday. It’s been a long and winding road full of doubt and despair and some really tough lessons to be learned along the way, but she made it. She made it with flying colors and stuck the landing with grace and generosity to spare. There were some dark moments along this path, and even when she thought she had nothing else to give, nothing else to move her forward, she dug deeper and took another step. I’m so proud of her and cannot WAIT to celebrate this new chapter in her life!!!

What are you celebrating this week? there need not be a candle or cake (though cake is gooooood) to celebrate…you don’t have to fly anywhere, or turn a year older…think about it. Let me know. We need a little more celebration in our life!

Tuesday’s child is full of grace.

I was born on a Tuesday.

Full Moon.

12:12 pm

40 years ago today.

And like all of my birthday mornings, I awoke full of excitement and joy!

I’m sliding into this next decade with as much gusto and glee and hopefully…grace…as I can manage. Last night I had a birthday celebration dinner with three of my favorite people at Ludivine last night. My friend Tracey had a bottle of champagne waiting at the table for us and was so generous and comped all of the deserts! (we ordered all of them)  and we laughed and laughed and laughed. Beautiful.

Today I have a great day with clients, (a big opening this afternoon when I am going to finish errands and packing!) and then a small happy hour tonight after work! Tomorrow I’m NYC bound and we’re just gonna celebrate each second.

I want you all to know…that I know…that I have more love in my life than most marriages see in multiple lifetimes. I do not take that for granted. I am surrounded and uplifted and yes…completed by all of you and what you give my life.

Holy shit. I’m 40.

I got stuff done yesterday…I’m over halfway packed. Lot’s of last minute bits, i.e. getting ready stuff, doing hair stuff, that will be put in last minute. I bought myself a few things for my birthday. One of these:

yes it’s pricey, but I haven’t had a winter coat/jacket other than my jean jacket in I dont know how long. I’m so excited. Everyone that I know that has one SWEARS by it’s warmth, and how lightweight it is.

I also got a new pair of Toms. Basic black, but I’m good with that. I love them. My other two pair are worn smooth out from working in them.

So, that should just about be all I need. I’m so ready to get outta here it’s not even funny. I think today and tomorrow should be good ones at work and that’s always fun. I was emailing with the girls yesterday and they have worked hard to make sure there’s fun and rest and lots of facetime planned for us. Yay!!!

My life has been at a breakneck speed as of late. We all know I live that way. It’s not and never has been a surprise. I feel like I’m doing better this year at resting when I need it…I think I am anyways. I didn’t leave the house on Sunday. And yesterday, only for about 2 hours to shop a little. However, I have felt like I was on the precipice of being really sick. The whole Facebook news feed is about how everyone has the ick and feels like they’ve been run over by a truck and there’s hot toddie recipes flying around. I’ve warded it off for the most part, even went to the doc and stayed home last week as I’d been exposed to Strep. So anyways…this week I still had the sore throat. Left side this time. And just kind of still felt sideways. Dion, our Chicago Mafia Princess, turned me on to a new magic potion. He’s sick too, but I saw on his FB page that he was espousing the virtues of this:

It looks like old motor oil. Or bong water. Or sludge. It tastes like twelve miles of ground up gopher ass.

BUT…I’ve had 3 doses and I can’t even tell you how much NOT SICK I feel. I got it at our local health food store, and it was about 20.00 for a big ole bottle. It’s all natural. The long hair hippy at the store commented, “dude. that stuff is potent”

Dion swears by it. Our other Chicago friend, Amy got sick during a show and this kicked it in about two days. She swears by it. SO. I’m on the bandwagon beating that drum. We are all too busy to be sick. Too much to do. Too much life to live. Yes it’s nice to have a sick day every now and again, but if we’re not sick, we can just CALL them that! With cold and flu season upon us…an ounce of prevention and all that. so. I’ll keep you posted but I already feel better than I have in weeks.

Have a fabulous Tuesday, ya’ll. I’m off to get some more coffee, to contemplate what to wear today and to figure out if I have time to get a pedicure. Someone has GOT to work on this horrible pinky toe of mine.