I'm happily married (7 years), have a beautiful daughter (now 6), and a little boy (6 months)! He arrived on Friday, September 21st. We're so happy to be blessed with what we have.
Scarlet is such a character! I like to watch her do just about anything - painting, making up stories, singing & dancing, and especially laughing. It's always a pleasure to be around her. Lately, she's drawn pictures of the family, with her new brother. And she was right! He has brown hair! But we're waiting to see if his eyes will change. She thinks they will stay blue. She has been a tremendous help with Spencer. She is often willing to entertain him or feed him. I don't know what I'd do without her.
Spencer is now 6 months old and talking a bunch. "da da da da da". He's rolling over pretty easily now and just about sitting up. Spencer has TWO front teeth on the bottom. He's a great drooler, eater, sleeper, and diaper-filler! Having him around is wonderful. He laughs a lot and will smile at just about anyone. Spencer is always making the funniest facial expressions. I have captured a few in photos. He loves it when we sing to him. His favorite's are: Who's my Pretty Baby?; Here Comes the Sun; Walking After Midnight, and You Are my Sunshine. Plus, I made up a song just for him - Hey Little Boy. He always smiles when I sing it. He's growing quite fast, but that's really no surprise considering how much he eats! He likes carrots, apples, and peaches. I've forgotten how messy & fun feeding time can be. Scarlet is even getting in on the fun!
Well, I got booted from German class, so that's over. Now it's really up to David to teach me, but I'm trying to study some every day. It's hard given all I have to do every day. German has all these rules that are confusing as hell, so I get frustrated pretty easily (not my usual trait).
We have a fantastic apartment in Leonberg. We've unpacked all the boxes, but we're still working on the finishing touches. We live near the old Marktplatz, where I can shop at the organic grocery store, the bakery, and the butcher. And a few days a week, there are carts set up with fruits & veggies, cheeses, pastas, and honey. MMMMM....
Scarlet is now in Kindergarten and has already made friends with some of the little German girls. It's in walking distance and only takes a few minutes to get there! How great is that?? She's constantly coming home with little German phrases. No worries about HER learning this language!
All this walking around town, toting a small boy, and climbing 3 flights of stairs has affected my waistline. I'm happy about that. AND I still get to drink good beer and eat yummy pastries!
Here in Leonberg, they have a celebration every February. It's a horse market that has been going on since the late 1600's. It goes on for a few days, and on a beautiful Sunday, we wandered the one block to the Marktplatz to enjoy the music and food. We drank beer, ate sausages and crepes. On Tuesday, Mardi Gras day, there was even a parade. We had lots of fun, and later in the day, we left the Marktplatz to go to the fair. We could see a ferris wheel from our apartment, and Scarlet kept saying, "I wish I could ride that ferris wheel." She got her wish - David took her up twice! (check out my videos for some snippets.)
I don't know if I'll be able to find a darkroom around here. And with all the studying I have to do learn German, I really don't have time for it right now anyway. But I would like to squeeze it in. I'm hoping that once I get a handle on some German, I can take an Italian language course. Always wanted to learn Italian, and with a trip to Italy SOMETIME in our future, I have a good excuse.
Scarlet and I have written a new story about our cat, Srpy. It's called "Srpy Snores" and we think it's pretty funny (check my blog). I can add it to my other cat story, "Thelonious Thinks He's Big". I have another book in my head that I've started writing, and No it's not about a cat!
We have a great view of the sunsets here and they are spectacular. I can't decide if they are better than the ones in New Mexico or not. It's a close call.
We have our new TV, so Scarlet can watch cartoons in German. And David & I often watch football (soccer to you Americans!). I've also gotten into "LA Ink" - it's easier to follow than other shows. Also, we can watch DVDs, but we could use a larger selection. We still enjoy hanging out together and playing games with Scarlet. She kicks butt in "Memory". And once the kids are in bed, I'm happy to relax with David.
Even though I don't agree with the violence that has broken out, I think it's about time to give Tibet back to the Tibetan people.
HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE SITES:
ORGANIZATIONS:
BARACK OBAMA ;
ONE Campaign ;
DARFUR - Sudan crisis ; TIBET in exile ;
TRUTHOUT ;
HUMID CITY- New Orleans ;
NEWS/MAGAZINES:
GOODNIGHT BURBANK ;
PBS stations ;
AIR AMERICA radio ;
NY times ;
SLATE magazine ;
MOTHER JONES magazine ;
NEW ORLEANS news ;
the GAMBIT WEEKLY - New Orleans ;
OFFBEAT MUSIC magazine - New Orleans ;
CREATIVE LOAFING - Atlanta ;
PASTE MUSIC magazine ;
MUSIC:
WWOZ new orleans ;
Louisiana Music Factory ;
Wuxtry Records - GA ;
Criminal Records - GA ;
Two Sheds Music - GA ;JEFF BUCKLEY ;
JOAN WASSER ;
MOBY ;
PETE YORN ;
BUTCH WALKER ;
ART:
PETE THE CAT ;
LIONEL MILTON Gallery ;
MICHALOPOULOS Gallery ;
VINSON Gallery ;
ROSEMARY'S Costumes ;
JONATHAN FERRARA Gallery ;
EDIE's Art ;
PHOTO.NET
