Suspicion Confirmed
Current mood: shocked
Category: shocked Life

Well, much to our dismay and disbelief, it looks as though we are expecting our THIRD child. Yep.  A third.  It had better be a girl!  And considering the fact that I've had absolutly NONE of the usual morning sickness, extreme fatigue, and the other signs I usually have, maybe it means something.

Am I prepared for two in diapers?  Not really, but everything happens for a reason, and as I type this, I can look over the top of the computer and watch Ian and Cole building a giant "pillow tower"...then tearing it down.  They love each other so much, and we love them so much, what could possibly be bad about adding some more love to our family?

I just wish I hadn't passed on all of my "big mama" clothes.

Currently listening : Patsy Cline - 12 Greatest Hits By Patsy Cline Release date: 1990-11-01

03:15 PM - 35 Comments - 48 Kudos - Add Comment

Haynesville Shale
Current mood: Highly Amused
Category: Highly Amused Life

So, it would appear that our little burg is sitting on top of a whole lotta natural gas.  I'll skip all of the funny comments that could be made about that.  I think it's wonderful, I love hearing the stories and seeing the people I know personally get handed thousands to millions of dollars.  I think this is the greatest thing that could've happened to all of us.  But you have to admit it.  You have to admit that when you say the word

SHALE

(Say it out loud right now)

You feel like you sound like a total redneck hick,

Don't you?

Currently listening : Stray Cats - Greatest Hits By Stray Cats Release date: 2000-01-25

03:18 PM - 3 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Rokken Like Dokken
Category: Life

In honor of Ian's eight birthday on Monday, I thought I'd shoot out a list of his current five favorite songs...

1. What A Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong

2. I Can See Clearly Now- Jimmy Cliff

3. Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd

4. Immigrant Song- Led Zepplin

5. Anything By Rage Against The Machine.

And yes, I radio edit when it's neccessary.

09:35 AM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Sprinkle It With Stumpwater And Put Some Duct Tape On It.
Category: Life

So, we had a store meeting Monday, and our "ice breaker" excersize was to write something positive about everyone under thier name.  I know, right?  It's interesting what people will single out about you when asked.  One of my co-works wrote "has a home remedy for everything" under my name.  We all got a big laugh at it, but it got me noticing how often I use "kitchen witchery" to cure what ails.

I have an innate distrust of doctors. It's not that I don't think they know what they are talking about, I mean, hell, after all of THAT school, you'd better know something.  It's just that my experience with doctors hasn't been the most accurate or simple.  I have medical issues, and the majority of doctors I have had the pleasure *snort* of spending time with have all been positive that they knew everything that there was to know about what was wrong with me and how it would affect my life.  So far, they have been 100% positively DEAD WRONG.

A few months after I moved back from Nashville I was playing a gig with Dad and suddenly felt like I had been stabbed in the abdomen.  After a 6 hour wait at the hospital, I was told that I had "clusters of fiberous cyst" all over my inner girl parts, and it would be virtually impossible to every have a baby.  Six months later I got pregnant with Ian. It wasn't an easy pregnancy, but he turns EIGHT on Monday, so I'm pretty sure he's going to make it.

After Ian was born, I was told by Doctor God again that Ian would be the only child, as his incubation had been so hard on me that it would be impossible for me to carry another child to term.  7 years later, Cole came three weeks early...CAUSE HE WAS SO BIG!  And other than how incrediably huge he was, I had no problems carrying him at all.

But anyway, that's the point I'm trying to make, I know a handful of people with the same kind of story.  Doctors insist that they know best, and we allow it, because they have a degree.  We ignore that little voice in our heads that says "maybe we should try something else?"

Maybe it's because I haven't had health insurance pretty much ever.  Maybe it's because I distrust doctors and unneccessary medication.  Maybe it's just been passed on from generation of women to the next generation of women.  My mom used warm sweet oil to cure ear aches and ginger root for stomach aches, my grandmother had a weed, root or flower that could take care of whatever was bothering you.  Whatever the reason, I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing, cause it seems to be working.

I wonder what the world would be like if everyone used a more natural approach to common everyday ailments?  I wonder if it would change our perspective on anything else?

07:53 AM - 7 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Right Behind You!
Category: Life

I thought it was only fair to also show you how big Cole is getting.  He is now 15 months old and unstoppable. He is so strong it's almost scary, doing things like picking up my mom's 8 pound excersize ball with no trouble at all, or pushing Ian completely out of the way with total ease. We are in for quite an experience with this little boy.  After a long day of eating everything that come across his path, squealing and screaming with joy or exaspiration, and chasing his big brother all over the house, he falls down into the deepest sleep imaginable.  It's then that he looks like a little sleeping elf.

09:54 AM - 6 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

All Grown Up
Category: Life

For the holiday weekend, Bobby and I loaded up the dogs, the kids and Amanda and headed to the lakehouse for the weekend.  I snapped a few pictures of Ian sitting on the dock, mostly just trying out the features on the camera.  After loading them on to the computer, I spent several minutes just staring in awe of how grown up, and how beautiful Ian has become.  There's not a drop of "little boy" left in him, he's a boy headed straight into manhood.  While it makes me a little sad, it also makes me very proud of my little man.

Currently listening : Ill Communication By Beastie Boys Release date: 1994-05-31

02:51 PM - 7 Comments - 13 Kudos - Add Comment

Foul Play
Current mood: disgusted
Category: Life

I'm sure that by now the majority of you have heard at least a little about the controversey surrounding The Phoenix Underground/Tim Huck and the treatment of it's patrons.  While the beating that Chris and Johnny Hemingway received this past weekend was brutal and unnecessary, it wasn't anywhere near the first time this type of thing has happened.  There was the guy from Dallas, the girl that security punched in the face,  the guy that left his credit card at the club he was at before and because "security" didn't like the way he spoke to his girlfriend.  He had a shaved head, so the boot marks were clearly visable, even several days later.  Yes, this type of violence is business as usual for The Phoenix.  The difference here is that no one really knew any of those other people.  EVERYONE  knows (and loves) Chris Hemingway.  Yes, I think ol' Tim might have made a mistake with this one.

I want to make sure that everyone is aware of how patrons are treated at The Phoenix.  Look at my profile picture and ask yourself, What could this guy possibly have done to deserve this?  It isn't illegal to have a drink.  It isn't even illegal to mouth off.  It IS illegal to assault someone.  But because Mr. Huck employs off duty "security workers", no one seems willing to stand up and say STOP. We've had enough.  What would you do if that were your husbands face? Or your brothers? Or even your sons?  Because I think you all know what I would do. 

The fact is the only way that The Phoenix and Mr. Huck are going to feel any pressure is if WE apply it.  Stop going there. Stop giving him your money.  Openly protest this action. Write Mr. Huck a letter and drop it to The Phoenix's Myspace. Write the Shreveport Times. Write the mayor, write Henry Whitehorn, police chief. 

I have a great love for the "bar scene", obviously.  I've grown up in it.  I've been a part of it from both sides of the bar.  Never, in all of these years, have I even HEARD of a place that continuosly has their patrons injured by their staff.  And with every excuse that they try to throw out (he was drunk and mouthing off, he refused to obey orders given by security, he was unruly and causing potential harm to others) the facts remain the same.  "Security" or "Bouncers" are never, ever supposed to HARM patrons. There are lots and lots of ways to dismiss an unruly patron without hurting them.  There is NO excuse for broken bones, ever.  I've broken up plenty of bar fights in my life, and seen many more broken up, and NEVER have I seen anyone come out looking like the Hemingways.

Stand up, Shreveport. Stand up, club goers. Stand up and say "NO, YOU CAN NOT TREAT US LIKE THIS. WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT."

Currently listening : Evil Empire By Rage Against the Machine Release date: 1996-04-16

09:33 AM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Fathers
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Life

I'm an admitted Daddy's girl. It's no secret at all.  All my life, my dad has been my hero.  The guy I could depend on to listen, accept, defend and right my wrongs.  He's no saint, but it wasn't until I reached a certain age that I even realized that. As a little girl, NOBODY had a smarter, stronger or better dad than I did.

As I've gotten older I have gotten to know my dad as an adult. We talk about a lot of things, and we don't always agree on things, especially those of a political nature, but he's a respectful kind of man, never flat out telling me that I'm wrong for believeing the way I do, just simply pointing out the failings in the logic I happen to be using.

Respect is a huge issue with me.  I believe that ALL people deserve some level of respect until they do something so terrible that all respect is lost.  I learned that from my dad.  I also learned that there is never a reason to be cruel.  Both of my parents taught me that.  My mom told me over and over about the family that she went to school with that everyone treated so poorly, and that message stuck. It is unnecessary to EVER hurt someone feeling, or make someone cry.

My dad is a sucker for kids. All of them, not just his own.  He stops at every little table set up on the sidewalk with a kid selling lemonade...or rocks. Yep, he bought a rock from a kid once.  He paid lunch money for not only Ian, but another little girl in the school office that was out of money.  He takes his guitar students to the Shriners hospital at Christmas to sing carols to the sick children. I could spen hours telling everyone about the children he's supplied with musical instruments, or the knowledge he's passed on. Half of the musical community in Shreveport learned at least some of what they know from my dad.  He never discourages, always encourages.

I spent years looking for a man that could measure up to the giant shoes my dad filled.  I'm so blessed to have found a man that loves and encourages kids the way my dad always has.  My mom instilled in me that you could tell what kind of a MAN a man truly was based on how he treated kids and animals.  Those who are defenseless, those who depend on others to keep them safe.  The measure of a man (or WOMAN), I have learned, is how they treat others around them.  This is a lesson I will pass on to my sons.

Currently listening : The Essential Willie Nelson By Willie Nelson Release date: 2003-04-01

07:16 AM - 6 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

A Country Gone Mad
Category: Life

My Fabulous friend Kristin posted this and I found it so relevant that I thought I'd share it here. When do we stop being so "politically correct"?  What ever happened to common sense? 

Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to
jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for
traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario:
Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Princip al. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2007- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

Currently listening : Narrow Stairs By Death Cab for Cutie Release date: 2008-05-13

07:16 AM - 8 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

Two and Two
Current mood: blessed
Category: Life

In a matter of days my love and I will celebrate our two year wedding anniversary.  A lot of people didn't think we'd make it this far.  We'll take 15% of all bets made against us, thanks.  While it may be a shock to some, we knew from the very beginning that this was it, the end of  the line, for both of us.

You see, neither of us have had the most "normal" backgrounds.  Nothing normal about our childhoods, our teenage years, or our "early adult" lives.  We did it all, experienced everything that we could as quickly as possible, without leaving a stone unturned, a drink unfinished, a bar left to close down.  I married Bobby Mother Fuckin' Black, and there were no secrets to keep, because I had been a witness to much of the debauchery, and he to mine. We harbor no illusions about each other, we've seen the good, the bad, the nasty and the hysterically funny.  And still, he is my everything.

The sands have shifted more than once in the last two years.  There have been babies and funerals, laughter and loss, and more than one back-breaking move.  Somehow we've maintained a sense of humor about certain situations, righteous indignation about others and a general lack of concern for most.  The way we figure it is that if we've got each other and the boys, we can probably ride out whatever the Gods throw at us. 

I'm not saying that we don't have our "disagreements".  It's not often, but it's usually loud and dramatic when it does happen.  Us? Dramatic? Nahh.  Yes, we both blow and boil and determine ourselves to be The Winner.  Our subconscious usually solves the problem for us, because no matter how mad we are when we go to bed, while sleeping, our arms search for each other and we wake up tied in knots.  It's hard to stay mad at someone when you love the way his heartbeat sounds. 

We have made a happy home for two beautiful little boys, two good, sweet dogs (ok, one good dog, one BAD BAD shoe eating hussy of a dog), one lovely cat and a rather sassy gecko.  Our boys will grow up with warm fuzzy memories of Mama and Daddy being in love, being unable to stay mad, kissing in the kitchen, playing out in the yard, sitting down for dinner together. 

For those of you who have known us for a while, through all of the ups and downs, it must seem like some sort of dream.  Who would have thought that Bobby Black and  Robin Beach would have become the poster couple for suburban living? We are so much better together than we ever were apart. We are living proof that two wrongs DO make a right.

And so, on Sunday, June 1st, we will host a crawfish boil in the backyard of our home in Forbing Woods. Bring the kids, bring a few chairs, bring whatever instrument you prefer and for God's sake, bring your own damned beer.  We feel very privilaged to have had such wonderful friends to share our magik with, and we thank you for always being there with us and for us.

Happy Anniversary, my love. We are the stuff fairy tales are made of.

Happily Ever After.

Currently listening : Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space By Spiritualized Release date: 1997-07-01

09:24 AM - 11 Comments - 18 Kudos - Add Comment