"Someday there will be a story you want to tell for no better reason than because it matters to you more than any other...You'll stop looking over your shoulder to make sure you are keeping everyone happy, and you'll simply write what's real and true...That's when you'll finally produce the work you're really capable of."
J.D. Salinger to Joyce Maynard
click on 'gimme, gimme more' to send me a note. **i like notes:)
June 7, 2008
Happy Birthday Ms. B. Eight years ago today, just before 8 p.m. you joined our family and for that we are forever grateful:)
it's only fitting that you are scheduled to dance on your birthday since you have been dancing since the day you were born:) Love
June 9, 2008
Jennifer Lauck wrote something on her blog that just 'says it.' Says something that is so true and hard to understand depending on what side of 'it' you are on. Wise words. Go read them here
June 5, 2008
Apparently this was one of my dad's fave books.
A friend and I have a 'game' we play when we are together and around books. We are usually always around books when we are together and whether they are books on a library shelf, a table at the bookstore or a decorative shelf at a restaurant, we do this. We pick up a book and randomly open to a page, point one finger and read. I did this a few minutes ago with The Prophet and this is what I landed on:
"Then one of the judges of the city stood forth and said, Speak to us of Crime and Punishment. And he answered saying:
It is when your spirit goes wandering upon the wind,
That you, alone and unguarded, commit a wrong unto others and therefore unto yourself.
And for that wrong committed must you knock and wait a while unheeded at the gate of the blessed."
June 4, 2008
Our new sanctuary in spring. We moved in November but it was just snow, snow and more snow!
Our forest complete with contemplation bench:)
Nurturing the Nature
May 29, 2008
The Later Later Post
Lots I want to write but very tired tonight. I have stories about my soccer mom 'hangover,' my frustrated quest to reach the Colonel and fragmented family stuff. But for now, because I am oh so tired (and Jealous that Sandi and Cheryl are in Maui without me-i mean gosh, they live in California already-what do they need to be doing going to another hot place-it's not fair-not proper disbursement of sunny vacations at all but i guess enough about that for now), I will just let you know that I finished Augusten's book-more on that later too AND am more than halfway through Rachel's book. I cannot put.it. down!!!!!!!!
May 22, 2008
New Book!!!!!
House Rules by Rachel Sontag
"A memoir of a father obsessed with control and the daughter who fights his suffocating grasp, House Rules explores the complexities of their compelling and destructive relationship..."
May 21, 2008
Today-I am tired so I'm letting the photos do the talking.
A great place to be
A little philosophy transferable to other aspects of life.
A form of paradise?!
May 20, 2008
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
May 18, 2008
Uncle Buddy Update
Uncle Buddy is stubborn and strong when it counts. He survived his heart attack and is now back at home:) Thank you for the positive thoughts!
May 14, 2008
Uncle Buddy and Lo circa 1969 ish.
Uncle Buddy is my dad's brother and he is not only my Uncle but also my Godfather (no, not in the Italian sense-not that there is anything wrong with THAT).
When I was really young and especially when my dad was alive, we spent a lot of time with Uncle Buddy and Auntie Margie and their kids/my cousins. I remember good times and buckets of KFC! Okay, come on, it WAS the 1970's when it was still safe to eat that stuff, I think.
My dad died when I was seven and due to the good fortune of my maternal grandmother living around the corner from Uncle Buddy's posse, I was still able to spend a lot of time over there.
But then things happened that involved 'situations,' probably some family politics and geography and I didn't really seem them much after early high school. Until recently. I went to Toronto to rekindle and reacquaint and was able to see most of the Uncle Buddy posse. Since this visit, Uncle Buddy has experienced a health crisis and is in the hospital in ICU.
So, if you happen to be turning in favours upstairs or meditating today or on a marathon of thinking good and positive stuff, can you add Uncle Buddy to your list?
Thanks-I knew I could count on YOU:)
xo
May 11, 2008 - Happy Momma's Day!
My Christening Day circa 1967
This photo makes me both happy and sad at the same time.
From left to right-My Dad (Tom), Mom (Carol) and me!
May 11 Part B, 2008
I'm having a bit of a hard time right now with my writing. My 'type A' side is coming out again. It's impatient and getting frustrated and not giving the spirit the time and calm it needs. So we are going to breathe and revisit some stuff.
It's not bad though. It's part of the journey and I HAVE to remember that. It's one of the reasons I made sooooo many changes in my life awhile back. ENJOY the process. Don't be in such a hurry to get there. Enjoy the points between A & Z. I know this. i just need reminders. Thank you to my latest 'inspirers.' Some of you may never know who you are but one for sure should and just in case she doesn't, thank you Carrie. You've spurred something and it is good! Thank you for your prance!
A few of my favourite things:) Things as in books. Books as in memoir type books. Memoir type books full of guts and honesty. Memoirs that inspire me. Inspire me to help me on my own journey. Thank you Felicia, Monica, Jeanette, Augusten, Jennifer, Dave.
May 10, 2008
La La started this so thank her:) and join in! I had fun!
What's in your bag?
My BAG is a Coach bag-a gift for my birthday almost 2 years ago and I still love it! I have fashion ADD so it's a big accomplishment to still love, covet, want and use the same bag. Of course I have other bags too but this is a fave:) and NO I am not shallow and materialistic. Rather I feel that life is too short and we are here to experience all and a bag can be an experience too (please see the humour here:)
Stuff in my bag:
Motorola Q (I am not a berry girl), coach wallet, Chanel sunglasses (a HUGE Mother's Day gift last year), Ray Ban sunglasses (chanels are black and raybans are brown and I wear sunglasses ALL the time), business card holder, my business card holder, black change purse, extra ankle socks, change not in the change purse, band aid, headset, measuring tape, Aleve's, another wallet thingy for loyalty cards, lip balm, Aleve's again, kiehl's lip balm, gum, notebook, pen, silly toy that makes funny noises to help you get off the phone, keys with too many decorations, mac lipstick compact, two bobby pins.
Not in the photo but often in my bag: camera, at least one book, cue card with writing, cue card with list of things to do, cue card with grocery list.
May 5, 2008
A Wolf At The Table
"There is gorgeous writing on every page...Clearly, this was not an easy tale to tell. 'A Wolf at the Table' forces s to recognize the immense harm done to children who are menaced, abused - - or worse, ignored- - by their parents. They become haunted adults, wondering what they could have done to make themselves more lovable. The years go by, but they remain one baby step ahead of the beast from their past - - even if he's only a ghost now..."
- Monica Holloway, The Washington Post
May 4, 2008
I found this when looking up international time zones.
"In my experience it seems that many
Canadians, especially those working for the government and
large companies, have a much greater enthusiasm for
meaningless bureaucracy than Americans, being quite happy to
spend long periods of time slowly following rules which have
no purpose or logic, with no desire to question or
understand what they are doing."
BLah!
May 3, 2008
The latest gift from my Anderson family. TQ Janet:)
Artist - Tom Anderson (my dad)
Approximate date painted -1960-62 (age 15-16ish)
April 22, 2008
I have thought about writing about this topic for a long while now but for many reasons didn't quite get around to it.
It's all about 'word verification' when you comment on other blogs and such. Half the time I can't even read the letters (and I don't wear or need glasses) and the other half of the time I swear I typed in the correct letters and then it bounces back with another request-and then I really swear. I have spent minutes and minutes on some of them because I have just written something really good or at the very least, something that took me a long time to write and other times, I've just written the damn thing off and some poor soul has either missed words of wisdom that could have changed their life OR a tirade full of whining and complaining.
There, I've said it. Written it down. Dealt with it. But why don't I feel better?
Please, word verification-GO AWAY x3l9x@#3
April 21, 2008
As Omi watches from above. We miss you so much.
Love
April 20, 2008
"Brick walls are there for a reason. They are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop people who don't want it badly enough." Randy Pausch
April 19, 2008
This guy is smart and witty and comes up with the best one liners. I thought "I'd rather eat a glass sandwich..." was hilarious! And then I read this today.
"He was dumber then a box of hair." Ted Gideonse
Thanks for making my day Ted!
April 16, 2008
"Twenty years from now you will be
more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by
the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away
from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."
— Mark Twain
April 15, 2008
The last few weeks have been very whirly for me. Lots of new information coming into my life. Information that I have searched for-lied for-clawed for and often to no avail. And now it all comes. It's almost gushing, there is so much. My brain is too busy and my inner voice too chatty. It's all good in the end but it is a lot all at once but at the same time it can never be enough. So I will ride the wave while it lasts and I will drink it all up and ask for seconds and thirds because my thirst cannot be quenched.
April 14, 2008
I am running out to buy 'Once in a House on Fire' by Andrea Ashworth. Best selling author Jennifer Lauck talks about her on her blog this weekend and basically says she rocks. So, if one memoir phenomena endorses another memoir, well, it must be great. So I googled Andrea and really liked this quote. " I have to say that the catharsis of writing it was painful and messy," she continues. "And there were times during the writing of it when I'd be so immersed in the past: I'd have to call up friends and say, sorry, I can't come out tonight because I'm only nine years old. I couldn't go out and do the normal, sort of grown-up things, I felt so trapped."
Sometimes I feel the EXACT same way when I am writing or in the process of preparing or researching. Do YOU?
So yeah, I'm heading to the bookstore today:)
April 8, 2008
We interrupt regular programming for new information that has come to light. ELD (Every little detail) to follow below. 'ELD' acronym courtesy of Carrie. Carrie rocks!
A blast from the past. A surprise phone call out of the blue that has opened up a rainbow. An email from heaven I think. All things that have happened recently. Bringing to light stuff that I need. Things I need both physical and emotional. I need to know. I want to know. It is my right to know. Thank you for sharing!
Shout out to Joshua from Rochdale times. He knew my mom way back then and has a memory that can challenge even mine. He has been gracious and generous with his time and his thoughts and his memories and I will be forever grateful to this man and look forward to meeting him soon. He has a way with a story and he has shared some stories with me about my mother, her personality, style of dress, funny stories, sad stories-all stories that I will cherish and help me to understand.
To my family-my Anderson family. The family I haven't known in such a long time but have many memories of. The family my dad cherished but couldn't keep together, close, tight. It's hard when you come from an original group of 12. Thank you for reaching out and sharing at this time. I have learned to believe or at least understand, that things happen when they do for a reason.
So I am taking some time. Some time to explore. Opening up the pages and pages of notes and rereading and making new ones. Making plans to travel and talk and learn what more there is and then there will be peace.
April 7, 2008
To Aunt Kay
To cousin Janet
To cousin Colin
Thank you!!
"Old Man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were." Neil Young
Tom Anderson, Artist 'self portrait'
Drawn around 1958 when Tom was 12. It was drawn from a snapshot.
Does a picture really say a thousand words?
Tom aka Tommy Anderson (1945- 1974)
My Dad.
Some of his art that I recently reconnected with.
These were painted when he was 14. This is what it says on the back in his writing:
Floral Display (Still Life)
Date Finished - July 14, 1960
Place of Painting - Toronto, 18 Ontario
Painted By - Tom Anderson
Age At Time - 14 years
Address - 12 Delroy
Net Price - $8.00
Group of 8?
March 31, 2008
Please welcome Miss Alanis to Rock Star Status. She is awesome. She is talented, unafraid, honest and very talented. Her lyrics and music evoke emotion. The concert was awesome! She is all about Girl Power!
Ah yes, the last day of the month of March. It is spring now-on paper anyways because as I write this I am looking out the window and the snow, rain, ice pellets and whatever else Mother Nature can muster up, is coming down, down, down. And you know where it's landing right? On top of all the snow we still have.
Will April showers be enough for May flowers this year?!!?!!? I hope so
California, Vegas and Ellen or Bust!
This trip couldn't have come at a better time. Both Pop Tart Girl and I really needed a break from the everyday 'at home' chaos. This didn't mean we weren't seeking an exciting time and more chaos, just perhaps a different kind of chaos not involving family illness, lost homework, disciplining kids, dealing with rolling eyes while trying to come up with a reason better than 'because I said so' and then, due to fatigue, sticking with that one after all. No, we were looking for cocktail induced chaos and just plain Pop Tart Girl and Lola induced chaos and I am VERY happy to report that we achieved it-oh YES, we did!
Tired of this-Hibernating for the majority of the winter!
And looking for some of this-party time!
We were able to do it all!
Here we are-Sandi (aka Pop Tart Girl) and I at the San Diego Zoo, feeling our way around:)
And the zoo was only the beginning!
Oh, don't forget your exercise! Yoga on the go. Flamingo Pose aka Dancer's Pose
I have more pics but my cell phone is not cooperating so you will just have to imagine the flat tire. See, tradition has it that when I visit the girls in California, we always get a flat tire, usually when driving Cheryl's car. It's to the point that I am banned (they say it jokingly but I just don't know anymore) from 'being' in her car. So, Sandi picked me up at LAX and I was almost blinded by the sun and couldn't wait to get my toes naked. We headed off to dinner to wait out rush hour and had a great time catching up and laughing and eventually headed out to the truck-HER truck and not Cheryl's. Well Sandi just started laughing and said 'hey Lola, look' and then I started laughing. I'm sure everyone in the parking lot thought we were insane. All this over a flat tire. Uh huh, it happened again. Of course the first thing we did was take numerous pictures of the flat tire and texted everyone we could think of and THEN we called AAA for help.
Stay tuned for more next posting......
March 25, 2008
'We weren't all lucky enough to be born into a family of sisters, but most of us are smart enough to have created those sisterly ties on our own. Hand-picked and lovingly cared for, our girlfriends provide shelter, encouragement and the biggest miracle of all-laughter when we need it most.'
I am quoting this from a magazine-no author mentioned.
I just LOVE it and wanted to share!
Stay tuned for stories of living and loving in Vegas and California!
Oh, a new saying from a friend. We were talking about having a girl's night and decided that this time we had to stop the talking and get to it when she said, 'yes, we need some mommy juice-medicated mommy juice' (aka cocktail most preferably in the form of a Cosmopolitan). Love it-new words in my vocab starting right now. Speaking of now, WHERE is MY mommy juice already!?!?!?!??
March 24, 2008
Is the sun coming yet and without snow? It's an old photo but if you look closely, you can see the sunbeam shine down on my mom and me! Circa 1968. If life was only that easy today!
March 23, 2008 - Happy Bunny Day!
My Vegas look! You like?
I experienced something like this while in California.
And hey, this writer rocks and shares! Let's hear a round of applause for our latest inductee into Rock Star Status, JA Konrath. Thanks to Carrie ( one of the memoir posse) for sharing.
March 22, 2008
I'm back-just barely though! California was GREAT and I have lots to share but right now I am jetlagged and trying to deal with the fact that I can no longer 'wear' bare feet out on the lawn as it is covered in SNOW. I should not have left that 85F weather!!!!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO here is a pic to tide you over:)
Here is breakfast on Tuesday morning before hitting VEGAS for the Alanis and Matchbox 20 concert.
March 13, 2008
My writing is in here-bursting to get out. Finally on its way!
March 12, 2008
Thank YOU for your words about my latest site revision and refocus. It means the world to me. This new site has inspired my writing and that was the goal.
NAMASTE!
Please welcome La La to Rock Star Status!
March 11, 2008
Introducing some more people extraordinary writers like Monica Holloway, Jeannette Wallis and Jennifer Lauck. Click on the Memoir Posse sidebar to meet them! Simply put, their books rocked!!!!!! Emotional, truthful, brave!
March 10., 2008
Excerpt of a work in progress.
“Daddy had an accident,” she starts.
“What kind of accident?” I demand in my most grownup
sounding voice. “A car accident. The car went off the road
and tumbled and tumbled and Daddy got very hurt and couldn’t
get better.” I don’t cry. I try to visualize the car
tumbling and tumbling, the brand new silver car with its
yellowy lights twinkling against a pitch-black sky just like
the pictures on my Lite Brite do. I see it as it turns in
the air and lands far away from the road. In the picture
in my head the
car is empty. Daddy is nowhere to be seen. It's as if he is
lost. “Oh” is all I can think of to say. I leave the kitchen, numb and in slow motion
and make my way to the family room. I
turn on the television and sit down in Daddy’s Lazy
Boy, snuggling down into the imprint his body has left over
the years. I watch H.R. PufnStuf, the words to the opening
theme song providing little comfort on this day. “H. R.
PufnStuf, who’s your friend when things get rough? H.R.
PufnStuf, can’t do a little cause you can’t do enough.”
March 9, 2008
Good Stuff:
*it's light and bright out and it's 6:27 p.m.
*daylight savings time 3 weeks early (it's the only kind of 'saving' I am good at)
*house is clean
*40 plus new cm's of snow cleared and kids lounging in the outdoor rec room complete with fireplace (now THAT'S the life)
*5 more sleeps until I'm in SUNNY CALIFORNIA with Swizzle Stick and Company
*9 more sleeps to Alanis and Matchbox 20 in VEGAS-yeah baby!
*10 more sleeps until ELLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 6, 2008
Hi. Is it your first time here? If so make sure to tour around and click on the titles you see in the sidebar. Most are started and will keep growing as I add. And for my regulars, thank you for your patience and again, the sidebar categories are always being updated as well as the 'shorts' section.
For those of you that want a 'comments' button (me too), WE are working on it and I hope to have one up soon so we can all share:) In the meantime, I can still hear you if you click on 'gimme, gimme more.'
Ted and Rob are today's Rock Star inductees. Writers, educators, creators and just cool guys all around. Go visit them! I guarantee a good time! They live in La Jolla where everyone has a good time, no?
March 5, 2008
Snow day here in the nation's capital. Again!
More to come this weekend.
March 4, 2008
Already a good 25-40 on ground depending on where you are standing or falling
15-20 last weekend
10 and freezing rain and 'regular' rain
Ice day Monday
10 tonight
10 overnight with a fresh garnish of freezing rain for morning commute
Probably a snow day tomorrow (no buses or school-we've beat the record this year)
By Sunday, total accumulation 55
Oh yeah, don't forget to set the clock ahead this weekend.....
March 2, 2008 almost
An awesome and new kickass memoir recently debuted.
I just finished reading an awesome, kickass memoir.
Coincidence?
I don't think so.
Felicia Sullivan is her name and she has just been inducted into the Rock Star arena.
Check her out.
More importantly, buy and then read (in that order please) her book.
Giddyup!
Make it a happy one Ang!
March 1, 2008
Please but your buttered toast down and put your hands together for the newest addition to Rock Star Status, 'poptart girl.' She is too hilarious! Now go click on the sidebar and read her stuff and then send her a comment telling her to write a book already as she really makes one laugh!
In other LO LA LAND news:
Snowed all night.
Snowed all day.
Leaving for California and all things sunny and Ellen and Alanis and tattoos and hanging with best friends and hotel hopping and zooing......
It's going to snow here again.
I will be in California in 13 days.
13 is my lucky number.
It always comes through for me.
It is bedtime now and so I leave you with this quote:
"Life is too short to own an Impala." name witheld
