"And the world goes around..."

This picture reminded me of the song, Round & Round, by Bob Schneider. For more spiral inspiration, or just to view some really cool pics, click HERE.
Rendezvous with Rama - By Fdecomite

Baby G's Cd

I was asked to assemble a baby making CD. Literally. Kim is set to give birth in the very near future (see the recent pic of her for proof), and I've accepted the very important, although often overlooked, responsibility of selecting music for the event. Woah. This is a serious request ;) I mean, the first music to grace her baby girl's ears ('Baby G' to me) - outside of the womb - is at my discretion!! I have contemplated what songs to include for several weeks, and here's what I'm thinking (and why). But suggestions are always welcomed 'cuz there is still time to tweak!

1. Capri by Colbie Caillat

There'll be no surprise
That she'll grow to be
So beautifully
Just like her mother

2. The One Who Loves You the Most by Brett Dennen

When you forgive your imperfections
And you've auctioned all your clothes
And you look to see your true reflection
You will be the one who loves you the most

I struggle with this. Let's hope Baby G never does.

3. I Hope by the Dixie Chicks

Don't we all hope for more love, more joy and laughter - especially when new life enters our world?

4. Hold You In My Arms by Ray LaMontagne

Beautiful voice. Beautiful man. The lyrics, I could hold you forever seem perfect for a mother and her newborn.

5. Upside Down by Jack Johnson

Somehow Jack always makes the cut. This song reminds us to welcome change, shoot for the impossible, nurture our own curiousity...and to always keep trying.

6. Honey and the Moon by Joseph Arthur

He's been a favorite of mine for years; and hopefully, his soothing sound will help to relax Mom on the big day.

7. A Minor Incident by Badly Drawn Boy

This song is actually kind of sad. But I was drawn to the lyrics, There's nothing you could never do to ever let me down; And remember that I'll always love you.

8. Just Like the Moon by Brett Dennen

I am in love with all things Brett at the moment.

9. Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin

Baby G is a miracle. From heaven. And her birth will surely make for a "Heavenly Day!"

10. Arms of a Woman by Amos Lee

No explanation needed. The title says it all.

11. Graceland by Paul Simon

Because it's one of the best. And it's happy and energizing. And although I can't say for sure, I am sensing that Baby G will be a peace loving, hybrid driving, Obama supporting, and organic foods consuming kinda baby.

12. She's Mine by Brett Dennen

Surprise. More Brett. And yes, she is all yours Kim and Erik. Congratulations!

13. Lullaby by Dixie Chicks

Every bit of this song is for a baby.

14. Oh by Dave Matthews

'Cuz of lines like:
I love you oh so well
Like a kid loves candy and fresh snow

And because we used to watch him perform on Wednesday nights at the Flood Zone in Richmond, VA. For a measly five bucks.

15. Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison

This is to remind Mom that little girls are sweet - like honey.

(But, they're also sassy, intelligent, strong willed, bold, independent...hmmm, I'm feeling another CD brewing!!)

Envy

Courtney sent these pics today. My first reaction was to tilt my head to the right and quietly whisper, "Awe." Not just because she looks so happy and cute, and her new little Zoe is so fabulously adorable, and the horse and stable are gorgeous...but because I was immediately drawn to her outfit (and the sunlight shining on it)! She is wearing, what appears to be, a lightweight, cotton - like sweater. And that's IT. Tomorrow's high in Pittsburgh is projected to reach a scorching 17 degrees, with a wind chill that will make it feel something like negative holy shit I didn't know it could ever be this cold.

Oh, how I pine for warmer weather.

The Second Best Part of Super Bowl XLII

Will.

(Here's a longer version than what was shown on Sunday nite.)

It IS easy bein' green!

And here are a few ways:

Support Tonic. They carry 4 limited edition t-shirts made from bamboo and organic cotton. Each shirt supports a specific cause. For example, buy The Tree Tee and plant 25 trees in North America. Or the Net Tee and send three bed nets to sub-Sahara Africa to combat malaria. Why the hell not?!

Stop junk mail and plant trees by becoming a member of GreenDimes. I've got ties to this one friends...my brother was once an employee, AND the company was founded by a dear friend's husband (who jump started Tonic, as well).



Buy handmade at Etsy. Visit their AMAZING website to purchase one-of-a-kind items or to sell a few of your own creations. Why buy handmade? Find out HERE.



Check out Sam Davidson's and Stephen Moseley's book New Day Revolution: How to Save the World in 24 Hours. Be surprised by the little PRACTICAL things you can do daily to help save the planet. Lots more information to be had by clicking HERE! I am also proud to say that the authors are close friends of Kim, my Pittsburgh roomie. This is a MUST read.

"Will you please kill him?!!"

A grim (yet sincere) request voiced by an elderly patient to her physical therapist. The 'him' she was referring to is her doting husband, who has been by her side through every step of her therapy. Poor guy.

But, this did make me chuckle. Actually, I did more than just chuckle...I empathized. I was married ;)

Read why she's #71...

on the list.

Suspicious Packaging
By Kristin Armstrong

"Every delay fortifies our patience and allows for time to prepare and mature. Every physical setback forces us to rest and recover, building strength in other ways. Every weakness and temptation heightens our awareness of our need for others and for God. Every bout of loneliness or depression reminds us to love lavishly when we are able. Every embarrassment keeps our sense of humor intact. Every gaping hole of loss could be a window."

Click here to read all of her blog. It's truly inspirational.

"More Hyperlinks Please!"

What my baby wants my baby gets (in this case...hyperlinks).

This request has been a little challenging for me. First, I needed to perfect my hyperlinking skills; and then, of course, I had to decide what to include. I do realize that the suggestion was never meant for one long hyperlinked post - but I decided that if I am going to do something, I'm gonna go big or go home. Haha!!

So, I thought I'd try to kill two birds with one stone and tell you about my new life in Pittsburgh, while inundating you with hyperlinks. Please, take your time with this one and click away :)

I've created my "Perfect Day" in Pittsburgh...a conglomeration of all things I've done (and enjoyed) thus far...

1. SLEEP (at least past 5 am).

2. Kiss the little guy good morning, and then dance along with him to The Gambler.


3. Chow down on Erik's pancakes.

4. Chat with Kimmie about our lives, children, bellies (and all they carry!), kisses and hugs, politics, brain injured pets, books, men, cooking...I mean, what else is there?!


5. Attend a spinning class (but ONLY because it's too cold to run outside).

6. Leisurely peruse Kards Unlimited, a cozy, one-of-a-kind card and book store located in Shadyside.

7. Blog at The Coffee Tree while sipping on a single shot Americano.

8. Mosey through the shops on Walnut St. in my new brown and pink polka dotted boots.


9. Laugh at several of my patients with a fellow student intern from Pitt. Oh, that's horrible. I mean laugh with my patients, of course.

10. Relax and warm up at a yoga class in Squirrel Hill.

11. Make up a new and fabulously delicious pizza recipe using Trader Giotto's pizza dough.

12. Split a mouth watering Cafe Mocha cupcake from Dozen with my cousin, Heidi.

13. Complete a six hour online defensive driving course. Nah...that sucked.

14. Get lost while driving in the South Side (despite using my Garmin)!

15. Cry while watching the moving Reign Over Me.

16. Briefly fall asleep in this claw foot bath tub.


17. Read something by Sark, while snuggling with Brutus under layers of quilts.

Unbelievable.

The Giants are going to the Superbowl.


"Almost as good as putting a man on the moon."
-Dad

Meet My New Roomie!

He had me at.....NNNNNNNOOO dog!!!

"It's far from a puff piece."

I don't really know what that means, but it's what the National Post (in Canada) said about Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs.

This is a stay up all night to read (with several trips to the bathroom or otherwise you might pee all over yourself) kinda book.

Let me rope you in with his take on Johnny Cash:

Here is the easiest way to explain the genius of Johnny Cash: Singing from the perspective of a convicted murderer in the song "Folsom Prison Blues." Cash is struck by pangs of regret when he sits in his cell and hears a distant train whistle. This is because people on the train are "probably drinkin' coffee." And this is also why Cash seems completely credible as a felon: He doesn't want freedom or friendship or Jesus or a new lawyer. He wants coffee.

Within the mind of a killer, complex feelings are eerily simple.

This is why killers can shoot men in Reno just to watch them die, and the rest of us usually can't.

His latest book, Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas, is up next. If it's anything like this, I'll get back with you in the morning ;)

T minus 11 Weeks

I'm currently on round number two (the last and final round) of my field work rotations. It's been a busy, busy month, but I am now starting to settle into my new life in PITTSBURGH!!! Brrrrrrrrr. And although my brain feels quite fried at the moment (all this learning hurts!), I promise to fill you in on my new life, in this gloriously hilly city, when my thinking returns.

I can, however, pass on three poignant bits of information I have gathered during my first week as an intern in the stroke and head injury units.

1. It's shocking to think, but even at age 95, men have a one track mind. I wish I could share with you a picture of Henry (not his real name), an overly flirtatious and delightfully tenderhearted stroke patient. After I (and several other female therapists) politely declined his playful 'come ons,' he voiced his frustration for all to hear with a loud and resounding "AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!" Poor Henry. I hear ya! But really, men are shameless.

2. My name is difficult for children to pronounce. Typically, it will sound something like "Way-a" or "Way-Way," and depending on the child speaking, my internal dialogue may sound something like: Oh. My. Gawwd. You are too cute. I could eat you!! However, my name is extremely challenging, perhaps next to impossible, for some stroke and head injury patients. I am now happily answering to "Blondie" or "that blonde girl." One patient in particular (who not only struggles with my name, but also with pronouncing the letter L) calls me "Bond girl." And I don't (won't) correct him - because I think I like it even more than "Way-Way!"

3. I was reminded again this week that, "Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart; Why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard?" In particular, I watched a tiny 89-year-old man fall to pieces while comforting his confused and disoriented wife. She looked into his eyes and said, "Are the tears for me? Did I do something wrong? Oh, I think they're for me." I was left to wonder, "Can I handle all this heartache, trauma, and pain? Am I strong enough? And is it normal for an OT to cry with her patients?"

God, I hope so. This is going to be tougher than I thought...

The Cold. Hard. Truth.

Take note: when you open a 20 oz. container of English toffee premium caramel clusters popcorn (with cashews and almonds) on Friday around 4:50 pm, and then proceed to devour every last kernel by 2:30 pm on Saturday...you could say that you ate it all in two days.

You could, but you'd be lying. Because really, that's less than 22 hours - NOT EVEN A DAY. And that's just gross. But it's also the cold. hard. truth.

The Universe Speaks

Dear Ted and Elaine,

You know what you need to do.


I will miss you.

Wags and licks,

Pita

100 Things to do Before I Die

My New Year's resolution for 2008 was to make this list. Whew. It was a lot harder than I thought. And just to make sure it was done in time, I started it several weeks ago!

My motivation was simple: I want the next year, and all the years to follow, to be different. Better. I've come to believe that, in the right light, divorce can be viewed as a "get out of jail free" card, a do over, or a second chance. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall and much of 2007 was spent putting her pieces back together again. And with all that patching up, rearranging, and glueing came a whole lotta clarity. And heaps of inspiration.

I imagine that ol' Humpty will slip and lose her footing several more times in her life, but right now she's keeping her fingers crossed that all the king's horses and all the king's men used some really strong super glue.

(I apologize. Referring to yourself in the third person is sorta creepy).

Anyway, here's a snippet of how I hope to be different. Better. (I must admit that I'm a little bit embarrassed to actually be sharing this, but I guess I can now cross #35 off my list!)

Drum roll please...

1. Paint a picture that I could hang in my house. And not cringe when I walk by it.
2. Travel internationally for a relief mission.
3. Pay off all debt.
4. Buy an old home and restore it to my liking.
5. Fall in love with someone who will challenge me (big difference from someone being a challenge).
6. Fall in love with someone who also has a list - or at least doesn't think things like this are stupid!
7. Run a marathon.
8. Grow a vegetable garden.
9. See a play or musical on Broadway at least once a year.
10. Attend a Kenny Rogers' concert. Look past the new face.
11. Drink more and diet less.
12. Do something thoughtful for someone else every single day.
13. Cry in front of others and not be embarrassed by my ugly cry face.
14. Learn/read more about all religions.
15. Karaoke.
16. Learn to snow board or down hill ski really well.
17. Bake an apple pie like my grandmother's.
18. Have a family.
19. Learn to speak Spanish.
20. Live without a TV for a period of time.
21. Knit a scarf.
22. Go to a professional baseball game.
23. Go to a professional football game when it's crazy cold and snowing. And drink enough to keep warm.
24. Read/know more about world history.
25. Recycle more.
26. Start a program to recycle where one needs to be.
27. Learn to compost.
28. Take an 'outdoorsy' trip at least once a year.
29. Criticize less.
30. Learn how to invest my money (when I actually get some).
31. Keep abreast on world events.
32. Become a better poker player.
33. Accept uncertainty w/grace.
34. Do something every month (or more) that makes me say, "WTF am I doing?"
35. Open up more. And be embarrassed less.
36. Complete an entire NY Times crossword puzzle by myself.
37. Laugh until I cry. Everyday.
38. Visit Central America.
39. Smile at strangers, often.
40. Give more love when I'm feeling empty.
41. Soften when I feel ready to attack.
42. Learn more sign language.
43. Eat less sugar.
44. Establish some roots in a community.
45. Make a difference in that community.
46. And then stay in that community.
47. Learn how to sail. By my brother.
48. Befriend new people weekly.
49. Speak what I believe, more often.
50. Be less afraid of judgement.
51. Learn how to change a flat tire.
52. Learn the basics of a car engine.
53. Cook out of my comfort zone at least once a month.
54. See the U.S. in an RV. With the love of my life.
55. Attend a taping of Letterman. Or Ellen.
56. Be hypnotized.
57. And then discover who I was in a past life.
58. Visit a castle with a moat. (Do they still exist?)
59. Ride on a motorcycle.
60. Learn how to add graphics to the layout of this blog.
61. Finish this damn list.
62. Adhere to this list.
63. Add new things to this list when space becomes available.
64. Master a front flip off of a diving board or boat.
65. Dye my hair strawberry blonde.
66. Eat more raw foods.
67. Plan more surprises for the people I love.
68. Spend more time w/old people who live alone.
69. Write an ode to macaroni and cheese 'cuz I love it so much.
70. Marry Will Ferrell.
71. Meet Kristin Armstrong.
72. Learn how to cook meat well (or just better).
73. Read "The Grapes of Wrath."
74. Get a tattoo.
75. Get it removed.
76. Start a bar fight.
77. Star in a "Girls Gone Wild Video." Kidding!!!
78. Ride a mechanical bull.
79. Continue to keep the relationships I have with my friends and family as my numero uno priority.
80. Invest in the meaning of Christmas all year round.
81. Plan a little bit more (just a little bit).
82. Live near water.
83. Pray everyday.
84. Freshen up on my world geography.
85. Suggest to others to make lists like this...but narrow it to only 50!!
86. Polish up on my negotiating skills.
87. Buy myself more flowers.
88. " ...listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story."
89. Figure out exactly what words are supposed to be capitalized in a title.
90. Play in mud.
91. Be my best source of comfort.
92. Remember that doubting means no, fear means yes, and discerning between the two is the real challenge.
93. Own a shower that has two shower heads.
94. Run as often as possible.
95. Spot a UFO.
96. Lie in a field w/my children and make shapes out of the clouds.
97. Nurture a positive attitude, an open mind, and a gentle spirit. Everyday.
98. Do a little dance.
99. Make a little love.
100. Get down tonight.