Puppies!

For the past month I have been fostering two puppies for German Shepherd Rescue and Adoption.  From the very beginning, I told the folks at GSRA to send me the old cooter dogs, as I am just not into chasing puppies or young dogs around.  That is how I ended up with Roxie and Jake...both 10 years old.

Well--the rescue became a little desperate, and because 2009 is my year of 'YES' I decided to take them in for a bit.  They have been EXHAUSTING, but Ruby (the dark one) and Hazel (the light one) are just so full of love--and they think I am awesome to boot :)

Roxie really has taken to the little girls.  She mothers them a bit--it is too cute.  Jake is terrified, and runs away every time one of them bites at his tail---I think he just doesn't know what to do with them.  I will say goodbye to these guys in 2 weeks.  Although I will be a little excited to have my life back, I'm going to miss these two little poopers!

BTW:  they have been names for my two grandmothers:  Ruby McLean and Hazel Anderson

The Holidays, Chez Laurie

I am working in the hospital straight through Christmas, so I had my mom and dad over for a holiday dinner tonight!  Here they are pictured by my little Christmas tree.

For dinner I made roasted chicken, truffle mushrooms and asiago polenta--it turned out great and was a real hit!  For dessert I had homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream--yum!  We sat around my table and talked about my crazy aunt Gerry.  Seriously, she is crazy.

My dad has alzheimer's disease, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to leave the house--he gets quite confused, and I think a little scared when

 he is not in a familiar environment.  He did pretty good, though.  Towards the end he started talking about how he wanted to get home to see the Lawrence Welk Show, and I felt like he was itching to be back at home where he feels safe.

To the right is a picture of them with their min-pin, Lily-bit.  Lily-bit is the fattest min-pin you will ever know.  My mom tries to put her on a diet, but my dad keeps feeding her bacon.

Timbo turns 36!

This is my baby brother, Tim (and his cat, Stella).  Tim lives in Brooklyn, NY with his boyfriend of 11 years, Jimmy.  Really, Tim is one of the funniest people I have ever known, and has a heart of gold.  He has a genuine and kind way that people fall in love with, and Tim makes lifelong friends everywhere he goes.  

Some of his passions include politics, Stella, music, his blog, my mom's homemade mac and cheese (and lasagna, smothered chicken,

 mississippi mud cake), travel and writing.  His laugh is completely infectious--I just love it.

Tim had a tough childhood.  He was a gay boy born in the south to conservative, religious parents.  He was preceded by 2 brothers who were diehard athletes (football, baseball, basketball) so when he opted for violin, homemade puppets and singing it was confusing for everyone.  On top of that, as a child Tim had his adenoids removed, had to have his sternum broken and reset because it was growing wrong

 (WTF?!) and then became an insulin dependent diabetic at the age of 15.  He was shy and awkward, but hit his stride in his late high school years when he embraced his uniqueness, and never looked back.

Most recently I have been included in an email correspondence between Tim and my mom.  My mom is trying desperately to evolve, but is still clinging to her right-winged conservative ways.  Tim has made it his mission to educate and challenge my mom, and always does so with love, kindness and plenty of documentation.  In his most recent email, he concluded by saying:

'Mom, you have always taught me to keep a teachable spirit.  That's one piece of advice I always keep with me, and it is so important.  Do not be lead by your fears, Mom.  I love you.  And I can't wait to see the Rockettes with you when you come up in December!'

Really, just so freakin' cute.  I can barely stand it.

I love you, Tim--happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

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I have 3 brothers, and the youngest one is Tim. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his main squeeze of ten years--Jimmy!

Jimmy is a wonderful artist. To see some of his work you can either come to my house of go here. Jimmy is also a really good sport, as he is always the unwitting straight man for Tim's online rants and raves as evidenced here.

Anyway--Saturday September 6th is Jimmy's birthday--cheers!

Simeon--My Main Man

I love this picture of Simeon. He is laughing and glowing--and this is how I see him in my mind.

I met Simeon 5 years ago at a dinner for the Dean of UNC School of Pharmacy. I got a little tipsy and spilled red wine on him when I was awkwardly trying to chat him up. We have lived on different coasts for most of the time we have known each other, but now we are both in Durham. I have so much fun with him that my cheeks hurt from smiling.