PERTURBED

Minnie ate my camera. God love her.

She is so cute, but she's really going through this crazy phase of taking stuff off
tables and then eating them. Today, it was a Sharpie.

Then I came to work.

St. Jude

Dallas Houtz, Me, and Dori Olmos

We just got back from St. Jude, and I am so glad I went. I had no idea what a great place it is.

I actually expected it to be sad and depressing with so many sick children, but it was completely the opposite. I was told there are sad days, but overall, there are so many more happy ones. I believe it!

The place doesn't even look like a hospital once you get inside. It's very light, colorful and cheerful. And the kids there really are getting the best cancer treatment available.

If you have a chance to watch some of our stories about St. Jude, you'll see. I'm running a story this evening on St. Jude, but there will be more to come. I would tell you to go visit the campus in Memphis, but they have that place pretty secure, so I doubt it's an option. It is a cause worth supporting, that's for sure.

I'm in Memphis Right Now!

I am pleasantly surprised by Memphis. It's weird how that works.

Before I went to San Francisco, everyone told me I wouldn't want to come back. But you know, I did want to come back. I loved California, but I think my mind told me it wasn't the end-all, be-all... because other people had hyped it up for me.

Then, there's Memphis.

Memphis is such a cool, little city. Beale Street is an ecclectic mix of blues and young folk... big beers and music. The city has a lot of history, and it's just a great town to kick back.

Anyway, if you want to see some of my pictures and videos, click here. I especially like the little Asian kid running after the ducks. What a cutie.

Weekend Project

Minnie and I worked on a weekend project-- we changed the fabric of an old chair I bought at a garage sale a few years ago. I can't remember if the chair cost $1 or a couple of bucks. After I bought the paint, the fabric and the fringe, it probably cost about $10.

The latest fabric cost about $10 for a yard at FM. I still have plenty left for a pillow! Anyway, it's all done, and Miss Minnie and I feel like somewhat crafty creatures.

Our First Easter! (Excuse the Bed Head)

Wow! The Easter Bunny left us something at our door!

Jimmy and Minnie must've been good to get all of these treats. The Easter Bunny left Minnie some Dingo balls, a chew toy and some Dingo rawhides. The EB also left Jimmy chocolate eggs, Peeps, egg-shaped gum, Sweet tarts and Sprees (Jim's favorite!) How did the Easter Bunny know what we liked?

San Fran Adventures: Golden Gate Park

Jim and I went back to Golden Gate Park today. We did what Jim likes to call "relaxing"... but really, what we ended up doing was renting a bike in Haight, then biking all the way down to the ocean. (We like to call it the Oh-gin!)



Anyway, the ride down was a breeze, but the ride up was a little difficult. Okay, a lot difficult. I'm not making an excuse, but the bike I rented was more of a cruising bike, so it was heavier and not as easy to ride. Jim was super sweet and traded me. He said he could tell a difference, too.

After three and a half hours, we were finished. And hungry.

We went to a Thai place in Haight. I ordered the standard pad thai, and Jim ordered vegetable curry. Then we went to the corner of Haight and Ashbury and ate at the original Ben and Jerry's. If you ask me, it's a little overrated, since I saw our server's coin slot. No offense, but I don't want to see your butt crack before you scoop out my yogurt.

Most of our friends who know San Francisco told us to avoid Haight--they said it's long past its prime...but, truthfully, I kind of like it. The food prices are more comparable to Springfield. We ate dinner for $24, which is typically what we would spend at home. And I like the diversity there; it somewhat reminds me of something close to home as well.

What's amazing... is that Cole Street intersects with Haight, but it has a totally different feel. None of the stuff going on Haight spills over to Cole Valley, but they're only a couple of blocks from one another. It's a small community. I really enjoy it.

Our Trip to San Francisco: Meeting More Birth Family

We are in San Francisco right now, doubled over in pain, which was brought on by a massive sushi intake.

Jim is flipping through the channels and is watching TV. I'm updating stuff on the web. I won't say what else he's doing... (toot toot!)

Anyway, today was the first day I met my biological aunt, Yung. I call her IMO because that means "mother's sister" in Korean.

She is super sweet. Her partner, Stacy, is great. They've been together 30 years, I think. He is a retired Navy guy and acted as our tour guide. Together, they are so cute! We pretty much ate and drank our way through the tourist spots of San Francisco.

Here's the gist of what our day looked like:

We ate in the Sunset area. Jim had a lamb burger, Stacy had lasagna, Imo and I had a bowl of Thai style noodles.

We went to Golden Gate Park and walked through the botanical garden.

We went to the Fisherman's Wharf and drank coffee. Then we went somewhere else and drank beer.

We went to Chinatown. My aunt bought me a fanny pack. Stacy bought us a cricket.

We went to Union Square. We walked through the Westin Hotel and went up to the 32nd floor in the elevator. Nearly got sick.

We came back to Cole Valley and ate a huge plate of nigiri sushi.

Now we're in a food coma, though I told Jim I was kind of craving ice cream!

Anyway, my bio aunt is so neat. She has this really high-pitched voice and is so cute. She is also very generous. Stacy is such a storyteller. He is really entertaining...

Jim and I had a long day. We had planned on going up to wine country, but now I'm not so sure. I can only think and write in simple sentences right now.

Minnie vs. Bella

This was taken of Minnie a few weeks ago. She's so much smaller! Anyway, she takes a big launch at her cousin, Bella. We love it! My future sister-in-law, Tiffany, owns Bella...

This was a trip we made up to St. Louis to visit Jim's family. Jim's mom will get her new puppy soon! It's not a rottie, but a border collie. We can't wait to get all the girls together.

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