My Dearest Sadie

I remember the day we met. It was Thanksgiving weekend and I was less than enthusiastic about making a pit stop in a trailer park in the backwoods of East Texas. However, when I got out of the car you hobbled over on your three good legs so happy to have company. It was love at first site. A few hours later I'd convinced the idiots inside the trailer to let me take you home so I could give you the life you deserved. That was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

You and Leo were fast friends and the best snuggling duo I'd ever seen. Before long I couldn't fathom how I'd lived my life without you. I'll always cherish those lazy afternoons when the three of us would squeeze into my cozy over-sized chair. I'd watch movies with the volume a little too loud and Leo would snore like a grown man. But not you...you snored like a delicate flower. After we lost Leo you're sweet little snore brought me comfort. Thank you for that.


I know Leo was always an attention hog and you were always willing to play second fiddle. When we were sitting together on the couch he'd just plop down on your head and make you move. I would get so mad at him, but you'd just sigh that heavy sigh of yours and move without a fuss. You only fought with Leo about things that mattered most - breakfast, dinner and the snacks in between. You were Miss Independent. And when it came to love and affection things were always on your terms. It would drive me crazy when you'd sit just out of reach of me and paw at me to pet you. I'd ask you to move closer, but you wouldn't budge (or you'd move to the opposite end of the couch). I always repositioned myself closer to you to give you love. You knew I would. Every time. You stubborn little shit. Crystal and Mom always remind me that you and I are the same. I think the Universe just knew we'd "get" each other and made sure we crossed paths.



The last 10 months of your life meant so much to me. We both missed Leo and I know it was a hard transition for the two of us. Your sweet face and affection kept me from losing my mind. I'm so very thankful I had the opportunity to shower you with the love and attention you'd deserved your whole life. I broke all of my rules with you and thank goodness I did! If I'd have known how little time we'd have together I would've let you sleep with me every single night. I loved our road trips. I was sad to take your little purple blanket and leash out of my car a few days ago. (This picture was your second to the last trip to the vet...The last one was really scary).


You might have been born in the trailer park, but you were a star and people loved you. I enjoyed taking you places so much. You always made friends, acted like a lady and were the center of attention. Those are three things you just can't teach...you've either got it or you don't. Sadie, my dear, you had "it" and you didn't need a pedigree to prove it!


It's been a hard transition living without you. I spilled rice on the kitchen floor last week and fully expected you to jingle over and hoover it up. It took me 10 minutes to find a broom and another 5 to figure out how to use it. When I get home from work in the afternoons I miss rounding the corner and seeing your pretty face pop up off of your orange bed. I miss "woohoo-ing" because we're so excited to see each other. I miss telling you every morning, "Good-bye Sadie. Mama loves you. You be sweet today." I miss the way you sat on your fat little butt.


Sadie Louise Nuding, you have brought more joy to my life than I can ever say. My heart is bursting with love for you and I am eternally grateful for the 10 wonderful years we spent together. I'm excited to meet up again in our next life. Until then, good-bye Sadie. Mama loves you. Give Leo sugars for me and y'all be sweet.

Sadie's big debut

Okay, so maybe it's not that big, but Sadie's picture is being used on a hip little Austin pet store's website. http://www.austinloftydog.com/index.shtml

Dear Princess Tawanda:

It has been brought to my attention yet again that I'm too awesome to date. I'm too good, yet again, for another man in my life. Don't misinterpret...these are not my words. I don't believe that I'm too 'outstanding' - too 'successful' - too much of a 'bad ass' - too 'strong' - or 'too good' for anyone. Who knew when I was a little girl my Daddy should have told me to tone down my awesomeness or I'd grow up to be a beautiful, lonely woman. Shame on him.

Surely I'm not alone.?.? I can't be the baddest mother fucker out there, can I? (I felt sure Oprah Winfrey or Ana Kournikova would hold said title.) When I finish writing this I'm going to Wikipedia myself. As I'm told, the first word I'll find next to my name is outstanding. Following that will be amazing, intelligent, the smartest person he knows (granted, I'm not so sure that one will stand up in a court of law), confident, hilarious, interesting, beautiful and the ability to make him putty in my hands (that one is kind of fun). If that's the case, I'll accept my reign as baddest mother fucker on the planet and wear my crown with pride. I guess it really is lonely at the top.

Wait a minute...Does this mean I can finally register at Nordstrom's and be the one receiving the party and lavish gifts for the first time in my life?!?! Hmmmm. Maybe this isn't so bad after all.

My dearest, thank you for letting me bend your ear. And my apologies on the infrequency of my correspondence. You know it's hard out here for a pimp.

Your gracious and loving pen-pal,
Anna Danna

Holiday - Amsterdam - Part II

My apologies to Shanda for the delay in sharing this post. I've been too busy playing the role of important marketing executive and all-around mover and shaker. I vow to be better.

Now...for the rest of the story. And, I'm making this more photo montage, less words...because frankly I don't remember a lot.

Leslie, Tayar and I bellied up to a little bar to thaw out and formulate a plan. There we met Terrence, the sweet, young bartender who gave us the clif's notes on public transportation and the fastest route to the red light district.
Our first stop in the red light district was, you guessed it, a coffee shop. Tayar and I tasted the local fare and the rest is history.

Stoner's Paradise
More local fare...
C-Team Sex Show...To protect the innocent I'll tell you the story in person.
Followed by the A-Team Sex Show across the canal...more stories I will not put in print (until I publish my book).

I don't have a picture of our cab driver that got arrested for hitting a bike cop with his car. It all happened so fast I didn't dare reach for my camera when they began pepper spraying him in the face and bitch slapping him out of the cab. I also failed to capture a hot pic of Leslie pushing the police chief in the chest asking him, "Does that hurt? 'Cuz that's how hard the car hit her." *sigh* I miss all the good stuff.

When No One Is Looking

I dance and jump around the kitchen singing to Sadie that "I can have wine if I want to...I'm a grown-up."

skype me? skype you!

I typed this while being entertained by two of my best friends last night. It doesn't matter how old they get, boys will be boys.

Willie: (looking at Carl) He's got good ass soccer ass legs. Look at these legs. Do the leg thing.

Carl: What? (flexing with the foot twist) That right there? I've got soccer legs for sure.

Willie: (looking at self) These legs are actually pretty good. I can't even tell you how many compliments I've had on these ankles. (running in place)

Carl: Is he double-dutching? What is that? Kolo can do it.

(Willie's dog Sydney begins humping Carl..Carl humps her back)

*sigh*

I'm sitting on the porch in my white ski jacket missing the wolf pack.