December slideshow

I finally put all the photos from this past month on flickr. I posted a slideshow at http://addiebroyles.com/frameview.html. You can always access the current month's slideshow by going to addiebroyles.com and clicking the "watching us grow" link.

Enjoy!

Top Dawg

Carolyn Cook at midcourt in the Ed Cook Gymnasium.

Aurora, Missouri. December 19, 2007

One of my favorite things about going back to Missouri is catching up on all the things I've missed while I'm away. All the things around town that have changed since my last visit. Sometimes it's people, but most often it's physical structures. A couple of new things from this last trip stood out.

1) A huge three-story building -- erected in the 1920s, supposedly haunted, home to many a high school history, debate and English class -- was torn down a few months ago. My sister and me, my mom and her two brothers all went to the same high school, had classes in that same building.It was weird even then, sitting in a classroom that my mom and uncles probably sat in, being taught by a teacher who was hired by my grandfather when he was principal.

But PaPa wasn't always the Top Dawg (pun intended. Aurora's mascot is the Houn' Dawg and there is a local honor given every year to Auroran who make a difference. My grandfather and father have both been recipients.). PaPa played basketball for SMSU (excuse me, MSU) back in the day. They moved to Aurora at the beginning of the 1950s. PaPa started out as a teacher and coach, doing janitorial work on the side to support the family. Then he moved up to athletic director, then principal. He made quite the impression on little old Aurora. My mom couldn't date anyone in town because they all feared going out with the principal's daughter. His took a basketball team or two to state. He coached football (not quite the position in Missouri as it is in Texas, but still...). After he died in 1989, they created a basketball tournament and scholarship in his name. A few years ago, they named a gymnasium after him. Which leads to...

2) They've added a giant "Ed Cook" signature high on one of the walls in the gym. I saw it for the first time when I was home. It's pretty cool to see his loopy, oddly familiar letters so big, announcing his very own basketball court. And it's so rewarding to get to share it with my grandmother, whom I clearly know far better than my late grandfather. Most of what I've learned about him is through my mom and GaGa. And they don't really sugar coat it, either. They loved him dearly and are so proud of him, but they were really the ones who sacrificed so that he could take care of the team, the school, the community. (I think of this when I'm hanging out with Ian. We see each other five or six times what Carolyn and Ed Cook did when they had children in the home.)

Going home and seeing members of my family affecting change on society in Aurora brings me such joy and pride. When I was in high school, there would be days when every single member of the family was in the newspaper (and not just because I worked there). My dad for city council. My mom and sister and I for some activity at school. I may still be working at a newspaper, but my presence in the community of Austin doesn't have near the impact it did on Aurora. I guess it's just one of those pillar differences between living in the city and living in the country. To be a big fish in a little pond or to be a little fish in a big pond. I've accepted that this will be one of my lifelong struggles.

December 26 marked two years since I moved to Austin, committing myself (at least, for now) to the latter. To swim along, enjoying the sights, sounds, scents of a big city. (Hey now, Aurora has 7,000 people; Austin qualifies as a big city.) Not make too many waves. Not get my picture in the paper. To anonymously shop for groceries and go out to eat. To shop at stores I've never been to. To take Julian to a park we've never seen.

But will I ever have a gymnasium with my signature on it? A scholarship in my name? A Top Dawg award? A woman as sweet as my grandma visit me every day when I'm old and have a hard time taking care of myself? My mom and dad, my grandma, even Chelsea and Kenny are key players in the game of Aurora. People notice if they go on vacation. I used to be one of those players. Now, I just go back and watch everyone taking care of their roles. I'm a spectator rather than a player. Almost seven years after I graduated high school, it still feels strange.

Crafty mama

Since I finally gave my sister the pillows I made her for her college graduation, I can post pictures of them online. (I couldn't stuff them until I got to Missouri!) I got the idea from Luckybeans, this woman who now lives in Africa with her little kids. She makes all kinds of cool things, takes great photos and has a nice perspective on life.

It's been really fun making all my Christmas presents this year. I hope they've been as enjoyable to receive as they have been to make!

Jovial Julian

(Give the video a minute. Julian warms up toward the end...)

Julian finally worked out his funk he had during the first few days here. I think he was just overwhelmed with all the people who wanted to spend time with him and love on him. But now, just as we're getting ready to head back to Austin, he has found his groove with YaYa, PaPa, Auntie Chelsea and GaGa. They had a full on play session this afternoon with Julian's new toys. He's making this silly noise with his lips now, which in combination with his goat laugh is pretty irresistable.

I'm off for one final gathering with my folks and Ian around a bonfire in the backyard. I intend to soak up every minute of it...

Julian's first Christmas

This trip to Missouri as been a comic affair, I tell you. From a seven-hour delay at DFW (oh, the joy), to Ian having to not only go to the dentist, but also the doctor (don't worry, he's fine), to my dad getting a 24-hour stomach flu, to Chelsea's graduation dinner cancelled because of inclement weather (welcome to Missouri), to Julian being extra fussy because of getting 4 new teeth. It's been a little crazy. But everything calmed down these last few days. Here are some videos of the trip so far, including "Christmas" morning on Sunday and one of the boys' music sessions.

To Ruby, From Julian

Dear Ruby,
Today is your first birthday. From this day a year ago, you became the older woman in my life (besides my mom, I guess), showing me the way. Sitting up, crawling, now walking and playing with the cats. You've been so fun to play with all this year, even when we were just wee babies just sitting and looking at each other. Good thing you have such a beautiful smile. Your mom and dad have done such a good job evolving and changing as you do. Even Raja and Sasha are adapting to the world now that Ruby's in it. (Now, if only you could show me one more time how to pet the animals softly. I keep forgetting when Shiva's around.) You are so much fun to play with. You always have great ideas for new games for us to play, and you're so quick and strong to push me in that fun little Pooh cart. And you are so good at sharing your snacks with me. I can't wait until we we're big enough to bake each other birthday cakes! Won't that be awesome?

I'm so lucky to have you as my friend, Ruby. Thanks for not being mad at me after all those times I grabbed your eyes and chewed on your favorite toy snake. Thanks for sharing your diapers, your crib, your high chair and your lovely parents. I just don't know what I would have done without you this year!

Love always,
Julian

6vyubihubytrgduil;ktyrthp;'[pu7tbryhmklfswx709ic6dc5
l g dfrt ytf g

In the holiday spirit

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE FILLED WITH

JOY AND HARMONY

Jan Middleton Roset

I got this e-Christmas card today from an artist listserv I'm on. I think e-cards get a bad rap. I really like this. The painting is gorgeous, the message is spot on, and the artist appears to be quite talented. Some say e-cards "are not a subtitute for an actual holiday card." But I found so many good things wrapped up in this little old e-mail Christmas card! Isn't that the point of sending cards? To bring a little goodness to your friends?

The best part: She didn't include a link to any of her stuff anywhere in the e-mail. She shared her art to share something beautiful she created. Good for her. I think it's awesome.

The forecast

I've been working during the day this week, which has thrown everything off in more ways than one. Ian's about ready to lose it staying home all day with the little guy. And I know what he means: It's totally different watching him for 8 daytime hours than 8 evening hours. I can't imagine how stay-at-home parents with partners who work normal hours do it. It's ridiculously exhausting to parent by yourself during the most active time of the day. So I don't blame Ian for being on edge a little this week.

Blogging clearly has taken a hit, too. But we're all hoping for a respite here in the next little while when we go to Missouri to visit my family for Christmas. I couldn't be more excited about the trip, if only for the break from a rascally 11-month-old.

I will post more from the northern hinterlands, where snow is in the forecast. So is some extra sleep and free time.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Save the children!

In this hilarious online game BAT's friend Jared created for the Houston Chronicle, you have to "help the Texas Legislature cut millions of dollars from the Children's Health Insurance Program."

If you allow too many kids to qualify for insurance, you lose.

The news of all this CHIP stuff is a few weeks old now, but it was (and is) so ridiculous that the Chronicle had the cajones to blatantly shove it back in the face of conservatives who wanted to keep millions of poor-but-not-quite-poor-enough kids from getting health insurance.

When faced with an issue that makes you so angry, sometimes it feels good to have a hearty laugh at how absurd people can be.

Uncle Tom's National Park

From recent ventures out into the Hill County to what we like to call Uncle Tom's National Park, where our little Luckenbach can get some fresh air and see some deer and mommy and daddy can relax on the farm. Even if we have 5 loads of laundry going and I have to report to work later. Ahhh, Uncle Tommy's ranchito...

Since you've been gone...

While I'm at the musical confessions, here's another: I love Kelly Clarkson. I'm late to the Kelly game, but Ian really made me listen to Breakaway and I must admit how hard I fell. Since U Been Gone is a helluva song; we can thank Linda Perry for that. But, damn, does Kelly Clarkson have the pipes to pull it off. I'm wondering when a song like this every really gets old.



Yup, she's a badass.
______________

So the Baker-Smiths have taken the little rascal off our hands for a little while today. What did I choose to do with my kid-free hours? Sew random things that I'll probably give away for Christmas. It was awesome. Here's a glimpse of what I've made lately.




Those are oven mitts/puppets for my nephew Michael. Right now, he puts his socks on his hands when he plays in his toy kitchen. ("Hot, hot, hot," he says over and over as he opens and closes the oven.) I also made a sling for my niece Jenna, but I'm afraid it's going to be too small. You think when you're making kid stuff, 'Oh, I'll just make it smaller,' but this is the second children's thing I've made lately that's turned out borderline too small. Crap. There's nothing I hate more than having to use a seam ripper.
______________

I caught most of Project Ugly last night. Once again, nothing spectacular. I liked 2/3 of the winning collection, though. They had to use old trends in three new outfits. Of course, the guy who had to work with shoulder pads lost. What an awful idea those were. I wonder if that will be one of the few trends in history that never makes a comeback...

Strawberry Wine

Country music has a very dear purpose in my life: to remind me of going to high school in Aurora. Who I was there. What I felt was important. What I loved. What I thought my life would be.

At least once during every trip home, I find myself at a country station, singing along to Faith Hill or Martina McBride. I was a full-fledged country fan between the years of 1998 and 2001. You name a Top 10 hit during that time and I could probably give you a lyric. I saw Alan Jackson, folks. So now, a few years on, I'm completely out of touch with popular country, but I catch a glimpse when no one is looking. Car rides back home. And in Austin, late night TV when Ian's fallen asleep on the couch before I get home.

I saw last night Brad Paisley has this song "Letter to Me" that's all about not thinking that high school was the best time of your life. I haven't had any doubt about that for a long time, but watching that video takes me back to when I was the one who couldn't live past Friday nights. And breaking up after a few months felt like I'd never breathe again. Front porches, tail gates, mom and pop shops. First loves, first losses. Unanswered prayers for God's sake.

The nostalgia that kind of music, with those kinds of lyrics, stirs up is why it's so popular, I think. For people who thrive on budding adulthood rather than the real thick of it, that is. For people who have not much more, "Seventeen" by Tim McGraw (which I thoroughly enjoyed when I was 17) really hits home. I embrace a token amount of nostalgia, but I've spent so many years distancing myself from that life, who I was then. I can only take so much before it feels too close to home. I start to feel the holey fabric of Rawley's red and black #12 jersey. I see the digital readout of the Subaru GL10. I smell the mill, the band room. I hear my lockers slam and Coach Heman yelling at us to hit the court. Small town high school life is rife with succulent cliches.

I guess it's no wonder, then, that there is an entire genre of music dedicated to rekindling your memory of this period of your life. When you didn't really have a clue, but you didn't really have to.

Anybody got any Deanna Carter?

Project Ugly?

Bravo, Bravo, for finally showing a so-called "encore" presentation of the new . Usually you can't turn on the TV without running into reruns on this channel, but not so thttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifhis season. They must be taking away the supply to increase the demand. From the episodes I've seen so far, this is definitely the least-interesting season.

Interesting or not, I'm obsessed. Have been since second season. Something about how they pick the fabrics and sketch the outlines and, more often than not, create something really intriguing. I have a small obsession with all things sewing right now. I may just be mastering patchwork designs for Christmas presents, but I can pretend I know what's going on with these amazing designers who make it to the show and who can actually create beautiful pieces to wear.

Some thoughts on last week's show (Episode 3, I believe):

The designers are asked to make menswear for former football player/"Today" show correspondent Tiki Barber? Who is this? He is gorgeous, you are right, Ricky. (I wonder if he can make it through the entire episode without crying.) That's why he's on the Today show, silly.

They try to focus on what the average person would wear, but they very rarely actually succeed. The outfit Sarah Jessica Parker picked last week to be included in her Bitten line was SO unwearable. It was a cape with a vest. I may not know a thing about what's fashionable, but I know I'd never even try that on in a store.

They are really pushing the "make it work" tagline, which is extremely annoying. Nothing worse than trying too hard to brand something, right Planning Newbie? One auf Wiedersehen from Heidi at the end is plenty of forced reality tv-isms.

It's more David Beckham, Heidi hisses. What? You've got to be joking. She says that like it's a bad thing. Seal could probably learn a thing or two about fashion from Mr. Beckham. I'd also really like to know where they got these God awful male models. They aren't attractive, and I understand the ugly model concept, but they can't even walk! There are thousands of male models around the country screaming at their televisions in disbelief. I join them.

At the end, all of the suits were horrendous. I'm so glad this challenge doesn't happen every season because being able to design fashionable womens' AND mens' clothing is just crazy. Pick one thing and do it well. I guarantee you Michael Kors, minus all of his stitching monkey who do his work now, couldn't make anything better in the day and a half they were given.

You're Out: Oh, here come the tears! Ricky made it to next week, but just barely. I don't imagine he'll be around for much longer. Carmen got a raw deal by losing on menswear. But it really could have been any of them. Below, the winning and losing designs. Think you can pick which one was the winner? Both are pretty lame if you'd ask me. Maybe we should ask David Beckham.

Why have you foresaken me, Knox Files?

The good and the bad of this Saturday morning:

Good: Ian and I just got 9+ hours of consecutive sleep. For only the second or third time since the boy was born, he did the all-nighter at someone else's house. He is out with Uncle Tom and Becca, where he slept from 11:30 to 7:30 without an early morning feeding. Maybe we're onto something here....

Bad: My external hard drive, knicknamed the Knox Files, where I store all of my photos and music, is currently not working on my computer or Ian's. We even tried another cord. No luck. I'm going to have to take it in. This sucks. My dear laptop still has all my music and most of my pictures, but for the past few months, I'd been dumping all the photos onto the hard drive. I have them on flickr, but if I lose the original files, I will be heartbroken. Any hardware experts out there have ideas?

Triste, triste. Maybe not as triste as friend Corey's motorcycle getting stolen out of the parking lot at his apartments (our old apartments), but still, sucky nonetheless.

Magical computer gods, bring my hard drive back to life! I will never curse you again!