Maya Angelou!

Oh Madam Maya
how you have touched us all!!!!

Last night had to be one of the most amazing things! I don't even care that the sound was screwed up because I got to see a living legend. She was one of the most motivational speakers I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. What positivity! One woman able to lift the spirits of a whole coliseum full of people. How amazed I was to be able to share that moment with my daughter and with Lana. They will always remember that they saw her speak in Canyon, TX.

She got me to thinking about the rainbows in my cloud and I decided it is time to give props to them. So here they are in no particular order just in a list!

Alex-when I got pregnant with her at 17 I never knew if I would be able to do it-to have a baby and grow up and take care of it. My ex's family accepted us as we were and for that they were a rainbow in my cloud. But Alex, oh Alex, she gave me a reason to grow up and a purpose in my life. She taught me so much about myself that I didn't even know at the time. She has been a staple in my life for 13 years and I know she is one of those rainbows in my cloud.

Jojo-I know it must be easy to count your children as your rainbows, but Jojo has given me patience. When I was all about go, go, go with my oldest schedule, Jojo showed up in my life and taught me that you can't always plan out your existence and that it is ok to walk a little slower and check out the little things you may over look. She has taught me that tutus and grocery stores go hand in hand and that passion is sometimes a wonderful thing. She cares so deeply about everything and for that she is a rainbow in my cloud.

Lana-Who came to me when I needed a confidant. She has not been like a daughter to me, she has been my friend and something like a little sister. I want to keep hr under my umbrella but I know she must get out and move on sometime. When I have needed to talk, she is there and will listen for hours if the need be. She also let me be her guardian-she let me help her out. She let me be maternal when I Jojo had gone to her dad's. She didn't replace her but she gave me a good distraction. For that she is one of my rainbows.

Brandon-I was lost and tired and ready to never ever love someone again. He came out of nowhere and blindsided me with a relationship I haven't ever had. He accepts me as is-he lets me try new things and supports me-he genuinely enjoys my company and who I am-he is who he is, there is no trying to figure it out-he is loving-he is emotionally there for me-he picks me up when I am down-he lifts me up higher when I am up already. He is a rainbow in my cloud.

I can think of some many more and I could list them all-

Courtney-for keeping me grounded when I was trying to get away from reality

Crystal-for offering hugs and caring words when I needed them most

Jan Ragsdale-for teaching me things I never would have known in life without a little mothering which I so desperately needed. For sharing interests with me when I wanted to discuss things and for listening when I was down about what seemed like everything.

my stepsister Brandi-who came to the wedding even though my whole family had forsaken me and won't speak to me. Just seeing her face there was a rainbow in my cloud.

I could go on and on and on-but this is the thing that Maya Angelou did to me-she had me see that so many people in my life have "paid" my way by being the rainbow in my cloud.

So today I am going to spend some time getting back to writing and pick up a pack of thank you notes and let these people who are rainbows in my cloud know that that is what they are.

One amazing woman-and I am so grateful to have heard her.

Bands I Saw This Weekend-Shurman and DataKid

Shurman

Gritty raw rustic rungs
of fiery dirty back home words
licks of guitar sending me back
sawdust dangling dance poses
scooting and sneezing at the dirt in the air

voice telling me in country
full of acousticobstacles
only the best u ever had

music sending me to rock
rockabilly hilly sounds

drinks and thinks
limes and beer
cougars gyrating to the
thumping beat of the drums
begging one more look
at the steamy lead singer

Small Town Tragedies
don't start til midnight
but keep coming at the hands
of you Shurman boys


DataKid

Who knew Kings of Leon
could sound so good
without the Leons

Frat boys screaming
waving the horns in the air
Do it for Love

techno keyboard
bass speaker thump
fingers picking to their
interpolradioheadweezerleonesquedebacles

making my toe tap
even when I try
to keep it down

Weezer windy washes
of music that matters
covers that care

everybody sings!
crowd and everythings!

energy on the mike
moonset
in the crowd
all over the bar

you can feel it
in wooden plank floorboards
in your speaker rocked innards
in the smell of the dancing bodies
in the aura of the music made menagerie
that is a group of datakids

3ww-medieval times

On his honor I took the hand
offered in honest oath
I thought

I scanned the crowd gathered
to see only plain
faces indulged in wrath

no wedding this day
no sweet words of love
no way to please his passion

only down dirty despots of deceit
debauchery
and death

the latter the matter of fact

yes, instead of bouquets and rings
and reception
I lay my head upon the cold wood headrest
and in
one
two
three
seconds time

the slide of the steel
as it kissed my neck

for jojo

Sometimes when I look at her door
it creeps up in my eyes
from somewhere it tickle tip toes
out of the bowels of my soul
and into tears

Her pink pink glitter
spread all over
her name in flashing lights

The mop pony
the stick horse
the dolls, and animals,
the tutu on the floor

dollhouse full of barbies with colored faces
blue barbie eyes
like hers
stare back

i have to keep that door closed
because my soul weeps
but it hurts too much
to turn away

3ww-a little somethin somethin

Eyes unvivid gray
cast the allure of disgrace
perch upon my face
TELL ME WHY I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS!
perch upon my face
cast the allure of disgrace
eyes unvivd gray

wedding ceremony

Some people have been asking me about our ceremony-the elvis themed one-so I decided to post it here and make it easy to get to.

Brandon and Ande’s
Music Wedding
Extravaganza!

Officiant
Brandon Presley

March 28, 2009

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness before family and friends the exchange of solemn vows between Brandon and Ande.

If there are any "suspicious minds" present in the audience, "doncha think it's time" to speak "now or never" because "their love won't wait"?

Alex and Lana would like to read a passage from one of their favorite movies, Moulin Rouge:

Christian: Love is like oxygen. Love is a many splendored thing, love, lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love.
S: Love is just a game.
Both: In the name of love, one night in the name of love.
C: Don't leave me this way, I can't survive, without your sweetlove, oh baby, don't leave me this way.
S: You'd think that people would have had enough of sillylove songs.
C: I look around me and I see, it isn't so, oh no.
S: Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs.
C: Well what's wrong with that, I'd like to know? cause here I go again! Love lifts us up where we belong, where eagles fly, ona mountain high.
S: Love makes us act like we are fools, throw our lives awayfor one happy day.

Both: We could be heroes, just for one day.
C: We should be lovers, and that's a fact.
S: Though nothing, will keep us together.
C: We could steal time...
Both: Just for one day. We could be heroes, for ever and ever.
C: Just because I will always love you.
Both: How Wonderful life is now your in the world

Brandon and Ande have prepared their own vows and will now read them to each other.

Brandon’s vows

Ande’s vows

Please take this moment to "surrender" the tokens of your affection.
Brandon Parlow repeat after me:
It took a "hard headed woman" to make a "fool such as I", the "king of the whole wide world". Now "I'm all shook up" over "the wonder of you. Pause
” I thought only "fools fall in love." "I love you so", whether we have "fame and fortune" or live, "in the ghetto". Pause
"You are my good luck charm." I give you this ring as a symbol of my “steadfast loyal and true” love for you.

Ande Ragsdale, repeat after me:

"It only took one night" to get "stuck on you", you big "hunka hunka burnin' love!" pause
"You're always on my mind." I thought you were "nothin' but a hound dog, cryin' all the time", but now I know "you're my teddy bear.” pause
Just remember to “love me tender" "for I can't help falling in love with you". This ring as a symbol of my “steadfast, loyal, and true” love for you.

On behalf of all who are gathered here, we hope the "thrill of your love" brings you a "pocketfull of rainbows". By the powers vested in me I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, but remember, there is no "return to sender."

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Brandon and Ande Parlow.

Thank you, thank you very much!

3ww-sing it christina

She skirt flirts with disaster
taking her donuts in even faster
does she care anymore about the hem of her dress
that the muffins have become a part of her anatomy?
no she likes the stunning shine of the glaze upon her lips
like cherry fried chapstick

this body is beautiful
in the arc of light thrown on her by her bedroom windows every morning
no one can see the very ancient goodness
of it
sturdy
fun
and bouncy
no ploy of playing seductive
it IS seductive
one just wants to reach out and grab on

she shakes the memory off her face
she licks the sweet gripping cherry stain off her lips
she returns to her computer
it's just another morning donut
it's just the same old place
it's just the same old time

she'll balance it out with a salad for lunch.

was gonna

hey all I was gonna blog today but now that I see three word wednesday is tomorrow I think I will just wait and post then.

Happy days.

Here are some wedding photos:

need to give some props!~!!!

Okay so every once and awhile someone you know is just having a hard time. Right now that person in my life is my buddy Crystal Phares across the cubicle wall. I don't want to get into particulars, but if you gyus ever check out her blog it's pretty fun too. Anyway-if you know crystal send her a note to tell her that she is indeed fabulous and that the world loves her even if certain mean ass people don't!

You are awesome crystal!!!! Don't ever let certain people get you down! Kharma is a bitch!!!!!


Loves you!
Ande