Ben Folds at the Orange Peel

Joseph and I saw Ben Folds in Asheville last night.  What a great show!!!! I loved Ben Folds at Bonnaroo and loved him last night.  He is a great entertainer and is soooooo musically talented, it's crazy.  I am now looking forward to a few consecutive nights of good (early to bed) sleep.  I'm a bit fatigued after being up until 2:30 am two of the last three nights.  I suppose it's good practice for babyhood.  

Umphrey's McGee Review

Joseph and I saw the band, Umphrey's McGee, play at the Orange Peel, in Asheville, NC. Great show. Sold out! Some dude passed out a few people away from us. I "ordered" Joseph to offer his assistance to the staff assisting the guy. By the time Joseph arrived to the scene the kid had "come to". the incident served us well because it opened up a space for us to stand and actually see the stage and band members. The venue is small, but the place was packed. I need to design "concert boots" to add a few inches to my height. This way I can be the annoying tall girl getting in everyone's way! Umphrey's current tour has dropped a lot of the loose jam band feel they've typically had. They still improvise like hell but it's "tighter" and more heavy rock-like than a Phish-type sound. If you want to see a band where every member is AMAZING check them out. All members can play the sh*t out of ANY genre. The last song of the night (before the encore) included a drum duet between the drummer and percussionist. It was incredible. I haven't seen a drum solo or duet that good since I saw Phil Collins join Genesis' drummer during their tour in the mid to late '90s. I saw Genesis with my dad at the Carrier Dome, in Syracuse, NY. It was one of my all time favorite concerts.

An awesome photo

My friend, Amy, had a baby about three weeks ago.  Here he is with their dog, Graycie.  I love this picture.  Amy's Graycie, as opposed to our Gracie, is an escape artist and loves to run.  She has a huge back yard which is fenced.  She loves to jump the fence and roam the neighborhood.  She seemingly had a good "roam" the day this photo was taken!

Ella and her Lampshade

Ella has had a scratch on her ear, which keeps getting worse. We got her an Elizabethan collar to keep her from scratching.  She dove into a bush and rammed into my car trying to catch frisbees.  Her collar ripped twice.  Fortunately we have a life time supply of duct tape in the house!!! "Only a few more days left, Ella."

18 weeks pregnant

I have been in awe over my husband's comments about me being pregnant.  Two of his comments in the last week are:

"You look like you're wearing a fanny pack backward because of your belly." (while hiking in Pisgah Nat'l Forest, wearing my Camelback)

I observed Joseph with only his cycling shorts on the other day and I said to him "you're skinny and I'm fat".  He agreed that I had put weight on and said I was getting "cellulite legs".  

I have NEVER been sensitive to weight comments, but I suddenly am now. I have had a few words with my lovely husband and have hopefully taught him what NOT to say to a pregnant woman!!

Nursing Home dog therapy visit

Bailey and I returned to dog therapy tonight for a visit at a local nursing home.  We were assigned to the "lock down" room with three other dog/handler teams.  The Lock Down unit is for the "wandering" and the "escape artists".  It was hard to imagine 1/2 of the folks being able to walk anywhere.  Some of them slept in chairs, some watched the dogs, and some even pet the dogs.  They were not quick movers by any means.  One lady accused Bailey of being "fresh" b/c Bailey was sniffing her crotch!!!! All "abled speakers" said Bailey was beautiful.  One African American woman suggested Bailey attracts the boys because she has "a wave" and any female with a wave in her hair knows how to get a man. We were asked approximately 20 times where we were from by the same woman.  She was one of the more outgoing members of the Lock Down group.  Our visit was appreciated by the residents in the nursing home.  We gave them something to listen to/watch/talk to other than the TV.  Bailey would gladly return to the nursing home so she could eat all the crumbs dropped on the floor. .... She scarfed down half a bagel with cream cheese (on the floor) during our visit, which is against the rules.  Ugh!   

MAC VS. PC

I bought an Apple computer a few months ago and had my first "tutorial" today from my friend and co-worker, Kate.  She showed me how to use "photobooth".  It is hilarious.  For anyone debating on buying a MAC, I say "go for it".  It's been fun learning how to use it. The graphics are unbelievable and there is NO fan noise, which is my favorite feature.  The picture is of Kate and I hard at work!!

First Baby Gift

Joseph and I received a baby gift a few weeks ago.  It is so cute.  "Thanks Bevin" for the basket, etc.  We do not know the gender of our baby and have not discussed whether we will share the gender with others.  We do expect to find out what we are having (boy or girl) the first week in March.  Here is a picture of our gift.  It's from Restoration Hardware.  

Bailey's first swim of 2009

Bailey and Ella visited their friend, Maggie, today.  Bailey took her first swim of the year.  Maggie was a stray dog that needed a home.  Our friend, Sally, gladly took her in.  Maggie was approximately 5 months old when Sally got her.  Maggie is now taller than Bailey.  Her manners are improving and she is living an enjoyable life.  Here is beautiful Maggie.