I never thought I'd see the day.

Wow. What a day it's been. Nope. I never thought I'd see the day we'd have any person of color as president, let alone a Black man.

Many have been asked what this all means to them. I've been asked as well. I guess this is the best place for me to express my feelings.

I was brought to tears when I viewed President Obama being sworn in. I noticed the flow of tears were greatest whenever I exhaled. It was a feeling of relief. I felt relieved that I could finally hope for ALL our children without just talking about it but actually seeing it.

I thought about some of the ugly things I'd experienced in my past that have helped shape who I am today. I don't tell you these things because of the pain. I'm too prideful for that. I just want you to know why I'm so cranky. heh....heh...

Seriously, I remember my mother coming home from what was supposed to be a leisurely lunch w/one of her girlfriends. There was something strangely different about her demeanor that day. Mom told me she had been asked to leave from a local Tacoma private club because they "...didn't serve Blacks there." I'll never ever forget her humiliation & pain nor the fog that covered me the rest of the day. That was my mom, the center of my universe. In my mind she was in a place of honor. At age 8 I figured everyone else saw her that way as well.

I remember my highschool music teacher closing the door behind him and telling me (in private) he would not allow Black kids on the same stage w/White ones. I wasn't welcomed to be included in our elite high school jazz choir. The tears spilled from my eyes like a broken backyard facet. His eyes were cold and lifeless. They told me clearly he didn't care. He didn't give a damn about pain he inflicted on a hopeful young mind. He thought he killed my dream.

Have I ever told you about the time my 10 year old son Tyler was pushed off a dock on a Lake by a mischievous teenage White boy? Tyler was terrified. At that time he was a poor swimmer. As Tyler struggled his way back to the dock the 14 year old said to Ty, "Oh, that's right! You can only kind-of swim because you're only half white."

When a person goes through a constant berrage of negativity you have a couple choices. You can either crumble or you find a way to deal with it and do more than survive. I did a little of both.

I knew I couldn't go through life allowing others to dictate my mood. And I haven't. But I must admit I NEVER thought I'd live to see today.

For those who know me well they understand I don't agree with the President's on several issues but my heart is moved as I realize we in a multi-cultural country who is willing and able to vote for a person judging by them by content of his character and not the color of his skin.

You go, America. You go.

Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
and have a Kwazy Kwanza
from the Acord Clan!

Again?!

(Frankie the Tramp)

Good ole Frankie. She don't play. Girlfriend is serious about building her family. So, check this out. Let's make a long story short. Max, our 4 pound stud muffin, got into a scuffle w/our 16lb mutt, Ollie. These two have lived together in harmony for years.


(Max the killer Stud Muffin)

But about a month ago Max decides he's the imminent pack leader. Yep. He's 4 pounds of pure prowess. He decided to pick a fight with Ollie. By the end of this 10 second battle Max lost his left eye.

I was horrified when I received a frantic call at work from my daughter claiming Max's eye was hanging out of his head. Needles to say, I was sick....just sick. Max received emergency surgery at the Lakewood Vet Hospital. (Incidently, the folks at LVH are simply THE best.)

Max came home winking....permanently. We all walked and talked gingerly around poor Max. Well, he took advantage of our sympathy and while we weren't watching....BAM!!! Yep. Franchesca is knocked-up AGAIN!

Wanna know Tyler's response? "She gonna have a litter of one-eyed puppies."
He's all heart. *sigh*

Teenagers & Grey Hair

I don't get it. Listen, I knew when the guys became teenagers things would change but this is ridiculous ! Can folks get any more dogmatic, indecisive and loving at the same time?

Often, I find myself daydreaming about yester-year when they could barely get around, needed their faces wiped and certainly couldn't talk. Things change. They have to change. I accept that.

So, here's the difficult part. I can no longer control their choices. I'm learning to take the good w/the bad. I have to admit I get beyond frustrated w/the bad stuff. I keep telling myself, "They'll see it clearly one day.....if I don't kill 'em first."

When things get hairy w/Sky I go after, well, his hair. Case in point. We decided years ago to stop fighting him about his long, curly locks. With everything we have to deal with we figure hair is looooow on the list of issues. Okay. It's all good. But PLEASE, comb that mess!

He refuses. He claims he wants dreads. Oh please. Somebody help. There's a difference between dreads and a disorganized disaster.

I'd had it. I decided to take action on his "Sampson" mop top. While Sky was asleep I cut a little piece of of hair off our dog's behind. (It's curly there.) With dog hair in hand, I woke-up Sky and showed it to him. As he struggled to focus in on my hand I said, "And more will come off if you don't comb that mess on your head!"

I didn't lie to him. I was serious. If Sky didn't comb his hair Frankie's behind would continue to become hairless. I just failed to explain the part about our dog Frankie.

The rest of the story? Sky combed his hair THAT DAY and Frankie's hunker hair grew back.

Stay tuned for Tyler tales shortly. This one's gonna kill ya.

Children aren't supposed to die before their parents.

Or so that's what we're lead to believe. Unfortunately, that's what happened a couple weeks ago with one of my very good friends. Holly's 21 year old daughter was killed in a car accident and was gone in an instant.

As Christians we believe our love ones go right into the hands of the Father after leaving this life. That understanding is what is helping Holly cope.

I attended the celebration service and was floored and awed by this mothers calming peace. Holly has accepted the harsh reality that yes, sometimes our children do die before we do. And in Holly's words, "It is well."

I'll miss Kela but I'm glad to still have her mother in my life as a wonderful example of a Christian mother who can endure the pain with the help & love of Christ.

Unplanned Pregnacy

Now, now. Calm down. I'm talking about our little dame, Francesca. Yep. Frankie gave birth to one little puppy about 10 days ago.

As a breeder it's good to give dames a break from breeding for a season or two. That was my plan when we discovered (too late) Frankie was hot to trot...again. Somehow, she & Max (our little wonder stud) hooked-up. All I remember is barely hearing Marvin Gaye playing in the back room. Sixty two days later BAM! Sergio was born.

I have to admit, it's so sweet to have a little new born around. Frankie & Serg sleep in a kennel right next to my bed. I hear the baby chirping every night dreaming of more milk & loving the fact that he's an only child. He's fat, black & happy. *sigh* Oh to be fat, black... doh!

I'll bring little boy wonder to Yorkie Yarns as soon as I think he can handle crowds. Be on the look-out for him & watch your step.

***The puppy pictured above is Sergio's 2 year old brother. They's a spitting image of one another. :-)

Merry Christmas....I think.

I don't get it. What's all the fuss about Christmas? Why are folks trippin' because there are those of us who want to celebrate it's original intension? I mean, c'mon now! Christ is the 1st name in Christmas. Our belief in Christ Jesus & His resurrection is what differentiates us from other religions. We're not an exclusive club but one who is open to anyone who'd like to investigate & accept Him.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord & Savior. It is not required by law for all to join in on our thanks. Anyone can celebrate part, all or none of the festivities that go along with the holiday. Heck, one could even alter the meaning of Christmas to suit their own lifestyle and/or beliefs...right? And honey, people do. Now, here's the part I don't quite understand. Given the origin of the holiday why must we get rid of all reminders of Christ? Is He that offensive?

Personally, I have a lot more respect for people who simple do not celebrate the holiday rather than make it a personal campaign to stop others from doing so as well. For example, I said, "Merry Christmas" to someone today. She responded by saying, "Well, I don't celebrate Christmas but thank you for the greeting anyway." Point taken & no offense taken by either of us. Maybe I should have assumed differently and given her a Jewish, Kwanza or Jehovah's witness greeting instead. Nah. She was way too mature to ask me to alter who I am. Now, if the tables had been turned and she'd have greeted me with something other than the traditional Christmas salutation I would have been completely flattered. Imagine that....someone who likes me enough to throw some love my way their way.

I've heard many say it and it's true. We've become way too sensitive. Because of this many have jumped on the I-hate-PC wagon. Oh brother.

Years ago while attending WSU I was a waitress for Mr. Steak restaurant. A White gentleman was sitting alone in a booth in my section. As I approached his table and greeted him I asked him if he'd like a cup of coffee. He said yes. I asked him if he'd like cream. The poor guy stumbled as he tried desperately to tell me, "No. I'll take it bbb....uh...bblll...um...no cream." I didn't know whether to bust out laughing or cry for this poor guy. Good grief! What have we done to people?! As I've heard the beautiful and talented India Arie sing, we need to, "Come back to the middle." Okay. I'm giving you fair warning. If you see me this holiday season I will wish you a Merry Christmas with all sincerity. Please don't be offended but know I really want that for you. Do me a favor, will ya? Receive it. Reciprocate and rejoice.

Merry Christmas, baby. :-)