Cancer Update

The Wilde men at Grandpa Wilde's grave last weekend for Memorial Day.

I haven't done an update on Dad's cancer for a while because, quite frankly, there hasn't been anything good to report. Before Christmas his PET scan showed that his chemotherapy was working. We were ecstatic! But a few months later his next scan showed that it had stopped being effective. So his doctors tried a different chemo drug. We haven't known how well that was working until last week---although thankfully the side effects have been less severe.

Dad's latest scan showed that the cancer has grown bigger in some places. The good news is that it is still not in any new organs or in his bones. He will begin a NEW chemo treatment this week. He will receive an injection every 8 days for 3 weeks and then have a week off, as opposed to the injections he has been getting every 21 days. He will have another scan in 2 months time to determine if this is working. We can only keep hoping and praying for the best. At least his Shingles are clearing up. It just seems like he can't catch a break. Although he is out golfing today, so for today he is a happy man!

Music Monday:::SWEETER

Okay, I'm a little late to the party. But I LOVE Gavin DeGraw. I vaguely knew who he was before Dancing With The Stars. (DWTS is my guilty pleasure---the ONLY reality TV show I watch.) Cue premier night of DWTS---Gavin was completely endearing. His smile *swoon*. The week he performed the Rumba I became absolutely smitten. No, he wasn't the best dancer and he knew it, but I enjoyed watching him nonetheless. 

So of course I had to look him up on Spotify. Wait? He is a singer AND songwriter? MAJOR talent. If I could have my dream job it would be a MUSICIAN. But FIRST I would need some talent and SECOND I'd need to overcome my incredible shyness. 

Imagine my excitement when I found out he was coming to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Free concert? Perfect for my budget! Premium tickets? Even better.

This is Gavin arriving. There was a crack in the fence right where I was standing. After I took one picture I felt  little like a stalking paparazzi, so I didn't take any more. Speaking of stalking, Mr. DeGraw has some crazy stalker fans. Those girls are CRAZY.

Sound check was AWESOME! We saw the whole thing thru the fence. Then we got a front row place right in front of the stage. This guy is AMAZING live! That gravel in his voice is so sexy. And so appreciative of his fans and his band. What a sweetie!

Did you catch me behind Jimmy Kimmel in the beginning? Lower right corner. D.D. was next to me, but got cut out of the shot. Gavin DeGraw is touring this Summer. Check him out. Or check out his newest album Sweeter if you haven't already.

Animal Folks

INTRODUCING: 

ANIMAL FOLKS!

Adorable, right? I've had this idea for awhile---combining my love of crochet and sewing. And I would be lying if I didn't say this project wasn't a little like playing paper dolls---another of my major loves.

Mr. Fox was the first. I combined a few of my crochet patterns to make the doll part. Then I sat down with some paper to sketch out shirt, vest, and jacket patterns. After making sample clothes out of scrap fabric, I was ready to choose his wardrobe. DASHING!

Mr. Elephant came next. D.D. has always loved elephants. I had to pretty much create his body making up my own pattern. I don't know if you can tell, but he has a little belly paunch---D's idea. 

I couldn't find gray yarn in the same brand I made the fox out of, so the elephant is a little smaller. That means I also had to tailor his clothes to be smaller. I LOVE his jacket! My Mom used this corduroy to make matching outfits for us girls when we were small.

Mr. Rabbit came third. His blue velvet jacket is so soft! (I have a Sylvia-Louise handbag made out of it!) I have other animals in mind to try. I'm not sure if I will be making these to sell or not. Much of the clothing is hand stitched due to the nature of it being so small. And these are not child safe toys. (Plastic eyes, small buttons)

So far I've only made gentlemen. I'm not sure if I could make ladies outfits to equal those of the men. We'll see!

Be Your Best

This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I didn't have a blog post in mind, but then I came across this quote. I won't go into specifics, but it's sad to see people you've looked up to most of your life get caught up in the appearance of doing right while demonstrating by their actions almost the complete opposite.

I'm not perfect. 

I don't profess to be.

In a world that most people feel the need to hide their true selves or put on a false front, I hope that I consistently display honest and genuine behavior. I try to be the best person I can be. When I stumble and make mistakes I recognize them as life's lessons learned and move on. 

We're all human. We all struggle. Let's try to be there for each other and help one another. Imagine how much better things could be if we all lived the best we could and helped each other be a little better everyday.

Music Monday::BLUNDERBUSS

Did you know JACK WHITE released his first solo album last week? I'm obsessed. I listened to it for 2 days straight. I can't decide which song is my favorite. I know which song is my least favorite, but there is part of it that I LOVE, so I pick them all. Before it was released I listened to it streaming live on iTunes.

Here is Jack performing two of the new songs, "I Guess I Should Go To Sleep" and the title track "Blunderbuss." LOVE.

Tonight Jack is playing here in LA at The Mayan. It is a smaller show. Tickets are impossible to get. I would KILL to go. He'll be back at the end of May for two shows at The Wiltern. Also impossible to get tickets, but maybe as the date gets closer more tickets will open up?

For now I'll just have to settle for the AMEX UNSTAGED concert Jack performed last Friday at Webster Hall in New York. It was live on youtube. Did you watch? Fear not. You can watch it again. www.youtube.com/jackwhiteVEVO I probably will! He played for nearly 2 hours. First with his all female band and after a short break with his all male band.

A. MAZ. ING. 

They played songs off the new record, White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather (all his bands, if you didn't know). I read an interview recently where Jack said that he always felt like he and Meg, as the White Stripes, were really just playing covers of his songs. Interesting.

I LOVE this man's talent. You might not care for his voice. I do. His guitar playing is spectacular. Watching him play the drums is an experience. I think he is the greatest musician of our generation. Have you seen "It Might Get Loud"? The part where Jack sits down and writes a song right there on the spot? Genius. I could go on and on, but I have to get back to listening, dancing and head banging to BLUNDERBUSS.

I told you I'm OBSESSED.

ps. Music Monday might become a regular thing. Or maybe not.

There is a Man

There is a Man

He is honorable, humble and honest.

He demonstrates strength and courage.

Faith and hope.

He stands for integrity, truth,

and righteousness.

He shows unconditional, selfless LOVE

each and every day.

His competitiveness knows no bounds.

There is a time and a place

for everything.

There is almost nothing a chocolate chip 

cookie cannot heal.

There is nothing you can't create

if you put your mind to it.

Work can be fun, 

sometimes fun is work.

Music makes everything better.

Breakfast is the best meal.

Sleep is always optional.

If the task is worth doing,

it is worth doing well.

I know no better man.

He is my HERO.

Happy 60th BIRTHDAY Daddy!

Love Always,

natalie

OPENING DAY!

It seems like FOREVER since baseball season ended. While I'm not attending Opening Day (my boys in BLUE are facing my former Friars in San Diego), I am practically giddy with excitement. This season has the potential to be amazing. There is a new hope inspired by new owners. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite photos from last season.

chavez ravine

peanuts

even the nose bleeds are good seats

KeMVP 2012

Can't wait for my first game! Here's to a great season! And maybe this year I'll actually get myself some Dodger Blue to wear to the ballpark!

Go BLUE!