The Here's To Life Edition

All lyrics by Roger Clyne and the Refreshments No I don't need a miracle But I could use a push in the right direction So here we are on the eve of the due date and no action to be found. We know of course that it's only a matter of time, but how much time? Shell and the still unborn one are doing fine. The love and support we have gotten from family and friends, especially in the last few weeks has been amazing. Shell decided to start her leave last week and her crew sent her off with a lovely surprise on Thursday. Tim and Morghan played a little prank on her which allowed her crew to disappear to another part of the studio and they eventually revealed themselves again with a lovely basket of gifts. Plus this amazing sketch signed by the crew with lots of wishes (some of them...strange to be sure...but these are artists we're talking about so...) It now proudly hangs in the baby's room...till she's old enough to read! Later that evening, Les hosted a baby shower with some of the ladies from the studio and Maria and Amanda. Even more fabulous gifts bestowed, including this amazing quilt courtesy of Caroline, the supervisor of Sets and Props. Well I guess I could have run away When I saw that look in her eyes But she brought me to my knees Before I had time to realize Friday dawned as Shelley's last official day and for yet another surprise I decided to bring some ice cream for her crew, and with the dogs in tow, bring her home as a family. We've really made some progress with the house in the last few weeks, thanks in large part to Tim & Les and Greg and Maria who came out last weekend to give us a hand. They did so much for us including finishing the trim in the kitchen- vital before we have a crawling baby, and getting a section of the patio finished before winter comes was also a BIG task! The help enabled Shell to spend this week focused on the finishing touches to the baby's room. Though there's still some sewing to be done (namely the curtain for the closet), everything is in its place and since I know many of you have longed for pictures of the finished decor...a quick 360(ish) tour. That gives you some idea at least. The other night Shell's folks brought us the stroller/car seat combo they got for us and then took us out for a nice dinner. I was coming home from work and when I turned the corner and saw their van for a second I thought something must be wrong (before I realized I had a cell phone for just such an emergency). Well I think I saw you in a dream, You were dancin' by a slot machine, with a complementary whiskey in your hand And when you asked what kind of streak I was on, Somehow it just got better It's been 4 and a half years since I met Shell in the dizzying neon haze of Las Vegas. While I harbored illusions of a life with her the instant I saw her, I also knew the reality was probably a bit far-fetched...but then again Las Vegas is a city of dreams where sometimes the lucky gambler hits the jackpot. I did anyway! Now on the verge of this whole new dizzying adventure, I know, in fact, life really is just a big gamble for all of us. There are no guarantees. So we grab on to someone, or something and hang on for all the ups and downs that may come, because in the end all we have is each other. Near or far, the many people that mean so much to me are never more in my thoughts than at moments of great tragedy. As we all know this week has seen a bitter share of tragedy for thousands. My father grew up in a small town west of New Orleans, a place called Abbeville, Louisiana. While Abbeville it seems was spared much of the devastation, many such small towns were not so lucky. It is easy at times to become angry at the failure of human beings to live up to the ideal- whether they be the powerful politicians who appear not to do enough for those in need, or the looting masses destroying what was left in the wake of the natural destruction. So much failure...so much sadness. But beyond the grief and the anger and the sadness we must all find the strength to move forward, always mindful that we can do more to allay the suffering of those less fortunate among us before the darkness envelops, and have faith that somehow it will be alright in the end. So as I sit and write about all the blessings that I have, the love that surrounds me, the life we are about to bring into the world, I know that the only way to REALLY make the world a better place is to work hard to make my corner of it the best it can be. And to that end I hope to always do better. Well as cliche as it may sound I'd like to raise another round And if your bottle's empty Help yourself to mine Thank you for your time And here's to life Cheers