Long break there, huh? This holiday season was crammed with almost everything, except the computer/telephone/internet. I was profoundly sick (wasn’t everyone?) over the Christmas break — even ended up in an Urgent Care Center with a pneumonia scare. If pregnant, pneumonia can be pretty dramatic, so I didn’t want to take any chances. I had a nurse that works for Shaun’s dad listen to my chest first, and she sent me in. As luck would have it ?? I waited so long in the waiting room that the crazy coughing fits I had actually dislodged (or cured!) whatever was clogging me up. I did not have pneumonia, just an ugly cold that seemed to require at least 22 hours of sleep every day. Thank God for in-laws that facilitated that!

Ruby has had some great days. We have struggled for probably the last few months with the Terrible Twos (which I was convinced would not happen to us until we hit ‘em) — getting our footing with discipline, with changing sleep patterns (crib to bed), and with her being a little person with extremely specific views of the world. The last week or so, though, she’s been easier to understand, easier to be with. She’s amazing — an amazing spirit, and an amazing amount of work. We look forward to 2007 as a year of continual discovery with her.

And, we can’t wait to meet Baby Fanning II. More specifically, GET ‘IM OUTTA ME. Oh, Little Boy, I love you, but fuck-a-doodle. Yyyyyoooow. Shaun and I are trying to figure out what bed-rest would look like when I have about 4 weeks or so to go — mostly so that I can cut down or eliminate the pain meds in time for his birth. I have a great community of families on The Hill here that can provide us with meals, and certainly friends who will visit and help with Ruby. I have had days where I have taken 3-4 pills, and my goal has been to only take two. I can move my “office” upstairs to the floor that has the bathroom, Shaun can do pick-up and drop-off, and on weekends we will just do LOTS of stories and chatting and curling up while Mama doesn’t move. I realized today I am in a home stretch of sorts — 22 weeks down, 18 to go. Thank you for your virtual support and good thoughts, Internet. I have felt it, in the best way, in my otherwise fiery pelvis.

How do you like the new masthead? Thanks, as always, to Jeff, the most delicious person currently living in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Question as I move forward into the new year…? I have enjoyed using a song lyric as the title of each post — but it isn’t without its difficulty. Are you into it? Do you enjoy it? I would love some comments to see if you even notice it. Do you like a post’s title to sort of tell you what it’s about — or do you like seeing the lyric and guessing the song or trying to find the connection? I would love to have a “thing” that I do on Fannfare, something that sets me apart, just not sure if that’s it. What do you think? Feel free to comment or to email me offline. I have loved the folks I have met through this site and hope to continue meeting you and having great discussions as time goes on.

Tonight Shaun and I are cheek to cheek on the couch — I guess we will watch the ball drop before heading up to bed. I wish you all a prosperous and peaceful 2007, full of love and friendship and wishes-come-true. Do get in touch, and take good care.

Lionel Richie, Hello

Shaun is currently snowed in in Denver (Fussy is too!) so my time has been spent making the trek up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down the stairs — Ruby is in a big-girl bed now (remind me to tell you about her leaps of independence from the top of the crib rail) which essentially means, well, she’s never in bed. As you can imagine, all the stair climbing does wonders for my pelvis. Aaack.

Never being one to keep a secret, Shaun let it slip that he’s bringing home (if he ever gets here!) the perfect holiday gift for me. I have been giggling about this for two days now. Giggling is a nice change from groaning like Jason Robards after a hard-drinkin’ night and an early call to the set. Yeah, he had those.

Ah, internet. I hope to have something new to say any day now.

I can promise, however, a new masthead courtesy of the inimitable Jeff McMillen. Hire him, but only after he’s done! Watch for it.

Mmmwah.

Kate Bush, Running Up That Hill

Wow, it’s been six days since I posted here, which I think is the longest I have gone since firing Fannfare up.

I’m not having a good time, people. I think I tend to coccoon a bit when that happens. One would think that writing (blog, journal, letters, emails, whatever your poison) would be therapeutic during tougher times, and while that may be true, it hasn’t been for me. At least not since I was an angst-ridden teenager holed up in my room blasting Angie Baby by Helen Reddy and scribbling dark poetry into the margins of my textbooks. I prefer being funny and clever to cranky and maudlin. Who doesn’t?

My pelvic pain is mind-numbing most days. Add to that the guilt that any mother-to-be would have about taking prescribed narcotics (albeit prescribed) with a little one in the cooker. Heap on there a serving of “wow, a large glass of wine would go nicely with this pill,” and having to stave that off. Spoon over top a healthy dose of “I DON’T WANT YOU!” screamed at the top of toddler lungs when I pick up Ruby (happens to everyone…a kid has a favorite parent or aunt or little friend and it’s different every day, but I am making a Bummer Salad here, okay!?). Scoop of “I need help carrying the [insert really light grocery item] in from the car?” Yes, please.

And, the drizzly dressing on top of all that? Tonight Shaun was bathing Ruby (he has been Great Guy, believe me) and I had to tinkle. I started up the stairs a bit too late, asking him on my way if I could get in there (we have one bathroom). I stopped halfway to sort of squeeeeeze the wee back in, and realized that I have lost the ability to do that (read: OOPS, I [PEED] MY PANTS).

I have twenty weeks to go and I’ve already wet my drawers.

What else you wanna know?

Note: My sister sent this video which cracked me up (put a little serotonin in it!) — AND, if you’ve had enough of my dribble drivel, Vote for Schmutzie’s Milkmoney Or Not, Here I Come as the 2006 Weblog Awards Best Canadian Blog.

Jane’s Addiction, Standing in the Shower…Thinking

But I do have a minute or two for another silly questionnaire! Even if it does end up telling me that I could easily end up a strung out and hunted (but magical!) sybarite.

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery – when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Thanks, Rashenbo!

Carly Simon, Haven’t Got Time for the Pain

So I’ve linked to her before, and it’s clear I’m not the only one who does this as Schmutzie’s up for a 2006 Weblog Award. I hope she cleans up on one hand — on another I hope she stays “small,” like I don’t want to have to fight with other surfers to get onto her site to read whatever is there whenever I want. Hey, it could happen!

I am sure you will find something there you like. Or that makes you sad, ticked off, tickled, etc. Take a look. And then, cast your vote for Schmutzie! I think she wins about one million dollars based on your vote alone.

Vote for Schmutzie’s Milkmoney Or Not, Here I Come as the 2006 Weblog Awards Best Canadian Blog

Jane’s Addiction, Jane Says

My house is the one in the middle of the block with the red door. C’mon over and we’ll make this happen. Nice, eh?

When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray, with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled up with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb. The smell of that buttered toast simply talked to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cosy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one’s ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender, of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries.

Kenneth Grahame, from “The Wind in the Willows”

Honestly I could do without the cats and canaries (just too much poop in the house), but you’re welcome any time!

Van Morrison, Days Like This

Quote of the day (while eating lunch, which was mm-mmm):

“Momma! Everything about this day is comfortable.”
– Ruby Fanning

If that doesn’t get you right in the hopebox, watch this video.
Then break out the tissue.

Coldplay, Fix You

I can’t do any better than this today. Any day, for that matter, since Alice is spot-on and funny every time she types anything. Sadly, this doesn’t justify a beer for me, as it never stops there. Sigh. Bottoms up to Alice for keying in just what was on my mind. Only funnier.

George Thorogood, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer