Between being able to see a new addition to the Johnson family last weekend and other activities, life lately has been full and happy. Ashley Jane Johnson was born on March 9, 2007, and the pics of her were taken on her one week old anniversary. She is adorable and smelled divine like all well-looked after babies do. We are spending more and more time with our friends Charlie and Jacquie... and more and more time being silly in front of my new camera. Life is good.
I am having such a hard time focusing today… the promise of two days with no work is far too tempting. I am dreaming about sleeping in tomorrow, snuggling deeper into the cool blankets as I slumber. I see a weekend full of friends and on Sunday, I dream of seeing a new baby girl just one week old. I will hold her, smell her, and give her back to her proud parents. I am dreaming about dancing to the music in my head and not having to think about work. I only have an hour left, but it feels like an eternity as I glance at the clock every few moments… time to go back to dreaming…
The Dixie Chicks have always been one of my favorite female groups. Their music is fresh, full of classic country sounds, and I connect with their lyrics. In 2003 at the beginning of the Iraq war, their popularity plummeted because the lead singer, Natalie Maines, said she was ashamed President Bush was from Texas while performing in London. Their #1 hit Traveling Soldier fell off the charts, radios refused to play their music, people destroyed their albums, and they received a death threat. I was living in Virginia at the time in the heart of the bible belt and almost everyone is staunch Republican. The uproar in my hometown was amazing. People were irate, disgusted, and disappointed that the Dixie Chicks disagreed with the majority of their fans politically. I remember being surprised that Natalie said that so openly but was impressed as well that the statement was never withdrawn. The Chicks stood together, built a new sound, and became closer as a sisterhood. I watched Shut Up and Sing! which documents the Chicks rise and fall. They are still making music and have not regained the American South... but they are fine with that. Their new album, Taking the Long Way, is amazing. Ever since watching the documentary with bits and pieces of the new album included, I bought it and have been listening to it since. This is the first album that includes no fluff. It is real. They've grown stronger. Watch the video for "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice" and decide for yourself. I am more of a fan. Apparently everyone agrees with me or they wouldn't have snagged 5 Grammy Awards including Album of the Year for 2007.
Tonight I was given an early birthday present that is so cool and right on the money... I never would've guessed my family would've gotten together and purchased a digital camera for me! I mentioned to my mom I would probably buy one before going on vacation but that realistically I was too cheap! LOL. So, today Brent went on a long shopping trip and came back saying that I needed to call my sister. I had no clue. After a conference call with all the peps... I started to play. I love it! It is a Canon Power Shot and I absolutely adore it. I was able to take a picture right away and not worry about reading directions. This to me being a techno-phobe was a huge plus! After reading some basics I feel like an old pro. It has been fun learning what the camera is capable of... and I especially liked being able to shoot videos... that will be fun to actually document real life.
