Had a weekend where I saw lots of people, and every woman I saw except one said, "You look so skinny! You don't even look like you're pregnant!" Grrrrrrrrr.... You know what? I'm 5 months pregnant, darnit. There's a baby in there, and I totally have a belly on me. Paul gave me a big hug and said that they probably thought it was a compliment and that of course I had a belly, but I think people don't realize how incredibly annoying that is. A sweet thing happened two weekends ago when I was songleading at church; the priest announced to the church that we were expecting. Since our engagement had also been an impromptu announcement from the altar by the presiding priest who really wanted to share the news with everyone, this was like another seal of approval. (And plus, then nobody thinks I'm just getting chubby!) One priest actually said that me getting up and singing when I was pregnant was a "beautiful testament to life." That's a nice perspective.

I ordered Thai food today and I decided to go to the little out of the way place that I know always makes good food, instead of the big chain one that opened up on Main Street. My best friend Kirsten and I always go to the small place, it's run by this really nice woman named Tammy. (There's even a photo of us up on the wall as frequent customers.) So when I got there to pick up the food, she had these little roses in a vase and I was admiring them and smelling them. She told me they came from her garden and then she picked out two and gave them to me to take home! Wasn't that nice? The big restaurant wouldn't have done that. Oh yes, and last night I got orchids from one of Paul's students! So I have flowers everywhere now!

I've been in quite an Arthurian groove lately. I just finished The Book of Merlyn which was just great. It's the last part of T.H. White's Once and Future King volumes, which his publishers conveniently 'lost' since it was wartime and this book is an essay on the futility of war. Very interesting. Now I'm rereading The Mists of Avalon for the nth time. (sigh...I love that book.) I keep meaning to tackle Malory and memorize Tennyson's "Lady of Shallot"... but until then, I may have to settle for watching this instead.

My mom just got me Quilting With the Muppets... imagine how cool the baby's room is going to look with one of these in it! My sister has already claimed the Oscar square. I've also been knitting for the little one... a teeny hat to match mine, I started a sweater that's red with white and glossy maroon strands in it, and a soft butter-yellow blanket. It's fun knitting tiny things.

I have exciting news to report: The baby is moving and I can feel it. Most common occurrences are right after I stop singing (I'm hoping this is a "More! More!" reaction and not a "Finally! I can get some sleep!" reaction) and when I first wake up in the morning. It's really, really amazing. For anyone who's counting, we're at 20 weeks now. ps ~ Craig has been running a commentary about Yoko Ono music all this week. Just don't say "onobox" three times or something dangerous might happen....

Woo hoo! At last, I'm in style as big hair makes a comeback. They think this is big? I can top this without even trying. My hair did look like Gwyneth's when I left the house this morning... but then the rain and humidity set in and I wound up looking more like Foxxy Cleopatra from Austin Powers. I am determined to get my hair cut, but also scared. I only get it cut about once every year and a half, so I don't have a regular person I go to. Do I go to SuperCuts and get a $15 haircut and tell them just to thin it out and trim it? Or do I do my homework and go to a classy salon and get a $60 cut (and tell them just to thin it out and trim it)? I don't want to lose the length, just make it less Foxxy.

Happy Birthday to John Lennon, who would have been 62 today, and Nana, who would have been 96 today.

Since lately I've been feeling a wee but overwhelmed, it's been amazing how much feedback I've been getting from the universe. Not because I asked, just because I've been noticing. Alex, Kevin, and Melissa are all saying NO for a little while and taking time to replenish the sources by doing things that recharge them. They're all taking a break. So from them, I'm learning that I might not need to do every single solitary thing I think up. I think the fact that I got this message from three separate sources in the same week says something. I'm also learning Step 2 of planning: it ain't enough to simply make a nicely detailed list in my Handspring. Every item needs to make it from the list to a day of the week, a blocked out period of time with a little alarm on it to remind me that it's art time. I had a full — but productive — weekend, because I planned when to work on my project, and then when I could happily stop and go play with Paul or the cat next door.

I have my magic wand with me today and I'm granting wishes. Go ahead, make a wish!

Well, you can't get any cheerier than this: 1. I now have Photoshop 7 loaded on my computer. It is all that and about 15 bags of chips. 2. Claire of Loobylu fame is having her baby tomorrow. Wow. Send some sweet happy thoughts her way. 3. Tonight I meet with my Cornerstone sisters. The theme of the meeting? Creativity. Guess who thought of that one. I am still working on the not-doing enough feeling. First off, I have never in a gazillion years ever meant to make anyone feel small-fishy. In fact, my whole goal has been to get everyone into my pool, however big or small it's perceived to be, for one big nurturing creativity party where we're all equal. So if I have ever made anyone feel that way, I apologize. It's the not having enough time, the having a day job, the being pregnant and not having the energy I was used to, the sheer immensity of everything I perceive I have to do that overwhelms me sometimes. That's all. Promise. :)