New member of Lavender-Mulkey family due to arrive in early September
We’re writing to share some very exciting and possibly surprising news with you. We’re pregnant!
Well, technically just Shonnie is pregnant. And we are expecting our baby to arrive on or around September 5. Shonnie is now through her first trimester, is feeling well and is adjusting to a body that seems to change every few days. Bruce is envisioning how we’ll create a nurturing space in our 
home for our new arrival and calculating his age when our baby is 18 (a very young-at-heart octogenarian).
A little back-story: At the beginning of 2009, we decided to stop using birth control and, doing nothing extraordinary, we’d see if we got pregnant. We weren’t adamant that we must have a child, yet we were open to bringing one into our lives if that’s what was meant to be. Given our ages we figured that the odds might be long on such an occurrence . . . but here we are!
We are full of excitement, joy, and anticipation for what we believe will be an amazing, heart-opening and life-affirming adventure for us, our child, and all those who support us as you do. We’ve created an intention for our journey that we invite you to join us in holding.
Intention
We intend to gratefully and gracefully receive this gift of new life into our lives and our family. We will honor the responsibility we’ve been granted and savor the joy of this pregnancy and the parenting experience. We will nurture this growing life with love, attention, tenderness, strength and joy, creating a healthy, easy, and joyful pregnancy as we wait for baby’s birth. We will open ourselves to growing even more fully into who we were meant to be, and we will support our child to grow fully into he or she is meant to be. We intend to trust Life and nature as well as the wisdom we each carry within. We will also do our best to foster community throughout this process—both to support us on this journey as well as to forge deep connections in this world that will soon be welcoming a new member.
We’ve written more about how baby came to be and will be posting updates from time to time at the Lavender-Mulkey Baby Blog (http://lmbaby.wordpress.com). We hope you’ll want to stay in touch via the blog since it’s the most convenient way for us to communicate with all of our beloved friends and family . . . now and in the months to come.
Thank you for the connection that we share. We send you our love and our gratitude for your presence in our lives.
Shonnie & Bruce
Shonnie Lavender & Bruce Mulkey
828-778-2871 (S)
828-778-5155 (B)
Lavender-Mulkey Baby Blog
P.S. Since we purposefully live a simple lifestyle and endeavor to keep our consumerism in check, we plan to acquire excellent-quality, used baby gear. Thus, if you know of any good resources for this or have baby-related items that you want to sell or give away, please let us know.
P.P.S. You’re welcome to share this news with anyone who might be interested.
Saturday, March 6th, 2010Just say no to megabanks: Asheville jumps on Move Your Money bandwagon
Below is my commentary about the Move Your Money project in this week’s Mountain Xpress.
* * *
Outraged by the federal government’s multibillion-dollar bailout of Wall Street, Asheville residents are registering their displeasure by withdrawing their assets from arrogant “too-big-to-fail” megabanks in favor of local institutions that serve their own community. Joining forces with fellow citizens nationwide, Ashevilleans across the political spectrum are voting with their bank accounts, sending a strong message to both Washington and Wall Street.
Despite the latter’s direct responsibility for precipitating the financial crisis, these huge institutions remain unrepentant — even after receiving tens of billions of taxpayer dollars via the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Refusing to lend to small businesses in a meaningful way, they continue their high-risk activities, award huge bonuses to their chief executives, and spend millions lobbying Congress to defeat financial reform, ensuring that taxpayers will also have to pick up the tab for future financial fiascos.
Meanwhile, our political leaders in Washington appear to lack the will to resolve the problem. And some citizens, awash in cynicism and hopelessness, say this is just the way things work in our nation: socialism for the rich and capitalism for the rest of us. But a small band of visionaries has devised a simple, effective way for ordinary folks to take direct action on their own behalf: the Move Your Money project.
The concept is simple: shift your checking and savings accounts from such Wall Street behemoths as Bank of America, Wachovia and Citibank to a community bank or credit union.
Area residents speak out
To get a sense of how this movement is shaping up locally, I put out a query on Facebook. Here are some of the responses:
Lael Gray, Asheville: “My husband and I decided that our real power as citizens lies in where we put our dollars. We’re always on the lookout for ways to buy local, so the Move Your Money project caught our attention immediately. So far the main advantage of working with the local bank we selected is that we’ve gotten a much better deal on our checking account that now earns interest! And there are no monthly fees for online banking.”
Eric Miller, Asheville: “I think it really hit me when all the TARP stuff was going on. I was going out of my way to get local meat from Hickory Nut Gap, trout from Sunburst Trout Farm, etc., yet I was going to the Wal-Mart of banks. My new bank made everything very easy, with much shorter waits (if any) and much more personal attention. … We also get interest on our checking and can use any ATM.”
Laura Collins, Asheville: “I recently moved my main checking account from Wachovia to Asheville Savings Bank. The interest checking there really appealed to me, and their customer service is among the best I’ve ever come across.”
A community banker weighs in
“Bank of Asheville’s deposits were up 20 percent during 2009,” reports President and Chief Executive G. Gordon Greenwood, “moving us from 12th place to eighth place out of a total of 19 banks in Buncombe County. Other community banks are experiencing something similar.”
People are realizing that we offer all the services of the bigger banks — online banking, bill pay, credit cards, debit cards and so on,” says Greenwood. “And of course, there’s a definite advantage to being able to talk face to face with an officer who can actually make a decision for the bank. Plus, 95 percent of our loans are made to consumers, mortgage holders and small businesses right here in Buncombe County.”
How about it, Asheville?
Now it’s time for the city of Asheville to transfer its money from Wachovia/Wells Fargo, Bank of America and BB&T to community banks. During the Feb. 9 City Council meeting, Council member Cecil Bothwell proposed considering just such a switch.
“In light of the poor management decisions evident among banks considered ‘too big to fail,’ I suggest that the city of Asheville might do well to bank with local banks which have proven to be resilient and responsive to the needs of our local community,” Bothwell explains. “It seems to me that local tax dollars collected and distributed by the city government would better serve the community if we banked locally. Council has embraced the idea that we should bolster the local economy and local small businesses whenever we can, and moving our money can be part of that effort.”
Move your money!
Some might claim that switching from their current bank is too much trouble. But the Move Your Money Web site (moveyourmoney.info) lays out a very straightforward process. Read the FAQs and checklist and then proceed to “Find a Bank/Credit Union,” where you can choose a local institution that meets your specific needs. (To view a list of highly rated WNC banks and credit unions, click here.) Before moving your money, however, you’ll also want to check the institution’s safety rating and whether your deposits would be FDIC-insured.
With a little foresight and perseverance, you can make this change with grace and ease. And the rewards are huge — more personalized service, lower fees and higher interest, a focus on the needs of local families and businesses, and loans made where customers actually live and work. What’s not to like?
Thursday, February 25th, 2010Local political and religious leaders who use the Bible to justify condemnation of gays may want to reconsider
Some political and religious leaders in our community have turned to selected passages from the Bible as moral justification for their intolerance of gays, most frequently quoting Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination.” But if you’re going to take the Good Book literally, doesn’t that mean you have to also condone slavery (Exodus 21:7) and stoning anyone who works on the Sabbath (Exodus 35:2 )?
Watch this clip from the NBC series “West Wing” as President Jed Bartlett asks a homophobic radio talk show host these questions and more.
President Bartlett: I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here’s one that’s really important because we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you?
Support equal rights for all Ashevillians
Let the Asheville City Council know that you support same-sex domestic partner benefits–equal compensation for equal work–for all Asheville city employees by emailing the mayor and all city council members at AshevilleNCCouncil@ashevillenc.gov. This issue comes before the council next Tuesday, February 9, and I encourage you to attend that meeting to show your support for equal rights for all Ashevillians.
From Councilperson Gordon Smith at Scrutiny Hooligans
Let the Asheville City Council know that you support same-sex domestic partner benefits–equal compensation for equal work–by emailing the mayor and all city council members at AshevilleNCCouncil@ashevillenc.gov. This issue comes before the council next Tuesday, February 9, and I encourage you to attend that meeting to show your support for equal rights for all Ashevillians.
I’m writing to let you know that I support same-sex domestic partner benefits–equal compensation for equal work. Adopting such a policy will be a very positive step toward equal rights for all Ashevillians.
On Feb. 9th your Asheville City Council will consider the question of whether to provide equal compensation for equal work. Domestic Partnership Benefits (DPB) for city employees with same-sex partners address a number of very important social and economic factors:
- Improve recruitment and retention of quality employees
- Provide equal compensation for equal work to our employees who are denied the option to marry
Providing Domestic Partner Benefits to same-sex employees will also:
- Improve Asheville’s reputation as one friendly to our LGBT citizens
- Improve Asheville’s reputation as friendly to gay tourists
- Strengthen families through health, stability, and respect
- Compete with private sector employers
- Bolster Asheville’s reputation as a creative, accepting, diverse economic climate for entrepreneurs
I’ve moved forward with this initiative now because City staff will be presenting an analysis of our health and benefits packages in a worksession on March 9th. Including our LGBT employees is crucial. Seven other government entities in North Carolina have already passed DPB. Three of them, including Mecklenburg County, passed same-sex only DPB. It’s perfectly legal, responsible, and just.
Read more by clicking here.
Hope to see you at the city council meeting next Tuesday!
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010Will you help provide health care for the uninsured in Buncombe County?
Next weekend I will be taking part in HeartStrings, an annual fund raiser for Project Access that will help to provide medical care for low-income, uninsured folks in Buncombe County. Asheville CrossFit is one of the sponsors of this event.
As part of my participation, I am seeking to raise at least $200 in contributions to support Project Access patients. I a
m asking you to contribute in one of two ways by Friday, February 5:
- A financial donation using the secure online form by clicking here.
- A contribution of a non-monetary nature (e.g., positive thoughts, prayers, passing this letter on to others who might wish to support me with a personal note from you, etc.)
It is unfortunate that many of our fellow citizens still lack essential health care, but until we create a system in which health care is a right rather than a privilege, Project Access will continue to fill a great need in our community.
Thanks a lot for your consideration of my request!
Bruce
HeartStrings Details
Project Access is a program of Buncombe County Medical Society that provides free health care to low-income uninsured residents of Buncombe County. In 2008, physician volunteers contributed more than $14 million of free medical care and over 3,500 people were able to receive the medical care they needed—even life saving specialty care like heart surgery—for free.
The goal of Project Access is to provide a coordinated system for helping uninsured people get the care they need in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. Physicians who volunteer their time, as well as hospitals and other providers who donate resources, provide the care to Project Access patients.
100% of the money we raise during Heartstrings will be used to pay for programmatic essentials such as eligibility screening, medications, durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs and crutches), case management, language interpretation, and other services that ensure that the patient receives comprehensive, high quality care. Donations are tax-deductible.
If you want to learn more, please visit https://www.bcmsonline.org/pa/pp/.
Saturday, January 30th, 2010My morning wakeup call
Just as I sit down at my computer this morning
To tackle my ever-expanding list of things to do
My cat Attabi silently slips into my office with an entirely different agenda
As he hops on my desk and lies in front of my keyboard
Attabi balks as I try to shoo him away
And his persistent presence gives me pause
To remember that I’m not just here
To churn out disposable income
To amass more superfluous stuff
To boost my sagging sense of self-importance
For in the end, on this January morning what could be more important
Than gently applying the brakes to my overactive mind
And forgoing, for the moment at least, the demands with which I’m (self) encumbered
Taking the time to cuddle and caress this gentle-spirited boy
And delight in the unyielding bond between us
Shonnie & Bruce’s New Year’s letter
Dear friends and relatives,
Well, January 1, 2010 was the anniversary of our 13 years of life together—13 remarkable years filled with blessings we couldn’t have imagined on the first day of 1997. Putting down roots in the eclectic mountain city of Asheville, North Carolina; learning to live simpler, more fulfilling lives; attaining a greater awareness of our connection with you and the other beings on our planet; gaining a deeper understanding of the gifts we’ve been given and how we might share them; and supporting one another to live more authentically, lovingly, playfully and consciously.
As with the other 12 years, 2009 brought us great joy along with some pain.
Celebrating a new president
The year began with a trip to Washington, D.C. in January to participate in the Presidential Inauguration. As a campaign staff member, Bruce received invitations to the inauguration ceremony and two inaugural 
balls. These exciting activities were not without their challenges, but overall we figure we went four for six:
- We had an excellent place to stay in the very convenient Capitol Hill area thanks to our friend Greg Barton.
- We enjoyed a scrumptious dinner and warm hospitality at the home of one of Bruce’s Ohio campaign co-workers, Emma Levine.
- We joined 10,000 other participants in the inspiring Day of Service putting together care packages for our troops overseas.
- Due to a logistic snafu, we missed the swearing in of Barack Obama but got to listen to it on a cell phone.
- We arrived at the ball we were scheduled to attend that evening only to find it overly crowded, so we opted for a quiet dinner at a nearby restaurant.
- We had a great time celebrating with campaign co-workers at the Staff Ball where the President and First Lady came to sincerely thank us for our campaign work.
Connecting with our relatives
Throughout the year we visited and were visited by lots of our relatives. In March we travelled to Florida to spend some time with Shonnie’s dad and step-mom, Bob and Deb Lavender, and Bruce’s brother and sister-in-law, Art and Eve Mulkey. In June we journeyed to Bruce’s hometown of Tullahoma, Tennessee for a party to celebrate the marriage of Larissa, daughter of Bruce’s sister Nancy and her husband Mike Chaney, to Marco Homrighausen. We welcomed Marco to the family and made sure Bruce’s mom Sue had a good time and got to and from the party without a hitch. In late August Shonnie’s stepdad Charles German and his wife Linda visited us in Asheville. And during early September we flew to Colorado for another stay with Shonnie’s dad and step-mom at their lovely new home in Broomfield. Then we visited Bruce’s daughter Lilla Newton, her husband Brandon along with the grandkids Molly and Jack in Colorado Springs.
Gardening galore!
During the spring Shonnie started a community garden in our townhome complex. She enrolled five other families into the process which started with turning a 25’ x 25’ area of grass into 6 individual garden beds and installing three 90-gallon rain barrels. Partial results of the Lavender-Mulkey garden plot included over 100 pounds of cucumbers (most turned into bread and butter pickles), zucchini that became a summer’s worth of zucchini quiches and bread and tomatoes galore. The best part of the garden was how it brought a small group of neighbors into greater community … something we look forward to continuing in 2010.
Sounding the climate crisis alarm
In May Bruce participated in The Climate Project North American Summit in Nashville. The Climate Project is an international non-profit founded by former Vice President Al Gore with a mission to increase public awareness of the climate crisis at a grassroots level worldwide.
A time of sorrow
One note of sadness . . . Our dear 21-year-old kitty Chocolate passed from her earthly form in August, a transition that often seemed more challenging for us than for her. Through an animal communicator Chocolate tells us she’s doing fine and that she thoroughly enjoyed her time with us. She also wants us to go on our trail runs more regularly and for Bruce to finish the book he’s been working on.
Cecil is elected
During the summer and fall we both supported local progressive Cecil Bothwell in his candidacy for the Asheville City Council. Shonnie emceed a lively campaign event at the YMI Cultural Center, and Bruce served as Cecil’s communications guy throughout the campaign. On November 3 Cecil was elected along with several other progressive candidates.
Shonnie completes work on her M.A.
After working arduously for 2.5 years, in mid-December Shonnie completed her coursework for her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. Shonnie earned a 4.0 for her degree and will accept her diploma in May at Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington.
A Caribbean celebration!
To celebrate Shonnie’s achievement and, belatedly, Bruce’s successful work for Obama in Ohio, we vacationed in Saba, a five-square-mile island in the Netherland Antilles in the Caribbean with a total population of 1500. To get there we flew directly from Charlotte to St. Martin after 
spending the night at the home of Bruce’s nephew Dylan, his wife Kristin and their kids, Riley and Kate. From St. Martin we took the ferry to Saba.
At an elevation of 1500 feet, our simple but comfy cottage at El Momo provided an extraordinary view of the sun sinking into the sea at the end of each day. With high temperatures in the low 80s, we hiked, visited shops in the village, relaxed, read, dined at local eateries, cooked meals of local organic veggies and snorkeled, plus Shonnie went scuba diving several times, sighting numerous turtles, barracuda, and a manta ray, as well as innumerable other amazing sea creatures. In addition, we connected with a number of our fellow guests, the innkeepers and others on the island. It was a glorious trip, and Shonnie got to practice her French during our one day in St. Martin on the way home while Bruce learned to say “Bonjour.”
Entering the new year
Going into the new year, Shonnie continues her work as a life skills coach for Project Access, an innovative and much-emulated program of the Buncombe County Medical Society that provides healthcare for those who can’t afford it. Bruce continues his work as a writer and coach to those who want to write a book. Both of us are serving as facilitators for Building Bridges, a program designed to forge deeper connections between the black and white residents of Asheville. In addition, Bruce takes on the presidency of WNC for Change, an organization that supports progressive causes. In her spare time, Shonnie is thinking of applying to universities at which she may pursue her PhD.
Our intention during 2010 is to be open to what Life presents us—the things we like as well as the things we don’t like—and to all the surprises that are likely to come our way.
We wish each and every one of you a very happy New Year and that 2010 brings you all your heart truly desires!
With gratitude for your presence in our lives,
Shonnie and Bruce
Monday, January 4th, 2010When Brucie met Shonnie
I first laid eyes on Shonnie Lavender in 1995 when we both joined the Austin Fit Green Training Group for the Austin Motorola Marathon. It was August, and as usual, hot as Hades in the capitol city of Texas—highs in the upper 90s to lower 100s. Of course, Austin runners (about ten percent of the city’s population) are accustomed to being thoroughly sweat-soaked through and through by the time they hit the quarter-mile mark.
Between 20 to 30 intermediate-level runners in our group met early each Saturday morning at Town Lake. With the support of our 
coaches, we ran increasingly long distances on the trails around the lake (ultimately up to 20+ miles) in preparation for the marathon that would take place on February 18, 1996. For the record, there were also beginning and elite runners groups that trained on Saturday mornings as well.
After running together week after week for longer and longer distances, the size of our group dwindled to seven runners. Shonnie was the only remaining woman. My first recollection of the single feminine member of our group was of a very attractive, assertive woman of indeterminate age who looked pretty damned good in running tights. Our group’s theory was if we were running too fast to chat, we were running too fast. So after many hours on the trails around Town Lake, we got to know a bit about one another, and I soon learned Shonnie was in a relationship as I was at the time.
Marathon completed!
Shonnie, Jesus, Tim, Tall Bald Larry, Medium Bald Larry, Jack and I all became fast friends over the months of training together and most of us completed the marathon, though a couple of our members each ran a half of the race each due to 
injuries that had slowed their conditioning. Actually I was injured too. A week or so before the marathon I suffered a shin splint after a misstep during a nocturnal run. But I was determined to finish what I’d started, so I took a handful of Advil, put my head down and completed my first marathon in 3:52:21.
Our tight little band of athletes continued running together, though not as regularly or as far. And in addition to our long runs on Saturdays, we began participating in the Tuesday and Thursday afternoon training sessions sponsored by Run-Tex. On Tuesdays speed workouts at the local track, and on Thursdays hill repeats, though in Austin finding a decent hill was not a simple task.
The plot thickens
I spent a good deal of the summer of 1996 in New York City with my girlfriend Carolyn, a time of deep learning about relationships for both of us. And upon my return to Austin in July I had several phone messages from Shonnie inviting me to rejoin our training group in preparation for the 1997 Motorola Marathon. Little did I know at the time she was really inviting me to something else entirely.
In August 1996, after picking up a few new runners, we regrouped and began training again in earnest. And we began to hang out a bit socially as well, usually heading to nearby Magnolia Cafe for pancakes after our long run on Saturday mornings.
I was involved in the Life Training program (a personal growth program later renamed More to Life), and I invited my running buddies to attend an introductory presentation. The interactive presentation was led by Ann McMaster, one of the program’s senior trainers. At one point during the evening, attendees had an opportunity to ask questions, and Shonnie stood up, made a comment and asked a very perceptive question. Though I don’t remember what she asked, I do remember thinking “Hey, this is not just some ditzy blonde.” There was a depth and wisdom that I hadn’t anticipated from a 25-year-old, and my perception of Shonnie shifted significantly in that moment.
Synchronicity strikes
The Green Group all planned to go out for a few beers and some music one Saturday night in early September. But that morning over pancakes after our long run, everyone backed out . . . except me and Shonnie. Whether the Universe 
conspired that day, you’ll have to decide. For, despite the fact there were only two of us, we decided to go forward with our plans. We chose on a small venue that offered music, poetry and cold Shiner Bock. I’d pick her up at 7:00 p.m.
As we were paying the cover, I lightheartedly requested the senior discount (I was 53 at the time.). The woman taking our money said, “Yeah, I see a little gray on you, but I’m not so sure about your daughter there.”
We enjoyed the music and most of the poetry, and as the evening progressed, this excursion became more and more like a date than merely two running buddies out on the town. And it seemed even more so when my hand on Shonnie’s knee was favorably received. I think there was merely a simple “good night” hand squeeze when I dropped Shonnie off at her condo. I don’t really remember. But I do know that my interest had been piqued. And I’d discovered that Shonnie was no longer “involved.”
At Shonnie’s suggestion, we went to a play together the next week—a dramatized version of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” After the play, Shonnie said she wanted to slow things down, that she was concerned that we might be moving too fast. Somewhat puzzled, I told her that was OK with me.
A few days later Shonnie called. “What are you doing?” she asked amiably.
“Getting ready to have dinner and watch a movie with Pamela (my housemate),” I replied.
“Can I come over?” Shonnie asked.
Pamela knew and liked Shonnie, and we invited her to join us. We three had an enjoyable evening together, and after Shonnie left, I found myself a bit puzzled. I asked Pamela, “What do you think she wants?” “It’s pretty damned clear, big boy; she wants you.” Pamela drolly responded.
Love walks in
Events progressed in no way slowly after that. Seeing which direction this budding romance was heading, I called Carolyn in NYC. I told her of my attraction for Shonnie and asked if she saw any chance of a future for the two of us. Carolyn’s answer was “no.” So we acknowledged one another for how together we’d become more artful in the ways of relationships and for the other undeniable benefits of our time together. At the conclusion of our conversation, we vowed to remain steadfast friends.
Over the next few weeks, it became apparent that Shonnie possessed the most important attributes I wanted in a significant other—she was compassionate, honest, authentic, committed to personal/spiritual growth, physically attractive, athletic, passionate, vegetarian, willing to make 100 percent commitment to our relationship . . . the list goes on. After attending a breath workshop on the University of Texas campus, I told Shonnie I loved her for the first time. “I love you too,” she tenderly replied. We kissed and held each other on that balmy summer afternoon, totally oblivious to anything going on around us. Yes, we were in love!
Subsequently, we began spending a few nights a week together, sometimes at my place, sometimes at hers. Later in the fall of 1996 we decided to fully commit to our relationship and to move in together on January 1, 1997. In the process of doing so, however, we got to deal with some mindtalk, especially about our age difference (approximately 28 years): “Yikes, this will never work; she’s younger than my daughter!” “My parents will never go for this—when I’m 50, he’s going to be 78!” And so on. The vast majority of the chatter between our ears proved to be BS, of course. The truth was that we loved one another, and that was what mattered most.
Committing to a life together
Because we wanted to be intentional about our relationship and living together, we made commitments about how we would be with one another (treat one another with love and respect, tell the truth, practice 
forgiveness, keep our personal space clean, etc.), how we would live together (create a warm and inviting space that works for both of us and reflects who we truly are) and how we’d treat the feline members of our new family—Attabi, Aurora, Kaali and Chocolate (love and protect each of them and treat each as our own).
On January 1, 1997, we read our intentions and commitments aloud to one another, gave the kitties some space to get to know each other, replaced Shonnie’s coffee table with mine, expanded a bit on Shonnie’s usual menu of cereal, salad and baked potatoes and enthusiastically settled in to our life together.
This post was written in honor of Shonnie’s 38th birthday (12/28/09) and the 13th anniversary of our life together.
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
