For your 400th Birthday, I bought you a Guest Blogger...:

Even though her "hair is browned now... and not yellow".. this house still really digs her.
Not as much as when she WAS yellowed haired
but still a decent amount.

Introducing to Tru Stories from the 222nd Floor,
for the first time Eva...

Sweetbreads Bailey
aka Guest Birthday Blogger
aka The Girl that makes Warhol giddy

Entry Below:

I'll Holla to That

For Warhol's birthday blog I won't nauseate the Tru Stories blog family by posting things about his amazing talent, his sweet caring nature, his glorious calf muscles, etc.

Instead, I'll share a few of MY favorite things I was lucky enough to share with Warhol this past year.

New Orleans: Warhol loved this beautiful city and got to share it with some of his favorite people. I loved that he faced his fears AND promised to do it again (Soon!)

Summer: Fortunately for him, "the summer of Sweetbreads" was over and we actually got some work done. I moved back to town and we all enjoyed some serious pool time. Warhol's kids got it on that too and we were all jealous of their tans. We got to enjoy lots of Country Mansion patio days, parties, bike rides, snake wrangling, Shelbyville boat trips....Oh. Wait. Just Shelbyville. (Kidding, Mrs!)

Friends & Family: It's hard to pick out just a few specific good times we had with our friends & families this year. Mostly because the there were so MANY. And also because a lot of our friends are also our family. I do know we acquired tons of good stories to tell!

I feel a little guilty hoping for an even better, less classy year with you but I'm confident it can be done.



I also asked Warhol's kids, Quincy and Galway Girl, to give me something to put into his birthday post and this is what they gave me~

"Even though you scratch your butt on the wall,
we still love you"

AND

"Even though you looked bad in the 80's,
we still love you"

Classic. I think what they were getting at is they still love their Dad..No Matter What. I know you worry that they won't think you're cool when they grow up, but today Quincy is viewing the infamous 'puberty' video at school. And tonight you'll be escorting your daughter to her first dance...even though you're also her date. So, Warhol: They are growing up. And it looks like they still think you're pretty cool.

So have a few more holla's, laughs and smiles this year, Warhol.
Happy Birthday I Love You

To My Husband's Broda

A few weeks before my birthday, I made the mistake of confessing my age was bothering me. Just a tad. Unfortunately for me, I made that confession in the presence of Warhol.
He caught that wave and rode it. Hard. All The Way to the shore. Now... I can take a joke. Sarcasm runs thick in my family. But every girl has got her limits. And signing off 'grosshol' to my pre-birthday post?? That could just barely make out 'my limit' in it's rear view mirror.
Given that I am not always 'the most friendly' gal you'd meet... I was sorta almost fuming. I mean "Dang! You show a vulnerability JUST ONCE and the dogs feed on it for weeks!!" What's his problem?!
Except, it occurred to me: I have witnessed Warhol's repeated harassment, before. To Coach (fo sho... over and over, who doesn't??) To Flag Girl (most def) to Commish (occasionally) To Doc (maybe a couple times but Warhol aint no dummy)... heck, I've even seen Clark's "Not a NASCAR/but Really a NASCAR sweatshirt" take a pretty decent beating.
Warhol was digging to the point of nearly breaking me, without any remorse. Exactly, like .... A Brother would.
After an extremely heartbreaking Fall with my brother: This Warhol realization, actually did break me. There is nothing, I miss more about my brother, than the playful (sometimes brutal) back and forth exchange between a brother and sister. Suddenly 'grosshol' felt oddly heart-warming. I am lucky, grateful and touched... to now call Warhol my friend AND my brother. I honestly never saw that comin.

Dear Warhol:



I have read in gossip mags, from one air brushed movie star, after another that 'Life begins at 40'. I mostly assumed this was fluff garbage (seriously WHO would WANT to be THAT old?!) But I have front-row witnessed you becoming more of yourself, with each passing year. You smile more, laugh more, have opened yourself to more adventure and growth. Your artwork is literally Inspired. Yes, you have a beautiful muse, worthy of credit. Yet the buck stops with you... YOU have actively participated in creating a better version of yourself. A person, so many of us are proud to know. (sure... you're still sometimes a jerk but it's at a tolerable level, now.)
Happy Birthday, Warhol.
I'm excited to see what the next year brings you. Gosh knows, Coach and I are totally game for the ride. (except maybe let's not take Campus Rd.. or 66...)

Stay tuned..
more Birthday surprises. Later today.

Which Roll is the Sushi Fish?

Last night, to celebrate Warhol's birthday, a small group went to dinner. Apparently, Warhol and Sweetbreads were actually not being sarcastic, when they stated we should class our life up. First, they took us totally off the grid to Buffalo Wild Wings (why you gotta hate on Jimmy Johns??) and now... they took us for sushi. Maybe.. it shocked a couple of siblings to learn that Sushi is not in fact, the name of a fish. Some people, could use a little more Animal Planet. And.. maybe somebody's husband, should not always say every thought he is thinking, out loud.



The Teacher and her Nice Guy, our distinguished tour guides for the evening.

Seriously. Not a Joke. I could NOT stop eating these beans. Proving ANYTHING is good, covered in Sea Salt.

Looks to me, like two brave and smiley people, eagerly turning the page on the next exciting chapter of their lives! It's never too late to realize dreams.

Siblings. Good thing, they are so cute.

Warhol and his Sweetbreads. Happy Birthday, Warhol. I'd spend the evening searching stores for the perfect gift... except it looks like fate has already gifted you, something very beautiful and priceless.

Now... I wonder how I will possibly follow up Warhol's birthday posts, from last year?? Tune in tomorrow!

From Now On...

I'd like The Mrs to refer to me as:
"The Dream Maker"

I didn't get Mrs on Oprah...
but I just checked one biggie off her Bucket List!



Madonna. September 19th.
Anyone else wants in...
Check her fansite for pre-sales.
I can promise my Van will turn into the Greatest Madonna Party Bus of all times. I'll probably have Warhol paint a banner. And I can make a mean Madonna mix tape.... Just sayin.

Let's Kick it Off!

This weekend, we gathered quietly to celebrate my brother's birthday. Kicking off his 31st year.



We ordered his favorite pizza, snacked in a tray of frosted brownies. The kids colored a card, gave him big birthday hugs and smiled as they sang 'Happy Birthday' to their Uncle.
He decided he wanted to all watch a movie together. After we giggled, as my mother 'navigated' her way around her new Wii Netflix, Uncle decided on Howard The Duck. (which is surprisingly less of a family movie than I remembered)
It was a nice evening. Calm. Loving. Perfect.
Happy Birthday, Brother.
I am proud of your hard work, this past year. I know it was not easy for you. Your determination to 'fight the good fight' and continued work to be a better person, is an inspiration to my children. I am grateful, your strong will keeps you striving for the joy in yourself.
I hope your 31st year brings you:
Many more smiles, than heartache.
More projects to busy your talented hands and mind. More exercise and fresh air. A little sunshine on your handsome cheeks, as you sit captivated at (hopefully) adorable Tink T-ball games and (hopefully) impressive The Kid baseball games. More classes to help you better yourself and books to find your peace.
You and I have had plenty of trials, Little Brother but I still love you, just the same. To the best "Little broda dat you were bigger than but now he is bigger dan you" as Tink would say.
Happy Birthday, Uncle!!

Jump Rope for Your Life!

Last night, the jump rope team was scheduled to jump at halftime of the girls high school basketball game. Nerrrvooouusss!! My girls did an excellent little routine in our kitchen that afternoon, I expected: leaving their awesomeness completely spent for the night.
The evening before the event, Tink slowly began dropping hints that "mine muscles might be too tired." By lunchtime Day of Event, she casually mentioned in passing "ummm, I jus think my mind changed".
Twice I excitedly questioned Coco about her BIG plans, she knocked her hip out, hunched her shoulders up and replied "ehhh, I don remembered".
Then JUST as the girls lined up to parade onto the floor, Coco took a swipe from a neighboring rope, bursting into tears.
I assumed... Done. Pack them up, these two drama queens are never gonna make it onto the court.


Except... they totally did!!!

Coco rallied, surrounded by her cousins.

Owl (per usual) remained focused and ready to execute her performance perfectly.

** Galway Girl also jumped her advanced level skit amazingly but I'll be honest, I was waaaayyy too much a total wreck over the mini-girl group, to photograph some old girl whom repeatedly delivers a flawless routine!! (Boring) At this point, it's news to NO one that Galway Girl is comfy putting on a show.**

The view from my camera may be a little fuzzy... though my actual real-life view was as blurred from relief tears at my lil ladies!! I'm not sure if they landed a single jump but the fact they sweetly marched out in front of the large crowd?? Very proud!!


And my Coco??? Cuter every second.
Something tells me That Girl, is gonna enjoy herself a standing ovation. Hopefully... it's not from setting the school cafeteria record on eating the most ketchup packets in 60 seconds... fingers crossed.

January 2013....

Next Year's Theme Dance:



The Rock of Ages Gala:
"A Showcase Event.....
from The Beatles, Bon Jovi and Beyond."

See you next year!