Baby sinnergirl at Christmas

Our Bundle Big Bundle of Joy!

Wanted all you guys out there in Sinnergirl world to see how much our newest Sinnergirl has grown. Baby Mama and Daddy are awesome parents...Ryleigh is one lucky girl.

A Christmas Miracle.

Also called, Miracle at Atlantic Station.

Jamie has a credit - yes, a credit - at H&M.

Foto Fun!

Here are the promised photos taken in the Foto Fun booth/sleigh at Dawsonville, GA!

Go forth and shop.

The sinnergirls and mom of sinnergirls, minus shopper-extraordinaire sinnergirl BCB (who had more important things to do), ventured to the North Georgia Outlet Mall in Dawsonville on Saturday. First of all, there were fabulous savings - stores that had everything at least 50% off "the entire store"! Selection was good, the company was even better. During a quick coffee break, the girls spotted one of those Foto Fun booths and decided to capture the moment for all to see. The actual photos from the "sitting" will be posted later, but here's the Flip video of us trying to figure out how to center three of us in a little oval on the screen. Obviously, Malibu forgot the Flip was on and didn't aim it at the screen for much of the sitting...but the audio is worth it anyway. Oh, and at the very end we figured out that we weren't supposed to look at the screen, but at the "Look here!" button. Who knew?

Turkey anyone?

Everyone wants some turkey at Thanksgiving:



















OH! You mean turkey!

We're here and we're thankful.

Greetings all,

Things are going well for the 'Ho family. 'Ho is about to get a second opinion on her progress, and we'll see after that where we go. She still looks alright-mighty-fine and has actually been busy tending to her sickly kitty, Sam, but I'm sure we'll hear something from her soon.

Needless to say, we all have much to be thankful for. Indulge me for a moment while I run through my "side" of the family:

• A healing 'Ho, who has handled this whole thing with grace, a sense of humor and the most accurately spelled text messages ever.
  
• A BCB who has the biggest heart around, a creative design talent that make her clients (and me) go "ah!", and loves her family to no end.
• 'Mo new relatives: welcome Lauren!
• 'Mo tiny relatives: welcome Ryleigh!
• A wonderful new Mommy: way to go Tiffany!
  
• My hubby, who encourages me tirelessly, provides me with incredible art to behold every day, and keeps me laughing. (oh, and provides fabulous design work for me at below-industry rates so that I look good at work.)
  
• My Mom who loves me and I never have to doubt it, and will always let me lay my head in her lap when I'm down or tired. I'll always be her "baby" and I'm glad.
• My stepdad, who thankfully likes to talk golf and politics (like I do), but most importantly, has made my Mom happy.
• My darlin' brother-in-law who thought he was giving me away at my wedding, but found out he was still stuck with me after all. He lets me type pages-long emails and if he rolls his eyes over them, does it when I can't see.
• My oldest nephew who fit right into the role of really good Daddy and is a true joy himself.
• My youngest nephew who has never lost that look of wonder and curiosity that I saw on his face when he was about 3 months old, and will always be my baby (whether he likes it or not).
• There are countless others in extended family, and in-laws for whom I am very very grateful. But they'll have to go on another blog...

Have a happy, blessed Thanksgiving, and may all your stocks go up in 2009!
Malibu

'Mo definitely a "treat"!

Here's everyone's fave treat on her first Halloween.

'Ho's Reunion and Call-Out on Ben!

Since infusion is a little 'Ho-Hum these days, thought y'all would rather see a clip from 'Ho's high school reunion last weekend (the exact anniversary will be a secret since the math would indicate that I graduated from said high school while still in utero).

'Ho made a public Call-Out to her classmate Ben who is way too famous and smart to have his real name used in a shameless forum like this. Call-Out was: Ben, if you come to the reunion I, 'Ho, will shave my head. Ben was so geared up he counter-called-out: he would shave his legs if I shaved my head. So here's the proof: even though his bride ratted him out saying he used Nair and a garden hose in the backyard to avoid nicking those tricky knees.

Our partners in crime are Carol and Sam and Cathy. We can't use their last names or they would have to change religions, spouses, and professions (hard to do when you're a famous writer in Texas!!!)

BTW, 'Ho knows the Call-Out was a little Clinton-esque ("truthy" not "truthful") since she had already shaved her head well in advance of the Call-Out. BUT, all that truthiness was overlooked in the festive atmosphere of a hairless reunion!

The Amazing Race. Read the story before you watch the vid!!

Feeling the call of sibling bonding and adventure, Crack 'Ho and Malibu set out in Spring '08 to apply for The Amazing Race. For those not in the know (which included Crack 'Ho as of this taping), TAR is a reality show on CBS that pits teams of couples who know each other against 10 or 11 other couples in a race around the world. The race is fraught with dilemmas, obstacles and other things that can either strengthen or ruin a relationship. Who better to try out than us? Hm. The first step in the application process involves filling out an application (duh). But this is no ordinary application. It asks questions that even your spouse would hesitate to ask! Nonetheless, 'Ho and I completed the application and moved on to step two: create a 3 minute video explaining why we should be on TAR. 'Ho came over to the Barnes' House on a stormy night where we spent 3 hours taping to come up with a 3 minute video. The taping was interrupted by a tornado, from which we hid in the parking lot of Ikea nearby. Too bad that wasn't on the video! Anyway, our 15 minute outtake video is freaking hilarious, but rife with expletives that would make Mom of 'Ho shudder, and may eliminate any future job prospects for those on tape. So, without further ado, here's the 3-minute toned down version we sent TAR. Needless to say, since the show is on TONIGHT and 'Ho and I are in Atlanta, we didn't make it. They got, instead, a couple of blond "Southern" belles instead. Ratings have plummeted.

Of course, Ms. 'Ho got herself in to an Amazing Race of a different sort. And this one, she's gonna walk away from as a total winner...

Hell, We're ALL Mad! (But 'Ho Loves ya!)

CrackHo here to give y'all a little shout out and some encouragement in these Dark Days, and I don't mean cancer-dark. I keep telling folks I'm in recession...aren't we all!

My attorney laughed out loud today for the first time in 2 years (yeah, 'Ho believes in long-term relationships, even with her lawyers) when I described my Post-Divorce Asset Transfer technique, here seen for the first time on video.

Thanks for sticking it out (uh well you know what I mean) and coming back for more!

It's a "wait and see" game.

'Ho's chemo went well yesterday - a good visit with Doc Hen/Cod Neh and the troops in the infusion suite. Black Canary was on her way to Florida to help with wedding planning for her baby boy; Mom of 'Ho and Malibu joined 'Ho for the adventure. Received good report from the doctor, though all future decisions - total number of chemos, radiation or not, etc. etc. are always tagged with "we'll wait and see". Two more spinal taps - ugh. Radiation w/b determined after chemo #5, as will the total number of chemos. Doc Hen admired 'Ho's latest head-tattoo as well as the way she looked in that bike outfit at the MS ride. 'Course, he totally blew the goodwill when he referred to 'Ho as a "postmenopausal woman". Maybe we should take him the "How to Win Friends and Influence People" book on our next visit...

And behind Chemo # 4 is...

Tomorrow we're off with the 'Ho for Infusion #4. This is a big one, in that it puts 'Ho over the hump...assuming Doc Hen (or Cod Neh - inside joke) hasn't changed his mind about the # of infusions. Thoughts, prayers and other send-ups definitely appreciated. Tally 'ho!

Hairific!

I thought for sure one of Crack 'Ho's previous "do"s would win by a hair. (Sorry, couldn't help myself.) But look! Style D and E ended "all square". What are the implications? What does this all mean? What does it really say? Who are you people who voted for these styles? 'Course, since it's a tie, 'Ho is free to stay bald and beautiful. Lucky 'Ho...beats having to go out and find a white hairband or a new set of hot rollers!

Cheerleader Feet

CrackHo was at her favorite mid-chemo haunt th'other day (Fuzziwig's @ The Ave. in the EC) munching on some mini-Reeces cups and having a stroll. Almost dropped my melty mint nonpareils when I heard 2 teenaged boys tell a lovely teenaged girl:


"yeah you know she's got, like, cheerleader feet."


whaddya mean, she sez.


"like, they're so, like, pretty and all neat and stuff."


So THAT's the secret!!!! Sinnergirls, that's one thing we can ALL get down with: Cheerleader Feet. No cartwheels required. So, check out Diddy above enjoying the magic of Cheerleader Feet. Then, enjoy the Cheerleader Feet of Ryleigh's Aunt TooTall, Auntie CrackHo, BabyMamma and Ryleigh Coyote herself:

Coos and Poos

Thanks to all those Barbies who have given us a yee haw and prayers. Baby Ryleigh is perfect and beautiful. Mom and Dad are both doing great too. BCB back at work, but manages to get home to get some lovin', kisses, coos and change poo whenever possible. The kingdom of BCB is forever changed and better!

Kicking Butt for Someone Else: Fight Multiple Sclerosis for Valerie!!

Ancient history has it that one of CrackHo's first signals that somethin' jest wasn't right with herself came as she started training to ride 150 miles this year in the Multiple Sclerosis bike challenge at Callaway. When the 'Ho couldn't pedal up a hill, she dragged herself into the doc and found exactly her problem. Well, over the period of couple of months or so...anyway...

So even though chemo has temporarily taken the 'Ho off the bike road, she and Mom and Orv threw Valerie into her own van and with tons of logistical genius from Bill, trekked down to Callaway to cheer on the MS bike rider/fundraisers this weekend. Yay, Team Cox ('Ho's bike team)!

We shot this longish video as people were gathering for day 1 of the ride Saturday. We wanted to share how moving it can be to be among thousands of people in tight lycra shorts before dawn, knowing they are about to sweat to help you feel better: Valerie girl, it's for you!

And on Oct. 5 Valerie's bro-in-law is gonna continue the ride to stamp out MS by BIKING THROUGH MIDTOWN MANHATTAN (!!! OMG) with a few thousand of his closest biker friends. If you want to help out, you can donate to Bruce's ride for Valerie at

http://msnyc.kintera.org/bikems/brucearnold?faf=1&e=1869160792

Inducing Labor the Auntie CrackHo Way

Our Babymamma's birthday was just a few short days (or really long days, if you're Babymama) before Baby Sinnergirl Ryleigh was supposed to be borned up yonder in north GA. Babymamma was understandably about as ready as anybody gets for anything for that birth to happen. So, as an extree special birthday gift to Babymamma, Black Canary threw Auntie CrackHo in the truck and drove up to north GA to induce labor and get that Ryleigh into this world FAST! Here is a recording of Auntie CrackHo's secret labor induction techniques.

Oh, and in case the induction part was a flop, Black Canary treated the whole crowd, including Babydaddy, to a swell lunch!

If you could have a real, true hair do-over, what would it look like?

Well, that's where little miss Crack 'Ho finds herself. Granted, we really think she looks "Crack 'Hot" with no hair at all. But let's all play a little game of "If I could choose one of my previous hairstyles to have again, which one would it be?". No wait, let's play a better game. Let's play "If I could make Joni wear an old hairstyle again, which one would it be?" See photos above, and cast your vote in the survey in the right hand column.

Can you say sweet?