Wiley Blue

I am sitting in my living room on the shag with two dogs fast asleep on either side of me.
Wiley Blue is our new Huskie, who literally fell out of the sky two weeks before Christmas. By fell out of the sky, I mean he was found running through the streets in our neighborhood and brought to us by a neighbor who rescued him from certain death. he is beautiful, trusting and young. Schweetie is our sheperd/lab mix that we rescued on Valentine's day last year from a crazy hoarder. And Newman our 16 hyear old Huskie is upstairs fast asleep, chasing rabbits.

In the morning i am going to take Wiley to the vet to get 'fixed' and I am having anxiety around this appointment (8:00 am). I hate that idea of sweet Wiley Blue getting in the back of my Subaru as he does everyday, but this day he's not going on a sweaty, long hike, rather he's going under and getting his balls snipped. ouch. He has had such a hard life so far. In his short year on the planet he was homeless for most of it and when he found a home (us) he has been attacked by random dogs twice. Once by a shepherd on our hike and the second time, in the same day, by a stray pit bull who almost killed him. The one thing that will get me in that car driving him to his surgical fate is that it's the right thing to do, he will live longer and I believe he won't be such a target for unwanted vicious attacks. . While he has his balls, he doesn't have the attitude to back it up. He's willingly submissive and a sweet sweet soul who wants nothing but to be a friend to everyone, give you a big kiss and hug hug hug.
Dogs are the best. They are loyal. They are unconditional. They are the ultimate companion.
They are always happy to see you. It's no wonder that dog movies make gobs of money. Who doesn't want to feel all that? sweet dreams Wiley Blue. Here's to the last night of life with your balls.
Note to Self: love your dog today.

how to give: bumper cars

I liken us to bumper cars...one week and one day later after Barack Obama was sworn into office and asked, implored, challenged us all to 'get busy' and rebuild this country. 'Get busy' and get to giving. The response after that week, from my perspective, and in my community and watching everything that I can, is everyone is freaking out...what do I do? How do I make a difference? How can I do something, when I have so little and am losing my job? Many of us are altruistic bumper cars: tons of energy, explosive electric currents, with pliable exteriors and bumping into one another and bouncing off one another in the effort to figure out how to do that....make a difference. Be something in this country and during this historic administration that leaves a mark, whether it's in our community, town, city, state and country. Not to mention the world. It can be overwhelming. But when it gets to be too much I say to myself and to you get back to basics. Start small.

On my walk today with my dogs (we have three now) I came to the realization that we can give in so many ways. Here are few...
1) Give money. Even if it's 10 bucks to your favorite charity. Every little bit helps. I know. I know. We are all hurting financially now or we are in a financial shift. Which is the time to give more. It will come back to you some way. Somehow.
2) Pick one or two foundations that you are going to support. (There's so many ways to give and donate, if you narrow down your focus your energy will be better spent)
3) Pick up a piece of trash on your street. And if you see someone litter, well don't yell at them, I have found this doesn't work. Pick up the trash for them and give him that look, that your mother might have given you when you did something you knew was wrong. In other words, don't let someone get away with littering. It is a weird insidious habit that is formed by laziness and it is my belief that most people don't want to litter they are just lazy and ignorant.
4) Bring canvas bags to the grocery store (I forgot mine today and between guilt and stuffing way too much into a plastic bag that broke on my way out of the store I was reminded that even if I don't have it in the line....it's worth running out, having people wait an extra two minutes, and getting the darn bag from the car.
5) Remember everyone you come in contact with is in need of being "seen" and "heard". Ask them how they are doing and listen.
6) Turn off your lights.
7) Embrace gratitude for all that you have. That will give you energy and remind you to give even when you don't think you can.

One of the most important things that I learned by publishing my book, was that healing begins by giving to others. It is a running theme that I was astounded by and am working towards everyday. Give to others. It will heal you.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. -- Gandhi

britney

according to MSNBC.com, Britney Spears was seen reading my book, NOTE TO SELF at a fancy hair salon in Bel-Air, CA. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28861801/

MLK remembered

Today we remember Martin Luther King and all that he did for this great country. And tomorrow we look to the future with a new president. I like everyone else in the country and possibly the world will be tuned in to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama and kissing the ground beneath my feet in honor of this great nation and to heal her wounds. They are plenty and great. "The fierce urgency of now" is now. We must act. "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy." Our country is ready. I am ready. Are you ready?

Miracles: big and small.

I am in NYC and it's snowing. I have always had a romantic fantasy of being stranded in NYC in a snowstorm. Today won't be that day, it's about to get bitterly cold and stop snowing. No fun at all. 48 hours ago, I was sitting across from Diane Sawyer on the set of Good Morning America being interviewed about Note to Self. I needed a good poking so that I could be reminded that it was real. I take none of this for granted. Then miracles started to happen -- as if being on Good Morning America wasn't miracle enough. My best friend Thom, who was with me that morning and I went on mission to hit every Barnes and Noble in the city to make sure they had books, and then I signed said book and then begged to be put on "The Octagon" in the front of the store with the other new releases. I was an octagon virgin before this week and I had never placed too much import on a geometric shape.

But in the book world, being on the octagon when you walk into barnes and noble is the place you want to be. It was a wonderful way to spend an already rockin' day. Then we went to The Strand (indie bookstore) and they had sold out!!! I couldn't believe it. When I went downstairs to order more, I overheard a woman asking if they had it in stock. I turned to her and said, "OMG!! i am andrea buchanan and that is my book" she looked At me and said "you are so much taller in person." We were both in shock. I as a first time author that someone was asking for my book and she because she had just seen GMA and was touched by my high school "graves" disease story. And the guy behind the desk, perfectly cast Indie book store guy, just looked at us both and said, "THIS IS SO WEIRD."

The woman's daughter had just been diagnosed with Graves and was having a very difficult time of it. The strand was out of the book, but I just happened to have an extra copy in my purse and I happily gave it to her and signed it for her daughter, Julia. I hope that Julia is reading this and that you find your strength and know that you will find your way and this is just a blip in the radar/story of your life.

In Stores Today!

Note to Self - get to your local bookstore and buy a copy! It is officially here!

You can purchase a copy at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Walden Books and Amazon.com

Note to Self Book the Website

My website is now live with information about the book.

Check it out: Notetoselfbook.com

Welcome Message

Welcome to my blog.

I am a first-time author, with a new book hitting stores Tuesday January 6th, 2009!

It is called Note to Self - 30 Women on Hardship, Humiliation, Heartache and Overcoming it All. It is a collection of inspirational stories, each with a life lesson worth noting.

You can buy the book on Amazon.