Erin Shaw Street

Most Frequent Responses

It's Sunday night and we have told the world. I am tired! Everyone has been excited and supportive. We have kept this a secret so long that it will take a while to get used to it being in the public domain. But talking about makes it even more real. As does my ever shrinking pants.

We are in the 13th week, which is the beginning of the second trimester. I feel good, much better than a few weeks ago. I am trying to stay off the pregnancy message boards that are all over the Internet -- those things are addictive.  Now if I can just put down all the books and get back into real reading. I know, I better do it soon because once the baby comes ... yadda yadda.

I've posted some photos from when we told our parents (see photo albums on the right side). It was September 24 and we all went to dinner at McCormick and Schmick's. We had a special menu printed that read, "Don't make any plans for May 11," which was my original due date (I dislike that term - makes me sound like a turkey). Anyhow, the date has been pushed back to May 1.

They didn't see that at first, so we had to prompt them and give them a card I made that said we were taking them on a big trip. When they opened it there were directions to Brookwood Hospital from both parents' houses. Needless to say, they were shocked. Once that passed they were all happy. My parents got sassy bibs that read "I love grandma" and "I love grandpa" and Shane's parents got a Roll Tide onesy. Oh yes.

Shock, screams, and silence have been common reactions from family and friends who we have told throughout the weekend.

Here are some top comments, in no particular order:

"You are getting another dog? Wait, it's not a dog?!?"

"I never expected this!"

"This is consolation for the Yankees' season" (both my mother's brothers said the same thing to my father)

"Are you sure? Are you kidding?"

We're definitely sure.

The Big News

Contact: Erin Street
Two Pugs PR
(205)249-0750

October 30, 2005
Birmingham, AL -  

Shane and Erin Street are pleased to announce they will be adding a new member to their family. The newest Street is estimated to arrive at Brookwood Hospital on or about May 1, 2006.

"No, it's not a pug," Erin Street said, confirming what some have suspected for weeks. She is pregnant with their first child.

The Streets are excited and thrilled to share their news with family and friends.

"This has been a great fall, with Alabama having an undefeated record," Shane Street remarked. "But of course I'm most excited about the baby," later adding that said child will surely go on to play for the Tide, as well as becoming a professional soccer player.

"For the record," adds his wife. "We are not pulling for a boy or girl. Just a future Democrat. Of course I will do everything in my power to ensure that happens."

Street will continue her Masters' program, taking a sabbatical during the spring and summer of 2006. Her husband will be dusting off his junior chemistry set for their offspring.

Initial reaction to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive. Both sets of future grandparents are happy. Ryan Shaw, uncle-to-be, said upon hearing the news, "This is going to be the best dressed baby! I'm going to Dior!"

Reaction has been mixed, however, amongst the Streets' two beloved pugs, F. Scott Fitzpug, age four, and Lolita Pearl, age one. During a recent summit, the pugs conceded that as long as they continue to receive ample treats they would consider welcoming a new human into their home. Talks continue.

A representative for F. Scott issued this statement: "It will take some time to get used to another human, but I look forward to licking him or her."

BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS

Helicopters are circling our house. Find out more tomorrow -- Erin

F. Scott's Big Adventure

We have had quite the morning. We decided to work on the dogs' Halloween costumes and carve our pumpkin. And by work I mean try to figure out how to squeeze them into the too small but too cute numbers I bought at Target.

So here the are, the lion and the bumblebee. We promptly de-costumed them and they assisted as we carved the pumpkin. They were playing in the backyard for a bit and then we let them in. About 20 minutes later, when I took the pumpkin seeds into the kitchen (baked pumpkin seeds ... yum), I saw Lola but no F. Scott.  I thought he was in his usual resting place, our bedroom chair, but the door was closed. Then I walked into the family room and saw the front door -- wide open. I knew that he was gone. Plus he didn't have his harness and tags on because we had taken them off for the photo shoot.

The neighbors probably think I am crazy because the next thing you know I'm standing in the middle of the road in my pajamas screaming F. Scott's name. I can't even describe the panic as I looked around with no sign of him. We live on a busy street and he has no concept of cars. Shane ran out and I ran in to get shoes and a box of treats, our only hope. When I ran out I was overwhelmed with all the possibilities. He could have gotten so far in that time. I ran to our neighbor's yard and saw the tall brush behind our houses.

Just then I heard Shane call for F. Scott. I ran up the driveway and saw Mr. Adventure prance across the road toward Shane. The relief I felt was huge. I grabbed F. Scott and carried him inside. I was so relieved. I don't know what I would do if we couldn't find him -- I can't even imagine it. We've been through so much together and I'm so glad he's home, sleeping in the sun in our office, happy as a pug.

Phew, I can't take all this excitement.

Plus Alabama beat Tennessee. Good endings all around.

Lola A Star!

I received a call yesterday afternoon from the vet's office. That made me nervous because the dogs weren't even there. Anyhow, they asked if they could use Lola's photo on their homepage. I thought she'd be one of many dogs featured, but no ... she's the star! We deserve royalties.

Click here to see our Star!

Now if I can just work on their Halloween costumes the cuteness will multiply. F. Scott is going to be a lion and Lola will be a bumblebee.

Fried Chicken, Cemetaries and Storytelling

What a great weekend. The road trip to Selma was a great way to spend a fall day.  After you get off I-65, you have to take Alabama highways the rest of the way. We took our time getting to the Tale Tellin' festival.

First we stopped at a Pumpkin patch. I think the whole thing was sort of a photo opportunity for kids ("Here, get your pictures taken sitting on a stack of hay!" "Ride a tractor in a circle!") but it was fun nonetheless. And we of course seized the opportunity to take cheesy photos. I bought a great pumpkin (lower case) who is sure to produce tasty seeds that will become crispy morsels of delight. Alisa bought strawberry jam, which will play a role later in the story.
We also dined at the Pie House, which had excellent sweet potato pie. (Skipped a visit to the adjacent Rib House.)

It took about an hour and a half to get to Selma, minus the stop.  We found the main street, which is very picturesque and also indicative of most small southern downtowns -- lots of great architecture but sadly empty buildings. Lots of potential for a renaissance there, and with Selma's rich history and with Selma's seemingly thriving folk arts culture, much potential.

We walked across part of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, sight of the infamous Civil Rights march Bloody Sunday . After having a difficult time trying to find anything open for dinner, we seized Alia's suggestion for fried chicken, getting drive through at Popeye's (mmmm) and heading to this great old cemetary for a picnic.

I've always loved cemetaries, as my mother will attest. I think they are really peaceful interesting places filled with history and silent stories. We ate our dinner there. The strawberry jam from the pumpkin patch was delish on the warm and salty biscuits, which clogged at least one or two arteries.

I'd like to go back to the cemetary and take more pictures when there is better light. It has all these great trees with spanish moss and tons of Civil War monuments and gravestones. Or as most of them say: "War Between The States."

It was getting dark, so we headed for the auditorium where the Tale Tellin' occured. There were a few hundred people there. At first, we thought that they were all from Selma, but it turned out they came from all over Alabama and some from outside. Kathryn Tucker Windham was the emcee. All I can say is that she is my hero. She is 87 years old, spent 40 years as a journalist, is an author, a storyteller, a champion of the arts and civil rights ... the list goes on and on. Watching her you feel like you are watching a part of Alabama history, and certainly our best storyteller.

But first ... we heard from two others. I didn't care for one, but I really liked the second man. His name was Dan and he told great stories - some funny, one so somber - and was captivating. He also played his guitar ala folk songs. Then Kathryn came on and told stories about everything - from growing up in Thomasville, Alabama to the casket that she had made 17 years ago. Some of that was in the great documentary: "Kathryn, Story of A Teller," which I highly recommend.

She says things like, "Go, tell stories. Tell stories that are important, that say who you are, where your roots are and what's important." So good. What I like is that she, and Dan, just told them in such a straightforward way - no act or schtick. I want to be a storyteller when I grow up!

Anyhow ... a great day followed by another great day. It was still sunny and Mom and I went to IHOP, church, Target and Zapata's all in the same day.

Beautiful Fall Day!

What a great morning. I had the windows rolled down as I drove to Hoover for my much needed highlights appointment. It's sunny and a little cooler and perfect weather. Plus I got me some blonde and feel 100% better about all of life now. It's amazing what some color and good product will do for the soul.

At my parents' house now getting ready for Alisa to pick me up so we can drive to Selma for the storytelling festival. Really looking forward to the road trip. So much has gone on these past couple of months I really haven't had time to kick back and just have fun like this, without worrying about a paper or work or a million things to do. So I am going to enjoy it, meet some quirky people and hear some good stories.

Breaking Celebrity Sighting: Just got an email from Dad, who flew to Tampa to this morning. Birmingham's own Alabama Idol, Ruben Studdard, was on the plane with his entourage. Dad sat next to his mother. No word as to if they had a conversation about their famous performing sons, or if Dad learned any dance moves. 205 in the house.

Telling Tales

I've always wanted to go to the Tale Tellin' Festival in Selma. It's a weekend of storytellers sharing their stories. Alabama's great storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham started the event 27 years ago and she, like the event, is still going strong. I think I'm going to try to go Saturday. Selma is just about two hours away:

Festival Link

For those who like to climb trees

My friend Alisa's documentary about treeclimbing, called "Treebark," is being sold through a catalog. How cool! It debuted last year at the Sidewalk Film Festival and is a great story.

Here's the online link:

Treebark DVD

Sunday night

I haven't written much because I have been tired. In between that, there has been lots of work and studying. The good news is that it is turning cooler. And the new TV shows are on. Even though they have just been on for a few weeks, it still delights me to find that TiVo has captured a new "Arrested Development" or "Lost." Oh TiVo, you are so dependable. We went to see "Wallace and Grommit" last night. Shane and I, and the five-year-olds in the audience, thought it was funny. Though the parents of the five-year-olds didn't seem think it was as funny. "Ooohh, cheese!"