I love it when....

I find a book that I just can't put down! I started reading Beneath A Marble Sky early in the week and finished it last night. I was drawn into the story quickly and found myself looking forward to the moment when the world would stop long enough for me to grab it and go back to the building of the Taj Mahal and the story of a family and the rise and fall of their empire. What I loved most about this book was the classic good versus evil tale that had you rooting for the underdog. I also really loved the premise under which the story unfolds. Having the "grandmother" relay the story to her granddaughters was just one of the little details that made this book so incredible to me! I found myself like her granddaughters, waiting for the next scene on the edge of my seat..begging for more!

11 Years And Counting

It's been 11 years now since I became a wife. We are on vacation at an RV resort enjoying the 4 children we've created in 11 years! Life really is good and I am grateful.

Do You Remember the Time?

I can't help but feel old right now! First, the passing of one of our own idols, Michael Jackson. Everywhere we went at the Mall of America, they had a TV on playing the memorial service. Although I couldn't not hear what they were saying, I was still moved to tears - right there in the food court! When we got home later that day, I watched more of it as it was replayed over and over on just about every channel. Then, I really started to cry! It was a moving tribute and I felt so sorry for his children.

Then as we go to the Jonas Brothers concert my urge to dance and lose myself in the music was over-ruled by my mother status. The sparkly hat that put on which actually belonged to my daughter was taken off as we were leaving the hotel room. A sudden feeling of being ridiculous came over me. There was a time when I would have put everything sparkly on that I could!

As I sat and watched here soak it all up, I was reminded of how much I have always loved the live performances like this. I would stand occasionally and join her in the sing-along songs that I knew the words to (well, most of the words). I recalled my own experiences going to concerts and considered myself really blessed to have been exposed to so many. It is a moving experience (even if you aren't moving as much as you used to!)

No Scale!?

So we are in Minneapolis and having a great time! I am *trying* to be mindful of my goals and have found it very difficult to be without a scale to check-in on my weight! I am curious to see what it says when we return. I haven't been snacking at all and we have had to do some walking for most of our meals which I have been very thoughtful about what I'm ordering. I have been sticking with my push-ups and sit-ups each day and manage to get them both in before bed time!

The hotel has a fitness room with great cardio equipment so I have been able to squeeze in at least an hour of sweating a day. Today, I mixed it up a little and ran for about 20 minutes of my 60 on the treadmill. I also haven't had diet coke at my finger tips all day long so it's made my goal of rehabbing the diet coke outta my life, a little more realistic!

One of the most enjoyable things I have seen is the statue of Mary Tyler Moore. I loved that show (I think that I watched reruns of it after it was off the air). But I loved her independence and spirit. Another thing I like here is that I don't HAVE to have a car! We have walked mostly everywhere and the public transportation to further away places (like the Mall of America and the airport) is a breeze! In reading vairous tourist literature, I have found that there's a lot to see and do here in Minneapolis. Who knew?

Exercising While Traveling

This should be an interesting week as I attempt to travel and keep my exercise routine! I have checked the hotel in advance and confirmed that they have a fitness center that is equipped with cardio equipment which should be a good start. I am motivated so let's see if I make this happen!

Count down begins

It's time to start counting down the days to bali. departure is september 29 and i have lots to do before then. the first thing on my list is to get rid of the pounds that seemed to sneak up on me...around the holidays, and around my waist!

88 days is about what i have. wonder what i can get done in 88 days. first goal is to lose weight on a trip to minneapolis. hey, i did it before, i can do it again!

The push-up / sit-up Experiment

I was told once by an instructor that if you just add 20 situps and 20 pushups each day, you will see a big difference in muscle tone. So, being somewhat of an over achiever... I have decided to add 100 situps and 50 pushups each day. We'll see how that comes out.. maybe in 30 days, I'll post some photos? Or, maybe, I'll just report the results via TEXT!

It's a Shoe Thing

When it comes to shoes, some people may think that I have a bit of a problem. I mean, it usually is among the top 3 things I checkout when I meet someone new... eyes, smile, shoes. In that order. In fact, when I took my daughter to see Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift, I was delighted when I realized I could zoom my camera in and get a shot of these AMAZING peep-toe, platform, sparkly numbers on the bottom of Kellie's skinny jeans! Now, I liked the concert, they were both amazing. But those shoes.....!!!!

Maybe it's not so BAD after all?

As a mother, I find myself wanting to protect my children from what might be considered "pop culture". I know people who don't allow their children to watch television at all, I also know families who send their children to schools that don't allow "character" clothing like spiderman, and such.

However, I have been thinking about the passing of two Pop Culture Icons, Farrah and Michael. As I watch the countless people around the world express their sadness at the loss of these two "characters".. I can't help but wonder... what's so bad about it. I mean, I feel more connected now as I share in the memories of these two personas in my own life with others around me. It feels uniting. I am glad I knew their music/shows. I am glad i have a memory of it.

In the distant future, (I will make it sound like it is light years away) my own children will witness the loss of an image responsible for a memory that I didn't deprive them from creating. (if my children should ever read this post, please allow me to state that none of this applies to the mindless, crude yellow square guy in the pineapple)

The Thriller is Gone....The Angel is in Heaven... and a Duo Reunited.

They say it happens in 3's. First it was Johnny's sidekick, Ed and then today, we knew the end was near for our fair-haired Farrah and we were stunned when Michael Jackson came to his end, just when he was working toward a new beginning. These are the times when we feel our own age. When our idols begin to fall, we know that we are now getting closer to the edge.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Thinking of heading out for a massage or maybe a facial today! It's always funny that by the time my birthday comes, I'm exhausted from Shelby's! hahahaha! The best birthday I had was when I brought my baby girl home from the hospital! Second best? The party that my boss at the time threw for me at a local hangout! They had a band and I had about 10 too many margaritas! Fun times.

Don't Drink the Water... Booze?

I was sad to hear that there were people who became ill (or even died?) after drinking contaminated alcohol in BALI! Guess I'll have to drink the water? or BYOB? Will they let us bring that on the plane under these circumstances?

Time to Sign Up!

It's time to get the paperwork rolling for the adventure to Bali! Here I go! I think I can...I think I can! It still seems a long way away...but i know it is going to sneak up on me fast! Oh the lists I have to start making!

SHOULD I BE SCARED?

Okay, I must say that having already been a globe trotter...... I did, afterall, go all the way over to GREECE!... I find it hard to believe that I am wondering if I really should venture out to Bali? I mean this Swine Flu thing is more than a little bit scary! Will it be over by then? There's also this caution about traveling to that part of the country for safety reasons. I'll change my mind a million times between now and the time the plane departs. So, should I be scared? Should I just wait it out and see if by then, by some miracle, we have forgotten all about the swine flu and moved on?

Should I stay or should I go now?

So, do I really think I can leave the country again? If I do this trip to BALI, then it would be the third contintent I have been on! Wouldn't that be awesome? I really feel like I HAVE to go... who could pass up this chance? There are other places I would like to see.... maybe they'll be on the list some day, too. Italy, France and Australia to name a few. The hotel is amazing... Check it out!

Off to Bali?

Looks like the next adventure out of the country for me could be a trip to Bali! Don't know much about it yet but from what i can see at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/, it's going to be a tropical paradise! Here we go again!

MOMMA DON'T DANCE?

I have been having these strong inclinations to go dancing. I'm not sure I'm thinking about country line dancing...but I want to go to DA CLUB, and get my groove on! I don't know much contemporary, hiphop music but I'm doing some research. It might be time to get some girls on the dance floor! Funny that at one time I was even considering hula dance lessons. First the club, if I don't get my fix, then I'll check out the grass skirt! This could be me!

What Will I Do?

I'm going to have a whole day plus a little more to myself! Baby girl is at a camp, baby boys (all of them!) are going to a race. I've got the whole place to myself! I started making a list of what I might do...

• sleep in
• take a walk in the morning
• blog
• work on projects
• blog
• exercise
• blog
• read
• blog
• write
• blog
• go to the movie? (alone? yes, I can totally do it, not afraid!)
• blog

25 Random Things (from facebook)

1. I love big hair.I mean, the eighties kind that would keep the person behind you from being able to actually see the movie! The kind that you flip your head upside down to dry with a diffuser and then spray it with some enviromentally UNfriendly FREEZING spray. And, if it's not quite big enough..do a little teasin' and plug in the curling iron. Ahh....the good old days when I had time to primp. Now, I seldom ever take the hair dryer out. (except when I was in Ohio and feared my hair would LITERALLY FREEZE when I went outside!)In case you wanted it... I found a tutorial on how to make some really big hair!

2. I do NOT like caller ID Are there no surprises left? Don't have it at home. Plus, whlie the phone was ringing when I called you, I might have changed my mind and decided I didn't want to talk to you afterall...but thanks to caller ID, you know I called and are compelled to call me back no matter what.

3. I love vegetables Most every one of them. The only one I can think of that I don't like is mushrooms (wait, is that a vegetable or a fungus?) I like the veggies most people get squirmy about...spinach (cooked or raw), asparagus, brussel sprouts... yummy! My favorite food? A Greek Salad (no olives please -- wait is that another vegetable I don't like?)

4. I know the words to waaaay too many songs!(not many of them are from recent years however!)

5. I have been to about 40 states,,,,Thanks to a couple of cross country road trips and some "how did i get this job" traveling in my early twenties!

6. I come from a BIG family 4 brothers and 1 sister. I also have a big family - 4 children, 1 girl and 3 boys. AND, my mom is from a REALLY big family - 18 in all, 10 boys and 8 girls. (I'm thinking that maybe I just like BIG stuff in general. Maybe I should live in Texas)

7. I am afraid of bees.... That's right, those little buzzing vicous creatures that seem to also like big hair!

8. I HATE dinner What is the big deal? I don't like to cook... it's such a production. How about a lite snack... I'd much rather have a big lunch!

9. I have 2 Addictions 1. - Diet Coke, never should have started drinking the )(*#)$*()_(@#$_( stuff. and 2. - Cardio Exercise - I have been known to do as many as THREE HOURS in one day! Ok, maybe it's 3 addictions - What girl doesn't NEED her shoes!?

10. I want to learn to play the acoustic guitar It might require some devine intervention. Pray, pray, pray.

11. I am starting to do Yoga! Planning to work my way to meditation as well.

12. I have been to GREECE! It's the only time I've ever left the country and it was worth it!

13. I cry way too easily! I have cried so hard at a movie that I had to sneak out the back way so that no one could see my swollen eyes and mascara streaked cheeks. Once a sappy girl, always a sappy girl.

14. I am an optimist I learned early on to look for the good things.

15. I don't care for water sports or activities (maybe it's because I don't want the big hair to get wet?) Ironically, I married a man who seems to collect boats?

16. I have been in the proximity of the following celebrities --Reba McEntire (met her back stage after a concert!), Shania Twain (she was in a bar in Hilliard! I swear!), Eddie George (got his autograph at Waffle House -I'm not lying!), Dave Thomas (founder of wendy's - he was a good friend of my former boss), Ben Vereen (was on a flight to LA with us), Jack Niclaus and Greg Norman (were just staying at the same hotel as us in Maui), Jennifer Love Hewitt (also stayed at the same hotel as us in Maui years ago..she was eating breakfast in the dining room the same time we were!), John F Kennedy Jr, (was in line in front of me at Laguardia Airport), Billy Joel (touched his hand at a concert when I was given a front row seat by a crew member!), The Warren Brothers (bet you haven't heard of them - look them up! They are a country music duo and I got them to sign my Cd at a concert), Kris Kristofferson was on the flight with us coming home from Maui! I told him I was a big fan (HELLO ! A STAR IS BORN!) and he shook my hand ... later he told me what a nice family I had! (The kids didn't make much noise on the plane, thank goodness!)

17. I married my husband after only about 11 days together. he lived in California and that's about how much time we spent together by the time we got married.

18. I love astrology and psychics! I believe in past lives and a God who loves all. We are here to learn and grow. This life gives us lessons we didn't get in the last one or if we're lucky, we can try again to get the ones we didn't in the last life!

19. I can almost always make a baby smile at me! (this might be evidence that babies like Big Hair too!)

20. I have always wanted to have my own business. The Gemini in me has never been able to focus in on what kind of business! (Don't suggest it, I already thought about HAIR... I am a beauty school drop out!)

21. I do not have any tattoos and my boobs are real. These are two definite indicators that I am not ACTUALLY from California! ha!

22. I think I might actually try botox one day. Nuff said. Wonder if I'll still look like I'm crying when I'm crying at a sappy movie?

23. I love to read and belong to two book clubs. I have been know to come with a list of questions and comments about the book for discussion. (NOT the ones that are included in the book at the end, I come up with my own!) I believe that a book can change you and have a profound effect on what you believe and am certain that I have been touched like that by some of the books I've read. Fiction, Non-Fiction, doesn't matter.

24. I love my friends, they are like my family.

25. My children are my greatest pleasure .. second only to my husband. I am beyond grateful to so clumsily had them show up in my life. Only in dreams as a little girl who read Cinderella did I ever imagine I'd get married. After a few too many freaky frogs, I decided it probably wouldn't happen. And then, I saw it was possible and the blessings came 4 more times.

26. I always have more to say but can also be a good listener!

27. I don't want to TAG 25 people. It seems so offensive.

28. At one time, I thought I wanted to be a News Anchor. Thank goodness I didn't do that! I don't even read the newspaper!

29. I don't like ice cream. It serves only as a way in which I can have hot fudge. I'd much rather have cheese cake (only the NY style and only with strawberries!)

30. I think mapquest is the greatest invention of all time. It doesn't matter how many times I've been there, I'm going to need directions again. If only I had it 20 years ago. I could have save myself some gas and a few laps around 270!

31. I love to see my children at the beach!They love the sand and the waves and their laughter when they are tickled by the foam on the shore or tossed around by a wave that they weren't ready for is priceless and music to my ears!

32. I don't like to eat when I drink alcohol! This can prove to be a very, very, very bad thing!

33. I pierced my own ears!I had a pair of earrings that were used for piercing and I put an ice cube on my ear and stuck it in!

34. I have never watched a star wars movie.It just ain't my gig.

35. I heard some one ACTUALLY say that they were going to go to Jenny Craig to lose 5 POUNDS! At first they just said they wanted to lose some weight.... when I asked how much they wanted to lose... it was FIVE POUNDS! No need to call Jenny, just skip the snacks one day!

36. I'm probably never going to stop adding to this list!

Yoga Rookie

I found these beautiful images of some of my favorite poses. They sort of represent my "goal".. I am NOT that graceful in these poses YET. In fact, I haven't even tried one of them... I'll let you decide which one.
I am only just beginning my Yoga journey but I have a feeling it will take me places. After my last session I seriously felt taller! And, there were moments when I was completely free of any thought ... it was rejuvenating! My goal is to have some yoga on the beach on a regular basis! Now, that would be the life!

Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk... BUT DON'T WALK AND TALK!

WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?
Found this image ... classic example... who is he talking to her or the caller?




I'm sure this has happened to you before. You are minding your own business... going down the frozen foods aisle when someone approaches you, although they don't necessarily seem like they are making eye contact, but they are talking. You wonder if they are talking to you? Seems weird... then as they pass, you see it. The little magic device hanging on their ear that let's you drive more safely while you perhaps debate with your child the need to do the homework before they can leave the house. So, you are annoyed. The first time this happened to me, I laughed. I think I might have even answered the "How are you?" question that was intended for the person on the other line! The second time it happened I was privy to a "talking about your husband to your friend" half of a conversation that I really didn't care to hear... " he never helps get something done..."

Today, the worse violation I have ever seen was a woman at the register in my local CVS who was making a purchase in front of me. She never made eye contact with the cashier and stood there in this full-on (and did I mention LOUD?) conversation saying something about "i'm alive by the Grace of God"... I am happy she's alive, and my God is definitely graceful. But really? Here? She was also pushing a baby in a stroller and that child was getting much of her attention either. Is this where we are? We have so much to do that we can't walk into a store and make a purchase without talking on the phone? Honestly? That call couldn't wait five more minutes? Here's an idea. Make the purchase, and some chit chat with the cashier, thank her on your way out, put your baby in the car seat, talking to her, make her laugh. You get in, be still, and make your call. Keep it short and then get on the road.

HELLO PEOPLE? IS ANYONE OUT THERE? Save this for the car. PLEASE.

What has happened to us?

Resolutions

*Stop waiting for the kids to go to bed to get stuff done! (It's a habit that started when they were babies...they got my undivided attention during the day, and I worked on "my stuff" at night)

*Take a photography class. (I want to step up my camera, need to know more about how to use it first!)

*Take some guitar classes. (the beautiful guitar santa brought me is pleading to be taken out of its case!)

*Take a hula dancing class. (I do not have to elaborate...it is on the list!)

*Build friendships (I want the kind where you have some belly-hurting laughter!)

*Say No more often

*Say Yes more often

*Create my sacred work space

*Write daily

*Get some clients

*Have more fun

*Go to the beach more often!

*Spend more time with my prince charming!

Did I mention MADONNA?

I can't believe that I didn't do a post on going to the Madonna concert! it might have been a little on the back burner since it was the same night a certain fella got the vote of the american people to sit in the big chair in the big house.

Well, I did it! I saw Madonna in concert at PETCO Park! It was AMAZING! I must say that she made us wait a little longer but I got over that as soon as she started performing (did I mention, she NEVER stopped!)... There were moments that I thought that her singing voice has actually improved ("You Must Love Me")... and there were some changes to her oldies that I thought made them even better goodies! ("Border Line" had a rock edge to it in this show and I loved it!) And, she was sporting a guitar which she has apparently mastered over the years. She did a little spoof on herself ("She's Not Me") where she had women dressed in the many phases of Madonna.... (the virgin, the bride, the material girl...etc.etc.). It was GOOOOOD!

Madonna was big in my world... She was who we all wanted to be. I loved her music, I loved her style. It was a walk down memory lane... or actually, a dance down memory lane. I didn't sit down at all!

To Resolve or Not to Resolve?

Yes! I admit it! I make resolutions. I sit down on New Year's Eve (after the kids are in bed) and write a list of what I prefer to call "goals" for the coming year.

Sure, some of them make the list every year. Playing the guitar is still on there...some day it will happen! This is going to be one of those years where I can cross off several things on this list! I am sure of it! The fun part is that I can have a whole new list for next year!

I'll post the list, after the kids are in bed tonight?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

FINALLY! I have started a New Year with a blog already in place! (although it hasn't been updated in a while! so sorry!) I will be updating with some stories about my trip to greece and will make entries about other stuff too! This is the year that I become a serious blogger! (or a guitarist, or a yogi, or an author or ... maybe a dreamer!) With two blogs going now, I'm going to have to take this seriously! (actually, this is in direct conflict with my resolution to NOT take things so seriously!)

Hope your new year started off great! I spent it with the family at the riverhouse and ALMOST made it through to the dropping of the ball. With everyone else long asleep, I dozed off on the couch just 5 minutes short of the ringing in. Not to worry, the celebration on TV woke me up and I ran in and got a kiss from my sleeping prince charming (see, this is how my fairytale works... it's always a little backwards)...