Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

This is one holiday that I look forward to every year. It's a celebration of my Irish heritage, and for people who don't have a smidge of Irish DNA in them, it's a great excuse to party!

Also, in two days (the 19th), QH and I will be celebrating 13 years of being together. We met on March 19th and had our first date on March 25. We were set up on a blind date by a friend of mine at work and her husband. So, ladies and gents, don't think that blind dates don't work. Sometimes they do!

I have a hard time believing it's really been that long. There are times I feel like we just met and are just getting to know each other, and other times, I can't even remember what my life was like before we met. It's been a great time in my life, and yes, we have had our arguments, we have had our rough times, but we have come through them together. I feel like this is going to be the year that all the good things we have worked so hard for will be coming into our lives. I'm excited and exhilirated at the thought that the LOA is working and we will have a banner year together.

To celebrate, we are leaving town to have a couple of days together. We both really need it, and it will be nice to just have some time and reconnect. Who knows what might happen while we are away? It could be lucky!

A quick update on the home front, my son Alex, has been accepted by the United States Navy and he will be leaving on June 19th. Most everyone who knows me thinks I should be crying and grieving and carrying on. Not so. I am happy that he has finally gotten what he has worked so hard to achieve and that he is on the way to make a life and a career for himself. I am extremely proud of him and all the things he has accomplished in these last few months. I will miss him, I will cry, but I won't fall apart until after he leaves. That would not be fair for him, and he is not responsible for my happiness or my unhappiness. I don't want to make him feel bad for leaving. I want him to know I love him and that no matter what happens, he can always come home.

My last post was rather sad, about the death of Jeff Healey, a great musician who brought joy to millions of people through his music. Today I want to celebrate a new life. On the celebrity front, Halle Berry and her life partner, Gabriel Aubry, welcomed a beautiful baby girl. It's the first child for both and there is no news on the name yet, but I'm sure they both are happy and feel truly blessed. There is nothing on earth like holding that tiny person in your arms for the first time. The love that flows from you to them and back again is beyond words. Congratulations to both of them!

I also want to give a shout out to my friend, Sandy Lender, who has just returned home from a business trip to my birthplace, Las Vegas, Nevada. You can read all of the hilarious details at her blog.

If you haven't picked up her book, Choices Meant for Gods, get on over to Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com and order it. The second book in the trilogy will be hitting the shelves soon. Today she has a fabulous contest going on, so check it out at her blog, todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com, and get all the details. Who knows, it's St. Patrick's Day! You just might get lucky!

Kiss someone Irish today, or just kiss someone, whether they are Irish or not. And if you drink too much green beer, then please take a cab home or have someone drive you home. Stay safe, and have a very lucky day!

Sad News at the Polebarn: Jeff Healey died this weekend

Jeff Healey was a unique musician. Blind, he played guitar on his lap and sang with a bluesy voice that was unforgettable. I was shocked this morning when I saw the news that he died yesterday at the age of 41 from cancer. To read more, click here:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,2018152,00.html

I bought the album, "See the Light" (pictured above), when I first saw him in a video for "Confidence Man", one of the songs on the album, and then when I listened to it, I fell in love with his song, "Angel Eyes", along with everyone else.

It was inspiring to see him play. QH and I had that privilege a few years ago when we went to the Bayfront Bluesfest in Duluth, Minnesota. It was the last Bluesfest we went to, and Jeff Healey was the final act that Sunday. We stayed until he played "Angel Eyes" and I cried, finally being able to hear him sing it in person and to share that moment with QH, the love of my life, my own "Angel Eyes." I had hoped to see him perform again, but it never happened.

My condolences to his wife and two children, his band mates, and his fans.

May he be at peace. We'll all miss you.

Goodbye, February!

Wow. I didn't realize it's been well over a month since I posted. Oh, well. I have a laundry list of reasons why it's taken me so long. I'll just give you all the highlights since you are all so busy, busy, busy! So, here goes...

First, February may be the shortest month in the calendar year, but it's always been the worst for me. Bad Karma usually hits me in February, no matter what, and if it doesn't hit me in February, then it's just as March is beginning. This year is a leap year for crying out loud, so let's prolong the agony, shall we???

There is some good news, or some great news to report though, I won't bring everyone down into my personal pity party.

First and foremost, QH did very well this year on Valentine's Day, complete with a dozen of the most unique roses I have ever seen. Great card (he created himself), and of course, he got me DARK, DARK CHOCOLATE! YUMMMM! Instead of going the usual I-waited-until-the-last-minute-and-got-you-a-stupid-dancing/singing-hamster, I decided the QH deserved to have a kick-ass present. After all, the gifts I gave him for Christmas this year were so LAME! (What did Dad get? Dad got hosed!) I should be punished and sent to bed with no supper for that, so I wanted to make sure I got him something he A) wanted and mentioned he wanted, not something I thought he wanted, and B) was something he would be able to use and enjoy.

No, folks, no Harley Davidson full dress Electroglide just yet. I need to sell some organs and a whole forest of manuscripts to get going on that.

No, I bought him a cool new digital camera. The plan worked, I knocked his socks off! He said he wanted the "cheapie" one, but I know deep down that he would just love the higher up model. The one I bought him was fabulous, and we got the opportunity to see what it could do at a wedding that very weekend. Congratulations to Chad and Missy and baby Isabel Grace. The wedding was beautiful and I blubbered and cried, and we had a great time!

The thing that still gets me, is QH keeps asking why.

Well, Duh!

I won't go through the whole list of things this man has done, still does, and I hope will continue to do, not just for me, but for my son as well. Everything from washing the dishes, doing the laundry, helping Alex work on his car, being there for him to encourage him and guide him on his embarking on his life's journey, to supporting me (and kicking me in the ass when I need it) with my writing and just being HIM! I also feel that it's a small way of showing how much I appreciate him and all the things, big, medium and small he does for us every single day we spend with him. He deserves so much more. I just have to keep working at delivering a lot faster! And get those "multiple streams of income" flowing and growing!

This month also brought with it the knowledge that even though I got my flu shot, I still can get sick. I have been battling a sinus infection for about a month now. The pressure in my head was so bad (how bad was it??), my glasses were imprinted on my face! I couldn't breathe, hear, taste, smell or talk (I hear you all clapping out there!). Then everyone else got it. My Mom got it and it turned into bronchitis. Cannon got really sick with this too.

I've been stoned on Theraflu and DayQuil for the last few weeks. There went my gym classes, and my writing. I did break down and bought a neti pot and it has been such a lifesaver. If you suffer from sinus anything, go get one, but most important, USE IT!!

Last but not least, it also brought an Oscar award to a writer whose work I admire, and to two brothers from Minnesota who make these films that stay with you. They were all so deserving, I would like to congratulate Diablo Cody for winning her award for Best Original Screenplay for "Juno", and for the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan, for winning Best Picture, Best Directors, and a slew of other awards including an Oscar for Javier Bardem for his chilling portrayal in "No Country For Old Men." Both are films I am anxious to see, and kudos to all of them. Minnesota kicked ass at the Oscars!

Now, it's off to bed. I have some major life shifting going on, and will be purging and cleaning this weekend to create a few vacuums and get some energies flowing positively in the right directions. If you haven't picked it up yet, read "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. It's Oprah's latest pick for her Book Club and I believe it will be changing not only MY life, but the lives of so many others, not to mention, our own planet.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."~Gahndi

I'm on MySpace!

Yes, that's right. I have joined MySpace. I did it to subscribe to Diablo Cody's blog, but then after I joined, I found a lot of my friends are already on there. Cool beans!

Still cold here. I was up until about 4 am. this morning writing, writing, writing. I have my sales letter done, two articles for the Copywriter Mastermind Group project done and sent to Beth for review. I have been posting all over the place. I also got my floors swept and mopped. Supper is going to be pork chops, baked in the oven. Too cold to grill outside and keep opening and closing the door.

So, it's back to work for me. QH needs a Harley!

Bitter Cold, a Missed Meeting, Diablo Cody, and the King

Brrr! Baby, it's cold outside! Yes, that is the understatement of the Universe right at the moment, but hey, I'm amped up with too much coffee, a great book idea, and wisdom on writing from the King himself, Stephen King.

Today was the day I was supposed to meet Beth Ann Erickson, my mentor, my Obi Wan, but it was much too cold, and I am a big chicken when it comes to bitter cold temperatures. I was also not very awake when she called, even though it was after 1:00 pm. I had just gotten up at 11:30 am., and I was still kind of groggy. I was up late the night before working on a book idea, a seed planted by Beth during our phone conversation on Wednesday, which got my little wheels a turning. Write, write, write, as fast as you can! So, I did. We'll see where it ends up.

I've been especially inspired by re-reading "On Writing" by Stephen King. It's amazing how much I missed the first time I read it, or rather, how much rings true to me now that didn't before. If anyone reading my little blog has any aspirations to become a writer, this book MUST be in your personal library. It has spurred me on to continue striving for my dream of being a published, successful writer. Successful being not in just making money, or becoming famous, but being able to write for a living and change the lives of my readers, even if there is only one.

I have also been inspired by a local girl, Diablo Cody, who is all the buzz right now for a little film called "Juno". She is originally from Illinois, but has also resided in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a published author as well, for a book she wrote called "Candy Girl" that documents her life as an exotic dancer here in the Twin Cities. She also blogged for City Pages.

She's wry, sassy, funny, and most importantly, honest, to the point of being brutal. But she also shows a side that is beautiful, innocent and delicate at the same time. For all of her brashness, she has a good heart and a good soul, and you just need to look into her eyes to see it. Plus, she got her name from a song on the Arcadia album, called "El Diablo", and Cody is from Cody, Wyoming, which is super cool, and she's also a Gemini. She also has a "keen fashion sense", to quote Buffy from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," a film that still cracks me up.

I've been following her road to Hollyweird for the last few months, mostly out of curiosity to see what "it" is about her that is so fascinating. For those of you who are curious, check out her blog on MySpace.com, but be warned, she doesn't hold ANYTHING back!

This Wednesday, she appeared on Oprah, with Jennifer Garner and Ellen Page who both star in the film, and Oprah said she was "Fresh! Just so...Fresh!" and she also predicted that there was an Oscar in her future with this little film making the big buzz. Does anyone remember when she predicted the same for Jennifer Hudson of "Dream Girls?" Poor Diablo looked lost for words!

I haven't seen the film yet, but I want to as soon as I can (when the weather goes above zero!) When that happens, I will give you all a full review, ok?

In the meantime, I need to get back to work. Stay warm!

Wow, does that hurt!

I arrived at 6:00 am, and the water was wonderful. I made some new friends, and the class was small. Four ladies, including me, and the instructor. That hour class went by so fast! It didn't seem like I did much of anything. Splash, splash, splash, some work with the "noodles" (those long floating things the kids play with in the water), some underwater jumping jacks, some underwater sit-ups, some back and forth from the shallow end to the deep end, then back to the middle and a final stretch. Over and done, and then out of the water. Yeah, out of the water. That's when you feel it.
The best way to describe the feeling is you have been carrying around a heavy jacket filled with rocks, and you let the jacket slip off your shoulders, down your back and legs onto the floor. Whoa.
It's been since Tuesday and I my muscles have been notifying me that they have been neglected far too long. Muscles I didn't even know I had! I have also been working at the factory which entails lifting and moving and while that doesn't affect me so much, the Aqua Fit effect is.
So, does this mean, that's it? I'm done? Nope. It just means that I'm more determined than ever to get this heavy jacket filled with rocks off my body. I went grocery shopping this week, and the diet has changed, people. Fruit, vegetables, lean meats, fish, turkey, yogurt, 100 calorie snacks. I'm writing everything I eat down and the calories, according to serving size and package, are going down with it. I want to see how much I'm eating and I'm keeping track of my exercise too.
My next step is "Inspiration Pants", a pair of pants in the size I want to be in, size 16. I haven't been in that size since I was a junior in high school. When I feel like giving up, or that I've lost some weight and feel better, that I can slack off a little bit, those pants will come out.
See you in the water, kids!

Happy New Year, and I actually did it!

I know you are confused by the title of my post. Yes, I am well aware that January is now half over, so sue me, but I couldn't post for the first time in 2008 without acknowledging the fact we are in a New Year, now can I?? That would just be irresponsible and rude. So,...Happy New Year, I hope that 2008 brings all the magic and fun you didn't get in 2007. There. I feel much better now.

As for the "I actually did it" part, it refers to me joining Gold's Gym. Tomorrow morning (or rather in just a few short hours) I will be going to my first Aqua Fit class (water aerobics), at the lovely hour of 6:00 am. Yes, kids, I have signed my life away for $20 per month (they were running a special, of course), and have decided that the snoring, the headaches, the back pain, the joint pain, the pain in my ass, all of just has to stop. I have surrendered to the fact that I've let myself go to near "Moo-Moo" size (the cow sound and the dress size), and enough is freaking enough. My motivation is simply this, and it has become my mantra: "I'm not going to go on Oprah looking like this!" Good enough?

I've already gone the list of other "motivations" and failed miserably:

1. To lose weight so my family and friends won't be ashamed to be seen with me in public. (I took a peek at the pictures of myself at Christmas. Whoa! Talk about your eye opener.)

2. To lose weight so I can fit into better looking clothes, (I'm already a size 24, and I'm not going to the size 26. No freaking way!).

3. Lose weight so I can look good for a wedding, a job interview, a date, my second date, a family reunion, or insert any big occasion here.

4. Shame, shame, shame. Didn't work, it just helped me be more depressed which made me want to eat more, which made me gain weight, etc, etc. etc. Catholic guilt can only go so far.

In the end, the health factor has been it. I don't like how I look, for sure, but it's how I feel, that's the kicker. And I'm tired all the time. I don't sleep well, if at all, and according to QH and Al, I snore like my Mom and the drapes are dust free every morning. Big red flag. Can you say, "Sleep apnea" boys and girls?

Went that route a few years ago with QH and almost lost him to the edema, the high BP, the Diabetes (type 2), and all the other stuff that was killing him at the time. I have no interest in suicide, my friends. This girl wants to live to be an ornory old hag, stubborn as a mule and smart as whip. Let my body go to hell, just let me keep my mind. Oh, wait...I lost that a long time ago! LOL!

Seriously. I know that the whole menopause thing is going on, and I'm not looking to end up like Kate Moss or Calista Flockhart. I would settle for a size 16 when all was said and done. Anything lower, I can live with that too. Just as long as I can still have boobs. QH would miss them so, and after all of these years, I would have a hard time walking upright. That center of gravity thing, you know. But then, there is always surgery if things go awry...Hmmmm.

So, wish me luck or place your bets, whatever you all want to do. Just peek at the picture posted above, because this time next year, there will be less of me to see, but the heart will still be there to love.