Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Last evening, I watched a show on how mega-millionaires live. I was mesmerized at how everything these people had. And, you could tell they took alot of time thinking up these things to do, play and enjoy.

So, I've done the Bucket List....I'm not planning on croaking just yet, so I am making a "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" list for myself. This is my blog, so some things will be listed that aren't really possible. Imagination is a good thing.

1. I would continue writing, but would concentrate on my own books at my own pace.

2. I would purchase a small, private jet. No airplane seats...LazyBoys and overstuffed chairs will be secured to the floor with applicable seatbelts and so on for takeoff/landing.

3. I would purchase a big yacht: Onboard would be available: several bedrooms suites for friends and family. Psychic readings by Lisa Williams in the afternoon, 24-hour casino (gotta get that dopamine fix), a jacuzzi in my master bedroom, a giant tv and stereo w/CD that would pipe in to all rooms if I wanted. Several swimming pools, My restaurant, "The Ghostwriter's Den" for elegant, rustic dinners and theme nights, and my pub, "The Writer's Pub" offering soups, sandwiches, burgers, salad bar, Tex-Mex, a huge offering of finger foods and appetizers. Oh, and a full bar with daily drink specials.

4. Those games that they have in the bars....with 11 ball, block'em up, Castle Bandits and more!

5. Purchase a helicopter that could fly to our yaucht's destination at any time and take me or whoever to wherever.

6. We would sail around the world...also visiting The Amazon.

7. Some of the places we would travel to: Sail to Bermuda, and then on to the U.K., steer clear of all the countries starting with the letter "I", then travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand so I could actually walk upon Loi Kroh Road (the most mystical road in the world), then moving on to Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila. The Asian countries have my attention at the moment!

8. Religious places I would like to go: the Wailing Wall and place a prayer into the wall. The Lourdes and visit the waters where the reflection of the Virgin Mary was seen. Swim in the Dead Sea...spend the night inside a pyramid in Egypt. Camp out at Stonehenge.

9. On the way back, visit England thoroughly. See Buckingham Palace with a personal tour provided by Prince Wills and Harry. Talk to them about their mother...then, go drink beers with Harry! See the England countryside, eat some "real" fish and chips, see everything having to do with The Beatles...sit in front of a roaring fire with Paul McCartney while we drink snifters of Grand Marnier' talking about writing songs and music.

10. Finally, come back to the states and go to Key West, Florida and visit Ernest Hemingway's home and his cats. Spend the night inside the home, convince him to come back from the other side for a drink and some writing advice.

So many dreams, so little time....

More Musings Later-

Corporate Greed Has Failed America

Yep, that's about the same face she had on today's airing of Oprah. Suze Orman was one pissed woman. Hell hath no fury like a financial guru when talking about a country's failed financial system. I'd hate to make her mad, I'm telling you.



Today's episode was very interesting AND timely. Today Oprah and Suze discussed the famous 2 words that everyone on Wall Street was asking: WHAT HAPPENED? Well, let me tell you that Suze told everyone why and what for.



After she was completely lathered up ranting about CEO's reckless management of their companies strictly to get their multi-million dollar bonuses, salaries and stock options. When Oprah asked, "How serious is this problem of our economy?" Ms. Orman still in full lather, glared at Oprah for effect and said emphatically, "This is as serious as the crash of 1929." You could have heard a pin drop in the studio.

She then began stating what life was going to be like for Americans as a result of this fiasco.

• People won't be able to secure home loans (or car loans for that matter) unless they really can afford them. This means there will be alot LESS home ownership and much more rental properties.
• Until the gas issue is resolved, bringing back the 1970's "odd and even" gas fillup schedule.
• Eating out will be a rarity for most people, staying home will be the norm.
• People will keep their cars for 10 years or more instead of buying new cars with any frequency.
• Charge cards will be a thing of the past. Our society is already moving toward a Cash Basis.
• Student Loans will be almost impossible to get.
• Leasing cars will also be a thing of the past.

Today I watched a financial expert tell everyone that our entire financial world is being turned upside down. I saw her tell a family that was $90,000 in debt that "You can't afford to live in your home. Move into an apartment or stay with family." It's becoming scary out there...





Now, where did I put my $600 "stimulus tax refund?" I will probably need it to help pay with other Americans the $600 trillion dollars that Dubya allowed to spiral out of control.

Oh, and did you hear on the news that Nashville, TN is the only city in the entire 50 states of these United States to run out of gas? Am I the only one that knows that this is another crock of crap?

More Musings Later-

I'm referring to getting older! Although, some say that even at the age of 12, I was really 40 years old! But, after talking to some people this weekend and listening to myself talk, "IT" has happened to me full force.

For example, you know you're getting older when:

• You call your partner/spouse either "Mother" or "Daddy"
  Staying home on a Saturday night sounds comforting


• HGTV has replaced MTV in your home.

• A nap is luxurious, not a waste of time


• Your bed is your best friend after a long day.


• A night out on the town is having dinner and then coming home.


• You get excited when you can go to Home Depot and browse swatches


• You use birthday money to purchase paint to paint the house


• You're looking for a new car, and buy practical over sports car


• You'd rather take a BC Powder than a regular aspirin


• You need a pill box with "Morning, Noon, Afternoon and Night" compartments to hold all your medication.


• The Walgreens pharmacist knows you by name


• You find yourself watching documentaries that would have made you yawn in your younger years.


• You watch the news all the time


• You refer to another person of your same age as "a girl" or "a boy" instead of woman or man.




• The idea of going to a concert and battling the crowds for parking and so on, doesn't appeal to you any longer.



• Your pets become your furry children.


• You forget why you walked into a certain room in your house or you forget what you were talking about in mid sentence.


• Your partner/spouse can finish your sentences when you forget what you are talking about.


• You remember when there weren't computers in the home.


• You remember when everyone learned how to use computers "on the job"





• You remember dual disk drives and Enable software.


• You remember when kids walked to school and played outdoors after getting home.


• You remember doing your homework without a computer


• Remember when there were computer labs in college because so few people had them at home?
  
  Sheesh, see what I mean?
  
  More Musings Later-

You'd think I'd be used to this...

but, I'm not. What am I talking about? DISCRIMINATION.

I applied for a writing job not too long ago and the recruiter called me and was thrilled with my qualifications. Great! Offer coming soon, right?

WRONG. The editor of this publishing company wanted a spouse to write a book on "Loving a Man with XYZ condition". When I revealed that my partner had this condition, she cautiously asked, You ARE married to a MAN, correct? When I said, "No" and explained the situation, - Boom. I didn't get the job.


Why? Cause I'm gay. That's it. If I had submitted a writing sample and she didn't like it, okay. I understand that.

Folks, we are smack dab in the latter part of 2008. Can we please move on into the 20th century? Harumph.

On to a lighter note....The Olympics are over (and man! weren't they exciting!) and my best bro, Alan Solomon survived it! If you remember, he and I co-wrote the book, "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" (it's an award winner by the way!) Anyway, Alan lives in Beijing, China and assisted the Chinese police with security.

Our book, "The Mango Tree Cafe', Loi Kroh Road"

Here he is enjoying some bar-b-que in Beijing (Company picnic).

Alan chowing down on BBQ

By the way, A Message to the Editor: "To Thine Own Self Be True" allow others to follow it.
More Musings Later-

With 1 Motion, HISTORY was made.

Ask anyone, I'm not an Obama fan. I have to say, I really really wanted Hillary Clinton to be the nominee. But, it wasn't meant to be. I have been grumbling about it for days and watched the Democratic Convention each night nonetheless.

I was impressed by Michelle Obama and she held my attention throughout her speech. Pretty good speaker since I'm not keen on the subject of her speech - her husband.

The next night I watched Hillary Clinton. She was convincing, inspiring, and convinced me to vote for Obama. Why? No vote = McCain vote. I continued watching her speak, feeling so proud that she was one of the first women to run for the presidency. Her speech turned my stubborness around...pretty powerful if you know how stubborn I am.

Then, the next night: Bill Clinton. As he was introduced, his list of accomplishments were announced: The lowest unemployment in 20 years, a bull market for 8 years, job growth, hell, let's just say unprecedented prosperity. Easily, the finest American president in my lifetime. Whether you love him or hate him, he is brilliant. I listened with interest as he reminded us of the parallels between Governor Clinton of 1992 and Senator Obama of 2008. It was familiar rhetoric.

As I watched Sen. Hillary Clinton interrupt roll call. I was spellbound. This was a moment they would be writing in the history books and I am watching it unfold.

One of the first women to run for president is asking to forego the delegate count in order to nominate the first African American for the Democratic nominee. The first female Speaker of the House, accepted the motion and so it was done. I watched as the cameras panned to audience members as black women and men shed tears of excitement and remembered the long hard road that was navigated initially by Dr. Martin Luther King and a host of others.

Now that a black man is in a position of power, I worry that those who are ignorant and those who are affiliated with hate groups will cause this historical event to run a short course.

Just as Hillary quoted Harriet Tubman in her quest to have women be able to vote, "Keep Going", I'm reminded of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" when Celie recounts her hardships as a poor, black woman in the South and voices concern regarding her sister-in-law's lofty attitude of herself.
Sure enough, her sister-in-law is labled as "trouble" because of her inner strength and power and she is publicly beaten to the ground both physically and emotionally.

Celie merely offers this simple phrase as the cause of her beating. ..."People don't like it when you're too free..."

Keep your head low and "Keep Going," Sen. Obama.

I've Discovered that I'm a World Traveler

It's true. I began thinking about places I had been when I was watching the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. I also thought about it the last several nights in the wee hour of the mornings as my insomnia is particularly bad. It probably accounts for my pensive and somewhat blue mood.

I would have to say that thinking about it, not only make watching the infomercials more palatable at night, but caused me to reflect again how lucky I am. Of course, I'm from Texas, so I have been to all the big cities of Texas including Houston, Dallas and Austin, not to mention Fort Worth and every small town in between including the proud township of Fred, Texas. Salute! Once I made it out of Texas, I've visited virtually every state in these United States.

More of the noteworthy experiences have been where I've stepped in snow drifts up to my hip in Stowe, Vermont. Traveling to Bar Harbor, Maine to meet a woman I worked with long distance, but never met. She was battling cancer at the time and knew it was one of her last trips. A screenplay was born. It should be a book, but that is something I have on my "to do" list.

I've auditioned at the Juilliard School in New York City...was I ready? Hell no. But I did it. I also visited Studio 54, went to the Duplex and partied at Henrietta's (a Sandra Bernhardt and Madonna former haunt). I walked upon the eerily familiar cobblestone streets near NYU and drank beer in taverns and martinis at Sardi's.

I've also traveled to Turks and Caicos islands and stayed at an all-inclusive resort, I swam in the British West Indies ocean and snorkled. I saw some of the most incredible sunsets and matured that trip as fast as I was living it. I went almost to South America and revelled in the glorious weather of Aruba. I also drank Cabernet at a quaint Italian eatery near our hotel where the wine bottles were nestled in wicker holders and the bread was plentiful and crusty with a healthy dose of olive oil, cracked pepper and parmesean cheese floating nearby.

Once the airplane trips were done, I traveled overseas, all by the magic of my laptop seeing such exotic places as London, Paris, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Thailand and more. I saw where the elephants walked with elegance and grace with eyes that are saturated with wisdom that is still unrecognizable to most who gaze upon their countenance.

I've sat at a popular night spot on Loi Kroh Road and watched the crowds of people pass by unaware they are drowning in their own lonliness. I also saw a man who walked that road and caused my life to change from the silent observations he noted.

Once I came back from Thailand, it was difficult to let the memories go and travel somewhere else...but I did. I visited the deep south in America once more. Which led to the intrigue and mystique of Las Vegas. Suddenly, my travels are taking me to other Asian countries again; Manila, and Hong Kong to the fortune tellers.

The last couple of trips were courtesy of ghostwriting for clients. The dust is still settling upon my feet and the stars are still in my eyes. Everyone should try traveling, even if you never step outside of your home.

More Musings Later-

What would you do if you had a Million Bucks?

How many times have you wondered about that? I've done it all my life.

I remember when I was young, I would spend time with my grandparents at their small home in Port Arthur, Texas. I noticed one day a glass doorknob to their bedroom and was captivated.

"Why don't you sell the doorknob, Mamaw?" I would ask increduously.

"Why? It's just a glass doorknob," she replied.

"No it's not! It's the biggest diamond I've ever seen!" I was convinced she and my grandfather were "rich as creases" as they used to say and just not telling me about it!

Well, today I thought about what I would do if I had a million dollars...

Believe it or not, the very first thing I would do (I swear) would be to go to bed and not worry about getting up at any certain time in the morning. (That's my PDiddy talking though).

I would buy a private jet and hire a pilot to fly me, my partner and furry kids to:

• Key West to see Ernest Hemingway's house and watering hole and 9 toed cats.
• Chicago and see the Oprah show
• 
  
  
• Maine to sail around the coast
• Boston to have a drink at where they filmed "Cheers" and to lay some flowers on my friend, Pearl's grave. She was the one who taught me to love vodka martinis. Cheers old girl! (Hallow?)
• New York to have dinner at one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants and 1 of Bobby Flay's restaurants.
• California - to see San Francisco, Malibu, San Diego and other lovely coastline cities.
• Then, I would have the pilot fly us to Hawaii for a few days.
• After a couple or three days, I would fly to the places I have written about that have captivated me through other's eyes:
• Manila, Hong Kong (I would want to see the fortune tellers I have heard about there), Thailand to see Loi Kroh Road, the most mystical road in the world, and Beijing, China...to look up my good friend that I've never met, Alan Solomon.

The last of my selfish expenditures would be the purchase and creation of my own restaurant.

Called: "The Ghostwriter's Den". It will be furnished with overstuffed couches and chairs similar to Steak and Ale, with rich colors and fancy schmancy fair. All of my books would be framed and hung on the wall and other author friends would also have their books on the wall (but only if they held a book signing during the day there). The vodka martini would be called instead, "Taryn's Tini".

Once people have feasted on the finest of food, steak, chicken, seafood, sushi and more...then there would be the option of retiring to the library to read, browse books etc. while having an after dinner brandy or cordial.

ADJOINED to the "Ghostwriter's Den would be a casual place totally separated called, "The Writer's Pub". It would be a short order food place with tap beers, drink specials with tv's in every corner with either news, sports or some other interesting show.

The Pub would also feature games such as poker every night, cards, bridge, checkers, chess and other games. A great place belly up and get a cold beer and great sandwich or salad.

Who would run this operation? Gordon Ramsey...

Aaahhh, don't you love to dream? I think tomorrow I will go to the hardware store and purchase a glass doorknob to put on our bedroom door. Cause, you never know if you have a diamond or not.

More Musings Later-

Where is Steve McNair When You Need Him?

After watching the pitiful Titan game on Friday night, I believe that phrase was on everyone's lips in sports bars across Tennessee.

Let me make myself clear...our defense is AWESOME. No problems there...we have some good people on offense....it's just that Vince Young ain't one of 'em. That's sad considering he's our quarterback. I saw him scramble and throw more than a couple of passes at freaking NO ONE.

What is going on here? This $56 MILLION dollar investment can't throw consistently to anyone? AND, if he gets a mosquito bite, he sidelines himself. He's the complete antithesis of Steve McNair. McNair played hurt ALL the time. Never griped, just played. If he wasn't on the field, he was in surgery. Period.

Coach Fisher even fired Norm Chow to get Mike Heimerdinger back to coach Vince. He was responsible for grooming McNair. See how his name keeps popping up? After hearing the thud of his thrown passes hit the ground with absolutely no one around it,

I listened to the after game interview to see what he had to say. ..."(sic) Well, ...How do you think it makes me feel?...People are always asking me over and over about it after the game..."

You're damn right I'm going to hound you about it. If you were in corporate America and made half the blunders you do on the field in an office, you would be FIRED by now. Poor Vince...he's a multi-millionaire....he can't throw a pass to anyone....he's got a boo-boo on his leg.... JEEZ MY KNEES! GET US A QUARTERBACK!

Anyone see the 3rd string quarterback play? He helped us WIN A GAME. What a concept.

Harumph!

More Musings Later-

The Pausch Principle vs "The Client"

The sad news came a couple of weeks ago that Dr. Randy Pausch passed away. For those of you not familiar with Pausch, he was a professor in Pennsylvania that gained fame through YouTube for his lecture series entitled, “The Last Lecture.”

I watched his lecture via ABC News and was astounded that this middle-aged man had found the meaning of life and was implementing simple ideas to his everyday life. One of his quotes or as I like to call them, “Pausch Principles” was: TELL THE TRUTH. When asked to elaborate, he simply smiled and said, ALL THE TIME. That phrase stuck with me.

You know, when each of us wake each day and try to love this life we’re given, even in the midst of chaos and confusion, sometimes our best intentions and joi di vive for the simple pleasures can be lost all too easily. It is through that chaos and confusion when we learn if our belief system works. Randy Pausch’s system WORKS. So does anyone that is able to find comfort, not become distracted or lost in pursuing our passion and dreams. Because, it is oh so easy to become complacent and careless with our lives in this area.

For example, last week, I agreed to work for a client by writing for her firm. Against my better judgment, I agreed to work for her. I kept pooh-poohing my inner voice and continued my contracting for her. I finished one assignment and she phoned me after I emailed it to her and proceeded to scream at me because the article didn’t have “pizzazz”. Hmmmm…alright, I apologized for my article, which was perfectly usable and written to the best of my ability. I emailed a second article. More yelling and screaming ensued because the article lacked, “you know…” Needless to say, I was confused, upset and angry with myself for allowing a stranger to interrupt my life in this way.

And then I thought of Randy Pausch. Tell the truth. All the time. One of the many reasons I began to freelance was because I wanted to be in a position of control when it came to my career. In one fell swoop, this client reduced me into an anxious, confused mess. I should have trusted my inner voice when I heard it calling to me in the beginning! But, I didn’t and thus I spent several days where my pursuit of my goals, dreams and passion were forgotten and put on hold. Shame on me. So, I told the truth, and I will do so all the time.

I contacted the client and told her that I was resigning as we had different goals. I told the truth, but nicely. I braced myself for the reply and was told I was a rotten writer. Ouch. She was trying to go for the jugular and succeeded by making disparaging remarks about a writer’s talent. I remembered Pausch’s comment after he said to tell the truth. “People don’t want to hear the truth.” And, he was painfully correct. I didn’t want to hear the truth that perhaps I felt like I needed this client when I really didn’t. That perhaps I felt like I was losing control over my own destiny. Oh, you thought I was going to remark about the client not wanting to hear the truth? She didn’t. But, to learn from this opportunity that was given to me, I must face the truth myself as well.

My joy was interrupted. My pursuit of dreams was interrupted. My passion was interrupted. Shame on that client. But most of all, shame on me. It’s not always easy chasing your bliss; it takes a lot of attention, focus and hard work. But if I can look back on my life and know that I lived according to the Pausch Principle, I will be a very rich woman.

“The Last Lecture” will continue on. Cheers Dr. Pausch!

More Musings Later-

Ever Had a Psychic Reading via Email?

Neither have I until recently! You remember my good friend, Alan who lives in Beijing, China? Turns out he is not only a superb writer, but he is a very psychic dude as well. Our meeting as we have (via email only) has been serendipitous to say the least.

Alan Solomon - At a booksigning in Beijing, China

What did he need from me to do a reading? An extreme closeup picture of my eyes. I know from writing books for clients who have lived in Asia, that fortune tellers and psychics tend to examine the feet, eyes, and palms to accurately predict the future and get a sense of the person they are reading. Although Alan isn't Asian, I guess some of the culture has rubbed off on him...or not. I'll have to ask him!

Anyway, thought you would be interested to read what I'm about - according to my eyes.
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..."You are a person who... is smart you know what you want to say, you say it but people don't seem to get it!

People who meet you like you instantly, you are warm, a little moody at times, and probably a little scary to many who don't understand your direct approach which you prefer over going around in circles to achieve the result you desire. You laugh a lot, you enjoy company, but you can be used too, so watch that.

But something I already know by chatting to you and what drew me to you initially is that you are not afraid of the world, you will meet challenges head-on, in the face of all the kicks you get you still stand tall and let people know who you are, and you are proud of who you are. That little eccentric piece of you intrigues people to the point that they need to investigate you further to try to find out what makes you tick. You are very courageous on the outside and can be a little vulnerable on the inside.

Looking into your eyes I can see a person who listens to people, to the point they talk at you and often you think, Jesus I wish he/she would shut up!..."
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Was he accurate? The "eyes" have it.
More Musings Later-

Corporate America Rant

This post isn't going to be pretty...ok, I've warned you and I can proceed.

Today while I was running errands, I was listening to Dave Ramsey (as I do anytime I am in the car when his show is on). Now, Mr. Ramsey and I don't share political views, but we do agree about most everything of a financial nature. As he often advertises, "We give you the same advice Granny did, only we keep our teeth in." (What can I say? He's a southerner)

Anyway, a man calls in to his radio show and tells Dave that he lost his job because his paycheck was garnished. Here's the kicker: He is senior management making 6 figures! He states that he was fired because the company questioned his integrity. Dave starts to question him further about it and says, "That's awfully strange that a company would fire you for having a garnishment...are you sure that's why they fired you?" and the man confirms over and over. Eaach time, Dave is saying, No, can't be. The guy on the phone says, "It's Corporate America! they fire who they want!". Dave doesn't go for it.

Normally, Dave and I would see eye to eye on this. But, having been in Human Resources for so many years prior to my writing career, I KNOW DIFFERENT. Corporate America DOES do anything they want. Laws? What laws? They were meant to be bent, misinterpreted and flat out broken. Don't tell me no, I have seen it in progress with my own set of eyes. Not with just one company mind you, but several.

Dave Ramsey probably doesn't run his company like most Corporate America executives...that is why he is successful. And, it's probably difficult for him to imagine others doing business as they do. But Dave, when someone tells you they got fired for a reason like a garnishment, take my advice: BELIEVE THEM.

There's a reason why employees are either being laid off, fired or jumping ship on their own from the land of capitalism. It's called misery.

Here's hoping that everyone that has been laid off or fired, finds a better job soon. Cheers

More Musings Later-

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

That old David Bowie song is floating through my mind these days...why?

Because out of the blue, my partner and I have a burr up our butts to re-decorate our home. Complete with painting and re-arranging furniture. Anytime you move your surroundings, that means that changes are happening within yourself.


Change is always good....at least, I like to think so. We're also feeling more settled and ahem...older. Instead of Melissa Ethridge or Bon Jovi rocking our world, it's now David Bromstead (of HGTV fame). I'll let you know the changes as I discover them....it will feel much like looking for 4 leaf clovers!

David Bromstead of HGTV (isn't he gorgeous?)

Let's face it, my life doesn't exactly suck. I have a job that I absolutely ADORE, I make enough money to pay my bills, I love my partner dearly and my beloved animals and I feel...comfortable. I have what I need and have more than I thought I would ever have in my life.


Life is good.





More Musings Later-

A Night with an Extra Long and a Medium

I'm counting the moments until Saturday night. In case you haven't been reading this blog, I have tickets to see Lisa Williams at the Ryman Auditorium Saturday evening.

Williams is a medium that is unbelievably accurate when giving a reading. Now there is every chance that she won't be drawn to doing a reading for me, but then again, there is every chance she WILL. It's all in how you look at it. I'm very anxious to see what comes of it.

Also, to place the evening in a extra fun mode, I rented a limo for me, my partner, a friend and my Mom and Sister. Between all of us, we have Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Cancer, herniated discs, a torn disc and an artificial knee. So, a limo to stretch out in and relax made sense.

Before hand, we'll stuff ourselves silly with Italian food at Maggianos and leave it to our driver to mess with traffic and time schedules. Then, we'll move on to the legendary Ryman with pillows underneath our butts to ease the hardness of the pews.

Can I get an Amen?

More Musings Later-

6235 Adams and 2 sisters

Yesterday I went to Vanderbilt Medical Center with my sister. She had an appointment to get a port placed in her chest for chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the next several weeks.

We are very different from each other, yet we are so much alike, it's scary! For instance, we have the same sense of humor. We both adore dry wit. We both like to make fun of Rachael Ray and anyone else that is too perky for their own good.

As we laughed and talked yesterday, it made me think of how far we've both come. For some reason, I still think of myself as 12 years old and she is 16. I guess it's a sister thing. As you can tell, she is fighting the cancer with a vengance and she is fighting it not only for herself, but for my mother, me and all her friends.

I silently marveled as her phone was going off non-stop with text messages of encouragement and a repetitive message of "We LOVE you!". How wonderful. I look at her and see a grown woman going through some of the crap life hands you sometimes. I look at myself in a mirror and see that I'm not the 12 year old kid sister anymore. I'm so proud of her and I try to be supportive. I'm thrilled to say her friends are literally tripping all over themselves to be just as supportive or even moreso.

Both of us have matured and somehow morphed into adults. Yet, I think that our growing up years on 6235 Adams is what propelling her forward. For all the times we had to kneel in the hall for punishment where I was looking over to my older sister as she rolled her eyes and rattled off a commentary on "how lame" the knee punishment was. I thought she was the bravest person I'd ever known.

For all the times that I missed a curfew and our mom punished me by making me ride the bus to school in the morning for a week. Yet, as I walked to the bus stop, I saw my sister's car pulling up to offer me a ride once we were out of view from my mother's watchful eye. Again, I thought she was so brave to disobey my mother by helping me out.

Each time as we grew up, she would do something to make me feel that she was the bravest person in the world.

She's done it again. You watch, she'll kick the cancer's ass and not even break a sweat doing it. She's the bravest person I know...still.

Would YOU pray, send good thoughts etc. to her?

Check her blog out: "Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."

P.S. Mom, don't get mad. Remember, all this happened a long time ago! Don't ground us!!! LOL

More Musings Later-

P Diddy, Doc Hollywood and Me

About a week or so ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing my P Diddy Doctor, AKA "Doc Hollywood".

You're probably asking yourself, What in the hell is a P Diddy Doctor?

"P Diddy" is my nickname for Parkinson's Disease. Other people think I am referring to a rapper. It's all the same, only I don't rhyme when I have my symptoms.

Anyway, I freelance for Parkinsons Hope Digest and they are running the series. You're probably thinking, I do believe I'd rather watch paint dry than interview a neurologist about Parkinson's. I hear you. But, I LOVE my P Diddy Doctor! And, I will give you the type of conversation we had that didn't make it into the Hope Digest. Photography by: Mindy Schwartz.

Me: When you diagnosed me, you seemed to nail it almost immediately. How were you able to determine a firm diagnosis right away?

Doc H'wood: I'm good.

Me: Don't give me that! I'm not writing that down.

Doc H'wood: Whatever! (laughing) (Then he launches into his diatribe of neuro dialogue).

Doc H'wood: She keeps taking pictures of me. What should I do? Pose?

Dr. Martin Wagner, AKA Doc Hollywood

Me: Act natural if that is possible.

Doc H'wood: Ok. (He continues pontificating about getting honors in all his neurology and psychology classes at Baylor University.)

Me: You went to some excellent schools. I can almost see your brain throbbing from knowledge. Your receptionist told me you went to the "Domenican Republic Brain Academy, specializing in P Diddy disease."

Doc H'wood shoots me a look.

Me: Kidding. Take a joke, Doc! (He is laughing at me)

Doc H'wood: Nice shirt

Me: I think of you each time I wear it. It's better than wearing the other one I have...

Doc H'wood: What happened?

Me: I wore my 'I'm not getting jiggy with it, I have Parkinson's" shirt to the Opryland Hotel. I arrived at peak blue hair time (senior citizen time=4pm). They were PISSED. They followed me all over that hotel and fussed at me! I couldn't convince them I had the disease! They thought I was making fun of them. Jeez, if you can't laugh at yourself....

Doc H'wood: I wished I could have seen that.

I shoot HIM a look.

Me: That's why I like you. I remember the first and only time I complained about having Parkinson's to you.

Doc H'wood: What did I say? I don't remember.

Me: I was moaning about it one day during my appointment and I noticed you weren't saying anything. I looked up at you and you handed me my scripts and said, "Yeah, it sucks." I left your office and sat in my car and laughed until I cried!

Doc H'wood: You're weird. Not really, you crack me up!

Me: Really?

Doc H'wood: No.

More Musings Later-

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UPDATE: My sister's cancer HAS NOT spread! We are all faithfully praying for her and will continue to do so. I would be grateful if readers of this blog would pray, send good thoughts, etc. for her as well. Read about her journey HERE: "Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."

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Morning Affirmation

Recently, my sister was diagnosed with rectal cancer. It has been an extremely emotional time for her and our family and friends. She is an incredibly strong woman and I am a firm believer in "THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS, CHOOSE THE GOOD ONES."

Therefore, I created a mantra for her entitled: "You Are Healed". To read more about her journey, Click HERE. In the meantime, enjoy a morning affirmation.

I've Got A Secret, A Ticket and a Corkboard!

I've got a Secret, do you?

Did you catch Oprah Winfrey's show yesterday? It's one of the incredible perks of being self-employed. I am up to my eyeballs in work, but I made myself stop and watch for 60 glorious minutes.

She had a panel that discussed "The Secret," the book that I have read cover to cover and believe in, with its simplistic message. The idea is to train yourself to think positive thoughts, determine what you want and then focus on it. Believe me, it's easy to get off-track on this, especially when 'life happens'. But, it takes diligence. Are you thinking or worrying right now? DON'T. Replace the thought with a positive affirmation.

I swear it works. I see some of you smirking out there....go ahead, try it!

I've Got a Ticket, Do You?

To Lisa Williams, that is! You remember her, don't you? She is the English medium that briefly had a television show on the Bravo Network.

Lisa Williams, Clairvoyant

I LOVE this woman! Not only is she the most accurate clairvoyant I've ever seen, she is so herself. My favorite part of the show was when she would walk around on a crowded street and pick people out of the crowd and give them messages from loved ones and acquaintances. The looks on those people's faces when Lisa began her reading was incredible.

She uses her gift with wisdom too. That is something that is sorely missing in alot of people these days. So, I will be seated at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN watching her work.

I'm sure that the "Mother Church of Country Music" will never be the same again. It would be interesting to hear if there are messages from performers from beyond that have stood on that very stage. Remember, more than Country Music artists have played there.

Some of the artists: Elvis, Fanny Brice, Tallula Bankhead, Ethel Barrymore, Enrico Caruso, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Grable, Katherine Hepburn and Carol Channing to name a few.

I'll let you know what she has to say that night in Nashville.

And a Corkboard

I don't have it yet, but will get it as soon as possible. This relates to the Secret, but I will put pictures, affirmations and anything else I think of that I want in my life. It will be "My Time" when I post pics or reminders on this board.

Ya know, sometimes Life can make you feel like you've been hit with a two by four, but it just makes the other times feel fabulous.

Ain't life great?

Cheers!

More Musings Later-

Teen Idols

I actually feel sorry for young girls these days...where are all the teen idols?

Nowadays, they fade in and out faster than most people change their underwear. Right now, I believe that 16 year old David from American Idol is it. Heck, maybe there is someone else? I just don't see the magazines or verbiage that I have come to know and love.

My #1 Teen Idol Favorite (I'm dating myself, so be kind)

David Cassidy

Other Favorites:

Donny Osmond

Jay Osmond

The Osmond Brothers (including the deaf brothers and Marie, oh and Jimmy)

Tony DeFranco

The DeFranco Family (A Hispanic version of the Osmonds)

Michael Jackson

The Jackson 5

Teen Idols that I DIDN"T LIKE

Bobby Sherman - He had the weirdest smile. And, his hair looked like a helmet.

Rick Springfield - He looked like a woman back then with that hair. And, he always had a surprised look on his face. Can we say, "Deported?"

Leif Garrett - He looked like a girl to me. And, I didn't like his pictures because, well...his pants were so tight, you could tell what religion he was. Very frightening for a young, teenage girl. Have you seen him lately? I'm still frightened.

Let's see, as for magazines, I bought a BUTTLOAD of the following:

16 Magazine

Tiger Beat (my preference)

Tiger Beat special editions (focusing on one idol)

And, the verbiage I miss! What do I mean? I'll give you an example.

"David Cassidy is my FAV, COS he is so Dreamy!!!" (I know, GAG)

"The OsBros are going on tour! Be sure and order your Donny pillow case!"

The merchandising alone, these guys raked in major BUCKS

Next post, I'll do a "Where are they now?"

More Musings Later-