The Next Generation

"I make all things new" - God

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, it became painfully evident that my baby of 17 years had given the best of herself, and it was time to let her rest. The Ol' Grey Mare ain't what she used to be, and I was faced the stark reality that I'd need to buy a new car. Please understand, I'm the original owner of my '93 Civic CX hatchback, and the idea of having my most reliable and faithful relationship come to an end wasn't easy to stomach. But, I either had to buy a new car or pour untold amounts of money into my baby with no assurance of worth. Prayer and anticipation of joy sustained me as I wept.

Yesterday morning, after briefly visiting my friend's yard sale, I went to the dealership to confirm that I couldn't afford a new car. I expected a "No", but I needed to rule it out in order to rest in the decision of keeping my Sweet Orca, my little space pod. It's not that I was being negative, but rather that I was being realistic.

"I make all things new" - Revelation

But, God had other plans, plans I didn't forsee. It wasn't my day for yet another mark on the "No" board. Instead, it was my day for a "Yes", and, "You're approved". So while I have a few details to sort out - and a lot of rice and beans to eat, - I am now the proud original owner of a new 2010 Civic 4-door sedan. Since all things are made new, I even got new tags.

"See, I make all things new."

So, here is the newest addition to my family, my sweet Silvie. She's got more pep than I know what to do with, and I'm having to learn what "The New 65" feels like. 40 may be the New 30 for us people, but the same is true for cars! I was flying down the highway yesterday at 70, and, if it weren't for the BIG BLUE DIGITAL NUMBERS FRONT AND CENTER, I would've thought I was going 55!

I look forward to seeing the amazing places Silvie will take me, and I'm thankful for Orca giving me the absolute best years of her life. All seventeen of them.

General May Update

If only my brain were linked to this blog, and there would be more entries! Wait, then again, it's probably better this way. You don't need to know everything I'm thinking. =:]

Life is good, and here's the gist of the update.

1. My singing life continues to blossom. I am in awe of God's leading in this, how when you delight in Him, he really does give you the desires of your heart. Not only have I improved my game at St. Leo's, but the music program at Holy Trinity continues to bless and amaze me. I am surrounded by quality and talented musicians of all types, and I'm thrilled. Next week at Holy Trinity, I am singing in a sacred music concert featuring the music of internationally-known composer Sally Ann Morris. Turns out, however, she's a personal friend of a personal friend, so this is a real treat. She will be present to sing, as well as conduct, her own pieces, some of which she wrote this year! But, the best part is... there's a brass quintet and timpani, too!! Super excited!!
2. Next Saturday is the last class meeting for Lay Ministry. That's right - I'm seconds away from being done with my certificate! Our graduation ceremony will be sometime this summer, at which point we will be "sent forth" by a high-ranking official of our diocese. It is hoped that it will be the Bishop, but regardless, it will be a beautiful service. Yea!
3. Speaking of continuing education, I am actively working to complete my Bachelor degree this year. Tomorrow I will be going to Late Registration and will hopefully be able to enroll in at least one class, if not both that are still needed. Once I finish those classes (and pay my outstanding balance to the college), I will have my diploma! Pretty cool. The best part is I'm ready to have that part of my life complete. Yea!
4. RCIA is also completed. The Easter Vigil was a beautiful service, and I really enjoyed serving both as cantor and as a sponsor.
5. Writing... Well, I'm excited to say that I'm working diligently on a script for a dear friend of mine, and it's going better than any of my other attempts. He and I talked about it last Monday (the 10th), and since then, I've been able to sketch out the story beats as well as the two main characters. Yesterday I sketched out some scenes for my Board, and today I wrote the first 8 pages of the first draft. I hope to have a draft to him in a few weeks. Granted, a lot of it is based in personal experience, but I'm amazed at how even personal experience has to be molded with craftmanship in order to make it a good story. Another yea!

So, until next time, I wish you blessings and joy!!!

House Hunt 2010 is officially over.

With all the incentives to purchase a home, I spent time investigating my ability to get in while the getting's good. I looked at houses, condos, and townhomes, and the conclusion is two-fold: I love where I live & I can't afford an upgrade. Interestingly enough, once I got past the short-lived disappointment, I felt liberated. I still do.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, was excited for me, and was interested in this significant learning process. Your prayers were invaluable.

So what's next? Taking care of old business, continuing to follow the leading with my music life, and getting those stories written. I could say that the focus is now on earning more money, but I'd rather see it as an opportunity to follow my passions. If not now, when? Right?

What's Cookin'!!

When I was working for Jason's Deli, I got my ServSafe certification. ServSafe is a food handling training course, and it was a personal goal of mine to obtain. I recently framed and hung it in my kitchen. Just like in a restaurant. And it's good until 2013!! Love it!!

But the most exciting news of late is that I made my favorite meal from scratch this past Friday night. I love Fettuccini Alfredo, and rather than go out, I decided to try my hand at it at home. This is important because I've long been afraid to cook with cream, but apparently that is long gone. I bought the few ingredients (heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan-Reggiano cheese, dried fettucini pasta) and off I went to make it in my home.

And it was tasty. It was super tasty. It was so good, I had it again Saturday for lunch (I had another serving of sauce in the fridge). Here's a pic from Day 2.

ER: Season 1

I realize it seems very retrospective and almost odd that I would watch ER: Season 1 sixteen years later, especially when I prefer the medium of film over television. However, in my quest for knowledge and relentless research tendencies, I put this in my Netflix queue, and I'm glad I did.

Michael Crichton was a genius. Truly. Yes, this serial medical drama was picked up during the most popular time in his career, but he truly knew how to tell a story. I was dumbfounded by his work these many moons later, and would recommend it even today.

What made this pilot, this season, this show so amazing? Is it the raw, primal quality of life and death, blood and guts, trama and terror exposed for us to see? Is it the action-packed pace that keeps us on the edge of our seats? Is it the personal stories interwoven with the medical terminology that is over my head? I dare say it's none and all of these. It is the tension of the unknown and known sharing air space, but it's also the humanity displayed in super-human circumstances. Doctors "play" God, yet through the personal stories we see that they aren't. Dr. Greene is a faithful husband whose mistress is his career. Nurse Carol has an unparalleled administrative memory whose self-worth demon is on display for all to see. Dr. Ross is a compassionate and intuitive pediatrician who can only funnel those qualities to his children patients, but not his personal relationships. Dr. Lewis is caught between her past and her future, lost and persistent. Dr. Benton is surgeon obsessed with his own career at the expense of his family. And who could forget Dr. Carter, the rich-kid who is thrown into the deep end (literally) of how-the-other-half-lives.

Do I recommend taking the time to watch or re-watch this show? Yes, if you want to see a show that redefined a genre. Yes, there were medical dramas before, and there have been medical dramas after, but I challenge you, my dear readers, to provide an example that is as well executed, poignant, and unafraid as this one. I look forward to your comments.

Stars:
4 of 5

Recommend:
Yes. But be advised, the topics handled are for mature audiences, and are excellent for discussions on morals and ethics.

First Flowers 2010

Hello!!

It appears Spring has sprung, and hopefully we won't have a frost in the next several weeks. We had a harsh winter this year, and everyone around town agrees we've earned our nice weather and pretty flowers. My landlord cut back the beautiful garden so it would sprout back even more beautifully, and the dandelions are the first to make their appearance. The yellow is so cheerful, I wanted to make sure I shared.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world!!

M.

Multiple entries for this day

Hello,

Please be sure to scroll down. I have personal stuff - with pictures! - below the movie commentary.

Happy Sunday!
M.

October Sky

A friend of mine is a friend of the main character, Homer, so I wanted to see the film again. I saw it in the theatre when it was released, and many of my comments are the same.

Chris Cooper is a fantastic character actor. If I remember correctly, this was the film that made me take serious notice.
Regretably, there are some poor editorial choices, and I'm not sure if that was a result of directorial/coverage choices or editing room choices, but there are at least two cuts that left me so jarred that is my primary technical comment about the film.
Mark Isham did a fantastic job on the score. It is more orchestral than is typical for him.
Lastly, the message is such an important one, I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for inspiration and a tale about what pursuing your dreams can amount to. Remember, this is a TRUE STORY, and I recommend it for anyone, but especially for teens. It takes a village to raise a child, for sure, and this story reminds us that it also takes a village to pursue a dream.

Rating:
4 stars for theme, content, and family-friendliness

Recommend:
Absolutely. And you don't have to be a rocket scientist to enjoy it.

It started with a desk...

... and has progressed into consuming the whole house.


I finally submitted to the need for a storage unit, and was fortunate to find a 5x10, climate controlled, for $40! As a result, I've been making storage runs on my lunch hour, just to get the "I'm not sure" boxes, the memorabilia boxes, and the "I don't know where this is going yet" boxes to a separate location. As such, the rest of the house has come into better focus.


The dining room "before" pic:




I had started to rearrange it when I realized I wanted a current pic for the transformation. The books you see on the left side, imagine the same packed inches on the right. Also, that empty spot on the right top shelf used to house my Kitchen Aid. She will have a new home. The couple of boxes on the floor to the left are indicative of about 8 boxes that used to be there. They are now in storage. =:]



The "before" pic of the living room:




I know this isn't the best pic, but the point of it is to show the shelves along the window.


It is tempting to tell you the plans I have, but like a good screenwriter, I'm not going to tell you. I'm going to show you!!

Until next time...
M.

P.S. Thanks for the nudge re: including pics, Nat!! You're right. They do make a big difference.

New Desk!! The forward motion continues...

I have struggled with my desk situation for as long as I can remember. And I mean that literally. I remember being 10 and having a great desk, but it wasn't right. I didn't sit at a desk through high school and college, and in these many years since, I've gone between the couch, the bed, the dining room table, my work desk, a library table, Starbucks' tables and cozy chairs, and, of course, my "office" at Moe's. But, the Spirit moved in my heart these past few weeks and brought me a solution.

It started with seeing how to better arrange my bedroom and continued with my resigning myself to getting a storage space. My friend & high school mentoree Bailey came over last Sunday and helped me with the furniture moving, and even in those couple of moments, things were better. It already feels better. Then, when I took her home that night, I told her dad about our afternoon adventures, and the next thing I knew I was the new owner of a desk. I had just been thinking of jerry-rigging a 4ft folding table with some mesh crates I have, and suddenly I was being gifted a piece of actual furniture.

Since then, I've "moved in", and it's GREAT!! I printed out a bunch of stuff & even in that half hour, I felt better than I have in a long time. So, between my wonderful chair and this right-sized desk, I'm ready to tear it up!!

Next... internet access in my house.

General Comments for Today

Sorry I'm hitting you with so many entries at once, but January proved to be as busy as a Christmas elf on 6 cups of espresso. I'm still piece-mealing my internet access, so it is hard to be consistent with my updates. The good news is I'm working on this. Good things are in the works.

Last week, I turned the big FOUR-OH, and I'm so glad it's behind me. Not because I'm ashamed of it, or that I am glad it's over, but because I'm so excited about what is ahead. The days (and months) leading into this birthday were intense, but they have proven to be invaluable because they lead me to today. And today is GREAT!!

A big shout out to the folks, Dad and Annie, for my Kindle. I'm loving having it, and I've only begun to use it. My dad put it best when he described it as the iPod for books. Yep. He ain't kidding.

Other highlights for the week were the big snow storm that came, then left, with its sister trudging up behind it. We actually had to close the office for a few hours for 3 of the 5 days this week, and that messed with my mental schedule. But, the snow was beautiful, and no ice settled on the power lines & trees so I didn't experience a power-outage. God is good without a doubt.

As you can see from my many posts, I'm still watching films like a fiend. And, it makes me so happy. The good news is I'm also writing, and I'm pleased to say that in addition to my journaling, I'm 32 pages into a feature-length script. The most incredible realization for me with this process is the fact that it is a process and it is just like training for a marathon. If you don't put in the hours, if you don't do your training and eat right and sleep well, you can't go the distance. So, I plan to knock out as many pages as I can and have it done as soon as I can. The original plan had been to have it done by my birthday, but I had some unexpected setbacks. But, even they were necessary. Sometimes you need the setbacks so you can sling-shot yourself forward.

Lastly, tomorrow commemorates 6 years of being in North Carolina. It seems so much longer, but that is no doubt a result of how much has happened. I've been without, then with. I've loved and lived, gained friends and lost friends, ate better than ever, and learned more than I could've ever hoped for. I'm tempted to name names and give specific shout-outs, but I think I'll leave those details in my heart. Just know, that I'm more blessed now than I ever was before.

Until next time ....

Eddie Izzard - Dress to Kill

It must be noted that I love Eddie Izzard. I love him and have for years. He is an outrageously intelligent comedian, and if he hadn't made a comment used in the trailer for his documentary, I wouldn't have realized he's a stand-up comedian. His style and his jokes far exceed any stand-up act I've seen, well, except for maybe Steve Martin. Yes, I would equate Steve Martin and Eddie Izzard in that they both demand more from their audiences than many stand-up acts, and, sometimes they tell jokes that are "icebox jokes" - ones that you don't get when they tell it, but hit you as you open the icebox. (That's a reference Martin's play Picasso at the Lapin Agile for those unfamiliar with it.)

Dress to Kill is phenomenal, and is the strongest of his shows that I've seen. However, at this point, I've only seen two, so I suppose that's not saying as much as it should. Regardless, it did win him some awards, so if you want the best taste of his style, I recommend this one. Please note: his routine is for adult and mature teenage audiences. Not for inappropriateness as much as you need to have learned a lot of American and European History to get the jokes. His humor is based on experiences, including transvestites. FYI - he is a transvestite, which he brilliantly describes. If you don't want to have that talk with your kids, this is probably one for your eyes only.

Stars:
4 of 5 - I love this guy.

Recommend:
Absolutely. Did I mention I love this guy? =:]

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Here's that fourth film I referred to in an earlier post. Did you know this one existed? You probably did because the hype around the first one made sure to give references to this film. But, did you know this was originally based on a novel? I didn't until I watched the film with commentary last night. Seems I'm in a film-adaptation phase right now, huh!

This film was also a fun romp. It takes a little while to get to the action, unless of course, you consider the stars as the action. There are wonderful performances from the whole cast, and the script is clever, witty, and tight. The dialogue between Frank Sinatra and Angie Dickenson was undoubtedly the inspiration for the dinner table scene between Clooney and Roberts in the Soderbergh film. It is powerful, and Dickenson's character, Beatrice, is much stronger and sassier than I would've expected for this kind of film. She's quite self-actualized, and that was a refreshing change opposite Sinatra's typical charmer role. But, the real surprise for me was Dean Martin. He had me laughing many times over, my favorite sequence being his playing against Peter Lohman at the piano. That alone is worth seeing the film for. I've never been a Martin fan, but I realize after this film, he was a wonderful comedian in his own right, not just a straight-man in a comedic duo.

Stars:
3 of 5 - historical value, classic peformances, to see where the Ocean's franchise began

Recommend?
Definitely. It's a good classic film, and in my opinion, one that is appropriate for ages 8 and up. Remember, it was made in 1960.

Ocean's Thirteen

Like I said previously, the Ocean franchise is my current obsession. I must say, it's a lot of fun. Yes, I bought this for my collection, and while the first film is by far the superior of the 4 films (yes, I said four), this is another fun romp. It is stronger than Twelve, and helps end the current installment of this franchise on a happy note. There are some good gags, and Al Pacino opposite Elliot Gould is a delight. Pacino plays a hard-nose, but even in this film there is a hint of parody in his performance, although he never takes it that far. If he had, it would've been inappropriate, but there is something light about him even as he's Pacino playing the bad guy. Again, Pacino shows how much talent he really has.

I must give a shout out to Bernie Mac who makes me smile and mourn every time I watch any of these three films. I'm so glad he was cast in this series as his performance lights up the screen. Bernie - you are still missed.

Another shout out to Eddie Izzard. Brilliant cameo. Eddie - love you, too. More on him in another post.

Lastly, Soderbergh, et al, return us to the Vegas we all love to hate and hate to love. The good guys - if you can call them that - win. You know they will, but what is fun is taking the ride with them. It's not a matter of "will they win", but rather "how will they win". What a fun romp.

Stars:
4 out of 5 - for the ability to recover from Twelve, for Bernie Mac and Eddie Izzard, and for another fun romp

Recommend:
If you've seen Eleven and Twelve, don't miss this one.

Jason and the Argonauts

This is a classic and a must-see for any film buff. Ray Harryhausen's animation is truly classic, and I strongly recommend this film for pre-teens and teens. The mythology alone is fun to see, and the animation of the Hydra is really impressive.

Rating:
3 of 5 stars - for its historical relevance and Harryhausen's talent

Recommend?
Yes. See above.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I can sum up my opinion of this film in one word. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.

Elegant.

This script was based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald story, which can be found in his collection of short stories called Tales from the Jazz Age. I've since read the actual story, and I am amazed at Eric Roth's ability to craft a modern story from it. It is new and old, just like our main character, and Roth was able to navigate the social minefields of the original story and our time effortlessly. While the script is not perfect, there are some holes and less tight sequences, it is sublime when you see from whence the story came. Fitzgerald's story is an interesting commentary on the relationship between North and South at a time when it was still a hot topic. Roth in turn takes the dichotomies of Fitzgerald's story and creates a new commentary, one on what it's like to be young, to be old, to be human.

But that's not what makes this film so elegant. The acting, direction, cinematography, production design, costumes, and, of course, makeup create a film that leaves you with only one word in your mind: elegant.

Interesting. I just caught part of a review on IMDb. Apparently I'm not the only one who considers this film elegant.

Number of stars:
3.5 of 5

Recommend:
Yes. The PG-13 rating is accurate due to the very adult and deep life themes, but don't let that scare you. It is not violent or inappropriately graphic.

Movie Commentaries

Hello all.

My sincerest apologies for not keeping up with my commentaries as diligently as I want to, but these past few months have been quite powerful. I've just not taken the time to write about the films as much as I've been watching them. As you can see from my Recent Movies of Note column, I've not been slacking in watching films. Here is a brief catch-up blog so at least you'll have a little idea of what I think of these films.

• Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - Please see this blog entry posted earlier today. Yes, it was that good.
• Rear Window - I see why this is a classic. Hitchcock was/is a master. Script, production design, cinematography, pacing, soundtrack - everything is top-notch. If you want to see a master at work, see this film.
• Ocean's Eleven - My current obsession. Stephen Soderberg made more than a box-office hit. This film will no doubt stand the test of time as being a classic Hollywood film. It is wall-to-wall entertainment, from the first frame to the last. If you enjoy heist movies, this film is for you. If you like romance, this film is for you. If you like comedies, this film is for you. If you like summer blockbusters, this film is for you. If you like suspense, this film is for you, too. Perhaps this is the best way to describe my feelings about this film: I've watched it nearly every night for the past few weeks & I can't wait to watch it again. (For those of you who know, consider this my new Midnight Run.)
• Ocean's Twelve - Stunningly good for a sequel. A must-see if you enjoyed Ocean's Eleven.
• The Big Lebowski - The Dude. I'm not a big Cohn Brothers fan, but I did enjoy it. A lot of tongue-in-cheek stuff, and I was particularly thrilled by their attempt at satirizing Tarantino. I don't know if anyone else caught that, but it's there. I'm happy to cite my examples to prove my case.
• Dead Man Walking - Thank God again for DVDs and NetFlix. The first time I watched this film, I fell asleep & it was lost on me. Seeing it again as research for marketing Love Lived on Death Row, it is one of my favorites that I've seen this year. Tim Robbins' direction of a difficult subject ably tells the humanity of the story, rather than the gratuitous details or heavy-hitting political agenda. Susan Sarandon steps up to the plate and hits it out of the park. It is probably my favorite of her performances. And, Sean Penn is perfection. That man's performances will never cease to amaze me. Bottom line: if you don't mind the subject matter (death row inmate fighting for his life, a Catholic nun befriending him in his last days), I strongly recommend it.
• Pride and Prejudice (2005) - I enjoyed this film much more than I would've expected. I'm not a big Jane Austen fan, even though I enjoyed Ang Lee's/Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensability. The subject matter - getting a man - isn't one of my favorites so I can't say I would've seen this film if it weren't for a friend of mine insisting I see it. While he still loves it more than I ever will, I did appreciate the performances, the script, and the production value. My favorite moment of the film was seeing Keira Knightly match the talents of Dame Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland. If you like historical epics, this is an excellent production.

Until next year...

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

I remember hearing about this film when it was released in 2002, but I was in no position to pay any attention to it. Thankfully we have DVDs and NetFlix. With these, I'm able to play catch-up.

The film is the adaptation of the unauthorized autobiography by Chuck Barris. Chuck Barris was a major influence on television in its infancy, including the creation of The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and The Gong Show. However, this film is not your traditional bio-pic. It is one part documentary, one part action-adventure, one part drama, one part suspense, and one part comedy. Like a good cocktail, what makes this so delicious is not the parts but how they are mixed together. Charlie Kaufman wrote the script (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) from Barris' book, and it is sublime. The performances by Sam Gladwell, Julia Roberts, and Drew Barrymore are fantastic. But it is Clooney's direction that kicks the whole thing into overdrive.

I have now seen two of his directorials, and he is unquestionably in my top-5 favorite directors. His cinematic eye delights with unexpected angles and colors, while his emotional sensability favors subtle statements that are potent but not offensive. As I reflected on this film during my wake-up time this morning, I realized what I love about Clooney's films. Many films have overtones, undertones, or subtexts, but Clooney's art has through-texts. His commentary isn't under or over the subject matter. It permeates through the subject matter. He is direct, but unoffensive. Unlike many communicators, he doesn't share his commentary for your approval or acceptance. He communicates because it is how he sees the world. It just is. It has a life and breath of its own. To me, that is refreshing.

Rating
5 of 5 stars

Recommend?
Absolutely. It is a film that hits on many levels since it is a wonderful mixture of 5 types of storytelling. Production design is delicious. Performances are engaging. The humor is appropriate. Please note, it has adult themes and images, that while are not gratuitous, they are included. If suspense and human drama are your cup of tea, enjoy it. It is worth the time.

New Year's Eve 2009

What a glorious day this is. It is fabulously wintry outside, complete with mid-30 temperatures and rainy drizzle. It is a beautiful day!!

Reflections are inevitable on a day like today, both December 31st and wintry weather, so here goes. Here are some reflections on the Year of Our Lord 2009.

• God is awesome.
• I'm so blessed. God's got my back even when I don't believe it.
• I love my church, the building and the congregation.
• I'm in my second year of Lay Ministry!! In May, I'll be receiving my certificate!
• God is still a God of miracles.
• I sang with an orchestra as a soloist this Christmas. See? MIRACLE.
• I found a recipe for a breakfast shake that is an answer to prayer. It actually gets me out of bed in the morning! Yep, Dad, that's right. I get out of bed early so I can make this shake. See? MIRACLE.
• Six years ago, I packed up my life and continued the transition out to North Carolina. I packed my life into boxes, and I took a chance at a new life. Since then, I've been blessed more than I could've imagined. My friends are tried-and-true, and I have a love network that leaves me in awe.
• What a blast 2010 is going to be!!!

The above may seem over-the-top, but it's the truth. I've had the pleasure of spending quality time with my family in May, June, September, October, and November. I've sung in church more than I could've dreamed, and I'm earning money doing it!! I love where I live, and while I don't know where God will take me, I love where I am right now. For a woman who has been chasing her tail for years, I'm thinking this is a miracle! I'm learning to take it easier without becoming slothful or complacent. In fact, I'm so inspired by this year's events, that I'm back on track. I'm developing a 5-year plan for the first time in years. More on that as it develops.

So I wish all of you contentment, beauty, and light, and I hope your heart's desires manifest in their perfect time.

Have a happy and safe New Year's celebration!

More than zero

I don't have much to report, other than I've been very busy with all the changes I have previously mentioned. I'm settling in nicely to the groove at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, and that is really great. I enjoy the choir a lot, and Ben is an excellent choral director. He is a fantastic musician, especially on the piano, and I'm envigorated each time I work with him. I particularly enjoy his sense of humor. I seem to be the only one who gets it half the time, but hey, who cares! I'm having fun.

St. Leo's is still my home parish & I am so grateful for them. I'm so blessed with all my friends there, and I'm getting into the groove of being a RCIA sponsor, too. My candidate is great, and I'm so blessed to be a part of her process.

Work continues to be good. We just had our open enrollment for our benefits, and I'm so blessed there, too. With the economy being as it is, I'm so thankful that not only am I working, but my work is as stable as it can be & I have health, dental, vision, and life insurances. I'm healthy, but it is great to know I'm working & sharing the financial burden in the event something happens.

I recently hosted a Pampered Chef show at my house, and we had a good time. It was nice having friends to my home. The food was good, and the feedback was positive.

So, that's about the jist of it all. The bottom line is life is good, I've got more than zero, and really, I'm blessed beyond measure. Even if the Yankees won the World Series. = :]

Wishing you Beauty and Light.