Tuesday, November 27, 2007
I may be a shoe whore...
... but these scream a whole different kind of whore. I'd like to meet the person who woke up one day and thought, "Im going to design a shoe that says stripper meets Candy Land!!"
messy, messy, MESSY!!!
I seriously can not take anymore messes. I know those of you with children are laughing because no matter how much I "can't take it" I'm going to have to keep taking it. However, it's driving me insane. The clutter, food spills, smelly trash from diapers and a constant stream of laundry are taking its toll on me.
Not to mention I had M at work with me last week and my office looks like a tornado hit it. My job consists of a lot of paperwork so you can imagine what I'm talking about.
ARGH!!!!!!!! I just want to clean and have things STAY clean for more than 2 hours!!! Better yet, someone else to clean for me.
OK, rant over.
Not to mention I had M at work with me last week and my office looks like a tornado hit it. My job consists of a lot of paperwork so you can imagine what I'm talking about.
ARGH!!!!!!!! I just want to clean and have things STAY clean for more than 2 hours!!! Better yet, someone else to clean for me.
OK, rant over.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Giving Thanks
I'm going to be totally honest here and confess that I actually really hate Thanksgiving. It's not the whole concept of gathering around and being thankful and all, it's the cleaning and cooking that gets done before, the mass of family I'd rather not deal with, a spread of food I don't really care for and football all day long. Now I can add to that the apparent craziness that comes over the kids and I basically can't wait for the day to be over. However, I am thankful for many things in my life so in the spirit of this poorly executed holiday here are the things I am thankful for:
- I'm thankful for my mother for getting me to finally realize that I deserve better then what I was getting from my marriage. Without her I'd probably still be putting all with all the abuse and crap I was getting from my Ex.
- I'm thankful for my parents for rearranging their entire lives and home so my kids and I could move in to their house upstairs and try to get my feet on the ground again. It's a sacrifice for all involved but it's going to make things better in the long run.
- I'm thankful for my boyfriend, who is now my ex boyfriend, for understanding why I need to not be in a relationship right now. I'm thankful that he can just be my friend without being totally nuts about it.
- I'm thankful my sex drive has returned!!! Actually it was never gone, I was just with someone who was a total turn off. Now that I'm single I'm thankful for my vibrator. :)
- Lastly, I'm thankful for my children who are wonderful and love me regardless of anything else. They keep me on my toes and remind me why I do what I do and make life worth living.
- I'm thankful for my mother for getting me to finally realize that I deserve better then what I was getting from my marriage. Without her I'd probably still be putting all with all the abuse and crap I was getting from my Ex.
- I'm thankful for my parents for rearranging their entire lives and home so my kids and I could move in to their house upstairs and try to get my feet on the ground again. It's a sacrifice for all involved but it's going to make things better in the long run.
- I'm thankful for my boyfriend, who is now my ex boyfriend, for understanding why I need to not be in a relationship right now. I'm thankful that he can just be my friend without being totally nuts about it.
- I'm thankful my sex drive has returned!!! Actually it was never gone, I was just with someone who was a total turn off. Now that I'm single I'm thankful for my vibrator. :)
- Lastly, I'm thankful for my children who are wonderful and love me regardless of anything else. They keep me on my toes and remind me why I do what I do and make life worth living.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
All that Jazz
So in the quest to follow my dreams I have started taking voice lessons. They are wonderful and frusterating all at the same time and just when I was about to give up something wonderful happened. I'm working on "Song for you" and out came a Jazz vocal move that is apparently not that easy. My teachers jaw dropped and I got a, "Damn Girl! That was impressive!" Suddenly not only was my faith in myself was restored but I became very interested in Jazz. I've never listened to it much before and I wanted to know if I could sing more of it. So off to Barnes and Noble I went where I picked up a Jazz Divas CD with a ton of older Jazz songs, an Ella Fitzgerald CD and a Jane Monheit CD. I have to say I love them all. I'm a major fan of 40's music, I had no idea what I've been in love with for ages was considered Jazz. Jane Monheit is fantastic as well so I guess I'd have to say that I'm officially a fan of jazz.
One of my favorite songs is an old song made new again. In the first video it's being done by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire and in the second is done by Jane Monheit and Michael Buble. Enjoy!
One of my favorite songs is an old song made new again. In the first video it's being done by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire and in the second is done by Jane Monheit and Michael Buble. Enjoy!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Too much sadness for one weekend
I went to a second Memorial Service on Sunday. I friend of mine and fellow member of Artists In Action passed away.
The service was short but sweet and I know Joe will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.
Please keep the families of these two people in your thoughts.
A celebration of a life well lived
Famed Jazz Musician, Amanda Ambrose passed away recently. She personaly touched my life and I've been looking for a way to express my sadness but I have yet to find it. A song maybe... I'll have to find something fitting.
I attended the memorial service on Saturday and it was amazing. This woman touched so many lives, was a fantastic artist and wonderful human being.
I attended the memorial service on Saturday and it was amazing. This woman touched so many lives, was a fantastic artist and wonderful human being.
Amanda Ambrose
Born: April 18, 1925.
Died: Oct. 26, 2007.
Services: Celebration of life at 1 p.m. today at Glorious Church of God
in Christ, 4701 E Hanna Ave., Tampa. "
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/11/news_pf/Northpinellas/Famed_jazz_pe...
Famed jazz performer, Scientologist
Times Staff Writer Published November 11, 2007
CLEARWATER - She clapped wildly at the swirl of skirts and crinoline on
stage. She gazed at the beautiful dancing woman.
Amanda Ambrose's parents owned a cosmetology school across from the
local African- American theater in St. Louis. The theatre musicians let
little Amanda sit on their laps as they played the organs that rose from
the stage.
She was 5 years old, but at that moment, she wanted to be like that lady
- turned out, it was Josephine Baker.
As a child, she took dance and piano lessons and sang in her church. At
18, Ms. Ambrose started singing jazz in local nightclubs. Then came
Hollywood, Chicago, New York and beyond.
There was the Rainbow Room, Florentine Gardens and Carnegie Hall. NBC,
ABC and CBS. Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin. Live Shakespeare in New
York.
Ms. Ambrose astounded her children.
"I couldn't believe this incredible music," said her daughter, Naomi
Kaye. "Seeing the audience, the way they responded. They would clap and
stand and cheer for her."
She hosted parties and hobnobbed with Dizzy Gillespie and Louis
Armstrong. The kids would sneak from their room in pajamas and crawl
along the floor to watch.
Once, Ms. Ambrose found them.
"You can come join the party if you want," she said.
During a performance at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Ms. Ambrose
opened her mouth to sing. Nothing came out. A doctor told her she needed
to take time off.
"You wouldn't ask a doctor or a lawyer to get a part-time gig or get a
real job," she told him.
Soon after, she developed a vocal program for pop singers called
Voicercise, which Kaye still teaches. And her family said Ms. Ambrose's
own voice came back stronger than before.
"She kind of grew at a very rapid rate," said her daughter, Stephanie
Hamilton. "She was always looking for answers."
* * *
She grew up in an African Methodist Episcopal Church. Churches felt like
home.
"For black people, that's where we live," said Hamilton. "Everything
that's good about our community comes form the church."
Church was never far, even after a traumatic moment took her on a new
path.
In the '60s, Ambrose volunteered at her child's school. One day, she
heard a noise in the bathroom, Hamilton said - on the floor, an
11-year-old boy writhed with a needle in his arm.
"She picked him up and started to run with him," Hamilton said. "He
looked up and said, 'Please help me,' and he died in her arms."
Soon after, she became interested the Church of Scientology, and how it
could improve African-American social standing, education and literacy.
Ms. Ambrose became one of the first black Scientologists.
"She was already famous," said the Rev. Charles Kennedy, pastor of the
Glorious Church of God in Christ in Tampa. "She wanted something to help
the African-American community. She embraced it fully."
Along with her daughter, Ms. Ambrose founded Ebony Awakenings, a group
that has worked to honor African-Americans and create partnerships
between Scientology and churches, including Kennedy's.
"It was a dream for her," Hamilton said.
* * *
She never really slowed down.
Men always flirted with Ms. Ambrose, whom her daughter said never had a
wrinkle. When Hamilton asked how she stayed so vivacious, Ms. Ambrose
said, "Try to keep up, Stephanie."
She and Hamilton lived together in Clearwater. They'd see live theatre,
listen to music and study Scientology together.
Sick recently with colon cancer, she stayed heavily involved in Ebony
Awakenings. And she dearly wanted to see her 18-year-old grandson's rock
band perform live.
The night before she died, the band came over and serenaded her with an
acoustic set.
On Oct. 26, she died. She was 82.
Born: April 18, 1925.
Died: Oct. 26, 2007.
Services: Celebration of life at 1 p.m. today at Glorious Church of God
in Christ, 4701 E Hanna Ave., Tampa. "
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/11/news_pf/Northpinellas/Famed_jazz_pe...
Famed jazz performer, Scientologist
Times Staff Writer Published November 11, 2007
CLEARWATER - She clapped wildly at the swirl of skirts and crinoline on
stage. She gazed at the beautiful dancing woman.
Amanda Ambrose's parents owned a cosmetology school across from the
local African- American theater in St. Louis. The theatre musicians let
little Amanda sit on their laps as they played the organs that rose from
the stage.
She was 5 years old, but at that moment, she wanted to be like that lady
- turned out, it was Josephine Baker.
As a child, she took dance and piano lessons and sang in her church. At
18, Ms. Ambrose started singing jazz in local nightclubs. Then came
Hollywood, Chicago, New York and beyond.
There was the Rainbow Room, Florentine Gardens and Carnegie Hall. NBC,
ABC and CBS. Johnny Carson and Merv Griffin. Live Shakespeare in New
York.
Ms. Ambrose astounded her children.
"I couldn't believe this incredible music," said her daughter, Naomi
Kaye. "Seeing the audience, the way they responded. They would clap and
stand and cheer for her."
She hosted parties and hobnobbed with Dizzy Gillespie and Louis
Armstrong. The kids would sneak from their room in pajamas and crawl
along the floor to watch.
Once, Ms. Ambrose found them.
"You can come join the party if you want," she said.
During a performance at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Ms. Ambrose
opened her mouth to sing. Nothing came out. A doctor told her she needed
to take time off.
"You wouldn't ask a doctor or a lawyer to get a part-time gig or get a
real job," she told him.
Soon after, she developed a vocal program for pop singers called
Voicercise, which Kaye still teaches. And her family said Ms. Ambrose's
own voice came back stronger than before.
"She kind of grew at a very rapid rate," said her daughter, Stephanie
Hamilton. "She was always looking for answers."
* * *
She grew up in an African Methodist Episcopal Church. Churches felt like
home.
"For black people, that's where we live," said Hamilton. "Everything
that's good about our community comes form the church."
Church was never far, even after a traumatic moment took her on a new
path.
In the '60s, Ambrose volunteered at her child's school. One day, she
heard a noise in the bathroom, Hamilton said - on the floor, an
11-year-old boy writhed with a needle in his arm.
"She picked him up and started to run with him," Hamilton said. "He
looked up and said, 'Please help me,' and he died in her arms."
Soon after, she became interested the Church of Scientology, and how it
could improve African-American social standing, education and literacy.
Ms. Ambrose became one of the first black Scientologists.
"She was already famous," said the Rev. Charles Kennedy, pastor of the
Glorious Church of God in Christ in Tampa. "She wanted something to help
the African-American community. She embraced it fully."
Along with her daughter, Ms. Ambrose founded Ebony Awakenings, a group
that has worked to honor African-Americans and create partnerships
between Scientology and churches, including Kennedy's.
"It was a dream for her," Hamilton said.
* * *
She never really slowed down.
Men always flirted with Ms. Ambrose, whom her daughter said never had a
wrinkle. When Hamilton asked how she stayed so vivacious, Ms. Ambrose
said, "Try to keep up, Stephanie."
She and Hamilton lived together in Clearwater. They'd see live theatre,
listen to music and study Scientology together.
Sick recently with colon cancer, she stayed heavily involved in Ebony
Awakenings. And she dearly wanted to see her 18-year-old grandson's rock
band perform live.
The night before she died, the band came over and serenaded her with an
acoustic set.
On Oct. 26, she died. She was 82.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
ilove
I've been needing a new computer since I left my ex husband so today I decided to bite the bullet and get what I really want.
I'm so happy!! Now I can do all my music stuff, photo editing stuff and anything else crafty. I got the 24 inch monitor, which is huge, I'm so in love!
Now if any of you Mac users could give me some pointers I'd really appreciate it.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
New Look
I changed the look of my blog. I'm not sure I like it so I may go back. Tell me what you think. :)
3 Things
Just for fun, here are the 3 things I'm really loving right at this moment.
1. My organic, freshly brewed coffee. Even if it did get a little cold before I finally got a chance to drink it.
2. My size 6 Old Navy Jeans that are now big enough I have to keep pulling them up. :)
3. The weather!! It's finally cooling down here and I'm able to wear close toed shoes, long sleeves and jeans! The long sleeves will have to come off come lunch time but at least right now, at this moment, I love the weather.
No, this isn't a meme but feel free to post your 3 favorite things too.
1. My organic, freshly brewed coffee. Even if it did get a little cold before I finally got a chance to drink it.
2. My size 6 Old Navy Jeans that are now big enough I have to keep pulling them up. :)
3. The weather!! It's finally cooling down here and I'm able to wear close toed shoes, long sleeves and jeans! The long sleeves will have to come off come lunch time but at least right now, at this moment, I love the weather.
No, this isn't a meme but feel free to post your 3 favorite things too.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A moment of silence
I just removed the link to One Weird Mother blog. *weep*
Here's to many months of entertainment and laughs. I do hope it's author opts to write something again soon and I do hope I'm on the ball enough to hear about it and read it.
Here's to many months of entertainment and laughs. I do hope it's author opts to write something again soon and I do hope I'm on the ball enough to hear about it and read it.
What now?
OK, first of all I have not blogged in so long I’m pretty sure no one is reading anymore. Nevertheless, I need a place to spit my thoughts out so I’m just going to go on like there is still someone out there. My appologies for being gone for so long.
Divorce is an interesting animal. It’s an unpleasant struggle between two parties for a supposed upper hand that really doesn’t exist. In other words, I’m pretty sure both parties are bitter to the core, thinking the other person has the upper hand when the truth of the matter is that it’s like a never ending game of tug-o-war. The only way you are going to win is to keep in there, pulling for what you want until the other party finally gets tired and gives up.
In my case, it’s a very dirty game of tug-o-war and a constant struggle to keep my own integrity in when faced with an opponent who appears to have no morals. I refuse to sink to his level and play his game so I’m just going to stand here and hold my ground until he finally gives up. He will give up, I know him well enough to know that. I also know him well enough to know that the closer he is to being defeated the nastier he will get. I really hate this but I refuse to cave and get less then my children need because he has decided to be a jackass.
In other news… I’m finally making strides in the direction I’ve wanted to make them in for a very long time. I’ve moved back in with my parents, which is annoying and tough on the pride, but it’s going to allow me to pay off my debt and have money to forward the goals I’ve been wanting to forward. And maybe even allow for a few pairs of shoes here and there.
Lastly, and most importantly, I HAVE TICKETS TO SEE MICHAEL BUBLE IN FEBRUARY!!!!! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it, and somehow this has motivated me to get my butt in gear and start working out again. Which is odd but hey, I’ll take it!!
I have to end here because, well, I should be working and I’m not. A little Buble for your viewing/listening pleasure:
Divorce is an interesting animal. It’s an unpleasant struggle between two parties for a supposed upper hand that really doesn’t exist. In other words, I’m pretty sure both parties are bitter to the core, thinking the other person has the upper hand when the truth of the matter is that it’s like a never ending game of tug-o-war. The only way you are going to win is to keep in there, pulling for what you want until the other party finally gets tired and gives up.
In my case, it’s a very dirty game of tug-o-war and a constant struggle to keep my own integrity in when faced with an opponent who appears to have no morals. I refuse to sink to his level and play his game so I’m just going to stand here and hold my ground until he finally gives up. He will give up, I know him well enough to know that. I also know him well enough to know that the closer he is to being defeated the nastier he will get. I really hate this but I refuse to cave and get less then my children need because he has decided to be a jackass.
In other news… I’m finally making strides in the direction I’ve wanted to make them in for a very long time. I’ve moved back in with my parents, which is annoying and tough on the pride, but it’s going to allow me to pay off my debt and have money to forward the goals I’ve been wanting to forward. And maybe even allow for a few pairs of shoes here and there.
Lastly, and most importantly, I HAVE TICKETS TO SEE MICHAEL BUBLE IN FEBRUARY!!!!! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it, and somehow this has motivated me to get my butt in gear and start working out again. Which is odd but hey, I’ll take it!!
I have to end here because, well, I should be working and I’m not. A little Buble for your viewing/listening pleasure:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
