I saw a picture of Carrie Fisher this morning and I did not recognize her. She lost some weight and looked terrific in photos after that but now she has "had some work done" and looks NOTHING like herself anymore. It makes me wonder when enough is enough?
Carrie is not the first one to go under the knife to look younger. Dolly, Tanya Tucker, Marie Osmond, Carole Burnette, Reba and many, many more. The problem is, when do you say enough? When it makes you nearly un-recognizable! Tanya Tucker's surgeon made her look like someone else entirely. Dolly has had one too many now but she has a really talented surgeon for sure!! Reba has had some work done but still looks like herself so now is the time for her to say STOP! And some I will not mention (Kenny Rogers) just look like clowns!
Then there are the lovely women who have let themselves age gracefully. Diane Keaton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Loretta Lynn, Meryl Streep, Martina McBride and others. I cannot begin to imagine the pressure the women in Hollywood feel when they want a role meant for a woman of 30 and they are 50. Shaving a few years off your face can mean losing the face you, and everyone else, knows. And there is a point when they can't add any more soft focus without being completely blurry, when you have to face it...you are aging.
So, no matter what age you are, I recommend laughing. Laugh at yourself, laugh with others, laugh at the ridiculous, laugh with your kids, husband, parents and friends. I plan to be one of those ladies with grey hair and lots of laugh lines...like Lily Tomlin!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Passing It Forward
The "Great Depression" generation (my mother's) have very interesting characteristics. Mike and I keep running into them with her and sometimes they are a little difficult to understand. I know where it comes from, years of making do with very little, making things last, fixing things that are broken, and figuring out how to fix a meal with what you have in the house because you can't go to the store. She was born in Oklahoma in 1935 and her family left their farm there during the Dust Bowl. She is familiar with doing without.
My mother's late husband, who came here from Germany in 1939, could never understand why she insisted on having a second refrigerator and freezer in the basement. He could never understand her need to always have extra food on hand "just in case". She still does.
And we Baby Boomers who have grown up in an "everything is disposable" culture get frustrated with her because she wants to hold on to an old chair that has been re-upholstered several times, or old end tables that are no longer in style and need a lot of work and refinishing. And, quite frankly, it is faster and easier to buy new than it is to refinish or re-upholster.
So we will help her give some things we are replacing at the house to charity. Which is how I got ALL the furniture for my first apartment! And I refinished and upholstered and made that $20 chair look new. So I guess we can call it "passing it forward"!
My mother's late husband, who came here from Germany in 1939, could never understand why she insisted on having a second refrigerator and freezer in the basement. He could never understand her need to always have extra food on hand "just in case". She still does.
And we Baby Boomers who have grown up in an "everything is disposable" culture get frustrated with her because she wants to hold on to an old chair that has been re-upholstered several times, or old end tables that are no longer in style and need a lot of work and refinishing. And, quite frankly, it is faster and easier to buy new than it is to refinish or re-upholster.
So we will help her give some things we are replacing at the house to charity. Which is how I got ALL the furniture for my first apartment! And I refinished and upholstered and made that $20 chair look new. So I guess we can call it "passing it forward"!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Thank God For The CHL Class!
Mike spent all day Saturday taking the concealed handgun license class. Thank God! Am I glad because I will feel safer now that he can have a gun with him at all times? No. Let me take you back to last week...
We were doing our regular shopping at Wal Mart. Mike got out of the truck with his phone in his hands "checking the scores" he says. I kind of guided him through the parking lot as he stared at his phone. Then, when we got to the entrance, I tripped. My boot heel caught on something and I went flying. I would have landed on my face and REALLY hurt myself if a stranger hadn't caught me and kept me from falling.
Mike never looked up from his phone! He absently said, "Sorry honey" but he never looked up! I said, "Just glad you didn't drop your phone sweetie!" Sure it was snarky but I was really upset!
One of the first things they were taught in this all-day class on Saturday was to NEVER walk through a parking lot looking at your phone!! It just makes you a target. You have to be aware of everything and everyone in all situations. I just want him to be aware of me falling on my ass in the parking lot! I feel safer already.
We were doing our regular shopping at Wal Mart. Mike got out of the truck with his phone in his hands "checking the scores" he says. I kind of guided him through the parking lot as he stared at his phone. Then, when we got to the entrance, I tripped. My boot heel caught on something and I went flying. I would have landed on my face and REALLY hurt myself if a stranger hadn't caught me and kept me from falling.
Mike never looked up from his phone! He absently said, "Sorry honey" but he never looked up! I said, "Just glad you didn't drop your phone sweetie!" Sure it was snarky but I was really upset!
One of the first things they were taught in this all-day class on Saturday was to NEVER walk through a parking lot looking at your phone!! It just makes you a target. You have to be aware of everything and everyone in all situations. I just want him to be aware of me falling on my ass in the parking lot! I feel safer already.
Monday, February 25, 2013
THE OSCARS!
It has been YEARS since Mike and I have watched the Oscars. We are not crazy about Hollywood and think most actors live in a bubble that has nothing to do with real life. However, we watched last night just to see how Seth MacFarlane did. And we were not disappointed!
The whole bit with the sock puppets doing "Flight" was hilarious. We were in tears! And the "We Saw Your Boobs" song was great! Loved the camera cuts to see how the actresses who are mentioned in the song reacted! Sure he made some questionable jokes. He writes "Family Guy"! Did you expect tasteful? Seth was actually more careful than I would have expected but I imagine the director had something to do with that!
There were awkward moments, as there always are. And the acceptance speeches were long, dull, and did I mention long? The stats show that in the 60's the acceptance speeches were an average of :40 seconds long. Last night they averaged over 2 minutes! We loved the shark music (theme from Jaws) as the warning to wrap it up! Clever AND funny!
What amazes both of us every year is that the big country music award shows like the CMA's and ACM's ALWAYS end right on time. The Oscars NEVER do! I think it all comes down to manners. Country people understand your time is valuable. Hollywood people think they are valuable. And that why we are in Country radio!
The whole bit with the sock puppets doing "Flight" was hilarious. We were in tears! And the "We Saw Your Boobs" song was great! Loved the camera cuts to see how the actresses who are mentioned in the song reacted! Sure he made some questionable jokes. He writes "Family Guy"! Did you expect tasteful? Seth was actually more careful than I would have expected but I imagine the director had something to do with that!
There were awkward moments, as there always are. And the acceptance speeches were long, dull, and did I mention long? The stats show that in the 60's the acceptance speeches were an average of :40 seconds long. Last night they averaged over 2 minutes! We loved the shark music (theme from Jaws) as the warning to wrap it up! Clever AND funny!
What amazes both of us every year is that the big country music award shows like the CMA's and ACM's ALWAYS end right on time. The Oscars NEVER do! I think it all comes down to manners. Country people understand your time is valuable. Hollywood people think they are valuable. And that why we are in Country radio!
Friday, February 22, 2013
You Can Take The Boy Out Of Texas...
We got a text on Saturday night at about 8:10. It said, "I am sucking Texas air!!!" It was from our soldier boy, Eric. We flew him in from Fort Riley, Kansas to pick up his new truck and spend the last day of Celebration with us.
He is so happy when he is home. Not because of us or his sister or friends...but because he is a Texas boy! He had a sergeant once that told him it was the soldiers from Texas that were always willing to go the distance. Whether it was a fight, a battle, a challenge or whatever. Texas boys are a proud breed. While we were at Wal Mart, Eric went over to the Vietnam Veteran who was the greeter. They talked for a while and then I watched as the Veteran took off his glove and shook Eric's hand as they thanked each other for their service. Quite a moment for mom!
He was thrilled he got to stop at Sonic and get a bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos! No Sonic in Junction City, Kansas. He had breakfast at a Whataburger...a jalapeno cheese burger. No Whataburgers in Junction City, Kansas. He also said he couldn't get good jalapenos up there either. Frankly, what he ate on Sunday would have killed me...but he was happy. And sometimes, you just gotta make your soldier happy! Especially if he is still your little boy.
He is so happy when he is home. Not because of us or his sister or friends...but because he is a Texas boy! He had a sergeant once that told him it was the soldiers from Texas that were always willing to go the distance. Whether it was a fight, a battle, a challenge or whatever. Texas boys are a proud breed. While we were at Wal Mart, Eric went over to the Vietnam Veteran who was the greeter. They talked for a while and then I watched as the Veteran took off his glove and shook Eric's hand as they thanked each other for their service. Quite a moment for mom!
He was thrilled he got to stop at Sonic and get a bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos! No Sonic in Junction City, Kansas. He had breakfast at a Whataburger...a jalapeno cheese burger. No Whataburgers in Junction City, Kansas. He also said he couldn't get good jalapenos up there either. Frankly, what he ate on Sunday would have killed me...but he was happy. And sometimes, you just gotta make your soldier happy! Especially if he is still your little boy.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thank You
Our Kicks Cares For Kids Celebration 2013 for Children's Miracle Network was a great success! Over $160,000 raised for local children's health! Congratulations to all of you who gave this year! You have made an amazing investment in the future of West Texas, our children.
We had amazing stories, great sponsors and a lot of help from the community to make this 4 day broadcast possible. We also had a lot of help from Kelley Peterson getting it on the air, and keeping it on the air! Without Kelley, we never would have been able to do this years broadcast, so thank you KP!
There are also a lot of sacrifices that are made here at the radio ranch when two thirds of the air staff is gone for 7 days. For everyone's patience, Mike and I thank you.
We had amazing stories, great sponsors and a lot of help from the community to make this 4 day broadcast possible. We also had a lot of help from Kelley Peterson getting it on the air, and keeping it on the air! Without Kelley, we never would have been able to do this years broadcast, so thank you KP!
There are also a lot of sacrifices that are made here at the radio ranch when two thirds of the air staff is gone for 7 days. For everyone's patience, Mike and I thank you.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
I Cannot Tell A Lie
Okay, I am going to come clean here...
When we do the "Kicks Cares For Kids Celebration" for Children's Miracle Network everyone talks about how hard this long broadcast is and how exhausting it must be, etc. But, in all honesty, Mike and I get treated so incredibly well by the Medical Center Hospital staff and by the CMN Director (Bridgette Meyers) and by our wonderful sponsors (including the FOOD sponsors!) that doing this broadcast is WAYYYYY more fun than it is work!
We stay in Odessa, in a lovely hotel room. We have dinner with our friends and co-workers every night. We have breakfast, lunch, coffee and other beverages brought to our table whenever we ask. All WE have to do is talk! The real work for us happens in the days leading up to the broadcast. Once we actually start, it's just fun!!
We get to see faces other than each others, talk to people other than each other and laugh at jokes other than our own! We DO broadcast for over 34 hours, and it IS an emotional and physical roller-coaster...but mostly it's fun! Join us!
When we do the "Kicks Cares For Kids Celebration" for Children's Miracle Network everyone talks about how hard this long broadcast is and how exhausting it must be, etc. But, in all honesty, Mike and I get treated so incredibly well by the Medical Center Hospital staff and by the CMN Director (Bridgette Meyers) and by our wonderful sponsors (including the FOOD sponsors!) that doing this broadcast is WAYYYYY more fun than it is work!
We stay in Odessa, in a lovely hotel room. We have dinner with our friends and co-workers every night. We have breakfast, lunch, coffee and other beverages brought to our table whenever we ask. All WE have to do is talk! The real work for us happens in the days leading up to the broadcast. Once we actually start, it's just fun!!
We get to see faces other than each others, talk to people other than each other and laugh at jokes other than our own! We DO broadcast for over 34 hours, and it IS an emotional and physical roller-coaster...but mostly it's fun! Join us!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Our Most Important Broadcast
Day after tomorrow, Valentine's Day, we begin the most important broadcasting we do all year. Our annual "Kicks Cares For Kids Celebration 2013" for Children's Miracle Network sponsored by Alan Lang Home Improvement. For four days we will broadcast live from the Dillard's Court at Music City Mall in Odessa. Thursday and Friday we will be there from 6am to 5pm, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5.
We really hope you can come by and visit during our broadcast. We love to have our listeners drop by so we can put faces to the names! We have so much fun during this annual event, and we really want you to be a part of it all. The on-line auction items will be on display as will the television you could win with a donation on your debit or credit card.
If you have a child that has been touched by Children's Miracle Network please come by and share your story with us. Children's Miracle Network touches more children's lives each year than all other children's charities COMBINED! So there is hardly a person out there who doesn't know someone who has benefitted from this amazing organization. For us, of course, it was our own son 21 years ago. And that life saved could one day save yours as he is serving in the United States Army!
And if you have never heard of Children's Miracle Network, stay tuned. If you open your hearts, we will open your eyes. This year, you will hear stories that will make you realize that your donation to Children's Miracle Network won't just save children's lives...it can also change your life!
We really hope you can come by and visit during our broadcast. We love to have our listeners drop by so we can put faces to the names! We have so much fun during this annual event, and we really want you to be a part of it all. The on-line auction items will be on display as will the television you could win with a donation on your debit or credit card.
If you have a child that has been touched by Children's Miracle Network please come by and share your story with us. Children's Miracle Network touches more children's lives each year than all other children's charities COMBINED! So there is hardly a person out there who doesn't know someone who has benefitted from this amazing organization. For us, of course, it was our own son 21 years ago. And that life saved could one day save yours as he is serving in the United States Army!
And if you have never heard of Children's Miracle Network, stay tuned. If you open your hearts, we will open your eyes. This year, you will hear stories that will make you realize that your donation to Children's Miracle Network won't just save children's lives...it can also change your life!
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Squirrel
Our little Jack Rotten Terrier, Sadie, is fascinated with squirrels. In fact, you only have to say the word "squirrel" and she will run to the back door and start barking.
We have a live oak in the back yard that hangs over our bedroom roof. And we have always had squirrels that come and go from that tree. But now we have an expectant lady squirrel that has taken up residence in the birdhouse that is attached to the fence. And she KNOWS that she is driving Sadie crazy. I would swear she knows!
This weekend we spent a lot of time in our room because we had painters in all the other rooms painting ceilings. So we got the opportunity to witness the squirrel/Sadie dynamic. She will come down the tree to a branch that is right outside our french doors and look in, shake her tail and "chitter" at Sadie, who is sitting by that window just watching for her! Sadie will talk to the squirrel in some high-pitched half bark/half whine until we let her out. The squirrel will then run up onto the roof and laugh, I swear, LAUGH at Sadie as she goes crazy barking at her!
And if the curtains are closed, that squirrel will run back and forth over our roof, driving Sadie crazy! Needless to say, it is ALL driving us crazy. That squirrel needs to have her babies so she has something else to occupy her time!
We have a live oak in the back yard that hangs over our bedroom roof. And we have always had squirrels that come and go from that tree. But now we have an expectant lady squirrel that has taken up residence in the birdhouse that is attached to the fence. And she KNOWS that she is driving Sadie crazy. I would swear she knows!
This weekend we spent a lot of time in our room because we had painters in all the other rooms painting ceilings. So we got the opportunity to witness the squirrel/Sadie dynamic. She will come down the tree to a branch that is right outside our french doors and look in, shake her tail and "chitter" at Sadie, who is sitting by that window just watching for her! Sadie will talk to the squirrel in some high-pitched half bark/half whine until we let her out. The squirrel will then run up onto the roof and laugh, I swear, LAUGH at Sadie as she goes crazy barking at her!
And if the curtains are closed, that squirrel will run back and forth over our roof, driving Sadie crazy! Needless to say, it is ALL driving us crazy. That squirrel needs to have her babies so she has something else to occupy her time!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Angels
In October 2007 we took a couple to dinner. Lisa and Mike Lockaby were in town from South Carolina on radio business. Mike was a co-worker from a group of stations in Columbia, SC so we started talking about our mutual passion for radio. Then we started talking about Children's Miracle Network. By the end of that dinner they were hooked!
Lisa and her friend Linda Gatti have been coming for our "Kicks Cares For Kids" Celebration for Children's Miracle Network every year. And up until this year, they have been paying their own airfare, etc. to get here! Lisa trains all of our phone volunteers and spends the 4 days of Celebration getting up early and going to bed late and helping us in every way she possibly can "for the babies" she says.
Linda spends the year collecting ALL of the items for the auction on www.biddingforgood.com/kicks and we raise thousands of dollars from it each year! Once again, she says she does it "for the babies."
These wonderful women do not live here. This is not their community, neighborhood or even STATE! Yet they come in and help OUR children every year. Why? Because they love it here. Because they love Children's Miracle Network. Because they love the fun and the families that come to our Celebration at Music City Mall every February. Because they love "the babies". Because they are angels.
Lisa and her friend Linda Gatti have been coming for our "Kicks Cares For Kids" Celebration for Children's Miracle Network every year. And up until this year, they have been paying their own airfare, etc. to get here! Lisa trains all of our phone volunteers and spends the 4 days of Celebration getting up early and going to bed late and helping us in every way she possibly can "for the babies" she says.
Linda spends the year collecting ALL of the items for the auction on www.biddingforgood.com/kicks and we raise thousands of dollars from it each year! Once again, she says she does it "for the babies."
These wonderful women do not live here. This is not their community, neighborhood or even STATE! Yet they come in and help OUR children every year. Why? Because they love it here. Because they love Children's Miracle Network. Because they love the fun and the families that come to our Celebration at Music City Mall every February. Because they love "the babies". Because they are angels.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Never Thought We Would...
We bought a motorhome. Never thought we would. It is just amazing how things change!
When the kids were babies, we used to love to go to Fort Davis and camp. Tent camp. Sleep on the ground, or on an air mattress (that NEVER stayed inflated) in a sleeping bag camp. We did that until one summer when we were sitting in the campsite and it was 103 degrees and we said...let's go home and get into some air-conditioning! And we did.
That's when we bought a pop-up camper with an air-conditioner! We took that camper to Canada and back several times. The kids have really fond memories of our pop-up. In 2004 we sold the camper and bought the cabin and that was the end of camping for us. But recently we have realized how nice it would be to go to Georgia and visit family, drive up to Canada this summer, visit Fort Davis again and be able to stop and eat, sleep, etc. We thought we were going to fly to Canada this summer, but we couldn't take our doggies and my mom would not be able to go. So...we bought a motorhome.
We went to Camper Coaches RV in Lubbock (GREAT guys, and a really great deal!) and got a 23 foot Coachman. We love it. Mom and Rachel love it. Even the dogs love it! Now we are excited about the looooooong drive to Canada. And Rachel promises to make us coffee whenever we need it! A truck with a waitress! Doesn't get any better!
When the kids were babies, we used to love to go to Fort Davis and camp. Tent camp. Sleep on the ground, or on an air mattress (that NEVER stayed inflated) in a sleeping bag camp. We did that until one summer when we were sitting in the campsite and it was 103 degrees and we said...let's go home and get into some air-conditioning! And we did.
That's when we bought a pop-up camper with an air-conditioner! We took that camper to Canada and back several times. The kids have really fond memories of our pop-up. In 2004 we sold the camper and bought the cabin and that was the end of camping for us. But recently we have realized how nice it would be to go to Georgia and visit family, drive up to Canada this summer, visit Fort Davis again and be able to stop and eat, sleep, etc. We thought we were going to fly to Canada this summer, but we couldn't take our doggies and my mom would not be able to go. So...we bought a motorhome.
We went to Camper Coaches RV in Lubbock (GREAT guys, and a really great deal!) and got a 23 foot Coachman. We love it. Mom and Rachel love it. Even the dogs love it! Now we are excited about the looooooong drive to Canada. And Rachel promises to make us coffee whenever we need it! A truck with a waitress! Doesn't get any better!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Whenever Possible, Hire Someone!
Mike and I have been married for a long time. And in that time I have learned a few things about him.
1. He hates moving furniture.
2. He hates messing with anything electrical.
3. He HATES plumbing.
4. He knows nothing about car engines.
So, mom and I have learned it is just easier to pay the extra to have whatever appliance we buy installed. It is worth it to call in an electrician or plumber.
Mike's father was a Teamster pipefitter in Detroit...who was in the NAVY in WWII. Needless to say, the first language Mike learned was language not fit for polite company. Or ex-cons for that matter! So when he is doing something like moving furniture or fixing plumbing he reverts to his native roots. Rachel and my mom just fade into the background and hide in their rooms. Eric and Adam think it is funny because he gets so creative with stringing words together. It's like he is speaking in tongues!
There are many times when he shows remarkable patience and sensitivity. But those times do not involve plumbing, electricity or furniture moving.
1. He hates moving furniture.
2. He hates messing with anything electrical.
3. He HATES plumbing.
4. He knows nothing about car engines.
So, mom and I have learned it is just easier to pay the extra to have whatever appliance we buy installed. It is worth it to call in an electrician or plumber.
Mike's father was a Teamster pipefitter in Detroit...who was in the NAVY in WWII. Needless to say, the first language Mike learned was language not fit for polite company. Or ex-cons for that matter! So when he is doing something like moving furniture or fixing plumbing he reverts to his native roots. Rachel and my mom just fade into the background and hide in their rooms. Eric and Adam think it is funny because he gets so creative with stringing words together. It's like he is speaking in tongues!
There are many times when he shows remarkable patience and sensitivity. But those times do not involve plumbing, electricity or furniture moving.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Is It All About The Game?
It's Super Bowl time! For many that means a really bitchin' party! For others, it means the win or loss of much money. Almost everyone loves the commercials and for a few it is probably about the actual game of football and the teams that are playing. For us it is all about the eggs.
For 12 years, including this one, we have put two eggs in the microwave to predict the outcome of the Super Bowl. They are 10 and 1! And each year the Super Bowl, for us, has become about rooting for the team that the eggs predict will win. It makes the game far more interesting for us to watch!
This year, the eggs went in...Ravens and 49ers...the microwave turned on...and the 49ers egg blew up in spectacular fashion! The Ravens egg didn't even crack! And boy did it stink!! It STILL stinks! We need a candle up here...STAT!!
So, the eggs say the Ravens will win the Superbowl in a blowout against the 49ers. Place your bets, make your dip and get your chips, gather your friends and root for the eggs (I mean the Ravens) on Sunday!!
For 12 years, including this one, we have put two eggs in the microwave to predict the outcome of the Super Bowl. They are 10 and 1! And each year the Super Bowl, for us, has become about rooting for the team that the eggs predict will win. It makes the game far more interesting for us to watch!
This year, the eggs went in...Ravens and 49ers...the microwave turned on...and the 49ers egg blew up in spectacular fashion! The Ravens egg didn't even crack! And boy did it stink!! It STILL stinks! We need a candle up here...STAT!!
So, the eggs say the Ravens will win the Superbowl in a blowout against the 49ers. Place your bets, make your dip and get your chips, gather your friends and root for the eggs (I mean the Ravens) on Sunday!!
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