Is everyone really that busy?

Ya, my question is, Is everyone really that busy? I just think somehow we have all lost touch of what is really important in life. That is, our relationships with others. I had a home decorating party tonight and had invited about 30 ladies. Only a handful showed up. One stopped in for 5 minutes inbetween her kids soccar games. One left early to watch a T.V. show, shall I go on??? I know people have things to do. But our lives have become way too fast paced. So many people have their kids in activities every single night of the week. They meet themselves coming and going.

A couple of years ago I moved into my first rental home. I had always lived in apartments. I was so excited about this. I spent a couple hundred dollars or so and had it catered, invited 75 friends and 5 people showed up, my mom, my aunt and uncle and the landlord and his wife. I was crushed. I couldn't figure out if it was me...did I not have any friends? I realized that I had booked my party on the day of the IOWA VS IOWA STATE game. Big mistake! How could anyone pull themselves away from the T.V. to come to a party and hang out together. I sat at my table in the backyard and cried for quite awhile as the sun went down. That day has had a lasting impression on me. I guess I am just throwing out the question. Do we value relationships more than all the activites and running around? Something to think about. Goodnight...

Concert in Rock Island

Had a real fun trip to Rock Island Illinois today. The drive is about two and a half hours from where I live. I sang for a church event after the service. They had a food sampling event going on at the same time. It was a fun afternoon. Then Steve and I stopped along the way at an outlet mall. I always enjoy that. We found some new jeans. I am exhausted after doing three singing events this weekend. I think just the emotional part of it I deal with in getting ready wipes me out. It is easier for me to sing for strangers then people I know. Isn't that weird how it is like that? I think the hardest thing for me to do is sing for a wedding or a funeral. They are important memorable events and I don't want to blow it. You get one shot and that's it.

That leads me to another point that I tend to be a perfectionist. It really, really bothers me. It is hard to enjoy life when you set the bar so high and nothing is ever good enough. I am trying so hard to work on that. It's just tough. I don't look at the things I've done in life... I just keep thinking of everything I still haven't done or fall short on. I know God does not want us to live like that. It really is about enjoying life along the way. Right?

Well I hope everyone had a super weekend! It was a gorgeous sunny day here. Perfect for a little road trip!

Sad funeral this morning

I always get sad when I get asked to sing at a funeral. Doesn't matter whose it is. This morning was no exception. It was even more tragic. A retired police officer in his 50's from our town here took his own life a couple of days ago. He left behind a wife, a couple of children and one grandchild. Somehow life just got too tough for him. I think people do get to a place where they don't see anyway out. They suffer in silence and even help other people yet they refuse to get help for themselves. The whole thing was sad. I sang WIND BENEATH MY WINGS. I was going to sing Vince Gill's GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN for the second selection but I told the family that I could not even begin to do that song justice so I had them play the CD of Vince singing it. It was quite moving and very fitting. Lots of teary eyes in the room on that one. I am so tired. We have a chilly fall day going on here. Time for a blanket and my heating pad. That is my idea of a comfy evening.

A Celebration of Life party!

Tonight I sang with the Al Ford Big Band for a private party. I have been singing with the big band when they ask for about 7 years now. The party was pretty special. It was for a man who had been diagnosed with lymphatic cancer 2 years ago. He had to go a couple of rounds of chemotherapy and 2 months ago he got a clean bill of health. Praise God! He and his wife were throwing a celebration party for this wonderful news. I thought what an amazing and terrific idea! We need to hear more of this kind of thing. We always hear the negative outcomes.

It was a great night. We ate like kings and queens. We had prime rib, chicken in sauteed mushrooms, salads, steamed veggies and potatoes, and for dessert we had cheesecake with fresh berries. I could hardly move. Then I had to get up there and sing. Talk about a hard time. My dress was feeling quite tight to begin with. Ugh!

I sang one of my favorites, Killing me softly, and also On Broadway, Margaritaville, Girl from Ipanema, I'll be seeing you, Could I have this dance and I few others. It really is so much fun singing with a live band. I haven't been able to do that with my church concerts. I sing with tracks usually. I hope that will change sometime.

Have a great weekend!!

It's getting chilly

We are definately heading into our fall weather. The air is cool and crisp and I feel like getting out fallish decorations and making hot apple cidar. Yum yum! I think I like fall ALOT! But then I wish we could skip winter and head right to spring. Haha!

I had a fun day today...went and just blew the day on window shopping and having my hair cut and colored. Haven't done that in months. Everybody needs a day like that. I was bad girl and my car made a bee line for the driveup at Krispy Creme. Man I can't stay away from that place. Donuts are my weakness. Why oh why?!! I try hard but I can't stop myself. Luckily we don't have one in the town I live in. I have to laugh at myself because I was just at the health food store buying a bunch of natural products after I had downed two donuts. I am suprised I didn't have a trace of glaze on my face walking down the aisle in there. Hey, at least I try. I am stepping in the right direction.

More later... nite!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today was my Dad's Birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!! What a special guy he is! Even though we have had our share of ups and downs with each other he really is the best dad a gal could have. At least to me. I grew up in a REAL strict household. My dad was the principal of the elementary school I went to while growing up. I used to get into trouble at school now and then, believe it or not. haha! He would tell me in his office after my spanking (yes! they could spank back then!) that he would also see me at home and I would be in trouble there too. Somehow we made it through all these years. The rough times have melted away through the years.

I didn't get a chance to see dad till late in the evening tonight but I couldn't let the day go by without giving him a kiss on the cheek and his favorite Lemon Meringue pie. He was so thrilled. Who would have thought just a pie would make him so happy. He is a real easy guy to please when it comes to that.

I drove back home and listened to some talk radio. So what is up with that? I am trying to figure out why I am listening to more talk radio now than music. Yikes! Can anyone tell me... does this have to do with age?? Or I am hoping because I am more interested in what is happening in the world and not being so ignorant to it. I used to freak out and think someone was old if they had talk radio on. Now here I am.

My weekend

We are finishing our second day of running a garage sale at my house. The first day I ran it myself. Today my mom and sister were helping some of the day and then managed to slip away to other garage sales. haha! Isn't it funny how we sell our things at a garage sale and then go out and buy other people's old junk to fill our houses back up? Ugh! I have refrained from doing that, but my mother is notorious for doing that. We are selling things at our our garage that she bought at someone else's garage sale that she ended up not wanting. I did get a new table and chair set today from an old classmate when I went out looking. It is beautiful and quite a bargain. Their family was down sizing. Not a bad idea. I do believe in keeping things as simple and clutter free as possible.

The construction people are still digging right next to us. Dust is flying everywhere and we are all getting tired of that. We are past 6 months of this going on. Basically since we moved into the new home. We keep dealing with all the noise that comes with that.

Concert Sept. 24th 2006 Rock Island, Illnois

Hi Folks! I just booked a new concert for Sunday Sept. 24th from noon to 2 PM at the Church of Peace in Rock Island Illinois. I am excited about another opportunity to sing and share. The one I did this past Sunday went real well I thought.

I have been feeling really rotten lately with allergies and dizziness. Ugh! It is a REAL bad time of the year for me. I have been getting 3 allergy shots a week and I just don't think it does me much good. I just can't tell for sure. I can't imagine being any worse. Can anyone relate to this? I am now counting down to the first REAL GOOD FROST!! That is when I find relief. My allergies seem to have grown worse over the years.

We had a bad piece of news in our family today. Steve's step mom lost her battle with cancer this morning. She only lived about 4 months or so after this second reoccurance. Although I only met her once she was all doll. I think God has a special place for her in heaven.

I am still getting ready to revamp the whole website. Watch over the next few months as you see alot of new things happen. We will be putting on video footage and more pictures and alot more goodies. I can't wait!!

Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am actually too tired to say anything more than that. Must be the fall kicking in..............nite....

Reminder about tomorrow

Hello everyone! I hope you weekend is off to a great start! I just wanted to remind those of you who would like to come to one of my concerts that I will be singing tomorrow at 12:30 at the Runnells Christian Church. That of course is in Runnells Iowa. I am helping them kick off their new sunday school year. It is free so no need to worry about money.

This morning is amazingly foggy. This is the first morning for fog this fall. I can always tell when fall is setting in by that. Oh... and also the most gorgeous big orange harvest moons we have been having. Wow! Are they beautiful! I think we have had 3 in a row the last few nights. I could sit and watch forever.

Well I have alot to get done this weekend, time to scoot. Everyone have a safe weekend and enjoy each other!

The 10 things I did today!

What a LONG day!! Today I played the organ for 1 funeral (for a lady I didn't know )
I gave 3 one hour massages, and taught 6 piano lessons. I can honestly say that I am exhausted. I love being completely self employed but the one drawback is that every day is different and you have to work and take the money when it comes. It is kind of like feast or famine. You'd think I would get used to it, but I never really do. It is like living on the edge. I just don't think I could go back to working for someone else. This year I have 22 piano and vocal students that I teach on a weekly basis. The massage clients are different every week for the most part. That is more inconsistant. They say it takes a good 3 to 5 years to really build up the clientel. I am still waiting....Needless to say it has been REAL hard to work on my songwriting for the past 2 years. I am hoping that will change real soon.

Labor Day weekend

I hope everyone is having a nice Labor Day Weekend. It has been rather relaxing for me. I have just been doing things around my house. I am ready to paint room #8 in the house. This time I picked out a paint that has a sand texture in it. Can't wait to try that one out. Hopefully tomorrow.

Yesterday was a busy day. I had a massage therapy booth at a festival. Everyone wants to be your friend when you are a massage therapist. haha! I also competed in a talent contest. It has been awhile since I have done a contest that was live. Lots of amazing talent locally. There were opera singers, flute players, guitar players, and just a little bit of everything. I had forgotten how nervous I get in competitions. I have never really liked the idea of contests. It can bring out alot of bad things in people, but I find it can be good for most people to learn how to be infront of people. I ended up placed 3rd after a flute player and opera singer. I won a little cash and made a few new friends. I do not like the horrible stomach ache and dry mouth I got from the whole ordeal. Even after all the years that I have been singing I still get a case of nerves. I have also been a judge plenty of times and it is a real tough job when you are comparing apples with oranges. How can you do that when everyone has a different talent but can be equally great? It's tough!

Well have a super weekend. I am enjoying the Jerry Lewis Telethon. I think I have watched that for years and years. What a wonderful thing he does for the MDA!!!

Pleasant Hill Labor Day Festival

I know this is kind of last minute but I wanted to let those of you who live locally know that I will be at the Pleasant Hill Labor Day Festival tomorrow from 10 am to 6 pm. I have a massage therapy booth that I will be running. Come on out! It is a buck a minute in the chair. I am drumming up business for this fall. Also I will be performing one song in the Talent show competition at 3 pm. Should be a real fun day. Let's pray it doesn't rain until the days events are over. This is a short one... I am tired, Night!