Music

So, I have been working on my music day and night. Not only songs for my record but demos for other artist. I will know my plan soon and can't wait to figure it all out. I am finishing up the 10 song CD and then will try and find a home to release the project!!!
SO EXCITED! I love the music and am so thankful it is coming together. Stay tuned!!!

Hatfield-McCoy

Recently, I happened upon the Hatfield-McCoy series. At first I was a bit bored...I tried to watch but fell asleep. Sorry Kevin Costner!!!

It was always so strange to me that a feud would bring about so much attention. My mom taught me to be nice. How could all these adults be so mean to each other??!!! Boys, act your age!!!

But I felt it only fair to give it a good watch (and figured that, at the very least, it would make for interesting dinner conversation). I was not going to fall asleep, Facebook, or even blog. I was committed. For the first time in my life I was going to educate myself on this fine piece of history.

What a wild and crazy story! It did confirm that both families, the Hatfield's and McCoys, had big-time anger issues! That anger grew into tremendous bitterness, and it rooted itself deep. Made me very thankful for my family and Hallmark cards. I tried to picture a candy store opening in their little town on Tug River with a Ferris wheel. Maybe that would have made them all happy. Then "Devil Anse" Hatfield could be called "Happy Anse" and smile a little more for all those family pictures.


My favorite part was the forbidden love story between, Rosanna McCoy and"Johnse" Hatfield.
Their story was similar to Romeo and Juliet. I was so inspired and ended up writing a song today with Luke Sheets about their love. The good, bad, and ugly.
I have to say it's one of the best songs so far. So needless to say I am very happy I watched the series.

Growing Up

Growing up can be really hard. Growing up and learning to be a good friend can be even harder. Elementary school and all the way through college brought some powerful lessons; lessons about who I could trust, who I could count on, and, even more importantly, what kind of friend I could choose to be. 

After being bullied, I realized that more than anything, I wanted to be a good friend. I never wanted anyone to feel the way bullying made me feel. I wanted real relationships that didn't take a whole lot of work.  I am so glad I came to that understanding early on. It has made a world of difference in my life. 

I’m so thankful for my good friends who, no matter what, are kind and give of themselves. Without even thinking, my good friends call just to say hello. It's such a blessing to have friends who are happy for the good things in my life and that I can feel the same for them.

 

Black Birds are Going Down

On a recent trip to Wal-Mart with my family my husband romantically said...

"I want your garden to be what you’ve imagined, let me get a gun to help you out with the birds." 

I looked at him with a long blank stare wondering how long it would take him to realize that I am not a fool and I know he just wanted to shoot a bird. He headed to the gun section with my children and took way too much time deciding which one would work best for "our birds". 

For the record, he has never cared about my vegetables; he just eats the salad that shows up on his plate. He proceeded to ask some kid (whose mother was looking for him) which one he liked and wouldn't you know it...the giant AK-47 pellet gun!!!! REALLY. I informed the mother that I was married to the stranger her son was talking to and was about to leave him. She laughed. I ended up walking away to look elsewhere and overheard my daughter say, "I want a pink gun Daddy"

What is happening to us? Don't get me wrong, I have family and friends who hunt, but not small bunnies and black birds. Poor animals. If I knew how to speak squirrel I would warn the forest. Crazy people all up in my house!!!!

New Way of Doing Things

Where do I begin?????? Girls Scout camp for Bella, Hayden with his mohawk and popsicles! Crazy summer has begun. Running back and forth to meetings, trying to get all my music together and get this show on the road. New way of doing things is what I call it. Trying to juggle all my creative energy with cleaning toilets and helping brush little teeth. So funny to me. Never pictured this but I love it.

My sweet hubby has been working his butt off with the CMT Awards and we have not seen him in days. Kills me that we are not there walking down the red carpet. My goal is to be there next year -  walking hand in hand with him. I wanna be that parent that tells the kids to "go to bed" on camera, except I want to tell the kids to "jump on the bed". Just change it up a bit!!!!!!

I look forward to what's up ahead and hope to see what I have dreamed very soon!!!!

Black Bird In My Back Yard

So I have a small container garden that makes me very happy. I have blackberries, raspberries, lettuce, strawberries, a lemon tree, and tomatoes. Nothing fancy, just organically simple. It feels good to pick something that tastes sweet and came from the work of my hands. I spent a pretty penny on that little garden of  mine.

Well, stupid birds have come to take it all away. I am a fan of birds just not the ones who steal. Or ones that bully me in my own garden. They swoop at me and call out to their evil cohorts.

I had 8 tomatoes, now only 3. I had many blackberries now just a few. I have netting covering up everything. I even hung a few pie pans up to scare those little devils away. Guess what, I heard them laughing at me!!!!

What am I to do????!!!!!!

Lasagna & Tall Green Grass

Yes, you read the title of the blog right. Not sure that combo has ever joined forces. Just for the record, I love to mow the lawn and really love to weed eat. I also like to cook, but today I had a plan. Lasagna and grass!!!

I have a wonderful husband who takes care of the lawn but lately I have been beating him to the punch. It is my way to escape the madness in my house. School is over and summer has begun. The endless fighting between my two little children has caused me to find a bit of solace in the loud noise of the mower.

I step outside, put my boots on and crank that mower into full force. LOVE IT!!!!!!  They stare at me out the windows. Sometimes I see them trade a few hits. I pretend that grass flew in my eye and ignore the mindless pantomimed movements of each one telling on the other.

I was also in the mood for yummy, cheesy lasagna. I found a great recipe and went to work. I will share the results in a few days. Tomorrow I will run and do squats to work off all the cheese I used tonight.

Why is cheese so yummy???

TIMEOUT

Ok, so last night I had a show at the Bluebird in Nashville, TN. My sitter arrived and I was talking with her about the instructions for the evening. I was also printing lyrics, putting on my shoes, and taking chicken nuggets out of the freezer. Yes, I can do many things at once! Ha!

Wouldn't you know it, on my way out the door drama broke out. Our 3 year old decided to tell our sitter "No" and "I don't like you". Then, he acted like a crazy loosed wild cat. At this point I asked the sitter if she wanted to bail!

Well, because I know how consistency is crucial in teaching a child, I calmly sent him to timeout. He said "NO". Then he began to scream like a dying rooster. (Not Kidding!) I walked him peacefully into the other room where the timeout chair sits and placed him there.  All the while he screamed in my ear and I wondered if I would ever hear again. I had to hold him there while he kept saying he would not apologize to our sitter. I don't know who said "terrible twos", but I believe it's "terrible threes"!!!!!!  

(Dear God – help me!)

He did apologize and things are good. Just for the record he is a great kid and loves our sitter Tucker.

My show went well and I had a glass of wine!!!!! 

Music To My Ears

Our sweet Bella was listening to music and fell right to sleep! Love moments like this. 

Life

Just a few updates before I being this week's blog subject...

Our guppy had it's babies then feasted on them in the middle of the night. What the????

Hayden, our 3 year old, is no longer peeing on the walls. He is officially potty trained. It for sure was the Spiderman underwear my husband got him at Costco, and the Jelly Belly candy that cost way too much. Thank you Costco for the cavities, the extra pounds, and new found love of jelly beans that taste like fresh picked pears!!!!!!

So this weekend is my favorite time of year!!!! We are heading to Steeplechase on Saturday!!! Love a good horse race. Not to mention dressing up and hanging with the girls.

Also, I will be married to my hot husband, Daniel for 10 years on Friday. SO hard to believe. Just seems like yesterday that he and I met. We are finally getting away and spending time together. We'll probably end up sleeping and ordering room service. YAY!!!!!

Bathing Suit Shopping

Really?? Is it time to stuff myself in small pieces of fabric that show things that I no longer think anyone wants to see? Yes ladies it's time!!!!

I decided yesterday that bathing suit shopping is not fun. As I paced up and down the aisle in the swim department,  I was reminded of the P90X videos that I borrowed from a friend. Why hadn't I spent the last 3 months diving into those workouts? Why, knowing this whole time it was around the corner, did I eat the leftover chicken nuggets off my kids' plates? Or continue to eat my favorite thing on the planet...
CHEESE!!!!

Then as my mind was spinning and contemplating my eating habits, the sales lady says ever so sweetly,
"can I help you?". "NO", I wanted to scream, "not unless you have a solution for a saggy butt and veins from babies!" But instead I just smiled and said I was just looking--looking at all the tiny bathing suit bottoms and endless patterns that shouted, "look at me".

So all that to say, I got a suit! It took me several hours but it will do. Watch out you pool goers. I am gonna walk confidently around the pool and maybe even get my hair wet this year in my new (not quite so tiny) suit!

Finding My Style

For years now I have been patching holes in jeans, covering scuffs on old shoes with marker, and hiding stains with long necklaces. It has become laughable that the alterations lady SUKI, has become a friend and even asks about my kids!!! I wish I could say she has been altering designer clothes, but in reality she has been the savior of my 10 year old jeans.

Being a mom takes a toll on your clothes, not to mention your time and beauty. I feel like everyday I am trying to recreate a new outfit with old clothes. REALLY???

My other issue, is when I go to a store I am overwhelmed and I end up leaving with nothing. My niece, Lauren who is very fashionable, has become my personal stylist. I know I drive her crazy sending pictures from my iPhone of my shopping excursions. I am tired and want to find my style. I want to find it with out any help. I want to be confident in a store and look good when I leave.

If you feel the way I do I have found a great site last night that can send you on your way to a fashionable lifestyle. Not only does it show you great outfits but it also shows you where to get them.

Here you go....http://www.polyvore.com/
Wish you well!!!!

Quick Share

OK ladies, I wanted to make sure to tell you about a new skin care line that I am using!!! I have fallen in love with ACURE products. Not only are they extremely affordable but they do EXACTLY what they say! I found them at Whole Foods.
My favorite items from the line are the facial cleansing cream, night cream, and seriously firming face serum are my favorites!!! I am planning on trying a few more things from the line. Trust me when I tell you they are great products and I saw a difference in just a few days. Thank you ACURE!!!

Here is the link to their products...

http://www.acureorganics.com/Acure-Organics-Facial-Products-s/28.htm

THEIR MISSION

We're on a mission...

 

We like to believe that we create the purest, natural and organic plant-based skincare products. Simplicity is the key to our formulas. In keeping each ingredient as close to its natural state as possible, we feel that our products deliver visible, more potent results. Each decision we make is based upon our three guiding principles:

 

ACURE FOR YOUR SKIN

High quality skin care made from the purest, fair trade, natural and certified organic ingredients.

 

ACURE FOR THE PLANET

We have a sustainable company culture that impacts every decision we make.

• Green packaging
• Green products
• Social Consciousness
• Triple Bottom Line

ACURE FOR A CURE

Each facial care product provides a donation to help fight breast cancer. Each day, women are bombarded by harmful chemicals in cosmetic products. Some of these, such as parabens (one of the most widely used preservatives in conventional personal care products), have been directly linked to breast cancer. Acure Organics wants to help eliminate people's exposure to toxic chemicals in cosmetics and help educate them on the benefits of food-grade,

organic ingredients.

 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead

 

Potty Talk

Have you ever had one of those nights where everything was meant to be?? Well, I just did on Saturday.
I got to play in a round with my sweet hubby and Jim Femino. Jim has a ton of hits one of which is the James Otto hit, "Just Can't Stop Loving You". We are definitely gonna write together! Felt like I had known him my whole life! I am a fan!

Anyway, my favorite part of the evening was when the host announced to the crowd that she was glad they had all come to support the charity and let them all know where the bathrooms were.
Well, I had used one of the bathrooms before hitting the stage. Pretty normal bathroom, did notice an amazing photograph of Minnie Pearl's hat and shoes above the toilet. Didn't think much about it. I washed my hands in a vintage style sink and then headed out the door. Washing hands is a critical part of bathroom use.

Back to the host...She then told everyone to make sure to use the toilet at the front of house because, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Minnie Pearl had all used it!!!!
Of course I say really loudly into the mike, "NO WAY, I should have not squatted!"
Everyone began to laugh except me because I was very serious. I guess I was thinking that the success and creativity would rub off! I should have sat down for a while.
Oh well.

Guppy Love

I would like to say for the record that I am an animal lover!!!! I have always had dogs and even a few cats in my life. Our cats, Cookie and Fuzzy were devoted to killing mice and bringing a few rabbits to the back door. Which by the way were always bloody and nasty. They waited for us to praise their efforts!

Anyway, we have a pregnant guppy in a bowl that I have cleaned for two days now. It is so cloudy that I am thinking about searching for guppy goggles. I feel so bad for her and yet want for her to magically disappear. Is that mean??

My daughter got her from school and I already got the fish a heater. (It was chilly late one night.)

I also hear the guppies eat their babies. I really don't think that I should allow that kind of craziness in my home. I don't believe in that one bit.

Hats off to you guppy lovers. Ours is taking a trip to the creek!

Renovation

I am making the commitment!!!! I promised before, but today it will happen. Monday through Thursday you will get to know me in a different way. I had coffee with some friends of mine today and they have advised me this blog is not really funny. In fact they think it seems a bit boring.
I quickly defended my weak attempt to share my days with a small, but devoted, group of "followers". Thank you "followers" for hanging in there and being willing to stand by me as I figure out how to do this thing called "blogging".
Soon the design will even be different. I am going to do this right and prove to those" friends" of mine that I can and will grow this thing. They will soon be jealous of this blog. I may even decide to not have coffee with them anymore!!!!!!!!

Just had to share one more from the collection. He loved baking with me. I loved it too!!!

I must apologize for being absent!!! Been working a ton on life and music!!!! So much is happening. I will be able to share it all with you soon.

Today I made my first apple pie with my sweet little boy Hayden!

Can't wait to get to work this week on some acoustic tracks from "My World".

Starting with my favorite one ...."If You Were Mine".

I will keep you guys up to date on how it's going. YAY!!!!!

Heard an awesome word today and wanted to share...

"Sometimes we are promoted by the very thing that is trying to take us out!!!"

Joseph is a great example of this in the Bible. Joseph's slavery was the very thing that led to his promotion. He became the most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh. It might have taken many years and caused pain but God lifted Joseph out of that place.

Hope this brings encouragement today!