30 Pounds Less of Me

OK, so...I find it interesting that while half the world is dying of hunger I do everything in my power to stop eating in an effort to shed a few pounds. But my over indulgence on my cruise to Alaska combined with endless weeks on the road this past year led me to pack on quite a bit of weight. Even with my large bone structure and height (I'm 5'9 and very large boned) my fat-pants were beyond tight. I couldn't even button the top of them and they were (gulp) size 16. It was embarrassing.

So I bought this stuff called Isagenix...
Yes it was hard.
Yes it tasted yucky.
Yes it took a ton of willpower.
Yes I was still hungry.
No, I didn't exercise but I should have. I was just too busy with work stuff.
But here is the kicker... I have lost 31 pounds in the 11 weeks!!!!!

Bottom line is this: I don't care what it costs or how it tastes... I'm back into my skinny jeans ...size 10 and they're loose! And as Visa/Mastercard says, that is "Priceless"

A Message to Create By...

Our Alaskan Adventure

Since Al turns 64 this year, we decided to celebrate and do a once in a lifetime adventure to Alaska. Starting in Vancouver, B.C. we took a cruise ship through the Inland Passage of Alaska.
In the town of Haines we took a Bush Hawk plane through the mountains and landed on a snowy glacier. (Yes, I'm wearing flip flops on the glacier!) In Juneau we zipped through a rain forest on a cable high in the air.
We fell in love with an Alaska Husky in Sitka and froze our fannies off in Denali Park while taking in the gorgeous scenery.
We spent Sunday in Ketchican where we went to church in a log chapel and ate enough salmon to last a lifetime. (It was wonderful!)

The whole trip was amazing, and everything we ever dreamed it would be. We loved every minute of it. Truly, an adventure of a lifetime. I can now say "Been there, done that...bought the t-shirt!" But now I am glad to be home in the warmth and sunshine. I know some folks love the cold... I am just not one of them. I'm glad God gave us variety so we could each choose. I prefer a balmy breeze and tropical ocean sunset. Give me the beach any day and I'm a happy clam...not a cold camper. Next trip...Maui.

Brand New Website

We're still working the final glitches out but the new site and store is up and running. It has come in stages but it's all online now. Several of my goddess friends said they were still seeing the old site... That's because they didn't refresh their bookmarks and just tried to click through their old link.

When you click through to my website...It should look like this picture above.
Then each button you click through should also look similar. *If it is still the old style orange color you need to go tot he home page, hit refresh on your toolbar and then re-bookmark it.*

I'm on a Diet

OK, so I'm going on a diet. I'm giving up the chocolate truffles and took Marie Osmond's advice and bought a couple of months of Nutrisystem. The food arrived and so far, the food tastes yucky. But I am determined to stick to it and shed a few pounds. I'll keep you posted.

My real motivation, however, is Launi, my best friend. She just called and told me she's lost 10 lbs. Since we travel together so much we have to wear the same size, thus doubling our combined wardrobe options! In the meantime, I'll just hold my cat, Bob, in front of me and hope you notice his expanding waistline and not mine. He weighs 28lbs....I'm not saying what I weigh...yet!

Reason #8,631Why I Love Living in Florida

History happens in our front yard. The Space Shuttle Atlantis launched today and we saw the whole thing. If you've never seen...or felt...a shuttle launch, add this experience to your bucket list. The next launch is June 13th. Dream...then make happen. Right now there are seven people orbiting the earth who did just that. You can too.

An Almost Perfect Day

Grandpa and Tyler watching the big kids body surf at Cocoa Beach. They were buddies all day!Unfortunately all I could do was sit on the beach and watch. Actually it was a major struggle for me to even get down to the sand from the parking lot. The day before Carrie and the kids came to Florida for a visit I broke my big toe. (I now know exactly what it feels like to have a 90 lb wrought iron umbrella stand dropped on it...I literally cried tears for a good half hour!) Its been three weeks... I still can't get a shoe on and I still limp. It's three shades of black and blue and still hurts like the dickens! My biggest complaint.... I couldn't go in the water....

Other than that....a perfect day!

A Little Old Lady Tea Party

On April 4th my Mama turned 80 years old! We invited 18 of her closet friends and family for a little old lady, Victorian tea party at my sister's amazing new home! Cathy really out did herself with the table and food, serving everything on my mothers original china and tea service. As a tribute to her I read the chapter of my new book about her called "She Who Loves To Shop" and ended it like the chapter says, by serving her favorite pineapple dessert on her old china...recipe included in the book!. Everyone at the party then got a copy of my new book as a party favor! It was such a fun day.

Next year we're going to celebrate her 100th birthday. She'll only be 81 but since the 80th was so much fun we want to make sure we get to have a 100th so we're going to do it next year! Wanna come?

My Baby Can Fly!

When he was two years old he announced that when he grew up, he was going to fly. By four he knew everything about fighter jets...Every year, without exception, for Halloween, all he wanted to be was a pilot. Never did his dream vary.

Today, at the age of 26, he's living that dream...he flies.

There is a lesson to be learned here:
Never never, never give up on your dreams...
Because if you can dream it, you can make it happen.
Just ask Chase.

Here We Go a-Traveling...again!

Launi called and said "I'm hungry for Crab Fritters, wanna go get some?"

"Sure" I said. (Did I mention that, in our humble opinion the one and only true "Blue Crab Fritters" can only be found at a restaurant called Sweetwaters just outside of Washington, DC?) So off we fly!

The next morning we had Blue Crab Fritter Hangovers!.. not really...we just stayed up all night like typical girlfriends and talked the night away. BTW...a big thanks to our hubbies, Stud Muffin and Cabana Boy for letting us go.

Friday night I called Chase at 10pm in Utah and said, "You wanna go to the beach tomorrow with us?" He said "OK" (Go figure, my son having a spontaneous spirit like me???) Anyway, he caught a flight home...and Saturday morning we headed for the beach.

I'm glad because I think he needed a break ... he just finished a 4 year degree in college in less than 2-1/2 years with top grades... It was time for a play day. And it was a perfect day... sun, surf, dog...what more could we have asked for???

Tolerating the Elderly...

One of my favorite pictures I just had to post. This is my son Chase tolerating his Dad's clowning around. The two are peas in a pod though. Chase is just as much a character as his old man! (See what I have to put up with... a husband and a son who are both wackier than me!)

Same Blood, Different Planets

People often ask me where I get the inspiration to write my stories, books, etc and I always tell them:"from real people" Well here is the real inspiration for the TingleHeart "We Are Sisters, Same Blood, Different Planets" piece....my sister Cathy. Despite the fact that we couldn't be more different if we tried, this is the woman I can call at 4 in the morning. I can count on her, with no questions asked and no explanation needed.....because bottom line, we are sisters....forever, for always and no matter what.

William is Home from Iraq

After 6 months serving in Iraq in the USAF as a JAG, my son William is home. This picture says it all.

Christmas doesn't get better than this.

His wife JoAnn and their three little boys think so too.

Welcome Home Will.
I love you

Christmas Day 2008

I can remember as a child going back to school after Christmas Break and having to write an essay "What I Did During My Christmas Vacation" Today, I decided words could never convey what a quick, un-retouched snapshot could. So here you have it... my toes in the photo and all at Flagler Beach on Christmas Day2008.

Although Al and I are far from our kids and grandkids out west, rather than wish that we were there with them, all we could do instead,as we curled our toes in the sand, was wish they were here with us! (It's cold and snowing there today!)

Surely heaven looks something like this.....

Merry Christmas, ya'll...from warm, sunny Florida.

Climbing the Pyramid

Well, I have been threatening to take a cruise for a long time and finally my sister Cathy called me on it. She did all the booking and arranging of everything so all I had to do is show up with a swim suit and get on the boat!

It was a blast! We took a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise with Holland America out of Tampa that took us to Key West, Belize, Guatemala and Costa Maya.

Belize was by far my favorite. The photo here is of the Mayan Temple called Lamani, It is higher than it looks and only a handful of us ventured up to the top. My brother-in-law Mike and I took the challenge and started our trek. We were advised the climb up is "physical" but the climb down is "psychological". They were right. The climb up, although steep and challenging was just a matter of stopping periodically and catching our breath. (Its higher than it looks.) But the trek down was crazy. I ended up desending the pyramid by sitting down and bumping my butt from one step to the next....like I said, its higher and steeper than it looks!

It was inpsiring to be climbing this structure that was built so many thousands of years ago...very humbling.

Reason #2,372 Why I Love My Best Friend,Launi

I don't know how long I'll be able to leave this dancing diva on my blog and not jeopardize my friendship, so enjoy it while you can. This is Launi... dancing up a storm in Pennsylvania, teaching all the sweet Amish women how to release the wacky woman within.

Trippin' Around the World

If there is anything I have learned in the last seven years from living on the road, it is that there are 6 critical things you must have to survive. For me they are hard, fast rules. Here's my list:

1. A current, valid US Passport. Obvious, right? If you have ever gotten to the customs desk and misplaced your passport you know what I mean.
2. The second is even more obvious to me. A toothbrush! If you don't believe me, take a trans-Atlantic flight and don't pack one in your carry on. You'll see! There is nothing worst than falling asleep as the the plane leaves JFK and waking up in Paris with something dead in your mouth!

3. You need to have the ability to sleep ANYWHERE and be happy about it. This little virtue has come in handy on numerous occasions, especially when I travel with Launi. We never know where we are going to end up.

4. The fourth thing is the knowledge of knowing where every Starbucks in the entire world is located. Now, you all may think this is odd considering I don't drink coffee but they always have really fast Wi-fi for my computer...and they do make great vanilla steamers.

5. You've gotta have cute shoes. If you are a girl, you understand. If you don't, take some estrogen. Traveling with comfortable shoes is important but making sure they are cute is essential.(This rule is pretty much chiseled in stone. Life is too short to wear ugly shoes.)

6. A best friend. Life on the road, whether vacationing or working requires a best friend. Although my husband Al is great to travel with, nothing could ever compare to Launi. Never have two girls perfected the art of doing nothing like we have. We are totally content to do nothing in Cancun, Rome, Paris, Praque.. you name it. But the overwhelming advantage to traveling with Launi is that she knows where to buy the best gelato in every city in Europe. And that is priceless!

Yellow Daisy 2008

Once again, a wonderful Daisy! I so look forward each year to this event. I even got to be on television and do a couple of news spots promoting my work and the festival. My booth was jammin' almost the entire show! I love this show, love this location, love the promoters, love the Wonderful Wacky Women in the greater Atlanta area who came out in droves to see me!
You all make my heart tingle. Thanks a bunch!

I Love NY

Having a business trip to NYC is a fun trip for me. Each time we go, Al lets me drag him to a museum. I am a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright so I was especially excited to visit the Guggenheim this trip. Wow! What an experience. I was overwhelmed by the buildings architecture but quite disappointed with the exhibit that was on display. It was a fun day anyway.

I did see a few exhibits that caught my eye. I just couldn't figure out if this sculpture is art imitation life or life imitating art??? Those of you not familiar with this amazing building might recognize it from the movie Men in Black when Will Smith chased an alien up through it's spiraling corridors.

Another Day at the Beach

Sometime Lucy is worse than a two year old. She loves the beach but she want someone to go out and play with her. So Al waded out to the sand bar, plopped himself down in the middle of the surf and let Lucy play.

Wonderful Wacky Wanna-Be

My granddaughter, Ashley...the original inspiration for my children's line "Kwirky Kids.. the Itty Bitty Baby Wacky Wanna-Be's"...truly a child after my own heart.

I Love the Chicago Showroom!

Just a few of my favorite people I met in Chicago in the Midwest Showroom while doing a signing. Mary Angela from Bouquets on Water made my day when she screamed with delight at meeting me. (Talk about a boost to my self esteem!!!) She's promised to be the President of my fan club if she could just find someone else to be in it with her!!! She was darling.
MIDWEST's Chicago showroom is definitely favorite showroom!! Thanks to Thom Payne, David Nelson and all the amazing sales reps there. You're a dynamic team and I had such a great time!

A Mother's Child

Does a mother ever get to the point where she can look at the amazing man her son has become and still not see her little boy?

I choke up when ever I see this picture on my son's blog. My little boy in full body armor is not a comforting image as it reminds me of the war torn, forsaken land he is in...Mothers should not have to bear sending their children to war. I look at this image and I am reminded of the first BB gun Will got...his only request for his 9th birthday. (I, of course, thought he'd shoot his eye out.) I'd like to have that little boy back again, to sing Happy Birthday to, make him his favorite cake and hold in my arms again.

Be safe Will and know that I love you.

Link to He Who is My Son

A Mystic Connection

While in Atlanta for the International Gift Show, I ran into Tamera Gibb, the owner of the Chic She Shop in Mystic, CT. I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell her about my 50th birthday that I spent in Mystic, in October 2007. After watching Rachel Ray's $40-a-day show about Mystic, Launi and I decided to do the only wacky thing women reaching the half century mark could do... get out a map, figure out where in the blue blazes Mystic was and go there and eat! We spent three days eating, shopping and enjoying the Red Door Spa...It was a mystical trip!

Tammy is a character herself...most definitely a wacky woman...and now carries my work in her fun, girlie shop. It was fun meeting you Tammy!

By the way, I can remember being a kid and wondering what I'd look like when I was an old woman of 50. I don't know what I imagined but this, whether I like or or not, was me that week.

Big Splash in Atlanta

This has been a busy month with the release of my new line with Midwest/Seasons of Cannon Fall. Shelli Lissick, the Branding/PR executive, did a fabulous job pulling together an opening night gala

What a surprise to have a customer walk in wearing one of my t-shirt designs. The fun thing is that this was not planned. She didn't know I was going to be here... this is just what she chose to wear today. I was handing out our new membership pins at the event.
Jenny Pratt and I never miss a photo op! We joke that we are both members of the "Mutual Admiration Society" Jenny is now a sales rep for Midwest but we've been friends for a long time.Jenny is one of those friends that , although we don't get together often, when we do, we click and pick up right where we left off! I love you Jenny!



What can I say, I'm a huggy kind of girl. Here I am with Sue Wagner, editor of Country Business magazine. So many people came out for our opening. It was such a fun night. Thanks Midwest!

A Day in Heaven

So everyone knows there is no where I'd rather be than at the beach...and today is no exception. Chase flew in from Utah for the Fourth of July weekend so we decided to head to the beach. We found a great spot that allowed dogs so Lucy got to have her first experience with the ocean. It did take a little encouragement from Chase at the start but once she got the hang of it, there was no stoping her. She loved it.
Al and Lucy, in their happy spot. Life doesn't get any better than this. This is one of those snapshot memories I will forever carry in my heart.

Link to "She Who Loves the Beach"

My Husband has Been Dating Another Girl

I have officially been replaced. Al is totally smitten with Lucy and has admitted that he too is "Dog Stupid!" On the way home from church today he said, "I just can't get enough of that dog"

They have a date together everyday at quitting time. Just the two of them go for a walk and end up doing a few laps in the pool. As you can see from the photos, Al is no match for Lucy. She out swims us all.

It's no wonder Al is so smitten. Lucy doesn't just wag her tail when she see's Al, she wags her whole body. Maybe I should try that...NOT!

My Hero...

I won't pretend to be happy that my son is in Iraq. However I am so proud of him I could burst. As a Captain in the USAF he has been deployed for six month to Iraq to serve as a JAG officer. (That's military for being a lawyer) I am grateful that young men like him choose to serve our country and stand ready to defend our freedom....but I'm still not happy about it.

It's also tough on him having to leave his family but it's even tougher on JoAnn and their three kids. JoAnn, is the real hero of my blog. She is holding down the home front with three little kids between the ages of 4 weeks to 4 years. Tell me that isn't the tougher job. She is amazing-- strong and tough as nails. She never complains and she is giving her children a solid foundation at home. My son chose well. I love you JoAnn.

William is writing a fascinating blog you can visit too by going to www.easternsands.blogspot.com
I can hardly wait to read each of his entries. I was especially excited this morning to get a call from him online at SKYPE. I answered the call and Will's face popped up on my computer screen and we talked for a full hour. It was wonderful. Isn't technology fabulous?

Link to "She Who is My Daughter-in-Law"

Visits to Grandma Suzy's

One of my favorite thing about grandkids is when they come to visit me. I love it when I get to interact with them on my turf! We do things they never get to do at home.. Like floating down Rock Spring at Kelly Park. It's definitely one of Ashley and Jenna's favorite thing to do.

Hissie Fit

Thank you Eva, the Diva, for reminding me that sometimes throwing a hissie fit is the only way to get your point across.

Interesting that none of my kids were prone to hissie fits like this. All I can say is "Like Grandmother, like Granddaughter... some things just skip a generation."

Never Underestimate the Power of a Hissie Fit Link

Two of Three

These day's getting us all together is tough. Here I am with two of my three girls. Since both Carrie and Cindy live in Utah we got together for a girls day out and went to brunch at Lambs Grill and snapped this quick photo. Thanks girls, for the fun day.

She Who is My Daughter Link

Time for Dip

GrannyGreat, Gramps, Al and I decided it was time for a dip. So we headed out the back door and jumped in the pool. I love the fact that no matter how cold ya'll are up north and out west, it's always pool party time here. I wish you kids were here to join us.Granny Great's favorite thing to do is bop around the pool with kiddie inner-tubes while Gramps does his imitation of a surfacing whale... no serious, he is wonderfully obsessive-compulsive about vacuuming the pool...and he likes to do it with a face mask on so he doesn't miss a spec. (You can't hire help like that!)

Me and the Kid

I finally downloaded all the photos from my camera after my trip to Utah. This one of Chase and I was taken at one of the kids favorite lookout spots on top of "Point of the Mountain" Very cool view. The shot isn't so great as we had to rely on Chase's long arm to hold the camera in front of us and point and shoot. But I was just glad both of our eyes were open and it wasn't blurry! It was a fun ride in his car. I had no idea his Subaru WRX was such a hot little rally car...or maybe its just that Chase is a hot driver!

Thanks for the fun day Chase. Next time , I want a ride in your airplane instead!

Curly Haired Girls

OK, so, I am the girliest girl I know. I love doing girlie things. I love pedicures, new make up , fun clothes, and really cute shoes....flip flops, of course! So when I got to spend three days with my grandkids in Utah this past week I took the opportunity to have a girlie day with them. SuzyJane, wanted to have curly hair "Just like you, Grandma Suzy" Without missing a beat, I broke out the sponge curlers and rolled her up! We both agree, it's way more fun to be a girl than a stinky old boy!

Link to She Who is My Granddaughter

Living the Ruff Life

...or How I Became "Dog Stupid"

OK, so, I used to think people who were all goo-goo about their dogs were just plain goofy..actually thats the polite word I use.. what I really thought was that they were stupid!. I didn't get it.

Then I got Lucy.

As a devout "Cat Person" I never really got into dogs. It's not that I disliked them. It just never dawned on me to get one. Then, about a year ago I met a man at one of my shows named Dr. Joe Demichael. Joe quickly became one of my all time favorite people in this world, a vet who also raises these amazing white labs! After much pleading and whining, I convinced him I could be a "dog person" and he agreed to allow me to adopt one of his special pups. As he handed Lucy to my husband Al. he said, "Your life will never be the same.. she will be the greatest dog you will ever own"

That was a year ago and today Al and I finally understand. Lucy now controls our world. I find myself coming home from parties and trips early because I miss her. I spend money on fancy treats and cute collars and all sorts of doggie gee-gaw. (Never mind the fact that her favorite chew thingy is an old plastic toy wheel barrow I bought for my grandson, shown below with Lucy, who was not the least bit impressed..but loved Lucy!)

I finally get it. Never was a dog more loved. Now, I too, am dog stupid!

Wanna have some fun? Visit Dr. Joe's website and see his amazing dogs and other cool stuff he has for dogs. Two sites to visit: www.BainbridgeLabs.com and www.drd4dogs.com

Link to "She Who Loves Her Dog"