To the curb 2008!

Well, I figured I should post something as this is the last few hours of 2008. It has been a strange year to say the least. I am actually happy to see 08 hit the road! I think back over the course of this year and mostly feel loss. I changed jobs in February (to one of the best things in 08) but have lost touch with really amazing women who I worked with. I have had my fair share of death this year. Max in late June, Murray in early July and Lucky in November all were hard on the heart to be sure. Loss of pay and having less money than ever before has been difficult. Brendan works 2 jobs and sometimes 75-80 hours a week to keep us with a roof over our head. Gas prices thru the roof and the cost of everything skyrocketing, some days I wonder how we pull it all together.

Not all things were bad in 2008. I work with an amazing person Amy who I am very lucky to call my friend, who puts up with me each and every day. I get to take Sam the wonder dog to work and he LOVES Mondays! UGH! I have new friends like Sara, Doc and Carmen and of course Jessi and Jared who are playing this evening (I love you guys- I really do!). I have been sick and decided to sit this one out! I like my job working for a medical billing company. I have my own office with a purple wall! I knew that was my place! We took a Solvang run and I was very blessed to meet two fabulous actors and wonderful people - Michael Emerson and his beautiful wife, Carrie Preston at an opening of a heart warming film called "Ready? OK!". I fulfilled my wish to take belly dancing (which is harder than it looks!). I added to the brood with Emmy, Benjamin and Henry. They add new life to the house and new memories.

So here I sit with Sam and Anderson Cooper and will ring in 2009 at home. I am looking forward to 2009 and the opportunities it holds. I hope to take advantage of each and every one of them and make 09 all about "finding your bliss". I hope you all find yours in 09!

Happy New Year!

Finally!!

At last dear ones! The new album from Champagne Sunday has arrived. We waited and waited and waited...... and it was entirely worth it! This CD is AWESOME!!!!

Wow it has been a long process and I am very grateful to have heard some of these songs evolve.

Jessi and Jared have outdone themselves! This is a fun album starting with Fallen and for those of us lucky to have seen this performed live, it is affectionately called the "napkin song" as we swing our napkins high in the air!

- Stronger is a toe tapping ditty that reminds you that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! - What a day is a possible single and if you have had the day from hell, this song tells it all!

- Long day is Jared and you feel this song down deep.

- So inclined is Jessi song about Jared.

-Tiny Girl is Jessi's tribute to her fabulous mother Arla and what it is like to measure up. I know them both and I know when I grow up I wanna be just like them!

- Bound is a more gritty song, one they don't play live very often at this point.

- No motivation is a crowd favorite not to mention one of my personal favorites. The mixing in the studio of this song is phenomenal with all the different instruments. Love it!

- Bonsai Kitty was originally written about an Internet hoax that Jessi didn't know was a hoax when she wrote this song of outrage about kittens being raised in glass bottles and fed thru tubes. The song evolved to breaking out of the mold and being who you are meant to be, not conforming to others standards.

- Music Box is another crowd favorite and my all time favorite CS tune. It is about finding that inner child and letting him/her out to play. I still cry when Jessi sings this song.

- Holy water is another strong contribution from Jared saying what a lot of people feel about religion. He speaks for me on this one!

- The fall of Gabriel is about an old roommate that needed a kick in the pants to get his life jump started. A very fun song!

I really cannot tell you how very much I love this album and the amazing songwriting skills of both Jessi and Jared. These guys rock and so does this CD!

I love them both so very much. They are full of life and fun and as individuals, make you feel wanted, accepted as well as warm, safe and loved. They are inviting each person to join in the festivities and live each day to its entirety. Even when it doesn't always work, the invitation still stands. Treat yourselves to the bubbly! Cheers.

Where did it go?

Can someone please tell me - WHERE DID IT GO??

I am talking about time. I checked the blog to see when was the last time I posted thinking - "Oh probably a couple of weeks." Yeah, like almost 6 weeks ago! My intentions are pretty simple. I wanted to keep a blog one not too big or overbearing. This one has lapsed into LAME! I guess I could put it off a couple more weeks and say that my New Years Resolution would be to blog more (and be young and thin) but we all know that's not gonna happen! Especially those of you who know me. I am a very responsible and organized person with the exception of this blog which as I write is gathering dust! Oh that is my keyboard and my house!

I wish I had amazing things to report. Ya know things like I have traveled (insert exotic locale here) or I have been doing (insert amazing life experience here). NO I have been working, sleeping and occasionally beading. I will post more photos but guess what.... They are still stuck in the camera! Gotta get my act together- Maybe tomorrow. OK too much time has past. I feel really guilty but I know I am going to do the very same thing again and probably again. Thank Goodness no one reads this thing or the pressure would be too much! Nah that would only be if I had to cook! Then all bets are off.........

Smooches to all who reads this because I have no idea where I am headed next!

Stay tuned I may create something fabulous!