Moving Out

Today we moved our office from the big luxury suite with a putting green inside the boss's office to the downstairs cramped, small office. We are in the Commercial Real Estate Development business...in other words, the "down size" immediately business. We have really slowed down so it's time to cut back on the luxuries. Thank goodness my position isn't considered a luxury yet.

My boss's hired some people to come and help us out, but of course me and Marsha both were hauling big boxes up and down the stairs too. I'm sooo out of shape right now, and my neck/shoulders always hurt (yes, I know I'm old!). But I couldn't believe how quick the soreness set in. At about 1:45 I went on a lunch run to Subway. I turn my head to back out of the parking spot...immediate pain, I could hardly turn my neck. Then driving along, I go to make a lane change, same thing...OUCH!

Can you imagine how bad I'm going to feel tomorrow if I'm already sore? Maybe this will kick me in the butt to start working out (hahaha). At least I can still make jokes.

Blog Surfing

I don't know how many of you have actually tried Blog Surfing...if you haven't, you definitely need to! I have met some great people, traveled around the world~visited places I never thought I'd be able to visit. I even met one of my dearest blogging friend by doing this.

All you have to do is hit "NEXT BLOG' up at the top of your home page. If you don't like where you've stopped, then quickly continue to click "NEXT BLOG" until you land some place interesting. Sometimes you might get stuck (the blog you land on doesn't allow you to click to get off)...just click your page back (<) arrow at the top of your screen. It will take you back and you can start again. I haven't done this in a while because I've been so busy. But today, I was writing for my new blog "Bowl of Inspiration.". It is a blog dedicated entirely to encouraging, motivating and inspiring. I will be adding some really amazing stories/poems. I decided to spend some time "surfing" to see if anyone could use a little inspiration...with the bad economy, a lot of people are struggling. I hope to help people look at the positive things in their life.

Today while blog surfing I stumbled across an incredible person Pleasant-Drive Blog.
Her positive outlook on life is inspiring. I decided to put her in my friends so I can follow her blog from now on.

Make sure you try Blog surfing and don't forget to stop by my new Blog to get some daily inspiration to help you through your day!

Girls Weekend

Living in a house with all boys has definitely made me appreciate any girl time that I can get. My friend Marcia had a little get together this weekend. She had a lady bring in tons of name brand jeans, dresses and purses for really cheap. Unfortunately with my current financial situation, "really cheap" is still not cheap enough for me right now. I still had tons of fun. I forget how much we all need a little girl time. Just hanging out, laughing at stupid things, talking, eating, helping them pick out cute outfits...girl stuff. I need to remember to make time for my friends..."my girls".

Follow Wenda's Blog Blitz!

Help find Wenda...she leaves tons of clues. Her final stop is where you can get your $50.00 Victoria Secret gift card and Oprah’s Favorite Things list ~The Clarisonic Skin Care System ($200.00 value).

Hurry she is moving fast!

Dr. Rey-90210 Infomercial-Sensual Solutions

I did my very first infomercial shoot today. It was a huge milestone for me...overcoming fear and self doubt. Dr. Rey (Dr. 90210) has launched a new skin care line, Sensual Solutions (yes, it's for the face), currently sold at Nordstrom's. I answered a casting call by submitting my picture and a quick bio.

I often do things like this but chicken out and never follow through (see previous post U-Turn List). I've really decided to turn over a new leaf and go after all my old hopes and dreams. I received an e-mail stating I was a semi-finalist in the casting call. They followed up couple of days later telling me that I made it and when/where to show up for the shoot.

As the days approached I sent an email back stating I did not have previous acting experience (starting to chicken out). They said that they still wanted me. I showed up today and had an awesome experience! The producer, assistant and camera men were the best. They made me feel so comfortable. The product actually worked great...it "plumped" up my skin. They applied it to my crows feet, laugh lines and lips, even though I already have huge lips, it smoothed out the wrinkles that have started to form in all areas. It worked in only 15 minutes. They did a before and after testimonial without makeup (yikes).

I guess they liked me because they said I will probably be a "Featured Testimonial." We'll see... Dr. Rey probably has the final say. It was a little scary at first, but they made me feel like I was just hanging out with a bunch of friends. I felt so good as I drove home. I overcame the fear of rejection and had a great time doing it. One more thing to cross off my list...I'm growing everyday. If I can do it, you can do it too, go after those old dreams!

A Child's Haircut-OMG

Oh My Gosh...my 13 year old son decided to cut his own hair tonight. Let's first rewind to last week. I always cut and dye my own hair and everyone's in the family. I've been really busy so my husband decided to cut Elijah's hair and his own. Elijah ended up with a Mohawk and Anthony ended up with what I refer to as Q-Tip head (I'm sure that gives you the perfect visual). Short on the sides with a little puff ball of hair on the top. I tried not to say too much about either hairdo's. But eventually I had to make my comments.

Fast forward to tonight...Elijah came in our room to get the buzzer's. I guess he was tired of his Mohawk. I was busy as usual and didn't pay attention or even ask what he was doing. Next thing I know, the door flings back open. Elijah is standing there, trying not to cry, as I quickly looked up to see this!


He was talking so fast, voice cracking, "I don't know what happened, I thought I put the #3 attachment on. I was looking down at the floor while I was buzzing my hair and thought that's a LOT of hair on the ground. I looked up into the mirror and realized that I never put the attachment on! What am I going to do...OH MY GOSH! LOOK AT ME! I LOOK LIKE A FREAK!"

Being a very understanding and caring mom, my first thought was, I need to get my camera to post this on my Blog. Now do any of you think that this may be a problem...LOL! I jumped up grabbed my camera and told him, "Let me take your picture and then we'll try to fix it." I didn't say it very calmly...my mind was now racing, how can I fix THAT!

We discussed several different options. His older brother suggested he should do a Chuck Liddell (UFC Fighter) hairdo.

"The Iceman" LA Times Blog

Liddell vs. Ortiz -Sodahead.com

What do you think about that hairdo?

Well...I quickly said, NO!" I broke out the #1 attachment and tried to blend it in...here's what we ended up with~


He's still really upset and said he is going to wear a beanie every day to cover it. I told him, "You are NEVER allowed to cut your hair again!" He just shook his head yes and started looking for a hat to wear to school tomorrow.

Isn't the kids haircut drama supposed to stop after the age of 5 or 6? Another eventful night for our Brady Bunch household! Stay tuned for the next adventure....

Valentines Day-A Little Different

I had a very different Valentines day this year...we stayed home and watched movies. We decided that we would wait till after payday (when I say decided, that's a nice way of saying~we have no money). We both agreed that restaurant's on Valentine's Day is too crowded and over priced. So next weekend we will celebrate our Valentine's Day.

It was actually kind of nice to just lay around. We watched a triple feature...action~Death Race, romance~Nights in Rodanthe and then a war romance~Closing the Ring. My husband let me have 2 romance movies in one night... NOW THAT'S LOVE! Death Race was pretty gory...but I like action and it was definitely full of that. Nights in Rodanthe wasn't as good as I had hoped. But I was pleasantly surprised with "Closing the Ring," I had never heard of it but it was actually really good.

I'd have to say my day was pretty good and I still have my real Valentines Day coming next weekend. Next year you guys should try it. You actually get a longer BETTER Valentine's Day. A girl can definitely use more romance...especially after being married for 9 years.

Hope you all had a great, romantic day!

Nickelodeon Brainsurge Audition: Adam Made It!

Adam (our little comedian) received a call yesterday that he has been booked to be on the new Nickelodeon Game Show- Brainsurge. You never know what they're looking for. We thought Adam totally blew at the audition because he froze up on camera, but once he was off camera and sitting in the background, he turned back into a clown.

I felt bad for Elijah...he said he didn't care that he wasn't picked, but I could tell he was sad. Adam asked if he wanted to go with him on Monday and watch, he said with a shrug of his shoulders, in his carefree way, "No, I'm just going to hang out at home and play video games."

I'll let you know when it airs so you can all watch him in action. Guess they really were looking for REAL kids instead of seasoned actors.

In Memory of Nick Mazzone

We moved and transferred over from Pony Baseball to Little League...which began our years of friendship/rivalry with the Mazzone baseball "MACHINE"-The Pirate's. To play against Big Nick and his talented son, little Nick, was a fear that every member of the entire league felt. The kids and the coaches alike knew that it was probably going to end up as a loss for their team.

The kids would approach the plate...eyes the size of saucers, as they stared at the strike out king on the mound in front of them. The coaches tried to encourage them that they COULD hit off of Nick, but they just needed some confidence. Nick would stare at them with a little smirk, focus intently on his catcher's sign (which off course Nick had several different pitches in his repertoire), wind up and whisk the ball by them so fast, they would still be swinging the bat as the catcher already had the ball securely in his mitt...the umpire yelling, "S T R I K E T H R E E!"

The next trouble would quickly come when a young pitcher would have to then pitch against the Home Run King. Little Nick would "strut" to the plate, the air making a loud hissing sound as he swung a few practice swings...getting ready for yet another home run. A loud "CRACK" as people began yelling, "Heads Up!" The ball would eventually drop next to the pitchers mound on the next field. Followed by cheering and clapping, the Pirates running out of the dugout lined up as their hero rounded third base, and high five them as he crossed home plate.

The horn would then begin to loudly pierce everyone's ears. Stacy, (Nick's mom) carried it to every game. That horn could be heard continually throughout all the fields, signaling another outstanding game, home run or strike-out for her amazing son. As a rival team it was a thorn in our side...it signaled another loss for our team. But she was her sons biggest fan, always on the field encouraging, and enthusiastically supporting her husband and son. When All-Stars would come around and we were all on the same team, we LOVED the horn. When she arrived at the field we all shouted, "Did you bring your horn Stacy?" She brought excitement and joy to the entire team.

Big Nick would coach and take great pride in not only his son, but our children as well. His practices would sometimes be five days a week for three hours at a time. Little Nick became an incredible player because of it. His bond with his dad was evident by the time they spent together. Little Nick absorbed all of his dad's wisdom and was very competitive. He expected nothing but perfection from himself and others.

Our final Major's All Star season was a season to remember. The boys looked up to little Nick as a leader and example. They never got down because Nick would pump them up. Whether pitching or catching he helped everyone remain calm and stick to the game plan. Our All Star team set a record at Huntington Valley...almost going all the way to Williamsport Little League World Series. Nick also continues to hold the home run record at Huntington Valley.

Nick represented hard work, perseverance, talent, confidence, team work and incredible love for the Lord, his family, and the game of baseball. He spent his life as a leader and an example. The Lord has called him home, but his memory will continue to live on inside of each one of us, until we meet again.

(Funeral services will be held at Cross Point Baptist Church, Monday, February 8th @ 11:00 a.m.)

Click For: STACY MAZZONE MEMORIAL INFORMATION

A Child's Final Super Bowl

We had a very emotional day yesterday. Jullien called me to run him over to the hospital because one of our friends son had just passed away. I was in shock, tried to wrap up the work I was right in the middle of, but my brain was in a fog. I kept thinking, "It can't be true, he'll be okay."

When we arrived at the hospital, there were tons of people there from the high school already, standing and crying in the hall. It was just unbelievable...a 16 year old isn't supposed to die. We have known the family for years. Our kids have played on rival baseball teams and on the same All Star Team for several years in a row.

The dad and his two sons had just returned from their "DREAM COME TRUE" Superbowl. They have been die hard Steelers fans since we first met them. Not just any typical fan...they had flags flying around their house, on their motor home, cars and the dad wore his Steelers jacket year round. They had gone to the game and had the time of their lives...they got to see their beloved Steelers win the Superbowl in person.

The oldest son had been sick and yesterday in the early morning hours was vomiting. His little brother found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. They had revived him at the hospital a few times but eventually were unable to.

They held a candlelight vigil for him last night with over 100 people from the community attending. It was an incredible outpouring of love. The parents attended and thanked everyone for their love and support. They are just in complete shock. I couldn't believe they were even able to show up, I don't think I could have.

Later that evening as I got ready for bed I couldn't help but think about the things that keep me awake at night. All of the worrying over bills, money, my schedule, work...these things are all meaningless. Our kids, spouse, parents, brothers/sisters, grandparents- FAMILY, FRIENDS AND GOOD HEALTH is the only thing that really matters in this world.

Make sure you stop and put your priorities straight today. Hug your kids and family members, tell them you love them, stop stressing and worrying over the unimportant things of this life. This could be the last day you have them...did you waste your time on worrying, instead of building a loving relationship with the people who mean the most to you. My friends would give up everything they have in this world to be able to hug, kiss and talk to their child again.

I needed to be reminded of this and I know a lot of you probably do too.

Super Bowl Sunday

I can't believe it...I thought the Cardinals were going to pull off the upset. I wanted Kurt Warner to win another Super Bowl. It would have been so amazing. So many people just give up when they get written off. He was put on the sidelines as a rookie's back up. He has such a positive attitude and knows that perseverance pays off. He is such a great motivator for kids...if you dream it, you can achieve it.

I guess he wasn't able to pull it off, but at least you know that he wont give up and will probably be back in the Super Bowl again next year. I always cheer for the underdog...most of the people at the party we were at were cheering for Arizona also. It made it really exciting when they started their comeback. We were all going crazy! When I say ALL, I mean it. The party that we were at was PACKED full of people. Everyone had a great time...just fun to hang out with friends, just not the best ending.

I hate when football season is over, it's my favorite sport...baseball and basketball can't even compare. I'll impatiently count the months until pre-season. Hope you all had a fun day!