The Butterfly Lounge

The Anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the fall of the World Trade Center Towers and those who lost their lives, Tribal FM has set up a Memorial page in conjunction with three charities, to raise money for those charities. We are hoping to raise at least $1000.00. Every little bit helps.
To view the Memorial page, go here: http://www.tribal.fm/911memorial.php .
To donate, go here: http://www.tribal.fm/911.php .

Please help Tribal FM help these charities/foundations.

Thank you in advance and God bless.
.....
In Memorium

Growing up as the daughter of missionaries in Japan and the West Indies, Wendy Faulkner always knew what it meant to be poor. Even after she became a successful businesswoman and settled in Mason, Ohio, she would regularly pack up boxes of clothing and send them to orphans and poor children whose names had passed on to her by her parents.
"She spent thousands of dollars, but no one even knew she did it," said her husband of 21 years, Lynn Faulkner. "I know she put at least one kid all the way through school."

In fact, some of her friends did not even know she was a vice president at Aon, with people working for her in several countries, because she rarely talked about it. Several thought she was a stay-at-home mom because she spent so much time with her two daughters, her husband said.

Yet she often traveled to New York and other cities, and on Sept. 11 she was attending a one-day meeting at Aon's offices in the World Trade Center.

To continue her legacy of helping children in the third world, her family has established a nonprofit group, the Wendy Faulkner Memorial Children's Foundation.

New York Firefighter Lieutenant David J Fontana was one of 343 firefighters that died while helping to rescue about 28,000 people from the World Trade Center following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Dave was 37. He left behind his widow, Marian, and his son, Aidan, who was five.

Dave belonged to Squad Company 1, a fire station house at 788 Union Street in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn whose firefighters are specially trained to tackle the most difficult and dangerous of fires and other emergencies. Twelve of the 27 men of Squad 1 were killed on September 11. Only 15 men in the squad survived.

Dave died on his eighth wedding anniversary. Such was his love for the fire department that, in 1993, Dave insisted that he and Marian be wed on September 11. This way their anniversary would be “nine one one” – the phone number for contacting the fire department or other emergency service.

EXCITING NEWS

2011-08-31T01:26:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not preggers...lol That would be a miracle since I had a total hysterectomy in 2003.

It was announced today that I am the new promotion manager for http://tribal.fm . I've known for almost a week, but was told to keep it under wraps. It was announced during out monthly meeting today. I was so excited. Please chrck us out. We have awesome DJs who play all kinds of music.

My show times typically are:

Wednesday: 10:00am - 2:00pm Pacific time

Thursday: 11:00am - 2:30pm Pacific time

Friday: 11:00am - 3:00pm Pacific time

Who I am...

2011-06-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

I served at FishFest in Irvine, California yesterday and was asked by two companies to post my testimony to their websites, which got me to thinking about WHO I am. Please read below.

*I am a three time suicide Survivor
...
*I am a Survivor of rape, incest and molestation
...
*I am a Survivor of physical domestic abuse/violence.
(verbal and emotional abuse won't end until I move out)
...
These things do not define me as a person, nor as a woman:
...
Positive words that have been used to define or describe me: Strong, Intelligent, Funny, Loving, Friendly, Helpful, Courageous.
...
Unkind words that have been used to describe me (mostly by the man I am married to):
bitch, slut, whore, attention whore. He resorts to these names during fights. And, thinks it's ok, or will say that he never called me those names. Maybe next time, I'll record a fight so he can deny the name calling.
...
I thank God that I have the strength and grace to rise above the name calling, knowing that I am none of those vile, disgusting names. And that a man could ever call a woman those name, especially one he is married to, is just an all-around sad situation.
...
So, I am setting up an 'escape plan'. I am looking for a job and as soon as I find one and get back on my feet financially, I will be moving out. Or, since he no longer wants to live here, I will speak to the owner and see what I can work out with him.
...
And I know that my soon-to-be-ex husband is probably monitoring my blog, but that's fine. I have nothing to hide.
...
Until another time, Peace out!

So....

2011-06-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

He informed me last night that he will not be filing for divorce. I guess it doesn't matter what I want. He's the one who said he wanted the divorce. I told him there was NO going back. I meant it. Just because he's decided to make changes almost 2 years later, that's doesn't change my mind in the whole situation. If he won't file, then i will when I start working , move out and can afford to file. I have dreams of my own that I want to pursue and I won't allow anyone to hold me back or put me down any longer.

Things that make you go, hmmmm....

2011-06-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, so he came home from the men's retreat and we started fighting. I told him that calling me a WHORE was unacceptable. He said he didn't call me a whore. I told him that whether it was a sexual whore or an attention whore, a whore is a whore and I'm neither of those. I refuse to be in a relationship like this anymore! He may not be physically abusing me, but verbal and emotional abuse is just as bad, if not worse. And what's funny is that he can start it, but as soon as I begin to respond, he says HE's not doing this and retreats to the garage. He can dish it out but he can't take it. I'm not going to just sit back and let him treat me like crap.
...
He also paid for the oil to be changed in my car since he no longer wants to do it for me. He is also helped me out of a financial bind. Now I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. Whenever he does something for me, there are always hidden strings attached. When he helps me, if he wants something later and I say no, then I get the, 'I did this, I did that for you'. That's why I don't ask him to do anything for me anymore.
...
Oh, and he’s been listening to this marriage series thru Horizon Church in San Diego, California. I've been listening with him and it's quite interesting. But if he thinks that him listening to them and changing his attitude and behavior now is going to keep me from still wanting the divorce, he is sadly mistaken. I told him in 2009 when he said that he wanted the divorce that he'd better be sure it what he wants, because there was NO going back. I still feel the same way almost 2 years later.
...
I had an appointment with the Department of Rehab on June 1st and since I am considered permanently disabled, I qualify for job placement or education services. I am hoping that they can pay for college so that I can at least get my A.A. in business. And hopefully it'll come with some money every month. If it's enough to get caught up on bills, I will move out...even if I have to rent a room from someone.
...
Below are two of my favorite quotes lately:
...
"Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you imagined." ~Henry David Thoreau
...
My marriage is the past. I am looking forward to the future and what new adventures I can find.
...
"How people treat you is their karma. How you react is yours." ~Wayne Dyer~
...
I am going to no longer react when the ex (yes, I can him the ex even though no papers have been filed) begins a fight and gets hurtful. I will rise above it and take the high road. The attitude will be all on him.

Le Sigh

2011-05-20T18:21:00.001-07:00

Let's see if this works now. I have only been trying to post since May 14th. Seems there was a compatibility issue with IE9. Seems to have been fixed now.
...
ok, let's try this again...…I am finally able to decompress from the fight with the soon to be ex husband that happened on Mother's Day and the ensuing week. The fight degenerated into name calling by him. Mainly calling me a whore three times. I am NOT a whore! I have never cheated on him, no matter what he thinks or says. But he ALWAYS reverts to name calling when there is a fight. Have I done things in the past that I'm not proud of? Absolutely! Who hasn't? But when someone says they forgive you, you expect that to be the end of it. Not with him. He lied. He never has forgiven me, and he brings it up just about everytime we fight. Well, I am NOT apologizing for the things I've done in the past anymore. And I told him so. I confessed my sins to God and that's all that matters. I am forgiven, because I am a child of God. And the ironic thing is that he is at our church's mens' retreat this weekend. LOL Bet he's not confessing any of this to the pastor. It's now his problem, not mine. I refuse to engage in warfare with someone who plays unfairly by threatening to take the internet, electricity, etc., away from me because he knows that I can't afford it on my own. I am on permanent disability and he likes to use the fact that I have no money as a way of 'control'. Anyway, this weekend I'm FREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
...
LOL…I had a group interview on thursday (5/12) with an adult active living home. It's a beautiful place. The position is a concierge/receptionist position. It's a part time position which may eventually become full time. I think it would be a great fit with my skills and personality. I was the only one of the interviewees to interact with any of the residents before the inteview. And the house dog loved me. She is a Schnauzer named Gina. She is soooo pretty. She came over, wanting me to pet her, so I did and then she laid by my chair for the majority of the interview. Hmmm, I think she cast her vote for me...lol The interview process will take about 2 weeks, so I hope I get called back for a second interview.
Update on the job: I didn't get the second interview.
...
So on today (5/14), I am going to see my uncle for the first time since I had the surgery on my jaw in January, and had the braces removed in March. I think it's going to be really good for both of us. He sounded really good tonight.
...
On sunday (5/15) I have church, whether physically or online. Then I am filling in for 2 DJs on Tribal FM @ http://tribal.fm/ , as they are taking the day/night off. I love DJing for Tribal FM. Check us out!…I guess that's it for now. I will try to update more often.

OH Costa Mesa Conference and Fashion Show

2010-06-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's taken me almost 2 weeks to finish this blog post, but here it is...Finally!! LOL

The weekend ROCKED!!
Friday, I had good intentions to be at the hotel by 3-4:00, but you know what they say about good intentions; the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. LOL So I actually got to the hotel about 5:30pm. The Hilton was beautiful. I loved the glass-walled elevators. I have a lot of thoughts on them, but not for public view. LOL So anyway, loved the hotel. The staff was very helpful and friendly. My roommate was very nice, even tho we didn't see much of each other through out the weekend.

Saturday came and I realized that I didn't pack enough clothes for the weekend. Typical. LOL So I trekked down to Walmart in Huntington Beach and picked up an outfit. Came back to the hotel and changed. Went down to check out the vendors. There were some pretty cool vendors there. I made appointments with 2 reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Quiroz from Mexico and Dr. Katzen from Beverly Hills. Love them both. I met them both in 2008 at the OH Los Angeles convention. Both said that even with still having 25 pounds to lose, they would do the reconstructive surgery on me now. They feel I am ready for it. They both said that the suferies would take between 10-15 pounds off of me, leaving me about 10 pounds to get to my goal weight. I walked the vendors for a while, picked up some samples and bought some other items, like dried edemame. Sat is on three speakers; Yvonne McCarthy (BariatricGirl), Dr. Garth Davis (Big Medicine) and Mary Jo Rapini (Big Medicine). All three were great speakers. Yvonne was right on about the self-esteem issue. Dr. Garth was funny during his segment. But I think my favorite was Mary Jo, who was speaking about sex after weightloss surgery. She had everyone rolling with her sense of humor, and it got even better when she brought out the whipped cream and toys. Oh my gosh, I hadn't laughed so hard in a long, long time.

Saturday night came and I was running around trying to find Jeremy from Obesty Help so we could compare our lists of fashion show participants so he could put together to slideshow and trying to get something to eat before getting myself ready for the show. Found Jeremy and gave him my list, Kim V. was nice enough to share her pizza with me for dinner and we got to talking so much that we were late getting back to our rooms to get ready. Checked email and my high-speed internet had been shut down about a 1/2 hour early, so I went to the desk and they comped me a 4-hour block of internet service. See?? Told you they were nice and helpful. By the time I was done figuring out what was wrong with the internet, I had about 25 minutes to shower, dress, do my hair and makeup. So I showered, dressed, did my hair and took my makeup kit down to the room we were using for the fashion show and ran into the makeup artist. She took me into the makeup room and did my makeup for me. I was about 15 minutes late for the show that I coordinated, but they couldn't really begin without me. Yvonne introduced me and then the show started. It was awesome! We rocked the runway. There was a photo booth that everyone enjoyed over and over and over again...After the fashion show, we had a DJ. He was pretty decent. About midnight everyone went back to their rooms and I spent some time in IM with a friend for a couple hours before bed.

Sunday was a lazy morning, with a late check-out, which gave me a lot of time to consolidate everything intomy bags. The weekend and especially the fashion show was a HUGE success. I was happy that everyone had a great weekend.

On another happy note, I met a gentleman at the hotel. His name is Shane. We had passed each other several times. He was at the hotel for a differet event that weekend. So as I said, we had passed each other several times and wound up in the elevator together. He was on the same floor and i was, only the opposite direction. We wound up hanging out for a bit on saturday. He walked the vendor floor with me and we'd meet up between our respective speakers and my PS consutations. He had asked me out, but I explained my real life situation of married but seperated and still living with my soon-to-be-ex husband. He completely understood and told me that when I am free, he'd still love to take me out. He gave me his card with his home, work and cell numbers. He lives in Orange County and was still willing to come take me out when I live in the Inland Empire. Anyway, he was hearing a speaker at the time I was getting ready for the fashion show and I passed by him twice on the floor where the show was being held, and he didn't recognize me. I had to go up and re-introduce myself to him. LOL Now mind you, I had been wearing capris and a tshirt all day. When he saw me all 'dolled up', he was blown away. He told me I was beautiful and gave me a hug, caressed my cheek and gave me a soft kiss. He hung out by the door until the fashion show was done, I saw him for a couple minutes afterward and then he had to go to a party of his own, after kissing me one more time that night. Just a soft, sweet kiss. Very respectful. I will definitely be calling him when my home situation changes.

So, all in all it was a fabulous weekend. Very unforgettable.

I am so excited!!

2010-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Obesity Help, which is my online weightloss support group is holding one of it's yearly conferences in Costa Mesa, California from May 21-22. I will be at the Costa Mesa Hilton from May 21-23. In addition to guest speakers, reconstructive surgery consults, vendors and Q & A sessions, there will be a Fashion Show on Saturday night. I am the coordinator for the show. Not only that, but I will be IN the fashion show. I am soo excited, both as the coordinator and as a participant. I will have my laptop at the hotel and will be doing updates throught the weekend, so stay tuned!!

Okay, it's been 7 months...Time for an update

2010-05-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well, not a lot has happened in the divorce department. We are at a stalemate of sorts, since I'm not currently working and he can't pay all the bills without the money I put in from my social security disability. I am still looking for work, but may have to leave California to find work. The employment situation in California really sux. I have been offered a place to stay with friends in Washington State, but until I get the braces on my teeth removed, I can't leave Cali.

And then the head games began with the husband. He started acting like he no longer wanted the divorce and was getting all touchy feely about a week before Valentine's Day. We have given in to 'mutual enjoyment' At least that was how I saw it. No sex. He tried to make more out of it and when I told him how I felt, he got mad. He started saying that it seemd like I wanted the divorce more than he did. I told him to wait a minute and back that truck up. I told HIM that he's the who said he wanted a divorce back in September. He then replied that he never said he wanted a divorce, that he was 'thinking about it'. I then told him he was full of crap. That he needed to talk to ALL 'our' friends, his mom and our landlord, then come back and tell me that he didn't say he wanted a divorce. Then he corrected himself and said that he didn't 'remember' saying he wanted a divorce. For 5 months I had been using phrases like 'when we divorce' or 'after the divorce', things like that and not once did he EVER correct me. Now five months later he pulls this crap on me. I told him that even if he no longer wanted the divorce, I did. I refuse to live in fear of being kicked out, of being threatened with divorce when he doesn't get what he wants, when he wanted it (mainly sex). After years of being threatened with divorce, I told him to be very sure that's what he wanted, because there was no going back. I told him that in September, I told him that in February and I told him that again in April when he came to and informed me that he had shredded the divorce papers and was leaving it in God's hands. He told me that the fate of our marriage was now in my hands. I looked at him and said 'uh uh, the fate of our marriage was in your hands once you said you wanted a divorce'. So, we are still at a stalemate.

I will try to update on what's going on with me more often.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

I Finally Mourned the Death of My Marriage...

2009-10-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday night (10/17/09), during the 'Afterglow', which took place after the teaching. For the last month, people kept telling me that I needed to mourn but everytime the tears started to surface, I would push them away and find something else to do. Also, I think that I didn't want to appear vulnerable or weak in front of the husband. But last night during the 'Afterglow', the tears came and wouldn't stop. I cried for about a half hour, but it was a needed and healing weeping. I have never cried for so long in my life. But now I know that the Lord will provide for any of my needs and I can rest in Him.

CCRC's Women's Retreat 2009

2009-10-20T00:59:00.000-07:00

So, I spent the weekend (10/16-10/18/09) in Murietta for the women's retreat. It was a great weekend. The topic was Psalm 23, which was so appropriate with everything that's going on in my life right now. I am doing to break down the sections as we went through the 6 verses of the Psalm.

Teaching I - Psalm 23 - The Shepherd we need.

Teaching II - Psalm 23:2 - The Sheperd of Rest and Peace

Teaching III - Psalm 23:3 - The Sheperd of Healing and Guidance

Teaching IV - Psalm 23:4-5 - The Shepherd of Presence

Teaching V - Psalm 23:6 - The Shepherd of Hope and Heaven

Each section was broken down and explained. It was interesting, emotional and a true blessing. In between teachings, we also had devotion and down time to reflect on the teachings and have devotional time with the Lord. Over the almost 48 hours that I was there, I walked almost 4.5 miles. Thank God I took my walking shoes with me, or I'd be hurting. Oh, and they know how to feed you, too. Here is the menu from the weekend:

Friday Night
Dinner
Chicken with Curry sauce
CousCous ) I had 4 small bites...it was yummy)
Steamed green beans and carrots
Fresh whole wheat bread
Apple tart (1/8 of a pie = about 2ozs.)

Saturday
Breakfast
Quiche Lorraine (1/8 of a pie = 2-3ozs)
Fresh zucchini bread
Fresh fruit
Orange Juice
Lunch
Chicken salad sandwiches (on butter croissant - De-constructed (chicken, mayo, celery and red grapes...no bread)
Snack-sized Sun Chips
Fruit salad (cantalope, honeydew, grapes and pineapple)
Oatmeal choc. chip cookie
Strawberry lemonade
Dinner
Roast beef with mushrooms (I had about 3ozs)
Penne pasta with garlic/parmesan/cream sauce (I had 3 pieces of pasta)
Steamed broccoli
Fresh Catalina bread
Black & White Mousse (Dark and white chocolate...I had about 4 bites)

Sunday
Breakfast
Scrambled eggs
Ham
Stawberry/Banana Yogurt
Fresh Fruit
Freshly made Granola (I didn't have any)

I also had SF Iced Chai lattes from their coffee shop...Yummy!

So all in all, It was a fantastic weekend with awesome women and awesome teachings.

My Marriage is OVER...

2009-10-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

So, the husband told me on Sept. 19th that he wanted a divorce. What a shock. I said 'okay', as I've wanted out for a while. We have decided to be adult about it. No mud-slinging, no bashing each other. Since we both manage the complex we live in, we can't force each other out of our condo. We will be having a 'live-in divorce'. Neither of us can afford to move at this point. I have been looking for a job since March, and he was laif off from his job in July. He has an interview with a school district on 10/21, and I have a test date for the county that we live in, on 10/29. So hopefully we will get these new jobs and be able to live apart.

Somebody Loves You Crusade 2009 - Las Vegas

2009-08-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

The weekend was fabulous! We left Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (Diamond Bar) on a chartered bus at 7:30am on saturday and got to Calvary Chapel Spring Valley (Las Vegas) at about noon. We rehearsed for about 90 minutes and the bus took us to the Embassy Suites Hotel. When we got to the hotel, they had no record of me and my roommate. They called the gal that had coordinated the hotel rooms and she was already at the Thomas and Mack Center. So while she came back to straighten out the situation, the hotel comp'd our dinner at one of their restaurant. My roommate and I split a plate of baby back ribs. Yummy! Then I got to hang with my cousinKenny for a bit on saturday night. I hadn't seen him since Jason was less that a year old.

Then our part of the crusade was last night (Sunday, August 30th). We were on a rotating stage. There were two sides and as one of the bands was playing, we were getting set up on the risers, Then they hit a button and rotated the stage so that we were facing the audience. They really need a warning system because it gives new meaning to 'stop the world, I want to get off'...lol The choir started off with the Star-spangled Banner. Then there was a military tribute. One of the tributes was for a fallen soldier. He gave his life in Iraq in 2004. His parents were there and they were presented with a braonze and blue star for their son's service. They also had the unfolding and refolding of the American Flag. As the flag was being refolded, the story of the folds was being told. Thee were many tears shed during this part of the crusade. Then we did our other four songs and they rotated the stage again. We then went and sat in the audience for the remainder of the Crusade. It was awesome!!! When I left, there were almost 100 people accepting the Lord. Then it was back to the bus and head home.

Here is the link to view the Crusade: http://www.somebodylovesyou.org/las_vegas/2009/
Click the Webcast link

The History of the American Flag Folds

The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold of the flag is a symbol of a belief in eternal life.
The third fold is a symbol of honor and remembrance of veterans
The forth fold is a symbol of weakness.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country.
The sixth fold is where our hearts lie.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, so that we may see the light.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood.
The tenth fold is a tribute to fathers.
The eleventh fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David & King Solomon, glorifying the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.
The twelfth fold represents the emblem of eternity and glorifies the God of the Father, the Son & Holy Ghost.

When the folds are complete, the stars are uppermost and remind us of our national motto, "In God we Trust". The flag will resemble a cocked hat, representing soldiers, Marines & Sailors of the past & present.

2009-05-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

I have officially hit Onderland this morning...I got on my scale like 10 times just to see it again and again. LOL I am down 97 pounds, from 295 to 198. Woohoooooo!!! I am so excited and ecstatic. I haven been in Onderland since I got preggers with Jason in 1985. What an AWESOME WOW Moment!!! I am soooo floating on Cloud 9. =)

Birth Data

2009-04-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

13 September 1966

Your date of conception was on or about 21 December 1965 which was a Tuesday.

You were born on a Tuesday under the astrological sign Virgo.Your Life path number is 8.

Your fortune cookie reads: You find beauty in ordinary things, do not lose this ability.

Life Path Compatibility: You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22. You should get along well with those with the Life Path number 6. You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 1 & 5. You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 3, 7 & 9. The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439381.5. The golden number for 1966 is 10. The epact number for 1966 is 8. The year 1966 was not a leap year. Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/21/1966 and ending 2/8/1967. You were born in the Chinese year of the Horse. Your Native American Zodiac sign is Bear; your plant is Violets. You were born in the Egyptian month of Hathys, the third month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil). Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 28 Elul 5726. Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 29 Elul 5726. The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.13.0.17 which is 12 baktun 17 katun 13 tun 0 uinal 17 kin.

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Tuesday, 27 Jumadiyu'l-Avval 1386 (1386-5-27). The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 10 April 1966. The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 10 April 1966. The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 23 February 1966. The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 29 May 1966. The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 5 June 1966. The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Thursday, 15 September 1966. The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Tuesday, 5 April 1966. The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 22 February 1966. As of 4/26/2009 5:47:56 PM EDT you are 42 years old. You are 511 months old. You are 2,224 weeks old. You are 15,566 days old. You are 373,601 hours old. You are 22,416,107 minutes old. You are 1,344,966,476 seconds old. Celebrities who share your birthday:

Ben Savage (1980)
Fiona Apple (1977)
Jean Smart (1959)
Nell Carter (1948)
Jacqueline Bisset (1944)
Bela Karolyi (1942)
David Clayton-Thomas (1941)
Mel Torme (1925)
Roald Dahl (1916)
Claudette Colbert (1903)
John J. Pershing (1860)

Top songs of 1966
I'm a Believer by Monkees
The Ballad of the Green Berets by S/Sgt. Barry Sadler
Winchester Cathedral by New Vaudeville Band
Soul and Inspiration by Righteous Brothers
Monday, Monday by The Mama's & the Papa's
We Can Work It Out by Beatles
Summer In the City by Lovin' Spoonful
Cherish by Association
You Can't Hurry Love by Supremes
Wild Thing by Troggs

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 6.09236790606654 years old. (You're still chasing cats!) Your lucky day is Wednesday. Your lucky number is 5. Your ruling planet(s) is Mercury. Your lucky dates are 5th, 14th, 23rd. Your opposition sign is Pisces. Your opposition number(s) is 3. Today is not one of your lucky days! There are 140 days till your next birthday on which your cake will have 43 candles.Those 43 candles produce 43 BTUs,or 10,836 calories of heat (that's only 10.8360 food Calories!) .You can boil 4.91 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1966 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US. In 1966 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile. In 1966 in the US there were approximately 1,800,000 marriages (9.3%) and 479,000 divorces (2.5%). In 1966 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000). In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds. In 1966 the population of Australia was approximately 11,704,843. In 1966 there were approximately 223,731 births in Australia. In 1966 in Australia there were approximately 96,061 marriages and 9,859 divorces. In 1966 in Australia there were approximately 103,929 deaths. Your birth flower is ASTER. Your birthstone is Sapphire -->The Mystical properties of Sapphire: Though not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, Sapphire is used for clear thinking. Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Agate, Moonstone, Lapis Lazuli.

Your birth tree is the Lime Tree, the Doubt Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress and labour, tends to laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous, loyal. There are 243 days till Christmas 2009! There are 256 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waning crescent.

Get yours Here: http://www.paulsadowski.com/BirthDay.asp

Final Update on my ankle...

2009-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

I saw my orthopedic surgeon on January 15th and he had new x-rays taken. The x-rays showed that the biggest break has completely filled in (the smaller break healed completely at 8 weeks), so he has released me from seeing him unless I develop any problems with my ankle. He also released me from having to wear the cam-walker and using the bone stimulator. Wooohoooooo!!!

I received an Award!!!

2008-12-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

I received this award from Siabhan at http://siobhans-blog.blogspot.com/ . The rules are List 7 things you love and pass it on to 7 people.

Things I Love:

1. I love the Lord

2. I love my family and friends

3. I love PSP

4. I love to read

5. I love to cook/bake

6. I love Pampered Chef. I am consultant and you can place an order here: http://www.pamperedcef.biz/kattsacooking

7. I love to read

The 7 people I am passing this onto are:

1. Rachel, wo can be found at http://captivatedvisions.blogspot.com/

2. Yvette, who can be found at http://essenceofcreativity1.blogspot.com/

3. Beth, who can be found at http://builtbybeth.blogspot.com/

4. Kirsty, who can be found at http://harryandtatesmum.blogspot.com/

5. Ruth, who can be found at http://scrapindaisy.blogspot.com/

6. Kelly, who can be found at http://scrapsbystorm.blogspot.com/

7. Fiona, who can be found at http://fisfaultscraps.blogspot.com/

Update on my ankle...

2008-11-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

I saw the ortho specialist on 11/25 and he said that everything is looking good. I am healing slowly, but he said that's to be expected because of the WLS (malabsorption issues). I can do more weight-bearing now, but he still wants me to wear the bone stimulator and boot, as well as using a my cane. Those of you who have seen me without the boot and/or my cane... Bite me!!!! LMAO I go back in 6 weeks for new x-rays. Wooohoooooo!!! I will post another update in January, after I see the ortho specialist again.

Los Angeles Obesity Help Convention 2008

2008-11-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

So, I spent the Halloween weekend at the Kyoto Hotel in Los Angeles. It's a beautiful hotel and the staff is really friendly. I shared a room with a gal from the Bay Area. She was really nice. The room was nice and the beds were comfy.

I met a really nice gentleman named Ron Lester. If the name sounds familiar, it should. He played Billy Bob in Varsity Blues, Sugar Daddy Bernadino in the WB's teen show Popular, Spatch in Good Burger, Reggie Ray in Not Another Teen Movie, as well other parts in show/movies. His weight topped out at 508 pounds, and through having the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch, he was able to lose 348 pounds. He looks amazing. I have pictures from my weekend at the convention in My Pictures. There is a picture of me sitting on Ron's lap. I wasn't the only one to do this, so don't get all twitchy on me...lol

It was great meeting people I had only spoken to online as well as meeting new people at the convention. It wa such a relaxed atmosphere and a lot of fun. If you are considering having any type of gastric bypass surgery, or if you've already had surgery, I really suggest you go to one of these conventions. The people and the support are amazing.

For Halloween one of the plastic surgeons hosted a Halloween in the Japanese Gareden at the hotel. The food was really good. The costumes were amazing. I dressed up as a gypsy. They had a costume contest and I think Sarah Palin won, but don't quote me on it...lol

Saturday it was speakers, presentations, vendors and plastic surgery consults. To hear Ron's experience was inspirational. I think several people got teary-eyed, including me. They had great vendors: Click (espresso protein powder), Mona Vie (the Aca'i Beey drink), Focus-28 (protein bars), AchievOne (protein drinks) and whole lot more that I can't remember right now. Lunch was amazing. They served sliced tuna, which was yummy. salads, roast beef, turkey, cheeses. For dessert they has sugar free cookies and lemon bars. O-M-G, the lemon bars were to-die-for!! My roommate and I had dinner at the Azalea Resaurant. The food was good. Then we went to Casino Night in the main room on the Banquet Level. It was a lot of fun. They had a Dj and he played some good music. They dessert was fruit and sugar free cheesecake, which was really good.

Sunday was more speakers, presentations, vendors, plastic surgery consults and a food/cooking demo with Michelle (Eggface) and Beth (Melting Mama). They are so funny and the food was yummy. Lunch was beef and chicken fajita with all the fixings. For dessert, there was the sugar free cheesecake and a sugar free chocolate mousse cake. They were sooo good!!Then it was saying goodbye and the looonnng drive home. I was tired but happy.

Side Note: My pill box of meds and supplements vanished from my suitcase on saturday night when I went to take them and mysteriously showed up in my suitcase when I got home and unpacked. Curious, isn't it??

Update on my Health...

2008-11-05T15:25:00.000-08:00

So I saw my primary doctor on monday (11/04) and she has taken me off on another of my diabetes medications. So, out of 9 medications prior to surgery (not including the Vicodin and flexeril that I take for my back), I am down to 2 medications. Glipizide for diabetes and levothroid for my thyroid (which I will have to take for life). She said that I am looking really good.

WOW Moment: My dr.'s assistant didn't recognize me!! LOL I was sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine when she called my name. When I looked up, she was looking around the room. She didn't know it was me until I stood up. We thought it was funny. It felt really good.

Side Note: For those of you who have mocked me by saying that this surgery wouldn't work for me, you know who you are (one person in particular). I have lost 80 pounds so far and am MORE than HALFWAY to my GOAL weight. And I am STILL losing.

I Am Thankful...

2008-11-05T15:18:00.000-08:00

FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS HE/SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE CRAZY PEOPLE WHERE I WORK BECAUSE THEY MAKE WORK INTERESTING AND FUN!

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

SEND THIS! TO SOME ONE YOU CARE ABOUT. I JUST DID.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart!

Have A Very Happy Day!!!

Update on my ankle...

2008-10-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

Saw the doc a little bit ago and it looks like I won't be needing surgery after all. One of the breaks is filled in and the other break is slowly filling in so they are going to get me a bone stimulator to help. It's similar to a TENS unit for muscles, but this helps stimulate bone growth. I still have to wear the cam walker and not do full weight bearing, but at least I don't need surgery and won't have to be back in the wheelchair. Woooohooooooo!!!

I am now a Pampered Chef Consultant...

2008-10-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

I am servicing the Inland Empire, parts of the High/Low Desert and parts of Riverside County. If you would like to place an order, or book a show, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you!

Pampered Chef Show...

2008-09-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

So, tomorrow's the big day. My Pampered Chef Show. I am sooo looking forward to it. I haven't had one in about 7 years. The food will be WLS (weightloss surgery friendly). My consultant is a Lap-Bander, so she is aware of all the food "issues". The topic is Power Cooking. Instead of paying those "make-ahead-meal" places $125.00 for 10-15 dinners, Sharon is going to show us how to do it at home for about $1.50 per person. It's going to be a great time seeing everyone who will be there.

If by chance some would like to place an online order, here is the link for my show's website: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/sharonmccrum?showId=1745826 Then just click on Order Products and you can order for my show and have it sent directly to you. Online orders must be placed by Monday, September 29th.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

4 Month Post-Op Appoinment

2008-09-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

I went to Riverside for my 4 month appointment and had the pleasure of meeting one of the other partners in Pacific Bariatrics, Dr. Rumsey. He is very nice, but has cold hands...lol. We went over my current prescriptions and he checked the incision sites (they are completely healed), went over my weight loss (-70lbs) and the broken ankle, said I was doing well and told me to come back in 3 months. Woohoooo!!! And, I am HALFWAY to my goal weight!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2008-09-13T20:33:00.001-07:00

Yep, it's my birthday. The Husband took me to see "The Women". It was really good. It has an all star cast; Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Jada Pinkette Smith, Debra Messing, Candice Bergen, Debi Mazar and Eva Mendes. I suggest that you see this with your girlfriends as it is a true chick flick. But one I highly recommend. Then we went to dinner at Hooters. I had a grilled chicken cobb salad. Yummy!!

In Honor of Joseph Ryan Allen

2008-09-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Joseph Ryan Allen

1963 - 2001

Age: 39

New York, NY USA

Bond Broker, Canton Fitzgerald, WTC

I remember Joseph Ryan Allen

Written in collaboration with Project 2,996, a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

Five years ago today, Joseph Ryan Allen, born February 6, 1962, went to work as usual at the Cantor Fitzgerald offices in the World Trade Center, where he worked as a bond broker.

A picture of him at the time shows a handsome man with a winning smile and movie-star good looks. And, in fact, Joe (as he was known to his friends) lived in Los Angeles for seven years trying to make it as an actor, finally moving back to New York where he would eventually come to work for Cantor Fitzgerald. On September 11, 2005, the friends he had made in Los Angeles would hold a memorial service in his honor.

He came from a large, close-knit family. He had three older brothers, Mike, John, and Kevin, and a younger sister, Jennifer, who relied on Joe for emotional support during their mother’s terminal struggle with cancer. Their mother, who succumbed in 2000, would never know the pain of outliving her son; nor would their father, who predeceased him.

Friends described him as a sociable fellow, a bon vivant who enjoyed wine, women, and good company, but who was always available to talk about matters of a more intimate nature when you needed him. Friends called him “lively, tempestuous, sensitive, randy, fearless, able to sniff out BS in a heartbeat and unable to abide same… a traveler, a lover of exotic women, cared deeply for his family, loved to get a few drinks in him... in short - a vibrant soul.” He would always be there with “the perfect advice, no matter the time of day.”

As a youth, he was a sportsman and an athlete, with infectious good humor and optimism. Friends remember spending countless hours with Joe laughing, playing touch football, whiffle ball, basketball, and, memorably, Strat-O-Matic baseball at the Allen house in Yonkers. His brother and sister would later establish the Joseph Ryan Allen Memorial Award for baseball in his name at Columbia University.

A friend who went to Fordham Prep school in Bronxville with Joe, and later to Fordham University, remembers him as a popular guy, a huge Earth, Wind & Fire fan who would spontaneously burst out singing the tunes of his favorite band. A former roommate from his days in Los Angeles remembers, years later, Joe dancing in the hallway to Earth, Wind & Fire – a moment that cemented their friendship.

A former female neighbor paints a picture of a man with infallible courtesy, someone who would hold the door open for you or get your luggage, but never in an uncomfortable, overly familiar way. He was unfailingly polite, even when inconvenienced. “Joe would come across the hall in his plaid bathrobe and slippers and ask us to turn down the stereo. ‘It's the bass. If you could just turn down the bass.’ He was never angry about it, which always made me feel terrible for keeping him awake.”

Joe loved to travel; he toured France in 1999, visiting WWII landing sites and museums in Normandy, and returned with his girlfriend to Paris where, typically, he got to know her family over cigars and wine at dinner.

Joe was a joker, a guy who loved people. The wife of a Cantor Fitzgerald colleague who perished with Joe on September 11 recounts how, two years earlier, Joe and her husband John embarked together on “the famous weight loss contest”. Joe would call her at home and quiz her on what John ate for dinner and the length of his workouts, and they would laugh about it together.

Joe had that unique ability to make friends easily and retain them for life. Friends describe someone you could pick up the threads with after years of losing touch, someone who made you feel every time you saw him that “it was as if we hung out all the time”, as “one of those friends that I know that we would have picked up on our last conversation just where we left off”, someone you never forgot.

A New York Times profile of him after his death quoted his best friend Robert from fourth grade as saying, “He would be depressed because other people around him had problems; they weren't his problems… He was one of those friends you speak to four or five times a day. He left a tremendous void in a lot of people's lives.” Joe was at the same time compassionate and charismatic, easygoing, affable, outspoken, and loyal to friends and family. Even distant acquaintances who didn’t know him well noted his regard for family.

Two weeks before 9/11, Joe attended a friend’s bachelor party in Myrtle Beach. Surrounded by friends, they spent five days playing golf, smoking cigars, and hanging out in the Jacuzzi drinking and telling jokes. He told a friend, “Life doesn’t get any better than this.”

On that sunny morning five years ago, his family received a call from Joe, trapped in the towers, reassuring them that he was OK and was trying to escape. It would be the last time they ever heard from him.

Joe was a family-oriented man who, at the time of his death at the age of 39, hadn’t yet started a family of his own, and was looking to settle down. But his legacy lives on. A nephew, Joseph Allen, born on April 25, 2002, was named after an uncle he’d never meet. His sister Jennifer also named her son after Joe. She describes Ryan Joseph as being much like his uncle, flirtatious and endearingly mischievous.

I never met you, Joseph Ryan Allen, but I will remember you always. May you rest in peace.

Weightloss Surgery and the Broken ankle...

2008-09-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

For those that don't know, I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on April 29, 2008. I thought I was getting enough water and protein in, but I wasn't. So here's what happened:

Ok, so I broke my ankle in 2 places on June 11th. It all started on tuesday night. I got up to turn the light off in the bedroom to go to bed and I became dizzy and fell, thank God the bedroom is carpeted. I wan't so lucky the next day. I got up from the couch to make a protein drink, became dizzy again and fell in the kitchen, which is tiled. I got up fine, but had a hard time walking on my right leg. When Matthew got home, he took me to urgent care at Kaiser. I found out that I broke my ankle in two places. They put me in a 3-sided splint and sent me home with crutches, which I am NOT getting a long with. The morning after I was put in a 3-sided splint, took one hop on the crutches and fell backward into my nightstand and then hit the floor. It took 2 hours to get me off the floor because I couldn't put any preassure on my right foot and I couldn't get on my knees because of the 90 degree angle the splint has my foot in. So Matthew got one of the neighbors to help him get me off the floor and thanx to our neighbor's girlfriend's mother, I now have a wheelchair. I feel so much Better and so much safer. Crutches are EVIL!!! lol

So I went back to Ortho on June 24th and they took the splint off my leg. The doc looked at my ankle and sent me to x-ray for new films. Went back to see the doc and he said the bones in my ankle hadn't moved in the past two weeks, which was a good thing. I don't need a plate and screws (surgery) at this point. So they put me in a short cast that goes from about an inch below my knee to my toes. I have to go back to Ortho in 3 weeks for another set of x-rays to see how the progress is going. I can't put any pressure on my ankle/foot at all, or the bones may move causing me to have to have surgery. So, it looks like I'll be in the wheelchair until this whole ordeal is over with. *le sigh*

I saw WLS surgeon on June 25th and he said that I am doing great. No lecture on the broken ankle. He said he's had patients that have done the same thing regarding water and protein. I am down 43.5 lbs. since surgery and 53.5lbs down from my highest weight. Dr. Zorn said that I am where I should be. I was concerned that I hadn't lost enough in 2 months, but he said I am doing fine and gave me some tips for chair exercises. I go back to see him in 2 months. =)

So I went to Kaiser July 16th and had the old cast taken off, x-rays done and saw the PA. The ankle is doing well after being off of it for the past 5 weeks. I was hoping that they would put a walking cast on me today, but no such luck. I am back in a short cast for another 3 1/2 weeks. Ugh! After that, they may put me in a walking cast. I am so sick of being at home in a wheelchair, not walking, not driving, not going where I want, when I want. I am going stir crazy!!! Grrrrr!!!

So, I got the cast off and new x-rays were taken on August 11th. The ankle is healing fine, but not enough to where I can bear any weight on it. The have me in a Cam Boot which I can take off several times a day and for showering (thank God!!!). I am soooo over taking sponge baths. I can drive (without the boot), but will have to be in a wheelchair any other time. I go back to Ortho on Sept. 8th. Ugh! I wish this thing would heal already!

Some of my latest works...

2008-09-07T15:42:00.001-07:00

My First Mask

2008-08-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

So, I found a tutotrial on how to make Masks. Here is what I came up with:

My Story...

2007-08-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

This is a place to spotlight my creations, as well as those of friends and other artists. Please leave comments and feel free to give constuctive criticism.

Welcome!

2007-08-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to My Blog Spot.