So in the event of all the recent celebrity deaths, the conversation has been buzzing and bouncing for weeks now. Just a recap..

David Carradine, 72 yrs – June 3

Ed McMahon, 86 years – June 23

Farrah Fawcett, 62 yrs – June 25

Michael Jackson, 50 yrs - June 25

Billy Mayes, 50 yrs - June 28

Steve McNair, 36 yrs – July 4

Through multiple conversations some seem to be upset at the attention Michael Jackson has received as opposed to the others. First I’d like to say that we, the public, the fans make these people have fame or not. We the masses choose those who are thrown into the spotlight and those whom we shun. Now just think for a moment out of these recent deaths… who has had the most impact in your life? David Carradine- made me a wise young grasshopper. I loved Kung Fu as a child. Ed McMahon’s voice will forever ring in my heart, “Heeeeeeeerrrrrreeeee’s Johnny!” Farrah - a true Angel in my eyes. She was a beauty with a grill that lit up a room and hair every girl wanted and tried to have, myself included. Billy Mayes- yelled at me until I felt obligated to buy Oxy Clean and/or KaBoom! I wasn’t very familiar with ex quarterback for the Titians Steve McNair, but I do know that he participated in a game I love to watch. Something that gets our blood pumping and crowds roaring. Go team! Then of course there’s Michael…

 Well because of the heavy coverage of his death, the controversies and the conversations I spoke of, it made me think. What made his death more captivating to us then the others? Shocked and sadden by all, yet each effect us differently. The only personal conclusion I could come up with is the music. Plain and simple. While we were entertained by the others, music truly touches the soul. When you’re an artist who touches the souls of so many, for so many years, fans tend to want to feel like they are a part of their life as the songs did just that from the artist. Does that make sense? This is not to say that his life was more valuable than the others, its just saying that it’s the music that moves you. It always will! A single song can make the entire world dance and sing! It’s magical. Michael has brought us music for the last 45 years. Just think… if you were born this year he was musically in your life. If you are 90 years old, he has been musically in your life for half of it! Even if you were never a fan .. we all know MJ. And if you are a fan you always will be! Life is life just as death is death. May they all RIP

I have been reading or rereading I should say, a book that seems to hit a note with every aspect of my life no matter what they may be. It is titled "Faith in the Valley - Lessons for women on the journey to peace" by Iyanla Vanzant. It's a book filled with inspitation and lessons. While it leans toward being for women, I believe it can give insight to everyone. My boyfriend reads it as well. (granted I hand it to him and say  'here, pick a page') It just makes you think and really look at you, others and just situations. It's one of those books that I just open up a page and decide that whatever the subject is about, I need to pay attention to it that day. I did just that and this morning it was about truth and not worrying about how others react to it, for that is out of your control. How truth can scare those who are truly not prepared for it.  I'll just flip to a page and give you a sample....

"Every muscle, tissue, and cell in your body today is different than it was seven years ago. Every strand of hair you have today is different. Every toenail and fingernail you have today are not the same ones you had just a few months ago. Today, you are totally different in every physiological sense that you were three, five or seven short years ago. The question is, how different is your mind?

Each moment, your physical body changes without any imput on your part. Your mind, however, is a completely different issue. You must work to change your mind. You must be willing to release past pains, past regrets, and ancient resentments. You must be willing to let go of hostility, anger, and judgments about experiences and people. The people in your past, like you, have also changed. They have new hair, new tissues, new cells, new toenails and fingernails! It's up to you, however, to see them in a new light... even when it looks like they are doing the same thing. The only thing that will keep you stuck in the past with old experiences, useless emotions, and worn-out habits is your mind. Fortunately, you have the ability to change your mind to match everything else that is new about you.  You are renewed! Now change your mind!"

I know I'm not the only one who needs some uplifting words from time to time, so if your interested... it's a great book! Enjoy

I've always been a 'why' kind of person since I was a child. There's a few of those questions I'd still like answered. For example..

Why is it that when someone whispers to you, you instinctively whisper back?

Why is it that if you have a bruise on your arm, someone will push on it and ask "does that hurt?"

Why is it that when something either smells or tastes bad, we want to share our experience? We already KNOW it smells or tastes bad!

Why is it that dreams can feel so real you wake up wondering if you really talked to a person or not?

Why is it that no matter the breed of a dog, puppies all have the same puppy breath?

Why is it that my daughters cat only likes to rub up against me when I'm wearing black?

Why is it that you always seem to have a toilet issue when you have company or are having a party?

Why is it that no matter where you park your vehicle, birds will find you?

Why is it that the grass in my yard is green everywhere except in my little lawn?

Why is it that a tiny little paper cut can hurt so badly for days?

Why is it that dryer honestly eat socks?

Why is it that you don't have a spare dime when you need to feed a parking meter, when the day before your purse was 4 lbs heavier from the loose change in the bottom of it?

Why is it that your zipper never comes down on its own unless you're in public?

I was just curious... If you have the answers by all means... please do tell!

Not too long ago we had a small family get-together/reunion which was hosted by my beautiful Aunt who just wanted to reconnect. She flew in from Philly and talked many relatives into coming to Tucson. Family members from all over flew in to join in the festivities as well as family and long time friends I haven’t seen in a while from right here in Tucson. My brother came in from Minneapolis. My oldest brother and his wife with there new grandbaby of which I had yet to meet! My great Aunt came down from Texas with some cousins or great cousins I suppose I would call then. Family members I wouldn’t know were family other than the back tracking in the family tree and being told so. My cousin Gretchen came as well from South Carolina. This is where my story comes in.

Now Gretchen and I are two years apart, with me being the older one. We were fairly close growing up usually seeing each other weekly. Her father was not only my Uncle, but my Godfather. I haven’t seen her in years although I would get the run down from time to time of the up keepings of her life. I think the last time I remember actually seeing her I was about 11 or 12. She moved away with my Aunt and that was that. Life flew by and we both became adults. It was wonderful to see how beautiful she looked and how wonderful her life had turned out for her. Law school, a gorgeous little boy and just plain happiness. After we got caught up with her life she turned to me and said with her slight southern drawl, “Daddy tells me you’re a professional mud wrestler!” Ummm… what the heck do you say to that?!? So I said the first thing that popped into my head. “Not just a professional mud wrestler, but the Southwestern Regional Champion for the past 18 years!” I beamed as I bragged about my 100 plus trophies and how I started in the fly weight division but have since moved up to the middle weight class. I told her my stage name was ‘Tough Flo’ and she seemingly absorbed my every word. Smiling and nodding at me like a proud mother… I couldn’t take it any more. “Noooo Gretchen! I am NOT a professional mud wrestler!!” LOL  With her innocent child-like look that I remember oh so well she asked “why would Daddy tell me such a thing?”  Gee I don’t know… maybe because he knows you… knows me and knew you’d fall for it hook line and sinker! Good grief…  is there even professional mud wrestling out there??  

So I'm leaving work yesterday and I normally make a right onto Kolb to head home. Instead I was headed to my boyfriends house so I made a left onto Kolb. Leaving the station we're on a business road so I don't come out at a light. You know how Kolb is divided? Well I went to jump across to head south when a police car came speeding up so I ended up stopping in the middle waiting for him to pass. He quickly turned into the left turning lane in front of me and I went on my way. Apparently there was another police car behind me... the ones with no lights on top so you dont really notice them. Sneaky! As soon as I was on my way, so was he with his little flashy lights on the dash. I pull over into a neighborhood to get off Kolb and await my verdict. He slowly inspects my filthy van, peering into the windows which made me take notice as to how filthy the inside is as well. Got the standard "license, registration and proof of insurance."  Is there a reason you pulled me over I asked... "Yes... there's a reason." Ok... I was sure I was going to get a ticket at that point. After he pointed out that I gave him last years insurance card and then found my current one he told me that I was "blocking the intersection with nowhere to go." It made me chuckle a little but he assured me that's what it's called. I explained that I had a clear shot across until the other cop came flying up which made me stop. He shamed me for a bit while I apologized as much as you do to a policeman hoping to not get a ticket. He asked if I have ever gotten a ticket before... wish I could say never, but it's been quite a while. He then told me it was my lucky day and to not do it again. "Yes sir! No sir I wont! Thank you!"  Sigh of relief. Who can afford the extra expense of a ticket let alone the hassle of it. So  now I'm here to educate you from my experience. If you ever pull out into the middle of the road or sit in the middle lane waiting to get over it has a name. "Blocking the intersection with nowhere to go."  Now we know. =)

Back by popular demand.... it'S your Friday Facts! We had gotten pretty busy at MEGA  before the Holidays and I stopped reading you facts. I have recieved numerous calls and emails regarding the Friday Facts, wondering what happened to them. I'm pleased that my listeners enjoy them! Point being, I have brought them back and you can enjoy them every Friday right around 1:40PM each and every week. As always they're strange, random and usually completely useless, but they are facts nonetheless. You know... The average chocolate bar has 8 insect legs in it. YUCK! Maybe this is a fact we didn't need to know... or did we??  Fleas can jump 130 times higher than their own height. In human terms this is equal to a 6 foot person jumping 780 feet into the air. Just call me 'Extraordinary SuperWoman!"  The leg bones of a bat are so thin that no bat can walk. Bats have wings, why do they need to walk any way? Creepy little creatures!  Hope you tune in and hope you enjoy. If you've got any crazy, random facts of your own you'd like to share, please do!

The end of November was a busy one for me. I helped move my mother across town. Now moving in itself is a chore, but to give you a better understanding of what I was dealing with here, I've got to go back a few years. *Let me just note.. Mom if you're reading this I love you quirks and all!*

My mom moved in with my Grandmother years back to help out when her dementia and physical ailments became very apparent. When my Grandmother passed away I tried to help my mother with not only her grief, but going through the house. Maybe it's because I had never really dug so deeply into my Grandmothers belongings, but I came to realize that she was what I'd refer to as an organized packrat. My mother called her a "collector." At the time it was really hard for my mom to get rid of things, so everything just kind of stayed in its place. My Grandmother was a teacher for almost 50 years and had cupboards of school bricka-brack. Pictures, files, books and arts & crafts. She sewed and had every tool and or sewing item ever made. Enough buttons to be-dazzle a church. Boxes of material from floor to ceiling and every pattern I think she ever used neatly stored away. Dolls, dolls and more dolls. Sheets of music from when she played the piano. Cupboards of National Geographic and Arizona Highway magazines. Christmas decorations up the ying-yang. Every letter she wrote to my Grandfather during the war boxed and just waiting for me to sit someday and read them. Stamps, beautiful china and of course the old sentimental childhood home bringings of her 3 children...my mother, aunt and 2 uncles.

Now lets throw my beloved mother in the pot. My mother is what I'd refer to as an unorganized packrat and a procrastinator. She likes to call herself a "collector" who "likes to take her time."  Although she does indeed collect some beauties, it's all the other stuff she's unaware of that's she's collecting that I'm talking about here. Books, books and more books. Did I mention books? Magazines to add to my Grandmothers collection. Christmas decorations up the ying-yang. Arts & crafts galore. Seashells, gardening stuff & tools. Office supplies, cleaning supplies, toys for my son, clothes and treasures she had forgotten she even had. I could go on, but by now I think you get the idea. This brings us to recent times.

I knew my mom was wanting to sell the house back in September. It was just filled with too many memories and had become too much house for her. In October she told me a sale was pending, but there were a few glitches holding up things. Then came the day in November when she said the house was sold and she had to be completely out by Sunday...this was Tuesday. WHAT??!!?!?! Holy snap please tell me you're joking. Nope.. no such luck. The issue here is, with the exception of a few things, 90 years of my Grandmothers belongings and all of my mothers belongings were still sitting ever so comfortably in their rightful place, no matter where that might be in the house, the garage and the shed. I'm talking everything! UGH! My family has always seemed to come to me when something really needs to get done. Why? I guess because I always get it done. Not to mention I can pack and move loads in one trip that would take others at least three. Hence the pack mule. Lead, follow or get outta the way. LOL There was noooo way I couldn't help. I recruited my boyfriend and we raced like monkeys on fire for 5 solid days. Come to find out we had 14 days instead of 6. Still not great, but better.  

I'll admit that it's been quite some time since I've spent hours upon hours, day after day with my mother. Instant flashback into yesteryear. Her "collections" always drove me bonkers, but they are hers.. not mine. We could have gone rounds about what to toss or not, but what was the point?  My mom is 70 years old with her own physical aliments now and quite honestly this was an emotional move for both of us. This is only her third time to ever move, she's no longer down the street from me, and neither one of us would ever step foot in my Gramma's house once the keys were turned over. Moving out, moving on and trying to let go can be alot to handle when you save it all for the last 14 days. I just breathed my way through it and boxed almost everything and moved it into storage. Basically transferring 3/4 of the house into storage. I suppose one good way to look at this, is I know exactly what I'm in for when I have to go through the storage unit.... again.

Holidays bring hustle and stress to so many of us. This is the time of year when I try to slow down and remember all that I'm thankful for. Thanksgiving not only brings us food, family, friends and football, but a day to honestly be thankful. Christmas I feel the same only more faith bound. I've had some rough spots this year and I'm certain there are more to come. You have to look at it that way. It's just part of the big plan.. the supposed to be.

If we just look at the smaller things in our lives and be thankful for what we HAVE rather than what we do not, we will have more in the end. Does that make sense? If you worry about all you could've, would've, should've or just plain don't have...  what you already have will never be enough.

I'm thankful and blessed with my beautiful children even if I sometimes feel they're  blessings in disguise. My family and friends, the love in my life. I have a home. I struggle to pay for it, it has no heat or AC, but I have one nonetheless. I'm thankful for my fireplace! The food I have even if my kids constantly eat all the "good stuff" in one day. I'm thankful I have a car... and it runs! Thank you! Thank you!  Thank you! I'm thankful for the mild winters here in the Old Pueblo. I'm thankful for my big dopey dog who loves me unconditionally, no matter how I act or what I say. I'm thankful for laughter.. laughter is contagious! The clothes on my back, my health, my childrens health,  for not only having a job, but one I absolutely love! And of course, Music. One of the most powerful things in the world. I'm thankful for much more, but really, what more do I need? 

Hoping you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and took that moment to be thankful for all you have.

Well I stopped in to let all of you know that I've been super busy these days and I'll have to blog about that soon. (Been moving my mother across town and trying to meet the deadline along with everyday life )

Once I got here it occurred to me that my picture really doesn't look like me anymore! My hair is much longer and has probably been at least three different shades since this photo. I suppose my face is the same, but different hair on a person can do alot. Point being.. I'll update my picture asap so you can have a recent face to go with the voice.

Back to work I go.  =)

Well here we are already in the middle of October. Cooler weather, Holidays sneaking up on us and Fall fashions. This means of course, time for Fall and Winter colors, make-up and new dos!

I have had the honor of being asked to emcee the first annual Hair Affair which is presented by Tucson Lifestyle Magasine and La Encantada. This event is happening tonight at the beautiful La Encantada from 5:30-7:30PM. This is where you will see the latest fresh hairstyles from local salons along with a fashion show from some of the local merchants located in the La Encantada mall. Make-up looks, give-aways and refreshments are just a few extras this event is providing. Now I'm excited for this event for a couple of reasons. One, I'm a woman who loves the whole hair, make-up and fashion thing, but more importantly because of the cause this event.

One of the goals this evening is to raise funds for a local organization.. SACASA - Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Being a victim myself, I know all too well how important it is for a safehaven of support and resorces. By the age of 18, 1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused. Something to think about everytime my two daughters bring over a friend or I watch my boy on the field with his friends. All too scary but all too true.

Another goal is to collect hair donations for Locks of Love. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from ANY diagnosis throughout the US.

 I do know that there are multiple volunteers who will be getting complete hair makeovers (and more?) after donating at least 8-10 inches of their hair to Locks of Love. How exciting and fullfilling all in one!

I do hope you can join us! If you miss this event but are still interested in donating funds to SACASA or hair to Locks of Love please visit their websites for more info.

www.SACASA.org

www.LocksofLove.org

Hair Affair @ La Encantada today!  5:30-7:30PM