Ebby's Corner

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

2009-08-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Precious memories are all I have left of my wonderful mother. A year ago today we buried her.

My mother was a great cook. I remember sitting in the kitchen as a teenager, and then as a young adult watching her prepare meals, that is how I learned to cook. I remember when my mother and I joined a gym and worked out together. We were both so uncoordinated, we laughed and laughed, and had a great time together, and lost weight.

The last time I saw her alive was when we buried our father. My daughter and I spent a few days with her after his funeral because her birthday was in a few days. The last thing I did for my mother was to prepare a special meal for her birthday including a birthday cake. When I left her room in the nursing home, I never would have thought that I would never see her alive again. I had such hopes for my mother. I wanted her to recover and go home. She did go home for a few short months, but ended up in the nursing home again and the family was told that she would never be able to go back home because her heart was too weak. I talked to her often on the phone, but there were times she did not even know who she was talking to.

This is what I wrote and read to my mother for her 80th birthday celebration:

FOR OUR MOTHER WE'RE CELEBRATING YOU TODAY

A mother laughs our laughs, shed our tears, returns our love, fears our fears.

She lives our joys, cares our cares and all our hopes and dreams she shares.

It's always good to know you're always there with advice when it's asked for, with encouragement when it's needed, with kindness when it means the most.

A mother's love is like a garden reflecting tender care for wherever there is beauty, a mother's love is there.

How do you find the words to thank her for sacrifices she's made, for the ones we know about and the ones she's never told us of, and the countless times she put our needs before her own?

I hope you always know in your heart how much we love you, respect you, and thank you for the countless ways you have helped make our lives what they are today.

You've given love and so much more that all of us are thankful for and in our hearts, we all agree you're all a mother is meant to be.

I wrote this for my mother for Mother's Day in 2008. I never got the chance to read or give this to her:

MY MOTHER'S DAY

HOPES, DREAMS, AND WISHES

FOR A SPECIAL MOTHER LIKE YOU

This Mother's Day, I hope you find love, peace, and happiness.

I hope you find joy each and every day.

I wish for you to set a goal for yourself and strive to reach that goal,

no matter how small.

I wish for you take a very long look at your life and be very proud

of all your accomplishments. I know of the sacrifices you have made.

I dream of the day that I hear you laugh more, I dream of the day I see

you play more, and enjoying life to the fullest.

But most of all, I wish you love, peace, and happiness

this Mother's Day and forever more.

All I have left are the precious memories of my wonderful mother, and today and always, I will celebrate those memories and be eternally grateful to have those memories of the times we shared together.

THE BACHELOR

2009-01-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

On 05 January 2009 at 8:00 p.m. eastern time, The Bachelor series will make history. This series of The Bachelor is going to be the most exciting and intense series ever. For the first time, not only will the bachelor be looking for the love of his life, his soul mate, but this bachelor will be looking for a stepmother for his three and a half year old son Tyler. We all remember Jason on the Bachelorette. DeAnna Pappas stole his heart, he proposed to her, and then broke his heart when she turned down his proposal.

Jason Mesnick is a handsome 32 year old single father from Seattle. He is an account executive and legacy planner. He is loving, caring, and has a great sense of humor.

Will a group date include Tyler? Will Jason finally find his true love, and a stepmother for his son?

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

2008-12-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

As a little girl growing up in a family of four sisters and one brother, mom and dad always made Christmas special for us. Of course we all believed in Santa Claus and when we stopped believing, we never let on to mom and dad, I guess we wanted to keep Christmas special for them also.

I remember the dozens and dozens of cookies our mother made, chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and best of all sugar cookies cut out in various shapes topped with homemade butter cream icing in different colors. I remember dad going into the kitchen opening a tin and mom saying "Herb, get out of those cookies." Every afternoon during the holidays between 2:00 and 3:00, we would have a "tea party" consisting of cookies and eggnog. As a matter of fact, as adults we kept the tradition of the "tea party."

I remember waking up very early Christmas morning to find a nylon stocking tied to the bedpost filled with apples, oranges, nuts, and Christmas candy. We would rush downstairs with big smiles on our faces to see what Santa Claus brought us, we were never disappointed.

As adults, and some of us living in different states, going home for Christmas was a lot of fun. With our parents older, it was our turn to make Christmas special for them. I remember mom and dad telling my daughter and me that we made Christmas for them, because without fail, we went every year and stayed until New Year's. Little did they know they were still making Christmas special for us.

Our family enjoyed playing games at Christmas. Dad's favorite was Monopoly, and mom's was Scrabble. The all time favorite family game was Bingo. All during the year each of us would collect inexpensive gag gifts to wrap for the big game. The winner of each game would choose a gift from the laundry basket. In a paperbag, we had pieces of paper with instructions such as: take a gift from the person on your right, give a gift to the person on your left, etc., that we passed around, and each person had a chance to get a gift if you were lucky, or give up a gift. The hours of fun and laughter we had together playing Bingo will never be forgotten.

Unfortunately this is our second Christmas without dad, and our first Christmas without mom. Even though they are no longer with us, they left each of us with special Christmas memories of our time together. Now it is our turn to take the reins and continue to make Christmas memories together. Merry Christmas Mom and Dad.

BALLROOM DANCING

2008-12-12T18:42:00.000-08:00

Ballroom dance refers collectively to a set of partner dances, which originated in Germany and are now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. Its performance and entertainment aspects are also widely enjoyed on stage, in film, and on television. In times past, ballroom dancing was “social dancing” for the privileged, leaving “folk dancing” for the lower classes. Many “ballroom” dances were really elevated folk dances. In spite of its historical image as a pastime for the privileged; formal competitions, sometimes referred to as DanceSport, often allow participation by less advanced dancers at various proficiency levels. Ballroom dance competitions take place worldwide at different levels. Ballroom dancing isn’t mainly enjoyed by only adults but it is taught to youngsters at an early age of 10-11 in the 5th grade in some US states. Not only are they taught, but they participate in city wide competitions. They are taught dances randomized from tango, rumba, swing (jitterbug), foxtrot and the merengue as a celebration to their senior year in elementary school. This competition is called “colors of the rainbow.”

In competition ballroom dancers are judged by diverse criteria such as connection, frame, posture, speed, timing, proper body alignment, proper usage of weight, ankles, feet, and grooming.

DANCES

In one common usage “ballroom dance” refers to the ten dances of International Standard and International Latin, though the term is also often used interchangeably with the five International Standard dances . In the United States, the American Style (American Smooth and American Rhythm) also exists.

International Style
International Standard
Slow Waltz - Tango - Viennese Waltz - Slow Foxtrot - Quickstep
International Latin
Cha Cha - Samba - Rumba - Paso Doble - Jive
American Style
American Smooth
Waltz - Tango - Foxtrot - Viennese Waltz
American Rhythm
Cha Cha - Rumba - East Coast Swing - Bolero - Mambo
Historical/Vintage Dance
Waltz - Polka - Schottische - Tango - One-Step - Foxtrot

The dances I enjoy seeing performed the most are the Samba, Paso Doble, and the Viennese Waltz.

Samba: The Samba is an all-out party dance with origins from Brazil’s Rio Carnival. It is made up of many different South American dances incorporated into one. It is very rhythmical with lots of hip action. Walking Samba steps and side steps are the basic components of this dance. The major characteristic of the Samba is the vertical bounce action. Steps are taken using the ball of the foot. The accomplished dancer is made to look effortless and carefree with knee action, body sway and “pendulum motion.” My favorite part of the Samba is the Samba roll - a rolling movement from the waist up. The upper body circles as you create a six-step turning group. The Samba has a distinctive climax, it ends with throwing of heads back and arms splayed out to the side.

Paso Doble: The Paso Doble on the competition floor should create a Spanish Bull Fighting atmosphere. The Paso Doble is the dance of the Man, which allows him to fill the “Space” with strong three-dimensional shapes and movements danced with “Pride and Dignity.” The woman’s role varies depending on the interpretation of the dance. The woman can take the role of the matador’s cape, the bull or even the matador at different times within the dance. Characteristics of the Paso Doble are the “Marching” flavor given to the steps and the cape movements creating the required tension between both dancers. It is one of the only dances that is danced only in the ballroom world. It is one of the most dramatic of the dances.

Viennese Waltz: The Waltz developed in Central Europe from the Austrian dance known as the Landler. The fast whirling of partners held as if in an embrace shocked polite society. The music of Johann Strauss and the famous ballrooms of Vienna popularized the faster version known as the Viennese Waltz. Distinctive moves: sweeping turns that gracefully move around the floor characterize this dance. The Viennese Waltz is know for its rotational movement, which is simple and elegant. There should be no foot rise on the inner turns; rotating and swinging spatial movements.

INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER

2008-11-19T09:53:00.000-08:00

The "Silent Killer."

We have all been warned that the best detection for breast cancer is a mammogram. A mammogram does not detect inflammatory breast cancer - excisional biopsy, MRI, or a breast ultrasound may be used to confirm the diagnosis. There are no lumps.

Inflammatory breast cancer is an extremely deadly cancer because women are not aware of what to look for. This form of breast cancer is rare, very aggressive, and develops very rapidly. One victim of this cancer died at the age of 16. She was too embarrassed to tell her mother that her breast looked a little funny.

The affected breast is red, swollen and tender. It is a locally advanced cancer, meaning it has spread from its point of origin to nearby tissue and possibly to nearby lymph nodes. Inflammatory breast cancer can easily be confused with a breast infection, but if it is cancer, symptoms will not go away with antibiotics, you should seek medical attention immediately if you notice skin changes on your breast, to help distinguish a breast infection from other breast disorders. Symptoms: despite its name, inflammatory breast cancer does not cause inflammation the way an infection does. Signs and symptoms include:

Rapid change in the appearance of one breast, over the

course of days or weeks

Thickness, heaviness of visible enlargement of one breast

Discoloration, giving the breast a red, purple, pink or

bruised appearance

Unusual warmth of the affected breast

Dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast,

similar to an orange peel

Itching

Tenderness, pain or aching

Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone

or below the collarbone

Flattening or turning inward of the nipple

Swollen or crusted skin on the nipple

Change in color of the skin around the nipple (areola).

Inflammatory breast cancer tends to affect women at an average age of 59 - about three to seven years younger than the average age at which other types of breast cancer are diagnosed. Men can develop the disease, but at an older age. African-American women appear to be at a higher risk of inflammatory breast cancer than are white women.

About one-third of newly diagnosed inflammatory breast cancers are stage IV - the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, such as bones and liver. Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer starts with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy. About half the women diagnosed with the condition survive five or more years, and nearly one-third are alive 20 years after diagnosis. Even after treatment with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, recurrence rates remain high for inflammatory breast cancer.

I was not aware there were different types of breast cancer, and especially not aware of inflammatory breast cancer until a family member was diagnosed in February 2008, and given two months to live. After treatment with chemotherapy and radiation the outlook improved , and the doctor gave her two years to live in June 2008. After a check-up in August 2008, the doctor gave her two months to live, she passed away October 2008.

BACHELORETTE DUMPS SNOWBOARDER

2008-11-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

DeAnna Pappas called off her engagement to Jesse Csincsak. DeAnna accepted the marriage proposal, and on national television announce they would tie the knot 09 May 2009. Now she tells Jesse "I love you, but I'm not in love with you." What a joke!!!!!!!!

I could tell DeAnna was not in love with Jesse during the show. She chose Jesse because she considered him "safe." DeAnna didn't think Jesse was ready for marriage yet. He was a professional snowboarder who knew he would have to make a career change sooner or later, a fun loving guy who she could hang out with. To sum it up, Jesse and DeAnna had fun together, no real attraction for either of them.

DeAnna did not want a ready made family with Jason, so she rejected him, and she sent Jeremy home because she thought their only connection was their shared experience of losing a parent.

DeAnna needs to do some real soul searching. Looks like Brad had a good reason for rejecting her!!!!!

SCARVES

2008-10-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

The latest fashion statement is the silk scarf, making a comeback from the 80's. The silk scarf is a versatile accessory of expression to enhance your look and style. A silk scarf can be worn around the neck, the waist as a belt or sash, draped over the shoulder, or tied to the strap of your purse. Have fun enhancing your wardrobe with this inexpensive accessory and look glamorous.

FRAGRANCE

2008-10-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Fragrance is a term used to describe the chemical formulation added to a product to give it an aroma. Men and women alike use fragrances as a form of personal expression, a way of making a statement about his or herself without saying a word. A fragrance is meant to enhance you mood and make you feel good and beautiful.

I purchased two new fragrances last month. Sensuous by Estee Lauder and Black Amethyst by Bath & Body Works.

SENSUOUS was created to evoke the warmest, most feminine side of a woman. Her softness, confidence, grace, and her strength. Sensuous is warm and luminous. The fragrance is a Woody Amber consisting of Mandarin Orange Pulp, black pepper, addictive honey, glowing amber and atmospheric florals of sheer Jasmine, Ghost Lily, lush Magnolia and an exclusive Ylang Essence.

BLACK AMETHYST is said to be the company’s sexiest fragrance ever, and it certainly is.

Black Amethyst is a sophisticated blend of Italian bergamont and rare camellias with exotic sandalwood and a surprising twist of vetiver in this hypnotic fine fragrance inspired by chic, sensual and confident women. When wearing this fragrance you will feel sexy, glamorous, and confident. I highly recommend this fragrance to all women.

Be sure to layer your fragrance to make the most of the fragrance and to give it a longer lasting strength. Remember to always apply fragrance to areas on the body where the blood flows close to the surface of the skin, also known as pulse points.

10 YEARS YOUNGER

2008-07-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

We are all looking for that magical fountain of youth that either comes in a beautifully designed jar or an ordinary plastic tube. You know which one will cost you more, both promising to give you the same results, making the skin plumper, firmer, smoother, "lifted," and supple - proven to dramatically decrease the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles.

I can't begin to tell you how many of these products I have used over the years, and needless to say, I still look like a racoon and the "crepiness" is still with me. I am looking for long-term truly visible results.

I was flipping channels a few weeks ago, and HSN was advertising Serious Skin Care, so I decided to watch the presentation. I was so excited about the price, and the quantity of the product you would receive, along with the bonus gift at no extra cost. The results on the model looked promising, so I rushed to my daughter's room and asked her to order the package for me. I have been using my latest fountain of youth in a jar not quite a month now, and I am still waiting to see even a hint of my fine lines and wrinkles even try to decrease themselves. I know, "Rome was not built in a day," so I will try to be patient and continue the process. But in the meantime, I will start my journey searching for my next magical fountain of youth in a jar or ordinary tube. I will keep you posted on my anticipated dramatic results.

Art of the Japanese Masters - UTAMARO (1753-1806)

2008-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Japanese prints have become sought after and desirable art objects, yet when they were painted they were little more than mass-produced ephemera, sold for next to nothing in huge numbers to a working-class public. Hundreds of artists and craftsmen made their living supplying popular demand for such works. Yet amazingly, despite the rapidity with which they were published, early Japanese woodblock prints are paintstaking works of craftsmanship that required three highly skilled workers to produce; the artist to devise the design, the woodcutter to cut the printing blocks, and the printer to bring the concept to fruition. Finally, a very necessary fourth person was needed, the moneyman- the publisher. The style that the great Japanese printmakers worked in is called Ukiyo-e, which translates as "a picture of the floating world." The floating world was a world of leisure and the pursuit of pleasure. Early Ukiyo-e works celebrated contemporary city life and city panaramas; then in the second half of the 17th century kabuki theater and mass entertainments such as circuses and acrobats became very popular. The daily goings on of the merchant class started to be shown - the fashions of the ladies and the pastimes of the men.

Many Japanese print enthusiasts consider Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806) to be the preeminent printmaker - not least for his prolife output and variety of subjects during his active period of work, 1775-1806. He was also one of the first Japanese artists to be known and collected by Europeans. He numbered many Impressionists among his admirers and Toulouse-Lautrec was a particular fan of his work.

He came from Musashi province and moved to Edo (modern day Tokyo) after his father's death in 1775. In the big city he joined the studio of Sekien, who was known for his townscapes. It is possible that master and pupil were related, at any rate he stayed there for seven years. At first Utamaro illustrated poems and plays until he progressed to depicting the actors themselves.

In 1780 he was invited to join the house of the important publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo, whose residence was a well-known meeting place for artists and poets.

In 1782 the situation was formalized when Utamaro accepted a permanent contract from Juzaburo: he also changed his name to become Utamaro. In 1788 he produced Insects which was revoluntionary as a color print in naturalistic style. Utamaro became prominent in the 1790's, by which time his style was fully developed and his work was the most sought-after of all the ukiyo-e artists.

Utamaro is noted for his brilliant compositions, his refined color sense and his mastery of a variety of printing techniques. But above all he is known for the delicate, feminine eroticism of his portrayal of beautiful women. His gift for catching character and mood. His principle subjects were the fashionable ladies of Yoshiwara and in particular the famous courtesans. These erotic pictures of fabulous women were widely collected in his lifetime and were even quietly exported to China and Europe where they found a small but enthusiastic audience.

Utamaro used bright, fresh colors, often lavishly embellished with gold dust or powdered mother of pearl. His backgrounds were often covered with sparkling mica dust. Utamaro produced many sketches and studies of natural history-seashells, fish, flowers, plants, birds, animals, and landscapes. Not many subjects escaped his scrutiny: popular stories, mythology, and Japanese legends as well as genre scenes, all proved successful. Towards the end of his life the quality of his work suffered as he tried to produce even more paintings - over production. Due to his popularity there were many contemporary forgeries, none of which were as good as his work, but Utamaro's reputation suffered as a consequence.

In 1804 Utamaro went a step too far for the authorities' liking with a tryptich of satirical scenes which were suspected to allude to goings on at the shogun's court. The censor was instructed to detain him and Utamaro spent 50 days in handcuffs under house arrest. According to some sources, the experience crushed him emotionally and ended his career as an artist.

He died two years later, on the 20th day of the 9th month, 1806, aged about fifty-three, in Edo.

DRESS FOR LESS

2008-07-16T13:02:00.001-07:00

All of us want to keep up with the styles and trends, but this can be quite costly. There are a few ways to help make this a little less expensive. Watch for sales. If you see an item you really have your eye on , ask a sale associate when the store is having its next sale. You can even give the associate a description of the item, the size you need, and the associate will notify you when that particular item goes on sale. This keeps you from wasting your costly gas to see if the item is on sale. Another way to dress for less is to shop at Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Kohl's. All of these stores have clothes designed by actresses and designers who want to give you and I the opportunity to dress for less. Burlington Coat Factory is another good place to try. Also try consignment shops. I rarely spend more than $20.00 for an item on sale. I have purchased trousers that originally cost $88.00, and got them on sale for $20.00. I was lucky enough to find a Vera Wang shirt on sale for $6.80, the original price was $50.00.

I know you are thinking, why would I want to purchase clothing from a discount store, it won't last as long as something purchased from a top well known store. Well, the key is taking proper care of your clothing. Even though the care instructions say to day in the dryer, hang them up. I never ever dry my tops or trousers in the dryer. Also use the proper clothes hangers when you put them in the closet.

So look for those sales, and you will have a great dress for less wardrobe you will be proud of.

T-SHIRT MADNESS

2008-07-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have never been a real t-shirt type of gal. The few t-shirts that I have owned in the past (just to wear around the house) were the typical plain old boring shirts. But the t-shirts today are to die for!!! They are so chic. The material is soft, the colors and embellishments are out of this world, and the styles are fantastic. Needless to say, I have several of these t-shirts. I just purchased two more last week, and I have my eyes on a few more (waiting on a good sale) that I can't wait to get my hands on. These t-shirts can be worn for casual or dress, with jeans or trousers. Put on that trendy cropped jacket and you are ready for the office or a night on the town.

If you are like me, I will not wear a halter top or a sleeveless shirt. But the trend today is to wear that gorgeous halter top or sleeveless shirt with a t-shirt underneath. Great idea!

INDEPENDENCE DAY

2008-07-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Like every Fourth of July, America will be celebrating this holiday with parades, fireworks, and family picnics filled with hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, potato salad, baked beans, and mom's peach cobbler. The American flag will be proudly displayed in our neighborhoods. For most of us we look at this day of celebration as a day off with pay.

The true meaning of Independence Day or Fourth of July is the annual celebration of the United States' "birthday," the date of the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. As we celebrate another Fourth of July full of parades, fireworks, and family picnics, take a moment to remember that our American peoples from all heritages and ethnic backgrounds can truly celebrate the enormous progress that has been made over the years. Our struggles to truly bring equality and equal rights to everyone has triumphed with many victories and progress continues to this day. Also on this day of celebration, take a moment to read the powerful and moving speech delivery by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852 at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This speech has been called "probably the most moving passage in all of Douglass' speeches."

Have a safe Fourth of July!!!!!!

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!

2008-07-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

I know somebody's heart has to be broken, but why Jeremy's? It broke my heart to see him rejected by DeAnna last night. I don't think anyone watching last night could believe what happened.

So now DeAnna is down to two bachelors, which one is the man of her dreams: Jason or Jesse?Each have one last chance to win her heart. I like Jason, I feel he is the better choice. He is loving, caring, has a good sense of humor, knows what he wants in life; an all around good guy, and would make a great husband for DeAnna. I don't think it will matter to DeAnna that he has a three-year old son, she loves children. Don't get me wrong, I like Jesse. He makes her laugh, and he is caring, but maybe just friends. I just don't think he is good husband material at this stage of his life, he has some growing up to do.

Choose wisely DeAnna, you already let the best man walk out of your life.

WHEN I GROW UP

2008-06-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

We have all been asked as a small child "what do you want to be when you grow up?" That question was asked of me so many ions ago, that I can't begin to remember what my answer could have possibly been.

Knowing what you want to be when you grow up is a life process, and life changes everyday. Knowing what you want to be when you grow up is part of your hopes and dreams you have for yourself. It should be something you have a real passion for, something that makes you happy and proud at the end of the day, not how much money you made.

As you grow older the question changes from "what do you want to be when you grow up" to "what do you want to accomplish in life?" Remember, it is never too late to accomplish your hopes and dreams and be happy and proud at the end of the day.

THE BACHELORETTE

2008-06-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

Alex Michael, a management consultant was the first bachelor. He was introduced to 25 attractive, successful and talented women from all walks of life. The two bachelorettes left in the competition were Amanda and Trista. Alex breaks Trista's heart by choosing Amanda.

Trista then became the first bachelorette, and in the end, she choose Ryan, a firearm. They were married on national television and now have a son together.

Our new bachelorette is DeAnna. She was rejected by Brad Womack on the eleventh season of the Bachelor. Now the table has turned and DeAnna has 25 eligible men ready to win her heart. One bachelor in particular captured her attention as he introduced himself to her and was given the first of three "first impression" roses. Each week three of the bachelors move into the mansion with DeAnna, which makes the other guys quite jealous. After weeks of group dates and one-on-one dates, we are now down to four remaining bachelors, Graham, Jason, Jeremy and Jesse. DeAnna will be visiting their hometowns tonight.

I'm not really sure about Graham. He seems to have a chip on his shoulder and wants things his way. Steer clear DeAnna. Jason is a sweetheart. He seems very focused and down to earth. I think he and DeAnna would be a good couple. DeAnna loves children, and Jason has a three years old son whom he adores. I'm not sure she is looking for a ready made family though. Jesse is the only bachelor out of the four that has not kissed DeAnna yet. He doesn't seem to be very settled and not really ready for marriage yet. He makes her laugh and they have a good time together, but I don't think there is a real connection there. I'm pulling for Jeremy. He caught DeAnna's attention at the first introduction. He is tall, dark, and handsome. There is a physical attraction between them. They shared their experience of knowing what it is like to lose a parent or parents. Jeremy seems to be very focused and knows what he wants in life.

It has been hard for DeAnna to send a bachelor home each week, she knows what it is like to be rejected. Just choose wisely DeAnna. Can't wait for tonights episode.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

2008-06-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

I am a die-hard fan of this show. I enjoy watching the dancers perform out of their comfort zone. Every year there is one performance that stands out among the others and Wednesday night was no exception. The Viennese waltz performed by Kherington and Twitch was breathtaking. The performance touched my heart. I can see the two of them going all the way to the end.

SMOOTH JAZZ

2008-06-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Smooth jazz, also sometimes referred to as new adult contemporary music, is generally described as a genre of music that utilizes instruments (and, at times, improvisation) traditionally associated with jazz and stylistic influences drawn from mostly R&B, but also funk and pop. Beginning in the mid 1980’s, it had become successful as a radio format; however, in 2007, the format began to show signs of losing popularity as several high-profile radio stations in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States began changing formats away from smooth jazz. There has been a backlash against the genre, mostly from jazz purists who consider the recordings bland, overly commercial and not truly jazz.

In June 2008, the Arbitron service announced formal approval of "Smooth AC" as a new descriptor for the format.

The term "Smooth jazz" seems to inspire controversy. Normal jazz purists contend that smooth jazz is, in actuality, not jazz of any kind, regarding it as a misleading marketing buzzword that represents an attempt to hijack the ostensible prestige of jazz in order to sell what is really a form of "elevator music." They consider the smooth jazz genre uninspired, lacking the depth of expression, harmonic and rhythmic sophistication, and complex improvisation that are hallmarks of traditional jazz; substituting, at times, trite and hackneyed musical phrasing. Recurring accusations charge smooth jazz with offering a watered-down sound whose aim is to appeal to a larger, mainstream, middle class white audience, though, notably, radio demographics have indicated that middle-and upper-middle class African Americans constitute what may be a significant percentage of smooth jazz listenership. Smooth jazz is still played (though decreasingly) on Muzak-style background music systems as well as telephone music on hold services, which many artists try to distance themselves from as they are seen as degrading to music.

Smooth jazz can be traced to a least the late 1960’s. The Weather Channel released its first compilation album in 2007. The Weather Channel Presents: The Best of Smooth Jazz, based on collections of popular smooth jazz music played on the Local On the 8s segment.

Smooth jazz can be passionate, relaxing, romantic, soft, erotic, exotic, melancholic, and happy. As you listen you will hear bass, guitar, saxophone, congas, keyboard, drums, flute, horn, trombone, harp, banjo, and violin.

Spring 2008

2008-06-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

As long as I can remember I have always been fashion conscious, even as a little girl everything had to match. I also took very good care of my clothes, which is very important, you would be amazed just how long they will last with the proper care.

I have never been one to follow the trends, but this year, I am really excited about the fashion trends this year. Spring 2008 is replete with fresh airy-light fashion in clear, bright, plain and solid colors.

Volume in clothing this year is the rage. The fuller cropped jacket, swing coat, yoked top, loose tunic dress, pants, and skirts. With time, whatever your age, the Summer of 2008 is one you will recall as the summer of lightness and freedom in fashion trends.

Kimono

2008-06-18T10:12:00.001-07:00

The kimono is the national costume of Japan that people used to wear in everyday life until in the middle of 19th century (the opening of the Japan to the rest of the world). Originally the word "kimono" literally meant thing to wear (ki wearing and mono thing) but now has come to denote a particular type of traditional full-length garment.
Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes that fall to the ankle, with collars and wide, full-length sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial) and secured by a wide belt called an obi, which is usually tied at the back. Kimono are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially zori or geta and split-toe socks (tabi).
Traditionally, unmarried women wore a style of kimono called furisode, which have floor-length sleeves, on special occasions. A few older women and even fewer men still wear kimono on a daily basis. Men wear kimono most often at weddings, tea ceremonies, and other very special or very formal occasions. Professional sumo wrestlers are often seen in kimono because they are required to wear traditional Japanese attire that is referred to as yukata, which is of plain unlined cotton.
Today, kimono are most often worn by women, and on special occasions, but in a major Japanese city you can still see some Japanese women wearing them.

Father's Day

2008-06-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sunday was Father’s Day, and I spent another Father’s Day without my father. No phone call to him after 7:00 p.m. to wish him a Happy Father’s Day. I would wait until that time of the day to call, he would usually be home from playing golf by then. My father loved to play golf, there were times on the weekend when he would spend the entire day playing golf with his buddies. As he got older he wasn’t able to play as much, and eventually not at all.
I remember one summer when I was visiting my father, we were on our way to the grocery store, and lo’ and behold the smooth jazz radio station was playing. I could not believe my father and I enjoyed listening to the same type of music. I didn’t know until the day of his funeral that one of his favorite songs was Wind Beneath My Wings (my favorite also) which was played in honor of the celebration of his life.
I guess you could say my father was my Hero. I am so grateful for the work ethics he instilled in me as a little girl that have followed me throughout my life. He also taught me to never be late for anything, I guess he believed in "The early bird catches the worm."
Even though my father is no longer here, I still wished him a Happy Father’s Day in honor of everything he taught me and the wonderful memories I have of him.

FIVE THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK!!

2008-06-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

5. "They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen."
4. "This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time management course you sent me to."
3. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the Whiteout. You probably got here just in time."
2. "Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?"

AND THE NUMBER ONE BEST THING TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK:

1. (Raise your head slowly and say), "...in Jesus' name, Amen."

Introduction

2008-06-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am a mother of 2 and a grandmother of one. I live with my daughter, the oldest of my children. My son has a little girl whom I adore. My granddaghter is two and a half, she says the most remarkable things. For example, she had asked her daddy for a sucker and he was not quite fast enough for her, so when he gave her the sucker and she had unwrapped it she so cutely turned to him and said "turd!"