Frolicking in My Happy Place

Smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy.

2010-04-12T03:44:00.000-07:00

Help is three digits away

2009-03-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Do you 211? Have you ever heard of it? Didn't think so. Most people haven't. 211 allows you to access information on all the helping resources in your area for your particular issue. It is funded through the United Way. Have an elderly neighbor that needs help with fixing meals? 211 has an answer for that. Not sure if you can afford to make your home energy efficient and struggling with those high heating costs? 211 can point you in the right direction. Have a cousin struggling to pay her bills and pay child care costs? 211 can tell you where to find some assistance.

Accessing 211 couldn't be easier. Simple dial "211" on your touch tone phone or, go to the 211 website here. The website will tell you if 211 is available in your area and if there are any alternative phone numbers available.

In today's difficult times, it is important that we create our own local "safety nets" and be there for each other. Even if the economy has not affected you, chances are it has affected someone you know. There are resources in your community to help, and often times, those resources go under utilized. Many people, particularly the elderly, don't know where to turn for help, or are embarrassed to ask for help.

211 can help locate resources for basic needs such as food, medicine, housing and utilities. They have access to local employment programs and resources. Their expertise covers local daycare resources, to help with an aging parent. Have a child with ADD? They can help with that. Need to know tutoring programs or local after school programs? They can help. They can even help you find local volunteer opportunities and ways to make a difference in your community.

Pull together with your friends, family and neighbors to create a community that cares. Know someone struggling? Give them the 211. One simple phone call can be all that it takes to lend a helping hand.

Girl Power

2009-01-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Some interesting facts (thanks to http://www.pugetsoundcenter.org/ngcp/resources/statistics2.html):

Women constitute 45% of the workforce in the U.S., but hold just 12% of science and engineering jobs in business and industry. (National Council for Research on Women, Balancing The Equation: Where are Women & Girls in Science, Engineering & Technology? 2001)

Of the nearly 700,000 active pilots in the United States, less than 6% are women. (Federal Aviation Administration, 2000)

Only 20% of Information Technology professionals are women. (American Association of University Women (AAUW) “Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age” 2000)

Nearly 75% of tomorrow's jobs will require use of computers, while fewer than 33% of participants in computer courses and related activities are girls. (U.S. Labor Statistics: JOBS 2000)

Girls & Women, 2000)

In 1999 more young men than women took AP Calculus (55% young men vs. 45% young women) and AP Chemistry (57% young men vs. 43% young women) while more young women than young men took AP Biology (43% young men vs. 57% young women). The largest gaps still exist in AP Physics where about 70% of the test takers are male and AP Computer Science where over 80% of the test takers are male (College Board, 1999)

G

In my own professional field, it is 94% female, yet the top 25% positions are predominately male. As mothers, sisters, mentors and friends, we have to take a lead to ensure that all of the girls in our lives have not only the opportunity to realize their gifts and potential, but also have the confidence to go where ever their hearts and minds take them.

Tracee Sioux has recently relaunched a web site dedicated just to do this very thing. Her new site, "The Girl Revolution" (www.thegirlrevolution.com) is the former "Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me". She has dedicated her blogging talents to help make girls proud to be them. She has a free webzine, "Revolutionary Fashion" as well as a special series addressing childhood obesity. Stop by and check out how to be an inspiration to all the special girls you know. Together, we can make girls dreams come true.

Divalicious

2008-12-29T09:57:00.001-08:00

f you're a fan of Celine Dion or just love great live entertainment, check out Celine’s Taking Chances World Tour. Her North American tour dates have been extended into February ’09 so take a look and see if she’s coming to your town. Celine’s concert tickets may just be the perfect gift for a friend, family member or yourself. See what the show is like here.

The Countdown Begins

2008-12-17T04:13:00.000-08:00

I am starting to anticipate. My thoughts keep returning to it. My giddiness builds until sleep is difficult. I visualize all the colors...

Is it Christmas that has me so excited?

Nah, it is the end of the football season. Don't get me wrong. I actually enjoy football. College football. Ohio State University Buckeyes football. OSU football when they are winning football.

I even did a NFL Fantasy league this year so I had a reason to watch the games with my hubby and actually care who wins.

My dear husband, however, is a football nut. Not a fan. Not even a fanboy. He is a full on, no holds bar football nut. Other than work, his world stops each autumn when fields are marked, helmets are donned and play begins. Each and every game has a special place in his heart. Like precious family memories, he likes to reminiscence about the time that the University of Southern Valley of the Eastern Region of the Lower Quadrant of Smallville had a touch back against I'veneardheardofthisplace U. No game is too big or too small to ignite his passion.

He is a good guy. Most of the time he is a great guy. He works hard. He's patient and kind. I give him this. It is his Nirvana.

But soon...

It is over!!!

This means, the home projects begin.

*Commence frolicking*

Don't get me wrong, I can do it without him. I paint. I sand. I can lay flooring. Sort of anyway. But after the "I can do drywall by myself, how hard can it be" fiasco, I appreciate the help. This year it will be the living room and dinning room.
While he is busy arguing with the tv ref over if the ball broke the field of play in the end zone or not, I am contemplating walls with and without chair rails. While he is knee deep in commentary on if the Browns coach with be fired mid season or end of season, I am pondering window treatments.

This is why I am so psyched to stumble across the awesome giveaway at One Project Closer. They are giving away a Dwealt Track Saw Combo Kit. This bad boy is built strong enough for the toughest jobs, but still is portable. Have to love it. Want a chance to win? Head on over and try your luck.

Do you Il Divo?

2008-12-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

Il Divo Lyrics
Angelina Lyrics

Prior to receiving this CD, I was only minimally aware of Il Divo, the princes of popera. I had seen them on television several times, and knew that they had amazing voices and harmonies. When I first listened to this, I was blown away. These songs truly showcase Il Divo's incredible harmonies. The instrumentals are expertly arranged. The melodies are deceptively simple, yet compelling. Each song is full of pleasant surprises in harmonies, melodies and dynamics. If you listen, and emerge yourself in the music, you will not only be interested, you will also be lost in the music. With the exception of Amazing Grace, the songs are in Spanish. Regardless if you understand the words, the music emotes the sentiment of the song in a way that makes it easy to understand the message of the music. Songs such as "La Luna", Angelina and Amazing Grace really showcase the power, range and precision of Il Divo's voices.

Seal of Approval

2008-11-13T08:37:00.001-08:00

Seal. 'Member him? Of course you do. He is only the three time Grammy winner, singer of hits such as "Kiss from a Rose""Crazy"and "Love's Divine", and hubby to Ms. Heidi Klum. His voice is like butta. Seriously. He has one of those voices that just mesmorizes. He has a new CD out with covers of classic soul covers such as "Stand By Me", "I Can't Stand the Rain", "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "It's A Man's Man's Man's World". These songs are timeless and when combined with Seal's sultry, smooth voice, they become magical. Check out the widget above to see what I mean. Still want more? Check out Seal's new videos:

"It's A Man's Man's Man's World"

"I've Been Loving You Too Long"

Loving it? Need more? I thought so. Just click here

Incredible Giveaway

2008-11-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

To celebrate her newly redesigned site, Shannan B. at Mommy Bits is hosting an incredible giveaway. You won't believe all the amazing loot she has generously decided to share with a few lucky readers. While your there, take a look around her blog; I know you will find something you like.

Linda Eder's "Other Side of Me" shows other side of talent

2008-10-27T04:08:00.000-07:00

Linda Eder’s new project, “The Other Side of Me” is indeed another side of Linda Eder. Those familiar with Linda’s previous work might be expecting the diva to come alive and belt ballads with never ending crescendos. They will be surprised. This is not the work of a singer trying to be a diva. This is certainly not the work of a singer trying to be a pop star. This is the work of a artist comfortable enough in her own talent to know that a whisper can be as attention drawing as a shout.

Appropriately titled, “The Other Side of Me” showcases songs that are rich in melodies and harmonies. Lyrically, the songs reflect grief from life changes as well as hope for the future. These are songs are relatable and comfortable while avoiding the trite, redundancies present in many adult contemporary lyrics. Songs such as “Pieces”, “Lifted and “They Are the Roses” skillfully combine piano, acoustic and electric guitar and Eder’s exquisite voice in a way that allow the listener to gladly come along on a musical story. The most remarkable thing that struck me on these songs is that they were actually produced to have dynamics. Many of Eder’s contemporaries produce song after song that is one long, ear piercing crescendo. Eder does not need long vocal riffs to show off her range, or long, musical climaxes to prove her vocal power. Rather, she allows the song to tell the story. She trusts the listener to know that the subtleties in the music and her voice are the true signs of talent. She knows that she can gently embrace the notes with a soft velvet voice and invoke emotions, rather than rely on long riffs and sheer volume. Her voice becomes an instrument that compliments the others to make a smooth, harmonious sound.

The first time listening to this CD, I have to admit, I did not instantly gravitate to one particular song. All seemed to flow into each other as the styles are similar. I immediately noticed that the natural, clear, beautiful intonation. I also was struck by the fact that this music was not overly processed. After listening to the CD several times, I noticed myself humming some of the songs throughout the day. Try listening to it a few times, I guarantee, you will be hooked also.

A Little Me Time

2008-10-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year and all the wonderful activities it brings. Gingerly walking through a pumpkin patch in search of the very best one, raking leaves and feeling the crisp air, watching Ohio State Buckeye football with my husband, taking my son to all of his school and band activities. It is wonderful, but it does leave little time for pampering. During the summer, I always can pamper. Fall, not so much. Middle Age Fan Girl has the perfect solution for this at her blog. She is having the most awesome Celebrity Spa Giveaway. Everything you need to relax, rejuvenate and catch up on some great gossip with Tori Spelling's new book. Stroll on over to Middle Age Fan Girl and enter today.

How Incredible Is This?

2008-10-25T13:29:00.002-07:00

I just discovered the most amazing creation...EVER. Jayme Laney has the most amazing pottery. I am so impressed with the incredible craftsmanship he shows. In true Southern tradition, he has wonderful face jugs that make me want to hang a new shelf just to have a place to display them. He also has beautiful vases. His pottery is available in 44, yes, 44 different glazes. While browsing his beautiful creations, I stumbled upon his newest creation, "Apple Bakers". These are the most ingenious, charming little bakers. They are pottery bowls with a spike standing tall in the middle. You peel and core your apple and place it in the bowl. The spike goes up through the cored out middle. This allows the apple to bake evenly throughout. You add some yummy toppings such as butter, cinnamon and brown sugar and place in the oven. Out comes a gooey, sweet little piece of Autumn heaven. Check out Jayme's site at http://laneypottery.com/ to see more of these great little bakers. They are as pretty as they are useful. I will be order quite a few for this Christmas season, and at only $9.00, they are the bargain of the season.

Please visit LaneyPottery.com to see the Pottery Apple Bakers for yourself.

Yah, Chicks can be gamers too

2008-08-04T05:40:00.001-07:00

I know that chicks are supposed to just play Mario on the Wii and giggle for hours on end, but I have never been one to follow all the rules. Chicks can be gamers too, and pretty hardcore ones at that. Great place to catch up on all the latests is http://www.gamenewshq.com. Check it out and let your inner gamer come out to play.

2008-07-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Alanis is back and better than ever

2008-07-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Alanis Morissette’s new album “Flavor of Entanglement” has the deeply personal songs and undeniable vocal talent that we have come to expect from Alanis, but this is not the same 20 something Alanis full of rage. This CD is very much about her personal break up with Ryan Reynolds. But this CD is so much more that your average “love gone wrong” songs. Alanis is older, more mature, and more introspective. She sees how the battles of the world are really not that different than the battles we have in our personal life. She is not only trying to find her place in relationships, she is trying to find her place in the world. At first listen, her lyrics are so deeply personal, it gives you that moment of “oh I shouldn’t be hearing this” but at the same time it resonates to the universal, familiar grief we all feel with the death of a relationship. Gone is the in you face rage and it is replaced with longing and grief.

Not only are Alanis’ lyrics reflecting her growith as a song writing, the music itself reflects Alanis growing as an artist. She skillfully mixes folk, world beats with techno dance beats. She so skillfully combines the two that you forget to be shocked that the two are combined. There are few artists that can challenge you to consider your own relationships and make you want to dance at the same time. In “Citizen of the Planet”, Alanis sings of seeing herself as more than just an individual. She sings of being unique but yet part of the bigger world. This theme is repeated throughout the CD. “Underneath” considers how our everyday conflicts are just microcosms of conflicts in the world today. “Not As We” is a raw testimony to the grief of losing a relationship and part of your identiy as part of a couple. Alanis sings, “Day one start over again. Step one step one. I’m barely making sense for now. I’m faking it ‘till I’m making it. From scratch begin again but this time I as I and not as we”. “Torch” is probably the most personal song about her break up. It is a sensitive laundry list of all the things that she will miss about Ryan. She holds nothing back as she sings, “I miss your neck and your gait and your sharing what you write”. Make no mistake, this albulm is not all morose. “In Praise Of the Vunerable Man” is Alanis’ ode to an emotionally available man. “Moratorium” is her oath to focus on herself for awhile and take a break from her quest to find a soul mate. All of the songs, regardless of topic reflect an artist that has experienced much growth and continues to growth through the good times and the bad.

Overall, this is a CD full of the new and of the familiar. Alanis’ unmistakable voice and painfully personal song lyrics are as familiar on this cd as on all of her albums. This album reflects a personal and artistic growth. She has more depth and more understanding of herself and the music reflects it. The music itself has many more dimensions . Like different parts of her personality, Alanis is able to skillfully mix and highlight sounds that seem like complete contradictions, but the end result is pure music to my ears.

The Soundtrack is as wonderful as the movie

2008-06-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

Just like the ladies of STC, the songs of the SATC Soundtrack all bring their own unique flavor to combine into one unbeatable ensemble. This soundtrack embodies what every good movie soundtrack should have: the old, the new and the old with a new twist. It should have diversity along with some cohesiveness. For this soundtrack, the diversity of genres makes it interesting. Some songs on this are good, and some are just brilliant. The soundtrack starts of with Fergie’s “Labels of Love”, a catchy pop dance tune that embodies all things STC. The soundtrack then does not follow the expected route and continue with more pop hits. Rather, it takes a long and winding path through the story, hitting a plethora of genres on the way. There is a soulful, bluesy song “All Dressed Up” by Jennifer Hudson and an amazing duet with Al Green and Josh Stone, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”. For the truly nostalgic, there is a hauntingly beautiful cover of “Auld Lang Syne”. Then the journey takes new turns. The classic rock Aerosmith/Run DMC classic, “Walk This Way” is included as well as the classics, “How Deep is Your Love” and “Heart of the Matter”. These last two songs are my favorites on the soundtrack. These are both amazing remakes of the classics. The Birds and the Bees’ rendition of “How Deep is Your Love” is at once familiar and different. India.Arie places her own unique sound on “Heart of the Matter”. Again, the songs has not be changed to the point that the very essence of the song is gone, nor is it the same exact song we are used to which we hum along, just with a different voice. Both are beautiful, skilled remakes that actually offer something very new while still preserving the integrity of the song. Keeping pace with the twists and turns of the movie, the soundtrack journeys into the dance music arena with songs such as The Weepies, “All This Beauty” and Morningwood’s “New York Girls”. Even though many of songs have lyrics that reflect the movie, the true genius in this compilation is in how the songs all reflect the women of STVC: some are slow and sweet, some are fast and clever but in the end, they all enjoyable.

2008-06-03T13:00:00.001-07:00

Great New Artist

2008-05-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

I recently was given the opportunity to be introduced to a wonderful artist named Missy Higgins. Although well known and very popular in her native Australia, she is just beginning to share her talents with America and I, for one, am so thankful that she is sharing with us. As a music fan, it is hard to find new artists to respect. There are artists that I enjoy, but to find an artist that I respect is a real find. Missy is one of those artists. She has talent and plenty of it: songwriting talent, guitar playing talent, and vocal talent. She also has something that seems to be lacking in many newer artist: personal responsibility and an awareness of that the world is much larger than her.

In times of pop stars who become famous for being infamous while lip syncing to canned drone like synthetic music tracks, Missy Higgins is truly a beacon of light and hope for a new musical era. Although insanely popular in her native Australia, she is just beginning to grace America with her incredibly melodic voice and extraordinary song writing abilities. "On a Clear Night" is a sophomoric album that exceeds any sophomoric results. Her tracks are guitar based with strong, upbeat melodies. Her voice is that of a Siren, pure, sexy, soulful, pulling you in and leaving you mesmerized. Her songs reflect a young woman that is confident and comfortable in her own skin. "Where I Stand" is an addictive song that reflects the conflict of growing and moving on and wanting to stay in that old, comfortable place. "Steer" is a beautiful homage to being true to you. It draws you in from the first line and you are hooked. "On a Clear Night" is not an album that you simply buy for those two or three great songs. This is a CD that you will put on and listen in its entirety over and over again.

Not only does she display great talent, but she displays great responsibility to our planet. She is currently engaging on a “green” tour. She is touring in a Prius (no Diva here) and stopping at forward thinking “green” schools, companies, and think tanks. She is taping her environmental odyssey and sharing the videos with all. Through this, she is raising awareness of steps that we all can take to make the world a little greener. I don’t think you will see many other of her contemporaries do this., which is why I am thankful to have been introduced to her music.