MSB...

If Cathy Zilske ever read my blog, she would know the deep love that I have for The Michael Stanley Band. It is the same love that she has for her Green Day. Growing up on the Northcoast of Ohio, MSB was THE band. To this day, I can sing the songs by heart. Many do not know that they did hit #1 nationally , and that Joe Walsh and Jonah Koslin were original members. Michael is now a disc jockey on 98.5FM in Cleveland, and they have a concert or two. My favorite memory was the concert that they did at the old Front Row theatre (no longer exists, was a theatre in the round). I have a photo from that concert of him-actutally we went to the concert two nights in a row. Their music is avaiable on limewire and on i-tunes.

Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go round....

Who says old ladies can't rock? This is a photo from the Queen concert at the Gund Arena this past fall. I had the best laugh because I saw Queen in the Freddy Mercury days when I was in high school and this was such a thrill for me. I come to the concert, and the men are graying, balding with pot bellies. The women are dressed with too many sequins, and too much make-up. Instead of ciagarette lighters hailing the band to yet another encore, cell phones were opened to shine for the band! All in all, it was one of the best concerts. As you can see from the picture, we had 6th row seats. I could feel Brian May sweat on me. (eeewww) I came home hoarse. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Paige Elizabeth

The beautiful girl above, is my niece, Paige. She is the most beautiful person that I know, inside and out. She gives of her self from the heart. Several years ago, Paige donated her hair to "Locks of love" a charity that makes wigs for kids with cancer. How many kids would think of doing something like that? I really admire her for that.

She is athletic-she is on junior olympics volleyball, and is a cheerleader. She is creative-I have seen her scrapbooking and she does wonders...

Paige does not know how strong of a person she is. I see in her such drive and courage. I admire her.

I am so grateful that God has given her to us.

Mother Earth

I am grateful for the friendship and inspiration that I have received from my friend, Trish Turay. She is an incredible woman. She is so loved by everyone she touches. She is my next best thing to Martha Stewart in that she has the most well put together home and has three beautiful children, and a husband who loves her deeply.

Trish is one of the most creative people that I know and reflects this in her everyday life. I bet there is cookie dough in her freezer right now and a project somewhere in her house. She may even have her Valentine's day tree up in the kitchen! She has a great sense of humor and stands fast to her friends in times of need. I hope that she knows that I want to be there for her if she ever needs a shoulder to lean on or an ear...

Trish, you are phenominal! I admire you.

A fine little slice of pie...

I am the first to say that I hate country music, but I LOVE TIM MCGRAW! He is all that and more. He is SO hot and SO totally in love with his wife.

This is a photo from his concert here in Cleveland this year. I am grateful that I have such a great husband to buy me tickets to oogle other men (like Tim and Bon Jovi). Glad to know that he is so secure.

I have to say, this concert was one that would appeal to everyone. He is so good to the kids in the audience-making sure to touch their hands or wave at them. I think that I really love his song, "Live like you were dying". It makes me a bit sad to hear the words..because some days I feel that life passes me by.

Back to the grind...

Well, sorry I have not been such a good blogger this past week. I went to Columbus over the weekend to take a class sponsored by Medtronics. Taking a class that was not for CEU's was a bummer, but I did learn a lot
Came home from the class to find that someone is interested in seeing our house (did I tell you that our house is for sale?) AND THE HOUSE IS A MESS. I have to get the basement and my bedroom cleaned before this weekend. Not to mention touching up the paint in my bedroom.
There are not enough hours in the day for all of this.
I am tired thinking about it.

Good night.

Grateful for a dream.....

I am grateful that I had the opportinuty to start up a business with these wonderful people. Scraptacular was my dream, and I am also grateful that Linda and Bob have taken the business, instead of having to close this permanently. It literally broke my heart to have to give up ownership of the business, but I am so grateful that I had the opportunity and the support to give it a go. Love you gals.

Nicholas

Gratitude...I am greatful everyday that God has blessed me with two loving sons. This is my youngest son, Nick, the consumate athelete. He loves anything that falls into the athletic realm.

Nick is a ball of energy from the minute he gets out of bed to the minute he goes to sleep. I love the fact that he is not too old to cuddle up with his old mom in bed to watch at TV show. I glory in his achievements..for example, the day that he shot a 3-pointer with seconds left on the clock to win his basketball game. The pure, un-adulterated joy. I love you, Nick.

Cavs fanatic

Ok, if Marti has to kill me for putting her picture on the Internet, might as well make it a good one...I have created a cavs fanatic. I love the fact that you now check the sports pages for the box scores the morning after a game....

Love you, girl.

"L" is for the little things you do for me....

The two people pictured to the right are my friend, Marti (in yellow) and my oldest son, Ricky. Can you believe these two? Marti is my next entry in my list for GRATITUDE . I feel loved by Marti, she is always ready to give a shoulder to lean on, a sympathetic ear, and that sage advice that only a best friend can give. Marti is always ready for a "peep" road trip and a good laugh. (she IS going to kill me for putting this picture on the Internet)

I met Marti through scrapbooking, and took an immediate liking to her. Like me, she too is a nurse, so that gave us something else in common. We work at different hospitals, which is good for us. We can complain about our work and understand the frame of reference, but we do not know the persons involved and can be a bit objective. I love to share time for a pedicure with her because it gives us time alone together to talk.

Marti is intelligent, she reads voraciously-belongs to a book club ( I am jealous of that). She is totally devoted to her son, Brandon. She wears her heart on her sleeve as I also do.

This year, when I lost my job, Marti called me daily to keep my spirits up. I am looking forward to another trip with her. When the store that we were buying knock-off designer handbags in NY city got raided, who else would I have wanted to stand on the curb with holding a garbage bag of purses!! How about a trip to see "Wicked" in Chicago???

Marti, Mart the tart, Martha Rose.....I love you girlfriend!!! XOXO Pam

Ali Edwards challenge 2007

Ok, I totally LOVE this woman! If you have never had the chance to meet her, her name is Ali Edwards. She is the most creative person I have ever had the privilege to meet. (see the hyperlink to her website)

This year, Ali has issued a challenge to pick a word to focus on for the new year and work towards incorporating this word into your life.

This year I have chosen the word gratitude.

I think that I do not let people know how grateful I am to have them in my life and to have been touched by them. This includes my husband, sons, sisters, father, co-workers, and my "peeps".

I started tonight after coming home and called an old friend, Karen. Unfortunately, she was not home, but I left a message for her to call me. My dad had a procedure today and I could not be there. Dad told me that she took care of him. It comforted me to know that she was looking out for him.

Ali, I hope you check out this blog site to let me give you a "thank you" for the friendship that we have had the past two years and the inspiration that you have given me for the past several years thru your art and insight into life, love, and living life to the fullest.

Happy and healthy 2007 to you all....

(I also resolve to be a better blogger this year....)