Breast Cancer Month

Many women in my life have survived
Breast Cancer. Many women who are
no longer alive that were survivors in
my family died from other causes.
Today I share my daily gym workouts
with my gym partner of the last 6 years
who has now completed her first year
as a survivor. She is a constant inspiration.
She has lost all the weight that chemo &
drug therapy packs on. She has found a
healthier choice of eating and living.
She inspires all those around her.
Keep in mind that as women we must
approach our health issues with yearly
screenings and testings to detect diseases
such as Breast Cancer in it's early stages.

Men & Women-Friends and Conversation

As time races by I tend to realize that many
friendships between men and women thrive
on conversations of day to day accomplishments.

Many mundane daily tasks and family activities
are the basic building blocks of our lives. By sharing
these little things we do with each other we tend to
understand how alike we all are.

I constantly read or hear in the media that men &
women can not be friends. I find that totally false.
I have been friends with men my entire adult life.
Some friendships have endured longer than others.
Several just became victims of life style changes or
moves or sometimes relationships got in the way.

Even though I have been married twice I still have
been friends with men who enjoy a lengthy phone
conversation from time to time. I feel it is good for
the soul and nurishes the heart to share female
thoughts with the male species. I think men like to
chat with someone other than their spouse or
girlfriend to keep a fresh outlook.

As women we dish with each other about the office,
politics and relationships, etc., etc. but those male
friends can make us laugh and see ourselves in a
different light. It can keep us out of costly therapy too!

401K plans 2009

I realize we haven't made our losses back yet.
We may never do so. I took the conservative
approach back in mid 2008 when we crashed.
Most in savings. Small amounts in bonds,
international and various stock mutual funds.
Am now 1/2 way back to recovered!
Hope you are too.

Breast Cancer walk Oct 4th

This Sunday Oct 4th our local Cancer Society
is holding their 3 mile walk to fundraise for
Breast Cancer research. Am so proud to have
reached 84% of my pledge goal so far.
I'll get it done by Sunday

Trying to Live Simply

One of the blogs on my reading list just makes
me always try to pare down the excess and live
with less. Adele has a way of turning the practical
into a daily journey. She explains that she doesn't
always meet a particular goal but continues to move
forward toward simplicity.
I marvel at the little thing she accomplishes and
those things are major if we all joined in.
This past spring my dryer quit so I decided to
pull out the drying rack and I hung my laundry
outside all summer. As fall moves in I use the clothes
lines in my basement left from the original owners
of my house (built in 1930). It takes a few minutes
to hang the clothes but they are dry overnight -and
my energy bill is way down.
Check out Adele you may be able to change part of
your lifestyle too.
http://simplelifemusings.blogspot.com/

Touring Bands -There's Always Drama

I can't believe the perpetual drama
that is second nature in a touring
rock band.
There is a nonstop babysitting program
with new members or road crew when-
ever a band hits the road.
If there isn't an alcohol or drug issue
there must be some kind of dialog
with a clubowner, fan or other band.
On the way to being a professional
musician what does it take for every-
one to act grown up and not sabotage
the band trying to make music a career?

Wishing You Someone in Your 'Amen' Corner

There are a few people in my 'Amen' corner.
Some have been there longer than others.
In turn I am in their 'Amen' corner.
Maybe you aren't familiar with that term.
It only means that they are there to say,
"Well Done' when you complete a dauting
task or finally achieve something whether
it be big or small.
Then you have those people who can't wait
to tell you that your newest idea or venture
is plain old stupid. If it fails they are the
first to say they were right rather than let
you know it took courage to attempt something
new. When your venture is successful they
don't even acknowledge it.
Cherish those folks in your 'Amen Corner'
and they will keep you positive on a day to
day basis.