Don Henley - Heart of the Matter

Take a listen to this great rendition of 'Heart of the Matter.' I know everyone has their own take on songs...and this appears to depict a relationship between two people (to put it quite simply).

As I was driving to work today, I could not believe some of the lines which reminded me of the real reason behind the Lenten Season.

God forgives us no matter how awful we are. He even died on the cross to save us. We should not only forgive others but forgive ourselves when we falter.

Take a listen. I've heard this song hundreds of times. Yet, it was eye opening to me and a great inspiration as we begin this solemn season.

One year ago...the wheels started churnin'

It's been one year.

Maybe not to the day.....but the wheels began churnin' a year ago, the first day of Lent, 2008.

That is when my blogging bonanza began as I tried to get my 'derailed train' back on track.

Fast forward one year. My train is still derailed!!!

But, I've up righted a few more train cars. I can see progress --great progress! And that alone gives me hope and drive and the motivation to charge ahead even further!

I've made tremendous strides at work 'keeping up with the Joneses' being able to adapt quickly to my changing business and stay quite a bit ahead of the curve in my particular craft, which I still LOVE and am told, most days I dominate.

Even though it may not be evident in my physical home structure, my appearance, or personal life, the baby steps are quickly leading up to huge paces, which I feel will pay off!

There is light at the end of my tunnel and my glass is almost FULL!

It's not all fun and games and rose-colored glasses. Much of my life is tragic, extremely hard, and overwhelming --but it's in those times where I make the most progress.

And this whole blogging 'thing.' It's been quite therapeutic for me as well as perfecting my creative writing skills.

I'm amazed at the feedback I've received. Just yesterday, a former co-worker left me a Facebook post saying she loves my blogs (my work blog is swing by and spray)...reads them everyday...and I am an inspiration.

When I embarked on this new adventure, I did not know what to expect, but I surely did not do it for the notoriety or to be the center of attention.

As my intro states, 'the day in and day out triumphs and battles of an ordinary girl trying to accomplish extraordinary feats.'

I don't quite know how many followers I have on either blog. It appears that more people read Swing by and spray, but I hope folks venture onto Grand slam kinda day as well. Both are straight from my heart, examples that no matter what happens in the course of a day, you can not give up and have to press on....and if I may say, quite interesting and even funny at times!

I thank you for taking this journey with me. I hope you've been entertained, informed, or inspired in some way.

And hopefully, this time next year, a few more of my train cars will be upright and traveling toward amazing adventures!

The 'all-nighter' is alive and well

After college, I thought the 'all-nighter' was a thing of the past, retired.

I remember sitting in the basement of Miller Dorm finishing up a 'work of art' term paper which had to be delivered to Bonney Castle by 8am. Of course, 'all-nighters' were more fun with friends. My pal, Jimmie, was my partner in crime on more than one occasion!

Then, I got into the 'real world.' Now, WHY would I have to be up all night? Just after college, some situations I pondered included, "I'm not married yet with a baby who can't sleep through the night....I'm not lucky enough to have a gorgeous hunk of a husband who does his best work at night! And, I'm not in school having to study for a huge exam or write my thesis. So WHY would I have to stay up all night?"

Think again!

Working the crazy hours I had when I broke into the business not only kept me up 'til the wee hours of the morning, but if friends and I would partake in a few cocktails after work, well, I'd find myself following the Plain Dealer truck home the next morning.

And that was ok. I was young enough where it did not even phase me.

Or someone would call off from work so I would stay until who knows when. But again, that was fine.

Well, those days are alive and well.

I'm either acclimated to this lifestyle, don't require as much sleep as others, or a glutton for punishment!

During Mom's health issues, I would stay up all night just watching her to make sure she was ok and her breathing was steady. Even today, if she is not having a great day or feeling a bit under the weather, I will stay alert and even pop up every hour on the hour to make sure she is not laboring.

Deadlines are a huge motivation for the 'all-nighter.' We recently had a fundraiser for our church. I must have stayed up at least three nights that week until 7am to get the house ready for the big event--with a little help, of course, from my Rock Star Sugar Free drink being serenaded by my favorite musicians on my boom box!

The most recent stint seemed the easiest of all, but I did start getting tired later in the evening. I not only had to finish up my Emmy entry process (which hit a snafu at about 230am when their computers went awry. The deadline had to be extended for everyone anyway)...and then I had a few very early appointments....music rehearsal....and then Mom's Friday routine. There was no way on God's green earth I could have gone to sleep. And thankfully, God was on my side. He allowed me to stay up and accomplish everything and more.

I must admit, there are some nights when, even if I really have to stay up, I am dragging and just have to lay down my head.

But when it really matters, God is there nudging me along.

He did it the other night up until the very end....I started getting a bit tired but made it home, unwound, and then hit the sack for a good 7 hours (which is good for me!).

I can look at this a number of ways. I am too busy for my own good. I have a very active life which does not factor in sleep. My care-taking responsibilities are immense right now. But more importantly, I CAN DO IT! I can still hang with the young ones....I can keep up with the best of them and come out alive! I can juggle a dozen balls and none of them hit the ground!

For that, I thank God and pray that in 40 years, I can say (and do) the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's out of our hands...

I have to make the time to find a doctor and then see that doctor.

In my next breath, I say --WHEN????????????????

I received a letter in the mail today from my high school alma mater. Thinking I would find a release inside about the upcoming Mad Hatter Fundraiser or a plea for more money, I still ripped it open in anticipation.

Never in a million years did I imagine what I would find inside.

A letter from our President and Alumnae Manager announcing the death of one of my fellow classmates, Vicky Frantz, who passed away on February 13, 2009.

Floored. That's all I can say. And even more alarming is how I missed it.

I usually read the obits on a daily basis. I missed this one probably because I would never have guessed and was not looking for something like this.

Along with being blindsided by this tragedy, I missed her wake and funeral.

I knew immediately who she was. But I pulled out an old yearbook and started paging through to see old pictures of my classmates.

My teenage years started rushing before my eyes. It was so long ago. As I get older, I realize how much of my life I have forgotten. It's sad. There are many occurrences I just can't remember. Was I just not paying attention? Was I too focused on something I thought was important at the time, but in reality it was not? Was I rushing through forgetting important moments along the way? Or is my memory just kaput? Yet, glancing through The Parapet page by page reminded me of events that seem like they happened just yesterday.

Girls who I never really became friends with or were older or younger than I were still so familiar. I knew WHO they were even if we did not pal around. Just imagine, for four years seeing these girls day in, day out. You are family, whether you know it or not.

My memory is that Vicky loved life. She always had a smile on her face whenever I saw her and made people laugh. Laughter really is the best medicine and is contagious. Her robust laugh would start you off, even if you had no idea why you were chuckling. She was ALWAYS surrounded by people. Every party or reunion we had which we both attended, she was the one who 'shook it up' a bit if it started to get stale.

I imagine she had a full life and it was time for God to take her home. But, being finite, I'll never understand how someone can leave this world at such a young age, at MY AGE!

My heart goes out to Vicky's family and friends. I know Vicky is in a better place and pray that her family has the strength and the faith to endure this tragedy.

I've heard time and time again, the worst thing in life is for a parent to lose their child.

What a great loss.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

I'm torn on this holiday. Though not attached at this time, I still like sharing in on the festivities, wishing family and friends alike a happy day, and on those rare occasions when I have spare time (HA!), making special homemade treats for work and home!

My family likes celebrating life! And being very artsy crafty, I remember as a young girl Mom and my sister making the cutest sequined heart pins. When I got to an age where I would not 'stick' myself too badly, I too, began making those great decorative pins to wear and share!

Life is a wild ride and it sure is nice to 'TRY' to take the time, to find the time to enjoy and celebrate the essence of every day, not just the days which have a name or holiday attached to them!

Happy February 14, 2009 --which just so happens to be Valentine's Day!

judy garland, frank sinatra and dean martin

Now THIS is REAL music being belted out by three of the biggest superstars with the smoothest voices!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I've got the coolest Mom!

She indulged me and sat through the entire Grammy Awards Sunday night.

I consider myself a music aficionado who DOES like an extremely wide range of music from Classical to Rap and everything in between.

My personal opinion--this year's Grammy Awards lacked and left a lot to be desired. I can not remember if it was last year or two years ago, but one of those shows was top notch! It presented the best acts, who all sounded identical to their record albums...intermixed with the proper mix of award-giving, comedy, nostalgia and entertainment.

Not this year. Don't get me wrong, there were a handful of enjoyable songs. I like how the academy pairs up entertainers from days or yore with today. There were other acts with 'more' talent who should have been included or who should have replaced some of the borderline acts in this year's show.

And it is always fun to see the various performers, what they are wearing, who they are with, get the latest dish!

I'm sorry. I kept watching hoping that the production would make the turn for the better and really take off.

And though Mom was not enjoying much of it, she sat there doing her correspondence spending quality time with her daughter. Mom's knowledge and enjoyment of music mimics my interest. We've enjoyed some of the greatest concerts together including Sir Elton John, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Springsteen, Don Henley...oh the list is endless really.

She made so many valid points as we listened. I have to say I agreed with almost everything she said. There ARE good acts today, unfortunately not as many as the marginal or stinky ones. And unfortunately, you can put on a dozen girls or guys, close your eyes and not be able to tell the difference.

Back in the day, every artist who came on had quite a distinctive voice. You knew at the first note who was singing! You could understand every single word, no one screamed at the top of their lungs, and you enjoyed the entire production from the lead singer to the entire arrangement.

She was impressed that I have Coldplay while finally putting two and two together on who Gwyneth Paltrow married. I think she's amused by Chris Martin's zany antics on stage from his Mexican jumping bean dancing to his extra small shirt, holes in his pants, and shrunken socks barely big enough for his feet. I told her he and Gwyneth were living on a budget and she almost fell off of her chair!

There were fun moments where she was belting out the song with the performer! It's so good to see Mom full of life and THAT is why I LOVE music! Music brings people of all ages, races, religions, economic status and different countries together--literally living in peace and harmony! Music fills us with hope and life, gives us energy, and makes us feel younger at times!

Though this year's Grammy Awards were a bit flat, music is in our blood so it was an event we could not miss. It gave Mom and I some quality time together while enlightening both of us on some of the newer acts and reinforcing which acts we really can not stand!!!

She's the coolest! I hope someone is still saying that about me when I get to be her age!!!!!

Viva la Vida!

Stereotypical

She walked in.

I knew immediately who she was and whom she was there to see/meet.

Perfectly scripted. So S-T-E-R-E-O-T-Y-P-I-C-A-L!

Guys like a 'certain' type of girl. I 'ain't' that girl.

EVERY guy I am remotely interested in has a
a) girlfriend
b) wife
c) boyfriend--don't ask
d) fiance
e) ex-wife/baggage
f) all of the above!

EVERYONE is attached, except me.

WHY?

I get scolded if I am attracted to a guy because of his looks....'oh, Danielle, there is so much more to a person than just looks....you should be ashamed of yourself!'

And, I believe that. There IS so much more to a person than just stunning looks.

So why do guys let me down every day of my life by falling for that 'perfect' girl who is ANYTHING but 'perfect?'

At this point, you are saying, 'Danielle must not be that cute.' Ironically, I AM!

I am cute, and funny, and smart, and caring, and kind, and interesting--a lot better than the crop of selfish, self-absorbed specimens being put out today.

So why?

Why did this very cute guy who I see around town once a week fall for the 'wrong girl?'

Today, she entered the room--nothing EXTRA-ordinary about her, but I knew who she was.

She came to hear her boyfriend perform.

She just sat there. At one point, sat there with her arms crossed, a disgusted look on her face like 'WHY am I here?' not even looking at her boyfriend playing.

She appeared very disinterested, disengaged, and extremely bored.

Before the end of the show, they got up and left, because he was done and she was bored.

WHY?

The guys reading this now are saying, 'because she is great in bed'....'for now, she is the right eye-candy hanging onto my arm so everyone looks at me....'

Well, NEWS FLASH, Guys! Cute girls with no substance (except a huge, selfish ego) will not be cute forever. You will wake up to your 'eye candy' one day and wonder who robbed you?! You will be left with a bitter, cranky, angry, still self-absorbed, sour piece of candy that you want to flush down the toilet--because she is definitely not easy to look at.


That is when I, receiving a great gift from God for being so patient, WILL still be easy on the eyes arm in arm with my prince charming, who is easy on my eyes...leaving you in the dust of our interesting, action-packed amazing lives....

You don't know what you have 'til it's gone

Time and time again I've realized the title of this entry: 'You don't know what you have 'til it's gone.'

Most of the time, for me at least, it applies to people--real live breathing human beings...or sets in at the close of a baseball season!

Harsh reality hit as the Sears man ripped out the console of our Treadmill.

Something just wasn't right with that piece of equipment that, believe it or not, has the power to save both Me and Mom.

It was almost impossible to turn on and once you got it on, it had a mind of its own and would take you on speeds you did not know you could go.

So our friendly Sears maintenance man came out to the house.

Apparently, all businesses are changing. This Sears man was a bit salty and not as in love with his job as we have seen him in years past.

He definitely saw the problem immediately. Sometimes you call for a service man, and once they arrive, the problem ceases to exist!

Well, he could not even turn on the Treadmill.

He contacted his office in hopes that they would send a new one out, seeing as how we have been paying on this service agreement for so long. He said, 'you have paid for this Treadmill time and time again being enrolled in your service agreement program.'

Not a chance. His supervisor told him to rip out the console, send it back, they would fix it, and they would send it back.

And neither of them has any idea how long the process will take.

If they would have left the console in, we could have at least 'chanced' getting on there and doing a few minutes before it revved up to 100 mph....but this way, it just sets there, DEAD.

Well, I sure hope Sears gets their butt in gear and sends along our 'haphazardly patched up' console, or I hate to say it, I could be just setting there, DEAD!