Hhhmmmm? I am starting to wonder, if ever so slightly, about my reading audience. What kind of people are flocking to my site whenever I post?!?!?!?!? You see the website I use is Blogspot. One of the features is to keep stats of my viewers. Some of the things it tracks are the number of hits each post gets and the various countries readers live in. I can also learn what traffic sources you are using and what sites are referring my blog.
So indulge me. I am going somewhere with this. A few stats you might be interested in....
1. I have 17 faithful followers. (You all are obviously misled!)
2. I have had 4, 055 hits.
3. Facebook is the biggest traffic source.
4. I have made a total of 78 posts since Jan. 2011.
5. The four countries with the most views are the US (3668), Russia (110), Germany (50), and Great Britain (28).
So you're like who cares, right? What's the point, correct? Well, let's get to another stat, shall we? I can also tell what posts are the most viewed! Let's look at the top five, shall we?
1. Laters, Baby (201)
2. My Love Affair With Chris Spielman (54)
3. Good Night Sweet Stormy (49)
4. The Quilting Slut (41)
5. Fat Girl Woes (41)
Do you see a trend here anyone? That's right my post about the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy had over 200 hits! My Love Affair with Chris Spielman garnered 54! The Quilting Slut was right there with Christian Gray and Chris Spielman. Where are the minds of my readers at anyways?!?!?! It appears to be in the gutter! The really only saving grace here is that my tribute to my dead Stormy was 3rd on the list!!! I don't know...may be you all thought there was some sort of double meaning there, or something! Apparently I grab your attention with the ever so slight possibility that I may write about some torrid, bodice-ripping love affair! Just call me E.L. James. (yes that's the author of 50 Shades!)
All kidding aside, thanks to all of my readers out there. I appreciate the time you take out of your lives to read about my ramblings, observations, pet-peeves, social discord and other nonsense! And yes, the occasional foray into inappropriateness and all things a hot mess! You're the best. I hope you will all be with me for the next 78 posts!
Make Every Day Count...
Denise
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Denise Goes to Marine Boot Camp!
Last week I had the opportunity to go on an adventure of a lifetime. I went to Parris Island, South Carolina for four days of Marine boot camp! Now I didn't enlist and then get dishonorably discharge! No, I was a part of the Marine Educator Workshop, RS Louisville/RS Cleveland. (That's Marine lingo for recruiting stations Louisville and Cleveland). I spent four days learning what the Marine Corp is, what their philosophies are, how a recruit becomes a Marine, and more. I was not prepared for what I was about to face!
Let me give you a brief account of my week. After flying all day and waiting for everyone to arrive, we were then taken on base for dinner and a briefing of the week. Then it was back to the Holiday Inn in Beaufort for a good night's sleep. Not so bad, right? Wednesday morning the 4: 00 a.m. wake up call came! Ouch!!! Chow was at 5:00 a.m. and on the bus by 5:30! What happened next was not on the introductory film the night before. We pulled up to the recruit processing building and were greeted with a sergeant SCREAMING at us to get off the bus and line up on the yellow footprints! This is exactly what the recruits go through when they arrive in the middle of the night on Parris Island. I'll be honest, I was scared shitless! I didn't know what they were saying or what they wanted me to do. They just kept screaming! We were then "ushered" into processing where we met with our drill instructors for the week. Our DI was Sergeant Wasserman. What sweetheart?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oh man, he had worked us over for at least an hour on formations, ditties, and commands. But in all honesty, he was a good guy. We even nicknamed him Sergeant McDreamy! (View the video below. It is a brief look at Day 1. And yes, that's me, in the pink not knowing what to do! I was scared!)
For the next 3 days we were ensconced in Marine recruit life. We moved everywhere in formation to the barking orders of Sgt. Wasserman. We visited the musesum, pool facilities, the crucible, and flight hangar. We participated in various activities such as the rifle range, rappelling wall, leatherneck square, confidence course, and mixed martial arts. (No, I did not get to rappel! There were 90 people and only 16 got to do it. I wish I had though.) We watched colors and graduation. We really got to see what it is like to live the life of a Marine recruit.
While we were "treated" as Marines, I have say that the everyone we met and talked with were so nice and accommodating to our needs and questions. They really wanted us to learn about the Marines and what they stand for. I knew going in that we would have lunch each day with recruits. So on Tuesday night I asked the commanding officer if it would be possible to have lunch with one of my National Honor Society students who was a current recruit. They couldn't make me any promises, but they made it happen. When got to the chow hall on Wednesday, there he was! He had no idea why he was there! In fact, he didn't even recognize me because he wasn't expecting it at all. We weren't sure if we were allowed to take pictures, so with the help of my table mates, we went on a covert operation! The result was this picture of Tyler and myself. I was able to send it to his girlfriend and family! They were shocked to receive that text message!I want to thank the Marine Corp for making it happen.
When people ask me questions, the most frequently question asked is what did I learn? This is hard to answer because I learned so much! The most important thing I learned was respect. I grew up respecting the armed forces, the flag and the Constitution of the United States. Before my week of boot camp, I had surface respect. It was what I was taught. Now I have heart respect. I get it now. I have seen it, "lived"it, and breathed it. I have a deeper understanding that doesn't come without such an experience. Veteran's Day is now something I get.
I want to thank the US Marine Corp and General Lori Reynolds, and all of the personnel who made this trip possible. I want to thank all of the Marines who spent time with us throughout the week for teaching me what it is to be a Marine. I want to thank Captain Maurer, Sgt. Hollis, Sgt. Stewman, Sgt. Lemasters for being our escorts from Cleveland to Parris Island and back. Thank you to Sgt. Bragg, our LV recruiter, for driving me to and from Cleveland. And to Sgt. Wasserman, aka Sgt. McDreamy, thank you for making our week so enjoyable. You knew the perfect combination of being drill instructor and teacher with a lot of gentleman thrown in! Oorah!
View Day 2-3 here!
Make Every Day Count......
Denise
For the next 3 days we were ensconced in Marine recruit life. We moved everywhere in formation to the barking orders of Sgt. Wasserman. We visited the musesum, pool facilities, the crucible, and flight hangar. We participated in various activities such as the rifle range, rappelling wall, leatherneck square, confidence course, and mixed martial arts. (No, I did not get to rappel! There were 90 people and only 16 got to do it. I wish I had though.) We watched colors and graduation. We really got to see what it is like to live the life of a Marine recruit.
While we were "treated" as Marines, I have say that the everyone we met and talked with were so nice and accommodating to our needs and questions. They really wanted us to learn about the Marines and what they stand for. I knew going in that we would have lunch each day with recruits. So on Tuesday night I asked the commanding officer if it would be possible to have lunch with one of my National Honor Society students who was a current recruit. They couldn't make me any promises, but they made it happen. When got to the chow hall on Wednesday, there he was! He had no idea why he was there! In fact, he didn't even recognize me because he wasn't expecting it at all. We weren't sure if we were allowed to take pictures, so with the help of my table mates, we went on a covert operation! The result was this picture of Tyler and myself. I was able to send it to his girlfriend and family! They were shocked to receive that text message!I want to thank the Marine Corp for making it happen.
When people ask me questions, the most frequently question asked is what did I learn? This is hard to answer because I learned so much! The most important thing I learned was respect. I grew up respecting the armed forces, the flag and the Constitution of the United States. Before my week of boot camp, I had surface respect. It was what I was taught. Now I have heart respect. I get it now. I have seen it, "lived"it, and breathed it. I have a deeper understanding that doesn't come without such an experience. Veteran's Day is now something I get.
I want to thank the US Marine Corp and General Lori Reynolds, and all of the personnel who made this trip possible. I want to thank all of the Marines who spent time with us throughout the week for teaching me what it is to be a Marine. I want to thank Captain Maurer, Sgt. Hollis, Sgt. Stewman, Sgt. Lemasters for being our escorts from Cleveland to Parris Island and back. Thank you to Sgt. Bragg, our LV recruiter, for driving me to and from Cleveland. And to Sgt. Wasserman, aka Sgt. McDreamy, thank you for making our week so enjoyable. You knew the perfect combination of being drill instructor and teacher with a lot of gentleman thrown in! Oorah!
Make Every Day Count......
Denise
Monday, November 26, 2012
Steven Tyler Rocks My World
I have been looking forward to this concert for the last 30 years. For whatever reason I never made it to one before now, and it eventually became one of the top 5 on my bucket list. The expectations for this moment were astronomical. I actually had moments of fear that Aerosmith would not live up to my preconceived notions. After all, they are all in the 60s and have had more than one replacement surgery! Surely their voices have disintegrated over time...I mean come on, have you heard Paul McCartney sing lately??!!?!? All of my fears were unfounded! While Tyler doesn't move around the stage like he once did, he definitely moves better and faster than I would! His voice was rock solid. He had me enthralled with every single note! And no matter what his age, Steven Tyler has more sex appeal than men half his age. Take note Channing Tatum..there is more to being sexy than a six pack and an exotic dancer background!
Now I will admit though that there were definitely some signs of aging going on! Here are your signs:
Sign 1. The average age of the concert had to be 65! I felt like a spring chicken! Megan and I went to the old Frog Bear and Wild Boar restaurant before the concert. Naturally, it was packed! We got to share a table with two groups of people. The first couple was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary with dinner and concert! When they left we invited Beth and Margaret to our table. Margaret was 76 years old and enjoying her first Aerosmith concert!!!!!! How awesome is that!!?!?!?
Sign 1. The average age of the concert had to be 65! I felt like a spring chicken! Megan and I went to the old Frog Bear and Wild Boar restaurant before the concert. Naturally, it was packed! We got to share a table with two groups of people. The first couple was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary with dinner and concert! When they left we invited Beth and Margaret to our table. Margaret was 76 years old and enjoying her first Aerosmith concert!!!!!! How awesome is that!!?!?!?
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| Beth and Margaret |
Sign 2. The meet and greet babes are no longer bleached blondes with fake boobs and daisy duke shorts! I had the opportunity to overhead a conversation between the band manager and the meet and greet group. The youngest woman was probably 55. The rest of the women had the blue hair and Alfred Dunn outfits on!!!!!!!! The men were balding and had the good ole boy beer guts. I just laughed and tried to imagine them all in their glory 30 years ago!
Sign 3. Concert necessities change dramatically. Thirty years ago my pre-concert warm up would have been massive quantities of alcohol and several packs of smokes. Today the pre-concert ritual was a diet coke, nice dinner and ear plugs. When you're my age and your hearing is at a deficient, you must preserve what you have left. I will say though I did not use the ear plugs. While we were in the 11th row, it wasn't as loud as I thought it would be.......or, I can't hear worth a shit and didn't realize it was way too loud!
Sign 4. When you get home and relax, you realize your entire body hurts and aches! I didn't know what to ice first....my knees, my hip or my right shoulder. I was rocking the entire 2 hour concert in heels! I haven't danced and sang like that since my last concert 15 years ago. I'm convinced that the small tear in my rotator cuff is now a millimeter or two bigger! I'm sure I just sped up my surgery date by a couple of years! How many people get to claim an Aerosmith injury that requires surgery! Of course the older gentleman beside me was wishing I would just sit my ass down! I can't tell you how many times I bumped into him. All I can say is that my rock goddess was not to be tamed last night! After all when you pay big bucks to be on the floor in the 11th row, you had better be on your feet and shaking your moneymaker all night long!
Sign 5. Joe Perry was creeping me out! Honestly he reminded me of Jack the Ripper. Between his outfit and his weird mustache thing, I was in denial. I know that 30 years ago, I would have loved his "creativity". Last night was a hell no! Now he did redeem himself when he went shirtless and hatless at the end. But the first hour was so weird! He reminded me of Fred Strangebone who was our tour guide on the Jack the Ripper tour in London! Still have chills going down the spine!
Sign 6. I don't remember much of the concert. Now 30 years ago it would have been due to alcohol consumption that the concert would have been fuzzy. But now at the age of 50 my reason is completely different. It's not because of Alzheimer's, but because I was living in every single moment of the concert. I can't begin to rattle of the play list or the songs not performed. What I do remember is the energy, the colors, the smells, the tastes and the adrenaline rush that pulsed through me during the concert. For 120 minutes I was transformed into a rock goddess that was fulfilled to the max! I'm pretty sure I will be reliving this "hangover" for many, many years to come.
My advice to anyone with a bucket list. Don't ever give up on the list! It will always be worth the effort. After all........"Dream on, dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true..........
Make Every Day Count
Denise
PS: Thanks to Megan Scott for going with me to the concert. If it wasn't for her love of Aerosmith, I might not have made to this concert! You got me the great tickets and shared in my "virgin moment"! I am eternally grateful! Rock on sister! And thanks for sending me the playlist so I will always remember!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Fat Girl Woes!
I am a fat girl. I know that people try to come up with cute little names to help soften the truth. I'm sorry. I am not fluffy. I am not chubby. Nor am I chunky, plump, round or big-boned. I am fat. Actually, by the medical profession, I am obese. I'll admit I don't like obese, but the BMI says that I am. Whatever you want to call it, I am okay with it. Would I like to be thinner? Of course, but not if it means I have to eat carrots and drink water 24/7! I like food! I appreciate a good gourmet meal...thanks to my 2 brothers who happen to be chefs as well as my mother who can cook Hunky food like no other!
So, what has my granny panties in bunch now? It's what I call the 'fat girl woes'. This usually happens when I'm shopping for clothes or shoes! I set out to spend lots of money on a new wardrobe or kicks only to end up at home with one or two purses! A fat girl can rock any purse!!! I'm just saying! Well, the fat girl woes struck again today. If you are a regular read, you know that I am a closet Barbie. (See blog post: In The Closet). I love fashion and if I had a killer body and money, I would be rocking the fashion world. But when you are fat, or obese as Dr. Ersham puts it, it's not always easy to find the perfect clothes. So for me to go out and shop for clothes and shoes, I have to really want it. The current fashion trend are fashion boots. I'm in love with all of the styles of boots right now....rain boots, cowboy boots, high-heels, high thighs, etc. I have been debating for months now if I could wear boots. Being fat you have to consider all of the angles....skinny jeans or not, stretch pants or not, tights or not, sweater dresses or not? You have to analyze what will make your thighs look like tree stumps or what will make your ass look like a neon billboard.
I made the decision today that I could wear boots. They would have to be understated and I would have to wear them with the right pants, but it would work. How hard could it be to find a pair of freaking boots? After all the stores have entire boot sections with 20-30 styles on display. Well, apparently I was greatly mistaken! You see if you are a fat girl, you most likely need wide calf boots!!!! That's right, it's like trying to fit the step sister's foot into Cinderella's slipper! After 3 attempts, I gave up! One store had a couple of wide calf boots, but they looked like something a hooker would wear. Went to another store and they had 1 style left but only in 3 sizes. The third one had some, but I'm not willing to go into debt to own them.
As I was driving home, I started thinking about the dilemma I was in. Here's the thought: Is the shoe industry ignoring the plus size women when designing boots? Or is everyone wearing the wide calf and not the skinny girl designs? Or is someone telling me that fat girls are not meant to wear boots? May be somebody out there is thinking about me. They don't want me to look like a tree on a neon flashing billboard!!! I'm not giving up though. This weekend I'm going to make trip to Columbus and DSW and a few other stores. Surely there is a pair of wide calf kicks with my name on them. Of course, if I find them, then I have to start the process of finding a pair of pants to go with them. More fat girl woes!!! By the time I find the boots and pants, the trend will be so last year and out of style!!! Oh well, wearing styles out of fashion has never bothered me before. After all, I'm not afraid to wear white after summer!!! Such a rebel.
Make Every Day Count...
Denise
So, what has my granny panties in bunch now? It's what I call the 'fat girl woes'. This usually happens when I'm shopping for clothes or shoes! I set out to spend lots of money on a new wardrobe or kicks only to end up at home with one or two purses! A fat girl can rock any purse!!! I'm just saying! Well, the fat girl woes struck again today. If you are a regular read, you know that I am a closet Barbie. (See blog post: In The Closet). I love fashion and if I had a killer body and money, I would be rocking the fashion world. But when you are fat, or obese as Dr. Ersham puts it, it's not always easy to find the perfect clothes. So for me to go out and shop for clothes and shoes, I have to really want it. The current fashion trend are fashion boots. I'm in love with all of the styles of boots right now....rain boots, cowboy boots, high-heels, high thighs, etc. I have been debating for months now if I could wear boots. Being fat you have to consider all of the angles....skinny jeans or not, stretch pants or not, tights or not, sweater dresses or not? You have to analyze what will make your thighs look like tree stumps or what will make your ass look like a neon billboard.
I made the decision today that I could wear boots. They would have to be understated and I would have to wear them with the right pants, but it would work. How hard could it be to find a pair of freaking boots? After all the stores have entire boot sections with 20-30 styles on display. Well, apparently I was greatly mistaken! You see if you are a fat girl, you most likely need wide calf boots!!!! That's right, it's like trying to fit the step sister's foot into Cinderella's slipper! After 3 attempts, I gave up! One store had a couple of wide calf boots, but they looked like something a hooker would wear. Went to another store and they had 1 style left but only in 3 sizes. The third one had some, but I'm not willing to go into debt to own them.
As I was driving home, I started thinking about the dilemma I was in. Here's the thought: Is the shoe industry ignoring the plus size women when designing boots? Or is everyone wearing the wide calf and not the skinny girl designs? Or is someone telling me that fat girls are not meant to wear boots? May be somebody out there is thinking about me. They don't want me to look like a tree on a neon flashing billboard!!! I'm not giving up though. This weekend I'm going to make trip to Columbus and DSW and a few other stores. Surely there is a pair of wide calf kicks with my name on them. Of course, if I find them, then I have to start the process of finding a pair of pants to go with them. More fat girl woes!!! By the time I find the boots and pants, the trend will be so last year and out of style!!! Oh well, wearing styles out of fashion has never bothered me before. After all, I'm not afraid to wear white after summer!!! Such a rebel.
Make Every Day Count...
Denise
Monday, October 22, 2012
My Love Affair with Chris Spielman!
My inner cougar had a wee bit of a crush on the one and only, Chris Spielman. After the events of Monday, October 15, that crush has been elevated to love affair status! Now just in case you live under a rock or are an illegal alien, Chris Spielman is an ESPN college football analyst as well as a former NFL lineman and OSU Football Hall of Famer. And he is gorgeous!!! When he wears his blue shirt with those awesome glasses on Saturdays, my inner cougar does back flips!
Last Monday my friend Toni and I attended the Chris Spielman's Football for Females Breast Cancer Research fundraiser. It was a small intimate setting at KBD at Easton in Columbus. The premise was to teach women about the ins and outs of football. There were raffles and autographed souvenirs to purchase. All proceeds went to the Stefanie Spielman Breast Cancer Fund. I have wanted to attend the event for the last 2 years, but it fills up so fast. This year I found success! So off Toni and I went. We found seats relatively close to the front. We shared a table with some really fun ladies from Chillicothe! I'm not the only cougar out there with some lustful thoughts of Chris. These girls drove 2 hours!!! Chris began with an informational talk about the cutting edge research the Stefanie Spielman Fund is conducting. They are working on chemotherapy that actually attacks the cancer and not the entire body. Afterwards, he asked for a volunteer who would like to be his tackle dummy! H-E-L-L-O!!!!!!! Who do you think had her hand raised before he got the entire sentence out!?!?!?!? Of course, my inner goddess and I were chumping at the bit. Luckily, he called on me. Unluckily for him he called on me. He had no idea what he just got himself into!
He began explaining there are 3 different ways to tackle a receiver. I have absolutely no idea what he was saying. All I could think about that I was on stage with Chris Spielman and any minute he would have his hands on me!!!!! The inner goddess was jumping up and down. So, he demonstrated the first tackle by wrapping his arms around my waist. I yelled, "Woo-hoo"! He looked at me and said, "Denise you don't woo-hoo when someone tackles you." I replied, " You do if you are a 50 year old woman and Chris Spielman just wrapped his arms around you!" He laughed. I laughed. Everyone laughed. I'm pretty sure he was wishing right then that he had chosen someone else! In the meantime, my inner goddess was passed out on the couch from the excitement! He proceeded to explain and demonstrate 2 more types of tackles. I have to be honest. I have absolutely no freaking idea what he said the rest of the time. I was on cloud nine, and smiling that shitty grin I have! As I sat down, Chris yelled, "Hey Denise, are you married?" I said, "Yes for 26 years." He said, "Do you woo-hoo when your husband tackles you at home?" I just laughed. Chris said, "I'll take that as a no. So you go home and tell your husband that I, Chris Spielman, got a woo-hoo!" I did, but Rick was just annoyed! He was quite sure that I did everything in my power to embarrass myself! I told him I did not, but that inner cougar may have done something inappropriate! LOL!
While the one-on-one physical contact was thrilling, it wasn't the only reason I went from a crush to a love affair that night. As Chris answered questions from the audience, it became quite clear that he was a man of God who loved his wife and family more than anything else. He was now a single dad of 4 trying to do the best he could while furthering the fight against breast cancer. When he was asked why he wasn't coaching some where, he replied, " I can't be the dad I want to be if I'm never home and I promised my wife I would continue her battle in hopes that no other husband and child would lose their wife and mother. Folks, it doesn't get any better than that, now does it? My inner goddess had the ugly cry going on as her heart melted. I bought two copies of his book, "That's Why I'm Here". It is a look at his career and how Stefanie's cancer changed his whole way of thinking and brought him to the man he is now. I have to say the book is definitely going on my list of must read books. Not because he wrote it and I'm in love with him, but because it is an honest look at how God brought him to where he is now. He autographed the books. One of them was for me and the other one was for my sister-in-law Dawn who is in her own battle with breast cancer. He asked me questions about her and he genuinely cared. He penned a personal note to her in her book. I sent it to her. She is having a rough patch right now. When she read his words to her, she admitted that she cried like a baby. She was so touched by what he had to say to her. Is your inner goddess teary-eyed now, too?!?!?!?
Who knew that night I would have such a multi-layered experience. I went expecting to drool from the audience and learn about football. Instead, I got man-handled by an OSU Hall of Famer, supported a good cause, learned about one man's journey and gained a new respect for the man who loves his wife and children. Ladies, they don't get much better than Chris Spielman. My inner goddess and I are still recovering from that night. It is an exhausting love affair.
Make Every Day Count......
Denise
PS: So Toni and I got together today for lunch. It was for the first time we had a chance to chat since our awesome night out. So, I asked her if I made an ass of myself. She laughed and said no, much to Rick's chagrin! He was convinced I had totally embarrassed myself. After all 27 years of experience would definitely lead one to believe I had!! She also bought a book and had it autographed. She told Chris that she had come to the event with me. I'm sure she probably felt the need to apologize for me! Chris told her that I was a lot of fun and he enjoyed himself! Oh, you should see my inner goddess! She is strutting down the sidewalk smoking a cigarette!
Last Monday my friend Toni and I attended the Chris Spielman's Football for Females Breast Cancer Research fundraiser. It was a small intimate setting at KBD at Easton in Columbus. The premise was to teach women about the ins and outs of football. There were raffles and autographed souvenirs to purchase. All proceeds went to the Stefanie Spielman Breast Cancer Fund. I have wanted to attend the event for the last 2 years, but it fills up so fast. This year I found success! So off Toni and I went. We found seats relatively close to the front. We shared a table with some really fun ladies from Chillicothe! I'm not the only cougar out there with some lustful thoughts of Chris. These girls drove 2 hours!!! Chris began with an informational talk about the cutting edge research the Stefanie Spielman Fund is conducting. They are working on chemotherapy that actually attacks the cancer and not the entire body. Afterwards, he asked for a volunteer who would like to be his tackle dummy! H-E-L-L-O!!!!!!! Who do you think had her hand raised before he got the entire sentence out!?!?!?!? Of course, my inner goddess and I were chumping at the bit. Luckily, he called on me. Unluckily for him he called on me. He had no idea what he just got himself into!
 |
| Chris Spielman and Me! |
He began explaining there are 3 different ways to tackle a receiver. I have absolutely no idea what he was saying. All I could think about that I was on stage with Chris Spielman and any minute he would have his hands on me!!!!! The inner goddess was jumping up and down. So, he demonstrated the first tackle by wrapping his arms around my waist. I yelled, "Woo-hoo"! He looked at me and said, "Denise you don't woo-hoo when someone tackles you." I replied, " You do if you are a 50 year old woman and Chris Spielman just wrapped his arms around you!" He laughed. I laughed. Everyone laughed. I'm pretty sure he was wishing right then that he had chosen someone else! In the meantime, my inner goddess was passed out on the couch from the excitement! He proceeded to explain and demonstrate 2 more types of tackles. I have to be honest. I have absolutely no freaking idea what he said the rest of the time. I was on cloud nine, and smiling that shitty grin I have! As I sat down, Chris yelled, "Hey Denise, are you married?" I said, "Yes for 26 years." He said, "Do you woo-hoo when your husband tackles you at home?" I just laughed. Chris said, "I'll take that as a no. So you go home and tell your husband that I, Chris Spielman, got a woo-hoo!" I did, but Rick was just annoyed! He was quite sure that I did everything in my power to embarrass myself! I told him I did not, but that inner cougar may have done something inappropriate! LOL!
While the one-on-one physical contact was thrilling, it wasn't the only reason I went from a crush to a love affair that night. As Chris answered questions from the audience, it became quite clear that he was a man of God who loved his wife and family more than anything else. He was now a single dad of 4 trying to do the best he could while furthering the fight against breast cancer. When he was asked why he wasn't coaching some where, he replied, " I can't be the dad I want to be if I'm never home and I promised my wife I would continue her battle in hopes that no other husband and child would lose their wife and mother. Folks, it doesn't get any better than that, now does it? My inner goddess had the ugly cry going on as her heart melted. I bought two copies of his book, "That's Why I'm Here". It is a look at his career and how Stefanie's cancer changed his whole way of thinking and brought him to the man he is now. I have to say the book is definitely going on my list of must read books. Not because he wrote it and I'm in love with him, but because it is an honest look at how God brought him to where he is now. He autographed the books. One of them was for me and the other one was for my sister-in-law Dawn who is in her own battle with breast cancer. He asked me questions about her and he genuinely cared. He penned a personal note to her in her book. I sent it to her. She is having a rough patch right now. When she read his words to her, she admitted that she cried like a baby. She was so touched by what he had to say to her. Is your inner goddess teary-eyed now, too?!?!?!?
Who knew that night I would have such a multi-layered experience. I went expecting to drool from the audience and learn about football. Instead, I got man-handled by an OSU Hall of Famer, supported a good cause, learned about one man's journey and gained a new respect for the man who loves his wife and children. Ladies, they don't get much better than Chris Spielman. My inner goddess and I are still recovering from that night. It is an exhausting love affair.
Make Every Day Count......
Denise
PS: So Toni and I got together today for lunch. It was for the first time we had a chance to chat since our awesome night out. So, I asked her if I made an ass of myself. She laughed and said no, much to Rick's chagrin! He was convinced I had totally embarrassed myself. After all 27 years of experience would definitely lead one to believe I had!! She also bought a book and had it autographed. She told Chris that she had come to the event with me. I'm sure she probably felt the need to apologize for me! Chris told her that I was a lot of fun and he enjoyed himself! Oh, you should see my inner goddess! She is strutting down the sidewalk smoking a cigarette!
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Quilting Slut
My husband and I have been married for over 25 years now. During our quarter century together, he has called me many names of endearment...honey, babe, sugar, dear, #1 and the quilting slut. Yes, he has called me a quilting slut. Now before you get all fired up and accuse me of degrading quilting by attaching it to the word slut, please let me explain.
I have a wonderful little group of quilting friends called the Bodacious Fabric Goddesses (BFGs). Or as Rick calls us "The Clucking Quilt Hens." He has even numbered us...1, 2, 3, 4..... In our younger days we spent many weekends and summer days traveling all over the United States going to fabric stores and quilt shows. We have traveled to Charlestown, St. Louis, Peoria, Paducah, Grand Rapids, and beyond. We have gone on more Shop Hops than you can imagine. We all have the "Quilter's Bible". It is a book that lists all of the quilt shops in the United States, Canada and Europe. It was nothing to pick up the book, select some shops, map a route, load the swagger wagon...okay, so it was called a mini van back in the old days...and take off!
One day as the hens and I were sitting around my kitchen table planning a new adventure, Rick walked in and asked what we were doing. As if he had to ask! Couldn't he see the book?!?! Any ways, we told him what we were doing and he started to laugh. He said, and I quote...."You are quilting sluts. All you do is hop from shop to shop fondling fabric!" We looked at each other and busted out laughing hysterically! He was totally right! It pretty much summed it up!
Well, after school today I found myself with nothing to do which is a rarity. Very seldom to do I just have free time to do whatever I want. So, I decided to head off to Michael's. For those who aren't crafting aficionados, it is a craft supply store. I perused the aisles looking for scrapbooking and card making materials. I bought a paper pack and some stickers. From there I went to JoAnne Fabrics. I was fondling bolts of fabric and petting the pretty papers. I bought a couple of quilting and cardmaking magazines. Back in the car and on to Hobby Lobby.
It was while I was in the stamp aisle that it occurred to me that I am no longer a quilting slut. My name is Denise Edmunds and I am a full-blown Crafting Slut. That's right folks, I am acknowledging the fact that I have no control when it comes to any kind of crafting store. I have no loyalty to any particular store. I will do u-turns if I pass any kind of fabric store or crafting store. I will pick up anything crafty and fondle it. I will buy stuff just because I have to have and not for any practical purpose. I have enough projects and gadgets in my quilting room that I couldn't possibility use it all in my life time! Hell, how many people do you know that have a walk in fabric closet. I am simply hopeless!
But before you judge me and perform an intervention, please remember one thing. Most of you who are reading this blog have been benefited from my addiction. You have swaddled your babes in quilts. You have wrapped yourself in wedding quilts on a cool fall night. You have snuggled under your quilt in your dorm rooms. You have spent endless hours flipping through the scrapbooks. You have opened endless envelopes to find handmade Christmas cards. You have been a recipient of my love. Nothing says I love you more than a Denise creation!
So the next time you see with a glazed look in my eyes, just get out of my way. I am under the influence of the need to craft addiction. Who knows, may be I making something for you!
Make Every Day Count...
Denise
I have a wonderful little group of quilting friends called the Bodacious Fabric Goddesses (BFGs). Or as Rick calls us "The Clucking Quilt Hens." He has even numbered us...1, 2, 3, 4..... In our younger days we spent many weekends and summer days traveling all over the United States going to fabric stores and quilt shows. We have traveled to Charlestown, St. Louis, Peoria, Paducah, Grand Rapids, and beyond. We have gone on more Shop Hops than you can imagine. We all have the "Quilter's Bible". It is a book that lists all of the quilt shops in the United States, Canada and Europe. It was nothing to pick up the book, select some shops, map a route, load the swagger wagon...okay, so it was called a mini van back in the old days...and take off!
One day as the hens and I were sitting around my kitchen table planning a new adventure, Rick walked in and asked what we were doing. As if he had to ask! Couldn't he see the book?!?! Any ways, we told him what we were doing and he started to laugh. He said, and I quote...."You are quilting sluts. All you do is hop from shop to shop fondling fabric!" We looked at each other and busted out laughing hysterically! He was totally right! It pretty much summed it up!
Well, after school today I found myself with nothing to do which is a rarity. Very seldom to do I just have free time to do whatever I want. So, I decided to head off to Michael's. For those who aren't crafting aficionados, it is a craft supply store. I perused the aisles looking for scrapbooking and card making materials. I bought a paper pack and some stickers. From there I went to JoAnne Fabrics. I was fondling bolts of fabric and petting the pretty papers. I bought a couple of quilting and cardmaking magazines. Back in the car and on to Hobby Lobby.
It was while I was in the stamp aisle that it occurred to me that I am no longer a quilting slut. My name is Denise Edmunds and I am a full-blown Crafting Slut. That's right folks, I am acknowledging the fact that I have no control when it comes to any kind of crafting store. I have no loyalty to any particular store. I will do u-turns if I pass any kind of fabric store or crafting store. I will pick up anything crafty and fondle it. I will buy stuff just because I have to have and not for any practical purpose. I have enough projects and gadgets in my quilting room that I couldn't possibility use it all in my life time! Hell, how many people do you know that have a walk in fabric closet. I am simply hopeless!
But before you judge me and perform an intervention, please remember one thing. Most of you who are reading this blog have been benefited from my addiction. You have swaddled your babes in quilts. You have wrapped yourself in wedding quilts on a cool fall night. You have snuggled under your quilt in your dorm rooms. You have spent endless hours flipping through the scrapbooks. You have opened endless envelopes to find handmade Christmas cards. You have been a recipient of my love. Nothing says I love you more than a Denise creation!
So the next time you see with a glazed look in my eyes, just get out of my way. I am under the influence of the need to craft addiction. Who knows, may be I making something for you!
Make Every Day Count...
Denise
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Spooning!
Yesterday my friend Beth and I spent some quality time together at the Licking Valley Fall Festival. As extra curricular advisors, we each had to cover a shift at the school store. We decided to do it together. It was more fun that way. It's also helpful for shopping purposes! We were able to tag team each other. We took turns perusing the vendors. One of us would stay with the students while the other shopped! We reported back to one and another as to what we found! There were two booths that caught our eyes....the Simple Luxuries table and the spoon ring table.
As the day dwindled and the customers thinned, Beth and I decided it was time to make our purchases. We checked with the students to make sure they could handle the store and register so we could go around the corner to buy our spoon rings and chapstick. They both said, "Don't worry; we have your numbers in our phones"! So off we went. The game plan was to go to the spoon rings booth first and work our way back. The spoon rings were so cute! As we were trying them on my phone rang. Yep, the kids needed some help. Apparently the one thing we didn't cover with them happened! LOL! So I asked Beth to hold the one ring I had picked out so far and headed back to the store.
Upon my return to the ring booth, I found Beth admiring a beautiful ring on her finger. Apparently, she had selected the perfect piece of jewelry! She was so excited to tell me that it was called Remembrance. I wasn't sure what she meant. The artist that makes the rings saw the look on my face and explained that she researches the patterns of the spoons before she makes them into rings. The pattern of Beth's ring was called Remembrance and it dated back to 1949. For Beth this was a blessing from God. Her mother was born in 1949, and Beth felt it was a way to honor her mom. (Sorry to Momma A for letting the whole world know what year she was born!) In fact, Beth bought one for her mom as well so they could have matching rings.
I thought this was the coolest thing ever, and I couldn't wait to select my ring so I could hear my story. So after 5 minutes of careful consideration, I decided on my spoon ring. I gave it to the artist so she could polish it up, look at the pattern, and tell my story. Guess what? I had no story! My inner child is throwing a hissy hit. I want a story!!!! I picked one of the few that she didn't know the pattern names or history behind it. I was so deflated! Well, I liked the ring so I bought it any ways and we headed to the candle/soap/chapstick/lip balm table.
When we returned to the school store, we showed the kids our purchases and told them our spoon ring story. Caleb wasn't as interested as Mara! My inner child was still pouting about my lack of history when a thought came to my mind. I would just create my story. I said to the group that the design of my ring reminded me of Victorian Europe which reminded me of our trip to London/Paris this Spring Break. And that reminded me of a conversion I had with Beth. When we discussed my agreement to go on the trip I told her I would only if I could room with her. She replied, "You got it! There is no one else I'd rather spoon with!" We laughed our butts off and it was a running joke throughout the year. SO, I reminded Beth of our conversation. She laughed along with the kids. Mara was on the trip with us, so she thought it was a great way to remember the trip.
So, there you have it. My spoon ring story. This $7 ring will always remind me of the life changing trip I took to Europe with my dear friend Beth. It will be a symbol of new experiences, great memories and a endearing friendship. We will always be spoon sisters!
Make Every Day Count...
Denise
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