Curly's View

Meet Skylar from Hollister, MO

2010-09-21T13:04:00.005-05:00

May 15, 2008 will be a day that we will never forget. This is the day that we found out that our son, Skyler, had a brain tumor. Skyler was an energetic kindergarten student that never had any health issues. In a matter of 2-3 weeks he would be fighting for his life. Skyler was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor called a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Our journey started out at a couple of different hospitals trying to come up with a game plan of how to beat this tumor. Typical treatment for this tumor is 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. Statistics show that this tumor has a 90% chance to grow back within 9-12 months after radiation. We know that each child is different and we did not see why Skyler could not be part of that other 10%. This is when were lead to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. As soon as we walked in the doors we knew we were in the right place. At St Jude we were given and continue to receive such a sense of hope. Their game plan was similar. We were to have 6 weeks of radiation and take a daily oral chemo. We would soon find out that the next 6 weeks would be the hardest 6 weeks of our lives. We would also find out that St Jude is full of the most amazing and caring Doctors and nurses in the world. We were treated like family.

As Skyler started his radiation treatments, the tumor reacted and started to basically shut his body down. He fought hard and never gave up. He took a road that not many take with this tumor. Our 6 year old son could not walk, talk, or drink. Skyler would end up in a wheel chair whereas three short weeks earlier he was out on the soccer field running around. After three long and hard weeks of treatments and being in ICU, not knowing what the next minute held, we were finally released to be outpatient to finish our treatment plan. At St Jude, Skyler had to work hard to get back to where he once was. We are very thankful for everybody that pushed him to the limits to regain his strength. He would do occupational, speech, and physical therapy day in and day out. He slowly progressed each and every day. We were witnessing a miracle in progress.

We came home at the end of July 2008. Skyler was still in his wheelchair, but he was determined to get out of it before school started in just a short few weeks. And he started 1st grade without the wheelchair! Skyler’s faith, strength and determination are what have helped him get to where he is at today. We know we were lead to St Jude to care for our son. Without St Jude and all of the amazing people there, I’m not sure where we would be today. We are very grateful to be part of the St Jude family. That is what we are, we are all a family. We made several friends with different families from across the nation. We are all on level ground going through the same thing. Some more challenging than others, but we are all there for each other.

Skyler is now 8 years old and in 3rd grade. He goes to school all day long and has excellent grades. He is now 2 years out of radiation and going against the odds we were first given. We have an awesome support team of family and friends that have helped us get through. We have learned to live one day at a time and to lean on the Lord for guidance and strength. We believe that the power of prayer is an amazing thing and so are the people at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Meet Abby from Springfield

2010-05-05T08:15:00.003-05:00

Diagnosis: Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade IV brain tumor... her mom tells the story:

Abby's tumor was found after her birth in the newborn nursery. She had trouble breathing soon after her birth, which combined with her large head size made the nurses suspicious. They ordered an ultrasound to check for a brain bleed. They found the bleed along with a large malignant tumor taking up much of the right side of her brain.

We heard about St. Jude's through the Dream Home Fundraiser. We had bought a ticket just a month or two before.

The first trip, we were overcome by the kindness and hopefullness of the doctors, as well as the family environment in the waiting room. We were all there for the same reason: to fight for our babies lives. The parents that have been there for a while make it a point to introduce themselves to new families. It makes for a sort of cohesive community inside and outisde of the hospital walls. We have friends through St. Jude's that will always be as close to us as our own families.

St. Jude's gave us the hope that our daughter could beat this disease, that she could come out on the other end a healed, happy and independant woman. They also reminded us that the love of God is alive in the world. There is so much good, so many people that choose to give out of their own needs to help those less fortunate. How could you have anything but hope for our future, when you see the work of St. Judes?

Abby is the first child of her age treated for this type of cancer, so no one really knows for sure the odds of her prognosis. The doctors estimate that she has between a 20-50% chance of remaining cancer-free. But we don't put too much weight in their estimates. Abby is healed!

St' Jude's charged our insurance, but they never made us pay a penny. Even now they take care of all of Abby's cancer related medical needs. Last week, through the local St. John/ St. Jude affiliate, Abby's eye surgery as well as two pre-op and one post-op visit were completely paid for by St. Jude's.

Meet Macy from Ozark

2010-03-15T15:38:00.003-05:00

Macy's story as told by her Mom...

After 8 months of having a healthy, loveable, and enjoyable baby, I had to find a way to live with the fact that Macy’s Daddy was being called to serve our country in IRAC. The time of war in our lives that I NEVER thought, as a wife, I would have to face. Knowing my husband Brian and his sincere dedication to our country and his loyalty to the National Guard, this was something he has trained for and nothing would make him prouder than fulfilling the mission to preserve peace in our country. I never thought as a wife or mom that I would have to say goodbye and farewell to someone I loved the most and to witness three children having to let go of their Daddy for a Year. It was time for me to step up and be strong and continue our family traditions. Goodbyes are hard to do but a goodbye to my grandfather was harder to accept, as that also happened at that same time.

I took Macy and her sister Madison to the doctor for a snotty, runny nose to make sure we were all well enough to make their great-grampa’s funeral. A runny nose turned into my detecting a lump popping out of Macy’s side. That was not what we were at the doctor’s office for, but a concerned Mom and a diagnosis from the doctor lead to further scans of that area. The news the next day revealed Macy had a tumor of her Kidney. Most people would think they’d just take it out and we’d go on with life. Well, NOT WHEN YOU ARE TOLD IT IS CANCER!!!!! With the shock of that diagnosis, we were ready to sell the house and everything we own to save the life of our daughter. But we didn’t have to…

Macy’s Pediatrician recommended St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. We had no clue what St. Jude was about or even meant. And after driving all night and arriving at St. Jude, we were greeted by the most highly trained individuals a hospital could have… I have never felt such gratitude in my life! Macy was seen that day by so many doctors and nurses… underwent many tests that finally revealed, late that evening, that she had Whilms Tumor (cancer of the kidney). A cancer that was already at stage 4… 5 being the worst… and it had spread to her lung. We couldn’t understand how this could be in an 8 month old, healthy child that hadn’t had any sign of problems!

After 6 months of Chemotherapy and radiation we were relieved to find out her final scans showed that she was cancer free! But then they found another spot in her lung. Relapse is not something we were prepared for. Extensive Chemo and more radiation required us to be in Memphis for 6 months. During that time, St. Jude provided housing, an expense card and anything to make our day easier… GOD BLESS St. Jude. Now, Macy is home and doing well. We go back to St. Jude every 6 months to reveal the greatest news ever. NO SIGN OF CANCER!!!!

We are so thankful to St. Jude for taking our fear away and for allowing our little girl to be with her family forever. We could never have accomplished our mission without St. Jude and you, their supporters. We Love You and Praise you everyday of our life. By the way, we support St. Jude, and everyone that works there… I see the bills come in and because of St. Jude, we are bill free and today, have a beautiful, healthy daughter!!!

Another precious life saved thanks to YOU and St. Jude... if you're not a Partner in Hope, you can become one at any time... see the link at KTTS.com. Thank you.

Meet Cross... a St. Jude patient from Springfield, MO

2010-02-05T09:23:00.007-06:00

This story is told by Cross's parents:

Our journey at St Jude began on August 24, 2005. Cross was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma ( a central nervous system tumor) cancer that originated on his right adrenal gland.
He is cared for by a team of phenomenal health care providers led by Dr Wayne Furman at St Jude. We felt so blessed to be at St Jude at the exact time that a brand new protocol had just been approved for Neuroblastoma in the summer of 2005. Cross was actually the first child on this new protocol and received 2 different rounds of an experimental drug exclusive to St Jude. In addition the this agent, he received 13 rounds of intense 'induction' IV chemotherapy, a 12 hour surgery, stem cell harvest and transplant, 17 rounds of radiation, and 16 months of oral maintenance accutane and chemotherapy.

He is doing remarkably well ,as we continue to visit Memphis every 4 months for scans. He endures CAT scans, MIBG scans, PET scans and bone marrow biopsies at each of these follow up visits. He has been without evidence of disease for almost 3 years. He is amazingly strong and has no fears thanks to St Jude and looks forward to each and every visit.
We owe his life to God's healing hand and the wisdom of St Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

One of the MANY reasons so many people give to St. Jude... they truly DO save lives... the lives of people we know and love, right here at home... Please, become a Partner In Hope... you can do it easily at KTTS.com. Thank you... from Cross and Today's KTTS.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-12-11T09:19:00.002-06:00

Wow, seems like yesterday I was writing about Christmas! Where does the time go? And aren't we tired of wondering that? Okay, so another year has come and gone, we're another year older, another wrinkle has settled on our faces, another pound around the middle? OR are we better than we were a year ago? Have we loved a little stronger? Taken a little better care of ourselves? Taken a little better care of somebody else? Are we more grateful for our blessings this year?

I know I've shared this little bit of wisdom before, but it bears repeating... gratitude is the secret to happiness, health, wealth and all things good! The best prayer we could ever utter would be simply "Thank You." And, even when things seem to be at their worst, there is still plenty to be thankful for... I've learned a lot about that this past year myself. Seems like everything that could go wrong in several areas of my life, in fact, did... I was very tempted to give in to the distress, stress and depression. But then I was reminded that 'this, too shall pass' and if I am open to it, that there was bound to be great good just waiting for me! So I chose to be thankful... and there's no better way to increase your good than to be thankful for what you already have... kind of like putting Miracle Grow on it. And you know what? It really works!

I also want to express my gratitude for our wonderful listeners at KTTS... again, this year, they've dug deep and stepped up to share their blessings with literally hundreds of children, families and senior citizens in order to provide them with Christmas gifts through our Christmas Crusade. It's truly a blessing to witness the REAL reason for the season... mankind's love for his neighbor in need. What a gift it is to be able to be a part of that... THANK YOU! And Merry Christmas.

Antiques Are Useful Too!

2009-10-23T08:16:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, I know... it's been awhile... I've just been BUSY! And if you're a single mom with two teenagers, you know exactly what I mean. And no, the oldest hasn't got that driver's license yet, so I'm still doing chauffer duty. (at least there have been no 'mishaps' in traffic... what time consumers those are!)

So, back to my subject... antiques. I've been taking a lot of crap lately about a certain antique that NOBODY uses anymore... but me! AND, I've been taking quite a bit of pleasure in telling those who criticize just how much money I'm saving that THEY are NOT. I'm talking about my cell phone. I don't have the new Iphone or Blackberry or Palm... (had to ask a friend for some names of the new fangled ones out there...) Anyway, my phone is so old that I can't even remember what YEAR I got it! (I know, most people would simply DIE if they didn't upgrade at least twice a year...) All I know is it's only the second one I've had since my original... get ready for it... BAG phone in 1995! I know it's shameful!!!

So... my phone is an old Nokia... no flip top, no touch screen... the buttons are on the OUTSIDE of the phone. It's pretty big and when I wear it on my belt... yes, I do occasionally do that... it impedes my freedom of movement. I can't send or receive emails or surf the internet... OH NO! BUT, I do believe I can text... not that I've ever tried. I do, however, make PHONE CALLS when they are absolutely necessary! You see, I got my phone to be available for my kids, in case they were bleeding or throwing up or something and I needed to come get them. I didn't get my phone so I could chat non-stop or text non-stop or check my emails when I'm away from my computer... or be a distracted driver... but that's another soap box.... I told my boss that he could have my cell number when he agreed to pay my phone bill... so no work calls.

So why don't I upgrade and get one of those phones that can even wipe my... uh... nose for me? Well, I've had this phone so long that my "Freedom 40" plan (where I only got 40 anytime minutes each month) has turned into 250 anytime minutes and 500 night/weekend minutes... all of which I will never use... AND I'm still paying only... wait for it... TWENTY DOLLARS a month! Now, if I ever DO upgrade that phone, that number will change A LOT... Let's see, how much money do I save a year that YOU don't? Yep, I'll keep the antique, thank you VERY much! Happy texting... or whatever it is you do.

And I thought the school year was tough!

2009-07-23T14:58:00.002-05:00

So, it's been awhile... my excuse? CHILDREN!!!! I thought toddlers kept me busy, but I've changed my mind... teenagers are much more time consuming! Or maybe it's "mind consuming!" I've heard this before, but now that I've reached this point in my boys' lives, I have to agree: teenagers are really just "terrible twos" that are taller and more vocal than their shorter, younger versions. I mean, they have to be fed every two hours or they're cranky beyond belief! They whine when they're bored... which is all the time! The word "no" will send them into a tantrum! And you have to constantly watch them to keep them from breaking things or hurting themselves! It's exhausting! Nothing like the lazy days of summer...

Then, there's the driving thing... still going through that. I had this brilliant idea to take the boys on a little road trip to Illinois so the "student driver" could get in some extra hours behind the wheel. Well, that was a great idea except for the back seat driver! Mr. 14 year old, "I know it all," was only too eager to critique every mile... for 5 and 1/2 LONG hours!!! The arguments were non-stop! So, not only were my nerves shot, but my patience as well! I'm truly surprised I didn't leave them in Illinois! HOW did my mother raise SEVEN children without beating us all to death?! Well, she DID spank us... a few times... but it worked... if only my boys didn't tower over me and out-weigh me by several dozen pounds!!!

Okay, okay, okay... I get a little carried away. They really ARE good kids... I'm just hoping this teenage stuff passes quickly... or that I find more patience... or the secret to the universe... It sure makes me appreciate my job!!!

Have a fun summer... go frolick!

Hard to Blog when your mind is a BLANK!!!

2009-05-14T14:49:00.004-05:00

Man, with the end of school comes whirlwind activities and numerous trips between home, work and school! I feel like a bus driver!!! My mind just reels when I stop to think about all there is to get done... and so it goes blank and I have no idea what I'm going to say to you! I'm just hoping the oldest child manages to get that driver's license this fall...

Yep, I forced my 16 year old to take his written driver's test in March so that I can finally get some help with the chauffer duties. I had NO IDEA how hard it would be to be his only instructor!!! (Did I really think his Dad would help??? Guess I'm braver than that old boy... but the joke will be on him when son number two requires training... the fearless, speed demon, son number two...hee, hee.) And trying to get in 40 hours of driving in six months is killing us both!!! He doesn't enjoy it and I'm going gray... never have I colored my hair, but I'm thinking that's gonna change and SOON! We started out in a parking lot (the younger son wanting to be there, but made to get OUT of the car, and so he's chasing the car around the parking lot like some kind of 4-legged pet...) then graduated to the neighborhood streets, on to city streets, and then did some highway driving this past weekend. We're making progress... things like what the brake is for, how to turn corners using the hand-over-hand approach (as opposed to the juggling approach) and the fine art of crossing railroad tracks without knocking the front end out of alignment! We're both learning a lot!!! I'm really wishing I had a sign for the car that said "Student Driver" so that everyone had fair warning when they saw us coming!!! (Heck, I need that sign for myself, most days!)

Anyway, the lazy days of summer are almost here... I hope you enjoy yours!

April Showers...

2009-04-09T15:08:00.004-05:00

Well, the spring break is over... just about killed me!!!! I swear, I work harder at home than any job I've ever had! The boys and I did get a lot accomplished and managed not to harm one another... a big accomplishment considering they are such opposites and were stuck with me and each other for an entire week at home!!! Ya know, I took this personality test the other day and discovered that I am a "green"... meaning my main need is for Harmony in my life... fat chance of that with two teenagers on the war path with each other! The older one has to be a "blue" meaning his main need is for Order, while the younger one is an "orange", whose main need is for Attention & Excitement! We certainly get plenty of excitement when he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed!!! Order is destroyed and then "the fight started!" And mom's harmononious day is shot to heck...

I really shouldn't complain, though... my boys are really quite wonderful most of the time and they DO occasionally get along really well. They are both so smart and loving and funny and just my best buddies... especially one at a time! Anyway, their personalities and personality clashes certainly challenge me to be really tough and fair instead of doing anything to keep the peace which is what I'm tempted to do which would make me a horrible mother! Anyway, God knew what he was doing when he put the three of us together in the same house! What a growth opportunity.

So now the big question is, "what do you do with two teenage boys over summer break to keep them occupied and out of trouble?" The older one needs to get a job, but since he JUST got his learner's permit and can't drive himself yet, that limits a lot of opportunities (remind me to tell you about the driving lessons we're having....). The younger one is too young to get a job, but keeping him in some kind of "camp" is really getting too expensive and there is no way I'm letting him stay home and do nothing! So... I think I should loan them out as slave labor in exchange for feeding them and I'll be miles ahead!!! They are much more likely to accomplish stuff for somebody other than me!!! Anyway, I've got about a month before THAT fight begins... I'm praying for an answer!

Stay dry and enjoy the sunshine and in case of tornados, be sure to listen to 94.7, KTTS!! We've got your back (and your behind!)

Curly

March Madness!

2009-03-12T15:14:00.003-05:00

And I'm not talking basketball!!! I'm really referring to this crazy weather we've been having... so the groundhog saw his shadow.... yeah, right! He failed to mention that the six more weeks of weather would be sprinkled in between beautiful spring days! Oh well, I think he's just cranky cause they yank him out of bed so early on Groundhog Day!

So, we made it through another St. Jude Radiothon last week and managed to raise over $67,000... not bad, but not up to our usual totals... guess we just have to blame the economy on that... it's tough right now and I know the folks in the Ozarks did the best they could. There's a couple more ways you can help right now with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway... get that $100 ticket and you might win that $375,000 home! Or, come by the Battlefield Mall on Saturday (14th), 10 to 4, and place a bid on that trip to the Nashville screening of "Hannah Montana - The Movie"... a really cool 3 day, 2 night trip with SO MUCH fun stuff attached... PLUS you get to meet Billy Ray Cyrus and his SPECIAL GUEST!!!! Read all the details at KTTS.com... if you're a Hannah Montana fan, you can't pass this one up!

So... I'm off on "Spring Break" with my boys at the end of this month... probably just hang around the house again... might make 'em clean their rooms!!!! Imagine that!? I'm the meanest mom in the world, ya know. In the meantime, you have a wonderful March and enjoy "Dancing With The Stars".... and the arrival of spring!!!
Later,
Curly

Chocolate

2009-02-18T14:43:00.004-06:00

Well... survived Valentine's Day! Funny how that day can produce so much anxiety whether you are in or out of a relationship... "poor me, no Valentine"... or "what do I get for my Valentine?" Anyway, hope yours was good and that you got lots of good chocolate!!!!

Just like last year and every year for many, many years, after Valentine's Day comes.... The St. Jude Radiothon on KTTS!!! This year it happens on March 5 and 6 and in those two days we're gonna try to raise as much money as possible for St. Jude's. And why do we care about St. Jude??? because St. Jude saves so many lives of so many children right here in the Ozarks! I think being a St. Jude Partner in Hope is kind of like an insurance policy... if my children or any children I love gets some catastropic, life-threatening illness, then St. Jude is there to give them the best chance at survival. AND, don't worry about medical bills, St. Jude will never send you a bill!!! It's a miracle in the making each and every day. During the radiothon, we tell you about local families whose children were treated at St. Jude and just how wonderful it really is. I've been there (it's in Memphis) and it is such an incredible place of hope and miracles. I wish everyone could take the tour!!! I sure hope you'll tune in for the radiothon and that you'll become a Partner In Hope, too... it's the best investment you'll ever make!

HAPPY New Year

2009-01-16T08:33:00.003-06:00

Okay... it's been awhile. I've just been trying to recover from the holidays, school break and then getting back into the swing of work in a new year! You? Christmas holidays always wear me out - I'm no Martha Stewart and all that cooking and decorating and shopping are just not my thing!!! I really wish I were more like my mom when the holidays come around - she had such fun with it all and did it all with a smile on her face. Amazing woman! I was blessed!

Guess it would make sense to talk about New Year's Resolutions, but I really never make them. Actually, I think the best thing to resolve to do is simply be happy and peaceful within yourself... that's where world peace will come from, ya know. When we each find that peace in our own lives, the world will be at peace. I think war and greed and problems really come from unhappiness with ourselves. When we are unhappy, we try to find happiness outside of ourselves and so we think we have to have more stuff and the pursuit of more stuff makes for crime and greed and turmoil. Call me simplistic, but I really do think the answer is a simple one... not easy, just simple: practice gratitude. When a person is grateful for all the blessings in their lives, they are just naturally happy. Even when things look bleak, there is always something to be grateful for... do you have people to love and that love you? do you have a place to live? clothes to wear? food to eat? do you appreciate a beautiful day? do you have your health? do you have friends? There are just so many things that we all take for granted and if we were to consciously notice and appreciate the good in our lives, we'd find so much more to be grateful for. I feel like gratitude is simply like Miracle Gro... it makes good things grow and mulitply.

So... here's a daily thing that I do that has made the biggest change in my life... a gratitude journal. It's simple and it works! Every night before I go to sleep, I write down 5 things that I am grateful for... sometimes big things, mostly just "small" things, but I make a point to notice and appreciate the good in my life. It has made the difference between surviving and thriving... and it has brought me much happiness. If you're lacking in happiness or peace, I invite you to just try it for a couple months. Then let me know what YOU think.

Have a MOST Happy New Year!

Ho Ho Ho!

2008-12-19T09:31:00.003-06:00

WOW... another miraculously successful Christmas Crusade!!!! Despite the economy, our listeners... YOU... came through for the less fortunate in our community. 300 families and senior citizens were served... over one thousand people total will recieve Christmas gifts, clothing and a Christmas meal because of your generosity. And then, you answered the call for the "Least of These" in Christian County and provided for another 80 families and 50 senior citizens there. Everyone here at KTTS is humbled by it all and incredibly thankful. So let me say again, THANK YOU!!!! Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the KTTS listeners... what a blessing you are.... never forget that!

Well, I'm getting ready to spend a "restful" week at home with my boys... (is there really such a thing as rest once you have kids?)... taking a week of vacation over Christmas. It all starts off with the family Christmas dinner and gift exchange on Sunday with the Mansfield group and then we'll be doing the traditional Christmas baking of the cookies on Christmas Eve... always Neiman Marcus cookies (yeah, right) and snickerdoodles. We make dozens and then eat till we're sick! We'll head out to church that evening for the candle light ceremony and then Christmas morning will probably come a little later this year... after all, the boys are now both teenagers and can't seem to wake up before noon anymore! (At least I'm hoping they sleep in a little). After presents, we'll share a big Christmas morning breakfast and then Ted says I should cook a turkey for Christmas dinner... he actually wanted me to cook a turkey AND a ham, but that's just a little too much for three people!!! However, I do feel like I should just put feed bags on both the boys... they are constantly hungry and never seem to fill up! Let's see, they also want to fit in Silver Dollar City next week and so we'll try to get down there to see the lights... beautiful!

So, that's my plans... hope yours are just as fun and filled with love and joy and hope and peace... all the gifts of Advent. No matter what's under the tree, may the spirit of Christmas be continually found in your heart today and every day! Merry Christmas and in case I don't blog before then, Happy New Year!

2008-11-28T08:50:00.004-06:00

Well, Turkey Day is over and I don't have any leftovers!!! Not that that's anything new, with my extra large family - 50 can show up for Thanksgiving (or just Sunday dinner, for that matter) - no matter how much we've cooked, it all gets eaten and so no leftovers. But, I didn't go to Mansfield for Thanksgiving this year... the boys were with their dad and so I opted for a quiet, no travel day, in town with friends. I did something new for me this year, too.... I went to the Missouri Hotel and helped serve Thanksgiving Dinner. That was such a blessing! Not that they needed my help - there were an amazing amount of volunteers there to share their efforts with those that don't have as much to be thankful for. What a neat group of people! We are incredibly blessed in the Ozarks with folks who are willing to do something good for their neighbors and I was humbled to be a part of that.

Speaking of great neighbor-helping-neighbor activities, the KTTS Christmas Crusade is set to fire up on Monday, December 1st. For two weeks, listeners will hear about neighbors in need and have the opportunity to give much needed support to families that are really struggling this year to make ends meet. Every year it's an amazing thing to witness... people come out of the woodwork to give Christmas to these folks... office groups, church groups, families... all come together and pool their resources to provide gifts, clothing, supplies and food to hundreds of families. It never fails to amaze me that our listeners go the extra mile every year and make Christmas miracles! So, before it gets started, I just want to say Thank You to everyone that participates this year... it can't happen without you and we are ALL blessed by the love you show your neighbors year after year... it truly is what Christmas is all about.

Music Stuff...

2008-11-17T15:00:00.004-06:00

Just sitting in my office doing "office work"... that's what I do from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Yep, I work an 8 hour day, not just the 4 you hear me on the air! Of course, that's nothing compared to the work I do at home just keeping the house up and taking care of two teenage boys.... but I digress.... (did I spell that right?)

Anyway, one of the perks of working in radio is that I get to hear the new music before it gets to the store. For instance, the new Blake Shelton cd isn't in the stores until tomorrow, but I'm sitting here listening to it right now! I just love Blake and I love how cute he and Miranda Lambert are together. The cd's called "Startin' Fires"... it has the new song, "She Wouldn't Be Gone" on it. I'm listenin'! There's some good stuff on there.... "I'll Just Hold On" is pretty and "This Is Gonna Take All Night" is pretty cool, too. BUT they saved the best for last... the best TWO for last. Be sure and check out "I Don't Care"... it's beautiful and what a story!!! Then the last one is "Bare Skin Rug" with Miranda and it's a HOOT!

I'm also looking forward to hearing the Randy Houser cd... he sounds a lot like Ronnie Dunn... and his new song is "Anything Goes." His cd is in stores tomorrow, too. Oh, and The Zac Brown Band cd is finally in stores tomorrow, too.... "The Foundation."

Well, anyway, hope your Monday's been a decent one... off to another beautiful week in the Ozarks!!! Have you bought your turkey yet???? Don't wait too long! Later....

How'd I do?

2008-11-13T08:20:00.003-06:00

Well... I got a HALF of them right!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR• Keith Urban WRONG winner was Kenny Chesney
FEMALE VOCALIST• Carrie Underwood YES!
MALE VOCALIST• Brad Paisley YES!
NEW ARTIST• Rodney Atkins WRONG winner was Lady Antebellum
GROUP• Rascal Flatts YES!
DUO• Sugarland YES!
SINGLE•Don't Blink, Kenny Chesney WRONG winner was "I Saw God Today" George Strait
ALBUM (goes to artist and producer)•Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood WRONG winner was "Troubadour" George Strait
SONG (goes to songwriters)•You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins (writers Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller) WRONG winner was "Stay" Sugarland, writer Jennifer Nettles
MUSICAL EVENT•Life in A Northern Town, Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen WRONG winner was "Gone, Gone, Gone" Robert Plant and Allison Krauss
VIDEO•Waitin' on a Woman, Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith YES!
MUSICIAN• Mac McAnally (guitar) YES!

I thought the show was the best they've done so far... it moved right along with some really great entertainment. Nicely done! I DID wonder why Rascal Flatts didn't perform, though.

CMA's are on tonight!

2008-11-12T14:49:00.003-06:00

It's Wednesday and tonight the CMA's are on ABC, starting at 7... so I thought I'd put down my picks and tomorrow we'll check and see how I did. Keep in mind, some of these I KNOW I'll be wrong on, I just kinda wish I was right!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR• Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST• Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST• Brad Paisley

NEW ARTIST• Rodney Atkins

GROUP• Rascal Flatts

DUO• Sugarland

SINGLE•Don't Blink, Kenny Chesney

ALBUM (goes to artist and producer)•Carnival Ride, Carrie Underwood

SONG (goes to songwriters)•You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins (writers Ashley Gorley/Lee Thomas Miller)

MUSICAL EVENT•Life in A Northern Town, Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen

VIDEO•Waitin' on a Woman, Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith

MUSICIAN• Mac McAnally (guitar)

2008-11-06T08:49:00.004-06:00

Well, the election is over, so maybe life will get back to "normal"... whatever that is! Been trying to come up with ideas for this blog and with the world as it is, I was thinking I'd try exploring ways to save money... might be good with the holidays coming up. However, if you've better stuff, questions about radio, music, etc... feel free to just throw that out there and we'll see where it goes.

So... how do YOU save money at the grocery store? I have two teenage boys and that spells Major Food Expense! My solution(s) is that I only buy what's on sale at the grocery store... my menus are all about what's on sale and what I can do with it. And yes, I COOK dinner every night... I don't know about you, but I can't afford to feed two boys at fast food joints or any other type of restaurant on any kind of a regular basis.... so I cook! I don't like cooking, but I do it to save money for paying the mortgage! I also have discovered purchasing beef from local folks. I've found that if I purchase a quarter or half beef and/or pig, then I put it all in the freezer (And I only have a 9 cubic foot freezer) and we eat well meat-wise for several months. Plus, I bypass the grocery store versions of beef and pork with all of their steroids, antibiotics, etc... so it's much healthier! That just leaves fruits and veggies ... staple stuff to buy at the store. It's really a big savings.

I'll just leave it at that for now... feel free to give me your ideas and any questions you have... what fun this might actually be!

Have a great day... or week... whenever I get back to this!

Curly

??????????

2008-10-31T15:25:00.004-05:00

Ok, this is my first attempt at "blogging".... thought I'd give it a try and see what happens. You may or may not be interested in anything I have to say and if so, I'm sure you'll tell me!

So, what do I talk about? I'm afraid to talk politics... heck, I'm having enough trouble just trying to decide on all the items that will be on Tuesday's ballot! I'll admit, I really get most of my information from my 13 year old son, Ted. He's a real news hound and has a pretty good grasp on all the candidates and issues... He loves to go to the polls with me, too. He's pretty mad that it won't be an election year when he turns 18! Anyway, this weekend we have to sit down and look at the sample ballot that I've printed off and make those decisions before Tuesday. That's as far as I'm gonna go talkin' politics!

Well, I'm gonna let this go for now and try to come up with something more interesting for my next posting.... have a great Halloween and a beautiful weekend!