Please Pray for Me

It has just been a rough year for me. Don't get me wrong their are wonderful aspects too, but it just seems like the negative just keep on coming in my life. I work with a summer camp that I really enjoy, but this year it just hasn't been as fun for me. There were actually two components that were put into place that made it MUCH easier on me this year and I thank God for those two people! It just seems like I need a break. I want to go away and enjoy a weekend with someone I love very much but that really just doesn't look possible with our schedules and vacation time allowed... Please just pray good and positive things for me. I really really need them.

AOL Full CD Listening Party

Hi All! I just love music... all kinds... granted as stated in previous blogs... there are some genres that will always hold a special place in my heart but there I just love music.... except really heavy stuff. Regardless your preference I encourage you to check out AOL's Full CD Listening Party. Here, you can listen to several CDs coming out that week in their entirety for at least a week. So when you need to jam on the job or just relax at the house I recommend trying AOL Full CD Listening Party! You may even find out you like groups you never thought you would like or ever heard of... I am currently jammming the Steve Miller Band...what are you listening to?

You can catch more flies with honey...

"You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" .... that was a favorite saying of someone that passed away recently. This year has been and continues to be a bit of a stuggle for me, and the passing of my "church godmother" Miss Ellen Naomi Childers" does not make it easier. I would like to take a moment and pay tribute to her in this blog. I never realized how much I enjoyed learning about history until I spent time with Miss Childers. She was a former educator that wrote books, poetry, and as many say was "walking history". She introduced me to Rosenwald Schools, genealogy, and much more. She lived a beautiful life and she will be missed by many. I love you Miss Childers.

One of Her Books...
A Journey of Faith-40 Years of Excellence: A History of Seneca Institute (Paperback)

BELIEVE AGAIN

Sometimes you may feel like your life is spinning out of control...from time to time I do. I am a control nut and I know it. So out of control... or not clearly understanding freaks me out! I am much better in recent times but lately I just feel a little unfrazzled and a lot of emotional weight weighing me down. However it is my nature to just be quiet... smile and nodd... unless provoked OR vent to close friends...(which I know they get tired of therefore I start holding more in)...When I do speak up... I am scared that I may push people away from me. I HATE negative confrontation under any circumstances but when pushed one too many times I push back when I can or get a little down when there is nothing I can do. I tend to stop believing in the good things in life, stop believing in the positives...

Recently I have been experiencing that and needed a little inspiration, and when I was cleaning out my email I found this poem my friend Demeterius recently shared.

BELIEVE AGAIN
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it shrivel up and die?
Naw,
Grapes of promise may be gone
But even they leave evidence of hope
By becoming raisins when they dry
Tis not over, no where close
Pick up the pen again,
Start up your business again,
Open your heart again,
Trust Jesus again,
Run the race to win,
Believe again!
©2006 Demeterius Smith (By inspiration of The Holy Spirit)

It helped to inspire me at just the right time. I hope it inspires you. Smile it may just brighten someone elses day.

Best Heckler Week 5... Roz!

Hi Everyone! Please continue to support my cousin Roz on Last Comic Standing. Tune in tonight!

NBC - Tuesday, June 27 - 9:00 PM
Last Comic Standing EPISODE #6

Last week she won Best Heckler!

"When the last heckler heckled, it was up to the audience to decide on their favorite performers and hecklers. The votes were tallied with the audience deciding that the best heckler was Roz" - Last Comic Standing Website

India.Aire... Testimony: Vol. 1

Artist of this week is India.Aire The lady has an AWESOME sound. Don’t get me wrong I love all types of music, however there is just something about the Neosoul and Caribbean music that often offers to its listeners a “feel good” beat in one song that has you dancin’ at your desk and points of inspiration, meditation, and reflection in another soulful collaboration of musical notes and soothing melodies. I believe that India gives us just that combination in “Testimony: Vol. 1 Life & Relationships”. Check it out! If you like her sound and others like her please BUY their albums! You can often check out the entire album for free the week of release on AOL FULL CD Listening Party!

CORINNE BAILEY RAE

For year’s I have been able to pick out a great new talent that will make it big. Not necessarily new always but I just seem to hear a voice and just know. Man I would LOVE to get paid for this…lol.. Nonetheless, I will go as far as to say provided the right managers, good image consultants, and in some cases the right songs. I can pick a voice that will leave lasting impressions in the music industry as more than one hit wonders. I try to listen weekly to AOL’s Full CD Listening Party. This week’s new voice TO ME, and I believe to America, is CORINNE BAILEY RAE… okay so maybe I was drawn to her because her name is similar to mine, but when I clicked on her CD I immediately loved her voice and thought… THIS IS IT! So when you have time… visit Amazon.com and check out her sound… Her debut album hit stores June 20...if you are a lover of neosoul or just a smooth sound with a feel good beat check her out… and mark my words…. Here comes CORINNE BAILEY RAE!

Help Donate for Cervial Cancer Research

Go to this link and order a free bracelet kit - it costs you nothing, but for every one that is ordered, Merck Pharmaceuticals donates $1 for cervical cancer research.


Please Click Here

"With every order of the FREE Make the Connection bracelet kit you will get two kits, so you can invite someone to join you in showing support against cervical cancer. By ordering a free Make the Connection bracelet kit, you will be helping to advance cervical cancer education and outreach. For every pair of bracelet kits ordered, Merck will donate one dollar to Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, up to $100,000, for cervical cancer awareness and screening programs among medically underserved women." - Make the Connction Website

Mastectomy Hospital Bill in Congress

I received this email from a friend in the medical field this morning. Please take a moment and act!

TWO DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER MAJOR SURGERY IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK.
Mastectomy Hospital Bill in Congress

If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

Mastectomy Bill in Congress

It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important...please take the time and do it really quick!

Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill - Important legislation for ALL women. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will
take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the "drive-through mastectomy" where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still
attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.

PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

Click Here to Link to Petition

Vote for Roz! Last Comic Standing!

"Roz Gholston stopped the show with her set, but got into it with Kathy Griffin when Kathy suggested that Roz tone down her style. Roz didn't exactly take that suggestion to heart."- Last Comic Standing Website

I would like to congratulate Roz Gholston (aka Roz, Roz G)on making it in the first round on Last Comic Standing". She is a distant cousin who family members may remember me spotlighting in two of our past family newsletters. Way to go Roz!

Men Speak Up...

As promised, more results from LizaCorrine.com Poll Questions

In late August of 2005 I wrote the following ...

"I am reading a book that states...

"men are actually very simple creatures.All they ask is direct communication, respect, appreciation, food, and good lovin'.

Since I have a large male friend/acquaintance base I would like to know what your thoughts on the comment are. Do you agree or disagree, and why?"

Here are the responses I received in the order they were received, followed by their initials and current age. If there are additional responses. Please feel free to share at this time.

We are very simple creatures and I can prove this with a simple experiment. Ladies if your man is having a bad day do this simple task. Before he comes home take all your clothes off and wait for him at the door. Examine the expression on his face. Guys try the same thing look at her lovely face. The guy will forget all his problems and the woman might slap her man's face because he doesn't understand her feelings. - LLK - 37

Women ask for those same things; these questions are NOT soley
characteristic to men. - JCR - 27.

Respect yes. Appreciation definitely; you women love to take us for granted. Food, sure, but I can handle that one myself. Chances are I'll be a better cook than my wife. It ain't got to be good as long as I can get it when I want it. Direct communication? I guess as long as the female can stand to hear me talk, that's as direct as I need. -ABR- 31

I agree cuz! - BS - 30 something

I think that the book is right on all counts. I would add that the direct communication piece is critical as long as it isn't purposefully hurtful. The other little tidbit that I would add is that every man is different and that gender lines, in terms of responsibilities (who oughta do what), are more shared than ever. So I think it's entirely possible to find a woman that wants all of the same things that the book says that a man wants. In fact I think we all want the same things; it's just a matter of finding a person that we trust ourselves enough with to unload all of our childhood baggage, and create something better rather than recreating more of the same. -DJG - 26

I think only two of those criteria apply more to men than to women as I believe all humans want respect, appreciation and food. As far as direct communication goes, all I can say is guys don't get hints. It's that simple. If you have an opinion, just say it. If you want something, say "I want ... fill in the blank." Men aren't hard to communicate with, just don't make us guess, infer, mind-read, etc. As for good lovin' .... Yea, and more than just occasionally -SCT - 27

St. Louis, Missouri

On his way back from Missouri my boyfriend sent me photos of and from the arch and i just wanted to share :)

LizaCorrine.Com Poll Update - What food of your childhood do you recall...

LizaCorrine.com Poll Updates…
Today I will, by popular demand, start sharing LizaCorrine.com poll results for SOME LizaCorrine.com polls. I was asked by a few people what did other people respond.

On May 22, 2006 I asked…
What food of your childhood do you recall...

I personally loved Jell-O Pudding Pops, the frozen version of Jell-o pudding. My personal favorite was vanilla, contrary to my original email which was a cut and paste from the website that sparked this poll question.

You all also made me recall a few more childhood things … Big League Chew… oh why was it appealing to look like you were a child with snuff?

Also Mickey Mouse flavored popsicles… ahh those were the days… – Liza Corrine

But now to your responses…

“I have been craving Mickey Mouse Ears for about 2 years now.” – KST – Knightdale, NC


“The classic Chocolate Chips Ahoy!...the ones now taste like dust. Freezer pops and pop sickles...they taste like water now. I could go on....Ice cream sandwiches and ice cream bars...they were so big back then!
” – DB – St. George, SC

“Those hard bubble gum candies -- I forget what they are called. They are pink and the bubble gum was in the middle. That and Now and Later's.” – CMF – Snellville, GA

“Cinnamon toast crunch cereal! I wish it wasn’t so bad for you!!” – AAP – Greenville, SC

“ I remember Tab cola... : P” – JH – Louisville, KY

“PUSH UPS!!! Frozen orange sherbet treats in a cylinder container that you push upwards as you eat them.” – DS – Greenville, SC

Oh man, without question it is the 7-11 Slurpee!!!!! MMMM, MMMM!!! I get 'em still to this day!! :o)))) A close 2nd would be Sugar Babies candy!!! :o))) – LAJ – Edwards, IL

I remember coming home from school and popping open a can of Chef-Boyardee spaghetti. I used to eat it cold right from the can. My granny kept a few cans for me to eat when I got the munchies after school. I think these days I would warm it up. – MBA – Fredericksburg, VA

Thank you again for participating in a LizaCorrine.com poll. FYI..For those of you who mentioned a candy you recalled you may be able to find it at Cracker Barrel Stores.

Liza with a "Z"

One of my pet peeves is how people mess up my first name after I have told them how to correctly pronounce it. I even go as far as to say, "like LIZA MINNELLI".

While watching television the other night I saw a concert she did for television called Liza with a Z.... I have yet to see the movie but I can only imagine what issues she had in the entertainment industry correcting people. It doesn't bother me so much that it is mispronounce in the first place it just becomes elevated when you have told them how to correctly pronounce it and they insist on calling you what they wish... okay so that is my vent for today :)

Family and Friends

Family and friends are what can build you up or tear you down. I am blessed in my case to have both family and friends who indeed help build me up. Today I wanted to share a little slide show of just a FEW of the people who have helped to make me the person I am today. THIS IS BY NO MEANS EVERYONE ... but just a few pictures I had on my computer right now. Whether it be that they are there for me everyday or they took a moment to make a difference in my life. It could be just a smile, group I play poker with or that family memeber that calls every once and a while to say hello.... or just growing up seeing that if you stick together (though both good and bad)... that is something special to pass onto generations to come...I may decide to do this periodically...changing the pictures... but for today...enjoy

Words can make or break your day...

How many times has someone's comment made your day spectacular or ruined you completely. I have been going through a lot right now, but one of my personal goals is to stay positive... for that reason I would like to share the following.

On Mother's Day my mama told me how much she loved me. It was kind of in an awkward situation but she meant it and I knew it anyway. But there is something about sharing those words with someone that can change their lives.

On yesterday I was sitting playing with my boyfriend's guitar (not knowing what I am doing more than the man in the moon) and I could feel him looking at me... and with sincerity in his eyes, as I glanced up from the stings, he looked at me and said... "you know you truly are a beautiful woman". Do you know how that made me feel?

Then today as I was reading a friend's blog I read that her son looked up at her and told her "mom you are pretty".

You see these things were mere words, they didn't cost one thing. These mere words made someone's day. I challenge each of you who read this blog to choose kind words to say to someone today. Say I love you, tell someone how you feel about them... What makes it even better is the element of surprise.

Sale! Clearance! Discount! Oh MY!

If there are any of you who see the, Big Red/Yellow/or whatever brightly colored signs with the words SALE! CLEARANCE! that draw you right in... then this blog is for you! As soon as I enter just about any department or discount store I know EXACTLY where the sale section is. This little tidbit was taken from womenswallstreet.com and should serve as a point of reflection the next time that you are on a mission and stop by the sale rack :)

To counteract the spell of the sale, here are a few chants I use:

Nothing on sale is a bargain if I didn't plan to buy it anyway.
Nothing on sale is a bargain if I don't need it or won't use it.
Nothing on sale is a bargain if I must buy two of them.
Nothing on sale is a bargain if it doesn't really fit.

Happy Bargin Hunting! :) hehehe

Focus on Children's Strengths in Education

Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.-Malcolm Forbes

I cannot recall at this moment where, but I recently heard someone say something that to me made so much common sense but I don't know if it has been researched. I believe it deserves further investigation or study and I would like to employ a derivative of this principle to my children when I have them. The discussion was mainly criticizing education for focusing on children's weaknesses. Stating that is it not funny that instead of cultivating the things people are good at (starting in grade school) we make them work on things that they are not good at. [I.E. If you made straight As in Math but struggled in spelling parents/teachers/educators tend to give you overtime in spelling but basically push aside the idea of cultivating your stong point Math].

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.- Will Durant

Since I cannot recall the venue where I heard this information I personally think that a combination of the two ideas would be an excellent educational approach. Elaborating further the example, I believe we should address and understand that a child may struggle in spelling but also engage in activities that would further cultivate their math skills. What do you think?

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten. - B. F. Skinner

2nd Greenville Drive Game

Good Morning All! ... Last night some of my close friends and I attended my SECOND Greenville Drive game... one might think that I am developing a fondness for the game... and they would be right. I have attended both games with people who take the time to explain to me different things and who are easy to talk to during the uneventful eras. It has been great. Last night my friends and I went on what was intended to be our "tripple date" with; Alyssa, Joe, Stephanie, Cory, and Joe's daughter Anna. But my sweetie was actually on field emceeing while the rest of us were in the stands cheering for him. ENTERTAINING... All I have to say after last night I will RARELY bring up this pizza thing because of an afro and a hot dog eating contest.

Untapped Talent

As I was reviewing the hometown of the top 12 American Idol finalist for this year I realized that 50% of them were from states recognized as "Southern" and and 67% if you include Virginia and Florida. This thought lead me to think that there is a well of "untapped talent" because there is not a convenient outlet for talent to be found in southern states without extensive travel or complete uprooting. Yes, there is Atlanta and Nashville and those are wonderful places that one can be discovered, or make a name for yourself...However I wonder if it would be beneficial to establish or fund the establishment of some type of talent agency that looks primarily in small towns, rural areas, and/or southern states. I believe that there is this "untapped talent" that is waiting to be discovered that does not want to move to the big city or for reasons not yet known/researched/what have you... that if presented with the opportunity tailored for maintaining somewhat of a connection with their hometown or community that they would be inclined to share their talent with the world, as well as a lucrative investment for some willing soul...I don't know.. this is just another LizaCorrine random idea...