Updates from Cancerville, USA . . .

I just returned late last night from Portland, Oregon where I was honored to be with my sister for her last scheduled chemo treatment. She truly was a champ, all bandaged up in pink, signing thank you notes (which I will mail out shortly) and staying awake even during the slow, steady hum o' my incessant yammerin'. Jen had a great chemo party last time when I named it ROCK STAR CHEMO and she got all sorts of rockstar everything for her chemo party! This last appt was unofficially IT'S OVER, ROVER cuz, well, hopefully it is!! If I had been there when she walked out afterward, I would have serenaded her with WHO LET THE DOGS OUT, WOOF WOOF WOOF-WOOF. And while I try to stay positive and not get too pissed at her painless brazilian and to-die-for assortment of cute hats and wigs, I am reminded of the negative side of all that is happening. I mean, for cripes' sake, TAKE OUT LUNCH ON CHEMO DAY???? Hasn't she suffered enough??

And on a TRULY positive and grateful note, on her final day of chemo and the day I was with her, I received the last of donations to meet my fund-raising requirement for my run in June to benefit the leukemia/lymphoma society! I will be doing the 1/2 marathon in Seattle on June 26. I've been in training for months now. Training consists of lots of running, some workout/stretching, massages, chiropractics, and mostly me practicing NOT tripping. But me being me, I can't promise anything, so if you can attend the race, keep those camera's poised.

Last week I was in Seattle for a short trip to spend Brenda's final chemo treatment with her! I wasn't feeling too well but Brenda put up with me and Lori and I cheered her on to graduate! We unofficially named her chemo "IT'S A WRAP!" cuz it's the end of it and I was supposed to be her surprise present (but not wrapped) but when flights got all messed up and everything looked bleak, Lori told Brenda that I was on my way. So in the nick of time, I did make it! Even tho I wasn't quite the surprise we planned, it was still a great celebration!! (BTW, I think I left my 7-up under your private princess chemo room bed. I'm thirsty now. hint hint)

Today is Kari's big day again~!! She's at 7 of 8 chemo treatments, so in two weeks will be her FINAL one! While I was in Portland during spring break, I spent chemo with her, which I aptly named FANCY CHEMO cuz it was darn fancy! Complete with fancy bejeweled rings and Starbucks drinks and OUTRAGEOUS oatmeal cookies (duh!) We put the fancy in chemo that day for sure!! Mostly I thought it was fancy cuz I got to spend the afternoon with sweet, fancy Kari!

While a couple gals have radiation tanning beds to look forward to and we're not sure what they're gonna do with Jen besides wait for her next scan, the path ahead is lengthy but positive!! As I say my universal "prayers" which at one time consisted of begging for their healing, I now say thank you for all the great things. I feel thankful for their recoveries which I know is just ahead. I feel thankful for reconnections with people that I haven't been with for MANY years, which would have never happened, had no one caught the c-word. What a windy, curvy, sometimes confusing road with lots of speed-bumps! My friends and me, we have so much to be grateful for. I love the way we find stuff to laugh at in the face of this monster who is powerless to our fixation with remission. Yesterday while Jennifer and I were complaining that the chemo room had no internet available, Jen said "If we're lucky, I'll still have cancer next year when they finally get wi-fi!!" Cooooool. :-) (Lesson here is only get cancer where wi-fi is available. Makes facebooking and online shopping so much easier.)

Thanks for your cheers, your messages of hope, your donations to the cancer fund, your emotional support, your smiles and your love. It's felt in such far-reaching ways, you'll never know . . .

I don't think I'm alone when I say that my day will be complete when I can blog one day soon, Cancerville, Population ZERO!

With TONS o' gratefulness,
Chatty K

Spring Break and the APRIL Challenge

I just returned from my spring vacation Oregon visit. I had a wonderful time there!! I'm usually ready to get back to real life when vacations end, but this one is harder to close out. I thoroughly enjoyed my mom, my grandma, my Saltmarsh/Ratty cousins and aunts, Shirley Forrette, the Reisingers, and my Uncle Paul and Claire. The real craziness started when my amazing cousin, Deanna, brought a redneck party to the house. We dressed up. Well, SOME of us did. Not everyone needed to. :-) With guns, blacked out teeth, billy bob teeth, missing teeth, men's unders, beer cans and improperly spelled signage, we let cancer know what we think of it!! And my mom pole danced on a rife. It was an absolute blast!! I was introduced to Lambic Framboise, which is the tastiest raspberry beer ever!! It's from Vermont, which made it seem classier. Ok, it's beer. Whatev. I LOVED it!! My grandma, mom, Katie and I beaded. It's our go-to hobby when we'd rather be drinking. :-)

Then I left for Portland/Salem in *The Kathleen Ann Caravan* with my niece, Katie, who put up with me for our 4 1/2 hour roadtrip. We played a "fill-in-the-blank" game where we discovered that "The Kathleen-Ann's" love GREEN, THE NAME LILY, and PAPILLONS.

Very nice to see my scarfy sister, Jennifer! Then I drove to Salem and got my BFF wish of fun and frolicking with Lori and Brenda. We hadn't all been together since our San Francisco trip in December. Since then Brenda has started chemotherapy for her boob cancer. She just LOVES freaking people out with her bald head. For someone with the cutest hats and wig, she does a lot of stripping them off! (Before chemo, Brenda was a total exhibitionist anyway. Just now, she MOSTLY strips her head. MOSTLY.)

After a couple days with the BFF's, we welcomed my sister and our dear friend/little sis, Kim FN into our fold for an overnighter!! The margarita machine kept up with us pretty much. We all stayed busy climbing rock walls and photo-shopping star wars characters trying to "laser beam us." Then the It-ly girl got sleepy and wanted to head to bed so she could make mass the next morning. Which we didn't let her do . . . someone had to make bacon and eggs for the hungover.

During this next week, I got to attend chemo for my friend, Kari, who is also fighting cancer. She did terrific at our FANCY CHEMO party!! My time with her was so very special. We had a LOT of catching up to do. I can't imagine spending that time with anyone else and coming away with such a warm feeling in my heart. She's courageous and positive and filled to the brim with love. Thanks, Kari, for sharing it with me!! Oh, and we pole-danced on her IV to the sounds of her poison pipe cleaner killing all the cancer. For back-up, it was all about the Pop Rocks. And it was FANCY. :-)

I got some more sister time before I had to go back to Medford. We did dinner at Stanford's and shopping! (We hated that. Eating AND shopping. What a drag.) I enjoyed our evening and then chatting it up the next morning. She got me coffee!! (I wonder if I moved in with her . . .)

I drove to Medford with Ipod problems but managed to stay between the lines and got safely to southern Oregon. My mom was waiting patiently for me, with some very yummy pumpkin/black bean soup for dinner!! She put together a little soiree for my Uncle Paul and Claire, who just arrived back from south of the border (not California. Lower.) and Leon, Elaine and Lori Reisinger, who are some of my favoritest Jacksonville-ites. They've known me since diapers and still seem to like me. Super-lucky me!

On Saturday morning, my mom and grandma went to breakfast with me. FYI: Nana shouldn't be trusted with cameras. Not only can she NOT find us in the digital screen on back, but when she pushes the button, she lowers the camera immediately, which means the only shots we get are of our boobs. Maybe Nana does it on purpose. We're not really sure. But when Mom took a pic with me and Nana, she suggested we get the boobs. I told her that was not possible, since I was standing on them. My bad, Nana.

I flew out from Medford to Denver last night, in time for a show with The Rouge. That was great! Their bass player, Jack, was celebrating his birthday. What do you get a guy who's just been signed by Atlantic Records?? A shopping trip with Nana??

So, folks, I'm not very far from my fundraising goal for my lymphoma run in June! In the interest of getting this money raised so I can get on with just running and training, I'd like to challenge everyone. I'm a HUGE Starbucks fan. I sometimes go once everyday. Somedays I take friends and buy several drinks in a day. Sometimes I just plain get thirsty and go by myself more than once in a day!! (shhhh.) So, this is what I'm going to do and challenge you: Every errand day or time I drive past my favorite Starbucks drive thru - JUST FOR APRIL - I'm going to NOT go to Starbucks, but I will go into my fundraising site and donate $5. Everytime. (OK, seriously, I may go a couple times but if I do, I pledge to donate twice what I spend there to the Lymphoma fundraiser. That'll learn me.) On May 1, I will look at my fundraiser site and anyone who has had a donation or donations of $5, I will put your name in a drawing and send the winner a Starbucks card. Many of you have already donated and I thank you SO much, from the bottom of my running socks!! I have the super-est and most terrific-est supporters and I'm so thankful for you!!

WE'RE IN IT TO WIN IT!!!

Hi Friends/Family!!

I haven't asked any of you for money for a long time. (Well, since the "out of country butt-lift incident.") I'm BEGGING now, though. This isn't for me. It's for my sister and all other loved ones who've suffered from Lymphoma or Leukemia or Hodgkin's or Myeloma. I've joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for their Team In Training (TNT) to prepare for a marathon on June 26. I'll be running in the Rock N Roll Seattle Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. I have to raise $4100.00. I posted my fundraising website yesterday and I'm just floored by the response so far! I have the best friends and family, folks!! A GINORMOUS thank you to those who have already donated!!

I am working on some fund-raising activities in Colorado Springs to help fund the donation effort as well. Some of the fund-raising ideas that went to the BOTTOM of the list so far . . . .

• Kissing or licking booth for Karma. (That girl is ALLLLLLL puppy!)
• At work, allowing staff members to nap in the afternoon, but they pay $1/minute and I promise not to tell.

• Everyone who is ugly pays me $10/day until they get pretty.
• Standing in a busy mall restroom and charging per square for t.p.

• Posing nude in the Geriatric Playboy magazine. Pet peeves: saggy stuff.
• Selling off Stephen's baby things. Maybe I should wait for him to be more famous-er first.
• Mug people.

So, it's a work in progress.

Thank you for remembering me when you pay bills and have money left :-) If anyone has a business in the Seattle area, there are corporate sponsorships available. If a business donates $1,000.00 or more, their business name will be printed on my running jersey. That would be awesome advertising if I don't trip and fall.

Thank you, thank you . . .

ch-k

I gotta new Atti-chatty

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down

I started running about a month ago. I had never run before. Not even to the bathroom. Suddenly my entire wardrobe is "wicking" and I'm tearing a pathway everywhere I go. And I have A LOT of energy!! The changes in my mental health are flooring me every single day. I feel SUPER positive and determined and motivated and ready to take on the world! The world can wait, though, cuz for now I'm going to fight cancer for my sister and my friends. Cancer is a terrible thing but it's real and it happens. I have wished SO many times that instead of Jen, Bren or Kari, that it was me with this . . . thing, cuz I feel so able to fight it. There's such a big piece of this terrible thing that is mental. And I'm MENTAL!!!! (in a good way, I hope.)

I'm not just running around like a weirdie, tho. I'm actually training for a lymphoma marathon in June. I arranged to run my race in Seattle so I can be closest to those I love and to those who need my special powers of FIGHTING THE EVIL C-WORD.

It's crazy. I guess the transformation of running and putting my head in this game is bringing on a bigger and farther reaching impact. My need to be healthy in every way is so ginormous. I want to eat better and just be positive and have healthy relationships and pursue peace and joy for myself. Because of parenting and ex-super religious martyr-dom, I've always put myself last on the list. Now, almost epiphony-like, I see that I need to be FIRST on the list so I can take care of everyone else. I definitely struggle with ever putting anything before my boys, but I think I'll be better prepared to help them through whatever I can still help them with, if I'm happy and mentally ready for whatever challenge they toss my way.

I'm sending out some really great energy and I have super high expectations for what will come back to me. I absolutely demand and believe no less than remission in three gals who deserve it. I expect myself to compete and finish this upcoming marathon in June. Then I expect to do it again for breast cancer. I expect myself to be a good enough person and challenge the universe to bring it all back my way and make my three dreams come true in Clackamas, Kirkland and Boring. Come on, Mother Earth, no dilly-dallying!!!

Please join me with your energy, wishes, prayers . . . we all have something to offer these girls fighting for their lives. If you aren't where you'd like to be now, think about what it will take. But be open. You never know what will change your life. I thought running was just what you did to escape from the po-po. Be strong!

Catch up and cancer (insert tough guy face)

In November, my two besties - Lori and Brenda - flew out to Colorado to visit. We shopped, we ate, some of us drank :-), we saw The Rouge in concert, we took pictures, we visited my mother-in-law, we facebook-ed, we shopped, we laughed a little (ok, a LOT) and cried a little . . . did I mention we shopped? Mostly, we got to see that we're all so connected at soul level and it's a shame we don't do this more. SOOOOO, we got some hair-brained scheme to do it a month later in San Francisco - which was awesome!!

Sometime after the November visit, we all got totally bombarded with cancer. We think Brenda caught it on the toilet seats in Denver. My sister grew it on her spine and then our other friend and neighbor from 1979-80, Kari, got it. Instead of sitting around crying about it - or I should say AFTER sitting around crying about it, we picked ourselves off, dusted off Denver and got to work. Our friend Kim FN, my wonderful rockstar cousin, Deanna, and many others started fighting cancer with us. We try to keep 'em laughing, shocked, and occasionally use a more scientific approach with Pop Rocks to blow this bad cell crap right outta there!

Thanksgiving at the Chatty-house was nice. Anytime my boys are here, it's fantastical! We ate, some of us drank, but all in all, we got through it without anyone ending up in the backyard singing "Oh Where Are My Pants Now?" Sean had to work (something about keeping the nation secure - whatev) so our dining table included Chatty, the Chatty Husband, The Chatty Baby, Chatty girl-dogs, the Chatty In-Laws, and my hairy nephew, Jakey.

The San Francisco BFF trip was great, may I say? We ate, drank, shopped, laughed, teared up a few times, laughed, computer-ed it up and even got an INCREDIBLE video of BFF Lori doing a very magical rendition of "I'm A Ballerina" with all the dance steps even! This video remains in my *private* collection to only be brought out upon approval of said starlet. Except for the 2 months The Rouge boys had access to it.

Christmas Eve was a plethora of fun at a Chinese buffet in Littleton, Colorado with the Chatty-Step Fam. We enjoyed Beth, Gale, David, Aaron, Amber, Amber's parents and brother, The Chatty In-laws, Chatty (duh!), Chatty Husband and Chatty Baby. (Again, Sean worked. Weird that always happens during family gatherings.) We did a gift exchange and I'm not saying who, but SOMEONE got bike-chafing butt creme from her brother. Hmmmm.

Christmas morning was just the Chatty Fam. We had a wonderful time opening such lovely gifts. Everyone was very thoughtful, but mostly we felt so lucky to have each other for the special Santa-mas Day. The Chatty In-laws joined us later in the day for a nice dinner. We enjoyed a day of movies and music and video games. And we napped. That may have been the Chatty-kid's favorite part!

New Year's brought a great party at the Roger's house. It's one of those places that with enough drinks one could get lost in it. I saw my first game of Beer Pong. I didn't play it tho. It's actually disgusting - but fun to watch! We watched a pool tourney but couldn't tell you who did what or who was best so I cheerlead-ed for both sides. We hung out until about 10:30 pm when the Chatty's were ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion - drinking is tough and tiring! We were asleep before the ball dropped.

Of course January brought some birthday's - BFF Lori, BFF big sis Shelly, Vonda, just to name a couple.

The Rouge boys, of which the Chatty Baby is drummer, continue to succeed in their quest for a great music career! They had a great show in Denver on January 19. They left for tour with Safety Suit and Parachute for SLC and Boise. They were invited to continue the tour through California, which is where they're headed as I write. A combination of huge talent and making great contacts is propelling their career to major success!! GO ROUGE GUYS!!

So, the tumor on my sister's spine has shrunk 70% after 2 chemo treatments. Her 4th chemo (or pole dance, as we call it) is the first week of February. We're crossing everything, hoping for that complete tumor to get knocked outta the block at some point very soon. Enough of this, Universe! I think everyone agrees that hair is over-rated. My cousin Deanna (superstar!) and I already got some hair removed in honor of Jen. She was thoughtful to not request us to shave our heads during winter but we still stepped up to her uh, OTHER challenge.

Brenda's 2nd chemo is on Monday. We're ready. Anti-cancer Ninja's are already at work. Brenda learned last night that my love has no limit. She wanted pictures of me doing cartwheels whether I was dressed for it OR NOT. I believe a few more bad cells died off due to my gymnastic porn. Bring it on, Bren!!

Kari has her first chemo the day after Jen's. It's scary, I bet, that first time. But she's ready. She's taking donuts to her nurses so they like her and give her the clean needle! During my workouts, with each strain I just imagine I'm stomping or pushing those bad cells outta her. I won't go so far to say I'm sweating, but when I GLISTEN PROFUSELY, I know it's for her and how can I NOT push myself even harder?

I'm training for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Run in Seattle in June. I'll be raising about $8400.00 toward the research and cure of blood cancers. The organization says that by 2015, blood cancers will be cured or managed. Wouldn't that be cool? I lost my dad to complications of leukemia and now with baby sister and her stOOPid Lymphoma - she calls OJ; I prefer Scaramunga - I gotta fight this fight!! Anyone in the northwest wanna join me in Seattle? I'd love the support of running this 1/2 marathon with you. But anyone who wants to wait for me at the finish line, I'd LOVE that support too! I think I'll put my sister in charge of preparing my Ipod with just the right motivating music and messages to keep me going. It sounds like it will be very cool and I'm planning on using that day to celebrate her REMISSION!!!

All good, positive, energetic, motivated and determined energy to ya! This year 2010 belongs to Jen, Bren and Kari - I love you each and plan to celebrate OUR remissions soon!!

Chatty Kat

I've got a secret.

I have a secret and it's not about who-kissed-who-down-by-the-well. It's BETTER!! It involves The Rouge show this weekend. I can't tell and I sure want to tell but I've sworn myself to secrecy. I don't want to jinx this specialness. But once the secret is out (Friday afternoon) I promise to share!!



It's not the "Don't ask; don't tell" sort of secret. I just can't tell. Almost like I wouldn't tell anyone what my Halloween costume was but then I posted a gazillion pictures of it once I dressed up. It involves hugging, kissing, drinking, taking pictures, karaoke and possibly another romp or two in the Scooby costume. It will definitely include laughing, giggling, pointing, Oh-My-Goshing, and double daring.



And when it's all over, it will most likely be all tears, pinky swears and more hugging. And there will be pictures. LOTS of pictures!! And video footage. And if I'm really lucky, there will be cops. And if I'm SUPER lucky, those cops will be strippers.



And this, folks, is a mystery for Scooby Dooooooo! ('Cept without the camouflaged video projector and Ol' Man Pritchard.)

Happy Birthday to you!

So yesterday was a very important day in the Chatty household! The Chatty-Husband turned 50 years old, to which I cringe as I write. On the upside, the alternative to NOT turning 50 is not so nice, so we'll take it. He took the day off work and spent it with me - ChattyKat.

I did my best to entertain him, although I had a meeting and a doctor appt. During which times, in the interest of keeping him entertained, I left him with a list of things to do around the house. I'm only thinking of him being bored. AND I need to squeeze out as much work as possible before he gets too old to do anything!

The exciting part of our day, besides eating lunch at Guiseppe's Depot was going to Denver and meeting both Chatty-boys for dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Our whole fam hadn't been together since . . . awhile ago when we all went to Old Spaghetti Factory to celebrate my late birthday. The evening is always hysterical when we're together. We made big plans for Thanksgiving together, which is probably the next time we'll gather as a foursome.

Ron got an apple pie from his mom (YUM!), a Barnes and Noble gift card from his mother-in-law and a video camera from me! It's some minute little video camera that looks like something James Bond might use. And since the Chatty-Husband is known for infiltrating the country's enemies, it may come in handy. Or he can use it to get some great drumming footage on November 6, with the club owner being none the wiser! Oh, we're sneaky-sneaky-no-peaky types.

We had a really great evening on October 19. It doesn't get any better than spending an evening together.

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Megan!!

Winter is here WAY too soon!

Yesterday in Colorado Springs was pretty cold. Well, pretty damn cold. My car, which I am unable to park in the garage because we have too much shtuff, was parked in the driveway and covered with snow. I had to (gulp!) scrape my windows. I was not happy about this. Now today the ground is covered with ice. Walking to Starbucks this morning looked reminiscent of a dance step I once used to scale the stairs at Laurelwood (ok, I was tripping and trying not to fall.) This reminds me that on my list of stuff to do before I die, I plan to recreate the Jennifer Grey dance practice down the steps to the LAA Adm. So, charge your video camera's. I'm sure this footage will end up on youtube and POSITIVE it will make the AFV semi-finals. And hoping no one ends up in the emergency room.

Oh yeah. Cold. Colorado Springs. So, we've cranked up the heat and we're waiting for a landscape-y guy to come blow out our sprinkler system (which sounds way dirtier than I hope it really is.) We're prepared to bundle and hibernate. Course, it's Colorado and it will probably be in the 70's in a couple weeks.

I hate the weather here in Colorado. We have two seasons and they are usually both in the same day. But as long as the Chatty-boys live in Colorado, well, here I'll be. I do like driving west toward the base of Pikes Peak. That's a pretty great view. When you can see it. We're totally overcast right now, but I must admit that while we only have two seasons, we have sunny skies nearly year round.

'Scuse me now. I must go iron my white high-waters and dust off my Keds. I have some dance steps to practice. Spotter anyone??

A Little Behind

It's been awhile, I know. Let's see . . . a bunch o' crap happened at work. I left work. Got a new job. Love it! The Chatty #1 son is doing well (altho suffering from side effects of stupid flu shot as I write) and was recently promoted in the Air Force. The Chatty #2 son is doing spectacular as well. The Rouge is getting signed soon. Offers are being offered and lots of thinking/talking/meditating. I'm as proud as any chatty-mom could be! Chatty husband is doing lots of home renovations right now. The Chatty's moved into a house in July and (TG) don't live at my old job anymore. What a nightmare that was!

My sister has shamed me into updating this blog and I really hate not keeping up. So, maybe I can be a little more update-y for the future. (Here's wishing . . .)

Oh, and today is The Chatty-friend, Elliot's birthday. Happy Birthday, birthday-guy!!

My Sister Made Me Do This AGAIN!

1. What’s the first thing you wash in the shower?
   my face
2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
   white - it's the only one I own now
   
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
   yes
4. How are you feeling right now?
   tired and a little overwhelmed right now
5. What’s the closest thing to you that’s red?
   cracker jack bag in trash (NOT mine!)
6. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
   something depressing that had to do with work, I think
   
7. Did you meet anybody new today?
   nope
8. What are you craving right now?
   melons - every color
   
9. Do you floss your teeth?
   twice everyday - I feel dirty if I don't
   
10. What comes to mind when you hear “cabbage”?
    Patch Dolls?
11. Are you emotional?
    yeppers!
    
12. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
    no but I smell a challenge!
13. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
    spoon and lick it
    
14. Do you like your hair?
    mostly no
    
15. Do you like yourself?
    am I s'posed to?
    
16. Would you go out to eat with Oprah?
    no way - she'd find all sorts of stuff wrong with me and I'd become her mission project that's just depressing to think about
17. What are you listening to right now?
    Drop Dead Diva - GREAT show!
    
18. Would you go sky diving?
    I'd sooner swim with sharks - and I'd NEVER swim with sharks (on purpose)
    
19. Have you ever met a celebrity?
    Does Jackie Mason count? And does it count if I just stalked him but didn't formally introduce myself?
    
20. Do you rent movies often?
    no
21. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?
    my ring
22. How many countries have you visited?
    one outside of the US that I was sober enough to remember
23. Have you made a prank phone call?
    It's been many years, ok??
24. Do prefer brown or white eggs?
    everything white is CLEANER
    
25. Do you use ChapStick?
    only out of desperation - it belongs to Sean
    
26. Do you own a gun?
    Ron bought me a pink pearl handled one but it didn't load right and I've never gotten it fixed. I don't even know if we still have it (locked in a gun safe)
    
27. Can you use chopsticks?
    no and I have no desire to learn
    
28. Who are you going to be with tonight?
    Sean and Shelby
    
29. Are you too forgiving?
    not terribly
    
30. When was the last time you cried?
    only moments ago . . .
    
31. What was the last question you asked?
    "Can I please help??"
    
32. What is your favorite time of year?
    Fall
33. Do you have any tattoos?
    two and I love them
34. Are you sarcastic?
    Can I get you cheese with that whine??
    
35. Have you ever walked into a wall?
    ya mean today?
36. What’s your favorite color?
    green - many shades
    
37. Have you ever slapped someone?
    no but I ran over one of Stephen's friends once
    
38. Is your hair curly?
    wavy - I brush the wave/curl out every morning
    
39. What was the last CD you bought?
    The Rouge, “Heat & Light”
40. Do looks matter?
    looks ALWAYS matter - do you want cheese with that whine?
    
41. Is your phone bill sky high?
    With 5 phones on our cell bill, I spend more on AT & T every month than most people spend on their car payment
    
42. Do you like your life right now?
    with one exception
    
43. Do you sleep with the TV on?
    every once in awhile
    
44. Can you handle the truth?
    yes
45. Do you have good vision?
    it's ok - could be worse
    
46. Do you hate or dislike more than three people?
    easily
47. How often do you talk on the phone?
    I tend to e-mail or text more often than I talk on the phone
48. Who was the last person you held hands with?
    Ron
49. What are you wearing?
    tshirt/jammie pants
50. What is your favorite animal?
    Shelby
    
51. Can you hula hoop?
    with practice
    
52. Do you have a job?
    Yes
53. Have you ever crawled through a window?
    Yes
54. What was the most recent thing you bought?
    Landscaping

The Rouge Rocked it!!

Last Night's Show: The Rouge at Red Rocks

By Kiernan Maletsky in Last Night's Show

Wednesday, Jul. 8 2009 @ 8:55AM

Kiernan Maletsky

Imagine that you are a member of the Rouge. You've just completed your first tour. One of the stops was at L.A.'s Knitting Factory, where you played for six labels and a couple of them showed interest. Less than a week later, you come home and play Red Rocks, which I hear is a big deal.

Imagine the feeling of stepping onto that stage, hollowed ground, only a couple years removed from living in a tent in your friend's backyard in Baker. Can you imagine what that would feel like?

These guys aren't too cool to enjoy this. Not even close. There's a wall backstage where bands have signed. The Rouge signed somewhere between Coldplay and the Beatles. They cried, all of them, when they stepped onstage (it's worth noting here that they had to tell me this later. It's not like they were bawling through their introduction.).

I should be clear: the members of the Rouge have no grand delusions about what's happening here. They understand they're opening for a comedian who's opening for a Bugs Bunny cartoon, which is opening for Jaws. Bassist Jack Egan said after the show he was surprised at how supportive the crowd was. And I pretty much agree with him. I mean, it was a rock and roll show where everyone was sitting down, so that's not perfect, but the people down front were treating the guys like bona fide stars, and even the stragglers in the back were tapping along or swaying contentedly. But that's gravy. At this point, just being here is unbelievable enough.

Kiernan Maletsky

I've never seen the Rouge before, so I don't know if Josh Vaught has always thrown his arm into the air every couple minutes or if that was his way of expressing his euphoria. Either way it was a fitting gesture, his index finger extended like they just won a damn championship. I don't think I've ever seen a drummer smile as much during a set as Steve Voss did last night. They were playing hard, sure, but that wasn't going to stop guitarist/keyboardist Adam Call from mugging for the photogs crawling all over the stage. They've got this androgynous slink to their stage demeanor; a little glitter on the drums, a lot of exposed chest, and Vaught cocking his hip to belly-button height. Yet there's more than enough stubble and sweat to go around. It's all rock and roll.

We like this band at Westword, and I get the sense that our enthusiasm is waxing. The addition of a third guitar, handled by Mike Griffith, allows the band to drape even more warm harmony on their songs. Vaught has the sort of voice that fills your head, the sort that earnest songwriters have been using for years to make people believe, not just pop music but the inherent goodness of humankind. They've told us before that they're out to make people feel better about things.

Unsurprisingly, the big fancy sound system at Red Rocks suits the Rouge. It makes heady music headier, it gives the swells drama and the a cappella breakdowns echo. A guy sitting near me, who has been ready on every fill with his air drum kit, yells a request, "Six Shooter!"

Half the band looks in his direction and points. This is too much. He gets his request one song later.

The set ends with the title track from their EP Heat & Light. The sound in Red Rocks falls back to chatter, the dealings of the hemp ice-cream vendor, the wry MC. The Rouge go to work breaking down their equipment and manning the crowded merch table. They spend the next hour signing autographs and hugging fans. Don't be surprised if their debut LP isn't self-released.

My sister made me.

1. What is your occupation right now? An asst mgr for the multi-family housing industry, specializing on medical leave
2. What color are your socks right now? Not wearing any.
3. What are you listening to right now? Cool air fan and quiet. Ahhh.
   
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Coldstone Creamery Birthday Cake Remix ice cream, which my mom loved also!
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Many years and a fortnight ago, I did.
   
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Ronnie.
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I love her like a sister!
8. How old are you today? No ones f''in business. Obviously, if I wasn't OLD, I would tell.
   
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Does DWTS count?
10. What is your favorite drink? Anything that intensifies the effect of my Dilaudid.
    
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Hmmm. Nosy, aren't we??!!
    
12. Favorite food? Carabba's classic lasagne, lately, but mostly I just think about it and dream about it because it's so carb-filled.
13. What is the last movie you watched? Haven't watched movies in awhile but I'm watching the first 4 seasons of Scrubs.
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas Day.
15. How do you vent anger? Mostly internal. Ya know, the healthy way!
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies.
17. What is your favorite season? Fall, when we Coloradans can stop being embarrassed about the brown landscape.
    
18. Cherries or blueberries? Love the blueberries. Hate the teeth staining properties.
    
19. Living arrangements? Oh, it's so complicated right now. I'll leave it at that.
20. When was the last time you cried? Monday? Scrubs has some extremely emotional moments, followed by hilarious ones. And narcotics bring out the teary in me.
    
21. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes - layed out by color and Shelby's blanky.
22. What did you do last night? Layed around waiting for death. Very painful infection right now.
23. What are you most afraid of? Anyone or anything messing with my loved ones. Snakes and sharks too. Ain't too fond of fire either.
    
24. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese of course!
    
25. What is your favorite kind of dog? Partial to Taco Terrier. Love certain Bull Terrier mixes because of lovely Molly and Papillons are the cutest ever.
26. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.
27. How many states have you lived in? Three long term - Oregon, Washington, Colorado.
28. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, and the more the better.
29. What is your favorite flower? Sunflower.
30. What is your favorite song? The Rouge - Six Shooter
31. What is your pet peeve? Self-centered mean people.

Cut and paste the questions and write out in comments - Thanks!
ch-k

My new favorite website!

I HAVE to share! I just absolutely LOVE this new website. It's www.fitday.com. You can use the trial version or purchase the download for $19.95. It's the perfect way to track everything you eat, every time you exercise and WHY you eat and WHERE you eat and WITH WHOM you eat. When you enter the food (if it's not in the database, you can put in custom foods that will always be there when you go back for them) it tells you the amount of calories, protein, carbs, fat and misc nutrients you are ingesting. There is a diary you can track moods, or MIGRAINES or any other issues.

But then if you are thinking "But Chatty-Kat, what if I want a personal trainer so I will exercise more?" The bestest site I've found is www.efit4me.com. You choose the training tools you have available to you from a list on the site. They compile a training program from those items and a schedule of when you should workout. When you go into your specially designed program and click on each exercise, there is a computer image that demonstrates HOW to do the exercise. It's SO cool! I've never seen anything like it. I'm using the trial version, but if you subscribe, (and I'm sure I will!) it's about $6/mo or an even better deal for the annual fee of about $60/year.

I have a HUGE library of exercise DVD's but my favorite program is easily Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds. I even got the Chatty-husband to do the one-mile program this morning! I absolutely love to exercise - it's just getting myself to do it when I'm tired. It's easier to watch tv with a big bowl of ice cream than to put on a sports bra and proper shoes, switch TV to DVD, maybe move something out of the way and start the exercise. BUT SO WORTH IT!! I love the feeling after about 10 minutes, when the endorphins kick in and I get that higher-than-halcyon feeling. It makes me happy and energetic and I really love it. Just gotta do it!

Thursday Thoughts

Hi there!

Thank goodness it's Thursday-one-day-closer-to-Friday! Really, Saturday is even better. I have a full day of work to face today - big corporate boss will be here, which means I gotta be on my toes. And all the regular blah, blah, blah stuff too! I know, I know, I have a job, which makes me luckier than about 677,000 other Americans this week.

Stephen had oral surgery on Tuesday morning, which meant he recuperated at my place for several days. Several glorious days for me and several not so great days for him. I mean, he had the pain. (Course he also had the drugs!) I just loved having my little guy around to baby awhile. Then he left last night, which crushed me but I'm trying to be positive and not let my heart disintegrate into a gazillion pieces. I just miss my boys! Sean started his new job this week and he's slowly processing in and getting a feel for it. I'm so excited for his new adventure! The Rouge's CD should be out by the end of March. Still being mixed. Can't wait!! I've heard a rough mix version of most of the songs and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!! I'm giving them to everyone I love (course!) and taking them to stores to play overhead (i.e. Kirk and Hill - only the bestest women's store ever!!!!)

Well, 5 minutes til I start this show, so I better sign off for now . . . Have yourself a terrific rest of your work week!

CK

I YAM WHAT I YAMMER

I am what I eat:

• I am meaty
• I am cheesy
• I am eggy
• I am dairy-y
• I am smaller bits of cottage cheese, almonds, vitamins/supplements and green powder capsules

I am what do:

• I am shoppy
• I am read-y
• I am write-y
• I am card make-y
• I am jewelry crafty
• I am cook-y

I am what I like:

• I am shoe-y
• I am handbaggy
• I am clothes-y
• I am good book-y

I am what I watch:

• I am Family Guy
• I am American Dad
• I am Lie To Me
• I am design decor shows
• I am true crime shows
• I am newsy

I am who I love:

• I am my parents
• I am my grandparents
• I am my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew
  
• I am my aunt, uncles and cousins
  
• I am my husband
• I am my boys
• I am my little girl dog
• I am my BFF, niece and nephs
  
• I am my friends

I am not-too-secret:

• I am a germaphobe
• I am somewhat OCD
• I am not even close to meeting my own expectations
  

I am what I believe:

• I am karma
  
• I am pay-it-forward
• I am positive energy at work in the universe
  

I am what I wish:

• I am an avid exerciser
• I am a guitar player
• I am a published novelist
• I am a watercolor painter
  
• I am a stay-at-home career person
• I am healthy for the rest of my life
• I am loved
• I am able to love without regret
  
• I am balanced
  
• I am the mother of a successful rock star who is healthy and loved and makes intelligent decisions
  
• I am the mother of a healthy, brilliant, successful network security specialist who lives his dream, is loved and knows he is loved
  
• I am the wife of a healthy, loving man who gets to live what he loves

I am what I lie:

• Let me get it, Mom. You can pay next time. Promise!
• No offense taken.
• Ok, Grandma. I won't get you any Christmas presents cuz you decided to boycott gift giving. Promise.

I am what I miss:

• cake
• donuts
• ice cream

I am all AM-ed out! Your turn!

CK

10 White Trash Confessions

No one wants to admit certain things. I hate to admit the white-trashy side of myself. But it's clearly there and I don't want another week to go by without blogging so I better just start confessin'.

1. Country music. I know, I know. How completely red-necky of me. I LOVE Rascal Flatts. I dream about Gary LeVox, Jay Demarcus and Joe Don Rooney. And I never thought I'd dream about a guy named Joe Don. But from the time I saw his bare nekkid backside in the video of "Melt" I've been a BIG fan.

2. I love writing/talking white trashy with my sister. We're able to turn it on and off rather quickly and it makes our visits/conversations way more funny! Anyone listening in would be totally convinced we're completely uneducated.

3. I used to buy my dad the Jeff Foxworthy page a day calendar of "You Might Be A Redneck." Some days he was so amused by the cartoon he had to fax me a copy! I haven't bought one of those calendars since he died. I probably should cuz I always think of him when I get an emailed trash joke or cartoon. And he was the LEAST trashy person I ever knew.

4. I sometimes like to spend the whole day in bed - watching tv. How very trashy and unproductive.

5. I love nice makeup but I still love my L'Oreal mascara.

6. I drive a really nice SUV, but I ghetto it up with a Walmart bag looped around the gear selector for my trash.

7. Except for one pair of Teva's, all of my flip flops come from discount stores.

8. When Ron and I "ran away from home" in December, we moved into an apartment. Seems we're going backwards. But it's a really nice place and I'm almost exactly 49 steps from my office. (Love the commute!!) It's still an apartment, though!

9. I like fake plants better than real ones. I kill everything. I wouldn't feel this way if I could keep them alive, but what's a trashy plant killin' girl to do??

10. I HATE watching COPS but Ron likes it and sometimes when he watches it, I get that damn theme song stuck in my head and have to hum, bee-bop and sing to it for days!!!!

Let's YOU share your trashiest secret so I don't feel so alone-trashy.

WELCOME BACK TO ME!

So I took a sabbatical.

I'm back now. When I last wrote, it was my sister's birthday in September. Then my manager left and I did both jobs for awhile. Then they hired someone else. Then I had to train that person. Then I had tough times with a lot of stuff - nothing earth-shattering. Then it was the holidays. Then I went to San Francisco with my BFF. And I had a terrific time. Then Ron and I left home. We moved into a smaller place for just us. Now I'm an empty-nester. Now I'm doing lots of other stuff. Spa days, cooking classes, craft classes, trying to exercise more, eating better, decorating the new place, reading and watching cool shows on tv. And spending lots of extra time with Shelby-Belle. And Ron works in Boulder during the week and comes home on weekends. So, Busy Chatty is my name lately. Trying to visit each of the boys as often as possible. Planning vacations. Wanting to design jewelry more but my tools are in Oregon, which I'll get in April when I visit Southern Oregon. And I've been dieting. Successfully this time. Starting ballet class so I don't trip so much.

To my friends who had their kids way after me and still have to get babysitters to do anything, believe me, your time is coming! And it's kinda nice. But kinda sad. I miss the boys terribly and wish for the days we all lived together. But no one is ruining our furniture anymore so that's kinda nice. And fewer chatty-persons to clean up after. That's kinda nice too.

So I'm back now. I plan to blog more. And my sister promises to give me blog topics.

Happy New Year!

Chatty

Happy Birthday Chatty's Little Sis!!

Congratulations to me -- I've been a big sister for 40 years now!! (You'd think I'd be good at it by now)

**Happy Bday, Jen**

Seems like decades ago
She looked in the mirror
And an 8 year old girl
Smiled back at her

Seems like yesterday
She looked at me
A wide eyed princess
Touching my pearls

It was only last year
We looked at each other
And I can remember
Her being older

Being daughter to Mom
Missing Dad for so long
Mature discussions
Having wise emotions

We stand now together
Becoming stronger
Not much younger now
My grown up sister

"I love you Miss Hannigan!"

Today I watched the 1999 Victor Garber, Kathy Bates, Kristin Chenoweth version of "Annie." Besides the fact that Kathy Bates will do ANYTHING for the camera (which scares me a little bit) I loved it! I wish life was an Annie movie.

• Every couple of years someone new gets a chance to be the lead.
• Everyone gets lots of Christmas presents.
• Big bald single guys adopt little girls and AREN'T creepy.
• Guys named "Rooster" ARE creepy.
• Red headed freckle-y girls are't called step-children
  
• The sun always comes out tomorrow.
• The bad guys get what's comin' to them.
  
• Maids and butlers aplenty!
• Of course, life would be a musical.
  
• Little girls get their happy ending.

What a lovely life!

My Franken-teeter

Yesterday I got the call that moms the world around dread. "Mom, I cracked my head open." OMG!!!! My baby was in Denver. I was not. My heart flew there quite rapidly.

When Stephen explained, after first saying "Mom, breathe! Breathe, Mom!" He said that he walked out into the warehouse at his job and apparently ran into a steel . . . uh, thingy that crashed into his noggin. He fell down, bumped the back of his head and passed out. He woke to much blood on his face and hands. He said, "It's ok, Mom. I went to Walgreen's and bought band aids and superglue." SUPERGLUE????? I knew my child wanted to prove what a big boy he is and how very capable he is handling these things that cause me great stress. I gently (it could happen!), ok, who am I kidding. I told him to RUN DON'T WALK to the nearest emergency room and get checked out immediately!! Not even a firmly worded lecture on clean underwear! (I know when I'm wasting my words.)

Seven stitches later, he's good as new (he says anyway.) I am rather proud of him. Maybe he'll be inspired to become a doctor and write me good prescriptions.











There does seem to be a pattern. He cracked the BACK of his head open a couple years ago and didn't tell me about it until several days later. I gotta admit, though, he did a good job. He went to the emergency room, even used all the proper insurance info and 12 staples later he stopped doing karate with people who kicked him into corner walls. (Personally, I think he enjoyed this one because he didn't have to wash his hair for 9 or 10 months!)

Stephen also broke an arm once. Is he out to destroy himself or ME???!!! This child loves to see his momma all worked up. I just wanna cuddle and bubble wrap him. I told him I would return him to where he came from for all the damage he's incurred. He assured me that his warranty has expired. Oh, and he thinks the scar might be cool cuz it's kinda lightening bolt-y. What can I say? He's a glass half full kinda guy!! I love you, Teeter!