Monday, October 27, 2008

Ghosts, Witches, Nuns and Spots!


Our "Simply Wicked 2" Party on Saturday night at Bradley's in downtown West Palm was a huge success. Hundreds showed up to dance, drink and strut their stuff in their incredible costumes. I decided to go a little over the top. Bill Ryan had mentioned that I should go as Cruella De Ville from 101 Dalmatians.....after some thought, I figured it would be a perfect costume. I secured the talents of by bestest friend, Teresa, to handle the make-up and hair.....she's incredible when it comes to hair and make-up ....I picked up my costume and threw in all the accessories, bejeweled cigarette holder, spotted handbag, black high heels, black stockings, a red and black necklace and earrings! BUT, the make-up and hair were the key....I needed to look like Cruella....Teresa did not disappoint. After about 1-hour in her chair, 3 layers of pale make-up, a pound of face powder, fake eyelashes, a tube of mascara, a can of "freeze" hairspray, a can of white spray-on hair color, a can of black spray-on hair color, bright red non-smudge lipstick and then another can of "freeze" hairspray...I was ready!! I even scared myself!..... My husband, Tim, was a real sport, donning a nun outfit with a little bit of smudged lipstick thrown in for the effect....We were ready to take on Clematis Street and Bradley's! ....As we strolled along Clematis, little children saw me and ran for cover... some cried, some screamed, others just stared in fear! I felt terrible for being this frightening mess, but at the same time I knew the costume was better than even I had imagined. My husband, unfazed, held my hand and walked proudly by my side...What a guy!! As we entered Bradley's, I couldn't wait to see the expression on every one's face. Danny was the best..he just stared in awe! Bill was thrilled that I had taken his suggestion and Deena was amazed at the make-up! I was amazed at how HOT it was...I think I lost 5-pounds! (that' a benefit I wasn't banking on!) I also learned that when you wear a costume, that's character's personality takes over! I found myself being more evil than usual and enjoying scaring the children! I was Cruella!! Her persona had taken over and I relished in it.... Yikes....who knows how many people I ticked off.....Maybe next year, I'll go as "Glenda the Good Witch" from the Wizard of Oz...then again...forget that....evil becomes me!!




Friday, October 24, 2008

Pole Dancing, Belly Dancing and JUGS


Pole Dancing, Belly Dancing and more!
Last night, we all attended the "Just Us Girls" event at the Marriott in West Palm Beach. I have to be honest, I attended with trepidation. Spending a night with all women, doing womanly things didn't thrill me. (I'm a real Tom-Boy!) Was I ever wrong! I had an awesome time chatting with new friends, learning how to belly dance, pole dance, make jewelry and so much more. The wine tasting also helped! I think I wore a path in the rug between the ballroom and the wine tasting room down the hall! I found myself fascinated with the entire ambience.....watching all these other women having a great time was contagious....I look forward to next year's event!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Lola's Brush With Death!!!

As you may or may not know, I'm an animal lover. Always have been , always will be....which is probably why I have convinced my family we need 5-dogs, 2-cats, 1-horse and a hamster. With this many animals comes challenges: the constant cleaning, the vet visits, the hole filling, the pooper- scooping, the snuggle time etc. But our little pug, Lola Frank, threw us a curve the other night. She came in the house from playing and fell on the floor, not moving! I freaked, the kids were hysterical and the other dogs were confused. Poor Lola Frank's head was twice its size, she was listless and having trouble breathing. (see the above pictures) I immediately knew she had been bitten by something, but what was the dilemma. We rushed her to the vet, (of course it's 9 at night and those emergency fees starting racking up before I even arrived at Dr Weigand's office). He took one look at Lola Frank and knew she was going into anaphylactic shock!..... (Anaphylactic shock, the most severe type of anaphylaxis, occurs when an allergic response triggers a quick release from mast cells of large quantities of immunological mediators histamines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes leading to systemic vasodilation, associated with a sudden drop in blood pressure and edema of bronchial mucosa, resulting in bronchoconstriction and difficulty breathing. Anaphylactic shock can lead to death in a matter of minutes if left untreated.)....I feared we would lose our little girl....she spent 3-nights in intensive care, her systems was flushed 4-times and still no great improvement. We were still baffled as to what bit her....Dr Weigand has narrowed it to a poisonous snake, but what kind? As luck would have it, a few days later I stumbled upon a baby rattle snake near the pool!! I had found the culprit.





Yes, rattle snakes are quite prevalent in South Florida and snake bites occur most often in October than any other month of the year...at least that's what the experts told me! I called the vet and he decided if Lola wasn't better by the following morning, she would receive a blood transfusion, followed by at least 4-5 vials of anti-venom...Ka-Ching!!! The anti-venom costs $350 a vial!! ...I prayed for a miracle. The following morning, the vet's staff was getting Lola prepared for her transfusion. They flushed out her system and waited until 9am to make a decision. At 8:45am I received a call at the radio station....it was Dr Weigand's office....with an update on Lola. ..The words are as clear today as they were 4-days ago....Lola has made a miraculous recovery! She's up, running around, happy and a lot healthier! No transfusion, no anti-venom....She's was going to be fine!!! Lola came home 2-days later and has been to the vet for a check-up everyday since. Each day she gets better and better and maybe by next week her blood levels will return to normal. The point of the blog is a warning to anyone who has a pet. Snakes are every where and your dog or cat's curiosity will get the best of him. Watch our for these slithery little demons....they can cost you your sanity and your wallet!!







Our litte Lola Frank is almost back to normal!























Monday, October 20, 2008

Sacrifice



This past Saturday night I had the pleasure of being invited to ride the zamboni after the first period of the Florida Panthers-New York Islanders game. An opportunity I have dreamed of for years. I remember as a child watching with awe as that big machine "cleaned" the ice for the Boston Bruins. I thought it would be so cool to be able to make the ice "like glass" for the players. What power!!




So Saturday night, I arrived an hour early at the Bank Atlantic Center for my big ride. My kids joined me to witness the event. Actually, they thought it would be embarrassing...an adult riding in the jump seat on the zamboni! What could I be thinking? Mom, come on..it's reserved for kids and now you're going to ride on the zamboni?" You're taking a kids place? How dare you....



So, at the appointed time I met Terry (a nice woman in the Panthers marketing department). I took my youngest daughter, Caroline, with me, who at 13, wanted to see this from the ground level. We were joined by another couple with 2-small children. I soon learned the 4-year old boy would be riding the 2nd-Zamboni for his birthday present! We were all ushered to the bowels of the Bank Atlantic Center to meet our designated Zamboni drivers. The conversation lingered on the rides and how small children are selected every home game to ride the Zamboni.....again, how dare I steal a child's spot.....The time arrived...the Zambonis were fired up (2 are used to clean the ice) . The little boy proudly took his spot sitting next to the driver on the yellow Zamboni. The driver of the 2nd Zamboni (the purple one) looked at me and said..."so who's joining me?" I faltered, looked at the huge smile on that little boy's face, watched my daughter look with wonder at this massive machine and made my decision.... "Go ahead Caroline, that seat's reserved for you!" She beamed with delight....As the Zamboni took the ice, I stood "ice-side" watching my youngest get the thrill of her life....a once in a lifetime opportunity that I gladly passed along to my daughter. A sacrifice that made me smile with joy...a warmth that only a mother knows. Yes, the Zamboni is an awesome machine, but as the guidelines state, that passenger's seat is reserved for the children of South Florida. I applaud the Florida Panthers for giving kids this unique opportunity, one that will stay with them for the rest of their lives....and one I will remember till the day I push up daisies!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

The 10-things I want to do before I push up daisies!


The movie " The Bucket List" started conversations across the country...what do you want to accomplish before you die? The odds are you've had similar conversations with your friends, spouse or family. This morning on the show, we all shared our lists. Here's mine, in no particular order:

1. Get a Master's degree in marketing


2. Write a book about my trials (literally) and tribulations in radio


3. Learn to play at least 1-song on the piano


4. Visit at least 1-major landmark in every state in the country


5. Be a zoo keeper for a day. I love animals. I always wanted to be a veterinarian, so this would satisfy that dream gone by the wayside.

6. Watch my children graduate from college and get married


7. Bottle and commercially sell my homemade spaghetti sauce (grandma's recipe passed down through the generations!)


8. Live in Italy for at least 6-months.

9. Ride a horse that competed in the Olympics. I just want to see how awesome it is to ride an animal that's worth more than my house!

10. Own a pet cow! Yes, I love this stupid, adorable beasts. And no, she wouldn't EVER be lunch or dinner!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Inadequate!

We have been assigned this wonderful blogging experience. Let's be honest, I'm the oldest one on the show the dinosaur of the computer age. Ohh don't get me wrong, I can get my way around the computer to do the basic things like email, finance, cut & paste... BUT NOW I have to share my thoughts!

Here goes:
I'm the only one out of the Jennifer & Danny Morning Show that had to get a lesson on how to do this. Think I feel inadequate right now? But thank goodness I have Jennifer Cartwright (computer guru) to help me. Okay, she is younger and smarter and she knows her way around a computer like I know my way around a stable. Yes I like horses. So here I am... actually blogging. Okay, that's enough for today.. I've taxed my brain and my computer prowess, I need nap time to regenerate and tackle this new task with piss and vinegar tomorrow.

Stay tuned...