The King Of Pop is Gone

However controversial the events of his life have been, the passing of Michael Jackson has tremendously affected me. I remember watching him make his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show...a cute little kid with an incredible voice! I was captivated along with the rest of the world. When he was a boy, he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the music group he formed with his 4-older brothers. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of my generation, known for his crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance. How many performers can grab a sequined glove and hat and transform an audience, waiting in anticipation for that glide across the floor with his trademark moonwalk?

I think this article from the Associated Press best describes his tumultuous life:

"Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. In fact, he united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie.

But as years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. He was in rehearsals in Los Angeles for the concert, an extravaganza that was to capture the classic Jackson magic: showstopping dance moves, elaborate staging and throbbing dance beats.

Regardless of the controversy around him, Michael Jackson has touched many through his music, dancing, ground-breaking videos and his life. He will always be remembered in the pop culture world and in mine....he will be missed.

Graduation

Another milestone! My oldest, Samantha, graduated from South Fork High School in Martin County on Wednesday, June 3rd! (here she is with her little sister, my youngest, Caroline!) All my friends told me, "bring the tissues." I ignored them, figuring this is a celebration. I'm thrilled Sam's graduating, so why would I cry? I didn't think it would have such an emotional impact. Boy, was I wrong! I have to give myself credit...I made it through the ceremony, laughing, clapping for Samantha and all her friends. Then it all went to hell in a hand-basket when we met after the ceremony. I found myself crying like a school girl. Every thought raced through my head...she's an adult now, off to college soon. Will she be successful? Have I taught her enough to handle the cruelties life has to offer? How will she handle college and being on her own? Will she eat right, get enough sleep, stay away from the "bums" of the world? I finally realized she has to make her own decisions now...find the answers for herself...stumble and make mistakes and learn from those mistakes...while I watch from afar and offer what words of wisdom I can. Life is tough, but I believe Samantha has what it takes to conquer most of life's challenges...but if she doesn't..I'll be here to catch her! And yes, I'm sure I'll be crying through all of it.....

Samantha's Prom

Another milestone in my life. My oldest, Samantha, attended her Senior prom this past Saturday night. We spent the entire day getting ready for it...manicures, pedicures, massages, hair salon and finally, the make-up professionally applied by a technician at Channel! She had a complete day of glamour. When we got home, she dashed to her room to get dressed. Tim and I waited patiently for the big unveiling...camera charged and waiting. When she walked out I almost cried. She looked stunning...and so grown-up! What happened to my little girl with her favorite Minnie Mouse dress? Here she was standing before me, 18-years had flashed by....she's a woman now...and a beautiful one at that (I can say that..I'm her mother! ) The night was a complete success...she had an awesome time at the prom, the after party..and the 2am stop at Denny's! My little girl is all grown up! College next...I'll never be able to handle the goodbye!

Evacuation

On Monday, I had the pleasure of participating in the LEAF (Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation) Golf Tournament at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach! The weather was perfect, the course and country club breathtaking, the participation in our charity event fabulous. Thousands was raised for the organization..overall, a picture perfect day..until 6:30pm when my youngest, Caroline, called me to say a Martin County Deputy had just stopped by the house to tell us to pack our things and be prepared for evacuation!! There were 2 raging wildfires right near our home...1 in the backyard the other across the street from our development! I told the kids to pack their things and I'd be home asap...I drove like a maniac and made it home in record time! Once we all calmed down...I assessed the situation and thought: What do I bring with me? What if the house goes up in flames? What can I live without? Where are we going with 5-dogs and 2-cats? So, after securing the dogs and cats (in a barn up the street!) and packing up the kids, I tended to my home. Here's what I took: handbag, cell phone, checkbook and ATM card, computers, proof of home owners insurance, important pictures and family memorabilia, jewelry, back IRS tax forms, other important documents, and some paintings! We all piled into the cars and headed to a friends home..thanks goodness for friends! After a sleepless night, we finally got the all clear to return to our home...safe and sound...today's fires are still burning, but fire officials say most are contained...thank goodness for small miracles....I find myself now praying more than ever for RAIN!

Susan Boyle's Big...I told you!

Britain's Got Talent" contestant Susan Boyle has made the top 5 in a list of the most watched viral videos of all-time. A web company has compiled a list called the "100 Million Views Club. Topping the list is Soulja Boy's "Crank That," which recorded 356 million hits, followed by a trailer for the vampire movie "Twilight" with 267 million clicks. In third and four places, with 230 million and 197 million views respectively, came Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" music video and a user generated video by American ventriloquist and stand-up comedian Jeff Dunham called "Achmed the Dead Terrorist." Boyle was in fifth place with 186 million views.

And despite what my radio friends say, I love Achmed the Dead Terrorist.......here's a link..check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwOL4rB-go

Britain's Got Talent ..Far Better Than American Idol

I really haven't been able to wrap my arms around American Idol this year. Being the skeptic I am, I think it's already been determined that Adam Lambert, the "Daughtry Wannabe," will walk away the winner. I find this year's contestants aren't as lovable as ones in the past and apparently, I am not alone. Millions of Americans seem to be more interested in the talent coming out of Britain's Got Talent. We first met, Susan Boyle, the dowdy, unemployed charity worker won every one's hearts with her spectacular rendition of a song from Les Miserables. (Now the producers behind the show are transforming Susan!...see above!) Then 12-year old Shaheen Jafargholi wowed us with his Michael Jackson impression. Now meet 10-year old Holly Steel!! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmmbH7iGzTw

Special Moments

Every now and then we all reflect on how life has passed by in a flash....like,"I can't believe your son is already 3-years old..where has the time gone?" As a mother, I have these frequent moments. Watching your children develop from infants to young adults sometimes seems like an eternity (especially the teenage years!), until there's a milestone...special birthday, wedding, anniversary etc... Case in point: my youngest, Caroline, recently attended her first formal affair, a friend's Bar Mitzvah. She needed a special dress, shoes, bag...the whole works. A few weeks before the event, we shopped all day searching for that perfect outfit....which wasn't easy...(a 13-year old hates shopping with her mother...she may be seen in public by a school friend! That apparently is the kiss of death to a young teenager.) At last we found the perfect dress..something elegant, yet conservative. After all, it was a religious affair, not a nightclub event. We brought it home, carefully hanging it in Caroline;s closet for the big day. And that special outfit slipped my mind until the date of the Bar Mitzvah...While she was primping in her room for her big day, I realized then that my little girl wasn't so little anymore.... she had grown into a beautiful young lady...worried about boys, make-up, what kind of jeans and shoes to wear..is my hair okay...etc, etc.. What happened to that skin-kneed, curly haired, tom boy who always brought home a frog, lizard, toad or some other crawly thing in her pocket? The little girl who climbed every thing in site, jumped in every puddle and found dirt in the rarest of place? I remembered when you were just a baby, your first words, your first steps...your first day of school. Now, here you are, a teenager, getting ready for a special occasion....When she walked out of her room, I almost cried. It was a moment that will stay with me till the day I die. She looked beautiful and so grown up! I was so proud. My baby wasn't so little anymore...where has the time gone?