100 Things | Owls

31. I like Owls. 

I have always liked owls, but the last several years I have fallen love with them more.  I have a small collection of them.  Some favorites are a little stone owl my sisters gave me, 3 hanging owls I received for Christmas one year from a good friend, a handmade bag with little owls all over it given to for my birthday by my good friend Kathie  and now the owls in the photo. These adorable owls were handmade by my good friend Tammy. She made each of them different and they are so cute and unique! I love them and enjoy seeing them hang around the house.

100 Things | Sandwiches

30. I love sandwiches.

I probably could eat a sandwich everyday. The photo is of an ordinary ham and cheese sandwich, but I like turkey with pesto and roasted red peppers on ciabatta roll, thai chicken wrap, white bean patties with sage topped with roasted tomatoes stuffed in a pita, a club sandwich,  a roast beef topped spinach leaves and horseradish on a hoagie, and there is always my childhood favorite which tastes good anytime - peanut butter and jelly. Really the combinations are endless for sandwiches and start out with a bready goodness so I can't go wrong with a sandwich.

Okay now I am hungry!

100 Things | My Name

29. I love my name

I love that I have my name. Thankful my parents saw it in a church bulletin and decided to name it. As a child though, I did get upset when other kids got pencils, notepads and other little trinkets with their name on it and I didn't. On Christma

s when I was about 6 years old my Grandma & Grandpa gave me a t-shirt that had my name on it that they went out and got specifically customized for me. I hung on to that t-shirt for YEARS. But eventually I lost it in one of my moves otherwise I am sure it would enshrined because of how important it was to me as a little girl. At least now days with the digital age it is easier to customize things with names on them.

100 Things | Skirts and Barefoot

27. I like to wear skirts.

I have always been a girly girl. Even as a little girl I liked to dress up. When I lived in Cleveland, I dressed up quite a lot. I had girls nights out, dates and just time out with friends. So I got in the habit of wearing skirts and dresses. And I liked it. It just makes me feel good to wear them. I feel more feminine and pretty. And now to this point in my life, I don't even own very many pairs of pants. Just a couple of pairs and then few pairs of lounge pants.

28. I like to be barefoot.

I like socks as I said in another post. And I love shoes (have more then my closet can handle). But ultimately I come in the door and I kick off my shoes. I like to be at home barefoot. When fall arrives, I love the cool crispness that allows for sweaters and warm socks. But I also get sad because I can't just be barefoot as much.

100 Things | Tissues

26. There are always many boxes of kleenex in our house.

I have allergies. And I can't go anywhere without a tissue. I know it would be greener to start using hankies but it is just not something I can do - I just don't like it. So I use tissues and have a box pretty much in every room of the house. That box is the one sitting in my office. We got these funky designed boxes on clearance at Target. I like them as they are so bright and cheerful. We usually just get the big multi pack at Sam's. I think it has 10 to 12 boxes in it. They last me pretty good but Michael often says we need stock in Kleenex because of how much I do need them.

100 Things | Coloring

25. I like to color.
























I have always liked to color....as a little girl and still now as a 42 old woman. It is relaxing. It is fun. It is just a little thing that gives me a pleasure. Right now I have several Christmas coloring books, a Disney Princess coloring book, a Pooh coloring book that has a little girl named Darby in it, a Precious Moments, a couple other generic coloring books with animals, princesses and such. Now that it is getting close to Christmas - I will be breaking out my Christmas coloring books to color in while watching The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street, Charlie Brown Christmas and the other Christmas DVD's we have.

100 Things | Folding Clothes

24. I don't like to fold clothes.

I have a bad habit of letting laundry that needs to be folded sit in the laundry room or basket quite a long time because it is a task that I don't like. I don't mind sorting laundry. I don't mind getting it in the washer and then dryer. I just don't like folding. I would rather clean the bathroom - the task most people don't like - then fold laundry. It is something I wish I could wave a magic wand and it would all be folded and put away for me. But I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon.

100 Things | U2

23. I am a U2 fan.




There is this thing going around on Facebook called the Soundtrack of Your Life: "Think of 25 albums that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life or the way you looked at it: they sucked you in and took you over for days, weeks, months, years. These are the albums that you can use to identify time, places, people, emotions. These are the albums that no matter what they were thought of, they musically shaped your world. They stood up, they lasted, they mattered. They still matter, in some way (even if only in memory)."

I have started it but I haven't finished it but U2 is on there several times. I first heard them when someone passed me a walkman - with a tape of them. It was the album War. And I was hooked. We were on a long bus ride from Omaha to Colorado for Bible Camp and I just kind of lost myself in the music.

Although I saw a lot of bands and concerts in my teenager to early 20's - U2 was one of those that I just couldn't ever afford to see. Or just something always got in my way of seeing them. I really wanted to see them on the Joshua Tree tour. It is my favorite. But it didn't happen. I finally saw them on the Zoo TV Tour.

While watching this concert tonight, I realized that the last time I saw them in concert was my birthday and it was either 1991 or 1992 - I think it was 1992. I think we were living in Topeka at the time. I think I still have the tickets around here somewhere. I was very lucky as I got to see them twice that tour. We had got tickets for a concert in Ames, Iowa as that was the closest to Omaha. I remember Jim and I standing outside Homer Music in the Old Market waiting for the tickets to go on sale. I can even remember what we were both wearing isn't that scary? I really wonder if we were in living in Topeka at that time. But I know that we got them because it was the closest at the time and my sisters (who lived in Omaha) went with us.

U2 then added more dates and a Kansas City date was one of those dates. The KC date on my birthday. And so he got them for my birthday. That tour they had a belly dancer come out and dance on one song for sure "Mysterious Ways" and maybe she danced for a couple more. It was her birthday too - so Bono wished her a happy birthday. It was so cool to hear Bono saying Happy Birthday even if not to me - but on my birthday. It was freezing out. But it was worth it.

I have really good memories associated with U2.

100 Things | Notepads/Sticky Notes

22. I have a little bit of an obsession with having plenty of notepads, scratch pads and sticky notes around.

Besides jotting down little notes, I am a list maker so I always have them around. I have a magnetic one on the fridge for a grocery list. As I run out of things I jot them down there. I have several buy the phone. I leave little notes for Michael around the house or when he goes out of town in his suitcase. I use them I also use sticky notes for books often. I make the places that inspire me and usually write a few words why or what is important about to me and then stick it in the place of the book that caught my eye. Eat Pray Love has A LOT of them sticking out of it.

You will notice in the photo I have several Disney Princesses ones and that is because I like Belle so Michael often buys me things with Belle such as the sticky notes and notepads. I love those little notepads as they are like a book of matches where the flap flips up and then tucks in when closed.

100 Things | Stickers

21. I have a huge pile of stickers because I like stickers.

I know I am 41 years old (almost 42) so probably a little old for stickers. But I like them. They make me smile - a fun simple pleasure. I use them on mail love, when I make gift tags, decorate gift boxes and notes for Michael and friends. I have a huge pile of stickers that lay in a basket in my office. All kinds of stickers....silly, pretty, politics, holiday, funky, letters and sparkly.

100 Things | Magazines

20. I have a slight obsession with magazines.

I like reading magazines. Of course I am kind of obsessed about books too but magazines are good while traveling, while water is boiling, when I need a few moments to just take a break - a magazine is a good choice for me. I have a stack next to the bed, a magazine rack in the living room and then one in my studio. Most of the magazines I have subscriptions to are free or very low cost. I know that so much print media isn't great for the environment but I try to repurpose or recycle them.

Right now some of my favorites are: Real Simple(which if you look closely at the picture you can see a ton of flags sticking out it), Better Homes and Garden, Food and Wine and Metropolitan Home. I have little flags sticking out of those ones the most.

Photos if from the basket of magazines I have in my studio.

100 Things | Socks

19. I love socks.

My feet are almost always cold. Walking around the house, I don't like shoes but I do wear socks during the fall and winter. And sometimes into the spring. And so with the fall coming on, I can't wait to wear socks.
























These are fun and cute socks that were given to me by my good friend Mandy. She found them at a place called the Sock Market.





One of my favorite places to get socks is TJMaxx because I can get good quality socks at a very low price. I got 3 pairs of ragwool socks - black and white, navy and white, khaki and white - for $2 a piece in 1991. And they still are in great condition.




This red pair of wool socks is again a pair I got at TJMaxx and bought them when I was in college. So a LONG LONG time ago. And they are just staring to wear through the bottom and I know I will cry big crocodile tears when I lose them. As they are my FAVORITE pair of socks. They are so warm and comfy!








Stripy Socks who doesn't like stripey socks! They are warm and fuzzy too.








One of my favorite places to get socks is SockDreams.com One thing I really like about them is that I wear skirts and dresses mostly and during winter I wear lots of tights. But when I discovered Sock Dreams I found they have warm over the knee or socks that come up on thighs. I have several pairs. This pair in the picture is like wearing leg warmers but connected to socks. I have a sweater that has that purple color in it and wear them with a jean skirt. It is very comfy and warm.





The packaging on these said "cloud socks." Very soft and warm. I participated in a sock exchange between friends a couple years ago and got these from my friend Angie. There were 3 pairs in the package - pink, light blue and lavender. And I wear them a lot during the winter and especially to bed as my feet usually are their coldest right before bed.






These are hand-knitted slippers made for me by my friend Kaylee. They are beautiful. She hand-dyed the yarn, felted and made to fit me. They are the thickest and the warmest slipper socks. I am very thankful to my friend for giving me such a beautiful gift.

100 Things | Germany

18. I visited Germany.

In 2001, I went to Germany. A good friend of mine was stationed over there. She was going through a divorce and just needed a little support/friendship so called to see if I could come stay with her. And while there I didn't get to sight see much as she just needed friendship and support. That was just fine with me - I was glad to be there for her. Plus the experience probably more of everyday Germany that way. We went dancing, hanging out with friends, shopping and then just hanging out at home having quality girl-talk. She had great friends there and enjoyed getting to know them. Laughed often.

One day while my friend was at work, one of her friends did come and take me out sight seeing. We went to Heidelberg. It is a beautiful town. We spent most of our time at the Heidelberg Castle.

Photos from the grounds and then buildings/castle all around them.






This view from the castle looking down on the town and the Neckar River that flows into the Rhine.




This is just a shot of one of the buildings in the town. I just loved the looks of them. The building/wall in the upper background is part of the castle.

100 Things | No Coffee

17. I like most hot beverages except coffee.

Michael is a coffee drinker so he brews a pot every morning and it smells so good. It is a comforting smell - of home. I like coffee flavored things such as ice cream. I like sweets with coffee added to them. I have a couple recipes that add coffee to them and they have such a deep rich flavor. I have coffee scented candles that smell delicious. But I don't drink coffee. I just don't like the taste even with sugar and cream there is a bitter taste that I can't get past. I have even tried the General Foods International Coffees and I can't drink them either(though have used them in recipes before and they were good).

I like various teas, chais, hot cider, mulled wine and hot cocoa just not coffee. I have had fru-fru coffees such as a white chocolate peppermint mocha from Starbucks. I can drink that but the sweetness and peppermint mask the coffee in enough that I can so not like I am really drinking coffee so I really don't count that.

100 Things | Lip Balm

16. I have a thing for lip balm.

I am taking this almost directly from Kathie at Two Frog Home because I nodded in agreement with her number 15 of her 100 thing about her as I am the same way.

I have always had several tubes around for as long as I can remember. Several in my bag (don't carry a purse but occasionally a bag - might be another 100 thing post eventually), on my desk, on my night stand and on the kitchen counter or on a side table in the living room. I usually carry one along with me in the pocket of my robe, skirt, coat or whatnot too. I think my obsession with lip balm came from Bonne Bell's Dr. Pepper lip balm and other lip smacker flavors that I used probably in junior high and high school. Despite liking to have them every where, I misplace them. When I reach in my bag where I usually have several tubes, I can never find one. I practically have to empty the bag to find one. It isn't that my lips are dry often. It is when I don't have them around I tend to lick my lips even more - making them chapped.

* The photo is of the ones from my desk and bag.

100 Things | West Wing

15. I am a HUGE West Wing fan.

I mean HUGE! Just talking writing about it right now will give me this need to watch it again.

In 2004, I was folding clothes in the living room so flipping through channels trying to find something to watch while I did that task I dislike so much. And I found repeats of West Wing on Bravo. It ended up being a very moving episode in which I ended up in tears (not hard to do in the first place.) Michael was passing through the living room and stopped to watch some with me - and well from there he was hooked. He had never really seen it before. And the writing of West Wing is really amazing so that it was hard for us to not become addicted. We ended up recording episodes from there and watching it daily.

Eventually we started slowly getting the seasons on DVD. And it one we go to often. We will have West Wing days where we will snuggle up on the couch and watch West Wing all day. Recently we hooked Michael's parents on it.

It doesn't matter how many times we have seen them. We still cheer, cry (okay so I cry and Michael doesn't), laugh and get invested in it. It is good entertainment, good life lessons plus it taught me some things about government I didn't know before. I mean Josh's lessons to Donna alone were good refreshers of how the government works.

I could never name a favorite episode because there are so many. You should hear me when we are watching the DVD's - the start of the episode will come on and it will jog my memory of which one it is and I turn to Michael and say this is a good one. And if I don't do it at the beginning I always do it at the end saying that was a good one. Almost almost EVERY episode I say that. I also don't have a favorite character because I love them all. Each has great depth of personality and passion.

What spawned this 100 things post was I found this video that does the West Wing theme/opening but with President Obama and his staff.

100 Things | Art Classes

14. My art classes were good for me and bad for me as an artist.


When I was in college my major changed several times but I always had art classes. Most of the art classes I took were set up the same way. We sketched - did some specific assignments for about a week and then we had to bring in those works plus a sampling of any previous work. To give the professor a preview of what we did - who we were as artists. I don't remember the words said but always it was a form of rejection of my talent to out right brutally "honest" opinions that I did not have it as an artist.

One semester I took, another nude figure drawing class - as those were my favorite because I love drawing the form...curves, softness, roughness - so much to a body. I took this class however because I knew it was going to be a little different as the professor was an artist from NYC. I had seen his work and liked it. The university I went to owned a building downtown that they converted. It was one of those old brick buildings that had a lot of character and had probably been a textile mill or something of that nature. The first floor of the building was a gallery, second had about 5 or 6 studio classrooms and then the top 2 levels were studios and apartments for visiting artists. They could live and use the studios to work and show work with the condition of teaching an art class.

The start of his class was not different then any other. But this one still really stands out over all the others that told me I did not have talent. He was polite but basically said it was a hobby for me. He told me I probably would never sell anything (proved him wrong several times over by now). I had heard it over and over again. I always just gave it something - not enough really to me. But I didn't give up completely even with the comments. At the end of the semester for that class we had to do the same thing we bring in works from the class and anything outside of class we felt was significant. I arrived and he had long tables set up where I laid out each drawing. He got to the third drawing out of like fifty pieces. He looked ahead a little and then looked back at the 2 before and then again at the 3rd. He said, "I'm sorry." I said, "pardon?" I was so scared I did something wrong and he was going to fail me - as this was like a final for art. And he looked up at me and said, "I'm sorry....I should have spent more time with you."

See what the art professors I came in contact with did use that first viewing at the beginning of the semester to pick out the the students they think have talent to work with them and push them more one on one. The others just get skipped over or glances with passing one or 2 word comments. That is what he did to me all semester.

So he looked over the final portfolio and explained to me that he saw something that I should explore more. He went on to explain where he should have been pushing me more. We talked about each piece. He wrote down lots of stuff for me to remember and learn from. He had me explain what I felt and thought. We had a wonderful conversation. He wrote up a letter to give to my next professor. He told what pieces to put in my next portfolio for my next class. And sat and talked to me about my art in a positive way.

All those that came before him said things horrible - things that could have stopped me from taking art....from making art. Of course I let it affect me but I didn't stop or give up. It slowed me down. I didn't always push myself at times because of the things said. But still I have had it in me...that passion for art. And if I had let the previous professors stop me I might never have gotten that chance to stand there with a professor and artist that saw something.

So I had this positive happen with my art...I needed to work full time so I could save for my wedding. So I had to quit school to work full time and never got my degree in art - yes by that year I was an art major. So I gave it up. I worked on my art here and there through the years but I never gave it what I should have or wanted to give it. Mostly fear stopped me of course. Fear and doubts in myself. I then came to be with Michael and he not only encouraged it but insisted on me pursuing it more. I still don't give it what I should but I am so grateful for all he has done to support and encourage this passion. And glad that I have been able to create.

(top image: charcoal drawing from the class I talk about in post. just a rough sketch. middle image: mixed media on paper that I made for friends a few years ago - bottom image: mixed media on canvas that I did for my parents a few years ago)

100 Things | Politics

13. I am pretty much a bleeding heart liberal.

I am for people. I want to have equal rights for people all across the board -- orientation, gender, race, religion and so on. When bad things happen to people, I think we should help them. That is what neighbors do so why wouldn't our government help too. When a single mom raising 3 kids on her own has to work 3 jobs - 1 just to pay for daycare and 2 just to cover bills and makes it nearly impossible to raise her children why wouldn't we want to help send her to school to get a better job. When companies are downsized, plants closed, jobs sent over seas - shouldn't we help that man support his family by giving him new job training? Help with insurance costs? I saw a conservative blog ranting about that people that work 3 jobs should stop having 7 or more kids. I actually don't know many people who have 7 kids but I do know people with 2 or 3 kids working multiple jobs to keep things afloat. As Bush said 4 years ago it is uniquely American to work multiple jobs and I just don't think it should be uniquely American to have to work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet. It shouldn't be so hard.

When I was in college, I was involved in Amnesty International. A good friend started a chapter at our school it so I was like her co-chair. I also was involved 2 more groups one against the death penalty and other against nuclear weapons. I wrote letters and signed petitions and even canvased too. Now I get emails everyday from different groups to look over. I do lots of emails to senators and congressmen/women and esign online petitions.

I haven't always been as informed about politics as I should have been but being involved with Michael has changed that. One of his majors in college was political science and you can say it is one of his passions. He cares about America and is passionate about the issues that effect us daily. Politics is almost a daily discussion for us. He has a political blog so he leaves most of politics off here (otherwise you would see about 5 posts a day sometimes here on politics) but I do write about it once in a while. And with this election coming up I do see it becoming something I write about more. I read many a blogs where they say they aren't going to talk politics because it just isn't one of those things you should discuss with friends or family. Well this is my blog...I write about me and things I like, dislike, enjoy or care about. And being politically aware is a part of my life. As I said we discuss politics in this house daily. So why would I leave such a big part of me off my blog? So if you don't like it -- skip the posts.

When Bush ran the second time, I did a long list of reasons why I wasn't voting for him and included 2 to 3 sources for each reason. I have started that for McCain/Palin. I don't feel McCain/Palin represent me as an American or the issues I care about. I will have many reasons in my post why I don't feel they do. But I do believe Obama truly cares about the people of this country and our future. Hopefully I will get that post done by next week.

Monday we were up and out of the house fairly early as Obama was in our town. Which was a fairly big deal to me but also Grand Junction in general as Truman was the last democratic Presidential nominee that was here. We knew we wouldn't be able to do the standing in line to go to the event but we went to the airport. We got fairly close view of the his plane land and then we were about 20 feet from his car as it passed by and we got a clear view of him. I told Michael that if we had lived in a big city we never would have gotten that close. We came home and listened to some of his talk on a live stream of it on the web and then left again. A friend of ours was at the event and called us when Obama left the event. So we camped out on the route he would take back to get one more glimpse of him. And we did...just as close again. Michael even got a little shot of him as he passed. I know it was only a view a little glimpse of him but it still made me happy! History in the making right before my eyes. (I love this picture from the event as has a visible Grand Junction landmark in it....Mt. Garfield. It is something you can see from every spot in Grand Junction really and it isn't far from our home.)

So I decided to do as part of my 100 Things about me one on politics...as politics is something that is discussed daily in our house, a part of my life and I am pretty much a bleeding heart liberal.

100 Things | Teapots

12. I collected teapots. I don't collect teapots as much now.

When I moved out on my own for the first time I bought a black teapot to sit on a pretty little mat on my dining room table. I didn't at the time drink tea but the thought of drinking tea appealed to me. After that first teapot though, I was hooked on them. I just enjoy all the different looks to each of them. I found so many pretty and interesting ones that I just started collecting them.

Eventually a good friend of mine had a tea party and I had a tea I really enjoyed. And now I enjoy tea often. But I still don't use my teapots for tea very often. But still enjoy seeing them. In our dining room there is a wall of cabinets and space between the top cabinets and ceiling so I have used it as a display for most of my teapots. Some of these pictures are fuzzy as I was standing on a step ladder to get a better view of the teapots on top of the cabinets but I was shaking standing on the little step.

My Mom gave me several of my Grandma's teapots. Some of them my Grandparents got as wedding gifts and never been used. This is one of my favorite. I love the handpainted wispy flowers on it. It again was also my Grandma's.







This teapot with the cornhusks on it is one of those teapots my Grandparents got as a wedding gift. It still has the stickers on it. When my Mom gave me them all she put inside them little tags of when they were given to my Grandma/Grandparents. So inside this one is a tag that has my Grandparent's wedding date on it.








This is one I bought myself -- I like the brass handle but for actually pouring tea out of it -- not very practical.












This teapot was a gift early in my teapot collecting days. It probably isn't one I would have picked out but the person who gave it to me was special to me and I know exactly why he got it for me so it does have meaning.












Last year sometime my Mom sent me a box of things she was storing for me at her house. In the box was this UGLY monky teapot. I asked Mom about it and she said she wasn't sure where it came from and thought since I collected teapots maybe it was mine. I keep intending to put it in a goodwill box but always forget but now after this post hopefully I won't.









This is my favorite teapot that my sisters gave me. I just love the delicate pattern on it. I have actually use it for tea too.









The wicker handle on this teapot makes it hard to pour from also. I think this was one of my Grandmother's again but this came in that box with the monkey teapot so it wasn't clear on where it came from. The teapot has six little teacups with it, but most of the teacups are unfortunately chipped. But I do love the look of it and all the little teacups. I often display it on our table.






This is what I call my everyday teapot. It is one I use more often then others. I got the plate meaning to use it for cookies and such. I picked it up in North Carolina at World Market when I was there on girls weekend. It was on clearance and I just liked the look of it. I got back from the trip and Michael and I went into World Market in Denver as I had told him about the coffee selection they had there. He LOVES coffee so we are always looking for places with good whole bean coffee. And so we went in and of course I went to look at clearance and there was the teapot that matched the plate I picked up just a few days earlier in North Carolina.

100 Things | Singing

11. I like to sing.

I have always liked to sing. As a little girl, I remember my Mom singing a lot so I am sure that had some influence over me as I loved hearing her sing. My Mom played the piano - so often my sisters and I would sing with her as she played. We had quite a few sing-along type book. Quite a lot of hits of the 70's - like the Carpenters or Debbie Boone's You Light Up My Life. I remember sitting in the living room and flipping through the song books just to find a song to sing. No accompaniment just to sing acapella because I enjoyed singing.

My Grandparents had a pretty little garden in their back yard and we often used it as a staging area to put on "shows" for them....my sisters and cousins. Our Grandma often sang to us and taught us songs so often we used those songs in our "shows." When I was a very little girl, I was in singing contests -- I have a really clear memory of one in Bottineau, North Dakota(one of my favorite places we lived when I was growing up).

We moved when I was starting 5th grade to Omaha and I became shy. But I still was in the youth church choir. I did solos and duets. But then one time I was picked for a solo. I am up there ready to sing my solo. I was looking out at that crowd in the church and I felt this fear grow inside me. I was shaking and my palms were sweaty. I sang a few words and then stopped. Stopped...Stopping singing right there in the middle of my solo. I just stood there petrified. I developed stage fright over night it seemed. After that I stayed in a choir for a while but didn't do another solo. I couldn't get past the fear that I might do that again. I really didn't sing publicly that much longer. I still enjoyed singing just was too scared to sing publicly. I let that fear hold me back. When I didn't keep up with the singing of course the control and breathing started to slip. But I still enjoyed it even if I was more out of tune. Usually just singing by msyelf or to the radio.

I had a roommate when I lived in Cleveland that had a really good voice. She played the guitar and sang. One night she was playing in the dining room after dinner. I was cleaning up the dishes humming and singing along. She finally stopped and told me that I needed to sing louder. We were harmonizing really well together. It was a Stevie Nicks song and we just had lots of fun singing together. I think she reminded me how much I liked to sing.

Now Michael always says he knows I am feeling good when I sing. Michael and I like to sing on road trips too. Michael has a very good voice and we just have fun singing together. We sing to musicals -- RENT and Across the Universe are our current favorites to sing to.

I know my voice isn't as good as it was when I was younger. I just don't have the control over it like I once did but it doesn't stop me from singing and it won't. It makes cleaning, doing things around the house and road trips go faster and better. And it does make me feel good to sing.

(photo of one of our "shows" at my Grandparents -- I am in the yellow dress -- left to right -- my little sister April, my cousin Nikki, me and then my sister Michelle)