Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Farewell to the King of Pop




Last week the Greatest Entertainer of my lifetime-Michael Jackson-died suddenly. I didn't realize how his death impacted me until today while watching his memorial service. For the last week, there have been countless newspaper articles, television shows, internet postings about the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. Despite all of this, his music had a profound affect on my life.


I was 2 years old when the Jackson5 appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. Later when they began touring I remember sitting in the sun waiting for them to perform at the Ohio State Fair-free with fair admission. Each of my brothers and sisters had the Afro hairstyle, just like the Jacksons. We would gather around the television to watch whenever they performed and even watched their cartoon. It was the first time I can remember seeing people who looked like me on television.


My brother, Jeff was the ultimate MJ fan-studying his dance moves and learning the words to his songs so he could perform at school talent shows. My mother, a seamstress, would make his costumes and he would always steal the show.


I was in high school when MJ was at his peak with the infamous moonwalk performance at the Motown 25 celebration. That was all we could talk about when we got to school the next day. The "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" albums contain some of my favorite songs and the Jackson 5 Christmas album is one of my all time favorites.


The BET awards last Sunday were dedicated to Michael Jackson and at the end of the show, Janet made an appearance on behalf of the family. The picture above was flashed on the screen behind her. This was the moment that his passing became real to me because she spoke of how that even though the world had lost a musical genius, she had lost her big brother. I have 2 older brothers so I could only imagine the pain she was feeling at losing him.
This is how I will choose to remember him.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Dance/Life/Faith




This was the theme for the 2009 dance recital this past week. The girls performed in 3 shows this weekend. The show was awesome. It's more like a spiritual experience than a dance recital. From the music to the costumes it's just amazing. Four years ago this "studio" was 10 dancers, including the instructors, in a church. Today there are more than 130 ranging in ages from 3-70. yes, I typed 7-0. No one is turned away because of their size or age. If you want to dance you can. Here are a few pictures from dress rehearsal.

Friday, June 5, 2009

7th Heaven


Today is Bailey's 7th Birthday. She woke up early even though it was a school day. She told me that "she had been waiting for this moment." Here she is at her Brownie dinner.
Happy Birthday, Princess.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday fill-ins

Haven't done this in awhile!

1. There is no need for kids to eat every night, is there?
2. Where in the heck did the time go?
3. Make tuna salad is all I managed to do.
4. Prospects for moving soon look dim.
5.Whatever is the message.
6. Simplicity and tranquility are 2 things I rarely get.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to wireless surfing and maybe some crafting, tomorrow my plans include going to Dayton to crop with some SS sisters and Sunday, I want to relax, but I can't because I'm going to Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark with the kids for a Brownie outing.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Has it really been THAT long?

I can't believe that my last post was over 3 months ago. It's not that my life has been so busy that I didn't have time to post. It's just typical of most things in my life. I start off like gangbusters and then when the novelty wears off, I'm done.

But now that I have a laptop and wireless internet at home, I hope to get back to blogging pretty regularly.

Since my last post:

-celebrated my 42nd birthday March 24th.
- attended an awesome scrapbooking retreat in Alabama
-started graduate school (finally0
-attended my 20th college class reunion
-took a road trip with my girlfriend to the Vera Bradley outlet sale

And there's lots coming up:
-Dance recital
-end of year Brownie events
-last day of school/work
-teaching summer school for the first time
-kids attending summer camp for the first time

So, hope to get back in the groove of posting. Hope you'll keep reading.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday Fill In

1. When I look to the left, I see my scrapbook area-it's a mess.
2. The kitchen is the room that has the best view in my home.
3. Let it work please-the computer that is.
4.Dinner done dirt cheap!
5. Educating children is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.
6. If you have any mojo feel free to send some my way.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing , tomorrow my plans include getting the kids to all of their activities and Sunday, I want to watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters without interruption

Wednesday, March 4, 2009