Happy Birthday, Sweet Ginni

I love you and I miss you so much.

Love,
Sis

Squirrels. Flippin' squirrels.

Squirrels are cute, fluffy, loveable from a distance...but oh the aggravation and damage those little boogers can cause.



I have this big ole oak tree in my front yard. I mean, HUGE...I mean, has more than likely been there for a hundred years or so. Okay, it's been there a long time. Big dang tree.

And it's seriously full of acorns. I don't know why I'm just now getting around to complaining about it because this mess happens every year:

Squirrels. Hundreds of them. Stocking their supply for the winter. Constantly pelting my head when I sit on the front porch.



And some of those furry-butted critters have the nerve to come up to me and stare. Like they're daring me to say something. Brats.



Whenever I take baby Emma out of the house, I have to put the cover over the car seat so she doesn't get it either.

Yesterday, I sat on my front porch with an umbrella. Listening to the acorns hit the polyester like water torture. No rain, unless you count that it was raining acorns. It was the only way I could enjoy the outdoors.

All of the sudden, from the backyard, I heard my dog Tucker crying the blues. I thought maybe he wanted to sit in the front yard with me. Nope. Seems that the squirrels have begun throwing acorns from the top of the house into the backyard so they can continue to bury their spoils there. And hitting poor Tucker in the head in the process.

I humbly apologize to all the squirrel lovers out there...but right now this is squirrel-hatin' season for me. I'll go back to thinking they're cute and fluffy in the spring, I promise.


I need a motrin for this bangin' headache. And hard hats for me and my dog.





Til next time.

Karen

Why I walk....

This is my 3rd year as team captain for the "Race For Ginni." Some have seen this video before, but for those who haven't, this one is for you. I made it in 2006 to introduce my team members to my sister Ginni. I'd love for you to meet her too.
And if you can spare some time on October 18th, I'd love for you to walk with me at the Tidewater Affiliate's Race For The Cure. You can sign up today at www.eagle97.com. The last day to join team Max Media/The Race For Ginni is on Ginni's birthday...October 10th. If you are not able to make it, you can still be a part of the team in spirit. All members are welcome. Thank you so much from me....and my angel Ginni.

Update: Thank you!!!!!!!

You are all proof that there is power in numbers. Prayers were answered. Grandma came through her procedure with flying colors. She's going to make a full recovery. Thank you so much for the prayers. And thanks so much to Mary Immaculate Hospital for the awesome care!!!! I cannot say enough about what a wonderful facility it is.

Another grandchild came into the world yesterday 9/23 at 4:38 pm. His name is Daniel Ian. He is 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long and boy is he a cutie! New cousin Emma came by to visit Daniel. I think she likes him!



Daniel (left), Emma (right)


Whew. It's been a long few days, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel now. The only thing I need now is a little more sleep and the antibiotics to get rid of what's left of his flu and I'll be just fine.

Thank you again for all the well-wishes and the prayers. I don't know how I could have done it without you. But I do know that whenever it becomes overwhelming again, I can depend on you to be there...as you always have.

Love,
Karen

So happy, sad, tired...and need prayers.

I haven't shared what's been happening in my life lately, but maybe it's time...since I found myself in tears in the boss' office this morning. Right now, my mind is so tired and is craving a day or two of silence, peace of mind, and sleep.

First, the happy part. My new baby grandchild was born at 7:55 am this past Sunday 9/21. Eight and a half pounds, 20 and a quarter inches long and full of dark hair. Her name is Emma Jean and she is just adorable. First child for my daughter Allie. I was in the delivery room. I was the first voice that Emma heard. Now Emma opens her little eyes whenever she hears me. Maybe she listened to my show in utero, I don't know...but it brings me to tears to know that she already knows who her Nana is. Allie and I were up for nearly 3 days straight. So...we're all very tired.



Happy part two. Another one of my daughters Laura was due to have her baby in a week. Well, due to complications of thyroid disease, she is in labor and delivery right now. Her son should be born sometime this afternoon. I'm still awaiting word and praying that she won't have any problems. :(

Now the sad part. My grandmother...the woman who raised me after my mother died...my sweet grandma who I let ride in the front seat of the Malibu...is in the hospital right now. She has been there since Friday. Congestive heart failure and pneumonia. My heart has been so broken. I have been alternating my time between two hospitals since Friday. Happy for the grandbabies, crying for my grandmother. The good news is, doctors were able to get the fluid off of her lungs. The bad news, we saw her heart doctor last night at 8 pm and he wants to perform a heart procedure this afternoon at 3 pm. It is a very necessary surgery. I'm worried. The good thing is, my grandmother is a very strong woman. She has been through so much and has been able to stand on her two feet. I'm just praying that the procedure goes well. I'm ready to bring her home.

Ginni's birthday is around the corner. I'm thinking about her so much right now.

And, I'm still fighting the flu and have been for about 3 weeks. I'm on my second round of antibiotics. Whatever prayers you can share...whatever words you can offer...I will gladly accept them. I'm on the air today and the tears are coming and going. The boss has said that I can go home if I need to...but right now, being with you...this may be good therapy. It was good therapy to get this all out in the open.

Thank you for letting me share.

Karen

In Memory of Ginni, In Honor of Survivors

To all of my dear friends:

You may know that one in eight women will be stricken with breast cancer in her lifetime. What you may not know is that you can help these women and thousands of others in the fight against breast cancer.

On October 18, 2008, Max Media For A Cure/The Race For Ginni team (in memory of my beloved sister and in honor of survivors) will be celebrating our 3rd big year at the Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure at Neptune's Park on 31st Street at the Virginia Beach oceanfront with a great team of dedicated people. Join the fight by registering as part of our team or by supporting our efforts with a pledge contribution. You can walk, run...or walk in spirit! All members are welcome. The money raised through the Race will fund vital education, screening and treatment programs for underserved women in our own community and support the national search for a cure.

Please join us! There will be special perks for Max Media team members, but more importantly....together we can put an end to breast cancer forever.

For Ginni's story, visit Trace's Journey

To join Max Media For A Cure/The Race For Ginni, visit The Race For Ginni

Playing catch up! UGH!

Gee, I haven't been HERE in awhile. Life just got in the way, I guess. Busy time and I'm sure most who have a lot on their plates can understand.

Anyhow, shooting for this fall for the official release of my book "Big Dummies, Volume 1" to benefit our local Komen Office. It is loosely based on my show feature "Big Dummy Award" that you can catch at 11:20 am weekdays on 97-3 The Eagle. I originally intended for it to be released this past spring, but had to put it on the back burner. We will begin shooting pictures for the book and cover next month and will hopefully have it all together by October. I am planning to have it available just in time for holiday shopping! :D

Okay, enough of my lamenting about being all behind and stuff. I asked my 22 year old daughter Laura to give me an interesting subject to talk about on my blog so I can take my mind off of my honey-do list. She says to talk about "pie." Pie??? What kind of pie? Apple? Cherry? Pie Chart? Pie in the face? Whut? She said talk about pumpkin pie. I said okay, I'll try. So here goes.

Ode to Pumpkin Pie

Oh...pumpkin pie,
You are so yummy!
But you remind me of Thanksgiving
And the deadline for Big Dummies.

Crap. Maybe next time, Laura.