Xavierism

Phoenix September

***Random Play
*Salvador: Aware
*Sheila Kirsten Hughes: Perspectives
*Rachael Yamagata: Sinking Teeth Into Heart
*Charlotte Martin: On Your Shore
*Plumb: Blink
*Ferras: Aliens & Rainbows

Best part of Sunday is waking up knowing that it's Sunday. Really. I start off each morning with prayers & meditation. The smell of coffee brewing throughout the house always awakens my spirit. Sunday mornings are no different. There's an inner connection with my spiritual side that seems to look forward to Sundays.

Yesterday morning, I ran four miles. Yes, it's just 4 miles but that's a mini marathon for me. Getting back into running has been a huge process for me. I've had to first work on nutrition. I gained weight and I could feel the heaviness with each step. I feel so frustrated when I allow myself to emotionally dismiss the things I need to do to feel better about myself. To get back on track, I've lost weight and am doing my best to eat better. Thanks to a fabulous trainer, I've placed myself on a program. I am running more often. I have built up to running 4 miles at a comfortable pace. For now, it's not about the pace or time but all about feeling in sync with my body as I run. So yesterday's four mile run was a huge milestone. Waking up this morning and not feeling any aches in my body was a huge bonus. I want to bottle this 'physical high'. Instead, I'll have to remind myself that reaching goals always pays off. Always.

From what I can remember Phoenix in September has always been an exciting month. One feels the coming of Fall. Throughout this month, I can't really tell that the temperatures are cooling off. I can feel the shift because I'm always up early mornings but then it's simply a tease because the temps return to the low 100's during the day. I can also feel the difference because I can no longer enjoy night swims in our pool. I could try but permanent shrinkage would occur. I love Summers but give me my Fall season.

I have great memories from Summer of 2009. More so, I learned valuable lessons about Life & friendships. Amazing how you click so well with certain few so quick only to find out that those same friendships were never meant to be.  Throughout my story of Xavierism, I've found when this does happen, I'm blessed with a replacement...and that person usually becomes a fixture in my life. Fate knows. I won't mess with it. I simply thank God & angels for allowing me to have such great relationships in my Life.

Sunday evening. Rodan is at work. I'm here by the pool enjoying a glass of wine. Did you really believe I was going to cut wines out completely while I train for a marathon? If so, you're crazy.

Okay, time to finish this glass of wine and enjoy a small bowl of Butter Pecan ice cream.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Charlotte Martin's Every Time It Rains
Current Mood: Chilled

Menu Plan Monday for June 22nd Week

Having Coffee At Pool side Earlier This Evening.

I know I'm late in posting for Menu Plan Monday...please forgive me. No excuse so I'm not even about to try and offer one. Since I've lost ten pounds through better eating habits and exercise, I am doing my best to cook and eat most of our own meals. Not only do I save money by doing this, I know exactly what the nutritional values are for each meal. 

*Menu Plan Monday thanks to Orgjunkie.com. So many bloggers participate in this affair. Plan your menu for the week and browse Laura's site. Check out all those that participate and get wonderful ideas for all upcoming meals of the week. Below is my Dinner Menu for the week:

*Monday: Since it was a hot one today, we kept it simple and had rotisserie chicken sandwiches and garden salads. Simple yet delicious!

*Tuesday: Ground Turkey & pasta in a light pesto sauce.

*Wednesday: Chicken With Grilled Peaches & Arugula.

*Thursday: Grilled Salmon with Cucumber & Celery Salad

*Friday: Ground Chicken Chili This is a fave recipe. You'll love this chili!

I've collected so many wonderful recipes from other bloggers as well. I hope to include many in next week's menu. Hope Monday was kind to each of you.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Tina Arena's Live Version of My Heart Will Go On
Current Mood: Sleepy & Blessed

Google Friend Connect & This and That...

Anna-Maria La Spina Sings Love is More than 3 Words

***Random Play
*Anna Maria La Spina: Mine
*Jon McLaughlin: OK Now
*Melissa Polinar: Sound Vault Sessions
*Keaton Simons: Can You Hear Me
*Carrie Catherine: Green Eyed Soul
*Tony Lucca: Come Around Again

It's been a great past few days. Work has kept me busy. Even with every day stress, I've been eating better than I have in quite some time. I'm doing my best to stay open and focused concerning marathon training.

Thank God I have people that are pushing me to continue running and regular workouts. I need all the inspiration my spirit can gather. I will be attending an upcoming Boot Camp. I'm certain will kill me but I've got nothing to lose but great information for the future.

I'm thrilled that after four days, I finally was able to add Google Friend Connect to my page. Whew! Do you know how many brain cells I killed to get that thing on my page. I'm certain I killed more than the average crack head. I'm serious...true dat! I really need to focus on myself more and writing within my blog as always been a way to unload a great deal of stress and monitor my days. So if you're a reader of my blog and are on Google Friend Connect, please feel free to add me. I'd be happy to do the same. I love learning and sharing from others...especially those that are runners. I need your inspiration and wisdom. Thank you!

Time to have a lite lunch and get back to work. Working on setting up tour bookings for various bands & singer/songwriters.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Anna-Maria La Spina's Love is More Than 3 Words
Current Mood: Focused & Hungry!

I'd like to purchase a Slimmer Version of Xavierism, please?

***Random Play
*Danielia Cotton: Rare Child
*Natalie Merchant: Retrospective 1995-2005
*Tony Lucca: Come Around Again
*Morley: Seen
*Caedom's Call: Overdressed
*Diana Winter: Escapizm

It was a beautiful 86 degrees yesterday in Phoenix. Did you hear me? 86 degrees! One can not hide fat or lumps when it's that warm. One could wear black and warm clothes but look like a fool. I'm determined to get back on track to look my best for this summer. I'm ready to attack the gym. Thank God I have Kelly Olexa on my side for inspiration!  Yes, I insist that you click on the link and head over to Kelly's blog & check out this fabulous Diva! My goal is to have just as hot of T&A as Kelly! Oh yesh...that's the goal. Did you hear me, Baby???

Time to wrap up a bit of work so that I can head to the gym before meeting up with friends tonight. 

***Daily Mugshot from last night after taking a shower. I look like a darker version of Jan Brady!

Keep reaching for those dreams...we can all help one another get there!

 
*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Morley's Unconditional Ass
Current Mood: Chunky & Determined!

Little Things

Jogging Trail Along the Canal at Granada Park

***Random Play
*Nichole Nordeman: Woven & Spun
*Lovers In Arms: Strength for The Weary
*Sandi Thom: Smile...It Confuses People
*Laura Marie: Drawn
*Andrew Belle: All Those Pretty Lights EP
*Diana Winter: Escapizm

Little things made today a great day. I didn't run or workout today because I felt a pain in my right ankle after my Sunday morning run. Today, it felt great and looking forward to a morning run. I gotta lose this belly and the junk in my trunk nalgas!

The day started off emotionally slow...and by the afternoon, I felt good about so many things. One foot forward, then the other foot...I felt the momentum.

Business is going well and I'm thankful. Procrastination won't get me anywhere...so I might as well do what I know I need to do to save myself from further bitching!

Life is good!

  *****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Nichole Nordeman's Take Me As I Am
Current Mood: Kewl & Rested

Mu Mu Land

5:30am this morning...I ran and ran. I was bound for Mu Mu Land! I ran an easy three miles. It felt great. I've lost a few pounds and I could feel that I was carrying less fat on me. I start a new marathon training session next weekend so it's time to work on cutting out my bad eating habits and get serious about training again. I bitch and bitch about the changes but once I have things under my control, I feel the magic take over. I want to feel that magic. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I want to feel confident again. For the past few months, I've had to play PR Man and fake the role. Now that the Fall season is around the corner, I need for all my new clothes to fit just right. 

I'm walking a tight rope. My faith keeps me from falling over. Hope keeps me focused on my goals. More than ever, I sense my Angels & Patron Saints are on my side. I'll be okay. I'll be more than okay. I want to feel the Xavierism confidence. Yeah...I'll be okay.

PS...If I go to Mu Mu Land, I hope those Mu Mu Girls teach me how to groove like that! What the Hell is Mu Mu Land?

*****CHEERS*****

Current Music: KLF's Justified and Ancient featuring Tammy Wynette
Current Mood: Focused

Yeah, Today's A Good Day!

***Random Play
*Gavin Rossdale: Wanderlust
*Natasha Alexandra: Behind Your Back
*Terra Naomi: Under The Influence
*Charlotte Sometimes: Waves & The Both of Us
*Sia: Some People Have Real Problems
*Jake Walden: Alive and Screaming

Self Image. I have Love/Hate/Love/Hate relationship with my Self Image. On a good day, I can feel higher than any cloud. On a bad day, I'm lower than a dead armadillo along a lonely Texas highway. On those low days, tears keep rolling down and down. My faith has always kicked into autopilot and saved me from further emotional damage. I have always been overweight for most of my life. I've had to physically and emotionally fight the weight issues. Again, when things are good, I can overcome anything. When I'm feeling fat, it affects everything. I feel as though I'm not worthy to step out of my own house and into the real world. I have to put on my best PR smile and march to an unfamiliar beat that somehow I know all too well. I've gained pounds...now it's up to me to get back to my physical comfort zone. I miss feeling and looking great. I had a great work out yesterday and I'm looking forward to today's gym time.

So Obama is the Democrat's choice for US President. As a Hillary Clinton supporter, I'm not happy about this but I will support the Democrats. I hope that Clinton is considered as the VP choice for the ticket. I believe it will be hard for McCain to dig his claws into his opponent without Obama's camp using the race card. Obama, the media's darling, had an easier ride than Clinton.

I'm not a fan of Randi Rhodes. I was listening to her radio show and she constantly bashed Hillary. Half the Democrats are torn between Obama and Clinton and here she is barking about Clinton. Yeah, way to go toward unifying the party. I've always believed that far left huggin' liberals can be just as anal as right wing conservatives. Enough of politics. I simply wanted to share my opinions on the election process.

Gavin Rossdale. He released his solo debut CD, Wanderlust. I love this CD. Since his Bush days, he's mellowed and matured. I love the adult contemporary rock feel throughout the CD. While crying throughout the Sex and The City movie, it was sweet to hear his song, Love Remains The Same, during a great scene. This is another CD and artist that I highly recommend.

***Love Remains The Same video on YouTube.com

Sex and The City movie. Loved it! I was a fan of the show but I could live without it. The show's finale and this movie really tapped into something deep. So many scenes reminded me of my own trials and tribulations with Life & Love. I thought of all the times I shared with girlfriends going through their break ups. The Tear sessions. 

After a haircut from my fave barber and an eyebrow wax from the beautiful Summer, I feel fabulous! As far as today goes, my Self Image is in a good spot. Working on myself is an on going project. Sometimes I forget that. I can't take it for granted because then I suffer. It's summer. I wanna feel fabulous inside and out.

Yeah, today's a good day!

***Pic: Kylie and Myself early in January 2008.

Current Music: Gavin Rossdale's Love Remains The Same
Current Mood: Blessed to Be Happy!

Come Sit Next To Me...It's Time For A Little Chat

Angie Stevens. Photo taken by Tim Sutherland.

***Random Play
*Jon McLaughlin: Indiana
*Allison Sattinger: VOX
*Rosie Thomas: These Friends of Mine
*Laura Marie: Drawn
*Skye: Mind How You Go
*Kiff: You Can't Keep It Down

Sundays have always been so special to me. Nothing like reading the morning paper and enjoying the first cup of coffee in bed. Music is playing low. It's cloudy outside. The house really feels like home right now. I love my little home.

Every now and then, I enjoy looking over the stats from my blog. It's always interesting to see where my readers are from and the searches that brought them to this blog. There are those readers that stop in often and I always wonder what it is they're expecting to find. I have many readers from Sweden, France, and Singapore. Go figure, eh? I'm thankful that anyone stops in since I don't post as often as I should.

More than ever, I appreciate the true friendships in my life. It's good to know that I can call or email certain friends and they're there for me. Through my recent chaotic episodes, I learned that I misjudged a few friends. A few that I honestly thought were open and nonjudgmental turned out to be just that. As old as I am, the lessons of life continue on and on. It's all part of life...from beginning to end.

I'm quite excited about the upcoming marathon training class. Sessions start on Saturday, August 25th. I feel that I have enough time to train so that I feel comfortable from the start of training. I've managed to keep the weight off. I didn't go through any major binge hiatus. In the past, I would have abandoned and ignored my personal goals until I felt the need to reach them again. I did gain a few pounds recently but I've lost all six pounds. I'm back on track. It hasn't been easy. I've had to fight from eating every thing in sight. Emotionally, I find myself more sensitive. Comments, rumors, and small talk usually take a back seat while I enjoy breeze of life. As always, I'm digging deep and allowing my faith to go on auto pilot. I know that I'll land on my feet and in the midst of peaceful pastures. It happens every time and it'll happen again.

This evening, Phoenix music lovers are in for a treat. Denver's very own, Angie Stevens, voted by Westword.com as Denver's Best Singer/Songwriter for 2007, will be featured at a house concert in downtown Phoenix. This should be a great night. Angie is one of the most down to earth musicians I've ever come across. What you see is what you get from Angie. I've worked with so many musicians that when a musician like Angie comes my way, it's truly a blessing. Check her out.

Thank you again for the comments, emails, messages, and phone calls. Your support means the world to me. I can honestly say that I am surrounded by good people in my life. Time to bake a cake for the Angie's house concert tonight.                  

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: ALLISON SATTINGER's Barefoot Mary
Current Mood: Content & Hungry!

On and On...

Rodan's drawing of Kylie & Myself.

***Random Play
*Ginny Owens: Long Way Home
*Jon McLaughlin: Indiana
*Mozella: I Will
*Kaywin Arden: Quarter Life Crisis
*Kiff: You Can't Keep It Down
*Allison Sattinger: VOX

With each passing day, I'm learning that faith & hope can go a long way. Sometimes I find myself blowing in the wind merely existing. Each time, I feel my angels grab a hold and lower me to safety on steady ground.

Thank you so much to all those that have called, emailed, and sent cards & healing vibes & wishes. I wouldn't have made it without the love. Father is doing as well as can be. He's a fighter.

I've gained a few pounds but I'm not worried. In the past, I would have binged until I gained all the weight that I lost. Now, I'm sensible about matters. I've been working out and running since I returned home. I keep track of my calorie intake & do my best to cook and eat most of my meals here at home.

The music promotions/bookings are going well. Within the next few months, I'll be working with so many incredible singer/songwriters & bands: Justin King, Allison Sattinger, Michael Ann, Amy Roberts, Genevieve, Amber Norgaard, David D'Alessio, Just Off Turner, Jennifer Vazquez, The Latter, The Dorsets, Coles Whalen, Angie Stevens, Namoli Brennet, Laura Marie, Melissa Polinar, Brig Feltus, Michael Mattingly, Ben Roberts, Dave Yaden, Tiff Jimber, Geoffrey J, Raina Rose, Hunter Paye, Mark Castrillon, American Catapult, Whitney Steel, A Boy Named Souix, Alden Powers, and Reynaldo Moreno.The list keeps growing and growing. I'm blessed, simply blessed!

I thought I'd include a picture of Karina and myself taken last month. Isn't she beautiful?  I adore her!

Another weekend is quickly approaching...SWEET!
     

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: MOZELLA's You Wanted It
Current Mood: Hopeful

It's Too High For You Too!

***Random Play
Nadine Zahr: Underneath The Everyday
Just Off Turner: Long Walk Back
Arden Kaywin: Quarter Life Crisis
Rosie Thomas: These Friends of Mine
Rachael Sage: The Blistering Sun...
David D'Alessio: Songs To Undress Your Ego
   
It's been a fabulous Birthday & 4th of July week. It's been nice to kick back and spend personal time with my feathered angels at home. Temperatures here in Phoenix have reached 115-117 degrees these past few days. Thank God for our pool. I look forward to another refreshing evening in the pool.

Last month, our Onkyo 6 CD Player died and went to Sound Component Heaven. For the last month, I've been playing my music via the computer. It's simply not the same. My sound system is connected to Bose speakers...nothing compares to the Bose speakers. So I ordered a new Onkyo DVD/CD Player. It arrived on Tuesday. It's sound quality is amazing! It goes so well with our other components. First song heard on the new CD player? Honours goes to Nadine Zahr's A Little Better. In my opinion, Nadine is the Ultimate Musical Diva. I hope to lure her to Phoenix before the end of the summer. Phoenix needs to experience musical joy that only Nadine can bring. So I'll definitely keep my readers posted on this goal.

Today, another musical diva arrives in Phoenix for a series of gigs in Phoenix & Tucson. The diva? The one and only Coles Whalen. I have paired her with David D'Alessio, Namoli Brennet, and Amber Norgaard for various gigs.

I've been keeping up with my weight training & running program. I'm quite proud of myself. A few weeks ago, I found myself emotionally tested. I had to dig deep to see the light. I credit my faith. If anything, I take my stress out while at the gym. It beats being a couch potato. I need to increase my weight lifting routines along with added weights. I've added more protein to my diet. I can tell I've gained muscle but it does bother me that I've gained a few pounds. I know it's muscles...but I wanna be a size 6!  Okay, maybe not a size 6 but you get my drift! 

Rock on, Venus! I'm so proud of her. I was hoping Serena would have smacked Justine with a wallop but that didn't happen. I love Wimbledon!

Time to clean up around the place for our special guest. Hope each of you enjoys the rest of the week!

                

Pearl Bailey & Dinah Shore Sing Mack The Knife.

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: NADINE ZAHR's Wait
Current Mood: Sleepy & Hungry