It is a Marvelous Nite

Well, its a marvelous night for a moondanceWith the stars up above in your eyesA fantabulous night to make romanceneath the cover of october skiesAnd all the leaves on the trees are fallingTo the sound of the breezes that blowAnd Im trying to please to the callingOf your heart-strings that play soft and lowAnd all the nights magic seems to whisper and hushAnd all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

MMMMM . . . . doesn't this just resonate at the most basic level of your being? I wish I could attach the music but the words do so much more.

It is foggy and rainy and I am awake. No one can sleep here. There must be a full moon due to the diffused and scattered light outside. Yet, a rainy cloud came in and spoiled everything! Or, maybe it redeemed itself.

I love you for reading my blog. I miss you because I have receded into myself. I will try harder.

Listen to your Mom

My mom writes letters. Sometimes, I type up an email, print it off, and mail it to her. She doesn't do email. And my Dad, who is a computer geek, is obnoxious (ok, that is a bit strong) about it. He will only let her look at it over his shoulder on his laptop. That is just not comfortable for an elderly person! Sometimes I will insist: Please print this out for Mom. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't.

I was brought up in a family that wrote letters. My Aunt Judy, who was a teacher, was my first pen pal! I had many others, some whom I never met, through the Girl Scouts of America. OK, if you don't think I'm geeky enough already. . . . Well, then again, you are still reading!

You can only imagine how excited I was when email came around! Actually, I worked for IBM starting in the 80s, and they had their own version of email. It was called PROFS (for Professional Office System - yeah!). Frankly, it had all the same problems/advantages as email.

If you screwed up and copied the world, you had an embarrassing situation to fix. You could go crazy on the "profs notes" . . . all of us who were in sales training were in contact in the fastest, cheapest way imaginable. Ah, those were the days . . .

But I digress. Here is what my very astute mother observed: She sent me a clip from the Sarasota Herald Tribune, dated 3/6/09. "Quiet layoffs escape notice, but still sting." She noted in writing that IBM, my husbands employer, was one of these companies. I had already told her that we were waiting to hear about Steve's job. I am sure that worries a parent, considering we are all getting older, and we are the sandwich generation, taking care of children as well as parents.

In her note, she also wrote:
"It doesn't make me very happy - sounds cruel to me. Fingers crossed."

Part of the article talks about how IBM made "strong quarterly profits in January", followed by Sam Palmisano, CEO, issuing a letter stating that "while other companies were cutting back, his would not."

On the other hand, J. Randall MacDonald, IBM's senior vice president for HR, said it was "routine for the company to lay off some employees while hiring elsewhere."

I get that. I believe that. Do you know what is crazy?

I'm an IBM fan. After all these years. I still think someone there is following the dream of Herman Hollowith and the punch card, and the Watsons. Let's support big biz during this downturn in the economy. If Steve loses his job, well, that's what the big gal upstairs wanted anyway. We have other options. He is brilliant.

One more thing that my Mom said, and take note, because she is so right on this: This is regarding another sad, frustrating situation that I am in, not related to IBM whatsoever:

"Maybe you should have inspirational speakers for the employees (note to self: I have one in particular in mind). How to get along in the business world. Everyone doesn't have to be your friend, but there are ways to treat people, and ways to not treat people. These are manners, and do unto others, and turn the other cheek, and smile!"

Well, doesn't mother know best?

Happy St. Pat's Day!

Hello, friends. My mother was wondering whether I was writing on my blog. Frankly, I stopped. No one was reading. But it dawned on me - this was - always- for me! Occasionally, some outraged person (and I will not name you) would comment. But . . . what is this outrage for? Life is short. Well, actually, only one person became outraged because this was an experimental blog. And no one read it. Ha!

What I did learn: blogs are way more powerful than websites. We are found at the top of searches, whether we are read or not. That is pretty spectacular. What a well kept secret!

On the other hand . . . if I wanted to promote my/your business . . . I would have to stop posting my kids pics . . . all the funny things I think of. Bad language. Inappropriate content. I just can't do that.

Today, I noticed the pear tree petal snow . . . falling on cars, roads, and walkways . . . I love spring! Allergies . . .and soon to have that pea green gunk, again, on our cars, all over our decks, and tracked into the homes via our pets. Well, welcome to Atlanta. It could be worse.

The day today was perfect. I came home and just viewed the sky in my hammock. We all need this once in a while.

A friend of mine came to the conclusion today that she could go forward. That is huge! We were just having the hardest time imagining how things could be, and now it is resolved. I like how that happens.

May you be blessed with health, work, and an income. It's a different world.

Savannah Trip

Ya know, I'm not big on long distance drives for the day, but I did agree 'cause Steve made the attempt to plan SOMETHING for the weekend!! He got tix for Brian Regan and he was playing in Savannah. Woo hoo!

Our family has been a fan of Brian Regan since Mary Jo (pilates tutor/friend) gave us the CD for a Christmas gift. We started playing the cd in the car on the way to a Hawks game. Comments from the crowd: "Turn that off!" "That is stupid!". . . . well . . . wait a minute . . . hmmm . . .silence. They started listening!

Went to the game. Got back in the car. "Turn that CD back on!" Laughter all the way home. And then a dedication to Brian Regan and all his Comedy Channel shows.

So much so, that Cameron is reciting the lines during the show, the gal in front of us turns around amazed that he can predict! OK, maybe Brian should never do old stuff but, hey - that's what guys do, right? Practice makes perfect. . .

On another note, let me show you a photo from the Italian restaurant where we dined prior: Gavin ordered Surf n Turf and I was cracking up so much that Steve didn't notice. Here's what he got:

What happened?

A year's worth of what happened, I suppose, is in order from this lazy blogger.

2008, . . .We launched a new biz on the side . . . Steve is full time at IBM, and I am part time at roam. roam is going in full force. We are engaged as much as possible as investors/owners. (Can I tell u how much fun it is to hang out there? Can U imagine what it is like to have a business, where the employees are so awesome, that you just enjoy being there to talk/interact with them? That is Gale, Jose, Jody, Shane G and Shane C. I don't make this stuff up.). And the members/customers - they make it fun to come into work every day. Ok, and I will have to add Brian Kramer, new President, although occasionally he will introduce himself as "Evil Brian", but I frankly don't get that.

A really cool thing (no, well, two really cool things) happened: we (roam) joined the Georgia Alliance of Private Clubs and Atlanta Magazine voted us "best of 2008." We didn't fit a 'category' so we were voted "best new coffee shop" , which was undoubtedly a reference to our private coffee blend "a-roam-a" and the fact that we make laVazza espresso drinks. Viva Italia!

Danish dinner extraordinaire. . . well, actually, this is the easiest cuisine of all to adopt, I'm all for good food that is easy to prepare. Here is Steve handing the torch to John for carving up the green ham so that the crackling comes out crispy and juicy:



Enough about work and dreams.

I met up with sister Hilda in St. George, Utah! We almost saw a KennyLoggins concert (saw the prep with the mountains in the background, it was awesome ("check, check!"), we rode over on our single speed cruiser bicycles to check it out, and instead decided to spend our last evening at home).

Julien Six was our summer student from France and John will be going there next summer. The Stimpsons will be coming here for spring break after two years!!! Everyone has waited so patiently to get them back to Marietta. Share, people, share!!!

David and Martha (and Lily) have moved from California back to Indiana, and Lily is in college at De Paul University.

Don't hear much from anyone else except Klaus in Denmark. We had a fun conference call between Stephen, David, and Klaus on Christmas Day. I don't know what they planned but I'm sure we are all in a bit of trouble.

Goodbye to all our beloved ones lost in 2008.
Much love,
suZen

Is pilates the new yoga?

I have been a yoga enthusiast since I was 16 years old. Growing up in rural America, I watched "Lilias Yoga and You" on PBS; practiced from a book at 17; and took my first actual course in college at 21. When I was 30, a friend introduced me to Iyengar style and I was committed, for a long time, even continuing through a trial with cancer and several pregnancies and after. Pilates has been around forever, but I just watched and waited as it grew more popular and the mat classes became widely available and affordable. Until I started my private personal training on the pilates large equipment (reformer, cadillac) with MaryJo Falvey of Pilates Tutor Studio . . . and now, all I do is pilates! Maybe a little cardio, I know I need that too!

It began simply: I bid on a series of personal sessions with MaryJo at our school's fundraiser. She was also teaching the mat class at the Y, which I began taking. She said, "Susan, you have to come and take your personal sessions!" Isn't that the case . . . sometimes you just sit on these things for a year or two . . .

Well, that was a couple years ago, and while I am not her strongest, youngest, most flexible, or fearless student, I believe that I am the most committed. I'm at the intermediate level and can do some of the advanced moves, and I'm pushing 50. I believe in her commitment to the Stott method; she is professional, dedicated, and probably the most talented Stott instructor in Atlanta. If you don't believe me, you can watch as her practice has exploded and see how she is filling her classes as soon as she offers them.

She has the respect of other studios around Atlanta, too. Her work with me has resulted in the elimination of repetitive back and shoulder problems, increases in strength, even the awe of my children ("Mom, you're ripped!") Shouldn't we all get that from our teenage boys?

I certainly hope that Stott appreciates the attention that this go-getter has brought to them. There are plenty of generic pilates instructors all over the place. Stott demands intensive training, and fees for equipment, training, and certification are very high as a result. After all, STOTT PILATES™ is the only full service integrated pilates company offering equipment, education, videos, manuals, studios, licensing, and support.

You won't regret checking this out: go book your friends or your business for a private group class, or just sign up for personal training with MaryJo, Carla, or Elizabeth. She currently has a coupon for a free class. Special tip: hot yoga teacher/Invigorated Life wellness coach Kimberly Kirby is also teaching at Pilates Tutor . . .

Need I say more. Pilates is the new yoga. Or better.

The coolest anthropology experiment - ever! Mummified fast food!

My friend Kimberly Kirby, yogini, author, and wellness coach (see link to the right: Invigorated Life) indulged us last night in a preview of her talk that she will be giving at an East Cobb Town Hall meeting. You have to see this to believe it!! It was so cool!!! I don't know if kids or parents will be more intrigued . . . probably a tie!

We know that trans fats (aka partially hydrogenated oils and more hidden names) and preservatives are no-nos . . . but have you ever seen a one year-old plus fast food hamburger in its wrapper (we will not name the chain). Is it moldy? Has it decayed? Have any bugs invaded it (she keeps it in a highly accessible paper bag in her pantry)? Well, the answer is no . . . so why do we eat this stuff?

For all of you who plan to attend the town hall meeting, lucky you! Kimberly also has visuals and props, showing sugar content in 'healthy" drinks and foods . . . and more! She has a really sexy yoga teacher voice, so I highly recommend attending. She only gets 10 minutes, so be on time!! Carpool? Call me!

Here are the details:

JOIN A TOWN HALL MEETING ON CHILDHOOD NUTRITION IN COBB SCHOOLS

How much attention do you pay to childhood nutrition in our schools? The health and wellness of our county’s youngest citizens extends beyond the home. Parents, schools, teachers, elected officials, PTAs – and most notably, you – influence the daily nutrition of our children. This is a very important topic and one that has already gained national recognition.
A Town Hall Meeting has been scheduled to bring together elected officials, School Board, Cobb County Food and Nutrition Services, parents, PTAs, Administration and students for a healthy discussion, education and voice on the nutritional programs within Cobb County schools. Explore the results of successful changes in California and New York State Schools and learn from Diane Harris, Ph.D and Kimberly Kirby, two leading nutritional experts and East Cobb elementary school moms, as well as personal experiences from students Cooper Driskell (Sope Creek Elementary), Tiffany Mills (East Cobb Middle School) and Chandler Converse (Pebblebrook High School). Be a part of this unprecedented event and learn some easy tips on how you can take on responsibility for the betterment of Cobb’s youngest citizens. Parking is limited so plan to carpool.

What: Cobb County Town Hall Meeting on Modern Childhood Nutrition

When: April 17, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Where: Sope Creek Elementary, 3320 Paper Mill Road, Marietta, Ga. 30067

More Information: arasin5@bellsouth.net or fluffyjune@yahoo.com

What . . . you are still here? Incidentally, our middle school, Hightower Trail, is embarking on its own crusade against bad food. Ms. Tarbutton, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher, has received a grant to purchase multiple copies of the book, "Chew on This", written by the same guy who wrote "Fast Food Nation." She is really doing her part to educate parents and kids on the harmful nature of bad nutritional choices. She is awesome!

(on a personal note, I could not put the proper punctuation on the book titles, which should be underlined, so I had to put quotation marks. I think it is glitch in blogger. My apologies!)