The Voice – Then and Now

That little show that changed our lives a year ago is back.

I have made many new friends and family from season one. Many I am still in contact with today, and its wonderful to support real home-grown Aussie talent. Growing up in the USA you just don’t get the chances that you do here to support artist. You know that is really THEM tweeting, that you can share how much a song is special to you with them and how they have touched you.

(where you can find everyone on twitter)

From season one we have been able to follow wonderful artist like Fatai Veamatahau (@FataiV) She is so down to earth and so lovely. I have seen her grow, become so confident and is writing some great material. I got to see you in concert last November and I was just blown away, I can’t believe I get to call this wonderful person a mate. There are great things in store for her, I know it. She is working hard and her break will come.

Another season one artist that caught us all off guard was Brittany Cairns (_brittanycarins) She started out unsure of herself but there was just something that needed to get out and the more the shows went on the stronger she got. Her battle round number “Turning Tables”  has a permanent place on my tablet. Her new single “Behind the Scenes” will blow you away.

Ben Hazlewood (@BenHazelwood) has just released his first EP called “The Loveless EP” I have watching him grow in confidence and his core support has not wavered. He is still so down to earth and he acknowledges the support of his fans. He is in Adelaide this coming Saturday and I am hoping to get the chance to meet him. (will let you know on that one)

Mahalia Barnes and Prinnie Stevens (@MahaliaBarnes)(@missprinnie) had the BEST battle round with “Tainted Love”  I got the honor of meeting both of them at a meet and greet in Adelaide. They were both wonderful and together are a real powerhouse. They returned this past November, and blew the roof off the Gov. Also got to meet Mahalia’s Dad Jimmy Barnes that night, he is so cool and was really happy to give autographs and take pictures with those who attended the event.

Danni Da Ros , Carmen Smith, Diana Rouvas (@dannidaros)(@CarmenSmithAu)(@dianarouvas) are all powerhouse women in their own right. They are always busy out and about. They all have projects going and are just lovely to chat with.

My very favorite guys from the class of 2012 Jimmy Cupples and Darren Percival,Glen Cunningham Chris Sebastian (@4littlejimmy)(@mrpercivalrocks) (@its_just_G)(@chrisebastian) Funny, handsome, earthy, and everything else to go along with it. My goals are to see all of them in concert. Next weekend I fly to Sydney to see Darren in concert as a gift for my 50th birthday and I can’t wait. Its going to be an amazing night.

The 2013 class is starting to take shape as the battle round begin tonight. I can’t stress enough to get behind your favorites, find them on twitter and support them. Buy their blind auditions songs. This is the future of the Australian music scene and these kids need the support and to know that the gift they have been given is special.

Come on Australia…..here is your chance to change a life

 

 

Fitness Thursday – FOOD

    OK. You have made the choice to get moving, BUT its baby steps all over the place. The choices with food and how you fix it is a big deal. You might not think that but I found out the hard way. Being raised in America I was taught to cook by my Mum, Edith and I fixed things they way she was taught by her Mum. When I got here to Australia that was a completely different story. Pj showed me that how I was cooking was actually adding more fat and calories to the meal. That veggies were actually OK, and just by changing a few small things, your meal would be just as healthy, have great flavor and would taste just as good.

The biggest thing is fat and how you use it if needed. Just a small amount of butter or vegetable oil in your pan is more than enough. When cooking just the natural juices can also be just enough. OK, example when cooking onions, you can sweat them and using the moisture from them. Just cooking your meat a little slower and use the juices. You don’t want your meat swimming in oil when it’s not needed. Even when Pj uses the BBQ he never uses oil unless he is cooking onions. The first time I made Sloppy Joes for Pj, he was really upset with the amount of oil and all. Just by changing how I cook, changed the flavor of the dish.

Veggies was another big hurdle to get over. Before I got here I hated veggies and some I had never even had. Pj had made a wonderful soup with all the I thought I didn’t life but I had two bowls of soup that night, and said it was beautiful.  Introducing new veggies can be a mind over matter thought process. I wanted to learn to eat cooked Cauliflower and ask Pj what would be the best way. He made a white sauce, cooked off the cauli and mixed the two together and sprinkled it with bread crumbs,finished off in the oven.  You can mix turnips, with creamed (mashed) potatoes, purred carrots in your spaghetti sauce.

The biggest thing I have found is don’t be afraid to experiment. Play with spices, try a new spice. Do watch how much salt you use because salt can be overpowering and play heck with the arteries. When boiling potatoes you can use one teaspoon of salt, a pinch can go a long way.

Just give new food a try. Think about HOW you cook the food. You’re not losing but gaining good flavor and healthy life style, remember its all in proportion. Eat til you feel full and then push the plate away, get up from the table.

GO for a walk.

Milestone Post Number 60

   We celebrate all kinds of things, from birthdays to anniversaries, school reunions, I celebrate when I came to Australia and even the date I became an Australian citizen. I am thankful for the new county I live in and all the wonderful things that have been happening over the years. My writing career has taken off, in small leaps but it’s keeping me more busy than I even imagined.

With the recent famous people who have passed on has got me thinking about how grateful I am for things in my life. For those friends, family I am still in contact with and my extended family.  Even though my adopted parents are gone, at times I feel like an orphan of the world, even though I know I am not. Pj is wonderful and it’s been hard at times we continue to make things work. My girls are overseas in Ohio and Montana, we visit as often as schedules allow. Lots of wonderful pictures are exchanged all the time and I love it. Always loved photos and taking them. Photos tell a story, stopping a moment in time. It brings back all sorts of wonderful memories of the time and place. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words and there is some truth to that. I told Alisha to make sure she got pictures with the grand-babies great grandma, to have a record of her for them. Something they could physically hold on to and learn about her. I sent pictures of Pj and I so the kids can learn about us and when we Skype they know who we are.

The same goes for knitting, crocheting, quilting, anything like that which I do for a gift for anyone, especially for my grandkids Elizabeth and Gabriel. My parents made hand-made gifts for my brother and I, I put what they made me away for my girls. I learned over time what they put of themselves into each piece they made, It was a rare case that they actually kept any of the pieces that they made for themselves and I find that happening to me now. Each piece I give has a part of me woven into it. Guess you could call it my legacy, that piece of me I will leave behind.

The song “For Good” from the show Wicked, has become so special in a lot of way. It reminds us that some people are in our life for just a short time but it’s those people who can change our lives for the better. Leaving a gift of them in our lives. I am a better person today because of some of the people I have met. Pj can tell you when I first arrived I was so timid and scared of everyone and everything but over time I have learned to stand up for myself, to find my voice. Judy has given me that since of not being afraid of what others think, Dan gave me the courage and knowledge to get moving and walk in my first race, he also helped me find my faith in God again, his brother Gary taught me to really look at a sunrise and appreciate the day given to me and when it is dark to take care of me because you can’t change what happened, start fresh tomorrow. Shelly taught me how to keep going, that no matter how hard things are that it will be OK in time. Keep that positive focus. My sister Jo, reminds me how precious life with grandbabies is.  Jim West has shown me that hard work and staying positive, things will happen, they will work out and to appreciate those simple things. My Sisters, Janice, Patricia, Jan, Elaina all give me sense of belonging to a family. My brothers Daniel and Peter also give me that sense of belonging and that big brother security.

Seeing that this post would be special I wanted to share it with all of you who have given me a little gift of something.  I have learned so much from all of you and my life is so much better for knowing you. To my readers and followers of my blogs I THANK YOU for inviting me into your life as I share my life through my writing, I hope that I have been able to leave you with a thought or a smile in that tough time in your life. I turned 50 this year and am determined to make it an amazing year. I hope that you will do the same.

2013 is going to be full of surprises and a lot of fun. Thank you for the hand print you left on my heart.

Defying Gravity Again

   Almost a year ago I wrote a post about one of the songs from the musical “Wicked” called Defying Gravity. I was trying to figure out who I was and where my life was going. Friends were coming and going from my life and I just wasn’t sure what was going on. So much self-doubt and lack of confidence, I honestly never thought I would get through that period in my life. Lots has changed in the almost year, friends have passed away, some have come and gone for that short time, others have just gone and I am not sure why but I guess that is one question that won’t get answered.

I made the decision to return to a project that I had been part of, to the objection of those around me. I KNEW in my heart it would be a mistake but I had to give it one last try. I needed that something, anything to fill a void in my life. I had made the tough decision to put school on hold to work out other life issues. Everything was fine for a while but then things changed and I started getting pulled down, I could see all the negative that was around me and it was actually starting to affect my mental and physical health. I just had to cut my loses or things would get really bad. So, I did just that. ran as fast as I could and slammed that door behind me.

I just couldn’t understand what I had done to deserve what had happened. I poured my heart and soul out, giving everything I had till exhaustion set in but once again it never seemed like enough. It created that doubt of “Am I really good enough?” I honestly think we all ask ourselves that one time or another. At times I feel like I am just missing the self belief that I really am good enough. It’s the case of looking through others eyes at myself to see that “Hey, I really am ok, pretty cool actually.”

Defying Gravity  is taking that step outside your comfort zone and NOT letting anyone stop you. For a long time now,  I have been so scared to take that step and fly. For some reason I have always been afraid of what people might think. I have always considered myself the so-called “Ugly Duck” Not really been comfortable in my skin. I turned 50 this year and I am bound and determined to make it the best year ever. I am starting to see that I have the confidence to make those steps outside the box and try new things. I put my studies on hold to raise my family and now that they are grown,  all I want to do is write, be a published writer, to read everything I can and talk to other published writers about the process they went though. I never dreamed that when I started this blog how much my life would change for the better. I am now a published writer. I started blogging about my alma mater The Ohio State University. Just writing each week about my thoughts and things I saw about the football game and other things buckeye related. My Ohio State work now appears on two other web sites beside here in this blog. I have TWO other blogs that are doing well, one with my crafting and the other is spending a season with the Chicago White Sox. Dreams have come true, I am a PUBLISHED writer.

I am learning to defy gratify some but I also know I can do better. Fly farther, even if its solo. Keeping this and my other two blogs going I am doing just that.I don’t know how  many people know about this as of yet but I hope that people will be able to find something that they can take away. the best gift I can give is to teach to those what I learn, keeping the memories of those alive who have gone ahead to the next life. Even learning something from those we never met in person but who have touched our lives in one way or another

The biggest thing we need to remember is that we  can’t let those people who we are most afraid of to pull us down. Follow those dreams. As it says in the song “Defying Gratify”. ” I may be flying solo but at least I will be flying free, and to those people who ground me, take a message back from me”:

I AM DEFYING GRAVITY

 

 

 

 

Buckeye Notes

Spring Game this Saturday in Cincinnati at the Paul Brown Stadium, at 1:00 p.m Ohio time. Just won’t be the same this year with the shoe being worked on. Will be interesting to see what Coach Meyer and the staff have in store. PLEASE tweet and share pics, we fan in Australia do not have access most likely to the game. Will not see the boys again until the first game on August 31 against the Buffalo Bulls in Columbus. We are only on the road one time during the preseason  and that is to Berkeley on September 14th to face the California golden Bears.

With the final of the NCAA Tournament close I have seen a few pools and questions being ask if Ohio State fans would be supporting TTUN playing against Louisville in the final. If you have not discovered by now I am a diehard  born and bred BUCKEYE. My heart and soul is Scarlet and Grey. So PLEASE stop asking who I might support because you should know my answer, I support Ohio State and anyone who plays against TTUN. Enough said!

One more thing before I go, I got a tweet that basically ask the question”How tough is your school mascot?” Well, let me tell you at Ohio state we raise them to be one bloody tough NUT, Brutus Buckeye during Student Appreciation Day decided he wanted to play quarterback during the practice game. Well, what happened next certain proved that we Buckeyes take anything you throw at us and we get up and walk away…..Here’s the proof

NOW — can YOUR mascot take a hit and walk away like nothing happened?

Hey Coach Meyer, can he play or what….

See you guys soon

Cricket

 

 

The Balcony Is Now CLOSED

The ugly Cancer of the world has claimed another life. 

 

Roger Joseph Ebert lost his fight with the disease some time last night in the USA, I was blogging the Chicago White Sox against Kansas City Royals game early this morning when the news came across my Facebook feed. I immediately went to my Twitter feed to double-check the news. It had just been shared with the world that Roger was in another fight just a few days ago.

I discovered Roger and his mate Gene Siskel on our local PBS channel with a show called “At the Movies“. They were so good together and really knew  their stuff. I would giggle at times when one would love the movie and the other hate it, they were never afraid to let the other know how they felt. It was a rare case that they would agree on something. I did my best to never miss a show and especially when there was a movie I wanted to see and was not sure about. I never really trusted reviewers until I found Gene and Roger. Couldn’t understand how they would know that I would like it or not. Well, I decided to really listen to what they had to say and check it out, boy was I surprised. At the end of the show they would always recommend a coming movie, which was usually spot on.

Roger wrote for the Chicago Sun Times for as long as I could remember. I never knew he won a Pulitzer Prize and was the only film critic to have his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Mr. Ebert suffered complications from surgery do to thyroid cancer which left him unable to speak in mid 2006. He continued his writing until losing his fight.

I had to find a little classic on YouTube of  Roger and Gene together doing what they do best:

The balcony was changed forever in 1999 when Mr. Siskel passed away. Once again the balcony has changed and going to see a movie will never be the same. I will always look for that empty seat in the cinema and think of Mr. Ebert and wonder what he would think of the movie.

In honor of Gene and Roger there is only one way to close this tribute to them:

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• Rest in Peace: Roger Ebert (1942-2013) (weminoredinfilm.com)

Fitness Wednesday

Once I had my girls I got stuck into life and did not take the time I should have to get healthy and   all. I used food for comfort and cooked how I was taught. I really did not notice the weight I gained and that it was starting to take effect on my life. Having wellness check ups started to show me that I was looking at some serious health issues starting and I had better wake up or I would be in some serious trouble. I was borderline diabetic and on blood pressure medicine, and was dealing with bouts of depression. Dan, my mate in Utah could see signs that I was missing and it took a lot of convincing that I needed to start paying attention or I would be heading for some real health problems. So, with his support and encouragement I got moving, Pj‘s help in the kitchen. I hear a lot of people who at times have trouble losing weight after trying various things, they almost always say that they had a hard time finding someone they could relate to. So here I am, putting myself out here, showing you that you can do this. It will not be an easy road but you can do it, we can do it and I will do all I can to get you motivated to get moving.

Now,  You have the OK from the doctor to get started and now its the next step. You can read everything under the sun about walking, the best shoes, how to change the diet, what tunes to listen to, BUT you have to figure out what works for you, by weeding through heaps of info and everything else. I did a lot of weeding myself and found things that work for me but, I am just giving you ideas, things that I found that work for me. They might need a little rework to help you or they might not work at all and that’s OK. We are all different, living in different parts of the world, love of music, food.

You need a good pair of sneakers that will give you good support as you walk. I also wear a heavy pair of socks. When I did my first 6 kilometer walk I didn’t tie my shoes tight enough and had blisters on my feet and was not able to wear shoes for about a week after. Find a place to walk that is safe, personal safety and where you walk is also safe. I tend to walk the same streets because I know the footpath is good and in a safe area. I use two walk programs to log my workouts and keep me motivated. Endomondo and Runkeeper are the two programs that I use. You can download them from any app store on for Android or Iphone. You can step them up to log your progress and play tunes as you go. The one difference is that on Endomondo is that you can get your friends to send you messages as you walk. You will need to set up an account on Endomondo and do a friends request to send messages.

Ok, we have socks and shoes organized, play with both walk programs and see which one works for you the best. I have both, use one as a back up. Next time I see you lets talk about the good stuff…..FOOD.

So, come on…..its time to get moving. Let’s go for a walk.

Don”t be AFRAID to just say it

I have learned the hard way that when you miss the chance to say something to those you love, those you are close to that you had better take it or you wont get another chance. Sure your scared to say things in case you wind up looking like a fool, who of us have not had that thought, your pride gets in the way. What if it’s the one important thing that person needs to hear, what if you realize it could be the last time and you can’t find the courage you need. That can make a total difference in what they are dealing with. It could be the person you need to talk to is critically ill and need to make the most of that final visit. The biggest choice is this….Do you

A)   Say what is needed and make the most of the opportunity

or

B) Let the moment pass you by and live with the regret of NOT being able to say all those things you felt you needed to. Here is why I am asking, how I dealt with the A and B of finding the courage.

I got to see my adopted Dad one more time before he passed away and I knew I had better make the most of that final visit. I got to make sure I told him that I loved him. He told me to tell my girls that He loved them very much. That was on a Monday and by Thursday of that week he had passed away. Mum called to tell us that it was over, it was expected but he was the only Father I had.  My mom was a different story. I wasn’t even in the country when she died. I was a big mess emotionally and I just couldn’t deal with it all. My brother gave me his blessing and told me to go ahead and leave. He knew I wasn’t going to be able to handle things. He was right in the end. Yes, I have those regrets that I never got to hear “I Love You” one more time, but over the years the regrets have lessened. Now that I live in Australia, when I chat with my girls I always make sure to say I LOVE YOU. Now that my grandchildren, Elizabeth and Gabriel are here they will always make sure to know that Nanna Cricket LOVES them very much.

Even now you have to be able to tell those close to you how much they really mean. How much you really appreciated them, that goes for your blood family and those you have adopted.  It seems to keep going back to the A or B choice,  make the most of it or let it pass you by. It’s a moment that you will never get back. OK here is another thought for you ….Why do we let pride get in the way? We can’t swallow it for just a few minutes of showing that we are really human. What’s wrong with being human? We all have feelings and need to know that we are loved, trusted and have mates we can count on. When things start getting tough we need to know that someone has our back.

OK, so here goes, I am going to take the step that I hope all of you can find the courage to do.  I’m swallowing my pride and going to be human…….

To those close friends and family, you mean the world to me. I have been able to make it through many issues with your love and support. You encourage me when I am down, are there to share the good times and support me when I am struggling. Thank you for making me laugh, drying my tears and even crying with me. Thank you for the virtual hugs. You have made my life better just by knowing you. You give me the courage to step out side of my comfort zone and that it is not as scary as it really seems.

So here’s the question……Have you got the courage to stand up and be HUMAN?

Fitness Wednesday

   A high school mate of mine ask me one day what I did to get motivated and get walking. To get the weight off I have and she was full of questions and ask for my ideas and all. She said that she had tried many things but nothing was working, she was having a hard time relating to what was on offer. She ask me if I would write a blog or a series of blogs to help her get motivated to get up and move. So kids here is what she ask of me, I hope that if it helps just one person get up off the couch and get moving, it will be great. I will break it all down so you’re not overwhelmed with the info.

Hugs, Cricket

 

A couple of years ago I had a mate in Utah encourage me to get out and start walking. I had no clue what I was doing but I knew I needed to get out and get moving. Dan had been competing in half marathons and race walking for several years, I started watching him on Run keeper and thought “Well, gee if he can then why can’t I?”

PLEASE, understand something, I am sharing what I DID, the process that I have gone through. Everyone is different and something will work and some won’t. I understand that everyone is different but please do not be afraid to try things to find what works for you.

So, I knew the first thing I needed to do was get an OK from the family doctor. I got that at the next wellness check that I had with her. Next was to get a correct weight and check blood pressure. I was also border line diabetic, so I picked up a monitor unit. I can not stress this enough, develop a plan with your doctor, talk about the issues and make sure you both are on the same page.

OK, time to talk about goals and what you want to accomplish in all this. Getting fit was my number one goal but I am still a long way off. Time to take some baby steps in setting those small goals that are achievable but also long-term goals. I wanted to get under 100 kilos, to manage my diet better and I wanted to compete in the Adelaide City to Bay. All goals that I could eventually tick off my list, but I also needed determination and hard work, lots of hard work. It’s a life change, that is the most difficult thing in all of this I think. Making that choice to change your life, yea, I did that when I moved to Australia but this is along those lines. Your making a decision to change how you eat, how you cook, watching what you eat. Once I made that choice it was time to get those goals in some kind of organized order.

Pj was a big help in the kitchen, teaching me how to cook and make my food more healthy. Pj has taught me new ways to cook things, steaming and slow cooking so that they have less fat, more flavor and have a good taste. I knew I had to cut down on how much soda I drank, junk food and sweets I was eating. I have cut out a lot of pasta and I try to watch how much regular bread I eat. I try to have more whole grain bread, steam my veggies and even try something new.

I don’t want to overload you with all the information. For the next few Wednesdays I will chat with you about some of the different things I faced, what I did to get over that hurdle, what worked for me and what did not. So, come on….

Let’s go for a walk

 

Buckeye Thoughts: Football and Basketball

I am kind of stuck at the moment with waiting and watching. Watching and cheering on the OSU Basketball team heading to the Sweet Sixteen in the big dance, better known as the NCAA Basketball Championships. Being in Australia I have to rely on my Twitter feed and Facebook for keeping updated. From what I have seen the boys are playing well, taking it a game at a time which is what they need to do. The Boys seeded number two in the West division, first game was against Iona, beating them 95 – 70. Its been awhile since they came close to scoring 100 points in the post season. Number 10 seed Iowa State won their game against Notre Dame, which moved them on to face OSU and in a close game the Bucks hung on in a close game 78 to 75. Our next game will be against Arizona on March 29th. Fingers crossed and wishing the boys luck.

 

The football team is working hard and in pads already. Blowing out the cobwebs and getting ready for the spring game. I did see an interview with Coach Meyer that he was OK with how the practice had gone but could see there were some issues that needed addressed. Routines and discipline needing to be established again.  Heading towards April 13 and the Spring Game, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For those of you new to my blog, I am a born and bred Buckeye raised during the Woody Hayes years. The things I learned most from Coach Hayes was tradition and pride. It took a few years to really grasp how someone I admired, who I never got to meet in person could teach so much. If you look up on YouTube you can find some of his pregame speeches. It felt like it was talking directly to you, making you feel proud of who you were and even though you were facing this task at hand that you could do it and you had 90,000 people at your back.

When Coach Hayes passed away, it felt like the whole state stopped breathing. The great man was no longer with us, and it left a hole that would never be filled. When they announced that the shoe would be open and you could go on the field to pay your respects, it was something I just could not pass up. It is something that I will never forget, I was part of something special that night and I will never forget it.

I am so proud to be from Ohio by birth and Buckeye by the grace of God. I understand, pride and tradition and even though I live in Australia but heart is always in Ohio and with the men and women who wear the scarlet and grey each time they take the field.

Sending lots of love and luck to the boys in the big dance. You are just amazing, we Buckeye Fans over seas are cheering you on.