George Ezra-Live in Studio C

Sporting Some Cheap Sunglasses with George Ezra

My twin sister and I won free tickets to hear 'George Ezra' in 'Studio C' in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. As music lovers, we try to sign up for as many 'Studio C' performances as possible. We've heard some pretty incredible acts over the years, but George was not only extremely talented, he was genuinely refreshing. Guitar in hand and answering a swath of questions from a Cities- 97 DJ, he came off like the boy next door. Down to earth and making jokes with the studio audience, made it feel like we were sitting at a buddy's house- shooting the breeze and listening to him jam. Add to this; he's a handsome blond with an English accent which makes him exceptionally appealing and charming.

'George Ezra', (blues-folk-rock singer) not to be confused with 'Better Than Ezra' (alternative rock band) was born June 7, 1993 in Hertford, England. His singing career began in 2013 and recently sky rocketed after the release of his hit single, 'Budapest'. This hit song was one of two he played live in Studio C. It was also one of the songs he sang recently on Saturday Night Live. His soulful voice catches you off guard a bit. You swear your hearing someone twice his age with his bluesy style of music.

Were all going to hear a lot more from this talented, young singer/songwriter. He's on his way to great success in the music world. He's been compared to other new and upcoming artist's like; British singer, Sam Smith-Australian singer, Vance Joy-Irish singer, Hozier, and others making names for themselves.

George Ezra- live in Studio C

Link: George's biggest t.v. appearance to date in U.S. 
Saturday Night Live http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/george-ezra-budapest/2855727

Bumbles Bounce

I was heading out the door with my two dogs for our daily walk. It was a chilly March day so I decided to layer two fleece coats. I put a head band around my neck area and one around my ears. I walked out the front door with my dogs in tow. The deck was a little slippery with a slushy type of snow. As I neared the end of the deck, I slid on the slush and lost my balance.. It was one of those moments where time stood still. While I was flying through the air, I thought, "don't break your neck or smash your melon." I pulled my head forward and used my right arm and shoulder to break the fall. I landed in front of our garage, which is concrete. Thankfully, there was a thin coating of slushy snow where I fell. I'm not what you'd call a 'small woman'-and you know the saying, "the bigger they are, the harder they fall." I managed to get myself up and limped into the house.

Once in the house, I headed straight to the medicine cabinet and downed a couple Advil's. I sat on my recliner and did some self-assessment. After ruminating about all the terrible things that could come with a hard fall, I decided to call the nurse line and see if they thought I should get checked out. The nurse listened to my story and told me to go straight to E.R.

I felt bad having to call my twin sister at work, but the nurse advised me not to drive. I guess it made a lot of sense. At this point I could barely turn my neck left or right, and there was a chance I may have suffered a concussion. I was grateful to reach my sister right away. I told her what happened and asked if she could bring me to the emergency room. I was really lucky she was able to juggle her schedule around to help me out.

The new ER clinic in town is state of the art. I was greeted by a woman holding a notebook computer. She took down all the needed information and I was immediately brought back to a room. The doctor listened to my story and then did a bunch of muscle tests. The prognosis: "a sprained spine." In layman's terms, it basically means I had a bad fall. She suggested I make an appointment for a massage and sent me home with a prescription for a muscle relaxer.

My sister eagerly greeted me as I made my way into the lobby. "are you gonna be alright?" she asked. "No worries" I said. "I'll be a little sore for awhile, but thank Goodness Bumbles Bounce"

A Cancer Survivor's Great News

I finally mustered up the courage to make a cat scan appointment I'd been putting off way too long. I made a vow to start out the new year, 'worry free'.  I pulled up my big girl pants and begrudgingly dialed my oncologist.

Why the procrastination you ask? As a cancer survivor, you always worry the cancer is going to return. I don't care how optimistic and hopeful you are. Worry is part of the 'new normal' of life. It doesn't matter how good I look or feel, that little voice inside my head has a negative attitude. Truth be told, every time I have to face results of a scan, I'm scared to death. I think other cancer survivor's can understand me when I say, facing results is horrifying. Most people don't have to think about their mortality the same way a cancer survivor does. Top off the fear factor with a worrisome scan, and your adding fuel to the 'already' blazing fire.

Last year was one of those scary scans that brought me to my knee's. The scan revealed two small spots on my right lung. (The same lung that had cancer removed in 2004). I've had worrisome scans before, but for some reason I couldn't shake the feeling the cancer had returned.

Sweat beads multiply on my forehead as I Sit--Waiting--for the Reaper. She comes in and asks, "what are you so worried about? your scan is beautiful." "Not only are the two spots gone, she says with a smirk, you've graduated to yearly scans for maintenance."

I left her office- Thursday, January 29, 2015-nearly skipping-head held high. On this day- the negative voices in my head are silenced as I strut down the hallway of the hospital.