Month: July 2013

And I still haven’t met Mark Lowry

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Mark's newest CD, Unforgettable Classics is amazingly wonderful.
Mark’s newest CD, Unforgettable Classics is amazingly wonderful. I picked up my copy at the Gaither Homecoming concert in Tulsa on Saturday.  I think it’s fantastic. Click on the photo if you want more information.

Whelp, I’m three for three you guys.

I have had three chances to meet Mr. Lowry in the past five years and I struck out every time. — I don’t mean that nearly as stalkerish as that sounds, I promise. I’m just a fan and would simply like to meet him and thank him for his music and comedy.

My first chance to meet him was about five years ago when he came to Tulsa and I was so busy “evangelizing” one of the volunteers that I missed the meet and greet.

Okay, maybe evangelizing is the wrong word choice. How can I put this? One of the ushers gave me a flier for a senior citizen trip to Branson with Mark and refused to give the same flier to my husband because and I quote “This trip is for senior citizens only and you don’t look like one.”

Bless his heart. That man (the usher) must have been born stupid, is all I can think.

I WAS 43 YEARS OLD!

Strike one.

Mark scheduled another concert in Tulsa for January of this year (first time he’s been back without the Gaithers I believe) and I purchased tickets for all of my friends and various church staff as Christmas gifts.  Well, Mark fell and broke his leg and the concert was rescheduled for May. That would have been fine except that by May, I forgot about the concert and went to the lake to work on my homework and music instead. My friends, however all had a wonderful time. Some of them even got to meet him. Figures.

Strike two.

I made a last minute decision to go the The Gaither Homecoming this year and found a seat on the floor, 8th row, stage left, aisle. I was THIS close to the stage. I could see everything and it was wonderful.

I absolutely love the Gaithers. Their music plays a huge role in my spiritual walk. Every song they’ve written has taught me something new about God. I love that. This year, I heard The Martins for the first time — SNAP they are amazing. The Hoppers were great as always and GVB? Oh my word — well, words fail me. I love the Gaither Vocal Band, have for years. Angela Primm had me on me feet — Mercy that woman has energy and what a voice!  Michael English made me cry, so there is that. I forgot the rule, don’t bother wearing mascara to a Gaither concert because sooner or later, you’re going to cry.

All in all it was a wonderful night. And I still didn’t get to meet Mark. Oh well. One of these days perhaps.

And that would be strike three.

I couldn’t get passed the seniors. I’m not kidding. Even though I sat in the 8th row, I’m fairly certain if I tried to meet anyone, those ladies would have been willing to throw down.  I still can’t wrap my brain around  watching senior citizens crowd the gate by the stage after the show just to touch or meet Mr Gaither.

Even funnier, when I got outside there was a crowd of SENIORS around the tour busses. Now they are either the oldest groupies I’ve ever seen or they forgot what bus they arrived in.

I did at least purchase Mr. Lowry’s new CD, Unforgettable Classics and listened to it on the drive home. It’s a wonderful CD. He has the perfect voice for some of my favorite classic songs. Songs like Smile, It had to be you, and The very thought of you just to name a few. I’m a hopeless romantic. I love the old classics.  Click on the photo see his web page and take a listen. You will not be disappointed.

Edited to add: I did finally meet Mr. Lowry. This story went viral and a theater in Ada invited me to a show in order to meet him. I was a tad embarrassed by the circumstance and afraid that after reading this story, he’d think I was a stalker which I’m not. I was rendered speechless (bug eyed and blushing) Somehow trying to explain “It’s okay, I’m not a stalker, I’m a comic too.” did not sound sane to me. 

FCC Disclaimer: As always no goods or services have been received in exchange for this endorsement. I’m only passing on a resource I believe my readers will enjoy. I am not associated with Mark Lowry, or his subsidiaries in any way shape or form.
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Thank you for making this the most shared and most read  story of 2013. You guys are too sweet.

Music Monday: After Midnight, JJ Cale

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I still cannot believe JJ is gone. I had a hard time figuring out which song or video I wanted to post for you guys. I mean the man was a brilliant musician. I thought about posting Mama Don’t and then I came across this. It’s just simply JJ well, him and Leon Russell and I figured what better. The fact that he is playing guitar with a lit cigarette totally cracked me up. Hope you like it.

Three things the bring me joy

DeanaLeave a comment
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1. My dog Rocky
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2. My Banjo
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My horse Azul — who isn’t technically mine, he belongs to a friend of mine and I get to ride him. We rocked that arena this week. I worked for it, and we had a blast.

In other news: I tackled a cowboy this week. Hadn’t seen him in over a year and he surprised me by showing up at the stables. He’s married to my friend Jo and he’s been working out-of-town.

I have more girl in me than I sometimes admit and took off in a dead run the minute I saw him — Good thing he’s a cowboy or he’d have gotten knocked over.

My friends bring me joy as well.

Last week I was tired from being on the road for so long and was dealing with stolen car issues. (My car was found and returned to me in great condition) This week, it’s about peace, time at the lake and things that matter, like friends and family. This has been a great week you guys!

My hope for you for this weekend and the coming weeks is that you get to spend time with things that fill you up.  I also leave you with a question:

When was the last time you were so happy to see someone you took off at a dead run? Or better yet, when was the last time you allowed yourself to be free enough to do that?

My husband is not my soul mate.

DeanaLeave a comment

I LOVE this. I remember the whole “I kissed dating goodbye” era of our youth group days -I was a youth leader back then and I remember thinking, something was amiss- what a smart young woman– I watch too many people get all wrapped up in paralysis afraid to make a decision because it might not be “what God wants.” — Love is a CHOICE. Don’t get wrapped up in who you are going to marry as if that is the be all and end all of existence. LIVE YOUR LIFE.

The Art in Life

It might seem odd that on this, our one-year anniversary, I am beginning a post with the declaration that my husband is not my soul mate. But he isn’t.WegmannWedding161

I wouldn’t want to imagine life without James. I enjoy being with him more than anyone else in this world. I love him more than I ever thought you could love someone, and I miss him whenever I am not with him. I wouldn’t want to married to anyone else other than James, which is good, because I plan on being married to him forever, and he has to let me die first.

But I reject the entire premise of soul mates.

WegmannWedding294Do you remember those awesome Evangelical 90’s/ early 2000’s where Jesus was kind of like our boyfriend and we all kissed dating good-bye because we just knew that God was going to bring us THE ONE and then life…

View original post 1,231 more words

Easy? No. Worth it? Yes!

DeanaLeave a comment

580247_584414024963641_254854110_nSane women do not cut 14 inches off their hair, purchase $600 worth of MAC makeup, pack a car and drive 15 hours in one day for a three-day comedy contest. Especially if they’ve got less than 50 hours of stage time as a stand up comic and one book of jokes under their belt. Fortunately for me, I’ve never been accused of being sane. Something tells me, I’d make Sally Field proud. (Think Punchline)

Upside: I’m so new to the comic stage that I didn’t know enough to be afraid of the headliners from Letterman or the Tonight Show (among other notable comics) who were judging this competition.

Downside: I’m so new to the stage that I freaked out when I saw the wall of light instead of an audience and totally crashed and burned the first night. I did so poorly in fact that one of the judges said “I see you more as an actress than a comic, maybe you should do that instead.” Thank you Simon Cowell. That would have crushed me three years ago. Not today.

The great thing about being a 47-year-old menopausal red-head — tell me I can’t do something and I hunker down, dig my heels deep into the soil and prove you wrong. It’s how I roll. Said judge also sat down with me at lunch after my second set and offered very productive feedback. I made a new friend and I’m thankful.

I also did better the second night and nailed it the third.

Courage gave me a gift I can never repay.

I received lessons and insights into who I am,

opportunities to grow and let go of the past,

and a chance to lay down lies and false perceptions and find truth.

Four other things I learned about myself last week:

1. I’m funny
2. I’m courageous
3. I can learn how to trust again.
4. I’m stinkin’ adorable in short hair.

Are You Sure?

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images-3“Ma’am, are you sure your car was stolen?”

In my brain: (Slaps wrist on forehead) – “What? Oh that’s right, I don’t own a car. I live in the middle of nowhere where our mass transit is so wonderful, I take the train to work.” — Wait… we don’t HAVE a train… Or a Bus.. Or any kind of mass transit,  because I live in the middle of freakin NOWHERE.”

“yes, I’m sure my car was stolen.”

“Are you sure.”

Brain:”NO. I’m not sure. I’m delusional and I always fall down crying in the middle of my driveway while wearing a nighty just so I can meet intelligent men in uniform at 5 am. It’s how I pick up guys.”

“Is it possible it was repossessed?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

Brain: I’m gonna slap you stupid if you say that one more time!

“Yes, officer I am sure.”

“Sir.” –– He’s done talking to me and now wants to address my husband. “How much did you owe on the car?’

“We didn’t owe anything on the car.”

“Are you sure?”

“seriously?”

“Well it could have been repossessed.”

“No it couldn’t. We don’t owe anything on the car.”

“Why not?”

“Because car dealers don’t typically give out ten-year car loans.”

“When did you pay it off?”

“We never paid it off. We paid cash.”

“Are you sure? Nobody pays cash for cars.” — Translating to “you are now on the FBI watch list.” (send in the drones!)

Husband goes inside comes back with title showing we own the car outright.

“Oh, well it appears your car was stolen.”

YOU THINK? Give the man a prize!

You know the economy is bad when you can’t even file a theft report.

You think that’s bad. My insurance company did the same thing. “are you sure your car was stolen? Maybe it was just repossessed.”

SIGH. Here we go again.

 

UPDATE July 17 — my car was reported found at 6:00 pm. We picked it up — yay! It’s a mess, and out of gas and my electronics are all missing. BUT I have my car. The police officer said this is the first time in his career that he found a stolen car that was not damaged. How cool it that?