Happy Birthday to my friend Kim!

It's Kim's birthday! I love what Stephanie says-- "That's so Maven!" (she is the Maven of Mischief, after all...) And Oh, the Mischief. I honestly don't know what I'd do without the magic of my Kim in my life. Unfortunately because of schedules and overall life, I don't get to see her nearly enough--but a good dose of Kim is definitely what's needed more often than not. For her birthday I thought I'd give you a nice photo album tour of my silly friend...

This may be my all-time favorite shot. It brings back an evening where I laughed so hard I thought I would pass out! The story is a bit long to re-live here but let's just say it involved a tuft of hair that Stephanie pulled surprisingly from her head after a bout with a power tool. (again, long story!) We had just finished a Feminine Hijinx episode and were already giggly...this just put us over the edge. This wad of hair ended up everywhere...and I mean EVERYWHERE. Good times my friends, good times.

Speaking of the podcast, starting that thing up eventually led to Kim and I's stint on FM107's Undiscovered Divas contest. Alas, we didn't win...but we did make it to the finals and had a one hour live show. It was both scary and exciting. Alas again, there could be only 2 of us on the show so one of the Hijinx Minxes had to stay home...both Kim and Stephanie were arguing over who WOULDN'T have to do it with me! Kim ended up being the more willing one, so there she was. She did an awesome job and I dare say we had a blast. It's fun to say we did it, anyway!

Ahh, the Which Witch party. Kim had remembered me mentioning how much I used to love this game as a kid and how excited I was when I finally remembered what it was called! She surprised me with the game that she had found on ebay for my 40th birthday. She and Stephanie had quite the ruse going, making me believe we were heading out for a night on the town and instead ended up at Kim's for a game night. Woo hoo! Yummy comfort/game food prepared by Steph, decorations, and two not-so-willing but very generous friends playing not one but two games with me. Now THAT'S friendship.

And this is what happens after a night of games and drink and Kim. Come to think of it, this was another bit of hair that ended up EVERYWHERE. huh.

After an afternoon or evening tipping back a few beers or glasses of wine, you can expect Kim to start up on her dirty dancing. No one puts this Baby in the corner!!

I will leave you with this image of Kim and I walking the streets of New York City (the most fabulous and memorable trip with she and Stephanie!) with our hands on each other's tushies. Just some more of the Maven's mischief--there is never a dull moment when she's around!

So Happy, Happy Birthday to Kim! May the Mischief be with you!!!

Dream a Little Dream

I'm doin' my homework. Homework, you ask? As a (Metal) Mommy, does that mean studying food nutrition? Parenting manuals? The long-term effects of tooth decay if your kids don't floss daily? Nope. None of the above. (although, the last one I may pay more attention to, now that I think about it....!) I am listening to Andrew Zimmern's talk show on the radio.

Remember a while ago how I mentioned that a dream of mine was to be on FM107 talk radio? Well, ladies and germs, I am proof that dreams can come true. I hesitate to even mention this at this premature point since my actual date and time hasn't been confirmed yet--but hey, I've already gone ahead and threw it out to the universe (or to the blog world which I'm thinking is the same thing) that I even WANTED to be on the radio and it looks like it's happening, so what the hey! I'm gonna be a glass-half-full-er and I'm just going to bank on it coming through.

Not only am I getting on the radio, my friends, but I am going to be on the one-and-only Andrew Zimmern show, which started yesterday (Monday, June 4th) and will be on Monday through Friday from 1-3 on said FM107.1. As I said we're still working out the details as to when and where, and even exactly what my role will be, but it looks like my contribution is going to have something to do with--*gasp!*-- being the 'Modern Mom', or maybe dare I say, the Metal Mommy? We shall see. At this point I believe I will be calling in to chat with Andrew for anywhere from 7-10 minutes every couple of weeks, but again, to be determined. As you can imagine, I am very excited. What an honor it will be to be a part of Andrew's daily conversation! Andrew and I have been having our own conversations back and forth about it all and as soon as I know the details you will know the details.

So keep on dreaming everyone! Blog about it! Put it out there with all your heart and soul and you may be surprised. I think it really does help...well, that and having support from friends and family, and of course having connections...;-) When it comes right down to it, it's often who you know. But you aren't getting anywhere if you keep that dream to yourself. A little pep talk from The Suz.

My Field of Dreams

Question for you...have you given much thought to your 'Field of Dreams' lately? No, not the corn field that you could turn into a ball field in your back yard...the Field of Dreams is the title I've given to my list of things I'd most like to do in my life. For me it's been number one on my mind recently, an obsession if you will. (me? Obsess???) For whatever reason--40, the on-coming spring (which of course means new beginnings), my son soon to be in all-day school--I feel like I must be having a mid-life crisis or something, just craving something I can call my own. Oh, of course I love being an at-home Mom and wouldn't have it any other way--but, it's time. And of course I only want the perfect job...one that is creative, not stagnant, challenges me, and not 9-5. (I do want to be home when my kids get home from school.) Is that too much to ask? I've often heard when you are trying to 'figure out who you are', you should write down anything that comes to your mind, no matter how crazy or impossible it seems. So here is my list:

1) My ultimate number one job would be to have my own View-like talk show. It wouldn't have to be national, I'd settle for something local only. :-) I can't imagine anything more fun than getting paid to hang with some cool women (and of course it would be women that I choose!!), chat with interesting guests, report on the goings-ons of celebrities and things around the world/my city. I love the hustle bustle and ultimate primping that goes along with show business.

2) In this vein I would like to take my talk to the radio. Ever since I started Feminine Hijinx I've had the broadcasting bug...and getting into the final 10 of fm107's Undiscovered Divas and doing a one hour live spot made it so close...but yet, since Kim and I didn't win the grand prize, so far. For a while I was pretty bummed about that and not feeling very inspired, but recently I've decided I'm not going to give up that easily!

3) I'd love to write a column for a magazine or web site, or a blog for that matter. I don't care what it's about, just let me write! As you can probably tell, I LOVE to write. Getting paid to ramble on and on would just be so cool, woudn't it???

4) I've written a children's book called "Sugar and Spice" that maybe someday I'll get off my keester and work a little harder on getting published. That is such a daunting task for me. Like most creative people I'm sure, creating is the easy part--it's the marketing and homework-doing that's required to actually make something happen with it that is so difficult. I started an audio recording of it that I thought I'd use to release myself and maybe shop around to publishers, but that soon got over-shadowed by Warbride. Now that Warbride seems on hold indefinitely, I need to get back to that.

So much to think about, so little time! But it's fun to dream, isn't it? For me it's all about taking that big step back into the work-world after so much time off with my kids, knowing that the world really is my oyster, and where do I begin? Maybe for you you are already working/doing something that you enjoy but would like to explore more. With my new-found 40 metal attitude, I've decided I don't want to just dream anymore and I want to take steps to coming as close to my dreams as possible. Who knows what will happen, but it sure is fun and satisfying to be trying. I have to give a big thanks to my new friend Donna who has given me such a (loving!) kick-in-the butt. I'm telling you, an inspiring friend can go a long, long way. I am so lucky to have inspiring and supportive friends and family in my life. A cheering section on the sidelines of your field really can keep you motivated!

G-d, I sound like a Life Coach or something. (which is actually something ELSE I've thrown around in my head!!!) But this is what has been on my mind lately, and lucky you faithful and curious readers have to be privy. Now go out there and till your field!