Honest as an S.B.
Describing a blog is like reviewing a book that hasn't been written. My blog is about women, kids, men, weight, hopes, family, loss, arts, love and getting smarter from the hard times. I like blogs because you won't see my bad handwriting.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
LOSIN’ IT by Susan (Vags) Murphy
When times have been their toughest I resort to my 'mom instincts' and I try to take care of everyone but myself. I come from a long line of 'me-last' people. Then comes my epiphany. I have two sons who need me. I don't think it would be very fair to them to remain this big and be gone from their lives earlier than is necessary. So I have decided to take better care of me.
This decision does not come easily to me.
I have not even looked in a full-length mirror for about 5 years now. Still, I know I am under here somewhere so I bite the bullet and re-enlist in WW. To tell you the truth is wasn't the Points Program or even the meeting weigh-ins that held me back. It was spending the monthly fee. Spending monthly money on myself seems very extravagant.
I am sharing this with you because the say if you write things down you are more likely to achieve your goals. I may crash and burn but that's the risk you take. Doing nothing seems even riskier. In the first 3 weeks I have lost a little over 9 lbs. Spit in the ocean, but a start.
I feel as if I am among friends so I hope you will all lend me a little encouragement along the way. If you live in the Twin Cities stop by and go for a walk with me, come bowling with the boys and me, or challenge me to a mad game of badmitton.
Here's to seeing less of me in the future.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
This Is American I-Dull! -by Susan Vagnoni Murphy
My boys and I watched the next 3 seasons and I am ashamed to say I was a bit slow on the uptake. A pattern began to emerge. The best singers did not win. The gutsiest performances were not rewarded. America sucked as voters. What's new about that, Bush got in twice, didn't he?
Like lemmings we followed the show for a few years, voting and getting disappointed. We finally threw in the towel when Adam Lambert lost to the insipid Chris Allen. I can't even go there.
Now I find I am always bored with A.I. once they are past the audition weeks where at least you can see some inspired freaks put on a good show. No I am not talking about the judges panel (Paula Abdul where are you!). In fact, Steven Tyler is the best thing on the show this year.
During the current season, like a rubbernecker at a traffic accident-I simply click on A.I. for a few moments to see who has promise and therefore will not win. I am not disappointed. I spotted James Durbin as interesting and different. I knew that would kill any chances he had. It did.
So why does this show not work? Why do the best singers get voted off? My theory is that people are voting for some ideal person who does not exist. They vote for what they can understand at the simplest level. This is the only thing that explains Scotty McCreary still being in the running. Everything he sings sounds the same. He waves the flag; he spouts home and family and proclaims his fear of any contact with Lady GaGa. Family values absconded by right wing conservatism. How's that been working out for Arnold Schwarzenegger lately?
After having been involved in the arts most of my life I want to shout "If you strive to be a cookie-cutter person made out of cream cheese you might want to look for other employment!" Artistic pursuit is not about sameness, fitting in or even perfection in many cases. The arts -music, visual, theatrical- celebrate uniqueness and embrace a different point of view. Being true to yourself should not cause the fear it does in America today.
So I bid A.I. a long-coming farewell. I think I'll see what's on The Voice this week.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Growing Pains
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Put through the cheese grater
Go Packers!
You will either cheer or jeer that first statement but it doesn' t matter to me. I have bled green and gold since birth. My father and mother raised two children for which they wished a three simple things: health, happiness and devotion to the Green Bay Packers. Often, the second thing was dependent upon how well the thirst thing was doing. Needless to say, their daughter is very, very happy this year.
What is so sweet about this year's trek to the Super Bowl is seeing Aaron Rogers shine. Brett (boom-boom) Favre did his best to not help Aaron learn anything from him when they were teammates in Green Bay. It sure hasn't kept Aaron down.
I think it is a case of character. They both have a lot of talent. Brett (boom-boom) Favre has accomplished amazing things. However, his ego has taken up so much room on the field there is no room for the rest of his team.
I was touched when I learned recently that Aaron Rogers took a bunch of less privileged kids out to bowl and to eat and even convinced some of his Packer teammates to come along. He did it with his own money and without the press or the hype. That is class.
Whatever happens on February 6th (and you all know what I hope will happen) I am proud of my team. But guess what, I am always proud of my team.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I HATE CANCER.
I spent my evening driving to a sweet little town called Osseo, Minnesota to attend the final viewing of the mother of a very dear friend of mine. She died from cancer this past Sunday. She was a beautiful person.
I really hate cancer. It is sneaky and it is persistent and unpredictably predictable. It scares us and it takes away the people we love. We at the funeral home spent tonight, not acknowledging the death cancer brought to this dear family, but honoring the life of the woman it claimed. Cancer cannot take that away. It cannot defeat the precious memories this mother of two created, nor can it eradicate the deep feelings in the many, many hearts she touched. That will always be our victory over cancer.
However, cancer's nasty way of stealing precious lives from this earth does leave behind one thing. It leaves behind the family and friends who are hurting from the loss. It is hard to witness people we love experiencing such sadness. It is this part of cancer that may, in some ways, be most cruel.
I try to understand why things like this happen. I am a religious woman so I pray about it, but I am not so deep that I can puzzle this out to anyone's satisfaction. I will say that this is the sharpest reminder to say the kind word, hold the empty hand, mend the past wrongs and just be there for those around us. Life is too damn short.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Ta Ta 2010
First things first, I am grateful t be around for a new year. I am always aware that life is fragile since losing my brother in 2007 and almost losing my son Alex that same year. Many people I love have passed away and it is not lost on me that I have been blessed to spend another Christmas with my Mom and Dad.
My boys and I enter this new year healthy, with a roof over our heads and income to feed and take care of ourselves. In these days that is a lot to be thankful for.
We are strong now and many of our dear friends are facing hard times and life changing events. To them I say, lean on me. You were there for some of the hardest years of my life. I am so ready to be there for you. What do you need?
I do have some resolution-type things to work on. Chilling out more with the kids. Lightening up. I have had so many rough years I tend to look over my shoulder a lot. It keeps you on edge . I will try to soften that edge this year.
Also, as frivolous as it seems - taking more time to have some fun. Finding things to smile about and getting involved in theater again. Boy do I miss it.
I also need to get healthier. I am not talking about the diet till you puke plan. I am just saying I need to increase the healthy foods and activities. I started this in the latter part of 2010. I alrrady fell better. I have to keep it going.
Finally, let people know how much appreciate them. We all take too much for granted. I don't want to be that person. My inner monologue needs to match the words I say to others. I have a good life. Those around me make it that way. I want you all to know that.
So that's it for 2010. I am spending the evening with my boys and my cousin and her daughter swimming and staying overnight at a hotel. We are grateful to have this time together. For those I cannot be with tonight. Have a good and positive New Year. I'll see you soon. Promise!