Biz-Biz-Bizy!

M.I.A.

OK T GRANNY!! I've Been Busy!

I have been so F'n busy I can't even begin to explain and I am so tired.

After the Houston audition for AGT I wasn't feeling so confident. I was feeling great until the girl ahead of me belted out a tune that rocked. When I stood in front of the producers I began to sing and on the second verse sang the wrong words. A pro would have kept going...but...I stop very matter of fact said, "Nope that's not right." I turned to the girl that just sang and said, "You are really good. You intimidated the hell out of me." The producers said I could start again and I rocked it the second time. BUT...this is a live show and I can't imagine them picking someone who had to start over again in an audition. That's the kiss of death.

A tweet went out to everyone who auditioned in Houston last week letting us know anyone going on to the next round will be called by this Friday. Confidently, I'm not expecting a call...but it was fun. I really wanted to find an avenue to further educate and inspire others about tongue cancer. I have a few other options, but I need to raise some money to make them happen.

A few weeks later...I had to go back to Michigan because my mom's home sold. I had to hold an Estate sale and clear out the house in 10 DAYS! I have not had access to the Internet since all the services are shut off.  I could only get online using dial-up and was unable to post.

When I arrived in Michigan it had just snowed and I had to shovel snow for the first time in over 30 years! Now I know why I left Michigan and moved to California! OMG it was so cold. I thought I was doomed, but the day of the sale the heavens opened up, the sun came out, and spring arrived just for the weekend. All the snow melted and it was beautiful!

In just three days we sold EVERYTHING! People were buying 1/2 bottles of windshield washer fluid, jars of nails, scrap wood and metal...it was crazy. The postman came by to tell us that they were so flooded with phone calls asking where Field Street was, they could not get their work done. People were circling blocks looking for parking! No less than 40-50 people were at the house at any one time.

We had 3 sales people and 2 security/movers to help. I tried helping to move some furniture but ended up smashing my knee against the bricks of the fireplace hearth and quickly learned I might feel strong, but I've never regained all my strength back since my surgery.

Apparently we were the first sale of the year, it was the first nice day of the year and people wanted out of the house. Plus, Michigan is so depressed right now that an estate sale was a big deal to find great bargains and my mom had some great stuff. Added to that we were apparently competing with people coming out to watch the ice floe!! WHAT?

My mother's home was off the Saint Clair River which is a shipping lane shared by the US and Canada. So, in the spring when the ice begins to flow you see large glacieristic chunks of ice flowing rapidly and colliding to form interesting shapes. To be honest, I didn't realize it was so popular, but because it was such a beautiful day and the ice was flowing and the park was just down the road where people watched...we were swamped at the estate sale from the residual gawkers! GO HOOTERVILLE ...my pet name for mom's little town.



Who knew ice could be so interesting? The only time I care that much about ice is when I make frozen Margaritas!

In 3 days every bottle, nail, and mouse dropping was sold! Yes we had mice at the sale too! A week later I packed up the memories and hit the road taking my time to travel. Now this was not the smartest thing to do alone after busting my ass, but I managed.

I was able to stop and see friends along the way and even take in a play at their local Barter Theater founded in 1933. It got it's name because people bartered with produce to gain admission. It proclaimed, "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh." Four out of five Depression-era theatregoers paid their way with vegetables, dairy products and livestock.

The Barter Theater

Think of it this way, they traded ham for Hamlet. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds. Many famous actors played there: Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Hume Cronyn, Ned Beatty, Gary Collins, David Birney, and Larry Linville. WHO'S LARRY LINVILLE? Anyway...the play was very entertaining and enjoying it with old friends, even better.

The Barter Theater Cook

After I got back to the house, I slept for three days before attempting to empty the van. My leg I bumped on the fireplace began to swell and I noticed some redness. It had become infected and after a few days the whole left side of my face was also swollen. This was the area that received the most radiation. I have had this facial infection on 3 other occasions. Swiftly to the hospital to find some leg hair had infected my shin where I bumped it on the fireplace and a 3 inch hair was also pulled from my cheek/lip area that must have be growing under the scar damaged tissue after surgery, but never surfaced. I guess the leg infection must have triggered the face due to low resistance or something.

WELL...after a few days of recovery I thought I would head outside and do a bit of gardening. After working in a beautiful sunlit garden and feeling really good, I got stung by a wasp on the top side of my right hand which quickly blew up like a red balloon! I CAN'T WIN! A quick fix of Benadryl and a few hours later...all better. By now I'm a walking pharmacy! WHAT'S NEXT???

Another week in bed (maybe two) and I should be ready for my next adventure!

Thank you all for the emails and bitchy comments. I love you all for caring!

Now I lay me down to sleep...
Peace B