My a Photo/Video journey of my day

Before you proceed - you have to watch this video... then look at the pictures. You will get the joke... I hope.

Soo.. my friend Laura is soooo crafty... she is showing me her goodies...

This is all of the fabric (and she made a little flower) that she plans to use to create her unborn - Veda Jane's - new crib stuff. (Comforter, the bottom/skirt.. etc.) Very simple, very classic, very Laura.

Today was her 26th birthday - so our office manager, Paige, bought chocolate cupcakes!

The tops were rings - so she has a birthday ring!

THEN - I have to share my new wallet/purse. Big enough to be a clutch, small enough to work as a billfold..

Got it for $4 at TARGET - MARKED DOWN FROM $20!!

Soo.. prepping for my party weekend (birthday coming up.) I bought this hat to wear.

What's in THIS bag will be revealed tomorrow night. It's the dress for the 'Little Red Dress' party my magazine sponsor is throwing tomorrow night!!

:-( He is packed and ready to go.

I found the PERFECT red lipstick. It's name? Ruby Star!

I spent the morning talking to a group of students at Xcell Academy, a Paul Mitchell Partner School - they will be helping us tomorrow for National Wear Red Day.

So... it snowed here. Nope - did not know that was going to happen.. clearly...


The students got a little taste of Zumba (that's my instructor - the one I said was the crazy-energetic Colombian!!)



Now.. how to:




It is now after 6pm - I have to be up at 3am to be ready by 4am to be at Xcell.. (that's where we are going LIVE with CBS 42!) I will be going nonstop from 3am until 8pm.. and unfortunately.. it's the last night with my hubby..

BUT - I believe he is planning on going to the Little Red Dress Party with me tomorrow night!!

Okay.. see you LATE tomorrow...

1, 2, 3 - GO!

It's GO time. There is no turning back. The media tour begins, and my stress level rises.

I actually LOVE this time of year, it's when I get to do what I do best - and that is promote the hell out of something.

It just so happens, what I am promoting is healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, specifically in women. (I think I have a concern in this area.) It's nice when you can do something you enjoy, that will help you and actually pertains to you.

This week is JAMMED pack with items. I have to meet with North Jefferson News tomorrow for a 4 week profile on a local survivor and health information from us. Then Wednesday CBS 42 is sending their morning Meteorologist to get her numbers checked and she plans to go on air and explain what they mean and what she plans to do about it. That morning, we also have a radio interview on a show called "Perspectives" with Don Daily. 30 minutes of jabbering about our events, a survivor will share her story, and we will go into great detail about Go Red For Women.

We tentatively have a live shot on Good Day Alabama this week on Fox 6 to promote the Go Red For Women Connection Event (national casting call) on Saturday. This is where we screen for a national spokesperson. People come out and share their stories (literally like an audition.) It is waaaay cool.  We meet so many people with so many amazing stories. If you will remember last year - it really took an emotional toll on me. To learn more click HERE.

Next week we go straight into a Midday appearance on ABC 33/40 on Tuesday. Followed by a Morning show appearance (in the Studio) with CBS 42 on Wednesday.. not to mention, we have to follow that with a Board Meeting.  Then Friday we have the LIve shot for the entire morning show on CBS 42 from Xcell Academy. I plan to have a cardiologist there to discuss signs and symptoms for women; someone from B Metro Magazine to discuss the Little Red Dress Party and someone from Xcell Academy to discuss the red hair extensions;  a survivor to share her story; and finally my ZUMBA instructor has agreed to come out and share some fitness tips and moves. Go Red For Women and Zumba have teamed up nationally. Should be a fun and quirky show!

THEN - on National Wear Red Day (Friday, February the 4th) we will spend the day at Xcell Academy, a Paul Mitchell Partner School, for their red hair extension event. Basically - you pay $10 and you get a fabulous red hair extension. Here is a pic with me wearing one.

That night we are heading to the Little Red Dress Party at ALoft Hotel. So excited! Our magazine sponsor will be releasing the February issue with our story as the feature and at this party - there will be a red carpet, two red Porshes and Audis parked outside..

A signature red drink, screenings, swag bags, etc. I will obviously take pics of everything going on. It's all very exciting. Did I mention - tiring?

Which is why I FREAKED yesterday when I woke up a little on the sick side.

Oh yeah - I forgot one more event - The Heart Guild is putting on a luncheon at Fleming's on National Wear Red Day. (It's a small gathering of the women - wearing red, fashion show.. etc.)

Gee - how could I forget that one?

Then to top it all off - there is one big thing happening that is ever so slightly heart breaking. Yes my dears, the egyptian flies the coop the very next day - Saturday, Feb. 5th.

I am fairly sad about this. BUT there is some bright news at the end of that tunnel, but I will reveal it in due time.

As you can see - it's time to get moving. Time to get my game face on. Time to figure out how much red is in my wardrobe to get me through the week. LOL

I wanted to share with you two of the survivor's we are profiling. One is named P.J. and she is a mom of two in her 40s. She got pregnant in her late 30s or early 40s (can't remember) and ended up (due to the pregnancy) with postpartum cardio myopathy (I hope I did not butcher the spelling just now.) Basically Heart Failure. She is the third woman who has shared her story (the exact same one) with me since I started this job. Women in their late 30s, early 40s ending up with heart issues after giving birth.

Then there will be a 37 year old who had a heart attack one year ago. She only had one risk factor - high blood pressure. Scary, right? We will be sharing her story in the community also.

Anyway.. I just thought I would share with you a little of what is coming up. It's fun - it's important, and I hope to get through it. Not to mention - the egyptian leaving.

I am afraid on Feb 5th - I might have an emotional breakdown.. for sure. ;-)

Now I must ask you - Who do YOU go red for?

Making it MY MISSION

Did I ever tell you how PASSIONATE I get about certain subjects? If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that if something comes up that just really speaks to me, I immediately jump up on my soap box with a virtual mega-phone and shout it to the world.

Well, I am about to do it again. Bare with me. But don't stop reading. Whatever you do.. do NOT stop reading.

I need to tell you something. You probably already know it, but I need to make sure you  know it - do something about - and spread the info. To be exact - I need you to share this post with 5 other people. I am not kidding.

Do you know how most of us will die? No - I am not about to preach the end times. I mean seriously.. the disease that will more than likely take you down? It is heart disease, and it is the number one killer of ALL AMERICANS.

Did you know that one in three women will end up with it? That one woman dies every MINUTE from heart disease? That the risks factors are simple and prevalent: smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, family history, gender, age.

Did you know it is 80% preventable? Yeah. We can't exactly say that about cancer, can we? However, it remains the #1 killer of all people, especially women. It trumps cancer by about 5 other diseases. That's a big slide there on the death scale.

I have the greatest job in the world - where I am paid to warn people about what is probably going to kill them, and then offer the great news - you have an 80% chance of stopping it. That's pretty cool, if you ask me.

February is heart awareness month. The first Friday in February is National Wear Red Day. (Which means exactly what it says - wear red to raise awareness about heart disease cause and prevention.)

I want each one of my readers to make at least one healthy choice starting today. Something simple. Here are a few of my favorite behavior modifiers:

Make Easy Lifestyle Changes
• Look for short breaks each day (approx. 10-30 minutes) to implement heart healthy activities such as walking or other types of enjoyable physical activity
• Plan quick and simple healthy meals
• Know your family heart health history

(Take the Go Red Heart Checkup or get your Heart Score (men & women) to learn your heart disease risk)


Tips for Women at Work
• Add extra walks to and from the water cooler
• Take ten minute walks between meetings
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator
• Bring healthy snacks
• Take time for lunch and eat at regular intervals versus skipping meals
• Make time for physical activity – go to the gym and bring your favorite book or office materials to read or workout at home watching your favorite show


Tips for Moms on the Go
• Plan meals in advance – visit americanheart.org for recipes from a number of heart-healthy cookbooks and use the online grocery list builder to quickly identify heart-healthy products to add to your grocery list
• Set up “physical activity time” on a daily basis
• Walk around your neighborhood or in your office
• Run up and down the stairs
• Do an exercise video
• Walk when doing errands and park farther from your destination
• Take your kids to the park and identify play time activities that help keep you fit
• Join a walking group or ask friends to join you in daily walking
• Work out when your child is at practice or extra curricular activities
• Exercise while watching your favorite TV show


Tips for Traveling for Work/Play
• Plan a physical activity routine
• Airports and malls are great places to get in a brisk walk around the terminal or from one end of the mall to the other
• Drink plenty of water
• Take time to stretch while on the flight
• Exercise in your hotel room – simple stretches or other exercise like sit ups and push ups
• Take advantage of physical fitness facilities located in the hotel
• Pack heart-healthy snacks, fruits, and know how to manage your snack triggers
• Pack sneakers and comfortable clothes for working out
• For frequent travel keep an extra pair of tennis shoes already packed in your bag


Love Your Heart: Relaxation Tips
• Keep a journal
• Reduce stress: Plan a technology-free weekend balanced with active sports, swimming, skiing, horse-back riding, or other fun physical activity
• Celebrate your successes with healthy rewards like a massage or facial
• Read a book


It is that simple. Please join me in making your mission to inform your friends, family and loved ones about the risk involved in not taking care of themselves and how to prevent this death trap known as heart disease. Our mission this year is to connect networks. Simple as that. I am telling all 195 + 248  + 134 of you that are committed to my blog. According to my weekly page counter - over a 1,000 of you view this blog. If you happen to see this - please tell 5 people. Go get your heart score at at mylifecheck.org and make a commitment to getting healthier. (PS - all of those items are free.)


I did my part - will you do yours?


GO RED FOR WOMEN!

Zen is sticking!

Billy Jean King once said, "“I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion."

I could not agree more.

2011 - so far, so good.

Back at work after a very long (and much needed) break. This morning we all started off with a long, inspirational (if you can believe that) meeting, followed by a welcome lunch at a local cafe (Olexa's) in Mountain Brook for our newest employee.

I have a new intern starting on Wednesday, so I would say - over all, it's going to be okay.

If you did not get a chance, please take a look at the recap of my New Year's Weekend.  Incredibly twisted and funny all at the same time.

I am sticking to my guns about finding my "center." I seem to be giving the whole "trust" thing ago and I do feel that "balance" I was hoping for.

This month is jam packed with media promotion and preparation for National Wear Red Day. If you are not familiar, check out: Go Red For Women . If you live in the south, and would like to share your story about how you stay healthy or have battled heart disease, there will be several opportunities to audition! Audition for what?? The September prime time special on NBC with Houda. For one, Birmingham plans to do their "Go Red Connection Event" aka (casting call) on January 29th at the Macys at Riverchase Galleria from 10am until 6pm. I will be conducting the audition with a team of volunteers and staff. Or, if you live closer to the panhandle - you can buy a ticket to the Go Red For Women Luncheon in Mobile, Alabama on Feb 4th, and audition there. I believe Atlanta, West Palm Beach, Miami and New Orleans will also be conducting an event. All of these will take place at the flagship Macy's in those towns.

That's sort of what I am coordinating now.. not to mention a ton of other promotional opportunities. I got my one of my magazine sponsors to activate their sponsorship by throwing a "Little Red Dress Party" on February 4th. From 5 - 7pm at A Loft Hotel in downtown Homewood.. there will be a swanky little fiesta raising awareness around heart disease - all celebrating Heart Awareness Month and National Wear Red Day.

There is tons more, and as I pull it all together, I promise to share. I know many of you live nearby, and I would love for you to attend!

With that being said - there is more work to do today. Sorry, nothing earth shattering or philosophical today.. but to be perfectly honest - I am completely okay with that! I needed a normal day, and I feel quite content.

"I take it that what all men are really after is some form of, perhaps only some formula of, peace." ~James Conrad