Email Warning!

If you get an email titled "nude photos of Nancy Pelosi," Don't open it! It could contain nude photos of Nancy Pelosi.

When you've got to "go" - Go somewhere else!

If I walked into someone's bathroom and they had this mural painted on the floor, I'd have to leave immediately and find somewhere else to go. (Maybe that's the idea. This is their way of keeping their guest's visits short).

Proof of Global Warming

Happy Father's Day!

We love you Daddy! You're the man!

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This was my father.

He died April 6, 1998. He was 77 years old (He died of lung cancer. He was a heavy smoker all his life). He was a bomber pilot during WWII and spent the last months of the war in a prisoner of war camp at Stalag Luft I in Barth, Germany. He was awarded a Silver Star, Presidential Citation, Victory Medal, European Medal with one Silver Star, and an American Theatre Medal. I'm still very proud of my dad and I miss him.

David Archuleta

Jerry (one of the fan club organizers), me, my youngest sis, my middle sis
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David performed at the Fair tonight - and I went! (I also went to the fan club luncheon at Milton's before the concert - I know, I'm a geek) I've been a fan of David's since I saw him on Star Search when he was twelve years old. (I just want to deedle his cheeks.)

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I'm not a concert goer (I haven't been to a concert for forty years - last one was Elton John way back when... even before he "came out") but my two sisters are HUGE fans and drove down from Las Vegas just to go to his concert. I must say, Archelta fans are a great group of people. I go to the fair three times every year and this was the friendliest fair I've ever been to. Tons of people were wearing Archuleta tee shirts and everyone was asking if we were going to the concert and saying, "we'll see you there." It was like going to a family reunion.

This is a photo we took at the concert

(we won the drawing at the fan club luncheon for 3rd row seats - see, it pays to be a fan).

Press Release for Jennifer:

Big Tractor Music has signed songwriter Jennifer Zuffinetti. (L-R): ASCAP's
Chad Green, Zuffinetti, Big Tractor Music General Manager Jason Krupek and Big
Tractor Music Creative Dir. Cynthia Anderson. Photo: Anna Maki


June 15, 2009 / Nashville , TN – Big Tractor Music , an affiliate of Warner Bros. Records, proudly announces today the signing of songwriter Jennifer Zuffinetti (Locals remember her as Jennifer Johnson). Jennifer was raised in Rancho Santa Fe, went to the Ranch school, and graduated from Torrey Pines High School in 1997. After graduating from BYU as a business major, she returned to the Ranch School for two years as a teacher’s aide,

Jennifer started performing when she was ten years old under the tutelage of Susan Magee in an Andrews Sisters-type teen trio called “THREE-D” where she could be found performing at charity events, county fairs, entertaining troops and even opening for the Drifters and Rita Coolidge. THREE-D performed 40's, 50's & 60's music. When she turned fourteen she developed an interest in country music and the group changed its name to “Most Wanted.” When she turned eighteen, she started performing solo.

"I started writing songs because my parents forced me to play piano and after 8 years I was still playing everything by ear and not reading the music. So when I had to practice, I would ignore all the classical songs that were so easy for me and started tinkering around with my own melodies. By the age of thirteen I was putting lyrics to my music and songwriting became my passion."

"Growing up my dad made a mixed tape of Ricky Skaggs, Hank Williams, Ann Murray, and Merle Haggard which we listened to every time we took a road trip. That tape had been my only exposure to country music until 1991 when I bought my first country CD: Brooks & Dunn's Brand New Man, and I was hooked. From that point on, everything I wrote was country influenced. Today, my songs range from ultra girly, fun and flirty, chick songs to the gut-wrenching heart breakers."

Jennifer moved to Nashville 2 years ago to pursue a songwriting career. She started networking and her songs landed at Big Tractor.

"I love the opportunity to sign new writers at Big Tractor,” says General Manager Jason Krupek. “With Jennifer's work ethic and unbelievable talent, she was an obvious addition to Big Tractor and will prove herself with many great songs to come. We are very excited to have her as part of our wonderful team."

Out of the 49 songwriters who signed publishing deals this year, only four (including Jennifer) were women – so she’s managed to break in to the “good ol’ boy’s club.”

Big Tractor was formed in 1993 and has had numerous number one hits and an Grammy Award winning song. It is currently owned by Warner Bros. Senior Vice President of A& R, Scott Hendricks and he immediately made Jennifer feel like part of the family.

"Chemistry isn't something that can be manufactured," Jennifer remarked. "Whether at a publishing company or with a co-writer. Either there's magic or there's not. I knew immediately that Big Tractor was the place for me. Our personalities couldn't be more complimentary and the environment couldn't be more positive."

You can hear, and download, Jennifer’s songs (for free) at Myspace.com/Zuffinetti

Happy Birthday Lincoln! (Three Years Old!)

(Lincoln is front row, on the far right)

He had a terrific Jungle Safari theme party (as evidenced by above photos) equipped with a jumping house, face painting, games and a petting zoo! No detail was overlooked, the kid food was renamed goldfish (piranas), raisins (dried ants), etc. Upon walking through the door each child got their "passport" stamped and chose an animal hat to wear. Lincoln's mom is the ultimate party planner.

Gramma J with Little Emmy
Little Miss Emmy missed out on the group photo (it was nap time)

Twilight

I don’t get it. The books were written for teenage girls – but married women are getting so obsessed over “Edward” (the lead character played by Robert Pattinson) that their husbands have forbidden them to see the movie.

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I saw the movie. No big whoop. I promise you guys, there is nothing in the movie that’s going to send your wife over the edge. It is entertaining – that’s all.

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I see Twilight, and the upcoming New Moon, as the Star Trek for women and teens. Trekkies are predominantly obsessed males. Now there is something for the females. I don’t know what the catch phrase will be for the Twilighters (maybe “Vamps” for vampires), but it’s the same thing.

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I also see the Twilight series as the Harry Potter for women and teens – Lucky Stephenie Meyer. She’s on her way to becoming the next J.K. Rowling with more books ready to be movie sequels.

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P. s. I want to share with you all the comment I got on this post:

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Diane said...
Hi Jeri, I read all the books and got caught up in all the hoopla. I'll tell you what was fun was attending the premiere with every single young screaming teenager in Nashville. A friend of mine rented the theater for the night for all of us "older" Twilight fans. When word got out, EVERYONE wanted to come!! I think there were two token guys in the audience, but seriously....when I say screaming...I mean screaming! I'd have to watch the movie again to hear it. Not high budget, definitely made for those who read the book, and WAY fun! My shirt read..."My heart belongs to my husband...My neck belongs to Edward"!
June 12, 2009 2:21 PM

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Self-Worth

I had trouble going to sleep last night because I’ve been working on family histories and I got to thinking about the things that have happened in my life that were life changing. I’d like to share one of them with you.
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I was PTA president and a member of my board came to me mid-semester, with her husband, to tell me that I would have to find a replacement for her because she was going back to work…as a nuclear physicist! I was in awe and her husband said to me, “don’t think what you do is unimportant. My wife looks at you in awe and admires what you do for this school.” And then he said the words that changed my attitude forever: “We are all important in our own sphere of influence.”
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Wow. Thanks. I needed that.

Thought for the Day

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did...'" When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Always remember this.... "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you."

No More E-Mails

I am sorry to say that I'm through with E-mails. Things have been a bit tough lately and life is getting shorter and shorter every day, and I want to take time to see this great country of ours. So, I bought a motorcycle, going to quit e-mailing jokes and travel full time with a biker gang to see the country and enjoy life while I still can. Don't worry about me - they all seem like really nice people . It has been nice emailing you all!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh, a photo of the gang ...
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and NO - You can't come!

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(Why me? Because I can whip up a tasty pan of biscuits.)

Trust in the Lord

Why doesn't God always answer our prayers?

He DOES always answer our prayers - you just might not be getting the answer you expected. Sometimes the answer is "NO." Sometimes it is "Wait." But we rarely get what we ask for immediately. Usually we have to do OUR part first. There is an old Middle Eastern proverb that says, "Trust in Allah, but tie up your camels."

We have to learn to Trust God. He knows what we want before we even ask for it. He knows all our secret desires. He also knows what is good for us and what is not. He knows that we may not realize what comes with what we are asking for. Sometimes He lets us have it anyway, just so we learn that important principle.

My Grandfather always said, "Be careful what you want, you may get it." (and as I mentioned in one of last year's posts, one of the worst gypsy curses is, "May you get what you want.")

We ask for protection. We'll get it - we may just not realize it.

...When you question God - 'why me?'

....always look at the bigger picture....

(click on photo to enlarge)

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Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

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People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

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Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others."