Sitting on my back porch on a beautiful afternoon, my grandmother and mother sat around the table chatting about life. An entire generation, including my little baby in the belly! My grandmother is such an incredible woman who has lived through more than I could ever imagine. She knows what it is like to live without electricity, computers, cell phones, refrigerators, and just about anything else you can think of that makes life ‘easier’. She knows what it is like to make her own clothes for her and her children, how to churn her own butter, how to sit down and write a letter instead of sending an email. It blows my mind the amount of knowledge this woman holds. Think about all the classes you would have to take to know this stuff!
As we sat on the patio, my grandmother talked about the baby birds that were nesting in the tree beside us. Emory noticed recently the babies peaking their heads out, not yet old enough to fly on their own. It was so special to hear my grandmother laugh about the simplest pleasures in life that most of us take for granted. How long has it been since I sat outside and listened to nature? It must be amazing to see life through her eyes. She is now 80 (almost 81) and is in almost perfect health. She has had a few issues, but none life threatening. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. Thank you Grandma for the many years you have given me knowledge, compassion, and love!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Are You Serious? by Carmen Brown
It seems like yesterday I was looking at a 5 week sonogram saying to myself, are you serious! Everything seemed so surreal, especially the day I would give birth to my baby. Now, I feel like it is the closest reality I have ever checked! This Saturday I am 34 weeks, which would make him pre-term if he was born, but he would have very good chances of being a healthy baby.
There have been so many changes in my life in the past 8 months. One of the biggest changes has been my priorities. What used to seem like such a big deal to me is no longer. Now my big deals are really worth talking about. What seemed so dramatic, I could really care less these days. Does it mean I’ve lost my edge? No, it means I’m even better. There is an inner strength that radiates inside a woman when she carries a child. What really makes her so beautiful is her ability to sustain through all the chaos.
Anyway, to any woman that is reading this and understands, thank you. Thank you for all that you do.
There have been so many changes in my life in the past 8 months. One of the biggest changes has been my priorities. What used to seem like such a big deal to me is no longer. Now my big deals are really worth talking about. What seemed so dramatic, I could really care less these days. Does it mean I’ve lost my edge? No, it means I’m even better. There is an inner strength that radiates inside a woman when she carries a child. What really makes her so beautiful is her ability to sustain through all the chaos.
Anyway, to any woman that is reading this and understands, thank you. Thank you for all that you do.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Today's Show by Carmen Brown
Just finished today’s show, and its meetings back to back followed by a luncheon in Winston-Salem with a group of listeners who won an online contest. So it’s hustle-bustle…then enjoy a wonderful lunch from Panera Bread. This morning was great, we had a rough start, but it worked out by the time everybody had a cup of coffee! Isn’t that how your office works? I have come to find out no matter where you are, or what you do, we are all in this thing together.
Just to give you insight on how this joint works in the morning, we all get up really early (around 3:30-4:00 a.m.) and when we get to the studio we hit the ground running! Here’s how it breaks up: Skip pulls sound clips down that you hear throughout the show that are topical and funny, Jeff runs the board and sets everything up to get going, and I handle all the news stories/topical information that hit the day before and overnight. We go on the air at 5:30 a.m. Most of you guys are still asleep at this time, but we will be on your radio first thing when you wake up (hopefully!) We are on the air until 10:00 a.m. followed by meetings to go over the show and prepare for the next day. One thing people always ask me is do we do everything ‘on the fly’. The truth is, most of what comes out of our mouth is not scripted, but there are certain things that we have to plan. Hot Topics, Games, Contesting, and so on. I don’t care how ‘free’ a morning show may appear, there is still a rough draft of what’s to come. For example, games that we play we have to ‘brainstorm’ and create. So therefore, we need to come up with a strategy so we know how we are going to get a winner. Some are a bit crazier than others! After all the meetings, we each work collectively to make this station go round and sound great! There is a team that works around the clock outside the morning show, and without them this place would not run!
So there you have the short version of what goes into a typical day, or at least how it kicks off! Now, I am off to another meeting, and then ahhhhhh…LUNCH! Yeahhhh - - You know I’m hungry!! Make it a good one!
Just to give you insight on how this joint works in the morning, we all get up really early (around 3:30-4:00 a.m.) and when we get to the studio we hit the ground running! Here’s how it breaks up: Skip pulls sound clips down that you hear throughout the show that are topical and funny, Jeff runs the board and sets everything up to get going, and I handle all the news stories/topical information that hit the day before and overnight. We go on the air at 5:30 a.m. Most of you guys are still asleep at this time, but we will be on your radio first thing when you wake up (hopefully!) We are on the air until 10:00 a.m. followed by meetings to go over the show and prepare for the next day. One thing people always ask me is do we do everything ‘on the fly’. The truth is, most of what comes out of our mouth is not scripted, but there are certain things that we have to plan. Hot Topics, Games, Contesting, and so on. I don’t care how ‘free’ a morning show may appear, there is still a rough draft of what’s to come. For example, games that we play we have to ‘brainstorm’ and create. So therefore, we need to come up with a strategy so we know how we are going to get a winner. Some are a bit crazier than others! After all the meetings, we each work collectively to make this station go round and sound great! There is a team that works around the clock outside the morning show, and without them this place would not run!
So there you have the short version of what goes into a typical day, or at least how it kicks off! Now, I am off to another meeting, and then ahhhhhh…LUNCH! Yeahhhh - - You know I’m hungry!! Make it a good one!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Ready, Set, Go! by Carmen Brown
Last night was very fulfilling; we set up the crib and finished the beautiful shade of green we painted the walls with. It feels so great to have completed this because I have been having dreams where he was born early and the nursery was still a storage room! (Ahhhhhh, Moms, you know about these crazy dreams!) They only get better the further along you get (ha-ha) Very Bizarre.
I am officially 31 weeks pregnant. It’s a sigh of relief to get closer to the ‘clearance’ stage that if he were to be born before his due date, he could hopefully breathe on his own. I have a wonderful team of doctors that are taking care of me. Recently I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, so my life has changed in a major way. No more late night chocolate milkshakes or tasty French fries dipped in ranch dressing (don’t act like you don’t know about that!). Lots of veggies, fruit, and lean protein are on my menu these days. I would love a tall glass of sweet tea right now! The real old fashion southern kind. Anyway, no complaining…that will not help matters. I have to look at it as I am eating healthier than I ever have before in my life. That means the baby is getting the best of best in his little tummy. I have a new found respect for diabetics. If anybody knows any place to get a milkshake that is sugar free - -holla!! I would love to know where that is.
What else…Oh…I still need to find an excellent Pediatrician. A couple of friends have suggested different ones, but I still have to check them out for myself. If anybody reading this has any suggestions in Forsyth County, please let me know and tell me why you like them so much. If you are a pediatrician reading this, let me know!! I would like to find one with a sick and well side, weekend clinics/hours and a doctor/practice open to new ideas and who is a very attentive listener. This should not be hard with all the great doctors out there. Please reply to this if you can help me with this one- -Make it a good one! Carmen
I am officially 31 weeks pregnant. It’s a sigh of relief to get closer to the ‘clearance’ stage that if he were to be born before his due date, he could hopefully breathe on his own. I have a wonderful team of doctors that are taking care of me. Recently I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, so my life has changed in a major way. No more late night chocolate milkshakes or tasty French fries dipped in ranch dressing (don’t act like you don’t know about that!). Lots of veggies, fruit, and lean protein are on my menu these days. I would love a tall glass of sweet tea right now! The real old fashion southern kind. Anyway, no complaining…that will not help matters. I have to look at it as I am eating healthier than I ever have before in my life. That means the baby is getting the best of best in his little tummy. I have a new found respect for diabetics. If anybody knows any place to get a milkshake that is sugar free - -holla!! I would love to know where that is.
What else…Oh…I still need to find an excellent Pediatrician. A couple of friends have suggested different ones, but I still have to check them out for myself. If anybody reading this has any suggestions in Forsyth County, please let me know and tell me why you like them so much. If you are a pediatrician reading this, let me know!! I would like to find one with a sick and well side, weekend clinics/hours and a doctor/practice open to new ideas and who is a very attentive listener. This should not be hard with all the great doctors out there. Please reply to this if you can help me with this one- -Make it a good one! Carmen
Monday, May 5, 2008
Fed Up and Frustrated by Carmen Brown
It's time to open up the doors to a much needed discussion.
I’m fed up and frustrated about what is going on and what’s been going on in the horse world and on the racetracks. Eight Belles, the second place winner of the Kentucky Derby, was euthanized shortly after she crossed the finish line. She broke both front ankles during the race and collapsed after she crossed the finish line. All for man’s pleasure, as we watch from the sidelines. Was it due to a freak accident? No, it’s the same story over and over, where horses are literally being ran to their death. Let me give you two major contributing factors: Over-Bred and Over-Raced. It is a vicious cycle and continues with a blind eye due to the fact it’s such a HUGE money sport. Horse racing equals prestige for the upper class and betting big dollars is the name of the game at the expense of innocent animals.
It’s not just animal lovers who are speaking loudly, it is people who have a conscience and common sense. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the jockey who rode Eight Belles to be suspended. Why? They are claiming that the filly was ‘doubtlessly injured before the finish’ and ask that Eight Belles death be investigated. They also wrote a letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority seeking a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of race horses, and move the races to a softer surface. I could not agree more. This may sound extreme, but if you look at history, it is repeating itself. Remember Barbaro? It was only 2 years ago that we watched Barbaro suffer in pain after being injured in the Preakness… only to be euthanized later during recovery.
So is all this worth it? This demonstrates the level of abuse that is taking place by pushing these horses beyond their natural limits. Some may not consider it abuse, but I’m not sure how else to put it. We can make up different words and adjectives to describe what’s going on, but once we ‘know better’ preventative action should be taken. If this were the case, another innocent horse would not have been put down at the track. So how much would you like to bet at the next race? I bet it will cost another life.
I’m fed up and frustrated about what is going on and what’s been going on in the horse world and on the racetracks. Eight Belles, the second place winner of the Kentucky Derby, was euthanized shortly after she crossed the finish line. She broke both front ankles during the race and collapsed after she crossed the finish line. All for man’s pleasure, as we watch from the sidelines. Was it due to a freak accident? No, it’s the same story over and over, where horses are literally being ran to their death. Let me give you two major contributing factors: Over-Bred and Over-Raced. It is a vicious cycle and continues with a blind eye due to the fact it’s such a HUGE money sport. Horse racing equals prestige for the upper class and betting big dollars is the name of the game at the expense of innocent animals.
It’s not just animal lovers who are speaking loudly, it is people who have a conscience and common sense. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the jockey who rode Eight Belles to be suspended. Why? They are claiming that the filly was ‘doubtlessly injured before the finish’ and ask that Eight Belles death be investigated. They also wrote a letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority seeking a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of race horses, and move the races to a softer surface. I could not agree more. This may sound extreme, but if you look at history, it is repeating itself. Remember Barbaro? It was only 2 years ago that we watched Barbaro suffer in pain after being injured in the Preakness… only to be euthanized later during recovery.
So is all this worth it? This demonstrates the level of abuse that is taking place by pushing these horses beyond their natural limits. Some may not consider it abuse, but I’m not sure how else to put it. We can make up different words and adjectives to describe what’s going on, but once we ‘know better’ preventative action should be taken. If this were the case, another innocent horse would not have been put down at the track. So how much would you like to bet at the next race? I bet it will cost another life.
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