The Journey OKC launched last Thursday night at the historic Paramount OKC. The theater was full as Catina D’Achille, our emcee, introduced Sean Abbananto and welcomed him to the stage. The featured musical guest was Jason Swanson who played two guitars at once. Very  impressive. DJ emceeone kept up the energy with his mad skills.

The Journey is a once a month free event. Sean has a heart for helping leaders reach their goals and bringing about change in Oklahoma City. Every 3rd Thursday at 7pm Sean and his team bring motivation and music to The Paramount. It’s worth the admission price. It’s FREE!!!

Join us February 20th for The Journey and watch THUNDER vs. HEAT on the giant screen.

 

Thanks Sean for the photo opportunity.

Oklahoma Live! is a daily talk show on KSBI at 4pm. My dear friend Abby Broyles invited me to appear and be interviewed about my art and book All She Wrote. It was my first ever television interview. Ed Murray a long time television personality  and the entire staff made me feel very comfortable and even helped me put together easels.

Here are two links to my spots on Oklahoma Live! October 28  Book talk and  Art talk

I’m pleased with how the show turned out but I had a tough day leading up to that. Monday is my errand day. First thing that happened was my car wouldn’t start. I was able to get in touch with a friend to jump start it but I didn’t have time at that point to make all my errands. I had polished my nails while waiting for my friend so I felt a tiny accomplishment there. Leaving my car running at Hobby Lobby, I ran in and bought three cheap wooden easels which required a lot of assembly. I realized I didn’t have time to assemble them at 3:30 pm when my phone rang. I was supposed to be at the studio no later than 3:30pm. Insert expletives here!!! I was running late because I couldn’t decide what to wear and when I did decide I couldn’t decide how to tie my scarf. Twenty minutes messing with that scarf and I still wasn’t satisfied.

Grabbing handfuls of books, art, easels, lipstick and about a million other things I ran to my still running vehicle. I’d left it running for fear of it not starting back up. At this point I realize my dogs had gotten out of the yard and were nowhere in sight. Those who know me at all know my dogs are like my kids. The Reverend Elsie Faye Horton and Babs the Fugly Dog are family to us. When we lived in the country it wasn’t as big of a concern for them to get out but now we live near a busy street and we’re worried they will get hit by a car. Especially Babs because she likes to wander and she’s black and low to the ground.

By the grace of God my daughter and a friend of ours were able to locate the beasts and get the fence repaired. Kylie told me later that Babs and Elsie had been spotted all over the next neighborhood playing with other dogs and having a blast. They always stay together and Elsie, my 12 year old pit bull, helps her sister keep up. Kylie said when they found them Elsie was trying to carry Babs, a 10 year old daug (half dachshund half pug) by the scruff of the neck. Babs was covered in slobber from Elsie carrying her. I would have given anything to see that.

I was only ten minutes late getting to the studio but I felt terrible for worrying Abby and her producer. I was embarrassed too. Being late to my first TV appearance made me feel unprofessional and disorganized. My art mentor Natalie would have been pissed. I made a conscious effort to remain calm, knowing that getting flustered would only exacerbate the situation. Having no time for makeup repair or scarf tying I reminded myself that no one would know the difference anyway and I was able to let go of that stress. The stage guys were wonderful help and all turned out well.

I learned much from that experience.  I have amazing friends and family who are willing to help on short notice, who support my work and do whatever they can to further my goals. I learned that I can be harried, rushed, stressed and still do a good interview. I learned that a perfectly tied scarf is not worth the frustration and that my makeup is good enough.