The Amazing Adventures of Permanent Lifestyle Change Girl: 2010 so far…

Well, it seems like I have been so caught up in posting the “Riga Tales” that I have forgotten to mention everything else that has occurred in my world lately so I will give a brief summary now. The past few months have been pretty active. I had some money problems, a tax audit, achey knees, started hosting shows for the Chicago Cabaret Project (which I love) performed in the Baltics, got an Award of Excellence for performing from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office and lost ten pounds!!!!

I had a rare visit from a dear, dear friend in January. She stayed in my home which is even rarer cause I never host anyone in my home because it is always such a mess – which is too bad because I have some wonderful things in here and all the accoutrement for a wonderful visit – just imagine the bath & beauty products and the movies!

Anyway, Carla was the perfect guest. We just get each other. And it was like living with a family member. I just adore her so much. And she cooked breakfast every morning. And she rented a car. It was amazing. We went to see Avatar. I saw it last month for my other BFF Barb’s birthday and loved it so it was no stretch to see it again. We went to the Spa at Trump twice during her visit and that is when I got back into the pool after so long.

It is also during her visit that I started seriously watching my food intake – hard to binge on food when you’re not alone – and coupled with a few days of exercise – I began my journey of healthy living. Since her visit I have lost ten pounds!!!!!!!!

Once I returned to Chicago from Europe, I had a sudden flurry of gigs to perform while I battled jet lag. I was always tired and my knees were aching like crazy. My knees ache especially when I am fatigued. Try jumping around singing with achey knees. It totally sucks. I am never more aware of my age than when my damned knees ache. I am determined to rebuild the strength in my knees. That involves some weight training and stretching as well. Can’t wait to get to it and see if it helps alleviate the pain.

Shortly after I returned from Riga I performed at an event for Black History Month for the Cook County Treasurers Office. I sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – a cappella and “Amazing Grace.” It was appropriate because my intro to the song was to tell of the history of my great grandmother being a slave and the story of my grandfather escaping a lynch mob in the Deep South to settle in Ohio where he gained prominence as a Baptist Minister. One of my strongest memories of my grandfather (as preacher) was of him singing “Amazing Grace” from the pulpit. I finished with an impromptu rendition of the “Big Fat Woman Song,” which was a chancy transition as that song is so risque, BUT, Treasurer Pappas loved it and I got an audience of folks singing and clapping before noon!

I had a tax audit. It really wasn’t so bad. I report all of my income and I have receipts for everything. My expenses are all organized according to the type of expense with a double adding machine tape attached. But it was nerve wracking all the same though my IRS agent was really nice and seemed to genuinely want to know about how my finances were structured and about my business. I think he got it.

I have been having a ball with the Chicago Cabaret Project. It has been fun and inspiring. they work so hard. It’s really good for me to get out of this house and start performing! They are so gracious and good performers!

Regarding my money problems… Recession, Recession Recession, and like a bunch of other folks I have been a victim of my own spending. Lesson learned. Things are better now and looking up!!

I got out of my comfort zone this year. I took on the hosting job of the CCP and went to sing in Europe with a Latvian Blues Band, I survived a tax audit and lost some weight. I’m going to start singing Sundays at the Green Dolphin Street in April: “Lounging With Lynne” Not a bad year so far…