Sad Day - Loss of Michael & Farrah

Just a few days ago, legendary Ed McMahon passed away. He lived a good long life though and was 86. News of his passing was sad but not completely unexpected, given his age and known health problems.

Then about noon, a co-worker delivers the sad news that the beautiful Farrah Fawcett had finally lost her cancer battle. Again, very sad. Farrah had such a spark about her and she really fought this terrible disease as hard as she could. She deserves so much respect for that. What a brave battle and from what I hear, she didn't complain and fuss "why me" - she just fought as hard as she could, but sadly the cancer was stronger than she was.

Then somewhere between 5:30 - 6:00 (EST), my friend Lynn calls me up and asks "have you heard the news" - uh, no what news? Then she proceeds to tell me that Michael Jackson has died - TMZ confirmed it but no one else had. WHAT?!?! She said it was cardiac arrest. I can't believe it and don't put much faith in TMZ or other gossip type magazines/shows but seriously think they would be 100% sure about something like that before they release it but you never know. I go online and wait until I hear that CNN has confirmed it, then I know it is true. I am stunned. Literally stunned. Michael wasn't ill (as far as I knew), he was only 50 years old.

Michael's death overshadowed Farrah's. All that I saw on TV that night was about Michael. He was the King of Pop. I am sorry Farrah didn't get the media coverage she deserved. With her though, we all knew it was coming it was a matter of when. But with Michael, it was so out of the blue and such a shock! We still don't know all the details yet but it is so odd that his doctor, who had given him a shot of demoral, before 9-1-1 was called is now missing. He even left his car at MJ's home. No one has apparently seen him since Michael died. How bizarre.

I had a hair cut like Farrah's (though of course it never looked as great as her's) and I listened to Michael and the Jackson 5 my whole life. Ever since I knew what music was, I knew who Michael was. I grew up listening to the Jacksons (and the Osmonds of course).

The Osmonds and the Jacksons had quite a bit in common. Their mother's have the same birthday, each family has 9 children, Michael is the 7th child, Donny is the 7th child. Many of the Osmonds had such nice things to say about Michael's passing.

From Alan:

I was shocked to hear that Michael Jackson passed away so quickly! We will miss him. My condolences go out to Michael and to his family!

. . .

Our prayers are with them. We will see him again, someday!

Read the entire entry on Alan's Blog

From Merrill:

My thoughts and prayers are with Michael's family, friends and inparticular his three young children who were his world.

My heart also goes out to my dear friend, Jermaine Jackson, as he bravely broke the sad news of the sudden passing of his brother Michael. I can't begin to imagine what he must have been going through. Michael was a gentle spirit and an amazing talent who will be sorely missed worldwide.

From Jay:

As is the rest of the world, I am greatly saddened by the passing of Michael Jackson. My prayers are with the Jackson family during this most difficult time.

. . .
Michael was a tremendous talent. He will be missed, but leaves an unforgettable legacy of music for the world to enjoy forever.

Read the entire entry on Jay's Blog

From Donny:

Message 1:I can't begin to express how sad I feel today. Not one but two friends, Michael and Farrah left us. My prayers go out to their families.

Message 2: It's still very difficult for me to accept that my friend MJ has passed away. I will really miss him.

From Marie:

My heart aches for Michael's children and family, Farrah's loved ones, and my prayers are for all of us today.

From Jimmy:

I had the privilege of knowing Michael and working with him on some of his tours. He was a good friend, an amazing talent and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and especially his kids at this sad time.

It is still sinking in that 3 legends are gone but as Alan said in a TV interview, I am sure there is some great entertainment upstairs.

One day I will be there to enjoy it all too. Thank you, Lord, for the lives of these people, the ways they entertained us and God, rest their souls and give their families comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Knitch - Knit a Chicken for Charity

You have got to see all these cute and clever chickens knitted by the patrons of Knitch. These knitters are so smart and talented. They are all using Susan B. Anderson's chicken pattern and the winner gets 12 - $25 gift cards (1 a month for a year!!) - I just thought a cute idea for one but I am a slow knitter and would probably finish it sometime in 2010 so guess I will sit this one out. Now if they ever have a crochet contest...I might consider it.

Check them out !!

Once the contest is over - they are all donated to a local children's hospital - how awesome is that?

Opie

I am very sad today. Our beloved Opie is now in Heaven. I already miss him. But I know now that he is happy and he is healthy - no more shots, no more fluid bag treatments. He feels good again. I know Thatcher met him at the gates and they are together now. I know that one day Sheree and I will be with them again, along with Gizmo, Minnie, Bandit, Sox and Fuzzy. I know we will all be together again in Heaven and we will get to hold them and play with them forever. Until then, I will miss you Opie, with all my heart. I love you.

Students Helping Baby Squirrel

My friend Art sent this video link to me - I thought it was so cute that I had to share. The song is called "Bruises" by Chairlift.

Give A Squirrel A Helping Hand @ Yahoo! Video

Creepy Burger King

You know the Burger King just creeps me out ~ the way he is always sitting beside you in bed just staring at you or peeking in your window for no apparent reason - just creepy.

Well - to add to the creepiness factor, you can be the proud own of ... yes ladies and gentleman ... Whopper scented perfume.

Go to http://www.firemeetsdesire.com/ and click on the spray bottle a few times - watch the creepy Burger King in action - click a few more times, then again a few more times - ooohh I think shivers just went down my spine.

Close Every Door

Disney's Earth

So, I never blogged about the last 2 movies I saw "Race to Witch Mountian" and "Madea Goes to Jail". Since I never got around to posting my reviews of them, I decided to go ahead and write about "Earth", which I saw today. I was off work today because it is a state holiday Confederate Memorial Day.

"Earth" is the first, of what I assume will be several, Disneynature films (we saw a preview of their next one - "Oceans"). The photography in this movie is just unbelievable !!! I cannot even imagine how many months/years was spent filming this. Basically, the movie follows 3 families - polar bears, elephants and humpback whales on their journeys. But it is far more than that - various birds, lions, tigers, and one of my faves - a mother duck teaching her babies to fly - so cute !

It does have some Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom predator/chase scenes but they were handled well and after all, that is just part of the circle of life, as James Earl Jones, the wonderful narrator points out. It was sweet and funny in places (loved the tropical bird cleaning up for his lady friend and doing his come-hither dance).

It is a very visually stunning movie and I highly recommend seeing it (but it must be seen on the big screen). I wish it would have been in IMAX - that would have made it move from a wow movie to a WOW movie !!

Very good family movie - well worth the ticket price.