It's a rainy day in Western Mass!!! It's all good though...I am in the airport waiting to board my plane to Charleston S. Carolina for the Jr. USA's....about to go where the Southern hospitality reigns!!! Gotta work the first National show of the year!!!
The best part of this trip will be seeing Tim and Brandie!!! They are driving in tomrorow! Boy have I missed them....NIcki will be there too...but I have seen her now three weekends in a row...that is pretty awesome I must say...if nothing else these Protan weekends keep us visiting and that is a good thing!!!

It's strange because when I am traveling like this my life feels "normal"...whatever that is and then I remember...my poor mom is laying in that hopsital bed int he living room wishing she could just get up and walk to the porch!!! She has had a tough time breathing this week...I think it's the allergies and something she may need to cough up...the nurses however agree with her when she says..."I'm just getting worse"...I truely believe that if she were eating better and felt stronger she would be getting out of that bed...I just see her having more life in her than the hospice nurses do???? In their quest to be "realistic" they sometimes see the downward slide....I jsut see her stronger than they do?

I put up a big metal SUN on her fence so when she looks out to her garden fromher bed she can see it!!! It's pretty and once this travel weekend is done I will spend some time getting her garden all set for her to see!!

NOt to change the subject but I wanted to say how good it was to see MImi and Amanda last weekend in NYC....I just wished I had had more time to visit...Love their vibe!!

OK all...till next time!
Be blessed and see the sun!
C

Happy MOnday People!!!

and...Happy Belated Mother's day to all of you who are mothers!!!!

I am ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!!!!

I have been picking up the traveling schedule as Mom is staying stable.
First trip out for 2008 for me was to Pittsburg for the Pittsburg Pro/Am. Mr. Manion puts on one great show and ALL of the top level IFBB pros were in attendance. Unfortunatley I did not taek ANY pictures I was sooo busy!!!
We were located in the University of Pittsburg area and it is a lovely area. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial is a very prestigous musuem and theater and that is where the events were held.
Of course my gurl Nicki, joined me on Friday evening and we had dinner with my boi, Big Bill Wilmore! It was awesome to see them both. We worked the show on Saturday all day and finished off the night oiling up; Big Jay, Dexter, PHil, Kai, Victor, Erik, Trey Brewer and more! Then we were invited by Mr. Manion to attend the banquet at Bruschetta's afterward. A bus brought us all to the resturant and there was an awesome buffet spread out in an upstairs dining room...there was Italian food and "clean" food so there was something for everyone. You gotta love these BB events where the hosts really know how to feed us!!! Nicki and I were able to "eat clean" all weekend. I felt like I had graduated as I was in the "traditional IFBB Pro" picture taken every year at this event!!Yipee!!!

Nicki is preparing for the Arizona State at the end of June.
Big Bill was looking large and in charge, lean and mean...he is definatley gonna make a statement in Houston on July 4th!!!! As far as I am concerned...well..I'm dieting and training and let's just see what happens ...

Sunday (5/4), I was off at 5 am to Boston to judge the Jay Cutler classic (formerly the New Englands), promoted by Jim Decotis. Big Jay got Muscle tech to provide a huge jug of portien powder to every athlete///AWESOME! Jay and Evan guest posed as did Collette Nelso who was one week out form the NY Pro. It was a great event but a long day!!
I have to shout out to Cindy Sullivan who took a 2nd in her class and 3rd int hemasters...she looked totally fantastic and made me proud. Big shouts out also to Chris, Big Rob, Pauly and Eric form Gold's Gym West Side!!! They all had a great showing!!!!

So this past weekend I went down to NYC with NIcki's mom to attend the NY Pro. I didn't htink I was working the show abut as it turns out...there must have been a communication problem with the "boys in charge" and I ended up dropping to my knees to oil up the athletes...I didn't want to leave them, STeve Stone and Crew or Uncle Weinburger hanging...I dug deep and took one for the team!!! I made it happen and took care of the athletes...that is all that matters.
It was an interesting showing; in the under 202 group it was; Kevin English, David Henry and Jason ARntz (all qualified for the under 202 showdown at teh Olympia). In the open group it was; Kai Greene, Kevin English, Ronnie Rockel, Dave HEnry and Craig Richardson. For the women it went like this; Cathy Lafrancios, Jeannie Paperone, Rosemary Jennings. Deb Lasweski took best poser and so did Tricky Jackson. Tampa Tim donated money for the best poser award!!! I have to say that Cathy really looked good, muscular, condidtioned but very pretty as well...good job!

So this weekend it is off to the Jr. USA's in Charleston...I'll let you know how it goes!!!
Big hugs to you all
Stay postive and be happy!!!
C