The United States Space Program has always held a special place in my heart.  My whole childhood was wrapped up in it , and I am sure for most of you the same is true.  Everyone I new , myself included wanted to be an astronaut!

I remember 40 years ago today walking with my best friend Chris up and down and around the block looking for the Good Humor Ice Cream man and hearing the sounds of NASA everywhere since everyone was inside glued to their TV screens watching the first lunar landing.  It was a hot sunny July day in Dearborn , Michigan.  I also remember hearing Neil Armstrong’s infamous “Tranquility base here, the eagle has landed.”  It is something I will never forget and I was delighted to see all the members of the Apollo 11 team are still alive and well.  Below I have posted my favorite picture which you most likely have seen , and then and now pictures of the brave Apollo 11 team.  It was 40 years ago today…time flies!!

My favorite image from that historic day!!

Neil Armstron, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin…1969

40 years later and looking good!!

This week in 1977 was a big one for Shaun Cassidy. His first major hit in the U.S., a cover of the early 60’s Crystals song “Da Doo Ron Ron” hit #1.

Cassidy was quite the teenage idol in the mid-to-late 70’s, both as an actor and singer. Born September 27, 1958 in Hollywood, Cassidy is the half-brother of David Cassidy.

Shaun formed his first band at age 11. In 1975, he signed with Mike Curb’s division of Warner Bros. His first two singles were successful in Europe: “Morning Girl” in 1976, and a cover of Eric Carmen’s “That’s Rock and Roll”.

It was his remake of the Crystals’ 1963 hit “Da Doo Ron Ron” that made him quite the heartthrob with teenage girls everywhere (including the girl I was dating at the time).

His music career petered out several years after that, but he did well on the TV screen, including stints on the 1977 series “The Hardy Boys Mysteries” and 1980’s “Breaking Away”. Several years later, he appeared on the ABC soap opera “General Hospital”, and he starred with his half-brother David and Petula Clark in Broadway’s “Blood Brothers”.

Enjoy the music!

Today is the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11. After three years of painstakingly thorough searching, NASA has concluded that the original tapes of the first manned moon landing are most likely lost forever. However, with the help of tape restoration experts, the agency has refurbished the existing footage making it clearer than ever.
FASCINATING archive footage of Neil Armstrong landing on the Moon 40 years ago can be seen for the very first time after being released by NASA.
The grainy 50-second clip shows a side-view of Armstrong walking down the steps of Apollo 11 and taking his first steps on to the Moon.

Armstrong then utters the immortal words: “That is one small step for man…one giant leap for mankind”.

As many of you know I have been working out at Premiere Lady Fitness to maintain my 45 pound weight loss.  I am happy to report so far so good, but it got me thinking about what exactly it takes to maintain weight loss, is it different for everyone?  After doing a little research I found out that one magic number is all you need!  That number is 275!

I have posted the link that explains it all for you and a link to the Premiere Lady Fitness and Spa website , Austin’s only full service fitness facility for women!  You can save 50% off your enrollment now!  Working out and Premiere Lady Fitness and that magic number should keep you fit and fabulous!

http://health.yahoo.com/tips/magic-number-that-keeps-weight-off/realage–9033.html

http://premiereladyfitness.com/

CUTE BABIES!

The Evian Water commercial with the roller skating babies.  Cute or creepy you have to love it!  Check it out below!

FREE SWIMMING!!

The Barton Springs Pool!!  With the record breaking temps we have had lately Barton Springs pool is giving us all a break by having a FREE admission this Saturday.  Click the link for all the cool details!

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/austin/entries/2009/07/09/free_entry_to_barton_springs_o.html

A GOOD LAUGH!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, this one will give you a few laughs too!

The President is obviously enjoying his trip to Italy this week!

The world say’s goodbye to Michael Jackson in a huge memorial at the Staples Center in LA tomorrow.  Now there will be crowds and celebrities and they will send Michaels memory out in style, but I have decided to say goodbye in my own sweet way and by that I mean….having a sweet delicious Michael Jackson cupcake at Hey Cupcake on Burnet!  Hey Cupcake has become a sweet obsession here in Austin , and is best known for the airstream trailer on South Congress.  The location on Burnet is more like a cute little cupcake shop and right now they are playing Michael Jackson music in the store while you indulge in one of their delicious creations!

I asked the server last weekend about the Michael Jackson cupcake which they have been serving for a few years now.  It is chocolate with a yummy cream cheese icing with chocolate sprinkles on top and is fabulous…just like the icon himself.  The day Michael died they sold out in 30 minutes!  I have put a link to the Hey Cupcake website and a picture of the Michael Jackson cupcake below.  It is just my sweet and delicious way to honor Michael ’s memory, and I may end up doing it often! 

http://www.heycupcake.com/story.html

The one and only fabulous Michael Jackson Cupcake!!!

WHAT WOMEN REALLY WANT

A Woman’s Day/AOL survey reveals “what women wish men knew.” Among the insights…

When women ask, “Does this make me look fat?” they really want to hear:

65% — his opinion, that’s why I asked.
35% — a resounding “no.” (Tell me I’m beautiful no matter what I am wearing.)
After a bad day, all women want is:

54% — for him to give me a hug.
21% — to have him listen to my problems, without trying to solve them.
18% — for him to make dinner and put the kids to bed.
7% — for him to fix me a drink.
When women tell their men that they’re “fine,” what they really mean is:

43% — “I want to talk about what’s bothering me, even if I say I don’t.”
34% — “I’m not fine, and no, I don’t want to talk about it.”
23% — “I’m good, thanks for asking.”
When asked what’s missing most from their relationship:

35% — physical intimacy (holding hands, kissing)
27% — conversation
22% — time alone
16% — couldn’t ask for a more fulfilling relationship
When it comes to their sex lives:

31% — it’s nonexistent
26% — it’s still hot and steamy
25% — it’s great, but doesn’t compare with our first years together
18% — they’d rather crawl in bed with a good book
Women want men to help out around the house by:

31% — taking out the trash
30% — cooking
23% — doing laundry
16% — don’t bother, they’d rather do the chores themselves
Women think men look most attractive dressed in:

48% — jeans and T-shirt
20% — a uniform (firefighter, police officer, military, etc.)
20% — a business suit
12% — nothing at all
What do women want in a husband?

64% — would rather be with a man who is poor and attractive than rich and unattractive
54% — would like a man that makes them laugh
10% — would like a man who has washboard abs like Matthew McConaughey

Summer Kid Health Tips
By Dr Ari Brown Author of Baby 411 (The Baby Handbook)

Here are some Summer Do’s:
1. Sunblock– for all kids, including yours! (Most parents think babies under 6 months shouldn’t have it on)
2. Bug spray (or insect netting)–yes it’s safe. FYI: Mosquitos like people who blow off more CO2 and who are hot–which is why they really like pregnant women.
3. Swimmer’s ear prevention–for kids who actually go under the water, not babies in the baby pool. It’s a skin infection in the lining of the ear canal from pool water that pools in there, leaving a nice moist, dark, warm environment for germs. Parents can make their own swim ear prevention drops–rubbing alcohol and vinegar.

Summer Don’ts:
1. No fireworks please. The ER docs will thank me for mentioning this.
2. 2 hours of screen time a day max.

If we can highlight my office’s (Capital Pediatric) after hours urgent care–open 5-8pm nightly and on weekends. We are also doing well checks during those hours for families who can’t get off work to get their kids in.

Mix / Majic Thursday Morning at-work Patio BBQ

Patio Grill?

This past week has certainly been filled with its share of losses in the entertainment industry: Michael jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, and Billy Mays.

I don’t want these posts to become a regular obituary, but I hope you’ll indulge me in another tribute to someone who passed away 14 years ago this week, but who was very important in the radio and music industry.

Wolfman Jack died July 1, 1995 of a heart attack at the young age of 57. He was well-known as a radio personality (sorry, I don’t like the term DJ) in the 1960’s and 70’s, and even appeared on television in the 70’s.

Born in Brooklyn Jan. 21, 1938, Wolfman, whose real name was Robert Weston Smith, based his character and handle in part on the style of blues legend Howling Wolf. His howl, growly voice, and charismatic personality endeared him to millions around the country and even abroad. He worked at numerous radio stations, including the powerhouse XERF-AM in Ciudad Acuna Coahuila, Mexico, across the river from Del Rio, Texas, from 1958 to 1966. He was also an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, and was even officially known as “Reverend Jack”.

He’s been referred to in several songs, including the Guess Who’s “Clap For The Wolfman”, “Wolfman Jack” by Todd Rundgren, and “Ramble On Rose” by the Grateful Dead. A year after his death, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

Shortly after returning home from a promotional tour for his autobiography, Wolfman reportedly collapsed and died in his wife’s arms after giving her a glad-to-be-home hug. But his legend will never be forgotten, especially by those of us who grew up listening to that howl.

Enjoy the music.