Thursday, May 26, 2011

Summer Shoes

 Ladies and gentlemen:
 It is that time of year where summer shoes take center stage. For those of us that look forward to putting our best foot forward; now is the time to do just that.
 For me, summer shoes mean two things; strappy heels and espadrilles. It's a chance to show off those four and five inch sandals that have been anxiously waiting for their turn in the spotlight; or should I say, sunlight. They have been pushed to the back of the closet long enough and now they are front and center.
  Summer isn't summer unless you have at least one pair of espadrilles in the closet and you don't have to go for the highest heel, maybe some nice flip flops; and NO, I am not talking about those dollar ones from Old Navy; I'm talking the nice ones with the hard soles with the cute little design. See those are the flip flops we ladies need to wear. Now don't go getting in a huff. Old Navy flip flops are FINE...just not with that cute summer dress. Those flip flops are for the beach. Let's be clear here ladies; in this day and age, men like to see women who are put together from their HEAD to their FEET. Just because they haven't said anything about your flip flops, doesn't mean they haven't noticed. Summer is the time that men like to see their women's feet and this is the time of year that we should be at our best.
  So what are you waiting for? Memorial day is three days away and the shoe stores are prepared for the onslaught of women. If you comment and would like to leave a pic of your sexiest sandal, feel free. If your a man and would like to comment; also feel free. I am all aglow with the anticipation of my first new pair of summer sandals. Rest assured, you will see them here in the next couple of weeks.
   Happy shopping!

Friday, May 20, 2011

It's over...

Yes, Taste N Books is over but the buzz continues. If you had the pleasure of joining us on Sunday, there was fun to be had by all.

I think for a first time venture, everything went as smoothly as expected.

Working hard paid off by the many compliments that were bestowed and all of the authors that attended said they would like to participate again.

We even had a publisher in the house and I believe she may have gotten a few new authors in her business cubicle.

It's amazing what food can do and speaking of food. Chef Frank Dalton, Executive Chef for the Palms Hotel, made some incredible strawberries. OK, he didn't make the strawberries; but he put his soul into those delectable treats. AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!

Next year promises to be even bigger as a couple of seasoned veterans have graciously offered their help and I am accepting.

So, if you are in the Waldorf Area next year, or maybe even at the end of this year...consider Taste N Books II...I promise; you won't be disappointed.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Taste N Books II

I am sure that you have guessed that this week's post will also be about Taste N Books. To say that I am overly excited is an understatment. Although the prep is currently taking a lot of time and effort, it will be so worth it!


Confirmed authors include: Kabrena Severe, Karen Minors, Austin Camacho,Vonda Howard, Donnie Manuel,Sindee Lynn and your's truly, B. Swangin Webster,to name a few. We will also have a publisher in the building to talk to you about anything you need to know about getting your next novel published.

If you are in the Waldorf Maryland area on Sunday, May 15th from 10am-3pm consider stopping by for free food tasting and meeting some great authors. You might even get to hear a few of them reading from their novels.

See you there!



Prince's Donor by Sindee Lynn
Humdadao of Baltimore by Donnie Manuel
Let Me Just Say This by B. Swangin Webster
Damaged Goods by Austin S. Camacho
It Is What It Is by Karen Minors

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Taste N Books

    What is the first thing you do when you want to read a good book?
    Well, for me; I run to the drawer take out my pink snuggie (ok, don't tell anyone that!) put on my black/pink flannel pajama bottoms and black tank top and sit in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and settle in to read from cover to cover.
Well, in two weeks I will be doing just that, but only in a public forum; and without the pink snuggie.
    Here in Waldorf, Maryland we will debut the 1st; and what we hope to be a yearly event; called Taste N Books. It combines two things that we love to do while reading. Eating and Reading. Although you won't be able to eat a full course meal, you will be able to snack your way through the maze of local authors, while you browse their latest works and also talk to them. We have a mystery writer and children's writer. We have a drama queen (ok, she writes dramas) and we have a historical writer.
    We also have a wonderful celebrity author, Vonda Howard who will be bringing some very special guests with her. The D-Cup Divas will be making an appearance and hopefully we will get a look at the calendar they are putting together.
We have also garnered a write up in the Baltimore Times by Phinesse Demps, who is also an author.
    If you need something to take with you to the beach; or you just want to stop by and meet some really cool authors,then you definitely need to come to Waldorf Maryland on May 15th at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Hall. We will be there from 10am - 3pm.

Monday, May 2, 2011

One woman's stuggle=help for other's

Today we have a guest blogger who will speak on a very important subject affecting some women. Vanessa Richardson is an author and playwrite and her message is a very inspirational one.

If someone asked me to describe Endometriosis in one word it would be: Pain! Consistent white hot piercing pain.  Endometriosis is a consistent, life interrupting, hard to manage pain. And is often treated with hormone therapy, such as birth control pills, Lupron, Zoladex and Depo Provera. Some of the side effects of these treatments are: weight gain, constantly fatigue, irritable mood swings and depressed.

My case was a little different as I was also diagnosed with Catamenial Pneumothorax. This is when a woman has her menstrual cycle and with in  24-48 hours her lung collapses.  Catamenial Pnuemothorax or CT affects 1% of women here in America. Catamenial Pneumothorax is a rare condition characterized by a recurrence of air in the pleural space coinciding with the onset of menses. CPT was first described in medical books in 1958. It is almost always right-sided, and generally affects women in their thirties and forties.

I was in my early twenties, when I started feeling a tightness in my chest and shortness of breath. I could hardly breathe or talk. A visit to the hospital ER; would reveal that my right lung had collapsed covering my heart completely. Treatment was a chest tube, and a week stay in the hospital. This would go on for seven years. Finally, I was diagnosed with Catamenial Pnuemothorax. A biopsy proved that I had Endometriosis and it had spread to the lung. So is my current battle; but I shall prevail.

Catamenial Pnuemothorax symptoms are: experiencing monthly chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue. Some women have experienced multiple lung collapses over a period of several years. Many of these women have also been diagnosed with pelvic Endometriosis. I am one of those women. Endometriosis can spread to several parts of body organs, such as the bladder, bowel, intestines, colon, appendix, and rectum. In my case it was the lung and my pelvic cavity.   It is estimated that 30-40% of women with Endometriosis may not be able to have children.

In the end I had to have an emergency hysterectomy at 28 years of age. Dealing with infertility would be the trying of my faith. I have no kids at an early age; I vowed to God, that I'd wait until I was married; to have a child. But that is another story of victory and triumph to be shared at a later date.

Living with Endometriosis has definitely placed me on a soul and spiritual searching journey. The continual experimental medicine taking; and still not seeing any changes in my condition  It is hard to find the right treatment for we Endo patients. Sadly it can be difficult for Doctors to believe that this pain actually exists- and trust for me, it did and does. It is almost like a mind game. Medical science says one thing and your body is saying another.

I always tell people/patients this and will stick by it: You know your body and if it's telling you something, listen to it. If you don’t know your body; then get to know it!  With a diagnosed you don't have to settle for one Doctor's opinion, get a second.  Don’t be ashamed nor care what people think about you. The ultimate goal is to get better. It’s the squeakiest wheel gets the oil.

In the end I am seeing the true woman that I am. I am God's chosen. I am not giving up and I am not yielding to defeat. In this I choose to still be happy and remain focus on what God has destined me to be.  In the end, God will honor His name as Jehovah Rapha: The God that HEALS.  

If you or someone you know are suffering from Endometriosis and/or Catamenial pneumotorax please visit:


Author and playwright Vanessa Richardson
www.vanessarichardson.net
http://thecertainones.blogspot.com
Aspiring to inspire!