Best Life Barb

Last week I spent a few of the best days of my life.  John St. Augustine came into town and made me feel like a million bucks.

John St. Augustine is the rare individual who can lift people up.   John touched so many people from Heartbeat Radio for Women, plus countless others.

On Thursday morning at 7 AM the playlist was playing, it is automatic.  The song, LIKE A ROCK, was playing with Bob Segar singing.  At this time, I figured I better start looking at John’s book, Every Moment Matters, because I hadn’t had a chance to read it yet.  I opened the book to the chapter, LIKE A ROCK.  I shivered.  I couldn’t believe that out of 188 pages, I picked that page while that song was playing.  It was reassuring to me….that God had sent John St. Augustine to help us with the radio station.  AND to help me become the best I can be.

Our radio shows together were an unparalleled success.  We bantered, laughed and even cried on air.  We tore the air waves up last Thursday and Friday.  I got to speak with former CNN news anchor Daryn Keegan.  John got to speak with psychic Linnea Star. 

John signed books and we went out to eat at Carrabba’s, the Outback, and Silvano’s.  We even stopped at the I HOP for a toastmasters meeting. 

We had a luncheon for John on Friday at it was phenomenal.  I got to introduce him, and told my story….and I got a standing ovation.  I never felt so loved in my life.

Everything was the way it was supposed to be.  It was beautiful.

One special place that touched John was the newly opened “God Cafe” in Leesburg.  The God Cafe doesn’t have prices on the menu, because it’s all donations.  They want you to give what you can for your breakfast or lunch.

On our last day together, John wanted to meet me at the God Cafe for breakfast.  He was holding a picture of Jesus when we met.  Not a little picture, but a big picture of Jesus in a frame.  He told me that when he left Michigan, something told him to take that picture out of his office and he didn’t know why.  Well, it was evident that he gave that picture to Gary of the God Cafe to hang up.  Gary was touched, as we all were.  Then John handed Gary a hundred dollar bill.  How right it all was.

So it was a few days of sunflowers and ladybugs, making new friends, dragonflies and the IHOP.  Me signing autographs and hearing John read chapters of his wonderful book. 

New ideas and lots of great energy came with John St. Augustine and it’s fixing to stay for a while.  All that met him were touched by him and I couldn’t be happier that he came.

I wanted him to autograph my book and it took him a while to write and this is what he wrote:

Barb,  You inspire me to live my best life:  the world is a better place because you are here!  Love you, John.

And now it’s time to start writing my book…Epiphanies…by Best Life Barb of Heartbeat Radio for Women….also with Traci Brosman. 

I have learned one thing by John St. Augustine’s visit:

EVERY MOMENT MATTERS!

Best Life Barb

xxx ooo

Today it’s cold and rainy.  It’s Florida!  It’s always supposed to be sunny but it’s not.  This morning I got all my business taken care of and now I’m on to a new adventure.

This adventure will test everything that I know about anything.  But I’m ready to embark on my new life, go to the next level and be free from anything that will hold me back to living my best life.

I want to buy a really nice down comforter.  I would love to snuggle in bed with a down comforter while I’m reading a good book.  Recently I read the “Twilight” series and I’m just about done with the last one. 

I love to read stories about other people’s adventures.  I’ve always been interested in other peoples lives.  And we all know what our product is :  PEOPLE.  So when you become interested in other people, you learn a lot about yourself.  And sometimes it’s not even about the other person, it’s all about yourself.

What is the next step?  Another new journey, a new adventure and I can’t wait to see where this one takes me.

So I’m off to go buy that down comforter…:)

all the Best,

Best Life Barb

xxxx oooo

This little boy is why I do what I do!

It’s Friday night, the end of a very busy and productive week for me.  But did you ever have a day when just about everything goes haywire?

It’s been that kind of day for me.  I don’t want to go into the whole enchilada, but I’m telling you I can certainly tell when there is a full moon outside.  I think the whole world goes crazy when there is a full moon…get it? Moon is LUNAR, right and the word is LUNATIC.

My oldest son Brian is here and he is hanging out with me for the evening.  I am enjoying his company.  He is doing his laundry…hey that’s what kids come back to visit their parents for, right???

Next week will be a pivotal and exciting time for me.  No time for distractions.  Only time  to focus and get the job done.  And that is exactly what I am going to do.

I truly believe that sometimes God tests us right before we are about to be blessed.  And I also believe that we all have lessons to learn.  And when we don’t learn the lesson, it happens over and over and over again.

Lord, I am ready to learn my lesson.  It’s time.

ALRIGHT already!  I hear ya!!  I know what I have to do now.  DONE!

all the BEST,

BEST LIFE BARB

xxx ooo

Leesburg Mardi Gras Parade 2010

Laughter.  When was the last time you laughed so hard you almost peed yourself? 

For me, it was this past Saturday.  Leesburg, Florida held their Mardi Gras parade and I was in it.  I dressed up in a red outfit, with a boa and beads and a big ole red hat and I plopped myself on back of a convertible.  It was so much fun.

First of all, I have to admit that my friends,  Janean Hamilton and Sue Cameron were my accomplices.  Jeanean was my driver and she was cracking me up telling me about her dream that she had a “lead” foot and slammed into all the cheerleaders and band members for the parade.  And Sue Cameron is always so much fun.  Sue was the designated videographer for the event.  Sue was literally hanging out of the car while trying to get some good shots of the crazy people watching the parade. And me, almost killing myself to bend over to throw beads to the hungry natives of Leesburg…LOL.

Every one of us wants to feel loved and needed and wanted.  As I was sitting on the back of the convertible, representing Heartbeat Radio for Women, I felt USED…lol…I was just wanted for the BEADS I was throwing.  I have never seen so many grown men lift their shirts for beads in my whole life.  I laughed and laughed until I almost cried.  I loved it! 

Moving on….

So today I got the pleasure of interviewing the reigning Miss America, Caressa Cameron.  She was such a wonderful interview.  So poised at the ripe ole age of 22.  It’s no wonder that she won! Caressa was a total delight!

I was asked to attend the Sex and the City II premiere with no other than Willie Garson today!  Willie plays Stanford Blatch on Sex in the City and he was on the show today promoting his new role on White Collar on USA.  I kind of “forced” him to ask me…LOL…I would love to go!  Willie is very good friends with Sarah Jessica Parker. Hey maybe they can introduce me to MR. BIG!!?? !!!!

You know, I have to be really grateful.  I get to talk to the most interesting, fun people.  I get to ride in parades and laugh and throw beads at shirtless men.  Tomorrow I have a photo shoot for Lake magazine because I am being featured in their magazine. 

I feel like I’m the real Miss America…:)

all the BEST,

Best Life Barb

xxx ooo

PS.  Below is Dr. Janean Hamilton and Sue Cameron…:)

Look at that face!

I just got back from visiting my grandson up north.  After many delays, I made it on Friday and came back on Monday, just missing another 8 inches of snow.

My grandson Cameron can say BUBBLES.  And he tells his dog Lexie, GET!!!  He still says DUCK DUCK and DOG DOG and BALL BALL.

He is super cute.  I must say I had such a wonderful time in snowy, cold Pittsburgh.  I was able to visit with my youngest son, Randy Luke and his friend Rich.  I saw my sister Bernadette and my brother Blake.  I slept with Cameron every night.  He smells like baby powder and gingerbread cookies.

When it was time for me to say goodbye, he held onto me so tight and cried.  That was tough.

But you know, I already bought my tickets for my next trip to Pittsburgh in April.  It won’t come soon enough.

Until then, I am focusing 100 per cent on Heartbeat Radio for Women.  Kiran is still in town and we have a lot to accomplish.   I found out today that the beauty pageant which I was emceeing has been canceled.  But, it will be re-scheduled at the end of summer and the whole state of Florida will be involved so it will come back much larger.

John St. Augustine will be coming in at the beginning of next month.  My man!  I love John, he is good people.  He will be in to co-host with me for a couple of days, how cool is THAT!  John started Oprah Radio and knows a LOT of influential people and he chose to come and sit with me on my show.  What an accomplishment that is for me, personally.

I want to address the fact that Time Out Tiffani has decided to leave Heartbeat Radio for Women.  Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for and I want to say openly that I wish her the very best for her future.  Michelle Wargo is replacing Tiffani as the afternoon co-host and I couldn’t be happier.  Michelle comes highly recommended and with lots of experience.  We clicked right away!  Michelle has a very strong work ethic and that is tops on my list.

Mary McBride, our admin, is filling in for Michelle until she starts full time the first of March.  Mary does a phenomenal job at our front desk, she is very efficient.  Nick is our producer and he does a great job, too.  Nick and I go back from when it was The Best Life Barb Show on WAMT 1190.  Nick is cool!

This week I’ll be interviewing Jo Frost, the Supernanny from ABC.  I’m also going to interview one of the former Bachelorettes, Jen Scheft.  On Monday, I have the current Miss America, Caressa Cameron plus Wille Garson, Stanford Blach from Sex in the City.  And of course I love my Biggest Losers.

Weather is cold here, but it’s supposed to warm up.  I’m being featured in the Leesburg Mardi Gras Parade this Saturday night at 7 pm.  I will be throwing beads and having a blast.  My two oldest sons and their wives will be coming down to witness this.  Carnival food and throwing beads.  Life doesn’t get much better than that.

all the Best,

Best Life Barb

When you have a purpose, a passion and a desire, you know that your life is headed in the right direction.

Sometimes you may feel that you are beating your head against a wall.  Everyone thinks your crazy.  But when you have a dream, it’s your job to get that dream fulfilled or at least try.

Reminds me of a story about five birds on a ledge.  Three of those five birds decided to fly away. How many birds does that leave?  The answer may surprise you.  All five.  Just “deciding” to fly doesn’t mean that they fly.

It’s great to have good intentions, good ideas and want.  But you must do the work to make things happen.  There are so many people that talk, talk, talk about all the things they want to do.  Likewise there are so many people that talk about all the wonderful things that are going to happen.

Unfortunately, talk is cheap.  You can talk the talk, but you need to walk the walk for results to happen.

You know,  there have been many times when I just wanted to stop.  Maybe stop to watch a good tv show.  Or not make the phone call to a client, but rather make the phone call to a friend to chat.  But nine times out of ten, I did the work.  You MUST do the work to get ahead.  There are no short cuts for doing what needs to be done.

And when the planets all line up, and all the hard work, all the late hours, worked everyone else’s days off, when the universe finally adds it all up…it’s amazing.

Momentum is building at Heartbeat Radio for Women.  The interviews are getting better, easier.  The play list is phenomenal.  The dynamics in the office have been tweaked so there is a very good positive flow. The universe is reacting.

Keep that seat warm for us, Miss Oprah.  We are for real.

all the BEST,

Best Life Barb

xxx ooo

Last week was a slower week for me with interviews.  However on Friday alone I had 6 interviews to do.  As long as I do my show preparation, I am cool with it. 

Friday morning I was hooked up to interview Randy Bernstein, who is the CEO of castingduo.com.  They were interested in casting for a show called “Losing it with Jillian” with NBC.  After speaking with Randy, he convinced me that I should try out for the show.

The casting call was being held in Miami the next morning.

Hmmm…what to do.  Well, for those of you who know me, you know that I am not afraid to jump without a net or go on a new adventure.

I called my oldest son Brian (who happens to LOVE Miami) and asked him to accompany me.  The first thing he said was, “Ma, I don’t want to be on TV, but I’ll drive you to Miami”

As soon as my shift was done, I hurried home, packed a quick bag, drove up to Orlando to pick him up and we were off to Miami.  On the way, I discovered I had a few points from Hilton, so I was able to secure a suite for absolutely free near the airport.

As we were getting closer to Miami, I started losing my nerve a bit.  Here I go again.  Is this something that I can do?  This show is for families and I live with a roomate!  My son lives an hour away and he is not interested in doing a TV show.  Was I wasting my time?  Am I crazy?  Am I wasting my money?  Although the room was free, gasoline sure isn’t free and it cost me a full tank of fuel plus some just to get down to Miami.

It’s like having the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other shoulder.  That was the devil shoulder talking and I decided not to listen to the devil shoulder.

The angel said, what have you got to lose?  Its just another BLB adventure.

We went to the audition and met the sweetest women!  I met them and within a few minutes they decided to push me through to the next round.  I mean it was almost instantaneous.  The problem, is that I needed a family to be on TV with me and I didn’t have one that lived with me.  Alexis, the senior casting director decided to go knock on the drivers window of my car and talk to Brian.

Alexis asked him a few questions about being healthy, and to my surprise, within a few minutes, he was filling out an application to be on Losing it with Jillian.  They interviewed him, loved it that he drank Mountain Dew at every meal, and next wanted to talk to his beautiful wife, Esther.

To make a long story short, we are in, as of now.  Esther needs to send a video tape of  herself in to Alexis and Jax, the other casting director.  If they like her, and I know they will, I”m pretty sure we will be chosen.

Now, Jax assured me that if the family thing did not work out, she wanted to keep me in mind for the next Biggest Loser.  Pretty cool.  Wondering if that would be a better fit for me.  That may take me out of my job for too long, except if I get kicked off right away.  It would be phenomenal for publicity for Heartbeat Radio for Women.  And you know I’m the world’s biggest promoter of that station.  Biggest?  as in Biggest Loser?  LOL

I will let you know when I know.  Until then…all the best,

BLB

xxx ooo

My beautiful amazing daughter Rachael, mother of my grandson...:)

The trip to see Baby Cameron was definitely worth it.  I stayed in the house just about the whole time, playing with him.  He had a bit of a runny nose, but we had some fun.  I can’t believe how that little man is growing up so fast.  I will be back to be with my Valentine on Valentine’s Day.  I already have my ticket!

My daughter Rachael is working full time now.  She is the manager of a lottery and tobacco store and she is amazing.  I am so very proud of her.

Work is good.  Other than a few little hiccups that every small office has, everything is going smooth.  I have been really busy with my interviews.  It’s at the point where if I just have 3 interviews a day, it’s a slow day.  I am excited to be speaking  to Denise Austin, the exercise guru, on Monday morning.

I’m working well with Danny Cahill, the winner of The Biggest Loser Season 8.  He seems to enjoy his show.  I plan on going to visit him and getting to know him better.  He is a wonderful family man and has a wonderful vision to help people that are obese.

Talking about obese….I lost 15 inches last week.  I was surprised, but it did happen.  I am going to the acupuncture doctor, Dr. Janean Hamilton from Mount Dora and she is melting the fat off of me.  Now I know I have a lot more inches to go, but still…that’s amazing for me!  Dr. Janean is giving me some herbs to help with my thyroid.  I sure hope this works!

I have missing Loni a lot lately.  Loni is my daughter that I helped raise when I was with her father…and when I was married to him.  She is turning sweet 16 in a few days and I wish I could share that time with her.  I am trying to bless her father and Lord knows sometimes it’s hard because he is such an ass. 

I also miss Sweet Lou.  He kind of disappeared on me.  His sister Debbie just died and I know that’s probably really hard on him.  I just found out the other day that he was getting inducted to the Hall of Fame for his town.  Sweet Lou was a really good athlete.  I am so proud of him, and I’m hoping he comes back in my life very soon.  He is one of my very best friends in the world.

Miss Charlotte and Alex will be moving to Austin, Texas in the next few weeks and I can’t wait to visit them.  I love my Miss Charlotte with all my heart.  It seems that all of my good friends live so far away!  But to be honest, with my career so full right now, it would be very hard to have quality time with friends.

Joe and I went to the movies yesterday to see a Harrison Ford movie.  It was ok.  Nothing phenomenal.  But Joe did take me out and we have fun together.  We are good for each other.

Ok back to work.  I’m working on helping tweak the Heartbeat Radio for Women web site and listening to my favorite radio station…heartbeatradiousa.com.  We only have a few years to be ready to slide right into Harpo’s shoes.  Its going to be Heartbeat not Harpo….trust me when I tell you!  When it happens, it’s going to be a blast…but I must say, most of the time, it’s a blast just being me.  And I love ME.

Wow-talk about progress…:)

all the BEST,

Best Life Barb

My little peanut is playin with the peanuts..:)

Today is Friday, the end of a very long work week.  I had a ton of great interviews and also reached one of my goals.  I will tell you more about that in an upcoming post.

About 8:00 am this morning, I got to start thinking about Baby Cameron.  I got weepy.  I am missing him really bad.  So I called Kiran, and asked her if I can take Monday off (she said YES) and I am jumping on an airplane early tomorrow morning and going to see my baby boy.

Rachael is happy because now she has a babysitter…LOL.  I’m hoping that my friend Natalie will come over tomorrow night and babysit with me, I haven’t seen her in so long!  Natalie and me always have a good time, we understand each other…lol.

Today is Joe’s 55 th birthday and he is working.  He likes his job and I’m happy about that.  He was so sweet, I had to work late today and he started all my laundry for me, cause he knew I was going away.

A lot of fun and exciting things are coming up with Heartbeat Radio for Women.  I am so glad to be a part of it!  I have worked my ASS off and now I think that it’s finally going to pay off.  Again, I will talk more about it in the near future.

For right now, I’m off to Pittsburgh with no computer, no radio show, no interviews, no phone calls, nothing except playing ring a round the rosie with my 14 month old little man.

I cannot wait.

all the BEST,

Best Life Barb

xxx ooo

Baby Cameron on Christmas Day 2009

Happy New Year 2010!

Seeing Baby Cameron for X-mas in Pittsburgh was great!  I slept with him every night, yes I stayed at my exes house and it couldn’t of been better.  NO, get your mind out of that gutter…lol.  I got to spend as much time as I possibly could with my grandson.

Since flying in on Monday night and working all week I have been going non-stop for a couple of weeks now.  Next week is a killer, also, all full with great interviews.  I was able to secure Danny Cahill, the winner of Season 8’s Biggest Loser to do a weekly show for me.  That is HUGE.

I’m thinking about cutting my hours on air to maybe 4 or 5 hours…NO ONE does 6 hours in this industry.  That may free me up to do some more show prep and tighten my show up.  I am also looking to work with Traci Brosnan on another project, having nothing to do with radio.  It has to do with something that is near and dear to BOTH of our hearts.  You don’t see much of it today and we are fixing to change that.  So for now it’s a secret.  I had a really good idea on the plane ride back from Pittsburgh and we are moving forward with that.  I cannot think of a better partner than Traci.  She is professional, smart and has a great WORK ETHIC.

Moving forward….the Steelers won today, however, need Baltimore, Denver and NY Jets to lose to be in the playoffs.  Hey stranger things have happened!  The Steelers screwed up for five games, but I will support them to the end.  I love my Steelers!  I did not end up going to the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game, I couldn’t bear to be away from Cameron.  Cameron got used to me, too, quite honestly, when I was leaving, I was giving him to his Dad and he didn’t want him.  He wanted me.  That made me feel like a million dollars cause I don’t get to see enough of him.

My vacation and personal days are all figured out now and I will be seeing Cameron again in about 6 weeks.  The tickets are already bought.  There are only a few things that give me true joy.  Cameron is one of them.  Can you guess the rest?  Well let me tell you, I am also working on a cruise vacation for all of us in our family, plus our friends.  I am taking the week after the fourth of July off.  Friends Jason and Michelle and the kids are thinking about going, Brodie and Sara and maybe even Brian and Esther.  Joe is requesting the week off.  I will be asking Charlotte and Alex and even Dr. Z.  He is family, now!!  Maybe Sweet Lou could come, too.  And Tina his sister…she’s awesome.

It’s freaking cold today!  High of only 53 degrees.  But in Pittsburgh it was much colder, but again, my darling Cameron was there with me.  Rachael was happy I was there, too.  I loved seeing my Randy Luke, he is so handsome and smart.  I wish he could attend culinary school.  It’s his dream.  Rachael is working now and starting to really mature.  Kinda.  She is feeling her oats a bit.  At this time, she is looking to be independent.

I miss Sweet Lou.   I miss him being around, it seems like we have really drifted apart as best friends.  But I guess he will always be there for me, and vicey versa.  We had so much fun when we both lived in Orlando and was doing the Best Life Barb Show.

Ok time for me to go to work.  I know it’s Sunday but I did get to goof off for a while this morning…I went to see New Moon…I’m an Edward fan…but that Jacob sure is handsome, too. 

all the BEST,

Best Life Barb

xx xooo