Moving! UGH!

So we have been home from vacation just a few days and dove head first into packing up our house to move into a rental.  The boys and Gene are not at all thrilled about it but I can see it as just "temporary" and I am willing to do that to have time to find the right house.  And it just so happens that tonight we did put in a bid on a new home.  We found one we both like alot.  Of course there is a lot that needs to be done such as landscaping and some window coverings but all in all it is very nice AND brand new.  Gotta love a house no one has lived in before.  So we will see.  Truly I am not getting nervous or anxious about finding a house.  I believe the right house for us is out there and God will bring us to the right one.  So I just relax and let it go and focus on what I can focus on.

Speaking of that I am heading back to cycle class tomorrow.  This should be interesting.  I must get myself back on a regimen which shows that anyone can get throw off track and then you simple redefine your goals and get right back to it.  I am on the fence if I will compete again this year.  Perhaps in November however I am not pushing that as well.  My body and mind have been through a lot this last year and it was just a year ago I was in the final stretch for the first of 3 competitions.  I must admit the thing drawing me back is the great women I had the pleasure to meet.  It is such a wonderful atmosphere of strong and happy women. I encourage anyone remotely interested to try it.

Today was a good day for I was at Cox communications shooting an infomercial with my friend Bob Rue and Dr. Sam Walters.  We had a great time together and of course any time in front of the camera is a good day.  My goals are to be able to support myself just acting some way whether it is as a voice or on air talent.  I would really love to lend my voice to an animated movie or video.  That is my focus for my career right now.  I want to be a fish or dog or bear or something, maybe a leopard.  The other focus is to be in an action movie.  Doing physical stuff is the best!

Well it is time to hit the pillows so I can get up for cycle class.  Remember get your 8 hours of sleep to keep the weight off!

In health,
Laura

Sold Our House!!

Well here it is JULY! Can't believe it.  Well I guess I can since it is a bazillion degrees outside.  The summer months are always a little depressing for me living in AZ.  It is so unbearably hot that nowhere is comfortable.  I have been losing all kinds of water weight sitting and watching my son's baseball games.  The house is all dark to try and keep it cool.  You need gloves to open doors or touch your steering wheel that is about what it is like here right now.    The good news about July is that in just under a week we leave for Alabama to visit my brother and his family.  I have 2 nieces there Kaitlin and Jenna who I have not seen in forever.  So it will be so much fun to get away and have new scenery although the hottness factor will still be in full swing and added to that humidity.  I am still looking forward to it immensely.

Acting and voice work have been exciting for me this month which is unusual.  I have many jobs scheduled for this month before and after my trip.  That is a tremendous blessing.  Usually work tanks in the summer as no one wants to film here during the hot months.

And as I mentioned in the title we sold our house.  We never imagined it would go that quickly.  Now the search is on for a new home.  We look today so here's hoping we find the right one.  Packing is not my favorite thing but for more space I will do it.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July.  Be safe.

peace,
Laura

Back at it~

Well where has the time gone?  I wrapped up the competing last November with Nationals.  I took 5th in the Bikini Division and I was thrilled to come away with a trophy as I didn't feel I looked that good.  I think it was too many competitions in a row.  The good news was that I reached my personal goal of competing at 45 years and doing well even nationally.  I am considering competing again in OCB here in AZ on August 28th.  I say considering because we are going to visit my brother in Birmingham in July for a week.  So obviously there is not dieting or working out on a regular schedule that I can do so how far back will that put me?  I don't think I will try for Figure any  more just Bikini and Fitness Model.  So that is still up in the air however I do want to go to Las Vegas in November.

Other areas of my life have flown by such as my youngest son Chris just graduated from elementary school and is headed to Williamsfield for high school.  He starts with the baseball team June 1 and he is so excited.  It is unbelievable how fast the time has gone and now he is in high school and I have to look up to talk to him as he is pushing 5'10" at 13!!  My older son  Justin is doing so well in college and moving toward his degree in 3D Animation.  Now to find a job!!

Acting and voice continue to be a thrill for me and this last year was consistently busy.  That is such a blessing as I was able to do my first audio book.  The book is entitled "The Power of 4" written by my dear friend Paula Owens.  It is a wonderful and scientific look into the multi headed beast that is weight loss and health.  I encourage all of you to check it out on iTunes!!! I am working on getting a link to it on my site.
Of course the NEW hair color was a big change for me but I really love it now.  I was offered the role of a psycho killer (yeah) and they needed a dark hair female.  That combined with my need for a change pushed me to go for it.  My hairdresser, Shauna was scared to take me directly to brown but she did as requested.  She is sooooo talented with color.  What do you think?

Also a new blessing is that I am a grandma AGAIN of 2 beautiful twin babies, Ryan and Emma.  I visited in October and now they are coming this July to visit us.  I am so excited. Ryan already has some teeth.

That is all for now.  Off to do some painting.  Enjoy your weekend. Let's remember those who fought for our freedom!

Peace,
Laura

5 days until I leave for Vegas!

Well I am down to the last week before I step on stage.  Honestly it feels like it is dragging however I still have a lot to do before I go so I am sure I will feel differently soon.  Did a leg workout this morning and charlie horsed my hamstring.  I think it is a combination of a tired body and mind.  It wasn't poor form just a body that has had enough!  I am very excited for Vegas, don't get me wrong.  I know once I get there it will fly by and it will be a great event.   I bought a new suit for the bikini competition.  Berns at Passion Fruits Design is awesome and her suits are works of art.  Check out her website!

At home things are crazy busy as usual with my son Chris now playing 2 sports, baseball and football.  Tomorrow is our first tournament for the Blaze.  Of course it is supposed to rain also for the first time in ages.  Go figure.

Had a busy week working with HiDef Productions and Premiere Media doing another dental commercial, interviewed an author and did 2 voice jobs.  I love it when that work comes  in.  Between that and teaching it has kept me very busy, which I feel very blessed to say.

Well, going to glue more rhinestones on my figure suit.  Have a great day.

Wrapping a movie and planning for Vegas!

It has been a while since I have written as my life became very busy out of the blue! I was cast in a new movie which shot well into the wee hours for about one week.  It was a great experience just very tiring one.  I had long drives home from Troon which is about 1 hour from my  house in good driving conditions.  I enjoyed the crew and cast very much.  My good friend Bob Rue was in the movie as my  husband so that made the set even better.  I encourage you to check out his site at RobertRueVoice.com   he is a very talented actor and voice talent.  Sarah Wilson is a lovely young actor that will do big things so be on the lookout for her and Jose Rosette also played a predominant role which was great to watch.

When the movie finished I felt like you do when vacation is over.  Kind of out of sorts for a few days.  I was shooting and then working out, going to baseball practices and of course teaching at the college and online.  My house fell apart and I had so many clothes and bags in my car it looked like I was running away from home.  Now everything is back to normal pretty much.  I have my attention fully on nationals coming up in a few weeks.  It is so hard finding a balance with working out, proper diet and rest.  I am looking good and hope to tweak a few things before show time.  I have begun 2 a day workouts now and I am afraid other things will take a back seat until Vegas is over.  I leave on Oct. 18 and come home the 21st.  Besides competing I have scheduled with a few photographers to shoot with them to expand my website.

Good news today was that I was cast to play a dentist in a commercial and that shoots on Tuesday.  Always good to have bookings coming up!  
Well that is all for now! have a great week.

Competition Number 2

Well Saturday was OCB.  I did very well and I was so happy with the whole experience.  Luckily Tiffani Bachhus was competing with me and could help me stay on track. We practiced posing and walking and she helped me with my makeup, etc.

I ended up getting 5th in Fitness Model which was an OPEN.  So there were girls there 15 years  younger than me and I actually beat them.  No one was more surprised than me.  It was a great feeling.  Than I was chosen 3rd in Figure in my age class (Masters).  So all and all it was a great time.

Definitely there are big things to work on and so I am stepping it up to the next level.  I have to get ready for Fitness America in Las Vegas Nov 18-21.  I want to be at the next level for that show.  My friend and colleague Paula Owens is going to give me her advice this week and order some new supplements for me.  My abs are a real source of problems for me.  No matter how lean I get they always hold me back and refuse to cooperate.  So that is my goal for this competition.

Honestly I have given myself a few days off as my body is tired.  I am really having trouble these last few days to jump back on the dieting bandwagon.  I will get my butt in gear but boy is it hard.  Once you get a taste of some choc. chip cookies and brownies (all gluten free) it is hard to back off.  I feel that I have been dieting forever and mentally it gets hard.  Once you get on stage and have the experience it is all worth it but you do have to remember your goals.

Today I had a meeting with some people from Gannet which is the owner of The Arizona Republic and some TV channels here.  I am going to be the cover model for a new health and fitness magazine!  I am so excited and today I went down there to choose wardrobe and get to know everyone.  So next week is the shoot and I am looking forward to see myself on the cover!

Well that is all from me.  I am going to listen to a teleconference with Cathy Savage and try to learn more stuff.
Have a great night.

Show number 2

It has been a few days since I have written and this is because by the time I get everything around the house cleaned up for the night I head straight to bed.  Also, I won't have to fight off hunger pains as well and I can look forward to breakfast.

Well tomorrow is OCB.  I am happy to report there are 6 other women in my category so this will be better than last time.  I am feeling a little better now, however a few hours ago I was in a deep hole.  I just sat here feeling terrible.  But it passed and I got up ate a little dinner and now I am having a green tea before I head to bed.

I took my first polygraph test this afternoon which was interesting.  You start to feel warm the longer you sit there and that starts to make you feel uneasy so I was nervous my test would come off bad.  Luckily I made it through with flying colors.  After that I drove to get more tanned.  I can't believe how dark you have to be to do this  and I have decided that tanning is the worst part of this.  You stick to everything and leave brown stains everywhere.  I am sitting on towels as I write this and I will sleep on towels as well.  Just the thought of being in this stuff all day with no shower is gross.

Soon I will get up and pack my bag for tomorrow.  I have to be there by 8:30 a.m. to check in and the meeting for the competitors is at 9 am.  Prejudging is at 10 a.m. and then we will see.  It will be a long day however it will help me get better on stage which is what I need.  I would really like to do well in Las Vegas in November and make a good showing so this is leading me to that goal.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.