Surely by now you know I’m very open about personal issues.  As a broadcaster, I feel a great responsibility to give back, to share, and to inform ; as well as entertain. Well, I’m not sure if this is a  HIPPA violation or not, I’m guessing not, since “I” am the one sharing the information.  You know I am NOT a doctor or nurse, I’m just a wife, and mother, a friend… a woman who cares about others and I am in the position to talk to alot of people through the radio station and this blog. 

Well,  I am  headed in for my yearly mammogram tomorrow, and while I’m not scared, it does make one think. When was the last time I really did  a self check in the shower? Hmmm… was that little bump there last time? It’s unsettling. I get regular check ups, you know the “fun kind” lol…. girls you know which one I’m talking about; and other regular doctor visits. I want to stay on top of my health.

But honestly, we get busy, we lose track of time, we’re raising kids, building homes, taking care of our husbands, and we just forget to carve out the “ME” time. But this is one thing I make sure to do and I hope you do too.  I am 39 and had my first mammogram when I was 23. Yeah, I know, young, but my doctor felt it necessary.  Most women don’t start getting them till they turn 40, of course it depends on your family history and what your doctor feels is right for you. 

So, I know the drill. I know I’ll get the first mammogram and they’ll call me and say we need you to come back for a better look. I’ve come to expect that over the years. I don’t freak at the thought of my “girls”  being flattened like a pancake, because honestly, it’s not that bad.    If you’ve ever breast fed, this is no big deal.  

I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you haven’t done a breast self exam lately, or you haven’t had a mammogram lately, please do it. Take time to care for yourself, because if you dont take care of YOU, how can you take care of anyone else? 

 So, wish me luck tomorrow and ask yourself and your friends:  “ Is it time for a mammogram?”

XOXO

Christie

The ACM’s are coming up LIVE from Vegas on April 5th and oh I wish I were going. Here’s a link to the making of the promo for the show featuring a bevy of country music’s most beautiful blondes. Makes me wish my hair was blonde again.. but only for a minute.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKVGk-AYEpw

I just wanted to say thank you for all of your prayers for my newborn neice Taryn. She was born March 11th in Fort Smith, several weeks early and was taken to Arkansas Childrens Hospital.  When she arrived on March 14th, she was on a ventilator, had fluid around her heart, and was suffering from Patent Ductus Arteriosis.  PDA is a heart problem that occurs soon after birth in some babies.  In PDA, there is an abnormal circulation of blood between two of the major arteries near the heart. Without getting too technical, basically there is a valve that is not closed that should be.  Well…. my sister called last night and said, they had taken her OFF the vent and the latest heart echo showed the valve has closed! Praise GOD! 

My sister Marty also said she saw her baby open her eyes for the first time too and she got to hold her.  I was so happy to hear this news for the both the baby and my sister. As you know, we lost our mom last September and for her to have to go through all this without Mama has been tough. But I know she is with them and watching over that little angel too. 

Please keep praying for them both, little Taryn is making great strides and I hope to report more good news soon!   

I am so ticked at the outcome of American Idol last night. What the heck happened America?  Alexis Grace in the bottom three?  Helllllllloooo???????

That girl is an incredibly talented singer, probably so talented that everyone thought….. “I don’t have to vote for her because everyone is voting for her.” It’s a shame. Michael Sarver got more votes than her? GET REAL!!! 

He butchered Garth’s song so much, that I don’t think I will ever be able to listen to it again and I LOVE Garth!  

I was screaming at the TV last night, and I’m still just as mad today. I felt like the judges disrespected Alexis by not even listening to her sing. They told her it was all up to that second performance and then they didn’t even bother to listen to her! 

Why not sit in their seats and LISTEN…then go to another one of Ryan Seacrest’s infamous “…..we’ll find out… AFTER the break!”

So, there’s my take… I KNOW you must have comments on this too, so please feel free to write in… agree or disagree…it’s okay. 

I can’t wait to see and hear which songs will be sung tonight during Grand Ole Opry week on American Idol.  I searched online and found a list of songs that were supposedly given to Idol hopefuls.  This is according the website www.votefortheworst.com

Alan Jackson - Don’t Rock the Jukebox
Alan Jackson - Summertime Blues
Alan Jackson - Chattahoochee
Alison Krauss - When You Say Nothing Ar All
Alison Krauss - Baby Now That I’ve Found You
Barbara Mandrell - If Loving You Is Wrong I Don’t Want to Be Right
Brad Paisley - Celebrity
Brad Paisley - Mud on the Tires
Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I’m Going
Carrie Underwood - Jesus Take the Wheel
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood - Wasted
Carrie Underwood - So Small
Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
Carrie Underwood - Last Name
Diamond Rio - Beautiful Mess
Dierks Bentley - What Was Thinkin
Dierks Bentley - Come A Little Closer
Dierks Bentley - Every Mile a Memory
Dierks Bentley - Feel That Fire
Dolly Parton - Jolene
Dolly Patron - I Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again
Dolly Parton - 9 to 5
Dolly Parton - Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That
Garth Brooks - Friends in Low Places
Garth Brooks - The Dance
Garth Brooks - Shameless
Garth Brooks - More Than a Memory
George Jones - She Thinks I Still Care
George Jones - He Stopped Loving Her Today
Hank Williams - I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
Johnny Cash - I Walk the Line
Josh Turner - Your Man
Josh Turner - Would You Go With Me
Josh Turner - Firecracker
Lorrie Morgan - Watch Me
Martina McBride - Wild Angels
Martina McBride - A Broken Wing
Martina McBride - Anyway
Pam Tillis - Cleopatra, Queen of Denial
Pam Tillis - Maybe It Was Memphis
Patsy Cline - Walkin’ After Midnight
Patsy Cline - I Fall to Pieces
Patsy Cline - Crazy
Patty Loveless - Blame On Your Heart
Randy Travis - Forever And Ever Amen
Reba McEntire - Fancy
Reba McEntire - Why Haven’t I Heard From You
Ronnie Milsap - It Was Almost Like a Song
Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man
Terri Clark - Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Trace Adkins - You’re Gonna Miss This
Travis Tritt - I’m Gonna Be Somebody
Travis Tritt - T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Travis Tritt - Tell Me I was Dreaming
Travis Tritt - It’s a Great Day To Be Alive
Trisha Yearwood - She’s In Love With The Boy
Trisha Yearwood - Walkaway Joe
Trisha Yearwood - How Do I Live
Vince Gill - I Still Believe In You

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BRAD PAISLEY ranks first among listeners’ favorite country artists in a newly-released survey (by the Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. and Edison Research). More than 13,000 listeners, who cited a country station as their primary station, took part in the poll. BRAD earned a 4.5 on a scale of 1-5. He was trailed by BROOKS & DUNN and GEORGE STRAIT (4.4), as well as TRACE ADKINS, KENNY CHESNEY, ALAN JACKSON, TOBY KEITH and TIM MCGRAW (4.3). The most popular emerging artists that survey participants “first learned about in the last year or two” were TAYLOR SWIFT, LADY ANTEBELLUM, SUGARLAND, CARRIE UNDERWOOD and the ZAC BROWN BAND.

American Idol will feature a Grand Ole Opry theme March 17 and 18 as contestants will select and perform songs popularized by Opry members.Opry members Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis will sing together Travis’ classic hit I Told You So, now also Underwood’s latest single. Brad Paisley will make the television debut of his new single, Then, off his forthcoming summer album. American Idol airs on FOX Tuesday, March 17 at 7-9p.m. and Wednesday, March 18 at 8-9 p.m. 

From one internationally-acclaimed stage to another, we look forward with great anticipation to ‘Grand Ole Opry Week’ on American Idol. Like Idol, the Opry is a stage where dreams can come true,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “Opry members Carrie, Brad, and Randy truly embody everything fans love about the Opry - they’re authentic, have a great appreciation for where country music has been, and are an integral part of its future. We look forward to watching as Idol contestants from across America sing some of the most popular songs to have been sung on the Opry stage, songs that have become part of the fabric of our country.”

American Idol is in full swing. Typically I’m not emotionally invested in the show until the top 12 are picked. Well this year, we have 13 and I’m sooooooo IN!  I have been captivated by the stories of the contestants this year more than any other from the get -go.  The story of Danny losing his wife,  Lil losing her home in a tornado, Scott being vision impaired, Megan having a  baby and divorcing at a young age…. those are just SOME of the stories that have moved me this time.  The producers know what they are doing. They are telling us a story; a story that endears us to the artist, and it’s worked on me!

You’ve heard me talk about my favorites: Alexis, Lil, Matt, Allison, Scott , Kris and Megan.  I have had numerous texts, Facebook posts, and Myspace messages asking me who I think will be going home tonight…. well…..hmmmm….I can tell you this: I think the bottom four based on performances last night were Megan, Anoop, Jorje and Jasmine.

I think Anoop and Jorje have a big fan base so I think America will give them a second chance. My bet would be that Megan ( as much as I love, love, love her) along with Jasmine will be the two to go. 

They’ll also be the first to hear Carrie Underwood sing them home with a really cool version of Motley Crue’s HOME SWEET HOME;  which by the way, will be avaialable on I Tunes.  No, Ryan Secreast did not pay me to say that. I just thought all of you Carrie Underwood fans would want your own copy!  

Tune in Thursday morning and we’ll see which member of the Fox Crew got their prediction right.  I hope it’s me, Trey will never let me live it down if he’s right and I’m wrong! lol  

Well, Julianne Hough may be his girlfriend and may get to dance with him on Dancing With The Stars…. but I was able to snag him away for a few moments while I was in Nashville at the Country Radio Seminar.  May I just say… as you ladies already know… he is a very handsome gentleman and SUPER sweet too. Alot of times when you meet artists they are quick to take the photo and move on to the next person, but he was very cordial, made eye contact, took my hand and introduced himself…. yes, HE introduced himself to ME.  I was like… “Hey, everyone knows who YOU are! I should be introducing myself to YOU.” He was so nice, thanking me for playing his music and for being a fan. That interaction sealed the deal with me.  Thank you Chuck!  Good luck on DWTS!