Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Blog

  • My Weight Watchers Saga Continues


    Dearest Readers:

    Today is T-minus and counting. My weigh in day at Weight Watchers. For once, I actually slept well last night, managing not to awaken for a length of time until 5:00am. I went back to sleep and didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. Most unusual for me! Slowly, I managed to get myself dressed and go to my meeting. The question at hand as I drove to the meeting was “Will I use my ‘get out of jail card free’ again, or will I actually step on those scales. Grumbling to myself as I approached the meeting, I reminded myself how discouraged I was. ‘Plateaus are killing me. I am so tired of being on this yo-yo. I’m so tired of not losing. I want to reach goal.’

    I opened the door, after several members saw me standing at the door. “OK. Here goes.”

    Our leader, Kathy, was at the weigh-in desk. “Great. She’ll see that I’m not losing – AGAIN!” She asked how I was doing. I grumbled. “I’m so sick of not losing,” I said. She closed my booklet, handing it back to me, she said. “Good job!”

    I thought she was kidding! Looking at my booklet I realized I had lost 1.4 pounds! Shocked, I jumped off the scales and did a happy dance!

    What I’ve learned in the last three years as a member of Weight Watchers is the reality that we all will have set-backs, days…and weeks of discouragement…and the recurring battle of plateaus. Yes, I have lost 35 pounds at Weight Watchers, and during weeks of plateaus and yo-yo’s I remind myself that IF I quit Weight Watchers, no doubt, the weight would pile on again. Gaining weight is not someone I wish to be anymore!

    When the meeting started, Kathy, our wonderful, encouraging leader asked if anyone wanted to share their experiences from the last week. Of course, it was me – being the shy, timid, non-opinionated woman that I am – NOT – raised her hand.

    “I’ve lost 1.4 pounds this week. A total shock for me…and I have something to add. Last night I had rehearsals for a variety show that I am singing in. After rehearsal, my husband and I decided to stop at Finz, a local restaurant, bar nearby since one of my favorite dj’s, Steve Russell, was playing music, including karaoke. While I do not claim to be a karaoke-style of singer, I do love to sing. We plopped down at one of the tables. Steve asked if I wanted to get this singing party started. Of course I said yes. I have enough confidence now with singing that I never hesitate to start the show. When round two of the rotations began, Steve wanted to know if my outfit was considered shorts. Perhaps I should’ve said, “Yes…but dress shorts.” I did not share that comment. The outfit I was wearing consisted of a slightly short pair of dress shorts I could not wear previously because they were much too little. Last night, they fit nicely.

    When Steve called me up to sing, he introduced me with the song, “Who Wears Short Shorts,” and when the music began, I danced around.

    Truly a nice night to enjoy friends, and to finally recognize that my body size is changing now! Friends are calling me skinny. Something I shall never be, but it’s nice to receive such encouraging words, especially at an age where some people say, I do not dress age appropriate. Whatever that means!

    Yes, it is true. I do not dress like a woman middle-aged, or afraid to show her legs! Dreadful, isn’t it! I suppose I should be ashamed, but I’m not. I love wearing my short skirts and I love my heels…just like the commercials seen on TV – the ones where the woman isn’t revealed, with exception of her rushing high heels, short skirts and legs! When the camera reveals the woman, we realize she isn’t a twenty, or thirty-something woman, but she is one of those gorgeous women who has fought the aging process, and it is paying off!

    Yeah…that’s me. Short skirts. Platform, or stiletto heels, boots…and so much more.
    Just stay tuned. All to the credit of March 3, 2011. The day I joined Weight Watchers while deciding it was time for me to dance again…to love life again…to be the best I can be! Thank you…Weight Watchers. While I am not at goal yet – I simply say – STAY TUNED! The best is yet to be!

  • Free Writing 101…


    Dearest Readers:

    Today is a beautiful day in the Lowcountry of Charleston, SC. The welcomed sunshine is beaming brightly in my windows, especially in my breakfast room. Yesterday, May 4, 2014, I decided to work in the yard, cutting back the brittle branches of my Lantana, lace Hydrangea and other brittle branches needing attention. Normally, I do these gardening workouts in early February. February 2014 was bitterly cold and wet in Charleston. Every time I planned to go outside, either the weather did not permit, or my right eye was swollen and as red as a beet. My eye is not a vegetable! I do believe I have developed an allergy in my right eye. Of course my doctor disagrees, and I laugh. Silly doctor. She may have the medical degree, but I know my right eye fairly well! Like me, it is stubborn, opinionated and loves to do things on its terms – not mine!

    I enjoyed working in my yard and I was thankful I had a pair of good gardening gloves – to protect my newly manicured nails. After all, a woman has got to look nice, even while gardening. Yes, my hair was styled. I wore shorts and a black top. It was a great day to be in the yard, bending, stooping, stretching, walking – working out!

    If you are curious as to where this post is going – well, let’s just say – it is free writing, so I do not know where it’s going. According to Natalie Goldberg, the rules of free writing are:

    1. Establish a time limit. I usually free write for five or ten minutes. Sometimes more, and sometimes less.
    2. Do not edit, or correct your writing. Ooooh—h! That is a hard rule to follow, and those of you who know me recognize I always say, “Rules are made to be broken.” I taught that rule of life to my son when he was just a little guy, and later, I truly ate those words when we were in a discussion and I reminded him that he broke the rule. His reply to me, with his devilish little grin was, “Mom… You’ve always said rules were made to be broken.” I wanted to crawl through the floor because he remembered my words. Silly me. Sometimes being a mom to a small child can be a bit of a task. Those of you who are moms certainly understand.
    3. Back to the rules of free writing – “If you get off topic…keep writing…” Didn’t I just do that in rule #2???
    4. If you struggle to write when free writing just ask yourself if anything is bothering you while you free write. Anything bothering me? Not yet, but it is such a beautiful morning in Charleston just what could bother me today??? Stay tuned. You might find out!
    5. When the time is up – stop. Excuse me. I am a writer. Sometimes the words just pour from my fingertips while my fingers dance across the keyboard!

    Today, I have many things to do. For one, vacuuming! Last week was such a busy week I failed to do my household chores, so today is the day, and while I vacuum, I will turn on some Neil Diamond music and dance while cleaning. After all, cleaning is movement and according to my Fitbit One, movement is exercise. Yes, I will bend…and stoop…and stretch…just like I did yesterday…and when the vacuuming is done, I’ll do a bit of Zumba. Yes, today is a great day to workout. Tomorrow – I hear the beach calling my name.

    So much for free writing. I must get busy with life. Next chore – styling my hair. Let’s just say, at the moment, my hair is ‘every which a-way but styled,’ looking more like I must’ve stuck my finger in an electrical outlet, if you can picture that. I hope you cannot! After that ritual is done, my makeup awaits, and I must find that silly vacuum cleaner. Yes, I know where it is, but I so hate to vacuum! There is too much life to enjoy!

    More later, Readers. Enjoy this beautiful weather! And for those of you who are not having this glorious spring weather, just imagine taking a nice stroll along the beach. Your warm feet feel the soft sand underneath while the chilled ocean waters tease your feet. How I hope springtime will arrive for everyone soon, and all might enjoy the beauty of the welcoming, warm sunshine after such a bitterly cold winter.

    Have a great week!

  • Top 10 Workout Songs for May 2014


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    The Top 10 Workout Songs for May 2014

    Fort Wayne, IN – May 1, 2014 – This month’s top 10 list contains a healthy mix of perennial favorites and relative upstarts. Chart regulars like Shakira and OneRepublic both clock in with their most recent singles. At the same time, Ed Sheeran and Christina Perri are making their first appearances in the top 10—him with some uncredited assistance from Pharrell Williams and her by way of a Passion Pit remix.
    Whether you’re looking for the comfort of something familiar or a boost from something new, there should be a song or two below that will pop you into a pair of sneakers.
    Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.
    Skrillex – Recess – 105 BPM
    Ellie Goulding – Beating Heart – 128 BPM
    Christina Perri – Human (Passion Pit Remix) – 119 BPM
    Naughty Boy & Sam Smith – La La La – 125 BPM
    Ed Sheeran – Sing – 121 BPM
    Shakira – Empire – 80 BPM
    Mystery Skulls – Ghost (Solidisco Remix) – 124 BPM
    Calvin Harris – Summer – 128 BPM
    OneRepublic – Love Runs Out – 121 BPM
    Childish Gambino – Sweatpants – 80 BPM
    To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

    Contact:
    Chris Lawhorn
    Run Hundred
    Email: mail@runhundred.com

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    strolling along at Waikiki Beach
    Photography credit: Barbie Perkins-Cooper

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    Waikiki Beach at Sunset.
    Photography credit: Barbie Perkins-Cooper

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    Waikiki Beach at Sunset.
    Photography credit: Barbie Perkins-Cooper

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    Waikiki Beach at Sunset.
    Photography credit: Barbie Perkins-Cooper

  • Miranda Lambert and the Country Music Hall of Fame


    Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 3:57 PM3:57 PM
    Message starred
    Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access Exhibition to Open May 16 at the Country Music Hall of Fame
    from Emily Hester to you
    Show Details

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kay Clary
    (615) 416-2084
    kclary@countrymusichalloffame.org

    Emily Hester
    (615) 291-8406
    ehester@countrymusichalloffame.org

    MIRANDA LAMBERT: BACKSTAGE ACCESS TO OPEN MAY 16 AT THE
    COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME ® AND MUSEUM

    Opening Festivities to Include Songwriter Session, Family Program,
    Film Screening and Songwriters Round

    NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 23, 2014 – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will explore a year in the life of Grammy Award-winning superstar Miranda Lambert with the exhibition Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access, which opens May 16, 2014, and runs through November 9, 2014. The exhibit will feature gowns, stage costumes, awards and much more; Lambert’s own Tweets will provide the narrative thread of this journey through the artist’s life in 2013.

    Opening weekend festivities will include a Songwriter Session featuring Lambert’s Pistol Annies bandmate Ashley Monroe, a songwriting program for families and a free film screening. Later in the month, songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Jimmy Robbins will participate in a songwriter round. (A detailed schedule of grand opening activities is below.)

    “Miranda Lambert is one of contemporary music’s most popular and acclaimed artists, and for good reason,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “She’s a dynamic performer; an emotive and powerful vocalist whose voice is equally at home with lyrics tough or tender; and a songwriter with a deft touch for feeling and place. Her numerous hits, from empowering anthems like “Gunpowder and Lead” to introspective set pieces like “The House That Built Me,” are rich contributions to country music’s storytelling tradition. We are looking forward to taking our visitors behind the scenes with Miranda during her amazing successes in 2013.” Lambert’s fifth album, Platinum, is set for release June 3. The first single, “Automatic,” is her highest charting first-week single to date.

    Among the artifacts included in Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access are:

    Roberto Cavalli gown with plunging neckline Lambert wore at the 2013 CMA Awards
    Blue vintage-style lace dress Lambert wore in her music video for “Mama’s Broken Heart”
    Rolling pink wardrobe case from Lambert’s Locked & Reloaded Tour with Dierks Bentley
    Black Ani & Ari corset with pink flames Lambert wore at LP field during CMA Music Fest
    Jovani dress embellished with chains and studs worn at the 2013 ACM awards
    Custom Gibson acoustic guitar with pink finish and pearloid pickguard
    A prototype of the Miranda by Miranda Lambert platinum-colored boots worn on the Platinum album cover
    Outfit Lambert wore in the “We Were Us” music video with Keith Urban

    Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access Grand Opening Month Program Schedule

    All programs are included with museum admission and free to museum members, except as noted below.

    Saturday, May 17 11:30 a.m.
    Songwriter Session: Ashley Monroe
    Ashley Monroe co-wrote every song on her acclaimed 2013 release, Like a Rose. The album was named the #1 country album of 2013 by writers at the New York Times, Rolling Stone and Billboard, and was produced by country superstar Vince Gill. As one-third of the trio Pistol Annies with Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley, she contributed lead and harmony vocals and songwriting credits to the group’s top-selling albums Hell on Heels and Annie Up. Monroe co-wrote Lambert’s #1 hit “Heart Like Mine,” and her songs have been recorded by Jason Aldean (“The Truth”), the Nashville cast (“A Life That’s Good”), Guy Clark, Vince Gill, Cassadee Pope, Carrie Underwood, Rhonda Vincent and Dwight Yoakam. Limited seating. Program pass required.

    Saturday, May 17 1:00 p.m.
    Family Program: Songwriting 101
    Create a song with professional songwriters as you learn songwriting fundamentals, including the basics of song form, rhyme scheme, meter and secrets behind the creative process. Participants will analyze a song written by Miranda Lambert and learn about what inspires and motivates her as a songwriter. Ages 7–12. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate. Visit CountryMusicHallofFame.org for details.

    Sunday, May 18 2:00 p.m.
    Film Screening: Revolution: Live by Candlelight (2010)
    Miranda Lambert tells the stories behind her songs and performs intimate acoustic versions of some of the hits from her ACM Album of the Year Revolution. 28 minutes. Free

    Saturday, May 24 1:30 p.m.
    Songwriter Round: Miranda as Muse: Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Jimmy Robbins
    Hear the songwriters behind the Miranda Lambert hits “Automatic,” “Baggage Claim,” “Only Prettier,” “We Were Us” (with Keith Urban) and “White Liar” perform these songs and others and tell the stories behind them. Nicolle Galyon has also written songs for Danielle Bradberry and Lady Antebellum. Natalie Hemby’s other hits include “Downtown” (Lady Antebellum) and “Pontoon” (Little Big Town). Jimmy Robbins also wrote “Sure Be Cool if You Did” (Blake Shelton) and “Whatever She’s Got” (David Nail). Limited seating. Program pass required.

    Museum programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission and by an agreement between the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

    Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the foundation also operates CMF Records, the museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print®.

    More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.

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    If you would rather not receive future communications from Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum, let us know by clicking here.
    Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 United States

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    Waikiki Beach at Sunset.
    Photography credit: Barbie Perkins-Cooper