Recently my childhood best friend, Micki, came to visit me from Virginia and we have one of those friendships that we can pick up right back up where we left off.   It was so good to see her and just laugh, be completely myself, and let me tell ya we tore the mall up!  We are some shopping fools!  My point in telling you about her visit is that I realized again how fortunate I am to have a friend like that in my life.  You know what I am talking about, this is the kind of friend you can tell anything to and they don’t judge you, they just guide you.  Friends are like a kind of personal wealth.  I am blessed to have many very close friends, but there is only one Micki.  Whenever we get together it’s like Christmas, it’s like being 12 years old all over again, and for me it’s like having the sister that I never had.

 So I have to tell you how we met because it’s a cute story.  Our Moms actually worked together as home health nurses and they got to talking one day and realized that they both had daughters about the same age.  They decided we should meet and they even arranged the meeting.  You have to understand that my world was dominated by boys.  I am the the only girl of three kids and the only granddaughter on both sides and on top of that there was not one girl in my immediate neighborhood.   Nothing against the boys, but as hard as I tried I just couldn’t get my brothers to play Barbies with me.  They were always outside playing on their dirt bikes and building forts in the backyard.  Ick!  So yeah I was ready for a friend that was not interested in putting their entire face into a mud pie (my brothers loved doing this).  On the other hand, I was a little wary of a friend that my Mom was setting me up with.  I mean what kind of loser is this kid?  She can’t make friends on her own? Our Moms had to set this whole thing up?  I pictured this freaky little girl that would be proud to show me her bug collection or worse was still playing with baby dolls and not Barbies.  I mean, urgh, how uncool would that be. 

So the fateful day arrives that I am to be taken to Micki’s house and I will admit I was abit nervous and a little irritated with my Mom for making meet, what I was sure was going to be the biggest geek in the universe.   Micki’s house was not that far from my house and we were there in about 10 minutes.  My Mom opens my car door and smiles and says “come on this is gonna be fun.”  I roll my eyes, but I follow her up to the door to the modest little rancher house.  The door opens, I hold my breath, and then there appears this little cute brunette with a big smile and her eyes are mirroring my thoughts exactly.  “Who are you?” they seem to be saying.  I come in and we are introduced and we check each other out in that secret way that only girls do.  We of course are arkward at first, but slowly begin to talk and warm up alittle bit towards one another.  Micki asks me “what kind of music do you like?”…well that was it from there we realized that not only did we both love the soundtrack to Grease, but we both loved Michael Jackson and Rick Springfield.  And she had a great Barbie collection!  I mean what more could I ask for in a new friend.  I had no idea that day would change my life forever, I just met my lifelong best friend.

So fast forward many, many years (no I am not telling you how many years) and we are still the same.  She has her own daughter now and I absolutely love to buy clothes for this little doll of a girl.  She is a very successful woman in her career, in her marriage, and in being a terrifc Mom.  I am so proud of her.  But the cool thing is that Micki is still, well Micki, my best friend.  I am a very rich person to have a person like her in my life.  So if you have a “Micki” in your life call him or her (and you guys this inludes you too), tell your best friend, “hey I was reading this blog today and it just made me think of you…so how ya doing?” 

Take it from me you will be glad you made the phone call.

Okay so picture this, for about five years I worked out five days a week with a personal trainer for about two hours a day.  I am not talking about just a little jog or a brisk walk.  Oh no, it was seventy minutes (at least) of cross-training, hard-core cardio.  I would then follow this horrendous cardio workout with weightlifting and then some torturous ab work.  I got to the point that when I took a spinning class it was easier than what I was doing with the trainer on a daily basis.   So you would think that I was in great shape, well I was.  And you would also think I had a kickin’ body, you know thin, cut, the aerobic queen, well no that wasn’t that case.  In fact, I just kept getting heavier.  I know what you are going to say “muscle weighs more than fat”, yeah I understand that, but believe me there was more than just muscle weight on me.  It was so frustrating, I couldn’t understand how I could keep getting heavier when I was busting my butt in the gym everyday.  I would ask my trainer what I was doing wrong and she would say “Kain it’s all in your diet”.  And you know what, I didn’t believe her.  I really thought I was burning enough calories in the gym everyday to justify the pizza, wings, subs, cookies, and every other deep-fried concotion that was out there that I was consuming everyday.  I think you can see my logic here, but sometimes you just have to do more to lose weight and I just could not accept that at the time.  I thought that if I worked out as hard as I could that I was justified to eat anything I wanted and as much of it as I wanted.  Well guess what? It doesn’t work that way.

So then I start the program with Physician’s Plan Weight Management Center this spring and I lose 20 pounds in two months.  Hmmmmm, let’s see so I just adjusted my caloric in- take and I just dropped more weight in two months than I did in five years of working out.  Now this is not an argument against working out.  We all know the benefits of exercise, but what it has taught me is just how important our diet can be.  I am actually  big fan of exercise and I love the way it makes me feel.  I am one of those folks who get that wonderful endorphin rush after working out.  It helps me both physically and mentally.  So I know it’s time to get back to the gym.  I stopped working out because I was frustrated and then I ended up getting even heavier because I continued to eat poorly, but now I wasn’t even burning any of it off.  So I took that first step and started Physician’s Plan and fixed my diet, it’s now time to put back in the exercise.  My weight loss has slowed down abit and when I asked the folks at Physican’s Plan why, they told me that I needed to add in some exercise and I would see that weight loss start to speed up again.  And this time I am listening to the experts instead of thinking I know better.  So as of next week I start going to the gym and this time I think I won’t try to be the workout queen.  This time I will be alittle more reasonable about my workout and not try to be on the cover of Shape magazine inside of a week.

This weight loss journey has really been enjoyable.  I enjoy seeing my body change, I really enjoy seeing those the smaller sizes again.  It’s something I am working very hard for, but it is absolutely with it.  So if adding alittle exercise in with the diet helps me attain my goal then I say…BRING IT ON!  Tough words from a girl who can curl 10 pounds.  See ya at the gym!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved to dress up.  I also had a bad habit of dressing my little brothers up too…as girls.  Under the threat of a beating from their older sister, I would put them in dresses and high heels when they were just wee little lads.  I almost feel guilty about doing this to them…almost.   Much to my brother’s relief I progressed from dressing them up to dressing my Barbie dolls  in what I like call “Kain Couture”.  This usually consisted of scarves that I would turn into grand ball gowns for them or little scraps of material I would find in my Mom’s sewing basket that would then be transformed into some super groovey disco dress or if there wasn’t much material, a very cool bathing suit.  I was the Calvin Klein of Barbie doll clothes!  So naturally after I grew tired (and too old) for Barbies, the fashions started to show up on me, much to my Mom’s chagrin.  I have always dressed just alittle wilder than most.  I can’t help it, if it’s bright, outrageous, loud, an animal print, outlandish, well, I am gonna LOVE it!  Don’t even get me started on all the colors I have had in my hair!  I just like the extreme.  If I see a kid with a pink mohawk I just smile, I can totally relate.  You just have to express yourself and what better time to do it then when you are young.  However, that’s not to say that you can’t still have fun with your wardrobe at any age, which brings me to my next thought…

So since I have started losing weight I can’t stop shopping!  Seriously I am at the store at least 5 times a week.  But believe it or not, I can do this and not break the bank.  I am the bargain queen.  I never buy anything at full price, it has to be on sale or no go.  Shopping is like hunting and gathering for me, it’s like an instinct.   I see the prey (the shirt or shoes), I circle around it, I reach out to check out it’s markings (design and price), if the prey meets my standards then I move in for the kill (which involves whipping out the credit card).  I bag my prey and then proudly display it to my co-workers and friends the next day.  So you guys can go deer hunting, just take me to the mall.

Okay back to the losing weight thing, I think you all know I am losing weight though Physician’s Plan Weight Management Center.  I have now lost 20lbs and believe me it’s making a BIG difference in the way I feel and how I dress.  When I put all that weight on I was a master at hiding my weight and body.  Now I am beginning to wear things that show off my figure alittle more.  Of course I am doing this all in baby steps because I am not done with the weight loss process, but it sure is nice to wear smaller sizes and clothes that I would not of dared to wear 20lbs ago.  So I will tell you, yes it does take some discipline to be on a diet, but it SO worth it.  Every pound lost gets me that much closer to my goal and you know what, I am really enjoying the journey.

I love clothes, the wilder the better.  I love shoes, especially high heels.  I love crazy costume jewelry…yep I am absolutely a clothes horse!  Just call me a well dressed Sea Biscuit…just don’t call me Mr. Ed!

Happy Shopping!

So I think alot of you know I do alot of local theatre and music theatre, most notable my portrayal of Janis Joplin in Rock and Roll Heaven by Sheri Grace Productions for Piccolo Spoleto 2005 and 2006.  For me there is nothing like being on a stage in front of a live audience, it’s heady feeling to say the least.  However, I am not writing this blog to toot my own horn, but rather to tell you about the incredible talent that I have had the great honor of working with in these many of these productions.   Actually I want to talk about the play I am doing right now.

I am currently in a play called The Boys Next Door, by playwright Tom Griffin,  and it’s the story of four mentally challenged men living in a community home.  What I love about this play is that it presents us with an overall picture of their world, as it looks into the minds and hearts of the mentally challenged in today’s often impatient and intolerant society.  What amazes me about this play are the actors that play these lovable mentally challenged men and the role of Sheila, a mentally challenged woman, portrayed by Monique Waters.  Not only are their talents just unbelievable, but their dedication to “getting it right” has been inspirational.  They spent a day visiting the Hope Center and the Delicious Delights Bakery – two places where adults with mental disabilities work and spend their days.  This trip was arranged at the invitation and encouragement of Karolyn Elliot, the Executive Director of the Charleston County Disabilties Board.

THE CAST consists of some of Charleston ’s finest actors, including:

• Fred Hutter – as “ Arnold ”, a nervous, paranoid delusional who works in a movie theatre, and dreams of traveling to Russia .
• Ross Magoulas – as “Lucien”, a senior citizen with the mind of a small child, who is in danger of losing his state benefits.
• Robbie Thomas portrays sweet natured Norman, the sensitive one, who works in a doughnut shop, and has a crush on Sheila, a resident of one of the women’s homes.
• Jamie Smithson plays “Barry”, a functional schizophrenic who fancies himself a golf pro. 

• Overseeing the group is “Jack”, the burned-out social worker, played by Scott Haithcock. 
• The wonderful supporting players are: Monique Waters (Sheila), Paulette Bertolami, Karl Bunch, Andy Cohen, and yours truly!

This is smallest role I have even played in a production but it is has been so worth it!  I play a neighbor to the men named Karen Warren and I play a very mentally challenged character by the name of Clara.  Believe me it’s been alot harder than I thought it would be, even though the roles are small.  The character Clara has been very difficult for me. The actors who play the four mentally challenged men and the one woman make it look so easy and it’s been such a pleasure to watch that art happen on stage night after night. I don’t want to leave out the director, a young man by the name of Ryan Ahlert, who is also well known performer in the area.  I took this quote from the press release because it really does capture what he has done with this play.

“While at times Griffin ’s play is hysterically funny, mental challenges are no joke. In this play we get to see the world not only through rational eyes, but through the fractured perceptions of these men whose conditions are chronic and heart-wrenching”, says director, Ryan Ahlert. “I want the play to simply tell the truth and to walk the line of entertainment and honesty.”

And believe me it does. 

I tell you this not because I am in it, but because it’s simply a beautiful play.  I believe you will be as moved as I am by this wonderful local production. If you get the chance, make some time, take your spouse or friend, and come see it.  It’s currently running at The Village Playhouse in Mount Pleasant though July 22nd.  Here’s the info below:

Thursday, July 12 ^th, Friday, July 13 ^th, Saturday, July 14 ^th at 8pm

Thursday, July 19 ^th, Friday, July 20 ^st, Saturday, July 21 ^nd – 8pm , and Sunday, July 22 ^nd at 3pm

Ticket prices:  $20/Adults, $18/Seniors, $16/Students

Due to some adult language, the play is rated PG13

TICKETS:

For Tickets Please Call:  843-557-1163 – Or Email your reservations:
SHERI@SHERIGRACE.COM

Picture this…queso and salsa dip and chips, a chicken burrito, refried beans on the side…yummmmmmmy!  Doesn’t sound like something you could have when you on a diet huh?  Well I did last night and I have lost 11 1/2 pounds since beginning Physician’s Plan, 16 lbs from my last Doctor’s visit!  See the deal is, if you don’t allow yourself a “cheat” meal every once in a while there is no way you will be able to stay on a diet.  In fact the staff at Physician’s Plan Weight Management Center encourages you to eat what you really want every once in awhile.  The funny thing is that I don’t or can’t eat as much of this rich food as used to because my system is just not used to it anymore.  So I enjoyed my mexican feast last night, but I am right back on the plan today with no problem.  But having that “blow out” meal every once in awhile gives me something to look forward to and I promise you will NOT gain all your weight back if you “cheat” every once in awhile…like everything in life moderation is key.  I will tell you that when I took my first bite of that queso dip last night I said out loud “heaven on Earth.”  And it was!

Now on the other hand, the way my body is looking and the way my clothes are fitting is a pretty good feeling too.  When I go shopping now for clothes I am looking at things differently now.  I am not thinking what will hide me an my weight gain I am thinking what can I find that will show off my shrinking waist.  It’s nice to feel good about myself again, it’s been a long time. 

When I started to gain weight it made me feel invisible, I wanted to be invisible.  I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin.  Oh and don’t even get me started on seeing people I hadn’t seen in awhile, I always felt like beating them to the punch and just saying “yes I have gained a bunch of weight.”  Man let me also tell ya I have had some rude people come right up and say some terrible stuff about my weight.  I think some people forget just because you are in the public eye that you don’t have feelings.  So for me losing weight is not only healthy for me in a physical sense, but a mental one too.  And I look forward to seeing some of those rude folks that made a point to comment on my weight gain, I wonder if they will be a quick to say something about my weight loss. 

Really what matters the most is how I feel about myself and even though I am not at my goal weight yet, I feel a whole lot better about myself.  And in the end that is what really what counts!  I’ll keep ya updated on my weight loss journey, but for now I will leave you with these words…I am enjoying this journey and each stage brings something new and I truly appreciate every pound, one at at time, that I lose.  Hey it was fun putting it on and now I am enjoying losing it!

You know when I drive down Savannah Highway these days, it feels completely different.  I have to drive past the site of the fire almost everyday and no matter what I am doing, talking on the phone or listening to the radio, I always turn the radio off or get off the phone when I pass the site.  It is my tiny, little way of showing my respect and remembering everytime I pass the site the sacrifices that took place there on June 18th, 2007.

You know I am alittle embarrassed to tell you this, but on Saturday, after covering the fire and the nine fallen firemen for the past week on the radio, I avoided driving by the site.  I was out all day running errands and I kept taking alternate routes just so I wouldn’t have to look at the site.  It’s like I just couldn’t handle seeing it again after covering all that happened on Friday (the processional and the Memorial).  Then I thought about that decision I had made on Saturday, to just avoid it, turn away for a day because I just couldn’t handle another day of the sadness.  Then I realized that the families, friends, and co-workers of those nine fallen fireman will never have that luxury…to just turn it off one day, not think about it.  So the very next day, I drove by it on purpose on the way to my play rehearsal.  I was amazed how many people were there at the site still placing flowers and mementos and the imagine how surprised I was when I drove home after rehearsal at 10:00pm at night there were STILL people out there.  They were talking to the policeman on duty and there seemed like such a quite brotherhood and sisterhood going on at this place of such tragedy.

My stomach always tightens everytime I drive by the site of the fire, but I will make sure I drive by it and never try and avoid it again.  Long after the flowers are wilted and the signs have faded something spiritual will remain at that site.  It’s not a a burned out Sofa Superstore to me, it hallowed ground.

 When you drive by always turn your face and look and all I ask, all anyone can ask, is that you remember…the Charleston 9 and all of the firemen that will forever be our guardian angels. 

What can I say that hasn’t been said already about the nine fire fighters that lost their lives in Monday night’s fire at the Sofa Superstore?  Do you feel like someone has punched you in the stomach?  I just can’t seem to catch my breath and believe this has happened.  I think we have grown so accustomed to these things happening somewhere else, like VA. Tech tragedy, the Sago mining disaster in West Virginia, and of course 9/11.  But this one has happened right here, right in our beloved Charleston.  And we can’t turn the TV and radio off or not look at ther newspaper because for alot of us, the site of this colossal tragedy is on the way to work or home for us.  We have to drive right by it everyday.

Yesterday, after covering the tragedy all day while I was on the air and talking to you, the listeners, about how you feel about the fire, I felt compelled to do something.  I got in my car and drove to a florist and got 9 red flowers.  The florist arranged the flowers with such reverance because they knew why I was getting them,  that alone was enough to make me break down.  I got back in my car and drove to the site of the fire.  I parked at the Pizza Hut that is very near the fire site.  I walked in asked the manager of Pizza Hut if it was okay if I parked my car there so I could lay flowers at the site.  She, again with the greatest reverance, said “of course”.  I started walking towards the fire site and nothing could of prepared me for what I was about to see.  I could smell the burned building as I approached.  There were policeman and fireman everywhere, they all looked so sad, but still doing their jobs with such determination.  When I approached a policeman was standing next to the yellow tape that was put up as a barrier and I asked him where I could put the flowers.  He was very sweet and told me that the memorial that people had started was on the sidewalk in front of the store.  He looked at me and then at the flowers and smiled and the lump in my throat got alittle bigger. Their were port-a-lets set up and they were blocking the building abit so when I rounded them and got the full view of the burned out building it was a moment I will never forget.  What you see it on TV, in the papers, or on the net, it does not compare to what it’s like to see it in person.  When I saw it in person yesterday, really faced it, instantly I was in tears and alittle sob came out of me.  I felt embarrassed because I hadn’t planned on getting upset, I just wanted to bring my flowers, show my respect, and leave.  But sometimes in life emotions bubble up that you just don’t expect and my reaction to this tragedy was absolutley from the core of me.  A Red Cross woman came over and hugged me and said “you just keep praying for them hon, just keep praying.”  I thought it was the nicest gesture, but I also felt alittle guilty for receiving that hug because their alot of other people out there that need hugs more than me.  I walked back to my car after laying those flowers down and felt such an immense sadness.  I got in my car and called my in-laws.  I needed to say something to someone I love very much.

My father-in-law is a Battalion Chief for the City of Hampton, Virginia.  He retired about a year and half ago after serving for over 30 years.  I have always felt such pride in what he did for a living, but you know I really didn’t understand the sacrifice that his vocation called for at times.  Now after what has happened here in Charleston, I am just beginnning to understand what these brave men and women face everytime they are called upon.  So I thanked my father-in-law and told him I love him.  And now I would like to do the same for:

Billy Hutchinson

Mike Benke

Louis Mulkey

Mark Kelsey

Brad Baity

Michael French

James “Earl” Drayton

Brandon Thompson

Melven Champaign

Thank you, thank you for keeping all of us safe, for making the ultimate sacrifice in doing so…I  love you, we all do.

God bless you and your family and friends.

There is nothing better than a beautiful weekend in Charleston!  I moved here from Richmond, Virginia and when I laid eyes for the first time on The Holy City during a short visit, I knew it would become my new home.  A week and a half later I moved down here.  I have never regretted that decision!  So back to the weekend…hmmmm, I am thinking of alittle girl time so a friend and I are going shopping, getting our nails done (all the guys have just tuned out at this point right).  I can’t wait!  I love to go shopping on King Street.  You know I have a gift certficate that I was given at Christmas for Express and it’s begging to be spent.  I am a shopping girl and you know I don’t mean to brag, but I am very good at spending money!  While I am out there shopping like a mad woman I probably should pick something up for my Dad for Father’s day.

So do you have any plans for Father’s day?  I am actually going sailing with my Dad on Sunday.  He lives right here in Charleston on his 44 foot sail boat.  My Dad is the coolest, he’s super laid back, a total parrot head, and one of my best friends!  Oh and ladies, he’s single, he’s totally gonna get me for telling you that!  I am just getting him up to speed on the iPod I gave him and now he’s addicted to it.   I have no idea what to give him for Father’s Day, maybe something for the sail boat.  I can’t go wrong with something nautical for my Dad.  I hope you all have a very Happy Father’s Day!  Tell your Dad how much you love them, they can never hear that too much.

I’ll check in with you next week, until then HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!!!

Hi all!  I am so excited to be able to reach out to you in yet another way!  Just so you know I will be focusing on my diet journey with Physician’s Plan Weight Management Center in my blogs.  One of the things I would love to see happen is that you join me in this weight loss adventure!  And that is the way I see it as an adventure, a challenge…I am excited about what’s happening to my weight with Physician’s Plan.  I weighed in yesterday and I have now lost 7lbs.  I’ve only been on the plan for 3 weeks.  I was elated when I stepped off that scale!  That pretty unusual because before when I stepped off the scale I would  groan, and then follow the groan with ”I weigh how much?  Is this scale working? That can’t be my weight.” 

I have found Physician’s Plan very easy to follow which is exactly what I need because I am way too busy for a diet that requires alot of preparation.   Kim and the other great people at Physician’s Plan are really great about motivating you too.  When I stepped off the scale Kim was beaming too and it made me feel so proud.  I beginning to pull out clothes that I had shoved in the back because I was too heavy to wear them.  I am sure you knowthis if you’ve ever lost weight, but it does really boost your confidence!  You know what my goal is?  I want to go out and buy jeans again.  When I started gaining weight I stopped wearing my jeans and I would not go out and buy a bigger size.  So my eye is on the prize…sexy jeans here I come!  I’ll get there because I am on a diet that’s working!  Hey if you ever have any questions about Physician’s Plan please feel free to e-mail at kain@sunny969.com.  I will be glad to share any knowledge I have about this fabulous diet!  When I say “Physician’s Plan, you will lose weight, PLAN on it”…I mean it.  You follow the plan and you will lose weight, it’s as simple as that.  And believe me I have tried just about everything and this is the only thing that has worked for me!  So don’t be afraid or worry it won’t work for you.  Keep checking in with me and I will keep you up to date on my progress.  I am hoping it will inspire some of you to pursue your own weight loss goals as well.  So for now, I bid you farewell…really I just want to strut around the office and collect some compliments.  I am so bad!