Unfiltered, Honest, and Loving Times of A Woman and her CRAZY, but Happy Life!!!

 I have often said the "fandom" is more like a family than a "fandom."  Yesterday we lost one of our family members to cancer. Her name,  Sara DallArgine.  I did not know her personally, but she was well known throughout the fandom for her love of Lana, Sean, Bex, and her artistic abilities to make her paintings come to life with all things "OutlawQueen" (the on-screen relationship on Once Upon A Time between Regina Mills and Robin Hood).  Also known as "Seana" (Sean and Lana).  Through her own battle with cancer, she still supported others through their moments of pain.  Giving words of encouragement,  her drawings, her messages of hope, and never wavering, she would win this battle in the end. Below is her last post on February 19th.  It was to recognize Lana for her upcoming role as Rita Castillo in "Why Women Kill."  Lana responds happily to the message with a warm "HaHa."  She cared for Sara, and that is why this fandom e...

Have you ever been scammed?  Have you ever been scammed before the holidays?  If you have answered YES to either one of these questions, I want your secret to showing "grace." I could tell you all the details of my experience, but I will say this was a Christmas gift for my son, and although he is 18, this was the only thing he wanted for Christmas. As a parent, you will go to great lengths on Christmas morning to see your child smile with delight.  The scammer knew why I wanted this gift for him so badly and still took advantage of me. You know, as a society, we are to blame for this behavior.  We have allowed people to hide behind computers, cell phones, technically of choice, and allowed them access into our lives.  We have trusted them, been scammed by them, carried on full-fledged conversations with them, without ever once knowing if the name they gave us was true or the face we see on an icon is their face or someone else's.  As humans, I believe we w...

I started this blog because it was a place for me to get my thoughts down about what I was going through, talk about my love for Lana and the love for this fandom.  I hoped it would resonate with someone during my journey, and they found comfort or clarity in my words. Well, that has all changed over the weekend.  I mean, most of the time, the fandom can be a great group of folks sharing their love for Lana, but then some take it to the extreme and think this woman is superhuman.  Forget she has a life that does not include the fandom, her best friend is facing the most challenging time of her life; she started a clothing line in the midst of a pandemic and is starring in a new TV role.  The expectations are just not realistic.  Unless you have been apart of fandom or in a similar type of group, it's hard to explain what I mean.  Like a family, like I said in my earlier blog, we bicker like children.  You have some kids that need more attention, some k...

This year has been nothing but challenges.  The pandemic, job loss, family loss, mental health, the political climate, and the list goes on.  However, in more recent days, I have learned of another event that has become near and dear to my heart. Everyone who knows me knows I am HUGE Lana Parrilla fan.  Not just because she is an actress but because as a human being, this woman gives back more than most people I personally know.  She never stops looking for ways to give to those closest in and outside her circle.  Recently, Lana launched a clothing line.  She owns, operates (with the help from her amazing staff), and designs all the pieces.  In October, she created two shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness (which I now have and love), and proceeds are going to someone near and dear to Lana.  A few days ago, the fandom found out it is her best friend, Trish.  As a fandom, we bicker like children, but when it comes to rallying around Lana and her ...

I have come to the conclusion that saying this does not make it so.  The last week and a half I have heard so much about "white privilege", "black lives matter", "all lives matter", and the list goes on.  I have seen protests, riots, and looting.  All of which come from a place of passion, anger, insecurity, unknown, and demands for change. Leadership, well there is none in this county,  For those who are followers of our current administration please tell me how Donald Trump or any of his followers have helped calm the fears and provided help that change will happen.  Let me tell you what I have seen from them, NOT A DAMN THING.   He mocks the 'bible" by holding it up in front of a church for what?  To try and convenience those watching he is a God-fearing Christian who believes that we need to come together as a country.  Did you notice there was not one person standing with him that was of color or ethnic diversity?  NO, and why is ...

The past few years have been a humbling experience for me.  In my career I have reached goals that were set by me and others.  I have always been a hard worker but in today’s world that is not what it’s all about.  You have to work smarter and along with that comes kindness, mentoring, appreciation, loyalty, patience, leadership, trust, honesty, and most important, “Paying It Forward”. Last year I wrote a piece on women or one woman who I feel is a “trailblazer”.  Now, I want to be one of those women.  I want to make a difference for the next generation of women coming up in this world.  I want to give to them what has been given to me.  I want to give them that moment that turns their “no” to “yes”.  I want to give them the opportunity to shine and allow them to feel valued and empowered in their career.  All the wonderful things that have helped me I want to give that back and so much more. So to all my mentors, my mother, my grandmothe...

So, yesterday I drove up to McLean to celebrate a very special lady.  Aimee is our current director at Capital One. She has transformed our current organization from a dysfunctional to a functional unit. She has neatly laid the groundwork for the next up and coming director.   Aimee has decided, that even though Capital One is way too much fun, to take another opportunity outside the company.  I will admit that I have shed a few tears over her leaving because she has been a solid mentor to me over the past year. When you work for a company as large as Capital One sometimes it’s difficult to know who you can really trust and who really has your back.   Last year I had the opportunity to grow in my job and test my limits.  Some days were challenging, and other days made me question what I was thinking taking this on.  However, during one of those difficult days I found myself stretched beyond what I felt comfortable.  A co...