Blog Post Index

  • My Unexpected Life as a Plus-Sized Senior Model
    Can you believe I just had a photoshoot? I’m on the Bravery Report! Long story short, even though I am a voice actor, I took an on-camera class for auditioning for commercials. My reason? Besides being scared witless of seeing full body video and wanting to prove to myself that new experiences are probably not that life ...
  • Happy Turkey Birthday Dad
    I love this photo of my dad and me in the backyard of Mom and Dad’s House My Dad’s Turkey Birthday My dad had the fun, or challenge, of having Thanksgiving fall on his birthday every once in a while. His birthday is Nov. 22 and it would take its turn as the 4th Thursday of the ...
  • My New Dream Diet
    This was a tasty, mindful experience. My room service avocado toasts with a side of Strip View in Las Vegas where we celebrated Mark’s birthday last summer. Pondering on Hunger, Food and Self-Esteem I’m always waiting to eat. Eating is my clock, my love, my accomplishment, my purpose. Tick, tick, tick. It’s been five minutes since breakfast. ...
  • Be Careful What You Wish For – Doh!
    We’re filled with the holiday glow as we get down to the LA River bike path for a quick 15 miles. First the Good News Tiger the Cat’s blood work came back and he’s in good shape. So his health crisis seems to be on the back burner for now. Phew! Despite my plantar fasciitis Mark and I ...
  • Quick Update – Fire – Tiger – and Holiday Greetings Oh My!
    On my way to a holiday party with my voice acting friends. I may or may not get a show out this week, so I decided to post this quick update. Fires We are out of immediate danger for now. All of the evacuation orders near us have been lifted. Fires still burn in Southern California and the ...
  • What’s Under the Fear of Change?
    This is a quick photo of my hair at its best – colored, professionally blown-out and attached to a rested face. Yet, I’m pretty sure I’m letting it go in the spring. Back to handy short hair that’s easily washed and quick to comb – possibly grey. Why? Read on. The New Truck Last show, I pondered ...
  • WHO are you? – Laurie’s Weird Time Trip on the Magic Bus
    Mark and me just before we head inside to see and hear Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of ‘The Who’ Mark’s Big Birthday Trip Mark faced – er celebrated – his big 65 with me in Las Vegas. We went all out and had a great time. And though Mark had fun, I noticed a few of ...
  • Touching Others With Your Heart – Big Smooches Mary
    This lovely hand-made card was just part of an incredible gift sent by BC Mary S. ‘Be You BRAVELY’ could be our motto and sums up beautifully all I’ve learned doing COD. To express ourselves in truth and not hide because of size or other fears. This is true freedom, whatever our body goals may ...
  • Motherless Day
    Mother’s Day is Tough when you are missing your Mom Spammed by Deals for ‘Mom’ Part of our culture is spending money to celebrate each other and occasions. My inbox has been inundated with deals and last chance offers to honor Mom on her special day. I wish I could join a “Do not remind” list for ...
  • Blown Into Chaos by Devil Winds
    The Santa Anas wreaked absolute havoc in our yard. Do you ever get tossed by “Devil Winds” in your life? Here in Southern California, our Santa Ana Devil Winds lately tossed everything pell-mell and pummeled our back yard with leaves, branches and chaos. I felt the same inside. I am absolutely terrified by the sound, the shaking ...
  • Pondering DIScouragement and The Well-Worn Path
    Sometimes the well-worn path can be a good thing. Do you ever take words for granted? After listening to last week’s episode, it struck me how the meaning of the word ‘discourage’ is really all about whether or not we have courage. So I looked up the entry of its prefix DIS on Dictionary.com Dis- a Latin prefix meaning ...
  • Thoughts? More COD again?
    Hey BCs – Let me know what you think. Want to start up our conversation again? I think I have some new thoughts (and things to let go of) on my eating/body/bravery journey lately, but I HATE just talking to myself. Thinking about new weekly episodes, 30 minutes or less. Want to hear more? ...
  • We Were Tired of Eating at Home
    One of the last times I was with both of my parents. You can see Mom and I are peas in a pod. The opal necklace she’s wearing I gave her for her 60th birthday and she never took it off. Now I have it and can’t believe I’m almost to 60 myself. We Were Tired ...
  • Changing For The Braver – Celebrate Each Act of Bravery
    I celebrated doing two brave things by buying this crocheted butterfly bracelet and visiting the camellias at Descanso Gardens How Much Do You REALLY Celebrate Your Small Milestones? This was a question my acting teacher asked us in class. The process of acting can be scary, thrilling, emotional. It takes risk to reveal yourself on stage ...
  • Facing Future – Screw Fear – The Past is Passed!
    I like this photo. The look on my face reminds me of my iconic accidental selfie hiking shot that is the logo for this show. I see clarity and peace — not worry about my body, fears, or anything else. A moment to capture! Big Hugs and Smooches to those of you still using the ...
  • Merry Christmas! Unexpected Holiday Adventures
    This beer is SANTA size. I had no idea when we agreed to the large, that THIS is what it meant. Too big for me to drink all of it, could barely lift it. But it made me laugh and I loved our start to the night. Last Call! Send your audio in by the ...
  • The Purrfect Holiday Gift – Time
    Tiger looking THRILLED to have his cat-mama dress him up in holiday splendor. Hmmm, is this the equivalent of the crying kid Santa Photo? Holidays are CRAZY busy! OMG, my calendar is filled, filled, filled to the brim with events, shows, classes, meetups, dinners, friends, and other items of personal growth and holiday cheer. (I’ll let you ...
  • One day she decided to just be herself…
    Here I am pointing to my new daily inspiration. I found this magnet in a cool, hippy dippy, zen store on my way to stand-up comedy class. Check out the wonderful poet and artist who made my inspiring magnet, Marylou Falstreau So what does COMEDY have to do with it? Well BCs, since last we spoke/wrote/thumbs-upped on Instagram ...
  • Self Acceptance Takes Practice and Bravery
    I was inspired to take this shot by Demi Lovato’s recent spontaneous body acceptance-based, no make-up, nude photoshoot. I liked how my eyes look. I feel pretty even though I still weigh over 200 pounds. Self acceptance is about who you are, not what’s happening. What does Voice Acting Have to Do With Body Image? I’ve been ...
  • Whistle While You Heal – Update Post Show
    I drove down to the park for my first walk after all of my GI tests. It felt good to get outside, even though I was SHOCKED at how tired I was after. I was hoping to release a bonus show but… Medical concerns have taken precedence for me. Last week I had a full GI work-up ...