Alma Mater Cover

Alma Mater!

Relationships are never easy for anyone! 

Terry Kath, you are missed and loved!

Single Again Take It On The Chin And Move On

Well so it goes. My marriage is over. It's been coming to an end for a long time. The house is going to be put on the market and that is that. I don't even have a good job yet but I suppose I will try to hit the ground running. Let me just say that If it were up to me, I would get myself in a better position to leave. I think he's leaving me so that he can force me to fail. He's not allowing me time to get settled into something, he's leaving me high and dry. This is the way it's been. He's a bully and I either take it and be grateful or he can take everything away.

Maybe I'm too old to play this game or maybe I realized I'm just going to lose either way. My home, the life I thought I could count on even though it's been hard and torturous... What more now that you can check off the last bit of self esteem I had as well?! Ugh.

The things we get ourselves into! Now to climb out of this big dark hole! It only takes money right? I just need to make money!


I wrote this over a year ago... The same feeling applies today...

Listen To This My Nemesis

You are the greatest obstacle to overcome. You kick me when I’m down. Your complete lack of compassion encompasses me- You truly are my nemesis. I can count on the misery that you dole and, on you being an asshole. Defeating me is paramount to your agenda.

The more you tell me I’m worthless, the harder I work to prove you wrong. You don’t yet understand the intensity of my might. One day my dreams will be realized and I will change my plight. All the crap you threw my way, will come back to haunt you again one day. Especially when I can walk away, from you.

Don’t saddle me with your mental health issues for I seek a better life. What doesn’t kill you makes you, invincible! They say the best revenge is living well. We’ll see, time will tell. Economic impoverishment keeps me tied to you, it’s been your weapon and, the glue. It keeps me stuck here, having to endure you.

Oppression caused some depression until I found my voice. I feel like a tornado gaining in 

strength. Picking up the negative and using it toward empowerment. You never know whats going to come out of my mind gathering thoughts and, fly right out of my mouth!

One thing is for sure, you won’t break me. You won’t defeat me, you know you can’t beat me- Be my nemesis if you must but this I say to you, “eat my dust!” I’m on the winning side of this, my arch-rival, my, nemesis

I suppose if you feel like this, the relationship has no hope of recovering. I haven't been living, I've just been existing in kind of a fog. Awwwwwww damn. I so wanted to be the best career homemaker! I thought I was a good career homemaker! I suppose that job has become non existent in today's society. I've been told that it wasn't a job with any worth to anyone. My time and effort were of no value according to him.  Only paying jobs have any worth. Running a household doesn't count for anything, it doesn't pay the bills... Nothing I have done in all these years has been worthy.

Oh well, I'll just have to reinvent myself! 

Here A Tweet Hear A Tweet Everywhere A Tweet Tweet

This Lantana that I planted probably won't grab your attention... 

What about this?

I now see Elton John's need for funny glasses, Bowie's strange early drag days, Lada Gaga's meat suit...

I spent my morning tweeting my original music around. Like shooting in the dark, haven't  a clue as to what I'm doing... Ignorance is bliss...

https://soundcloud.com/tyna-j-phipps/something-more-than-nothing?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

Something More Than Nothing

Always just a joke I suppose. Wish that I could just jump in somewhere and be there... Wherever fame and fortune are lol...till then, I tweet and retreat...

The Door Is Open

The door is open for money making opportunities...

The Dream Is Real I'm Dreaming Still

Beautiful weather! Days to plant pretty flowers and appreciate the sunshine before it gets too hot. 

Powewalks with friends and painting planter boxes...

Also a little of this........I just uploaded this about 10 min. ago! I enjoyed recording this. The hope is that my  new PA  system is creating clearer and cleaner sounding vocals. I think with as long as I have been blogging and recording music now I'm used to the drill. I do however feel as if my vocals with my new equipment are more genuine. No enhancements,  just all me. 

Please give it a listen!

Casual Conversations written by Rick Davies. Cover by Tyna J. Metzner (SoundCloud link)

Still, my dream to meet this songwriter as well as Roger Hodgson. I often wonder how Rick Davies is 

doing. I imagine the cancer treatment is difficult! I sincerely wish him all the best! 

I woke up this morning with this thought...

"Quit chasing people and dreams that don't chase you back". What's the fun in that?! You gotta have dreams! They are the spice of life! Never give up on your dreams!

A little luck never hurts either!

Coyote Encounters And G-Kids A Howling Good Time

The weather has been beautiful, lots of time in the yard. I watched some of my G-kids yesterday for 

the afternoon. We made chalk drawings on the patio and just hung out. I scooped ice cream cones for them. Typical Gram stuff... 

 Chalk Masterpiece in progress...

Nate!

G-Kid selfie!

Dinner out with the family...

We also had some coyote encounters...they are spooky at night and early in the morning as this was the case yesterday at about 6:00 AM.

Early Morning Coyote Encounters

Where's A Leprechaun When You Need One

Where's a leprechaun when you need one? Here at my house!

Hey you can never have too much luck or too many leprechauns...

Alma Mater  (cover) written by Chicago

Luck of the Irish be with you...

Me too, I could use some luck as well! 

This,  is one of my original songs entititled Lost In The Game.

Taking Off The Rose Colored Glasses

This was my view from a blanket spread out on the lawn. It was a gorgeous perfect temp day here in Phoenix yesterday.

My weekend was one of the most miserable in a long time. I find that I am having a really hard time justifying to myself why I stay in this state of being. Why do I allow myself to be so utterly disrespected? If I had had somewhere else to be, I really would have gladly gone. I hate like hell that I simply set myself up to have to endure this. Economic impoverishment keeps me stuck like glue. My spirit is wondering how I can proceed in tolerating my circumstance. Through the years I have had coping skills and mind speak to overcome the adversity and mitigate the damage to my core being. This weekend, I came up empty. I hate the whole power over thing…bullies suck! Whether physical or mental, struggling to keep a bully from permeating your spirit is a feat in itself. Exhausting!

Something More Than Nothing!

It always boils down to money and the fact that I chose to take care of people rather than look out for my own financial well being! I wish somewhere along the way,I had made a career for myself. Mad scrambling to figure something out at 53 is daughnting! I’m so grateful that my daughters are wiser and able to make education and careers a priority. They have seen me set myself up in a hell of my own design, so to speak. Like being stuck in molasses…They will be self reliant and not make this mistake. Unfortunately, a bully with all the power will try to overtake you until nothing of you is left. If you let them! The struggle is real. What would it be like to have some of my own power back? To be able to stand up financially and know I’m capable?!  Priceless! Lofty 2016 goal. You see, it isn’t just me,  I have a 14 year old  daughter who is wonderful and deserving of all that this childhood has afforded her. By no means lavish but nice and stable because I made it so! In spite of my personal hell.

She had a sleepover with these wonderful girls. I like all of these kids, they are terrific! What a nice bunch of girls!

I spent a lot of my weekend thinking and trying to figure out myself since I have no control over anyone else!   I really understand where I stand and I’m not liking it!
Glad to see this holiday go. Reminds me of what my “reality” is.  Far far from the relationship I hoped for.
Maybe it’s time to rip off the band aid. Take off the rose colored glasses Tyna Joy! If I could figure out how to make enough money I could begin to think about change!

Valentine Rolo Sleepover Cupcake's

Rolo Cupcakes

I made Valentine Cupcakes for Zoe's sleepover tonight. Easy as can be... 

Mix cake batter according to directions on the box. These are large cupcakes. I made 1 dozen with one box of cake mix! 

A little bit of cake batter and then a Rolo. Cover Rolo to top of cupcake liner. Bake for 23 min. @ *350 degrees.

Cool for a few hours...

Frost and decorate!

Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day Early!

Shake In My Shoes Rattle My Core

Zoe...

I'm so glad that this day has come to a close! Some days you just can't get rid of soon enough! This was one of those days!  I wasn't excited about the day to begin with as I was out of sorts. Annoyed upon reflection, sums up my mood. I decided to make a conscious effort to turn my day around. I was on my way to the store when I got a call that I truly dread. It was from the school nurse informing me that Zoe was having another fast heart rate episode. Zoe had been previously diagnosed with SVT, Supra Ventricular Tachycardia.

This is now the third such occurrence she has had. All of these episodes have happened at school! The first time, the E.M.T's took her to the hospital by ambulance. That episode was the worst and was
extremely frightening! The second episode, Zoe was able to overcome with an ice pack to the cheek.
Today, she was not able to get back into rhythm with the ice pack or excerises she was told to try. I
signed her out of school and we went home. I was thinking I would have to take her to the ER if it
didn't stopwatch in the hour. On the car ride home, I insisted that she drink a bottle of water that I had in my purse. She did and by the time we got home, the episode was over. Bless her heart, (literally), I found that she has taught herself to be able to check her own heart rate! Her heart rate had been in the 180's at school! Just the act of drinking from the water bottle, set her back into rhythm. We sat for a few min at home... We decided that she should go back to school and finish out her day. Upon returning to school I asked the school nurse to take her blood pressure and pulse rate again. She confirmed that all was back to normal! She went back to class!

I am relieved to see a pattern here of these episodes actually being manageable. I hope that continues and we don't have to make trips to the ER to get her back into rhythm. I believe she can avoid the ablation surgery if this is how it goes. I wanted to take her back to school to show the staff that once
these fast heart rate episodes are over, Zoe is fine! She isn't sick and I don't want this to take over or interrupt her life. The problem is an electrical heart issue not the heart itself. She's fine to do PE, no
restrictions!

The previous occurrence of this was three months ago so it isn't that frequent. These calls from the school nurse send my heart racing as well...these episodes scare the hell out of me! I feel helpless as her Mom. I appear cool and collected but when they are over and everything is ok, I quietly shake in my shoes lol. They rattle me to my core!

Having left the school I went over to the grocery store. I took my time shopping as my thoughts were still racing. With my cart full of shopping bags full of food I returned to my car to find that I suddenly couldn't find my car keys... After 15 minutes of frantically searching for my car keys in the car, in my purse, in shopping bags, under my car, under both cars on each side of mine. Nearly standing on my
head to look under the seats in my car...I had left my car unlocked which at this point although wrong I was grateful.  At least I could put my groceries in there! It was hot as the temps outside were in the
mid 80's! My car was even hotter. Having bought over $100.00 worth of groceries I thought I was
screwed . No way to get home! Husband was working clear across town. Not to mention I didn't want
to give him an excuse to berate me. In all the years I have known him, I have never made a mistake
like this! I have never lost my keys while shopping... Still, I was hoping to not have to tell him!
After speaking with the customer service people three different times over an hour and a half, it became clear that my keys were really gone... I went up and down every aisle I was in, retracing every possible step I took. For the life of me I couldn't understand how I didn't hear my keys fall somewhere.

By this time I was so peeved... Mad, frustrated, hot and just livid. I called my daughter Britt who thankfully was home! She came to get me and my warm groceries... After I put my groceries away
Britt drove me back over to the store to look again. This time with four G-Kid sets of eyes...

 Still, we came up with nothing. After exhausting every thought of where we could look I bought us lunch at McDonalds. Britt and I had a nice time chatting and the kids played... Britt had meanwhile been texting to her husband about the car situation. He works for a car dealership that sells Chryslers...he came up with a plan of action!!!

Meanwhile, I had to tell my husband what I had done. As I expected, he was angry and predictable. I heard about what an idiot I am and how stupid etc... Ugh I hate making mistakes!
He stopped at the store as well on his way home from work to search for the keys and talk to customer service to see if any had been turned in. No keys! Boy did I hear about my mistake when he got home!

As I said, my son in law had a plan... After work he met us at the car with a key he had made per my vin number on my car.  He was able to look up!  He  brought a programming device that he borrowed from his boss. Within minutes, I was able to drive the car home! He saved my a$$... I was nearly in tears and so grateful for the help! OMG!

Thank you Britt and Adam, you are lifesavers! You saved my groceries and my A$$! 

House...

Romance Romance Don't Despair You Can't Just Find It Anywhere

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. This is a great time to rediscover romance. Romance is perceived differently for everyone. I suppose you really need to know the object of your affection. What may be a welcome and sweet gesture of romance for most wouldn't be for some! Romance is a language in itself. Speaking from your heart is always a best effort. A hand written letter expressing genuine caring and adoration for your love, can't be topped. A poem, or even a song...

Speaking of a song, I wrote a song about longing...a desire for finding that special someone who

makes your heart twitter pâté ! Fantasy and desire to find love. Geez, I might just try to write romance novels next, you never know..

Prologue/Who Controls The Stars

This is exclusive to my Facebook page...

Who Controls The Stars

Take time out to be romantic and if alone, treat yourself to the most decadent of all things... Time for yourself exploring things that you like to do! Read, garden, crafts, golf or simply a bubble bath, chocolate and a good book!

Cat kisses are nice too!

A Beautiful Spring Day In Phoenix

Spring has sprung here in Phoenix. It has been 85 degrees in the afternoons here for the past few days. It makes me feel like planting some flowers! Our tree is in full bloom. Let me tell you, that tree is attracting so many bees! The ominous hum is the first thing you hear when you walk out the front door! I love this tree, even if it is messy with leaves and tree debris most of the year. This tree is charming and many of the leaves that fall from it are heart shaped! An amazing tree!

I went for my jog/walk in the most beautiful weather! When I got home I broke out the shovel and banged out the weeds around the property. Nice that we didn't have many! I enjoyed spending time in the sun.

I spent a few hours playing and singing as well. Just for fun I ran through my whole catalog. I found that I'm rusty in spots since I focus on one or two songs at a time mostly. I also found complete satisfaction! I felt good. I could feel it yesterday! Those are the days that remind me to keep trying because I feel, good and, I like what I hear. The feeling of satisfaction that I get is like a drug. It keeps me wanting more. I have a lot of material! Many many songs over the years. I so desire to share my music. I feel like the lyrics in this song, Guitar Man. Only you could change the lyrics to Piano Woman. I just love to play and sing.
Click on the SoundCloud link below.

➡️Guitar Man
If anyone who reads me has knowledge in helping me get myself out there in music please write to me! I haven't a clue as to how to do go about promoting myself. I only know that I want to try!

Casual Conversations

New SoundCloud Track Tender Years

                    New SoundCloud Link!

                               ➡️  Tender Years written by John Cafferty cover by- Tyna J. Metzner

Tender New Year Monkey Business

My new pressure cooker. I am trying new recipes and ways to prepare food. This is my new toy so to speak. The recipe that I made today came with this pressure cooker. Sweet & Sour Country Pork 

Ribs. I probably put too much minced ginger in this stew. It was a bit bitter leading me to suspect that I had added too much. It was a great tasting meal really. A winner in my book.

Already dribbled on my recipe card, oh well. I never said that I was neat!

Basmati Rice is lighter in texture. It smells and tastes wonderful as well! Made a great base for my stew! 

I also made a few dips for SuperBowl snacking. Homemade guacamole. Also a ranch dip using sour cream and an packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning.

We all just really enjoyed the veggie platter. It was delicious!

The game was ok. The halftime show was awesome! Well done and full of great talent! Kids, stars and lots of crowd interaction! Beautiful parasols! Thought the whole thing was a class act. Not one boob or butt shot...no costume fails, just a class act! Loved it!

Today is actually Chinese New Year. Happy New Year! This is the year of the monkey!

SoundCloud link below

Tender Years

➡️ Tender Years

Connecting With Vietnamese Heritage In Celebration Of Tet

To celebrate Tet, we had dinner at our favorite Vietnamese Restaurant. A little hole in the wall place that serves the best Vietnamese food around! Should have taken a pic but I didn't! The following pictures were taken in the Vietnamese Plaza called Mekong. We walked around this plaza after dinner. The Supermarket is vast and so interesting that I could do a whole blog post on the market itself! I will do that sometime! 

This first pic is of my favorite Boba Place called "Tea And Snow". They serve delicious Boba 

smoothies and other coconut milk confections. The shaved ice is an Asian style ice cream with 

wonderfully different toppings such as sweet beans! Scrumptious and so unique that once you try and enjoy these confections, you will crave them. This little place is always busy when we frequent them.

As I walk through the plaza these are a few things that catch my eye...

 Handcrafted I'm sure.

We would fill our home and patio with these kinds of beautiful things if they were affordable. Sadly, they are not!

Beautiful but not cheap! 

These are lovely statues. 

Cute affordable trinkets and decor!

This store has a little something for everyone.

This market is always busy! Crowded  is a better word. Cart to cart shopping. As I said, I could do a whole post showcasing this market. Here are a few things pertaining to New Years celebrations.

The candy, gift baskets and blossoms are abundant!

Beautifully wrapped, these baskets are meant to be shared as gifts of good tidings. 

Candy assortments of all kinds...

We visit this plaza often. My husband seems to need to connect with his Vietnamese heritage and be among familiar surroundings. I understand this need and find it to be charming as well.

All of the blossoms!

Blossoms and traditional red money envelopes. 

Custard Filled Pancakes. Zoe's favorite...

This New Year is, the Year Of The Monkey. We purchased an assortment of these for the G-kids to each have one. 

We then returned to our own home that remarkably has a beautiful blooming something tree... It always amazes me that no matter when Tet and Chinese New Year are, this tree goes into full bloom. We are the only ones in the whole neighborhood with this kind of blooming tree! We didn't even realize it blooms when I bought the house 11 years ago. 

Even at night this trees blooms are pretty!

Here is my song contribution for the day and this post...

SoundCloud link below...

Fool's Overture