In the throws of listening to demo CD's, learning layout (have you noticed the change of the look of Southern Fried ?) writing, chasing after writers, editing, publicity and all kinds of new projects, I have been run ragged.

Many of you busy folks are run ragged, too -- whether it's work, home, concerts, traveling...or life in general.

I promised to institute a series of "spa days" into my life, which I swear I'm gonna do. Yeah, that's me not answering the phone! So, put on some green face mask and join me. There is only one you.

There are times when all of us are forced to be social animals... and smile. It might be at work, it might be at a photo shoot or on stage. How's your smile looking? Friends, my smile looks good, thanks to the great folks at Go Smile -- I am set.

Their company, founded by cosmetic dentist to the stars Jonathan B. Levine, makes products that are not just convenient -- but actually chic to use. They've got the fancy whitening toothpastes: "Zen" is for sensitive teeth and their "pm" toothpaste (you do use separate toothpaste for am and pm, non?) contains valerian, which oughta help when it's Sleepytime Down South.

Go Smile also pioneered the easy delivery system of its whiteners, which can fit almost anywhere. They suggest that you could even keep one in your "tightest jeans", but due to the glass tube, I'd probably skip that. They even come in flavors now, including a very southern peach flavor.

Their whiteners are safe enough to use, even if you've had "work done". Not only can you buy them online, but they're also at all the "good" department stores.

So check them out and I want to see your smile come Spring!

"Thank you." Something we learned, or should have learned, at a tender age. When I was younger, I thought a smile was a good substitute for uttering the words. I had to have a few people -- grandmas, boyfriends -- show me the error of my ways.

But let's face it: sometimes, the words just aren't enough. It never ceases to amaze me how many people consider special kindnesses their just due. The number of people who have gone out on a limb for me during my life are few. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given by that select cadre. Consequently, I have always tried to be sensitive to those who need a little light to shine in their lives.

Still, it's a hard part of "growing up" -- though I will be 40 this year -- that our kindnesses aren't always returned or even appreciated, for that matter. It's supposed to be, "you reap what you sow," but every farmer knows that there will be some seeds that never even germinate. And that's just how it is.

Sometimes, you gotta get back to basics. You gotta start being nice...to yourself. There have been occasions when I thought, "If you put half as much effort into yourself as you do for [fill in the blank yourself], you'd be a millionaire! You'd be queen of the world!" At the very least, it's probably important to be at least as much a friend to yourself as you would with anyone else.

In the next couple of weeks, I will be revving up to get the next issue out. I am also going to do my best to not leave myself out of the picture. Here on the blog, I will be putting up some of my fun *ME*-time things.

Tonight, I was cooking. I don't like doing anything every day (well, almost). But as something special, I find it a creative, sensual outlet. As I was snip-snip-snipping fresh dill and crunching up big rocks of fancy Portugese sea salt, I tasted the dressing. I made it to please me, and it was wonderful.

Happy New Year's! I am just getting back into the swing of things, after 10 days without a power cord for my laptop. Hell on Earth, I tell you...I feel like I took a trip to Easter Island, or some other primitive place. NO THANKS TO YOU, BEST BUY!

Speaking of people riled up at corporations, I promised the folks of the Ghost Riders band that I would spread the word of how disgustingly they were treated by UNITED AIRLINES! The airline would not allow these world-famous Southern rockers to take their guitars on the plane to a gig in Maryland! HELLO, United? I mean, I have BEEN to the field in Pennsylania where United Flight 93 went down. Y'all have other things to filter out -- like Middle Eastern terrorists, dog! I mean, COME ON!

So, the band borrowed instruments from the local garage band that opened for them. George McCorkle flew in from Nashville, so he had his own axe with him.

We had a grand ol', low key New Year's. George and I called Bruce Wall to wish him happy New Year right around midnight. He hadn't been feeling well, so he was at home. There's a BAD bug goin' 'round... The Colonel and Valarie have been feeling pretty green, as well.

In one month, we will be posting the next issue of http://www.southernfriedmagazine.com , so everybody better get better!

Let's roll,

Tamar