It's Christmas Time Again

Well it is definitely that time of year. I can tell by the smell of cinnamon in my house and the twinkling lights on the tree. During this time, you let people go ahead of you in the grocery line if they have less items than you, you let someone pull out in your lane, you give more money and time than usual to others and your heart is full.

I heard Tim talking with his grandmother the other morning. He was saying how this Christmas feels so wonderful, I agree with him. He told her, "Memaw, I just feel really good right now. I am excited about living and life." Well put, Tim.

I can not wait for the ongoing Christmas parties, mine starts on December 11 and will not end until well after the New Year. I look forward to sharing this season with all of my new friends in Denver as well as a few oldies. Having a fan base where you reside is extremely important and I don't think we would have survived without them.

I look forward to seeing Dusti at the airport, eating dinner at my favorite place in Macon and spending time with friends I have not seen in quite some time. Then moving onto the dirty dirty and visiting my family and seeing Shelly's new baby girl, Aurora (she has a head full of hair) and playing with Jack (Tim has not met him yet and he is in for a surprise because he is very charming).

Then moving on to the Crews House. Oh man! This will be fun. I think their entire family will be there, including Aunt Deedee and her kids and then their kids and of course Grandma (Vera) and Poppa (W.A., I love his name). We will sneak outside with Grandma and she will fill me in on the family and just life in general, I love our talks.

We will spend New Year's Eve at the Coleman's in Kansas City. I am really glad we chose to spend this time with them. It gets a little crazy, but I think that is why I connect with them and love them so much cause we all a little crazy sometimes.

Christmas this year has become about so much more for me than picking out a new Christmas movie or an ornament (but I still did). It is about family and friends and love and that is really all.

I wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Ronald McDonald House and Sammy

Normally when you see the big red haired guy, you think mmm....I'm definitely value sizing my fries and I wonder if their shake machine is working today (probably not), but Ronald will always be much more than that for me after last night.

Myself along with a few friends prepared a dinner for the families staying at the local Ronald McDonald House. The building itself was absolutely amazing. I felt right at home with the earth tones and pictures of words of encouragement such as: Faith, family, love and friends have built this home. The entire night held that theme.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to cook. So, that was not even a chore and then getting to really bond with some of my co-workers was a plus. After the dinner bell rang and all the guests were sitting and enjoying their meal, we then were to take a plate and have seat with the guests.

I met some truly inspiring parents and some tough kids. I never knew about meningitis. I learned last night from Sammy. He is two and half and charming. He battled meningitis at a young young age of 8 months. He has survived and is glowing!! His parents were informed yesterday that he may have to have one of his legs amputated due to the damage the illness had on his body. They went out immediately and bought Sammy a pair of sweet Air Jordan's.

His Dad and Mom were hopeful. As we watched him run around the dining room (from Lisa Cotter), I listened to two amazing parents tell their story. They would not give in so easily. They would search the ends of the earth to ensure every stone was unturned before taking this drastic measure. His father asked me, "How do I explain to a two year old that we have to cut your leg off?" Speechless.

Each family had their own story and each was very unique.

I have always had so many selfish reasons for not having children sooner...well what about vacations and what if I want a night off or what about the financial aspect...all bullshit if you will. I saw people giving their lives over to save their children and happy to do so...I said and happy to do so. Selflessness is beautiful to me.

If you don't know about The Ronald McDonald House look here http://rmhc.org/.

The next time I hear someone take smack about how bad all McDonald's food is I will let them know about the unbelievable good that Ronald does and then I'll go buy a happy meal.

Thank you McDonald's for all you do. Your staff at the house is amazing. Thank you to everyone last night for chipping in and making this happen. and Thank you to Sammy and your amazing family for truly inspiring Tim and I.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Welcome to Denver Will Boy

This weekend I went to a very special party. Well, to begin there were two guests of honor...myself (birthday girl) and Will (new Denver boy). Now I love a party just like the next person, but this...this was a very special night. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it was the group of folks I took company with.

I realized on this night how very blessed I am to be surrounded by such wonderful people...such wonderful people that are new in my life and ones that have been around for awhile.

Yes...I loved the wine, and the Chicken Bryan smothered in goat cheese and sun dried toma-yum and I loved the fact that Sarah was making Chocolate Molten Cake and didn't even know it was my favorite dessert to ever hit a kitchen and the gifts were very special to me as well, but I have to say the best part was the laughter.

And not just my own. My husband's rolling around on the over sized chair giggling like a school boy was beautiful. Anthony falling out of his chair with legs in the air laughing loud and hard was a sight. If you don't laugh like that often, well, your life is not full. I know they say that laughing adds years to your life, well honey after Saturday, I'll be around to see 111 years (tim notice the reference to bilbo's birthday here, that was just for you).

I can't really recall any jokes in particular. I remember some reminiscing, which is always good for a laugh at my expense, a few jokes were thrown around about Nebraska (Go Corn Huskers), perhaps some inappropriate jokes about Hispanics, felons and P90X, but I guess you just had to be there. And as always Katie dropped it like it was hot.

In summing up the night, full of laughter, good conversation and great friends, I would like to thank Anthony, Katie, Will, Sarah and Mark and yes you too Tim for a really wonderful Belated Birthday Party! I am truly blessed to have you all to share life with!

p.s. Will I love my Farm shirt and you think you sho slick putting one in that PS3 for T-Bone. Welcome to Denver!

David BlueSky

I recently lost a very dear friend of mine, David BlueSky. I feel heart broken at the fact that the world just got a little boring.

He taught me a thing or two about painting, life and love. For years, I would sit and talk to him and serve him at Music City Grill (I would put 6 MGD's on ice an hour before he got there, but he would always come 30 minutes before we opened anyway).

As an artist, person of wisdom and friend, I looked up to him. He was the one person I knew that never ever changed, I think I depended on him for that. He had a strong opionion, but never let it rule over his life. He knew that some things weren't worth the fight and they needed to be let alone.

He and I both shared the love of Wassily Kandinsky. He loved women. I remember going to one of his art shows and as he described them...well, most of them were about women or sex. A beautiful aspect of life.

I have cherished his art as well as his friendship and I am saddened that another conversation over an ice cold beer will not be shared with him. In my heart, you will always stay.

One more step in the ladder

Soooo many many things to fill everyone in on, but I have to start somewhere. I recently got a promotion at work. I know, I was just as excited...well maybe a little more. The feeling you receive when you are noticed for the efforts you put forth, that alone is amazing. And that is not even all, you get to celebrate too! That very night Tim and I went to have Sushi at a cutie patootie place on South Broadway. But, but, but that did not happen until we took a look around Fancy Tiger. This one of my favorite shops only two small blocks from home. They sell clothing and BAGS and other pretty things. Well, after I found the bag pictured here... had to have it. I was looking and looking and then the generous guy behind the counter said, "do you like that bag? Because if you do, I'll give you 15% off." Done. Thank you Queen Bee Creations for helping mark this milestone in my life. http://www.queenbee-creations.com/

The Good Life

I haven't blogged in some time now and for that I am ashamed. A very dear friend of mine (she is a blogger) helped me to realize that life is too grand and too short not to share with others. Here we go:

Life has shown me many wonderful things lately, but I will have to spell them out one blog at a time. I will start at the beginning.

After much deliberation, Crews Control decided to park it in Denver for a bit longer and I have never been so sure of making the right decision in my life. The decision making process involved my mother quite a bit.

I know without a doubt that she wants me to live a full, no holds barred kinda life. I believe that she wants me to "she em' what I'm made of", if you will. Running to the past never changed anyone and I am firm believer in change (it is inevitable and it is good for the soul, keeps you on your toes).

So, basically I made a pact with myself that I'm not gonna stop living as long as I am living and I'm not gonna turn around. This decision made through clarity has already produced some crops, but I'll get to those in another blog. Today I am just glad that I am here.

Life

Sometimes life is sour and sometimes it is sweet
It can leave exhaustion or rejuvenation
It can be as soft as Charmin's or as ruff as a dog
Ultimately the thing to remember is...
That it is life and you are still living.