Neighbor's Table

What an amazing concept - a big table - friends and soon-to-be friends at a big table in your yard, on your patio, on the deck.  This is a mission that does just that.  I found it through an author I read and ironically she has relocated from Houston to Dallas.

More to come!

we are powerful beyond measure ...

And our talk continued.

I was explaining to Ellie that we shouldn't ever feel as though we need to diminish our smarts or our strength.  By doing so you are not using all the talents that God gave you.  She always tells me, 'that's the way God made me ..." for many questions that I ask.  So when I remind her that God made her this way to be smart, funny, brave and kind - there's no other permission needed.  You are a child of God, and to do his work you need to live in your own light.

So glad that her light shines so brightly!

Let your light shine

Life is a balance of quiet and noise, ups and downs and light and darkness.  What we've learned is that both are necessary.  Ellie and I talked this week about being our best selves.  That is what God asks of us, and what we should expect of ourselves.

Let your light shine ....

Happy Birthday Bill!

Bill's birthday celebration!

We went to dinner at Magliano's with Michael and Jeanine on Saturday night to celebrate.  Ellie loved her shrimp scampi - and the special dessert they brought Bill.

Sunday was family day.  We lounged and grilled out before Ellie and I presented Bill with his cupcakes - special "50" one just for him!

A new season begins

And new season begins.  Spring soccer - first game of the season on Saturday.  It was fun to watch the girls warm up dribbling the ball to one another back and forth.  We would turn to one another and say, 'Oh, hasn't so-and-so gotten taller since the fall?!"  We've been playing with the same group since Fall 2014 - making this the sixth season in a row!

Ellie's been fortunate to play on a team with great coaches, kind and generous team mates and supportive parents who've become our soccer family.  Saturday Ellie and Jacqui split the time as goalie - with Jacqui taking the first  half, and Ellie the second half of the game.  They each let in one goal.

Ellie's strong and confident in net.  She has mad-skills in kicking that ball downfield!  Amazing!

Hopefully at some point this season we can actually video tape her while tending goal.  That would really be something!

the Gift

Being Godmother to a cat is a unique experience.  I imagine it's similar to being a grandmother .. to a human, I mean!

Here she is with the Valentine's Day gift I gave to her - apparently she loves it!  It spins around and the ribbons at the top twirl.  Honestly, who wouldn't like it?!

I also made sure she had a Valentine card for her human Dad too.  It was two cats hugging - One large, one very small.  It said, "I freakin' love you!" on the outside.  Happy Valentine's Day on the inside.  So I wrote, "love ya, Izzy.  PS - where's Jude been, I kinda miss her!"  Which likely made me laugh most of all!

It's unexpectedly fun to be Godmother to a cat!

Hippies for Hope

Uncle John sent Ellie two awesome tie-dye shirts from Hippies for Hope!  I posted them on Instagram and tagged them in the post.  They asked permission to repost her photo!  Of course, I said yes!

"Our friend Ellie is showing off her new Hippies for Hope shirt today in honor of her Uncle!"

She loves them, and feels loved by her Uncle John too!

Thank you!!

Hearts

Hearts come in all sizes and shapes.  Some you find unexpectedly along the way like this one on the sidewalk.  Ellie said it was a bit misshapen.  But aren't we all?

Hearts are like love.  Look different to each person and to one another.  And often come unexpectedly.  Let's take care of one another as if we are one of a kind, a little misshapen and worthy of love.

Isn't that why we're here?

So much to celebrate!

Today was February 14th - and to most this is the day to celebrate all things Valentine!  Today was also pitchers and catchers report to training camp.  How could two things be celebrated together so well?  A baseball within a heart!

WOW!

It was a celebration that began in our house on Sunday - flowers, healthy snacks and cards as we usually mark the holiday on the weekend before when there's time to celebrate.  That celebration carried into the week as I celebrated the holiday with my 'family' at work as well.  This year's gifts were shorter on the candy and longer on the sentiment!  Each leader (and mentee) arrived to work to find a gift bag with a mug and starbucks gift card on their desk along with a card described how much they matter.

Several teams received baked treats - sugar cookies with colorful sprinkles and cherry oat bars divided among teams.  With special small containers for those who have asked to 'be on the list' of those who receive their own allotment.

Today was a day to make others happy.  Help them see what they mean to me.  Remind them that the matter.  And that sure does feel good!  Sweet treats aside, it was a wonderful day - full of  love!

Ellie's 1st NHL game!

Ellie witnessed her first NHL game on Saturday watching the Dallas Stars beat the Caroline Hurricanes.  It's a huge area with lots of entertainment.  Honestly, the 50/50 was worth over $8,000!

Yes, we had our numbers.   No, we didn't win.  Yet we had lots of fun anyway.  Who knew the Dallas Stars could have so much fun.  Several old-timer names that I recognized and lots of new ones to learn too!

We spent the afternoon with Jeanine and Michael and we were off to Rodeo Goat for burgers and an early dinner while we were downtown.  You'll notice the last photo is dessert.  Ellie ordered her favorite dessert here - Goat Balls.  Fried biscuits with cheese inside topped with blackberry compote. YUM!

Less than a week ...

...Until pitchers and catcher report.

I posted this photo to show the miracle of the sky and to track how many days until the big day.  A Texas Ranger reporting for the first time to Phoenix area for Grapefruit league acknowledged my photo.

Last year he pitched for the Diamondbacks.  This year Spring Training will be different.  Perhaps even as a big leaguer he has apprehension.  He didn't say all that.  He agreed that the prettiest sunrises happen in Texas.  And was thrilled that we were so close to pitchers and catchers report.

Its a great big world out there.  Yet we're so, so much alike.

Awaiting the day!

Togetherness

"We are more alike than we are different."

"It sure does take a village."

"We belong to each other..."

That last one is the most recent one I've added to the things that I share with others.  It we don't belong to one another how can we ever depend on one another?  Both collectively and individually.

Belonging to one another does not give privilege or permission.  It truly means we're in this together. Side by side.  Heart to heart.  Breath by breath.

And most days that's really all it takes.  Knowing that you matter.  Others matter to you.

We belong to each other.

Small Acts

As I delivered the news to one of my Supervisors today that she was selected for an opportunity she pursued it was certainly with mixed feelings.  She is a great member of the team, people learn from her and yet her time has come to leave our next and teach others now.

We talked about what has changed since last fall.  She asked if I was still looking for miracles everyday.  No, honestly I wasn't.  She said, 'well you certainly are creating them!"  I had left a card and a book on her desk the day before for a job well-done and she said it was her miracle.

It reminded me that each day we have that opportunity.  To smile, to compliment and sometimes to just listen.  It makes a difference.  A small gesture to us may be the best thing that's happened to that person all day.

"One radom act of kindness at a time."

Super Bowl

One of the treats from our trip to North Park Mall was visiting Uptown Popcorn.  Lots of flavors and tins - my treat was a Patriots tin full of Chicago mix.  Caramel popcorn and Cheese popcorn together.

A treat for the game.

And after a long game ... a win on the board.

2017 is off to a great start!

Adventure Saturday

In the old days we used to call it an adventure when we'd set out as a family to do something fun that wasn't centered around errands, soccer or shopping.  Today didn't begin as one of those days, but we really loved it that it turned out that way~

We set out to take care of ordering me a pair of prescription sunglasses.  Over the last month or so I've misplaced mine and wanted to get a new pair before our Destin trip at Spring Break.  Warby Parker came recommended and when I checked it out online I was impressed with the prices and the causes that this company supports.  There are only 3 storefronts in the country, the rest is online.  So off we went to North Park Mall in Dallas.

Its only of Ellie's favorites because of the Disney store, and Bill loves to Oakley store too.  Its anchored by Nordstrom's, Dillard's and Macy's.  So you get the drift.  There's a Michael Kors store, Aveda, Vera Bradley, Apple, Microsoft, Steve Madden and many, many more!

We did our 3 mile walk inside the mall - walking and walking - not stopping to shop until our walk was 2 miles in - and then we could double back and find the stores we were looking for - it was a great adventure.  I'd promised them California Pizza Kitchen for lunch since Bill loves the chopped salads there.  Ellie had pasta while Bill and I both had salads and pita with hummus.

We thought the adventure was over until we found Carlo's Bake Shop across the street!  The Dallas store opened last year, and the new Frisco location (North of Dallas) had it's Grand Opening today where both Buddy and Grace would be there to ribbon cut.  We skipped the crowd and stood in the 30 minute line at the Dallas location.

Lobster claws were our favorite as the cannolis didn't live up to our expectations, and the chocolate and strawberry mousse Ellie ordered was just so-so.  I guess that's okay.  Since it wasn't great we won't be going back again and again!

Here's more pictures from our adventure today!

Ellie and I at the Mirror, Mirron on the Wall in the Disney Store.

Ellie and Buddy in the Dallas Carlo's Bake Shop location

En route home we saw this awesome carfare the bride and groom!  Even had the steering wheel on the opposite side!