Day One - Burger Challenge 2016

Today is the first day of our annual Girls' Burger Challenge 2016.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day and we didn't venture too far from home to find a great place!

Shady's Burger Joint and Brew-Ha-Ha is in Richardson - literally right around the corner from our State Farm offices.  Funny we've never been there.  What a great little place with both indoor and outdoor seating.  The service was friendly, the burgers were great and we considered it a good call!

Ellie and I have lots to consider during a Burger Challenge, especially because they'll be ranked by the end of the week.  This place had many choices of speciality burgers, hand-cut (skins-on) shoestring fries, fountain Coke, with almost-good ice and delicious shakes!  

Several families and others out for lunch break surrounded us during out time there.  It was in a beautifully wooded plaza where we walked afterward and snapped a few photos.  What a gorgeous day!

All I lost for Christmas was two teeth

On Saturday, Christmas Eve while I was at the office I got a text from Bill.

Ellie lost a tooth.
Eating soup.

Well, that's a head-scratcher, huh?  Only my girl could lose teeth while eating soup!  And then another text about 15 minutes later.

She lost another tooth.

At that point I began to worry. Was something happening to cause teeth to fall out of her mouth?  Wait, was this a joke?  No, they wouldn't do that to me and make me worry when I couldn't see them.

No, they weren't kidding.  Two of her baby teeth on the bottom left side were ready to call it a day.  So this has created a bit of a gap with two missing.  It's been two days since she lost them and she hasn't mentioned them since.  Appears she has adjusted just fine to the space of two missing teeth side-by-side!

Pictured above is Ellie wearing her 'favorite' Christmas gift and her hair down.  What a doll, huh?

Congratulations, you're a Godmother!

Define Godmother.

Although you may not believe it, I've never been a Godmother before.  An aunt, older sister, mentor, and friend to another's child, yes.  But never a Godmother.

Yet another miracle.  Just this week I became a Godmother to Izzy.  She's pictured here with my Christmas gift.  Apparently I do a decent job with feline gifts too, as she played with it for the first hour out of it's package.  Izzy is not new to my gifts.  She's received a Christmas present for the past three years.  Truth be told, hers was the very first gift that I bought this year!  I should have known good things were to come!

Izzy is the cat of a friend at work who will be out of town between Christmas and New Year's week.  I will be taking care of her.  Being the scaredy-cat she is, I'll be visiting her daily in her current home to ensure she has what she needs.

This will not be a first cat-sitting role for me.  While I lived in Saratoga, my friend Janice and her husband bestowed upon my this role.  Their cat was older and needed daily medication.  She also stayed in her familiar surroundings and I checked on her daily.  That worked out just fine, and I'm sure this will too.

As I ease into this Godmother role, I'm sure there will be more photos to share.  Maybe even one of the two of us together.  That is, if I'm able to get her out from under the couch during my daily visits!

Christmas Miracles abound

As this Christmas season winds down on Christmas night, I recall the wonderful memories we've created.  The love, the kindness and peace I feel as a result of so many amazing people who have touched my life differently this season.

The miracles that were created have changed me.  I'm grateful for that experience and will move forward realizing the impact one person may have on another is profound.  Let's look for miracles year round - there has to be a place for that!

Today we celebrated Christmas.  Presents, phone calls, warm wishes and festive food were central to our day.  We had temperatures in the 70's so we spent the day in shorts rather than flannel pants.  Which made great weather to grill the beef tenderloin outside before finishing in the oven.  It was laid back and restful.  Several naps were taken.

To cap off this season I'm sharing the most recent miracles, which came by way of Christmas cards from two former members of my team.  Although we no longer have a direct reporting relationship, we stay close by meeting for lunch or coffee in a mentoring arrangement.  I'm so grateful for these two ladies.  They make being a leader much easier.


"Merry Christmas to you and your family!  You are a gift and blessing to my life.  Thank you! I would not have gotten through this year and supported so much without you.  May God bless you during this time of miracles."

and ....

"Dear Jude:  You have no idea how grateful I am to have you in my life.  Thank you so much for being such a wonderful person and ex-boss.  Thank you as well for sharing your amazing stories with me.  I have learned so much from you.  You are a role model.  I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may God continue to bless you and your beautiful family."

Wow, those were incredible reads, and so powerful.  Sometimes we need those reminders that we make a difference in ways we're not even aware of ...

Christmas miracles come to a wonderful close.

'Twas the night before Christmas

On Christmas Eve we ate, laughed and awaited the arrival of .... no, we did not!  Although Ellie provided us an update on Santa's whereabouts throughout the night by using the Santa Tracker App, we did not await the arrival of Santa.  No milk and cookies left out, no note for Santa to read and no color coded wrapping paper to ensure we knew which gifts where from us and which from Santa.

This was a wonderfully peaceful Christmas Eve.  We had pasta for dinner and created a new family tradition of chocolate fondue for dessert.  Such a sweet treat that is rarely thought about here.  We watched It's a Wonderful Life and Family Man before those visions of sugarplums danced in our heads.

Merry Christmas to all.  And to all a good night!

The most wonderful time of the year

It hasn't taken Christmas time to remind me to tell people how important they are to me.  Although it creates a wonderful opportunity for you to you cast your net widely to ensure they know.  This Christmas season began very differently as I approached it from a whole new perspective.

Many times the decorations and music start just after Halloween and with the hustle and bustle the festivity turns to frustration and Christmas spirit slips away weeks before the actual day.  Not this year.  This year would be different.

Perhaps it was the month of miracles journey that I set out to find beginning December first.  Perhaps it was the absence of Santa in the story we told.  It could have even been the focus on Advent each evening where the three of us gathered on the couch to hear Ellie read a story from her Advent book. Or the scripture reading from my grown-up Advent book before the door on the calendar was opened.

It could be the miracles that I found along the way.  The miracles I created for others.  Honestly, I believe it's been a combination of all of the above.

Sometimes when we set out on a journey, we're not sure what we'll find.  We may stumble and fall along the way.  And as we know it's not always about 'getting there', its what happens along the way that changes us.

This season has provided an amazing opportunity to let those around me know how important they are to me.  It may have been through a small gesture or a gift.  It may have been a card, a phone call or just taking the time to hear their story.  For me it was about recognizing who each of them really are - inside - where it matters.  And meeting them there.

I met a friend for lunch on Friday.  Who would have thought on the 23rd of December - the Friday before the holiday that our calendars would be open AND we'd be working!  Somehow we both were.  She's an incredibly sweet woman from Louisiana who moved to Dallas at the same time we did.  She's always been an encouraging voice and wonderful cheerleader during my journey here in Texas.

Friday was different.  She'd lost her Christmas spirit.  She shared her story of disappointment and discouragement.  I listened.  Realizing it wasn't my time to lean on her, I offered her a story of miracles and a promise of hope.

If you've ever watched someone's spirit lifted before you, it's a miracle in and of itself.  Her mood lightened and her face brightened.  I saw the load she'd been carrying become lighter.  And I heard the words that mean more to me than most, "I'm so proud of you!" she said.  Our friendship my gift.  One I treasure.  And my miracle for the Friday before Christmas.

Peace, love and friendship to you.

Healing from pain

I received a phone call yesterday at work about 10:30am from Ellie's daycare.  Miss Ashlie called to say she didn't want to alarm me yet during a game of tag, one of the other students punched Ellie in the face.  With a gasp, I sat back and listened.

This boy who has autism was playing along and then chose Ellie to punch when he didn't like the game anymore.  She cried, and he had been sent home for the day.  Miss Ashlie explained it broke her heart to have to call and tell me that my sweet Ellie had been hurt.  I asked if there was any blood, or anything broken.  No, neither.  They didn't anticipate even a black eye since it was more to the cheek than the eye or nose.

Breathe.

I asked how Ellie was doing now.  She explained she'd been upfront at the desk with several of the teachers so they could love on her, help her with an ice pack and ensure she was okay.  I thanked her for that.  I told Miss Ashlie that I'd ask to speak to Ellie if I didn't think she'd get upset all over again. And that I trusted she was in good hands.  If anything changed or Ellie wanted to be picked up to please call me. Since Ellie had her phone with her I asked if it would be okay if Ellie wanted to call me at some point today would they allow her.  Of course, she told me.  We love our sweet Ellie, we want her to feel safe.

One last question.  I asked if Ellie had retaliated.  "OH, goodness no!  She cried, but never lashed out."  For that I was very glad.

When I left work at 4pm to pick up Ellie I anticipated tears.  But there were none.  She was subdued, but that could be the tickle in her throat and the stuffy nose.  When we got to the car I asked if she was okay.  Did she want to talk about it.  She told me, "Mommy, there's nothing to talk about."

Hmmm.  Okay.

When we stopped at Kroger to pick up a few things she shared, "he didn't mean it Mommy.  He is autistic and the game must have been too much for him.  Maybe he was startled."

Just like the Grinch who stole Christmas, my heart grew three sizes bigger.  How very proud I was of this amazing girl.  Instead of feeling like the victim, she chose to forgive and understand this young boy's perspective.  Tears ran down my face in the dairy section as I pulled her close.  I told her how proud of her I was, and how amazing it was to see what a beautiful heart she has.  She never complained, she only said I'm sorry he didn't understand the game.

When I kissed the top of her head goodbye this morning I told her, 'Baby girl, keep showing the whole world that beautiful heart through your smile, through your kind words.  We need more people who show up like you do.  I love you!"

And of course she said, "okay Mommy, I will.  I love you too."

So, so proud!

Two Miracle Tuesday

Most days I'm grateful to have found one miracle.  Yesterday there were two.

Remember these miracles are all what you make of them - you get to decide.  So when my phone rang on Tuesday and my 'soul sister' friend, Monica was on the line I knew that was a miracle!

We've exchanged notes, gifts, texts and emails in the past several months - but a phone call!  This was a real treat!  We've decided that 2017 is going to be our year!  We need a girls' getaway at some point .. and today when I saw a course offered in Dallas in mid-February I invited her to come celebrate Valentine's Day here!  Bring the family and we'll all share the love!  She immediately went to work on figuring out a way to make that happen!

Miracle number one.

Later in the day at the grocery store after work, Ellie and I plodded up and down the aisles trying to remember what was on the list - as it sat on the counter at home in the kitchen.  We seemed to remember most of what we needed.  When we got to the peanut butter and jelly aisle I said, "El, let me just look and see if they have it."  She responded, "Mommy, they never have it!"  Yet there it was!

For the better part of a month we have been looking for Smucker's seedless raspberry jam.  Seems easy enough, right?  Wrong!  I always have a back-up in the pantry and yet the back-up has been long gone too!

Two beautiful glass jars waiting to be claimed.

Miracle number two.

Couldn't be more proud

There she is.  This amazing, gorgeous, kind, smart, funny, all grown-up 5th grader!  Wow!  She is currently on Winter Break enjoying a week at Children's Lighthouse with all the other kids this week.  Yesterday when I picked her up, Ms. Ashley told me what a big helper she was yesterday with all the little kids!  She had them all playing Simon Says - listening and playing along!  She sure does love those little kids.  If you don't see an education career in her future, I don't know what else there might be!

We know that in order to have as many choices as possible - college, career, etc.  We've emphasized the importance of working hard, studying and making a difference along the way.

Here are her end of semester grades for Draper Intermediate School.

English   -  96
Advanced Math  -  89
Advanced Science  - 93
Social Studies   - 93
Art  - Pass
Music - Pass
Choral Music - Pass
College & Career - Pass
Digital Citizenship - Pass
P.E. - Pass

What an amazing array of grades for this amazing student!  We celebrated all the hard work (and homework) that led her to these results!

Its all about the lights

Is there nothing more beautiful than the lights of Christmas?  This gorgeous light display is in a park in Dallas surrounding water, shopping and an array of food trucks.  This is the spot we enjoyed after our dinner with Jeanine and Michael the other night.  The trees are gorgeous, and the reflection in the water is the icing on top!

Ellie's Girl Day with Miss Jeanine

Miss Jeanine treated Ellie to a special Christmas Saturday with her this weekend.  We met her at 1pm at the nail salon in McKinney.  There just the two of them enjoyed manicures and pedicures with lots of sparkle!

Bill and I ran some errands and prepared for the transition from 70 degree temps during the day, to the 30's we were expecting in the evening.  We had a quick bowl of Lobster Bisque, split some amazing warm flatbreads.  After a few more stops we met up with Jeanine, Michael and Ellie at Hopdoddy in Addison for dinner and to go to the park for the Christmas Lights.

Check out those gorgeous nails.  Finally someone proved the worth of filing nails to Ellie!  She love's the shape and requested the French Manicure by name!  Her toes are a bright pink with sparkles as well.
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Girl time!

Ellie and I spent time on Saturday morning getting a few last minute errands done.  We put on our Christmas music and big smiles before we went out into the day.  We found lots of people had done the same!

The line in the post office, as anticipated, was long.  Yet we got a good parking spot and took our place at the end of the line, outside the door.  I told Ellie if she wanted to she could bring her phone in with her to keep her occupied, as I knew we'd have a long wait.  The line moved steadily along as all the windows were manned for this busy time.  And the best part for both of us was the woman ahead of us in line.  We chatted about the line moving quickly, the last minute gifts we were sending to parents and kids.  When she shared she was a teacher, I wasn't at all surprised.

She teaches Jr High at a nearby school, although lives in Wylie too.  She was a joy, and we were so happy to get to spend part of our morning with her!
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Grateful each day

When I asked Ellie if she's been finding miracles she said, "that's really hard Mommy!"  To which I asked, 'is finding them hard? or remembering to look for them hard?"  Of course you know her answer was, 'both!"

This Christmas season has been one of unexpected connections which appears like a miracle of sorts. The only way to recognize them it to look for them.  I'll continue to look for those moments, and help Ellie see them along the way as well.

#BestNine2016

What do you do with a request to find your best memories in the form of photos in one minute?  You do the best you're able to do.

When I started flipping through the photos to choose from I realized there was a theme.  People I love and enjoying what I have.

Bill
Ellie
The Cubs
Coffee
Blue Bell
Photo Op with an Exec I admire
New haircut
Holidays
and Homecoming

I believe I did pretty well.  This is a challenge I may take into next year.  Once a month reflect back and celebrate on my best nine.  Could be photos, could be moments, could be results, could be meetings, phone calls, emails, cards, letters.  Here's the really cool part - mine can be whatever I want it to be in order to recall, reflect and celebrate.

If you choose to, yours can be exactly what you want it to be too!

Team Photo Day

Wednesday was a team meeting.  We planned to meet at 1pm by the Christmas tree in the lobby for a team photo.  As you can see it went off without a hitch.  

There were:

Color-coordinated outfits

A Selfie stick

Many retakes

A random photo of the floor

A very entertained receptionist

Smiling faces

and

Lots and lots of laughter!

Meet my team!

From the left - Alberto, Jude, Rick, Liz, Matt & Alyssa

We made Christmas Cards to hand out to our entire leadership team - using the photo above, not below.  Beauty of this time of year is that I could upload the photo and have cards ready for me the next day to pick up at CVS.

Merry Christmas!

Beauty

Beauty of the season.

For many years, 'the season' has been a flurry of planning and execution in order to plan, shop, wrap, send and put away in order to have 'celebrated.'  The process can be exhausted, frustrated and often disappointing.  

This year is different.

Perhaps its the intention set before the big kickoff.  Perhaps its about having expectations that were more aligned to reality than fantasy.  More likely it was seeking each day this month to find extraordinary in the every day.  When you look for the good, you will find the good.

I recently provided a Q&A session to a morning team of mine.  We called it "Juice with Jude," where we offered 30 minutes to come to a break area with comfy furniture and a drink cart offering water and juices.  They chose the questions, anything goes.

Usually when the group needs a prompt, I begin with my State Farm story.  How long I've been with the company, what department and location I started in and where my career has taken me so far.  Add in a couple random facts like Bill was a State Farm employee first and how we have weaved our two careers together, then mention Ellie and all her activities.  This is a pretty good amount of information for a group to find something to ask a question.

This group sure did.  How long have you been married?  What does your husband do?  What do you do to relax when you're not at work?  What regrets to you have?  What was your major in college?  How come it's not an insurance degree?  What's your favorite thing to bake?  And my favorite, give us one piece of advice.

This one came in this format.  "Jude, you're known for giving good motivational advice, what can you leave us with today?"

Wow.  First, I didn't realize that's what I'm 'known' for ... I'd better think carefully before I speak from now on.  Secondly, what could I say on a moment's notice that might be interesting, motivational or at least not disappointing to a group of eager employees?

Here's what I told them.

"Your thoughts, words and actions all matter.  Begin by focusing on positive thoughts because they become your words, which lead to your actions.  And whatever you are, be a good one."  I gave credit to Abe Lincoln for the last sentence.  

Here's to creating a season that began with seeking miracles.

Giving Season

As Christmas miracles has been my focus this month, I've found opportunities to brighten days, create smiles and share the Christmas spirit.  Its a wonderful feeling to give without a reciprocal expectation.  Truly to let someone know that they matter.

With any action, there is an equal reaction.  The reaction of giving is receiving.  If you are a good giver, you must also be a good receiver.  Move over wrapping paper, bring out the thank you cards.

Grateful.

Each day brings a different person that has sent me a message, left a gift on my desk or shared a story with me of how I mattered to them this year.  It has been humbling and greatly fulfilling.

On the day that I received an incredibly thoughtful gift and heartfelt card from my soul sister in Atlanta, Ellie presented me this quote.  Each day has been like a prayer as she has randomly chosen which one to share with me.  Although by now, we all know there is nothing random about it.

Amen.

3rd Sunday of Advent - the pink candle

Today at mass Ellie wanted to know why the pink candle comes at the 3rd week of Advent.  Honestly, I didn't have a good answer for that question.  Later in the day I said,' let's go look that up," she already had!  She showed me the response.

"Why is there One Pink Advent Candle? 

"In our Advent Wreath, three candles are purple and one is pink. Why the one pink candle?"

In the earliest years of the church the only church season was Lent, the seven weeks prior to Easter. Lent was a season of fasting and prayer as the church commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus. The traditional color of banners in the church during this time was a deep purple, signifying royalty, repentance, and suffering. During Lent the church lit seven candles, one for each week of the solemn season. However solemn the season, the story of Lent also has a twinge of hope and joy since the death of Christ prefigured the resurrection. So, on the third Sunday of Lent, the church was encouraged not to fast, but to feast. In ancient times on this particular Sunday the Pope would honor a citizen with a pink rose, and as time passed the priests wore pink vestments on this day as a reminder of the coming joy.

When the season of Advent was instituted the church viewed it as a mini-Lent, a time for reflection and repentance (thus the purple). In so doing, the church adopted the first four candles of Lent and changed the third candle of Advent to pink in honor of the Lenten tradition. This is why we have a pink candle in our Advent Wreaths. 

To further heighten the sense of anticipation of Christ's coming during Advent, the church named each candle in the wreath -- the first being hope, the second peace, the third joy, and the fourth love (there are a number of other traditional names as well, though these are some of the most ancient). It has always seemed fitting to me that the pink candle is the candle of joy, the one that speaks to us with its twinge of color.

Incredibly fitting as she'd given me this drawing earlier in the day.  When I asked her what it meant to her she said, "not to leave any one or any color out, use them all!"  I loved her response, as i had thought of something different altogether.  I'm so glad I asked her what it meant to her first before sharing what it meant to me!

Texas Treasures and Blue Bonnets

Recently I commissioned my mother to paint a Texas scene for two co-workers that had recently bought houses.  I wanted to give them something that helped root them in Texas and made their house a home.

This rendering of the Texas Hill Country with the familiar blue bonnets was the perfect gift for them.

On my mother's birthday today, December 10th, here's to making a house a home!

Advent

Each evening after dinner, homework and shower Ellie asks if it's time for the Advent calendar.  We move to the couch and she opens her book to read the story that corresponds with the date.  After she tells her story, I open my book and read scripture for the day to her.  Connecting the children's version of a bible story to the verse dedicated to that day in my book.

It's become a very calming ritual for us.  Bill shares the couch with us, listens to the story and smiles while Ellie reads.  Her voice is confident, her vocabulary is wide and most of all her heart and mind open to the stories and the time we created as a family.

We've also found that reading through the Christmas scrapbook of each year Bill and I have celebrated over the last fifteen years is a fun adventure for her too.  She loves the stories and photos from when she was a baby, when Jack was in the Christmas photo and how she's changed over the years.

Isn't that what Christmas is for .. the magic, the wonder.  And this is what Advent is for .. the preparation, the patience and the belief that there is a wondrous light yet to come.

Dinner with friends

Matt, Debbi, me, Jen, Cristal and Steve
Steve & Debbi live in PHX and when they visit we ALWAYS go to the Bavarian Grill!

Sometimes things just get easier.  We don't loosen a knob, or help break something loose - it just happens.  Although it is afterward that the realization happens.  It's been a year full of ups and down at work.  Plenty learned, wounds that are still healing and a cautious optimism of what may be to come.

So on that we break bread.  In our case it was pretzel rolls .. large steins of German beer and potato pancakes.  We threw in a platter of bratwurst and sausage with dark mustard and snitzel - it was quite a feast.  Isn't that where the best things happen - over a meal, sharing a toast, breaking bread with words of kindness and friendship.

And that's just what we did .... minus the beer for me :-)

Miracles ...

As the month of December began I celebrated as I always do with my philosophy about miracles.  We all know that it's the month of miracles with the oil that burned for 8 days, the royal son born in the stable and the return of light after the longest, darkest night of the year.

Then I remembered an adage that says, 'if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."  Yet I wanted this year to be different.  Here's what happens when you look for things to be grateful for, you focus on the positive and you realize you have so much to be grateful for.  When you look for miracles - you might find yourself stretching to find things, moments, experiences to call a miracle.

As the days passed I realized that miracles are not about me, but about those around me.  And if I couldn't have everyone looking for miracles, it was my time to start creating some!  Truth be told, I didn't set out to create miracles.  In my mind I envision that's exactly how Jesus started.  He didn't get out of bed in the morning, arms high overhead in the sign of victory yelling, 'Let's get to making some miracles today!"  What he did was help the ones he could help.  Make a difference to those that didn't quite believe.

It would be easy to help convince Ellie and Bill of miracles by making things happen for them, but they're already there!  They believe it's possible.  I knew I should begin with people who really needed a miracle.  Caveat here:  I'm not Oprah.  I didn't buy cars, homes, vacations.  I didn't hand things out for the attention.

This began very slowly.  Very innocently with an act of kindness for an unexpected co-worker.  She made mention of Christmas music, I asked if she'd heard a new song this year.  When she hadn't instead of texting a link, I burned her a CD of my 2016 playlist.  Innocent right?  I left it on her desk with a little note.

The following week a co-worker confided her frustration in her marriage.  I asked if she and her spouse socialized with other happily, married couples.  She said she didn't know many, so I offered to get our families together at the local Christmas tree lighting ceremony - no dinner, no planning.  Just an opportunity to share the Christmas spirit.  The following day I wrapped a burlap ribbon around a copy of Carry On, Warrior from my shelf and set it on her desk chair with a card.  The card said, "I know marriage is hard.  Here's the great thing - you can do hard things!!"

A couple days later during a meeting a co-worker shared frustration with some personal issues.  "If only I were married, I could use that built-in support!"  The following day I put together a small Christmas floral arrangement with white roses, greenery and sprigs of red berries.  I added a card that said, "Merry Christmastime!  from Herself the Elf" and left it on her desk.  I didn't need to be recognized, I only wanted her to see that she had people to support her and lift her spirits.

Later that day she asked me if it was me, and I said yes.  I told her that as she told her story the previous day it seemed like she really needed a hug.  And since I couldn't do that in a meeting - I just wanted to bring her a smile to show her people cared.  She jumped up from her chair and said, "yes, a hug is exactly what I needed."  Although this never happens - I stopped hugging first.  I realized how very much she really needed this hug.  And now she has the flowers to remind her.

Here's the best part.  I didn't set out to make miracles.  I just wanted to make a difference.  To let others know they matter, they are noticed and they belong.  I believe are greatest desire is to be part of something greater than ourselves.  To matter - to be heard.  As I listened to each one of them I wanted to acknowledge in my own way that they had been heard.

In the spirit of Christmas and in the spirit of making a difference how will you find the miracles?

Kindness matters.  Just try it!

Old friends, new friends

State Farm Executive Vice President, Rand Harbert with me at City Line Operation Center in Dallas on Monday, December 5, 2016

Monday was a bit of old and a bit of new.  The holidays seem to bring the best and the worst out in people.  Monday was full of the best.

Above you'll see me with an old friend of mine, Rand Harbert.  He's second in command at State Farm in Bloomington.  We share much in common and I've beens fortunate to be able to connect with him over the years.  And most often at the holidays.

You see, we go way back.  I was an Auto Underwriter and member of the Women's Networking organization in Ballston Spa when I first met him.  He was our Agency Vice President - whose office was in PA - just outside of Philadelphia.  When he was scheduled for a visit to our area for a meeting, WNET gained access to him as a guest speaker on the topic of networking.  I worked with his then assistant, Michelle to schedule and was point of contact the day of the event.  She was wonderful - admirable for her poise, brilliance and graciousness.  That day she gave me a tip to connect with Rand and I've never forgotten.

Don't worry, I've stayed in touch with her as well.  She's gone on to be a State Farm agent, an agency consultant and now has the privilege of leading a group of agents as a Sales Leader in the Philadelphia area.  We've exchanged emails over the years and I was fortunate about a year ago to escort a tour of our facilities in Dallas where she appeared out of nowhere.  So grateful!

Back to Rand.  Four years ago I reintroduced myself to Rand at the "Holiday in the Atrium" festivities where our then Chairman, Ed Rust shares his philosophy on the past year and his plan for the following year - all while doing so with kindness and caring through our Merry Christmas event at HQ.  It's in person and exciting to get an up front seat or standing room for the event.  That's something I miss about not being in Bloomington each year.

When I was invited to a 90 minute Q&A with our new Chairman, Michael Tipsord (below - blue shirt) and Rand I jumped at the chance.  It was like the good old days.  I was fortunate to sneak in with Rand and remind him how we'd met - he hugged me like the gregarious Texan he is and whether he remembered or not he made me feel special.  We snapped a quick photo and wished one another a Merry Christmas.

Below are the members of my department that we also invited to the event.  They were much more interested in a photo with our Chairman so I arranged for that to happen as well.

I believe it's important to find people to look up to - to admire and recognize for how they've impacted your life.  I also believe it's important to act as though someone may feel that way about you one day too.  That's the privilege of the rite of passage.  Truth be told, Rand is likely only a few years older than I am, yet he amasses so much wisdom and has the platform to share.

My Christmas miracle was that hug and photo op yesterday.  It gave me a renewed hope for the future of the company and that good people are all around us!

Chairman and CEO, Michael Tipsord in the center (blue shirt) surrounded by CCC Sales employees after his Q&A for the Dallas location on Monday, December 5, 2016

With a little help from my friends

This is exactly what friendship is all about.

A message like this is perfect for illustrating for Ellie what friendship feels like.  I'm sure I've shared before that Aubrie is not really a friend of Ellie's, although she follows Ellie around just to annoy her. Although Ellie realizes this, it's  hard at 10 to know what to do with someone like this.  So I've helped her see what real friendship looks like - it makes you feel good about who you are.

We've talked through how i feel after a phone call with my friends, Miss Erica in Bloomington or Miss Monica in Atlanta.  How they make me feel happier just talking to them.  We talk about our kids and our jobs and how we're glad we have each other to share this journey with.  Ellie recognized that I'm always happier when I have a phone call with one of them.

I explained she should feel good about herself when with a friend.  They should lift each other up, support and encourage one another.  Not tear one another down.  I've explained we all need help, and a good friend is the best solution for that!

I know she understands, its just a matter of practical application of that strategy that will make all the difference!

Elf

Sunday was our first Christmas family movie night of the 2016 season.  Ellie chose Elf because it makes us all laugh outloud.  It is unrealistic and pretty goofy, yet we love to get caught up in the antics of Buddy the Elf.

I've added some of our favorite sayings from the movie.  And believe me, there are SO many more.  Ridiculous things like the 4 food groups of an Elf are:

Candy

Candy Canes

Candy Corn

Maple Syrup

The note he leaves for the family when he messes things up and leaves:

"I'm sorry I messed up your lives and shoved 11 cookies into the VCR."

Christmas is about joy.  It's about sharing.  And most of all I like to think it's about laughter and the experience of being together!

That's what Elf brought us Sunday evening!

Life Lessons

It was that time again on Friday to participate in my annual goal setting tele-class with Life Strategist, Lorin Beller.  The first time I completed an annual goal exercise in this format was a snowy December Friday in 2002.  There was a group of forward-thinking, compassionate, motivated women being led by Lorin through reflection and intention on the past and upcoming year.  We enjoyed lively conversations and times of quiet idea generation.  It was a very beneficial time.

Fast forward 14 years and I'm still doing the same exercise, this time over the phone.  As has been the case for the last 7 years since Lorin no longer holds the sessions in person - she's in California and I'm in Texas!

This past Friday's session was beneficial and therapeutic.  It left me with the sense of still having some work to do this month to finish strong to build the foundation for a very prosperous 2017!  In reading email after work I found this passage above.  It fit nicely into the day.

When I shared the experience at home Ellie reminded me that it was much like how she and I craft our Vision Boards the last week of the year.  How much fun to know that we will completing that again this year to 'envision' what's to come in 2017!

December ...

Oh, what a month this will be.  We may not have that gorgeous snow on trees in Texas they way we've enjoyed in New York and in Illinois, although we'll be filled with December magic just the same!

As I consider how the month of December builds in anticipation and excitement, I consider a new version of "12 Days of Christmas" more in line with the "The Days of December."  More to come as I may come up with how that comes together by the end of the month.

As we anticipate Christmas, I also recognize the opportunity to put an exclamation point on the year 2016, and put plans in place to kick off 2017 with great joy.  Something so powerful and magnificent takes thought, energy and a great plan!  Today I join my annual goal-setting call for next year.  I've signed up for this call year after year as I find the planning process with a group of action-oriented, deep-spirited, wonderful women a great experience.

It began in a cabin in the woods on a snowy Friday in 1999.  Hard to believe that all these years later the process continues to work - today its a tele-class and how much I still look forward to it each year.  It's right in line with the anticipation of December, of Advent and of the magic that awaits in 2017!

Look for the miracles today.  I promise what you seek, you will find!

December is the month of miracles

This page, from Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance is my favorite page of the entire year.  I look forward to December 1st each year anticipating reading this passage.

December is the month of miracles.  The oil that burns for eight days, the royal son born in a stable and the inexplicable return of Light after the longest, darkest night of the year.  Where there is love, there are always miracles.  And where there are miracles, there is great joy.

I'm asking people close to me to look for the miracles this month.  If you don't want to wait for one, create one!  We are capable of miraculous things when we take the time to make it happen.  After Ellie had a tiring day yesterday, and she's such a good helper I asked her to help with this too.  I explained that a lot of preparation goes on for Jesus to be born this month.  Its truly all hands on deck for this event.  And here's how she can help - look for the miracles, help one another, let kindness be our first words, be someone else's miracle.  Its amazing what happens when you look for one.

Yesterday's post I shared a photo of a sunrise the day after the dark clouds.  I was so happy to see such a beautiful sunrise.  As I rounded the corner to leave the neighborhood on my commute I saw the beautiful scene in the photo below.  THAT was my miracle.  The colors, the selection and the timing all indicated to me that if you look for a miracle, you will find one.

Let's keep looking ...

Comes the Dawn

The day after the large black clouds, this beautiful sunrise followed.  It confirmed that all you need to do is believe.  Sometimes it's difficult, yet it is always worth it.  It creates ease in the journey.  What if it were just easy?  What if?  What if I just didn't make it harder for myself, wouldn't that be easier?

Oh, the beauty and lessons these Texas sunrises continue to bring!

Dark Clouds

The other day as I left the house for work I was astonished at the oddness of the sky.  Although it felt like it could be interpreted as my own personal black cloud, it was really in the sky for all to notice.  It was like a blanket covering the whole neighborhood.  Here's the awesome part, there was light in view.  To me it was a sign that regardless of the struggle, there is hope.  And what a season to be in and to be living in a place of hope.  A place of believing.  And a place of miracles.  I snapped the photo to remind myself that regardless of the black clouds - good will come.  Patience...

My reading for the morning was, 'when you begin to worry turn each care into a prayer and then stop there blessing it up to God!"  What a great message!  Even black clouds don't block the blessings .. and the prayers!

Christmas in Texas

There is something very special about Texas.  There is a quality quite unique in the spirit, unity and spirit of Texans.  They are willing to fight for what they believe in and take action to get things done. They love their BBQ, their boots and their music.  And after awhile it grows on you ....

Until I saw this Frosty in a neighbor's yard a few streets over from our house.  Although I have to say it did make me laugh.  At the character of this bold, bigger-than-life true Texan snowman!  When I realized it was made to share the spirit of the holiday it was rather endearing to me.

In a way we have our own personal Big Tex in our neighborhood to welcome in the Christmas season!

More fun from the Arboretum

You know our girl, one who's never shy of the camera.  The one who loves to have her photo taken, has now taken to the pose.  You got it, the pose.  She finds a particularly photo-friendly area and plants herself waiting for the photo to be taken.

It sure does make it easy for us to get great shots of her.  That smile is priceless!  So happy it's this way rather than kicking and screaming to NOT have the picture taken.  Oh, but that may only be a year or two away, right?

Nah!  She's a friend to the camera!  Just take a look ....

Ellie and Honest Abe

Jeremiah was a bullfrog, and he had a friend named Ellie!

A bit darker, but a cool waterfall behind us.

Ellie, being Ellie ...

Capturing us

There are some days you just know.  You read one another well and feel in sync.  The stories, laughter and connection is the main thing.  It doesn't exist as something separate.  It is something that you feel within you and envision traveling back and forth between you.  Its in the space between the sentences and the places where you connect.

Sometimes these moments happen when you have a planned occasion to celebrate - usually for an instant.  And then other times they exist while the world is spinning round, and others need your attention.  When you look at one another you know it's just for you - you in the 'me and you' version.

Friday Ellie took lots of photos of the two of us.  The weather was perfect and the fresh air made us feel as though we earned it.  So she just kept snapping away.  She loves to take photos.  Here's the series from just outside the Degoyer Rose Garden at the Arboretum.

The reason I love the one above more than the others is because it's real.  No lipstick, no fixing hair, no arranging it just right.  We were sharing laughter and having fun with it.  And she captured it.  I envision this is the kind of photo for the back of a dust jacket on a book - should I have one published one day.  Its how I want to be remembered I guess.

And last but not least, we were just done for the day.  No one was happy anymore.  There were requests to find the bathroom, and why can't we buy bottled water out of the machine.  Our time at the Arboretum was coming to an end.  Here we let Ellie capture what it looks like to just be done.

Funny, right?