Happy Hour

Are these not the best?

I absolutely love them!  Why not sip and smile?  Seems like a great idea to me.

We don't own them - just found them this morning online at lindsayletters.com.

Such a great conversation piece, or two!

Bloom

We often look to blame the person or the situation that has occurred.  In truth the environment causes a great deal of the joy or chaos.  We each contribute to the environment.

Today, let's make a healthy, happy contribution to our environment!

Don't Forget the Heartbeat

Joe Maddon's words of wisdom on the most recent t-shirt for this charity - Respect90.  I've already ordered mine.  So  many times we get caught up in the end result that we forget about the people involved - the heartbeat.  This is a tremendous reminder that its not all about the numbers, its about the heartbeat.  

Joe's Take
“I think in our game today, the way it’s run on a lot of levels, it’s more about math than people sometimes... I want our guys to understand that we understand the heartbeat around here, so don’t forget the heartbeat.

We won that game (Game 7) purely because of competitive natures and the fact that we wanted to win and the heartbeat was so good. It has nothing to do with statistical information, mechanics physically. It had everything to do with people.

And I really want our guys to understand that, because we’re going to do all the other necessary work. We’re going to do all the math work. We’re going to do all the physical work. We’re going to do all the work. But at the end of the day, man, (when it’s) a different uniform than you, you compete. You try to beat that guy in the other uniform. Don’t forget that."

Laughter is the best medicine

Bill and I talk about this card all the time.  We received it from Uncle Johnny and Aunt Christine over 15 years ago, and it still makes us double over in laughter each time we read it.

We treasure it!  And the laughter it continues to bring to our lives!

We quote it to one another when life gets complicated.  "Stay tuned" and "Healthy New York" are my favorites.  Although after reading it again I may begin to use "Keep it shiny" more often now.

When I think about what was important 15 years ago, we may have thought engagement was a milestone.  Now we know different.  Marriage, parenthood, death of a parent, moving across the country, illness, divorce of friends - those are all milestones that changed us.

Good news - my ring is still shiny and we are staying tuned for what's in store for us!

Thank you Aunt Christine and Uncle Johnny for your beautiful, profound and laughter-filled words!

#LoveMore

There's a book inside me

There's a book inside me waiting to be written.  It's coming to me in snippets on my drive to work some days.  The main characters are Elizabeth and Christopher and theirs is an unusual and extraordinary love story.  They may not be beautiful to anyone but one another.  Their love is complex and strong.  Their challenges are as well.

Life is challenging.  We know that, we've lived it.  What matters is how you live it, how you love and who you keep in your heart.

I'll continue to sort through these ideas as I begin to put these characters on paper.  Their story is worth telling.  Believe me.

Beauty and the Beast

Today we continued the birthday week celebration with a trip to the movies!  And not just any movies - this theatre is the one with the big leather reclining chairs that you book ahead of time.  We opted for an early matinee and loved every minute of this movie.

Perhaps I was the one with the highest expectations going in .. this is my favorite.  Going way back.  It is one that I love to see over and over.  We visit anything Beauty and the Beast at Disney and are never disappointed.

Today was no different.  We loved it!  What a masterpiece!  Such a wonderful story, so beautifully told.  We were glad for the opportunity to share this with Ellie as the birthday week celebration comes to a close.

She had a special request from Bill to make Shrimp Scampi for her last night for dinner.  And after the movie we finished up those leftovers for good measure!

What a wonderful 11th birthday celebration!

Power of Friendship

This week was long, trying and exhausting.  It felt heavy and cumbersome at times.  The vast majority of that was caused by work pressures, unkind co-workers and personal agendas.  Although there is an end in sight with some upcoming changes, those changes have not set in yet.  Something in my mind is still caught on the discomfort, the inequity and the frustration of the situation.

Through those times I remind myself to breathe, to meditate - quiet my mind, and to pray.  Those all help.  What also helps is the power of friendship.  Last week I had wonderful phone calls with both Jody and Monica, and a series of texts with Erica.  Oh, the beauty of girl talk!

Fast forward to Saturday morning.  I had a hard time shaking sleep from my brain.  A bit foggy and sluggish.  Our 9:30am soccer game was in Plano, so with drive time and warm-ups we left the house at 8:20am.  When we arrived we saw Coach Cheryl, her daughter and another team mate headed to a warm-up area to kick the ball around.  Bill and I hadn't anticipated how chilly it was - windy and cloudy so we hung back in the car.

As we sat there in silence I recognized my crankiness.  Unsure exactly what was causing it, and more so how to resolve it!  The field in Plano is at a park that hosts a variety of sports - baseball, basketball as well as the soccer fields.  There is also a walking path that curves around the entire place.  While I sat in the car wondering about the crankiness I saw a group of three woman walking the path.  They seemed to be about my age, likely with kids somewhere in the complex at a game.  They were chatting and I could see from their faces they were happy.

In an instant I realized that what they had was not about calories being burned.  It was good for their soul.  The connection of friendship.  That left me longing for friends like that - CLOSE BY!  I made peace with it and we made our move to her game.

Although this time it was different. Instead of plopping down in my chair next to Bill I chose to stand with two moms I talk to in passing most weeks.  I love their girls, for their kindness and teamwork.  Know their other children by site as well, and husbands who often are en route to take another child to a different game.

Today I stood with Katie's mom and Leah and Miriam's mom.  We drank coffee from our travel mugs, talked about our kids - all of which celebrated their 11th birthdays within a week of one another, our inability to exercise as much as we'd like, the stiffness in our backs, the family vacations we're planning for the summer and the best part was the consensus of needing alone time.  They each spoke kindly of their husbands, and although content in their lives - they were tired too!  By the end of the game - and our time together - I said to them, "you have no idea how very much I needed this today ... I've been missing close by girlfriends and this conversation filled my soul!"  We hugged and wished each other a great rest of the day.

Sometimes God answers our prayers without us even putting them into words.  Thank goodness for the spirit of women, motherhood and coffee talk with girlfriends!

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Our little girl is growing up!

We shared stories with her of the night she was born, the first night of her life in a hospital separated from me, with Bill by her side.  We talked about where we've lived and how she's grown.  And most of all how very proud of her we are!

She's funny, kind, sweet, smart and downright amazing!

She picked Kenny's East Coast Pizza for dinner last night.  This is her choice of margarita pizza with fresh mozzarella and basil.  We shared a chopped salad and looked forward to dessert!

Her peanut butter pie arrived with a candle on top as Bill and I sang Happy Birthday to her!  She had a great day at school and a special dinner out with family.

Vacation comes to an end

I love the app that allows you to put your 'best nine' in one photo capture.  Its often harder to figure out which ones to leave out!  Here's an assortment of the best of our vacation to Destin, FL last week.

If you only had these photos to use to summarize the trip I believe you'd see:  sunshine, smiles, beach and beverages!

This trip was different from the rest.  Less adventure and more laughter.  Less being late and more holding hands.  Less reservations and more snacks of fruit and cheese.

Bill asked me several times if this was boring.  Heck, no!  This was perfect.  Everything in moderation - and I mean everything!  Togetherness, sunshine, cocktails, eating out, structure, plans, and even seafood!

We had a wonderful week.  The weather was phenomenal.  Much better than we anticipated.  There were walks on the beach, hours at the pool, some eating out, even more eating in, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for our special occasion night out, sunrises and sunsets, cocktails by the pool, more bottles of water, taking advantage of recommendations and finding our own favorites too.

Somehow we all found time together and apart.  Ellie spent more time in her room by herself than ever before.  Bill and I spent time each morning on the deck watching the water with our coffee.  The two of them went to the pool each morning while I did my 3-mile walk on the beach solo.  It was a variety of activities with a rhythm only we seemed to understand.

We bring back to our reality - wonderful memories, sunburns, shells and sand, a renewed sense of one another and of a family as well as the adventure of a new place we look forward to visiting again and again!

It's almost time ...

When it is time to celebrate, there is really no stopping us!  We're nearly ready to pack the car and get on with this Spring Break to Florida!  We've made lists, made reservations and now it's time to make it happen.

We won't have many pictures posted until our return.  Yet know we are relaxing and enjoying ourselves while looking at the water in Destin!

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!