Monday, March 29, 2010

Monday, Monday...Monday, Funday

Those who want to be prosperous must first make others prosperous.

I just uploaded/downloaded (still unsure what the verb is when I use iTunes to make a purchase) She & Him; Volume 2. I absolutely adore ANYTHING Zooey Deschanel touches (notably her wardrobe and 500 Days of Summer)....but I particularly enjoy her music. Her voice is mellow and round. She sounds, at turns full and vibrant; yet vulnerable and melancholy. Her selections and sounds transport you IMMEDIATELY to an all girl slumber party with pink rollers, record players, fuzzy slippers, love letters and sweet, innocent crushes on senior year quarterbacks who just might give you his letterman sweater! She reminds me of lace and poodle skirts, saddle shoes and two straws in a milkshake, pencil skirts and cat-eye glasses. Her melodies are also tear stained handkerchiefs, runny mascara, broken hearts and deep regret. Volume 1 and Volume 2 make me smile and I catch myself doing "The Twist" when I press play. Have fun and enjoy.....
We have bonds baby; just try to break them!
(Oh yes, Lorelai, we sure do have bonds!)

Goodnight, friends! Wishing you lavender filled dreams with sweet breezes blowing in through your window....

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Shades of Green

I have made a commitment to frequent local business that were kind enough to open their wallets, and hearts, for The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas Silent Auction. Most of these relationships were formed, and cultivated, long before my arrival on the board. However I feel that if "they" support "us"..."I" will support "them!"

I have a NUMBER of things I intend to "achieve" or "attempt" in 2010. The first being to fly a kite! (No...I have NEVER flown a kite. In fact, I mentioned this to my father the other day and he said, "Wow. We were terrible parents!") Similarly, I intend to SUCCESSFULLY establish and maintain an herb garden.

Given that I had some time over Spring Break and it is "just that time of the year" I felt a trip to "the nursery" was imminent. Unfortunately, around my area, I am limited to Home Depot and Lowe's. Personally the plants I have purchased from them have NEVER done well. Of course I am certain I am responsible for 100% of the failure! Additionally, I have never found a nursery in San Antonio where my questions weren't met with an element of pity and irritation. I mean, I am positive I am the only person in San Antonio who manages to kill a blue plumbago! And I am positive nursery attendants can read it all over my face!

I remembered Shades of Green kindly donated a gift certificate to Silent Auction. I was in the area on Saturday and figured I would give it a try. I walked in and the angels sang! I was in wonderland! And EVERYONE was so kind and helpful and never once made me feel intimidated, insecure, irrational, irritating....

I purchased basil, rosemary, lavender and spearmint. Several different employees shared their tips for success with each herb with me and politely suggested I invite them over for mojitos! The owner walked me to my car and actually said, "I am so blessed to love my work!" (Oh that we were all so lucky!) He then invited me back the next day for a CD release party of George Gaytan who is a close personal friend of theirs. I returned and fell further in love with the nursery. I ended up spending two and half hours roaming around, visiting with an old friend, taking photos and just generally hanging out with myself. I would like to share my photos and encourage each of you to visit this gorgeous and courteous establishment.
This is the bench/rocker I am hoping to treat myself to within the next month!
I love this teeny, tiny plant! My hands are really little...so you can imagine how small this plant is!
Goodnight, friends. Enjoy this gorgeous evening!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Spring Break Blues...Sniff Sniff


Today I celebrate YOU, allergies! Yes! YOU! YOU who have made me miserable the last EIGHT DAYS! YOU who have made sleeping....uncomfortable, breathing....impossible, swallowing....painful, holding my head up....laborious. I celebrate YOU! Why? Because YOU, allergies, are a most unpleasant reminder that spring is in the air, infused with mountain laurel and frisky squirrels, pesky lizards and tiny green blooms. And while I genuinely find you irritating, annoying, debilitating and "vacation-crashing" I celebrate what YOU, allergies, represent....the hope that comes with Spring! AND...because of YOU, allergies, I am laying in bed, being ultra lazy and finally finding time to update this blog.As many of you know I was honored with the task of Silent Auction Co-Chair for the 9th Annual Hearts in Harmony Gala benefiting The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas! This project, in fact, coupled with pure laziness, kept me from blogging more diligently. (I know...horrible to blame a charity for my laziness, isn't it?) While MOST of you were there with me (I can never thank each of you enough) some of you were unable to join us so I thought I might post some photos from the event. Gala and Silent Auction were a total success, not to mention loads of fun, and raised OVER $112,000 towards our mission of fostering healing for the grieving children in this community. And now...for the "plug!" Please visit the new website at www.cbcst.org (rock star=Christin Gish) and consider taking a "Tour of the Heart" led by the amazing Janie Worth to have a look at our brand new digs (rock star=Linda Fugit). You MIGHT EVEN CONSIDER a donation to CBCST through the new "donate" option on the website. Do you have a PayPal account? Great...donate!
Jan Paprskar, Linda Fugit and I right before Gala begins.
Ciara came to help me the day of and stayed through the evening to help me. Now that is a good friend! And...we had a blast!
George Strait donated a pair of autographed Justin boots.
Basketball autographed by David Robinson and 2009-2010 UT Football Team signed football.
Spotlight Item-Dinner at Vance View with food provided by Menger and Associates, Wine provided by Weston Stone, home provided by Clair Inglish and invitations provided by Invitations, Etc. (rock star=Barbara Stevens for making this table look so gorgeous!)
"For your Entertainment" and "For the Home" table.
2009-2010 Spurs Team autographed basketball donated by The San Antonio Spurs Foundation and Football autographed by Priest Holmes

I JUST completed 2010 auction yesterday by completing our "Thank You Letter" mail out! And I have already received our first donation to 2011 (rock star=Celeste and Dr. Bobby!) I have agreed to Chair Silent Auction for 2011...so here we go again! After 2011...I am DONE!

This project has been so meaningful to me in an abundance of ways. First and foremost we were able to raise money towards the mission of CBCST. Anything beyond that is really just sweet, sweet icing! That said, I learned a great deal about myself. Some good...some not so good. The move involved I became in the project, the more I realized God brought me to this mission for a number of reasons and I am forever grateful for the opportunity. I am even more grateful for the new friendships I have made and the old friendships that have been celebrated through CBCST!
Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up!

Right now I am loving "ooh la lift" by benefit. I keep it in my purse and in the (all too often) event when I can not get home to "refresh" my make up, I throw on some "ooh la lift" under my eyes for instant glow and restoration. I highly recommend "ooh la lift!"

Okay, friends! Nap time! Head aches, face hurts...must get a nap!