A Nip and a Tuck...And a New Special Feature

Look who got a face lift?  Yep!  Fete, did!  Now you FINALLY know who those legs and margarita belong to!

So...let's get the housekeeping out of the way first!  The photograph is compliments of my cousin, Marisa Quinn, who infused my life last year (at a time when I really needed it) and saw something in me that I didn't...and it came through in this photo.  This photo has a lot of meaning for me...it signifies rebirth and transformation.  Thank you, sister.  You ALWAYS see in me...what I sometimes don't.  

This blog was originally born out of a very broken heart...which, as it turns out, may have been more of a bruised ego.  Oh yeah, y'all know what I am talking about!  I had developed an Internet friendship via etsy.com with Amber Schmidt of Announcing You.  I was so impressed with her professionalism, ultra speedy turn around time and her kindness I KNEW she was the person to gently bring my blog design idea to fruition.  Once again, Amber has helped me transform Fete...just a little bit...because this moment is all about transformation!

Thank you, ladies!  You both inspire me and I have to admit, when I see an email in my "inbox" from either of you...my heart smiles just a little bit because I know it is going to contain nothing but pure goodness.  

 

Take a look at Fete's newest feature.  (Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know I am behind the times; but better late than never, correct?)  If you click on this image up on the right hand corner (not here) you will be taken directly to Fete's NEW FACEBOOK PAGE!  According to ME...not only can you "Like" me on Facebook...you can actually "Aqua Heart" me on Facebook!  Who else can say that?

I would ABSOLUTELY WELCOME all the "aqua hearts" I can get from my little readership!  My motives for this are simple:  I want to provide another e-space for goodness and celebrations people can visit when they need respite from this (often) harsh world.  (And then there is the added benefit of my growth as a human being and frustrated writer...but that's my gig...not y'alls.)  That's it.  Nothing more, nothing less.

This isn't a forum...not yet, at least.  That would take way more brain-iacal-ness that I simply don't possess...not yet, at least.

This is just a space where I write and share and you read and enjoy.  A self-proclaimed tender heart...the rule is to be sweet and mindful with your responses; both to me and to other friends of Fete. 

NOW...GET TO CLICKING AND SHARING, FRIENDS!!!!!!!

To Whom Much Is Given

Happy Monday! Today was, quite possibly, the MOST glorious day in recent history. The weather was unbelievable! It was so good....all of me wanted to play hooky, lay in the grass and sun bathe. But, I didn't. Way too much work to be done. However, I did take the EXTRA long route after lunch so I could enjoy the wind in my hair just a little bit longer.

Today's celebration actually took place yesterday. Several individuals and I hosted a fundraiser in honor of Julian Castro and his race for mayor. I want to share the invitation that we sent out. It was created by my new e-BFF Amber with Announcing You. I think she did a lovely job and I was so pleased with her innovative approach to creating this invitation. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Ricardo Ruiz with Cha-Cha's Mexican Restaurant. He generously and graciously provided us a wonderful space and excellent food for our function! Additionally, his entire wait staff was incredibly serviceable and most helpful.

Christine and I arrived early to decorate the back room. We decided to go with a Fiesta theme since it is, in fact, Fiesta week and we were celebrating at a Mexican food restaurant. Additionally, we had a decoration budget of approximately 0 dollars so we pooled resources we already owned and humbly decorated as best we could. (Those of you who know me KNOW how I am about things like these. And I also know you are all laughing out loud right about now! Go ahead...I am laughing with you!)

Decorating Budget for Julian Castro Fundraising Event-$0 dollars

Knowing Patty Freaks Out About That-Priceless

Imagining Patty Freaking Out About It In Your Head-Also Priceless

Christine and Patty Raiding Their Houses for Decorations-Once Again, Priceless

There are some things money can't buy....for everything else there is the pricelessness of Patty's panic attacks regarding decorating for a party!

So it turns out that my mom and Julian's mom went to Our Lady of the Lake University together. They chatted and realized they graduated the same year and had many mutual friends in common. Here is a photo of my dad, my mom and Julian's mom, Rosie Castro.
Christine and I were both hostesses, along with Irene, who initiated the fundraiser and without whom none of this would have been possible!

I was originally going to introduce Julian. No small task for such an important public figure. Thank goodness his twin brother, Joaquin, arrived. I pushed the scary task onto him! Thanks, Joaquin. Anyhow....who better than your twin to introduce you and poke fun at you with total impunity! (BTW......loved the casual look again, Joaquin! It really does make telling you guys apart much, much, much easier!)

Julian shared his vision for the city and was kind enough to answer five pre-determined questions. Most of us in the room were educators so the questions revolved around education and his hopes for the future of our youth. His message has CONSISTENTLY been that he would like for the children of this city to be educated here, have the option to stay here for the purposes of higher education and be hopeful about making their way, their livelihood and their homes in a city that is filled with promising job opportunities.....opportunities that are competitive with those in Houston, Dallas and Austin.

It is said that to whom much is given, much is expected. Julian and Joaquin are shining examples of this. They are both such gifted, intelligent, motivated individuals. They have made opportunities for themselves that most of us can only dream of. They have shown that with hard work, dedication, and the loving support of your family your dreams can come to fruition. This city is well served by this entire family and they continue to exceed my expectations! What continues to strike me is that they had the opportunity to go anywhere to make a difference, and they chose to come back to their community and to serve their community. This speaks volumes about their character and their upbringing. Thank you for being an inspiration! And Julian, best of luck! (Even though I am convinced you won't need it!)

Some of the guests included Sofie and "Anais".........
"Spacey" (who said I could "out" her, too.....her name is really Jace') and I.........
Christine and her mom, Josie......

These two fine looking people......Thanks for coming Mom and Dad. I am glad you were able to share in the celebration....even though you can't vote because you don't technically live in the city! I know you would if you could!

Jace' and Christine's mom, Josie......

Overall I think the fundraiser was a success! I had a good time and only stressed out a teeny tiny little bit about the decorations. Again...for those of you who know me....I think you can agree I have come a long way if the stress level was that low!
Immediately following the fundraiser Jace' and I decided to go for pedicures. Much needed because I had been standing in heels for most of the afternoon. She and I were searching for off beat colors and we found one that matches the blog. So what I am lovin' right now is my nail polish color. By the way, Jace' is sportin' it too......

And finally, in honor of the "anonymous" person who left me this quote....(although I am pretty sure I know who you are because you repeat this quote to me daily)....

Dwight: Every time I am about to do something, I ask myself, "Would an idiot do it?" And if the answer is "yes," I DO NOT do that thing!

Goodnight friends.....

Will report from Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA) tomorrow......

Viva Fiesta!

A New Format!

I really don't know what day it is! I have been confused all day. I took the morning off and I LOVED IT! I slept in...just a tad. I wore my favorite dress and favorite boots (always makes a lady walk a little taller, a little lighter!) I took tacos to the campaign headquarters. After that I spent some time with an old friend. She has been a guiding force in my life since I graduated from college. We had a wonderful discussion about where I am at in my life and how I might move forward with courage and silence the little voices (not real ones) that sometimes take over called "fear of failure" and "fear of rejection!" She is a lovely woman whom I admire and respect greatly! You know who you are. It was wonderful to see you again and I look forward to our visits in the future. I am so grateful that you have been a part of my adult life.

Last night I attended another mayoral forum at The Dominion. It was hosted by their Homeowners Association. My oldest and dearest friend recently moved into that neighborhood. "Crystal" and I convinced her to come to the forum and ask a question that is of great importance to her. She bravely raised her hand and asked the candidates where they stood with regards to animal control and animal cruelty. I think this questions hits close to home for everyone as most of us have grown up with very special pets in our life. I am certain after she delivers Baby Gianna in June she will be working hard to volunteer her efforts in the fight against animal cruelty, better animal care services, animal care education and mobile spay and neuter units. In our entire lives (we have been friends since we were 3) I have never known her to NOT get what she wants. She achieves whatever she sets out to do. This is her passion and I encourage her to follow it! Below is a picture we took immediately following the forum. We have come such a long way........

Amber (the brilliant) has created some new graphics for me so that it will be easier for the reader to "fast forward" to the section they want. (I am not kidding myself...only Vegas Val is reading the Gilmore Girls tribute so now you all have a heads up when it is coming and you can skip it!) I hope you like the graphics and that they work well with the design of the blog!

Today's celebration is my garden. Well to be honest the word "garden" suggests order or purposeful disorder, correct? There is nothing of the sort going on in my backyard. In fact, I have ignored all plant life back there for some time. And it has not rained much in San Antonio. So it is safe to say the plants grow in spite of me! Yesterday afternoon I came home and decided, "Enough!" The plants were in need of some serious tender loving care and since a professional gardner is only slightly out of the budget (insert sarcasm here) it was up to me. It was a gorgeous Texas spring day and a nice opportunity for the kitties to come out and play. I took pictures of these two beautiful flowers that have bloomed with no help from me. In fact....I am NOT deserving of these gorgeous flowers. I have certainly neglected them. But I thought it was amazing that despite the sad, sad, sad nature of the back patio beauty can still thrive! (It's an easy metaphor for life. Corny, I know. But I felt the need to draw the obvious parallel. Indulge me.)

Right now I am lovin' "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." It is laugh out loud, raunchily (is that a word) hilarious! I am at the beginning of season 2 and I look forward to the insanely sociopathic, compassion-less antics of each of these characters. Their moral repugnance completely works! Perhaps this show is like the alter ego of all of us? The things we wish we could do and say or think about doing and saying but social norms and the good voices in our heads prevent us from behaving in such and infantile and base manner. Still....they make me laugh!

Lorelai: Oh, I can't stop drinking the coffee. I stop drinking the coffee I stop doing the standing and walking and the word putting into sentence doing.

Luke: I'll make you some coffee.

As always...it's late and I am sleepy. I am looking forward to gettin' under the covers and visiting with my four friends from South Philly!

Goodnight friends.....

The Quick and The Dirty

Greetings! I am very, very, very sleepy! It is way beyond my bedtime. But....I persevere for the sake of responsible blogging and my dedication to daily celebrations. I have to report....I viewed today through an entirely different lens. Every interaction I had, every thing I looked at, every task I was involved in forced me to ask myself, "Is this worth mentioning as a daily celebration?" It was really refreshing and I felt myself smile a little bit more today....and laugh at things I normally would not have.

I want to celebrate the fantastic response I have gotten to the blog. People have said some very kind things about the blog; but perhaps the sweetest response came from my dad! (We'll keep that between the two of us....!)

My role today (outside of my regular job which is another story for another entry or even another blog or maybe a reality TV program) was mostly as volunteer. My friends (we'll call them) "Spacey," "Crystal," and "Anais" (they all want pseudonyms for the blog...even though their faces are posted everywhere) and I went to The Children's Bereavement Center. We took dinner to the families that are receiving care and services there. We met a lovely little girl named Sam who showed us exactly what we needed to do and how we needed to do it! And she loved herself some pink cupcakes and lemonade!

We served pizza, salad and about a million desserts. "Spacey" was responsible for the sweets and she purchased EVERY type of cupcake and cookie she could get her hands on....mostly because she intended to sample each and every one of them. I had to leave before dessert but I have no doubt she accomplished her task with grace and aplomb!

Immediately following dinner I rushed over to the KLRN (Local PBS Affiliate) Studios to attend the mayoral forum. I have had the privilege of becoming involved in the Julian Castro campaign for mayor of San Antonio. What an honor to be a live member of the audience. It was a new experience for me and I am so thankful the campaign allowed me to attend. I had the pleasure of sitting with his wife whom I had not met prior to this evening. She was very gracious and I look forward to seeing her at future events. Julian, as always, addressed all the questions with quiet confidence, seamless eloquence and humble fortitude. I continue to be amazed by him and will continue to assist his campaign in any way possible. He makes me want to continue to live here! And as I mentioned in my last entry that was a decision I was really grappling with!

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo "What I am Lovin' Today" is Amber! Amber is the amazing and talented (patient, generous, kind, helpful, did I mention patient) lady who has helped me design this blog. Well....she actually did it ALL. I just type! I met Amber on etsy.com. She lives states away, but she has worked on several projects for me. If you need an invitation created, a blog designed, or anything else....this is the lady to do it! Amber...my sincerest gratitude! The blog is lovely and I am so excited to learn something new about it every day. Please visit Amber's esty.com shop!

I promised a Gilmore Girl's quote today! Very appropriate considering a Sam Phillips song just came on. It's the song played on the very first episode that ever aired. (Changing my life forever!) So my quote will come from the very first scene....

Lorelai to Luke: That guy has quite a pair, doesn't he?

Goodnight, friends! Tomorrow is a very long day! And I have to be up extra early which is NOT something I am any good at.....