Scene In SA Part II

 The 10th Annual Friends of The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas Hearts in Harmony Gala was Scene in San Antonio!

 Keep true to the dreams of your youth.

I didn’t think….like you would think.  I thought like I would think.  And my thinking is sometimes very, very wrong if you aren’t me….and occasionally if you are me. -Lorelai

"When someone asks us where we want to be in our lives, the last thing that occurs to us is to look down at our feet and say, "Here, I guess, since this is where I am." 

-Barbara Brown Taylor from An Altar in the World

"I woke up on Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt..."

Hearts in Harmony Gala: Part II

With so many people to thank I figured I would include parts of the program from Gala.

(Program created by the devilishly talented Christin Gish)

A list of the individuals, businesses and supporters I am BEYOND indebted to....and so proud to know:

This photo was in the San Antonio Express News this Sunday.

From left to right: Barbara Stevens, Gala Chair; Patty Vela (Me), Silent Auction Chair; Traci Gomez, Executive Director of The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas; and Linda Fugit, Barrerras Volunteer of the Year.  I also took the time to get a little "crafty"; paper crafty, that is.  I haven't played with paper in a LONG time.  With the extra time...I figured, why not.  

Originally handed to me as a sample, I have fallen deeply, madly, passionately in love with my new bath gel.  

Created by the masters at Molton Brown, London, this fragrance is called

Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod.

Pepper-ish, indeed!  There is a hint of "man" in the shower gel that I enjoy wearing throughout the day.

(Photo from www.moltonbrown.com)

I don't need you to be sorry.  I need you to be "there." -Lorelai

A nervous breakdown can really work wonders for a girl. -Rory

(I found this one in the parking lot at work)

New people will bring new realizations, especially big issues.

Silent Auction-Year Two

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 The Friends of The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas celebrated its 10th Annual Hearts in Harmony Gala.  Below are some photos of our Silent Auction.  These were the only photos I had time to shoot.  Once Silent Auction and Gala got underway, I completely forgot I even had a camera.  Hell, I forgot I even had a name!  Anyhow...enjoy the photos.

To everyone who supported me, secured a donation item, collected a donation item, decorated a donation item, suggested an item, set up, tore down, volunteered, calculated, fielded questions, called my name out 20 times before I was able to address the situation, prayed, reminded me to chill, listened to me lament, sensed the tension in my voice, honored my obsessive compulsive tendencies, reigned in my obsessive compulsive tendencies, purchased an item, bid on an item....and drove all the way in from Austin AND back on the same day.....I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

No more Silent Auction!  I officially resigned my chairmanship.  I would like to explore different positions on the board.  This two year projects has taught me a lot about myself.  Some good; some not so good.  The ultimate goal, however, never changed: to foster healing for grieving families in this community.

Thank you, Friends Board, for trusting me with this project.  It has been an honor to serve you all!  Most of all, thank you for believing in me....when maybe I didn't believe in myself!

Comfortably Numb

On a day when I feel like a big, huge crab apple blossom....I am issuing a challenge to myself to find the celebrations of TODAY....

The sun was out!  My hair cooperated!  My oatmeal with blueberries and pecans was pretty damn amazing!  I talked to Ciara!  A student actually called me "Miss Vela" and not just "Miss."  I adjusted my office chair to a moderately comfortable position; as opposed to the terribly uncomfortable position it has been in the last few months!  Generous donors to Silent Auction!!!!!!  A visit to CBCST and SURPRISE...my friend Meg was there!  Gracie let me hug on her for a long time!  I talked to my mom and dad today!  There....good!  Good!  This is good!

Paris: Men suck!

Rory: They do suck!

Paris: Can't count on them.  They never have your back.

Rory: No, they don't.

Paris: They make you love them and then they let you down and you are walking around with a stomach ache for the next six months.

Rory: Is that how long it lasts?

Paris: I don't know.  I hope it is only six months.

Rory: Yeah, me too.

You're funny!  You know they say pretty women aren't usually funny because they never had to be.  Were you fat as a child?

-Shell Sossman (Chicken/Poultry Supplier)

I downloaded a 30 day trial of Aperture.  Here are a few of the photos I played with....

Any thoughts?  Worth the 200 dollars?  It was fun to play with....I might make the purchase.....

Promenade.

I traded your sweetness for my loneliness,

And your confidence for my own regret,

And your simple grace for this disarray,

That's my stock and trade,

While you promenade....

-The Gourds

It's getting to be that time, blog friends.  It is the time of year when I stop blogging and dedicate all computer time to SILENT AUCTION 2011!  Gone are the days of creative blogging, present are the days of data-bases and emails and the need to be HIGHLY organized in a timely, efficient manner.  I call upon you, blog readers, to share with me your ideas for awesome Silent Auction items!  Do you have something you can suggest, a friend or loved one who might be willing to donate a good, quality item?  Contact me via email or Facebook.  I am currently looking for an individual who might consider donating a Kindle, Nook, etc, an iPhone, a guided deer hunting trip, a high end ladies hand bag, etc.  

Signing off for now as I am headed to spend good quality time with my family in McAllen.  May you all enjoy a wonderful weekend.

I'm Gonna Rant a Little Bit

There are several themes that recur in my dreams.  These symbols, as I like to consider them, have haunted my dreams since my childhood.  One prominent symbol is a plane crash.  (I like to attribute all these symbols to anxiety and/or perceived loss of control....my dream life is wicked and consistent as day turns to night.)  I am not paralyzed by the idea of flying; but it certainly does conjure up a serious amount of trepidation.  However, I refuse to allow the fear ground me (pun clearly intended).

So, here's the thing.  If you want to "full body scan" me....go right ahead.  And "full body scan" the guy in front of me and the lady behind me.  I do not care if you see my "internal parts."  I do not even care if you analyze my "internal parts" or laugh about my "internal parts" with your co-workers in the "remote viewing room."  I will tell you all about my "internal parts" and the surprises you may or may not find floatin' around in there.  Do what you have to....just make sure I am safe.  The image, from what I can tell, is rather cloudy and non-descript.  I certainly don't think it is any image that anyone might get their kicks from viewing.  Hell....you can sell a picture of my "non-descript," "cloudy," "unrecognizable" body parts to some seedy internet guy....I don't care.  Why do I not care....because ultimately I know I am "safe" on that airplane AND you can't recognize me in that photo to save your life.  So...scan away.  And people need to find something "real" to focus on.  There...that's my rant!  And yes...I WILL be body scanned in less that 5 days.  And guess what...I don't even care!  I feel much better now.....

Listen, you pin head.  You should be kissing the ground she walks on.  Why that sweet girl lets you within a hundred miles of her is beyond me; but she does.  You are the luckiest man on the planet to have a girl like that looking after you, caring about you.  And if you say so much as one unkind word to her, I will personally break every bone in your body.  You got me? -Luke

Kirk: It's unorthodox.

Lorelai: That's because I'm not orthodox.  I am a liberal with a touch of reform and a smidgen of zippity pow.

Who wants to win some amazing, amazing, amazing prizes?  You do!  I know!  Here's how this works....you (generously and graciously) give me 10 dollars and I will hand you one of these:

Can't read it?  Let me enlarge the text for you....

Help support the mission of The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas by purchasing one, two, five, twenty, one hundred, two hundred raffle tickets.  Call me or email me and we will make the arrangements.  Oh...and don't forget to ask your friends!  

Tahoe Holga Photos

I am ridiculously tardy!  Our Lake Tahoe trip was in July and I JUST took my Holga photos to be developed last week.  I collected them today and with as much patience as a 4 year old on Christmas morning I tore open the envelope to see what I had gotten! (That is the best part of the Holga...you NEVER know what you are going to get!)  I used color film on this trip and I played with the number of exposures.  Some of these have been cropped.

Pine cones, pine cones EVERYWHERE!  (Apparently they hurt when they land on your head.)

 Our fearless tour guide mapping out our bike route.

 View from back porch.

The chalet is owned by Texans. 

 Another view from back porch.

 I love the wispiness of the tree tops...I think I clicked the shutter twice on this one.

 What are you thinking about?

And because today is the final day in our week long celebration.....

Richard: Say, are you and Rory "wireless?"

Lorelai: Oh no, we're pretty wired most of the time.

Richard: Emily, I am going to "google" you.

Emily: You most certainly are NOT going to "google" me!

To figure out EXACTLY what happened you'd have to dig up Freud himself and have him work on me full time. -Lorelai

Jason: Crystal is just a friend.

Lorelai: A friend named CRYSTAL!  Who are you, Hugh Hefner?

Friends!  It is THAT time of the year again!  Silent Auction time!  Talk to me.....people!  If you know me, like me, love me....you WILL participate in some form or fashion.  So...what will it be...item donation?  Volunteering for the Gala, prior to the Gala....?  I just came home from a very productive meeting and I have the major GALA EXCITEMENT BUG!  I will keep you all VERY posted.  But...for now you can help in the following way....

This will be an ENORMOUS help to Silent Auction.  Thank you to Christina Welch for supporting Silent Auction and CBCST again, this year!  If there is a piece of Stella & Dot that you just can't live without...here is the perfect opportunity to adorn yourself for a good cause!  Directions are included above and please note the online party is open from today until October 19!

Sweet dreams, dear friends!  This week is flyin' by and I am lovin' it!