Ok, so I know there are probably about a million other blogs today listing peoples' resolutions and this is probably the most generic post I can write today but I am so excited about 2011 that I just have to get my feelings down on paper. 2010 has been an absolutely amazing year and I can feel in my bones that 2011 will be even better. Se here are the things I will require of myself to make that happen:
Professional Resolutions:
1. I will meet with at least 4 people a month to discuss my office and my company. I will make recruiting a priority and would like to have 5 new associates in our office by this time next year. It's my goal to double our size in a year.
2. I will get serious about working toward earning my CRS this year (that's certified residential specialist, for those who don't know the Realtor designations). There aren't many course opportunities in OK but I will take every one available and will also actively pursue all online classes for this designation.
3. I will pursue every lead, regardless of how tired or overworked I feel. No one will fall through the cracks this year. (I know it sounds bad to say that some people "fall through the cracks" but you'd be surprised how many people we come into contact with. I mean every visitor to an open house, every friend of a friend, old friends from high school and college, internet contacts...it's amazing just how many leads you get if you just sit down and count them out. Sometimes they might fall by the wayside if they aren't looking at buying or selling for a year, etc. Well, no more! I will follow up with everyone, every time.)
Personal Resolutions:
1. So, everyone says this one but I'm getting older and actually have to do it - I will work out for at least 90 minutes 3 times a week (that's an hour of cardio and 30 minutes of weights - I know it sounds like a pipe dream but that's what I was doing when I did actually work out last year so I'm just trying to maintain the status quo!)
2. I will say "no" if asked to volunteer with organizations that are not my top priority. I will not feel guilty for not wanting to be on the HOA board or volunteer at the library. Those are important jobs but I've put in my time with them (6 years with the HOA and 7 with the library) and would like to focus on volunteer opportunities that are more personally meaningful to me at this point in my life. I will continue my work with Habitat, our church, and the FOP Auxiliary.
3. I will continue this blog. I may not write every day but will post a new blog at least 3 times a week. Some will be old stories, some will be new. Some will be only a paragraph long and others will be a chapter. I will write what I feel and try not to edit myself too much by worrying what other people might think.
Family Resolutions:
1. I will make sure to tell the girls daily how much I love them. I will not take my family or friends for granted. I know I'm blessed to have so many amazing people in my life and will do whatever I can to deserve them.
2. I will set up a daily schedule for our family and stick to it. No more crazy "wait! I've got homework"s at bedtime. No more "mom, when's dinner?"s at 7 when I've worked right through and forgotten to make something. Not only will my office be organized but my life will be.
3. I will try making a new recipe every week. I love to cook but it's really easy to fall into the habit of making the same things all the time. If you've got a good one, send it over! I'll be looking for exciting new meals to try.
4. Tommy and I will go on at least 1 date every 3 weeks. And I will take the girls on a date at least once a month. I will not allow us to get so busy in our own lives that we don't all remember to enjoy our time together.
Ok, so I know that it might not sound like much but I'm starting small. I'm going to print this post out and put it on my desk so I don't forget. Wish me luck!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Music of 2010
So I know that there are still 8 days in the year but I decided to go ahead and make a list of my 15 favorite songs of the year. Just a disclaimer that some of these songs might have come out before 2010 but I didn't discover them until this year. If you find yourself bored one evening I hope you'll take a few minutes and listen to a couple of them. These are in no particular order because I love them all too much to rank them :-)
1. Melissa Etheridge - Fearless Love (LOVE this one!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOQJlWBU42Q
2. Ne-Yo - Never Knew I Needed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA-6u52VoD8
3. Sara Bareilles - Say You're Sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tb7xQlucmU
4. Shakira - Waka Waka (Don't laugh! It's just a fun song.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGrfLQVVI8A
5. Naya Rivera - Valerie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYuzNmFox2M&feature=fvw
6. Muse - Uprising (Must be played really, really loud!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiT5KCSBnvQ&feature=fvw
7. Reba McEntire - Consider Me Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_L8HdoYgo
8. Cee Lo Green - Forget You (I prefer the clean version to the unedited one.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKxodgpyGec&feature=related
9. DeVotchKa - How It Ends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfi1UQ_PKQI
10. Fanfarlo - Atlas (The Time and Space Machine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwHWlCJWzIM
11. Lea Michele - O Holy Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-U9nASwXkU
12. Charice - Listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnBJ6NgAZ4o
13. Jordan Sparks - Don't Let It Go To Your Head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzkz-m4RR2A
14. Jason Mraz - A Beautiful Mess
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Mz_kyRlWY
15. Reba McEntire - What If It's You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYCeYC5dUfY
I started this list with a goal of finding 20 songs to share but only wanted to list those that I really, really, really loved this year and was only able to find 15 that I felt strongly enough about. I hope you enjoy at least a couple of them. Which are your favorites? Any that you feel I left out?
1. Melissa Etheridge - Fearless Love (LOVE this one!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOQJlWBU42Q
2. Ne-Yo - Never Knew I Needed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA-6u52VoD8
3. Sara Bareilles - Say You're Sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tb7xQlucmU
4. Shakira - Waka Waka (Don't laugh! It's just a fun song.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGrfLQVVI8A
5. Naya Rivera - Valerie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYuzNmFox2M&feature=fvw
6. Muse - Uprising (Must be played really, really loud!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiT5KCSBnvQ&feature=fvw
7. Reba McEntire - Consider Me Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw_L8HdoYgo
8. Cee Lo Green - Forget You (I prefer the clean version to the unedited one.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKxodgpyGec&feature=related
9. DeVotchKa - How It Ends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfi1UQ_PKQI
10. Fanfarlo - Atlas (The Time and Space Machine)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwHWlCJWzIM
11. Lea Michele - O Holy Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-U9nASwXkU
12. Charice - Listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnBJ6NgAZ4o
13. Jordan Sparks - Don't Let It Go To Your Head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzkz-m4RR2A
14. Jason Mraz - A Beautiful Mess
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Mz_kyRlWY
15. Reba McEntire - What If It's You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYCeYC5dUfY
I started this list with a goal of finding 20 songs to share but only wanted to list those that I really, really, really loved this year and was only able to find 15 that I felt strongly enough about. I hope you enjoy at least a couple of them. Which are your favorites? Any that you feel I left out?
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Things you might not know...
So, in the spirit of giving the girls an inside scoop about my life here are some things that they (and you) might not know about me.
1. When I was 16 years old an adult neighbor had given me permission to use his car but forgot to tell his mom (who was staying at his house while he was out of town). Celeste and I took the car out one night and his mother told my parents that we had stolen the car from his house. This was before I had a cell phone so my parents sat at their house with his mom for 4 hours waiting for me to get home - all the while thinking that I'd actually stolen the car. Needless to say, we ended up calling Luis at about 11 that night so he could clear the whole thing up.
2. I never went on a real date until I was a freshman in college. I had "boyfriends" in high school but never went on dates, except to club banquets and things of that sort. As a result, I had a lot of fun casually dating boys once I got to college (when I wasn't in committed relationships).
3. Speaking of relationships, my second longest lasting one - behind Tommy - was with a guy named John. We dated for about 18 months our first two years in college before breaking up. We remained good friends and he ended up dating one of my best friends (Joan) for about 2 years after we broke up. In fact, he was her date to my wedding and I still talk to him from time to time 10 years later.
4. In college I was fortunate enough opportunity to march in the St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland and also to sing in Carnegie Hall in NYC. Additionally, my college marching band performed the exhibition performance at the BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis and I was allowed the opportunity to direct the band from the back sideline. (Anyone who was there knows that I wasn't very good at it - I didn't have "conductor's hands"!) Music has opened doors for me that would have otherwise not been available.
5. My first car was also the first car my mom ever had. It was her hand-me-down '72 Mercury Comet. It looked like the Dukes of Hazard car but was blue instead of that orange color. I was mortified anytime I had to drive it. Luckily I was a total Daddy's girl and he often drove the Comet to work so I could take his F150 to school. ;-)
6. I was born near Seoul, S Korea on Osan AFB. Both of my parents were stationed there and we moved back to the US when I was about 11 months old. Once I was born my parents were not allowed to live on base because I wasn't a "sponsored" civilian who had been preapproved prior to their station there. I wasn't preapproved because I hadn't been born yet! You've got to love bureaucracy, huh?
My babysitters used to pass me around to their friends because everyone wanted to play with the blond haired, blue eyed baby. My mom would go to pick me up from the sitter and she would say that "The baby is TDY (The military acronym for having to travel somewhere else for temporary duty). Be home by 7." Then another woman would drop me back off at my parents' apartment promptly at 7. It was a different world then, and my parents had no problem with this scenario.
Tommy is half Korean (his mom's Korean). However, if you ask the girls why they are 1/4 Korean they will tell you it's because I was born there. It cracks me up every time!
7. When I was 3 I would play "kiss tag" with boys at school. Before starting the game we would determine where they would get to kiss me if they caught me. Keep it clean, though! They got to kiss me on my hand or my cheek. I guess I can't be too surprised that Ali is a flirt when I started much younger than even she has!
8. I have lived in the following places: S Korea, Michigan, Louisiana, California, Texas and Oklahoma. I also spent temporary periods of time in Kentucky and Arizona. I consider myself a Texan because we moved there when I was 12 and I stayed until I got married at 22. I fully expect to retire to Texas (preferably the Austin area) in about 15 years.
9. When we were about 14 years old Celeste and I snuck out of her house when we were spending the night there. We thought we were geniuses because we placed a giant teddy bear and pillows in her bed and covered them to look like us sleeping. We slipped out her window and went to visit a friend down the street. Again, this was before cell phones so we were surprised to find her sister standing outside when we got back home at about 2:30 in the morning. She had been pretending to smoke so she could warn us that Celeste's parents had found out we were gone. She told us not to worry too much because Paul and Loretta couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous that stupid teddy bear looked. They were firm with us but I noticed that her dad kept "coughing" behind her hand. We were sent to bed with a firmly stated warning that if we ever did it again they would tell my parents. Celeste and I quickly learned that as long as one set of parents didn't catch us doing too much bad stuff too close together they wouldn't rat us out to each other. We were like family so each set would punish us as if the additional girl was their own.
10. I worked as a telemarketer in high school. One shift there was a man who was terribly hurtful to me and almost made me cry. I tried to get off the phone but he must have noticed that my voice was shaky. He apologized and told me that literally minutes before I called - his wife had left him. She had just walked out the door with all her stuff. I still feel badly for him and hope that beautiful things happened for him after that. Another time I called a house in Ohio and the phone was answered by a man who identified himself as the person I was calling for. We spoke for a little while and he was very friendly. About 10 minutes into the call I was sure I was going to make the sale - he really seemed interested. Then he told me that he was the teen aged son of the person I was calling and asked if I wanted to attend his prom as his date. He offered to fly me out and pay for a hotel. It was really creepy. I pretended to have an emergency and passed the call off to one of the male floor managers.
Well, those are just a few stories and I'm sure I'll think of more as time goes on. Have a great day!
1. When I was 16 years old an adult neighbor had given me permission to use his car but forgot to tell his mom (who was staying at his house while he was out of town). Celeste and I took the car out one night and his mother told my parents that we had stolen the car from his house. This was before I had a cell phone so my parents sat at their house with his mom for 4 hours waiting for me to get home - all the while thinking that I'd actually stolen the car. Needless to say, we ended up calling Luis at about 11 that night so he could clear the whole thing up.
2. I never went on a real date until I was a freshman in college. I had "boyfriends" in high school but never went on dates, except to club banquets and things of that sort. As a result, I had a lot of fun casually dating boys once I got to college (when I wasn't in committed relationships).
3. Speaking of relationships, my second longest lasting one - behind Tommy - was with a guy named John. We dated for about 18 months our first two years in college before breaking up. We remained good friends and he ended up dating one of my best friends (Joan) for about 2 years after we broke up. In fact, he was her date to my wedding and I still talk to him from time to time 10 years later.
4. In college I was fortunate enough opportunity to march in the St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland and also to sing in Carnegie Hall in NYC. Additionally, my college marching band performed the exhibition performance at the BOA Grand Nationals in Indianapolis and I was allowed the opportunity to direct the band from the back sideline. (Anyone who was there knows that I wasn't very good at it - I didn't have "conductor's hands"!) Music has opened doors for me that would have otherwise not been available.
5. My first car was also the first car my mom ever had. It was her hand-me-down '72 Mercury Comet. It looked like the Dukes of Hazard car but was blue instead of that orange color. I was mortified anytime I had to drive it. Luckily I was a total Daddy's girl and he often drove the Comet to work so I could take his F150 to school. ;-)
6. I was born near Seoul, S Korea on Osan AFB. Both of my parents were stationed there and we moved back to the US when I was about 11 months old. Once I was born my parents were not allowed to live on base because I wasn't a "sponsored" civilian who had been preapproved prior to their station there. I wasn't preapproved because I hadn't been born yet! You've got to love bureaucracy, huh?
My babysitters used to pass me around to their friends because everyone wanted to play with the blond haired, blue eyed baby. My mom would go to pick me up from the sitter and she would say that "The baby is TDY (The military acronym for having to travel somewhere else for temporary duty). Be home by 7." Then another woman would drop me back off at my parents' apartment promptly at 7. It was a different world then, and my parents had no problem with this scenario.
Tommy is half Korean (his mom's Korean). However, if you ask the girls why they are 1/4 Korean they will tell you it's because I was born there. It cracks me up every time!
7. When I was 3 I would play "kiss tag" with boys at school. Before starting the game we would determine where they would get to kiss me if they caught me. Keep it clean, though! They got to kiss me on my hand or my cheek. I guess I can't be too surprised that Ali is a flirt when I started much younger than even she has!
8. I have lived in the following places: S Korea, Michigan, Louisiana, California, Texas and Oklahoma. I also spent temporary periods of time in Kentucky and Arizona. I consider myself a Texan because we moved there when I was 12 and I stayed until I got married at 22. I fully expect to retire to Texas (preferably the Austin area) in about 15 years.
9. When we were about 14 years old Celeste and I snuck out of her house when we were spending the night there. We thought we were geniuses because we placed a giant teddy bear and pillows in her bed and covered them to look like us sleeping. We slipped out her window and went to visit a friend down the street. Again, this was before cell phones so we were surprised to find her sister standing outside when we got back home at about 2:30 in the morning. She had been pretending to smoke so she could warn us that Celeste's parents had found out we were gone. She told us not to worry too much because Paul and Loretta couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculous that stupid teddy bear looked. They were firm with us but I noticed that her dad kept "coughing" behind her hand. We were sent to bed with a firmly stated warning that if we ever did it again they would tell my parents. Celeste and I quickly learned that as long as one set of parents didn't catch us doing too much bad stuff too close together they wouldn't rat us out to each other. We were like family so each set would punish us as if the additional girl was their own.
10. I worked as a telemarketer in high school. One shift there was a man who was terribly hurtful to me and almost made me cry. I tried to get off the phone but he must have noticed that my voice was shaky. He apologized and told me that literally minutes before I called - his wife had left him. She had just walked out the door with all her stuff. I still feel badly for him and hope that beautiful things happened for him after that. Another time I called a house in Ohio and the phone was answered by a man who identified himself as the person I was calling for. We spoke for a little while and he was very friendly. About 10 minutes into the call I was sure I was going to make the sale - he really seemed interested. Then he told me that he was the teen aged son of the person I was calling and asked if I wanted to attend his prom as his date. He offered to fly me out and pay for a hotel. It was really creepy. I pretended to have an emergency and passed the call off to one of the male floor managers.
Well, those are just a few stories and I'm sure I'll think of more as time goes on. Have a great day!
Alison's Growing Up
Well, it's official. Ali has decided that she is just too grown up to hang out with Tommy and I when we go out anywhere. I've noticed it in small doses when we go to the store or restaurants but last night it hit me in the face last night when she practically insisted on a 5 foot distance between herself and the rest of our family. I remember those feelings of wanting to be able to go out on your own and not wanting to be seen with your parents - but thought that I'd have at least another couple of years before she got to that point. No, apparently I'm "lucky" enough to have an early bloomer in that department. I should have expected this when she became interested in skinny jeans, make up and jewelry. My baby is no longer a baby.
I can't even count the number of times in the last month that I've had to ask her to turn down the music in her room. When she isn't listening to music on her little clock radio, she's either got her earphones in listening to her little walkman or sitting in a chair and reading a book. I guess I can't complain about either of these issues - after all, I'm the queen of loud music and marathon reading periods. But I just wish that she'd stayed little just a little while longer. There are no more Barbie or My Little Pony parties, unless she's entertaining Aubrey.
And while I could sit here and mourn this inevitable rite of passage I have decided that I will focus on the positive. I am blessed that she is such a big girl. She comes home from school and gets started on her homework immediately. She plays with her baby sister and does her chores. She puts herself to bed at night and wakes herself up in the morning. She is becoming a truly remarkable young woman. And while I wouldn't have asked for this realization so early I am so proud of the person she is becoming.
I once heard that when his children were young Dr Phil would ask them every night before bed "how did I get so lucky to have the best kids in the world?" While I don't want to argue with the man himself, I must say that I have asked myself that same question about my own children. I guess we each have the best children for us and I look forward to watching as all three of mine blossom into the incredible women I know they will become. With Ali leading the way I know Amber and Aubrey will have a terrific role model to follow. I'll be forever grateful to her for providing that.
I can't even count the number of times in the last month that I've had to ask her to turn down the music in her room. When she isn't listening to music on her little clock radio, she's either got her earphones in listening to her little walkman or sitting in a chair and reading a book. I guess I can't complain about either of these issues - after all, I'm the queen of loud music and marathon reading periods. But I just wish that she'd stayed little just a little while longer. There are no more Barbie or My Little Pony parties, unless she's entertaining Aubrey.
And while I could sit here and mourn this inevitable rite of passage I have decided that I will focus on the positive. I am blessed that she is such a big girl. She comes home from school and gets started on her homework immediately. She plays with her baby sister and does her chores. She puts herself to bed at night and wakes herself up in the morning. She is becoming a truly remarkable young woman. And while I wouldn't have asked for this realization so early I am so proud of the person she is becoming.
I once heard that when his children were young Dr Phil would ask them every night before bed "how did I get so lucky to have the best kids in the world?" While I don't want to argue with the man himself, I must say that I have asked myself that same question about my own children. I guess we each have the best children for us and I look forward to watching as all three of mine blossom into the incredible women I know they will become. With Ali leading the way I know Amber and Aubrey will have a terrific role model to follow. I'll be forever grateful to her for providing that.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Meet the Cast
For those who didn't see, Fox Sports SW re-aired the 1995 Texas state 5A football championship game between Judson and Odessa Permian the other night. It was all over my FB page as all my high school friends reminisced and chanted cheers that I hadn't heard in 15 years on their posts. As I was looking at the posts I realized that I've got some great stories from when I was younger. My life didn't start on Tuesday when I started writing this blog. I've lived a good life and have already had lots of experiences that are worth telling. Therefore, I will sometimes post blogs about things that happened to me before but which I would like to share with you.
I figure that before I start telling you these stories it's important to introduce you to the people who have been most important in my life. You will see their names often both in posts about my previous experiences as well as my current stories. So without further ado, here is a list of the most influential people in my life:
1. My mom and dad. Both of my parents were active duty Air Force when I was growing up. It was an interesting life having a mother who was a commissioned officer and a father who was enlisted. They fell in love and got married in spite of the fact that it just wasn't done for commissioned officers and enlisted service members to fraternize. Growing up, my family moved often and as a result of that they became my support system. To this day my parents are two of my closest friends and I love them dearly.
2. Becky and Jerri. Becky and Jerri are my sisters. They were born 16 months apart and as a result were best friends growing up. I was the odd sister out. This probably helped me to develop the interpersonal skills that I now have and I'm grateful for that. But as we've gotten older I've developed stronger bonds with both of them and am so incredibly happy to have them in my life. My parents sent Becky to a terrific culinary school in San Antonio for the sole purpose of making me all my favorite foods every time she sees me, regardless of whether she agrees with that statement ;-)
Jerri moved to Los Angeles last spring to live with her girlfriend Delores. I hate that she's so far away but am ecstatic that she's found someone who makes her happy. I look forward to meeting Delores in person sometime soon and welcoming her to the family.
3. Celeste. You might also see her called Leste in my posts. I met Celeste on my very first day of school in San Antonio. We'd just transferred from Sacramento and I was feeling completely out of sorts. She introduced herself to me and (thank goodness!) we ended up with something like 4 classes together that first year. I've known her for 2/3 of my life and she has been an honorary member of my family for most of that time. She is the yin to my yang. We joke that she has invaded my gene pool because Amber's eyes are just like hers and no one else in the family is even close. She is Alison's godmother and I'm so proud to have her not only in my life but also in my childrens' lives.
4. Tommy. I met Tommy when I was 15 years old and he is my second oldest friend. I'm not sure what I can say about him other than he's the love of my life. We don't always agree on everything (especially politics) but share a genuine respect for each other that permits us to agree to disagree on those issues. If you're reading my blog, then chances are that you've met him and know what a lucky girl I am to have made him my husband.
5. Ali, Amber and Aubrey. My three girls. They light up my life in ways I never even knew were possible. I've known my entire life that I was meant to be a mother but I can't believe I was so lucky to have such amazing little girls. I only hope that our family continues to grow and bond and that as they get older that they hold me in the same regard I hold my parents.
6. Deanna. Deanna is another of my very best friends. We started as neighbors almost 10 years ago and our friendship has grown in so many ways. First she was my neighbor, then my employer, then my business partner. Somewhere along the way she also became my friend. We haven't worked or lived near each other in 7 years but have only gotten closer through that time. She taught me how to be a mom and I will forever be grateful to her for that and all the other things she's done for me in the last decade. I look forward to many more years of friendship with her.
7. Chasity. Chasity is my friend and business partner. We first met 4 years ago and decided to form a partnership shortly thereafter. Through the years she's become more than my business partner and is now a good friend. She is always there when I need someone and is a wonderfully kind and generous spirit.
8. The MBers. Anyone who I have the privilege to work with at Metro Brokers is an MBer. I know you hear it said often and by many different people, but my work family is just that - my family. Many of them have known me since I first got into real estate and I'm delighted to say that the MBers are among my favorite people in the whole world. They been actively involved not only in watching my business grow, but in helping me as my family has grown. Aubrey can't drive by the intersection of 36th and Main without asking if she can go and see Miss Betty. It's an amazing company in many aspects but the people just push it even farther. I don't ever want to work anywhere other than with these people.
9. The Auxiliary. Formally known as the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary. This is a support organization for police officers' families and I'm so excited to belong to it. I've been an active member for almost 9 years, a local officer for the last 7 and a state officer for the last 5 (I think?). I feel strongly connected to this cause and am always happy for new opportunities to serve.
OK, so I know this has been a long post and that it reads like an acceptance speech for an Academy Award but these people deserve the recognition they're getting. You will hear their names often. I'm sure I've left people out and will add them as I think of it but this is a good start. Thanks for looking at this and I promise the posts will get better :-)
I figure that before I start telling you these stories it's important to introduce you to the people who have been most important in my life. You will see their names often both in posts about my previous experiences as well as my current stories. So without further ado, here is a list of the most influential people in my life:
1. My mom and dad. Both of my parents were active duty Air Force when I was growing up. It was an interesting life having a mother who was a commissioned officer and a father who was enlisted. They fell in love and got married in spite of the fact that it just wasn't done for commissioned officers and enlisted service members to fraternize. Growing up, my family moved often and as a result of that they became my support system. To this day my parents are two of my closest friends and I love them dearly.
2. Becky and Jerri. Becky and Jerri are my sisters. They were born 16 months apart and as a result were best friends growing up. I was the odd sister out. This probably helped me to develop the interpersonal skills that I now have and I'm grateful for that. But as we've gotten older I've developed stronger bonds with both of them and am so incredibly happy to have them in my life. My parents sent Becky to a terrific culinary school in San Antonio for the sole purpose of making me all my favorite foods every time she sees me, regardless of whether she agrees with that statement ;-)
Jerri moved to Los Angeles last spring to live with her girlfriend Delores. I hate that she's so far away but am ecstatic that she's found someone who makes her happy. I look forward to meeting Delores in person sometime soon and welcoming her to the family.
3. Celeste. You might also see her called Leste in my posts. I met Celeste on my very first day of school in San Antonio. We'd just transferred from Sacramento and I was feeling completely out of sorts. She introduced herself to me and (thank goodness!) we ended up with something like 4 classes together that first year. I've known her for 2/3 of my life and she has been an honorary member of my family for most of that time. She is the yin to my yang. We joke that she has invaded my gene pool because Amber's eyes are just like hers and no one else in the family is even close. She is Alison's godmother and I'm so proud to have her not only in my life but also in my childrens' lives.
4. Tommy. I met Tommy when I was 15 years old and he is my second oldest friend. I'm not sure what I can say about him other than he's the love of my life. We don't always agree on everything (especially politics) but share a genuine respect for each other that permits us to agree to disagree on those issues. If you're reading my blog, then chances are that you've met him and know what a lucky girl I am to have made him my husband.
5. Ali, Amber and Aubrey. My three girls. They light up my life in ways I never even knew were possible. I've known my entire life that I was meant to be a mother but I can't believe I was so lucky to have such amazing little girls. I only hope that our family continues to grow and bond and that as they get older that they hold me in the same regard I hold my parents.
6. Deanna. Deanna is another of my very best friends. We started as neighbors almost 10 years ago and our friendship has grown in so many ways. First she was my neighbor, then my employer, then my business partner. Somewhere along the way she also became my friend. We haven't worked or lived near each other in 7 years but have only gotten closer through that time. She taught me how to be a mom and I will forever be grateful to her for that and all the other things she's done for me in the last decade. I look forward to many more years of friendship with her.
7. Chasity. Chasity is my friend and business partner. We first met 4 years ago and decided to form a partnership shortly thereafter. Through the years she's become more than my business partner and is now a good friend. She is always there when I need someone and is a wonderfully kind and generous spirit.
8. The MBers. Anyone who I have the privilege to work with at Metro Brokers is an MBer. I know you hear it said often and by many different people, but my work family is just that - my family. Many of them have known me since I first got into real estate and I'm delighted to say that the MBers are among my favorite people in the whole world. They been actively involved not only in watching my business grow, but in helping me as my family has grown. Aubrey can't drive by the intersection of 36th and Main without asking if she can go and see Miss Betty. It's an amazing company in many aspects but the people just push it even farther. I don't ever want to work anywhere other than with these people.
9. The Auxiliary. Formally known as the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary. This is a support organization for police officers' families and I'm so excited to belong to it. I've been an active member for almost 9 years, a local officer for the last 7 and a state officer for the last 5 (I think?). I feel strongly connected to this cause and am always happy for new opportunities to serve.
OK, so I know this has been a long post and that it reads like an acceptance speech for an Academy Award but these people deserve the recognition they're getting. You will hear their names often. I'm sure I've left people out and will add them as I think of it but this is a good start. Thanks for looking at this and I promise the posts will get better :-)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Slowing things down
Last night Aubrey came down with a stomach bug that landed her in my bed for the evening with the coveted "throw up bowl" (an actual symbol that the bearer is indeed sick and therefore subject to preferential treatment for the duration of her illness). You'd be amazed at how excited the girls get when they receive the throw up bowl and the remote control to mom and dad's tv set. It almost makes being sick worth it. ;-)
But I digress. The point I intended to make as I started this post is that, as terrible as it might sound I was actually looking forward to a day of staying home and taking care of my baby today. I figured it would be a slow work day anyway because I've only got one offer out today and not a whole lot else on my professional plate at this instant. Lots of business is coming up in January but I've just decided to step back and really enjoy this holiday season while not worrying too much about next year. I know it's a terrible theory to follow but I figure December is for me the equivalent of summer vacation for teachers. I work so hard all the rest of the year that sometimes it's nice to just relax for a few weeks.
Again, I digress. Goodness gracious! Anyway, in my mind I'd planned a whole day of hanging out on the couch and cuddling Aubrey. We'd probably watch some Dora and I'd watch her sleep for a good part of the morning. However, as the morning began I realized that there were 4 loads of laundry to wash, 3 books to wrap for Ali's book exchange at school, the whole house needed vacuuming, and about a hundred other things just crying out to be done. Not to mention that I really did want to follow up with a few clients who are hanging out there waiting to get moving in January. I simply couldn't sit still. As I was writing my list of chores for the day I wondered "When did I last have a whole day of doing nothing but cuddling those girls? When will things slow down?"
I wanted to revolt! Refuse to do anything but park myself on the couch all day. Order in pizza and read books on my Kindle while Aubrey watched her videos. Of course I couldn't do exactly that so I made myself a compromise. I washed and folded 2 loads of the laundry, vacuumed the living room and wrapped the books. I also did follow up with a few of those clients but did it in emails so that I could just enjoy the silence of sitting in an almost empty house with a sleeping kiddo. Now that those items are completed I will watch a Lifetime movie and not feel an ounce of guilt about it.
And once the big girls have completed their homework I will invite them to join me. We will cuddle and just enjoy each others' company for 90 minutes. I've decided that the thing that needs to slow down every now and then is me. I once read to think of housework as painting the Golden Gate bridge. Did you know that they never stop painting that behemoth? They literally have a crew that starts at one end, paints the entire bridge and then has to go back and start again because it takes so long to get the whole darned thing done! I've decided that we will take a break from painting this particular bridge for a little while today.
And then we'll get moving again because tonight is the multicultural fair at school. And goodness knows we can't miss that...
But I digress. The point I intended to make as I started this post is that, as terrible as it might sound I was actually looking forward to a day of staying home and taking care of my baby today. I figured it would be a slow work day anyway because I've only got one offer out today and not a whole lot else on my professional plate at this instant. Lots of business is coming up in January but I've just decided to step back and really enjoy this holiday season while not worrying too much about next year. I know it's a terrible theory to follow but I figure December is for me the equivalent of summer vacation for teachers. I work so hard all the rest of the year that sometimes it's nice to just relax for a few weeks.
Again, I digress. Goodness gracious! Anyway, in my mind I'd planned a whole day of hanging out on the couch and cuddling Aubrey. We'd probably watch some Dora and I'd watch her sleep for a good part of the morning. However, as the morning began I realized that there were 4 loads of laundry to wash, 3 books to wrap for Ali's book exchange at school, the whole house needed vacuuming, and about a hundred other things just crying out to be done. Not to mention that I really did want to follow up with a few clients who are hanging out there waiting to get moving in January. I simply couldn't sit still. As I was writing my list of chores for the day I wondered "When did I last have a whole day of doing nothing but cuddling those girls? When will things slow down?"
I wanted to revolt! Refuse to do anything but park myself on the couch all day. Order in pizza and read books on my Kindle while Aubrey watched her videos. Of course I couldn't do exactly that so I made myself a compromise. I washed and folded 2 loads of the laundry, vacuumed the living room and wrapped the books. I also did follow up with a few of those clients but did it in emails so that I could just enjoy the silence of sitting in an almost empty house with a sleeping kiddo. Now that those items are completed I will watch a Lifetime movie and not feel an ounce of guilt about it.
And once the big girls have completed their homework I will invite them to join me. We will cuddle and just enjoy each others' company for 90 minutes. I've decided that the thing that needs to slow down every now and then is me. I once read to think of housework as painting the Golden Gate bridge. Did you know that they never stop painting that behemoth? They literally have a crew that starts at one end, paints the entire bridge and then has to go back and start again because it takes so long to get the whole darned thing done! I've decided that we will take a break from painting this particular bridge for a little while today.
And then we'll get moving again because tonight is the multicultural fair at school. And goodness knows we can't miss that...
Monday, December 13, 2010
An Introduction
Well, I've decided to join this online journaling craze but don't have any delusions that I'll become the next Perez Hilton. To be honest, I'm just hoping to compile some of my thoughts and experiences so that one day my daughters can look at this and know me as I am now, and not just as the cranky old lady I'm sure to be when they're teenagers and beyond. :-)
To give a point of reference I'll tell you where we are in our lives right now. I'm currently in my early thirties (Tommy would die if I gave my actual age and welcomed identity thieves to use it!) and have 3 wonderful children. Ali is 9, Amber 7, and Aubrey is 3 years old. Of course Tommy is my wonderful husband and we have been married for almost 10 years. He works as a police detective and I'm a real estate broker.
There are a couple of things that you should know about me, so I'll spell them out really quickly:
1. I am a ridiculous optimist. I believe the best in just about everyone and everything. I might sometimes get a little down but it doesn't ever last too long. Life's too short to spend it being unhappy or disappointed. My motto is "if it won't matter to me in 5 years I won't let it bother me too much now" and that phrase has served me well over the last 15 years or so.
2. I am a little bit of a grammar and pronunciation Nazi. If you ever notice a misspelling or grammatical error in one of my posts you can probably expect me to edit and correct it. I hate misspelling or mispronouncing names in particular. I can't tell you how many times I've had a telemarketer call me Gina Lard (yes, Lard - as in pig fat). Please let me know if I ever misspell or mispronounce your name - I'll be mortified if I find out later that it happened and I didn't correct it. I'm kind of OCD about it.
3. I love music! Music of just about every sort and variety. As my inimitable college band director Jim Hudson used to say "Great music is meant to be played LOUD!" That being said, I should probably take a moment to apologize to the good citizens of Norman if they've ever driven next to me and heard my stereo louder than theirs. Even more I should apologize for the fact that I was probably singing at the top of my lungs at the time and you had to hear that, too. I cannot listen to music quietly, whether it's at home, on my headphones or in the car. It has an amazing ability to convey any mood or thought that could possibly enter your head. I am often brought to tears by certain songs and will not apologize for feeling it so deeply. I am happy to say that my girls are already little connoisseurs of many varieties of music.
4. I have loved my husband since I was 15 years old. He is one of my very best friends in the world and I can't imagine my life without him. I called dibs on him in high school and, although I certainly enjoyed dating lots of boys in college, I always expected that we would one day be together. We have 3 of the most amazing little girls in the world and generally live a pretty happy life.
There are about 50 million other things I'd like to tell you but I'm sure you'll find them out over time. Thank you for taking the time to look at the ramblings of my silly mind. I hope you have an amazing day!
To give a point of reference I'll tell you where we are in our lives right now. I'm currently in my early thirties (Tommy would die if I gave my actual age and welcomed identity thieves to use it!) and have 3 wonderful children. Ali is 9, Amber 7, and Aubrey is 3 years old. Of course Tommy is my wonderful husband and we have been married for almost 10 years. He works as a police detective and I'm a real estate broker.
There are a couple of things that you should know about me, so I'll spell them out really quickly:
1. I am a ridiculous optimist. I believe the best in just about everyone and everything. I might sometimes get a little down but it doesn't ever last too long. Life's too short to spend it being unhappy or disappointed. My motto is "if it won't matter to me in 5 years I won't let it bother me too much now" and that phrase has served me well over the last 15 years or so.
2. I am a little bit of a grammar and pronunciation Nazi. If you ever notice a misspelling or grammatical error in one of my posts you can probably expect me to edit and correct it. I hate misspelling or mispronouncing names in particular. I can't tell you how many times I've had a telemarketer call me Gina Lard (yes, Lard - as in pig fat). Please let me know if I ever misspell or mispronounce your name - I'll be mortified if I find out later that it happened and I didn't correct it. I'm kind of OCD about it.
3. I love music! Music of just about every sort and variety. As my inimitable college band director Jim Hudson used to say "Great music is meant to be played LOUD!" That being said, I should probably take a moment to apologize to the good citizens of Norman if they've ever driven next to me and heard my stereo louder than theirs. Even more I should apologize for the fact that I was probably singing at the top of my lungs at the time and you had to hear that, too. I cannot listen to music quietly, whether it's at home, on my headphones or in the car. It has an amazing ability to convey any mood or thought that could possibly enter your head. I am often brought to tears by certain songs and will not apologize for feeling it so deeply. I am happy to say that my girls are already little connoisseurs of many varieties of music.
4. I have loved my husband since I was 15 years old. He is one of my very best friends in the world and I can't imagine my life without him. I called dibs on him in high school and, although I certainly enjoyed dating lots of boys in college, I always expected that we would one day be together. We have 3 of the most amazing little girls in the world and generally live a pretty happy life.
There are about 50 million other things I'd like to tell you but I'm sure you'll find them out over time. Thank you for taking the time to look at the ramblings of my silly mind. I hope you have an amazing day!
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