A Valentine From the Heart

Nothing is as special as going to the mailbox, opening the box, reaching inside expecting to find the usual bundle of bills and ads, only to be surprised with a package! 

This week I was so happy to find such a package in my mailbox and I've had it on display in my living room all this week.  

Lady Sue, of Rue Mouffetard blog, made this special gift for attendees of the recent Downton Abbey luncheon hosted by the lovely Lady Joyce (formerly known as Flour Power Joyce).  Not only did Sue spend hours making this beautiful Valentine pin cushion, she took time to mail one to me. 

Love the sweetheart pins Sue added to the gift.

Handmade gifts mean so much.  My husband and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day so this gift is especially nice.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Atlanta, Kindness and Ron Clark Academy

The laughter around the country may be dying down about how Atlanta copes with snow, but I’m guessing that locally the conversations about “snow-mageddon” will continue for years to come. (Did you see The Daily Show?)  The day the ice and snow hit the city, most of us were at work or school and suddenly during the lunch hour the metro Atlanta area was scrambling for home.  Unfortunately for thousands getting home took time, a lot of time.

I was lucky.  Instead of driving that day I took the train but even that was a challenge the day of the winter storm.  There was a fire on the platform at one of the main stations so train lines were single-tracking which created a severe back up.  My normal 20 minute ride turned into an overcrowded, one and a half hour ride, which was not bad compared to the many horror stories I’ve heard.

So during the storm something incredible happened.  Stories of incredible acts of kindness began surfacing in the news, on Facebook and in local neighborhood email discussion groups.  Given that people were stranded – on roads, in cars, at work, in schools, etc., people everywhere in the city began to extend a helping hand to those who needed it.   At our house we took in a young mother with a two-year-old.  These two headed out of the city trying to make a 27 mile ride south.  After SEVEN MILES AND SEVEN HOURS in the car, my friend had to stop and bed down for the night.  With no diapers or provisions for a little one in our house, we sent out an email to our neighborhood.  Within minutes several neighbors called with suggestions and offers and one neighbor brought us diapers, wipes, toys and more.  One of my colleagues was featured on national news.  She and her family loaded up their son’s wagon, filling it with water, food and blankets and hauled everything to a freeway near their house offering relief and refuge to stranded motorists.  We quickly learned of a website that was set up to help people stranded with individuals willing to help located in the same area.  It was amazing.  When I first signed up there were a few thousand people online.  Within hours 29,000 people had joined in the group and by the end of the first 24 hours of need, 54,000 people had joined the Facebook group and were helping connect needs with help.  

On Friday as I got back on the train to head back to work my mind kept wandering back to all the wonderful stories of kindness and helpfulness that I’d heard over the past few days.  But suddenly it was as if everyone had shed the cloak of kindness and put back on their old uniform of apathy.  What if we could extend the spirit of kindness all the time, every day?

One of the events that was scheduled to take place at my workplace the week of the storm was the Ron Clark Academy’s, Amazing Shake.  The event was rescheduled for this week and I almost skipped it because of meeting conflicts but WOW, was I glad that I participated.   It is almost impossible to describe how impressive, confident, engaged, enthusiastic, interesting, effervescent and eager these young people are.  I’ve worked with kids my entire life and never have I seen 30 kids with such attitudes and spirit.   The Amazing Shake is an all-day networking competition for Ron Clark Academy kids in grades 5-8.   Watching these kids easily walk into a room filled with business leaders, making introductions, shaking hands and getting to know the participants was a jaw-dropping experience.  Our role was to serve as judges but I felt like I spent more time observing and learning.  It was a powerful sight to see.  

So what does this have to do with kindness?   The Amazing Shake is a competition and throughout the day business leaders judge the kids, selecting the best and eventually naming one champion and one runner up.  As the day continued we continued to get updates on the kids, keeping up with those in the lead.  The night the event ended we got an email that was an affirmation that kindness and goodness continues.  The next generation is already passing it on.  Here is the email we received from one of our attorneys who leads volunteer work for youth:

Here is the reason that I fell in love with the kids at RCA and I'm such an advocate for the school.  Ron Clark, faculty and staff are not only creating geniuses and making incredible people out of those kids.

After Mariah won the Amazing Shake, her competitor Jacob was heartbroken.  She went through her gift basket and found an iPad Mini.  She turned around and gave the iPad Mini to Jacob for being such a valiant competitor.  What an incredible gesture.  See the attached picture.

I'm confident in our future with kids like those are RCA in the next generation.

What would the world be like if we all went out of our way to share a kindness or do something to help someone in need every day?   Today, I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays.  

Mykonos

Last summer our family was so incredibly lucky to be able to celebrate my brother-in-law's wedding in Mykonos.  I know I posted a few pictures when we got home from the trip but I remember thinking to myself at the time, save the best for later.  So I did.  During the winter months there are days when we all need a little summer and the time is now.  Summer in Mykonos is perfect, really perfect.  So I'm sharing a few pictures of a perfect place,  and some Mykonos warmth - it's more than sun. 

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper, sharing a warm and sunny place for Oh, the Places I Have Been!

Alexa Hampton, Jennifer Boles, Paint and Happiness

What a terrific week.  The week began with a special treat.  Alexa Hampton was in Atlanta and what a treat it was to meet her, all because of a blog!

I follow Jennifer Boles blog, The Peak of Chic and she was so kind to invite her followers to a private reception, book signing event and the opportunity to meet Alexa Hampton. The event was hosted by Hickory Chair and was open to the trade only so  I was beyond excited to be included as a guest.

It was a wonderful event and Alexa was such a captivating personality, not to mention an amazingly talented designer.  You have to read about her "decorating by Sharpie" advice.  I'm loving her new book Decorating in Detail.  Let's be honest here.  Sometimes these big coffee table books are pretty to look at but not necessarily interesting to read but I'm really enjoying reading Alexa's book. And not only is Alexa beautiful and talented, she's funny!  Thank you Jennifer for including your readers in a great event.

So the week continued with a decorating theme. 

We are so lucky and excited that my son and daughter-in-law have been relocated to a military installation in our state!!!!   It's so exciting that my son, DIL and the grands are now less that 2 hours away after living overseas for the past four years!  Now comes the paint.  This weekend we all met up at their new home and everyone painted.  We painted yard sale finds, walls and old pieces of furniture.  We are all so excited! Here are a few pictures highlighting the "masterpieces."

Lots more to come y'all!!!

Remembering the Best of 2013

2013 was an incredible year and many of the best moments were not necessarily planned events and because of some of the best unexpected moments, I learned a few things like:

- being flexible;

- continuing to work hard; 

- being open-minded;

- learning to relax more and enjoy;

- and that putting things on hold isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Family

We had some amazing family moments in 2013. My daughter's band came through Atlanta twice which meant we got plenty of down time with Mimi and Fruition. My schedule stays booked so it was fun to have to clear the calendar to make time to dance to the music.  

The granddaughters spent three weeks with us during the summer. It was fun to make crafts, play games and enjoy summer fun with the girls. I had to put a few work events on hold to be able to have evenings with the girls but the memories were worth the schedule changes.  Then to add to the grandgirl fun, we learned in August that my son and DIL were being transferred to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia!  They will be back in the states in just 10 days and will be just a two hour drive away.  Then came a really big event - my husband's brother got married in June so unexpectedly almost our entire family went to Greece. But I'll talk more about that under the travel heading. 

Career

As the year began I was determined to work really hard at my job, and honestly in many ways I worked harder than ever.  It wasn't as if I hadn't been working hard but I set some specific, significant goals for myself and in some ways the year ended with amazing results.  Our firm ended up winning national recognition and it was gratifying to know that my efforts played a part in the recognition.  My workplace was proud which made me proud. 

The work I do impacts communities and I'm honored and humbled every day to be able to make a difference for those less fortunate and while my goal is not to gain recognition I was touched to have been personally recognized too. Now I'm feeling pressure to do even bigger things in 2014. The anxiety has set in!

Friends

Sometimes keeping up with work creates conflicts for keeping up with friends.  There are many friends I owe visits, letters, calls or emails but I'm happy to celebrate being able to meet with my vision group twice, participate in two book clubs and occasionally meet up with a few of my closest friends. While I'm still struggling to be a better blogger, being able to go to a bloggers' conference was one of the highlights of the year for me.  

I didn't just make new friends, I had so much fun meeting so many of the bloggers I follow. WOW!  2014 will be better for friend visits...I just know it!

Travel

Travel was really big for me in 2013 and let me tell you how lucky and grateful I am for every travel experience. Our family started out the year planning to go to the California coast and to do some exploring in Mexico but wow did life take us in a different direction.  We moved forward with our trip to Bodega Bay and had a great time seeing sights in the region but Mexico got put on hold.

In March my BIL sent an email asking us to plan to be in Mykonos for his wedding in June.  While it took a lot of planning and doing, we took a family trip to Greece.  Sometime this winter when it is cold and gray I'm hoping to share some of the photos. It was as beautiful as I'd imagined and when you coupled the near perfect location with being able to spend time with loved ones and lots of wedding fun, IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE WOW LIFE MOMENT!

Check out the Naja men!

  As the fall rolled around my husband arranged for me to join him in Beirut so Thanksgiving ended up being a family reunion mixed with vacation time.  We had the best trip ever and I made a new friend too!  I cherish the memories.

I love Lebanon and was so happy to spend time with family.

My daughter decided not to come home for Christmas so at the final hour I decided to travel to Portland, Oregon to be with her for Christmas.  And WOW, what a visit it was.  A sunny day at the beach...whale watching (yes we spotted at least 7 whales)....unbelievable food....Voodoo donuts....a visit with my Goddaughter and best friend....boat tour...elk...Tillamook cheese....hazelnuts...Stumptown coffee....gorgeous countryside....snow!  I love Oregon too!

So I'm thankful for 2013 and all the friendships, time spent with family, travels, work experiences and lessons in being more flexible, open-minded and patient with life situations.  In the end the year brought me so much joy and beautiful memories that I will cherish forever.  

Now, on to 2014!