Friendship on a whole new level...

Today I sat down to catch up with all my blogger buds...to take a peek into their lives to find out what's going on with them and what is big to them right now. What I found was passion, emotion, pride, excitement, humor, love, and a myriad of other emotions. And...as I did so, I was overwhelmed with emotion myself. I listened a few days ago as two of my blogger buds were talking about how they get emotional when a football team rushes onto the field at the beginning of the game. I so understand this because I, too, tear up at things that surprise me sometimes, and again today felt my eyes well up with tears as I looked at Bella Donna sleeping in her person's hands; and read the post from the newlywed writing about the amazing man that she married; the swimmers who excelled at the swim meet in San Antonio; the Super-Tech Chick who enjoyed a movie and junk food with her kiddos. And then I laughed at my friend, the speed bowler, who cannot contain her excitement over Michael Phelps; about Riley's person getting excited over electric bikes; and of course the hysterical little boy who so eloquently said to his mama, "Let's roll out, Mamasita!" A wave of excitement swept over me as I watched the slide show of my friend who went to Mexico...knowing that I get to do that in just a few weeks. I wanted to put on a cheerleader's uniform and hug my friend who is setting weight-loss goals, celebrating successes, and pressing forward with determination. I know that road personally and want to say..."If I can do it, ANYONE can do it." ;o) You go girl! And I think about my friends who know me so well that they knew today I needed a hug and a shoulder to cry on.

Maybe I'm so emotional because I'm getting ready to go through a major life transition. Or maybe I'm just humbled by the fact that when I look at the big picture, it just really doesn't matter that someone didn't follow to a T the instructions on the handout that I sent and that maybe...just maybe...they too are excited over electric bikes! At any rate...I'm thankful for my friends; and I'm thankful that I serve a God who gives me gentle reminders instead of a swift kick in the butt when that is what I really should get.

OMG!

19 days! 19 days!

Back to the grindstone!

Along with all my blogger buds, I started back to work this week. We hit the ground running on Monday trying to decide where we would go to lunch! Just kidding. We really did get busy working hard and have not looked up much to breathe. It always takes me a good two weeks to get back in the swing of things and to start feeling rested. I was so exhausted one night that I woke up about 4 in the morning and had to go to the bathroom. As I made my way down the hall, I couldn't believe how dark it was at 4:00 am and was having to feel my way to the restroom. Finally I reached my destination, turned on the light, and realized that my eyes were closed! Now...that's tired...or...blonde!

Brad Paisley

Last Saturday night we went to see Brad Paisley in concert at Smirnoff. He was incredible! I was going to take my camera, but Brad said he didn't think that they would let us take cameras in. OMG...I can't believe I believed him. Well, yes I can; but can you believe he told me that! Now I realize that he didn't want to have to carry it! Luckily...I had my camera phone. Keep in mind that this picture of Brad Paisley does not do him justice and would have been much better if I had had my digital camera with me.

Wow!

It was so much fun for me last night to spend a couple hours with family and friends at the bridal shower that my mother and two sweet sisters hostessed in my honor. I was truly 'showered' with kindness and am grateful beyond words. I received many beautiful things to wear and am sure that my new husband will be grateful as well. Since there are some men who view my blog, I will not disclose details on this posting! ;o) Anyway...thank you so very much to my friends and family for spending your evening celebrating with me.