Everything came up Roses!

It was the 123rd Tournament of Roses in Pasadena, California, (Fine...120th for the picture to the left, with my FAVORITE elephant!) And if you are reading this and took a sharp breath in and said "I WANNA SEE THAT SOMEDAY!!!"...then go ahead and book your tickets for 2013, cuz it's beyond plenty awesome!!! I'll give you the number for Al Brooks-the company of choice to work for and go with for the Rose Parade/Game...and I'll even wait for you to book it and come back. 1-800-341-2766. Tell them I sent you, you won't get a discount, but if you promise to bring a dozen honey crisp apples to Jay Brooks....perhaps you'll get a seat cushion upon arrival!?



Okay. Are ya booked?

Good. Read on.

I'm SMITTEN with the flowers, and it of course helps that it's in SUNNY CALIFORNIA where the average temperature on parade day is? DRUM ROLL PLEASE?! 68 degrees. Insane. And fabulous! Granted layers are clutch, and some years are cooler than others, but this year...it was about 82 degrees by 1pm after our fabulous Mexican lunch on Olvera Street!

So hit the 5 "W"s? Who? What? When? Why? Where? Oh...and HOW!

Who?

I didn't think this through very well. Who what? Who puts it on? The Tournament of Roses! Who has a float in the parade? Whomever can pay for one! Who marches in the parade? Whatever bands qualify, and whatever bands that can raise the money to get to Cali! Who benefits? CALI! They say that the Parade and game generate like $400 million dollars for southern California. Who gets to watch? YOU! On TV! Or hopefully, some year, NEXT, in person! People camp out for good free seats. I vote for paying, sleeping in your own bed the night before, and being dropped off pretty near to your sweet seats!

What?

The parade...full of flowers. 40+ floats...made entirely, and I mean ENTIRELY, of some sort of a living plant. The more actual ROSES, the better, but seeds, petals, bark, leaves, fibers, stems, vegetables, nuts, and almost any other part of a plant are also used! Only 7 types of glue are allowed to be used! Every single visible part of the float, must be covered. Next time, take notice of the hitches! Generally those are covered in onion seeds. Amazing.

When?

January 1! UNLESS January 1 is on a Sunday, then it's January 2. "Never on a Sunday" is a rule steeped in tradition, and thankfully still adhered to today!

Where?
Pasadena, California. 5.5 miles of Rose Parade goodness. Where is best to sit? Me? I've never not sat directly on the corner of Orange Grove and Colorado, but I've been spoiled and living a dream. You? Somewhere in a bleacher! And if you can be somewhere where the sun is behind you? That'd be swell, plus your pictures will turn out better! Honestly though....book a tour with Al Brooks-less hassle, better seats, worth every penny, and plus I hear they have great guides...

Why?

WHY NOT! Well, the real answer is this...which I will steal from the official site of the Rose Parade...

"This uniquely American event began as a promotional effort by Pasadena's distinguished Valley Hunt Club. In the winter of 1890, the club members brainstormed ways to promote the "Mediterranean of the West." They invited their former East Coast neighbors to a mid-winter holiday, where they could watch games such as chariot races, jousting, foot races, polo and tug-of-war under the warm California sun. The abundance of fresh flowers, even in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add another showcase for Pasadena's charm: a parade would precede the competition, where entrants would decorate their carriages with hundreds of blooms. The Tournament of Roses was born.

"In New York, people are buried in snow," announced Professor Charles F. Holder at a Club meeting. "Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear. Let's hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise."

(I INTERRUPT THIS QUOTE TO SAY TRUE TRUE TRUE! I SHOVELED OUT OF 36INCHES OF SNOW HERE ON THE EAST COAST IN 2010 SIMPLY TO MAKE IT TO THE 2011 ROSE PARADE!)

"During the next few years, the festival expanded to include marching bands and motorized floats. The games on the town lot (which was re-named Tournament Park in 1900) included ostrich races, bronco busting demonstrations and a race between a camel and an elephant (the elephant won). Reviewing stands were built along the Parade route, and Eastern newspapers began to take notice of the event. In 1895, the Tournament of Roses Association was formed to take charge of the festival, which had grown too large for the Valley Hunt Club to handle."

It's pretty much? JUST AWESOME!

HOW?

Well, it's a science for sure. They estimate that over 18 million flowers are used each year! Growers must time their growing cycle exactly so that the flowers are ready to be picked and shipped just a few days before the parade! Volunteers from all over help out! YOU! Yes, YOU could be a volunteer! "Petal Pushers" as they say! There are many different requirements as to height, as there is a bridge to pass under, and the float must be able to fit under the bridge in less than 25 seconds so as to NOT slow the parade! Planning starts in January, once the THEME is announced, then ideas must be submitted so there are no overlaps, and then by March the sponsor shopping begins! In May those builders must have a scale model to present to the sponsors! June sees them working on the main framework, and by September, the main construction is complete, and any small items are fabricated and installed on the float. Deliveries of non-perishable items such as seeds and beans start in October. Flowers start arriving in late-December and are stored in separate tents until they are needed. Approximately 30,000 workers, many of them young people from schools and church groups, report to the various builder's construction sites to begin the round-the-clock job of decorating the floats. Most flowers are prepared by popping the heads off the stems before being glued in place. Delicate flowers are placed in narrow plastic vials filled with water before being pushed in place. Each float requires an average of 10,000 lbs of flowers and takes 7,000 person-hours or more to decorate! (The photo here is of the 2012 float promoting organ donation, and featured those that had lost a loved one, and the one saved by their loss. )

The first time I ever saw it, I was given SWEET tickets, and I went to all the floats before the parade, they are located in various parts of the county. There are many out by where the Rose Bowl actually takes place in the Rosemont Pavilion. There are some in other buildings around the city. The La Canada-Flintridge float gets built underneath an overpass-and every year is hysterical and VERY cute! Then the morning of? I walked the row of floats, yes, at like 5am. (PS? They get disqualified if they aren't in line by 3am) THEN? You watch the parade, and after? You go to the Post-Floats! Where they are all lined up and ready for onlookers like us! And just when you are all flowered out? You fall into bed, since you've not slept all week, and wake up to the option of having "In and Out Burger" for dinner, as you are in California after all!

Go to the Parade. Go to the game if you want, but really, get float stalking, and get to the parade. You'll thank me. And I'll just go ahead and say it now. You. Are. Welcome!

And yes...yes HGTV DID make it snow on their float! Seriously. MAGICAL!

"Must be nice..."

I'm pretty certain that there is NEVER a time or place for "Must be Nice"....I'm racking my brain here. Maybe...when you think of ridiculous money....like Paris Hilton or some other silly trust fund baby, that just shops and does nothing substantial with her life....whilst you are working your tail off? Maybe then. And EVEN then? You should be aware, that that poor little soul is most likely not going to heaven...simply for how she lives and I've yet to hear her claim that Jesus has her heart. SO...it MAY be nice to have oodles of money...but it's gonna be niceR when we're in HEAVEN eternally.

Now listen...all of this said. Honestly...when was the last time you said the phrase "must be nice...". Can you truly truly say that it wasn't laced with bitterness? Or jealousy? I mean did you really say it out of true LOVE!? Answer? No. It's always said with a jab of the knife to the side. We don't get to be jealous...and we're called to love. I know that we are human.....but boy oh boy do we need to rise above, and edify. Encourage. As hard as that may be....it's back to the green grass situation. I travel for a living. I have the best job in the world. I LOVE what I do. My Christmas card is RIDICULOUS! (And includes a picture of Keifer Sutherland and I on it.) AND...and and and...I love Jesus. I am secure in my position in heaven, He has forgiven my sins...and has sent His son to die for me. I, have it all, in a sense. BUT...I don't. I'm not married...I don't have babies....I don't have a house....I'm nobody's last call, there are LOTS of things that make your grass greener than mine...lots of things that make me want to say..."must be nice"...but in the end...they edify nobody, and really...it IS nice to be me!

I get that we say it in jest...but I challenge you to love what you have jealousy of....and encourage that which you are jealous of, and more importantly to somehow, in love, impart on that person that says "must be nice", that in fact...it is nice, or at least it WAS nice, until they ruined it. We shouldn't feel guilty for having things others don't....we should share, we should feel blessed, and we should be sure that WE are not being jealous of things that OTHERS have that we don't. We are all ALL blessed in different ways. I preach "love anyway"....I mean it. I preach the part where GREEN GRASS...still has to be mowed! So now, I challenge you to take the phrase..."must be nice", and change it into real excitement, and happiness and say "AWESOME! I am SO JEALOUS of that right now!" And more so-I challenge you to mean it!!!!!

No more "must be nice". I won't be offended if I hear it, but I will challenge you to lace it in love! Love more, speak less, judge not.

Happy New Year friends! I'll be in LA "working" and going to the Rose Parade...and yes...it WILL be nice!

:-)

PS...inspired by a dear friend that I love completely. This blog is based on the conversation that we had, and she said "must be nice" to me as I left. We laughed at it, and it may have been...the only appropriate time, for the phrase to be used! Ha...there, found ONE! So my dear friend...please know....I like your green grass...though it isn't green at all when it comes to some things. And I am more than blessed to have you in my life, and will forever be praying for you and yours. I also promise to never say, nor think, "must be nice" in your general direction! Love you dearly! And may loving those that think that it really "must be nice"...just come easy!

From Seattle to San Francisco...

As a "Tour Manager"...I freak out on a daily basis. You wouldn't notice per say...but I am. Why? Because I don't know every single thing. Seem silly? It is. But saying "I don't know" to something is this crushing blow to my self-esteem and I see it as over all incompetence for the tour. Harsh? PERHAPS!? Thankfully I have an inflated ego so that I'm able to deal with these common blows, thankfully I know some good jokes that I deflect with, thankfully my God protects me from a lot of them, and thankfully I'm a pretty good judge of people and know when I should duck around the corner or "make a phone call"! I adore my job, don't get me wrong, but every day is different....every tour is different, and from an adult tour perspective, I don't do the same route, every week, the entire year! HA! Sometimes I think that'd be nice, but MORE times I love the every day is NEW of my job! If I did the same thing? I'd know more things, I'd be able to rock out California's History, and the Missions, and say why we didn't see whales, and exactly what kind of tree that was, and how deep the Columbia River is, and what there is to do in Coos Bay...if anything! But...I don't do the same thing....and tomorrow I leave for Athens, not Georgia, to do another "Footsteps of Paul" tour, and may the freaking out begin again!

BUT I LOVE IT! I'm just setting the stage for you to tell you this. Every passenger is different, and that's how you deal with them. Some love you because they love everybody, some love you after you've proven yourself, some love you after you love them, some will NEVER love you, and some, you THINK don't love you, but then they blindside you and tell you they do! THAT is what this blog is about....because it warmed my heart.

I'm on a "Pacific Northwest & California" this tour, I have a group, they are travelers through and through, but from a smaller town. There are 40 of them...and I really like them....I'm really enjoying the tour. We've had some blah weather, like fog on our day to view Mt. St. Helens, and SNOW on our day to see Mt. Hood! There was also rumored to be an earthquake the night we were in Coos Bay! Finally there was sun on the coast, my driver is great, my passengers love her, I'm feeling "okay" about the tour, but I don't think I'm talking enough, granted, enough would be all the time, and nobody wants that. (Realize, if your tour manager is worth their salt, and it's quiet? They are wondering if they should talk! Or maybe that's just me....but that's what's happening in my brain, up front, and y'all are sleeping or looking out the window!) So....it's night 5, we're in Eureka, and my passengers want to do Alcatraz in San Francisco. I'm bitter at Alcatraz for this. It's ALWAYS booked too early, and people ALWAYS want to do it! It puts me in the position to help them, but if something goes wrong, and it's government run-so something ALWAYS goes wrong, well, then it's my fault. So, I'm in the lobby, on my computer, trying to book tickets. Tickets go WAY fast, and I have to book them 2 at a time, with their credit cards,( I've learned looooong ago to not put things like that on my card, though, I question myself every time, as it would be easier to buy 14 tickets at once vs. separately....) And it's quiet, I've got 10 people huddled around me....and my passenger that I was worried about the most, says "I've got something to say, and I'm just gonna say it...". I about die. He, is younger than the majority, very adventurous and he knows his stuff, and I have been feeling like I had to be more than at the top of my game so that he would get something out of this tour. He's smarter than me, and the only advantage I've felt like I've had with him is the fact that I know where the restaurant is in the hotel. I like him, but I'm a little intimidated. And so we are all ears. He says (please read with a southern drawl) "I just want you to know......that you are the most knowledgeable tour guide I have ever had. You know a lot of things about all of these places that we are visiting. Now I know a LOT of things, but you have taught me so many new things, and I think you are very good at what you do." My mouth drops a little, my tears start to well, I stop booking tickets, and I look at him, and I say thank you. Thank you very much, that means a LOT to me. And in my head I add "especially coming from you". He then says "And I mean it. I don't give out compliments, so it means something when I say it.". And I knew that to be true. And it warmed my heart. Everybody murmured in agreement, and I continued to book tickets, but I was filled, my cup runneth over! Awesome. Very great compliment. I'm not sure that the time spent stopping ticket booking was the right thing to do, as I was only able to book 12 of the 14 tickets as Alcatraz ran out....and guess who didn't get to go? HIM! ARGH!!!!! I was so mad. I tried all night, I called all my secret numbers for Alcatraz....I checked Craigslist, eBay, called my SF friends, looked at a bunch of other ticket sites, called the next day, continued to check, made friends with the girl at the Alcatraz office who talked to her manager who could still do NOTHING! In the end....they were more than fine with it, and I over worried, but still, it's what I do. There is no moral to this story, because I'm certain that another passenger still doesn't like me, doesn't think I'm doing enough, and his wife had the audacity to mark "good" not "excellent" for "Created a fun and enjoyable environment". ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? If nothing else that is ALL I know how to rock out! lol. Please, I bought the birthday girl a sash to wear around all day with glitter....she's 80. I'm fun. Like me. But, whatever, it's part of the job, and my heart was warmed by what my other passenger said, and meant. Oh if he only knew...

Shuttle Launch....3.2.1

The launch of the shuttle "Discovery". Can I really blog about it? Can I really put it into words!? Answer. No. HOWEVER!? For you, my 3 readers...I'll try. (Photo....structure just left of what looks like a mountain...Discovery...and all her shuttle glory!) I'm 12 miles away...so gimme a break! :-)

Who? What? Why? Where? When? How? Is the best format I can come up with, lest I get all my wordy self and lose you!

WHO!?

ME! Yes, I went by myself, but what else was I supposed to do!? NOT go because I didn't have a crony to go with? NO! I mean, rarely do I have cronies to do things with, so, yes, I went with just me. That said? I did stay with some ROCKIN' peeps in St. Augustine! The Blacks were more than kind in opening there home, and SWEET Murphy bed to me! PLUS...hang time with Ella and Kate...whom I like very much, and I'm quite picky about my babies! I also was able to be a total tourist in St. Augustine, and while riding the trolley around town, I realized that I am a total tour nerd...and I'm okay with that. I also got to re-connect with a friend I went to high school with, and meet his wife, and his new baby! Now, that, in and of itself was cool, but cooler? My small world connection. His wife, and the Blacks were in the same pre-natal yoga! And then? His mom, teaches at the same day care that Ella goes to! CRAZY RIGHT!? So...I may have been alone for the launch, but that was all! (And by alone...I mean with hundreds of my closest friends....that picture is my walkway to my chair...right up front!)

What?
The shuttle launch. I've always wanted to see one....would secretly like to go up IN one...love the idea of space, it just seems cool. So, I figured "someday" I'd see one...well, the end to the space program was enough of a kick in the pants to GO see one! So, the "Discovery" launched into space...at 4:50pm and 27 seconds...on February 24, 2011

Why?
I wanted to. I could. I'd always wanted to. NASA gave me an ultimatum. I don't have a husband, or babies, so doing what I want, when I want, because I can? Is my green grass.

Where?
The ultimate question. I didn't know where was best, where had parking, where trees were in the way, where it would be too small....yaddey yaddey yada! SO, my friend Karl-Dad Scherm did a little recon (when I was down visiting, and finally meeting baby Petra, keeping my face in Lars and Stina's brain as favorite Aunt Carrie, AND bringing down the "Cars" cake pan for birthday number 3 in April!) And he came up confirming what I'd read about Titusville, FL. So, I watched the launch from "Spaceview Park"...12 miles away, so, my eyebrows weren't singed, and I didn't fall over from the noise, but I was moved to tears...true story. (A GIANT thank you to my friends that gave suggestions, sent pictures, and tidbits of how to make it great, how to avoid traffic, and to remember my SPF 50!! Mr. Westervelt, so great at sending me info and pictures....THANK YOU! )

When?
Well, I left the house in St. Augustine at like 7:30...I arrived in the 9:15 family...and honestly...any later? Who knows! I scored a great parking spot near the exit of the lot, easy out, and managed to squeak in a good sitting spot too. Any earlier...may not have mattered...as the first two rows...came the night before...chained their chairs down, and slept in their cars...so I couldn't have beat them! I had to be strategic about where I put my stuff...knowing that when push came to shove, I had to stake out a safe place where I wouldn't be pushed into oblivion and see nothing! So, I found a sweet spot, and? The lady next to me had an awning on her chair...so I hid from the sun in that! GLORIOUS SUN! I've been in SNOW, and COLD for too long. I THAWED! GLORIOUS! So...when push came to shove, I was all set with my tri-pod. 4:50pm 27 seconds.....lift-off.

How?
I flew into Jacksonville...sweet Apryl and her ROCKIN' mini scooped me up....which, she let me borrow to drive to the launch. HELLO! Launch AND a convertible mini!? BEST EVER!! Spoiled Rotten I am! Then I drove down in the morning, and drove home in the evening, somehow escaping the atrocious traffic that I've heard about. Ah. Maze. Ing!

Overview?
I've said BEST THING EVER...over and over again...but I mean it. You can't prepare for the COOL factor...in my opinion! It was overwhelming. I mean...I'm trying to film it, my camera on my tripod, but I couldn't zoom it out in time...and I'm trying to capture it with my big camera, but I also want to SEE it with my eyeballs, and FEEL it (40 seconds later when the sound hits us)....it was all so so overwhelming...and really..."out of this world", and then? In the end? I'm CRYING!!! I'm not a big cryer...but I couldn't help it. It's totally AWEsome...in the truest sense of the world. And seriously....it was an emotion I couldn't help. And this...I'm sure is to no scale of what it will be like in heaven....but I couldn't help but think about that too. I mean, when I was little, I was worried that I wouldn't fall to my knees, would I remember, would I be distracted, etc....and of course you'll fall to your knees to worship Him, and really, the shuttle was like this minute reminder that when things truly AWE you, you have no control...I'm grateful for that. I wish I could describe to you the glow of that fire, but there are no words for that...and it was launched, up, and GONE! Out of sight...only remaining was this cloud of smoke following it! And that, friends, is life. We are here for just a time, a "vapor" the bible says. I mean I was overwhelmed with 2 cameras, and trying to experience it, in the 2 minutes I got to see it...that, is our life, so it's what we do in those 2 minutes that matter. So...really...boiling down the shuttle launch...what am I doing with those 2 minutes...?

6 degrees of our small world!

There IS just ONE moon, and just ONE golden SUN! And a smile DOES bring friendship to EVERYONE! Though the mountains divide-And the oceans are wide-It's a small small world!!!

It's a song for a reason! Wow. I seriously can't get over it! Just today, on the precious world of Facebook...a friend that has been in my life since I was born-and I love her dearly, she's been my mom's besty since they were 11! ELEVEN! Well, we have a mutual friend, that we never knew about! NOR WOULD WE HAVE! Thank you FB! When I did my two week training for one of the companies I work for....I met this fabulous lady...and we don't work full time with the company we trained with anymore, and our paths NEVER cross, and I haven't seen her since that one time meeting of 2 weeks in a row...but FB has kept us in touch?! Well, turns out SHE met my mom's childhood friend back in the 80's they were neighbors then....in Missouri, and then AGAIN in the 90's in Hawaii! Already they shared a small world...and then? ENTER ME! Well, I'd been entered I guess....but it's really incredible. God keeps us small huh!? Granted, what I do for a living, makes my world smaller...I mean I run into people in the strangest of places because of what I do...but this...wow!

And for fun!? Well, last fall, I ran into a friend at the Eiffel Tower that I'd met in San Diego 2008, then I ran into him in NYC last April, WITH....another girl I didn't know he knew, that I'd met in LA in November of 2007....amazing, but that's touring. That...friends...is the norm!!

What's not NOT normal? In 2006? I think?! I went to Budapest...read prior blog, I mentioned it in there I think. Anyway, not really a planned trip, then we randomly decided to head to Slovenija with my friend Jana, we spent 2 nights...got in late, spent the night, TOURED for one day, spent the night, then I headed back up to Budapest? In that ONE day of touring? We were productive...and went out the Postojna Caves? We did other things too...and ended our day with a visit to her mum in the country side, and dinner in Bled! Amazing, by the way, amazing. ANYWAY, we're at these caves, and waiting for our tour, so we hop into the gift shop, and I hear English...but American English, and it's weird to hear familiar, when in foreign...more so in some places than others. I mean Slovenija isn't this huge country, and certainly this little place isn't riddled with American tourists...I look up, and low and behold? I KNOW THE GIRL! She's Lisa, from my gym! (Yes, when I HAD a gym, and when I would actually go, duh, this is so not now! lol) Anyway, small SMALL world...and I do NOT believe in coincidence! She was just finishing the tour we were waiting on! Amazing!!!

And most recently? I was in Paris this October, and it's departure day...I'm taking my gaggle to the airport, and we are leaving the hotel....or TRYING! And this van is parked and blocking us....my driver is NOT happy about this! So, we finally escape, to be cut off by a taxi, and then? The local bus headed to the airport is parked crooked so that we don't fit to pass....my driver is now LESS happy! And then? He taps me...and points...and people are FRANTICALLY WAVING AT US!! And well!? It's friends from a trip that I did in June to LA! AMAZING! They were on vacay, staying at a hotel in the neighborhood of mine! And were just headed out for the day, and he saw the bus, and saw ME! And since we were stuck we had the time to recognize, open the door, hug, and say TEXT ME! Amazing amazing amazing!!!

It's encouraging to see love on the road! To see people that you've met, in parts of your life, and to see them and you, out of your normal element! Unexpected bursts of happiness is what that is!!!!! That said....be nice to people...especially strangers! YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOUR PATHS WILL CROSS! Once, I had a customer come into the store, we had a conversation, he was memorable....low and behold, the next day, he's on my flight to Miami! I was headed off to Peru...him to visit his folks, I think...anyway, he was sitting 2 rows in front of me! And, I saw him a year later at a Thai restaurant-that's another story. lol. But that KICKER of him, is that he's not from around here...he lives in WYOMING! So....be nice to strangers, love on God's people. And from the lesson side of things? If you ever get annoyed with that other driver? Be assured they'll park next to you, or go to your church. Or if you are in an airport? Guaranteed they will be sitting next to you!

Love on all...that's your lesson! And Love on our small world! God is so big, and so orchestrating the small things!

Love in the mail!/Lovin' the mail!

I love me some mail, but really some hand written notes, old school. But what I really REALLY dig? Christmas Cards from my passengers. It warms my heart. I'm not just saying that...this is my blog, I don't have to say anything!!! Today....came an envelope from one of my companies that I work for, and in it? TWO, T-W-O cards from passengers I had this fall on one of my "France Magnifique" tours. I have over 700 passengers a year....I'd say...just an average....I've actually never counted!? Anyway, for the most part, my memory can be jogged, but some? Just stand out...chances are...if you've ever been a passenger of mine, and your reading this, you stood out. Some for better, some for worse-(you non-tippers....I know you who are! lol) Of course it's not about the tip that I remember the good ones, it's about their heart, or their visible love, or their sense of humor, or sometimes, for the atrocious things that happen on a tour! Viva Italian bus drivers!!! Well, today, is my dear passenger Jackie Keeton's birthday...so happy birthday Jackie, and I met her and Chybo, WAAAAaaay back in the beginning of my touring days, with Miss Stacy from Lawrenceburg...Tennessee Tuesdays in DC...oh good times (Also good Johnny Fleeman Sauces and SODA! What was that goodness called again!?!). Today also came those two cards, and I knew from the names on the return address labels, and both made me smile. Sure, you get letters from your friends, you know exactly who they are, but imagine you have new friends every week for only a week! What I'm saying...is these ladies stand out. BOTH, made me laugh, a lot on their tour....and to hear from them?! Glorious. One of them, included a picture of her husband...holding a certain mug. I'm not saying how he got that mug, but I am saying that I smile when I think about it. :-) Thank you Miss Cil, and Miss Helene (Helene-do you remember that sign above? From that restaurant we ate at in Sainte-Mère-Église? How true it is! lol), I am honored to have received holiday greetings from you both....truly I am....and yours...is in the mail. Yes, I know it's February....but I still have like 60 New Years cards to get out! It's why I certainly don't do Christmas Cards! I do Happy New Years cards!!!! Next year...may be Valentine's Day cards!!!!! SO, go send your friends Valentines....tis the season, and I promise, they love mail just as much as I do....and if they don't? Well, mail ME those Valentines!!!!!! XOXO (And? Hugs to Mary and Darlene!!!) And? Update?! That soda goodness was called SUNDROP! Thanks Miss Jackie!

Just love.

So....I heart me some smoked salmon, cream cheese, and an everything bagel. I'm quite certain were it not for the price or addition to my booty...I'd eat it DAILY! So...it's on the menu for my Heaven's Pantry. Heaven's Pantry? All delicious things that will be...in my pantry (in my mansion) in Heaven! Am I sure we get to eat in Heaven? Nope, we will be praising Jesus all the day, so I wonder if they'll be time for food, but hey, a girl can hope right? So...back to my salmon. We got a new bagel place near us...and I tried it out, and it's good. I don't like all the frills with my lox....JUST lox and cream cheese, no onion/tomato/lettuce drama. At this place....they do it right, and more importantly...Valerie does it right. She's the one I run into the most, and quite frankly, am disappointed when she's not there. And so, I know some things about her, like Sweet Pea is her favorite BBW fragrance.....and her dad is from Hungary, and well, that might be all. BUT...I brought her dad some paprika from Hungary when I was there in December, and some Sweet Pea lotion for her, and she was ECSTATIC! And so today, I was in again, and she was saying her dad was so excited and wanted to use it, but her mom wanted to save it! (Mom won) At any rate, I walked out of there, just happy, blessed to get to love on a total stranger, though, slowly becoming my friend. It's just such an honor to share God's love, because it is, by grace, that I have it to begin with. I'm not saying you have to go out and buy presents for people you want to love on....I am saying, just to love! We've been loved, so pass it on. And? Don't pass it on if you aren't doing it to your inner circle. We all know what I mean! Why is it so easy to love on total strangers, and not so easy to love on your own family!? Love on friends....LOVE!

Green Grass..

I say this all the time....and I mean it. There is ALWAYS gonna be greener grass...but in the end? It's still gotta be mowed! So LOVE your own grass! And support your neighbors in the growing of theirs!!! (Listen psychos...there are no drug references here) Seriously though, I am blessed blessed blessed with what I do for a living....BLESSED! But you are too. Are ya married? Green. Do you have babies? Green. Can you run more than a quarter mile? Green. Do you have fabulous eyelashes? Green. Do you make more money than me (not hard)? Green. Do you have your own TV show? Green. (Shameless plug for my friend Sarah Kouba doing the "Billings Way" starting January 30!) So listen...you have green grass in front of you, quit looking over the fence!!! I have friends that are "jealous" of being gone all the time, and living in my suitcase, and going to Paris.....I get that. But they have babies, and husbands, and HOUSES!!! There is some semblance of normalcy and consistency to their lives. So for me...that's green grass. Don't get me wrong, I adore what I do for a living, and don't really know what else I would do, but there are short moments in my life, (usually when my bus driver is jacking up my tour) when I wonder what 9-5 Monday through Friday is really like. So, do me a favor. Love on your green grass.


(This photo is courtesy of my green grass....Tower Bridge in London this past November....also featured in this years Carrie-alendar for the month of September.)

1.11.11

So...eleven has been my favorite number since I was little....and today, is a taste of the elevens....but come November? It may be my favorite day....I should get married, or have a kid, but alas, mayhaps I will just have a coffee. Do I make wishes at 11:11 when I see it? Yes, yes I do, but since wishing is for the birds, I just pray for my wish, and yes, it's always the same. Happy 11111....or 5 sticks as my Tracy would say!

Mmmmmm....the craving for the insides of a peanut butter cup started promptly after my nap this afternoon....I didn't know why....but I knew I MUST have the insides. Sure, I could go buy a Reese Cup, but to be honest, I like them for a brief while, and it's really the chocolate that doesn't hold my interest, but oh the insides. So I google and insides recipe, mind you, my mom makes DA BOMB reese cups, and used to make them every Christmas...along with her famous popcorn cakes, to which my brother and I would DREAD having to deliver on Christmas Eve....anyway, I go downstairs...and I say to mom, I need insides to reese's. She says, I have a recipe, I said I know, butter, confectionery sugar, graham crackers and peanut butter right? Yes, she answers, but I'll do it, I don't want you knowing my secrets....LOL! (Tricky me getting her to make them eh?) Anyway, so she mixes, and then I hear the BLECK....turns out graham crackers can go bad! As the box is from 2006, I pull out another box....from 2008...Hmmm....PROBLEM! Well, I'm too far into it to give up now. SO I put on shoes and grab my keys, she says, get new peanut butter too! (Do you have ANY idea how MANY different types of peanut butter there are!?) I get home, having spent $20 at the store, buying other things I didn't need...I have such a weakness for Snapple too. Anyway, home, and Momma Bear whips up this batch, that has now turned from a tasting to the full blown cup, she's melting chocolate and everything! Which worries me, I JUST WANT INNERDS....and NOW! She hands me a little bowl of it, warm buttery goodness, and BLISS BLISS BLISS! I couldn't even speak! YUMTASTIC!! I'm sure...that home made reese cup innerds will be in my heavens pantry....and is also a way to my heart! :-) Josh Mings....it is NOT just PEANUT BUTTER!!

Just simply praising Him.

So...I leave today for Ireland/Scotland....we all know about that...and we know I'm a procrasinator...that's fine. BUT! This trip? I was packed LAST NIGHT....like in my suitcase...and I had to add my computer, chargers, and some copies! So...I went to bed...slept NOT AT ALL...and woke up this morning....had coffee with Melissa and baby Jack...which was great. My then next agenda was to clean the kitchen, drop books off at the library, make copies of my welcome letter, run to the store to buy oatmeal and marshmellows. Oatmeal so as to avoid breakfast on the trip as it's huge, time consuming, and I like my moments where I'm not "on". So thanks to another guide who suggested it...I'm heeding. Marshmellows....for Fitzy's birthday present...which is breakable....and packed weird....so they are my packing legumes. After that, get lunch at Andy's...my favorite chicken panini of Round Goodness (see the "Fitionary") From there....post office to mail her present...then home to change...and all this so that Kathy Guyer-MY SAVING GRACE- who was going to drop me off at the train station so that I didn't have to take a cab. I had a 4:08 train to catch. Can I recap that I don't really love taking the train to the airport? I have to leave 5 hours before my flight leaves....vs. 3 hours? And I have to lug...change trains...lug....hop on air shuttle....and it's really not any cheaper than driving. But alas...momma bear is still on the west coast...so I was training. The other thing about the train is that I have to take what's available...so 4:08 it is...the same one I took last Friday to head to California for the weekend...my birthday weekend. WHICH? Thank you to those of you who texted, e-mailed, called, facebooked? You made me smile all day long. Okay...so train...me...4:08. Okay...dropped books off at the library...check. Stop at Andy's...order food...run to Foodtown....buy Oatmeal and Marshmellows....run back to Andy's...pick up RG....and look at the clock. Andy's was slow today...and so I am nixing the copies...and decide that I can do them in Ireland...somewhere I'm sure....and off to the Post Office I go. I get there...grab Annie's box....grab my wallet....lock my doors and head in. Um...DID I GRAB MY KEYS??? NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!! FOR THE LOVE!!!! WHY DO I DO THIS ALL THE TIME!? When will I learn. See...I did this the other night at Summerfest too. And I had to get a ride home to get my spare. And someone said to me..."well, that's a mistake you only make once."...but it's SO NOT!!!! Anyway, so here I am....with wallet...and package. No cell phone...no keys...and now it's 3:15....and I have to be at my house and ready to leave by 3:45....I'm screwed. So...I mail my package....and ask the lady to borrow her phone, and start the calling. Here is where modern day technology screws us....I know my mom's number...and I know Kathy's home phone number....and that is ALL!!!! I try to think of my options here....NO ANSWER at Kathy's....okay....call mom in Nevada for Kathy's cell phone.....okay...NO ANSWER THERE! Then...onto AAA.....they put me on hold. And I'm rock and a hard place here. I mean I'm wasting time....I'm about 1.5 miles from home...but I can't phone and walk at the same time. So I give up on AAA. I call Kathy's numbers back like 3 times each.....to no avail. She's got a house key...so ideally? She picks me up here...brings me to the house....I get my spare, come back and get the car...and I still make my 4:08. You should also know...if you've read this far? The next train doesn't get me to the airport till like 8pm...my flight is at 9:15...not gonna work. So now...since I have nobody to take me to the airport? I'm leaving my car there till mom gets in next Tuesday. BOOOO! But oh well. Anyway, so....no answer......and I'm close to wits end...so I give up...and start the walk home....with the WORST "woe is me" attitude. And I get like 1 hot minute up the road...and I'm like...I need to leave a message...I need to do what I can to get in touch with Kathy...and I run out of phones after this place....so I pop my head in to this violin store....use their phone....call Kathy again...call AAA again...still holding....so I left Kathy a message....and call mom...tell her to keep calling Kathy...I have to start walking. And I walk out the door again. And I'm HOT! And literally and figuratively....I mean WHO DOESN'T have their cell at their hip....and....the thought of smashing in my car window DID cross my mind...I mean I don't have time for this! And my mini flood gates open...not completely....but the tears start....I don't need this! I have a TRAIN TO CATCH...and so then the pity...woe is me creeps up...and that of course encompasses EVERYTHING....from EVERYWHERE....my heart....my grams....whatever....and so for one second....I have clarity...and I say to myself...I have 2 choices here. I can fall apart...and cry the whole way home...which is a mile and a half away....on public busy roads....OR? I can praise God...because there is something here....some sort of something....that I may get to know about .....I may not. And so I want to cry...I do...but I stepped up...and said...okay...I'll praise you. So....it's hot....I'm sweaty...and gross...and a truck goes by me...HONKS...and WAVES! Like they knew me? NO idea who it was...but part of me wanted to be MAD at them for not stopping. But the "praising" decision nixed that. Boo.....so I'm walking...hot, sweaty....officially missing my train.....and knowing I'll have to now pay for parking at Newark for a week...which is like giving up my first born...which will I have even? (That comes up in pity parties too-lol) Anyway, so I'm like, there is a reason for this...I mean...the 4:08...could be the worst place in the world for me to be right now....or I need to leave my car at the airport for mom next week....or I need this time to get my head straight...or a hundred different reasons. So...I say....okay...what am I grateful for.....I'm wearing shoes....flip flops....but shoes none-the-less, I'm in acceptable clothing...I'm not in my pj's....mom answered her cell phone...she never does that....I'm early....I still have time to make my flight...even if I didn't? I'm going over 2 days early...so I have that window.....it's not raining....it's not SCORCHING....my roads are relatively safe...it's day light....I trust where I'm at....I'm healthy....and so...then TRYING to be annoyed is much MUCH harder. So I'm walking...being grateful...and I'm okay. I'm okay...I mean woe is me walking home in the heat and missing my train...but it's ALL my fault. So I turn the corner into the neighborhood and I see Kathy driving towards me....she pulls up....says..."GET IN"...I do...and she hugs me....and it was all okay. Normally? I cry, and rant....but I'm good. God is good....faithful too. So she says she talked to mom, and mom said to try the shuttle place....I didn't even think of that. I go in....google them...no idea their name....phone book them-member phone books? lol So I call...and the lady is like your flight is at 9:15? International? You need to be on a shuttle right now! DUH! I know...but I'm not. She's like okay...there is a 6 o'clock...I say okay...and I'm on their website by now...and I see a 5 o'clock...I'm like what about the 5...she goes...well, yeah...there is that. I say great...book it. So I book it....it's $33.00...I'm sort of still under my budget. So now...it's 4...I still have to go back and get my car....change...and pack up my last minutes....I run out the door....drive up to my car...get it...drive back...shower....change...and put all my last minutes in one more bag...to deal with on the way up to where I get the shuttle. I'm in the car 20 minutes later...and? My lunch...my delicious RG was still hot....and perfect for the car. I mean I was HOT pulling off my red peppers! (Why nor order without them then? I like the flavoring...not the texturing...I'm ridiculous...I know). SO...sprint to the car...and we're off. I fit all my stuff into my back pack...and so I'm set....one HUGE suitcase...well, normal size...but HEAVY....and my backpack. I'm kind of proud of myself. 2 weeks...mad paperwork and books? One suitcase...3 pairs of shoes and 1 pair of flips. Gloater....I know. Anyway, so I get to the shuttle place with 15 minutes to spare....and I make it up to the airport still a good 45 minutes sooner....and less drama. ALL this to say....God IS faithful....and HE does have a plan....and we CHOOSE our attitudes about it. Did I have grounds for griping and crying about it? Yeah probably....but some songs rolled through my head...."Praise you in this storm"....and it wasn't even a storm...I mean it was FRAMA....nothing real....just stupidity...and "I have decided...to follow Jesus"....just over and over...because I have....and I need to. If you aren't a believer...you don't get this...and that's sad...but He just loves us...promises to be faithful to us...and offers us eternal life....how would you not want that? AND? For those of us that KNOW that? Why are we so stupid sometimes/most times? And....I was talking to a dear friend today...and we were talking about blessings...and how God is just awesome...and perfect...and EVERYTHING for a reason...and how He is always talking...always....we just aren't listening. I'm not saying I'm listening perfectly....I'm not.....but I do hope it's a stronger closer walk, if just a little bit. He is faithful to us...and He's perfect....I mean who knows what would have happened on that 4:08. You know I have this theory when I drop my keys? I'm convinced it's a little angel batting them out of my hand.....so I'll stop...and pick them up. And MOST of the time? I see what I was being spared from...traffic...accidents....etc. So...when the batting them out of my hands isn't enough? They lock doors on me. Well, they love me...and He's protecting me for something....so thanks to Him....and thanks to you for reading this far! May you drop your keys and smile about it....may you lock them in your car...walk home a mile and a half....and praise Him for it.

Love!

So...this is a catch up....since I wasn't home for 2 months...and then I got to come home for a solid 6 days....and it was really great...and it's just great to be surrounded by love! And so...it was said to me, by another near and dear, as they just went home to their family for a spell....that it was so nice to be around people you love and that love you right back. It is. And if you aren't the person that leaves and comes back...be aware of the love you are surrounded by daily....cherish it. I feel like coming home is a recharge. I didn't get a Nintendo till I graduated from college...but on the N64...Mario could run through the heart for a recharge? I feel like that is what I do when I come home....topped up on love to go again! I LOVE being on the road....and I feel more at home away from home sometimes...but it is just so nice to come home and chill in love's company. So thanks...for those of you who love me-cuz I love you right back! And this picture? Excuse what I look like...I was coming off tour and it was 5 in the morning after a 1am bedtime...but Lorrie Hanson met me at the door on St. Patty's Day with green scones...and one shaped like a heart. I wasn't kidding about feeling loved!