Let Your Worries Go
Remember when I posted about Northwestern Mutual's Let Your Worries Go campaign? I'm proud to announce the following results of that campain through an article released by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation:
In first place with more than 42,000 votes was the YMCA. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation will contribute $400,000 to the YMCA to support Healthy Kids Day programming across the country.
Additionally, Habitat for Humanity - New Orleans is receiving $250,000, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is receiving $200,000 and Feeding America is receiving $150,000.
During this time when every dollar counts, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is proud to utilize this campaign to make a meaningful impact for people who are touched by the outreach of these organizations across the country.
Thank you again.
Northwestern Mutual
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Sweet Mema (Updated with Pictures)
My sweet Mema went home to the Lord last Monday morning. She was a beautiful, Godly woman and has now been reunited with my Pepa and her many other friends and family in Heaven.
For a couple of weeks before Mema passed away, she had been asking me questions about Donny. Questions such as "Don't you still love him? I know he still loves you. Aren't you going to let him take you to lunch? Aren't you going to go to his basketball game?"
I had already decided I was going to allow him to take me to lunch during Valentine's Day weekend and when I told her, she couldn't have been happier. She called me after he went home just to ask how things went.
It's no secret Mema loved Donny. She always asked about him and would even make him his own pie to take home after the holidays. Here are a couple of pictures to prove it...
Fast forward about a week. Donny asked me to go to the UT/OU basketball game and I agreed to go, until I found out Mema had a stroke. I went to the hospital and was able to talk to her. At that point, she was still coherent and was able to talk and answer questions. My Aunt and Mom told me I still needed to go to Austin, because all I would be doing is sitting at the hospital all weekend. So...I went.
I had already decided I was going to tell Donny before he went home that I wanted to date him again. I had seen a definite change and realized that there was no one I'd rather have by my side during difficult (and great) times. So...I prepared myself to tell him, but wanted to make sure I told him at the right time. Monday morning, Mema passed away and he was the one with me picking up my mom to take her home. He was also the one that vacuumed my aunt's whole house to prepare for visitors (without being asked). He also sat with my aunt at the hospital, waiting for my mom to take a warm shower at my apartment. All of this did NOT go unnoticed by me.
So...right before he left I told him I loved him and wanted to date him again. I also told him that this is what Mema would have wanted. When I said that, he broke down. He then told me that he and Mema had been speaking 4 to 5 times a week. She would call and check on him and make sure he was doing okay. She would also tell him she was praying every night that we were going to get back together because she knew he would take care of me. Several of the things he mentioned, he would have known no other way than if he had talked to her. My aunt later confirmed the existence of those conversations.
Mema was so special to me and I will dearly miss her. The great thing is, I know that I will be carrying out one of her wishes by marrying Donny. And yes, it is my wish too!
My sweet Mema went home to the Lord last Monday morning. She was a beautiful, Godly woman and has now been reunited with my Pepa and her many other friends and family in Heaven.
For a couple of weeks before Mema passed away, she had been asking me questions about Donny. Questions such as "Don't you still love him? I know he still loves you. Aren't you going to let him take you to lunch? Aren't you going to go to his basketball game?"I had already decided I was going to allow him to take me to lunch during Valentine's Day weekend and when I told her, she couldn't have been happier. She called me after he went home just to ask how things went.
It's no secret Mema loved Donny. She always asked about him and would even make him his own pie to take home after the holidays. Here are a couple of pictures to prove it...
Fast forward about a week. Donny asked me to go to the UT/OU basketball game and I agreed to go, until I found out Mema had a stroke. I went to the hospital and was able to talk to her. At that point, she was still coherent and was able to talk and answer questions. My Aunt and Mom told me I still needed to go to Austin, because all I would be doing is sitting at the hospital all weekend. So...I went.I had already decided I was going to tell Donny before he went home that I wanted to date him again. I had seen a definite change and realized that there was no one I'd rather have by my side during difficult (and great) times. So...I prepared myself to tell him, but wanted to make sure I told him at the right time. Monday morning, Mema passed away and he was the one with me picking up my mom to take her home. He was also the one that vacuumed my aunt's whole house to prepare for visitors (without being asked). He also sat with my aunt at the hospital, waiting for my mom to take a warm shower at my apartment. All of this did NOT go unnoticed by me.
So...right before he left I told him I loved him and wanted to date him again. I also told him that this is what Mema would have wanted. When I said that, he broke down. He then told me that he and Mema had been speaking 4 to 5 times a week. She would call and check on him and make sure he was doing okay. She would also tell him she was praying every night that we were going to get back together because she knew he would take care of me. Several of the things he mentioned, he would have known no other way than if he had talked to her. My aunt later confirmed the existence of those conversations.
Mema was so special to me and I will dearly miss her. The great thing is, I know that I will be carrying out one of her wishes by marrying Donny. And yes, it is my wish too!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Valentine's Gift Exchange
Thanks to Jennifer's Gift Exchange, I came home to an awesome package of goodies last week. Christy sent the following items to me:
Thank you so much Christy!! I LOVE it!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Dumb Move of the Day
On Tuesday, my low gas indicator dinged. Normally I can travel 60 more miles after I hear the ding. Due to the fact we were closed yesterday because of ice, I hadn't driven anywhere since then. So...I decided to try to make it to work this morning without filling up. As I'm sure you've already guessed, I didn't make it to work. About 1/2 mile from work my car started sputtering and died. Thankfully I was in the right lane and was able to pull over. The only bad thing was that I was at an on-ramp and rush-hour traffic was in full swing. I called my friend Janie and she had a guy from work come get me. He took me to a gas station where I bought a gas can. On the way outside, a man asked if we needed gas. He said he had a full gas-can in the back of his truck. When we told him my car wasn't at the gas station he said he would follow us as long as it wasn't too far away. The very nice man followed us to my car, put gas in it, and stayed until he knew that my car was going to start. I thought that that was such a kind and thoughtful thing to do!
I have only run out of gas 1 other time in my life...in college...when I was broke. I had no excuses today.
Lesson learned.
On Tuesday, my low gas indicator dinged. Normally I can travel 60 more miles after I hear the ding. Due to the fact we were closed yesterday because of ice, I hadn't driven anywhere since then. So...I decided to try to make it to work this morning without filling up. As I'm sure you've already guessed, I didn't make it to work. About 1/2 mile from work my car started sputtering and died. Thankfully I was in the right lane and was able to pull over. The only bad thing was that I was at an on-ramp and rush-hour traffic was in full swing. I called my friend Janie and she had a guy from work come get me. He took me to a gas station where I bought a gas can. On the way outside, a man asked if we needed gas. He said he had a full gas-can in the back of his truck. When we told him my car wasn't at the gas station he said he would follow us as long as it wasn't too far away. The very nice man followed us to my car, put gas in it, and stayed until he knew that my car was going to start. I thought that that was such a kind and thoughtful thing to do!
I have only run out of gas 1 other time in my life...in college...when I was broke. I had no excuses today.
Lesson learned.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Top Braces No More....
I can't believe I forgot to blog about this.
Remember this picture?
Guess what! No more top braces. I have some stubborn bottom teeth and will have to wear my bottom braces for another 3 months. Oh well...
I've tried to post several times lately, but Blogger hasn't been letting me upload pictures.
I'll try to get caught up soon!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Mexico
Thanks to my friends Yolanda and Chris, I got to spend the week after Christmas in Mexico! This was the first time that I had been to Mexico for more than just an afternoon. When I was younger, we lived really close to the border and would go to the market every once in awhile. All in all, I ended up being in Mexico for 7 days. Yolanda's family is from Zaragoza, a town about an hour past the border in Eagle Pass. Her parents have a house in the States and in Zaragoza so we were able to stay there. Here are a few pictures from our trip:
Front of the house
Zoey in front of the door
Yolanda's Godmother making homemade tamales
Me with Yolanda's Grandparents
Chris and Yolanda
Two cute little kids at our New Year's Day Party
Look at my little piece of the wishbone. I think I got the short end of the stick.
Zoey and me on the American side of the border
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Letter to Lefty (aka, my Isotoner glove)
I promise to never let it happen again.
Sincerely,
Your Owner
Dear Lefty,
Last night, I decided to remove you and Righty so that I could easily punch in the numbers at the ATM. The one thing I forgot, however, was to put you back on. You and Righty were sitting on my lap when I decided to get out of the car, forgetting that you were there. As I walked in the apt. last night, I realized you both were missing. Part of me wanted to go back and look for you. The other part wanted to stay in the warmth of the apt. So...I forgot about you and Righty until I got in the car this afternoon. Guess what I found!! Righty...but no Lefty. In a panic, I mentioned to my friend that you were missing. What was I to do?? She quickly commented that you were probably lying on the ground, out in the cold, and had probably been run over several times. Because I could not bear the thought of abandoning you, I returned to the restaurant. As I rounded the corner, I held my breath and....there you were!!! I quickly picked you up off the ground and gently laid you on the floorboard. I promise to have you looking as good as new.
As a reminder, here's what you looked like when I picked you up...
I promise to never let it happen again.Sincerely,
Your Owner
Goodies
Since I have eaten more than my weight in goodies these last two weeks, I thought I'd share a yummy recipe...
Easy Cheese Blintzes
Must be Frozen
1 Loaf Thin-Sliced white sandwich bread, crusts removed
1 8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
5 teaspoons cinnamon
Cream egg yolk, 1/4 cup sugar, and cream cheese. Set aside. Mix cinnamon and the 1 cup of sugar. Set aside. Roll one slice of bread at a time with rolling pin until fairly flat. Spread cream cheese mixture over bread and roll jelly-roll fashion. Dip in melted butter, roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet and freeze. Take out of freezer 1/2 hour before cooking. Thaw 15 minutes, then cut in half. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Makes about 40.
Helpful Hints:
Suggested Assembly Order:
Make cream cheese mixture.
Mix sugar and cinnamon.
Cut the crusts off all bread.
Flatten all the bread.
Spread the slices out across counter top.
Spread cream cheese on all of the flattened slices.
Roll all of the bread jelly-roll style.
Dip in butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet.
Place in freezer until 1/2 hour before baking.
This helps the process go quickly and prevents your hands from getting the bread gooey with the cinnamon sugar.
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time and keep in your freezer. It is easy to take out a few or several and bake on a moment's notice for family or friends.
Since I have eaten more than my weight in goodies these last two weeks, I thought I'd share a yummy recipe...
Easy Cheese Blintzes
Must be Frozen
1 Loaf Thin-Sliced white sandwich bread, crusts removed
1 8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
5 teaspoons cinnamon
Cream egg yolk, 1/4 cup sugar, and cream cheese. Set aside. Mix cinnamon and the 1 cup of sugar. Set aside. Roll one slice of bread at a time with rolling pin until fairly flat. Spread cream cheese mixture over bread and roll jelly-roll fashion. Dip in melted butter, roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet and freeze. Take out of freezer 1/2 hour before cooking. Thaw 15 minutes, then cut in half. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Makes about 40.
Helpful Hints:
Suggested Assembly Order:
Make cream cheese mixture.
Mix sugar and cinnamon.
Cut the crusts off all bread.
Flatten all the bread.
Spread the slices out across counter top.
Spread cream cheese on all of the flattened slices.
Roll all of the bread jelly-roll style.
Dip in butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Place on wax-paper lined cookie sheet.
Place in freezer until 1/2 hour before baking.
This helps the process go quickly and prevents your hands from getting the bread gooey with the cinnamon sugar.
This is a great recipe to make ahead of time and keep in your freezer. It is easy to take out a few or several and bake on a moment's notice for family or friends.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
As I was walking through Wal-Mart the other day looking for a book to buy, I came across The Shack. I have heard several people say they loved the book and that they couldn't put it down once they started reading it. As a result, I bought it. I must admit...I'm 112 pages into the book and I'm not sure I like it. The plot seems a little slow to me and to be honest, a little strange.
For those of you that have read the book and loved it, am I missing something??
Let Your Worries Go...
December 31st is the last day to vote on www.letyourworriesgo.com and help decide how The Northwestern Mutual Foundation (I work for Northwestern Mutual) will distribute $1 million to four important organizations: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America and YMCA.
Currently, Health and Fitness (YMCA) has been selected 35,940 times. Illness (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) has been selected 33,198 times. Natural Disasters (Habitat for Humanity) has been selected 32,803 times. And Hunger (Feeding America) has been selected 23,324 times.
Even if you already cast your worry – and therefore your vote, you can do it again. And again. You can even participate on Facebook, using the application “Let Your Worries Go Vote.” Either way, you can let your worry go as many times as you like. You’ll help the cause that addresses your biggest worry receive as large a donation as possible.
PLEASE go to this website. It's fun, humorous, and you can vote without having to enter any personal information.
If you vote, please leave a comment below. How many chances do we get to help decide where $1,000,000 will be donated?
December 31st is the last day to vote on www.letyourworriesgo.com and help decide how The Northwestern Mutual Foundation (I work for Northwestern Mutual) will distribute $1 million to four important organizations: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America and YMCA.
Currently, Health and Fitness (YMCA) has been selected 35,940 times. Illness (Susan G. Komen for the Cure) has been selected 33,198 times. Natural Disasters (Habitat for Humanity) has been selected 32,803 times. And Hunger (Feeding America) has been selected 23,324 times.
Even if you already cast your worry – and therefore your vote, you can do it again. And again. You can even participate on Facebook, using the application “Let Your Worries Go Vote.” Either way, you can let your worry go as many times as you like. You’ll help the cause that addresses your biggest worry receive as large a donation as possible.
PLEASE go to this website. It's fun, humorous, and you can vote without having to enter any personal information.
If you vote, please leave a comment below. How many chances do we get to help decide where $1,000,000 will be donated?
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Birthday and Thanksgiving
All I told him was I needed a new pair of black heels and he picked these out on his own. He also got me a new charm for my charm bracelet:
He said he chose the basketball and hoop since we were basketball coaches when we met. I thought that was really thoughtful!____________________________________________
I had a great birthday this year, complete with lots of time with family and friends. The weekend before my birthday I went to Donny's. He used to take me shopping for my birthday, but I love surprises and have tried to hint to him that I'd much rather be surprised with my gifts (please read...I gave him a long list of things I wanted/needed for him to choose from). So...I got to his house and my gifts were waiting on his table. He got me these CUTE shoes:
All I told him was I needed a new pair of black heels and he picked these out on his own. He also got me a new charm for my charm bracelet:He said he chose the basketball and hoop since we were basketball coaches when we met. I thought that was really thoughtful!____________________________________________On Thanksgiving, I worked at The Retreat. We had a Thanksgiving buffet that was fit for a king. 85 of our members and their guests attended. Here are some pictures of the buffet and the table settings (this is only a portion of the food):
Friday, November 14, 2008
Several of my coworkers and I love to eat at Central Market. It's great because everyone can get what they want and when the weather's nice, we can sit outside. We went today and I got one of my favorite meals.
My roommate, Ashley, introduced me to Philly Rolls last week. I had no idea they had cream cheese in them. Yum!! My mom's boyfriend introduced me to the Mexican Coke. It's Coke's version of the Dublin Dr. Pepper and it's made with pure cane sugar. I try not to drink regular cokes, but today I just couldn't resist.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Milwaukee Take 7
All in all it was pretty cool to see the players and was a great end to my trip to Milwaukee.
Recently, I took my 7th trip to Milwaukee in two years. I had a blast the whole week, but the highlight definitely happened my last night there. 5 of us went out and returned to our hotel around 1 in the morning. For those of you who know me, that is WAY past my bedtime. As we arrived at the hotel we saw a cargo truck full of luggage being delivered. Inside, we saw three 8-foot tables with cookies and soft drinks on them. One of the guys in the group said, "Hey...I think the Brewers are staying here." At the time, the Brewers were still in the playoffs. As it turns out, the Phillies were staying there. We waited a little while to see if we could see any of them and sure enough, they started coming off of the elevator one by one. One of the guys walked by us with four suitcases. I jokingly told him I would help him with his luggage if he would take a picture with me. His response was..."No, I'm not taking a picture." Gee, thanks. They won that night too. You'd think he'd be willing to take a picture. There was no one around, in other words it wouldn't cause a frenzy of fans to want pictures and autographs.
Right after that, I decided I was tired and needed to get some rest. My room was on the 20th floor and on about the 10th floor, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Guess who got on...the same Phillies player that had denied me a picture. He started asking me where I was from and where I worked. Come to find out it was Shane Victorino.
All in all it was pretty cool to see the players and was a great end to my trip to Milwaukee.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Dream
On Sunday night, I dreamed about a friend of mine and her son. I dreamed I had gone to their house and played with her son. As I was leaving, my friend said, "Don't you want to give him a hug? It's his birthday." On Monday, I woke up and decided I needed to call my friend. We hadn't spoken in a couple of months, but are always able to pick up the phone and act like we've never been apart. I tried to call her on my way home from work, but wasn't able to reach her. When she called me back I asked her when her son's birthday was. It was on Sunday. The day that I had the dream. I didn't know the exact date of her son's birthday. In my opinion, God was telling me to reach out to her in my dream. I'm so thankful I did because she has been going through trials and tribulations that I hope I never have to experience in my life. It's like something out of a movie. Please keep her in your prayers and the next time you dream about someone, call them. They just might need a listening ear.
On Sunday night, I dreamed about a friend of mine and her son. I dreamed I had gone to their house and played with her son. As I was leaving, my friend said, "Don't you want to give him a hug? It's his birthday." On Monday, I woke up and decided I needed to call my friend. We hadn't spoken in a couple of months, but are always able to pick up the phone and act like we've never been apart. I tried to call her on my way home from work, but wasn't able to reach her. When she called me back I asked her when her son's birthday was. It was on Sunday. The day that I had the dream. I didn't know the exact date of her son's birthday. In my opinion, God was telling me to reach out to her in my dream. I'm so thankful I did because she has been going through trials and tribulations that I hope I never have to experience in my life. It's like something out of a movie. Please keep her in your prayers and the next time you dream about someone, call them. They just might need a listening ear.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Do You Know About This?
The information below is from the Texas Comptroller's office...
Unclaimed Property
State law requires the Texas Comptroller's office to hold abandoned and unclaimed property reported by businesses and financial institutions until its owners or their legal heirs claim it. The agency attempts to find the rightful owners of unclaimed properties through annual newspaper advertising, direct mail notices and the agency's Web site.
Go here to search for your name.
The information below is from the Texas Comptroller's office...
Unclaimed Property
State law requires the Texas Comptroller's office to hold abandoned and unclaimed property reported by businesses and financial institutions until its owners or their legal heirs claim it. The agency attempts to find the rightful owners of unclaimed properties through annual newspaper advertising, direct mail notices and the agency's Web site.
Go here to search for your name.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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