mamasoup

One Degree

Forget six degrees of separation, you are now one degree closer to Kevin Bacon.  I met him this weekend at The Sunshine Kids 25th anniversary Gala event in Houston.  My godfather, G.W. Bailey, who is on the show The Closer on TNT, works with this Foundation that provides week-long getaways for children with cancer.  My dad is on the board, and invited us to join him as the Foundation celebrated 25 years this weekend.  The entire cast of The Closer was there to help celebrate.  That included Kyra Sedgwick, the star of the show, and she, of course, is married to Kevin Bacon.  So, I got to meet all of them this weekend and it was very fun.  I got to spend a wonderful weekend with my hubby and my brother and his wife and my Dad and his wife as well.  It was a great, relaxing getaway that happened to also be a star studded event. 

The morning after I met Kevin Bacon, I decided to go to the hotel gym to workout. Paul had joked that I would be "working out with the stars" and I told him that none of them would be there. Well I was wrong.  About 10 minutes after I got there, Kevin walked in and we were the only two people there.  Now, I know you will think I am crazy but all I said was, "Hi" and that was it. I  was really trying to respect his right to a workout without a "fan" bugging him.  He seemed to recognize me from the night before and that was enough for me.  Now I will admit that while I was working out I did consider falling off the treadmill or dropping a weight on my toe, but I resisted the urge and simply worked out with Kevin Bacon in peace and quiet. 

On Saturday night, at the actual Gala Event I got to dress up and "have a grown up evening" with my family and new friends from The Closer.  Jon Tenney was at our table and he was a pleasure to meet. He is the former husband of Teri Hatcher and plays Kyra Sedgwick's boyfriend on The Closer.  We got to watch the live auction where the foundation raised over $150,000.  It was a weekend to remember. 

Sportsmaniac

    Most of you who read my blog already know what a sports fan I am, but I just had to share my two proud sports moments of the last week.  I was put on the spot last Wed. when two guys asked ME who Utah would play in the first round of the NBA playoffs if they started that day.  I thought about it for a minute and then answered, "Houston"  Now of course the reason I knew the answer to this question is because I check NBA.com at least twice a day to see updated scores and stories about what is going on in the league.  I love seeing all the stats and scores as they change from game to game.  This is all fueled by the fact that the San Antonio Spurs are the most exciting team in the NBA right now. They have the best record since the All-Star Break and have won 10 of their last 11.  (I am a fanatic!)
    So, on to my next story.  The other night at Spectrum they were having a baseball themed give away. They had a short baseball quiz that you could fill out to win a prize.  There were only 5 questions, but a few of them were challenging.  The one that I was most proud of getting right was "who won the World Series last year?"  I know that most people would remember that it was the St. Louis Cardinals, but I don't follow baseball  as closely as basketball and football, so I was proud.  But what made it even sweeter was when the two guy employees, after seeing that I answered all the questions correctly, decided to give me a follow up question.  They asked me who the Cardinals beat in the World Series.  I thought about it for a moment and somehow came up with the answer of Detroit Tigers.  I don't know where I had that answer stored, but I somehow remembered.  I can't even tell you who plays for the Tigers, but I know they were in the World Series. 
    So I just needed to share my sporting moments with you.  I will continue to check ESPN.com daily and keep up with all that is good in the sports world.  I would love to hear about your favorite team or sports moment.

Another year older

    Today I turned 37 years old.  It was an unusually wonderful day considering the circumstances.  I started the day with some sweet gifts from my husband that I had to open at 5:45 AM because he had a meeting at 6 am.  I then was woken up by Abi, my 9 year old, with two birthday cards that she had made. 
    After getting everyone to school, Emma went to Grammy and Dan-Dan's house and I went to Bible Study where I enjoyed Kelly's wonderful cheesecake!  Thanks.  I also received cards, flowers and gifts from my friends.  I had to leave early because I had a ROOT CANAL scheduled for 10:30am.  Nothing like a root canal on your birthday. However, it actually turned out to be a gift in disguise.  I have been in so much pain for the last two weeks that it was a relief to have the work done. I also can now highly recommend Dr. Bruchmiller. He did such a good job on my root canal. It felt like he was just flossing my teeth.  I have been able to eat today and I am experiencing very little pain.  Thank you Dr. Bruchmiller!
    Tonight I was treated to a special gift of the District -Wide Strings Concert at the Municipal Auditorium.  Jordan and many other students were on hand to serenade myself and a thousand other people.  It was more enjoyable than I thought that it would be. It is such an amazing program.
    Thank you to everyone who called me and emailed me today and sent cards. It really made me feel special. As you get older and older and further away from the "Big Birthday Bashes," it is the little sentiments that really count.  I felt very loved and appreciated today.  And I don't think I mind getting another year older.

What a game ! ! !

I don't know if you like football, but last night's Rose Bowl game could have made a football fan out of anybody.  I have never seen such an exciting game.  The game of USC vs. UT completely lived up to its billing and hype.  It showcased the talent of several players but of Vince Young in particular.  I have never seen a quarterback with such versatility.  He can pass, he can run, and he makes plays happen.  And he does it with such ease.  When he had the ball with 20+ seconds left and it was his last chance to win the game, he didn't panic.  He just saw the opportunity to run the ball in and he did it with such a laid back pace.  You would never have known that he had just won the National Championship for his team.  I could go on forever,  but I just had to share just a few quick thoughts and insights about the game.  It was a great bowl season, and I look forward to all the great match-ups that next year will bring.  Have a Happy Hook-em Horns Day!

The Opera, The Symphony and soup kitchens

I saw a report on PrimeTime Live last night that was discussing the disproportionate amount of non profit money that goes to The Poor.  They interviewed several people who work with charity events in the New York area and they talked about how much money is being raised for the New York Symphony, and Opera, but how little goes to the poor that are living right outside the door of the places where these fund-raising events are help.  One woman, who has pledged her time to working with the poor in New York,  said that someone will give $25,000 to the Lincoln Center and give the soup kitchen $1,000.  The report went on to quote that only 8% of nonprofit monies is going to the poor. 

This same topic was brought up on the TV show Boston Legal this week. The main character Denny Crane, played so well by William Shatner, walked by a homeless person after getting off the subway without even acknowledging his presence and the homeless person threw a rock at Denny Crane's head.  Denny, in turn, pulled a paint ball gun on the homeless person and shot him in the head.  Denny said this was to give the homeless person a wake-up call.  The homeless person sued and ended up getting some money, but not before the issue was thoroughly discussed by the characters on the show.  William Shatner's character is politically incorrect at every move and he continued that on this episode as he said that the poor need to get off their "lazy asses" and do something for themselves.  David E. Kelly, the creator of the show, often uses Boston Legal to discuss Issues.   They will quote statistics and really push an agenda.  I was glad that they chose to bring up the Issue of the poor. 

So, my point after all of that is I don't feel like the people in America take care of each other very well.  We will come to the aid of people when there is a natural disaster, but is the situation with the poor not a disaster?  I keep feeling that if we could somehow even out the wealth in America we would all be a whole lot better off.  Those who have so much need to give to the people and not the programs.  Or at least give to the programs who are striving to help the people who seem to not be able to help themselves.

So much for "thanksgiving"

I just saw the most disturbing story on the TV.  There were people at a WalMart in Michigan who stumbled and trampled over each other trying to get in first.  Some people were injured and one lady lost her wig (that was kind of funny actually).  Then there were pictures of the people at the check out.  They were pushing and shoving and yelling.  It just made me ill. I don't understand how people can follow the day of Thanksgiving with such a display of selfishness and greed.  The mentality of get, get, get just seems so wrong in  light of all that is going on in this world and how privileged we already are.

As we approach Christmas I am trying to prepare my children for what will be their smallest Christmas yet.  I hope that they learn the lesson that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that we can enjoy what we are able to give each other.  I hope that all of you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are able to count your many blessings.

Been Gone so Long

I am sorry I have been gone so long, but I am the mother of four children and blogging doesn't always make the list each day.  I have missed being able to share what has been going on in my life.  I sent Emma to sleep camp which is when we teach her how to sleep all night and it worked. She started sleeping from 8pm-7am pretty consistently until last week. So now I think she needs a refresher course. 

The weather is about to send me over the edge. We have hit record highs for the last 2 days with temps in the 102 range.  I am looking forward to the "cool front" that will bring temps back down to the low 90s.  I can't wait for that first real day of Fall. 

I left the church that I have been attending for 12 years to start worshipping with a new community of believers who have a heart for truly being the hands and feet of Jesus to others.  It is scary, bitterweet and exciting all at the same time.  I am looking forward to growing with these people in the months and years to come. 

I also started a Beth Moore bible study with some of my closest friends. I love the way she gets me so excited about God and the Bible.

If you are reading my blog let me know and that will encourage me to blog even more. 

Cruel, Cruel Summer

If you have never lived in Texas in August you can't truly appreciate how really hot it gets.  It is almost unbearable.  The temperature only reads 99 degrees, but the heat index is actually 104-109.  Then this goes on for about 2-3 weeks(with no rain) and your lawn is dead and you really regret ever being born in this state.  Then of course Sept. comes and you think it is going to cool down a little bit, because it is everywhere else.  BUT NO, it is still hot!  You can still wear shorts and flip-flops.  The reprieve usually comes in late Oct. or early November.  Halloween costumes must be short sleeved and have absolutely no fur or lining anywhere. 

So that is enough about South Texas weather.  I have to refer you to my husband's blog for a clever game he came up with:  www.soupablog.com  it is the post about the homophone game.  Enjoy!

My daughter Emma just woke up and she is just staring at the ceiling fan. She has been staring at it for about 10 minutes without moving or talking at all. It is so amazing to watch her experience the world. Paul and I are both enjoying her so much.  I am really glad that Paul is feeling a special connection with her.  With Kate, our next youngest, he didn't get to enjoy her as much as a baby because I was nursing her all the time and the other two were still so young (4 and 3) and he really had to take care of them.  But with Emma, the others are all so much older and can take care of themselves so well that even though I am still nursing Emma, when I am not, he has he all to himself if he wants. He talks to her, sings to her, plays guitar for her (she prefers high notes over low ones he says)  It is such a blessing for them to be able to create this bond so early.

Well, Emma is talking now and is asking for her breakfast.  More later!  I hope you have a cool and refreshing day where ever you may be. And if the weather won't cut you a break, I hope you will allow the Spirit to refresh you instead.