Day145 / Company Holiday Party

Donovon and I attended my company’s annual holiday party tonight and had such a great time.

We typically do a formal dinner at a fancy restaurant. This year, we went for something casual and fun – Franklin BBQ. The result was a fun party with a relaxing vibe and pretty dang good BBQ!

I know some companies forgo holiday parties or charge guests to attend, so I’m grateful for our company holiday party. It’s always nice to catch up with the spouses of my co-workers and enjoy each other’s company outside of work.

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Day 142 / Music

I admit, my taste is music is not refined, cultured, or sophisticated. But I do appreciate the hell out of music. I love the stories music tells, the memories music provokes, and the emotion music triggers.

The Carpenters and Neil Diamond remind me of my mother. Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck remind me of Daddy. My sister and I used to sing Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’ Endless Love while we did the dishes together. The Smiths reminds me of junior high. The Moody Blues’ Your Wildest Dream reminds me of falling in love with Donovon. Britney Spears reminds me of Alexa growing up just as Taylor Swift will remind me of Ava growing up.

Donovon and I have been watching the Foo Fighters Sonic Highway series on HBO, and it’s made me appreciate music that much more.

I love all kinds of music. It all stirs something in my soul. I’m grateful for all the music of my life.

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Day 140 / Jorge & Mel

There is only a handful of friends who have been there since the beginning of “Donovon & Anna” – Jorge is one of them. So we’ve been friends with Jorge for nearly 25 years.

Back in the early years, we would all go dancing on the weekends somewhere on 6th Street and Jorge would be the one who would be out on the dance floor with us until the God-awful fluorescent lights came on signaling it was time to finally go home. We would also hang out at City Park (now Emma Long) on many a Saturday afternoon, drinking, eating good barbecue, and of course laughing and laughing and laughing. That’s one of the many things I love about Jorge – he laughs as much and as loud as I do. 🙂

We’ve had so many adventures together. The stories are the makings for a good movie. Just ask him about the “720 story” – he loves to tell it. Hell, I do to. It’s one of the many good times we’ve had together where we end up laughing until we can’t breathe.

Many, many years later, Jorge met “The One” – Melanie. She came out of nowhere and lit up his life. Sometimes, I still can’t believe how he lucked out in meeting and later marrying Mel. Mel has a heart of gold and is such an incredible friend. I certainly lucked out too in having her in my life. And seeing Jorge and her together is such a joy, not to mention, their two beautiful girls, Madeline and Olivia.

We’ve all come a long, long way. And now, Jorge and Mel are heading into a new chapter as they move from Austin to Pittsburgh. I’m sad as hell, but also happy that they’re pursing a new adventure together. I know we’ll remain close and that we’ll build a new set of memories together. I’m so very grateful for their friendship, their love, and all the good times we’ve had together.

Here’s to a new chapter, Jorge & Mel! I love you both so much!

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Day 139 / Afternoon Off

I got a lot accomplished today that I realistically would not have, had I not had the afternoon off. While I would prefer an afternoon off to get a massage or mani-pedi, I am thankful that I took the afternoon off to have lunch with Alexa and run a bunch of errands.

Day 137 / Cousin Love – Part I

I say “Part I” because the girls have lots of cousins and I’m grateful for all of them, but will post about them in separate parts.

Tonight, cousins Gabriel and Roman came to visit and we had so much fun with them. Gabriel is 8 years old and takes the older brother role quite seriously. He’s the sweetest child,and if he weren’t related, Ava would marry him in a heartbeat. He truly has a heart of gold.

Gabriel’s younger brother, Roman, is exactly the opposite. He’s an assertive charmer full of personality. You just want to hug and squeeze him. At the same time he’s one adorably destructive little toddler. He’s absolutely precious…and he knows it. 🙂

We had such a fun time tonight and my girls adore them. Our house was filled with Cousin Love, and I’m so grateful for it.

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Day 136 / Ava’s Gymnastics Class

Ava’s gymnastics class is every Tuesday at 6:00 PM. By that time of day, the last thing I want to do is sit through a 4-year-old gymnastics class, but when I’m there I really enjoy it.

The last several classes, Alexa has come with us to watch. She and I get to talk and catch up while Ava’s in class. We also watch Ava and her progress together. It’s a really cool bonding experience for us.

And Ava is loving gymnastics. It keeps her so focused. She really works at each skill and technique. And she loves to demonstrate a new skill for the class. It’s absolutely precious.

So, on Tuesdays nights, I’m grateful for Ava’s gymnastics class and all the tiny joys it brings.

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