A MILLion stories to share 2.0

Jumping pictures have to be one of my favorites. One, because they're hilarious to take/attempt. Two, because, when done right, they look cool. The four gals spent many a minutes attempting to all jump at the same time and as the timer was going off. Here's a few that almost worked:

You have to be ready. Unfortunately, if you miss your cue, you get a picture that looks like this.

Melinda was definitely the jumping pro of the day.

I promise I'm only a few inches taller than these girls.

It was much easier to time the jump when someone was behind the camera to press the button!

I must say that Elizabeth/Kitty/Liv/Patty (call her what you wish) rocked it. :)

Yea, I haven't laughed that hard in a long, long time...

a MILLion stories to share 1.7

So there really are a million stories I could share with these photos, but instead I've elected to have a contest. The winner will receive nothing of value other than the title of "Best Face Game Player" (uh, maybe we'll work on that title later). The contestants weren't aware of the contest and haven't given me permission to share the deeply personal information provided below.

Pick your favorite. It's that simple.

Contestant Number 1: Ty

Ty expresses some serious fear in this late night photo. He enjoys serving ice cream, listening to me talk sports, and gluten-filled bratwurst. You can find him in the Chococat section of the Sanrio store.

Contestant Number 2: Mike

Before this photo was taken Mike lost his neck. Luckily, I was there keep his head from falling off. He enjoys okra fishing, babysitting quintuplets while learning Spanish, and teaching me to be "thick-skinned." You can currently find him riding the Brett Favre bandwagon, but check back around week 6.

Contestant Number 3: Heather

Heather offers us a big smile and eyes-closed-tight shot. She enjoys pressing that stupid Taboo buzzer, being taller than me, and Duke basketball. You can find her back in fourth grade teaching herself (by choice) all the Greek gods/goddesses. 

a MILLion stories to share 1.6

This past weekend I took my little sister to Nashville Shores. It was definitely an experience. Amidst water slides, a large water bucket dumping on top of you, over-priced fried food, large ladies that couldn't keep their tops on, rain and clouds, and almost as many lifeguards as visitors, Jamenita decided to throw up in one of the pools. Too much excitement I guess. Since no one seemed to notice, we quickly evacuated the swimming area and headed to the restrooms/showers... YUCK

Despite the incident, we still had a lot of fun. I had a few shots left with the waterproof disposal camera that I took rafting. Take a look:

Isn't she cute?

Nice. I know.

Her eye is open. Creepy.

Another great photo of the two of us. 

a MILLion stories to share 1.5

A few weeks ago I went white water rafting with some pals from Bowling Green. For fun, I bought a waterproof disposable camera to take along. Keep in mind that disposable cameras offer no features other than they can get wet. These pictures aren't quite quality, but they do let you in on the highlights of the event.

Everyone looks ridiculous in these helmets that don't really feel like they'll protect you.

The one time Carly and I actually smiled for a picture. Emily didn't get the memo.

I'm quite proud of this picture actually. It's hard to look through the viewfinder when you're bumping along the water. Notice the other raft in the background and our guide. They add nice detail to the great shot of Emily.

Here's Emily again. Right after a big rapid sent her into the floor of the raft. After some body part hit my back. Before Adam and our guide were lured out of the raft by one of the more mischievous rapids. Before I "rode the bull" and also ended up in the floor of the raft.

This is something I had not done before on other rafting trips. You see, this here raft is upside down and bolted into a rather large rock. We all got to take turns using the raft as a slide/trampoline into the water. It was pretty fun and quite hilarious to watch people frantically swim over to the other rafts after sliding so they didn't get taken down current.

All in all, it was a great trip. I hadn't been rafting in like six years. 

Coming soon: more adventures with the disposable camera

a MILLion stories to share 1.4

I've never been fond of autographs. I've never understood how scribbling black ink onto something could ADD value to it. I've never believed that any name could be worth so much. 

Yesterday, that changed.

Julie Roberts, in the middle of her last song, headed into the stands where the women were seated. Women from various paths in life that had all found themselves inside the women's prison in Nashville for one reason or another. She had chosen songs of despair, hope, and encouragement. Songs that the women could relate to and understand. Songs they could sing along to. A few of them didn't hesitate to reach out a pen and paper for her to sign. That simple signature would be a lasting reminder of that day. That there were women who had walked that path, but had found their way home. 

Magdalene is a 2-year residential community for women with a history of drug abuse and prostitution in Nashville founded by Becca Stevens, an Abingdon Press author. Women from the program, along with Becca, her husband Marcus Hummon, and Julie visited the prison to offer encouraging, truthful words. Several of the Magdalene women read from Find Your Way Home: Words From the Street, Wisdom From the Heart while Julie and Marcus played a few tunes. 

Marcus closed the event with a song that he wrote, one that you've probably heard. Rascal Flatts made it famous and weddings across the country have worn it out. Bless the Broken Road took on a whole new meaning for me as I sat amongst the crowd and remembered that it was only grace that had kept me from walking a similar path.

It was truly something remarkable to be a part of. I can't imagine having spent 15+ years of my life working the streets and being addicted to drugs or the road to recovery from these things. It was humbling. Encouraging. Inspiring. Motivating.

Although I am the publicist for Abingdon Press, this is not a cheap attempt to promote an author or title. The women of Magdalene (and Thistle Farms) serve as proof that love heals. Check out their stories and their products. And, if you want, buy the book! ;)

Some days, I love my job...

a MILLion stories to share 1.3

You met Ty in an earlier post. We threw a housewarming party for him this past weekend and boy did we "warm da house" (thanks to Ty's awesome music).

First, we ate.

Then, Ty thought it funny to point out the beans. Nice.

We then spent several hours hanging out in the front yard.

Keitha and I. It was dark. Flash was bright.

Ty's pretty good at the face game.

So is Heather.

But she don't take no sass.

But she will ruin a perfectly good photo.

There are really no words for this. 

John looks like he's up to something and I'm terrified.

YIKES!

I sure do enjoy co-worker play time.

a MiLLion stories to share 1.2

Happy Birthday Jamenita!

Last week, Jamenita, who you met in an earlier post, turned 7. 

To celebrate, I took her to dinner at Dave & Buster's.

Mmmm mm. Yummy chicken fingers and fries.

Next, we moved to the arcade area and hit the ticket winning games! Wednesdays are half price game nights. Excellent.

Finally, we traded in our tickets for a prize. 

I have a secret: this is the second time we've gone to Dave & Buster's and both times I've only let her spend a portion of her tickets. The remainder are safely stored on my D&B Card. One day she'll get to get something REALLY BIG. She'll be so excited. 

Is that deceitful?

This is what she chose:

First she named the pup "Brat," but then decided upon "Ashley." Should I be concerned?

When I took her home all the neighbor kids were out playing in front of her house. Her brother, who is 8, asked me to stay and play kickball with them. I wasn't quite dressed for the occasion, but told him that next time I'd bring my tennis shoes and stay and play. Should be interesting...

A MILLion stories to share 1.1

Meet Jamenita

This is my little sister through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. She's six and quite the character. We always have fun together. She keeps me young. 

Earlier this week we hung out at Centennial Park. She had just been given a Dora the Explorer pail and shovel so she insisted on playing in the sand. A few other kids joined us as we made a sand birthday cake complete with stick candles. Next thing you know, we're singing "Happy Birthday" and she's blowing out her candles.

After everyone had their turn celebrating we moved on to the playground. After several rejected requests to chase her, she settled on going down the slide by herself.

She did convince me once to go down the slide with her. I'm pretty sure I have a few bruises, but unfortunately, no pictures. The next order of business was swinging. She's old enough and smart enough to swing on her own, but she likes being pushed so she can go up real high.

We ended our day on the smaller playground where I worked hard to protect the 2 year olds hanging out at the bottom of the slide she was racing down. Smaller children just don't move out of the way fast enough for her!

The last time we hung out at Centennial (it's my favorite place in Nashville, by the way) we fed the ducks and had a picnic. She's convinced the ducks understand English.

She had doritos with her sandwich. Isn't she precious?

No matter how tired I feel or how many other things I have going on in my life, the time spent with her is always worth it. I try and hang out every other week for a couple of hours. If you have 4-8 hours to give up a month I'd recommend getting your own little. She is truly a blessing in my life. You can start here: www.bbbs.com