Season of change

It's hard to believe that it is mid-September. Soon, the trees will take center stage, displaying their brilliant color palate and produce crisp, crinkling sounds as the wind dances their leaves through the air. The season of change is upon us.
Perhaps the pending season has been an inspiration to me or perhaps it's just the natural progression of life. Either way, change has been in the air and it is a wondrous time.

Changes seem to have begun in June. They are sometimes unsettling in the beginning but I feel change is what happens when one grows, develops, learns and becomes more certain of how one wants to shape their life.
On July 31, I was layed off from my job. While I had a hunch it was coming, something like that is always a shock. I assure you though, the door did NOT hit me in the behind on my way out. Had I had my full wits about me, I would have skipped out of there singing a happy song. Three hours and a bottle of Pinot Noir later (straight from the bottle) I brushed up my resume and the search began.
Change. It's funny how things happen.
I have never been a fan of staffing agencies but in my mass applications I applied for a position with a legal firm which required a "good, business appropriate phone voice. After sending my resume I dialed the contact number with the thought that it would be a good idea for the contact to hear my voice. It was a staffing agency. Ugh! They called the next morning requesting an interview. Reluctantly I agreed. After a two hour interview I was told there was a position with a local engineering, construction firm they thought I would be a great fit for. Two girls were interviewing that day but they wanted to forward my resume anyhow. The next morning the call came asking if I could make a Friday interview.
It was the most wonderful interview I'd ever been on. The chemistry couldn't have been better. Monday morning, in the middle of my three hour wait at the unemployment office, I got the job offer.
So, 16 working days after my layoff, I began my new career with The Bristol Group. Change. I love love love my job. Who would have thought?

I've been decorating my loft. I love that when my friends come, they curl into my couch as if they were home. I love that they laugh and stay and chat and tell me that "It is cozy here." I love how it smells (thank you Pier One) and I love that I finally purchased a table where we can gather, eat, drink and tell stories for hours. I love my home. And still I say, "I have the best friends, the best friends, the best friends."

Forward to last Monday night. I was laying on my couch, watching football (of course) when it all completely came over me. This is the happiest I have ever been. Purely happy. THIS is MY life.

I called my mother that night, as I do every night and said to her,
"You know how you always tell me that your greatest wish in life is for your children to be happy?
Well, your wish has come true."

A day on the courts.

I wanted to write this last night. I wanted write this so bad I could barely stand it. My mind was spinning with words yet my eyes were spinning with Big Mike's margaritas and exhaustion. It was an eleven hour day for us but Oh My Goodness; was it worth it!

We're just days shy from the two year anniversary of losing our friend, Fenton, to the crash of Flight 5191. There isn't a day that goes by he isn't in each of our thoughts.
Two years ago David and I were on the phone with one another talking about our friend when he said, "You know, I was thinking. . . what if we had a volleyball tournament?" Instantly, I told him that was an amazing idea. . . not really thinking about what I would come to witness.

One year ago on August 15, 2007 the Fenton Dawson Memorial Volleyball Tournament took place. It had not even been a year since losing our friend. Our hearts still lay wide open from the loss. There were eleven teams that played that day. To be honest, it was a bit of a blur. We were all so nervous and running around, making sure everything went smooth as possible. Of course it went smooth, Dave is a meticulous organizer and planner. It was a good day. There was no doubt that we would do it again.

Yesterday, we did just that! It was the 2nd Annual Fenton Dawson Volleyball Tournament. WOW. . . I MEAN . . . W O W!!!
Seventeen teams showed up to help us celebrate our friend. SEVENTEEN TEAMS!!!
That's 102 people plus their family plus friends plus plus plus!!!
It was overwhelming and AMAZING!!!
I wish with all my heart, I could tell each and every person there how MUCH it means to us.

As I stood there watching the volleyballs being tossed into the air, I saw our plan coming together. I saw friends hugging, children playing, teams competing for the win, all the while carrying on with friendly banter across the net.
I heard laughter and I knew we had done what we set out to do.
Fenton wouldn't believe all that was for him. . .
We however, believe it is entirely about him.
I think he'd be proud.
I think he was there.
And I'm pretty sure I heard him laughing.
We love you man. .

Lately I have. . .

- spent a lot of time pestering my parents over the telephone and with impromptu visits. This morning Dad asked me why I was calling already for the 2nd time (it wasn't noon yet). This reminded me of a time I was asked why I called my mom most every night before bedtime. I simply replied, "Because I never know when the day will come that I can't." Every day with someone you love is a blessing.

- been going to the market on Saturdays with Christie and her boys. A good friend, coffee and fresh veggies is the perfect start to a day!

- been helping a friend through a tough time. I once said that good friends carry a roll of tape in their pocket. I don't think I'll need the whole roll. . . but I'll use it if I have to!

- begun having conversations with a young lady when she answers the phone rather than immediately asking for her mother. She's growing into a beautiful person.

- been planning an event to celebrate a friend taken too soon from our lives. I'm gonna need a bigger red cooler!

- kicked some bad habits.

- begun boycotting Starbucks. It's far past time to support the local business. $10.37 got me 4 different 1/4lb. bags of delicious goodness from the Lexington Coffee & Tea Co.

- begun swinging the ole tennis racket again! Oh how I've missed the sound of that fuzzy yellow ball popping off my strings!

- soaking up the sun (yes, Mel. . . with sunscreen!)

- growing fresh herbs in my window. (I have always wanted to do this.) It took three weeks for me to bring myself to actually pick and use them. They are just soooo pretty - but they TASTE waaaaaaaay better!

- been thinking how on earth I'm going to get back into shape. Not the "Oh I ran a mile today" in shape. . . I'm talking the "holy crap, I just kicked asss for 5 miles and now I'm going to play some tennis" kinda in shape. I miss miss miss my health. (And my size 6's) I have been letting it slide; blaming my lack of motivation on work, environment and time. No more.

- been laying in the floor instead of sitting in the chair while at my parent's house on Sunday mornings. My puppy loves it. He snuggles his little self into the pit of my belly and I can reach the top of his little head with my kisses.

- been happy. . .happy. . . happy.