Dallas, TX

Dallas, TX this week, I flew in directly from Fort Lauderdale where I unfortunately had to leave Gina's Wedding Shower early.  The client I was meeting with held a carrier Appreciation Dinner one night for all of the insurance carrier representatives that support them throughout the year.  They asked us to take a photo, so here I am with some of my competitors from all over the country.  I'm so glad that Unyoung (the female in front of me) recently accepted a job with another carrier.  It's nice not being the only girl.

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I had been given an award at my company's National Sales Meeting that was held in Nashville, TN; when I returned to Houston later in the week I received the actual trophy - a life size beautiful Louisville Slugger bat.  I decided to head to the ball park to show it off and check out it's quality.  Actually I was given so much grief by my male counterparts about my stance from my "girl" photo, that I decided to do a more official one.   Now, here's my rookie card.  

I love that the award is named after one of my mentors and hero's in the business Oscar Newton (I miss him so).  The phrase "2014 #1 SAM" references that in 2014 I was the Strategic Account Manger (SAM) that came closest to achieving their goals.  

Once back in Houston another item I needed to check off my list is taking a step forward in dealing with the shoulder pain that's been plaguing me for a couple of years.  I've got two torn tendons at the rotator cuff on the right side, and one smaller one on the left. 

One of the reasons I've put off taking care of this is fear, fear of having to do surgery.  Well I was pleased to hear the doctor tell me that a cortisone shot may do the trick so I was able to arrange that and now have my fingers crossed.  No more carry-on of luggage for me though - doc says all that lifting of heavy gear into and out of those overhead bins is trouble.

 

Did anyone happen to catch James Turrell - Light and Space - on PBS?  I've seen his work in several places but had never heard him speak before.  This video is so excellent. 

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365090541/

 

And to close out the week it is "Taxes and Superbowl Sunday".  I've been doing my taxes on Superbowl Sunday since 1985 (Go Bears!).  It all began that year when I needed some help and everyone I knew was at a Superbowl party.  So, I got myself invited to one (offered to bring the veggie plate) and as Paul Harvey would say, "well that's the rest of the story". 

 

Hope you have a great week.

 

Boca Raton, FL Bridal Shower

Before heading out of town this week I got to watch a bit of the Houston marathon and actually walked 4 miles of the route.  In 2012 the marathon planning committee re-routed the course so now it runs right up the street from my house.  By default the entire neighborhood - literally thousands (and thousands) of people and their pets (mostly dogs) - get into the support and encouragement of the runners with music, water, signs, organized cheers, animated people, bands, you name it.  This goes on for 1/2 a day.  It's a circus.  It's loud and proud and part of living in the Upper Kirby neighborhood these days.Makes you think, "hey if they can do it so can I".  Hmmmmm maybe a 1/2 marathon (for starters) is in my future.

And then, off to Boca Raton for Gina's bridal shower.  The countdown is on until the wedding and I'm so excited to get to spend some time with Gina and her family and friends in the home and town where she grew up.  I arrived in time to help decorate . . . including the "Bride to Be's" beer. 

 

And then the next morning everything was in place and ready to welcome the guests. 

 

A limo was arranged to take the entire group to lunch.

 Organized by the Maid of Honor, Micaela (in purple)

And what a blast the limo was

 And then the Mom's with Gina

It was so much fun and I'm grateful to have been a part of this.

 

Nashville, TN

Off to Nashville early Sunday for the week for my company's annual national sales training meeting.   I was hoping to see a bit of the city but the weather and work kept us indoors from morning until night.  On arrival day I did get a chance to see the Country Music Hall of Fame as it was literally attached to the hotel we were staying at. 

And then one evening I got to walk through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and see many of the Gold Records they have acquired,

And Grammy's.

And costumes.

 

 

There were also live performers which was nice,

and among other things I got to see a solid gold piano once owned by Elvis Presley.

 

All in all an interesting evening and I also learned the history of the Grand Ole Opry which included them getting their start as a result of a company that my company had at one time acquired.  Who knew we had roots there.

 

Most notable personally during the meeting, awards were given out during our last day and I was awarded the Strategic Account Manager of the Year for the Life Insurance Brokerage Distribution Channel. This award is given annually to the Account Manager who comes closest to meeting or exceeding their annual sales goal.  The prize this year is a Louisville Slugger bat encased.  So as not to have to schlep the prize home I'll receive the actual item next time I'm back at my office in Houston.  It is pretty cool, and now my theme song for 2015 (although not from the country music genre) . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTXb-ga1fo

Houston, TX and Gem's 12th birthday

Gem's birthday falls on January 5th which is a time of year when we need a pick me up after all the company for the holidays leaves and decorations get put away.  So, I had a spa day for her a couple of days prior to her actual birthday so she'd be ready for any party, photo shoot or pickup game of chase.

The kitchen gets turned into the spa center, bathing her in the sink, blow drying on the kitchen floor and then the actual clipping on the counter (it's just the right height), and then the "fine-tuning" of trimming between paw pads, getting rid of matts and stray hair and shaping, gets done in my lap. 

She's turning 12 this year and I can't believe how quick the time has gone by.   

 My Girl

Then this week too finally brought out the sun for a bit after a couple weeks of gray clouds and rain.  It reminded me of a line from a song, "I ain't seen the sun shine in 3 (more like 16) damn days."   Check it out:   http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/kidrock/picture.html.  But mainly this week was one of getting back to work and long days where it's dark when you leave and come home so I've only known if the sun was out if I saw it from an office window.

And it's the traditional time of year for resolutions, reflections and re-dos.  I do have a few goals I hope to accomplish this year some bigger, some smaller, some harder or needing more discipline, but all in all potentially good transitions.  I'll toast to that.  Cheers!

Houston, TX Christmas and New Year's Eve

Tyler, Gabby, Sara, Ted, Vivian and Grant descended on Houston for the holidays and what a fantastic way it was to wrap up this season.  First open presents:

 

Then the Chargers game:

And then New Years Eve with a stop by the Houston Museum of Fine Arts first where they were featuring among other things French Impressionist Monet.

And then, New Years dinner was from my neighbor and one of my favorite local restaurants, Carrabba's, followed by a little celebrating.

And then "To all a good night".