If someone would have told me that the beginning of the summer of 2010 would be wacky, emotional, and all over the place I would have laughed at you. SERIOUSLY. One thing I learned is that you seriously need to tell the people you care about you love them when you can....you never know when it will be the last time you see them. Much luv G'ma....ANYWAYS...here is the start of an ever changing summer!
So when I think of my grandma....I think of my first experiences at Disneyland. She always told me that where the screams were the loudest I wanted to go, hence my thrill ride & Disneyland addiction.
I think about how finding out about our past is not important, but rather very special. For those who don't know, g'ma could find anything in a family lineage. She actually went through the Phillips name when she was done with the Mohr line. Crazy how much you can learn if u put in the time.
G'ma also LOVED animals. Despite only having cats in the recent years, she was a huge dog lover. Now truth be told, both of my parents are HUGE animal lovers, so I have been blessed my whole life with animals. But G'ma's love for the strays & her own was amazing. She wrote a few poems about her animals. "Stray Cat" Once, a vagabond rover came to my door. Now, the shabby traveler's a stranger no more! Another poem she created was "Cats & Dogs" I'm lucky to have a cat & a dog. IT's better than havin a cow or a hog. While a cow might win a hefty prize - Not, if, I looked into her eyes. For then I would have to keep her indoors. Just think of how 'twould add to the chores! And, though, a pig might bring home the bacon. If, I parted with it my heart would be achin'. I am lucky to have a cat & a dog and count my blessing at having that.
But my fave memory will always be the early mornings on Xmas day, when I would help my g'ma set up the "santa's gifts" for everyone. Those mornings included 3A wakeup's, xmas music on low over the house radio, tons of talking with my g'ma, and tons of coffee that my g'pa would prepare for us right after we were finished....memories that can't be replaced, but will live on in my heart. Thank you grandma...u were and still am an inspiration to me until the end. Loving your husband, family, and friends...I can only hope one day I am remembered for the same thing....
So when I think of my grandma....I think of my first experiences at Disneyland (she always told me that where the screams were the loudest I wanted to go...hence my thrill ride & Dland addiction)....I think about how our past is very special (for those who don't know...my g'ma could find anything in a family lineage)...I think about how to love everyone (even if they were not "blood" related...and those who know my past know what this one means)...and many others things...
My Master's Degree Graduation Day
My fave memory will always be the early mornings on Xmas day, when I would help my g'ma set up the "santa's gifts" for everyone. Those mornings included 3A wakeup's, xmas music on low over the house radio, tons of talking with my g'ma, and tons of coffee that my g'pa would prepare for us right after we were finished....memories that can't be replaced, but will live on in my heart.
G'parent's flying to Chicago to see me play
Thank you grandma...u were an inspiration to me until the end. Loving your husband, family, and friends...I can only hope one day I am remembered for the same thing....
I have really come to the conclusion that I NEED A VAKAY EVERY FEW MONTHS to stay sane in my world. And all I can say about this trip was that...I WAS SPOILED ROTTEN. From friends to SPI to vball to amazing men, truly an amazing time in one of my fave locations in the world. Check out the mini video....
So besides some of personal life being in an upheaval, things have been rolling forward. All volley of course ;)...from Beach Babes/Boyz to SCVA Tourney's to M2 Dallas...all work some play :). Here are a few shots of the past few months...and for those who want to see more follow me on my Twitter page. I usually update daily ;)
So who knew that the Sterling Clinics (via Chitown) would be such an adventure! Of course it all had to start in LB...with the CRAZY flight to O'hare...I guess I knew I had to have a horrible flight since most of the flights in the last year have been pretty decent! Haha...And can we talk about the numb-biting cold I was greeted with there? WOW. Can say BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR....and with brrrrr comes MASSIVE STATIC ELECTRICITY! Goodness, I truly HATE being shocked every other minute. SERIOUSLY. Sucks when you are trying to coach someone and move them and then SHOCK. Good times...
Anyways, this Cali girl had no idea about "falling ice" hazards in Chicago! It is a serious thing! Of course Misty had to have some fun with this one. And then to see the Chicago River with ICE chunks in it...SURREAL. Oh, thicker jeans are really made in the colder climates?? Geez, how do we Cali folk survive out there! :)
After our fab frozen day in dwntwn Chicago, we picked up Megan and headed West. How much do we love Oasis stops btw?! They had a Starbucks so we were set! haha...2 hours later we were in Rock Falls/Sterling, IL....home of Chicken George! For all those who have no idea WHAT that is...think funnel cake mix with chicken (deep fried) with a sweet "jan" sauce. Thanks to the Pierce's who took us to a place (for Kristy Pierce's surprise bday bash) that served it! It was also there that we started to realize that Misty was not the only celebrity we had in our mist....Governor Sarah Palin's TWIN!! Hahaha...Jen Bowman (another fab coach we had for Sterling) drove down with her mom Kristi Bowman. Kristi is SO a dead ringer for Palin. She even sounds like her! And the best part was people thought is was her! It was AWESOME!!
The clinics went VERY well the next day...TONS of kids. Can we say WOW! Yes, we will be back...and on top of the kids I got to see some of my FAVE midwest people EVER...the Podschweit's!! Emily, Aubrey, and Mary Kaye - THANK YOU so much for joining us AND bringing such FAB help! I so can't wait to see y'all in Reno!!
After the clinics we headed back to the Windy City and met up with some friends that I met way back in Turks in 07...Glenna and Mosi! So awesome to see y'all!! AND for the record, it might have been FREEZING there...but it was GORGEOUS!!
Next up....Dallas...HUGE REUNION in the works :)! So excited! Here's to the next adventure!
