Holy Moly...this is REAL LIFE!!

We are going!

Last week, I wrote about our trip to the AFC Championship game versus those dreaded Patriots.  This week, I'm actually writing about the end of Groundhog's Day and road to New Orleans.  How sweet it is?!?!?!  This is real life!



Sunday January 20, 2013 about 10:00 pm
HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY

After winning on Sunday (and kicking some serious ass, I'll add) it took a few days for the reality to actually sink in.  I woke up on Monday morning, still smiling, but having to pinch myself a bit.  I had to repeat the words in my head, "We are going to the Super Bowl". For my 9 seasons, this has been the goal.  And, it's actually happening. We are going.

For the next few posts, I'll try to keep those who are interested updated with stuff that is going on around here and throughout our journey to NOLA.

First and foremost, I will say that I am truly blessed and humbled to be part of this journey. As I mentioned, this trip has always been the goal. Our mission is to win.  And, we want to win a Championship and bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Baltimore.  But to actually be a part of it, is beyond words. It's a fantastic experience and one I am not taking for granted.

Second and, this is really not second, but for the sake of writing it comes second, the Baltimore Ravens are everything most people think they are.  Winners who are generous beyond anything anyone could or would expect.  The benefits afforded to the staff associated with this team are numerous, abundent and frankly, fan-freaking-tastic. It's truly mind-blowing when I sit back and think about all they are doing for us. Thank you to anyone and everyone who has a hand in making this happen.  It's beyond phenomenal.

For us as employees, it's been the busiest time EVER and the best time ever.  We already knew we have a great team of people (players, coaches, and staff) but now, more than ever, they are proving it.  Most people already work long hours and spend a lot of time away from their families.  It's worse now...working 12 - 15 hour days (at least) to meet the demands of the media, gameplan for the actual game, and/or plan for a great experience for emplyees, families and friends in New Orleans. Employees are bending over backwards to ensure our players and coaches have nothing to worrry about in NOLA.  They are fierce, determined, organized and badass.

The actual trip begins for most  employoees on Monday when the team leaves. The team will focus on normal team things  (see also: winning the game) while others will be finishing the preparations, putting the last touches on events and executing details for the arrival of friends and families. 

3 or 4 chartered planes filled to capacity with family and friends covered in purple and filled with passion, will depart from Baltimore on Thursday to begin the festive weekend of celebrating and winning. Everyone going will be beyond excited, connected to the team in their own special way and they will be ready to have some of the best times of their lives. 

It already has been one of the best times of my life. A friend texted me tonight and asked how things were going. Obvi, I told him they are going fantastic...just being on this ride is fantastic.  That's not to say there haven't been issues or problems.  But it is to say that there is no other thing we'd rather be doing this time of the year. We all want this BAD. 

My "Friend Fo Life" also said to enjoy every minute. And, that is exactly what I am doing. That is what we are all doing...employees, players, coaches, families, friends and fans.  Yesterday we had a King Cake in the Cafe. Ed Reed was smiling and standing next to the cake when I walked over to check it out. He told me to have a piece and to be sure to look for the baby. (See: King Cake)  He was exuding joy. I could feel the happiness radiating out of him.  As if I couldn't already tell, I asked him if he was excited...he smiled even bigger and said, "Yes, I'm so excited. I'm so excited for all of us!"  My dear readers, we are united together experiencing joy in this great and amazing journey and loving every minute of it. I still can't stop smiling.



King Cake - Delicious and totaly worth the calories.

2013 so far, so great!

Signing off now...gotta get to sleep (I wrote this last night btw) and find a few minutes to shop for a new party dress.

xo~

Holiday Happiness

Just because.  :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKj92352UAE 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dGOfFbzvq4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jyCfRHumHU

Anyone who knows me knows that I really don't need a reason to celebrate.  Life alone is a reason to celebrate.

Me: "Hey, it's Monday and we've lost 3 games in row, we should get together and celebrate...something, with dirty martinis."

And I hate missing out, on anything fun. I seriously suffer from FOMO.

I've always been social (ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you that I like to talk and party) and I've always enjoyed being surrounded by people I love. I'm typically the last to leave most places (unless of course I have to leave to rush off to the next fun place). I love to have plans and I love to celebrate stuff...little stuff, big stuff, birthdays, 1/2 birthdays, holidays, seasons, summer, snow, hurricanes, whatever!  I love having family dinner on Sundays, mainly because, it brings us together in celebration of life.  I subscribe to the philosophy that you can sleep when you're dead. I mean really, other than haunting people, what else is there to do when you are dead??? 

So, you can imagine how the holidays are for me....insanely fun!  I'm quite certain, it's not just me who experiences this holiday mayhem. See also: going to the mall between December 15th and 24th. Life this time of year can be crazy and filled with all kinds of opportunities to celebrate and be happy. 

For the past 3 weeks, I've basically been enjoying everything the holidays have to offer. I'm doing everything in my power not to miss any celebrations, even if it means I'm double (ok triple) booked.  I've traveled north and west (Side question, anyone up for going south next?), spent time with most all of my amazing friends and family, decorated our house, wore an ugly but fabulous sweater all around town, I still have plans to go to 34th Street, I've had a fair amount of (lite) eggnog, put a holiday collar on my pup, participated in 2 wintry/festive races, shopped for presents, I'm planning on wrapping presents, baked a bunch of cookies, had our book club holiday party, 2 words: Festive Flavors, and I'm doing some charitable stuff. In other words, I'm getting it ALL in!

Santa Speedo Annapolis, MD
New family tradition

The holidays can be hectic and frantic for many reasons, but I choose to embrace everything about them. The reason for the season, the hecticness, the sparkles, the love, the people, the presents, the food, the shopping and lack of parking at the mall, the giving, the joy (and sometimes sadness), the movies, the music and the celebrations.  I'm embracing all of it.

In light of the tragic and absolutely horrible events that occurred last Friday, embracing the joy that comes this time of year is the very least I can do.  While I cannot control anything that actually happened that day, I can live on, love, give back, embrace the happiness, and celebrate life.  Those terrible events serve as a sad reminder, that while we are hectic, busy and sometimes out of time and patience, these little and many celebrations show us that life is good and we are blessed beyond words. 

So in celebrating this season, be happy and be with those who make you happy, take a moment to reflect, celebrate, give back, drink wine and eat the bad-for-you-but-oh-so-delicious food, show those you love that you love them, don't waste time, and be grateful for absolutely every little and big blessing in your life. Live for those that cannot and celebrate everyday.

You can sleep later. Now is the time to live your life!

My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone suffering a loss in Newtown or anywhere else. You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Absolute truth in the face of anything requires you to be stronger than you ever thought you could be.  May you continue to harness your inner strength and begin to heal. 

Happy Holidays!

xo~

Beautiful Perspective

Perspective...coast to coast in 2012 = Blessed
Pacific Beach, California
November 24, 2012

Perspective.  Everyone has it. It can be similar and it can be different.   Depending on where you are, who you are with, what you are doing, and/or when you are doing it, your perspective can change.  It can get stuck one way but then quickly change in a hot second.

I don't want to sound cheesy or bragging, but I am beyond blessed in my life.  I know I've said these things before but I'll say them again, to keep it in perspective. My family ROCKS. I have friends who are family and they make this world a better place everyday. Simply put, they are amazing.  I have a job that I am beyond appreciative for.  I have good health.  I have the freedom to come and go as I please.  I have the world's most fantastic Chuck-it loving dog.  I am surrounded by and have experienced true and beautiful love.  I have so many blessings and I'm so very grateful for them.

Even with all of those blessings, from time to time, I get a little out of joint about life stuff. (See blogs from a couple of weeks ago.) Overall though, I pride myself on doing a good job keeping life in perspective. I try not to get too caught up in things that I can't change or looking at the glass has half-empty. I'm a pretty positive person. But I am human, and stuff gets to me. It gets to all of us.

And, just when stuff starts getting to me, BAM here it comes! It seems that (at just the perfect, has to be heaven sent, moment) something comes along and knocks my perspective right back into place. That's right, something or someone comes along with it worse...much worse  The much worse seems to be endless...a friend of a friend lost their house in a fire over Thanksgiving. They've lost absolutely everything.  A few beautiful friends are survivors of our enemy cancer.  A couple of friends are struggling to have families. Others are going through life challenges...way worse than anything I've gone through.

So when those things come along and give me back my general perspective of, "Hey, my life is not bad at all", it's the wake up call I need.  What's more though, the cold water to the face wake up moment, is that the people who are going through the much worse feel empowered, blessed, and stronger because of their battles. They are warriors, bad asses, fighters, lovers and they appreciate everything...even the much worse. Nothing keeps them down. They get up each and every day and they go on feeling blessed. They fight, see the beauty in their blessings and they smile.

That my friends is Beautiful Perspective.  Talk about life's lessons. Deep life lessons that all of us can use to get better, pay it forward, be kind and make a difference.

Today, the last day of November, is a day for Beautiful Perspective.  Keep it close to you. And use it everyday.

xo~