We Get the Bling!

Hi Readers!

I'm back after a 3-month hiatus.  During that time, I was out and about living, traveling, sunning, having fun, and enjoying all that is my favorite time of year.

To pick up where I left off and to feed my need to keep things in chronological order because I'm weird that way...On Friday June 7th, we got the BLING.

On Friday June 7th employees and players were invited to an amazing party at 1 Winning Drive to have one last celebration and receive our forever memento...our reason for working here....the one thing that many of us have been waiting season after season for. The ring.

It was a raining day and in classic Ravens style, the team set up valet parking at the front door so that we didn't get wet walking to into the building. (#worldchampproblems) A group of us city peeps got together and went in on transportation. We had a shuttle from the city to our facility. The excitement on that shuttle could not be contained.  We had a mix CD of music made by our fabulous broadcasting dudes to reflect the mood and tone of the evening, which was awesome, in case you had any doubt.

Group transportation to the par-tay

Tried on some bling from the first win.  It didn't suck.

Upon arrival we were greeted by helpers with umbrellas to walk into our Field-house.  The Field-house is a cool place because it houses our indoor practice field and it's a huge part of the training facility. However, typically, it's not what you would consider a party place. Enter, our super fantastic Special Event Manager, who can turn an ordinary athletic field room into a party palace that once inside, you had no idea you were in a Field-house. The glitz and glamour were breathtaking.  The ambiance was upscale, classic with glimpses of purple, lots of bling mixed with total and complete class. Little did we know at the time, that the room was designed to resemble the ring, complete with a sparkly Birdie head rotating in the center bar.  Simply put, it was gorgeous.

A Birdie-head with sparkles, could this be heaven?

Little did we know....

When we entered the room, we were in aw of the beauty and elegance.  On the floor was a huge replica of the Lombardi with the words Super Bowl XLVII Ring Ceremony 06.07.13. We were immediately greeted by a one of our photographers. He snapped pics of us entering with our plus ones. He captured our excitement for the night and later when we saw the pics, we got excited all over again.

We are the 3 best friends there ever was

Coughlan, Edmond Coughlan...and some chicks.

So you can invite us to a fancy party, you can dress us up, you can sass the place up a bit but you can't take the photo bombing antics out of us.

The first part of the evening was a cocktail hour.  We chatted and reminisced about the last 4 months. We got reacquainted with spouses, mothers, fathers and the groups we bonded with during our journey.  After about an hour of cocktail chatter, we were asked to go to our assigned tables (Table 49 for us) and our assigned seats.  The tables, like everything else, were beautifully dressed with enough sparkle to make even the most sparkle loving girl feel there were enough sparkles.  A hard task, I might add.

A time to catch up with some all-time faves.  

Always fun when this girl is involved.

When seated we watched a recap/highlight video of the season that elicited cheers, claps, gasps, sighs of relief, tears of joy, laughter and smiles on each person's face.  After the video, Steve Bisciotti took the stage.  He rarely addresses the entire organization as a whole but certainly, this was an occasion to address every champion in that room.  He talked about how happy he was for each person. He thanked everyone for all of their efforts. He talked about how hard it was to come back and try again after that loss to NE the year before.  He talked about coming back and rising up in the face of challenges.  Set-backs happen. It's how you adjust to the set-backs and come back fighting that gets you where you are destined to be.  He then said that everything we wanted was just within our arm's reach...literally. He instructed us to reach out and pick up the sparkled box that sat right in front of us...our rings were inside.  

How's that for a sparkle box with some major BLING inside?
On a another note, our 2 former 49er employees, sat at table 49 with me.  How sweet it is!

As each person opened their boxes, you could hear and feel the emotions. Pride, joy, love, friendship, winning. Some cried. Some laughed. Everyone smiled and the room erupted in what I can only describe as pure and simply happiness!  It was a beautiful experience.  We immediately put on the bling and began snapping pictures...as evidence, see below.  You should be able to feel the joy coming through. Our expressions will tell you more than my words ever could.

No. Words. Necessary.

All-time bestie and my fantabulous plus one!!

For the rest of the evening, we dined on amazing food, had unlimited open- bar cocktails, danced (and watched Jacoby dance), laughed, took pictures and soaked in every single minute of an experience each of us knows, we may never experience again.  The goal remains the same, to win.  But on that night, a group of people who will be forever linked as Super Bowl XLVII Champions, embraced that feeling of winning, cherished every second of joy that went faster than we all wanted it to go and bonded in a way that will never be recreated.  

Yep...that happened. 

So did that...

The ride was everything we thought it would be. And it was so much more. It is something I will always, always remember and I will forever be more grateful than I'll ever be able to explain, to have experienced. The bling is as fantastic as we thought and it will continue, for years to come, to bring joy to those of us who wear purple.  

Thank you Steve. Thank you Ravens. Thank you friends!

XO~

Cheers!

13

It's 2013, so why not have 13 things on my 2013 "To Do" list?  I don't really believe in resolutions but rather goals and/or things to do in the New Year.  Since 13 is a great number and a year that has lots of promise, I can see no reason why not to have 13 things to do. So let's go...we are already 10 days in.

To Do in 2013

1.  Keep my car clean!!  As in on the inside and the outside. Keep Six spit-shined, more polished and way less cluttered and grimy.   Lofty goal, I realize. But I'm dreaming big here.

2.  

By May 17, 2013 - Yes, another lofty one, I realize.

 

3.  Get out and meet new and different people! Participate in networking events, training events or charitable events.  I'm going to ask questions and learn from those who are successful, happy and focused.

4.  Travel, travel and more travel!  I love it...it makes me happy and it's so good to do.  One trip is booked, California...here I come.  Vegas is almost booked and our annual trip to the Caribbean is being booked in the next 2 weeks.  Oh and let's not forget about our great away games next year. Chicago, I'll be there. Chicago friends, please expect me.  Miami, duh, it's always a great time.

5. Run a 1/2 marathon.  Booked. Training starts February 27, 2013.

6.  Practice (at least) 13 Random Acts of Kindness.  It's marked on my calendar each month.  They don't have to be huge or splashy...they just must be random and consistent...how do you like that, constantly random?  I'll document them for the year and let know what they were and how they went...you should do the same.  There can never be enough kindness.

7.  Join a philanthropic group.  I've been researching a few groups that interest me.  I'm not sure which one I will choose, but I will keep you posted. I'll take your suggestions too. If there is a cause you feel passionate about, let me know.  I feel my best when I am doing something for others.  So this one, while it may seem kind, is pretty self-serving.  I really like helping.

8.  Secure my housing situation for 2 years.  Most of you know I own a house in beautiful Owings Mills.  I'm living downtown, where I must stay living.  So in 2013, I'd like to secure my living situation for another 2 years. Moving is not an option.

9.  The reality is the time has come for me to make a decision about starting a family.  Obvi, that decision would be easier, given a certain someone to do it with.  But, that aside, single mamas do it all the time.  If you want something bad enough, you will have it.  No matter what.  I need to make that decision this year.

10.  I got some advice back in November that I should not wait so long to make decisions.  See also: Number 9.  He told me to listen to my heart and follow it even if it's hard.  I'm going to listen to that advice, because I know he was right.  I can look back at several situations and see where I knew the answer, but I waited to make a decision out of comfort or hope or desire, rather than it being the right decision for me.  In 2013, I'm going to improve my timely decision making and listen to my heart.

11.  Read more and continue to write.  I've slacked off on my reading as of late. I'm going to read at least 13 books this year. And, I will continue to try and be consistent with writing.  This blog is really for me (another selfish thing I do) and I don't want to write for the sake of writing. But I do want to use it to keep myself accountable, express my thoughts, be vulnerable, learn, grow and laugh.  By consistently writing, I'll stay on track.

12.  Be healthier.  Last year, I made a goal to recommit to fitness. I was so-so in reaching that goal.  This year, I have the same goal and will strive to do better.  See also Number 2...I'm not getting those buns and those abs eating crap food.  So, mostly, I will eat cleaner and drink more water.  I'm thinking of doing a juice cleanse.  Oi vey!  But, if I do, no worries, I'll report all the juicy details. 

13.  Be an overall better friend and better person.  Don't get me wrong, I'm OK. But I could be better. I tend to be selfish (see above) and I get busy with my own needs and desires.  I see others who are way busier than me doing so much more. They take meals to friends, they volunteer, they raise children, they coach soccer teams, they lead Brownie troops, they compete in athletic events or play social sports, they do charitable things, and they make life beautiful.  I'm going to go into more situations with the mindset of how can I help others or contribute to this....rather than the mindset of what's in it for me.

In 2013, I'm going to practice what I preach and love out loud, be brave, take chances, have fun and follow my heart and dreams.  I'm not giving up on anything I want and I hope to do somethings that will inspire others to keep going, have faith, keep hope alive, do just a little more and give back.  I will look to others with kindness and heart and I will be open minded, trusting and motivated.  I've committed to these things both to myself and now to you...whoever reads this entry. There is no turning back. My cards are on the table.

2013 is going to be a great year.  I feel it and I know it.  I'm going to start living it...time now.

I think this captures my 13 things and more...so perhaps I should have just posted this.
Thank you to the amazing person who sent this to me.  You know I love you! :-)

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~