As of Late

I haven't really sat down to write lately...

But I find that Joel and I have been sharing our story more and more these days with new friends and sharing the testimony of God's protection and faithfulness.

So, in that spirit I will re-direct you to these posts:

-Memories of the Big Day

-Where's the Scar

-The Jist

-Me and The Wizard

-2010 Heart Walk

-Hole in the Heart (PFO)

-Raising Awareness

And one for fun:

-Ways I Confuse My Huz

Enjoy!

National Wear Red Day - February 4th.

Go Red for Women is a mission created by the American Heart and Stroke Association. 
It's goal is to raise awareness that heart disease isn't just for older men. Go Red for Women is dedicated to "celebrating the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke."

With this, they created National Wear Read Day, which raises awareness nationwide by wearing red. 

This year, Wear Red Day is on February 4th.

Awareness starts with us.
Support the fight by wearing red on February 4th.
Help raise awareness, look for free check-ups in your area, go see a cardiologist, start eating better, work-out, stop taking birth control (yes, stop birth control), take care of yourself to be a better, healthier you.

This movement is close to my heart, literally.
After having a stroke on May 25, 2008...the doctor's found I had a hole in my heart and I ended up having open heart surgery on June 15, 2009.
Many of us think that heart disease, stroke, and any related heart issues are a man's thing or for someone older than 50.
This is NOT true.
Wear red on Feburary 4th and do yourself a favor and go see a cardiologist...even if you think you're safe from heart disease, get checked.

Meet Market!

*postcard graphic design: Armistead Booker

Meet Market is back folks!
Come see us February 4th and 5th.
We have a great cast and you won't wanna miss it, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Meet Market is an improvised dating game that I created years ago and we still perform every so often, especially around Valentine's Day. The show is set up basically like the old 'Dating Game' TV show and the audience gives us all of the suggestions for characters, questions, dating locations, everything.

For more info and tickets go to our website, hope to see you there!

*February 4th we will be taking donations for National Wear Red Day / Go Red for Women.

Our first Christmas

(our wee little tree and stockings we made the first Christmas we were married)

Joel and I have been married for 3 1/2 years, and just this year had our first Christmas together.  It was grand!  We decided to stay home this year, not traveling, not flying, not getting stuck in a snow storm, not moving around from house to house, just the two of us and our china.  
We made a lovely traditional* dinner on Christmas Eve, had a special breakfast Christmas morning, and used our china almost the whole week for all of our meals.  We had a great time relaxing together, watching movies, cooking, shopping, spending time with friends and family, Joel put together a new kitchen table and chairs, and I got to play the accordion for the first time!
*the dinner is a meal my Grandaddy always made throughout the year and something we have made into a tradition at my Dad's for 15+ years on Christmas Eve. -- Steak marinated for 2 days and Gumbo! NUM NUM!

Searing the Teriyaki

 Grouchy Gumbo! (ground sirloin, veggies, and tomatoes)

The finished product! (seats up to 10 people! - bonus: our NYC apt has a dining room, a rare treat in NYC)

We also went up to CT to see my 'family' for a couple of days.  I have some close friends that I grew up with in IL and most of the family was in CT for Christmas. Joel and I were able to go up and spend time with all of them. (unfortunately I didn't get any pics of the adults).

Uncle Calvin with 5 of the 7 grandkids

The other 2 of the 7 grandkids

While we were in CT, the snow storm hit the Northeast and we came back to this:

YAY!! SNOW!!!  :)

The past 2 years, our Christmas plans we re-routed due to snow storms and we sure were glad we didn't have to deal with that this year! instead, we got to play in it!

It was a great Christmas and New Years and for any married couple out there, I would HIGHLY recommend doing this. It's good for the relationship, and the bank account.

I will now leave you with this:

(my first weak attempt on the accordion playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on Christmas Day).