Lipstick

Lindsey is having her double mastectomy tomorrow. I wrote her some words of encouragement, but really words are meaningless. I told her that this was her way to change the world. She's only 25 so she has such a message. She is so upbeat and Christian about it all. I told her in "Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy" the woman did whatever made her feel fierce. Lindsey says she is going to put on make up before she is wheeled in that room... just to make her feel good. When Lindsey was young a preacher told her she was destined for great things. She is so blunt, serious and a warrior. We thought it was missionary work. I told her maybe this is the fight to change the world. This is the beginning of the rest of her life. It's not simple, but it's godly in a sense. She has her wonderful new husband standing by her side, even wig shopping with her. She has her family right there. And she has all of us just praying in the wings. We don't choose many of our battles. We are all fighting a harder battle than the other. I tell Lindsey it's the way you handle the storm. It's either a blizzard covering your world in a fog or it's a storm passing by for a short while. Bitter or better... one letter makes all the difference.

Dinner with the Grays

We went to Nick's parents for dinner tonight. It was such a nice treat. I can sit and talk to his parents for hours. It makes me laugh that his mother and I are the odd ones out between his dad, his brother, his best friend and Nick. It was so nice to have another woman to understand when they annoy me about football and meat. I get very tired of hearing about it. They did let me watch "Desperate Housewives" though! Nick was in a horrid mood after the Cowboys lost so we sat in silence most of the way driving to his parents' house! He is so lucky to have them nearby. They are building their dream house in Ruidoso and will move soon though. I LOVE going to visit my Dad and Brenda. It is one of the best times to just chill out and enjoy the company. Before we left I sat outside watching Nick and his brother play basketball. A big grin came across my face. This was my heaven. I really enjoy just being in good company with good people. Don't get me wrong though... if I have to hear about football, hamburgers or cars one more time I might become a nun.

Designer Jeans

I must say it annoys me to just have to buy designer jeans. I will never be the gal that can wear Levis! Maybe I am just a snob, but inexpensive brands don't seem to fit right. I have this thing where I like my jeans to be thin material, very long and also stretchy! Yesterday I went to TJ Maxx because they have a designer section. I walked out with a pair of Seven jeans - still for $100!!! Of course the Paper Denim ones for 50 just didn't work! My friend has this GREAT boutique in Longview called The Denim Lounge where she sells them for as inexpensive as she can - one time I modeled for her in a show so she gave me a pair of Antiks for free!!! My Dad forced me to buy a pair at American Eagle trying to prove a point to me... Well, I hate them. They aren't stretchy and they make me look fat. I am built really weird and I like my jeans to not make me look fat! My good friend put a pair on Craig's List of Rock and Republic for $50 and I quickly scooped them up... I think all my friends should sell me their jeans :)!!! I'm just annoyed that I have to spend so much money for jeans! Why can men go to Wal Mart and be happy and I cannot?!! Oh well... atleast people on the street will think I am rich. My obsession with clothing may be the death of me!

Plano Football

I was a true Texan last night. I joined the bandwagon of attending high school football. I have covered many games when I was in news. I would go every Friday night to get footbal highlights. I loved stepping back into the world of high school. I remember going to every game since I was a little girl. I loved the band's rockout... and then as I got older we would go on dates to games! I had my FIRST KISS with Jordan Partee at a Steer football game in fifth grade! It was such a social event as I never watched the games really! My mother sat across in the stands and would watch me with her binoculars, too!!! Last night we attended the Plano vs. Plano East game with Melissa and Curtis. I wanted to see Melissa's little sister cheer and Nick wanted to watch Plano's team. It was a lot of fun. Plano blew them out of the water! I really enjoyed a good time with good friends. I still don't think anyone can beat the feel of a Big Spring Steer game!!!

My friend has breast cancer. At age 25.

My friend has breast cancer. At age 25.



They caught it early and we believe everything is going to be just fine, but it is such a young age to have breast cancer. Lindsey and Brian just got married in June, too. I see God's work through this already... Lindsey is facing a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy in the upcoming weeks. It sickens me to write. But, she holds steadily to God's hand and uses that strength to pull her through.

We always sort of joke about how Lindsey and Brian were always friends in our crowd of people in Tyler. They suddenly started dating and within three weeks were engaged. We were all in awe. They were married in June. I see now through my questioning how if their relationship didn't progress so quickly they wouldn't be able to deal with this obstacle as a married couple. We just never know God's reasoning... Lindsey is one of the strongest women I have met in my life. She is very blunt, honest and amazing.

I don't understand how a 1.3 centimeter piece of cancer can be found... It just amazes me... It is such an eye opener for all of us just living our lives never thinking we could be the ones with breast cancer. That is such a tiny tumor... with a powerful punch. A punch that will send her in for surgery and weeks of chemo. I really hate cancer. I just want to kill it. It has taken so many people away from me and I just HATE it.

I lift Lindsey up in prayer as I know she is such a strong, Christian woman. All we can do now is wait for God to pull us through.

KD Alumni Night

Everyone knows there is not much more I love better than time with old friends. Last night I attended my first ever Kappa Delta alumni gathering. We went to an alumni's house in Dallas for wine and cheese. I only knew Anna, Brittney, Paige and Taylor when I walked in the house. I ended up leaving with many new friends. One group of women we spoke with were SMU alumns who were pledge sisters back in the 70s! It was so neat to see them still standing there together in friendship.


One funny part of the night was getting to chat it up with Alane Hall. Back in my day at Tech Alane was very scary to us. She was a national officer and very high up in the sorority branch. She was like a mother to us. We prepared for days upon meeting with her and we would send in all of our reports to her. It warms my heart to now speak to her like an old friend. She is very inspirational to me.

Many of those women standing in that room were inspirational to me. We all have a common bond, yet some of us are strangers. It was also a great networking opportunity to talk to everyone about what they do and how they got to that position. I've been climbing that ladder since I graduated college. It made me laugh when one of the SMU women asked us all what we were doing now because she wanted to ensure herself there was light at the end of the tunnel for her freshman daughter! I told her all freshmen seem to have low GPAs because it's pure freedom... then you realize you may want to actually get some good grades in order to clench a job in a world of sharks. My my... college was such a pool of security. We were merely fishies.

I always enjoy time with Paige. Paige and I quickly became friends her freshman year. I took her under my wing and she tells everyone I am her mother. I have watched her grow up... and believe me, she had to grow from that bratty only child I knew... wait, I was a bratty only child, too, so we are a perfect fit.


I look forward to a future working with KD alumnae. It will always be a part of me. I will grow and change, but it's something that I will always cherish and will always be running through my blood.

Bridesmaids Extravaganza

So Hurricane Ike didn't hurt my weekend. It messed up my perfect hair, but not my good times.

My best friend since I was three years old came into town for a bridesmaid weekend. Chandra has eight bridesmaids, but due to the weather it ended up being only me, Hayley, Leslie and Tonia! We had to be fitted for our dresses Saturday morning. They are gorgeous - this persimmon color with green trim. I love them. Seeing Chandra fitted for her gown was amazing. I can remember back to her first boyfriend so it almost brought a tear to my eye. She's so beautiful.

The rain stopped us from attending GrapeFest so we just went to the Gaylord Texan and watched football and hung out. I drank a wedding cake martini... awww... yummilicious. We had such a nice time.

Then it was time for Cody and Blair's housewarming party. It was the time when all of our high school friends get together. We walked into see Justin Dille standing there! He flew in from New York!!! Then Zac and Jordan came in as they were going to the Cowboys game so it was great to see them. Lauren, Brittany, Trev... my high school pals were there as well with us. It was also very refreshing as I love the Rubio clan - Cody's family came from all around for the Cowboys game. I grew up next door to Cody and he is my best friend in the whole world of men so his family is mine! They are hilarious - so close... all his uncles and his aunt were there!

Chandra McBee; Lauren Fraser; Hayley Knox; Brittany Roberson Brock

I looked around the room at my friends. I have known Lauren, Brittany, Chandra, Cody since we were practically born. Hayley, Blair and Dille came in the teenage years to BSHS!!! It is such a warm feeling to be surrounded by people you have loved for that long. We played, watched the Tech SMU game and just hung out. It was a Kodak moment of my life.

Brittany - We have known one another since we were born. Our mothers taught together. Brittany and Lance were together since fifth grade when I set them up. He was the Quarterback and she the Head Cheerleader in high school. They got married last year. We have both endured losing a parent... She was also my roommate at Tech.

Lauren - One of my favorite people in the world. She's a UT lady and I'm a Raider, but we still get along. She lives in Dallas, too!

Cody - This is my best man friend in the world. He's pretty much my brother. We grew up next door to one another. I love him so much!
Chandra hates that I take so many pictures so she messes them up!
Dille flew in from New York! We haven't seen him since freshman year at Tech!

This is my fake smile. I was sleepy by this time! Brittany and I enjoyed a chat!