Never a Dull Moment

They say summer is gone, but I beg to differ. The air outside is thick and hot. I love it like this, but I am getting a bit tired of it. When even Julie Adams cannot lay in the sunshine due to miserable heat then it just might be too hot!

Let me tell you about my insane weekend. Friday night was the best in the world. I met Jana, Jordan and Stacy at Uncle Julios for a girls night. We had such a good time talking and laughing. We then went to Stacy’s new apartment and just hung out for a while. It is so important to have strong girlfriends. We may be married, single or dating – no matter what – we need girl time. We took a few great pictures, but the only one Jordan gave me was this crazy one below where we are being funny. I think I was attempting a strange face, but it looks like I am just gritting my teeth. Love them.



Saturday I am getting ready to lay out with the girls when my phone rings. Mitchell, my old photographer and now new director for Red Raider Roadshow says he is on his way. I am like, cool, we are shooting a promo tomorrow… he is like, Julie, are you ready? Our story is at 2…. I totally forgot. This was the first story for our show… OH DEAR. I went like a tornado to get ready. So when I release the story on the web you will need to understand why I have on a cute green dress instead of a red one… no time!!! We went to the DFW Alumni Sendoff and interviewed a bunch of kids and parents… so fun!!! It was so great to hear their stories. I felt so old and just wanted to turn back time and be going to college!!! This time TEN YEARS AGO I was going through Rush!!! Oh my gosh!!! Mitchell is going to edit the story and put it in the Tech websites this week so I will be sharing it… who knows what it turned out like… I felt a bit rusty!!!

Nick and I got me a new big screen and mounted it on my wall yesterday. I was so proud of it (We sold mine for $200 and the man sold this new 37 inch wall mounted one to me for $275 – so $75 out of my pocket!)… until my phone bit the dust and I had to throw out another $100 for a new phone… thank goodness I was able to sign another contract and get that discounted price… but, I don’t have hundreds to just be throwing at technology!!! Maybe I should have been easier on the phone before… but, God knows I am so clumsy and either run into walls or ram my technology into the ground! It’s very annoying!!! I’ve been in this mode of updating things as I can and just getting things here and there. My dad taught me that you cannot buy things all at once. You have to get things as you go. When he and Mom first got married they were right out of college and lived in an apartment. There was no way at that time to buy your entire furniture set! I’d love to be able to buy everything new for my room at one time, but I just wait and get things as time rolls and I am able to do so. It’s just a process of growing up and changing things as you go. I will never rid of my Mom’s chair. It reminds me of her and I enjoy to sit in it at times. So there are some things no matter what you just do not rid of… Another thing – this HUGE teddy bear of Mom’s… he is ragged and sad, but he sits in my closet! Some things are just plain meaningful!!!

Summer summer summer… don’t leave me yet…

Summer Social Times

It's very hot outside, but I love it. Last week I spent my day off with my old friend I reported with, Mechelle in McKinney. We took the kids to the pool and relaxed for hours. We didn't even notice the heat as we just enjoyed one another's company. It's so nice to talk to someone who understands the world of media and understands why we both got out! We both miss it so much (and Mechelle should be on CNN!)... but, we also talked about our twelve hour workdays where we were so burned out we could barely breathe. It was so great to talk!

Yesterday we all got to meet Baby Gavin! Kacie invited the girls out to her home in Flower Mound for a home cooked "girly" meal. She made salmon, salad, Bananas Foster and rice. Yummy. After watching her with Gavin all night while her husband was at the movies I was just in awe. I know nothing about babies. What makes me happy for far in the future is that she seems to be learning as well. She says she might not know the answer, but tries to do the best and hope it is the right answer!!! We had such a good time sitting around talking. We have have all known one another since college! Such nice times and good girl time talking about men!!! I still love summer!!!

Red Raider Roadshow

I am not into football feeling yet... but, I want to share my news so I can get the ball rolling before it is thrown. I have agreed to host a show called Red Raider Roadshow. My good friend and former photographer, Mitchell has been shooting it for a year. I have helped him when he comes to Dallas, but he decided it's too hard to do himself. Basically all I would do is interview people at fun events like tailgates and Tech dinners/ sendoffs, etc and just be the happy host... and he edits it all together. It is a web show so it will be on Tech's three main blogs and wherever else he can get it. It isn't anything too fancy or crazy, but oh, how I love to do these things!!! We already have planned to go to a Richardson send off, Denton dinner for Tech, SMU kickoff dinner, Tech vs. UT... YAY!!! He has been meeting with some potential sponsors, but I don't care if only the web viewers see it because I just like to be on the screen!!! I have that sort of bug... or obsession? It makes me miss news... but, then I remember these are the fun types of stories I love doing!!!

Lady Gaga

Nick and I got to see Lady Gaga this week!!! It was INSANE. I walked in the room in my bright yellow dress surrounded by people in their pink wigs with black make up. Most of the men there were flaming gay. It was so crazy. We had a blast!!! She is such a great entertainer. We danced along to some of the songs we knew and laughed at some of the atmosphere. She definitely spoke to the gay audience and cussed at the crowd a lot... but, it was all in good fun. She was strange, yet very sweet and humble to the crowd. Her background dancers were very entertaining with their flame... to say the least. I really enjoyed it. I have only been to semi concerts like Robert Earl Keen and Lisa Loeb and others when I would go to telethons to interview the entertainers... Joe Nichols, Bellamy Brothers, etc... but, not like a true concert like this! I am so glad we went because it was a great experience and just really neat to see someone so talented perform for 25,000 people!!!

Blair & Lauren's Wedding

INTRODUCING ALBERT BLAIR AND LAUREN ELIZABETH FRASER NUTTING:



I was trying to push this post back as far as I could awaiting pictures from others… but, people are taking too long! I took a new inexpensive camera to the wedding… ummm so inexpensive it didn’t take good pictures!!!... So atleast we can get the ball rolling…

Lauren Fraser married Blair Nutting last weekend. Why is this so important? Lauren has been my friend since we were six years old. Blair has been my friend since we were sixteen years old. Last year Blair took a liking to Lauren… after years of being friends… and now the rest is just plain history!!!

We all went to Horseshoe Bay for the wedding… so beautiful!!! It was more of a high school reunion than anything. Almost our entire group from high school was there! Friday night we did Rehearsal and then the dinner. Blair’s mom is one of my favorite people in the world. She was our teacher in high school and oh my gosh, she is the most old timey sweet lady. We had a blast at the dinner catching up with all of the “adults” from growing up. Lauren’s parents were friends with many people in our town so it seemed like everyone’s parents were there!!! Nick was a little lost getting to meet everyone!

On the wedding day the bridesmaids and house party were all invited to a brunch at the Marriott. Nick went golfing bright and early so he was on his own. Chandra and Michael got there so we had lunch with them at the Marriott before the wedding and got to catch up on pictures of Landry!

Here comes the bride…

This wedding was huge. Nine groomsmen and bridesmaids!!! The preacher began the wedding and as I stood on the podium awaiting to read my bible verse… he seemed to forget me!!! As I stood there just chilling finally James pulled me from behind as we had been forgotten… I was a little annoyed that I looked dumb until the preacher called us back up to the podium at the end!!! Quite entertaining…. The main point is that my friends were married!!! They are so in love… so adorable… Blair is one of the best men on the planet. He is just a good person. Lauren is amazing beyond belief. Such a perfect match.

At the reception I got to share a table with Heddy and Justin, Lacey, Chandra and Michael, Josh and Autumn, Zack and Holly… It was so great to get to catch up with other classmates as well… Most of our guys came in from all around the states. I hadn’t seen Lacey in a few years so we talked forever about life. After Blair and Lauren went off into the sunset… or dark sky since it was midnight… a few of us headed out to a random bar near the Marriott. Everyone was dancing on the bus… so much fun. I hadn’t hung out with Casey and Kyle in a long time… Kyle doesn’t have Facebook so it’s hard to know what he’s doing at all times!!! I’m not used to staying out that late anymore, but man, it was fun!!!

Friendships that blossom from many years ago are so precious. It’s that feeling knowing that you don’t have to explain yourself and you don’t have to explain your background. Everyone knows what you did in high school and everyone knows your first real boyfriend. It isn’t about proving yourself or playing the game. It’s just about being there with people and catching up on life. I know Sarah would have loved it and we were sad that of our group she had gone to Heaven. She was smiling from above… that is for sure! Nick enjoyed himself and had a great time with everyone. He seemed to fit right in! Our high school reunion is coming up in September and it shall be tough to top the wedding of the year!!!






Chandra McBee Brooks, Heddy Wigington Duran, Lacey Anderson


Justin, Cody, Me


Kady Knox, Hayley Knox, Chandra McBee Brooks, Heddy Wigington Duran








Blair is married!!!





FLASHBACK... This is our group in high school... Most everyone in this photo was at the wedding... including the bride and groom!!!...



Lauren and I in 4th grade...

Fireworks

We had the greatest Fourth of July weekend... even with the rain!!!

Saturday night we all went to Kaboomtown to watch the fireworks in Addison... They were great, but not the best... After that we met up with Mike & Norma who had come in from Tyler. I have been friends with Mike since he was the sports guy in Abilene and then in Tyler... Late and fun night!!!



Mike, Norma, Nick & Me

Dad, Brenda and Malachi came in Sunday on their way to Branson, Missouri. We met up with Nick and his family at the Teter household to watch fireworks at the Country Club. It reminded me of Ina's growing up. It was the best. We had such a wonderful time with family. Dad had a good time talking to everyone and really gets along with the Grays. He told fun stories and we all had grand laughs. The fireworks were just amazing!!! We were right under them!!! We didn't get to hang out with Jenna much because she was playing hostess, but we will see her in a few weeks! Malachi also had a good time swimming and enjoying himself! Dad and Brenda went on up to Branson to meet with Steven and my nieces and sister in law. So jealous, but I'm glad I had a little time with them! Every moment is precious with family and they were right there with me. God blesses us...



Dad & Me

Sandstorm

I sat staring at the dashboard wondering if maybe I was dreaming. If I dreamt a little harder I could wake up and my car would start. My car is only two years old. How does the battery die that quickly? I calmly remembered I am a strong woman and didn't call my Dad or Brenda because I wanted to solve it myself. I quietly called the numbers needed and waited... and then I called Nick because he is good with cars. He sent his dad to bail me out of the jam. I guess I just couldn't do it myself. I gave God a lot of props for loving me and giving me help. And asking myself why I don't have jumper cables. During this time it is pouring rain... all bringing me back to my original point I wanted to make when writing... It all ties together when we feel like we are dreaming and in a pickle.

Many years ago I was driving with a friend in West Texas. The dust was so thick I could not see in front of my car. I was driving 10 mph creeping along clutching the wheel. I knew I couldn't stop on the side of the road knowing someone might hit me. I knew I could not speed up as I had no idea what was in front of me. I just stayed right there driving slowly... going... going. And this happened a few times when I was driving home from Lubbock in the pouring rain. Nowhere to go, but pray. The sandstorm that day was fierce was we trotted along in the grainy sunshine.

I flashed back to this story after that same friend is going through a sandstorm in life. It seems impossible, yet we must keep going. We cannot stop because it is simply not an option. If we do stop we could get whirled away from the journey and lose our place in the sand. Vision blurs us, but we keep going because God is there the entire time. I always feel peace in these situations knowing God is telling me somewhere it is going to be just fine. We must hold on because we have no other true choice to happiness.

I thought about that today as I quietly sat waiting. I could not go anywhere. I was stuck. Plain stuck. And I was just fine. I did feel the tears welling up at one point terrified of how much money this could cost me in the end, but then I told myself to "Man Up" because I'd be just fine. Thick sand and pouring rain can cloud our journey so many times in life, but it's all about trotting through the mud to the sunshine.