Remembering Mom

When this day rolls around every year, depending on where I'm at in my life, I have a different reaction.  I always think about my mom and continually miss her.  Even after all this time, some days are difficult (read: day before my wedding, when I had a little "I-want-my-mother" breakdown).  Other days, I feel like she's with me still.  Like when I think I've ruined something or messed up in some way, I hear her voice in my head.  When I was 8 or 9 we went to the store and somehow I spilled liquid laundry detergent all over myself and the floor.  It was a BIG mess and I felt terrible because I thought I had ruined my private school jumper and my mom's shopping trip.  She looked at me with my head down and tears in my eyes, smiled and said, "Its ok, Lesley.  Little girls can be washed".

Last night, I ran across the letter below and it gave me loads of comfort heading into this day.  I have always believed I would see my mom again. Until then, I like the thought she will be there waiting for me on the other side.

A letter written by Benjamin Franklin to his niece on the death of his brother February 23, 1756:

"I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living. A man is not completely born until he is dead. Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?

We are Spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may rid of them. Death is that way.

We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled painful limb which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth parts with it freely, since the pain goes with it; and he who quits the whole body, parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pain and diseases which it was liable to, or capable of making him suffer.

Our friend and we are invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last forever. His chair was ready first, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him?"

Mom and I before one of my dance recitals - circa 1987

Chili Cook-off Confidential

I learned a dirty secret at the chili cook off a couple of weeks ago.  Let me start by saying, It was a good time and I worked very hard on my chili.  The way I cook it is simple - I come up with my very own base recipe and the day of, I tweak it depending on how its tasting.  So this involves a lot of sampling and adding ingredients as necessary.  I was very happy with my finished product.  Here is a pic of me hard at work (notice the sign that says, "badass chili located here"):

So anyway, as we were awaiting the results of the chili cook-off, my friends and I started talking to a group of men proclaiming they were this year's winners.  The results had not yet been announced.  Sure enough, this group ended up taking 1st, 2nd, 4th, and a few other places all in the top 10.  So what is the dirty secret?  According to these guys, they use a mix purchased off the internet.  Each one of them does a little something different to their pot of chili so the judges don't taste the exact same thing.  Yet the judges ARE tasting the exact same chili mix with only minor differences.  I was informed by the winners, the way to win chili cook-offs is consistency and the best way to be consistent is a mix.  

I have to admit, I was disheartened by this bit of news.  I thought the whole point was to come up with an original recipe.  I think using a mix defeats the spirit of the competition.  But what do I know?  These guys were going to the competition in Terlingua so obviously they are doing something right.  Still, I cannot, CANNOT, bring myself to use a mix in the next competition.  It just doesn't feel right.

At the end of the day, we made it to the finalist table and got an honorable mention for our chili submission.  I consider this a moral victory - since I DID NOT USE A MIX.  I was incredibly excited we made it that far.  Much better results than last year. One day, I will claim victory at the State Fair Chili Cook-off!

Now here is a picture of the pumpkin I painted for our front porch  ( I actually did this by hand):

Fall is in the air and its almost chili cook-off time!

Tonight I start my graphic design program at SMU.  I'm really excited about it, although I don't think I will be able to finish it as quickly as I thought.  Unfortunately, our house needs foundation work.  (I'm still not sure if this matter is going to result in a lawsuit so I can't say too much about my bitterness on the subject.)  As of right now its going to cost us quite a bit of money so I will be shelling out for that instead of completing school in a timely manner.  Sigh.  Oh well - at least I'm getting started - and starting school is a sure sign of fall.

Also, pinterest and several blogs I follow are all abuzz with fall decorating.  Wreaths seem to be quite popular with the home decorating set (see here and here).  I've decided to get in on the wreath action this weekend since I can't do other things to my home (like painting or redoing the fireplace - again thanks to the necessary foundation work.  boooooo!)  I'm feeling rather crafty so this is probably a good time to get my front porch looking nice.   I also feel like baking to I think I'm going to make homemade cinnamon rolls on Saturday. 

Sunday is the State Fair of Texas Chili Cook-off.  Yes, Team "No Beans MF" is back!  And this time we are in it to win it.  I learned a lot last year regarding the "rules" so I'm ready to make some badass chili and take home the blue ribbon.  I also talked to my brother, Mark, who knows everything about everything.  We had a 2 hour strategy session with regard to my chili making - such as when to add certain spices and other top secret things I can't tell you about.  

My friend decided she wanted to get in on the chili making this year so we had a mini chili cook-off at the office.  Her chili was excellent.  My chili got more votes.  She was EXTREMELY bitter about not winning (can you say competitive?) and took it out on everyone in the office for a day or two.  I think she's over it now and on board for Sunday's competition.  She can't resist eating chili and drinking beer on a Sunday morning. No matter what, we will still have fun.  We always do.

Looking back at this post, It appears I have a very ambitious weekend ahead of me!  Stay tuned for the State Fair Chili Cook-off Results.  I can't wait to post a pic with my blue ribbon!

33

For my birthday on the 5th, I had this really ambitious plan to do 33 good deeds/random acts of kindness.   I would like to say it was my idea but I was actually inspired by another blogger who did it for her 34th birthday. With all the messed up stuff going on in the world, we all could use more kindness - both giving and receiving, no matter how big or small.  There were a couple of things I learned and a couple of problems I encountered.

First of all, when consulting http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/ I was disappointed to see ideas like "hold the door open for someone" and "clean up after yourself."  Seriously people, if you are not doing these things already something is wrong with you.  Maybe I was just raised with manners and some people weren't but if I didn't hold the door for someone or clean up after I made a mess I would be down right ashamed (and would have gotten a strict talking to by my parents).  Another one that got me was "Give affection to your loved ones."  What?  Really?  Maybe some people need to be reminded but that seems odd to me.  I do this all the time.  Its important to let people know how you feel.   I don't want you to be dissuaded from this website.  It has a lot of good ideas and implemented some of them.  All I'm saying is that I was surprised to see things I was raised to to on this list. 

Overall I was fairly successful in my mission until I was sidelined by a sudden illness I believe to be brought on by number 11.  No good deed goes unpunished!

Here's what I was able to accomplish on my birthday (remember, no kind act is too small):

1) Wished someone else a Happy Birthday

2) Wrote a thank you note to my postman (The postman wrote back a big THANKS!!! on the card.  This stuff works I'm telling you.)

3)  Paid for the starbucks order of the person behind me. (She yelled a thank you from her car.)

4)  Gave a donation to DFW Pug Rescue

5)  Shared some birthday cookies delivered to me with the work staff.

6)  Signed up for sparked.com - a micro volunteering website

7)  Signed up again this year to be an e-mentor for a DISD student (I was on the fence about it before)

8)  Gave a big tip to the sonic carhop when I got my drink today

9)  Stayed off my phone while driving (I think this counts because I made the roads a safer place, something I should do more often)

10) Gave up a front row parking spot to someone else.

11) Donated Blood (I have to give a shout out to the 23 year old girl who took my blood today and told me I did not look 33 at all.  She really made my day. I don't think she was faking her look of shock.  If so she should leave behind the blood drawing field and go into acting because I was convinced.)

12) Gave bottled water to a homeless person

13) Bought something from a co-worker to support her son's pewee football team. (I was on the verge of saying no to the $16 "gourmet" pizzas she was peddling but then I remembered I had to get to 33)

14) Emailed the girls at our process serving company a thank you note (some people over there are mistakenly "scared" of me)

15) Gave a friend some of my Green Tea Hawaii to try.  I drink this stuff everyday since I gave up soda 3 years ago.  I have a mission to get everyone off of soda!

16) Complimented a co-workers haircut

17) Nice to an Insurance Adjuster (This fell under the RAOK suggestion of "be nice to someone you dislike")

18) Complimented a stranger's shoes (They were actually cute)

19) Let my dad ride in the front seat to dinner so he could take advantage of the A/C seats in the new truck.

20)  Gave some free legal advice to a friend.

So I didn't quite make it to 33.  At dinner, I think my blood pressure dropped or something because I almost passed out and broke out into this cold sweat.  Probably because I was operating with minus a pint of blood (and OK I did have a skinny margarita and I don't think you're supposed to drink for like 24 hours after donating).  I'm fine now but had to go home and take it easy, thus putting an end to my mission.  I did give my dad a big hug and thank him for coming to have dinner with me.  I also took time to "like" or comment on the 90 something people that wished me a happy birthday on facebook - so maybe in some way that fills in the gap.   There's always next year...

Now stop reading and go do something nice for someone!