Month of Love Day 7 - Al and Linda

Day 7 Month of Love goes to Al Wright. Oh, Al where do I start? We've had so much fun through the years and you are the epitome of service, to your community, your family, and your friends. If my memory serves me, we met because I won a photo shoot with you from a Kiwanis event I went to with Mikey. Is that right? It doesn't really matter because no matter where or how it started, I am so glad it did!

You had become known as my personal photographer but more than that, you are one of my dearest friends. I laugh when I think of you as my personal photographer because I feel so lucky to be your friend and I will forever be grateful that you bless me with not only your gifts with a camera, but your gifts of kindness, laughter, and friendship.

We have so many great memories but one of my favorites is the night in the dark room. It sounds so intriguing, "the night in the darkroom" but in fact, you were teaching me how to process film, old school style, and we had a really great conversation about love, what it means to love, how to know if you're really in love, and how that applies in real (complicated) life. I think the conversation went to how we mature and what we think about the way we treated other people and is it appropriate to go back now and say I'm sorry or are these things in our pasts better left alone. Yeah, I still think about these things as I am raising Mason and it always takes me back to that night in the dark room with you. And then there is the night I wanted photos to send Dave... LOL! I'm not posting any of those, and really, in today's social media climate, these would look like granny-panty sexy photos, but I'm still not posting them! I know you are laughing because it was a fun and funny shoot. Oh, and remember the guy in the coffee shop who drew me?!! He was a character for sure!!

As we moved through the years, I married Dave and had Mason and you married your true love Linda and you've continued to be a light in my life. I love that you and I stay connected even when we don't talk as often as I would like, we can meet up and it's like I'm living in Alameda again and we were just together the day before. You, my friend, are a man who lives his life in service and love. You are authentically love & light even when you are hating on #45. I love you Al and Linda, too! We need to make a date to get together this summer, maybe a day on the boat or maybe something else, but some face-to-face time for sure. Happy Month of Love! #MonthOfLove

Month of Love Day 6 - Lisa and David

Month Of Love Day 6 is for Lisa and David Anderson! I love our story! I had a recruiting company, Missing Link that my partner at the time and I ran out of his house until we could generate enough income to acquire office space. When we did, it was next door to another business that sold promotional products for business and a mortgage broker. She and I became friends by saying hello in passing coming and going from work. In December of 2000, I was planning a birthday party at a mutual friends house and Lisa caught wind of it. She popped into our office and wanted to know why she wasn't invited. LOL! I recall her being somewhat put off that everyone she knew was invited but she wasn't. She was not rude, it was more funny/friendly, the way only a fellow Sagittarius could say it, but the fact of the matter was, she grew up in Alameda so she really did know everybody, the problem was, I was the newbie and I did not know everybody, and we didn't really know each other so I didn't have her on the guest list. Of course, she was invited and that is how this amazing lady became one of my very best friends!

She and I have had more fun than any two girls should be allowed to have. We have laughed and cried, seen each other through some tough emotional times, but the good times have far outweighed the bad. We've been camping, wine tasting, skiing, she's been with me through numerous epic radio wins the most noteworthy being the trip to Las Vegas. I also told her I would be getting Oprah Winfrey tickets and asked her if she wanted to go. Of course, she did but she wanted to know how I was getting the tickets and that was when I let her in on Intentional Winning, which of course did not have that name then, but that's exactly how I did it. I told her I would be setting my intention to get through when the phone lines were open to get tickets and we would be going. And we did! It was kind of a bust for a show, but the trip to Chicago was super fun! We've also been to New York together on a girls trip to rival all others. I have Lisa to thank for my current career as she introduced me to the mortgage business and got me started when I was looking for my next great gig. She and David welcomed us into their lives sharing their houses in Truckee and Peurto Vallarta, they are as much a part of our life and family as the ones we share blood with. She was an integral part of our wedding, birthdays, Mason's birth and now his life. I can't imagine my life without her and David and I hope I don't have to! Zib-Zoob sister, I see lots more laughs in our future, I love you both to the moon and back!! #MonthOfLove

Day 5 Month of Love - Hotty Roddy

Day 5 Month of Love is for Hotty Roddy. Rod and I met in 1996 in San Francisco when he walked into my business with a flyer for self-defense classes for women. I agreed to host a class and I loved it. I told him I wanted to teach with him and asked what I needed to do to be qualified and he replied, "Hang out and roll around on the floor with me." Yep, that's how it all started. We taught practical self-defense classes in the bay area and even traveled to Southern CA to teach. That road trip was a hoot. I won't tell the whole tall tale, but there were a few parts of that trip that come alive anytime we are together and the wine is flowing. Rod had an infected tooth, he knew something was up before we left, but he didn't realize the extent of it. While we were on the road, it was getting worse and worse until finally, I was driving and he was in the passenger seat sitting with his head in the seat, on his knees pushing his butt up until he was almost standing on his head!! He was rocking this way darn near in tears as I started looking for the nearest ER. I found one and a few hours later we had a diagnosis, a prescription for pain meds and Rod was hopped up on Dilaudid. He was so medicated that through his slurred speech I made out, "The doctor says no country!" He was weak, but he emphasized this. Yes, I love country music and Rod only likes one country song. I was playing the Gin Blossoms CD and the song, "She Reminds Me Of You" came on and he was sure I was trying to slip him some Garth Brooks or George Strait. The other noteworthy story from that trip was that he took me to a banana farm and with over 200 varieties of bananas, I bought an apple! It was a passion fruit apple, I had to have one!

Through the years Rod and I have been friends through too many boyfriends and girlfriends, good times and some not so good. We've had deep meaningful conversations, "No-no, no middle!" he would say when I would tell him, "Slow down, you need to get to know her, you are cutting out the middle" and of course conversations about nothing at all. We’ve been roommates and even experienced 9/11 together. He took me ice skating and out to dinner on my 30th birthday when I didn't have a date and I loaned him my car for weeks when his was on the blink, or he didn't have one... We've gone out to dinner on their boat with a ride home in the dark, I didn't like that one as much (the ride home in the dark part)! LOL! He is Jerry to my Elaine. I'm so happy that Hotty has found his true love in Cathleen and I love her, too! Happy Month of Love Rod and Cat, I love you bo

Day 4 Month of Love - Diana

Day 4 Month of Love goes to Miss Diana. Diana and I met when I was pregnant with Mason, we met at the Crawdad festival in Isleton, CA and it seems like we've been close friends ever since. I'm sure it didn't go just like that, but I don't all the way remember us not being close even though we've never really lived in any sort of close proximity of each other from that first night. We just have that kind of girlfriend love, it sparks and just stays lit. <3 font="">

I remember the first time Diana came and stayed with me for a long weekend, Mason was a newborn and Dave was deployed to Iraq. We were sitting out on the deck looking at the canyon and she was lamenting that I had it all, "Man, look at your life. You're happily married, have this precious new baby, a great home, some money in the bank, you have it all." I can recall feeling like, yeah, it's pretty good when I what came out of my mouth was, 'Yeah, it's really awesome but don't be fooled, it's not that simple, all of this can be gone in an instant. What's more important is that you live every minute appreciating what you have and telling those people you love that you love them." I think in true, soft-hearted Diana form she got emotional, started to cry and told me she loved me. We had lots of fun that weekend and it set the tone for many more good times, camping, river trips, Christmas in Sonora, dancing at the boot bar in Clayton, and so many more. We talk about all the things people need to talk about but so many are uncomfortable bringing up, really, "debris on the track" is something everyone should understand, don't you think? One of my favorite memories is of rewriting the lyrics to the song, 'Who's That Man" by Toby Keith. Of all the times I wished we had written something down, it's this one! She and I started singing along with the radio and plugged in the funniest lyrics, we were both laughing so hard we were crying. I'm sure when one of us noted we should write it down, we were sure it was SO funny, how could we forget? All I can remember is it was really funny and she is laughing right now reading this, and she can't remember the lyrics either!!

Diana is the epitome of tough but tender, she would have blazed trails in the old west, held her own in a poker game, plow the field, plant the crops, and turn right around to be at the school the next morning to teach needlepoint and how to make your own laundry detergent to the young girls. I don't think there is anything this lady can't do, yet she is pretty in pink, wears clothes that are flowy & ruffled, and finds more joy in makeup and lip gloss than should even be legal! LOL! I guess what I'm trying to say is that Diana is one of my favorite hippy-chick sisters, she's independent, able, smart, witty, and fun. I love you Missy and can't wait to see where the rest of our lives take us, rest assured, we'll be laughing all the way!

Day 3 Month of Love, Terry

Day 3 of my #MonthOfLove goes to my only sister, Teri Cartwright.

Terry (yes, I learned her as Terry, T-E-R-R-Y from the time I could spell so when she changed her spelling, I just never could fully adapt) is my only sister and she and I are the first and last born of 5 kids, we are more than 20 years apart in age. This is really only relevant because when I came along, she was almost married. Her sweetheart Bill, and now husband all these years were assumed to be my parents when they took me out with them. That would set the tone for how Terry took care of me and everyone else who has come into her life. Yes, she is a natural born nurturer to her very core.

I spent many years of my adolescent life with Terry and Bill. There were times it was really cool to have a much older sister and of course, sometimes, not so much. The fun stuff was clothes, make-up, she advocated to my mom to let me date before my mom wanted me to, and she put those boyfriends at ease. I had a safe space to go stay when as a teen I was at odds with my mom and dad, and later when I couldn't find my way as a young adult. My sister was always there for me even if I didn't deserve her alliance.

Our lives have gone in different directions, some because of our age difference, but more so because we live so far apart. Even still, we managed a trip to Las Vegas to see Clay Walker and she came to help me when Mason was born and Dave was deployed. I have not always been a good steward of her love and loyalty. I've behaved badly some due to immaturity and some because I'm hard-headed and get in my own way. I'm sorry Terry for the times I've been insensitive and not been more loving toward you and all you do for all of us. You took care of both mom and dad so they could stay with family and not have to be in a home, and you continue to take care of all of the people in your life. I love you and appreciate you more than you know, and I hope we can spend more time laughing this year even if it's only on the phone. #monthoflove #sisters

Day 2 Month of Love - Jules

Today I want to love on Julie Anna Boles Ballard. Jules has been my best friend since the 4th grade when I wanted to be her friend because she had ponies! Yep, I wanted to go riding with her, and riding we did! We have been friends for over 40 years now and can I just tell you, like my marriage we rarely fight. This woman is the epitome of Phenomenal Woman, she is strong, determined, smart, funny (she thinks she's REALLY funny!), and did I say awesome? 

This woman has made amazing things happen in her life. I've seen her get straight As through elementary and high school, put herself through college at Stanford University, save lives as her career, and just as she hit her stride at mid-life, she put herself back in the game and got accepted to Yale University! Yes, she is enrolled at Yale and will be a Physician Assistant next year. 

I can't tell you how proud I am of Julie, like loving Dave, there are no words for how honored I am to be her friend and to be able to be on this journey with her. Many of you may not know that one of my biggest life disappointments is that my granny and Mason never got to know each other. That is a little less bitter because Mason has Julie. This may seem like a weird correlation, but to me, Jules is right up there with my granny as a phenomenal woman. I will talk about my granny in another post and you all can see how that connects, but for this post here, I'm so glad Mason and Jules not only know each other, they love each other. Jules brings things to Mason's life experience that I could never even come close to doing for him. Jules, thank you for not falling in love with Dave when I tried to set you up, and even more for being in my life and loving my people. I love you to the moon and back, the place where our horses and doggies run free, and I can't wait to see what the next 40 years bring us! #MonthOfLove😍😘😍

February is the Month Of Love!

Happy February 1st! In honor of the month of love, I am going to post each day about the people I love and why I love them. It stands to reason that I am going to start with my Flower Dave. Why do I call him Flower Dave? I'll post that story at the end of this post so scroll down if you are interested.

Dave is the love of my life, not the first one, but absolutely the last one. Dave has taught me what it means to love so deeply that there are no words to describe it. While he was deployed, I learned what it meant to long for someone. How's that for an old fashioned word? Dave has shown me a life that I can live in with confidence that he is loyal and trustworthy. He doesn't send me flowers when we've had a fight, he stays and talks it out with me, and if he feels he needs to leave, he leaves in such a way that I know he is coming back. In fact, if he leaves, we will likely be continuing to work out our issue on the phone because we really want to work it out. More importantly that how Dave shows me he loves me and our life, he has shown Mason what it means to truly adore a woman and how to treat her. I mentioned not sending flowers when we fight, he sends flowers on my birthday, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, and the first day of fall. I don't expect them and if they don't come, it's okay, but I do love them. Dave has planned dates for us that may be as simple as dinner in downtown, and as elaborate as tickets to a concert, dinner reservations, and it all started with an outfit I found on our bed with a note, "We've got plans for Friday night, plan accordingly." Yes, he is an amazing man, husband, father, and friend. Some say we got lucky, but I think it's more than that, I think we set up what we wanted to have, what we wanted to live and though we've had some bumps, we do the things we do because we want each other to know our marriage is important - you are important to me Flower Dave! Neither of us is perfect, and we've had moments we are not proud of, but they are far fewer than the ones that make up the happy memories of our life together that started in April of 1996 when I won him on the radio. I love you David, happy February 1, 2019! #MonthOfLove

Dave sent me a huge bouquet of flowers after our first date. I was livid mad! I told him after the date that I didn't want to "date." Here I was holding flowers so big you couldn’t even see me, but you could hear that I was not happy. When I finally was able to express myself I said, “Now I have to have this talk with him all over again! Didn’t he hear me say just friends?” I immediately called and thanked him for the flowers but before he could even respond, I started right in on him, “I thought you understood that I just want to be friends, I thought you got that I am not looking for a relationship…blah, blah, blah” Poor Dave, I don’t even know why it is that we are the great friends that we are except to say that we have always been true to ourselves and each other. We have never had to pretend to be anyone we are not. After Dave sent me the flowers and I became so angry, that made quite an impact on my family and friends. They thought I was crazy because I was probably the only woman in this lifetime to get angry with a man for giving her flowers, this became a defining moment in our lives. My friends didn’t know any of the new people in my life so I always had to explain who I was doing things with. Since Dave and I were dancing and talking often - as friends - I started to refer to him as “Dave, you know, Dave, the guy who sent me the flowers.” This went to just Flower Dave and then simply to Flower.

2001 - 2018

Our Family

Bubble Gum Alley, SLO 2017

Mardi Gras 2016

All my love! 2018

Julie's 50th 2017

Can't Fake the Lake! 2018

Wedding Day 11/9/01