So my whatever that is, cold/sinus/bullshit headache thing that I was fighting at the beginning of the week came back this morning with a vengeance. Bloody nose, ear ache, sneezy all of it. I stopped today and got some real Sudafed and am doing the neti pot and feeling better, but damn. Enough with this already!

It’s freezing here. Literally. The winter weather has moved into our area with crazy cold temps, freezing rain right now. I’m finishing my day working and answering emails from home sipping hot tea and planning on how I can recruit more Daisy/Brownies using our new partnership with Barbie. I know. What a job, right?

I’ve got to get the house clean/picked up as we are having our friends over tonight for food and fellowship. I’ve got a big pot of vegetable beef stew simmering on the stove, we’ll have spiced spiked cider and everyone is bringing their instruments for some singing afterwards. It’s just the kind of thing we need to keep us all cosy and warm and grateful on this pre-Thanksgiving weekend.

I usually cook by intuition. I rarely use a recipe to the T, or sometimes I combine two or three that I like. I pulled out my favorite cookbook and turned to Beef Stew and was surprised at how my recipe is really close to theirs. I did tweak a bit and take a few from theirs. It smells delicious. We’ll pair it with some delicious cornbread and a dessert and grownup drinks and it will be a grand night. I may even make a cranberry dish to go alongside it. The old geezer fella at my office told me he loves cranberry jelly with his beef stew. What’s not to love, I ask? I do have a giant bag of cranberries in my freezer. We’ll see how far along that goes.

What do you love to make/do on cold days like this? Do you have a go-to recipe? Activity? I’d love to know what it is…I’ve a feeling that this is only the first of a pretty cold winter ahead of us.

One week from today we’ll be gathering with our chosen people, or we’ll be hibernating and sleeping in, some will be watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, lots of us will be watching the dog show. (Some will be passiveaggressively posting against dog shows on social media) We will be inundated with Thanks and Giving and shopping or anti shopping or movie watching or staying inside your house protesting ANY open businesses…whatever you tend to do with your Thanksgiving holidays, it’s here in a week.

That to me is nuts.

The time it’s a flying.

I’m taking a moment here, to reflect on the past year. Last Thanksgiving was fast and furious and I was meeting Mark’s family for the VERY FIRST TIME and I was knee deep in grad school homework and papers and I stayed at this house for consecutive days for the first time (I put stuff in the shower, yall!) and it was all so freaky and new and exciting and scary and I really really really missed my family.

I’m thinking about how it’s all changed, about how it’s been kind of a shitshow at times, but it’s been our show so we feel good about surviving it. I’m thinking about all the lessons I’ve learned, especially in my career and how I want to use those lessons and where I want them to move me in the future.

I’m thinking about all of you, and the changes that have come about in your lives. About the faces I crave to see, that have gone way past our due date. *ahem. Becky. Scott. SERIOUSLY. In the midst of this I sat on the couch and listened to Mark play along on his guitar to a commercial, I made plans for a trip to NYC in June with my crazy Whores to see NPH in Hedwig, and I’m prepping for the ribbon cutting ceremony at my office today. The Norman Chamber of Commerce is coming, several people will be there, it’s kind of a thing. I feel proud of that. I’m happy that I’ve said yes to all of these choices and that I’ve lept when faced with uncertainty and that I have landed (mostly) on my feet.

When I was at Council last week I checked my mailbox. Someone had put a copy of a paper in there that held this poem. It makes me so happy I’ve put it in my office so that I can read it daily. I thought that today, you ought to read it too.

Yes. You.

yes.

Finally finished our Christmas card photo/order last night and hit approve on the proof this morning. I should have them in a little over a week and I’m pretty excited. I need to get my list of addresses together, which means I’ll probably be sending texts and FB messages asking for them next week. I used to be so organized.

I am no longer that.

Yesterday I worked mostly from home and I was so amazed at how that really could happen. I went into my office for a few hours in the afternoon but for the most part I did a day of self care that included rest, hot tea and soup mixed in with work emails and communications.

Today however, I’ve got an afternoon of meetings, including my very first board meeting as a member of the board for my office. Community Services Building is a non-profit hub that in itself is a non-profit. They ask that two agencies be represented on the board and I’m one of them. I feel so legit. This is exactly the direction I want for my life, becoming more involved in this community, serving and volunteering for more agencies and sitting on boards, this is where I want to be. So I’m thankful today for this opportunity.

Now I have to get up and find something to wear that isn’t sweats.

I’m still fighting the cold/ick/funk. So many people I know have currently/or have had strep and that’s just not something I want any part of. So I’m fighting.

I smell like a walking cough drop. I’m slathered with Vicks. Do you put it on your feet then put on socks when you’re feeling bad? Have you ever done that? I dare you. Try it next time. If you’ve got kids and you’re not feeling up to loading them up with a medicine just yet? Get out the old Vicks Vap O Rub.

I remember MeMe putting it on my chest then putting a dish towel around my neck. I just put it on under my t-shirt these days. The feet thing is really quite a miracle.

I slept for about 12 hours, and am working from home this morning answering emails about changing bank accounts, finding troops, etc. I’ll go out to Chickasha this afternoon to check on my YMCA lego team, and pick up my new diploma from USAO to hang in my office. *my ribbon cutting with the Chamber is Thursday, so this came just in time!

All in all, it’s not too harsh of a day, mostly paperwork, getting caught up, sending emails etc. I can do that from home and office. And I can smell like a cough drop while I’m doing it.

If you’ll excuse me, I need some chicken soup for breakfast.

I’m having wedding withdrawl.  Combine that with the potential cold and sore throat icky feelings I woke up with and it was necessary for me to come home early from work and make a pot of soup. I did the fast track kind of soup vs. the simmer all day long start from scratch. Ain’nobody got time for that today.

Here’s what I did for mine.

1 Rotisserie chicken

big handful of carrots sliced

big handful of celery sliced

spoon full of chopped garlic

1 yellow onion chopped fine

half a thing of sliced mushrooms I had in the fridge

bay leaf or two

1 carton of chicken broth

about three cups of water

two little square bullion cubes/chicken flavor

half a bag of amish egg noodles

salt/pepper to taste

bring to boil, lower to simmer until ready to eat.

———————————————–

Mark came home from an arts council meeting, too late to take our Christmas Card photo. We sat down to big bowls of soup and sleeves of saltine crackers and he said, “this is the best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever had.”

Then he made me another cup of tea.

I feel like 12 miles of dirt road, progressively feeling worse since I got home, so I’ll be hitting the bed early. I’ll slather my feet with Vicks Vap-O-Rub and call it good by 7:30.

What’s your feel better recipe?

I’m really sleepy. Last night was amazing. I have plans to really write about the whole experience, but that will take a minute or two and I’m spending the day cleaning, and working on a Christmas card list and gearing up to go rake leaves and get some fresh air. I’m also trying to get a cold. I woke up sounding like a drag queen, so maybe a nap is in order. All of that to say this:

The wedding was fabulous. Michelle and I kept it together doing our officiating duties. The bride teared up, the father of the bride bargained three bird dogs, two guns and if the first born is a blonde hair blue eye’d girl he’ll take it as a replacement. No one heard him that was in the audience which is a shame because he was hysterical.

I danced with my love last night. Two-stepped dancing. We danced together under the Octopus Puppet at HarvestFest over a year ago, but last night was the first time we really danced. We are both still giggling about it.

Someone remind me that when I get all pinched up about stupid stuff that I have a man in my life who will go to a wedding of 400 people and know maybe three of them, will step in and move the chairs from the congregation to the reception w/o being asked, and who will dance with me effortlessly to some George Strait.

It was a really good night.

Maggie and Chris had fun, too.

Today starts now.

I’ve got to be at Penn Square Mall this morning for the Microsoft Store opening. They are partnering with Girl Scouts as their community partner and we’re getting a nice wad of money for this. For every 10 people in GS wear, they give us another wad of money. So. That’s what I’m doing.

I have more stress about my wedding ensemble than someone than someone who isn’t the bride should have. I hope to correct that today. There maybe powershopping in my future.

I’ll have lots of details and stories tomorrow. Right now, I’ll just leave you with a little bit of love for Maggie. These are our favorites, we are forever bound by our love of these movies and songs.

I love you Maggie Wynn. I’ll see you tonight.

It’s here! It’s Here! IT’S HERE!!!

The weekend wedding of Maggie and Chris has finally arrived. The friends are back in town. Planes have landed. Steamers have been procured. Xanax prescriptions have been refilled.

We’re good to go.

Today’s events include but are not limited to: a Bridal luncheon for the bridal party (and minister) given by the brides aunt. I’m familiar with this particular aunt. I used to do her hair a bit and haven’t seen her since I quit that industry so that’ll be fun. Tonight is the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at Cattlemen’s then tomorrow is the big day! What’s more, yesterday was Wedding Adam. In our group text, I asked all of the Wynn Sisters, why the hell are we all working and not at Buffalo Wild Wings?

See…that’s kind of how this whole thing started a few years ago. Well, it’s how all of the Sisters merged, officially. I’m not the only one that claims a sisterhood to this family. There are more like me. Many many, more. And some years ago on Christmas Adam we all randomly gathered after work at BWW, had some wings, had some beers and bonded like there was no tomorrow. It became our thing. Sometimes the only time we were all together was at Christmas Adam festivities.

This year has been a lovely one with more opportunities for face to face gatherings what with celebrating the happy couple and prepping for this weekend! Haley said yesterday, “its it bad that I’m already sad it’s going to be over?”

I think we all feel that way just a little, not because we aren’t in the moment and aware of how precious it all is, but because we all love each other so much and we are hyper aware of how sacred and special this weekend will be. Love like this is thick and sticky and will cling to you like the sap from the Griswolds’ Christmas tree. It will be on you and in you long after the last sparkler goes out, long after the last sip of beer and the last strain of George Strait float off like pieces of flotsam and jetsam.

This weekend will be the one where we all get new stories to tell at Christmas Adam 2013.

I for one cannot wait.

“remember when Maggie and Chris got married? Pass the hotwings.”

 

Yesterday was another day full of inspiration at the conference. I filled all but 6 pages of a legal pad with notes. I can’t wait to get to the office today and check out my preloaded flash drive and see what I have there. I can’t wait to share these thoughts with my co-workers, with Mark for the PAS (non-profit where he is president-elect of the board), to share with my LTYM:OKC team. I have so many amazing idea swirling, creative juices flowing, dang it feels good!

Last night after the conference I spent some hours with my favorite girls at my old salon. I got fresh hair and fresh skin. I really took to heart the self-care stuff. My facial was beyond needed. My girl told me, “Your skin is tired. It’s emotionally tired, does that make sense?”

Oh sister does it ever.

She followed that up with,”nothing that isn’t correctable with a weekend, a night with friend, a bottle of wine, a bottle of water.”

She listed off all of the things that I know re-fill my soul.

Most all of the things that await me starting tomorrow with the wedding festivities.

I was so full of energy and excitement and love that I came right home and (after making dinner for us-thankgodforcrockpotsthat’sawholenutherpost) sat down and wrote out the “sermon” portion of the ceremony.

It’s such an honor to be a part of this launch, to be asked to be a steward of this love and to participate in this way. And though I’m only an internet pastor, I take it very seriously. I’ll be tweaking the words, probably hourly, between now and Saturday night. But I feel good about what I wrote.

Their hashtag for all things internet is #wynntheschemswed

Just in case you wanna follow along.

Yesterday was a day full of conference sessions and tentative conversations and seeing friendly faces while being lost in a sea of snazzily dressed professionals from all across the state. Granted, I’m new to the conference life, the one academic conference I went two blew-who-whoooooo and was the first signal that the path I was on might really not be the one for me.

So it was a beautifully pleasant surprise that I LOVED this one. Loved the sessions on Work/Life Balance, Telling Your Story via Social Media, Non Profit 101 and a keynote speaker that had me THIS CLOSE to ugly crying in my industrial white napkin.

Have you heard of Bob Goff?

I was surprised when I had friends comment with recognition on Facebook. Well, not so surprised when Holly had already seen him speak and was feeding me podcasts featuring him because she is so in sync with where I want to be in life it’s cuckoo. But seriously. This guy. He was everything a speaker should be. He was energetic. He was entertaining and funny. He spoke on big themes that could be applied to whatever sector he was speaking to i.e. church groups, non-profit groups, businesses, schools, communities. He was heartfelt and self deprecating and whimsical and serious and by the end of his talk I was mopping my face ever so delicately with my white napkin. I was clapping and laugh-sobbing and had I not immediately needed to swoop into networking mode I might still be sitting there processing all that he said.

I went and bought his book last night. And one for Suzy for her birthday. I can’t wait to get to it, but I know for certain that things come to you at the right time. I was struggling with a few choices and issues and sitting through that luncheon yesterday it was as if he was speaking to me. It was as if he was saying, “Misti, LOVE BIG. What if you loved so big that it just dripped all over the place? What if you showed those in your life that you loved them so generously that they were moved to do the same for someone else? LOVE BIG! BE AWESOME! BE NOT AFRAID!!!”

There are moments in life where I just don’t get it. I am as dumb as a box of rocks and I just don’t get it.

Yesterday I got it.

What IF we loved so big that we left soggy footprints wherever we went, love dripping off of our clothes and out of our pockets? What IF we understood that failure and success doesn’t define us? What IF we tell people what they are instead of what they want to hear?

You are courageous. You are amazing. You are so smart. You are engaging and bright and witty and beautiful. You are a captain of smiles.

You. Are. Awesome.

What if, in that struggle for work/life balance that we just DECIDE to pay attention to the ones that we love? We just choose to stop being busy and love and reconnect and have an afternoon of sex, or pick up the phone and lay down a grudge or hurt feelings? What if we just choose that?

Yeah, I totally got it.