Boots McBlog

Junior League of Little Rock (JLLR) has the honor of hosting the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Organizational Development Institute (ODI) this weekend.     ODI gives an opportunity for Junior League delegates from the 292 Leagues across the world to come together to hone their leadership skills, discover new trends in non profit management,  and network with like minded volunteers.

When my home League and city were slated as a conference site, I was thrilled.  I was even more excited to be part of the host committee planning the hometown side of the event.  I was flat out ecstatic when my responsibility was decreed that I would choose decor for the wine and cheese reception held last night welcoming all the delegates to Little Rock.   After years of looking at budgets, project proposals and annual plans,  choosing posies sounded like the perfect task for me.

The Grand Hall of the Clinton Presidential Library set a modern back drop for JLLR to mingle with other Leagues and highlight our 88 years of service to the city.   A place where old would meet new.  Vintage Modern

Distinctive Designs by Tanarah was the perfect fit for helping us achieve this vision.   Junior League logo colors set the base color palette of red and black.  To me,  this can be quite risky in a modern environment and come off too cold or 1980′s.    Tanarah has a brilliant eye for unique design and color combination – which is why I love her work.  She suggested a range of hues from pink to red with tulips, roses, and hydrangeas.   Modern black vases, classic flowers, ribbons, and chandelier prisms came together in a most stunning way.

Using sleek silver clothes pins we attached the black and white photos to  black satin ribbon that strung across a 30 foot expanse of window.  The modern clothesline served as a timeline of JLLR service from 1920 until today. 

We also carried the prism theme to the timeline display to tie it all together.

Great fun, food, and conversation with various community leaders in a beautiful environment made for a wonderful evening.  The legacy of service of the Junior League continues with young vibrant volunteers building better communities across the world…vintage modern personified.

I don’t want red roses, or teddy bears.   I don’t need a box of candy.  I have no desire to fight the masses at the nicer restaurants.   However,  I do want a card.   This year will mark the 21st year The Angler and I have exchanged Valentines.  Cards have become our tradition.

The Angler and I have known each other since 5th grade.  We grew up in a community split by a railroad track. East vs. West.  He lived in a nice house with a nice family… on the other side of the tracks.  ( I like to emphasize“other side of the tracks” to make him sound dangerous)     We attended the same church, same Sunday school, same choir practice, same youth activities for years.   We never spoke to each other.

When U2’s documentary “Rattle and Hum” hit the Malco Trio,  we were the only two people in the theater. Our friends watched Chucky next door.   We struck up a conversation.  I liked his taste in music.  I liked his Sebagos.  I liked his Polo sweater.  (I was very deep at the age of 14)   The next week he told my girlfriend I was “cute”. I was smitten.  

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner,  I made the daring decision to mail him a card.  I wasn’t allowed to call boys.  I was allowed to send mail…because my mother worked at the local Hallmark ( For you youngsters – this is what we did before twitter, facebook,  texts, and e-cards)

Going through our office closet this week,  I found a rusty old popcorn tin.  I pried open the dented lid.  Inside I found all the cards and letters I sent him through all our moves in high school and college. I even found the red envelope addressed to his house on the other side of the tracks, the return address of my house with my favorite peach bedroom.   A peek inside I had written:

“ …I’m glad we’ve gotten closer in the last few weeks.  You always seem to cheer me up, when I’m in a bad mood.  You always make me laugh at your jokes – even though they are stale. I’m still amazed with your card tricks – even if I know half of them.   You are great guy filled with talent, humor, and good looks (not necessarily in that order). I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.”

And then I signed it with my first AND last name.

In an innocent fourteen year old girl way,  it was a sweet, funny valentine.  Valentine’s night he called me for the very  first time.  The card worked!    Twenty one years later, he still cheers me up when I’m in a bad mood.  He still tells stale jokes and I laugh.  I haven’t seen any card tricks in awhile – but he is pretty handy with a computer.  Twenty one years later we’ve been through the better (and the worse),  through the richer (and the poorer), and I am still glad I mailed that card.  He was my first “real” Valentine… and he remains my very favorite one.

Happy Valentines Day, ya’ll!

Crush:  1) an intense infatuation  2) a hug or forcibly strong embrace  3) the object of desire.  All three define the affections between Matt & Danielle.  He chased her for months.  She blew him off.  Then she missed him.  It was love.

Heather and I had a blast hanging out with them.  They are so funny and full of life and willing to do whatever we said.  We made them kiss- A LOT.   (I don’t think they minded)      H and I look forward to telling more of their story.

For now enjoy this sneak peek of the e-session

Through my lens…

My fave of the day:

And while I was shooting this,   Heather was rockin the Nikon.  Look through her lens here:  www.heatherowensphotography.com/blog

When I was ten years old,  I learned the definition of what “Love is”.   It was the title of a song in our church children’s choir performance.  These were the lyrics.

I still sing  (and believe them)  today.

love is

a very special thing

a smile, a tear, a soft summer rain

it has no beginning

it has no end

love is…

never stuffed up

never puffed up

and never gives up when the goings rough

“Rhythm…roll…steady…flow”   These are the words my personal trainer uses as I start my interval walk/ run training.   I wonder what Courtney Cox thinks when she hears these words.   (She and I have the same trainer).  I wonder if Sarah Silverman jokes,  “Oh, just like I do with Matt Damon?”     (She uses my trainer, too)      Yes, most days of the week,  I meet with Grace Lazenby,  fitness trainer to the stars. The workouts are worthy of any golden statue!   Why – just the other day as I was on my 7% incline interval, pushing myself for nearly an hour,  when my former trainer stopped by to comment on my tenacity.   I guess she didn’t notice I had my upscale trainer by my side.  Maybe she didn’t notice because my trainer  is my  iPod.

When Boots’ Camp started a few weeks back, I made the decision to be more regular with my exercise.   In the past, I have whipped myself into shape with the help of some very talented and TOUGH personal trainers.   Given that I am now on my “creative sabbatical”  I can’t very well justify to The Angler why the trainer is a “necessary” expense.  I also find trainers really don’t like to be paid with funny ideas and blog posts.     What to do?

I discovered www.iTrain.com by a fluke web search.  Lo and behold,  I feel like I have struck Gold (‘s gym).   For the cost of a monthly trainer,  I can have unlimited workout MP3 downloads for a year in a variety of areas of training.   They offer iTrain, iSculpt, iBallet, iStretch, iTread, iElliptical.   You name it – they have a program to help you achieve your fitness goals.    The music is fresh  – although typical – techno workout tunes.   Grace’s tone of encouragement is just enough push without being too much the drill sergeant nor is she too sugary sweet.       She also walks you through various levels from beginner to advanced runner on the iTread serious.  I’m NOT a runner’s runner.  And I’m more than a walker – so I can tailor my speed to her directives.  Now, I have personally set goals to reach those high jogger milage numbers she challenges .  I don’t like those other iPod ghost runners beating me.

If you don’t want to commit to a full year’s membership,  there is also an “a la carte” option that allows you to buy workouts individually to give it a test run (or walk)  or purchase a packaged  set of workouts.   They are ideal for those who have fluctuating workout times or who travel and use hotel gyms frequently.

Studies  show that women who listen to music while working out are 95% more likely to reach their workout goals.   iTrain is an incredible and easy way to stay motivated, push yourself, enjoy your workouts,  and get that Hollywood bod.

Check it out for yourself!   www.iTrain.com

Cheers!