April Catch Up

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind! Work is keeping me very busy during the week and the weekends have been extremely full....work hard, play harder! This post will not be in chronological order as it will be long and there are certain things I want you to see should you only have a quick minute. No event was any less important than the other, but the "leading story" is just very special and I don't want you to miss it.

When I was a graduate student at The University of South Alabama in Mobile, I had the good fortune of working FOR and WITH 2 extraordinary women: Gina Hedberg and Barbara Wooley, respectively. These women are blessings in my life and I am so thankful for them. Gina was the "key" to my social life in Mobile as she sponsored me for Junior League and got me into triathlon mode (and introduced me to Melissa, another incredible friend). Barbara was the essence of grace and a Mobile Southern Belle. She was a beautiful person both inside and out. She and her husband, Larry, provided me and my friends many nights of Mobile Symphony and Mobile Ballet tickets (the good ones!). She was generous when she didn't have to be and truly loved people. She was a strong Christian woman whose faith was steadfast and unshakeable. Just after I graduated from Graduate School, Barbara was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She was a valiant foot soldier and went into remission about 1 year later. Oh, how we all cheered and celebrated God's goodness. It wasn't even a year after Barbara's remission report that the cancer came back with a vengeance. She fought bravely for 3 years solid. There were many ups and downs, hills and valleys. Barbara's faith never wavered. She always had that brilliant smile on her face and ALWAYS realized the positives. Although we who knew her and loved her were devastated, she knew where she was going should cancer not let her go. This assurance sustained her and gave her the most tremendous grace. I aspire to be more like that...and I am healthy!

During Barbara's 65 years on this earth, she and her husband, Larry, were avid supporters of the fine arts in Mobile. They were active in various charities. They gave freely of themselves and their resources. Barbara made her mark on Mobile. She made a big mark on me. Barbara died last winter (2008). The world definitely lost one of it's brightest angels. I don't remember what kept me from going to her funeral, but I know that I have always regretted it. I needed closure to completely accept the fact that she was really gone. Last month, March 2009, her husband, Larry, and 2 sons, Dane and Heath, immortalized Barbara. They erected a statue in her honor in the University of South Alabama's Women and Children's Hospital's Memorial Gardens. It's a wonderful sanctuary in front of USA Women and Children's Hospital in Mobile. The park is full of bronze statues that represent not only those who have lost their battle with cancer, but those who have had hand in the advancement of cancer research. I strongly encourage you to drive/walk these grounds the next time you are through Mobile. I promise you that it will be a blessing. While I was in Mobile last weekend, I made it a priority to visit Barbara's statue. It was beautiful! She stands at the front door of the hospital under the big oak tree in a small garden of colorful flowers....just as she would choose. Barbara was always gardening. Who knew that visiting the simple statue would bring me such closure and peace. Yes, I was sad, but I cannot think of a better way to remember such a wonderful person. Here are a few pictures:

Barbara, me, Gina
This was my graduation dinner at The Bakery in downtown Mobile (Dec 2002)

Barbara was always laughing and making other laugh, too.

Barbara and Me.
This is exactly as I remember her. Big smile, perfely manicured nails, and big heart

These pics were taken with my Blackberry...sorry for the poor quality, but I left BOTH of my cameras in NW Arkansas.

Front view of the statue

Under the big oak

Back of the statue looking towards the front entrace of USA W&C Hospital

Footstone

DOMINOES BALL

The sole purpose of my trip to Mobile was for the Dominoes Ball. The quick history of this Mardi Gras organization: Dominoes are closely associated with the Knights of Revelry (KOR) Mystic Organization in Mobile. KOR parades on Fat Tuesday and have their ball the first Friday night after Easter (Easter Ball). The Dominoes do not parade during Mardi Gras and they host their ball the 2nd Friday night after Easter. These are the only 2 Mystic organizations that host their balls after Fat Tuesday. (No organization can parade or host balls during Lent...ruled by the Catholic Church).

My friend, Melissa, was the Dominoes' Leading Lady this year. This is the highest honor bestowed on any Mystic Organization. For the ball this year, Melissa chose a Studio 54 theme. How fun it was to throw back to the Disco era! The ball was held at The Country Club of Mobile. The Tip Tops played until the wee hours of the morning and were awesome! They even dressed the part with big afros, wild costumes, and the perfect music. Here are a few candid of the night, but here is the link to all photos on Facebook. (Professional Pics are not yet available)

Melissa and Gary - the first dance
The dance floor was surrounded by all the members of The Dominoes while The Leading Lady lead the first dance of the evening.

Melissa, Gina (wearing her traditional Domino robe), and me


Melissa and Gary dancing

Melissa "singing" her heart out with the Tip Tops

*side note: just after this photo was snapped, a few of Melissa's friends were pulled on stage to be "back up". My worst fear was realized when the band leader had pulled my by the hand up front and center to DANCE a solo. There is not enough alcohol anywhere that would have made this fun for me.....later I realized that Melissa had put the band leader up to it....all I can say is that payback is a B****!

Me and Phillip

Gina and Mary Elizabeth

(both donning their traditional robes)

Just after Melissa and I went through the Memorial Park to see Barbara's statue, we went to dinner at Ed's Shed on the Causeway on the Bay. I couldn't help but take this picture of the sunset. It was so beautiful. It was good to be "home" in Mobile.

April 18. Aloft Hotel. Kara and Kelly's birthday party. This is the party that they had planned for themselves before the "surprise party" Easter weekend. Here are a few candids. All I will say about this is that a GREAT time was had by all!

Julie, Me, Courtney

Kara, Jenn, Allyson, Julie, Me, Courtney

Kara's favorite birthday present :)

Kelly & John Branca...playing pool and winning!

Company Party and Jason Meadows. Dr Pepper Snapple Group was awarded the Vendor of the Quarter for Q4 at Walmart Corp. This is a huge honor...especially considering our competition. (if you think real hard for 5 seconds you'll know who that is...) Everyone in our office has been working extra long hours during this "Relay/Mod Season". I've always known that this season of the Walmart calendar was rough, but living it is a whole different story. Long hours, 7 day work weeks, minimal sleep, and STRESS! The Senior Management decided that we needed a night out to celebrate all that we have accomplished as a team with our customer. So....they invited Jason Meadows to NW Arkansas to host a private concert. DPSG sponsors him corporately, so this was not that big of a request. The loft space above the Wine Cellar on Dickson Street in Fayetteville was turned into a casino and concert hall. Fun times!

Because we were celebrating and the travel distance between Rogers/Bentonville and Fayetteville, DPSG "shuttled" us from our front doors to the venue. No one ever mentioned what we would be picked up in, but we all assumed it would be a paddy wagon or 15 passenger van.....you can imagine my surprise (and my neighbor's) when this sweet ride backed into the culdesac. (Thanks Shelley for the pic!)

I was the first to be picked up, so I had a good 2 hour ride in the Hummer before ever getting to Fayetteville. FUN TIMES! However, my friend, Greg, patiently waited for me to arrive. He lives in Fayetteville and met me at the party.

me and Greg

Okay...those of you who have known me for any length of time know how I am always talking about "the Babington nose." My Mamaw Sullivan inherited it from her mother, (Cain family, actually) and she has passed it down to my Dad, Uncle Pat, and Aunt Cindy. My Dad has passed it down to me. I have always known that I had a big nose, but it wasn't until someone snapped this candid of me at the Company Party that I realized just how big it really was....all I see in this picture is Mamaw Sullivan's profile....family genetics, gotta luv'em.

Don't ask what I am trying to do here, but it's obvious that I am TRYING to dance....