As you requested...

Here are the requested pics from this Blog and my other board...

My House - all new windows - yay!:


My Car, the family-mobile:


The inside:


Can't forget the car seat and the gym bag that never gets used:


My pink cell phone that I hate cause I can never hear anyone:


Me with the band!! (Kim! I had to get creative - I don't have any recent ones and I won't see them until the 25th - I'll post new ones then.)


The usual scene (haha Erika!)


My favorite hair products - my Philosophy Amazing Grace shampoo and conditioner:


My REAL scrapbook room:



But lately my traveling Scrapbook suitcase has been in the dining room since it's heavy as hell and I had a Workshop a couple weeks ago and haven't felt like lugging it up the stairs:


My favorite shoes - My reefs (No, Choo, not the crocs!)


My current fave purse - my Vera. I am SOOOOOO the Mom I swore I would never be:


For Brandy - something from work! Here is the Intern Orientation that I just recently worked on:


And Stella eating dinner - tortillas with cheese and peas:


I'll have to update with one of my desk at work...and we don't sell peanuts in the Company Store anymore since we split from Kraft. :)

That was fun!!!

If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you do it? Yes.

Ask me to take pictures of any aspect of my life that you're interested in/curious about -- it can be anything from my favorite shirt to my cell phone to my car. Leave your requests as a comment to this entry, I'll snap the pictures and post them back here. It's like a glimpse into my world!

I post pics of Stella all the time...but I DO have other things in my life. ha! I have loved looking at everyone elses pics... What do you want to see from me?

And it's about time for a light-hearted, fun post - don't you think?

TC

Tommy's funeral was today - it really might have been the best memorial service I have ever been to.

Carol's was awesome too - because it was all HER. The colors, balloons, her artwork and her writings...

This was all Tommy - it was MUSIC. Which was his life. That's how my family got to be such good friends with the Clarke Family. Daniel and Matt met in 9th grade marching band and my parents and Daniel's parents were in band boosters. I was 2 years older than them, but Matt and I always kind of had the same friends... so our families just got close over the years though school music stuff...and then when we all graduated, the boys still persued music and we would hang out at all of the various gigs. And Tommy was an AMAZING musician himself and was in several bands that we would go see too... The main one I remember was TC and the Hot House Band - they were funky and fun. I wanted them to play at my wedding one day - but that group had sort of stopped playing by the time my wedding rolled around.

Tommy was always so happy and cheerful and boisterous. Is that how you spell that? When he'd see us he'd yell "It's the Taylors! What's up Mr. T, Mrs. T!" (And then to me) "Hey there beautiful lady!" And give us all bear hugs.

Anyway, the service was great. It was the perfect mix of faith and religion with personal stories of Tommy. And MUSIC.

Daniel is an amazing piano player. Currently he is playing keyboards for Mandy Moore. But he has played with Bruce Hornsby and other big names. He really is so incredible. I found this video on YouTube:



So at one point, the pastor read "letters" from his sons. Both were so great... Daniel's really struck me and I am going to paraphrase it here because it's a great message to share.

Here's what I remember he wrote:

"I was driving home late last night with my best friend Robbie and we were talking and I realized how much I am like my Dad. See, I stopped at the toll booth on Powhite and I stopped and talked to the late night toll booth guy, Billy. He's a cool cat. I see him all the time coming home from some gig and we always end up chatting - sometimes as much as 10 minutes. He talks about his family and asks me about mine and we just talk and sometimes he hits the button that makes the light go green before I even pay. I know he appreciates our chats because it has to get lonely there in that toll booth in the wee hours. We have gotten to be friends.

Sometimes we are in such a hurry to get from here to there that we forget about the "in-between" - and my Dad never forgot about the "in-between." Infact, he dwelled in the "in-between." The reason I am friends with Billy is because that's how I saw my Dad live as I grew up. Everyone was his friend and he listened and cared for everyone - he never met a stranger. I learned from him.

Obviously music was a large part of our relationship. He always told me 'It's not how good of a musician you are; it's how good of a person you are.' All of those people did not come to the viewing last night because my Dad was an amazing sax player - they came because he was an amazing man. And it was just a bonus that he was a killin' sax player." :)

And the service ended with a performance of ONE of Daniel's music groups (which we used to go see ALL the time.) They are a jazz quartet called Neighborliness. They played 2 songs - the 2nd one was a totally upbeat jazz rendition of "Walking in Victory" featuring a sax.

It was SO Tommy Clarke.

Lots of prayers for the amazing Clarke Family.

Sad

Tommy Clarke passed away this morning from a heart attack. Tommy and Judy are very good friends of my parents. And their son Daniel is a very good friend of my brother's - and a friend of mine too. We all went to high school together and we have followed Daniel's music career over the years and we'd go see him perform with whatever amazing musical outfit he is with at the time.... there's a lot of them! Tommy was also a musician and my family would go see his band back in the day...

The Clarkes came over to Mom and Dad's not 2 weeks ago to visit after MY dad's heart attack. Daniel was home from touring (he is currently playing keyboards for Mandy Moore) and we all sat around and laughed and talked about old times.

It's just so sad. I'm really sad for Judy and for his sons...

There has been too much death and illness around us in the past few months. TOO MUCH.

Sunday Morning

I have about 30 seconds to update. That's more than usual!! :)

Yesterday was Mom's 55th birthday. We had dinner at Cracker Barrel and Stella wore a dress.



She got better at it...



We have a very busy July coming up. Next weekend is Toby's cousin Angie's wedding. And then on that next Thursday, Stella and I will be headed to NC again. My aunt Cissy is getting married in Cullowhee, NC which is about 8 or so hours from Richmond. I am going to drive to Morganton for the night to stay with my college roomie Ashley and her family. It will be GREAT to see her and it will be a nice stop. I'm sure after 5 hours, I'll be ready to NOT drive anymore. And Stella will be ready to NOT ride anymore. We'll drive the 2 hours to Cullowhee the next day... The wedding is on Saturday and I know it's going to be so lovely. Then on Sunday we will drive back to Morganton to stay with Ashley again...and then do the rest of the trip back to Richmond on Monday.

The NEXT weekend is Stella's big 1st Birthday Luau. We're looking very forward to having everyone over to celebrate! And Stella has 3 costume changes already - with more to come, I'm sure. She's going to be SO sick of me. But it's a perfect opportunity to wear the Hawaiian outfits that were bought for her by Family members who have gone to Hawaii in the past year.... Either this or Halloween. :)

Her actual birthday is Monday, July 23. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT.

Then on the 25th, my aunt Sunah and I are hopping on Jet Blue and flying up to NYC for an MCS show that night! Our gracious host is Mr. Donnie Sanders and I can't wait to see what he has planned. I don't care if we sit on a park bench and talk - I am so excited to catch up with him and hear stories of Broadway. We will have dinner and then head to the show. We fly out the next morning.

Can't stay away from my girl that long. :) One night will probably kill me.

And on that note, I'll leave you with some pancakes and watermelon.

Quickie

Things have been an absolute whirlwind lately and I apologize for the lack of updates. it's not like it's a whirlwind of incredibly exciting things...just lots of STUFF. Life stuff.

Work for me is crazy busy. C.R.A.Z.Y. I will update on that at a later date, but just know that the next time you see me, I may have pulled a Britney Spears and will be sporting some fancy new blonde extentions on my bald head. But no matter how crazy I get, I will never flash the paparazzi. Take comfort in that.

Stella is BUSY. She is all over the place; all the time. Yet, she can not walk on her own yet. Just crawls all over and pulls up on everything and walks up and down the couch and back... She actually will sit in her room and play with toys by herself. She pulls EVERYTHING off of the bottom shelf and watches me put it all back up - to turn around and do it again. What a fun game!

Toby is working hard too. He works 6am - 3:30 pm every day and then has had a couple side jobs that he is currently working on.... AND since he has such a huge heart and can't say no, he has volunteered to cut the neighbor's grass while they are on vacation...in addition to all of our yardwork... And it's been SO hot outside - he is exhausted from working in the heat a lot. Poor guy.

Our weekends are full from now until August. It's all filled with lovely events but it's kind of stressing me out to know that in addition to 40+ hours of work-work, I have no downtime to get the REST of my life in order. (Control freaks unite!) The house is going to suffer (more!) - it's already suffering. You know it's bad when you find your child eating dirt clumps out of the living room carpet.

Welcome to my world!!

Because I don't have time to write anymore...

Father's Day







Blowing Bubbles with Dad:






First Sucker:




Looks like she's wearing a tutu (she's not - her skirt was riding up.)


Another Pool Party with the Fam:

Down on the Farm

I just wanted to post some pictures of my Great Aunt and Uncle's farm in Studley, Virginia because I LOVE it there and it's so cute. We go atleast once a week for fresh veggies so if any Richmond peeps want to go with me and Stella one day, please join us!! (Studley = Mechanicsville = not far!)




There are the treasured Hanover Tomatoes!

Stella's First Pool Party!!

Here she is modeling her suit:




Arriving at the pool (that was a long 50 feet stroll from our house):


Sitting poolside:


In the pool with Grandpa:



Baby's First Float:


Mama forgot her sunglasses so she stole from her daughter. (Funny story: Toby came by to talk to us all and it was a good 20 minutes into the conversation when I realized I had those glasses on...so I said "Good Lord! These are Stella's glasses, I forgot mine, I don't think I look cute or anything." And he said "Well I thought they looked a little small...")


And the expected crying spell when we had to get out and go home:


But if somebody stayed in any longer her feet would have been totally shriveled - they were well on their way!

To quote my brother...

"Apparently I am now a Maroon 5 fan."

He is so RIGHT. I have never gave 2 poots about that band either way...even when they first came out and everyone was raving...but their new album? Awesome. The "Makes me wonder" song made me bust into spontaneous clapping in the car yesterday. If you do not have this album, go get it. You'll clap while driving too!! (And Stella was not in the car...)

And speaking of brothers, mine left this morning for Mexico to visit Miss Kristen in Merida for a week. I hope he has fun but I want him back home already! I love having him here...better not get TOO used to it though.

Lots going on... I think... I haven't really had time to sit down and reflect lately - it's just been kind of a whirlwind. Since Carol's passing and since Dad's episode, I've been going going going - which might be a good thing??

Dad had his 1 week check up with the cardiologist yesterday and it went very well. Mom said the nurse came in and said "Mr. Taylor, you are a VERY lucky man."

I don't think I have TRULY sat down and thought about what happened to Dad. I think I have treated this situation like I did the situation with Carol... just kind of "ignored" it and pushed it away. This is going to sound crazy, but I STILL don't think I truly understand that Carol is gone. I'm afraid if I TRULY understand it, I'll go into a downward spiral. So I always keep my brain on this upper level, know what I mean? I did that the whole time Carol was sick too...

Mom was saying yesterday about how she and Matt were talking about how they both have been feeling anxious this past week.... thinking about what happened to Dad and all....

I think I'm different in that I am dealing with the Dad thing by NOT dealing with it and NOT thinking about "what could have happened..." I'm just moving on. Living life as if it didn't happen - except with some changes (more mindful of Dad's health (and ALL of our health) and well-being and eating habits, etc...) But other than that, I won't let my head "go there."

I always thought I was pretty healthy mentally, but maybe not? I don't know.......

I don't want to think about it. :)

I'll think about something else that is just lovely: work.

While I do like my job, I need something MORE. I want something NON-administrative. I am working on bigger projects (lately in Staffing) but I'm still an "Executive Administrative Assistant" and I'm still making the same money. Now, I understand it takes time to prove yourself and all, but I have been at PM for 7 years this summer (2 of those as a temp, but whatever...) So I am ready to move on... I have a great reputation here. I know they don't want to lose me...BUT I need more and the prospects are just not available here.

For one, the higher grade jobs are going to the University Recruits. Which is a catch-22 because this is the exact project I am working on in Staffing - our UR program. I am helping to plan events and also helped with onboarding the Summer Interns (who will also come into the company - if they perform well - at a higher grade job) which leaves NO room for the employees already in the company who want to move up. Gotta fill those UR quotas.

Which hurts my feelings, honestly.

These are KIDS. I mean, I could babysit them!! Yet they are coming into the company at double my salary with no experience. I have a college degree. I have 7 years in this culture. I have had exceptional performance ratings every single year. What's wrong with me? Why can't I get a Grade 8 (or above) job? I just want to be given a chance.

But jumping from the administrative track to the non-administrative track is nearly impossible. Especially at this time.

Sooooooooooo, I have been doing a bit of thinking on this one over the past week or so....

Option 1:
Leave the Company.
I have heard stories of excellent admins leaving this company to go onto another company as a manager with their own admin! I think if I can ENTER into another company NOT on the administrative track, I will not be type-cast or pigeonholed - and the sky is the limit.

Option 2:
Leave the Company for a management position somewhere else. Gain experience. And come back in as management - then I would be golden. I think this is my "dream" option and I don't think it will happen this way, but who knows?

Option 3:
Stay in current position and go back to school. This one is looking the most realistic right now...

I have applied for 2 positions elsewhere. I think I am going to leave it at that and wait to hear from those companies - if I ever do. In the meantime, i am investigating going back to school ONLINE. (I can't physically go back to school. I hardly have the time and energy to cook dinner each night...)

I was thinking about getting my certificate in Project Management. I think that may be a good field of study for an obsessive compulsive, insanely organized, process oriented individual like myself. I also think it's a skill that can follow me anywhere and can help to advance my career in any department - HR, External Affairs, Marketing, etc....

So.... my boss is out all week and I am using some time to contemplate my work life and to think about next steps.... any advice or any great online resources you want to pass along would be greatly appreciated, as I am not doing too good of a job concentrating on this one thing before something else pops up and interrupts me...

For instance, I worked so hard yesterday to build a cart at wal-mart.com with the CUTEST infant t-shirts and scooters...and mix all match-able. And then just forgot about it! I was laying in bed last night and realized I never checked out. Damn! So I'll need to re-do that today at some point... Whoa is me.

Stella and I had dinner last night with my former bosses and it was so great to be with them again. I laugh so hard when I am with them. I love hearing stories of my old department. I miss my boys but DANG I do not miss that department and the other people I had to deal with...and nothing has changed. Of course.

I took some great pictures with Stella and her "uncles" and I'll insert them here from home tonight....

Last weekend I hosted a "Girl's Day" for a big group and we all just got together and worked on crafts - mostly scrapbooking but one friend knitted, another group painted knobs for a dresser they are refinishing.... I spent the whole day trying to organize my 1000+ pictures of Stella to get ready to scrapbook. I was successful after a bit of whining and griping and help from friends... NOW I'm ready to scrapbook. I need to start planning the next one. I'm thinking it might have to be a Stephanie's 31st Birthday Craft Day. I can't think of anything I would rather do, honestly. When did I turn into such a old lady nerd??

I am looking forward to a weekend AT HOME. I have so many piddley little things I want to do around the house that I just never have time.... like take all of the stuffed gorillas that Toby and I have given each other over the years (it's a little bit of a tradition) and put them on Stella's toy shelves...or file bills and paperwork...or reorg the laundry room...or whatever!!!

I think Sunah may be coming over to do a little scrapbooking at my dining room table at some point which will be great to get me back "in the game."

Toby is going to see Tool tomorrow night - I got him the ticket for his birthday. Then I think he'll be having Heath and the other boys over this weekend... I'm SO glad they have the garage and pool table there so I don't have to worry about them drinking beer and driving. I'm a tad worried about the Tool concert....but they are all grown men and I can't control them. If they get DUIs then that's fine. I'll just make Toby's life a living hell. If I don't divorce him. THAT is how much I hate drinking and driving - and I can't even venture to guess how many times I have asked him and his friends to NOT do it. Oh well, it's in God's hands...I can't control grown people.

On another note, I probably should go get some work done. Like building that Wal-Mart shopping cart again. Important stuff here, people!!!