Sunday, February 28, 2010

February 27th

Sydney and Stella

If you are ever really, really, really
worried about grown-up life,
find a baby to hang out with.

It helps.

Tremendously.


If you don't think this will work,
find two babies.


Thursday, February 25, 2010

February 24th, 2010

Larry West
Providence Middle School

Yesterday afternoon I had the
pleasure of seeing Providence Middle School's
production of Thoroughly Modern Millie (Junior)!

I was invited because one of the students who
in the show has cystic fibrosis and
ended up hospialized--unable
to fulfill her role as a singing,
dancing Priscilla Girl.


A life with CF sometimes
means you can't fill certain roles.
But CFers always manage to play other roles.
Like Hero.


This particular student, Brianna, leads a team
in the annual GREAT STRIDES walk in
Richmond, VA. They raise over $5,000
every year for CF research.

Her fellow actors, out of love and respect for what Brianna does,
decided to donate proceeds
from today's show to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

It's my work, so on a professional level, this was good news.

On a personal level I simply could not believe my
luck of being able to watch a group of incredibly
BRAVE and talented students bring this show to life.
By intermission, my face hurt from smiling.

If you ever wonder if you should embrace life
and live in an exclamation point sort of way,
just go see a play. A local middle school play
would be best. But Broadway will work if you
can't catch a show at home.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

February 17th, 2010

I had a dream last night that I was sitting in a restaurant
and the women in the booth behind me was laughing, laughing, laughing
and I asked her if I could take her picture and feature her on my blog.

I think that means I need to resume my daily posts.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

February 10th, 2010

Larry and Katy Brydon

Oh! Networking!
Breakfast Clubs!
Business card exchange!
I'm Amy!
Who are you?

I'm supposed to "network."
With strangers.
It's not something I love doing.

But early this snowy morning
I found myself at a breakfast
meeting--to network.

I was a little early. I put my L.L. Bean
canvas tote (my version of a briefcase)
on my chair and took my coat off.
Oy.
There were 8 or 10 men in suits
standing around the coffee pots
chatting about...
I don't know.
I didn't get that close to find out.

I was just standing by my chair when a woman
walked in and said,
"Oh! Good Morning! The tables are so pretty!
Did you do that? I hope everyone comes
this morning despite the snow! How are you?!
Oh, look at her pretty sweater.
I'm Katy!"

She never stopped being that positive and lovely.
She engaged everyone she saw in
sincere, give and take conversation, making
sure to repeat their names so that she
would remember them and acting as if every
stranger she met were a long, lost friend.
I just stuck by her and walked around the
room with her. If nothing else comes of
my breakfast networking, I am so happy to have
met Katy--and her husband Larry. The next
time I have to get up really early to go
hang out with a bunch of people I don't know,
I'll try to be as full of wonder and grace as
Katy Brydon.

Larry and Katy opened MacLaren Jewelers in November.
I wish them all the success in the world in this new venture.

February 8th, 2010

No Kidding

I went to visit a darling girl
in the hospital today.

Finding my way through
the maze that is VCU
I heard the wackiest version
of Dancing Queen
EVER.

It was coming from these
happy mouths.

Hilarious.
And wonderful.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

February 6th, 2010


It looks like this today.
Unless I have my camera out
when the snow plow driver comes by,
I probably won't have a real live encounter
with someone who makes me happy today.

But technology took me to the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin
this morning where I heard my
dear friend Patti Digh speak
directly to me.

This is what she said:

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

February 2, 2010


Everyday. Every day. Yes, this is all there is.
And that's a wonderful thing.
You just have to realize it.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

February 1, 2010


Will it take 16 minutes to watch this?
Yes.
Is it worth it?
Yes.
That is all I have to say.