My New Year’s Love Letter

Happy New Year!

Before we slide into 2010 full-throttle, there is so much to give thanks for in 2009.

So, if you’ll indulge me, I have a few thank-yous to pass out …

My family

I love them madly, dearly, passionately.

I would not be the woman I am without them.

The Happiness Family Christmas: 2007

They make me crazy (in a good way) and keep me sane. That’s the best gift EVER!

The Happiness Family: The Early Years

My nieces: (they get a special entry)

Lola B: Cool as Ever!

Lola B, Abby-Google, Victoria – they have taught me a special kind of love.

Abby is all smiles!

I am just head-over-heels for my Uber-Cool Nieces!

Victoria & Auntie B

My friends

They keep me young & fun!

St. Mary’s Crew: A Lifetime of Friendship!

They teach me how to give selflessly, and how to give thanks abundantly.

The Ladies

I am in love with the family I’ve made for myself.

Disturbia Does Halloween 2008

My pets

I am not complete without little 4-legged creatures scampering around me

(and, truth be told, those 4 legs aren’t a deal-breaker… I love my sweet, furry, licking, rambunctious friends no matter how many legs/paws/whiskers/tails/ whatever they have).

Zoila the Wonder Dog

Right now, I’m down to just one scampering puppy named Zoila – but that will soon change; I must add a kitty to the household soon!

My Paul

Who could have imagined someone would love me so much that it feels like a miracle each and every single day?

Paul & Bernice: Summer 2009

I am beyond blessed and happy and ecstatic (and right this very second – I am not afraid to admit it – I am a little puddled-up).

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, I am a very, very, VERY lucky girl.

Muah!

Santa Comes to the Computer

Santa is very high tech…

Now, you don’t have to stand in long lines at the mall, or search for Santa in the town square -  just log on your computer.

Santa has been creating some video messages to my nieces!

Click on the links to watch his messages to Lola & Victoria!

Facebook Faceoff

Dear Facebook,

I ♥ you. I really do.

But you’re full of it. (I’m trying to keep it clean here, people)

BMPR and Books: Abby in Action!

Talk about a banner way to kick off

Abby’s Book Corner – San Antonio!

Thanks to The BMPR Social Media Community, books were piling up at

the Holiday Inn Airport Tuesday…

(a special thank-you to Donna Tuttle, who had the idea to ask BMPR attendees to bring books for the kickoff,

and to Davis Staedtle who upp’d the ante with his iPhone/iTouch/iAwesomeness)

Abby’s Book Corner-San Antonio is off to a great start!

** Note: Abby’s Book Corner – San Antonio now has its own Amazon Wish List!

Boxes of Books for Abby's Book Corner - San Antonio

Abby’s Book Corner: San Antonio Style

Abby’s Book Corner: San Antonio Style – It’s a Happenin’ Thing!

While the 2nd Annual Book Drive is underway in Dallas, we’re making plans for Abby’s Book Corner to expand into South Texas!

And – here’s the really awesome part – the books donated in South Texas will stay in South Texas,

benefiting Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas!!

It’s what my sister-in-law calls “Abby in Action.”

Abby’s Book Corner: November 2009 Book Drive Update

Hers is a story that has touched hundreds of people.

She's got the giggles...

Our Darling Abby – the firstborn daughter of my brother Will & sister-in-law Mary – died in May of last year after a brief, torturous bout with a non-vaccine strain of bacterial meningitis.

Although she only spent 13 months on this Earth, her presence is felt every day. Not just in the hearts of the family who miss her so much, but in the spirit of strangers soothed by the work done in her memory.

Books. Games. Activities. Movies.

All that and more, part of the enduring promise by Will & Mary – and our extended family – to bring Abby’s Book Corner to life for hospitalized children and their families.

Mary calls it “Abby in Action.”

And now, Abby’s Book Corner is growing exponentially!

Adios, Friend.

It’s a beautiful day in San Antonio – with mild temperatures, blue skies and a bright, shining sun.

But, I find myself with a little bit of the blues today.

It’s my friend and colleague’s last day on the job here.

Abby’s Book Corner: 2009 Donation Drive

May 12, 2008.

Our family will never forget that day. It went on forever.

It was the day my brother and sister-in-law Will & Mary lost their beloved Abby.

It was the day we all – the Kearneys and the MacHuttas, our extended family and our family of friends -

lost our beloved Abby.

But something magical happened in the midst of missing her so much…

Through their younger daughter Victoria, Will & Mary found – in their words – “a reason to smile again.”

And, as an ongoing tribute to their older daughter Abby,

they launched an effort that is bringing comfort to other families.

Now – again – it’s your turn to be part of the magic of Abby’s Book Drive.

The 3 F’s: Fried. Fair. Food.

I love the State Fair of Texas.

It is happiness on a stick, especially if that stick holds a Fletcher’s Corny Dog.

Lots of mustard. Relish if possible. Hold the ketchup.

But – and I can’t believe I’m admitting this – there is such a thing as “too much of a good thing.” 

Urban Adventure

Before I get really deep into this, I know.. I know.

I’m a Texas Princess.

I love my car.

I love my car a lot.

But, I also have a sense of adventure – even if that adventure is just a light rail ride to Fair Park.