Longing for Spring

We have truly enjoyed all of the snow and, honestly, given the week we've had Tuesday's snow day (pictures to come - they're still on my camera) with my girl was just the medicine I needed. And I felt much better about life in general until I received a call from the bank saying they were closing our account because we'd irresponsibly made a TON of charges in just a few days, which caused our account to overdraft.

Seriously?!?!?!

Yes, these were all of the same charges I'd been discussing with them and the police for DAYS because they were fraud. I was not in Shreveport, Louisiana, at 1am on Monday morning. Not even close.

Thankfully we got all of it cleared up but it was a long, ugly process. The fraud was so widespread in our bank that they ended up canceling every single debit card of every single member. But we were the first ones to report it so we were the guinea pigs. Which is why NO ONE had made ANY notations on our account that we'd even spoken.

To answer the obvious question - yes, we are evaluating our banking options. :-)

I also found out Wednesday morning that a dear friend and former boss of mine, Jim Sirbasku, had passed away completely unexpectedly on Tuesday night. Jim and his partner, Bud, founded Profiles International, which is where I worked right before returning to Baylor. 

I'm thanking the Lord that He gave me the opportunity to see Jim at a wedding only 9 days before he passed. We had a good hug, some laughs and had a chance to catch up. So very thankful for that blessing. 

Tomorrow morning the little one will head out with Nanna Geri while I bid farewell to a wonderful friend, mentor and leader. She will have a wonderful time, I know, and it will be good to catch up with a number of my former co-workers. Though I wish the circumstances were different...

And, in the meantime, we have just about had enough of the frigid cold and snow for the year. We are all longing for spring...

ADDY Awards

Last Saturday evening, Dave and I attended the ADDY Awards with many of my co-workers. I realize it's incredibly shocking that we got out two weekends in a row. It was taxing but we managed. :-)

It was a great evening at the newly renovated Roosevelt Ballroom and was another excuse to get dressed up. Woo hoo for me. That boo you heard came from Dave's direction. He even put on a tie, though, so now I can't ask him for any other favors for at least the next 3 weeks.

But I digress...

Anyway, we had a wonderful dinner, champagne toast to the 80th anniversary of the local Ad Club and enjoyed visiting with our buddies.

That's Eric B., Deb and Janice

Told you he wore a tie. And, no, I don't know why his eye looks lazy. Doesn't appear to be in real life.

Eric Y., Linda and 

Seth

Brenda and Terry

Ad Club Prez, Patrick

Unveiling the new 80th anniversary logo (you know we advertising/marketing people are all about logos for all occasions, right?)

Isn't it pretty?

A close up of one of the Gold awards we received. It was a great evening to be a Baylor Bear (our ladies won that evening as well) as you can see...

Those are the Gold and Silver awards. There were also a number of Bronzes but those are just certificates. Much of our work is going on to be judged at a higher level now, which is great news. 

Have I mentioned lately how much I dearly LOOOOOOOVE my job?

Because I so, totally, do.

Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez - A Photo Essay

Trials of Many Kinds

Ok, so I've really been trying to look on the bright side lately. Truly. For the most part, things have been looking up after months of family health and injury issues. But this morning when I got to work my message light was blinking. Do you know who it was?

It was the fraud center our bank retains to monitor debit card activity. They had seen some wild charges on my card and blocked it. But only after someone in Shreveport, Louisiana, did about $900 worth of damage.

So I spent some time at the bank this morning trying to get it straightened out and do you know what they said? They'll be happy to put the funds back into my account after the charges actually clear our account (they're currently pending but approved) AND we file a police report.

When will the charges actually clear? They have no idea.

Can they just clear them manually (like they did our rent check that I specifically asked about)? No, they cannot. Or will not. Whatever the case may be.

And apparently I shouldn't be upset with their lack of customer service because I'm "not the only one." There are MANY who were affected by this exact same thing. Besides, it's not their fault. How do I know that? Because they made a point to let me know.

Of course, I'm also of the opinion that it's not my fault but I digress...

Quite frankly, I'm just trying to keep this in mind:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Singing His Praises

Today I'm just thanking God for His recent blessings. 

My appointment yesterday went very well. Taylor's incision is finally healing and she has - drum roll please - regained full range of motion in her arm. Dave is, thankfully, scheduled for surgery two weeks from today that will relieve the excruciating knee pain he's been in for years.

There will be tough (and possibly really rough) days ahead, for sure. But I know we will not only survive but thrive.

Remain in Me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:4

Simply Silly

Sometimes my Taylor is simply silly. Like, with a capital S. 

Truth be told, it's one of her most endearing qualities. And one that brings me untold amounts of joy. She cracks me up on a daily basis. That's something I, as one who is incredibly prone to drama and stress, need.

So sometimes when I'm really concentrating on something on the home computer, I turn around to see something like this...

And I have no choice but to pick up my camera and start taking pictures...
Every once in a while I actually get a serious pic...and by serious I simply mean one in which the cheese factor has been toned down just a bit.
But it only lasts for a moment. Because, you see, she's simply silly. Seriously.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.

P.S. In trying to get Tay healed up from her injury and Dave ready for upcoming surgery, I haven't talked much about an appointment I have tomorrow. It's one I'm hoping will at least get us on the track of solving the 10-year-old mystery of the cause of some symptoms (that are increasing with severity) I've had since about 6 months after Taylor was born. 

If you happen to think of it while saying your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it. Seriously. :-) And if you have a prayer request, PLEASE leave it in my comments.

Obligatory Snow Photos - A Photo Essay

I know it's Fat Tuesday, y'all, and I should be posting about a King Cake and jambalaya but some exciting things have been going on at work. Perhaps you heard Baylor has named a new president?

I'll soon be off to prep for the official press conference so instead of flinging my Mardi Gras excitement around, I'm sharing some photos from last week's snow. 

P.S. My child may or may not have had to drag her tired, sick mama out of bed to play in the snow. I'll never tell. :-)

Will you be my Valentine?

Don't you just love Valentine's Day? Honestly, it's not a day that we spend a lot of money celebrating but I do love the red, pink and white decorations. And homemade cards from my little one. They're the best.

That being said, it's not like we don't celebrate at all so here's how we celebrated the big day in the Bowers' household.

Miss Taylor did indeed fill her giant heart box with lots of cards and candy. She sported her new heart-shaped hair decorations at school on Friday. You can't really tell in the picture, though...and, by the way, I promise she does have other clothes underneath this hoodie. It just happens to be her favorite jacket right now so it only looks like it's the only thing the child ever wears. Trust me, as the laundry police in the house, she wears lots of cute stuff underneath. :-)

On Saturday we got up and ran a few errands before heading to Zumba. It was so good to get back in the gym and not feel like I was going to pass out. Seriously, it's the little things. Then we met Nana and Boppy for lunch at Pizza Hut, where we gave Boppy his birthday present - tickets to the Baylor/Texas Tech game tomorrow night. He was super stoked. And little miss charmed me into buying an extra ticket for her so she has big plans for Tuesday...

Then I headed home to get ready the wedding of one of my former co-workers, J. He is one of the nicest men I've ever met and truly deserved to find someone with whom to share his life. Have never wanted someone to have genuine happiness than him. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. And, because it was Valentine's Day Eve, he gave all of the ladies a rose. Isn't that sweet?
In this picture you can see the very classy vase I put the rose in when I got home. It was late, y'all. I was tired. Other than that I have no excuse.
Sunday morning brought news that the little one had a cough and sore throat at Nana's house and wouldn't be going to church. I did, however, go to Sunday School and big church before heading to Wal-Mart for our bi-weekly shopping trip. 

All by myself.

It was rough.

Once I put all of the groceries up (this post is almost as riveting as watching paint dry), I went to get the little one. Picked up a little gift for her on the way...
It's actually a SINGING balloon. Who knew?!?!
Lest I give you the impression that my man didn't observe the day, let me present Exhibit A: the cards that were waiting for me and Tay when we got home Friday afternoon....
The big guy, whose name is now Amore, was waiting for Tay...
Along with these...she was in heaven! Also, he wrote a really sweet message in her card but forgot to sign it. After reading it, she said "who do you think it could be from?" Apparently there are many people she suspects might leave us cards and chocolate at the dining table. So sweet and funny at the same time....
These were waiting for me. Yes, that does say "Dove" as in the most amazing chocolate you'll ever put in your mouth. Score!
Miss Tay gave me this cute blinged out flip flop charm. It may look like a keychain but it's apparently supposed to go on your rearview mirror. How awesome is that?!?! Now I just have to figure out how to get it on there...

In addition to homemade cards, Tay also gave us these cute little bears. She and I made these while she was sick a couple of weeks ago. Aren't they cute?

Please do not be deceived when you see these kits in the store, though, as all you get are a bunch of different size pom poms. It's a long-term project. But we made some fun memories :-)

And, finally, because I just love the picture...my friend, Robin, as she was presented with her rose at the wedding. Love, love, love her!!!
Happy Monday, y'all!!

P.S. I didn't leave Dave high and dry. I promise. He got a nice card (which I'm sure he just loooooved) and a subscription to Texas Monthly. Unfortunately, he has to wait 6-10 weeks for it to begin arriving. It's the thought that counts, though, right? :-)