Me & Brooke
If I had my life to do-over, there are lots of things I’d do differently. I’ve never been good at details, like marking down the dates on the back of pictures along with a short description of where the picture was taken. I would have gone out to lunch with my friends more instead of working through lunch hours or grabbing something by myself. I would have sent out RSVPs or thank-you notes immediately instead of waiting, and perhaps forgetting. I should have hugged my kids more and told them what great jobs they did on school projects, tennis matches, swim meets. I would have made it more a priority to sit down with the family for dinner rather than be scattered with commitments. I would be better about staying in shape on a regular basis, rather than just give it lip service.
And yet, because I’m here writing this and you’re reading it, it’s not too late for any of us to change – IF it’s important enough and we make it a priority.
Tim & Me
Several months ago I accepted the co-chairmanship for the Kemper Gala in October with Tim Butt, who had been a chair last year. It’s been an eye-opening experience working with Tim. We have been friends from the time I became a customer at Black Bamboo, his wonderful Asian influenced/contemporary store in the Crossroads. Through many meetings over the last several months, I have gained a huge appreciation for Tim’s organization and intellect, not to mention his attention to detail and marketing prowess. Tim thinks outside the box, and I love to see that in anyone. I’m proud to call him my friend. It has been a pleasure working with and learning from him, along with the incredible Kemper staff of Rachael, Dawn (no longer there but still a huge help with the Gala) Margaret, Steve, and Leah. As I get older, I realize how much more important my friends are, and welcome and appreciate these new friendships.
18th and Vine District
Saturday night Mark and I went with friends to see Inception. Great special effects and music, but I didn’t love it. I think that puts me in the minority in this country! I need to step outside my comfort zone and make plans with friends that don’t always include a movie and dinner, or a movie OR dinner. I’m way too boring and predictable. This has been on my radar for a while, but I’m not moving on changing my pattern. Kansas City is known for jazz and great music, so I’m making this my goal: the next time we go out, we’re going to go to a club and listening to jazz – AFTER we visit Oklahoma Joe’s!
iPhone 4
I just received the new iPhone 4. I know I should be jumping up and down about it, because it’s new, it’s cool and hip, yadayadayada. The truth is, I’m about as far from a techie as you can get. But I AM going to go to the Apple store and have a tutorial about the phone so I can intelligently learn at least half the functions this little gem is capable of. I had my last phone for over 10 years – that gives you an idea of what a dinosaur I am.
When I start thinking about how technology has changed, I go back to memories of my very own first phone, a pink Princess. I loved it. I’d spend hours talking to friends – especially during slumber parties. And then, the Walkman, a portable cassette player came out. It was the precursor to the I Pod, and had large cassettes you could buy and snap into the body. I have to say, it did encourage me to walk and run because I loved my Temptations and Moody Blues. When I grew up, antennaes on TVs and the top of houses were common, and remote controls were non-existent. And then the computer was introduced, and changed the way we live our personal and business lives forever. They say that being techno savvy has always been inversely proportionate to age, and I’m a living breathing example of this!
Mom and Me
Mother’s Day May 9 was a struggle for me. Although I was with family for breakfast and later for dinner, there was a black cloud that followed me around all day. I lost my mother July 29, 2008 after her fight with breast cancer for over 15 years. My husband Mark and I brought Mother back to Kansas City in June to live because of a nasty fall she suffered. I had talked to her for years after her husband died about coming back to Kansas city, and she finally said yes. After a hospital stay at Menorah Medical Center in July, she was transferred by ambulance to Hospice House, where she died 3 days later. Losing a parent is something most of us will experience, if we haven’t already. Getting through the dark days of remembering are just part of the grieving process.
Lucy and Bosco
Bosco and Lucy, my Chocolate Lab and Cavalier King Charles, have a big piece of my heart. When I’m aggravated from a difficult day at work, I’ll go home and lay on the floor with my doggies, smooching and hugging on them while they lick me back – and my mood changes like magic. It never ceases to amaze me the comfort and solace I receive from our dogs.
They don’t want anything except to be walked and fed – and loved. And I’m happy to oblige. Before Bosco and Lucy, we had 3 Golden Retrievers that we adored, so our foray into a lab and a spaniel – especially Lucy, who is the ultimate lap dog, was quite different. For all of us who have dogs in our lives, we can probably agree what a warm, positive experience it is to have our pets as true members of the family.
