Tuesday, April 30, 2013

College Past


Drew and I at Parents Cocktail, Bagnal with a drunk Kat on my 21st, Mountain Weekends

One of my good friends from Carolina passed away last Thursday. He and I had lost touch after College but through four years of school he was one of my dearest guy friends. I dated a Sigma Chi off and on throughout my  UNC days and Richard was his roommate and fraternity brother. Anytime I got dumped (yearly) or was having boy drama Richard would always be one of my first calls. He always answered or would call you back immediately (unless his voicemail was full) and could always somehow make everything okay. 

His funeral was Sunday and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous to see the whole college crew again. But one of Richard's finest qualities was to bring us all together and he succeeded in doing that one last time. The ceremony was wonderful. His friend spoke about High School memories and we were all crying through laughter. I wish I had a copy of the Eulogy by the Priest but it was moving and honest and exactly what you would want at your own funeral.

What I will never understand is why people are taken from us so early. The whole "Everything happens for a reason" debate doesn't make any sense when cancer takes the life of a 33 year old in 5 days. The doctors described it as "incredibly bad luck". How do you come to terms with that? And how as a parent do you recover from that?
Cory, Erica, Catie, Flora, Dumbell, me, Dang, Drew, Allison
We all met up for a drink before we got on the road and it was absolutely cathartic. I probably talked to much and was slightly irreverent .....but the things we remembered and the memories we had will always remain in our hearts. Just like Richard.
Bagnal, thank you for picking the correct Carolina blue school (and not the Citadel). And thank you for our friendship.

Here are a few throwbacks to our UNC days that we had a good laugh over: 

Murder Mart. I had a friend actually write her check out to Murder Mart. Correct name: Key Mart? Not sure anybody has ever called it that.

 Really?

Bagnal, ?, Cory & Allison at my favorite...Pantana Bobs. 

The good ole days 

We didn't have cell phones Freshman or Sophomore year. How in the hell did we find each other? My friend Allison told a story of waiting for Richard to get ready for an hour! No texting from the lobby telling him to hurry the F up. 

Derby Days. Yikes. Our skit was Liz Breyer and I dancing to "Stop, Drop" and Bagnal rapping as DMX. Awful skit!

College Jobs. I was a hostess at Mellow Mushroom before my Junior/Senior babysitting days. Bagnal worked at Jersey Mikes. 

Ken's quickie mart. 

The boxy Kate Spade that my friend Lauren and I used as a cooler for our..........SMIRNOFF ICE. We would tote these around after Bagnal dropped us off driving........wait for it......Lauren's Camaro. ANNIVERSARY EDITION. I can tease Lauren b/c she looks like a Supermodel. 

Carolina Halloweens (Allison, Bagnal, Cory)


Sigma Chi Mountain Weekends


For Richard:
Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can’t remember who to send it to

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again

Won’t you look down upon me, jesus
You’ve got to help me make a stand
You’ve just got to see me through another day
My body’s aching and my time is at hand
And I won’t make it any other way

Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again

Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things
To come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you, baby, one more time again, now

Thought I’d see you one more time again
There’s just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you fire and rain, now

Love,
Boylan

That smile. Bagnal & Dang. (Coffee Shop? Linda's?)

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Artistic Alcohol by Bevshots

A Margarita under a Microscope. 

My liquor loving friend Bonnie posted this site on my wall yesterday and what a great post it was! I have never heard of Bevshots but they have been written up in Forbes, CNN, Time..etc.

From the Bevshots website:
Bevshots are photographs of alcohol under a microscope. These high-quality photographs of your favorite beers, wines, cocktails, liquors, and mixers were taken after they were crytallized on a slide and shot under a polarized light microscope. As the light refracts through the beverage crystals, the resulting photos feature naturally magnificent colors and composition. When showcased on giclee canvas or metallic prints, BevShots' vibrant colors bring a modern element to any room whether used for loft decorating, home wall decor, or abstract poster art. BevShots not only make perfect home wall art but also cool gifdt ideas. Whether you need creative birthday gift ideas, gifts for housewarming parties, groomsmen wedding gifts, creative gifts for Christmas, etc. BevShots are the perfect choice. 
Remember to Decorate Responsibly  (love that!)

How brilliant is this? Behold the beautiful bourbon...

And Vodka

Scotch:

For you wine lovers

Red Wine

White Wine
(For being so pretty it sure makes me act like a freak)

Rose


And they also have non-alcoholic drinks...
Cranberry Juice

Or if you want to wear it...I present the white wine sarong. 
(Chick needs a spray tan)

Head over to Bevshots and let me know which one is your favorite!

xoxo

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Why I love Sports

7 year old Jack Hoffman, a brain cancer patient, at the Nebraska Spring Game (video below)

Silly Clay Matthews and his hair

Love Dad athletes. Might as well be Mom Porn.

Panthers Steve Smith volunteering at Rhyne Elementary in Gastonia handing out new tennis shoes

This requires a much longer explanation than I have time for this morning but let me just say I love Sports. I love Athletes. I love what teams do when there is a tragedy. I love what they do to make people's wishes come true. I love their back stories and how they have overcome so much to be where they are today.
 (Jimmy Graham)



I don't understand following reality TV stars. I would much rather see pictures of Greg Olsen or Clay Matthews or Peyton Manning or Adam Scott leaving Starbucks, leaving the gym, house-hunting, shopping for clothes..etc.. than any of those KarTrashians, Blohans or Real HouseWhore sluts. Why do we need to see pictures of these useless people when we can see gorgeous images of Greg Olsen picking up dry cleaning? Right?
Helloooo Greg Olsen

Which house Peyton?

Helloooo Adam Scott. Need a place to stay for Quail Hollow??? I'm right down the street!

Seriously. He is gorgeous and look at his beautiful family!

Here are a few videos that might help you understand why I love sports......


First home game since Boston Marathon Tragedy

Tears.

Love me some Aaron Rodgers. What a great guy. Looks like my friend Abby's hubby Mike. Heeeyyyy Mike.

Spontaneous move by Lebron...love it. His PR chick is pissed she didn't think of it.

Pierre. Love Pierre.

We need more stories like this. 

Love these two. Love Federer more...they cannot stop laughing at Rafa trying to speak English.


Drew Brees Make a Wish for Devan

Djokovic isn't the nicest tennis player..but he could be the sassiest...

And of course I"m partial to this video. Not exactly athletes (musicians) but that season for the Saints in the Dome after Katrina was Magical. Just pure magic. And Steve Gleason.


And this is allll Steve Gleason. First home game back in the Dome. MAGIC. FAITH? 


This video is for the No White Flags campaign to defeat ALS. This is Steve Gleason now. Look at the Athletes/Coaches in this video. You want to follow people in social media? Follow these guys.



I know I'm missing some amazing moments. Look for a post about best Sports movies soon!

xoxo


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Pray for Boston


Today I pray for Boston. As a mother I cannot imagine losing my son to such a horrific incident. Thoughts and prayers to all affected by this senseless act but especially to the family of Martin Richard, the 8 year old boy who died from the explosion. 

Here are ways you can help:

House someone who is displacedBoston.com has set up a Google Doc for those who need a place to stay or have a place to house runners who can't get back to their hotels or fly out of the city.

Do not rush to give blood in BostonThe Red Cross tweeted that there is "enough blood on shelves to meet demand," following the tragedy in Boston. However, American Red Cross spokeswoman Anne Marie Borrego tells NBC News that she encourages those who want to help or give back in some way to schedule a time in the future to give blood. Most importantly, people — especially those in Boston — can help by visiting the Safe and Well website, and to "listen to local authorities."

Taken from nbc.com


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Easter-Life Will Find a Way

We are traditionalists in my family. Well, at least my Dad and I are. We enjoy doing the same things year to year for the Holidays. Easter for us is early Church (especially now with a kiddo) and then back to our house to prep for the Myer Family to come. There are 8 Myers, just 3.5 Boylans this trip (M and D had to head back to Florida). Long story short they are our family that we spend every holiday with and I love our weekends together so much. Easter is always Rosemary Leg of Lamb, Tommy's cheesy potatoes, asparagus and coconut cake by Dot. We typically drink all day and then if its nice lay in the grass staring at the clouds with a nice French Rose.


Our extended family! (Andy in red is actually my cousin!)

Church was PACKED Sunday morning. Mom and I shared a chair off to the side and Dad had to stand. The entire Myer family was off in one of the transepts...it was nuts. I always try to listen to the sermons but usually I start thinking of to-do lists, if F is okay in the childcare...etc. But our Dean Todd's sermon this Sunday was absolutely incredible.

Todd first asked what does it mean to believe? (I will try to paraphrase)

When Mary recognized Jesus, was she a believer then? Was she a believer that morning? Possibly believing has nothing to do with knowing, it isn't thinking we might be believers, believing is about what we do. The choices we make. Showing up. Then he asked, what does it take to "see" new life?

He spoke about "Life finding a way". He used Jurassic Park (which I love) as his analogy. He said this movie proclaims "Life will". The park said they had everything under control. Controlled the DNA, controlled the dinosaurs and what Jeff Goldblum said was that life will not be contained. It breaks free. Life finds a way.

And Easter proclaims life finds a way. And life will always have to go through the violence of the cross. But life will reappear. Life shows up because of those who show up.

He went on to say believing is people facing life threatening diseases, and continuing to fight. Believing is a new pope who goes to a prison to wash feet and washes the feet of a Muslim woman. **Believing is parents bringing their kids to school the Monday morning after Newtown**


Now please bear with my anaology but for me my Mother is life finding a way. She has worked all of her life and now is home alone as my father is still working his booty off. Instead of laying around and watching Soap Operas my Mom has found a way. That way is the wonderful women at Jazzercise. When you work your entire life you really aren't sure what to do Monday - Friday. Most of her lady friends did not work full time jobs and already have their routines about them. Her other friends in town are still working. So what is my mom to do? She is limited in the things she can go out and do on her own due to her early onset Alzheimer's.

What my Mom found was Jazzercise. She goes twice a day every day M-F and Sunday afternoons. I went with her this Saturday (that class is no joke!) and the LOVE her. I had 10 different women come up to me saying how much they love my mother. The teacher, Susan, is one of my mother's best friends right now. She takes her out to lunch, they go run errands and do things that girlfriends do. This woman has come into our lives as a blessing and an angel. Jazzercise is how Life finds a way for my mother and I cannot express how wonderful it is for her physically and emotionally. I fought back tears as she was showered with hugs and stories and cheers. 


For me this Easter, life finds a way, and I am so happy that my Mom has found hers. 

Love,
me


Somebody put on a beach music CD...dancing occurred. No shame.