It's Not a Bad Month.. It is a Life Changing Month

On the eve of typically my Worst Month Ever, I decided to do a little reflection on just how scary September is for me.

Then... something happened.

As I was driving down HWY 224 heading from Montezuma to Perry, it hit me. It wasn't that September was so terrible. I mean, think about it, I survived. Yes, it altered my course of existence...

But.. that's IT!

It simply altered my course. It was God's way of shaking me to my core and having me shift directions-alter my sails-take the road less traveled - etc. 
These fundamentally core shaking experiences were just basic plate tectonics doing their thing with my soul. 

As I sit and grasp the weird nuances that always seem to happen, I have to view it as life changing. Always for the better, in one way or another. Always. 

With that being said, I'm just living my life. I promised myself that 2015 was going to be a beautiful, soul-enriching year, and I have happily stayed the course. I spent another fantastic two weekends with my S.G. soaking up nature and feeling this incredible, to-the-bone, peace. Life is good, and I am continuously collecting beautiful moments. 

Last weekend, I got to meet S.G.'s granddaughter. I held this little baby girl in my arms and sort of marveled at how tiny she was. Knowing me, I am a little unsure of myself around babies, so in about 60 seconds flat, I handed her back to her father. 

I spent a little more time with SG's middle child (biologically oldest,) at the farm. We enjoyed chatting, watching Youtube videos and picking muscadines. 

SG took me on a golf-cart ride around Preston, his home town. I snapped this shot of his home church as we were rounding the bend. Just the perfect example of a small country church in the deep South.

I came back home and got a wild hair. I needed a change - in more ways than one. I chopped 5 inches off of my hair. 

Ta - Dah!!

This past weekend I headed back down to SG's and indulged in more delicious, juicy muscadines. 

Gypsy and I spent a little time together while my guy had to go into work for a little while. Coffee and a dog.. not a bad combo. 

I spent most of the weekend working on some of my freelance writing assignments for Macon Magazine. 

Finally, I got back into Macon this morning and read this. 

I think September needs to not be so much about me, but what I can give back. If I put enough good into the world, certainly I can escape this month fairly unscathed... right?

Until next time... 

Sitting In The Tower

Surrounded by hotel shuttle info, Southern Living, and website updates

 “You can be the most beautiful person in the world and everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but if you yourself don't know it, all of that doesn't even matter. Every second that you spend on doubting your worth, every moment that you use to criticize yourself; is a second of your life wasted, is a moment of your life thrown away. It's not like you have forever, so don't waste any of your seconds, don't throw even one of your moments away.” 
― C. JoyBell C.

I have not wasted one single second.
2015 has shaped up to be a glorious year. If I set aside the financial struggles (which, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, we all have them to some degree,) life has truly made up for the cosmic cluster f*ck it shoved down my throat in 2014. 

With that being said, I have been extremely busy. So busy that I can't think of a sufficient word to describe how slightly overwhelmed I have felt. 

Luckily, this past weekend I was able to pull it together and sort out my thoughts. When this happens, I am able to write... again.

I thought the best thing I could do today, is share with you some of what I have been up to. In the world of "me" - there is never a dull moment. ;-)

I suppose we could start with Easter weekend. I went down to spend it with my S.G. This is Preston United Methodist Church. This is the church he grew up in. 

We had a relaxed Easter lunch down at the cabin, The entire family (and extended family) came down for a Potluck dinner Fishing, Paddle Boats, and tons of laughs. 

That weekend,S. G. took me out to eat for a nice steak dinner at The Station in Americus. Quiet, relaxed, and the food was pretty good.

We also went antiquing in a little town called Sasser.

I found the quirkiest items in one shop called "Alice & Jay"

In my evenings - a little Skype time with my S.G. & his girls always makes my night

I even got some Auttie Blossom time. Don't you just love the 8 year old attitude?

Finally made some time for my "Mean Girls" lunch date. 

Got another story published - this feature was in the 11th Hour. 

Bonding time.,

Then there was this event I threw.
Oh yeah...
Please watch the video...
I'm quite proud.. really..

Then....

Of course... I just had to attend the Just Tap'd Craft Beer Festival in Macon. 

The turn out was spectacular. Even with the rain!

This past Saturday, I attended Betsy Campbell & Gary Ballard's wedding. What a surprise - for her reception (and first dance,) Otis Redding III performed for them! (Yes, that's the son of THE Otis Redding.)

Sneaking a pic with the bride. To the right is Josephine, a dear friend and Station Manager of Georgia Public Broadcasting, 

Finally, I'm always harping on about how cool little Macon is... or how much it drives me crazy. Just like family, when it does something to make me proud, I like to show her off. Well... we're in the May 2015 issue of Southern Living.
And yes.. the people selected are awesome. All very involved in our community and good people.


Well... that's been my past couple of weeks. 
Nothing profound to share.
Just living life.

I have a busy week ahead - conducting three interviews for some stories I've been asked to write, Otis Redding Music Camp for the 11th Hour and The Amerson Water Park reopening and a spotlight on Hot Plate Group's new chef for Macon Magazine. 

Good stuff!

I am also participating in Bibb County's Relay for Life on Friday night. I'm on the Bibb County Executive Leadership Board for the American Cancer Society. I am looking forward to a very successful fundraiser.

THEN - GUESS WHO TURNS 9 THIS WEEK?

Auttie Blossom!

And finally - I am headed to the American Alliance of Museum's Annual Conference in Atlanta for a week. 

Busy Busy Busy.

What are YOU up to?

PS - Sitting in the Tower refers to my office. We call it the tower. Our house is large and the view from my office over looks Mulberry Street. 

Things I've Learned This Week

Things I Have Learned This Week:

1. Time Management is CRITICAL when you work for yourself. I found myself sort of feeling like I was supposed to be doing something, yet somehow I got everything accomplished. 

2. Yacht Rock is my latest obsession. I blame #BraggJam. Though I have always loved 10CC, The Commodores, Ambrosia, Christopher Cross,Hall & Oates,  etc... I am back on this soft rock kick from hell. Can't. Get. Enough. In particular... THIS song. I probably played it 1/2 a dozen times the other day as I was scooting across town to run errands.

 

3.  I have officially complicated my life... and I am WELL aware of it. Details will come.. and yes, it's in the "love interest" territory.. but .. c'est la vie. I'm having fun. ;-)

4. It's Clinique Bonus Time at Belk. Need I say more? The ugly phase is over. ;-)

5. I have a $183 grocery bill today. Why? It's a whole lot cheaper to purchase food to prepare versus going out to eat. Now that I am working from home, it just makes more sense. I checked out my Wells Fargo budget breakdown.. and... um... er.. I was spending close between $600 - $800 a month in "entertainment." Which when I looked closely - was restaurants/etc.  Yeah.. that grocery bill makes sooo much more sense now.

6. Okay.. now.. I'm just going to say it. It's not cool, but I don't care. I have spent money on super expensive shampoo, I've bought the natural stuff, and I've bought the smell good stuff. I TRIED to make a switch to some other "highly promoted" expensive crap, and my hair has felt like straw. (Which contributed to my ugly phase post.) I finally just picked up my old fave... Pantene Volume and it was like a miracle had occurred. I'm going on the record and saying this is the only shampoo that works for me. There, damn it. I'm done with trying other things. My old standby is perfect. No more ugly duck phases.

7. I have so much more "me" time and I feel complete joy. Did you hear me? JOY. 

8. I thought I would give a shout out to some of my friends in Macon. It was such a delight to pick up this month's Macon Magazine and see 4 of my friends right there listed as part of the 5 under 40. I don't think they could  have picked four more incredibly wonderful people. What do we all have in common? We're all Leadership Macon graduates! Dominique Johnson (is a minister, as well as one of the advisers to my Leadership Macon class,)  Chris Tsavatewa (is a professor at Middle Georgia State College & serves as the head of the community board I serve on for Star Choices, and I consider a newer friend (his wife is awesome too!,)) Jonathon Dye (is a very dear friend and the Communications Director at Macon Arts Alliance and now someone I work with doing the Art Matters Journalism bit,) and of course, Stacey Harwell (she is Jonathon's fiance and a minister at Centenary & a dear friend.) These four are soooo dedicated to our community and I am genuinely thrilled they were selected.

Dominique Johnson, Steward Vernon, Chris Tsavatewa, Jonathon Dye, Stacey Harwell

9. Is it just me.. or are you over summer? I figured out this week that I have a threshold for handling humidity and I have officially reached it. Bring on pumpkin spice, bring on the bold/Autumn colors, and bring on the cool evenings. DYING here, people.

10. Finally... I'm okay. Really! Maybe doing better than I have in a very long time. 

With that.. let me show you a little of what I have been up to:

Lynn, Scott, & Bill (& me.. though I'm taking the photo) at the Cox Capital Theater watching the Grammy Winning - Blind Boys of Alabama at Bragg Jam.

My friend and curator of the museum, Jeff, celebrating his 50th bday!

Need I say more?

Chilling with my mom at her Gallery

Hanging out at Macon Arts Alliance's opening for "Figures" with Glennean (artist,) Steven (dir of Main Street Macon,) Molly (PR guru,) Jonathon (mentioned him earlier,) and Melissa (dir of The 567 for Renewal (a gallery))

Friend & Coworker, Tonya, at Jeff's Bday party

Me about to facilitate the Board Retreat for Middle Georgia Art Association

The insanely talented artist, Eric O'Dell, with one of his paintings. Click on his name to learn more about his wildly successful career. :-)

Lynn with Dewayne Kendrick (artist,) Deonna (arts advocate,) and Franodo (great friend.)

Josephine (Station manager of GPB Macon - Georgia Public Broadcasting) and me at Bragg Jam.

Scott and I hanging out in downtown Macon

I went to see The Wedding Singer at Macon Little Theater. My friend Georgia portrayed Linda, and her husband, Brian, was Robby Hart! They did an incredible job!

That little nugget made a cheesy chicken casserole with me.

Two newer characters in my life. Two great friends- Brent Milner who owns the Milner Group of Georgia (Allstate agency) and Derek Huff - handles financial securities/etc with Allstate. I am doing some PR for them, and of course, we are actually all good friends.) Lynn and I hang out with them from time to time. :-)

Me - having lunch at Harpin's in Macon.

That crazy little "power couple" - Stacey & Jonathon with me - at Bragg Jam. #dyewell Yes.. they have their own hashtag. lol

Eleta & Alex Morrison at the Macon Arts Alliance exhibit opening reception. Alex is the King of downtown - as in the head of the Urban Development Authority. Super nice couple.

The fabulous Carey Pickard and Chris Howard. Chris & I were in Leadership Macon together. He is also my main contact at Cox Communications for promotions. :-)

The group I lead at the Board Retreat. Helping artists & arts organizations become the best they can be!

One of my dearest friends, JJ Hobbs. Click on that link and get blown away by incredibly cool she is. She and I were at The Wedding Singer together.

Molly & I at The Hummingbird during Bragg Jam. Check out her blog please - Make It Work Molly

Lynn & Eric (minister at Centenary) at Bragg Jam

Lynn, Craig Hamilton, and I at The Hummingbird at Bragg Jam. Craig is another PHENOMENAL and widely successful artist. Just how successful? Well.. he is the one who worked for DC Comics and created Aqua Man. Seriously. Just google him. You'll be blown away. ;-)

Deonna, me, & Jonathon at an exhibit opening at Macon Arts Alliance

Dean Brown (the wildly talented lead singer for Dean Brown & the Dub Shak,) and Lynn

Stopped by the say hi to Jason Frost - just one of the most talented artist/graphic artist around. He just will NOT smile for a pic. lol Check out his stuff HERE.

Stephanie & I at Bragg Jam

Molly & Scott

Just hanging out at a party with Representative James Beverly. ;-)

Hanging out with Paul Harpin (owner of Harpin's) and Molly

Enjoying art with my friends Melissa & Molly

The graphic artist, Jason Frost, with incredibly talented digital artist, Craig Coleman. Craig was showing one of his unique pieces.

Molly & Katie at the Tubman

Travis at Jeff's bday

Molly at Jeff's bday

As you can see - I have not been writing as much, but I have been out living, grabbing inspiration, and loving life.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!