Angel Game

St. John got a group of tickets for employees and a bunch of us went to the game today. It was a fantastic game and so much fun!

Me & Valerie

Maria & I

Jenn & Naya

Maria & I enjoying our ice cream sundaes

And the Angels win after being down by 2 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th!
Buffy sporting her new Angel's cap :)

Relay for Life

Last night Dave and I walked our 2 hour leg for Team St. John at the Relay for Life in Costa Mesa. I ended up raising over $1,000 (I ranked #9 of all 517 participants for fund raising) for the American Cancer Society and the St. John team raised over $10,000!!! In all the event raised over $61,000!!!! Thank you so much to all who made donations!!!!

We walked from 9pm to 11pm and got to enjoy the Luminary lighting ceremony.

In all there where 400 bags that lined the track in memory of or in support of those who have battled or are battleing cancer. Me with the bag I made for my late Grandma June
Me with the bag I made for a friend recently lost to cancer
Dave and I at the end of our leg of the relay

Relay For Life

On May 30, 2009 I will be participating in the Relay for Life event held in Costa Mesa at Orange Coast College. I will be participating as a memeber of the St. John relay team. Please check out my page to find out why this is so important to me and see all the ways you can support me and this wonderful event. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society and are tax deductable.

Relay for Life

Vancouver

My job took me to Vancouver this week. I spend most of the time working, but got to sight see a tiny bit in the area right around me hotel. What a great city!!!!

The view from my hotel room a the Farimont Hotel Vancouver A count down to the Vancouver Winter Olympics

Looking up at my hotel

Standing in front of the Olympic counter with the reflection of The Hotel Vancouver in the bulding behindThe breathtaking 120 year old church across the street from the Boutique

The view from my window seat on the way home

Seasons

So tomorrow is my last day at Barbeques Galore. I treasure the time I have spent there and the opportunities I have been afforded. I have learned a tremendous amount and have gained several priceless friendships. But, it is just time for me to move on now. I resigned over a month ago and have been working my way out of the job training and coaching since. I am excited for this new season. I will grieve some of what I am leaving behind, but am mostly just excited for what is around the bend (whatever that may be).

The next day I am off to Arizona to show Breezy at the Sun Circuit. I am so very excited about this show. One of the things I am excited to try is the new strategy Johnette and I have been working towards. This is really just the 1st test so adjustments may still need to be made, but I'm ready to put it all out there. I feel like we have been holding back the last 2 years and now I am finally ready to put it all out there. I'll try to post updates throughout the 10 day show.

Here's the schedule:
1/24 Schooling day
1/25 AQHA Amateur Reining
1/26 AQHA Senior Reining (Johnette will be doing the showing on Breezy this day)
1/27 AQHA Amateur Reining
1/29 $1000 NRHA Non Pro
$1000 NRHA Intermediate Non Pro
$200 NRHA Limited Non Pro
$1000 NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro
(all classes on 1/29 run concurrently)
1/30 AQHA Amateur Reining
2/1 AQHA Amateur Reining

I am thankful for....

Jesus, my Lord and Savior
my husband
my family
my many lovely friends
my sister-in-law that is really more of sister
my job and the opportunities I have had this year for growth
the opportunity to live out my reining dreams
Breezy
the amazing 2 week vacation we had in Mexico this year
having in-laws that I love and love me back
my loving and supportive Mommy
Dave’s gorgeous extended family
our community group
worship
freedom & joy
the luxuries we are lucky to afford
the ability to find beauty in most things and people
my gifts and talents
crackling fires and snuggly blankets
God’s splendid creation (with the exception of spiders, of course)
humor
music
prayer
french fries & pizza
our good health, inspite of french fries & pizza
flowers
our kitties
my new saddle
digital photography
roasted marshmallows
my new ring
LOVE!

...just to list a few

Weber Kettle Pumpkin

Yesterday we had a mini-pumpkin decorating contest at work. My pumpkin won for Most Company Spirit!

Relax

In light of the enormous hours I have been working and recent 12 days in a row stretch, the Group CEO and my boss insisted that I take a couple days off this week. So yesterday and today was spent relaxing. Yesterday I went to my Mom & Wendy's house to float in the pool and play with the animals. My dear friend Karen ended up joining me and then we went to a movie.

Today I rode Breezy in the morning after getting an oil change. Then I spent about 4 hours at Burke Williams Day Spa for complete relaxation.

Pics from Tuesday:

Playing with Wendy's bunny, Carmel




My Mom's Pug, Princess Pugsy


Mom & Wendy's minis playing together, Mikey & Cooper



Cooper giving a bow

Manager's Conference

I was in Scottsdale this past week for my Company's Annual Manager's Conference. The HR department puts it on so I was there to help make it run smoothly. And smoothly it ran; thanks to the team work of the most awesome HR team ever! After the conference officially ended on Wednesday we went on a jeep tour of the desert to help us unwind. It was amazing and unexpected; loved every minute. Then Thursday morning before heading to the airport I got to have an extremely enjoyable breakfast with my Uncle Scott and Aunt Coletta who live in Scottsdale.

The Group and US CEOs preparing to judge the 1st Annual Griller Thriller District Cook Off


The LA District asked me to join their team and here the judges are grading our creation


My team, The LA Shakers, showing off our dish (The Texas District won, btw)


My bosses showing off their Western Themed garb


Playing Blackjack at the Casino Night


The Awards Banquet






The most rock'n HR team ever!


The HR Team loaded up and ready for our jeep tour


Cheryl gets up close and personal with a Saguaro Cactus


The team posing for a group picture


My token wannabe photographer shot

2006

Top 5 Highs for 2006:
-Winning my 1st blue ribbon on Breezy
-Being promoted to HR Manager and being on the Executive Team
-Showing at the All American Reining Classic
-Recultivating a beloved friendship once considered lost
-Vacationing in Cabo

Bottom 5 Lows for 2006:
-South County United ending
-Bombing out at the All American Reining Classic in the 1st round of the Derby & realizing that I couldn't just pick back up where I left off showing 8 years ago
-Feeling completely overwhelmed at work
-Moving (I hate moving!!!)
-Breezy getting hurt before the last Derby and ending our 1st show season without meeting our goals

Annual Manager's Conference

Well, I'm back. I spent the last week in Scottsdale at my company's Annual Manager's Conference. It was awesome!


Pics from Award's Night:

w/ a couple LA store managers


w/ last years store manager of the year


w/ my boss