Monday, February 25, 2013

Holy Toledo...What a Way to Finish!

After over six years with the Houston Astros, life threw me a wonderful curve ball and I had to take a swing at it. I am excited to take on a new career as an event planner for Keely Thorne Events. Exquisite weddings and making client's dreams come true is what I love most, and I couldn't be more excited for this new adventure.

Leaving Minute Maid Park for one last time was a very odd feeling. When you work in sports, you really never stop working. There is this passion to help your team that is insatiable, and everyone is buzzing around trying to make the dream come alive. Early mornings, late nights, marketing meetings, buzz words, bridal shows, mascot reveals...you name it and we would be hashing out all angles of it. The access I had to such talented executives and professionals was limitless and truly taught me invaluable lessons that I will never forget.


I started out as an intern. I think normal people feel like the word "intern" means lowest person on the food chain. I viewed it as an opportunity to be a worker bee and get to know EVERYONE, so I soaked in all that I could. Sure I will pass out programs, work long hours, and log video tapes for you. Please just teach me everything you know and let me watch you for a bit. Not everyone gets to see a World Series, 18 inning game, Biggio's 3000th hit, and attend Spring Training. I knew I was lucky and that there was something about Minute Maid Park that wouldn't let me be away from that Astros star for long. Later, when I would train countless interns, I always thought about the people who gave me my opportunity and took time to teach me some of the hard lessons they had learned. Sharing my lessons and helping interns find their path was always one of my favorite work assignments.


Luckily I sold copiers for a year between my internship and going back to the team, because the outbound sales I did over that year would later be referred to from upper management as, "well if she can sell copiers, can't she sell anything?"

Being a part of the Special Events Department was like being a part of our own small business. Everyone in the organization was working on baseball, and we were working on everything going on in the ballpark BESIDES baseball. The cleaning, engineering, audiovisual, catering, marketing, ballpark entertainment, sponsorship, community...well you name it...the other departments all had a full plate with baseball and we would just add more "cherries on top" with our Special Event client events. We all did it and performed to the highest of standards. Some of the event pictures below showcase some of the amazing things we got to be a part of. 



When they start the game, they don't yell, "Work ball." They say, "Play ball."
-Willie Stargell

If you looked up from your Iphone in the morning and stopped checking your email, the most amazing thing would happen when walking into work. You would notice you worked at a ballpark. There is nothing more magical than a field with sunlight just barely hitting the grass and sprinkler heads popping up. Baseball can be very romantic. My PawPaw always said, "Get a job." I guess he never realized when he used those words he would push me to swing for the big leagues. Thank you everyone, and you know who you are, for supporting me during this former chapter and helping me travel into the new one. I realized a large part of what made me tick over these years and now the clock has a new battery.

You see, you spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out it was the other way around all the time.
-Jim Bouton


Sunday, February 17, 2013

Just FOUR You!

Jack turned four months on February 15th. This also happened to be Dot and PawPaw's birthday too. What wonderful people to share a new milestone with!

Jack loves to giggle VERY hard.
He has two bottom teeth.
He has started to grab his toes.
He is very close to rolling completely over.
He still has all of this hair.
He has started his love affair with Sophie (see giraffe in photos).
He is almost sleeping through the night (now just wakes up at 2:30 a.m. instead of three times a night).
He loves to kick and lay on his back.
When he is ready to eat he lets you know it.
The teachers at school call him "the little prince" since he is the only boy in the class the majority of the time.
He doesn't mind attention from Cooper.


Jack has some very cute girlfriends already. Jack taught Molly and Annabelle how to par-tay during the super bowl. Not a bad way to watch the game with two pretty ladies on each arm! He received his very first valentine in the mail from sweet Caroline. Some of his girlfriends at school may have been loving on him a little too much this week and gave him the sniffles. But his number one fan is his momma. He still saves all of his kisses for me! (for now at least)


We are trying to prevent him from being a "yuppy", so we make sure he gets a healthy helping of Duck Dynasty, fresh air without any diapers, and country life. It is always good to get a little dirty beyond just spit up. 






Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Strong Spirit

Barb Thompson lost her battle with cancer this past Sunday. She is a true fighter and should be an inspiration to us all. My PawPaw could not have found a better companion and friend to bring into our family. We all have been blessed by her gentle spirit, unselfish love, and devotion. We will miss her dearly.


Eternal rest grant unto
Barb, O Lord.
And let perpetual light
shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.

May her soul and the souls
of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Amen.