Gobble...Gobble (feels more like "waddle-waddle")

This week has been a revolving door of food, friends, family and gratitude. We started our holiday at the farm on Tuesday and wrapped up a full week on Sunday. Everyone had their favorite post for play. My brother John Roger, Daniel and Mike loved spending time at the target range. JAMP and Sinclair were partial to the ponies, "Pinky" and "Big Mac" --- Mark, Zoey, Jack and Blain were reeling in fish as fast as they could cast their lines. All of these activities were conducted surround sound with the tunes of college football.



Jack and Zoey did their best catches from the bank, while Woody and Blain hung out in the boat

I was extremely impressed with my girlfriend Ryland's angler skills. Look at the fine form on JAMP...like Momma like son!

Liddie and Hailey both enjoyed long naps.....

Sinclair getting lessons from Aunt Shanna on her pony, "Big Mac"

So far, we are less than a week post Thanksgiving and this is the second tour we have taken through Santa's Wonderland. John loaded everyone in my ghetto sled (that would be ten people comfortably) and we turned up the XM Holiday music and cruised through the "Kisssmiss tunnels" as Sinclair loves to call them. We just cannot get enough of these FOUR MILLION lights!! I am really curious to know what their electrical bill is for just this month alone.

(please note that all the Santa's Wonderland photos were snapped by 9 yo, Jack -- during our "unFitney" moment that we let he and Zoey ride hanging out the sunroof while cruising through the Christmas display)

I do not suggest limboing on a full stomach, although Joy was REALLY good at it!

Clementine and Blain recharging their batteries....

Some of the many things I give thanks for....

I have spent a lot of time reflecting this week. I attended SEVEN various charitable luncheons and dinners. Among them, I listened to Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell share his story of fighting for our country. The following day, started similar to my others, yet on this day last week, I was honored enough to sit between Dr Elsa Murano, the President of Texas A & M University to my left and to my right, Dr Renu Khator the President of University of Houston. The two women were so powerful and inspiring. Last, but not least I watched my husband receive the honor of "Outstanding (Texas A & M) Aggie of the Year"

When Sinclair and I arrived at the farm while I had some down time, I thought I would do a post that really only means something to me, but I also thought it would be fun to share. So here are some of the many things I am thankful for:

My amazing husband, John ... my rock, the love of my life!

My daughter, Sinclair who is truly the light of my life

My "bonus kiddos" Hailey and Daniel, along with their amazing spouses, Vero and Lucky, whom I love more than words can explain

Dangling my legs on the dock at our farm and feeding the fish and watching Sinclair's face light up

My Brother, John who loves to "keep me grounded"

My Momma, "JoJo" -- could not ask for a better Mother that loved a daughter unconditionally

My iPod

LeighBee for making our life run smoother and being a great sounding board

BlueBell Homemade Vanilla

Tivo

Slider burgers at the Reef

All my girlfriends (Melissa, Eva, Estela, Jenna, Leighbee, Ryland, Shanna, Lisa Jane "Walker" and Paula)

My Rolodex/Blackberry (I even impress myself sometimes)

The freedom to travel

I loved growing up in the security of a small Texas town (Pre-Internet, MTV....we had PARTY LINES)

Baking desserts (comfort food makes me happy, what can I say)

Taking thousands of photos and many great ones are "keepers"

iPhoto on my MacBook Pro

Our dogs: Clementine, Oliver and Clifford

The Internet

My staph "dream team" Dr Rollin Daniel, Dr Sam Stal, Dr Sheldon Kaplan and Dr Tobias Samo

Buenos Aries, Argentina

Firepits on a cold night

The privilege of watching my family grow

Enjoying a great book (Best read of the year: "Lone Survivor")

Clean, crisp pressed sheets from Leontine Linens

Foundation Garments

Good movies on a rainy day

My mentors (who know who you are)

The "Flower Fairies" (Kirksey and Richard that make Casa Chaos look like a Norman Rockwell painting)

A day the phone never rings

Looking at the stamp on my passports and thinking about the places I have been

The fact we have been fortunate enough to travel and take Sinclair on 18 international flights before her 2nd birthday!

My blog and the freedom of expression

That logic mostly wins

The Fighting Texas Aggie Band

http://www.thedailybeast.com/

"MiMi"...."Annie Banannie" and "Buddy"

Amazon One-Click

Sinclair's deep belly giggles

The way baby Liddie sleeps so peaceful in my arms - she is a "confection of perfection"

The day I decided to give this whole blog thing another chance

Exercising my right to vote

Sinclair's AMAZING Montessori teachers, Ms. Glenelle and Ms. Nadine

The Contemporary Art Museum

The Children's Museum of Houston

The Houston Ballet

The Council for Alcohol and Drug Center for Recovering Families

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Candlelighters

Everyday I have the opportunity to learn something new

Google for creating google reader - what a time saver!

My Gabor loafer shoes (thank you Corny & Celia) -- they feel like butter on my feet

Not having to travel for Thanksgiving this year

That I still have my journal from my 18th birthday

All the great friends I have (Frank, Jack, and Meredith)

Bob, my incredible trainer of fifteen years

Facebook (not sure WHY I am grateful, other than to pass the time)

The day I realized that art is as meaningful as science.

Quiet time just spent remembering past experiences

Moments when I have the clarity of thought to acknowledge that I can’t control what happens - only how I react

That I almost have the right tools for nearly every job

Every time I type a message on my blackberry which has all the words, correct spelling and reasonable grammar

Charity for all the right reasons

When my friends are willing to help me on stuff and are willing to let me help them

That it all works out in the end

Dr Pepper

Fresh jumbo lump crabmeat

Frank Sinatra Duets, album I

Anything that beholds a story

Any opportunity to share, listen and be with people I care about

All the times God picked me up and carried me when I stumbled

I probably have another 100 things I should be thankful for…. What are you thankful for?

V meets O

Today one of my dear girlfriends, Judge Vanessa Gilmore, will appear on Oprah to discuss her book "A Boy Named Rocky"  A book for children of parents who have been incarcerated. She is the proud mother of one adopted son, and is currently working on three books related to adoption, including a children’s book.

To tell you a little about my sweet friend Vanessa, she is a US District Judge in the Southern District of Texas. Almost 15 years ago when she was sworn in by President Bill Clinton, she was the youngest sitting Federal Judge in the nation. She is extremely passionate about children and an advocate for their causes. She is the VERY proud Momma, to a gorgeous little boy named Sean, whom she adopted at birth. She also has a children's book about adoption about to be published as well.

So tune in today to Oprah to cheer Vanessa on and see a woman I have so much admiration for.

Sweet Smells from the Kitchen

Every once in a while you have a fool-proof popular holiday (tried and true) recipe that makes everyone swoon.  Anyone want to share theirs?

I am totally into SOUTHERN cooking.  So much so, that I have actually moved cities and had my coffee can of bacon drippings insured them with the moving company among my contents.

About five years ago, I was cooking for a good girl friend and had a recipe for BlueBell ice cream biscuits.  Those biscuits STILL haunt me today.  Literally for months my friend would say "hey, can you get me the recipe?"  I swear I have looked in every cookbook I own (which narrows it down to about 500) and I have never come across it again.  I am confidant after a while she thought I just was not giving the secret formula up.  I wanted to make them again for Thanksgiving this year, I broke down and even called the Chairman of BlueBell ....he said "Lord knows, the possibilities folks do with Homemade Vanilla"

Someone in my past life made the MOST delicious chicken enchiladas....I am teetering on whether to call him for the formula as well.   This person's Mom made a Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Pound Cake -- after twenty years, it is one of my favorite things to make and I make it at least once a month.  In fact, about three years ago I made it for a New Orleans food critic and it received RAVE reviews!!!

If you have a wonderful treat that your Grandmother or someone close to you passed along.  Please share with me!!

Please vote!

For my girlfriend Gracie....she is truly a WOMAN OF WORTH!!!!

Saturday R & R

We had some old friends out to the farm this weekend...."Tut" and his precious wife, Brenda.  John and Tuttle managed to turn the boat over TWICE! Lost their blackberries and even the boat motor the second time.  Yet, Tuttle managed to reel in this 14 lb Bass!  Very impressive!


The fish in our lake almost jump in your boat!

Sinclair woke up this morning and ask us "Did Aggies do basketball good?"  (That is two year old speak for "Did we win?")  When we assured her that we won big, she got so excited she sported her Aggie accessories all morning!

LUXAHOLIC OR TIME MANAGER?

Some people and news media watching the dealing in Congress pounced this week on what they view as the hypocrisy of auto executives flying on corporate jets to Washington to ask for public help. I know this will stir many a comment on my blog, but please humor me in playing advocate for one post. Corporations insist riding on private planes is not necessarily a lavish perk, but rather a necessary security requirement for top officials that also helps them be more efficient.

(Hold of with the "OH PLEASE!" Comments and just hear me out)

I was thinking from a public relations stance, as an alternative, in sending the right message, possibly the CEOs of America's Big Three automakers should have driven in their own (hybrid) product to Washington to ask for $25 billion in public money.


After I did some snooping I found out about 11,000 U.S. companies operate jets or private aircraft. The person I inquired with at one of the top fractional companies insists that chief executives to be productive and to have access to phones and e-mail during flights. And if, say, the CEO and chief financial officer are flying together to meet with investors, they can talk about their company's books without worrying they'll be overheard. They fly privately for reasons of efficiency, safety and time savings -- many CEO's fly with assistants and entire departmental management staffs, and often have meetings en route, and several stops a day which would be impossible to do by commercial air.


There are some notable exceptions. Intel Corp., known for a "non pecking order" work culture where everyone has cubicles, has long told both executives and rank-and-file to fly coach. Intel executives rack up enough frequent-flier miles for regular upgrades to the front of the plane, though, so it's not often they're spotted in coach. Intel also charters private planes for executives traveling abroad, if the company believes there's a security threat or to save time on busy trips.

Many large companies insurance providers require their executives to use company planes for all corporate, and even personal, travel. I know for a fact that some boards require their CEO's to use corporate jets for security reasons. For top management of a high profile company kidnapping is a real risk. Watch the news, pirates have been kidnapping entire oil vessels in Africa.

General Motors Corp. spokesman Tom Wilkinson was quoted on CNBC as saying its top three executives are required to use a company plane. He said several people were on its flight to Washington this week, though it wasn't full.

He said that while it might have looked bad to fly private jets to Washington to ask for loans to save the business, flying commercial had risks, too.

"It's not something where you'd want to stand in line on a commercial flight and risk having your flight canceled," Wilkinson said. "Pretty high stakes when you're testifying in front of the House and Senate like that."

BOOT CAMP IS (EVENTUALLY A GOOD) HELL

I think I was so moved this week by hearing Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, author of New York Times best seller, Lone Survivor speak was I have a passionate respect for the military and what they have to achieve to reach their goals. Since I heard him speak I have been reflecting the past week of my adventure a few years ago that I also signed up Boot Camp. Not quite, the Government issued one P.O. Luttrell endured (there was no AK-47 training in my class) but it was a significant life altering experience for me, none the less. For those reading this in shock, trust me, stunned was the impression of most of my friends. This is without a doubt one of the most amazing confidence transformations I ever made. Still today, I use skills mentally and physically I learned almost on a daily basis. I think a class like this should be required by everyone before you can get a Driver's License.

Boot Camp (for civilians) is month of mental and physical training. As usual, I bit off more than I can handle, and took eight weeks. This is NOT the event you initially want to "overachieve" in, trust me. I did expect it to be rigorous and demanding, but I had NO IDEA what I was in store for. To say it is hard work does not describe what I endured. Then again, anything worth something usually is. From Boot Camp I emerged in top physical condition and mental condition. I was astounded by what I accomplished in those few weeks. I went from a "pity party of one" to relying on people (my team) that I never knew before that day. These were folks from all backgrounds of life, that I still keep in touch with today.

The first day I arose at 4 AM on that cold December day in my little matching workout gear and new workout shoes. Note to self: wardrobe coordination was completely useless. You soon realize how weak mentally we are as humans. The conditioning started immediately upon arrivals. Immediately everything you do is judged to start developing you unconsciously as a team. I pushed my physical limits to levels I never thought possible. I would come home and cry until I thought I did not have a tear left in me.

Honor, Courage, Commitment. Three words that before Boot Camp probably held little meaning. Here, they’ll become words you’ll live by. What you make of this experience makes you. Philosophically I had no idea how much people rely on one another. I was always proud of my independence. Independence is not appreciated nor is it graded very high as a Navy Seal. Teamwork is the driving force.

The physical stress was hard enough and discouraging. We did countless curls, sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups. We ran for miles as a group. Keep in mind, before this athletic endeavor I could barely run to the bathroom. I was always so discouraged, I was always seemed to be the slowest. I learned it was not where you finished in the race but that you achieve what you started out to do. By the second week you do not allow yourself to lag behind the group as you learn you all pay for your laziness together.

I still remember starting each day sore but clean and within the first hour getting wet and then being forced to roll in the sand. I grew up on the beach, so I could take it but the water was pretty damn cold in the month of December. I can still recall like yesterday the screams of my commanders breath against my face shouting "this is not a spa, Farrah, drop and roll" After hearing this command, I followed up with the natural human nature of a big eye roll and a four letter word under my breath. My Commander heard this and made my entire team run the miles my attitude veiled upon us. This is when you start to realize no matter you economic stature or education all you do effects those around you.

I was too proud to ever let him see me waver. I was always convinced he was laughing inside hysterically at my form. I loathed this human so much, yet at the same time I internally begged for his validation. My ego (which I immediately learned to check at the door) would not let anyone see the tears streaming down my face from the pain and humiliation. I was convinced at times the tears would burn permanent scars on my face, I cried so much. Keep in mind I was the majority of those crying and discouraged. Those that did not quit initially, we learned to carry our pain together and encourage one another to a cult-like level I cannot explain.

My vision at the time was extremely bad (almost legally blind before corrective surgery), I recall being turned loose with my group in the pitch black forest and we had to get out relying on trusting one another. Sound cozy? We did it while bear crawling. This is the most painful awkward a position a human should have to travel in motion for 100 plus yards. Then we had to crawl like crabs for 100 plus yards in return. I still have nightmares about that. My tender skin was ripped to shreds.

Week three, I would come home, cry and nurse my wounds. My sweet husband pointed out, "correct me if I am wrong, but you PAID to be beat up like this?" I nodded confirmation as I licked my wounds. I actually almost replied "Yes, Sir ....Hooooyah" out of habit. He shook his head and said "Just don't go back, why would you do this to yourself, honey, this grief is nuts"

After day 17 into my mental/physical improvements and his words were beyond foreign to me. I said "Don't you understand, he wants me to quit." John is still looking at me blankly like you dumb blond Pollock. I assured my family "this SOB will not break me" When I heard the words come out of my mouth this was my "AHA moment" I said "I cannot let my team down, I cannot give him what he expects." The fire was lit underneath my indescribably sore muscles.


The day graduation came I have never been more proud of my cuts, bruises and most of all my mental mindset. I got my picture made and received my $10 t-shirt with my name written with a sharpie on the front. John and I have moved three times and I have NEVER lost, misplaced that shirt. It hangs next to my finest Valentino couture.

Ironically, that day, there was a reporter at our graduation from the New York Times. He was doing a story on these (idiotic) people that pay a substantial amount of money to get torn through the mental and physical rigor of those wanting to fight on the front line. This is where I could feel as a team (the 40% that graduated that is) our newly developed self-confidence and self-assurance shines. You find yourself thinking a lot about life. When that photographer took our photo I found myself reflecting "if they could see me now" I proved to myself and to my family I could do it. I learned your body can take just about anything it is your mind that starts the self-doubt on the path to failure.

Marcus Luttrell: War Isn't Black and White

I AM WILD ABOUT THIS GUY~

Marcus Luttrell Interview

I spent some time today listening to this Navy SEAL speak --- my life is forever changed.

Marcus Luttrell was RIVETING!

I highly urge you to go out and get his NYT Best seller, Lone Survivor