work smerk

We have a large family.
I like to have fun.

When you put those two things together, it ends up being lots of dough.

So I gotta work.

I always have my hand in a few pots. I am so thankful and lucky that my friends always have their ear to the ground and will let me know when there are job opportunities. And boy-o-boy, have I done it all. Right now what is keeping me busy is working for a local catering company.

I was pretty nervous when I started because it had been quite a while since I was a server at the Busy Bee.  I knew I could do it.  Duh.  (i can do anything - cause i am perfect, remember?)

It is really fun to see the way other people live.  I knew that people had fancy parties, dinners, weddings, etc., etc.  But I just had no idea.

big huge fresh flowers
there were many of these in the tent and outside
don't tell anyone i took these pictures, i could get in big fat trouble

And the food.  Good Lord, the food is crazy.  I have been so lucky to try so many different types of food because of this job.  Things that I would never ever in a million years eat.  I have huge respect and admiration for the chefs that work at the company.  I don't know how they make all of that food taste so delicious and be so beautiful.  It is truly something to see.

for this wedding, the bride had 5 cakes.
yes, you read that right.

And some of the venues and homes I have been into are amazing.  The most breath taking views.  The biggest most beautiful homes.  It is sometimes hard to believe that people actually live like this.  I have been to The Salt Lick (sounds lame, but it is truly a beautiful wedding venue), University of Texas, UT Chancellor's house, Blanton Museum, Laguna Gloria, and many many MANY private homes for private dinner parties.  I love seeing what is happening at the party and trying to learn about what the guests are celebrating.  Some of my favorites have been watching a very smart person receive a $50K gift from UT for their research and working a Passover dinner.  At both of those events I was full on breaking my neck to hear what the people were saying and doing.

this picture does not even come close to capturing how beautiful it was

I am sad to report that I have spilled on the job.  And of course, we are not talking just little spills.  Oh no, the first time was at the UT Chancellor's house.  Full tray with 3 reds, 3 white and 3 champagne.  An older woman bumped into me, it spilled all over me and every single glass broke.  I was totally shocked when it happened, but I was able to laugh it off, change and move on. 

The second time was at Laguna Gloria and it was totally my fault.  Fortunately the tray wasn't very full.  Unfortunately, it was that dang red wine again.  It was SO crappy.  It frazzled me to the core.  When it happened I said a few four letter words very loudly - in front of guests. (because I am cool that way)  And then I went to the bathroom to 'clean up' (read try to not cry) and stayed in there for a while.  It sucked.

hiding in bathroom
trying not to cry
taking bad pictures of myself

the old lady apologized
i just couldn't believe it happened

The worst part about the job is that my feet hurt SO SO SO bad when I get home.  I have gone back and forth between wearing my Dansko clogs and a pair of Born black lace up shoes.  You can't even imagine how bad my feet hurt.  And after long events, I can barely move the next day.

look momma, i hemmed my pants all by myself!!!

In addition to all of the cool food, I have learned a lot about drinks.  And what I have learned more than anything else is that EVERYONE DRINKS.  I have never worked a party where there hasn't been a bar.  NEVER.

empty tequila bottle
the bartenders were calling this burning bush tequila



Another thing that I have loved about this job is that I have gotten ALL of my work clothes at GoodWill.  Yesterday I bought 2 new shirts (literally with the store tags will attached) and a pair of black work pants.  All for less than $15!!!  Which is really great when you consider my spill rate.  ha.

very proud of my purchase

So as I get ready for my 14 hour day today, I know that I have so many things to be thankful for.  And even though the work is sometimes back breaking and I can't usually walk the next day, I can also see that it is a load of fun.  And when I think about missing my family and I am sad because I am missing their games, their sleepovers, driving them to babysit, and the general laying around of Saturday nights - I know that this is what I've got to be doing because we like to have fun.  And until we win the lottery, I will keep serving folks with a smile.

anything for these people

And a side note:  I didn't mention that all of this is made so so so much more fun because I get to work with my dear dear friends Kristin (who told me about the job) and Stephanie (who I told about the job).  It is weird that I couldn't find any pictures of us at work - but I'll work on that.

And if you happen to have any side jobs that you need help with, let me know.  :)

Giving Love

Once again, our family is setting out to ride our bicycles and raise money for those less fortunate than us. All 7 Carrs will be participating in the Hill Country Ride for Aids, a beautiful ride through the Texas Hill Country that raises money for folks living in Central Texas that have HIV/AIDS.

I think some of you have wondered why we do this ride.

A few years ago, we talked as a family about doing something to help those less fortunate than us. We wanted to do something that benefited people in our own community. We wanted to do an event that allowed the younger kids to participate. And we wanted to branch out and put ourselves outside our normal group of friends/neighbors, meet new people and even become friends with folks that have a different life style than our own.

How could we have known when we started doing this ride 4 years ago, that it would become such a part of our lives? We have made so many new friends, we have become closer as a family and our family has been listed in the top 100 ride fundraisers for the last 3 years. In addition, the team we helped to start - the Heavy Breathers - was the largest team last year with over 80 riders and we have more kids on our team than all other teams combined.

Did you know that all of the money you have helped us to raise has stayed right here in our own community and has benefited 10 non-profit organizations?

Did you know that we have personally been able to hear from a few of the benefactors about how this money bought medicine, provided counseling, and paid for hospice care for people in our area with HIV/AIDS?

I hope you know that our entire family is working hard to raise funds.

We are all sending out emails, Jena has made a lemonade stand and is donating all of her money to help the cause, the older kids have taken flyers to school and we tell just about everyone we know how important this cause is to us and our community.

I always feel awkward and a little bad asking for donations. But then I think about the person that is alone and dying with no money, no medicine or hope and I realize that it is something that we've got to do.

If you are so inclined to donate, please know that we sincerely thank you.

We wouldn't ask if it wasn't something that we believe in whole heartily.

Please know that every donation helps - even $5.

donate by clicking here

http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/TR/HillCountryRideforAIDS/General?px=1344502&pg=personal&fr_id=1120

And I encourage you to watch this video - you will be moved! (and watch for Carrs and loads and loads of Heavy Breathers!)

With love and gratitude.

The Carr Family

Jeff, Kathy, Sam, Ella, Jena, Miles and Wyatt

who's scarlet and why does she have fever?

We got the funk at our house.

Yep, at this very moment, we've got FOUR kids taking antibiotics.

FOUR.

Turns out we've got strep here.

And turns out that in some cases, strep can turn into scarlet fever.

Who knew?

Poor Miles got the worst of it.

It started off with a tummy ache and within 12 hours was 104 fever, glassy eyes, something growing out of his head (his words), and all over achiness.

He was really sad when we drove past the school last Friday on the way home from the doctor and he saw all of his friends at the annual track and field day. 

I am pretty certain his dog family knew that things weren't right.  They haven't left his side much in the last week.  No matter how hot he got or how upset, they stayed right with him.

It took about 4 days for the fever to go - even in the morning and with the tylenol he never had relief.

I started really freaking out when his lips, face, hands and feet swelled up like balloons in the Macy's parade.  And then the rash came.  All over his body.  He looked like he had chicken skin.

Poor kid is still so tired.  The doctor said that he might miss this entire week of school - just trying to get his strength back.  Today makes the 6th day, and he still is barely off the couch.  His skin hasn't started peeling yet, but we hear that is the next step.

Wyatt, Ella and Jena all have regular strep.  They are all feeling so much better today.  As a matter of fact, we could barely keep Wyatt from bouncing off the walls at our beloved pediatricians office.

Four kids taking antibiotics.  Everything is more fun when there is a race involved.  :)  Thank goodness I have lifesavers left over from Christmas to give as prizes.  You would think I'd get some laundry done while at home with all of these kids.  Ha.

Over the last 6 sickly days, we have had some epic movie watching though.  Let's see...we've watched The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Muppet Movie (4 times), Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, Flushed Away, Dumbo, 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, Cars, Lady and the Tramp II, and Toy Story 3.

I use to feel kinda bad that the younger kids had not seen most of the older Disney movies that the olders grew up loving.  Guess I'm not feeling so bad about that anymore.

Fingers crossed - we'll send at least two of these kids to school tomorrow!

clean and green

morning view uno
i love clean babies with bed head

It seems a little bit strange how what is happening on the outside can truly make a difference with what is happening on my inside.

I am thankful for the sun.

I am thankful for the green.

And even though things are just as crazy and I have a lot going on in my head, heart and calendar, I feel like I can manage a bit better and not feel so blah because I know the trees are green, the flowers are blooming and it is beautiful outside.

I am so thankful for spring.

morning view dos
green trees make me so happy

g&gb

This year our spring break feels weird.

For the past four years, we have gone to spend spring break with Jeff's grandparents.

And we have had a fantastic times.

they ate at mcdonalds for breakfast weekly
we all enjoyed going along.

Jeff's grandparents died within a few months of each other in 2011.

We both miss them.

Our kids miss them.

Unlike most folks their age, Jeff's grandparents were hip and fun.

they always had a listening ear

Jeff enjoyed spending time with them and they had many great conversations about their genealogy, technology and current events.  When I asked Jeff what he enjoyed most about our visits, he says that he liked that they were excited to be included in our family fun.

everyone loved grandma b's cooking

I enjoyed being with them because you could feel their love for each other and their family without them ever even saying a word.  I appreciated how Grandma B spoke truthfully about her role as a wife, mother and grandmother - which isn't always the easiest thing to do.  I also got a big kick out of Grandma B.'s reality TV watching

watching the great-grandkids play

The kids enjoyed being with their great grandparents because they always had time to go to the beach, would take them to the military base and talk about days of war (and peace), and because they told them stories of their lives and all of their big adventures.

they sincerely enjoyed being together

The kids also talk about how Grandma B always had homemade cookies and Blue Bell ice cream in the freezer and she had a special pickle fork.

visiting the USS Alabama

The kids have fond memories of the many hours that both Grandma and Grandpa B would spend helping them finish a 1,000 piece puzzle before we headed home.

always sweet grandma kissed when going to sleep

There were never enough days when we went to see Grandma and Grandpa B.  The kids always begged to stay another day.  Even though they lived in a small 3 bedroom apartment, it never seemed too small for our large family and we made many memories there.

yearly visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum

We also enjoyed the annual visit to the Golden Corral, which was one of Grandma and Grandpa B's regular restaurants.

spring break 2011
grandma b in the hospital and our last visit to see them

We will go back to Pensacola.
We need to go for the kids.
And for us.

2009
early morning good-bye picture

We will enjoy the beach, the military base and go to all of our normal Grandma and Grandpa B. spots.
But it will be sad.
And we will miss them.

2010
early morning good-bye picture

And we will send out our own thoughts of love for two people that made a difference in the world and in our lives.

I am pretty certain that our kids are the luckiest on the planet because they got to have such a fantastic relationship with their great-grandparents.
And even though they are gone, they will certainly never be forgotten.

our last early morning good-bye

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Proverb

(i made that list based on what the kids told me. interesting that most all of those things had to do with g&gb giving the kids their time and undivided attention. we could all learn something here.)

About Leslie

We were sad to hear that Leslie Cochran died in the early morning hours yesterday.  We knew that he had been in the hospital.  We knew that he had been struggling.  We are glad he isn't in pain anymore.

And we sure will miss him.

For those of you that don't know, Leslie was a (mostly) homeless guy that could often be spotted on the streets of South Austin wearing a thong and some four inch heels.  Many years ago, he and his shopping cart could be found on Congress Avenue with large cardboard signs that were filled with his own personal manifesto spelling out his beef with the city on that particular day.  He was also known for his mayoral run - and shockingly, he receive something like 8% of the vote.

But for me, what stands out most about Leslie wasn't the bare buns, painted nails or leopard skin halter top.  It was his kindness.  Many times over the last 15 years, I had the privilege to speak with him. Every single time we saw him, he would give the kids the same advice - stay in school and never ever start smoking. 

But he gave the kids so much more than verbal advice.  He taught them that we are all humans no matter what we look like, where we live or what our life choices are.  He gave our kids a gift by allowing them to see past the outside appearance and look into another person's world.

I know a lot of people equate him with the Keep Austin Weird slogan.  And I agree, he was part of what made this city so unique.  But when I think about him today, I don't think of him as weird.  I think of him as another symbol of what makes this city so great.  Our community loved and accepted him just the same as the next guy.  People in our community didn't hesitate to give him a ride, a few bucks, and even a few minutes of their time for good conversation or a funny off color joke.  And what is so weird about that?  Is it weird that we were willing to expose our kids to someone who looked so different?  Is it weird that we didn't blink an eye when we passed his naked backside walking down South Lamar?

I am thankful that our kids are being brought up in a weird environment where compassion and acceptance comes first. I believe Leslie was instrumental in helping each of us to acknowledge that all humans need is love and kindness.  And if that is what people in other places call weird, then I say bring on the weirdness.

When our kids grow up and as adults are able to treat other humans that are different than them with diginity and respect, I will send up a prayer of thanks to Leslie.

Keep Heaven Weird, Leslie!

Zephyr Days

The weather has been amazing here the last few days.

Cold in the morning.

Bright and warm sunshine by afternoon.

I am so thankful that I can spend my time outside with the kids.

I love the warm.

I love our regular Zephyr visits.

And I love this city.

Thank you, spring.
I am so ready for summer!