Trust that little voice in your head .....

It's a New Year

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:53:00 +0000

So...one of my goal for the New Year is to jump start this blog again. I have been doing the facebook thing but I have had many family members that asked for the blog to come back so here it is. :)

Today Mike starts his first day in the Borgata Winter Open poker tournament in AC. To keep up with how he is doing click on his blog - http://heffmike.blogspot.com/.

Let's hope he does well with this tourney !

More to come....J

Poker Craziness

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:31:00 +0000

Mike, my wonderful hubby, has already got a seat on the Battle of the Bloggers Poker Tournament on June 8th -- IF, he wins, could mean another trip to Vegas for us this summer for free. ;)

Last night we both played the Mookie and had a great time. (It took my mind off of my sister Emily for awhile. We got her autopsy last Friday and we have all had a hard time with it. ) I finished 7th and Mike - 8th. We get to do it again tonight -- both Riverchasers online and AIPS tonight. Maybe if I win Mookie or Riverchasers I could also get a seat in the BTB3 and play in the WSOP. Check out his blog for more info on our night of fun. :)

It's a better chance of winning than the lottery........

More blogging over the long weekend.....I have many photos to post of us and the kiddies. :)

Ashleigh makes headlines

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:08:00 +0000

My niece Ashleigh made the front page of the paper Sunday in the Hattiesburg American. I haven't seen Ashleigh since she got her hair cut. She looks so cute in this photo and sooooo much like my sister Emily (also her Mom). :)

Hard to believe I use to be the one of running all over town taking photos for the Hattiesburg American.

Poker update

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:07:00 +0000

So, I ended up bubbling out last night in 11th place on Riverchasers BBT on Fult Tilt. I am not going to go into detail like Mike does, but it boils down to I had AK - ended up going all in at some point and the person with QT ended up spiking on the river. Oh well...such is poker. :)

Overall I think I played well. This has been my second time to play Riverchasers and both times I did pretty good. Of course my play is so different than Mike's that he doesn't understand why catch hands and people fold when I raise. I guess it's the redhair. :)

Poker, Poker, Poker

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:22:00 +0000

So, Mike and I are both playing in the same online tournaments tonight on Full Tilt. Riverchasers which has 95 people playing and AIPS III which has 143 players. Of all the tables somehow Mike and I ended up on the same table for BOTH tournaments. In fact in the AIPS he is directly to me left. Should make for an interesting evening.

We will see who makes it farthest, who gets more cash, who takes down who for this evenings entertainment. hehehehe. Last time I finished 7th in Riverchasers...can I make it to the final table ?

Stay tuned for more.....

Fun in Pittsburgh

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Mike and I had a ball visiting in Pittsburgh with Jill, Riley and Phil. It was our first time to meet Jill's new man and he is wonderful. We had a blast at Jill's birthday party. Afterward we drove about 40 miles up to West Virginia to play poker at a new poker room called Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.

You can read more about it on Mike's blog. It was fun playing live for really money. It has been awhile since we did that. We ended up $161 in the black so that was gas money for the trip. ;)

Here are a few pictures from the weekend and Jill's party:

Mike after a hard night at the Irish Bar snuggles up it Riley's bed with the Sponge Bob Pineapple.

Jill and Riley

Jill and Phil

Jill with her special birthday drawing of "her" as a police report -- go figure :)

Phil having a silly time with all

Mike takes a self portrait of us kissin'

Jill and I

Mike and Jill

Phil friends from college - they were a trip !

Meet the new nephew

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:41:00 +0000

Michelle and Philip said it was ok to post these happy new photos of my new nephew. He is doing great ! Very healthy and is a wonderful baby. And tons of red hair. :)

I am an Aunt...again :)

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:01:00 +0000

On Friday, March 15 at 11:17 pm Cason Lee Smith made his entrance early into the world weighing 4pounds 15oz and 17 inches long. It is reported by "Nannie" (my mom) that he has curly red fuzz like a few other boys in the this family. I guess that story on redhead dying out has not reached our family yet. These crazy "ginger people". :)

Pictures soon to come of the wee one.....

This is the first baby for my brother Philip and his wife Michelle. Both baby and Mom are doing great and they both came home on Monday.

As far as when Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Mike get too see their new nephew -- we are hoping to go down to Mississippi with the kids for a visit during the summer.

Here is a photo of the new parents from my wedding.

Spring Break and spring to come

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:12:00 +0000

Mike and I took Katy and Gabe to BWI Airport today for a trip down for them to visit their Dad in Mississippi. Which means right now we are child free for the week (we don't count Adam anymore as a kid since he is almost 19). On Thursday we take a few days off and head up to Pittsburgh to see Jill, Phil and Riley for Jill's big birthday bash. I can't wait to Jill !!

Spring seems to be trying to make an appearance here. One day it is warm, next day down in the 30's. I am ready for the 70's to get here soon. To learn more about our crazy weather check out my favorite DC weather blog -- Capital Weather Gang.

The Cherry Blossom Festival starts in two weeks -- just in time for them to bloom, the signal of spring in DC and on even a better note -- a visit from Mike parents that weekend. This year we are going to brave the crowds and get a up close look along the tidal basin.

Hard to believe it has been a year

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:01:00 +0000

Hmmm...... This time last year (Feb 19) Mike's condo got a contract and we bid on out place.

So many good and wonderful things along with a few tragic things have happen this year.

A few highlights:

Feb 12th - Mike and I become officially engaged
Feb 24 - Put in a contract on your house and won the bid !
March 12th - Mike moves into my house in Annandale
March 30 - Vacation to St. Pete and Key West
April 20th - Close on our house, Mike moves into new house
April, May, June - Mad rush to work on our new house before kids and I move in
June 13th - Adam graduates Annandale High School
June 16h - Mike and I tie the knot
June 22 - Big move from Annandale to Reston
June 23 - Sad, sad day - Emily passes away
June 26th - Travel to Mississippi for Emily's funeral
July 3rd - Start honeymoon to California
July, August - Unpack the house like crazy people
July 31 - Kids return home from Miss, Summer camp begins
Sept 4 - School begins
Oct 19th - Jenn's 20th High School Reunion
Nov 15 th - Successful run the HWES Fall Festival
Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec.... - Run around like crazy people taking kids to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Soccer, Chess Club, Swim Team
Dec - Holidays - need we say more :)
Jan, Feb - more of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Chess Club, Swim Team
Feb 9th - Weekend at Red Fox Inn

Now -- more weekend home projects, soccer begins soon, we count the days until Spring and Summer. And hopefully go on a vacation soon.....:)

Busy, busy

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Sorry I have not had time to post. Every weekend Mike, I and the kids have something going on. And I have been starting a great new project at work. So...here is an update on what has been happening...

Gabe won 1st place in his Den and 2nd place in his pack during the Pinewood Derby, He completes in the districts this Saturday

Katy is now doing swim team 4 days a week and is getting quite good. She came home with best report cards she has ever had -- making almost all A's and the honor roll.

Mike FINALLY is getting moved to Mon-Fri -- all day shift at AOL. Whee !

Mike and I celebrate my birthday and V'day by going to Middleburg for the weekend of Feb 9th. We stayed at the Red Fox Inn which was nice. And check out a new wine bar in Middleburg, by Boxwood Winery, who also plans to open one in Reston. We also went to the 1st Annual Virginia Wine Expo (an indoor event) and had a great time trying new wines.

That's all for now....I'll update over the weekend. ;)

Let it snow...please let it snow......

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:53:00 +0000

Maybe it is because I am a southern girl but I am fascinated by snow. (And weather in general) Right now we are getting a very tiny snow squal moving through. And just like magic the sun is out again and all the snow stops. A very tiny dusting here in NOVA. Let's hope we do better than this soon. There is really something magically about watching the snow fall and everything turning white. I love when we get a lot of snow and no one is out, not even a car on the road -- the stillness and the snow is so peaceful.

Capital Weather is great about letting us know when it might snow -- so far we have not gotten much this year. I am ready for one big one then onto spring. :)

New blog features

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:16:00 +0000

I have been a tad under the weather today but while resting I added a few new features to the blog. You can subscribe now to it and it will email you when there is an update. Or you can have it go to your RSS feed.

I also added lots new links including a feature on wines (in the links). Lots of great wines to try, places to see, ect.

I am also starting a new blog i will send out the link for soon on my weight loss journey. I think if I can blog about it --says what works for me, what doesn't work it might help me and other people along the way.

Hope everyone had a great start to the New Year !

Happy New Year !! 2008 !!

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:40:00 +0000

Well...what a year it has been. A contrast between the very, very good (My marriage to Mike) and the very, very sad (Emily's death). As this new year starts in less than 4 hours I am very optimistic that this year will be one of the best.

Mike and I are very blessed and we both try to remember that and remind each other of that every day. I am so lucky to be Mom to my great kids...Adam, Gabe and Katy.

One of my New Year Resolutions is to start blogging again, on hopefully, a daily basis again.

A fellow blogger on the world wide web welcomed a brand new baby girl on this New Year's Eve....I can't think of a better way to end 2007 and start 2008 -- congrats Becky and Brendan !

Here is a toast wishing everyone -- our family, friends (especially my pregnant SIL and other expecting friends) and many others a wonderful, happy and very blessed 2008 !

I am famous ..but no one knows it

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:19:00 +0000

One of my favorite blogs to read is The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs. It is rolling on the floor, laughing your ass off, funny. Well, while I was searching 80's photos for my class reunion I came across a really throwback ad for Apple. Though "Steve" might get a kick out of it so I sent it to him and he posted in within an hour. So, the "much love to Jennifer" is me. :)

Check out the comments under the photo he posted on his blog --they are priceless.

I'll be signing autographs later .........

Thanksgiving ...just around the corner

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:03:00 +0000

I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving. And shortly after that is Christmas. And December 16th Mike and I will be married 6 months. Whee! Not sure how we are going to celebrate --we might wait and do it after the kids leave for Mississippi because we will have 5 days without work or kiddies. It will be like a honeymoon again.

Speaking of work ..Mike is in NYC right now for work. He says he has a huge corner room in a fancy hotel. We are hoping maybe in a month or two me and the kids can go up with him on one of these trips. They have never been to NYC and I really want to show them the city. Hopefully we can get the fancy room then too. I love visiting NYC --Mike and I have had a couple of great trips up there. Wish I was up there with him right now....looking for me some new subway socks. :)

Halloween and M&M

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:31:00 +0000

You know they say after a loved one dies that the first holidays without them are the hardest. Most would think Christmas but not Halloween. But, I am finding this Halloween very hard without Em around.

You see my sister LOVED Halloween -- she loved the candy -- did I say she loved the candy ? That is one of the reasons why her nickname was M&M.

And all the dressing up. Once she was a Mom she loved getting Ashleigh and Noah dressed up.

I can remember all the crazy customs we dressed up as kids. We would walk down to "new neighbors" house and she would be dressed as a crazy witch and give us tons of candy. My mom would make candy apples, that we loved, and popcorn balls. Emily, Philip and I would go out with my Aunt Kathy along with Brad, Chad and Valerie. What fun we had !

I know this sounds silly but when I was home in Brookhaven I went by her grave and decorated with Halloween flowers with little spiders. Then I left her some Jolly Ranchers and a Blow Pop. Some of her favorites. :)

Happy Halloween to all and be safe -- And Em -- Happy Halloween to you too ! Miss you !

The furry creatures of Reston....

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:40:00 +0000

This photo taken by Adam in our backyard (which is also the woods) is dedicated to Mike. See Mike --Katy and Gabe aren't the only ones gathering acorns. :)

Wrapping up the week.....

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:03:00 +0000

Wow ! It's Friday all ready. It has been a week since I was in Brookhaven for my 20-year-reunion. A fun time was had by all and it was great to catch up with friends from 20 years ago. Our class decided to have a 25-year so I guess we will all see each other again in 2013.

I got to go to the Mississippi School for the Arts while I was there. I wish we had something that awesome when I was a growing up there. The darkroom is to die for --it is HUGE ! Here is a photo below of the campus and the view of Brookhaven from the 6th floor dorms.

While I was in Mississippi I got to go through some of Emily's things. It's funny because Emily and I growing up traded clothes all the time.So, it felt only right that I kept a few of her favorite pieces of clothing. I don't know if I will wear them but it makes me feel good to know they are in my closet.

I was telling my mom about a story from high school and she said"you never told me that" and I told her there were many things I probably didn't tell her back then because Em and I always kept each others secrets.

The weirdest thing happened on the way back to Washington and mad me think that Emily is watching out for us. After take off and we were above the clouds I look down out of the window of the plane and saw the strangest thing. In the clouds was a shadow of the plane....but around the shadow there was a bright rainbow that circled all the way around the plane. See the photo below. I know it might sound silly but part of me thought that it might be Em watching out for me and saying hi ! I have flown many, many times and have never seen that. Ok..maybe I am nuts but I do have faith that God and his angles touch us sometimes in unexpected ways.

In other good news -- Mike and many others survived the latest rounds of AOL layoffs this week - yea ! Sad news is that 11 people that he did work with in photo did get let go. His schedule is changing he is going more to a day shift during the week which I am happy about. Now maybe I will be less of a single mom and be able to workout every once in awhile.

But, there were some of didn't get laid off that actually complained when they had to switch departments or shifts. Which leads me to the Friday story -- people need to be grateful for all things in life. ;)

MY FRIDAY STORY

Rain Washed
Author Unknown

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked.

"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain."

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories... So, don't forget to make time and take opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I hope you still take the time to run through the rain.

Gabe's got braces

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:29:00 +0000

Well, now I have put my third child into braces. :) Adam, Bri (who still has them) and now Gabe. Katy will be next in about another year or two. Hopefully Gabe will be out of his by the time Katy gets hers on. Total in all after they are all done.....about $20,000 before insurance.

Gabe is really sore today so he gets to stay home and eat soup and shakes.

Here are Gabe's before and after photos.......

Before

After

10 Ten Things I Miss About High School

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:02:00 +0000

OK…we have all been there; high school was never easy on any of us. I get to go back in time next weekend to my Brookhaven High School 20^th Reunion – Go Panthers!! It got me to thinking ...what I really miss about high school compared to being an adult. Hope you enjoy….and feel free to add yours to the comments.

10 Ten Things I Miss About High School

10.) Pep Rallies – Where else can you go and yell at other people as loud as you want and be rewarded with a spirit stick? This just does not happen in the real world unless you work for Wal-Mart.

9.) Learning for Free - You got to learn lots of cool stuff and you didn’t have to pay for it. Yes, at the time you though school sucked. But, if I want to take German or learn to play the flute now they charge me big bucks – unless…. I steal my kid’s textbooks. But, what fun is that – no passing notes.

8.) The Drama – and I don’t mean the School Play -- Being in high school is better than any soap opera – you are livin’ it up in drama. Who did what to who where? Maybe that is why I went into journalism. Drama as an adult will usually just get you fired or on You Tube.

7.) The Glory Days of Summer – When the only care you had in the world is laying out in the sun, tubing the Bogue Chitto River and hanging out with your friends. The only thing you worried about was when Top Gun was going to show at the local movies. Summer now are just like any other day – I work, take kids to summer camp, go to sleep and do it all over again.

6.) Your Friends – Everyday was Girls Night Out -- Remember when your friends were your whole life – you talked to them for hours on the phone, spent days and days doing fun stuff together. Remember slam books? I guess that is My Space now. These days I am lucky I get to do a pedicure with a friend once every six months.

5.) Dancing – We danced in high school – slow dancing, fast dancing – after football games, in the spring, just for the hell of it – I mean the 80’s was the best time for music. :) The last time I danced…my wedding. One song- two minutes…tops!

4.) Driving for Fun – I didn’t care that my car was a yellow station wagon – I had wheels and gas was 99 cents. I could cruise Brookway Blvd. for hours with my friends and find simple pleasure in that. Now, I hate driving – the traffic, the auguring kids in the backseat, $3 for gas – kind of takes the fun out of it.

3.) No Internet, No Cell Phones, No Xbox 360 – I love my technology but there was life before IM and Google. Sometime it was nice not being able to be found. And, I thought Atari and Pac Man were the greatest inventions ever. Now my kids don’t even have to go to the library or use an encyclopedia – it is all there with the touch of mouse. And if I want to find them -- GPS on those cell phones. :)

2.) No Bills! – I mean that what we had parents for – they paid for everything – gas, clothes, a field trip to D.C. – that was the life – we just didn’t know it then. Any money back then I made all was spent on me, me, me. Now, I have to be all responsible and stuff. :)

1.) Making Out - Kissing is one of life's most innocent guilty pleasures – who does not remember playing Seven Minutes in Heaven and Spin the Bottle. (And don’t worry parents of mine– I was a “good girl” in high school) Back then, I had time to have a make-out session - no one knocked on the door or yelled Mom. Now, I cannot remember the last time had a French kiss lasting longer than 3 seconds. I mean sex is great but don’t you ever miss the fun in making out in a dark closet somewhere? :)

How can we do this to so many children ?

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:17:00 +0000

I hate that there are so many children that have to go many, many months and years without seeing their parents and living in fear that Mom or Dad might never come home.

Three months

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:26:00 +0000

Today marks three months since Emily passed away. I went to sleep last night and woke up this morning thinking about her. You know, I feel like I should be more depressed but I know Emily would have hated that.

Instead, I move forward with life, cleaning the deck, getting ready to add to pizzazz to it with new stain. I taught Katy today how to ride a bike without any training wheels or help. :) We went to the skate park and watch Gabe try and do a half-pike. Afterwards, Gabe, Katy and I went and ate ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s (one of Em’s favorite foods) and toasted her life with chocolate. We just sat, watched the fountain and all the people gathered around it and talked about their favorite “Aunt Em” stories.

Life to me to so precious, I think that more so after Emily's death. I almost feel like if you take life for granted, if you wallow in your own fears and short comings you are asking for bad karma to come your way. I guess that is the “damn optimist” in me. I have three friends right now that are all dealing with their fathers' having cancer and I think – Thank God all mine and Mike’s parents are healthy. I am so happy that a have a close relationship with all my families – no matter what state or country they are in.

I see friends who have a disabled child and I am so grateful my children are both happy and healthy. I am happy most days for the life I have. And if I wake up and wish for more I just try to remember to be thankful for what I have.

I wish Emily could have lived a long life. I would have loved to see us as old ladies – regaling stories of our youth. I understand she watches over Noah and Ashleigh like she never could have before. I am happy she finally has the peace and love she sought for so long.

“A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You're free at last.”
written en route for the funeral of, Ronnie Van Zant of the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I still miss you Em – but just know I feel your presence at the strangest times and know you are okay.

No move to NYC for us ....

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:20:00 +0000

As some of you may have seen AOL is moving their corporate headquarters to NYC. That does not mean that where Mike works is closing. In fact, they just opened another daycare center on the Dulles Campus, so that might give an indication that the 4,000 people there will stay put.

In the Washington Post today...." The company said that while senior executives would depart for Manhattan, most of the 4,000 employees at the Dulles campus would remain. "

Good for us -- I would hate to try and have the 5 of us live in a 1000 sq ft apt for $3000 a month in Manhattan. ;)

Coming soon....

noreply@blogger.com (VApokergirl) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:11:00 +0000

Katybug...a retrospective look...coming soon...the first nine years. :)

We are getting ready today for Katy's 9th Birthday Party tomorrow. This year it get to be on her birthday !! And since we have a heated outdoor pool in Reston she gets pool party. In fact it is a High School Musical Swim Party and Sleepover -- with a sing along to HSM. Just can't wait for that. :)

Here is a sneak preview of Katy's nine years of photos......

Katy, age 3, in St. Pete Florida

Katy, age 8, at the wedding in June