Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Rissa, My Little Shadow

Yep, you guessed it...I've got a huge family and this series will continue for quite awhile. We haven't even hit the months where there will be double posts!

Ah, Miss Riss, My little shadow. Rissa is fifth in the lineup and five years younger than I am. She was born 11 days after my fifth birthday. Thanks Aunt Al for one of the best presents ever.

You see, Carrie had Brianne, Brianne had Sarah,Sarah had Brianne and Carrie. Rissa was my best pal cousin, my little shadow. We were always inseparable and our age difference never really mattered to us. We got along just fine, she was never a little baby in my eyes. I will admit, she probably was the first one to fall in line with my hairbrained schemes because she looked up to me and would easily follow along.

"Me and My Shadow"

We had grand adventures together, dressing up, playing store or post office under Grandma's table, Mc Donald's drive thru in the pool and spa at our grandparents house. We never lacked in imagination and always had so much fun.

I think that I enjoyed my teen and her tween years the best. We both bonded over our love for Joe Mc Intyre from New Kids on The Block. We never fought over him, we shared our love ( because we all know I loved him more..*giggles*)

My favorite thing to do was pick the girls up from St.Bruno's school and drive to Penn Park to roll down the hills before homework time. There was this one time though when the brakes in my little red Datsun failed as we all leaned forward to go faster down hill. Being a new driver, I didn't know to pull the emergency brake and let's just say that we narrowly escaped a brick wall and a Mercedes on a blind turn in Uptown Whittier. Yeah, Riss NEVER  let's me forget that one!

One of my most favorite memories is from my bridal shower. I was nineteen, Rissa was fourteen and lamenting the loss of her ringleader. She wrote me the most wonderful note telling me that we were growing up and our childhood was over. She wrapped up her Joe doll and giant Joe button for me to remember our precious childhood. I still cry thinking about it. Of course, she walked down the aisle ahead of me on the beautiful March day.

Flash forward fourteen years later, it was Rissa's turn to be the bride. It was during the darkest time in my life and her wedding was a light spot during the time. I had plan, I had waited YEARS for my turn to repay the favor and in those years, Rissa had probably forgotten about the Joe doll. I couldn't wait for my plan to unfold.

I wrote her this letter told her to read it and then open her gift. Here is the order of events:

Read this letter. "What did you do Julie?"

OH YOU DIDN'T

YEP! Joe doll and button passed back!

One of the best moments of my life! Truly special!

It was so much fun to give the Joe doll back to her! We still haven't been able to achieve our dream of seeing NKOTB together. Next year, next tour, we are going together! It must happen.

The night before her wedding after the rehearsal dinner. I told the girls to put on sweatshirts and come with me. This time we towed along our younger cousins Alex and Randon along with my children to Penn Park. In the cloak of night, grown women with lives, we forgot it all and rolled down the hills carefree. Just being girls in the park once again. 

Until we remembered that Rissa shouldn't roll down hills since she had been in a terrible accident that broke her neck two years before. Sometimes as adults, you can't be so carefree anymore..it was fun while it lasted. The next day was a beautiful day, very emotional seeing my baby cousin get married and join me in adulthood. 

This year Rissa joined me in the ranks of motherhood when her precious daughter Drew was born. It's so much fun sharing these bonds together. Every Friday since Drew was born, she sends a picture of Drew for me to see. (In fact, yesterday was Friday missy and you forgot. Get on it!) Lately we've been exchanging baby pics for New Kids pics. Always a good laugh.

Riss, we've been through it all together. Thank you for being one of the best "sister" cousins a girl could ask for. For all the teary phone calls, all the fun phone calls, rolling down the hills and for being my little shadow. You truly are my sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you'll never know dear how much I love you.

Happy birthday Riss! Love, Jules

Momma Riss

Riss and I dancing on her wedding day

PS Miss Riss is a English teacher so writing this blog was extra intense. Please don't grade me on puncuation Riss, okay?

California Women's Conference Ticket Give Away

So excited, I have four two day registrations to the California Women's Conference to give away. These are two day tickets worth $199 dollars each. You must be able to travel to Long Beach, Ca on September 23-24th.

Here is the information about the conference: www.californiawomensconference.com

This was made possible by my good friend Kerri Pomarolli, my favorite comedianne and good friend. She is speaking at this wonderful conference next week. You should follow her on Twitter @kerripom and like her Facebook page here as a thank you for this great prize.

After you've done that. Leave me a comment and the first four people to comment win tickets. Simple as that!

Happy Birthday Cousin Series: Happy Birthday Jules

Yesterday afternoon, I recieved a funny text from my cousin Andy asking what my email address was now. He mentioned my very first email address from 15 years ago. I wondered why he wanted my email address and this is why. He wrote me a birthday blog.  I cried, laughed and was deeply touched.  

I adore Andy, always have and always will.  He's right, we are VERY close and have always been close.  When its his birthday, you will learn more about him.  Thank you Potato. Love, French Fry

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My name is Andrew and I am number lucky seven in the birth order of my cousins.  However today's tip of the cap is to number one of course.  If you are reading any of this, then you are aware of and hopefully one of the lucky masses who know my eldest cousin Julie.  She has been writing a little piece about each of her cousins on their birthdays, so it only felt appropriate to take a little time and return the appreciation.

It would be safe to say I manage to stay close to my cousin Julie even though she's a four hours away from here, and has been for awhile.  Then again most  of cousins would probably say something along those lines, and I think that's a skill she acquired from my grandparents. What I mean by that is, though I am her actual favorite, my other cousins might be inclined to say the same thing.  It's speaks to the kinds of of people that came before us, and an ability to connect with people that the rest of us would be lucky to ever understand.

Julie is seven years older than me, and right around age nine when I was getting an idea of cool, Julie was about the coolest person I knew.  My first realization of cool would probably be the first time I met Marty.  For no reason at all Julie had asked me if I wanted to go with her for a ride, and frankly, why on earth would anybody say no?  Julie's first car was a maroon datsun hatchback with a violent femmes sticker on passenger side and a proud Depeche Mode sticker displayed on the rear.

 I had the front seat all to myself and I was making hand dolphins out of the window that I could hardly see over, all the way to Buena Park.  It felt cool, and it also was my first serious encounter with a charismatic British frontman named Morrissey and his band The Smiths, who I still consider cool nearly twenty years later.

 Upon arrival in Buena Park I got to meet Marty, at the time he was one of the few older guys I had met, that wasn't somebodies dad and I remember thinking that he was pretty cool.  Just about when my head was about to explode from all the coolness I had encountered of the last half hour, Marty took us to a Taco Bell where you ordered food using a touch screen that talked back you, needless to say I was in awe, and from that day on my cousin became one of the most interesting people I know, and that hasn't changed.

It might even be true to say Julie gets more interesting all the time.  In a day an age where a facebook wall tells us to embrace small miracle everyday, most of glance, smile, and forget that nice sentiment before it's even out of an eyeshot, and then there is julie.  My cousin is wonderful reminder that it's good to be excited about things.  Whether it be a tweet from and Olympic swimmer, or baking cookies for cyclist, Jules creates adventures of the everyday, and it seems like every time I talk to her I hang up the phone and get inspired.  It's hard not be, I genuinely hang up the phone feeling like I can do anything, and if there isn't anybody in your life that makes you feel that way, I highly recommend finding one, because it's insanely therapeutic.

As a believer that the universe makes it self right most of the time, I feel like Marty's ever miraculous recovery is simply that.  When good things happen to great people it makes things simply feel right.  For the last years leading up to the transplant, Julie carried on, and most of the time did it while appearing very collected.  We all know that couldn't have been the case, but she went about keeping her family moving forward as if she didn't want to give herself or anybody else time to feel sorry for themselves.  It's as if Marty's recovery is a thank you gift from the cosmos, for simply showing the rest of us what strength is.

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

Over the last eighteen months or so Julie has taken to a whole lot of living.  A common thread in many conversations I have with my cousin is my inability to stay idle, in Julie's case she has simply decided to blast off like a very, very not tall rocket.  Had you told me last years that she would tackle a triathlon before she turned thirty six, I wouldn't have doubted her, however I would have had a hundred follow up questions.  I think once she realized everything was actually going to be o.k. She took that as a cue to do some serious living, and I for one couldn't be happier for her. I am excited to see where this path takes you, because I have a feeling it leads somewhere great.

My final thought.

Julie,
   You are truly a one of a kind and I can honestly say this world is a more interesting place because you are in it.  With the progression of time it is wonderful to see Conner and Elizabeth getting slightly more like you every time I see them.  I suppose a thank you is in order for closeness you've managed to maintain with your cousins regardless of distance.  You have always set a wonderful example for me in a sense that it's not only fine to be different, but in actuality it suits some of us quite well.  Keep on in everything you do, because it does matter, and it inspires.  I took the liberty of doing this, because I love you, and if I get around to growing up I would like to be something like you.

Andy

Goodbye 35, The Best Year of My Thirties

It is no secret, I have a long, complicated history with birthday's. Usually they don't go very well and end with me crying. I wrote more about that last year here. I finally came to terms, Marty was well and things had been going very well. Everyone kept telling me " 35 is going to be your year" and of course, I didn't really want to believe it.

35 was my year, the best year of my thirties by far. It started on my 35th birthday when my all time favorite singer Curt Smith wished me a Happy birthday on Twitter. Two days later, for the very first time I saw them live in concert. It was amazing to stand there and listen to them live with Marty, I really thought things couldn't get much better than that. I hated the picture after the concert and how big I looked, the thought of changing that still hadn't crossed my mind.

In October, we took our first family vacation in over 7 years to Georgia. It was amazing to be able to travel and be free. We had such a great time seeing friends and being free to explore the world again.. Our lives were normal again and we had no worries anymore.

We came home from vacation and my Dad was hospitalized, it was a bit scary at first but then the relief that he finally had gotten the care to get him healthy again. It's been nice not having to worry about his health anymore and knowing he is on track again.

I came home from LA and just a few days later was introduced to Janet Evans on Twitter. Through a series of tweets, she helped motivate me to get fit. Just a few weeks later, I took her up on her offer to swim with her and that started me swimming again. Not only did I start swimming again but I started training for my first triathlon. I never expected we would become friends along the way.

In January, We celebrated the first anniversary of Marty's transplant and sent off a letter to our donor family. A couple of months later, we heard from the donor mom and learned about our donor Jerry.

In March, I completed my first triathlon with a huge sense of pride and accomplishment. Who would have ever thought I would do that? certainly not me. I had been losing weight and working very hard at getting fit. To date I've lost 40lbs and counting, all due to one tweet that changed my life.

April brought about a interesting turn of events. Easter weekend forever changed the course of the year and brought about amazing healing of my heart that I had long prayed for. The peace that weekend brought still amazes me to this day. Also, one meeting outside of the Hard Rock Cafe followed by a series of tweets changed the course of the rest of the year and the repercussions are far reaching.

Thanks to the kindness of three strangers, one evening in Los Angeles another dream came true. I sat in the same room as my teen hearthrobs and  even hugged them or shook hands ( at one point held the hand of one) with two women who would become dear to my heart and my sister of the heart. Little did I know,what this one event would lead to.

In May, Conner and I once again traveled to see our beloved Amgen Tour of California. This year was special because our cycling friends came to stay with us and we got to meet so many in the cycling community. Then one day later, led to the crazy story of Operation Cookie bake and how not to make promises to Jens Voigt that you don't keep.

My kids grew, no more elementary school for us after the school year ended. They have been such great company this year, helping me get fit. Helping me out around the house more after I returned to work from being a SAHM for many years.

In July, our dear pen pals from France came to visit. Fanette and her boys came for 11 days, we had such a good time touring California and showing them the sites. The kids and I got to go to Universal with them and then my long awaited return to my childhood haunt of Disneyland with them. It was wonderful to see such good friends and spend time in special places together.

Then last month, I was able to travel to Hershey,PA for a long awaited girl's trip with my good friend. It also was with the two women I had met on Twitter who had become good friends also. It was wonderful to see NKOTB again, another dream come true. I also met so many wonderful people and made friends for life. I also got to meet my dear friend Janeen for the first time.

Then this past week, I was able to travel to LA once again and see my Mom celebrate her Disney anniversary. The best part was getting to be at Disneyland after it was closed and enjoy some one on one time with my mom.

None of this would have happened without the support of my loving husband Marty. He has been gracious to let me live my dreams, supported me while I was off having fun and worked hard to pay for it all. Thank you for loving me selflessly and letting me have fun. This year has been a wonderful gift and I am forever grateful for your support.

Finally, I was able to live fully, spread my wings and fly, experience new things, laugh, cry, challenge myself, share my story, try to make a difference and really enjoy life to the fullest. Thank you to all the people who helped to make this the best year of my thirties. I am so thankful and humbled by your support and love, I am just Julie, a simple girl who cannot fathom that she is loved by many.

 I cannot imagine that 36 can top 35 but I cannot wait to see what happens. I hope to make some of Marty's dreams come true this year and sit back and watch him fly. 

Mom's 25th Disneyversary

25 years ago this past July, my Mom started working at Disneyland. I was ten years old, we had already been a Disney family for over a year at that point since my sister had already been working there. Mom immediately loved her job as a accountant for the Happiest Place on Earth.

Disney provided for our family, gave us great benefits and some of the most wonderful memories to last a lifetime. Often after work, Mom wouldn't feel like cooking, so we would go into "the park" for dinner. When I wanted to go with friends, Mom made sure to get us in. Countless friends and family have benefitted from Mom working for Disney.

Of course, I followed in her footsteps and worked at the park for five years myself. I got married at the Disneyland hotel and went through my first pregnancy as a cast member. Disney has been so much more than a job to our family.

This past week, I was able to go be my Mom's guest for a very special evening at Disneyland. It was the night they celebrated their cast members who've worked there 10 years or longer. It was fun to be back in the park after it is closed. There is something about Disneyland with no people in it that only someone who works there can experience. I never thought I would get that chance again.

We had a great time and ate lots of great food. Disney does food well and this was no exception. Also I got to see one of my favorite ex-co-workers who I've remained friends with over the years. It was fun to have a special girl's night out with my Mom and celebrate a huge milestone in her life.

Happy 25th Mom! Can I come to your 30th?

Guest blog: 214 Grafitti's Mixtape Story

Ever meet someone and just click? Three weeks ago at the Mixtape festival, I met the "Graffiti Boys" after they asked my friend Andrea to sign their "Tayble" for charity.  We immediately adored these sweet boys and they became our constant companions for the weekend. I asked them if they wanted to guest blog for me sometime and share their Mixtape story.  They truly had some great interactions that some of us only dream of! 

Do me a favor and follow these boys. Soon they will be auctioning off this great Tayble for charity and one of you may have the chance to be the owner. Let's get them to 1,000 Twitter followers and bring their youtube to 1,000 views. They're being great and sharing some of their behind the scene's pictures with my readers. Without further adeiu, I will let Justin tell you about their weekend:


Has it really been three weeks since Mixtape Fest already?  It seems like just yesterday we were buying 100 cans (literally) of spray paint and loading NKOTB's mac truck with pieces of the 20 foot wall for us to paint a graffiti mural on... But I'm getting ahead of myself.  I doubt you normally read about graffiti on this blog so allow me to introduce us: we are 214 Graffiti.

214 Graffiti is comprised of Taylor and Justin (that's me).  We have been working together for around 2.5 years.  In this time we have sold over 150 custom graffiti sprays, and had our work featured at red carpet events, corporate launches, galleries and numerous personal collections.  We were flown out to the Mixtape Fest to paint a 20 foot mural of all the artists performing at the festival. Here's a quick video (so you can get a little better idea of what kind of work we do) that we shot when we sprayed a 16 foot wall for Warner Sound at Warner Bros. Records:

So now that we have some context for who we are, we might as well explain how we met Julie, who is the reason we are writing here today!  Taylor and I also run a subsidiary company of 214 Graffiti with his brother Zach called TAYBLE  (named after Taylor who came up with the design). These are essentially tables that look like a cassette table (cassette table, mixtape table - call it what you will).  We had a TAYBLE backstage at the Mixtape Fest in the VIP lounge for all the artists to sign.  (We are currently putting the finish work on it and it is going to be auctioned off by NKOTB for charity.  We called it the Tayble for Charity--- but back to how we met Julie!)

When we were off working on our painting for the festival we heard that Andrea Barber (The Gibbler on Full House) was at Mixtape Fest because she was such a big fan of NKOTB.  We thought, why not have her sign the Tayble for Charity as well! So we approached her and asked!  She, of course, was more than gracious and was really excited about signing the Tayble. And this is where we got to meet all her wonderful friends, including Julie, who we ended up hanging out with throughout the rest of  the weekend!

Andrea, Taylor, Justin and Julie. We love the "graffitti boys" as we call them.

Andrea signing the Tayble for Charity

All that to say that we had a great time at the first annual Mixtape Fest! We painted a 20 foot mural, made a giant TAYBLE sign for the VIP lounge, got artists like NKOTB, The Fray, The Wanted, 98 Degrees (and Nick Lachey), The Dan Band, and DJ Cheapshot (including a few others) to sign the Tayble for Charity and got to meet so many fun and exciting new friends from around the country!  I would go on, but frankly, I think our art speaks better for what we did than my writing!  So with that, we thank you for your time and hope you enjoy our work!  Check us out at www.facebook.com/214Graffiti or www.Taybles.com or follow us on Twitter: @214Graffiti

The Tayble in the back is what the signed Tayble will look like in the end.

The Mixtape Graffiti wall

Working hard on the graffiti wall

Justin with Nick Lachey signing the Tayble for Charity

Donnie and DJ Pauly D under the Tayble Sign

NKOTB with the Tayble for Charity

Tayble for Charity photos courtesy of 214 Graffiti. All Rights Reserved.

Rock and Jock photo courtesy of Just Jules. All Rights Reserved.

MTTMB Series: "You Talk Too Much"

"You just talk too much" truer words have never been spoken regarding me. It's no family secret buried in the closet, I am a talker who loves to talk. Apparently, I am told this gift of gab comes honestly from both sides of the family. Often my Dad would say, "You talk as much as my Aunt Eloise" who apparently had the gift of gab.

Two weeks ago in Hershey on a Sunday evening. I was cruising the town with A2 and AB after a slice of delicious Reese's Peanut Butter Pie at the Hotel Hershey ( too die for, a must have if you go to Hershey), sorry I got sidetracked.

Anyhoo, We stopped at a stoplight when I notice a  Dad leaning out the window of his Suburban telling me to roll down the window. I noticed his family inside and quickly remembered I was on the east coast, not the west coast where I would NEVER roll my window down for a stranger.

I roll the window down much to the shock of AB and A2...they weren't thrilled and wondered what I was doing. The guy leans out " Hey, do youse' know where there's a Wahlmat around here?" Pulling from my freakish in-built GPS, photographic memory I remembered getting lost and seeing a shopping center the day before. " Sure, I think there is one down the road a bit" to which he replies " Is it off I-133?" I can't remember but know it is in the direction of our hotel. Since that is where we are headed, I say " I don't know but you can just follow me." A2 and AB's jaws hit the floor and the gentleman says, "Wait a minute, are youse from Pennslyvania? I stopped you because you have PA plates on your car." to which I reply, " No we aren't"

He laughs a hearty laugh and says " Hey, I'm from Jersey maybe I can help youse then" which made us all laugh hysterically. He thanks me and almost takes off on the red because he was laughing. I roll up the windows and turn to see A2 and AB gaping at me. AB says, " Julie, you will talk to ANYONE" and A2 replies she was scared when I rolled the window down. They both chatted on and on about how I would talk to anyone.

I told them, "It's the east coast and people talk to each other. Plus, I was raised by a bunch of mid-westerner's who would talk to anyone." I suddenly realize, I have become my Gramie!

I remember spending hours in the beauty shop with her gabbing with her hairdresser Debbie or cringing in the VONS checkout line while she chatted up the person in front of her.

It also doesn't help that I was the first grandchild. I was sat in the center of the table to "hold court" while my grandparents, aunts and uncles chatted at me. First thing when walking into my grandpa and grandma's house was to sit at the table and fill them in. We could sit and chat for hours. People, I may not have been born this way but I was trained this way.

There are very few times in life that I am ever at a loss for words. I have grown quieter with age and marriage. I am married to a quiet person, raising a quiet person and have learned that sometimes silence is golden.

Everytime I hear this song, I just laugh and know it is true. There is only one person in the world that can out talk me and that is my cousin Brianne. We both talk too much. This song does always take me back to some great memories and always makes me laugh.




That being said, I may be a talker but I also am known as "The vault" because of my talking ability and memory system, I am a really good secret keeper. People know they can call me to listen, I will listen, talk it out and file it away. If they need later, I can recall it but if not, I just file it away and leave it there. I actually can remain silent since I have lots to talk about myself anyways.

Proud to be a talker who loves to talk. Being friendly has served me well and brought me many a friend in life. There is nothing I dislike more than a unfriendly person who doesn't at least acknowledge people. I a married to a quiet person and friends with many quiet people. I know the difference between the two, there is a difference.

There is no moral to this one, I just wanted to talk about it. Now you see why I love to blog, text and tweet so much! It's another form of talking. I actually have given up my telephone habit in exchange for those forms of talking. Sometimes those forms can bring silence to those around me while allowing me to still talk.