Barr Mansion

I went to a great place last night! It's the Barr Mansion in Austin, and it is the first certified organic events facility in the nation! And, if that's not enough, it's absolutely beautiful!

It's on acreage with a historic home and a new pavilion-type building with humongous walls of glass. They have white Christmas lights and candles everywhere, and they even rake the gravel to give it a Zen feel. They are 98% waste free and recycle or compost most everything. And, of course, they buy local.

I think some people still don't understand how great organic food is! The Barr Mansion uses a seasonal menu, which is truly the best way for many reasons. Our menu: spring mix salad with pecans in a cranberry dressing, grilled vegetables like squash and eggplant, Ahi tuna and crab mini-pizzas, barbecue chicken mini-pizzas, chicken lasagna, spinach lasagna, apple cinnamon cake, and hibiscus mint tea. It was all fabulous!!

I wish I'd thought to take pictures, but check out their website, for sure!

Smiling From Heaven

Have fun in heaven, Grandma ... and smile down on your ten children, 29 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchild. We certainly will be smiling back at you! Thank you for your life!!

Dorothy Joan Bierbower Kersey July 21, 1924 – October 6, 2009 Dorothy Joan Bierbower Kersey, 85, formerly of Orange, Texas, passed away peacefully at her home in College Station, Texas, on October 6, 2009. Dorothy Joan, the daughter of James Cavitt and Margaret Bierbower, was born on July 21, 1924 in Giltner, Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, majoring in Art, and worked as a secretary for the FBI in Washington D.C. It was in Lincoln that she met the love of her life, Everett "Bob" Kersey, and they were married on December 11, 1943. They lived in Evanstown, Illinois while Bob obtained his Master's degree in engineering from Northwestern University. In 1950, as their family grew, Bob and Joan moved to Orange, Texas, where Bob worked for DuPont. Joan supported her husband in his career, and he supported her as a loving and devoted mother to ten beautiful children, all of whom attended St. Mary's Parochial School. Joan was known for her wonderful cooking and her caring, gracious hospitality, and this made the Kersey home a friendly hub of activity for family, friends, and neighbors. After 32 years of calling Orange their home, the family moved to College Station, Texas, where many of the children attended Texas A&M University. Their home in College Station took on the same appeal as their home in Orange, as one of their greatest joys was in having big get-togethers where all felt loved and welcomed. Joan and Bob's love for each other radiated to all who knew them, and their strong union was an example for all of their children. Only one month shy of their 65th wedding anniversary, Bob went to his reward on October 24, 2008 - and now his lovely wife with a gentle spirit rejoins him. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Margaret; husband, Bob; and seven siblings, June, Marg, Mick, Barbara Jean, Mary Lou, Dr. Bob, and John Richard. Left to cherish her memories are her children, Mary Tabor of Friendswood, Texas, Michael Kersey of Houston, Texas, Kathleen Shearer of College Station, Robert Kersey of Granbury, Texas, Richard Kersey of Lake Jackson, Texas, Steven Kersey of Bryan, Texas, James Kersey of Mansfield, Texas, Patricia Riley of College Station, Edward Kersey of Magnolia, Arkansas, and Joan Rudd of College Station, and her 29 grandchildren, l2 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Pallbearers will be Stephen Tabor, Alan Shearer, Ray Davis, Chris Kersey, Scotty Kersey, and Aaron Riley. The family would like to thank Annette Bryant and Mildred Robertson, who were kind and helpful in the care of their Mom, and the staff of Choice Home Health Care.

Austin's Day of Yoga

I love yoga and take classes regularly, but they are basic, gym-type classes, which tend to leave out some of the true nature of the discipline. I've always wanted to explore all that yoga is and can be, and this past week I had that opportunity with Austin's annual Free Day of Yoga.

My very optimistic self planned out - and succeeded - at taking five different yoga classes for a total of seven hours of class, all in one day! I was definitely exhausted, but I loved the experiential learning!

I started with a Thai partner yoga and massage class that I took with a friend. We giggled a lot, not being used to being so physical with one another, but we also got a lot out of it. (It wasn't "massage" like we think of it. It's more like using your partner's body to help you stretch.) Next, was a Relaxation class, which really was straight guided meditation. I meditate most every day, but it's nice to do guided meditations every once in a while. After that, I tried Qigong, which is an energy (chi) based discipline that allows the body to heal itself by holding and moving through specific postures. Kundalini yoga was next, which was fairly basic, except they purposely caused us pain in order to release our endorphins. (For real!) The difference with this class was they had a big gong, and during the relaxation, they played it. It was a very nice sound; I would have liked it throughout the whole class. Finally, I went to the hardest class - Bikram yoga. It was an hour and a half class in a heated, high-humidity room. Never have I sweated so much! I could barely hold postures I was so slippery! They say the practice is designed to "wring out" your organs to clean your body. I had a massive headache the next day from releasing all the toxins into my body, but they say it's really good for you! I think I might like to try it one more time before I decide ...

Anyway, I succeeded at trying all these different kinds of yoga in one day. I paced myself, drank lots of water, and looked at it as another adventure!

Snuggie-rrific!

My family took a trip to the Texas coast recently. We rented out a beach house and relaxed the whole week, spending time on our virtually private beach, watching Disney movies, playing board games, and reading. We also went road-tripping to visit Moody Gardens and get some seafood. It was a super fun time! I think I was overambitious with how much I would get to relax, though. When it came time to go, I wanted another week!

Now, to explain the picture. At Christmas, we were joking about how no one in our family had gotten a Snuggie for a gift. It was remarkable, really. My sister-in-law decided to get us all one for a joke so we had fun with them for months, making more and more jokes about them. This somehow evolved into a family portrait idea, and we were all together on the beach so ... Wish I had the one where we glamour-shot it, with our hands posed underneath our chins, etc.!
(The truly ironic part is that I actually love my Snuggie. I use it all the time! :P)

Extra, Extra!

I had a really fun experience the other day. I'd heard about a need for extras for Southwest Airlines commercials and was like, "Oh, that sounds fun!" so I looked into it. I found it was very easy to apply so I did. Shortly thereafter, I was selected!

I'd never done anything like it so I went into it open minded and with a sense of adventure. I honestly had no idea what to expect. And I must tell you, it was a lot of fun! I now have mastered the "fake conversation" role, the "walking and looking at my boarding pass like I don't know where I'm going" role, and the "walking and talking on my cell phone" role. I'm now a pro at all these things. ;)

I had no idea so much goes into making a commercial, though! In the end, I'll probably just be a body in the background, just a blip on the screen - but, hey! my blip may end up in as many as eleven commercials, and it was an enjoyable experience! :)

Btw, I think "Oh, that sounds fun!"is going to be my new motto. :P

Free Like a Bird

I've been enjoying the summer! I love the freedom this time of year brings! I love having so much flexibility with my schedule and being able to follow my own rhythms as far as when and what I want to do. I could never be a caged bird!

It's weird to think that there are only a few more weeks before school starts again, and everything once again will crank into high gear. I really would like to engage my free spirit more ...

Anyway, this picture is me in Native American costume. We do a little skit with the camp kids, and I had a friend help me make an outfit so I could be more in theme. Tons of fun! And I kind of dig the braids! :)

A Few Birthday Pics

My birthday was just as I was hoping - laidback!

We had dinner at Casa de Luz, an organic place I love, and then chilled out at Flipnotics, a coffee house. Peaceful, relaxing, nice!

It's easy to believe how young I am! ;)

My Birthday!

It's going to be a WONDERFUL day! Today is my birthday!! : )

Holiday Fun

I went to my first Blues on the Green concert of the season this past week. It was Jimmy Vaughan playing, and it was over in Waterloo Park because of work they are doing in Zilker. I actually liked Waterloo better. It had a more intimate feel, and the way the land slopes it provides for a good view all the way around. Sometimes it feels like you are lost in an ocean of humanity at Zilker. Anyway, the music was great, and I had a great time chilling out with friends!
The night before the Fourth, we went out to Carlos and Charlie's. I'd been there once, maybe, and it was years ago, so it was cool to go out there again. Of course, there were a lot of people!! Like no movement in the parking lot for an hour, according to some of the people with us. Luckily, I stayed for a while after the fireworks show - which was remarkably good - because it's always important to hang out with people dressed in leis and coconut bras. ;)
On the actual Fourth, I saw another round of fireworks at Auditorium Shores. It's nice we have so many events like that in Austin. It was only just New Year's when I was last hanging out on the bridge, looking toward the water, and watching things light up the night sky ...
Happy Fourth of July!

Hello

I just realized it's been a really, really long time since the last posting.
So let's see ... my social life hasn't been that interesting lately so I don't have much to post there. I had a friend who was going through a tough time so over the last few months, I have watched many, many, many funny movies. That was cool, but I'm ready for some dramas now! Funny movies are fine, but I like something that really pulls me into its "world," and most comedies aren't able to accomplish that.
I've been teaching art in the mornings for summer camp, and being around the kids has been great! I love their creativity and being a part of helping them explore that side of themselves. We have a lot of fun! We've made origami and mandalas and wishing wells so far. One of the kids wrote for his wishing well, "I so happy to be alive. I meen it. I love every body. They love me to." SO freaking cute!!
Hmm ... what else has happened? Well, I got some great feedback from a published author and am going to tweak a few things with my book. I haven't put the greatest of priority on that since other things seem to be drawing my attention, but as a big believer in Divine Timing, I know it will happen when it's meant to happen.
That's about it for now! Hope you are all doing great!! :)

Austin Sunshine Camp at Lake Travis

I was very excited to attend the dedication of the new McCombs Austin Sunshine Camp at Lake Travis. This camp is for the older kids, and it is on the lake (river) so the kids will be able to swim and canoe right outside their back door. They also have a great ropes course, with all sorts of activities designed to teach team-building, and even a zip line! I'm not sure I'd be willing to try that!

It will be a great camp, and how nice for them to get to enjoy the brand new “everythings!” I’m very excited for all the teens who will go through there!

(Unfortunately, I couldn't take pictures, since the day of the dedication was also the day with the torrential thunderstorms. ;) That made for a particularly interesting ride for someone who tends to get carsick anyway!)

The Next Step

Now that my book is finished, I am on to the next step - looking for an agent and/or publisher. Traditional thinking would suggest finding an agent first, but I'll probably dip my toe a bit in the publisher pool, too, and just see how everything works out. And I am absolutely confident that it will. :D

I'm not sure I've ever posted a basic synopsis on here so here it is:
Faith is a lightworker. She is on earth to raise the vibrations of the planet and to teach others about love. Her spiritual gifts empower her to do this. But, like many lightworkers, she struggles with doubt and the seeming conflict of balancing her practical daily life with her spiritual nature.
The beginning of her personal journey towards sharing the fullness of her light with the world serves as the backdrop for an entertaining mystery in Dead End Date.
When Faith’s blind date ends up dead in a downtown parking lot – and “alive” as can be in her bedroom – Faith puts her spiritual skills to the test, attempting to prove his death was murder, not suicide. As she stumbles along the case, seeking enlightenment and living “in the moment” all the while, she begins to open her own heart to love. Or at least the possibility.

My Book is Written!

Well .... I think I just finished the latest version of my book!

Honestly, I don't think it has sunk in yet. Maybe because I know the next part is selling it!

Happy Birthday to Snickers!

My cat Snickers is twelve years old today! I'm not sure how old that makes her in kitty years, but it's weird to think I've had her since I was 20! Wow! So much has happened in my life in 12 years! I was in such a different place back then! I was still me, of course, but wow!

I'd like to mention something else, too: I competed in the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee last week at Austin Music Hall. It was a really cool event, with the teams dressed in costumes and a great vibe all around! Our team made it about halfway through, which is respectable. It was kind of my fault we got out, though. I thought it was disrhythmia, but it's dys. Oh well. It was fun!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

You know how I volunteer with kids? Well, I was able to lead a self esteem workshop for the teen girls that was awesome! Some of the material was based on the Dove Real Beauty campaign - you may have seen their ads with "real" women - and then there were other parts that we added in. I recruited six other adult women and so we were able to work with the girls in small groups for some of the more intimate discussions. We talked about what all makes us beautiful and helped them actually acknowledge the beauty they had within them. This was a little hard for them to do, actually, especially when we had them look in a mirror and tell themselves something good. -- That difficulty told me they really needed it.

We started the day off with affirmations. We had the following affirmations in a bag and had each of the girls draw one and say it aloud. It was remarkable, we all noticed, how just the right affirmation found its way to just the right girl!

I am willing to see my magnificence.
I am worth loving.
I release all feelings of guilt.
I am perfect exactly as I am.
I am my own unique self.
I express my feelings openly, effortlessly, and without fear.
I am a powerful woman.
I am a natural winner.
I perceive my true being.
I freely express who I am.
I trust the intelligence within me.
I deserve love, joy, peace, success, and abundance.
I love and accept myself right now.
I am proud of who I am and not afraid to express it.
I speak and think positively.
I am in the process of making positive changes in all areas of my life.
I let go of all negativity that rests in my body and mind.
I am leading a very successful life!
I create my future now.
I rise above all limitations.
I have unlimited potential.
I dwell on positive thoughts.
I am a radiant being enjoying life to the fullest.

After multiple break-out sessions, our wrap-up activity was to create positive affirmation boards. The girls had as much fun with this as many of us adults have had making ours! It was such a wonderful experience! And, the women told me they got as much out of it as the girls! I am very lucky to have these opportunities!

My Nephew's First Birthday

My nephew Jackson turned one this past weekend, and my brother and sister-in-law threw him a great party! He was so cute and is such a happy baby!


We all had such a good time hanging out together and enjoying ourselves. The whole party turned out perfectly! And big sis Alivia took everything is stride!

Enchanted Rock

I finally visited Enchanted Rock! I've been wanting to go there for so long!

Enchanted Rock is a massive, boulder-like piece of the earth's crust that is supposedly the foundation for how the rest of Texas was formed. The view from the top is beautiful, and it is amazing to see huge boulders and chunks of the earth strewn about like marbles!

The weather was perfect for our trip, but, boy is it windy up there! My hat actually flew all the way off my head! Luckily, I was able to catch it on the ground!

It was great being there. We went exploring around through some of the cave-like areas and then simply sat down for a while to enjoy the view. This earth really is amazing.
On our way out to Enchanted Rock, we stopped at Wildseed Farms, which is a cute (but big) store and cafe filled with tons of gifts and, of course, wildflower seeds. It is the nation's largest operating wildflower seed farm! While there, I met Chloe and her brothers Max and Snowball and a couple of other furry, feline friends who call the farm home. I loved that they were just lounging around on countertops and chairs!
After visiting Enchanted Rock, we made a quick stop in Fredericksburg, a place I also had never been! (Crazy, huh?) It was fun strolling through all the little shops and sampling the goodies. Seems like fudge and ice cream are staples in Fredericksburg - in addition to the peaches, I imagine!

Jennifer and John Sittin' in a Tree

I went to a great wedding Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, for my friends Jennifer and John. What a fun idea to have a wedding on that day!

The wedding and reception were held at Mercury Hall here in Austin, and it is a beautiful place! They were married underneath big, swooping oak trees, with bright, green grass providing a backdrop against crisp-looking, white chairs, and perfect weather!

They did an excellent job picking out their wedding goodies, from the napkins to the flowers to the getaway sparklers. The food was from their travels around the world, with cute cards explaining why they chose each item. My favorite treat was the gelato bar. Yes - a gelato bar! Four different kinds of gelato at my disposal ... Yum! I had the dark chocolate - twice - because I am a dark chocolate kind of gal. ;) I sort of remember a photographer taking a picture of me with a gelato spoon in my mouth, while I was on the dance floor, now that I think about it!

And, I danced a lot! In fact, a woman came up to me and said, "Can my daughter dance with you? She sees you dancing, and she wants to dance with you." I immediately said, "Of course!" and we had lots of fun! She sang all the words to the hip hop songs, too; it was cute!

It was a great wedding, and I wish them all the happiness they desire in their life together! Congratulations!!

I Am Irish ...

I am Irish, and I demand to be kissed!! ;)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Naturally, I am wearing my "Everyone Loves an Irish Girl!" t-shirt. Be sure to wear green, too, or you might get pinched!

Today ...

Today ... can only get better.
Surely.