2010 was a very busy year. In fact, I believe it was the busiest year of my life. And honestly, it was one of the best years. A lot of really great things happened.
I....
- Started the year co-chairing a fundraiser for my kids' school. We threw a big bash that raised 80k!
- Had a wonderful trip to Portland in February with my dear friend Josh (despite it starting off a little rough - breaking down on the way to NOLA and having to hail a cab in Gonzales at 4 am).
- Helped our CEO raise thousands of dollars for the March of Dimes. He later received two awards for his work, including the top walk chair in the state.
- Went to Washington DC in March to meet with legislators about community needs. Got to spend time with good people at our nation's capitol.
- Watched the Saints win the Superbowl. Who knew after all these years "dem boys" would actually make pigs fly. What an incredible night! (And, a wonderful birthday for my husband).
- Enjoyed two trips to the Lake House in Nashville (March and July). In March with both my parents and my husbands parents. Then in July with my parents, my siblings and their kids. I love that house! It really lets you escape and enjoy just being with family.
- Danced on my broken left foot for Big Buddy, and won! What an amazing experience. The dancing was difficult with my injury (a lot of nights with ice packs on my swollen foot), but it reminded me of what I can do (and not to let the injury limit me).
- Got to be great friends with my dance partner Leonard and his friend Thomas. A very unexpected surprise to fall in love with them as much as I did, and I think the feeling is mutual. 2010 actually brought several new relationships to me... got to become close to several people I didn't expect and I really appreciate that and them.
- Did a couple of commercials. My theatre degree came in handy with the company asked me to audition for some commercials they were making. Got picked for two and they played across the state for months. It was fun to be on the other side again.
- Visited with nearly 100 CEOs around the area. It was like a mini mba. I spent hours talking to local business leaders about their challenges and vision. And, I learned so much! Did you know that the cap on the ketchup bottle works like a muscle? The more you open and close it, the stronger it gets (not like when it use to break off just a decade ago). I learned that from an engineer at Exxon in one of my visits.
- Taught Agnes to dance! Wrote a play (Teaching Agnes to Dance) that allowed me to incorporate my experience in Dancing with the Stars, and was even able to create a couple of characters. :) I love Augustus the Eel and Loxie Vann Salmon! It's funny that Leonard (Augustus) and Whitney Vann (who they are based on) were so excited to see it and had to have photos with the cast after the performance. By the way, the actors in the show were refreshing and such a joy to work with.
- Watched my daughter skip second grade, which was incredibly scary and exciting! Her adjustment to third was also a big adjustment for her parents. We have so much more homework to deal with this year!! And, we're always worried she's not quite with the rest of her class. But, she's bringing home As and Bs... and seems happier, so we're good!
- Spent the majority of the summer in a cargo van. Drove 2000 miles in six weeks along the coast of Louisiana. I coordinated the company's outreach efforts for the oil spill. This work caused me much stress and by one of the final events my blood pressure had gotten so high that the doctor we were working with made me go lie down. She also told me to go see my doctor, who recommended me doing the diet.
- Chaired United Way's campaign cabinet and helped to raise millions of dollars in the Baton Rouge area. Early reports show the campaign is up nearly 10% (the first time the campaign has seen an increase in years - lets hope it stays up).
- Did Dallas. Went to Dallas on a girls trip in July that I (very openly) wasn't excited about. I had been doing all our coastal relief efforts and just wanted to be home. But, I said yes because I love my friends and what a wonderful time I had. Better than I ever imagined, really. I guess it was exactly what I needed. And, I love those girls.
- Played "celebrity" bartender one night and had a blast. Ended up winning the entire contest with all my shaking and stirring, not to mention $10,000 in tips. :)
- Watched my 7 year old daughter and 41 year old husband complete their first 5k!
- Realized what a wonderful and supportive husband I have -- who is incredibly understanding (and respectful) of all the things I do and is an amazing father to our two girls.
- Experienced loss. This year, we lost a few special people. And, I had two very close friends lose their fathers. I know this isn't really a good thing that happened, but it made the list because of the significance it had on my perspective. One, I really love both these guys and watching them lose their dad really hurt. It also reminded me how much I love my parents and how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life. It also reminded me how short life is, and how glad I am that I decided to do the diet. Losing weight doesn't insure I'll be around forever, but it does improve my quality of life and increase my chances of being around.
- I lost 50 pounds, brought down my blood pressure, told I look "skinny" on several occasions, and even shopped in the "regular" size section of a store for the first time in years.
Overall, a great year. Looking forward to 2011....
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