Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Giving Back to the Community is a Big Part of What I Do.


Monday, Jan 27    The final planning meeting for the Joy of Life Ball on February 8 was a whirlwind of last-minute details. As the clock ticks down, the team covered everything from final touches to ensuring everything falls into place for a flawless event. This incredible group, alongside a few dedicated individuals who came before them, has worked tirelessly over the last ten and a half years to raise an astounding $1.2 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their commitment and passion are what make this event so special—transforming hard work into life-changing impact. The anticipation is building, and it’s clear this year will be no exception to the magic they’ve been creating year after year.

Tuesday, Jan 28.   
The Mustang Club gathered at Lost Pizza for a meeting, where most of us rolled in with our modern cars, though a few brave souls brought out their classic rides. I’ll admit, it still gets dark too early for me to take my old car out—my eyes just don’t handle the night driving like they used to. It was a bittersweet moment, though, as we reflected on the club’s 29 years of hosting the car show. Unfortunately, with fewer than eight members left, it just wasn’t practical to continue. When the vote came to cancel the event, I couldn’t help but feel relieved—it was the right decision, even though it marks the end of an era. We’ve had some great years, but it’s time to let go and focus on what’s best for the club now.


Wednesday, Jan 29 I absolutely love being part of the Optimist Club every Wednesday. It’s such a rewarding group to be a part of. Each meeting, we’re treated to a speaker, and sometimes we even get the privilege of welcoming our Student of the Month, giving us the chance to celebrate their hard work firsthand. Once a month, we host the Mobile Police Officer of the Month Luncheon, which is always a great opportunity to recognize and honor those who serve our community. What truly stands out to me, though, is how every single member goes above and beyond to make our youth feel valued and important. It’s that sense of dedication and care that makes this club such a special place.


Thursday, Jan 30    This morning, the fog rolled in overnight, creating a blanket of clouds on the ground. The shift in air and ground temps brought a quiet stillness, but it also made me reflect on how the fog can be a metaphor for life. Sometimes, our future feels unclear—like we know something’s ahead of us, but we just can’t see it yet. It’s a reminder that, even though we can’t always make out the path, God is guiding every one of our steps. Trusting Him in those moments when things feel uncertain isn’t always easy, but it’s in those moments that faith can be the most grounding. Just like the fog, we might not see everything clearly right now, but we can trust that the way will unfold in time.


Friday, Jan 31    The day felt like it was dragging with the weight of school and work, all while the excitement for the Senior Bowl Parade built up in the background. It was a Mardi Gras-style parade, which brought an extra layer of fun and energy to the whole event. One of the best twists this year was the lack of barriers along the sidewalk—it made the experience feel more personal, allowing us to actually interact with the football players as they strolled down Royal Street. Darrin and I took advantage of the downtime earlier in the day and walked around, snapping photos with all the College School mascots. It was a lighthearted way to kick off the festivities, and it definitely added to the fun vibe of the evening!

Saturday, Feb 1    Saturdays are usually for sleeping in, but not for Barrett! He’s been attending the Home Depot kids’ workshop for a few years now, and it’s become something he looks forward to every time. It’s been a special routine for just GiGi and Barrett lately, and I absolutely love that time we get to spend together. After the workshop, we headed home to tackle a little cleaning and sorting through some old photos from my grandfather. As we went through the boxes, I found some incredible treasures—like a few adding machines, a real-to-real, and an old record player that my dad had passed down to my husband. The memories tied to those items were so special, and it was like stepping back in time to relive some of those moments. It’s amazing how a little bit of sorting can lead to such a flood of memories!


Sunday, Feb 2     We kicked off the day with a fun Hot Rod Breakfast, and then headed over to Ronnie’s garage for a tour. It was amazing to see what he’s been working on! He had several Austin Minors that he’d either restored or modified—each one with its own unique touch. The working garage was a sight, but the real gems were the garages where he stores his prized rides. After all that excitement, it was time to shift gears and get the flower beds ready for spring. I was pleasantly surprised by how many flowers had survived the snow and deep freeze from last week—nature can be pretty resilient! The weather was warm, so I thought it’d be the perfect evening to invite friends over for dinner and maybe even eat out on the back deck. Of course, the temperature dropped faster than expected, so we had to enjoy our dinner indoors instead. Still, it was a great way to wrap up a fun day!






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