Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve is tomorrow.  It's hard to believe another year has passed.  So much happens in a year. 

If you had told me what was going to happen in my personal life during 2012, I don't think I would have believed you.  But, it's true.  My life is not as I knew it just 12 short months ago.   Some of the memories of 2012 have not been pleasant.   Even though I can honestly say I wish some of the happenings of 2012 had had different outcomes, still I feel blessed.

I made a decision just 4 days ago to sell my bedroom suit.  And today, it's gone.  I was ready for change.  The empty room has already taken on a better look than it did just an hour ago.  The plans have already been laid out for what's going in there.  It's going to be beautiful, comfortable and all me:).

I'm very excited about 2013.  So much is just around the corner for me and my family.  We're working on projects together and my work in the non-profit world continues to thrive and grow.  My daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter live close by and now my brother and his family will be living near us within the month!  It's just beyond words how the Lord is bringing our extended families within driving distance of one another.  This is truly an answer to prayer.

This time of year, there is nothing like being surrounded by family.  These are the people I would rather spend time with than anyone in the world.

I am anticipating wonderful things happening in my professional and personal life in 2013.  Pretty exciting stuff.  I am faithful to those in my life and my God is faithful to me.  And when we choose to do the right things, there's no telling what's coming!  May this season and everyday of the year, I never forget how good my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has been to me.   Without Him, I would not be smiling today.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

My Daughter's First

My 16 year old daughter found out yesterday that one of her close friends was killed in a car accident.  To say she is totally inconsolable is an understatement.  He was only 16 years old.  A star football quarterback, wrestler, very well liked and such a good friend to her.

How do you comfort your teenager when they can't comprehend that this person is gone forever?  It's quite difficult.  So, I just listen.  I listen to her tell me their stories, I look at their pictures, hold and comfort her and reassure her that I'm here when she needs me.

I give her the space she asks for.  I don't take it personal when she says, "I want to be alone" or "please don't hug me right now."  She's hurting.  I'm hurting for her. 

Life is so fragile.  My 16 year old is experiencing a close death for the first time in her young life.  I don't have the heart to tell her that as the years go by, she'll have to face this again and again.  For now, I'm just going to love her through it.

RIP Grayson Weeks and thank you for being a good friend to my daughter.

America in Mourning

Why?  We'll probably never know, but continue to ask.  These things never make sense.  God bless the families in Newtown, Connecticut. 

I have no words.

I LOVE this town!

For many months now, I've been content staying home.  I love my house, my comfortable bed, my new movie theatre room and just snuggling with my Maltipoo or my daughter.  I truly enjoy being home.  I love to have fun and go out too, but I've just been happy staying in.  But, at the urging of my friends and family, I've decided it's time to explore new things.

So, tonight, I took up an invitation to a couple of events and I'm so glad that I did!  My night started at the SIR Studios (one of the largest and most successful in the country, where anybody who's anybody rehearses and records!).  I was invited by a friend to come out and hear the showcase of an impressive, up and coming new young artist, who was fantastic!

Then, I was off to the birthday party of one of the most successful men in the music business.  It was held at the historic RCA Studio A on Music Row.  This studio is currently owned by the one and only Ben Folds.  It's also the studio that Chet Atkins built in 1962.  The invitation only event attendees had access to the entire studio and heard incredible stories about its history.  Quite surreal to be in a studio where the Greats themselves have recorded (and still do, to this day.)

In one room, I was surrounded by some of the most influential people in the music industry.  It didn't matter who they were.  Everyone was just enjoying themselves and having a great time.  The band played long into the night my favorites from the 70's and 80's!  Dancing, great food, open bar and lots of great company and conversation.  "Oh, what a night!".

I've been receiving invitations lately to some pretty amazing events!  And I'm not planning on declining any of them.  I'm so enjoying the new friends coming into my life and all that's coming.  So much ahead in 2013.  Thank you Doug, Steve, Allison and Lani!   This has been a tough year for me, so it's nice to enjoy new experiences and opportunities. 

Yes, I LOVE this town!

Mr. Zig Ziglar, One of a Kind

I loved listening to Zig Ziglar.  I first learned about him from my dad.  My father loved him.  Being in the sales profession until the day he died, my dad loved Zig Ziglar all of his personal and professional life and quoted him often!  He didn't just believe that the words of Zig Ziglar were beneficial for a sales career, but also for life in general.  My Dad was from the "old school" days of sales, the door-to-door knocking kind and he loved the concept of straight commission.  It drove him crazy when people complained about it.  His motto was, "I get paid exactly what I've earned" and he liked it that way.  People these days could learn a thing or two about the work ethic of those before us.  Today we live in a society that wants something for nothing.  It's pathetic.  But, hey, that's another blog.

Traveling with my dad on Saturday mornings knocking on hundreds of doors demonstrating and selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners, I was sure of three things.  #1) We'd sell vaccuums, #2) We'd be listening to Zig Ziglar cassettes!  And always, without fail, #3) I could count on Dad to quote Zig Ziglar throughout the day.

Here are some of my favorite Zig Ziglar quotes used by my own father.  And he always started them with this, "Baby Girl..............

"If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
“Remember that failure is an event, not a person.”
"You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”
“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
“There has never been a statue erected to honor a critic.”
“People don’t buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons.”
“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.”
“If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”
“A goal properly set is halfway reached.”
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
“If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

As far as I know, my Dad never got to meet Zig Ziglar in person, but just last month, I had the honor of meeting his daughter, Julie, at an event we were both speaking at.  I was beyond excited and thrilled to meet her.  I told her how much my father admired her father.  We had our picture made together, along with another friend, and I'll cherish it and my time with Julie for the rest of my life.  I know my father would have been beyond ectastic that I'd met one of his heroes daughter.  I'm looking forward to seeing her again in the near future as we continue working together fighting for the causes we both believe in.  We were blessed.  Our father's weren't perfect, but I can safely say that both of us would credit our father's for instilling our drive for success and being the best we can be.

Like I had to do seven years ago, I'm thinking about Julie today as she bids farewell to her own father, the greatest motivational speaker of all time, Mr. Zig Ziglar. 

I have a strong feeling my Dad and Zig have already met by now and they're having a blast:).

                                            Victoria, Linda Cochrane and Julie Ziglar

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday, Dad. I still can't believe you're gone. There's so much I wish I could tell you. For now, I'll say I love you. Enjoy Heaven and the peace that you so desperately longed for and finally have:)

A Curveball

If you haven't already guessed by now, my relationship status has changed.  There are certain things this girl is not willing to compromise, hence my new relationship status of single.

It's been quite a journey this past year.  Some very good changes have taken place, while others have been quite painful, yet necessary. 

Slowly but surely, I've begun to enjoy my newfound status, although at times, I won't lie, it's a bit much to take in.  Word has begun to get out and already well meaning friends or colleagues are calling to tell me about "someone you've GOT to meet!" 

For now, I've decided to "date" myself and regroup.  This coming year, 2013, is going to be life changing for me and my family.  Much is coming and I'll be giving more details as I'm able:). 

My wounds have been licked, my pride and humiliation are on the mend, and I'm working on my convictions.   That inner voice inside tried desperately to warn me, but I didn't listen and brushed it away.  It's time for me to figure out how I let that happen.

Then do my best to make sure it doesn't ever happen again. 

 

.