sharing....

Remember a few days ago when I said I was hosting "LADIES NIGHT OUT" ...

Sharing a few glimpses.... 

The theme of our event was "What do you do all day ?"  This is a great for all the ladies and it gives each of us in the historic district association a opportunity to showcase individual talents and share strengths etc...

We gave these items as prizes for the memory game....    

Everything all set up .. giant fans... lots of water, and as many chairs under the tree that would fit  

All the ladies wrote on the back of the tags their name and occupation .. at the end of the night we made a circle and played a game of who did what and name ... whoever shouted out the name first won a prize .. it was fun...  

When thinking of strong women I always think of Rosie.. So she was my theme for this event.. I incorporated her everywhere with lots of red white polka dot accents from her headband.

Another sitting area 

It was 102 degrees so I made fans and used my coca cola cooler as a cute display for them 

It was a good time had by all. 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to follow this blog or the trailer gal blog for a entry for a vintage apron by APRON SENORITA!! 

did you watch the final Oprah?

Oprah... from my garden these roses are for you! 

Oprah is #1 in my book!! 

A few things that Oprah said today that stuck with me... Remember YOU ARE WORTHY, YOU ARE LOVED, LOVE OTHERS, VALIDATE YOUR SELF WORTH AND OTHERS.  Live your inner passion! Listen to your internal whispers.... 

Oprah.. wishing you sparkle and celebration in your new ventures! 

Happy Wednesday!! 

Valarie 

a sister ....

Remember when I shared our sister get a way recently.  Do you remember this adorable pink trailer I shared? The trailer's name is Hope!   
It belongs to Caren, a breast cancer survivor... a sister spreading the world and raising thousands for the cure... for you, for me, and all that come and go before us.   

Her story... It all began in March '05 at age 36. Right then and there, I would strap on the pink gloves and fight for my life and never give up! 2011 will be my 6th year to attend the Race for the Cure in Fort Worth with team "Support Our Racks". I do believe you can't beat adversity without a little humor! Last year, I hit my goal as top fundraiser after 4 times in top 3. I have also participated twice in the Denver Race for the Cure and also in the DFW 3 Day Walk. I have raised over $60K with the help of friends, family & fundraisers. My current project & dream is just beginning, and stars a vintage '63 PINK Shasta travel trailer I have named "Hope". Hope is a survivor herself, and she too has some dings and scars, that gives her character, just like all survivors! I plan to "Spread Hope and Awareness One Mile at a Time" pulling Hope, having fun and Going to Bat against Breast Cancer!
Please click here and vote for Caren 

Thank you for showing sisterly love!! 

Pink Roses

GIVEN TO ME TODAY with a gift that said "Impacting Lives Forever" 

Aren't they beautiful? 

Hope your day is full of blessings! 

Valarie  

A DELIVERY FOR ME???

A BEAUTIFUL DELIVERY FROM THE CEO OF SKY RANCH -Thank you Linda! 

 

Beautiful roses, pink hydrangeas, tulips 

Tulips are stunning! 

Pink iris...

Thank you Sky Ranch for the honour of chairing the gala! I love what you do for the children!

cowboys and cowboys sky ranch gala

I still live at this blog.. I promise....

Cowboys & Cowboys is 4 days away and last minute logistics are kicking my tail!!

I am excited to visit Laurie Anna who donated all decor, Anette donated awesome jewels, Daphe Nicole donated a fabulous purse, The Antique Paperie ..a beautiful vintage basket of goodies,  Missy of Brick & Stones...

It is going to be a fab event... wish you all could come... tickets left here.....

and if you love Aaron Watson -- he is our entertainer for the evening!

hUGs, Back soon....

Still here....

Getting ready for our committee meeting tomorrow .....

Don't you love the jute bags? I made the tags. Simple tags stamped with distress ink, used a cross stamp dipped in brown ink, tied with twine, message on the back of the tag.

Hugs.. back soon!!
Valarie

You are invited to.....

PLEASE RSVP AND SADDLE UP FOR A GOOD OLE' ROUND UP!! 

See you there!! 

Where do I begin to thank??

For all of you that follow this crazy blog of mine, you know I LOVE SKY RANCH AND the COWBOYS & COWBOYS SKY RANCH GALA. If you read my blog, you know my passion for SKY RANCH.

You also know that non profit events are just that! NOT FOR PROFIT. When asked to chair I began calling everyone I knew and I didn't know for donations, in-kind sponsorships etc... to make this event a "WOW"

You answered the call.... THANK YOU!!! 

Laurie Anna thank you!! You truly saved us for the decor!! Where do I begin to thank you?

Daphne Nicole - Thank you for your generous donation of the vintage chic western bag! 

Lynda Cade Jewlery- Thank you!!  Beautiful jewlery!

Print Right - Vicki, you are an angel, all the collateral, all the shipping, our invitations look fabulous!

Gruene Mansion - Cecil, thank you!!

Munzeheimer Manor Bed & Breakfast - Bob & Sherry -- Thank you!!

The other of you who read my blog and gave so generously and wanted to remain anonymous..   Thank you!

To find out more about the event click here.

Much love!
Valarie

New Blogging Friend.... (and a give-a-way)

Hey... Hey...  I have an introduction!!  Please hand me the mic!!

Today I would love for you to meet Tori. She is a SKY MOM, a cool mom of two daughters, lives here n Texas, writes an amazing blog .. great recipes, great parenting tips, news & events about Sky Ranch and is working on growing her followers fan club!! I told her we would help her.. I am counting on you.... Thanks, I knew you would... You were all so kind to Tracey &  Karla, made them feel most welcome... then you visited Kim, and Robin via my site.  Pop over and introduce yourself to TORI and give her a smile and a hug today?

I am having a give-a-way.. here are the rules.. You have to leave me a comment, you need to hop over and say hello to Tori, tell her you found via my blog, and...  and.... You need to become a follower of Tori's... If you want 2 entries to win my fabulous drawing!!! Slide my "SAVE THE DATE" for Cowboys and Cowboys to your blog! Please help me get the word out... it's for a amazing cause!

AND what do you win?????  Tell you this, you will not be disappointed!!  DRAWING SATURDAY!!!

Departing DFW at 6:30AM tomorrow heading out to Alexandria, Virginia!! Be back Friday.... Tell you all about it when I get back!

Hugs!
Valarie

DID I TELL YOU?

TO SAVE THE DATE!! February 26th.... Go here to find a few more details!! 


Did I tell you why I love this event?  Let me tell you again..... 

Since 1955, Sky Ranch has been a Christian organization that has provided nationally recognized summer camps, retreats, and conferences in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado; Champions Rodeo camps; as well as mission camps in Africa, France and Russia.  These programs have enabled youth and families to enjoy a positive and exciting camping experience combined with the truths of God’s Word, making a lasting impact on future generations.

Cowboys & Cowboys is an annual event with the specific purpose of raising the necessary funds for Sky Ranch to continue to focus on programs that develop character and leadership growth.  Specific areas of ministry that benefit from the proceeds of the event include:

• Summer Camp
• Family Camp
• Champions Rodeo Camps
• Angel Tree Camp (kids of incarcerated parents)
• Leadership Camps
• Wilderness Camps
• Retreats & Conferences
• Outdoor Ed programs

Did I tell you WHO ACCEPTED THE  INVITATION TO BE THE HONORARY CELEBRITY CO-CHAIR?   Roger Staubach!!!!!!  The 1963 Heisman Trophy Winner... Guided Dallas to 4 NFC titles, Super Bowl VI, XII WINS, MVP IN SUPER BOWL VI, .All-NFC five years . . .Career stats: 22,700 yards, 153 TDs passing; 2,264 yards, 20 TDs rushing. . .83.4 NFL passer rating best ever at time of retirement. . .Four-time NFL passing leader. 

Did I tell you WHO THE ENTERTAINER IS FOR THE EVENING GALA??  SHHHHH!! coming soon! 

Did I tell you who is providing all the fabulous DECOR for the GALA??  (I believe I did in a earlier post) 

Did I tell you I am the luckiest girl to be the event chair for this event???   Thought so!! 

Hugs! 

Valarie 

please,oh please save the date....

SAVE THE DATE!! Feb 26, 2011, Plano Texas!!  More details to come soon!  l am the event chair this year for this event and I have to tell you it will be... well nothing short of spectacular!!  Entertainment will be stellar, decor for this event provided by... (should have already taken a hint from an earlier blog post) and the celebrities galore... If you are interested in a ticket leave me a comment and I will give you all the scoop ++++ if you want to sponsor a table... only $2500 for a table of 8!! I am thinking of all you blogging gals pool the pennies and make it a week-end!  You always show me great support .. and I truly LOVE and APPRECIATE all of YOU!!
Blessings!
Valarie  

Save the Date!!

Won't you be my guest for this great event?  You will need to register asap.. 
Please note when registering you are a guest of mine, so we can all sit at the same table! If you follow my blog you know our guy goes to SKY RANCH and he LOVES it.. This event is for the Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Nanny, anyone who impacts our children daily.  I have more good things to share with you about SKY RANCH - and a big secret of something coming up very soon!! Hugs, Valarie

PLEASE VOTE....

Hey all... One of the finest teachers in my district has applied for a grant. The grant is defined below in my blog. Alison taught Wesley, she is a fine teacher at the elementary school here in the McKinney Historic District.  Please go here to vote -- ALISON SMITHWICK,  page 22- Leave me a comment if you voted... I knew I could count on you.  xxoox, Valarie

Project Title
I've Got Stories to Tell

Description
Students often struggle with the idea that their own life experiences are stories worth sharing. Many of our students do not possess a sense of self-worth. Yet, their life stories are powerful and inspiring stories of survival. Whether their struggles are academic, economic, domestic, or all of the above, these children can and will overcome all obstacles in their way. Sharing their stories digitally, creating visuals and soundtracks, can have a profound therapeutic effect.

How will I use the money:
I will use the money to buy premier subscriptions to Web 2.0 resources such as animoto and other digital media creation sites. I will also be able to print and order books created by kids online on sites such as mixbook.com.

Who will benefit:
I work with Tier 2 and 3 students daily and would create "life story" projects with them. My hope is that the benefits from the process and the pride in the products will be visible to other students and teachers and that they will want to engage in similar activities.

Where:
McKinney, TX

How will you use the FlipCam to document your idea?
I will take video of kids working through the memory mapping, story boarding, project development, and product sharing.

When will my project take place:
As soon as I get the subscriptions and materials

Why I want to do this:
Kids need to know that their stories are worth sharing. Sharing experiences is a way to make deep connections and build relationships.

Help for Haiti....

Please go to this website and donate generously today for the children of Haiti. Thank you Mary for a wonderful gift. 

Smiles.

Valarie 

Do you have a pair of tacos?

Good day to all you- As you all know my grandson recently had the opportunity to attend Pine Cove Christian Camp. He had an amazing experience there! Pine Cove is on a mission to collect Tacos for Ticos. Let me explain~
Pine Cove Tacos for Ticos
Tacos = cleats
Ticos = Costa Ricans
(Spanish slang)
One unique and simple way that Pine Cove blesses Latin American campers is by giving them something they greatly treasure! Pine Cove has had the wonderful opportunity over the past five years to experience ministry in Latin America through Commission Camping. By equipping "Ticos" to play their most cherished sport of soccer with a new pair of "tacos," we can show them God’s love in a very tangible way.
I am collecting any cleat used or new, for a boy or girl, any size, that I can pass along for the mission. Please leave me a comment if you can donate and I will contact you.
Thank you!
Valarie