An Ordinary Day...

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Why are some people mean? I'm not talking about a little mean, but bazaar, go out of their way to be mean. Recently I've encountered a few mean people, I remind myself that these situations will make me a stronger Read more

Maldives

Our last trip of 2016 was to the Maldives. Last year was one full of excursions, We traveled to Cameroon, Paris, Bali, Hawaii, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Lake Tahoe, Atlanta, Napa, San Francisco, Dubai, and I must say Read more

Quote

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Jack and Jill National Convention 2014

No Place Like Home…

Posted on by Gigi in My Life 4 Comments
Jack & Jill National

Jack & Jill National

Gigi at the "hat" luncheon...

Gigi at the “hat” luncheon…

I spent the past week at the Jack & Jill National Convention, which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over a thousand mothers from the east to the west and everything in between were in attendance, I even met one mother from Belgium. I was spotted by Angela, a member that is a “Gigismeanderings” follower which was a treat, being a blogger you never know who you are connecting with, it was a delight to meet her.

Angela...

Angela…

The conference was intense, the days started at 7 and most evenings ended at 2. We wore our uninterrupted white, teal, purple, fuschia, black, navy, hats, t-shirts, gowns and lots of bling, of course not at the same time.

Jack & Jill convention floor

Jack & Jill convention floor

Fuschia & Teal Luncheon

Fuschia & Teal Luncheon

love this version of teal

love this version of teal

loved all the outfits...

loved all the outfits…

Charlotte was warm, inviting and full of southern charm, everyone was so nice, I didn’t even mind the humidity that swelled every strand of my hair, no one appeared to have that crazy rushed sense of urgency. The food was de-lish, grits, collard greens and other decadent southern treats, lavender martinis and lots of bite-sized sweets. I will be doing double day workouts this week! We were serenaded by KEM, Kirk Whalum, Horizon a local cover band of young teens that was phenomenal, Native American Drummers, and a jamming DJ. An insightful presentation by Marian Wright Edelman, a fashion show, and an authors pavilion.

loved the food

loved the food

Kirk Walum

Kirk Whalum

Of course I had to pick up a book, Postcards from Cookie, by Caroline Clarke , a heartfelt memoir about Caroline discovering her birthmother-Cookie Cole, the daughter of Nat King Cole. The story chronicles her journey researching her adoption and finding out her mother was one of Nat King Coles’s daughters. I love memoirs, you realize that we all have unique stories and it is those stories that have shaped who we are.

Postcards from Cookie

Postcards from Cookie

I was the official photographer for our region, recording images that I know 20 or 30 years from now we will look back on and smile. These are a few of my favorites.

Duke's Manision

Duke’s Manision

Hats...

Hats…

Wells fargo building

Wells fargo building

Fabulous Far West Region

Fabulous Far West Region

Gala

Gala

RD Kathy

RD Kathy

Provisional Group

Provisional Group

programming luncheon

programming luncheon

LB President Marie/ new National President Tammy King

LB President Marie/ new National President Tammy King

 

JILL-IN'

JILL-IN’

This year will be my last year as an active member, my son will be graduating out. As I continue on my journey discovering and searching for my purpose on the planet, Jack and Jill will always have a special place in my life, it is where I met some of my best friends. I watched children grow up, graduate, and now the wedding invites are starting to appear in my mailbox. I will laugh about the stockings, and the ladylike white pumps that are stored away until the next Jack and Jill ceremony. Some may say that 76 years later do we even need Jack and Jill, and I will answer a confident yes. Is it for everybody? No. Will your child be OK if they don’t belong to Jack and Jill? Yes, but for me it was a good fit for my family, I have almost 20 years of unforgettable memories and lifelong relationships for my years in Jack & Jill.

Far West Region

Far West Region

Gigi at Jack & Jill National 2014

Gigi at Jack & Jill National 2014

Happy Monday-

XOXO, GIGI


POST BIRTHDAY-AND NO MORE REDEYE FLIGHTS IF YOU ARE OVER 50

Posted on by Gigi in Aging, My Life, Travel 1 Comment
CHARLOTTE

CHARLOTTE

The FB likes have subsided, texts are few and I have heard from all my besties via phone and even had 2 serenade me. I am officially headed toward the next milestone birthday, seems like only yesterday I was celebrating my 40th.

Gigi @ 40

Gigi @ 40

My actual birthday was business as usual, driving a 100 plus miles, taking my son to his various appointments and then home to complete the arduous packing chore. I’m going to the Jack & Jill National Convention in Charlotte, I’m typically a light packer but as I stare at this agenda with all the suggested attire, I know this is going to be complicated. I will also be the official photographer for our region, which means packing my gear as well, with no “honey do” to help me.

By the time I’m done packing everything, my lower back starts to ache at the thought of dragging, and lifting all these bags. My travel buddy Marie graciously picked me up, I don’t think I could have driven another place.  Finally settled on my “redeye” flight seat 33 d, I’m surrounded by a 2 year-old convention, and I realized I forgot my hat…suggested attire for one of the luncheons. The flight was overbooked, not an empty seat, and I was happy all the babies all fell asleep.

This will probably be my last J&J convention, my son will be graduating out next year, I am looking forward to documenting the week, of course I will post my favorites here.

BTW on another note, if you must take a “redeye” not recommended if you are over 50…heheheh to hard. Here are a few tips.

1. Drink as much water-even more than you normally drink.

2. No alcohol! I repeat No Alcohol.

3. Slather your face with your favorite supa dupa “night” cream. Don’t be concerned about what you look like, this is a “redeye”.

4. Dress confortable and warm–those pashiminas you may have stockpiled from the past are perfect for this.

5. Try to sleep…

a little tea to wake me up

a little tea to wake me up

J & J flowers at registration

J & J flowers at registration

Happy Tuesday,

XOXO,

Gigi


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