There are good and honest people in this world!

I just received a phone call from my daughter, well I thought it was my daughter since it was her number that showed up on my phone. But when I answered, it was a young girl that said she had just found this phone in the ladies room at her condo. After a muffled consversation (you know how hard it is to get a good connection in those big condos) I realized that she was at the same condo that my daughter is staying at with all her girlfriends in Orange Beach. While I am talking to her my son is calling on the other line because she had called him as well.

Can you believe that this young girl found a high dollar iphone while on vacation and was kind enough to #1 not steal it,#2 make the effort to make several calls to figure out who owned the phone and #3 stay in the lobby until my daughter got there to retrieve it from her. Needless to say my daughter was ecstatic with relief because it would have spelled big trouble for her if she had not gotten her phone back. Big, huge, gigantic trouble would have come her way!

I never did get this sweet young ladies name but in my eyes right now she is a kind and considerate person in a world that I at times think is evil and corrupt. A true angel on this earth. Yes, my faith in honesty and integrity is restored thanks to one act of kindness.

Have you ever found something expensive like that and made such an effort to return it? Would you do the same as this young teenager did? Hmmmmmmm?

Make an effort to do good things everyday and pay it forward because one act of kindness can really make a difference. And to this beautiful young girl I send my most sincere thanks for not just doing what is right but for showing us all that good does prevail in a world where what we mostly hear about are bad stories.

Go do something good and share it with others. You will make their day and hopefully inspire them to do something good too! Maybe if we all pay it forward more often we would hear more about great acts such as this.

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu

Kids at the beach and I'm working . . . SAY WHAT?

Okay, what is wrong with this picture? I am home working my fingers to the bone, cleaning house, keeping up my full time job, paying bills, insurance, etc. and my kids are playing at the beach for spring break. My son left last Saturday and my daughter left today to go play in the sand and surf for a few days. While I must admit that I am happy for them, I am irratated that I have to stay home and keep working while they enjoy themselves. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around. Shouldn't I be stretched out on a sandy beach drinking something delicious with an umbrella in it as the coastal breeze blows my hair. Shouldn't I be walking down the sundrenched Gulf Coast watching the gorgeous fiery orange sunset as I daydream about the good life?

As a parent I do believe that the times have drastically changed since I was little. Actually I rarely remember ever taking a spring break vacation. I remember having to work that entire week by doing chores or babysitting my cousins. Now don't get me wrong, I had a great childhood for the most part, it was just that my parents always had to work and they in turn required us children to do our part to keep the house running smoothly.

I know that it is thanks to my parents making me do my part that I have such a hard work ethic today and I do feel that sometimes I have failed as a parent by not requiring my children to have to do the same. It was my goal as a mother to give my children the things I did not have, to allow them to be who they are and encourage them to do good everyday. To keep God first in their lives and be happy. Did I go wrong? My pride says, NO! but as I sit here typing I have to wonder if I could have and should have done better. I do have two very good children that are kind and courteous but I have got to get them to help me and their dad more so that they are efficient adults.

All that being said I am making a pact from this point forward to make a change for the better and the next time it is vacation for the kids I will let them know that their Dad and I get to go play before anyone else does and if they are allowed to come along this is a team effort as a family. Everyone has to pull their own weight to keep the ship sailing. Wish me luck.

Oh and yeah I did just get back from a girls weekend to New Orleans but that doesn't count. Right?

Wishing you all a very happy spring break!

Happy Living, Loving & Lauging,
Angie Lu

The 29 Club President - again!

Today is my 29th birthday again and I am proud to say that by a unanimous vote I have been elected the president of this exclusive organization. It is with great honor that I except this responsibility for the, uh I can't say how many times but every year it is more special and exciting than the year before. As the 29 Club President, again, I will be there for all of my fellow 29 Club members by being your voice, by being your sounding board, by helping you to feel better, by laughing at your sillyness, by doing whatever it takes to be your true friend in times of need or just to be there for no reason except for the fact that I want to be. That is what we as club members agree to do. Just be there for each other. It is that simple.

If you would like to be the V.P., Secretary, Treasurer and any other big name in the club just let me know your title, first come first serve. Make up your own title, no real rules here because there are no fussy meetings, vote yay or nays, none of that stuff that make you fall asleep in real meetings. Just lots of fun and laughter in our club. So, if you have a great story to tell we want to hear about it.

I am excited to say that I am working on our official "29 Club" logo and t-shirt design. If you are a member or about to be a member soon then I want to say congratulations for becoming a part of our prestigious club that will always make you feel better about yourself and help you on a daily basis just to be happy. So, if you are just turning 29 or have been 29 for years, then you are a member just for that reason alone. Give me a shotout and let me know how it feels to be in such a unique and powerful group of women. Our official motto for the 29 Club is "We will be happy together". Just join in, it's that easy but of course you must be 29 to be a member.

Thank you for giving me the happy honor of being your 29 Club President again and I hope and pray that you will allow me this opportunity for many more years to come. Now let's go have some fun!

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu

A package is at the door.

Today when I got home from work I noticed that a big box was at the front door. Yes, the bridesmaid gown has arrived! I had received an email last week that it had been shipped. It is a special made designer gown, designed just for me, not one of those horrific things that you never want to put on again. I feel like a child at Christmas. I am so nervous. What will it look like? What if it doesn't fit? I sent my measurements about 3 months ago to the designer, Ciarla Bride, yet I have not been working out the way I had planned so that my shape matched the measurements I actually sent - oops - so much for that New Year's resolution.

Oh, I cannot wait to see it any longer, let's open the box together - rip, rip, tear, tear and we are in the box. So far so good. It is wrapped in tissue and packaged safely in a hanging bag. Wow, it is gorgeous, the color is strawberry preserves, sounds yummy and it looks even better than the color sounds. I have never had a dress made especially for me by a designer - this is fun. Think I will just hang it up and wait a bit to try it on.

This is my 8th time to be a bridesmaid, and one thing is for sure, bridesmaid gowns have come a long way since the 80's. I remember in high school I was in my friend Penny's wedding at Valentine's day and the dress I wore that time was a bright red satin with shoes the same color. I also wore that gown to the prom and had a bright red sun-burn to match (using a tanning lamp - do those things exist anymore?). Right out of high school I was in my friend Suzy's wedding and we wore a bright blue satin gown with a big bow on the back and the big 80's hair to complete the look. I am proud to say that both of those girlfriends are still happily married 20 plus years later. It is such an honor to be asked to be a bridesmaid and it amazes me that at my age (I will be 29 again next Monday) I have the honor of standing beside a very close friend as she takes the step of marriage.

Most every little girl dreams of her wedding day. A day that is supposed to be the most special day in your life, a day where you are the princess and everyone comes to admire how beautiful you are. Unfortunately, I did not get that opportunity because my husband and I were scared of having a big wedding and decided to "just do it" the easy way. After we got married every time we went to a wedding I would punch Mark and say "I wanted a big beautiful wedding" but he would always just laugh and say that a big fancy wedding doesn't mean you will be happily married for ever, it takes only love.

This wedding is for my friend Maria who now lives in Austin. We first met about 8 years ago when I hired her at my father's printing company as a graphic designer. We became fast friends and she really is like a little sister to me. After completing her degree she ended up moving to Austin, TX to start her own agency called The Mod Studio. I am so proud of her and all her acomplishments. Her wedding will be on April 10th at the Austin Museum of Art. They are pulling out all the bells and whistles for it. When Scott proposed to her about 3 years ago it seemed like an eternity away and now here we are only 5 weeks until the big day and that gorgeous gown is staring at me with all of it's strawberry glory. I am terrified. I should be a natural since I have done this so many times before but every time I get crazy with excitement and want to make my friends day be special. Why did she ask me?

True friends are a rare thing and it blesses my heart that I have such great friends that they would trust me to be a part of their "story book" day. And honestly, I am planning on this wedding being like my "vow renewal" since it is going to be the big shindig event of 2010 for my family. We will all fly out on that Friday before and take part in all the pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding festivities. They even have a website to assist all the guests in planning for their big day. She is truely a modern day bride.

Okay, the moment of truth, let me run try it on before the family get's home in case it won't zip.

Squeeze, suck in, and zip. It fits! Yeah the dress fits. A little to do but nothing major and the color looks fab on me. I like it - actually I love it.

The beauty of real love, is that it is unconditional and even if I didn't love the gown, I love my friend and I will wear my designer bridesmaid gown with pride and happiness in support of her and the journey she is about to take. I know my years of marrital bliss will be very helpful to her after the wedding when she is calling for advice.

And I hate to admit it, my hubby is right, what it really takes to be happy is "love".

Now, what shoes to wear? Looks like I see shoe shopping in my future. One thing is for sure I love shoes! Wanna go with me?

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu
"always the bridesmaid and proud of it"

Laughter - my workout of choice!

If laughter is the best medicine, then why don't we do more of it? I read recently that a good "belly laugh" burns more calories than walking for 20 minutes and it strenthens the abs. What fabulous news for us all. Just by laughing you are going to live longer and be healthier and happier.

When was the last time you had a really good laugh? I mean the kind of laughter that makes your eyes tear up and you have to bend over at the waist. That is the "laughing work-out", you will feel the burn from your head to your toes and feel so much better when you get finished laughing. Want to try it? No need to ask your doctor for permission before trying this work-out and it is great for all ages. Here goes . . . HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

NOW GO HAVE SOME FUN AND LAUGH!

Let the Braces Begin! Again!

On your mark, get set, BRACE!

Today started my daughters 2nd round of braces. She had to get spacers to start her journey to straight, beautiful teeth. In this world of perfection. No one has crooked teeth anymore, do they? Actually her situation is a little more serious than that, she complains "why did I have to get bad teeth?"

I remember when my son got braces he did not speak with me for weeks, nor smile very often because as he said, "if God had wanted me to have straight teeth, he would have given me straight teeth!" How do you answer to that? And of course 4 years later when he finally got them off, he did not wear his retainer and basically he thinks it was a waste of money that caused much mental trauma for him. I think his teeth look great and it was worth it.

As her parent, it is mine and her father's responsibility to take care of her and when the orthodontist tells us she has an "open bite" and this is a must, I feel as if I have no choice. She is not an easy case and what else are you to do but trust what the doctor says for her to do. This is more complicated than just normal braces. The only other alternative is major jaw surgery, so we chose the non-surgical route.

Her first round started at the age of 9 with top and bottom braces and also head gear. Yeah, I said "head gear", basically a hockey mask that you attach to your child's face using rubber bands. And I had to "jack her up" one time every night with the palate spreader in the roof of her mouth, too. Still give me chills thinking of doing that. Each night during that year of treatment I would kneel over her and pray that she would not wake up and freak out with this mask over her face. As a parent, we have to help our children understand the rules of "do what the doctor says!" Now this round of braces they are going to try a new procedure that involves putting small screws inside her mouth with rubber bands to fix her bite. I am nervous for her but I know she will do great and it will all work out for the best in the end, just dread the drama and trauma it will cause in her life. She made the statement to me last night that she had had such a great day yesterday until she found out she had to go to the orthodontist. Oh sweet child of mine, it blesses my heart that the only thing that caused you grief today is our journey to give you straight, beautiful, pretty and white teeth.

I know many of you out there have been through the braces journey, so any advice on how to deal with this parenting issue is much needed and appreciated.

Off to the "braces"!

Happy Living, Loving & Laughing,
Angie Lu

When the phone rings in the middle of the night!

At 12:30 a.m. the phone rings and your heart races. You know this cannot be good. Never in my life do I remember the phone ringing after midnight and it not being bad news - right? As the Mother of a 20 year old college student and a 14 year old, I am always on mental alert after going to bed. When your babies are young some nights it is so hard to get rest, or when they hit the terrible twos and are throwing temper tantrums, or when they go to pre-school for the first time, or when they get bullied at school and come home crying because their feelings are hurt (your first reaction is to defend and protect them always), we think these are the most difficult times as a parent. One thing is for sure those times are hard on us parents and amazingly gratifying at the same time but I remember always being able to hold my children and comfort them, just be there and love them. Being able to put a band-aid on the boo-boo, kiss it and make it all better. The joy of parenting that fills your heart is seeing the unconditional love in your child's eyes when you are there for them and you are rewarded with a hug, kiss and an "I love you Mommy".

Last night or should I say early this morning when the phone rings and I am jolted from a deep sleep to have my heart almost jump from my chest with fear and worry, I noticed that the name that appeared was "Double D". My son, the college student, was calling me and it couldn't be good because the last time he called me that late he was on the way to the emergency room to get stitches. He had just been home this past weekend and I had a great time catching up with him on the many exciting things going on in his new, independent life in Starkville. Every time I see him now I am awed by what a handsome and self-confident young man he is turning out to be. My husband and I worked hard to raise him to be a kind, self-assured, God loving man. And I am proud to say he is a true gentleman and makes me beam with pride. I love my Doodle man! As my eyes filled with tears, I say, "What's wrong son"? What happened?" And he gently replies, "How are you Mom?" and I think - okay he needs money - did he get a speeding ticket? what could it be? and then he say's with a rattled voice, "I don't feel good, Mom. I can't sleep. My ear hurts - bad!" My heart skipped a few beats as I register that my son, a young adult, had called me to help him feel better with an earache (thank God, nothing too serious) and ask my advice on what to do for it. He still needs me! Even if he is a few hours away and I can't nurture him in person but I am there with him on the phone as he walks through the drugstore to get ear drops and something for the pain. My baby boy needed me and I was there, even though I couldn't put a band-aid on it , kiss it and make it better, I could talk with him, encourage him and be there for him. After hearing his "I love you Mom"then hanging up the phone, I had a prideful, worried momma cry, and checked on my beautiful teenager sleeping softly in her bed, I dropped to my knees and said a prayer. A long while later I was finally able to drift back off to my usual guarded parent sleep.

Of course, now today, things are back to normal because I cannot get him on the phone to let me know how he is, so as the old saying goes hopefully "no news, is good news". Here's to all you hard working, loving parents out there, we will get through the stages of parenting together!

Happy Living, Loving and Laughing,
Angie Lu