I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart.

This Thanksgiving, as I reflect on the year, I am and continue to be, in no particular order, thankful for:

• God's enduring grace, unfailing love, and utter lack of dependence;
  
• Parents who would do anything because they love me;
  
• Customers who are patient and kind, despite tough times;
  
• Sunshine, rain, and nostalgia for snow;
  
• Starbucks -- the company, all its people, and my store;
  
• Doing things I've only ever talked about;
  
• Growth -- in my definition of success, my confidence, and my understanding of myself;
• Forgetting the date of what would have been six years;
  
• The kittens who give me love, entertainment, and frustration every day;
  
• And being at a place in life where I don't have anything I need to say to anyone. Except, "thank you."
  

And, always, much more.

Make them wonder what you've got.

Do you notice the difference a smile makes? Dour faces light up with any grin. On my way out of Wal-mart yesterday afternoon, I passed an especially unpleasant-looking "greeter," posted at the exit. I thought twice but flashed a toothy smile and said, "Have a great day." The change was immediate and impressive, like a lightbulb flicked on with the recognition. She grinned, returned the salutation, and stood a little. As I walked across the parking lot, I took a moment to learn the lesson -- we never know another's situation but judge them every moment based on our own expectation. God has another idea about how we should treat each other. We should notice each other. We should love on each other. And a smile, that fits into His plan. It will brighten your day and someone else's.

But if push comes to shove, and you need an instant pick-me-up, watch this
(Kudos to Jake for spreading the hilarity):

Trust me, you want to watch this video!

Way down yonder in New Orleans.

Welcome to November, folks! I'm so glad it's chilled and rainy outside -- no complaints here (well, I could do without the drizzles that only smudge dirt around on my car ....). Friday afternoon, I spent a little time in downtown Fresno and couldn't believe how pretty it was. You know the people who tell you not to live south of Shaw and to avoid downtown at all costs? I am of their ranks no longer. Our downtown is clean, diverse, and interesting. Have you ever really looked at our skyline? I hadn't, but it's beautiful. Maybe not as tall or wide as those of larger cities but full of interesting buildings and trees. There are so many trees in downtown! I've been halfheartedly thinking about moving out of north Fresno, but now my mind is made up. I want to live somewhere with personality and life, and the paved stucco world of north of Shaw doesn't fit that bill.

Wow, end diatribe. Has everyone had a good month? Mine's been great. The two biggest things: 1) I'm transferring to another store; and 2) I went to New Orleans. Let's dive in.

1) This Saturday, I will officially take over as store manager at Starbucks @ Riverpark II. I am super-excited about this for several reasons.

1. I was hired at the original Riverpark store (Riverpark I) over six years ago. This is a move home for me, and I can't wait to reconnect with old regulars I haven't seen in ages.
2. Riverpark II is a cafe-only store, which means it has no drive-thru. While a drive-thru has its perks and I enjoy it as much as the next gal, cafe-only is my preference. It always for a singular focus and purpose; no one has to make a choice about which set of customers is more important. It also allows for more interaction with all customer and, because there are two bars side-by-side, baristas get to work together on bar -- my favorite thing to do at Starbucks.
   
3. The change means more responsibility for me in a few ways. The newer store is busier than my current store. It employs more partners (employees). Most exciting (and daunting) of all, it was built and designed as a flagship store. A flagship store is designed to be the premiere store in a given area and to replicate and represent the experience one might have in our first store at Seattle's Pike Place Market. That's a lot of pressure and a lot of visibility, but I can't wait to get started. We have a lot of work to do to be ready to meet those expectations, and I can't get ahead of myself with big plans.
4. But I do have plans! Art shows, storytime hours, evening concerts -- fun ways to connect with our community and highlight our beautiful stores. All in due time.

2) Starbucks holds an annual Leadership Conference in Seattle, but for various reasons, there hasn't been one in three years. This year, it was important to commit to our Transformational change and ensure that all 10,000 North American store managers, field leadership, and senior leadership came together to learn and grow together. While it would have been great to honor our history and regroup in Seattle, leadership made the decision to hold the conference in New Orleans, and I'm so glad they did. We had an amazing time enjoying the city, experiencing its people, and working in the community. While the five days I was gone were exhausting (I've slept at least nine hours every night this weekend -- delicious), the time was wellspent and well worth it. Let me share some highlights:

Cool architecture around the French Quarter.




Antique gun store Dad would like.


Door across the street from our hotel, and Fresno-State-marching-band-esque sign.


Hotel -- Pere Renaissance Marquette, outside and in.




Bourbon Street. To imagine the full experience, picture five or six more blocks of this, full of partying people.


Starbucks donated over 50,000 hours of community service during our three-day conference. Us easily-sunburned peeps got to stay at the convention center and paint artwork to be displayed at local schools ruined by Katrina. While I was disappointed not the have the opportunity to go out into the city, we met a teacher from one of the schools and had a great conversation with her about how the educational system has been, and continues to be affected by the storm.

Jodi, Julie, and Tricia hard at work.


The community came to us via a local marching band!


Works of art -- Keith, Erica, a joint collaboration with Rose. It took all three of us to finish the third picture.


10,000 people eating lunch in the Superdome. We were right on the 50-yard line!


Arena for General Session. With Howard Shultz!


And Project Red! And Bono!


New Orleans was a wonderful experience. I got to have my first beignet (and hopefully not my last), rediscover a love of crawfish, visit with Cleveland peeps, better get to my fellow District 482 managers (whom I've missed hecka much weekend), visit a beautiful city, and reignite a passion for the company I love. Now it's time to dive into a new store and an exciting holiday. Hope you're as happy as I am.

Cuz when I look to the sky.

I'm so glad I waited to blog until today because it's been a long, hot month, but today is absolutely delicious! It rained last night so the ground is damp, the air is cool, and half the population of Fresno is bundled up in jackets and real shoes. I, in my Ohio-hardened toughness, am in a polo and flip-flops and loving every minute of it! This is the weather of Fall -- the weather of hot tea and sweaters and windblown hair. The weather of getting in your parked car without sweating through your shirt. The weather of Thanksgiving and thanksgiving -- thank You for the end of summer!

We haven't seen skies like this is Fresno for some time. Lovely.


Waking up to the Ohio weather for which I've been so nostalgic starts the makings of a perfect day. At the moment, I'm enjoying a warmed blueberry scone and soy chai at Starbucks before heading off the run some errands. This afternoon, I'll spend some time catching up on laundry and vacuuming. Maybe tonight, I go out to see a movie or call someone for coffee. All in all, a lovely day.

Now let's catch up. September wasn't the most eventful month, but it held its own.

First, I turned 26 (thanks to Mom and Dad for decorating) and ...


... went skydiving!

In the plane, then in the air.


Getting my bearings, and what a view.


Thus, now I am 26, and I am hardcore.

September also brought an addition to the family. Meet Clementine, Giada's new sister!


She and Giada got off to a rough start, mianly involved Giada wailing like a stuck pig and Clementine trotting off to explore a new corner of the apartment. But now, while not the best of friends, they chase each other around the house and haven't drawn blood yet.

The first night.


Clem is fun to have around. She's helped Giada to relax and not be so highstrung. She plays with anything and everything (including Giada's tail and her own ). She has a capacity for relaxation that I've never seen; she's either active or unconscious -- there is no inbetween.


I should get going soon, but here are some random pics to round out the morning. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying life.

Me, in Exeter, maybe before a wedding event?


The new dining room set and bookshelf.


The most awesome tea kettle ever, at home on the stove.


Th-th-th-that's all folks. Until next time.

I went skydiving.

And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'
And he said some day I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Same in the afternoon.

I'm tired. Good, but tired. Tired of life. And I need prayer. Prayer for God to lift me out of this inertia and understand why I'm so tired. Is it the weather? Is it work? Is it my soul? Is it ....?

My birthday is next Thursday, and I don't want to feel this way before my birthday. So I choose not to. We've acknowledged the tiredness; now we'll move on because attempts to understand have thusfar proven futile. Because my birthday is going to rock. Thursday, I have to work, but it should be a good day spend with Autumn in the morning and sexual harassment training in the afternoon (you know how I like to get cheeky with the boys). Friday morning, I'm going to Lodi to skydive! I'm more excited than you can possibly know. And no "Erica, you could die" comments because I know all that, and they're starting to frighten me a little, but I want to be nothing but excited. Sure, I could die. But I could die tomorrow or Saturday or on the way there. And I'd rather die doing something I've always want to do.

Friday evening, assuming all goes well, will hopefully be a Starbucks reunion dinner of sorts. Now where to eat -- Casa Corona? Old Spaghetti Factory? BJ's? Other? I'm looking forward to the company more than the food anyway.

In the meantime, I want to go to Portland. If I'm honest with myself, the funds just aren't there, with the saving for skydiving and the conference in New Orleans in October and the New York trip next year. But something is saying Portland. Maybe it's longing for something green. And no smog. Regardless, what do you all know of Portland?

Speaking of Portland and other things, I finished Don Miller's Through Painted Deserts and Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Love Pray last week. I highly recommend each to anyone seeking a thoughtful, insightful, entertaining read.

And that's all for now. The next time you hear from me, I'll hopefully have pictures of myself that look like this:


Ciao.

Going to the chapel, er, White Horse (part 3).

WARNING: This blog is VERY picture-heavy!

FINALLY! 8.1.08 was here, and we were ready! Abbey tried all day to break the old wives’ tale that it’s bad luck to see the groom on your wedding day, but we girls did our best to keep them apart. We’re not a superstitious lot, but you know, just in case.

Friday morning, my aunt and I went for pedicures at Heaven, a day spa in town. I’d only had one before, but heck if I wouldn’t mind one once a week -- I inherited my dad’s skinny but on-their-way-to gnarly feet, and it was perfect timing, since my toes were about to be on display in strappy heels in front of a hundred people (who were all coming to look at my feet, of course). After the wonderful soak and massage and color, we picked up my car from the mechanic and headed home.

At some point between Thursday and Friday, Abbey gave me a bridesmaid gift -- a book by Louie Giglio, a dark chocolate truffle bar, and the coolest tea kettle ever! (Major plug here: http://www.wishingfish.com)

Love!


Friday was actually the quickest day of the week. Once I got home, I readied my dress and necessities, made sure Abbey was ready as well, loaded the car, and it was basically time to go. A group of Exeter girls trekked up with myself and the Anderson girls to help set up. When we arrived, there wasn’t much we could actually do for various reasons (sun, setup, etc.) so the girls went wading the river, I checked on the boys (upstairs in the “treehouse”), and took some time to relax in a bedroom while people starting getting ready.

Abbey had a hair appointment in Exeter and arrived around 330p, and the magic began. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress. The bridesmaids were a vision in yellow. The flowers were stunning. And everyone had an amazing time. My camera batteries started to die while we were getting ready so any pictures after that are courtesy of Erica M. (as are some others). Can’t wait to see the professionals.

Erica and Abbey.


Abbey and Emily.


Bridesmaids: The Yellow Girls (our DJ was so insightful).


Abbey and Dad.


Mom and Dad.


The cake.


Picture tables before a beautiful view.


Before the ceremony.


The ceremony was beautiful. Abbey was radiant; Matt was beaming. I thought I would cry (we had tissue, just in case), but they looked so happy that I couldn’t stop smiling. From the vows to Josh’s mini-sermon to the Unity candle and communion -- it was all perfect.

And just like that, they went from Matthew Ingalls and Abigail Cochran to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ingalls. Time flies.

But to make up for it J, we had a reception! Cake and dancing and the toasts (where I did cry, but not too much) and Jack, who is the life of a party, and, just like that, they were off to a hotel for the night before heading east toward a Colorado cabin and, ultimately, Indiana. The perfect end to a perfect night.

The happy couple.


Decorations.


Emily and Erica shaking a leg.


Gwen and Derek.


Jack, my partner in dance and crime (aka, bubble wars).


Yummy lemon and raspberry cake.


Head table happiness. Or weird chewing, whatever.


Saturday was a quiet day, almost a lonely day after the week’s activity. The girls and what boys were left went to Sequoia National Park to enjoy the trails and redwoods. After Travis and Veronica headed home, Mom, Dad, and I hung around the house doing not much until we went to Grammie and Papa‘s for cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate Grammie‘s birthday (next week but she and Papa will be in Oregon!). The three of us had dinner at Vallarta’s then watched Big Fish (Gwen’s excellent choice) with the girls and Derek before retiring early. It was weird to sleep in my sister’s bed, knowing she would never live in that room again.

Sunday morning, I went to church with Mom and Dad, who picked up Jim and Sonya (Matt’s parents) on their way. Afterward, we had Vallarta’s for lunch (any Exeterite will tell you that there is no such thing as too much Vallarta’s!) that could only be described as leisurely. I guess delicious would work, too. J It was especially fun for me because, while I’d been visiting with Jim and Sonya over the past several days, I hadn’t had the chance to really get to know them, and they are such wonderful people in their own right (beyond having an amazing son).

And then it was time to go home. The kitty was glad to see me, as I was her, and I was especially glad I’d scoured the apartment before I’d left. It was an idyllic, exhausting, amazing weekend of fun, love, laughter, and fellowship. I feel so blessed to have been a part of what God is doing in the lives of my sister and my brother-in-law, whom I consider my brother because, while Abbey is now an Ingalls, Matt is also a Cochran. Welcome to the family!

An aside:
Things I Learned (or Learned Again)
1. Always bake at least four dozen cupcakes before a wedding. You never know how many situations will call for cake.
2. Spiky high heels may make your legs look fabulous, but they will sink in soft grass, making you a bit of a fidgety maid of honor.
3. No matter what, EVERYONE sweats in California in July. Embrace it and call it glow!
4. (Male of any age x 10) + open space = wiffle ball.
5. God is love.

End of the line but you missed the train? Chug along to Part 1! Then Part 2!