The Giving Gown Foundation will be featured on the Fox 26 News Morning Show - Monday, March 2nd (that's this coming Monday) from 6 to 9 am!

A combination of interviews & information will run throughout the morning as well as a live "tele-thon" where several of our Volunteers & Board members will be manning the phones giving information about the Foundation, & registering "Princesses" to attend Boutique Day.

Be sure to tune in & spread the word. FYI --- Monetary donations can now be accepted on our web-site.

Boutique Day Volunteer Update:
If you would like to volunteer at Boutique Day, we need you to "sign-up" for the day(s) and time(s) that you would like to volunteer. If we do not receive your form you will not be registered. If you have already submitted your form you should have received a confirmation e-mail from us. We still have a Great need for Seamstresses (both days/all times) and Adult Women volunteers on Friday- March 27th from 12:30 to 6:00pm. Please click on the link below to select your times:

http://givinggown.org/Boutique_Day_Volunteers.html

Thank you all for your continued support!

JoAnn Trchalek
The Giving Gown Foundation

making dreams come true ... one dress at a time

jonas brothers in 3D.

It's one of the things I love most about Jen and Becky - they get excited about fun stuff and are on board for pretty much anything. Including a 9 a.m. showing of the Jonas Brothers Live Concert in theatres now.

IT WAS A BLAST AND WAS SOOOOO GOOD. Grab some girlfriends and go if you can. The glasses make you look smokin' hot too. Rather, when you wear them, you'll probably be BURNIN' UP!!

pretty sky alert!

Just received this email:

The crescent Moon and Venus are converging for a conjunction of rare beauty on Friday evening, Feb. 27th.

Click here to learn more!

he CHOSE to be with ME.

Check out my man hunk. I can't believe I get to be with him... Cody took this photo while on the set today and when I saw it, I lost my breath.

facebook fast.

It was last Thursday that I asked Jen "Have you seen my hilarious Facebook status today?!"

Her response? "Actually, I'm on a Facebook fast for 1 week."

So I decided to do it too and together we've eliminated the biggest distraction in our office. (Getting rid of Mike is not an option hahahhaha)

Tomorrow we get to check it again and I'm excited to see how many notifications we've chocked up!!

So, with this being Ash Wednesday, have you committed to giving anything up for Lent?

too much tv.

This is unreal - I just read: "Nielsen's 'Three Screen Report' for the fourth quarter says the average American now watches more than 151 hours of TV a month."

On average, there are approximately 720 hours in a month.

We're supposed to be sleeping 240 hours a month.

Working full-time? That's 160 hours a month.

If we're watching an average 151 hours of TV a month, that's approximately 5 hours in front of the tube a day.

How much do you watch?

pms buddy.

A friend of mine found this and we think it could be the nicest thing you do for your man.

See what you think?!

classic kate winslet.

Did you watch last night? I get so excited over the Oscars because it's such a legit awards show, everyone shows up and even despite critics negative projections of the worst year yet and low ratings, this production absolutely came out on top. The preshow alone is worth getting excited about!

The red carpet preshow with Tim Gunn and Robin Roberts was non-stop and absolutely fabulous. The set design inside the Kodak Theatre was out of this world and so captivating - did you notice the curtain of Swarovski crystals?? Hugh Jackman was an outstanding host, wow.

A couple of my favorite moments: for each of the 5 nominations in major categories (best supporting actor/actress and best lead actor/actress) 5 past winners of each specific category came out to personally recognize each current nominee. It was so heartfelt and personal, it added such a beautiful touch to the moment.

I am so proud of Anne Hathaway too, what a beauty. There was a Barbara Walters interview on beforehand where she asked Anne to fill in the blank "Anne Hathaway is..." Without hesitation she responded "Anne Hathaway is HAPPY." She went through a lot last year but in the public eye absolutely rose above and has continued to shine. There she was sitting front row, a nominee for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.

And of course, the lovely Kate Winslet. She was my absolute favorite. She is so poised and modest, striking, humble, and such a class act. I was rooting for her all the way and am so happy for her... I cried!!

jonas brothers in 3D.

Jen, Becky K. and I have our tickets for this Friday... I'm not a huge fan but I do for some reason enjoy anything teeny bopper and hyped up :)

How do you feel about it?

help name the node.

Since I'm friends with NASA astronauts now, we send emails and keep up with one another...ya know... Just kidding. Sorta.

Anyway, my friend Todd who works with NASA sent this to me and I was blown away that we actually get to help name this next piece of the International Space Station.

Get your kids involved, learn more about the ISS, vote and know that you had a part in this historic mission!!

Click here to name the Node 3!

perspective.

my cousin catie sent me this and after i watched, i was motionless and absolutely wowed.

happy 23rd birthday Andy Paul!

Today my baby brother turns 23! Wow! I'm so proud of him as he continues to amaze us all by doing amazing things. Happy Birthday Andy, I miss you so much!!

question.

What would you do...

...if you had nothing to do?

and the nominees are...

I am SO excited about the Oscars this year. I feel there are so many talented directors, actors and editors having already been honored by rightful nominations and I can't wait to watch this Sunday!

And the nominees are...

business card lunch!

El jefe Jon Hull put his business card in the bowl at Mission Burrito and won! So today the Programming team had free lunch together during our weekly meeting... What a treat! L-R: Jen Driskill, Mike Kankelfritz, Sterling Tarrant, Barbara Beninati, Duane Allen, Susan Odonnell, Jon Hull, me & Jim Beeler

liz needs.

Heather tagged me in this on Facebook and I thought it was hilarious!!

"This is a fun activity for the narcissist in you all....
Go to Google and write your name and the word ‘needs’, in quotes — as in “Sarah needs” - note the first 15 sensical sentences that come up."

Liz needs to get that one frame from out of her old animated gif avatar.
Liz needs a MAN!
Liz needs to devise a budget and stick to it.
Liz Needs One More Taste of Her Oozing Pastry.
Liz Needs Some Anthropologie-style Apartment Therapy!
Liz needs Christmas blocks.
Liz needs prayers.
Liz needs some karma thread, Help a sista out.
LIZ NEEDS TO FIZZ.
Liz Needs Deliverance.
Liz Needs a Spring Break.
Liz needs to ensure that proper steps are taken in the beginning so more serious actions aren't delayed.
Liz needs a catchy slogan.
Liz needs to put a lid on it.
Liz needs to find her own friends and stop making them up.

update on the patients.

It was a long weekend full of rest, recovery and a completed Season 4 of 24. Thank you for all your prayers and calls asking about DK and his repaired meniscus.

I was so blown away by the hospital staff who were so fun, warm and kind!! Dr. Winston along with Mark, Jeremy and Kathy, our nurses at Methodist hosptial went above and beyond helping us out and making DK feel comfortable. Thank you thank you thank you thank you...

DK is back at work today and when he arrived, Cliff had this waiting for him. Of course. Also out of nowhere, my dad's wife Mary had some irregular results from her heart cath Friday morning (same time as DK's surgery) and was scheduled for her double bypass open heart surgery the following morning.

Dad and I stayed in close touch and prayed lots and lots. It was such serious surgery and so scary... but she's doing amazing and progressing well. She is supposed to go home Friday sometime and is still in ICU. Dad says she's actually up and walking around!! I know it's going to be a difficult road ahead and appreciate your continued prayers for Mary...

brothers.

So Andrew turns 23 on Friday... he's my BABY brother and I can't get over this fact. He's doing amazing things and living dreams out loud in the Virgin stinking Islands.

Then I talked to David in Malaysia the other night and am still stirring the sound of his voice mixed with the million things we talked about in my head and... I just feel woozy, lump in my throat missing my brothers today...

Andrew, me, and David at David and Kim's wedding last year...

kim's 365.

My sister-in-law Kim is a painter and lives in Malaysia - check out her version of Project 365! This is brilliant!!

Click here to see brilliance on paper...

pray for mary.

I got a call last night from my dad saying his wife Mary was going in for a heart cath. She and DK were in the hospital at the same time this morning... 

After her procedure, dad let me know that due to the results, the doctors scheduled her for immediate open heart double bypass surgery. 

She's going in tomorrow morning, this is all I know so far, please pray?

torn meniscus.

Pray for DK, will ya? He's going in for surgery tomorrow morning and I'm taking the day off to be his nurse.

Please also pray that he gets home safe tonight... I just got a call from him saying he'd just rolled an ATV out in the country (was there for a shoot today) but walked away with a fractured wrist and some road rash. Jeeeeze.

custom made valentines!

Mike, Jen and I share an office and decided to make Valentine's for everyone at work! Here's some of what we came up with...Valentine, you're a knockout!

Valentine, I've searched high and low for a love like yours!

Valentine, you're so sweet, you give me a toothache!

Valentine, your love makes me Goofy!

11 months.

today we celebrate 11 months of dating bliss!

volvo wagon.

This is the car I'm looking to buy :) Old skool, baby.

the way to a man's heart.

Yesterday was pretty non-stop. It's my fault though because I tend to pile things to do on top of each other and am more positive than realistic in what I'm able to accomplish on a Sunday after church. Poor DK.

First we had to swing by my house to pick up things needing to go back to Kristen's (from the party last week) From there, we stop by Kristen's and ended up staying awhile talking, which was so great and needed. Then we're off to Cost Co. for weekly grocery. It was after lunchtime and DK told me the Cost Co. samples would suffice and hold him over till we cooked a late lunch. (Don't you love sample day at Cost Co.?)From there we drove to his place, and not only unloaded but also cleared out and re-organized the freezer, fridge and pantry. After all this, I put the Brussells Sprouts and fish in the oven to bake and parked it on the couch to check my computer.

"DK, you gotta come see these cool photos on Flickr today!" He was still busy in the kitchen but came to look anyway, slumping down on the couch. Apparently I was clicking too fast through the photos for him and he sighed, said "Gosh, slow down!" and tried to take over. I didn't understand this hostility but got up to make some juice while he checked photos as his own pace.

Before long he was in the kitchen right behind me, the tension was brewing from his irritation of my mess making and I realized he was upset cause he'd just finished cleaning the kitchen. I spilled juice on the counter and some even dripped on the floor. So I cleaned up and decided to take Kenai out for some fresh air.

But when I came back, the tension was still there and Mr. Gripeypants was still gripey. So I sat down on the couch and tried something new. I decided to not take it personally or get upset back at him... then I waited. He marched over to me, hands on hips, upset that I left him to clean ALL THAT MESS in the kitchen by himself... but then I started giggling. I asked "Babe, what's really wrong?"

And like that, I recalled the age old understanding of men passed down through generations of women... and I asked him "Love, you're hungry, aren't you?"

And like that he melted and felt understood. It feels so good to know how to take care of him...

turn the other cheek.

I don't even feel like writing right now and I can't come up with any nice way to start this post other than to say I don't feel like it. But I need to because God spoke some awesome stuff yesterday in church that ties together everything I've been praying about lately.

So I feel like God's been calling me to sell my car and get rid of the debt I owe on it, buy something way cheaper. Then I get rear-ended on the freeway and I ask "OK, what's up, God?" Later that day I talk about it on the show, asking "What would you do if you felt God leading one direction and then wammo! an obstacle appears?" A couple hours later, I received an email from a lady that really discouraged me. I was hurt, frustrated cause she seemed to miss my point and wanted to be upset. But then I presented it to you and your responses were so mind blowing and perspective changing. You can read it all here.

I've also been praying, writing and trying to figure out my response to someone who not only hurt me, but then completely cut me out awhile back. I felt because so much time passed, I'd resolved this in my heart but when this friend recently contacted me out of the blue to offer a simple apology, I realize again how deeply it affected me. I felt twinges of anger rise up and a definite sense of loss but felt so conflicted in how to respond.

This Sunday a speaker was supposed to have flown in from Portland to share with the congregation but he got sick and instead Chris very obediently shared from his heart. He started telling stories about adults he knew as a kid and how he saw them in their Christian walk/lifestyle - honest and real vs. ignorant and in denial. He then went on to pose the question to us, how do we want to live our lives so that children see us and say "That is the kind of Christian I want to be like..." Full of forgiveness, peace, understanding and Luke 17.

"So each of you needs to be careful. Instead of encouraging wrongdoing in any way, be a person who overcomes wrongdoing. If your brother sins against you, confront him about it, and if he has a change of mind and heart then forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times in a single day, if he turns his back to you each time and says he's sorry and will change, you must forgive him."

And there's the answer of how to respond when someone hurts or wrongs you. I don't think it's easy, but I'm sure the more you practice and breathe in this teaching and law, it will be become more habit.

Plus, that's just what Jesus would do :)

unheard of.

I just read this blog entry from my brother David and his wife Kim who are living in Malaysia.

This is gonna blow your mind.



To say I'm a proud sister is the biggest understatement in the world.

David Conquers The World.

had a bad day. having... a bad day.

I woke up SUPER early this morning and was knocking out my chores left and right. I feel so effective and productive when I wake up early. Journal and Bible time, laundry, dry cleaning, 3-mile run, bills paid, and I dried and folded my clothes (sorry, Stacey, no sushi for you.). After my run I'm driving down I-10 to Target for dog food. It was morning traffic and we the people are just nuts driving early near downtown.

And then it all happened so fast. I was about to exit, traffic was stop and go, started moving about 10 mph when I looked in my rearview mirror to see a Grand Cherokee approaching me faster than he should - he was looking to his left and didn't see me - when BAM! he hit me. If I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, I'd have knocked my head on the steering wheel. Kenai hit the passenger seat from behind and yelped.

Well, we exited and Mr. Crashman was really nervous. We took care of all the business neccessary... most importantly we both were fine. Thing is, I'm really frustrated by this. I've been working towards selling my car because I feel God calling me to eliminate the debt I still owe on it. Now this happens and I'm like "What's up, God?"

I know it's all gonna work out and I know it's gonna be ok. But it still stinks. Today I talked about it on my show and left it open-ended asking "What do you do when you feel God leading one way and then bammo! an obstacle!" So many of you called and it was awesome. I started to feel lots better and so encouraged.

Then I received this email in the studio from Bridgit:

"You initially saying God was telling you to simplify is what caught my attention. I dont' want to dismiss you questioning about the car? But I would assume you have insurance that will take care of the damage. Honestly, I couldn't help but be just a bit irittated at you questioning why to damage done on a car, when my family is questioning why to the death of my son's 15 year old best friend that was killed in a car accident? Perhaps you should be thanking God that you weren't injured and that you have a car. I don't mean to should harsh....but you shouldn't be questioning why as much as giving thanks for no serious injuries or deaths! I think across the nation we are to begin to simplify. And I am saying this as much to myself as to you..perhaps it will be more than simplif ing our lives from material things and time restraints...could that be the answer to your why? I don't know just throwing it out there. Please be praying for this boys family and our community as we walk through this time. Through Trent's death, I pray Jesus will be lifted high!!"

What would you say?

one year later.

here we are, one year later and like tooootally in-love. photo by Bob Boyd.

dk's 29th birthday.

wow, look what i just found!! this was one month before we started dating!!

NASA exclusive tour.

My friend Todd Hellner and his family keep in touch often, they love KSBJ. Todd works at NASA and has invited DK and me to come down and check things out, but we were never able to connect. I thought the tour would be perfect for while Michael and Emily were in town from Pittsburgh, but when I emailed Todd asking if this would be a possibility, I had NO IDEA what he had in store for us.

While the shock was still wearing off after seeing M&E at breakfast in Houston, I told DK that we had a special mission for the day and handed him a packet marked "Confidential." Inside it he found a personal letter from Johnson Space Center, alerting him he'd been chosen for an important mission. There were also details on JSC and info on Terry Virts, a NASA astronaut. (I put this together, it wasn't realllly from NASA.)

We met Todd Hellner outside a Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of the NASA campus and not too much later, Terry Virts, a real life ASTRONAUT showed up to dine with us. I'm still freaking out. He's prepping for a mission to the ISS slated for 2/2010 and I found out he listens to KSBJ. To sit at lunch and pick the brain of an astronaut, now THAT was a cool experience.

After lunch, Todd drove us through security at the main gate and gave us each badges. I was afraid to blink for fear this wasn't really happening and I'm beyond grateful to Todd for taking this day to show us the royal treatment. Our badges got us into the hangar where the entire ISS mock-up is set up. There it was, as it is set up in space.

This is where astronauts train for the real thing.

We walked around in awe. And it was a bit sobering to look up at the glass enclosed walkway where tourists looked down at us on our VIP tour. I'm so grateful...

It wasn't too much later that Rex Walheim walked in after flying around in a F-16 to share more details of what space is like, what his missions accomplished during his two flights to space, and then took us all inside the mock-up of the shuttle, where they prep for take-off. He is so animated and to hear these stories seemed so surreal. He is very passionate about what God has so obviously called him to do.

We learned the inside scoop on how they sleep, eat, deal with clausterphobia, how they go to the bathroom, etc. After rounds of photos in the captain seat, Rex and Todd took us over to the entrance of the ISS mock-up. We got to walk through it. The entire thing. We walked through and saw all the additions, what they're for, and we learned what has been done in past missions, etc. Then we stood in the addition added from Rex's last mission and got to congratulate him on this out of this world endeavor.

We said goodbye and God Bless to Rex. Next Todd took us over to Mission Control. He walked us right through the steel security doors and up the elevator. Just like that. We took plenty of photos in the original Mission Control, which was shut down and preserved after Apollo. Again, we're standing on the floor of this historical landmark looking up and through the glass at the tourists. Are you kidding me?

Next Todd took us through to sit and watch the current shuttle program's Mission Control. It was nice to sit and comprehend the intelligence and dilligence in each of those working at every desk in front of each screen. Todd was careful as the 4 of us were nearing information overload but was so informative, answering question after question. And then it was time to go. The astronauts were asleep in space anyway.

We walked to the car and made it back through the security gates. Smooth like buttah. Had to turn in our badges which was a bummer, but no problem cause we knew in our hearts we were true friends of NASA now. Todd had some gifts for us, we said our goodbyes and drove out the gate.

The 4 of us were kinda quiet for a few moments and then suddenly like a flash flood breaking through a gate, we gushed "OH MY GOSH!! HOLY COW!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHOA!! WOW!! I SAW AN ASTRONAUT OH MY GOSH!! and it went on for a little while longer... hahaha.

Thanks Todd, Terry and Rex for the most memorable experience EVER!!

the surprise planning committee.

I know some seriously awesome people and through this whole experience, I got to know many more. Planning DK's 30th birthday weekend with my best friends, his brother and with Emily was an experience I'll never forget.

First, let's have a little back story from this time last year for fun. DK was just my friend but I also knew he liked me so when I got an email from his bud Adam asking me to put together something for his upcoming bday, I felt nervous. Regardless, it was easy to do cause everyone loves being around him and definitely showed up for dinner at Cyclone Anayas. Then later as his gift, I simply arranged for several of his friends and me to kayak down the Bayou for an adventure. It was nuts!! Since dating DK I've learned his love language is very specifically centered about this kind of experience and he was floored.

Fast forward to November 2008 and I realized 1. DK was about to turn 30, 2. His brother hadn't been to Houston in ages, and 3. We needed to throw a huge bash. I emailed Michael immediately, asking if he and Emily would like to come visit for that weekend and without hesitation Michael set up their flight itinerary. One of the hardest times to keep quiet from DK was during our trip to Pittsburgh for Christmas, meeting Michael and Emily for the first time and knowing they were coming to Houston in just a few weeks!!

From there, Michael had the idea for me to pick them up at the airport, drop them off at a restaurant for breakfast, then have me show up a few minutes later with DK. "Whoa what are you guys doing here?!" We also decided (for the party) to tell DK I had to work from 5-7 (not so uncommon on weekends) and to pick me up around 730 because I "made dinner reservations."

Kristen volunteered to help decorate, Domenica cooked pub style food and Bob helped with the video presentation. I'd emailed Dave and Kim in Malaysia, Brandon and Gil in London, Mitch in New York, and themanilow in PA asking them all to put together a bday presentation since they couldn't make it in person. I cried as each one came in from all over the world and watched this appreciation and love for DK unfold before me from all the people in his life, past and present.

Thanks to Brandi Lisenbe's brilliant creativity, we also set up a photo booth in the sunroom at my house. Dad helped with all the backdrops, Brandi brought lots of props and costume pieces and Cody set up the light and camera. The idea was for each guest to use full creative lisence and expression in each portrait. I will never have another party without having a photo booth as long as I live. For the full effect and to see the results, click here.

Michael also printed an outstanding photo collage banner for decoration and created "Pin It On DK" - a game to play at the party. I'd done this before for a party I threw and it was hilarious - so Michael printed an 11x7 size head to foot photo of DK and in addition printed several "DK accessories" including an iphone, tripod, cowboy hat, starbucks cup, and many more. Needless to say, it was a hit.

Michael and I communicated almost every detail of the weekend through email and left nothing unplanned. But I prayed continually that ultimately DK would be appreciated and loved by everyone around him and I kept giving the whole thing back to God asking for Him to bless the entire event. DK never figured any of it out and was completely blown away. I'd say mission accomplished!

million part blog.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at all that has happened in the last weekend and I want to document every detail so I've decided that instead of writing a novel sized blog, I'll write things by experience. Like this:

Michael and Emily - Planning DK's Surprise. ( I haven't been able to write about it for the last few months because then DK would find out about it!)

NASA Exclusive Tour on Friday

DK Surprise 30th Birthday Party!

Steeler's Win the Superbowl!!

DK Turns 30

There are so many photos to post as well!