A fresh start on life...

September 27, 2012 ~ This is Brandon's 1/2 brother, Mike Stewart. Mike has currently been serving the past almost 11 years behind bars and today he has been released from Tipton Correctional Center and has a fresh start on life. Many of you know I am an open book and my family is really important to me. Like many of us Mike enjoyed his younger years... maybe a little too much. I believe we have all done things we shouldn't have done but many of us never got caught. I wouldn't think twice about drinking and driving and now you couldn't pay me enough to take that chance! Mike was charged with 5 DWI's, child support and has a Class A felony for robbery. This is something that he did during his drug and alcohol years and one that we are not happy about but it's the past and we can't change it. 

One thing that has amazed me over the past 10+ years is the attitude and outlook on life he has maintained. He is a lot like me in the since of looking at the positive side of things. While serving out his sentence he realized that he only has himself to blame and the law did their job. He never involved himself into gang's but rather took care of himself. He would go to work (starting out in the kitchen working up to employment in the prison canteen to most recently working in the wood shop), eat and go back to his cell to watch TV or would draw. He learned how to draw the most beautiful pictures during his time in prison. One thing I love about Mike is that there isn't anything he can't do if he puts his mind to it.

He is very lucky to have an amazing and supportive family including Brandon and I. I recently got involved in a program called BCOTN (Boone County Offenders Transition Network) to understand what services were available to him once he was released. I am working closely with this program to figure out how to get this information to the general public since approximately 40 people per month are released back into Boone County. We want them to be productive citizens and not become repeat offenders of our community.

Mike is very humble. He knows that he can not change the past but he can certainly change the future. He wants a fresh start at life and is willing to do whatever it takes to prove that he is worth something and not just another inmate. I truly believe in my heart that it took almost 11 years of being behind bars in Maximum security all the way down to minimum security prisons to give him enough time to process what has happened. He had to hit rock bottom several times before he would appreciate anything. I feel he is ready to show the world that he is changed for the better.

I ask that you not judge Mike. He has a lot of proving to do and I know he won't let us down. He has a rough road ahead of him but the best part is that he gets to spend time with his mother (who is very sick and we didn't know if she would be alive to see this day) and rekindle true relationships with his children, Morgan who is 20 years old and Mikey who is a senior at Rock Bridge High School and his grandson Ethan who is 3 months old and of course Brandon & I. Sadly I see Mikey going down the same path as his father and I pray that Mike can talk to him and steer him away from that path as he can see the destruction it caused.  Mike will continue to pay for the crimes he committed however he would like to move forward in life and create a good name for himself and that is respectable. I am willing to help him do what needs to be done to repay his debt and become a productive citizen of Columbia, MO.

Choices - by George Jones

"I've had choices since the day that I was born 
There were voices that told me right from wrong  
If I had listened, no I wouldn't be here today  
Living and dying with the choices I've made
I was tempted, by an early age I found I liked drinkin', 
oh, and I never turned it down  
There were loved ones but I turned them all away 
Now I'm living and dying with the choices I've made..."

The Emmy's!

September 22, 2012 ~ A couple friends and I planned a surprise trip to the Mid-America Emmy's to surprise Sarah Hill! She was up for an Emmy for "Interactivity" from using Google + hangouts in the news (U_News @ 4 pm) and we wanted to be there as we all met in her hangout!

This is Chad LaFarge & Dan Weil.... Two guys I met through Sarah's hangouts!

It was so much fun being able to be there and I don't trade in my blue jeans and cowboy boots for just anyone! It was totally worth it and I thank Scott Schaefer (he also won 2 Emmy's with Sarah) for helping us coordinate all of this! 

What was really cool about this whole night is that we got to go up on stage to be there while Sarah Hill & Lindsey Tyler accepted their Emmy. Chad and Dan both were in a Google + hangout with Chee Chew who came up with the hangout idea! That was awesome! So many people joined us throughout the evening via a hangout which was really cool because it's like they were right there with us!

I couldn't be any more proud of Sarah and Scott! They have brought great stories to us about things we didn't even know existed. They have compassion and dedication to the people they come in contact with and never expect to get anything out of what they do. You all deserve each of those "Golden Ladies"! Congratulations to you and everyone else that received them!

A very special congrats to Nathan Higgins, Jenn Reeves & Stacey Woelfel who couldn't be there to accept their Emmy. It was an amazing night with some ROCK STAR people!

Chemo visit...

September 21, 2012 ~ Today was my buddy Tom Trabue's 10th Chemo treatment and I decided to make a surprise visit to see him! I called his wife Kim and made arrangements and when I walked in he looked a little too comfy to be receiving chemo! (He looked great just reading a magazine!) After today he has 2 more chemo treatments and then a month of Monday-Friday radiation and then he'll be done! Woo Hoo! Tom has done an amazing job leading the Chamber Ambassadors while going through all of this as well as other things he is involved in. I am so glad he hasn't been really sick (he's had his moments)! I stick pretty close to him as we have become great friends since meeting in Leadership Columbia in 2010 (now he's like one of the girls) and I always worry about my people!

As I surprised Tom I look over and right across from Tom was Christina Walker! Another one of my friends who was diagnosed with breast cancer and was 1/2 way done with her chemo! She wasn't there for chemo today but just getting some fluids but I was so happy to see her!I met Christina through Women's Network and Changing The Odds committee. She has been a great part of so many things giving her time, talent and expertise!

Christina and Tom looked great! They are amazing people and I am glad to have them in my life. I know they both have lots of support as they go through all of this but the most important thing is they both have their spouses as a cheerleader helping them through the daily stuff.... It makes me smile to see their caring, compassionate attitudes as this is a joint venture and they are going to do everything possible to kick cancer to the curb, back up and run it over again! I want to be there for both of them on the last day of their chemo.... which is a big deal!

One of the things that saddens me was to see people who didn't have anyone with them. I realize it doesn't mean they don't have someone who cares and supports them but it makes you think. What if they are all alone going through something like this? I would hate to think someone has to be alone dealing with something like cancer. So I start thinking about what can I do to help? I am going to gather a bunch of cards and write little notes inside and when someone comes in for treatment they can have one to hopefully let them know someone is thinking of them.... just a small token that can mean so much.

Go Go Gadget Roller Skate!

September 17, 2012 ~ I finally got to take my ride in to be repaired (from the Malaysia guy that hit me) and as a rental I got this roller skate..... Now from riding in a big ol' bus to this little tiny thing was a big change for me. (It only has one windshield wiper, I can touch the passenger door without leaning over,  and I feel like my butt is dragging the ground) I am thankful to have this rental for the next week but I don't think this will be my next vehicle!

It was a nasty smelling little critter as it took me until Wednesday to get her smelling pretty! Between the air fresheners, perfume, and dryer sheets she was good to go! (I am crazy when it comes to cars that stink especially body odors!) As expected it was a big change to get back in my white car but I love it! I have been in many rentals (not because I am a bad driver and require rentals) but out of all of the other cars I have drove I still like mine best. My ol' girl turned 7 this month and has 93,000 miles on it I love it as much as the day I climbed in the drivers seat. For me... it's the simple things in life and I am happy with my "old" ride and not having payments for almost 4 years now!

A top secret little project!

September 14, 2012 ~ I have a project I have been working on that is a secret until December 2012. I am really excited as it's something I have always wanted to do and never made time to do it... until now! I had an opportunity a few weeks back to finish everything and submit the paperwork. This afternoon I had a conference call that moved my dream into a reality! I know it's not fair that I can't tell you but know that as soon as I have it in my hands I will share with you all! Until then let me offer some advice....

If you dream it then it's possible. If you want it then you must make time. If you just keeping talking about it then it will never happen. Make your mark and do something you love!

Kirksville or Bust!

September 12, 2012 ~ I am so fortunate to be involved in Greater Missouri Leadership this year because of these awesome ladies! There is never a dull moment when we are together and my life is better because of them!

Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge is a traveling symposium for the state of Missouri. We have been to Columbia/Jefferson City, Kansas City and now Kirksville, MO! We will graduate in November while we are in St. Louis.

While in Kirksville we learned about the rural community and farm life. It was one of my favorite places so far as we got back to the basics. We heard from some very passionate farmers and small business owners that take care of their animals and feed them well rather than commercial places that feed the animals fast and breed often to meet the demands of our nation. We got to tour Kraft Foods (picture up above) and see the process that bacon goes through to put it on the shelf.... I love bacon!

Each one of these women bring something great to our group. We all have busy lives but they make time to attend these sessions! I am thankful to have had the opportunity to meet them!

Remembering 9-11

September 11, 2012 ~ 11 years ago our nation changed. It changed because of some bad people felt they needed to take the lives of our men, women and children much too soon from this earth. Today we remember those who lost their lives that day and our hearts ache for the families that lost their loved ones. It makes me proud to be an American and to see the many flags at half mast at many of the businesses, homes and schools as we never forget. I proudly drove by our fire station in Midway this morning and saw this. America may have been badly scared from September 11, 2001 but we always come back stronger and do it with pride, dedication and in memory of those that are no longer here with us. Today I will never forget what happened 11 years ago and thank the men and women that have continued to fight for our freedom.  

Today also marks the 3rd year that Grandma Ruby Spry passed away. She was a very special lady to us and always believed in her family. She was supportive, loving and compassionate. She taught me a lot about life and I am so thankful she was a huge piece to Brandon's life. I miss her everyday and I am thankful for all the memories and her recipes that I was able to capture in 2 cookbooks that I put together. Miss you terribly Grandma Ruby but know you are watching over us from up above!