HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!

No matter how many years I've spent in the US, this is always one of those holidays that is a little weird for me. You see we don't have Thanksgiving in The Bahamas. We have something kinda similar-ish, called Harvest but it's something that we celebrate at church where you bring cans of food and other fruit and vegetables to donate to those in need. So I never grew up with the whole Thanksgiving tradition and every year I'm never quite sure what to do when everyone else is making their way home to celebrate and spend time with their families and friends.

Most years I do nothing but sit and watch TV, or go to a movie, or volunteer somewhere. Two years ago I went to Orlando for Thanksgiving and that was fun. This year, I'm joining in with everyone else and going to visit my parents since they live so close by and we're going to make a Caribbean attempt to recreate the whole turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc. meal. I'll let you know how that goes...

In the meantime, I do have so much to be thankful for, in particular my family and friends because without them, really my life would be pretty meaningless. And so it is with that in mind that I've decided to post some pics of me and the people that I am most happy to have in my life (well the ones that I have pictures of anyway...:). I'll try to find photos that bring back a good memory, hopefully for them, and myself.


Last year Christmas, I made my parents and my brother do their version of The Karate Kid, lol!


Me and my best friend/business partner Peggy in the limo going to the American Music Awards a couple years ago


Me and Joice got presented with keys to the city of Greensboro this year at The International Friendship and Freedom Games.


Me and my roommates Erica on the left and Coen on the right at our Christmas party last year


Me and Dave at his birthday party earlier this year. We had a lot of fun that night!


I couldn't resist adding this one...we were at the pre-meet dinner in Doha, Qatar last year. It was funny seeing everyone in the native attire. The things athletes get roped into doing, lol...


Me and my relay teammates, Timicka, Debbie and Chandra earlier this year at Penn Relays


Me, my dad, my mother, a couple of her sisters and some of my cousins a couple years ago in Maryland.


Me, Brianna and our friend Shevonne on a halloween boat cruise last year. Bri and I still aren't sure what exactly we were supposed to be...


Me and my girl Grace at our Christmas party two years ago


My boys David Arnold and Chris Spencer at a New Year's comedy show two years ago


My friend Nicole and I at our friend's wedding a few years back


Me and my teammate Lavern getting ready for the closing ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games in 2006


My boy Kareem. I think he's given me more advice from the "male perspective" than anyone. I'm forever in your debt, man...


Chandra, Christine, Debbie and myself leaving the party this year in Stuttgart. We were some dancing fools that night, lol! We had a ball tho...


SO......I hope you all are as blessed to have as many good friends as I do. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!! Don't eat too much....

INTERIOR DESIGN REVEAL PARTY (Pt. 2)

So a few weeks ago, I did a post called Mini Preview where I showed some before and after photos from a job that me and my business partner Peggy were working on. I said then that I would show the rest of the pics when our client had her "reveal" party for her friends and family. Well that party was today and I would have to say that it was a a resounding success!!! We did a display board of before and after shots at the party and let the work we did speak for itself. It's one thing to think that you've done a decent job but if others don't agree, then perhaps your perception is not what you thought it was after all. It was really great to have such positive responses from everyone. Here are some pictures from the other rooms that I didn't show before. Feel free to say what you think....

Guest Bathroom before...


Guest Bathroom after...


Guest Bedroom before...


Guest Bedroom after...(we turned the room around to face the window and used a sofa-bed loveseat instead of a bed)


Kitchen before...


Kitchen after...


Living Room/Office area before...


Living Room after... (sorry, didn't have a shot from the same angle)


Well, there's no rest for us...tomorrow afternoon, we have a 1pm appointment with another client. Wish us luck!

TRIBUTE TO MY COACH

As I think about all the things that have been possible in my athletic career, I am humbly aware that none of it would've been possible without my coach Brooks Johnson. That's why it was so great over the weekend to be able to tell him that in person. Prompted by my reader Jim and Garret, I thought I would post an excerpt from my speech that I gave on Friday night so everyone can know just how highly I think of Brooks.


"Without this next person, where would I have ever gotten were it not for the faith and belief that my he had in me and my ability? Brooks Johnson was my coach for my four years at Stanford and he flew all the way here from Orlando to attend this function tonight and so I just wanted to say a personal thank you to him for doing that. I’d have to say that our relationship was somewhat tumultuous for the first two years that I was here. Anyone who knows Brooks knows that he is a no-nonsense kind of guy. Let’s just say, he expects your best and nothing less...

...Between my gaining more than the freshman 15 in my first two years and two knee surgeries in that same period, many people would have lost faith in me. But Brooks and his wife Betsy, who was my jumps coach at the time, held steadfast to their belief that I was the best collegiate long jumper period. Through his encouragement, his wisdom and his ability to instill confidence in a girl who was overweight, far from home and unsure of herself, I went from not even qualifying for the NCAA championship meet in my first two years, to a 2nd place finish in my junior year, to a top 10 finish at my first Outdoor world championships held in Osaka, Japan that same year and to being the indoor and outdoor NCAA champion in my senior year.

I would’ve never dreamed of it, but he did. He always did. I’m so grateful to you Brooks for molding me and preparing me for the road that lay ahead. Who knew that 5 Olympics, 9 world championships, the Stanford school record which still stands today, my national record and numerous accolades later, Brooks would still be the one standing there waiting for me when I walked off the track in Beijing this past summer full of dejection and disappointment.

When I was ready to break into a million pieces, he told me that there was a bigger picture. That my career and my life were not to be defined by that one performance. That there are some things like sickness and misfortune that I can’t control. That the sum of who I am is greater than my failures. That I am many things, none of which can be witnessed on a track or measured in feet and inches. That I should be proud of all that I have accomplished in my career.

I think by the time he was done talking to me, I had a momentary lapse in reality, thinking that perhaps I had won or something. Just kidding. But seriously, if it were not for his presence there that day, perhaps I might still be somewhere hiding my head in despair and so for that and everything else you’ve done for me and with me, I say thank you. I owe the joys and the thrills that I’ve experienced over the years as a professional track and field athlete to you and you’d never know just how much that means to me."

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

So last night at my alma mater, Stanford University, I, along with 6 other former student/athletes from 5 other sports, was inducted into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame. It really is an outstanding honour and one that I would've not quite envisioned receiving due in a large part to the rich history of athletes that Stanford has had throughout the years. When you have athletes like John Elway, Tiger Woods, and John McEnroe also as former athletes, you just never know if your accomplishments will measure up.

There was a reception at first, followed by a dinner and then the induction ceremony followed and I'm telling you they did it BIG! Stanford spared no expense on the night and I'd guess that there were about 200 people there. The food was great, the company, even greater and to be able to share a night like this with my family and friends was the greatest!



Each inductee had to give an acceptance speech and I think mine went pretty well.


My former Stanford coach Brooks Johnson (he was also my coach this past year) flew all the way from Orlando to attend the ceremony and that really meant the world to me. I can only hope that I was able to convey to him in some small way all that his belief and faith in my ability has meant to me over all these years.



Aside from that, I just really had a good time. Today, Stanford is playing USC in a home game and they are going to recognize the inductees first at a tailgate and then at half time by presenting us to everyone down on the infield. I'm looking forward to that.

You know sometimes you don't even realize that others hold you in such high regard and it's only on nights like this that you can actually sit back, smile and appreciate all that you have accomplished in your career and be proud. I think it's easy to get so caught up in the "doing" that we forget to take the time to be thankful for all the blessings that have been bestowed on us along the way. Well, last I was definitely able to do that. Thank you Stanford for such a memorable night!

Me and my brother


Me and fellow inductee, Ed McCaffrey (3 superbowl rings with the Broncos and 49ers)


Me and my parents


Jumping at one of my first "professional" meets at Stanford back in the day


I invited my friend Jerry Rice to come


Stanford media guide picture from waaaay back, Lord have mercy, lol!


Me and the host for the night, legendary Stanford tennis coach, Dick Gould


Me and my bro again


The Hall of Fame Award (...it actually lights up, but you can't see that in the picture)

SHOE-AHOLIC!

On Saturday, I was supposed to be out shopping for an area rug for my client's home and somehow I ended up getting distracted. I never did find the right area rug, but I did find a great pair of shoes!!! Yeah, I know that has nothing to do with the reason for my shopping trip and why was I even in stores that sell shoes? Last I checked, there aren't too many stores that sell area rugs and shoes, lol!!

Oh well, it is what it is! I have an addiction. "Hi, my name is Jackie Edwards and I am a shoe-aholic!" There, I said it. I don't know how many pairs I have to be honest, but I thought I would give you a mini shoe show of a portion of my collection, including of course the new ones from Saturday which I plan to wear to my Hall of Fame induction at Stanford this upcoming weekend, but that's a whole 'nother story....more on that later. For now, here are just a few of my favorites...

Favorite Work Shoes (except I don't have a job, lol)


Favorite Flats (not really but I couldn't pick...)


Puma just sent another 10 pairs of shoes last week - favorite new pair...


Favorite Sling-backs


Favorite Open-toe Mules


Favorite Comfortable Heels


Favorite Pumps


Favorite Boots (I would wear these with jeans or something...)


The New Shoes from this past Saturday - love them!!


Favorite Church Shoes


Favorite 10 minute shoes (I can only really walk in these for 10 minutes cause they're so high. You can't tell from the picture...)


I don't know why I included these...


Favorite Sandals


Favorite Wedges


Can you tell I'm procrastinating on writing my speech for my induction?? And Eclectik, Mr. Shoe Guru, make sure to tell me what you think!