Giving Thanks

I know I have been the world's worst blogger these days, and I know it has been 2 weeks since Thanksgiving, but I just HAVE to write a post about the Thanksgiving holiday as it is my most favorite. 

As you probably know, I have a very big family.  We are close knit and get together on every holiday at my grandmother's house in Palestine.  Growing up, while my grandpa, Jiddo (grandpa in Arabic), was still around, he would ask that all five of his kids and their families be present at Thanksgiving so that they entire family could be together and the families could go to their separate ways on Christmas if needed (to the in-law's).  Thanksgiving was very important to him as I think his family is what he was most thankful for.  I think I have carried his tradition and meaning behind Thanksgiving.

Our holiday starts off with a Thanksgiving Eve party the night before Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle's house in Palestine.  We normally have lots of food and drinks and visit with those we have not seen in a while (close friends and extended family).  Here are a few pictures I took at this year's party of family and friends from all over:

Normally, the party goes on for a while and ends up with the uncles and boy cousins playing poker.  However, I guess age is catching up to them these days as they now end up turning in pretty early.  This year, a few of my cousins and I went out to the local bar, The Shelton Gin, after the party.  Look who I ran into from high school in Texarkana:

That's right - Ben and Bailey Idom!  It was funny seeing them there since I haven't seen them since high school in 2002.  They are working at Lakeview Church Camp located right outside of Palestine (I went to camp there when I was young).

On Thanksgiving Day, we went over to my grandma's for our big lunch.  I guess you could say that our family is pretty much centered around food.  Maybe because we are Lebanese and our family grew up in the produce business?  We eat the traditional turkey and dressing, but we also eat lots of Lebanese/Arabic food.  The menu this year included kibbeh (a dish made of bulgur and chopped meat), cabbage rolls (meat and rice rolled inside boiled cabbage leaves cooked in garlic and lemon juice), grape leaves (meat and rice rolled inside grape leaves from the vine and cooked in garlic and lemon juice), meat pies (flat bread pies with spicy meat toppings), and okra and rice (okra and lamb meat cooked in tomato sauce and served on top of rice).  Our family craves this type of food 24/7 so we always get excited in anticipation with this meal.  The aunt's prepare this food weeks in advance as it takes lots of time.  In fact, this year, I helped with a few of the items.  Here is a look at the spread:

Then, of course, after the meal, we all sit around and watch the Dallas Cowboys game.  We also draw names for Christmas (to see who you have to buy a present for).  Since there are 15 of us first cousins, we have to draw names or else it would cost a fortune to buy gifts for everyone.  Normally, the aunt's would draw names according to the number of kids they have, but since me and another cousin are now married, and we are all getting a little older, us, cousins, draw the names for each other.

Mark's mom is still up north in Wisconsin taking care of the family estate so we did not do Thanksgiving with them that big this year.  We did have lunch with his dad and sister the day after Thanksgiving at Ojeda's, one of their favorite Mexican restaurants in Dallas.  After lunch, Mark and I went to Home Depot to pick out a Christmas tree.  A real Christmas tree is another tradition of mine.  I love the process of picking one out.  Home Depot also makes it easy as they cut and smooth the trunk for you, wrap it up, and tie it up to the top of the car. 

Now that I have told you a little bit about my Thanksgiving, I want to take a few minutes to talk about what I am thankful for this year.  This is a subject I do not talk about much, but now that the holidays are here, and things seem to be looking positive, I figured it's time for me to say a few words about the situation.  My brother, Jeffrey, has battled a drug addition for several years now.  Being we are such a close knight family, you can imagine the toll this takes on our family.  My brother has the biggest heart; anyone will tell you that he is such joy to be around.  However, this addiction got to the best of him and he has been in lots of trouble (drug charges).  The result is prison, a rehab program in prison to be exact, for those that have addictions.  We were fortunate that he was placed in this rehab sector of prison called Safe P (Johnston Unit) in Winnsboro, TX.  He has to stay there for six months.  This is blessing number one as he could have gone to "regular" prison with a mixture of all kinds of criminals.  This rehab program encourages the inmates to be accountable for their actions.  They are there to help themselves and their colleagues be better people and to get to the bottom of their problems.  They are given privelidges as times goes on...things that you and I take for granted like working out, eating certain foods, purchasing stamps, eating certain foods, etc.  After a month or two into the program, they allowed my brother to get a job (he does not get paid of course, but it is something to do with his time and to gain work ethic and appreciation).  He is responsible for the warden's yard.  He mows it, gardens, and does other landscaping jobs around the facility.  He was also given the privelige of playing the guitar at chapel service on the weekends.  He is a very gifted guitar player, so it is great he is able to showcase and envelop his talent.  The second blessing is that I think his mind is finally clear and he has strengthened his relationship with God.  Going to visit him, you can tell that he is learning and realizing his strengths and weaknesses.  He has hope for what lies ahead of him, and he is putting his best foot forward in trying to live life the sober way.  He has been in Safe P since August, and he told me last weekend that this is the longest time he has been sober in years.  I really hope he has the strength and courage to fight the demons and temptations when he gets out and to live a normal life.  I am so proud of him and his progression in this program.  He also turns to the bible and even gives me enlightenment in his letters he writes me.  Even though Jeffrey wasn't present this Thanksgiving, I felt like he was with us more than ever.  I love him and look forward to the future having him back as my brother.  I am so thankful that he is still with us and turning a new leaf in his mind, body, and soul.  Please continue your thoughts and prayers as I know that is part of his recovery and it is much appreciated.  If you are interested in writing him, let me know and I will get the information to you. 

I would love to hear what you were the most thankful for this season.  Happy belated Thanksgiving!

My, My

My, my there is so much to blog about and so little time.  I am so behind!  First and foremost, my computer crashed at home and have I mentioned that I am still in the archaic days without a smart phone?  Yes, I still have an old school flip phone...but I am working on that.  Secondly, there have been so many things going on that I just haven't found the time to get it all down on paper...or posting pad should I say.  Between birthdays, mini-trips, anniversaries (including our one year), two new tennis seasons, and the new job, things have been hectic to say the least.  However, one day I'll get to it all and fill you in of some of these meaningful moments in my life.  I still enjoy reading about yours.  :)

Have a great weekend!

Falling for Fall TV

Normally, fall TV does not affect the George-Peer household.  This fall, however, is a different story. 

Seasons just ended for two of my favorite shows:  Burn Notice and Royal Pains.  There is something about a hot burned spy accompanied by his sexy girlfriend, beer drinking friend, and CIA associate (who is not to bad on the eyes either) fighting crime and saving the world one day at a time that really thrills me.  Not to mention I get to learn how to build bombs and escape from 15 story buildings which could become handy one day?!  Burn Notice has all of this plus more.  The scenery isn't too bad either - I have always wanted to go to Miami.  On a different note, watching a concierge doctor on call for the rich in the Hamptons is also very entertaining.  What also makes the show is his witty brother who is sales driven adding humor and imagination to the show.  Both shows air on USA.

My regular fall TV shows normally only include Dancing with the Stars and Beverly Hills 90210.  However, the cast on Dancing with the Stars isn't really doing it for me this season.  I like a few of them, and I am SO glad Derrek Hough is back, but I don't think I'll watch this season as religiously.  And for 90210, well, that is my guilty pleasure.  It is ridiculous that I watch it, but I am hooked.  And what’s worse is that Mark watches it with me and is just as hooked!  It definitely is not as good as the original 90210, but it passes the time. 

As if two weren't enough, I have added several new shows to the mix that I am really excited to see!  Here is a preview of them:

Most Eligible Dallas (premiered 8/15/11) - Reality TV series that revolves around young adults in the Dallas metroplex area juggling their social and personal lives.  The show is entertaining.  That's all I can really say about it.  I like to watch it to see some of the Dallas hot spots and to see if I know anyone/anything on the show.  I know, it's sad.  Also, Mark used to work with one of the stars, Matt Nordgren, at Schlegel Sports so it's interesting to see the dynamics of his life versus how he was when Mark worked with him.

Pan Am (premieres 9/25/11) – Centered around the iconic airline Pan America World Airways during the 1960s.  The drama will focus on the pilots and flight attendants working for the world-famous airline in 1963.  This just looks plain interesting. 

Hart of Dixie (premieres 9/26/11) - An American medical drama TV series that follows Dr. Zoe Hart as she moves to remote Bluebell, Alabama, when there are no jobs available for her in New York.  Rachel Bilson stars as Dr. Zoe Hart.  I love her!  You probably remember her as Summer from The O.C.

Up All Night (premiered 9/14/11) - Comedy TV series that centers on a couple who struggle to balance their home lives (especially with their newborn child, Amy) and their work lives.  I think this will be fun to watch, especially since Mark and I will be in their shoes one day (later down the road).  Plus, Christina Applegate always aims to please.

Revenge (premiered on 9/21/11) - A TV drama about a girl who decides to move back from the Hamptons to take revenge on the people who caused the destruction of her family and death of her father.  I can't get enough of the Hamptons, and the shows looks like it doesn't lack suspense.




We shall see how long I stay interested in all of these new shows.  I know I cannot watch them all, but I am going to give it a try.  I can't believe how many of these shows interest me.  Fall TV has been Dancing with the Stars and 90210 ONLY for the longest time....  I am glad I get off work at 4:30PM now so I can catch up on DVR recordings before dinnertime and tennis. 

Oh, and I'm not done.  On top of of my normal shows combined with the new shows, I am catching up on Mad Men.  I had to see what all the buzz is about.  AMC is re-running all of the episodes in order from Season 1 on Sunday mornings.  The verdict...I cannot get enough!  They air three episodes in the morning, but I could watch more!  It’s great!  The screenplay and characters are amazing.  If you are not hooked on this show, it is only a matter of time.  I am glad they won the Emmy this year for best TV Drama Series.

I guess that’s it for my TV craze going on right now.  I am definitely falling for Fall TV this year.  What are you watching?

Labor Day Lakeside

We celebrated this Labor Day a tad bit early - on Saturday.  We went to Lake Ray Hubbard with two sets of friends (brothers and their wives) that both have boats.  We are blessed and lucky to have such great friends, and we are fortunate they like to take us out on their boats.  :)  Here are a few photos from the day.

I hope everyone has a safe, relaxing Labor Day weekend.  I would love to hear about your weekend festivities!

Strange but True Facts

A financial planner and former client of mine, Mark Stoeker, sent this email to me.  It contains facts and figures about who is benefiting from today's economy.  I found it to be strange, but true.  In a nutshell, if your net worth starts with an M (million) or B (billion), then you are benefiting.  These facts point out that the gap between the rich and the middle class gets bigger each year.  Interestingly enough, my prior job was insuring the middle to lower class, but the clientele of my new job consists of primarily the upper class so I am able to see more and more of these transactions and habits of the high net worth on a normal basis.  It is interesting that this economy is actually helping them unlike the rest of us!

• According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, face lifts for men jumped 14% last year.
• The average bonus for a worker on Wall Street in 2010 was only $128,530.  It appears that more Wall Street bailouts may be needed.
• According to DataQuick Information Systems, the sale of million dollar homes rose an average of 18.6% in the top 20 major metro areas in the U.S. in 2010.
• In 2010, for the first time ever, more than a million U.S. families lost their homes to foreclosure.  That number is expected to grow even higher in 2011.
• According to Moody's Analytics, the wealthiest 5% of households in the U.S. now account for approximately 37% of all consumer spending.
• In 2009, only 18,288 vehicles with a price tag of $100,000 or more were sold in the U.S.  In 2010, 32,144 such vehicles were sold.
• Porsche recently reported that sales increased by 29% during 2010.
• Porsche has announced that they will soon be taking orders for their first hybrid sports car, the 918 Spyder.  The price tag on one of those puppies will only be $845,000.
• Approximately half of all American workers make $25,000 a year or less.
• According to the U.S. Energy Department, the average U.S. household will spend approximately $700 more on gasoline in 2011 than it did during 2010.
• According to a new study by America's Research Group, approximately 75% of all Americans are doing less shopping because of rising gasoline prices.
• According to the New York Post, Barack Obama enjoyed a total of ten separate vacations that stretched over a total of 90 vacation days during the years of 2009 and 2010.
• When 2007 began, 26 million Americans were on food stamps.  Today, an all-time record of 44 million Americans are on food stamps.
• The Ivex Packaging Paper Plant in Joliet, Illinois, is shutting down for good after 97 years in business. Seventy-nine jobs will be lost.
• Meanwhile, China has become the number one producer of paper products in the world.
• Luxury jewelry retailer, Tiffany & Co., recently announced that their profits increased by 29% in the 4th quarter of 2010.
• Average household debit in the U.S. has now reached a level of 136% of the average household income.
• The U.S. economy now has 10% fewer "middle class jobs" than it did just ten years ago.
• The average CEO now makes approximately 185 times more money than the average American worker.
• According to one recent study, 21% of all children in the U.S. were living below the poverty line during 2010.

Source: http://www.theeconomiccollapseblog.com/

First Day of...Work

August is back to school for most of the kiddos; however, August is back to work for me. 

I have been at Texans Insurance Group, formerly Curley Insurance Group, for a little over five years (five years this past July 11 to be exact).  Being employed at Texans has been like riding a roller coaster over the years.  The agency has gone from changing ownership, to changing names, to changing locations and offices, to changing policies and procedures, and now back to changing ownership again.  The agency is up for sale and the purchase will take place any day now as all of the potential buyers have done their due diligence and are now in the final phases of submitting their offer and intentions.  While I had fully intended to ride the wave even as things seem to diminish, I was approached by a past co-worker in regards to a position opening up in her agency.  A position that only I came to her mind as the perfect candidate.  I went on an interview which ended in a very positive note in all areas; I had a feeling that the job was in the bag. 

Meanwhile, two days later, my immediate boss turned in her two weeks notice.  This rocked my world as I was also contemplating leaving the agency (pending I would get an offer from the other agency soon).  My boss turning in her notice came a complete shock to me.  I thought she would be riding the wave with me at Texans, and she actually one of the main reasons I never wanted to leave Texans.  Also, with her being my mentor, I had sad feelings about separating from her and the department that we created.  All good things must come to an end, and I needed to accept the fact that my boss and I would not be working together forever anyway.  She was offered a position at a top, national (and international) agency; it is where most young professionals in our industry strive to work for, so she definitely needed to take the opportunity. 

In the midst of all of this, our upper management team met with me on taking over my boss's responsibilities and mentioned that I have the potential to take over her position and manage our department after the sale takes place (depending on the buyer).  However, there were no guarantees and nothing could be placed in writing.  Do I stick around through the sale while working overtime to satisfy mine and my former boss's accounts not knowing what really lies for me in the future, or do I turn my back and walk away...leaving it all behind me...giving myself a fresh start at another agency?

As I am sure you assumed, I did get the offer from the other agency.  I contemplated on both opportunities.  I made several lists of pros and cons.  I analyzed all of the "what ifs" by staying at Texans as well as the offer from the other agency that was laid in my hand.  I got advice from all areas and several people....  I asked many, many questions....  I tried to envision myself at both places a year from now....  I prayed to the good Lord....  And I went to a lecture led by Ron Reynolds.  Ron made a few comments that really hit home.  He said that you are not going to get anywhere in life if you continue to sit comfortably.  You have to go out and take a risk in order to gain.  You have to move yourself and make things happen.  This was the final piece to all of this mind and soul searching I was doing.  I then decided to take the job opportunity at the new agency. 

Once I made this decision and turned in my two weeks notice, I never looked back.  My only concerns were leaving my long time customers along with friends and family I had written accounts for and serviced over the years, as I have a non-compete clause stating I cannot solicit their business for two years.  Besides that and leaving our department short staffed with two people, I did feel slightly unsettling, but after informing them of my decision, I finally felt a freedom and self-worth that I have not felt in long time. 

I took a long weekend break from work.  Mark, my sister, and I took a mini-vacation with my parents to El Campo and Port Lavaca for a wedding.  I'll post on that later.  My last day at Texans was last Thursday and today was my first day of work at the new agency.  Boy did I forget what it felt like to be the new kid on the block (at Texans, I was one of the last men standing). 

Even though I am doing the same line of work, today was like my first day at school.  Everything is so new and there are so many new faces to learn.  I was sent home with homework (procedures manuals and paperwork to review and fill out).  There are several people I need to meet with this week in order to familiarize myself with their accounts.  I already have prospects coming to me that need quotes.  There are new carriers I have to get to know.  It is all so exciting but slightly overwhelming.  So much for being comfortable. 

I guess I can go ahead and tell you the name of it my new agency: TexCap-Concord Insurance Services.  It still feels funny saying that.  Everyone is so welcoming and friendly.  I know they are truly happy to have me on board.  I know I will eventually be comfortable at this new agency, and I know that I am already valued.  I look forward to this next chapter in my life and wish the same "back to school excitement" for you whether it be from a new venture, an addition to the family, or even a small, personal change. 

Stars and Stripes

It was fun to read about everyone’s Fourth of July weekend festivities.  My Fourth of July weekend turned out to be a very busy, jam-packed weekend. 

We kicked off the weekend on Saturday at our house.  My family came down from Texarkana Dad’s new truck.  For those that do not know, my family was in a car accident over Easter weekend in Tyler.  Someone rear-ended my dad which caused him to hit the car in front of him.  The truck was deemed totaled from the front and back.  My parents were in the front, and my sister and brother were in the back.  Needless to say, my family was OK as they came out with only a few bumps and bruises.  Mark and I had to go pick them up from Palestine.   My dad has been driving around a rental car up until last week.  After “oohing and awing” over Dad’s new truck (he got a sweet deal), we headed out to the pool.  Jessica brought her new dog so we were able to get to know him a little (he is a Chihuahua Terrier mix…name is tbd).   

Later that evening, we cleaned up then headed to my favorite restaurant, Campisi’s, to celebrate my birthday and Father’s Day (I'll do another post on my birthday festivities soon).  Campisi’s has been in the family for a long time.  My dad grew up going there with his brothers, cousins, and uncles (when living in Palestine, once a year, they would hire a limo to take them from Palestine to Dallas while getting tanked, then they would eat at Campisi’s and go to a Cowboys game).  My parents continued the tradition by taking us kids to Campisi’s every time we would come to Dallas for a weekend trip.  Now that I live here, I like to say that I continue the Campisi’s tradition as we have celebrated many events there from birthdays to girl’s night to family get-togethers.  I was extremely bummed when I found out I couldn’t have my rehearsal dinner there, but I am still fortunate we were able to get Campisi’s to cater my bachelorette party.  My favorite (and only) pizza I order from there is Italian Salami and Mushrooms.  Many places try to duplicate the pizza, but they never have that one topping that sets Campisi’s apart – Italian Salami.  Anyway, enough about Campisi’s and on to the pictures!

After dinner, we headed back to my house to open a few family gifts.  My dad is hard to buy clothes for as he wears a 2X or 3X (big and tall).  I ran across two sweater vests in the clearance section at Old Navy that happened to be returned from someone that bought them special order online.  They were a 2X big and tall.  SCORE!!  My parents got Mark and I a joint birthday gift of a large picture of The Last Supper to put in our dining room (we get to pick it out).  To tie us over until we pick it out, I also got a few pieces of my Arthur Court Grape kitchenware (salt and pepper shakers and a frame). 

Sunday, my parents went to Palestine and Mark and I headed out to Lake Ray Hubbard with our friends, Alex and Andrew.  We were invited out by Scott and Dana Buckner as they have a boat that we frequent on the weekends.  Scott’s brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Natalie, also have a boat.  The beauty of their boat is that Gary rigged up a grill on the boat so we the guys are able to prepare food while we are hanging out in the lake.  The evening was supposed to end in fireworks, but for some reason, we either missed the show or weren’t able to see it or maybe it just didn’t happen!  Nonetheless, it was a nice day out on the lake with friends.

Monday, Mark had to work half of the day while I stayed home and did a few things around the house.  That afternoon, Mark was able to get my family and I tickets to the Rangers Game in the Napoleon Suite along with his boss and his family.  It just so happened that my aunt Gina from Chicago was also in town so her and my other aunt, Meems, joined us.  It was definitely a family affair.  We were spoiled of course by all of the food in the suite, and we were very fortunate to get our fireworks fix at the end of the game (and the Rangers won 13 to 4 to top things off).

That was my 4th of July weekend in a nut shell.  

Don't Drink the Water (Part 2)

As a continuation to my last post, I am outlining my recent trip to Playa del Carmen. We are on the second half of the trip.

Day three started out with a similar routine. We got up, had breakfast, and headed to the beach in the morning, then to the pool in the afternoon. While at the beach, the boys played horseshoes and sand volleyball while me and Jen laid out. Here are my favorite pictures during the day.







The evening turned out to be one of lots of surprises with mixed emotions. Once Jennifer and Jamie returned to their room to get ready for dinner, they realized Jamie’s iPhone was stolen. He left it on the charger during the day in the room so housekeeping must have stolen it while we were gone on the beach and at the pool. He reported it to the front desk and security, but as you can assume in Mexico, they were not much help. This definitely put a damper on things. Not to mention, around the same time, Jamie got sick. He stayed in the room the majority of the night while the rest of us did other things.

Jennifer stayed with Jamie in the room for a bit while Mark and I walked around, had a snack at the snack bar, and then participated in a dancing class before dinner. I really enjoyed the class (and it was definitely entertaining to watch Mark dance with the guys).









After the dancing class, Mark and I had dinner reservations at the Italian restaurant.



Just after we ordered, Jennifer, Mucio, and Carlos dropped in to join us. We moved to a bigger table and had a great dinner. This was probably my favorite meal. Since it was Carlos’s birthday, the wait staff prepared a mini celebration for him.











After dinner, Jen went back to the room to convince Jamie to come down to hang with us for a bit. In the meantime, we lounged around and the guys had a cigar. After Jamie and Jen came back down, Jen and I went to the sports bar for shots.







After the shots, of course came dancing at the discotheque. At this point, Mark started feeling bad. The boys sure were troopers for sitting around while Jen and I drunkenly danced our butts off!



Day 4, our last full day, turned about to be a little drab. The boys were still feeling ill, and it was cloudy and rainy all day long. The snack bar on the beach was closed as well as some of the swim up bars. That was a bummer, but we got over it and tried to make the best out of our last day.

We started off having our usual breakfast at the buffet then headed out to the beach for some relaxation.







The boys finally broke down and took some Peptol Bismol at lunch. This made Mark feel better. Jamie was still queasy.



We returned to the beach the rest of the afternoon, then headed up to the rooms early to get ready for the night.











We decided to eat at the general buffet so we could get an early start on the shows they had in store for us in the courtyard. The theme at the buffet was Mexico!!







The first show at the courtyard was a skit detailing the culture of the locals there at Playa del Carmen. The second show was a musical and dance performance by the entertainment team with acts including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cher, and The Village People.











After the shows, we went to bed early since we had to be at the front of the hotel at 7AM for our departure.

We were sad, but ready to leave Mexico on Monday. On the way out, we stopped to have a “regular,  Americanized” meal at the Margaritaville in the airport.





The flight was smooth, and when returning to DFW, Mark’s sister, Kim, came to pick us up.



Overall, in despite of some of the obstacles we had to overcome (our luggage almost getting lost, the cloudy and rainy weather the second half of the trip, the boys getting sick, and the stolen iPhone) the trip was loads of fun and it felt so good to get away for a few days in a land that at least tries to make you feel like there are no worries. We love travelling with the Stewart's and look forward to our next destination (we are thinking a cruise next time).