georgiesmybaby

The Varsity in Atlanta is famous across the South for their hot dogs! It's known as the place to go if you want a really good hot dog! My family always stops in there when visiting Atlanta.

{{{jmh & Claylove...dealing with the same type issues and concerns, sending love}}} Cagney :

Stopped by to do this last night, but had a migraine and just couldn't focus, so thought "I'll come back later." Next thing I knew, it was 4AM, darn it. Sorry, TTP, this is a few hours late, but better late than never, I suppose: Happy Birthday TimeTravelerPax!! Hoping that the next year brings you lots of love, laughter, and good times! Caro, thank you so much for your beautiful blog. I should express that thought more often, but like so many good things, I probably take "Carolina On My Mind" too much for granted. You work so hard on it...and always do such a wonderful job!

Another August baby! Seems I am surrounded by them! Even my sister and twin niece and nephew are August babies! Fortunately quite a few of these summer babes choose to make FCA their home, so we are all doubly blessed. Happy Birthday FromClaygary!! Lori, you are a wonderful woman and another person whose friendship is a huge blessing in my life. You and I share a passion for supporting the National Inclusion Project-but you do so in a way that continues to amaze me. Who else alters travel plans and routinely offers to fly thousands of miles, just to participate in Beta Alpha projects? Like the beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry you create, you are a treasure! I love you, and can't wait to see you in October! Photo contest: I didn't get a chance to vote yesterday. I meant to come back to it and then had one of my "missing" days until 6AM, but I adore that particular photo, so the voting would have been even more lopsided. I am a total sucker for Clay with kids, whether it is a photo, video, or just reading a children's book. And Clay with Parker? Stick a fork in me, cause it is over. ETA Congratulations Perma, one of my favorite clack goddesses ever! teddybears

jmh From the Gala email confirmation: "Please email any special requests including seating arrangements to contactus@inclusionproject.org . Please note seating is designated according to purchase date and time with the seats closest to the stage reserved for VIP guests and honorees." You just need to email them the names of people requesting to sit together (10 or less per table) and they usually do a really good job of honoring these requests.

Fear, sorry, the confusion is probably my fault. I went ahead and did FromClaygary's FB gift just to be safe...and didn't say Happy Birthday early because everyone else was saying that and I was avoiding redundancy. I think the published blurb has the date, August 15, on it somewhere, but you may need a magnifying glass to find & read it.:chair: I love the idea of being able to gift through FB Causes for birthdays, but it used to be set up so that the only option was to gift the amount of a friend's age, which could be really prohibitive for those of us who are "more mature." There were people I wanted to gift but I simply could not afford $39 or $50 or whatever their age was that year. And I felt badly that I couldn't do it, especially with people I knew were huge Foundation supporters. I actually wrote FB Causes and asked if they could add an option(s) to request/gift a lower donation as I felt that the other system was discouraging participation. I'm guessing others must have done the same thing. Amazing. Tickets to the Gala and Clay's Decca announcement have me feeling like this about the world again...and I LIKE it!! That man is fantastic medicine in so many ways! :nature-smiley-014: :nature-smiley-014: :22: ETA OMG!! I'm a Body Guard!! :nana: I thought I was going to be a dog walker for eternity.

Happy Birthday ChaCha Trusty !!

I apologized privately, but want to do so again here. Claylove and I are so amazed at everyone's generosity and willingness to help immediately. We love y'all. And I mean it. And I promise we will be looking for homes for your tickets, too. Megaclayfan has joined and was trying to post but can't post yet, so she asked me please convey this message for her: Thanks to georgiesmybaby and claylove for trying to be our go-between. We will assist in any way to get the duplicate offers of tix to good homes. mblovesclay and I were both frantically trying to get tix at the same time and again my apologies for wires crossing. She was in a meeting and working thru surreptitious text messages. You guys ROCK!!!

So luckiest and jmh....you decide. So sorry for the confusion. Too many cooks.

I am worried that luckiest is holding tix for them too? Are luckiest extras Clayshines and jmh? I am so grateful that we have tix, just do not want anyone left holding the bag so to speak. Lori, do you know? Luckiest isn't online at the moment, I don't think. ETA: The confusion is because Amelia asked people and Kimberly asked for Amelia. I am good with whomever's tix...you guys decide. Just so there are two tickets.

Lisa (luckiest) are you including jmh123 and Clayshines in Amelia's ticket? Just want to be sure.lol Amelia and Kimberly are together. That's our two.lol

Yes , we will definitely take the two tickets!!! Bless you jmh123 and Clayshines. These are great Project supporters and friends. Thanks so much. Their computer crashed. We'll have to work out payment arrangements with them.

Claylove and I could use two tix if someone has another extra. Lilyshine is your sytill avail They are for Amelia (Miller) and Kimberly Vice

Thanks for the good wishes for those of us attempting the holy grail of ticket buying today. Not sure whether to laugh or cry. Everyone else attempting the ticket tango in a few hours: :Tour4: I haven't been able to sleep and feel nauseous already...just not into bloodbaths. Oh well, planning to be there that weekend to celebrate the exciting changes regardless, and am looking forward to seeing all of you. Good luck everybody! These feelings are oddly juxtaposed with total elation over the awesome news about Decca. New music. And probably a tour. I'm so happy for Clay. He deserves a record company that really appreciates and promotes him well. I just know that there are many really good things-and times- ahead.

I am so happy...for HIM, for US... just so very happy! :EmoticonRingAround:

Sorry for postwhoring. This just didn't seem to fit with the other post. {{{Merrieeee}}} I understand completely because I have been in the same situation most of this year. Not unexpectedly, the RL shi...stuff has caused a big flare in my health issues, too, so life has become a bit of a struggle lately. As you said, this too shall pass. Until it does, however, just know that there are lots of people here who understand. I know that I do. I understand the "missing" part, too. I think when times are particularly rough it really does exacerbate missing our friends, and maybe even missing Clay, because we need that special joy....and to be honest, that distraction, even more than ever. I hope and pray that RL things get better for you soon. The real soon. I need to apologize to FCA, too, because earlier this year I had every intention of jumping in and posting every day, which I have never done at any board in the past. But like Merrieeee, I just haven't felt like posting or talking much to anyone. At the same time, it has been a wonderful thing just to be able to read posts, see lovely photos, laugh a little, share the joy; and most of all, to feel the love and affection for Clay, Parker, the Foundation...and especially the love, affection, and concern for the other members here. I may not be here much by post count, but know that I am here often in spirit, and I feel close to many of you now. This is the first board that ever truly felt like a "home" for me and I am so thankful to Couchie and the admins and everyone at FCA for that.

:babies_100: Happy Birthday Parker!! Hope your day is filled with toys, balloons, ice cream, and cake. And most of all, lots of love from Mommy & Daddy! And Mimi, too. ***A note about the National Inclusion Project on FB*** There are two ways to support the Project: 1. Become a Supporter of the National Inclusion Project (a fan) 2. Join the Cause, throught the Causes application on FB. This allows you to recruit support, make donations, and I believe it may be the more important support. This is the official cause home, along with other great organizations such as UNICEF, etc. Also, joining the cause will allow you to add the National Inclusion Project as the "featured cause" on your profile, which is a great way to raise awareness.... and maybe even raise some $$. So, if you receive a cause invitation, this is NOT the same thing as becoming a fan. I sent out invitations to a number of friends who are volunteers and supporters but who weren't on the Cause page yet, and they are still not there. (Yeah, I checked. :laught31: I want to do a mass appeal to my non Clay, non Project friends-nearly 2000 people-but I am waiting because people seem less likely to support a cause with only 215 members. ) I thought maybe it would help to clarify the Facebook situation. My apologies to those who already knew this information. You may join the cause here if you haven't already received an invitation:Causes: National Inclusion Project Joining the cause would make a great first birthday gift for Parker, and one that I feel certain would make Clay very happy, too.

FromClaygary, works for me BTW If anyone wants to take Aron's message to other boards, feel free, but as I said, I hope we can do it in a way that avoids angst. This is a time of joy! And excitement! Good things are ahead! I'm seeing some discussions about the acronym, especially on CH, where I cannot post, so Aron's message might put an end to that. Or NOT. Who knows? Did ya happen to notice I was the 4th person to sign up on the Foundation's page on FB? I think I almost beat Aron & Clay. FLUKE. I was searching to see if they had updated Causes, and that popped up, so I joined. Cripes, I prefer to be more inconspicuous.

Oh my goodness, I love the new photo of Diane & Clay! There is such joy and happiness there, it just sort of radiates off of the page. I haven't posted this anywhere else because I'd hate to see a brouhaha and we all know how some people are, but I asked Aron about acronyms, and whether they have a designated acronym for the National Inclusion Project. His reply: "Trying to avoid the acronym. Go with National Inclusion Project or Project." Aron Hall Director Services National Inclusion Project www.inclusionproject.org So, just thought I'd throw that out to the universe as an FYI, and maybe we can discreetly let people know the Foundation's preference on the subject.

National Inclusion Project! The Board and Staff of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation is excited to step forward into the future as the National Inclusion Project with a new website at www.inclusionproject.org! Please visit the new site and check out the new look including these highlights: - An open letter from National Inclusion Project co-founders Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel - Information on the 2009 Champions Gala Honorees - A link to share any of our pages on your Facebook profile/news feed Thank you for your continued support as we step forth to impact even more children nationwide with the benefits of inclusion! Aron Hall Director Services National Inclusion Project www.inclusionproject.org The new website is live: http://inclusionproject.org Be sure and click "share" as you get some really nice choices to help spread the message on FB

Claylove Happy birthday to one of my best friends! Cheri, you are one of the most amazing people I have ever known. Sweet, caring, compassionate, and smart. Your friendship is such a gift, and my life is a thousand times richer because you are a part of it. Hope you have a fantastic day today, one that is filled with love and laughter.

ANNA <-----The bear must be hiding 'cause no bear for Annabear just ain't right. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of the most clever, most generous, and sweetest people I know. You were one of the first friends I ever made through TBAF fundraising, and I really lucked out! Your friendship is such a blessing. Love you dear bear lady! I hope that today, and the years to come, bring you everything that your heart wishes.

Claylove , you know I am praying for Archie & all of you. Sending lots of love & positive energy. My Georgie is getting up there...14 now...and I cannot imagine being without him. ETA: Happy Birthday K'Andre...a woman whose posts have been known to CMSU. Hope you had a great day!

Hope everyone is having a great summer! I've been trying to read and keep up, but still nursing a broken hand. Claylove, you are one of the most sane people I know. Definitely NOT nuts. It's been a tough year...in many ways and for many of us...but you made it, my dear friend. In fact, we all did! OMG, I really want to hear-and see- Clay perform ISY again. After all he's been through the past few years, I'm not sure that we'll survive it when-yes, I said WHEN- he performs this one in the future...but I am willing to risk it. Of course, I just want him to SING to us. Sing anything, I am not particular: POP, AC, Christmas, CCM, Country, Patriotic, Lullabies, Hip Hop. Okay, well maybe not the last one. But please Clay, just sing. I miss him and his voice so much. And I really, really, miss seeing my Clay friends, too. I can't wait to see everyone Gala weekend! Ticket or no ticket, I'm gonna be there just to visit with everybody. Hopefully there will be another Roundtable for volunteers as well, and if so, and if you have a chance to attend, I highly recommend it. Not only are they interesting and informative, but these events provide a wonderful opportunity to network with other volunteers. Wow, I never, never, ever, EVER, thought I'd say this-maybe I'm the one who is nuts?-but I even miss all of the work, stress, and outright chaos of putting together concert pre-parties and CD release parties. *sigh* Ready for news, Clay...any day, any time, please just bring it! Torchwood? Did someone say Torchwood? I absolutely love that show. I even copied it to DVD for Claylove, who is a big sci fi fan, too. Honestly? Ummmm....I just wanna run away with Captain Jack Harkness. *fans self* And I love the new Dr. Who, too. Fabulous! Really late-blooming sci-fi fan here, never watched as a child, or even as a teenager. My how things have changed! I am especially fascinated by the whole time traveling thing. I don't know, maybe it has something to do with being a history major, or maybe I'm just a romantic, but the idea of witnessing historical events such as the fall of Pompeii, or meeting historical figures such as Queen Victoria, etc...very appealing and well just amazing. Even if they are being attacked by aliens. Loved the John Hopkins tweet & information. TBAF has acquired some impressive partners, haven't they? Just wish the Foundation would hurry up and announce the new name and unveil the updated website. Aron is usually a man of few words, and those few tend to be very understated, but according to him, the changes to the website "might even be considered mindblowing" so I am really looking forward to seeing what the Foundation has in store for the future. The Gala ticket sale date, August 11, is fast approaching (major trepidation when I think about that date-yikes!) and I assume we'll know something more by then. I have a feeling that they are gonna bring it in a big way! :nature-smiley-014: That photo of Reed is...ummmm...gulp...verra, verra nice. I don't guess you'd need much IKEA if you had THAT decorating your bedroom.

Happy Birthday Couchie!! *Waves to everybody* Hey, I'm not dead yet. Gosh, I love the beautiful smile on our adorable guy's face in the Just Jared photos. The fashion attire? Makes me truly laugh out loud, but it probably does help him blend. And there is something so endearing in the fact that while growing older and going through big changes in his life, he remains, at heart, the nerdy kid from Raleigh. It was really lovely of him to give the glasses lovers a nostalgic thrill by breaking out that particular pair, too. Awwwww, first Father's Day approaching! You just know that this coming weekend will be really special for our sentimental guy. :babies_100: RE: Gala. I am very worried about the ticket situation. At least I have broadband service again because my stand alone DSL would not ever hold an internet connection. Fingers crossed, thinking positively, but just have a feeling that I may not come up with one this year. :Tour4: <---- memories, eh? From Claygary Have a wonderful holiday. And thank you for your FB reply to someone's post that was quite hurtful to a lot of people. You rock, girlfriend! ****This FCA post brought to you by "Emoticons R Us" ***** :lmaosmiley-1: