Allison's blog

When did you really get to make a difference for someone else? 
Submitted by bodhibound.

  Most recently it would have to be participating in Adopt a Family through my office.   We do this each Christmas for families who don't have the resources to celebrate the holidays with gifts for their family.  This year I decided to organize the task for my team.  We were assigned a family of 6 -- 5 kids and a single mom.  I assigned each person on my team one person to shop for.  Mine was Esmerelda, a 5 year old who wanted all the girly stuff, jewelry and accessories.  I had so much fun shopping for her.  Dropping off the gifts was the best feeling knowing we made a difference for complete strangers.  Especially when we were told we spoiled our family!  Can't wait to do it next year. 

Let's make a list.  What are 20 things in your life that you're grateful for? 
Inspired by wyndslash.vox.com.

1. Love from my Family

2. Good times w/ my AWESOME group of Friends

3. Booze

4. Cheese

5. Optimism

6. My new job

7. My health

8. Living in California (best state by far)

9. Humor

10. Grey's Anatomy

11. CSU, Chico

12. Music

13. Forgiveness

14. Laughter

15. Sunshine

16. Living in San Francisco (best city by far)

17. TiVo

18. Lost

19. My sister's sobriety

20. My roommate Julie, who can cook, laugh at my jokes and make me feel better about shopping too much (and who made me write this blog)

Cousins

Each year the Morehead family puts on a golf tournament.  This started back in 1992 in Salem, OR.  My aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins would come together to have some good ol' fun.  It usually consisted of about 4 or 5 foursomes on the course.  The game is played by 'best ball' meaning that the team will play off the most accurate and 'playable' drive, putt, etc.  The only catch is that a ball from each player MUST be used, so that the star player isn't getting all the drives.  It just wouldn't be fair.  

MoreheadGirls

This year, I took it upon myself to ride along with my cousin Stevie who flew in from Texas.  He was on a foursome with my father.  Stevie and I decided to fill the cart up with some beer and other nice alcoholic beverages.  I think we had the best time on the course in our "booze cart".  We were also the most popular amongst the family.  I guess I come from a long line of boozers.  Big shocker, I know.  

SonomaMagnum

So the company I work for (Wine Spectator) throws two big parties each year at the end of May.   First there's the Sonoma party in Healdsburg.  I brought my wonderful roommate, Julie as my plus one.  We checked into our posh hotel (Travelodge) and got ready for the main event.  Hopped in a cab and off to the Hotel Healdsburg we went.  Charlie Palmer is the chef/owner of Dry Creek Kitchen, which is inside the hotel.  So of course, the food was excellent.  On hand were Kobe beef and Crab mini burgers, oysters, sashimi, shrimp cocktail, and of course cheeses galore amongst other things.   Quite the spread.