Long Hollow

It's Wednesday Eve!

It's only Tuesday, but it feels like this week is lasting forever! Just when I thought I had everything all organized in my head, a schedule figured out, a game plan in place on how to tackle my to-do lists AND my book AND get some sleep (AND have some fun!), life reminded me that survival is all about flexibility. Glass balls shatter when they slip out of place - rubber ones bounce.

I am going to bounce, baby. I'm not giving up that easily!

But I am so happy that tomorrow is Wednesday. It's going to be jam-packed, but I will get to bed on time - that's a promise to myself.

Thursday will be another busy day, but it will be Weekend-Eve... the day before I get to see all my kids (actually they're kind of iffy on it, still, but I'm staying positive and hopeful.)

I'll still have some work to do around here (and don't tell them, but I think their Daddy has some projects he needs help with) but I'm hoping to fit in some funny movies, walks on the property... maybe I'll get lucky and it'll cool down enough for ping-pong or just hanging out on the porch, talking.

What would really be fun is to make a funny video like the one below - I discovered it on my friend Juana's blog. It's her nephew, his wife and their teenage girls - they have a whole series of them on You Tube!

My kids would never do this, and especially not with me and Tom. The closest thing I have is a video of TG and Daniel's energetic lip sync performance to Livin' La Vida Loca several years ago (move over, Ricky Martin!) complete with costume changes, dancing, you name it. It's hilarious, but unfortunately, I can't show it to you here, much less post it on You Tube. Another one of those promises. In fact, I have to keep the tape highly guarded - there have been threats to its life!

But I can show you this one by the Longostatikz. I'm not even related to them and I think it's funny! (Click here to see more of the Longostatikz on Juana's blog, or check them out on You Tube!)

Happy Wednesday Eve!

 

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Today is life - shake yourself awake!

Today is life - the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today.Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby.
Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.

~Dale Carnegie

Despite an afternoon on the lake with friends yesterday, warmed by the sun, cooled by the water and my spirit refreshed by the wind in my face, by nightfall I was weighed down by a heavy blanket woven of stress.

My untouched to-do lists (just the introduction page to a whole book of to-do's and want-to's and need-to's) glared at me when I got home, like a neglected spouse or child, and my brain scrambled through the minutes of the next week, trying to project and plan how and when I would get this stuff done between work and sleep.

It was exhausting! I could feel myself shutting down mentally; I just wanted to crawl into bed and call it a day.

And I probably should have because I spent a restless night full of strange dreams, my brain still scrambling to figure out that schedule. I woke still exhausted.

Then I read this reminder from Dale about life and I shook myself awake. I remembered my own advice: do what I can do today, do the best I can do, do as much as I can, but keep it prioritized and balanced. Don't worry about what doesn't get done or what I can't control. Just start over tomorrow.

Because today is the only day I need to worry about. The only day I'm guaranteed. It might be a day spent focused on those to-do's (because I know with every one I scratch out, that blanket of stress gets lighter and lighter), and there are some - bills that are due or other deadlines - that I have to take care of, no matter what.

So I'm not tossing out my lists - everything on them is important and I do need to take care of them, eventually. But I'll ignore their dirty looks. I'll refuse to let them make me feel guilty for spending time with friends and family, sharing my thoughts here, playing my drums, or capturing priceless moments with my camera. Those are the colors in my life, the sun, the water, and the winds of my enthusiasm.

Happy Monday! Shake yourself awake!

 

Sun(day), Wind and Water

"You and Tom want to go out on the boat tomorrow after Mass?"

"Sure!"

To-do list? What to-do list?

Faces of Procrastination...

Well, there's always Monday... or Tuesday... or Wednesday...

 

Meet the Walburg Boys (and a Saturday To-Do List)

Tom and I hit the highway last night to experience a Central Texas gem we had no idea even existed until now - the Walburg Restaurant and Biergarten. I was kicking myself (in between dances) that we'd never been before.

Tom danced with me, but while those fast polkas start my toes tapping, he became immune to their allure a long time ago.

WANTED: POLKA DANCER  No specific requirements except
the ability to twirl me around a dance floor when a polka
beat is too fast for my husband.

Pulling into Walburg is like a going back in time 100 years - you round a curve onto a main street lined by a few old storefronts and Victorian homes with glimpses of farmland in all directions.We've only just discovered it now thanks to TG's former high school band director, Les, and our friends, Joe and Mary Kay.

Les is now a Walburg Boy, playing gigs on the weekend after working all week as a high school band director in Austin. It's a return to his roots, in a way: in a previous life, he was a member of two other Austin bands, The Debonaires and Lonesome Dove. Two of the current Walburg Boys were also in Lonesome Dove, and that's how Les came to join them. Ron, the leader of the Boys and owner of the biergarten and restaurant, was a national yodeling champion years ago in Germany.

The music, a wonderful, eclectic mix of German polkas and Texas rock/country favorites, wafts out of a large Oktoberfest-type tent (featuring a slide-smooth concrete dance floor) into the old oaks and rolling countryside. We didn't eat at the restaurant; you can order food and drinks at a take-out window in the biergarten itself, everything from hamburgers to wiener schnitzel and so many different types of beer that I wished I still liked the stuff! Tom and I shared some wiener schnitzel, potato salad (that was to-die-for!) and purple cabbage that even Tom (a non-vegetable-eater) agreed was good.

I had big to-do plans for this weekend, but number 1 on my list was sleeping eight hours. I scratched that off, but since we were out late last night dancing to the Walburg Boys' music, it meant I didn't get an early start on the rest of my to-do's. Here's the status of my list:

My Weekend To-Do List

1. get caught up on laundry
2. work out (I'm trying to fit 5 in a week; Thursday we had a visit from an environmental inspector - I didn't mind skipping that day even though it meant I had to make up for it today.)
3. write 1000 words on my book (I'm determined to get back on track with this!)
4. compose blogs and figure out a way to make money from them (I've always told my kids to do what they love and they'll find a way to make a living at it. It's time to match my actions with my words. You know how kids are - they do what you do, not what you tell them, right?)
5. go to the grocery store (except for quick stops at our tiny local store, I haven't been in about 3 weeks!)
6. change the refrigerator water filter (it's only a few weeks overdue)
7. organize my property issue notes and collect my photos into one file
8. put flea and tick treatment on the dogs (just a little overdue)
9. send out an email about my new business venture
10. upload all of my photos from my Diva weekend to Facebook so my friends can see them
11. send a query to Texas Monthly magazine about an idea I have for an article
12. clean off my desk and pay bills (I swear the paperwork is breeding over there!)
13. clean house. Or at least something in the house, like a mirror or toilet.

You can see I haven't accomplished even half of my list yet!

So what have I been doing today, instead of taking care of the uncrossed-out items above?

1. made blueberry muffins
2. took a walk with Tom and the dogs
3. called each one of my kids AND my mom
4. checked my email and answered a few
5. played with some photos
6. danced (Tom has music streaming from his computer through the house speakers)
7. checked out some photography blogs, including this one that is just amazing: Rayel Photography (check out the vacation video)
8. stayed glued to the television while the Pearland, Texas Little League team played Hawaii 
9. checked up on my Facebook friends (while I watched the game - multitasking!)

If you haven't heard, the Texas boys lost. I know their broken hearts and disappointment blind them to how awesome it is that they made it as far as they did! But it's something they'll remember with pride in a few years, I'm sure.

So somehow Saturday is almost gone! I'm thinking it's time to hang up the list for the day and head to the back deck to enjoy the sunset, then watch a movie with my sweetie. There's still tomorrow... (thank the Lord for Sundays and early Mass!)

Scenes from Walburg...

 

This time last year...

"Happy first anniversary, Barbara!" the email said. It was from my Hyundai dealer - my sweet little car turned a year old this month. Wow!

The past 12 months with it have been bliss - that "new car" smell is long gone, and I don't wash the dirt-road-dust off of it every week, but it's still a baby to me! I give thanks for it (and the air-conditioning) every day!

That email triggered a nostalgic button in me - I dove into my archives, straight back to August 2009. (What I like about having a blog is going back in time, taking a look at my life as it was, seeing what's changed, what's stayed the same.)

I discovered some things haven't changed... there were posts about my friends and their birthdays, about rain and drought, about Tom hurting his back and working on the house anyway, about our anniversary...

Some things were a little different: last year we moved TG (previously known as "the Girl") into her dorm and had to adjust to an Empty Nest as she started her first year of college; we also helped Daniel get settled into his very first apartment in preparation of his 3rd year.

This year we moved TG into another facility (no photos or details - that privacy thing, you know) but she and I managed it by ourselves. No help from the guys, just a couple of sorority sisters.  I've had to adjust to not having her here with me again; we spent almost every day together this summer - working, going up to the college, our Wisconsin vacation - and I miss her, I admit it. But I also admit that I have a little more freedom with my schedule again, and yes, I like the taste of that! But it's only sweet because I know she's in a good place doing what she needs to be doing.

Daniel stayed put in the same apartment. He's starting his senior year of college. That statement just hasn't sunk into my brain yet...

But in my reading, I came across some big differences from last year. Bittersweet changes. This time last year I was outnumbered, gender-wise, on my morning walks. It was me, Max, Charly and Frankie. When I see those photos, my heart aches. Granted, I knew my time was short with Charly even then, and not knowing how old Frankie was, or how long guineas live, and knowing he had enemies lurking around every cedar tree, I knew I had no guaranteed time with him, either. I think I did a pretty good job of appreciating the time I had with them. But I still miss them.

Now I'm in the majority on our walks: there's me, Belle and Haley from next door usually joins us. Max, the eternal puppy, is now the minority. He's suddenly an old man, with gray whiskers and a visible limp all the time. Remember Walter Brennan's Grandpa Amos character on the Real McCoys, years ago? Kinda like that.

Not long after he adopted us about 6 years ago, he was diagnosed with ununited anconeal process, a type of elbow dysplasia. I remember reading when he was first diagnosed that it could cause lameness by the time a dog is 6 years old. That seemed such a long way off back then, and with the unimaginably expensive dog food and supplements we gave him, he bounced back just fine, pouncing and playing like a puppy, with no sign of elbow pain.

Until we got a puppy. Playing with Belle exacerbated the inflammation, but I can tell from the way he grins at her and continues to play that having that puppy around gives him so much joy, it's worth a little pain to him. And so I have no regrets about getting Belle.

Yes, what a difference a year makes.

Then...

And now...

Another change is in me - a lack of focus on my book. I was struggling even back then, but I had more determination (and admittedly, more time) to spend on writing it. It's my own fault I have less time, though. Yes, I'm working more hours in a 'real' job with a paycheck I can depend on, by necessity, because we need to pay off these college loans and bills. But I also allowed myself to become addicted to photography, joining FlickR and starting a photography blog on the side! What was I thinking?

No, I don't really regret it. Today my Morning Moon photo was chosen as a FlickR Explore photo and I got such a euphoric rush from that! (If you're not sure what Explore is, click here to go to my photography blog where I'll try to explain.) Along with the drums, it's a part of myself that I'd been holding back, undeveloped, for a long, long time.

But I still want to write this book. I'm still determined to write this book. And all of the others I have swirling around inside my head. Reading my posts about it from last year just gave me the push I needed to get back on it.

Charly helped, too, remembering these lessons he taught me about balancing it all that I think are worth repeating:

Keep doing what you enjoy as long as you are able.

Hang out with a younger crowd sometimes - they won't let you get too settled.

Be patient and tolerant with that younger crowd even when you're tired and grumpy.

Be curious and eager.

Lead by example.

Take naps.

Show affection.

Receive affection.

Be compassionate and share your blessings.

Don't roam too far from home, or at least remember the way back.

Accept treats and show gratitude.

Have a sense of humor.

Accept other species - look beyond your differences and find common ground.

Be bold and brave.

Be loyal.

Trust.

Look for adventure every day.

Don't be afraid to get dirty, but be careful you don't wade in too deep.

Enjoy the sun in your face and the wind in your fur.

If you stumble, just catch yourself and keep moving forward.

Run if you can, but walking is good, too (if that's all you can manage.)

 

Thanks, Charly. I miss you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Moon

I love waking up to moonlight splashing across the floor. It draws me outside, captures me in its spell and makes me late for work.

Worth it, though. I finally captured the Morning Moon's photograph earlier this week; after a dozen bad shots, he took pity on me and smiled...

Rain, hallelujah!

It rained today. A real honest to goodness thunderstorm shook things up around here, one that erased the blue from the sky and lasted for more than just a few minutes. Deer galloped in groups across the golf courses near me and huddled under trees like they were confused yet excited about this wonderful, refreshing change in the weather. Have we been wilting in the heat and sun so long that they'd forgotten rain?

A great blue heron glided across the length of the Hollow just outside my kitchen window; swarms of dragonflies crisscrossed through the clearing and out into the woods, celebrating like drunks on New Year's Eve.  I could hear them buzzing. Cheering! The heavy heat had lifted and flying things wanted to fly!

It's not a moment too soon, either. My crape myrtles and periwinkles were puckering up, the ones that had defiantly continued to bloom despite the heat and lack of rain until last week. I've been carrying buckets of water up to them every few days, trying to get them through the drought. That's one reason we haven't planted much of anything out here, just left it wild except for that one little domesticated triangle. The rain is just too undependable... either staying away too long or overstaying its welcome.

Today's rain appears to have good manners, moving on in time for the sun to peek out of the clouds as it sets.

Up until this afternoon, it's been so hot here that I planned to share these funny observations that my cousin Bill sent me last week. I think I'll go ahead and share them; knowing Texas summer rain, by this time tomorrow we'll be baking again, forgetting about this brief respite. The deer, the dragonflies and the heron will be moving in slow-motion once again, weighed down by the heat, if they emerge at all from whatever shady spot they find, that is.

Here's wishing you the right balance of sun and rain, laughter and tears... I hope this adds to your laughter like it did mine. Thanks, Bill!

 

IT'S SO HOT IN TEXAS...

...the birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground.
...the trees are whistling for the dogs.
...the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
...hot water comes from both taps.
...you can make sun tea instantly.
...you learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
...the temperature drops below 95 degrees and you feel a little chilly.
...you discover it only takes two fingers to steer your car.
...you get sunburned through your car window.
...you realize that asphalt has a liquid stage.
...the potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter.
...the cows are giving evaporated milk.
...farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

IT'S SO DRY IN TEXAS...

...the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling.
...the Methodists are using wet-wipes.
...Presbyterians are giving rain checks.
...and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water!

 

 

 

Divas and Sunshine - Just What the Doctor Ordered

I've been packing a lot into my life lately, both by choice and necessity. I've been skimping on sleep at a time when I need to be getting more, stressing over finances, kids and property/neighbor issues.

But there are times when skimping on sleep is exactly the right thing to do - especially if it's a Deer Park Diva weekend at Rae's house (and a chance to spend a few hours with Mama and Daddy before heading back home again.)

Over thirty years ago I shared a building, teachers, pep rallies and prom memories with some wonderful women. Only I didn't realize back then just how wonderful they were. It's stretching it to say I even knew some of them.

I'm not sure how it's happened, whether through reunions, Facebook or just a mutual longing to be connected, but over the past few years we've all reached out to each other.

It's not stretching it to say we've become a life support system for each other, holding each other up in those times when it's impossible to stand alone. Laughing, crying, and dancing with each other through the tears of both.

In these days when our lives are changing, when we don't know what the next day will bring to us by way of our children, our parents, or our own aging bodies, the consistency we find with each other is a balm to our spirits, and in turn, a physical boost far outweighing any damage done by skimping on sleep. These women are fighters... survivors who keep on smiling... who teach me to smile...

Thanks again to Rae and my Divas for a beautiful weekend... my tapestry, inside and out, continues to grow richer and stronger, thanks to you.

Another year, another day by Rae's pool, soaking up the sun, love and laughter, and celebrating a birthday...

Spending hours and hours with these long-time friends is a great stress-reliever for me. What about you? Do you have any routines or rituals that keep you healthy, mentally and physically? Go to my Review page and tell me in the comments section. You'll be entered in the random drawing for a $100 Visa gift card next week! Click here to find out more.

 

 

My Saturday Blog Hop Report

I intended to follow my friend Jillsy's lead and post links to my favorite blog posts of the past week every Thursday. Well, last week my neighbor decided to pump his nasty water into our pond - needless to say, I missed the Blog Hop. And I've been chasing this week for days - always a step behind!

I have a feeling it's going to be hard for me to keep to a regular Blog Hop schedule - for one thing, I haven't had much time for blog-reading! But there were several good ones from this past week that I wanted to share here...

Time
by Jillsy

...look at my post yesterday and you'll see why I picked this one. Time is on my mind, and Jillsy nailed it.

Some Kind of Battle IV
by Gina

...Gina has published a series of posts about battles, the kinds most of us encounter at some point in our lives. Since we're in the middle of our own battle over property issues, and she even included ours in one of her posts, I've really benefited from these. I recommend them all, but I loved the last sentence in this one. Gina nailed it, too.

A Lot to Think About
by Bossy Betty

...I found this one via Jillsy's Blog Hop. It's a wistful wandering back through memories of parenthood, through the eyes of a mother, beautifully written. A definite favorite for me, for obvious reasons.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! I'm off now for some unplugged time with longtime friends. Have a beautiful Saturday!

 

No Time-Squandering here, Ben

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

~Benjamin Franklin

I don't think I'm guilty of time-squandering. Even with my tennis shoes on, Time is outrunning me these days. Another weekend has snuck up on me and I haven't really mentioned the last one. Maybe I just haven't recovered from it yet!

But I captured a few moments of it in my camera. I think I'll multi-task and post them here as my Friday Favorites of the Week.

Friday night, before heading out to dinner, we posed for pictures. I was determined to get Tom to smile...

After dinner (too late for Eddie V's happy hour, so we went to Olive Garden. Still yummy!) we were in the mood for music, so we headed to our friends Jim and Liane's Hootenanny ... it was hot but the music was awesome, and we celebrated Jim's birthday...

(for more Hootenanny photos, click here.)

Saturday we had a surprise call from Jennett, a good friend we haven't talked to in ages and haven't seen in even more. We're determined to change that before the end of the year. Jennett and Keith were Tom's neighbors when we first met, practically family for years. How do we let Time get away from us like this?

That evening we met several longtime, newly reconnected friends for dinner at Gwen's house... delicious spaghetti, salad, cheesecake, and a new game she taught us - "Chubby Bunny". For some reason, I've lost my taste for marshmallows...

Sunday afternoon, the Girl and I packed my little car full of her belongings and headed to campus. It was move-in time again. Man, this summer went by fast!

On the way, we stopped at a CVS Pharmacy so she could print out some pictures. Little did we know, while we were toodling around with the photo machine, a car-jacker went into action in the parking lot! When we stepped outside, we faced something straight out of a cop show - the suspect getting frisked, police running around, their cars and a fire truck filling the lot, reporters asking me questions. Very exciting! I had her take pictures as we pulled away so we'd remember...

Yeah, I know... you don't really see anything, but that's the wonderful thing about photographs - they trigger floods of memories. You might not see what was going on here, but one look at these, and I see it clearly.

(No moving-in photos. A promise is a promise.)

It was after midnight before we got to bed that night. We had a visit from another longtime friend, Lisa, who had attended a wedding with her friend Cheryl at a place just down the road. We insisted she stay with us afterward and so we stayed up yakking. It was well worth it, though. I wish we'd had more time - I always enjoy spending time with Lisa, but I enjoyed meeting Cheryl, too. She's older than me (I won't say how much) but just spent a week camping in the Grand Canyon - something I would love to do and now I think I still could! She also had a photograph published by National Geographic several years ago, so I got to talk photography for a little while.

No pictures of them, though. I didn't even think about it - that tells you how wiped out I was by then!

This weekend will start a little later than the last one did - tonight we're just hanging out at home, about to watch a movie, pay some bills, catch up on laundry... but it promises to be just as full of friendship and memories, starting tomorrow. You might have to wait until next Friday to hear about it, though. I'll try to sprint a little faster and catch up with Time.

At any rate, I hope you have a fabulous weekend, whether you squander time or not!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Elusive and Slippery Right Perspective

A rainbow arched across the sky right in front of me last night as I headed down the highway toward Austin. I mean, right in front of me, crossing from one side of the road to the other, with the most crisp, sharp color spectrum I've ever seen in a real rainbow. It was like one out of a kids' book, with the colors perfectly lined up, side by side, and it was right in front of me! Straight ahead! Oh, why didn't I bring my camera?

Rainbows. Promises. It made me smile. I've had a lot on my mind... lots of worries trying to break free and wreak havoc... and I haven't been getting a lot of sleep. The rainbow reassured me, helped me remember to just take things a day at a time.

I looked forward to the next few hours with the Girl, shopping for a some last things she needed before school started. My kids don't have cars at school - we're down to just the two Tom and I are driving - so they have to rely on us or the charity of friends with cars if they need to get around. I don't really mind - it's a good excuse to spend time with them.

I picked up the Girl and we spent the next several hours zipping around Austin highways, searching in futility for specific stores that had the best bargains (she had done her research - that's my Girl!) I stubbornly avoided driving all the way back to my side of town; I knew those stores were there - I just didn't want to drive that far! Subsequently we went in huge circles, missed exits, and encountered tons of traffic. I was tired and stressed with zillions of things buzzing around in my head, and so was she. Two exhausted, stressed women wandering Austin highways in the rain with no clear sense of where they are headed and the clock ticking ever-nearer to closing time doesn't equal a fun shopping experience. (Oh, how I wished I had the internet - Google! - on my phone last night!)

Somewhere, on one of those highways, the Right Perspective slipped clean away.  We both lost our tempers. And that's all I'll say about that.

Eventually, we found what we were searching for just before closing time... on my side of town, of course. If I had just headed back there in the beginning...

Anyway, on the way back to campus, our senses of humor returned; we apologized and laughed at ourselves. Passing a long line of halted traffic headed the opposite way, I realized if we had finished up sooner, I would have been sitting in that line of cars for hours instead of exploring every highway in the city with the Girl. My Right Perspective returned, shaking a finger at me for being so careless with it.

What the heck had I been thinking to let myself get so worked up? Why hadn't I realized that none of those things I was worrying or stressing about mattered as much as building precious memories with this Girl I love so much? I'm such a doofus sometimes.

After dropping her off with a hug and kiss and I love you, I made a quick stop at Daniel's (another hug, kiss and I love you) then headed home via an alternate route, able to avoid the huge traffic jam only because our shopping trip had taken hours and hours and led us to the other side of town. Funny, huh?

Out my window an overstuffed half moon lit up the sky and guided me home. A rainbow, a bright moon, the Girl and Daniel. Yeah, it was a good night.

 

 

Roy and The River

I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

DIANE ACKERMAN
American writer and naturalist, present day

 

 

Remember that Garth Brooks song, "The River"? It popped into my head this morning and is still playing in the background - the soundtrack for my Wednesday.

 

I think it's because I lost a classmate earlier this week. I'm thinking about death even as I scramble to stay on top of the crazy, hectic whirlwind days I've had lately, days filled with the issues of living - kids, finances, neighbors.

Roy had survived cancer only to succumb to a different illness that is still baffling the doctors, from what I've gathered. His death - or at least his death at this time in his life - was unexpected.

 

I confess I didn't know Roy in high school, except by name. We became friends on Facebook, sharing bits of each other's lives. This is what I do know about Roy - he was a Christian, and although he wasn't afraid of death, he loved his life, loved his wife, kids and grandkids and wasn't in a hurry to leave them. He didn't let his struggles dampen his joy - he felt he had been blessed ten times over.

This past weekend Tom and I enjoyed dinner at my friend Gwen's house, joined by several other friends... friends I went to high school with but didn't really get to know until afterward, some just in the past few years.

 

Before eating, we joined hands and Larry said a blessing, including a prayer for Tom's back. While we stood there, hand in hand, it struck me how amazing it was, how wonderfully blessed I am, to be joined in such a way with these people, after all these years. It made me think of the connections I've made on Facebook, like so many hands reaching out and grasping mine, connecting to me through the Internet, offering me strength, hope, inspiration and friendship.

 

What happens when a Facebook friend dies? Roy's profile page is filled with messages...reaching out, offering strength, hope, inspiration and friendship to his family.

 

Many of the messages mention Roy's faith, his love for his family, his laughter and craziness, how he made the world a better place, how much he will be missed, his courage during his illness, how he fought for his principles and the ones he loved, how gentle, compassionate and kind he was.

 

One of the days ahead of me will be my last. I'm sure of that. Until then, I'll try to be like Roy and live every day wide and full, hoping that memories of me will include words like faith, laughter, craziness, courage, principles, gentle, compassionate and kind.

And on days like these I've had lately, when trying to find time to work on my book around all of my other responsibilities and setbacks and self-imposed goals and celebrations is a continual challenge, I'll imagine Garth and Roy standing on the bank of this river I'm gliding down, cheering me on, reminding me to paddle every now and then rather than just drift along and risk getting tangled up in the brush lining the shore.

 

You know a dream is like a river
Ever changin' as it flows
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes
Trying to learn from what's behind you
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores...and

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
'Til what we put off 'til tomorrow
Has now become today
So don't you sit upon the shoreline
And say you're satisfied
Choose to chance the rapids
And dare to dance the tide...yes

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

There's bound to be rough waters
And I know I'll take some falls
But with the good Lord as my captain
I can make it through them all...yes

I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
Like a bird upon the wind
These waters are my sky
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry

Yes, I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry
'Til the river runs dry

 

Rest in peace, Roy.

 

photo from his Facebook page

 

Body Image Issues?

It seems all of my life I've been comparing myself to other girls or women; specifically, comparing body parts. Back in 5th grade, I envied the way my friend Candy's long, thin legs fit into her jeans. My legs were short and my thighs were chunky - definitely not the look I wanted!

Then Donna moved in across the street from me. Donna, the thirteen-year-old with the eighteen-year-old body and long blonde hair. Donna who was oblivious to the mob of drooling boys following her through the halls on her first day of school. Yeah, she made me feel good about myself. Uh-huh.

By the way, I discovered fad diets in middle school. Coincidence? I think not.

It got worse in high school with the arrival of hormonal pudgies. My legs were still too short, my thighs too fat, my stomach too poochy, my boobs too small. And then, suddenly, too big. Just as bad!

My boyfriend kept the famous poster of Farrah Fawcett on his wall; for some reason, I didn't feel comfortable wearing halter tops or anything showing my midriff.

I discovered diet pills in high school. Coincidence? Again, I think not.

By the time I hit my twenties, my metabolism was a mess, barely alive! It took pregnancy and breastfeeding to finally get it back on track. I haven't been on an actual "diet" since then for fear of tripping it up again, like it's a runner who finally hit her stride and is going for the gold.

I'm finally coming to appreciate my body now that I'm in my fifties. I see my poochy belly and remember that it held my three babies safe and snug, close to me. My now-too-small-again boobs nourished them: how can I hold a grudge? My legs are still short, my thighs hang onto cellulite like a security blanket, but they get me around, and I'm grateful.

I've learned to look at my body as a friend to love, not an enemy to be conquered. I try to treat it with respect - I want to keep it around as long as possible!

This is the beginning of a new post,"My Body, My Friend", about body image on my Review page. "New Post" means new chance to comment and have yet another shot at the $100 Visa gift card (courtesy of BlogHer and Crystal Light) that I'll randomly select from all of the comments at the end of the month. To enter, go to the post (click here) and answer this question in the comments:

What kind of body image issues, if any, have you struggled with? Do you still struggle with them? And if you haven't ever struggled with any, please share the secret! (You only have to answer the first one, but I'm really nosy.)

You can comment here, too, if you want to, but these comments aren't eligible for the drawing. Good luck!

 

 

 

Tom's Back Therapy

It's only been two weeks since Tom hurt his back bowling. It had gotten better, but I'm pretty sure he stretched Dr. Oz's advice a bit far Saturday...

A few hours later, he was back in bed, lying on a heating pad. (can you hear me sighing?)

I only have time for a quick post this morning - I feel like I'm staggering off of a wild rollercoaster ride straight into a whitewater rafting adventure - what a jam-packed weekend! It was a great weekend, though, totally worth the exhaustion and baggy, saggy bloodshot eyes and mental fog hitting me now. More on it later. Happy Monday!

 

 

Love (and luck) on a Friday the 13th

Twenty-eight years ago today, Tom and I dismissed superstition by getting married on a Friday the 13th. We were so sure of our decision, so confident of our love and our future together, that we challenged those centuries-old superstitions to a duel.

Well, of course they just turned tail and ran, because they could see for themselves what we already knew - Tom and I were meant to be together. Love trumps superstition any day.

But being meant for each other doesn't mean you can just join hands and skip into the future through a field of daisies. It's more like joining hands and jumping off a ledge together into the unknown. You have no idea what's ahead of you but you decide to take that leap together, trusting the other one to be there with you whatever happens.

It doesn't mean you're always going to like each other, much less see eye-to-eye on everything. All it means is you have someone to share your joys and your sorrows, someone that is going to love you at your worst, physically and mentally, someone that believes in you and wants the best for you, and who, with one look, can ignite a warm tingly feeling inside of you that sets your heart to beating fast and makes you smile for no apparent reason. And you can see without being told that you have the same affect on them.

But how did we know this was IT? Now that our own kids are reaching the age we were when we got married, how do we explain it to them when they ask us how they'll know when they've found "the One"?

I've scrambled around for the words, but I realize I can't tell them how they'll know. That's something between them, God and their hearts. All I can do is pray that they'll know.

And I can repeat the Story of Us, how after just a week of seeing Tom I got a feeling inside that this relationship was more than just the two of us having fun.

For me, it was a scary feeling, not a warm bubbly one. What was going on?  I knew Tom was going to ask me to marry him, and I knew I would say yes, and that scared the hell out of me. But once I said yes, I shooed all those tiny doubts out of my mind. They served no purpose except to block the giving and receiving going on between us. And that's why I was so sure of us that I was able to turn Friday the 13th into a day to look forward to, rather than fear. From that point forward, it has been our lucky day.

You can have many loves in your life, but there are some loves that lift you up above yourself, that make you believe in yourself and want to be a better person. The best person possible. For a marriage to work, both of you have to feel that way. It could happen when you're a teenager, but it might not happen until you're in your fifties.

But whenever it happens, both of you have to treasure that feeling, not take it for granted. Don't just show the best part of yourself to the world, and the worst to this person because you know they love you anyway. They deserve the best of you, not the worst, because they love you. I admit that hasn't always happened with me and Tom; I'm glad we're both stubborn enough to have held on to each other over the years despite ourselves.

So I think what I would tell my kids is this: Concentrate on living your life, on being the best possible "you" you can be, on searching for and following the path that has been laid before you. But keep your eyes and heart open, because when you least expect it, you'll realize someone else's path has connected with your own, blending with it. If they make you better than you were before, or maybe just more "you" than you were before, chances are that's the One.

At least, that's how it happened to me. But then, I got lucky.

 

Happy 28th Anniversary, Tom!

I'm so glad that when you crossed my path, I had my eyes and my heart open.

I love you!

 

From Kahlil Gibran on Love and Marriage

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.


Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.


Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

 

 

The Damage is Done

I could hear the pump running as I walked down my driveway this morning toward the ponds; my heart dropped and my blood heated up at the same time, dreading what I would find when I rounded the curve.

I was relieved to see that yesterday's flow into our pond had stopped, despite the pumping sound I heard. I'm not sure where the water was going, but it didn't appear to be going into our pond any longer, thank goodness.

The green loogie-blob was gone, but the oil and diesel were still there. Stepping close to the edge, I could see the sheen on the surface of the water. I guess it's not as bad as it would have been if they'd kept pumping... if we hadn't spoken up... but it's bad enough.

I'm grateful Belle is such an obedient dog - she wanted to jump in, but with just a word from me, she returned to my side.

I wish I could protect the minnows, frogs, turtles and birds as easily.

Oil and diesel won't hurt a pond, will they?

They asked. We said no. They did it anyway, accompanied by giggly snide remarks in Spanish.

Rudeness transcends the language barrier, did you know that? I'm sure kindness does too, but unfortunately, that's not in this story. But not by my choice.

We weren't surprised they did it anyway. That's been their method all along, to just do what they wanted to do, damn the permits, damn the inspectors, damn the effect on anyone else. And would you believe they blame us for the money in fines they've had to pay, because we reported them? Uh, how about doing your homework and making the right phone calls yourself... get the right permits to begin with... then whaddaya know? No fines!

It wasn't enough that we had to put up with the road near our house being piled with dirt and rocks (even if unintentional, it was still thoughtless!) and to watch this wall of dirt climb higher and higher - they even drove cedar posts in the ground and ran an erosion control fence between them at one time to try to hold more dirt. (The day after a confrontation with us, the posts and fencing suddenly vanished and permits were posted in the proper method. I'm sure they thought we were calling inspectors again. I'm guessing the posts and fencing weren't condoned by an inspector or engineer after all, as they told us.)

What's that saying about character? Oh, yeah. "Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching." Ahem.

Anyway, one day last week, one of the workers, in the sticky-sweetest not-even-remotely-snide voice you can imagine, asked me if they could pump water from their pond into ours (Ours was still on the dry side, but theirs had a lot of water for some reason, perhaps filled up from sprinklers they used to water the grass seeds.)

I said, "I'll ask my husband, but probably not because I think he has some projects planned for our pond while it's low like this".

The worker went on to explain that an inspector had told them they had to slope the inside pond wall more, but they couldn't with the water in it. (Another instance where a little homework and the proper planning and pre-inspections would have helped... although, actually, you'd think they could have figured it out themselves that a vertical wall wouldn't be as strong as a sloping wall when the force of all that water pressed upon it.)

Anyway, two days ago they asked Tom himself about pumping the water and he said, "No, that water is dirty and I don't want it in my pond." As he walked away, they smarted off to him in Spanish, laughing. I guess they knew they were going to ignore his wishes and do it anyway. Yes, rude is rude in any language. It needs no translator.

Tom's point is that the dirty water gets filtered by the caliche ground and earthen dam before it reaches our pond. We didn't want water that had bypassed that natural purifier.

But then they got the bulldozer stuck in the water and tried to get it out with a couple of Bobcats. We have a backhoe, and we know how heavy machinery leaks oil and diesel. Yuck! Talk about dirty water. We for sure didn't want that water in our pond after that! (Taken with a zoom lens - boy, it comes in handy!)

 

Despite telling them no, Tom wasn't surprised when he heard the pump running this afternoon. By the time he got down there, they realized he was home and had shut it off, but the water was still running through the culvert down into our pond where a green glob was forming. Did they think we wouldn't notice?

It looks a lot like a big loogie, doesn't it?

They have a hose from the pump going into a culvert on their side (thank goodness again for that zoom lens!) The water comes out of the culvert on our side, flows along the erosion control fence (I wondered why they had straightened it up again) and then out into our pond.

So now I've had to spend my evening making phone calls, sending emails and photos to different agencies, filing environmental violation reports, hoping someone in Texas cares about these little pockets of nature that spill into Lake Travis (our drinking water!) before it's too late and they have to spend fortunes trying to clean up what they could have prevented in the first place with a little more diligence. Don't they realize it's these little spots that are the heart of the environmental issue? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, right?

I guess it would be easy to assume that someone who bought acreage out in the country like this cared about natural resources, about the waterways and the animals (including my dogs) who drink from them, as well as the frogs, the birds, the fish, the lake. Obviously not. Perhaps they just don't see the connection. When they toss a stone into the water, they don't see the ripples rolling away from it, on and on and on.

I'd feel sorry for them, except it's already late and now I need to start on what I needed to do tonight in the first place. And my pond is filled with a big green loogie of diesel and oil. My pond is probably dying.

But before I got to work, I needed to get this out with another request - if you have any information or know of any resources please let me know. If you have any connections, please forward this. I do know the agencies overseeing these things in Travis County, and perhaps all over Texas, are all understaffed and underpaid - please speak up to our representatives to get this changed.

And please say a prayer for our pond.

 

 

 

 

I should have been a librarian

Silence. The first few days of summer, we had conversations, but since then... now... my words drift unheard, unanswered, into the air. She sits near me... or at least she appears to be sitting there, book in hand, nose in book, but in truth, she's gone, following Ender through his futuristic world... revisiting Harry Potter... getting to know Mary Stewart's versions of King Arthur and Merlin.

Sigh. I miss the conversation, but books have the same effect on me... they just reach out and pull me in. I step into that other world and don't want to come out until "The End" - and sometimes, when it's a really, really good book, not even then.

I am a Reader, and whether by genetics, example or luck, my kids are all Readers, too, all hounded by the same addiction. We can control ourselves, balance reading time with chores and necessities up to a point... the halfway point of a book, to be exact. Then the real world falls into shadow and like any other addict, the book, the story, the characters, that's all we can think about. If we're pulled away for work, social obligations, bathing, eating, the book still fills our brains... we are homesick for that other world and scramble back in as fast as we can. My kids have gotten into more trouble by sneaking a book to the dinner table than anything else, I bet. I'm sympathetic, but Tom is free of our addiction, and doesn't understand. On nights when it was just me and the kids around the table, we all had a book open.

Yes, I'm an Enabler.

Introducing my kids to books, reading to them, watching their faces light up, sharing laughter and tears through words, finding them curled up in a corner lost in a story, seeing evidence of their own imaginations spilling out onto blank pages - those are some of my most joyous moments as a mother.

For those same reasons,  I loved being the elementary school librarian for a year. Although I was technically (meaning "paid as") an aide, I had the run of the show at our little elementary... reading to the students, introducing them to stories and characters just as I had my own kids, ordering new books for the shelves, repairing the worn, beloved ones. Because our district was so small, the state only required one "real" librarian; she was busy at the middle/high school library several miles away.

I absolutely loved that job! I wonder why becoming a librarian never occurred to me all those years ago? (And while I'm questioning myself, why, oh why did I drop out of college? Then I'd only be one degree away from my dream job, instead of two. Ah, you can be so stupid sometimes. Sigh.)

I come from Readers myself. Daddy always slipped a Louis L'Amour, Leon Uris or other small paperback into his lunchbox before heading off to work and Mama sat at the kitchen table reading every night before heading to bed.

For me, it started with a stack of Little Golden books, read over and over and over until words and images were stamped in my memory. Others found their way to my library, all well-worn, well-read by the time they reached me: The Little House from my neighbor, Ola Mae; an ancient version of Black Beauty, Daddy's response to my "I'm bored" in my 7th summer;  Daddy-Long-Legs, A Girl of the Limberlost, The Call of the Wild, Cousins... beloved stories that stick to me even now. I think they're the reason used books have such a special place in my heart.

I missed a lot of the childhood classics somehow, though. My wonderful 4th grade teacher Ms. Haygood read The Secret Garden to us (still a favorite) and thanks to my sweet sister, also a reader and book collector, I read Swiss Family Robinson and PollyAnna. But it wasn't until junior high that I discovered Mary Poppins and Peter Pan (the books, not the movies.)  I've still never read Anne of Green Gables or the Little House on the Prairie series, although I have both sets stashed somewhere in my collection, snatched from a garage sale or used book store somewhere along the way.

My friend Patti introduced me to Nancy Drew and it's been a lifelong friendship. My yellow- and blue-backed collections of her adventures wait downstairs in cardboard boxes for my dream library to be finished. Patti's also the one who challenged me to read thick books, epics like Gone with the Wind in 7th grade.

I looked forward to working my 12-hour night shifts at the chemical plant years ago because I got so much reading time in - and I wasn't the only one! You might think you had stumbled into a library instead of a control room or laboratory judging by all the books, magazines, and newspapers that you found, not to mention the bowed heads engrossed in a story, or book discussions going on in a corner of the lunchroom.

My reading time was slashed to pieces when I became a stay-at-home mom. That was something I sure didn't expect. I was in heaven when my kids got old enough for me to read them chapter books instead of the same Little Golden Book about Busy Timmy over and over, but before I knew it, before I was ready, they left me behind.

Damn that J.K. Rowling! It was during the Harry Potter phenomena that they decided they couldn't wait for our one-chapter-a-night sessions. Instead, they drew straws and took turns reading the latest volume by themselves, sometimes staying up all night to finish it rather than risk someone else picking it up before they were through. We were sworn to silence about the book until all of us had read it.

Reading to my kids had been my excuse for so long, it was tough - it's still tough - to allow myself the time to just read for pleasure for longer than it takes me to eat breakfast in the morning or lunch on the weekends or wait in a lobby for a doctor's appointment.

Since the book I'm writing drifts through the Civil War time period, I'm currently reading Cold Mountain. I have been for months, but I'm only just now at the halfway mark. Yep, finally half way. So now you know... if I disappear for awhile, it's because I'm trapped in the second half of Cold Mountain.

My kids in typical formation during a recent visit to my parents. I'm glad they still make time to read! I need to learn from them.

 

It's Monday - can you feel it, too?

I'm not going to make any excuses for this draggy, Monday-blah feeling I have. It's my own fault. I know it. I'm trying to do too much, but I have no regrets, despite the lack of sleep, and I refuse to cut anything out. Yet.

So this is a Monday post - kind of a hodge-podge of things that I need/want to get out here.

First, if any of you are eager to win that $100 Visa gift card at the end of the month that BlogHer and Crystal Light are sponsoring, you have another chance to enter. I have a new post up on Long Hollow Reviews so head there and leave a comment by clicking here: "What's Your Style?"

Oh, but wait till you finish reading this post!

Second, (and this is for the midlife and up people out there) grab a teenager and take this test. If you're like me, you'll soon be cussing Ted Nugent (or at least those seats so close to the stage - and speakers - that you loved 40 years ago) and powerful turbine-driven engines and motors and loud machinery and your husband's table saw and driving down the highway with the windows rolled down and the car radio blaring...

The Teenager Audio Test

Tell me how you did! I failed miserably, needless to say, because of all of the previously mentioned experiences...

Third, I'm humbled, honored and heartbroken to be helping a friend right now. She asked me to critique an early draft of her memoir, the story of her son and his addiction. This friend was my inspiration to do good in school, the Smart Girl... so you can imagine how powerful her writing already is. Reading her story breaks my heart. Please take time to pray for this son of hers that she loves and fears for so desperately.

While you're praying, please include another friend from my school days who has autoimmune hepatitiswhich has caused cirrhosis of the liver. Yeah, part of me realizes we're over 50, and our bodies are becoming undependable, rebellious strangers, but the other part of me is still walking the halls of my junior high with this girl, still just a teenager in my mind, and way, way too young to be dealing with this.

Now I'm off to finish up this Monday with a bang - ignoring everything on my list to spend a long overdue evening watching a movie, eating, drinking and catching up with three friends. It took a whole day of emails before we could find a day we were all available.

Hope you have all had a wonderful Monday that leads to an even better week.

(Now you can go click on that link and leave your comment!)

 

Back to the kitchen table

Last night I did something I haven't done often over the past few decades: I sang Happy Birthday to my big sister, Brenda. In person, mind you, not through the cell phone.

There were presents, pizza, cake and ice cream, and most of the immediate family gathered around the kitchen table, which is about all you can hope for these days.

Years ago we had all of our birthday celebrations around that kitchen table, with cake and ice cream and a favorite food. But as we all got older, with kids and jobs (and Tom and I moving four hours away), the celebrations got fewer and fewer between. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with her again yesterday. This was the second time in three years and I hope the trend continues.

Afterward, Brenda and I sat at the table with Mama reminiscing, looking at old photographs, and pumping her for information about her life. I know I've heard these stories before, but I'm over 50 now... the memory is going! (Note to self: write them down this time!)

By necessity it was another quick trip, but at least we made it! I'm trying to stick to my New Year's resolution of a visit a month to see Mama and Daddy. I think July got skipped, but if I just miss one month of this year, it's the best-kept resolution I've had in a long time!

Some favorites shots of the weekend...

This image of Sam Houston on a Highway 225 tank is the epitome of Pasadena, on the route of the "Runaway Scrape" ... the past and the present coming together. Strange, but I don't remember them ever telling us about that in school. I just found out about a potential project to paint more historic murals on these tanks - click here for more info and to vote.

Me and my "big" sister...

Party time!

Niece Christin...

Daniel feeding the (spoiled) squirrels...

Party at the Pole as usual! (Mama and Daddy spoil the birds, too.)

Daddy had to refill the birdfeeder...

...because the Parakeet was coming (he shows up about the same time every day!) Supah-Stah!

Tom sat out back with the camera for awhile to get some more of the Super Star Parakeet and was lucky - he got this one of the elusive Woodpecker! Daddy hadn't seem him in a while... what a surprise and a lucky shot for Tom!

Before heading back home, we visited a restaurant we've eaten at since before I liked Mexican Food (now that's a long time!) I would eat a Whataburger while everyone else chowed down on enchiladas and refried beans.(Mama and Daddy spoiled me, too.)

I love Whataburger... but when I think about all that Mexican Food I was missing... !

Back then it was called Monterrey House; now it's Little Mexico. Whatever the name, it's still delicious!

Now we're back home with a zillion highway photos in my camera. I've discovered that the way to stay awake on these drives when Tom is at the wheel is to take pictures out my window! I hate sleeping in the car, so you can imagine all the shots I snapped. Some actually turned out, um, not bad! I'll eventually post them on the photography blog if you're interested...

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and Monday is nice to you!

 

 

Belated Friday Favorites...

This day has just been a repeat of the whole week, trying to cram as much in as possible. And without revealing too much (I'm saving it for another post), I'll just quote Bert in "Mary Poppins": "Wind's in the east, mist comin' in. Like something is brewin' about to begin... " That's how my life is feeling these days. Exciting. Ominous. Confusing. Exhausting. Hopeful. Depressing.

I refuse to let it bring me down, though. I'm keeping the faith and even now, right this minute, I have a smile on my face.

Back to this day, though. There were the Pre-Work things... then there was Work... then after work the Girl and I finished up our Sorority List Scavenger Hunt; I think we finally scratched the last items off of the list. I didn't stay in college long enough to join a sorority, and I probably wouldn't have anyway, but I keep an open mind about them and can see the positive aspects of being a member. Then there are times I have to just bite my tongue, play along and remind myself I'm not the one paying for it.

Anyway, despite the frantic searching and long hours we've spent chasing bargains, I've enjoyed this time with the Girl. When you're with someone you love, it really doesn't matter what you're doing, right? It's all about spending that time, having those conversations, sharing the private jokes.

I made a bee-line for the bathroom and the refrigerator when we got home, in that order, then she and I carried our plates downstairs to watch a movie with Tom: Kiss-Ass. It's one Daniel recommended at Walmart last week, but I really didn't have an interest in watching it until Tom told me he thought I'd like it. He already watched it once, but liked it enough to sit through it again.

And he was right - I did like it! It's a cross between Mystery Men and Kill Bill. Yeah, a strange combination, but it has innocence woven through the violence. Definitely violence, and I could have done without so much, but the screenplay is tight, the world it creates and the characters living in it are believable, original and sympathetic... I enjoyed it!

And that's my excuse for posting my Friday Favorite Photos on Saturday morning. I was busy with Life.

But here they are now... ("they" because I can never pick just one!)

First, this one of Belle. She hops through the tall grass, springing around like Christopher Robbin's Tigger, but it's so hard to capture it with my camera. She's so fast! This was close, this one of her standing up like a prairie dog, looking over the top of the grass toward Max...

Then there's this one of Max, with the big grin on his face. He's still limping big-time, poor puppy, but this week he's been so frisky and happy, and whatever is making him limp doesn't keep him from running and playing with Belle and Haley. It warms my heart when I see him smile like this, and makes me feel we did the right thing getting him a puppy...

I finally captured another shot of a butterfly! We have them darting around, but they won't stay in one spot long enough to get a picture. This one acquiesced; I didn't have my zoom, so it's not a great photograph, but I'm still happy about it!

And of course, this one of me and Daniel is a favorite of the week. It's not very good of either of us, but that's not the main thing. What it reminds me of is a weekend with Daniel, hanging out, watching movies, walking the dogs, just talking. Priceless.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of beautiful moments, frozen or not!

 

Blog Hopping!

When I first started blogging, I saw it as 1) therapy 2) good writing practice and 3) a way to let friends and family know what we're up to without having to send so many emails and make a lot of phone calls. It was a multitasker's dream come true!

It has been all of that but so, so , SO much more! I've discovered some intimidatingly wonderful blogs... some that teach me... some that challenge me to think in new ways... some that comfort me, make me laugh, make me cry... some that are so full of beautiful words and images that I'm tempted to just give up, but instead let them inspire me to raise the bar for myself.

I've also made some wonderful friends. One of these is Jillsy - a generous soul who has given me so much encouragement and support in my writing and photography, even featuring me on her own blog at times to try to round up more support (and comments!) for me. And I'm not even the only one she dotes on - somehow she finds time to drop in on and help promote several others. I feel blessed by her friendship.

Inspired by another blogger, Jillsy has declared Thursday "Blog-Hopping Day", where we post our 5 favorites of the week, and because I'm so grateful for all she has done for me, I'm agreeing to try it. My problem is finding the time to read my favorites, but this will be a good excuse to make time. There are so many beautiful blogs out there...

So here goes, my 5 Favorite Posts of the Week...

Tender is the Morning...

Jillsy@ Jillsy Girl Moments That Make Memories

Caveman Plantains

SpanishEyes @ Between USA and Spain

It's a Dog's Life

Kathy@ Mrs. BizWhiz

Too Soon and Yet Right on Time

Lynn@ L2's Point of View

My Hometown

Kirby@ Life is Beautiful

I'm going to cheat and add one more. It was posted on July 17, not this past week, but since this is my first Blog Hop, I felt it was okay to bend the rules. It deserves to be mentioned...

Why Didn't She Tell Anyone?

Gina@ This Moment

You'll be able to see from my list that I have eclectic taste in blogs. But that's the beauty of blogging - there are no hard and fast rules about what it should or shouldn't be. It's all about individuality, baby!

Take a few minutes and visit these. I don't think you'll be sorry! And please share your favorites or a link to your own list in the comments below...

Happy Blog-Hopping! (click here to see Jillsy's favorites)

 

Yesterday - Just a Matter of Perspective

I could write two versions of my day yesterday.

Here's the first:

I had to skip my workout yesterday to rush into town early, battling the last snarls of rush hour traffic to snatch Daniel from his apartment in time for his and the Girl's eye doctor appointments back on this side of town. It was a day of neverending errands... zipping from our house to Daniel's apartment, to the bank, to the eye doctor, to Walmart, to the mall, back to Daniel's apartment, to a corner near his job, back to the mall, to Ross, to TJ Maxx, to the college, to Randalls, and back to the house to unload and put away groceries more than 12 hours later. A day spent with two kids, picking and playing and laughing and joking while I tried to drive. An exhausting day of spending money instead of making it.

Here's the second version:

Yesterday morning, Belle, Max and I walked down our road in the magical pink glow of dawn. The sun barely peeked above the horizon and his breath was cool on our skin, making the dogs (even Max) frisky and playful. The rest of the day was full of laughter - I got to spend it with the Girl and Daniel; even when running errands they make me laugh so much with all their bantering back and forth and silliness. They can make even a trip to the eye doctor fun - they posed for me and my camera, trying on goofy glasses (with a promise from me not to post them here!) At some point during the day, I had "alone" time with each of them... time for discussions and time for just being silent together. To top it off, the Girl finally found spotted something she wanted for her birthday, and for the first time in years, I was able to see that "I LOVE it" look in her eyes over a gift. It was another day full of memories I'll tuck in my heart to pull out later, because days like yesterday are numbered and few.

It's all just a matter of perspective.

Love at first purr, as it should be

My friend Shari's daughter found this kitten and brought it home, knowing it would be in a safe haven until they found a home for it. Shari and her husband (despite his grumblings) are big softies when it comes to animals...

But as soft as they are, they're like us... another mouth to feed is one of the last things they need! So Shari posted the pictures on Facebook and later, while stopped at a gas station she normally never goes to... well, I'll let her tell the story...

"There was a sweet little girl and her daddy getting gas.  What caught my eye is that he was taking the time to let her swipe the card and push every button....explaining every step and just being a sweet sweet daddy.  I told them good morning and asked if they happen to need a kitten.  The dad looked at me sooooooo funny and said why do you ask? I explained to them about my kitten and he smiled so big and said "actually....we are headed to the SPCA right now to get a kitten!"  I literally felt the spirit of God and everything good in the world run through me. They were from Houston and he was just picking up his little girl from a friend's house here in the Woodlands and then they were headed to the shelter in Houston.

They had just lost their 18 year old cat that he and his wife had had their entire married life.  His wife was on a girl scout retreat with their oldest daughter and they wanted to surprise her! They followed me home and fell in love with "Tiger".  I had explained to them he was wild and had not had any, up until the day before, human contact. I wasn't real sure if he would even let the little girl touch him!

That little toot crawled right up into her lap and started purring!!!  It was love at first purrrrrr and Tiger was with exactly who he was suppose to be with.  Everything was exactly as it should be.  I was high all day on just the thought of our big powerful God that has soooo much to to think about took the time to match a baby kitten with a new family.  It makes me humble and grateful and renewed my faith so deeply.  I have thanked Him so many times but please give Him a big shout out this morning at church!!!!"

And I did. I love happy endings!

 

 

 

 

Marriage Tip #5 (thank you, Dr. Oz)

Since I'm a good wife and mother, I subscribe to Men's Health Today emails. That way I can forward them to Tom and my boys, nagging virtually when I can't do it in person.

Sometimes I read the articles, but often I don't have time, and that's what happened today. But the title and blurb sounded beneficial... "Dr. Oz's 25 Greatest Health Tips"... so I hit forward and off it went.

Within seconds, I received this email from Tom:

Re: Dr. Oz's 25 Greatest Health Tips

So there -

Dr. Oz Tip #5

Don't Pamper Your Bad Back
Even if you're hunched over in agony, taking to your bed will only  make a bad back worse. The latest research shows that bed rest    weakens back muscles and prolongs the suffering. Married men may  suffer more than single men because of all the pampering. I used to  love milking the care from Lisa, but the best solution is to get up,  take a pain reliever, and be a soldier.

Men's Health tip: Perform the Ultimate Upper-Body Workout to  strengthen your back and broaden your shoulders.

"So there." That's what my husband wrote. Not "thank you for caring enough to send this to me, I love you, too," but "So there."

Geez.

So this is what I wrote him back.

"Love it! Perfect timing! Okay, no more pampering from me, soldier boy."

Because I'll do anything for my honey in the name of love, including neglecting him if necessary.

By the way, apparently Dr. Oz knows what he's talking about. Tom went to work today (which includes driving a small, standard convertible an hour each way) and stopped by the grocery store on his way home, and now he looks almost normal when he walks, plus his moaning and groaning is cut at least in half! Maybe Dr. Oz threw his back out bowling at some time, too.

Money, Money, Money!

Now that I have your attention, I'm going to clue you in on how you might win back some of the money you spent on vacation this summer. At least $100... but if you're really, really lucky, maybe $1000! Don't worry, it's completely legal!

I'm part of the BlogHer Review team and my latest collaboration is with Crystal Light. Once a week for the next four weeks I'll post a question over at Long Hollow Reviews (click here) and all you have to do to be entered for the chance at the $100 VISA gift card is post a comment, answering my question. You can come back the next week and answer the next one, and so on, and at the end of the four weeks, I'll enter all of the comments into a randomizer to pick the winner. (And it might be you!)

I've also revealed how to win the $1000 on the home page of this Crystal Light Review campaign, so if you're interested, click here and see what you need to do.

This week's question is... "How do you eat healthy when you're on vacation or just away from home?"

See, it's easy! Remember, you have to leave your comments on my Review page (click here) not on this blog post. Good luck!

 

I'm in love with Eddie V

I gained three pounds Saturday night but it was worth it.

My friend Tamara and her husband Rod were in town and invited us to meet them for dinner. Tom, as I mentioned yesterday, was out of commission because of his back, but he urged me to go anyway, without him. I think it was just to get me to leave him alone (Do you need anything? Did you take some ibuprofen? Want the heating pad? Don't you think you should get in the jacuzzi tub?)

It didn't take much arm-twisting. I hadn't seem Tamara in ages! Or at least it seems that way. So I touched up my makeup and headed into Austin to Eddie V's.

I'd never been there, but Tamara and Rod had just eaten there the night before for Tamara's birthday, and raved about it. They enjoyed it so much they picked it again so I could experience it.

Oh. My. Gosh. For the next few hours I was in Taste Bud Heaven... 

We shared a smorgasbord of appetizers (it was Happy Hour, discounted prices, so we splurged!) The Maryland Style Crab Cake, the Salt & Pepper Gulf Shrimp, Pacific Ahi (pretty much sliced raw tuna... I was very hesitant at first, but, oh-my-gosh-again, it just melted in my mouth!), calimari (another first for me, although my kids love it), scallops, and Sliced Wagyu Beef "Hot Rock" Ishiyaki, paper thin slices of beef you literally cook yourself right there at your table on a hot rock, flipping it with your chopsticks. And somehow we found room in our stomachs to share a flaming Bananas Foster for dessert. Magic in my mouth!

Maybe some of you are yawning, but this was a night of gastronomic firsts for me, and I loved it! Of course, getting to spend a few hours catching up with Tamara and getting to know Rod a little better was the best part. (I just wish Tom could have been there! Next time... !)

 Cheers to one of those memory-laced but strong-as-steel friendships (and happy birthday, Tamara!)

 

 

 

Truths

I've been busy all afternoon, taming the piles of laundry and bills that were taking over the house. I'd much rather have spent the afternoon writing or watching movies with the kids or taking the dogs for a walk, but even procrastinators have limits of what they can ignore.

Tom is laid out flat on our bed - he pulled something in his back during a team-building exercise for work on Friday: bowling! Thank goodness his back waited until the end of his last game to rebel. At least he had a little fun!

I thought I'd take a break from bills and laundry to share this, though. I'm not sure who originally wrote it -  my friend Cliff emailed it to me... he's kept me laughing since our first DuPont days - but I thought it was too funny and true not to pass on. Hope you enjoy it!

 

                                            TRUTHS FOR MATURE ADULTS
 
- I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
- Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realise you're wrong.
- I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
- There is great need for a sarcasm font.
- How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? (actually, if you're not sure, watch the video I included below.)
- Was learning cursive really necessary?
- Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighbourhood.
- Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
- I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
- Bad decisions make good stories.
- You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
- Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection... again.
- I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
- "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.
- I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Darn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
- I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
- I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
- I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
- I disagree with Kay Jewellers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
- I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
- Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realise I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.
- I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
- The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
- I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
- I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
- Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
- Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber and dumber every year?
- There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
- As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.
- Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
- Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

Now, for those of you who don't know how to fold a fitted sheet... watch and learn!