Stormy Sky at 70 MPH

Yep, once again I was snapping pictures as I was driving. I took this one on my way home from Bay City Monday afternoon. I actually snapped several but I think this is one of my favorites. I'm not sure that the picture really captures the look of the sky and the clouds forming in the distance that afternoon.

Cute pages

Once a month I head over to a friend's house for stamp night--she is a Close To My Heart consultant. These are the projects we did last night.

What about living for today??

This morning while working my fingers to the bone the thought popped into my head "I can hardly wait till Friday"--because I'm off. And then I was thinking of vacation and other upcoming events. Then it dawned on me. It seems we're all always 'looking forward to' something. What about today, here and now?? How many of us really live for today?? It always seems to be about looking ahead at some upcoming planned event--or even just that coveted day off be it a work day or a weekend. We spend our lives looking toward tomorrow without little regard for today. Life is about living and we need to live for now (I know I'm not the first person to say this and I'm sure others have said it much more eloquently). It's okay to look forward to things to come--and certainly to plan for them to some extent. But at the same time, we need to live for now, this moment. (Okay, not sure what triggered all the philosophical stuff but there it is.)

Right now I'm going to live for this moment. It's been a long, tiresome day and though it's nearing bedtime I'm going to take the time to enjoy my hot chocolate. I'm going to take my time going through my mail--execpt for the bills cause that's no fun (but I did see a new mailer from Archivers and the Container Store in there!). I'm going to spend a little time checking out a few websites and I may even try to read a few pages in my book if I can manage to keep my eyes open long enough to do so. I'll worry about clothes for work in the morning (and most likely end up late as usual!).

I even actually miss doing Robin's page a night challenge but tonight I'm too tired to think properly for that. Not to mention I need to print some pictures and I fear if I get started I'll be sucked in for way too long (and I do need some rest cause my 11 plus hour day is catching up with me).

Monday evening on the way home from the chiropractor there were some interesting looking storm clouds off in the distance. I managed to snap a few shots and hope to get them loaded tomorrow. I'll share a few once I do.

One other thing. Sugar Land Town Square is having an art contest the end of September and one of the categories is photography. I'm thinking of entering but can't decide on the shot (as you're only allowed one entry). I think I'll try posting a few of my considered shots here and maybe you can take a moment to leave a comment on which you would choose. I'll try to get that up by the start of next work week.

So it's off to bed I go but not before reminding everyone to live for now.....

Playing Catch Up...

So I've been really bad about keeping up with Carol's challenge. I started slow and then....nothing. But August is really unbelievably insane for me and this year seems worse than usual (don't I say that every August?). I then I got into Robin's page challenge and actually followed through on it. So I owe it to Carol and me to finish her challenge (don't know that I'll scrap it...).

So off we go.....

(I) Intentions. Like everyone I have lots of good intentions. It's said the road to hell is paved with good intentions and if that's true, heaven help me cause I've got quite a road going!

(J) Job Thank goodness I have one! This time last year I was in major panic...due to various things I was in danger of losing my job. It was not a good feeling and made for a not so great year. I applied and interviewed for several jobs--a couple I actually wanted (or at least thought I did). When I did not get them I had to remind myself things were going as they were supposed to and I was to just remain patient. In the end, it's all worked out--thankfully.

(K) Karma Both good and bad karma and like everyone, I'm subject to both but I try to do the right things to 'establish' good karma (if that's possible).

(L) Louise Yep, a person. Louise is a dear, dear friend. She reminds me of my mom in a lot of ways. I don't get to see her often-I'm lucky if it's once a year-but we always have a fabulous time together. I'm looking forward to spending my birthday 'week' with her this year---only four and half more weeks!

(M) Mike....Money...Moron Mike is my brother who lives in Ohio. And who doesn't like money?? According to my mother it was my second word--my first is reported to have been 'go'. Moron would be my most recent favorite word and the word I use most often to describe others.

(N) Nap I don't get to take nearly enough naps--guess I'm afraid I'll miss out on something! But there are days when I'd like nothing better than to take a nice long nap.

(O) You have to ask?? O is for Oaks! Yep, that quartet of old guys I fell in love with so many years ago (only they weren't old guys back then!). They're not only great performers, but wonderful men as well and I am fortunate to say I've gotten to meet and talk with each one. And thanks to Joe, I am now a published photographer!

(P) Packrat That's one word I would have to use in describing myself. I have a ton of stuff and always have as far back as I can remember. I think I'm too old now to change my ways.

(Q) ?? This one has stumped me so I'll have to come back to it--there are still a few days left in August!

(R) Read I am an avid reader-mainly romance, some mystery. I pretty much always keep a book with me and try to make the most of my time when I'm stuck sitting in drive throughs or other places where I have to 'wait'...

(S) Scrap....Stamp.....Spend....Stress Scrap and stamp need no explanation and looking back at M, spend really doesn't either. And then there's stress. Certain times of year my job overflows with it---this is one of those times.

(T) Tacos For some reason I am suddenly hooked on the tacos from this little hole-in-the-wall place in town...had some for dinner just tonight!

(U) Ugly Betty I got hooked on this show last year and can hardly wait for the season premiere. I'm already planning to tape it when I'm on vacation cause I'll be at Paul Revere and the Raiders that night.

(V) Vampires This ties back to the reading thing. I got hooked on vampire romances a few years ago and the last year or so it seems the genre has really boomed so I have tons of vampire romances yet to read and it seems theres a new one every time I go to the store.

(W) Waffles I love em and have been known to fix them for dinner.

(X) X-Ray An obvious choice I know but I actually am scheduled for an xray next week of my back to see how the past 5 months of treatment have worked.

(Y) Yoga I started yoga classes this summer and even though some of it kicks my butt, I like it.

(Z) Zach My chiropractor!

So...with the exception of Q, there's my list!

Page 7

Who'd have thought I'd actually do a page a night for a week.....and I've not be obsessing over the pages for hours...on the average they've taken about thirty minutes....and I've documented some of my every day things....

Wretched, Wicked Evil Archivers....

..they coerced me out of my money. Before I realized, I had spent sixty bucks. But look at the beautiful things I got in return. Ok, so I didn't really need any of it. But it was calling me. And then I heard mom's voice....'do you want it, get it'....'get it now, figure out how to pay for it later'....this the result of the bad influence of my mother. So there I was, putting things in my basket and then handing my money over to the cashier. But oh the yummy new goodies I have to play with!
I just could not resist the new Daisy D's Autumn Line. I kept thinking they would be perfect for another page-a-day album leading up to my birthday (I had so much fun last year I've decided to do another this year. I'll be starting that soon--just have to find the album to put it in....).








And then as I was turning to leave I saw the Cloud 9 Design travel items and of course, I just had to have them too! I didn't realize till I got home that I had between $15 and $20 worth of items in just that line--and only the embellishments! But as I was standing there I kept seeing the layouts I could do of my upcoming birthday trip (only five weeks away).

Day/Page 6

I actually did this page Saturday night but it was after midnight before I got around to trying to post and then something weird happened and I couldn't get it posted. So here on day seven is the page from day six--even though Robin only intended five days of pages.

So not only did I manage to do and post a page every night, I also managed to go at least one extra day and used papers from my stash! Maybe if I keep going I'll manage to use more of the stash and then can justify buying more goodies!!

Can you believe.....

It's blazing hot outside and in Hobby Lobby it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I couldn't resist snapping these pictures during my trip today for adhesives. I think I feel a page coming on....

For Louise...

I'm posting these pictures for Louise to see the mini-autograph book I was telling her about on the phone.

Saturday happenings...

You would think since I got up fairly early I would have gotten dressed and out to run errands. Nope. Been spending too much time lounging on the couch--at least I did manage to get a shower, and before noon!

I was just about to make my way to actually get dressed when the phone rang. It was my dear friend Louise so I spent a few minutes gossiping and laughing with her--can hardly wait till our planned outing in October. Looking forward to that week.

So on today's errand list:
Petsmart--food for Willy
Hobby Lobby--adhesive on sale and who knows what other 'goodies' I might find
Post Office--if I can manage to get out of here in the next hour

Not a long list but one that will take some time because there's no telling where I'll end up before I finally call it a day and head home. I keep thinking I'm hearing Archivers calling my name but I don't really need to go there or any other scrapbook store--but then I know me!

So, I'm off......

Day/Page 5

Yes....

I am behind...wayyyyyy behind....on Carol's alphabet challenge, but I feel I still have a few days to make good on it. Gimme time......okay, I know I've said that before but you did pick what is one of the most brutal months workwise for this....evey morning this week I've been so tired I could barely drag my lazy arse out of bed and to the office....and yet there are still a couple hundred files for me to review....

Page Challenge: Day 4

I looked through several photos before I decided on the last two taken of mom. They were in a stack of assorted photos that I've been meaning to do something with and this paper I've had for some time just waiting for the right thing. I knew when I bought it somehow it would be worked with pictures of mom. I think these work well. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly this came together. Am I perhaps (finally) developing a talent for this? (Let's hope so considering just how much money I have invested in various supplies!)

Just cuz he's too cute....Willy

Day/Page 3

Here's today's page....I decided to use the picture of the restored Wharton Courthouse I snapped a few weeks ago as they were having the dedication. I even managed to use some of my cool new flowers and a piece of paper I've had for some time. Maybe this challenge will also get me to use the paper I've been 'collecting'......though I may not continue to do this every night, I may try to do at least a few pages a week!

It's been 30 years...

It was 30 years ago today that my daddy died. I was only 10. He had lung cancer and spent his last days in Hermann Hospital. As I recall there wasn't a great deal known about the type of cancer he had so my guess is his treatment was probably experimental (I don't know this for sure, just speculation on what little I do know/recall and my experiences and knowledge since). I do recall a steel shield beside his bed because of the radiation he was receiving. It was the hospital's way of 'protecting' those who might go to see him. I remember not being able to go around the shield though I do recall reaching across to touch him....and him calling me by name (ok, my nickname, but just the same he knew who I was). That was actually a few days before he died.

He died on a Monday. I hadn't seen him since the Friday or Saturday before basically because I didn't go to the hospital. I was staying with a neighbor and was pretty much allowed to make my own decision about going to the hospital (that was no fun for me and daddy was always sleeping). Thinking back and knowing the neighbor I wouldn't be surprised if she had played a part in my not going. Not that my mother would really listen to her (or anyone) all that much. I was just a kid--what did I know. In retrospect, I wish I had gone. If only.....

I remember waking the morning after (8/23) and looking into the living room and seeing the light on and things that had been at the hospital. And for some reason it seemed odd and yet it didn't. I walked in the living room as mom was going to the kitchen for another cup of coffee and I asked about her being home (because she had been staying at the hospital) and she just looked at me and said 'we lost daddy last night'. I don't know that I was all that stunned. Mom had done what she could to 'prepare' us prior to but even then I don't think I truly understood it all. I vaugely remember her hugging me and then I went to my room to get ready for school (yep, I went to school because it was only the second day that year.) I know I was told I could stay home but I didn't really see any reason to....I remember sitting on the floor in the kitchen with momma fixing my hair while she talked to my cousin (her nephew who was a Houston police officer at the time). I know I went to school--not sure if I walked that day or if the neighbor took me.

I also remember things going 'terribly' wrong at lunch. The neighbor had arranged for me to get free lunch because there was no money coming in at the time and something happened that the cafeteria lady wanted to argue that I wasn't eligible. So there I was trying to get my lunch with no money and trying to resolve the issue. I'm not sure just what finally transpired or if I even got lunch but I was taken or sent to the nurse's office and then I was home (not sure if my brother picked me up or the neighbor). I think that may have been the time when I finally cried. I'm pretty sure it was a few days before I returned to school. And I remained on free lunch for a (very) short while--I remember momma telling me she'd get me off of it just as soon as she could---and she did.

Robin's Challenge Day Two

Well....here it is, tonight's page. And wow, thirty minutes or less for this one (not counting printing the pictures). I confess I almost blew this off tonight. Went to Hobby Lobby (for adhesives) and dinner with friends. It was around 8:30ish before I got home. But I had taken the challenge and was determined to see it through even though I had no idea what I was going to scrap tonight. I snapped a few pictures at dinner and thought about using those but didn't want to post pictures of someone else's (adorable) child on the internet without their knowing or permission so I opted for something else....thus my 'IKEA bedroom' page. I liked the way this room was set up--I don't really see it in my home just knowing what a packrat I tend to be but it's fun to look at and 'dream'. Maybe some day....

These are the ultra cute flowers I bought during QVC's Craft Fair day last week. My only disappointment with this is that the design of the rack is not one that is made for hanging on the wall--and since surface space is at a premium in my room it would have been so much better to have a rack that I could hang--but they're so cute I'll manage!








.....and THIS is what my scrapping (drafting) table looks like. I have got to get this badboy cleaned and organized. It's a wonder I'm able to scrap anything at all! Hmmm, maybe this should be the subject of my next page....

Robin's Page Challenge

This afternoon Robin emailed me and said she challenged me to do a page every night this week and I told her she was on. After watching Greek I headed off to the scrap table and set to work. I am amazed at myself because it only took me about 45 mins to do these TWO pages.



Okay Robin, let's see yours!

Just because....

Current 'events'

Yes, I know I am majorly behind---gimme time!

I belive I left off on H so I'll start there and H is for HURRICANE. Yep, everyone on and near the Gulf Coast knows hurricane season is in full force and of course, Houston and surrounding areas got slammed by TS Erin earlier this week. And this weekend we're all being prompted to prepare for the impending landfall of Hurricane Dean. Too early yet to tell where it'll hit but always best to stay informed and get prepared. Me, I've done little and am not sure just what my plan would be should it appear to be coming this direction.

Thinking of this has brought back memories of Hurricane Rita back in 2005. Oh what memories! Monday prior to the storm hitting there was an 'emergency' meeting of whatever staff wanted to attend to discuss preparations. So there we are being told by the VP who also happens to be the mayor here of Happyville that they've been informed by the National Weather Service that 'they've never been more certain of the path of a storm and this bitch (though he didn't use that word) was coming straight up the Colorado (River-happens to run through Happyville)'.

What must first be said is that I work in a brick building that is about three feet off the ground. I am also in an office FULL of paper--lots and lots of it and it all contains confidential information. The great plan to 'secure the files' was to move all files out of steel filing cabinets into cardboard boxes that would stacked on pallets and shrink wrapped then moved to the warehouse--a metal building on a concrete slab at ground level. Ok, that appears BRILLIANT.

We had a FIELD DAY with that one. Boss-man though it was particularly funny and that became the answer to everything needing to be secured--shrink wrap it! When I commented about making certain the cat was safe I was instructed to 'shrink wrap it'. Well Boss-man should have known the rest of us would not let that go.

Sooooooo, when he went to lunch, gremlins came in and basically shrink wrapped his office!....the desk, the chair, the computer, the phone, the file cabinet.....and I even found a stuff cat that looked much like Willy that was shrink wrapped and placed in the middle of his desk.

Fortunately for us, Rita turned and we didn't get so much as one drop of rain. But we've gotten a lot of mileage out the shrink wrap story!

Maybe tomorrow.....

Maybe, hopefully by the time Tuesday rolls around I'll get around to updating and catching up. Austin was HOT but somewhat relaxing-despite the head cold (yes, a bit is still hanging on). And so much for my big plans for today to get things done. Woke early, watched JAG and then back to sleep before 8a till nearly 11a (I rarely have such pleasures). After that it was quite a bit of couch time before I made myself shower and dress for a 'date with the chiro'. My being there at 3p threw everyone off as they're used to me being one of the last if not the last patient of the day on Monday. I had a bit of energy after so I met a buddy for coffee--I'll miss our afternoon coffee chats since this is the last week of our summer hours. A quick bite at On the Border-only because I hadn't eaten and didn't feel like driving over the river (Brazos and into Sugar Land) and then home to some more couch time. So here it is nearing 10p and I need to motivate myself to bed. It's going to be a long day back at the office tomorrow and I don't look forward to it. Not just the work part but the 'issues' and on top of it all my boss' mother is not doing well and that brings concern, worry and a flood of memories...

I promise to work on catching up tomorrow and posting some Austin pictures. And if you're interested, Tuesday is 'craft fair day' on QVC so I'm sure I'll try to catch some of that to see what 'goodies' they are telling me I can't live without!

Needing some mojo...

So here it is, Friday. A rare day off, plans for a relaxing weekend in Austin and I have the head cold from HELL. I had hoped to be packed up and on the road by 10a but here it is 10:10a and I'm no where near ready to leave. Need to get crap together, get showered, pick up a bit around here, etc, etc, etc....my next 'goal time' is noon but at the moment I don't think I'll make that either. The cold is taking it out of me and though I've been debating since waking about even going I think it will do me good to get AWAY for a bit. No big plans-Elsa and I rarely actually make any--just hanging out, sleeping in and probably drinking a bit of wine along the way. I'm dragging the carmeras-yes, plural--in hopes of having an opportunity to take some fun 'artsy' shots--Austin's such a cool town for that. And hey, Elsa said she's low on funds and heaven knows I am so I think we can have fun with a sonic drink and a tank of gas and a camera. Maybe I can talk her into hitting the drag and some of the shops on Congress.

I know I'm behind on my challenge but I promise I will catch up after I return. I have Monday (off) to do such things. Hopefully I'll have some fun pictures to share too!

Off the pack.....

Another fun day in paradise...

if only I were in paradise instead of financial aid hell. It's that time of year when families begin to panic because they've done nothing and I am somehow supposed to make it all better. It's the time of year when I am expected to work miracles, turn a blind eye to lying, cheating and outright fraud and overlook the fact that students flunk out. It's the time of year when for some reason people expect me to work twenty four hours a day and feel they are entitled to scream at me for their lack of planning, laziness or outright stupidity. Yep, it's fall registration. And it's all compounded by being short-staffed and dealing with 'colleagues' who care only about themselves. Yep, just another fun day in paradise....

Aug 7 word...Go......unlike most children whose first word is momma or dada...my first word was GO. (My second word was money---see a pattern here?) And GO is something I certainly like to do. I can thank my mother for my wanderlust. I wish I could say more about her childhood, but I can't. What I can say is that she lived in many different states growing up not because her father was military but because times were tough so he traveled to where he could get work. That's really about all I know. So mom was often on the go and once it was just the two of us, even though we didn't have a lot we would often 'go' just to get out. In her last days she would often force herself to 'go' because she thought getting out might help her feel better. We didn't have an immaculate home (I still don't) because mom always said it would be there long after she was gone and I still subscribe to this theory to this day. Why stay home just to clean house when there is world waiting out there? So yes, I love to GO.....and go every chance I get. And this weeking I will GO to Austin!

Let's see how far I get with the challenge...

Got Elvis off my mind for a minute or two so let's see if I can focus on the task at hand.....Carol's challenge.....

Aug 1 (A) Amazed....I (was on the first) and am still amazed at the stupidity of some people (yes, there is a 'story' here but I'll save it).

Aug 2 (B) Behind....I seem to be behind in regards to a lot of things. So many projects that need attention and I can never seem to get around to any of it. What happened? I used to be organized?

Aug 3 (C) ummm, Cute...I found some cute shoes at Kohls, I love 'cute' things.....I'll try to remember to post a picture soon

Aug 4 (D) Okay...thinking out loud I could say Determined....determined to get a few things done around home like putting up laundry that's been sitting on my dryer for too long, getting some things in the mail, working on a few scrapbook pages and goodies instead of spending my time veggin in front of the television or here in front of the computer....

Aug 5 (E)...well it seems the first topic on my mind fits here (I think)--ELVIS....yep, thinking of Elvis...a life wasted in so many ways, a life cut short....the fun mom and I had when we used to eat at Elvis Presley's Memphis...the fun I had at Graceland...and I just found out tonight that EK Success is actually holding Elvis Scrapbooking Classes during Tribute Week...if I were going to be in Memphis, at Graceland this is something I'd make certain to do!

I could also say Elsa here...my dear friend who, if things work out, I will be spending next weekend with in Austin--I can soooo use a weekend get away....

Aug 6 (F) Forgetful...that pretty well describes me lately. Seems I have the memory of a gnat lately...I think it's all stress and overload.....