March Highlights....Upcoming April Events...

March Happenings:

Lynsey's Bridal Shower
MS Awareness Week
Clay Walker at the rodeo
Spring Break week
Scrap Sorority Junk Binder creations
Lady Antebellum at the rodeo
Josh Turner at the rodeo
Keith Urban at the rodeo
Lynsey's Bachelorette party
Hospice benefit
Cardmaking with the girls
Williams Sonoma baking and shoping with Melissa

Scheduled April Happenings:
Community College Forum and play time in Austin
Lynsey's wedding
Easter Break (yeah for time off from work)
Annual loan conference in Austin (though many people are no longer in the industry)
CKC classes and shopping

Where to start??

I sat down before bed last night with the intentions of making a list of the various things I need and want to do...and drew a complete blank. I suddenly felt overwhelmed and wasn't sure where to start. Overload perhaps? Another month has slipped away in the blink of an eye.

Isn't she a hoot....

Going to Austin...

There's a meeting in Austin Thursday and I just got the go-ahead to go since I'm not requesting any travel reimbursement. (We're trying to scrape together funds to attend the national conference this summer in San Antonio so we're being careful with our spending.) I've been wanting to visit Elsa and this is perfect. I have a place to stay and just have to attend one little meeting...I would have had the travel expense anyway to just visit. I'll have to come back Saturday since Lynsey's wedding is Sunday--but I can live with that. Now to get a million things done so I can leave after work on Wednesday (since the meeting starts at 8a Thursday)...and I won't be home tomorrow night since I'm attending the Employee Banquet...only my second in ten years of working there.

Help me choose

Help me decide which dress to wear to a wedding next weekend...

On the Go....

Spent the weekend on the go. Hospice benefit Friday night was fun--sorry, no pics. Spent the first few hours working the gate collecting money. The Triumps were the entertainment and unfortunately again, no pictures. One thought that popped into my head while watching them...I guess I like old dudes (at least when it comes to music)! One of the original members of the Triumps was BJ Thomas (Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head-BJ Thomas) and these are the guys left behind when he hit it big--so that should give you an idea of their age. They are good. So, the Oaks...the Triumps...thus my reasoning about liking old dudes. LOL

Saturday I hit Williams-Sonoma with Melissa for their springtime baking demo. Fun. We signed up for the next two weeks: breakfasts and healthy cooking. They've changed the time to 11am instead of 10am so getting there shouldn't be such a rush for me. Since I didn't know this yesterday I was an hour early which resulted in a trip to Macys to kill time---$60 bucks later but I did get 2 pairs of jeans and a shirt for that. After WS we hit Coldwater Creek before leaving--mistake....they were having a huge clearance so I spent about another $60---two new purses, a pair of cute flip flops and a Christmas gift (yep, thinking ahead).

Next was a mad dash to Carol's--since I was supposed to have been there at noon. Fun, fun, fun with the girls making cute cards under Joey's direction. I should have been good and gone home after... The girls were headed to Archivers so I joined them. I actually restrained myself--only spent 12 bucks on some cute paper (like I need more paper). After that was a stop for dinner at Cracker Barrel...busy, not-so-great service, food has been better, but the company was fantastic. Headed back to Carol's I laughed so hard I was in tears and pain.

Visited with Carol and Kim a bit before heading out to make a quick stop by Walgreens before they closed. A dash through Starbucks--of course--and then home. I was pooped by the time I got there. Unloaded the car, dropped the bags on the sofa, flipped through the paper then off to bed where I lounged quite late.

Do You Ever...

Ever have one of those moments where suddenly you crave something from your past?...a dish, a candy, a drink, etc.....things, for whatever reason, you just can't get anymore? And the craving is so real you can almost taste what it is you crave and you're sad because you can't get it. It's no longer available or maybe the person who made it is no longer around and no matter how you try, you just can't make it like they did. Little life flashbacks.

Yipeeeeeee

Another Friday is here with another jam-packed weekend. This weekend is the Heating it Up for Hospice benefit in El Campo and I'm assigned to work the gate tonight from 5:30p to 8p. After that we'll probably stick around a bit to hear the band---The Triumps started by BJ Thomas (yes, that BJ Thomas).

Tomorrow is play time at Carol's and Sunday is book club though at the moment I'm planning to skip that to have a day to rest. I figure if I'm going to be on the go tonight and tomorrow I need Sunday to recoup before an intense week at work. I am finding I am back in the mode of needing to make time to rest instead of trying to go nonstop. Ahhh, the joys of getting older.

On another note, I am a bit miffed at myself. Surfing channels last night just before nine I saw that Clay Walker had been on Sean Hannity's Fox News show and the parting thank yous included a comment about it being MS Awareness Month. Drat, I missed what Clay had to say. Soooo, I managed to catch the rebroadcast at 11p...well, part of it. The first half of the show was various current events stories. I recall hearing the teaser before a commercial break about Clay being in the segment coming up....and that's all I recall till waking up a little after midnight to Greta Van Sustran on the television. Again, I managed to miss Clay and whatever he had to say. Just my luck. I did see that he's supposed to be on one of the programs Saturday evening...maybe I can catch that.

Back among the living...

I've been laying low the last couple of days...mainly sleeping. Hopefully it's finally out of my system as I have much to do. My fever finally broke this afternoon so now I will try to ease back into hitting the ground running!

My Lucky Day...

I got up with intentions of getting a few things done today. In reality I spent most of the day sleeping but I figured I needed it. I'm starting to learn to just accept these days. Anyway, the luck part.

I just happened to check my email at the precise time the information on the National Scrapbook Day classes with Heidi Swapp at By Design were posted. I am happy to say I signed up immediately so I'll be spending National Scrapbook Day with Heidi!...Ohh and Carol and Kim too!!!

So many wonderful friends and opportunities this hobby has brought.

Sunset on Clear Lake

Fabulous Friday....

It's Friday...the sun is shining and it's the first day of spring. Looking forward to a busy, fun weekend.

Cruisin....

I'm going cruising! February 21-28, 2010! Yep, I'm excited. Yes, it's a scrapbook cruise and I'm going with my buddy Carol. Starting to work on preparations...saving the money....getting the passport....working on a travel journal--documenting everything......

We're going first class with a cabin with a balcony. Classes to be taught by Heidi Swapp, Debby Schuh and Stacy Julian (if you know anything about scrapbooking you recognize these names!).

Oh what fun!!!!

Surprisingly...

I am not totally wiped out. Considering I didn't get in till almost midnight and in bed till after I figured I would really be dragging today. So far, so good. Adrenaline perhaps? Chaos? I am just thankful that I am able to function!

AWESOME!!!

Right now....

Munching on peanut butter cheese crackers with a dr. pepper chaser. Listening to the radio and general office chatter. Working on various things. Rodeo tonight--Keith Urban.

Quick Creation

Believe it or not, this page came together in less than 30 minutes (can you tell). I was just about to call it a night when inspiration hit and this was my result.

New Perspective

It's not spotless--by any stretch of the imagination--but it does seem more spacious and I can now relax in the recliner and watch television.

Welcome Monday...

Yep...Monday morning. Despite not falling asleep till nearly 1am I am not as beat as I anticipated being. The fog is starting to burn off and the sun is shining. The temps are supposed to go up today and climb steadily all week. Figures now that spring break is over. That's okay. My attitude is to take today for what it is and make the best of it that I can.

On another note, I've decided I am loving the new furniture arrangement in my living room. Seems as though there is more room. (I'll have to take a pic and post it.) Actually I just swapped the placement of two chairs, but what a world of difference. The really nice part, I can now sit in the recliner to read or watch television.

So I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to. I didn't even really make a dent. The important thing is that I did get some rest. A few things were accomplished and I can continue to work on making progress. Maybe by tackling small jobs I'll actually get things done.

Need some mojo...

All day I've thought of scrapping...I finally sit down to play and I just can't seem to make anything look good. I have a title...some paper...my pictures...but the arrangement just won't come together. I seem to be short on creativity tonight. Perhaps I should just shower and call it a night since it's back to work tomorrow....

To the fullest....

Last day of spring break and although it's not ideal outside (cold and rainy), I'm not going to let that stop me from enjoying today! I am going to live life to the fullest and make the most of today. Remember, life is short so enjoy every moment!

HOW CAN IT BE???

HOW, how, how can it be that spring break is over already? So many grand plans, so many grand ideas...so little accomplished! Oh well life is what you make it and I can at least say I didn't spend the break working away. I did a LOT of NOTHING which is what time off should be about anyway. So back to the grindstone tomorrow...now if I can just remember my computer password.....

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...Yummy!!

Yes, we had to indulge. I get this once a year...if that often.

Josh Turner

Friendship gift

Robin made this for me when we were in high school. I've always cherished it and made sure it had a prominent place in my homes. I remember having it in my dorm room in college on my desk. Currently it resides on the table just to the right of my front door.

The beauty of flexibility....

Today has been a do-noting day. So far today, I've logged more time sleeping than doing anything else. I figure I'm entitled, I'm due. Spend the day resting and recharging so I can go some more. Honestly I'd rather have an occassional day like this as opposed to one day every week like this--which was the case not quite a year ago. Still learning that balance thing. :) The weather was too yucky to go to Galveston today anyway. My other thought was a museum and some shopping....obviously didn't happen.

I've not taken one picture--yet--for my 12 on the 12th project. I still have time before calling it a night. I'll snap something between now and bed. I guess the number one shot should be my pillow since that's where I've spent the majority of my day! Another option is my living room--I'm rearranging furniture. I've been kicking around the idea for a few days. Time for some change.

Wednesday Happenings...

I admit to being quite lazy thus far. But isn't that what time off is about; taking it easy. I slept in and it was wonderful. Thus far I've just been puttering around not really doing any one thing.

I've surfed the net a bit--checked out Flylady.com hoping it would motivate me to get started around here. I had forgotten I wanted to schedule a massage--that's at 4p. I have managed to clean one side of the kitchen counters and throw a pizza in the oven for lunch.

So what if I accomplish little to nothing. I only have me to please. I am contemplating rearranging living room furniture a bit. Haven't quite commited yet and now it will have to wait till I return from my massage at the earliest. Somehow it seems strange; going for a massage then working after. Oh well.

New Feature: Right Now...

Just what does that mean? Basically I will blog about the things I'm doing or the things on my mind Right Now. I'll try to make it a regular thing but I won't make promises as to how often and when. I guess it'll be sorta filler.....it will also give a glimpse into whatever's going on at the moment...SO

Right Now:

In my nightgown (yes, it's only 8:30p)
Listening to the hum of the A/C
Reading Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost (yes, I've been reading it since the book signing last month)
Sissy is curled up on the bed sleeping
Thinking about scrapping, the cleaning and organization that needs to take place and the possibility of taking a (local)side trip in the next couple of days to have a little fun
Thinking of mom a lot since shopping at Deerbrook Mall today.

Lady A

...aka Lady Antebellum

Monday Creativity

Yes, I should be getting my things together and getting ready to leave but I couldn't help myself. I just had to sit down and work on creating something. When I'm finished my plans are for it to be a place to keep up with books I've read, books I want to read, etc....

Spring Break Agenda....sorta

There are many things I need to do and many things I want to do so now I must find a balance between them. I could spend the entire week purging and cleaning but what fun would that be? I could also spend the entire week on the go which would be fun...but also result in nothing done around here and could be detrimental to my bank account. My compromise is to do both.

I slept in this morning--yeah me--and could have slept more had I let myself. However today is not one I can spend lounging at home.

Today:
Chiropractor
Piddle around home a bit (if I can manage the time)
Rodeo
Spend the night at Wendy's

Tuesday:
Lunch with Donna
Piddle on the north side of town (since I'll be over there already)
Schwan's delivery (yes, it is important!)
Scrap

Wednesday:
Purge and clean (unless I get a better offer...LOL)
Scrap

Thursday:
I think I'll take the day to head down to Galveston to play a bit...take some pictures, go to Moody Gardens and such...play along the way--just a day trip

Friday:
open--rest possibly?...more cleaning and purging?

Saturday:
Rodeo

Sunday:
rest and prepare to return to work

Listed out that way it seems to be a full agenda. What's really nice is with the exception of chiro and rodeo, there is room for adjustment. And really even that leaves room for some modification. I hope to have some fun pictures to post as the week goes on....because I decided my blog needs visuals, eye candy of sorts. Something to break up all the words!

Off to the shower.......(yes I realize it's nearly 10:30a..this is the beauty of having a flexible schedule)...

Fun Weekend

Wow...where has the weekend gone? Seems as though it has flown. Friday I was off at 4pm and did a Walmart run. Saturday I had Dim Sum with Robin and then off to Carol's to make a junk binder. I didn't realize just how tired I was till I got home. Sunday I slept in then hit the ground running to meet Melissa for lunch that culminated in a run to Barnes and Noble.

Thanks to losing an hour (springing ahead), it's now just after 6p and I'm mentally going over the things I need and want to do this evening. Most important is laundry. Tomorrow it's chiropractor and rodeo. Planning to stay the night with Wendy then mess around on the north side a bit on Tuesday, have lunch with another friend, then head back to Wharton.

I have the feeling this spring break week is going to FLY.

Rodeo...Texas Style....

I'm gonna live, laugh, love....

Rodeo Recap....

Made it to Wendy's about 2p and we headed out...and immediately got stuck in horrendous traffic on 45. We finally were able to cut over to the toll road to 59 and be on our way.....so it took nearly an hour and a half for us to get to stadium! First stop was Pappsitos for a yummy late lunch/early dinner. I forgot just how good the scenary in that area can be this time of year (there was a table of cowboys not far from us).

We decided to chance parking on site and managed to get into the handicapped lot (I got carded--LOL) and it only cost $7 to park!--and we were practically at the door. Bonus. We walked the stock show but didn't see anything we absolutely had to have. Didn't see any fun or cute footware at the different boot vendors.

So it was off to the rodeo. We were there for the start--which has been rare for us in the past few years. We also opted to actually go to the section where our seats were located--and for the 500 section they weren't bad. We had a great view of the arena and video screens. In fact, we actually opted to stay up there for the show as opposed to moving down lower.

Naturally, Clay was wonderful but the set seemed short this year. And while there was energy, it was not up to what we've seen from Clay in past years. He mentioned he was fighting a cold. When he was mounting the horse to leave the stage/arena, Wendy noticed him stumble a bit and noted that he had difficulty getting his right leg over the horse. My guess would be he's experiencing some of the annoying MS symptoms on top of the cold. Poor guy...but he put everything he had into that performance. Go Clay!

Tonight at the rodeo...

Clay!!!

In today's mail....

In celebration of MS Awareness Week I chose an orange for my toesies.....it's not blaring but it is orange--trust me

Me thinks Sissy is channelling Willy...

Seriously she has been out of one thing and into another all night--just as Willy always did. Most nights she finds someplace and curls up and sleeps...but not tonight. Tonight she has followed me from room to room...she has roamed from room to room on her own...she's crawling all over everything. Trying to pull things off shelves, looking for things to get into. Don't know what's gotten into her tonight!

March Sunset

I snapped this on the way home from the chiro. The sky was so pretty....and the orange color made me think of MS Awareness week...so this is my "MS Skyshot"....I crack me up!

Today's MS info break.......

What does MS do?
When a person has MS, he or she loses myelin in more than one, or multiple, areas. The resulting scar tissue is called sclerosis. Sometimes the nerve fiber itself is damaged or broken. When myelin is destroyed or damaged, the nerves can't conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain as well. This breakdown is what produces the symptoms of MS.

The symptoms of MS are unpredictable and various. Here are a few of the more common ones.

Fatigue
Difficulty in walking
Vision problems
Emotional changes
Problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving
Bladder/bowel dysfunction
Dizziness and vertigo
Numbness/pain
Sexual dysfunction

MS Awareness Week

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.

Different people are likely to experience very different symptoms.

MS is different from muscular dystrophy (MD), which is a group of disorders that cause progressive and irreversible wasting away of muscle tissue. Although MD has some symptoms in common with MS—such as weakness and problems with walking—MD affects the muscles directly while MS affects the central nervous system.
MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited

Party weekend

It was a weekend of parties....Saturday was Vicki's 50th birthday party....Sunday was Lynsey's wedding shower.....I didn't really do anything other than attend but I'm beat. Those two things don't really sound like that much and yet I feel I've been on the go pretty much all weekend.

What I can say is that I accomplished nothing around here. That's okay. I keep telling myself I can rectify that next week since it's spring break. One more week of work, work, work and then I have a week of my own.

For those of you keeping up, this week (March 2-8) is MS Awareness Week. If you have one, put on your bracelet and if you don't and would like one, contact me.