Is it odd....?

....being able to remember silly, inconsequential things such as something you were wearing at a particular point in time? For example...not only can I tell you where I was and what I was doing on 9/11 when the World Trade Center was hit but also what I was wearing? Mom was in the hospital-yet again though just exactly why I couldn't tell you-and she had asked me to spend the night before (9/10)....I had gone to the hospital straight from work.....I had on a black skirt, long sleeve button down red shirt, hose (back when I thought you had to wear hose with skirts-silly me) and black flats. I had slept in her room in that very outfit and had walked over to the cafeteria mainly to appease mom that I eat (which I didn't). Nothing appealed to me so I was on my way back to her room when I saw the footage on the televsion in the surgical waiting room....turned the tv on when I got back to her room and we watched the rest of the day....

I can tell you the jeans and tshirt I put on the day mom died...still have the tshirt though the jeans haven't fit in quite some time......

I can remember things I was wearing when I had particularly bad days at work--that I'd really like to forget. And I associate those items with bad feelings....one shirt I still have and despite the bad feelings it often evokes, I do still wear it from time to time--guess I really should get rid of it!

Yep...these screanrios solidfy that the human mind is a wonderous thing. How is it I can remember something so vividly I wore over eight years ago but cannot remember what I needed from the grocery store or why I went in to another room?

And yes....and keeping with the title of my blog...these are just idle, random thoughts!

Happy New Year. Here's hoping 2010 is a fabulous year!

Have you seen my motivation???

If you do, could you send it back? I feel that I've hit a bit of a wall in the motivation department. I haven't done much of anything today to speak of and I don't really want to! I guess it could be said I'm taking full advantage of being off and being able to establish my own schedule.

I stayed up late last night--probably the latest I've been up in a while. As a result, I really slept in this morning. From there I did virtually nothing though I did manage to shower and drag myself out to meet Robin for a bite to eat. And most would find it unlike me in that I met Robin, stopped by Scrapbook Village to pick up my bookclub kit then came home. In total gone just a little over three hours. Soooo not like me. There wasn't really anything else I wanted to do.

I'm spending the evening doing a lot more nothing--despite the great deal that (always) needs attention. I've read through some of last year's blog posts...about goals and such. I looked at my recap of 2008 goals and noticed there were no real goals for 2009---but the 2008 carry-overs are pretty much in the same state they were this time last year. Maybe I'll post some 2010 goals and maybe I'll just keep them to myself for now.

I have decided my word for 2010 will be organized as that is something I currently am not. There was a time when I was but that has long gone by the wayside and it's time to revive it.

What Happened to Resting During Break?

Seems like I've been on-the-go almost constantly since break began. Granted most of that chaos has been my own doing but what happened to the time when it seemed days were endless? It's like the first half of break was gone in the blink of an eye and the end seems to be quickly approaching. I guess these are the perils of growing older.

Many things needing attention and still a few commitments. As the year grows short there are still things to share and do. Time to choose a new word and make new goals for the new decade but it will have to wait because I have another commitment at the moment. More later...

SNOW!

For the second time this month I have experienced snow. It's a white Christmas eve in Dallas and I'm here for it! Driving in was no fun as it seemed to snow harder the further west I went. I encountered the first flurries in Corsicana but it wasn't wet snow. By the time I hit Dallas the roads were wet. As I approached Grapevine the snow was blowing harder and ice had formed on my windshield wipers. The last ten or so miles were quite a challenge as there were times I had little visability. I took it slow and easy and made it safely to the hotel. THe winds were gusting between 40 and 50 mph. By the point I checked in the hotel I was ready to get inside. It was later while eating dinner that I realized I might possibly have missed my chance for snow pictures....oh well! I got a few in the darkness.

The hotel is DECKED OUT...quite a sight to behold. For a split second I realized I might not have thought out this little adventure quite so well but those thoughts were fleeting. You only live once and who knows if I'd have an opportunity to do something like this again. So......Merry Christmas to me!

Merry Christmas to me....

I made an almost split second decision this morning that is resulting in a Christmas mini-vacation. I booked a room at the Grapevine Gaylord hotel and will be spending
Christmas eve, Christmas day and the day after in its splendor. It is my gift to myself.

WHAT a week....

So busy I don't think my head hit the pillow before midnight any night. When most weeks were dragging, this past one was gone in the blink of an eye! I somehow managed to get office gifts made--even dropped them off Thursday night so I didn't have to tangle with them Friday morning.

My loving family changed plans on me and 'Christmas dinner' was moved to Friday night. It might not have been an issue had it not been the last official work day of the year and the last day of the term. Processes were still being run at 6:30pm when I left. I made it to Baytown only to be misdirected by the GPS...so I had to be 'rescued' by family. It was a very late night as it was almost 1am before I got home.

Saturday morning I slept in and took my time getting moving. I finally dressed and headed out to crop about 1:30p. And just my luck I experienced car issues within a few miles of my destination. Once again, family came to the rescue to get things going again. Lucky me, I had a vaccuum hose bite the dust.

So before preceeding to Mike's birthday dinner we spent the time running between auto parts stores and Home Depot (yes, Home Depot) while Johnny gathered items to fix the car in a MacGyver fashion. Don't laugh...it's working! Although after much debate I will be contacting my regular mechanic in the morning about getting the factory part--just to make certain. Hoping that doesn't cost an arm and a leg....

Due to just being flat out tired I slept in and cancelled breakfast with Mike and Deb before they headed back to Dallas. Spent the day napping and doing nothing. Then news from Joey that her beloved uncle passed after a valiant struggle to overcome injuries sustained in a horrible wreck.

Here's hoping the new week goes much smoother...

Determined....

I was determined to accomplish something today....and did make a few small steps. Office gifts are coming together but the evenings this week promise to be busy finishing up. I managed to get the tree out and up this evening. My place is still a wreck but I decided to not use that as an excuse. I'm making some progress with the many things to be done....this time next week it will all be behind me and I can relax till the first of the year which is right around the corner!

Trying....

I am trying to get in the Christmas spirit. I really am. I just don't feel very Christmasy this year. I've managed to make Christmas cards and half have hit the mail--the rest will go this weekend. I have gifts in various stages of completion. I have more in my mind. There are only a few items to pick up for a few special people and I've taken my time with that issue. My tree and decorations are still packed away. Anyone walking in my place would swear I'd just moved in. But I am holding out hope that I will turn a corner and things will fall into place. And if that doesn't occur, I can accept that it will not be the end of the world!

Another year awaits. More chances to make things as they should be.

Overwhelmed....

If I were to sum up things at the moment that would be the one word. But then, that's not that unusual for this time of year. Many things at work needing attention and several things on the home front too.

Just seven more official work days in the year which means eight days to get office gifts finished. Monday I was feeling paniced about it...that evening I began to feel a little better when I felt I was making some progress. Today, I'm not so certain--mainly because I've not done any work on them since Monday evening. I'm still holding out hope that I can make great progress this weekend! I usually come through when the chips are down and I'm hoping this time will be no different.

I'm hoping to fit in a little time to grab a few items before next weekend when I get to see the family. I know I don't need to worry with picking up anything but I really want to. Just have to see how things go. For now it's off to bed.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

I'm Just Saying......

.....in the event we receive ice overnight, I WILL check the stairs BEFORE attempting to go down them. I refuse to ride down them on my arse again. Once was more than enough!

Holiday Fun in the Country...Sunday in El Campo, Monday in Wharton....

City preparing for arrival of KCS’s Holiday train



Holiday Express
The Kansas City Southern Railroad invites youngsters to visit its Holiday Express, which will be at the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, 100 N. Sunset St., from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. The depot will open at 3 p.m. Youngsters will have a chance to visit with Santa, his elves and get holiday treats as part of their visit for this special stop at the depot. Admission is free.
Courtesy Photo
By BARRY HALVORSON
bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com
Published:
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 6:30 PM CST
While Santa Claus had come to Wharton once, riding in style on a fire engine during this year’s Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, kids and parents will still need to be on their best behavior as he plans to make a second visit to check up on the local population.

And for his second visit, St. Nick will again be arriving in style, this time aboard Kansas City Southern’s Holiday Express Train. A KCS tradition, Wharton and El Campo are being included this year, the first Christmas season since the local line was re-established this summer. The train will be in El Campo on Sunday, Dec. 6 at Evans Park and the move to Wharton on Monday, Dec. 7 at the Railroad Depot, 100 N. Sunset Street. Access to the Holiday Express train is free and open to the public.

Led by KCS’s Southern Belle business train, the six-car Holiday Express train includes a smiling tank car “Rudy”; a flat car carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and a miniature village; a ginger bread box car; the elves’ workshop; the reindeer’s stable; and a little red caboose.

As part of the preparation for the arrival of the train, the Wharton City Council approved closing a portion of Sunset Street during the duration of the visit to allow for vendors to set up. In addition, the city will be barricading West Spanish Camp street on both sides of the railroad tracks for safety reasons.

Assistant to the City Manager Jackie Jansky, who is serving as the city’s liaison for the event, said that a portion of the fence at the Depot will be removed and ramps set up for those wanting to tour the Holiday Express. She said set up for the event will begin around 3 p.m. with the tours starting around 4 p.m.

“They have a tentative ending time of 8 p.m., but they have told us they will continue to offer tours until everyone has an opportunity,” she said. “And we’ve scheduled local entertainment at the Depot for those waiting for their turn. We’ll also be putting up lights and have some holiday cutouts decorating the grounds to make it seem more festive.”

Depot Committee Chairman William Locke said that in addition to the entertainment, there will be a number of vendors providing concessions and other items during the evening. Proceeds will go toward the continued maintenance of the Depot. He added that the building will be open for access to the restrooms and the railroad museum. He said he is also trying to arrange for a model train layout to be on display.

The hour before the set up and start of the event is to allow local volunteers to get ready. Jansky explained the train is stocked with elf and other festive holiday costumes for volunteers helping with the tour.

“We’ve contacted the Lions and Rotary Club to help recruit volunteers,” she said. “The one rule is that you have to be 18 years old or older to be a volunteer.”

Locke said he his hoping for a good turn out for the event as a way to encourage making Wharton County an annual part of the Holiday Express tour.

The train will also make stops at the KCS Intermodal Shipper Facility in Kendleton Thursday, Dec. 3; at Business Hwy. 59 and Burroughsville Road in Victoria Friday, Dec. 4 and at Wells Street in Edna on Saturday, Dec. 5. All stops are scheduled for 4 p.m.

This year’s KSC Holiday Express Tour actually starts today with the initial stop being in Shreveport, La. befor hitting Wylie, Jefferson, Leesville and Port Arthur before heading to the local area. The train will make a total of 22 appearances before ending its run on Dec. 19 and 20 with a two-day stop in Kansas City, Mo.

The Holiday Express was created in 2001 after volunteers dedicated over 8,000 hours to the rigorous transformation of the retired freight train. Festive music and lights complete the package.

The Holiday Express train was built on the tradition of the former Gateway Western (GWWR) Santa Train, which made stops in small towns from East St. Louis, Ill. to Blue Springs, Mo. (GWWR was purchased by KCS in 1997.) In 2000, KCS employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some did not even have essential items like coats, hats and gloves. The employees were so touched that they committed to elevating the project to the experience that communities throughout KCSR’s service area enjoy today.

Editor’s Note: More information, including train schedule and pictures can be found under Holiday Express in the General Public section of www.kcsouthern.com.

Welcome December

Hard to believe December has arrived...and more miraculous....it's actually chilly out. So much easier to believe it's December when the temps are below 70......