Four Years....

...tomorrow marks the four year anniversary of mom's death. I've thought about it several times over the past week and yet it somehow escaped my mind until on my way home from picking up something to eat. There is a slight breeze, no humidity and it seems nearly every star in the sky can be seen. And then it hit me that it was four years ago tonight I had my very last conversation with mom. And by 8:15am she was gone...

Ghosts or not??....You Decide.....

So it just looks like a black picture....but is it??? See the little 'spot' in the middle in the right fourth of the picture? That could be an orb of energy...the energy of someone no longer walking this earth in the form we know. It's all about perspective....

The first thing I did (first night in Branson) was to go on the ghost and haunt tour. Now normally I do not get into this sort of stuff--it creeps me out most ofter. More than anything I figured this would be a good way to learn some of the early history of the town. I was assured in advance that nothing was 'set up' and no one would be jumping out at anyone, etc. And hey, I'd be in a group so the old 'safety in numbers' theory came to mind.

The evening started out well---a little lightening off in the distance. Unfortunately before we could conclude our tour the skies did open up and we had to deal with a (quickly) passing thunder storm. We sought shelter under the awning of a bank and spent the time talking with each other. (I learned of a similar tour in Galveston from a couple from the Woodlands--who knew.) We did have to contend with a very light rain but nothing that would deter us from completing our tour. The only glitch was that this rain--light as it was--occurred when we went to the cemetary and I didn't want to risk ruining my camera...so no pics in the cemetary.

There was a definite difference in the temperature in the cemetary versus outside but it could probably be explained by the fact it's full of huge old trees that provide a canopy. That and the fact it was raining.

It was an interesting night and I would do it again and hope to do the Galveston one in January when we're all on the island.

Last Minute Memories....

Ozark Sunset....

The strip at Sunset












Tam Tillis and her 'dancers' performing "Cleopartra, Queen of Denial"

Back to Reality....

The 'Boys' singing 'Amazing Grace'

Just couldn't reTsist this picture of Joe....

















Tony Roi--Elvis Tribute Artist...

Happy Birthday to me.....

Wow...another year older....don't feel any different. The fun part about it all is that I'm in one of my favorite places and I just got to see my favorite group. I shot numerous rolls of film and snapped a few digital shots as well. It's the 35mm shots I look forward most to seeing. If they 'come out' there should be some really good ones. Group shots, individual shots, 'posing'.

And between shows I had the opportunity to speak with bass man. I was hesitant to do so but it's amazing how a glass or two of wine can ignite courage. And bless his heart, he was so gracious. Hard (for me) to believe this is the same man I had a a HUGE crush on as a teenager twenty plus years ago. If only mom were around to share all this with.

So even though it was the 'day before', I consider it a great birthday gift.

Now that it's my actual birthday I should probably get some sleep so I don't end up sleeping half the day. It wil be my last full day in town and there are a few things for me to do--pick up a few things. To make the day memorable I've made plans to see Tony Roi (the Elvis Tribute Artist) and I'll finish out the day with the Tillis Family Reunion starring Mel Tillis and three of his children--I'm sure mom would have loved it. I know she'll be with me in spirit. Hopefully I'll be able to muster the courage to get a picture with Tony (afterall, I had the guts to talk with my bass man!).

So here at nearly 12:30am I'll try to catch some sleep so I can enjoy my last day before I have to return to reality....and happy birthday to me.

Ahhhhhhhhh, Vacation...

So some things haven't gone quite as planned...the important thing is that I have an entire week to do anything I want or absolutely nothing....and I'm doing it in the Ozarks. Got here Sunday and went on a walking ghost tour which was fun and interesting---learned some local history and went to a cemetary I didn't even know existed. Monday I basically took it easy--I could say I went shopping when in reality I just went 'looking' as I didn't buy anything...maybe today. Unfortunately something I ate apparently didn't agree with me so part of the afternoon/evening I wasn't feelig so great. Hopefully that's behind me. I did manage to get to a show last night--it's one I've seen before but it's been fine-tuned.

It's Tuesday and I don't really have any plans for today. The weather doesn't appear to be all that great but I've spent time here before in the rain and found plenty to keep me busy--I'm sure today will be no exception. After today the days will fly--Oaks shows tomorrow and then my last day in town Thursday and that last day always seems to go too fast. But I plan to savor it as much as I can (afterall, it is my birthday as well). Friday I head back home and back to reality. But at the moment I think it's time to dwell on the present and what I'll do today to relax and play and maybe today I'll actually shop and buy something. I saw some 'cheesy' but fun things yesterday that should be fun at the office--may have to go pick them up. Considering all boss man has been through this weekend with the loss of his mother I think he'll be ready for a little fun.

Off to the shower and a day of fun and relaxation.....

Just how bad I am at blogging represented below...

I've managed to add pictures to my blog but heaven help me if I can get the descriptions lined up with the pictures when posting multiple pictures at once. I'm not a professional, don't claim to be a professional.... It's a wonder I get anything posted at all some times!

Just being really lazy lately as demonstrated by my lack of postings. I have great intentions but.....

I've got a super busy week ahead. Tons to get done at work and home plus getting ready to hit the road next weekend---VACATION.......A week in Missouri just kicking back and relaxing...catching a few shows, hopefully eating some good food, a few drinks here and there and some great company (really, really looking forward to seeing my pal Louise)...and maybe a 'surprise visit' by the big bro (if you're reading this Mike you need to get your arse to MO!)

Book club tomorrow and here it is 9:15p and I have nothing done (except my bday page-a-day)....maybe I'll be able to accomplish something before my eyes slam shut!!!

Catching Up...Just some of the things I've done the past few weeks......

A friend and I pickled beets using momma's recipe....fairly easy to follow though it didn't say how many beets one batch would 'pickle' nor did it say how long they need to 'set up'.....

More 'stuff'....

A stop by the Container Store where I found the cutest case for storing supplies for an 8x8 album project---will have to take pictures...





Cupcakes for the office.....





Me and Willy chillin before bed...(not sure just what I was watching but despite what the tv shows, it was not Aretha....)





Willy cause he's just too darn cute!

Still more stuff....

Willy going to 'kitty daycare' while my place was exterminated....










The wound Willy inflicted upon me while trying to get him in his carrier to go to kitty daycare and the subsequent circle drawn by my boss who was being funny....








The location for Timmy's 'Tropical Depression #46....












A run by Central Market while 'in town'....

September Sky....

I have an illness....

I am addicted to all the pretty scrapbook supplies and feel I must own them. I know this and yet I continue to go to various scrapbook stores and other retailers who offer scrapping goodies.

After seeing The Nanny Diaries, which I recommend, I ran a few other (unnecessary in the grand scheme of things) errands and one of the stops was my scrapping home-away-from-home, The Scrapbook Village. While wandering the aisles I found the new SEI Kitty's Place line and naturally had to grab a few sheets (even though the colors seem feminine and Willy is definintely not).

The other paper that leaped into my hands was the new Elsie Jack and Abby line. I was able to contain myself and got away with only two sheets. Beware because I'll probably go back for more!

And then I found (but did not yet purchase) the Flair Designs paper for each month of the year. Oh so yummy for making calendars--but I was able to refrain, for now. I cannot guarantee for just how long. This paper will be fabulous for making 2008 calendars---a project which I need to start.

So now perhaps I can accomplish at least a few things around here and then play a little tonight (I would really like to start on my page-a-day album.)

I lied...kinda.....

So this is what my desk looked like on the afternoon of 9/7/07, which is actually much better than 9/8/06. I spent most of the morning trying to get files taken care of and off my desk--I should have taken the picture before I started. But I was happy to find there there actually was a desk under it all. With luck over the next couple of weeks I'll find the rest of it! And Timmy, my desk at HCC never looked that bad.

No big plans for the weekend outside of possibly trying to clean up around the place--like I should have done over last weekend. Perhaps this time I'll make some progress. Of course too, I've been thinking of maybe catching a movie--I've been wanting to see the Nannie Diaries (cause it looks funny). But then I really, really need to get some things done around home before next Saturday.

I opened my cable bill yesterday to find they have raised the rates, again. This is the third time since the start of summer and it's been out more the past two months than ever--and now they expect me to pay over fifty bucks. Forget it. I went straight to the computer and phone and called AT&T to find out about Dish. I can get phone, internet and dish for about $105 (plus tax) a month. And dish offers a lot more choices. Unfortunately I also have to have a statement from the complex that dish is allowed so I have to wait till next weekend for installation (since the office was already closed yesterday). So this month I'll be paying a good portion of that bill for crappy cable service (I knew there was a reason I always referred to it as crappy cable) and for dish but in the end I suspect I'll be happier.

Some things never change...

This is what my desk at work looked like almost exactly one year ago today--this picture was taken 9/8/06, as part of my page-a-day album I did leading up to my 40th birthday.

Basically for the four weeks leading up to my birthday I took a picture of something I encountered or experienced that day. It was a way to document the month of my life before the big 4-0. The pictures ranged from Willy (the cat) to things such as my desk, some place I'd been or even what I had for dinner that day. A scrapbook layout was done for that day and then kept in an album entitled '4 weeks till 40'.

It's been fun to look back and see that 'snapshot' of my everyday life. In fact, I've decided to do another this year. My new title? The Other Side of 40. I began taking pictures Sunday (9/2) but have yet to scrap them yet--this weekend's project. Even though today is the official four week mark till the big day, I decided there should be a few 'bonus days', thus my somewhat early start.

I flipped through last year's album tonight and saw this picture and realized my desk looks just as pitiful today as it did almost one year ago (it may be worse now). So I'm posting this pic here for all to see and I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow of my desk for my 'topic du jour'. Comparison will show that 'old habits die hard' and my desk is as much a disaster today as it was last year because....some things never change!

funny stuff

From time to time I read the message board on the Creating Keepsakes website (it's how I first found out about Stampin Up!). This evening on the nonscrapbook related portion I found a post talking about someone else's blog and I just had to go check it out. I have been laughing from the start...check it out for yourself:

www.mom2my6pack.blogspot.com

Lazy Weekend...

For the most part, I've done a lot of NOTHING this weekend. I've slept in the past three mornings (was off on Friday) and done as little as possible around home outside of a load of dishes and some laundry. I managed to get a few groceries and pick up a few things at Walmart, but not much else. Oh, I did get the oil changed in the car on Saturday. Granted there are several things needing attention but sometimes just doing nothing is what is needed most. And given the last couple of weeks, I really needed to do nothing. Maybe tomorrow I'll accomplish something--but whatever it may be, it won't be much!

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!