Small Progress......

Looking much better than when I started....so much more to do but at least now I feel as though I could actually create in the space....

Such a life....

Trying to do some purging and organizing in the studio today and this is how Sissy 'helps'.....

One Little Word........

I realize I am slacking and lagging behind in regards to my 'one little word' for 2011...wish I could say I have a good reason but alas I don't. So without further ado.....my one little word: SAVOR I want to savor all that 2011 has to offer; to fully appreciate what comes my way both good and bad.

Just one week into the new year I think I am doing fairly well in 'living' my word. I don't seem to lament as much over time when I'm not going a 100 miles a minute but instead appreciate the times in which I may be doing nothing more than just sitting, living in the moment. If I start to feel bad about not accomplishing anything of great magnitude I think of what I actually have done and how it relates to my word. It's those times I generally realize I have taken time to just slow down and 'be', to savor that moment.

This morning for instance...I did not spring out of bed and immediately begin tackling the numerous things vying for my attention; back to organizing my scrap studio, laundry, work, etc. Instead I am enjoying the ability to linger in bed a bit--posting this from the comfort of my bed--thank you wi-fi. I am taking time to think of what I need to do and what I want to accomplish today and how I plan to fit in some creative time--because I have been missing that.

Here on the cusp of week 2 of 2011 I want to continue to savor the moment. What will you do to savor your time today?

Yesterday's yummy breakfast.....

New Year's Day goodness

I admit, I am not a big fan of black eyed peas--especially after getting deathly ill as a child during the night after having had a large helping of black eyed peas for dinner. Let's just say, they are not good the second time around. Mind you, it wasn't the peas that made me ill but some sort of bug going around but at that age you tend to associate such things.

Tradition, lore, superstition, whatever you choose to call it states you should have black eyed peas and cabbage for it will bring good luck and money. Fast forward and it's New Year's Day, 2011. With the new year I decided perhaps this time honored tradition should be followed, at least this once. The honey brought sausage and the cabbage and I had the black eyed peas and some rotel tomatoes to spice them up.

We had more than enough food for the two of us and it wasn't half bad! I actually enjoyed dinner and was stuffed and the honey was happy too.

Happy 2011!

New Wheels



Finally bought the bike I've been contemplating for at least the last year. I mentioned it to the honey this morning and whoosh...we were off to Academy. Now I thought initially of getting a stationary bike--benefit of never having to worry about the weather--but decided I wanted a real bike. The honey's one request/requirement was that I get a helmet--or brain bucket as he referred to it. He said he wanted to make certain I was safe as possible and that he didn't want to have to visit me in the hospital--what a sweetie.

So here I am in Academy with I admit, no idea of just what I am doing. I scan the bike racks and ask the honey to pull down a couple different ones. I then proceed to try testing them there in the store--I say try because I have not been on an actual bicycle in probably at least 30 years......let me tell you, that thing about being able to always ride a bicycle is a LIE. I was wobbly and really wanted training wheels again! The honey just knew I was going to wipe out right there or that we would possibly be buying every item on that aisle. Fortunately that was not the case.

Once arriving home it was time to actually ride the bike.....so the honey adjusts my seat and gets ready to 'run along side me' like a proud dad teaching his child to ride sans training wheels for the first time. Ok...I was feeling a bit like a fool. C'mon, I'm 44 flipping years old....I can ride a bike! I did wobble a bit but soon I got the balance thing under control and off I went. Managed to do two laps around the complex. I am amshamed to say those two laps wiped me out but I figure it's good for a start and tomorrow I may try for three!

So while I don't really do 'resolution', this will help with that ever present goal to take better care of myself.....eat right, get some exercise, yadda, yadda, yadda. And it's my first step in 'savoring' 2011......my word for 2011 is 'savor'---and I will write more on that soon.

Connected!!

After two new toys and needing adequate space (the dining table) to work at home I have now set up wifi. I treated myself to a media tablet (think Ipad but smaller and less expensive). In addition to being able to check email it offers an ereader function (even though I had said I didn't really want an ereader...). The functions are droid based so I now have access to different 'apps' without having to have an (expensive) Iphone or other high tech phone. So I'm not really certain what all I can do with the tablet just yet I will figure it out and can do so from the comfort of the couch!

My honey got me a digital frame for Christmas and it's more high-tech than I knew was available--he did good! The frame has wifi capabilities allowing me to 'send' pictures from my computer--how cool is that?!?!?! Who knew I could be so high-tech!

He 'Gets' me......

Thoughts....

Wow...hard to believe the year is almost gone....what a whirlwind. Ups and downs but it's the 'ups' that come to mind the most and that is a good thing. The first part of the year had some rocky spots--especially the major flare in March. Then things began escalating...25 year high school reunion--renewing friendships....easing back into the dating world then eventually jumping with both feet....R and B becoming parents to a good kid with room in her heart for love....and then my honey coming into my life in September.

I could have never imagined the road I would travel at the start of the year--each experience and journey adding to enriching my life. And so very blessed to be able to share with great people. As I look at the calendar and see 2010 coming to a close I can't help but think of all the wonderful things I've encountered and look forward to in 2011.

Enchanted Rock...

After breakfast this morning the honey drove us out to Enchanted Rock....and we climbed to the top!! Just a little over half a mile--but rocky and steep in some places. We probably stopped a few more times than the honey anticipated but he was a good sport about it and view was worth the trip.

Morning Drive....

After breakfast the honey drove us down to Matagorda down the beach a bit....such a nice morning with the windows down, watching the surf roll in......

Weekend Getaway.....

Had a wonderful time last weekend when the honey took me to Austin, Llano and Fredricksburg. Satuday was a rugby game in Austin.....hopefully I'll learn this sport one day......Sunday it was off to Llano where we ate, looked through a few antique stores (his idea-believe it or not) and just relaxed......Monday was a run through Fredricksburg for shopping (again, his idea!), some beer and then back to reality.....He makes certain I have the best time and tells me it's only going to get better......

Sunday Afternoon....

It's a wonderfully lazy Sunday afternoon. Saw Case 39 last night with my honey........and currently he's snoozing on the couch while I play in my scrap room/studio. Working on various Walk-related projects and just playing....if only this day could go on.....

Neglected but oh so busy...

I haven't done very well lately blogging on a regular basis....life has just been busy and that is a good thing because it involves another. Work is still a bit crazy but I think I'm starting to get a grip--at least I hope I am. Spent most of the week in Galveston for state conference and evenings with the honey out at the beach. Didn't really manage to keep up with snapping pics for my 'page a day' birthday album so not 100% certain that will happen and I'm okay with that.

Seems I've had quite a bit going on and it looks to be continuing but I'm good with that. I've met the sweetest, kindest man and am enjoying every minute and we try to spend as much time together as possible. He's on board with all my craziness including Walk and wants me with him for his rugby games. I know nothing in life is perfect and that we have to LIVE every moment we can and that is just what I'm doing. I may not always have time for everything but I'm okay with that.

More later...hopefully some pictures too!

It's a beautiful morning.....

...just wish cooler weather were here.....the last few days have been well, fabulous....shopping, spending time with special people....movies---ok so the one wasn't so great..but the second was funny....don't and I mean do NOT waste your time seeing George Clooney in The American....I thought The Final Desitnation was bad but I was wrong; it is much more entertaining than the American....at least TFD held my attention and with better intrigue and suspense....now The Other Guys with Will Farrel and Mark Wahlberg was funny and held my attention...and I must admit, actually turned out to be better than I anticipated--after Anchorman I've been leery of Will Farrel movies--but The Other Guys was good....good action, funny, even some suspense.

So here I am at Sunday morning looking at my day before me....need to do a little grocery shopping, meeting Carol for lunch which I'm really looking forward to--seems forever since we've spent time together, hoping to accomplish a few things around here--laundry, picking up, etc., and really hoping to spend time this evening playing with paper--several projects I need and want to get into.....yep, gonna be another busy day and busy week....but the weekend is coming!!

Good Grief!....and 44 approaching....

GEEZ....I knew I'd been busy but I can't believe I've not blogged in over a month...Summer at the office has been brutal and who knows when things will start to slow.....Classes have started and everyone is trying to get into a routine...or back to a routine....

With that said I am once again in my routine of chronicling the month leading up to my birthday. I started this the year I turned 40. I scrapped along the way so only a page of two to finish by my actual birthday....41 I had an excuse for being a bit behind and taking longer--I celebrated that year with a trip to Branson. That was bittersweet considering the last time I celebrated my actual birthday in Branson was my last trip with mom. Instead of getting to see the Oaks on the 4th I got to see Tony Roi-the Elvis Tribute artist and later that evening I went to the 'Tillis Family Reunion' with Mel and Pam Tillis--mom would have been proud.

And then came my 42nd year and man what a year it was! The early part of the year started with strange things happening with the final result being a late spring diagnosis of MS. Time to learn a new normal. Documenting a page a day become more meaningful that year....but it also took some extra time. It was mid to late November before I actually finished; but I did finish. Obviously 43 was next. I was still learning how to juggle my new 'friend' and still trying to burn the candle at both ends and in the middle. I still haven't finished 43.....

So here we are now....just four weeks away from the big 44....I have my album...I've started to document through pictures--and I've printed them! I have high hopes of keeping up this year so that by the time the day actually rolls around I will have an almost complete album--we'll see how that goes....wish me luck!



9/6/10--lunch at Lopez and the new CK



9/7/10--New shoes!!