Small Victories

While I have visions of having a completely organized homespace that is just not my reality. I have however managed to achieve a few small victories. The cleared off workspace--so now the honey can use the computer with ease after the obstacle course of getting to it. My dining room is more organized than it's been in some time--I can see the top of my bar and my Christmas tree is up! Yep, little victories.

Determined...

to make order of this caos....



I've been off since Friday at 5p and I have basically wasted nearly three days. I say nearly three because it's still day three--but nearly 5pm. I have run some (local) errands today and did a little um, nothing and now--yes at nearly 5p--I dig into the task at hand. Clean this space--make it pretty and functional. Wish me luck! (Here's hoping the 'after' pictures are able to be posted sooner rather than later.)

Walk 2011

It's all over but the thank yous....and the decision about next year.....committee or no committee-depends on my girls......

A Year.....already?

This weekend marks a year since the honey and I hiked up Enchanted Rock...ok, more like he pushed me up Enchanted Rock. It was a great weekend and a beautiful Sunday morning....and the first time he told me he loved me.

We talk often of a trip back....our schedules have just been so crazy there's not been time. He's had to work quite a few weekends and hasn't even gotten to hunt once---bow season opened October 1, and he spent that weekend with me celebrating my birthday. He's put in well over 40 hours every week since. Gun season opens this weekend and again he won't be huning. At least this weekend he doesn't have to work. He's looking forward to doing things he wants and then hanging out with me.

If all goes according to plan, he'll be here the 15th to head down to Lake Texana to hunt. After that Thanksgiving will be here and plans are to hea to the lease.

The days are just flying by......

Sunday Stroll

For once this month, the weekend agenda wasn't jam packed. Saturday was spent relaxing at home--granted there were things that needed attention and places I should have gone but I didn't do any of it. It was nice just hanging at home, watching old television (Designing Women reruns and other assorted things). The honey arrived and the agenda consisted of taking it easy. Seriously, the most strenous thing I did was cook dinner.

Sunday was wide open and I was perfectly content to hang at home with the honey lounging on the couch and watching football. He suggested poking around the antique shops in Rosenberg so off we went. It was fun seeind some of the old things I actually grew up with--and astonishing to see some of the prices....if I had all that old stuff! The honey loved looking at all the old tools. We had a yummy bite to eat at Another Time Soda Fountain and then headed for home and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing.

What Happened to October??

Seriously-where'd it go? Wasn't it just the first of the month?--my birthday, TASFAA. It's been jam packed and it's already the 22nd! I still have many things to accomplish by month's end.....guess I need to organize and prioratize better.

Here's a shot from Discovery Camp last weekend:

Heard a Rumor.....

Heard a 'rumor' on the news last night that fall might actually show up this week....I sure hope so! I miss it.

MS Family Discovery Camp

The annual MS Family Discover Camp was held this past weekend at Camp For All in beautiful Burton, Texas. Friday afternoon I slipped out of the office a bit early and drove out to the country for the weekend adventure. I took only a handful of pictures this time as I was focused on the tasks I was to perform (helping with arts and crafts) and getting to meet and mingle with others living with MS. No zip line for me this time--I was kept rather busy with my assigned task and that was just fine.

SCORE!

For this year's state conference we were given an opportunity to sign up for text message updates so when I recived the initial email I thought what the heck and did it. Once the conference began and pitches were made to get everyone to sign up I heard apparently what I'd failed to read in the original email--sigh up for text message alerts and the chance to win an Ipod Touch. Thursday evening while enjoying the company of colleagues over food and music I received a text informing me I had won! A week later a shiny new Ipod was delivered to me at the office. Now I need to find a ten year old to teach me how to use it!

8 Years Later....

I miss you mom.....


Jackie Marie Shadden Ribnikar 7/6/22-10/11/03

Whirlwind...

That is pretty much how I would describe the last week....worked Monday then pulled out Tuesday for TASFAA in Arlington-college roadtrip:

Celebrated my birthday on the road with colleagues/friends and then dinner with big bro and sis-in-law

Next up three days of Department of Education sessions loaded with enough information to make my brain want to implode.

Turn around twice and Saturday went racing by with a trip to the Sugar Land Farmers Market and lunch with the girls.


In the blink of an eye Sunday races by, consumed by a roadtrip (to Kingwood) to see the Oaks at Cracker Barrel (don't laugh, I've done crazier stuff---and no the honey didn't go)

And suddenly it's Sunday day with nothing (or very little) accomplished...it's going to be another whirlwind week with work and various things needing attention, Painting With a Twist on Thursday night and then MS Camp next weekend and suddenly October is half over....

You Help is Needed......

Sadly, Caitlin's body couldn't take any more and in the early hours of the morning she slipped away leaving a loving family and friends in grief. Though she's gone the need for this family remains...please help in any way you can.

Happy Birthday to Me (early)...

I'd forgotten HSN has a 24 craft day scheduled today but I 'found' it while flipping channels this morning--because I was determined to not go back to sleep after the honey left. First I see Sandi Genovese hawking an 'exclusive' by her that frankly while cute, it's pretty basic and I could do myself. Next was Margie Aslett Romney for Bazzill selling adhesive--who know Bazzill did adhesive and I somehow doubt it's truly any different from tombow, hermafix, etc. And then.....there it was....the Wacom photo editing tablet.....on flex pay and with Photoshop Elements. It only took a split second before I was reaching for the phone and my wallet......and then my 'justification' of my birthday being just around the corner! So, Happy Birthday to me! The last time I got myself a cool birthday gift was 2009 when I ordered my personalized engraved orange Ipod.

Benefit.....

My heart is breaking for this young lady and her family. Her father was a classmate as far back as elementary school. Hospice has stated her days are few and arrangements are to be made sooner rather than later. Please send up a prayer for this family during this difficult time. If you're in or around the Houston/Spring area please try to attend this event.

Bazinga

Me and My Good Intentions....

....and we all know what they say about intentions......if you don't well, the thought is that intentions is what paves the road to hell........

So anyway....as usual, my mind is going a hundred miles a minute with things to be done, things I want to do and things that quite frankly I'm just too lazy to do! I do however feel that in the grand scheme of things that what really needs attention gets it (eventually) and regardless what does or does not get 'done' I am LIVING. Afterall, THAT is what really matters!

Which brings me to the proverbial 'one day'. You know what I'm talking about....that 'one day' list we all have....One Day...I'll use that piece of gorgeous paper I just HAD to have....one day I'll wear that special outfit....one day I'll use the good china just because.....even the simple one day I'll catch up on my projects.....so in the spirit of 'one day'....I challenge YOU to DO something on your 'One Day' list. It can be simple, it can be complex. The point is to just do it!

....no real reason for the fountain picture....just thought a picture would be nice...

September 19, Really? Already???

I blinked and suddenly the month of September is two-thirds gone. Nothing earth shattering has been happening but I do admit have been getting some rest, taking advantage of some downtime. I spent the weekend doing a lot of nothing....and then took today off to do some more (nothing that is though I did get out for a bit).

This is what Sunday afternoon looked like around my place:


think I might need to scrap these.....

Breakfast with Sissy

Since fall is on it's way (ok so it's not been a million degrees the last day or so) I am in the mood for a morning cup or two of coffee. Feeling my favorite time of year--fall--coming around. And as I sip my coffee, Sissy dines...

While hosting Lucy (best buds doggie) one weekend, Sissy discovered 'wet food'. I could never get her to eat anything other than dry. While Lucy was hanging out with me and the honey I heard a noise, looked over and saw Sissy chowing down on Lucy's Benefal (wet) dog food. After that every once in a while I would buy some Benefal and give it to Sissy. Eventually I decided to pick up some Meow Mix wet cat food to see if she would eat that. Now she practically begs for it--as much as that little diva will beg. So my low maintenace, once-a-month dry cat food purchase is no more and now I'm buying the expensive-quite possibly yummy at least to Sissy yet disgusting in appearance to me-cat food weekly. But it's hard to deny that face.

Scrappy Girl Sunday

I had the grand idea of doing some major purging/organizing this weekend....kinda like the fall version of spring cleaning. Getting rid of the things that just take up space, that are never used, never worn, etc. You get the idea. But really,what fun is that?

So instead, I decided to play with paper. I really liked Shimelle's Explore class--even if I didn't exactly keep up. When I saw she has a daily class for September titled 'Learn Something New Everyday' I couldn't resist signing up. My first thought was this would be a great compliment to my Annual Birthday Album. Still not certain if I'm going to incoporate the two or do two separate albums--why yes, I am nuts. I have however stated my LSNE album and I am 'up-to-date'--but it is only the 4th!

As I worked Sissy is near as usual....only this time she is a bit more near than usual. Instead of taking up her normal spot in the corner below the window or on the window sill, she has decided to settle in just under my feet. Silly cat...

Welcome September!!!

So I'm a few days behind.....they were busy days and today is the first day I am taking time to slow down. Granted I could have done this yesterday morning-since I did get up at 3a with the honey when he left for the lease but I just relaxed and took it easy till I had to get going and then I ran/played all day.

After waking this morning I pondered what to tackle today--purge and organize? create? go shop for a few specific items? But first, breakfast. My initial intentions were to run to What-A-Burger and grab my go-to honey butter chicken biscuit but when I noted the (new) Denny's parking lot was not totally packed I acted on a whim and went there....

While awaiting my breakfast I had (minimum) time to savor a cup of coffee and think about the things I need and want to do...today, long term--you get the idea....

I must admit the service was great--just hope it remains that way. I had someone take my order right away and while she was getting my coffee I had another server try to help me! My cup never had a chance to get empty and I didn't have to want for anything (though I didn't need anything) because I was given plenty of attention. And breakfast was yummy--build your own grand slam with eggs, biscuit and gravy, hash browns and bacon...

On with the day!!