Annual Galveston Oaks Weekend

The weekend was full of great friends, good music and good food.....just wish it hadn't gone so quickly....
Richmond, Texas' own Mary Sarah came out to wow everyone with her phenominal voice

Missing?

Anyone that checks here regularly (does anyone check regularly?) might wonder where I've been...if I fell off the face of the earth. Have no fear, I'm still around. Been busier than a one-armed paper-hanger and in downtime too lazy to post. I'll try to change that bad habit.

Let's see, to recap......
Christmas came and went-nothing exciting to write home about.

Spent the time off with the honey and helping him job hunt--filling out paperwork, etc.

Actually cleaned out my closet somewhat--there is now actually room to hang things without being jammed in. Gave quite a few things to M and donated other to shelter (thanks to the honey for hauling it).

Did some purging in the 'studio' and took a trunk full to Na--still more to be done but I can actually see the spare bed (Sissy now has plenty of room to strech out) and I can walk in without tripping over piles--the honey can get to the computer much easier.

Been swamped since returning to work with the normal start of the year/semester overload with the added addition of doing the another's job the past few weeks.
Managed to get in some time with the Lunch Bunch to celebrate an engagement-not mine.

Looking forward to the annual Galveston weekend next weekend. Always fun to spend time with friends and see The Boys.

The honey starts trucking school tomorrow.

Broke out the sewing machine which died mid-project. After a week of lamenting and some searching I finally found a machine that met my standards that I can see myself using for the next 20 plus years (that's about how long the last one was around) and now I have a shiny new toy.

Welcome 2012

It's been ages since I've blogged. Wish I had a good excuse but I really don't. The truth is I've been busy with different things or just lazy--probably more lazy than anything.

It's been a fairly quiet holiday around here. The weather has just been plain weird-hot, cold, hot, cool, hot, humid; you get the idea. It just didn't really feel like Christmas or the holidays. To that end, I had the tree down and Christmas decor put away before the clock struck midnight entering the new year. And the honey decided to head to the lease on Friday so I'm flying solo. No one to kiss at midnight but the upside is the ability to (try to) accomplish things without disturbing another.

I have managed to do a big purge on my closet--still need to go through socks, shoes and the dressers. My next project is to tackle the studio/spare bedroom sometime today--when I finally get off my lazy can. What a surprise for the honey to return to a clean, functional work/creative space. He would be quite surprised since I've been 'threatening' for some time!

Keeping with my usualy format, I've not really made any resolutions but I've not thought too terribly hard on 'goals'. I have a few things rattling around my head but just not quite able to 'commit' at the moment. In my own time I guess. And I haven't decided on my One Little Word for 2012 either. Nothing has really 'spoken' to me and thus I procrastinate --as usual. Hmmm, maybe THAT should have been my word for 2011 since I seem to have mastered it quite well! HA.

So after an uneventful night and a very leisurely morning it's time for me to embark on something productive--it would be nice to actually acccomplish 'something' today. More later......enjoy the first day of 2012 and make it count in your own way!

Turkey Day

I fixed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with one small adjustment-cornish game hens instead of a turkey or turkey breast. They actually turned out rather well though it will take more practice to 'master'. Portion wise they were perfect and no leftover turkey for days on end! Yep, my new holiday tradition.

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...