Christmas with the Judges

Goofy cousins
They are much calmer when Great Grandma is around.

Christmas celebrating began yesterday for us. We had a nice time. There was a funny video I took of Mama (Roby's Grandmother) and I am going to try and post it on youtube. She loves to receive money for gifts and the sisters really got her this year.

Ben is such a good guy. He helped me all day today. He heard I was going to be busy doing a good deed and he came over to assist me and worked very hard for many many hours. I would still be busy working on the project if he had not helped. I am fortunate him.

Wishing I was there

Youth (firm and tight with no gray or scars to show)

This photo brings me peace!!!!!!!!

I need to run away for a few days.....impossible physically but mentally I can. This is where I would like to go. Roby and I were being rafted down the river by a very nice Jamaican. The Jamaican motto they live by is NO PROBLEM.. I need to remember that motto myself. Right now it seems that everything is a problem. I need to think mind over matter. The mind usually wins. But for now I will just go back to 1985 when things were simpler just floating on a handmade bamboo raft...................What I didn't really realize then was that I had the best man in the whole world who would only get better with age.

Looking for order

I am still walking around this house looking for order. It is amazing how much things are in such shambles. Ben's stuff is all over since he is back from California. He is commuting to Rusty Wallis on the rail system. So far so good but it takes awhile to get there even in the car it is over 2 hours one way. He is anxious for that 1st paycheck.

All the decorations are making me claustrophobic. I need to try and focus on the things I need to accomplish and try to enjoy the Christmas season. With my kids being older it seems to get harder every year. I just really don't know what to do and what not to do. It feels like Christmas is so hectic and that is not what I want. I would like to time travel back to the simpler times, if only for just 1 Christmas. The times when kids were happy to just get 1 gift and have fun playing games and popping corn. Way back a long long long long time ago. DREAMING.............................................

I quit

I feel so relieved. I wrote my letter of resignation and I am going to deliver it today. It is a bittersweet feeling. I have to choose sanity and I feel like I was about to go insane. My children, hubby and mom can now come first again. I hope to be back to the peace and joy soon. I miss all my friends and family now I will have time. I do not know how women work 40+ hours a week, I guess I was not cut out for that. It feels like a boulder has been lifted from my chest. I walked away!!

love this quote

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...holy cow!...what a ride!"
anonymous


This will definately be ME!

Chemotherapy is....

Today I took mom to her 1st treatment. It went dot...dot...dot... Just like we hoped and maybe a little better. The nurse and doc were very informative and best of all the Chemotherapy Nurse was excellent. She is definately in the right line of work. She explained everything completely so that we would understand it. She was very busy giving everyone there the treatments they needed. She took the time to talk to us and all the patients like we had known her for a long time. Mom did great once she got past the shivering and chills in the beginning. The stuff she is taking is
OOps! Teenage daughter having boyfriend crisis....gotta go....more later.

Thanksgiving Day

Turkey Time

decorating the tree
team work

frosty day

yippee it is snowing on Thanksgiving
Wow, I love Texas!

Thanksgiving Break Campout Pictures

Too scary, I need in this tent now!

Mountain dew time
Wonderful waterfalls!

Our spontaneous camping trip to Oklahoma!

Hectic............I have not been posting, here are some photos of Thanksgiving Break!

Latest Read

My latest read was this excellent book loaned to me by my Aunt Debbie. It was a fast read (1 day off and on throughtout the day). Very uplifting and spiritual. I would definately recommend this book to anyone who needs a kickstart to a better life and attitude. The book will leave you feeling pleasant. I will be finding other books by OG Mandino.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Kerplunk was a hit.
We had 63 candles lit and it was an inferno!

Today is my mom's birthday. She means the world to me. She is my best friend. I am making her a cake. I am not a good cook. I am making it with love and hoping for the best.

We had dinner, cake, and presents. Then we played games, Kerplunk and matching card game. Kylee and Luke decided they wanted to run and wrestle. It was fun! I love mom!

I am thinking in short sentences today, does that mean something?

Beautiful, this is why I live in Texas

What a gorgeous weekend! The weather was exquisite. I managed to spend most of my time outside. I killed ants, planted Elephant garlic, put out the goldfinch feeders and faithfully filled them with thistle in hopes that they would come this year in spite of the fact that there is so much machinery and construction going on during the week that I am afraid they might skip us this year but just in case I have their food ready. I trimmed some plants, played with the dog, lounged on the lounge chairs, watered some plants, threw out 50,000 wildflower seeds, walked around and looked at all the beauty in my surroundings.
I have to brag we have created a wonderful relaxing place it is home. There is definitely feng shi, all I need is a couple of goldfish and we have it all. The trees are beginning to turn their autumn colors and the berries are turning bright red and yellow. I took a couple of long walks and cleared my mind and the dogs bowels. Now we are ready for the week. If every weekend could be as relaxing it would be fine with me. Even though I am ready for some snow so we can go sledding. Yippee! I have my fingers crossed. Pure clean white snow!!

A perspective

I was cruising the internet looking for some peace and sweating the small stuff (like I have a tendency to do) I came across the following thoughts of lessons I basically already know but I want to have them at my fingertips so that I can refer back at a moments notice:

Lessons by Dale Wolf:

Put things in perspective.

Think about what’s really important, and stop worrying and whining about the rest.

Here are some things that in the big scheme of things are not that important:

You don’t like your boss. You don’t like your job. Stop complaining. Do something to change things. Realize that there are people just like you at other companies complaining about the exact same things.

A friend hasn’t returned your phone call. Get over it. Call them back. Calling friends shouldn’t be a game that involves scorekeeping.And speaking of scorekeeping…don’t. It’s not about whose turn it is.

Life ain’t fair.

Stop complaining about how busy or not busy you are. Accept that your life is probably the way it is due to choices you’ve made, Acknowledge this or make new choices. (I wonder how long it takes to see the effects of making new choices, is it immediate or does it take awhile? I am very impatient) ha

There are worse things than being 10 pounds overweight. (Tell that to the jeans that are about to squeeze the life out of me)

People don’t pay as close attention to you as you think they do.

If the dog eats the strudel, it’s not a real crisis. It’s only strudel.

Now I tell myself this all the time but I need to practice practice practice!

TOO Busy

I have been too busy to post. Man life is hectic. I do have halloween pictures and hope to have them posted before Thanksgiving. Oh yeah, I did a crazy thing yesterday and bought my son a plane ticket home for Thanksgiving, even though he graduates one week later and will be returning to Fort Worth at the beginning of Dec. I just couldn't bear to think of Thanksgiving without him.

Bulb planting time

This past weekend I managed to squeeze in a little time to finally plant my new bulbs for next spring. I bought them from the southern bulb company. They are supposed to be Texas grown heirloom bulbs that naturalize in the heat and humidity. I planted some Texas Star, Jonquil, Grand Primo, and Snowflakes. The guys that run this bulb farm in south texas are Aggies and they work really hard at what they do, running around the state digging up bulbs that are in abandoned houses or thriving on the roadsides and old historic locations (that sounds exciting, I would love to go on an antique bulb hunt) and then planting them to produce more. Their website is www.southernbulbs.com. There is a fun blog there where they report the work they are doing and so on. In the spring, I will post some photos of the flowers from this weekends planting. Tomorrow is halloween, and it is supposed to be 80 degrees, that will be nice for the kids but then it would be awesome to get a November cool down.

Chocolate pie

Malibu 2007

How do I feel loved? I say I am craving chocolate for a week and then specifically say how I would love a chocolate pie. Then I go to work for 10 hours come home and find not one but 2 chocolate pies, chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and all this cooked with love Plus he had to go to the store and buy all the ingredients because I really despise going grocery shopping. Who, you may ask did this, well of course my awesome chef hubby who knows how to make me feel loved. I am loved!

On another note: Don't you just love this fantastic weather we are having? We are setting up Christmas at the candle store this week.

Pictures from California

I received pictures from California yesterday. These are from the hike my son went on last week and had to be rescued. It is amazing how you miss someone so much your heart aches and then you see pictures of him and you want to jump right in there with him. The hike he was on looks like so many that we have taken as a family over the years. I am so glad he loves the outdoors as much as Roby and I. I am so eager for this weeks weather cooling down. Is autumn arriving this week? Maybe, just maybe.

Into the Wild

I finished this book last week. It was a little disturbing, well the guy was strange. I wanted to read this before seeing the movie that Sean Penn directed about this book. I just hope the movie gives me better understanding of the mind of this man. He seemed deeply troubled to me and very selfish. I guess you could say I was a little disappointed. For someone to abandon loved ones is one of the most selfish acts a person could commit.

My adventurous daredevil

My son.......Some things never change.....since the day he was born he has been looking for adventure. His life so far has been every adventure he could possibly fit into each day. Never a dull moment with this guy. Now to the story of last night....

I think this is called writing in third person but maybe not. Anyway, I am mom and so on!!!

Around 6:20 Texas time (4:20 in California) we receive a phone call from our daredevil Ben. He tells his dad that he is climbing the side of a mountain. Dad asks where and son says I don't really know, but not where we went when you were here, but I am in the clouds. Dad then asks who is with him and son says, no one I am by myself. Dad then says you should not be doing that alone, that is dangerous, so says well no one would go with me. Dad says well it will be dark soon you better get down, son says I am okay but I will leave soon. They say goodbye. About 7:30 Texas time (5:20 in cali) son calls again, says he is stuck and can't get out. He wants to know what to do, and then says..you know dad if I say I am stuck that I really am stuck and cant get out. Dad says, I told you not to do this alone, and then says you need to call 911 right now (it will be dark within the hour). Son says okay and then hangs up. Dad tells mom what is going on. Mom panics. She didn't understand that he was hiking, she thought he was just driving around in the mountains. Mom then gains control and goes straight to the computer. She doesnt know where he is and can't call him because he is calling 911. Mom searches the computer for places he could be, dad joins in the search. They frantically call a park ranger, no one answers, dad may have to fly to cali if they can't locate someone soon, so they search more, dad finds a search and rescue website, someone answers but it is not the correct area, a very nice and concerned lady then asks where our son is and we say we don't know but he is from Rancho Cucamonga and stuck on the side of a mountain, she then gives us a number for emergency in the area and they thank her for caring enough to direct them elsewhere. Mom and dad push in the number, Kelly answers, she is very eager to assist us and check with the 911 and then says they are on a search and rescue right now, she then proceeds to inquire with the team to see who they are searching for, she comes back to the phone and says is your sons name James, Mom is at peace, because if Kelly knows his name then he reached 911. Yay! Mom says yes and Kelly says the team is on the phone with him and has been since he called. They are using the phone GPS to track him. Wow, Mom loves cell phones, dad loves cell phones. Kelly says to call back in 15 minutes for an update. Mom is ecstatic but still scared. It is now dark out there and my boy is who knows where in the mountains, stuck and alone. Mom goes from scared to upset to mad (because he knows better) and then to scared again. 20 minutes pass and Mom makes the call, Kelly says that the air team couldn't reach him so they are sending a ground team in. Mom panics, how long will this take, then she is peaceful, because they do know where he is, he will be ok. She takes down moms phone # and says she will call when they get any information. Mom prepares to wait and calls her mom to tell her what is going on. Dad tells his parents an update and then we wait. About 25 minutes or so later, dads phone rings, it is son, he is driving his car, he says he is ok and that he got to fly in a helicopter and it was cool. He said he learned a lesson to not hike alone. Mom is relieved, dad is relieved, grandparents are relieved. Mom receives a phone call from Kelly saying that son has been found and rescued and should be calling soon. Mom thanks Kelly. Son later tells grammy about the rescue, that they lowered a harness down from the helicopter and picked him up, he felt like he was in a James Bond movie, it was cool. WOW, my son! I am so happy he is safe.

My new dress

While working in Weatherford this week, I purchased an awesome dress. It was love at first sight. Isn't it amazing how you can see something and it yells out for you and you just know you have to have it? This is what happened in this store. The dress is by funky people. So I guess I was feeling funky. Anyway, now I have to find the perfect pair of shoes/boots to where with it. I am too lazy right now (it is 2 am and I am up with allergies) to take a picture of it so until then you can view it at the following website: http://www.hippychixshop.com/fupefuninjus.html

Peaceful and playful

Kylee fell asleep right after we finished a story!

Her eczema was really acting up all day long. She was worn out.
Luke however had bunches of energy, he loved the circus animals from Pepa's cake.

Here are some photos from Dad's Birthday this past weekend. Luke was eyeing that cake from the get go he wanted to eat it before dinner. Then when it came time to eat the cake he took one bite and decided he would rather just play with the animals! We spent a lot of time together this weekend, playing and having fun.

Today was catch up day for me and I also tried to rest and get errands done. It will probably be my only day off this week. I went out to check the mail and it actually did not feel sultry. My bulbs came in the mail so now I will be working in the yard Saturday (unless of course it is HOT). I need to finish my fall decorating outside and do some serious garden work.

Happy Birthday Dad!

What an adorable little boy!
Always a cowboy at heart, don't you just love this horsey!

Cool hair, very stylish indeed! Dad and I share the same mysterious dark eyes, thanks dad!

Happy birthday dad!

Pumpkin Time

I love love love Pumpkins!!! It means fall is here, even if the weather is not cooperating. We had a little drizzle this morning but it is still so hot. I took Luke to the store a few days ago and saw pumpkins and said I want one, well guess what, he wanted one too and then we just had to get one for Kylee, so here we are with a basket full of groceries and 3 of the biggest, bestest pumpkins we could find. One rolled off the bottom and across the store floor, a kind man helped us retrieve it and off we went to pay for all the stuff. Luke was smiling ear to ear the whole time. I just love the age of 3.

CANCER

Once - evil
twice- undescribably devastating crushing

I am BITTER!

One Saturday Project

Today I got an interesting phone call from my neice. She called and said she wanted to paint her suitcase, oh I mean bookcase. She said she wanted sparkly blue and then changed it to hot pink. She asked me to go to the store and get some paint so we could paint it. Well of course Aunt Kim can. I went to home depot and bought supplies (should have bought more sponge brushes). Anyway, I was greeted at my car by 2 excited children. I quickly changed into my paint clothes and drifted back 13 years when my kids were this age and so easily amused by such a project. We moved the bookcase to the patio and they went straight to work. I was not given much of a chance at first. They painted and painted and I tried to teach them how to do it. When it started to drip, Luke said "It's melting", such a fun way to describe it and it did look like it was melting. I said it is dripping and he said, no it is melting. They painted almost the whole thing and then decided I could finally have a turn. So I proceeded to touch up a few spots and then cleaned up. It was fun.

She makes me happy

Introducing Kylee Isabelle

10 days ago look who arrived back in town! We have been playing and having fun. No pix of brother yet but soon we will have some.

garden shots

Mexican Bush sage
My new next door neighbors!!

This is 1 lantana that grew ginormous!!!!

A great place to sit and relax.

Beautiful Mexican bush sage.
Zinnia's splash of color!

It is pretty darn hot in Texas today. Allergies are flying. I did find some beauty in the yard to share. My gardens need to be weeded and mulched, grass needs mowing and weed eating, but I am not brave enough to tackle it yet. So for now I just photograph it.