My Boys

Other than the group shots organized by Gong Gong, I tried hard to only take candid shots this Christmas, if only to avoid annoying my boys. I've never been a huge fan of my candid shot results, so I may go back to annoying my boys next Christmas! I do like these two images, though. My babies, all grown up. I had never noticed that they sit in the same position, hands in front, until I saw these two images side by side. I am sorry that I didn't take more photos at Murr C and Papa C's house. Nobody was taking photos, I realized after the fact, so I will sit down and journal the wonderful time we had, but sadly won't have many photos. So, I hope my family enjoyed the reprieve from my camera, because at the next get-together I will be like paparazzi!

Merry Christmas!

When you find a person who you can be totally comfortable with, it is a wonderful thing. I imagine that a lot of folks are out today seeking thrills, adventure, holiday music and mall shopping, but we already had our early “Christmas eve” with the “kids” last night, and are both so content to have a day of quiet, drinking hot tea, reading, maybe a nap. Call us fuddy duddies (sp???) but we are SO content. Once we get word that Kevin and Rachel have made it home safely to Austin on this rainy afternoon, we will truly be happy. Of course, this is NOT the environment that a 20-year-old male finds at all appealing, so Danny has escaped to Guitar Center this afternoon. We all miss Danielle, who is in North Carolina with her family; especially last night when the four of us in the room who were NOT snoring on the livingroom floor (!) played “Catch Phrase”, a fun game that K&R bought for “the Dans” for Christmas. We all enjoyed an early Christmas with Gong Gong and Pop Pop last Sunday, complete with one of the best Tex-Mex lunches we’ve ever eaten (“Tupy’s” in Frisco) and gift exchanging with the whole family at GG & PP’s new house. GG & PP spent a few days at the Marriott in the Woodlands but are back home again. I hope that GG’s stomach bug is short-lived! We will head to Murr C and Papa C’s house tomorrow for a late lunch and gift exchange. For any of my outside-of-Texas family who may be reading this, let me describe Christmas-time weather in Texas: on Wednesday it was 85 degrees and people were running errands in their SHORTS. Today (2 days later!) it may freeze and it’s pouring. Yes, the holiday season can include some gloomy times spent trying to get into the "holly jolly spirit," but one afternoon of contentment can magically make up for that. We hope that everyone can find peace, love and an afternoon of contentment during this Christmas weekend. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. Thank you, and we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Hurry, hurry, hurry, sleep all weekend....

One way to slow down the crazy pace around the holidays is to get a bad chest cold - spent most of the weekend sleeping. Missed getting to visit with my Aunt Lynn and Uncle George, here from New York. Sure wish we could have spent time together.

Rest in Peace, Gina

Gina was my college roommate, who I met when we both worked at Asel Art in Arlington, while attending UTA. Sadly, she and I lost touch after we were both married and starting having children. Every so often I would think "I need to try to find Gina and catch up with her." Two days ago, I searched for Gina on Facebook, only to find an engagement announcement for her son, Steven, which described him as the son of Richard Levy and the late Gina Rosenfield Levy. I was so shocked and saddened. I searched Facebook for an old mutual friend, Carla, and she told me tonight that Gina had passed away 10 years ago! She had been having horrible headaches and died of a massive seizure. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach, and am so sad to hear of Gina's passing. Carla and I plan to visit her grave in a few weeks, and reminisce about our good memories. Gina's sons are Steven, 26, and Daniel, who is about 22.

Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoyed spending Thanksgiving and the Saturday after with family! We love you all!

What a great guy!

Yes, I AM married to a wonderful guy. He decided to hang the Christmas lights this afternoon, before the cold front arrives next week. I remember going to get donuts for the boys when they were little, on a Saturday after Thanksgiving. I was the only female there, with a long line of Dads waiting to buy donuts (I think all the other females went Christmas shopping!) One guy near the front of the line made the comment, "Time to put up the Christmas lights," and that started a chain reaction of groaning all the way down the line. It's funny how little moments like that stick in your head for years!

Pop Pop's Day Surgery

Pop Pop had day surgery to remove pre-cancerous spots on his face, which he has had done before. Papa C has also had this done, so it runs in the family. Pop Pop is feeling fine, but will be sporting a big bandage at Thanksgiving.

Danny's Ensemble Guitar Concert Nov. 23rd & 30th

Danny's Ensemble Concerts
will be Tuesday Nov. 23rd
and Tuesday Nov. 30th
at Brookhaven College
at 7:30pm!

Apple Tart

"The Dans" made an apple tart to take to a friend's "early Thanksgiving dinner". They vetoed my posting the photo I took of the two of them goofing off in the kitchen, but okayed this pic of their finished product!

Goodbye Jasper

The day has arrived that we will be saying goodbye to our Jasper. When we "adopted" Jasper as a stray, he had been running loose at Murr C and Papa C's lakehouse. That was so many years ago, and of course he became part of our family. Jasper was a sweet and docile dog, although he looked like a guard dog - part Chow (black tongue and curled up tail) and part German Shepherd. He has been blind now for several years, and takes the same exact path to get to his dog dish - right along the fence. He somehow got out of the back yard about a year ago, and we spent hours looking for him. When we called Animal Services, they had received a call from a family on the other side of Sandy Lake Road who had found him and had him in their back yard. Sandy Lake Road is a 4 lane, divided road. How on earth he managed to get across that street, blind,without getting hit is beyond me. I imagine Jasper and Lightening and Sarge and Joy and Prissy all playing together in one big wonderful dog park... without fences...

Papa C Returns Home!

Murr C and Papa C returned home this afternoon after 17 days at Medical City! Missy is spending the night with them tonight, so they will be in good hands - nurse's hands! Good night, and sleep tight...

Grapevine Springs Park

Native
grasses
at
Grapevine
Springs
Park
Community
Center

In Memory of Papa

Today would have been Papa's 82nd birthday. The photos are of the pear tree that we planted in his memory 13 years ago. It's turning the most beautiful autumn colors...

Papa C's Status Nov. 13th

Papa C is feeling much better, and is walking the halls of the hospital with assistance. The doctors will do another CT-scan and if no sign of pneumonia, possibly release him to go home around Tues-Wed. Andrew is going up to the hospital today so Murr C can go to the house. Our new oven was delivered, and thanks to my "handy Andy" (funny story about where that name came from), it is all set up, level, and ready to cook a Thanksgiving meal! I think I'll make an apple tart for Andrew and "the Dans". I'd like to take one to Papa C (he has a sweet tooth!), but he is on a sugar restricted diet :(
Gong Gong and Pop Pop are all set up in their new house, and even have new rose bushes planted in their back yard. Andrew & I are both up at 5:30 on a Saturday morning; where did those leisurely weekends go?!

Papa C's Status Nov. 8th

Papa C and Murr C had a restful night of sleep last night and Saturday night. They moved Papa C to a regular room that is closer to the nurses' station, with a video feed from his room to the nurses' station. They are encouraging him to (with assistance) get out of bed and sit in a chair for periods of time. I'll try to post again after we visit tonight. Murr C has been posting updates on her (new) blog at http://www.circus24-7.blogspot.com/

Papa C's Status Sat. Nov 6th

Papa C was moved this afternoon to a regular room at Medical City Hospital, after being in ICU for 8 days. Murr C and visitors will have more room, especially since there's a chair that folds out flat into a twin size bed. The down side is that every nurse has 5 patients, so there's not as much help available. Papa C forgets, because of his dementia, that he is too weak and unstable to get out of bed, so every time he has to use the restroom, he tries to get out of bed. Last night he tried to get out of bed and fell - thankfully on his backside, so he didn't get hurt. He's now in a bed with an alarm, set on the loudest setting, that goes off every time his weight shifts off of his pillow. Hopefully that will wake Murr C up in plenty of time to get him to lay back down before he tries to get out of bed. Papa C's sense of humor is still intact, and he is such a gentleman with all of the nurses. Murr C and Missy went to the lakehouse to get more clothes, and Andrew and I stayed with Papa C in his room today. Kevin drove up from Austin to see him yesterday. Last night, Andrew and I, Kevin, Danny and Danielle went to The Olive Garden in memory of my Dad, who would have been 82 years old on Nov. 13th. He loved going there for dinner, so we try to go there on his birthday every year to remember and raise a toast to him.

Papa C

Papa C was admitted to ICU at Medical City on Friday night, with pneumonia. Last night he had surgery to insert a tube to drain the fluid collecting around his lungs. Murr C spent the night here last night, and with Mike & Missy the night before, since Papa C had received sedation and was no longer trying to get out of bed. Family has been coming to the hospital, and Kelley and Kevin are expected to visit soon, too. We'll head to the hospital some time this morning.

A Cowboy Prayer from The Pioneer Woman

Gotta love this Cowboy Prayer, which was posted by Ree Drummond, on Thepioneerwoman.com, a very addictive blog which makes most blogs pale by comparison!

May your horse never stumble,
Your spurs never rust,
Your guts never grumble,
And your cinch never bust.

May your boots never pinch,
Your crops never fail,
May you eat lots of beans,
And stay out of jail.
–Author Unknown

We're Bringin' it to NY

Hang on Rangers and Yankees, it should be a wild ride this week....!

Kaleen and Brian's Bridal Shower

I was honored to be invited to Kaleen and Brian's bridal shower last Saturday, in Mustang, Oklahoma. What a fun time! A delicious brunch was served, and then the "oohing" and "ahhing" began. Brian was excited when he opened a huge Craftsman tool set, but most of the gifts were beautiful household items for their new life together. It sure made me wish there was such a thing as a "Been Married 25+ Years, Need New Stuff" shower!

Quick Trip to Austin

Enjoyed our quick trip to visit Kevin & Rachel! We enjoyed seeing where Kevin works... SicolaMartin ad agency in downtown Austin.... here's the view from the floor-to-ceiling window just across from his desk.

Pumpkins at Sunset

Hunting for pumpkins, I chased the last bit of afternoon light, and found some in an unusual spot... the local Ace Hardware store. I love the muted colors and matte texture of the gourds. Added a "poster edges" filter.
Murr C & Papa C traveled to Marshall today to visit kin, Andrew & I are headed to Austin on Saturday, burnt orange flag flying, to visit Kevin & Rachel. Gong Gong & Pop Pop will be moving to their new house at The Lakes of Frisco in a month! The gypsies are on the move again!

Cute Shoes & Nail Polish!

Having raised 2 boys, there weren't a lot of "cute" clothes to ooh and ahh over. It's now so much fun when Danielle or Rachel come over, dressed in their adorable clothes & shoes!

Eighties!

Eighties! Not disco dancing and parachute pants, but COOLER weather! Not a single day in the 90's is predicted in the 10-day forecast... this is cause for celebration! Meeting Gong Gong this morning for coffee, headed to Arlington Camera tomorrow morning, then watching Stephanie play in a tennis tournament. Andrew's hobby has mushroomed this week into full-time garage duty this weekend, so my camera and I may need to go exploring!

Kevin and Rachel in California

K&R are returning to Austin today after 5 days in Huntington Beach, CA.....I tried hard not to call at all and to only text a few times, so the only details I know are that they spent Friday in Disneyland and loved it, then spent Saturday all over LA. Kevin raved about the fried chicken at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles. California is such a beautiful place, with perfect weather all year round.... sure hope they loved every minute of their trip!

Lunch with Missy and Shannon

What a nice afternoon..... lunch at Salata with two of my favorite ladies - Missy and Shannon, followed by a shopping trip to Ikea. When I drove into the parking lot, I spied M&S on a bench, both typing away on their iPhones. "Salata" is salad nirvana at The Shops at Legacy in Plano...a big round salad bowl into which your choices from hundreds of possible ingredients are scooped, followed by a generous tossing with your favorite salad dressing. Ikea had a perfect wall storage unit for Shannon's new craft room. Missy had only been to Ikea once before; when we spent 5 minutes looking at the very first showcased mini-room, I realized this would NOT be a short shopping trip :) It is SO much better to shop at Ikea with women than with your husband!

Danny & Matthew Marcus McDaniel at the Fort Worth Stockyards

Danny and Stephanie in the Fort Worth Stockyards

Danny, Matthew and "Thieves of Sunrise" played at the Fort Worth Stockyards tonight, and Uncle John, Aunt Jackie and Stephanie came to watch/listen, and have some Riscky's BBQ with us! We left the house this morning at 6:30am to visit Murr C & Papa C, came home for a quick shower and then drove to Fort Worth. A fun, full day!

New Mexico

Last night's rain.... hallelujah!.......reminded me of the rain we enjoyed driving through New Mexico last month. Being able to view unobstructed landscape for miles allowed us to watch the storm as it swept across the hills and valleys.

Birthday Pizza

"The Dans" made a homemade pizza for my birthday... full of delicious ingredients - chicken, artichoke hearts, roma tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil! Their thoughtfulness was so amazing, and so appreciated! What a wonderful birthday evening! Mom's birthday was yesterday, and she spent it with Pop Pop, vacationing in Seattle/California. They will return tomorrow...

Longing for cold weather!

We tied a record dating back to the early 1950's... it was 107 degrees in Dallas today.... ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY, DANNY!

Camera & lenses... check... Riding gear...check... Colorado map...check

Worries...leaving them behind for a few days...

hmm, it's Danny's birthday and we'll be miles away by nightfall...20-year-olds are too old to get into trouble, right? RIGHT??!

Never mind on the leaving worries behind...

Weekend

Barbara & I..... cursed again! This time because of a pesky gallstone (which, in addition to keeping her from visiting us this weekend, is causing her to have to cancel her mission trip to Mozambique). Gong Gong and Pop Pop return tomorrow from their trip to Canada! More July birthdays this week.... Kelley and Papa C - Happy Birthday! Danny & Matthew played gigs on Friday & Saturday nights. My favorite guilty tv pleasure... Design Star on HGTV, is starting now, so good night.

Dreamy Handtinted Action

Playing around with Photoshop "dreamy handtinted action"... see pics of Danny holding my Mother's Day plant, Shannon with Sophie, Papa C with Danielle. There are a lot of things I could live without, but possibly not my Photoshop!
Family news - Papa C is recovering from bronchitus, Kevin & Rachel just moved into a poolside apt in the same apt complex they've lived in for a year (they are thrilled that they can now just let Dolly out on the patio to do her business instead of walking downstairs and around the building!), Gong Gong & Pop Pop are enjoying Quebec City, Andrew's prepping his motorcycle for our trip to Colorado with Mike & Margo, Danny's thinking about his upcoming birthday and how he will finally have a few dollars in his pocket..

Friends in the Military

As the sadness of saying goodbye to John Vick (after his short visit home from the Marines) lingers, Danny reunited tonight with old friend Will Mayne (met in kindergarten), who is on a visit home from West Point. They played electric guitars together at the Maynes' house (my ears are glad they played at their house, but my heart wishes they had played at our house). For anyone who might be reading this, please keep these wonderful young men in your hearts and your prayers.

Rain, rain, go away so we can see some fireworks!

I studied up on how to take some great fireworks photos, but the RAIN is not cooperating! Everything is so green and beautiful, so can't complain too much! Andrew's been working on his garage projects and I've been working on photos and Photoshopping today - a luxurious day of doing what we love to do! Enjoyed having company last night, then going up to Hard Eight BBQ to hear Danny & Matthew play guitars & sing. John was home from his Marines training so I made coconut oreo truffles for him; it was wonderful seeing him again! Rachel and Kevin celebrated her 22nd birthday this week. It's so much fun to hear about all of their good times in Austin! Mom and Dad are getting ready for their trip to Canada next week.... oh how I wish I could go to Quebec! Murr C & Papa C are celebrating July 4th with her cousins and spouses. Happy Fourth of July!

Downtown Dallas Photo Walk

Signing up for a downtown Dallas Photo Walk sounded like a great idea 2 months ago, but it turned out to be SO HOT! It was still a lot of fun, about 25 female photographers....lots of really CUTE camera bags....ending with lunch at Campisi's.

Saying Goodbye

Surrounded by my New York family, we all paid our final respects to Uncle Allen. Aunt Gloria and Uncle Allen had been married for 58 years. We will all miss him in our lives, but many happy memories will live on. Rest in peace, Uncle Allen.

Friday

My prayers, thoughts and love go out to my New York family, as my Uncle Allen was transported to the hospital last night with kidney failure. You all are in my constant thoughts today.

Danny is heading to East Texas to play guitar at a Relay for Life concert tonight. Good luck, Matthew and Danny!

Today is Kevin's last day on his current job. He'll be on call next week, but essentially has the week off, before starting his new job at SicolaMartin. He sure deserves a week off!

What fun it was to go to a night baseball game again! Matthew did great, and had an outfield hit on his last at-bat. Great job, Matthew!

Gong Gong & Pop Pop will return today from a great anniversary trip to Branson, MO.

We'll be at Murr C & Papa C's house tomorrow.

Kevin's New Job

Congrats to Kevin.... the ad agency that he interned for during his senior year of school called him in for an interview and then offered him a job! SicolaMartin is located in downtown Austin, and has been ranked by Texas Monthly as one of the best 10 companies in TX to work for, in their size category.

Danny's First "Gig"

Danny played guitar at Poor David's Pub Sat. night with Matthew Marcus McDaniel. They both love Texas Country music, and I think MMM's sound is a bit like the band Cross Canadian Ragweed. MMM's website is: http://matthewmarcusmcdaniel.com/ The 2 guitar-playing ladies in the photos were very talented, and 'easy on the eyes', facts which may have contributed to Andrew staying awake WAY past his bedtime for a rare night on the town... downtown even! When I asked Danny the next day if they had stayed after the show to hang out with the 2 female guitarists, he replied, "I wouldn't be alive today if I had," referencing his GF Danielle, who is one of the most beautiful girls around... I don't really think she has a THING to worry about! Danny seemed at ease on the stage, but I guess after countless dirt bike race starts, he's used to stomach butterflies.

Forts

Stumbled onto a link from within one of my favorite blogs - The Violet Hours, with photos submitted to a build-a-fort contest (http://www.booooooom.com/2009/10/13/wild-things-forts-vii-where-the-wild-things-are/#more-12295), and it took me down memory lane when Kevin and Danny used to build forts in our living room out of pillows and blankets.... I sure hope they remember those fun times!

Arboretum Shoot

My very talented, very sweet niece Shannon and I went to lunch and the Arboretum to see if the wind & snow had destroyed all of the tulips, or had left a few for us to photograph. A professional photographer might have arrived at the Arboretum as soon as it opened to capture images in the morning light, but OUR priorities were: the temperature needed to warm up enough and our tummies needed to be full, so we photographed in the very bright mid-day sunshine! I did sneak a couple of pics of Shannon, but we decided this trip was going to be all about the flowers, not about the humans. Thanks, Shannon, for lending me your zoom lens and for a great afternoon!

What's New & Random Stuff

Many prayers for my New York family that I love so much!
Thanks to Pop Pop & Gong Gong for a weekend trip to Austin & Wimberly
Loved spending time with Stephanie and Gong Gong
Thanks for meeting us for dinner, Kevin and Rachel
Both of my boys are in Austin this week!
Going to visit Murr C & Papa C on Saturday
Danny found a part time job
Papa's pear tree is in full bloom
Allergies are making me want to sleep 24/7
Wore sandals, pink toenails
Watching UT basketball tonight
Predict that Siobhan will win AI
Andrew riding the MS150 Houston to Austin ride in April
Jack wants to escape to the great outdoors and hunt for birds
Where are the bluebonnets this year?
Going on an arboretum photo shoot with Shannon
Kelley moved to a new place
Going to watch Matthew play baseball one evening soon
Wishing I could visit my NY family

Fort Worth Stockyards

I've been wanting to take photos at the FW Stockyards for a few months, but the weather wasn't cooperating, until yesterday. Andrew rode his bicycle on the Trinity Trail while I took photos, then we met up for an early bbq supper. I've always loved Fort Worth! One of these days I hope that Mom and I can go to the Japanese gardens again. Shannon wants to go on a photo shoot at the Dallas Arboretum soon; I'm in!

Visit from Danny

Hard 8 BBQ.... studying for EMS test at 8am this morning....pancakes.....and off he goes..... never enough time with my boys!

Welcome, March

I am so amazed that it is actually March... it's been so cold that I thought February might last several more weeks! But, waking up with itchy eyes this morning reminded me that spring allergies are here, and it's time to start snorting Flonase. All of the pear trees on our street should be blooming soon, a beautiful sight!

Dog Photos

Gotta love the dog photos at thepioneerwoman.com - go to the Photography tab.

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

Enjoyed a wonderful weekend with Kevin and Rachel, celebrating his 23rd birthday! Had a great dinner at Hoover's, checked out where Kevin works, visited with Jim, Sara & Sally Riddles (5 mos.), had lunch at Matt's El Rancho on S. Lamar. Loved the visit!

Learning to Deliver a Baby

Received a text from Danny (class 6-10pm)..."Just learned how to deliver a baby." This is a "clinical", hands-on class, so I'm curious if there was a mannequin involved (hopefully not some poor woman really in labor!). Anyway, I hope he is feeling better and enjoying class. I'm sure they are enjoying his sense of humor - we sure miss it around here!

Grandmothers

Loving, caring grandmothers -- people who love us unconditionally, and make us feel special. I didn't get to see my grandmothers very often growing up, but I remember them so vividly, and miss them. My father's mother, who I called Nana, was short, sweet, and full of life. She and my grandfather shared an apartment in NYC for so many years - with lilac bedsheets, black & white tiled floor in their tiny bathroom, a small kitchen where she would prepare brown "to go bags" with bananas, for us to take on car rides home, heart-shaped buttons she kept in a jar, pretty hats she wore on her soft, white, pin-curled hair. I remember that she loved to laugh. My Nana developed Alzheimers back before people understood what it was...
My mother's mother, who I called Gigi (real name was Marcelle), was someone I could relate to so well. She was quiet and shy, and spent a lot of time by herself after she was widowed; she lived in the garage apartment of my aunt and uncle's house on Long Island. She was one of 5 girls and 2 boys, and always dressed like such a lady, even into her nineties. Her mother was French, and named her daughters Odette, Georgette, Marcelle, Julia & Louise - such pretty names! Gigi watched the Academy Awards every year and loved to comment on everyone's evening gowns. She sent letters and cards and gifts for every occasion. Grandmothers are so special!

Homebody

I guess I am REALLY a "homebody" - blankets, fireplace blazing, vanilla chai tea brewing, good book to read, photos to Photoshop (when the electricity is working!), homemade taco soup on the stove, wonderful husband to relax with. Had such an amazing time taking photos at the park on my way to work yesterday! Seeing families with children playing really made me nostalgic for those fun times with Kevin and Danny...

S N O W !!!

What a beautiful white blanket! Meteorologists are predicting several inches! I miss having little boys at home to play in it...

Worry Free 48 Hours

We are ATTEMPTING to make this weekend “worry-free” – just a short mental break from medical bills, income tax returns, and all of life’s worries….. Andrew DID go to work this morning at 5:30, so I guess he’s postponing the experiment by a few hours… We really need a funny movie or two to watch …text me if you think Andrew would enjoy “It’s Complicated.” Any recommendations for something funny to rent? I’m headed to Arlington Camera this morning for a free mini-class. I found a new blog, although I hardly qualify to read it, since it’s meant for “early adapters”, if I’m remembering my college marketing class terminology from 30 years ago (30 years?!?). Describing consumer types, we definitely fit on the end of the scale as “laggards”, as opposed to “early adapters”, evidenced by the fact that every tv in our house is as deep as it is wide. This blog describes new gadgets on the market; I was reading all about the new Apple IPad: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/29/apple-ipad-the-definitive-guide-so-far/ Another fun blog, especially if you're avoiding life's worries, is 1000awesomethings.com - a celebration of life's small (and usually free) pleasures. Birthdays….Aunt Gloria celebrated her 80th birthday yesterday, and Murr C’s birthday is coming up this week. Happy Birthday to 2 wonderful ladies!

To the Point

Andrew prefers "short and sweet and to the point", so I'll sum up the photo above by saying that I am the luckiest woman in the world to be married to an amazing man like him.

Hanging in there...

Danny has gone through so much in the last couple of months, but he's hanging in there, and showing his strength. He's playing his guitars as his hand gets stronger. I am so proud of him.

Bring It

Dallas Cowboys to Minnesota Vikings: "BRING IT!"

Slurpy Mondays

http://1000awesomethings.com/
When you need a quick pick-me-up, check out this site. One of the entries reminded me of Slurpy Mondays :)

Proud of the Longhorns

Disappointed for the Longhorns, but what a classy group of coaches and players! Came back with an inexperienced freshman QB to within 3 points of pulling out an upset. The defense played 100% the whole game, and did a good job. Colt's post-game interview was pure class. Hope they get to stay in sunny CA instead of returning to a wind chill factor of zero...

How 'bout them Cowboys?!!

Loved that game! Thank you, Cowboys, for starting the new year with a big win! I am so, so grateful that Kevin has not had another of the horrible headaches that he had on 12/29, that sounded just like cluster headaches. Nothing like a scare to make you supremely grateful for your blessings. Danny is making progress with his post concussive syndrome, and has been playing his guitars. Andrew & I jogged (him)/walked (me)around Andy Brown East and West Parks yesterday. It's nostalgic to walk by the soccer fields where Kevin and Danny played so many years ago. I wanted to walk up to the parents of the 4 & 5-year-olds and tell them to cherish those moments, they are fleeting! Going with Mom to see the movie Nine, which Andrew will be very happy to have avoided! He & I enjoyed The Blind Side this weekend. More homemade soup weather is coming with a possibility of frozen precip on Wed. Glad to be getting back to work; we photograph the Coppell High girls soccer team on Wed. The Varsity girls team is ranked #1 in the country going into their season! Jack is standing between my keyboard & the monitor, signalling this post is now done! Have a good day.

Happy New Year

Here's to a better year.. 2010! Just joined Shutter Sisters 365 project on Flickr. One of my goals: to improve my photography. Another goal: worry a little less, enjoy a little more...