Funny Computer Cameras

Tee hee hee...I couln't resist. We were playing with Shannon's new computer and photo program...

Our MS Walk

The scenery was absolutely beautiful in Philly. The weather was perfect when Natalie, Shannon and I got there and the trees were juuuuuuust starting to turn. We got to our hotel Friday afternoon and met up with Christy, our team mate from Illinois. We grabbed some dinner and our "rock and roll" costumes from the mall next door and hit the hay for a good nights rest.

Saturday we met up with Liz and Grace at the registration site and it was hugs all around. Christy and Liz and I had participated in a breast cancer walk together in New York a few years back, not all of the rest of the girls had met. We made all the introductions, got our credentials and headed to the opening ceremonies. Grace carried the Texas flag for us and Christy carried the flag for Illinois. She represented well...But from then on we were dubbed "Texas." After a little warm-up, we were off. It was sooooo beautiful. We started at Winterthur Park, part of the DuPont property in PA/DE (lots of that around there).

We met an amazing woman today. She was one of the first walkers out. I watched her take off with her friends, keeping up with them at their quick pace. After the Red Dirt Rocketts made a quick detour to the restroom we found ourselves behind her again. She was having difficulty with the rocky trail and had slowed down quite a bit. Liz and I caught up to her and as we all walked together, she hollered "Hey, Texas!" We struck up a conversation with her and immediately made a real connection. Ellen was diagnosed 5 years ago with MS. She hasn't been to a doctor in 3 years because she doesn't believe in the treatment and doesn't believe in holistic treatments. She has tried several different drugs but for now, chooses the chance of an off day over daily injections. "Today," she told us, "is a REALLY off day." She has participated in all four of the PA walks and this would be the first she wouldn't be able to finish. MS was the only thing Ellen didn't want to talk about. After a very brief synopsis of her condition, the conversation quickly changed to normal rhetoric about pets and kids and jobs. Although every step was a struggle to her on that rocky path, she was not going to let it define her to "Texas." She completely "set the pace" for the rest of our 30 miles.

We had a tremendous experience during the entire weekend. It was tough and it challenged all of is in many different ways. We encouraged each other, we slowed down when we needed to and we pushed ourselves to keep up when we needed to. We laughed a lot and we talked a lot...and, well, we walked a lot. 30 miles. It takes a half hour to drive...and it took us two days to walk. All I can say is...WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT YEAR, GIRLS?

Bush: Thousands Of Registered Democrats Needed For 'Extremely Important' Mission

WASHINGTON, DC—The president praised stalwart, progressive Democrats as "the only ones capable" of making the highly secret operation a success.

The Stones, baby...

I'm in awe. Yes, I know I owe a blog about the walk. And believe me - the MS walk was a life changing experience...but this Rolling Stones show...WOW! Sunday was quite possibly one of the best days Joel and I have ever had together. We spent the BEAUTIFUL afternoon plopped down in the lawn of Zilker Park, watching all the people finding their way to the bathrooms, the beerstand and, as in Willard's case, the popcorn stand. Hippies, bikers, cowboys, yuppies, people with mohawks, people with tattoos, young people with their matching LL Bean backpacks and blankets, old people with their head-to-toe stones outfits...42,000 of us all there to see Mick Jagger and Keith Richards shake their money makers. We made our way up to our seats right before they went on and sat still for all of about 15 minutes. Once we got up to visit the portapottie we never sat back down. People were dancing EVERYWHERE. It was absolutely the most energetic show I have ever been to...like a wave of it starting from the stage and passing through every single person there. I couldn't stop grinning. Joel and Willard were most impressed with the production (they ARE techies). All the screens and pyrotechnics...We could feel the heat of the fire when they played Sympathy for the Devil. They played Honky Tonk women and the crowd went nuts. It was an amazing night.

It reminded me of why I love music. 42,000 people in one place at one time...very different stories to tell, different songs we wanted to hear, different religions, politics, hair styles, clothing choices, very different people in general...but one common thread tied us all together.

The Rolling Stones, baby...

Home

I spent the end of last week on the road with Joel. I love going out with the guys and I love seeing all the friends I've made through the years with Ragweed out there in this big ol' world...but I love coming home. We dropped off our bags, cleaned up and headed to Wimberley to visit Joel's family. It was a beautiful day to spend with beautiful family. We went to look at a couple of places for potential wedding sites for Tara and Johnny Mike (Joel's brother and fiance), ate some barbeque and just visited. It was a great way to spend the day. Home.

Yesterday was busy again. Regular Monday work stuff...then a baby shower and an engagement party in Austin. It made for a sort of frantic afternoon but both parties were worth it. Tonight we are having Brian and Melanie over for dinner. Actually, the guys are cooking. Shrimp boil I guess. Mel and I have vowed to stay out of the kitchen. Tomorrow we head out to see the Dedringers here in town and Thursday Joel leaves. Busy busy busy. It's that time of year I guess.

We go on our MS walk next week. Holy Cow! I can't believe it. We will be walking 30 miles over the course of the weekend. I'm really excited...and nervous. There are six of us girls going, then spending a couple of days there to see the sites of Philly. Thanks to all the folks that helped us out...donated to the cause. Each of the six of us have some very important people in our lives that we are walking for so it means a lot to all of us to have your support.

Weddding plans are coming along. We have a date and a place...We've started looking at invitations and actually think we've agreed on one. Now we just need to finalize the invitation list so we can figure out how many to order!!

That's all for now...going to a shrimp boil at my own house! How awesome is that???

The Little Things

I've spent a lot of time watering the grass lately. You might equate it to watching it grow...but it's pretty soothing. Sort of mind cleansing. Watching the plants and such spring back to life with just a little TLC is amazing to me. The heat has been out of control and I won't even begin to talk about the drought. So they are taking some extra effort these days. Anyway, I like watering the grass by hand. It makes me feel like I'm physically doing something to help my hot and thristy yard.

I started with the trainer last week. Actually, we just talked last week. She took my measurements and made up my meal plan. Although she wanted me to follow the actual meal plan "to the t" for three days, lucky for me, I had already gone to the grocery store and bought what I believe to be good food (fruit, veggies, chicken...) so she cut me some slack. The bad (bad bad bad) part was the measuring. The scales I can rationalize. The measurement? Not so much. Percent body fat, circumference of my hips...whew. Y-U-C-K-Y. Then again, that's what she's for, right? To leanify me.

I MISS MY B-IANCE!!! (B-iance, btw, is my term of indearment for Joel...a combination of boyfriend and fiance. He'll ALWAYS be my BOYFRIEND!) They've been gone since July 11. They'll do a drive-by on the 15th or 16th for about 24 hours...then back out for another 3 or 4 days. I've gotten a lot done around here and stayed busy so that when he gets home for a few days I won't feel so guilty for hiding away with him. Mmmmmmmm...I miss his face.

Mom went to California last week with my Aunt Diane. They take a trip together every year...a pretty cool tradition. I haven't heard the story yet, but here's the pic she sent. That's mom, btw, in the picture...on the right - not the left (although politically, she stands on the left along side Clinton even though they are both currently cented on this blog...). ANYWAY...

I smiled as big as she's smiling when I got it. The composition of the photo alone is hilarious to me...I can't wait to hear how it happened.

See, it's the little things that make us smile. Whether it's watering our grass or bumping into the former Pres...these are the days of our lives.

I'm Back...

It's been a long time...but I'm back. I've been inspired by my soon to be sister and a good friend from my days at AQHA. They both make me laugh and think and miss story telling.

I tried myspace for a while...but I got a little overwhelmed with the friend requests, random comments and the "hurriedness" of it all. I mean really...all those people are my "friends" anyway. And "my space" has always been my friends' space...why do we have to be so...virtual about it?

It's like the difference between living in a big city and living - oh, say...here in the winter. Myspace makes me feel anxious and frenzied...and guilty for not replying or accepting friend requests from people I don't even know. Robin's Hood is more laid back...work at your own pace - visit at your leisure. Know what I mean, Vern?
I like it here. I think I'll stay.