Friends

Mary Grace, Linda, Carole, Jan and Me, Rodeo's Mexican Restaurant, 10/01/11

My recent road trip to Ozark was a multipurpose sojourn.  I am so glad I did this.  I accepted Linda's invitation to be a program guest speaker on the topic of Living Green way back a number of months ago.  Saying 'yes' and getting this commitment on the calendar was what I needed to motivate myself.  I had all these 'refashioning' projects to be finished and lots of recycled materials to magically transform into little works of art.  What better way to accomplish these tasks than to agree to talk on this same subject and use all my finished products to illustrate "reduce, reuse, recycle.'  This was my plan.

It worked!  The seminar was mucho fun and all my preparation paid off.  Jan and James Lisenby were gracious hosts.  As a guest in their beautiful home, I had plenty of room to spread out and organize everything before the seminar.  Only a very good friend would allow such a mess for so long.  (Thank you, Jan and James.  I enjoyed my time with both of you more than words can express.  And I loved meeting 'the girls.'  They are sweethearts...and I must say I miss that 'little dumpy' more than I thought I would.)

Since Linda allowed me to choose the date of the seminar, I chose a date close to the Claybank Jamboree weekend.  Hopeful I could attend for part of the day and catch up with more of my Alabama gardening friends.  And finally, at day's end, perhaps round up the 'best of the best' for dinner at Rodeo's before I departed town the next day.  And unlike the "best laid plans..." it came off without a hitch.  Lucky us!

I miss you all.  You are never far from my thoughts and always are in my prayers.

'tis the Season for giving Thanks

...a blessed long visit with my mutti who is one of the best girl companions this daughter could ever have...receiving news from Tarajean of the upcoming Hawaiian nuptials...Abram's return from Afghanistan after a long deployment...Jeffrey's continued love and support and hearty laugh...Gavin turning 6-months-old... beautiful weather, sunny and dry...lots of new work for Earthshine Giftworks, keeping creative juices flowing...a successful November program for our Master Gardeners...and tomorrow? a road trip to Sarasota to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jessica...the love of family and friends... for all these things I am truly grateful.

Autumn

September was a good month. Packed full of varied activities it passed with a whoosh and a wheeeee! Starting off, I made a road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina (Aug. 31-Sept. 3), to meet dear friend Eileen at our favorite Super 8 Motel. I gleaned a bunch of inspiration and enjoyed catching up with this long-time sympatico buddy of mine. Preparing for the first Master Gardener meeting (17th) of the new season occupied quite a bit of time; the attention to detail paid off in a major way. Abram turned 21 years old (20th)... in a country far, far away. Jeff and I drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to introduce Jeff to his grandson, Gavin Lee...and we celebrated Jeff's birthday (24th) with Tarajean and the beautiful little GDub at the Cheesecake Factory. The Master Gardeners participated in a work day at the library (19th), my sister Jessica celebrated her 50th birthday..and I devoted additional time getting ready for our CMG booth at the Claybank Jamboree (October 3). Mixed in with all these events, Earthshine Giftworks kept me hopping! Is it any wonder I neglected to keep up with my blog postings? September was a good month.

Heading eastward tomorrow

It's been such a great visit! Thanks to Tarajean, Paul and Gavin....I've been made to feel welcome and comfy in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Every time I visit this city, I like it more and more. And now that I have a grandson here? Well, naturally, it's a great place to be. I have lots of fun photos and will post some when I return to Ozark. I plan on stopping in Delaware, Arkansas, on my return trip to hang out with cousin Jon and Linda; will stay the night with them before finishing the longer leg of my journey home to Jeff. Hope everyone had a lovely summer solstice and have found good ways to beat the heat! Until we meet again...stay safe, be well!

Doing our part!

Day 2 and the taxes are almost done. Finished the Federal Returns and then dove right in to get to the Alabama and Idaho returns. Didn't even let the ink dry on the first set of completed papers (so to speak). It's all over now except for the shoutin'! I'm not sure why I'm not more upset by the results of this years returns. Usually this whole experience leaves me feeling depressed. Oh that's right! I quit smoking...and nothing can compete with how I was feeling depressed over THAT loss. Turns out it was the perfect precursor for doing taxes...and I guess I'm numb to the feelings of pain...and paying. I'm looking at the bright side...which is that we're lucky to be doing well enough-financially-that we owe our government money. And we know there are soooo many good causes that our money can be used for.
Oh! And please remember!
Think: WORLD PEACE

Self Portrait

Looking ahead

I like this photo of myself. It represents how I feel in my life...a sense of expectancy...heading somewhere...on the lookout...just up around the corner. But I've got my coffee in hand...so I'm fine where I am...at this moment, it's good. The sun is shining, I'm wearing shorts, the sky is blue...and I'm sure there's a song in my heart...