Texas Shamrocks

Take a DEEP Breath . . . OK! I think I will!

2011-01-10T10:41:00.003-06:00

So I heard that if we would only breathe deeper for at least five minutes a day we would be happier and healthier. Really? That's it? I saw Julia Roberts try that in Eat, Pray, Love. I didn't buy it then, and I don't really buy it now. Maybe I have never tried it, because I just don't think it will work.

However . . .

I am ready to give it a try. Wow!

So here it goes . . .

Breathe In . . .

and don't forget to breathe out.

I am already lightheaded and loving it!

Thank God for Snow!

2011-01-10T09:54:00.003-06:00

Today is a Snow Day! Thought I would log on and check out my abandoned blog! Guess what ... the last time I wrote a blog was the last snow day we had!

Time .... unexpected, glorious time that is not planned out to the second. What a treat!

I loved catching up on other blogs today, too.

Still dreaming, folks!

Snow Way . . . Way

2010-03-21T20:47:00.001-05:00

I could not believe the snow that covered our little corner of the world today, the first day of spring! It was beautiful, and I loved it! What a joy to see the white, clean powder cover the new beginnings of weeds poking through the grass.

What a glorious day!

Random fact of this snowy day: I once auditioned for Donald Trump's show, THE APPRENTICE! Didn't make it, but it was an experience. This random thought was brought to you by me, snuggled up on the sofa watching CELEBRITY APPRENTICE on this cold, snowy night.

Realizing a Dream!

2010-03-19T23:41:00.004-05:00

I have got to learn to blog more often! Old dreams die hard, so I am learning to realize what I need to do. I don't have very many clever stories to tell right now, but I am realizing that so much changes in just a few months! Just the quick updates:

2 kids in college now. oh. my. goodness.

We moved into a brand new house! It is cute!

New TV and a new sofa and love seat. The one we had was literally 45 years old (or maybe more.)

My friend, Elizabeth, is now in Peru.

Family stuff (it is complicated.) More to come . . .

David is doing great after his surgery last summer.

Haley and I got our hair cut yesterday! Pretty short for us!

I know no one really cares about all of this, but I am writing for myself right now.

mayday, mayday, mayday

2009-08-13T20:56:00.000-05:00

Just an update for those who play Trivial Pursuit: mayday is from the French phrase m'aidez which means (you) come help me. It is the distress signal and is said three times in a row to make sure that those who hear it know that it is a real distress signal. The call is from those in "grave or imminent danger and who require immediate assistance."

So there you have it, folks! I have done my research! You are welcome. ;)

School Daze . . .

2009-08-13T20:33:00.000-05:00

David made it through his heart surgery just splendidly. He had a wonderful intensive care nurse the first night after his six hour surgery who made him get up early the next morning and sit up in a chair. We were all amazed when he was allowed to sit up and eat eggs the very next day. He was very alert soon after the surgery. We are so grateful to our friends and family who came to be with us during this difficult time. We could feel the prayers. Not everything was easy, but he has virtually recovered now.

Soon after the short recovery David traveled to Houston to attend an AP conference. I went to Galveston to stay with some friends and to drive him home. We had a great time at the beach house. Good food, good friends, good scenery, good times.

Today was my first day back to school for the year. I'm ready enough!

David has been back since August 5th. He is definitely ready.

Yesterday I dropped off Haley at college. She is a UTD Comet now. She is having fun, I'm sure. We got her room all fixed up and looking cute. She goes to Comet Camp soon, and then she will start class after much "orientating."

The Dallas Cowboys are playing tonight for the very first pre-season game of the year. The Texas Rangers have been winning, but are 5 games out behind LA. Speaking of LA, I got to "go to there!" Haley and I had a blast visiting my sister and Ellen and JR. We took the WB tour, went to the Craig Ferguson Late Late Show, ate at In and Out Burger, Bob's Big Boy, Porto's. and had Stacia's crepes! We also went to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland! It sure was fun! We made some wonderful memories and had such a good time. Oh, and we visited the Griffin Observatory and looked through the giant telescope.

There have been two meteor showers the last couple of nights, but I missed them. The first night it was too cloudy. The second night I was too sleepy.

I am in a daze getting ready for school to start. The summer literally flew by. I just cannot believe how fast the earth is spinning round and round these days.

I'm just shamrockin' on in my school daze!

Mayday, Mayday . . .

2009-05-10T12:36:00.000-05:00

When someone is in trouble in the old movies, they say, "mayday." I don't get it! Why do they say that? I'll have to research it.

I am happy this day of May. It happens to be mother's day. My mother is amazing. That is all there is to that. I could not say enough about her to give her the credit she deserves. I just know that I am glad to be a little bit like her. I am definitely not exactly like her.

I hope I am a good enough mom. That is the best I can do! My kids have practically raised themselves. They teach me stuff now. They don't really want to listen to me anymore because they KNOW they really are smarter than I am!

I guess my biggest "mayday" cry for help is about David. We met his surgeon this week and scheduled the big heart surgery. The day they will replace his aorta valve and "root" is June 15. It will be a 4 hour surgery, intensive care stay for 1 - 2 days, and at least one week in the hospital.

I have a lot to do before then. We have our spring play this week! It involves 40 middle school kids! Then I've got my class performances (3 of them) and an encore performance of the spring play. We call it Dramapalooza! It will be great, but I'm still nervous.

The end of school is always busy with map testing, final exams, AP tests for Haley, and just finishing up, packing up and saying goodbye for the summer. Tyler is already home from SMU. He got home last night and is a little worried about his grades this semester. Oh well . . . he knows what he needs to do.

This is just a random blog today regarding a day in May. I feel like I am just reporting news to catch up. "Real blogs" are still to come . . . stay tuned.

Have a wonderful May Day!

WOW! Time Really Does Fly!

2009-04-13T20:19:00.000-05:00

So a lot has happened since the New Year. Our family has been visiting a new church. We like it so far. I got to see my parents yesterday at their house for Easter Lunch. As usual, it was beautiful and wonderful. We had a great time visiting with my mom and dad and some other friends who are very special to us.

In March, my students did a great job in the One Act Play, and we have completed a new round of auditions for our spring play.

My oldest son turns 20 years old next week! My 17 year old daughter will be graduating from high school in just a matter of days. My "baby" is such a teenager suddenly. I just can't believe it! I want to sing "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof and shed a tear or two just thinking about it. Everyone knows I am such a crybaby! So what, it's OK! I love my kids, my husband, and my life. I can cry if I want to, right?

Our family has some news . . . some good, some not so great.

The good news is really good . . .

David, my husband, after several years of prayer regarding his career, has accepted a new position. He is now a high school social studies teacher! He absolutely loves it. I warned him that it would be difficult, but he is willingly taking on the challenge and is having a blast.

And now for the "not so great" news . . .

At his last cardiology check up, David found out that his heart is not as strong as it should be. Some people might not know the whole story, so here is the quick rundown.

When David was eight years old he had open heart surgery to repair his aorta valve. Dr. Denton Cooley was his surgeon. The operation was successful, but they knew that he would have to have a new valve one day. That day came in October of 1992. David was 30 years old, in seminary, a full-time minister with two small children and a somewhat demanding wife. ;) We had so many caring friends who took such good care of us. The prayers poured in. Looking back now, I know I was just in a whirlwind of worry and emotion. Perhaps I did not appreciate everything that people did for us at the time, but what I did know was that God was watching over us because I felt so peaceful and calm. Our family members, friends and church family made sure that the kids were taken care of so that I could stay at the hospital as much as possible. I know I was scared, but I also felt that overwhelming feeling of peace that passes understanding that only God can give. We got so many cards, prayer cards, and notes of encouragement from people all over the world. It was very touching. For those of you who helped us out in our time of need, thank you! You may be reading this now wondering if it made a difference. Believe me, it did! You touched our lives in a way that makes a difference in eternity.

Now, 16 years later, David has to have another open-heart surgery. It will probably happen in June, after the school year is over. He will have his aorta root replaced by a surgeon at Baylor Hospital in Plano. We admit that we are once again scared and overwhelmed. The bills, the recovery time, the risk involved are enough to put me right back in that whirlwind of worry again. However, I know that God has a plan. He is in complete control. I have faith that He will bring us through the surgery with a new purpose and vision. He will provide my "Texas shamrocks" along the way to help us through by giving us faith and encouragement, just as He has always done.

If you will, please put us on your prayer list and on your church's prayer list. We will feel the power of your prayers.

Thanks for reading this, by the way! Comment if you would like to. We would love to hear from you. Stay tuned! I'll post updates as we go.

Life is precious! Make it count where it really counts!

With love,

Shannon

Dear David,

2009-01-17T11:55:00.000-06:00

I love you. Twenty-two years ago today we exchanged vows, shared our hearts, and gave rings to one another to demonstrate our true love and commitment to each other. You are a blessing. As I look back and reflect on my memories of that monumental day, I have to let you know that you have given me more than I ever dreamed or asked for in a husband. I know that God brought us together to share our lives, rejoice in the birth of our three wonderful children, and go on adventure after adventure hand in hand forever.

You are so patient. I know I'm crazy! You put up with all my schemes and ideas. You even listen to me and pretend that I am making sense. Sometimes you actually agree with me, and that amazes me.

You are generous. Your willingness to help others is inspiring. You have sacrificed so much for God's kingdom. I'm so thankful you have sacrificed so much for our family. Please know that I know how the road has been tough at times, but you have always given of yourself and poured out blessings on so many people through the years. God has and will use you to teach, inspire and disciple people because you are ready to give your time and resources to do so.

You are a man after God's heart. I know you are searching for God's will constantly. He will lead. Keep your faith just as you always have. Your patience comes in handy when life feels like it is on hold. Realizing that we were brought together 22 years ago to embark on a journey together reaffirms my own faith that the path ahead will lead to where ever He leads. I know you will be willing.

I'm excited to go out with you tonight! We will share a fancy dinner, talk about how we met, remember the good times and a few of the hard times that brought us even closer together.

Happy anniversary, David! Every second of our 22 years together has been a blessing. Thank you for being you!

Counting Days

2009-01-09T19:01:00.000-06:00

New year, new days to count down! I'm content with 2009 so far, thank goodness! The days are flying by and I am barely counting them. I'm surprised it is already the 9th! Goodness gracious. I'm still asking some hard questions in spite of my desire to keep things simple and not complicate my brain with too much analyzing. Some of my questions as of late are:

How can I really help people? Really?

Do I have to get my own act together? Really?

Is my "mindset" wrong or is it just how I am?

Do I need to change, or am I OK just as I am?

Does anyone out there really give a flip? Really?

Does this list sound depressing to you, or just profound?

Seriously, I'm confusing myself by trying to figure everything out all of the time and it is making me tired. Here is what I do know:

I am grateful.

I am loved.

I do love.

I do care.

I hope.

There. I'll continue counting the questions and the days this year. Perhaps one of these days there will be a few more answers.

Until then . . . 9, 10, 11 . . . . . days to make the world a better place.

It Was a Very Merry Christmas!

2008-12-28T20:50:00.000-06:00

The Front Door

We did it! We put up our grapevine, stars, and painted stockings to create this beautiful swag for Christmas at my Mom's house. She put it all together, actually. We had a wonderful Christmas with my sister and her family, and my Mom and Dad. My family also traveled to Georgetown to see my husbands family. All the kids had so much fun! We played, laughed and ate like never before. What a great holiday season. It really was a very, very, merry Christmas. I'm so thankful for our wonderful families who make Christmas day and every day so special. God has blessed us so much. I think I'm just now realizing how fortunate I am. I am ready to share God's goodness with everyone.

Merry, Merry!

2008-12-06T08:28:00.000-06:00

It's time to plan, decorate, make lists and check them twice! Yea! Christmas is coming! It is going to be here very soon. December always goes by quickly to me. There never seems to be enough time to get all the fun in, especially if you are like me and like to "do nothing" in order to really enjoy the season. I have figured out there there is a fine line between having lots of fun activities to attend and prepare for and having "downtime" so that I don't feel overwhelmed and "Scroogey." I'm working on finding my balance.

Merry, merry Christmas! It is not here yet, but we have lots of days to make the season special for our friends, family, and yes, ourselves.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-28T16:13:00.001-06:00

Here are some fun things we did this year as we gave thanks. We made Turkey Cookies! Are they not cute? My daughter and my mom created the look-a-like stockings from the Christmas Swag we found in the country at the cutest shop ever! My daughter drew and painted the stockings from our photos. Pretty clever if I say so myself. We had Thanksgiving dinner at my mom and dad's house. As usual, the house looked wonderful. Everything was delicious, and we all had a great time. We all miss my sister and her family, but they will be here for Christmas which is just around the corner! The countdown is on, Santa.

I am truly giving thanks to God for all of our blessings. We are truly blessed.

Porto's

2008-11-25T19:06:00.001-06:00

So, my son had a happy birthday! I found these pics on my daughter's camera when I was posting the farm pictures. I just wanted to add a few in honor of the best 13 year old boy a mom could wish for.

I'm so thankful for all three of my kids. They are truly AWESOME. They inspire me and lift me up each and every day. Since Thanksgiving is almost here, I'd like to say how thankful I am for such a wonderful and loving family.

My oldest is an "almost" junior at SMU. He is a computer science engineering major. My daughter can do anything! She is a senior in high school. And my youngest, the baby thirteen year old, is just too cool for words.

But I have to talk about Porto's. My sister brought this cake to us all the way from Burbank because she LOVES Porto's so much. The cake made the trip in an ice chest. The cake only had to travel to Sedona, AZ and not all the way to Texas, so it was not so long a trip for the delectable treat to travel. Anyway, last week at my nephew's fund raiser in Burbank they were auctioning off a trip to Porto's and lunch for 6. So, Uncle Archie bid on it and won! Off they went to Porto's for the behind the scenes tour of how all of the yummy food and cakes are made. The Porto's daughter who helps runs things told all about the family and how they came to America from Cuba to start this bakery. It was very interesting according to my sister. She said it was like being on an episode of "Unwrapped" which is one of our favorite food network shows. I'm JEAL-OUS! Ha.

Hence, the photos of Alex and his awesome cake. Here's to Porto's!

DVD Release!

2008-11-25T10:35:00.000-06:00

Yes! The Clique is finally released! We had a watch party at my Mom's house that was super-fun! Ellen called in to say "hi" on the way to her DVD signing at Border's Book Store in Los Angeles. It was so much fun to talk to her while she was riding in the limo on the way to launch her very own DVD!

And my Mom, of course, had everything fixed up at her house for a perfect party. There was a marquee out in the yard, custom plates, movie candy galore, popcorn boxes, and iced-down drinks for all. We watched, we screamed, we cried, we laughed (the movie is funny) and we had to say how GREAT Ellen is in the movie!!!!! She really is ah-mazing as Claire.

The photos above are from the DVD/book signing!

We can't wait for the next two Clique movies! We'll be watching you, Ellen!

Fa---arm Livin' Is The Life For Me

2008-11-25T08:17:00.001-06:00

So . . . I love Green Acres. The TV show. You know, "land spreadin' out so far and wide, keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside." Mr. Douglas, Arnold the pig and all the folks down at Petticoat Junction are real to me! They are all friends in my head.

We went to "the farm" this weekend with my family and my parents. Not exactly Hooterville, but pretty close! The farm is some land where my Dad farms trees, day lilies, hollies, cows, chickens, and keeps a dog named "Hobo." We rode around in the golf cart! Too much fun. My daughter drove the skid steer and loaded a pretty big live oak tree that is to be delivered to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She is a darn good skid steer driver! She learned how to drive it when she was in the fourth grade! She is a senior in high school now! We traipsed off into the woods gathering grapevines, not to smoke, but to form into a cute Christmas swag. We wanted to copy a design we saw "in town." More on that later. Also, there was a beaver dam and some shootin' going on. The neighbors were mad because we were shooting a 22 and a b b gun and scaring away the deer and the hogs that he was a-huntin'. We did not see the beavers this trip, but we saw the trees that they gnawed off. Here is the joke of the week put out there by my daughter who was making fun of us for gathering berries, sticks and grapevine for decorations:

Hey, why don't ya'll take that beaver-gnawed off tree stump home with you for some decorations; then you can say you had a DAM good Christmas!!!!

Hardy, Har, Har!!

The center photo above is the wreath that my 13 year old son and my mom put together with the berries and sweet gum balls we found in the woods and in the yard at the house.

So my Mom and I went shopping in the country. We fell in love with the cutest shop ever. Of course, we were dressed in our yuckiest farm clothes and we were just planning on scoping out the town to see what was there. Then we were literally LURED in by the decorations on the front door of this cutest shop ever! We studied the design of the Christmas swag and then HAD to go in the store. My mom found some very cute CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT stuff, and I found a Brighton handbag that I put on my Christmas wish list. I really hope I get it, Santa!

Did I say that I love small towns? I do! I fell in love with the town.

My Mom cleaned up the farm house, which belonged to Granny and Pappa Biggs. The little house is all cute and tidy. My Mom is an awesome decorator and maid. She found some junk in the storeroom that she painted and stained and turned into cute stuff. We worked a puzzle, played a game, watched football, cooked and ate like there was no tomorrow! The kids explored in the woods, fed the cows, and played with Hobo, the dog.

Such fun!

I like the farm. However, I do get allergic smelling hay, dah-ling! We all came home with the sniffles and sneezes. Oh, well. It was worth it!

The Clique

2008-11-16T16:47:00.000-06:00

Here is my niece, Ellen Marlow, at the Build-A -Bear event helping to raise money for Ronald McDonald Houses. Her DVD comes out THIS TUESDAY! She plays Claire Lyons in The Clique! I can't wait to run out and buy it on Tuesday afternoon. I'm so excited to finally see the movie!

Don't you love Ellen's purple jacket? I know I do!

Turbo-Charged Pepper Grinder!

2008-11-08T07:53:00.000-06:00

I want one! Nigella has one, so why shouldn't I?

Just one more thing on the list of stuff I don't need, but think is super-cool.

Here is just a portion of my list:

A new house, only old. A cottage-style bungalow.
A plasma TV. A big, giant one.
A maid. A good one.
A coffee shop. My own coffee shop.
A building. To put my coffee shop in. I can also house my Etiquette School in my building.
A town. A quaint one. Like Stars Hollow.
A palates machine. To hang my sweaters on to dry.
Italian shoes. To wear around nonchalantly.
An outdoor kitchen. The reasons are obvious.

Hey look! I've started dreaming again. For real! Signs that my life is not as depressing as it was about three months ago. This is a good sign. Believe me! A Texas Shamrock just appeared, and I am so very, very happy! :) :) :)

I hope It Is Interesting

2008-11-01T10:52:00.000-05:00

OK -- Here it is. I'm considering attending a training to get certified in etiquette lessons so I can open up an "etiquette school" one day. I got the information, and it really sounds pretty good. I'm still considering everything, though. There are many reasons it would be great, and many reasons it would not be the best thing to do t this time. As I have learned, timing is everything.

I'll need some family support, some time and money (who doesn't need that?) and the gumption to get it going. I call that the burning desire to accomplish something. To be honest, I don't have that yet.

So for now the Etiquette School (to be named at a later date) is on the back-burner cooking on low. It is simmering slowly getting either richer, deeper and better; or it is going to boil away to nothingness one day, depending on how much I check on it and add to it.

I'm still a little excited about the possibilities! I just need to give it some time.

As my dad always says, "it'll be interesting to see how it all turns out."

The Solomon House

2008-10-26T18:52:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time I owned a Bed and Breakfast. Yes, a B&B, if you will. I never liked saying B&B though, so I always say the full "bed and breakfast." I thought that was so cool until Lorelai Gilmore in the Gilmore Girls TV show said she hated Bed and Breakfasts. She owned an "INN." Evidently that is much more elegant and not so hokey and dreadful as a Bed and Breakfast. I did consider myself an innkeeper, though. So Lorelai, you should be at least proud of that. "Innkeeper" was even printed on our brochures. How quaint and charming! I really, really LOVED the house, setting up the business, our wonderful guests, the adventure of owning a business, winning awards, planning menus, cooking and decorating! I really, really, really, really hated cleaning. And I had to do LOTS of it.

The house we found to purchase in order to open up The Solomon House, as we called it, was a circa 1896, 4700 square foot New England salt box style home with a huge backyard. It needed LOTS of work when we bought it; yes indeed, just like The Moneypit. See the movie. The house was a lot like that one in the movie and my husband and I had very similar experiences with the couple in the movie who bought the "moneypit." However, everything worked out, just like a Christmas miracle! It was truly a wonderful life for a few years! I did not not know how wonderful it would be until I just jumped in and started going. There were planning and zoning meetings to attend, permits to acquire, lots of contractors to hire, scads of paperwork and banking issues to deal with, and inspections to pass. The whole thing was almost like an out of body experience. To this day I do not know how everything came together, except for the miracles that God planned for our lives.

I wonder if I'd do it all over again. YES! I miss it so much. Our lives were crazy, crazy, crazy, but we all learned so much. I'll have to post photos of The Solomon House and share more memories of those glory years soon. This might sound weird, but I still just cry when I even think about my Bed and Breakfast, The Solomon House, because I still miss it so much. We sold it seven years ago, and I often find myself looking online for properties and checking out deals in the newspapers and real estate magazines that I pick up at the grocery store. When we bought it and opened up for business my husband and I thought we would live there forever. Things change though, and we were offered an opportunity to work and live closer to my family. My husband's job changed so we decided it would be best to move, even though we did not really want to. Looking back, we wonder what would have happened if we were still at The Solomon House today. Since we sold it we have had many life-lessons and we probably needed to learn them all. Not all of the lessons were easy, but moving on forced us to accept new challenges and career choices that make us who we are now. Our kids have had great experiences in our new home, and we cherish our new friendships and the extra time we have been able to spend with family members. Holidays are not "business bookings," and we don't have "strangers, aka guests" in our home. I probably wouldn't be a teacher! And, I would be completely burned out by now. At times the Bed and Breakfast was a pain (when I had to clean, clean and clean some more) but I still loved it, even when I was so burned out I couldn't see straight. It was worth all of the trouble for the time we had it.

When I first started blogging just a few months ago I was obsessed with finding new dreams. My Bed and Breakfast dream was so HUGE, and it came true! I'm still trying to dream that BIG again so that I can fulfill that part of my entrepreneurship lifestyle. I'll not tell you about it now, but I think I found a potential dream! Check back in the near future for updates!
Hint: It is not a B&B. :(
But it could be just as interesting and adventurous. I'm super-excited to see if this little dream will grow and become an all out "opportunity of the decade" for me and my family.

Here is a little challenge for my two "blog-friends:"

GUESS WHAT MY NEW POTENTIAL ADVENTURE IS.

Share your comments and let me know what you think is buzzing around in this crazy brain of mine. Don't be shy! I'd love to hear your guess!

State Fair, Take Three

2008-10-19T14:15:00.000-05:00

Just one last trip to the Fair! Friday night we went to the Fair again to see the Jessica Simpson concert. I scored two more free tickets, so why not? I saw Jessica, who I really do like a lot. Really, I always have. I'm not sure why, but she makes me laugh and I think she is really pretty smart in a dumb kind of way. Anyway, we also saw Tony Romo and Jason Witten. Jessica totally cracked me up when she said "to be man enough for me, you have to be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys!" And, can you believe it, we saw the "backscratcher lady" again! Whoa. It was freakish. There she was, coming right at me. My husband says we were headed for a collision crash if he hadn't alerted me to her approach. She didn't talk to me this time; she was evidently on a mission of some sort. It was after the concert and she was headed right up to the stage. I figure she wanted to talk to Jessica, but I'm not sure. She might have wanted a free poster or a coupon for another jug of milk. She may have wanted to beat on the drum set with her backscratchers. Who knows?

We tried to come in the back gate to get us a free backscratcher, but we got the best parking place ever at the side gate! I can live without the backscratcher for another year.

It was another gorgeous night, and my husband and I really did have a fun night at our last outing to the Fair.

Now, on to another note: I am now constantly writing blogs in my head. I am now the narrator
of my own life in my head. I will think up ideas all day long, but then when I sit down to log on, I can't think of them. Here are some of the ideas I have had that I can remember for future blogging:

The Solomon House Adventures
Yard of the Month
Project Runway
Sunday Blues
REHEARSAL, OMG
Craptastic
Phenomeblog
Blogger-riffic
Let's move to New York, Elizabeth!
What's up with Mad Men?

OK, that should keep me busy for a while! At least my blog-tastic ideas will be stored here where they are handy for future reference.

See you next year, Big Tex and Ms. Backscratcher!

Backscratchers

2008-10-16T19:30:00.000-05:00

What in the world? We went to the State Fair of Texas and had quite the adventure. My husband thought that we could ride the DART from Mockingbird Station right to the front gates of the fair. No parking fees, no waiting in the long lines to park, no walking forever from the parking lot and getting all worn out before you even get into the fair. Yay! It would have been great, but we missed the train by "that" much, and then we missed the shuttle bus by "this" much. Then when we had all the fun we could stand at the fair we had to wait for the bus again for the voyage home. We really did have a great time! Some of the highlights of the night:

Being at the Fair with my wonderful husband and three fantastic kids!
It was a beautiful night! Perfect weather!
The Fair is fun at night with parades and lots of lights!
The Fletcher's Corny Dogs were hot, fresh and delicious!
I didn't ride the Texas Star Ferris Wheel. Boo. I chickened out.
Tyler and I walked around, saw my old kindergarten, bought the traditional taffy, and got some scrumptious Cyclone Potatoes while the three brave family members rode the ginormous ferris wheel that we were too scared to ride!
Overhearing a very interesting cell phone call all about backscratchers. Here is my memory of the cell phone convo as heard on the bus ride back to Cityplace Station on the way home from the Great State Fair: "Libby, are you asleep yet? Are you going out to the fair tomorrow? Bring your lotto ticket, I've been hittin' it all week. I got $19 yesterday. Yea? They are giving away free backscratchers! Yea -- I said backscratchers, backscratchers, you know, they scratch your back; they're free at the back gate, they're givin' 'em away free. Yeah, backscratchers. I said BACKSCRATCHERS. I got me two already. I said BACKSCRATCHERS, you know BACK . . . BACKSCRATCHERS, the kind that SCRATCH YOUR BACK-- AT THE BACK GATE. THEY ARE FREE. Ya haf to come out and get 'choo one. I said BACKSCRATCHERS - FREE. I SAID BACKSCRATCHERS, BACK-SCRATCHERS, YEAH, BACKSCRATCHERS!"

Each time she said "backscratchers" her voice got louder and louder. It was hilarious to me and my family. This backscratcher woman was so funny. She had all kinds of interesting tales to tell. She talked non-stop the entire time we were in her presence, if not to me, to anyone within earshot. She talked about backscratchers, the price of milk and how many jugs she bought that day, and that she was gonna save one to eat with her cereal tomorrow morning, what kind of cereal she liked, where she got her purse and how much it cost and where I could get one just like it if I wanted for $2 cheaper than the ones they were selling at the Fair, where she got two new umbrellas and why she traded one in because it was cracked and it might have scratched her hand (not her back) and that she was going to give one umbrella to her diabetic friend who could NOT have a cracked umbrella handle because she is diabetic and can't have scratchy umbrella handles touching her hands. She talked all about the bus and the train and hollered out to everyone on the bus alerting them to empty seats that were available. She rambled on about winning the lotto prizes at the fair and her friend who complained to the State about so many of the same people winning over and over again and how that just wasn't right. We left her getting off the bus to head to the train and she was practically screaming into her phone . . . "I SAID BACKSCRATCHER." If she said it once, she said it 50 times. "Backscratcher." The word is so funny to me now! I crack up at the thought of it.

It was quite a night. We had a blast at the fair. The backscratching show was totally worth the price of the DART DAY PASS! And the free tickets to the fair were definitely worth it!

I can't wait to find out what they will give away at the back gate next year. It won't be as good as a free backscratcher! I promise you that!

Table Talk

2008-10-04T10:08:00.000-05:00

College Days. Once upon a time I was a college recruiter. It like a dream job; plus it was my first "real job!" I got to travel around to all the high schools and set up a cute little table, drape a collegiate-looking tablecloth over the table, arrange some well designed (and expensive) brochures on that table and then stand behind (or in front of) that same table. Then I would smile and talk to prospective students by that table. My work life revolved around a table in those days. After the college fair, I would go out to eat with all the other "roadies" and sit around another table and laugh and get to know all about the other colleges and their recruiters.

I like tables now. All kinds of tables interest me. Small tables, big tables, end tables, dining room tables, coffee tables, breakfast nook tables, round tables, rectangle tables, oval tables, doll house tables, banquet tables, chrome tables, wooden tables, glass tables and my favorite, English tea tables.

I took my daughter to her College Night last week at the local high school, and we looked at all of the pretty brochures on all of the cute little tables all lined up, draped with collegiate-looking tablecloths. It was beautiful. I was suddenly swept back in time remembering my own College Night days.

I analyzed the recruiters trying to decide if they were "real" admission counselors (which was my official title back in the table days) or if they were alumni stand-ins. We chatted with several of them and I watched and listened how they interacted with my daughter. It was interesting to imagine myself back in the day doing the same thing that they were doing. I wanted my own table again with my own tablecloth! Heck, I want my own college to promote!
Texas Shamrocks University -- Go Rocks! Green and White!

It was completely overwhelming to my daughter. If we based her college decision on our best experience with an admission counselor that night, she would be going to a school that doesn't even have a program that she is interested in! She is now ultra-confused about what she wants to do when she grows up, much less which college she will attend. She was very excited about meeting someone behind the "Rice Table," but when we found the table, alas, no one was there. No brochures, no smiling admission counselor, nary a brochure nor a cloth. There was just a plain, empty, sad little table with a sign that said "Rice." I thought that Ike, the hurricane, probably was the cause for the no-show that night. Who knows. I'm pretty sure it was the only empty table at the school that night, though.

I wonder if I was ever a no-show. I don't think I was. I can't bear the thought of disappointing a prospective student.

Well, I've decided that my daughter will have to decide for herself where to go to college. I can't base her decision on the best brochure or the friendliest admission counselor. She would never do that anyway; that's my deal!

I think I'll sell all of my tables to pay for college for my daughter.

Longest Week

2008-09-27T18:08:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel like the week will never end? That is how I felt this last week. I don't know why, but it dragged on and on. I guess I had a lot to do, but nothing very interesting to do. Maybe the next couple of weeks will be more exciting.

I am looking forward to the State Fair of Texas. I LOVE to go to the Fair! I will be getting a candy apple (green apple with the hard red candy) and some cotton candy. That is what I love to eat at the Fair. I do love a Fletcher's corny dog, too. I am waiting for the weather to cool down some before I go. Last year it was really hot and crowded because the Jonas Brothers were there performing a free concert. My kids wanted to see them -- let me tell you it was exciting. Several people passed out from the heat. I was nearly one of them, too. I guess I am one that can't take the heat.

Drag on.

Name Up in Lights

2008-09-21T15:04:00.000-05:00

I'm so, so, so proud of my niece, Ellen Marlow, and my sister (Ellen's mom) for all they have accomplished in the last four years. You can read all about Ellen and her blossoming career on her website, www.ellenmarlow.com. Ellen was born to act and sing. Really, she literally was. You know how some people just HAVE to do certain things in life? Well, that's our Elle Belle! She will play Claire Lyons in the new made for DVD movie, The Clique, based on the number one best seller series by Lisi Harrison. Since then Ellen has booked some other exciting projects and has been noticed by some very well known casting directors.

My sister has helped Ellen out all along the way. She has sacrificed a lot to make sure that Ellen gets everything she needs to advance her career. And I cannot leave out Big Brother, JR, who has been the cheerleader, coach, and executive supporter in each and every endeavor. He is talented too, and I suspect JR will have his own career one day! For now he is happy at school singing, dancing and winning the national show choir competitions!

Ellen has been a lead in a Broadway musical, starred in a commercial, been featured on TV shows, and now is a leading character in a very popular movie. She has a super BIG audition on Monday, too. So who knows what the future holds? I know I see Ellen's name up in lights!

Act on, Ellen!

Like a Diamond

2008-09-21T12:57:00.000-05:00

This week I went stargazing with my daughter's astronomy class. It was a gorgeous night; it was cool and the air was crisp and clean. I sat back, away from the high school kids, listening and looking up into the night sky. It is amazing how just focusing my attention on the heavens above calms my spirit and sets my mind spinning in motion with questions and thoughts all at the same time.

But wait, there was a problem.

Where we live there is too much light pollution. It is not easy to see the constellations when over 3 million people light up my little corner of the world. On top of that, it was almost a full moon. According to the teacher, a full moon does not allow humans to see the stars in their best light. More moonlight pollution.

I actually saw the same stars, positioned a little differently, from another viewpoint this summer while my family was vacationing in Sedona, Arizona. WOW! Much less light pollution; and it was a semi-cloudy night that blocked the bright light of the half moon. Spectacular. The instructor of this stargazing session brought a large home-made telescope that we looked through. It was high-powered enough for me to see exploding nebula, the rings of Saturn, the red eye and stripes on Jupiter, and the craters on the moon. It really was amazing looking at the universe as I know it in a way that I had never done before.

As for my daughter, astronomy is her favorite class! She is thrilled to learn about the stars and space and the meaning of life. Really! I had to laugh at her when she asked the teacher, "what is that?" while pointing to a very large ball of light on the horizon. He replied, "an airplane." She argued with him for a while and finally gave in when the light blinked by over our heads!

So this week my Texas Shamrock was a diamond in the sky. Very inspirational.

Shine on!

All Is Well (Not)

2008-09-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

Ike the hurricane has left the state. All is well here in the DFW metroplex, but I'm afraid all is not well in Galveston, Houston, and lots of other flooded places. When I dreamed about hurricanes over a week ago I had no idea that those dreams would be realized. I hoped that they wouldn't. I guess we really don't want (or need) all of our dreams to come true. But some must.

Our church hosted about 80 evacuees in our Family Life Center. I'm glad.

My family is going to be able to visit some other churches in the next few weeks. It will be interesting to see what happens and to see how I feel when I go to a new place of worship. I've been wanting to venture out and see what else God is doing. Today our pastor talked about being a cheetah in a cage at the zoo. Cheetahs are suppose to run free and FAST! They can't when they are locked up in a cage. Their food is brought to them and they don't even have to chase or hunt. It is in their nature to run. I happened to wear my favorite animal print top to church today that resembles a cheetah. Ha. Coincident? I think not. That is exactly how I have been feeling lately! I am like that cheetah that needs to run free. I have been feeling trapped in a cage when it comes to my spiritual life. I know it is no one's fault but my own. I have been feeling restless and upset about church and I don't know why. I have a long list of things that I could blame it on, but I know that those are probably just excuses, so I am going to own up to my own feelings and try to find out what I need to do next. Our pastor said that we don't need to just sit in church waiting to be fed like the cheetahs in the zoo. So, off I run! I am feeling free, yet vulnerable. I guess I have to rely on God as I venture out looking for the adventures in life that God has in store for me and my family.

So, all is OK, for now.

Run on, cheetah!

Hobby Bloggy

2008-09-13T17:13:00.000-05:00

I like blogging now! I do look forward to it, but I still don't have a real theme like other bloggers do. It seems like other folks have art, food, travel, jobs, or family as a recurring motivation for the inspiration for the blogs. My Texas Shamrocks are random pieces of information that I find interesting and decide to write about. Hey, I guess that really is what a Texas Shamrock is! This is truly an "ah-ha" moment for me! I knew they were out there; and I look for them everywhere. They just jump out at me in many different forms and inspire me in some form or fashion. Divine appointments, a sunset, a kind word or deed, a funny statement, a quote, are all examples of what my Texas Shamrocks are. Now that I know what one is, I am going be on a mission to find one everyday. I might not blog about them everyday, but I need to find one everyday! I am, after all, just a blogger by hobby.

Search on!

September Morn

2008-09-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

I like September! It is still warm (hot) like summer here in Texas, but that "touch of fall in the air" thrill comes over me when a front comes through to cool things down and thwart the dreaded Texas humidity. I love the crisp, clean, cool breeze to sneak up and surprise me! I guess it really is still summer until the official first day of fall arrives sometime around September 21st. The fresh, wonderful weather make me want to bake and go to the Texas State Fair. I want to buy yet even MORE school supplies. I want to go on a picnic! I enjoy going outside and not feeling sticky and sweaty and yucky. It feels great to be outside on a breezy, fall day.

The downside . . . most of the weather changes lately have come from the hurricanes. YIKES! I dreamed about the hurricanes last night. I woke up worried about the weather, wondering what was happening in the Gulf of Mexico. So far, so good. But, Ike is on the way headed for Cuba and then the U.S.

I'll enjoy the cool air when it arrives, but I'll also say a prayer for those thousands of people forced to evacuate, board up their homes and businesses and wait for the "hit." The cool fall air will be a welcome reminder to me to be thankful and prayerful for those impacted by the forces of nature and the acts of God.

Dream and pray.

Here They Are . . .

2008-08-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

So the day arrived and I met my new students. One hundred and forty-six sixth, seventh, and eighth graders walked through the door of my newly decorated classroom! They are so fun and full of energy. I'm glad I teach theatre. I get to teach confidence building games and pretty much just help them to have FUN! Yay!

They are an inspiration to me to me. I want to inspire them to be the best they can be.

Books or Blogs?

2008-08-16T12:36:00.001-05:00

Write a book? I can barely write a blog! I'm feeling grateful today. I started my new job this week and it has been wonderful. I left a job I absolutely LOVED, but it was so far from my home that it took all of my energy to get there and back. The friendships made there (in Lone Oak, Texas) are very special to me. My students mean the world to me, and I hope that they won't forget me and what I TRIED to teach them.

I am grateful for my new job. I'm inspired by Ron Clark (look him up) to be a creative, innovative teacher. He signed my book and wrote "help them express themselves with passion." So great!

I am grateful to my parents who helped me along in my life to achieve my dreams and goals. They always encouraged me and let me live out any of my hopeful career moves. My dad was a principal, so I did not want to teach! YUCK! But, I now know that it truly is in my blood and that I would not be happy if I were not inspiring and encouraging students just like my dad did. He was a great principal! His teachers loved him so much. Now that I am a real teacher I understand why a good principal is so important. I have been fortunate to have leaders in my schools who help me along in my struggle for survival as a new teacher. I also had a wonderful mentor my first year teaching. Thank you, Elizabeth. Your friendship and guidance is a true gift from God!

I'm still dreaming! But I'm working, planning, reading, and resting as well. I'm planning to enjoy the few days of summer that are left, even though I'm back to school already. The countdown to the arrival of my new students has arrived!

Blogs for now. Books later.

A Book of Dreams

2008-08-04T11:47:00.000-05:00

Maybe I should write a book! It has been a dream of mine for some time now. Does everyone want to write a book? I wrote a song once. I have written poetry. I even won 2nd place in a poetry contest. I know, WOW! But a BOOK? My husband and I have planned it out for years, so is it time to actually do it? Maybe. Now my daughter wants in on the "let's write a book action" so perhaps she will motivate me to put the ball into motion. Of course, we really dream of best-selling books that bring in the big bucks books.

I think I WILL trade in my dreamer's block for writer's block.

Still Dreaming . . .

2008-08-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

I knew this would happen. When I try to dream I get dreamer's block. I had given up on dreaming for a while because I feel like my previous dreams got crushed, dashed, and stepped on by giant elephants. I know I am capable of dreaming again, though. I can feel it in the way I breathe. Really! So I will just rock on and wait for the dreams to appear. I will recognize them! I have before and I will again! I have hope! Yea, me!

Here are some hints about some "almost, but not quite, dreams" that have crossed my mind:

Boxes of Happiness

Overseas Adventures

California Dreaming

Restoring Another "Ye Olde House"

Opening a Restaurant

Just Plain Crazy Dreams that indicate I have temporarily lost my mind (again)

New Dreams

2008-08-01T00:56:00.001-05:00

New dreams to dream.

I am realizing that most of my childhood dreams have actually been realized. I didn't want much! Now it is time to re-dream! It isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I have to re-think certain things in my life now. Over the next few days I'll think and re-think and then perhaps be ready to share some new dreams. This photo of a rainstorm in New Mexico somehow inspires me to dream. I took this photo because I could actually see a huge rainbow! You can't see it in the photo, but I saw it in real time and in real life. It really was beautiful and like no other rainbow I had ever seen. It was a big stripe of rainbow colors, but it was not in a rainbow shape. It was bold and daring looking. I think I have another shot that may show a hint of the rainbow colors. I'll have to look for it. In the meantime, I'm going to do some new dreaming!

Dreaming Dreams

2008-07-31T23:39:00.000-05:00

I read Randy Pausch's book, The Last Lecture, and now I want to revisit my childhood dreams. I know that when I was about six years old I couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be everything and anything that was meaningful, glamorous, fun, adventurous, and exciting. I remember writing a list in a little "school days" memory book that my grandmother had given me for Christmas when I was in the first grade. Here is what I wrote in the "what I want to be when I grow up" column: ice skater, model, actress, and teacher. You know what? I've pretty much done all of those things now. Ice skating was a fun thing that I did, but I somehow knew I wouldn't make the Olympic cut. However, I took lessons and learned a new appreciation for the Olympic athletes! As for modeling, I have been in a few fashion shows. I was not a professional model, but I liked pretending to be as I walked down a runway. I did win my college pageant, which was sort of like modeling, but not really. I did get a tiara and a huge bouquet of roses, and who can forget . . . are you ready . . . a TITLE! I was Miss ETBU! So exciting. For a few years I sold cosmetics and constantly looked for "models" to add to my portfolio of make-overs! I modeled clothing for a couple of department stores and my "pay" was a discount on the clothes! Hey, I didn't put SUPER-model on my list when I was in the first grade. I don't even think the world know what a super-model was yet. Anyway, I have been a professional actress. I was paid non-union wages for a movie I was barely in. I was only 16 years old, and I was shocked when my five days of movie work paycheck was triple what I made at my after school job. At least I can say that I was a professional actress once! And now, after twenty years of searching, job-hopping, and dealing with my Peter Pan Syndrome of not actually wanting to grow up, I decided I would become a teacher. My little six year old self really did want to be a teacher! I fought it for a long time because my dad was a principal. I had heard a lot of teacher horror stories! I cried when I had to go to parent-teacher conferences for my own children. Those teachers were so intimidating. Even though I was afraid of many teachers, I was also inspired by a few great ones; and I have loved my new teaching career so far!

Dream on!

Once upon a blog . . .

2008-07-28T18:50:00.000-05:00

What the blog?

I'm rather intimidated by the daunting task of blogging. This is my first attempt. I'm scared! Maybe when I have some courage I'll blog some more. Today I just took the plunge so I could get started so that I could get everything set up so that I would not chicken out later. So, it's official. I'm a blogger. It doesn't sound good, but hopefully it will be great! Let the blog-venture begin!

Blog on!