Sweet 16 - Carol

My beautiful daughter turned 16 December 1st. Naturally the perfect place to celebrate this important day was at the center with loving friends
Isn't she lovely???

We had a lovely little ceremony where we placed rocks with wishes in a box for her. The alter was a little momento of where she has been in her life. It was a special evening.

GLENN, for Alison

Plain and simple, we love Glenn - seriously - we ALL LOVE GLENNChase loves Glenn
Rick loves Glenn

Glenn loves skateboarding (and visa versa)

Jim loves Glenn

Glenn loves enchiladas (I do too)

Carol and I love Glenn

Mali loves Glenn

"I need a cigarette...."

This is what I heard as Alison and I left the best concert I'd been to in quite a while - what a showman!! He is soooo hot. I love that 5 o'clock thingy he does with his face, that awesome smile. Actually, he reminds me of a fella I lovingly refer to as my Bridges of Madison County guy. That is undoubtedly part of the attraction.

Anyway, I'd been so looking forward to this concert and we're totally committed to the evening, even attending a buffet before the show. Imagine my surprise when we were the minority sex. Everyone was so charged for a great show, I seriously didn't notice until Alison pointed it out.

Now, I want you to know, I'm a real fan. Part of my evening was spent letting the concert goers we were enjoying the show with know whether or not he was singing a new song. He's amazing, aside from those smooth vocals he mixes all his music - seriously his new stuff is worth a .......listen. Did I mention he has such a nice butt.

I have a this image on a coffee cup that I use at school. That is, until he gets in one skirmish or another with the media and his drug use.........then I have to put it away until the fire dies out a bit - just can't see myself explaining to the kiddos why it's ok to have such a thing for him when he's such a crappy role model. Call it a character flaw.

The other day one of my students asked me if that was Elvis on my coffee cup....uh, no.

Quick point I'd like to bring up.....

This is NOT George Michael, my favorite singer.

This IS George Michael, my favorite singer.


God I love this shot!! I'd love to invite him over for dinner. I wonder if he cooks......

EL CHUCO

Spent one wonderful evening during my visit partying with my brother Jim's friends. Only pic I got on my phone was too dark to publish.



I was totally fortunate to be exposed to RADIO LA CHUSMA

When I find myself missing the culture from my roots - this music reminds me where I'm from.

High School

And these are just a few of the friends I've kept up with - man! I need a scanner. Super Fantastic Marie (my duet acting partner in Mrs. Geery's drama class), who happens to be pregnant with Camila Sophia - we are thrilled!!
BONNIE!
Ahhhh, the sides to this girl never quit. They're taking "finger" from a parking. Ok, she's sweet, I knew that - AND a clepto. See, I'd never steal a plant - I have this "I killed a plastic plant one time" story......

Checking out EL CHUCO - I'll explain that in another post.....

Our alma mater - well sort of, I left my junior year - EVERYONE in the family went to this school - even my mom. Note the cleaned up graffiti on the science building. I took Chemistry there....

Patty (aka Pepper). I still have notes we wrote back and forth from high school.

Instead of calling myself the obvious (pack rat - clutter freak), I have decided to give myself the title of Historian. Whatever, it's fun to walk down memory lane.

Ugh! And it isn't Because it is Monday

Just feeling a little "under the weather". I'll have to teach that term to my ESOL class.

Not normal for me - even on a Monday.

This weekend I begin the first of my Global IC courses in order to teach UYO.

I'm will travel to St Louis, which is expected to be a frigid

21 degrees.

Best part is I will be traveling and bunking up with Jan and Adele - fun! Second best part is the course this weekend is going to be tremendous I'm sure.

Just talking about it has lightened my mood - time to go to work!

One More For My Buddy

Happy 2009Yes, that's me - celebrating in style. I was getting a pedicure.

The best part of life is the time you get to spend with your friends. Melissa and I have been friends for several years. Since Carol was 3. We were so fortunate to be in Germany at the same time and have continued to be champions for each other in this life. I simply cannot imagine my life without knowing her. She is truly unique and I am blessed to know her.

Isabella, Gunner, and Alex

See that gorgeous creature in the middle. He's mine. I was there when he was born, (I got to cut the cord!) He is a remarkable young man. I see it in his eyes alone.

Carol and Victoria

I have several before pictures (not to self, visit a scanner)

They are perfection in my eyes.

Medieval Faire

Glorious Florida Day - yes folks, 10th of January

Excellent Medieval Faire The Joust - Our guy, Oren, was on the losing side. This is WWF Jousting - or WJF, still I have to wonder how it sounds inside that metal outfit when whacked with the "sword".
No Faire is complete without a duck in a costume. Note the bloomers.

And then, out of NOWHERE was WARREN!!! This is an Anhinga. It swims under water to spear a fish with its beak. Has no oil on its feathers so it can stay submerged. Has to dry its wings in the sun so it can fly better.

Turns out this is a girl Anhinga (so not really Warren). Reason being, the males are done drying out this late in the evening. SHE is more interested in eating and cannot rely on the warmth of the sun as much to dry her. I can relate - I love a good meal.....

Sweet Willaim

Part of last year was my friendship with William. He was a creative guy, insightful and a real pain in the butt at times. I enjoyed listening to his perspective. I wouldn't have picked him as the first thing to talk about until I realized today would have been his birthday. 49. He was my friend - he wanted the best for me and had so much faith in my abilities and in my opinion. Die hard GreenBay Packers fan - it never would have worked because of my undying commitment to the Dallas Cowboys (embarrassing to say after their 50 - 3 loss recently)
Going out to Dinner

William was born 1-11 and died 11-1
They're closer to us sometimes after they're gone.
I appreciated everything he meant to me during our friendship.

525,600 minutes

Click for "Seasons of Love"

I was reading something the other day. The suggestion was made that at the end of each day a page should be ripped from the calendar and the following statement made: "here is one day of my life gone forever that I will never get back".......sort of puts it into perspective.

The better part of this last year has been a blur. The only way I can recall it is in my memories of events passed. 2009 has some prospects - ever encouraged, I move forward.....one torn page at a time.......

Willo

This is Willo. You can ask ANYONE about Willo, she's incredible and I'm so fortunate to call her my friend.

Cheesing for the camera (Carol style)
Today she invited a group of us to the CHIPs program (eating healthy vegan foods). I'll have to say I was VERY impressed with how much I enjoyed the different foods.
Marlyn and Donna (always a good time with them!)
Once again, Willo. Just wanted to share my amazing friend.

OK, One More.....

He's gay, he's talented, and he's just about my favorite singer!!

Section 114 Tampa Show

Carol and I will go up with Alison & Mali

Just AWESOME!

So What's so GOOD?

Brothers Are!!

Talking to Jim (oldest brother) the other day, he's busy studying maps for an upcoming trip he's taking with Keith (other brother) to:

The Grand Canyon

If you have never been, it is absolutely amazing. I was there a couple of years ago (North Rim) with Jim and Glenn. Incredible!

So, I mention that I'd like to go and within just a couple of days I've got a plane ticket!!

There it is!! I'm going to hike the Grand Canyon with two of my brothers this summer. We'll spend two nights at the bottom and one or two at the North Rim.

One place we're talking about hiking to is Ribbon Falls

Looks Awesome!! and it's SOOO Good!

Round 2

Been out of the loop for a while.....
I guess I had my reasons......it's been an interesting couple of months.

Guess the biggest thing I have is GRATITUDE. Among the challenges are some real pearls of wisdom. Being able to see that in the midst of the situation brings quite a bit of peace.

It doesn't hurt to have the right attitude.

PS. That is NOT me.....pictures to come.

Winter in Florida

The Festival of Trees

Weather - low 80's Aren't they cute, they're "ice" skating on cutting boards
Snow!
Sledding in shorts, I love it!!
A Unicorn
Carol consoles a tired little horse.

When you LOVE your company!!

Debra came to visit - we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more.

Of course, no good visit is without a bit of silliness, courtesy of Miss Carol

just look at that SEXY car.

Hanging out in a Banyan Tree - it's amazing.
pretending to be roots - you can see some in the background - established and relatively new to the tree.
Glenn
Hug a tree (Carol and Debra planted kisses)
Goofing at a pier.

Technically you're not supposed to hang out in the mangroves.....

Glenn, Debra and Carol

my kids, unless that is Debra is being my Mommy.....