Monday, January 25, 2010

Mind Your Businees

I was in Dallas for the weekend for a photography workshop. The class was yesterday and it was Mind Your Business by Stacy Reeves.

The class was so good and very informative! I bet I took about 30 pages of notes. I could have taken a lot more, but my hand would not write that fast. Stacy had tons of great information. The workshop was all about the business side of photography. That is the hard part for me. Jaime has a business mind and I don't. I know some business basics, but needed some help.

I got lots of help, but I am a little overwhelmed with all the information. I really don't know where to start. I will have to read over my notes and get a game plan going. The best part about the conference was Stacy was willing to answer any question. She answered all sorts of questions about income and taxes. Most people don't want to share that type of information.

I am headed back home today. I have lots of stuff to put into action.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Pity Party

We are having a pity party here at the nest and everyone is invited.

I was released from the doctor and ordered to get back to life. I was getting back to life and loving it.

I spent Sunday afternoon shopping with a great friend and had a wonderful time. I bought a new pair of running shoes and was ready to go Monday morning. I walked Monday morning and it felt great. My new shoes rock! Tuesday I walked and worked out. The workout was a little hard, but it felt so good to be back.

Yesterday was my day off. I forgot how sore I can get. I look like I am 85 years-old walking around, my legs are so sore.

Now I am sick. I don't know if it is allergies or a cold. No fever, just runny nose, sore throat and cough. The doctor told me to take it easy and we will play it by ear. Instead of putting me on an antibiotic he would rather this run its course. This should be fun!

So ready for things to go back to "normal" here at the nest. I guess that's not happing yet. Instead we will just have a pity party here at the nest. All are welcome to join.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

CNN

When I was 8 years-old my entire family went to Boston. When I say my entire family I mean Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Darrel, Aunt Anita, Ann, Mom, Dad, Doneece and myself. This is the only vacation I remember where all of us went together. I remember going on many trips with all these people but only once with all of us.


My grandpa was receiving an award in Boston so we made it a family trip. Ann must have been about 14 and Doneece was 2 and a pain. Our family drug Ann and I all over Boston. We walked the entire town of Boston. I mean like 489 miles, but Doneece always got to go back to the hotel with Grandma. We would beg to go back to the hotel, but it never happened. Doneece was lucky and Ann and I were not so lucky. Doneece has always been the favorite.

I think we saw every possible tourist destination in Boston. We went on the Freedom Trail, saw Plymouth Rock, went to Cape Cod, went to the Boston Pops, the state capital and much more. When we were coming down the steps of the State Capital there was a T.V. crew filming. We went on about our business and really didn't think much about it.

Once we got back to Lubbock Aunt Anita was watching her favorite channel, CNN. While watching she noticed all of her family walking down the steps. I don't remember what the piece was about, but there we were walking down the steps of the state capital in Boston. Of course my family recorded it and watched it over and over.

Everyone else looked normal walking down the steps, but not me. Did I mention we walked all over the town? I know I forgot to mention it was really hot walking all over town. I was really hot and tired from walking all around Boston. While walking down the steps I pulled up the bottom of my shirt to wipe off the sweat on my forehead. Of course CNN caught me with my shirt up wiping the sweat.

I have a good explanation, besides the fact that it was hot and we had walked all over Boston. During this time in my life I had a horrible hair cut. You may remember it. If not let me remind you.

I didn't have in the gold clip on this day. The gold clip was only for special occasions in order to torment me. While walking down the steps I noticed the T.V. crew. I was so embarrassed my hair that I decided I must lift my shirt to cover my face. I didn't want to be seen on T.V. with that hair cut.

Actually, that is a lie, but it sounded good. I was 8 and had no idea what was going on. I pulled up my shirt because I was HOT and TIRED. The problem is that CNN got 2 really embarrassing things on T.V. That hair do and me with my shirt up. I have been teased about my CNN appearance since I was 8. I am sure Ann will never let me forget. She will be 92 and I will be 86 and we will be sitting in the nursing home together and she will say, "remember when you were on CNN when you were 8 with your shirt pulled up so you could wipe the sweat off your forehead."

My family has a tape of this somewhere. Ann thinks Grandma has it, but Mom thinks she has it. Who knows where it is. I am hoping no one can ever find the tape and I can deny that it ever happened. I am probably not that lucky.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Bucket List

I got this in an email from Wendee. I thought it was so fun that I decided to make a blog post about it. I did not make this list. My bucket list would include other things and some of these would not be one there. The things I have done are marked with an X.


( x ) Been to Europe? - I went to London when I was in High School.


( x ) Been on a cruise? - For Doneece's high school graduation we went on a cruise to Jamaca, Caman Island, Mexico and Key West.

( ) Gone on a blind date? - Nope and I don't plan on it!

(
) Skipped school?

(
x ) Watched someone die?

( x ) Been to
Canada? - Jaime and I spent the day in Canada when we took our trip to Seattle.

(
x ) Been to Mexico? - More times than I ever planned on. Jaime loves it there.


(
x
) Been to Florida?


( x ) Been on a plane?

( x ) Been lost?

( x
) Been on the opposite side of the country? - Not sure about this. I would think this would mean North Dakota for me. And yes I have been there.

( x ) Been to
Washington, DC?

(
x ) Been to Vegas?

( ) Climbed a lighthouse?


(
x ) Swam in the ocean?

( x ) Cried yourself to sleep?

( ) Been
Sky Diving? - nope and never plan on it.


( x
) Seen the Cherry Blossoms in Washington?

( x ) Played cops and robbers?

( ) Flown a plane? - I hope I never have to, but Jaime would love to learn to fly


( ) Owned a boat?

( ) Watched grandchildren grow?

(
x ) Recently colored with crayons? - Hello, I spent last week with Caroline.

( ) Been to the
Kentucky Derby?

(
x ) Been to Key West?


( x ) Been to a rodeo? - I will probably never go back because of my allergies


( x
) Sang Karaoke?


( x ) Paid for a meal with coins only?


( x ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?

(
x ) Made prank phone calls?

(
x ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? - I remember doing this often with Ann

( x ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue? It has been so long, but maybe Friday. It might snow here, but I doubt it.

(
x ) Danced in the rain? - If it doesn't snow here on Friday I can just dance in the rain.

( x ) Written a letter to Santa Claus?


(
x ) Been kissed under the mistletoe?

(
x ) Watched the sunrise with someone? - Only once with Jaime, I try not to make sunrises.

( x ) Blown bubbles?


( x ) Gone to the movies? - We went to see "It's Complicated" on Saturday. It was so good.


( x ) Gone ice skating?

(
) Owned a convertible?



How much do you love your job? lots

Birth place? Lubbock Texas

Ever been to Hawaii ? Yes, twice and I want to go back with Jaime

Ever been to Africa ? No

Ever been on TV? Yes, I was on CNN when I was 8

Ever steal any traffic signs? No

Ever been in a car accident? Really small stuff thankfully

Drive a 2-or 4-door vehicle? 4

Favorite movie? Sweet Home Alabama

Favorite holiday? My birthday, does that count?

Favorite dessert? Chocolate Mousse

Favorite food? Steak and Fries

Favorite day of the week? Saturday morning

Favorite fruit? Cherries

How do you relax? Massage

How do you see yourself in 10 year? Running kids all over town


Feel free to copy this to your blog. I would love to see your bucket list!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Time to Get in Shape

I went back to the doctor before I went to Lubbock last week. I am happy to report that I am at the tail end of Steven Johnson Syndrome. I am off the steroid!!!

It makes me so happy to be off the steroid. I am starting to feel more and more like myself and I love it. I am still on the Zyrtec and Benadryl. The doctor also added Zantac. I know you are thinking Zantac??? That is right! Who knew Zantac also had a antihistamine in it. The Zantac just gives me a little extra protection.

The doctor told me I could get back to my regularly scheduled program. He really wants me walking again and working out. I am so excited and ready. I complain a lot about working out, but I have missed it.

I have gained about eight pounds in a little over a month. Hopefully it is because of the steroid and the weight will come off quick. I plan on getting back to eating right and working out. But, there is one thing I am not giving up.

view-larger.html.jpg

I am addicted to this stuff. This will be my dessert from now on. One piece of this stuff a night will hopefully keep me going. Wish me luck!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Back to Reality

My nanny duties are over and I am back home. I had a great time being the nanny! I love those kids like they are my own. In fact I have asked Ann many times if I can have Caroline and John and she refuses every time. I will continue to ask.

I also had a chance to be a photographer in Lubbock and look what I came up with.


Love them and miss them already!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Vacationing In Lubbock

Everyone needs a little vacation every once in awhile. When you need a vacation why not head to Lubbock Texas? Lubbock is one of my favorite places to "vacation." I am not sure it is really vacationing when you are working the entire trip.

I can't complain. I love being the nanny while here. Caroline is out of school till Thursday, but everyone else had to go back to work. Caroline need a nanny for the week and I was hired. Best job ever!

We have had tons of fun so far this week and I am sure the fun will only continue. Monday involved lots of shopping. It was my first big day out on the town. We lasted about 2 hours which is great for the two of us. I am not sure if she got more stuff or if I did.

Yesterday we had lunch with Ann and Courtney. Courtney's daughter Landry also doesn't go back to school till Thursday so she joined us. We had a lunch date at Chick-fil-a where the girls could play and the adults talk. It was fun to catch up. I took my camera with us, but didn't ever get it out to take pictures.

After lunch Caroline and I hurried home to make Doneece a birthday cake. She was a big help, but also made a big mess. Her main goal is to clean the bowl and spoons. She accomplished her goal!


After the cake was ready we headed up to Doneece's work. Caroline and I surprised her with her cake. We celebrated Doneece's birthday with all of her work friends. It was great fun and Caroline was so excited about the surprise. She loves to surprise other people. I think she also loves to be surprised herself.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Happy Birthday Doneece

Today is my little sister's birthday. Doneece is 23 today. I have no idea how she is 23 because it seems like she should be about 12.

I know Ann had it all figured out when Doneece was born, but I still thought it was going to be so cool to have a baby around. I was wrong. Doneece wasn't much fun as a baby and it didn't take me long to figure it out. I gave up on her being fun, but she surprised me and has turned out fun.

She actually is tons of fun and one of my best friends. Happy Birthday Doneece! Hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love you tons.

Monday, January 4, 2010

And The Victory Bells Will Ring Out

I will not discuss any drama on here, that is my new years resolution. Not really. I could never stick to that resolution so why even try. But I will not discuss any Tech drama on here. I am a Red Raider and I always will be.

Tech was in the Alamo Bowl this year which was really convenient for us. We did not have a long drive or a hotel stay instead we had house guest. Mom, Doneece and her boyfriend came to our house on Friday.

We had a large group at the game which is always fun.

Mom, Dad, Doneece, Me and Jaime

Beth, Me, Erick and Jaime

Jaime and Devin


The game was great! I wasn't sure for awhile. We did not look very good in the third quarter, but that turned around in the fourth. The minute Sheffield came in things totally changed. The team had a different attitude and so did the crowd. The crowd was so pumped up and loud when Sheffield came in. It was great to hear how loud our fans could be.

The final four minutes were a little nerve racking, but it all ended well. We pulled out the win. I was so happy! I was also happy for our players and coaches. They really deserved the win after the week they had.

We had a great time, but now the football season is over for us. August can't come soon of enough. I love college football and don't know what I will do without it for 8 months.