between runs...

2012-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

Instead of big resolutions this year, I’m making smaller, achievable, monthly goals.
For January, one of those goals was to be a better recorder of moments.
My brain doesn’t hang on to memories very well without prompting. I have to take special care to make a mental note of the smell of the air, the taste of the meal, the smoothness of skin, the sparkle of the eyes. Yet, sometimes there’s just not time to feast on memories. For these moments, I have words.

Yet, even for a tool as fluid and forgiving as written language, I have snubbed words in exchange for disciplines that don’t record memories. Things like washing the dishes, folding the laundry, cleaning out my car. In 2011 I learned that walls don’t talk, so if I want to remember something, I’m responsible for doing the talking.

In January…

-Caleb revealed his true identity as a ninja master. His kicks visibly shake my belly like a bowl full of jelly. Even when he’s not kicking, he’s moving around… even right at this moment. The way he tunnels and moves, I feel like I have a well-established ant farm in my middle.

-Chris and I have done lots of house cleaning and organizing. One: We sold Stephen our second couch and Cuddler, opening up a huge section of our living room. Two: We bought two of these chairs. On the weekend of Stephen’s graduation from State Trooper Academy, Chris and I drove to three different World Markets in the Austin area trying to find these beauties.

The only thing that kept us sane as we were stuck in 5 o’clock Austin traffic was that victory was ours. Aaaaaand, we converted our hall closet into… dum dum dum DUUUUUUUM… our CAMPING CLOSET. Yes. The shelf is full of organized sleeping bags, a water filter and tent stakes. Super exciting.

-Stephen GRADUATED and is now a Texas State Trooper!!!

The graduation was super special. MawMaw and PawPaw where there, as were the Cox family, Neese family, Ashleigh and her mom, and Cody. He looked beyond legit in his uniform. Chris and I have been chanting the Trooper’s cadence around the house since that Thursday--- “I’m A Trooper, Can’t You See. The State Of Texas Belongs To Me….” and “Trooper Trooper, State Police. King Of The Road, So Follow Me…” When they chanted it at the graduation it was the perfect mix of hilarity and inspiration. Follow you? Yes, sir! Stephen worked extremely hard, overcame unseen obstacles and achieved his goal. I am so very proud of him.

-I have been doing lots of research on baby things. Three girlfriends invited me over in January to share their advice and stories about birth. I learned a lot and left feeling both prepared and scared. I also watched my very first “YouTube birth” video. Let me tell you, folks are not shy about posting some pretty graphic images. I’ve read three books and conducted multiple Google searches about crib mattresses, sheets, organic vs. inorganic, plastic vs. glass bottles, and the dozens of reputable cloth diaper sites… I’m feeling a little over informed. Phew.

-That I even have three girlfriends is another big accomplishment achieved in January. Finally! I made friends! This is huge.

-Last weekend, Chris and I signed up for and watched a three-day photography workshop on the web. We’re feeling encouraged, motivated, inspired and broke. :-) Our dream list of photography equipment is going to eat up all our disposable income for a while. :-) Yesterday we bought a disk to help us custom-color correct in the camera and a reflector. This. Is. Bomb. I can’t wait for them to arrive in the mail.

-January was also the month of our second bi-annual Ravenwood Reunion! Alicia rode with us to our Anne-host home in Houston. :-) It was a blast. Lots of late-night talking, delicious food, one long walk in the prettiest part of Houston and an epic double-header of bowling. I can’t wait for our third reunion.

Tomorrow is the first day of February.
Sheesh.
Slow down, time.

2010-11-29T10:35:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving was last week. That's a good spot to start, because on Tuesday, I was very thankful for Chris.

I had a loooong day. I was sick and Thanksgiving/Bonfire traffic was getting my goat. When I got home, he had gussied up the house, taken some boxes to the donation drop-off spot, had flowers sitting on the kitchen table and smell good candles smelling good. And, the grill was smoking some chicken.

It was a really nice way to be welcomed home.

Then, we did this:

Put up the Christmas tree, sang songs and snuggled Sally. :-) HO HO HO! We're full of Christmas spirit!

Now, abrupt ending... here are some Thanksgiving photos.

2010-11-19T12:57:00.000-08:00

Her name is Sally.

And she's the best dog in the world! I'm still not sure how it happened that we got a dog...

Last Thursday was a long one for me. I stayed at work until about 9:30, and so on Friday morning, I was at my desk but slow to get to work. It was only a week ago, but I already can't remember what took me to the website for Temple's animal shelter. Sally was one of the pets of the week. She was listed as a 1-year-old lab named 'Sunny', and Chris and I decided to go see her at lunch.

Driving over, we were both cautiously excited. We were to go on an overnight canoe trip that night and knew that we couldn't get a dog that day. If we liked 'Sunny,' we'd have to pick her up on Monday.

It happened fast. We walked into the shelter, asked if we could meet her... and out came the sweetest, cuddliest, smiliest dog on earth.

She was wiggling with excitement and instantly snuggled around our legs. We sat down and she climbed in our laps. She never jumped. Never barked. She wasn't aggressive around the other dogs, and she was beautiful.

We left saying thanks to the shelter employees for letting us meet her, and walked out the door. We ended up driving around town for about 20 minutes before we decided she couldn't stay at the shelter any longer.

We went to Wal-Mart to get her a kennel, a collar/leash, dog food, shampoo, a bone and some balls-- and went back to pick up our puppy dog.

Turns out, she was a stray, so Sunny wasn't her name after all. Good thing, because Sally fits her perfectly.

She obeys sit, stay, down, and 'get in your house.' She's so calm, she retrieves, she LOVES water, and she is so smart.

I can say 'where's your ball, Sally?' and she goes and gets it.

She ended up going canoeing with us on Saturday and did a GREAT job. She sat quietly and obediently in the middle.

She's a great dog!

I think she'd be the perfect therapy dog.

Chris and I like her sooooooooo much. She's a good good goodgood girl.

2010-11-03T07:14:00.001-07:00

Woke up to a chilly house this morning.
Socks needed.
Sweatshirt required.
It's a quiet cold--not like the cold that wears windpants and rustles all over town. Nope, this cold is silent and has long wrapping arms that smell of pine cones and cider.

I can't quite believe it.

Something big happens at the midnight that separates Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Christmas starts to settle in.

I know. I know. We're still celebrating Thanksgiving. But, in my mind, they go together, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thankfullness/Our rescue.

They work better together than turkey and stuffing.

So, while we'll wait until December to put up a tree or hand the lights... Christmas time is here!

2010-09-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Kate may deny it all she wants. Fall is here.

Therefore, it's time to recap.

2010--it was the summer of…

name changes
life changes
address changes

monday morning drives and sunrises
watching the sky change
watching the fields change
watching the city limit signs change

the accordion fold
invites, address & postage stamps

long strips of frayed fabric
hot glue and patterned paper
bundt cakes--more than a baker’s dozen

generosity
boatloads of generosity
the.thank.you.note

mornings, meals & talking of meanings at S. Dexter
the nutrition challenge
picking up coffee, again
the travel mug

seven blue dresses
bird houses and wind chimes
hunting polka dotted mixing bowls and the perfect-shaped ice cream scoop
trips and more trips to Hobby Lobby

finding the prettiest white dress in Waco, on campus, in the world
and wearing it.

lace

the walk down the aisle
the ring on my finger. the ring on his finger.

love
gravity
gratefulness

2010-08-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Meal Plan Monday:

Chris and I went to CS on Saturday to get the rest of my 'uff from Kate's house. Bus since I forgot the key, we went to the grocery store instead. Yep. Uh huh.

Here's what we're having for dinner/lunch this week:

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers http://homecooking.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/blv87.htm

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/grilled-chicken-with-lemon-basil-pasta/

3 Mini Meatball Sandwiches
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/16-minute-meal-3-mini-meatball-sandwiches/

Grilled Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/05/grilled-chicken-pineapple-quesadillas/

Caramelized Onion Chicken Pizza
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/caramelized-onion-prosciutto-pizza/

Pepper Jack, Chicken and Peach Quesadillas
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=2001878&iid=edit-dt-080510

Yum, right?

I made dinner rolls yesterday, but omitted the egg yolk asked for in the recipe because we were out of eggs. Time machine needed-- I had thrown away three yolks that morning. CC ran to the corner store when he found out, and I added the yolk in halfway through the bread machine's cycle. They're pretty dense, but "have good flavor," to quote a kind soul.

Shoot.

I also made black beans yesterday in the crock pot for this week's use, and chopped/ground some venison in the food processor for the meatballs! I really really really like venison. I also made the pizza dough in the food processor. Second coolest kitchen tool... still number one, my friend, the mixer.

And I read half of a book.

I love Sundays. Good times. Good times. Oh, and I love food. Good meals. Good meals.

Uh, hopefully, anyway!

2010-08-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

There was a skunk on the track tonight.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

There was a SKUNK on the track tonight.

On the first lap.
It was dark.
And CC and I are trotting along.

When we see what looks like a cat.
With a white stripe on its tail.......

RUN, GO! IT'S A SKUNK. MOVE IT! GO!

There's a skunk on the track.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!

Every time we came to the end zone, we would slow to a trot and look.

Do you see it?
There it is, RUN!

Or, there it is, CUT THROUGH THE GRASS!

In two miles, we did that eight times.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

This is a funny town.

2010-08-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have a new work e-mail.
How do I feel? Wow.

2010-08-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

THE DAY IS:
august 18th

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
* the sunrise of my second-ever-drive to work
* the sound of Chris's alarm clock
* the applause after getting 'introduced' at our monthly work bday party
* stealing fries at lunch with Kate and her friend Casey
* friends sharing memories of the good times they had at the wedding
* snacking on leftover birthday crackers and cheese on the way home
* the torrential downpour that washed my car for me
* favorite view from the road: a dozen goats standing on a country home's front porch
* the sweet phone visits with Laura, Anne, Tam and Kat
* welcome home note taped on the door and dinner waiting for me inside
* night run on the track and seeing a bunny
* surprise visit from Wurster

2010-03-10T13:01:00.001-08:00

This makes me laugh so much.
So so so much :-)

2010-03-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

Weekends, I love the weekends!

In between some of the bigger happenings like kayaking Lake Bryan and a failed attempt at a half-marathon, were some really sweet times.

Like... grabbing supper from HEB and watching The Office at my office. Like, CC asking me to marry him (a second time) under the Century Tree. Like a sighting of first flower of spring at Lake Bryan. Like sushi and sandwiches overlooking the water. Like exploring the peninsula on the lake and getting attacked by ants (this means spring is coming!). Like introducing CC officially as my fiancé for the first, second and third times. Like sunburns and a "working date" at the coffee shop. Like how on the water, we decided to be a camping, biking, kayaking and hiking family. Like... like, well, the whole weekend was nice.

But, about that failed half-marathon... Want to hear a story of the Lord's protection? Neither one of us were taking this thing seriously. Chris was injured. I hadn't been running, but we decided to do it anyway. Not the smartest.

The run started at 7 a.m. at a park just down from my house. I was picked up and we were gone by 6:30 knowing we'd be there by 6:35. No worries, right? Wrong. All the entrances but one were blocked and we were rerouted to Hwy 6 to idle at the end of a line that stretched to the movie theater. Cars were also sitting on the highway's exit ramp trying to get over in our lane.

We were not moving.

When the race started we were actually a little farther away from the park than we would have been standing in my front yard. At that point, it was just too late.

So, we left the line and went on our own run... to Shipley's (hahahahahahahahahahaha) for a cup of coffee. Really, it was good that we didn't make the starting gun. What with CC's injury and my lack of training. The Lord knew how stupid we were being. Had we not been denied entry, we were totally about run 13.1 miles. So dumb.

Next time, run. We'll get you next time.

I sure like weekends.
They're fun. :-)

2010-02-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

Guess what??????

2010-02-08T08:20:00.000-08:00

This weekend I:
* talked to Kat while driving
* was surprised by a bouquet of beautiful flowers
* ate super delicious C.C.-made tacos
* had a family sing-along to Grease
* packed mucho mucho Tupperware boxes in a multi-person attempt to move my parents from their house and into a RV
* made great friends with a label maker named Larry
* stacked boxes in truck beds
* stacked boxes in barn
* ate hot dogs, cake and pickles at a special 3-year-old boy's birthday party
* played Wahoo... and lost
* had fun at church
* bought an empty carton of sushi because I ate it while grocery shopping
* watched West Side Story
* partied at a Super Bowl gathering
* made yum pizza in the outdoor pizza oven
* talked about how yum the pizza was
* drove back to CS Monday morning with a fake house tree in my back seat
* drank coffee that C.C. brought over before my early-morning departure
* typed this list... and realized that... today is Monday... hence, the list of what I did this weekend has been compromised :-)

Oh well :-) :-) :-)

2010-02-04T11:40:00.001-08:00

wow
eep
wow
http://www.covlife.org/modules/listen-online/2671326

2010-01-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

The starting gun officially declared number 14 on my list (http://betweenruns.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-am-25.html) a start.

PARK TIME, FRIENDS!!!

2010-01-11T09:20:00.000-08:00

Mission- Complete first refashion
Inspiration- found here

Meet my first project.
One that will most likely take me a couple months to finish as I have a way with knotting up the thread on my machine. :-)

Using a too-big-for-me shirt, can I snip and clip and sew my way into cute history?
I believe I can. Especially if I can win this fun contest! (http://fabulous-k.blogspot.com/2010/01/lisa-leonard-giveaway.html)

2010-01-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas, I took senior pictures of my sweet sisterfriend Devin.
I think she's sooooooooooo cute. :-)

Wouldn't this be fun as a series? FUN!

Look at the pretty girl :-)

We took this red chair from my mom's kitchen down to the bottom pasture because...

We wanted pictures with the cowwwwwws :-) :-)

My favorite. Wouldn't this be fun on a canvas???

Sigh.
That was fun. :-)

2010-01-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

A new year's resolution of sorts-- not buy random clothes.

I resolve to, this year, only buy quality pieces that reflect my style. Clothes that are classics.

THE black pair of slacks. THE special sweater. THE well-made jeans.

Better yet, I would like to go through my closet and start repurposing my clothes. Make my old sweaters new again by sewing on ruffles or flowers or buttons. ... like this lady (http://mymamamadeit.blogspot.com/).

2009-11-18T20:52:00.000-08:00

“Twelve fallen Aggies — the Spirit of the 12th man. Indeed, it is a link that will bind us together always. For as long as there is a Texas A&M and as long as there are Aggies who cherish one another we will never forget these 12.”

2009-11-16T08:55:00.001-08:00

I’m thankful for completed deadlines… and being able to read the comics on a Monday morning :-) :-) :-)

2009-11-14T23:55:00.000-08:00

I’m thankful for a very patient Christopher who fixed my electrical plug, working until almost midnight to get it just right.

And for the flowers and coffee he brought me this morning when I was running 15 min. late.

2009-11-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

I love the fruit and vegetable section at HEB.
Horizontal rows of green, yellow, red, orange, purple and white.
And everything’s edible.
As I filled up my grocery cart tonight, I was so very thankful for having plenty.
The grocer asked me as I checked out, “Did you find everything you needed?”
I couldn’t help but smile and answer a very resounding yes.
There’s nothing more I could need.
I’m thankful for plenty.

2009-11-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

The tree in my front yard turned from green to yellow over the weekend.
Wow.
Another reminder that… to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Can I be thankful for fall twice?

:-)

2009-11-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

I locked my keys in my car today.
I’m so thankful for AAA.

There are three large bowls of chocolate chip cookies on my cabinet.
I’m so thankful that I get to share them this weekend.

The leaves are changing colors. I noticed it for the first time this morning on my run.
I’m so thankful the trees are whispering to each other that it’s the start of fall.

I got stung by a bee for the first time.
I’m so thankful I’m not allergic.

I'm thankful that today is Tuesday and I'm headed to Troy this weekend.
Wahoooooo!

2009-11-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

Bed Bath and Beyond smells like Christmas.
... and the Netti Pot I bought there, well... it might have just changed my life.

I'm thankful for the Netti Pot.

2009-11-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

You know those mornings where you are so overwhelmed, so filled to the top, so saturated, so full of cake-and-ice-cream joy?
where you feel so grateful just for a new day
and you’re sure the sunrise is prettier
the air smells cleaner
your breakfast is tastier
your muscles feel stronger
what you touch has weight
what you hear is a song
… and your chest hurts from holding in tears of thankfulness.
Do you know?
Me, too.

So, I’m going to dedicate myself to the discipline of being thankful during this season of thanks. Where, everyday, I’ll say what I’m thankful for.
Long.
Short.
Meaningful.
Or only meaningful to me.
And today, Nov. 1, I’m so very thankful that I used my extra hour of sleep to hang out with Alicia, Anne, Todd and Kelli. I’m quite thankful for that Alicia-Boo and Anne-girl. They make me laugh and grow. One makes me yummy food and the other one pretends to be an animal for a hearty laugh. I don’t know what I would do without them.
For real.

2009-10-27T08:53:00.001-07:00

It's really cold in my office, though... I'm not so cold anymore.

2009-10-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

I live in the land of butterflies.

They are everywhere... It's so fantastic. :-)

2009-10-23T10:44:00.001-07:00

Dear Tamara,
Look what I found (she found it first :-) )

<
object width="425" height="344">

AAAAH!
Fun!
(P.S.-- hair possibility?)

2009-10-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

:-)
:-)
:-)

2009-10-21T08:59:00.001-07:00

I really need to paint something...

What do you think about this color for the kitchen? I have cabinets similar to this picture found here. Or do you think it needs to be lighter?

This is what the kitchen looks like (via Christmas :-) )

Pictures hang above the cabinets... hummm...

And paint the door behind Anne white or black?

2009-10-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

“So it took an eight-year-old child to bring 'em to their senses.... That proves something - that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they're still human. Hmp, maybe we need a police force of children.” ~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, spoken by the character Atticus

“I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.” ~ spoken by Scout

My boss had two tickets to see Wednesday night’s performance of To Kill a Mockingbird. It was so good. The over dramatization by Scout and Jem got a little grating at times, but by the end, sigh. I’ve become quite a baby. Tears come quite easily at performances or art or talent shows… or anything really where people put everything they have for the sake of creativity.

The thought of creativity and my sub sequential emotion used to perplex me.
“This is a silly YouTube video of sisters tap dancing, Stephanie. What is your problem?”

Until I figured it out.

My problem is… I’m a changed person. Changed for the better, for sure, but changed none the less. When I became a Christian, I became a new person. As I’ve grown in my faith, my heart has grown sensitive to the things that remind me of the eternal. Things that matter. Things that change lives.

It may be on YouTube, but… watching people unzip their authority to reveal the creative… it reminds me of God.

Because, God is creative… soooo creative. There are the expected examples of moon beams dancing snow-covered mountains, the perfect color of pink the cheek turns in winter, or the bazillion notes the wind plays against the ridges of your house, or between the trees, or through a plastic playground.

I read an article once that said to be more creative… connect more with Him, the Creator.

In Eat, Pray, Love (a book I haven’t read, but have listened to a talk by the author, http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/453), Elizabeth Gilbert talks about creativity in a neat way. Creativity, in ancient times, was thought of as something received from God as inspiration.

In-Spirit-Ization

To be filled with the creative Spirit. My creative God.

I like that a lot! And I think about it when I tear up… that their bigtimecrazyfantastic creativity is God showing Himself.

And that’s what I thought of when the play characters came out for their curtain call.

People playing make believe, I believe, is more than make believe.

"-)

2009-10-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

GOAL TIME :-)

1. to sew fringe on the living room curtains
2. to hang a curtain in the kitchen
3. to paint my frames white
4. to fakeframe some leftover cutlery

... by Thanksgiving

Can I do it? Yes I can!

2009-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Who wants to have an art night???

2009-09-17T06:28:00.000-07:00

full story here: http://www.sansabanews.com/news/article/20404

Trends seem to indicate that those with agriculture degrees are holding their own, even in a rocky economy. According to Texas A&M University, more companies are requesting resumes and interviews with agriculture students, and more are offering jobs to graduating seniors this year than last year.

In fact, the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which has 31 undergraduate degrees and 72 graduate degrees, says the number of companies recruiting agriculture students was up 3 percent in Spring 2009, compared with Spring 2008. And there was a 6 percent increase in interviews compared with last year. University officials say the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of the only colleges in the university that still boasts positive recruitment numbers for its graduating seniors.

WHOOP!

2009-09-16T16:32:00.001-07:00

I'm at Sweet Eugene's.
Sitting across from a female/male conversation.
The female is talking a lot more (and a lot louder) than the male.
After about 1 hour of eavesdropping/completing my own work... I'm almost convinced that this girl is conducting an seminar.
About relationships.
And it's so awkward... I can't help but keep listening.

snippets:
*I know she's been thinking about you a lot, because I'm a girl...and I don't want to freak you out, but all girls think about their wedding day
*just, be careful about... I don't know, what I talked about before. Be careful with her feelings.
*if you go in too fast and then break it off, it just shatters us. It's good to get to know us as friends
*OK, have you paid for her when you go out? (yes)
*OK, that's one way where you can move it back to friends. When you're getting to know one another, the best way to do that is through lunch and coffee
*dating is when you're going out legitimately at night
*sorry, it makes sense in my head. I promise. (she's said this at least three times)

lots about feelings.
lots about hearts.

Tam, you would have had to move by now. You wouldn't have been able to take the awkwardness. No way.

I've seriously got to get back to work.
Curse my fantastic hearing! :-)

2009-09-10T11:28:00.001-07:00

This was on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday.

I reallllllly liked it.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112679029

P.S.-- how interesting

2009-09-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I went here with the Troy youth group.

It was really fun, see?

We ate Oreos

And swam

and caught turtles

And froze our hineys off. Am I lying, fellow freezing peeps?

Thumbs up means no.

Everyone went flying off the rope swing.

I felt that it was a brave leap after my personal face plant.

But a few trumped us all.
Eep! So high!

(phew!)

It was a full trip.

But, there's always time to strike a pose

work it
work the camera

2009-09-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Spring is my favorite. Yes, my absolute favorite, but I have a crush on fall.
And today, yes, today… it’s September.
Football games, tailgating, outo'town visitors sleeping on the couch, oranges.yellows.reds.
Big pots of soup. Chicken on the grill. Socks with thickness.
Plans of camping and hiking and fire building and star gazing.
Longer runs. Bigger muscles.
Game nights and parties at 3709.
Weekends filled with purpose and a growing desire toward simplicity.
It’s time to pull out the sewing machine and clean out the closet and open the windows and give the air conditioning a break.
It’s a new season, people!
Welcome, fall. You’re not here yet, but we’ve got our eyes glued to the skies.
For higher, wispier clouds. Earlier sunsets and gusts of sharp air.
You're coming.
I can feel it.

2009-08-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

It's 6:30ish.
I'm dead asleep, until I hear this:

Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!

I jump out of bed, grab my mace, and run to toward the oh my goshing.

It's Hannah.
And there's a dead, almost mummified bird on our kitchen floor.

The Sawyer-dog carried it in from the backyard.

It's not funny; Hannah was truly bothered, but... I couldn't help laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh.

The whole picture was hilarious.

Anne and I in our pajamas with disheveled hair, racing into a kitchen with a dead bird, a proud dog and a disgusted Hannah.

Oh, I'm chuckling some more just thinking of it.

2009-08-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I took pictures of my KayciBug. She's a super cute senior now, but most of my memories are of her as a middle schooler.

Faded denim shorts.
Science club.
All As, but worried about her PE grade.
Make-up snafus like putting powder on her eyelashes which made them white...

Wait, that's not Kayci. That's me! :-)

Kayci has always been this cute.

Loser.

We went around town and played.

The thunder was grumbling, the humidity shot up, the sky greyed across... but all we got was a sprinkle.

Good for us.

Stinky for the land.

Not stinky... OH MY GOSH, SHE'S SO CUTE!!! Make it stop.

I'll put up more later... but for now... enjoy her sweet dimples :-)

arf arf! can you see the pups in the background?

2009-08-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Glee fits in a box.

A reeeeeeeeeealy big one.

Over the weekend, my mom, Chris and I went to Big Lots on a hunt for a couch.
When Alicia moved out, she took her couch and big comfy chair with her. And while we weren’t necessarily in dire need for a replacement couch, why not look for a good deal.

Why not, indeed?

Kate and I had gone casual couch/kitchen table shopping the week before. No luck for the both of us. So, Mom did a scout job for me at Big Lots. Mother load.

She told me about this cute little brown corduroy couch, (Sigh. Sounds lovely, I thought) and an oversized recliner (meh. Not so much).

Well, when we all went for a visit, I changed my mind about the oversized recliner. I sit. I smile. I recline. I sigh. I look at the tag… and gasp.

This chair’s official professional, order-it-out-of-a-catalogue name is…

Wait for it…

Its official name is the cuddler.

Open survey: everyone who thinks this chair was made for me based on name alone raise your hand.

*raises hand*

Oh my.

Chris delivered it to my house yesterday. I was still more excited to see him, but... THE CUDDLER HAD ARRIVED!!

The sucker is huge. Waaaay bigger than it appeared in the showroom… but, oh, how I love it.

Visit soon.
You can have the seat of honor.

2009-08-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

I got up and ran this morning.

The plan was to go to the gym, but half way into my drive and half way to the bottom of my breakfast, I realized… I forgot my shirt.

I’ve forgotten my shoes before. That was doable. Most of my pant legs are long. It works well with heels… and when you must wear shower shoes to work.

But, a shirt?

That’s more than long pants can help.

So I turned around.

Finished my breakfast.

And ran outside.

I’m glad.

Otherwise I wouldn’t have heard this:

THUMPthump THUMPthump THUMPthump.

My feet don’t make noises on the treadmill. Well, they do, but the motor noises and grunts from the weight lifters drown it out.

I like it.

THUMPthump THUMPthump.

I found it odd that my right leg had a louder thump.

So I switched my stride.

thumpTHUMP thumpTHUMP.

And wouldn’t you know it?

That entertained me through three miles.

:-)

2009-08-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

A looooooooooooooong time ago, I took pictures of my sweet sweet Brianna girl and her not-yet-born babe.

These are some of my favorites...

Brianna is a pretty girl, isn't she?!?! Oh my, so pretty!!

If this was Facebook, I'd totally tag Addison. She's right there! Can you see her?

Girl pink :-)

And the wee little shoes Nigel got for Father's Day. I think they're Pumas. :-)

And that's her face! Oh My!! She's a looker, that Addison!

These green ones are my favorites...

I like these, too! Sigh. I've figured it out... Brianna, you are my favorite :-)

Sun glow :-)

I had fun. Thank you, Brianna.
Come on Addison.
I want to take pictures of you not in utero. :-)

2009-08-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

P.S.-- the weekend went great :-)

Lots and lots of laughter, flowers, chocolate, packing tape, tissue paper, shared meals... and the smell of pine-sol.

2009-08-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Three years it takes to earn Senior boots.
Three.
I have no idea the true emotional/life cost of these boots... but I know that it was steep... and I'm proud of Stephen for earning them.

Senior Boot Day-- Aug. 13.

2009-08-06T14:34:00.001-07:00

Today is Thursday. Chris comes in town Friday. I'll have visitors on Saturday. Ag Comm reunion (and Robin will be in town!!!!!!) on Sunday. Alicia graduates next Friday (her troop will be in town Thursday). Kassi's bridal shower hosted at Ravenwood is that Sunday.

Here's the plan to get everything clean and ready:

Today-- clean the bathroom, put sheets in wash, get groceries

Friday-- have dinner with Chris' aunt and uncle, perhaps finish the painting and retape doilies

Saturday-- make cookies and cake for Reunion, spend time with Meg and Bud

Sunday-- church, go over to Edith's to help get the food ready, HAVE FUN :-)

Monday-- set the decorating plan and colors, make list of materials, paint the back door

Tuesday-- get the materials (I think we're doing tissue pom flowers!)

Wednesday-- prep

Thursday-- prep

Friday-- get flowers, have house decorated for our grad!

Saturday-- get bro to come mow and edge

Sunday-- last minute details, and get the party started :-)

I'm going to be very good about taking pictures :-)

*on every week day, I'm going to work my bootie off at work so I don't have to bring anything home. I also need to make time to run.

2009-08-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

Reasons why this day was a happy one:
- lunch meetings = free lunch
- chi tea while feeding the chameleon
- stopped by a brother/sisters lemonade stand. they were very very cute.
- ran outside as the sun sank to the other side of the world. the colors were glorious.

2009-08-04T18:52:00.001-07:00

Kate and I had plans to meet at the gym this morn'.

When the alarm went off, it was reallllllly early. The sun had yet to say hello. The birds were still snoozing in their nests. I couldn't even hear a rooster crowing. (Never mind I live in town; the crow of a rooster carries. :-) )

So, I told myself... "Self, count to ten, then get your rear in gear."

I said, "Good idea, self. I'm going to count backward."

ten
nine
eight
seven
six
fiiivvv... and I fell back asleep.

I woke up with a start about 20 minutes later.

The sun had said hello, the birds were chirping a morning song, and I'm sure, somewhere, the roosters were growing hoarse.

Oops :-)

Still had Kate and gym-time; it was just a bit truncated. :-)

2009-08-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

I'm learning how to paint... learning mainly by messing up, but HEY :-) Learning is learning.

This is my first attempt. I still have paint on my legs from yesterday. That makes me happy. :-)

It's not done, but I want to post it anyway. I'll take another picture once it's done and on the wall.

What do you think? Any suggestions? It's still in the works so suggestions would be helpful!

2009-07-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Fabulous K: Small Words Giveaway

Maybe??? Fingers crossed????!!!!

2009-07-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Oops.
Another weekend where I didn't pull out my camera.

DratRats, because so many fun things happened! That means is the perfect time for a... WORD PICTURE :-) :-)

WOOOOO!

Friday was glorious. I left work at exactly 5 p.m. Yessss. The sun was shining, the sky blue, the traffic nonexistent. Took a jaunt over to Kate's to meet her pa and not be any help in her packing endeavor. :-)

When we arrived 'round 6, her house was near disassembly. Her bookshelf: empty. Her kitchen: near that. That's a mere three days after signing her new lease. From nothing to everything. Amazing. Her uhaul looked like a cramped version of her house with lamps and couches and the coffee table seated so nice like a sitting room :-)

She's a haus, though she tried to pawn off her packing prowess on her father. Accepted: Whitneys are hauses.

We left pretty fast because Anne and Todd were waiting for us over at the McAlister's! YumYum. We had a lovely roommate/beau dinner. The music in there is intoxicating. It's hard to have a conversation because the urge to sing along and dance is declared winner by the be-be-be-be-beat.

Alicia and I tried to watch the Notebook, but quickly figured we were just too tired. To bed, we rested our heads.

Saturday!-- Chris pulled up to the curb around 8 a.m. We had breakfast (new recipe alert! Coconut French Toast-- yum) and we were lazy all day. We attempted to get a paint-by-number kit over at Walmart... but I guess paint-by-numbers are out o' date. These days, all the toys talk or sing or move. They're quite entertaining. We pushed all the buttons :-)

We had lunch, but then he left at around 5, because... Kassi, Janine and I had a reunion planned in Roundtop! Oh, the Shakespeare in Winedale was just outstanding. The actors did an absolutely wonderful job. We laughed and ate pie and laughed and ate pie and laughed... and ate pie :-)

Janine and I played the best car games on the way to Austin. It was probably dangerous for me to be driving with how much I was laughing.

It was a wonderful Saturday.

The next morning, we three went to church and then to Austin Java's for lunch. YumYumYum. Then to Anthropologie and a very neat resale shop.

Back to CS for youth. It was a wonderfulwonderfulwonderful weekend.

Later.
Rinse.
Repeat.

Let's do it again.

2009-07-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Today is Thursday.

I'm looking forward to:
book club and spaghetti tonight
Kate coming over early to make sauce
achieving my self-goal of a finished story by 5
free lunch on work's dime
starting a new book

I'm looking forward to Thursday becoming Friday... Friday becoming Saturday and time with Chris, a girls reunion trip to Round Top for Shakespeare at Winedale and lounging by the pool with Kassi and Janine. :-)

2009-07-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

I’ve had a song in my head since Sunday. I catch myself humming it at work. It keeps my pace at the gym. And when all is quiet, and a lamp is the only light on in the house, the cocklebur song sings ever so softly…

“O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: 'My God, how great Thou art!'"

I went home over the weekend and went to church with my family. We sang this song during Lord’s supper. I like it so.

If the song remains stuck in my head forever, I won’t mind a bit.

Before I left for Peru, I tried to memorize Psalm 19. My memory failed. So in addition to the broken bits of Psalms my brain produced, it was this song I found myself referencing in the whoa-baby beauty of it all.

When you think about something for an extended period of time, you get curious. Check out this link for the history of the lyrics. Neat: http://christianmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/stuart_hine_how_great_thou_art

2009-07-10T13:26:00.001-07:00

We went to the lake a few weekends ago.
Ohhhhhh... how I lovelovelove the lake.

We had a full boat...

And such fun!

Sking, kneeboarding, tubing, wakeboarding, swimming...

Two coolers of yummy drinks, sandwich fixin's, nutterbutters and chocolate chip cookies...

It can sure wear a person out :-)

It's the best place in the world.

2009-07-09T01:26:00.000-07:00

I like:
Big blue water bottles
Cups of red coffee stirrers
Movie nights
Baby shower gifts
Embroidery
Quarters of lime
Cheap airfare
Online payment options
Seeing bunny rabbits and blue jays on a run
Gummy bears
Hummus
Surprise Wednesday lunches
… and yellow flowers

And I got them all yesterday. I’m a lucky duck.

2009-07-08T06:33:00.000-07:00

Before

During

After!!!

Sigh. Isn't it dreamy?

Number 20 on my list?
We're half done, baby.

2009-07-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, all I did was write and eat watermelon. Well, that's all I did other than church and a quick stop at Home Depot (needed to grab paint before the sale went off) and Target (I was out of mascara, but ended up getting way more than I needed... shame, shame on me).

And I did something I haven't done in a very long time. Last night, I went back to work to write. It helps me focus.

One thing I don't like about working after hours... is it's dark.

Dark hallways.
Eep.

You know I've freaked myself out when, just as the elevator doors are opening, I think "if only I had my concealed licence."

That's serious.

In Exodus, the Lord tells Moses to stretch out his hand "toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt." (Ex. 10:21)

I could feel the darkness in the hallway, not in a sense of evil, or anything... just I could feel the dark. Funny how the absence of light can be something felt.

There are more verses like this, but... there's also this one...

"Psalm 18:11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him--the dark
rain clouds of the sky."

David sang this when the Lord delivered him from his enemies and from Saul. He talks about the Lord being his strength, his rock, fortress, deliverer. David takes refuge in God, he says. He's shielded by God. God is his salvation, his stronghold.

He writes about calling out to the Lord, and being heard.

Then... "the earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him-- the dark rain clouds of the sky." Psalms 18:7-11

He kept going: the Lord thundered from heaven, He shot his arrows and scattered (the enemies), great bolts of lightning and routed them.

The Lord took hold of him, David wrote, and drew him out of the deep waters, from those that were stronger than he. "He brought me into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

He continues saying that the Lord dealt with him according to his righteousness, according to the "cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me."

David says that he had never turned away from the Lord's decrees.

Oh, I have.

David said that he had been blameless before Him and had kept himself from sin... he keeps going

David had the law.

I am so glad. So very glad that I have Jesus and that he has cleaned me of my dirty hands so that He can bring me into a spacious place. He rescued me because he delights in me, the girl who dirties up everything.

Well, I wrote for a couple hours, did jumping jacks to get my brain jolted back on track... and when I absolutely had to move, I practiced clicking my heels together midair in the reflection of my wall of windows.

I'm pretty good ;-) Just like Singing in the Rain :-)

And I'm totally pumped to turn in stories.

2009-06-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

One more down on my 25-year list.

11. hike up to Machu Picchu -- DID IT!!!!!

Prepare for pictures.

more to come

2009-06-04T14:43:00.001-07:00

It's getting closer.

And closer.

And closer :-)

Tamara, Katherine and I leave for Peru on Tuesday. They'll drive in Monday and we'll head out 24 hours later.

Oh boy!

As such, I've started gathering my little bitties.

Imagining what I'd like to wear on a five-day hike in the mountains.

And hoping that the Fig Newtons fit :-)

I'm so so excited.

There's still time yet, but if you'd like to follow the trip, you can follow my Tweets. Search for sjeter. That's me.

2009-06-01T21:40:00.001-07:00

Someday I'm going to win something... I just know it :-)

http://ohhellofriend.blogspot.com/2009/06/16-shop-giveaway.html
But if I don't... maybe you will!

2009-05-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

I like to run.
I like it a whole whole bunch.

because of the fireflies, the bunny rabbits, the orange and red sunset, and the sound frogs make at nighttime.

2009-05-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Everyday, I have big craft plans.
Yet, it's the rare day that I actually follow through.

Yesterday was my day.

After seeing this super cute pattern for a wee superhero cape, I decided to give it a shot.

Craft night at Ravenwood!!!!! Anne, Krista and I are crafting fools. Fools, I tell you.

So, I got some sweet fabric.

Put on some sleepy shorts.

Took off my shoes.

And got the sewing maching to humming.

The result :-)

2009-05-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Remember my list for my 25th year?

15. empty my inbox -- DONE 04/08/09

I am on fire!

How did I do it. Well, friends (pompously brushes nails against shoulder) I learned it all comes down to two choices...

Trash
or
File

:0)

... and I found a lot of gems deciding between the two.

Wanna see?

OK.

Here's an e-mail I sent to my mom the very first time my article was printed up at the paper. The link doesn't work anymore, but I wrote about the Jacksonville bond election. :0) Happy memories :0)

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephanie Jeter [mailto:sljeter@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 9:19 AM
To: Trudi Jeter
Subject:

http://www.tylerpaper.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17434089&BRD=1994&PAG=461
&dept_id=341384&rfi=6

this is it... nothing big, but it's the first

:O)

sigh... memories in the corner of my e-mail.

OK, how about the 47 e-mails sent with pictures of houses, notes from the real estate woman and loan officer. Phew. I'm glad that's over.

Hummm, Oh! Oh!

Here's a picture from my Aggie Ring Day. I had flown in from DC that day. With so many friends present, ice cream that night, and IHOP the next morning, that November hullabaloo remains on of my top Aggie memories.

Hehehehehehe.

These are some from a college photography class. The assignment was portraits; I sat for a friend. Pose. Vogue.

I found a book list, crafts galore, Spanish lessons, a funny convo with Katherine...

(click to read), e-mails from DC friends, e-mails from friends pre-baby, e-mails from friends announcing babies. There were several hundred wedding-related e-mails, what with schedules and requests and colors and shoes... and more than 500 word of the days.

The word that most fits this endeavor is the one from June 17, 2007.
The Word of the Day for June 17 is:

hawkshaw \HAWK-shaw\ noun
: detective

:-)

2009-05-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

clapclapclapclap!

Today is going to be a goooooooooooood day :-)

*I've finished my stories
*and will have time with Kate at the gym
*I'll work my bootie
*then to book club
*then it's FRIDAY and time with the roomies and movies and dinner and fun! :-) :-)

2009-05-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hum... a couple more things--

I just got back from a dentist appointment. It's been at least three years (eep!) but I'm proud to announce no cavities.

roar of the crowd

thank you. thank you.

Now, I'm working hard for the money.

2009-05-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Things that made yesterday's run special:
1. it was outside
2. and the weather was absolutely beautiful
3. the trail was wild
4. I saw deer!
5. and picked flowers during the cool-down
6. so that when I got home, I could put them in two mason jars
7. one to go above the sink
8. and one to come to work :-)

2009-05-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Emptied my camera today.
Look at the memories :)
Katherine and I drove to Dallas for Courtney's wedding. We had lots of fun, danced
crazy dances and drank coffee in tea cups with matching saucers. Yay. On the way up, we definitely got the giggles over a truffle espresso and pumpkin bread. And, though me missed the actual ceremony, we made up for it at the reception. Oh yes. Party on down. :-) (Aunt Marie is funny)

This is from Alicia's 22nd birthday dinner/dessert :-) I like her oh so much.

More memories to come :)

2009-05-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

enjoy a song from NPR and a bit of a blasting piece about our ignorance toward Mexico.

Very well spoken, but I'm going to be happy anyway :)

2009-04-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

When I moved into Ravenwood, my lawn was the prettiest on the block. Thick. Green. Strong. Healthy.

Naturally, when it became mine, I stopped watering it. Grass wasn't meant to be green year-round. It has dormancy periods. It sings "Don't cry for me Argentina." My grass says it's strong. Therefore, I don't baby it.

Now, almost a year later, my lawn has lost its lushness and gained some prickles.

A couple of weeks ago, clover started settling in my front yard. I like clover. It is nice and green. It is a nitrogen-fixing crop, and it has these pretty yellow flowers.

I like pretty yellow flowers.

So, I let it be. I weeded around it. Yep. I got some nasty dandelions and some of the ugly weeds, but got up from my hands and knees to skip over the clover.

...to watch, in one week's time, its soft green leaves become a sticker-bur bed.

Sticker-burs!

The clover was growing stickers!

Oh snap.

It got me.

It got me good.

I think about scriptural promises a lot when working on the lawn since it's the closest thing I have to a field right now, and in the Old (and New, I suppose, but since we're going through Moses's life in BSF right now, Old is mostly what I'm reading) Testament there's lots of talk about fields. Promises of an inheritance, promises of provision, God teaching the Israelites how to live, and it seems like at every turn, they're reminded of Gen 3:18. "It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field." Ack. Sin.

Ack.
Yak.
Mak.

Sin can be pretty sneaky. It looks good and doesn't appear problematic. You let it in a little, and BAM. Sticker-burs erupt.

And then you start pulling... and noticing the little clover patches that I never saw before because I know what it'll grow up to be.

Stickers.

I'm praying that as I pull these stickers from my yard, the Lord will pull stickers from my life.

From the roots, baby.

2009-04-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to run faster.

So, I tie my shoes with a little more purpose.

And tie my hair back knowing this run might hurt.

And find myself saying, “you can do it” under the wheezing.

Because... I'm slow.

Yes.

I really really am.

My snail's pace has never stirred up much bother in my jogger's soul.

But, I've been pretending to run/trot long enough that I now want to be faster and stronger.

Distance has dropped, but my speed is getting better. There are good days and bad days, but I know my muscles will learn.

I’m in a women’s mentoring “class” taught by this woman. She wrote this about running on her blog today. I like it very much.
What she said... I couldn’t have said it better myself. Take a gander.

Remember me?

The non-runner?

The girl who couldn't run more than a couple minutes without wanting to die?

Well...

I ran 6.2 miles last Sunday night.

6.2 miles.

6.2 MILES!

I RAN for one hour and one minute.

It was Easter.

I felt alive.

I felt powerful.

I ran 6.2 miles and Hudson said "mama" for the first time, looking at me, through the back door.

I'll never forget this Easter.

Tomorrow morning, I'll get to celebrate all that God has done, all that He has taught me with a group of women who God has also taught so much and brought so far.

We've learned together what it means to step out in faith.

We've learned together what it means to allow God to grow the fruits of self-control and discipline.

We've felt the sting of pressing on, through the pain.

We've learned to endure, to fix our eyes on the prize.

We've been discouraged.

We've tasted victory.

We've learned the value of one another.

What a journey this race has been and will continue to be.

When we started training, we had only a couple goals...

To learn better what God is talking about in scripture when He uses words like training, press on, endurance, patience, suffering and self-control.

And

To see God do what we thought was once impossible.

I ran 6.2 miles. Who am I? I never in a hundred years saw that coming.

A year ago, if you had approached me and said, "One day, very soon, you will run 6.2 miles," I would have said, "You're so dumb. I don't even own tennis shoes." Then I would have shouted, to everyone standing around, "Someone commit this person. They are insane."

I've seen the impossible become possible.

A few weeks ago, if you had approached most of these women running this race tomorrow and said, "One day, very soon, you will run a 5K," they would have said, "You're so dumb. I HATE running. I will NEVER run. I can't run. I can't."

They have seen the impossible become possible.

Not all the women will be able to run the entire distance.

That's NEVER what this has been about.

But each woman, who has been in training will run further than they EVER thought they could.

Miraculous.

A testimony to God's faithfulness. There IS a reward waiting for every runner.

I have saved one song on my Ipod that will play as I cross the finish line tomorrow...

A Grateful People, by Watermark.

God has done GREAT things.

And my prayer tomorrow, as I watch the power of God displayed in these beautiful women crossing that finish line is this....

God show us what OTHER impossible things you want to make possible in our lives.

I love you ladies!

You're runners!

You are runners!

I'm so thankful to be running this race with YOU...the race we're running tomorrow...and the one we'll be running until the black, dull, hard asphalt turns to beautiful, shimmering gold.

2009-04-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Story time!

Everyone gather 'round.

Sit on your spots. I don't anyone to have to pull their card or sit out of recess...

so, all my good listeners, put your ears and eyes on me.

Over spring break this year, Amy and I went to Denver.
This is Amy.
Isn't she pretty?

We met in Fort Worth the day before and had sushi and bought hiking socks and dreamed happy dreams about snow-capped mountains and cool air.

Amy's best friend from high school let us sat at her house.
Her name is Bianca.
Let's say thank you to Bianca, together.
Ready?
Thank you, Bianca!

Thank you in more ways than one, because once we shook the imaginary dust from our symbolic boots, Bianca took Amy and me to a really fun sandwich shop named after a dog.

Daphny's.

Lots of toys.

And lots of delicious food that made us full.

After handing over the keys to her fiance's car (seriously? wow. let's say it again, Thank you, Bianca!), Amy and I went to the Denver Museum of Art.

It was cool.

It was thought-provoking.

It made us want to create.

It made us want to talk it out.

It made us want to be quiet.

It made us want to say, "wow."

And, "I want to do that!"

And, "This is my favorite!"

And, "You will see this in my house someday."

The art museum had art outside, too.

But, it closes at 6... so we said our goodbyes (the security guard grew up in Muleshoe, Robin!) and went to go watch a play/comedy routine! Hilarious. Denver is so artsy, and I love it.

The next day, Amy and I went hiking.

We got in the truck, and went driving to find...

This...

Earlier, Amy and I stopped by Whole Foods and got some grub: cheese, crackers, turkey and oranges to be consumed while drinking in the prettiest sight in 2009.

Sigh. Isn't it refreshing?

Though, we did have some trouble opening the cheese.

We hiked some in snow.

Before starting the hike, Amy and I stopped by to visit a ranger-type employee of the park service. "What trail should we forge?" we asked....

"Ooooh, is this your first time?" the pretty rangerette asked.

"Yes. Yes it is," we answered. "And we're very excited."

"Well," the rangerette took a breath. "Well, you could hike this or that, or this or that. Or you could hike this. Snow shoes are optional right now."

Optional, we thought.

"Optional?," we questioned.

Month = March

We opted out and went here.

We got turned around a bit.

But we didn't compose our last good byes in preperation of our demise.

We're savvier than that.

We saw a wolf!

And a herd of elk.

It was beautiful.

We went back to Denver, had some gluten-free pizza and went to bed... all so we could wake up refreshed to live in a dream. We visited the Celestial Seasonings tea factory. It was magical. Magical. Magical. My shoulders relax just thinking of the place. Upon arrival, we were welcomed to any tea we wanted. Any tea, and as much as we wanted at that. We went on a tour. We stood in the mint room. I nearly cried. I nearly fainted. It was glorious.

And then we went to Boulder.
Golly. This state just gets better and better.

And then... and then, my friends. It was time to start the wedding party.

The WEDDING PARTY!!!

Because Kendra is now a Clayton. (story to be continued... give me the weekend :) )

2009-04-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

The Littlest Birds

Well I feel like an old hobo,
I'm sad lonesome and blue
I was fair as the summer day
Now the summer days are through
You pass through places
And places pass through you
But you carry 'em with you
On the souls of your travellin' shoes

Well I love you so dearly I love you so clearly
Wake you up in the mornin' so early
Just to tell you I got the wanderin' blues
I got the wanderin' blues
And i'm gonna quit these ramblin' ways one of
these days soon
And I'll sing

The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs...

Well it's times like these
I feel so small and wild
Like the ramblin' footsteps of a wanderin' child
And I'm lonesome as a lonesome whippoorwill
Singin these blues with a warble and a trill
But I'm not too blue to fly
No I'm not too blue to fly cause

The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs...

Well I love you so dearly
I love you so fearlessly
Wake you up in the mornin' so early
Just to tell you I got the wanderin' blues
I got the wanderin' blues
And I don't wanna leave you
I love you through and through

Oh I left my baby on a pretty blue train
And I sang my songs to the cold and the rain
I had the wanderin' blues
And I sang those wanderin' blues
And I'm gonna quit these ramblin' ways
One of these days soon
And I'll sing...

The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs....

I don't care if the sun don't shine
I don't care if nothin' is mine
I don't care if I'm nervous with you
I'll do my lovin' in the wintertime

***oooooooooooh my.

For voting purposes, everyone who loves this song, raise your hand.

2009-04-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Ms. Cowart-- look at this...

found on Molly Irwin's blog who found it on http://www.twostraightlines.typepad.com/.

It makes me want to dance and paint at the same time.
Last year about this time I got into painting with watercolors. I never got good at it, but... painting, even though standing still or sitting, feels like movement.

Weird, sha. But true.

Ah, it's time to move!!!

2009-04-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

BOOOOOOM

big thunder woke me up this morning.

I thought to myself, "Self, this would be a great time to do what you always say you want to do when it storms... read in your pajamas."

I said, "Self, that's a great idea. I'm going to turn on the light now."

flip.

no power

flip. flip.

no power. no power.

bummer.

soooooooooooo, I read by candle light.
and showered by candle light.
and took my candle in the closet with me to find something to wear.
and took my candle to help me find my other shoe.

and now everything smells like mulberry.

mmmmmmm
mmm mmmmmmmm

2009-03-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

I am 25.

You may call me that, if you'd like.

Hi, 25.

Before you can call me 26, there are a few things I'd like to see happen...

A list, actually.

I've put a lot of thought into this.

Here we go.

1. run a real stinkin' marathon.
2. buy an extra set of bed sheets
3. make a photo calendar
4. create a sewing station
5. move iTunes over from old computer to new computer
6. organize said iTunes
7. organize my writing clips in both print and digital formats
8. clean out the garage (it hasn't gotten that bad, but I don't want it to, either)
9. create a crafting area (that's the stuff in boxes in the garage)
10. decorate for Christmas
11. hike up to Machu Picchu
12 be able to do 10 pull ups
13. make one room in the house homey
14. play in every park in CS
15. empty my inbox
16. learn that everything has its place
17. cook with recipes more
18. get my lawn (somewhat) back under control
19. become a better writer
20. paint house

Yep.
That's it.
That's my list of things I'd like to accomplish by 26.

Most are not written in proper goal format. They are vague and untrackable... but I like the list anyway.

2009-03-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

There's a constant tap tappity tap tap of rain on my window.
Makes me want to get all snuggley in pajamas, wrap up in a blanket and... learn about raindrops!

:)

Raindrop Shapes
Q: You see on cartoons that raindrops usually appear like a teardrop. Are they really shaped that way?

A: Not really, says Brent McRoberts of Texas A&M University. The common appearance of raindrops being shaped like a big tear is not very accurate, he notes. "Literature has frequently told us that raindrops are often tears from above, and thus are shaped like a teardrop. But that's not the case. The shape of a raindrop depends on its size. Small raindrops are actually spherical in shape and they take on different shapes as they fall to the ground. The larger ones are often compared to the shape of a hamburger bun. This is caused by air resistance on the drop as it falls to earth."

Q: Are larger raindrops shaped the same?

A: Large raindrops often split in two because of their size, McRoberts adds. "When a raindrop gets to be large, it assumes a shape that is similar to a small parachute, with a larger area around its base," he explains. "When this happens, the raindrop is so large that it splits into several smaller drops. A larger raindrop naturally falls to earth faster than a smaller one, but it still takes a while. For example, a large raindrop that fell from a cloud at 5,000 feet would take about three minutes to reach you on the ground. Some raindrops can actually be different colors because of sand or other materials that collect in them."

2009-03-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen-- Today is a day that should be lived with much rejoicing.
It is a day where one and all should drink McCalister's tea 1/2 sweet and 1/2 regular.
Today is a day when songs should be sung loud and in tune.
Today is a happy day.
Today is March 11.
TODAY IS ROBIN'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Kat and I celebrated.

And sang :)

2009-03-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

My sweet Lauren-girl got married two weekends ago :)
This is her:

Isn't she pretty?

This is where she got her new last name:

Let me tell you how I met both of them.

Lauren moved to Tyler, oh, man... I can't quite remember. She was the girl who knew what she was doing. That totally wasn't me when I first started at the paper. I was drawn by her confidence... and soon after, her love for the Father. Lauren liked to eat her lunch outside, down on the town square. Soon, I started going with her. The rest is sweet sweet history :)

The first time we really hung out out of work was at the lake. We sunned and swam on the dock of her church's lake front campsite area. We shared our faith and talked about family and friends.

Swimming in Lake Palestine is when I was first learned of Mr. Fink, too. It's where I first met all of Lauren's friends through her stories. Lauren is a good story teller.

I was able to meet Andrew in person before they got married. Lauren brought him to one of our Buffalo half-way visits. But, two weekends ago was when I met all her other friends. It was a little out of body, because... I knew these people. I knew them all through her stories, but had never actually met them.

Seeing Lauren and Andrew get married, surrounded by all these people who love them was a crazy awesome reminder of the big gifts God gives.

You know?

All of it... all of it, from our friendship, to learning of Andrew, to learning of all her friends, started at the lake. It started at the lake, and it came to completion two weekends ago at her wedding. Kind of completion :)

2009-03-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

Don't be surprised if next time you come to the Ravenwood house, this is up in the living room... idea and pictures from http://www.domestic-construction.com/

Isn't is so much fun?
What kind of string do you think I should use?

2009-03-06T07:52:00.001-08:00

A sweet little bird sat singing on my budding wisteria yesterday morning.
Spring is coming!

Oh, how I love spring!
Easter is my very favorite day out of the 365 we get every year... and every day until then is a beautiful reminder of rebirth and clean beginnings and fresh lives!

With the start at our fingertips, here are 10 things to love about spring:

replacing the crunchy plants in the garden with happy spring flowers
bright green, brand-new grass tuffs
bluebonnets
the first pretty little spring flowers poking out of the dirt
bird songs
open windows
Easter
twirly skirts
bare feet
cow/calf pairs

oh, wait! But there's more!

colors
car windows rolled down
garden vegetables
not being cold
playing outside
picnics
spring cleaning

Weeeeeeee!

2009-03-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Favorite story of the day...

from csmonitor.com

As the cashier rang up my total, a fellow in boots, jeans, and a sweatshirt walked up behind me at the checkout carrying a single item – a vase of red roses and ferny greens. I couldn't help noticing the $25 price tag and wondering about his generous impulse. Did he have a new relationship to nourish? An old one to shore up after a falling out? Were pricey cut flowers likely to do the trick?

I don't make a habit of pondering about the lives of strangers, but the image of this burly workingman and the delicate vase worth more than my groceries for the next few days triggered a smile and a moment of private musing as I reached in my pocket for the $20 bill and four cents I needed. The little bouquet seemed so incongruous against his plain work clothes, so extravagant given the economic stringencies affecting most of us in grocery lines of late.

I was pulled back to my pocket search as I fumbled for some change clearly not there. Reluctantly I pulled out my other $20 bill to cover the four cents. This was not missed on the gent with the flowers.

"Here you go, I've got four cents," he offered, opening his palm to the cashier.

Touched, I thanked him effusively, adding with a nod to the vase, "You're obviously a very nice guy."

"I try to be" he said with a sigh, hinting at the possibility the roses were a kind of rueful atonement. "It doesn't always work."

"Oh, it will. Over time, things always come around," I assured this perfect stranger. I thanked him once more as I left, buoyed by the gesture that left my last $20 intact for another day. He may have stretched his resources for a sweetheart, but he'd made my day for a mere four cents. He probably didn't even need those roses.

2009-03-04T10:53:00.000-08:00

Brother and I ran a local 5K on Friday. It was a night run… with glow sticks. Yesssssssssss. He’s way faster than me but slowed so we could stay together. Nice boy. I like group runs. They are my favorite.
Saturday morning, LinsMet came by and we left for a weekend in San Marcos!

But first, some wheatgrass.

LinsMet and I drove. LinsMet and I talked. LinsMet and I planned future Google searches.

LinsMet arrived in San Marcos, home of KatMaHa!

Wahoooo!

After some queso, breakfast tacos and tortillas, we rented SUNDAY SCHOOL MUSICAL. Sadly, what could have been the best movie of the month, was in actuality, the worst.

What in GGE?

Moving seamlessly into the next activity, the three of us went to Austin where we went shopping at Anthropology! Kat and I bought each other aprons :) Then we went to pick up Tam and Kat’s cousin, Dane! The four of us paraded around Whole Foods (A) looking for free samples (B) in shock of all the deliciousness (C) drinking juice (wheatgrass for Kat and Dane, carrot/celery/jalapenos/bell pepper/cilantro for me) (D) planning what we would eat if we weren’t going out for dinner.

To dinner! We ate at Magnolias where Seth Caron joined up for a few bites of leftovers and a trek up a mountain with stairs. Once up there, Kat, Dane and Seth climbed up on a structure to see a better view. The wind was blowing. We were worried someone might die.

But no one did, and we left with the memories of beautiful lights and shady people.

Saturday…

There were thousands of kites… thousands of them. Most wavering within feet of the ground, the colors and strings, and folks commandeering them all mixed together.

Super duper fun.

We couldn’t always get the kite up, but Kat’s a pro.

I love San Marcos.

2009-02-27T11:16:00.001-08:00

Oh my.
Oh my.

There is such thing as a button candy mold.

Oh my!

And if you go here, you just might win something pretty :)

2009-02-26T09:06:00.001-08:00

P.S.-- I listened to this today. It's some kind of wonderful. Anybody want to talk about it?

2009-02-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for a pretty blue dress for a wedding between my sweeter-than-sugar Kendra and her choice, Mike.

And I'd like for it to come to a vote.

This dress in blue?

Orrrr this one?

What about this pretty?

Another option:

I'm this close to getting number one. What do y'all think? Have something else you think would be fun?

2009-02-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

Croft wedding love in crazy Blogger order :)

2009-01-30T14:09:00.000-08:00

This morning...

We have picnics every week. We thought for sure this week we'd have to eat inside. Too cold. Too icy. Too much.

This is us at noon.

The sun was shining.

The weather, warm.

It happens every week. Our lunch days are always sunny.

knock on wood.

*knock*
*knock*

2009-01-27T19:22:00.000-08:00

I love lunch.

Tomatoes.
Cucumbers.
Anne's homemade dressing.

Brain food-- yepyep. I'm hoping that the mixture does some kind of karate chop kick to my noggin because this week and the next need to be focused and creative.

focused enough to create :)

That's right... it's deadline time again! Let the interviews begin!

2009-01-20T10:54:00.000-08:00

Look what I learned to do!

2009-01-19T14:44:00.000-08:00

Found a fun Web site. It's for wee ones, but... they have "Wacky Web Tales."

You give a few adjetives, verbs and proper nouns, and you get a tale

All who think this is really fun say "aye."

*AYE*

2009-01-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

Party people,

I am sitting at Sweet E's with my dear friend, Kate. She's diligently fighting writing two essays to gain admission into seminary. I'm preparing to delve into a light-hearted true tale about students. I have high hopes that it be entertaining.

But first, hello.

Hello from this Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009.
A day that can't be repeated.
A day that should be remembered.
Here's what I'm seeing.
*a bearded red-head snoozing on a blue couch. He reminds me of a friend named John--and though he's not wearing them now, I have a feeling he rocks suspenders often. He was reading a book. I don't know what it's called. The spine and cover are resting on his crossed and reclining legs. I think he's been here a while: his iced drink has no ice.
*sitting snuggley close under a black-and-white painting of Darth Vader is a couple reading A Purpose Driven Life aloud.They go back and forth from book to a laptop the young man has on his lap.
*behind me is another couple working on a shared laptop. They're speaking another language. I'm not sure what it is. For sure not Spanish. For sure not French. Maaaaybe Arabic?
*the sound of scraping chairs makes this place seem active, though everyone around me is either sleeping or working.
*conversations can't be separated, not even the one in another language. It's all a murmur.
*The coffee in my mug was steaming 10 min ago, but is now the perfect temperature.

I think I shall drink it.

2009-01-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

this makes me so happy :)

2009-01-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

Richard Schickel - "Memory is the personal journalism of the soul."

In 2008...

I was blessed with roommates for the first time in two years! I love them both immensely. Alicia, Anne and I were in a Bible study together at my apartment over at Meadow Oaks over the summer. Anne was thinking about moving, and I think I pursued her pretty heavily to be my roomie :)Anne and I will forever celebrate anything by holding hands, jumping in a circle and screaming at the top of our lungs. And my AliciaBoo-- I had never met Alicia, but now just a few short months later we've bonded through oven fires, Twilight peeks, Fightin' Texas Aggie anything and hopefully lots more midnight trips to Sonic. She's my very favorite A.P. '08.

(photos by Bud)
In 2008, baby Grace was born! A few weeks after the prettypea was born, Edith, Megan, Bud and I went on a road trip to hold her. With breakfast burritos in the back seat and the sunrise telling us the day had begun, we took off. Between the four of us, I think we shared the baby well. The next day, my arm was sore from holding the baby... sweet burn :)

In 2008...

I bought a house :) Yep! I sure did! I'm sitting in it right now... on the couch... with a dismembered Christmas tree to my right. It was just a few months ago--July-- when MawMaw, PawPaw, Janelle, Langeston and Mom, Dad, and SNJII sat in this empty living room, on dirty carpet and prayed over the little hut. It was just after I signed my initials on perhaps 300 pages of legal documents, making 3709 mine. Tam came to town that same week. My sweetsweetsweet 1/2 of a best friend painted almost every single wall in this place. I can see her in the walls :). I can see my parents in the walls, too. They took off an entire week to help me move in and get to feeling homey. The biggest reminder though is I can see my Savior in the walls. It's absolutely nuts how perfect the house worked out. I got out of my apartment lease early. It's three doors down from family. My old running trails are to the left; my church is to the right. It's plumb perfect.

In 2008, I had some of the best weekends of my life in San Marcos with my pallypal Katherine. She's a good 'un... and she's mine (though I realize she's other people's too). Also traveling... I went to Denver to see my K!!!! I got to see where she lives and partake in her generosity :) Aaaah! I had so much fun in that Denver town. In a couple of months, I get to go back for the homegirl's nuptials!!!!

In 2008, Jesus has swooped and freed me from ugly, nasty stuff in my life. Like, how it's not meant to be X. Like how life is meant to be lived with Him. Like how discipline and freedom mix to make the sweetest, shiniest, multi-colored fireworks show around. Ah, how I wish this computer's USB port could fit on my heart. It could be so much clearer... but alas.

In 2008, I was part of the ingaural launch of some cool stuff going on at work. I love my work, and I love the people there. In 2008, I bunkered down for a lame-o College Station Ike-hit. It wasn't so lame elsewhere; we were blessed.

In '08, I explored a nuclear reactor. I started hanging out with middle schoolers on Wednesday. 2008 was the start of my second year in BSF. I went to my second ever gala and wore the same dress as I did to the first! In 2008, Meg and Bud got married :) I started guitar lessons... started dance lessons... started Spanish class... HAHAHA, and I didn't stick by any of them.

But, that's OK... because in 2008, I learned that my real hobby is people. So, here's to people and here's to the other adventures in 2008 I didn't mention and here's to 2009!

Here!
Here!
Here!

2008-12-21T13:32:00.001-08:00

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled."

Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

:)

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

2008-12-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

We went Christmas caroling at nursing homes tonight.
Truthfully, I didn't want to go. There's a lot to be done at work and at home, and little time to do it. I went up to the church and when I realized I was the first one there, almost turned around and went home. Instead I talked to my brother on the phone and held my horses. Not because I wanted to, but because I knew they were expecting me to drive.

I stayed because it was "responsible."

But achieved responsibility has nothing to do with the reason why I had an outstanding time.

Because I did.

I had an outstanding, so wonderful, I-can't-believe-I-almost-missed-it time. Yep.

I'm not sure why I'm continuously surprised to have an awesome time when doing something for others. Example: A few weeks ago Katherine and I went to the Renaissance Festival using free tickets my boss gave me. We had eight and set to giving the extra six away in the parking lot. Seeing the people smile was most definitely more fun than the actual park.

Example: tonight.

I lovelovelovelove to love people. I love for people to know that they're cared for. Our group was not necessarily the best singers, but the folks there didn't care. They sang along, smiled, and even if some weren't completely there mentally, gave some sort of physical emotion to show that they were having a good time.

A good time :)

Ah, I like good times.

That's all really. Bring on the good times.

2008-12-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

i've been filling my days with Christmas crafting and cooking.
work writing and editing.
running in the Christmas lights and singing.
...off key and out of breath.

these days have been filled with bonfires and hot dogs, red fingernail polish and scarves, spilled flour and happy jumps at 3709.

these days have seen a baby Matern and hours in a car to see her.
dinner with friends and the scent of cinnamon filling the house.
snow and youth.
movies and cider.
a full tummy and overflowing heart.

Christmas is coming. I don't want to miss it.

2008-12-11T10:11:00.001-08:00

"Baby love. My baby love"
Cake for JQ's baby shower :)

2008-12-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

Alicia-boo and I made a snow video. We used the camera on my laptop. That explains the strange frames :) I'm home early after being shooed out the door of my office. Snow means danger in Texas. "Are you watching the weather?" is the new "hello, how are you?" So, to my friends... "are you watching the weather?" :) I hope you're oh so fine.

2008-12-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

I make introductions. That's what I do. I like finding similarities in different, very different people. Like today, I introduced a fellow named Smith who is a former Marine and a doctoral student named Ndambe who is from Uganda.

What do they have in common?
Oh I found it.

They've both lived abroad.

Thank you, thank you... cue meaningful conversation.

Anyway, I have something I'd like to introduce to you.

People, this is snow. Snow, meet the fine people.

What do you two have in common?
ummm
errrrr
wellllll.

NOTHING!

What world am I in where it is snowing, real live snow FLAKES (not sleet) on the day after a temperature high of 70-something?

It's just so crazy!

I can remember a grand total of four times that I have watched and been in snow fall. One-- I was in high school. It was night. Stephen and I went outside to investigate. So awesome. Two-- I was on my internship in Washington, D.C. The capitol is gorgeous with a coat of white. Three-- Easter weekend. I was still at the paper and found myself driving all over the city covering stories. Driving through the flurries was like being in a snow globe. Four-- today, about three hours after I was caught blowing hot air on the window and writing my initials. Hohohohahaha ha.

oh oh, it's magic, you know.