Just for Mitzi

I needed to put myself in a place and time when I was in Finance class...just like my good friend is now. So I pulled a picture of our professor off the website. She has not had the pleasure of meeting him in person since she's taking an online class. I've tried to protect his identity a little. Enjoy! This was very therapeutic.

Tension

Click here to play a really fun WNTW puzzle!

What is the best way to relieve tension? I think it's to sit down on a recliner with a beer and watch the Rangers or "what not to wear."

I could use a beer right now.

Click here to get to the Rangers website.

Favorite Beer

Favorite beer: Dos Equis. Best place to drink it: in my front yard watching the dogs sleep.

Why am I writing this? No reason. Just thought I'd share a little info.

Remember your first real job? Remember your first real paycheck? I remember being so proud and so excited about my first paycheck. I think I blew it all back then. I'm still doing that. Thank God tomorrow's payday!

I slept on the couch last night...

No it wasn't because I was in trouble or anything. The wind was HOWLING out of the northwest at about 45 mph all night. That made it loud and cold. It reminded me of the time my mother was in hospice and we had several nights like that. I slept on the couch then, too.

My mother always said the wind makes people crazy. I believe her. It's funny how windy days remind me of her. I miss her.

Anyway...my husband came looking for me at about 2 a.m. He cleaned his guns off the guest bedroom bed and asked me to join him in there. It was much quieter and snuggly.

The wind has finally died down and I can watch my Rangers lose to Cleveland. Go Rangers!

Quicksand

The boys took the horses out to the nearby national recreation area to ride last week. They attempted to cross the river and ran into some QUICKSAND! Can you believe it? I am so grateful they are OK. They had to bail off the horse and keep him calm while they coaxed him out of his predicament.

We thought one of the cell phones was ruined, but to my son's disappointment, it is not ruined and he gets to keep his current phone. (Who can afford to update phones EVERY time a new one is introduced?)

Some photos from that day. Phillip is covered in red mud from his waist down!

Amarillo by morning...

I rarely get the chance to be at home alone in the mornings. Since I have a DR appointment today, I've got an hour to myself in the house. It is quiet except for the wind howling. Several tornados swept through our area Saturday night. They did tremendous damage south of us and north of us. We are blessed that we only received beneficial rains.

I took time to capture the sunrise out my front door. I love morning time.

April 6, 2007

Big day for us. We've been married 16 years today. We are still very much in love and are best of friends. I thank God every day for my wonderful husband. We are so loved by family and friends. My only hope is that everyone will have a love like ours.


Although we celebrate this day, we also mourn this day. Six years ago this date, my mother died. She was a remarkable, lovely lady who taught us all how to die with grace. We will go visit the cemetary this afternoon between Good Friday Stations of the Cross and Veneration of the Cross services. Mom, I know you are still with us in spirit. Thank you for your beautiful gift of life, your constant encouragement, your desire to give us everything we ever wanted and your unique love for each of us. You taught me the importance of family. Those last days on earth with you at hospice were treasured moments with my brothers and sister. Thanks for that gift, mom. I love you.

I survived the month of February

Can't believe it. I usually have my income tax info to the accountant by the second week of February. I was beating myself up because I didn't get it done until the second week of March. A month late!! EEEEEkkk.

Stupid me, huh? We had a lot of snow in January and February yet I couldn't make myself sit down and do it. I'd rather be selling jewelry.

I became an independent lia sophia jewelry advisor. I thought I would get rich...but I really have just used the extra income to support my bad habit of SHOPPING! I had an epiphany the other day. I AM A SHOPAHOLIC! I can't believe how pleased I am when I walk out of the mall wihtout purchasing anything. I even go so far as to say a prayer before I go shopping. And I've changed the prayer from, "Please, God, let me find the perfect pair of pants today," to, "Please, God, let me get my pleasure from seeing, touching, smelling, but NOT buying!"

The month of February was so insane. I had my Managerial Accounting class - including a final over seven chapters (yuk). I made a 91. I was very happy...have an A in the class and only lack two classes to graduate with my MBA.

I also worked to complete the paperwork for the farm loan. That's always a chore. We have to put together an entire business plan for the bank. Not to mention the income tax. The bills are due RIGHT NOW and we are short $45,000. I'm just taking it a day at a time. The worst thing that can happen is that we lose the place.

My kids decided to participate in stock shows in Jan. and Feb. so a lot of spare time was spent with them washing pigs. Fun.

Then I had to schedule the annual trip to Vegas with my Vegas friend. I LOST ALL MY MONEY. That was no fun. I was disgusted when I got the airport thinking I would never return again. But by the time I landed in Amarillo, I was ready to go back. I've got a new Vegas savings plan! And if it's not used for Vegas, it'll be used for a New York shopping spree. I know both trips are in the future. I want to pay cash for them and for Christmas this year. I'm so sick of credit cards and credit card offers. They are just TROUBLE!

Another prayer: Lord, keep me from using my Talbot's card except in an emergency. (Is the 50% off sale in July with the extra 10% off for my birthday month an emergency?) I wish my company would send me back to Vegas some time. I'm trying to talk them into a training class in Florida in June. We'll see.

By the way, the other thing that happened in February is that my church sanctuary caught fire and burned to the ground. It was extremely traumatic. I'm attaching a photo. I was co-chair of the parish council so it has been more work than I was expecting. God challenged me tremendously with this one. Our church has been so blessed. We are stronger because of the tragedy. I know that sounds really cheesy, but it is true! The Holy Spirit is everywhere. It's just AWESOME!

Maybe I'll have time to post more often.