simply sublime.

the summery-ness of it all.

2011-06-30T19:50:00.003-05:00

is there anything better than a glass of peach flavored sun tea in june?

if there is, i haven't found it yet.
i have enjoyed this ritual of having a glass of iced tea each day as i sit down to begin my homework.
lately i have begun some new rituals; some a little healthier than others : )
here are a few that come to mind:

summer means waking up a little earlier to enjoy my coffee in front of the news.
& a bonus: because it is summer, the sun falls into my living room windows and bathes me in a golden light just
before i head back upstairs to ready myself for another day of classes (bio and speech communication), errands, and shuttles to and from drivers ed (for the girl) (le gasp!).

summer is... longer days that mean i can get just a little bit more done after dinner.
most nights i am heading out the door into the late evening texas sun
once again a happy orange
to pound the pavement in hopes of working off that extra scoop of breyer's rocky road.

summer is fresh fruits and green vegetables that taste like they were picked moments before.
i am enjoying more greens and less meat.
the family, however is not. they are die-hard carnivores.

summer is the scent of fresh mowed lawns and the sound of the neighborhood kids having a water gun fight.
i find myself outside more, watering the grass (by hand- we are in water restrictions) and weeding the garden.

these are the days- and i am enjoying them while i can.
how has summer changed your daily rituals?

a year almost.

2011-06-28T13:27:00.007-05:00

so many changes in just one year.
most of you reading have my random facebook updates,
so i will spare you the long version of a catch up.
and spare myself the typing it would take.

right now i am digging summer.
later starts to my day (if 630 is late)
and longer hours to get things accomplished.

girl turned 15.
and is now in driver's ed.

be still my heart.

the boy is coming home to finish out his schooling.
he had enough of ASU, i suppose.
probably he just missed my hovering. :: not ::

i am happy.

the moms moved one street over from us.
its nice having about every second day off
from making dinner.
its like my very own drive thru for homemade meals.

the other shoe doesn't have to drop.

2010-08-30T08:54:00.005-05:00

my darling husband recently went all the way to england for work
and did an awesome job of bringing me beautiful pictures
of that country we fell in love with when we lived there
over 14 years ago.

i remember how
we took a day to ourselves not long after our daughter was born
to celebrate our anniversary.
i remember standing with him in front
of this marquee. snapshot taken.
only visible in my memory now
we were so young.
the marquee remains the same.
we do not.
and i am okay with that.

i am looking forward to my days.
i am excited and hopeful for each one to begin.
i cut back my hours at my job...and
i've started classes at the community college
the boy is happy at university in san angelo
and the girl is enjoying her new school.
the husband is standing in a good place at work,
it looks like he may be getting into a different area
of his field, one he is actually looking forward to.
life seems pretty darn good right about now.
no need to wait for more, i am loving what life is at the moment.

boy goes to university.

2010-08-16T20:48:00.002-05:00

i forgot for a bit that i was blogging again.
: )
forgive me, for i am exhausted.
this weekend pretty much ran both ends of the
emotional spectrum simultaneously. why?

because we packed up the uhaul and drove the boy one to university.
i am so grateful he doesn't have to stay in the dorms.
he will be living with my father in law, so he has family there.
and his uncle lives in town too...he'll be fine.
we spent the weekend unpacking and setting up his space.

it's a nice space, very light.
i should've waited until i hung the curtains to take this pic
but i had to sneak it in.
the boy didn't want any overly mushy show of emotion.
and apparently taking too many pictures counts as mushy.
(i am suprised that spell check accepts the word mushy. and also, i used mushy twice in one post.)
at least he allowed me this indulgence once we saw this old door.

oh, how i love downtown san angelo.
and that boy.

a lil bit crafty.

2010-07-30T19:34:00.005-05:00

last week i got a lil bit crafty.
i woke up early, got on the treadmill
then decided to get ready for work right away
so i could play with ink, paper and glue
then go straight to work.

it is such a lil thing,
and this pic is a bit blurry
but you get the gist.

i found a stack of those lil white envelopes
collecting dust but they are ready for a purpose!
so i am thinking i need to make a book.

i want to make a bunch of these "pages"
and then throw random bits of ephemera
in the bags.
things like movie tickets
roller derby ticket stubs
and all sorts of other fun stuff.
because you know i collect a bunch of junk!!
(i am working on this bad habit, though!!)

i haven't decided how i want to bind them together.
i am a fan of the rings.
but i am thinking stuff may slide out.
so i may make covers out of chipboard covered in paint
or a cute patterned paper.

i'm thinking polks dots!!

new delish.

2010-07-28T12:18:00.005-05:00

God loves me.

here's the proof:

don't let the 100 calorie label fool you.
it's not a smaller drink than the regular mocha frap in a bottle
nor is it a smaller taste!
this is the yummy-est treat i have found
next to my keebler right bites fudge grahams and banana combo.
and you know how picky i am about my starbucks lovin.
just thought i'd share. : )

p.s. the iced VIA is yummy too!!

summer is the heat.

2010-07-25T21:27:00.002-05:00

after lunch with friends i took the girl to visit her
grandma.
swimming is not my thing.
but sitting poolside with a camera in hand is. : )
speaking of my favorite fourteen year old:

i am so jealous i can't dye mine too!!
damn you corporate america!!!!!

on being a mom to teenagers.

2010-07-22T21:16:00.002-05:00

i am struggling lately.
i am trying to find a balance between
working 40+ hrs a week
and being a mom.
but because i have to do things *my* way
i can't just be a mom
i have to be the *best* mom.
holy heck am i tired.
and guilty.
and so very anxious.
i mean, because:

the girl one starts high school this fall.
next month, actually.
we are trying to get an assignment overseas
but with J being in the reserves and a civilian
it's a lil bit tougher.
a few more hoops to jump through, but i digress.

so she's a freshman.
and fragile in so many ways.
she loves art and anime and her friends.
none of whom will be going to her school.
she loves books about vampires and dragons and mythical creatures.
and girls are mean.
so very mean.
especially to those girls that are different.
like my girl.
so i am super nervous for her.
and nervous for me, because i don't know how
i'll handle it if her little heart is broken

and this one.
this one is going to be a freshman at ASU.
i am so not sure about how i feel about that.
i am sure i am excited for him
but i am also unsure of how he will do.
he is so much like me.
often times moody, but more often looking to find the light.
i worry he will be discouraged,
or worse; lose his light. his passion for what he is going to school for.

on not complaining.

2010-07-20T21:16:00.004-05:00

oh geez i miss this guy.
i have gotten so used to having him here
every day- no deployments, no TDYs
since he got out of the USAF...
apparently as a reservist, he has the same commitment.
at least it's just a two week separation.... i know it could have been
that 6 month deployment to afghanistan. i know this.
so i'll quietly miss him, without complaint,
for the next two weeks.

on my part.

2010-07-07T11:51:00.002-05:00

i usually brew at home.
but some mornings, when i have to be at work
at ohhh, SEVEN A.M.- i stop for my fave drink.
venti non fat caramel misto with 2 splenda.
just typing that made my mouth water.

for the past 3 1/2 months i have been taking my re-useable mug
to my girls at the bucks. and i have been so happy with the little steps
i am taking to make sure i am creating less waste.
it started when we were in NYC during this event.
(i took pics, but they are on the mac daddy, and i am on the babymac at the moment)
i wondered how many cups i was responsible for,
and what the impact could be if i just took one of my plethora of travel mugs with me each day.

i am happy to say that i have stuck to my resolution thus far
and i am now thinking about what more i can do.
like: if i take a reuseable cup to chick-fil-a, and paid for a medium but
had them use my cup instead of wasting one of their styrofoam ones,
would they let me?
i think its worth a try.

more later. gots to get to work!!

xo

on slowing down and loving sushi.

2010-06-30T19:58:00.005-05:00

i was able to grab some sushi the other day with a gal pal
from work and i was reminded how much i love it.
the restaurant she chose wasn't (and never will be) a fave of mine
but the company more than made up for the lousy waiter
and the pricey dish i chose.
i usually head to goro's sushi (on mossrock, if you're in the 210)
the O Roll and the Stephanie are my faves...

i need to remember to do this more often.
being in the retail business, i very often stick to what is close to the
dealership...an hour for lunch leaves little wiggle room
if you want something other than
a McFatass. don't get me wrong.
i loved the golden arches when i lived in Oz.
but for some reason here in the U.S. i am not a fan.

the yoga dvd i mentioned in my last post can be found here.
although i picked mine up at barnes and noble a couple of years ago.
i am still loving it.
i love how it makes me feel so peaceful and powerful all at the same time.
i am thinking i may try julian's yoga DVD for more of an umph...
anyone try it yet? i'd love to know what you think!

more when there's more.
or when i feel like there's more
when there really isn't. : )

on catching up.

2010-06-26T17:05:00.003-05:00

since we've spoken last:

my boy has turned 18.
and graduated.
my girl has turned 14
i've panicked 84 thousand times
and gotten over it and gone through it
i've found the perfect yoga DVD
and have been re-united with a part of me i've missed

: ) more later. maybe. probably.

he's lazy.

2009-11-08T15:24:00.002-06:00

so am i.

i am trying, though.
i did some laundry and some dishes.
i should cook tonight, but i am still
digesting last night's dinner. ::blech::

the wonderful hubby invited people over this weekend.
and my house is less than "home-y" right now.
so i am scrambling
trying to make sense of all of the little pieces
that have made their way into our homes over the years.

i need to find my "style" sense, i think.
i like what i like, and unfortunately,
i like a lot of different things.

now i have to figure out how to make them fit.

on beer pong.

2009-11-03T07:39:00.004-06:00

halloween did not disappoint this year.
everyone came to my neighborhood to
trick or treat:
there was a zebra

and the kool-aid man

and the clan from the batman comics
harley quinn, joker, batman, robin...and poison ivy.

here's one of just the nephews and niece

i went to a co-worker's party later that night.
turns out, i'm pretty good at beer pong.

i met up with achmed.
you know-

the dead terrorist
and had a few shots to make sure
i would remember my night
well into sunday morning...

this old girl just aint what she used to be-
but it sure was fun pretending i could hang!

on mute.

2009-10-17T09:12:00.002-05:00

i don't pick up my camera as much anymore
and it shows.

i need to prioritize
that is my issue.

i'm thinking i need to be more selfish
it sounds horrrible
but i feel myself slipping away
the more i let my hobbies slide.

happy saturday.
i'm headed into work
but you can bet i will be
obsessing about my paints and inks and pictures.
and my CAMERA.

xoxo

shut.up.

2009-10-15T08:06:00.002-05:00

i can't believe i haven't updated in so long.
who am i kidding?
yes i can
i'd like to say i've been playing in the sun.

but i really haven't.

life has been confusing and overwhelming.
i sometimes have to remember that i am happy
to be off all those meds ...
but there are times when i am so stuck in emotional mud
that its all i can do to get to tomorrow.
it's all about letting someone down.
always, someone is going to be let down-
most times it's me.
and i guess that's okay
because that's what i do to not have the guilt.

i am not one that deals well with change
if i know what to expect i know how i will deal
ya know?
the past few weeks my schedule has been pretty much
here and there and everywhere and i am not liking it.
i do not deal well with change.

school.
i am waiting to hear if this VA thing will go through.
i may get to go back to school spring 2010...
and it's another thing that gets me all worked up.
i want to do it.
i am excited to go.
i LOVE school supplies.
but i am 33 freaking years old.
& i kinda feel like
"what's the point?".

i dont deal well with change.

33 is the year for me.

2009-09-23T09:58:00.002-05:00

saturday was my 33rd.

i had family over.
i had cake.
i had two, actually.

i am thinking this year holds
a lot of promise
and i am ready to rock it.

on living overseas.

2009-09-13T18:33:00.002-05:00

see, the thing about living in new countries is
you get used to having wonderful new food addictions.

and then you leave.

today i was trying to make jam cookies.

i gave it a pretty good go.
but
they don't taste like the jam cookies
we were in love with in australia.

the kids are as disappointed as i am.
:(

i want to live in yesterday.

2009-09-06T11:51:00.002-05:00

got the heck out of dodge
day trip to the 325 is always good.
stopped in to have a look-see at the
american british antiques shop...
the kids din't know what to make of these...

made me feel like *i* was an antique...

loved the downtown streets...
so many photo ops...

NEVER enough time...

so far sunday is a drag.
i have things planned...
but once again i am left to
deal with the stress of living
too close to the fire.

on saturday.

2009-08-29T11:02:00.002-05:00

what a nice read...
finished this today-
just short of the deadline i set for myself.

i didn't cry
which suprises me,
since i am quite teary lately
about a lot of things.

i thought is was a lovely story,
just not heartwrenching.
no spoilers
in case one of you are going to pick it up-
i just wasn't feeling
the tragedy of it.

now to wait for my friend to read it
so we can go see the movie together!!

oh dear.

2009-08-24T19:20:00.002-05:00

life had me by the horns
and i forgot to check in here.

an update:

i am still here.
still a coffee addict.

now so is he -
ariston james

named after his uncle. (awh)

don't let his size fool you

he takes up a lot of space in our hearts.

pretty much.

2009-08-02T16:22:00.002-05:00

pretty much had a laid back sunday

pretty much love the girl one's choice in polish

pretty much just working and drinking and facebooking.

yeah that's life lately. pretty much.

how much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

2009-08-01T11:02:00.002-05:00

so.
i scrapped.

technically twice.

thanks to the laid back feeling
that came when i popped open
my second cider.

so love.

tease.

2009-07-20T21:17:00.002-05:00

the weather has been a tease lately.
so has my sanity.
there are so many thoughts rolling around
my noggin...

i actually cleared the clutter off my desk the other day
in hopes of actually putting
thoughts and pictures
and glue and stickers
on a page again.

my day off is friday.
maybe.

greetings from san antonio

2009-07-12T10:23:00.005-05:00

where the heat is so intense
it's making me reconsider my position
on swimming...

and where even though i am
really craving bucca de peppo
i am up the creek, bc
the nearest one is in austin!!

oh well.
i don't need the calories anyhow!

second day off

2009-07-10T08:50:00.003-05:00

will include hanging curtains and shelves and pictures.
in the home of this cute mama

yes, that pic is from easter.
and yes, there is a cascarone on her noggin
and these two rascals..
.

we will have to go to sams club...

then a quick stop by work
to say good-bye to the bossman
who is moving to vegas...

and then laundry.

full day-
how the heck does that constitute
a day OFF?

pics for dani.

2009-07-09T18:23:00.002-05:00

i promised i'd share
pics of the new bag:

the girl one's new 'do:

and the new dresses-
even though my preggo sister ness
is modeling this one for ya:

so there.
done.
xoxox

full swing summer schedule.

2009-07-09T09:59:00.004-05:00

life has been crazy.
and also chill.

i wake up.
leave for work
stop by the bucks, first things first.

then work.
then home.
cider if i can...
maybe some netflix...
sleep.

days off?
still includes coffee
duh.

so mundane
and i guess that's the way i like it
the kids are enjoying the summer.
sleep sleep and sleep.
they are teenagers after all.
the girl one has green hair.
i love it.
she dyed it all dark brown, then left her bangs
light so she could dye them green.
i am loving it.
wish i could do something like that.
i once had pink bangs.
waaaay back when i was an officers wife.
lol
loved it.

okay, well, i am off to get ready for my day
a good friend of mine moved back to TX
from germany... i am looking forward to lunch
with her and her baby!!

be well, friends.

on the outside.

2009-06-19T10:25:00.002-05:00

everything is beautiful

inside..
not so much!!

today
i am looking to improve
the scenery around here.
i haven't cleaned one bit
all week
ahem.
there are dishes in my sink
and moldy cherries in my fridge...
today is my day to catch up
before the girlone returns from camp.

i am looking forward to her non-stop
stories on the three hour drive home...
pics to follow for sure!!

going under

2009-06-17T20:20:00.002-05:00

its wanting to go home
to the time when life was simple.

it's wanting time to be inspired
instead of swallowing each moment
and letting it pull you under.

summer approaches

2009-06-01T20:21:00.000-05:00

new hobbies

new hiding places

and new music

i am open to all three

my friday my way.

2009-05-29T21:32:00.003-05:00

i woke up with visions of
waffles and big glasses of milk
dancing in my head.

got ready for my day
watched a bit of news
and headed to the breakfast room

the fact that it was texas shaped
only enhanced the flavor. :)
headed out to my class
the last in this series

said my good byes
and then jumped in
the rav4 and headed home.
i love that i am no longer
afraid to drive to other cities

all.by.my.self.

in austin.

2009-05-28T20:32:00.003-05:00

left early this morning.
first things first.

attended the training...
learned a few things
and found out i knew more
than i originally thought.
can that be right?

checked into my hotel
love the colors.
ohemgee the orange
speaks to me
and then i got bored

so i hit the road to
find some mischief.

now it's dinner time.

then lights out
early morning.
complimentary breakfast...
HOLLA!!

expecting summer

2009-05-26T21:33:00.005-05:00

she'll be thirteen this summer
and then i'll only have teenagers.

we're working on the lawn
i love bare feet in the backyard.

puppy prints.
he sticks his nose on the door
and the window never
stays clean for long.
we are puppy parents.

looking forward to summer fruits...
i love food that's kissed by the sun.

and of course
summer footwear.

a day shy of memorial day...

2009-05-25T07:32:00.003-05:00

it was rock band

and rock stars.

celebration at it's best!

thank you, army
thank you air force.
thank you navy
thank you marines.
thank you coast guard
and
thank you to their families.
for your sacrifice
while making my safety possible.

curled up and weepy.

2009-05-16T09:09:00.002-05:00

so my aunt gave my mom a book to read
the last time she came in from dallas.
i heard them talking about it, but wasn't interested
since i was otherwise engaged with sookie.
and now, since i am finished
with what books are out in soft cover
(i dont like hardback books)
i have time.
i picked up the shack on tuesday,
mainly bc i needed something to read
on my lunchbreak.
like whoa.
i have been so weepy-
in public, in private
in my sleep!!
those of you who know me well
know i don't like to get too emotional
(when i do i get mad at myself!!)
i don't like to be touched
i don't like to display any emotion
unless its pleasant...or playful...
so it's been a hard read.
i was at the girl's ortho appt yest
and three of the techs there had read it
and all of them LOVED it...
i was glad, but wanted to know
DID YOU CRY AS MUCH AS I AM?
::blink blink::
maybe i have more work to do...
theres a lot to take in here
and i am loving every minute of it.

take 2.

2009-05-05T20:04:00.003-05:00

okay, well that didn't work
i guess i should've asked around
before closing.

so here's how blogspot wants it done.
they want your email address
so i can send you an invite.

don't post your email addys in the comments-
instead just email me at
howsmykarma@hotmail(DOT)com
i'll mass email you the invite.

clear as mud?
good.
:D

summer's coming...

2009-05-05T07:02:00.001-05:00

sunday we had a laid back day
hung curtains as my sister's house and
then swimming at my mom's.

i am ready for the feeling of thick blades
of grasss under my feet
and sunshine in my face.

a few weeks ago

2009-05-02T09:23:00.004-05:00

in a land far, far away...
we went to poteet.
you'll remember
last year's trip
was a whole LOT of fun.
and while this year it was too windy
to walk around for too long
we still went
and we plan on going every year
until we either
a) move
or
b) die from the swine flu.

:)
this year i was reminded of how
much i missed the land down under:

and we figured out where
strawberry milk comes from

just look at those yummy berries

they lasted only a week. !!
now for the reminder

let's pursue WOW together, y'all!!

xoxox

on growing up.

2009-05-01T18:10:00.003-05:00

since carrie asked...
he will be a senior next year...seriously.
this pic is his fave face to make
when he wants me to stop taking pics.

not unlike how the celebs
wear the same clothes to get the paparazzi
to stop stalking them.
i am ashamed to say this is the only pic
of the girl one and i together
all dressed up.
but you can see,
she is almost as tall as i am.

i love this shot.
she reminds me of myself
you can tell she is on the line
between just a bit self conscious
and feeling safe in front of my camera.

and this one too.
although this one you can tell she
is just over me and my camera too.

here's to hoping may is all
it's cracked up to be!!

PEACE*LOVE*and *MAY SMILES
to al!!

i wasn't ignoring you!!

2009-04-30T18:26:00.005-05:00

see?

this thing was merely on pause.
:)
i guess i shouldve emailed, or
posted that i was going to pull the shades down
here..but i got lazy
and i was tired of looking at that pic of the tulips.
now grab a glass of wine
(if you're reading this tonight)
or a cup of coffee
(if you found this update on fri morn)
and let's play catch-up.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
work has been good, i am glad for that
and while the "bff" and i broke-up

it's probably for the better.
i can't be the everything to everybody anymore.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
last weekend we went to san angelo for a wedding
(BIL got hitched, and J was the best man)
i caught up with my oldest friend
it was so nice to see her!!
(she was on the back of a motorcycle
driving down twohig when her hubby saw me
out of the corner of his eye...i'm glad they stopped!!)

the reception was fun

i had plenty to keep me occupied

and the girl one looked LOVELY in her sunday best
which still doesn't include a dress

i'm sure a few people were wondering why the heck not
but i'm just not one to force someone into clothing that
makes them uncomfortable.
no matter how sure i am that they would look AMAZING!!

the boy one enjoyed the visit with his gramps

ok, they call him paw paw
and is actually thinking of going to ASU
so he can move to the slower-paced town.
i am not sure if J realises this-
but i may have to move to the 325 if the boy one does!!

i love san angelo
i actually tried to get J to get a job there
when we made our move back to the U.S.
but, slower-paced means
not a lot of job prospects- BOO

maybe in a few years?

okay, now, i *am* going to keep
the blog
but i am ALSO going private.
email me (if you have my email addy)
or leave a comment if you want the password.
T minus the weekend and counting until i make the change.

xoxo
love to all who deserve it
and maybe a few who don't!!

these bloomed.

2009-04-02T12:21:00.001-05:00

and i am loving my night table momentos.

that is all.

i wish we hadn't.

2009-03-30T20:35:00.001-05:00

but we did.
we tried krystal's
and it sucked.

the grease from the
VERY thin patty
soaked the bun
and the onions were
GROSS.

so really.
don't be jealous.

finally.

2009-03-29T19:36:00.000-05:00

our home is PC free.

:D

good morning.

2009-03-26T09:04:00.003-05:00

here again.

for a little bit at least.
this week has been one
of those weeks.
and i am loving that tomorrow
i have a weekday off.
even though i have to take the boy one
to the dentist
and pick up the girl one
since she has a half day...
no matter.
i plan to take the camera off the shelf
and use it to photograph
three things at LEAST
that will surely put a smile on my face
the next time i empty the SD card.
:)

we painted the girl one's room
she is loving green- not the light
happy airy green- no, this girl is like her momma
in that she is FIERCE with what she loves.
no half hearted green for her.
no we went FULL ON
TAKE THAT
IN YOUR FACE
green.
pics to follow.
until then-
xoxo

this morning.

2009-03-21T08:33:00.005-05:00

i need a pedi

and some energy to paint the girl's room

not to mention wash about 84 thousand loads of laundry

i'm out of creamer

& i don't like coffee without cream

so it'll be a looong saturday.

i can't believe it's been 4 days

since i've been online.

wait

yes i can.

thank GOD this past week is over.

honestly!!

k8- the magnets were bought downtown, a local artist made them

kimmy- pass the wine. i'll need the whole bottle!! :)

c@ss- no silly!! lucero bought everyone a chi-town magnet!!

didn't see that coming.

2009-03-16T21:18:00.002-05:00

sometimes i just don't get it.
i'm trying to be an open minded individual.
but when it comes to certain things
i will not budge.

being the momma to a teenager
sucks today.

my baby girl.

2009-03-14T12:16:00.001-05:00

still wants to drink
out of her hello kitty mug.

hot chocolate tastes better
out of hello kitty's head i guess.

:)

how facebook got me into trouble.

2009-03-13T11:12:00.000-05:00

or, i lost a bet.

dang you spurs
for losing to the fakers.

so. ever heard of facebook?

2009-03-11T21:19:00.003-05:00

ha!
that's where i've been lately.
seriously.
i am enamoured.
i even got to chat with my fave aussie dani!!

and.
i was all ready for summer to waltz in
bought these lovlies.

and then today
the high was like
THIRTY-TWO.

holy heck.

days like these.

2009-03-08T17:21:00.003-05:00

loving my flower pendant
needing a pedi
wishing it could last
feeling a bit okay

yesterday i...

2009-03-07T22:49:00.004-06:00

had a day of fun with this lil angel:

and i remembered what it was like to have a toddler in the house:

yeah. that was my
whole week's worth
of lettuce.
on the kitchen floor.

good thing she's cute. :D

let the sunshine in.

2009-03-06T15:11:00.003-06:00

what $7.20 worth of the world's
YUMMIEST oranges looks like:

oh cara-cara.
you definitely bring the sunshine in.
i've needed it something fierce lately.
&
this is how i spent most of last week's mornings:

under the green umbrella.
that also keeps me on this
side of the happy line.

in the dark.

2009-02-22T11:43:00.003-06:00

be back soon
or when the rainbows return.

double rainbow in aus, originally uploaded by glo-riah.

xoxo

the ho sto'

2009-02-18T08:54:00.005-06:00

do you watch dog?
i'll confess, i try to catch the marathons
when i am off...or when i am able to wrestle the remote
from the man of the house...
because i want to be beth when i grow up.
boobage and all.

anyhow- a while back i caught their
wedding episodes, where she was
driving around trying to find the perfect shoe
for her wedding.
she ended up at what she called
"the HO STO'"
(a place that caters to..uh...strippers.)
she found her shoe.

perhaps i should buy these

it would bring me one step closer
to realizing my dream.
dontcha think??

:D

PS- re: my DD slip up last post...
y'all are a bunch of tattle tales!!
xoxo
i'm back at the bucks this morn
proof:

good.ness.

2009-02-15T20:23:00.004-06:00

i could have slept in today.
but i woke up with a *need*
a need for
DD coffee and a blueberry bagel.

forgive me, dear starbucks.
i have strayed.

holy heck.

2009-02-11T08:47:00.004-06:00

sorry i've been absent of late...
work seems to be throwing me for a loop
by the time i get home
all i want is a glass (okay, BOTTLE)
of wine and a good cream cheese bagel.
it seems the work load is the same
although there aren't many people
and deffinitely not enough TIME to do it all.
argh.

this morning i am turning it around
i've decided NOT to go in early
but to ENJOY the late morning start
at the bucks.

hooray for AT&T wifi.

let's get together

2009-02-06T07:30:00.002-06:00

and feel alright.
-bob marley

i'm not done yet
but i am liking
what i have started.

:)

grand plans.

2009-02-05T15:47:00.003-06:00

can't talk now-

i'm actually MAKING something!!

(p.s.- thursday didn't end up being the
slow-ish day i'd hoped for. more on that later)

xoxo

the one where i give up.

2009-02-03T20:05:00.003-06:00

mercy.

trapped in a cubicle.

2009-02-02T19:42:00.004-06:00

so.
two days off in a row
during the work-week...
not a good idea.

i am now trapped in my cubicle
for possibly the rest of the week
not including THURSDAY
which is my happy day this week
no work and no errands
make gloria a
VERY happy girl.

the way it makes this girl feel.

2009-01-31T21:06:00.002-06:00

a few more to share.
used one of our
pics from the renewal ceremony

and proof that my thoughts
are as random
as they come.
just look at this one.

on curveballs.

2009-01-31T19:37:00.002-06:00

i don't like baseball
so i'm not exactly sure
why i chose the curveball analogy.

i just know that on wedensday
life threw us a curveball and
we came *this close*
to losing someone v. important
to us.

and i've been letting my thoughts
roll around in my noggin for the last
few days
wondering what, if anything,
i should say.

i guess it's really not my story to share.
so i'll just request that everyone hug
someone they love tonight
and tell them they're loved.
that should do it.

live positively.

2009-01-27T21:03:00.003-06:00

have you read your diet coke can lately?

and a few pages from my art journal:

who hasn't been here?

more fortunes...

what i wouldn't give
for a solo...

(and honestly, some naprogesic, too)

awh heck

2009-01-25T17:24:00.004-06:00

there are few things
higher than traffic
on my list of least favorite things.

this was what i was up against yest
which threw me waaaay off my happy axis.

grrr.

not to worry- i'll be
up again soonish.

*kimmyk- i believe white people
call chanclas flip flops. :)

happy fruit.

2009-01-19T19:42:00.002-06:00

so this has been dessert
quite a bit lately.
i am sooo looking forward to
summer fruits...it's almost here...
i got to wear chanclas yesterday
(after all-this is TEXAS people!!)

so tomorrow we get a new president...
holla!!
that's what i was talking about yest-
tuesday=happy new president day
:)

ahem.

2009-01-18T10:52:00.004-06:00

still appreciating
just havent taken the time to
log on and share.

christmas decs are put up
which means an uncluttered house.

finally backed up my pics.
which means lots of room on the
mac baby.

laundry is in the wash.
which means it's almost done!!

cinnamon raisin bagels
and hot coffee. yum.

this week is sure to be a great one.
i'm looking forward to tuesday in particular.
:)

on my mind.

2009-01-12T20:41:00.002-06:00

happy diamondhead, originally uploaded by glo-riah.

oh lawdy.
i am missing this place
lately.
craving huli huli chicken
and long walks on warm sand
liquid sunshine on my head and
the smell of suntan lotion and the ocean.

today i appreciate my memories.
xoxo

i refuse to let this one go.

2009-01-11T21:29:00.005-06:00

just a quick post to share
my appreciation for both
saturday
(even though i had to work)
and sunday
(even though i went back
to the bx for a pair of shoes
and they weren't there anymore)

saturday i was appreciative of a nice drive
to boerne with tabitas...
sunday we had a nice family meal
at mama lee's...just our lil
family of four.
soul food..mmm

ps: yes, linds- brittany!!

note to self:

2009-01-09T19:01:00.003-06:00

fruit

not fruit

just a reminder.
because i am now addicted to
the cherry sours.
thanks to a cute co-worker
who just happens to be a new momma.
:)

today i appreciate the friday of it all.

they call me chuck

2009-01-08T08:54:00.004-06:00

that's my nick name at work.
my LGM and one of the sales mgrs
like to call me chuck because
that's pretty much what i wear
every.
day.

yesterday i could appreciate
the humor in seeing this pile
of shoes as i walked through
the door.
these aren't all mine!!
the girl one wears them too.

(we are a stocking feet only home)

today is my day off.
nice to have one during the week
when no one is home.
i have a load of laundry in,
dishes are done
and now i'm about to make a grocery list.
holy moly i am determined to get
a sh*t load of chores done.

so today it would seem
a day off is appreciated.
xoxo

the love i feel.

2009-01-06T20:02:00.002-06:00

today i appreciate
his willingness to make dinner
for his hungry
cranky wife.
even with no promise
of a horizontal dance.

:)

it's easy to see

2009-01-05T21:15:00.006-06:00

what i appreciated today...

ya know
what made them 100 times bettah?
the boyone baked them on his own.

oh, sure,
they were from
packaged dough.
but i
didn't
lift
a
finger.
&
yesterday was this
gorgeous girl's bday.

she's now
fwee yrs old.
& i was able to appreciate
her giggles and sass.

xoxo
love you sugar lumps.

appreciate.

2009-01-03T19:27:00.005-06:00

just popping in
to document
my word
for 2009.
appreciate.
i tend to forget
to do that from time to time.

today's 365:

the beloved rug that
keeps my toesies
warm in the morning while i
pour my coffee.

roxie's bff.

2009-01-02T08:23:00.003-06:00

roxie had a play date today
while i was at work:

that's a newer scion XB
for those of you not in the know.
a gal i used to work with
transferred to AZ then
transferred back
and this is what she drives now
how cute is that??
i still love my girl more.
of course.
on a different note:
the honeycrisp is HUGE
this year:

that's like three servings
in one apple!!

happy friday, peeps!!

hello new year's eve.

2008-12-31T07:23:00.007-06:00

my goodness.
it's been an eventful 2008.
from getting used to a 40 hr
work week for me
to new schools for the kids and
a forever home for all of us.

the election went the way i'd hoped

a new car is added to the list of
things i adore...

and more time with family makes 2008
memorable.

here's to hoping 2009
is hiding its share of happy surprises.

the holidays 2008.

2008-12-26T09:24:00.005-06:00

our christmas was spent at
my mom's house this year.

what a mis-matched bunch we are.
:)
you can tell by my expression here

that i was shocked to hear
i am going to be an auntie.
again.
thanks to this gal.

she says if its a girl i get to keep her
because she wants another boy.
apparently they have named it
ghostrider.
i kid.
i kid.
all joking aside-
i am happy for her.
babies are always good news in my book.
always.

now on to
christmas pics of the kids.
she got what she wanted

and something i wanted her to have-

she is in love
with domo.
all things japan, really.
we all miss it, in our own way.
i think i was too much of a spoiled american
the last oh, six months we were there.
i was over it and wanted to leave.
now i am in a better place
(emotionally)
and i just want to go back.
but i digress...
i loved this pressie
for him
the bestest.

i read that book to him
every. night.
when he was a kid.
and he had it memorized.
and we loved it.
so when i saw that tee
at urban outfitters last week
i had to buy it.
had to.

hope your holiday was filled with
the stuff that makes a holiday memorable.

obviously mine was!!
oh, & a quick p.s.
here's a shot
of the photo project
in the new casa:
only one wall is done
in the living area.
looks a lot better in person.
love the mis-match of non pic items
and family pics.

i'm stuck on what to do above the t.v.
it's the part i am always stuck on.
in every house.
and we've moved a lot.
so that's a lot of stuck.

the cards are next...

2008-12-17T08:20:00.004-06:00

what you just heard was
a sigh of relief.

the tree is up.

one more week
until i have my own internet.
i am DYING without my daily dose.
no, really, i am.

at least we've gotten some good memories
out of this internet/cable tv drought.
the family has watched no less than 5 christmas movies
together!!
BOTH kids and both james and i
sometimes my sister and her girlfriend too.
that makes me happy.
family christmas memories...

while the pirating is good.

2008-11-29T19:14:00.004-06:00

i better catch you up quick
before the wi-fi heist is up...
this past week:

this kid was awesome in the talent show.

i had thanksgiving dinner
with this crazy bunch.

and this place is no longer empty.

i missed you all something crazy.
i'll be back to regular blogging soon.
the first avail appt AT&T had was dec
TWENTY SECOND!!

oh yes we'll be there.

2008-11-21T08:34:00.002-06:00

with tickets in hand:

after we sign on the dotted line
for this:

oh, and a quick P.S.
because i believe in the power
of the support we can give each other on this www:
crowdSPRING, hire Kelly Purkey for your new Community Marketing Manager!

i had a craving.

2008-11-17T09:03:00.002-06:00

and i caved.

i think it had been
about 3 years
AT LEAST
since my last nachos bell grande.

no really.
i'm getting back on track this week.

:D

riddle me this.

2008-11-16T15:12:00.001-06:00

how can a simple
HAIRCUT
make my 12 year old look
five years older
INSTANTLY??

help me.

because weekend blogging is where it's at.

2008-11-15T21:43:00.004-06:00

i was tagged on wednesday
by my favorite brasilian
and didn't even realise it until
today...
(i fall so behind in the blog M-F)

also, i know that october was the "pink" month
but really, should we limit our support of the research
to find a cure for breast cancer to one month a year?
me thinks not.

so here you are:

i'm tagging:
dani m
jen
missy (who just lost a dear friend to breast cancer)
mel
vee
k8
and
stacey

* One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

* Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.

* Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.

* Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.

* Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.

* Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

* Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.

Facts taken from Women’s Health

And now here is the tag and the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.<---check

2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.<---check

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs<---roger that.

4. Add your link to the list of participants below<---not sure how to add all those links
they didn't work when i used the ol' ctrl C = ctrl V maneuver...but colleen has them on her post!! :)

5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.<---check.

and not because thanksgiving is next thursday.

2008-11-15T15:38:00.004-06:00

my jeans were a lil bit tight
this morning.

time to switch strategies.

(edited: YES!! thank goodness.
kimmy's right. thanksgiving is next thursday.
phew)

obamanator.

2008-11-12T07:42:00.001-06:00

on the fridge this morning:

(click on the pic to enlarge)

that's mah boy.

more on the ren faire.

2008-11-09T07:35:00.003-06:00

what to say?

it was a lot of fun.
there was plenty of faire food

fried alligator?!

fish & chips.
that's more like it.

interesting shops

with interesting wares

i was especially fond of the
'sumbitch' container.

exciting and hilarious shows...

unfortunate outfits galore...

i'll give you a moment to let
that sink in...

also some interesting ones
(i'm a narnia fan, can't help it)

this dude just creeped me out...
but it was an interesting outfit

i kid you not
there was even a wedding.
like for reals
a wedding at the ren faire.

who does that?!

two in a row

2008-11-06T15:22:00.002-06:00

new record for me
since i started working.
do i get a prize?
:)

lots of nothing to tell
last week i was lucky to get
a lunch date with my man.
best soul food around:
mama lee's

then this past weekend it was time for another
road trip with the bff, her pirate and my lil pirate.
we went to the ren faire in houston

i'll share more on that
when i have more time.
it was FUN though!!

took some time to chill

and because i'm a dork
the sight of the red cup
the other day
surprised me and
made me all warm inside

does it have that effect on any of you?

that's all you get for now peeps.
xoxo
until the weekend....

our answer.

2008-11-05T07:07:00.004-06:00

and i am so proud
to have been a part of it.

happy halloween!!

2008-10-31T15:59:00.002-05:00

i'm ready.

T minus 3 hrs and counting...

well well well

2008-10-29T07:12:00.003-05:00

the long day wasn't so bad.
by 5 o clock i was going cross-eyed
at the sight of numbers
and i wanted to be at home
in my pajamas
on the big red couch

relaxing with a glass of wine...
but it wasn't so bad.
that being said
is it too early to think
i'm getting used to waking up early
and staying awake with a smile on my face?
i am known to scare small children and kittens
if i'm up too early without much coffee.
ha!

the swing of it.

2008-10-27T19:59:00.002-05:00

i started a new position at work today.
i quite enjoy the mondaythrufriday of it
but all of this learning has me exhausted
by the time i switch to auto pilot
for the 40 minute ride home.

i'm told it will get better.
tomorrow is the long day.
8-7. yes. a 10 hour day.
i'm seeing a lot of coffee
in my future.

haircut and of course i bought it.

2008-10-24T11:56:00.003-05:00

late work day today.
so i had the chance to get
my hair did.

we're getting closer to the goal!!

and just to add the proverbial
frosting to the cake,
i picked up this lil gem

half off.

good day, peeps.
already.

:)

on quick trips.

2008-10-22T08:37:00.004-05:00

last sunday we took a quick trip
to san angelo
to visit the hubby's family.

the boy one always goes through
his paw-paw's video cabinet
to see if there's something new
to take...
i don't know why he bothers.
the videos are always the same.
here's the perfect example:

as we drove around
we noticed that it looked like
san angelo is revitalizing
the downtown
which makes me giddy.
i will always love the downtown.
always.
i'm all for it as long as they
leave my favorite wall alone.

when we lived in san angelo i never truly
appreciated this wall
so i thought i should take a pic
before they do something silly
like paint over it.
i doubt they would.
not even a punk kid would dare
do anything to deface the texas flag.

that's just small town manners
i guess.

with nothing of importance to share.

2008-10-19T20:58:00.003-05:00

but i want to point out that
1) i'm sharing.
and
2)i'm here. alive.

exhibit a:
bff and i noticed these
cuties on the shelf of the new target
last week.
i noticed how much the one on the left
reminds me of, well, me.

exhibit b):
loving the art on the walls
at the bucks lately.
caught a snap of one in particular
that inspired me.

it's the layers, i think.
i'm inspired by meaning beneath meaning.
the ever-changing picture
as it were.
then we have exhibit c):
i saw this
and had to take a picture
of a picture
of the perfect hair style
for me.

i'll print it out and take it
with me next time i go in for a trim.
i have a looong way to go.
so for a while it will be just a
trim trim, no cut cut.

busy this week.

2008-10-15T08:21:00.001-05:00

so here's a quick catch up.

i'm craving this

with a glass of this

she finished this

and i'm needing some of this

i remember this feeling.

2008-10-11T20:41:00.003-05:00

the excitement of hearing
the ice cream man's jingle.

and eating a sugary
coconut raspa

and wishing i had bought
the fudge bomb instead.

notes on yesterday.

2008-10-11T08:19:00.003-05:00

before

after.

thanks target.
and martha stewart.
for having cute stuffs
to inspire me to get organized.
again.

in other news:

she began the twilight series last saturday.
and read straight through to today...
every available moment was spent with bella
and edward
and alice.
and today she is on breaking dawn.

:D

live small.

2008-10-09T10:23:00.005-05:00

this is what a family of four
our family of four
has accumulated over the last 13 years.
caution: blurry pic ahead.

we're looking to purchase a house
on the sooner side of
sooner-or-later.
it will be on the smallish side of
small-to medium.
and that's okay.
except
now we must decide what we
really love
vs
what we can can "afford" to keep.

here's to living small
and yardsales
that help you get there.

the one where i copy chriselda.

2008-10-07T11:06:00.002-05:00

the usual, originally uploaded by glo-riah.

i never said i wasn't
a follower.
i wanted to blog today
but find myself too behind
to think of a clever post.

took the bff out to celebrate
her new job with a PSL.
mmm.
PSL.

anyhow.
i made this here.
i didn't want to do the flickr
answer the questions and
use other people's pics.
i like mine.
and i'm weird about putting
other people on the blogaroo.

gotta go.
go make one!!

oh hello, october.

2008-10-03T08:42:00.003-05:00

i'm so glad you're here.
i've looked forward to your
crisp mornings
and your colorful days.
to the PSL that the Bucks offers
in celebration of your season.
of course i'm a fan of your spirit,
jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps
and potted plants in an array of oranges and yellows
my favorite part?
the last day in your bag of tricks.
candy in plastic pumpkins
and greetings of happy halloween.
i hope you'll enjoy your visit.
i know i will.