Blog Revival 2014

Fall 2014

I have not blogged in quite a while. Okay like three years. I was watching Julie & Julia the other night and decided I should blog. But tonight I read a really awesome blog from a mother of three who was praying for the mother of her children's eventual spouses. (http://teachmetobraid.blogspot.com/ OMG...I started crying. So then I decided I am for sure going to revive my blog page. I don't think anyone else reads these but that's okay. Someday when I am famous they will come across these archives and say wow, I wish we had read these when she was still alive. LOL

There are so many things I want to talk about. I am getting excited to go home next month for a visit. My husband, Phillip is going, too. He has not been home with me since 1995, almost 20 years. I have been about seven times without him. He has never been keen on flying but he said he was okay with it. Once I bought the tickets I told him there was no backing out. I can't wait. It's been two years since my last visit. Fall is always my favorite time of year in New England.

The State Fair of Texas is on now and I really want to go to it. I may go to a meet up of Street Photographers who are meeting at the fair in about two weeks. It sounds like fun.
I got a new camera this year. I have taken a couple of classes. Street photography sounds like something I would like to pursue.

I have not painted a whole lot this year. I did one about three weeks ago, first time since March. I need to go more. It's just hard to find time. I find it so relaxing and fun.

I found a little dog a few months ago. She was walking down the ramp to get on the freeway. I-30. I was afraid she would get hit or cause an accident. I pulled over and had to wait for some cars to swerve around her. Then I picked her up and brought her home. I tried to find her owners but to no avail. So I finally took her to the vet for shots and a check up. Well she had heartworm. I had her treated which was expensive and scary. She made it through and so we kept her. Her name is Penny. She is a cute little Chihuahua which I never thought I would own. But she worked her way into our hearts and is part of our family now. Even Bailey and the cats get along with her, for the most part. Clyde likes to take a swipe at her once in a while.

That's all I have for tonight. More to come. Hopefully something interesting or thought provoking.

New Hobby

I have a new hobby, painting. I recently discovered a place called Painting with a Twist here in Garland. So far I have painted 5 pictures. It is so much fun and even though I am not very good, I am still very proud of my works. I tried to upload these in the order I did them but they ended up reversed, so the first one is called Tuscan Patio. I did that one today. Next is Blue Shutters. These two are part of a trilogy that I want to do. The artist who created them is one of the teachers at the studio so it is great to be taught by originator. Renata is a very sweet and crazy lady. She shows you step by step how to paint the pictures and makes it so much fun.

The next one I did at the Dallas studio with a group of friends from work plus Cari joined us. We had so much fun. It is called Moonlight Cherry Blossoms. I did this one the night before Blue Shuttere. Two nights in a row. I'd say I am addicted. I have met some really nice folks at these classes.

The next is Pumpkins which is a misnomer because it is only one pumpkin. I did this one with my friend Julia. We had a lot of fun. We were the only two in that class taught by Brian. He was very nice and funny. He is a high school art teacher. Oops I just realized that this is not the finished picture. I guess I picked the wrong one from my files. I'll stick the other one up here on the next blog.

And now we come to my very first painting. A Fleur de Lis. I didn't know a soul there. I just knew I wanted to try this place out after seeing their website and on facebook for several months so I signed up all by myself. The big group of people were having a birthday party so it made it fun. Renata also taught this one.

So there you have it. My first five paitings. Shortly after I did the first one I went out and bought paint and brushes, some canvases and an easel. I have yet to do anything with them. Too scared. But I am slowly learning more and more that I might attempt an original really soon.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor

On Sunday August 2, 2009, We had Chris's Court of Honor at Eastern Hills Baptist Church. Everything turned out great. It was over so fast. A lot of people came but most of them missed the guest book. I meant to bring it over from the sanctuary to the reception and forgot. Chris did a good job.

Will Pike was the master of ceremonies. He did a great job. Chris's friend James Prentis video taped the ceremony for me. He did an awesome job. These are all pictures that my daughter Cari took.

James Bonfoey, our youth pastor, David Lanman, Chris's teacher at Lakeview Law Magnet, and Lynn Gibson, Troop Comittee chairman each spoke.

Chris chose Mr Lanman to receive the mentor's pin. He really had a lot of influence on Chris over the last four years. He also sat on Chris'sEagle Board of Review. Mr. Lanman is an Eagle Scout as well.

I was so nervous. I had trouble getting the tie slde on. It took forever.

The cake was delicious. We got it at Casa Linda Bakery. They did a great job making the Eagle medal.

Mr Lanman gave Chris a Boy Scout stamp collection. It is very nice.

These are some of the patches Chris had collected over the years in scouting.

Here was our table with memorabilia from the cub and boy scout years.

The shadow box was supposed to be a key part of the table but I left it at home. I didn't even realize it til I got home and saw it sitting on the ottoman, right where I left it.

My Son the Eagle Scout.

Well, it's official. Chris passed his Eagle Board of Review and has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. We have set his Court of Honor for August 2. I have the invitations all printed and ready to mail. I made a slide show of pics from Tigers all the way through his Eagle Project. It was a lot of fun making it. I am so very proud of him. He proved me wrong as I thought he would not make it the way he procrastinates. He comes by it naturally from me. Oh well. It's done except the ceremony. Here is a look back.

Graduation Day!!!!!

Well. the day finally arrived. Chris is officially a graduate of Lakeview Centennial High School Class of 2009. Grandpa, Phil's dad came down from Hugo, Oklahoma for the special day.


I didn't cry too much. I brought plenty of tissue but didn't use very much. It was really over more quickly than I thought it would be. Granpa had to leave before the ceremony was over to get back to Roxton for his High School reunion. Here is Chris in the front row to the right of the teacher in the black robe.

This is after he found us through the great crowd.

Chris with sister Cari and nephews Caden and Corbin.

Chris with some of his friends
.

Hugo

Krisanne

Ethan and Valedictorian Jeremy

Imogene

Afterward, Cari and the boys joined us at Sciciliano's for lunch to celebrate. Then we came home and Phil and I took long naps. I was exhausted. Chris packed for his trip to Tennessee and wrote a few Thank you notes before going out to some friends graduation parties.

Now for the next stage. College. More to come.

Scholarship

On Saturday April 26, Christopher, Phil and I were guests at the Garland Police Awards Dinner where Chris was awarded the Lauren Meyers Memorial Scholarship. Lauren was a Lakeview Law Magnet student who was lost in a car accident in 2003. This scholarship in her memory is awarded each year to a law magnet student from LCHS who plans to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Phil, Chris and me before the dinner

Chris with Ms Jordan and her husband, she was Chris's english teacher last year.

Mr David Lanman the law magnet advisor and teacher was unable to attend.

The award was presented by Garland Police Chief Mitch Bates.

Johnny and Vicky Meyers, Chris, Dane and Cheryl Meyers

These are Lauren's grandparents and parents who sat at the same

table with us at the dinner. I found out earlier that day that Johnny

works with my son in law Cory. Small world. It was a pleasure to meet them.

Prom

Lakeview's senior prom was held Saturday night April 18 at the Hilton Hotel in Rockwall. After working most of the day on his eagle project Chris got ready for the prom. Laura was his date. She is a friend whose brother is in his boy scout troop. She goes to a different school.

These are some friends of Chris's from Lakeview.