Fall in my "neck of the woods"

The last few days the leaves in my part of the world have come into peak. Since most of my daylight hours are spent in the city, in an office building, in a cubicle, I kept forgetting to grab my camera and get some shots on my drive home. Today, still no camera, but I decided to grab a shot with my cell phone at my favorite overlook on my commute. It was a cloudy day today, but you can still see the deep, burnished colors of our North Texas Fall. So lovely!

And below is our front yard Sweet Gum and Fire bush. While I was taking these pics in the front yard, I was listening to the wind blow and pecans from our neighbors pecan tree fall to the ground. I love the sweet sounds of Fall.

16

I still call you my baby. You tolerate it. Just one of the many things that make you awesomely you.

I'm still discovering the depth and breadth of the blessing that is you.

Watching you grow has been my greatest joy. Watching your life unfold will be my enduring joy.

Happy Birthday baby boy!

Surgery survived

Ste's knee surgery was yesterday. His ACL was reconstructed using a piece of his patellar tendon. That's weird to me. Ligament replaced with a tendon. I suppose I should read up on the differences just to have the knowledge. His meniscus could not be repaired, so they trimmed it up to ensure the fragments can't catch in the joint.

We stayed overnight and he was dismissed at 5:30 this morning. None of us have slept much. Ste's pain has been high today. Watching your child hurt is the pits. Hoping for good rest for him tonight, and less pain with each passing day.

Spilled coffee, and other things I won't let ruin my day

I always buy coffee at McDonalds in the mornings on my way to work. It's convenient, and McDonalds does coffee right.

This morning I stopped at my usual McDonalds, ordered my usual coffee and egg white delight, and drove up to the window only to have the large, hot coffee SPILLED into my window, and onto my lap. It burned a little, but not long, and the thigh of my right leg was completely soaked. After getting a second cup of coffee,[because I'm addicted], I pulled into a parking space and got out to mop up the mess.

With everything as clean as I could get with disintegrating napkins, I realized I was going to be late for work.

Sigh.

I actually thought to myself, "This should put me in a bad mood."
But I didn't want to be in a bad mood.

Last evening had been spent with other band moms, putting together spirit cans/noisemakers for upcoming competitions. That was joyful!

I had visited with my son this morning and got to tell him that the Lord truly blessed me when He made him my son. That right there? JOY

There's a decent cool front on the way for the weekend and October is my favorite month of the year!

These are just a few of the wonderul happenings in my life at the moment. So I decided not to give in to the negative. I've decided I don't want my emotions or moods to be so easily controlled by societal norms, or my perception of them.

I'm realizing I've been living a life over the last couple of years, of letting life "happen" rather living purposefully.

It's time for a change.


And on other joyful notes ♪ ♫ ....

I found a piano on craigslist and bought it! I'm thinking piano lessons might be in my future.

Guess who else likes Aunt Mamy's piano? My great nephew Aiden!

 I really need to get my big girl camera out and practice...

Pity party over, and our town's annual Pioneer Day

A quick comment on my last post.  I'm happy to say the pity party is over. I sometimes get stymied by life's happenings. We all do, right? About 10 minutes after I posted that entry, I contemplated deleting it. I decided not to because it's real. It is how I was feeling and those feelings are something I struggle with from time to time. I learn daily and learning means growth. I can live with people knowing that about me. :)

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Today was our town's annual Pioneer Day celebration. We woke up to deliciously cool weather. The town square was bustling as I drove Stephen to the band hall to prepare for the parade. He couldn't march this year due to his knee, but they made accomodations....by strapping a chair into the back of the band director's truck. That's where Ste rode for the parade!

He was glad he got to participate! 

After the parade, the band performed on the town square. Here's our tuba players:

Go Band!!

Comparison and all that

I ask Him why a lot. As in, "Why me?" or "Why not me?" And I listen. Waiting for the answer as if a note is going to drift down from the heavens and, not only answer my question, but also give me a timeline and what to do in the meantime.

This "why me or why not me" stuff is not new. I clearly  remember as child imploring to the heavens, "God! Why do I have to be shy AND chubby AND have this damnable dry skin?" Ok, I probably didn't utter the word damnable, but, you know what I mean. Surely there was no other girl on earth that had to deal with all THREE of these traits at ONCE!

My whys are different now. But probably no more mature. No more thought out and reflected upon.

"Why can't I have the fulfilling career I want, exactly how I want it?"
"Why do these awesome God filled things seem to happen to EVERYone but ME?

I'm not proud of the questions.

I'm not proud of the self-pity.

I KNOW how blessed I am. How LOVED I am...by my Father in heaven, by my husband, my son and my circle of family and friends.

But I still ask, "WHY can't I hear You speak to me Lord? Why don't You show me what to do to achieve my dreams? Why are THEY more special? More deserving?"

I read blogs. Blogs I LOVE to read. And I'm jealous. I compare. And I know comparison is the thief of joy and all that. I KNOW it. Yet, I still want to crawl into their situation. I want to be MORE than I am. For me, for my husband, for my son, for Him. But I don't know how. And I sometimes...for real... feel like He selfishly just won't tell me or show me what steps to take. And I'm ashamed for feeling that way.

But, then sometimes, I realize the problem is my lack of praying, my lack of LISTENING for an answer, and my lack of DOING.

This is my struggle right now.

Humbly,

~Amy

I need a shoe-tervention

I have a shoe problem.
No, not too many (though my husband might argue that).
I'm a failure at picking out shoes. That I'll wear more than one time....
I need help! Can you help me?
I need a few pair of comfortable shoes, that will match a variety of outfits. Any suggestions?

This is the shoe I'm wearing today. {cell phone pic}

 

It is a comfortable shoe by Bjorndal. I like these shoes. But the heel..yes that teeny heel, makes my calves hurt if I have to run any errands in them. The are fine for the minimal walking I do at work. There's a big BUT though! As I walk, the hem of my pants suck down into the back of my shoe. OY...shoe problem!

Ok, help me! If you have some shoe suggestions, please leave them in comments! Casual and work wear! :)

~Amy




This week...

I'm joining Dana at Old Red Barn Co to share some of my life this week...

• I have been completely lazy at home this week. Utterly, entirely lazy. 
• Washing an outfit per night to wear the next day to work, lazy.
• Cooked only one evening meal this week, lazy.
• Found out my son has to have surgery on his knee.
• Which kinda threw me into the "dumps."
• Which is probably why the lazy.
• Work was not lazy
• Work was busy, busy.
• End of year State reporting, busy.
• Glad it's over, busy.
• The lazy allowed me to start watching season 1 of Bones on Netflix.
• I liked it.

~Amy

Surgery Smurgery

The MRI results are in and surgery is required. Surgery Smurgery.

Surgery means no football, no marching band, no power lifting, no shot put... not for Sophomore year anyways.

It looks like early October is when the surgery will take place. Please say prayers for my boy. There will be a grueling, 9 month recovery period following this surgery. It will be his toughest challenge yet.

But he's a strong fella. Physically and Mentally.

Football smootball.

This week...

I'm joing Dana at the Old Red Barn Co, to talk a bit about the goings on of this week...

This week was crazy busy. Crazy. Lots to do in the evenings after work that kept me away from the house late, which means I didn't get things done at home that needed to be done. To be honest, I'm not ready to start a new week. Yet, it is almost here, and I will do my best to face it with positivity!

This week was band booster meeting, Meet the Teacher, and Meet the Pirates. Meet the Pirates is an annual event at my son's high school. The community comes out to listen to the Marching Band play and to "meet" the high school fall sport athletes. Guess which one is mine? :)

On Thursday evening I met up with other Varsity Moms to decorate the boys locker room and make goody bags. That was lots of fun. This is Stephen's first year on varsity so this was something new for me.

Stephen is still injured, so he hasn't got to play a game yet. He is missing it! He does get to perform with the marching band...but doesn't actually march. They put him in a folding chair during the performance.

He had an MRI on Saturday. Though his diagnosis was a Sprained MCL, we wanted to rule out the possibility of cartilage damage, which would require surgery. Hoping to hear something early this week.

Also this week, I tried a new breakfast recipe. Ham & Cheese Mini Breakfast Pies - they were a hit in our house! I plan to make up a big batch and freeze for quick weekday breakfasts.

Dandelion

 I still haven't posted all the vacation photos I wanted to. Looking through my photos today, I was reminded of these huge dandelions I saw in Spearfish Canyon, SD back in July. They're gorgeous really. I've never seen any this big. I wanted to close my eyes, make a wish, and blow the seeds to the four winds.

This week

I'm joining Dana at the Old Red Barn Co again to share a few happenings this week.

• Attended Ice Cream Social for the high school band. So fun getting a preview of their 2013 marching show. And, of course, I LOVE hearing my boy play his tuba!
• Sent Stephen off for his first day of sophomore year.
• Took Stephen to his follow up appointment with the orthopedist. Hopeful his sprained MCL will be healed up in 3 - 5 weeks. He's missing playing football and marching at half-time.
• Looked at the weekly weather forecast and died a little. Geeeeezzz, why is it soooo hot in Texas?
• Ignored the forecast and stopped at Bath and Body Works during my lunchtime mall walk, and loaded up on Autumn scented hand soaps and body sprays. One body spray is called Autumn Caramel Woods. Just yes!
• Found this cake on thenovicechef blog, sighed, and fell in love. I must make this soon!
• 
• Attended the first regular high school football game of the season. Watched my boy on the sidelines. At half-time, he was seated on a folding chair on the 50 yard line, playing his tuba. Funny! I'll know he will be glad when he can stand and march with the group. 
• Also at the football game....melted into a puddle from the heat and humidity. Did I mention it is HOT here? It's hot y'all. Ugh.

COME ON FALL WEATHER. I'm waiting! :)

Sophomore

Yesterday was Stephen's first day of Sophomore year. Yesterday was also the first time I haven't driven him to school on the first day of school. My work hours are early...

But my honey took this picture for posterity. {I typed prosperity first...ha!}

It's neat, this watching your child grow. 

I nostalgically long for his littleness. Yet, I cherish 15 year old, sophomore Ste. 

A few days ago Virgil and I were remembering a trip to the Great Sand Dunes when Ste was about 20 months old. His diaper-bottomed self would toddle down the trail ahead of us, looking back every few feet to be sure we were still there. Assured of our presence, he would take off down the trail again. Mr. Independent.

I suppose that's our parental purpose. To be there when they look back. We teach, encourage, reprimand, nurture...and watch the distance between "look backs" widen. We stand, ever-present in the background providing assurance. 

I'm so proud to be his momma.

It's the best!

This week...

I'm joining Dana at the Old Red Barn to tell you about my week...as in the past 7 days. I don't know why I feel the need to clarify that.

• I went on a job interview. It's not going to work out for me. But, wow, it was good to put myself out there again. Working in the same place for 14 years makes your interviewing skills a bit rusty. It was a good thing. Real good.
• I sent eleventy hundred band booster emails and texts. It's that time of year!
• I got up 30 minutes early each day to make sure my son got to early morning football practice on time. 
• I cooked most evening meals at home!! SHOCKER! I'm going to get back to making them all at home...take out is a bad habit we have picked up over the last year. Not good at all!
• I ran my son back and forth to band camp every evening. 
• Bought school clothes for said son.
• Reviewed his sophomore class schedule too.
• I crocheted on a blanket for a gift to someone who's bday is in September.
• Pinned a million items I'd like to make for the Fall Craft Fairs.
• Signed up for 3 craft fairs and contemplated another.
• Kissed and snuggled my sweet doggies a hundred times a day!
• Impromptu visit with my sister
• Taught my other sister how to use Pinterest
• Watched my son play in his first varsity football scrimmage as a starter.
• Watched him get injured. :(
• worried
• worried
• Iced the top of his knee with ice for 20 minutes, the bottom for 20 minutes, no ice for 40 minutes...
• Repeat the above 2234 times.
• worried
• Brought him drinks and meals and games and pillows and blankets and, and, and
• Scheduled with an Orthopedist...that appt is tomorrow...that will be another week........
• oh..and I bit a fly that was hiding in the straw of my McDonald's iced coffee.
• I really hate flies.

Mt. Rushmore, Peter Norbeck Scenic, Tunnels, Needles, and A Cave!

Thought I'd post some more of our summer vacation pictures!

Mt. Rushmore was wonderful to visit. We weren't at the park a long time, but viewing this icon of America in person was a great and patriotic experience.

 

 Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway was gorgeous! The air smelled delicious, and we Texans really loved the cool temps in July. Driving through the tunnels was fun.

Getting a shot of the tunnels without a vehicle in was near impossible. :)

 Next was Needles Scenic drive...

 And then the kids saw a cave they needed to explore.

 It was another great day of vacation!

South Dakota - 1880s Train Ride

On our first full day in South Dakota, we took a train ride between Keystone and Hill City. The train was pulled by an 1880s steam engine. Each of the passenger cars were refurbished from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Here they are refilling the engine with water before our trip.

The scenery from the train was gorgeous. 

an old telegraph pole...

We also saw

deer, wild turkey and other birds along the trip, but I wasn't quick enough with my camera!

[obligatory selfie of the fam!] 

Nebraska

 We've been home from our South Dakota vacation for one week now. I'm so glad we decided to do something different this year. As much as I LOVE our family beach vacations, it was exciting to see and experience different parts of this beautiful country we live in.

 Kansas was beautiful. We drove through Kansas on a Saturday on our way up to South Dakota. The wheat fields were golden! And everybody, seriously, it seemed like EVERY SINGLE FARMER in Kansas was harvesting their wheat fields on the day we drove through. Literally, south to north, the farmers of Kansas were feeding us. I'm so sad that I didn't pull out the camera that day.

 After stopping in Grand Island, NE for the night, we got up the next day to drive into Rapid City, SD. I got my camera out. I didn't want to miss another day of capturing the scenery.

 Nebraska is gorgeous! And not at all what I expected! I expected flat, boring land. But it was hilly, and fertile and green. You can see for miles. I loved our drive through Nebraska.

Lots of farmers in Nebraska too, and beautiful grasses. I hope to visit Nebraska and Kansas again someday.

Another week, another beach

Now he's in Pensacola/Navarre with my sisters and their families. 

I'm jealous!

1. Crabs 2. Buddies 3. Cousins 4. Sand

Band Trip

Stephen is on a band trip this week to South Padre Island, TX. One of the sweet band moms who went as a chaperone is keeping me up on all the happenings via text and phone photos. I think she is precious to do that for me! (Ok, she's sending to a group of us, but still! ;) ) Stephen loves the beach. I know he's having a great time. He confirmed it with a rare text this morning. Apparently, keeping up with ol Mom and Dad isn't paramount on his mind at the moment. But guess what? Ol Mom and Dad are heading out for a little weekend getaway.

Just us.

Take that offspring!

Instragram life

I have not taken a photo with my real camera in forever. In fact, the battery is dead! I need to get it charged up today.

In the meantime, I am watching a male red cardinal hop around on my patio and the camera on my phone is too slow to catch him. Last week his babies were out of the nest and trying to fly. The poppa dive bombed Stephen when he went out to the back yard to check on the babies. Poppa cardinal knew exactly what he was doing and it didn't take Stephen long to dash back into the house after a couple of swoops!

Since the only photos I've taken since Easter have been with my phone, I'm sharing my Instagram shots today. Some folks have professional looking Instagram photos. Me? Not so much!

1. Friday night concert in our living room. Ste on upright bass...arco style.  2. Hunny bought a new truck. It is so comfy! And my knees don't have to be jammed in the dash while Ste's knees are jammed into my back. ahhhh  3.  My great-nephew, Jaxon, will celebrate his first birthday in a couple of weeks. I got to make the banner (There's a Happy and Birthday portion too. ;) )  4.  Stephen saved his money and bought an electric bass guitar. We will have to build an addition onto our house to store his musical instruments... 5.  A Sunday fishing trip to Lake Ray Roberts ended with this beautiful sunset.  6.  Menu planning...ugh. 7.  Stephen received an Outstanding Performance award at the SOSU Jazz Festival in Durant, OK. He was playing his tuba. We are proud of his dedication to his music!