Day 33 of 365, My Treasures on Earth

Day 33 of 365, Self Portrait. I am looking at the wall of HS Senior Portraits of my two daughters. I am so proud of my girls. They are both independent young adults now. But, they will forever be my babies, of whom I do treasure with all my heart.


Uploaded for daily photo challenge, Subject: Fork, Feb. 10, 2010
This was taken from inside the tour bus. Lincoln Memorial Center is in the window's reflection. That fork in the road is for traffic crossing over the Potomac River Bridge both ways, entering or exiting. I think that is correct. If someone knows better, please let me know. We were on information overload with this guided tour of DC.

Happy Birthday Cole!

Here is the birthday boy, baby Cole. He is the most adorable (almost) one year old little boy. He was so funny and cooperative. I could not believe his mama had to take him to the doc on the very next day. He had strept throat! He was a perfect baby during the entire photo shoot. I never heard him fuss at all. That little precious must have felt completely rotten. Because he was such a trooper and quite adorable as well, we got some very cute pics and I wanted to show him off!

Happy Birthday Cole! xoxo
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Day 32 of 365, Seasoned with Salt

Day 32 of 365, Self Portrait, Feb. 9, 2010
I was feeling nostalgic. You can't see it, but my black hoodie sweatshirt says FASTPITCH in hot pink script. My daughter played softball competively at a high level until she was 18. That was a year and a half ago. It is amazing how much you miss something when it is over. We loved watching her play. She had a heart and love for softball the size of Texas. She had offers of college opportunities with softball but she chose to decline. The softball season of her youth is over. I went to a small practice field and was the only one there. I sat on the top bleacher and my memory took me back to those hot summer days at the ball park.

Hot potato soup is comforting on a cold winter night.

Seasoned with Salt...

New International Version (©1984)"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

I know that I need to heed this verse regularly. It is so easy to whip out that lethal weapon and pierce a hole right through someone's heart with damaging words. Words spewed in anger, jealousy or gossip can rip a person to the core. Sometimes irreperable damage to a trusted, valuable friendship is the lasting result. We all need to watch how we wield that double edged sword.

On the other hand, words spoken with kindess and compassion can lift someone's day. A word in due season might build someone up. Your sweet expression might be the encouragement someone you love needs. Or, even a kind 'how do you do?' to a stranger might perhaps make them feel less alone. It is possible that you never know the impact of what your kind word made that day. Nevertheless, impact was made.

Day 31 of 365, Scarborough Fair

Day 31 of 365, Self Portrait, Feb. 8, 2010, My Clarinet
When I was in the 6th grade, I performed Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkle as my clarinet solo. That was 33 years ago. For my first year of music, I used a clarinet that had actually been my mom's. It was an old wooden clarinet with deep, rich tones. The next year, my mom bought me a modern shiny black clarinet. This is it, 32 years later.

Day 30 of 365, Super Bowl Today! Who Dat!!!

Who Dat! Dem Saints done won dat SuperBowl!!! Louisiana celebrates tonight~!
Final Score after this field goal, 31-17. YIPPEEE! Then we heard booooom, booooom!!! We went outside to see and hear fireworks lighting up the atmosphere! Time to celebrate! woooohoooo!









We watched the game at mom and dad's house. Who Dat sayin they gonna beat dem Saints?!!! Who Dat!!! I love this picture and I can't stand this picture! I look like a heavy chevy tilting down the room. Omgosh! what is up? It must be some kind of illusion. I am the shortest one in the family and here I tower over the whole crew. And, I know I am NOT bigger than my brother! Look how skinny he looks over there. I'm on that side next time! I look like a line backer. no way jose'! something's gotta give!
BLACK AND GOLD IN THE SUPERBOWL!
WHO DAT!!!
or, go to YOU TUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLCy46NWO4s

Day 29 of 365, Skype Alter Ego

Day 29 of 365, Self Portrait, Twice :) Help! I am beginning to talk to myself! I need to get out more.

Below, is a picture of The Islamorada (eye-lah-muh-rah-duh) Fish Company. It was a weekday, between the lunch and dinner hour when Terry and I went. That is why it looks like there are no patrons at this time. Actually, this is not the main dining room. This pic was taken with Terry's new Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1. He said he wanted a camera for his pocket. I like this compact p&s camera. As you can see the restaurant is very dimly lit but it picked up the details nicely I think. You have to look so close because it is so small but the details show up when viewed larger. We had plans to go to two Mardi Gras parades. We wanted to either go to the St. Amant boat parade or the Krewe of Mystique during the day. Then, later we wanted to go to the Orion night parade at the levee. Did we get to go to both? NO, we did neither.

Terry went to check the oil in my car and he said he wasn't seeing oil registering on the dip stick. Yikes! I knew I was overdue for a change but I didn't think I was running with no oil. He started fussing and complaining like usual. This time I can't blame him. I threw my shoes on and grabbed my purse and we headed out to get that oil change. My car has never registered hot or gave me any indication of trouble. I am hoping that he was over reacting. Anyway, that killed the first parade idea for sure. After we came back home, we both ended up taking a long nap. I was on the couch and Terry in the big boy chair. Mia took her usual place pinned between me and the back of the couch. That dog loves to be snuggled up tight and 'hemmed in' as we call it. By the time I woke up, I realized how cold and windy it had gotten outside compared to how toasty and warm I was at home. Needless to say, we nixed the Orion night parade idea as well. I hate that we missed. I had not one, but, FOUR cameras loaded up and ready to go!

We have the big game tomorrow!!! Black and Gold Super Bowl. Who Dat!!! Geaux Saints!

Sunset at north park.

Day 28 of 365, Light of a New Day

Dy 28 of 365, Self Portrait, Light of a New Day. Today is the first day of the rest of my life and yours too my friend. What has kept me from pursuing my dreams? fear, lack of money, time, energy, committment, patience, avoiding criticism, didn't want to seem selfish, the unknown. The list can go on forever. It can keep me locked, trapped, stuck, caged, frustrated, unfulfilled forever too. Which should I fear? I think the latter. No more. Today, I looked out my window and saw the beautiful light of a new day, both literally and figuratively. Today, is the first day of the rest of my life. What can I make of it? What are my dreams? What is my vision? What is my purpose? What is my call? I am on a quest my friend. I am going to grab each moment of everyday that I walk this earth and appreciate all the blessings in my life. I want to see and feel the beauty, the majesty, the tenderness, and even the pain. Because, I know that life is like a vapor, today is the first day of the rest of my life.

Taste the sweetness of life. Enjoy every moment. Love your family and friends with all your heart. Have respect for your fellow man. Worship the One who Created you and me. He breathed life into your bones. Allow Him to breathe new life into your spirit.

• I have a praise report. My dad's doctor saw a lesion on his kidney. He was sent to a specialist. I got a call just minutes ago from my very relieved mama. They were just leaving the kidney specialist's office. He told them that this spot has been on his kidney for a year with no change. The doctor told my daddy that he would not worry one bit about that spot. Of course they will re-check after a period of time, but again he said, "Do Not Worry!" That is great news and a huge relief. Thank you Lord. Amen.