PARIS 2001

Paris Party with Castles Crowns and Cottages

September 2001...we had planned this trip for a very long time.  3 days in Paris, 3 days in Rome, back to Paris to fly home.

I will never forget rounding the corner and seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time.  It took my breath away.

Look at us here...the years really do make a difference in our looks...we were so naive and innocent..just walking through the city...so romantic.  My it is not hard to tell we live in America and more than that...Texas.

When I read the book Let's Roll, Todd Beamer was standing in the exact place at the Coliseum that we had just been and taken a photo almost like this...the next day he would be dead.  A hero to our country.

We settled into our seats, ready for the 9 hour flight back to America, we were about 4 hours into the flight and about halfway over the ocean when we began to turn around.  No explanations.  The closer we got to land, we began to dump the fuel..we were too heavy to land, that much they told us...they had to at least explain why we were dumping the fuel.

Upon landing, we were met at the airport with militia and chaos.  That's when we learned the dreadful news.

Our daughter was a flight attendant for Southwest, Brian's brother was one for American and he had taken off that day or would have been on the flight to Baltimore.  Once we found out our loved ones were safe we could breath.  Grace was stranded in Chicago.  We laugh now to think we were stranded in Paris...4 days.

We tried to make the best of it, but all we could really do is watch the tragedy on CNN and call the airport where we were told each day we could leave that day.  The airport is a $50 cab ride and we were out of cash by this time.

The airport was chaos...utter chaos...we were all stranded and just wanted to get home.  There was a flight to Houston and we walked into a puddle of travelers.

A very handsome man (angel) approached me and I said "do you think it is possible that we could get on this flight to Houston?"  He said, "It is poosibley"..in his French version.  He escorted us up to the very front of the line, to the ticket counter where we were booked and they took our luggage..we were on. We would deal with our car being in Dallas when that time came...Texas is a big state and Houston is 13 hours from home.  We didn't care..we would have taken any flight to America.  When I turned to thank him...he was gone..into thin air.

I know for a fact at home there were prayer vigils held just for us...it's a small town...and not that many people were in our position...of course they were praying for our country too.  When I was telling Brian's mother about the man taking us to the front of the counter past everyone else in line she said, "Oh..that must have been the angel I was praying for."

September 11, 2001...my trip, our trip to Paris.  Unforgettable.

We did go back later and spend a week in Germany, France, Switzerland..on a happier note.

Paris is beautiful and in the days we were there...we were treated so kindly.  I hope to go back again.

I love Paris.

IF I COULD MEET YOU

My blogging world has changed.  Evolved.

In the beginning, I did it to serve a purpose.  And then, I got to really reading them and enjoying the photos. And becoming a follower.   And then reading the comments.  And then I began to leave them.  And then I got some in return.

And now...I am quite entertained and hooked on the personalities and lives and goings on of people all over the  place (world) that I have never met.

There are some really funny and smart and talented folks out there and after a few months, I realize that I have really been touched by these people. (YOU)

So...

If I could meet you...if you could come to my town, I would love to show you around these lazy shady streets...cook you a delicious meal...sit in my mess of a backyard and sip some kind of my your favorite drink... and really get to know who you are.  I would like to know the person behind the short prepared quips and paragraphs and photographs that are just a tiny glimpse into the whole big picture of YOU.

I am amazed, really, that this has kind of changed what I do during the day, (well mostly the night when I'm unable to sleep).

I really look forward to reading what's up in your world and I especially look forward to reading what you have written to me personally in response to something in my world that has perhaps amused you.

I wonder about you..what has happened in your day to day that you will write about...and allow me the privilege to know you better.

Kind of touching isn't it?

If I could meet you

we would have a gob to share

just a warning...

I can get kind of chatty

ALMOST JENA LEE STILL

When I had my art gallery..the building was

HUGE

I painted 3 way bigger than life portraits on one wall

(my version)

Mona Lisa

The Kiss

and

Grace with a Faceless Baby

I didn't know it was Grace with a Faceless Baby until Mattie walked in and asked

"why did you paint Grace with a faceless baby?"

the next year...she had a baby

I have been accused of being

touchy with the other side

So...this Sunday afternoon, while drinking

hubs (who is more in touch with the other side)

built me a canvas

out of 

paint and wood

my inspiration

Jena Lee at her bridal shower

and way more than that

of course I have to crop all photos of fat bodies and old folks of people (me)

one thing I never do

change or wash my brush

I know

W.E.I.R.D.

I use a big one, a little one, and a long one

she's so pretty there is just no way I can paint her

it has to be an illusion of her

that is best seen from

OHIO

and btw..

I also painted at the gallery

The Creation of Adam

but I had to cover up his (you know what)

because my art kids asked questions

about why I painted that apple

YOU KNOW WHERE

folks..

that is why I drink

it seems my work looks better with...

may I pour you a glass before you

critique?

5 MEN 5 DAYS

plus the David the Pool Man...

...when I was pouting to contractor, he told me once the framers got started it would go quickly.

I must admit I am astounded at what 5 days and 5 guys can do both in progress and in changing my "waiting for 4 month mood"

remember me giving myself "yard of the week"

well..that was based on the FRONT YARD

day one addition

day one pool

day 2 addition

day 2 pool

day 5 addition

it looks a bit strange but with windows and a high turret roof

and all stone

I think good.

day 5 pool

and on the inside

tub and shower

Inspiration bath..we will have a two sided fireplace and the shower will look 

similar.  The tub will have one large window and the walls and floors will be carrera marble

I am considering one wall in the shower to be capiz shell

from the top of the art studio..hard to tell but this will be all glass 

with cedar 8x8 so you will be able to view the backyard

inside the turret which juts out from the art gallery

there are 4 diamond bevel windows here and a very high pitch roof

the master looking up into the studio and across into the office

My master inspiration only the window will be double doors to the backyard

this is where I sit in the afternoon and think about me painting this room

it causes me to drink double dirty martinis...or is that

double martinis with dirt in them?

this is the difference between a contractor and and architect

not bad...not bad...not bad

and for those with puny faith

ME

ALMOST LIKE VALIUM

I know this is  kind of strange, I even agree because I have lived in this little town all my life and spent lots of time wishing I didn't and saying I'd never come back when I left for college.

But today...early summer, overcast and cool skies that threaten to rain...the smell of cut grass

I was just driving to the post office to buy some stamps...window rolled down

Just on the few blocks down...I saw

Our one and only little post office truck delivering mail

two kids riding bikes to the pool, in suits, towel over shoulder, barefoot

2 cars driving real slow by my house to see what's up

lots of American flags

4 friendly dogs

our accountant riding his bike to work

our superintendent riding to work in the other direction

the now empty school yard getting watered

a very busy intersection...must be getting close to lunch

our brand new little street sweeper

5 stacked pots and a table left over from a garage sale that I stop to purchase and am told

"take 'em"--bless his rastafarian soul

I don't know if I can explain it but I felt as if I was watching a scene from

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

and all these little folks and vehicles

 were on a set doing all the things they're supposed to do 

at just the right time

Trust me...there was a time this would have made me feel like I was in the 

twilight zone

but today...

it made me 

high

In honor of my vbff LooHoo

Little Cindy LooHoo

I sure miss you!

MISS ALMOST BEEN

Awe...I love Facebook.  It took me the longest time to get on board because my baby bo peep gave me strict orders...do NOT get on Facebook and check out what I'm up to because you will be a nerd mother.

Then, I decided to promote my online news sites with its powerful connectivity and in the meantime "friended" my children...and they friended me back...none of them are up to anything anymore.

This is what I saw a few days ago

After 8 LONG years of road trips, long distance phone calls, Skype dates, and lots of goodbyes, I could not be more happy that Cody Mac and I finally live in the same city :) Beyond excited to begin this new journey! — with Cody Mac Been.


It really tugged at my heart because I really didn't realize just how hard their love journey had been.  I have told her often in her sadness how lucky she was because  I had to actually write a letter that took a long time to send and receive, and phone calls at $2.50 per minute were a luxury--and short.  


They have dated off and on through a high school romance, going off to colleges in different states and different times, and finally discovering they had the real thing to last a lifetime.


And this is the photo I saw on Facebook today thanks to his fun sister

Coach Been

you look exactly the same

I hope you saved this vest

June 30

here we come!

From the mother of the bride

I am beyond excited

 right there with you

Miss Almost Been

MY NEIGHBOR

T is my neighbor across the street

our town is a pop-up oilfield town and you might find

the nicest homes across the street from a trailer park
(our zoning commission has changed this)

we just accept it

T lives with his mom and their house is decently nice with huge potential to be awesome

I am reminded that beauty is in the eye of the beholder 

and maybe

he thinks it is awesome

most bachelors would
most busy bachelors could care less about cute little window boxes filled with cheery geraniums

Before I lived at 822, I would drive by his house often and wish I could buy it

because I knew that whoever bought 822 would do what I'm doing and then
 this block could have 4 very nice homes on it.

It would annoy me that 

he would use his hay thrasher to mow and EDGE his front yard

park his truck (and hay thrasher) in his front yard

and that his beautiful turquoise front door was covered up by 28 huge light bulbs for

12 years

But the other day we were about to get a huge thunderstorm on a

shipment of lumber..possibly hail...

He went to his shop and came back with tarps

and helped us cover our wood

and this is what I got to thinking about him

I really like and maybe even love him

he was in the same grade as my youngest brother and they grew up together

he looks exactly like a Spanish Smokey Robinson

he takes good care of his mother

(he just bought her a new ac unit, mows her grass with a tractor, sits outside and visits with her)
he has been known to drink beer from both hands at the same time

he recently moved 28 light bulbs from his front porch

 he came to our rescue in the time of need

to cover up our wood

because he is a good neighbor

And while he and I might not have the same taste in decorating

I can live with the kind of neighbor he is 

because he's a good one!

YARD OF THE WEEK

In our little corner of the world we have those who appreciate beauty

I was the chamber of commerce exec for 8 years about 8 years ago
the guy who took my place didn't care that much about
Yard of the Week (he's a guy!)
when I did it, there were 4 signs so each week from Memorial Day through Labor Day
4 city yards would be chosen and then put in the local paper

Folks really liked it and it was a friendly competition

When he stopped doing it
I asked if he would mind if I took over again
via

HIGH PLAINS OBSERVER
I felt it was appropriate for my local internet news site to choose
and was excited about the traffic it would drive to my site.
Yay!

But...I could only find one sign...which didn't matter to me..one yard per week was all I needed

Well this year
as the editor of the HPO
(ahem)
I have given the first award of the season to
ME!

Here's why

1.  I am the chooser

2.  I am in possession of the sign

3.  I can (within reason) do what I want to because I really don't care what people say

4.  My yard...FINALLY looks DANG GOOD!

Congratulations 822!

Happy Memorial Day to all!

ANGEL FLIGHT

In honor and memory of Ray Glenn Bullskilled at 19 and buried in Francemy dad's twin
Thank you for giving your lifeUncle Rayand for serving all your lifeRoy Lynn Bullsmy dad,my precious dad
you are together now

celebrate

SANTORINI BLUE

Mattie worked very hard at SHS

she graduated with a 101+ GPA

and was Salutatorian (smart class)

So that summer we told her we'd take her on a trip

thinking she'd choose

Las Vegas?

Hollywood?

NYC?

Thank You

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

she chose Santorini

As it turns out, she entered Texas A&M that fall as a sophomore

allowing her to graduate in 3 years..

..so we figured she saved us a bundle in tuition

she invited a friend (her June 30th sister-in-law) and off we went

Athens, Mykonos, Santorini

Everything in Santorini is blue

 blue and white

and I just fell in love with that bold vivid color

MEDITERRANEAN CRISP

Never..NEVER in a million years did I dream that someday 

(actually I dreamed all my life)

we would own 822

and 

build a pool

a very BLUE one

(I am the luckiest girl alive!)

Way before that we had gone to an auction and much to hub's dismay

I purchased these pots...for $5  (x 5)

They have been in my garage for nearly ever

but today, I brought them out 

and while hubs worked on the jalopy picnic table

(the fence will be gone Tuesday, the bobcat is to dig the pool and he found that awesome hat in our garage)

I gave them a coat of

Santorini Blue

(butterflies and twirlies)

as opposed to the wonderful lavenders and purples often

seen in my Taos

822 has a very French (Euro) feel 

I have always loved the blue doors and blue shutters

and blue accents...

...maybe it's just that all around cool countries like blue stuff

and very very very

cool

hats

A PICNIC

In addition to rarely losing my cool,

when I do get mad I back off pretty quickly

except that thing that happened 28 years ago and oh yeah that one thing that happened about 6 years ago

that I'm currently forgetting

So yesterday I was all prepared to go 

"have a word" with mr. frame man 

if and when he showed up

I happened to be gone to my daily workout when he did

and then by the time... blah blah blah

well

I lost my muster

and I am so glad I did because

when I got back from having lunch with hubby, all was quiet and I assumed they had left for lunch

so I was going to go snoop to see what all had been done

when I turned the corner

there they all were

having a picnic in my backyard

They were just normal guys (with ponytails)

one was sitting on a stack of lumber eating a baloney sandwich

two had moved our jalopy picnic table under a tree

(the one we plan to renovate this weekend--the one with the beehive on it when we bought 822)

one was sitting on another pile of lumber reading what looked like a history book

man..my heart just went soft

you know...stuff happens

rain delays, water pumps, sick kids, phone service cutoff...just stuff -just life

I may not be the kind of person who leaves one hanging, but I do have my own faults

one of them is being chatty

I think at lunch today I will go sit at that picnic table with them, offer them some sweet tea

and tell them all about the huge old beehive that was living on it when we bought 822

and that after the holiday weekend and the next time they see it

it will be cedar and carrara marble leftover from other projects

and they can sit there in the shade and listen to the doves coo

and eat BBQ chips and

frame my house

GRADUATION

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten

by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.
Wisdom was not at the top
Of the graduate school mountain,
But there in the sandpile at Sunday school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

Yep...today I think I just might wear a bowl upside down on my head dangled with fruitloops