Star Telegram Picture

This picture was taken yesterday by photographer TOM PENNINGTON












This is what was going on, yesterday, in our community. According to the paper, all this is a result of one cigarette.

What Would You Take?

If you had to evacuate your home because of a natural disaster what would you take?

Yesterday, this is what I had in mind:
1. Corky
2. Our wedding chest
3. Picture album
4. All my small electronics
5. Car

It's not much, but now that I've had more time to think about it, I would like to add the following.

1. My entire closet
2. Fossil handbag---I really like the bag okay?
3. Scooter
4. Family Bible- that my grandmother gave us on wedding day
5. Trey's Cowboys Fleece
6. Bikes

Fire---Stay Away

I left work early and came home. When I got here Trey had the sprinkler system running. He probably thought it was a little silly, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Off in the distance, I could see a gray cloud of smoke. More time has passed now and things seem to be okay, but when I step out the door I can still smell fire. The fire department is saying it might pick up again, so our community is on standby. There is no word on what, or possibly who, started the fire.

Here are some photos of my afternoon.

Fire Threatening my House

I'm at work and Trey's on his way home. A nearby fire is threatening our new home. I turned on the TV and it's all over in our area and several different areas across DFW. According to several websites people are evacuating. Please pray with me in this uncertain time.

Corky is Famous

I submitted a picture to mycorgi.com calender contest and they actually used it. Corky makes an appearance on the December page. The picture they used is small, but I'm glad they used it. If you care, here is where you can find the calendar for sale.



If you look really hard, you can see Corky at the top right corner.


This is the original. If you ask me, Corkscrew is cuter than Mr. December. We'll make the big spread next year....that's why we've been working out so hard. I'm obviously joking.

My To Do List

My number one priority this week is to archieve all my digital pictures. Another thing I need to do is print them.

The last photography class I took, the instructor said "around here we don't call it a photo until it's printed...not until you can hold it in your hands." I don't want my pictures to get lost in cyberspace. I try to back them up every few months, but here lately I've been a fierce shutterbug and haven't made it a priority.

Well, other than planning my to do list, I managed to detail the Element. I gave it a good cleaning Sunday and my wonderful husband helped me wash it in the driveway.

What else? This weekend I almost bought a treadmill. I went to a used gym equipment store and found a great treadmill with a low price. When I chatted with the store attendant he told me someone had already purchased it. After watching the Dog Whisperer, I hear that it's a great piece of equipment for dogs to use. Say I have a busy day and don't get a chance to walk Corky, then I can just put him on the machine at a low speed and watch him go. And there is no doubt that I would also use it.

Here lately, I have no need for a treadmill because the weather has been great. Three days straight Corky and have been out jogging. I love it. I had my doubts, when he was a puppy--that he wouldn't be able to keep up, but I am constantly surprised by his energy.

Beautiful Day...Birthday

Here are some pictures of Corkscrew


Today was absolutely beautiful, a drastic change from yesterdays weather. I thought it would be perfect to go jogging, so Mr. Corky joined me as I ran around the neighborhood. Now that he's older, he has the stamina to jog consistently for a mile and a half, but today I pushed him a little harder to see if he could make it to 2. I was really proud of him for keeping up with me and another part was proud of myself for keeping up with him.

Other than running around, I've been at the house enjoying some downtime. This morning Trey woke up early and asked me, "Is there something you want to tell me?" I said, "Umm, yeah it's hot outside," and then I remembered..."Oh, happy birthday." I made him some cookies at his request and also cooked his favorite meal, burritos---for lunch AND dinner. That boy loves his burritos. We also had a chance to go on a short scooter ride. That was nice. When we ride the scooter together, it always makes me smile.

FYI: We're not going to Abilene this weekend. I think we're planning a trip for next month.

Filtered Water

It didn't freeze like everyone thought, so I'm at work breaking for lunch.

Yeah, about lunch...
I always brown bag it. Okay, not always but for every two weeks, maybe I'll eat out once.

Another thing I always do is carry a neon green water bottle, so I can stay hydrated throughout the day. On my way out this morning, I forgot it. I don't have any cash to buy bottled water, so I'm having to drink tap. Tap wouldn't be so bad, but thanks to Trey he's got me hooked on filter H20. I've been drinking filtered water consistently for 4 years. I'll drink the tap because I need it, but it doesn't mean I'll like it.

When I get home the first thing I'm going to reach for is a nice tall glass of filtered water and also figure out what Trey and I are doing this weekend. This weekend Trey turns 25. I thought we were celebrating his birthday here, but this morning he said something about going to Abilene. Hmmm

Missed Out

Last night I missed out on a good concert. Courtnee called, at the last minute, inviting me to go to the Foo Fighters concert. Unfortunely, I couldn't make it because I was working. Too bad. Good concert, free concert...that's my kind of show. Maybe next time.

Right now I'm at home trying to stay warm. I hear that tomorrow we might have some icy weather conditions. My boss said, if the weather is bad to stay at home. That sounds like a plan to me. Either way, I'm up for whatever.

In the Dog House

Corky is not on my good list. Even though he's housebroken, he pissed on my yoga mat. I scrubbed the mat with soap and water, but it still has a faint smell of urine. Gross! Before I throw the mat away, I'm going to try running it through the washer. The pee didn't stain the mat, but if I can't get the smell out I'm throwing it away.

That isn't the only reason why I'm upset with Corky. Yesterday, I swept and mopped the entire house and last night he ran through with dirty paws. So, today I swept and mopped again. I gave Corky a bath let him go outside to use the bathroom and a few minutes later he ran up to the door muddy.

Strawberry Cake

Trey's birthday is right around the corner and his favorite cake is strawberry, that his grandma makes. Nanny lives back in Abilene, so we called her and she gave us the recipe.

Yesterday, we gathered all the ingredients and today, we spent the afternoon baking. Honestly, Trey did most of the work, but the cake was delicious, so I guess I'll take some credit too :)

The Art of Curtain Making

I'm going to tackle the art of curtain making.

From the book: Fun and Fabulous Curtains to Sew, this is my inspiration.

Photographer: Stewart O'Shields

Instead of bunching all the material at the top, I'm going have a clean line of material and use curtain rings. I don't have any sewing experience, so mom is going to help.

This is the only photo I have, on hand, to illistrate our current curtain situation.

Laughter Yoga

Since the weather is dreary for outside exercise, I've started doing yoga again. Wednesday morning I had a good work-out and focused the routine on my core (abs).

So, today, Trey and I met-up for lunch. I normally don't drink much soda, but this time I had a tall glass. What was I thinking? Between all the soda I drank and Trey cracking jokes, I was in so much pain from laughing. The only pain I can compare it to is when someone is tickling you. You know...you'll laugh and smile, but really all that tickling hurts. That's what it felt like.

Since I'm on the subject of yoga and laughing, I might mention that I read this article about a free "laughter yoga" class and I'm seriously thinking about attending. Last week I was going to go, but Trey's parents were in town. We watched the Cowboys game too. Yeah, a game I could've gone without seeing, but that is neither here nor there, so let's never mention that game again. Deal.

At least the rest of the weekend was good. Trey's mom and I went to my favorite grocery store, Central Market to eat. I also took her all over our side of Ft. Worth to window shop. Good times-minus the game, Ohhhhh I menioned it!

Radiohead Coming Through Dallas!!!!!

My favorite band of all time, Radiohead, announced they will be touring through Dallas! This band is the soundtrack to my life. Every album they make is amazing and I would love to go to the show and even better, be a stagehand. Too bad the union I'm with doesn't cover American Airlines.

The last time they came through Texas, I was 13 years old. Radiohead has not confirmed the date or venue yet, but I'm guessing the concert will be at American Airlines. It's one of the bigger venues in town. I'm going to keep my eyes open for tickets and we'll see what happens. I heard the last time they played in Dallas tickets sold out immediately.

Corky is a JUMPER

Corky should've been casted in the movie Jumper.

Oh, the little things that make me smile.

Crazy Busy

I walked out the door this morning, went to work, looked up at my computer monitor and realized it was time to come home.

At the office, they have me doing graphic stuff. I know, try not to laugh too hard. I laughed at myself so I guess, it's only fair you can too. Good thing, I'm up for the challenge. All I have to say is, lets get the graphic stuff out of the way, so I can get back to doing the video and photog.

Speaking of video, it looks like I'm recording another semester of Adv. Pathos. I try to keep up with the lecture while I'm recording, but it just goes over my head. I'll stick to the tech field and they can stick to the medical field.

Its Not Like I'm Working...

This morning I got a head start editing a video project. So, there I was, a video editing machine. The hours were flying by, that's when the entire building lost electrical power. Down goes my computer. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Without thinking I yelled out, "IT"S NOT LIKE I'M WORKING OR ANYTHING!"

I should've been pissed, but can you believe it - the one day I saved my work after every project change, the electricity goes out. Finally, an OCD pays off. Besides, even if I hadn't saved my work, I'm sure or at least believing, Leporad would do some magic.

Honestly, I'm thankful for the hour long power outage. I don't know what that yelling outburst was about. I'm guessing a natural reaction.

The outage gave me a chance to get away and take a break. Because once I get to editing, it's all tunnel vision from there.

Log Cabin Village

Fort Worth: Cultural District

Trey Says, "Thanks Mom & Dad"

Trey has his own blog, but he said he wanted me to post this here b/c he likes the way I write. Sure he does. He also likes pointing out my typeeeooooos. Oh, I'm way off subject.

So, Trey wanted to say thanks Mom and Dad for the Christmas gift and that was the best Christmas card you could ever send. :) We love you both.


With his Christmas cash Trey purchased the hat, shirt, and toy.

Adding to the Charm

No tripod explains the funky pano.

2 Gallons later, explains this orange room. The color is BOLD.

Trey and I have been discussing adding white beadboard to break-up the color. We also want to add to the houses craftsman charm, by installing crown molding and framing out the windows. Trey plans on doing all the work and I can help, if he just tells me what to do. The paint needs a second coat, but we purposely left it like that, until we add the molding...etc.

This project may be on hold for a month or two because even though Trey has tools leaking out of his ears, apparently he doesn't own the ones we need for this project. In do time, this will get done.

New Year's Day

Today has been the best way to start off the New Year. For the most part I stayed home and read a book by the fire. Yes, relaxation.

I've been thinking about New Year's resolutions and for once I don't have a list, instead all I can think of is one word, GIVE. This is the year that I feel called to give. I need to give more to others.

Well, good luck to all on your resolutions.