It's Cancer - Sad news from others

My mind is filled with sorrow today. This morning I got a message from a friend that her daughter had died in her sleep. It's always sad to hear of a passing, especially when it involves a 29-year-old woman. Not 30 minutes later Mr. B called to tell me that a Pettit cousin's wife died in her sleep. Mr. B estimates she was in her mid-60s. Sadly, these are the third and fourth deaths of friends and family in the past three months.

Thankfully both women passed peacefully in their sleep, but my heart is heavy for their loved ones who are now grieving. Their losses are great and I wish the families strength and healing.

Today I'm celebrating family and friends. God bless and keep my precious family and all of my wonderful friends safe from harm.

For the next week I'm making tin jewelry

The weather in Houston reminds me of summers in Santa Fe. Since we have leased our casita for a year to a retired doctor, I won't get to enjoy spending time in the high desert. Bummer!

My grandmotherly duties have been redefined. Instead of keeping him during the day, I'm now responsible for feeding him breakfast, getting him dressed, and taking him to pre-school every morning and picking him up on Mondays and Fridays.

Today I'm celebrating learning a new trick. I finally removed my two-year-old serger from the box today and had a lesson on how to use it. I'm anxious to practice on the serger and then start using it.

TLP is ready for the Big Day

I'm feeling calm today, which is totally unexpected since the wedding is this coming Friday and the party is on Saturday. Also on Wednesday is the rehearsal dinner. Tonight may be my favorite part of the week. I plan on sampling four different champagnes to serve on Friday night. It's a tough job, but I'm up for the challenge.

My dress for Friday night and my pants for Saturday night are supposed to be ready for a final fitting tomorrow. I ordered a bunch of jewelry to find the right necklace for Friday night. They all came at one time and Mr. B's eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw me opening all the silver boxes from Neiman Marcus. I revived him by explaining that I was returning all but the one necklace to wear on Friday.

Today I'm creating shorter pants for TLP. His little shirt is pressed. His pants are hemmed. Now if we can only get him to put on shoes. We tried a pair of shoes on him. He immediately leaned down and started chewing on the laces.

Taking a break from blogging

I'm overwhelmed by so many events in my life right now that I've decided to discontinue my postings, at least until I feel more "on top" of what is going. I have so many feelings, none of which are positive or worth sharing.

There are so many good things in my life that I should be able to put aside all the negative, but I just can't do it right now.

Today I'm creating a pity party for one.

A quiet evening

A view of our fun room at Lone Star Court in Austin.

We made a quick trip to Austin and stayed in such a cute hotel. Lone Star Court is part of The Domain, which has about 100 stores. I loved the room and the location of the hotel. I walked across the street from the hotel to the shopping center to get a mani (just had a pedi before I left Houston). The salon was so impressive. I got an organic mani that was very nice. The mango sea salt scrub was moistened with the juice of orange slices. My hands and arms were so soft. People were drinking martinis and margaritas. When I mentioned that I would like a blow out, someone went next door to see if the hair salon had time for me.

We attended a wedding of one of Mr. B's co-workers and her partner. The invitation said the attire was "semi-formal, Austin style." Apparently that description was interrupted in different ways by people because there was everything from jeans to long gowns at the outdoor wedding.

Today I'm creating time for brunch with a longtime friend of Mr. B's who moved to Austin about 10 years ago. We ate at The Driscoll Hotel in downtown Austin. It's someplace where I've always wanted to stay, but don't want to spend the money. The Valencia Group, a hotel management group that developed Lone Star Court in Austin, also has Hotel Sorella in Houston Citycenter. Maybe after the wedding Mr. B will take a "staycation" there.

Still working on the wedding!

TLP had a busy day. He went with Big Daddy to take Dr. Mc to work. Next he went with Big Daddy to see a great uncle. Next he went with me to run errands. We went to a meeting about the Saturday night celebration for Sweetness and Girafferty. We went to Mr. B's office to meet people and then to lunch. By the time TLP finished eating mac and cheese with his hands, he needed to be hosed down. (Note to self: Order mac sans cheese.)

By the time TLP and I got back to the house, he was asleep. I left him with Big Daddy while I went back to the store looking for wrapping paper and ribbon in just the right colors.

Today I'm creating more wedding and celebration plans. Sweetness and Girafferty got their marriage license today. Good idea since the wedding is only two weeks from today. In the past week I've seen so many photos of kids on the first day of school with the caption, "Where has the time gone." That's the questions I'm asking myself now.

It might rain in Houston today. I'm very excited about the possibility of rain because it might bring some cooler weather.

Big Daddy Nick and Dr. Mc made chicken tortilla soup last night for dinner. In addition to being tasty, it was a super nice surprise. We were hoping that TLP would sleep through our dinner, but that didn't happen. He has been cranky the last couple of days. I see three new teeth and his forehead has been a little warm. He also puts anything and everything he can find in his mouth. Getting those teeth is certainly a good reason to be cranky.

Today I'm creating plans for the wedding this weekend in Austin. The invitation states the attire is "semi-formal, Austin style." I have no idea what that means!

Countdown to the wedding

What I thought would be a fun and relaxing long weekend with Mr. B is quickly turning into a mess. We have a wedding in Austin on Saturday night. There is a shower for Sweetness on Sunday afternoon. And Monday night (Labor Day) we've been invited to a barbecue dinner. Everything sounds like so much fun, except the drive to and from Austin.

Last Saturday was also a busy day. I took Sweetness to buy "foundations" to wear under her wedding gown and then for a trial run on hair and makeup. While she was doing that, I went to Michael's to buy supplies to make her a pretend wedding bouquet. Then it was off to have her bridal portrait taken. After the portraits I took her home and then went home for a glass or two of wine. It's always the perfect way to end the day.

Today I'm creating a timeline and project sheet for an event in February. I'm also returning phone calls and preplanning for events that will take place in September.

At the Office

Sweetness and Girafferty at her birthday dinner.

Last night we celebrated Sweetness' 27th birthday with a family dinner at Backstreet Cafe in Houston. Even TLP was there, although he slept through part of the dinner. The food and conversation were great, but the temperature was a little warm. I forget that the upstairs is always warm. Good for the winter. Not good for the hot, hellish, humid summer. When will the summer end?

I tried a new place the last time I got a haircut and I'm going back there today. I had been going to the same place for years, but it just got too expensive. I think $120 plus tip (and often products) is just too much! I like the haircut I got last time for $46 so I'm giving it another try.

Today I'm creating stuff. Now that I'm working so much and creating all the time, I may change the name of my blog to Today I'm Celebrating. Yeah. Maybe.

Birthday wishes to Evan McCarley (a.k.a. Sweetness)

The balloons behind TLP spell his name, although he mainly
answers to Mister. The pool is filled with clear balls. He loved it!

Last week was TLP's birthday week. This week belongs to Sweetness. She is 27 years young today. I might as well say that the entire month of September belongs to her since she and Raff are getting married on September 18 and having a celebration on September 19. Lots of activities for them between September 1 and the wedding.

I developed gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with Sweetness so my OBGYN wanted to deliver her a week early. She was due on August 31, but I went to the hospital on August 24 around 10: 30 a.m., already in labor. She was born around 2:30 p.m., weighing 8 lbs., 9 oz. Thank goodness she didn't go full term or beyond!

Today I'm creating folders for all the upcoming Fall events. Right now there are 14 events from  September 1- December 16 on the calendar. I'm fairly sure there will be other political events that I work on between before the Nov. 3 local elections. It's going to be a busy autumn! Also, I'm pre-planning for two January events.

It's "volunteer-editor-of-neighborhood-newsletter" time

TLP's second 1st birthday party was a success, even though we ate at 8 p.m. and he was asleep. He tried to stay awake, but got so fussy that we finally put him down.

Big Daddy Nick woke TLP up so he could eat some mac and cheese and green beans. There's a reason for the old saying, "let sleeping babies sleep."

Today I'm creating edits and revisions to the monthly neighborhood newsletter. I also wrote a bio for Mr. B. Now it's time to resume my grandparent duties. I hear my little friend jabbering which means he is awake from his afternoon nap.

Happy 1st birthday to TLP

It's hard to believe that a year has passed since TLP was born three months prematurely. Watching him grow and develop the past year has been a joy and a delight. I can't help but smile when I see his beautiful little face. And there aren't words to describe his kisses.

He is pulling up on everything. A couple of weeks ago when he first started pulling up, he would crash to the floor, which resulted in more than one bump on his little noggin. He is steadier now, but as Big Daddy Nick says, he still needs to work on his dismount.

Today I'm creating a party for TLP. Last night the Zamoras had a little party for him at their house. Tonight we're having a party for him at our house. Sunday he is at McCarley house. What a lucky little man to have three birthday celebrations.

A quiet afternoon at home

Bath time.

I'm hoping that the tree trimming is finished. The workers were here this morning, but the noise of the buzz saw has stopped. Could it be that after four days they are finished?

I see lots of FB postings of recent high school grads heading off to college. Can I remember back that far to my freshman year at college? Barely.

Today I'm creating nothing. Last night we lost electricity for about three hours. After one hour in the hot dark house, Mr. B and I put Rose in the air-conditioned car and rode around. On the way to the car, I tripped and went down on my left knee. The really bad part was the jolt to my back.

Stop!

We have had tree trimmers in the yard since early this morning. Working is going on in our front and back yards, plus at our neighbor's yard. All the noise is making it very difficult for TLP to nap, which isn't a good thing. I just gave him a bottle. He was so tired that he was falling asleep while drinking it. Then he rolled over on his tummy and went to sleep on the quilt. This never happens.

We are also having the fence replaced on the south side of the house because it is short. Also, on the back of the house next to the garage we're moving the fence in so Dr. Mc and Big Daddy Nick can park there. I'm not sure when that work will begin.

Today I'm creating a trip to the grocery store and getting what I need to make two pies. I may wait until Dr. Mc gets home from work around 5:15 p.m. It's supposed to be 100 degrees at 3 p.m. and I'm not sure I want to be outside until it is cooler.

The romper he has on is now knee
length until ankle length. 

I've been a little down this week. I know the weather has contributed to my mood. Since 2007, I've spent the summer in Santa Fe where the temperature at this time of year is usually in the mid-80s during the day. Instead I'm in Houston, sweating my buttock off! Usually around August 15 the weather starts cooling off during the day. By Labor Day when I usually leave I'm wearing long sleeves and/or a light sweater. <Insert heavy sigh here.>

The good news is that Mr. B and I are going to Sonoma next week. Good food. Good wine. Cooler weather. My wishes will come true.

Today I'm creating a shopping trip for a client. He wanted some new vases, candleholders, and kitchen items. I think I may need to go back to one place for some personal shopping.

A lazy weekend

I haven't left the house since Friday afternoon. That doesn't make me a bad person, just a lazy one. Mr. B and Dr. Mc have gone outside and told me how the heat is stifling. That's enough information for me to stay inside.

We've watched movies most of the weekend. I've seen four and Mr. B has seen six. Two of the movies just weren't my cup of tea so I left Mr. B to watch them on his own.

Today I'm creating clean clothes. Later today Mr. B is going to grill steaks. And since I'm the MOB, wedding central is in overdrive for the upcoming nuptials.

The perfect evening

Yesterday I ran a bunch of errands after lunch. I spent an hour and a half looking at rental items for the wedding. I went to the fabric store and spent another hour searching for fabrics that I want for the wedding. I went to the paint and body shop to get an estimate on the repairs to my car. All of the errands were done in 100 degree weather. I don't know how people work outside during the summer.

After all my running around I decided that I didn't want to go out last night, so I went to the liquor and grocery stores for some provisions. When Mr. B got home from work, our party began. He, Dr. Mc and I had refreshing beverages while watching movies and cooking pizzas. ( TLP had different treats at the party.) This was the perfect way to stay cool on a sweltering summer night.

Today I'm creating a decluttered room. TLP is beginning to pull up so it's time to remove all breakable items within his reach, as well as anything he might pull off a shelf.

Where are the yard guys?

Sweetness and TLP

It's Thursday, which is usually the day that TLP and I go to the grocery store. Mr. B had instructions for me to give to the yard guys and requested that we not go to the store until they arrived. Well, it's 5 p.m. and the yard guys haven't arrived. No yard guys. No grocery store. No dinner.

Tomorrow is the last week that Dr. Mc has Friday off of work. During the summer months she works four 10-hour days and has Fridays off. I'm not sure if she dislikes being at work for 10 hours or working on Fridays more. It's a hard choice for her.

Today I'm creating a blog about the changes that will take place along Allen Parkway. The City of Houston is spending $11 million dollars to add parking spaces, lights and crosswalks. The project is supposed to take 18 months, but these things usually take longer and run over budget. I'm just not sure the juice is worth the squeeze.

Look closely and you can see TLP's new top tooth.

For the first time in four or five years I'm NOT planning an event for White Linen Night in the Heights. This annual event, which takes place on the first Saturday in August, has gotten so big and crowded that my client decided not to host his private party this year. I'm not the least bit sad that I won't be setting up, staging and working a party this year.

It was 2013 when we had a portion of The Suffers playing at the private party. That wouldn't be a possibility this year, as the band has gotten so popular (i.e., expensive) and seems to be on the road all the time.

Today I'm creating a press release and writing a few blogs, including one about White Linen Night.

Done, done and done!

TLP splashing in his kiddie pool on
a hot Sunday afternoon. 

I spent Saturday and Sunday afternoons addressing wedding invitations. Yes, I learned cursive when I was in school so I usually address everything because I have the perfect teacher handwriting. In fact, I often get asked if I was a teacher when people see my handwriting. Dr. Mc never learned cursive. She always prints, usually in all caps. Sweetness is left handed so her cursive isn't that great.

Dr. Mc and I had quite the set up for addressing envelopes. While I was addressing wedding invitations, she was working on invitations for TLP's first birthday party and entertaining him. It's so hard to believe that in just a few weeks he will be a year old. From a rocky start he has come a very long way! We are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy baby.

Today I'm creating a drive to the post office to mail everything. I'm so excited to have completed all of the addressing. Then I'll be working on blogs and a magazine article.