January 31, 2012

Rose's encounter with Kirby
on Sunday resulted in a trip to the
emergency vet. Stitches require her to be
confined and wear the "cone of shame."
Through it all, she wags her little tail.

I'm looking out the window and can't believe how crummy the weather is in Houston. To think I left the sunny skies and cold weather of Santa Fe to come back to Houston. My cousin, Connie, commented on my anniversary posting from Saturday, wishing us a happy anniversary in the place I enjoy most. It's true. Even though I'm practically a life-long Houstonian, my adopted city of Santa Fe is my favorite place to be.

With that said, I was anxious to get home and couldn't sleep a wink on the plane last night. Nor could I concentrate to read. So I just sat there, staring out the window at the black sky and counting the flashes of the plane's lights. Once bored with counting (the red light flashes every second), I'd cover myself with my pashmina, close my eyes, and try to fall asleep. Unfortunately counting red flashing lights doesn't have the same effect as counting sheep. After the plane landed and we waited for the shuttle to take us to our car, it was off to get "the girls" from Dr. Mc's house. Rose looks pretty sad in the "cone of shame" as you can see from the photo.

Today I'm creating a newsletter for my Tuesday client and working on some bios and a magazine article. At home tonight, I want to do some handwork on my valentines. And drink some vino. And dream about my summer to come in Santa Fe.

January 30, 2012

Good morning, all. There's drama in Houston between Rose and Kirby (Dr. Mc and Nick's beagle). Rose thinks that Kirby is the bomb, but Kirby doesn't return her affection. So last night Kirby had enough of sweet Rose and bit her. Poor Dr. Mc and Nick had to take her to the emergency vet, where she got stitches around her eye and a cone on her head. The bad part, or so Mr. B and I are thinking, is that she can't eat anything today. Probably a year ago, one of our friends, Jan Cottage, nicknamed Rose "fat dog" and the nickname has stuck. You may think that she just has fluffy hair, but not so! I'm sure she'll be telling me all about the trauma when I get home.

Today we're having lunch with The Richards at a little French restaurant in Santa Fe. It has become one of my favorites and having lunch there will be a real treat, as it will be to spend time with The Richards.

Today I'm creating a clean casita before flying back to Houston tonight. 

January 29, 2012

I don't know how to download photos from the computer in Santa Fe and I didn't bring my laptop, so I won't post a photo again today. Too bad, because Dr. Mc and Nick sent photos from the engagement party last night for Madame, as well as photos of "the babies" (Roz and Rose) sitting in the back yard. I think Roz was smiling in the picture.

Totally lazy day today. I've napped and watched television ... and I don't feel one bit guilty about it. Byron's sister (Missy) and brother-in-law (Larry), who are on their way back to Houston after two weeks of skiing in Colorado, stopped by for dinner last night. After they left for their hotel, I stayed awake until probably 3 a.m. working on the valentine's ornaments. I used to be faster with my  handwork. Chalk up another challenge to aging (slower, less accurate fingers). I cut out lots of felt pieces yesterday and wanted to have them put together and finished before I return to Houston, but that might not happen ... and I don't feel one bit guilty about that, either.

Today I'm creating more felt valentine's ornaments. Mr. B is grilling steaks tonight. I'm sure some champagne will be involved. What a perfect ending to a perfect day.

January 28, 2012

Today is my 17th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been so long! All day Mr. B and I have been reliving what happened at certain times. For example, 17 years ago today we would have been at Brennan's enjoying brunch with 145+ friends and family. I saw my twin nieces the other day and they both commented on how much they liked our wedding. They are sorry that they were too young to appreciate the Eggs Benedict we had that morning. Knowing that they were picky eaters, we had ordered scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for the "kids."

In approximately two hours, Mr. B and I would have left Houston for our honeymoon. We spent five days in the hill country (we didn't go farther because my mom had just had a stroke and was still going through rehabilitation). While we were in the hill country, we slept late, shopped, napped, ate good food and drank lots of wine. Somethings don't change. That sounds almost exactly like what were doing today in Santa Fe.

Today I'm creating some valentine ornaments. Headed to the fabric store now while Mr. B has a nap. Love you, Mr. B! More today than 17 years ago!

January 26, 2012

Flowers for Madame. She's
"Simply the Best!"

It's almost the end of January and I'm still trying to type 2011 instead of 2012. I guess it takes longer to remember and get used to things as you age. Scratch that. I KNOW (emphasis added) it takes longer to remember and get used to things as I age.

I've already had a productive morning. Mitzie came to the house with the breakfast of champions (Egg McMuffins and Diet Cokes) and a trunk full of flowers and vases. This Saturday is the engagement party for Madame (a.k.a. Ashley, who is Mitzie's daughter and my Goddaughter). I won't be able to attend the party since Mr. B and I will be in Santa Fe celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary, so I created the centerpiece arrangements with silk flowers this morning for Madame and Taylor's party (see photo). In Mr. B's and my wedding, Ashley was age 10 and in charge of our guest book. She has always been a little firecracker, hence the nickname Madame!

Today I'm creating centerpieces (done). Writing a newsletter and an ad (next). Washing more clothes (later). Organizing sewing handwork to take with me to Santa Fe (sometime). But first, "Simply the Best" sung by Tina Turner is playing on the radio. Think I'll stand up, sing along at the top of my lungs, and dance wildly around the living room!

January 25, 2012

Side A of Valentine's apron.

It was a sad afternoon at the funeral of my uncle Clyde, which was made even gloomier by the terrible weather in Houston. It was raining so hard that I wasn't sure Nick, Dr. Mc and I were going to get there. Mr. B drove by himself because he had to be back at work for a meeting.

The truth be told, there are two things I like about funerals. First, I enjoy looking at the old photos of people. There were lots of photos of my uncle when he was younger, several with my mother when they were kids, and even one with my older brother and me. I was just a baby in the photo, but I recognized my brother. It's hard to miss the predominant ears the men in my family have! The other thing I like about funerals is the chance to see family I don't spend much time with. My aunt and uncle had five children, 16 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, the latest born just last week. It was good to "break bread" with all my cousins, as well as my nieces, at a reception after the burial.

Reverse side of apron.

Today I'm creating a clean kitchen and bathroom. Who knows. Maybe putting on stretchy pants and cleaning will put me in a better mood. There's nothing like a clean countertops and a sparkling potty.

January 24, 2012

More roses blooming in the back yard.
These smell heavenly!

I must be leaving town. Whenever Mr. B and I plan a trip out of Houston, the week before leaving gets crazy. Such is the case this week. I spent seven hours at my Tuesday client's office, and didn't complete everything I need to do. My uncle's funeral tomorrow afternoon means I can only work tomorrow morning. This only leaves Thursday to complete my work, clean house, wash clothes, pack, help Mitzie make table decorations for Madame's engagement party (which I'm missing) and get a head shot taken. Hum. When am I supposed to make items for the Valentine's Market on Feb. 7? But I suppose flying to Santa Fe on Friday morning for a four day weekend is worth the extra work.

We're going to Santa Fe to celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. I haven't gotten Mr. B an anniversary present and don't really care for my options. I may have to break with tradition because the suggested gifts for a 17th anniversary are furniture or a watch. Neither of these ideas are tickling my creative fancy. What's a girl to do?

Today I'm creating two newsletters and a magazine article. Still to come are another newsletter article and another magazine article, and editing a newsletter for a quarterly client. All of this creating may require vino. Who's with me?