Wise Words

"Life is long and big," she says. 

"It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness." 

She also learned to appreciate and love the little, great moments of her day, 

even something small as enjoying a cup of yogurt with honey. 

"Those little moments build," she said. 

"And suddenly you have a bigger well of happiness." 

She believes "the antidote to tragedy is learning" and that those going through tough times 

should take up things that interest them to avoid dwelling on the sadness. 

"I took a little class on the health of the oceans, and even though I was so sad ... 

that's helpful." 

Christmas...FINALLY!

'Twas the Day after Christmas...

At Maharaja

Bits & Pieces

'Twas the Day before Christmas...

 (Is he smiling...?)

She's been a very busy girl!

Albert Claus

 Bubbly Decorations

 Boys at Ranch with Mia's Gingerbread Train

 Thoughtfulness...

Night Lights...

Guess who...

 Oh my!

 It's a PEEP show!!

That elf...

This free digital greeting generated with Smilebox

45 Years TODAY!

45 years ago (plus a few days), Rob and I

returned from a 3-day honeymoon in the metroplex 

to our little rock house just off the HSU campus 

to begin "married life".

The more anniversaries we celebrate, the more I realize

how very young we were at the time--

just 20 and 21, for goodness sake!

Yet we were doing exactly what we thought you did

during those days when graduating college 
without at least an engagement ring was suspect.

Anyway, when we got "home" on Christmas Eve,

to my surprise and delight, 

there was a little Christmas tree in our living room,

all lit up and fully decorated by my brand new husband.

What a sweetie!

As evidenced by many entries on this blog, our trusty silk 

ficus tree has been our seasonal celebration tree 

since we moved to Lubbock four years ago,  

and something I've enjoyed decorating for the grand-boys.

 But seasons change...

and it's been a while since the ficus was decorated.

This year, Rob and I will get to celebrate Christmas Eve

 and Christmas Day as just the two of us,

with a movie marathon and dinner out in store.

And, after 45 years, it's my turn to trim a little tree.

Happy Anniversary to My Rob.

I love you!

PS:  This just in...

Rob just texted that he's been "released from duty" 

and will be coming home three days early for the holidays...

arriving at 2PM TODAY!

Now how's that for a Christmas Miracle?

Something's fishy...

That Elf-on-a-Shelf!!

Ahhh...yes.

"Forget trying to have the perfect experience.
 Forget trying to get life right.
 Sink into your current experience.
 Let it wash over you, drown in its embrace.

When you feel lost, heartbroken, unsure where to turn,
 When doubts smoulder and questions rage,
 Know that this is only Love in disguise,
 Burning all your dreams of tomorrow to dust.   

You are doing better than you ever could imagine..."

  

- Jeff Foster

  

Remembering...

 Peruvian Coffee

 The Powerscourt Inn

 This one was for Sawyer...

Irish construction equipment!

Before people from all over the world arrived 
to join us at Johnny Fox's Pub...

She's Back!

 Party Elf

Elf on a Shelf at RWFE

Hmmmm...interesting...Hmmmmmm.

and then...THIS!

Clever girl!

(and quite proud of herself...)

Wonder where we'll find her tomorrow?

Bo Tan

I met Bo today when I went to the Charles Adams Gallery

to have some framing done for a Christmas gift.

While I was talking to Charles about the piece I'd brought in,

this striking Asian man entered the room and

we began chatting as if we'd known each other forever.

Go figure!

Come to find out, this was

THE Bo Tan,

renowned artist whose amazing exhibit was featured

at a First Friday Art Trail more than a year ago.

Bo agreed to pose for me in front of one of his many

incredible, exotic pieces of art,

one that had been recently purchased and was

waiting to be dressed in a frame.

I asked Bo if I could have one of his cards...

so he made me one!

(All this...right here in Lubbock, Texas!!)

Artist’s Statement

God blessed men by creating women. For me, women bring peace and beauty to this world. Thus, women have been one of the most pivotal subjects in my paintings. For a long time, I have been seeking for a way to represent the peculiar beauties of Chinese women in my paintings.

In Eastern Divine Series, I represent vStatarious Chinese female beauties by employing the western traditional easel painting’s style. By exhibiting life sized female Chinese figures, either nude or in traditional dress, I mean to juxtapose the natural and cultural aspects of the Chinese women. Also, by using natural light from windows and the shadow in the background of my paintings, I strive to represent tranquil, serene and elegant Chinese female’s characters in my works.

After 15 years of living in America, my experiences have a lot of meaning for me. In the future, I would like to meld American culture into my works in such a way as to provide a wholly new kind of visual enjoyment.

— Bo Tan, September 17^th, 2012, Lubbock, Texas.

WE DID IT!

 UU Flash Mob at the South Plains Mall

(And we were actually quite good, 

much to our pleasant surprise!!)

Saturday Night FUN!

 Oooooh...Aaaaah

 It's Flippy!

 Where's Santa?

Emmy & Friend

 Movie Time