Stock Show and Rodeo 2009

Just a few photos from our trip to this year's rodeo. To see more photos, and read the details of the day, go to Barb's Wire.  Hers is better.

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged.  Now what?

Choose the 4th folder where I store my pictures on the computer.
Select the 4th picture in the folder.
Explain the picture.
Tag 4 people to do the same.
No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.).

This picture was drawn by my lovely daughter, Katherine.  She has a definitive style that I hope, one day, will bring her enough money to live on.

And, now I'm tagging four more:  Melissa, Michele, Katherine, Penny

You're it!

The Music Stylings of Abigail Holmes, Composer

A couple weeks ago Abigail played an original composition in a recital at Steinway Hall.  She wrote the song last summer when she was ten years old.  After reworking it for several weeks, Abigail's piano teacher submitted it to a local judge who gave it a "One" rating.  This allows the piece to be judged at the state contest this summer.  Before it can go to the state contest, it must be played in a local recital.  Abigail played her composition, "Coral Reef Waltz," and received a certificate along with a bust of the composer Bartok.  Enjoy her performance below.

To All Those Who Won't Win a Ribbon This Year

This post is dedicated to all those kids who won't win a ribbon at the Fort Worth Stock Show Art Contest this year. Something you need to know:  just because you didn't get a ribbon, doesn't mean you aren't a good artist. Take the painting on the right, for example.  What crazy judge would not award this beautiful painting something?  I mean, come on, honorable mention at least?  It just goes to show that sometimes my mother was right, especially when she said, "There's just no accounting for taste."  

We're going to the rodeo on Saturday and will go by the pavilion and see the art posted.  Winners won't be announced until next Saturday. We had that date reserved, fingers crossed, but we're doing something else now.  I hope that this painting will at least be displayed on the wall.  It will be fun to stand nearby and see if anyone makes comments on it.  

And, one day, when this artist is all grown up and making money (hopefully), we'll look back at this painting and say, "So, how much are the early works of Katherine Holmes going for these days? That much?!?"

Fabulous Times Two

So, Barb and Paige both think I'm fabulous, which, of course, just made my afternoon.  Oh, wait...my blog is fabulous. But, I'm the author so I guess it stands to reason that I am, too. Thanks, ladies.

The rules state that I am to list five things I'm addicted to, and then I nominate five other blogs for this life-changing award.

My addictions in no particular order:

1.  Scrapbooking  - Have I ever really loved a hobby so much? It offers so many "feel good" moments that I can hardly describe: creativity, memories, amazing tools, colors, textures.  I feel that scrapbooking crops are today's quilting bees (no offense, quilters) where women can come together and fellowship while preserving their memories, as well as using their creative abilities. So fun!!!

2.  Reading - As you can see from my blog, I am currently reading three books at the same time. I began reading at a very early age.  I think my mother says four years old.  I've always had a fascination with anything fiction, but am trying to branch out and read some non-fiction as well.  I also love to read cookbooks.  A quote I recently read said, "Plant Trees:  They give us two things necessary for survival - oxygen and books.  Yes!

3.  Music - What would life be like without it?  As I write this, Abigail is playing a beautiful song on the piano, and I feel happy just hearing her. I have found a particular joy in recent months playing the piano in church (with a band!).  I enjoy many styles of music, especially praise and worship, and instrumental.  Children's choirs have a special place in my heart.  Movie soundtracks are great, too. Try muting the TV during a movie some time. You'll see how important music really is.

4.  Beaches - sand, sun, palm trees, breezes, the smell of suntan lotion, bronze skin, flip flops, drinking Sonic Diet Coke with Lime, (had to get this in my list) bright colors, turquoise water, seafood, perfect contentment and relaxation.....aaaaahhhhhhh

5. Facebook - me too, Paige! I can't resist it. I love looking for flair for my board. I'm happy when people comment on my photos. I look at pics of people I don't even know. It's crazy! I love to see the status of all 194 of my close, personal friends.

And, now, the nominees for my Five Favorite Fabulous Blogs are:

Just a 'Chele

A Peas of My Life

Faries Family

Davis Daily

insignificant teenager

(With the knowledge that Paige and Barb would be on this list if they hadn't already posted due to a previous nomination)

Just Some Things I've Been Wanting to Ask

Since I've not blogged in awhile (due to photo uploading problems), I've discovered something about myself.  There are times when I just need to say things -- outloud, in print, where I can see and hear them.  Blogging is a bit like therapy for me, I guess. There's a certain satisfaction, if you will, in throwing those words out there. Even the act of typing them out gives you a certain "something."  (Can I say typing? Should I have said keyboarding?)  But I digress...  

I know many people who journal. I love journals. Beautiful books, with fancy covers...I have several of them. I bought them because of the gorgeous designs, and maybe I intended to write in them at one time.  The crisp, clean pages so empty, just waiting for me to fill them with my thoughts so one day, in the future, people will know what I thought about and what occurred in my life. Not gonna happen.  Every journal I own has the first 5-8 pages written in and then nothing.  So, this is my journaling. This is my therapy. And here are some things I've been wondering lately. I'm not really looking for answers. Just wanted to get them off my chest.

1.  Why are government employees, specifically postal workers, so crabby? And, so slow?

2.  Why can't I maintain a healthy eating lifestyle/weight?

3. Why do I hate to exercise? (The answer to #2 is probably linked here.)

4.  When the creator of  gym bleachers made them, did he realize how uncomfortable they were going to be to sit on?

5.  Will I be able to get over the fear of my child driving. . . in a car. . . by herself?

6.  Why do we always take out our stress on the people we love most?

7.  Will I ever be able to forgive Mrs. Hancock for not teaching me music theory?

8.  Is there anyone in the world who could work on making french fries healthy?

9.  When my girls are all in school together (next year), is there anyone who would pay me to do scrapbooking as a career?

10.  Will my mind ever work like a normal person?

I'm just wondering...

Look Out World . . . Here She Comes!

As of Thursday, January 15, 2008 there is another crazy teenager licensed to drive.  Look out Fort Worth!

Actually, Katherine is a good driver. She is very confident and shows no fear on the freeway. Hmmm.....she really should be afraid. I've driven on I-20 and seen who's out there!

Now, let's just hope that I can dig deep down and find the guts to give her the keys and let her fly (a short distance) from the nest.

Basketball...Yes, That's Our Life

How many games of basketball per week would you have to attend before you could be like the Holmes family?  Two? No...   Four?  No, not four...   Six? Keep guessing...  SEVEN! Yes, SEVEN!  You must attend seven basketball games per week to keep up with us.  Yes, we are certifiable by this time of year, and while most people are looking forward to March for March Madness, I am looking forward to March because it will be the end of our madness. 

Rebecca plays on the GPA 8th grade team with games on Mondays and Thursdays. (2 games) Katherine plays for GPA on the Jr. Varsity and Varsity teams on Tuesdays and Fridays. (4 games)  Abigail plays Upward 6th Grade on Saturdays. (1 game)  2 + 4 + 1 = 7

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching my girls play. They are all doing very well and it's fun to see their skills improve over the course of the season.  Rebecca's big game saw her scoring 16 points.  Yes, that's huge because the 8th graders have struggled to win any games this year.  Katherine has gone from never having played before to actually playing and scoring in games.  Abigail scored 6 points in her first game, and I know she will have a great, final Upward season.

Barb took (and uploaded) this great picture of Rebecca at a tournament 

last weekend. (She's the one on the right of the ref, sailing in the air.)

While traveling around the Metroplex in search of basketball games, we've had the opportunity to see a few local celebrities, as well. Last week we saw Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboys' star. Last night, we saw Chuck Norris, and I sat next to Ed Young, Jr. of Fellowship Church. Interesting conversation we had about "grace in your face..." Remind me to tell you sometime.

I hope you're enjoying your January, whatever it brings.  If you need me, I'll be burning the candle at both ends of the court. Swish!

This Is A Test

This is a test. For the next sixty seconds, this blog will conduct a test of the Emergency Photo Uploading System. This is only a test. The broadcasters of your area in voluntary cooperation with the FCC and other authorities have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of a photo uploading emergency. If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune to one of the local blogs in your area.

I'm beyond frustrated. Tomorrow I will contact Blogger to see if the photo uploading problem is something they can help with. Until then, no posts. Beep...