It's Your Duty

The sixth graders at Grace Prep are assigned to flag duty a couple times per semester. Working with a partner, they raise and lower the American and Texas flags on two school days. They are taught how to attach them, and the proper way to fold a flag.  Abigail makes me laugh because she says kids in her class put the Texas flag on the wrong way most of the time. (Is it white or red on top?)  She'll get in the car in the afternoon and say, "Well, the Texas flag was wrong again!"  Great job, Abigail. I know the Texas flag was correct at least two days this semester.

Katherine Takes the Field

In her ongoing quest to become a super athlete in her Junior year, Katherine ran onto the field tonight as part of the Lady Lions softball team.  It was fun watching her play for the first time. Here are a few photos of this afternoon's game.

Seen Around Town

A sign seen in a local restaurant:

"All unattended children will be given 

three shots of espresso and a free puppy."

I like that.

It Is Gone, Yet I Cannot Be Sad

A major portion of my life ended today, yet I find myself secretly, quietly, in my innermost being......REJOICING!!!  Yes, our 2008-2009 basketball season ended today in Midland, Texas.  We received the phone call from Katherine who announced that her Junior year basketball season was finished.  Thankfully, she was there, and well, we were here, so I was able to do a little happy dance without her seeing me.  Yippee!!!! Yahoo!!! (dancing about madly) Is this excessive celebration??!!?? (skipping through the house)  OH YEAH, BABY!!!  (Picture the old dude from the Six Flags commercials here. Hear the song?)  

Rebecca's final game was on Thursday. Sadly, she was sick with the flu and missed playing. And, I'm pretty sure Abigail might have a couple games left on Saturdays, but hey, that's only a couple hours. There are no more "7-games-a-week" weeks left. Well, not until next year anyway. And, I can think about that tomorrow, or much, much later.

So, now we're on to other sports...Katherine will be playing softball. And, I believe Rebecca is done for the year. Wait a minute, what do you mean you want to run track, Rebecca? Now? This year? In 8th grade? Are you sure??? Oh noooooooo........

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...