Personal best...

Microsoft Office clip art
I hope it's okay to use here.

Made a trip to the hematologist today, so I knew I would be poked and prodded. Previously the highest number of vials that I have given up at any one time was, oh say, less than ten.

Today? TWENTY-ONE!

I walked out of the vampires' den with neon green elastic bandages on my left elbow, and both hands. The big and burly (and tattooed) blood sucker was an expert with a needle, it was my veins which were uncooperative. When I left their cave, they said, "Well, it looks like the doctor ordered every possible test she might need, but just in case, show her the color (green tape) we put all over your arms, and tell her we said not to even think about sending you back today for more."

Now I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "Damn! Why didn't I take my camera?" I would have liked to have a picture of that basketful of vials as a monument to this accomplishment...but not enough to go do it again any time soon!

A through Z...

Inspired by my niece Stephanie's beautiful post in homage to National Wildlife Week, I thought it would be fun to do something similar. (I'm shamelessly imitating you again, Steph, but you know it IS the sincerest form of flattery.) To change things up just a bit, I'm highlighting what I love...living four miles north of nowhere.

Renewal...

I may have mentioned before that we are having a terrible drought. We are under a long-running burn ban, and brush fire is a real threat. When I see someone toss a cigarette out their car window, I'm split between wanting to stop to look for and crush out the butt, or following to lecture the driver, a la road rage. I mean, come on, if I went to their house and tossed matches, I think they'd want to yell at me too. Think, people!

A week or so ago, there was a brush fire about six miles from us. It left a lot of black parched ground and fence posts, and shrivelled cactus (luckily no homes were lost). I pass it every time I go to see my friend, the Crazy Cat Lady. It makes me feel sick, thinking about what could have happened.

Carey can look at it and say what great grass there will be there once the rains come. I know that logically, but I needed a little more help to see a greener future. In the last couple of days, a lot of these have appeared.


Rain Lily

Even after just the tiny bit of rain we had last week, proof that there's a new landscape on the way.

Based on my birthdate...

This is actually pretty accurate for me.

Your Animal is the Goose

You are a resourceful person who needs a lot of stability in life. You rather save for a rainy day, even if it means missing out on fun impulses. When you feel secure, you are incredibly creative and artistic. You are also very witty. You like to invest in yourself and for the future. You like to always be learning and gaining skills.

What's Your Celtic Animal?

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

Dublin Lamppost

St. Patrick's Day has always been a special day to me, because A) my dad was half Irish, and B) March 17 was my mother's birthday. I love wearing green. I love the 'Kiss Me, I'm Irish' buttons. I love looking through the photos I took in Ireland a few years ago. I would really love to go back!

Kathleen 1 and Kathleen 2...

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion... Ecclesiastes 4:9-10


That's me, Kathleen1, on the left, and my friend, Kathleen2, on the right, doing goofy touristy things on her recent visit. After the cabin fever I've been feeling, her visit was a breath of fresh air and absolutely the best medicine of all.

We went to a favorite restaurant that we used to frequent when she lived here. We took in a movie. We took a picture with a local landmark. We went to introduce her to my grandchildren. Then to San Antonio where she introduced me to sushi...yum! We had a knitting lesson. We travelled to visit her aunt and uncle. Then on to visit a dear mutual friend where we shopped resale, had lunch in old Fort Worth, and had dinner of yet more sushi!

My companion has truly lifted me up.

Spring has sprung...

Haven't seen too many of our beautiful state flower this year...so incredibly dry. Though after a few days of rain, we have seen a few. It bares heralding.

I love this idea...

I was just browsing Apartment Therapy, and found such an awesome idea that I had to share it. I've always arranged frame groupings on the floor before actually putting up on the wall, but sometimes the measuring etc loses something in the translation, and you don't end up with what you wanted exactly. THIS is how I will do it from now on!

Lists...

If I don't make a list, very little gets done. I haven't made a list for quite awhile now.

Now that I'm off the injured list, it's time to get back in the groove. Still no heavy lifting, though. So first one to offer to vacuum for me wins the 'good child' title for an indeterminate period.