Wandering Cyberspace From the Cornfields

I voted today.. :o)

It was exciting today voting for the first time in my new adopted state of Texas.  Things were a bit different than in the cornfields.  It was my first time using an electronic voting machine.  I was really surprised by all of the campaign signs and people campaigning so close to the polling places.  It was also the first time that I voted early.  I was working the afternoon shift today, so I went before work and waited in line maybe 5 minutes at the  most.  I’ve heard reports of people standing in line 1+ hours after work when trying to vote.  Next Tuesday will just be crazy.

I have voted in every election since becoming eligible to vote with the exception of one year when I moved and didn’t change my voter registration.  It’s just something that’s been ingrained in me since childhood. 

I also took my Honda in for an oil change today to the Honda dealership.  The little wrench lit up on my dashboard letting me know it was time for service.  Service waiting room was very nice, free snacks and a big screen TV.  I loved the part on the news when they showed all of the snow.  I snorted to myself…heh heh heh–I won’t miss that.  I started a mindless knitting hat and just enjoyed my 20 or so minutes there. Not only was it fast and reasonably priced by my car had been washed when I got it back. 

I’m going to check at the complex office tomorrow night to see if and when there is trick or treating in the apartment complex.  I have two cute little girls in the apartment above me, I’m going to put together something special for them for Halloween. 

Today’s Question:  What was your best Halloween costume ever?

Mmmm...fresh baked cookies!

My apartment smells like fresh baked snickerdoodles.  That’s because I just baked a batch and a half for work tomorrow.  I have a plate for the office, a dozen for a co-worker who loves snickerdoodles who had a bad day today and nearly a dozen little festive Halloween type bags tied with a candy corn printed ribbon.  To me? Nothing special, just business as usual.  It’s amazing what a little bag full of cookies can do to make an impression.

If you asked my college class students who often celebrated Fun Day Monday, Terrific Tuesday, and What’s Up Wednesday what sorts of things I did in a given semester, this behavior would not surprise them.  For as long as I can remember I’ve just enjoyed doing these kinds of things, it’s never felt like a chore, it gives me pleasure.  I’ve also found it’s a whole lot easier to ask someone for help when you’ve worked on building a relationship before you actually needed that help.

This week my class was cancelled due to the computer conversion.  It’s the first time since my first week that I’ve worked a normal 8-5 schedule.  It’s also given me a chance to get back into my other love course management–using Moodle instead of Blackboard.  I’m still poking around trying to figure new things out.  I need to track down some guidebooks, tutorials or manuals.  The net connection at work makes that darn near impossible, so maybe a little time at home this weekend to see what I can come up with.

What made your day a little brighter today?  What the heck are you up to?

The question of the day….If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…

Me? Happy, Contemplative, Goofy!

Where would you like to go?

Sara, inspired today’s blog post with her savings plan to head to Europe. Talk of SXSW popped up on Twitter and I set my sights on that as one of my travel destinations for 2009.  While searching for airline ticket prices at Travelocity I decided to set up fare watches for 10 destinations…

In no particular order the list has started with…

Austin:
SXSW is definitely an achievable goal for 2009-if the computer conversion at work isn’t that weekend.

St Louis
Two of my favorite trips in 2008 were to visit @Mongo, @GeekDave and all of the other midwest gathering crazy people.  I want to go back.

Dayton
I’m sure there will be a trip back to the cornfields in 2009..not sure when.

Washington-DC
I know that @LoganDawg is missing me

Fort Lauderdale
Those crazy friends of mine in south Florida make me want to visit–often!

Kauai
This is my daughter’s island n Hawaii..I’d love to go spend some time with her this year.

Las Vegas
I’ve never been..think I need to see the bright lights in 2009

New Orleans
I’ve never been, another place that’s close that I would love to experience.

Lake Tahoe
A postponed celebration with my buddy in Florida to see this beautiful part of the country.

Colorado Springs
I’ve never been there, but really want to see the scenic vistas of Colorado.

If you would have told me last year at this time that in 2008 I would have visited, Miami, Washington-DC, St. Louis, Ft. Lauderdale, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio I would have laughed at you. Not to mention that I would be living in the Dallas area.  The nice thing about living here is being so close to a major airport.  It offers me all sorts of opportunities for trips to different parts of the world. 

I’m still planning to take a trip back to the Hill Country of Texas…to follow the route that I took 5+ years ago when I first fell in love with the state.  2009 is shaping up to be a busy travel year if I accomplish all of these spots.

Just where would you love to travel to in 2009?

:o)

Come on..dream a little..dream a lot…

ask
believe
receive

Today's message from the Universe...

Actually, Ann, the less you think about how you can get something, like money, love, or laughter... the faster it will come.

Walkin' on sunshine,
    The Universe

I just love these messages in my mailbox to start my day.  :o)

Tonight I was home early enough to get about an hour walk in before dark.  The fall weather in Texas is simply spectacular. It gave me time to reflect on the continued Texasization of AnnOhio aka TexAnnie.  Today for lunch we went to Ali Baba's and had the lunch buffet. Seriously, green stuff is tame compared to some of the stuff I tried today.  There were several comments from my lunch time companions about what selections I liked and didn't like. I told them they had no idea what a huge step this was for me to even attempt this.

I really am enjoying the team that I work with.  They are great about including me in events both inside and outside of work.  Today I received an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner, yesterday it was a birthday party in the pumpkin patch, Saturday night was an invitation to hear some live music.  It makes me smile to be so included with this group of smart and talented people.

Saturday I spent the day with my friend Carol.  We had a great lunch at Uncle Julio's and did some serious damage later at the outlet mall.  It was a great day to sit out on the patio sipping margaritas and eating Shrimp Quesadillas. Super Yummy!  The loaded nachos were pretty darn good too!

Late afternoon the change in the weather system grabbed my sinuses and squeezed and I was snoozing on the couch by 8 then off to bed and trying to sleep away the headache until 10. Ouch--that is the same as the cornfields.  It did give me time to catch up on some movie watching and a little slipper knitting for Hospice.  Even TexAnnie needs a little rest now and then.

Today someone walked by my office, took a step backward and said, "Wow, what a happy laugh coming from you..."  I can't for the life of me remember what struck me so funny, but I find myself smiling, laughing and giggling a lot these days.  Must be the beautiful Texas fall weather?

Today's Question:
What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?

The remaining items on my current Bucket List contains:
Write a bodice ripper and have it published.  I'm not sure if it will be a bodice ripper, I've been encouraged to right a humorous novel about some of my experiences in the dating world.  Of course I would change the names to protect the innocent--you know the heroine could be called Nan or something like that.  :o) 

I did take a step toward that goal and ordered two books this weekend from Amazon:

Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper: Gifting the World with Your Words and Stories, and Creating the Time and Energy to Actually Do It

Life Is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally

Honor thy mother...

Sherry, the Hospice volunteer coordinator stopped by today to pick up the cookies/decorations for the nursing home and the gift bags I had put together for Hospice. I can’t explain to you the euphoria I felt as we hugged several times and moved the boxes from my car to hers. She wanted to take a photo, but I was dressed in sweats, my hair pulled back in a clip, I was not exactly looking my best. She said are you sure you don’t want to connect with a facility in your area–they would love to have all of these things from you. I smiled, said “No, I’m happy with this arrangement.”

I truly believed that something nudged me towards Hospice as the charity to work with on a closer basis when I arrived in Texas. I’ve been knitting, quilting, baking and sending packages to the far corners of the US and even to Kandahar–all those projects gave me a great deal of satisfaction. I packed a lot of love into those boxes as I sent them off in the mail.

But this is different—- It’s much more than packing love into a box, it really is a way for me to remember my mom in a special way. I went through such a depression after she died..in part I think to there just being a wake (her wish), and even though I was there with her when she died I don’t think I ever felt any closure. Before leaving Ohio, I can remember pondering this a lot..how to best honor her memory. I thought of a few things, like a donation to the nature center where I like to walk–but I don’t get to walk there any more. This seems like a better idea. Yesterday I mailed off the October birthday cards for the rest of the month, so for a dozen or so people maybe getting a card on their birthday from some random stranger won’t matter much, or it could matter a great deal.

We just don’t know..none of us really, of the impact that small gestures can ripple out and have on the rest of the world. I’ve learned that even the smallest thing can make an impression on someone, sometimes we know, sometimes we never know..the important part is realizing inside that you as an individual can drop a small pebble in the pond and let it ripple out.

I wiped a few tears away as I made my drive back to the apartment after delivering the boxes. Not sad tears, but remembering my mom–the good times, the happy times. I choose not to dwell on the days spent in the hospital with her, and seeing her suffering so much at the end.

I think the lesson that I learned from her death is that life is to be lived each and every day. It made me take a deep breath, take a look at my life, and realize that if I wanted my life to change that I would need to be the one making that change happen.

If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown

What small thing could you do today to make a change for the better in your life, or more importantly in the life of another?

A pondering sort of…Ann today.

Baking queen...

I seem to be baking a lot of cookies these days.  For the first training class I did 5 weeks ago I baked cookies for their last day of class, and gave them to them jut before they took the test.  I put the cookies in shamrock bags, and told them they were good luck cookies for the test.  A tradition seems to have been born.  Initially I was not teaching on a weekly basis.  With the big push toward conversion I am teaching every week--sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon.  I've baked chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal scotchies, and this week my famous homemade sugar cookies. 

This week's class gets the special cookies as I have been baking this morning for one of the hospice nursing homes.  I received an email last week from the volunteer coordinator looking for bakers.  Yesterday I went to Michael's Crafts and found some leaf sprinkles and a few fallish type things that can be used to decorate the tables at the nursing home...all were 60% off and should be good to use clear through Thanksgiving.  In two weeks I'll be baking again for their Halloween party.  One of the pluses of working the afternoon shift this week I was able to arrange a time for the Hospice coordinator to stop and pick up the cookies, the decorations and the 20+ gift bags I have assembled for them.  No handknitted items this time, but I'm sure they will enjoy what I have stuffed into the bags for them.

Looking for a small way to make a difference? 

troyturner Read the article, and then donate your lunch money. http://is.gd/46VJ You know as well as everyone else that you can stand to skip lunch!

How could I resist?  Think about it..or think about other small ways you might make a difference.  I think doing these types of things comes back to me ten fold.  I know that while I am doing things for Hospice I really feel my mom with me.  I know that she is very proud of my efforts for Hospice and I do it for really selfish reasons...it just makes me feel good. 

Send me some new cookie recipes..it looks like I'm going to be baking cookies on a weekly basis for quite some time..and I love it!

Ann

It's good to be home...

I can't begin to put into words just how much fun I had surprising BlueTeddy for her 40th birthday weekend. From starting it off by waking her up by jumping on her bed to the lesbian hugs at the airport it was an adventure. If you haven't seen the photos of the weekend event here are mine on Flickr... http://flickr.com/photos/annohio/sets/72157607978034772/

It was an interesting trip for me for a number of reasons. It was the first time I flew out of DFW instead of in on a vacation. I can remember quite a few of those trips taking off for my then home, and crying, feeling like a part of me was always being left behind in Texas.

In the back of the taxi in the wee hours of the morning this weekend heading to Fort Lauderdale Beach I was struck by how different this trip felt. Instead of a week long oasis type trip from the cornfields of Ohio, I was having a quick weekend jaunt, and then back to Texas--back home. It was a total shift in perception of my time there.

It feels good to be home, back in Texas, back into my new life and routine. Work is crazy right now, but I seem to be taking it in stride for the most part (yes, I am still frustrated at times). It amazes me how much I have learned in a short period of time. It's really stretched my skill set in new directions. I also see that as a big plus.

Personally, I chuckle at the subtle differences I am seeing. A bit of a change in the way I dress, in my hairstyle. Nothing major on the outside, but on the inside, there's all sorts of things going on inside of my head.

I would not have missed this birthday celebration for the world. I even told them I needed off at my new job, and they understood and were flexible with my schedule so I could leave a little early, and come in a late. I see that as a trade off of the crazy schedules I've been working since moving to Texas. Being right in the middle of all of the fun and the surprises is a priceless one time event..that I would have been so sad to miss. Once again, reaching out and finding a way to make something work.

I did have a plan to go parasailing on Sunday---oh my, I could barely check out of the hotel and make it to the BT household to pass out on her couch. It's still on my bucket list, and I'll find a way to make it happen. But when it does happen, I want it to be at a time when I am feeling great and I can really be in the moment.

I loved getting to see Maria and Miguel again and getting to hug the stuffin out of them. It seemed natural to give Matt a big hug when I met him too. Thankfully his wife did not put the smack down on me...

There was a lot of alcohol being poured Saturday night..lots of crazy antics that I can remember some of..but most of all there was a lot of love in the room...not just for BT, but for each other. It was a celebration of life...

You know..that's what life's supposed to be about--in small ways or big ways try to find a way every day to appreciate all that's around you. You know..hug the stuffin' out of life!

:o)

Ann

Feeling buzzed...

I had a Coke tonight at dinner, nothing stronger than that. Yet I'm feeling a rush tonight, a buzz...that is more than likely going to kick my behind when I have to get up in the morning early and do day three of my training class.

But tonight---I left work around 4--after not having a lunch break and going to work early and headed to Fort Worth to Billy Bob's. It was to be my first night time adventure to see a concert there. The drive from my house to Fort Worth is usually about 45 minutes. I knew I would hit traffic, I do live close to two major cities these days. While stuck in traffic I called my friend Carol and talked to her about the events happening in our lives and the old work place.

I met up with some friends to go to the concert, it started with dinenr at Billy Bob's. We made our way to the table, pretty close to the stage and settled in to watch the opening act. Leeann Womack and friends. There were some young very talented artists with her and I found myself tapping my toes..and dancing around a bit in my seat. I love live music, and here I sat in the middle of an honest to goodness honky tonk listening to some great country music. I got the biggest kick out of the song Upper Class White Trash by Brice Lee. I'm going to need to track down the names of the other two artists that sang with Leann, I loved them.

Next to take the stage was Pat Green. I text messaged my youngest daughter to ask her if she had ever heard him before? She's the country music fan in my family. She said yes, he sings Wave on Wave. That song I had heard of.

Pat Green was definitely not my mother's version of country music, but most definitely my daughter's brand of country music. I smiled at the exchange of text messages between us:

"Well aren't you just a country music groupie now days?!"

"I want a pair of custom boots one of these days."

She talked about her upcoming job interviews in the next few weeks, she's tired of going to school..16 years is more than enough. My last message to her:

"I believe you can do anything.. :) "

It's funny, some of the words I've said to my kids--like telling my oldest daughter to go for it when she talked about moving to Hawaii...telling my youngest she can do anything..are all thiings that apply to me and to my life as well. I think that finally sunk in and I took of on this crazy adventure of a life I find myself smack dab in the middle of in Texas...

I could never have imagined any of this...tonight Pat Green closed is show with Wave on Wave...I am not sure that I would have ever pictured myself sitting in the middle of Billy Bob's on a Wednesday night grinning from ear to ear..tapping my toe and finally up on my feet dancing to the music at Billy Bob's.

Yet there I was tonight...a few years ago I can remember having a bulletin board in my office with all sorts of JOY sayings and stickers. It was a bright and colofrul bulletin board...but I just didn't feel any joy. No matter how hard I tried. The thing about joy..it just sort of washes over one..like a wave.

Tonight is another one of those perfect Texas nights that I want to press in my memory banks. I know that from this moment forward every time I hear that song Wave on Wave I will remember tonight and the total joy and pure delight about life that I feel right now.

Wow....

A Reason, a Season, a Lifetime....

It’s not a new sentiment, chances are you’ve either seen this poem posted on the web, or received it as part of a chain letter.  I’m not sure where I first saw it first, but I do believe that it’s true.  I am very blessed to have many lifetime friends…

 

I met Susan as part of the knitting/blogging community that I belonged too long before I had a clue about things like web 2.0, new media, Twitter etc.  Susan’s blog always made me laugh with both her knitting and life escapades.  The truth of the matter is–Susan is a HOOT!  But Susan is much more than that to me.  I’ve got all sorts of cards around my apartment that Susan has sent to me in the past few years.  I have a towel and a handknitted washcloth on my stove that I moved along with me from Ohio to Texas.  It holds a place of honor in my kitchen–because Susan took the time to make it and send to me as I tried my best to settle into my new home.  She has always been there with words of encouragement–just when I seemed to need them most.  You know in general I’m usually the one sending out all of the love..when it comes to Susan more times than not I have been the one on the receiving end. 

 

Susan and I now live within driving distance of each other.  Come hell or highwater, I’m taking off a weekend and driving up to Oklahoma to meet her.  She’s just one of those friends that are on my list of NEED TO MEET friends.  Tonight she sent me a link to a very fun knitting bag…subject line..If I Were Rich.  I printed out the photo and put on my *wish board*…maybe I’ll treat myself to that bag sometime soon.

 

Susan, my friend, I’m already more than rich just having you as a part of my life.  There are times when I am simply overwhelmed by my friends, my support group in this world–it tends to bring a few tears to my eyes.

 

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or
a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you
will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is
usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have
come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you
with guidance and support, to aid you physically,
emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a
godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason
you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an
inconvenient time, this person will say or do something
to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realise is that our need has been met, our
desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . .
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things
you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the
person, and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life. It is said
that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Author Unknown

Texas State Fair

I have heard a lot about the Texas State Fair and have really been looking forward to attending.  I was certainly not disappointed in my afternoon spent at the fair on Sunday..I was there until 10 and closed the fair down!

I didn’t have any of the fried specialties of this fair that include items like fried pineapple, fried peanut butter jelly and banana sandwiches or deep fried bacon.  I can’t imagine how much oil the place uses in any given day to fry that assorment of things up. 

The entertainment on the main stage was Kelly Pickler..she did a great job of entertaining the crowd.  I loved the people watching and really REALLY had to resist taking photos of people that made me chuckle in their fair attire.  What do I know, I’m from the cornfields?  Speaking of cornfields, there was a faux corn patch on the fairgrounds..  Seriously who would even be able to pretend that was a real cornfield?

I loved the exhibition building with all of the photography and crafty type prize winners.  The quilts were amazing, and I tended to focus on the handquilted quilts–I’m a purist, and am very impressed at tiny stitches done by hand.  Not one pair of knitted socks in sight, I am really thinking about doing an entry for the fair next year. Maybe that lace shawl that’s on my bucket list to accomplish?

I have the next round of gift bags ready for Hospice…I’ve also offered to bake some cookies for their fall party on October 17th.  I pulled out the needles and started a pair of slippers on Saturday night…I feel the need to do some mindless knitting.  I just need the clicking of the needles to help me keep in balance.

Brrrrrr…a cold front happening here this week..highs only in the high 70’s.  I’ll really try to deal with those low temperatures…is it any wonder I’m not anxious to put a pile of wool in my lap?

I bought a great book for a friend called “If” it’s a book of questions, there is also an If2 and If3.  If you are looking for some conversation starters, or a way to get to know someone a little better I’d really recommend this book.  I need to go back and buy myself a copy so I can have some great questions to end this blog.

Plan B, I Googled–I need some fun icebreakers for my class that starts tomorrow.  

If someone’s underwear were showing, would you tell him or her? or..and this really happened to me recently…if you were at a bar and someone at the next table was bent over and you could see their entire butt crack, would you tell them?

:o)

Ann

Photos from the Texas State Fair