"I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thoughts On Thursday

Hard to believe that this week is rolling by so quickly. The last two nights I have been by the apartment and picked up almost all of the remaining contents. I have a small load for tonight and the maid will be there Friday to get the place ready for me to turn in the keys and the final walk-through.

The house is starting to settle down as well. I had told SF that it would take the cats and dogs a week to get settled and develop a routine that worked for them. Sassy has her routine in place now and the only thing she needs is the cat chair from the apartment. Eraser is just now getting her turf set. She has been lurking about and has developed a morning routine that seems to be the final pattern. She loves the dog beds and spends as much time as possible in them. She is also fond of plopping down on the tile in front of the bedroom door and keeping the dogs in or out as the case may be.

For the most part, Frankie and Amber are resigned to the fact that the cats and I are now permanent fixtures in their house and lives. They follow me around and are getting better about accepting commands from me as well. Amber is still jealous when I get more attention from SF than she does, but that will settle down too. The only hurdle that remains is the leash. Amber does not walk well with me yet and that can be a challenge when we are trying to get them accustomed to my lead so I can take them to the vet if there is an emergency.

I do have pictures on the camera. Why haven't I shared them yet? Well, I have not set up the PC's yet and I cannot locate the camera cable yet either. Hopefully I can locate the cable tonight and get the PC's set up to the network as well. I would have attempted it last night but I was late getting home and we watched the tribute to George Strait last night.

The longer commute and the newness of the living arrangements have not yet provided me with enough quality sleep, so bear with me a little longer and I will get it all together...., or so I hope. Funny, it seems so odd to be saying that I am having adjustment issues, but I am having to learn how to share a bed with someone again and get accustomed to the issues that go along with that as well. I am also having to re-learn sharing a space with another person. Hard to imagine that in one year that I would learned to love my single space so much that sharing provides new challenges.

A special thank you to AHJ for her lovely card. SF was touched by the gesture and wants to learn more about my interwebz friends....

Okay gang....back to work....have a wonderful Thursday and get ready for Friday!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday Temptations

Greetings! First, I want to take a moment to thank all the Veterans for their services. I was unable to post this weekend, as I still do not have the PC's hooked back up after the move.

The move was fairly uneventful, as far as moves go. Nothing was broken and nothing has been misplaced. Now before you think I am a miracle worker, it is all moved, but not all unpacked and set up. SF had the room almost ready for me to work in but there are still a few things that need to be relocated with the other areas of the house before I can begin to set up the area.

I still have to retrieve the remainder of my clothes, the contents of the kitchen, and a few items from the living room. I should have all of that accomplished by tomorrow night and then I will get the maid in on Thursday so that Friday I can turn in the keys and be officially done.

It will be a slower process with unpacking and getting settled in at the new house. Do not read into that statement. SF and I have agreed that we want to go slow and not put any undo pressure on ourselves to get it all finished. We have plenty of room in the house and one chaotic room with a closed door is not a pressing issue. I will have the critical items all unpacked and put away by the end of the month.

My temptations for this week are simple. Sunday, SF convinced me to walk here. Sounds harmless right? Wrong! We made it there in about 10 minutes but not before a huge downpour. We were soaked to the bones but it was fun. The rain only lasted about ten minutes. Afterwards, we walked around the mall area. I like the way it is laid out with the stores built like an old town center. I can promise that there will be more temptations from this place because they have several stores that I love.

From there, we walked just a little bit further to BJ's Brewhouse. We were hunger and decided to order the AVOCADO EGG ROLLS (Crispy golden wontons wrap a tantalizing blend of avocados, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, pine nuts, chipotle peppers and spices. Served with a sweet tamarind sauce). Of course, since it is a micro brewery, we had to order a beer. Of course, I had the two darkest ones on the menu. We also ordered a turkey burger and an Angus roast beef dip sandwich.

When we were done, we headed back to the house. We were so full and sleepy that we laid down on the floor with the dogs and the cats. We fell asleep until around 6:00 PM when another storm hit. The thunder and lightening woke me and then there was hail. We decided that we should actually get showered and got some staples from the grocery store.

Now, we all know that everything is bigger in Texas. The H.E.B. near the house is no exception. In fact, it is the largest H.E.B. in all of Texas. It even sells furniture. I was amazed. It was sensory overload. The coffee isle alone was a wonderland. And the beer and wines were almost as plentiful as a liquor store. We picked up the basics and I plan on a complete investigation of the store in the very near future! They even have sushi and cooking classes.

Monday was the best day. After getting a good night's sleep, we got up and did a little look at the yard and got the pool ready. Yes, SF has a saltwater pool with a door from the bedroom right to the hot tub. How convenient?! I will have to get some pictures this week so that all of this makes sense to my visual friends. We swam and lounged most of the day, even eating our salads on the patio.

I was even able to convince SF that I needed to cook dinner on the grill that had never been used. We had grilled chicken breasts with grilled veggies. Simple but very healthy and I cooked it all outside so that we did not heat up the house. We even ate dinner poolside since the weather was so nice.

Before I forget, I am also happy to report that everyone has gotten acquainted with each other. Sassy has been bossy and exploring the new digs since Sunday. Eraser had me worried at first but she was back to her alpha position today. She hopped right out of her cage and went straight to the dogs' bed and plopped down. She dared them to come to her and then they figured out that she was now the total queen of the roost. SF left for work at 6:00 AM and the four of them were underfoot until I left at 7:00 AM. It will be interesting to see what transpired while we were gone.

There will be pictures later this week of everything!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday Temptations

Garden has been planted in very colorful pots. I have planted Opal Basil, Sweet Basil, Rosemary, Yerba, Spearmint, Portulaca, Torenia, Zinnia, Texas Star Hibiscus, Flowering Maple, and Lantana. The Spearmint is for Mojitos. I bought a muddler and I read this on how to properly use it. As soon as the plants have bounced back from the transplanting I will take pictures of them.

SF has been telling Frankie and Amber about Sassy and Eraser for the last two weeks. I'm not sure if they get it, but I have been telling Eraser and Sassy about the dogs as well. She has also been getting the house ready for the three of us. Really adorable actually. She has her own set of temptations that she has hinted at wanting to make our collective lives easier.

She has listened to my cooking escapades the last nine months and she has decided that we need this. I have this one and I love it but it will only cook enough for the two of us with little or no leftovers. She is also looking forward to me acquiring a tagine. She has been curious about the Moroccan food since I took the class. She is also looking forward to the clay pot cooker. Funny part about all of this is the irony.

Let me explain. When I was married to the girls' dad I cooked every night. I cooked what he wanted in the same manner that his mother taught me so that her baby boy was happy....yes, I loved cooking. Hrumph. When I met LG/SWCNLBN she cooked because she got home at least two hours before I did. I cooked on special occasions and for certain parties but not much over the last ten and a half years. Then, blammo I am right back in the kitchen. For the last year I have had to get up daily and fall in love with cooking all over again. SF can cook, but I think that for both of us, we will enjoy sharing the opportunity to work together daily to prepare food that is good for us and is exciting. Yes, there will be the old faithful standbys but we will have adventure.

I have been looking at a few gadgets that I will need since my drive time just doubled. I have an IPod Shuffle that needs to be better utilized. It has been my faithful companion for running since it clips onto whatever I wear. I also have a Sony NW-E005F Walkman that also love. At 2GB it holds a ton of music. I need to clean her up and load her with driving music. Suggestions are officially solicited! The Caliber has an awesome sound system and she needs to be utilized. Of course, CD's are also fun, and I love mixes. So, if jam mistress mel is lurking, I could use some of your special magic again. You are my secret lover...hehe...ooppss, I guess it isn't a secret any more...

For safety, I think I need a Bluetooth headset and this one looks like a good fit and is recommended for my phone. My car has an AC/DC slot in the console so I don't really need any chargers. I can simply take the one for the house with me if needed. And a real bonus is the console. I can flip open the top and the slot will hold the phone so I don't need any other add-ons. A chauffeur would be the only other thing I could ask for....

Okay...I need to get myself to bed so I can work out in the morning....I have more temptations but they will have to wait....

Quotes that have been on my minds as of late

Intimacy is being seen and known as the person you truly are. - Amy Bloom

We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. - Marcel Proust French novelist (1871 - 1922)

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. - Eleanor Roosevelt US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else. - Eleanor Roosevelt US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

If someone betrays you once, it’s their fault; if they betray you twice, it’s your fault. - Eleanor Roosevelt US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world. - Eleanor Roosevelt US diplomat & reformer (1884 - 1962)

I am guilty, are you?

Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do. - Voltaire - French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist (1694 - 1778)

Monday, May 18, 2009

Well, what have we here?

I have been radio silent, sort of. I have been checking on Twitter and FaceBook when I can, but there is not a lot of spare time in my days at the moment.

Mother's Day was amazing. Stephanie, Jack and Zoe came into town. We piled into my Caliber and met SF at Mama's Cafe. Jack was in rare form and he and SF were all set to discuss motorcycles. Stephanie and I sat side by side and we enjoyed them having so much fun. We ordered beers and chips and salsa while we waited for Megan to arrive. The menu is not too fancy, but I have loved it forever. I ordered the pork chops with black-eyed peas and cabbage. YUM! SF had the fajitas, Stephanie had the Black and Blue Bacon Burger, Jack had the special (Catfish and Shrimp), and Megan had the Grilled Chicken Salad.

We were at the cafe from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. From there, we had to make a stop at the apartment to get the much needed diaper bag for Zoe. We headed to Marble Slab. It was a special request from Stephanie for dessert. There is not one close to Huntsville and we wanted to indulge her. SF was good, she had frozen strawberry yogurt. It was AMAZING, I know, she shared. :) We all ordered and she paid. I protested but I was reminded that it was part of Mother's Day and she wanted to. We were there from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. We sat a table and listened to the wonderful music and shared the treats with each other. We laughed and had such a wonderful time. It is so wonderful to see SF interact with both girls and Jack. She continues to amaze me.

From there, we walked back to the car and the truck. SF hugged Megan, Stephanie, Jack and kissed Zoe. I walked her to her truck while Stephanie and Jack got Zoe into the car. She scooped me at the waist and wished me a happy Mother's Day as she kissed my neck. I got a wonderful hug and a special kiss. It was good to let the girls see our relationship. I'm not sure how Megan felt, but I know that Stephanie wants me to be happy. She got in the truck and told me she would call me Sunday. We all came back to the apartment and had some more beer and hung out.

Sunday was amazing! For breakfast I fixed pancakes. For dinner, I fixed pork tenderloin and veggies. We ate nine pounds of tenderloin and a half of a pot of potato leek soup. They helped me load the dishwasher and clean the kitchen. We got them packed and on the road home so that they could celebrate with Mary.

I also found out that I got a 96 on my web design final! Yippie! I ended up with two A's this semester! I now go to see the counselor on the 20th to see what is available for summer school. If nothing is available, I will be a little further behind than I expected. I am prepared! I am excited!

Fast forward! I am packed. The non-essential items have all been packed and the walls are bare. The cats are a little freaked but okay. The U-Haul is reserved...yes, make all the jokes you want. But it has been WAY longer than the second date.....I have help to load the U-Haul and it shouldn't take too long since the apartment has 500 square feet and not much furniture. We are hoping to have the entire process completed by 1:00 PM. I hope so, as I want to be able to rest in the afternoon. We will have the remainder of the day to get the cats and the dogs acclimated and ourselves as well. That will also give us Sunday and Monday to rest and start the next phase of our relationship.

Am I nervous? Yes. I am a bit nervous and I have had a panic attack, or two....but, SF also admitted that she is a bit nervous too, as she has not shared a house in five years...we both have adjustments and that is good...

Okay...off to bed...more tomorrow....

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Baby Zoe's Debut


Baby Zoe's Debut
Originally uploaded by pingec

Tuesday Temptations

Not really but for me this is a wonderful post. Tonight I submitted my web design final and thus, this semester is over, except for receiving the final grade. I know the professor liked the submission from the gleam that I saw in his eye. But I do not want to jinx the grade....

Okay...I am a virgin on this next part of the post. I have a video of Zoe...I have gone to Flickr and told it to add it to the blog....the Tadpole is getting so big and I loved having them here for the weekend.

I have added items to the slide show and I will post more about the weekend later tomorrow. SF out did herself with the cards this time. She had me misty eyed and Stephanie was as well....

Off to sleep...my brain is exhausted from the core dump....

Friday, May 8, 2009

TGIF!

Yes, I have been MIA, but this has been a BUSY week.

Work has consumed me this week. We had a booth at the OTC. I was the organizer, and I have had my hands full. The show ended yesterday, but we still have the booth to breakdown and all the contents need to be shipped back to the office. I hope to wrap all that up today. I am also working on our upcoming Open House, the Annual Shareholders Meeting, and the next Board of Directors meeting.

Now, throw preparing for a final, packing to move, and "life" and my schedule is packed most days. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. My final is on the 12th. I have an appointment with the counselor/degree planner on the 20th to discuss Summer School and Fall enrollment.

As far as the move, I have a long "To Do List" and I am working on it. I have contacted the old vet and asked them to make sure that Onyx's records remain associated with LG and the old address. I also asked that Nina remain associated with that address until I can talk to Megan. I have met the staff at the new vet and I like them. The female vet loves big cats and is fascinated with Eraser. She has some ideas as to how we can get her a little slimmer. She is a tad bit too big even for her breed but the vet said that she has an excellent heart and I have taken wonderful care of her. She has flourished and is such a lover kitty. She loves to cuddle in the morning with me when I drink that first cup of coffee. So different from the cat that attacked LG on a regular basis.

I have also contacted the local YMCA and my membership here will be transferred. At some point I may cancel it and switch to the LA Fitness that SF belongs to, but not just right away. I am lucky, as my current trainer at the Y also works at the new one and we can still create a schedule that will work for both of us.

I have also changed the address on my driver's license. It should be mailed to the new house in the next two weeks. As soon as I have that, I will change the insurance and a few other things that need a copy of the license for their records. I still have to get an EZ Tag, but probably not until next week.

I am still a bit nervous about all of the changes, but I am reassured by the fact that SF is making sure that I am not being pressured. She is an amazing woman that insists that this has to be the right thing for both of us. I am encouraged to maintain current friendships and she expects me to continue to attend my knitting circles and other interests. She is truly very different than anyone I have ever known and I am honored to be a part of her life and to have her in mine.

I do have a ton of other stuff to share, but I must get to work so that I can wrap up the week and get ready for Mother's Day with Stephanie, Jack, and Zoe!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Not as good as Ansel Adams, but I am published...

FlickrMail / Inbox
From: Emma J. Williams
Subject: Schmap Houston Seventh Edition: Photo Inclusion

Hi Lisa,

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released seventh edition of our Schmap Houston Guide:

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center www.schmap.com/houston/activities_galleria/p=60970/i=60970_10.jpg

If you use an iPhone or iPod touch, then this same link will take you directly to your photo in the iPhone version of our guide. On a desktop computer, you can still see exactly how your photo is displayed and credited in the iPhone version of our guide at: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=houston&sid=activities_galleria&p=60970&i=60970_10

Finally, if you have a blog, you might also like to check out the customizable widgetized version of our Schmap Houston Guide, complete with your published photo: www.schmap.com/guidewidgets/p=14121128N02/c=SK20192125

Thanks so much for letting us include your photo - please enjoy the guide!

Best regards,
Emma Williams
Managing Editor - Schmap Guides www.schmap.me/emma.williams

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Remember the moments....

My Big Sister reminded me once of a quote by Cesare Pavese, "We don't remember days; we remember moments." (28.7.1940).

I owe you a longer entry, but at the moment I cannot transfer the thoughts from the weekend eloquently enough to merit a longer entry.

Instead, I sit here lost in the wonder that is SF. She has been sick the last few days and has been taking medicines from the doctor. We had a wonderful "date" on Friday and a wonderful day Saturday (Flamingo Party and all). She did not feel up to the Harley Owners Group meeting today, so we agreed to get things done and rest.

When she called me this evening, I was just finishing up my laundry and getting ready to grill my dinner. She thanked me for accompanying her to the Flamingo Party and being such a good sport with the group. Then, to my utter amazement, she asked me where I would like to go for Mother's Day for dinner.

She continues to amaze me. She has no reason in the whole world to even be concerned with the day; however, because she loves me and knows that my daughters are my world, she wants to make sure that I get the celebration that I deserve. She wants to celebrate me as their mother and celebrate Stephanie's entrance into the life that only a mother understands.

So, for the time being, I do not remember the days....no instead, tonight I remember the moment...

Sleep well SF and get well soon...ILU....

Friday, May 1, 2009

9 Signs You've Met The One

Yes....I have relationships on the brain today....so just read this article too....

5 Reasons Why Good Relationships Go Bad

I wanted to share this article that I read this morning. Funny, as I read the contents I was amused, as it seems that SF must be way ahead of the curve this time. She has been the factor in the relationship that has insisted that all five of these issues needed to be addressed early on in the relationship and that until we both agreed that all of them had been properly addressed and foundations laid that nothing else could or would take place.

As hard as it is to admit, Emotional Cling Wrap hit home. Both of the previous exs were very controlling and it took me a while to understand the need to develop autonomy. I am proud of the individual interests that I have gone back and cultivated. I am also proud of the cultural and charitable events I have developed. I have things now that I know I need to insist that I maintain. I am not so naive as to believe that as SF and I develop into a true couple that there will be the need for compromises, as we both need to maintain individuality as we merge into "us".

Another one that was interesting was Too Physical Too Fast. That continues to be an area that SF remains resolute in maintaining. I admit, in all of the relationships (i.e. "Dating") I can remember, I can't recall any previous person being so resolute in believing that this was necessary. As old fashioned as it sounded at first, I must admit that it has been a blessing. There has been no undo stress from having been intimate too soon and not building a friendship first.

Read it for yourself and if you are about to re-enter the dating arena, consider the advice.