Accomplishment!

Granted, the picture isn't the best, but still, I'm proud! At the CRMC Volunteer Luncheon the other day, I received my 150 hour pin. Many received "thousand hour" pins, but I was very happy with my 150 hours. You have to start somewhere and I've started many places, moving up the career path, but truthfully, this made me feel the most accomplished. It started as a "payback" "pay it forward" idea, but after one year, 2 months and several days, it has become a sense of pride and good feelings for me, not to mention all the things I have learned. Medicine was never anything I had any interest in but it comes from the good feelings of service to others. Thought from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done."

more Seattle pics.....read the previous blog, please

Another wonderful thing about visiting Seattle, and this was one of my primary reasons at this particular time of the year, Abby was competing in the Seattle Open Gymnastic Meet. She is a very accomplished gymnastic and I am so proud of her discipline and abilities. She has been studying gym for about eons of years and it definitely shows what hard work and dedication results in success. You ROCK Abby....Be sure and read the blog prior, couldn't get all of the good stuff in.

Good times in Seattle

It's so much fun to go to Seattle to visit my son, daughter-in-law, grandson and granddaughter. We share really good times together and have such fun. We no longer sight see as I've been there ongoing 20+ years and it's strictly family time. Be sure and see more pics on the next page as I couldn't manage to get them all in on this page. We had family night watching movies, eating out, eating in (Lisa & Abby) are great cooks. They left the dinning room table decorated still from Valentines Day so I could enjoy the beautiful table setting. Grandson Ryan is a terrific, safe, responsible driver and he was very proud to chauffer us around. West Seattle is such an interesting area, the Junction (downtown shops and such) is charming, the book store one of my all time favs and the friendly people all make it a super small city in it's own. A wonderful time -thanx to my wonderful Seattle family....love you guys!

from John Ruskin "What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do."

Oh what fun.....

EX-PATS Luncheon for February. Hostess Valerie found a wonderful restaurant in Spring, TX. for our outing. A little jewel of a restaurant in a totally remote and unexpected strip center. Linen table cloths with real napkins, decorated very old world and to add to the fun, delicious food. Everyone seemed to enjoy their luncheon and definitely a good time was had by all. Can't wait for March. Ex-Pats are all ladies who have lived in other countries. It's great fun to listen to them chat in French or whatever language they are comfortable with. Thanx Valerie, job well done. Today's thought from Pierre Beaumarchais "It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them."

February 2011 - Fridays & GO RED for

WOMEN! Ladies and Gents - February Friday's are GO RED FOR WOMEN! Sponsored by the American Heart Association, Macy's & Merck....working in the Cath Lab at our local community hospital, 78% of the procedures in the Cath Lab are on WOMEN! It doesn't matter race, color, age, size or shape - more women are experiencing various types of heart problems. Gents, pass this on to your ladies and ladies, pass this on to a friend. Remember, GALS rock and rule. Take care of U, Me, Sister, Mother, Friends, Aunts, anyone of the female gender. We are a precious commodity.! Amen....my thoughts for today, tomorrow and evereyday!

Garden Gals February 2011

Yesterday the sun was bright and beautiful, windy tho and the Garden Gals had their first luncheon/meeting/speaker for 2011. Mr. Henry Daniels, a Master Gardener from the A&M Extension Center spoke to us about recovering our plants and yards from the extreme weather we have experienced. He provided a slide show with some of the hardy Texas plants that would withstand the extremes of our weather and also encouraged us to consider taking the Master Gardeners classes at the Center. Questions and answers followed with Mr. Daniels being very patient and spending mucho' time with us. Lunch was great as usual and Marilyn, our new planning co-coordinator did a great job of ordering the lunch. After the door prize was presented to Lisa, we ended with a feeling that all was not lost with our plants/yards. Thanx Mr. Daniels. Volunteering at the Cath Lab makes me remember this thought for today "The cardiologist's diet "If it tastes good, spit it out."

in a word.....SNOW!

For a Texas gal who doesn't see much of it, even a little is a treat! SNOW that is. Daylight came and I was like a little kid on Christmas morn, couldn't wait to open the drapes and see if it had snowed. Had to look really carefully but there it was/is. With the weather continuing to stay at freezing, it may last thru the day. Another hard night is predicted so maybe there will be hope for a little more tomorrow. How exciting is that! Probably not if you are living somewhere where Mother Nature has been more generous to you with the snow, but this makes me happy and I am glad that I will stay in and enjoy it. Snowperson? Probably not enough for that but I had fun this morning just seeing a whisper of the white stuff. my thought for today "Happiness is seeing a little snow, having a fire in the fireplace and a nice cup of tea". How great is that! Enjoy your weekend. :-)

The Year of the Rabbit.....

As most of you know, I am a fan of Astrology - The Chinese New Year begins today and I was invited to my nail salon yesterday (they are closed today) to celebrate. They had a wonderful CD on the super size t.v. (which Peter made a copy of for me), fruit, flowers, new candles, treats.....The Year of the Rabbit is the 4th sign of the Chinese Zodiac and those born in a Year of the Rabbit are gracious personalities, diplomatic and patient. In Houston there will be many celebrations in the far southwest area and also in downtown China Town. I gave my 2 Buddhas and 1 Netskie a gentle rub of the tummy this morning and wished them well. My oldest son was born a Rabbit, darling daughter was born during the Year of the Rat (I know, she hates mice, maybe this is why) and my youngest son and myself were born in the Year of the Horse. Which probably accounts for the reason I was truly a horse person for most of my years. February's quotation calendar says "You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own." Absolutely!!!!!

All thru the house......not a

plant was stirring....42 of those little guys were moved into the dining room, living room, entry way and wherever I could find a spot. This a.m. when I left home it was 25 degrees in my car - as the day progressed and I was in and out, it got to 36 degrees. Almost felt warm. I fear the worst is yet to come. Predicted tomorrow that it will be in the low teens, with the possibility of snow and ice. Not a happy thought as I volunteer tomorrow afternoon. We'll see. One of my all time favorites, Ralph Waldo Emerson from Essays "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." Well said Mr. Emerson.

Quite frequently.....

When all my chores are completed and I'm home for the moment, and I have that luxurious moment of time, I enjoy day dreaming. Sitting with a cup of tea, kicking back in my recliner and drifting my mind most often goes to art. Gustav Klimt is one of my favorite artist and when in Paris last year I did see one of his paintings in the museum. THE KISS, is probably his most famous work. He began work on it in 1907 and it is the highpoint of his so-called "Golden Period". It depicts a couple, in various shades of gold and symbols, sharing a kiss against a bronze background. Believe it or not, he was 45 and still lived at home with his mother and two unmarried sisters. You can Google him to find out more about this very unusual artist and his life. I won't spoil the surprise about his life - check it out for yourself. Do however, enjoy the picture. It was a perfect day to stay home as the wind howled, and the wind chimes frantically tried to keep up with the wind. My plants are all about in the house and we are expecting ICE and SNOW! Today's thought struck me with a chuckle because I am a "computer dater" as most of you know...from Rita May Brown "Computer dating is fine if you are a computer". Google me out and cover me with blankets...