Holidays

The Christmas decorations are out and the tree is up so it must mean that the Jolly Ole’ St. Nick will soon be coming to see Lindsay at Cedar Creek. I still need to get the Christmas cards sent, and I still have a couple of presents left to buy, but I’m much further along than I usually am at this time of year. And thanks to Amazon and on-line shopping I’ve managed to avoid the crowded stores so far. Unfortunately Lindsay needs winter clothes so I will have to go to JC Penney’s and Wal-Mart at some point in the next couple of weeks, but those trips will be short and sweet!

Thanksgiving 2009 at Cedar Creek was wonderful, but we forgot to have our annual football game. We did have fun playing a new game called "The Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot." And despite the killing of the mountain lion at Bethany’s last month, Lindsay and I didn't let that keep us from taking our nature walk, however I did look over and above my shoulders more often than usual. Those country acres and creek can soothe my soul like nothing else can.

Belated Update

My sister Brenda has been reminding me that I haven’t updated my blog. I keep telling her, “Yeah, yeah, I know.” When I checked in today I realized just how long it had been since an update. I don’t know where to start, so we’ll just see where the words lead us.

I left off with the new judge getting appointed. She was sworn in and things have been going …… okay. Looking back on the process of the appointment I realize I probably should have kept my mouth shut, but not only was I dealing with the grief of losing someone I loved, I was also dealing with the workings of local politics.

Life at the office is beginning to settle down. I can’t say that I’ve totally adjusted to the new changes, but since they’re inevitable for the time being I’m learning how to cope. There are still those there that I am closest to that give me a reason to show up every day and I am extremely grateful to have them as friends and confidantes.

In October the Randle Clan spent a great weekend at the Beach! The weather didn’t cooperate as much as we would have liked, but we still managed to have a good time.

October also brought around the Kyle Fair and Music Festival BBQ cookoff. For about the last 12 years I have helped Judge Warner with this event by being his “right hand man“. I stepped into his big shoes for this years' event and we got the job done, but his absence there was almost more than I could stand.

The next weekend after the Kyle Fair was Relay For Life. Howard’s Angels participated in Relay For Life in his memory, and every single one of us who participated also walked in celebration of, or in memory of, a number of other friends, family, pets, and loved ones.

Life has a way of never slowing down. This past Friday we celebrated Lindsay turning 8 years old. Wow. I know it’s a cliché, but where did the time go?

Thanks for joining me on this ride known as “The Jackson Life.” I can’t guarantee you that I’ll keep my blog as up-to-date as I should, but I hope you continue to check in to see how we’re doing from time to time.

Judge Update

The Commissioner's Court made their decision, so it's time to make lemonade out of lemons and all of that bullshit. At least now that the decision has been made most of the drama has died down. And believe it or not, I've been on my best behavior. I can "grin and bear it" with the best of them. ;-)

Paybacks Are Hell

Being a parent is not for the faint at heart. It also isn’t easy for an old fart like me.

I sure did think I was smart by waiting until I was 34 to have Lindsay; and for a lot of reasons it was a good decision. On the flip side of that good decision is the cold, hard reality that it is hard for this 42-year-old mom to keep up with an almost 8 year old, and it’s impossible to outsmart her.

And I realize I could have it a lot worse; Lindsay is a sweet and smart little girl and not the little monster that I see some moms trying to handle and raise. Her only character flaw, as I see it, is that she is a Mini-Me. And I know that most of you reading this right now do not need an explanation of what that means, but for those of you who do not know me as well this means that she loves to argue, she is always right, and she is a consummate smartass.

Do I deserve everything she is dishing out to me? Absolutely. No doubt about it. Not even I can argue that one. As my mom loves to remind me, I’m payin’ for my raisin’. I owe my mom and dad so many apologies. I now realize that I am lucky to be alive because I know I pushed them to the edge too many times to count. And I also know that Lindsay, too, will push me to the edge in the future, and when she does I’ll remember mom’s other favorite saying: Don’t worry, Sandra, the next stage will be worse.

Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. I love you.

I've Been Spoiled

I’ve known for a long time now that I was spoiled.

I’m spoiled because ……

… I’m the baby of the family.
… I have my mom & dad & sisters.
… I managed to not get caught when I strayed down the wrong path.
… my chosen career path came naturally to me.
… for the last 22 years I’ve been married to a great man who puts up with a lot from me.
… I have a precious little 7-year-old daughter named Lindsay.
… until July 18th, 2009, I’ve had the same boss for the last 22 years.

I feel the first 6 entries are self-explanatory. I would like to elaborate on the last entry, so please join me in the Sandra Jackson time-machine; we’re going to strap on our seatbelts and head back in time to the month of AUGUST 1987.

We have arrived …

…. and I’m driving to San Marcos in my Pontiac Grand Am for an interview with Judge Howard Warner. I’m scared to death because I’ve never met a judge before. I don’t think I would call it an interview because him and I basically just visited with each other about a bunch of things. After we got through visitin’ he asked when I could start to work for him. I explained that I was going to get married on August 21st and if he could wait for me to start on September 1st that would be great. I still have no idea why he decided to give a “wet behind the ears court reporter” a job, but I sure am glad he did because I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am if not for him. Judge Warner loved to tell people that I came straight from my honeymoon to work for him, and after him and I spent 22 years together he loved to tell people that him and I lasted longer than both of his marriages did. I was fortunate (aka spoiled) that he was opposed only in two of his seven re-election bids.

When he died on July 18th, 2009, I considered him my boss, of course, but also my best friend and surrogate dad.

BAM . We’re back to today’s date of 8-7-09. There’s been nothing but drama associated with Judge Warner’s death as far as politics in Hays County is concerned.

The decision on who to appoint to fill Judge Warner’s position will be made by the Commissioner’s Court next week.

Please pray that the spoiled Sandra can learn to keep her head down and her mouth shut until I can retire in 2015.

Bets anyone?

Ready for a Recovery

I didn't think I'd ever see the day that Murr was laid off from McKinney because of a lack of work. Getting in a fight w/ the boss and quitting? I expected that to happen every day and when it didn't I considered it a good day. They've been laying people off at the Austin office for the last 6 months. The only thing that has saved him from the cut has been his longevity there. I'm afraid they're at the point now that even that fact won't save him. If it happens we'll be okay for a while, but our little family of 3 will have to make a lot of major adjustments.

I Really Didn't Need To Have This

Just in case you can't wait for your favorite Brownie to come by selling cookies ........

...... Homemade Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints

Ingredients:

(cookies)

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/3 cup milk (any kind)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp peppermint extract

(coating)

10-oz dark or semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

Directions:

(cookies)

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. With the mixer on low speed, add in the milk and the extracts. Mixture will look curdled. Gradually, add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
3. Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches (or about 4 cm) in diameter, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1-2 hours, until dough is very firm.
4. Preheat oven to 375F.
5. Slice dough into rounds not more than 1/4 inch thick - if they are too thick, they will not be as crisp - and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cookies will not spread very much, so you can put them quite close together.
6. Bake for 13-15 minutes, until cookies are firm at the edges. Cool cookies completely on a wire rack before dipping in chocolate.

(coating)

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and butter. Melt on high power in the microwave, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until chocolate is smooth. Chocolate should have a consistency somewhere between chocolate syrup and fudge for a thin coating.
2. Dip each cookie in melted chocolate, turn with a fork to coat, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to set up for at least 30 minutes, or until chocolate is cool and firm.
3. Reheat chocolate as needed to keep it smooth and easy to dip into.

Give Me a Map

Wanderlust - a strong desire or impulse to wander, to travel and to explore the world.

I’m a homebody at heart, and I‘ve never been much of a history nut, but I love the feeling of going to an unknown destination, grabbing a map and visiting historical places. Let it be known that my definition of “historical” is very broad.

I discovered this side of my personality when I joined my sister, Lisa, and her family on a trip to Disneyland about 10 years ago. I decided that I was in California and I might never be there again, so I rented a car, got a map, and went cruising. I had not a clue where I was going, but the things on my list of things to see included the beach in Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive, and Hollywood. Despite a few setbacks and wrong turns I was able to check all of those destinations off of my list AND return in one piece to my sister and her family at the hotel.

If not for wanderlust I would never have planned and set out on our 2008 Family RV Road Trip to Virginia. We had a lot of ups and downs on that trip, but it was so much fun. Monticello was one of the things on my list of things to see on that trip and I was able to cross it off the list. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit all of the places I wanted to see, so I will definitely be making a return trip some day.

I have Judge Warner to thank for providing me with an opportunity to visit Tennessee and giving me a chance to feed that wanderlust. When I made our travel plans to go his graveside services I gave us a little time to do some site-seeing, so instead of traveling down the Interstate from Nashville to Lewisburg we took the scenic route and went down part of the Natchez Trace Parkway. I couldn’t help but think of the Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road” as I drove. The next time I drive that road it will be in a convertible in the late spring.

We were able to make it to downtown Nashville and the entertainment district that night, which is basically just another 6th Street. We had fun, but I was reminded once again that I’ve gotten old because all of the “girls” walking down the street weren’t wearing enough clothing and the music was way too loud.

The next day we had lot of time before we had to head to the airport, so we decided to visit the Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee. In November of 1864 the Battle of Franklin was fought just miles from this house. Over 9,000 soldiers were lost in a battle that lasted approximately 5 hours. The McGavock’s house was used as a hospital to help the wounded and the dying. The remains of 1,500 soldiers are buried in the McGavock Cemetery next to the house.

From there we traveled on Old Hickory Blvd. to the Loveless Café off of Hwy. 100. Along the way we saw the most beautiful houses and landscaping EVER. We wondered what it was these people did to be able to afford to live in these mansions especially in this economy. Once we got to the Loveless Café we shopped in the shops and then had some good southern cookin’ - biscuits & gravy with fried chicken. Yum.

Too soon our visit was over and we had to head to the airport.

I will be returning to this area in the upcoming years to visit Judge Warner’s grave, and I look forward to getting a map and satisfying that wanderlust.

Final Wishes and Texas Dirt

Judge Warner’s final wish was to be buried under a shade tree (because it gets hot up there) in Lewisburg, Tennessee. His burial was on July 24th and Judge Rodriguez (Linda), Rene and I were able to go and say a last goodbye.

All three of us wondered why it was he wanted to be laid to rest there, but once we saw his final resting place we had our questions answered. Tennessee is full of trees and “real” mountains and rolling hills, and everything was lush and green. His shade tree is a big magnolia and there are peony shrubs planted at each gravesite, which apparently bloom in the spring and create a beautiful sea of colors.

We decided he needed to be buried with a little bit of Texas dirt, so we brought some from his yard, some from the foot of a pecan tree that he could see out of his office window at the courthouse, and some from the new Dallas Cowboy football stadium. All of us there from Texas sprinkled it on his coffin as we said our goodbyes. When the service was over and we were visiting with those that had gathered, he thanked us for being there by showering us with raindrops, which helped wash away our tears.

His two eldest children live just down the road from the cemetery and I know they are at peace knowing he is nearby.

I am at peace knowing that he will no longer be suffering from the ravaging effects of the chemo and radiation. I am at peace because I was able to tell him how much he meant to me. I am at peace because I know that he will be waiting for me with open arms when we meet again.

Celebration of Life

Yesterday was Judge Warner's funeral and I managed to get through it without too many tears. Each day brings less tears and more memories. Tomorrow Judge Rodriguez, Rene and I are flying to Lewisburg, Tennessee, for the graveside services. It will give me the opportunity to say goodbye one more time and bring a little closure to me.

Already Giving Orders

When I left the hospital yesterday I was conflicted. I had seen my HSW before lunch and he was lucid and talking and I gave him a kiss and told him I’d see him again later. About an hour after that is when he slipped into unconsciousness. I was torn but I had decided that I had said my goodbyes and would not see him again. He was moved him to a private room during the time that I was still visiting with his family, so before I left I was able to give him another kiss, but because of my emotional state I was not able to tell him what I wanted him to know. That was the reason for my conflicted feelings.

When I stopped by the hospital today around lunch my plans were to say a quick hello, give him a kiss, and hug his family, and get out. I sure did receive much more than that — I found peace there.

Shelly (my BFF’s sister and my surrogate sister) and I found ourselves there at lunch when the Judge’s family needed some time away from the hospital to get lunch. She and I sat and visited with each other and him, held his hand, told each other Judge Warner stories, and let him know that we were going to do our best to take care of his youngest daughter, Jacquie, as well as his other kids and grandkids. Before I left I let him know how much he meant to me, how much I loved him, how much I was going to miss him, and that I was going to be okay without him.

It was about 10 minutes later as I was sitting in the hospital parking lot calling other friends to give them an update that I got the call that he had passed away. About 10 minutes after he passed the heavens opened up over the hospital and we got some well needed rain. I have no doubt he’s already up there issuing orders.

Sad Good-Byes

Today I gave Judge Warner the last kiss I'll ever be able to give him. The cancer that he fought last year (and we had hoped he had won the battle against) came back 3 months ago, and the chemo and radiation was just too much for his body to take this time. He's been in ICU for a week with pneumonia, kidney failure, and heart problems, but his will is so strong that he's been trying to pull through it all. Because of his strong will his friends and family, which are many, have all had a chance to visit with him and tell him how much they love him, and to hope and pray that he would get better. He must have decided today that he was just too tired to fight it any longer. He lost consciousness and isn't expected to regain it.

For the last 22 years this man has been my boss and my surrogate dad and my best friend. I came to work for him when I was 20 years old. My Mom & Dad say that he finished up my raisin', and they're right. He liked to tell people that him & I have lasted longer than both of his marriages did.

I wasn't ready to say good-bye.

Hello

I knew it had been a while since I've posted anything here, but didn't realize it had been almost 3 months ago. Time sure does fly by.

The month of May was nothing but a series of doctor's visits for several dear friends and family members. Most of them had positive outcomes. Some are still working on a resolution of their ailments. I've prayed more this past month than I have in a number of years put together and I ain't through praying yet.

I'm going to attempt to get back into a habit of posting some tidbits here now and again. Just wanted to say hello today.

Horse Camp

Lindsay spent Spring Break at horse camp and she had so much fun. She loves horses. On Friday when I picked her up she was so excited because she learned how to post when Lacey was trotting. I didn't have a clue what she was talking about so she happily explained it to me. She's already said she wants to do another week in the summer. Cha-ching.

Competition Results

Lindsay's first team dance competition was on Saturday and they did great! They got a 1st place in one category and tied for 3rd place in another category.

This whole competition thing is very exciting and quite a production. I think there were about 8 studios there performing and there were lots of girls that were in several dances. All I could think was that they must spend their days and nights in the dance studio practicing and their poor parents spend their days and nights hauling them back and forth!

Lindsay's Dress Rehearsal

Linsday is in a team dance class that is coming up on their scheduled dance competitions in the next couple of weeks. She's unfazed by it all. I'm a little nervous. She had a full-blown 3 hour dress rehearsal/practice on Saturday, which meant full makeup, hair & costume. Do you know how hard it is to put eyeliner on someone else's (not to mention a 7 y.o.'s) eyelids? And lipstick? There's a reason I don't wear the stuff -- I can't apply it without screwing it up! I managed to do a fairly good job for the rehearsal, but let's just hope I can do a repeat performance this weekend and the next!

FYI: I posted a copy of Lindsay's dance from her dress rehearsal Saturday on Flickr, but for some reason it's not wanting to load. You can also view it at www.YouTube.com -- go to that site and do a search for littletownjackson (no spaces) (it's the more recent one that is titled dress rehearsal.)

Dad and Daughter Dance

Lindsay and her daddy went to the Girls Scouts "Me and My Guy Cinderella Ball" on Sunday. Lindsay looked so cute and grown up with her new dress, shoes, and jewelry on with her hair all curled, and I had fun getting her all glammed up.

I was a little P.O.'d that I put in all the hard work for her troop and her dad got to reap the benefits by going to the ball, until I realized that I would be home BY MYSELF for 2 whole hours! That was a little slice of heaven on a Sunday afternoon, but those 2 hours flew by and soon my kiddos were home and Lindsay gave me a play-by-play of the good time they had. I think Lindsay said they danced to 10 songs, got their picture taken, and she brought home a badge to go on her vest.

I can't say that Murr was overjoyed at getting to go, but he put a smile on his face (kind of/see pics), and even though he might not realize it, he gave his daughter memories that will last a lifetime.

My To Do List

My To Do List keeps growing and I never seem to get to mark anything off of it. I need to clone myself -- no, not myself. Let me start over. I need to clone someone who is organized and handy and has lots of energy, and this clone needs to come into my life with lots of money.

Current list:
1) Plant trees that are in pots that Lindsay and I grew from acorns last year.
2) Chop down 2 dead trees and trim the ones rubbing on house roof and storage building roof.
3) Fix wooden fence that falls down every time the wind blows.
4) Clean out storage building which you can't even take 1 step into right now.
5) Till and start garden.
6) Get rid of old couch in my old smoking room.
7) Shampoo the dirty carpet until I can get rid of it and put down tile or laminate.
8) Paint house exterior.
9) Fix the underpinning.
10) Burn the burn pile if they ever lift the burn ban.
11) Start a compost pile.

I would like to think I will start on some of these this weekend, but knowing myself as I do I'll probably just sit around on my fat butt and wish I had a clone to do them all.

My favorite sarcastic phrase whenever someone makes a request of me these days: "I'll put that at the top of my To Do List."

Fever Finally Broke

Nobody got much sleep last night because Lindsay was running a fever and had those great muscle/body cramps you get when you have the flu. Her fever finally broke somewhere around 4:30. At least that's when I awoke from a catnap and she was no longer on fire. Her daddy went on to work I suppose -- Lindsay and I were both asleep and managed to stay in bed until 8:00. I could tell by looking at her eyes that she felt better. And when she started picking on me and being her old silly self by 10:00 I knew she was better. She still has a cough and is bringing up "stuff", but I think (hope) we may be through the worst of it. Her doctor's note says she can go back to school on Wednesday, so I'll be off of work again tomorrow. That works out good because I have a number of errands to run, so hopefully she'll continue to get better and we can start marking things off of my "to do" list.

The Flu

Took Lindsay to the doctor this morning after spending the night trying to keep her fever down. It's the flu. They gave us some meds to hopefully get her better sooner rather than later. Once we got back from the doctor's visit I ONLY made her clean her room, scrub the kitchen floors AND the toilets, and NOW I'm waiting on her hand and foot. (That was for Brenda -- I'm not near that mean -- I only required that she scrub the kitchen floor before I let her rest a little. :)

Sick Little One

I was saved from having to go sit at cookie booth today because Lindsay woke up at 5 this morning with a fever. It seems there is something going around because 5 out of the 7 Brownies in our troop has it. I hope it's not the flu, but I suspect it is.

Only 57 Boxes To Go

57 boxes might sound like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things it ain't nothing. When we're done our grand total will be 564 boxes sold. We have a cookie booth tomorrow and I'm hoping it will be the last one ..... until next year. I never realized how crazy everyone is over these cookies until this year. I've discovered through this process that it's important to get to your customers before the market is saturated. I'm thinking next year we just may be going for 1,000 boxes. Ain't no hill for a stepper!

2009 Let Down

I had high hopes that 2009 was going to be a much better year in regards to loved ones health issues.

My boss, HSW, who fought against throat cancer last year and so far is cancer free (thank God) came down a couple of weeks ago with shingles. I never realized how painful this condition was. You can just look at him and see him gritting his teeth from the pain. He went in last week to a pain management clinic that shot some kind of medicine straight into the nerve in his spine. It helped a little bit, but he's going to have to have another treatment or two before he's rid of the pain.

And then there's my Mom. She's been so compliant with all of these doctors appointments and recommendations, and unfortunately she's not done yet. Her right carotid artery is 80% blocked. She has an appointment with a vascular surgeon on Tuesday of this week to find out how we fix it. I just hope her compliance continues. I think she knows that surgery is what she needs, but she is so freaked out about the whole procedure. And who wouldn't be? Whatever needs to be done needs to be done quickly so she doesn't have time to worry and fret and work herself into a tizzy over it.

Consumed by Girl Scout Cookies

I haven't posted (or even read my friend's posts) in a long time because my life has been taken over by effing Girl Scout Cookies. Thank goodness the sale only lasts 23 more days. Lindsay's goal at first was to sale 180 boxes, which sounded like a whole bunch. I surpassed that goal pretty much the first day in my building alone. We've revised the goal to 500 boxes because then her name gets put in a drawing for a Wii game. I know, I should have just gone and bought her one of the damn things.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be posting more once I get these damn cookies off my plate!

My Take on Using Your Imagination

Sorry, R.K, but I'm plagiarizing off of ya!

While we were at the creek during Christmas LEJ and I went on a nature walk while Nanny & Papa were taking a well-deserved nap.

I showed her the place where my sisters and I had our fort, which today is very unimpressive to a 7 year old living in the technology age. Our fort consisted of a group of old cedars that formed an oval. Inside that cedar oval we each had our own "bedroom" and also a "kitchen" and a "living room". We used to play "house" up there for hours. There's not much left of our fort and even I have a hard time envisioning it as it was when we played there. I tried to explain to LEJ that we used our imagination and it was lots of fun, but she just didn't get it.

I showed her the spot where we used to have a real playhouse made of wood that had windows and a door and I told her how we used to bring our baby dolls to it and played house there too. She asked where it was now and I told her that Daddy had to finally dismantle it because it was falling down and was dangerous. (I think that's when we moved on to our cedar fort, but I may have it backwards.) There used to be this old pecan tree next to our playhouse that had one limb that was long and low to the ground and it had this perfect indention in it to straddle like a horse. I explained to her that we used to imagine that we were on a wild horse or a bucking bull and bounce up and down on that old pecan limb for hours. That old tree is not there anymore, but there is another one we found that had a similar limb so I told her to climb on. She couldn't reach the ground to bounce herself, so I did it for her. Again, she was amazed that this was something that we did for hours at a time and was ready to get off within minutes.

I next took her down by the creek right at the base of the cliff that Mom & Dad's house faces where there is just a huge pile of huge rocks that fell from the cliff many, many years ago. I remember spending hours there climbing on those rocks. One time when my best friend Dana and I were climbing on them we discovered some man's initials and the date carved into the rock. I don't remember what that date was, or the initials, but it was a long time ago. Dana and I spent several weeks carving our initials alongside theirs. It's been at least 10 years since I've climbed up there to see them, but now that LEJ is getting older and more agile I'm planning on showing them to her.

Peeling rock is one of those rocks I used to spend a lot of time at. It's this huge bolder and on one side of it you can just peel off these big sheets of rock. Imbedded in these sheets you can find fossils. I've been peeling layers off that rock for 41 years, and when LEJ is 41 and still peeling layers off of it there will still be many more layers for her children and grandchildren to peel! We also took our annual picture at split rock, which is right next to peeling rock. I remember two stories for how split rock got that way -- it either split when it fell from the cliff or it was hit by lightening.

We next ventured to the creek where I showed her how to make a clay pot by crushing up the bits of clay laying in the creekbed, adding a little water, and then shaping them into pots, which you then had to let dry. There's no telling how many clay ashtrays my Mom & Dad got made for them during my childhood.

When we were walking back home I asked her if she had fun and if she had any questions. She answered yes to both. Her question for me was, "When you were playing out here at all of these spots that you've shown me, did you have a parent or grown up with you?" She was amazed when I told her no. I told her we would pretty much get up in the morning, maybe watch a cartoon or two if it was on the weekend because that's the only days they were on (more amazement), and then head outside by ourselves. I could see the wheels turning in her head and I know it won't be long before she starts heading out on her own when we're down there, which is what I want for her!

It was a great way to grow up and I want her to have that same opportunity someday soon. And I hope there will come a day when she takes her son or daughter on the same nature walk that we took and teaches them how to use their imagination!

Counting Calories

This morning I decided that instead of my usual breakfast taco (sometimes 2 of them) I was going to have a bowl of cereal and an apple. That was consumed at 8:00 this morning. It is now 9:00 and I'm starving.

I have managed to go a week without any potatoes though, so I'm really proud of myself. Yesterday while I was at HEB they had those Central Market veggie chips that R.W. mentioned in the comments, so I bought some of those to snack on. I have managed to also go all week long with only 1 soft drink, which is another major accomplishment for me. I usually wake up and have two diet vanilla Pepsi's EVERY morning!

So I'm trying to keep up my resolutions that I made!

Today I'm starting to keep track of my calorie intake. I'm also in the market for some kind of exercise contraption. I love the elliptical machine, so I may go that route. I saw one in some advertisement the other day that was an elliptical/stationary bike which may be a good option since it would give me a 2-in-one piece of equipment. I'm pretty sure I don't want a treadmill -- if I want to walk I could just go outside and walk is my thinking there. (Not that I do, just that I could)

I'm determined this year to lose some weight one way or another. I'm dangerously close to 200 pounds and it's the biggest I've ever been. I realize I'll never be the 120 pounds that I was in high school many moons ago and that's not my goal. I'm just going to take it one day at a time and see where I end up!

Girl Scout Cookies

G.S. cookie sales are to begin on 1-21-09 and will continue through 3-1-09. This will be our troop's first year to sale cookies. Sounds fairly simple, doesn't it? Not so.

The leader and I were informed early on that we should select one of our "moms" to be the "cookie coordinator" and not undertake the task ourselves because it was very time consuming, so we got one of our moms to "volunteer" for the job. This past month the G.S. organization has been busy preparing for the upcoming sales, but when we inquired of our "cookie coordinator" as to whether certain things were on her schedule of things that needed to be done she had no clue as to what were talking about. Big red flag. When we started asking more questions about scheduling, etc, our "cookie coordinator" admitted that it was a bit overwhelming for her and her schedule and she resigned. Not good. So now the leader and I are going to try to navigate our way through our first year of cookie sales, and still keep our meetings well planned and organized.

Our first order of business was to attend the "cookie booth" selection process today. (I really didn't have anything else planned for a Sunday afternoon, so why not?) We had no clue what we were doing and it was very stressful. I'm still not sure what the exact outcome of our selections today will mean, but I do know that pretty much every Saturday and Sunday from January 25th through February 21st my butt will be parked outside some store with Linsday selling cookies. JOY.

So when this cookie bonanza begins and you see those smiling G.S.'s sitting outside your favorite store asking if you'd like to purchase a box of cookies, think about me sitting somewhere with Lindsay, and then say yes and hand over your money, and then you can have a good laugh and some really good cookies.

Brownie Field Trip

As you all know I'm the assistant troop leader for Lindsay's girl scout troop. The troop leader is a lady named Patricia and she's been a great one. Her and I are both a little obsessive over our role as troop leaders, but we both agree that our number one priority are the girls and teaching them courage, confidence and character.

On Saturday we took the Troop to the Zilker Botanical Gardens to help the girls in their goal of earning the Eco-Explorer badge. We lucked out with the weather -- it was a beautiful day. We did a nature search, so the girls all had a list of living and non-living things they were looking for and they all had a great time finding those and marking them off their list. We took a sack lunch so after we were through we had a picnic in the park.

The Gardens were beautiful and I can't believe it was the first time I had gone to see them. I bet they're even more beautiful in the spring and summer so we will definitely be making a return trip.

2009 Resolutions

As usual we slept through the New Year festivities.

My only resolution for 2009 is to try to eat more healthily. Number 1 on my "trying to eat more healthy" list is to not eat potatoes at every meal, which is what I've been doing for a while now. I love potatoes no matter how they're cooked. Number 2 on my "TTEMH" list is to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Number 3 on the list is to not drink so many .................................. sodas. (You've gotta be crazy to think I'm giving up my Miller Lite!)

I also intend to try to add a little exercise into my weekly routine, but I don't really have a game plan for that happening yet. I'll be sure to put that at the top of my "to do" list. ;<)

Happy 2009 Everyone!

Daisy

Daisy is a Lindsay's new dwarf hamster which we brought home on 1-2-09. Lindsay is a little disappointed in the fact that Daisy sleeps all day, but since the cage is in her room and Daisy is active at night it has gotten Lindsay to sleep in her own bed for the past to nights so she can go to sleep watching Daisy play. So that's a BIG plus right there in my book. Go Daisy Go. Lindsay promised before we got Daisy that she would keep her room clean and so far that has worked, but it's only been 2 days. The how-to book that I purchased at the same time as Daisy instructs us that hamster and owner need to get used to each other before any handling and Lindsay is being patient with this process, but is ready to hold her new pet. I'm trying to tell her that a hamster isn't really a pet that you "play" with, but she's not buying that. Will try to get a picture of Daisy posted soon!