Day with the Wildflowers

As this upcoming week came I noticed I wasn't scheduled to work the whole week. I thought well that is strange, but what could I do. If there are no hours to give, then there are no hours. I decided to try and get out of the house. In the evening I received a call about me working on Tuesday and Wednesday (and now Thursday). Some of my not so set plans went to the wayside for another day.

Recently (the last week or two) I have noticed the wildflowers blooming along the highway. It is a pretty sight. I thought, well if there are wildflowers along the highway there sure must be wildflowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. So I decided to take a trip, by myself.

As you enter, you see this giant fly--I guess a good first impression at least it is memorable.


The fly was one of many other sculptures in the area. Here are a few of them.




Then I came across these vines with flowers. I thought they were really beautiful with the arches and sunlight.




Here are the flowers in a close-up shot.


Another thing that I was fascinated by was the cactus. This one was blooming bright red/orange flowers and it wasn't a big cactus compared to the flowers.


This one was small in size and intricate with the needles. I want to show how bright and beautiful it was that day so I angled the camera to get the green landscape and blue skies in the shot. There was a slight breeze going and lovely pathways to walk along and commune with nature. What a day.


This cactus is more common to see here. I liked the weird growths on the top which will turn in to another section of cacti leaves. The way I angled the camera allowed me to show the smoothness of the surface with the long crazy needles jutting out to protect itself (or maybe catch rain?).


Here are the bluebonnets, with an interesting sculpture behind it.


Reminds me of the old west with windmills, and no building ruining the view.


Took this shot to have a contrast of something hard and sharp to bright and pretty.


Different wildflower (there are many more than these two).


Close-up shot of a bluebonnet.


Here is one of the lovely pathways I came across. A lot of people were taking the same shot. It is a beautiful sight to see when the bluebonnets (or other flowers) are bunched together.

Hard rock, soft flower.


Around here people stop on highways to have their baby or themselves with a picture of them in the bluebonnets. I am sitting on a pathway of pink granite, leaning back to make it look like there are a lot of flowers, then snapping a self shot. As you may notice, or not, I have a black strap around my neck in the shot. I was not only taking pictures with my digital, but my dad's 35mm. All the shots you see are from my digital, I dropped of my film to get developed today and I will be picking them up tomorrow (Thursday).


I realize something as I was walking around by myself on a mile path. I am going to be doing a lot of things by myself. I don't like it, I think it is better and more fun to have someone with you. I felt in that moment all alone and realizing I am going to be alone for most things. As I pondered the thought and continued walking I glanced to my right to see a eagle soaring in the breeze (probably having a ball). Then it came around toward me and circled (no it wasn't going to eat me), then it soar on by and left. Though it may sound cliche, in that small moment or a blink of an eye I didn't feel alone. Then I was again, but it was alright.

Statesman 10K

Run/ Walking hasn't been a top priority, due to injury, emotional ups and downs, exhaustion from work, and overall excitement. I still occasionally run/ walk and I am doing 2 minutes walking and 1:30 running. So not so bad. I will see what happens on race day. I am going run/walking today. The last time I did this route I made is a 2.8 miles in 35 ish minutes. I didn't go as far as I wanted because I had a time limited to get back home. Now I am trying to do 3 miles, hopefully under 40 minutes. I will see....Okay I am back and I did 3 miles in 40 to 50 minutes. - written the 9th two days prior of the race -

I also started trying to do pilates/ab workout. Not a lot, only a total of 10 minutes every day. The first day was tough. It was hard to laugh and to touch my stomach, luckily it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I didn't know how this also would effect me in the 10K (6.2 miles).

Here is a picture of us on race day.


We decided to walk 3 minutes and run 1:30. In the beginning of the race, we zigged-and-zagged through the walkers. We kept up pace of the 3/1:30. In the end I was falling apart. My breathing wasn't bad (meaning my lungs weren't burning), nothing was overly sore or hurting me to stop, I just couldn't seem to have the energy to pick-up my legs. BUT, dad was there say 'you can do it,' 'you aren't on your reserves--yes dad I am--do you feel like throwing up?--no dad--then you are not on your reserves yet,' and 'you are almost there, just a mile or two left or just around the bend.' I am glad I had support, because without it I would have walk when instead I ran.

Dad made a goal of doing it in 1 hour and 30 minutes. I told him I did 3 miles in 40 to 50 minutes, which means we wouldn't finish in that time frame. When we hit mile 1, I thought I cannot, I mean CANNOT keep up this pace. Dad says we are going up hill that is why mile 1 feels tough. We did mile 1 in 14 minutes, mile 2 in 13 minutes, mile 3 in 14 minutes, we missed mile 4 marker and mile 5. I couldn't tell you the time when we hit mile 6, but I was ready for it to be over with. I was spent. We official crossed the finish line at 1 hour 23 minutes and 55 or 56 seconds depending on which watch (dad or mine)...I am going with mine at 55.

This was a faster time that the IBM 10K which I finished in 1 hour 31 minutes and 24 seconds.

Future Events - (may blog about or may not)

April 11th - Statesman 10K with dad

April 18th - Dinner downtown with Macy employee's around Austin, Round Rock, and Temple - Not everyone is going, it is a fun event that supports March of Dimes. I bought a dress today for it. (Picture below) I need to alter the straps a little. Now I have to figure out what to do with my hair. Then question if I want a pedicure? Hmm.


May - 25th Birthday

May - (Signed-up today 9th) Cooking Class - Seasonal Bistro: Spring - Treat your taste buds to flavorful dishes based on bright, fresh seasonal ingredients. Menu: Curried Shrimp Kabobs; Pan-Seared Chicken with Pecan Coconut Sauce and Sautéed Seasonal Greens; Mixed Berry Cups with Chocolate Ganache and Crème.

May - Whitney's college graduation

End of month hopefully going to hit my next goal of savings- GO ME!

May 17th through June 9th or 10th - Grandmommy here in Texas

June - Patrick's High School Graduation

June - Mom's Bday

June - Dad's Bday

June - Lillee's 6th Bday

June - (JUST SIGNED-UP the 8th: SPACES GO QUICKLY FOR THIS CLASS) Cooking Class - Sushi 101 Summer was a sushi chef at Kenichi Restaurant, and has the distinction of being the first female to work behind a Japanese sushi bar in Texas. In this workshop, learn how to prepare Tekka Maki (tuna roll); Ebi Zushi (shrimp sushi); Nigirizushi (salmon sushi); Kani Gunkan (crab battleship style with salmon roe garnish); Smoked Trout Temaki (smoked trout hand roll with cucumber, sprouts and cream cheese).

New Job...sort of.

I have a new job.... well sort of. There were some positions opening because a change in the Macy's company. I applied for a part-time position and got it. I haven't received all the information, but I am receiving associate. I work on the dock, but mostly in the stockrooms and home store. I will be organizing the stockrooms and keeping the right people inform about the products that are in the stockroom. In the home store, I will be setting projects that Macy's has planned for certain products, merchandising, keeping stockrooms clean and organized. The best part is the benefits, which I don't know yet (hopefully it is the best part- paid vacations I know for sure). I am hopeful whichever way. I will meet with my boss and figure them out this coming week or next. I need to sit down and figure out what was job consists of, what procedures on watching the stockrooms, is there a possibility of a pay increase, and when will the benefits start.

So I am no longer a on-call or contingent anymore, I am now part-time. As my dad said either I will love this job and work my way up or I will hate it and find something else. As my friends said it is a step in the right direction--it might not be a full time job, but I am working that way.

Now you know what is happening here with me.

New Desk and Now Shelves

There are a few more things on the shelves, but I figure this picture would do. My dad and I put them up about a week to 2 weeks ago.

Family Portrait taken by Papa

I know Papa took this because there was another similar shot with him in the picture and my mom not there. The was taken in 1987ish.

Captured moments

My still sports loving brother...Action shot. (no date)


He love, which he now coaches in high school. Soccer Rules! I don't know why, that is a cute shot of him. (no date)


Me in my tutu. Such a poser- ohh well it wasn't my future career, but it was a experience which I have few memories of. (May 1989)


I don't know why, but I love this shot. i still do this today. When someone says make a funny face. I automatically stick my tongue out just like this. I still don't know why I do it, but I do. (Sept. 1988)


Sorry Justin, the only boxes I went threw where the downstairs ones from papa's house. I didn't find any good ones of you by yourself where I was like that is totally Justin. The only one I can think of is the one where you are holding the bread- a few blog posts back.

Rare moment, captured on camera.

We are sitting together, smiling, actually touching is going on and sharing of a afghan. This photo was taken December 1988. I would have been 3, he would have been 5 almost 6. I think after this time we had rare moments of being civil together unless enforced by our mom. He was just so irritating, teased me relentlessly, and frustrated me. He would probably state that I was a whiny younger sister that would follow him everywhere or a lot. He love me though, he just says stuff like that. We are now on good terms, once we both passed puberty and did a lot of growing up (mostly on his end...just kidding).

How much a dad loves her daughter and a daughter loves her dad

Year 1987- I would have been 2 years old and my dad would have been 38 years old. I like our contemplating thoughts.


This was taken in 1988. My dad always love to put us three kids on our lab and let us drive. I would have been 3 years old at the time.


This photo was taken in 1988 also. I think he is secretly tickling me or that I smiled with a scrunched up face.

Let's all say together....Awwwww.

Cooking at a early age

Christmas of 1987.


See I was working all by myself on whatever Santa butter cookie shape. I am very concentrated on the task I had. Like I remember any of this. The next thing I know...


Out of nowhere I have a brother with flour caked on his face, and I have it on my cheeks and nose. How did that get there? But that is not all...


Then the flour continued to spread not only to me and Justin, but to my dad and other brother Matthew. How strange....


But we all seem to be enjoying to mess, on our hands, faces, the kitchen counter, and most likely the kitchen floor. All for the sake of cookies....


Look at those beauties. Two of the proud decorators all clean from their cookie making and decorating adventure.

I also wanted to add, that our parents were good at letting us get in the kitchen to make things. I think it formed some independence, creativity, and a family communal place. I think that my brother Justin made the biggest change. As my mom would say he never ate anything green as a kid and only liked mac and cheese with hot dogs. Now, not only is he making things from scratch he is picking thing from the forest. What do you do with nine pounds of mushrooms? Justinsomnia.org I guess we will find out in the coming weeks what he makes.

Here is Justin in 1989. It might have been a stepping off point, of his future cooking endeavors.

Ahh two older brothers- what can I say

I think this photo was fitting to our relationship with us and the camera. (Left to right) Justin, Me, and Matthew. I have no date for this photo. Justin the oldest and the one who is putting bunny ears on me. Thanks for that by the way. I always thought as an older brother he watched out for me. I guess this photo captured his silly/teasing streak, which he still has a tendency to do. Then me looking like 'Why do I have to take this photo.' I am not a big fan of taking photos, still to this day. Then there is Matthew hamming it up for the camera. I mean what can I say, it is hysterical. He thinks he is all that and a bag of chips- still does somewhat.


As I was sifting through photos, I found some other nice ones with my brothers and I. These two photos are dated June 1987. I would be 2 years old, Justin would be 7 years old, and Matthew would be 4 years old.

First though, I like this picture of me. I look like I am so excited about this calculator that prints out paper and I can do it all by myself.


This photos shows our sibling dynamic in a quick snapshot. Justin the eldest showing his younger siblings the ropes of the calculator. Matthew the curious one wanting in on the action. Then me pressing the buttons just like my big brother. Happy that I could do it.

Pictures before I was a twinkle in my parent's mind

Here is my dad with his mother, Doris and Mitzy the dog in 1952-ish. It amazes me to see my dad at a younger age. I don't know why, but I can pick him out with the main features, his eyes, overall roundness with his face. I thought this was a sweet picture of mom and son. He looks happy.



(I edited brightness, contrast, and midtones to get a better view of the photo.)

The next two photos were taken around 1970 when my parents were dating. They married in 1973. I looked at these photos and saw mostly my oldest brother Justin. I also see my middle brother Matthew, but more Justin because of the hair (I think). Take a look.



(I edited brightness, contrast, and midtones to get a better view of the photo.)




(I edited brightness, contrast, and midtones to get a better view of the photo.)


(Justin at college graduation in 2002)


(Matthew during Christmas break from college in 2005)
(Last two pictures from justinsomnia.org)

Will we live this down?

Enjoy-

The year it was taken or processed was in 1986--
(left to right) Justin 6 or 7 years old, Dad 37 years old, Me 1 year old, Matthew 3 years old

-----More photo blogs to come. Love to sift through old photos. Ahh memories.

I have a desk! and now a chair

ANOTHER UPDATE:
I bought a tabletop easel. We will see where is takes me. It might be awhile until I show what I am currently working on, but in due time I will post-it up here.

UPDATE:
Bought a chair--now I can officially use my desk in the proper way. Recently with just having a desk I have used it to hold papers and stuff, but have had to sit on my floor next to it to use my computer and go through the papers. I have test driven the desk and chair and it is working well together. I am glad I picked the right chair.

Since the time I have been home I haven't had a desk. I either use my computer on my bed or on the floor. Now my body is usually crunched up which has resulted in some pain in my foot, hips, and neck. Yesterday I looked on the internet at different desks from walmart, target, and ikea. I came to the conclusion that I liked the most from ikea. So I decided last night on the spur of the moment to head over and look at some desks. I had a budget to not spend over $200 and I didn't know if I would actually buy something. As I was sitting there deciding about white or birch I talked to my friend Kim. Finally, I made a decision to get the birch. It is part of the Jonas line. It is simple on top which I wanted because it would give me more room to do some art work and also have my computer on my desk too.

Here it is just finished...haven't place anything on it. I put it together all by myself. I made two mistakes, but luckily I could correct them. The first one I needed to call my dad for help I put the small dowel inserts in the wrong hole. I was afraid they wouldn't come out, but vise grips worked. The other I just missed a step, but completed later on thank goodness.


Here it is all set up.---art clothes underneath desk(don't want to mess up good clothes), the face is an older painting I have from my painting class in college, laptop to the left on top of blue bins that is holding more art supplies. Decoration above is a paper quilt I made in a paper making class I took in college.


Items on desk will change, but was trying it out. (R to L) Disposable palette, camera on top, jar filled with towels to protect desk, Stephanie's(brother's girlfriend) painting, bowls with pencils, colored pencils, pens, markers, and a few empty bowls with cards from work in them, my ipod player with ipod inserted in it, remote for iopd, a little notebook my co-worker gave me from Christmas, and 4 artist panel 8 X8 (not out of package yet).


Before I bought the desk I have been slowly going through what I own and getting rid of some stuff. Then buying this yesterday has help me reconsider more stuff I should keep, get rid of, or donate. My room hasn't been this clean for awhile. The next thing I have to buy, which might have to be in a week or two is a chair for my desk(a cheap one) and a desktop easel (probably this one) for my paintings/drawings.

Taking a break from doctors appt.

I decided to take a break from doctors appts.. I wasn't really doing the stretches at home and I felt like I wasn't getting really much out of the sessions. I am going to try it at home for awhile. I started back up with my exercising. I only went 30 minutes- half was run/walking 4.00min : 1.45min and the other half was walking and talking on the phone. I didn't want to push me knee. I am hopeful that I can get back on track for training without hurting myself more. I am debating about joining a gym. There is a 24 hour fitness that is close by (maybe 2-3 miles) and their monthly rates are $32. There is also a planet fitness about 8 miles away and it $1 to join and $10 a month. I am weighing the desire to join. I realized that I would spend more money on weight watchers in a month than the gym. I just don't know how fully committed I am to the gym, but I need strength training and I do like treadmills and ellipticals. Hmmm...tough decision.

I also joined the pound for pound challenge (click here). I thought it might make me more motivated because other are depending on me (or might make me fail) either way it is a commitment to something other than myself. I have lost focus on weight watchers, I am slow getting back to the reason why I started, are they still the same reasons, and where do I want to head now.

UPDATE:
Not going to join a gym, at least not right now. I am not fully committed to going and being there. I will contemplate it at a later date. Saving my pennies right now.