The Silver Lining!

So the Monday before Thanksgiving I was just minding my own business waiting at a stoplight at NW Hwy and Inwood Rd. I'd just had my oil changed and the inspection completed. All of a sudden .... bam ... I was hit from behind. A 2010 BMW complete with a upper crust blonde Dallasite behind the wheel. Great news ,,, a Dallas Police car to my right. This came in handy after she took off - the officer chased her down and I got her insurance information.

The insurance company was somewhat reluctant but in the end took full responsibility and I was able to drop my car off to be repaired.

This morning I picked up my car from Herb's Paint and Body. Looked great .... and the silver lining? The crease I'd put in my trunk a couple years ago was magically gone!

So I've got a new front and rear bumper. Now all I have to do is stay away from poles and other cars.

More Home Ownership ...

Despite being sick with a cold all day yesterday, today I accomplished a lot Started off getting my christmas tree decorated. If I can muster up a picture I will.

Then I raked, swept and mowed up three bags of leaves off my tiny front yard. And there are still many more to pick-up. I love living with all these trees but really - how many leaves are there.

After that I took apart the pool filter and cleaned it. This is quite a job entailing taking the filter apart - hosing down all the filters (4) and then putting it all back together again. Luckily it was a warm day in the low 60's so it wasn't too bad doing this in December. However, let's hope I don't have to do this again until Spring!

Now a little nap before our second concert this evening. Love my house!

.4 pounds and 23 desserts

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. Yossi and I went to Burlison, TX to enjoy the holiday with his mother, step-father and all of the family. It was lovely - so much food! Turkey, stuffing, potatotes, rolls, pate, - you name it.

But wait ... dessert! Two amazing bakers together brought 23 different desserts to choose from. This was Yossi's mom Sahavah and her long time friend Varda. Pumpkin cake, lemon merigue pie, black forest cake, chocolate pecan pie, baklava, numerous cookies, desserts that I can't remember or prounouce the name of.

Now Becky and I committed to not eating sugar (I'm sure she has done much better than I have on keeping to this) and so I apologize for this ... but I could not, not have any of these desserts as I would have offended Yossi's mom immensely. I did escape without taking a plate home (though Yossi's plate is sitting on my kitchen counter).

Good news - down .4 pounds!

United Way and Gay Pride

A group from United Way, including myself, walked in a the annual Allan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. What is that? Only one of the biggest and most enthusiastic gay pride celebrations in the southern half of the United States. It's actually the formal name for Dallas Gay Pride, which this year celebrates its 27th anniversary (at least in its current form), with its celebration on September 19, 2010.

I will tell you - the crowd is super enthusiastic. They cheer for everyone. You felt like a rock star! United Way walked with Texas Instruments and other companies which are part of the Out & Equal group which promotes equality within the workplace.

More special visits! (Really Late)

This morning I was rereading my blog and realized I forgot to write about all the visitors I had this summer. Yikes! Hope I didn't hurt any feelings.

Really - the first visitors I had were Jessica, Chris and Parker. On their way back to Albuquerque from a visit to OKC they stopped off at a Ranger's game and then spent the night at my house before continuing onto ABQ. Yossi and I met them at the game - boy was it hot and sweaty in that stadium! I found out that Ranger stadium is the hottest stadium in the MLB.

Our visit was a short but sweet and I didn't get any pictures!!! Rats! Thanks for coming.

After the visit from Patty and crew, Becky and Brad came on down for the Dave Mathews Concert. My favorite part of this visit was swimming together and then having brunch out on the deck the next morning. While we had to watch Miss A very closely as she really feels she can swim and will just walk into the pool, this was a dream come true for me. I even got to make pancakes on the electric griddle I'd bought in anticipation of having people visit!

Another wonderful thing about these visits is my daughters and their families were able to meet Yossi and that seemed to go very successfully.

Pools, Pumps, Leaves and Trees

This is really another "Joys of Home Ownership" post but love the alliteration of the above title. For those who have seen my backyard it is a lovely and calm setting. It is very private, secluded and has a feeling of being a little out in nature. This is from all the trees surrounding the pool that jut out from the deck.

I love these trees and I am getting very well acquainted with all their many parts and cycles as they drop all kinds of things into my pool. Seeds, leaves, bark, twigs and stuff I don't really know what it is but it comes off the tree. Now I understand what the pool guy at my old apartment complex was complaining about when he said that he wished they would cut all the trees down.

Of course I love my trees and would never cut them down, but I do wonder when the leaf dropping stops. Some days the pool is FILLED with leaves, twigs and such. Other days there is hardly anything in the pool.

The other thing I have to do is clean the pool filter and pump. This is quite a project. First I had to dissemble the pump to be able to pull out the cylindrical filters. There are four of them. Picture an air filter on your car - except that it is about 2 feet tall and only 5 inches in diameter. I took a spray noozle and started washing out the filter. Lots of gunk came shooting off. I reassembled it all and then Yossi helped me secure the band around the pump housing.

When I first moved in I had to have someone come and do the above for me as I didn't know how. That cost me like $95. Now I can do it myself. Yeah me!

So ... next project? Cleaning and repainting the deck ... gotta wait for the leaves to stop dropping.

Better late than never...

During the summer (yes, I'm late blogging about this, oh well) I had some special visitors. This was one of the reasons I bought a home, so the very special people in my life would have a place to stay when they would visit.

We had a wonderful time just hanging out when Patty, Malan and Owen came to town. We tried to stay cool and had number of creative moments, We played at the Mall, painted pottery, went to a Kosher Market and Grill and swam every day. Here are some cute pictures that really tell it all.




Owen really loved painting the pottery. He noticed that Malan had multiple colors and so he let us know he wanted another color. So his dinosaur is green and purple. Swimming was also great. The first night he would not get in the pool ... by the last day he was standing by the back door asking to go swimming. Malan is going to be a great swimmer. She is growing up to be such a talented, fun girl. You can definitely see her mom in her - knows how to perform!

Thanks for visiting me! Can't wait until the next time!!

Close, but not Close Enough

The ups and down of network television. One week before a show even debuts it has the rapt attention of critics across the board. Then the ratings aren't great ... it is up against "The EVENT" and DWTS ... reviews are still good ... all hold their breath for the second week. Will enough people watch the show?

No ... drops to 3.7 million viewers from 4.2 million and it is gone from the small screen. Lone Star, poised to be a critical hit ... but not enough viewers.

What you don't think about is the 100+ folks who had been out of work over the past year - finally landed a job on a network TV show ... and now are unemployed again.

Awesome Albuquerque with the Splendid Shepherds

I got to spend Labor Day weekend with my oldest daughter, Jessica and her husband Chris and my oldest grandchild - Parker! It was a very relaxing, fun visit. No agenda - just hanging out. We spent one night at a hotel, went swimming, then onto Old Town and Explora.

Great times! Here are some pictures cuz isn't that really what you want to see!

Practical Parker!

Recently I watched my oldest grandson, Parker, show some incredible independence for 5 years old. While riding his bike up and down the street the chain fell off. I expected he would run over to his dad, upset and demand he fix it.

Well, that chain falling off did not faze him one bit. He carefully walked his bike over to the front yard. Flipped it over on the seat and handlebars, grabbed a screw driver, took the chain guard off, got the chain back on and reattached the chain guard... started riding again. I helped a tiny bit.

It was a proud moment. ... way to go Parker! Looks like we have another handy guy in the house.

First Party at Pandora Circle

Well, it was a success. Thanks to Jessica - one of my collegues at work - I finally had my first party. Why thank Jessica? The other day she said - when are you going to have us over to your house! So for a day before my 52nd birthday I had everyone over from work.

Here is who was there: Mark Pollack and his wife Maegan. Matt Tonne and his wife Crystal. Caytie and Shane Langford. Wade and Jean Stanlet, Steve Montagna, Lana Wickliffe, Jessica Shephard and her finance Brad and Yossi.

The menu: Strawberries and brown sugar, veggie pizza bites, spinach dip, cabbage slaw, mini lamp chops, beef kabobs with veggies, asparagus, potatoe salad, cream puff and mini eclairs.

It was great and everyone had a nice time. Yossi was wonderful and grilled all the chops and kabobs - so nice, what a treat for me! It was so great to have him there co hosting with me. Thank you for all you did.

Five of us even got into the pool at the end. So lovely. I love my house and will post some pictures of recent changes soon.

Putting on the Brakes....

Well, I'm never excited to spend money on my car. But eventually, no matter how I try not to use them, the brakes have to be replaced. So I've got new front AND rear brakes. Though I'm really glad to not hear the metallic sound and grabbing feeling that was going on. Feel much, much safer to be driving all around town, much less traveling to places like OKC.

Afterall, what price can I put on my safety?

So Sweet ...

Thank you for everything. For fixing all the little things in my house, Putting up new light fixtures. Listening to me complain about work. Telling me I'd live when I thought the world was imploding for me. Dancing with me when no one else was dancing. Kissing my hand so sweetly at the most unexpected times. Teaching me "It is what it is" and how to be present in the moment. And so much more...

I admire that wonderful parent you are and hope that someday your children realize how much you love them and that their happiness is your own happiness. I'm so happy to have you in my life.

tori xo

Excellent and Engaging Evening

Makes you Move Music. Fun and Fabulous Food. Cozy and Caring Company. Serene and Soothing Scenery. Heavenly and Happy.

T n T

So this is my good friend Tara. She and I met at United Way though she now works at Girl Scouts of North Texas. (They are very lucky to have her.) We had the opportunity to work on several projects together at UW and found that we were one dynamite team!

This is a picture of her in front of the Dallas Museum of Art - a place we both enjoy going to. I miss seeing you every day Tara but am so glad we are friends.

Finally ... a place for the wind chime

Some years back Jessica and Chris Shepherd gave me a really nice wind chime. In the ensuing years at the various places I've lived (I moved 6 times in 3 years) I did not have a place to hang it.

Now I do! Thanks Jess & Chris!

More joy of home ownership ... thank goodness for warranties and insurance

I bet I will be writing numerous posts under this title.

So I've already invoked the home warranty I thankfully purchased. Last night I heard a drip, drip, drip .... couldn't find the source. Heard it again today and yes - the A/C condenser is clogged or something and there is water dripping from the ceiling in my breakfast/kitchen area from the closet that has the water heater. Yeah! Looks like I'll be calling State Farm to have the ceiling fixed. Thank goodness I bought that extra rider related to any damage caused by water!

What is the worst home disaster you've had?

Another Fabulous Birthday!

Sweet Alyssa turned one recently and I attended the Alyssa and the Purple Crayon themed party! It was super fun and cute. One of the very nice parts of going was being able to get to know Becky's mom-in-law Joanne Melton better. What a wonderful woman she is. We were a great team putting up crepe paper, blowing up balloons, lining chairs with purple tape and just helping out. Thanks Joanne! Check out the darling picture of Grandma JoJo with the birthday girl.

Friends

Hi there! Yes, it has been awhile since I've blogged so for those who are sick of seeing my Women's Day posting at the top here goes.

This is my best friend Tracy. We first became friends in Junior High School - Matillija JHS. Over the years we have kept in touch. During some periods more than other times but in the last few years we have shared a lot together. Frankly I don't know how I would have made it through the past few years without my dear, dear friend and sister Tracy. What a wonderful thing to have someone in your life who only loves you and doesn't judge you. We share so much in common. Of course you can see the blonde hair and blue eyes. We like small earrings, neutral nail polish, tennis, beaches, sun and laying out by the pool. We used to be double partners on our high school tennis team in Ojai CA. Tracy still lives in Ojai and it is a treat to go visit there. We are both divorced and looking for the guy who will treat us how we deserve to be treated. :)

This picture was taken at the Cheesecake Factory in Palm Springs CA this past May. We met up there for a girl's weekend of shopping, talking, movies, talking, pool time, talking, fun dinners and more talking! It was actully the First Annual T n T weekend. Can't wait till next Spring for the 2nd Annual! xo my friend!

My Favorite Magazine

My first issue of Woman'ts Day was in my mailbox today!

I decided that since I will have a permanent address (hopefully) for a while I'd actually subscribe to a magazine. As you may recall from a previous post as a "thrift measure" I stopped buying magazines. Well, subscribing to one is MUCH cheaper. I can't wait to crack it open and read it before I go to sleep. It is also a wonderful insomnia aid. If I wake up too early reading Woman's Day can help quiet my mind and get back to sleep.

For years I couldn't wait until the November issue came out. This was always a big issue - with the annual section on gifts to make by hand. It always gave me lots of ideas and projects for gifts to make for family and friends. However, I don't think they print this issue anymore. Too bad. Maybe I'll write and ask the editor why not?

Some of my other favorite magazines are Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal, Newsweek, O, Martha Stewart Living and People (I did the crossword all the way through on my last flight!)

What is your favorite magazine?

Parker's Birthday #5!

Parker Hobbs Shepherd is FIVE years old. I think it is amazing that I have a 5 year old grandson (which, by the way, I love telling people and having them exclaim - You are too young to have grandchildren!). I was in Albuquerque for the bday weekend and we all had a lot of fun.

At the top of the post is a picture of another amazing cake by Becky. It is kind of avante garde as the different pieces of sports equipment spell out Parker's name.

Friday morning were the Puppycakes at preschool - see the previous post. Friday afternoon we all went to the Botanical Gardens and the Aquarium. Unfortunately my camera battery was dead so I don't have any pictures of that event. Maybe I'll swipe some off Becky's blog once she posts.

One very fun thing was watching Alyssa walk. She is barely 11 months old and had been walking for some weeks now. Her gross motor skill development is pretty advanced. I kept trying to get in front of her to take a picture but she was too fast for me!

Friday night I babysat while Becky, Jess and Sam went to Applebee's. Grandkids played happily in the backyard. Check out this very cute picture of Eli pulling his little sister in a wagon.

Saturday was the party at the park. We played games, ate pizza and the wonderful cake. My camera was in the car so I missed pictures again. But here is a picture of Parker playing his new drums. You cannot believe how incredibly coordinated he is. It really sounds like real drum playing! I can't wait to hear his first band CD.

Saturday night we all met up at Garcia's Kitchen - an Albuquerque tradition for YEARS! Here is Sam with his girlfriend Brianna. And a final picture of the birthday boy. Thanks Parker for being born 5 years ago and making me a grandmother. It is the best thing in the entire world. I love you so much!

Amazing Puppycakes!

My daughter Becky loves to decorate cakes. As I've said previously I'm crafty - she is truly an artist. I so enjoy her creations. For Parker's 5th Birthday she really outdid herself. Friday morning was Pre-school and she and Jessica made 20 cupcakes that looked like doggies. See if you can tell what breed of dog each one is.

I made the 2 chocolate Labs with the goofy ears. I of course had copied ones she had made. :)

More joys of home ownership

So it is amazing how many things I've lived without the past three years as I've been a renter. I'd forgotten just how much stuff it takes to care for a home. Since I moved in April 16th I've bought the following:

step ladder
bow saw
4 new light fixtures
6 gallons of paint
Paint stuff
rake
outdoor push broom
umbrella
hedge trimmer
outdoor extension cord ...

Oh yes - washer, dryer and refridgerator

Then there is the pool. Who knew a bucket of chlorine tabs was over $100! And I still need to figure out how to flush out the pump since it really isn't pulling the water as it should.

But I'm loving every minute of this and really enjoy spending time here and can't wsit to come home each day to my house! Please come visit any time! xo tori, mom grandma tori

Joys of Homeownership

I already posted this on Facebook but thought I'd memorilize it on my blog. So Thursday night when I dashed home to grab my choir music much to my surpries a huge tree limb was in my pool!

So I tried pulling it out to no avail. So I jumped in the pool and got down under it and hefted it up onto the deck! Then rushed off to choir practice. The next day as I was leaving my neighbor, Ed, was outside and i asked him if I could borrow a saw from him Well, he actually went and cut up my tree limb - at least a good part of it.

Today I bought a bow saw and finished it off. Right now the branches are stacked on the side of my house waiting for the third full week of the month which is when the city will pick up large trash items.

I felt like a pioneer woman ... Did I mention that I jumped in the pool in my birthday suit! :)

Great times in Laurel

Being a grandmother is a wonderful thing.

I had the opportunity to attend the 2010 United Way Worldwide Staff Leaders conference in Washington D.C. The best part of that was a free plane ride to see Patty, Nate, Malan and Owen! We had a wonderful weekend just hanging out. We made sugar cookies - yes we used some of those cookie cutters I collected and never really made cookies with - tried to stay dry (it was raining a lot) - and enjoyed an amazing homecooked meal of delicious food by Patty and Nate.

Here are some pictures of hanging out. We did a lot of dancing and laughing.

Posing as "America's Next Top Model"

Snow ... AGAIN ... in Dallas

Gosh - How depressing ... snowstorm on the first day of Spring! What's up with that!