Poetry in Nature

Our guide, Julie, read this poem which was written by a woman who had run the river with ARR.  It really is a perfect reflection on the experience.  One of the great surprises of the trip was enjoying the readings and poetry about the Canyon that our guides shared with us.  There were some not so flattering stories about Powell but the style of his writings from the late 1800's is amazing.  Just the attempt to describe the Canyon and the river in mere words is amazing.

Back to Civilization

So, I’m back in the city

And my friends all exclaim,

“So, you had a good time…

well, you look ‘in pain’

“Your lips are cracked,

and your hair’s like straw!

“Your legs are bruised,

and your knees are raw!

“Your nails are broken,

you’ve gained weight,

“How can you say

that your trip was great?

“Your sunburn’s peeling…

it sure is a “beaut’

“It looks like you’re wearing

a camouflage suit!

“So, you had a good time…

well, you ‘tell me’

“You look like you just came

through World War Three!”

“Listen,my friend said, carefully,

and I will tell you what this all means to me.”

“My bruises will fade,

and my bones will heal”

“My skin will be soft

underneath the peel”

“My hair will recover, and so will my lips”

“And I’ll get those 10 pounds off my hips”

“But the memories I’ve stored,

will not fade away”

“They will be with me,

to my dying day”

“The whitewater thrills,

and the red canyon walls”

“The Indian ruins,

and pure waterfalls”

“The fun with new friends,

and boatman tall tales:

“Boatman great cooking

and whitewater wails”

“Yes, the memories I’ve made will

not fade away”

“They will be with me,

to my dying day.”

DC Annonymous

Day 12- I enjoyed my very last Diet Coke in Marble Canyon, AZ with some frybread on September 11, 2011. I really do think there should be a support group for DC addicts.  It's a true addiction and only cold turkey will work.  I did not give up caffeine, just DC.  Thank God I live in Texas and there is Ice Tea everywhere you go.

Trevor & his shadow playing BB

I don't get out my camera enough, period. I need to capture more moments, before they are gone.
Click HERE for more photos from September.

Mission Impossible

I know that I have said that Elmo is a marketing gold mine, but apparently the"diamond" approach to finding Elmo bedding makes it virtually impossible to redo Trevor's room in Elmo (which was his choice).  Sesame Street bedding is so "rare" and unavailable that I almost can't even believe it.  Now, I am on a mission which means this will occupy my time and frustrate me to no end.  You can't even buy Elmo fabric.  This is insane, people...it's Elmo! 

Mommy

Being a mother is the single most important job I will ever have. Don't bungle it, don't take it for granted, don't take it too seriously....how about- do your very best, enjoy every single moment and have fun!  Don't is no longer in my vocabulary.

365 Days

It's kind of hard to fathom...but, a year ago, I was living in a residence hall apartment.  I was so devastated, lost, incredibly sad, sleepless and depressed.  Just the relief of living closer to my friends and work made things so much easier and I didn't cry all day in my office anymore.  I had a HUGE moment tonight as I looked around my apartment to see just how far I have come.  I really shouldn't be so hard on myself.  One day, sooner than I think, I will be able to recall how things were from 2009-2010 but those emotions won't be able to sneak up and hi-jack me anymore.

I know that I don't want to live in an apartment forever (one more year, only, please!) but, I really am doing so much better.  Enjoy the present, live in the now...because Now is actually really great.

Trevor & Sophie in our McElvaney, Freshman Residence Hall home

Watch Out David Beckham!

The look of determination and focus on his little face really cracks me up!

Ranger Fan

I think we have created a lifetime Ranger fan...of all the crazy things that have happened in the past few years, I didn't really think about Trevor loving the Texas Rangers!

Pre School "Art" Work...

I am not sentimental, not about material things.  I am sure that it is a result of losing everything I "owned" every time I went from one parent to another parent or our house burning down when I was 7, etc.  Some people live in the same house, their whole lives with boxes of Barbie's and toys in the attic.  I can remember having lots of Barbies, every Smurf, and a whole Strawberry Shortcake village at some point in my life.  It's not that I did without, I just didn't keep things very long.

What to do with Pre-School Art work from Trevor??  Some of it is downright unrecognizable as "art"...but, what do most people think of Jackson Pollock??  I am thinking that I will just take a photo of each peice of "art" and create a scrapbook...and then throw them in the trash.  Mother of the Year or really great idea?

The New Dallas

#1, this actor always catches my attention because cousin Phil gets mistaken for him in Scottsdale.
But, I saw this promo for it and wondered if the marketing folks for the New Dallas anticipated that...yes, it would make me want to watch...but, only because I really LIKED Brokeback Mountain. Someone is going to make fun of this, I am sure of it!

ps. Cousin Phil is better looking