Not many years have gone by without a visit or three to the State Fair of Texas. It's a tradition that we look forward to. Last night I had the privilege of joining four of my favorite peeps (Gib, Anna, Catie and Kaleb) for Anna's Company family Night. There was a VIP tent with many introductions, food, a parade, more food, salad demonstations and of course the endless smorgesborg of fried food - fried brisket was my fav this year. Everything was fresh and the fair grounds were truly beautiful with more green space than any of us remembered in years past and the staff wore exceptional smiles reassururing us we chose a good night, early in the season to visit. And then as the booths were closing, I was invited by Gib to join him here. Yeah!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Monday, September 29, 2014
When I Was Eight
When I was eight I doodled anything and everything. The more color, the better and although repetitive doodles were good training, they had the tendency to tire me quickly.
When I was eight I was mommy to my baby dolls, Nicole, Tiffany and Jessica - the three most beautiful names I had known. They were good babies with real-ish food and diapers, if promoted. Although this modern baby doll technology was at my fingertips, I sometimes opted to ignore the opportunity as I had a greater appreciation for cleanliness.
When I was eight I would constantly move my bedroom furniture around as if I were staging the next real estate showing. My mom was not always happy about this.
When I was eight I would play for hours in my little playhouse in the backyard. This hiding place was built by my dad with contributions (both verbal and material) from family and friends. The project, which was scheduled to take a few weekends stretched into 3 months, however the hours spent enjoying this space were countless. When I close my eyes I can step inside and smell the afternoon breeze blowing through the screened windows; I feel the linoleum under my feet; I brush my shoulder against the wooden paneling; I immerse my hands in the running water made possible by a garden hose hook up. And last but not least, I climb the chain link fence behind the house, eventually perching myself on the front side of the hot shingled roof, taking in the view and leaving solely by a 6 foot leap to the soft, freshly mowed blanket of grass below.
When I was eight, I would listen to music that sailed me away to another land. Often the songs were from The Sound of Music. Sometimes I was a deer, other days I was one of the children but mostly I was Maria.
When I was eight I traveled floor to floor, in multiple apartments and hotels all over the world from the comfort of my bedroom sliding door closet. Different languages and accents were spoken, at best of course, and maintenance serviced the button panel from time to time, due to frequent usage. Only few friends were invited to my traveling elevator as I knew not all would appreciate the adventure.
When I was eight my mode of transportation was via my yellow banana seat bicycle. I could pretty much go anywhere in the world, ummm neighborhood.
When I was eight my biggest worry was whether or not we having liver and onions for dinner.
When I was eight it was 1979.
When I was eight I was mommy to my baby dolls, Nicole, Tiffany and Jessica - the three most beautiful names I had known. They were good babies with real-ish food and diapers, if promoted. Although this modern baby doll technology was at my fingertips, I sometimes opted to ignore the opportunity as I had a greater appreciation for cleanliness.
When I was eight I would constantly move my bedroom furniture around as if I were staging the next real estate showing. My mom was not always happy about this.
When I was eight I would play for hours in my little playhouse in the backyard. This hiding place was built by my dad with contributions (both verbal and material) from family and friends. The project, which was scheduled to take a few weekends stretched into 3 months, however the hours spent enjoying this space were countless. When I close my eyes I can step inside and smell the afternoon breeze blowing through the screened windows; I feel the linoleum under my feet; I brush my shoulder against the wooden paneling; I immerse my hands in the running water made possible by a garden hose hook up. And last but not least, I climb the chain link fence behind the house, eventually perching myself on the front side of the hot shingled roof, taking in the view and leaving solely by a 6 foot leap to the soft, freshly mowed blanket of grass below.
When I was eight, I would listen to music that sailed me away to another land. Often the songs were from The Sound of Music. Sometimes I was a deer, other days I was one of the children but mostly I was Maria.
When I was eight I traveled floor to floor, in multiple apartments and hotels all over the world from the comfort of my bedroom sliding door closet. Different languages and accents were spoken, at best of course, and maintenance serviced the button panel from time to time, due to frequent usage. Only few friends were invited to my traveling elevator as I knew not all would appreciate the adventure.
When I was eight my mode of transportation was via my yellow banana seat bicycle. I could pretty much go anywhere in the world, ummm neighborhood.
When I was eight my biggest worry was whether or not we having liver and onions for dinner.
When I was eight it was 1979.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Eleven
Last Sunday night Sam and I celebrated our eleventh anniversary. Cheers because marriage is difficult, to say the least and a second marriage, stats say is nearly impossible. But we're here, in tact and breathing. This one isn't necessarily a grand number on the scale of anniversaries, but for us it symbolizes so much. I like to think of each mini-milestone as a behind the scenes success, leading up to opening night. Like the stage crew of a production that works tirelessly on the details of the lighting, the backdrop, the sound, the timing. The timing. THE TIMING.
Daily, we place one foot in front of the other, gaining momentum on our future and on the eventual generational blessings for our children. This is for real. And to let the Director orchestrate each act is the key, I believe. So much good to be had here.
Eleven may seem insignificant intially, but it is great when placed in front of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. And we will take all the days because rehearsal is what opens the curtains and allows the show to go on.
Backstage, our daughter taking a pic of Sam and me taking a selfie.
Daily, we place one foot in front of the other, gaining momentum on our future and on the eventual generational blessings for our children. This is for real. And to let the Director orchestrate each act is the key, I believe. So much good to be had here.
Eleven may seem insignificant intially, but it is great when placed in front of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten. And we will take all the days because rehearsal is what opens the curtains and allows the show to go on.
Backstage, our daughter taking a pic of Sam and me taking a selfie.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
Hi. I'm Jen, aka Jennifer, Jenny and JB (short for Jennifer Beth, invented early on by my parents which makes me treasure it more everyday). This blog is named for my two favorite things: the season spring and Sunday. Here, I'll discuss and express my thoughts as life unloads them. You can read about my family on my previous blog that ran for about 5 years. I took a sebatical from writing this past year, giving me the perfect amount of time needed to miss this hobby and begin again. Just like spring and Sundays; a fresh start beginning again each year and week - essentially each day.
Welcome!
Welcome!
Friday, February 14, 2014
Everyday Love
This morning, I'm certain I dressed with my eyes closed resulting in the most gawd awful black ensemble and confess opting for moose over shampoo for the hair portion. Yes, I know it's not 1988. Then, I left for work before I could hug any one's neck and/or disperse the chocolate I bought at 7:34pm last night for my valentines. I run ahead of the game like that. On the flip side, I do have a job that allows me part-time hours, 4 days a week. And a husband who works much longer yet found time to deliver the chocolate. And make the bed. And shower.
Work was busy but I chiseled out a moment to gaze at Fort Lauderdale's beachcam near the end of my day while my boss was at lunch. He came back early enough to observe with me, accidentallyonpurpose. And we discussed the progress of the latest work related developments directly in front of my beach cam computer screen. As well as the assignment I overlooked. Casually, the convo turned to the obvious. And not only was I granted time off during spring break (no-not permanent time off) to visit the coast, but the topic of discussion ombred into high school and musicals and the good stuff. And I discovered that my destination is a place in his history book. And we talked cafeterias, specifically the one he enjoyed today. Always been a fan of the cafeteria.
On the way home I remembered that a Valentine lunch or dinner date was not in the cards, so I picked up something and ate it beside the very sofa that was suppose to land near the curb before 7am for bulky trash pick up. This was the 4th time I had requested that the Males in the home move it out and the City pick it up. (We would give it to a charitable organization however the smell and appearance is so bad, we know they would be offended.) Tho we sit among the filth, e'ryday. And with that, I went to my room to unwind and shower to find these on my desk.
Tulips are my forever favorite.
And a card...the fancy kind. As you can see, Hubby even remembered my dislike of all things blush and bashful and picked blue. In fact, I am certain now he does listen and I don't always sound like the mom on Charlie Brown.
But nothing could have prepared me for the email I read just after. One describing how my dearest friend's son's life had been spared after a horrendous car wreck the night before. He literally walked away with few scratches and a script for the leading role as Rubber Man. A miracle indeed.
So, as the sun is setting on this heart filled day, one could easily dwell on all the seemingly wrong events or when this everyday LOVE finds itself in the most unsuspected scaffolding, we can choose to go ahead and climb up. Word has it that the view can be pretty wonderful.
Work was busy but I chiseled out a moment to gaze at Fort Lauderdale's beachcam near the end of my day while my boss was at lunch. He came back early enough to observe with me, accidentallyonpurpose. And we discussed the progress of the latest work related developments directly in front of my beach cam computer screen. As well as the assignment I overlooked. Casually, the convo turned to the obvious. And not only was I granted time off during spring break (no-not permanent time off) to visit the coast, but the topic of discussion ombred into high school and musicals and the good stuff. And I discovered that my destination is a place in his history book. And we talked cafeterias, specifically the one he enjoyed today. Always been a fan of the cafeteria.
On the way home I remembered that a Valentine lunch or dinner date was not in the cards, so I picked up something and ate it beside the very sofa that was suppose to land near the curb before 7am for bulky trash pick up. This was the 4th time I had requested that the Males in the home move it out and the City pick it up. (We would give it to a charitable organization however the smell and appearance is so bad, we know they would be offended.) Tho we sit among the filth, e'ryday. And with that, I went to my room to unwind and shower to find these on my desk.
Tulips are my forever favorite.
But nothing could have prepared me for the email I read just after. One describing how my dearest friend's son's life had been spared after a horrendous car wreck the night before. He literally walked away with few scratches and a script for the leading role as Rubber Man. A miracle indeed.
So, as the sun is setting on this heart filled day, one could easily dwell on all the seemingly wrong events or when this everyday LOVE finds itself in the most unsuspected scaffolding, we can choose to go ahead and climb up. Word has it that the view can be pretty wonderful.
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