School's Out For Summer

It's official.....I am out for summer break! Let the Top Ten List activities begin......

Friday afternoon I worked toward one of my Top Ten Summer activities. I had my first "private knitting lesson" at Yarnivore. (Thank you for your patience, Wendy!) I remembered A LOT more than I thought I would. We reviewed "casting on," "knit," "pearl," and "binding off." I purchased some beautiful yarn for my summer scarf project. I am going to try my best to be forgiving of myself and keep on knitting despite any inevitable mistakes I might make.
Scratch the 5K! I tried to run the other day and it is just a fact: I DO NOT ENJOY RUNNING! I admire (immensely) those that do enjoy running. I simply am just not one of those people. I have tried to be "that person"....but there is no point in denying my true nature any longer. I simply am NOT a runner. Turns out that "old guy" I went on some dates with was, in fact, correct. "Of course you don't like running....look at your body! It simply wasn't made for running!" (Oh yes, he said it. It was our last date!)

This is my friend, Bubba. I had the privilege of spending Saturday morning with Bubba. He is a rock star. (I wonder if he knows?) I have NEVER seen a dog command more attention than Bubba; and he handles it with absolute "dog grace!"

On our "day of fun" we visited the Farmer's Market at The Pearl Brewery. I purchased red and yellow tomatoes (roasted this evening and threw in whole wheat pasta...YUMMY!) and strawberries (tarty tart tart). Bubba and I walked down to the San Antonio river and despite some MAJOR trepidation on his part he gingerly walked into the water and (as you can tell) made himself very comfortable!

We enjoyed lunch on the patio at The Cove. The Cove is pet friendly and they will even go so far as to bring a bowl of water to your dog! With so few pet friendly activities and establishments in San Antonio....Saturday morning was a breath of fresh air!

I am going to sign off because I am completely engrossed in "Housewives" drama. Ugh...I always intend to turn the television off and I JUST CAN'T!

Summertime Blues

This morning I was awakened to the following text message (thank you friend for sending it at 6:15 am...no, really, thank you):

Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human.

This reminded me a lot of the purpose of this blog and inspired me to get to typin' today!

I have two more days left on my contract before I am off for summer break. I will be "on vacation" from exactly June 11-August 11. Every year I anxiously anticipate the "last day of school" and every year I also fear the excessive amounts free time.

By nature I am a "thinker," a "ruminator," a "perseverator." I can hardly blame myself...I am certain I descend from a long, long, long line of females that over-think, over-analyze and over-feel! (You all know who you are....just own it.) When left to my own devices with limitless free time things can DEFINITELY get ugly. I speak from loads and loads of summers (approximately 29...give or take a few from pre-school years).

This summer I refuse to fall victim to the "too much time on my hands summer time blues." In prevention I am creating a "Top Ten Things To Do This Summer" list. I figure if I create activities to complete, and send it out to the world wide web, not only will I hold myself accountable...but you will hold me accountable, too.

1) Knit (at least) one scarf. I have a private lesson this coming Friday and I am excited to revisit "casting on and off," "knitting" and this time I WILL "pearl" as well!

2) Clean out my closet and donate clothes I have not worn in a year. That is the standard I intend to hold myself to...ONE YEAR! (This is going to be very difficult.)

3) I will take a dip in Barton Springs (hopefully next week)!

4) I will create AT MINIMUM 10 vintage greeting cards. I have a small fortune in paper crafting goods and tools and I need to use them.

5) I will re-upholster two arm chairs that were given to me by Jace's mother. (Oh the drama of choosing THE RIGHT fabric.)

6) I will master the art of the perfect pie crust.

7) At least one hour per week will be spent in service to someone else.

8) At least four hours per week will be spent in study of the Bible.

9) I will prepare for a 5K (in October or November)...I know this isn't much...but it is a good start and I really do not care for running. What the heck....I need a good challenge.

10) I will deal with the backyard...I really will!

Okay....now it is "out there." I ask that each of you remind me of the "to-do" list (but be nice!) and check in on my progress from time to time. I fully intend to report on each of these, share photos, stories, etc. Some of you might even get lucky and be invited to "pie!"

Happy afternoon, dear friends. I am off to Bible Study.....

Phone Calls from the West

Today I celebrate two telephone conversations! I was able to reconnect with two family members and feel so blessed to have had two honest, meaningful conversations. Feeling very humbled and vulnerable, these two conversations were wonderful panacea for an otherwise "blah" few days. You know who you are and I love you both!

So Proud

Today I celebrate my little cousin Tony and my little cousin Marisa! By no means are they "little," however in my eyes they always will be. I am amazed, humbled and so grateful for the gifts God has bestowed upon them. They are both talented in many ways but today I had the pleasure of visiting both their websites and was moved to tears with pride!

Visit Tony's MySpace page by clicking here. Enjoy his original music, his sweet and gentle voice and his beautiful heart poured into the words of his songs. Indeed, it is "Something to Remember!"

Visit Marisa's photography website by clicking here. Ever the artist she has added this medium to her repertoire of talents. Her photographs are deeply personal and uniquely connected with her subject.

I love you both and am so proud of the work you are doing. Neither of you have allowed challenges to divert your path. You inspire me! Keep doing what you are doing with a full heart and you will be blessed in ways you can not even imagine.

Letter to John

Saturday afternoon I was crabby! (In retrospect I feel horrible admitting that because Saturday night was really quite glorious.) Mom pointed out the crabbiness and said, "You need to blog again and get happy!" I took her (not so gentle) suggestion and reflected on why I began to blog in the first place. As I have mentioned numerous times....this blog was a means to an end. It was a tough time. It would have been infinitely easier to spend each day in said "crabby state" (while wallowing in self pity and lingering in a stagnant place of anger). I resolved to find the "good goodness" in each day and chronicle daily celebrations. It was a commitment to myself and if others visited the blog....well, even better!

Allow me to go off on a tangent. (Imagine that, Patty Vela on a tangent.) I have recently become a fan of gospel music. I like the hymns in The Hymnal (Catholics don't sing from it...I don't think). Each Monday evening at BSF we would sing three hymns relevant to the message from the Book of John. Already missing the hymns I visited iTunes and entered in a few names of the songs I became familiar with over the last nine months. I was led to an album called Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash (one of my favorite gals of all time) and saw a song called Letter to John. Emmylou Harris (another one of my favorite gals of all time) covers the song on the album. I purchased the song without hearing it. I figured it was in the gospel genre so it must be a letter to John...as in the author of "the book of...." I listened to it several times before I realized it was a "letter" to Johnny Cash.

The song is a tender poem to her husband. However, through the song it is clear that their marriage (though scandalous as it was at the time) had God at it's foundation. The sentiment is compelling, real and honest. The entire song is a testament to ALL forms of love we, as human beings, are allowed to experience. (How blessed they were to know all forms of love within their one relationship.) A few lines, in particular, stand out to me and I have not been able to get these lines off my mind since Sunday. June wrote:

And even if you've been wrong and I've known it; you've always been right because that's God's order.

The reason I started blogging is because I was wrong and someone else was wrong and we both knew it; but we were both right because it was God's order. And this has been the happiest year of my life....

A Computer and a Cup of Coffee

My half-drunk, luke warm cup of coffee collided with my computer and things got ugly. As of today I was able to recover all files on the hard drive (YAY) and am now the proud, if not ridiculously "after the fact" owner of an external hard drive. My computer is on a journey to Kentucky...where it will no doubt beat me to a tour of Bourbon distilleries...and get itself repaired, recovered and rehabilitated so it can come home to mama like new. Perhaps it will always carry with it the faint smell of coffee which will undoubtedly make me smile.

So for the next few weeks there will be nothing in the way of blogging. (I am blogging at work...on a break...and hoping not to get caught!) A break from Facebook is also a welcome respite.

Sweet Monday, dear friends! Oh...to all my "peeps"...mi gente...out there...check out a movie called La Mission. Benjamin Bratt in prison tats...not too bad to look at! Plus...there actually is a lovely story underneath all the tatoos, Virgen's, rosarys, matachines, frijoles, etc.....Oh and of course all songs sounding faintly of "Crystal Blue Persuasion."

5 Reasons I Want to Live on a Lavender Farm

I recently posted "Patty Vela wants to live on a lavender farm when she grows up." This idea is not far fetched. Let me explain why.

1) I was told at Shades of Green, "Lavender loves nuclear sun!" I live in San Antonio, Texas. Need I say more?

2) My lavender is not only growing, it is THRIVING. I feel that people should capitalize on their successes and share them with others. Apparently I am an expert at growing lavender, a "natural," if you will. Thus, it is my duty to provide (in abundance) for others, right?

3) If I stand among a lavender field, close my eyes, breathe deeply, throw some Juliette Greco on the record player and sip on wine....I am in the South of France (God's land!).

4) Lots and lots and lots of lavender infused baked goods!

5) C'est si bon! It would be "so good!"

Mary Gertrude (The Wayward Kitten)

Around the school I work at one can ALWAYS find a stray animal. For the last 10 years I have seen more cats and dogs in need of a good home than I care to count. Of course the faculty is squarely divided between "animal lovers" and "non-animal lovers." The "animal lovers" scramble on their off periods to purchase cat food, dog food, flea spray, blankets, etc.; while the "non-animal lovers" cooly place a phone call to the pound! (Ouch, heart...break!)

Wednesday morning a NUMBER of people's hearts were stolen by this little....one presumably left behind by her mama.....

Meet Mary Gertrude...or at least that is the name I gave her for the day. A tiny, tiny, tiny calico kitty found scared and shivering in the school parking lot. Mrs. Camp took her in and quickly worked to save this little kitty from a tragic end.
When I picked up the kitty princess she was very, very, very cold. I took her into my office and held her tight for most of the morning in an effort to warm her up.
While she did NOT enjoy being "un-swaddled"...I did manage to take a picture of her playing "cat and mouse!" Get it? Cat and mouse? This gives you an idea of just how little she was.
Look at the precious kitty face. In the morning Mary Gertrude could not stand up without shaking; let alone take a step.
After several bottle feedings, lots of sleep and a "Dawn" bath; Mary Gertrude was not only standing and climbing, she was meowing (loudly) and biting Julie.

She was so hungry she bit the entire top of the bottle off with her teeth! At the end of the day Mary Gertrude was ready for a nap. My lunch box was insulated so I swaddled her and placed her in the lunch box. She found a good home with a gentleman that substitutes at our school. He was going to take her home to his wife. Thursday....Mary Gertrude's brother showed up. Kitty nursing...Round II!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Today I celebrate my new plants......

I pray that they will thrive and survive in my yard. I also pray that others can enjoy their beauty. This is the year I will be successful and start growing some of my own food. (For now...it is just basil, rosemary, lavender, spearmint and sage.)

Have a wonderful evening, friends. It is a lovely evening out.

Kitschy, Kitschy, Kitsch!

While I did not get to Round Top this spring (sniff-sniff) I DID manage to visit Uncommon Objects on South Congress in Austin! I could spend hours snaking in and out of the coordinated vignettes marveling at all of the eye candy. The challenge is to sift through all the items and focus on one or two ABSOLUTE MUST-HAVES that are begging me to take them home with me. I found this piece of marvelous kitsch within the first 30 seconds of my visit. I walked around for about 30 minutes before returning to "Hula Hula" Lady and claiming her as my own. My first thought was to find a place for her in the nude bathroom; however upon further reflection she does not work in there. I haven't landed on a permanent spot for her. Right now she is holding up Mastering The Art of French Cooking. I hope Julia would be proud!

Goodnight friends! Best wishes to all my friends who are involved with TAKS testing tomorrow.

Her Name was Lola...

Right now I am lovin' the soap opera love drama that is taking place outside my bedroom window on a nightly basis. Lola has a suitor. We named him "Boy Kitty." He is black with a deep brown undercoat and orange harvest moon eyes. I have seen him trolling about the neighborhood. He reminds me a lot of my Tessie and there have been several times I have seen him in the street and my heart drops thinking, "Tessie escaped!" Then I realize it is "Boy Kitty."

"Boy Kitty" has found a way to visit one of the windows in my bedroom. I have not quite mapped out his route to the upstairs window; but he manages to visit his Lola love with a good amount of frequency. Lola waits for him at the window sill every night and has started to bring her "Spongeball Squarepants" to the window sill...I suppose it is a love offering or enticement of some sort.

Given the extraordinary spring weather we have been having I have had the pleasure of sleeping with the windows open. "Boy Kitty" only visits between midnight and 3am. A kitty booty call, I suppose. He peeks his little head in the window and waits for Lola.
Lola gets so excited and sits quietly staring at "Boy Kitty." Tessie and Gracie do not take so kindly to his visits. They have both initiated "cat fights" with "Boy Kitty" through the screen AND burglar bars. Imagine three cats "trying" to fight through layers and layers of barriers. The hissing and screaming is frightening...most especially when the hissing and screaming wakes you up out of dead sleep.
"Boy Kitty" doesn't linger long after Gracie and Tessie put their histrionics on full display. However, during one of his most recent visits he ended up spraying right around the window. Terrific! Fantastic! What a way to show his love!

I know this is going to sound crazy, but after he leaves Lola looks sad. When she is waiting for him she looks sad. I (almost) get the sense she misses him and waits longingly for his visits. Now if I could just get him to visit during regular human hours....

Goodnight friends and Happy Easter. I have some Easter eggs I need to hide before Ella Bella wakes up tomorrow morning.

Happy Birthday, Blog

Today is the one year anniversary of my blog! Happy Birthday, dear sweet blog! If I were less tired I would go on and on and on and on about all the wonderful, magical healing that took place as a result of the mission of this blog. However, I am beat! Absolutely beat and I intend to wake up rather early tomorrow morning. I look forward to a wonderful weekend at Casa Bearden. I am off to bed, friends!

Monday, Monday...Monday, Funday

Those who want to be prosperous must first make others prosperous.

I just uploaded/downloaded (still unsure what the verb is when I use iTunes to make a purchase) She & Him; Volume 2. I absolutely adore ANYTHING Zooey Deschanel touches (notably her wardrobe and 500 Days of Summer)....but I particularly enjoy her music. Her voice is mellow and round. She sounds, at turns full and vibrant; yet vulnerable and melancholy. Her selections and sounds transport you IMMEDIATELY to an all girl slumber party with pink rollers, record players, fuzzy slippers, love letters and sweet, innocent crushes on senior year quarterbacks who just might give you his letterman sweater! She reminds me of lace and poodle skirts, saddle shoes and two straws in a milkshake, pencil skirts and cat-eye glasses. Her melodies are also tear stained handkerchiefs, runny mascara, broken hearts and deep regret. Volume 1 and Volume 2 make me smile and I catch myself doing "The Twist" when I press play. Have fun and enjoy.....

We have bonds baby; just try to break them!

(Oh yes, Lorelai, we sure do have bonds!)

Goodnight, friends! Wishing you lavender filled dreams with sweet breezes blowing in through your window....

Shades of Green

I have made a commitment to frequent local business that were kind enough to open their wallets, and hearts, for The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas Silent Auction. Most of these relationships were formed, and cultivated, long before my arrival on the board. However I feel that if "they" support "us"..."I" will support "them!"

I have a NUMBER of things I intend to "achieve" or "attempt" in 2010. The first being to fly a kite! (No...I have NEVER flown a kite. In fact, I mentioned this to my father the other day and he said, "Wow. We were terrible parents!") Similarly, I intend to SUCCESSFULLY establish and maintain an herb garden.

Given that I had some time over Spring Break and it is "just that time of the year" I felt a trip to "the nursery" was imminent. Unfortunately, around my area, I am limited to Home Depot and Lowe's. Personally the plants I have purchased from them have NEVER done well. Of course I am certain I am responsible for 100% of the failure! Additionally, I have never found a nursery in San Antonio where my questions weren't met with an element of pity and irritation. I mean, I am positive I am the only person in San Antonio who manages to kill a blue plumbago! And I am positive nursery attendants can read it all over my face!

I remembered Shades of Green kindly donated a gift certificate to Silent Auction. I was in the area on Saturday and figured I would give it a try. I walked in and the angels sang! I was in wonderland! And EVERYONE was so kind and helpful and never once made me feel intimidated, insecure, irrational, irritating....

I purchased basil, rosemary, lavender and spearmint. Several different employees shared their tips for success with each herb with me and politely suggested I invite them over for mojitos! The owner walked me to my car and actually said, "I am so blessed to love my work!" (Oh that we were all so lucky!) He then invited me back the next day for a CD release party of George Gaytan who is a close personal friend of theirs. I returned and fell further in love with the nursery. I ended up spending two and half hours roaming around, visiting with an old friend, taking photos and just generally hanging out with myself. I would like to share my photos and encourage each of you to visit this gorgeous and courteous establishment.

This is the bench/rocker I am hoping to treat myself to within the next month!

I love this teeny, tiny plant! My hands are really little...so you can imagine how small this plant is!

Goodnight, friends. Enjoy this gorgeous evening!