Lazy Saturday! I love it! I just downloaded/uploaded (whatever) tons of raw and gritty lady songs and I am jammin' out, singing (Oh No!), french doors and windows wide open. I honestly believe if I just wish hard enough a soft north wind will ease through. In my heart...it is Autumn. (On TV it is Autumn....lots and lots of college football!)
I received generally good responses to my last blog post. I only had one challenging email....you know who you are...and you know I love you so much I will listen to your litany of protests just to be in your extraordinary, intoxicating, beautiful presence!
Dad wanted to comment but he hasn't quite gotten the hang of "commenting" to my blog post. Instead he sent me an email and has kindly given me his permission to post it. He is my "guest blogger" for today.......
My dearest Patty,
I enjoyed the commentary on your blog tonight, sad as it was, regarding the President’s address to the youth of this country. I too think it is a shame that one or more would think that this man has intentions that are less than noble especially knowing how he feels about education and opportunity for the less fortunate. It is politics at its best in this country and sometimes it stinks.
But, it is all part of growing up and good for you for taking to the pulpit on something that is important to you. I’m proud of you for your commitment to honesty and the truth.
God Bless You
Dad
Congratulations to Melanie, Scott and Miss Wren Adams on the newest addition to their beautiful family. Baby boy Callan Adams was born yesterday at noon weighing 8lbs 7 oz. Mel had been waiting on his arrival for QUITE SOME TIME! Best wishes to you all and I can not wait to meet Baby Callan. Sorry...no photos. Just as soon as they get sent I will post one.
My much anticipated trip to South Padre Island (aka The Playground of my Youth) was unfortunately cancelled. Gracie still isn't 100%. She more like 85%. I was having major reservations about leaving for the weekend and the vet cautioned me against boarding her because of the possibility of an angry kitty hunger strike. So...here I am. At home. Kind of lonely. A little bit bored. But I shall persevere! Anyhow...The Sandbar '08 crew (minus the "dead weight"/"black balled" member) have a weekend of fun, frolicking silliness and michelada drinking planned. You girls make me strong. Even when you are having dinner without me. But whatever....you all have to look at yourselves in the mirror and deal with knowing the pain you have caused me.
Happy Saturday. Go Horns!
Lola simply joins in because she can not refuse a party.
There are times these cats drive me insane. But then...for about 10 minutes...they are all calm, 
As most of you know I am terribly afraid of lizards. It is an irrational fear and is not based in any solid traumatic experience from my childhood. It just IS...period! I have been afraid of them for as long as I can remember. My mother...on the other hand...thinks they are precious and often thought it was quite funny to let them into the house to torment her daughter! (No one ever called the authorities on that one!) Dad often had to referee and remove them from the house. There were times the lizards put up quite a fight and his fingers caught the brunt of their frustration.
Are you proud of me, mom? Immediately prior to boarding my first international flight (to London for my study abroad program) she gave me a plastic lizard. She knew I was very nervous about the flight as there had recently been a tragic plane crash out of New York City. She said, "This plastic lizard is to remind you to boldly face your fears. Hold onto it for the duration of the flight!" For eight hours I gripped the lizard tightly. It travelled in my fanny pack (oh yes...I said fanny pack....it was a very safe way to keep my belongings close to me while on trains and subways) the entire semester. That lizard has made at least four international flights since...and has accompanied me on every "scary" situation...in my pocket (I tossed the fanny pack long age). I think that more than makes up for the torture my mom poured upon me in my childhood by allowing them in the house.
Today I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Rowan Landry 
This is a new addition to the blog. Today is the 
Just a reminder....the Stella and Dot 
My visit was lovely. I had a wonderful time visiting my friend Sangeeta. (For those of you who don’t know…Sangeeta is a friend from graduate school. Her sister, Rupa, lives here with her family.) She moved into her loft about a week ago so the primary purpose of my visit was to put that interior design certificate to good use and help her create a space representative of her “transitional period!” This is the first time she has carved out her very own niche and I can’t help but think that Virginia Woolf is smiling down on her and admiring her strength and fortitude during a rather difficult time! Above is a picture of Sangeeta on the phone with her cable company. She is going to love this photo! I can not wait to hear her yell at me for posting this. Tee-hee! Below are a few photos of her new loft and a view of the mountains from her balcony.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention her very loving kitties, Isis and Athena. They are sisters and love to cuddle with one another. This type of cuddling NEVER happens at my house.
In addition to adding finishing touches to the loft we had our nails done at the BEST nail salon EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am in love with this place. Not only is it a place to get manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing and massages….it is also a “lounge.” In other words, you can order wine and martinis during your treatments. Furthermore….it is completely shabby chic in style and we all know that is where I feel most at home! I brought along my Jungle Red by NARS and Karen gave me a great manicure and pedicure. If you are ever in Denver (Stapleton area) check this place out. It is called 
Above are three photos from the Nail Bar and Lounge. We NEED one of these in San Antonio. Anyone interested in a business venture? Partner up with the local public school cosmetology programs….something to consider….
Saturday we had traditional high tea at the 
This is a picture of our traditional tea.
Sangeet and I enjoying our tea. Hers was the chocolate version and mine was the traditional menu. 
After tea we hit a PRECIOUS boutique called 
Maximus and I.......
Sangeeta, Maximus and his mommy, Alaina........ 
Despite the “elevation disease” that plagued me the first two days (happened last time I was there), annihilating my shin on Sangeeta’s new platform bed and dropping a burning hot Kashi meal on my arm the trip was absolutely fantastic. I think I speak for both of us when I say we needed it! We needed a “no boys, girls only” weekend (with the obvious exception of Mr. Max) where we could reconnect and enjoy each others company. Not to mention it was nice to get out of town and enjoy much cooler weather. And…it has to be said…my hair looked awesome. Of course, my nose bled…..so there is something to be said for a little humidity!
Today’s daily celebration is harsh criticism and character attacks. I know you are wondering how this can possibly fall under the sub-heading of daily celebration. Hang in there with me. I promise I am going somewhere with this. I recently received a very caustic email from a person who was of once great importance to me. This person attacked my character and pushed the VERY SPECIFIC button that upsets me and hurts me most. (Great strategy on that individual’s part.) Now, to be fair, I picked the fight. Having said that, I needed to have been prepared for the retaliatory consequences. However, I never expected to hear such harsh words. The email unnerved me and I was shaken for a few hours. It was unfortunate I opened the email in Denver….but I was in the company of a dear friend who held me as I cried. I continued to mope about for a few hours. Feelings welled up in me that I had not experienced in a while. I felt angry and even projected that anger onto several individuals (silently in my head) at the Denver airport. As I waited for my airplane (which we know took several hours) I started to wonder how I could turn this situation into a positive. How could I make these bitter, angry, biting words a “daily celebration.” I kept seeing the ONE sentence in my mind. I could hear this person’s voice echoing the words in my mind. The perseveration set in and I was on the verge of tears for a long while. Two valuable things occurred to me. First, there is a large element of truth to the words of this individual….making them even more difficult to hear. Second, it is my responsibility to listen to these words and not make the same mistakes again. This person’s anger is my opportunity to better myself. Especially because I know the statement was somewhat valid. I do not plan on responding and I graciously surrender the last word. This was, perhaps, the harshest criticism of my character I have ever experienced. Given that it is my responsibility to hear the individual’s concern and work through the validity for myself. Today I celebrate criticism and it’s opportunity for my personal growth. Even ugly criticism can be made constructive criticism if we are open to it. I certainly am trying to be!
Right now I am lovin’ a book called American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. It is a fictional account which is very loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. This is the second book I have read by this author. I previously read Prep. She (yes, the author is female) has a way of drawing me in immediately. I really appreciate her writing style. And though she is a young woman I feel she is wise far beyond her years. Her observation of the human condition seems to belong to a woman who has lived a long, experienced life. I appreciate that most about her writing. It’s almost as if there is no judgment in her writing. She can write from a truly objective place and allows the reader to slip comfortably into that spot as well. I am about 150 pages in and my very favorite quote comes from the main character’s grandmother. One simple statement that hit me profoundly, “We have to make mistakes. It's how we learn compassion for others.” I am sure I will mention this book again several times before I finish it. But I already highly recommend it. (Image from 
Jim: Right now this is just a job. If I advance any higher….that would make this my career. And if this were my career, I would have to throw myself in front of a train. So, really, it’s a matter of life and death. 
