Intentions....

My intention was to scan in ALL the Holiday cards/photos I received during the season. I think I speak on behalf of EVERYONE when I say the holiday season can sometimes be crazy and the very best intentions sometimes do not always come to fruition. The plan was to spend Christmas Eve holed up in my house scanning and blogging. But....the best laid plans, right?

In the very early hours of Christmas Eve a storm blew in and left some pretty bold gusts of wind for most of the day. As a result, I lost power at roughly 1:30pm and it was not restored until 7pm. Needless to say there was to be no scanning, no blogging, no television, no heat, no light...just me, Julia Child, some candles and a tiny little book light that was of precious little assistance. Once the power was restored I threw my overnight bag into the car and drove to mom and dad's, lest I fall victim to the powerlessness again and once again be "trapped" by an incredibly heavy garage door. (That was my only real obstacle.) Oh...and there was the small stomach bug that surfaced in the midst of "lights out!" A great Christmas Eve, to say the least! I kept looking towards the heavens and then towards the earth and saying, "Which one of you is responsible for this? Whomever it is...you've got an interesting sense of humor!"

This is all the light I had to read by. I was growing increasingly more flustered with each passing, powerless, moment. I wondered, "What have we devolved towards? People lived like this for ages and I can't even live like this for 6 hours?!?!?!?"

Here's the thing....the urge to scan and upload has passed! Sorry friends...it was a great idea but rather arduous and laborious in execution.

Today I celebrate my mother's birthday! Happy birthday, mom! As many of you know dad and I hosted a surprise party for mom last week. It was so wonderful to see friends and family all gathered together to celebrate my mother....an amazing woman! And I think she was really surprised! (Despite several close calls....my Tia Velma saved the day!)

I do not think a parent can possibly love a child anymore than my mother loves me! As Diane Keeton says in "Because I Said So"...."It is an impossible kind of love." It is a love that I do not understand and so I often think I fall so short of holding up my end of the relationship. I suppose that is why parents are often so eager to become grandparents....RETRIBUTION!

To you on your very special day, Mom....

Mom and her special birthday dessert....

Mom and I celebrating her birthday at The Grill @ Leon Springs.

Mom celebrating with her dear friend, Elsa Jasso.

There are MANY "to-do" things on my "list." I prefer not to call it a "bucket list" because I find that term cliche' (but that is another issue entirely.) Perfecting the art of pie making is something I fully intend to realize before my "time is up." This has long been a goal of mine but I was too afraid to actually attempt the task. Being a bit of a perfectionist I knew that the first few hundred attempts would likely result in failure; and I simply do not attempt activities where I might fail. (That is the perfectionist part of me taking over.) However....yesterday I decided to put one foot in front of the other and tip toe over the "starting line."

First of all let me set up the scenario....I was upstairs practicing Pilates...rocking it out, really! I was feeling strong and warm (despite months of near lethargy). I mean...sure I was a bit "tight" but it wasn't anything I hadn't worked through before. Moving into "spine stretch forward" I was feeling good, connected, and accessing all the "right muscles"...keeping it small rather than "showy" considering it had been a while. Then I decided to treat myself with a full stretch forward. I was moving and breathing through the stretch when I heard and felt a "pop" in my low back; like a rubber band snapping. I immediately knew this must have been important because I couldn't move and was stuck on the floor for a few minutes. I couldn't figure out how to "get up." I felt QUITE OLD in that moment and figured "movement" had sought vengeance for my laziness. I managed to get up and called mom who suggested a few "opposite direction" movements. From that moment forward I could stand, lay flat on my back, flat on my belly or kneel. In other words....spine needed to be "straight" (and I use the term "straight" VERY losely!) So....since I couldn't sit down, I decided to face my fear and bake a pie!

I improvised...a bit...because the only Crisco I had was grossly expired. As a result this is an all butter crust. I also think I used the wrong blade in the food processor. The butter never got "beat" into pea-size balls and thus the dough was clumpy and impossible to roll out. I kept using more and more flour to "un-stick" the dough from my rolling pin and my counter tops and I have since learned that will "over-process" the dough and result in a chewy texture. Sure enough...it did. The pie is just as ugly as can be. However....it smelled DAMN good while it was baking. I opted for an apple filling and tossed in some bourbon for good measure. I will say the inside is very tasty, if not a tad too "liquid-y." (Bourbon needs to be better portioned out...)

Overall...I am happy with my first attempt. I faced a big fear, I am on my road to warming the hearts (and tummys) of my loved ones and I have a "pie expert" coming over in two weeks to give me a tutorial. (Shout out Meredith Jones!) My goal is pear pie with Gruyere baked in the crust and some sort of deliciously fresh strawberry pie!

Here is my little pie....my first little pie....(I am throwing it out because I won't eat it and it is pretty tough. But I might toss a piece Jace's way. She is like "Mikey" with the sweets!)

Before you roar, please take a deep breath.

Goodnight, dear friends! If I do not blog before the New Year (which is a VERY distinct possibility) allow me to wish you and yours the happiest of celebrations! May His grace bless you all with another prosperous New Year!

Bad, Bad, Bad...

You know it is bad when you are receiving text messages from friends saying, "When are you going to update your blog?" Again...I have no excuse. I can't even blame Facebook this time. I simply haven't had much to say.

Last week was my first "official" week back to work. While it was lovely to see old work friends, I am still trying to readjust to the schedule. I found myself quite sleepy last week. Additionally, I had something to do every evening last week! No...I am NOT complaining...just trying to explain why there has not been a post since last Sunday.

This week I saw Julie & Julia (I also saw 500 Days of Summer~fantastic!). For those of you who do not know Julie & Julia is a movie about Julie Powell who cooked 584 recipes from Julia Child's cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking over a period of 365 days! She blogged faithfully EACH day! I was amazed! I mean...I find it hard enough to blog EVERY DAY...never mind serving up a fine French feast AND going to work EVERY DAY! I was inspired. However....I must have been only mildly inspired because I saw the movie on Thursday and I have only logged on to post today. Anyhow...at the end of the movie I turned to my mom and said, "You know...I started my blog to chronicle daily celebrations and as an outgrowth, to stay busy and find things to blog about. Now I am so busy, I don't have time to blog! Guess my plan worked!" So...today I celebrate the fact that the blog served it's purpose!

I am hoping to be more faithful this week....although I can already see where this week is shaping up to look exactly like last week! Busy, busy, busy all week long. Staying busy serves me well. I am the type of person who needs to stay busy. If not....I could have a repeat of today....which wasn't pretty! It was Movie Marathon Sunday. I laid in bed and watched The Manchurian Candidate, The Graduate and Some Like It Hot. The only thing that took me away from the television was an occasional nap. It struck me...I was no better than my cats today!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my friend Lisa a very Happy Birthday!

Happy Sunday, friends. For those of you welcoming fresh faces tomorrow....best wishes. You are charged with a beautiful task. I know it isn't always easy....but you all amaze me every day!

Goodnight.....

Road Trip-Part III (Precious Friendships)

The length of my absence is inexcusable! I was VERY lazy on vacation and have been VERY busy since my return. And...to be honest...I have been spending an INORDINATE amount of time on Facebook. HOWEVER....Facebook is responsible for my daily celebration. So....it's okay. Facebook has done my heart good.....

Today I celebrate old friendships and new ones! As part of my road trip to Dallas I was able to visit with an old friend, David Leggett! Below is a photo of David in his FABULOUS loft in downtown Dallas.
David and I met the first week of my freshman year at Southwestern University. He had attended high school with my suite mate, Jillian Hasty. I didn't know a soul. She knocked on our shared bathroom door and came bounding in with her dynamite, tiny girl, energy. I believe I ate my first meal with Jillian and David and I had every meal with them from that point on! David also became dear friends with Cara. So when I was planning my trip to see Cara, I sought David out on Facebook and arranged a special date! David was a most gracious host and it warmed my heart that we were able to spend the evening with him...even if I did leave the party to travel down two floors to the Martellus Bennet poolside party! (They share the same rooftop patio! The entire building was invited!)
Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with so many old friends. I had resisted and resisted and resisted and now I am just fascinated. It really is lovely to see people I knew in high school or college living unique lives and allowing me a peek into the paths they have chosen. What a gift to see Kelly Mott as a mother of three and still just as sassy as ever, Jill Bauknight as a mother of three and still just as funny as ever, to re-live my London study abroad days with Laura Goodson and Alicia Schweter, to reconnect with the boys from the KA house and be able to know them as adults...husbands and fathers, to heal through conversations with Amy Gillespie, to keep up with my little cousin Marisa's wonderful LA life, to see how Elena Guerra has not aged a day, to see the joy in Lisa Stroud's daily living, to see Joey Gomez all grown up and filled out, to plan a trip to visit Ramsey Jankowski, Gena Reynolds and Kelly in October! Sure...Facebook is eating up all my time....but it sure does my heart good to see how all these people who have impacted my life are living well! I really could not imagine a greater gift. AND....I convinced my mom to join! Imagine that! And she posts the kindest thoughts. Her posts are an inspiration.

In as much as old friendships are important...so are new ones! This is Meredith and Nathan....

I met them through Logan a few weeks ago and have been enjoying their company ever since! We have all formed a supper club...mostly because Logan is a great cook and Meredith is a CHAMPION pie maker. Jace' and I just watch....mostly. Meredith and Nathan are such a lovely couple and they are so easy to be around. You instantly get the feeling that they meet each and every person exactly where they are at and are absolutely cool with that. We (Jace' and I...yes...we are a "we") haven't known Meredith long but we feel as if we have been friends with her for years. I know I speak for both of us when I say we are excited to see where our friendship takes us in the future!

And here is one old friend and one new friend. You have both helped my soul heal so much recently. I am blessed to call you both....and your mom, Logan....my friends.

I am lovin' this magnet right now. I am not going to say much....other than I found this magnet on THE MOST PERFECT DAY of my life! Some of you know what I am talking about. For those of you that don't....go ahead and use your imagination. Then multiply that scenario by ten and you have the reason I love this magnet so much.....
I found this magnet on my trip in St. Augustine, Florida. I believe the shop is called Dragonflies and they had THE BEST magnets and cards. I spent 50 dollars on cards, alone! Yes...some of you should be expecting them in the mail soon! The magnet is produced by Anne Taintor, Inc.

I can not publish this post without wishing my OLDEST and DEAREST friend, Najla, a very happy birthday. I love you, little mama! I hope you had a great day with the best gift God could possibly bless you with....your family!

Goodnight, friends. Morning will roll around all too soon and I am just back to work today. My sleep schedule is all over the place.

This blog post is dedicated in loving memory of Bill Pearson (Cara's father) and CJ Liebl (Maria's step-son, Rick's son). They both passed away since my last entry. My thoughts and prayers are with their families. I have to believe they are both enjoying a great glass of red wine right about now.

Footprints

Today I celebrate another year of life. Today I leave my 33rd year and move into my 34th. I have had a hard time with this transition mostly because my mother told me (and Najla) my 33rd year was the most important. It was the year that Christ did most of his work and died. Last year on this day I expected MIRACLES for this year! Instead I was handed the most difficult year of my life thus far. However, I surprised myself! In the midst of adversity a completely different person arrived. I choose to believe the only way the new and improved Patty...we'll call her "Patty 2.0" emerged was because Christ was carrying her the entire way. So....it seemed beyond fortuitous and coincidental that I was able to begin this day with a long walk on the beach. I have always felt God and His presence most when I am around water. (I suppose it has to do with baptism and the whole "washing away" feeling.) I thanked God for a number of things, asked for a number of things for myself, for my family, for my friends and for those I love who I know are currently suffering greatly. I also said to God it was okay to drop me off and let me create my own footprints in the sand for a while..............

These are my Happy Birthday Feet! (I was alone on the walk so this was the only part of me I could really photograph! But I thought it might be a nice way to remember my early morning birthday walk.)

Above are some friends that I met along my walk. Surprisingly they were not afraid of me!
Finally....you will all see my birthday wish above! No pressure...but this is what I would like to receive for my 35th!

I would like to also celebrate the many blessings that have been placed in my life in the form of angels. You all know who you are and I couldn't be luckier! Know that I am thinking of each of you today and your unique impact on my life. You are all the best birthday present I could ever ask for! Thank you for loving me.

Have a wonderful day......

Random Photos Need Home

I have so many photos that need to be shared! I figured I would take this lazy Monday to upload all these photos and share them with you all.

Valerie's special birthday lunch at Sea Island. Jace' picked up this mini-cake for her.

Maria also celebrated her birthday in June. Her son, Logan and her husband, Rick hosted a special event for her at SoHo. The cake was unbelievably good! (Nadler's Italian Creme)

Logan cutting Maria's birthday cake.

Jace' and Maria celebrating Maria's 4oth Birthday! ;)

Jace' and Logan.

Rock Star on the Fourth of July. Aidan on drums, Patty on bass, Jace' on guitar and Julie on vocals.

Did you know that you play much better when you have properly stretched and warmed up?

Christine and Jace' single-handedly saved the Fourth of July BBQ. That's a large fire, ma'am.

Julie, Christine, Danica and Jace' at Christine's Fourth of July celebration.

After the second Chupacabra's softball win at Wetmore Bar. In this photo are Brian, Cyndi, Larry, Christine, Rico and Alma.

Larry, Christine and Rico lovin' the sweet joy of victory.

Celebrating at Wetmore Bar...Me, Julie, Christine, Alma, Cyndi.

Motz, Christine and Larry at softball park.

Rico and Sara at softball park.

Deep thoughts from the dugout. (Is that one word?)

Me and my girl....Ainsley!

Girls Night Out at Brasserie Pavil with Yvonne, Gloria, Rupa, Sangeeta and Katalina.

"Patty Posing" quincanera style at Sara and Rico's "Singles Party."

Sara and Rico graciously hosting us all in their lovely home.

Danica and Jace' at the "Sul Ross End of the School Year Bash." Jace' is an honorary staff member.

Enjoying the summer night at Christine's.

Beautiful ladies....Jace' and Christine.

Matthew, Danica and Sara.

Sara, Christine and I at the end of the year bash.

One of my favorite gals...Tracie Camp and I at end of the school year party.

I have been finding Tessie in this pose quite frequently lately! Seriously? Very un-lady like.

Phew....I feel so good having unloaded all those photos that were just begging to be posted!

Have a great week, friends!