All Good Things Must Come To An End

I have never been known for brevity. In fact...I have just joined Facebook and I have already received several complaints about my extensive posts. Apparently you are to keep your thoughts as brief as possible. Another reason I think this world is going to hell in a handbasket! What happened to the beautiful art of letter writing? No....it's been reduced to statements like, "LOL....WTF....LMAO!" Sadly...I know what all that means.

Tonight's post will be brief. I am tired and largely emotionally drained.

My grandmother left today. I was very sad to see her go. We had a lovely 9 days together. I loved the structure. I took her far outside of her comfort zones and she took me outside of mine. This week was filled with pure, dear memories that will live in my heart for the rest of my life. I will forever cherish the time we spent together. My grandmother is such a special woman who spent the bulk of her adult life suffering. I truly feel she has found peace in her old age. Unfortunately for the rest of us that has resulted in a much quieter version of herself. I feel she now spends a large part of her day resting from the difficulties of life and in deep introspection. While it is hard for a grand-daughter to witness....as an adult grand-child I can understand. My mother and her sisters work tirelessly to make this time of her life the most pleasant time possible. I applaud them for that. The way they love my grandmother is an inspiration to me....and really makes me think about the way I treat my mother! (Yes mom...that was one big, huge, blanket apology for my sassy mouth!)

It is so quiet tonight and I feel very lonely and without purpose. I am sure I will feel more normal as the days press on. But for tonight...the melancholy of her absence has set in deeply. I hope she now knows she is welcome here anytime....and that she can seek comfort and solace in my home. As I have mentioned before...every woman needs "that" place! ( Ciara....you know your house is "my" place!)

Below are a few photos from the week. Mom, grandma and I on the Fourth of July.
The one and only event that garnered ANY excitement from my grandmother.....my friends' softball game! She enjoyed the gentle breeze and the cold beer! And...The Chupacabra's spanked the other team...so badly the game had to be "called!" (Good luck this week. I know it is the big game. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend...but I am there in spirit!)
And the final, beautiful photo. Every morning after coffee we sat outside. I was able to catch up on my Texas Monthly magazines while she sat silent in prayer. I snapped this photo and thought it was absolutely beautiful. I love you grandma...and I miss you very, very, very much already!
Goodnight friends! Hug your families extra hard tonight. These are the people in this life that you can trust. It is such a beautiful thing......

Play It Again, Sam

Happy Tuesday friends! The last few days have been heavy with laze. But that is okay. Yesterday was the first day since school let out that I didn't have something pressing to do. It was nice to relax. I woke up early, completed a piece of copy that needed to be written for Pictoric Media Group (thanks again Ciara) and then spent the day on my own terms....well, sort of....

My grandma is here! And having a "lazy Monday" was ENTIRELY her idea. I asked her what she would like to do and she said, "Nothing. I want to have a lazy day!" I said, "Okay! I have been dying for a lazy day for weeks!" So yesterday we did nothing...and today wasn't much more productive (although we did manage to get her to the salon for a wash and blow dry). She has been resting quite a bit. My theory is my mom and my aunts tired her out last week with shopping, late night bar-b-ques, primping, packing, etc. I think she is recovering here! However that all ends today. Mom is at the helm tomorrow and I can assure you she will not be so indulgent. She intends to take grandma to the mall while I am at a meeting for the Bereavement Center Silent Auction.

We have had a brilliant time together so far. It is so wonderful to host my grandmother in my home for the week. I cherish and value this time together. It is rare that she and I are ever alone together. I know this week will forever be a precious memory...for the both of us! I intend to pick her brain and probe into all those stories I think she might be ready to part with.

This is my favorite picture of my grandma. As I write this she is looking at the photo. She can't remember quite how old she was but she remembers it was taken in Laredo, TX when she was enrolled at Holding Institute. She says it was a finishing school and had various programs for women. For instance they trained you to be a secretary and things of that nature. She laughed at how curly her hair was in this photo. She says she achieved the look with pink foam rollers....ladies you ALL know those! My mother would put them in my hair EVERY Sunday evening and I would sleep in them all night. Monday morning I sported a beautiful mane and a terrible crick in the neck! I will forever contend....beauty is, in fact, pain!

We just finished watching Casablanca. She said she did not want to watch a "current movie" because often she didn't understand the content. I suggested a classic film. We purchased it "on demand." I, shamefully, have NEVER seen this film! She says she has seen it more times than she can count. However, she remembered the first time she ever saw it was at The Majestic Theater in San Antonio with her father and step mother. I thought that was a particularly sweet coincidence because that is, by far, my favorite place in San Antonio. It is a truly regal, historical building. It is the theater where I saw my first musical, Les Miserables. I think my love of theater grew in large part out of the grandeur of that building! (Not necessarily the musical!)

Tomorrow we don't have anything going on in the morning so we can sleep in, have our coffee and breakfast, spend some time outside while she prays to Jesus and then prepare her for the mall. No doubt she will be exhausted by the time my mom gets done with her. Thursday we will visit with Najla and Gianna as well as attend a softball game. She seems particularly excited about that. Friday she is being treated to a facial by Rene at Healthy Skin. Oh...the pampering! She deserves it!

Today's Top Ten List is courtesy of Jace'. Jace' has this insane ability to watch a movie once and not only memorize the most poignant lines; but recite them on command. While she and I have rather different taste in films...I do appreciate her unique talent. She has a particular penchant for what I call "stupid movie quotes." When I suggested the topic she took some offense. What I should have said was, "Hey Jace'...can you provide me with a list of your top ten favorite comedy film quotes?" By no means do I think these movies are stupid...well...no, no, no. I won't comment. I haven't actually seen all of these. When Johnny provided the YouTube links to his favorite songs to groove by, Jace' said she WOULD provide the same service. She would simply NOT be outdone!

Jace' and I at Maria's birthday party. I am playing with black and white and blurring of edges.

1) Airplane! 1980

This had me cracking up when I was in elementary school!! It’s a classic!

Rumack: Can you fly this plane, and land it?

Ted: Surely you can't be serious.

Rumack: I am serious... and don't call me Shirley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZPVw-Vl1ow

2) Wedding Crashers 2005

Mediation Scene This is too funny. Every time someone is talking to me and I don’t want to listen I just say this….

soon to be ex-wife: "You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C85tJflYb4s

3) Pineapple Express 2008

Saul and Dale about to light up a joint.

Saul: “Just sit back and get ready to enjoy some of the rarest weed known to mankind...

It's almost a shame to smoke it. It's like killing a unicorn... with, like, a bomb.”

4) Grandma’s Boy 2006

This movie is HANDS DOWN one of my all time favorite movies! It’s hilarious! It’s so funny that there is not just one or two quotes that stand out, but since I couldn’t put the entire movie on the blog here is what I came up with.

After he beats Bobby in Dance, Dance Revolution, this is how Jeff reacts:

Jeff: “Uh-Oh? High Score? What does that mean? Did I break it?”

Jeff is about to loss his virginity to one of Alex’s grandma’s friends. This is their pillow talk in bed. Oh, and Jeff is only about 25 in the movie.

Jeff: “So, I mean, what’s it like being old? It’s gotta be weird, right? I mean you saw a lotta stuff go down. World War I, World War II, the automobile, Tupac…”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsEuOw3ihbs

5) Caddyshack 1980

This movie needs no explanation, it’s still funny! The link is to the Caddyshack theatrical trailer.

Al: “Oh, this your wife, huh? A lovely lady. Hey baby, you must've been something before electricity.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrTqenN1SqQ

6) Role Models 2008

This movie has a few very funny quotes, but I have to include the Ben Affleck quote for my girl Patty!

Danny is this little 9 year old black kid that Ronnie and Wheeler have to be “Role Models” for (along with McLovin) so they don’t go to jail.

Ronnie: Suck it, "Reindeer Games!"

Danny: I'm not Ben Affleck.

Ronnie: You white? Then you Ben Affleck.

7) Friday 1995

This is another movie that needs no explanation.

Smokey: I got mind control over Deebo. He be like "shut the f**k up." I be quiet. But when he leave, I be talking again.

8) Office Space 1999

Bob and Peter are chatting about Peter’s lack of motivation.

Peter: “The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.”

The link below is the video of Peter “not caring” in the gangsta scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eniw_S8JaJM

9) Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy 2004

This is when Brian is talking about his special cologne called Sex Panther…it’s made with bits of real panther…

Brian: They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time, it works every time.

10) Dumb and Dumber 1994

There are entirely too many from this movie, so I’ll just say this…

Guy in restaurant: “Kick his ass sea bass!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUvV0BOiE6E

A special "thank you" to Jace'. I absolutely adore this crazy talent of yours. You keep us all laughing all the time! Even if "some of you" don't believe she really saw a chupacabra at that bar-b-que joint!

Here is another card from Quotable Cards. I love the sentiment of this celebrated quote. I often think I need to abide by this gentle suggestion on a much more frequent basis. This one is tough for me. I keep it right next to my desk to remind me.

Goodnight friends! Grandma has fallen asleep as I have been finishing this up. Unfortunately I am going to have to wake her up to get her ready for bed. She does not enjoy this! Who can blame her?

Window Shopping with Ros Russell and Ava Gardner

Tomorrow is Election Day! I will be busy assisting at headquarters with whatever task needs to be attended to. Probably making sure keys don't get locked in cars, cell phones don't go missing, computers don't grow feet and walk away, chargers don't get lost, lists get completed, names get remembered, etc. (That was funny!) I will have numerous photos to post on Monday. I am hopeful for a victory. This has been such an amazing experience for me. I wish I would have known how much fun campaigning could be. I would have gotten involved much sooner.

I have several daily celebrations today. First of all I would like to celebrate my dear friend Ciara on her birthday. Ciara and I have been friends since my sophomore year of college. She was a year behind me. I met her standing around a keg at the Kappa Alpha house! (Not hard to imagine since I was always there and there were always kegs!) We became friends and by January she had become my “diamond” or little sister in Alpha Delta Pi. We formed a very close friendship over the next three years and we have been close ever since. Ciara lives in Austin with her husband Ryan and her precious daughter Ella James. Ryan and Ciara have always been so gracious in allowing me to spend A LOT of time in their home. They hosted me EVERY SINGLE time I was in Austin attending Pilates weekend classes and logging over 500 practical hours to complete my comprehensive Pilates program! They have also always provided me a soft place to land during difficult times. Their house is truly a place of respite and comfort for me. (I sleep BETTER in their home than I sleep anywhere else!) I will forever appreciate their kindness and support (and great bedding) and I can not wait for my next visit! Happy Birthday Ciara. Your friendship means so much to me. You are the person I turn to when I need to hear “what I need to hear!” You have always been a source of strength for me. You have shown me unconditional love and acceptance. I am so blessed to have you in my life and to be a part of your life! I love you, friend.

I would also like to celebrate my shopping day with Mom and Grandma Olga. We began our day of leisure with lunch at Neiman Marcus. That is always such a lovely treat. Grandma enjoyed a pepper steak sandwich with a Pepsi! We then took her shopping for pants and tops at New York and Company. She also found three pair of comfortable shoes at Easy Spirit. In fact, she walked out of the store wearing her new scoots! After all that shopping she was ready to sit in the shade and have some banana nut ice cream. Needless to say she was ready for a nap by day’s end. We spent over 6 hours at La Cantera Mall. I was exhausted and I am 50 years her junior!

Grandma really fought us on the purchase of shoes. She said there was no need to purchase shoes for an 84 year old woman. She insisted we should, instead, purchase shoes for ourselves! Interesting how she found not one, not two, BUT THREE pair of shoes.

My grandmother is absolutely adorable. I love her so much. My earliest memories of my grandmother consist of her singing “Skip to my Lou” for hours while my cousins and I literally skipped around in a circle. She would care for me everyday after kindergarten. She would have lunch prepared for me and she and I would watch Search for Tomorrow together while my little cousin Marisa (who was a baby) would take a nap in her crib. My grandmother has this amazing gift. I am not quite sure how to explain it other than to compare it to the parable of Loaves and Fishes. My grandmother can take a small amount of food and when she is done preparing it you would swear she could feed an army. She loves to start her mornings praying in the backyard, singing to Jesus and feeding the birds. She once told me God has never denied her a request so if there was anything I really needed all I had to do was ask her. My grandmother loves to make people happy and meet all their needs…as she perceives them. For instance, if she thinks my cousin Marisa is in need of a new sauce pan she will take the sauce pan from my house that she figures I no longer need and give it to Marisa. Very often we have to call each other if something has gone missing. After a few phone calls the item usually turns up. My grandmother can also be very, very, very sassy! I think this is my favorite quality of hers. She has a wonderful sense of humor but do NOT upset her and do NOT slight anyone of her family members. She has never been known for keeping her opinions to herself. It’s rather entertaining to see her get worked up. She’s such a tiny little lady but she sure can pack a big punch. As far as grandmothers go….I think I’ve got one of the best ones out there! I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to get to know her as an adult. And I am also thankful she has had the opportunity to see me grow into a woman. I love you grandma and Happy Mother’s Day. (One of you please show this to her! Thanks....)
I am lovin' Bridget's Sexiest Beaches on the Travel Channel! I have been lovin' Bridget since the first episode of The Girl's Next Door. Bridget has now joined the Travel Channel line up and is globe trotting in search of the world's sexiest and most beautiful beaches. The hour long show, hosted by Bridget Marquardt, highlights various beaches and local customs, attractions, cuisines, etc. Ever the happy bubble girl, Bridget brings her unique brand of cheeriness, joy and friendly, laid-back nature to the show. (Image from http://www.forum.zomgstuff.net/ .)

You can't help but smile while watching this show. Not only does Bridget transport you to some of the world's most famous beaches she does so with a sort of tongue in cheek sense of humor. She is able to laugh at herself and can often be seen falling down on rocks and slipping in slimy ponds. She is also up for adventure. Clearly she is an adrenaline junkie and it is fun to watch her attempt the things I would never consider taking part in like diving with sharks, para-sailing (well...I might consider that), flying through the air in various contraptions, etc.

My favorite episode is Croatia. I had NO idea! I mean....honestly....my geographical skills are poor, at best. I don't think I even knew Croatia had a coastline. (Embarrassing admission!) Not only was the water beautiful, the cities, villages and islands she visited are full of history and extraordinary character. I can not wait to make this trip! (I am hoping it might be my honeymoon destination! The romance factor seemed incredibly high! And if I never get married I will take myself there! Anyone want to come along?)

I am lovin' this dress Bridget wore on the episode. I can't seem to access the website...sad for me! (Images from http://www.travelchannel.com/.)

Above is a photo of Bridget and Sarah Underwood on a boat ride along the Croatian coast. (Image from http://www.pantylinepress.com/ .)

If you have not caught any of the first run episodes I am certain the Travel Channel is airing previously broadcast episodes. Take an hour out of your day, lay down, and imagine yourself with an exotic drink in hand, smelling the ocean, listening to the crashing waves and feeling the sun dancing on your skin! Yummy magic!

Lorelai and Rory are sitting in Lorelai's Jeep avoiding a very important and difficult conversation.

Lorelai: We're having a bike race. A bike race through town. First one ever. Taylor is really excited. Maybe Sheryl Crow will come.

(Image from http://www.flourishministry.com/.)

Goodnight, friends. One last reminder...if you haven't voted...tomorrow is your day!