Weekend of Dance, Music and Party!

 

Weekend of Dance, Music and Party!

Friday I was invited to attend a concert with Pilobolus Dance Company. Named after a barnyard fungus that propels its spores with extraordinary speed, accuracy and strength. That certainly personifies the dancers who move with great strength and speed. They make everything look so easy. Amazing and goose bumps on the last dance which culminated in switching off a single light bulb. Cindy and I dined before the show at Jorge’s Tex-Mex. We met Lori and Marilyn at intermission and I went out for a drink with them while they had a late dinner at Taverna. We had a great wine and wonderful appetizer with prosciutto. Topped with truffle oil and fresh ground pepper…delicious.

Saturday was time for the Plano Symphony Orchestra with the Canadian Brass. The Canadian Brass has five musicians who play Tuba (1), Trumpet (2), Horn (1) and Trombone (1). They entertain with the classical of Brahms, Schumann and J.S. Bach to the Beatles and Gershwin. So creative and fresh. Marilyn suggested Joe’s Italian since Carrabba’s had a 45 minute wait. Their tortellini carbonara was amazing. Sunday was my day of rest. I streamed worship since I was feeling tired when the alarm went off. Went to the first Cast of Bronze handbell choir rehearsal since December 2012. It was great to read through the music and discuss what direction this group may take. I am still trying to decide if it includes me or not. After rehearsal I met Cindy at Houlihan’s with other friends for her birthday party. I ordered their BBQ chicken flatbread, it was just right for my hunger level. Cindy and I had a glass of Bailey’s at my home before she went home to Ft. Worth. She had a good birthday. Prayers of thanksgiving as she made it home safely so she could sleep in her own bed. My joy was in the music of the weekend with dance, brass and handbells.

Photo credit: Larry Pollis

My twins turn 24!

My twins turn 24!

It’s hard to believe January 11, 1990 was 24 years ago, but it was. John and Sarah gathered about 15 close friends on Saturday, January 4 for an early celebration. A good time was had by all except me since that was the weekend I suffered with the flu. Since Sarah was going on a cruise with her friend, Briana from 1/9-1/13 we celebrated early on several evenings before Sarah left for Galveston. One evening Sarah and I got together with Maddie at the Main Street Bistro. We all enjoyed Peach Bellini Tini’s and delicious appetizers including their great Hummus. Sarah and Maddie are becoming such strong, independent, beautiful young women. I pray that they continue to discover what the future holds for them and to follow their dreams. My heart is full with pride and joy for my children and good friends. Friends and family relationships are only what YOU make them. I am doubly blessed, not just with twins but with family and friends who love and support me unconditionally.

Sarah (24)

Photo credit: Georgia Harris Wayne Davis

 

James (21)                           John (24)

 

Happy New Year

 

January 2014

After completing my 365 challenge in 2013 I took a few weeks off from blogging. Several have inquired, “Will I continue the blog?” The answer is, yes, just not every day. I placed great structure on my 365 challenge to blog my thoughts about Eat, Pray, and Joy every day. This year I will stay true to my blog title by writing thoughts on the elements of Eat, Pray, Joy but will not feel as compelled to blog about each one every day. Maybe weekly? Maybe monthly? We will see where the spirit moves me in 2014. That all said, I started the year off right by eating. We do it every day, right? 

 

 

New Year’s Day

My friend, Cindy stayed over and we slept in. We had a great “carb load” breakfast after our night of drinking. I prepared bacon, eggs, English muffins and bagels. In keeping the “good luck” tradition of New Year’s Day I prepared a big crockpot of black eyed peas complete with a pan of cornbread. I invited several friends over to spread the “luck” around. My daughter, Sarah, flew in from Minneapolis in the evening. My prayers were answered as she arrived safely. Nothing like picking someone up from the airport at 1 a.m. and getting up to go to work at 7 a.m. Her flight was delayed because of weather in Chicago. My joy was in seeing her at long last.

 

Starting off the year right…not!

Felt a little tickle in my throat as my morning alarm went off Friday morning. During the day felt worse and realized I was running a fever by evening. All three kids were in town and I didn’t want to miss anything but retired early to “sleep away impending illness.” It didn’t work as my fever spiked to over 103 during the night. Rushed to the doctor on Saturday morning, and was diagnosed with the flu…ugh!! They prescribed Tamiflu and other Rx. I crashed for the next 48 hours. Fortunately, taking the Tamiflu paid off and by Monday my fever broke. I prayed that none of the kids would get it. Prayers were answered as none did. My joy was in having a shortened case of the flu because of getting medication so quickly.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, New Year's Eve 2013

 

Day 365, 12/31/2013 - Eat, another bagel and fresh brewed cup of coffee for breakfast. Glad to work only a half day, I did some grocery shopping to get ready for black eyed peas on New Year's Day. Plans for the evening changed a bit and my friend, Cindy and I went to Ye Shire Tavern for New Year's Eve dinner and party. We enjoyed some munchies at the apartment first before walking to the Tavern for dinner. It is only .5 mile away and it is not worth a DUI to drive to and from when you know you will be having more than a couple of drinks. Since we had appetizers we shared their beef short ribs for dinner. Bruce saved us two seats at the bar. It was a lot of fun to toast the New York and Dallas New Year with new friends. Because of recent events over the past several years I needed to move on from some old traditions in and around New Year's. This doesn't mean that I won't get back to old friends and traditions, it just means that I did something different this year. Pray, prayers of thanksgiving on this last day of 2013. I am thankful to not be alone on New Year's Eve. Not that I am sad not to have a mate, I was just glad to be with people and friends on a huge "couple's night." Joy, my joy is in my friends, old and new, over the past year. I also find great joy in the fact that I completed my 365 challenge. I kept my journal for an entire year and blogged about each day of Eating, Praying and finding Joy. A huge sense of accomplishment. Happy 365 to me!