My Life in Fort Worth

Duke and Stitching

2009-05-08T00:25:00.004-05:00

First off, I'd like to mention that I adore my cat. He's the sweetest little guy (when he feels like it.) The other day I was dying of the heat, so I cranked up the A/C to deep freeze. However, it seemed to me that Duke was probably cold. (His fur was cold, which isn't a good thing, I think.) Anyway, so I covered him up while he cuddled up on my chair.

As far as stitching goes, right now I'm focusing on a project for a lady in New York state. It's a birth record for her son, and I'm really having a good time with it. It's the first pattern I've stitch from With My Needle, but I'm pleased. Plus, the colors really suit my personal preferences, so it looks good to my eye. Since it's not my project, I won't post photos until it's completed, and I have permission from the woman it's for.

I did take a few moments to stitch up a little piece from The Heart's Content. I wanted to try stitching over one on 40 count. I did enjoy it, but my brain hurt afterwards, I felt a little cross-eyed for a few days afterwards. However, the end result was just SO charming, I can see myself doing this again in the near future. (Once I have a VERY bright light, and one of those magnifiers.)

Look! A little bunny came to smell the flowers.

This is the fabric I intend to back the piece with. It was included in the kit, but I really do like them together.

Please don't eat my flower little bunny!

Nope, that's not a godzilla thumb, the piece is just so tiny, I thought I needed to show some scale.

My attempt at an "art" shot. I have some practice ahead of me! This was SO much fun to stitch. When I get back from my trip, I'll be bringing a sewing machine with me, and once I get a little practice, I plan on turning this into my first scissor fob!

Unfortunately, Claudia

2009-04-27T23:41:00.002-05:00

So, a friend suggested that I type in "unfortunately, Claudia" into Google, and see what came up. For the slightly twisted part of my brain, it was really quite amusing, my favorites are:

"...have some potential nasty side effects, unfortunately Claudia experienced this."

"Unfortunately, Claudia refused to grown and learn, so her potential could not be fully reached."

"Unfortunately, Claudia has suffered from Peru's current bad economy and had to take a loss in the selling of the chilies."

"Unfortunately, Claudia's travels never took her there."

"Unfortunately, Claudia cannot answer all emails personally."

"Unfortunately Claudia could only find one lake in Germany."

"Unfortunately, Claudia and Alex get into a bad fight. To make matters worse, someone locks Alex and Claudia up in the toilet by mistake."

And the strangest "Unfortunately, Claudia died at her post in the final battle against Khyron (although in the original Macross, she does not die)."

Unfortunately, my life hasn't been nearly this entertaining... lol

PIF - Pay It Forward

2009-04-24T00:37:00.003-05:00

So, I've been thinking about a good way to improve my karma. I feel like it's something that needs tending to... Several of the stitching blogs that I follow have what are known as PIFs, or Pay It Forwards, based on the movie of the same name. I've signed up for one at Moon Child's blog (http://moonchild776.blogspot.com/), and of course I want to pass it on. Now, the way that I'm going to work this is the first 5 people who comment on this post will get something from me. (Be warned, I'm going to use this as an excuse to practice my finishing skills, which are currently nil.) I promise that whatever you receive will be something that I am proud to give, and you'll get it within the next year. The rules are that you have to pass the warm fuzzy feeling on. Either put up a similar post with a similar promise on your blog, or if you're not a blogger, pass it on in your own way, and then let me know about it! Sending little crafts is the easiest way for me to PIF, so that's why I'm choosing this method. I don't know about other people, but for me, getting something in the mail can make my whole week better. (Hold over from living at boarding school, when packages meant goodies from home or Mrs. Biddle!) Just leave a comment, and if I don't know you personally, your email, and I'll get working on a little goodie just for you!

Claudia

First Etsy Sale

2009-04-19T16:52:00.004-05:00

So, I completed my very first custom work for a woman through Etsy. I've made and completed a bookmark for her, and I'm popping it in the mail tomorrow. I'm working with another woman on Etsy to create a custom banner for my shop, and I'll be taking better pictures of the items I have to sell so that my shop will be more inviting.

Also, I have an order from a woman on Etsy to make a birth announcement for her grandchild. I'm just waiting on the materials to arrive so that I can get it started. I'm glad to feel productive again. :)

Cross Stitch Nook

2009-04-05T00:27:00.002-05:00

It may not be a fancy sewing room, or some designer inspired nook, but it's all mine!!! The chair is incredibly comfortable, the lamp sheds light right onto my work, and my stash is within easy reach! Really, what else could you ask for? I've covered the chair with a blanket to keep all that cat fur (and claws) off of it, but I think that it just ends up looking homey.

The Rings!

2009-03-11T00:12:00.003-05:00

My ring!

Daniel's Ring!

We've decided on these rings from James Avery. After a LONG discussion we've decided to go with silver rings. We both like the brightness of silver better than white gold, and platinum is out of sight these days. Also, we're not fans of yellow gold. We know that silver means that we'll have to polish them, but these rings are going to be a BREEZE to polish, so we're okay with that. They look much more similar in real life. Daniel's is just 1/32 inch wider than mine, and the difference is just REALLY subtle. I had thought that I would want something more dramatic. There's a James Avery ring with Hebrew on it saying "My Beloved is Mine and I am His" that I really thought that I wanted. However, I realized that traditional was really the way to go for us.

Anyway, I'm thrilled with the rings that we chose, and I can't wait to have him put mine on, and me put his on at the wedding! :) I realized that I have been choosing most of the vendors/locations/everything by what I can visualize at the wedding, and when I saw these rings I could just see us standing in front of everyone exchanging them. I guess that since a wedding is an emotional thing, it's ok to make all my decisions based on emotions. (Well, mainly, I'm getting contracts to back everything up as well! lol)

Stitching Goals

2009-03-09T22:49:00.003-05:00

So, I'm always trying to remember what my stitching goal for the month are (as everything else gets in the way) so I thought that this month I would try and write them down. We'll see if I get enough of them done this month, for me to want to make it so public next month!!

1. Finish "Peace on Earth"

2. Start, and get to at least part 2 of the Grand Abecedaire

3. Make something for Lisa

4. Do both baby bibs, one boy and one neutral. Get both mailed!

5. Make one of the items from my Heart's Content kit, and then finish it myself.

I think 5 is ambitious enough. I have my nieces at least for two days while they're on Spring Break, which means I won't be able to get anything done those days! :) Plus I do have school to still focus on.

ETSY!

2009-02-24T14:19:00.002-06:00

So, I've posted my first two items for sale on Etsy.com. I have my own web address of: ThreeClaudiasDesigns.etsy.com I've only got three items up for sale as a tester. We'll see how this goes before I start posting a bunch of other items, or start finishing items before selling them.

Easter Basket

2009-02-24T12:55:00.003-06:00

It's been awhile since I had a completed project to display. I took some time to work on "Cirque des Cercles" which is simply going to take me a few years to complete. So, I work on it for a while, and then I start something less involved. I really enjoyed stitching this piece by Blackbird Designs. I've got a few more of their patterns to stitch as well.

Spooky Tree

2009-01-29T23:26:00.002-06:00

Back Front

So, I decided that I should try and branch out in my stitches. I mastered satin stitch today. As soon as I have a chance to pick up the thread that I need, my next goal will be to work on diamond eyelet, algerian and perfecting my anchoring of straight stitches. Until then, I will continue working on projects that I have (until now) left half undone. :)

Bad Hare Day

2009-01-27T00:49:00.003-06:00

I found this in my cross stitch bin, and it was almost completed. So I finished it up this afternoon. I have to say, Bent Creek Designs did a great job with this, the bunny looks ready to rumble. :)

Bouquet of Roses

2009-01-26T15:31:00.001-06:00

Belize Reef WildCam

2009-01-22T11:06:00.003-06:00

Here's the latest WildCam that I'm following. It's located in the Belize Barrier Reef. When I last looked it was surrounded by a school of little fish.

In other news, Duke the cat, is very angry with me. I went to my sister-in-law's house to wait for some people to come and pick up her TV for repairs. While I was there her cat KC decided that he was in the mood for affection which is really rare. Of course, I must smell like KC to Duke, and now he won't look at me.

Oh well, I have the WildCam to keep me company. :)

Oh, by the way, to get to the Website, just click on the title of this posting "Belize Reef WildCam"

Needlepoint

2009-01-20T21:44:00.004-06:00

This time it's a needlepoint project. Obviously it needs to be blocked. I'm thinking that it might make a cute top to a box, or I might use it to make a bag for my needlework.

Finished Pieces

2009-01-20T10:39:00.004-06:00

I discovered a bunch of finished cross-stitch pieces that have yet to have anything done with them. The obvious is framing, but Daniel and I will just have to sort that out. Thought that I would post them up for everyone to see!

Teddy Bear Princess

2009-01-12T10:41:00.003-06:00

This is a cross stitch project I made for my niece's birthday. I've decided to start documenting my work, so that I'll have a record. I did this in a week, but it's actually quite detailed, as there are 7 colors in each of the ears alone. :) Here's the back as well. I'm fairly pleased with it.

I should mention that the design is from Solaria Gallery. Their website is: http://www.solaria.online.bg She has a bunch of great free designs. I plan on doing one of the Icons next.

Duke's New Bed

2009-01-07T20:58:00.002-06:00

Grandma Gonzalez

2009-01-07T20:56:00.003-06:00

We caught her on camera!

Duke at the Window

2008-12-11T15:59:00.003-06:00

Duke spends most of his days sitting by the bedroom window. Whenever I walk in there he meows loudly at me, and I think that he's telling me to get the heck out so that he can watch the birds in peace. He just always looks so sweet and hopeful sitting by the window. I often just stand in the doorway watching him. He's our fearless leaf killer, as the balcony is always under attack from the leaf army stationed not far from the front door. It makes me wonder what he would do if instead of leaves, we had a real enemy, like twigs or acorns trying to beat in the door?

Apparently I scared off something important, and he's upset with me now.

Wedding Website

2008-12-02T23:25:00.003-06:00

So, I've been working on the wedding website. I think that it'll be more useful for the RSVP's and what not. It's got some information on it, and once Daniel and I manage to get our engagement photos taken, we'll have a better photo on there.

Daniel's been thrilled the past few days, I've been recovering from a short bout of illness. Nothing serious at all, but I've been too lazy to do anything in regards to the wedding, so for once he didn't have any decisions to make or questions to answer about the wedding. I'll try and give him another week or two of break. Of course, I'll be back to bugging him about guest lists and protein choices here shortly.

The Dress!!!

2008-11-30T16:41:00.002-06:00

The shoulder thing is removable.

Daniel found a grey hair

2008-11-28T18:32:00.003-06:00

Daniel found a grey hair on the top of his head, as opposed to one along the temple or hairline.

So, this is his response to that...

Thanksgiving Fun

2008-11-28T15:05:00.005-06:00

I spent today getting the house decorated for Christmas. Once Daniel comes home from work, we'll decorate the tree. I'll post pictures of that later.

Duke is very unhappy that I found the Christmas Elf hat. HAHAHAHA, kitty's in trouble now! I just had to post this... I think that Lisa might have had a little too much turkey.

More Bourbon Orleans Hotel

2008-11-28T15:02:00.004-06:00

We'll probably put the sign in book here, or maybe the bar if it's a rainy day The foyer area This is the small room where we'll have the cocktail hour, or the ceremony if it's raining The right side of the courtyard, those french doors open into the small room where the cocktail hour will be.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

2008-11-28T14:57:00.004-06:00

This is a view of the reception room from the courtyard The left side of the courtyard Daniel and I will stand in front of the fountain (it works, and we'll be adding some floral here) The reception room The band will be in that back corner.

Baby Jeremiah

2008-11-28T14:55:00.004-06:00

Isn't he precious?!?!

Wedding Trip to New Orleans

2008-11-22T14:54:00.007-06:00

So, the wedding trip to New Orleans was an unqualified success. We were able to meet with a lot of great people, and we viewed some very interesting properties. The people of New Orleans are just so friendly! It really boosted my confidence in having my wedding there. Mom and I were able to go ahead and choose the ceremony and reception venue, the florist, the photographer, the hair/make up lady and the officiant in just 5 days. We also have a lot of different ideas about a rehearsal dinner, if we end up having one.

The ceremony location is the St. Ann's Cottage courtyard at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. http://www.bourbonorleans.com There are two rooms there around the courtyard, and we'll be in those. One for the cocktail hour and one for the reception dinner itself. I have a few photos, and I'll get around to posting them eventually. Charlotte, our event coordinator at the hotel is really who sold us on having it there. She's SO great, and she's full of wonderful ideas!

For the flowers, we're going with Diane with Fat Cat Flowers. http://www.fatcatflowers.com She was VERY highly recommended. It seems that she's someone that other wedding professionals like to work with. She really seemed to have an instinctive idea of what I'd like in different types of flowers, and I know that she'll execute my idea of having lots of different lilac and lavender colored flowers.

I'm really excited about my photographer, Eric Lincoln. He's a freelance journalist for the Times-Picayune and other local publications. I really wanted a true photo-journalistic style, and I just love his work. http://www.ericlincoln.com (Click on Events)

For my hair and make up I'll be working with Heather Ramirez with Flawless Bride http://www.flawless-bride.com She's extremely friendly, and willing to work with me without having a lot of advance time to practice. We had a trial run on my eyes yesterday. She even put false eyelashes on me (a very minimal amount). I think that the look she created was great, but a little dramatic for me. She was very interested in hearing what I had to say. I liked the fact that she started our conversation with the fact that she felt that it was her job to make a bride look like herself, just a little more glam. So, I know that she won't take it over the top on my wedding day. (Also, she agreed to let me have a second trial run the day before the wedding.)

For the officiant, I've decided to work with Judge Wally Porter. He's very friendly, and I really enjoyed talking with him. He has a good grasp of exactly what I want. Also, he's funny, but not overly so.

I know which company I'll be working with for the invitations and save the dates, Inscriptions on the Boulevard, and we think that we'll probably work with Herb Tassin's Band for our wedding music. http://www.herbtassinmusic.com

Well, other than that, we haven't really made any of the choices that I know will drive me nuts. Next weekend Lisa and I will start the dress hunt. That, and I'm trying to figure out how to have a second line parade at the end of the evening. I'll let you know as more things happen or are decided.

Gabonese Village!?

2008-11-13T19:21:00.002-06:00

Seriously, grass huts?!?! Being fed on banana leaves?!?!?! That is not the typical experience of a typical Gabonese village. Also, in regards to the dancing, I am NOT an expert, but I never saw dancing that looked quite like that. In Gabon, people live in simple homes, but they're made of corrugated tin and cinder block not grass and twigs.

I guess I should expect it, but it just seems like CBS had a chance to really show the warmth and friendliness of the Gabonese people, and instead they went with a fake Disney-esque display.

History in the Making

2008-11-05T10:31:00.003-06:00

Let me start with this. I voted for Barak Obama. However, I don't think that he's enough. Really, I wish that American culture was right for Socialism. Do I think the US will ever be a true Socialist society? No, our culture of "me first, everyone else for themselves" prevents a system where everyone has the same, fair, start in life.

I have had the chance to witness history in the making. Whether or not you agree with his politics, I think that we can all agree that prejudice took a large step back last night. Do I think that we have woken up this morning into a utopia? Even I am not that naive. As a child I saw the Berlin Wall being torn down on the evening news. I didn't understand then that what I was watching was a society that no longer wanted to be divided, but wanted to live as one. Then, I was able to watch the peaceful transfer of power from the white controlled government and the end of apartheid in South Africa.

Last night I watched America put aside the stigma of race. I saw Americans choose a candidate that had the ability to inspire them. He is not perfect, his policies will not always work, but he was able to inspire people of all ages, all socio-economic levels, and all races to go to the polls. Whether they voted for McCain or for Obama, they voted. No presidential race that I have been able to vote in has inspired so many. My fiance, Daniel hadn't voted since he voted for Clinton. He did not vote for Obama, he didn't vote for McCain either, but he voted. We, as a nation saw the candidates for what they are, and made a choice based on politics not on race. There is still a long way to go in regards to American racism, but we can all be proud that as a country we were able to put that aside for what really matters.

For those who think that America is now going to hell in a hand basket, I give them the same advice that I have been given over the years. Immigrate. If you don't like the fact that in America you might not always win. If you think that by exercising our collective right to vote we are destroying the country, move somewhere else. For a long time I thought that the person who told me that was just being a jerk. In fact, he was trying to tell me something very important. The best part of America, the part that we can all love, is the fact that every 4 years we come together and make a choice. The past 8 years have been 'losing' years for me, but for that, I should only love America more.

More Survivor

2008-10-31T09:46:00.004-05:00

Despite my best intentions, I have found myself to be more wrapped up in who's getting voted off than what the scenery looks like. I guess I'm just not as strong in face of reality TV as I thought... That being said, the most real moment of the whole show happened last night. When the winning team received their letters from home, the gentleman who delivered them did not speak English. Of course I was devastated that the stupid Americans didn't manage to squeak out a "Merci." I mean, SERIOUSLY?!?! It's just awful to know that a major TV network can't manage to let thier contestants know the basics of friendiness. No wonder everyone hates Americans, which is fine for people who want to stay here for the rest of their lives, but they're ruining it for those of us who actually like to leave the country on a semi-regular basis.

Ok, off my soap box. Daniel has the day off today, so we're going to go run around and look at wedding invitations, and other general foolishness. It's my reward for not complaining too much while we cleaned the apartment yesterday. (Think spring cleaning.) Well that, and Daniel said he'd buy Duke one of those carpeted cat tree things. I know, I know, I won't clean if someone just asks, or for just general sanity sake... but when you sweeten the pot with wedding invitations and something for the cat... Actually, I'm glad we did it. We ended up streamlining what's on the mantle, so we can actually see what's up there. We're giving away a big bag of clothes and some odds and ends, but mainly we were able to pitch a bunch of clutter that had been dragging us down. It's amazing how paperwork can get so completely out of control. (That, and shoes.)

Sci Fi has the real (ish) Africa

2008-10-15T21:11:00.003-05:00

The Sci Fi Channel's Destination Truth (where they hunt mythological creatures, like the Loch Ness monster) was in The Gambia for their show tonight. The Africa they portrayed was much more like the one I experienced in Gabon. The scenes of the airport were classic with broken conveyor belts, strange customs rules, and a customs desk that was really a reconsigned set of shelves with a guy standing there. As they traveled up river, their boat captain didn't have enough fuel, so the boat ran out, and the captain abandoned the boat to go in search of fuel. They were also rather candid about why you shouldn't eat salad in Africa (they wash the lettuce in local water). It's interesting how a film crew with only 2 cameras from the Sci Fi channel can get the feel of Gambia after just a few days in country, whereas Survivor Gabon ends up making Gabon seem like a Disney theme park, and they had months....

Saturday

2008-10-12T11:14:00.004-05:00

Boy did we have a busy day yesterday! We went to see the King Tut exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. I have to say, I was a little disappointed. I mean, it was GREAT to see all those treasures, but Tut's death mask wasn't on display, and considering it one of the most famous images of his treasure I was a little disappointed. There were some great examples of tomb treasure from the tomb of Yuja and Tjuya like a gold sarcophagus, but it wasn't the same.

After that we went to the State Fair and sat in every car at the Auto Show. Of course, we tried the new Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. I think it was the greasiest thing I've ever eaten, but it was completely worth it. Daniel tried the fried moon pie, but being an anti-moon pie person I abstained. Of course I got my corny dog, and Daniel had a GREAT philly cheesesteak. We ended the night with funnel cake. We probably should have come to feel fat and happy, but we ended up driving around Dallas for a while (we never get out there) and then meeting up with some old friends of Daniel's. It being Texas v. OU weekend, there were a bunch of people out having a good time.

We finally made it home late, content with a Saturday lived to the fullest.

This is Daniel sitting in the new Challenger.

Survivor Gabon 10/09/08

2008-10-10T22:31:00.002-05:00

I think I know where this is being filmed. Did you see how they brought everyone to the beach for the redivision of the teams? Well, I know that there is a resort area called Lope with the topography of grasslands punctuated by small patches of jungle, and it's near the coast. (Near enough that you can see both in the same walk.) The resort at Lope is not one of these luxury places, or at least it wasn't when we visited in the mid-1990's. Instead, it's more like camping in wooden huts with a generator for some basic floodlights and a deep freeze. I believe, when we went, it was sort of a retreat for fishermen.

If this is being filmed in Lope, then the scene of a loping mountain gorilla are completely off base. as far as I know, all the mountain gorillas of Gabon live in the area of the interior near the border with old Zaire. Lope is a LONG way from there. There are hippos in the Lope area, and I believe one of the points of interest for the Lope area is the fact that the hippos are known to stroll along the beach area.

So, I think that it's a travesty that they are implying that there are mountain gorillas in the coastal regions of Gabon. Also, I hope that the elephant they were previewing for the next show wins the whole thing and completely destroys their tribal council. So, let's all root for the forest elephant next week!

Howard Family Reunion

2008-10-10T22:26:00.003-05:00

I'm only 1/4 of an inch away from 5'9" and I'm in the front row! I tried to be in the back with the boys, but someone said I couldn't hide.

Daniel Meets the Family

2008-10-06T10:13:00.002-05:00

Daniel and I went to the Howard Family reunion. It's a gathering of all the children of my maternal grandmother's brother and sisters. It was wonderful to see everyone! My young cousins are all growing so tall! There are 4 young men that can be best described as very tall pine trees. Each time I see my cousins, I realize how much I miss them. Of course, it's wonderful to go because we get to hear all the news, about new babies and how the kids are doing in school. Daniel and I were able to announce our engagement to my family, which was wonderful. Happily they seems to think that our idea of a planned elopement is a good one! Also, thankfully, Daniel seems to think that my family is pretty cool. Of course, they all liked him, how could you not? I just hope that we'll be able to go again next year. I want to see how tall those boys can get!

Lakeside Farms

2008-10-06T10:06:00.005-05:00

This is roughly midday, the water's so still it should be called Mirror Lake... The trees are just beginning to turn color. This is a view down the length of the dam. We have a flock of geese that no longer migrate but just live at the lake. I can't stand them, but then again I really can't imagine the lake without them.

Survivor Gabon.. The Pain keeps going

2008-10-02T22:25:00.003-05:00

First off, a note of disclaimer. I was listening to the show, but I didn't really watch tonight. I was more engrossed in looking at pictures of beautiful Caribbean beaches, trying to decide which one I would rather spend my honeymoon on.

That said, I would like to point out a couple of things. First off, the "tribe" that was upset because they were having to cut their rice portion down to 2 servings a day just made me sick. There are millions of people in Africa who are living their lives on half of that amount. The contestants all have the tools to fish. Why not use those tools and provide themselves with some more food. The contestants are in Africa, shouldn't they be attempting to adapt?

Also, the location that the producers have chosen for filming this season doesn't show the best of Gabon's environment. I'm not saying that it isn't authentic (although I still wonder if this isn't being shot in Mississippi or something). However, the parts of Gabon that were my favorite, the parts that really seemed to catch the steamy beauty of the country were the jungles. Gabon is home to some of the most beautiful hardwood trees, and dense, lush jungle. The forest elephants are amazing creatures, and there isn't a more chilling sound than a group of angry chimps crashing through the forest.

I guess I thought that Survivor would show more of the surroundings of the contestants. I should have excepted the little huts that aren't very Gabonese, or the generic LA version of African music. Gabon is just such an enchanting, magical place, I thought that some of that would rub off on the show. Instead, the Gabon they are presenting is clinical, cold, and basically just grass and dirt.

One last thing, that girl wandering around looking for the immunity idol... Really? If she had really been left out there she wouldn't have lasted 15 minutes.

The Rant Begins - Survivor Gabon

2008-09-26T12:38:00.000-05:00

Ok, other than that fact that apparently NO ONE knows how to dress reality show guests for life in equitoral Africa, the main problem is the host's complete inability to pronounce Gabon. Do you see an 'e' at the end of Gabon? Maybe I'm blind, but I don't see it. If there's no 'e' why on God's green earth would you pronounce it ga-BONE?!?!?!?!?! It's not that hard, Bon, as in Bon-Bon!!!!!! Ok, I feel better, don't you? The challenges they give those guests are pretty stupid, but I have respect for the girl who ate the termite. Sure she was whiny and I was glad to see her go, but she ate that bug! Also, what moron gave those people a boat? They keep showing pictures of hippos, don't they know what hippos do in the wild? Hippos flip boats. If a boat gets too close or makes them nervous, they'll flip the boat, and from what I hear, those teeth they have do NOT feel good. Also, is it just me, or did they all seem awfully clean and bug bite and zit free? I know that if I spent 3 days in Gabon, even if it was in Libreville with a shower, I would be covered in bug bites and have big zits on my face. At least at first until I got used to living there again. So, I think that they're really filming this in South Carolina, and the elephant the players heard was really just the film crew hacking through the brush. One last thing. Did you see how all the contestants were sitting on those tribal council logs in shorts and what not? Well, if they're really filming all this outside, in Gabon, watch for them getting worms exploding out of their legs. In that part of the world, they have these flies that lay their eggs in wet wood, or wet t shirts, really anything left out long enough for a fly to land on, that is damp. If you sit directly on the wet wood, or wear the wet t shirt without ironing the shirt (killing the larvae) it is not uncommon for the larvae to burrow into your skin and live there until it's time for them to eat their way out. (I'm not kidding, a kid who came to visit our school in Libreville had that happen to them.) So, let me know if you hear about any worms coming out of skin....

Shrine to Don Pedro Jaramillo

2008-06-21T11:52:00.001-05:00

Don Pedro Jaramillo was a folk healer in South Texas. This June my parents and I went on a mini-road trip and stopped by. It was am amazing place. The wall are covered in pictures of people who have come to ask Don Jaramillo for his help, even so long after his death.

Pictures of the Rockport House Garden

2008-06-21T11:49:00.001-05:00

Dad landscaped this garden pretty much himself, and it's a beautiful Eden there in Rockport.

My Men

2008-06-21T11:48:00.000-05:00

2008-06-18T12:18:00.002-05:00

Wow, it has been quite the month. After I found out that I'm ok, I learned that my Dad has skin cancer, bad. He's going to be ok. It's non-melanoma, so it hasn't metatisized. However, he's had it for a while, so we're not sure how big his scar will be. It wouldn't be so bad, but it's on his face. Really, I just hate the fact that cancer is something my Dad has to deal with. He shoulders a lot of burdens in our family, this is one he doesn't need. I wrote that I'm ready to start being interested in my life. Well, one thing that I know that I want is to marry my boyfriend, Daniel G. I also know that he wants to marry me, by virtue of the fact that he has told me he wants to. We aren't engaged. I've asked him, but I think that he really doesn't see it as official until he asks me... I guess I'm just a little too modern sometimes. Also, I'm working on losing the weight that I've put on over the past few years. I'm ready to be healthy. Daniel and my nieces deserve the Claudia that I know that I can be, the healthy, ready to run around Claudia. I'm down 24 pounds, and there's still a long way to go, but I'm getting there.

No Cancer Here

2008-06-05T21:39:00.002-05:00

So, I've been going through something that is mundane in general, and very profound for my own personal life. My mother battled breast cancer (and won) over 20 years ago. Due to the fact that she was so young when she was diagnosed, my doctor recommended that I go ahead and get yearly mammograms. No big deal, except there was a spot. A very small spot. A spot so small they couldn't see it on the ultrasound. For me, it was the size of the whole world. It was the most horrible thing I had ever seen. The doctor said I could wait 6 months and come back, or I could get a biopsy. The idea of waiting 6 months... well let's just say I've lost half my hair from stress in the past week.

I got the results back today. I'm healthy. There's nothing wrong, thank God. But, I think that it's time for me to change a lot in my life. I've been to content to just let life pass me by, to let things just happen. I want to be more interested in my own life.

The girls and their beloved uncle!

2008-05-18T14:29:00.002-05:00

Christmas Elf... the Video

2007-12-20T02:01:00.000-06:00

If Daniel and I are found dead with a lot of little scratches on us... well this is the motive.

Duke's Still Mad

2007-12-08T23:18:00.000-06:00

I think Duke is still mad about the Christmas Elf costume.

Our First Decorated Christmas

2007-12-08T22:46:00.001-06:00

Our Tree. It's small, it's fake, but it's ours.

We've been meaning to decorate the tree for weeks now. (At least since Thanksgiving.) A combination of sheer laziness and no chilled Champagne has kept us from getting it done before now. Tonight I was willing to pass on the bubbly, so it actually got done! There's something missing from a holiday season when you don't have a Christmas tree. Without it, the whole time just seems more mercenary.

Somehow the mantle theme ended up being Jim Shore and candles, but we like it. I think that it has a homey feel to it, and Christmas is nothing if not homey.

Lunch

2007-12-08T00:27:00.001-06:00

Every week Daniel and I go to lunch at our favorite Vietnamese noodle joint. This week, well Daniel was bored.

LAST PAPER

2007-11-28T21:07:00.001-06:00

I just needed to share... I turned in my last paper for the semester today! (I still have an exam or two, but no more papers!)
Other than that, there's no new news here. I had a great time in Atlanta visiting the family for a late Thanksgiving break. I am being forced to work out every weekday because of a really stupid bet I made with Daniel. (I bet that the Redskins would bet the Cowboys.) This weekend I'm going to the Nutcracker with Daniel's nieces. (It was a birthday present.) AND, Duke hasn't killed us yet, but I think that he's plotting. Really I just wanted to gloat about finishing my paper!

Christmas Elf

2007-11-17T14:05:00.001-06:00

AND WE WONDER WHY KITTY HATES US

The Study of History

2007-11-15T00:21:00.001-06:00

I am often asked why I study history. Normally I respond with "studying history lets us predict the future." Nine times out of ten that shuts them up. Sometimes the questioner wants further explanation, at which time I either use the Rwanda genocide or the Balkans as an example. Usually that gets some stupid question about why that is relevant in our lives. (It is at this point that I start wondering if my PA buddies have it right and I need a shotgun.) However, I have finally found the answer to why we should study history. I was having my nightly before-bed-reading (which this week is Simon Sebag Montefiore's "Young Stalin,") when I found the reason why. In the book there is a small footnote in reference to the Okhrana (the Tsarist Secret Police under Nicolas II) and their superb intelligence gathering skills.

"The Okhrana could not afford to ignore the ingenuity of the SR (Socialist-Revolutionaries) assassins. In a foreshadowing of al-Qaeda and 9/11, the success of aeroplane flight suggested these new machines as weapons. SR terrorists considered flying a dynamite-packed biplane into the Winter Palace, so the Okhrana in 1909 ordered the monitoring of all flights as well as people learning to fly and members of areo-clubs. (sic)"

And that is why the study of history is vital. Ideas on how to kill other humans are not new, and we can learn valuable lessons to prevent the loss of life by looking at those "old" ideas.

Halloween

2007-11-01T16:40:00.000-05:00

Please give Daniel some love, I gave him an hour to put together the Haunted Gingerbread house, and then didn't even make all the right icing.
Don't worry, I doubt we'll ever eat it. Instead, it'll be a permanent remider of Halloween Past.

We went to Daniel's sister's house and he went trick-or-treating with all the kids that were there. Lisa and I stayed home with Dave and handed out candy. It wasn't so much a steady stream as it was random mobbings of small children. Spiderman seemed to be a favorite, and some winter version of a Disney princess. (At least that's what I thought it was, there were 9 girls with the same costume on.) Our favorite moments were when regular Spiderman and Black Spiderman started a candy war in the front lawn. They were growling and trying to peg each other with candy. (They were also all of 5 years old.) The other highlight was when I was getting mobbed by a bunch of kids, we realized that their Mom was trick or treating with them as well. When Dave asked her about it, she said that the kids were getting too big to share anymore, so she had to get some of her own candy.

At the end of the night, I was getting tired of handing out candy, and it seemed that we were pretty well done. A lone kid came up, maybe a little too old for trick-or-treating, but not by much. All the other kids were with other kids, and he was just on his own with his parents, so I just dumped the rest of our candy in his bag and told him it was his lucky night. It was worth it, he looked like he had just won the lottery.

New Duke Photos

2007-11-01T16:37:00.001-05:00

I guess when I have kids, I'll stop taking photos of Duke....
This is the latest installment of "Duke's Life as Fat, Happy, Lazy Kitty"

Africa Cam

2007-10-23T00:11:00.000-05:00

This is just the coolest thing. (The link is in my "places to go" list.) It's a live camera on some watering hole in Botswana. I check it every now and then (ok, once a day). Today I watched a herd of wildebeast taking their morning drink. So, if you need something to do while you're trying to look busy at work.... My only warning is that there is audio, so you might want to turn that off if your boss is nearby.*

*I take no responsibility for you getting caught at work.

Let the Heat War Begin!

2007-10-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

I hate being hot. Maybe it's from living in hot places for so long. I run the AC all summer long, at 60 degrees. (Think I'm kidding, you should see my electric bill.) Daniel complains all summer long that he's freezing, but he doesn't really mean it. Our first really cool day was here today. It only made it into the low 60's and was super windy. Somehow, this translates to Daniel as "time to turn on the heater." TO 80 DEGREES...
Crazy boy, why would he think that if I think 60 is warm, that somehow I'd be ok with the heater on during the winter. Of course, if we ever have children, we'll have to install a window unit in my room so I don't freeze the kids out.

Quote of the Day

2007-10-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

Mark Twain – In Paris they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.

Thanks to Mom for that one!

New Duke Picts

2007-10-22T00:57:00.001-05:00

Who's my little sleepy-time kitty?..... DUKE IS!

Ideas anyone?

2007-10-21T15:24:00.000-05:00

Daniel and I are going over to his sister's house for Halloween this year. He's going to go trick-or-treating with his nieces, while I'll be at home with his sister passing out candy. The delimna is that Daniel's can't figure out a costume. He wants something that takes minimal effort, but still looks good. I suggested an eye patch or some fake blood but that didn't seem to be enough... Personally I'm going as a cat. I found a tail/ears combination that I liked and I'll paint on some whiskers. Anyone have any ideas?!
Other than that, we spent yesterday at his sister's house at a barbeque. It was nice to sit outside enjoying the not too hot day and watching the kids spin themselves like tops for hours. Sitting there I realized that I'm a grown up now. I don't even really mind it. As I was sitting there shooting the breeze with Joey, Dave, an Daniel, I was suddenly struck that I was sitting in the grown-up circle. That place where grown ups hung out and then yelled instructions to us kids when I was growing up... It's a nice place to be.

Down with the Diplomats!

2007-10-19T00:47:00.001-05:00

You're The Guns of August!
by Barbara Tuchman
Though you're interested in war, what you really want to know is what causes war. You're out to expose imperialism, militarism, and nationalism for what they really are. Nevertheless, you're always living in the past and have a hard time dealing with what's going on today. You're also far more focused on Europe than anywhere else in the world. A fitting motto for you might be "Guns do kill, but so can diplomats."
Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.

A Secret

2007-10-11T23:23:00.000-05:00

I have come to the realization that I cannot keep a secret. At the moment I'm working on a project for Tadpole, and it is all I can do not to call Jesse and tell her what I'm doing. Not that she would mind, but in theory this would make a great surprise. It's the same at Christmas, birthdays, anything really. I find something on Tuesday that would be nice for Daniel over the weekend... he gets it on Tuesday. For his birthday ths year he started getting his presents a month ahead of time. The only reason he had any for his birthday was because he started refusing to open them.
Heck, I was going to surprise him with a mini bathroom redo (think new shower curtain and a couple of new towels) I ended up telling him over the phone while he was at work. I guess it's that when I find something that I think someone will like I don't want to wait to share it with them. I feel for my children, they'll never have a normal Christmas.
You see, this problem extends to my own presents. As soon as a birthday box arrives, I have to open it right then. I guess I just can't stand anticipation. Really, after all the buildup, I'm just a wreck.
Anyway, the point is that I'm going to try really really hard not to tell Jesse what I'm up to....

Daniel

2007-10-08T17:15:00.000-05:00

Goodness, it's like trying to get a picture of a dodo bird.... impossible! And no, he doesn't normally do the shark fin thing... he was making a statement about my needing to make a hair appointment for him. :)

Reading Reading and more Reading

2007-10-08T17:02:00.001-05:00

What I adore most about being a college student is the excuse to read. No matter what day it is, or what time of day, I have a built in excuse to go and read. I love to snuggle up in bed under the covers with a good book, even if it's a textbook. Heck, if I'm desperate my Math book can even be a good read. Living here in Fort Worth, it's often overly hot outside, or I'm suffering from a sunburn, which keeps me out of the sunshine. Now, I could probably spend my time cleaning, playing with the cat or catching up on my Amensty International stuff, but I get to go read instead. I think that's why I want to be a librarian once school is behind me. As I look forward to the rest of my life, I can't wait for all those books that I'll get to read.

I am not, as anyone who knows me will tell you, very athletic. I have always been a book worm though. In high school Jesse got me hooked on reading before bed. (It's become a crutch.) Each time I go to the bookstore, I see so many stories that I want to get lost in. I prefer nonfiction, but a good novel is pure joy. I am lucky though that Daniel just isn't a reader like me. He keeps from just locking myself away for all of my spare time. He spurs me to head out and do things. Now, we're in a comfortable routine. I spend the time that he's at work reading, so that when he's at home I can just spend time with him.

Zen Skin

2007-10-03T23:53:00.000-05:00

I feel that most people have the ability to choose either the easy or the hard path in their life. (At least when it comes to trivial, non-health issues.) For example, I can either have lunch at home, making something healthy (hard, but good) or I could head through the drive-thru (easy, and good, although in a different way). However, some things we just cannot choose, football alliances for example. If I tried to support anyone other than the Redskins, I think my head would explode. My grandfather is a skins fan, my father is a skins fan, my children will be skins fans (no matter what Daniel says.) This would be great if I lived in the greater DC area. Or a state without a football team, like Wyoming. However, I live in DFW, home of the Cowboys. So, now I not only have the burden of being a Redskins fan (it's trying in the best of times) but I have to be one here.

Anyway, I'll be in Cowboys stadium this fall watching my Skins kick butt (hopefully). Of course I'll be totally decked out, so here's hoping we win. (No worries, I'll have 3 Cowboys fans with me acting as bodyguards.)

Retail Therapy

2007-09-30T23:18:00.000-05:00

So, it really works. A weekend away, some shopping and a good time with my sister-in-law, and I'm feeling ready to face another few months of the grind! We had such a great time, and we stayed at the CUTEST bed and breakfast. I'm dragging Daniel back down in November for a festival they're having down there. So, I'm recommending to everyone is a weekend away with a good friend and a pretty destination. I think it's the perfect perscription for those fall blues.

Burma

2007-09-27T15:07:00.000-05:00

Did you know that my Dad used to live in Burma? Some of my happiest memories are of visiting a Burmese couple who were great friends of my grandparents in DC. They live in the US because they had to flee the military dictatorship there. If you have a moment, will you please take action with Amnesty International. Burma Petition

Thank you

A Star is Manufactured

2007-09-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

DAMN PAPPARAZZI... So, I think that the cat is sick of having his photo taken. I've been chasing him around the house snapping away. I can't help it though, he's my little sweetie pie. It was his birthday on Tuesday, and he got a new litterbox (although I think that was really for Daniel) and some yummy food.

SAN MARCOS/Relish

2007-09-27T01:46:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I think that I'm a little over excited about my weekend away. Maybe I just need a break, one that doesn't involve family, reading textbooks or having to worry about... well.... everything. I really do love my life, but I think that I'm getting a little tired. I guess it happens to the best of us. Between tutoring idiotic freshman, dealing with a back stabbing fellow TA, and being my professor's slave (there doesn't seem to be much reasearch involved these days) I just don't have any left to give when Daniel gets home. God love him, he deserves a more cheerful me, and I'm hoping that an intense weekend of food and retail therapy will help that!

It's going to be great, I hope. I'm dragging my sister in law* with me to spend the weekend spending our brains out. (Or maybe just window shopping our brains out. My personal shopping goals are 1) something for Daniel 2) something for Duke 3) three new pots to replace the three that I'm planning to give Sarah 4) a new big purse to fit wallet and planner and 5) something from Le Creuset, maybe a new baking dish...

It'll be good for me, especially since the next weekend I'm heading to Rockport to hang with my parents. They're actually going to be in town for a few days, so I'm grabbing the chance. (Daniel's coming with.)

Well, I made the BEST steaks the other day. Well, I thought they were really good. I used a marinade from Frank Stitt's "Southern Table." He suggests marinating in the juice of 2 limes, a tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley leaves, 4 cloves crushed garlic and lots of salt and pepper. The best part was the relish that went with. It was supposed to be a watermelon and red onion relish, but I ended up putting the red onions in with the potatoes, making it just a watermelon relish. (The potatoes really needed them, and we didn't miss the onions in the relish.) It was a quick thing of 2 cups cubed watermelon (seedless), 1 jalapeno minced, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar, and some salt. Chill until ready to eat and have it with your steak. The marinade gives the steak an almost buttery flavor, which is cut really nicely with the relish.

Other than that... not much

* ok, she's not technically my sister in law, that would involve my marriage to her brother... however as we are living together and are planning to be married in the relatively near future... plus my "future sister in law" or my "boyfriend's sister" are a lot more complicated

2007-09-21T00:49:00.000-05:00

Duke Meet the Computer

My First Post

2007-09-21T00:30:00.000-05:00

I'd say it was my first blog, but I've been writing on my MySpace occasionally. Wednesday was Daniel and I's second anniversary (of dating.) I gave him a set of old maps of Fort Worth (well repro's.) I don't know what he's giving me yet. We're actually celebrating on Sunday because I couldn't manage to get dinner ready for the middle of the week. We're having a Skirt Steak with a Watermelon and Red Onion Relish, a composed French salad (think salad nicoise sans thon), and buttermilk pie. The pie is an accident. I had ordered us a cake to eat on Wednesday, and figured that we'd pass on dessert on Sunday. I'm on graveyard shift like Daniel these days, so I hauled my behind out of bed early on Wedneday to pick up the cake from a very fancy bakery. I ordered a small heart shaped cake (I know, I know, I don't want to hear it) with lemon curd filling. It had to have buttercream icing with big full roses along the bottom, a row of bows along the side and an intertwined D and C on the top. I was going for over the top, Louis XVI or some such. I also wanted it to be yellow with white icing. (Tres Martha Stewart.) Well the woman at the cake shop told me that yellow and while would be an ugly combination so I should do white on white. She assured me that it's what she did for all her anniversary cakes, so I agreed. Also, I could tell that she didn't like my design idea. But, here's my theory on that. If, as an artist you think that it's going to be hideous, you can either not do it, or make the damn cake the way the customer wants and take the money. I mean, really, what should it matter to her if it was too busy. Ok, so when I got to the cake shop I had to stand there for 30 minutes before they even acknowledged my presence. (There was only 1 other customer in the shop.) Then they didn't want to show me the cake before I left, but I looked anyway. It was FLAT OUT the UGLIEST cake I have ever seen. (And I did a cake decorating class. I can assure you that I can make some pretty ugly cakes.) First off the cake was in a dingy cream with a dirty yellowy-cream icing for the details. The bows on the sides were really badly done. Some of them weren't even complete. And then, instead of full roses BUTTERCREAM roses along the bottom, they had shoved some skimpy PLASTER roses in around the bottom unevenly. There was tons of open, undecorated space between them. Well, I can tell you that I pitched a fit in the store. But, being me I paid and then left. When I got home, Daniel and I chalked it up to an ugly cake, but figured it would taste pretty good. When I cut into it, it was filled with raspberry filling. There are few things in life that I like to have raspberry flavor, and cake is NOT one of them. Also, the filling was just full of seeds, as if they hadn't strained it at all. Lesson learned? Never buy a cake from Opulent Cakes in Colleyville. So, we're having pie. The pie I am assured will be delicious. It looks FANTASTIC, and the place I got it from is supposed to be really excellent. I'll let you know....