A weekend retreat with my dear friends....Karen and Bill.....from Scottish flair to San Antonio flavors!

I had a splendid weekend staying with my wonderful friends, Karen and Bill. Karen and I were colleagues together when I managed the training department for Verizon. I left the department for my new job in 2002; she left the department the same time for her new job, which resulted in a move to San Antonio.

I was blessed with warm hospitality at their five acre home in the hills of San Antonio. Yes, there are hills...and deer! A family of six deer who visited Bill's feeding site every evening and morning...we sat by the pool in lawn chairs and watched them cautiously approach the feed; they would remain there until we got up to move around, then they would scamper back among the oak trees. Such beautiful animals!

Karen fixed wonderful breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday; we exercised together, walked their five acres, visited a brand new shopping mall, ate dinner at my favorite Riverwalk restaurant (Boudro's), swam in the lovely salt-water pool, and played several hands of canasta. I'm so thrilled they are moving back to Dallas; I look forward to spending more time with both of them.



Bill is a native of Scotland; speaks with the Scottish brogue; is charming beyond measure, and has wonderful stories to tell. Between the Scottish flair of their home, and the beauty of their San Antonian home, I had a marvelous time!



I'm trying to post photos...not having the best of success. I'll continue trying.

Sizzle! Sizzle!
Translation: It's "Hotter than Hades" in Texas these days...


How does one beat the heat when the average temperature for the past 33 consecutive days has averaged between 100 and 106 degrees. This morning at 9:30 a.m. my car temperature (inside the garage, mind you) registerd a mere 92 degrees. Thank God for air conditioning....and I'm NOT using the Lord's name in vain here.

My blog has been experiencing drought again...I guess I could liken it to our dry conditions in the metroplex. I've found it emotionally draining to write creatively during a personal time period of daily adjustment, unpredictable upheavals, professional disapointments, marital status change, financial concerns, church uncertainties...just to mention but a few of the circumstances absorbing my life right now. I'll tacke a couple now and others to follow.

Let's start with marital status. On July 26th I was in court with my attorney (a second occurrence in my lifetime) for a brief 5 minute appearance before the judge, upon when finished, I had a document in hand granting me my divorce and my reclaimed maiden name. Emotions I experienced during that brief period of time: Sadness, disbelief, relief, liberation, disappointment, resolve, energy, worry, fear, faith, confidence, uncertainty...I could name many more, but these came so quickly and traversed from one to the other throughout the remainder of the day. And they continue, almost a month later, but with a personal renewed strength of hope in a God who comforts, protects, cherishes, provides, and loves...even in moments when I least expect it; or perhaps I should say even in moments when I forget His never-ceasing acts of grace,love and compassion. I am experiencing happiness, and an energized spirit of adventure as I carefully, and prayerfully plan my future as a single woman.

Unpredictable upheavals! Some very small in the big scheme of things; some insurmountable...all within appropriate context, however. Examples: Separating property...his, mine, and ours. What's fair? What's not? What's mine? What's not? What's his? What's not? What's important? What's not? What's greedy? What's not? What's giving? What's not? What's compassionate? What's not? What's selfish? What's not? And while we came to a mutual agreement on separation of money and property...it is tumultuos from an emotional standpoint to release oneself from what matters versus what doesn't, from what is truly righteous behavior versus what is not. Again, in moments when I least expect it, God reminds me of where my true devotion must be directed; not in worldy goods and money, but in Him.

Daily adjustments. I've assumed all routine responsibilities once shared with my ex-husband. While somewhat daunting at first, I'm enjoying the process of reorganizing my life, my home, my personal finances, etc. I've embraced some new ways of doing things...paying bills online, for example. I've also come to realize that I simply cannot do everything myself. So I find myself paying for my lawns to be cut and maintained, and asking small favors of my son-in-law who lives close by. I'm such an "I can do it all" person, and so very independent! Why is is so difficult for me to ask for help when I so love to give help and assist others...Go figure! Good news: I've only forgotten to take the garbage out a couple of times. Bad news: I still haven't figured out how to re-set the sprinkler system and am turning on the system manually.

Okay...More on the changes I'm encountering on my next blog.

I'll end by saying I'm very engaged with the women friends in my life. Girlfriends are priceless! And we love to hang out together. I'm blessed to have my Christian girlfriends, my non-Christian girlfriends, and my co-worker girlfriends. These three different circles of friends have afforded me many social opportunites over the past few months. Numerous lunches out; a Sunday afternoon theatre treat; movies and dinner; I was even a personal shopper for a day! The one truly entertaining splurge was dinner at Riccardi's in the Quadrangle, and then "The Full Monty" at Theatre Three. Such fun for nine women enjoying "Ladies Night Out"...dinner was amazing and the play was hysterically funny, yet poignant. Raucous laughter, great music, excellent actors...and yes...the full monty (very discreetly accomplished, I might add).

Last, but not least....some of you have asked about my IKEA experience. You'll have to wait for the next blog!