Thursday, July 31, 2008

Zack update

Zack the Wonderdog is home! He will be on antibiotics for a while, and special food for a week. I believe Zack is as happy to be home as we are to have him here, alive and recovering. And Zoie is equally ecstatic to have her partner in crime by her side!

Whatever he ingested inflamed his intestines, infected his stomach, and caused some of his organs to enlarge. The x-rays were horrible – Zack had to be in such pain. The vet says we caught it just in time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your prayers – I know that played a huge part in Zack’s recovery. Please continue.

And Zack sends love and lickies.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Please Pray for Zack the Wonder Dog


I'm asking for prayers for our wonderdog Zack. He woke up Tuesday morning about 3:45 a.m., violently vomiting. The vet has determined that Zack has ingested something - there is no virus or infection. Zack has been hospitalized at the vet clinic since Tuesday morning.

Since our dogs are kenneled during the day, and with us in the house at night, and there were no changes to his routine, we have been doing an investigation of sorts. It pains me to tell you that the only thing we can figure out is that Zack may have ingested a poisoned mouse. (We had an exterminator in two weeks ago.)

Your prayers are greatly appreciated. As you know, this dog is a huge part of our family (and this blog!), and is part of the land with which the Lord has entrusted us. We are crying out...Lord, heal our land.

Monday, July 28, 2008

How Much Are Permanent Fake Eyelashes, Anyway?

Last week, I had an early morning chiropractic appointment. I go to a soft touch chiropractor, Kevin Willhite, in Midland. On those chiropractic appointment days, before I leave the casa, I’ll put on my makeup, with the exception of mascara, because if I do put on mascara, when I get up from the treatment table, my eyelashes will be stuck to my eyes. (Dang. Is there a limit for commas per sentence?) I have heck getting my eyelashes unstuck – and I don’t wear that much makeup. Not even the Tammy Faye look, so don’t even go there. And after I get my lashes unstuck, I have to start over on makeup to go make my customer visits. So, I’ve recently decided to ditch mascara on those mornings until I’m through with the treatment. Usually, I'm grabbing for it as I walk out of his office, and put it on in the parking lot.

Immediately following my chiropractic visit last week, I received a call from one of my customers, who was visiting from a far-away town, checking on his local operations.

Customer: Janie, can you come to the Hilton? I don’t know where your office is, and I’d like you to meet some people.

Janie: Sure…but my office is just north, across the grass. You were supposed to meet me there at 9 a.m. this morning (and I don’t say, but I think “and 9 a.m. yesterday morning, aaaaaand 3:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon!" But you know I’m thinking it.)! (Hey, I have to get my licks in here.)

Customer: I know, girl, but I don’t know where your office is. Pretend like I’m stupid, and come over here.

Janie: (Man. Talk about wide open.) Okay, let me park my truck and I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.

I park my truck, run into my office, grab some cards, and go. I find my customer in the lobby, waiting on me.

Customer: Okay, let’s go. I want to introduce you to the president of my company, as well as the el jefe manager.

Janie: Great!

We go to the hotel restaurant, I meet the gentlemen, and we have a short meeting. I make a quick call, and my VP comes over, as well, and joins us. The meeting seemingly goes well. We adjourn, and go our separate ways, my coworker and I heading north across the grass to our office.

By now, it’s time for my Thursday lunch date. I grab my purse, reach into it for my keys…

And find my mascara.

That I forgot to put on after the chiropractic appointment.

Prior to meeting the president of a major independent oil company.

That is currently spending millions in Janie’s oilpatch.

I looked at my receptionist with a look of shock on my face.

What? She says. Did you lose your keys?

No, I said. It’s nothing. See ya later.

I cursed myself all the way to the car, where I slammed on my mascara and hauled butt across town to my lunch date.

And no, guys, I wasn’t driving and putting on mascara. Not for more than two levels of my parking garage, anyway.

But girls, can’t you just imagine what those guys said?

“They seemed like nice knowledgeable people, but what the heck was wrong with that chick’s eyes?”

Aw, heck. They probably didn’t even notice.

Riiiiiiiiiight.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Janie's BfFH gig has come to an end...

I’m home now, and...Lordy! It was hot out there! I've decided Jimmy should be elevated to some high saint status - he's a trooper.

This was my view while blogging from the scissorlift.As the sun starts to set, the total funds raised are growing every minute.

While I was there, some of my friends and cohorts in the oilpatch came by or called, as well as bloggers pledging, so I’m going to go ahead and recognize them. I appreciate you all.

Shawn Savage, Midland, Texas - cash donation
Rick and Beverly Armstrong, Midland, Texas - Pledge, + $20 cash donation

This is a shot of Beverly and her beautiful little granddaughter!
Matt and Pam Swierc, Midland, Texas - Pledge
Seafaring New Grandmother Gwynne - Pledge
Scott Emerson (my brother!), Big Spring, Texas - Pledge


Meet one of the cuties hanging around today. His mom serves on the board of Midland Fair Havens.


And lest you think photo-bombing is an acquired art - see how big brother totally gives little sister her due share of the limelight! Aren't they beautiful children?

And here come Zack and Zoie! Of course,Zack and Zoie are diligent citizens of Midland, and had to do their civic duty!
Here they are, putting their cash donation into the little house donation box.


If you gave today, or pledged, I thank you. Your money will be put to great use. There’s still plenty of time to give, today, tonight, or tomorrow, or you can give anytime! We'll take your money, and it’s for a great cause! It's as easy as donating some funds to Fair Havens by clicking on the link, or mailing a check!

If you're going to mail a check, here's the address:

Midland Fair Havens
2400 Whitmire Blvd, Suite 100
Midland, Texas 79705

BfFH Post #2

We're at $9295 and that's not even counting the silent auction bid for the motorcycle...which right now is holding at $3500!!!

Zack and Zoie (and MLH!) just arrived, so I'll get some pix up in a bit. They're out schmoozing the crowd.

I'm here and posting at the BfFH!!!

Well, I’m here (though we've had some technical difficulties)…and I can prove it! Here's Jimmy the P and Father Sosa up on the scissor-lift.
I’ve never been as tall as the HEB sign before… but I think I might be as tall as Jimmy. Check out his hat - it was signed and donated by Michael LeMonica, he of the local "Black Gold" TV Series fame. I think he wore it on the show. (Well, Mr, Lemonica's a well-known around town good ol' oilman, too!) Do you like that necklace around Jimmy's neck? We were trying to cool him down. He's doing good for his, what, 14-15th hour up on that manlift?And the Starbucks…so close, yet so far away. To be honest, it's a little hot for my favorite tazo chai right now!

Dr. Boren is a local orthodontist here in Midland. This is Dr. Boren, with his beautiful family.When I first arrived, Dr. Boren was up on the scissorlift with a microphone, hawking people to come by and get free (value $4) toothbrushes! Well, it worked…there’s been a steady stream of people coming by and giving money…so far, a total of $9170…and that’s only halfway through the blogathon!!!

Here's one of the Boren boys, drawing out the name of the lucky $100 gas card winner!

MLH will be bringing Zack and Zoie by for a special appearance later…well, you know my dogs have to love fundraising, too!!

And it's Ready....Set....Go for BfFH!!!

In about 25 minutes, I will start my stint for Blogging for Fair Havens. I think (I'm not sure!) that I'll be blogging from my blog. You'll be able to see what's going on minute by minute HERE today ... And come see us at the H-E-B parking lot ...

But until then, I'd like to say thanks to the people thus far that have committed pledges to me and/or given donations...

And they are:

DONOR NAME(S)

Dave and Joyce Myers, Midland, Texas (pledge)
Arnold and Susan Nall, Plano, Texas (pledge)
Paul Callaway, Midland, Texas (cash when I saw him at the shoot yesterday! Yeehah!)
Mark Adkins, Midland, Texas (hey, I saw him in Petsmart and he threw $100 at me! Woohoo!)
Inspired of Munday, Texas (pledge)
Lone Chatelaine (pledge)
Gymbrat and her beautiful daughter Rachel, who dropped by and gave cash and hugs!
Terri Anderson (Grandma to Zoie the Wonder Pup!), Goodland, Kansas (pledge)
Snooty Primadona of Midland, Texas (pledge)
Dan Bohannon, Midland, Texas (pledge)

You can give anytime, while I'm on the scissor lift, or if you read this next week. We'll take your money a year from now! It's as easy as donating some funds to Fair Havens by clicking on the link, or mailing a check!

If you're going to mail a check, here's the address:

Midland Fair Havens
2400 Whitmire Blvd, Suite 100
Midland, Texas 79705

Friday, July 25, 2008

Blogging For Fair Havens Reminder

I’m participating in the Oilman’s Shoot after lunch out at Windwalker, and that will take up the rest of the day. Just wanted to give y’all the lineup on Blogging for Fair Havens, which starts tomorrow morning. Jimmy’s done a great job getting everything lined up, and he is to be commended. Now, if I can just do my part - and with your help, I can! Remember, any amount counts and will be greatly appreciated! My time, again, is from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday.

Some of y’all asked for a reminder – well, this is it!

You can go ahead and give now, if you’re going to be busy this weekend. I will warn you, Blogging for Fair Havens was one of the things that got me hooked on blogging, so watch out! In advance, I thank you for your support – whether by blogging, donations, or both!

Saturday
7-8 a.m. -- ARCHAEOTEXTURE, with Jeff McDonald.
8-9 a.m. -- WEST TEXAS MISSIONER, with Jeff McDonald
1-2 p.m. -- STREAMS, with Wallace Craig
4-5 p.m. -- SLEEPLESS IN MIDLAND, with George Johns
6-8 p.m. -- SOUNDING FORTH, with Janie Snelson
11 p.m.-midnight -- JESSICA'S WELL, with Ospurt

Related web sites:
JustGive.org's Fair Havens' donor page (where you make your online donations to Midland Fair Havens; be sure to designate Blogging for Fair havens in the Designate Donation area):

Midland Fair Havens' mission: Midland FairHavens.

Saturday's Blogging for Fair Havens web site, where the marathon event will unfold all day online.

Ways to Donate:

Use the Just Give.org site above or here

Drop me an email, jsnelson@newtecheng.com, with your pledge

Come by and see me on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the Midland HEB.

Yep, I’ll be up on the scissorlift. Scary, huh? See ya then!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Blogging For Fair Havens

Looks like I might have been roped in…and I’m hoping I can count on your help.



This weekend, Jimmy the P from the blog Sticky Doorknobs will be blogging for Fair Havens and has asked me to join him for an hour of blogging and help him raise money. What is Midland Fair Havens , you ask? The following is an excerpt from their information sheet at their website.


"The Apostle Paul took temporary shelter at a place named Fair Havens when he was faced with adverse conditions while traveling to Rome (Acts 27:8). The harbor at Fair Havens provided sanctuary for Paul as he prepared for the rest of his journey. In a similar way, Midland Fair Havens serves as a place of refuge and restoration for single mothers as they prepare to make a better life for themselves and their children.

The mission of Midland Fair Havens is to equip single mothers and their children for self-sufficient living by addressing their educational, vocational, spiritual, and emotional needs in residential and non-residential settings."

I personally know many of the board at Midland Fair Havens, and also know some of the house parents. They’re all good people, giving their time and support to help these mothers get on their feet. On top of that, I was a single mom - and I wish this facility had been available then. I totally believe in this cause. Midland Fair Havens is a cause worthy of our support. You can come join us online, or physically, we'll up on the scissorlift at the HEB Grocery Store parking lot by the Starbucks...in most likely 108 degree heat. (Y'all already knew I was crazy!)

Ah, well, it's for a good cause!

Due to other commitments, I won’t be able to join Jimmy’s Blogging For Fair Havens blogfest until Saturday evening, but I was wondering…will y’all support me? It's as easy as donating some funds to Fair Havens by clicking on the link, or mailing a check!

If you're going to mail a check, here's the address:

Midland Fair Havens
2400 Whitmire Blvd, Suite 100
Midland, Texas 79705

So, blogfriends, best buddies, pals, can I count on you?

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Weekend Recap (mood...tired!)

Friday afternoon, MLH called.

MLH: Can you break free? I need to go out to a ranch and meet an owner.

Janie: Sure. I'll just bring my computer and finish working.

We go out to the ranch, work and meeting dutifully completed, and head back to town. The Permian Basin API Scholarship Team Roping is kicking off Friday night at 7 p.m. and we decide to stop by, eat supper, and schmooze for a bit. Meet Patti. I might just arrange for a contract hit on the heifer.


Patti: Hey, can you and MLH help us for a bit?

MLH: What do you need, girl? Oh, yeah, Janie and I can do that.

And help, we do. Until 12:30 a.m. Saturday. We go home, fall in the bed, and sleep. We get up on Saturday, eat breakfast, and head back out to the roping for just a bit. We are just going to stick our heads in, say hi, and disappear. We walk in, and Patti pulls the same questions, round two. We follow her to the arena, where she needs help figuring out the pays for the ropers, etc. We got home at 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning. I don't know what they would have done had we not showed up. The guy who regularly figures all the pays had a conflicting event and had to be in another state. Anyway, here are some miscellaneous pix from the roping and the rest of our weekend.

Ropers, waiting for their turn to get in the box. (Yeah, girls, cowboys with horses. Eat your hearts out.)
Baby Girl Future Roper, crying to Mom. Big sister's not giving her enough time roping the practice steer dummy and she's not a happy girl.
MLH and Baby Girl Future Roper's dad, working on the books. I think it's about 10 pm Saturday at this point.

Patti's son Houston. He's tired and hot, been roping all day. Ready to make some money.

This morning, we got up, and headed out to look at a location for MLH's job this week. En route, I noticed a flash of color. All I could think of was: "There's cash in them there wheels."

And here is a snapshot of my life out in the field. This is a common sight for this oilfield gal.We drove back to town, and were checking out houses for sale in one of my favorite neighborhoods. It was almost dusk, and we were heading home. In my rear view mirror, I saw something cross the street, and it looked long. I turned around.
MLH: Honey, what are you doing?
Janie: I saw something weird in the rear view mirror, I'm not sure what it was - I have to go check it out. Please get my camera.
And this is what I saw. Just your normal, everyday, neighborhood...peacock. In the middle of town, in a ritzy neighborhood.
I am not even freakin' kidding. I guess leash laws or livestock laws don't apply if you've got the bucks, baby.
Next, I'll be seeing pink elephants. Or pigs fly. I need some sleep.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Microdermasion and red dots...

Once in a while, I decide my skin’s looking old and decrepit. And, I call our local spa.
This latest once in a while happened on Friday. I talked to the receptionist, Sonia.

Janie: Hey, girl, this is Janie.

Sonia: Hey, Janie, how are you? (They love me around there, don’t ask me why.)

Janie: I need to have some type of treatment.

Sonia: Okay, what kind?

Janie: Facelift? Can you work me in?

Sonia: (Laughs)

Janie: Oh. You can’t do that? Well. Who’s available tomorrow?

Sonia: Judy has an hour at 12:30 pm.

Janie: Great! What can we do in an hour? (I’m thinking, I need two weeks! Can you do that?)

Sonia: Well, you can do a Refirme, or Urbium, or whatever.

Janie: Not impressed with the Refirme, I’ve done four, and don’t have the time to peel for a week with the Urbium. (though after the Urbium my skin never looked better!)

Sonia: How about a microdermabrasion and chemical peel? $150.00.

Janie: Sold. And I need to get some Obagi products, as well.

So, I go in, after hunting with Zack. (Now you’re getting to know why they love me. Most of their clients go in dressed to the nines, dripping with diamonds…I go in dressed in camo and boots, or even better, my red Kevlar coveralls and steel toes. They get a huge kick out of that.) Meet the new aesthetician, and get to work. It doesn’t hurt, and I get finished, and get out of there. My face is a little red, but feels fine.

Sunday morning, we get up to take our Little Brother 1 to breakfast. I’m sitting in the truck, waiting on them to get in.

MLH: What’s the deal with your face?

Janie: What do you mean? (Frantically grabbing the mirror in the visor so I can look)

MLH: You’ve got these dots all over your face.

And oh, my Lord, I do. My first thought was “Crap. They took the whole first layer off, and all these freckles emerged.” Not so. The dots are almost little bruises. I couldn’t believe it.
I called them today, and went in so they could check it out. It’s nothing bad, and it will go away, makeup won’t cover it. They gave me steroid cream to enhance quicker healing.

But now, instead of enhancing my complexion so when people see me they don’t think I’m older than dirt, the dots are drawing attention to my face, which looks…spotted.

Not exactly what I had in mind.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Sunday Camera Critters Meme

The Sunday Camera Critters Meme is a meme created by Misty Dawn. Ms. Snooty Primadona herself did the meme today, and since I had a funny story about Zoie, I thought I’d play. (Well, Zack and Zoie end up being about one half of the fodder for this blog anyway, so, what the hey, right?)


We like to unpack as soon as we get home from a trip. Usually, this is because we get in way late, and have to hit the work day running the next morning.

Our bed is usually the site of the unpacking. Somehow, two apples found their way into one of our bags and made it through the security at the airport. When I found them in the bag, I just lofted them on to the middle of the bed.

Unbeknownst to me, Zoie saw the entire thing. And, decided she had a fruit deficiency. When we saw her, she was carrying around the apple by the stem. It looked so dang cute, I grabbed the camera…and promptly missed that shot. By the time I aimed the camera, Zoie had decide it was time to chomp down.


Here she is in all her glory, looking all innocent - like, "What, Mom? Fruit is one of the four food groups, isn't it??"

Friday, July 11, 2008

ZZ Crew - July

Tell me, could you resist pooches like this when they ask for something?

Nah. I didn't think so. So, off we go...to Starbucks.


We order for ourselves, but independent Zack barks his order from the back seat. He, being a gentleman, orders for Zoie, as well.

Zack’s favorite drink is a grande quad breve vanilla latte.
Zoie? She’s still a pup, so we're keeping her at the vanilla steamer level. She does insist on picking up her own drink, though. Zoie may be young, but she is a liberated female German Shorthair - she makes her own pawprints, thank you very much.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Cool Texas Video

Well. I feel like I’ve been everywhere in the last 10 days. But I find I’ve not been to some of these places – and in my own home state of Texas, at that!

Check this video out - Brian Burns Texas. Who knows, it may have you bustin' a move...well, down a Texas road, anyway.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Sightsailing Around Newport Bay

Yesterday, we went on a 4 hour Sightsailing expedition around Newport Bay. It was awesome. – just the 6 of us on the boat, along with our Captain, Ed. Meet Captain Ed.
Ed was a very entertaining fellow, told us all about the forts, the houses, the culture of Newport, and the history surrounding Newport. MLH and I laughed, cut up with our sons Doug and Karen, and Ed. Ed is a neat guy – a Vietnam Vet, who sails May to October, then goes to Florida, where he makes his living as a tennis coach. We invited him to supper with us, but he wanted to go “celebrate the loveliness of his girlfriend” who was in for two weeks. Sweet.

And here are Younger Son (in the forefront) and Elder Son, enjoying the sights as we clip along the bay.

It was a really peaceful, great day. Some people even tried to take a nap. Ed let Elder Son sail the boat…and Elder Son has now found yet another love. He’s a guitar slinging, song singing, team roping, oilfield working, newfound lover of the sea, sailor. And the sailors of the day – Elder Son, and Doug, and MLH.
Younger Son kind of checked out. Went up to the nose of the boat and laid out, groovin’ to Bob Marley a la iPod and chillin'. What a cool kid.


We learned about Ida Lewis-Wilson, the famous lady lighthouse keeper of the Lime Rock Lighthouse. She is credited with saving some 18 lives, but unofficial reports say as many as 25 lives. After reaching some measure of fame for her heroic act, she was subsequently visited by President Ulysses S. Grant, who wanted to meet the brave lady.

In 1881 the Annual Report of the U.S. Life Saving Service reported that the highest medal awarded by the Life Saving Service had been presented to Mrs. Ida Lewis-Wilson. Ida's last recorded rescue occurred when she was 63 years old. A close friend, rowing out to the lighthouse, stood up in her boat, lost her balance and fell overboard. Ida, with all the vigor of her past youth, launched a lifeboat and hauled the woman aboard. Amazing stuff has happened in this Newport bay. Here's a picture of the flag at the lighthouse. The stars on it reflect the number of lives saved by Ida Lewis-Wilson.
This house was built in Brenton Cove for Stuart Duncan, a Midwest banker whose family imported Lea & Perrins. As you'll see, each chimney is different, but they all resemble Lea and Perrins Worcestershire tops. Interesting! We enjoyed the remains of The Robert H. Tiedemann Classic Yachting Weekend, which included a regatta of older wooden sailing craft. Here are pictures of some of them, coming home from the race.

This is the Tree of Life boat - it's world-renown, and has sailed around the world, and has only had two owners. It is a beautiful boat, and we were fortunate to even get to see it. It's for sale, and you can buy it right now. If you do, let me know. Maybe they'll pay me a finder's fee.We had a great day - it was beautiful, peaceful, and fun. I'd do it again in a Newport minute.
We're almost finished with this great journey - time to plan another. Thanks for bearing with me on my photo journal of our vacation! I'll be posting again soon.

View from the Room - Newport

I've done this at every stop - you thought you'd miss it here? Nope.


Here you go. The view from our room at the Hyatt Regency Newport. Right window.
Left Window.

And wildlife. Complete with duck poop, as it were.