Almost Stalker Status

As y'all know, it's been really busy in my world lately. I can only describe it as totally crazy. It's hard to get all my work done and still take care of what non-profit works I help. To that end, I received this e-mail today, and it was so cute, I had to share it with y'all.

Hey Janie,

I thought to myself last night, "Maybe Janie is avoiding me and doesn't want to eat lunch with a wonderful person like myself", HMMMM. Then I quickly corrected myself because, although I haven't known you for years, I have seen enough of you to know that you are NOT the passive-aggressive type. So I felt much better. LOL

Anyway, call me before we get to stalker status.

Tamara

It was such a funny e-mail, I answered her call tonight. Creativity and fun gets me every time!

Tamara puts on the Rock Bottom House Shoot. Read here about last year's event. During weekday lunch hours, the Rock Bottom House is a cafe in Odessa. Right after lunch, the place ceases being a café, and turns into a safe place for young people - a Christian place where the younger crowd can be tutored, work on computers, their homework, play ping pong and pool, and just hang out until their parents or guardians come home. Cool, huh?

Yep, I think I'll go save her from attaining stalker status and go to lunch tomorrow. I might even buy.

Giving Thanks...

I haven’t had much time to post lately – I’ll try to catch up soon. All is well, just busy. Y’all have a great Thanksgiving (even if you're not from America!) and may you and yours be amazingly, abundantly blessed this week! So I thought I'd list the things that make me smile...

Why I'm Thankful....

1) I love my Father, and my Father loves me!
2) MLH! He loves me, too!
3) Elder and Younger Son are awesome men and they make me laugh so much
4) My brother, his family, and all my cousins - I love you all!
6) My husband's family - they're awesome, as well
5) Zack the Wonder Dog and Zoie the Wonder Pup - they rock!
6) Health and happiness
7) Provision
8) Numerous friends and acquaintances mean the world to me - and yes, you are one of them!!
9) Music, hunting
10) I could go on for hours, but I'll spare you...

Why are you thankful??

Burlap Bagger

One of my friends came by today, and brought strawberry pie to my boss and I (she's a really good friend!). She took one look at me and said, “You look exhausted – are you sleeping at night?”

Guys, take note:

To any woman, that statement “You look exhausted” means a myriad of things unspoken. “You look old.” “You have bags under your eyes.” “Your butt is really big.” "Have you gained weight?" “Thought about having a facelift?” Yup, that statement means anything but “You look really beautiful today.”

And it came from a friend – so I know it’s the truth. Yuk. Give me a big old honking burlap bag and shut my office door so I will be out of sight – hey, I know how to beautify Texas! And I have been so sleeping at night!

My ol' friend stress is jacking with me again.

We’re all working on a project, different members assigned various portions. My portion is dependent upon the completion of the other portions. This project will affect years to come, is high priority…but difficult to juggle while fielding customers’ more immediate demands. And of course, the project has a short timeline and impending deadline. And we are short-staffed.

On top of that:

My insurance agent called today…seems like Younger Son’s propensity to back into poles (twice, one on each side of his pickup!), and get sideswiped on Loop 250 will cause our insurance to go up, even though only one accident was his fault. His young age isn't helping matters. Lovely.

Around 2 p.m., I get a call from the field. The job was scheduled for 8 a.m. hasn’t even started yet, and my customer is on site. I called him and let him know I’m in the loop, and thank God, he’s good with everything.

Around 8:30 p.m., I get a call from my young shooting buddy Nate. Nate wanted to tell me all about his shooting lessons tonight. I had planned to go out and watch him take his lesson. He had a great time, but I think he was disappointed I didn't show up. I'd probably have been 150% more effective had I gone to his lesson and watched him shoot.

I left the office tonight around 9, and brought my computer home to work.

But I just can’t bring myself to do it – instead, I’m going to hit the hay. That is, right after the mattress protector MLH put in the washing machine dries…and I put fresh sheets on the bed. He called after I got home.

MLH: "What are you doing?"

Me: "Laying on top of the comforter, waiting on the dryer."

MLH: “Oh, Honey…I know you asked me to do that this morning, but I forgot to put it in the dryer. I'm so sorry!"

(Isn't that sweet?) He left this morning to go out of town for an assignment in the field. Oh well, everything will be fresh when he comes home!

It's time to go to "Napper's House" as Elder Son used to call it. And it's all good. Joy comes in the morning, right? Good night, all. Sleep with angels!

Random Father's Day Thoughts

MLH and Younger Son today - Father's Day 2007

MLH and I went to breakfast this beautiful Father’s Day morning . We observed lots of families there celebrating their fathers - a blessing to see. Afterwards, we ran errands.

Later, I saw a dad and his young son clamber out of a truck and go into Texas Burger – and I knew they were spending Father’s Day together. My thoughts went to all the fathers in our lives.

Younger Son and MLH have made movie and supper plans, so we’re good there.

Hopefully, Elder Son will call his father today. Elder Son also has two baby sisters (6 and 1) that will be partying down with their Daddy today, so his Dad will get celebrated. And I’m sure they’ll have a special ceremony at church. His Dad and I talk frequently, and ES hasn’t communicated with his Dad since the accident in March. I feel for Elder Son’s Dad today - I know he’ll be thinking about his boy.

Little Brother #1 spent yesterday and last night with us. MLH dropped him off at church this morning. I hope LB1’s church is cognizant today of all the little boys and girls whose fathers are out of the picture. Maybe he’ll honor his grandfather, who has been one of the only fathers he’s ever known.

My own father is deceased. He was in and out of my life until I was 24, when my parents divorced. My Dad chose to divorce my brothers and I as well. During the estrangement, my older brother died of cancer, so my father and my older brother never reconciled. Prior to his death 6 years ago, my brother and I were reconciled to him after 20 years of silence. It was only months before Dad passed, but now he’s in heaven so we’ll see him again, and all will be healed.

MLH’s father also died the same year. He was a man of much wisdom. I loved to sit at his feet and listen. I miss him. MLH misses him. We all do.

I thought of the fathers who are serving in our military and are separated from their children by miles. And the fathers whose sons and daughters are serving their country and can’t be home with their dads today. And I thought about those fathers who have lost their children. This has to be a hard day for some.

In all this, I know one thing - the Father fathers those who are fatherless. He fathered me. And He heals the broken-hearted – another thing I know personally. I’m so thankful – because there’s a lot of brokenness out there.

Lord, today and always, bless all the fathers.

Abbye report

I'm home! Yeah!

Prior to going home, we met a realtor and a friend to look at a house he's thinking of purchasing.

En route to said house, who did we see cruising the neighborhood park?

Eric on hiatus, walking a certain lady of the canine persuasion.

Both looked very healthy and at peace with the world.

And that's your update from this end of the planet.

Because Jen did it...and she's cool!

Tip of the meme hat to Jen over at Lintefiniel Musing.

Your EQ is 160 - yeah, right...

50 or less: Thanks for answering honestly. Now get yourself a shrink, quick! 51-70: When it comes to understanding human emotions, you'd have better luck understanding Chinese. 71-90: You've got more emotional intelligence than the average frat boy. Barely. 91-110: You're average. It's easy to predict how you'll react to things. But anyone could have guessed that. 111-130: You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt. 131-150: You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin. 150+: Two possibilities - you've either out "Dr. Phil-ed" Dr. Phil... or you're a dirty liar.

What's" Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

And I despise whining!

I’ve not been feeling up to par lately, and my doctor suggested allergy testing. So, I bit the bullet and made an appointment. They told me to block out all day, bring a book, my computer, I could watch movies, TV, whatever…so I did. This will be a snap. I can work, away from the office, and get this testing done. What a multi-tasker!

Holy. Crap.

It’s 4 p.m., I’ve been here since 9am, and I think I’ve had more sticks than … ah, heck, I can’t even think of anything funny. We’ve got the surprise birthday party for my Other Mom at 6:30 – I’m in sweats and a t-shirt, barely presentable. I don’t really feel up to a party anymore. What the heck was I thinking?

Here comes the needle lady with her pretty little poison. And she sticks me, injects the stuff. Barely under my skin. I know where the term "gets under your skin" was coined...right here in good ol' Midland, America. By noon, I had suffered 108 injections. And she told me “We’re halfway done, sweetie.”

“Halfway, my butt!” I mutter under my breath.

I think I’m having a reaction. Everything is kind of foggy. Not to worry, by now I know the drill - she’ll be giving me an antihistamine in a minute to counteract the reaction.

We’ve done this all day long. Inject my skin with some known allergen that I might possibly be allergic to…monitor the reaction for swelling, monitor me for all sorts of things like headache, depression, anger…record said reaction, if any…stick me again with whatever counteracts it. Then, in a minute or two, I feel somewhat normal again.

“Ready for the next injection?” she asks.

“Ready for me to open up a can of good ol’ West Texas whup-***?”, I mutter under my breath, as I half-smile (grimace) and nod my head.

What ever happened to customer satisfaction?

I’m trying to work here! I’m trying to do my expenses! Answer e-mails! Answer my customers' calls!

I think I’m developing needle-o-phobia.

I want my mommy. I want my blankie.

I want out of here!!

Through Another's Eyes

Sunday was a field trial practice day for Zack, The Wonder Dog, and I. MLH, Younger Son and I all are “Bigs” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. MLH and I decided to invite his “Little” to go with us. Around 8:30 a.m., we go pick up burritos and then go pick up Little Brother #1 (So named because he is our first “Little” – he is 11). LB1 is always over the top with energy and wit – we so enjoy being around him!

We head to Big Spring. LB1 has a million questions…"Now, what are we going to do? I’ve never been hunting. What is a chukkar? What is a pheasant? Will I see chickens? Do I get to shoot? Do you use BB guns? How is Zack going to do that? Did he go to school? Will he knock me down?” We try to explain everything to him. He is so inquisitive – and so very smart!

We get to Andy’s (our trainer) house. Andy is cleaning out dog pens, quite an aromatic chore. LB1 doesn’t like that smell, but there are two little pups hanging around, and he thinks they are quite the treat. We play with them, and go to the barn to see all the birds. En route, we have to stop and see Tank, the world-class barrel racing horse. Tank gently lips LB1’s hand, looking for treats. LB1 is not so sure about that, Tank is pretty big - but LB1 quickly gets over his fear. We enter the bird pens, and there are chickens after all! We see a ton of pheasants and chukkar. The birds fly all around, and LB1 gets a kick out of the bird catching process.

Finally, we head out to the field, and LB1 is all eyes and ears. The kid doesn’t miss a thing. Andy, Zack and I head out for our first two birds. I miss my first one, and get the second one. We bring it up to the truck, and LB1 is all over it – he has to hold it and examine it. “Where did you shoot it? Let me see! Look at the cool colors! The stripes! Are you going out again?” He’s handling everything extremely well, on this, his first hunting trip. We carry on, and finish the training session. LB1 has had a good time.

We go to eat lunch, and the kid devours a triple decker hamburger and fries. LB1 is so long and lean – where does that food go?! We head into town, looking for our friends that will take the birds home and eat them. We find them at Hunan’s, eating lunch after church. We transfer the birds, and we’re heading to visit Scenic Mountain State Park . LB1 likes mountains, and is excited about going…but only if we will think about coming back to Hunan’s to eat lunch (again) afterwards.

We get on top of the mountain, let Zack out of his crate, and take off. We walk up and down the mountain side, looking at rocks, animal scat, anything and everything. LB1 is like a little mountain goat. Zack, nose down, escapes our immediate control, and LB1 is the one who finally leashes him in. LB1 is so proud that Zack came to him. LB1 looks across the mountain to another point, and off we go. He wants to go all over that mountain.

At some point, MLH and LB1 head down to another ledge. Zack and I stay on top, watching. Why didn’t I bring my camera? LB1 is just glowing, smiling – he’s really enjoying this trip. It is a beautiful day. I cannot explain my feelings as I watched these two climbing and talking – I just knew that is was right that they do so. It took me back some years. I know that MLH and Younger Son explored many a mile in their earlier years, and I’m grateful that MLH and LB1 are getting to experience this together.

I was a single mom once. Not all single moms are afforded the luxuries we enjoyed in Elder Son’s youth. ES and I were lucky enough to live in the country. We hunted rabbits, explored, shot BB guns, all the things that country-raised children take for granted. Times were lean, but we had lots of fun – and my son wasn’t hooked to the television! Elder Son was always outside, and we had tons of adventures - some even on this very mountain. I'm glad LB1 is able to taste stuff like this.

Much to LB1’s chagrin, it was time to head back to Midland. We stopped by Hunan’s, and fed LB1 again. Once the bottomless pit was full, we headed west. We’ve enjoyed a full day. It was a very good day – and it was a blessing to see our world through another’s eyes.

Land-locked seafood...in Midland!

Ahoy, amigas and amigos! A new restaurant has opened in Midland, called Vela Bay!

What? Seafood, in Midland, Texas? Not only that, but seafood with a little taste of south of the border? West Texans, try it out! My husband and I met there for supper Monday night, and it was good. Paper plates, but who cares, with food like that?

Tuesday lunch, I took 7 customers; the food arrived hot, with appetizer orders of blonde gumbo and etouffee, side orders of home-cooked black eyed peas, pinto beans, and we were treated like royalty. My Cajun buddies loved this place!

Thursday, we arrived at noon with 5 customers in tow, who were duly impressed. Service was great, the food was awesome. By now, the wait staff is greeting us by our first name.

But tonight…tonight beat all the prior visits. We walked in at 8 p.m. (a late visit is always a good test for a new restaurant) to sounds of a Mexican guitarist with a beautiful voice. The owner, a sweet long-time Midlander named Les Vela, was sitting at a table with a friend, eating…snow crab legs. She encouraged us to try them.

We did! And they were fresh, cooked to perfection, and the portion was larger than I've ever received at any Pappadeaux's or other large-town seafood house. This is definitely the place to go for fresh, sweet-crusted fried shrimp, raw oysters on the half shell, succulent snow crab, fresh fried fish. At this point, you may bring your own Pinot Grigio or cerveza to this BYOB – soon, Vela Bay will be operating under its own by the glass license. Live music on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday nights – and you might even get to witness Les doing the cumbia, and singing along (she's good)!

If this week is any portent of the future, there will soon be people waiting at the door to get a seat! Vela Bay is located west of the old K-Mart, on Midland Drive, north of Illinois Street. Their phone number (should you want to call ahead for reservations, or to take out orders – they even have a drive-through!) is 432-218-TUNA.

Going to the Chapel

We were guests at a wedding last night. It was a fun, festive time - quite a sizeable wedding. We are long time friends of the Bride’s family, and as such, I had access to the bridal “getting-ready” room. I walked in, and the Bride was beaming, beautiful, and in control. The Bride’s Sister, the maid of honor, beautiful in her own right, was crying and smiling. Dad of the Bride wiped his own tears while calmly managing all the emotions of the women in his household. Mom of the Bride was teary, smiling, organized and checking her list twice, all the while, hugging and kissing her girls and her husband. The young Flower Girl and the Bride’s attendants were absolutely lovely, smiling and ready. Flower Girl is the youngest daughter of another couple who, in their youth, actually introduced the parents of the Bride to each other – and this young Bride has been practically raised like an older sister to this little Flower Girl. The young Ring Bearer, nephew of the Groom, was gorgeous, in that polished and prepared manner that 6 year old little men carry about them. With quiet dignity, Ring Bearer was even carrying (gasp!) a teddy bear, to which the wedding rings were secured.

At once, the time was nigh. Everyone glided into place. The beautiful Bride sprayed her hair once more, then did some goofy stuff while I took pictures, just biding time while everyone else arrived at their appointed places.

Mom stops me from going to take my seat. “Janie, will you please make sure the train of her dress is just right as her Daddy walks her down the aisle?”

I am honored – not only to hold the train of her dress, but to know this family. How long have I known this young lady – since before she was two or three? I can’t remember not ever knowing she and her sister. These girls captured my heart from the first time I ever saw them. I’ve watched them grow and mature into beautiful young ladies. I’m aging myself here, but you get it - we’ve walked beside this family, and enjoyed their friendship, for many years.

The wedding march begins. The Bride, beaming up at her Daddy, takes his arm and floats out of the room. The train of her dress is straight and flowing freely. She proudly, beautifully, walks up to her Groom, himself a man of excellence. He awaits her, elegant in his military uniform, smiling at his Bride. The wedding is performed. As the pastor prays over the couple, the Bride and Groom face each other, and their foreheads touch throughout the prayer. The kiss is one of those extended ones, inspiring subsequent whooping and laughter.

MLH nudges me, and I slip out of my seat, readying myself to take some more candid shots during the couple’s walk down the aisle. The Bride and Groom walk past me as I snap some shots. I remained focused on the walkway, and through my zoom lens, I see the Flower Girl as she’s coming down the aisle behind the Bride and Groom. She is openly sobbing. This little one runs straight into my arms, and I’m having to encourage her to breathe, to calm down, that it’s all right – by now, tears streaming down my face, as well. I’m a little taken aback - and then I get it. The Bride and Groom will soon be stationed outside the U.S., come March. At some point during the wedding, Flower Girl added up the sum of the parts, and everything has come to light. Moments pass, and the Bride realizes what’s going on. Quickly, little Flower Girl is enveloped in the arms of the Bride and calmed down.

The Flower Girl’s dad had grilled steaks and chicken, and a most excellent supper was served. After pictures, the Bride danced the first dance with her Groom. Then, the Bride danced with her Dad. Both father and daughter cried. Beautiful. The Groom danced with his mom. And then, the band really rang out, and a wedding party ensued. The parents danced. Couples danced. Little kids danced. The garter and bouquet were thrown and caught.

As we are readying to leave, the Bride and Groom see us, and grab MLH and I. We are ushered back into the bridal ready room, and the door is shut behind us. The Bride looks at us, as only she can, and asks us to pray over them. We were humbly honored. We pray for them, speak blessings over them, hug them, and walk out to the parking lot.

It was a beautiful night for a wedding.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Christmas Story

Loving, fun, and totally crazy.Don't shoot your eye out!

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Holiday Tipping - extra, or not?

I've been running around all day, delivering gifts to our adopted families, picking up stuff (including homemade tamales – yum!!) for the Christmas celebrations at my brother's, then my other mother's. Running other errands, as well, I've going non-stop since early this morning. Heading up to the hospital to visit my son's paternal grandmother, who fell early yesterday morning and broke her hip (prayers coveted!).

And I'm wondering…

What are your thoughts on holiday tipping and/or gifts for those that are in the personal service industry? For example, your hairdresser, barber, nail technician, housecleaner, car wash guy, etc.? What if they own their own business?

Do you:

1) Give them a small gift or a cash bonus for the Christmas season?

2) Or do you tip your stylist throughout the year? (BTW, 15-20% tip is still the norm, from the little research I've done)

3) Or do you tip throughout the year, and give a gift at Christmas, as well?

I'm off and running again - but, I'd love to read your comments!

Yeah...right!

Vacation? (Sounds of Belinda, Jane, Charlotte, Gina, and Kathy ringing through my head.)

Do you find you've unused vacation at year end? No? I concede defeat - you are more intelligent than…moi! Every year, I say "Never again!" So, I tried to schedule all my days for the end of the year.

It's not working. And I'm not the only one, according to this article.

Supposedly, I've been "taking vacation" since the 15th of December. Today is the 20th. I've been at the office every day, generating proposals, making calls, responding to e-mails. I'm still scheduling my customer appointments, with the exception of tomorrow, when I'll head north to Lubbock with my friend Lisa.

This has been an extremely active year in all facets of the Oilpatch. I'm not the only one with vacation days unused. Those drilling rigs don't stop punching holes just because someone needs a vacation. At the current price of oil and gas, we might see a slight decline, but all indicators say busy, busy, busy. I'm an excellent time manager…and I'm keeping lists of my lists. Thank God for my Franklin Covey Plan Plus program. I've used it for years, and it promises to help me "Get Organized. Focus on Priorities. Accelerate Productivity." I'm ready.

Hats off to the Midland Robert E. Lee High School Orchestra – they did all my Christmas wrapping this year, and did it well! Jordan G. and crew came out to my Yukon, picked up the presents, took them into the mall, wrapped them, and called me on my cell to inform me the 30+ packages were ready (we adopted families through Salvation Army). I called them when I arrived back at the mall, Jordan and crew came back out, packages in hand, and loaded them in my truck. Now that, people, is service! If you need some wrapping done, take your things to the mall. They're in the JC Penney's court, directly in front of Dillard's (Men & Juniors) store.

Merry Christmas shopping to each and every one! I'm heading north…to Lubbock.

Reflections

Thinking back over the last week, we've had a pretty full Christmas social season.

Last Saturday was crazy – an 8am 'til noon "Christmas with Santa" with our Big Brothers Big Sisters kids, then a wedding at 2pm, another wedding at 2:30pm, party following, then another Christmas party at 6pm. The rest of the week followed suit, with a function almost every night and sometimes two.

But this Saturday night's party seemed different from the onset. It was hosted by a lovely family that I met some years back, as customers. Our relationship has since grown into friendship. The mix of people attending the party was absolutely perfect. Some, we met for the very first time. Some were co-workers. Some were customers, and yet others, peers.

MLH and I milled about and visited for a bit, enjoying the elaborate fare. Then, one of the hosts gained the attendees' attention, welcomed us all, and started the party off with a prayer.

Personally, I've prayed many a time before I enter an event like this – for favor, just asking the Lord to be with me, etc. That probably sounds weird, but, hey, the oilfield can be a tough place – and I'm definitely one of the few women in this industry. (Thank God for my supportive husband!)

Somehow, tonight was different. MLH & I knew that there would be people there we did not yet know, of course – and that's always a little intimidating. We also knew we were supposed to be there, at this party – kind of a divine appointment thing.

We walked in the door and were welcomed with hugs and kisses. Immediately, MLH ran into one of his earliest clients as an independent in his 23-year career, and their relationship was renewed. Through another introduction at the party, and a subsequent anecdotal story, I saw a young man's father honored in front of many. And yet another man approached my husband, asking him to do some consulting for him. It was a very special night…and it only got better. I think it is all because the hosts had already determined to honor the Lord, before the party ever even kicked off, before the prayer was ever uttered.

On the way out the door, I told another of the hosts, "Have a merry Christmas." And he said, "We will. Y'all will, too, 'cause you know what I know about y'all? I know that y'all know the true Reason for this Season."

We do know. Yet, we are thankful to be reminded.