'Anais'

My dear friend.

It's been at least 5-years since we met. When I think about it, I don't know how we are friends in some aspects. We are opposites in so many ways. She is all about nature and saving the planet in whatever way she can to help. Even if it is simply by education. I don't know the first thing about it.

I think we balance each other perfectly tho. What we lack in ourselves, we find in the other. 'Anais' has shed a lot of light on things I wish I had the time for.

She is going to school to become a marine biologist. She volunteers at the Dallas Aquarium and the soup kitchen downtown. She always seems to be involved in something of importance.

I hope that when Peanut is old enough for school that I will be able to find the time to do even half of what 'Anais' is doing.

She is the sweetest and always tries to make time for all things she is passionate about, even if it means spreading herself so thin that it wears her down.

I love being back here just simply because I have a dear friend I can get together with.

Quotes by Anais Nin :

"Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, one should preserve it."

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/anais_nin.html

She is the best and most thoughtful person I've ever been privileged to call my Friend.

2008 Fall Festival at the Dallas Arboretum

Since we've been back in the Dallas area, I am determined to get out and do more. Phillip is getting better at wanting to do this as well so it no longer feels like I am pulling teeth to go on a family outing. He wants the girls to remember the things we did as a family. Something he never really had growing up.

In wanting to get out and do, we went to the Arboretum. Something I never would've thought of before if it wasn't for Anais.

Right now they have the Great Pumpkin Festival going on. Pretty fall colors (odd for north Texas) and hay bales and pumpkins galore!! There were pumpkin shapes I had never seen before. Everything was so pretty. When you log onto the website(http://www.dallasarboretum.org/) you get a glimpse of what they have but it doesn't compare to seeing it in person. So beautiful!

They had a hay bale maze and a 15' Pumpkin house. All of the walkways were lined on both sides with pumpkins and there was a big area you could let the kids run and try to get that 'perfect fall picture.' The Arboretum is right on White Rock Lake and when you are standing on the hill looking down towards the concert stage area (they were playing beautiful piano music the day we went) the lake is in the background. It was full of sailboats. Another lovely site.

Normally it is scorching hot here all the time but we've been lucky enough to experience some really great cool fall days lately with just enough of a breeze that it made for a perfect day.

I love taking pictures of the girls so this was a ton of fun for me. I am the 'picture-taker.' Hardly ever will you see me in a picture but I do have loads of Phillip and the girls. I got over 60 pictures, 4 videos and about a dozen pics of just scenery. I am only in 5 of those pictures.

I am really looking forward to Holiday at the Arboretum featuring The Nutcracker display. It starts November 22.

I love the fall!

Gregory House, M. D.

Gregory House, M.D.

(Hugh Laurie)

I found myself doing a countdown. I was counting the days until the new season of House started. Just the thought of the show coming back on put a smile on my face. Now that it is back on, I look forward to every Tuesday (my favorite day anyway). DO NOT bug me when the show is on. I will lose it! Am I obsessed? It depends on how you look at it.

You have to have a certain appreciation for sarcastic people. A Love, if you will. I think my love for the show has a lot to do with the humor and bold sarcasm of the character. House is extremly great at what he does and point-blank. If only all people could be like that.

Everybody is so worried about how the other person will take it if you are a little more outspoken. Is being outspoken really that bad? It must be, because outspoken is something I am not. It is unfortunate.

I wish I could be an ass sometimes. I wish I could tell people what I think and not give a care as to how they would react. House is a complete ass. Maybe that is part of my love for the show. Of course, if you dig deep enough into that hard-core surface there is a soft spot...or two.

If my husband were most like anyone in show business, it would be House! I see a lot of my husband in this character so maybe I am obsesssed.

The same things that made me fall in love with him and the same things that irritate me about my husband are what I find attractive in this character. One of Phillip's greatest feats: that no matter the situation, he can always make me laugh. I do love that!

My next countdown? CSI!