Today’s a historic day in Lubbock. Tonight Texas Tech plays OU for what will probably be the national football championship.

So, on this beautiful--albeit a bit chilly--fall morning lots of women in Lubbock are getting ready for a great party tonight.

Looking for one-of-a kind Tech gear? Come to Holiday Happenings at the Civic Center, and you’ll find all kinds of stuff, and check out Skirt!Lubbock while you’re there.

Other things going on today, 59 days until a new Obama administration, and the stock market was up yesterday.

And four days until Thanksgiving, where does the time go?

 

Yaya and Sophie usually go to Holiday Happening on Saturday. This year they came Friday so they wouldn’t miss the big Tech game.

Today my 18-month-old, Hannah, took Holiday portraits... wow, what a trip.

I was hoping she would have an easy time of it, like she did last year.  Hannah wore footy pajamas that said “Baby’s 1st Christmas” last year and smiled and enjoyed every bit of the attention from the photographer when we took the pictures. 18 months is apparently a long way from 8 months. She walked into the studio curious and apprehensive, wondering what in the world Mommy was making her do now. She was upset that I had pinned her precious hair up (she didn’t have hair last year, so we avoided that fight) and completely annoyed at the idea of having to sit still.  Her wondrous fascination of the camera was long gone today. Instead, my more mature daughter decided she wanted nothing to do with this picture business. She only wanted to sit the the rocking chair when we weren’t taking pictures. It was like pulling teeth to get her to stay in one place and to top it all off, she said “No” repeatedly to Mommy. Big mistake on her part. She got a swat or two, which in hindsight, might not have helped any, and refused to do too much more than stomp her feet.

Check out this beautiful, handmade denim and hand – crocheted jacket by Emily Johnson, a.k.a. Crafty Hooker.  

While the farmers are away, the wives play … creatively.

Mistie Kahl of Tahoka and Celia Mason of Post are The Farm Divas. Their slogan: Husbands farm; wives charm.

They make art pendants, jewelry and other cool-looking things. I saw them at Holiday Happening, and Mistie told me they make custom jewelry, too. You can give them photographs you want incorporated and brainstorm ideas.

Here’s Mistie’s bracelet of family photos:

Ok, you’ve come to Skirt! You’ve checked it out. But you haven’t actually met anyone else who’s been on Skirt!Lubbock. Here’s your chance to, in a very cool way.

We’re having our first meet-up today, Friday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Holiday Happenings. Mosey on in to the Sugar Brown’s coffee kiosk, and you’ll find chairs, tables and us there.

Learn how to make your own blog. Find out other cool things going on in the Hub City. Just think . . . you can be a part of the whole cyber-scene in little ol’ Lubbock.

The news from home being that my grandmother is not improving and may slip away from us shortly, I decided to cut my trip short by a few weeks and get myself back to the States.  

I will be leaving Egypt this coming Monday.   I find it difficult to believe that in a few short days I’ll be wheeling above the Nile on my way home. 

My feelings about leaving are very mixed: I’ll be so happy to get away from the pollution, the smog and the harassment that I can’t help having a bounce in my step as I point my shoes homeward.  On the other hand, I had such a difficult time getting settled in when I arrived and each day was so monumentally challenging that every time things went right the rewards were that much more satisfying.  The lows were low, but it only made the highs even higher.  I was so looking forward to completing the whole trip, just so I could throw my hands in the air and yell, “I did it!”  Now I feel like I’m getting out of the game before passing go, if you know what I mean. 

Laying all of that aside I know in my heart that my decision to go home is right.  All the issues with my research and everything I faced here in Cairo are no longer important: this is a time that I need to be with my family. 

Would she be this funny? I would lock my mother up before I would let her tell a lot of untruths about me. That’s my job! :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWrj9TaA0Mc

 

Embrace Change. Not Fear.

www.BranchingOutLifeCoaching.com

I’m having a blast at the Holiday Happening in Lubbock, Texas and then got to experience a real treat today with a tour of a new winery opening in the heart of downtown Lubbock. 

I was fortunate enough to have a personal tour of McPherson Cellars by owner Kim McPherson.  Their delicious wine is made from true West Texas grapes and is definitely worth the trip. 

Check it out...

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Onesies, bibs, clothing, car decals, specialized licensed plates, key chains and credit cards... you name it.  “Daddy’s Little Girl” has been put on all sorts of things.  Why? Because mom is just not feeling the love.

I have an 18-month-old, Hannah, and there’s no one in the world she loves more than her daddy.  As a matter of fact,  her love list might go something like this: 

1. Daddy    2. Kitty    3.  Aunt Mace (my sister)   4. Nana & Pops    5. Any blue-haired old man.....258. Mommy