Last Day

Today was my last day at Chapel Hill ISD, but also, really the last day as a Network Administrator. Chuck, my boss, gave me a wonderful plaque - not about my achievement in technology, but about my spirit and the new journey I'm beginning. It was a wonderful gift that I will treasure because it truly marks a significant time in my life. The following quote is another good example of what my new focus is all about:

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.” - James A. Michener, writer

Last weekend in Henderson

Saturday came early. David didn't sleep at all. We had a successful garage sale though and David kept his cool even though it was 100 degrees outside.

Brandy and Chris drove up from Houston for the weekend. They brought their two dogs, Chachi and Hemi - two really small dogs, tiny in fact. They helped us clean up after the garage sale and get ready for the rest of the guests for the weekend. Andy drove in from Tyler and Steve made it from Paris (I think). Carrie suffered a flat tire, but managed to make it from Ft. Worth in a record 5 hours - the longest trip in history. She also brought her tiny dog, Rexi - and here she is with Pai and I...

The rest of the weekend we all played with Chris and Brandy's Wii. My goodness, that thing's addictive and fun. When we weren't playing games, we were eating food. Fun and yummy times! We're going to miss these weekend retreats, but hope that people will be able to join us in Columbus for a new adventure. Such great friends!

Last Flex Day Friday

This is officially my last Flex Day Friday. A week from today, I will be on the road towards Columbus. This morning I slept till 8am which was nice since I went to bed last night at 10! It was great! I started working on a little album for the next homeowners. (I always wished someone would have shown me the history of this house, so I'll share what I know. They might not want it, but it was just a thought. It's a small album...) AND then I went to my last restorative yoga class with Lisa.

While downtown, I met Kimberly at a new place for lunch - MoJo's Coffee Cafe. I can't believe this cool place opened up right before I'm moving. They're downtown and they're even open late and on the weekends! David and I might have to go back next week. But enough about MoJo's - I had a wonderful time laughing with Kimberly. Soooo glad I got to see her before leaving.

As I was driving home, it occurred to me that David probably wondered where I had been. When I got home, he was concerned that I might had been back at work. Work? What work?

The rest of the day is going to center around getting ready for tomorrow's garage sale and our SCYC friends. There's a party calling us!!!!

Yesterday's Checklist

Yesterday I had a checklist of things: start training my replacement, have lunch with Ron and Mitch, pick up my reading glasses (because I'm officially old according to eye professionals), go to an annual doctor's appointment, drive to Nacogdoches and see Juanita at Java Jacks, was supposed to see Jeromy while in Nac (but he had to cancel) and then just generally enjoy some quiet time in the house alone for the last time before I move.

This is what we use the fireplace for around here! Nap time.....

Taking the artwork down

I think we got a handle on the virus sweeping our network. I'm looking forward to someone else having to deal with these issues! Before I left today, I cleaned up my office and took the artwork off the walls (one of which is a picture of Jack Kerouac with my favorite quote). My replacement starts tomorrow. I'm not really prepared to train him tomorrow, but I guess it will all come together. A part of me has already left the building (really a while ago). Another part of me thinks I'll be around forever. I'm glad I already packed up my office, because it always feels weird to leave the last day with arms full of boxes.

The quote, by the way, is:

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”

A Day of Opposites

Today was my "surprise" luncheon at work. Since Chuck gave the secret away, I decided to surprise everyone else and wear a tutu to work (thanks for the inspiration Victoria), complete with a little tiara made from a Starbucks cardboard sleeve. We had a nice lunch. Elva made chicken spaghetti, Mitch brought the salad and french toast, Amanda made a sheet cake and Ron brought ice cream. Sooo good!

The rest of the day at work was spent dealing with a network-wide computer virus.

I met David at Vicki and Tim's. The conversation was lovely and the food was wonderful! Kerry and Jim were also there as well as Dillon. It's always so relaxing and comfortable at the Baggett house!

Before I went to dinner I received an email that still haunts me - filled with misunderstandings and sadness. I'm not sure how to respond to it. So...

I'm going to bed to wake up to a new day tomorrow.

Goodnight!

Joy!

My MacBook Pro came in today!!!!! And that's all I have to say...

1920s pics

After a day of traveling to friends and family yesterday, I spent the whole day today at the computer assembling pictures to send to my mom of her mother. Thank goodness Pai gave me a good excuse to get off my rear-end to take her for a couple of walks. I'm going a little cross-eyed! Time to get ready to end the day and shut the eyes for a while. Good night!

Dallas Farewell Tour

11:45 - I finally got a chance to hang with Susan (Susan Harris Akeroyd). We had a great shaded place outside at the Garden Cafe. We chatted, ate lunch and watched Charles explore the garden. I had a great time catching up with Susan and look forward to staying in contact again.



1:30 - I was just around the corner from Jenn and it worked out perfectly to get together. Jenn, Avery and I went to Chuy's. Jenn had lunch. I enjoyed a virgin daiquiri. Avery took a good nap. And we all hugged before saying bye-bye. Avery is learning fast how to be a good host. Jenn and Jeff are teaching her well!




3:30 - I drove down the road to Kaufman to visit with Lou and Phil. They were practicing for Sunday's music ministry. We sang a few traditional hymns and then consumed some caffeine at Servants. Lou and Phil still look the same and they're still so much family to me.



6:30 - I drove further down the road to Canton to join my dad and Jean for dinner. We had a good time talking it up. It finally dawned on me that this was the last time I would get to see him before moving. I was kinda sad about that. At 10pm I headed home back to David.

Yeah Flex Day Friday!

I got up without an alarm for the first time in I don't know how long. Pai and I went for a walk, came back for breakfast and I hopped on the computer for the regular pasttime of email, facebook and photos. David finally got up - just in time to deal with surveyors invading our backyard. We quickly gathered ourselves and drove to meet Ross and Wendy Whitney for lunch in Mineola. Mineola's downtown is quite the bustling little place now. It was crowded during a weekday! On our way back, we stopped by Barnes and Noble for a little book perusing and caffeine consumption. Once home, David made some quesadillas and margaritas for dinner. Mid-way through watching "The Wrestler" we took Pai for another walk before it got dark. We resumed the movie when we got back. And now the credits are rolling...

It's been a good day, still a little tender, but good nonetheless.

Letting Go

We had to put Spenser, our 13 year old dog, down. David had the hard decision to make today, but we both feel that it was the right one. So hard. We're going to miss him terribly.

Scanning pics

Tonight I scanned a ton of pictures - all the ones my mom requested, some from a photoshoot with Spenser, David and a gerbera daisy, and one of my favorite pieces Woody choreographed.

Is it Monday or Tuesday or Friday?

I finally went to work today. It's throwing my week off. I think it's Tuesday, but it sure feels like Monday, but I really want it to be Friday.

David got a lot done today - more things towards getting the house sold. He even investigated movers! He also took Spenser for a walk down the driveway and back and Spenser is still here with us. Of course after such a productive day, David has to take an epic long nap right when I'm ready for dinner and a movie. Hmmm. Could this be a night to myself??!!

Spenser Still Breathing

We contemplated putting Spenser down this morning. He couldn't sit up on his own or walk. Then around 8am things changed, David carried him outside to see if he could do his business. He let Spenser go and lo and behold Spenser started hobbling around on his own. He took care of his business and only fell on his face once. He also ate breakfast. Spenser's vet said it's too early to give up. Later in the morning, David laid down some protective rubbery plastic on the floor. Spenser managed to get up on his own and walk to the living room where he's still laying now. If Spenser doesn't continue to improve by Friday, then we'll have that hard decision to make again. But we'll give him time to show us. Rock on Spenser!

Austin Round of Farewells - Last Day

Saturday was my last day for my Austin Farewell Tour. I did some last minute shopping, arranged some floral arrangements for Kate and Kathy and picked up a six pack of Shiner for David. I thought he'd need a beer by the time I got home. I did too - it turned out.



I took my last class from Kathy Dunn Hamrick at Cafe Dance.

Tanya met me after class. We walked next door to Russell's Bakery for lunch and caffeine. Our visits are too few and far between. Hopefully we'll figure out a trip to New York soon!

After lunch I hit the road for home. About two hours in, the air conditioning went out. Talk about kickin' it old style! Maybe this is preparation for going back to college - like driving those beaters I did when I was last in college. I REALLY hope not!

Austin Round of Farewells - Third Day

Tanya came into town yesterday morning. By lunch we were at the original Kirby Lane Cafe off 35th and Kirby. Also on 35th is where my great-grandparents' house is/was. My great-grandfather made musical instruments. Ironical, across the street is a music shop now - Fiddler's Green.

Tanya and I drove around trying to find some old haunts. We eventually went shopping till I got too disgusted. We dropped by Amy's Ice Cream - of course and also Austin Java. It was a miserably hot, humid day. We were cursing our jeans and agreeing that westcoast weather was much more agreeable.

The last night of improv performance went well. I finally got a picture of Kirsche!

This picture of Jennifer and I was taken my Jennifer's boyfriend, Dan, before Thursday night's performance.

I love walking around Austin around 7:30 when the sun is less oppressive. I wonder how many music related sculptures are around Austin.

Austin Round of Farewells - Second Day

I had a wonderful lunch with Andrea Beckham at East Side Cafe. East Side is one my favorite haunts. I used to live down the street from it as a starving student. I really couldn't afford to eat there, but every once in a while, I'd buy an appetizer so I could get some of their yummy organic food. They have a wonderful garden!

My friend Kirsche is studying to get her massage license and needed a client to work on for credit hours. Lucky me! Kirsche and went to school at UT together, she eventually moved to California and other places and now is back in Austin where we are also dancing together in the Improvisation Program for Big Range. I really need to get a picture of her!

Austin Round of Farewells

Yesterday I met Tom at Clementine's on Manor Road on the east side of town. I'm so glad I've been able to reconnect with him this past year!

I later met my ole friend David Yeakle at Whole Foods for an early dinner before dress rehearsal. I'll miss seeing him during my occasional trips to Austin.

Ballet Austin's Ventures Studio Theatre where we're performing tomorrow and Friday night.

This is Thomas, one of my favorite musicians, striking the microphone.