Irish Blessing

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Georgetown Getaway

We went down south to the hill country area of Georgetown this past weekend. It was so pretty and the weather was amazingly nice. Below are a few photos of what we saw and did. Our son and DIL still own a home there and we have been going down now and then to check on it and help out while they are living in the UK for a bit. For those that aren't aware, it'd be just a short jog down further I-35 to Austin, which is the capital of Texas. Anyhow, here's some photos...and if you want a better view, click on the photo and it will reopen in a larger size.

A view of Lake Georgetown with the limestone shores and a few folks fishin'.

This is part of the shoreline and an scraggly old tree with roots growing inside the limestone.

Old farm equipment used as landscaping ornaments at a law firm.

A rusty old water spout going into a feed trough used as landscaping.

Buzzards up in the trees in the sanctuary of the hiking/biking trails alongside the San Gabriel River, which sorta creeped me out.

Me in a drain pipe by the dam of Georgetown Lake.

Deer approaching the front lawn hoping for some corn to eat. They are literally everywhere in this neighborhood! Free roaming deer, so ya gotta watch out when you drive down the roads.

DH standing on a twisted tree stump on the lake edge.

The Georgetown Water Tower

An armadillo we were able to snap a photo of along the hiking/biking trail before it scurried away. Usually we see these odd creatures dead on the side of the road instead. Look at that long pink nose!

My DH in the woods beside the San Gabriel River.

That's me with the sun in my eyes.

DH across the spillway near the bridge that leads into the neighborhood.

The hiking and biking trails near the home that we had a lot of fun walking and riding bikes on.

UHOH!....now this wasn't part of the getaway. It is my 17 year old son's pinky finger post-op about a month after amputation revision surgery. He had another accident. Please advise your children to be very careful lifting weights. This happened at school and long story short, his finger got in the way of a dumbbell and was chopped off at the end. OUCH OUCH OUCH! He is much better, but geez did it look a lot worse when it first happened. (Sorry if this photo offends anyone.)

Wow it's February and I haven't made a post yet!

Either I am lazy, busy, or distracted from my blogging. Well this past weekend my daughter and I went to the Teddy Bear and Folkart Show here in Grapevine. It was nice and inspiring, full of the usual eye candy, but the best part was meeting back up with our dear friend, Claralie Hall from Gaunchywhomperd Bears. I came home with a few new "elephant" friends and more (THANKS CLARALIE!!!) and we had a nice talk about life and things were were doing. I will return and post some photos of Main Street and I'm sorry that I didn't get a single photo of the show, but sometimes the people there are not so keen on you taking photos for whatever reason. Not like I want to steal their ideas, hey it's free advertising if you asked me. But nevermind that. We walked all down the historical part of Grapevine and saw a Glassblower shop making art glass flowers with long twisted stems. Then there was the train depot and the museum. Further down, we grabbed a bite to eat at Weinberger's Deli yummmmm. Wilhoite's the biker restaurant/bar hangout had a full house. There were antique, gift, memorabilia, jewelery, clothing shops, eateries and more. Every now and then you'd see a bronze sculpture of something whimsical or historical as far as some person in the making of the city or whatnot. The Opry House was there and I even saw Elvis in the old movie house that is now an art gallery, imagine that! Further down at the end we visited the British Emporium and they had IrnBru for sale! Wow, how I miss that drink from Glasgow. We also got a few candies that I had tried over there and saw a lot of London, Glasgow and even Indian grocery items. They had meat pies too. The Beatles, Paddington Bear, Dr. Who and more were prevalent in the gifty items. Mind the Gap towels that I saw in Heathrow were available. It was almost like being in the UK again.....well not really, but fun to shop around in anyhow.

The Gaylord Texan Trolley Shuttle that comes through Main Street.

Mayor Benjamin Wall in bronze near the corner of the Courthouse.

Wilhoite's Biker Hangout View I

Wilhoite's Biker Hangout View II

Master Made Feed Store in Grapevine, Texas

The Sunday Skaters bronze sculpture next to Weinbergers Deli.

Me next to a bronzed gent in front of the Wall Hotel.

The Glassblower's Display - Vetro Artglass Studio in Grapevine, TX

My shadow and her friend on the back of a vintage railroad car.

Cotton Belt Route Windmill

Hedgehog with Mohawk Latte Art

Hedgehog with Mohawk Latte Art by Thai
Originally uploaded by gwen bell Wonder if the hedgehog froth makes it taste better? *wink*

Who Owns Edgar Allen Poe?

Do you remember reading Edgar's poems and stories in school? I sure do. Today in an email from a site I just registered with, I found out it was the 200th anniversary of Poe's birthday on January 19th, which will be this coming Monday. Funny the things you end up learning by the networking and facts on random sites huh? Look here for an interesting article about who owns him. Get your free Never More emboidery and clip art images at Urban Threads dot com too. Here is what it looks like as a shrunken clip art image. The above image is a downsized hand embroidery example. Click for their true sizes. Cool freebies I thought!

Breathing Books

Things - Edith Kollath Creates Books that Breathe from Bre Pettis on Vimeo.

Interesting little video and I wish her secret was safe with me so I could make some of these myself. What a neat conversation starter for any room in your house, yes? I find interesting little oddities like these on this site here and thought it share worthy. Enjoy!

Stuart Cassells of Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Stuart Cassells
Originally uploaded by chillipiper

I found this on flickr looking for some things and saw this. I am the one with the pink sleeves to the left holding my camera. Just thought it was interesting that someone took a photo of the RHCP while I was also taking a photo of them too! If you'll click on the photo, it'll take you over to flickr and you can see all of the sizes. Kinda makes it easier to see me too, haha. Choose the largest one cuz I'm only a small side view at best.

So how do you delete a post? I tried and this won't go away...grrrrrrr

with·draw·al

\-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l\
Function: noun
Date: 1749
1 a: the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed b: removal from a place of deposit or investment c (1): the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug (2): the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug as in a heroin addict going through withdrawal

In my case, the drug is Lexapro, and is known as an SSRI drug. (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

It's been just over a week and silly me thought things would be getting better by now, but instead they seem worse. I slowly weaned myself off of a 20mg a day dose down to 10mg for a month, then 5mg for another month, then 5mg every other day or so for a couple of weeks, then decided to heck with it and stopped it altogether. I have to say that a pill cutter is a must with this drug to get the dosage as exact as possible! My first couple of days without Lex was hardly a noticeable difference, then on day 3 or more, I had dizziness and a lightheaded feeling throughout the whole day. Then Thanksgiving came and I panicked and wondered how I'd get through it with lots of family coming over. I doubt everyone knew just how agitated, anxious, and disoriented I felt. To family who might be reading this, please do not take this personally. This is my deal, my problem and my obstacle to overcome. I had a great time over the holidays despite my odd off balanced feelings. Not long after Thanksgiving, I began feeling angry for no reason, then could not get enough rest and sleep. Today I feel much the same and very very foggy headed and hard to concentrate even on typing this post. I've started and edited it several times now. Last night I experienced the dreaded brain zaps that I've horrifiyingly been reading about. Gee and I thought I'd lucked out by not having them for over a week. Not true! They start on the left side of my head behind my ear with a sudden shock like a jolt of electricity, then travel a bit across my head. Sometimes a lot, sometimes just a little. Afterward I feel drained and scared. They come unexpectedly and only last a second or few, but the unexpectedness and sudden shock of them make for a very unhappy me. I'd say that last night they were coming as often as 2 or 3 times in a 5 minute period, so just going to bed and lying in the dark with the covers over my head was a slight relief until I fell asleep. Not moving and no lights does help. Almost like a migraine but not really. That didn't make sense to anyone unless you've experienced this I bet. Today, the zaps happen every hour or so, not as frequent, but I've been a lazy person on purpose to see if that would help and it has. Can't afford to have too many of these kind of days though :o(
Backing up a bit on why I started taking this good/evil drug in the first place.... it was not for depression as some people take it for, but for anxiety instead. I have GAD and it has ruled my life for far too long. My decision to go on it was still a good one and I don't regret it because it did help me. Now over a year later, I just decided it was time to be me again and see if things might be better without it. Time will tell, but until these side effects cease I won't really know. Please, if anyone out there that might read this has suggestions or ideas to help a person through this feel free to leave a comment. I'd welcome genuine advice or just a note knowing someone else has gotten through this. I don't feel hopeless or worried yet, but sometimes the things you "google" when looking for advice is really disturbing. Surely people have the tendency to exaggerate a bit or over analyze on some of the forums that I've come across on this subject?

Ink

I'm still me, just more decorated!

Back in the saddle again

Yep, I'm back home in Texas. Been here since November 4th and too busy to post. Things are cooling off here quite a bit and sort of match the weather in Glasgow right before I left, but now the people drive on the right side of the road and talk ever stranger *wink*. I miss lil 'P and my son and DIL, but am glad to be back. Scotland is so beautiful and I'll never forget the sights and smells and sounds I was able to experience! I've so many photos that it's hard to choose which ones I'll show off, but I'm sure in the coming days there will be some for those that want to check back. Thinking of Thanksgiving and Christmas delights right now. It'll be nice to try and gather around family members and get even more photos!! For now, I wish everyone who visits my random blog a wonderful holiday season and peaceful remainder of the year 2008! God Bless everyone,
-greenie

Video as Promised

Ladies and Gents, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers!

Red Hot Chilli Peppers Rock Argyle Street!

Red Hot Chilli Pipers BLAST Live DVD and CD Release at HMV store on Argyle Street, Glasgow Scotland! Recorded at The Old Fruitmarket

Me and one half of the band

Me and the other half of the band!

Had a unique time today was able to go to their DVD/ CD release "BLAST LIVE" today at the HMV store. These guys are so entertaining in person too, very cheerful, friendly and funny. I have a photo posted above here of myself and the band in 2 sections at their autograph signing. There were so many of them (8) and the body guard looking chap was very happy to snap the photo for me.
I recorded 3 videos of their street performance and love them all. Some tunes they did were: Flower of Scotland, Hey Jude, We Will Rock You, Smoke on the Water, Eye of the Tiger and bits of others that I'm really not sure of their titles. These guys don't just stand there and play. They jump around and act silly, get into the moment and entertain constantly. I could be their spokesperson eh? Anyhow, it was a fun evening and a great bagrock concert that I won't forget!

You can read more about this new style of bagrock music created by these guys here: Red Hot Chilli Pipers

I have video of this to be posted soon if anyone is curious......come check back in a day or so!
-Sharon in Glasgow, soon to return to Texas

Red Hot Chilli Pipers New DVD Release

Here is a clip from TV with a couple of the band members talking about what they do and their DVD release in 6 days. They are supposed to show up at the HMV store on Argyle Street in Glasgow at 4PM and sign CD's and let people have their photos taken with them. Guess where I will be? Hopefully the line won't be so long that I'll have to give up, I hate lines but plan on showing up early to try and get in line sooner. We shall see!

Glasgow Cathedral Service

Sunday morning service at Glasgow Cathedral was very beautiful. They had a service dedicated to Seafarers and there were servicemen and women in full dress uniform from the HMS Neptune as well as veterans, fishing fleets and their families. The Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and the Merchant Navy representatives were all there as well as children in uniforms too. While I am not of the Catholic religion, the experience was still appreciated. The music was quite lovely with the echoing pipe organ and gorgeous choir they had. Sitting there surrounded in ancient history and massive stained glass windows was just so awesome! The first lesson was from Psalm 107:23-31. Hymns sung were mostly ones that had to do with being a pilgrim, the sea and things pertaining to storms and God's mightiful power. You can click on each photo and see more detail.

Clanadonia Live!

Who I saw today!
The free entertainment is overwhelming!!
Of course, I had to have their CD
and they were nice enough to sign it.
Here is Clanadonia's website.
Warning: With 5 drummers and only one piper,
they are VERY LOUD, so ya might just
hafta turn down your volume.


I also got up early, took the subway to Queen Street and took a short walk over to The Barras Market, another side of town. There is a big ol' flea market there with tons of things to look at, buy and stare at! You can read more about it here: The Barras
Your usual fish and chips, scottish meat pies, haggis, other oddly smelling items are all there. This is a true Glaswegian seller's market and the conversations alone are worth the visit. (if you can understand them) There are also bootleg sellers and sometimes they get raided, but none of that happened on my visit. I read that you can find almost anything from an anchor to a needle here and I believe it. The antiques, jewelry, clothing, baby stuff, and sweets are what I liked. I didn't dare take too many photos cuz some of these folks just have this look about them and I'd be afraid to tangle with some of them! But I did snap a few from a distance. Funny, I had a fortune teller come up to me and start telling me all about myself. She new I was a foreigner and took advantage of that saying all these things and would I buy a charm from her? I turned her down and she really didn't like that, but heck I never asked to have my future read in the first place, LOL. I guess that's how she takes advantage of some, but not me. Anyhow, it made for an ineresting day and tomorrow I'm goin to the Glasgow Cathedral services to hear their majestic pipe organ music. More later...

Church Service in Scot's Language

The Lord's Prayer
Matthew 5:9-13

Our Faither in heaven
hallowt be thy name;
thy Kingdom comme;
thy will be dune
on the yird, as in heaven.

Gie us our breid for this incomen day;
forgie us the wrangs we hae wrocht;
as we hae forgien the wrangs we hae dree'd;
an sey-us-na sairlie, but sauf us
frae the Ill Ane.

This was how things were spoken in an evening church service that I went to tonight.
No, it's not spelled wrong, it just looks like it is. What an experience to hear these people speak and read from their Scottish Bibles. And each person had a slightly different translation too, so it made from some really strange sounding things. There was enough English in it that I caught the main point of it all, but how I wish that I had a recording to share some of it! The name of the church that I visited was called Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church. It is a beautiful old building of which I'll post a photo of later when I get a chance to get them off my camera. Denominations here are either Catholic or Presbyterian. I chose the latter. If tomorrow is nice enough, I'm taking the train early to Edinburgh!

We Will We Will Rock You

Same group of musicians in my previous post 3 days later, same spot performing Queen's big hit We Will Rock You! Notice where the big bass drum player kneels down for the small child to try and bang out a few beats....he seemed to be very timid. Was quite funny to watch.

Pipe and Drum Music from Glasgow Video!

While walking down Buchanan Street near the intersection of Argyle, I came upon this talented trio of kilted young men playing the most amazing music and I quickly switched my digital camera to video mode. It's definitely what one might expect or think of whilst in Scotland for sure. Here are the results. They are quite fun to listen to and look at as well ;-)
Enjoy!

I'm in Glasgow now

I arrived safely! Had an IrnBru right away, met my son and DIL at the airport, saw my granddaughter, and ate some tasty Indian food. All is well!

Fall Back

I was just thinking today that the time change comes up again soon for the Fall. The first Sunday in November at 2am this year is when this happens for my neck of the woods. Too bad the weather doesn't seem like Fall here just yet. In the evenings and mornings it's awfully nice, but the humidity during most of the day is still so fierce that Summer feels like it just doesn't want to leave. So I say this because I'm ready for Fall weather! It's probably my most favorite time of the year if it ever comes. Scotland will be a refreshing change I'm sure. So......I'm leaving tomorrow for the UK, wish me luck!

Insomnia

So it's like 3 am and I'm awake. I don't know why. This happens all the time lately. I go to bed tired, sleep a couple of hours, then I pop up. Only one thing I can think of is I've cut my dosage of Lex in half recently in an attempt to wean off the stuff. I had some initial withdrawl with headaches and changes in appetite which caused me to lose some more weight which I probably didn't need, but oh well. Other than that it still does it's job and in due time I'll probably eliminate it altogether (fingers crossed). Well, guess I'll make the time I'm awake productive and get housework or some sewing done. Kids have to be up in an hour or so anyway, no use in trying to go back to bed. Life is good, no real complaints but it just seems like I should be getting more sleep. Enough of this. Have a great day yall! If I can stay awake through it I sure intend to enjoy it cuz this weather is just crazy nice lately.

Tiny Clothes

Here is a little preemie gown that I sewed for my granddaughter yesterday. I prewashed some super soft flannel and found a freebie pattern on the internet. The sizing says it is for 2 to 3 pound preemies, so this should be just right. It also shows me just how tiny she really is without even seeing her in person, gosh! I gave it french seams so it won't rub her delicate skin and it has teeny plastic snap closures instead of Velcro that could be irritating or ties that probably would come undone too easily. It is open enough at the bottom for diaper changes, yet soft and warm enough to keep her covered and extra CUTE! My love for the color purple, lavender or anything in that group took me over again, haha. The little drawstring bag was an afterthought with no pattern used, just a freehanded sketch and stitch quickie that the gown fits in nicely or it could be used for the little bear that I also made for her below...

And to add to all this "purple haze", I found an absolutely darling little cotton knitted hat meant to look like a wee blueberry, complete with a green stem! It is also a preemie size and has a roll up bottom so it can be sized just right for her tiny lil' noggin. I just LOVE it. You can find the maker here on Etsy, my new favorite place to shop for handmades. Her shop name and id is My Little Minky.Anyway, looks like I'm on my way to brainwashing another female in the family into loving the color purple huh? I just can't help myself. Call me silly, I don't care! I dream in purple.
the end
TTYL...................

Granddaughter Update!

Such tiny fingers, a miracle to behold.
I hear that she is making steady progress
and was active and alert yesterday! Just
can't wait to see her in person...

SHE'S HERE!!!!!

I am happy to announce that my fifth grandbaby was born yesterday! She's a 911 baby literally and was born emergency c-section due to complications, but I am relieved and happy to say that both Mom and lil' peanut are doing well. She was a whopping 3lbs 5oz and amazingly strong and healthy looking for a preemie. What a blessing! I have to say that yesterday was a test of nerves and faith for me. God is good and I firmly believe that through the prayers of family and friends everything went as smoothly as it did. My visit to Scotland will be earlier that we thought, but hey I'm totally up for that! Wish me luck and please keep this new family in your prayers if you would. OK, so I'm off to pack for my journey! Updates to follow...
~greenie

Remembering 911

Labor Day

Hi, hope everyone that reads this had a nice Labor Day weekend! Ours was not planned out as far as celebrating or traveling. We just took it easy and enjoyed being around family. I did cook some steak and chicken on the grill outside and that was mighty tasty! We've been having an influx of evacuees here in the local area from the states that were ordered to leave because of Hurricane Gustav. I'm hopeful that it will pass soon and everyone can get back to their homes without too much damage. The first week back to school went smoothly for the kids and they've gone back today for week 2. Football season is coming on strong here in Texas and although I don't get "into" it as much as a lot of folks, it is still a reminder of the change in seasons and that's the part I look forward to. Our son plays for his High School team and no doubt I'll be at most of those games.
My tattoo is healed already, wow can't believe how quickly that came about. Touch ups if needed will be done in about 2 weeks. They say you will probably need a little something in most cases with color and when it's on the foot area, so......no problem.
Looks like I'll be flying over to Glasgow, Scotland again in less than two months. My time over there this time will be a lot longer (YAY!!!) and my hopes are that I'll actually be a help for my son and daughter in law and the new granddaughter. It is very exciting knowing I can help out and take a vacation all in one, how blessed and lucky can a person be?
How do you like the new feel of my blog? I stumbled Chelsea who makes free backgrounds on her own blog called Aqua Poppy Designs and had to try one out. This one caught my eye because of the colors. I intend to update my blog header logo soon too. I realized how bad it looked to me because it still said Happy Spring, oops! Here it is at the beginning of Fall weather already, yikes I missed the whole Summer even, LOL. I'll post again ASAP, have a great week everyone!
-Sharon

First Day of School

Today was back to school day for my three youngest at home. Here are the very two youngest and how they decided to present themselves. We have had 8 kiddos go through the system here where we live and these final 3 are in the 6th, 9th, and 11th grade now. Five down, three to go!
If any more Johnsons go to these schools, it'll have to be grandkids from now on!

Digital Scrap Credits for my photos from Choubinette

Fresh Ink!

~~I DID IT~~

Wow, what an experience and I LOVE how it turned out!

No, I haven't lost my mind, I'm just enjoying life and this was a well thought out event and not just a moment :) This "artwork" was done to celebrate my 50th birthday, although early. It represents my fifth grandchild who will be born this year in Scotland, hence the 5 flowers. The blooms are thistles, which are the National Flower of Scotland. They happen to also be my favorite color. The vine is shaped into the letter "S", which is the first letter of my name and Scotland too!
I did a lot of research picking out just the right artist to do this and the whole concept of what I actually wanted and why. I don't regret it and am quite proud of how it turned out. It is on my right outside ankle and even DH says it turned out great. (He is not into tattoos at all.)