One Day...

Purple Salvia Leucantha

A plant I plan to have...

In our garden...

One day...

San Marcos Trip Conjures College Memory

I went to San Marcos last week to get my hair cut and I took a little tour afterward. I've visited since we left but haven't done any major site seeing and haven't gone to any of my favorite places in awhile.

It was fantabulous.

This whole college memory thing came about when I saw my early-college coffee shop while driving by Lucy's (the bar where Jon and I had our first date).

Coffee Pot

The Coffee Pot is a hip little coffee house and is such a good memory. My freshman year at Texas State (or then called Southwest Texas), I used to go to The Coffee Pot where there were always moody musicians playing awesome moody songs and where there was always a good cup of coffee.

That made me think of some other awesome college memories, like...

Dorm days on 200 Concho street; Running through Sterry-dorm halls; Playing Nintendo with Nicole and Amy; Hanging out with Bridget; The lack of parking anywhere on campus EVER and the parking tickets that followed; Locking my keys in the car after putting my fish in on dorm move out day; Playing pool at Cats; Being fall-down drunk outside of Cats when I hadn't even packed my stuff the night before I had to be out of my apartment; Living at Le Shit Hole; Eating at Kismet; Going to the Yellow Store; Drinking at The Tavern every other night; Eating at Grins; Meeting Jon in Spanish class; Having a beer with Jon at Showdown; Meeting Jon at Lucy's for our 1st date; Falling in love with Jon; Graduating from college!

Good times.

Qutote of the Day - Dad's Life Motto

"Don't forget to have fun every single day." ~My Dad

&

"Life's about having fun." ~My Dad

I can't tell you how many times I've heard this from my awesome Daddio and I tell you what, it's ingrained. And it's so very true.

This world is absolutely incredible. I'm blessed to be apart of it. And I enjoy every single second of it.

Yep.

Do it.

Enjoy life- every singe day, no matter what.

Quotessss of the Day - 1.18.09

Stop the damn worrying!

I have to tell myself that several times a day... I'm a worrier.

Here are some quotes to give some consideration... they're quotes that I'd like to live by.

"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey!" ~Barbara Hoffman

"We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays." ~Persius

"Worry gives a small thing a big shadow." ~Swedish Proverb

And my favorite... "To worry is to doubt the lord." ~Me

Save the Earth!

Couple points about this VERY important phrase...

1) I remembered a cool part of my life when I was Google-ing! I found a Google and a memory all in one again! AND it had to do with one of my blogs! That's a triple deluxe!

I was looking through some images for an upcoming blog and I saw one of them that reminded me of a club I used to be in. My best friend Krystina and I had a club when we were in elementary school- it was called SAVE THE EARTH. It was just the two of us and we would walk around with Pickett signs and make plans to save the earth. Maybe we made a difference- it couldn't have hurt!

2) That made me realize that I hadn't pointed out one of my favorite blogs- 41pounds.org.

There's a link above and on the right under AMY LOVE BLOGS. Go check it out! There's a lot of great info on ways we can help save this awesome planet- starting with junk mail. Junk mail- ridiculous, wasteful, sad. Stop it! Be able to say you helped. I can.

3) I'll be adding to SAVE THE EARTH as much as I can. I started at Christmas and plan to continue, so stay tuned! Help the fight- start blogging and spread the word!

A Memory and a Google All In One!

Childhood Memory #1

I found this while Google-ing a picture for one of my other blogs. Hehe. Yippee! Another new way to discover memories... GOOGLE!!! Kinda cool tying my blogs together like that, huh?

I watched these videos when I was itty bitty and still love them so very much.

Mom kept her videos in these cool, brown, leather cases. I can still remember the excitement of getting them out and putting them back. It was great... so many classics!

I have them somewhere and WILL find them soon enough... just gotta go through Dad's attic and storage unit.

Uh oh.

Memory Madness

A scent.

(Photo: Courtney Perry/ DMN)

A song.

(Photo: www.coolbusinessideas.com)

A book.

(Photo: Gerard Jones - www.everyonewhosanyone.com)

Anything can trigger a memory and can take you back to a place you'd long forgotten. Of course, it's never really forgotten... but as time goes by, it sure gets harder to keep 'em in order. =)

I've thought about that for a long time. All those times you remembered something cool that happened when you were a kid, where you had your first kiss, how you felt when you started high school... what if I don't ever remember that again?

Blogging is here to help!

I'm making it a point to blog cool memories from this point on... Just blog it.

"Google It"

We've all said it. Well, unless you've been living under some sort of mysterious, magical rock...

There's always something to question, always something to learn, and always a place to find an answer.

Google it.

Hehe. I say it all the time but usually get caught up with other things and forget by the time I'm actually sitting at my computer. So, I've decided to chronicle my future Google expeditions here on the blog in hopes that it'll help me remember to Google them. We'll see.

I really do come up with some great Googles.

To be continued. Stay tuned. =)

Update: Trail of Lights' Photos Have Been Added

Howdy yall!

I finally got the Trail of Lights' photos back and have updated the blog.

The lights are so pretty. If you've never see the Trail, check the pictures out- you'll definitely be inspired to take a trip over there next year. And if you have seen the Trail, check 'em out anyway.

Don't worry about going to find it... just click here and save yourself some time. =)

My Mama Kicked Shingles' Butt!

In June, my mom got Shingles. Her case of Shingles attacked in her brain and came out through her face and eyes- She suffered for weeks with the blisters, extreme eye pain, and lots of face pain even after they healed. She's been in extreme pain for months but it is slowly but surely getting better. Very slowly.

She was out for several months but eventually had to go back to work. She didn't have feeling in parts of her face for months and is still recovering. And she got Cataracts from the steroids after everything else and had to deal with that while trying to go back to work! But she is getting better every day.

We are very blessed because her eye had no permanent damage! She just had the Cataracts removed and her eye will be just fine!!! She's dealt with so much and said it was the absolute worst experience of her life.

Mom's one piece of advice is to get the vaccine when you are of age!!! It's available to those 50 and older but I'm sure in the next few years, there will be more available to all ages. Just keep checking up on it and make it a priority! Mom said she wouldn't have hesitated if she had known; she was told about the vaccine one week after getting Shingles.

Please do it. You wont regret it. And please, tell everyone you know.

Shingles- Learn it and Prepare!

What is shingles? What causes shingles?

Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus responsible for these conditions is called the Varicella zoster virus (VZV). After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or with cancer, the virus reactivates causing shingles. In most cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk for the development of shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60. It has been estimated that up to 500,000 cases of shingles occur each year in the U.S.

The herpes virus that causes shingles and chickenpox is not the same as the herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed Herpes zoster.

What are symptoms of shingles? How long does shingles last?

Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice several days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Before the rash is visible, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the often severe pain. Shingles start as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days. The blisters follow the path of individual nerves that comes out of the spinal cord (called a dermatomal pattern). The entire path of the nerve may be involved or there may be areas with blisters and areas without blisters. Generally, only one nerve level is involved. In a rare case, more than one nerve will be involved. Eventually, the blisters pop, and the area starts to ooze. The affected areas will then crust over and heal. The whole process may take three to four weeks from start to finish. On occasion, the pain will be present but the blisters may never appear. This can be a very confusing cause of local pain.

Is shingles contagious?

Yes, shingles is contagious. Shingles can be spread from an affected person to children or adults who have not had chickenpox. But instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox. Once they have had chickenpox, people cannot catch shingles (or contract the virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life.

Shingles is contagious to people that have not previously had chickenpox, as long as there are new blisters forming and old blisters healing. Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread.

What are the complications of shingles?

Generally, shingles heal well and problems are few. However, on occasion, the blisters can become infected with bacteria, causing cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin. If this occurs, the area will become reddened, warm, firm, and tender. You might notice red streaks forming around the wound. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your health-care professional. Antibiotics can be used to treat these complications.

A more worrisome complication occurs when shingles affect the face, specifically the forehead and nose. In these cases, it is possible, although not likely, that shingles can affect the eye, leading to loss of vision. If you have shingles on your forehead or nose, your eyes should be evaluated by a health-care professional.

Can shingles be prevented with a Vaccine?

In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for adult shingles. The vaccine, known as Zostavax, is approved for use in adults ages 60 and over who have had chickenpox. The vaccine contains a booster dose of the chickenpox vaccine usually given to children. Tests over an initial four-year period showed that the vaccine significantly reduced the incidence of shingles in these older adults. The single-dose vaccine was shown to be more than 60% effective in reducing shingles symptoms and it reduced the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN, see below) by at least two-thirds. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine over a longer term.

People with weakened immune systems due to immune suppressing medications, cancer treatment, HIV disease, or organ transplants should not receive the vaccine because it contains live, weakened viral particles.

Since vaccination against VZV is now recommended for children, the incidence of chickenpox has been reduced, which is expected to reduce the incidence of shingles in adults as these children age.

What is Postherpetic neuralgia and what can be done for it?

Postherpetic neuralgia is localized pain in the area of involvement of shingles that persists beyond one month.

The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This occurs when the pain associated with shingles persists beyond one month, even after the rash is gone. It is a result of irritation of the nerves of sensation by the virus. The pain can be severe and debilitating and occurs primarily in people over the age of 50. There is some evidence that treating shingles with steroids and antiviral agents can reduce the duration and occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia. However, the decrease is minimal.

The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be reduced by a number of medications. Tricyclic antidepressant medications (amitriptyline [Elavil] and others), as well as anti-seizure medications (gabapentin [Neurontin], carbamazepine [Tegretol], pregabalin [Lyrica]), have been used to relieve the pain associated with herpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin cream (Zostrix), a derivative of hot chili peppers, can be used topically on the area after all the blisters have healed, to reduce the pain. Lidocaine pain patches (Lidoderm) applied directly to the skin can also be helpful in relieving nerve pains by numbing the nerves with local lidocaine anesthetic. These options should be discussed with your health-care practitioner.

Shingles At A Glance:

• Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and can be spread to people who have not had chickenpox.
• Shingles, also known as Herpes zoster, is not related to the sexually transmitted herpes virus disease called herpes genitalis.
• Shingles may cause pain that can continue after the rash disappears.
• Steroids and antiviral drugs can help prevent long-term pain after shingles if they are started within the first two days of the appearance of the rash.
• A vaccine is available for people over 60 years of age to reduce the incidence and severity of shingles.

(Information courtesy of: www.medicinenet.com)

***GET THE INFORMATION AND GET THE VACCINE WHEN ABLE***

Are Those Real?

Well they should be!!!

Here are some Christmas Tree Facts to help you decide how to buy... should you go with a real or a fake? I think it's pretty darn obvious.

Real: The Pros

Has a real fragrance.

While growing, real trees produce a significant amount of oxygen that is released into the environment, protect the soil from erosion and provide refuge for wildlife.

Each acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirements for 18 people.

Real Christmas trees are the best environmental option for consumers, according to former Greenpeace president Patrick Moore.

Real Christmas trees reduce carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, which people, plants and the environment need to survive.

Real Christmas trees are renewable, and growers plant one or more trees to replace every tree they harvest. It takes six or seven years for an evergreen to grow to a normal tree height. Planting takes place between January and May. About 40 to 45 million trees were planted in 2007 in North America.

Many times, Christmas trees are grown in soil that won't support other crops.

The majority of trees come from the United States and Canada.

Used trees can be recycled in a variety of ways. Trees are 100% biodegradable. Decomposing trees add nutrients back into the earth. Eco-friendly.

Cheaper initial purchase.

Real: The Cons

Require daily care and watering. The U.S. Fire Administration says well- watered trees are not a problem. "Dry and neglected trees can be."

Can be messy, especially on carpet.

Can affect some people with allergies.

Sometimes difficult to decorate.

Often trunks are not straight.

Often die before season is complete.

Artificial: The Pros

Faster, easier to set up.

Requires little care.

No time wasted shopping and hauling.

Cheaper when calculated over life span.

Don't affect people with allergies.

Symmetrical, easier to decorate.

Most are pre-lit.

Available in many colors.

Most fold easily for storage.

On average, a high-quality 6- to 8-foot artificial tree can go for about $300 and should last about 10 years.

Artificial: The Cons

Inexpensive versions look fake.

Takes up valuable storage space.

Generates no fragrance.

No variation from year to year.

Lighting strings might burn out in four or five years.

Nonbiodegradable.

Lead is used in the process of making PVC plastic.

Fake trees cannot be recycled and end up in landfills.

Petroleum, used to make plastic, is a non-renewable resource, as are metals.

Not ecofriendly.

(This information is courtesy of: www.fresnobee.com)

____________________________________________________________________

Yep- pretty obvious.

This year, Jon and I got our first real Christmas tree (as adults) and had an absolute blast! It's not hard to remember to water it and all the rest of the so-called 'Cons' are just silly or are actually pretty fun (unless you have bad allergies- that would suck). AND all the good things that go along with getting a real tree... how could you not!?!

Jon and I started out thinking we'd be getting an artificial tree. Then I went to work and asked some coworkers which they would get and why. They listed a whole bunch of good reasons to 'keep it real' and in a few minutes, they had me totally sold. I told Jon about it when I got home and we made our decision. I researched it a little more and got real excited- I was going to get a real tree and I was going to feel awesome about it!

You should too.

Don't help contribute to our destruction. Help contribute to our success.

New Year's Eve Close By

Well, I got a little ahead of myself. I jumped into my New year's resolutions before I even talked about the actual night!

We had a beautiful New Year's eve and morning... although it was totally different than the last 3 years. Actually, this was the first time Jon and I didn't go downtown since we've been together.

Our first New Year's Eve (2005) was spent downtown just the two of us. We had the best freakin' time and ended up running into Jon's good friend Chad later that morning. We partied all morning and got to be safe as we stumbled back to our gorgeous hotel room.

Our second New Year's Eve (2006) was the best New Year's of my life. It was that year's that Jonathan proposed; we went out to dinner with friends, had some drinks at our hotel, and then went downtown. He tried to wait until midnight but ended up asking me at 10:30 p.m. at Shakespeare's Pub. It was the sweetest thing ever and the absolute happiest day of my life. Chad, Jason, Jennifer, Amy, and AK were all there with us for our incredible night. AND on top of it all, I beat all their asses in a game of poker before we went downtown. Awesome.

(Right after their Texas Hold'em beat down and right before we got engaged!)

(Downtown right after proposal.)

(Back at the hotel and beaming.)


(I'm engaged! SO excited!)

Our third New Year's Eve (2007) was pretty sweet, although lacking a very important person... Chad was unable to attend for the first time since Jon and I had started dating. We still had a blast because Ran and Tony were able to come downtown with us for the first time and Jen and Jason came again! We got to meet up with Mr. Babb and had a neat little experience with the hotel security... 3 times. It was super crazy and we loved every second of it. Everyone piled into the hotel room early morning and passed out while Ran and I had a very deep heat-to-heart. Ha. It was a damn good night.

(Starting the night out with a few drinks at the hotel as usual.)


(Downtown mid-New Year's action.)

(Reunion with our engagement spot- Shakespeare's Pub.)


(Met up with David and got kinda silly.)

(Says it all. Thanks David.)

And this New Year's eve celebration was spent close to home and with our amazing friends and family. It was just an awesome time. Jessica, Charlie and Brenda threw a bad ass party at their lovely new home. They had plenty of alcohol and some yummy food! The people made it so incredible- Jonathan, Jess, Charlie, Brenda, Jer, Mark, Tony, Lisa, Sam, Amy, Celia... and the list goes on and on. We partied until 2 a.m. and then went home and chilled at our pad on the first morning of 2009.

HAVE AN AMAZING 2009 EVERYONE!!!! IT IS GONNA BE FANTABULOUS!!!!

Trail of Lights Virgin No More

It was super great!

Totally incredible.

Extremely fantabulous.

We had to park and walk a little way to get to the Trail and it just happened to be downhill... which meant we had to walk uphill on the way back. Geez.

On the way we saw the coolest tree in someone's yard and I had to get a picture. The owner's came out at some point... like they didn't think people would want a picture of that!

My father is hilarious. And it was so nice to see my Auntie Lynn!

(In front of the coolest tree & laughing at Dad... see below.)

It was GREAT and yes I'm a little late. We went December 20th when my fantabulous Dad, Aunt Lynn, and Cindy came down to celebrate Christmas. It was SO much fun and so cool to spend the day with them in Austin. =) And the Trail was worth every second of the walking in my opinion... although maybe not in Dad's. Hehe.

(Take one... Yep.)

Well, on with the Trail! This is an art all in it's own. It's absolutely beautiful.

Here are some of my favorites...

(THE BEGINNING.)

(The tree's on fire!!!!!)




(Jon's Art)




(I loved the rainbow!!!)


(And the stream!)


(My absolute fave!!!)


(THE END... of the trail.)

(Center of the Zilker Tree- The 'rents stopped at the bottom of the hill.)


(View of the Trail and beautiful downtown Austin- photo courtesy of http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/)


2008 was fantabulous! GO NEXT YEAR!!!! It's worth every mile... and a half.

Our 1st Christmas Tree

HolidaysThat's right... Christmas 2008 and it's me and Jon's 1st Christmas tree since we've been together. It was also his 1st time to get a real tree!

We got a Douglas Fur and it was absolutely beautiful. It was sitting there waiting for us to love it and we did! We got a few decorations and lights, but for the most part we had everything. We used purple and green balls, sparkling snowflakes, and lots of Jon and my family ornaments. It was so exciting!

Of course the cats had a field day. Every day. Every night. Over and over.

Oh yeah.

But we loved every second. Right down to the time we had to pull the lights out of every branch, take off every single purple ball, and walk it down to it's final resting place.

Merry Christmas 2008 one last time. Can't wait for next year!!!

The Resolutions Continue

Oh, the resolutions... they just keep on comin'.

2009 New Year's Resolution #2:

To enjoy my friends and family every waking moment. Including having lunch with Sang no less than twice a month.

2009 - Changes, They Are A Comin'...

New Year's Resolution #1: Share more Amy'tude.

I have been contributing but I have to be honest... I haven't given it my all; time is a factor but that's part of the resolution- make time to share my worldly experiences. Well, more like Texas experiences. Ha. There's another one!!!

Happy New Year everyone.

Keep those resolutions coming... never hurts to set some goals, right?!!