After a Dark and Snowy Week…

On March 6, 2015 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life28 Comments

The sun comes out ~~to blind me~~ to brighten our days. But the snow, and ice (which is still snow to Texans) was a fun and dramatic change from our sunny 60’s (sometimes 80’s!) winter.

The Dallas metroplex is one of those areas when the weatherman says, “Snow.”

We say, “Yeah, right!”

And when he still says, “SNOW!”

We say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Well, we believed! We believed last week and we believed this week. The magical ice and snow and allllll the blustery cold things happened. We broke out the gloves and scarves. We made chili (well, my sweet hubby made super, yummy, delicious chili). And most of the household had many wonderful snow days away from the office and school.

Except for me…because…I work for a travel agency. Even better, I supervise the EMERGENCY SERVICE Department of said travel agency. And what do you know? Snow storms and flight cancellations seem to top the #1 EMERGENCY of travelers. Huh.

But you know, with the skidding and sliding of planes off runways and such. Yeah, that. It’s kind of important that they CANCEL these precarious flights, lest you end up crashing into a ditch, screaming as you plunge down a blow-up slide while highly flammable jet fuel LEAKS nearby. So not the winter vacation you were hoping for. This is why I am happy to work snow days and keep you extra safe. You’re welcome.

But fingers crossed, someone has snuffed out that darn ground-hog and it WILL FORtheloveofGODplease be Spring real, real soon.

In the meantime, enjoy my lovely (and rare) SNOW photos. It happened. It really did.

This. This thing called snow.It is magical. I bet I’ll be eating snow balls later.

Maya kitty sees her first snow. She batted at the window like. WHAT? What is that??

I don’t understand this thing called snow. I need a nap.

It’s snow Maya. I tried to take her out to see it in person, but she FREAKED and clawed my shoulder. I think that meant – HELL NO into the snow I won’t GO!

My Anna dog runs through the snow/ice.

Anna dog and my old gal Salem have a snack of crunchy, tasty snow.

My Black Lab Salem. She is 12yrs old going on 13 this year. And she *still* loves the snow. Sweet girl.

This was the first wimpy snow. I didn’t get a pic of the bigger snow on my car.

FUN!

The girls play on the trampoline. Snowballs and jumping – what could be better?

Snowball fight!

The girls chunked ice/snow balls at Anna. I am really surprised it didn’t knock her out. She loves catching snowballs more than anything.

Anna the Snow ball catcher. Who needs a Frisbee?

This snow is swinging. Heh.

Hello Kitty in the snow.

The girls and the snow (ice).

Bridget in the snow.

Molly in the snow.

The snow melted. Some ice was left. The girls wished for more snow (they got it a week later).

But that didn’t stop them from trying to use the leftover ice/snow from the trampoline to build a ICE SLIDE.

This is what I call glorious busy work. LOVE.

Our gorgeous trees in the back.

Our nearby park as the snow was melting.

The ducks at the park. They don’t seem to mind the snow.

All the ducks in the pond took off flying as if their life depended on it. We looked up and saw this scene. Apparently, the ducks spotted this guy and knew it was feeding time. It was too funny!

Clover covered in snow. I call it my lucky heart clover.

Deep in the Cold Heart of Texas

On December 9, 2013December 9, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life, Wee Wee Wee all the way home!29 Comments

It’s the great flash freeze of December 2013.

And when this happens?

This happens!

And even though, I work from home and don’t get any “ice” days. I do get to enjoy my kids and pets on their “ice”. It is amazing what one can accomplish during a lunch hour.

These two cuties never fail to amuse.

Cable lines, and no, our cable, nor electricity went out.

You can’t have an ice day without our furry friends. Clothed in love, and maybe embarrassed a bit, but hey, that’s okay. They were compensated for their troubles with lots of snuggles and treats.

Anna in her Santa hat. You think she is cute now; you should see her in her elf suit.

Salem in her ugly sweater.

Nothing says, “Texas”, more than sliding down the yard and driveway on a cardboard box top. Sleds? We don’t need no stinking sleds!

The girls had so much fun.

Hours upon hours of playing outside.

And that box top? Well, I found its remnants on the floor of the garage. It wasn’t pretty. May it rest in peace.

The flash freeze left color in full bloom.

And happy children.

This slick stuff has lasted four days and the store shelves are empty. But fear not, I bring tidings of good news….the icicles are finally starting to melt.

I guess we will stay on the map after all and we should be open soon, ya’ll.

Dec. 7, 2013 – A Walk To Remember

On December 7, 2013December 7, 2013 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Beautiful Life, In my heart forever & ever, Timeless Treasures33 Comments

Although today was my day off and I finally got to enjoy our wintry weather, I have worked very hard.

I have worked hard to make sure this day is exactly right. Perfect, if you will.

See, today is one of those days that you never forget. The moment the clock strikes midnight, it settles over your mind. This presence doesn’t just linger around, but it gets comfortable. It fluffs up the pillows, shakes out the covers, and leans back to witness every part of the next twenty-four hours. And although, I want to fast forward the day, because there are other days, I would rather remember…

I just can’t.

I find myself not running away or speeding through it, but settling down too. Fluffing my pillows, kicking my feet up, and just enjoying my time with it.

So, I can remember.

And remember well, as I celebrate my wonderful treasures, and uplift them with great honor.

I thought of a million ways to get this right, but in the end. I made a video.

I hope you enjoy my day, and my walk. I hope you see the beauty in how it is lived and presented.

Click here to watch the video online.

My Dad died while I was blogging and it means the world to me that this blog holds what was in my heart that day (and continues to). I don’t ever want to forget them and I am so grateful to WordPress for this means to journal and share – the good stuff and the tough stuff.

God Bless you all for watching.

We are having a bit of winter here in Texas…..more on that later.

YouTube Cover Photo

The Little Things

On January 24, 2013January 24, 2013 By AngeliaIn Life is what you make it.42 Comments

This week I have been anxious – chew my nails, fidget my feet – kind of anxious. Life changes so fast. The weeks are flying by…

Am I taking it all in? Do I spend too much of my time worrying about – all the things – I might be missing or not getting done?

I want to shout, “SLOW DOWN!”

But I know that wouldn’t help….life is happening….whether I have time for it or not.

So, I take a deep breath. And I notice…..the little things.

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence.”
– Robert Lynd

There is no over thinking. No time. Just the quiet rustle of feathers and flights.

I find when I look around in wonder, even the weeds have a fascination for me.

Pretty weeds in the heart of winter, who would have thought?

Thine eyes are springs in whose serene And silent waters heaven is seen. Their lashes are the herbs that look On their young figures in the brook. -William C Bryant

When I stop obsessing over time management and busyness, many things become apparently clear.

The sky, the moon, the colors and designs. So many more miracles in the ebb and flow, if we just stop and listen, and let life happen as it should.

There is no stress in nature. No worries. No clock. No calendar.

It just is….and it’s perfect that way.

Don’t miss the little things. Because you might find…….they are not so little after all.

All the things that truly matter beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace arise from beyond the mind. -Eckhart Tolle

These photos were taken by a park near my house while hiking with the family. I did use some Photoshop filters for a painted effect on a few. I am experimenting with art. Some of my work will be on display at the Arlington Museum in April. I have been trying to see what I like, and what might be wall-worthy. Any, and all input is greatly appreciated.