What's in your beach bag?

What is in your beach bag?

Doesn’t that remind you of the commercial -- “What’s in your wallet?”  where these heathens run around and destroy a bunch of stuff ?  I’ll tell you what’s in my wallet -- nothing you would want to see.  I never have cash, I only have one credit card and my drivers license picture is embarrassing.  It’s much more fun to talk about what’s in your beach bag!

As many of you recall, I took a long weekend vacation this past week.  We headed to Mexico with 5 other couples to celebrate a very BIG birthday.  Even with tests looming and projects nagging at me, the trip was a definite must!  Is there anything better than yummy food that you didn’t cook with wonderful kid-less-for-the-week-friends and entrancing wine? This is how it looked when I arrived....

I returned extremely relaxed because I stayed by the pool most of the time.  Yep --- hard to move me from my favorite chair.  Anyway...back to my beach bag.

What's does a second time around college student, mother of two, wife of 12 years, former business consultant turned non-profit worker bring in her beach bag?  Not much as much as my career would indicate,  but there are a few key items.

1)  Sunscreen & Chap Stick -  Being the blue-eyed true blonde that I am, comes fair skin.  Combine that with the fact that as a student, I never see the sun - this could be deadly on a vacay to Mexico.  So, my top priority here was the Banana Boat #15 (oil version of course).  Yes, Charlie King....I am supporting your latest endeavor friend!  Then there is the boring, original Chapstick - only the original of course.  I have tried other versions but end up coming back to Wisconsin roots on this one.  My once freezing lips haven’t gotten the message that other forms of this waxy build up work just as good.  

2) A Book - Heart of the Matter - Emily Griffin rocks the house yet once again with her latest book! How luck was I that it hit the shelves the week before I left for my getaway and needless to say I was quick to purchase. Endearingly flawed characters with emotional complexity combine to create this fantastic read in a way that only Emily can orchestrate.

 And just when I was thinking that this whole decorating gig might be a little too much -- another confirmation that I’m doing the right thing.  Emily Griffin showed up in my Atlanta Homes Magazine on the plane ride down! I'm like...wait I know her...but she isn't a designer....ahhh...she is my favorite author in a design magazine!  And look at her house! If you haven't read her books yet -- no worries. You will hear from her soon.  Her first novel Something Borrowed will hit the big screen in 2010 thanks to the production companies of Hilary Swank and Edward Burns.  I can't wait!

Here is Emily in her Atlanta home workin’ it for the camera.  Beautiful all the way around!

 3) My favorite Design Magazines - House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Architectural Digest cracked the top 3. How can one go to the beach without the proper dreaming material?  Although I was curling up on the breezy beach with my magazines, wouldn’t this be the perfect reading room?  Lots of natural light combined with plenty of literature.

4)  Way too big sunglasses - Being that my petite head does not conform to the standards of most women my age, those trendy oversized shades really do look way too oversized for me. Nonetheless, fashion and the beach call so I plug ahead in my shades.  Hannah Montana, Hot Wheels and Disney Princess do nothing for my career in the form of sunglasses this year.....

5)  Homework - Ok, I know through all of this I am trying to sound carefree and wistful but the truth is that I do love to make really good grades.  In order to feed my relentless desire for A’s , I had to bring some of the dreaded homework. With one test and one project breathing their hot breath on my neck upon my return, it was out of necessity.  The project was in the History of Architecture and Furniture and the test was in Textiles.  But with an ocean view, a fluffy cocktail and precious friends, what’s the biggie?  So here’s a toast to Chenille being a lino construction and for Byzantine Architecture!

6) Iphone - I have sucomb to the dreaded Apple overtaking of the world.  My iphone is my third arm.  I really don’t know where I would be without it.  It took about 5 years to replace my flip phone and I even did that with hesitation.  But now, I could never go back.  Although it didn't exactly place every call down there, it sure was nice to have email access.  And I totally forgot to take advantage of the camera and only snapped this one shot of my husband lounging.

Whether your beach bag has the latest edition of People magazine or the newest Twilight novel, it’s important that you pack one -  handy ready to go at a moment’s notice.  You might just decide to go to the pool down the street for an afternoon of sun and fun with friends.  Take some time to get away and enjoy the sun.  To fend off the heathen invaders in your life so you have some left over for the important people in your sphere of influence. With that said...what's in your beach bag?

Ciao-

C

Destination Relaxation!

Fiesta, Siesta and the Mexican Riviera.  I can almost feel the tension and stress of the last few months melting away...I need to relax but don’t we all?  I’ve been managing the family, hitting the books and creating rooms for clients - so a tiny get away with good friends to Mexico is just what the doctor ordered.  Four other couples are joining us for a weekend birthday bash.  Perfect timing for optimum relaxation.

Speaking of relaxing, it traditionally brings to mind scenes of waves lapping gently against the beach or even a hammock swaying softly in the breeze.  But for me, it’s something completely different.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy those things it’s just not what speaks to my heart.  Give me a great chair, a fantastic book, some design magazine throw in some of mommy’s “happy juice” somewhere in mid-afternoon...and I’m good to go. 

My relaxation perfection looks something like this image from Elle Decor with a sunny chair poolside....

Throw in a cabana and a disappearing pool and you’ve got the recipe for my happiness --- even in Dallas.

How about this soothing oasis of tranquility....did you notice my favorite combo again of the aqua and tangerine?

Although I am sure that Michael Phelps has a different vision for his workout, this pool is perfect for laps for a casual swimmer.  Cooling off in there would be nice also...

Yes, designing a backyard oasis would be one phenomenal gig but at this point I should concentrate on school ---  while in Mexico!  As I said earlier in the blog, my darling hubbie and I are headed to Mexico for a birthday getaway with friends.  Personally, I will be anxious to see if the resort truly lives up to the pics on the internet.  Take a gander at this little slice of heaven.

The pristine, idllyic setting is jaw-dropping, don’t you agree?

 Yes, friends, that is the beach kissing the edge of our resort!

Dubs on this chair  - and the towel and the plants and the drinks...

Did I mention that the resort comes with a disappearing pool? 

So...I will park my cute little fanny on one of these chair and peel the protective cover off my latest magazine with my oversized sunglasses and begin the relaxation ritual that can only be found in the Mexican Riviera.  The drinks will flow and the conversation will ebb until the setting sun sinks gently below the horizon.  Ahhh…finally….

Con amor-

Carla

Midterm!

Midterm.

I’m half way through the quarter.  Time flies when you are having fun.  It’s been quite a ride and here are the top 5 things I have learned at this point.

1)   I actually use this stuff

It’s true.  I am actually using what I learn in school!.  I remember back in college, the first time around, I kept wondering when I would actually use the financial calculations in the stats class I was taking. But not now!   From Drafting I, I have created a few quick floor plans for a client.  In doing this, I realized that large big chairs just won’t work on a certain wall - all because I measured properly and used all my furniture templates.  From Textiles, I learned to make sure the fabric runs the right way and that silk curtains on a west wall in Texas probably aren’t a good choice.  While running this morning, I actually identified the Greek Order of columns in my neighborhood.  Seems like the Corinthian type is the most popular….

2)   Ahhh….Summer Road Trips

There is no summer break for those of us at the Art Institute.  We run on the quarter system, year around, 11 weeks on and a few weeks off in between.  No more months off in the summer!  All the students in my class are lamenting about their friends who are finishing up their semester to return home for a break. 

But not us.  Looks like I will have some textbooks with me this year at the pool…but at least I will have a cute bag!

And this summer I will be driving a lot. No, it won’t be to Watercolor, Florida (our favorite beach spot) but on the many highways and streets of Dallas.  Mileage and gas are my new friends.  Not only do I have to commute to school twice a week, I am also driving around grabbing fabric samples, and shopping for furniture and accessories.  I haven’t spent this much time in my car since the traffic days in Chicago (think 2 hour commute from the suburbs to downtown, with snow falling and Michael Jordan playing that evening).  Thank goodness I have a big back trunk…and that my husband hasn’t mentioned the mess of our dining room that is now functioning as my new work room….

My poor dining room...crying for cleanup, redesign and new paint!

3)   I still want to be an architect or designer!

Yes, I have a totally new appreciation for architects.  After drawing tiny details of a home plan in Drafting I, I get the importance of correct measurements and flow.  But that doesn’t make me want to become an architect.  I actually get a bit bored drawing all these details - I guess that’s why they invented CAD (Computer Aided Design).  Bring on the color and furniture and I promise I will always bring along a great architect when I need one!

4)   Project Management is key

Of course, it is an art school and a good eye for design is essential.  But at the same time, you can’t do well without project management skills.  I’m grateful I got those first time around because I am putting them to much use!  Balance is the key for getting all my homework done, getting good grades, designing and purchasing while keeping my clients happy, and learning quickbooks and invoices (Thanks Jenny).  Most importantly, making sure the family is happy and cared for... 

It’s not a piece of cake.  I can’t exactly sit around and eat bon bons.  A new client asked me if I could have her three rooms done by Memorial Day.  Like, ok…sure…always up for a challenge….here are some of my orange accent inspirations…

5)   I made the right decision!

It’s hard to believe, but only three months ago I made the decision to jump into design.  I’m happy to report I’m totally thrilled with the change.  I’m definitely starting at the bottom, but I love what I do.  I mean, I actually get paid to shop with someone else’s money!  And all those design magazines I read every month?  I’m actually using them in my school assignments and my client work.  Oh, how it all is slowly coming together...

Love, C

P.S.  And yes Mom and Dad, I am getting all A’s.  But at least this time you aren’t paying for it…

Prom 2010...and girly rooms

Leaders of the Pack – 2010.  Seniors 2010 Always Win.  Or my personal favorite: Seniors 2010 – the Best There’s Ever Been.  This time of year always conjours up the feeling of my own high school days.  Remembering senior skip day, late start and off campus lunch.  Do they even still do all those things nowadays?  Then of course, there is prom. (evil music plays duh, duh, duh)

Magical or horrific, good or bad every high school senior has memories of this day.  While out to dinner recently, many of you have probably seen the awkward couples trying to place their order while the waiter sighs quietly under his breath – all the while dressed up like the little adults that we hope they will become one day.  If you’re like me, you can’t help but take it all in and wander back to those carefree days.  The fashion, the smiles, and the excitement all take me back in an instant.  Lucky for me, I go to re-experience prom from a much more fun point of view last weekend.

In addition to being knee deep in clients, blogs, school and family -  I also get the privilege of leading a 12^th grade girls Bible study.  Every Wednesday night, a group of beautiful young ladies descend on my house and make it their own.  I love them.  It’s not often that I get to be in the presence of females in my house, so when the opportunity to host a pre-prom party arrived I jumped on it.

Hangin' with the homies --- Megan and McKenzie.

With curling irons brandished and hairspray flying, the girls arrived in a flurry of activity.  They came wearing blah t-shirts and flip flops but emerged from the hairspray fog looking like movie stars in their gowns and heels.  They looked amazing!  It wasn’t long before the hotties were posed on my staircase for the camera.  After venturing to the neighborhood to get some phenomenal outdoor shots, I waved goodbye to my ladies.  They were off to dinner, dancing and after parties. 

What a gorgeous group of ladies!

After all the girly pink and glitter left, I did miss it a bit.  Keep in mind, that I live with 3 males who could care less if they wore the same outfit every day.  This proved to be too overwhelming for me!  I went to my happy place – design.  I asked myself the question:  if I could design a room for these girls, what would it look like?

Girly colors --  like bubblegum pink and chocolate brown? 

Soothing turquoise and bold pink?  (one of my personal favorites)

Or lime green and bright blue? With a cozy corner to discuss boy problems…

There’s always the black and white with funky pillows – classical whimsy.

With funky wallpaper…

  

And it needs to be sophisticated too…

Go graphic with tangerine and kiwi…

Or float away with a cloudy blue and sparkling chandelier.

So after whisking myself away to my happy place, I come abruptly back to reality.  I am amazed that I am getting inspiration from all sorts of places – even prom.  Wherever the great inspirations come from, my files are fat with ideas for my clients.  Ready to create the ultimate girls room at a moment’s notice.

Ahh…well, maybe someday.

San Francisco Inspiration

Where does creativity come from?  This particular year, 2007, the inspiration came from the San Francisco Decorator Showcase which I visit each year with my best bud Lisa.  When I am in the throws of breath-taking design like those in San Fran, I always find something to spark my imagination.  The property was 2901 Broadway and was absolutely amazing.

Influenced by the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Kendall Wilkinson  rocked the house with her orange and turquoise master bedroom.  Water and sky represented by the turquoise and orange hues in the room.  I loved it so much that Lisa (my best bud) let me return to the beginning  of the tour to capture the masterpiece.  Maybe she was tired of me yapping on and on about it….

Not to be outdone by anyone in San Francisco, I brought this idea back to Texas with me – in the hopes that I would be able to somehow weasel this tangerine and turquoise into my own home.  The area to be transformed would need to be located somewhere out of the watchful eye of my adorable husband as his tolerance for “bold” is limited to fonts on his Excel spreadsheets. That being the case, I filed the yummy combo away for a future date.  Then it hit me!  The guest bath.  Used by people who normally don’t give offer unsolicited opinions (namely guests and my little men), it was the perfect place to start – almost 2 years after the inspirational moment. 

Guest baths are a remarkable place to start itching your decorating bug.  They give you a place to make some mistakes and earn small victories quickly.  With accessories from Pottery Barn and IKEA, my guest bath transformation was brilliant as well as affordable. 

Speaking of brilliant – how about that paint color?  The paint is Sherwin Williams #762  - Pacific Palisades.

Calico Corners furnished the Campbell Tangerine fabric.

The dreaded tile and a few other selected items will have to wait.  A budget is a budget – like it or not.

My second takeaway from that trip was painting doors & moldings in high gloss. The showcase house in San Francisco had a butler’s pantry with the trim painted Benjamin Moore Safety Black in high gloss.   After confirming with the tour guide, I decided to use the same high gloss black in my own space.  This small touch of paint brought unity my already simple palette.

Inspiration comes in all forms when you are tuned into the world around you.  Take for instance, my friend Jenny.  Recently, Jenny was inspired by this garment while browsing a catalog:

That quick flip through a catalog led to the creation of these beautiful pictures.  She took a simple concept and made it her own.

Even my son Ethan is in on the inspiration.  In the creation below, he pulled out a cardboard box from the recycling and his mind went crazy!  He created a house, complete with overhead lighting in the form of a pocket flashlight, with meager supplies and no assistance.  Impressive… I’m on the first floor of the house in the kitchen (must be a dream) just below the tie back curtains.  Nice going, Sabby!

Another recent project is for my niece who loves earthy browns and greens, which works well since she is having a boy.  While I was out shopping at my new stomping ground, Frisco Buy Consignment, I discovered this charming wooden duck.  It’s now become the inspiration for the nursery along with the award-winning book Make Way for Duckling. Stay tuned to see how the nursery goes from an idea to an accomplishment.  The design will be complete soon and there will be a preview.  Send your ideas my way – who knows?  I may even use them!

It’s easy to see that inspiration can come from all sorts of things:  family, tours, catalogs and nature.  Or maybe even a friend who just had to have her bedroom painted yellow.  Whenever it arrives, inspiration rarely is still.  It moves you to create something you never thought possible in ways that are seldom seen by others.  Take time to savor the inspiration and see where it leads you.  You never know….

Love, C

The Designer "Garage" Sale

Designers.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned over that last few months, it’s that they come in all shapes and sizes. It’s my new fantastically interesting j-o-b to find the outstanding designers - research them and get into their brains.  I’m especially drawn to the ones that share my same design taste -  imagine that!

Speaking of remarkable taste, a few months ago I came across a kindred soul designer named Lisa Luby Ryan.  Lisa was hosting the next meeting of Dwell with Dignity (one of my new favorite non-profits) when I noticed the posting for her Annual Upscale Garage Sale at her own home.  She has an adorable little shop in Dallas called “Vintage Living” located in Snider Plaza shopping center.  More on Vintage Living later in the blog.  Anyway, it wasn’t long before I had given my friend Jenny a quick ring to see if she was up for the trek to Dallas. 

Jenny sipping complimentary minted raspberry iced tea provided by our lovely hostess.

On Ms. Ryan’s website, she had posted the sale as starting on a Saturday so we (and some other salivating designer types) showed up only to conclude that the sale actually was not that day. However, we felt free to let ourselves into her backyard past the gate to admire her serene pool before realizing our faux-pas. (Mom if you’re reading this, please know that I tried to knock first with no answer...)  After a quick check on our iphones, we deducted that the sale was actually going to be the following Thursday.  Probably to keep people like us from barging into her backyard!

We returned the following Thursday evening, thinking we had plenty of time to get a prime place in line by arriving 10 minutes early.  Were we wrong!  The line had already formed about 25 women deep.  Yep!  It was the right day this time around. 

The desperate designers and plain folk cueing up for the big reveal at the garage sale.

Many lesser women would have headed back north to the confines of Frisco, but Jenny and I decided to rough it by sipping on chilled tea while we waited in line.  The delish raspberry tea recipe is from Dallas author Denise Gee.  Collaborating with her photographer hubbie (Robert Peacock), they have created a spectacular new cook book called “Porch Parties.”  I could not resist buying a copy of Porch Parties for myself and asked both of them to autograph it in the sale line.  (Not to worry, friends.  I will be breaking out a few new goodies from the book very soon.)

 With much anticipation, Jenny and I were finally let into the sale.  Not having been to one of Lisa Luby Ryan’s sales before, I was expecting a larger selection of merchandise.  However, you could not have asked for more beautiful items!  Fluffy pillows, elegant remnants, outstanding lamps, monogrammed linens, exquisite Christmas ornaments and to-die-for furniture was the order of the day.  We were not disappointed.

Jenny purchased a small wine opener which she intends to convert to jewelry.  (another reason I just love Jenny -- creativity running through her veins.)  In addition to the knick knacks and such, the hosts served yummy appetizers from “Porch Parties”.  Class all the way around!

Me (Carla) hob-nobbing with the hostess.

Having been in Ms. Ryan’s pool area earlier in the week, we just naturally assumed that we would get a tour of her palacial home.  The home was off limits.  A bit of a bummer being that she resides in a gorgeous home in Highland Park.  But her backyard was just as satisfying -- especially the ivy trailing on the poolside wall.

As I said earlier in the blog, Lisa Luby Ryan owns a shop called “Vintage Living” in the historic Snider Plaza shopping center in Dallas.  While you are researching Lisa, do a little research on Snider Plaza.  You will be amazed by both.  Back to my point....After hangin’ with my homey Jenny in the hood, my honey Matt met me at “Vintage Living” for a date night.  (Wow!  As I write this, I realize how dedicated Matt is to my new endeavor to actually go to a chick store on date night.  Amazing man.)

Striking a pose in front of my g-sale hostess’ darling storefront

Lucky for Matt my next date-night stop, Nest, was already closed for the evening by the time we made it to the door.  Whew!  You got off easy, sweetie.  Don’t worry.  Thursday rolls around again this week!

Now you may be asking yourself -- I thought Carla was going back to school to learn about being a designer.  That is true.  I am becoming a designer.  This is part of what designers do.  The school is just one angle on the whole experience.  Remember what your dad told you?  It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.  A valuable life lesson in the world of design.

With that being said, I am not to the point of: meeting some major clients, getting paid big bucks for my time, opening a really cool retail store or disguising a cocktail party as a garage sale at my amazingly decorated home in the most exclusive neighborhood --- yet.  I’m along way off from that but let’s just say that I’m enjoying the career track thus far.  I’m coming into my own shape and size as a designer day by day and sale by fantastic sale.

Textiles, Drafting and Furniture --- OH MY!

Day one was a total surprise.  Remember earlier in the blog when I joked about my business degree background versus a liberal arts degree?  The joking is over.  They don’t mess around at AI (Art Institute of Dallas).  Our first day of class was a full 3 hour section with note taking included.  No agenda, no expectations, no course outline.  It was full on contact with the information.  Here’s what my classes reflected....

TEXTILES (Mondays 1pm - 4 pm)

Most of us take textiles, or fabric, for granted.  This class is intended to help you understand which fabric to use, where to use them and how to get them.  Sounds pretty straight forward, right?  Not too complicated.  If only it were that simple.

We are learning about the major manufacturing segments of the fabric/textile industry.  This ranges from a mill to a jobber to a retail store.  The process is actually quite fascinating.  Then there are the basics of man-made and natural fibers along with the characteristics of both. Spinnerets and filaments can be made into staples.  Also included in this Monday class, is the identification of different real-life swatches -- from Headend to a Colorcard to a Sales/Cap Set and a Memo.  There’s a quiz next week on 50 of these to be able to identify --- thank goodness for multiple choice!

I love the workbook loaded with swatches!  It sorta reminds me of a Barbie dream notebook.  Complete with 114 individual fabrics, we write down the information about the individual fabrics as we go through the class.  The workbook is due at the completion of the class in a few months.  Let’s hope that one of the boys doesn’t find it anytime soon or there could be trouble...

DRAFTING I (Mondays 6-10 PM)

Also known as really fancy writing for really creative people, drafting reminds me of practicing my cursive in 4th grade.  The purpose of drafting is to be able to properly create a usable floor plan (furniture included) to the correct scale/size along with all the pertinent symbols and measurements.  Scary.

To say that I was wary of this class is an understatement.  I had the dark feeling that it would be all math and super boring --- but I was wrong.  Upon completion of the first day, we were drafting a small house to scale using our new tools.  Out came the instructions on how to use the drafting pencils (4F and 2F) in addition of how to sharpen them -- much harder than you would imagine.  Also, how to use your newly acquired 3-D ruler where 1/4 inch = 1 foot.  Check out my redrawn floor plan that I copied off the original.  Not perfect but I’m getting there. 

Being that there are (in theory) a whole crew of contractors who will be looking at the plans, it’s critical to be able to form letters perfectly in order to give everyone a clean copy to follow when doing the work.  Thus, we are practicing lettering - ALOT.  Our practice sheets are below and yes, they do factor into our final course grade.  In addition to the these sheets, our final will consist of drafting a large house plan which we will complete over the 10 week course - how cool is that??  Crises averted with regard to math --- at least for now.

HISTORY OF FURNITURE (Tuesdays 6-10)

Despite the fact that most of us have no idea what our “style of decorating” is, there are those in our world who are very particular about their tastes.  They desire a specific time period -- say 21st century modern, old colonial or shabby chic.  The purpose of the History of Furniture is to understand and identify periods of furniture and architecture based in a certain point in time with the aim of benefitting future clients.

Although I was ready to start off with the Pottery Barn era (that’s a joke for all of you new to the blog out there), we started out understanding Prehistory.  Before you start to nod off into a good nap, prehistory is actually interesting.  It is the time before anything was written down.  Included in this era are terms like “post and lintel” systems which consist of 2 vertical and 1 horizontal part.  The table looking rock that you see above is an example of the post and lintel found in Stonehenge in England and is called a Dolmen.   

Also included in this time period is  a “Ziggurat”.  A ziggurat is a huge platform which slants upwards from the the bases at the bottom.  This was used in early tomb making.

The second half of class we found ourselves on the arid expanses of Egypt with the dry winds whipping through our hair.  (Ok...so i got a little carried away with the analogy but go with me on this one.)  Our trip to Egypt was really quick.  Stopping to take notes on the early funerary practices of the Egyptians (the way they buried people) with emphasis on the architectural elements of it.  Then followed by an introduction to the first architect named “Imhotep”, touching base on the pyramids and then finally landing on the famous King Tut.  Our excursion was completed with the ways to easily identify ancient Egyptian furniture.

Egyptian furniture can be identified by animals feet on the bottom of the furniture that always point in the same direction which are on top of drums. Weird but interesting.  The idea being that the drum that the animal on the feet of the furniture are sitting on allows the person sitting on the stool to take in the spirit of the animal.  The second half of class, we headed into Egypt (not literally, but you get my drift).  We took notes on Early Funerary (burials) architectural Forms, learned about the first architect name “Imhotep”, hit the pyramid and of course King Tut.  We wrapped up studying about Egyptian furniture that can easily be identified by animal feet that are always point the same direction and are place on “top drum”. The drum allows the person sitting on the stool to take in the spirit of the animal.  Notice the photograph below with the animal feet and the drums.

All in all, it was a great week.  I’ve been asked if it’s hard getting in the swing of school again after so many years off.  Outside of the usual workload and classes, the adjustment was fairly easy.  However, some more subtle stumbling blocks have popped up.  Take my last name for instance - Moss.  The first time around in college, my last name started with an “E” so needless to say I have forgotten to answer to my name being called out.  (Sorry, honey.  No offense.  Maybe after 30 years together, I’ll get the hang of this last name thing.)

The gamers and I are starting to “hang” together some  - mostly because I need their help to pull up the handouts on the “T” drive.  (you’ll have to investigate that one on your own, mommies.)  I do get some funny looks when I mention my age -- since when did I get looks for being too old????

There are some things that DON’T change in college --- couples making out in the hallways, frenzied drivers in the parking lot with the bass kicked up and “The Quiet Zone” in the library.  All in all, I am enjoying the things that I am finding out about myself and about my world around outside of Frisco.  Being outside of your comfort zone is always a good way to discover your unique qualities. School again has been life stretching and fun!  Even if I’m still looking for the “T” drive all alone.