Beach on Naxos Island, Greece

One of the beaches we hung out at for several hours, taken from my phone. It was GORGEOUS. The clearest water I've ever seen....

Snow!

Some pics from our SNOW DAY on Friday, December 4, 2009!

First site of swow on the ground. This accumulated around one of the trees that surrounds my office in Downtown.

Look at the Tahoe!!! It's first snow EVER! (and she's 9 yrs old!)

Preeeeety stuff! No sun coming through the sunroof today!
The Tahoe at home....where the trees were getting covered but our front yard didn't due to the oak trees. But that's ok...I drove around and took lots of pics.

Those will come later.....

NASCAR -- oh yes!

I just realized I never posted this!!! I think I wanted to be all cute and stuff and write lots about our trip to NASCAR....but I think I'll just give you the run-down here: It was GREAT!!! Yes, I am attesting that watching NASCAR in PERSON was good fun! Never watch it on TV and won't start...but will be glad to go again next November. (Our wedding is the same weekend as the April race and we're not honeymooning at NASCAR...I didn't like it THAT much!) ha ha ha

Robert and I gave Dawn and Scotty tickets and the whole 9 yards for birthday/Christmas and we had a blast!!!! Ted and Lecia went too and it was good fun!

Enjoy the pics: Here there are: Circle 1 of 300???

Lined up in the Pit:

VERY COOL flyover -- which the Pace Car came out of when it landed!!!!

Dude -- you're #9 flag is backwards!! LOL Redneck!

Watching the race:

One of the youngest drivers (forgot his name) who drives for Home Depot. He's like 18! what a job!

Me and Robert!

Dale Jr's truck -- one of like 4 he had there!

Robert racing Scotty to change the tire. I was in the LEAD all day until the last 5 minutes for the women's division!!! WOO HOO!!

church in Libya - always something new

It's always an interesting thing to go to Church here....I've come to find out.
The inside of the church as taken by my phone.

The very first time I came, back in july, Michael invited me. I walked in to the 6pm Thursday night mass and there were only about 20 people in there. He was asked to be the reader.

The second time was last Friday morning at the 10:30 mass. Michael advised to go to this one because it's more of an African mass. So Ben (a colleague) and I went. It was interesting. And a special treat. Talk about a CROWDED HOUSE! And EVERYONE was singing and praying and it was so beautiful. The men were shoutin' to the Lord, of sorts. I loved it! The balcony on both sides of the church was full as was every seat and extra ones. I videoed the entrance cause it was cool! You'll see the choir marching, followed by the priests, followed by the BISHOP! It was the Feast of St Francis of Assisi last week. So an added treat. Church was right at an hour and half.

So last night I went to Thursday mass on my own. I get there right at 6, walk in and sit down. Start my prayers then notice the guy in front of me had a cake, and there were 2 chairs with ribbons and the kneeler in front of the alter, not to mention there were about 30 people there, and music, and a projector and people just buzzing around. And then it was 6:05, 6:10, 6:15...finally it started. Turns out, it was an engagement mass for a couple. They were up at the altar and exchanged rings. Both received a gold band for their right hand. AND the bride got earrings, a bracelet, a necklace and another ring for her left hand. This was all exchanged at the altar.

I wasn't able to stay for the whole thing, but they did proceed with Mass and it was nice. Just ALL in Arabic...so it was tough to even follow.

OH -- and the picture taking at church - at ALL the masses I"ve been is insane and in my opinion, VERY disrespectful. These people hop WHEREVER they want, WHENEVER they want up and around the altar and through the crowd. The icing on the cake was last night when the guy came right up in my face and snapped a picture. I was LAUGHING.....thinking -- WTH?!

By the time I left there were maybe 100 people in there, but I think they were coming for the next Asian mass....who knows!!

Like I said ... Church in Libya - you just never know what you're gonna get! :)

Enjoy the attached: (of course i forget that if I turn my camera up and down, the video stays the same! argh!)

Libya Trip #2

Howdy ya'll. I'm ashamed to say it's been over a month I think since I posted anything! Yes, that is how crazy and silly my life has been.

.....which brings me today, as I sit in the Hess Libya office for the 2nd time in 2 months. I arrived in Tripoli on Sept 22nd and will be here till Oct 13th. After that I"ll head to London for two nights then back home on the 15th (yea! hoorah! yippee!).

AND then....an awesome trip begins for 2 weeks....but more on that another day.

so here's a few random photos from my trip this go-round. I've not done much at all really....due to working long long LONG hours every day. I've tried to get out in the evenings with friends here -- and God Bless them they've been great!!!!

Tripoli by night. That tall building is the Corinthia hotel. To the right further would be our office Tower. (can't see it on here)

What's that??? A curious black bag in my room???? Wonder what's inside....PIVO!!!! and it was quite tasty! The former King's Palace, which then became the Public Library and today, it's nothing. But still beautiful to look at. . .

Pampered Chef Wedding Shower

What a great time! And everything was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I cannot believe it's been a week, tomorrow, from the really awesome bridal shower hosted by Nikki Nerada & Glo Hagens for me (and Robert).

I tell you -- those two went WAY overboard. The shower was SO GREAT!! They asked me what type of shower I wanted several months back and I couldn't help but ask for a Pampered Chef one and they willingly complied!!! I love to cook and entertain ... so it was a perfect fit.

I've got pictures (courtesy of Jenny -- THANK YOU!!!) but I haven't been able to download them yet. They're on a disk that is from her fancy camera....so I'll work on that next week. Pictures coming soon.

I cannot thank Nik and Glo enough! Ya'll are so sweet and so special and so wonderful for hosting the shower! And what a success!! Thanks to everyone who came -- it was GREAT to catch up! And I (errr WE) made out like a bandit. I now have 10 items left on my Pampered Chef registry! HA HA I don't where I'll store all this stuff yet...but I'll figure it out!! So many goodies to come and so many fun things to use!

Again -- a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to the gracious hostesses, my family and all our friends that came! Love to you all....

Difficult Decisions = No Regrets. We have a new wedding date!

Below is a letter that I have sent to my family & bridesmaids, and Robert's sent a similar one to his. The past several months we've had much heart-ache regarding our upcoming marriage and if we proceed without the annulment. After MANY efforts and even positive feedback from the church, we have elected to move the wedding date to April 17, 2010. It's a hugh relief off our shoulders and we will now not ever have any regrets for NOT waiting and NOT getting married in the Church. It's what we've both wanted. We've had much postitive feedback and expect the 1st letter regarding Robert's annulment in October and the final approval letter in December (but realistically January). Praise be to God when it comes through!!!!

Please read below if you like.

I know you all are aware that Robert and I have been waiting patiently to hear word of his annulment from the Catholic Church for a year and a half now. We took a chance and selected October 17th, 2009 as the day we wanted to get married knowing there was a potential the annulment wouldn’t come through in time. And it hasn’t!

We have consulted with Priests, Deacons, Moms and Dads, Grandparents and the like… even writing letters to the Tribunal (who oversees the annulment process) and the Cardinal himself here in Houston. The words of advice have been positive and we can’t thank everyone we consulted enough for those encouraging words and humbling advice.

As it was put to us by someone we consulted with, “the decisions you make today could have a lasting effect on your relationship as a married couple for a lifetime to come.” This is true, and because of this we understand that we love each other today, as we did 3 years ago, as we will 6 months from now, and as we want to 50 years from now. Knowing this, we've made our decision with thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and considerations, not just for today, but for what effects this could have on the rest of our lives.

We have finally come to the VERY difficult decision that, in order to keep our sanity, reduce the amount of impact to the least number of people, and more importantly to have the wedding we want as Catholics, we have decided to postpone the wedding until April 17th, 2010.

Robert and I have talked and weighed our options and even considered a wedding outside the Church, but our concerns were what regrets we'd have down the road. What example does this set for his sons? What would we tell our children some day? We love each other very much and our greatest desire is to be married, but my dream has always been to walk down the aisle of my church in Shiner. Would I regret not waiting for that? Would I regret it on my wedding day? 1 year from then? 5 years? 50 years? A 6-month delay is a drop in the bucket in the span of our lives together.

It's important to us because the Church and our faith is important to us.

The past several months have been very hard. Wedding planning had all the fun sucked out of it. We were on hold with so many things because we were living in the "what-if". I cannot even tell you how many tears were shed over this. My heart has never weighed so heavy. Monday, last night and even today, I can feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. Maybe this doesn't make sense but to those of you who have stood by me in all this and given your words of encouragement, you knew the stress and heart-wrenching times we'd gone through. All I can ask is for your understanding and your compassion now, in this decision.

As for the come and go shower this weekend, the bachelorette/bachelor and subsequent shower, they stay the same! The Bachelorette/Bachelor will remain in September and I have another shower shortly thereafter. By mid-October my wedding stuff will be done and I sit and wait for the big day! Thank goodness!!!! :)

You all are a big part of this day (YES!! YOU -- all of our guests - friends & family), so we pray for your continued love and support of our decision.

With Love,

Jamie (and of course, Robert too!)

My Bridal Portraits

Are UP on Serendipity's website!!!!!

What a fun day that was. Hot as HELL, but still fun. Thanks to all my gals who were there to help! Love y'all.

Check 'em out (but don't show Robert!!!) at: www.serendipity-photography.com

xx
Jamie

Shiner Fun

Two weekends ago we were back home for a fun one! Usual party at the pool house on Friday then a "back to school" party on Saturday. Good times!

Two worn out puppies from playing ALL DAY: Sophie & Ginger

Robert laughing at Jr.

Mr GQ himself.

Ted and Lecia listening in on some crazy story I'm sure!

Huntin' for armadillo's! Darn thing keeps getting into Mom's garden...

Jumpin on the trampoline....

I should post something new

I've been slammed. Work is insane. It's overrated too! Life outside work has been fun and stressful. I'm already thinking of "when is all this insanity going to be over" but as soon as this chapter is over, another one begins, equally insane and with lots of fun inbetween. I really don't want to "wish" my life away on the "what's next".

blahty blah ...

FUN stuff...I took some pics of this past weekend at home -- SO MUCH FUN!!! so will try to remember to find my camera then post pics.

But here are some from our awesome Mr Fix It couple's shower in Sealy on the weekend I got home from Libya / London:

The engaged:

YUMMY cake -- oh so cute too! It says "Built to Love - Robert & Jamie" Robert's parents and us Me and my parents. Where's my fiance???

Oh look! There he is! Mr WASTE MGMT himself. (hee hee) Us gals! Angela, me and Karena

Interesting TidBit

So I was at Bed Bath and Beyond the other day picking up a wedding present. Did you know that they will honor even the expired 20% off coupons? COOL! AND .. if you have to order something in the store that they don't have in stock that they will waive the shipping and handling fee? I thought that was super - cool!

And Dillard's is having a sale! Woo Hoo!!! Thanks for calling and letting me know, Mom. Now I HAVE to go shopping! :)

Leaving Libya

I may have said it before....but it's all brown and sandy when you see it from above And dotted with olive trees everywhere!!!

But the coastline -- it's gorgeous! You can't see it well on here at all -- but beautiful beaches and water that is turquoise blue!

Bye Bye Libya -- thanks for the fun time!!!

Libya Part 8 - The MOST amazing pictures of all

FINALLY!! We made it to Leptis Magna. It is a Roman city from the 100 AD timeframe. It is UNbelieveable!!! It is totally un-touched. We were able to climb and explore however we liked. I have utmost respect for these amazing exhibits, so was very cautious and careful. Enjoy the pictures. (they may be easier to see on Facebook as some of them just wouldn't upload correctly).
The Entrance to Leptis Magna Look at the size -- you see the guard at the bottom.

The details are slowly eroding, but even still -- simply beautiful! The Romans were an exquisiste people!The Bath Area -- they were hot, steam and cold bathing areas

Cool archway

Sitting on a column structure

Suspended archway -- so cool!

Look how TALL these are!!

Marble / Granite flower

The Italians came many years ago to start tagging each of the pieces, but were then pushed out Archway in the Forum

Two Angels :)

Pulpit in the Roman Catholic Church

We climbed all the way to the TOP of this picture. It is also taken in the church

Looking down into the church

3 Amigos (Me, Peter & Michael)

The Market area -- where good were traded and sold such as fish, spices, vegetables, fruits...

These "valleys" in the marble were worn by ropes that hung fish or other goods on there. Pretty neat!

Waiting for my fish to arrive! :)

The Theatre! Look at that VIEW!

Ancient paintings inside the beach bath house.

Mosaics inside the bathhouse

And another (these are on the floors!)

Lunch! Sweet rice (like Mamaw's! but with bits of liver -- i picked all those out - GROSS!), bordim chicken (cooked in a tin packet on buried coals, then covered), salad and lentil soup

AHHH! Off to the beach!!! This cove was lined with these huts. The water was gorgeous! And FREEZING. My ankles were frozen, but when we were floating -- it felt like the most wonderful place on earth. And it was so clear! After about 5 though the sea started churning and the seaweed was coming in as well as some of the trash. But it was still beautiful blue. What a PERFECT way to end the day -- 2.5 hrs of playing in the Med!

Floats! Floats and MORE FLOATS for sale along the beach!