Monday, November 30, 2009

last day of november!



today's photo is the Patriot Guard Riders accompanying Spc Joseph Lewis to the cemetery following the funeral this past Saturday.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

lazy sunday


well, here I find myself at the end of my weekend again. and this time it was a long, four day weekend. I continue to look forward to the day that I find myself independently wealthy and able to work around my personal schedule....

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Window Displays




Christmas is a magical time of year for the youngsters... and walking along the street to see all the glittery, shiny objects glowing in the store windows is magical in its own way for the grownups. =)

All photos today were taken on Moore Ave in downtown Terrell.

Terrell Heritage Museum

i'm enjoying a nice loooong weekend away from work. i actually made it through both thursday and friday with only one work-related contact on each day! and no fires or mess to clean up. it's going to be a good weekend, I can tell!

the photo for today is the old Carnegie Library, now home to the Terrell Heritage Museum. this shot was taken just after sunrise on friday, with the golden rays of morning sunshine bathing the building in a brilliant bright light.... happy weekend to everyone!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Seasons Change


Ok... now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to get started on Christmas!

I think the busiest place in Terrell this morning was Walmart, with their Black Friday specials. I've been to a couple Black Friday sales and I really don't understand why anyone puts themselves through that much stress. Every year I went I was never able to get what I wanted - and usually ended up hopping back in the car and driving to the Forney Walmart, only to be disappointed again when I got there. The crowds and all the people aggressively trying to push their way to the sale items that are 'strategically' placed around the store always seemed nightmarish to me.

So this year I decided to watch from afar. Well, actually the first pic above was from Napoli's parking lot. I didn't dare venture into Walmart's =)

After documenting the crowds at Walmart, Jim and I decided to go get some pictures of the sunrise in downtown. I'll follow up with some of those photos later today.

For now, here are a few of the lamp-post Christmas decorations in downtown Terrell. As a kid, I always remember driving through the small towns in Arkansas on the way to visit family in Missouri, and all the lamppost angels, nutcrackers, reindeer, bells, mistletoe and garland wrapping around the poles always fascinated me. It just made it 'seem' like Christmas. The cold air this morning helped make it 'seem' like Christmas to me too!




Thursday, November 26, 2009

happy turkey day!


i hope everyone is enjoying some quality family time today with good food and a little football... the weather was beautiful here in north Texas today, and I went out and snapped a few photos with the new camera. Still practicing, and I still have a whole lot to learn about it.

Christina has a great post over at her blog, Obvious Insight, with some history of Thanksgiving. Pretty interesting stuff, check it out.

I love living near downtown Terrell during this time of year, when the nearby churches play holiday music that can be heard from blocks away =)

Finally, i'd like to give thanks today to all of our military, at home and abroad, for all the hard work they do to maintain our freedom and protect our lives. thanks also to their families and friends for the sacrifices they make. happy thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

welcoming home a hero


Local residents, family and friends came out today to line the streets and welcome home US Army Specialist Joseph Lewis, who was killed in action on November 17 in Afghanistan.

The Terrell Tribune has a photo slideshow posted on their site with some really nice shots.

This was a rather somber way to kick off a holiday weekend, but important as well to remind everyone that we have so much to be thankful for. And also a reminder to say thanks to all the people serving in our armed forces and their families for all they sacrifice in order to ensure our safety at home and abroad.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

terrell vs sulphur springs




tonight i went down to the high school with Jim from Terrell Daily Photo to practice a little sports photography with the new camera =)

in the past i've normally stuck to macros, landscapes and architectural photography with the point and shoot, but have decided to branch out a little with the new camera and try to learn some new techniques.

out of hundreds of photos, these are the ones i don't hate the most =) it was my first time doing this type of action photography, so it'll get better!

wow, is it almost thanksgiving already? hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

water tower


I've always loved water towers, or at least for as long as I can remember. I've never been on top of one, but I'm fairly certain I like them from the ground much more than I would from atop. Through the years I somehow managed to acquire an acute case of acrophobia... you know, a fear of heights =)

The water tower in today's photo is located down near Ben Gill Park, right off 9th street. Jim over at Terrell Daily Photo had a photo of this same tower not too long ago...

According to a story in the Terrell Tribune yesterday, discussions are underway in the City Council to replace this tower with a new one that will be located south of town off Interstate 20 near Rosehill Road.

Apparently the tower in this photo is 'outdated'. I'll be curious to see what they do with this old tower, if anything. To me, it seems like a local landmark... but will it be dismantled? I'll follow up when I can find additional info!!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Frosty in a Box


I got a new camera on Saturday (early Christmas present)!! Is it wrong to celebrate Christmas in November? Well, it makes a lot more sense than Christmas in July! And honestly, it may take me til Christmas to learn the basics!

I've been working with a Samsung point and shoot ever since starting my site back in January 2008... and with my 2 year anniversary coming up, I decided it was time to graduate to a 'big boy' camera =). I went with a new Nikon D3000 that came with an 18-55mm and a 55-200mm lens.

I've been reading through my Nikon for Dummies book trying to get a 'feel' for the new camera - but it's still a little scary handling a piece of equipment that costs as much as a car I once bought =) ok, granted, the car was a hooptie and it was 1995, but still.

My photo today is Frosty, who could care less about cameras... he has difficulty passing up a box though. Any box, any size, and he's trying to cram is ample derriere into it! This is my first photo with the new cam... I have lots of room to improve, and will be working diligently to do so =)


Terrell:CSI


Terrell Police Department has recently added a new forensics unit to its force. Check out Tricia's story in the Tribune for additional details!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Signs of the Times


Anyone looking for something to do on Saturday, December 5 should worry no longer!

The First Methodist Church hosts a 'Breakfast with Santa' from 8am until 11am on December 5th. The church is located at 503 W. College Street. The breakfast and visit with Santa costs $5, and photos with Santa will also be available for an additional charge.

On this same day in the afternoon, "Friends of the Little House" will be holding a dinner and craft sale from noon until 7pm at 807 N. Catherine.

Finally, while I don't have a photo of any 'sign', the Terrell Police Department play the Terrell Fire Department in the annual Flag Football game on this same Saturday morning, Dec 5 at 10am in the high school football stadium!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday - we're having some beautiful Texas weather - nice, sunny and 70 degrees outside in November!! =)

Friday, November 20, 2009

terrell v kaufman


Tonight I went to see the Terrell v Kaufman basketball game with Jim over at Terrell Daily Photo. It was fun to watch Terrell play, as they dominated the game from the beginning. This was my first game to go see, and I had a good time and got to take a few pics. My point and shoot wasn't that great with the lighting, but I did get a couple post-worthy shots! It was nice to see so many people out supporting the team on a Friday night =) happy weekend all!

friday, at last!


Today's photo is the 'Iglesia Christiana Ebenezer'. In English, this means Ebenezer Christian Church. I thought the name Ebenezer was kind of funny, and with it getting close to Christmas and this new Jim Carrey movie out thought it would make a good selection for today!

This has been a long week for me, and I'm glad to finally see the weekend arrive again. We've had a dreary rainy day today.... and I still can't believe it's less than a week til turkey day!

Jim over at Terrell Daily Photo has posted a photo of the Koffee Kake Coffee House sign today, with the announcement of the loss of SPC Joseph Lewis. I'd much rather see Koffee Kake advertising their new 'casseroles' for sale, but the sign serves a good purpose for spreading the sad news as well. Koffee Kake and Jim have posted similar signs in the past for SPC Jonathan Emard back in June 2008, and more recently for SSGT Shawn McNabb just a few weeks ago at the end of October.

In my last post I linked to Michael over at Obstructed Views for breaking the news about SPC Lewis, and today he has some more bad news. Another loss for our community, only this time it's a young man named Randy Snow who overcame great adversity at an early age and went on to show what determination and the will to succeed can do.

When these things happen, it really makes one think about life and the things that are most important. And it also reminds me of Christina's post from this week, where she pondered, "If tomorrow doesn't come and my time is up, I want to know that I loved, and laughed, and enjoyed, and yes, even cried sometimes. Because let's face it folks, that is what life is all about." And it is.

Christina is on vacation at Disney World this weekend, and today had reservations for breakfast with the characters from Alice in Wonderland. Pretty cool, IMO, eating breakfast with the characters of one of your favorite books. I think I need to go track down the Bobsey twins or Hercule Poirot and see what's for breakfast!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

sad news


late last night Michael over at Obstructed View broke the news that Terrell has lost another brave soldier fighting in the war in Afghanistan. This is the 2nd loss in the last 2 months for our small community, and each one hits pretty hard.

For more information, please check out the story on the Terrell Tribune.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

piles of 'corns


some local residents seem to be dumping trash all over my street... this pile of acorns was located right outside the FBC in Terrell!

Monday, November 16, 2009

brrrr!


it's 50 degrees outside, and i can't quit shivering like it's freezing. this is texas, where's the heat!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Terrell Tigers Playoff Game










A few more shots from the playoff game in Midlothian yesterday =) hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

And finally, here is the Terrell High School band playing 'Eye of the Tiger' during halftime!


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Terrell Playoff Game, Midlothian, Tx.


The Terrell High School Cheerleaders cheering on the football team during the playoff game in Midlothian today.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Karaoke Elvis


Today's photo was taken on the front window of Taqueria Dos Aces, a local Mexican restaurant right in downtown Terrell. They have karaoke on Tuesday nights that always seems to bring in quite a crowd. I'm not certain who the face was modeled after in this shot, but the clothes I recognize =)

'Dos Aces has great food, and yummy salsa (THE most important thing in Mexican food =)) so stop in and give them a try!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

City of Terrell


Today's photo is the the multi-purpose 'City of Terrell' building that houses the Terrell Fire Department, Terrell Police Services as well as city offices such as the 'Water/Wastewater' department. The website for City of Terrell can be accessed by clicking this link...

Hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away!

Today is also November 11, and I pause to give thanks to all the military, veterans, and families who have sacrificed so much to maintain our country's security and freedom. Happy Veterans Day!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

falling leaves!


fall is one of my favorite times of year. i love the brisk, cool evening air and the sunny warm days with the leaves falling and blowing all over. In my yard the leaves are primarily from the pecan tree; these oak leaves from the churchyard are much more photogenic =)

Monday, November 9, 2009

talkin bout an evolution


I've debated myself on whether to post before pictures of my bathroom. Mostly because of how horrible it looked, and then throw in a little embarrassment about how long I lived with it like it was, and I think you can understand =) But hey, the whole point of a good before and after series is to show some dramatic improvements!

A brief background on how my bathroom came to be in this 'before' state: several years ago I decided to remodel my own bathroom. 'Cause I'm so handy and all. I purchased a fiberglass shower enclosure and whirlpool bath combo from the local salvage yard/building supply store and I was halfway there! Or so I thought....

I did make some progress: tearing out a couple closets to enlarge the bathroom square footage; tearing out the old drywall and linoleum flooring and laying ceramic tiles (with the help of my mom); removing the old window that had been covered, and installing a new glass brick window (again, mom's help); and finally installing the tub and shower combo (this one an actual plumber did)
This was the point where I realized the shower would cover a considerable portion of the window - and there was absolutely no good way to frame this in and finish it out. So I quit. I hate to say I knew back at the time that everything would be ripped out and started over - but I kind of think I did. I would've at least finished out the walls if I'd thought it was going to remain =)

I realized at that point that I can drywall, sand, paint, lay tile and even refinish floors - but redoing an entire bathroom was too much. Which brings us to today. I was fortunate enough to reach the point where I could finally re-do my original mess of a remodel. I still need to do some decorating and hang some things on the walls - but I'm really excited about the finished product!


Sunday, November 8, 2009

so long, sunday


another end of the weekend that seems to come too soon. but tomorrow my contractor is supposed to be here to hook up my new clawfoot tub =)

today's photo was taken in front of one of the many antique stores in town - i need me a little cow hitching post like this in front of my house !!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

leaves everywhere!


this tree in the First Baptist Churchyard in Terrell is the 'perfect' tree. a nice shape, healthy and easily photographed =) 'tis the season for falling leaves!

happy 40th birthday to my friend phyllis!! scarily, we've both known each other since our late 20s and we both turned 40 this year =S

Friday, November 6, 2009

happy friday!


happy weekend to one and all!

can we 'fall back' again this weekend with another daylight savings time? i loved that extra hour =)

Thursday, November 5, 2009

night flags


thoughts and prayers to families down in ft. hood, texas.

fallen hero


this photo was taken in front of Anderson Clayton Bros funeral home, where American flags line the front sidewalk and street in honor of SSG Shawn McNabb who passed a little over a week ago while serving our country in Afghanistan.

Visitation and funeral information provided from the Anderson Clayton Bros website:
Funeral service with full military honors will be 10:00am, Friday, November 6, 2009 at First Baptist Church in Terrell, Texas, 403 N. Catherine, Terrell, Texas, 75160 with interment to follow at D/FW National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. The family will receive friends from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, November 5, 2009 at Anderson Clayton Bros. Funeral Home, 301 W. Nash, in Terrell.

Some additional information regarding the incident in which this local hero lost his life can also be found here at the Military Times website.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

downtown


today's photo is the sign on the outside of shumpert law offices in downtown terrell...

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Car for sale!!


today's photo is an old 1934 Chevy that was for sale out in Canton this past weekend. If you look close, you can see the small asking price of $30,000 (or best offer). Way out of my price range. In fact, i would be looking for a house in that price range before spending that on any car i'd ever drive =)

a small update also - i was going to document my experience in trying to purchase a clawfoot tub from Vintage Tub and Bath yesterday, but I've decided to hold off on saying anything until my entire exchange is complete.

In short, I purchased a tub online Sept 18, and I'm still waiting for my tub. The company immediately deducted the purchase price out of my bank account - and now, nearly 7 weeks later I still have no tub.

I've had positive interactions with both a marketing executive from the company as well as a customer service manager. Long story short (which I will describe in detail at a later time), I am hopeful that a brand new claw foot tub will be on the back of an 18 wheeler tomorrow headed from California to Texas! I should know soon, i hope, fingers crossed =)

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November Theme Day - Doorways


Wow, it's still hard for me to believe how quickly this year is flying by... november here already? yikes!

The theme day at the City Daily Photo Blog for November 1st is 'Doorways' - and my photo today is the side of the ATT building in downtown Terrell, and the 2 back exit doors =) the weather this weekend was beautiful, and almost made up for the 31 days of rain that we've had!! =)

please take a few minutes to browse thru some of the other daily photo blogs participating in the theme day! Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Ps. Check back on Monday for a comment about trying to order a claw foot tub online from Vintage Tub and Bath in Pennsylvania. It has NOT been a pleasant shopping experience.