Happy Holidays... Christmas Letter 2011

Trish and Kevin at Zilker Botanical Gardens, Oct. 2011

Happy Holidays!!   December 2011

Hmmmm!  Did I even write a Christmas letter last year!? I can’t remember… can you?  This year has been a “miracle in the making” for me.  I have been on a new inhaled drug that combats the stuff that sends me to Club Med for my exacerbations with my lungs. I am truly fortunate to be able to have these drugs available to me, with our insurance covering them, as daily maintenance. I am happy to report that I was “CLUB MED FREE” this entire year.  I can’t remember a year where I wasn’t hospitalized at least once!  I better knock wood, though, ‘cause the year isn’t over YET!   

Vessie (YUM), Fleck and Bela.
Undoubtedly, looking at a
a piece of food!

I have felt pretty strong and energetic except for when the fires were ablaze in Bastrop, which wasn’t very far from our house.  The smoke was so thick outside that it was very difficult to breathe.  We could even smell it INSIDE the house for a time.  I endured that, though, and recovered after about three full weeks of attentive, home regimens doing inhalation treatments almost round the clock for my asthma-like symptoms.  Bless all those folks who lost their homes and lives in that fire.  It was catastrophic for Texas to bear as well as our summer drought which gave us over 100 days toppling  the 100 degree mark. (It’s raining today! Hallelujah!!)

Cindy and Gerard...(sister)

We have had some loved ones visit over the course of the year but haven’t really taken any vacations together.  I was fortunate enough to be able to “kill two birds with one stone” when I attended a calligraphy conference, which I have wanted to attend for over 10 years, in Phoenix.  Since that is where my BFF lives… I spent a week with Bernice and her family!  That was special and I always value the time with loved ones.  My sister and her hubby came for a couple of weeks in October and we had a great time really getting to know her hubby this time. LIKE!

Bernice and I in Phoenix!

 I finished my stint as Capital City Scribes’ President in May and felt that my term was a very successful one. I was very happy with the progress our board made over the course of two years, reaching the goals I created and grew the guild by leaps and bounds. I still do Calligraphy at home and have been non-stop busy… especially this Fall. I have a new blog with some of my most recent work;
http://www.trishtaylorcalligraphy.blogspot.com 

Air Cargo with Randy Collier, Ray Cargo and Kevin.

Kevin and his old buddy, Randy Collier, whom I met the same day I met Kevin back in 1993 when they were in “RedEye”, are now in another band together with another friend: the Velvety, Teddy Bear voice of Ray Cargo.  Their band is called “AirCargo’ and really have some smooth sounds! Still Bluegrass, but their harmonies, I’ve been told, are stellar! They have played throughout the year and even recorded some songs over here at Kev’s studio to upload to some Internet Social Media.  You can find them on Facebook if you put in their name… all together… otherwise, you will find lots of baggage information.  Kevin wrote quite a few songs that they are playing and the other guys are equally as talented lending their singer, songwriter abilities….  as well being hot musicians. 

Bela... Diva Dog...likes to be
incognito and covers herself up!

Our plans for the holidays this year involve a long awaited trip on a cruise (Officially #11) with some good friends of ours from Houston leaving out of Port Galveston. This is the first time we have left from TEXAS and I am very excited that I won’t  need to limit my bags to the allotted amount of weight and can BRING “everything and the kitchen sink” like I’ve been accused of in the past (Hey, a girl has to have her choices, you know).  Luckily, my luggage has wheels.  I feel sorry for the poor guy who has to lift it to put it on the carrier to get it to our room.

Besides our good health, with Kevin still doing his arduous 10+ mile runs and sometimes biking on his Terra Trike, the puppies have been healthy as well and are fat and happy!  Bela and Fleck will be 9 in the Spring and Vestal will be a whopping five years old already!  We’d love to keep in touch with you throughout the year if we don’t already. You can find us still at trishkev@sbcglobal.net and both of us are on Facebook. www.facebook.com/kwillette1 or /trishtayloraustin. 

As always, we think about you and feel blessed just by knowing you. Keeping in touch once a year is always nice, but looking forward to more contact in the future.  Love and hugs!  Trish (4 Kev 2)… and the puppies.   MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Surely, there's food involved!

Vessie Voodles

Fleckie, our precious hunter!

Really cool shoes!!!

 HOW COOL is that!???
The clog design features words reflecting the Dansko “way of life”- our core values and commitment to thoughtful, conscious living.
“The design was inspired by fine furniture in which you can see the highs and lows of wood grain,” says Ann Dittrich, Dansko’s Creative Director. “The sepia-toned script on top of the rich brown background accentuates the depth and dimension of the material. Along with the distinctive upper we also developed a specially colored outsole to complement the shoe.”
The limited edition clog is packaged in a distinctive box which includes a shoe bag to protect this unique one-of-a-kind collector item.
Some of the words I can read are:
BREATHE, CELEBRATE, JOY, DREAM, SHARE, EMBRACE...etc.

Click on shoe for more information

ABOUT JESSICA HISCHE

Jessica Hische is a talented, vibrant illustrator. She describes herself as a "designistrator" with her work reflecting her unique approach to lettering, illustrating and designing. Recently relocated to San Francisco, CA, Jessica earned a degree in graphic design from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia. Her work has been featured in many publications including: InStyle magazine, O magazine, New York magazine, Golf Digest and INC magazine. Her work has also been used by Tiffany & Co., Penguin Books, the US Postal Service, Target and Avis.

The gifts that we give and receive!!!

In addition to the Doxie knick knacks, the inkwell was from
Patella and the original piece from DeeDayArt in the background.

I am so blessed beyond belief by my family and friends.  There doesn't seem like a day goes by without sending something out in the mail, giving someone a special trinket or receiving something from my bountiful friends and family members!  Even if it is just a phone call telling me that they missed me and were thinking about me, THAT is such a gift!! I am going to refer to some "material things" right now though.   In looking around just this ONE room I am in, there are so many reminders which make me think of people close by and so far away... for example... a friend of mind from back in New York, whom I only met because I taught a class at my sister's library one year, sent me TWO things... This past visit, my sister brought me a little gift bag from Marian.... with two little Dachshund knick knacks in there!  How thoughtful!  It wasn't for my birthday or for Christmas or anything... just a "THOUGHT OF YOU" and wanted to let you know. WOW!  She also blew my socks off one year after I had taught the class when she sent me a beautifully framed piece that SHE CREATED in calligraphy and framed it for my birthday!  She was the best student in my class, but still... it was a very, beginner class and I still have the piece hanging on my wall... proudly showing the love and "gift of friendship" that we all are open to receive at any given time.

Most recently, at the last workshop, my mentee showed up
with THIS in hand! I love it so much! Thanks, Martha!

 When I was younger, maybe 10 or so, I remember hearing The White's sing a very influential song.  They were so intriguing, first of all, 'cause they came from the south and had that delightful "Suuutherrrrrn ackkk  sant" that I still try to emulate after all these years.  Sharon, Cheryl and Buck once said/sang... If you GIVE, you will get back "tinfold". Well, I had never heard that expression before and wasn't sure what that meant at the time at all, but now, I don't only get back TEN fold, but a hundred fold or so. To do a random act of kindness, just because, is very cool!  I get such a rush out of giving!  I know that some people take it the wrong way and have a hard time accepting things, feeling awkward that they have NOTHING to give in return. I feel, if you are really GIVING out of the goodness of your heart, then there really shouldn't be anything else to say but "THANK YOU!"

At the same workshop.. this was laying on my table with
a white ribbon around it!  My "Doxie Sis" in the guild,
Cindy gave it to me! I love it!

 That person took the time to THINK OF YOU and do or give something to you because THEIR heart wanted to!  It would defeat the whole purpose if you just tried to reciprocate.... but, in turn, YOU owe it to someone else to pay it forward... or to THINK of them in the future when you see something that reminds you of them.  That is what friendship is all about!  Giving! Loving!  Doing! And most of all ... all of this out of the kindness of your heart!


I am going to post just a few of the things that I cherish from which people have given me.  There are Gazillion things ALL over my house which are very sentimental to me and remind me of my loved ones all the time!  Perhaps they all don't "Go Together", but they DO in my heart and mind!

Hand created by Kate B.

A very special gift from Paul... painted in Italy for Moi!

Another original by Kate B.

Jennifer L. who has a "talent" with a pen, like me.
My "curly top" sis!

This past weekend... Reggie gave us all one of these cards!

A beautiful Gourd which Teri gave me at the start of my presidency
and her Vice Presidency together for good luck!

An Adolf Bernd Inspired Birthday card from my buddy,
Sandy!  It has raised gilding on it, but it's hard to see.

My doggie friend... Jen, always finds things for me that have Doxie's on them!

Chris Leske painted this in acrylics and I am honored to have it in my home!

How cool is that!?  Sandy just found these the other day and gave it to me!

At the end of Jennifer's presidency, she hand created these for her board! Classy! I love it ! 

Dee gave me this very special piece 'cause she said she was thinking of me when she
created it.... I feel the ETERNAL AIR.. She really understands me! We are kindred spirits in a way!

Karen P. gave me this as I was leaving my presidency last year.
Holly showed her how to make it and I love the way it turned out!

There is so much more to show, but now I have plumb run out of time!

Don't feel bad if I haven't shown something you gave me... it's loved just as well. 

Lots of jobs on the drawing board right now, but
PLEASE DO A RANDOM act of kindness today!

If you can't think of ANYTHING... write a letter. 

November 14th is "National Letter Writing Day". 

Make someone smile when they open their mailbox... 

perhaps even MAKE THEIR DAY! 

Happy Halloween

Kev..taken on the first cruise we
took together..in the
Baham

(Well, I intended on posting this yesterday, on Halloween... so much for intentions!)
It's Halloween today and I am happy to say that even though it was a very early morning, taking guests to the airport, I feel very invigorated for two reasons... It was great having family here and getting to know my brother in law a lot better, but today is Kevin's and my anniversary of our first meeting.  Eighteeen years ago today, I went to a "Booo-grass" festival near Houston in which my fiddle teacher recommended.  I didn't know anyone but he assured me that it didn't matter...everyone in Texas is friendly and he had some personal friends who were in a band scheduled to play and I could just look them up.  That I did... but it took all night and part of the next day!  When it finally happened, though, there was an instant spark when Randy, the guitar player, introduced me to Kevin... a multi-instrumentalist which WOWED me from the moment I saw him. He has become my most adoring and loving husband.  He said he knew the instant he saw me that he would marry me, but it took a little convincing and was the best thing that has ever happened to me!

At Threadgill's to see Air Cargo

The first week that my sister was here, Kevin's band "Air Cargo" was playing at Threadgill's north, so she got to mingle with some of  my friends and get a dose of where Kevin's passion lies.  She said she really enjoyed it even though it's not her favorite genre of music.  I knew that, but I also knew that she would enjoy the down home hospitality and atmosphere which Threadgill's gives in addition to my "southern" friends, complete with their accents.  They had fun comparing stories and similarities.  It's hard being a northerner in the south! I've adjusted and adapted, learning the lingo and can lay it on thick with the accent if provoked.  Southern ladies are the best!  I wasn't born here, but I got here as quick as I could!
During the first week that she was here, solo, we had some fun doing other things such as shopping at the outlets, frequenting Chuy's, of course, going to my calligraphy guild's study group to prepare for the Texas Book Fest and much, much more.  She loves this restaurant called Pei Wei, which is not located in her area of upstate New York, so we went there and she was in "hog heaven".

Once her spouse arrived a few days later, the REAL fun began!  KG (Gerard) is just a bucket of fun... so easy going and great to be around... he reminds me of someone I married.  Kev and KG (his nickname is King Gerard because of a Renaissance Faire costume he has and has worn) got along like long, lost brothers.  It's amazing how much they have in common!  Almost scary!  On the first weekend after he arrived, I had to work at my Calligraphy Guild's booth lettering names on bookmarks for the public as a fundraiser and it just so happened that it was a beautiful weekend and there was a "Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival" at Auditorium shores that they wanted to check out.  Since they have recently become Vegans, with some very good results in the way of their health, Cindy has wanted to find as many great recipes as she can to keep the diversity and interest in their culinary diets alive.  KG says that if she weren't such a good cook, then he didn't think it would have been as easy, but he is very satisfied and will not detour from this way of life after almost a MIRACLE story in the way of his health!  I am happy that it is working for him, and them.  Cindy made some "choices' not to be Vegan ONLY when there was something that just could NOT be avoided.... going to Chuy's and having their Creamy Jalapeno Ranch dip with their chips was one of them.  She, and I, just crave the stuff.  Other than that, she was very good!  I never knew that you could have "good" tasting Chocolate Cake made with Tofu as well as Tofu Chocolate Ghirardelli Pie.  Not bad, actually!  We tried eating much of the same stuff they did, but I have to keep up my weight and I think that it just isn't enough calories for a CFer, like me.

This Vegan food actually looks pretty appetizing! YUM!

Every day, at the crack of dawn, KG would run on our hike and bike trail, which Kevin showed him all the routes, and then go for a bike ride and sometimes even then go for a long walk with Cindy later in the day!  I was amazed at his energy level.  It was hard for him to sit still and was a great help at cleaning up and making dinner, lunch, etc. We took him to Cabela's in Buda one day as he loves that place and then onto the San Marcos outlets.   Talk about walking and walking!  That place has really grown since the last time I was there.   We had a good time and got a couple of good deals, at least.

Cindy and Chong doing Calligraphy

As luck would have it, during their time here, KG's daughter in law and grandson were here visiting family in the Austin area. They live in California and planned this trip to Austin at the spur of the moment due to family illness... It was an unfortunate situation, but it was also nice to finally get to meet some more of KG's family.  Chong and little Jake came over to our house for the day and Grandpa took Jake to the park while Chong, Cindy and I played with some calligraphy lessons at my breakfast table.  Cindy had had lessons in the past and was just doing a refresher but Chong was really interested in learning the craft so she could perhaps work from home in the future doing calligraphy as a business. She sure did have potential. I just hope she has time and passion to keep it up!  It's hard when you don't have support and a driving force behind you like our guild in Austin does.

GrandPa KG and Jake

On the last day they were here, it was absolutely beautiful!   They had never seen Zilker Gardens or the park so we drove to the city and walked around there for awhile.  There were lots of photo op's and the weather couldn't have been a temperature higher or lower. It was just a perfect ending to a perfect visit!  

At Zilker Botanical Gardens

At Zilker with the Austin
cityscape in the background

Uncle Tony's Witches Brew!

Turned out yummy!  

Boy, did they have a good time barking at everyone!

The Fires have cleared, finally!

It only took three weeks, but I am now back to feeling normal again!  The smoke in the air really affected my breathing and I had to increase or start on some more meds just to be able to breathe normally.  Luckily, I was under the doctor's care and had lots of support, but am happy to say that I eluded Club Med all together this time around....

In the meantime, I have been busy as ever with a BUNCH of envelopes.. and even a BUNCH more than I had anticipated.  Originally, I had a job that was supposed to be 200 envelopes and when I finally got them from the bride, there were double NEEDING to be done in the same allotted amount of time.  Why is it that I am always seeming to be jumping through flaming hoops?  I guess it's just in my nature and am happy that I can succeed, gracefully?, under pressure. I hope!

I haven't had too much time to "play" in the studio, but have managed to get a couple of birthday cards out in between breaks from being smothered in envelopes...

I still love doing the flourishing that I learned at IAMPETH and Heather, my teacher and mentor, has been so gracious is lending support and feedback so I can hone my skills.  She is a wonderful person and so helpful to everyone who seeks her encouragement and guidance.   Here are a couple of things that I made recently! Wish I had more to show....

 

Raging Weather....

As I sit here with sunny and 80 degree weather outside... I just want to open my window and "breathe" a sigh of relief from the crazy high temps we've been having, but it's so windy and I can't 'cause of the "pollutants" in the air... I am talking about the fires in Texas, nearby, that are raging out of control... We haven't had any rain in months and everything is so dry.  Right now, there is a 16 mile fire burning in Bastrop, not far from here. Yesterday, there was another fire here in our hometown of Pflugerville which destroyed 2 homes while over 200 homes were evacuated for hours. That one, thankfully, is contained, but....

My friend Sandy's family were some of the unlucky people in Bastrop yesterday which had to evacuate their homes, only to find out today that ALL is lost.  They have no homes or places to go back to.  They are in shelters right now contemplating the next step and waiting to hear from the insurance adjustors... along with the other 300 people whose homes were taken. 

I am shocked, dazed and confused... having a hard time taking it all in and having a hard time breathing for the first time in months... like this.  I don't know if it is the air quality or all the stress and pressure from what is going on around us. 

I am praying for all TEXANS to get some rain and I hope you, since you are reading this, will be praying for our fine state, too!  This is very scary and very, very sad.