Flowers in the Attic.

Does anyone remember V.C. Andrews?  The author of 'thriller' books, most often, but not always,  paperbacks?

I'll be honest.  I've always looked at her books and thought they seemed silly, sort of like the romance section.  Now, if you love romance books, that's great.  But I'm talking about the kind of books that seem to fall on the lowest part of the totem pole of popularity.

Many years ago, and a couple of times since, I saw the movie "Flowers in the Attic", based on the book by V.C. Andrews.  I finally decided to try reading it. 

And you know what?  I really enjoyed it.  The writing was excellent, the story was interesting, and it was not at all what I expected.  Truth be told, I most likely would never have even considered the book had I not seen the movie and therefore knew the plotline (Crazy mom + crazy daughter = 4 children locked away in the attic).  It sounds disturbing, I know, but it really wasn't as bad as that little synopsis.

I stand corrected on my assumption that the books were nothing but silliness.

I don't consider it a thriller or horror, but maybe to some?  Give it a read, and see what you think!

Image Source

P.S.  I'm now reading the second in this particular series, 'Petals on the Wind'.

What Ever Happened To...?

What ever happened to WWWednesday and Friday Fondness??

They will be back, I just haven't had much time to concentrate on them!! 

Sorry!

Soon!!

xoxo,

Angela

Tube Adventures.

Well, it appears that the major 'summer thing to do' here in New Braunfels is 'tube the river'.  Basically, you throw on your swimsuit, slather on sunscreen, grab some cold beverages and your tube, catch the river current and float downstream.  All in all, a 'lazy river' in a real river, with fish and everything.

Here's a picture example: 

My mom and I decided to give it a try.  It wasn't at all crowded.  It looks like that picture on the weekends, but not weekdays.

First off, so much fun.  The next best thing to the beach. 

I bought a nice $20 tube (from the grocery store, hehe).  Catching the first current was so fun, as it shoots you off into the river. 

Typically you pick the designated 'public river exits' to get out of the river and either walk to your car (or start your tube adventure again), or the free 'tube' buses will come and pick you up and drive you to central drop off spots. 

I caught the current at a much faster pace than my mom did, so she was quite a ways behind me.  I paddled toward the shallow side of the shore, only to get stuck in the rocks.  She finally caught up with me, and the same thing happened to her.  We got out of our tubes to discover a new river must:  wear water shoes.  The rocks were so sharp, and slippery, and you fight against the current to steady yourself to get back on the tube.  At last, we were back on track, after some stubbed toes and tumbles. 

We came to the 'last public exit' sign, and decided to get off and walk back.  I was stuck in a current away from the exit side, and decided to get out of the tube and walk across.  I put my flipflops on to help against the rocks, and edged my way off the tube, which is relatively large.  The river is, after all, waist deep...

Not.

I slid off the stupid tube in what was probably the deepest part of the whole stinkin' river.  I went all the way under, and instictively opened my eyes to get my bearing.  I'm tall, and even sinking completely under the water, I still could NOT feel the bottom.  My first thought was 'oh my gosh, I just fell into the river!'  My second thought was 'Eeeewww, I just fell into the river!'  And then 'My eyes are burning!'  I surfaced and my mom was on the shore laughing hysterically.  Thanks.  All of a sudden, I saw my shoes floating downstream, and my tube had been caught in a current going upstream.  I swam after my shoes, grabbed them, and swam after the tube. 

Swimming against a river current?  Not so fun. 

All that to say, we walked about a half mile to the car, put my mom's tube in the trunk, and tied my tube to the roof.

And that is how I lost my awesome $20 river tube after it's maiden voyage.  It was secured, but a gust of wind took it on a busy road, where it met the front tire of a large pick up truck, and got stuck.  The fellow in the truck was very nice and apologetic, as were we. 

Lessons learned:
1.  Wear swim shoes.
2.  If you see the rocks really clearly at the bottom of the river, you have entered a very shallow point.  You will get stuck.
3.  If you don't see any rocks at all, don't try to get off your tube.  You will be submerged into murky darkness.
4.  If you are going to tie a tube to the top of your car, triple tie it. 
5.  If the man who runs over your tube is cute, and in a doctor's uniform, don't be an embarrassed chicken like me.  Get out and say hello.
(I'm just saying).


The End. 

Sometimes It's About Forgiveness.

Sometimes, it seems, we...

{I...}

refuse to see the brighter side of situations.

And sometimes, we...

{I...}

get swallowed up in the 'why' and 'what for' of the past.

And sometimes, we...

{I...}

miss the people I myself have said 'you cannot be a part of my life.'

Because of misunderstanding.  Hurt.  Anger.

And sometimes...it's simply a matter of

Forgiveness.

And just perhaps, we...

{I...}

will stop letting the past taint the future.

It's time to be a good friend, to show compassion, forgiveness, acceptance of what cannot be changed.

It's time to fully embrace the 'what could be' instead of holding onto the 'what was.'

New Photo Blog!

Since life has finally settled down here, I thought I'd 'reopen' the photo side business!  New name, new logo, new blog!!  And, in a couple of weeks (fingers crossed), a brand-spanking-new website!! 

I really want to get the business going strong, and ideally make it into a career, instead of just a 'side' deal. 

Please check it out, and feel free to follow, comment, etc!

Thanks!

http://angelarichardsonphotography.blogspot.com/

Settling In.

As the days pass, it's beginning to feel more and more like 'home'. 

Everybody is alarmingly friendly.

And helpful.

I'm busy 'decorating' my space and making it feel like a sanctuary.

I miss the family that I left behind.  But visits will come soon enough.

The weather has been crazy!  Humid, with bouts of pouring rain, and real, true, Texas style thunder/lightning storms.

And the hum of the cicadas? 

Perfect.

I'm only slightly disappointed that I won't get to make my summer SF trip. 

I love, love, love to visit this time of year. 

Oh, well, there is plenty of fun adventures awaiting on this side.

xoxo

Here At Last.

It has been the craziest week and half, what with the packing, the goodbyes, the loading of the moving truck, the rental papers to read and sign, the forwarding of addresses, etc. etc. 

We are here at last.  Our goal was to split the drive out here into 2 days, but we split it into 3.  It worked out, but if I have to be in a car any time soon for more than an hour, I may scream!  My 2 cats were troopers.  They rode in my mom's car because it could accomodate the pet cage, but I was in charge of them in the hotel rooms.  They were so good, considering each night we were in unfamiliar territory.  They stayed with me, roamed around, checked out the room, and slept on the bed.  They hated being put back into their cage each morning and loaded into the car, but they got over it.

Our house is lovely, in a great, quiet neighborhood.  The neighbors are friendly, and we are halfway down the cul-de-sac.  I am continuing to rent from my parents, and I have one end of the house with my bedroom, bathroom, and an office.  We split the groceries and general expenses, so it's a pretty decent set up.  I have more privacy than before, because of the floorplan of the home.  I am aiming to move out as soon as I am settled and find an area closer to Austin.  I'll be beginning to church shop next weekend, plus find a weight watcher meeting.  Next month, the job hunt will start. 

For now, my days are filled with 'to-do' lists.  During the time I'm here, I want it to still feel like home, so I'm sorting through packed boxes, figuring out what I want out, or what stays packed.  Needless to say, I will not unpack every box until I do have my own place and the room for all of it.  Lots of trips to the store to pick up basic odds and ends that you don't tend to pack.  (Well, I didn't anyway).  But, it's been good.

I am excited about visiting churches and getting involved in Bible studies and ministry.  I'm still undecided about what to do for a job, as I am still trying to build the photography thing.  In the meantime, there are bills to be paid! 

Thank you for all the prayers and support.  I will keep you updated, and will eventually add pictures of the house, when it is finally all decorated!! 

xoxoxo

Angela