Sisters

I don't have a sister.

It's okay.
Look at these handsome men I have for brothers...

And one of them is going to get me a sister-in-law soon!
(The other better find me another one in the future.)

But I've had something just as special since 1992.
Yep, that is 21 years!
We have been friends since riding the bus together in
6th grade to Westview Middle School.

I lovingly call them Nadiaandnatasha...they get lumped together.
(For some reason I have always put Nadia's name first,
although I love Natasha just as much.)
They are pretty much my sisters.




Yesterday I got to spend hours and hours with my sisters.
We did what we have always done:
talked about boys,
went shopping (see the fun hats and headbands?),
and ate delicious food together.



I sure do love them!

I Love My Job!

Everyone wants those moments in their career that reminds you- yes, this is why I do what I do! I had one such moment last week. I was in this very pool...

(Reavis Rehab pool in Round Rock, Texas)

I had a patient with back pain. She had been in pain for 2 years, and had back surgery a year ago. Her doctor decided to send her to us for aquatic therapy, meaning physical therapy in the pool. Guess what? She can't swim and is scared of the water. Well, we took it slow. First we started walking in the 3 1/2 foot section while holding on tightly to a noodle and walking very slow. Then we moved on to the 4 foot section (which is more buoyancy assisted unloading of body weight), but we were still using the noodle. Last Monday she came in for her 4th visit and announced- "I've been pain free for 6 days! I haven't been pain free for 2 years!" Last Friday I decided to test her confidence and suggest taking away the noodle while walking. She arrived (still pain-free) and we got in and started walking. Five minutes into the session she said- did you notice I am not using a noodle? I said, yes and I was wondering if you had noticed, I wasn't going to say a thing!

This sweet, southern, Christian lady chats the whole time in the pool about how great she feels, how much she loves the water, and how God put me as her therapist. I look forward to my hour with her. She is picking up old hobbies she left behind, can't wait to come get in the pool each session, and says she will be 16 years old by the time I am done with her!

Those are moments that help me say, I love my job!

"My friends call me Wolf, but that doesn't mean a thing."

I'd like to share a wonderfully romantic story. Today my grandparents celebrated their 55th anniversary of the day they met! How cute is that? To remember the exact date when you met your eternal companion? Here is my grandma's account...

"Sunday the 20th is the 55th anniversary of the day your dad/grandpa Kelm met. It was a snowy, cold evening. I had been wrangled into being in this speech competition in Mutual. To make things interesting I missed my bus so I walked in just as they were announcing the names of the speakers and lo and behold my name was first. As I was up there doing my talk there sat this guy down front with a great big grin on his face. When the meeting was over by the time I got down from the stand he stood there and said, "my friends call me Wolf, but it doesn't mean a thing." I looked at him and thought geesh, this guy thinks a lot of himself. I went to class and sat down and who comes in and sits beside me, this same guy! By the time the class was over I was going to a fireside on Sunday with this guy. When the class ended I waited for a friend when these two guys come up to me and say, "where do you think your going?" There's a dance practice down stairs for the Gold and Green Ball. We three go down to the scout room and there are several people waiting. The dance instructor says," who is you partner? " and before any one could say anything Wolf says", I am." That left Bob standing there with his mouth open. (It was Bob that got me talked into the speech competition). Sunday the saga continues after 55 years of with everything you can think of happening and then some!
AIN'T LIFE GRAND!!!"

My grandma wore a white shirt and a red skirt today, which she said was the same kind of outfit she had on that November 20th 55 years ago. Now wonder I believe in romance stories in real life. It is genetic!

Thank you Wolf and Aline for an example of a lifetime of love! Grandpa says they don't make men like him anymore...I sure hope he is wrong!

Dad's Brazil Ensemble!

My dad is in a Brazil Ensemble group at the University of Texas. It is for students, faculty, and people in the community. Each Tuesday night they meet and make all kinds of fun noise with a variety of musical instruments. Last Wednesday night was their first performance. It was at the Bates Recital hall.




I invited a few friends who know my dad and know his love of music. The audience was invited to come up on stage and dance and sing along if we wanted to. We wanted to! I evenwore a Brasil shirt and jewelery.


One of my friends said,"that was more fun then I expected it to be!"

Yes, it was a blast. See why Brazil and my dad rock?

LEGAL! Te amo Pai, obrigada por tudo.