Christmas 2008

We spent Christmas in League City .

This is the first year we weren't in Amarillo to spend Christmas Eve at my parents and Christmas Day at Craig's mom's house.

Kimberly and Mark drove from Austin to spend Christmas Eve and have Christmas Day breakfast with us before returning to Austin to spend Christmas Day with the Granthams. Josh moved here from Lubbock so it was very convenient for him.

To the kids joy Santa actually found our house!

My mom flew in from Amarillo to celebrate with us.

Josh's dogs even enjoyed Christmas.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow

Ok, so Mother Nature is having a BIG laugh.

Tonight, it is snowing in League City.

It won't be here by morning but for now it is beautiful.

Who would have thought we would get snow living 15 miles from Galveston Island?

It's CRAZY!!

The Winds of Change are Rolling In

In the coming week Craig and I will have a change in our home. We will be getting a "roommate". Joshua is coming home to live while he does a 6 month internship in Houston.

Craig and I are very excited to have one of our kids back for a while. We know things will not be the same as when he was younger. Kimberly tried living with us for a while after college and only made it 10 days before she found a job in Austin; Mark and true love are to blame for her quick exit. She did give it a valiant try.

Josh will have adjustments. He has after all lived away for 4 years of college and has become a very independent young man. He has also told us he will refer to us as his roommates so he doesn't have to tell people he is living with his parents. :) I think he was kidding...sort of.

Craig and I will have to adjust too since it has been 4 years of an empty nest and we can't wait.

Did I fail to mention...Raider and Cooder will be living here too? Time to scoop the poop.

Thanks to Kim

Kimberly tagged me for a Fabulous Five. As she explained you post your top 5 "addictions" then tag 5 others to do the same.

I will have to say these probably aren't so much addictions as they are obsessions.

1. The love of my life Craig. After 28 years of marriage and 4 years of dating I can honestly say I fall deeper in love with this man every day. He supports me in all that I do, holds me when I need a hug, lets me cry is I need to, makes me laugh, he can be serious or silly and so much fun. He is my best friend.

2. My kids; Joshua, Kimberly and Mark. Yes, Mark is included because he became a son the day he married Kimberly. I am always proud of their accomplishments. They all work/play hard, have a great sense of humor and I love how they all humor me. :) They all 3 are graduates of Texas Tech University; Wreck 'm Tech!


3. Warm Weather!!! I don't mind a day or two of cold but after moving to Houston I seem to always want warm weather. I like a few "crisp" fall mornings and a nice spring thunderstorm or two. I honestly don't mind the hot humid days of summer.

4. The Amazing Race and Dancing with the Stars. These are my 2 favorite tv shows. I try never to miss a show.


5. Thai Food...especially Chicken Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup. I got hooked on pad thai when we lived in Amarillo. The first place I had it was in a little dive on Amarillo Boulevard and eventually found My Thai. Craig and I have found an excellent Thai restaurant near our home in League City. It is the Thai Cottage.


As instructed I will "tag" 5 people...actually 4 since I don't have blog buddies. Three of these don't currently have blogs but they do read my blog occationaly so I'm hoping this will encourage them to start their own blog. The 3 with no blog are Tori Bonner, Trissa Thomas (girls, it is an excellent way to keep everyone updated on the kids) and Laurie Davis. The 4th is Kim's friend Katie who just had a baby boy. Katie needs to post photos of Cohen.

Have Grammar Rules Changes?

First of all I know I'm not the best writer in the world. I have proof from all the writing labs I frequented during Freshman Composition. It seems as though I have trouble with redundancy; Imagine me repeating myself, but I regress.

Lately I have noticed a certain pattern in some of the blogs I have stumbled upon. I am having a problem with the usage of personal pronouns in a compound subject.

Many years ago I was taught by my 6th grade Grammar teacher Mrs. Scoggins, the proper way to decide if one should use I or me, he or him, she or her, me or my (you get the picture) in a compound subject; "separate" the subject in to two sentences. Whichever is the correct pronoun for a simple subject sentence is the correct pronoun in a compound subject sentence.

For example in the sentence, Family is very important to Craig and I/me, the correct answer is me. Simple break it down in to 2 sentences; Family is very important to Craig...Family is very important to me. The concept is very simple and the rule applies to all personal pronouns.

Something about reading the sentence "Jackie took lots of pictures of John and I" tweaks me. I mean really...does it sound right to say "Jackie took lots of pictures of I", of course not. The same applies to "Her and I enjoyed a day at the spa". The correct pronoun is she.

While this rant might seem a little ridiculous, I just thought I would share my aggravation. After all, boredom is a terrible thing to waste.

Oh and by the way, if the rules have changed in the last 40 years please let me know and I will print a retraction.:)

The League City Polar Bear club

We officially have a pool.

Construction was complete prior to our Cozumel trip but the pool had to "cure" for a week before we were allowed in the water. This worked out perfectly since we were on vacation for the week.

Now the problem is the water is a COLD 72 degrees. We have bought solar rings to help bring up the temperature. Hopefully in a week or two the temperature will be more comfortable.

No worries...we are donning our wet suits to brave the water.

Happy 49th Craig

What a way to usher out your 40's; if I do say so myself.

Last week we spent a wonderful fun filled week in Cozumel. We enjoyed some SCUBA diving and time with dear friends.

Little did Craig know when Laurie and Albert arrived on Sunday we conspired to celebrate Craig's 49th birthday at Senor Frog's.

On Friday, after all dives were finished for the week, we decided to walk to the town square to do a little souvenir shopping for our kids. It just so happens Senor Frog's is conveniently located in the town square so Laurie, Albert and I told Craig we would like to have a margarita at Senor Frog's. Craig can not turn down a good margarita, so he agreed.

Laurie and Albert cornered the waiter as we came in and told him of Craig's birthday. First the waiter brought Craig a shot of tequila and made us all party hats and "name" tags.

We enjoyed margaritas (I had daiquiris), a plate of nachos and being silly. I swear I laughed harder than I had in a long time.

I'm not sure but we might could have embarrassed our kids on this one but we had a good time letting our hair down.

After all...

What happens in Cozumel stays in Cozumel!

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like A POOL!

Pool construction is in overdrive. Hurricane Ike didn't cause any delay. Luckily the gunite was applied 2 days before the evacuation and the pool had to "cure" for 10 days so everything is on schedule.

Last Saturday at 7:30 a.m. the tile and coping installers arrived to unload rocks for the waterfall, flagstone for the coping and the tile. The work was completed by that afternoon.

Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. the electrician arrived to wire the pump and filter.

Tuesday a small clean-up crew arrived to remove forms and do the make ready for the deck work.

Today the concrete/deck installers formed the deck and reed bar. City inspectors will inspect the work tomorrow and concrete is scheduled for Monday.

All that remains is the concrete and cool-deck application, acid wash clean-up to interior of pool and finally the plaster.

Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, the pool will be completed and ready to enjoy in approximately 2 weeks; just in time for our first snowfall!!

What We Did On Our Hurricane Evacuation

Craig and Kyle did what they could to keep their minds off the Hurricane.

Ike Update

Hurricane Ike came and went in a hurry.

While the neighborhoods around us look like a war zone, our home and neighborhood was spared destruction. As a matter of fact when we came back after the storm we were very surprised. A few homes lost some shingles and fences but for the most part you could hardly tell there was a storm. The pine tree in our yard was blown over. (We didn't like the tree anyway so we were not heart broken.) Our fence is still standing; not one section was blown over.

Just to the east of our neighborhood is a different story. Near the bay is tremendous destruction. Many areas are still without power. Trees are down, power lines are down, yachts and boats are in the roads. We have only seen the pictures on television because there is a 24 hour curfew..no one in or out. I honestly would feel like a vulture driving around seeing others misfortune.

Galveston is in ruins. It will most likely be months before anyone is allowed on the island.

Never fear it will be rebuilt. The people who live in and around the water love it. It is their home and it will survive.

It will takes some time but the Houston/Galveston area will be back better than ever.

I'm Always Digging Holes

A few years back, Josh's friends asked him "What does your mom do?". His answer was " she digs holes." He was being sarcastic but there was also truth in his answer.

The reason is, I love being in the yard either planting something or digging something up to move to another location. It is very therapeutic and it is a great way to clean your pores; No need for an expensive facial. Plus, there's nothing better than getting a little dirty and sweaty. It gives you a sense of accomplishment.

To my dismay we have hired a hole dug in our backyard....it's a pool!!!

As long as Hurricane Ike doesn't delay the construction too much we should be swimming by the end of September or early October.

I really think if I would have had a few good weeks of weather and a good shovel I could have saved us a little money on the dirtwork. Josh just might agree.

Slowly but Surely

Our home is slowly getting organized. We still have some boxes in the garage but they are mainly boxes of books. Everything we need is already unpacked so the rest will be done at our leisure.



View looking into kitchen and breakfast room.

View of family room with hallway sitting area to left.

Craig's office

Was a dining room but we are not dining room people so we changed it into a piano/sitting room.

Left side is the hallway sitting area; right side the entry to piano/sitting room.

Looking down hall into den

Josh's room

Kim's room

Exercise room

That's all folks!

SCUBA-duba-du

For the past few weekends I have been taking classes to become a SCUBA diver. I am happy to say I finished my final open water dive and am now a Padi certified diver.

The certification involved 8 hours of classwork and testing, 8 hours of contained diving and 4 open water dives.

The classroom work was done at the Diver's Paradise Scuba Shop. The contained diving was in the swimming pool at LaPorte High School. The open water diving was at 288 Lake.

There were 3 people in my class and believe it or not my dive partner, Rusty, was from Amarillo. What are the odd?

I have to say the first time we were in the pool I was a little nervous because the idea of "breathing" under water kind of freaks me out. That is the whole idea of starting out in a pool. You are in an area you can stand up if needed. By the time the first contained dive was over I felt more at ease. The second day was in the deep end of the pool where you can't stand up. We practiced safety proceedures over and over.

I was a little more calm before the first open water dive. I was more nervous about not being able to see but to my surprise even in a murky lake we could see in front of us about 15 feet. There were submerged platforms we sat on to practice our bouyancy, equalizing and more safety proceedures.

The last day and on the final 2 dives we were to do navigation. Now I'm the first to admit I'm no good with a compass. Our assignment was to go in the direction the instructor indicated, swim out 15 kick strokes and hopefully return to the same spot. You do this with your dive buddy. One navigates while the other counts kick strokes. Rusty was the first to navigate and he did great; success the first time. Now it is my turn to navigate. I get my direction, set my compass, indicate to Rusty "let's go" and we're off. One kick, 2 kick, 3 kick and I go head first into the platform pole. We had made a u-turn. What happened? I try again; same results. I wasn't holding the compass level so the needle was getting stuck. After a few minutes of underwater instruction on how to use a compass we set out again...success!!! I don't know who was happier, me, Rusty or the instructor Dave.

After we completed all the task we went on a short swim to celebrate our success in completing our certification.

I will always be a cautious diver but I will enjoy getting to look at the fish and other creatures like the little bass under the platform that watched us as we dove and a little crappy that swam along with us on our dives. Wonder what they were thinking?

I Can't Even Imagine

This particular blog may turn in to a rant but I have something weighing heavy on my mind.

Two small children died this week in Houston is a span of 2 days. How they died was needless! They were each left in a locked car for hours.

In both cases the parents had put the child in their car seat in the back seat of the car. When the children were found hours later the parents stated they forgot about them on their way to work.

Because of these deaths the local news had a special report on "devices" to use so you don't forget your kids. There are little pads you put in a car seat for the child to sit on. There is a key-fob which attaches to the parents key ring so if the parent locks the car and walks 15 feet away from the car an alarm will sound. In the report they also suggest setting an alarm on your cell phone as a reminder to not forget your child.

A man was interviewed on the subject and I don't know if he thought he was being funny but his statement really ticked me off. He said "I sometimes forget my kids in the car but I never forget my keys or cell phone. Luckily nothing has ever happened to my kids". Jerk!

What is the deal with these people? ? I can't imagine someone forgetting they haven't dropped the child off at daycare or the babysitters; Plus not noticing they have the child with them in the car.

I can't even imagine needing something to remind me I have kids!! Even though they are grown Kim and Josh are thought of thoughout my day. First thing in the morning I wonder what they have planned for the day; I ask God to watch over them and protect them each night in my prayers. This is not because I have to. It is because I am their Mom and I love them.

A few years back, Josh told me a girl asked him if he thought he was thought about by someone everyday. Josh said yes. She said Josh was pretty conceited for thinking it and she also asked who he thought was thinking of him each day. Josh answered "my mom". Josh told me the girl laughed and told him "nobodies parents think about them every day". I feel sorry for her. How sad must it be to think your parents don't think about you daily.

On Friday of this week, I was driving to a rent house to check on the property. As I rounded a corner close to the house I saw a small child dressed only in a diaper walking across the street. I noticed 2 other children in the yard and seriously thought this child probably was outside with them.

It took me about 10 minutes at this particular property and when I left I rounded the corner again only to see this same small girl walking down the middle of the street about halfway down the block. I stopped the car but was very aware I was going to be asking small children questions and didn't want someone to think I was trying to abduct a child. These kids didn't know who the little girl was nor had they ever seen her before.

I immediately called 911.

I really was concerned about picking this child up so I slowly enticed her out of the street and over to the curb where we waited for the police and ambulance.

To make a long story short; from the time I called 911 to the time the police had gotten all the needed information this toddler was "missing" for over 2 1/2 hours. During which there was no parent frantically driving streets, running, screaming or even looking for this child. The police were going door to door to see if they could find where the child belonged.

I probably will not ever know what happened to the little girl but with this happening and the other 2 kids dying this week I just can't get it off my mind.

As the title of this blog says, I can't even imagine.

"Old" People Still Like to Rock

A few weeks ago a friend, Albert, asked Craig and me to be a part of his wife Laurie's 50th birthday. Albert was surprising Laurie with dinner and a concert. Craig and I were thrilled to be asked to be a part of such a special occation so we said yes.

You might be thinking what kind of a concert would a 50 year old enjoy. The answer is Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock!! Yes, that's right; we sat on the hill at The Cynthia Woods Pavillion and enjoyed a little southern rock.

We all enjoyed Lynyrd Skynyrd. Did a little dancing, a little singing, but nothing that would embarrass our children. Albert was a little overwhelmed by Kid Rock. Albert had heard the radio mix versions of the songs so when Kid Rock sang the original lyrics Albert almost swallowed his tongue.

Before we went to the concert I asked my son Josh what he thought about his dad and me going to this particular concert and his answer was "Lynyrd Skynyrd is pretty old so there will be old people at the concert too". He was right!!

The Wheels on the Bus Go 'Round and 'Round and 'Round and ....

Have you ever had one of those days or even weeks where nothing gets accomplished? This has been one of those weeks. 'round and 'round

For the past 3 days I have had things I wanted to get done before weeks end and I am no closer today than I was 3 days ago. I have encountered countless interruptions so frustration has set in. 'round and 'round

As I look around the house all I see is the things that I haven't accomplished. Deep down I know I have made tremendous headway but I'm ready for the house to be finished. I'm getting impatient. 'round and 'round

Craig and I have hung the curtain rods and I have made numerous trips to every store imaginable to find curtains. I bring them home; they don't look right; I take them back and start all over again. Time wasted. 'round and 'round

As for the walls, I have been trying to find just the right spot for everything so I don't make needless holes in the walls. Forget that...I'm hanging things just to get them off the floor. I can always touch up the wall later. What doesn't fit on the wall will go under a bed to deal with later. 'round and 'round

I have been asking God to give me patients so I can relax and not stress; then it dawned on me....God won't give me patients, He will provide the opportunity for me to have to be patient. He provides so I can learn. I'm listening God.

For the rest of the afternoon I will patiently shop on-line for the right look for the windows and this evening I will patiently locate the right spot on the wall for the wall decor before I make a hole.

I'll still be on the bus with the wheels going 'round and 'round but I'm getting closer to the destination and I know the bus will reach it.

Are Mullets Still In Style?

One of my least favorite things about moving is finding a new hairdresser. You build a trust with your stylist and know you will leave looking like a million dollars.

This past week I was way overdue for a haircut so out I ventured into the rain in search of someone to cut my hair. First stop, Baybrook Mall and home of Visible Changes.

I thought I had made a good decision in my selection of a hair studio. I have patronized Visible Changes for a few years and Kwin (my past stylist) had always done a great job. I had been told that Visible Changes trains their stylist in the same techniques. I guess I was told wrong. On this particular day I left with a mullet!!

Now, I'm not the pickiest person when it comes to my hair. I don't want anything fancy or that takes a long time to style; just a quick blow dry, a little flat iron and out the door. But a mullet...nothing I seem to try makes it look like anything but a mullet.

Today I will venture out once again in search of a stylist. I do have enough hair left that I don't have to shave my head to correct the problem but it might be a tad shorter than I would like.

In the mean time, I will present myself at my new office and introduce myself to my new broker and fellow Realtors while sporting a very "fashionable" mullet.

A Place Called Home

Craig and I are slowly getting settled. Unpacking has to be my least favorite chore involved in a move.

When you pack, everything is wrapped and placed in boxes then stacked neatly. When you unpack, everything is taken out of the boxes and stacked hap-hazard in the floor until you can decide where it will be placed or hung.

Right now the only rooms semi finished are the family room and kitchen. The other rooms are a disaster so I will share photos of the two rooms which are presentable. There are no window coverings so the lighting for the photos is not good.

Camping "Texas" Style

I grew up camping. Every summer my family would pack the camper and head to the Conejos Valley in the southern Rockies of Colorado. I can rough it with the best of them. Out-house down the road, no shower for a week, pump water, no electricity, etc.

This past weekend Craig and I went on an overnight camping trip to the Blue Lagoon with our friends, Laurie, Albert, Mark and Sam. We had a great time but I did get "tickled" at our camping style.

Craig and I went with the usual tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, bug spray, a few snacks, ice chest with ice and drinks and finally hot dog fixin's. We were only going camping 1 night.

We had everything we could possibly need for 1 night. WRONG...I guess we are going to have to adapt to a different way of camping.

If you will look closely in the photo you will see an electric blender, bottle of tequila and Margarita mix. What camping trip is complete without a generator and electric blender? Thanks to Laurie and Albert for the blender and Mark for his generator.

In this photo to the far back right, you will see a green portable shower. Call me old fashion but I don't think camping and showering go together. The "dirtier" you get the less the bugs bite. Let's just say everyone smelled nice except for Craig and me but it was just a 1 night camping trip!

We did do a few things the old fashion way like building a fire to roast marshmallows and make smores; even though it was 80 degrees outside.

I'll have to admit, I semi-conformed. I had a frozen Margarita but I refused to take a shower!!

Imagine If You Will...

As Craig and I were leaving Wisteria Walk for the last time, Craig started laughing at a memory from the first night in our home. Anyone who knows Craig will tell you he can't remember what happened yesterday much less 6 years ago so this had to be something profound to stick in his mind!


I will preface the story to get you "up to speed".


Craig, Joshua and I had been living in an apartment in Kingwood for part of the summer while our home in Amarillo was being sold. Kimberly lasted 2 weeks in Houston before asking to go back to Amarillo to tend to the dogs and house.


We finally got a contract on our Amarillo house and bought a home in Spring but Joshua was going to have to drive from Kingwood to KleinCollins High School the first 3 days of school until we closed on our house in Spring.


I honestly didn't like seeing my 16 year old drive off each morning, in Houston traffic, at 6:15 in order to be at school by 7:30. We were extremely anxious to move in to our house. Our home on Wisteria Walk was close enough to school that Josh could leave the house at 7:15 and not be late which meant he could sleep later plus not be in rush hour traffic.


Closing day finally came but the movers wouldn't deliver our belongings until the next day so we had the carpets cleaned so they could dry before the furniture was delivered. It is at this point in the story that Craig was laughing about and remembering.



Imagine if you will...3 people so desperate to sleep in their new home that Craig and Joshua shared a blow up mattress. Joshua might as well have slept on a bucking horse because every time Craig rolled over Joshua was bounced off the mattress. Keep in mind we had to sleep downstairs because the carpet was wet and downstairs had wood floors. Without thinking I had placed the dimpled side of the mattress against the wood floor which caused "tooting" noises any time someone moved. I think I had it best; I slept on a swimming pool float.


Poor Josh; between being catapulted and rolled on to the floor and hearing pppfffttt noises all night I don't think he slept a wink.


The next morning after a good night sleep, Joshua was ready to concur the world until he stepped in to a cold shower. (Someone had turned the hot water heater off) Joshua didn't see the humor in the situation at the time but he was a good sport.


So, as Craig and I were leaving the house for the last time and he started reminiscing, I offered to stay one more night on the air mattress for old times sake.


I'll bet you can guess Craig's answer.

Boxes, Boxes Everywhere

The sprint to the finish line has begun.

The movers are to arrive Thursday morning between 8 and 10. Craig and I have a few more boxes to fill but they are the last minute boxes of office and kitchen items.

The house is no longer looking like home. The walls are all bare, closets and cabinets are empty.

Tonight when it "cools off" we will empty the attic and garage then we will be finished with the first half of our move.

Hurry up and Wait

Have you ever thought time was moving slowly and then think to yourself "where did all the time go?" That is where I'm at right now.

Constuction on the new house is moving quickly. The landscaping is in and I think it looks really pretty. Joshua will be proud that his Mom didn't have to dig a single hole!

The carpet has been installed. Craig and I went with your basic plush carpet because carpet is only in the bedrooms, office and sitting area. The family room, kitchen and dining area are all 18" tile. I love the look.

The appliances were to be installed this week but were not as of Friday afternoon.

Once the appliances are installed and the final touch-ups are complete we will have our walk-thru to find anything we want the builder to "fix". The walk-thru is scheduled for the 30th.

If all continues as projected we will close on the house July 7. Hurray!!!

We are sooo excited to be in an area with sidewalks, bike paths and people who like to be outdoors. Plus only 25 miles to Galveston---bike rides on the sea wall... here we come!

So for now, we will just Hurry Up and Wait.

Papa

Today is Father's Day; a day to celebrate our Dad's and today I celebrate Papa. (My sister and I always called my dad, Papa. I'm not sure why but my sister started it and I never knew any different.)

A little girls first love is her Daddy; her "knight in shining armor"; someone who makes her feel safe. He teaches her things like how to hold a hammer and how to clean a fish. That's Papa.

He sat through countless hours of dance and piano recitals, band and choir concerts plus the grand kids dance and piano recitals, basketball and baseball games, track meets and golf tournaments and I never heard him complain. He set the standard of what family means.

He kept a watchful eye and offered advice; some we took ,some we didn't. Papa encouraged but never bossed. He was always there when we needed him.

Papa went home to be with The Lord on February 19, 2008 after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. I thank God each day that he was spared the agonizing pain that usually accompanies cancer of the pancreas and that he went peacefully in his sleep.

I am so lucky to have had such a loving and caring Papa.

BOXES NEEDED

This morning I was looking at the calendar in order to "keep track" of Craig's and my timeline for moving.

Now keep in mind we have kind of been in limbo as to when we will close on our current home. Since the contract is contingent on the buyers selling their home we need to keep our home "show ready" because it is technically still on the market.

Yesterday I received an update from the buyers agent and it looks as though closing will be Friday, June 27; which means we have to have everything out of the house no later than the 26th.

YICKS!!! I now have 12 days to have everything boxed and ready for the movers.

Akuna Matata; after all I am my Father's daughter. :-) I will have everything done with time to spare! Craig will be exhausted from watching ...just kidding; he will be helping.

Wish me luck and say a prayer. I'm off to find boxes.

The Next Great Adventure

513 Laddingford Lane

After 2 year of contemplation, Craig and I have decided to downsize. It wasn't the easiest of decisions because we like our house and neighborhood that is why it took 2 years of thought.

Throughout our marriage we have always been eager for "new adventures" better known as moving. We have moved 14 times in 28 years of marriage. Some of those moves were from interim houses or apartments but they still count because you still have to pack.

Since we are downsizing we decided to move to a more "outdoorsey" area of Houston. We have chosen League City. Below is a preview of the home we have chosen so as long as our current home sale finalizes we should be off on our adventure in July.

Front stone detail

Looking in the entry to the family room

Looking out the entry from the family room

(open door on left is to the garage; on the right is front door)

Family room

Kitchen