Will it NEVER END!?!?!

The wind that is.

I thought it was my imagination but I swear this has been the windiest spring in the 7 years we have lived in Houston. I have heard the same comment from many people that have lived in Houston all their lives.

What's the deal?

I should be used to the wind since I was born and raised in the Texas Panhandle where the wind always blows and a breeze is a 20 mph wind.

Yesterday we had 30 to 40 mph winds with gusts to 60 mph and the local weathermen call them Tropical Storm force winds. In the Panhandle it would be called "a windy day".

I keep reminding myself "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it".

Honestly I found it very hard to rejoice when the dog houses kept blowing over, our patio chairs blew off the patio and the grill cover looked like a hot air balloon ready to take off.

Grrr, the forcast is more wind into next week.

Oh goody!

Wind 1 Azaleas 0

Well....as you can see the wind has won.

Two days ago the azaleas were still so beautiful and full of blooms.

Yesterday we had southern winds with gusts to 20 mph. Our home faces south so the azaleas got hit in the "face".

Now it just looks depressing.

Happy Spring!?!

Azaleas In Bloom

Has Spring sprung?

The Azaleas are in bloom.

The color is so vivid.

There are more blooms than one can count...

...and more buds still to open.

Wishing you a beautiful Spring full of color.

Galveston...Oh, Galveston

Kimberly came for a very quick visit this past weekend. Mark was coaching his Lacrosse team so he was unable to come too.

The weather on Saturday was absolutely beautiful so Kim and I went to Galveston for the day.

We started at the beach at the seawall. Off came our shoes, the sand was warm and soft. The water was not so warm as you can see by these photos.

Since hurricane Ike the beaches are being rebuilt, businesses are slowly reopening and Galveston is slowing coming back to life. Don't get me wrong...there is still alot of work to be done. Many homes were destroyed by the storm surge and if they weren't completely destroyed they had so much water in them that it is almost like a rebuild.

The seawall area is full of life. Cars line the seawall,, there are joggers on the wall and sand, hotels and restraunts are open for business. It is exciting to see.

The historic Strand is probably my favorite place but right now it is still almost ghostlike. The water level along the Strand was approximately 8 to 10 foot. Business lost inventory plus have to gut and refurbish the interior which is slow and costly.

The 1894 Opera House has reopened as well as several cafe's and retail stores. Plus...the cruise ships are using the port once again.

Without a doubt Galveston is coming back!

Work in Progress

Every time Craig and I move, which has been a lot over the years (15 times to be exact) the master bedroom is always my last project. Most people I know always organize their bedroom first but my reason for waiting is Craig and I are the only people to use the room so I feel like the other rooms are more important.

The master bedroom is currently being transformed into a peaceful retreat.

We have a new duvet cover and window treatments. I also made two wall hangings for over the bed.

Less than half the room has been decorated so the room is definitely a work in progress.

Our Own Little Bit of the Tropics

Slowly but surely Craig and I are landscaping our pool area. We so want it to have the relaxing tropical feel and look.

For trees, we planted 3 Mexican palms and 2 Queen palms. They are small but large one are way too expensive for our budget so we will enjoy the small ones for a few years until they have time to grow. In the Houston climate most tropical plants grow like weeds and these trees are to add between 1 to 2 foot of growth each years.

To enhance the waterfall we added Ginger, African Iris and a couple of different kinds of ferns. I did also put a few pots of flowers to fill in the gaps.

Last but not least is my gargoyle. He is quietly sitting on the wall just waiting for the pool to warm up.

You will also notice the solar floats in the pool. The floats help to warm the pool with the use of the sunshine. In the past week the pool temperature has increased by 14 degrees; an average of 2 degrees a day. The pool is now at 74 degrees. If the water continues to warm at this rate we will be swimming in about a week. Hurray!!!!!

Just Call Her "Bar"

Our former first lady Barbara Bush underwent open heart surgery Wednesday March 4 to replace an aortic valve.


A few years ago, I had the opportunity to meet the former first lady at a book signing for her book titled Barbara Bush Reflections; Life after the White House.



Mrs. Bush is a petite woman. She has such a larger than life presence on tv that I was surprised when I saw her in real life. In the photo, I was in flats and she was in heels.


At the book signing all you could do was stand next to her and have your photo taken; there was to be no time for a visit; just keep the line moving. I walked up to her, extended my hand and introduced myself and told her I was very honored to meet her...turn...smile...flash...exit.


As I was waiting to receive my autographed copy of her book I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Mrs. Bush! She had stopped the receiving line, come over to me and said "Thank you, out of all the people here today, you are the only one who has introduced themselves and I appreciate it".


WOW, she came to me. It's a wonder the secret service didn't tackle me or something.


Whether or not you agree with Bush politics, I have to say in my opinion, Mrs. Bush is an extraordinarily ordinary person. After all, she did break her ankle sledding with her grand kids while she was the first lady. Her signature pearls are costume jewelry. At the Houston Astros game she and Former President Bush 41 sit behind home plate and when the "kissing cam" comes around she always plants a big one on George. She smiles really big and he kind of smirks.


Mrs. Bush has a good prognosis and they said she is doing well. She has even requested her children NOT come to the hospital because in her word..."a hospital is no place for children". I think that is so funny because her kids are in their 60's.


My prayers are with the Former First Lady, her husband of 64 years George H.W. Bush and the rest of the Bush family. They have quite a matriarch.