This weekend is perhaps my most favorite weekend of the year. Mom and I make an annual trek to Chappell Hill, sans children, to the Scarecrow Festival. I love leaving early on Saturday morning. I love stopping by Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice latte. I love seeing the Dutch Belted cows, aka oreo cookie cows, just outside Chappell Hill. I love wandering through downtown Chappell Hill and looking at all the vendors. Oh, the Texas Twister, the cheeseburger and real potato chips, the Frou Frou Ranch, the list goes on and on.
I so look forward to this because my friend, Suzanne, and her super hubby go each year and I'm able to catch up with her. My aunt and cousin go and we were able to meet up with them and have about half a lunch. Vickie goes each year as well. This time she and Ashley were scouring through for baby girl clothes.
The weekend kicked off Friday night. I met Sherreemurray, Jonesville, Sharon, Wags and some of my other VE buddies for the Haunted Houston Tour. It was great fun. We had a fabulous tour guide and hearing the history and legends surrounding our stops was so interesting. There was only one crazy thing that happened, and had I not been standing right behind Sherreemurry and know her as well as I do I would never believe it! I still thing there's an explanation, but it makes for a great story and the night all that more memorable!
And Tech (7) beat Nebraska 37 - 31 and remain UNDEFEATED! Go Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree!
Now to top the weekend off, I'm waiting for JBox to return from one of his favorite weekends of the year -- pig hunting with the boys!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
How to Tell if Your Mom's Favorite
I really needed a laugh, and I got it today. Thanks Sherreemurray!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Reconnections
A funny thing happened in Sunday School today... and no this is not the start of a really bad joke. Ahem, a funny thing happened in Sunday School today. Our SS teacher devoted the time for folks to talk about their Ike experiences, voice concerns, praises, prayer requests, and in general reconnect. That word "reconnect" struck a cord with me.
Our power and phones were disconnected during the Hurricane and we had to wait for reconnection. Fortunately both of those have occurred. But there's another reconnection that's even more important -- reconnnecting with friends and family.
I feel really blessed because so many people tried to "reconnect" with us during all of this. Friends from here and other states called repeatedly until they could actually get a line in. I had e-mails from other people for when we had power restored. Two of my VE buddies called so much that I was yelled at when we finally "reconnected." And I quote "Where in the H*&& are you???" Thanks Suzi-Q I know you were just concerned :)! My long-time BFF from junior high, high school, and college called to find out if I sunk or floated -- you have to love her for that. Our crazy friend David called and finally got us today. The first words out of his mouth, "Well I guess your not dead; I've only called everyday for a week."
Here's the funny part, the people I saw the most during this past week went to work (JBox) or flew out for a cruise this past Friday (mom and dad) and I started battling feelings of complete and total isolation. Maybe it's because they were the only connection I had over the past week. I don't know.
It's funny what it does to you when you're separated from news feeds, media, etc. In some ways it was really nice. The kids played outside everyday. We seemed to have really LONG days since nothing ate our time up like computers and tv can. So it makes me wonder, what about those who don't have anyone checking on them? If I feel completely and totally isolated and disconnected AND we were fortunate to have friends and family checking on us how do they feel if there's no one?
Maybe these feelings are just part of the process. We seemed to be on autopilot the first few days -- get our house secured, help my parents, help Jason's grandparent's, help other family, help friends, etc. I think it just all finally got to me yesterday....
Our power and phones were disconnected during the Hurricane and we had to wait for reconnection. Fortunately both of those have occurred. But there's another reconnection that's even more important -- reconnnecting with friends and family.
I feel really blessed because so many people tried to "reconnect" with us during all of this. Friends from here and other states called repeatedly until they could actually get a line in. I had e-mails from other people for when we had power restored. Two of my VE buddies called so much that I was yelled at when we finally "reconnected." And I quote "Where in the H*&& are you???" Thanks Suzi-Q I know you were just concerned :)! My long-time BFF from junior high, high school, and college called to find out if I sunk or floated -- you have to love her for that. Our crazy friend David called and finally got us today. The first words out of his mouth, "Well I guess your not dead; I've only called everyday for a week."
Here's the funny part, the people I saw the most during this past week went to work (JBox) or flew out for a cruise this past Friday (mom and dad) and I started battling feelings of complete and total isolation. Maybe it's because they were the only connection I had over the past week. I don't know.
It's funny what it does to you when you're separated from news feeds, media, etc. In some ways it was really nice. The kids played outside everyday. We seemed to have really LONG days since nothing ate our time up like computers and tv can. So it makes me wonder, what about those who don't have anyone checking on them? If I feel completely and totally isolated and disconnected AND we were fortunate to have friends and family checking on us how do they feel if there's no one?
Maybe these feelings are just part of the process. We seemed to be on autopilot the first few days -- get our house secured, help my parents, help Jason's grandparent's, help other family, help friends, etc. I think it just all finally got to me yesterday....
Letter to Our Friends and Family - Box Update from Ike
Hello everyone!
I’m sorry to do this en masse, but I figured this would be the quickest means to communicate with everyone since I’m having trouble keeping track of who called to check on us, who we’ve talked to, and who we haven’t, etc. If I’ve already given you this update via e-mail – sorry for the duplication.
We had power restored mid-week last week which was really nice. It was soo quiet once we turned the generator off and all the generators in our neighborhood were off as well. We were actually one of the lucky ones and were able to buy a generator Thursday night before Ike came in. And post-Ike we were blessed with some really nice weather so that made things much more bearable.
Our house sustained some very minor damage – siding gone, water in the attic and in Samuel’s room, roof leak in our dining room, lost limbs, porch screens ripped off, etc. I’ve attached pictures of our house damage, some street lights dangling, and our breakfast the morning of the storm (beer, beef jerkey, and donuts – sad, but true!). Comparitively to other homes and places, we didn’t suffer in any way!! The following pics were taken Saturday (09/12) morning/day Ike made landfall.
I’m sorry to do this en masse, but I figured this would be the quickest means to communicate with everyone since I’m having trouble keeping track of who called to check on us, who we’ve talked to, and who we haven’t, etc. If I’ve already given you this update via e-mail – sorry for the duplication.
We had power restored mid-week last week which was really nice. It was soo quiet once we turned the generator off and all the generators in our neighborhood were off as well. We were actually one of the lucky ones and were able to buy a generator Thursday night before Ike came in. And post-Ike we were blessed with some really nice weather so that made things much more bearable.
Our house sustained some very minor damage – siding gone, water in the attic and in Samuel’s room, roof leak in our dining room, lost limbs, porch screens ripped off, etc. I’ve attached pictures of our house damage, some street lights dangling, and our breakfast the morning of the storm (beer, beef jerkey, and donuts – sad, but true!). Comparitively to other homes and places, we didn’t suffer in any way!! The following pics were taken Saturday (09/12) morning/day Ike made landfall.
We’re still not sure when Katy’s school district or mine will resume. We heard last week that both were projected for this week, but all depends on how quickly power is restored and the damage is cleaned up. So for now, we’re hanging here – extended summer without the swimming. Samuel will be able to return to his Pre-K tomorrow. Hip, hip, hooray!!!
The grocery stores and gas lines are pretty much back to normal. We’re still under a curfew, but I think that’s expiring as of tomorrow or so. The longest wait we had for gas was almost 2 hours when we had to replenish the tanks for the generator. The grocery stores that were open were allowing about 10 – 20 people in at a time. I think most are staying pretty well stocked. They’re still running out of things, but nothing like it was Sunday – Tuesday of last week. All in all, I really didn’t see much craziness going on. We did see a great sense of community which was really heartening.
Thank you again to everyone who volunteered to bring us food, gas, supplies, (even from other states - LA, AR, and MD) offered to let us come and stay at your place, or called/e-mailed to check on us. We really do appreciate your thinking of us.
We love you more than cable tv, but not as much as air conditioning (or maybe that’s reversed).
The grocery stores and gas lines are pretty much back to normal. We’re still under a curfew, but I think that’s expiring as of tomorrow or so. The longest wait we had for gas was almost 2 hours when we had to replenish the tanks for the generator. The grocery stores that were open were allowing about 10 – 20 people in at a time. I think most are staying pretty well stocked. They’re still running out of things, but nothing like it was Sunday – Tuesday of last week. All in all, I really didn’t see much craziness going on. We did see a great sense of community which was really heartening.
Thank you again to everyone who volunteered to bring us food, gas, supplies, (even from other states - LA, AR, and MD) offered to let us come and stay at your place, or called/e-mailed to check on us. We really do appreciate your thinking of us.
We love you more than cable tv, but not as much as air conditioning (or maybe that’s reversed).
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
June Getaway - Bastrop State Park and Austin
Last week we camped at Bastrop State Park and spent some time in Austin during our time away. The weather was HOT; it actually cooled down to 99 one afternoon. The nice part, though, is that it is a dry heat rather than the humid heat we're used to, so when the breeze blew it was quite nice.
We enjoyed the normal camping activities -- hiking, wildlife, s'mores, etc. Jason attempted to fish one day, but the with the lack of rain and the heat the lake is more like a pond.
On Thursday, we decided to venture in to Austin, take the kiddos on a tour of the capital, and then hang out to watch the Congress Ave bats fly out at dark. The capital tour was awesome, although, we broke off from our tour group and went at it alone (long story, but picture the SNL skit "Two A-holes at ..." and fill in the location with "the Texas state capital," oh, and for clarification Jason and I were playing the roles of the two a-holes :)). If you've never had the opportunity to take the tour it is most definitely worth it, and a must do!!
One of my most favorite things of the entire tour was the Pioneer Woman statue. There's not a great deal of information about the statue itself; it was erected in 1998 and is one of the smallest statues on the grounds. I absolutely love this statue. I think the resolve on the Pioneer Woman's face is what captured me. Her stance is such that she is braced and ready. It's not that she's an unsung hero or she single-handedly protected her family and homestead from Indian raids, influenza, the harshness of the times while her husband was in battle, working their land, captured, killed.... She may be successful she may not, but that doesn't matter she's resolved to see it through because, well, she has to. I identify with this woman.
We did watch the Congress Ave. bats from the TGI Friday's at the Radisson. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's an amazing sight to see thousands of bats exiting at night! We will definitely return to Bastrop State Park hopefully this fall to experience the "lost pines" during another season!
We enjoyed the normal camping activities -- hiking, wildlife, s'mores, etc. Jason attempted to fish one day, but the with the lack of rain and the heat the lake is more like a pond.
On Thursday, we decided to venture in to Austin, take the kiddos on a tour of the capital, and then hang out to watch the Congress Ave bats fly out at dark. The capital tour was awesome, although, we broke off from our tour group and went at it alone (long story, but picture the SNL skit "Two A-holes at ..." and fill in the location with "the Texas state capital," oh, and for clarification Jason and I were playing the roles of the two a-holes :)). If you've never had the opportunity to take the tour it is most definitely worth it, and a must do!!
One of my most favorite things of the entire tour was the Pioneer Woman statue. There's not a great deal of information about the statue itself; it was erected in 1998 and is one of the smallest statues on the grounds. I absolutely love this statue. I think the resolve on the Pioneer Woman's face is what captured me. Her stance is such that she is braced and ready. It's not that she's an unsung hero or she single-handedly protected her family and homestead from Indian raids, influenza, the harshness of the times while her husband was in battle, working their land, captured, killed.... She may be successful she may not, but that doesn't matter she's resolved to see it through because, well, she has to. I identify with this woman.
We did watch the Congress Ave. bats from the TGI Friday's at the Radisson. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's an amazing sight to see thousands of bats exiting at night! We will definitely return to Bastrop State Park hopefully this fall to experience the "lost pines" during another season!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Splish Splash
The week of swim lessons is over. The kids had a great time learning, and I had a great time with how tired they were after their lessons every day. Below is Katy and Samuel's super fab swim instructor.
Also included is some footage of the kids swimming.
Katy swim:
and Sammo:
All in all a really good week!
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