July....

July has been one of the busiest months I can remember...and yet it has flown by. We began the month with a fundraiser for my Breast Cancer Team (Tickle Me Pink). We held it at the Purple Cow in Plano...only to be disappointed by the turnout. Only raised $70 but we had a GREAT time. Then, just a few days later, we celebrated July 4th with a minimal crowd. I had invited Ryan and Richard along with Kristin and Scott and the boys. I also invited my dad and his friend, Lila. Trenton couldn't come because he was with his dad that weekend. Kristin and Scott didn't come (and neither did Carter) because...I forget. Daddy and Lila came but didn't stay for fireworks. So, Ryan, Richard, Ronnie and I had a ton of smoked ribs, potato salad, baked beans, veggies and dip, cake...you get the idea. Lots of leftovers.

The week following July 4th my dad and I met with an attorney in order to set his estate up in a trust. Daddy entered into an agreement to sell his house to Ryan and Richard and move to a trailer on our property. Boy, wish I had realized how much work that was going to be ahead of time...or maybe I was better off not knowing! At any rate, Daddy and I met with the attorney to get the ball rolling on his estate planning. Side note here...both Kristin and Scott had been sick with a stomach virus so Ronnie and I went to get the boys to keep so they wouldn't get sick. Too late, Carter got sick...and being the generous spirit he is, he decided to share. Much to my dismay I was sitting in the attorney's office when I suddenly became violently ill and had to rush from the room to avoid throwing up all over the conference table. I did make it to the restroom next door, but....how mortifying! Arriving home I discovered that Trenton was also sick...and by nine o'clock that night...so was Ronnie. The next day Ryan was sick. Talk about a sharing family!!!
It took Ronnie and me several days to recover from that incident and be able to eat again. I lost 9 lbs. in 48 hours. Not to worry, though. I have since FULLY recovered...and gained most of it back ::insert pouty face here::

Three weekends in a row we held garage sales at my dad's house in order to get rid of his stuff...after all, he was moving into a much smaller space. Lord, he had a ton of stuff! We did manage to get rid of most of it and he padded his bank account quite nicely...but the heat and the absolute exhaustion took its toll on all of us. I did not know that it was humanly possible to be that tired. Now I know...and hope I never experience it again.

My new phone finally arrived and I was so busy I didn't have time to even set it up for several hours. Normally I am all over that kind of stuff right away.

Right now the house is quite. My dad is in his home out back and Ronnie and I are taking a much needed night off from packing, moving, cleaning....

I have volunteered to help the boys clean and paint in their house to meet some pretty tight deadlines...what was I thinking? I also volunteered to help my sweet sister-in-law paint her fence. She and Glen were at our side for several hours helping get Daddy's satellite set up, packing boxes, loading trucks, etc. It's the least that I can do.

Carlene told Daddy about a "girl trip" to Shreveport...some down time with the girlfriends to have a good time and gamble a bit. I had told her that I wasn't going to attend. She mentioned it to Daddy and told him she thought he should make sure that I go...so, during the business of the move Daddy walked up to me, said, "Sis, I need you to promise me something." I said, "What?" He then put $300 in my hand and said, "I want you to promise me that you will go to Shreveport with the girls and have a good time." He wouldn't take "no" for an answer...so, it looks like I may have something more to blog about in August. Do you think "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" applies to Shreveport, too? Hopefully I will be such a big winner that I won't be able to keep my mouth shut! Wish me luck and keep all your fingers and toes crossed on Aug. 21st!!!

Family...you gotta love 'em

We had our annual family reunion for my husband's family about 8 months after the last one. I know I said annual, but the organizer decided that June was a better time to have the reunion because there would be less things for it to conflict with. Let me just say that the reunion was on the exact same date as my dad's family reunion in Oklahoma. However, we had already made reservations for the Hare family reunion so...away we went. (Side note here: Thank you, Lord, for that decision since Daddy said that his reunion was a bust...few showed up...no food...people sang and clogged...yes, I said clogged. Need I say more?)

The reunion was held at a lakeside "resort" at Lake Palestine. Resort is one of those words that has different meanings to different people. I think, "Hmmm. Resort. Plush, expensive, catered, pampered." Not so much. Our room had two twin beds with just enough room to walk between them, a decent television on a night stand, a counter with a sink, a toilet that was crammed into a space so small that you got a cramp in your back twisting around to get the toilet paper mounted on the wall behind you because there literally was no other space, and a shower big enough to get wet in. Not exactly plush...but it served the purpose.

The real purpose of a family reunion is to spend time with family...and that we did. On Friday night we each took care of our own meal but we gathered outside the travel trailers for homemade milkshakes...::snicker::...it was supposed to be ice cream! We sat outside with our glow necklaces on and chatted about anything and everything. It was relaxing.

On Saturday we gathered together at lunch as more family came in for the day. We had a giant fish fry (and chicken strips for those of us that detest eating bottom dwellers)followed by more sitting around rehashing old stories and general conversation about who is doing what now. Some of us napped in preparation for another late night. As we gathered together that evening for a hotdog cookout we broke out the light-up glasses to go with the glow necklaces. We sat around again, eating, drinking margaritas and just being comfortable with each other. It was a great night.

Sunday morning we slept in...gathered our belongings and headed for home...comfortable in the fact that we had spent quality time with the people who mean the most to us.

What did we do besides eat, drink and talk? Well,....some of the kids went fishing (as did some of the bigger kids, Keith)...some went swimming in the lake...the teens seemed to sit around comparing their cell phones and what each would do...that's pretty much it. An entire weekend of not having anything that you had to do...relaxation!

I've included some pics so that anyone not there can see what they missed. I know, you'll be jealous, but I can live with that!

"Ice Cream"


Beautiful Lakeside Sunsets


Trailer Talk





Koby's fishing prep


Sandy's "baby", Puggles


The Fish Fry




Hot Dog Fun


Serene Sunday Morning

I've been busy, okay?

Okay...the best you can expect from me is a blog entry about every 4 to 6 weeks unless something phenomenal happens (like I get kidnapped by extraterrestrials, I win the lottery, etc.). So, without further ado, let me bring you up to date...

On May 2nd we left for a 12 day train trip to the northeast. Our first stop was Chicago..after an extended stay on the train. It was only supposed to take a little over 21 hours to travel from Dallas to Chicago. However, just the other side of Mineola we were delayed for over 6 hours because thunderstorms and tornadoes had moved through in front of us and deposited large amounts of debris on the tracks. We arrived in Chicago a full 8 hours after our scheduled arrival. Starving to death (because they hadn't planned on or stocked up on supplies for dinner) we threw our luggage in our room and left in search of food. ANY food. We stumbled upon a little pizza joint called Pizzaria Due. They claim that the real Chicago deep-dish pizza originated in their establishment. Can't swear to that...but I can tell you it was, without a doubt, the best pizza I have ever eaten...and not because we were soooo hungry. I might mention here that their margaritas were quite good as well...and they kept coming to the table.

In Chicago we were able to visit the Navy Yard (a boardwalk), take a trip to the top of the Sears Tower (which now has another name which nobody can remember), take an architectural tour down the river, and visit Millenium Park (a cool little area where they have concerts and cool stuff).

After Chicago we got back on the train and headed to New York. All the things you hear about New York...they're true. It truly is the city that never sleeps. Times Square was hopping at all hours of the day and night. If you can't walk fast you'd better get out of the way here because they will run over you...literally. In New York we went to see Jersey Boys on Broadway. Wow! It was incredible. The actor who plays Frankie Valli sounds like the real deal. They were awesome!! We also went, of course, to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. While still incredible, Lady Liberty wasn't as big as I had pictured her to be. She is still a sight to behold, though. We took a open deck bus tour through Chinatown, Harlem, Manhattan, etc., and we got a peek at the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. We went to the observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Center and we were on the evening weather report. The weatherwoman was broadcasting from the Top of the Rock and she asked us to stand behind her to look like a crowd. When we started to leave we ran into (almost literally) Leonard Nimoy (Spock from Star Trek), Zachary Quinto (bad guy on Heroes who plays Spock in the new movie), Joan Rivers (who had just won Celebrity Apprentice and was there filming Jimmy Kimmell) and Rachel Ray (also on Kimmell's show). Of course, there were dozens of pictures taken and we felt like we were paparazzi.

After three days of New York we got back on the train and headed to Washington, DC. We did the typical tourist thing in DC and visited all of the main monuments. The problem in DC was that we were there on Mother's Day and everything was shut down for the holiday. We did however, make it the the Smithsonian American History Museum and got to see the new display for Old Glory. I keep saying "incredible" because it was.

This trip, which we took with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, was a double anniversary trip. Ronnie and I celebrated our 30th anniversary on May 4th at the Capitol Grille in Chicago. Glen and Carlene celebrated their 13th anniversary on the same date with us. Somehow, the train trip home didn't seem quite so long as the trip up.

Enjoy the few pics I have posted.
Chicago:
Pizzaria Due


Millenium Park


New York:
Lady Liberty


Ellis Island with NY in the background


Top of the Rock with Empire State Bldg. in background


Weatherwoman


Leonard Nimoy


Zachary Quinto


Joan Rivers


Rachel Ray



Washington, DC
Our reflection in the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall


The White House


Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetary


Arlington National Cemetary


Jefferson Memorial (always my favorite)


Ronnie & Glen in the soup line at FDR's memorial

Catching Up....

Well, let's see. It's been over a month since I last posted a comment so obviously nothing has been going on in my life...right?? WRONG! There have been so many events taking place this last month that I don't know where to begin. Let me list things for you:

1. My husband retired. After 30+ years in law enforcement Ronnie decided to hang it up and retire. I'm so very proud of him. His job in Addison was taking its toll on him...physically and mentally. I know how difficult it is to say "goodbye" when there are people there that you still care a great deal about. But we have to do what is right for us and Ronnie finally made that decision. In the four weeks since he has retired there is an obvious sense of relief and relaxation about him. He smiles and jokes more. He has already undertaken several projects that he "just didn't have time for" before his retirement. It was a good decision and one that I am happy he made.



2. I am "un-retired" (if there is such a term). I took a sub position at the alternative school in Rockwall and it has turned into a semi-permanent position. I will finish the year out there. I love being back in the classroom and enjoy the close-knit staff at this campus. I can always retire again next year ::chuckle::

3. We've been "Winstarring." We have developed a newfound interest in traveling to Oklahoma about once a month to play the penny slots. I can play all day on penny slots and have a great time. One time I doubled my money...one time I broke even...and I've only lost about $40 at Winstar on the two other visits (total...not each). Don't get me started on Choctaw. Won't go there again...hated it and lost $150 in less than 3 hours!

4. Concerts by the lake have started up again. Every Thursday night we picnic at the Harbor and listen to the band of the week. Even when the band is bad...which doesn't happen often...we have a great time. Hey, how could you go wrong with light up necklaces and margaritas? Hhhmmm???

5. I cut my hair short again. Don't really understand why I keep letting it grow out when I LOVE it short.



6. We're prepping for an ll day Amtrak trip to the northeast. We leave next Saturday for two nights in Chicago, three nights in New York and two nights in Washington DC. We're going to the Sears tower, a Cubs game, ground zero, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and all the monuments in DC. We're excited to be traveling by train...never done that before.

7. Carlene and I had a rather productive garage sale. I cleared about $500 over the two day period. It amazes me that people will garage sale shop in the rain. Go figure.

8. I am participating in the Breast Cancer 3 Day event in November. I will walk 60 miles over the course of three days in an effort to raise funds for breast cancer research and education. I am so very excited about this. I can hardly wait for the big event. We will camp out for two nights and walk twenty miles each of the three days. I'm walking with a friend who just hit the one year survivor mark. What a truly humbling experience.

9. I gave in and created a facebook account. Enough said.

10. My daughter and I are planning to begin a photography business together where we will photograph special events (weddings, bridals, engagement pics, family reunions, family photos, etc.). Actually, this has been a dream of mine for several years. I even named it "Everybody Smiles" with the idea that everyone gets to be in the picture. So often I photograph family events and if there isn't a video it doesn't look like I was even there because I am always behind the lens. Thus the name. Kristin has way more contacts than I do to bring in the business and together I think we will make a great team. I have even schedule the first wedding for this summer! A new path...

So, if you thought that I was sitting on my duff doing nothing...think again. I swear that I was way less busy before I retired! Still...I am loving my life.

Feet are FUN!

Oh, for the simple joys in life...a lesson from Carter.

Carter has found his feet and apparently they are quite amusing. He loves to complicate diaper changes by throwing his legs up in the air and grabbing on to his feet. It makes him giggle.

I think the next time I begin to fret over life's complications...aka "adult responsibilities"...I should take a lesson learned from Carter and throw my legs up in the air, grab my feet and giggle. Oh, if only...

Tampons...the only thing that should be in a tube

I had a CAT scan this morning. My first. I pray it will be my last.

I knew what to expect going in to the test. You lie on a table, they slip you into a giant tortilla, you drift gently to sleep due to the inactivity and boredom and then you're done. Only problem is...it didn't quite go like I expected. Who knew that once they rolled me into the tube (only as far as my waist) that I would suddenly develop a severe case of claustrophobia and freak out?? Did the technicians know what they were doing?? What were those fine print warnings about not having the test done if you're on certain meds?? Why didn't anyone ask what meds I'm on?? What if this thing blows up with me inside?? What if I get stuck?? Why do I have this sudden urge to scream, cry, jump off the table and run away?? When will this end??

In truth, the test only took about 3 minutes. Try holding your breath for 3 minutes and you'll realize just how long that is! It was, without a doubt, the longest 3 minutes of my life. Sorta like being buried alive...I guess. Not that I've ever been buried alive...but you get the point. In a nutshell...I did not have a good time and no, thank you, I don't wish to EVER do it again!

Oh, G....

On February 27th we drove to the Winstar Casino to see Kenny G. We'd had the tickets for about a month and we (Virgil, Carlene and I) were eagerly looking forward to the concert. Ronnie...not so much. He thought it would be boring. Well...suffice it to say that it was an incredible concert...very high energy and featuring solos by an awesome Swedish bassist and an indescribable percussion man. It was magic. Kenny...Mr. G...the Gster...whatever...KG began the concert at the back of the auditorium in the "cheap seats." He then worked his way toward the front. Our seats were on the back row of the front section and he stopped right behind our seats, looked at us and continued to play for a half minute or so. To see his fingers flying across that instrument was truly amazing!

Of course, knowing where we were going, we decided to drive up early and play a few slots. Good decision. Ronnie was the first to "hit big" if you can call turning $20 into $216 "big." I call it big. He took $100 bucks with him and ended up coming home with $200. Nice profit. I played a slot machine called Fortune Teller. I was blindly hitting the "repeat bet" button having no clue what to watch for. I don't take time to read the pay tables. At any rate, I hit a bonus spin which gave me six opportunities to ask the fortune teller questions (pick cards). As long as you get "good fortune" as a response you keep picking for the maximum six times. I was lucky...rather, I had good fortune. I got to move on to the "golden card" which is a multiplier. I was sitting there watching the screen when it popped up the number 14,563. I thought, "Awesome. I won 14 bucks." Then it hit me...there had to be a decimal in there somewhere...like between the 5 and the 6. So I got REALLY excited when I realized that it was $145 and change. All that from $20. Now, I realize that in the big scheme of things this is chump change...but it felt good to be a winner. I took $100 and came home with $210. Woo-hoo!

Carlene is another story. We figured her profit to be around $300. She plays with wild abandon. She bets on poker machines and maxes her bet...and wins. The problem...she can't quit. She can't walk away. At one point we saw her physically struggle with herself to cash out of a slot at $300. She truly enjoys gambling and is fun to watch. Virgil, on the other hand, is not a gambler/game player. He views it as a very expensive form of entertainment. Even he walked away breaking even.

This was my second trip to Winstar. The first time I broke even. This time I won a bit. CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!!!!! Can anyone get me the number for Gambler's Anonymous???