New Year's Eve Family Time 2024

 Rhiana and family are flying through Dallas with an overnight layover on her way home from Mexico.  We are thrilled to have the chance to spend some time together and rented a couple of hotel rooms near the airport to spend as much time as possible without traveling from home and back.  Mister and I get there a wee bit early to set up the room for a Christmas party.  We have gifts and treats.  Also, Jen and some of her family have also booked rooms at the same place and we are all together for this fun.

Family Christmas 2024

 Merry Christmas!!!  We are so lucky this year to have family sharing the day with us.  Mister has a wonderful rib roast in the oven and we have been enjoying great conversation and fun.  It's time to share some gifts.

White Rock Walkin'

 Escape from the house for a bit has us walking at White Rock Lake.  As we are driving up to the location we normally park, I spot one of the eagles in a tree.  This is an unusual sighting for us, so we head over to take a couple of pictures, if possible.  No special camera equipment along today - just my phone.

Austin Getaway - Just Us Two - Day 3

 Ahhhh - it's another great morning in our little cabin in the woods.  Loving this break so much.  Tea and birds again, but a lot chillier today.  The sun is struggling to be out.

Austin Getaway - Just Us Two - Day 2

Good Morning from out little haven.  We are having tea on the porch and doing a little bird watchin.

Austin Getaway - Just Us Two - Day 1

 Guess what?  Mister surprised me with a small trip down to the Hill Country for a few days.  This is so nice.  He has rented a cute little cabin and we are just going to put the world out of mind for a bit.  Perfect timing.

12/13 - Our first stop this morning is at the Waco Mammoth National Monument.  I had no idea this place even existed and am super excited to check it out.  We've got tickets in hand and are heading down the path.

8th Annual Cookie and Ornament Exchange

 The day has arrived for my annual party.  All the work is finished and I'm ready for fun.  This post is a look back at getting here and the day itself.  Enjoy.

10/28 - While in Montana, I found this cute Santa and he is perfect decor for the party.  He's ready to greet guests.

Changing of the Seasons in the House 2024

 It's that time of year once again.  The process of going from autumn to holiday decor.  It always happens in stages and so - here we go:

Nov. 27th - This is where the house is with my return from retreat.  What a mess!  The big bag contains some new items purchased while in Burleson.

Finding Christmas Spirit - Mall Date

 December has arrived and we are spending some time together out and about.  First up is The Wild Robot movie.  I have wanted to see this for quite some time.

Thanksgiving Family Fun 2024

 We are off to Abilene for Thanksgiving with Jen and family.  It will be an overnight so lots of family time ahead.

Autumn Montana Trip - Day 8 - Mom's Birthday Party

 26th -  Good Morning.  We are in town for a bit of wandering.  Laked Baked for coffee gets us started.

Autumn Montana Trip - Days 4-7

 22nd - Family time - it's why we are here.  These littles are so special to me.  Can't wait to see them each time.

Autumn Montana Trip - Days 1-3

It's time for the annual fall trek to Montana and this time we are starting out a bit different.   In our area of Dallas, we were able to be picked up by DART right at our house and taken to the train station.  From here, it's a leisurely ride to the airport with only one transfer downtown.  Easy peasy.  Price can't be beat and no car to pay parking charges on.  Win win.

Autumn All Around Me - LOVE The Season!

 It's October and I love this month so much.  This year, I am having fun pulling down the fall decorations.  I have a bit of time at home, so will enjoy them as much as I can.

Autumn at the Arboretum 2024

 Oooooh, my favorite time of the year also means a trip to Autumn at the Arboretum.  Come along with me and just enjoy the eye candy - it's so beautiful.

Out and About - Swim Meet and Fun

Our grandson, Josh, is swimming in Keller today.  That's fairly close to us, so off we go.  Fun to visit with Louis and watch Josh.  Black cap, white goggles.

Bermuda Trip - Days 8-9 - Sea Days

 Waking today, I have a bit more energy and get up and dressed to walk the ship a bit.  This is the overlook onto Lido.

Bermuda Trip - Day 7 - Bermuda Day 3

 It is our last day in Bermuda and we have chosen to explore the area around King's Wharf and the Royal Navy Dockyard.  A unique place I read about is Glass Beach.  It is within walking distance, but kind of hidden and neither of us really is feeling top notch.  Yep, getting sick - so sad.  We still have our scooter and it takes us there in less than 10 minutes.  Check this out - so cool.  Once you "think" you are on the right path, these little signs help a bit.

Bermuda Trip - Day 6 - Bermuda Day 2

 Good Morning!  It's a bit stiff and sore around here today due to yesterdays snafu, but we are raring to go and explore some more.  As we leave the ship, our guy sees us off.

Bermuda Trip - Day 5 - Bermuda Day 1

 Good Morning --- beautiful sunrise happening even with clouds.

Bermuda Trip - Day 4 - Sea Day

 It's a Sea Day and I love that we just get to relax a bit.  Out on the balcony and loving life next to the beautiful ocean waters.

Bermuda Trip - Day 3 New York City and Board Carnival Venezia

Good Morning!  It is another change venue day for us and an errand has to happen before we check out of our hotel.   Hello Empire State Building - perhaps next visit we'll make our second journey up to your lookout.

Bermuda Trip - Day 2 New York City - Statue of Liberty Crown Visit

 Good Morning!!!  We have looked forward to today since I bought tickets last March.  However, they have to be picked up at Will Call early this morning.  We hit the subway early and have arrived at Castle Clinton for retrieval of said items.

Bermuda Trip - Day 1 New York City - Back We Go

 Vacation Day is here!  We have a SUPER early flight and are thankful that a Lyft person wanted to pick us up at 4:30 a.m.  Whew.  We made it in plenty of time and are now up, up, and away.

Road Trip - Days 39 - 40 - Road Trip Home

We are officially on the road back home, but . . . coffee.  Yes, coffee.  Mister found this place earlier in the week and wanted to share it with me.  Come along for a step back in time.

Road Trip - Days 35 - 39 - Billings

 After a very busy day yesterday, I okay with some calm for the morning.  This is my view as I drink my coffee and recoup some energy.

Road Trip - Day 34 - Billings Fourth of July

 Happy Independence Day!!!!  We have a party to attend at Matt's house this evening, but until then there are still hours to use up.  Elena has to work until around 3 so the rest of us are off to the park for a bit.  It's been a few years since I was down at Pioneer Park and it's still as pretty as I remember it.

Road Trip - Days 31- 33 - Billings

 Today is July 1st and that marks Day 31 of this trip.  We are in grandparent mode and taking care of four grands while their parents take a vacation and few days together.  We're in Billings, MT and starting to get into the structure of littles and teens.  What a combo!  Oldest teen works for her uncle during the day and that leaves us with three.  Today, we are attempting to water the lawn AND teach Mariel that water is not of the devil.  She is truly afraid and runs from the water for quite awhile before venturing close to it but running alongside it.

Road Trip - Days 23-30 - Billings

 One more week left in June and we are staying at Matt's house.  However, Rhiana is throwing a birthday party for Isla today and she doesn't know we are in town yet, so Gammy and Grandpa will surprise her.  When we arrive, it's GREAT!  Littles are excited and my daughter is so surprised.  This is so fun.  Now to just play and enjoy the day.

Road Trip - Days 16-22 - Bigfork and Travel to Billings

 We are halfway through June and loving the weather and time with family.  This morning we went to Echo Lake Cafe for breakfast and met up with Jill and her family.  The grounds around the restaurant are simply beautiful.

Road Trip - Days 9-15 - Bigfork

 We are at Moms and blessed with a visit from our Niece/Nephew and grands.  Yep, any form of grand works for us.  We love time with them all.  Here they come and I can't believe how much Avrielle has grown.

Road Trip - Days 7 & 8, Last Day in Provo and Travel to MT

 It's our last day in Provo due to a booking error by me.  It sucks, but every now and then I blow it.  This is one of the nows.  We have to check out of our little house this morning and once the work is done and the car loaded, we are off to meet Cassie and then - THE ZOO for the day.  It is about a 45 minute drive, but at least the traffic isn't terrible.  In we go with my reciprocal membership for the adults and Cass's coupons for the little.  The first thing we see are chalk drawings happening all over the grounds.

Road Trip - Days 5 & 6 Provo, UT

 Good morning!  I am off to play the day away and that is just what we do.

Road Trip - Days 3 & 4 in Provo, UT

 Yay for time with grands and my daughter.  I treasure this each year as we get a chance to reconnect and talk while spending time with the littles.  Today, I've left Mister alone at the house so he can work and am off to the library for some fun.

The Road Trip Begins - Days 1 and 2

 It is the first of June and we are hitting the road.  This one is a LONG trip.  We will be back sometime in July and then I will leave again the very next day for the rest of that month.  Let's get on the road.  See ya around the states.

Crazy Storm

 It is the 28th of May and we have been woken by tornado sirens and the power out.  As I walk to the front door and check outside, I find the neighbors tree in our yard.  Wow, we were sleeping sound and I cannot believe it didn't hit our house.   I WAS supposed to take the car in this morning and leave in half an hour so obviously that isn't going to work.  A quick call later and it'll be tomorrow morning and today will be an attempt to clean up this mess.

Within 15 minutes a couple of men from our neighborhood arrive with chainsaws and begin the challenge of finding my driveway.  This is just so sweet of them.

They make pretty quick work of it and within an hour have the driveway fairly cleared and piles of branches everywhere.

Right around this point, we lose cell service and all internet as well.  Perfect.  I did manage to get one post out that we were okay, but that's it.  Power company says that the power will be out perhaps until Saturday.  Oh goodness - this is Tuesday and we are supposed to leave Saturday morning.  Mister heads out to find internet for a bit so he can get some work done and discovers that south of us is doing better.  Around 4 in the afternoon, the neighbor has someone there to get the remaining branches out of their tree as they were hanging precariously over our driveway.  They also load up some of the branches and haul them away.

We don't want to open the refrigerator, so off to Lakewood Growler for internet and food.  Mister gets more work done and I use the time to check online and send some messages/make some calls as well.

29th - Still no power but first thing this morning I take the car in maintenance, leaving Mister to work at the coffee shop he found yesterday.  

I returned home after the car maintenance to find that the power is gloriously on and nothing melted in the freezer - that's always a good sign.  In fact, the ice cubes were still loose.  However, still no internet and cell is VERY sketchy.  I can get a weak signal if I stand near the front window.  This lets me make short calls and that is it.