Memorial Day Weekend with Mister -- Fort Worth Zoo

After a relatively calm day yesterday, we have decided to make a run over to Fort Worth and check out the zoo.  It's been awhile since we were there and walking sounds like a great activity for today.

A quick stop for a donut and some boba tea to take along and we are at the zoo when it opens. First stop is the Bonobo Chimpanzees.  They have a couple of really young ones and we are content to just watch and enjoy.

From there, we are onto the gorillas, where, again, there is a little one.  This is so fun.  Now, I will admit that I don't like their habitats here as much as the ones at the Dallas Zoo, but I am loving the wee ones.

Memorial Day Weekend with Mister - Checking out Thurber

It's time to return back to the Metroplex and before we left, we looked up a few of the small towns along the route.  Our return is later in the day than we had originally planned, but it is still light out and as we arrive in Thurber, we decide to check it out.

This place is chock full of history and it's the coolest kind.  Why do I say that?  It was the most important mine site in Texas for 30 years.  Under the ground, there is still a crazy amount of coal but it is not currently being mine.

The tower is not very stable in places but we still go and check it all out.

It's Party Time -- Bekah's Graduation

We have spent the night in Abilene in order to help with the party preparations today.  One of the things Jen is doing for it is showing Bekah through the years.  I have to stand and thoroughly enjoy each and every one of them as I make my way down the hall.

Congrats Bekah -- First Grandchild to Graduate HIgh School

All the bags are packed, we're ready to go . .  . .   Well alright.  We are not leaving on a jet plane, but we are jetting out of here, dishes and all.  It's getting late and we have a graduation tonight that I just can't miss.  Everything is loaded and we are outta here.  First stop for gas and to check the tires.  Now let's go.

Wait -- what the heck.  The car won't start. Perfect. A few phone calls later and we have a two truck, a rental car AND the car is going to be serviced.  Wow.  Within an hour, we are reloaded and back on the road.  No stops -- let's get to Abilene.

There's at least on more hiccup on the way for us -- yay, more money -- but we do finally get to Jen's house.  Upon our arrival it appears that Bekah is attempting to get some grease out of her graduation gown. Last minute disasters all around.

We Found Vienna Beef Hot Dogs!!!

Ever since our local little hot dog joint closed down, Mister and I have not found Vienna Beef hot dogs anywhere close.  Today, after getting a new battery for our car at Sears, we stopped at Lowe's in Richardson and lo and behold -- there it was.  Pure joy.  Of course we imbibed.  And we'll return.

An Evening Above Dallas

Our friends, Lisa and Eric, have just moved into a high rise in downtown Dallas and are having a housewarming/Lisa birthday party.  It's time to relax a bit.

We take the DART down and upon our arrival, the sun is just setting and the view from their balcony is magnificent to say the least.  Take a peek.

My First Red Hat Adventure!

Do you remember thinking that certain things belong to older women?  For me, the color purple was one of those things.  Yep.  All things purple were for little girls and older women and I certainly did not put myself into either of those categories.  Period.

I remember the "purple passion pit" bedroom in the house that was bought in '92 - purple walls, drapes and carpet.  Oh my.  It had to go immediately.  I didn't own a single purple article of clothing nor was there anything of that color in my house.  Seriously.  I literally ran from all things carrying anything remotely close to -shhhh - purple.  Have I made myself clear?