Wildlife in Robinson

We have had so many rabbits at the house this year. There are always a couple in the yard somewhere. They play chase and run, eat the cracked corn that the birds knock out of the birdfeeders, clean up the plums that have fallen off the tree, and of course, the dog thinks she might just catch one some day. They get less scared of us every day, proven by the fact of how close I got for this picture. The redbirds appear to be all hatched out. I can see one egg remaining so assume that it was not meant to be. If I miss days checking on them, they are liable to be gone like the bluebirds. As the water has dried up, so too have the mosquitos gotten fewer and less aggressive. We sat outside for a while tonight while Greg grilled and it wasn't a constant battle with them. I really enjoy being outside in the evenings after being cooped up in an office all day.

Silly Girls at Camp

Youth Camp Pics

Was able to get copies of camp pictures this morning. These are just a few of them, the youth were doing bible school at the projects in the area.

Babies only a Mother Redbird Could Love

We found a new set of babies in the Rose of Sharon shrub by the garage. There were 5 eggs but all haven't hatched. It will be a full house if they do!!

Cat Wants In

The cat LOVES to aggravate the dog! And this is a good way to do it!!

Youth Camp Update

Morgan returned from church camp on Friday about 3. Her problem since returning is getting her days and nights straight. She wants to nap during the day and stay up very late at night, somewhat trying to get caught up on the sleep that she lost. She had a great time and I think that our youth kids found out how bad some kids have it living in the projects. Even when there was chaos and fighting among the children, the youth focused on "loving the kids". I am sure many lives were changed, both in our group and the children that were involved.

Morgan's report card came in the mail while she was gone. She had a wonderful school year with her grades. Her lowest grade for the second semester was a 96 and they ranged all the way up to several 100's. Her class rank at the end of the school year was #3!! We are so proud of her. She has done a great job!!

Morgan leaves on Wednesday to spend a couple of weeks in Florida. By the time she returns, it will almost be time for her to get her driver's license. With volleyball and softball camps later in the summer, it will be so busy around here that school will be starting again before we know it.

We are now down to one kitten. Wednesday morning when we got up, one kitty was nowhere to be found. Not sure what happened but we have some possibilities in mind. The remaining kitten meows a lot and we assume she misses her brother. She still plays hard and then falls into an exhausted sleep. She and the dog have yet to make peace with each other.

With all the rain we have had, we now have Texas sized mosquitos!! I have never seen mosquitos that will actually chase you to get a bite!! At one point, Greg said he counted 10 on him today while he was working on the house.

Everyone have a good week!!

Peach Pie

As I said in an earlier blog, a certain son likes to post pictures of his food "accomplishments" on his blog. So here is a picture of a peach pie that was made with some of the yummy peaches from our trip to Frederickburg.

Church Camp

Morgan leaves tomorrow (Memorial Day) at 7:30 for Student Life church camp in Nacogdoches, TX and returns on Friday afternoon. Our group will be teaching backyard bible clubs for children in some project areas there. Evenings are for bible study and fellowship for the church students. Morgan always enjoys camp and returns home with renewed enthusiasm.

Home Again, Safe and Sound

We arrived back home about 5 PM today. Uneventful trip except for the continuing rain. Hope it stops long enough for us to mow and get some chores done at the house this holiday weekend.

Fredericksburg Day 2

Take note of the apple "gourds" that Susan had painted. Greg volunteered to gather and wash the eggs both days and then to put them in the cartons. Lindsey, their daughter, came in for the holiday and jumped right in to the work at the store. We had such a good visit with our friends. They were wonderful hosts and we will go back again soon. We came home with lots of peaches, fresh eggs, and tomatoes. Susan and I share many good memories of our high school years and were able to also share them with Daniel and Greg. We laughed over some of the silly things we did. I am so thankful for great, longtime friends!!

I luv ya, Su!!!

Fredericksburg

It rained so much that we almost talked ourselves out of our trip. But we took a chance during a lull in the downpours and headed to the Hill Country. We both arrived unscathed, me in the car and Greg on the bike. I did have to turn around once from a low water crossing that was blocked off. We got to the house at about 5 PM. Susan and Daniel were busy with customers until closing time. Had a nice dinner at a German beer garden and got up early on Saturday to help out. I think Greg and I both have a new appreciation for farmers and just what goes in to growing produce, as well as running your own fruit market. The place was hopping all the time!! Not only do they sell their own peaches and veggies, they bake bread, cinnamon rolls, sell jellies/salsas/relishes, old style cheese, eggs, and homemade peach ice cream. Susan was finishing the hot bath on some really scrumptious jalapeno pickles. We did get to town for the crawfish festival shortly after lunchtime and between downpours. There were polka type bands and lots of good cajun food/beer. We had a good time.

San Antonio

My training in San Antonio was fun. Got to see some work friends from different parts of Texas, ate some great food, and laughed a lot. Oh yeah. I did learn a few things at training. Wouldn't want them to think that it was ALL fun. It would have been better if it hadn't rained nearly the whole time. It started storming on Thursday evening, even here in Waco. The pictures are from my hotel room on Friday morning, with the Alamodome and the Space Needle from the World's Fair that was held in San Antonio in the late 60's being blurry from the heavy rain.

Move Over Easy Rider

We have been looking for a Goldwing for a while and finally ran across this one in Whitney, Texas. It is beautiful and in immaculate shape, especially for a 1997. We picked it up on Friday and spent some time on it this weekend. Thursday and Friday, I will be in San Antonio for training so Greg is going to leave sometime after noon on the motorcycle and meet me in Fredericksburg for a couple of days. It is located in the Hill Country so will make for a nice ride. There is a Crawfish Festival going on so there will be music and food. Luckenbach is just a few minutes away. Will stay with my best friend from high school who, with her husband, owns a peach orchard/market. Hopefully, we can help them out in their store on this busy, holiday weekend.

In the future, we hope to make some long trips to Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and yes, Dorothy, even Kansas!! Everyone have a great week!!

The Cats with No Name......

These kittens are either playing or sleeping!! I did find the white cat intently watching the fish in the aquarium last week..........

Waco

Greg and I drove around on Sunday afternoon taking pictures around Waco for a project. I got the idea from Kristy and am just now getting started on it (Kristy, if I start now, maybe it will be done in 5 years or so!!) Waco is really a very pretty town. Of course, we have Baylor (we have three graduates, hopefully a fourth with Morgan), the Suspension Bridge, the tallest building in town (ALICO), and the federal courthouse where I work.

Goldfish

It is quite a menagerie at our house. These are my $.25 each feeder goldfish that I bought about three years ago. They were very small when I got them. They are each now over 6 inches long. (You can see how large they are compared to the new, small fish in the tank.) They started out at Greg's house in a portable outside aquarium. They are now in a large black plastic tub. The white fish jumped out several times and the last time Greg found him not in the water, he was dry and flies were already on him. He dunked him into the water several times and he came back to life. I am hoping to keep them healthy until Greg can build me some type of pond/waterfall in the backyard.

How Does Your Garden Grow?.........

The garden looks really good. This is the largest tomato so far, and there are many on the plants.

Prom Time

Our niece, Katie, a sophomore, was chosen as an usher at the Robinson prom this past Saturday. She looked very pretty and grown up!!

Newest Members of the Family

We just acquired two kittens last week. They are brother and sister and are yet unnamed. We are trying to come up with something cute but Morgan insists that we call the female Precious. I was thinking maybe Donnie and Marie..........of course, Morgan didn't even know who they are!! Kittens are in the laundry room for the time being but will soon find themselves elsewhere. They are to be outside mousers. They are fun to watch when they are playing and are pretty unfazed by the dog. She is stressed and crabby over them being around. Hopefully she will get happier once they move outside.

Just over a week of school left. Hard to believe as it seems it just started. Morgan leaves for church camp for the week on Memorial Day. It is a working camp this year as they will be leading bible school in some projects. She gets her license in July and hopefully will be able to find a part-time job. And before we know it, it will be time to start school again!!

We are still working on the house. Hope to have the electrician out end of the week to wire the new patio and painters will be out this weekend to paint the trim. Getting the garage ready for Greg to rock the outside so that we never have to paint again. Hopefully the rock will come soon and we can get to that before it gets too hot. Summertime in Texas is not a fun time to work outside!!

Congrats to grads Katie and Jessy!! Way to go!!

Garden Update

Greg's garden looks really nice. Got cages for the tomatoes this weekend. Many blooms but no sign of any "ma-ters" yet. The lettuce should be ready to at least get enough for a small salad by late in the week. The onions from seed are a little slow getting started, but the carrots are looking very healthy.

Everyone have a great week!!! Love to all, pk

Remodeling Update

Got a lot done this weekend. Greg closed in the end of the patio and did an absolutely GREAT job!!!! (And doesn't my husband have cute legs? White, but cute.....) Still need to install lights and ceiling fans, a stereo and speakers. We are even thinking about hanging a small tv out there as well. We go back to work on Mondays to rest from the busy weekends!!!

Successful Recipe

I brought a really good recipe home from the weekend in Hunt. It is a Rueben Loaf. I made it on Saturday and it turned out really nice, especially for the first time. My oldest son likes to put pictures of his "food" on his blog so I am trying to stay up with him........

Empty Nest

I snuck out to take another picture of the baby bluebirds and to my surprise, they were gone. They flew the nest!! The internet says it only takes 14 days from hatching until they leave so I guess I was just a little late.......all that is left is the last egg that never hatched........

Tipsy

Tipsy finally got a new summer haircut!! Know she must feel much better. She smells better, that is for sure. She isn't usually happy about the stupid bow in her hair. She will manage to lose it within a couple of days.