Whew!!

Charley has been in town this week while her parents are on their second honeymoon, celebrating their 10th anniversary. She stayed with us over the weekend, and so did Jonathan. I thought it would be good for the cousins to spend some time together. This was about 9 this morning, after they had had a big breakfast. Banana break!!

They seem not to notice how hot it is outside. They will play outside until they are made to come in where it is cool. Jonathan was showing Charley the finer points of throwing rocks from the driveway into Mimi's bucket that is for catching rain water. Needless to say, there isn't much water left in it!!

I think Jonathan must have told her some really funny joke, "did you hear the one about...."

The visit was not without a skirmish or two or three. They were in the big chair with all the balls we could find.

Race you to the last one.....

OK, we both got a hand on it, whose is it, Referee Mimi???

I am so glad that God realized that children should be no closer than 9 months apart, these two at 6 months apart were on the go the whole time they were here!!

San Marcos

Clerical support staff from all over the state met in San Marcos for a retreat last weekend, staying at the Embassy Suites. They put me on the top floor, the 10th. This picture kinda makes me dizzy, it didn't feel that way looking over the edge in person......

The hotel was really nice, and we each got our own room which was a living area, wet bar, and separate bedroom, and of course a bathroom. Two flat screen tv's.....

My four partners in crime, representing Austin, San Antonio, and Del Rio, and of course, Waco.

Our Chief, and my boy, Charlie.......

We had a lot of fun learning and visiting. We have another district-wide retreat coming up on a weekend in the near future in Corpus, joining with the Southern District of Texas. Looking forward to it......

We're Back!!!

Ever try taking pictures from the back of a motorcycle? Sometimes going 70 miles an hour?? We took about 1300 pictures, thankfully taking that many there are some decent ones. Notice the water on the windshield and the wet road......we rode in rain many days, on some really scary roads, with no guard rails and steep drop offs!!!

Yes, look closely, that is sleet on the ground at the top of Pikes Peak!! And sleet coming down in the picture, that is why it is so light looking. There was thunder, lightning, and sleet. Thank goodness we rode the train up!!

The ride was beautiful......even the scenes in the rearview.....
Monarch Pass...at the summit and at the bottom....What a beautiful lake!!

A timed shot.....you always feel so silly waiting for the camera to click!!

I HAD to take this picture......will get rid of the "not so good" photos and post a link. We had a wonderful time, it was hard coming back....especially to 100+ temps when it was usually anywhere from 50 to 75 degrees while we were in Colorado!!! We are ready to go back!!!

No A/C

In Poncha Springs last night in cabin with no air conditioning!!! It was in the 50's....great cool weather all week!!! Do we have to come back to that heat???On to the Royal Gorge tomorrow, not sure what is happening after that.....

Happy BD!!

Happy Birthday this week Marci and Samantha!!! Hope y'all have a great day!!

Colorado

We are in Colorado on the new motorcycle and having a great time!! Was so hard getting through the Panhandle, at one point the thermometer on the bike said it was 106, we were miserable. But once we got out of Texas, the weather began to cool off. We had a temp of 50 at one point in the mountains!! We have had rain off and on but wonderful cooler weather!! Time to hit the road.....

Golfers

The boys played a bit of golf tonight. I was outside with Jonathan but that wasn't enough, he had to get Papa out of the garage to play. AND Jonathan had to have a cap on....go figure.....

Wow!! That ball went a loooonnnnng way!!

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge,
Far beyond the hillside and across the final ridge.
A place of joyful waiting for the pets we loved so much,
Though we no longer see them nor feel their nuzzling touch.

They’re romping in the hillocks and rolling in the dales -
Health and joy apparent in the wagging of the tails.
How nice to know they’re happy; they’ve just gone to play.
True to us as always, they’ve not really gone away.

In pastures lush and sunny, in meadows tinged with gold,
They’re as they were so long ago and never will grow old.
We know one day we’ll follow – it may be soon or late.
Alert for our arrival, they’ll greet us at the gate.

Wet happy kisses rain down, as we caress the face.
A wonderful reunion; we’ll pause in fond embrace.
Then turn our footsteps heavenward away from Rainbow Bridge
And amble home together beyond that final ridge.

Eileen Bergen © 2006

You were a great little dog with a great big attitude, Tipsy!!

We will miss you!!

Yum

Farmer Dan sent me home with lots of peaches and lots of tomatoes. I am not exaggerating when I say that I ate tomatoes all weekend long!! Ever had a tomato sandwich? couple of pieces of bread, slathered with mayo or miracle whip, thick slices of fresh tomatoes, with salt/pepper??? So yummy!!! He sent a box of peaches for us, and one for my mom. Same thing with the tomatoes. There are many more tomatoes than in the photo, that was all I felt like posing for the picture.....he also let me cut some of his zinnias, he took some to market on Saturday to sell, there is a whole row of them and they were soooooo pretty!!

Fredericksburg

I went to Fredericksburg, by way of Round Rock, to spend the weekend with my friend, Susan. Can't believe I ran off and left my camera at home so my sweet DIL let me borrow hers. The Chili Festival was underway, we missed the glow on Friday evening but we were sitting along the roadway at 6 AM Saturday morning, waiting on the balloons to launch.

It was still pretty dark at 6, they actually didn't take off until 7. Think it was just a trick to get us up early......

There were only 5 balloons, not near as many as will be in Waco this fall, but it is still always an awesome sight, especially if you have never seen them, as Susan hadn't.

After the balloons left, Susan wanted to go for a ride in the country, maybe try to follow the balloons. But we soon lost them and just enjoyed the beautiful Hill country drive on an early morning. So needless to say, we were surprised when we rounded a corner and the balloons were sitting down beside the road we were on.

I would hope that the homeowners knew these guys were coming!! Although I do know what it is like to step out your door and find a balloon skimming across your backyard!!

Susan and I talked, and talked, and talked, catching up on lots of news. We mostly just hung out at the house. She is a real trooper!! Her husband insisted that we look like sisters with her new "hair", he said he kinda likes her as a brunette!!

Farmer Dan and Susan Faye........love you guys lots!!! Can't wait to go back again!!

Plumb loaded with plums.....

I posted our plums on Craigslist for $1.00 a gallon, you pick em. Had a couple of people come by, I could have cared less how many plums they took home, they loaded up. I really wasn't so concerned about the money, I only put a price on them because I knew if I said they were "free", the first person that came would strip the tree!! We still have LOTS of plums left. The plums laying on the ground came off of one limb that got so heavy that it broke off the tree!!!

We picked these tonight so I can take them to work tomorrow. I am going to leave a big container of them in the breakroom in each office!!! I will get rid of them one way or the other!!

Bad Mimi.....

I almost forgot that I had a camera during Jonathan's birthday party!! I am sure Jeremy will post some good shots SOME day......I have no idea what Jonathan was doing here, it looks like his "slow motion" follow through on something.....

Charley sat still for just a minute for a couple of pictures......

And another minute to look at her book, then she was up and running again.....

Congratulations Emily and Dustin!!

Emily and Dustin got married last Saturday evening. It was a beautiful, sweet ceremony!!

(I snagged these photos from one of Emily's FB friends, hope she doesn't mind......)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONATHAN, MORGAN, AND JEREMY!!

Jeremy has become quite the dessert maker. He made these cake balls, and even decorated them like baseballs and footballs for Jonathan!! They were yummy!!!

The chocolate footballs were so rich, you could only eat one!!

Golfer's Pants

Don't you hate it when your pants won't stay up while working on your swing???

Would anyone like some plums??

Just let me know if you want any.....

Jonathan spends the night....

A couple of weeks ago, Jonathan spent Friday night with us. He awoke very early so I put him in bed with us. He and Papa were catching some major zzzzzz's here.....

Then it was time for a golf lesson. Papa is showing Jonathan the correct swing......Woohoo, look at that ball go!!!

It is really tough playing golf with right handed clubs when you are a left handed fella.....