Training

Went to training in Fort Worth this morning that was pretty useless. But they did realize at the Federal Records Center that we like freebies. This is what I came back with, minus a notepad that I left in my folder. The wireless mouse and flash drive were pretty sweet. And the post it notes on the "pallet" were just too cute!! My alarm woke me at 4 AM, and me and a coworker were on the road by 6:30. Got back to Waco about 2 PM, so it was a quick trip. At least it got me out of the office for a while......

The tour of the archives was very interesting. The items of historical value are kept in a warehouse that stays 66 degrees at all times. It felt pretty good in there compared to the 103 degrees outside!!

What were they thinking?

And speaking of things that are not quite right........this is directly across the street from my building. A smoke shop......yeah, right. From what I understand, there are no cigars, cigarettes, etc. in the place. But there are some water pipes, hookahs, juicy jays, starbuzz, zong, HBG and MYA (anything with initials alone scares me), illadelph, vapor bros, and something called greenlites, among other things, at least according to the writing on the windows. Why, oh why, would you open this directly across the street from the federal courthouse???? Isn't that just asking for trouble??

Patriotic Pastry

Co-worker's husband sent these donut holes to us today. They look a bit odd but they taste fine!! Kinda bizarre looking, huh?

This is just not right in so many ways......

Happy 1st Birthday Jonathan!!

Jonathan was mesmerized by the candles on his cake. Mom baked him a cake just his size.

Yum!!

Next the presents.....

This birthday stuff is fun!!!

Happy Birthday Jonathan!! Mimi and Papa love you!!

Happy Birthday Ashley Kelly!!

Hope your day was great and you were able to relax a bit after Kaila's celebration yesterday!!

Happy 7th Birthday Kaila!!

Hope you have a lot of fun at your swimming party!!

Mimi and Papa love you bunches!!!

Progress

The front of the garage just lacks a few rocks to be complete. It looks really good. Greg did a little fancy finishing work around the window. The "Rose of Sharon" (althea) by the garage door had to go. It was very pretty with its purple flowers but it had grown as tall as the roof, and besides, I am so proud of the pretty rock work that I don't want anything covering it up!!! At some point, I may plant some little dwarf shrubs of some sort along the front but for now, I am just going to enjoy the look.

When I got home on Friday, this is what greeted me at the end of the garage. It looked a bit like a cross between a circus tent and something in a bad trailer park.

But the next day when we worked in the shade of the tent, I didn't really care WHAT it looked like. I think it was about 103........again.

Greg had the rocks all on the ground like a jigsaw puzzle, ready to go on Saturday morning at 7. He says it goes a lot faster that way when he doesn't have to look for the pieces as he goes. It took both of us to set this big bubba in place. It was HEAVY!!

The rock pile has diminished but still a lot left.

What drew me outside this evening was the fact that the sun wasn't glaring outside. When I went out, this is what I saw.......CLOUDS!!!

It has been a long, long time since we have seen clouds. Maybe, just maybe, they will come with a chance of rain.

Jonathan

Jonathan hadn't been to visit us since before we went to Florida. Since it was so hot today (I think it was like 105), we got the pool from the garage and let him play in it. He had a good time, although I don't think he quite understands why it is ok to get in water other than in the bath. Papa even cooled his feet in the pool.
Jonathan LOVES the dog for some reason.

Tonight, he kept putting the cup full of water to his mouth and choking himself. I finally had to take it from him.

Next, we went to visit the horse that now lives next door. I have taught him to come when I whistle because I also take a carrot or pear from the tree for him to eat. I think Jonathan must have thought this was the biggest dog he had ever seen. He wasn't so sure about it at all.

After dinner and his bath, we took Jonathan for a wagon ride (after it had cooled down into the 90's). He sure looks like he enjoyed it!!

I think we tired him out. After a bottle, he went to sleep and I don't think he moved. He was sound asleep when his mom and dad picked him up.

Tomorrow we get up early to work on the rock on the garage. It is lookin' good!!

Nancy's Haute Affairs

As if the birthday girl doesn't have enough going on with a restaurant, a diner, and a successful catering business that has been running out of both establishments, Nancy has now opened another food related business. She makes catering appointments for weddings and parties here now.

They also offer a daily selection of gourmet "take out" food, ready for the busy woman/man going home from work and wanting to grab dinner for their family. The day we were there, the food looked yummy.

Nancy, as well as her sister Kristy, have such an eye for decorating and knowing just where to put what.

She has oils, and sauces, and butter, and wine, and pasta.

She also has samples, which Greg was taking advantage of....

It is really a nice place.

Kristy works for Nancy several days a week, as does Stosh.

I know Nancy's new venture will be a wonderful success!!!

The Party

Finally, it was time for the surprise party. It was at Skopelos on the Bay, also owned by the birthday girl/husband. The view from the restaurant is great!!

Greg took this picture of the cake. We thought all we would have to do was flip it but it just didn't look right from that angle.

There was great food and drink, a wonderful band, and lots of Nancy's family and friends.

Greg and Nancy sharing a sweet brother/sister moment.

All the girls: Lorie, Sara, Millie, Nancy, Kristy, and Ashley.
(Sorry Lorie, I just had to snag this picture that was taken with your camera.)Nancy and Gus

Kendall and Uncle Greg

Alex and her dad, John (Lorie's husband)

Greg and his mom

Gus is Greek so he and the family did this really great Greek dance. It was a fun end to the night!!!

Destin, FL

We rented a car on Sunday morning. After lunch, we drove to Destin. I have heard many people say that it has prettier beaches than Pensacola. Being a Texan who only has Galveston and South Padre to compare to, I couldn't see how any beach could be prettier than Pensacola Beach. I have to say that they are pretty close. Greg couldn't get over how many people were on the beach at Destin.

He said when they would go as kids, there were never many people at the beach.

The sand was so white and the water such a pretty jade blueish/green. We weren't dressed for the beach but I had to get my feet wet.......and my pants got kinda wet, too.

On the way back, we crossed a bridge and these boats were all stopped on a sand bar. It appeared to be one big party. People were walking from boat to boat, visiting and having a good time.

Scenic 90

We ate breakfast several mornings at the Scenic 90 Cafe, where Millie works and owned by Greg's sister/husband. I made Kendall a hat out of a piece of the Sunday paper.Kate was having fun with some sunglasses.

This shot is blurry but I think it might be the beginnings of a "stink eye".......

Kate was playing with Uncle Greg.

Rock Update

Greg has really made good progress on the garage. He worked on it most of the day yesterday. I think we finally cleaned up at about
9:00 PM.

I love the look and can already tell that I am going to wish that we had rock on the house as well. But maybe at a later date we can do some rock on the patio by building a fireplace/cook area as well as a pond.