What A Day!!

The inauguration hasn't even happened yet, and I already have tears in my eyes just thinking about it! What a historic day. What an incredible thing that in our lifetime we would elect a black man to be President of the United States. He just came out of the White House with GWB, and I am just so thrilled that I'm able to watch this!

Chills just go up my spine when I think about it. Despite how you voted or your particular politics, I hope we are all able to recognize how cool this is and revel in the pomp and pageantry of today.

The Ultimate Life-List

I feel the need for a new blog post, as the new year has come and gone and it's damn near mid-January already.

But, as I'm feeling less-than-inspired, I stole this one from Bubba's Sis. I'm shameless, I know.

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Here's what you do: Copy and paste to your blog then boldface the things you've done.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity (to clarify, I have given to charity many times, just not more than I could afford)

7. Been to Disneyland/World

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning (not that I recall)

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (only because it wasn't open when we lived there!

18. Grown your own vegetables (Do herbs count?!)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (nope, too expensive, but I HAVE been to Venice)

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (nope, but I've seen it live and in person!)

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business - (I'm counting starting my own branch of a business!)

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the paper

85. Read the entire Bible (most of it, so I'm counting it!)

86. Visited the White House (the outside of it, we couldn't get a tour!)

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee--it's not pretty, I'm allergic!

100. Became a child of God

Happy New Year and All That Jazz

We had a fabby Christmas, Santa found us in Houston after all, despite the warm, humid, rather nasty weather. I think he flies through south Texas in his skivvies. It was great, we really enjoyed spending time with our family. It was a relaxing week.

Now we're sitting on the couch with Mimi and Papa and watching the New Year's Eve festivities on TV and drinking champagne and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. Drew Bear is in the bed, and all is right with the world.

I'm looking forward to 2009. 2008 was good to us and I can't wait to see what happens in this new year.

I wish you and yours a very safe and happy New Year!!!

TOUCHDOWN!!!

'Drew, they just scored a touchdown!'

(His response):


Isn't he just the cutest thing? Don't you want to root for 'his' team?

Yeah, I thought so.

Coughing

There is nothing worse than the sound of a persistent cough. Especially if it's your child's cough. And especially when it sounds like a barking seal.

That was Tuesday. We promptly visited the dr. and got some drugs to fend-off the nasty Croup Cough. Which seemed to work, as the Bark went away by Thursday.

But the Bark has been replaced by the Chest Cough. It's raspy and violent and you can just tell it hurts him to cough. My poor baby. He's been coughing a lot the last 24 hours.

So here it is Saturday, and we have a touch of bronchitis in our house. Not good. Especially since we have social plans both tonight and tomorrow that we have now had to cancel. Oh well, those are the breaks. We're on antibiotic now, so hopefully he is better by Monday. Or at least Wednesday, because I don't want a sick baby on a major holiday.

Pure Joy

My Little Traffic Cone

As this was the last year that we could impose whatever we wanted our child to be for Halloween, Bubba and I chose a Traffic Cone! It was all Bubba's idea, I just made it a reality using my skills in cutting fabric and foam core, and wielding a hot-glue gun. I'm a stud, what can I say.

The straps were much shorter earlier in the day, before he wore it at school to trick-or-treat. So we had to pin them up before he walked down the street. But, he CAN walk in there, his little feet are poking out of the bottom, I promise.

He was the hit of the street, we were so proud! And he did great, didn't try to take it off once!

Random Thoughts

• I've been under the weather the past few days, but I think I'm finally over the hump. However, yesterday I was having one of those Scarlett O'Hara days. You know, 'I can't think about that right now. I'll think about that tomorrow.' Yep, that was me yesterday. Mainly because I was so fuzzy-headed and foggy that concentrating on anything was just not happening.
• I love that it's officially 'Fall' here in North Texas. The trees are actually trying to turn colors! GASP! And it's cool! In fact, I'm wearing a sweater today! But that could be because not only does my office need additional cooling in the summer from a window a/c, turns out it needs additional heating. Guess a Target run for a space heater is in my future.
  
• I watch these two squirrels in my back-yard chase each other and bury damn nuts in my flowerbeds and yard all. day. long. Seriously, where do squirrels get their energy? Must be from the damn nuts...
• I finally finished Munchkin's Halloween costume for this year. Pictures to be posted after the fact, but I'm quite proud of myself for making it all from scratch. Yes, BS. I have Scratch in full supply at my house. ;)
• Why do things seem to happen all at once?
  
• I almost never feel 'busy' anymore. Not like I used to. Motherhood has definitely made me slow down a bit. But when the above happens, it seems to overwhelm me more.
• However, I seem to be better at time management when I have lots to do. If I only have one thing to do, I seem to procrastinate more. Why is that?
• When was the last time you had a really passionate, earthy shattering kiss? Yeah, I can't remember either. Need to speak with Bubba about that.
• Have you thought about Christmas yet? Yeah, me too. It's inevitable.
• I haven't baked in forever. I miss it. I really miss my famous Snickerdoodles. Must resolve this before the holidays.

That is all. I know I had a few more of them up there in the recesses of my gray matter, but I fear the fogginess has taken over yet again.

Deck Project, Day 7

Friday, October 17th

We're done! Well, Jimmy's done. That's him playing guitar enjoying the new deck. Did I mention he's a fantastic musician? I love just sitting listening to him play and sing. Bonus if it's with my Mama and Papa. They used to all play/sing together when we lived back in Austin when I was a wee babe. That's how long Jimmy's known me.

Anyway, we are likely going to stain it, but that won't happen until next week, so I'm considering us done! I'm so pleased, it's exactly what we wanted, and better than we pictured. That second bench that Jimmy's sitting on is actually moveable, so we can put it where we want as we need to. Cool, huh?

Now we just need a few more chairs to welcome friends when they come visit! And maybe a table so we can dine al fresco on occasion. Or all the time. The weather's perfect for it now.

Thanks again, Jimmy!

Deck Project, Day 6

Thursday, October 16th

It rained off and on all day yesterday, so there was a bit of a delay, but Jimmy still managed to finish the decking and build the bench! Now all that's left is the build the steps and put up the lattice on the bottom so that critters can't get under there.

Deck Project, Day 5

Wednesday, October 15th

We sat out last night while Jimmy played guitar, drinking wine and enjoying the lovely view of the full moon. Ah, bliss.

Deck Project, Day 4

Tuesday, October 14th

Jimmy's got the decking all done, and it's only the middle of the day on Day 2 of construction! I told you he rocks.

Deck Project, Day 2

Sunday, October 12th

I pulled up the shrubs that were ugly and I didn't like anyway. Bubba and Papa (who happened to be in town this weekend) re-routed a pipe and spigot that were smack in the middle of the proposed deck plan, so we can still get to it once the deck is built. It was desperately needed, because it was the only water we had in the backyard. Once the hole was dug, we discovered that the pipe had been cut that leads to the only other spigot in the yard, way at the back of the yard, so we connected it, too! Two water options! Yay! Oh, and while digging up those dang shrubs, I dug up what my mom and I think are daffodil bulbs! Score! Now I need to plant them somewhere else.

I also dug up the 2 sprinkler heads we will be covering over, and capped them. There are 2 other heads that needed different tops on them, to change the spray angle so it won't hit the deck. So I did that, too.

We have the muddiest mud, EVER. Very dark, dense clay. Fun stuff.

PROJECT!!!

So the Bubba's are moving up in the world....we're RENOVATING!!!

We are having a deck built in our back yard. So all this week, I'll be posting pictures of the progress! Our family friend, Jimmy, who's known me since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, is coming up from Austin to build it for us. He helped my dad build the house I grew up in, as well as the awesome deck they built after I left home (of course). We're really excited, as it will be nice to finally get to use this space now. (We think it's rather ugly and boring right now.)

Friday, October 10th

Existing condition

The Needless Experiment

I have a new friend at church (her and her husband are the matching pair, names and everything, to our beloved and much-missed NYC friends....yes, that's you A&MV) who's blog is inspiring me.

Go check her out. She's a kick-ass photographer, too.

http://beneedless.blogspot.com/

Politics As Usual

For some reason, I can't get enough of this election this year! And I have never been interested in politics. I guess that's what Barack Obama does to you....gets you EXCITED about things!

That, and Sarah Palin gives me a pain I can't locate.

********************VOTE OBAMA!!!********************

Hunkered Down

Mayor Bill White told Houstonians to 'Hunker Down' and wait out Ike, but Bubba's Mom and Sis, who live in Houston city limits, were in a mandatory evacuation zip code, so they finally decided to come up here to Richardson to wait it out with us. Hooray! They had no problems getting here yesterday afternoon, thank God, and we are all doing fine. Even the doggies, who are not quite sure what is going on, but have only pooped in my house once, right after they go here. We have yet to determine the culprit, however. Drew is enjoying all the extra people to play with!

We're having a Hurricane Party, y'all come on over!

First Hair Cut

Drew visited his daddy's barber today for his first ever haircut! He did great, didn't cry once and was very still. My little man. The barber was awesome, he gave Drew a sucker and even took his picture with a polaroid camera when he was done for his 'wall of fame!' And he gave me a certificate with the date and Drew's name on it, and taped a lock of his hair to the top corner. It's going directly into his baby book!

Last week at my parents house (this was the best view of his hair from the back I could find).


In the barber's booster chair, getting ready.


Getting the top and sides done.


All coiffed and ready for the ladies!


Look at how short it is! It was WAY long in the back, he had a mullet!


Thanks, Mama!

God Winks

I realize I'm a bit behind with updates on how Drew is doing in school and how my new job is going. Both are fine, so I'll gloss over those and get to some really eerie things. Well, they are either eerie, or God Winks. Or just things that happen to me all the time. Just ask Bubba's Mom. I could play Six Degrees of Separation on myself!

God Wink No. 1:
I take Drew to his first official day at his new school, and as we are pulling into the parking lot, I notice a woman on the sidewalk who looks very familiar to me. I see her again inside, and sure enough, it's a girl I sang with in Longhorn Singers in college. She knew exactly who I was and we both just laughed, as we hadn't seen each other in over 10 years. Turns out this is the church she grew up in, and her kids both go to the school here, and I met her son Austin the week before, as he just got moved up to the class above Drew. AND, AND, AND!!! They live very close to us, in the other neighborhood we were considering when we moved here. She even gave me the numbers of all her doctor's and we hope to have a regular breakfast date after dropping the kids off at school.

Eerie, I tell ya.

God Wink No. 2:
I met the gal down the street who has twin babies last week, and she invited me to the neighborhood mom's club. I am glancing down the roster and spot the wife of one of my ex-coworkers, whom I knew lived 2 blocks up and would be involved, as she's a SAHM. Not a surprise at all. Then I notice another name on the list, a long-lost friend who Bubba and I lost touch with when we moved to NYC. She has a very unusual last name, so I knew that it had to be her. Her husband actually married Bubba and I! The last we'd heard from them they lived in another part of Dallas and had just had a baby. Now, come to find out, they live 2 blocks up from us, and I pass their house EVERY DAY on the way to Drew's school. Let alone all the times we pass their house with Drew in the stroller on our evening walks. Gives you chills, huh? WHAT a small world, and what a way for God to bring us back together! I promptly email her to confirm that it is, actually, the person I'm thinking of, and we walked over there that night!

God Wink No. 3:
The house next door to us went on the market about the time we moved in, and we didn't know it had sold until we met the new neighbors 2 days ago. We've been hoping that another young couple would buy it, mainly so we could make friends with them and make use of their pool. We're shallow like that. :) Well, it IS a young couple, and they have one little boy who is a year older than Drew! We are so excited!

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All of these occurances just prove to me that we are in the right place for us, that God has indeed been watching out for us and is in control.

And thank God for THAT!

First Day of School