Editor correction

Brought to task by my editor (BF), I must print a retraction, re: weight of corn bags in yesterday's blog. Editor advises that the sacks only weighed about 3 lbs. each, not 50 lbs. as I had indicated. Each bag contained about 8-10 ears of corn. So there you have it, but I must admit the bags certainly felt like 50 lbs. when I was hauling them in the car.

Beautiful day out today, have put away my holiday decorations, straightened up the storage closet and looked at the paper. Only holiday specials still being advertised appears to be autos. Which I am not interested in at this time. Have a pedi/mani appt. this afternoon and probably a ride-by Wal-Mart. Black eye peas are at BF's house for New Years Day. We will celebrate at home, and happily so, to say goodbye to 2008.

#399 in "Life's Little Instruction Book" says : "Focus on making things better, not bigger". and here I thought bigger was always better. but then, good things come in small packages, etc. Think about it...and enjoy the day....:-)

Making a guest appearance

Buzz is such a funny dude. He figured out the best way to get his corn was to just jump right in and enjoy, rather than hanging over the side. Since he no longer gets his corn on the cob, he has to settle for loose corn. Corn on the cob was running about $3 + for a 50 lb. sack when I first started purchasing it for him in H'town at SW Fertilizer. Last time I was there was early March and it had risen in cost to over $8 for a 50 lb. sack. Inflation had already begun for squirrel corn. Now BF has been purchasing loose deer corn at Wal-Mart and Buzz seems to be enduring it. You can always tell when he is out of corn, he comes right up to the dining room window, looks in and stares at you to get his point across.

The BJ's (blue jays) have come back around also, along with Brown Creepers and some beautiful Red-headed Woodpeckers. It's fun to just sit and watch the creatures. I told Dave when he protest his property taxes again next year, he should ask to be designated a "wild life" reserve. Not to mention the deer, racoons, and other characters..

With the New Year fast approaching, I've decided this would be a good thought to keep in mind "Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". Tuck that into your smile when you meet someone new. :-)

Peaceful Saturday

I've decided today is my day of rest and relaxation. A chance to look once again at holiday cards and check them on my list, make some crockpot soup, and just enjoy the day. To start the day with a peaceful beginning, I've put on a new CD that I purchased

while visiting my friends in Tucson, Melanie (a/k/a Doc)(pictured)and her husband, Larry, we attended a very "high-end" craft fair. The CD is entitled "Emergence", Native American Flute Solos. No drums, no loud music, simply pure flute music. Boring you think. Not really, the music is clear, fresh, dreamy and sooo relaxing. The artist is Laughing Crow, a/k/a Richard Maynard from Nachogdoches, Tx. The CD is over an hour and I'm on my second go round. My thought today is on Faith - I've had this taped on my computer at home and when I worked, it's very true I believe, no matter how one celebrates Faith - "FAITH is the assurance of things not seen, with G-d all things are possible." enjoy your weekend. :-)

'Twas the night after Christmas...

and all through BF's house, the paper pile was mounting.....the gifts unwrapped, the holiday food consumed and suddenly it was over. What happened? How did it end so fast? Listening to all of the holiday music, looking at lights and such and now it's on to New Years Eve. BF had to work today so off I went to do some shopping. Not that I needed anything, just to be out once again in the crowds. The traffic was just as before the holidays, the stores crowded and folks were in fact using their gift cards, taking advantage of sales, and still having fun. Hanukkah continues, still a few nights more to celebrate and light the candles. (I confess, I opened all my gifts already)...The holidays still brings out the kids in us, hopefully....even Buzz, our infamous squirrel made an appearance at the corn feeder today, stuffing his cheeks with corn. The blue jays and woodpeckers also appeared, I guess because of the warm weather. Hope everyone enjoyed whatever/whichever holiday you celebrate and "peace on earth good will to all" prevails.

Halleluhah!

After much hair-pulling and trauma, I think BF has finally been able to drill it into my head how to use my camera/cellphone and download the pics on to my computer. So much new stuff, and sometimes the instruction manuals aren't worth woo!

Now, on to more important stuff, my oldest son, Stephen. He visited from Seattle and it was so nice to have one-on-one time with him. Sometimes visiting the family just doesn't allow for special time with each of them individually. It is a treasured time. We had our barbecue, twice as a matter of fact, and some really good Mexican food....Stephen also brought along a copy of his new catalogue for REI of the bikes he designs. Pretty cool, not that I'm up to riding any of them. It was great though to see how his dreams of bike designing have been successful and how lucky he is each day to go to a job he really loves and has made his career.

Fortunately he was able to catch the only flight back to Seattle on Monday, before the Seattle blizzard became worse. I know he was relieved and happy to return home in time for the holidays.

I'll have more pics to post tomorrow...In between, Happy Hanukkah and/or Merry Christmas. Whichever you celebrate, enjoy. It is a special time of the year. Today's special thought :The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts". Think positive....:-)

I've been busy

Doing all the holiday things one does. Wrapping gifts, making cheese bread for neighbor gifts, listening to holiday music and just enjoying it all. Maybe one night before the holidays BF and I will check out the lights.

My oldest son from Seattle has been visiting. His plane was delayed by 2.5 hours for de-icing and he arrived a little tired and ready for a Shiner Bock and some barbeque. Knowing he was arriving late, I ran to the trusty Vernon's Kounty Barbeque and picked some up. Barbeque at 10:30 p.m. is fun, especially listening to Stephen talk catch-up with all the news from Seattle. He's in H'town today for a memorial service for his uncle and he'll return tomorrow for more visiting before returning home to his beautiful wife and my wonderful grandchildren. Probably will indulge in either more barbeque or mexican food. Being a native Texan, he misses those goodies.

Unfortunately the weather has not been sunny, so I have not taken any more pics. I'll hope for tomorrow....

In keeping with the spirit "Happy Holidays to all" Enjoy.........:-)

Holiday cards, rainy day, music and cookies

Finallyyyyyyyyyy, at 11:30 p.m. last evening I finished my holiday cards. YEA! I'll probably re-think the whole process for next year, but now I'm just relieved to have finished them.

It is a rainy, soupy, cold day out. Lots of fog and wet sprinkles....BF and I have planned to dedicate today to making cookies. He has the info and 99% of the ingredients. Holiday music and a warm house. Nice.....We started with fudge, then proceed to raisin bars and finished with chocolate nut cookies. As each batch was completed, we did the taste testing to make sure they were good. :-)....

all of the cookies and fudge was sugar free and low carbs. I think this was the first year we did this (after 7.5 years)....about time. Thanx BF for a fun day.

Tomorrow it's off to do some errands, doctors appts., etc. Daughter and son-in-law leave tomorrow for Chicago and Thursday my oldest son from Seattle will arrive for a few days visit. Alot to look forward to....

Today's thought # 442 - "Do it right the first time" 'ya, like we don't all try.

Enjoy the spirit, smell a Christmas tree.

Pondering

the holiday season and holiday cards. Have been working for 6 days on Chanukah and Christmas cards. Since this year the two holidays fall within a few days of each other, it is like doubling the duty. When the calendar separates the holidays, by more than a few days, one has an opportunity to spend more time writing personal notes on the cards and it seems much more holiday-ish. Only another day or so and I will have finished and mailed all the cards. The other hindrance, my handwriting has become even worse than it ever was. And that isn't saying much. I've become a slave to the lovely itialic script of the computer, plus it is in colour. Also, I hand write all of the addresses and hope the postal carrier can read them.

Did have some holiday fun today with my neighbor and friend, Sherri. We left early to do errands and have some girl-time window shopping. Everything looked like something we really couldn't live without, but then we would start evaluating what we were going to purchase and ended up putting alot of it back in the baskets...with an eye on the penny and was it really a good gift and most of all, did we really need it. want and need, want and need, need and want, etc. a brutal choice. We had a delish seafood dinner at that old standby Long John Seafood which now partners with A&W, diet root beer in the keg. Not to shabby! and enuff to bring home and enjoy a second go round for dinner.

Still working to transfer some pics, don't give up on me yet...

Appropriately in Life's Little Instructions, #396 "Never give anyone a fruitcake". Honestly, I just opened the book and there it was. How could I resist....Enjoy the day, rainy, sunny, showers, whatever, it is special....:-)

And so it happens

Upon my return from Tucson (where it only rains a few times of the year) and the next to last day of vacation and rain, it began to snow in H'town and sleet on the way to Montgomery. Strange happenings.....however, if you do the research, and/or listen to the proper weather person, you will see that each time there is a hurricane in the H'town area, snow follows. How neat is that? or better yet, WHY?

Playing catch-up in all the normal things one must do upon a reasonable amount of time away from home, more stuff appears. Tomorrow is the "Christmas in Historic Montgomery". BF and I plan to go downtown to see all the vendors, shops open, people caroling and spreading good cheer. Sunday we drive back into H'town for the celebration of the newest member of the family, Benjamin Evan. He will formally be introduced to family and friends. BF and I are looking forward to seeing everyone.

Worked most of the day doing holiday cards. Trying to add a personal note or so but my handwriting has become worse as I have become more dependent on my trusty computer. It's nice though to hear from friends, neighbors, and co-workers from many differnt jobs. Although the holiday letters that come in some of the cards bring to mind that time flies, that we go thru life at a very fast pace and indeed time waits for no one.

#213 in my "Life's Little Instruction Book" says "Don't waste any time grieving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on". enuff said....Happy Weekend....:-)

Greetings from Tucson, AZ. Having a wonderful time visiting my dearest, oldest, (well, actually I'm older) friend and her super duper great hubby. She has had me out walking, hiking, walking, hiking, etc. you get the drift. The weather has been beautiful, cool to cold a.m.'s and warmer days with once again cool to cold p.m.'s. It's been ever so much fun visiting, catching up and remembering lots of years past. I'll have pics and more when I return to Montgomery on Tuesday. Hope all is well with all my blog followers....take care, hang in there....:-)

Really nice news :-)

Dear little friend Grace just called to say she and Mo, her boyfriend of 11 years are engaged. Mo proposed about an hour ago and she called to let me know. Grace and I worked together for many years and then she left the firm to head downtown H'town to a bigger and better firm. We have stayed in touch and she was a mainstay and important person during my recovery. Never waivering in her afffection and attention, she and Kayla (my dear daughter) became friends and have stayed in touch also. Kayla and Grace were my mighty angels and I love them both very much.

Mo is a super nice young man, industrious, hardworking and a very pleasant person to be around. They make a great couple and I know they will have a great marriage. I just hope it doesn't take 11 years to marry as it did for them to become engaged. I might be 2222 old to dance at their wedding...

Best wishes, lots of luck and love to a sweet couple....

And it ends.....

Today is the last day of Hurricane Season for 2008.....and what a year it was, 8 names Hurricanes, the most severe being IKE. Reflecting back on the challenges and difficulties of that day, month (9/12/08) and still seeing so much repair work continuing, so many people down in the Galveston, Bolivar areas, still homeless and without the basic needs, it's hard to believe it was 3 months ago. And yet, no surprise. The agencies move slow and deliberate, so many folks that battled Katrina several years ago and moved to H'town and surrounding areas had to face it all again....sigh....

Hopefully next year we will all fare better and the recovery will finally be completed.

from Life's Little Instructions - today's thought:

#33 in the book "Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated".

Shopping is easier on the web

WOW! A really nice T'giving, my sister and brother-in-law came to "the country" to join BF and myself. Good food, good company and a pleasant day, with much to be grateful for. Believe it or not, BF and I got up early Friday a.m. to go to the mall. I have decided (after much research by BF) to buy a new flat-screen t.v for my den and also for my living room. We had hardly any traffic on the way to the mall, (I told BF that the reason for no traffic, everyone was already at the mall) and went into Sears t.v. dept. After catching a salesperson and getting the info we needed, we proceeded to stand in line to pay. Just as we finalllllyyyyy reached the cashier, the salesperson came up and was very sorry to report they were out of and not planning to receiving anymore the exact t.v I wanted. YIKES! So BF and I returned to the car and headed for home. On the web, Amazon was advertising the same t.v., no tax and no shipping. I made out like crazy. So, during my visit to Arizona next week, the t.v. will arrive at BF's and when I return home we can set it up. Then, if all goes well, I will order the other one. Lesson learned, check the web before racing to the mall....especially during the holidays regardless of what the advertisements in the newspaper circulars say.

Found a wonderful little book that I have had for many years "Life's Little Instruction Book" from which many of my thoughts for the day come from.

There are 511 in the book and you've probably read 4 or 5. So be sure to catch my web site whenever, for some really great thoughts....Today's thought"

"Compliment three people every day"

btw, the book is written by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. as a special gift to his son, Adam. hope you and enjoy them. Take care :=)

Thanksgiving greetings to all

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy the turkey, dressing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and whatever else graces your table. Enjoy the family and friends and don't forget to be grateful for every blessing and every sorrow, for they make us who we are and what life is all about. Blessings and peace be with you this holiday and always.

The bride was beautiful, the groom handsome

and BF and I got all dressed up....unfortunately I can't move his pic closer to mine, but this is how we looked. (and my eyes were open) :-) The wedding was sweet (the mother of the groom fainted during the ceremony) but other than that, everything went off as lovely as weddings often are. The dinner and dancing loud and fun, the brunch next morning was yummmmyyyyy and the ride home uneventful. We were both sleepy from toooo much fun and food and not enough sleep. All in all, a beautiful weekend and hopefully I'll have a few more pics 2 add to continuing blogs....

Rainy here but kinda nice, motivates me to start cleaning house for T'giving. Today's thought from my favorite thinker, Benjamin Franklin:

"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else"

Enjoy your day....

Today's Thought

I liked this thought so much that I decided to just make it the blog for today -
"Capture a shadow,
dance with the wind,
stand in a rainbow,
begin at the end." by Mary Anne Radmacher

Since daughter left on Wednesday my days have been very busy getting ready for the wedding weekend. Besides packing up a few things, working to make my self beautiful and not forget anything, I have not only gone to P.T., but had a mani/pedi, hair fixin's and purchased a few new items of clothing. Since the accident, I've lost about 48 lbs.....almost another me...not that the world is ready, but it's a nice thought. Haven't been this slim and trim in a long, long, long, time...and then some. Must admit working out at p.t. and mucho smaller portions have helped. Plus today, since our neighborhood country club has not provided an alternative workout/fitness area, I've visited the local fitness center (Snaps) and now have a membership, compliments of our country club. All new equipment and I'll meet with my private trainer when I return from AZ.

That's it for the day, late as it may be now. Whatever time zone you reside in, I'm glad you stopped by for a visit....:-)

Glamour Gals

Daughter and I out shopping, enjoying the beautiful day and just celebrating time together. The Madonna concert was a big hit, she had a great time with her friends and Mommy had a great time when she came to Montgomery. We took our meals out, visited BF on Tuesday for awhile and hit the new JCPenny store in Montgomery. Naturally we found a few things we couldn't live without. Today came all to soon and we went to brunch at a really cute restaurant, The Egg & I, before heading to IAH. Kayla managed to do a little holiday shopping while she was in Texas - for her friends living in CA and/or NYC. You know, Texas type gifts....

Tomorrow it's back to p.t., then for a pedi/mani and to prepare for the wedding weekend. I'll try and post some more pics tomorrow.

And for all of you who read my blog - thanx, it makes me feel good. I really had no idea that some of my daughter's friends of long standing where checking up on me. Way cool!!!!!

In leaving, today's thought "Life is just a bowl of cherries".....:-)

It' never to late to blog....

Big doings tomorrow so I'm combining Sunday and Monday's blog. Spent the day getting ready for my daughter's visit. She is in town tonight to see Madonna with some friends and then tomorrow she will head to Montgomery to spend a few days with Mom (me). We always have so much fun together, she's my absolute sunshine. Always has been and always will be. Many folks may come and go in my life, but she is my constant, my sunshine, my daughter. Not to mistake, I love my sons also, but as the saying goes "A daughter is a daughter...."

So today has been straighten and clean, (not just because she is coming) but next week is very busy, BF and I will be heading into Houston for a family friend's sons wedding. It is a weekend affair. And of course, the next week is Thanksgiving. Shopping and chopping and making all the holiday goodies. I do love Thanksgiving and it is always been a special holiday to me. I've been watching all the food channel shows, I could probably make turkey 6 or 8 different ways, but because everyone enjoys what I've been doing for years, why change? Besides, my receipes are from my grandmother and you can't improve on perfect.

I'll catch you next week, off and on - be safe, stay warm (if it's cold in your neck of the woods) and take care.

Somebody turned on the outside air conditioner

brrrrrrrrrrrr, somebody turned on the outside air conditioner. It's really cold out. Time to bring out the sweats. YEA! Good news also, it's sunny out and just a great day, especially for a Saturday. Garage sales, yard sales (not always the same thing in Mongtomery) holiday markets and the beginning of the holiday shopping. I love this time of year - except it goes so fast. Time to slow down and enjoy rather than rush, rush, rushing everywhere for everything. I must admit tho, it's much easier in a small community.

Today's thought - old but good "take time to smell the roses". enjoy

Shopping for a new t.v.

Although I'm really not ready to spend $$$$$'s on a new tv - the truth been told, my tv in my den/study/office is about ready to be a gift to the Salvation Army. I've been captivated by the new thin thin thin models with the very very very clear picture. And I love it. Gotta gotta gotta have one. Would be nice if it could be installed on the wall, but then I would have to shift paintings around. Besides, I have no small ones running around that I would run the risk of one of them pulling it on themselves. BF had to buy a battery something or another and I rode with him to Circuit City, yes I know they are suppose to be going out of business, but it was hard to walk in and out without purchasing a lean machine. BF is always a good one to go shopping with because he checks every detail, including the Internet for customer reviews, who really makes the different sets, etc. and with all the initials they all contain, that's very helpful for someone who goes strictly by what I like. Stay tuned to my blog for the end results. And in between, while you are waiting, have a great weekend....:-)

Girlfriends rock

In all the rain on Monday, and after completing most of my errands with my sister, Barbara, I had dinner with a friend of long standing. Gail and I met at the University of Houston in the early 60's....somewhere down the path, our ways went in different directions and we lost track of each other. When I returned back to H'town in the late 60's Gail and I had a chance meeting at a Shriner's function. We were able to pick up the friendship - even better than when we first met. Through the years, off and on, again different paths, and just within the last year we have once again picked up our friendship. It is very comforting to have a friend that you can do this with. There is an unconditional caring about each other and we laughed most of the night away. To not have to make the trek back to Montgomery, I spent Monday night with her. It was like when you were young and you had a slumber party or such, today the kids call them "sleep-overs".

I'll be visiting another friend and her husband in December. They live in Arizona, and that will be another blog.

today's thought from Dick Francis - "Everyone jouneys through character as well as through time. The person one becomes depends on the person one has been".

enjoy your day and SMILE :-)

Buzz in the rain

With all the rain, I was worried about Buzz, our pet squirrel. He races around the yard, his feeder, the roof, trees, water bowl and anywhere else he want to go or be. During IKE he totally disappeared. I guess he went undercover somewhere. We put a bird house (log cabin looking type) in one of the trees and it was not ever a favorite place for him...He does however like to take the stuffing out of the stag horn plant and also bury his acorns in the other planters.

Have an early p.t. this morning but first I must go by the April Sound Country Club to drop off food for the Montgomery Food Bank. The ladies association will be manning the flat bed truck and BF and I put together several sacks of assorted stuff. Every little bit helps and I am trying hard to become a member of the community and do my part.

More rain today and tomorrow and Friday the temp will drop down to 39. Pretty cool, bring out the sweats...

today's thought - " You never get a second chance to make a first impression"

Best made plans....

often go astray....you can't mess with Mother Nature....Yesterday in H'town it rained and rained and rained and rained (you get the idea). I did get alot completed yesterday and my friend, Gail and I did have a rainy day dinner and I stayed the night. Slept like a log (wonderful) and this a.m. it was slightly dry, so decided to head for Montgomery. Barely made it and then heaven opened up and I was lucky enough to make it in the house...making some telephone calls, working on my appointment book for 2009 and just relaxing and listening to more and more rain and even some thunder.....

soooo....nothing much more to say except I'm sorry I didn't get to take a couple of pics - maybe tomorrow....

stay dry :-)

Phooey!

The hardest thing about blogging is learning how to blog! My great blog for the day got "lost" when I tried to preview it and then edit it.....GRRRRRR.....and it was a really good one. I am not going to try to recreate it. Let's just call it a day and I'll try again on Wednesday. Driving into Houston tomorrow for my 6 month doctors appointment and several luncheon and dinner arrangements. I'll return to Montgomery on Wednesday and have lots of pics of friends and whatevers for the blog...

Have a good Monday, stay dry (if you are expecting rain as we are) and enjoy.

TGIF

Physical Therapy guru Alan at the front desk minding the store while Ivy was away. I've really learned so much at p.t....mostly, "no pain, no gain"....Since the accident, I've had p.t. at Sugarland Rehab, Health South, James (from Health South - home therapist) and now Montgomery County Physical Therapy. Jennifer, Kaylin, Norma and Alysisa are really great at their jobs. The results have been very good. There are still some problems that only time will heal - and the help of a good orthopod foot insert for my right shoe. That's down the pike and I'm excited about getting measured on Monday for it.

It's Friday, so enjoy your weekend and buckle up. :-)

Beautiful bougvillas

It certainly isn't spring, but look how pretty the bougvilla (sp?) at BF's house look. Full of blooms and looking good. We saw them everywhere in Los Angeles on our visit last month. But I think ours are just as pretty.

Overcast day with some rain and we are expecting cooler weather tomorrow. Had some nice telephone conversations this morning with my friend Gail and also with my friend Linda. Linda and I go so far back that our grandmothers were best friends as girls. We never had a chance to not like each other. Gail and I go back to the UofH days - so we've known each other for a long time also. Mornings are so great, it's nice to be able to just leisurely read the paper, check the computer and breakfast. Retirement is the absolute best!!!

IKE cleanup continues in April Sound

IKE cleanup in April Sound continues. Driving around the community and especially down by what was the Country Club , you can see what is referred to as Reserve F - where alot of the debris was taken and is now being loaded away by private contractors. Lots of homes are still having roof repair, etc.

Hallejuah, the election has come and gone and it will be an interesting 4 years to see how things play out. Wonder what will be the next great crisis - so the media will have stuff to report on.....any guesses? Out and about this a.m. doing errands, playing catch-up. Supposedly a cold front is due tonight and chance of rain tomorrow. That's it for today - enuff said.

Voting Day

well, anyway you count it, today was/is a day that will make historical political standards...whichever way the voting goes, we will either have the first black President or the first white femal Vice President. history in the making.....

April Sound Church, voting area for April Sound was rather quiet, I drove by about 10:30 a.m. and took a few pics, I would imagine most of our neighbors did as we did, either voted by mail or early voting. Nevertheless, it's a done deed and now we can just sit back and listen to the news media for the next couple of weeks re-hash, review and project what will be....Long may Old Glory fly.....

Spent the rest of the day at The Woodlands Mall. Had to purchase a wedding gift and then onward to Wal-Mart to do the weekly shopping. Best news, I learned how to post 3 pics on my blog!!!! go solo go.....catch me tomorrow....I have some other pics you won't want to miss....:-)

YIKES, forgot to mention, Stephen is a loving and devoted brother to Kayla and a faithful brother to Jonathan....

Long may he rock and rule.....Mom

November 3, 1963 - Stephen Elliott Gluckman was born in Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas. Happy B'day to you, to you, to you dear Stephen - and many more. Stephen is a wonderful son, loving and devoted husband to Lisa and a fantastic dad to Ryan and Abby. 2009 Stephen and Lisa will celebrate 20 years of marriage and Stephen's association with REI in Seattle....

Congrats Stephen, I hope the year brings you good health, continued love and devotion from your family and another new bike (:-)

Love,
Mom

Nothing else can top this on my blog for the day - see 'ya tomorrow with more stuff.

Welcome November - how fast the time has flown in 2008. First State Bank in Montgomery, established eons ago and now just a fixture - but still standing.

BF (Dave) and I went today to the Continental Airlines Fall Picnic at the H&H Ranch. (used to be in Sugarland on HWY 90) and relocated to a lovely area by IAH. Lots of folks there (great for little ones, lots of face painting, ponies, rides, etc) Had some good bbq with all the sides. Plenty of food to see me thru the rest of the day. Then home where I raced to the HWY 105 Storage Facility for their "fall back" baazar. Didn't get there in time for anything exciting, they were pretty much closing up (not that I need anything but it's always fun to look-see). All the Halloween decorations have been brought into the house and I'll take pics of my T'giving decorations and post them in the next few days...

Don't forget to move your clocks back an extra hour tonight - works for me....more tomorrow. :-)

Welcome to Montgomery. This is where we live and play. The town is small, probably 4 streets and is where the Texas State Flag was first made. Everyone is friendly and by the time you visit the local vendors, everyone recognizes you, even if they don't remember your name. It's a cool place to retire in and the kind of place I had always wanted to live in as a kid. In my old neighborhood where I had my home for almost 30 years, I knew everyone and everyone knew me and/or my kids. I always thought of that as a small town, but H'town is much bigger in the whole of it all. It's easy to just become a number there and not necessarily a part of anything, if that makes sense. So, better late than never. Now I have my own "small town" mentality. It's cool and I really love being here.

busy, busy, busy - for someone retired I seem to be busy everyday. sorry I didn't blog yesterday but it was a very exciting day - when I arrived at p.t. - the Montgomery Harley Davidson Riders were assembling in the parking lot. By the time they were all together, there was somewhere between 100-150 riders. The bikes were shiney and beautiful, the riders all dressed up for a monthly ride. There were 3 constable escorts and when they finally pulled out with the American Flag and the Harley Flag flying, it was awesome. I was star-struck! fun day....

BF (Dave) and I went for dinner later in the evening at the Old Montgomery Steak House. One of our favorites. I'll include a pic tomorrow for you along with other local sights. I'm becoming a roving reporter for my blog. Learned how to use my phone for taking pics )sorry Lisa, don't remember all you tried to teach me when I purchased the phone in Seattle) but BF is great about all kinds of tech stuff. and then off to Wal-Mart to purchase a reader for my phone/computer so I can send pics.

More later today or tomorrow. gotta dash, couple of new things to go see and do.

Cheers all - enjoy your almost Halloween day....:-)

and here's RYAN 44

and now, introducing my hero - RYAN 44....44 being his football number. Definitely "Mr. Cool", skateboards, plays the piano, guitar and football. Ryan is an honour student in his first year of high school. He was also invited to be in the Homecoming Court. How exciting is that for a first year high schooler? He's a very devoted son and grandson and I'm really lucky that even tho he and Abby live so far away (Seattle) we've been able to be close and loving. It's been such a pleasure to be their "Gran"....

down to the ends of time for p.t. (physical therapy) Alan, my p.t. guru wants me to finish out this week and next before I go to the surgeon for my 6 month check up. can't believe it's 6 months and I've been lucky to come so far. with all the walking, running, and stairwalking on our trip you would think my hip is strong as ever, Alan thinks they can pull me even further in the next week or so....YIKES...bring on the Advil....

coolest thing I've done - went to the bookstore just down the highway. Was lucky to find a book by Kathy Reichs, a foresnic anthropolgist whose work is the basis for the t.v. series Bones...Also picked up the latest by my favorites, Lincoln Child and Robert Preston. Could hardly put it down last night...burned the light till midnight.

an even colder night predicted for tonight.....bring out the blankets...YES....stay warm, dry, whatever depending wherever you reside....ck u tomorrow....

Blog and brag time - here is my precious grandaughter Abby - she competed in a gynmastic event in Seattle and placed first on Bars and second on Beam....I was lucky enuff to see Abby compete earlier this year and I was so proud and pleased at how well she did then. But now she has moved to Level 7 - and is really going great guns! CONGRATS Abby, keep up the good work.

Today was a busy day - with the weather so beautiful, breezy and bright, just couldn't resist doing some outdoor stuff, took a long walk (almost a mile) and then put a big pot of chicken soup on. Fall always makes me want to make soup - so my freezer is filling up with lots of soup containers (especially since it was so empty after IKE)....

needlesstosay, I'm as concerned as anyone about the economy - you might check out an OP-Ed Contribution by Warren E. Buffett ( dated 10/17/08)....from the N.Y. Times. You can google it. And of course we all know who Mr. Buffet is.

That's it for today folks, or else I'd be on the computer until midnight. Colder even tomorrow expected here in the country...."Hunker down"..

Happy Sunday one and all..........nice news to report today, niece Elizabeth (Liz), husband Rob and big sister Alexis welcomed baby brother Benjamin Evan on Oct. 3, 2008 - Benjamin arrived at 6 lbs, 5 oz. and 19.5 inches long - everyone is home and doing well. Family friend from Seattle, Barbara Epstein, reports she and husband Steve are the grandparents of Kelly Epstein, born Oct. 22, 2008 at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and is 19" long. Always nice to welcome new little characters to the family, and so much to look forward to as we watch them grow....

Counting down the days, don't know how all of y'all feel - but I'm DONE with politics, only thing being that after the elections, we have to listen to the media about what did/did not happen, and what will/will not happen for about 6 more weeks....whew - thank heavens we have 4 more years before this happens again. Even tho this has been a historical political year, enuff is enuff!

Like it or not, I'm once again going thru magazines, books, drawers and shelves trying to downsize, eliminate, make more room for less clutter....Question of the day, do you think it will ever happen? For all of you who know me, that is the age old question, me and my "stuff".....

Until tomorrow, enjoy this day - we only have one chance to make it count. So whatever your day brings, I hope it's good....

Adios'

Hi friends and family - running alittle late today because bf and I were out and about purchasing things to fix my drippy potty in the guest bathroom. BF can fix anything and I have learned alot from him (by watching of course)...Not as ambitious about learning how to get my hands dirty as I used to be.

Good news, filled up white car today and it was exactly $10. less than the fill-up on Sept. 29....good, good news....$$$'s wise, noticed that yesterday we stopped at a neighboring Wal-Mart, not our usual store, and the prices were noticably less than our home Wal-Mart. And certainly a larger selection. May have to consider a trip to that Wal-Mart maybe once a month.

It was another beautiful day here in Montgomery, cool enough in the a.m. and cooling down nicely tonight. Lots of college ball today - but last night's Friday Night Football in H'town (most on t.v. after the 10:00 p.m. news) is always the best....what a bunch of fantastic young talent there is. Some of those players are just incredible...UT & OU were playing this afternoon and I caught most of the game.

Enjoy your weekend - thanx to friends Tiffany and Grace and my daughter Kayla for joining in on the blog....and of course to supervisor BF who helps me when I get computer block.....:-)

Vietnam Wall Experience

Today, the Replica of the Memorial Wall came to Willis, TX., just shy of Montgomery by about a 25 mile drive. Dave and I left early, we didn't want to be caught in the weekend crowds. I had a very special reason for wanting to see the wall, Lt. Ralph E. Foulks, Jr, 21 July 1943 - 02 November 1973 (MIA) and later, the remains of Lt. Foulks were identified on January 12, 1993 and Major Roger A. Quinn, 12 December 1937 - 3 April 1968. I never knew Ralph Foulks but I have worn/kept his braclet for all these years and therefore I felt as though I knew him. Information from his little sister has made it easy to know he would have been the kind of person I would have liked. Major Quinn and his family were stationed with us in Munich, Germany and they were very well liked. I had learned of his untimely passing years ago and always kept it in my mind that if I ever had the opportunity to see the Wall or replica I would look for their names. so be it! Deed accomplished. Sometimes we do things not because we have to but because it makes us feel like it is the proper thing to do and it makes us feel good.
It's a delicious day out - cool, crisp and sunny. Halloween stuff is everywhere. Pumpkin patches and houses of Halloween fright are popping up in Montgomery. time to take a walk to the mailbox. BTW, thanx to all who read the blog and/or sent me a note. That was way cool. Enjoy your day - there will be more tomorrow.

First day of Blogging for me..............

Hi Everyone and Anyone that's interested.....this is all new to me, but what the heck, I decided that even an old pup can learn new tricks......besides catching a squirrel...(Buzz, beware!) btw, Buzz is the squirrel that rules the roost at my bf's house. He's a might squirrel, has his own feeder and is extremely proud of all lady friend squirrels. We live in a country type setting with a small town nearby.

ME:
I retired from working almost 2 years ago, it's been the best thing I ever did. Short of moving from the big city of Houston. I was/am a native Houstonian and Texan of several generations.
I have wonderful grown (best) kids and 2 wonderful grandchildren living in Seattle, WA. Life changes when you retire, first of all, you rarely ever have to set an alarm (unless you are traveling) (which I do alot of, with bf, Dave). We just returned from a wonderful adventure to the Northeast, chasing leaves of all colours and admiring the pumpkins. Then to cold Montreal where we explored the BioDome, the botanical gardens, grocery stores (WOW, prices are very high) and then to visit bf's college roomate and his wife in Virginia Beach, VA. Most fun of the trips was Amtrak and renting vehicles that had GPS systems...way cool... No sooner did we return home, did laundry, check mail, etc. then we were off to Los Angeles to visit Dave's daughter, son-in-law, and little grandaughter, Greer. Spent a fun filled day watching an almost 2 year old play havic with the kitty cat, books and anything else she could get her little hands on. Daughter Alison cooked a great dinner and we enjoyed a good bottle of vino.....
The next day we visited with my daughter, Kayla and later her husband joined us for a home cooked dinner. Again another great dinner with more vino. The highlight of the trip - having 2 home cooked meals...and watching a wee one expend all of her energy....

I'll leave it for this for the morning - will try to add some pics as soon as I learn how.
If it's interesting to you, join with comments, questions, or ways for me to improve....remember the old pup rule - "You are never to old to learn something"....

take care and enjoy your day...........and btw, Happy Birthday to my very special and only daughter-in-law in Seattle, Lisa....Bless you my darling for being such a great wife, mother, sister,daughter-in-law and friend. You are special!