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!