But For The Grace of God

After dodging tremendously dangerous weather in the Boerne area, we were able to drive home in dry weather, put the RV back in storage and be home safely before the next onslaught of rain started.  Houston and the surrounding areas received almost a foot of rain on Monday evening.  There are flooded areas all over.

I was to work Tuesday at the thrift shop but received a call saying there was no power so I was not to report.  I had everything put away from the trip so I finished the laundry completely and had a free afternoon.

Good morning, Houston!

Our friends posted this photo of their home in Bastrop BEFORE the dam broke there.  We have not heard how much worse it got.

This was along I-10 in Luling TX on our way home.

This is the new sign in Orange, TX as you enter from Louisiana! 

LOL!

I fixed some ribs for dinner after Ted watched the Pitmaster cook offs!  Mine were really good, maybe not Pitmaster worthy, but we liked them.

I was awakened in the middle of the night with lightning flashing, thunder and another couple of inches of rain.  There was a funeral at church and I saw one lady post she couldn't get there with the food she fixed because some of the roads are still blocked.  The earthen dam up near Dallas is breaching and I worry about the one near Gerre and Barry.  The plus side is everything is greener than I have ever seen it.  I don't think there are any drought levels anywhere in Texas anymore.  I wish we could send some of this to California.

Something to put a smile on my face was this posting of our lunch photo in Nashville, IN.  It was such a fun weekend with high school friends to celebrate our 70th birthday year.  I saw my sister and two other friends during that trip too.

Wednesday we picked Terry and Carol up from the airport when they returned from their grandson's graduation.  Since it was dinner time and they of course got nothing to eat on the plane, we took them to dinner before taking them home.  All of a sudden it was 9:00 pm and the day was almost over.

I found this photo thought provoking.  The four major cities in Texas are all flooded at the same time.  The whole state is in a state of emergency.

With the power restored, I reported for work at the thrift shop on Thursday.  It was almost impossible  to move because things were piled so high!   I tagged and hung for awhile then took the clothes out to  the store to be hung up for sale.  My two hours went quickly and I left to go play Shanghai.  We had a fun table but I came in third due to getting stuck one of the six games.  Once you don't get down, your chances of winning are almost nil.  We had a lot of laughs and bottom line that is why we meet - to play, to have fun.

Ted had gone to the gun club to see the water damage.  All the thrower machines are under water and there was an alligator swimming around. Lots of areas are still under very deep water.  We didn't get rain on Thursday but they keep predicting it.

We had more rain overnight on Friday, another 3.5 inches according to the rain gauge.  I know it didn't help but so far it hasn't caused any new problems that I have heard about.

To keep in mind the good things that happened last weekend, here are a few plagarized photos from the Texas Boomers 15th Anniversary Party.

Our friends Jay, Susan, Mike (standing), me, Ted, Bill, Aleena and the back of Tommy.

Cutting green peppers for omelets with Pat, Barbara and Amber.

Ted going somewhere!

How you prepare your zippy omelet bag

The finished product

Hail, hail the gangs all here!

All in all it has been an emotional week.  Many have died.  Much has been destroyed.  But there has been no whining, no cries for FEMA, no widespread looting, etc.  Many people have put themselves in harms way all week to help others.  We don't have one city flooded, we have our four major cities flooded plus all the areas in between. Those Texas bootstraps are strong!

Proud to be from Texas!

Memorial Day Weekend

This was the 15th Anñiversary Rally for the Texas Boomers Camping Club.  We arrived about 12:15 in Boerne and found Jay and Tommy setting up on either side of us.  They had just arrived too.  Everyone was busy getting things in order both inside and out.  When finished we had a sandwich for lunch. While I cooked the chicken for Thursday night's potluck, Ted went to fill up the truck.  I used the Gas Buddy app to find the best diesel fuel price.  That app sure comes in handy when traveling.

It was a sad afternoon.  First I learned that the husband of the Spiritual Director at our church lost her husband.  She had recently helped me plan our 50th anniversary celebration.  Then as we left for dinner our friend Stella next door called for her husband because their dog had quietly died in their RV living room.  We were all shocked and upset.  We had three dishes for the potluck but stopped and found a vet to take her and transfer her to a service for cremation.  The evening was very low key from then on.

Today I learned my nephew was taken to the hospital for chest pains and my friend is making plans for evacuation if the dam by them is breached by more rain that is expected.  I called Chris and told him they may bring things for safe keeping and if they need to evacuate may be staying in our master bedroom.  I am worried about what else might raise its head tomorrow!

This morning we had zippy omelets for breakfast.  You put two eggs and toppings in a ziplock bag, mash it all up, then zip it closed.  Fifteen bags at a time are put into a huge pot of boiling water and you get 15 perfect made to order omelets.  Great way to quickly feed 120 people.  Foùr pots were used and you write your name on the bag.  They are really good and were served with fruit, juice, coffee and pastries.

We watched the line dancing class and then I visited with Susan in her motorhome.  Tonight's dinner was Stuffed Tator night followed by a dance band.  We sat outside for a long time and then decided to come in because all the fresh air had worn us out.  My sciatic nerve (I think) is bothering me intermittently and I just wanted to put medicine on it and put my leg up.  The pain is in the middle of my right cheek and my right calf and that's why I think it is a nerve.

At 4:00 a.m. I received a text.  With people going in and out of the hospital, dams waiting to break and family traveling for the holiday, I got up to see who it was.  I was informed the sender was having seriously racy thoughts about me and I should text back.  I was livid!  I am not the best sleeper, had pain in my hip and some ding dong wakes me up!  I wonder what his reaction to an almost 70 year old senior citizen would be!  Jerk!

I did eventually get back to sleep for about an hour and then got up to make my egg and ham dish for our potluck breakfast.  There was lots of food and all very good; my dish turned out well.  After our meal there was a Memorial Day presentation, recognition for all vets present, acknowledgement of family members currently serving and a slideshow of all our members who have served, both living and dead.  It was very meaningful and met with thunderous applause.

We decided to drive to Waring TX to see if the general store was going to be open on Sunday.  It is a hole in the wall restaurant that Susan raved about but we couldn't get anyone to answer the phone.  We found it with no difficulty and they will be open for just two hours noon to 2:00 on Sunday.  We are going to church at 9:00 so that will work fine.  It has the the best burgers ever Susan says.  There is all kinds of seating inside and out plus two stages.  Their big night is steak nght on Wednesday.

We came home and suffered through rain, rain and more rain!  We started getting water on the floor near the refrigerator.  Ted checked the slide seal and it was flipped and not laying flat.  He used Jay's awning hook to straighten it out and the water stopped.

We were on serving duty for the BBQ anniversary dinner which wasn't hard at all.  There was pulled pork, sausage, cole slaw, beans, potato salad and cake.  

They wanted two lines starting at the ends and ending in the middle.  I suggested they call tables from either end of the hall so when finished, folks could make a U turn back to their table.  It worked like a charm and we had everyone served in no time.  The weather got increasingly worse so most of us returned to our rigs.  The building was left open and lit in case anyone needed to seek refuge there during the night.

On the news they said River Road was closed so we weren't sure we could get to church but we had no problem.  There was lots of debris left from the receding waters visible during our short drive.  

When we returned we left for Waring.  We arrived a little before noon but no one ever came to open up.  After waiting a reasonable amount of time we drove to Kerrville instead.  Twice we had to drive through water over the road but our truck sits up high so we were ok.  Lakeside restaurant looked to be very busy but the six of us were seated right away.  We had a nice lunch, tried to find the park on the Guadalupe River to take a look but we never found it.  The other folks had dogs back at the campground and they wanted to get back so we came home.

Around 6:00 we went to the clubhouse for an ice cream social and the drawing for door prizes.  Jay won a Texas flag and an I Love Texas T-shirt.  None of us others won anything though.  Tommy decided to make pina coladas so we eventually retired to their motorhome while he got the blender going.

The news about the loss of life and damage in Central Texas has been devastating.  We are very lucky to have been out of harm's way.  Please pray tor the families who have lost loved ones.  The damaged property will eventually be restored but they are gone from us forever.

Honor our departed military today.  Have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

Didn't Pay to be Nice About the Weather

Well after writing we have escaped most of the bad weather, it started raining here and hasn't stopped.  Enough already!  Go to California. They really, really need you. I thought our patio umbrella was going to take flight yesterday.  Checking the weather report indicates we are in for a wet Memorial Day weekend.  Bummer!

Ted went to the gun club but no one was able to shoot in the league.  The rain never let up.  I cleaned out the hall closet and only have one more to go.  Then I am going to start on the laundry room cabinets next.  I love having empty shelves and rod space in closets.  I am determined not to fill them up again.

Monday my bunco group met and we had 5 subs which is always nice.  It gives new people a chance to meet us and us them.  Kathryn was subbing but has broken her shoulder.  She said she wanted to come anyway.  I arranged for Nancy who lives close by to pick her up and then I took her home.  She was overwhelmed that we would do this for a sub.  I assured her we are here for her and all she needs to do is let us know what we can do.

I stopped at the nail salon on the way home so I would have time on Tuesday and Wednesday to go to the store for groceries and get my clothes together.  I was going to be busy with Forum stuff both days.

My shift at the thrift shop started at noon on Tuesday.  Everything needed attention!  My button basket was overflowing but I didn't get a chance to work on it.  The bins were full and we were assigned the job of emptying them.  By the time I left the men's and women's piles were as tall as me!  I hope Wednesday's crew tags and hangs.  I signed up for a short stint next Thursday because Ginger had no one signed up yet.  I have to play cards at 12:30 so that's the best I could do.

My next stop was the grocery and bank getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend.  I even got my clothes together for Thursday.  So tomorrow afternoon, once I get home from the Joint Board meeting and lunch, it shouldn't be too difficult to get things all together.

Ted had to leave at 7 a.m. to take Terry and Carol to the airport.  In the meantime, I got myself ready to attend the Joint Board Meeting being held at a country club about 45 minutes away.  Traffic wasn't bad and I arrived a little early.  It is a beautiful place and the roses in the centerpieces and on the sideboards were exquisite.  Lunch was quite good and our treasurer's report was through the roof!  Never underestimate the power of a bunch of old ladies working together.

Since I was that far south I took the opportunity to get my hair fixed so I don't have to bother with it while out for the weekend.  I just hope I don't get caught in the rain!

We took off Thursday morning and we just passed Columbus, Texas on our way to Boerne.  The GPS says we will arrive at noon.  I am making a "company chicken and stuffing casserole" for tonight's potluck so a 12 o'clock arrival will be fine.  Our camping group, The Texas Boomers, are celebrating their 15th anniversary.  We have been members for 11 years.  Sixty rigs are expected.  It should be a great weekend of old friends and new!

A Few Photos

Here are a few photos taken at our Installation Luncheon.

The songs and dancing were terrific!

The beautiful dessert carrying out the theater theme.

Gail was my second year recruit and is doing a great job in Forum.

Our side of the table

Really Bad Weather in North Texas

I have received many calls recently about our well being.  I guess the national news keeps talking about the bad weather "in Texas."  We have had lots of rain and a few windy storms but it has stayed north of us and south of us.  There has been nothing as bad as northern Texas and Oklahoma have experienced.  

It was raining Sunday night and Monday morning before I left for Canasta but I didn't need an umbrella either going into Sue Ann's house or back out to the car later.  Our rain has simply been spotty showers.  I lost every round of Canasta but still came in 5th out of 8.  And one of my losing partners was the big winner!  Crazy!  Not sure how that happened.  I was counting on getting my dollar back by being last!

Tuesday I had an eye doctor appointment in the morning and all is okay, not even a prescription change.  I seldom wear my glasses, only for night driving which I do little of and when driving in unfamiliar areas where I need to read signs.  They give me a bit more acuity, thus a little more time to read and make driving decisions.

From there I went to church to work at the funeral luncheon reception for a woman I knew slightly from Newcomers.  She has battled cancer for some time but is finally out of pain and at peace.  Her husband was so appreciative of our efforts.  That kind of response makes all our efforts so worthwhile.  It was sad though because I had to mail two sympathy cards to Ohio and Tennessee on my way to the doctor.  I am afraid this will occur more and more frequently the older we get.

I brought home 9 tablecloths that I put three into the washer immediately.  Then Ted decided we needed to go to the grocery store and get fuel in the truck.  So off we went to Kroger's and I finished the tablecloths when we got back after I put the groceries away.  It turned into an on the go type day.

I was bummed when the gymnist was eliminated on DWTS on Tuesday night.  It was a close call but I thought she and the other contestant Riker are the best dancers.  Next week will tell.

Ted attended the men's neighborhood luncheon on Wednesday while I got a hair cut.  The tablecloths had been laundered, put on hangers and were taken back to church on my way home.  We played Shanghai that evening and had a buffet dinner at the restaurant where we played.  I was again at the table that ended last but another lady and man exchanged words this time.  He was taking way too much time but her hounding him didn't help.  The men don't seem to understand the ending rules and how jokers can play into it.  I showed the man what he had to do and he calmed down.  Sheesh!  I may stop playing in this group.  I came in second by 3 points and the one other man who lost to me was fine. It's a game folks!

It was our neighborhood ladies lunch day on Thursday.  We met at Olive Garden with 9 in attendance.  There were at least 4 missing but a new lady came and was introduced.  I had invited the new neighbor next to me but she had a dental appt. but said to check with her again.  We need to be sure to include the new ladies in the plans to keep the group relevant.

Friday night we had a couple to dinner who recently moved to Georgetown, TX.  They were at our anniversary party but had said their gifts for us were not ready yet.  So when they called to ask if we would be around this week while they were back in town, I invited them over.  We had a nice dinner, played some cards and opened our gifts.  One was a set of dishtowels embroidered with Rogers Cellars to be used with my wine tub at parties.  I have coddled my William-Sonoma towels for a few years now because my everyday ones just wouldn't do!  

The other gift was a yard sign for outside our camper.  We loved both gifts.  I immediately put the towels in the linen closet and the sign and hanger with the pile going to the trailer.

  

Gerre had given me a ticket to her church fashion show and luncheon where she was in charge.  I bought several things and enjoyed the show and lunch.  The ladies made all the food and it all was so good!  Ted and I attended church at 5:00 and came home to Feet Up Time!  We had leftovers for dinner, watched Outlander and then a movie.  

Today is a day off but I have already cleaned the closet out in the office.  There were so many half filled boxes and things and I had greeting cards here, there and everywhere so I sat and matched them with their envelopes, sorted them by occasion and now it is all neat.  I threw a whole garbage bag out into the recycle bin. Then I made up my list of groceries I need for Memorial Day weekend.  I am busy everyday this week until we depart so I need to get organized!

When You Don't Need It

We saw on TV that the bridge to the Cincinnati airport would be down to one lane in both directions, complete with film of backed up traffic.  We decided we better give ourselves extra time.  And when Donna was unable to print my boarding passes, we decided to leave even earlier so I could print them at the airport.

So of course we drove right over the bridge with no back-up, I walked right up to a kiosk and printed my two boarding passes, both marked TSA Pre-Check.  This means I could get in the special line, not remove my shoes, jacket or liquids. No one was in this line and I walked right through to the screening machine and out the other side!  I doubt Karen and Ron were off airport property when I arrived at my gate.

I have a Kindle but also have the Kindle app on my IPad so I was able to buy the next book in a series I am reading and have it downloaded on the IPad to pass the time.  My flight to Chicago took less than an hour and I had quite a walk to my next gate.  This flight left on time too.  Ted was outside waiting for me and we decided to go to BJ's for dinner since I hadn't eaten since breakfast.  Easiest of travel days!

Thursday I emptied my suitcase and got all my travel gear back where it belongs.  I had some things to handle at my desk and the day passed quickly and I went to bed early because Friday was going to be very busy.

Our Board Installation Luncheon for Forum began at 9:30 Friday morning.  What a terrific program.  The directors out did themselves once again.  This gathering is always the most fun and entertaining of the year.  It was about 1:30 when I arrived home and started cooking for Saturday when we were hosting Shanghai for 5 couples.

I made cocktail meatballs from scratch.  The crab dip I made two weeks ago was well received so I made that again.  And I made lemon squares, and not from a mix!  To that I added sliced cheese, summer sausage and crackers.  We had plenty of beer, wine, pop, water and coffee too.  

Once that was finished I got redressed to meet Gerre and Barry for dinner and to see Oklahoma!  It was a very good production but Gerre and I determined they missed the scene where the villain gets shot.  They had done the big Oklahoma OK finale and I was wondering about the loose end of the bad guy.  Then they sort of back tracked, did the scene and did Okkahoma OK a second time.  All's well that ends well.

Saturday was busy but not rushed.  I got the tables set up for cards.  And then I went to vote on a road bond issue.  Ted had voted early while I was gone.  We grabbed a sandwich at Subway so we didn't disturb anything in the kitchen at home.  Our company arrived starting at 6:15 so we didn't go to church at 5:00.

Ted and I ended up at the same table and he came in first.  I tied for second with Mary Ann.  I also had a Shanghai which earns me $1 from each player!  Jeff had one at the other table.  It was around 11:00 when everyone left.

After church Sunday I fixed breakfast, Ted went shooting, I started the laundry and put the kitchen back in order.  When that was done I put ribs in the oven for dinner.  Ted asked if I wanted to go out to eat but I have been eating out for over a week!  I wanted to eat at home.

For Mother's Day Kelly sent me roses and calla lilies, Kara sent four sets of towels for the guest bath and Kristin was able to find the retired Lladro of the photographer to add Larry to my family collection.  I didn't take a photo of the beige towels.  After 23 bathrooms in our 50 years at 11 homes I had a mismatch of all kinds of towels.  I needed some nice, fluffy sets to give to our guests.  I took a big bagful of bath towels, hand towels and washcloths to Merry for the Animal shelter she works at.  They won't care there are so many different colors! 

On To The Next Thing

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were catch up days.  The house needed some putting back together.  Beds needed to be remade, dishes and things returned to their storage space, smoker put away in the garage, table leaves and pads removed, etc.  During the night there was a fierce storm and several trees were down in our neighborhood.  Gerre called to say they would get Tucker later because they were working on the massive clean up in their huge yard.  So we told them we would just bring him home.  Once we returned, I was done for the day!

Tuesday was a bit easier but the laundry needed to be done in addition to writing our thank you notes. So I wrote some, worked around the house, wrote some more, until it was all done.  We had leftovers for dinner Monday night and easy to fix Cincinnati Skyline chili Tuesday night.  I was thinking about my 6 am to 10 pm days when I had a full time job, 3 kids at home, a 10 room house and constant cooking, cleaning and laundry.  It was easier to keep weight off back then!

My hairdresser texted me first thing Wednesday morning to ask me to come on Thursday instead  because she wasn't feeling well.  The poor thing has to take medicine for thyroid cancer and her hours get sporadic because of it.  But Isabelle called to see if she could clean that day so it worked out.  I finished the ironing right before she arrived.  

I had to leave at 9 am to get my hair done and be back in time for the brunch for Newcomer Activity Chairs.  I had just enough time to stop at home, regroup and take off again.  It was a nice crowd and more of a lunch than brunch but that was okay!  I thought I would be home by 1:00  but it was 2:00 before I rolled in.

Since I was leaving for Cincinnati in the morning I had to start packing.  My flight was at 5:25 AM!  I went to bed early and woke up before the alarm went off at 3 a.m.  Poor Ted had to take me to the airport in the middle of the night almost.  Even at 4:30 am the terminal was crowded.  I flew first to Charlotte, then into Cincinnati.  My friend Donna picked me up and we headed to Nashville, IN.  We were the last to arrive at the log home we had rented for the weekend.  It was a fantastic find.  There were 5 bedrooms with their own baths.  Nine of us from the class of '63 were celebrating our 70th birthday year.

It was a great weekend of visiting, eating, drinking, shopping, reminiscing and reconnecting.  We had dinner at the Artist Colony on Friday then returned home to enjoy our joint birthday cake!  Since Gerrie won't turn 70 until next January we teased that she couldn't have a piece.

A parade was scheduled for Saturday and we all found a bench to sit on and watch.  Every fire department within a 50 mile radius was represented.  There were many military personnel and vets marching to lots of applause.  Girl scouts, Farmer's Market, high school thespians, etc. all marched proudly.  It felt great to be in Middle America displaying what I consider American values.  

That evening we ate in town and attended the Brown County Playhouse before returning home and playing some cards and more conversations.

The next morning after breakfast, the exodus began.  Donna and I stayed until last to be sure everything that needed to be done to set the house right was completed.  We drove back to Cincinnati to Karen and Ron's and Donna dropped me off.  Four hours later she returned and we went to church in the evening.

Monday I slept late but was ready for Karen's (from Procter & Gamble days) arrival around 11 am.  We started work the same day in 1963 and immediately became best friends.  The years and most of life's milestones have been shared.  We can always pick up like we were together just yesterday.  Both Karens and I went out to lunch and four hours just whizzed by.  I  always hate to say goodbye to her.

Tuesday was my last full day in Cincinnati so Karen and I did a bit of shopping.  Her knees are bad so she can't walk around too much.  I bought a blouse and new laundry bags for the trailer.  Karen bought slippers. In the evening Donna picked me up again for dinner with Cookie who was unable to attend the weekend.  Third Donna had gall bladder surgery and could not attend either.  We went to the Bier Haus where I had pretzel bread, hot slaw, potato pancake and Bavarian chicken.  I brought a good size piece of chicken home.  Karen can have it for lunch!  I will be winging my way home by then.

I am amazed how friends I made in kindergarten, continued through school to the 12th grade, can pick up over 50 years later and continue on as if it all happened yesterday.

What A WONDERFUL Weekend

Friday was a busy day!  We were up early so Ted could start smoking his brisket by 6 am.  Then he prepared his pork shoulder for cooking in the crockpot.  He braises the meat first.  When he was finished I started in on my green beans, BBQ beans, cole slaw and fruit salad.

The weather was stormy early on and screwed up all three flights we were expecting from Phoenix, Detroit and Orlando.  The fourth flight from Florida was not due in until Saturday and was delayed that day too!

Fortunately the flights kept being delayed equally so our airport trips could be coordinated.  Unfortunately the last one landed at 4:40 and I had 16 folks coming for dinner at 6:00.  As soon as we arrived home I put both bean dishes in the oven and put out crab dip, pesto spread, shrimp and cheese & crackers which started disappearing in earnest!

Ted's brisket and pulled pork were excellent.  Of course if you make sure your guests are really, really hungry, anything will taste good!   Carol made brownies, lemon squares and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  It turned into a great evening! 

On our deck.

Granddaughter Morgan with son-in-law Larry.

Look at these three brides of 50, 54 and 50 years of marriage.  

Daughter Kara and Son-in-law Bill.

Saturday the fellows went to the gun range where Sam finally got to shoot under his Poppa's tutelage.  He did really well as did all the others.  

We girls went to Stein Mart and then Kara and Kristin had hair appointments.

The Mass went very well.  We were mentioned in the Prayers of the Faithful and again at the end of Mass being congratulated followed by applause.  Once church was dismissed we renewed our vows in the presence of our family and friends.  We then invited Father to come have dinner with us and he did!

 

My beautiful friend Jody did a FABULOUS job on the cake table layering it with white and gold cloths, gold candle hurricanes, 50th anniversary napkins, white and gold plates and gold forks.

Our Wedding Album and a photo of each of our three girls' weddings with flowers sent by Gerre and Barry graced it too.

We had a great time in the party room of a local Mexican restaurant complete with salsa, queso, guacamole, margaritas and the dinner of our guests' choice.  The lovely cake was our dessert and for once the entire cake was gone!  Ted took the last piece for our friend Tommy who left before the cake was cut but LOVES bakery celebration cakes.

I have to admit I was so tired when we got home that it took no time to hit the hay!  We had more celebrating the next day.  Terry and Carol invited the family, 16 in all, to brunch at the country club.  We had a private, quiet room, much different than the night before!  It was a nice ending to a busy weekend.

Then the airport runs began again.  Thankfully the flights were all on time.  Ted did two of the runs, Terry did the other.  My sister had rented a car because they were scoping out the Ironman course in The Woodlands because they are considering doing it in 2017 when they move to another age group.  So we didn't have to arrange their transportation.  On Ted's last run he stopped to give Tommy his cake!

While Ted was gone I started getting the house put back together.  And in the midst of all this chaos little Tucker was a champ.  He took the extra people, time alone, and erratic potty breaks in stride.  That evening whiile Ted napped off and on in his recliner, Tucker and I crashed together on the couch.  

Things are back to normal and as Pippi Longstocking tells us ... "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world"  ... at least for this past weekend.

Lots To Do This Week

There was an election for my social group at a luncheon on Thursday.  Since I wasn't supposed to be home this week I hadn't sent my reservation in.  But I was able to go over for the meeting part and cast my ballot.  Teri also came just to vote so while we waited she suggested we have a glass of wine. I normally don't do that in the middle of the day but said sure, why not?  There were many friends to visit with and Teri even snagged an ice cream sundae from someone's lunch!  

After we voted I left to go to Party City to buy nice 50th anniversary plates, napkins and forks to be used for the cake we are having made for our party.  My good friend Jody has the cake thing under control!  What a blessing that is to not worry about it on such a busy day.  I hope she knows how grateful I am.  She has excellent taste and will make the cake table nice and be sure the tables are placed suitably.

I then hurried to the Memorial Service for Sue Anne's mother, Molly, who I mentioned died last week.  If only people would say one-quarter of the wonderful things about me when I die, I would consider my life a success.  I met Molly in 2003 at the age of 81.  The happiness and friendship she brought to the residents of the facility where she lived was astounding.  When asked to speak I said I always told Molly she was my role model for old age and related my eyelash story.  It was a very moving service.

Since we weren't supposed to be home, this weekend's entire calendar was clear.  I cleaned out the freezer, refrigerator and pantry.  The Paralyzed Veterans of Texas people called and are coming Tuesday so my two huge bags of clothes plus two boxes of household items are sitting out waiting for the big day!  I was hoping they would call before our company arrives and they did.

After church on Saturday we went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner and ran into friends who were there too.  We arrived home in time to watch "Outlander."  I have read the entire series (8 books) twice and am loving the shows.  With that and Amazing Race on Friday night I didn't care we were home both  evenings.  The weather was stormy and it was good to stay in.

I did a bit of shopping on Sunday, buying Nancy a birthday gift, getting myself a couple tops and getting in the first batch of groceries for the weekend.  

My bunco group met on Monday and we had a nice time at Nancy's.  Afterwards I stopped at Target because I was looking for place mats for the patio table.  And I was able to buy a new fitted sheet for our bed since the old one developed a tear.  It is hard to find single sheets, there are mostly sets out there.  I was glad to find it!  

 

Gerre brought Tucker over after dinner to stay for the week.  They are going to Big Bend National Park in west Texas with their neighbors.  We were invited but couldn't go of course.  Anyway, we would want to stay longer than the 5 days they will be out there.

I was asked to sub at Canasta that turned into Shanghai when the number of attendees got skewed.  I came in third but only got stuck once.  No one had a clean round of six.   We had lunch on the patio outside the bar at the country club and it was very good!   You win some, you lose some when you eat there.  I always like it when the food and service are good.  On the way home I remembered Ted had a business lunch downtown and Tucker probably needed to go out.  He was fine went I got home but I gave him a treat after his trip outside.  He is such a good dog.  I changed my clothes and went to the nail salon.

I had to clean the house Wednesday because it is Isabelle's week off.  It didn't take too long because so much of our house doesn't get used on a regular basis.  The two guest bedrooms, second bath, dining room and sitting room were just a quick dusting and vacuuming.  The rest took awhile longer.  But I was pretty whipped by day's end.  Ted had a business lunch down near the airport and I always work better when he is gone.

We did the last grocery run on Thursday so I can start my cooking Friday morning.  We have to pick up 8 folks at the airport around 2:30 pm Friday.  I want to have dinner preparations all ready to go when we get home.  Four are staying here and 16 are coming for dinner.  Ted is smoking his brisket and cooking a pork shoulder first thing in the morning.

Wish us luck with the celebration.

Upcoming Celebration

Ted and I were married April 24, 1965.  That means this year we are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary!  We have booked a cruise for our family (kids, in-laws, grandkids and us) on the Disney Fantasy for August.  But I didn't want the day to just pass by without recognition so we are renewing our vows after 5 pm Mass on 4/25 with family and friends in attendance.

Following the ceremony, 40 family members and friends will join us for dinner at a local restaurant.

We are so excited to have a dozen folks traveling long distances to join us.  And we are so grateful for the neighbors and friends who have made our life in Texas so wonderful.  This is a tremendous milestone that many are not fortunate enough to achieve due to various reasons.  We are both proud and blessed to have made it this far.  Every additional year is truly a gift.

My present from Ted was a .22 Beretta pistol to use at the gun range, especially during the time we spend in Mission, TX.  The gun range there is on the property owned by the developer and there are lots of men and women who participate in all kinds of competitions.  I am all for anything we can still do together without threat of injuring ourselves.  After falling off my bike twice last year, Ted proclaimed no more bike riding for me.   I haven't bowled since my hip replacement in 2007 but I bowled in a league every year, sometimes a women's league, sometimes as a couple, since the mid 1960's.  We need to look into that again but we can't join a league until we hang around more.

My new gun.

Second trip to the gun range using my new Beretta.  I shot 40 rounds - 10 at 5 yards, 10 at 7 yards and 20 at 10 yards.  Not too bad!  My Dad told Ted to be careful because I can shoot!  I hope I can translate this into some good scores in next year's competitions.

Glad We Stayed Home

Seldom do we pass up an opportunity to get away but our April travel schedule was ambitious even for us.  I think we were both relieved when we agreed to stay home.

I attended the Board of Directors meeting in the morning on Friday then came home to finish up the laundry.  Ted was at the gun club all day getting the scope mounted on the rifle he won down in the valley. It had arrived the day before and apparently took longer to mount and get set right than either he or Mike anticipated.  Ted was in bed when I left in the morning and I didn't see him again until I came in late that night.

Our friends Sherida and John have moved to Georgetown TX and there was a dinner for the girls to say goodbye to her.  About 24 were in attendance and we had a great time.  It was one of the most fun events I have attended in a long time.  The guest list was done by Sherida herself and I found it interesting who she invited.  We never know for sure what we do that stays with people through the years to make them consider you a friend.  We all have so many acquaintances but true friends are a blessing.

I presented my "toast or roast" and it was well received.  Two others did too.  Her granddaughter gave a tear jerker account of what her Grandma means to her and the hole it will leave in her day to day life not to have her close by.  It warmed my heart to see how this young lady has matured over the past six years.

Another friend who is battling brain cancer was brought to the party by her husband but was sick immediately and he had to return to take her home.  What a terrible situation they are in and it breaks my heart.  I also learned my role model for old age passed away on Easter.  Sue Ann's mother, age 93, was the most gracious, unassuming person I ever met.  When she met someone she told them if they couldn't remember her name to just call her Gorgeous.  Once when I asked how she was feeling she told me her eyelashes didn't hurt.  That has always stuck with me that she could find a positive comment no matter what.  Rest in peace, Mollly.  You will be missed by many.

Bad weather was forecast for Saturday but it was evening before light rain started.  After church we went to try Gino's East Chicago pizza.  It is always a wait plus the pizza takes 45 minutes to bake!  But we were alone and had the time.  We were seated immediately at a high top table but it was 8 o'clock before we were served.  The place was crawling with kids scrambling all over to write on the walls and it was noisy.  Ted said he will go back ... but in the middle of the afternoon, after lunch and before dinner.  They had gluten free pizzas so we brought an unbaked one home and put it in the freezer for Morgan while she is here.

Gerre, Anna Marie and I were going to the Art Festival Sunday but then I agreed to host Canasta Monday for Carol who has a CT scan scheduled.  And I had to make lemon squares for a funeral also on Monday.  So I was up, grocery shopped and came home before Ted ever woke up.  I had the lemon squares made, a pot roast started and the dishes out that I needed for the Canasta snacks early on.  I was able to rest up and watch The Masters late in the day.  

Ted took my lemon squares to church as he left for Beaumont.  I was busy getting ready for Canasta.  We only had two tables and I ended in the middle having two mediocre games and two really good ones.  I had lots of snacks left over so I cleaned up after they left and then had the evening to myself except for putting out the garbage.

Today I worked at the thrift shop for the first time since last year.  I have all my hours in but at our board meeting they annonced they needed help so I signed up for a few shifts.  

Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. ~ Unknown

Maybe A Change in Plans

We went to 11 o'clock Mass on Easter.  I always wonder where all these folks are the other 51 Sundays of the year.  We found a parking spot around the back near the playground and entered through that walkway which put us right at the gym where a simultaneous service would be held in addition to the church.  There were seats in the third row so we took them.  Our hospital chaplain said Mass and it was 12:30 when we got out.  Luckily we drove right out of the parking lot and were on our way home with no gridlock.

We met Terry, Carol, Irene and John at the country club for the 3:30 seating for dinner.  Unlike our experience the week before, the food never ran out and there was plenty of waitstaff.  Afterwards we went to Carol's to play cards and I had horrible hands and ended up with my highest score ever.  So much for bragging about all our previous card playing triumphs last week!

They are predicting rain all three days next weekend and then through most of the next week so I asked Ted if we were able to cancel our Kerrville trip.  Traveling there in the rain, followed by days of rain doesn't sound like much fun to me.  And I do have other things to do!  We eventually decided to cancel the trip.

On Tuesday I had a bone density scan, 3D diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound.  They read the last two right then and the doctor came in to tell me all was OK.  I have never had that happen before and it caught me off guard.  I was certainly happy with the news.  I am anxious to see what the bone density test shows.  I was really uncomfortable laying on that hard xray table and my hip/back/sciatic nerve/whatever it is bothered me for the rest of the day.  It hadn't been bothering me!

Wednesday we played Shanghai and I again had awful cards.  The evening didn't end well when one fellow at my table got upset because I threw a player card which allowed the girl next to me to go out.  I was holding 11 of the 12 cards I needed, a pile of cards that were players I couldn't throw and a set of diamonds and a set of hearts, none of which had a sequence of three that I needed but were such that I ñeeded just one of 7 different cards to make it work.  I chose not to break up my sets, not to throw a player but instead threw one that could be traded for a joker.  There was a chance no one would take it because you have to be able to use it immediately or hold it for 50 points.  I took my chances but Ann was able to use it and went out.  The fellow who then slipped from first to second was livid.  He claimed I wanted my friend Ann to win and we girls were sticking together.  I told him I was just glad it was over because most everyone had left.  We just said goodbye but I was told he was still cursing as he went out the door.

It is a card game that costs at most $2.30 if you don't win anything.  We play to have fun.  My thoughts are I have been disliked by professionals so I won't let an amateur like him bother me!  He can just play at another table as far as I am concerned.

The ladies' neighborhood luncheon was today and we had 11 ladies attend.  Nancy picked me up and drove us to Outback Steakhouse.  We had a big round table which worked really well for visiting.  We finished out the yearly calendar and once again will go to Treehouse for our Christmas lunch.

Tomorrow I have a Board of Directors meeting in the morning and a going away dinner party at 5:30.  I have been asked to give a toast so I typed up some things about the couple who are moving.  It will only take a minute or two to present them so I hope they have others lined up to speak too!

Getting to be Crunch Time

We met up with Gerre, Barry, Irene and John at the gun range.  Ted was going to help everyone get more comfortable with their guns including me.  The gun he wants me to use has a top slide and I can't pull it back.  So I insisted on using the .357 that I can handle.  Ted showed Barry and John a gadget they should get to help with loading and worked with Gerre and Irene on targets.  Using the gun I like, I had 30 pretty good rounds.  I still tend to rest my finger on the trigger which is a big no-no and my four errant shots show this.  But I had four wounds and 26 fatal shots.

Here is the gun range at Retama.  Lots of work was done on it this year. Ted also shoots skeet at Mission Skeet Club.  And that's why he loves his time in the Rio Grande Valley.

Thursday was Isabelle's day to clean so I hung around waiting for her.  It was 4 o'clock before she arrived.  Her helper notified her at 10 on Wednesday night that she couldn't help clean so the poor woman was doing it all alone.  It was 7:30 before she left.  I do hope she finds help.  If not she may need to cut back on her customers and I don't want it to be me!

When she left we went to Dickie's BBQ to grab a quick sandwich because it was so late.  We are trying to decide what to serve to everyone on Friday night of our celebration weekend.  It would be very hard for Ted to smoke the brisket, pork and ribs while making runs to the airport and getting the Florida folks a rental car and settled at their hotel.  We may just call on Dickie!  But that leaves me with a pork shoulder, 11# brisket and racks of ribs in the freezer!

I had an early morning hair appointment and afterwards stopped to get a few things at the mall.  I had messaged Gerre the night before about going back to the K of C fish fry.  She called and said to bring my dimes because Tony and Linda wanted to play cards this time.  We walked in right behind them and another neighbor couple soon joined us while we ate.  At 6:30 they raffled the rifle and handgun. The man to Ted's immediate right won first and chose the handgun, the lady neighbor of Gerre's sitting across from me won the shotgun!  Close but no cigar.

When we arrived back at their house there was a message that Tony and Linda were staying home because their dog had 5 teeth pulled and wasn't doing well.  So we four played Canasta and the fellows beat us badly.  We just didn't get the wild cards we needed.  That happens now and then!

Saturday was a quiet day.  Ted shot sporting clays, I went over our reservations with Eileen, paid our 4/15 estimated taxes, sent a few cards and just took it easy.  I put some new things out on the porch and cleaned and polished the front door.  Ted laid sod where the old grill had been sitting on pavers.  I will get my hanging baskets soon.  Next week is pretty low key.

I have to share my niece Cindy and Tim's Easter picture with their six grandkids.  I am so looking forward to spending the 4th of July at Elk Lake with them.  I am sure it will be pure chaos.

He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.