Family moments

This weekend has been full of family.

It began with school "family" celebrating my birthday!!! Thanks to all of you for a great time. From there it was time with my cousin Keith and some of our friend "family". It is always nice to spend the evening with those who love you no matter what!

Saturday was moving day for David. Juan helped him get all of his stuff into his new house. He is happy and that makes me happy. As long as he takes care of Deebo everything will be fine. We will see him when he comes home to pick up more stuff or whenever he works. I have shopping to do to make sure he has all the things he needs.

Saturday night was great! Juan and I had dinner with my Clarksville cousins, Larry and Debbie and Kevin and Erin. Larry is leaving in a few weeks to spend 6 months in Kuwait. He is a mechanic and will be working on military transport. I really miss not seeing them as often as we used to. Larry and Debbie are good people. They are truly humble and I love them with all my heart.

Sunday is home and family day...cleaning and cooking. I am content and happy and ready to go back to work! Hope you have a great week!

I am a Blog Stalker

I admit it...I read random blogs.

I read blogs of people that know people that know people that I know. I read blogs of people I have never met. I read blogs--lots of blogs. I am a blog stalker. If you are reading this and you have a blog I probably read yours!

I found one by The Pioneer Woman. I LOVE this blog. I read what she says and live vicariously through her. She lives on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma (OK, I would never live in Oklahoma), is married to a real cowboy and has four kids (never 4 kids!). She cooks, blogs, homeschools, and is a wonderful photographer. OMG! I love her site. I wish I was half as talented as she is!

I rarely leave comments on blogs, however. Not because I am not touched by what I read, but because you don't know me and you would realize you were being stalked! HA!

Nothing of substance here. Just a cleansing and confession of my blog sins. Happy Wednesday!

Empty Nest

old picture...but I love this one!!!

David is 23 and Joy is 20. They both currently live at home with mom and dad.

Last Thursday Joy announced to me that she does not like Ogle's and does not want to go back. She isn't sure what she wants to do except work full time. OK. I think it is time for her to move out and work and decide what she really wants to do with her life. She loves the Austin/San Marcos area (don't we all??) and has friends living there. Maybe she needs to venture out again and try to make it work this time.

David is actually moving out this Friday. He and two of his old HS friends have found a house in the area and they are making the move. He, too, is working on what he wants to do. I think moving out and living on his own will help him make some decisions and things will begin to come together for him.

I love my two kids with all my heart. They are my life, my breath, my heart and soul. But, I have finally come to the conclusion that they are free spirits and have no idea what it takes to support yourself and be independent. I have always been there for them, and always will be, but they need to be on their own and out of my nest. Maybe then I can let go. See...even typing those words makes me cry...

Moms and dads always want the best for their kids. We want life to be easier and better for them than it was for us. Believe me when I say that parents cannot do that for their kids. That is something that the kids have to want as well. And, something they have to work for. We, as parents, cannot make that happen--no matter how hard we try.

I am very sad at the thought of my kids not living with me, but I have to let go and let them grow. Here come the tears again...

update!

WOW! I haven't been here in a long time!

Computer had a virus--thought my life was over! ha!

Let me see...what has been going on? Enjoying my new TV and U-verse!! LOVE IT! Been on a new "eat healthier" program and losing weight slowly. Joy's shoulder is still hurt and she is out of school and work. Hopefully she can get back on track soon. David is scheduled to move out at the end of the month. He is renting a house with two friends and he is very happy. We will miss him and Deebo very much. I am glad they will still be close by.

School is still wonderful and I still love my job! My kids are the best and my teachers are wonderful! I am blessed.

I am glad that Nip/Tuck is back on! LOVE THAT SHOW! American Idol is back, too! Yeah. January is a good TV month. Football begins to go away...enough already. Super Bowl? Who really cares if the Cowboys aren't playing???

Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday. Everyone keeps talking about this being a piece of history. EVERY presidential inauguration is historical. Keep things in perspective.

Really random blog. It is sad, but this is exactly how my brain is working tonight. I was not feeling up to trying to organize my thoughts and make it all make sense. Sorry!

Have a great weekend!

Christmas Day

I have been trying to figure out how to post pictures, so here goes nothing...

Our extended family got together Christmas Day and here is the proof:

Me talking to Keith...no telling what this was about!

This is my beautiful goddaughter, Emily!

She is the sweetest, most talented little girl and I love her!

My darling husband, Juan, probably making some sarcastic remark about having his picture taken!

Crazy Ray giving his "wife" Joy a big hug! He knows momma would kick his butt if he tried anything else!

Two great girlfriends, Gail and Letanja! We were acting silly for the camera...end of the day...what more can I say???

David and Joy in the kitchen where all the action took place all day!

Some of the group...I have no idea what Letanja is doing!!!

Every Christmas we get together with our friend for our "Orphan Christmas". Since none of us have large families around we all have lunch and spend the day visiting, watching movies, playing games, etc. We are all very close and have hung out together for almost 20 years. Most of us were on the Aardvark Chili Team so we have lots of memories!

This Christmas we were at Leslie and Tom's house in Arlington. We all pitched in for the food and it was delicious!

Ray was in town from Florida and we were all so glad to see him! We call him Crazy Ray because he is a little wild and crazy. He moved to Florida a few years ago to retire and we miss him. In fact, many of us are planning a a vacation to his beach condo for a 4th of July celebration.

It was nice to have David and Joy with us for the day. They have been around this group since they were babies so nothing surprises them. All of our friends feel like surrogate parents to them so it is usually fun to sit back and watch!

It was a fun filled day with family and friends!

Anniversary

Juan and I have been married for 27 years--half my life--and we celebrated this weekend. We went to Dallas and stayed at the W hotel. It was so awesome!

We started the day at July Alley, a little bar we found in Deep Ellum next door to Elm Street Tattoo. We sat at the bar and talked to the bartender and all the eclectic people who walked in. That is the great little bar to people watch!

We left and made our way to Victory Park. Checking into our room was an experience--we were given warm, scented towels at the registration counter which was lined in hundreds of orchid displays and the scent of fresh flowers. The room was on the 9th floor overlooking the skyline of Dallas--beautiful! Our room was so relaxing and roomy--32 in. flatscreen, open glass shower, chaise lounge at the window to look out over the scenery...gorgeous!!

We changed and went downstairs to dinner at Cast, the hotel restaurant. We waited in the hotel bar until they came to get us--very cool! Again, fabulous! Because it was our anniversary we were given champagne and truffles by the chef. The food was outstanding and the atmosphere and view...well, again, fabulous!

We left and walked over to the Havana Social Club in Victory Park. Juan had a cigar as we sipped on 80 year old rum. We watched the Stars game on the TV and then sat and enjoyed the experience as the game was over and the crowd filled the area. Then, as we left we were able to see the Channel 8 10 p.m. newscast from the studio.

Back at the hotel we went up to the Ghostbar for the experience. It was very chic with an upscale vibe. Reserved tables are by bottle service only so we just stayed long enough to have a drink. We sat for a while then walked outside to look over the glass wall and admire the city lights. There is going to be two big parties at the Ghostbar this week--Cowboys on Monday and New Years Eve on Wednesday.

Back downstairs to the hotel lobby bar for a little while to people watch after the Stars game. Strange mix of people! You would think that only hotel guests would frequent the bar, but most of the people there were just drinking and hanging out!

Great day, great night, great life!!!
Happy New Year!

Wrapping presents

I just finished 2 1/2 hours of wrapping gifts! I put it off until the last minute then I lock myself in my bedroom and going into a wrapping frenzy!

I love to wrap presents! I prefer paper and bows to bags anytime, and I really love the big gaudy ribbon and bows. Even as a young girl I did all the gift wrapping at my house. I would sit in the living room floor and spread out the paper, tape and ribbon and go after it...almost therapeutic!

Anyway, we open gifts on Christmas Eve, so the wrapping I did tonight is pretty much pointless, but at least it looks festive in the living room for 24 hours!

Tomorrow I spend the day cooking enchiladas since we are having a Mexican menu--YUM!!! Chicken verde and cheese enchiladas! YIKES! Sounds like some major time in the kitchen.

Merry Christmas!