Texas - cousins

I have a wonderful cousin, Michelle, who has been like a big sister to me. She let me hang with her family when I was living in Dallas many years ago. At the time she had two small girls; now she has four. The two small girls are now Mommy's. I just cannot believe it, but they are awesome Mommies. Ironically, they have little girls! ( Someone has to have a boy!) Anyway, I have been able to visit each of them in their homes in February - one in Forney (outside of Dallas) and the other in Houston. Thanks for letting Kalli and I invade your homes - we loved it! I do not know how I underlined this whole section!

Me and Michelle

First we visited Allison in Forney. We hadn't seen them since last year, so of course, they have changed. Alex, 5 1/2, is just precious. She is so patient and quiet. That is hard to fathom if you have ever met her younger sister, Ava. Those two words do not describe her in any way. Alex has always had these wonderful traits. She gets these from her Mom because like I said, "have you ever met Ava?"

Alex

Kalli and Allison

Ava turned two in December and is speaking at a rapid rate. We had a contest on who could say "my Bill" the most. She's only seen a picture of Bill on my phone, but it proved to be a great game. She pesters to the max, which makes her adorable, but is quick on the "hug" when she gets in trouble. No two children are alike, and God made sure this happened in Allison's house!

Ava

Two weekends later Kalli & I visited Lisa on our way back from Corpus Christi (another story). This was our fist time to see Lily. She was born on August 18, between my Dad's (17) and Jordan's (19) b-days, so it will be easy to remember the date. What can you say about Lily? Cute, quiet, scrumptious, huggable, and you gotta love those arms and legs! Lisa and Joel were excellent hosts - such a relaxing visit. That's right, I fell asleep watching Madagscar 2!

Kalli, Lily and Lexi (the dog totally posed for this!)

Lisa, Lily and Kalli

Visits are fun, never dull. Not often enough, but special when they happen. You all do know where Oklahoma is located? If not, mapquest it! Hope to see you all soon!

Lucy & Ethel

It's been a crazy few days.  I've been in five different airports in the past two weeks.

Of course Oklahoma City, but also Denver, Tucson, Houston Hobby and Corpus Christi. They are all unique - different sizes, food venues, gift shops and book stores. This means I have read two books in the last two weeks also.  I started the James Patterson series "The Women's Murder Club" last year when I went on several trips.  I think I just have to read the seventh book to get caught up.  They are definitely "vacation" reads!

I traveled to Tucson to visit my friend Risa.  We've kept in touch over the years, but haven't seen each other in over THIRTEEN years.  We became friends while her husband was in pilot training at Vance AFB in Enid.  She was a newlywed and I wasn't dating anyone, so I was adopted to tag along to the Officer's Club on Friday 

nights where there was an abundance of future pilots.  Needless to say I did meet my husband at the O-Club, but not through Risa.  That is another day, another story.  Risa gave me a nickname that has stuck over the years - in fact, her entire family uses that name.  And no, I will not tell you what it is!   

Jeff, Risa's husband, was out of town on an airline trip - he is a pilot for America West.

Jennifer, daughter, is studying abroad in South Africa.  I did get to see her via Skype on the internet.  Jonathan, better known as Jono, brought along his friend, Daschel(?), to meet me.  He attends the University of Arizona, which is in Tucson.  He is pretty funny, but aren't most college students.  And yes, he did use my nickname.

Risa's mom has moved to Tucson; she was so cute showing her apartment to me.  I loved it when Risa's parents would come visit her in Enid.  They treated me like I was one of their long, lost daughters.

Risa is the best tour guide in Tucson.  We 

visited so many places in just a few

days, I can't even tell everywhere we went. She did all the driving, and she did!  Sabino Canyon, a dude ranch, several resorts, the Arizona Inn, and Dottie gave us a tour of Canyon Ranch.  We drove around the University campus, met her co-workers, had dinner with her friends and found a great store that is not in OKC - which it should be - Home Goods!  Thank heavens we can go to one in Dallas.  (Be scared Allison - guess where we are going!) OH!  I loved the cactus!  

I have to say that I cannot wait to visit Risa again!  We picked up where we had left off "yesterday", and it makes me sad that we have been friends for such a long time, but her friends in Tucson know her better than I do.  Not fair!  I'm also sad that our children do not know each other.  I do know that I could move to Tucson and that we would be great friends just like we were twenty-six years ago.  We would have to make sure Bill and Jeff had trips at the same time - then we could be Lucy and Ethel again!  

Love you Risa!

Our new roof has totally stressed out Rusty!

The hailstorm we had in November has blessed us with a new roof.

We've lived here for 14 years, so I guess we were due.  So Rhett, roofer guy,

called yesterday to let us know we had some good days ahead to get the job done.

I left for work today with a beautiful winter lawn intact, except for the dog poop.

This is what I came home to see today  - the backyard is pretty much the same.

They have actually cleaned up alot in the front and most of it in the back.  So

tomorrow they will be putting the decking on and then the shingles.  The crazy 

thing about this roof is our trusty dog Rusty.

He has worked himself into a frenzy from being stuck in the house all day.

He made himself sick in the house.  Don't you know I love him?

I took this picture of him while I was standing outside.  I think it's funny

how the reflection of the hose looks like a partial halo on his head!

Not possible - he is the local sheriff to cats, squirrels, skunks and most men.

We've kept him inside - he may be partial to "Mexican" food also.

I believe she has grown up #2

So Kalli and I were in Forney over the weekend having fun with the "A" girls.  Boy, did I forget what it was like to have little people around for more than an hour or two.  Alex is so calm and such a great big sister to AVA ( the reason she is in caps is because she is such a presence - I don't know any other way to describe her).  I loved being around them - reminded me of days past.  I got to thinking about Ava's age and realized that she is the same age Jordan was when I had Kalli.  What was I thinking?  Thanks for letting us invade your life Allison.

What makes me sad today is Kalli growing up.  When she was young, and I mean from baby to not so many years ago, she had a Puffalump baby doll.  She could not go anywhere without that baby for years.  Don't get me started about the time we lost it in a drive-through or the times we would find it in the pantry or 'frig.  It was precious.  I made my first e-bay purchase buying THREE of them so we would never be without again.                                                                                                                

Half way throught grade school she didn't need it except for at nighttime.  It has been in her closet for the past four years.  Last night she was cleaning out her closet and found two of them.  She asked me what she should do with them.  I thought she would always cherish them just like I cherish her everyday.  But now they are just pink dolls that she wants to give away.  Even writing this makes me sad, and I could really cry, but I won't!

I guess they are more precious to me because I remember her loving them with all her heart and it just brings me back to a time I will never get back.  I hate that she is 17!

So I will look for a place to store them away for my own memories just like I have done with Jordan's Big Bird and Pongo from 101 Dalamations and Lauren's many Barbies.  Someday I will give them away, but until then I will cherish the sweet, sweet memories of my babies.