San Antonio

For awhile I've had thoughts of visiting San Antonio, TX.  Years ago one of my favorite uncles shared pictures of his trip - including pictures from a Naval Museum.  It was one of his favorite ways to razz me.  I was in the Navy but stationed in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley at a Naval Air Station.  He loved to send me pictures of ships with comments like "This is a Navy vessel Deb".

After the family wedding in August (and into October) I struggled to find purpose again.  Two years of weddings and projects will do that to a person.  We found airfare that was ideal, a reasonable rental car and perfect timing with our second grandson's football schedule.

Salt Lake City

Time slipped by and our first ever just.the.two.of.us.for.no.apparent.reason trip happened.  We flew into Dallas and rented a car.  We are such frequent travelers (joke) that we had no clue what benefits were out there for us.  We fly, we rent, we just don't keep track.  We were informed we could PICK our rental car.  My husband quickly looked past the rows of practical, economical, comfortable cars and zoomed in on A TRUCK.  I nixed that idea and caved in to the 4-door Jeep.  Here's a news flash.  They drive just like a 2-door Jeep and are equally uncomfortable for someone with a 36" inseam to drive.  But hey - we looked dang good!  The 4 hour drive south was an experience.  We had heard of a new tollway on our route that allowed people to drive 85mph.  Really not a necessity since everyone around us (on the non-tollway) was already driving 80+mph, until they were going 60 and then back to 80.  Mike labeled it the Texas Freeway Caterpillar.   

The temperatures were in the 80's  all week long and the skies clear and blue.  We found our hotel and settled in for the evening, waiting with everyone else, for news about the Superstorm Sandy.

Monday we headed north to the San Antonio Zoo.  Though it was a little late in the season and a lot of the exhibits were under construction for the zoo's 100th birthday celebration in 2013, it was still very nice to stroll through and take pictures.  Our favorites were definitely the butterflies and the birds.

Our next stop was the Japanese Tea Gardens.  We found ourselves a bit more tired than we anticipated and still wanting to visit several of the Missions so we did a look around and continued on our way.

Four of the five colonial missions form a National Historical Park.  We drove to visit on the south edge of town.  The history was remarkable.  We started with the Visitors Center and watched a movie which was very interesting.  From there we toured the Mission.  I loved imagining the first people who inhabited the small community moving about their day.   

We were able to find our way to Mission San Jose and Mission San Juan Capistrano as well. Though the maps had us thinking we might take one road to go from one to the other, we actually had to weave around a bit.  There is a lot of road construction all over Texas - and San Antonio was no exception.

The Riverwalk

The Alamo

How fortunate for us, Mike's second youngest daughter Tonya was in San Antonio for business. We headed back north of the city towards the airport to take her to dinner at Lupi's Tortilla.  We were able to catch up with her family's routine in Tennessee.

We didn't allow enough time to see all we wanted to see in the San Antonio area.  We will someday return to Hill Country and visit that historic area. 

We were able to stop and visit the former homestead of one of Mike's ancestors.  The ranch is now owned by University of Texas and used as a writer's retreat.  The current writer was willing to allow us an opportunity to visit.  It was fun to see so much history. 

The original cabin was built in the Swedish style.  The home where the writers stay has been updated with a few modern features - running water and electricity! 

 

But our time had come to an end and we needed to return to the Dallas area so we could visit with Erin's Godparents, Lew and Donna Flitcraft as well as Krieg's Godparents, Lori and Andy Otano.  Plus we had the big football game to watch.  

We arrived at Otano's home in Colleyville on Halloween afternoon.  While the guys caught up sharing their war stories, Lori and I handed out candy to trick or treaters.  We were able to meet hang out and visit their little town of Grapevine.  

The next day we were heading for Mike's oldest daughter Renee's home in Wylie.  How fortunate that Erin's Godparents lived only 30 minutes east of Wylie.  We met up for lunch and had a crash course in 'catching up'.  It was too brief but the memories and love was abundant. 

Friday night we were able to see our grandson Kalen play in a Varsity football game.  There is nothing like Friday Night Football in Texas.  Crazy.  This particular game was away.  The opponent was intense.  Very 'good ole boy'.  When the coach from the other team didn't like the calls made, he would involve the referee in a rampage.  He definitely needed to work on his sportsmanship.  We are proud of Kalen and his teammates.  They can hold their heads high. 

As usual, it was time to return home.  We enjoyed completing an item on our bucket list by visiting San Antonio finally.  It was made extra pleasant by the added opportunities to see family and friends as well.  

Four More Years...

I'm not happy with the outcome of the election. However I was raised to respect the office of the President of the United States. I don't have respect for the man in office, nor his values. In fact the split in the United States frightens me. He is not a leader. He does not have the ability to unite.

However our democratic system allows us to vote and choose. My fellow citizens made their choices and the majority chose to keep the President in office. So be it.

We have to work together and be strong despite what is happening around us. Show our children how to face adversity. Our grandparents survived the Great Depression. Our parents survived a recession. We will fight off hints of socialism flaunted in our faces and endure.

The concession speech was reflective of the man running and his campaign. Peaceful and prayerful. Perhaps he was too passive and people felt he wouldn't do well. Whatever the reason, the vote is done.

I want to keep God in our fundamental beliefs - not just in our homes and churches. I want the Pledge of Allegiance taught to our children and said in our schools.

It's not about race. It's not about freebies. It's about hard work, determination, and pride. Pride in our country. Pride in ourselves. Too many folks looking for bail outs, hand outs and what they will be given without their own hard work.

My frustration goes beyond what my husband and I may lose... It goes beyond our house value dropping or our military benefits dropping, healthcare and pension reduced. I fear for our family as they start out on their own in this struggling economy. I worry for their well being, employment and housing. I worry for our grandchildren (all of them) as they grow and face new stages of life.

I will pray for my loved ones. I will pray for their safety and good health. I will continue to pray for our country. I will pray for unity where we are divided. I will pray for guidance and strength for our military. I will pray for our United States.

... and this is the end of my one and only political rant.

Getting into (Apple/Pear/Hourglass) Shape...

Recent developments (Weight Watchers) brought me to our closet door.  I decided it was time to clear it out and reorganize.  I pulled everything off the shelves and emptied the poles, piling it all in our room.   I looked at the stack of boots and quickly covered them with Mike's shoes to minimize the appearance of shoes that fit my feet. (I wonder if there is a 12-Step program for boots?  If so I should leave the literature for my sister...)

After wiping down shelves and mopping the floor I carefully contemplated what went back into the closet.  Clothes and shoes I no longer wear or no longer fit went into a pile in the hall.  I definitely put some thought into what I kept and felt really good about the enormous donation stack collected from both Mike and myself. 

Having done this I easily had no problem with spending one day this weekend playing.  Saturday was another day of College football in our household and the first crystal clear day we've had in a long, long time.  I headed out with my camera and new 50mm lens, determined to find some Fall colors.  Along my way I found myself making a brief stop at the Outlet Mall to look for a particular style of Wrangler jeans preferred by my hubby.  Admittedly I've whined about mentioned previously I am NOT a shopper, but I decided to check out Eddie Bauer since I was "in the area". 

The clerk quickly asked if she could help.  I told her I was in between sizes and planning to order a couple pairs on line where I could find the Tall sizes but wanted to see how close I was to the smaller size of jeans.  She assured me Eddie Bauer had Long sizes - she wore them.  We were about the same heights and size so I figured what the heck... 

Eddie Bauer offers different "figure styles"...  straight, slightly curvy and curvy. I told her what sizes I wanted to compare and which style.  She proceeded to hand me two pairs of the slightly curvy.  Then looked at me and said "you are a lot hippier than I am so you should try the curvy too"...  ok so even at my heaviest weight I haven't had curves.  I'm not hippy.  Of all the shapes I'd be more apple than pear or hour glass. 

As I took the jeans I managed to keep a straight face and headed for the changing room.  The first pair in my current/old size went on without bothering with the zipper or snap.  The second pair fit well though tighter than I've been accustomed.  The "curvy" pair in the smaller size went on and I laughed out loud.  I'm SO not a "Curvy Fit".  I looked like I had riding pants worn by Canadian Mounties...  I could have put both fists into the pouches that hung off my legs. 

After I emerged from the changing room the very enthusiastic clerk, certain she had a sale, was disappointed when I thanked her for her help and said the smaller size worked best in the slightly curvy but they were too short.  She asked about the curvy jeans.  I told her honestly they were too large through the hips.  She told said "hmm that surprises me..."

So yesterday I sat at the sewing machine and resized my current jeans.  It's a done deal.  No going back.  I've been struggling with my focus the past couple of months, finding it difficult to increase my activity level and burn more calories. There is no where to go but DOWN! 

Falling in Love with Monday

For over a year now I've had Monday and Tuesday's off and enjoy my "weekend extension" way more than I thought would be possible.  No more racing around Sunday trying to finish up those things I procrastinated over all weekend.  I've taken on a whole new outlook to Monday. 

Today happens to be the every of the every other Monday when Mike volunteers an extra day at Birds of Prey - which...  leaves me home without adult supervision AND I love it!  I know it sounds strange but I really do enjoy having the house all to myself once in awhile.

Today I feel especially ambitious.  Thankfully so as yesterday while cleaning out the garden, I got into some of the powdery mold which was growing on our dying pumpkin vines and last night was a struggle to breath.

Mike and I shared our morning routine - newspaper and coffee with the Today Show.  I made up a 'to do' list (usually this is a sign of what will NOT get done).   Before the urge to sit back down claimed me, I quickly got a load of bedding underway in the laundry.



Yesterday's yummy breakfast at Black Bear Diner was more than the single serving I've become accustomed and it made for a tasty leftover meal with my next cup of coffee.

We buy bananas regularly and for the most part eat what we buy.  However there are those times when they ripen too fast or just don't get eaten before turning brown.  In my opinion there is a micro-moment when bananas should be eaten...

When they reach the expiration date in this household we peel them and add them to the bagged collection of frozen overripe bananas in the freezer until the day comes when I feel particularly ambitious, the weather is 'just right', the planets align and banana bread gets made.

We were raised with Grandma Dreher's banana bread for holidays and Sunday meals.  Always delicious.  When I tracked down her recipe from one of my aunts years ago I was surprised to see how many steps she went through to make us the always perfect loaves.  Truly a sign of love!

However, my favorite 'back door' neighbor, Karen, shared her ONE-bowl recipe when we lived in Puerto Rico.  It's sooo much easier so I throw a couple of extra hugs and kisses into my thoughts while stirring to justify my laziness.

So I put on my favorite "will bake for wine" apron (just kidding) and made two separate double batches - one for loaves and one for muffins. 

AND thankfully our oven didn't start beeping and flashing it's "F-3" $400 warning. 

When done, I carefully stroke the front of the oven door with love and gratitude because it allowed me to have thoroughly baked banana bread and not a partial ooey-gooey mess.

How do you like my "homemade" cheddar potato soup?  Don't judge me!  (hehe)

Our newest daughter-in-law is coming over for dinner tonight - as well as a Precalculus tutoring session with her (former math instructor) father-in-law.  I told her tonight's instruction would include dinner to warm her tummy and give her sustenance.  Krieger is out of town "laxing" in Montana and she's been on the road so we don't want her to go hungry! 

Inbetween baking and stirring, I had to play a bit too.  Found this adorable proposal - I giggled until I laughed outloud - and by the time Mike came down to see what I was up to I was crying into a kleenex... 

Once clean up was done, I moved on to decorating the house with a few Autumn/Halloween decorations.  I still struggle with this in Idaho...  putting out Halloween decorations in my home state means cool temperatures, crunching leaves and the smell of changing seasons.  We are barely there.  And the only smell in the air is lingering smoke.

As crazy as it seems, my hanging pots on the porch as looking pretty good yet so I continue to water them every week.  I just don't have the heart to let go yet. 

Even moved the geraniums from the deck in back, to the front porch.  They still have so much color.

I spent several hours Saturday working and then treated myself to a trip downtown to Julia Davis Park with my camera.  I arrived too late to walk through the zoo so wandered around the park.  It's still bleak for Fall colors and the air quality was hazy but I managed to do some of my homework for my Tuesday photography classes. 

My Tuesday night class participants.

  My playlist on my iPod is still cranking out songs but I haven't heard all of my favorites.  Enough fun and games.  Time to head outdoors for a walk through the park and the neighboring "hoods". 

Wrapping up September...

Last weekend we drove up Norte der hey when I got off work on Friday.

Our usual scenic route was tainted with heavy smoke from the two fires along the way.

The worst being between New Meadows and Grangeville.

But that didn't stop us from our plans to visit Erin and Chris

who recently celebrated Erin's birthday and were preparing

 to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

We watched the Vandal Alumni Lacrosse game

 (any excuse for some 'laxing donchaknow)

(check out the haze hanging in the air...

perfect for a morning of strenuous outdoor athletic competition)

We had lots of fun catching up. 

What fun to see so many of the "old duffers" return for the game.

Despite the area's reputation for nasty and inebriated, we did not have a single drop.

We took Erin to dinner early Saturday and shared breakfast with both Sunday morning.

Both Erin and Chris worked Saturday night.

Mike and I entertained ourselves with a rebuild of their kitchen plumbing.

(Don't be jealous!)

I didn't even have a glass of wine or beer... (though in retrospect maybe it would have been better)

We had a great time visiting with special Moscow friends over lunch in their home.

We also were able to see for ourselves how 

the second trimester is treating Erin much better than the first.

Tuesday morning I woke up feeling off.

Our favorite five year old slept over Monday night and had swim lessons in the morning.

By the time he left for school I could no longer be a big girl.  I had to take a nap.



I worked Wednesday but came home Thursday early to spend the rest of the day like this...

(Do not adjust your monitor - I was horizontal all afternoon and into the evening...)



Friday morning the doctor said I had strep and tonsillitis...  REALLY?  How old am I?

If I really were five years old like most are with this ailment, I'd be getting the yummy liquid form of antibiotic instead of choking down these horse pills. 

I am happy to report that 24 hours into my meds I'm feelings more like my sassy self.
Though I would never turn down a nap mid-day.

After six weeks of hit and miss with my WW meetings on Saturday morning,
I decided this was as good a time as any - I needed to get back into my groove. 
Happily I showed a negative number. 
Getting back on track...

This afternoon I had my five year old assistant to help with groceries...

and we even had some fun in the park.  

Pushing forward into the new month.  Bring on October! 

11 Promises You Must Make to Yourself

Make these promises to yourself, and keep them.

"Repeat after me: “I promise…”I will accept everything I am, and everything I am not.” – Self-worth comes from one thing: thinking that you are worthy. So be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren’t. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are, and aren’t, that you will truly find happiness and success. Read The Road Less Traveled.

“I will appreciate others for who they are.” – Sometimes the way you think about a person isn’t the way they are. On the outside, maybe they laugh, and maybe they cry; but you would be surprised at everything they keep deep inside. So pay close attention, and love the people you care about for who they are, and not for who you want them to be. In the long run, this is how you will get the best of them.

“I will speak kindly and consciously to others.” – Open your mind before you open your mouth. Don’t mix bad words with a bad mood. Just be calm and deal with your emotions. You’ll have many opportunities to change your mood, but you’ll have an extremely tough time recovering the words you have spoken.

“I will speak kindly and consciously to myself.” – Wait, what did you just say to yourself? Were they the inspiring, comforting words you would speak to a friend? Or were they the belittling remarks you might shout to an enemy if you had no heart. Or the negative assessments about life you would utter if you had no faith? All day long we speak silently to ourselves, and a part of us believes every word. So stay mindful, and ask yourself, “If I had a friend who always spoke to me in the same way that I am speaking to myself right now, how long would I allow that person to be my friend?”

“I will stop trying to control everything.” – I hate to break it to you, but you can’t control everything in your life no matter how many safeguards you put into place. But thankfully, you don’t have to control everything to find peace and happiness. It lives with you always, deep within. More than getting into the nuances of control itself, you should be more interested in encouraging yourself to commit to giving it up, on purpose. See what happens when you loosen your grip, throw your hands into the air, and allow life to just happen and flow as it does, without constant micromanagement. Read The Power of Now.

“I will appreciate the beauty of small moments.” – Positive minds live positive lives. There is always, always something to be thankful for and something to smile about. The happiest people are not those who get everything they want; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, notice and appreciate the beauty and sweetness of everyday moments.

“I will do what I think is right.” – What comes easy won’t always last, and what will last won’t always come easy. So do the right things, not the easy things. Whatever comes your way, whatever battle is raging inside you, you always have a choice. In the end, it’s the choices you make that make you who you are. And no matter what, you can always choose to do the right thing.

“I will grow from my challenges.” – You can be stunned, awakened, and changed by what happens to you, but choose to grow from it, and refuse to be reduced by it. Repeat after me: “I am determined to live a happy life no matter my challenges. I will turn all my tales of fury into tales of glory. I will turn all of my tales of woe into tales of WOW!”

“I will realize and use my power.” – The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. In a world filled with doubt, you must dare to dream. In a world filled with anger, you must dare to forgive. In a world filled with hate, you must dare to love. In a world filled with distrust, you must dare to believe. And once you do, you will find that power you once thought you lacked.

“I will follow the path my heart longs to take.” – Life is too short to live with regrets. So love the things that make you smile, let go of the things that make you cry, and believe that everything happens for a reason. Follow the path that your heart longs to take; it’s your time to shine. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. You are far from what you once were, but not yet who you are going to be. Read The Last Lecture.

“I will have some fun while I’m doing it all.” – Some people frantically seek a predetermined definition of success as though their entire self-worth depends on whether or not they make it to the top. Their goals and routines are wound tight around stringent routines that they repeat every single day without stopping to breathe. And while discipline is important, think about how much better off they’d be if they unwound their vision just a little – like kite string – and ran with it like an optimistic youth, breathing and working, just for the joy of seeing if they can make it touch the clouds.

From: http://www.marcandangel.com

I'm torn...

It's fairly common knowledge of my birth rite - I'm a proud Cheesehead.  We cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers, just the same way you root on your home team.  It's not just in Texas that follows their teams to obsession.

Tonight I watched the Packers playing in Seattle.  Had I thought about it sooner we might have tried to get tickets and make the trip but honestly with all the other summer events I just didn't consider it a possiblity.  Our daughter and son-in-law did...  they went to the game to celebrate their first anniversary. (Jealous!)

The first half of the game was a disappointment to Packer fans.  Penalties abounded for both sides.   Nothing seemed to work - the Pack just didn't have their mojo.

The second half our Packers came out prepared to fight and you betcha did they ever.  Their hurry-up offense seemed to set Seattle back on their heels for awhile. 

The first three weeks of the NFL season has been plagued with the referee strike and inexperienced whistle blowers on the field.  Tonight's game was no different.  The referees had so many questionable calls and at the end - two obvious calls...  a pass interference call on Sam Shields and then the ultimate 'YGTBSM' when the cluster of Packers and Seahawks jumped for the final pass in the end zone, Tate pushing down Shields to climb higher, Jennings clearing Tate and coming down with the ball pulled tight to his chest. 

The crowd went wild.  The players were struggling to gain control but the camera angles showed Jennings with the ball and Tate tugging.  The commentators were calling it a simultaneous catch.  The referees?  Scroll down to see what they did (in case you went to bed at dusk or have been living in a cave.)

 And after reviewing the scoring call as required the play on the field remained as it was called...  A touchdown for Seattle (not the interception). I don't know what was worse.  Listening to the commentators declare the incompetency of the referees covering for the NFL referees on strike now or watching the Seattle coaching staff, players and fans scream like they won.  It wasn't a win.  It was a gift.

Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rogers both showed what a class act they are in the interviews that followed.  Seattle's quarterback Wilson did his best to play down the controversy but still enjoy his "W".  Sadly all the talk that is inevitable, takes away from Seattle's defense which brought the Packers to a standstill the first half.  The defense managed to shut down our MVP quarterback and even sack him 8 times. The poor refereeing takes from Rookie quarterback Wilson's repeated 'Hail Mary' attempts to put the ball over and over, in the end zone.  What an arm. 

What is it going to take to bring back the NFL referees to the field?  At what point will the team owners say enough is enough.  I think it's time as a fan to show our dissatisfaction and do what will affect their bottom line - I love my Packers but if this is the quality of the game we are left to watch, I'm done watching.

I'm not a poor sport.  I accept defeat and acknowledge when our team is outplayed.  This was NOT one of those times.   Seattle's famed 12th man was wearing black and white tonight.