Living in the dark

Both of my daughters live in the Houston area; and both have made the same comment recently upon coming home: "It is SO dark here at night!"

I guess living in the city, there are always lights; on highways, buildings, signs, and just the crazy amount of other cars you meet while driving. It's one of those things I guess I take for granted; the night and how it surrounds you. It covers you like a big blanket, and on certain nights affords you sights in the heavens that we take for granted. Andy loves to carry his telescope out and view the constellations and the planets, and - to be truthful - often has to beg me to join him.

As we weigh the pros and cons of "someday" moving back to be near family, that is certainly something we would lose by going there - the quiet, stillness of the small town night.

Marvelous May

Before retirement, Jackie always said that she didn't like how I "was" at the end of school; grumpy, tired, and short-tempered. I avoided commitments during the last month in order to keep up the stamina needed to put a year of school to rest. No longer!!

As of today, each and every weekend of May is filled with love and family - the first weekend will take us to Millsap to participate in my cousins' TicketLady Trot to raise money for a scholarship in my aunt's memory. Following the next Saturday will be a weekend visit with some cousins as they journey to the coast for a family vacation. The third weekend is out 35th wedding anniversary - enough said - and the last weekend, we just found out that our friends Steve and Dianne will be coming down from Ohio for a visit!!

Wow! I don't think I could've done all this fun a year ago!! Happy Retirement!!

A Week in Heaven

Yes, 2 year olds are head-strong; one year olds make messes; sleeping without Andy is the pits - but I LOVED my week with the Johnsons!!! Driving in Houston was less stressful, and working around the diet was challenging (but well done!), but I got to see Liz's school and admire Bladen's amazing balance while mastering the walking process!!

I even enjoyed a sugar-free grape snowcone!!

There are sweet memories I will keep forever; rubbing Erin's feet while she rested on the couch beside me, playing Words With Friends with Gregg, snuggling with Liz while she played on Gregg's ITouch, holding them both on my lap for a long, long time watching animals frolick on the computer (My legs finally went numb, and we had to divert their attention to something else!), Bladen folding in laughter as I bounced him on the air mattress, and having Liz say firmly, "Nana, lay down!" as we rested on her bed.

And the killer, "No go car, need more NaNa!" SO hard to walk away, so hard....

So, while I hated to see my sweet daughter so miserable, I relished the time spent with them - talk about a mixed blessing!

Sure makes house-hunting in Houston appealing....!!