Road Trip--Nacogdoches, TX

It doesn't take much for us to call for a road trip with friends B & W. Through these good friends we heard of a house and some acreage in Nacogdoches for a really good price. Beginning to look forward to possible retirement and all the options available to us, we could possibly consider this as our retirement home. So, off we go for a short overnight adventure. We weren't disappointed in the land and the surrounding area. The house needed some updating, but had lots of potential. It was really fun to see the house and discuss the changes we could make to fit our needs and just imagine the serenity of being surrounded by tall pines and oaks. There was room for a large garden and lots of outside activities. Smitty just couldn't see spending his retirement years mowing 11 acres and the thought of another move and all that painting pretty well nixed taking any action. Of course on these trips, we always get our 3 square meals and usually a snack or two. These road trips are mainly a time to be with good friends, eat good food, and see some of the countryside. Remember, it is not such much about the destination as about the journey.

The first view as we approached the house.


Smitty standing near driveway that winds up to house on the right.

The front of house which needs to have shrubs trimmed to see large front porch.

View of the side of the property.

View from front of house looking toward road.

View from backyard looking toward back of the acreage.

BEE Happy!!

Last Wednesday evening as I pulled up in the circular drive I noticed something in the corner of one of the eaves. After further investigation I discovered that it was a hoard of bees. Supposing they had just appeared since neither Smitty nor I, who are frequently in the front yard, had seen them before, thought they might be gone by morning. The exterminator came for our routine treatment the following day and indicated that the bees had been there for awhile since they had made such a large honeycomb, which we had been unable to see the night before. With the worker bees away from the hive you could see the large comb. We had the bees eradicated and will now have to remove the soffit to make sure bees haven't formed a honeycomb in the interior walls. Don't Worry, BEE Happy!

Bees seen on Wednesday night

The light grayish areas which is the honeycomb

Happy Father's Day!!

Smitty, B, RW, Tex and Elle

I think fathers get short changed when it comes to celebrating "their" day. It seems they don't get the special treatment as we mothers. However, Smitty did get to spend time with one of his children and some special people in our lives. B cooked some mighty tasty ribs, pork and turkey and the girls added some other special dishes to make the meal complete. The tablescape was fitting for the "handy" men in our lives. We missed KLee and LilE, but hope that they made their "Daddy" feel special on this special day. We love our daddies!

Tribute to PM

1912 - 2010

I first met PM and B in 1970 when I started dating Smitty. They were a fun couple and I looked forward to becoming a part of the family. B passed away just months before Smitty and I were married, so I never got to know him except through the stories that PM would share through the years. PM was a fixture in the family. Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays...you name it she was there. She loved her family, and she loved her church and so many different ministries that furthered the Kingdom's work. She loved children and loved people in general. She had a way of telling stories from her childhood and events that happened through the years like no other. I was always amazed at how she could remember so many details from the past when I couldn't recall what happened last week. People loved to be around her--old and young alike. She was a people person and people gravitated to her. I won't forget the Thanksgiving dinners.....12 noon on Thanksgiving day...bring a dish! We seemed to always eat using red Christmas plates and cups and she always washed the dishes by passing around the garbage bag. We cleared the tables and all gathered around her TV to watch the Cowboy game.

When Blake was a toddler (the youngest of the 4 cousins) and an extremely "picky" eater, she would make sure there was something on the Thanksgiving table for him. Planter's Cheese Balls served in a nice bowl. There was no chiding because he was so "picky"--just served him what he loved to eat. I could go on and on with so many stories--mostly comical and told only as PM could tell them.

There is no way of knowing this side of heaven how many lives were touched and changed because of her. She truly had a servant's heart. I just know that on Friday she was welcomed into His presence with a "Well, done my good and faithful servant".

We loved you P.......

Nothing Could be Finer.....

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina.....where the granddaughter (along with our daughter and son-in-law) reside. We were able to spend a few days over the Memorial Day Holiday with them. We celebrated my b'day and spent time working on projects and just getting to play and play and play. What a really neat treat!

Birthday Chocolate Chip Pie, Ice Cream and ONE candle....priceless!

LilE posing during our modeling photo session! Notice the Silly Bandz in her mouth? Another story for another time.

Pop and JD taking a breather after much digging and hauling pavers.

KLee and Mimi supervising the work....photo taken by LilE

LilE just after pitching the baseball....she does throw like a girl!

Lots of coloring, playing with puzzles and dressing the Groovy Girls all weekend!

Pop, LilE, and Mimi just before leaving for the airport!

Happy B'day To Me

Birthdays have always been special to me and for the last several years I have added a twist to my celebration. It is a real b'day treat for me to host a luncheon for those I work with rather than be taken out to eat. Typically, I like to invite a few into my home for a special treat, but that wasn't possible this year. So, the event was taken to the workplace. It was a special b'day for me to provide lunch for my new co-workers. Thanks, ladies, for helping me celebrate my special day in such a special way. The celebration concluded with B and Elle taking us out to dinner and then the traditional birthday cake and opening of gifts. It was a really special day!