State Fair 2011

Here is my overdue post on the State Fair of Texas.  Two weekends ago, I took Zach and one of his soccer buddies for a day at the fair.  As a general rule, the fair just really isn't my thing. I think I have lived in Texas now for about 35 years and with the exception of the year that I worked a few weekends for my friends at one of their stands, I have attended the fair a grand total of one time.  I decided this year that good or bad, Zachary should at least be able to say that he had experienced it.  We got an early start to avoid the initial crowds and by 9:25 AM were already scoping out the midway.  Zachary tackled a huge slide to start off and the boys rode a few more rides before we decided to move on.

Monster slide to start the day

Bumper cars

Gabe on the TX Tornado - it was a favorite.  Even I got on - twice!

Z enjoying the TX tornado

 Zach's friend Gabe was eager to get to the petting zoo area.  Apparently, he had never seen a pig in real life only on television....is that even possible????  We spent quite a bit of time there, but it was so crowded.  I loved the baby goats, but there was a wide array of different animals to experience. 

Gabe finally got to see those piglets

From there we headed to the Centennial building to see the boy toys - cars, motorcycles, ATVs. 

Zach's new ride....NOT!!!!

The boys really enjoyed this stop and I got a quick visit with my sweet friend Megan, her husband Justin and her mom Melanie.  They were gracious enough to treat us to lunch at their restaurant which was a HUGE boost to the fair budget!  I wanted to take a photo, but they were pretty swamped.  As a side note....Justin's creation "Fried Bubblegum" was awarded "Most Creative" fried food at the fair this year.

Zach with the Fried Bubblegun

At this point, the boys wanted to go back to the midway.  I told them after the Midway we were going to be headed back home because the midway was where we started and it was very close to the entrance where the car was parked.  They did not object and off we went.  The only down side to the day was the approximately 12 minutes in which we became separated from Gabe while we were trying to navigate through the one million people in the Fletcher's corny dog line.  I don't know if I have ever been so freaked out in my entire life.  It is one level of panic if you misplace your own child but something all together different when you misplace someone else's pride and joy.  Zach and I quickly beelined for one of the many police stands and gave the officer Gabe's pertinent information.  In the midst of my panic the officer reassuringly told me that they hadn't lost a child yet and didn't plan to start with Gabe.  He was quickly located and back with us, but it was quite a scare.  Although it seemed like I was much more freaked out than he was, the rest of the afternoon Gabe held onto to Zach's backpack whenever the crowds got thick.  I still consider myself a really great mom, but I would be lying if I said that experience didn't shake me to the core!

I don't believe that we saw even a fourth of all there is to see at the fair, but you know what?  The boys had a great time and to me that was what it was all about.  On the way home Zach said to me "Mom, that was a lot of fun, but it isn't like we have to do it every year!"  You gotta love that boy!!

This super cool sign was carved out of an actual pumpkin

Another addition to "TINTKRM":

We have a super busy weekend coming up....haircut, soccer game, Zach's annual pictures with our favorite photographer and if we are lucky maybe a movie and a little R & R on Sunday.  Hopefully, the cool weather is finally here to stay for awhile - I know that I am enjoying it!  Hope everyone has a great weekend - night!

Oh, as a final note...I AM NOT a huge baseball fan at all.  BUT, the Rangers are two runs up and two innings away from clinching their first ever World Series.  I have to admit...it is pretty exciting!!! 



FINALLY - The Scrapbook Complete

As I am sure most of you know, last week I finally finished the wedding scrapbook that I have literally been working on for what seems like forever. Truth be told, I was still making little additions up until the day that I gave it to Lindsey. That is just what I do....I wanted it to be perfect for her. I am happy to say that she was thrilled!

Lindsey and I on the patio at Anejos

She told me that it was better than she ever could have imagined (which is a huge thing considering she is a scrapbooker herself) and as I was driving home she called to tell me that she didn't know how she could ever repay me. Lindsey said that it was the best wedding present that they received. Well, as a person who truly loves to scrapbook that was repayment enough....that short phone conversation had me beaming and that made all the work seem more than worthwhile. There is something truly special about doing something from the heart and genuinely knowing that the recipients treasure what you have created....PRICELESS!

And finally, another addition to TINTKRM:

Hope that you enjoy the scrapbook....I welcome your comments.  Good night, all!

Weekend Recap

It was a pretty low key weekend.  Saturday morning started out with a soccer game - another tough loss.  The Patriots are really struggling this season.  There are quite a few new kids and it just seems like they are not used to working together yet, but I have not given up hope.  Although I had every intention of going home and being productive the rest of the day, that side of my brain that was screaming "take advantage of the quiet time and relax" won out.  I had a lazy afternoon including a fabulous nap - PRICELESS!  The whole day was not a wash though.  I finally finished THE  scrapbook that I have been plugging away on, literally for months.  It is such a weight off of my shoulders and I cannot wait to share it, not to mention present it to the recipient.  I am going to try to get the pictures taken tonight and will try to share it  on the blog soon. After I finished my last huge book, I was soooo ready for a break but this time I am ready to jump into the next one already.  I am going to try to get Halloween stuff done this weekend and then get going on the next project.  Maybe, I am eager because I am finally going to keep one for myself!

Sunday I went to the show with my friend from work and saw "Moneyball".  I am not a huge baseball fan but seem to be drawn to baseball movies....For Love of the Game, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham etc.  It was really good and definitely worth the $7.50.

We followed with lunch.  Her husband met us and as always we had a great time.  Jan was in the market for a new comforter.  She asked her husband, JR, if he would go over to Macy's and check out the sale with her.  He replied with an emphatic "no, but take Jules with you".  I rarely turn down shopping so we headed over.  Jan had a budget in mind - we doubled it and a little more...OOPS!  I am thinking that JR will never send me out shopping with his wife again.  They ended up with the gorgeous Lauren Home bed ensemble below:

 That was the short....ok maybe semi long version of my weekend.  A little laziness mixed with some accomplishment.  Oh, I forgot to mention that I tackled 6 loads of laundry and cleaned the apartment including dusting and bathrooms.  That had to have more than made up for the mega nap on Saturday!

Finally, another addition to my TINTKRM:

Hope you are having a great week!

The Weekend and A Little Help

Since it is now closer to this weekend than last I guess that I better get to posting.  The weekend was full, but not so much that we were running ragged.  I had my sweet boy for the second weekend in a row and enjoyed every minute of it!  The weather was beautiful  - mid to high 80s all weekend.  Saturday morning started out with a soccer game.  It was a heartbreaking 1-0 loss, but the Patriots gave it their all!

Zach warming up with his dad

Post game huddle

Saturday afternoon we went to see "Dolphin Tale".  I am a sucker for animal films and this one did not disappoint!  I am amazed by dolphins and am not afraid to admit that I was teary through most of the movie.  It had a great cast  - Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freman and the two kids that were in the movie were really good.  I give it a Two Thumbs Up!

Sunday was the day for the eagerly anticipated "Nerf Gun War" at a local park, organized by Zach's PE teacher.  It was a very nice day and there was a great turn out.  The boys (and one very serious and overly armed girl - see below) had a blast!

Zachary, Andrew, Harold and Reid (in the tree)

Have no idea - camera started acting crazy, but I thought this was a cool picture

I did mention well armed didn't I?  The little lady, posted a couple pics below, provided the arsenal.

Zachary ready for battle

Miss Kathryn - keeper of the arsenal.  Armed and dangerous!

The Yellow Team

The red team - worthy opponents

A great time was had by all!!!!  It was a great finish to an awesome weekend.

And finally, Zachary was working on a little essay for school tonight and someone felt like he definitely needed some assistance:

Jack is such the little helper!

Good night, all!

Just a Quick Post

I fully intended to post about the weekend this evening, but I got the last of the pictures that I have been waiting on for the scrapbook I am doing and went that route instead.  I will be done by the end of the week and am so excited....though probably not as excited as the person who has been patiently waiting for months to get it!  I believe that I am up to 41 pages now.  Here is another little sneek peek.

Can't believe I am finally in the homestretch!

I hope to photograph the whole book once it is done and will get it posted in the near future on the blog.

I am going to post another installment of "Things I Need to Keep Reminding Myself" - going forward I think it will be known  as simply "TINTKRM":

Good night!  Til next time.

Why Do You Blog and Things I Need to Keep Reminding Myself

Last week, my dad asked me why I blogged.  I don’t think he was asking about me specifically – rather why does anyone blog?  When I started, I saw it as a way to do a bit of electronic journaling since I have never been so good at writing things down.  I don’t have a big family, so not really extended family members to keep up to date, but of course there are always friends that may want to get the
4-1-1 now and then.   I personally read about 6 blogs regularly so I guess there is always that off chance that someone will come upon your blog that you probably never would have had a chance to meet had it not been for your blog.

Earlier this week, I started communicating with the wife of a coworker.  They happen to life in Arvada, CO.  Although he has been down here numerous times for meetings, the chances that she and I ever would have met are slim to none.   Ryan told me about Rachel’s blog and I started reading it regularly several weeks ago.  I think that Ryan and Rachel started following mine when Ryan joined Facebook and realized that I had one.  I started out commenting on one of Rachel’s posts, and from there she responded and we ended up exchanging emails.

So for now, when someone asks me “why do you blog?” I can say you just never know when you may come across a really great person.  I will have a success story to share!   Not sure how Rachel feels, but I think this could be the start of a great friendship, even if only through the cyberworld.  Her husband is a great friend with a fantastic work ethic.  They love the outdoors, exercising and their “fur babies”!  If you would like to follow their blog, you can find them here.  Trust me, their scenery is FAR superior!

Rachel and Ryan

I guess to sum it up, if you are reading someone’s blog become a follower, comment….make your presence known.  You just never know what is waiting around the corner!

In my last post I mentioned browsing around Pinterest.  Well, I went ahead and dove in.  I have set up an account with a few boards.  One of my boards is titled "Things I Need to Keep Reminding Myself".  That is my theme for the month.  Not sure how I came up with this, but I will throw a quote in here and there during my blogging and hopefully by the end of the month I will culminate with a post about a lady with "super powers" who helped me see that I am amazing. 

Four of the TINTKRM - thank you K, I am getting there!

Had a good weekend with fabulous weather, but I will save the details for my next post.  Night all!