Happy Birthday James & Leiann!

Two members of our family have a double birthday today. James, who has the distinct honor of being married to my gorgeous sister Donna, is in the sixty-something range today. His big interest is in his horses and he's competed in "cutting" horses, which doesn't mean he slices them up and sends them to a foreign country for human consumption.

Leiann has the challenge, uh, honor, of being married to my handsome son, Ron. She's the proud mother of my three oldest grandchildren. She's seen in this picture with Buddy, their big, gentle, lazy Mastif who loves to cuddle. One of Leiann's favorite interests is her love for reading. Leiann remains with the thirty-something crowd.

Leiann and James are one of three sets of double birthdays in our family. In just 10 more days my daughter Allison and her husband, Brian, will share a birthday. Donna and my sister-in-law Cindy were not only born on July 18, but in the same year, too. In a family this size, it's bound to happen.

Happy birthday, James and Leiann. Have a fabulous day and know that you are a welcome addition to our ever growing family.

Girls Night Out

If it seems our Girls Night Out is happening more frequently, well, that's fine by us. We thoroughly enjoy this hen party (cluck, cluck). There's always plenty to talk about and laugh over. It's a real treat.

Tonight we welcomed Paula, a newbie to our group. She's a friend of Deborah's and also has been doing business with Donna, although they've never met. They got to meet tonight and Paula fit in very well and we hope she will join us each time we meet. Welcome!

After dinner we were treated to a showcase of two new cars. Donna has a new Toyota Avalon which looks really classy in white with Donna behind the wheel. Deborah was there in her new Corvette convertible, all sleek in black. Watch out! There are two hot mamas on the road tonight!

We are thrilled that Allison - the only one of us with estrogen - still enjoys an evening out with a bunch of mother figures. She keeps us laughing and on our toes.

Cristal was invited but unable to attend this time. We hope she will be free the next time we all get together. We missed her! And, Cristal, you missed a fun, loud group! We aren't drunk, but we act like it.

Ahhhh, Granddaughters

I got to spend some time with Baylee and Sophia while their mom took Jude in for his six-year checkup. We played with toys and read some books. Sophia tried to repeat each word I said when pointing to a picture. She did quite well! Now that she is mobile, she is all over the place. She had such fun pushing the old popcorn popper toy that had been bought for Candice when she was a toddler. Papa and I would pretend that she was running into our toes and she would giggle so hard. Music to my ears. She also spoke "Papa" very clearly.

Baylee always has fun playing with Papa. Rough play. We've had to remind them that Papa is old and not to be so rough. He really laughs at that. Baylee was holding his hands and walking up his legs and stomach. When he had to leave to run an errand, she wanted to do it with me. I told her my stomach was still sore inside from when the doctor cut me open to fix a problem. She asked to see the scar and I raised my top. She ran her fingers over the thick 8-inch scar.

"Yeah, he cut you alright!"

That from a three-year-old! Am I the only one amazed or is this kid too smart? Her vocabulary has always been extensive.

Jude came in the door sporting a royal blue bandage on his arm where a nurse had drawn blood. My heart broke for him. I've always hated those doctor visits for my kids or grandkids that involved a needle. I used to ask my mother to take my kids in and she'd assure me that she loved them and me, but she wasn't going to be the bad guy. Now, I understand. This Memaw won't be the bad guy either.

So, I get the fun part. I babysit and spoil, and there are no needles (except for mending) in my house.

Smarty Pants

Candice, MY granddaughter, was inducted into the National Honor Society last week. What an honor! And what a bright, intelligent young lady who has faithfully applied herself to her studies. I am so stinking proud of her!

There are several factors involved to be considered an inductee. Candice's qualifications included a GPA of 4.4 (wow), her positions of leadership and community service, awards she has received, and the recommendation from four of her teachers. She is currently serving as president of her junior class. Bravo! Kudos! Way to go!

It reminded me of Angela's induction service and the immense pride I felt as her name was announced. Brains (and beauty) must run in this family. I have tangible proof!

Patty & Peggy - Our Little Trip

We are back home after lounging the weekend away in Waxahachie. It was so much fun! We browsed many antique shops, ate lunch at a soda fountain inside a pharmacy, and each completed a novel. The last part means we spent plenty of time in the room reading. So relaxing!

We walked through the beautiful courthouse there and marveled at the architecture. It was gorgeous. I especially loved the staircases with the rich wood banisters. A foreign architect did many interesting carvings, including both angelic and demonic depictions of a local woman who had scorned him. The courthouse was completed in the late 1800s, but his sad story remains for all to see.

Scarborough Fair is going on so we saw many at our hotel dressed in Renaissance clothing at breakfast. I almost followed one guy out since he reminded me of Johnny Depp in his pirates attire.

We had pizza delivered to our room the first night as we settled in with novels. The next day we enjoyed a Chinese buffet after a long day of antiques.

This morning I was busy with a hand-held electronic game while Patty flitted back and forth with her packing. She finally sat on her bed and I looked up as my game finished. I busted out laughing, and so did she. She was sitting there with the complimentary shower cap on her head. Never a dull moment between friends.

We Are Woman!

What keeps a trio of desperate women from missing a scheduled Girls Night Out? Not much of anything. While our wiser Donna and Deborah skipped out due to a threatening weather forecast, Patty, Allison and I saw the sun peeking through the clouds and headed out to dinner. It ended up being a long, long dinner.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal of avocado enchiladas, somewhat oblivious to what the clouds outside were doing. Allison called Brian as we prepared to leave the restaurant, only to catch him and the kids in the closet. Sirens were going off everywhere. We stepped outside and contemplated the dark, angry western sky - the direction Allison needed to go to arrive home. I even took a picture of a wall cloud, but it's so dark it didn't show up. Sorry Angela and Allison, I'd hoped to prove they actually exist.

We decided to wait out the storm. I could have driven east and avoided it, but we wanted to wait with Allison until it was safe for her to leave. We must have stood in the foyer about 45 minutes. We were finally enveloped in the dark clouds and they released plenty of rain and pea size hail, and some strong winds. Patty was freaking out and I thought I was bad!

Needless to say, we all made it home safely. And this brazen trio proved that when it's Girls Night Out, no tornado sirens, hail storms, beating rains and wind will keep us from our destination. We are woman. Hear us roar.

I'm Off Again!

Patty (God love her!) insisted that we get away for a long weekend. We decided it didn't have to be a great distance from here as long as we got out of Dodge. She has a valuable little book that lists great Texas getaways, complete with lodging, restaurants, and sightseeing suggestions. Last year we visited Allen and Tyler. This weekend we will take a short jaunt to Waxahachie.

Patty's little book revealed interesting history surrounding the courthouse there, a slew of antique shops, and the Gingerbread Trail which is a tour of quaint, older houses. Whether we see all these things is yet to be decided. We are, after all, staying again at the Hampton Inn where they proudly advertise Cloud Nine, the ultimate sleep experience. With two queen beds and all those fluffy, soft pillows and comforters, we may not leave the room. We are definitely packing books for that reason.

Scarborough Fair may also be going on, but we have no desire to slosh through wet fields or gnaw on turkey legs. Cloud Nine and a good book are much more appealing.

Later, alligator!

Home Improvement

I just wanted to share this beautiful picture of Ron's new French doors. He spent the weekend installing them and they replace the sliding glass door that was once there. I love French doors and they add such beauty to any room. Ron's becoming quite the handyman. I may borrow him for some of my own home improvements.

Good job! Do you also lay ceramic tile? Install new kitchen countertops? Paint?

Family Excursion

My son Ron and his family spent Sunday in Glen Rose exploring the great outdoors. Thomas and his shadow, Buddy, had fun frolicking in the cold water and jumping from one rock to another. I vaguely remember a time when the temperature of the water wasn't a consideration, I just plowed in. I was probably age - - oh -- six, like Thomas.

After a lot of rough and rowdy play, Buddy took some time to rest and pant by the looks of that big tongue dangling from his mouth. I don't know how he gets all of that back into his mouth. And if you think he's this big, scary dog you are partly right. Just act like you are about to lay a finger on a member of his family and he is poised to attack. Actually, he's a big, lovable, 6-month-old puppy who would rather curl up in a soft lap than rip a throat apart.

I especially love the family picture even though the wind is blowing hair in the faces of my girls. But the idea is there, that of togetherness and family fun. I think it's great that the whole family enjoy the outdoors and roughing it on camping trips. Thanks, Ron, for sharing pictures of your outing with me.

A day at the circus

Insert your own sound effect here

Tickets - 36.00

parking - 10.00

Elephant rides - 20.00

pony rides - 6.00

jump house for 3 minutes - 6.00

toy for Jude - 10.00

toy for Baylee - 15.00

pop corn - 2.50

dinner afterwards - 47.00

trip to the circus with my daughter and 3 lovely grand children: A LOT OF MONEY!

And MasterCard was the proud sponsor of NOTHING - gotta bring your cash.

By - Randee

Thanks for helping me with the kids mom! And for thinking far enough ahead to bring a wad of cash - I WILL pay you back!

The Cuteness Continues

Can you stand any more cuteness? This is how Parks spends Happy Hour with us when we have our 5:00pm coffee. Tonight he moved to the chair just so he could remain in the same room with me. I know it's me because he still has a fear of Robin, unless he's holding the food can. And he sleeps at or on Robin's feet, but I think that is to irritate Robin. Parks is trained well. Thank you, Angela.

A Date With Candice

Robin decided to join Candice and me for our annual birthday dinner and shopping, claiming he'd "be proud to be seen with two beautiful women." Having our own driver was great for us, too! Candice chose TGI Fridays for dinner. We had a lot of fun, even if our order was screwed up twice. I was almost through eating by the time Robin's and Candice's meals arrived as they originally ordered them. Then it was off to Grapevine Mills Mall to ooh and aah over the clothes and make a selection.

Candice wanted a cute summer dress to wear with her black heels. I say cute but too sexy better describes the "little black dress" she chose. As Angela would say, it's classic and will never go completely out of style. The one we bought is very versatile. It can be worn on or off the shoulders, creating a different look. She matched it up with some bling for her ears and neck. She looked too hot to be my granddaughter. I think I felt more comfortable shopping for Planet Heroes with Jude.

It was actually Candice and me who started this birthday tradition ten years ago when my wedding trip to Vegas prevented me from attending her 7th birthday party. To make it up to her, I arranged to take her to dinner and shopping to pick out her own gift. Camryn wanted to do the same thing in July on her birthday and it became a yearly event with all my grandchildren. I still attend their parties but the time out together is special for all of us.

We enjoyed having Candice to ourselves tonight. There was a lot of talking and laughing going on and Candice looked especially beautiful with her new smile - the braces came off yesterday! There's still the matter of 4 wisdom teeth needing to be removed, but we will worry about that when the time comes. We love you, Candy Girl, and thank you for being such delightful company and our sweet entertainment for the evening.

Our 10th Anniversary Trip

Robin and I took a huge gamble on each other when we married in Las Vegas ten years ago this April Fool's Day. I guess he's still willing to gamble on me since he surprised me with a trip to the Eldorado Resort Hotel & Casino in downtown Shreveport to celebrate this small milestone. And just like our wedding and wedding date, he arranged it all in secret, only revealing it in time for me to pack. He put us in the most luxurious semi-suite on this trip. The bathroom, especially, was gorgeous and spacious, with both a large glassed-in shower and a marble tub. I felt so pampered! The large window in our room overlooked the Red River.

Robin also took care to see that we had bell hop service and valet parking. We had every intention of taking advantage of room service, too, but the opportunity never presented itself. Robin was a stinker only once when he hid the fact that our room was equipped with a keyboard that connected to our TV set. He showed it to me as we were checking out this morning. He thought I needed an internet break so I came home to 77 e-mails.

The weather was nasty the whole trip but we still had a wonderful time. Everything was at our fingertips and there was no need to venture far from the hotel. We took one short drive when the storm clouds lifted a little.

Robin played a lot of Roulette and did quite well. We were amazed at the people who easily dropped $500 and just as easily lost it all in ten minute's time. But, hey, that's the nature of a casino. Only stupid people like me go there and expect to be the one in a billion who walks out with a $100 gain.

When Robin stopped at the desk at Club Eldorado he was told our breakfast would be comped, so this morning we indulged without considering the cost. "I went to swipe my card and a message came up saying Swipper no swipping," he told me. I replied, "Oh, man." For those of you who aren't inundated with grandchildren, those phrases come from Dora.

When I was planning my trip to Vegas ten years ago Cheryl went with me to Victoria's Secret to select my gown for the honeymoon. It was a pale pinkish champagne long silky number with a small lacey train in the back. Since it had dazzled Robin ten years ago I decided to pack it and see if I got the same results. He was close. Thank you again Cheryl for buying that gown for me. It's still very useful.

As we were leaving Shreveport to come home we passed a man on the freeway pulling an upright vacuum cleaner. I haven't the foggiest idea what that was all about.

Thank you to my husband for another special surprise and a fantastic time. I love you and I'll take another gamble on you.