Happy Birthday, Robin

No candles on the birthday cake. I couldn't get permission from the local fire department. But it's just as well since Robin might not have enough breath to blow them out.

I asked the birthday boy where he wanted to eat on his special night. He said the place that has the waffle bowls full of ice cream. I asked, "Dairy Queen?" He said that was the one. I told him I know it's been a rough year with the economy, but I can handle the usual steak and seafood he chooses for his birthday dinner. Maybe I'll treat him to dessert at Dairy Queen.

Happy birthday, Robin, and thank you for being a wonderful husband who settled for a coconut cake this year instead of the time-consuming German chocolate. I love you to pieces.

Happy Birthday, Angela

My beautiful baby girl is having a birthday today. If we were in the same place today, I'd scratch her back, bake her favorite cake, and babysit her three precious children while she indulged in a nap or a night out. I'm sure she will happily take me up on this at a later date.

Angela is a devoted daughter, wife, and mother whose artistic abilities can transform junk into treasure. I had an early glimpse of this talent when she drew a girl with long eyelashes on the bathroom wallpaper. It wasn't long before these creations were on canvas, and now can be seen on everything she touches. I've always been amazed at those who can visualize something and make it become real. In my mind's eye, I can see a dog, or a house, or a flower, but wouldn't know how to put that image on a surface. I'm thankful that God was selective with talents and didn't give us all the same one. That Angela's eye for art is unique is one of the things that make it so appealing to me.

Angela has a fun sense of humor that I always enjoy. I especially love it when all three of my kids are together and laughing over antics from the past. She's also a dedicated teacher to these two kids and I wouldn't doubt that the younger one will learn under her as well. He already sits in on the Bible class and can recite the books of the Bible.

Mainly, I love Angela because she's a loving daughter and gives me many reasons for loving her back. Happy birthday, Punkin. You are always, always in my heart.

Bandera with Angela

All my trips to Bandera have been unforgettable. I've always been there to share lazy days with friends and this is the first time I went without them. But it was still wonderful since I got to spend a few days with baby girl, Angela, and three of my sweet grandchildren. No pajama days on this trip. We were on the go!

We spent one morning on the condo's playground and played a little soccer. I was rusty, but managed to get a few good kicks in. Ashton and Juliet were awesome!

Little man, Callan, is my youngest grandchild and just as handsome as the rest of them.

We had fun playing games inside the condo too. Ashton took over the score pad when he saw that I added something incorrectly. He was faster than I was too.

After the playground, we headed to Natural Bridge Caverns. Ashton had studied about cave formations and was excited to see them. We ventured down 180 feet on steep inclines, then back up 180 feet. I thought I'd be sore the next day, but I wasn't. When I told Robin about our day he asked if I remembered that I'd had a heart attack. I told him I was supposed to exercise and he said, "not all in one day." Point taken.

These next two pictures show how natural our Juliet is at posing. She wants to be an artist who designs clothes, and I think she could add model to her future.

I see the same love and knack for art in Juliet that I saw in Angela. She draws beautifully. I asked if she would be taking lessons from an art teacher like her mom did, and Juliet reminded me that her mom is capable of teaching her art. Why didn't I think of that?

Isn't he handsome? He favors his grandpa whom I loved with all my heart.

Memaw is in good company!

We visited a toy store in Austin and I had to get a picture of Juliet being funny.

Our tour of the state capitol in Austin was interesting and educational for all of us.

A view of the dome from inside the capitol building. We climbed a lot of stairs!

Since Angela lives in another state it had been awhile since we had had some quality time together. These few days with her and the children were definitely highlights in my life. They are all very precious to me and I can't wait to see them again soon.

Baylee's Thanksgiving Program

We all enjoyed Baylee's first official school program as a kindergarten student. She's a natural-born performer and there's nothing shy about this girl! This group of Pilgrims and Indians entertained us with the Turkey Tango and other delightful songs.

Baylee was a very pretty Pilgrim!

Jude and Sophia enjoyed the program too. Sweet Jude told me he was so excited to see Baylee perform. Such a sweet brother.

My talented daughter, Allison, made these cute turkey cookies for Baylee's class. A lot of time was involved and I don't even want to guess the calorie content.

Beautiful Allison with husband Brian and little Sophia.

I got to spend a little private time with Sophia. She is such a little doll with the sweetest smile. It was a great morning and I know it meant a lot to Baylee that we were there for her big moment. Good job, Baylee Girl!

Happy Birthday, Sophia!

Our sweet Sophia girl is 4 today! She has been an absolute blessing and has captured every heart in our family. She's so affectionate and has the cutest talk. She's also number 8 in my Cloud 9 of grandchildren.

We had so much fun shopping for her birthday gifts. Sophia had a pretty good idea what she wanted and didn't waste much time picking them out. Her excited giggles warmed my heart!

Of course she had to have a cuddly leopard since we couldn't find the lion Pillow Pet she wanted.

Sophia chose chicken sandwiches for her birthday lunch outing. When finished eating, she played awhile on the playground.

She was happy that Papa came along for the fun. He seldom passes up a chance to enter a toy store. Sophia presented him with a dog she had colored for him. It's in every color so she called it a rainbow dog. It's quite artistic!

Happy birthday, Sophia, and enjoy this 4th year to the hilt! You are so precious and Memaw loves you very, very much!

October Divas

October Divas, what a pitiful sight!
Only Patty and Peggy showed up that night.

Allison couldn't get a babysitter,
But she'll be back, she's no quitter.

Donna preferred her horses and cows
to dining with her Diva sows.

A grandson's play won with Trish,
Who missed out on a nachos dish.

Cathy chose an OU game,
That excuse was rather lame.

Deb picked up her Corvette,
Her absence we won't soon forget.

Shingles really plagued Darlene,
We could almost hear her scream.

Jan had traveled out of state
And missed her enchilada plate.

Paula had a bout with chills,
She stayed home to take her pills.

We don't know what's up with Jeanne,
No Spanish rice or refried beanie.

If Texas Divas are hard core,
Patty and Peggy made the score.

What Happens in Bandera......

Doesn't actually stay in Bandera. It follows us home on our hips! But what's one week of junk food and lazy pajama days? The fun was worth every delightful calorie!

These happy faces are about to do the annual squeal at the corner of my street. It's become a tradition that we look forward to. It also reveals our excitement about the trip ahead.

You can't drive six hours to Bandera without stopping for a little food. We started out well, treating ourselves to soup and salad. It went downhill from there.

We finally did our hair and applied makeup and ventured out of the condo. We went to browse the many shops in Fredericksburg. The drive there was so scenic through the Hill Country.

With a condo this pretty there is no need to leave. It rained every day we were there and we were content. It's perfect for pajama days.

Since it was warmer this trip, we didn't use the fireplace. Except for posing for pictures, that is.

Cheryl and my daughters treated me to a birthday trip to Fredericksburg ten years ago and we all had our pictures made in this very shop with goofy glasses on. How appropriate to do it again. We three are stylin'.

We strolled down Memory Lane when we visited this 5 & Dime store. Each aisle and cabinet fixtures had displays like the ones from our past. It made me want to dab a little Evening in Paris on my wrists.

This calico cat spent the week near our balcony where we sloppy ladies sometimes, accidentally, dropped delicious chunks of chicken or burgers. It literally broke my heart to check out, knowing she would be waiting for a Cheeto to somehow come flying over the railing.

The craziness began with our matching pink and green camo jammies with a matching cap. Patty's sister-in-law sewed the letters spelling Bandera down one leg. The camo seemed fitting since deer are constantly grazing around the condo. Then, Cheryl surprised us with the hats. Oh, did we laugh when we were decked out!

I realize we don't look like big bad hunters in this garb. I realize, too, that hats just might not be the right fit on me.

Mike, the assistant manager, was gracious enough to take our group picture without busting a gut. I asked him if we looked weird. "No, not weird. It's just that, uh, we, uh, don't see things like this much." Really?

Mike was such a good sport that we decided to push him to the limit. I know he felt honored to have three seniors flocked around him. He probably would have preferred college seniors.

Eating again. Actually, we stayed in the condo more than we ate out. Easier that way - no makeup, getting dressed, or messing with hair.

I made a simple dinner for us our last night there and encountered a scorpion on the kitchen floor. I ran to the balcony to alert Cheryl and Patty of my find. We finally decided on a weapon to use and it was handed to me! Why me? I smashed the awful thing and felt like a hero.

The restaurant overlooked this river with the strange looking trees and swampy looking water. But the total effect was pretty.

This charming lady dressed in her vintage attire waited on us at an antique store. She just looked so at home in that setting that I had to get a picture. Afterwards, we holed up in the condo with Spades, Yahtzee, and a DVD and enjoyed our last full day in Bandera. We never laughed so much. We never got tired of the company or the quiet surroundings. We never felt so blessed.