Christmas on the Farm

Saturday David had training in Buda all day, Emily was at her LDE competiton (more to come on that later) so Allie and I spent the day together. We went to Belton to a great Christmas event called "Christmas on the Farm". It was free to get in and they had all kinds of things for the kids to do. Allie and I had a great time playing games, making things and generally getting into the Christmas Spirit.

Allie is very glad that we no longer have to "hand pump" water any longer!

We had so much fun together!!!

Happy Veteran's Day

Since Mom & Dad were here to do the plumbing they stayed an extra night and went to the Veterans program at Allie's school. It was a very nice program. The kids sang and recognized Veterans that had received medals. They gave a flag and certificate to each and every Veteran that was in attendance. Then there was a parade from the school to the Veteran's Memorial where a burning of the flag was done. It was great to be there with my Dad and let him be recognized for his service.

My Dad waiting to get his flag and certificate.

The kids sang a funny song that named all the presidents. They put on masks and danced when they got to the last 5 or 6. Allie got to be George W. Bush. She had a blast dancing and singing.

THANK YOU to ALL VETERANS

100 things about me

I hear there is a tradition that when you post your 100th post you make it a list about yourself.


See what you did and didn't know about me. Some not so exciting facts.

1. I was in the musical “Oklahoma” …. And I can’t sing!!
2. Red is my favorite color
3. I have a minor in Religion.
4. My first car was a 1966 Ford Mustang.
5. It was red.
6. I am a roller coaster junkie.
7. I am afraid of heights.
8. I have two good friends from high school – Tammy Trent and Tammy Johnson.
9. Tammy Trent and I took a taxi across Houston to go to Astro World when I was 14.
10. I got an awful haircut in 6th grade and cried for a week.
11. My first job was at Golden Fried Chicken – now Golden Chick.
12. I have a weakness for pizza.
13. Math was my worst subject in both high school and college.
14. I HATE peas and tomatoes.
15. I was in a social fraternity in college.
16. I have only been to Las Vegas once.
17. The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie.
18. I wore a Mickey Mouse watch until I graduated from college.
19. I was Miss Leander.
20. I was in the Miss Texas Pageant representing Williamson County.
21. I wear a size 8 shoe.
22. When I am really, really mad I cry – which makes me mad and I cry more!
23. I was a Blue bird & a Campfire girl when I was little.
24. I had hernia surgery when I was five.
25. I had a weakness for shoes growing up – I took 23 pair on a week long cruise with my sister.
26. My sister is 12 years older than me.
27. When I stared kindergarten she was a freshman at Texas A&M – Whoop!
28. I lived on a farm for a few years – we had cows, pigs, and chickens.
29. I can listen to one conversation and have another at the same time.
30. I broke my ankle in 6th grade during a pep rally.
31. I broke my tail bone in 11th grade during a pep rally.
32. I like country, pop and rock music but NOT rap.
33. John Stamos and Bo Duke were my teenage heartthrobs.
34. I Love the bands KISS, ACDC & Journey.
35. I met Paul Stanley (From KISS) at Six Flaggs in Dallas.
36. My first concert was Billy Squire. I went with Casey Clawson – His mother drove us.
37. I have never been fired. Yet – you never know!
38. I have a short temper.
39. I don’t hold grudges long – except for one!
40. I can remember phone numbers really well.
41. Making this list is harder than I thought it would be.
42. I am a horrible speller.
43. I will turn 40 this year.
44. I don’t manage money well.
45. I love the warm weather.
46. My ideal retirement home is on a beach in Australia.
47. I have passed out three times in my life.
48. I have a VERY sensitive nose.
49. I love rainy days.
50. I like to watch old home movies.
51. I am claustrophobic.
52. I have stepped on two different rattlesnakes in my life.
53. I had a play house with running water as a child.
54. I love to shop on-line.
55. I had a foreign exchange student during high school. Her name was Emma.
56. I had a pen pal from the Army during high school.
57. My comfort food is garlic toast.
58. I have been sick on my birthday at least three times.
59. I still have my tonsils.
60. I am a chronic “list maker”.
61. I hated having a December birthday growing up. I don’t mind now.
62. I was a band “nerd” from 6th to 9th grade.
63. I hate to run.
64. I wanted to be an orthodontist or a teacher growing up.
65. I was a real tom-boy until about the 6th grade. Complete with forts and toy trucks.
66. I was voted most likely to open a dance studio after college.
67. My parents are still married.
68. I was a girl scout leader but never a girl scout.
69. I like to bowl but am not good at it.
70. I did horrible on the SAT.
71. I can’t type very well and never took a typing class.
72. I was in high school when we got our first microwave.
73. My first cell phone was a “bag phone”.
74. I had big 80’s hair in high school.
75. I was a very chubby child from about 9 until 13.
76. I hate being late.
77. I am not a morning person.
78. I don’t read much only because I don’t have time.
79. I like to work out but rarely do.
80. I am still madly in love with my husband!
81. I remember the first time I went to the circus and LOVED it.
82. I loved playing poker with my Dad as a child.
83. I am not a sore loser.
84. My Dad taught me to dance in the kitchen while my Mom cooked dinner.
85. I got hit in the head with a fence post and have a big scar.
86. I still think George Strait is HOT.
87. I sing in the shower and car.
88. I talk to myself and sometime answer too.
89. I have zero nieces or nephews.
90. I have 39 first cousins and countless second.
91. I cry at sad movies.
92. I love living in the country.
93. I would quit my job tomorrow if I won the lotto – with NO notice.
94. I was in UIL story telling in elementary school.
95. I have a tattoo.
96. I have a high school letter jacket.
97. I have never had a surprise party.
98. I drive too fast.
99. I have never been without a job since I was 15.
100. I often have blond moments.

Not too old to do a little hard work....

Even though my Dad is 76 and my Mom is 75 they spent the day on Tuesday putting in the ground for our apartment / storage building.

David had the form all set up with the fill in place, but had a job and had to leave for most of the day. My parents ran the plumbing for the bathroom (shower, potty and sink) and the washing machine. It was not an easy task but they sure made it look that way!

Thanks so much Mom & Dad - we really appreciate all you do for us!!!!

It will be so nice to have two bathrooms and to not have to go to the laundry mat every week!!!!!!!!! Thanks again Dad & Mom!!

Fun at the "farm"

Markus and Constanze came out for the weekend. It was a lot of fun. We got to visit, eat good food and let the kids play. It was a nice relaxing weekend.

It started with a little gardening. Allie got a package of bluebonnet seeds from a program at school. They were from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She and Vivian had a great time planting them. We will have a nice little photo spot once they start to boom next year around Easter.

The weather was beautiful - Markus and Julius took advantage of it and rode out on the bike.




It is amazing how much fun kids (of all kinds) can have on a pile of sand.

Relaxing with a morning coffee

It is so nice to be able to just hang out and enjoy the company of our friends without any drama.

Halloween at the DZ

Paul & Jenn held their annual Halloween event at the DZ this year.... They had a lot going on and expected to be very busy so we went down to help out. Allie and I checked people in, handed out t-shirts and sold jump tickets. David took photos of the jumpers and the costume party Saturday night. Emily worked hard - Saturday and Sunday loading one of the planes. She and Jack did a great job making sure everyone was accounted for and in place before each plane took off.

Allie taking a little break to do some pumpkin carving.

In addition to the normal tandem and fun jumpers they had a special 50 way event going on. It was really neat to see all 50 landing at once.....

Jenn having fun!

The best costume was this alien.... He was so realistic he scared the crap out of Allie.

Yes this is a costume and not one of the actual jumpers....

Can't have a party without a few drinks

A great time was had by ALL!!!!

Trunk or Treat

Friday was the Fall Fest at Blockhouse and Allie was invited to go with Vivian & Julius. She was very excited to see some of her old classmates and to do some "trunk or treating".


Vivian was a "Fairy Princess", Julius was a dog named "Dog" (wonder where that came from)and Allie was a "Drama Queen". Not really much of a stretch there! :)

Afterwards we had a nice dinner with Markus and Constanze and the kids spent some time playing.

Man Allie looks a lot like Shayne. Or maybe it is that they both look so much like David.

A sleepy fairy princess!!

Markus smoked brisket and Constanze made the sides. Including her mom's recipe for potato salad - It was so good! I would love the recipe. It was great to catch up as we had not visited in a few weeks.

Saturday night David had a 50th wedding anniversary party to shoot photos for. It was at Chez Zee in Austin. The place was very nice and the event went very well. David's photography business is steadily growing even though we have not done any kind of advertising. It has all been by word of mouth - the best kind!!

Greenhand Day

The Greenhand Degree is the first degree that you can earn in the high school FFA program. To be a Greenhand you must have recited the National FFA Creed and you must be able to describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and colors. Emily completed her Greenhand degree and celebrated with her classmates by wearing “Greenhand” shirts to school.

Future Farmers of America changed to just FFA in 1989 to reflect the growing diversity of agriculture today. There are over 300 career opportunities in agriculture today.

Emily is doing so well in FFA and really loves it. I am so glad we moved to a school with a strong FFA program. It will really help her with her desire to become a vet.

Photo from the paper so it is not too clear.... front row third from the left

Not too shabby for the 2nd show

We had our second show on Saturday. It was the "Cedar Park Jackpot" put on by the Cedar Park High school FFA. This show included pigs (98 of them!!) and it went on forever. We arrived at 7:30 and did not leave until almost 6 pm! Both girls had a few issues with getting their goats to walk and brace but overall it was a great show.

Allie got 8th place in the medium weight class (her goat needs to put on more muscle) and Emily got 2nd place in the lighter weight class. These jackpots are a great learning experience for us and help the girls understand what they need to be working on with their goats. Hopefully this is just the beginning to our winning streak!!!

Shingles, and not the kind on your roof

I just found out that my Dad has shingles. I guess they run in our family or something as my Mom and Emily have both had them in the past.

I looked shingles up on Web MD and found out they are a form of chickenpox and can be contagious to people who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. They are also very painful and can take a long time to clear up.

I hope he gets better soon and is not in too much pain!