Beaver's

Do you want a treat? Go to Beaver's to eat. You turn off Washington on Sawyer and it is about a block down on the left.  You can't miss it- there will be a Beaver on the sign in front! We saw another sign that said Beaver's Ice House on the front and visions of locals and old men sitting around pool tables came to mind. This is not what you will find at Beaver's. The decor is fresh and trendy. Outside are picnic tables with a wonderful view of downtown Houston. The food is the ticket- we ate our way through the menu. We tried  no less than 5 sides besides our main meals. We were so full we didn't  even have room for the Beaver Balls for dessert! This fun find goes on the top of our list!

Working from home

I work from home.  For that reason people think I do not work.  They call me to volunteer and do the most random things. Even my husband wonders why the house isn't always perfect if I am home all day. People just don't get it. I get up, get dressed and climb the stairs to my rather unruly, but bright office. I painted the room a vivid green- the color makes me happy. I have a desk with a view. To my left I see the top of a trellis of roses and the top of my beautiful bougainvillea. To my front is my TV perched on the wall.  The rest of the room is a mess. I need to control this space and I know how I want to do it, but I have to work so I just simply don't have the time. I told Mike I was writing a blog the other day. He asked what that was and then informed me that it sounded like what someone does who has too much time on their hands. That wouldn't be me- I'm working!

FED from The Apple Store

Today Fed  told me he is Federico from Costa Rica! When he was in the 8th grade his family moved to Houston for a year and the kids he went to school with shortened his name to Fed. He said he thought that made sense. I  just think it is a cool name! This past weekend Fed met some of his high school friends in New Orleans. One was from Germany, two from Costa Rica and the other one lived there in New Orleans. He had a very good weekend. He asked me about my weekend and I told him it was very busy.  I just realized this coming weekend is Halloween- looks like another busy weekend on the horizon!

Voting- a right, a responsibility

Today I went to early vote.  The first place I went had about an hour or more wait. I had a longer than expected coffee meeting with a friend this morning, so I didn't have time to wait in the long line before my next commitment.  Instead, I planted  4 yard signs for my brother-in -law, Mark Kent Ellis, running for the 351st district court here in Harris County. His name was NOT represented at that polling place- Now it is!

Later this afternoon I went to the Fiesta on Main to vote. I needed some grocery items so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone! The line was out the door and we soon learned that was the first line. Fifty people were given a red ticket and then allowed in the store. We lined up on an  aisle with pickled onions and specialty teas. I must admit I was a little confused how those two items were related.  We then gave our red tickets to a Constable and he told us the line to stand in. Then we waited in another short line for our voting station. 

When I vote, I never vote straight ticket- even if I AM voting a straight ticket. I feel like each person on that ballot deserves to have their name selected or in the other case NOT selected. I read each name and make my decision. I take great care in making my decisions. The responsibility weighs heavy on me.  I am thankful for this right and this responsibility.

BUSY Weekends

I used to love the weekends- I still do , but they wear me out. It is go, go go! Our dance card was full this weekend! We always have fun, but come Sunday night I am beat and we need another day to recoup! This weekend we had one very special night- we went over to Corrie's house and Mike cooked. Corrie has a new fire-pit and we just relaxed by the fire with Lucky Tubbs, Willie and of course Kenny Chesney. It was a beautiful night and we really did relax. Nights like that are what memories are made of. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a special time with special people!

Fed & Passwords

Yesterday was my Mac-attack day! Fed was my one-on-one guy yesterday at the Apple store. Last week I had stumped him on a question. He was so proud yesterday that he indeed had the answer to my question! So now we are both in the know!! Fed must really think I have A.D.D.- he will start showing me one thing and all of a sudden that will trigger something in my crazy brain and if we are lucky ten minutes later he will be able to finish what he started with. Poor guy must think he draws the short straw when I walk in! I still haven't asked him about his name- maybe next week!

I don't know about you, but I have about about 6 different passwords I use for different things. I used to have one. It was very special to me. Then all of a sudden everyone knew it ( I am bad about giving it out) and different sites started wanting letter and number combos.  Problem is on three of my accounts I just draw a blank on my password. I am always in the ballpark, but it may take me two or three tries.  It just seems like such a waste of time when I don't get it on the first try! I like to think that is the reason I don't get as much done every day. Remembering my passwords slows me down. Really, I think it is the A.D.D. thing and the fact that because I work at home everyone thinks I don't do anything and they call me for everything! Like today Corrie is having me take her dog Bella to the vet. I told her to  schedule it late in the day so I could work . She texted me back , "Work? You Work?"- I texted her back that I was sticking my tongue out at her right then! If my own family doesn't "get it" how will anyone else?

The Monday After

It is Monday after the BIG reunion weekend. I will have to write all about it later! I am sporting a deep husky voice from all the talking and laughing I did! I even had to sleep in this morning. I would NOT trade this weekend for anything. It was fun, entertaining, happy and sad. Bellaire had their 30th reunion this past weekend and I had so much fun looking at Fara Carter's book and getting caught up with people from Pershing who went to Bellaire. It has been a weekend full of memories and best of all lots of new memories were made!

Reunion Part 2 & Farmers Market

Last night at Kay's Lounge was fun. I had more fun than I expected to! In fact, I think everyone did. I had told Mike we would stay about 2 hours and we ended up getting home about 12:30. Mike even had fun and everyone thought he was a good sport for going! It is amazing how 30 years can go by and you enjoy catching up with old friends.  I like some of them even better than I did back then! Thirty years also levels the playing field. We have lived a lot of life in that time and realize we have a lot more in common now.We have dealt with deaths and illness, aging parents and children. Most of  us have grown up, but some of  us still haven't! The real reunion is tonight- if it's half as good as last night it will be great!

Today was beautiful. Corrie and I decided to go to the Farmers Market at Alabama & Travis.  It is every Saturday and if you haven't been you really need to go! They had everything from fresh veggies and  cheese to vodka tasting! We bought some radishes, peas, Indian food and this Australian natural soap that smells amazing! It is called the Midtown Farmers Market and is open year- round, rain or shine. It is worth the trip!

30th High School Reunion- Part 1

Yep- I made this part one because this weekend is my 30th High School Reunion from Lamar High School and I figure there will be plenty to say about the entire weekend! This morning Steve Sellers, Alison Ayres Bell and I met to make sure the name tags were in order. The fun part will be recognizing people 30 years later- how embarrassing to say-"you don't look a thing like you used to!" Alison is so busy- don't know how she does it with two young kids and a husband, Chris Bell, running for the Texas Senate.  I just think I'm busy till I'm around her! The meetings are always informative- today I even found out Steve can do impersonations- ask him about that!

My friend Fara Carter told me today that Bellaire is also having their 30th Reunion this weekend- Lamar's will be better!

Well the parties begin tonight- Kay's Lounge will be the first stop and we'll see what happens from there...

The "P" Word

Politics. A word that carries so much weight! When discussed it can ruin friendships and family relationships. You are usually on one side of it or the other. It makes you crazy and the main word involved in politics is STRESS!

I hate election years, too much drama. Perfectly sane people go nuts! I have one friend who has really lost it- I don't know what he is thinking!

Last night I watched the debate and it was not another enjoyable night of television. In my opinion they both won- they got their say and that is what they wanted to do. I was online talking to a friend of mine- he will remain nameless- to protect his political views. It was good taking to him and having someone on my side. We actually figured out a way for our candidate to win. Can't say  what that was either, but it is a good plan.

This year is very stressful for our family!  My brother-in- law, Mark Kent Ellis is up for re-election as Judge of the 351st Court here in Harris County. He has been judge since 1997. He is a good judge, a good man and full of integrity. He needs to be judge again. He is Republican and some say that might not be good this year. People want change and might just vote straight ticket Democrat. That gets under my skin- one of the beauties of voting is that you can vote for a Democrat or a Republican and mix things up. 

Be educated and study the issues and the people. Don't be like the people Howard Stern interviewed.  That was crazy- they asked them why they were voting for Obama and used McCain's political views and even asked if they were ok with Obama  having Sarah Palin for a running mate. It was crazy- they didn't have a clue. Please be educated!

In 19 days it will all be over and the STRESS will be gone or will it!?!?

Malls & Mac

I do NOT like malls. 

Period the end, well almost- there is one exception. I love the malls in Lubbock and College Station. I think I like those because they are out of town and don't violate my "I don't like malls" policy! Those are more like  you are on a trip and you are shopping for souvenirs and that is a whole 'nother blog if you know me!

 Anyway- the mall I like the LEAST is the Galleria in Houston.  Why? Well I'm not sure, but I told myself that and I am sticking to my guns on this one.  Once Corrie was looking for a dress and we were told they had it at the Express in the Galleria. Corrie is like me- we are NOT mall shoppers. It was like we put on our steel-toed boots and shopper faces and went to the Galleria. We were both uptight- barely spoke and didn't make eye-contact with anyone and held our breaths!  We got in Express and they did not have the dress we were looking for- they made some calls for us and guess what- they had the exact dress she needed at the Village store.  We walked out as fast as we could and were finally able to breathe! Who needs malls??

Well, I have found that I do. Once a week I have a mac attack- not the McDonald's kind but the Apple kind. I Love my imac and  am taking those one on one classes they have there. Talk about a deal! It is 99.00 for 52 classes- one a week for a year- with a personal trainer- one on one. You can NOT beat that deal! I can learn to sync my iphone, ipod and imac- I just have to figure out how to turn my ipod on and off! Today I had Fed as my Apple genius. First off Fed is such a cool name! I have had him before and want to ask him if that is his real name. Today I did find out that he lived in Costa Rica from when he was 8-18. I asked why he left and he said because of school. Hope school was worth leaving Paradise! Anyway, I was doing the class on sharing digital photography. Fed taught me so many things I didn't know.  Then I asked him a certain question about printing and guess what??? Fed didn't know the answer. He  went and go a co-worker another genius and he didn't know the answer either. I stumped  two pretty smart Apple guys today! They are going to research it and tell me next week. Today I liked the mall- I left there feeling pretty smart!

One more thing...

I really love my friends and family and want to hear back from you.  All these crazy thoughts in my head mean something to me or I wouldn't share them with you.  I think life is about sharing and having TONS of fun! So let's do it!

Get this thing started!

I have always thought that I have a whole lot of things to say- so here goes- you can look at it or not- I am ok either way- at least I am getting my say! 

The past 48 years of my life have been really interesting-I have had lots of dreams- some of them have come true- some will come true one day - and then some never will. I would say that I am ok about that!

This past weekend I had one of the best weekends I have had in a very long time. I spent it with family from my Dad's side in Lubbock and Post, Texas.  Everything about the weekend was good- from the LONG car ride, to the visits with everyone and even the weather!

I believe God gives me special gifts and this past weekend was one of them! I want to thank HIM for this past weekend!