Party On!!

Each year - for the last 15 years - a co-worker/friend and myself host and sponsor a bus trip to the casino's in Louisana. Now when I say a "bus trip" I don't mean we get on a bus,travel 4 hours - get off, gamble 6-7 hours, get back on the bus, travel home 4 hours, get off and part ways....
This my friend is a PARTY BUS!!

The MASTER (he likes you to call him that) of Ceremonies

I lend a hand when I can

The year our bus company was Gotta Go Trailways.
This is about the 5th bus company we have used and by far the best.

Our bus driver Sonia was AMAZING.....it was her first trip to Louisana - but you would never had known it. SHE ROCKED!!

We have had some REALLY good times and we have had some not so good times. Most of those that travel with us have done so for the last 15years. Some news ones each year - who always ask -"When is the next one?". We rock as host/hostess.

This year we had 53 travel with us. We always go the first Saturday in May. It is always Kentucky Derby Saturday. We always play games. We always drink (a little). We always have food. WE ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME.

We play bingo - 10 games. Straight line, criss-cross, with your partner and of course blackout.

We give prizes and have lots of laughs along the way.

One of the things we do is scratch-offs. The person with the highest scratch off - also wins the prize. This year we decided to add a little excitement. One of the scratch offs was a "fake". It was a $10,000 dollar winner.

Elaine was our lucky (or unlucky) winner...she was a great sport and for about 2 mins - was ready to jump ship (bus) and head straight to Austin to cash in her card!! Thanks Elaine for playing along !!

We make one "pit" stop to stretch the legs, get a bite to eat and then we are back on the road.

Once we arrive in Louisana - you are all on your own. Everybody does their own thing and we meet back up - 7 hours later to hit the road.

We gather just before boarding the bus to watch the Kentucky Derby race. Everybody puts in $5 and we randomly draw the horse numbers. This year there were 20 horses in the field. Number 16 - ORB - won. I was the lucky winner at the table and brought home $115.00 

There were no "BIG" winners on the bus, but we had several that came home with a little heavier pockets than they went our there with. Some, the pockets were empty!!!

The ride home is much quieter. We play one game where we announce a winner to the Kentucky Derby (everyone put in a guess before we departed) The first person drawn with the correct horse winner wins the prize.

Then we put on a movie - and LIGHTS OUT!!

Alone....

I don't like to go places by myself. Never have and still can't get use to it. I don't make small talk, don't start conversations with people I don't know, I simply don't like to go places - ALONE. This was another one of those ALONE weekends. Wheatie was out at one of his many "have-to" music festivals. For those of you that know who Larry Joe Taylor is - that is where he was. HE LOVES IT - I don't, so I chose to stay at home.

Friday on my way home - I stopped and had myself a mani/pedi. I have taken off my "fake" nails because of my upcoming surgery - and actually am loving it. It is taking some getting use to - they are very brittle and still need time to heal. The mani/pedi was heaven. The techinican gave me the "bestest" sitting up in the chair massage I have had. Very relaxing.

When I arrived at home - I got myself a glass of wine and settled into some Friday night boob tube.

Saturday morning I had an hair appointment. Time for a little cut and color.

                       Saturday afternoon, one of my best friends daugter got married.

J.R., Alexandria and Darlene

I have known Alex since she was about 3. Her dad and I have worked together over 20 years and watched each others kids grow up. We have had family vacations together, high/college graduations, weddings, birthday's, babies, grandbabies, trips, sickness, deaths, a little bit of everything. I had no one to go to the wedding with me. CRISIS! - what to do, what to do. But, I sucked it up and went alone. How could I miss this very special day for Alex.  When JR saw me - he said he expected lighnting to strike - because I was alone (great -make me feel even better than I already do).
Alex, Zach and young Mr. Logan (and Happy-the minister, also a dear sweet friend and co-worker)

But miracles do happen and among all the people I DID NOT KNOW - was one of my retired officers and her husband. YEAH KELLY - you rock, saved....we had so much fun. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Sunday I went to church ALONE. Now I know for some of you that is no big deal. I know lots of people at church - but I just don't like to go alone. Pastor J was back in the pulpit for the first time. He was involved in an accident several weeks ago. It was good to see our prayers of healing had been answered. His sermon was on love and learning to let God do his work. It was words I needed to hear.

NOT BAD FOR AN "ALONE" WEEKEND !!

What I LOVE about TEXAS

I know this is not a shock to anyone that reads my blog, that I LOVE TEXAS. Wheatie sent me a picture last week of some bluebonnets (state flower) that he had taken on the road to home. When he sent the pic he said “what I love about Texas”….so it gave me an idea to do a blog posting about – TEXAS –

I am proud to be a TEXAN and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I am true – thru and thru. If you are dying to know more about this GREAT STATE, please read here

In the meantime, I have taken some pictures and downloaded others about some – not all – of the things I LOVE about TEXAS.....

This is the pic Wheatie sent me.....the bluebonnets are absolutely breaktaking right now. They are rich in color and line roads everywhere.....

Longhorns

love the Iris - especially if it is purple

Mockingbird

Cotton tail rabbits

Rebel - my horse

It wouldn't be a blog by me if I didn't include sports. Yes, I love sports...especially those that are associated with TEXAS......
Dallas Cowboys - America's Team

Texas Rangers, WE ARE A BASEBALL TOWN

And of course, the ever famous and much loved University of Texas - Longhorns

Pecan Pie

Blue Bell Ice Cream

Beaches (sorry not a good pic)

Sunrises

Moonlight

Sunsets

Ya'll come sit a spell and take in the beauty of TEXAS

Wait - What??

It isn't possible - 33 years - WOW Corey you are getting on up there son!!

Happy Birthday to my "baby"......Corey has made his dad and I very proud. He has accomplished much in his 33 years -



who wouldn't love this .....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COREY - MOM AND DAD LOVE YOU!!!

OLD PENCILS Not only the talent but the patience this person has is really something. I hope you enjoy the ‘show’ and get something out of it. When I saw the carved alphabet letters on the tips of the pencil lead, I thought that was about it, but no – it was just the beginning! (How did he keep from breaking the lead all the time? See below.)

JUST OLD PENCILS! BE SURE TO READ THE PARABLE AT THE END !!! A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX: 1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK. 2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE. 3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU. 4.) IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER. 5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU. We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you.

3 Fools on 3 Stools

This past weekend Wheatie and I went to see one of favorite bands -

These guys ARE great. They are all former musicians - from Nashville and beyond and have come together to harmonize. They are always a fan favorite and to top it off - they were at the Railhead Bar b Q - which is a local hang-out. Saw lots of friends and even managed to get my boss to come along and RELAX with us. GOOD TIMES - GOOD TIMES

 and so it begins

everybody wants to participate

Jessica and the boys

Hail Hail, the gangs all here !!

CATCH - UP....

Well, the LA Angels came and went. The 'Silence4Josh" didn't work out. But, during a post game interview, JH said it was the "loudest" boos he had ever heard at the Ballpark.
Mission accomplished.....

My "I Love You"...beans. Too cool. This took about a week, and oddly enough, I was like a little kid waiting for the thing to sprout. Great gift for a Boo - thanks to Jaxson and AB.

 



This past weekend, Wheatie and I worked our little tails off. He has a "honey-do" list - always has - probably always will. But we made quiet a dent in it. We had to buy a new mower - and a new part, for old riding mower. Wheatie got the new part on the old mower and the new mower put together. I mowed...and mowed...and mowed."  I really don't mind it, actually kind of enjoy it. I consider it "quiet" time....I can do lots of uninterrupted thinking. And awwwwww the smell of fresh cut weeds....does a body good!!

Wheatie is such a good man. With my upcoming back surgery - HE (we) decided it would be really nice for me to have a taller mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....toilet. So this past weekend, we (HE) installed a new one in our bathroom. Now, I know what you are thinking, my feet dangle ....NO!! It's not that tall....but believe me it makes a HUGH difference and know it will be helpful following surgery. Thanks hun !!!
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I have 3 of the most amazing furbabies. Sam (Samantha) Solo and Cappy. They are wonderful, have nothing but unconditonal LOVE...........but they drive us crazy wanting in and out the door. They are like kids, you get one in - the other wants out - get one out - the other wants in. It is like a revolving door. Sooooooooooooo - this weekend we (HE) installed a "doggie door". Too freakin' cool.  A little hesitant at first - especially Sam - since she is the biggest. But with a little coaxing with treats - they had it down. What a great invention.

The DOOR



Sam, and Cappy waiting her turn

Miss Solo

(sorry for the eyes - had to be quick to get a picture)
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.......again - preparing for a 3 month stay at home - we re-signed up for Netflix. One of the ways to watch is to stream thru your TV with a Wii. A couple months ago, the Wii I had, I moved to the playroom for the kids. So - looking around on  the internet - I found a brand new Wii on Amazon for $100. So - I ordered it - it came in and Wheatie got it all hooked up in the living room for us (ME). What a bargain - movie time - here I come!!

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We also went to church and my friend Louise and her boyfriend Peter joined us. Lunch at RandK Cafe afterwards!

Busy weekend - but feels so good to get so much done....now, let's see what is next??