Told ya, another short road trip

This time to Beaumont to photograph the courthouse there. We've passed through Beaumont many a time; however, most of the time it was pulling a trailer so very unwieldly to drive down through the center of town. The one time we were 'unattached' so to speak, it was raining. So today with nothing else planned on the horizon, we set forth taking a circuitous route instead of the usual I-10. It was interesting, but hardly a road we will venture forth on again.

Passing through Liberty on the way, we stopped to take a new photo of the Liberty County courthouse there as last time it was a very dull, relating to the sky, day. This is the 7th courthouse to sit on this square since the original was built in 1831. We next drove on down the road to Beaumont, the county seat of Jefferson County.





Before stopping for lunch at our favorite restaurant, Pappadeaux Seafood, I saw a sign for the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. So we made that our last stop of the day before heading on home. We took I-10 home listening to the breathtaking, literally, Astros v Reds game. When we tuned in it was the 7th inning and the game was tied at 0-0. Fortunately, in the top of the 10th, Lance Berkman hit a 2 run double to put the Astros ahead 2-0 and our closer shut down the Reds in the bottom of the 10th giving the Astros a face-saving win. The previous 2 days they had lost 15-6 and 12-2.

A short road trip in the MKX

First of many, I'm sure.


This morning, Sneed asked what I wanted to do today. We like to be spontaneous. I said I wanted to get a photo of some white wildflowers we had been seeing along the roadside but hadn't shot yet. I asked him what he wanted to do. He said, "Let's drive some back roads to Blessing for lunch". That was a good deal!

We hopped into the car, and toodled down the road stopping to get the photo first. Officially known as Lindheimer's Bee Balm, I think this looks more like steamed rice on a stalk.

We arrived in Blessing right around noon. Perfect timing! The first thing we noticed was the old hotel had gotten a paint job. The inside was the same old, same old. The food was the same as ever. Just down home cookin' by LOLs - Little, Old, Ladies. They've been making the same green beans, taters, greens, corn, peas, etc with (this time) some liver and onions, chicken fried steak, and fried chicken all being kept piping hot on the old timey stoves. There's salad and cole slaw, and cherry and peach cobblers as desserts. All this for less than $10 each and it's all you can eat. Worth the trip a couple times a year.




The following photos are some scenes on the way home along our great Texas highways...

A Day of Angst

Today was the day....

Last Saturday, we had a bit of free time, so we decided to look at cars. We look at cars all the time just to see what's out there.

After a lot of wailing and gnashing of the teeth (if it sounds like h*ell, it was), I succumbed to getting a new automobile without (shock factor) manual transmission. I had seen a few Lincoln MKXs on the road and thought they were something I might like.








As it turns out, we bought a car on Saturday and picked it up this afternoon ~ after signing our lives away on so many pieces of paper, I lost count. I even caught a typo and corrected it before signing one. Whatever happened to just handing the dealer the check and they hand you the keys? Not anymore, you sign your life away and your privacy too. I balked at signing that one.

So without further ado, but still some sadness that my Saab is no longer in its appointed place in the garage, here is my new ride ~ a 2010 Gold Leaf Metallic Lincoln MKX with all the bells and whistles.

Recital Time

It's May, it's recital time. Aedin and Dylin have worked hard for this. They even performed in "Jungle Book" at 3pm before coming to the Stafford Centre Theatre for the 7pm performance tonight.


Dylin was in two dance classes, and Aedin with were her eye captivating smile was in one.


They always make us proud.

Astros take on the mighty Rays

and WIN! Yep, the basement Astros (with the worst record in the NL as of today) took on the mighty Tampa Bay Rays (best record in all of MLB, that's the NL and the AL) this evening and we were there to see it.


Sneed (or I should say his company as we weren't footing the bill) was entertaining some Egyptians so we had spectacular seats in the suite above Hunter's Lodge. Not only was the view great but the food was outstanding also.



Perhaps the Rays were coming down from a high after beating the Yankees in a two game stand, or they were tired after arriving in Houston at 5am this morning with little or no sleep on the plane, but the bottom line is (and the scoreboard indicates) that the Astros beat the Rays 2-1. All in all, it was a nice victory.






We stayed until the end as we are wont to do. The stands had started thinning out after the 7th inning although the paid attendance was only 27,601 to begin with - down from past seasons by at least 5,000. The roof was closed during the game but opened afterwards for a spectacular firecracker display.

Picnic in the Park

Merwin & Mai, Dennis & Elisabeth, Sandy & Richard, Butch & Debbie, Carl holding Max & Iris holding Freida, Anne & Sneed

Taylor and I got up early for the drive back to Katy this morning. Made great time and arrived around 1030. Sneed was leaving for the picnic at 11 so I had a little time to refresh before getting in the truck. Yep, I said truck, to take Taylor home which was on the way to the park. Marque was in the shop having a loose steering wheel corrected and a few other minor problems tweaked. Those of us who braved the warm (90+ degree weather) had a wonderful time. We don't usually do much in the warmer weather so were glad to have a good showing.

Annemarie's Austin Shower

Obviously, the word 'shower' has a double meaning. Here we are on Congress Street waiting for a table to have lunch at Home Slice, a great pizza place. The wait was over 30 minutes but well worth it ~ note the smiling faces and our 'to go' boxes.


Taylor, Autumn (Brett's older sister), Annemarie, Erika


As Annemarie introduced these ladies to the rest of us, she realized that almost each one of them sat next to her at Dell at one time or another.

It's Official ~ The Invitation Arrived

Woo Hoo! The invitation for Annemarie and Brett's wedding arrived today. Only took 2 days to travel here from Santa Barbara. The Post Office did a good job getting the invitations out expediently. Sure hope the remaining 58 days, 22 hours and 20 minutes go quickly = )

And Baby Makes Three

Taylor (Mommy's baby) sent this beautiful handmade card with a lovely sentiment for Mother's Day.



Her wonderful husband also sent a quick Mother's Day greeting. My day is complete.

Happy Mother's Day! Another Surprise

Upon entering the kitchen when we arrived home from the game, it sure looked a lot prettier than when we left it. Erika et al had been by with some lovely flowers, plants, and a DVD from their church. Click here for the rap song that goes along with the DVD. (Pardon a mother's pride in her daughter's participation in this)

I called to thank them but, as usual, we were playing phone tag so I left a message thanking them for all the gifts. Then Sneed opened the refrigerator to find something for dinner and found some chocolate covered strawberries. Mmmm, what a wonderful gift. What a great surprise all of it was! The perfect ending to a perfect day. Thank you, Aedin, Dylin, Olsin, Gavin, Colin, Erika and Terry.

Astros Won One for the Moms

Sneed and I went to the Astros game today. Before arriving at the park, we stopped for lunch at Ragin' Cajun as prices at Minute Maid Park are ASTROnomical. Sneed enjoyed some seafood gumbo and cornbread while I ate some great red beans, rice and sausage. The game was exciting; the Astros tied it in the ninth. It continued to the bottom of the 11th inning when Hunter Pence hit a walk-off RBI double to win the game. WooHoo back on a 1 game winning streak(?).

Darn I wore the wrong shoes as the Moms and kids in attendance were invited to run the bases = ). Wouldn't that have been a great photo as I, the overly competitive spirit that I am , huffed and puffed to first base?

Marque at his Best

There's nothing Marque likes better than adding some glitz to weddings. Today was just one of the four we have scheduled for this year. It was a nice, cool day - perfect for a car without air-conditioning. Marque loves weather like this. The groom, Caleb, is a good friend of Adam K the son of a friend of ours, Steve K who lives in Abilene and is a member of the RROC. Adam mentioned to Caleb that Marque participated in weddings and the die was cast. Enjoy the photos.

The Much Anticipated Fashion Show

Waaaay back in April, Beth told us about the Fashion Show her church group was having. She didn't have to twist anyone's arm to get us to buy tickets. So, without further ado, here's proof positive that we had a great time. Her charming escort, Richard, who happens to be her husband of 56 years, is next to her.

Dylin's a Whale

This evening, Dylin's Kindergarten class put on a short program for their families.



Watch Dylin's tongue come out when she finishes her speech = )

An Afternoon/Evening with ADO

ADO, as some of you may or may not know, is the first initial of my grandchildren's names in the order in which they were born. Aedin, Dylin, Olsin. Isn't it convenient that they spell a word as well?

Anyhow, Erika called last week to see if I could watch them today/tonight while she and Terry attended the Diamond Offshore opening dinner at the Offshore Technology Convention. They were at the Four Seasons whereas we enjoyed dinner from the microwave courtesy of Stouffers. Mmmm, love that mac and cheese = )



Dylin was at dance class while Aedin and Olsin enjoyed some time in Miss Cheryl's pool next door. Cole, Cheryl's son who is a grade ahead of Aedin, enjoys their company and as a result, both Aedin and Dylin are now confirmed "tomboys"...no more dresses, Grandma. Olsin has taught himself to 'swim' and loves the water.



Erika did a great job in taking these photos of the Yellow Jackets this year. Here are my darlings on the field...posing this time.

Jungle Book

Today we went to Fort Bend Theatre to see "Jungle Book". Aedin and Dylin were the cutest little monkeys. Erika did an outstanding job as choreographer. Took my camera but before the show they threatened us to within an inch of our lives if we even had a camera in the off position. So, at the end of the show, I only got one photo which wasn't even a complete cast photo cause the cast dissembled so quickly.

Keels & Wheels (& Judging???)

Today was Judging Day at Keels & Wheels in Seabrook at the Lakewood Yacht Club. Sneed was asked to be a Judge of the Rolls/Bentley entries so we had to be down there at 830AM for a breakfast meeting. I strolled around taking photos of numerous cars that caught my fancy whilst he chowed down. As I was looking for another car to photograph, I heard Sneed's inimitable whistle (I had forgotten my cell phone). He invited me into the banquet room to hear the pre-show presentation. John Davis of the PBS Motor Week program was the guest speaker.
Far be it from me to know how I got rooked into judging. When Peter, who was the Interim Chief Judge, asked to have a word, I had no idea what he wanted. Well, it seems one of the judges hadn't shown up and I was, after all, a qualified RR/B judge (and even have the diploma to prove it - although neither one of us have it framed...it's so tacky). So, I was deemed an acceptable replacement. I had no idea what category. Turns out the one he called and I thought "yuck" was the one I wound up judging with Carl. Can you believe it? 60s Muscle Cars! Not exactly my forte but it was his, so away we went. Fortunately we only had 5 cars to judge in a rather wide open category. Sneed, in the meantime, was enjoying judging with John.

This 1969 Oldsmobile 442 scored the most points. WooHoo!

This 1966 Barracuda scored the least; however, it did have an interesting story. It was stolen and lost for the past 10 years. The owner finally recovered it in August, 2009. It had been in her family since new. It's more or less in its original state as not much has been done besides a repaint since it was found.

Here are the others in our category from L>R in order of their point totals.

1969 Camaro Z-28/RS

1967 Camaro SS-RS

1966 Chevelle SS 396

Now to some photos of the cars that took my fancy. Perhaps if I post them here, I'll get my fancy back. = )

"Picnik Show"

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And lastly, Clive Cussler, the Grand Master of the American action adventure novel, was the Grand Marshal this year. By the way, the silver and red 1930 Packard Boattail Speedster 8 Runabout shown in two photographs above is one of many classic cars Clive owns.

By the way, here's why Marque wasn't entered in the show. Marque took Best in Class in 2005 and was resting in the garage instead of having to be primped and polished.