A restful weekend in Minnesota

There is nothing like going back home, even if it has been almost 30 years since I lived in the state. And still, not much has really changed. All of my extended family is still there and still living in the same places. That is reassuring somehow.
I spent the weekend at my parents place near New Ulm and enjoyed catching up with them, looking at old pictures, sharing new and old stories and visiting with aunts, uncles, neighbors, and old friends. We spent Sunday morning worshiping at the church I grew up in and my parents are still active in. Sunday night we went to a concert series event that was held in the auditorium of my old junior high school. I walked in and stepped back in time. The seats in the auditorium are every bit as small and hard as I remembered them. What memories!
We are at that place in our lives where our kids are all in a really good place and our parents are all still living independently. I think maybe these are the " golden years " for us. That in-between time when we can just up and go whenever we want and enjoy the adventure life offers us. We are going to try to fully appreciate this time in our lives. God is so good.

Back home

What a fun trip!

Flew out to DC to see Karl and spend some time catching up. Just so happened that he was in his club's Kendo tournament in VA this weekend. We have never had the opportunity to see him in this environment. Impressive and fascinating. What a skill set we observed. Seriously cool.

Luckily we both got early flights back into Dallas and are going to enjoy a couple of days before we "jet off" in different directions again. Steve is looking forward to a 7 day elk hunt in MT later in the week, and I am going to visit my folks in MN for a few days and then head to NC. Life is good.

On the go!

Let the fun begin!

We just got home last night from another road trip. We exchanged vehicles with Christine. It only makes sense, since she is the only one in the family that really will benefit from 4 wheel drive. She is now the proud owner of the Tahoe. She is the "official" driver for the "Team Schelly" ski team from Boulder. We had a blast meeting her friends, going out to dinner on the busiest Friday night EVER in Boulder, and watching some disappointing football on Saturday.(NCSU and Nebraska)

Thursday we head east to catch up with Karl. He just moved to a new apartment and has a Kendo tournament that we are going to watch. A trip to the grocery store to stock his pantry is at the top of the list. Got to help a poor grad student out with some great ingredients for comfort food.

The following weekend it's off to MN to see my parents. Rumor has it my aunt is having a halloween party. Guess I will have to dig out my favorite costume.
( Sear's t-shirt with "This is my costume" on the front)

Our poor dogs are going to be psychotic with all our traveling. They aren't necessarily fond of all the time they spend at the "condo", otherwise known as the vet's boarding facility.

Happy Trails!

My bags are packed. I 'm ready to go!

Actually, it's just one bag and it isn't quite packed yet.

I am heading to San Francisco to join some of the Phytel family for the weekend. We will spend Saturday touring a number of wineries. We have lunch reservations at The Greystone restaurant at the Wine Spectator Culinary Institute and dinner reservations at Auberge Du Soleil. Talk about a day of teasing the taste buds.

It's a bit of a challenge to prepare for these sorts of weekends. You always want to pack your "best" jeans, because after all, you think you look pretty snappy in them. But, with all those extra calories, are you even going to be able to get them zipped?
This is one of those times when having C or L living close by would come in handy. They would have any number of cute dresses to borrow.

Solution? Hit the mall!

It's no fun getting "old".

I always try to keep up with my annual doctor and dentist visits. I have no reason not to. I certainly have plenty of time. But, my new dentist informed me, (after the most thorough and high tech, fancy shmancy, cleaning - hand massage included)that I have some work that needs to be REDONE. Redone? What in the world?

Sooooo, after a week of pondering if I want to follow his recommendations, I confirmed my second appointment with him and off I went once again for his office. Suffice it to say that I will be getting to know him very well. I bet he will put me on his Christmas card list.

Since he has to redo 2 of my crowns (front ones no less), of course it is important that we make the new ones whiter and then make my real teeth whiter as well to match the new crowns. Over the course of the next 3 weeks, I will start to enjoy my new Texas smile to go with my Texas hair and my new Texas diamond that replaces the one I lost this summer.

I just might feel like a whole new woman.

Back to the HEAT

Left Bozeman this morning and it was 50 degrees. Landed in Dallas and it was 95 degrees. Summer is still here.
What a fun few days in MT! We fished every day, and caught up with some of our friends there. The weather was perfect. Cool at night, but warmed up nicely every afternoon. Note to self: spend every Labor Day weekend at the ranch.
This week it is time to jump into the fall routine here. I host our neighborhood Pokeno group next week, start fall bible study at BTBF, volunteering at McWhorter Elementary, and have all sorts of the usual appointments lined up. I guess even as an empty nester, I need a bit of structure and routine in my life. Ready, set, go!

Back in the big D!

Another fun weekend catching up with the kids. L and D this time. Had a great 24 hours with Dean in Orlando and then up to Raleigh to help Louise finish up some projects at her apartment. They are both doing well and happy. No better news for parents than that.
Headed down to EI to check on things at the beach house and had 2 gorgeous sunny days there. LOVE that place. Steve's folks drove down for a visit on Sunday. Back to Raleigh on Monday for a few more apartment projects and then back home to Dallas.
Our two favorite hounds were happy we came home!
Off to Montana to fish this weekend. Yahoo! The Ruby, the Jefferson, the Yellowstone, and of course our spring creek! Look out trout.