Updates on Life

I realize it's been awhile since I've written anything and I hope I haven't lost my core audience. It's just that sometimes my blogging brain isn't in sync with when I have the desire to actually sit and type it all up. So, here is a quick update on life.


Starting with Jacob...he has been out of school less than a month and yet his social calendar has been busy. He's been to four, yes four, birthday parties in three weeks. Two were sleepovers, one was a full day spent playing at the Lost Lagoon water park at Sea World and another was a day boating and tubing on Canyon Lake! Jim and I have enjoyed the "date night" time all these parties have provided, but have realized it is all getting expensive! Not only are we buying gifts, but when he's gone we go out to eat or do some shopping for the house (I'll get to that later.) Jacob also had a sleepover here last weekend and several days when friends have shown up just after lunch and haven't left until 6 or 7 pm! It's okay though, because he does the same thing when he goes to play at their houses. The walkie-talkies he got for Christmas have been wonderful for keeping track of him and he's really good about keeping us updated on his adventures! Tuesday nights are scout night and since the troop is in summer mode, they are cooling off with a swim in the Comal River each week. The "scout hut" is located right on the river and it's just across from part of Schlitterbaun property and just down stream from the "toob chute", so they are swimming in a prime location. This week he is away at Boy Scout camp. Don't think though that it's been all fun and games, he's still mowing the lawn each week and doing a pretty good job of keeping up with his chores and the academics I toss his way.


As for Jim...he's a busy man. Unfortunately, there are many nights we don't see him until 7:00 or later. He is now more comfortable with his job and has made great strides in improving the relationship between his customer (Rio Nogales Power Plant) and G.E. He's also getting caught up on the paperwork, reports etc., that come with taking over a position that hasn't had a full-time CPM for 18 months! Not to mention, all the changes the economy has brought to G.E. and how they are now doing business. Seems like it's all work and no play for Jim, but we do get to have fun family time on the weekends and he's always looking for a project to do around here. Currently that project is making overhead storage space in the garage and getting the new door opener installed.


I'm keeping busy just keeping up with the house and the two of them. The house is an ongoing project and no, the rooms are not all filled yet. This decorating thing is a process and one that I'm taking my time with. I've never been one to spend money without carefully thinking about things and the fact that I'm not always confident in my design decisions makes things take that much longer. This is why Sue's visits are always so helpful...she is my decorating sounding board! On the other hand, let's just say Jim likes to make the purchases first and then has me try to figure out how to make things work together. Our most recent big ticket purchase was a new leather sofa, chair and ottoman. We got a great deal on it, but what as originally a shopping trip to find one sofa for the living room turned into these three leather pieces for the the family room. So the sofa search continues, but in the meantime I'm using the old one. Also, while Jacob's been away, we've painted his room and purchased him a new mattress set and bedding. I don't think his room will all be decorated when he returns this Saturday, but the foundation will be laid. Tomorrow we both are heading to Houston for three days. Jim has to be there for work and he wanted me to tag along. It will be good to get away!

Rock Hound

Jacob, like most boys, has taken an interest in rocks. Over the years, he has come home from walks with a few in his pocket. Usually I only know about this because I find them in the washer or dryer. Since moving here, he loves bringing larger samples home and we have a few piles outside of various "crystals". Recently on our trip to Fredericksburg, there was a rock and gem shop close to our hotel. Jacob had $8.00 of his own money burning a hole in his pocket and he really wanted to go shopping. He could have spent hours in that little shop asking questions about his interesting finds, but we had a museum to get to. After about 30 min., he chose a few "cool" rocks and minerals that he liked and could afford. He also found a bag of unopened geodes, that he couldn't afford and asked us if we would purchase them. We agreed and even got him a rock and minerals book to go with it.

Today, we "opened" the geodes. It took a little patience and some work, but he loved the treasures he found inside.

He finally had to place this one on the patio to get it to crack.

So as not to waste this educational experience, I had him do some research and he is writing me a report about geodes. I'm not a mean Mom, he actually had fun reading about them and is excited to finish his paper and share his new found knowledge! Gotta keep those synapses firing!

Who can resist...

...a giant custard cone???

We can't! Jacob and I were out and about at lunch time yesterday and decided to give into temptation and stop at Freddy's when we saw their cone. Freddy's is a burger and custard stand found here in Texas and up through Kansas (its origin.) They have yummy thin "steak burgers" and frozen custard (not ice cream, but custard.) It was such a beautiful day we decided to eat alfresco. Jacob's favorite is the #6 w/no onions, California burger with fries.

yummy
After eating the lunch portion, we enjoyed a mini-concrete. This is what they call their custard with mix-ins. Jacob had a mint Oreo concrete and I had a chocolate peanut butter cup concrete.

What more could you want on a hot day?

Finally, it's over!

Jacob is finally done with fifth grade...YES! Here are some pictures from his awards day. Once again, he made A Honor Roll for the whole year. Next up...Oak Run Middle School...yikes!

Jacob, with friends, CJ and Mason

With his "#3" girl, Julie

Thomas and Jacob...goofballs

Homeroom class with Olympic Gold medalist, Josh Davis (far right)

Memorial Day Memories

We took time to remember the sacrifices of others by taking a mini "stay-cation" this past weekend. We traveled an hour and half away to Fredericksburg; a wonderful small German town with lots of little shops, antiques, and eateries to satisfy any tourist. Jim made arrangements for us to stay over Sunday night into Monday, so that we could celebrate Memorial Day with a visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War. Yes, I know what you are thinking...Pacific War?...middle of Texas? That was our reaction the first time we heard about it. Well, it just so happens that Admiral Chester H. Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg and part of the museum is located in a hotel his family once owned. Fredericksburg wanted to honor Nimitz; however, he didn't want a statue of himself on display, he wanted something that would recognize and honor ALL who served in the war of the Pacific.

On Sunday, we were lucky enough to be visiting on one of the days that they hold their battle reenactment. It started off with a talk and demonstration of the various weapons used by the different branches of the military.

Afterwards, they did a reenactment of a beach battle. Of course, blank ammo was used; however, the flame thrower and the flames were very real. We could feel the earth rumble from the tanks, feel the heat from the flames and felt the sand from the explosions.

It was quite an educational experience and it was LOUD! (ear plugs were provided)

The museum and the memorial gardens were wonderful. Jim finally got to see the Japanese midget submarine that washed up on the shores of Oahu after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Who knew it was in Texas all these years!

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Jacob's favorite part of our stay was the battle, but he also enjoyed the hotel swimming pool and as usual, made friends in the process...

Night at the Movies

Our normal Friday night flick at home, turned into Saturday night at the movies this week. Tonight we went to see, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. This movie didn't get good reviews, but we don't care because we loved it (we liked the first one, too.) It started out slow, messed with history and D.C. geography a bit; however, it was silly, crazy and funny!! Hank Azaria's performance as a lisping Egyptian pharaoh and bad guy, Kahmunrah, had us in stitches several times. While this movie certainly won't make cinematic history or win awards, it was good for a fun, family night at the movies. Jacob can't wait until it comes out on DVD.

Not bad for 44...

Jim's 44 th birthday was Monday night. We decided to surprise him by going to one of his favorite restaurants. Of course, surprising Jim is never easy and he has an amazing sense of direction for someone who spent most of his adult life underwater! So, to make things fun and challenging for him, we blindfolded him!!! I then proceeded to take a round about route to the restaurant, taking roads we'd never been on, cutting through parking lots, going over railroad tracks at high speed (just to see him react and listen to Jacob laugh), you name it. It was great! Our plan was working and sure enough, we made it to the restaurant and Jim had no idea where we were, UNTIL...the train whistles...ya see, Huisache Grill is right next to the tracks going through downtown New Braunfels! I no sooner got the car parked and here comes a train...Jim didn't know where he was at first and it was rather funny, because we made him get out of the car still blindfolded (for some reason he was scared...LOL.) However, after a few guided steps, he guessed our location. We had a great meal and he got a couple more surprises (the new iPod shuffle and two books), then we stopped by Landa Park on the way home to enjoy the beautiful evening and put our feet in the Comal.
Of course, no birthday is complete without the cake and ice cream! yes, that is a votive candle in the cake