ON TO MARCH 2012 ...

Well, made some progress with my January/February post, so March had more activity.  I should also say that during the first two months of the year we added a new patio to the front of the house, and new landscaping, much more curb appeal.  But, for now, let's see what happened in March ...

     Carin and Dylan arrived on the 16th for a long weekend, and the highlight was our trip to Sea World ...   

Arriving at Sea World, and YES we were having a fun time!

While it appears that Dylan is not having a good time, not the case ... we were just discussing our next venue and he was being overruled :) but still having fun!  We enjoyed all of our favorite shows, including the Aquarium ...



and Shamu ...

the strength and beauty of this mammal will always amaze me, I could watch Shamu for hours!  We enjoyed a wonderful day at Sea World and then the long ride home, poor Rascal left alone all day.  Of course Saturday evening was Mexican food at Tamale King, and then Sunday morning Carin and Dylan headed to Iola.

I should add a picture of our Bluebonnets, this year they almost took over the driveway, so here they are ...



Okay, we're on our way updating, so stay tuned and you'll learn of our trip to Michigan to visit Henry, Melisa and John ...

2012, HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S SIX MONTHS GONE

SO ... thought I'd try to catch everyone up-to-date and post some pictures of the first six  months of the year ... here we go, with January and February.

As I recall January was somewhat uneventful, the real activity began in February, with finally a many postponed trip to Salado with Eli and Sharon ...

and here we are ...

It was rather cool that day, but a good time was had, with lunch at the Stagecoach Inn, a bit overrated but it's the history we were after.  We also discovered the following ...



Who knew that Liz Carpenter, President Lyndon Johnson's Press Secretary was from Salado.  It was a fun-filled day, as always!  Well, this is a start to my update, that's all for tonight, will continue with a new post next week.  Until then ....

How time flies ...

well, back in April said I was going to start "blogging" once again, and haven't .. been busy, still am, and we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Girl W (I say July 9th) so ya'll know what that means, road trip!  Think I'll try to upload some pictures on the laptop to the blog, the desktop no longer wants to participate in that venture, so stay tuned.

HMMM ....

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted even a word, just been so crazy busy with life in general.  There is hope, while life is not slowing down at all am thinking that within in the next week I'll find time to gather my thoughts and blog once again!  Stay tuned ....

WHERE IN THE WORLD ...

have I been ... well ... this will not be a post of "where in the world is Matt Lauer", and actually I've been here for quite a while, just no time at all to blog.  So, in a nutshell, and that's if I can remember everything:

1) I've been in and out of hospitals and doctors with my Mother so many times I've lost count, but hopefully with her soon to be a permanent resident of Granite Mesa Healthcare Center in Marble Falls, Don and I will be able to reclaim our lives.

2) Been to Amarillo for a few days, and then called back due to my Mother being taken by ambulance to the hospital.

3) Been in Midland, and not Texas, for 14 fun-filled days celebrating Henry's 1st birthday, much fun and quite a bit cooler than the Hill Country.

4) Been going through mail, laundry and beginning yard work (gosh, didn't I say last year I wouldn't wait until June to start) ... ahh ... life happens!

5) Been to watch Dylan in one of his last baseball games ... such fun ... hoping for a better coach next year for the third graders!

6) Been to Eli and Sharon's, they've been here ... always a good time, with good food and conversation!

Well, what's next ... going to Houston to celebrate the Wehring's 50th wedding anniversary in August; goin' to take care of Dylan; Don has his military reunion, I have my Women of the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synodical Convention in Fredericksburg; and then the wonder of Fall, soon to be followed by Thanksgiving and Christmas.

That's about it for now, no more time to blog, so until next time ....

YIPEE ....

Henry's coming for a visit ... a very short visit, and he's bringing his Mom and Dad!  And hopefully, Dylan will be arriving as well and bringing his Mom and Dad!  YIPEE .... next Saturday, February 5th we'll have precious grandkiddos in our home, sorry Rascal :)  Praying for safe travel for all, beautiful weather, and a fun time together with lots of picture taking.  So my friends, until the next time ....

Overwhelmed ...

okay, so why do I do this to myself, in retirement isn't life supposed to be a bit easier with no worries?
     To start, there's my Mother and probably the biggest reason I'm overwhelmed.  It's like having a 95 year old child as she almost demands that I "do" for her, and granted there are some things I must do for her, take her to Doctors appointments, order and pickup prescriptions, take her to her hair appointment, weekly, actually thinking about it, with almost no vision, and hearing that seems to diminish daily, I do everything but bathe her, dress her, and fix breakfast and lunch ... she can still do those things.  But caring for her in our home leaves little time for me to do what I WANT TO DO as it seems whenever I start anything there's an interruption.  And what's sad, she's gone through all of her money but a few thousand dollars, so to put her in assisted living is out of the question, she will have to live in a facility that takes Medicad, and I'm currently looking.  She's lived with us for almost nine years, and it's time for Don and me to regain our privacy in our home and to be able to do and go as we please.
     Then there's my Church work, as President of the Women of the ELCA for our Congregation I have responsibilities for 2 meetings a month, a Board meeting and our General Meeting.  I enjoy my Church work, but don't think I'm at the top of my game because I'm distracted with my Mother.
     Then, I was appointed and then elected to serve on the Southwest Texas Women of the ELCA Synodical Board as the Hill County Board Member.  My responsibilities are to mentor approximately 20 Women of the ELCA Units in the Hill Country, ranging from Dripping Springs, Buda, Fredericksburg, Llano, Wimberly, Castell, Doss ... and to attend quarterly Synod Board Meetings.  This is something I really want to do, and believe it's my responsibility to serve and a way to give back to my Church.
     Then, there are all the responsibilities of the "house", and most important my life with Don, we want to travel more, and be able to just get up and go, which is impossible because of Mother; which takes me back to the first paragraph,  I do love my Mother, but  struggle with the almost burden she causes, and the strain now of having her in our home 24/7 for close to nine years ... guess I just need prayers, and to stop and listen so God's answers will be heard in my heart and the feeling of overwhelm will diminish ...