HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GREG!!!

Happy Birthday Greg!  Wow..has it really been 24 years ago that you were born?  It was such an emotional time for your mom.  Her dad had been in a car wreck, and was in ICU for 28 days, before passing July 20.  She had you the next day, and a funeral to attend 3 days after that.  You talk about strong. Your mom made it through that whole thing, and never complained about anything.  You were so welcomed into this world.  The birds sang louder, and the trees were taller.  Just because of you!

I know this is a special day for you.  One thing…you get presents.  Another, of course, you have returned to your beloved Texas today.  You will have a wonderful time visiting your parents in the Dallas area, then head down to San Antonio to check in with the Army.  That’s the way your life is now..Army, husband, and Army.  I know you are going to enjoy your time in Texas.  I will be happy to have you 100 miles away from Austin, that’s for sure.

Well, my brave and wonderful Grandson…Happy day… Happy times ahead for you and Holly.  The world is there for the taking..go get it!

God Bless you.

Off to old La Tapitia...

The weather has been so hot here in Austin…101 degrees and more! Summertime, summertime…

I am waiting to go out to dinner tonight. John and Jeff are going to come by in a minute or two. We will go to a good Mexican food restaurant here in Austin. I first went to that restaurant when I was a Jr at the University, in 1956. That summer was probably the most fun I had had in a long time. My parents had moved from Midland 2 years before, and I was going to school in Colorado Springs. I missed Texas so much. After my parents said they were moving to NYC, I decided that the time was right for me to try getting into UT. I had wanted to go to school in Texas to begin with, but my grades weren’t the best, and I was surely not the best student..so when Colorado College accepted me, I went there. I had gone to Cheley Camps for many summers growing up, and loved Colorado, too.

The summer of 1956, I drove to Austin, and got into my room at the Kappa House. I was fortunate enough to start there, as I met a few of the “sisters” and had a great location to walk to classes.. When the tower turns orange, the Kappa House is right there..you can throw a rock and hit the tower! Too neat!

Well, a bunch of us from Midland would go to La Tapitia Mexican restaurant ..oh, maybe 4 times a week. We loved the food, and it was always nice to be with a lot of Midlanders. Later, when I was older, and had my children, we would go there a lot for dinners and good food!!!!! Even later than that, after Jay and I were married, we went there a lot too.

The owner has since died. Oh my, she was such a wonderful lady. Carmen was her name, We lovingly called her Mamasita. Nearly 2 years passed after her death, before the family closed the restaurant for good. We watched the building sit there for years..then another restaurant came in…and we have reunited with a couple of the old waiters there. Now, how much fun is that? Neto is our favorite. He is such a wonderful person, and such a reminder of Carmen and all the wonderful hours spent in that building. It actually started in a small house, that was next door until recently, and after lo these many years, it is gone. That was a long long time ago…I was very young, and found a wonderful place that summer of '56.

We will have a Mexican Martini..not really a martini…more like a margarita with sweet and sour. It is good, and they serve it in a nice individual carafe…Lots of ice and salt on one side of the martini glass! (wonder why they don't put it all the way around????)

I am sure I will eat too much. But hey, you only live once..Live it to the FULL!

God Bless America
God Bless Texas

Back now. It is 8:39 and I DID eat too much. I eat chips like they were popcorn. It is hard to stop once you taste that great yummy flavor. Well, off to bed. I know tomorrow is a lazy day, but I am anxious to watch some TV, and read Neal Boortz book about the Flat Tax. VERY interesting, even if he is an aggie!!!!! I sure am not! Hook 'em Horns! 1

BASHA

Sad day for John and Jeff.  Basha died this morning.  She choked on some rawhide chew that she had been using for years!!!!  Warning to pet owners..this stuff is dangerous to your pet.  I know they are sad, and it IS sad!  Jeff and Becky left this morning for a family reunion..I know that word of Basha’s death will make their trip a lot less fun.

There is not a lot you can say when something happens to a beloved pet.  I have lost my share of animals…from dogs to fish.  It is always hard to lose one.  

Thoughts for Jeff, John, and Becky.

Slots Paid Off!!!

I can hardly believe it..I came back from Louisiana with some money. Grief..I love to play the slots, but lately they have been so stingy on their payouts! This trip it was a different story. I am so happy that I think I will go back!

We left the beach early, as we just got sick of rain. From July 2, when I set up the Beach House weather station, it rained over 7 inches. That is nice for the grass, but sorry for getting out on the deck. We spent 3 days inside..looking at the raindrops. Then the trip to Louisiana, and while I was gone, it rained another 5 inches. Yikes. One thing for sure, the grass is green. (and to think we almost set out sprinklers the last time we were down)

My Grandson and his wife are heading for Texas. Just in time. His birthday is July 21, and if I get to see him around that time, I will give him the birthday card that I stuck some of the winnings in!!!! Happy Birthday to you!!!!

He will be happy. But, he always is. He is a good person.

I am off to San Marcos, for dinner, so will cut this short. The OUTBACK is waiting! We meet with Jay's Marine buddy from WWII. We try to meet about ever other month, now, as both our soldiers are getting older, and it is nice to see them get together and speak of "remember when".
Our nation is better because of Veterans. They have given so much. Some give more than that.
God Bless our troops, and God Bless our Vets..and God Bless our President Bush.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

It is nearly daylight, here in Crystal Beach.  I woke up at 5 this morning, which is rare for me.  We have had an interesting time here, since Friday.  RAIN, RAIN and more rain.  Our yard was drying up and blowing away just 2 weeks ago.  Now it is really nice and green.  It might get root rot if it keeps raining!!!!!

I have worked like crazy on a new project since I arrived here.  I have installed a weather station, and getting it to broadcast the information over the Internet was a real chore.  I am just smart enough with the computer to get knee-deep into something, then I call my daughter to bail me out.  I finally figured the usb-serial cord I had wasn’t the right one for the computer, and went over to the big store, and Radio Shack had the cord I needed.  I was so lucky, as I start a project and it is hard to do anything else, until I am finished.

Well, long story..but shortened..it works.  Yea!  I am getting beach weather now over the Internet, so when I am in Austin, I won’t have to guess what is happening here.  I will have to do the same in Austin, one day!

We are going to celebrate the 4th of July with Jay’s brother and wife, and a few friends from Beaumont.  If it is raining, as forecasted, it will be interesting!!!  But, the 5th we are heading to Delta Downs for some gambling.  That will be so much fun.  Back to the beach on Friday, and hopefully the weather will be nicer.

Happy 4th of July to all.  Happy Birthday America.  God Bless America.  Land that I love.