hmm

I don't know if this is a Texas Ranger or a Border Patrol person... what I do know is he has a uniform, handcuffs and horse. That defines just about the perfect man in my book....

Just sayin I can't wait for Texas Mecca...2010 Pilgrimage Home

Dream Summer

After the last year my friend and I are really looking forward to a few months of total relaxation and fun.

For me it began Easter weekend with the Dellinger Tour of the South in Birmingham, AL... What a fun way to begin an epic journey through 2010.

Next on the list is a 5 day trip to Denver, CO. Three days will be work related, however, the trip begins with a couple of relaxing days with girlfriends in Colorado... Can't wait. The pups will get to spend that time on the farm with Nanna. Millie always totally enjoys the time with Nanna. She doesn't have to mind, gets to run everywhere over acres and acres of land. And the first thing Nanna does when Momma leaves is take off the harness.

Then just a couple weeks later the baseball begins. I know I'm getting my share of Double A at the new OneOK field (aka Driller's Stadium) but this year brings some magical baseball. All the stars seem to be aligning. My cousin called to let me know that in addition to the Saturday game we will see (KC vs St Louis) he has obtained tickets for Friday's game also! He wanted to know if that would be too much baseball. There is no such thing as too much baseball, especially if the Cardinals are involved.

Then the very next weekend it is the Texas Mecca...2010 Pilgrimage Home. For those of you that don't know, I am a disciple of the Great State of Texas. No, I will never give up my citizenship to Oklahoma. Primarily because if I were to move to the Great State of Texas I would discover that it has flaws. So, that being said, Jo and I will be spending some much needed R&R in the epicenter of the Dancehalls. On the agenda are... well we are Orange and Blue so honestly the agenda is wide open.

The summer's final (so far) trip is the best for me. A trip to Busch Stadium in St Louis. We will pretty much have full access to everywhere in the stadium... more on that in the future. My superstitious nature keeps me from talking about it too much...

So sit back and soak in the Summer of 2010... it is looking to be a ride full of fun and totally worth taking!

Long days and pleasant nights...

Tour of the South

Nicole and I left the traditional for a little bit of Southern charm this year.

We normally go to Easter Sunday service together. I love Easter because it means Spring is really here and it's the holiday that Nicole and I almost always celebrate together. She likes getting an Easter basket from her Momma...

This year we went to Birmingham, Alabama. Why? Well that's a long story...

Steve and I had been trying to plan a "get-together" ever since I made the trek to Tucson that he couldn't make. Easter 2010 became the target date for the visit. Jeff found out we were planning a fun weekend and invited himself. Then we found out that his son, Sam and son's girlfriend Stephanie wanted to join in on the fun. Next their Steve and Jeff's mother, Joy was invited to have fun with us. Finally, Nicole agreed to make the drive with me. Sadly, Ryan couldn't get off work.

We had the most fun. We had Steve's studio apartment aka The Boys Room or 9. Steve arranged for the model apartment to become a temporary home for the "Girls" otherwise known as 5. We slept on air mattresses.

We made the drive up to Montgomery for one day. That wasn't enough time. There was so much we wanted to see and do - but everything closed at 5pm. If you have never been to the South... Steve is an excellent tour guide. I also highly recommend the restaurant that Wade works at. He is the BEST waiter...

Thanks Steve for allowing us to visit. Next Easter is already in the planning stages.

Long days and pleasant nights.

Mother's Day

I've been away too long...

This is a pretty emotional Mother's Day... and in honor of my Mom who has battled and overcome pretty tough odds.

Last mothers day we were a little somber. We were still reeling from the sudden death of Skylar. Mom had begun chemo for bladder cancer and we were all in shock.

What a year it has been. Mom endured the chemo very well. She never became ill and kept working throughout the whole process. Then Sept 15 her bladder was removed. Just days later her oncologist declared her cancer free!!!

The next battle was with her body accepting the fact that it needed to send the fluids out a different way. Patty placed more than 100,000 miles on her car between Sept 2009 and April 2010. I spent every weekend with my parents October thru December. Patty and I decided neither one of us will ever be a nurse for hire...

Now I can happily say that my Mom has faced and defeated the cancer. She is back living a full life almost like before. She and Dad have been smoke free since September 2009. The cancer is gone. Life is good.

Give your mom a hug every day and thank the Lord for your blessings.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...