The Music Man Comes To Town

Charles' son Jareck came to town earlier this week after he graduated from high school in North Louisiana. He's a musician by heart and plays the piano, guitar, bass, violin and drums. Jareck also sings and writes music.

Tonight he sat out on our porch and rounded up a group of neighborhood girls who even asked for his autograph and his MySpace page so that they could become fans. Oh, the party has just started. Watch out John Mayer!

Our New Addition

In only a matter of days our home will have a new addition. One big day includes Monday, May 5, 2008, the day that Charles' son Jareck graduates from high school - a pretty important day for him. It's followed by Tuesday, May 6, 2008, which is also a monumental day for him as he turns 18 on this date.

For Charles and I both of these dates are pretty big milestones too as Jareck will be moving in with us on Tuesday. He'll be leaving the familiar of Homer, Louisiana and setting off to a new adventure of adulthood.

We're of course hoping that he secures a well paying job that will help him save money towards college. I also suspect he'll be learning a lot more about himself and us within the coming months.

So, he knows that I'm truly excited and thrilled about his arrival this is my first public shout out - Welcome Jareck, can't wait to have you here!

The final holiday of 2007

Christmas 2007 has come and gone.

The lights are still up on our house and the Christmas tree is still decorated, but the presents are unwrapped and the new gifts need to find their place in our home.

Charles and I spent the last few days with my parents and sister and her family south of Houston. It was nice to get away from the normal routine of work and errands and chores.

The puppies traveled with us and found new friends at my mom's. She and my dad have two dogs, so with our two dogs and my sister's one, it made a typically chaotic home all the more festive, especially once we drug out the Christmas doggie toys and treats.

After our annual Christmas brunch featuring the famous egg casserole and crescent rolls most of us took a lengthy nap. Upon waking it was almost time for Christmas dinner of turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole and more. Yummy.

Then mid-morning Charles and I with one dog a piece traveled back home. The dogs have barely stirred from their nap positions and Charles and I can't seem to find anything we really want to watch on TV. Gosh, we live a fun life.

Wedded Bliss

Charles and I trekked up to North Louisiana for Thanksgiving and his brother Mike's wedding.

Charles had me up and out of the house at 4:30 AM. Goodness what a crazy hour! But I think it really did help shave off a lot of the Thanksgiving traffic. About an hour of so after we arrived we dug into the huge spread that Charles' mom, Marsha, and step dad, Alton, fixed for us. It included a roasted turkey, a fried turkey, a fried pork tenderloin, a Honey-Baked ham, gumbo, green beans, corn casserole (my fav), broccoli casserole, rolls and pies. I'm sure I forgot something.

After the trip and the huge meal it sent me to Thanksgiving Day Nap Land. My own personal tradition.

Friday was the big day for Mike, April, Hagen and Will. Marsha and I headed out, picked up Aunt Jean, stopped by Nannie's house to apply her make up, drove by the Sonic for some liquid caffeine and finally made it to Creekwood Gardens to help with final decorations. Photographs for the bridal party and family members began an hour or so before the ceremony.

It was a beautiful event in the conservatory, which was surrounded by lush foliage and wonderfully warm heaters. Outside it was between 30-40 degrees. Burrrr.

After the event the reception began in the same area and included crackers with cream cheese and jalapeno jelly, boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce, veggies and gumbo. It was funny for me, this girl from Texas. I expect the fajitas and Tex-Mex to roll out, but we weren't in Texas anymore and those Louisianans like their shrimp and gumbo! We finished off the spread with bridal cake and a groom's chocolate cake.

April was so thoughtful that she even had a kiddie table with a big cookie cake, a lollipop tree and boxed spiderman treats with tattoos. A neat touch considering this was the melding of their two boys Hagen and Will as well.

Nineteen years after their first date, Mike and April's event was absolutely lovely deep in the piney woods of Louisiana.

Congratulations and many happy years ahead, Mike, April, Hagen and Will!

Oh, my

Found this guy standing and snickering in my kitchen. He looked a lot like my boyfriend, but I fear for this soul living in a rather liberal area of Texas. And just when I had thought I almost had him converted to drinking organic milk.