Last Weekend

I know I'm jumping around, not presenting things in an orderly time line, but hopefully this is the last one for a while. This is a picture of people who came to see Liz dance at her company's show on Friday night. This was the main reason for make the trip to Houston in the first place. It was a great show! On Saturday afternoon we drove 2 hrs. west of Houston to see The other Elizabeth Osterwisch, Danny's sister performing in 'A Midsummer's Night Dream". The production was put on by an advanced english class at UT, at an outdoor venue in Winedale. We carpooled with LaD and that allowed us to share some time together. Sunday evening took us to a baptism for Micah Saxe. Liz and Danny (LaD) were asked to be the Godparents!
Yesterday we went back to Oakhurst to get serious about a house. The one builder had a plan that would work, but no satisfactory lots to put it on. The other builder, Newmark has 1 terrific lot!! So, today we are going to give a check and select brick! I'll keep you posted.

What's a visit to Houston without alot of dog time. We cuddle in the morning, and hang out during the day. This is Allie.
When I decided April was a good time to return to the states it was with gardening in mind. Fortunately the weather has cooperated! We've planted azaleas in a large bed in T and S's back yard and filled it out with some shrubs we transplanted from their front bed, and some flowers and such to top it off. Then to the parents with raking and weeding and transplanting there too! We're done. I paced myself to about 2 hours of yard work a day, so I can walk the next day, and also type. My hands are sore from digging out all the nut grass! So...when not getting dirty we've been exploring the housing market. We started with fixer-uppers in Forest Cove, which is closest to the parents. Our thoughts were, to buy now would allow ample time for updating etc. and in this neighborhood there is greater flexibility to add on, i.e. a wood working shop. Also we wanted to see how the market is fairing. We found overpriced virtually tear downs, and out of our price range houses. But there was 1 home that was extremely tempting. Jeff was ready to make an offer, I had reservations. Yesterday we checked out Oakhurt. It's across the highway from Kingwood. We drove to the models for the newest section they're opening up, and found that both builders offer flexibility in their plans! Again, we have 1 plan per builder and 1 or 2 lots as options that would work quite well, and wouldn't be ready to close until 1/09. So guess what we are doing at 12:30 today!

Liz's dance company did an educational show for school children on Wednesday that T and I went to. It was at Miller outdoor theater. The theme was dances through the decades and was fun to watch

Where have the days gone! Jeff arrived on a Saturday and Tricia, Liz, friend Sam and I were at an Astros game. I have enjoyed reacquainting myself with the Twins and the Astros.

I was more than happy to leave this behind! I arrived in Houston on Tuesday, and can't figure out where the last 3 days went. I do know that today I played in the dirt, aka gardened. That is an activity I can not partake in in Milan, and the weather was terrific today. Jeff's plans changed and he is in the air as I type, arriving this evening. So, we'll be together here in Houston until the 30th. Hope I can remember what I do on those days!

I'm cold

It's 40 degrees out, the wind is blowing, and yes I'm whining! Last night was ballgame #2 for Travis, and they won 15-6. Marlys and I didn't last past the 4th inning. The sun that had provided some warmth went away, and the breeze kicked up a bit. I didn't pack clothes for this weather, and I wasn't going to. I can stay inside with a book!! I say that, and tonight it's off to a play with the parents and sister Cathy, and a winter storm advisory is in affect! Hopefully the freezing stuff will hold off until 10PM.

Family

What could be better on a rainy Sunday afternoon then hanging with the family. All 20 of us. Good food, and good fellowship. Of course that rain in Minneapolis was 12-24" of snow in northern Minnesota! There were flurries this morning but nothing was sticking, thank goodness. I really can live without snow!

Back in the USA

I'm 3 days into my visit in Minnesota and I've only bought 1 pair of shoes! Jet lag has been manageable. staying up until 9:30 is doable, and waking at 6 although uncharacteristic for me will make the transition easier than sacking in 'til 10. Tricia is here also, wanting a visit with my youngest step-sisters boys while they are on spring break. She leaves Wednsday and will hopefully be greeted in Houston by her husband Steven, if he can get home from Lagos, Nigeria. He's having difficulty finding a flight. Jeff's off to Spain, again, for 5 days. I'm having a nice time with the parents and the families, and so far the weather has cooperated! Today at 3 is Travis' first baseball game of the season, so we'll be going to that. Hope everyone is well!

trying something new

Whenever I see a new way someone has displayed their photos I have to try it. The web albums seem to take a while to download on some peoples computers, and once you've seen them, it's a deterrent to visit. So I keep trying. I deleted the separate city slideshows and picked my top 14.
I'm off to Minnesota tomorrow. I finished the ironing, scrubbed the bathroom, and generally cleaned everything else. Now to get serious about packing. It's still cold in MN. and getting hot in TX. It's somewhere in between here in Milan. I'm over my whatever that had me sneezing in Athens, so I should be fine for flying. I'll be seeing a lot of you soon.

Check out my Slide Show!