Weekend in Austin

Spent a fun weekend, seeing Kevin and Rachel's new apartment on Ladybird Lake! The view from their balcony of the Austin downtown skyline is amazing, and their "back yard" goes right down to the water, with paddleboarders and people in kayaks and canoes. Had Tex-Mex with Kevin and Rachel at Guerro's on South Congress, explored the SoCo area, then went to B.D. Riley's Irish Pub on Sixth Street to hear an amazing blues guitarist named Alan Haynes. We were walking around on Sixth St. at 1am! The next morning, Andrew and I headed downtown for some photo ops and a bit of window shopping, then met Danny and Danielle (who had just arrived, for the beginning of their vacation in Austin), and Kevin and Rachel at Hut's Hamburgers on Sixth St. A very fun weekend!

What's New

Quickly, before I head off to work, here's a bullet list of what's new:

Gong Gong and Pop Pop returned from a 5-day stay in San Diego
Murr C and Papa C hosted Kelley and friends, Mike & Missy over July 4th weekend
Andrew and I visited Mike and Margo over July 4th weekend
Kevin and Rachel are moving in a couple of weeks, just south of downtown Austin
Danny will be 21 in just a few weeks!
Danny has a second part-time job, at Paulio's
Danielle is enjoying her job at Frilly's in Denton
Andrew is staying very busy with his hobby/side business
Andrew & I saw Horrible Bosses last night at Studio Movie Grill
I'm reading Redeeming Love and Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Danny made homemade chicken and dumplings, from scratch
Off to work at Bradbury Lane...

Saying Goodbye to Papa's Tree

The night after Father's Day, winds from a strong storm knocked down Papa's pear tree in the front yard. We awoke the next morning to discover the 14-year-old, majestic tree severed near the base, and leaning against the tall front window. The four of us planted the tree together when Kevin was 10 and Danny 7, in memory of Papa. We will miss walking out the front door, looking up at that beautiful tree, and remembering -- especially during the Spring when the blossoms were so beautiful...

Congratulations, Dallas Mavericks!!!

This poster has been hanging in our garage since Kevin gave it to Andrew for Father's Day when Kevin was 8 years old! Yes, that's a drawing of Jason Kidd, who also played for the Mavs in 1995!

Kevin & Rachel on Lake Travis

This would have been REALLY fun had Kevin not cracked a couple of ribs taking a hard fall. My adventurous family and their injuries!

I've never planted hollyhocks before...
I think I like them! Also added hanging
baskets in the back to cover up the lovely
box that Verizon installed. Crossing my
fingers I can keep everything growing!

Cooking an early 21st birthday dinner
and cupcakes for Danielle tonight! She
will be 21 on Saturday.

Mom is home!

Mom was released from the hospital late this morning after tests showed no lung damage or pacemaker problems. The doctor is assuming that she had some kind of muscle spasm (like she had in her neck several years ago) that caused the painful inhalations. She is feeling better and slept most of the day. Pop Pop says that although he likes to "play dumb" when it comes to doing laundry, he will do his best for a few days. I'll be going over every day to help out, too. Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. It was quite a day yesterday, but much better today!