Our good friend Eric didn't feel like he got enough quality time with us while we were in California, so he came all the way out to see us here when we got back. He also went to his cousin's wedding since he was in town already.
We didn't have a lot of time, but we did manage to show him some sights around town which he filmed (his profession at which he is very talented: see EricMaddox.com!)
Check out more photos at the gallery.
Anyone and everyone who is available, let's meet at Claimjumper Thursday night for old time's sake. Michael and I will be there by 6:30. Call for details. 512-965-3481.
Hope to see you there ;)
Here we go, we're returning to California for our second visit! We hadn't been planning on repeating a trip home so soon, but a couple of important events convinced us otherwise!
Our good friend Rory's wedding is this Saturday at his parents' amazing home in Foresthill. Michael is a groomsman. We met Rory's bride, Astrid, a year ago at Anna's going away party. She is a beautiful gal we'd love to get to know better. All I can say is Rory is a different person since having met her; I don't think I've ever seen him so happy, and obviously giddy in love. Congrats you two!
Sunday is our Grandma's 80th birthday party! Can't think of a better reason to come home and celebrate such a joyous occasion. We love you, Grandma.
So, we'll be in CA Thursday (Sept 13) through Sept 25. This time we're bringing along a surprise guest - ANNA! I hope we get a chance to see ya'll.
Sammie gets a new lease on life! I know for sure we made the right decision, even though we miss her at times. It seems joining a new "pack" was just what she needed to shape up.
It also sounds like she's receiving wonderful care, and is well on her way to finding a new family. What a wonderful organization. We are very grateful to them.
Tuesday afternoon Michael and I packed up the Matrix and took off toward Houston. This was our first official "road trip" since moving here, and I have to say it was a little strange to take a trip like this that didn't involve I-5, the California coast, Reno or Tahoe.
But where we ended up was pretty unbelievable, and completely unexpected. The Woodlands is about 30 miles north of Houston, and to call it a Master-Planned community is simply an understatement. It was beautiful and classy, sort of Carmel meets Tahoe City. We loved it all, and we barely scratched the surface. And as usual, our pictures don't do it justice. Another new camera is coming soon, I can only hope.
[EDIT - Picture removed]
The only downside to the destination was that we were only there for about 24 hours. We went for Michael's work. His company just opened a satellite warehouse near the area, and he had to go set up the technical stuff. (That is the proper jargon, is it not?) I went along for the ride and the free hotel room, but mostly because OnStar was on duty yet again.
After a three hour road trip through the winding pine-tree lined roads of East Texas (via hwy 290) we arrived at our hotel. A quick trip down the street led us to the Town Center where we ate at The Cheesecake Factory.
The next morning, Michael went to work while I explored the shopping district which is made up two separate malls - indoor and out. And all so, so, so beautiful. I took a free trolley ride around the entire downtown area and got my own personalized tour from a very enthusiastic driver (I was the only person on the bus). After work, Michael joined me and we went to a real Irish pub that they say they actually brought over from Ireland - meaning the carpentry as well as some of the original carpenters, along with all of the authentic items inside. Of course, we had to have a Guinness.
The entire Town Center is surrounded by a man-made waterway which has water taxis running (well, slowly cruising) back and forth. We hopped on and got another tour. The area is still under construction, but already very impressive. I could easily spend a month there, or the rest of my life, if only I could afford it.
We drove by downtown Houston on our way home, so we saw the nighttime lights of the city, but didn't make any stops. The long and lonely I-10 was beckoning us into the darkness which would lead us to our home, far away. And driving down the road I got this feeling that I only left just yesterday ... yesterday... Country roads. Take me home.
We pulled in last night around 11 pm ... a mere 30 hours after we left, and 350 miles round trip.
More pictures for the people.
Ok, on a lighter note from that last post, let me tell you about Bob and Jer's trip. First, I can't even tell you how great it was to have them here. Since Michael and I work at home and it's hard to meet new people, we really don't have any friends yet here in Austin outside of family. All of our other relationships have indeed become "long-distance."
Michael and Bob became friends while playing on the same little league team together in '91. Maybe it was their pitcher/catcher relationship that predestined them to remain friends for life. Michael met Jer during his freshman year of high school when they ran track together. By then, I had entered the picture, so in a sense I grew up with all three of them.
Bob and Jer are like the brothers I never had. There is something unique and irreplaceable about the friends you make during that phase of life - as teeanagers. No other relationship will ever compare. If I were to try to recollect all of the memories and life experiences we shared together it would literally take years. But it would be a blast ...
Anyway, back to the trip. We picked up Bob Friday morning (Aug 24). That night we took him to one of our favorite places, The Oasis on Lake Travis. Saturday we went on a short hike down the Barton Springs greenbelt then spent the day on the water watching Bear swim. (I have some pics from my waterproof camera, but I need to scan them). That night we made our surprise pick-up at the airport and Jer joined the gang. We shocked their senses by taking them down to Sixth Street.
Sunday morning we went to the legendary Gospel Brunch at Stubb's BBQ. The entertainment left a bit to be desired, but the food was great! That afternoon we introduced the boys to the Alamo Drafthouse (one of our favorites) and Texas' own Central Market where we enjoyed a wine tasting.
Monday night we celebrated Bob's 30th birthday with some more delicious BBQ from Bone Daddy's House of Smoke. Another memorable event, especially for me as I felt a little out of place as the only female patron.
The rest of the week we sort of laid low around the house, working, watching movies, playing guitar hero, playing real instruments, and having our own brand of bbq's.
Thursday we spent the day at my parents' palatial pool, channeling our inner-children again, and eating, um ... more bbq. I guess we're not very creative.
That night we took the boys out to the property, and I think things began to make a little more sense, in terms of why we would decide to move here. It's difficult to get a feel for the city in such a short time, and the fact that our current rental home is in what we like to call the "barrio" doesn't give the best representation of what things will eventually be like. All in good time.
We concluded the week with dinner at the Hula Hut on Lake Austin on Friday night. This time it was a "Mexonesian" theme instead of bbq. Just so they wouldn't miss out on the full extent of our legendary Texas weather, a good thunderstorm rolled in while we were finishing up, dumping what seemed like 3 feet of rain in about an hour, and treating us to a memorable lightning display on our drive home.
It was a really fun week, and one we won't soon forget. As always, pictures are at the gallery.
Last week we had a reunion of epic proportions at our house. Bob, one of Michael's two best friends from high school, scheduled a trip out to see us for his 30th birthday. As a surprise for Bob, we convinced Jerimy - the other piece of this triple threat - to come out and see us as well. Through various white lies and admirable acting on our part, we managed to keep it a secret until the moment we pulled up to the airport terminal to pick Jer up. It was - as they say - priceless.
The last time these three had a reunion such as this was when Bob lived in New Orleans, almost exactly 6 years ago. The day Michael was supposed to return home, I got a phone call early in the morning.
"I won't be flying in today," he said. "It may be a few days. Just turn on the tv."
"Why?" I asked, very confused, having just woken up. At first I thought he was joking, just wanting to extend his visit. "What are you talking about?"
"They've closed down all the airports."
"All the airports? I don't get it, in Louisiana? Wait, the whole country? Why? What is going on?" I kept asking questions he seemed unable to answer.
"Just turn on the tv and I'll call you back in a little while."
I turned on the television just in time to see an airplane crash into Tower Two of the World Trade Center. I spent the rest of the day in bed. Michael spent an extra week in Louisiana. And all around us, the country began spinning out of control.
