August 31

Finally started painting today.  Yeah!

August 30

What in the world did I do today?  Mary Ann came over for cereal but didn't stay long.  Chris left by 7 to go play golf.  I had lunch with Patsy and have gotten all my paints out to start painting something, what I don't know.  Maybe something will come to me.  I guess it was a day just like many others, but now it has come and gone.  I remember thinking this afternoon that the sky was so beautiful.  So everyday is special in some way...and in that way...today was special in its simplicity.

August 29

I had a dream last night that I got mugged by three guys who were talking and  rapping about me, when I came out of an old warehouse  that I had gone in to to find my horse.  I looked like a pony, but actually it was a full grown horse, not one of those miniature horses, but just a small horse.  The muggers slit my throat and took my purse, I fought really hard because it was my louie and it made them mad.  All I had in it was a fake million dollar bill with Obama's  picture on it.  (somebody had given it to me in Denver)  I had screamed and screamed and everyone turned off their lights because they didn't want to get involved.  Then they pushed me down and got my purse and cut out my tongue because I had screamed, and they got my purse.  Didn't die.  Just didn't have a tongue anymore and it was awful because I couldn't talk at all. 

Today......no news is good news.

August 28

Chris played golf with Bob today and I ran errands it seemed like all day.  I moved all the pictures from the hall to the dining room.  Ohhhhhhh.....now I have room for lots more pictures!  It was a great day.  All is well.  And that's the way uh-huh uh-huh I like it uh-huh uh-huh.

August 27

Mary Ann came over today to help me load all my new pictures and try to teach me how to link them where I wanted them to go.  It was very hard because she would act like she was trying to teach me something but really she was looking at her blog and tweeting and doing I don't know what.  But I think I finally figured a little bit of it out.  We'll see.  Actually we just spent the morning and early afternoon laughing and arguing but that's just the way we roll. 

Chris went for another long walk and cut his arm, a tree attacked him.  Me:  You cut your arm.  Mary Ann:  Oh Daddy..what happened! Are you alright?  Does it hurt?

Ramsey came over after school and we all went swimming.  But Mary Ann, the great computer GURU, and doting on her father DAUGHTER ran out of gas on the way to pick her up and had to call 'daddy' to come rescue her..which he did.

I think maybe it is cooling off a little finally, maybe not but today was wonderful in so many ways.

August 26

Today is Chris' birthday.  I thank God that I'm his wife and he is cancer free and we are still having a great time and have a great life.  We didn't really celebrate too much.  He went to play golf this morning with Dr. Dave, and then we went to Cosco and bought a computer, so I guess you could say for his birthday he bought me a computer.  Nice guy, huh?  (We did go back to Apple...at the mall with the boots, not back to La Cantera, and try to get a Mac but you can't load Bodog on a Mac, so forget that)

He wanted an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins so that's what he got.  Mary Ann and Ramsey came over and had some with us.  Melissa was still working, poor thang! 

I talked to Carol today and she may come see me Labor Day weekend..I hope so.  That's all for today, just feeling very happy and blessed and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!  (Just one more year and we can get social security if there is any left)

August 25

Well, I started out the day with great plans to get a new computer.  My crummy computer I had to leave in Ruidoso because the keyboard is fried and I have to share with Chris, who is a big hog always on AGGIE YELL!  W e went to the Apple store at La Cantera and got an  ipad.  After Chris spent almost two hours trying to get it set up, and being really mad he had to get an itunes account to do it, we still couldn't get it.....so......we had to call Mary Ann (the great internet, blogger fixer, and twitterer) to help us.  So I took it over there and she got it going in about 3 minutes.  Then I  came home and immediately tried to download bodog, of course, and WHHHHAATTTT!  You can't download bodog on an ipad.  So back to La Cantera (in 5 o'clock traffic) to return the thing to BIG FAT DUMB bad breath having Armando who I specifically asked if I could play poker on it and he assured me I could.  And he said he didn't know that..(like that was supposed to make me happy...not)  and that he wasn't even going to charge me the $80.00 restocking fee.  And asked if that was ok.  Hmmmmmm...let me think a minute, ....ok, I guess it would be ok for you not to charge me the restocking fee.  TYVM!!!! You BIG FAT DUMB bad breath having computer salesman that doesn't know anything about ipads.  So tomorrow I'm going to Cosco or someplace real crummy to buy a lap top that I CAN PLAY POKER ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then they sent Chris a survey by email and he gave them a 2, and got mad all over again because they asked 'did they help you set up your ipad before you left the store?' and he checked the NNNOOOOOOOO! box.  So there you go.

August 24

I decided after all that shopping yesterday that I could probably make a top like I wanted to buy...but didn't.  So I went to Jo Ann Fabrics and bought some fabric and came home and made it.  It wasn't that easy, I did have to rip two seams out but it turned out fine.  So I'm feeling very proud of myself.  But what I really want to do is paint.  Maybe tomorrow.

Chris thawed out some steaks and cooked them outside, and it had started to rain but not very much.  And they were great!  He went for a long walk down in the backwoods this morning, but I didn't go.  Maybe tomorrow.

By the way, I did go to the grocery store today, and the cleaners, and I took the film to be developed....that should count for something.

The sun is setting and it's been another beautiful (but hot) day.

August 23

Chris spent the day clearing of all mess on his desk.  At least that what he said he did.  It doesn't look any different to me.  I met Patsy for lunch and we spent about 2 hrs just catching up and then about 3 hrs shopping, always fun when you seem to always like to look at the same things.  It's nice to get back in the old routine.  But I still didn't go to the grocery store.  But we had some kind of frozen stir fry that was freezer burnt but edible, barely.  I'll go tomorrow.......I hope.  But it surely is hot in San Antonio.  "Old people don't like the heat."

Today is my friend Candy Mermis's birthday.  She was one of my best friends in high school.  Her parents were the best man and maid (matron?) of honor at our wedding.  That was back in the day, when you had to be Catholic to do that.  Her Dad, Marvin has passed, and her Mom, Margie, is in assisted living in Las Cruces where Candy lives.  Her sister was Suzie Henley,  who was Carol's age and friends with her in high school.  Suzie is Joey's mom, and Joey was Gabriel's friend growing up.  We are going to try to get together sometime, maybe when the place is ready in Ruidoso, she's closer to there anyway.  Nothing like an old high school friend.

Hope all the grandkids got off to school alright today.  Big day for them .  I love them all.

August 22

Gabe and Carrie, Caroline and Jackson, left today to go back to Brownfield.  Mary Ann, Melissa, and Ramsey (and Rocco) left to go back to their house because the air conditioner people got finished around 3:00 so about 5 they felt it was cool enough to maybe be comfortable.

Ramsey starts Kindergarten tomorrow.  I can't believe it!  She's getting older and so are we!  Caroline with be an 8th grader, Jordan a 6th grader, Dayton, Peyton, and Jackson will be 4th graders.  Wow!

Chris has gone to Mass, I'm sitting on the couch too tired to move.

Maybe I will get to the grocery store tomorrow.  That would be a good thing.  And maybe I can start trying to lose some of this poundage I gained on this road trip.  I gained 7 lbs, Chris gained 15.  He will lose his in a week or so, I think I just gained another pound talking about it.

August 21

The Brownfield Hisel's got back today, minus Emily.  Everyone went swimming it was so hot and nobody wanted to get out.  So later we got cleaned up and went down to Free Tail and had pizza.  I don't have any food in my house and haven't been to the grocery store, maybe tomorrow.

The guys watched the Cowboys and most of the rest of us piled up on my bed and watched Old Dogs, a favorite of Jackson's.  I fell asleep and everyone ended up in a bed somewhere so it worked out fine I hope.

August 20

Gabriel and Carrie left today to take Emily to A & M.  Caroline went with them, and Jackson stayed here with Ramsey (and Rocco)
I had made an appointment at Yardley's on the way home because I needed a little "maintenance" from my hairdresser.  So I ran down there first thing this morning and got a little touch up.
 Mary Ann, Melissa and the rest of us went to the Dry Dock and ate oysters, shrimp, lobster, and crab legs.  It was great but too much food as usual.  Home and to bed.

August 19

Left Odessa after the meeting and drove to San Antonio.  We were very excited to get back home.  Mary Ann, Melissa, and Ramsey have been staying at our house because their air conditioner has gone out and they are going to have to get a new one.  So they were there and Gabriel and Carrie and the kids got there about 2 hrs after we got home.  They will spend the night and are taking Emily to College Station tomorrow.  Can't believe my little granddaughter is going to start college.  Another Aggie in the family..it's great!

But the greatest thing!! In the mail Stephanie had sent a picture of their family (they look so wonderful) and pictures of Dayton, Peyton, and Jordan.  Also a note from Steph, and a thank you note from Jordan for her birthday present.  They are moving to Aledo and Patrick will commute to Mineral Wells.  It made me so happy to get the pictures and notes. 

August 18

Had an extra day at Mike's and he treated us like tourist.  We went to the Presidential Museum, very impressive, and the Art Museum, even better.  Had some great exhibits, also went to see George W's first home in Odessa, behind the Presidential Museum.  Yeah George!!  Went and saw all the brands from the ranchers in the area, the Dunagan's had one, as did the Vest/Pigmon's, and the Allen's (Helen Williams parents).  Then we went to the movie and saw Eat, Pray, Love.  I loved it.  Mike and Chris not so much.  Back to Mike's and off to bed.         

Little Georgie W sat in the little yellow chair

August 17

Started the morning off by going to the er, Carol had an allergic reaction to something and have to get an iv and some medicine.  Luckily the swelling went down and we got to the funeral on time.  The funeral was in Kermit, the burial in Monahans, and the "big house" (Fay's) to visit.  I'm glad I got to see my friend Vicki and her Mom Nita.  Rex will be so missed by his family.  He was 83 years old, the same age my Dad would be.

Drove to Mike Dunagan's to spend 2 nights instead of the usual one for Chris' meeting.  Mike was kind enough when Chris called him to say we could come on over.  So off we went.  Had a great visit with Mike and all went to bed early

August 16

Left Ruidoso go to Monahans.  Met Carol and we got rooms there.  Had a great visit with Cathy Parks and Bob.  Funeral tomorrow.

August 15

Got bad news today.  Rex Pigmon, my friend Vicki's father, died and we'll leave tommorrow for Monahans. 

August 14

Went down to Sacred Grounds to get online.  While this house is under construction we have no internet and no phones..just cells that don't work in Upper Canyon.  It rained really hard, and the workers aren't working today.  Chris fried up a mess of the trout we caught at Vermejo.  It was delicious!!  Early to bed.

August 13

Just hung around Ruidoso, took a drive up to Bonito Lake and drove up to Nogal.  Didn't even know this part of Ruidoso was there.  They have made some progress on the house...but it is slow going.  At least the river and the mountains are still beautiful!  

August 12

Had to leave Vermejo today and drove to Ruidoso. It just got prettier and cooler all the way in. We arrived around 1:30 and the workers were busy on the roof and siding. It started raining and smelled so good. We were very happy to be back home in Ruidoso. Mike the contractor came by and we visited about all the work and everything is going good. We went by to see Jeff Barlean the cabinet guy to finalize the upstairs bathroom and headed to Elena's for mexican food, we couldn't miss a meal and Elena's is the best. The end of a great
vacation. I don't know how it could have been any better. I loved every minute of it and will never forget this wonderful experience. We both know we are so blessed and are eternally grateful. We have a wonderful life and a beautiful country to live in. God is good.

August 11

Another fabulous breakfast and off to the lake. We used one of their pickups and went back to Bartlett because we had had good luck yesterday. Caught the first one around 11, broke for our picnic lunch, after having to wait on a bear that wouldn't leave the area where our pickup was parked. He finally went away so we could come ashore and leave our boat. We ended up catching 5 (I only caught 1) and quit around 6. I hated to leave, the lake is so beautiful, but it was getting late. We went back in and Chris had duck, and I had a steak. We ate about 3 bites and had to give up. It was great but we were so full from the fried chicken lunch we weren't even hungry. So we called it a night and went to bed early. I hate to leave tomorrow but all things must end. It has been wonderful at Vermejo, the perfect way to end a wonderful road trip.

August 10

Left Raton and got to Vermejo Park Ranch around 8:30. The closer we got the more beautiful. Checked in and of course had breakfast. We were staying in Casa Minor right next to the Lodge so it was great, a big big room with a great view. Got our gear to go fishing and had Chuck Pompeo for a guide. He was 77 yrs old and has been working at Vermejo for 42 years. He had some great stories, some we heard more than once. We went to Bartlett Lake and started fishing. We saw some bear come up to the shore while we were out on the lake, they were fishing too. Caught some in the morning, had our picnic lunch, and went back out.  We ended up catching 8 each, it was close but we ended up in a tie, so we got our limit and called it a day around 5. Sam the guitar player from Trinidad, Co set up on the veranda and starting entertaining us. Chris got to sing Mama Tried and Silver Wings with him. It was great. We danced and had a great time.

Then we went in to eat, stuffed ourselves on sea bass and bison. Opened our last bottle of wine from the Alexander Valley in California. By the time we went to bed we had had it. But tomorrow we'll go back out and try our luck without Chuck and see how we do. Vermejo is, like my Dad said, the most beautiful place in the world.  

August 9

Chris woke up at 4:30 and wanted to go ahead a get on the road (beat all the downtown traffic) so by 5 we were on the way to Raton. We almost had to go back about 5:40 because he thought he left his phone until I called it and it was in his pocket (this was after pulling over and going through everything in the suitcases, dirty clothes, trash bags, and calling the hotel to tell them to go look in the room for it) So...then we did a little detour of about 40 miles to go through the Valley of Legends which took a couple of hours,and it was beautiful, the last part of Colorado for us but it was really to kill time because we were going to get to Raton about 9 a.m. Anyway we made it here and immediately had to go eat because we were starving. Then checked in and had to immediately take naps because we were stuffed and sleepy from getting up so early. Then we had lots of laundry to do. Chris helped me carry it down, he had to wear his dress pants from his bank meeting, tennis shoes, and a wife beater, I had to wear a bathing suit coverup. That's all we had clean. We went riding around in the rain, looking like homeless people. It's good to be back in New Mexico, it's raining and it is so nice and cool. Hope it doesn't rain in Vermejo tomorrow. We're going fishing with a guide so hopefully we will catch something. Can't wait!

August 8

We went to Mass this morning at Holy Ghost downtown. We took the free mall bus then walked 3 blocks. It was a beautiful big church, it reminded me of St. John's. It was in Latin, incense, the whole shebang. Walked back got the car and went on a tour of homes. We saw some beautiful homes, 1million to 2million. Came back and walked to a Mexican food place, walked back and laid up waiting for the COWBOYS. I
was going to go to the movie but it started raining. So Cowboys it was. Denver has been a lot of fun and I'm so glad we stayed downtown. Leaving early tomorrow for Raton, NM, have GOT to do laundry tomorrow.
Time for bed.

August 7

It was nice to just feel that we could relax today. We left the hotel around 9:30 and walked to the museums. We went to the art museum and it was fabulous. I could have stayed all day. We left there and walked back and stopped at a Nail Salon (pick u color) and we both got a mani/pedi.

We just spent time on the 16th street mall looking around. We rode the free mall buses which are a pretty neat deal. We had sushi and went back to the room and took a nap. Then we went back out, they are showing a free movie on the lawn right outside our hotel and we watched a little of it. (Cats and Dogs) We went to Starbucks got a Mocha, visited with a guy who was preaching the gospel made our way back watched a little of the movie and came up to our room. Another
beautiful day. Denver is great, at least downtown is anyway.

August 6

Oh Wyoming what a state. Very beautiful, wide open spaces, another beautiful one but so far I think Montana is the winner. We got to Denver around 1 or so without any unexpected bison or battlefield stops. We are downtown and everything is happening right here. We walked over to the public library, right by the Capitol building, it is very impressive. Checked the microfilm for city directory from 1935-1949 for Ann Underwood, Big Daddy's mother's half sister. But we couldn't find her. Walked back changed and went out for the night. Walked to the movie and saw Inception, don't waste your money. Lots of night life right here, music, street entertainment, everything. A very happening place.

Tomorrow we will go exploring..see what we can find.
Long day and we are tired and happy we don't have to get up and drive tomorrow. Staying right here, sleeping in.

August 5

Left beautiful Montana today. We were in Montana until about the last 15 miles when we passed into Wyoming. We both loved Montana. The country is just wonderful, much prettier than Oregon, the mountains

and valleys are just gorgeous. We stopped at Little Big Horn Battleground National Monument. Had our picnic there. We spent about 3 hrs there, looking at all the battle stuff, gravesites, reading about the whole battle. Really incredible. I stayed in the car for about 2 of those 3 hrs, Chris LOVED it.   Got to Sheridan and checked in and went looking around. Little town about 15,000 ppl, but a great downtown. There are different sculpted art works on every corner that are just great. We ate at the Rib Chop Shop. Very good. Saw some beautiful old homes, and a pretty park that had buffalo (real ones). See, we could have passed on the Bison National Park and just seen more here anyway. Wyoming I think will be flatter, but still pretty. It is the least populated state..lots of wide open spaces. We're going all the way across it tomorrow to Denver then rest for a couple of days. So far so good.

August 4

Left Spokane around 8:30 and so much for not being on the road so long. About half way to Butte Chris discovered a Bison National Park that you drive through. It took over 2 hours to go about 10 miles on a dirt road. We saw some buffalo (Bison I should say) off in a pasture, one deer, something else with horns, a deer I guess, and a chipmunk. Chris LOVED it and I was hungry. We stopped at the end of the tour and had a picnic. Then started back up for Butte. We got there about 6:00, and really it was seven because we are back in mt. time, checked in to the Hampton Inn and I started the laundry. We went to the Uptown Cafe (Uptown is really neat) and had a great meal we should have split. And a bottle of wine. Came home and had to go back to get Chris's cap from Arena Light House he forgot. Finally settled in and Chris has been looking at the map and guess what..we are going right through Little Big Horn something or another and "this is going to be great" so tomorrow

on the way to Sheridan we will be touring Little Big Horn to see where Custer got his. So there you go. Until tomorrow.

August 3

We left Bear Mountain for the ferry. That is just so neat driving your car on the ferry and sitting up top. Took about 90 minutes then drove over to the Edmonds ferry and that took about 30 minutes. The scenery started off really pretty with mountains and still nice and cool. By the time we got to Spokane it was flat and wheat fields. It
was a long day and we are going to bed early..at the Hilton, kinda not so nice, but a bed and shower anyway. Tomorrow to Butte, Mo. Won't be on the road so long so maybe we can check out Butte a little. We have
met and talked to so many nice people. This is great fun.

August 2

We went to the grocery store bought stuff for a picnic, went to Fort Rodd (it had a lighthouse) Chris LOVED it!! Had our picnic, went downtown, so much to do. Did the tour bus and saw it all. That's always the way to do it, tour bus. Went to the Oyster Bar next to the Fairmont Empress it was great.

Came back 'home' finished off a bottle of wine. Packed up to leave Canada tomorrow. So glad we came here. Anyone would love it. Back to Seattle tomorrow and on to parts unknown. We're going to stop when we get tired. Have to be in Butte, Mo day after tomorrow so somewhere in between. Nite Nite.

August 1

Today is our anniversary! 43 years of total bliss! (sort of)

Here we are in beautiful Victoria. We went to Mass this morning at Our Lady of the Rosary.  A pretty little church, nice and friendly. Then went to Butchart Gardens and they were unbelieveable. I took lots of pictures and hope they turn out. Then we went over to see a castle, very pretty but no Hearst Castle.
 
Then we went downtown and they were having a music festival and had the naval symphony playing on a floating ship in the harbor. Right across the street from the Impress Hotel. We ate at an Irish pub had fish and chips and Irish whiskey. Lots of fun. Came back to Bear Mountain. I'm doing laundry and we'll probably turn on in. Great day in Canada!