Half a Century Birthday Week

On July 23 I reached my half a century mark. Out of all the milestone birthdays I think this is the one that impacted my thoughts the most. Maybe it's because I know that I'm on the downhill decline to now or never.

Lucas arrived last week so as usual we celebrated our birthdays - which are one day apart - together.

Our birthday celebratory drink in the pool

Lucas posing in the new outfit I bought him....

On the day of my birthday day I chose to do something outdoors. I have been wanting to go to Jacobs Well for awhile and thought Lucas may enjoy it also.

I should have known better. In the middle of Summer on a hot afternoon what better place for a bunch of teenagers and young people to hang out.

Jumping off the cliff into the well seemed to be the preferred way to enjoy the well

Lucas about to jump. Toby jumped too.

I couldn't even get any pictures of the actual well itself there were so many people down there. You also couldn't even swim in it because everybody was jumping...not swimming.

I thought Skye may a bit bored but she remarked she enjoyed sitting around watching an accident waiting to happen. I thought she was being sarcastic but I do think she was really enjoying "people watching".

On Thursday Lucas's girlfriend Emily arrived. She got our stamp of approval. They spent their last two days here lounging in the pool, drinking beer, eating, and hanging out.

On their way out to a night out on the town....

Emily is sweet with a great personality. She came bearing birthday gifts for me and Lucas....

Tequila shots. I didn't participate in the shooting games. I prefer to drink slow and steady.

I enjoyed having someone around who appreciated my hospitality and doting. Not that I don't think Toby and Skye appreciate me, they just are so used to it that it's no special treat for them.

I cant help feel a little sad that the one time of year that I look most forward to is come and gone. At least I have the memories.

Wine, This and That

Despite the fact that we haven't really been doing anything extraordinary, we've been having a decently pleasant year.

The other night Toby and I took some time out for a date night and took a Wine Stroll at Central Market. Toby and I are not wine drinkers so we took advantage of an opportunity to enlighten ourselves with some wine tasting.

For the price of $5 per person we received a gift pack that included wine glasses, bread, mints, chocolate, corkscrew and a wine guide. Set up around the store were nine different stations with samples of wine paired with food and snack samples. It was a great deal for the price and a lot of fun to boot! Toby and I were even solicited by what we believe were swingers which took us both a little by surprise.....and no, we did not.

Most of the past couple of months have been a blur so I'll just post memories in pictures.

Summer time means beautiful sunsets, nature, and keeping cool.....

Sunset during the African dust storm brought by the tradewinds

Scissortail

Some crochet....

Family moments.....

Skye learning to drive

                                             

A treat for mom....

An afternoon at Barking Barton Springs.....

And of course, the many faces of BO...