Christmas 2017

We had a wonderful Christmas, nice and relaxing just the way I like it.

After many years of saying I wanted one of those pencil trees, I finally broke down and bought me one this year. My home is on the smaller side, and finding a spot for even an average sized tree was always challenging. Plus, I love the idea of having my tree glisten through the window.

Kitty Cat enjoyed lying under the tree...

After Santa put out the gifts on Christmas Eve...

I surprised Skye with a gingerbread house to make on Christmas Eve. She did a wonderful job decorating it...

The day after Christmas we went to Six Flags for the Holiday in the Park. We picked up Skye's girlfriend, Leanna along the way. The park was not very crowded so it was a pleasant time.

Toby and I hung out together while the girls roamed the park doing their thing. I'm not an adrenaline junkie, so I stick to the sissy stuff like the Ferris wheel and the train. Toby is sweet and doesn't complain, even though I know he would rather be riding the big rides. At this point in our life, we are just glad to be hanging out together...

We met up with the girls a little later, and switched out riding partners. Leanna likes the crazy rides too, and even though Skye will ride them with her, she prefers the more docile rides.

So, while Toby and Leanna were riding a large roller coaster,  Skye talked me into getting on a larger ride. She claimed it wasn't bad and that I would like it even though I was skeptical, and very suspicious of it. I'm always lecturing her to take challenges and do things that scare her, so I had to take the opportunity to practice what I preach while I silently scolded myself for giving her that bit of motherly advice.

This is the ride she took me on...

All I can say is NEVER. AGAIN.

Skye allowed me to take some pictures of her and Leanna....

 They had some fake snow blowing about, which gave it a real holiday feel...

Here are some other photos of our day in the park...

Our Christmas 2017 was a good Christmas.

Oh, Just This And That

The past couple of weeks have been spent doing things that we need to do, not want to do. Errands, Christmas shopping, things of that nature.

Since yesterday was one of those southern style winter days, Toby and I took advantage with a walk around downtown...

 

The city has changed so much since our move here ten years ago. There's been at least one new building a year. It's always under construction. I have so many pictures of the city throughout the years, that I said I could probably donate them to the Austin History Archives one day...

We went in the Capitol to walk around. I remember the days when you could just walk freely in and out of the Capitol. Now you have to go through security measures and the guards are even carrying assault rifles. Guess they know something we don't, or it's just America's way of....well, I'll refrain from giving my unpopular opinions on politics...

They had a Christmas choir singing carols...

It was such a beautiful day to be outdoors. We took a selfie to mark our ten year anniversary of being Texas residents...

I also made a little video of the train crossing the track over the lake....

The cat has as many interesting poses as the dog does, and she's actually less of a pain in the ass than the dog is, but not near as interactive or smart.

 

Well, until next time and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Let It Snow

Yesterday we had a rare occurrence in Central Texas....well, at least on our side of Interstate 35.

The last time it snowed was about nine years ago....

We southerner's call it snow, but I believe the technical term would be more of a "dusting". Either way, the white stuff is something magical to us.

I don't even believe snow was in the forecast. Skye had been out in the frigid temps waxing the car. Yes, waxing the car in the freezing cold. Her hands were like ice blocks. She just gets these ideas in her head and has to implement them no matter what the obstacles. I'm calling this a positive attribute, because motivation is something I see lacking in the majority of today's generation. It will serve her well in her future endeavors, I'm sure.

So, later on when I walk out to put up some delicate plants and cover the pipes, I notice the flurries. It snowed steadily for a couple of hours.

Skye played in it like a kid for several hours. She said there was no telling when she would see it again so she was going to make sure she created memories and enjoyed it. I could only go out in increments of a few minutes at a time. I'm not a polar bear and very southern to the core.

All the neighborhood kids were out throwing snowballs and building snowmen. Here's a pic of me and Skye with the neighbors Texas snowman....

Here are some other pics I got. It was dark so it was hard to capture the beauty of it...

Luckily, it still blanketed the ground when I awoke this morning....

It was a nice experience. I only wish Toby had been able to be at home with us, but he had to go in to work just as it was starting to snow. :-(

Decade December

This month marks our 10th year since we made that big decision to move from Alabama to Texas. As time goes by it gets harder and harder to remember that I’ve ever lived anywhere else but here in Texas. I feel like I’ve lived here forever, but yet I know a decade is only a small span of time in the big scheme of things.

This was the first picture we took of ourselves on our way to being Texas residents. It was taken at the rest stop just inside the Texas border. Toby and I fat and sassy and Skye just a wee thing.....

It was a bitter sweet time full of promise and excitement. I can now look back on the decision and feel that it's one of the very few I've ever made in my life that didn't end up in disaster.

Cheers to the next decade!

Mozart's And Chasing Criminals

Well, we've had an interesting week.

A few days ago Toby and I went downtown to do a little Christmas shopping for Lucas at the bike shops. We chose to park at a central location and just walk to our destinations. It was a beautiful, warm day and we were trying to kill two birds with one stone by getting our exercise in too.

On our way back to our car we witnessed someone hit a street light pole. Ran right into it as he rounded the curve from off of Lamar. Tore half the front end off his car but he didn't let it stop him he just kept going.

He hit the light post so hard that it fell slowly to the ground almost taking out a truck that was coming through.

I was still standing there in awe watching the traffic stack up because the pole was blocking the roadway when I noticed Toby had taken off running. Luckily, the guy got caught at the light and Toby was snapping pictures of the guys tag. Destruction of city property and then running is no bueno.

When the guy noticed Toby was getting his tag # he got out of his car and confronted Toby. I got a little nervous because I don't trust people and Texans love to pack heat. I think Toby was intimidating enough with his serious demeanor and neck tattoos that the guy backed off, got back in his car and took off. He knew he was guilty and there were a lot of people that saw him do it, so defending himself was futile. He was driving a BMW, they must be tough cars because I have no idea how that car was still driveable.

Anyway, Toby called the police and reported the crime. While we were waiting for the police to arrive,  I was standing there watching the drivers getting really annoyed at not being able to get past the road. You learn a lot about people watching them in distress. Some were trying to drive their trucks over the light post, some were taking theirs and other lives in their hands by getting around it in the oncoming lane. There was even a lady bus driver that got out and attempted to pick it up and move it out of the way with her bare hands. Petite woman too.

Finally, the officer got there and took our report. Toby did his good deed for the city and was the hero of the day.

The next day we went out to eat at Uncle Julio's downtown and then to see the holiday lights display at Mozart's Coffee House. Skye had seen it on her twitter feed and thought I would enjoy it. She knows how much I love the Christmas season.

It was very festive......

It's right on Lake Austin so we sat outside on the patio while me and Skye ate some yummy chocolate mouse for dessert...

I love this picture of me and Toby. It makes me feel like he looks as old as I do with him old man spectacles on...

Toby drove us by the Capitol on the way home. Me and Skye loved looking at the city all lit up at night....

I also took this picture the other day of the fall colored leaves.....

It's been an eventful week.