Day Trip To Waco - Dr. Pepper Museum

The summer time routine has gotten to me and I've been really itchin' to get out and do something lately. I recently had heard about the Mayborn Museum in Waco that I wanted to check out. We also have been meaning to get back to Waco to check out the Dr. Pepper Museum we got there too late to check out last time we were in Waco.

Because our day was so full I am going to split our day into two seperate posts for easier reading.

I have to say that our visit to the city of Waco this time was more impressive than the last visit. I didn't realize that it was home of Baylor University. And like U.T.'s campus there are a couple of free educational attractions that should not be missed. I also came across a couple of more attractions in Waco that I didn't know existed.

So we set out early this morning on our way to Waco. I love a road trip no matter where it's headed. I inherited that from my father. He used to love to (and probably still does) drive anywhere just for the pure joy of sightseeing and driving.

Once we got to Waco our first stop was the Dr. Pepper Museum. Aside from the usual displays there was exhibit called Moneyville. Summer spent a good bit of her time utilizing the activities in that section.




A couple of the activities in Moneyville...

Making and designing your own money....



Learning utilize money in different scenarios...





I liked the life philosophy printed on these light fixtures..Do unto others as you would have them do to you... and I also got a pic of part of downtown Waco from inside the museum's 3rd story...




Once we got done touring the museum we walked downstairs to drink a fresh-made old fashioned Dr. Pepper..yummy.




Our next stop was the Mayborn Museum.....

Pictures For The Day 2

Who do you think is having the most fun?



Check out this short video of a walking stick. As you are watching, make sure you check out the Texas sized one on the house in the backround.



Here is a close-up of the one in the backround.

Pictures For The Day

Passing a Rainy Day Away

Although rain is always welcome in drought ridden Texas I would prefer it to rain at more convenient times. Ha! As if we can put in weather requests to Mother Nature.

Nevertheless, I referred to my list of rainy day ideas. I chose another museum we have not been to yet...Austin History Center. I have to say the website was much more intriguing than the actual museum. In the museum I didn't find any of the cool pics or interesting info that I saw and read about on the website.

Summer did find the computer with all the good stuff on it...she didn't share it very well...



O'well, the trip wasn't totally wasted. We did find a great new restaurant to eat at downtown, Casa Chalapa and it also gave me a chance to view beautiful downtown Austin. The only reason I don't venture downtown more often is because I HATE driving and finding parking down there.

Since it was raining and we had other errands to run our downtown trip was short but sweet.

Here are just a few shots I made of Congress Avenue from inside of the car...

HAPPINESS IS WITHIN YOU

Recently I was doing some paperwork spring cleaning. I came across a clipping that I had saved from an old newsletter I used to receive.

I thought it hit the nail on the head...here it is:


HAPPINESS IS WITHIN YOU

Have you ever wondered why some people wake up in the morning as chirpy as the busy birds out side the window, while others wake up grumpy? Ever wonder why some people seem happy most of the time, while others are withdrawn, sad, depressed, or bitter??

It is all in attitude. Changing the way you think about things. Is the glass half full, or is it half empty? Is the sun bright and beautiful or is it hot and miserable?

Every situation in life has two sides as we have good we also have to have evil, for without evil we would not recognize good. Without cold, there would not be any warm. Without noise, we could not recognize the beauty of silence. When Einstein failed, he didn't think failure, he basically thought, oh I have found one more way that my idea won't work.

Attitude and how you perceive things are the key to your own happiness. If you are feeling overwhelmed in a situation in life, rather than sitting there feeling sorry for yourself, think positive. Find something that you can learn and gain from the situation.

A death in the family is a tragic thing. But look around, did the death not bring the rest of the family together for grieving and emotional support and closer to each other? Didn't they talk about memories of their loved ones? Did not death bring into mind the frailty of life and the knowing that you could leave this world any minute and that tomorrow could be your last day? Did you do all you wanted to do in this life time yet? Or, have you sat back making excuses for each day of why have not reached for dreams?

Attitude. Wake up in the morning, smile in the mirror, welcome each day with the love you would give to your precious child and savor the day. When things are down, turn them around. When things are happy, pile that happy time into your mind where you can pull it out anytime you need a bit of cheering up. Embrace life and be grateful for the things in life.

Attitude. Have you ever noticed how happy it feels to give? Giving of ourselves is a wondrous thing. To see the smile of gratitude upon someones radiant face. Or hear the small thank you for your help, is a great way to start on an attitude change.

Attitude. Don't fixate on small things. Look at the larger scale. It is amazing that in the a true crisis, you can rise up to the challenge, but it is always the last little small thing that throws people into an angry fit.

Remember, many people are born blessed with good health and money and are not happy. And, many people who have suffered and struggled are the happiest of all. It is all on how you look at it. So, keep your chin up, and try to find the bright side to every situation that life throws you, for inside yourself lies true happiness!!!

Independence Day

This was our third Independence Day we have celebrated in Austin. Not really a long time but it feels like we have been here much longer. When I look back on the pics of us when we first moved here Summer looked much younger and Toby and I looked much thinner...O'well.

Anyway, as with most holidays Summer and I spent it by ourselves while Toby was at work.

We were both in the mood to get out and about so I was determined to find us something to take up at least part of the day. I decided we would check out the Webberville Riverfest Celebration only 10 minutes from the house.

Unfortunately, I discovered when I got there and started smelling that yummy food that I had forgotten to bring any cash. Luckily we had just eaten lunch but I still hate to pass up the good cookin' that this area has to offer.

There really wasn't much going on...Webberville is about the size of a pin head, but we did make use of what they had to offer there.

Since living in Austin I have taken a liking to hearing the live bands that play at all the events, festivals, restaurants, etc. The band was playing some southern blues rock kind of music...they did a really good version of Star Spangled Banner too...



I wanted to check out the river so Summer and I walked along it. We have canoed here before and I really had the urge to hop in a canoe and paddle down the river...I don't think I will ever get Summer back down that river in a canoe again anyway.





After we walked along the river we had worked up a sweat. The water slide they had set up there looked alluring to Summer and having her 4th of July outfit on didn't stop her from sliding on that slide one zillion times while I stood in the blazing sun waiting on her to tire of it.....



Trying to dry off on the swing...



Fortunately Toby was able to get off work a little early and be home in time to do some fireworks and watch the neighborhood displays.

I think they were a bit glad to see each other and anticipating seeing/doing fireworks...



And as with most holidays, even though we had fun I was glad it was over and everything resumes to normal activity.

Winning The Lottery

Most of us all probably have had day dreams about winning the lottery. Most of us have even played the lottery in hopes of winning that large sum of cash.

We play in hopes of winning but not really believing we will ever win. Some of us won't even buy a ticket believing that we won't win anyway so why waste our money.

There was once a man called Santiago, who prayed to win a lottery every day. “Estimado Dios”, he addressed God in Spanish, “could you please let me win a lottery just once”, he asked. He died without winning one single prize.

When he saw God on the other side of the Universe, Santiago asked Him, why He didn’t let him win the lottery just once. God responded: ”You should have bought a lottery ticket at least once”.

Have you ever felt like Santiago, dreaming to achieve something without making a single step towards it? You can't even have a chance of winning if you don't play.

I'm sure there are many arguments against playing the lottery. Since I have lived in Texas I have played the lottery almost weekly. No, I am not broke from playing the lottery. I spend a couple dollars a week for my chance at financial freedom.

Buying a lottery ticket is not wasting money at all. It's buying a chance to be wealthy. I am buying a chance to improve my bank balance and mine and my family's quality of life. Smart move I would say.

So anyway, I am one of those people that KNOW I am going to win the lottery. Over the past few years I have become pretty good at manifesting the things I want or need.

I remember when I first started practicing manifestation I requested from the Universe $10,000. Only a day or two passed before I got my requested $10,000.

Walking across my front yard I looked down and something caught my eye....my $10,000!

I would say the Universe has a sense of humor. This is what I picked up off the ground.



Notice that it is indeed my requested $10,000. I guess I just have been more specific in my request. Notice at the top of the fake $10,000 bill it says "Heaven Bank Note". Now you tell me if "God" doesn't work in mysterious ways.

I have also heard stories about people who have won the lottery and squandered their millions away in a short amount of time. The way I see it if you can't manage your money when you're poor you certainly won't be able to manage it when your wealthy. It's all about management not quantity where money is concerned.

So, daily I think about what I am going to do when I get my winnings. Unlike most people I'm not dreaming of a large luxurious home a fancy car or a closet full of new clothes.

I plan on sharing a portion of my wealth with my favorite people.

In addition I plan on taking all my favorite people on a all expenses paid cruise. A cruise is a luxury every human should experience and I think it would be especially fun with my favorite people.

I plan on keeping a portion to "play with" and a larger portion to invest.

Most of all I will enjoy the luxury of being able to hop on a plane and visit my long distance family members whenever I get the urge to see them. This is the thing I most want.

Sure, I'm sure once I have millions of dollars sitting in my bank account I will come up with a few more ideas on how to spend and invest it.

All in all, I plan on living my life just the way I do now just with a few extra perks and the peace of mind that when I die my kids will be left with something instead of nothing.