10 Places I'd Take Tourists to in Houston

I love having people visit me (with proper notice, of course). And I love showing off my area! If you were to come for a visit, these are just some of the things that we could do. Houston truly has something for everyone!

1. Kemah Boardwalk to eat, ride the rides, &/or walk along the boardwalk looking at the sights.




2. Galveston to visit Moody Gardens, the beach, &/or go shopping along The Strand.








3. San Jacinto battleground where "Remember the Alamo" was cried and Texas won its independence.



4. Houston Zoo to see Luna the orangutan who shares the exact same bday as Bear (ok, so she's not there anymore but we can pretend).



5. Astrodome and then Minute Maid Park to catch a 'Stros game!


6. Galleria for some high-end shopping




7. Museum of Natural Science or any other museum that strikes your fancy.



8. Space Center/NASA where the space race began and continues today.




9. Driving around to see the different and vast areas, places that are important in our daily lives, and eating at some of our favorite restaurants!



10. for non-Texans, I always like to take a little road trip to see The Alamo. No, it's not in my hometown, but it is in my homestate. ;)

See you real soon, ya hear?! Bubba's Sis & I will show you a grand ole time!

Of Mice & Men and Weird Ol' Me

You know that saying the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry? It's so true. The D... Family was supposed to be on our way to Enchanted Rock today. Mother Nature had different ideas. Bad, bad thunderstorms are in the area making their way towards us. I'm slightly disappointed. We were really looking forward to doing something as a family. With hubby's shift, it's us and then it's him. Even on the weekends, we are so busy with errands & their activities that we aren't a cohesive family unit. We'll try again some other time before the summer heat hits us.

So, instead of doing something fun with the family, I'm going to do something fun on my blog. Melissa of Day by Day Living has tagged me with this meme. Here are some ways I'm unique (i.e. weird):

1. I have weird food issues. Whenever I order a hamburger, I have to 'rebuild' it. Take off the bun and arrange the veggies all over again. My food Can.Not. touch, especially if the food has juices. Also, I can not see any pink in my meat. None!
2. I absolutely can not sleep in the middle between 2 people. I get very claustrophobic. The reason is because I like to kick my leg out from under the covers. In the middle, you can't do that. I also burrow. I think I only do that in the winter, but hubby might correct me. I like the covers all around my shoulders, then I scoot down until my feet touch the foot of the bed. Seeing as how Big D is so much taller than I am and he doesn't burrow, we need some of those magic L shaped sheets that Soap Opera lovers use. Because my head can not be under the covers. Not only do I feel claustrophobic, but I also feel like I'm suffocating.
3. I have a made up birthday. No, no, I don't celebrate it. Shocking, I know. I use it on websites when they ask for birthdays. I figure that is something that they just don't need to know. I use something from all 4 of our birthdays in my fake one.
4. This is something that I don't find weird, but whenever I ask Big D something weird about me, this is what he always says. Wow, I might need to reword that sentence! Anyway, whenever I sing a song, I always shake my head "NO" when I sing that word in a song. Whatever.
5. The absolute last thing I must do before going to bed is use the bathroom. Even if I just used it 5 minutes ago, I have to do it again. If not, I'll lay in bed and my mind will make me think I have to use it again. And there is nothing worse than being all nice, snug, & comfy in your bed only to get out in the cold room to use the bathroom. It's just better if I knock that out of the way from the get go.

Five things. I think that's enough. I don't want to scare ya'll away from me!

I Spy

I spy with my little eye: Pete Rose!

While casually walking in the Caesars Palace mall, The Forum Shops, in Vegas, Big D suddenly stopped right where he was. "Lil D, is that? Could it be? Nah, surely not. I think, really, I think it IS Pete Rose! Pete Rose!" Pete Rose was one of Big D's sports heroes, you know before that nasty gambling was exposed.

I know this may surprise some of you, but I HATED baseball (well, any sport) growing up. Every time we went to visit our dad, sports would be on the t.v. Our summers were filled with baseball. This was before all day cartoons & old sitcoms. "When will the game end?!" I'd groan. My knowlege of the sport was limited. I did know a few names however. Pete Rose & Ozzie Smith being the ones I knew the most. So to see this man who Big D thought was Pete Rose was sorta thrilling for me too.

Of course, we walked over to check out this guy. To our surprise, it really was the great baseball player signing autographs. Big D so wanted one but he thought the price was a tad expensive so we walked off. I told him that he'd probably never have this opportunity again. He'd regret it. We were on vacation and should splurge. Those of you who know us know that this was total role reversal. Usually, he's the spender and I'm the thrifty one. And those of you who know me are thinking, "When did that happen?"

We took maybe 10 steps when Big D realized that he HAD to have an autographed baseball. So we abruptly turned around. Pete Rose was so nice. He chatted Big D up while smacking his gum (a tad rude, imo). I didn't want to be in the picture, but the guys insisted. As we were walking away, I, being the Southern Belle that I am, said: "Why, thank you very much, Mr. Rose!" He laughed and said: "There's that Houston accent." Um, not really but it'd be too long-winded to explain exactly how I got my accent!

A thrilling chance encounter that put a huge grin on the guy-who-does-everything-for-eveyone-else's face

She Knows Who She Is

*Update

Thank ya'll so much for your support. It means the world that ya'll care about the success of my kids.

Despite a few jitters, Lamb conquered the lunch room and did herself proud! Her loving daddy was there to cheer her on. There was a bit of a miscommunication on how to preserve this accomplishment. I wanted it recorded, but he heard "take pictures." So that's what he tried to do. He didn't want to use a flash so the pic is a tad blurry/grainy. But you can still see her doing her thing!

As it turns out, it wasn't a contest so much as just singing for the "diners" entertainment. There were no judges nor a winner picked. Everyone got a Timberwolf Idol crown for participation. Lamb was the only one to chose a classic song. The other 12 or so contestants picked current songs.
Gosh, she amazes me.

There's a batting update too. Big D is the type of dad who will do whatever is in his power to help. And if he doesn't know, he'll research. The other night, he found a website where a coach wrote about Bear's exact problem. All Bear has to do is hold his bat differently. It's going to look a little weird, but the coach says it has solved many a boys' problem. Bear & Big D haven't gotten to really work on it. They did test it out after school today and lo & behold, Bear hit the ball on his 1st pitch. Of course, it's going to take some practice & adjustment. Bear is optimistic and that's all we need right now!

Thank ya'll for your words of encouragement and thoughts!! So much appreciated!

Conspiracy Theory?

Lamb, the brave confident girl that she is, has entered a Timberwolf Idol singing (acapella) contest. Gulp! And actually, I need to be careful cuz I know she reads this when she thinks I won't find out. Hi, Lamb! She has decided to sing Help by The Beatles. If you are so inclined, please think, pray, all of the above about her Friday around 1-1:30. Not for her to win, but just that she has as much confidence leaving the stage as she did entering it. That she grows from this experience and is respected by her peers. Junior high is a tough, tough time. I worry. She can sing, but she's still quite rough around the edges. It comforts me (& her) knowing she'll have support all around her.

In other children news and the reason for my title, Wed. night Bear had his 2nd game of the season. As I was retelling the game to Big D, he mentioned something that had me thinking, "surely, that can't be right. It's so wrong."

Let me back up a few years. While this is the 1st time Bear has had this coach, the family is not new to us. The son has played on 2 or 3 of Bear's teams before. The mom has always been the team mom of those teams. One year that the son was on our team was also the one time that Big D had hours that allowed him to be assistant coach. The son has no great passion for baseball. He likes being out there with the guys and being part of a team. But doing work? Not interested. So he figures being catcher is the position to play. That would be all fine and good if he were a quick boy. If he would keep the balls in front of him, that would be just dandy too. And, hey, I'd be thrilled if he could be quick & accurate throwing a runner out at 2nd. Back to the story, that year, the boy & Bear rotated being catcher. And when they weren't catching, they were outfield. That drove the mom crazy. Drove the boy crazy too. Towards the end of the season, the boy wasn't even catching at all. Horror of horrors! The team mom started bad mouthing the coach (who previously she just ADORED and thought he was the best coach eva!). It was not pretty.

During this past fall ball season, her husband decided to start coaching. She says they tried to get Bear on their team but Bear's coach wouldn't trade him. Fine by us! Then we get the call for the spring season and they finally succeeded in snaring Bear. Now, wouldn't you think if they wanted him so dang bad, they would utilize him?

Let me take you back to the present. As you know, the 1st weekend in March there was a tournament. Bear played 2nd base & some outfield the 1st 2 games. The 3rd game he sat for the 1st THREE innings! And then he only got to play one inning before game/time was called. All of that after he had been told that he would pitch & warmed up in the bullpen. The 1st game of the season, he sat out for the 1st two innings (after warming up in the bullpen again). Played left field only and then sat out the last inning. Last game was the exact same except he did play the last inning.

After I told Big D this, he came up with the idea that maybe they are doing this because of what HE did to their son that season. I would like to think he's wrong. I mean, how petty can you be? Nor was any of what happened Bear's fault. I would just hate to think that they wanted Bear so bad just so they could bench him. As a matter of fact, I refuse to believe it. Big D, however, can't shake the feeling.

I know part of the problem is we got 2 older boys from late registration. They've pretty much secured 3rd and shortstop which used to be Bear's positions. However, Bear is perfectly capable of rotating 2nd, pitcher, & catcher. The coach has not switched up his infield any (except for pitcher) and his son has caught all games for the entire game. ARGH! It's just frustrating.

We did decide that we weren't going to worry about it unless it becomes worse or more obvious that he is being shunned (which he's not, don't worry). What we need to focus on is his batting. Hi Bear, you know it's true! Big D will keep working with Bear on his fielding just in case he gets rotated in, but the batting will be primary. Bear is losing faith that he'll ever hit the ball. We just can't have that. Sorry for the baseball talk, but really, it's more about Bear. Hee! Look at that discouraged face. :(

Parenting. There is nothing easy about it with any of your children.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

4

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?

baths for relaxation; showers for washing hair

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?

Super Bad is the 1st movie that comes to mind but I'm not sure if it was the last one I've watched.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

carbonated drinks and they make me less healthy

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

it's a toss up between the guitar & the piano

Metallic

There's lots to do and see at the Houston Livestock Show!
Lamb couldn't resist posing in front of this metallic trailer.
Sadly, we didn't see the Mutton Bustin' races nor the Pig races.

Ten Things I'm Looking Forward To In The Spring

I haven't done one of these in awhile, but I do love Spring. I figured I might as well give a few reasons why.

1. Warm(er) weather


2. Bluebonnets


3. Spring Break


4. Mother's Day


5. My birthday


6. My "anniversary"


7. HSM on Ice


8. Possible trip to Corpus Christi with the Bubba's Sis Family


9. Easter


10. BON JOVI!!!!

*check out the post below for Hannah Montana/rodeo pictures

Bet You Didn't Have More Fun Than I Did Yesterday

It was so thrilling to give the girls yesterday. To see their faces as they sang & swayed along with one of their teen 'idols' was an experience that I'll never forget. I'm thinking they'll never forget it either.

As I'm really not feeling well today, the day will mainly be described in pictures. One thing I'm known for is always having my camera with me. I should have had an extra battery on me as well. My stinkin' camera died right after Billy Ray Cyrus performed at the break between Hannah Montana and Miley. Sadly, there are no pics of the girls in their seats, singing, and swaying with their glow sticks. There is not a picture of the tour bus. Sigh. The memories will live on in our minds, right? Right?!


One thing worth mentioning that I do not have a picture. There was a little girl there who was roughly about 8 or 9. An usher escorted her to her seat because her mother DROPPED HER OFF! Can you even imagine? We worried about her all night. Shortly before the concert ended, we saw her on her cell phone walking off. Presumably to meet her parents. We were just heart sick over it. Anything can happen to a child, especially to a child in an extremely crowded place. Unreal.

Anyway....

The day started off with new hats, sausage on sticks, and funnel cakes! YUMMY!

We watched some barrel racers, clowns, and cowboys (yum again)!

And ended the perfect day with some singing and grooving!

Billy Ray was a surprise to us. He performed I Want My Mullet Back AND, surprise, surprise: Achy Breaky Heart. What fun!
I'm sure Bubba's Sis will give you a more detailed summary with some more pictures! I apologize for the lack of oomph in mine. Needless to say, The BFFs ALL had an outstanding time!

Different

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?
eh, Jennifer Lopez ONLY because she just had twin babies. I'd love to have babies for one whole week. :D And no other celebrity comes to mind.....

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?
2 - if you call me, I am MORE than happy to talk to you. Just don't expect me to call you because that rarely happens. :D

Salad
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Truly, give Thanks for all the healthy children in your lives.

Main Course
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?
Salsa

Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?
Nope!

*scroll down for a couple of my Matchbox 20 pictures

This Time Last Week

I was hanging out with Bubba's Sis, shooting the breeze, glad MuteMath was finished playing. Despite Craig Biggio loving them, I only cared for the 1st song they played. A week later and I can't remember it.

This time last week we were hoping Alanis Morissette would sing her 90s songs that are familiar to us. She did. And a bunch of songs that weren't familiar to us. I had a hard time understanding her. She was about ½ way finished with her parody of My Humps before I realized just what exactly she was singing.

This time last week, we were excitedly awaiting Matchbox 20. Giggling about the big teddy bear of a man sitting next to me who had an infectious laugh and would sing along to the songs. We just knew he'd be fun during MB20. I'm sure he was, but it wasn't us he sat beside. Seems there was a seat mix-up and a couple who needed to get a room ended up beside me. They weren't fun.

This time last week, we were exhilarated and exhausted. They played everything we wanted them to play with the exception of 2 songs. It was such a fun, high-energy night. We are now READY for BON JOVI! This was just a warm-up concert; but a mighty fun one at that.

This time last week, I was on cloud nine and so thankful to Bubba's Sis for inviting me along!

And tonight, I'm wishing I could do it all over again. Except maybe on a Friday or Saturday night instead. ;)

Wood

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

My busy season is upon me. This weekend marked the start of baseball season. As a fundraiser, the little league hosted a tournament for their teams. Single elimination with the championship Sunday afternoon. Going into the 1st game, I thought to myself that NOTHING could be worse than last season. Poor Bear was on a team filled with egos and attitudes. They could NOT play as a team and therefore lost all but 2 of their games. We saw temper tantrums on fields, disrespectful gestures to parents, fighting amongst each other, and boys who just gave up. It was so bad that the president of our little league had to help coach one of the games and gave a motivational talk afterwards.

One bright spot was the coach saw something special in Bear. He called him his utility player and Bear played every single position and never sat out an inning. It was nice because he was a new coach to us. From Bear's 2nd season of baseball til then, he had had the same coach. This coach did wonders for Bear. He really brought his confidence up and made Bear feel special. We were happy for a change, but we were disappointed in the team. We had such high hopes. The coach's mission statement was the same as ours. He prayed over the boys before each game. It just wasn't enough.

Going into this season, our spirits were low. I do not particularly care of the coach's wife/team mom nor her son. Her husband is new to coaching. But that all changed after the 1st game of our tournament. These kids play as a team. There was no bickering, egos, or attitudes. There are 2 boys who are older than the rest and Bear was so tickled to be out there with them. And because of their spirit and their ability to play as a team, they won. Which also meant that we had another game at 8pm.

They showed the next team that the 1st win was not a fluke. We won that game too. And when I say the boys won, I don't mean just barely. I mean by leaps and bounds. One boy who is 12 and taller than me, hit an over the fence home run. The best part that Bear loves to tell? He used Bear's bat! There were some outstanding plays and aggressive base running. Big D really hopes Bear watches and learns that. Bear definitely has the speed to be aggressive.

There are some funny stories but not everyone is a baseball fan so I won't bore you. I also have some stories that aren't all roses and sunshine. But, again, I won't bore you. Needless to say, we went into Sunday's game very excited. The boys were giddy but didn't really seem over confident. The team held us for a couple of innings, but at the last minute, we pulled ahead and scored enough runs that they could never catch up.

The Minor Division Pirates are the 1st ever #1 team of our Little League Showdown!!!! And we have the trophy to prove it! It was an exciting, but exhausting weekend. We are so proud of the team and are so excited about what the season holds for Bear & the rest of the boys. And, yeah, they have a big ole bull's eye on them now. Bring it on!

Party

Big D & I are often accused (jokingly, I hope ) by Coastie Brother of playing favorites. "Poor Lamb," Coastie Bro often sighs. There is one thing that Lamb definitely gets the better end of the stick. Birthday parties. I think Bear has only had 1 his whole entire life. And that was after we had to postpone it because of a pesky hurricane evacuation. Anyway, here are a collection of some of Lamb's parties. The girl loves a theme!



10th Birthday: Pink poodle theme. They did some pink poodle crafts!


11th Birthday: A reader's theatre American Girl mystery. Samantha is her favorite doll so we did her mystery. All the invitees had parts and some even dressed in character!

12th Birthday: This was the party that Lamb could NOT wait to have. It was a Chinese Year of the Dog party. We had a lot of fun with the decorations and party favors.




13th Birthday: No party this year. I don't think she was too disappointed. She got to have Breakfast at Tiffany's and dinner with the Phantom. Not too shabby!