Nov. 14- Nov. 27

It has been awhile since I've been on this blog. We really don't have much on the calendar the first few days - Jim fished almost every nice day and the high point was an 18 inch bass at Crowder Lake (west of Trenton.)

We left the morning of Nov. 19 to head to Austin. We dropped the girls off at the kennel as we were leaving town - Abby seemed to be aware of what was happening and wasn't too happy about the ride. We had a good drive to Norman, OK - ate at Marie Calendar's for supper and had a good night of rest. We left Norman about 7:30 on Tuesday a.m. for the drive into Austin - actually had a motel at Round Rock.

When we had our items into the motel room, we called Doug and he met us at Joe's Crab Shack for appetizers and a beer. He was leaving soon to drive to San Marcos to pick up Dara (had taught all day) and they headed on to San Antonion to see a Sting concert.

Jim had I headed to Kerbey Lane for an excellent breakfast on Wednesday morning - omelets almost as good as the Omelet Parlor in LA. Afterwards we took time to do some errands as we figured Doug and Dara would be sleeping in. I thoroughly enjoy going to Whole Foods, Book People - and in general just seeing some sights. In the afternoon, Doug took us to a multi-level eating/bar overlooking Lake Travis called "The Oasis." By this time the wind was switching to the north (had been in the 80s in Norman and Austin) and workers were taking down the large umbrellas as they were falling over. The view from an outdoor patio was still great and we enjoyed appetizers as well as excellent margaritas.

Dara had a horrible cough while we were there - not a usual thing for her and did not accompany us on all of our outings. She fixed a great Thanksgiving dinner - turkey with all the trimmings - and two of their friends joined us for dinner.

On Friday, Doug, Jim, and I headed to Hoover's for breakfast and then went to a delightful shop on Sixth street that specializes in all kinds of HOT sauces. "Tears" was in the name of the place and I would enjoy going there again. From there, Doug took us to a large pecan store - maybe at Bastrop. All of us ended up going to a Greek restaurant on Friday evening - food always good.

On Saturday morning, the four of us went to a place I am thinking is called "The Original Pancake House" and the menu was great - and the food as well. Jim had a German apple pancake - very remininescent of the ones that Big Mike so enjoyed at Dinah's in LA. I had three cherry crepes - excellent. Dara had an Irish omelet and I can't remember what Doug ordered.

We left Austin about 10:30 to head towards Norman. We were in rain and fast traffic all the way. At least there were no slow moving parking lots like last year. We actually made good time to Norman, ate supper, and then settled in to see the MU/KU football game.

As rainy as Saturday was, Sunday was cold, but sunny - so we had a very good trip home. We had quite a bit of traffic until the turnoff for Emporia - then it was quite light. The traffic was piled up about 100 yards when we got to the entry to the Kansas turnpike - but for those heading south. I dreaded the northern end, but we only had one car in front of us.

We unpacked and did several loads of laundry Sunday evening (arrived in Chillicothe by 4:00). Needless to say, both of us were tired and Monday seemed like a very long day for me - even though I thought I had slept well. We picked up the girls about noon on Monday - freshly bathed and ready to go home.

Margaret called yesterday about us coming to LA in December. Catherine is in a music concert on the 9th and Risa (Tim's wife) has a book signing on the 10th. We have decided to fly out on the 7th and return on the 11th - so today has been busy making these arrangements as well as going on to get newspaper cancelled, audiology appointment changed, kennel called, etc. I know these don't have to be done today, but I want them out of the way so I can get started on Christmas cards. I didn't put up a Christmas tree last year as I felt so bad, but am thinking about doing it this year.

Until I get on again - be safe.
B.

Nov. 6-13

From what has been an extended fall in MO,

We really haven't done a great deal since I was last blogged. We made a quick trip to the NKC area and Jim has had several fishing outings - has even gone after deer season began and I'm not too thrilled about that.

We have kept busy doing errands, watching tv, and holding the girls - the latter love us being home.

We are beginning to get things organized for our upcoming trip to Austin - truck has had oil changed, lists have started, etc.

Tammy - we did see Clint's photo in the paper tonight.

Just not much to report on this front.

Be safe.
B.

Oct. 31 - Nov. 5

From what has been a sunny, but quite blustery day in MO,

We didn't have as many munchkins as usual on Halloween - probably 40 stopped by and even though the average age was probably older than usual - all were in costume - and probably the most polite that we have had in years.

Jim has been fishing several times and has brought home probably 4 or 5 messes of fish. He plans on going once more and then will stop as deer hunting begins the last part of this week.

Our final football game was this past Thursday. We won, but because of the loss to Odessa, our season is over.

Pat and I made a quick trip to St. Joseph today. She was looking for "waxed linen cord" that she plans on using with decorating (with beads) some of the gourds she is currently cleaning. We found the product in white, but she is looking for a variety of colors. She is going to check JoAnn's fabrics at Liberty and we can go by there on Wednesday if they have what she needs - otherwise, I'll be e-mailing Dara to get the name and address of where she goes to get beads.

We made stops at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Border's, Penney's, Hastings Book store, as well as JoAnn's fabrics. Oh, yes, we also made a quick trip to Target. Pat and I tend to be quick shoppers as we know what we are looking for and don't spend a lot of time just wandering aisles. We made a stop at an antique place in Cameron on the way home.

Jim went to see a movie with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe - among others - this afternoon at the local theater.

We are planning a trip to Liberty on Wednesday and beyond that we don't have anything on the calendar. We have watched the first part of a couple of Seattle basketball games this past week - so as to see how Kevin Durant is doing. I had hoped that maybe Texas would be at home when we were in Austin, but they are playing in a tournament - maybe in New Jersey.

I have finished the newest MC Beaton book in the Agathe Raisin series - can't remember the exact title, but it is something about Christmas. Agathe is quite a frustrating heroine - at times I want to shake her and then she fogets herself and does a good deed.

Jim mowed the yard today with the riding lawnmower. I saw him climb off the mower this morning and quickly decided I didn't want to watch any longer as he was proceeding quite safely, but all it would take would be a slip and he would have probably caused problems with his new hip. He is adamant that we aren't going to have someone else mow it, so I just won't look next time. The grass isn't really that tall, but the leaves are coming down and it is nice to be able to mulch them as they fall.

Be safe.
B.