Becolorful

You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down

I just returned from Vegas.

I love it there but there were some moments early on where I wondered if this trip would really happen.

On Thursday we got off to a rough start. A few hours before we were supposed to leave I realized I had a UTI.

Uff da!

Color us determined. I threw a few more things in my suitcase, zipped it up and heaved it into the back of the car. After a break-neck-speed detour to a med stop and still another to the Target Pharmacy closest to the airport, we were beginning to think that we might just pull this trip off after all.

While waiting for the prescrips to be filled we keep eyeballing the time and my hubby was relentlessly giving the pharmacist the evil eye every time she picked up the phone or fielded a question from someone else. It reminded me of the scene out of Planes Trains and Automobiles where Steve Martin keeps pointing to his watch and mouthing the words, "I've Got To Catch A Plane".  Apparently intimidation or the squeaky wheel does get the grease though because it worked and twenty minutes later we have the drugs in hand and we were back on schedule.

 

The plane ride was less than stellar.

You just don't realize how rough that silver bird rides until you are racing down the take off runway with what feels like an increasingly ballooning and urgent bladder and visions of imminent release running through your head.

Good times.

Once we were up in the air things seemed a bit easier but then I had another issue looming.I don't think I am alone in this, but I confess I have a borderline neurotic fear of airplane lavatories.

 I have since learned that apparently self portraits taken in airplane bathrooms is kind of big thing. Who knew? 

:)

How much time did that take and how long was the line on the other side of the door?

 

:D

I can't explain it but I will go to utter extremes to avoid these water closets and I have been very successful at this for years...until last week. As a result I have very little experience in this area.  Not only do I think they are disgusting but I hate to appear like I'm not in the know or in control of the situation.  Since I have avoided these facilities all these years and I am so clueless as to how it all works I am also afraid of appearing like a moron. Who would think there was anything to master regarding this subject but apparently there is.

How weird would it be if after the safety schpeel they gave us a toilet tutorial?

Well about an hour and twenty three minutes ( not that I was keeping track) since my last ditch visit before boarding the plane I knew I would have to succumb to my fears and walk the plank towards the rear of the plane.

About the time I made this bravely momentous decision the beverage cart as if on cue could be heard ambling down the aisle and of course came to a heart stopping halt right next to our row and effectively blocked any escape from my seat.

Really? Not wanting to draw ANY attention to myself, I suffered in silence. Of course this is a discount airline and there is a charge for EVERYTHING.  So a money transaction is required for every freaking item on that stupid cart. Add to that the fact that this plane is also on its way to Vegas and everybody other than us appears to already be in a mentally altered party state of mind.  They can barely make change or they are determined to reach that carefree Vegas level of insobriety before landing. You know what I mean, those fellow passengers that can be heard yelling to someone in their bridal party seven rows back and asking for  beer money which somebody has to dig out of their purse and then pass telephone style over the heads of oblivious headphone donning or passed out passengers.

Meanwhile the beverage cart just sits.

Good grief! Don't you all see I need some relief here????

Finally the cart mercifully inches forward and I make a my dreaded trek only to be stopped in my tracks by a glowing OCCUPIED sign.

And we're not talking Wall Street here.

Damn.

Okay, I can handle this. Just because I am standing and gravity is now having an adverse effect on me, I am now willing myself to not embarrass myself or the hubs.

My Norwegian stubborness finally serves a purpose here. That and all those kegles.

Of course, as the door opens one of the largest women ever is with great effort manipulating her way through that teeny tiny doorway and tottering towards me.

Oh God, where do I go?

I dive out of the way and pin myself to the back of the kitchenette and I'm brushing up against the the coffee pot. I let her pass with out making eye contact. In my dire state I think evil thoughts along the lines of "Honey, does this plane make my ass look big"? Pain makes me mean and it's possible I just might roll my eyes as she lumbers by so I look down instead.

When I finally look up I see the lavatory door closing and I realize someone has beat me to the pass.

Oh, I see how it goes. You have to play aggressively here.

I keep my eyes peeled on that door and I stand my ground this time. The door opens this time and I pounce forward but as I finally wrestle my way into this tiny metal rabbit hole I discover that I don't know how to lock the door.

Panic! How hard can this be? What is wrong with me?

I'm an idiot!

How old is this  G. D. plane? All the signage has worn off except a trace of some obscure Spanish direction on what not to do with feminine products.

Crap! How do I lock the door? There is a lone worn sticker on the door that says something about locking during take off and landing but half of it is missing and I am afraid this is some sort of ancillary lock and I'm convinced that a siren will go off it I use it. Then I will be bombarded by flight attendants or maybe even a federal agent knocking me to the ground for committing some federal offense.

I have a vivid imagination and I've been told I have a flair for the dramatic.

Could they put me on a do not fly list?

I like to think I am of at least average intelligence, so why can't I figure out how to lock the damn door???

How about a simple locked/unlocked or Occupied/Not Occupied sign or for those of us that are really stupid maybe some picture clues?

Something like this is perfectly understandable. Not on my plane.

The sense of urgency is overwhelming me now so I decide to just hold on to the handle for dear life to avoid someone turning and opening it at my worst possible moment. My luck it would be a small child and I will be arrested on some sort of flasher/ child molester charge.

I should have stayed home.

So yes, it was a rough start to what we were calling an anniversary getaway, even though our anniversary is still over two months away.

Finally, though, we are wheels down in Vegas. I sprinted off the plane to the nearest ladies room. It had been two hours and seven minutes since my last debacle. I made a game out of how long I could go without a repeat performance.

After checking in to the hotel we went right up to our room and I must say a bed never looked so good to me or felt any better.

A good night sleep can do a body wonders  and that bed and those pillows at The Bellagio were heavenly.

No, you just can't keep a good woman down and by morning I was feeling much better.

Ready, set, shop!

 Shopping in Vegas requires a LOT of walking. If you are going be sure and wear comfy shoes. You can look cute later.

My hubs actually put me in cab right after lunch and directed the driver to the Palazo Shops. Wow. Do you think he wanted to get rid of me?

:D

He did a bit of gambling and I did more than a bit of shopping. That's how we roll and how we have stayed together for so many years. It just works for us.

One of the evenings while we were there we went to a concert of Frank Sinatra music performed by Clint Holmes and Vince Falcone.

We weren't expecting much but it was superb. A forty-piece orchestra and the whole bit. Fabulous.

 

After the event and having a couple martinis under his belt my better half actually "borrowed" this sign from out front.

We both felt pretty bad *ss but I don't think they cared because the next day he asked them to package it up and ship it home for him and they did. It was pretty obvious what we had done and they just laughed with us.

 

I guess we are really more dork than delinquent.

The whole evening was magical and the highlight of the trip for us was dinner at Picasso out on the patio by the fountains.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

Thanks babe for an awesome evening and an incredible life.

So glad I said "I do" all those years back and so happy we didn't let a little set back the other morning keep us from adding this adventure to our reel of memories.

xoxo,

p

 

 

 

 

How a Girl Packs

I usually don't like to write about going on a trip until I get back for what should be obvious reasons. So, you may not know that last month the big guy and I took a couple of days and met some great friends down in Vegas.

We stayed here.

I won't bore you with a bunch of trip photos but I will say that Vegas in December is incredibly festive.

There is just so much eye candy in this town but particularly at Christmas.

I loved this Grinch made entirely of chocolate.

 

 

In Vegas there is so much do do but one of our favorite things is going to the shows. 

We were totally stoked and couldn't wait to see this one

but I would have to say we were horribly underwhelmed.

:(

One of the highlights for me on this trip was an excellent and forever memorable dinner at a Russian restaurant called The Red Square.

Caviar and vodka reigned. I loved it.

 The memory though that will be etched on my mind and in my heart for years was standing with Mr. Rosie  on a chilly December evening, sipping Sambuca outside and watching the Bellagio fountains. 

In a word:magical.

When they performed The Hallelujah Chorus I was totally moved. If that music and the corresponding and choreographed sight doesn't give you a little religion I don't know what would. Seems a bit improbable to have a moment like that in Vegas but I guess it can happen anywhere.

This post, though, is not about the trip but how I pack for a trip.

On a day to day basis I am a great list maker but for trips not so much.

The only list I make is for my electronics.

iPhone, check.

iPad, check.

charger, check.

Technology covered.

As for my cosmetics, by this stage of my life I have my face down to such a routine that it is fairly simple. I set my toiletries out in the order I put them on.  Hair products are bit more complicated because so many of them are liquids which is an issue when flying and styling tools add weight to my suitcase and yes, I am usually that woman that checks in with a bag weighing 49.5 lbs. So these things take a bit of thought. Pairing down hair  products usually means transferring my shampoo, conditioner and styling cream into smaller bottles because I like my own products so much better than the freebies the hotels offer. As for the basics, I buy a sample size of toothpaste, deodorant, and hairspray.

Even with all this effort, to my husband's disappointment, I will never be that super cool and confident woman smartly pulling her carry on bag behind her. You know, that woman that never needs to check her luggage. I kind of hate her because seriously? my liquid toiletries would never fit in one of these.

Since I have to donate a percentage of my prime suitcase real estate to cosmetics I find myself looking at my clothes and mentally calculating how much they weigh. I do the same thing when I go to the doctor. 

:0

I wear the heaviest items on the plane often times looking like some sort of indigent woman with fourteen layers of clothes on.

The only exception would be my boots. They usually end up in my suitcase even though they are heavier because when it comes to what goes on my feet I have to consider how easily my footwear is to slip on and off. I don't want to be that woman that has to sit on the floor struggling to manipulate her midwest calves into a pair of  zip up knee high boots.

Air travel, when did it become such a science?

So after I have pulled together my electronics and cosmetics it is on to the fun stuff...

what to wear.

No long lists for me. When it comes to the clothes I am going to take I have a totally different approach.

 I just figure out how many days and nights we will be gone and then I add one extra outfit for each because a girl has to have options.

I try and stay in one color family - usually black. Not only because I have probably mistakenly convinced myself that I look slimmer in black but also because everything mixes and matches so easily. Color comes with the accessories; a handbag, tights, or a scarf.

Then I lay out each outfit from giddy up to whoa.

That means undergarments, shoes, jewelry and accessories - the whole deal.

I confirm my stellar eye for style and repeat. 

:0

I'm a very visual person. So the upside of this method is I don't forget or overlook anything. For example, I don't end up with all black bras and a white shirt. Plus, I can look at my line up of outfits and tell myself that the boots I am wearing on day 1 will also work for evening 3. Thus, consolidating and keeping that bag weight limit in check.

Another little trick I use is to put my costume jewelry, all twenty pounds of it, in my purse. This allows me to take a few more pairs of shoes or boots. I do get some interesting looks though when they x-ray my purse and I lean dramatically to one side while carrying said purse.

:0

So, when I was packing last month my mom stopped by. I knew how ridiculous my method looked by the expression on her face at seeing by clothes  spread out all over the floor. So I decided this was worthy of a blog post with pictures so you could get a chuckle out of it too.

It's a good thing we weren't going on an extended trip because I was quickly running out of hallway.

:0

Happy travels.

Don't forget tomorrow is Motivated Monday and next week will be laundry and kitchen organization and a decorating update.

xoxo,

 

p

Catching Up

 
A James Update, The Texas Home Show, and a

Wonderfully Wacky Mirror

This has been a harried week.

Thank you again for all of your concern and prayers for our family and our son James.

He is still in Tokyo and other than being a bit hungry he is relatively safe.

 Even so, I now have the Tokyo Embassy on my cell phone

and I read their updates daily.

Never thought that would happen.

While all of this was happening Mike and I were in Dallas.

We loved seeing friends but I'm not sure we were the best of guests.

Our bodies were in Texas but our hearts and minds were in Japan.

Despite everything we did get to see the Home Show in the new Cowboy Stadium.

The jumbo-tron is  truly immense.

It's like they say -

everything really is bigger in Texas.

 

Yes, that is  our boy Ty.

It wasn't a lot different from our home show here.

It was just bigger and in a much cooler place.

I did find a few things to put on my wish list.

 

For example,

I really think I need one of these bad boys to help me bring my Christmas tree up from the storage area and then take it back down again in January.

Yep, that would work.

Then, when we eventually remodel our bathroom

I would love to have one of these ingenious little devices in the cupboard to keep all of my styling tools ready and organized.

I took a picture of the display so I can remember exactly what to ask for whenever that time comes.

I know Mike is hoping I forget. :)

I'm pretty sure I saw an eye roll.

How great would this be though?

Ahhhhhh. Organizational love.

 

We came home on Monday and since then I have been catching up a bit on my painting.

Remember this wonderfully wacky mirror I was painting for a client?

I almost forgot to take the before picture.

I started with green but then I put words on it.

Didn't like them.

Painted it black.

Then red.

Now it looks like this.

 

We are deciding if it really needs knobs.

 

 
 

 

 

I did find some fun ones but they add to the cost.

 

What do you think?

Knobs or no knobs?

Once again,

thank you for all of your prayers and good thoughts.

It meant more than you will ever know.

For now, we are good.

 

xoxo,

P

 Linking up to party here:

 

 

 

 

Favorite Memories of 2010

 The Year in Review and Motivated Monday #14

I'm such a blogging slack but I have a good excuse.

Since it was such an unusual Christmas for us we decided to take unconventional to the limit and head for Vegas!

We were actually here for Christmas day but left on the 27th for the gliz, glam and shopping that is Sin City.

The holidays in Vegas? 

Spectacular!

It really was a terrific way to top off another fun filled year.

2010 was a full one and I had a tough time editing but here are a few of the highlights from my BeColorful filled year.

The year started for us at the GMAC Bowl and meeting Sir Charles.

 

Then in February we learned that the casinos really do mean it when they say, "No minors".  We had gone for the crab legs but Mike and Adam stopped by the slots.

 

We were quickly ushered out and told we were banned for two years.

Seriously.

I know, bad parenting, but hey we always have the most interesting stories to tell at parties.   :D

 

On Easter I spent a very memorable afternoon with my mom. The flowers at the garden show were stunning and made for some great pictures.

 

In May Elizabeth and I hosted a bridal shower for her BFF. So fun.

Then in June we watched her walk down the aisle.

This past summer was the second anniversary since the floods.

I took some pictures for a post on our flood recovery. It was one of those days that the kindness of strangers brought me to tears and will be a memory that will never fade.

My high school reunion was in July. 

I didn't even think I would go. 

You can read about my anxiety here.

So glad I went, though, and I would advise all of you to do the same.

Some things really do get better as we get older.

The morning after? Well that might have been a low point. :D

Thanks for that honey. At least I have make up on..... because I never bothered to wash it off.

This was also the year I had to learn how to make peace with hot flashes.

Gotta love a friend that gives you a flower fan for your birthday. 

There were fun memories of times with friends,

new ventures,

great trips,

 

 

great shows,

 

 

great shopping,

and some amazing holiday moments.

 

Sadly, this son left Christmas morning for Tokyo.

I am reluctantly acknowledging that I am not the center of his life anymore and, if I'm honest, really? what a fabulous adventure.

Can't wait to hear all about it and see more of his pictures.

 

The family was dropping like flies because the very next day this son left to go skiing.

 

and dog sledding in Colorado.

Talk about adventure! I would really like to try that too.

So we figured we would have to make our own fun and  we headed to Vegas with our girl child and her hubs.

The Bellagio is always glamorous but it was spectacularlly decked out for the holidays.

These life size polar bears are covered in carnations. This guy was getting a bit of a touch up.

It truly is eye candy over load in Vegas.

 it It was a very good and colorful year.

Here's to an even better 2011 and yes, somebody needs a few more blue cheese stuffed olives in that martini. :)

Happiest of New Years.

XOXO,

P

A new year requires fresh inspiration. I hope you will share yours here on BeColorful's Motivated Monday.

Look at what Gail made at Can't Stop Making Things shared last week - a New Year's Wreath. How timely!

 

What inspires you? What are you working on? We would all love to see it.

 

 

Inspired By The Wynn Hotel Or I Love You Steve Wynn

 

 Dear Mr. Wynn, 

I am a self confessed Wynn Groupie.

I read that you are single again after forty years. 

Hmmmmm.

R e a l l y.

For a brief moment I contemplated the possibilities

 but the cold hard fact is that I am still very happily married.

Guess it just won't work out for us on that level.

You will have to just be satisfied knowing I am a huge fan of your interior designs.

You see,

I am one of those people you have heard about.

When I watch a movie I am also canvasing the background and taking in the furniture, the paint colors, the flooring etc.

I know I am not alone.

So many of my readers have told me that they do the same thing.

It isn't much different when I go away on vacation -

especially to Sin City.

Of course I enjoy the time away from the mayhem that is my life 

but I also look forward to being constantly inspired by the eye candy that I know I as Vegas.

We have stayed at the Wynn couple of times before.

Thank you, though, for  upgrading us to the Tower Suites this time.

Very nice.

The private entrance and easy access to cabs was really quite sweet.

 

 I would also like to thank you for some of those past comps but was it really necessary to report my hubby's good fortune to the IRS last year?

Didn't realize you were such a buzz kill.

Whenever I am in town I do hope to see you though

 so I can bow down before you and your design team.

I'm really not sucking up...

well not much,

but honestly,

 my two favorite hotels in Vegas are The Wynn and The Bellagio.

They both have the bright colors and casual opulence that I am so crazy about.

 Casual opulence, 

hmmmmmmm,

I just kind of pulled that term out of no where but it describes the feel and look of these hotels for me perfectly.

 
 

During my first visit a number of years ago it was love at first sight.

 When we entered the lobby of the Bellagio and I saw that fabulous red signature carpet I was a smitten kitten.

This isn't your typical bad or boring commercial floor covering.

It's a traditional carpet in bright fresh colors that give it that modern feeling.

Truly INSPIRED!

As much as I love this one though it is the dark chocolate and white floral carpets that made my heart skip a beat this time around.

They have me rethinking the runner in our foyer here at home.

An unconventional twist on the common runner may just be the shake up and unexpected welcome to our guests that this old traditional house needs.

 

 

The carpet below is in the cafe where we like to eat breakfast.

Now this is definitely a colorful way to jump start the day.

While looking down I was mesmerized by these glorious carpets.

Looking up I was awed by spectacular ceilings and chandeliers.

 

These red chandeliers in the Wynn Encore are off the chains!

 

 
 
  

Everywhere I look there is something exciting to make a mental note of ... or in my case to obnoxiously photograph.

From the sunny yellow coffee cups

 

 

 

to the closet doors that I have made a mental note to install if we ever build a house

 

along with the television 

 
 

and the pop art in the bathrooms.

You didn't miss a single detail.

 

It was like being on a visual high,

with all of that color and your use of fabrics.

 

 

 

 

Here is a closer look at the bold trim on these draperies.

 

Sigh, if only I could afford these custom touches.

It makes me happy just looking at it.

Really Mr. Wynn,

you're on a whole other level.

I am inspired by your use of mirrors

 

and your flowers are to die for.

 

 After swooning over all of the decorative eye candy 

I was ready to do a bit of shopping.

 
This little beauty literally took my breath away.

Like Carrie said, " I thought it was an urban myth"

This is my dream handbag 

Maybe someday.

Do you think it will ever be on Bluefly or Salemail?

Doubtful.

Sigh.

Sadly, I had to walk away.

My friend and I hit the mother lode, though, at Donald Pliner in The Forum Shops.

 and yes, those bad girl fringe boots and the animal print booties both came home with me. :)   

Shopping in Vegas is so different than it is at home.

I love humor in everything ... even window displays.

 

Who ever did the design concept for this window is my creative idol.

Finally Vegas just wouldn't be Vegas without the shows

We saw The Beatles Love (for the second time but I'm already dreaming about a third)

 

and Jersey Boys.

 

They are totally different shows but we throughly enjoyed them both.

Well, I've been home for a week and I'm just now getting caught up and finally sharing my Vegas take in a post

but Steve, dear, I will be back in late winter.

I know you'll leave a light on for me. (Wink)

I would really love you if you could mark that handbag down about 75% and I hope you will save us a spot in The Towers again.

You're such a doll.

XOXO,

P

  
 
 

Linking up with Whatever Goes Wednesday 

It's Miller Time { We Had The Time and They Had the View }

This past weekend we went down to the Lake of the Ozarks with some great friends, the Millers, and this is the amazing view off of their ginormous, must- be- seen- to be- believed deck. Now a girl could get used to a view like this. Plus, what a perfect vantage point for the Fourth of July fireworks that are fired off on that little island out in the center.

We've been trying to get down to the lake and the Miller's place for about two years but it is difficult to get four people as busy and as important as we are all together at the same time :) 

What was bittersweet about this weekend was it would be the last weekend for the Millers at this condo that they have owned for eight years. Their family is growing and the condo is not so they sold it earlier this summer and are now looking for a bigger place in this area. Mike and I made it our mission to help them find that picture perfect dream home on the lake. 

After fortifying ourselves with dinner - and a martini of course- at J.B. Hook's on Friday night,

 

 

 

 we set out Saturday morning determined to meet our real-estate objective. I don't know if it was the full moon or the black cat that crossed the driveway at our first stop, but we fell short of achieving our goal. There were some great houses but apparently no "warm fuzzies" for the Millers.

So we decided to regroup. The guys went to play golf...

 

and the girls went shopping. I'd have to say the shopping went better than the house hunting.

 

I even came across this little beauty at the Coach Outlet. Instyle is saying it is all about the colorful handbags so not one to be shy I decided to go big or go home and went all out with purple!

 

We topped off the day with dinner at Docknockers. This place could be a post all on its own.

 Usually we would have gone there by boat but it was unusually cool so we opted to drive over. I loved it here. From the nautical dive bar decor to the humorously designated facilities this place was a study in eye candy.

 

 

 

 

Haha! You've gotta love it but the real reason to come here is for their amazing crab legs. They are served in a bucket with a wooden mallet to break open the shells. I guess I got a little over zealous with the mallet  (sorry Annie) but hey I was a newbie and maybe it is an acquired skill :)  

 

The crab meat was flying but it was also delicious - as were the steamers.

 

 

Good friends, good food, good Miller Times

Thank you Dean and Annie. Can't wait to do it all again.

 

 

 

Road Trip

    

Two years ago my hubby saw a downturn coming in  the economy and more specifically in the auto business. He decided he wanted to diversify and started talking about a towing and recovery company. He knew nothing about this line of work other than his fascination with the cable show Wrecked. I didn't think he was really serious but I should have known better. He was looking for something that was a bit more recession proof to supplement his current business and he has always, as he says, "loved big trucks". A year and a half ago he bought his first tow truck and a building to keep it in. I would have preferred a diamond. It was fun, though, to see him excited about this new venture. He has always been a risk taker but he is also a pretty smart guy so I encouraged him to take that leap of faith. Six months later he bought a second truck and hired his first employee. Wow. The employee thing made it a bit scarier because now this wasn't just about us. Two years after the dream began he is up to four trucks and three employees. There is even a Hook'er Towing  website  ( be sure to watch the intro. I love the flash on this) thanks to our tech savvy son-in-law and Page Smith Designs (I love his intro too. Check him out in the top left corner of his site. Funny).

Lately all I have been hearing about is a red Feather-Lite car hauler/trailer that he has been bidding on via eBay. This same trailer has been up for auction three times and each time it goes unsold because the minimum wasn't met.  I know now that once my guy sets his sites on something like this he will probably end up with it - or at least one like it. For him the thrill is first in the hunt and then how cheaply he can purchase it. He sometimes tends to overlook the logistics such as where the item is or how to get it home. This latest acquisition was no exception. The trailer he found ... and by the way, do you know how hard it is to find a RED Feather-Lite??? Do you care? I have been told repeatedly that it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Anyway, the trailer he found was in North Andover, Massachusetts - a mere 1268 miles from home - EACH WAY. Being the fabulously devoted wife that I am, I didn't  want him to make this trip alone. So I actually volunteered to ride along. Such a sap. I'm thinking there must be a diamond in this for me some day. 

I was kind of dreading this trip and I can't lie and say it was awesome but the reality was much better than I anticipated. We did have fun rocking to the tunes, listening to the game on Sirius, and just sharing an adventure together. Instead of cosmetics and blow dryers I packed my ipod, iphone loaded with an audio book since I can't read in the car, a set of bad boy headphones and my laptop for when we stopped. Add in Mike's ipod, Blackberry, the invaluable Garmin GPS and his laptop and we were loaded for bear. We had more chargers than we did clothes. You can tell which item is mine. Even though I didn't wear much makeup I still moisturized :)

When I got bored I took pictures of myself or whatever was around me. 

 

The upside was I had only flown and had never driven this part of the country. It is truly beautiful. We drove through Pennsylvania on 9/11 and I really wish we hadn't been squeezed for time because I really would have liked to have stopped in Shanksville, PA for the memorial services there. 

Our reward when we got to Massachusetts was an incredible dinner of lobster, steamers, and shrimp and the discovery that  after two days in the car we still had stuff to talk about.

and of course a cosmo.

And yes we did get what we came for. TA DA.... here is the newest addition to the Hook'er Towing family.

I'd still rather have that diamond !:)

Kicking Back Texas Style

ya down in texas we got our own style
we say "we're fixin' to" in country mile
10 cowboys hats and cowboy boots
we say "howdy yall" well ah, howdy doo
we're laid back crazy 'cause it's understood
when you live down in Texas life is good

~Allman Brothers

After flying down to Texas last week for a business meeting we were able to extend our trip and spend a little extra time with some special friends. Good food, amazing margaritas, Stars hockey,What-a_Burgers, laughing and the heart to hearts with good friends made for a great getaway. Just chillin' Texas style where life is certainly good. 

You Want to Make a Memory: Galena Illinois

Hello again, it's you and me
Kinda always like it used to be
Sippin wine, killin time
Tryin to solve life's mysteries

How's your life? It's been awhile
God it's good to see you smile
I see you reachin for your keys
Lookin for a reason not to leave

Bon Jovi

 

 

It was six years ago this past weekend that we bought our home in Galena. This was our refuge after dropping off our first baby at Luther College. We cried all of the way from Decorah to Galena. It seems overly dramatic now, but I will never forget my first bath there in the jetted tub with candles and a glass of wine thinking my heart might break. I didn't know then how quickly I would adjust and how special a relationship can be with an adult daughter. The lump in my throat that weekend  was somehow eased by the relaxed pace and change of scenery. It was just this past September we watched that same little girl walk down the aisle at the Point Patio at the Galena Eagle Ridge Resort . It seems  the memories  in this very special corner of the world just keep coming. 

Mom? Dad? Mr Ho and Mrs. Ho. Meeting the Parents....Priceless

This past Friday we went to Des Moines to see James and Han off for their trip to Viet Nam. While we were there we met Han's family. I think we had all been a bit apprehensive because of the language barrier but they were so gracious and brought over a huge array of food. Food is, of course, a great ice breaker but when all else fails you can always bust out a camera because

"EVERYONE SMILES IN THE SAME LANGUAGE"

mỉm cười

 

       At the airport. I loved the pink polka dotted

     bows that Han tied onto her suitcase. I love

    the girly girl in her.