The Beach...in February?

Last weekend, Paul, Izzie and I headed to the beach. We were a little hesitant with the weather that was being forecasted, but as we watched during the week, it kept changing...and it seemed like no one really knew that was going to happen. As it turned out, the ride out to the coast was dry, though the sky looked really scary at times. ( I took this picture from the car)

After a few stops for drinks and lottery tickets, we arrived in downtown Corpus Christi.

Izzie decided to see where she'd be sleeping...so did Paul.

We went for a walk and then decided that maybe we should go ahead and go to the beach..the weather seemed to be going East.

As you can see, the sky got dark and most everyone had left the beach by then. We still stayed for a little while, though we did sit in the car for most of the time. Izzie got her first experience with the beach...

After getting back to the hotel and putting Izzie to bed, we went and had a really fantastic dinner. There's nothing like really good fresh fish. During dinner, I realized we were sitting next to this guy...

http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/trading-spaces/meet-the-team/frank-bielec.html

It was kinda funny, because I don't ever recognize anyone!

Anyway...Sunday, we went back to the beach to much, much nicer weather!

Here's something I found kinda strange... I thought dogs were supposed to like water. Izzie...yeah, well she was really afraid of it. The water would come up to her and she would just do what ever she could to get away.

So we had a good time. Sorry to those who were freezing in Illinois...makes us kinda think about staying here..that we can go to the beach in February...now thats nice.

Day at the Rodeo

Saturday was Paul's birthday...it was also the day that we went to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

The day was absolutly beautiful. It was sunny and 80, definately "do something outside" weather! We left after breakfast, and Paul insisted we take his truck. What's funny about this is he almost never drives his truck when we go anywhere...gives me the "my truck uses too much gas" excuse. I really didn't think much of it until we go there and I noticed this...

Trucks...

More trucks

I guess it isn't cool to drive your Honda to the rodeo!

I've never been to a rodeo, so it was quite an experience. I especially liked the Steer Wresteling and the Mutton Races..where they had 4 year old kids hanging onto the backs of a sheep..wearing helmets...it was funny. I took a few pictures in the rodeo..but we weren't close so they aren't that good. I'll add them to a flickr badge on the left if you want to take a look.

I also got to pet the cow...

and saw the big cow...

and saw the Spam-mobile. Probably no cow in there..not sure WHAT's in there...yuck!

It was 80..so you know that the Texans need sweatshirts and long sleeves...heehee..I think that's so funny.

Of all the things we saw during the day..this one tickled me the most...the signs for the ladies room.

Dog Blog

I feel like Izzie is the only (person) I ever take pictures of. Thats probably because I consider her a person. Also, she doesn't complain that I take her picture..and he hardly ever runs away.

Paul has been saying (complaining) that our dog looks like she really needed a haircut. He's said it a few times, so in honor of his birthday tomorrow, Izzie went to the groomer today.

Before

To the side

After

the other side

Izzie is waiting for the day she has a baby brother or sister so she doesn't have to sit for so many pictures.

learning to appreciate

There is one thing I can appreciate about Texas in February

This is from my tomato plants I planted last year. I kept them covered up when it was a little chilly out and here we are..a red tomato in February. I have 2 green one's too.

The other thing I can appreciate is that today, after 9 hours of hard work, I was able to get a change of scenery.

It was really nice out and I just couldn't resist. I called my mom when I was out there working and she said it was super foggy in Chicago..and they'd had more snow..and were expecting more! Made me appreciate sitting outside...with my dog...smelling the fried chicken from the place on the corner.

Yakedy-yak

I've been talking to myself a lot lately..sometimes out loud and sometimes just in my head. Sometimes I am having conversations with the dog...who is giving me this look.

I think this is the "do you mind? I sleep during the day and, quite frankly, I am not interested" face. (You should have seen the one I got when I was dancing yesterday!) I think the problem is that I got used to having people around...and now I am back to being alone for about 10 hours a day...and its proving to be a tough adjustment. I can't even say that it's the winter blues because there is no winter here! Oh well, I suppose I just have to get on with it right?

Is anyone but me excited that Lost is starting again this week??? We've only really ever watched on DVD...and then a bunch of episodes in a row..so I'm not sure how this is going to go with the new, albeit short, season. We're still trying to finish Season 3 - we're about half way though, but should be done by the end of the weekend. (If anyone wants to borrow it, let me know...we also have Seasons 1 and 2). There are so few shows that pull me in on TV anymore, so I am glad this is finally back.

In Knitting news...

I've been working on Sarah's sweater...

I still have one sleeve to finish...that I am about 80% done with...

..and then I have to do another small piece for the front and the edging for the neck...then some assembly. Hopefully it'll be done by your birthday, Sarah...if not, I'll send you the pieces... :)

no parking

Since my camera died, I haven't really taken that many pictures. I did take some the other day, but I realized I didn't have a way to load them onto the computer I am currently using. They'll have to wait until I get home. I think that blogging with no pictures = no fun...

I did, however, get a cd of pictures from my aunt that were taken in Vegas. This was one of my favorites...

Then I flipped to this one....

Some of us had way too much fun that night...

its getting warmer

Its gotten a whole 10 degrees warmer since I left for work today.

sad day

I am sad to report, that my camera has passed away. I don't know if it is due to all the recent use, but it has decided it can no longer carry on. I can't say how long I've had my trusy friend, the Sony Cybershot with the really small display screen...but we've had a good run. We've been on many vacations, day trips, and parties. I'm sad to see it come to and end.

For now, I'll have to use Paul's camera - which seem fuzzy.

In other news... I finished my Chicago in January scarf...

...however, if my flight keeps getting cancelled and now delayed..I may never get to use it!

a night out

I decided yesterday that we needed to do something fun...so Paul and I went to Dave and Busters. They have decent food and a few games I'll play, so why not. I grabbed my camera to take with me because I've been kind of on a roll here, and a few people have made comments, so I've been trying to keep it up to date. So..we were having dinner and I went to take Paul's picture and...oops...I left the memory stick in my computer. Shit! And its not like I have one of the newer cameras (In the last 5 - 7 years) that has a little internal memory..nope..not me. I was left to the camera phone...sorry...these are going to be grainy!

Paul doesn't like to have his picture taken..so he's hiding behind his drink menu..and that enormous beer!!! It really wasn't that big..but it looks kinda large here...hee hee...

I, on the other hand, am kinda getting used to having my picture taken and always appreciate a cheesy picture.

After D & B's, we decided to hit a local crap hole bar (that we can walk home from if need be - only crossing 1 street). Behind the bar, they have a large fish tank...I took a real liking to his one orange fish that you can't see in this picture - well you can, but not well. You can really only tell that there is an orange fish...that's about it.

Being the ham that I can be after a few drinks, I thought the fish was making this face:

It was a very serious fish..hardly any humor at all.

We had a few more drinks, the band started playing, it started to get crowded, so we decided to go home. We're getting old.

someone find a thermometer

..because I must be sick or something...I've finished another project. (Please excuse the no make up and the bad hair - I work at home, remember??)



I just have a few tails to sew in - 3, I think, and thats about it! Wow...next is the sweater I've been working on for Sarah! I can smell a new project coming on!!!

wedding picture

wedding, originally uploaded by julie_lanclos.

Here's one of the pictures from the weding...I'm trying to judge how well it scanned.

I'll put up a few others once I finish the sorting.

is it true..could it possibly be??

I finished a project!!!!

Can you believe it?? All I have to do is wash it and let it dry...so thats really nothing.

In honor of finishing this..yes..I do have a disease...I started kniting a scarf. Its a really nice grey and purple twisted alpaca that I had laying around in my yarn stash. I even put a little ruffle on the end :)

In my defense..I am going to need a scarf next week and I don't have any here with me..and I forgot to ask Cathy to send me one with my coat. Thats fair, right?

The Guest Room is available

There are some ding! fares on Southwest today...so if you're thinking about escaping to somewhere warm in February, please consider visiting us.

Wow...look at those low fares :) Of course, you have to book by 7pm today...so make that impulse decision... You could spend 2 nights..or however many you want really, sleeping right here.

The Rodeo is even in town in February... http://www.sarodeo.com

Its a two for one special day

Wow..twice...I must be sick. Here's the funny thing though - I won't have anything to say after this so I'll go MIA for a month again after today, unless you want to see more dog pictures.

Here's a picture of Paul at the grill tonight...choking..um..er..checking the chicken :)

(He thought of that all on his own.)

And Izzie had some Frosty Paws tonight for dessert..

Paul had a cupcake...I told you..they make people happy! You know, they might just be the answer to world peace. Somone call Al Gore!

the very top of the random ladder - with pictures

There really isn't anything exciting going on...but I thought I'd post anyway. I am sure that I can come up with something.


Let's see...I am almost finished with a baby sweater I've been working on forever. I just have to finish the seams and I am done! I don't know what it is with me. Is there a phobia about finishnig projects? It seems that once I hit the, oh, 60% completion point, I hit a wall. Then, all I want to do is start another project! Crazy, isn't it. I must have at least 4 projects I haven't finished..one being a sweater that just needs the hem finished! Anyway, here's a picture of the sweater.


There's something I really like about working at home...I mean, there's a lot of things - one being that I don't have to shower (thanks Sarah), but another is that I can do things during lunch that others really can't. For instance...


..today, I made cupcakes! Is there anyone who isn't happy when they eat a cupcake? I just don't think it's possible...Im just saying... They really made my day. Then Nicole came by and we had tea and a cupcake...ok..2 cupcakes...who can have just one???

Oh..and we got a new patio table. It's been raining so there's some water on it and we took the cushions off the chairs so they wouldn't get wet...but at least now we can sit outside when it's nice. I am hoping that in a month or so I can sit out and work...hey..another good thing about working from home!

And yes..there are some tomatoes on the table that I am still waiting to ripen!

The randomness is continuing..because when I was loading these pictures, I noticed I had some others..
Here's Paul and I on New Years..guess what year it is??? Those glasses don't do anything for either of us! But this is a way better picture of Paul, with Cathy. He was the bartender du jour at the Klubers New Years party.

And then of course, there are always the token pictures of the dog...
She loved the snow, by the way, and is counting down the days till she gets to play in it again.

Weather disturbia

I am coming to Chicago next week for work and I am greatly disturbed by this...


While I understand that the forecasted temp's are not so bad for winter, I've clearly lost my ability to deal with anything below 65. I mean, to me, 60 degrees requires a long sleeve shirt AND a sweatshirt..and I'm still cold. How did this happen so fast?

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from the Hoovers - more pictures to come.