I'm Baaaack!

Whew what a Busy Busy Weekend...and I was blog slacking big time...I took a peek at my blog reading list and it looks like I have a lot of catching up to do....In the mean time a short synopsis of our weekend...

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Last week Michael was home sick Thursday from school...Well what ever he had I came down with it Friday evening...UGH!! I don't think it was allergies but who knows!! I was a bit worried as we had a wedding to attend Saturday afternoon...Ekkk...But it seems as though it was a 24 hr bug/attack as by Saturday afternoon I was feeling a LOT better...YEA!!

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Our Nephew John was married Saturday...Him and his bride (Valerie) had a beautiful wedding and I took over 600+ photos...I narrowed those down to 195, lol...They are now posted on my flickr site if you'd like a look see...Some were good and some were not so good!! I had fun experimenting and I've decided weddings are not something I want to do professionally...NOPE not ME!!

They did have a professional wedding photographer there so I was more or less just taking photos for us and other family members...you know how we seldom get to see the pro's wedding photos...

I thought her bouquet was gorgeous!

The bride and groom




Ahhh Smooch........



I had 4 Coors Lights, yes you heard me right...just 4 and woke up Sunday morning feeling like crap...We did nothing Sunday...Not a thing...in fact I spent most of the day in bed...catching up on missed sleep and trying to get rid of a headache from Heck!! I don't think Coors Light agrees with me....

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Monday we headed over to Dad's ranch...I so wanted to go for a walk but ended up having to go with Michael while he drove the Kabota around...sigh!! (the guys were trying to work and I think wanted Michael out of their hair) My son has a difficult time following a path, lol...he starts to talk looks at me and then UH OH we're off the trail...Ekkk...Gotta love Mesquite trees and their spines...OUCH!! After a little discussion he finally got the idea that he is supposed to keep his eyes on the trail while he is driving, lol...
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I saw this Copper Lilly...there were actually several of them! Michael stopped so I could take a few photos...They come after a summer/fall rain. I was reading my wildflower book and it says they are not native to Texas but were brought here by the Spanish Missionaries in the late 1790's from S. America...cool!!

Criste had this one growing in her garden...loved the deep purple!
We headed back home and I asked Fred to drive to the property...I wanted to see what the creek looked like...Ugh Not good...It's not flowing but the pools had water in them and the fish were still alive...I took a few photos!

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Michael and I were looking at the photos on the computer...I took the one below as normally these rocks are under water...as we studied the photo I said "Oh MY!"...Do you see something in this photo Michael? He spotted it right off...He's got a "Good eye!"

This is your "Where's Waldo" photo...Can you see what we saw? You'll have to click on it to bring it up larger...

(If you look at the bottom of the photo to the left of the little tree, you'll see it)

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Then I spotted this SoftShell turtle...It was pretty good sized too...probably a good 16 inches in diameter...The water is only a couple feet deep but I saw a lot of large fish swimming around...Just hope we get some rain soon I'd hate to lose the fish...

After we got home my Mother called and I was talking to her when I noticed one of the landlords cows had a newborn calf...he/she was ohh so tiny...I had to let my Mother go (sorry, Mom) to try for some photos....After grabbing my camera and tearing out the door I started to run out into the brush for a photo and stepped on a Mesquite branch and had a thorn go through my shoe...OWwwww, that smarts!! I managed this one photo before they were gone, sigh!! Hopefully she'll bring him back up to the house again soon...

I think it's time for a new pair of barn shoes...lol

Earlier in the day I captured these photo's...If you click on it you can see the fly fairly well...As I was leaning over my camera on the tripod intently focusing in on the bug and bloom... Fred came out of the house...I think I heard him mumble something about me being weird....I love you too Babe! LOL...

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Then I got really excited as I spotted a new baby Anole Lizard...He was so darn tiny and cute...The stick he is sitting on is about the size of my pinky finger so you get an idea of just how tiny he was...I love these lizards, I think they're gorgeous!

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Then we have sweet Old Burt (the rooster)...I had to put this photo up as Karin in Colorado keeps teasing me about Jake and Burt....Jake is afraid of Burt...Jake has been attacked by Burt...Jake is a wussy butt!!

Burt is not a wussy butt...Burt is mean!! Burt doesn't like the underside of my boots either, lol...He stays far away from me!! Poor Burt!!
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Today (Tuesday) we've been having rain showers off and on all day...When I walked out of the house to pick Michael up this afternoon this is what I saw...AWESOME!!

Not it's not a tornado but a Huge Cloud...and not I don't remember what they call it...but it's BIG and it's sweet looking...

Then after picking Michael up we headed to Victoria and saw this on the way...The storms and the rain were moving in....I patched this photo together out of three so forgive the choppyness..

On our way home this is what we saw...Beautiful...

I was quiet shocked when we got home...I know when I left a storm was rolling in but I didn't think we'd get that much rain...Our rain gauge read 3.5 inches of rain...Wow...in 2 hrs we had a deluge...our dry creek bed in the driveway was running, it was cool!! We haven't had this much rain in over a year...Michael was yelling puddles!! Mom Puddles!! Can I play in them!! LOL...He was just as excited as I was...sweet beautiful rain...

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EggStra-Special....

We got our first EGG today....YeeHAW!!

I knew the hens would start laying soon and everyday I've been checking the laying boxes...I have never used plastic crates for laying boxes and I was afraid the hens wouldn't use them but one of them did...YEA!!

It was a wee tiny little egg but they'll get a bit larger as she lays more...

Michael was tickled...

He asked if we could hatch it out and I told him no we were going to eat it...he gave me a look of horror and said isn't there a baby chick in there...LOL...I told him it was just an egg right now...I got a funny look and I know when we crack it open in the morning he is going to be right there studying it intently...

It was an exciting moment for us...

And then I wanted to show a few of my friends that yes I am in tune to the time of year and have hung a scarecrow on our front door, LOL...It's about the only decoration I'll put up for Halloween and Thanksgiving, lol...but hey at least I did something :o)

Gotta love Hobby Lobby and their 50% off sales!!

Birds and Blooms for today...

This morning while Michael was resting (watching cartoons) I needed some peace and quiet...as you all know I'm not to fond of blaring tv's...ugh!!

I took the camera outside to get some photos of the flowers that are blooming for my Mother and I couldn't help but notice all the birds coming in for breakfast...

The tufted tit mouses are here almost every morning...

I even managed to get a photo of our elusive Carolina Chickadee...They were having fun on the Crepe Myrtle and I was laughing as they were hanging upside down and doing all types of acrobats...silly birds!

Now on to the flowers...above is one of the types of Lantana I have and it's in full bloooom! Looks beautiful!

I had some morning glories come up from seed and I'm just stunned at how rich their blues are...

The Lantana again just so you can see how well they are doing right now...

The Plumbago is once again taking over...

Another type of Lantana...This is one Mom and I planted this past spring by the front porch and it really took off...It's growing up and over the sidewalk but I like it...Fred said Mom and I really need to stop planting monsters, lol.

Lantana with Plumbago in the background....

Mexican firebush...

Same photo but this time I focused on the Wild Texas Mum in the foreground....The hummingbirds are loving the Mexican firebush...

Speaking of Hummingbirds there were a bunch of them this morning...

Looks like it is almost time to get the third hummingbird feeder out...I've got a few territorial males that won't let the others eat and I hate that...I try to spread 3 feeders out over the yard so everyone gets some!

That was basically my morning in photos...I enjoyed myself!!

He's Entertaining...

Even when he's sick!!!

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Michael stayed home from school...Coughing, sneezing, running nose, headache...More than likely allergies but just to be on the safe side I kept him home to recooperate. He's doing better this afternoon, thank goodness.

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Late this morning I had to go to town to run a few errands. I was able to leave Michael in the truck with the radio playing for most of them...

At one point I jumped in the truck and Michael said "Mom your phone is ringing"..."No Michael its not ringing"...I couldn't figure out why he thought my phone was ringing...Then about 30 seconds later I started laughing...The radio was playing the song I have for a ring-tone...Margaritaville...We both had a good laugh over that...

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Later as we were driving down the road to the bank Michael started crying his nose hurt...I knew it was from the 1,000's (seriously I think that is how many he used) of kleenex rubbing against it this morning and it was raw...I threw him my chapstick and told him to rub it on his nose like lipstick...I know Ewww but it works! (and no I won't reuse that on my lips, lol)...Well Michael did it and then complained it still hurt...So I told him well put a bit more on it...When we got to the bank I turned around and looked at him and BURST out laughing...OMG...He had used half the stick of chapstick on his nose and you talk about funny looking...Sheesh...and no I didn't have the camera, sigh...But just imagine someone with about 1/2 an inch of chapstick all over and up their nose...Egads!! Yes I told him to use it and he did...just wish I had had a camera...he was too funny!!

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Well we got that cleaned up and as I was headed out of town when I ran over a curb with the back tires of the truck, happens when you don't swing your rear wide enough...Well Michael he yells out "CURB CHECK"!!!! Yikes...Wonder who he learned that from...He had us both laughing this morning and if I remember correctly "Laughter is the best Medicine"...So it must have helped as he seems to be a bit better...

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It also seems our satillite and our home phone both went out while we were gone...(Did we have a sun spot? or something today?)...I've got the satillite back up and working. We are just waiting on the phone...So if you try to call we are here but I can't hear the phone ring, lol...Try the mobile phone!

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Now off for a nap and then we'll do some schoolwork his teacher emailed me!!

Oh and early this morning I was outside and (I think) I got some great photos of birds and blooms...I should be able to post those later in the day...so stay tuned for a little S. Texas nature!

Changing Tactics...

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I was really not looking forward to this morning. I am so tired of having to nag and argue with Michael to get him moving in the mornings and ready for school. So I thought okay I'm changing tactics!!

At 6:15am I went in to wake him up...Sometime during the night he had climbed into our bed, ugh!! Laying next to him and running my fingers down his side tickling him I said "Seems to me that someone is in the wrong bed this morning?" Michael's response "Seems to me someone is messing with the wrong MAN this morning!" Oh goodness I about busted a gut...Not sure where that came from but he had me laughing, sheesh!

He curled up under the blankets and I went back out to the living room and turned the stereo on and put ZZ top on and started dancing with Jake...That got Michael's attention!

Before I knew it he was up and dancing with us...We danced the morning away listening to a few of our favorite ZZ top songs and then we put Jim Gill in..."Silly Dance Song"...We had a great morning...Michael ate his breakfast, got dressed and was ready for school with no arguing, no nagging from me...It was AWESOME!!

I am so glad I found his niche and we might just have found his morning motivation!! YEA!!

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Owen Oil Tools Fishing Tournament Dinner

Owen Oil Tools puts on a great tournament and after the fishing comes the weigh-in and dinner...

This year at the weigh-in someone brought this monster in....

It's a HUGE stingray and the kids just loved it and a few of the adults too, lol.

It won for largest "Other" fish...last year a shark won.

The kids were fascinated and they all had to touch it.

Then comes the friends...I just love messing with them...Angie below hates having her photo taken...But I've learned a little trick with her...You just stand there with camera in hand and before you know it she's forgotten that I have the camera...

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And Snap-Snap you have caught her....I also love the reflection I caught in her sunglasses of Owen's building and all the people...

Don't be hateful Angie as I love the photo!! Thanks :o)
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I also captured Angie's significant other...Johnny!! He's easy as he just ignores me all together!!

He's too busy telling stories :o)

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Then we have Gene and Yvonne...

Yvonnes not a happy person when I have my camera either...especially when she's been up since 4 am fishing...Gene could care less he ignores me too, lol...

We really had a goodtime Saturday fishing, visiting, eating good food and if we are lucky winning doorprizes...we weren't lucky this year but there is always next year!!

Thank you Owen Oil Tools for a GREAT day!

Owen Oil Tools Annual Fishing Tournament

We've done this tournament for the past 3 yrs and just love it. We love the fact that Owen Oil Tools makes it a family event...This year we weren't sure if we were going fishing though...Fred had a rough week at work and Michael and I were both pretty well exhausted from Michael's first week of school. We woke up at 7-7:30ish and took a look outside...it was overcast and Fred and I both decided "Come on lets go fishing!"...YEA!! So we hussled everything up and headed out...a real late start compared to 4am in years past...We wanted to find some place close and I grabbed the Marine maps and pointed Fred towards Port O'conner...Then I found a kayak boat ramp near Seadrift and we drove around for a bit but finally found it...It was sweet...Nice and clean, a little channel right there and we were the only ones there!!!

Michael just thinks he is the worlds greatest fisherman, lol...Of course he has been fishing with me since he was 6 months old...

But he has one problem if he isn't catching he isn't happy, UH OH!

A hardhead...saltwater catfish and not much good for anything...Fred was catching a lot of them and getting disgusted...He was griping up a storm and said the only thing in this channel is hardheads...sigh!!

Then he yelled he had a really HUGE hardhead on his line...I grabbed the camera just in case...and Lo and Behold it was NOT a hardhead but a Redfish...Fred had a big grin on his face. I had to set the camera down to grab the fish and he said maybe this channel isn't so bad, ha ha ha....

We didn't measure or weigh it...but we figured about 22 inches...

Fred was so proud he even posed for me and the camera, YES!! And I got a wee little smile out of him too...We put the fish back. Yes it was a keeper but we didn't think one fish would win the tournament and actually we were just having fun fishing and spending time together.
Michael started crying and after a few minutes I finally got him to tell me what was wrong...he was pissed because Daddy had caught such a big fish...Oh Boy!!

So I took Michael's rod and reel and I did my best...This is what I caught for my boy! A little Redfish with 6 spots...YeeHaw!! I let Michael reel him in and he was one little happy camper...

It was not a keeper so we let Michael put it back in the water...He was happy and ready to go home, lol...Michael seems to be a one fish fisherman...Ekk...I managed to coerce him into letting us fish a bit longer and I took up Michael's rod and reel trying to catch him another one...I didn't have any luck...

I had taken my rod and reel but knew if Fred was going to be able to fish I was going to have to help Michael...So I spent the whole time helping Michael and trying to get some decent photos...

I spotted this Osprey sitting on a pole out near the edge of the bay...This was the only decent photo I got of him...sigh!! I wasn't having much luck with the rod and reel nor the camera...There is always another day. We had fun. Found a new place to fish and try out the Kayaks...Next year and hopefully sooner just for fun we plan on trying out the Kayaks in the area...Fred caught a decent Redfish so he was happy...Michael caught his first Redfish so he was happy...and I got some great photos of my boys so I was happy....