Life in the Middle Age Lane

Because pictures speak louder than words, our Christmas Eve family gathering.  The older cousins together once more...  My beautiful family......  My three stooges..... love this picture!  John and my baby brother (compadres)  The women in my life who inspire  The next generation.... lilibell  John and Wolfie... My brother's beautiful family. God Bless everyone and May you have  a wonderful New Year!!

My wonderful neighbor Amythyst through together a birthday dinner for me at Brio's in the Woodlands on Sunday.  As everyone knows December is the most hectic, surreal, stressful month of the year.  And aside from all that and health issues of her sweet husband she still managed to do this great evening for me. Words cannot express how endeared I felt and how much it meant to me to have such amazing friends and neighbors. Thank you again everyone for a fun night full of laughs, gifts, and friendship!! On Tuesday: My friend Paige's husband could not attend since he was having to work at the hospital, so in the true spirit of our neighborhood, we naturally had to do another dinner.  Makes perfect sense?  So Sam, Melissa, John and I joined Paige and Jimmy at America's in the Woodlands.  Before you feel all jealous of the multi-celebrations you should also know that aside from the lovely Birthday gifts I also received at least 5 pounds of body...

I turned 46 a few days ago.  A number that isn't significant by any standards, monumental by any means, nor impressive in the least of impressions. However, that did not stop 4 days of non stop celebrations.  It started  with a very romantic dinner and stay at The Inn at Dos Brisas . Friday night we dined in house at the Forbe's 5 star rated restaurant.  The only one in Texas.  There are only 20 restaurants in the nation with this rating.  Some of criteria for the rating, we were told was, size of the ice cubes, every room must have a live plant, etc.  There definitely an attention to detail involved.  Our table was fireside and that was our view as we dined on a five course meal.  Everything was exceptional.  The only thing I did not enjoy was the venison medallions.  They were brined and tasted too salty for me.  Scallop Ceviche (First Course)  Venison Medallions My birthday...

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico was beautiful!!  Paige was an amazing travel companion and such a great friend during our 5 day get away. Our first day at the  Gran Melia` Puerto Rico  was a day of decompressing after a 4.5 hour flight.  We chose to both get aisle seats (being that I have to use the restroom every time I take a sip of water or other type of beverages that require a drink coupon).  The logic behind that was that we could still converse with each other and not worry about me giving Paige a lap dance every time I went to the head. What we didn't count on was the two young guys who sat next to me and were very talkative which took my time chatting with Paige away.  Who by the way sat next to Moses and his wife and kept to themselves. Christian and Jake were very nice and promised to call us if to go clubbing one night in town.  Even though I assured them that was not going to happen.  I did get a couple of text from Christian a...

What a heck of a week!  I know I shouldn't complain but everyone has those kind of days that you feel you are being tested by a higher power.  Many times I fail that test.  One thing I have learned about me is that my first reaction to something that I cannot control or fix is the worst one....anger.  I get angry, then I deflect blame and then I calm down.  After over 45 years of this horrible cycle, and perhaps maybe 5 years of awareness, it's time to just stop.   I know that many of you think I live a close to perfect life. For the most part, I am very blessed with family, friends, and prosperity. Which leads me to Facebook.  FB is full of happy go lucky people and to some viewing the postings is difficult.  For those thinking life is always roses and no thorns, I have news for you.....EVERYONE has rough days.  Days we feel beat up, days we feel sad, days we doubt our faith.  Facebook is not a medium to post life's tribulatio...

Having a wonderful time getting to know Paige on a different level. Needless to say it goes both ways and she has seen me this weekend as a girlfriend and not a mom,wife, or neighbor. So much fun with some crazy stories being born . Some that will never be mentioned or blogged about!

In a few weeks, John and I will spend a much needed weekend at The Inn at  Dos Brisas .  Ladies,  you too can wrangle your guy to take you here, just mention the activities such as, skeet shooting, horseback riding, cycling, or just running around in the golf cart. The farm to table restaurant is another selling point.  I will let you know how it went when I return. It was featured in November's Texas Monthly . Meanwhile, I'm off with a girlfriend to Puerto Rico for some girl time and to follow my doctors instructions of soaking in some sun to help with my Vitamin D deficiency.  :) Thanks Paige for making all the arrangements, I am looking forward to some quiet time and pillow fights in our pajamas.  (Did i forget to mention that is John's only request in order for me to go?)  Like I tell him every year, in your dreams!!!