Life in the Middle Age Lane

A new look...... As much as I love my family and they loved my long hair, I just could not take it any longer (pun intended).  So I went short and dark.  Which made my eyes look lighter, no I did not doctor the color.  I love the length and the feel.  I am very happy I took the plunge and cut it.  Excuse the selfies, if I didn't take pictures of me, there would be no record of my existence.    My mom turns 70.... My mother has always enjoyed playing bingo and going to the casinos.  I don't understand the lure of sitting at a machine and feeding it money but for some (actually a lot of seniors) this is a big thrill.  My mother's only wish is for her to be with her kids on her birthday, so I arranged for my brother and I to take her to L'auberge in Lake Charles.   Gorgeous hotel, loved the lazy river. Unfortunately,  my older brother doesn't have a good relationship with my mom so it was just us two, but it real...

John has been traveling a lot lately and Shelby has also been away so what am i to do????  Well, everything that I have wanted to do and more! I always wanted to have some great wreaths for the front door.  The entrance to my home has an adorable courtyard with a fountain/firepit and wreaths along with plants that won't die on me would really make this area pop. So back in November I purchased two burlap wreaths and decorated them for Thanksgiving.  This is what they originally looked like. Since our summers last a lot longer than our falls.  It bothered me that these beautiful burlap wreaths were just wasting away in my closet top shelf as my front doors sat bare. So I grabbed my Hobby Lobby Coupon and headed over to buy my deco mesh ribbons, flowers, and summer accents. This is what I came up with. Front door final result: Tada!!!! Nothing was hot glued on so that when I grow tired of this arrangement I can add or subtract so...

Came back on Sunday from one of the longest rides of my life.  John and I rode to Austin, TX in 90 degree weather for the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally. Every time I wear this helmut I feel like that little depressed pessimistic robot from "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".  I only got popped once by a kamikaze bug on my cheek.  Boy does that hurt!  You gotta love Texas!  Our friends took us on a windy beautiful scenic drive down Devil's Backbone near  New Braunfels on Saturday and we stopped to wet our whistle at the local tavern.  The sign above was displayed on the fireplace.  Which had a stone the shape of the devil's face.  Very creepy! Another pit stop since we were so closed to Gruene, TX was Gruene Hall.  For as long as I have lived in Texas I have never been to this historic hall.  It was more touristic than I imagined.  Oh well! I still  enjoyed my Shiner! Another stop, ...

Summer has officially arrived. I have had Shelby home for the past two weeks and am about to ship her off to camp.  This time, for the very first time, I'm not paying.  She is working as a junior counselor and is very excited about it. She has been attending this camp since the 5th grade and did not know anyone when she first went there (for a whole two weeks!)  Funny how life steers you in certain directions.  This is where she met girls from Hockaday, which she later applied to and is now attending.  We always knew this little girl of ours was brighter, ambitious, and very adventurous.  We just didn't know how much until the 5th grade. We hope to find our summer filled with charity work, travel, friends, family, and time relaxing by the pool.  Not in that order as much as I try to do for others, I need some me time. Shelby at camp with Bethany I mailed her like 9 fuzzy moustaches and they seemed to have been a big hit One of t...

With summer just weeks away, I begin researching books for Shelby to take to camp as well as books for myself that would be fun and quick reads by the pool. My favorite books that my good friend Carmen started me on are by Sarah Addison Allen.  You can pick any one up and I guarantee you that it will leave you feeling good. The stories are unique and tug at your heartstrings without being too mushy. They are all independent stories so you can start with any of her books.  My first read of hers was Garden Spells. Last year I started Shelby on Divergent and the sequel Insurgent.  I read them too and could not put them down. Excellent for teenagers and moms who love a good story! Oh, by the way the third book will be called Allegiant!!! To be released in October. I hope to hear from my readers of which books they would recommend. Happy Reading!!!