You can probably tell from no blog postings that life has been kind of routine and nothing much has been happening. We have been staying at the lake and soaking up the sunshine. This week, Daughter and SIL are going on a business/pleasure trip, so Mr. W and I are back in H-town to babysit Curly and Popcorn.
Curly started kindergarten this year so I will be getting up and getting a child off to school again after being out of practice for about 15 years! Popcorn has not started school yet so she will be entertaining me all day while Curly is at school.
Tomorrow, I am going to have lunch with my lunch bunch from my previous work life. We are celebrating a couple of birthdays and I am looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up on what has been going on. I'm planning on going to DSW (SHOES!) while I'm here. I'm on a search for a pair of comfortable brown flats. I may be visiting several stores on my search. :)
Popcorn has already told me that she wants to go to the park by their house one day, and the pool by their house one day, and maybe to the beach one day, and Chick-fil-A one day, and to the grocery store to get fruit snacks and cereal one day, and......... As you can see, she has my week planned out already and she is only 4 years old. Imagine what it will be like when she's a teenager!
This weekend we will take the girls back up to the lake and then bring them home and pick up Daughter and SIL at the airport on our way back.
Mr. W finished making reservations at all the places we are staying on our upcoming trip and I am excited about getting on the road. I'm sure September 17th will be here before I know it.
We started making plans for our spring 2014 trip the other day. I'm getting excited about that too. I'll share that info with you later. Right now, I think I better go to bed even though it is only 6:30 pm. I have to get up and get a kid to school! Yikes!
If I survive the week, I'll keep writing the blog!
bar harbor
Monday, August 26, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
MILL CREEK RANCH RESORT
I left the lake last Monday because I had some business to take care of in the Dallas area. I am staying at a place called Mill Creek Ranch Resort in Canton, TX. Whether you have a RV or not, this is a nice place to stay if you are in the area.
If you haven't ever heard of Canton's First Monday Trade Days, you have been missing out. They tout it as the "World's Largest" outdoor market and it possibly could be. The Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the first Monday of each month, thousands of people swarm Canton to shop at Trade Days. If you can't find what you are looking for here, it probably does not exist. Needless to say, hotel rooms and RV sites are at a premium and usually booked months in advance for those weekends. Mill Creek Ranch Resort (MCRR) is right across and down a bit from the market and runs a shuttle for your convenience. Who could ask for more, right?
There is also a nice, fairly inexpensive, waterpark about 5 miles from here, a Tanger Outlet Center about 15 miles, Lindale, TX (home of Miranda Lambert) is a short drive, as well as Tyler, TX which has a variety of things to see and do. If you need a dose of big city life, Dallas is about an hour drive away.
MCRR sells cabins. Yes, I said sell. You buy a cabin, they build it, and you rent it out to people who want to stay here. They manage the rental, cleaning, etc. (for a fee). Then, whenever you want to come stay, you let them know so they don't rent your cabin. You get the money for the rentals which helps pay for the cabin.
Here are some pics. There is a nice play ground, the office/store where RVer's check in, and the front pool that has an outdoor kitchen/bar that you are welcome to use.
The RV pads are at the front when you enter. As you go towards the back, you go downhill where they have a fishing lake (catch and release) and paddle boats, a volley ball court, a Frisbee golf course and a nice walk to what they call the Lodge. You check in here if you are renting a cabin. They also have live entertainment with food and drinks every Friday night at the Lodge. One of these days I'm going to stay here on a Friday night so I can see what that is all about. At the Lodge, they have an infinite pool which has a nice view and also a hot tub. RV and cabin guest can use either pool.
Last but not least, here are a few pics of a few of the cabins. Some of them, as you will see in the pics, have common decks/porches so if you had a big group, you could rent both cabins. I think the cabins sleep either 4,6, or 8. They have models that you can go through.
If you haven't ever heard of Canton's First Monday Trade Days, you have been missing out. They tout it as the "World's Largest" outdoor market and it possibly could be. The Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the first Monday of each month, thousands of people swarm Canton to shop at Trade Days. If you can't find what you are looking for here, it probably does not exist. Needless to say, hotel rooms and RV sites are at a premium and usually booked months in advance for those weekends. Mill Creek Ranch Resort (MCRR) is right across and down a bit from the market and runs a shuttle for your convenience. Who could ask for more, right?
There is also a nice, fairly inexpensive, waterpark about 5 miles from here, a Tanger Outlet Center about 15 miles, Lindale, TX (home of Miranda Lambert) is a short drive, as well as Tyler, TX which has a variety of things to see and do. If you need a dose of big city life, Dallas is about an hour drive away.
MCRR sells cabins. Yes, I said sell. You buy a cabin, they build it, and you rent it out to people who want to stay here. They manage the rental, cleaning, etc. (for a fee). Then, whenever you want to come stay, you let them know so they don't rent your cabin. You get the money for the rentals which helps pay for the cabin.
Here are some pics. There is a nice play ground, the office/store where RVer's check in, and the front pool that has an outdoor kitchen/bar that you are welcome to use.
The RV pads are at the front when you enter. As you go towards the back, you go downhill where they have a fishing lake (catch and release) and paddle boats, a volley ball court, a Frisbee golf course and a nice walk to what they call the Lodge. You check in here if you are renting a cabin. They also have live entertainment with food and drinks every Friday night at the Lodge. One of these days I'm going to stay here on a Friday night so I can see what that is all about. At the Lodge, they have an infinite pool which has a nice view and also a hot tub. RV and cabin guest can use either pool.
Last but not least, here are a few pics of a few of the cabins. Some of them, as you will see in the pics, have common decks/porches so if you had a big group, you could rent both cabins. I think the cabins sleep either 4,6, or 8. They have models that you can go through.
I give MCRR a big thumbs up! Will definitely be staying here again.
Monday, August 12, 2013
THE BEST DAUGHTER EVER
Today is moving day again. But, before I post about where I'm going and where I'm staying, I wanted to post some pics of Daughter and tell everyone how lucky I am to have Daughter as my, well, daughter.
When I was growing up, my Mom always made me German chocolate, made from scratch, cake for my birthday. It was my all time, hands down, favorite cake ever. I lost my Mom when I was 35 and she was 72. But even before that, I lost her to Alzheimer's when she was 63. So, my German chocolate cakes ended at that time.
Well, time went by, Daughter grew up, got married, and one day called me and asked what were we going to do as a family for my birthday. Everyone ended up coming to my house and Daughter brought a German chocolate, made from scratch, cake for my birthday. It almost made me cry. (I can cry at an AT&T commercial so don't think too much about it.)
As you read in my previous post, once grandchildren entered the picture, my favorite thing about my birthday is having them with me to help me celebrate and Daughter has continued through the years to make German chocolate, made from scratch, cake for my birthday. This year, Daughter had been in Dallas the days leading up to my birthday. But, she did stop at the store and buy me a birthday cake for the family to have while we were all together at the lake. She had the grandkids start singing Happy Birthday to me and she even served the cake.
Here's where Son comes into the picture. Daughter arrived at the lake on Sunday and Son was going home sometime Sunday because he had to work on Monday. So, we talk about having dinner fairly early, bathe the grandkids and have cake for Mimi's birthday. Right after dinner, Son announces that he is leaving, had a great time, see you soon, etc. Nothing is mentioned about happy birthday tomorrow Mom, I can't stay for your birthday cake because.........NOTHING.
Fast forward to the next Saturday. Son arrives at the lake to pick up the 3 grandkids that had come to stay with Mimi for a few days. After being there for a few minutes, he says, "Happy birthday Mom. I'm sorry I forgot about your birthday." DIL then spills more beans about Son. She had told Son on Wednesday that her family was going to celebrate her sister's birthday on Sunday. Suddenly, a light goes off in Son's head. He is thinking, my Mom's birthday is before DIL's sister's birthday. Ooops. He then asks DIL if she called HIS Mom to tell her happy birthday on her birthday. DIL replied that she was WITH his Mom on her birthday AND that we had birthday cake Sunday night as a family which he did not stay for. Remember, the Sunday night Son left to go home. Son has no recollection of talking about birthday cake on Sunday. He also had no recollection of a calendar ever being invented to notice that Monday was August 5th. HIS MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY. I have no recollection of dropping him on his head when he was a baby causing this brain damage!
Of course, I'm not bitter at all that Son forgot my birthday. However, I did call my attorney to have my will changed. Daughter is in with the grandkids. You know who is out. There, I feel better now! ;)
Here are some pics of Daughter. She is determined to be the oldest girl in the family to continue to water ski. She is very, very proud of Mr. W because he still skis and does so extremely well. I think she thinks that he should be walking with a walker at his age, not water skiing! She took some ugly falls this trip but it did not deter her at all. I was very proud of her. I would have stopped after the first fall!
Oh, and here's who got written out of the will.
Love you too Son.
When I was growing up, my Mom always made me German chocolate, made from scratch, cake for my birthday. It was my all time, hands down, favorite cake ever. I lost my Mom when I was 35 and she was 72. But even before that, I lost her to Alzheimer's when she was 63. So, my German chocolate cakes ended at that time.
Well, time went by, Daughter grew up, got married, and one day called me and asked what were we going to do as a family for my birthday. Everyone ended up coming to my house and Daughter brought a German chocolate, made from scratch, cake for my birthday. It almost made me cry. (I can cry at an AT&T commercial so don't think too much about it.)
As you read in my previous post, once grandchildren entered the picture, my favorite thing about my birthday is having them with me to help me celebrate and Daughter has continued through the years to make German chocolate, made from scratch, cake for my birthday. This year, Daughter had been in Dallas the days leading up to my birthday. But, she did stop at the store and buy me a birthday cake for the family to have while we were all together at the lake. She had the grandkids start singing Happy Birthday to me and she even served the cake.
Here's where Son comes into the picture. Daughter arrived at the lake on Sunday and Son was going home sometime Sunday because he had to work on Monday. So, we talk about having dinner fairly early, bathe the grandkids and have cake for Mimi's birthday. Right after dinner, Son announces that he is leaving, had a great time, see you soon, etc. Nothing is mentioned about happy birthday tomorrow Mom, I can't stay for your birthday cake because.........NOTHING.
Fast forward to the next Saturday. Son arrives at the lake to pick up the 3 grandkids that had come to stay with Mimi for a few days. After being there for a few minutes, he says, "Happy birthday Mom. I'm sorry I forgot about your birthday." DIL then spills more beans about Son. She had told Son on Wednesday that her family was going to celebrate her sister's birthday on Sunday. Suddenly, a light goes off in Son's head. He is thinking, my Mom's birthday is before DIL's sister's birthday. Ooops. He then asks DIL if she called HIS Mom to tell her happy birthday on her birthday. DIL replied that she was WITH his Mom on her birthday AND that we had birthday cake Sunday night as a family which he did not stay for. Remember, the Sunday night Son left to go home. Son has no recollection of talking about birthday cake on Sunday. He also had no recollection of a calendar ever being invented to notice that Monday was August 5th. HIS MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY. I have no recollection of dropping him on his head when he was a baby causing this brain damage!
Of course, I'm not bitter at all that Son forgot my birthday. However, I did call my attorney to have my will changed. Daughter is in with the grandkids. You know who is out. There, I feel better now! ;)
Here are some pics of Daughter. She is determined to be the oldest girl in the family to continue to water ski. She is very, very proud of Mr. W because he still skis and does so extremely well. I think she thinks that he should be walking with a walker at his age, not water skiing! She took some ugly falls this trip but it did not deter her at all. I was very proud of her. I would have stopped after the first fall!
Oh, and here's who got written out of the will.
Love you too Son.
Monday, August 5, 2013
MIMI'S BIRTHDAY
Today is my birthday. One of my birthday presents every year is to have my 5 grandchildren spend some time with me on my birthday. So, Son and his family and Daughter and her 2 girls came to the lake to spend my birthday with me! What a great birthday present don't you think?
Son and family came up Saturday around lunch time. The minute the 3 kids got out of the car, they wanted to do everything there is to do within the first 30 minutes of their arrival! Son said they were so excited that they talked non-stop all the way here.
The kids have finally gotten big enough to enjoy doing all the water sports. I'm not sure who is the proudest when they do water things and enjoy them, their parents or Mr. W! He grew up doing water sports, he can swim like a fish, and still participates in all water sports and is pretty good for an old guy! By the way, don't tell him that he is an old guy. He still thinks he is a kid.
Here is Boy-child knee-boarding and inner-tubing:
Next, we have Girl-child (Boy-child's twin sister)
Boy-child and Curly
My sweet Girl-child (who is growing up way too fast)
Son and family came up Saturday around lunch time. The minute the 3 kids got out of the car, they wanted to do everything there is to do within the first 30 minutes of their arrival! Son said they were so excited that they talked non-stop all the way here.
The kids have finally gotten big enough to enjoy doing all the water sports. I'm not sure who is the proudest when they do water things and enjoy them, their parents or Mr. W! He grew up doing water sports, he can swim like a fish, and still participates in all water sports and is pretty good for an old guy! By the way, don't tell him that he is an old guy. He still thinks he is a kid.
Here is Boy-child knee-boarding and inner-tubing:
Next, we have Girl-child (Boy-child's twin sister)
And last, but not least, Squeaky (Boy-child & Girl-child's little sister)
Here are some of my favorite random pics of the kids:
Here's Popcorn
and Curly
Boy-child and Mr. W
Squeaky (aka Miss Sassy britches)
Another pic of Popcorn
But my favorite of all..........
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