Brazos Bend Revisited

We went camping again at the same place as before. It was really fun, but just slightly too cold to tent sleep! Oh well, we survived. I think it put a little hair on my chest! Ha!

Sweetie Pies by the fire.

The Regal Pug.

Charlie found a root in the ground and solicited for Chester to tear it out. With all his might (as illustrated in photo) Chester pulled and pulled. He finally ripped it out and they chase it around for awhile.

Here's me the morning after sleeping like crap! Look at me fake a smile at the camera! Ha!

John is wrapping up the interview season and will return at the end of January. Then, we hash out our rank list. Oh boy!

HONDA ELEMENT!!!!

We bought a new car! The Kia was still running "okay" but needed a new horn to pass inspection that cost $379! We decided that with 155,000 miles that we had gotten good use out of her and would be wise to invest in a new car, so we did! We bought Honda Element which we have had our eyes on for many years now! We bought used 2005, but it is a Honda pre-certified vehicle so we got bumper to bumper warranty! We are so happy with it! It is AWESOME! In case you don't know - the interior is all rubber/plastic so any dog hair that gets on it is simply wiped away! It is lovely!





John's Birthday was on the 30th so we took it for its first camping trip to Brazos Bend State Park. The trip was very spontaneous but we really wanted to test out the sleeping arrangements. The seats fold down flat into 2 cot-like beds! It was really comfortable, but Charlie kept us awake the whole night by walking all over us! He doesnt' usually do that, but mabye he was upset at the sleeping arrangements that didn't involve him being snuggled!

The next morning we walked the dogs about 2.5 miles. Their little pug bodies were pooped!



Above and below. Some ridiculous pictures of me with Element. Laugh away!

Thanksgiving Frivolity!

I arrived in Pendleton for my Thanksgiving holiday on November 20th. I was so excited because my whole family was going to present, the likes of which has been difficult to achieve since we have all dispersed ourselves across the U.S. "trying to make better lives for our posterity" or something. To back up a little bit - a few weeks before the trip I had bought myself a gray valour sweatsuit. Feeling a little bit like a grandma, I hesitantly purchased the sweatsuit because it was affordable, soft, and what can I say COMFORTABLE! After wearing said sweatsuit I discovered IT WAS SO WORTH IT and immediately decided that all the women in my family needed one. I took it upon myself to supply them with this valour sweatsuit of dreams knowing that during our Thanksgiving binge-fest it would be all too important for us to have comfortable lounging equipment. I bought one for Heather, Melanie (brother's wife) and my Momma! Shortly after saying my hellos and getting slightly settled at my parents house I couldn't resist distributing the merchandise. They were, of course, a hit and a ridiculous picture taking fest ensued. Please enjoy the following photos as I briefly paraphrase the verbiage that was exchanged. Beware, they are numerous and not for the young and innocent! Nonetheless the hilarity cannot go unshared. The world must know.

We will start out the "gray valour sweatsuit of dreams photo shoot" with what we can call a "normal" pose.
*please note that I am leaving out 10-15 pictures that show the complete progression of ridiculosity (yes, I just made that word up) - however, what is shown here is entirely sufficient*

At this point, I think it was something to this extent "What should we do next, huh?! huh?! huh?!" "I know, we could sit on laps!" "yeah!!" Meanwhile, Spencer (Heather's husband) does his best to repel the cheesiness whilst remaining an excellent photographer.

"Vogue". Need I say more?




And then, the moment that altered the course of the entire Thanksgiving Holiday. The dreaded Pyramid. Yes folks, you've guessed it. We decided that a pyramid would be all too appropriate for the mood of our "gray valour sweatsuit of dreams photo shoot". Melanie and I suggested that Heather be on top since she is the smallest. Heather was concerned about hurting us since she has "boney" knees. But Melanie and I insisted that we were tough enough and it would be okay. So Heather did what she had to do - she climbed on.

It didn't stop there though, her concern persisted and she tried to put it into words. Being of Wendler descent it was difficult for Heather to express herself. So she just blurted out what she was trying to say........and out came: "Am I boning you?"

Watch and enjoy as the laughter progresses for about 5 minutes. All were with tears in theirs eyes except Spencer, who just kept taking pictures. What follows are the best captured pictures of the most gut-wrenching laughter I have personally experienced in a long time.

Here I think Heather was "trying to explain herself" while continuing to laugh. It's okay Heather - we all know what you really meant...

Yes, after all that, we attempted the pyramid AGAIN!!!! I would say a success, but not for Spencer who was "in for the kill". The photographer in him had been released and he started barking out orders!! "Heather, move your head to the right. More. More. Now, down a little. Okay, hold it right there."

And here we have it. The animal, who was styling it up in a "gray valour sweat-suit of dreams", that Spencer fiercely pierced in the head with an arrow! SUCCESS!! (on SO many levels!)

My running Pal, Kathryn!

When I traveled to Oregon for Thanksgiving, I stopped in Portland to reunite with my old running buddy who has long since deserted me - leaving me in Houston to brave the runs alone! We went on a great rain run along the Columbia River in Portland. It was cold, wet, rainy, painful, and delightful! We ran somewhere between 9 and 10 miles. I will call it 10! Ha! I really miss Oregon and it was so great to see so much of Portland - even if it was gray and rainy! We took this picture at the end of the run. I am pretty sure Kathryn hates it but I think we look victorious! I sure miss you Kathyrn! It was awesome to see you again and get in a good hearty run! Wish we could have spent more time together! Maybe someday John and I will kidnap all of our friends and family and keep them on our property deep in the mountains - somewhere nobody will find them! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Pedernales Falls State Park

A long while ago, around the beginning of November John and I went to Austin with some friends. We had planned to hike at a state park just west of Austin and then go to a comedy theatre in the city that night. Well, the term "planned" can be used loosely. John planned the event. I was not aware that it was going to happen until the day before! There was a ton of junk that I needed to tend to and I was leaving for a long Thanksgiving break shortly after this. Plus, our car had been in and out of the shop and was late on its state inspection. John's scooter was broken - AGAIN and I am sure some other things went wrong. I started out as a party pooper for this reason. I am always asking John to plan things but then when he does I am a poop about it! Something I need to work on! Anyway, we had a rough morning before we left and still couldn't pass the inpsection. John and I were both grumpy and the thought of a three hour ride with three people crammed in the front of this red truck shown below was not exciting. We left Houston WAY later than we had planned, but we were determined!

In this picture we were trying to take an angry picture in hopes of doing a "before/after" thing. You know, angry before the hike and chipper after. Anyway, we had this guy who "crashed" at his friends house the night before take this picture for us. Awkward to begin with but we were all trying to look mad and were laughing. We got a couple of good angry ones, which as it turns out aren't as cool now that I have this story......the best part about this photo session was the friendly stranger who, after taking 5-6 pictures, politely informed us that we weren't smiling! Ha!

At the park prior to the hike. Another clencher to the great mood was that amidst trying to get the heck out of the house and load John's scooter in the truck I asked John to grab the dog leashes when he went to lock up the house. He either didn't hear me, or forgot amidst the rush of getting to Austin ASAP. As you notice in this picture I am using a primitive rope that is wrapped around my hand 15 times. It did the trick!


Me, Aaron, and Walter. Two of John's friends from medical school. Walter is in his residency in San Antonio and he drove up to meet us for the day/evening.

In the element. One with nature...

Little Chester. Also one with nature.

The bluffs. Charlie is trying to get up to me. He gets very concerned when I climb things. Rightfully so, I suppose!


The turn around point. So pretty, even in the fall! I imagine it is very lush in the spring and summer.

SUCCESS! So much fun! Thanks to John for planning it!

Look! There's a Loogie in my bedroom!

First things first - a loogie is a lizard. It is the way that my little friend Grace said lizard back in the good old days when she was my neighbor. So, the story goes: It was just a regular day. Great weather and a nice start to my day with a run. When I returned from my run I was back in my bedroom by the window and I met this little guy:


What was I to do? He wasn't hurting anything. He was just a simple loogie trying to find his way in the world. Besides, I think he looked good on the piano don't you? I thought about doing the catch and release thing, but really needed to get going. So, I went about my business and took a shower and got ready. During my get ready process I found him exploring a little bit!


He moved up to the wall by my piano! Later he even moved up higher and was by a picture we have way up close to the ceiling. I couldn't get a picture of that because at this point the Loogie was making me late! So the Loogie and I made a peace treaty. I agreed to not try to catch him if he agreed to help me out with my mosquito problem! I haven't seen him since - maybe he made a break for it when he found out I have a mosquito problem! Can you blame him!?

What would I say at your funeral?

A few months ago my friend Jennifer posted a blog entitled "what would I say at your funeral". In this blog she proceeded to post pictures of me and talk about qualities in me that she has observed and admired. It brought tears to my eyes and made me feel so very special. So by now Jennifer probably thinks that she got away with it free of any retaliation, but boy is she wrong! I may have procrastinated this, but only so that she will be hit when she is least expecting it!



When John and I first move to Houston, TX we did not know a soul. We were so very blessed to meet several friends who became our family in Texas. Among these friends was Jennifer. Jennifer is a friend of mine who I know because our husbands went to school together. I was blessed to meet this wonderful loving woman and find that she would become a great friend in no time. From the beginning Jennifer treated me as if she had known me forever. She offers herself to anyone and everyone she meets. She redefined the true meaning of service to me. She is the kind of person who offers to do anything and everything for you, just like someone in your immediate family would do. Anyone who knows Jennifer has surely been offered and perhaps accepted services such as: babysitting (kids and dogs), checking mail, rides to appointments, picking up things at the store, making meals, rides to the airport and so on. Jennifer is so overly loving and willing that you don't have to feel guilty for these favors. Again, just like your very own family.

Jennifer is very creative and talented person. She taught herself how to sew and took and industrial sewing class at a college here in Houston. She made curtains for their apartments and big fancy pillows for their couch. She makes things for her friends and her children too. She has made some very cute little outfits for her daughter Grace that look store-bought. She makes goals, accomplishes them and then pretends as if she didn't while telling me "Oh Andrea, you are so good at making a goal and just going for it....blah blah blah". What are you talking about Jennifer!??!?! YOU are the best at making goals and accomplishing them. You fine tune and improve things in every area of your life! You are a dream-woman! You make menus and stick to them. You are organized. You scrub your foot boards with a toothbrush! You are thrifty at the grocery store! You grind your own hamburger for goodness sakes! : ) You take time to do crafts with your little girls! Ever since I met you and Edwin the two of you remind me of that song "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise"! Ha ha! You are EVERYTHING!

Here is Jennifer were her first daughter, Grace. She is a very fun mother.

Jennifer lived in the same complex as me. After she had her first child she would come over to my house frequently for visits. She didn't know what a delight it was to break up the studying with some fun Jennifer and Grace time! She always came over under the premise that she was too frustrated to handle her child. I always thought that was hilarious because she never looked even remotely frustrated! She is so calm, patient and sweet and I just didn't see it! She now has a second child, named Ann after me she said. Let me just express in writing that I am so honored that you love me that much. I am so humbled by your love and appreciate it very deeply.

Jennifer and Ann.

Jennifer: You are so many wonderful things. What's even more special than you being all of these things is that you have the humility to see the grand beauty in others and express it so very freely. I have been showered by your love. Edwin is one lucky man and I think he knows it. Grace and Ann have been blessed by God to have you as their mother. Someday, they will realize that and will possess the qualities to pass that on to their children. I hope you really know how good you are because you are a shining example of a successful person, loving mother, and wonderful friend. Thank you for being my friend. My life is better because you are in it. Thank you so much for the lovely blog you did about little old me. It lifted my spirits and reminded me of what fun we had together. Oh, and by the way: GOTCHA! HA!