Monday, June 30, 2008

Pardon this Interruption

But Alisia has me laughing out loud at her recent post about a beloved Sesame Street character. Check it out and leave her some love in the comments.

Happy Birthday Brother!



Twenty-two years ago late in the night, the Lord brought this little dude into my life. That was back before he had freckles. I'll never forget eating Texas-shaped macaroni and cheese for dinner that night, nor will I ever forget the She-ra Princess of Power doll my grandmother bought me while my mother (who wouldn't let me have one since they were boy toys) was in the hospital. By the way, I think that was the summer of jellies.

Saying we have a lot of shared memories is an understatement of course. One in particular for me is when I used to use him as a pillow because he hadn't yet mastered crawling. I like to think I helped accelerate his development for those baby milestones. (He more than made up for that, when I think back to the sick-in-the-camper event.) I'll also never forget our crazy trip to Orlando and a $70 cab ride. What was I thinking?

But, he's all grown up now and about to embark on a new adventure up the road in Denton (closer than ever and I'm excited!) I couldn't ask for a better brother and friend, and I'm very thankful for this day!

Have a happy birthday, Drew!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Drew's Birthday Fiesta


Tonight we headed to Joe T's to celebrate Drew's birthday (it's tomorrow). This time last year he was helping us move into our house. Perhaps we should begin paying him a wage since he is around so often to help with the manual labor.

Keep dreaming, Drewdy.

Anyway, we are so full! We came home after chips, salsa, and fajitas to celebrate him a little more with a cake from Cold Stone Creamery. Holy Moly. It was good. And now, Drew is ready to line up for the launch of the nextgen iPhone. T-minus 11 days and 4 hours. But really, who's counting?
Marge and Big Mike @ the Fiesta

Thursday, June 26, 2008

In My Mind, I'm Going to Carolina

This past weekend my college roommate Alisia and I travelled to Boone, NC to visit with our other college roommate, Amanda. She's interning at Appalachian State University (the ones that beat Michigan last year in football) at their student counseling center and living about a mile off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the beautiful high country of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a little cabin in the woods, and it's just precious.


After an early morning flight into Charlotte, NC, she picked us up for the 2 hour drive to Boone. We followed the winding road and marveled at the amazing vistas and furniture stores. Next time we will drive or rent a u-haul. Prepare yourself, B-Dub. And we passed a ton of Christmas tree farms.

Saturday we went to Mayberry, a fulfillment of the dreams of one. We also had a Victoria Beckham sighting. Who knew she went red?


Sunday we toured Biltmore Estate, which was awesome.

Question: What happens when a pharmacist, a psychologist, and a software engineer walk into Biltmore?

Answer: An unsuspecting tourist is stalked and asked to take a photograph of people he doesn't know.


At the Fancy McDonald's.


We had a ton of laughs on our road trips and enjoyed a custom 2 cd mix tape with diverse selections such as Kermit the Frog's 'Rainbow Connection,' Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive,' and Pink's 'Get the Party Started.' I think we had a specific memory tied to each song on the cd, which I guess makes sense when you live with the same FUN and FABULOUS people for 4 years!

After a flight home in which I think we hit every bump between Charlotte and DFW, I am hoping by today Alisia has regained full use of her right arm. I only grabbed it a couple of times and cried for my mom once.

I had so much fun, ladies, and can't wait to do it again soon!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Bag

I am sitting in the Charlotte airport with Alisia after an extended weekend trip to see our college roommate Amanda in Boone, NC. Our flight has been delayed so we're watching a bird fly around the gate while listening to the gate agent page people with names like Mary Helen and the Schmidmeyers. Sounds like a folk group from the 60s if you ask me.

Anyway, we had a fabulous time, and hopefully I convinced these lovely ladies to start BLOGS so we can keep up with one another better. Actually, Amanda, we have already signed Alisia up so she is throwing down a challenge to you!!! Dr. Newlywed, PhD!!!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

I'm lovin' it.


I'm lovin' it., originally uploaded by emgentry02.

We are in the fanciest McDonalds in America right outside the
frontgate at Biltmore Estate. Complete with fireplace and baby grand
piano. Having a great time!!!

Friday, June 20, 2008

And tonight we're gonna party like it's 1999


Airfone, originally uploaded by emgentry02.

When was the last time you saw one of these on a plane? Alisia and I are on our way to Charlotte, NC via US Airways.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Father's Day, Some Doobies, and Chicago

Can you dig it? Yes, I can.

That might be a better post title.

Last night the family went to a Doobie Brothers and Chicago concert at the Superpages.com Center (which will forever in my mind be known as the Coca-Cola Starplex, for the record.) It was SO. MUCH. FUN! I think it was my favorite Father's Day ever. I hope my dad liked it too.

We tailgated before the concert. Everyone stayed healthy.


As with any public gathering, there was an interesting dichotomy of fans there. It made for good people watching. What intrigues me the most are the couples where the woman will stand up and dance solo while the man sits and pretends not to know her. I wonder, "is that me in 15 years?"

The Doobies played their hits, of course. I had a hard time not busting into the dc talk rap during 'Jesus is Just Alright' (like a mother to a child, i'm kickin' it Jesus style). 'China Grove', 'Listen to the Music', 'Takin' it to the Streets', 'Rockin' Down the Highway,' and more that I can't remember right now.

And then, one of my faves--Chicago. The second cd my family ever owned was Chicago If You Leave Me Now. (The first cd was James Taylor's Greatest Hits. That is how we roll.)


They played most of my favorites. No doubt the best one was 'You're the Inspiration.' 'Saturday in the Park' and 'Look Away' are some others off the top of my head. They closed with '25 or 6 to 4' which is a great song no matter what Drew says, and the Doobie Bros. came out and played it with them.

It was a fantastic night to sit outside for a concert. Good times, family!

Father's Day 2008

Some people strengthen others just by being the people they are. --John M. Gardner


Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Retro Footwear


Retro Footwear, originally uploaded by emgentry02.

Look what I found at the local discount store. Jellies! Would you wear them again? I think I lived in a pair the summer of 1985.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Summer Nights

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.
--Wallace Stevens

This weekend was slow paced and wonderful. Friday evening we took advantage of our back porch after a stop by the snowcone stand around the corner. We have a lovely view from the back of our home, and by around 7, the temperature is perfect.

We found that our little birdy babies living in our wreath are all grown up. By late that night they had flown to another spot to roost, and by Saturday morning, they had completelyabandoned their little nursery. Bye bye little wrens!


The rest of the weekend was spent doing normal things: a baby shower, a going away lunch for friends, going to the rec, and meeting new neighbors. Our neighborhood is bursting with new people.

And now, just like that, we are back at work. Hi ho, hi ho.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Something that Never Ceases to Make Me Laugh



Taco meat. Haha!

Aggie update: proud for softball. Trying not to doubt that the baseball team will come back this last inning.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Snapshots

Lately: we've been too busy.

Tonight: time out to watch a movie

Tomorrow: Friday and volunteering at a clothing drive

This weekend: relaxing, having brunch with friends, and playing in the sun.

Random Ponderings Today: How did the term chipotle become so ubiquitous? Should I get a sewing machine?

On the iPod: a throwback, 'The Great Adventure' by SCC and Ryan Cabrera's 'Say'

(20 points if you can name the year (or what grade you were in) when 'The Great Adventure' dropped...)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

First June Weekend

We are home and recovering from a big family weekend. I love big family weekends.

Friday we saw my cousin T graduate, had a big fajita dinner, and cake from Lone Star Bakery. YUM. I'm so excited for him! College is SO FUN.


It was Canton weekend, so of course that's where I was Saturday. (Brad golfed--imagine that.) And it was hot, but not quite as crowded as usual, so that was a bonus. Did I mention it was hot?!? I got some fun things for summer and had a lovely time with my mom, aunts, and Grannie. Oh I wish I could share some of the funny things said this weekend by Grannie. She kills me! It was along the lines of her comments at one of my wedding showers about what flip flops were called back in the day.

Sunday, the cemetery association (where my maternal grandfather's ancestors are buried) met for something like the 72nd annual meeting. It's a small farming community cemetery, and we convene the first weekend in June for a business meeting and lunch on the grounds. Yes, you read that right. We meet at the cemetery to discuss business and eat lunch.

(Apparently this is a small town thing. Until I was about 20, I thought everyone met once at year at the cemetery to discuss business.)

Anyway, after lunch, my cousins, Brad, and I walked through the cemetery with my Pop and he told us about our relatives buried there. My great grandparents and both sets of my great-great-grandparents are buried there too, along with all their kids. I've never been really "into" genealogy, but I have to say, this piqued my interest. One thing I found particularly interesting is that our family land came from an original land grant given to a man who fought in the Texas War for Independence.

Good times, Family!
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