Trying to Catch Up!

Hello again all! I know I said last time that I would update soon to catch everyone up to date, but time has, yet again, slipped away from me and here I am two weeks or so later, just now getting back to it. What can I say, other than bare with me.

As for October, most of David's time was spent in the air. He was flying every day of the week and was only home one weekend out of the whole month. I really miss him when he's gone, but his goal for our time here is to build lots of hours and thus far, he has been successful, really successful. He ended the month by traveling to Fort Worth to help with a fundraiser for the squadron and charity and decided that he would much rather be flying an air plane rather than serving people concession stand food. YAYAY!

While Dave was away, I was busy getting ready for the OSC (Officers' Spouses' Club) Fall Festival. A friend and I were in charge of putting it together and boy was it lots of work. I was mostly in charge of ordering pumpkins and putting together our pumpkin patch, organizing the hayrides, and parts of the decorations as well as just your general errand girl. It was a HUGE group effort, but turned out to be a really nice time that made me completely exhausted. Luckily, my mom graciously came in to help me and did so in more ways than one. It's weird how moms help their children feel at ease. Anyway, here are some pics of the fall fest pumpkin patch...

After Fall Fest was over, I also started having a lot more school work to do, so had to get back into the swing of things as far as being a student is concerned. So far, my grades are good. Hopefully, that continues. And Boots and I ended up October by handing out candy to trick-or-treaters with our friend Colleen and her dog Maggie. Check out Boots' costume. (Colleen MADE him wear it. He was not a happy camper, but handled it pretty well.)

My Little Moose

I will start with November some other day because now, I must get ready for my kiddos tomorrow by sleeping as much as possible today.

Hope everyone is enjoying cool mornings and beautiful weather. Love and miss you all!

-Lana, Dave and Boots!

It's Finally Friday!!! No, wait, now it's Saturday...

Hello Again!!

After another long week, it is yet another Friday!!! Before I get too much into what has been going on today, I will try to finish my updates from the past couple of months.

When I left off, I posted some pictures of projects that I worked on over the summer. Along with those projects, I also painted part of our kitchen dark blue. I had decided that I would ask Dave what he thought about painting the rest of the kitchen (what I really was thinking was that I was tired of painting and wanted to make sure someone else didn't think it looked rediculous so I could stop). Thankfully, he said that it looked good. I say thankfully because after he told me that, I checked the mailbox to find that I started work the NEXT day. I knew that I had to do home visits for my students, but completely forgot that it was prior to when everyone else in the district started. So, at 6pm I went for a run because my classroom wasn't ready and I had not contacted people to have home visits and was TOTALLY stressed out so needed to cool down. After my run, I devised a plan of action that I put into to place the next day. So, at the end of August, I started back to school with a class size of 14 with a classroom that was ready to go. I also started back to college during the end of August. I am getting my Master's in School Administration. Not exactly sure where I want to go with that, but apparently, an Admin. degree is the key that unlocks all education jobs' doors, outside of the classroom anyway.

As for September...

September started off with Dave going out of town to go hunting in Hondo with my dad, brother, and friends from Centerville, my home town. They all had a really good time, Dave shot his limit two of the three days, and no one got shot in the process. In my book, that's success!!! After Dave got back, it was pretty much business as usual, Dave flying his booty off (He has gotten the"sky pig" award for two months since he started instructing. That basically means, he has flown the most hours during the month. More than his fellow instructors anyway), and me teaching (now a class size of 18 3 and 4 year olds) and going to class on Monday and Wednesday night. However, in the middle of September, our lives, as Emril says, "Kicked it up a notch!" I started going to meetings for OSC, having meetings for OSC Fall Festival, our 2nd anniversary came and went, I helped a friend throw a baby shower for another friend, made another baby sling and a changing pad, worked madly on helping give our base thrift shop a massive face-lift (think extreme make-over, people edition), and worked and went to school. Dave continued to fly A LOT during the week, but also started doing cross counrties, took over as the scheduler, started making tail flashes (going away gifts) for the squadron, AND also worked very hard on the beautification of our thrift shop.

Thrift Shop Grand Re-Opening

Party

Baby Sling for my friend Kathy

Changing pad for my friend Kathy...

Needless to say, September was CRAZY busy, but it doesn't hold a candle to October. Unfortunately, I must close for the night/morning. I am due to work at the Thrift Shop tomorrow from 9-1, then will be off to lunch with a friend or two, so expect more from me tomorrow night-ish.

Until then... Happy Halloween, no wait, now it's Happy Thanksgiving... We'll just be safe and say Happy Fall Ya'll!!!!

-Lana, Dave and Boots!!!

We're ALIVE!!!

Well Hello Again!!!! I know, I know, what has been so important that I couldn't blog for over two months now??? Well, hopefully I can offer a really good recap of the most imporatant events that have happended since I last posted. Also, I'm gonna try out some new things, so we will see how they work.





Over the summer, I worked on a few projects that I never got to include on my blog. So, think, "This is what Lana was doing in July and August...





One project was making a baby sling for Meghan and Elizabeth. (The maroon and white thing Elizabeth is in.) You can't really see the whole thing in this picture, but stay tuned for later posts and you'll get a better understanding of what it is supposed to look like.





I also did a little furniture refinishing...
Before...(minus the drawers)





After...(with the drawers)








This chest of drawers is David's from when he was a little boy. Certainly something we want to hang on to for future use, but I gave it a little bit of a face lift...

Okay, so I know this is sort of a crappy back to blogging post, but I promise, promise I will have you all caught up on what's been going on with us here in Del Rio by Sunday, November 2. I really, really promise. But for now, it is bedtime for me so I can be half way decent for my kiddos tomorrow.

Until then, STAY TUNED FOR MORE BLOGGING and it's good to be back!!!!

-Lana

The Americans are Rockin'...swimming anyway...

Hello Friends!!!

After returning from my trip to the Centerville/ College Station area, David and I have really been enjoying the Olympics. Today David took me out on a date and instead of going to a movie after dinner, we went and rented movies to watch, instead, we got caught up in watching the Olympics and the American swimmers kick butt and take names. Seriously, did you see the men's 4x100? What an amazing race!!! I was screaming and yelling and jumping so much that Boots, my little dog, almost ran completely outside. Anyway, as for updates on what has been going on...

I left Del Rio last Friday, Aug. 1 to head back to my hometown for, as my mom likes to call it, "my last summer fling." I drove into College Station and met my mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa at my brother, Meghan, and Elizabeth's house for pizza. Boots was really excited to see that we were at Sadie's house and did donuts until I opened the gate for him to go into the backyard. Elizabeth has gotten so big. I am really not going to enjoy long amounts of time without getting to see her. However, I did enjoy being able to see her and her parents then! Friday night after dinner, my parents and grandparents and I all went home. David flew two flights on Friday and did not get in from the squadron until around 9:00 p.m. How bad does that suck to have to stay at work that late? Someone has to do it I suppose.

On the 2nd, Saturday, my mom and I woke up relatively early and drove to a town in East Texas called Canton for their first Monday event. It is basically a whole town that revolves around a Ginormous flea market. They have everything from livestock to antiques to jewelry to clothing to home decor and everything in between for you to browse through. Mom and I figured up that we walked for a total of about 7 hours looking for treasures to buy. We both found a few things that tickled our fancies, but didn't by any means go over board. The best part of it was for sure the company. After we closed Canton down, we headed back home via Palestine and their Wal-Mart, then relaxed the rest of the night. As far as Dave said, he spent some time Internet surfing, working out, and watching t.v. What can I say, when I'm gone, his life is just down right boring. ;) (Just kidding!)

Sunday, Mom invited my grandparents over for lunch and as always, I ate too much and was pretty full for the rest of the day. We didn't really do much more than that, other than make some shower invitations for one of my friends from home that is having a baby in October. We also addressed then and got them ready to send out. Dave did more chillaxin' and gettin' PUMPED for AGGIE football!!!!! I think he is addicted to the Aggie football count down. I think he even knows how many seconds it is til the Ags play again. I must admit, I like college football too.

Monday, Mom and I had to go to Brenham to pick up some transcripts from Blinn so I can get admitted into the grad-school program that I am going to get my masters from. We'll just say it has been very frustrating for me and that I am ready to get finished with this registration and admission mumbo jumbo. After we picked up my transcripts, we tooled around a few of the local antique shops as well as Wal-Mart. We couldn't find exactly what we needed, so we decided to go on into College Station to look for it. Exactly how we got there, we still don't know, but our trip from Brenham to CS was certainly a different route than we have ever experienced. We'll call it an adventure. We were also able to check out the new Target in CS. Man I miss that place. I can always find something good there. It is probably good that we don't have one here. I might spend more than is necessary. As for Dave's Monday, double turn and late home coming. Grr he says about the late part.

Tuesday, I went over to College Station to visit with Meg and Elizabeth. Lizzy slept, ate, kicked, cooed, and slept some more. It was really nice to be able to spend time with the girls. We all get along so well. I was able to see Luke for just a little after he got home from work, then I headed to Flynn to stay the night with my grandparents. My grandma made dinner for us. I LOVE her cooking. She always does such a good job. I have tried and tried to duplicate her recipes, but I fail EVERY time. Dave only flew once because of a weather recall due to the tropical storm. Del Rio didn't get any rain, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

As for Wednesday, I stayed and talked with my grandparents until around 3:30, then I had to take Dave's truck to the service station to get a tune-up and brake check. Mom and I hung around the house for a while, then decided to go walk in town at the track with my friend Wyndee and her mom. It was really nice visiting with them. They always have lots of funny things to share with us. Dave had a really busy day with flying and scheduling due to the fact that only he and one other instructor were at work. Everyone else went on leave, so Dave's work load doubled, maybe even tripled. He made it through though and is probably better for having to face that.

Thursday, Mom and I woke up and headed to Madisonville to help my aunt decorate for her son's rehearsal dinner. I was there from about 10:45-12:30, then I went back to C'ville to get a hair cut, then picked up a few things from the house that mom decided she needed, then headed back to Madisonville for some last minute decorating. We had a "snack" with my aunt and cousin at a local restaurant, then headed home to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, then with my dad we drove back to Madisonville only to wait for an hour and fifteen minutes on the bride and groom to show. I know everything was about them, but I got hungry!!! The dinner went off without any other hitches, then we went back to Centerville. Mom and I went back to the track and walked, then called it a night. Dave had another long, tiring day of double turning and scheduling, then a late night dinner he had to scrounge for himself. How sad huh?

Friday, I got up early, got ready, then headed to College Station to spend the day with my friend from home, Tara. I was her birthday and she asked me to spend it with her. I got to have Starbucks, eat out, and watch a movie and did it all before 4:00. It is so amazing what you can do when you wake up early. We had a really good time spending time together and made it home around 5 that evening. I hung out around the house for a while, then got ready for my cousin's wedding. The wedding started at approx. 8:30, then we went to the reception. Everything seemed to go pretty smoothly other than the fact that the AC in the church didn't work, and that the dad was late because he got stuck in traffic due to an accident. My cousin is married now, none the less, and is already back in Virginia doing Navy things. We didn't leave the reception until about 1:30 after cleaning and loading wedding decorations. Dave spent another LONG day at the squadron and was frustrated he didn't get home til 9:00 or 9:30. I feel bad for him when he has days like that. He is always so ready to come home, but just can't seem to get away from his duties. The Air Force is definitely getting their money's worth out of him that's for sure!

Saturday, I slept late, then packed my things and headed back to Del Rio. I stopped for lunch at my grandparents, stopped to say goodbye to Luke, Meg, and Lizzy, then made it back home around 9:00. It was sure good to see Dave. He is so sweet too. He bought me welcome home flowers and a welcome home card too. He wanted to take me on a date, but he didn't think he could wait til 9 to eat, so I asked if I could get a rain check. Of course he agreed, then we decided to go to our friends Frank and Kathy's for fight night. Needless to say, that was entertaining and relaxing all at the same time. Call me crazy, but I really enjoy watching UFC and people beat the crap out of each other. Who knows, maybe secretly I wish I could fight like that... Or maybe it is because it is mindless entertainment. Either way, I like it.

Today, Dave and I slept late, ate a big breakfast, watched the Olympics, cleaned out our storage closet, and went to dinner at Chili's. I mostly liked being able to spend time with him, no matter what we do.

Dave has work this week and hopefully it will turn out to be a little less crazy than last week and I am going to do everything I can to enjoy my last week of summer vacation.

We hope everyone is doing well. Keep us updated on what's shakin' with you guys. Until I type again, GO America GO!!!

Lana

Hello Again!!!

Well, after a long stint away, I have returned to tell you that I will be away for a while AGAIN. Dave informed me that I had been gone A LOT lately, then I informed him that I was gone a lot lately because once school starts and I start my masters, I won't have the opportunity to be gone anymore. With that, he understands that I want to get some Lizzy and other family time in before I am stripped of my freedom. As for a recap of what's been going on...

From July 11- July 20, I was in the Centerville/ College Station area for the birth of our niece, to visit my family (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, brother, sis-in-law...), to visit with hometown friends, and for my cousin's wedding, which by the way was gorgeous. While there, I was also able to see my good friends James and Jessica who were visiting from Virginia. I also took every opportunity to have lunch with people, drink Starbucks, and dine at local restaurants. I really am amazed at how many different choices big cities have to offer as far as eating out is concerned. Seriously, how do you narrow it down to one??? Needless to say, the weight watcher's program that I had started went out the window because "I was on vacation!" Anyway, I am really glad that I chose the profession that I did not only because I like teaching, but also because I have the opportunity to take a week or two to visit my family in the summers. It is at times like these that I LOVE my job.

Last week, July 21-25 was spent with my little cousin Katie here in Del Rio. I invited her to come stay with us for a while this summer, so we got some really good girl time in. Our time was spent doing things like shopping, watching movies, bowling, sleeping late, staying up late, going to the lake, and Dave was even able to get her a red carpet sim, so she got to see what it is like for Dave at work. All in all, it was a great time. On the 25th, she and I drove to San Marcos to meet my mom to do a little shopping at the outlet mall there. Katie also had a softball tournament the 26th and 27th, so the 26th was a day FULL of watching her and her team play all five of their games. That's right, FIVE. They won the last one so that meant that we got to stay another night so her team could play on the 27th. Unfortunately, they lost that game, so by 1:00, we left the fields on a mission to do some last minute shopping. Well, we acoomplished that mission, then we parted ways and I headed back to Del Rio. While I was spending the weekend watching softball and shopping, David was busy flying. He was doing his first cross country as an instructor to Houston and College Station. He went with a fellow IP (instructor pilot) so he could make sure he knew what to do as the instructor when he flies cross country with a student. While on his trip, he was able to spend some valuable time with Kelly, Jamie, his dad, and Virginia, his step mom. All I really know is that they ate some, they probably drank some, and played lots of Wii. I anticipate Dave suggesting we get a Wii somewhere in the near future, but I'm just going to keep quite until then. Wii's however are quite fun gaming systems I must say. Anyway, other than flying, Dave also got to eat at some of our favorite restaurants in College Station (i.e. J. Cody's) and he also got to meet our niece Elizabeth. He said as soon as he got to hold her, he pretty much felt like he couldn't move a muscle or he might hurt or wake her. Apparently, he is a quite comfortable pillow because all Elizabeth did when he held her was sleep. Better than a few alternatives as far as I'm concerned. Dave also said that Elizabeth was REALLY cute and sweet, but that it did not make him want one (a baby) just yet. AAAhhh, sigh of relief from me. :) Anyway, after his visit with Miss Elizabeth, he and Ken, the fellow IP, went back to Houston and played more Wii. They made it safely back to Del Rio about an hour before I did on Sunday.

As for this week, July 27- present, Dave has been flying with BRAND NEW STUDENTS whom he claims try to kill him every second of every flight. He also seems to think that going over to Iraq might actually be a little safer than what he is doing right now. I really don't think that is true, or at least, it is not the most pleasent option of the two. I quite like him being here with me most nights thank you! Apparently the are doing good for this stage of training though, who knows really... He also seems to think he might have accomplished the goal of flying the most hours for their squadron for this month, but we shall see the results of that in a few weeks or so. Apparently this is a really hard award to get, so keep your fingers crossed for that. All positive awards will do nothing but help Dave for his assignment after Del Rio. While Dave has been flying, I have been spending my time doing errands, refinishing a piece of furniture, yard work, house work, and also diong some sewing. I have always been able to find little odd tasks for myself to do. My mom taught me at a VERY young age not to say or even act like I was bored, otherwise, she would "find" me something to do. Usually meaning cleaning something she didn't want to or pulling weeds or something terrible like that.

So, for the leaving again part. Tomorrow, I am going to venture back to the Centerville/ College Sation area again for some more shopping, Lizzy and family time, more visiting friends, possibly a hair cut and a truck tune-up, and another wedding. After the wedding on the 8th, I shall be headed back to Del Rio to enjoy my last week of freedom, to finish a few projects, and to start setting my classroom back up. BLAH!

So, until I type again, be safe, have fun, and try fried pickles if you haven't already. If you have, go eat some, cause they are DEEEELIIIIIIICIOUSSSSS!

-Lana...and Dave too!

Away from home

Hello again all! Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote. I actually sat down to write on Friday and for some reason, I decided not to write, but to do something else. Well am I glad that I made that choice. About thirty minutes after first deciding to do something other than write, my brother called and told me I needed to start driving to College Station because he and his wife were officially going to be parents sometime that day, Friday, July 11, 2008. So, I franticly got my things in my truck, said a VERY rushed goodbye to David at the squadron, then started my TERRIBLY painful 5 hour drive to College Station. Meghan got to the hospital at around 1:00 on Friday afternoon and by 3:30, Elizabeth Pearl Gregory was here. She weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces was 19 3/4 inches long and is perfectly healthy. Meghan is also doing well. She is recouperating and is moving a little slowly, but doing well. I can't tell you how many times I have heard Meghan say how much she loves her little baby girl. I must admit, she is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I have pictures, but won't be able to upload them until sometime next week, so if you are just dying to see pics, check out Luke and Meg's blog from mine. I currently am sitting in the living room at Luke and Meg's house. My mom and I are spending the night tonight and will have at least lunch with them, then we'll see what happens from there.

After the baby was born on Friday, mom, dad, and I stayed in Bryan at Luke and Meg's house, spent a lot of time at the hospital and doing things around for them, and visiting with people who came to see the new addition. We had lunch with some family members and were able to see lots of friends. On Saturday night, we went to Centerville, where my mom and dad live, and chilled for a while. Luckily, on Sunday, I was able to make a trip to Houston to visit my friends from Virginia who were visiting their family. I was really glad to be able to see them considering I haven't seen them since last June. I also was able to stop at STARBUCKS. Man I wish we had one in Del Rio. But, maybe it's a good thing. It is so hard to resist that place. I swear their coffee is laced with cocaine.

As far as plans for the rest of the week, I plan to do a little shopping, visiting with some friends, eating some good food, spending time with family, and seeing as much of Elizabeth as I can.

As for David, he and the other instructors in Bees flight, the flight that David is an instructor for, are frantically trying to get their students finished with their flights. They are scheduled to get a new class sometime next week. So lots of long flying filled days for him, otherwise, being a bachelor at home. There is the possibility that he will go cross country this coming weekend, but I have not been informed of official details. This last weekend he did some fishing and party going, and some much deserved resting.

I will try to remember to update sometime next week. My cousin is coming to stay with David and I in Del Rio for the week, so I may or may not have time. If I don't get around to it, I promise it will be early the next. Until then, I hope you are all doing well and I'M AN AUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao!
Lana or as my niece calls me, Lala

Face Lift

Okay, so I know two posts in one day is a lot for me, but David recently informed me that OUR blog wasn't really HIS style. I like the dots and of course mild colors, but I assume they were a little too girly for my MACHO man, so I have compromised. Still dots, but DARKER, more manly. We'll see when he gets home if this will work. If not, stay tuned for more changes.

Final thought: Pick your battles...Otherwise COMPROMISE!

Anticipation

Wow, I just realized it has been a week since I last posted. I guess there's not much going on in our lives right now. Whatever the case, I'll fill you in on everything anyway.

Last week was a night week for David, so that meant late show times and late return home times. He only had to stay out WAY late one out of the four nights though, so that was a relief. On Thursday, I was able to talk to my sister-in-law about her doctor's appointment. She said the doctor told her that it could be anywhere between 24 hours and two weeks until the baby was born. So, needless to say, any time I get a call from either her or my brother, I'll be on my way to see that precious baby being born, or at least in close proximity of that. I can do without all of the blood and guts, thanks!

Moving on, Thursday evening, we had one of the other instructors in David's flight and his wife over for dinner. We had a really great time and I also got to try out some new recipes. I always like to try new things when other people are around, so if it doesn't turn out, there are more people there to eat it up! I also get nervous fixing new things when company's over because what if it doesn't turn out right??? Then you're a bad cook! Anyway, after dinner on Thursday, we decided to just watch a movie at home on Friday night in preparation for Saturday. While getting dessert on Friday night, my phone rings. It is late, around 9:30, so I immediately think, I'm going to be an aunt! Sure enough, it is my brother. I answered, asked what was up, and he said he was just headed to my parent's house and just wanted to check in. Check in? Does he know what he did to me? It took my heart about 15 minutes to stop racing. I can only imagine what they feel like waiting for the baby. Yikes!

On Saturday morning, we woke up about 6:30 so we could go volunteer at a garage type sale for the Officer's Spouses Club Thrift Shop. The Thrift Shop will be getting a face lift this summer and we needed to get it cleaned out for renovations, so what better way to do that than to have a sale! It was pretty successful, I think we made about $400 give or take a little. After we got all of the items removed from the lawn, Dave and I went home and prepared a meal for a couple who recently had a baby, delivered the meal, ate lunch, then were off to the lake for LOTS of wake boarding. I got to feel a lot more comfortable on the board and tried a few new things too. We had lots of fun, but the best part was getting to spend more time with some of our friends and of course, relaxing. After the lake, we had dinner at Waypoint Cantina and had lots of good food. Exhaustion had set in, so then it was off to the casa for more relaxation and sleep.

Sunday, we didn't do very much. We did wash our windows though, now they look almost nonexistent. I love it! And I also love the fact that my husband doesn't mind helping do that sort of thing. If fact, he is the one that started the cleaning process. Man I'm lucky! Oh, and we also tried our hand at making homemade salsa with some Cheyenne peppers we grew in our backyard container garden. I'm excited because we took it to dinner at our friend's house and he and several other people said it was good! I am going to try to make another batch and can it for later use! We shall see how that turns out. Sunday night, when we were leaving our friends house after watching Terminators (a surprisingly good movie I must admit)the most wonderful thing happened... It rained!! Almost all night too.

Yesterday, was REALLY uneventful as has been today. The only thing exciting that has happened is that it rained again last night and I finished making the baby sling for my sister-in-law to use with their baby. I love being creative.

Tonite, I will have dinner with some of my friends and will help David get packed for his possible cross country flight he is supposed to have with the new squadron commander tomorrow through possibly Friday. Yes, you heard me, Friday, July 4th. What can you do though?? This is the man who will have a BIG hand in saying what plane David will fly out of here. It stinks, but what can you do??? I think tomorrow, I am going to get a pedicure with two of my girlfriends!!! I love having someone else take care of my feet. They always look so much better!

Anyway, until next time, Thank you all of you tax payers for paying our electricity bills, because my husband likes to keep our house at refrigerator standards. In other words, it's COLD in my house...and if it were left up to us to pay out of pocket for our electricity, it might not stay that way. Because of you, David stays comfortable!

The Frio

Dave and I are back from the Frio river trip that my family and several other families from my hometown take every year. This year was a little different than years in the past, people missing and such, but we had LOTS of fun none the less.

Luckily, Dave did not have to fly on Friday due to change of command ceremonies and things of the sort, so we were able to leave a lot earlier than anticipated. We got there and basically house hopped for the first several hours waiting on my parents to get there so we could decide whose house to stay in. They finally got there at about 8:00 on Friday night, so we decided to stay with some of our family friends. Dave and I had already been to hang out at "the rock" and were about to eat Fajitas when my parents arrived. I swear it took them 7 hours to get there, maybe more. Maybe it was the whole waiting process that seemed so long. It always happens that way. When you really want to see someone or really want to do something, the wait is always ten times longer than the time you actually spend seeing or doing what you waited so long for. Oh well, that's how things work. Sooo, we ate our fajitas and "Uncle Dickie's" famous Dickie Beans!!! then hung out with everyone for the rest of the night catching up on what everyone has been up to, telling fun stories, and of course, what we do best at the river, drinking.

Saturday, Becca woke me up at 10:00 to eat breakfast, then we made plans to go back and hang out at the river. You see, the Frio is EXTREMELY low right now, so there really isn't much floating going on, so we decided to just sit in the river and talk, laugh, and drink some more. After hanging at the river, we went back to our house, ate lunch, then went and bought tickets to see Stoney LaRue play at the House Pasture, a restaurant at the Frio. This is a time when I was really glad that I busted out the ole military ID instead of my regular old drivers license because they gave us half off of our tickets. I've decided to offer my military ID unless people ask for my DL because I really don't like asking for military discounts, but if they happen to notice that I am military and just give me the discount out of the goodness of their hearts, I will gladly accept it. Yes, it's official, new policy for me! Anyway, after we bought our concert tickets, mom basically had to pull dad away from the helicopter rides that are available there. Next year, we totally have to make sure dad gets to go on a ride. That is pretty much all he talked about the whole time and all he got to do was look at it. I feel bad he didn't get a chance to go, but time just did not permit. Sooo, then, we all went back to the house and started cooking dinner. Saturday was our family's night to cook, so mom helped me put the finishing touches on the Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream that I made, which turned out really well, then I made the hash brown potato casserole, mom made the salad and macaroni and cheese, and dad cooked the steaks and chicken. We all ate, then got ready to go to the concert. We had so much fun there. The weather was comfortable, the music was good, and the company was even better. Plus, David and I haven't been to a concert in such a long time that just being surrounded by lots of music and fun loving people gave you no choice but to have a great time. After the concert, we all went back to the house and hung out.

Sunday, we woke up at around 10:00 again, I love sleeping in, and had a meager breakfast, then went to Garner State Park after saying goodbye to my parents. I always hate telling them goodbye. We are still stationed in Texas, but we are still so far away from them that we don't get to see them near as much as we would like and every time we do get to see them, the time goes by so quickly. The next time I will get to see them is when my niece is being born. How strange is that. There is going to be another member of our family in less than a month. Wow, I am really that old. WOW! Oh, my, what a tangent. Our trip to Garner was good. Very relaxing and nice to see a different part of the Frio than we had before. Also a great potential camping location for the fall or next spring. We shall see. After we left Garner, we basically went back to the house, changed clothes and left to come home.

On the drive home, we decided we wanted to try to eat out somewhere, so we stopped to eat at the place called Brackett Burger and Shake. A little diner that some of our friend had suggested we try on one of our trips to or from San Antonio. So, luckily they were open and we indulged. If you want a good sandwich, onion rings, or curly fries, that is certainly the place to go. Dave was so impressed that he said he was sad we hadn't eaten there before. We will be trying it again sometime, so will have more things to recommend. Maybe even some tasty Mexican food. Who knows. We were able to make it back to the house by about 7:30 I guess, then unpacked and things of the sort.

Now, we are back to the week routine. Dave is flying and I am hanging out with friends, sewing, working out, and doing wifely duties, or at least trying to do so. Now, the talk around is plans for July 4th. Hopefully the lake and lots of hanging out with friends! We shall see. I'll keep you posted on anything fun that comes along, until then, Don't count the days, Make the days COUNT!!!

Lana

As some of you requested or suggested...

Okay, so since all of my friends are doing this, I'm going to be a follower and do the same! I am not much of a writer, and very little of my life is interesting, but I agree that it is a GREAT way to keep everyone posted on current events in our lives.



Currently, I am on SUMMER VACATION!!!!! I'll tell you what, I love my job right now! Actually, I love my job most days, even when it's not summer vacation or any vacation for that matter. I am a Pre-K teacher at Cardwell Headstart and work with 3,4, and 5 year olds. I basically teach them how to write their names, numbers, letters, their colors, shapes, numbers, letters, and lots and lots of social skills. In the fall, I will start my third year at Cardwell and am so blessed to have some continuity for my resume when we have to move the next time. Sooooo, seeing as how it is summer vacation, these days, I spend all day doing exactly what I want. I have made it my personal goal to work out and get back into shape this summer so hopefully, I'll be able to keep it up into the next school year. So far, I am doing well. The only problem I see is that if I am "on vacation" (meaning being away from my house visiting people or doing things) I tend to want to CELEBRATE a little too much. Hopefully, I can learn to have some self control. If not, I'll just work extra hard to make up for it.



David is currently instructing Undergraduate Student Pilots. He teaches them how to fly the T-6 Texan, a little two seat prop plane. This, for most UPT(Undergraduate Pilot Training) students is the second airplane they have ever flown. The one they fly before is a little prop plane as well, but they only get enough hours to basically learn how to land without killing themselves. (This may be a little bit of a warped view, but in my mind, it's totally reality. This is MY HUSBAND these kids are flying with! AHHHHH!) ANYWAY, David is basically teaching these guys and girls the fundamentals of flying. T-6's is the Kindergarten of piloting we'll say... (I had to add some teacher parallels in there. I know too many teachers for me to not relate pilot training to teaching in some way.) He has only been instructing for about 2 weeks now, but seems to really like it. And my favorite part of it all is that he is waaaayyyy less stressed out when he comes home. I like living here as an instructor's wife a whole lot more than as a student's wife.



Today, I had to go up to David's flight room to bring him a change of clothes because he soloed a student out in formation today and they threw him in the solo pool.( A tradition we'll say, when someone gets to fly by themselves for the first time either just them in a plane, or just them in a plane flying against another plane, i.e. formation solo. After the flight, their classmates, or students in Dave's case, throw them into a big cattle water trough full of disgusting water.) I thought all of that crazy boy stuff would be reserved for the students, not the instructors. Oh well, everyone seemed to be excited about it when I went up there. The good news is that when Dave solos someone out, they have to give him a gift, usually of the alcoholic persuasion.... We'll see though.



For the rest of the day however, no big plans, except.... yes that's right, working out at our lovely fitness center. Then cook dinner for my handsome husband, then get ready to go to the Frio River tomorrow for some relaxation and hanging out with fabulous friends and family. I'll let you know how it goes...



Lana