April Has Already Brought Some Surprises!

Wow, March went by very fast. It actually went out like a little wimpy lamb. Spring Break is over, and now the kids will be making that final push to finish out the school year. In Texas this year, the students will actually have a longer than usual summer. The state has decided that no district may begin the school year before that last Monday in August. Therefore, August 27 looks like the day that the students will come back. That also means that the year won't end until June.

April is going to bring another round of tests for Sharon. Can anybody say, "Endoscopy AND Colonoscopy?" She can hardly wait to swallow that little camera. (UGH!)

April will also bring a series of appointments for Ellen getting ready for that all important knee replacement surgery in May. Everything will happen so fast.

On Monday of this week, the excitement in the neighborhood brought the discovery of a neighbor who was found dead in her home. The WEIRDEST thing about that is that no one had seen her , or heard from her in more than a year. They actually think that it was probably 15 months. She lived as a recluse building a fortress around her home. She was estranged from family members. She even had a son! Can you imagine not being in touch with your mother for more than a year? (Sharon can't get lost for 30 minutes without Ellen on the warpath looking for her.) The lady was partially mummified. Her two little dogs were also found dead with her. Those of us who saw her on rare occasions tried to be friendly, but she would have none of it. We feel really bad about the situation, but we were helpless to find a way to help her. She apparently died the way she wanted to die, and her home became her tomb. May she rest in peace!

We hope everyone has a blessed Easter!

A Visit To An Osteria

While we were in Las Vegas, Jason and Paula took us to a wonderful Osteria one evening, called Nora's Wine Bar and Osteria. It was such a lovely place to go. "Osteria" is an Italian restaurant where the "main attraction" is wine -- and the food (which was outstanding) is there to enhance the wine. Can you think of anything better?? Each course and entree is brought out separately and is meant to be shared with everyone at the table. The idea is that you take your time to eat and share your day, your thoughts, your time with friends/family. The atmosphere was charming. You can buy a "debit card" and use it to get a measured amount of wine (one, three or five ounces) . The amount is then taken from your card. We received some bad advice and purchased one card with a large amount for the four of us to share. Well....the wine sampling area is computerized, so it only allows you to have so many ounces per hour!! That was kind of a bummer. The bartender had to keep reprogramming the machine. Other than that, we had a great time. If you ever get to Italy and see an Osteria, know it would be a great place to go and enjoy some quality time that is not on the normal "tourist attraction" list!!

Our daughters are sure broadening our horizons!! It is so much fun. May we never get too old that we don't want to learn and experience new things. There is a saying, "When I die, I want to slide into heaven with chocolate in one hand and a glass of wine in the other!!" Here's to life and Two Friends' Tales and Travels!!

A Significant Remembrance for Sharon

Hello, everybody,
This past week was a significant week for me. It was the 22nd anniversary of my brain aneurysm. It is indeed hard to believe that it has been twenty-two years since that fateful faculty meeting when I had one terrific headache. It is even more difficult to believe that I was so lucky to have had it leak instead of burst. I know that that is what saved my life. (along with lots of prayers) The neurologist wrote a report that said that this woman would not survive twelve years without surgery. Guess what I do when I pass by his office. (Hee, hee) I really do not know how he picked that number from the air. Those of you who know me know the circumstances surrounding this happening. I can tell you that God wasn't finished with me yet. Without those extra years, I would not have been able to do many things, nor would I have met the people who mean so very much to me. I am grateful to have had those years. So many things have happened, and I shudder to think that I might not have been able to see my daughter get her driver's license, graduate from college with two degrees, or even attend her wedding. It is scary to think that each day is a gift from God. We should all remember that and be thankful that we are here on this earth for a purpose.

Please forgive me for this very personal reflection. Some of the people I love so very much would not have been a part of my life if I had not refused to enter that white light path to those gates. AWESOME!!!! Here's to LIFE, and all that is holds for us. I love to hear Celine Dion say, " Let's go for it. I'm alive."

Another Attempt at Posting Spring Break Fun

Finally! I was able to upload one picture at a time. HOORAY! I feel like a total "nincompoop." Don't ask what that means, but it isn't a good thing to feel like. Oh, well. This is the most jumbled up ever blog. (But at least, I am trying to learn all of this stuff.)

Above are the souvenirs that we got from the Phantom. We bought the two champagne flutes in the store next to the theater. (It just wouldn't look right for two old ladies to walk around in tee shirts that said, "Prima Dona"!) But the champagne flutes??? That's a different story.
This picture above is one of the sets used.

This picture is of the cover of the program. I just thought it was pretty.

Of course, these are the two precious granddogs. Jaxon is in the front with darker ears, and the other sweetheart is Sedona--Jaxon and Sedona Zona.

This one is of Paula showing off the portabello mushrooms for the turkey burgers. (I think I misspell Portobello, or is it Portabello? ) Ellen is leaning on the counter. We had a long trip from Phoenix through the Hoover Dam. Well, I just tried to upload one more picture, and it wouldn't let me AGAIN!!! So bye for now, if you got this far.!

Our Spring Break Fun

Here are a few pictures taken on our trip to visit Sharon's daughter and son-in-law in Las Vegas. There are a few taken at their home, and then a few taken of the program and souvenirs from "Phantom of the Opera." We both feel very fortunate that we were able to see such a wonderful show.

Oops, I am having trouble adding pictures to this blog, so maybe I should close for now, and start all over again.

Whoa! Would You Believe 100 Degrees?

Hi, there,
We are in Tempe, Arizona today. The weather was so hot? 100 Degrees hot!
Wow, huh? We spent most of the day in IKEA. What fun that is! As usual, we found lots of things that we couldn't live without. Boy, do we know how to fill up the trunk of a car. Sharon's car even has a basement. It is a good thing!

Tomorrow we are planning a trip to the Arizona Mills Mall, and the Chandler Mall. Normally we say, "Yea! It's Friday." Now we have only one more day to shop. Too bad we have to go home on Sunday.

Hope you have a great weekend!

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS .. ... .. . . . . . .

We made it safely to Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon. Without problems we found our way to the Venetian Hotel to pick up our tickets for Phantom of the Opera. Before leaving the hotel we decided to stop at the Phantom souvenir shop. (Our mommas didn't raise any dummies!)We purchased two champagne flutes that have black stems and a gold insignia of the Phantom. From previous experiences in Las Vegas we knew that after the show it would be a mad house in there!! Then we found our way to Paula and Jason's, where wine, hors d'uerves, and a loving home were awaiting us. Oh my, was dinner delicious. Afterwards we sat outside by the fire pit and enjoyed cherries jubilee. Did we ever feel like queens!

Monday, we slept late and just relaxed. It was a nice change from getting up and driving for hundreds of miles.

AND THEN....

We headed to the Strip - just the two of us! We visited all the shops in the Venetian, played with the one armed bandits (except they are computerized now) and then headed to a lovely restaurant on the canal for drinks and appetizers. We had a table which sat right next to the canal. The gondoliers were continuous and we even saw two weddings taking place! Only in Vegas!!! :o)

The Venetian has a specially built theater for Phantom and it was SPECTACULAR!! It is fashioned after a Paris Opera House. There are no words to describe the atmosphere, the excitement, and being transported in time -- back to the 1800's! Our seats were directly below the chandelier which begins to light and swing and be put together in the opening scene! We were close to tears during a couple of the scenes. Oh my! We could go on and on.


We also visited Paula's and Jason's schools today! They both work in a very nice part of the city, and they do not have to get on the freeway to get to their schools. Tonight the mommas are grilling lobster and shrimp to serve along with steamed veggies and homebaked French bread with dipping oil. Yum-yum! We love cooking for them because they work so hard at their jobs and don't take the time they should to get their veggies! ( I know, that sounds just like a momma!)

Guess we should close for now. We have two more nights to get into trouble . . . . . . . .

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS!!!

On The Road Again!

Well, here we go! It is now time to start the count down for the beginning of Spring Break. Since today is the end of the 9 week grading period, the kiddies get to go home an hour early. Soooo, in 3 hours they will all be gone and the "Break" will be officially begun. This is always a happy time of year for those of us who work in Education. It gives us time away to relax and regroup and come back for the final push toward the end of the school year.

Our travels are taking us to Las Vegas and Phoenix this year. We have tickets to see Phantom of the Opera on Monday evening. That is going to be one of the high points of our trip. (Besides seeing Paula and Jason) We never know what excitement will await us on our adventures. But,
oh my, do we enjoy the journey!!

Say a prayer for us that we have a safe trip. Here we go!! Adios for now!!

Happy Birthday To My Paulita!

Happy Birthday to Paula!

What happened to the past thirty-six years? How lucky Sharon was to be chosen your mom! Have a wonderful day!
Ellen WILL write some things on our trip. She promised! It will be fun to try out our new laptop. Have a great Spring Break wherever you are!

Here Comes March With a Really Loud ROAR!

It is almost impossible to believe that March 1st is here! Those of you who know Sharon, know that she lost the entire month of February, and it started out so beautifully! The winds hit El Paso hard yesterday, and unless it was really important, she didn't go out at all. (The breathing treatments have been reduced to three daily, but it is difficult to stop your life three times a day and take a breathing treatment.) The alternative isn't very appealing, so I guess she will quit griping about it soon.

(The picture above is a picture of Paula and Jason-the educational dynamic duo of Nevada! Their only children are shown above--Jaxon and Sedona!)

Now on to better things! The second week of March is Spring Break around here. Ellen and Sharon are off to Las Vegas! Yea!!! Sharon's daughter and son-in-law have lived in Vegas for a long time where they both work in the school system. Paula is principal of an elementary school there, and Jason is assistant principal of a high school. They are kind enough to put up with all sorts of visitors during the year. We haven't been there since October of 2005. This time we have tickets to see "Phantom of the Opera" at the Venetian.

Half the fun of going on trips with each other is the shopping part. Oh, my, do we love to do that! Ellen may have to push Sharon around in a wheelchair, even though she is the one to get a new knee in May! If Sharon can, she will wheel Ellen around! (That's what friends are for!)

We hope your March turns out to be a fantastic month for you. Thanks for listening!