meet

Maggie.  She's our new Boxer/Australian Shepherd mix.  She is SO sweet.

She's learning to fetch her toy

and sit.

We brought her inside on a leash to introduce her to the cats.  Lucille thought Maggie was a monster.  Strat wanted to let Maggie know this is his house and he can be a monster.  After that we took her back outside and let her run around and play until we wore her out.

Then she heard something in the tree.

 
Then she decided it wasn't worth it.

Coming soon: a thunderstorm.  This could be interesting.

i tried a new

recipe.  It's oatmeal made in a slow cooker.  First of all, I'm picky about my oatmeal.  I know what I like.  I like it plain with lots of sugar and cinnamon and NO milk.  I don't like it soupy, but more of a mashed potato consistency.  That said, I tried this oatmeal recipe.  I know Cosme likes his a little different from mine and figured if this recipe weren't great for me, he'd probably like it.  It's apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and oatmeal.  Sounds great (minus the apples).  I added it all to the pot last night and turned it on low.  Never having used steel oats before, I looked them up.  It looked like the ratio of oats to water was 1:3.5, NOT 1:2 like the recipe called for.  I'd already added all the ingredients and was not supposed to stir it.  So I added more water and nothing else.  Anyway, this morning the oatmeal was done.  I used 7 cups of water instead of the called for 4 cups, that part was perfect.  I didn't like it though.  It was not my favorite.  It needed more cinnamon and sugar and really needed salt.  On the plus side, I used a slow cooker liner so when it cools down a little, all I need to do is tie up the bag, lift it out and throw it all in the trash.  Yuck.

I already know it's going to be a long day.  I'm so sleepy and ready for bed... and it's 6:00 in the morning.

This picture is from a couple of nights ago, when there was some meteor shower.  I had a lawn chair out in the driveway with blankets, a coke and my camera.  I didn't see anything out of the ordinary so I took a picture of the moon.  The more I look at it though, the sleepier it's making me.  Maybe I'll be better once the sun comes up.  Until then, I need something other than slow-cooked oatmeal.

i have quite a few things

I should be doing right now.  This isn't at the top of that list but it just seems easier.  I need to figure out a few things with some photo stuff I've started messing with, I need to make a grocery list, I need to dry my hair, I REALLY need to get up and get a fork for this hot dog (which I totally should have given second thought to the hot dog), I need to scan some stuff, I need to read some stuff, I need to edit some stuff...  On the plus side, I've already made an appointment with the eye doctor and gotten the recycling bags out.

I took this picture last weekend on the bridge over on Rusk at Bagby in downtown Houston.  It's kind of fitting because as much as I don't need to be parked right here doing this, I do need to be parked right here doing other things.

Speaking of Rusk and Bagby, a few days after I took this picture, a man was found dead under the bridge.

I really need to add "quit typing" to my to-do list.

my windshield wipers

quit on me.  My inspection sticker was almost up and since I have to go to the dealer for that, I put off the wipers as long as possible.  (The dealer is out of my way and I try to make as few trips as possible.)  I had an appointment scheduled and it was raining that morning so I had to reschedule.  I went yesterday and they diagnosed the problem.  It was the switch.  They didn't have the part and it was scheduled to rain today and tomorrow so they found a loaner for me.  I walked out and had to laugh.  They really know how to ruin it all for me.  All my "I love not having a car payment" and "my car is perfect for me" was on hold when I stepped outside and saw the SUV they had for me.  They do realize that's going to drive me nuts, right?  Of course.  It's a little one and is perfect for me... just like my car.  Oh, but then there's that whole car payment issue that I LOVE not having.  Oh well, one day I'll need a new car.  When I do, it'll be this one.

Here it is.

One thing that bothers me is the whole ECO thing.  The car turns off or goes into a standby mode when I come to a stop and starts back up when I let my foot off the brake.  It's weird and I don't like it.  I feel like I'm not in control.  I'm also not fond of the gear shift.  It's digital-ish and I'm having a hard time adjusting.  And what's with the tea cup?  I don't get that.

Maybe they'll be over that phase and will have gone back to normal when I get my silver one...

yesterday was my

sister's 30th birthday.  I baked a cake and we grilled and guess what.  My sister lives 5 hours away so we did all of this in her honor.  I made a vanilla sheet cake that she told me about last week.  It's half gone now.

I put pecans on half and left the other half plain.  I can't decide which side I like better.  She said it reminds her of petite fours but not me.  To me it's more buttery and moist and gooey.  I have a feeling it's one of those recipes I'll be asked to not make too much.  I mean it's HALF gone already.

I also picked up a different kind of cracker for our dips.  I'd never heard of these before but I really liked them.  I'll definitely buy them again.

Another thing I had yesterday was the Don Q Passion Fruit Rum.  I never found any so when we went to Puerto Rico, I brought a bottle home.  It's really good.  I mixed it with a little ginger ale and grenadine.  Yum.  I'm posting the bottle because it doesn't look like the last bottle I posted when I asked everyone to be on the lookout for it.  So here it is and if you see it, please get me one.

I also went out to the San Jacinto Festival in West Columbia on Friday night.  I wanted to get some carnival pictures with the lights.  Click HERE to see them.

Now I need to get busy so I can make my 10:20 appointment at the car dealer's service center.  I hate going.  It's not that I dislike the people, they always seem to go out of their way to be friendly and helpful.  I hate it like I hate the dentist.  It's like I wait for bad news.  Actually, this will be the first time I wait... hopefully.  They usually give me a loaner and I get to spend a day or two driving around in a newer car until the work is done.  This time I said I'd wait.  If I leave with a loaner, it means they've done like the dentist and found more work that needs to be done.  (sigh.)

i'm excited today

and it's really for no particular reason.  I mean there's nothing major going on, just a few little details that are making today a pretty good day.  (The fact that I just watched Paula Deen make pralines helped.)  I have lunch in the oven, I mopped, I called 911 and my oomph came back. 

Yes, I called 911 this morning.  I was coming in the back of the neighborhood around 4:30 and I noticed the field near our subdivision had a little fire going.  It was too dark to see whether or not it was a controlled fire, I just saw blackness and flames on the ground.  Considering it was 4:30 and not many people are out that early, I decided to call.  I don't know what ever happened.  They were sending someone to check it out and 4 hours later there was no fire so I'm just going to assume I did something good.

I was watching a show on dvr this morning when the phone rang.  Actually, I wasn't paying attention because I was playing Candy Crush and the show had apparently gone to a commercial.  I pressed pause and took the call.  I had been talking to my aunt for a little bit before I glanced up at the tv.  Yes, I had to take a picture.  I couldn't resist.

I'm stopping here.  The washing machine just rang its little chime and I need to TCB before my oomph goes on break.

i didn't think

I'd be posting right now but I am and that makes me so happy.  Not only does it mean I'm sitting here but it also means I'm not on my way for my appointment at the car dealership's service department.  I had an appointment for 10:20 this morning but I had to reschedule.  I didn't really feel like making that drive or sitting there anyway.  I need today to stop for a second and chill.  It kind of feels like I've been going nonstop.  I know I haven't but it sure feels that way.  I think next week might be a little slower, except for the car appointment that was rescheduled...

Monday was Lucille's appointment with the groomer.  ugh.  She was stressed.  I picked her up and it was awesome.  She was soft and fluffy and clean!  Then we got home.  Strat did not like it.  He didn't like her for coming back smelling like that and he didn't like me for taking her.  He was really being a jerk with all his hissing and growling.  He was better by that evening and had almost forgotten it by the next morning.

We had thought about going to Big Bend last weekend but we didn't.  We are going to Denver pretty soon for Cosme's birthday.  There's a concert and I want to do lots of exploring with my camera.  Even though it's not the road trip I wanted to take, I think it'll do.  We considered making the drive but I really wanted as much time as I could get for checking out the sites.  Speaking of which, one of the things I wanted to do was drive to Mount Evans.  Watching the weather reports and all the snow they've had and are expecting, I'm betting against my drive up a mountain.  (It might be possible but considering the images of driving off a cliff that are going through my head, it probably won't happen.)  Anyway...

I guess I really should get busy with the things I need to get done before another day passes and the next busy day gets here. (sigh.)

Here's a random picture just so this post doesn't look so long and wordy.

yes, it's been

a few days and yes, I've been busy but I'll save that for another day.  It probably won't be tomorrow and it more than likely won't be Thursday.  Friday's a possibility but I'd more than likely go with tomorrow over Friday.  On second thought...  I don't know.

For now, I have some pictures to share.  My cousin Brittany is getting married.  I posted her pics on the other blog.  You know, the one I'm trying out and might be thinking about keeping around but not for any personal stuff?  Look HERE and you can see the pics.

And that's it until tomorrow or Friday... or possibly Thursday.

there was a

cardinal flying around the yard in Brazoria for a few days.  I was determined to get him.  He was determined to not let me.  The next few pictures are nothing great visually but there was a great effort behind them to catch this guy.

When you read this, it needs to be read like an older, stuffy man, probably from a different era.  (BTW, what I'm trying to describe and how I'm reading it is totally off because everyone knows I'm the WORST at impressions."

"Wait, is she trying to aim that thing at me?  I'll show her."

"I'm outta here." (Notice I did manage to get his tail feathers.)

"She'll never see me h.. DAGNABIT!"

"I swear, it's so hard for a bird to get comfortable around here."

 "Wait.  SURELY YOU JEST!"

"Fine.  I'll get situated right here and just turn my back to her."

"This is unreal."

"Forget it.  I'll go back to the shade."
"Here she is again.  I might as well make her happy so she'll leave me alone. 'CHEEEEEESE. HAPPY NOW?"

"Wow.  I thought that would never end..."

And a few minutes later, in another part of the yard, his friend enters the picture.  (This one is more nasally and probably from up north.)

"Hey, guys!  What's going on over here?"

Oh well, at least I was entertained.

i found a coffee cake

recipe on Pinterest.  I finally got around to making it yesterday and I think it's good.  It wasn't nearly as simple as the recipe with crescent rolls and cream cheese but I'm glad I made it.  And FYI for anyone wanting to make it, I used 5 mixing bowls (instead of cleaning out the stand mixer after each).  Next time I'll probably use the stand but only for the cake step.  Everything else would be fine in a bowl with a hand mixer.  If you're interested in the recipe, it's HERE.  If you're interested in seeing my finished product, it's here

What?  No pictures from outdoors?  Have no fear.  I got you covered HERE.

i should probably

post a warning.  I've noticed a pattern lately.  It's like I NEED to get outside with my camera.  Maybe spring is to blame or maybe it's the road-trip bug that has bitten... HARD.  I just don't know.  It might be all of it. 


I went outside yesterday and there was a lizard on the water hose.  I took his picture.

See?  Nothing is safe, especially this bird.  He's been in a tree near my front door (off and on) for a couple of weeks and he's SO LOUD.  One day he was trying to come through the window above the front door.  It was driving the cats crazy.  I ran in to get my camera but he had flown over to the neighbor's tree.  He's so annoying.  (I realize it might not be the same bird every time but it's easier to place blame on one and direct all of my anger at him.)

And I'm also noticing a pattern with ground shots.  There was one from the cemetery and here's another.

Another pattern I've noticed?  Dishes like to accumulate in my sink.

is it me or

did the weekend fly by?  I'm pretty sure it flew by.  The bad part is that it flew by and I don't have much to show for it.  Cosme went driving around with me on Saturday.  I needed to get out and play around with my camera so that, we did.  Although it wasn't as much as I'd hoped for, I did get out.  We headed out to a cemetery off of 523, between Angleton and Oyster Creek.  It was always creepy at night and everybody would go out there as teenagers.  It's not like there were any rituals going on or anything, it was just the thrill of being scared.  Actually, this was the first time I'd ever seen this place during the day.  Although it was a little scary, I think it's mainly from remembering how terrified I was before.  Oh, and it is on a dead end street.  That just feels a little freaky.

I also never knew it had a name until now... and that it's a historical site.

I've always enjoyed Texas history, especially in this area.  This makes me want to get in my car and do a historical marker tour.  Hmm, maybe one day.  I guess until then I'll focus on all the other things that need doing, like laundry and grocery shopping.

I have a couple of pictures of the cemetery and I posted them HERE.  Go check them out.

see what happens

when I get sidetracked?  There was a long weekend and there's been a lot going on around here.  Well, not actually around here but in the general vicinity. 

Let's start off with my second strawberry.  Look how red and perfect it was.  (Okay, so my phone didn't take the best picture and it is a little darker but that strawberry really was dark red.)

Now we'll move on to all the work that Mom's been doing at the house in Brazoria.  She was finishing up her newest walkway yesterday when I decided I'd get up and sweep the patio.  I was moving chairs over and got over to the trash can and happen to take a glance.  I didn't scream but I got out of the way quickly with an "OH MY GOSH!" and got Mom's attention.  There was a baby possum playing possum in the trash can.

He didn't play for long.

As frightening as he was, he was also a little cute.  There's also a bird nest in a hibiscus.  I like the garbage the bird found.  It's like she was weatherproofing her house.

Speaking of weatherproofing, there was a lot of hail damage in area towns overnight.  Today it's all the news channels are talking about, large hail and lots of it.  One thing I thought could have been worded a little better, or maybe it couldn't have been worded any better, was the weather lady's intro.  They always start with a picture someone submitted.  Today it was obviously going to be of hail.  She said she had a big hail picture to show. 

Now did she mean it was a big picture of hail or it was a picture of big hail?  Either fits, I guess.  I just wish she would've worded it differently.

That reminds me.  I need to check my strawberries after last night's rain.