oops, it's not like I forgot

about the blog, I was just sidetracked.

For example, we made it to the Van Gogh exhibit at MFAH.  We only had to wait in line for a few minutes.  There was a stage set up for a band.

I told Cosme the Van Gogh-Goghs must be playing later.  He didn't find that as clever as I did.  I sent Mom a text about it, since she's someone who would appreciate my play on words.  I don't think she thought it was as clever as I did either.  IT WAS FUNNY.

Anyway, we got into the actual exhibit and I wasn't feeling it.  Everything was pretty and beyond anything I could ever do but the descriptions all started with Reproduction.  I was getting irritated thinking we just paid $50 to see a bunch of copies.  Then we got to the next room.

Okay, so it was a copy of a sketchbook but it was pretty cool.

A few steps later and we were there.

It was pretty cool but I didn't bother reading everything about every painting.  There were people everywhere.  Oh yeah, I don't do well in crowds.  People just poking around in no order annoy me.

I guess I'll never meet my full artistic capabilities if I have to live by something Van Gogh said.

Irises.

I googled the painting when we got home just so I could see it all over the internet and think how I saw that right in front of me.  You can read more about it HERE, on the website of its home.  I especially like this part of the description:

After the actual exhibit, they had a another exhibit set up.  It was an interactive thing they had that was probably more for the younger crowd.  One thing they did was bring to life several of his paintings.

Waking up, stretching, and yawning (with tickets in my hand)... while a crowd watches.

Van Gogh in one of his rare portraits with glasses and feeling a little more feminine.

That's really all I have to show from the museum.  I didn't bother taking too many pictures because there are already pictures of most of that stuff all over the place.

We stopped for lunch afterwards at El Real Tex Mex Cafe and it was so good.  I had half of a margarita.  It was good, but strong.  We shared beef fajitas for one and man, oh man.  I wasn't even hungry going in but was miserable when we left.  It was really good.  I would link the restaurant's website here but it looks like it's under construction.

When we got home, we were exhausted.  Cosme fell asleep but I went to WC to watch the baby get in the pool for the first time.  I stayed for a few minutes then came home and fell asleep.  When I woke up, I felt horrible.  I had a sore throat from sinus drainage and just felt blah.  I'm still working on getting rid of it.  I'm taking Mucinex and it's really helping.  I'm sneezing and dripping now but my throat is much better.  I'm also moving slowly.  I'd say I'm functioning at about 82%.  That's better than the 18% I started off at yesterday.

Okay.  I need to put my 82% to work before the baby gets here.

i'm forcing myself to sit

at the computer right now.  My routine is messed up.

Here are a few things that have been going on.

We went on a pub crawl over the weekend.  Our first stop was at The Wayside Pub where Cosme had an order of Scotch Eggs.

They looked and smelled good but it was hot outside and I didn't feel like trying them.  One day I will make and try them.  The event was put on by Galveston Island Brewing and involved several bars and restaurants in downtown LJ.  We already knew about a few of the places but found a couple of new places we liked.  The Fill Station was probably our favorite.  We liked the music and atmosphere and I'm sure we would've liked the food since it's from Brian's BBQ (the people who catered the wedding).  We also really liked Growler's Pour Haus.  While they only had beer, I'd definitely go back for the pizza.  We brought some pizza home and were worn out by the end of the day.

I figured out a way for Maggie to quit licking her paws.

This has been going on for a few days.  Here's what it looks like when Maggie doesn't care about the cone around her head and wants to snuggle with Archer.

There was a good deal on strawberry lemonade over the weekend.  I loaded up but since I did that, I needed to clear a few things out of the refrigerator.  The Hawaiian Punch was almost empty so I decided to finish it off.  I also decided to bypass a glass and drink directly from the jug.

I also learned that Shout gets Hawaiian Punch out of white shirts.

I'm going to go be lazy now.

well that didn't go as

planned but it ended up better.  Cosme sent a text asking if I wanted to meet him for lunch.  Then Eric sent a text asking if I wanted to come have lunch.  I got my early things done and left to pick Eric up and we headed out to have lunch with Cosme.  I was trying to get home before the weather hit but that didn't happen.

Instead of staying home though, I went out and did what I needed to do.  Cosme and Eric will be using my car this weekend so I'm stuck with Cosme's.  I decided that I'd rather do my running around in 60 degree weather using my own car in the rain with plenty of room than 30 degree weather in Cosme's little car.  I stopped at Hobby Lobby in Pearland and then the one in LJ and ran into Leasa.  We talked for a little bit while it poured outside.  By the time we walked out, the weather was clearing up.  She got lucky and got in her car and drove away.  Someone parked too close to my driver side so I had to climb over from the passenger side... after a guy tried to hit me up for money (something about drugs and Jesus).  I headed to the next store and then the sun came out.  It was awesome weather after the few scattered showers, I was able to stop by a few more stores, check off a few things from the wedding shopping list and everything stayed DRY.  By the time I got home, the wedding invitations had been delivered.  Today I need to get postage and then I'll spend the weekend stuffing envelopes.  Don't be jealous.

Oh, I do need to get one more thing from Hobby Lobby.  Paper.  I think Cosme's car can handle that haul.

I made the dressing for

Thanksgiving and everybody ate it so I'm calling it a success.

I had Cosme try it before I put the egg in and he liked it.  He mentioned that it was sweet but it was good.  I told him I remember Cindy telling me way back that Myra said something about it being good to add sugar to stuff.  That's probably why she eliminated all those biscuits and toast and went with cornbread packets, for the sweetness.  Of course I had to go and post my updates and notes on the recipe site so that I'll remember what I'm supposed to do next year.  Maybe I should also make a note somewhere that the turkey needs about an ounce of injection per pound and needs to fry 4 minutes per pound.  Done.  Now we shouldn't have to look it up next year and can just look here.  I guess I still need to make a note somewhere that it's here and we don't have to search...

I was scheduled to do portraits over the weekend and was thinking of places to do them.  On Thursday after our food settled and while the Cowboys were doing whatever that was, Cosme came with me to check out one of the parks but it's still closed from the flooding.  We still had light so we did a quick loop through East Columbia and found this building next to the Carrie Nation historical marker.

I knew we needed to go there for the portraits but I also needed permission.  A few phone calls (and hours) later, the owners were located and permission was granted.  It's really a cool building.  Peggy said it was an old post office.  I got there a few minutes early so I walked around the building to check it out.  I was surprised when I saw how pretty the back of the building was.

I wasn't going to share this pic since I'm probably using it as my photo challenge pic in a few days.

The house is also across the street from the paddling trail.  I'm guessing this is the entrance or exit?  It's cool looking and I really appreciate and like to admire nature and all but I really don't like for it to touch me... especially when I'm by myself.

I think too many run-ins as a kid with banana spiders and their webs had me a little on edge.

After Cosme and I started talking about ghosts out there, I sent Dad a text about East Columbia and Samsung expected something more exotic.

I'm sure Africa and Jerusalem have nothing on East Columbia and its ghost stories.  Please.

Oh, speaking of probably being scarred from banana spiders as a kid, I was cleaning the bathroom the other day.  Not thinking about the shirt with long tassels that I left hanging on the side of the tub (that had clearly fallen into the tub), I was a little alarmed terrified when I saw this.

I jumped and yelled.  That got my heart rate going.  If all you see is a tassel, then don't look directly at it.  Tell me you don't see a big spider.  I know I'm starting to sound sissier than I already am but let me get this out there.  Spiders don't bother me - normal house spiders don't bother me.  You show me a roach and I'll scream and run.  Spiders?  No... unless they're big.  I don't mess around with big spiders.  My definition of big spiders is anything bigger than... let's say... a banana spider.  That tassel is way bigger and fatter than a banana spider.

That's enough for today.  One of the things I need to do this morning is get out the garland to go around the front door.  I'm already going to be scared about what bugs might come out.  This post isn't helping me in any way at all.  Time to think happier, less creepy thoughts.  Oh, I'll also try to stay away from the area ghost stories that I've already started looking up.  Wow.  I really know how to start off a day.  Shouldn't the sun be up by now?

there's one thing I found

out yesterday.  I don't like going to the fair on free admission night, which was also youth night.  I figured since it was a school night, the crowd wouldn't be so bad.  I honestly imagined my car as one of the few in the parking lot.  I was wrong.  It was more like one of the few hundred.  We didn't stick around long.  I told Cosme I'd rather come back when I have to pay to get in.  I think I took one picture with my camera and I'm pretty sure it's garbage.  Whatever.  I did get one with my phone.  We'll call this one "Man Down".

I hope there wasn't a kid on that thing when it decided to take off.

The lines were long and my temper was short.  We left and that was that.  I won't be going back this weekend because the forecast is rain, rain and more rain.  I don't know how long the fair lasts but if this weekend is it, looks like I'll have to wait until next year... when it's NOT free admission night.

In other news, my phone thinks my shower is much worse than it really is.  Lauren and I had talked about water stains on the glass and Samsung wanted to take cleaning to a whole new level.

Maybe that is what happened because the glass looked really good.

Now I need to go wash my hair because I've got errands to run today.  Maybe a pedicure will make up for my fair photo op fail last night.  Maybe.

i'm off to a great

start.  It's just past 6:00 and I've already unloaded the dishwasher, made breakfast, loaded those dishes, started laundry, made the bed and started a post here.  All this and no sinus pressure.  I think I'll go for a walk today since I missed out yesterday.

I was looking online for a Christmas present for Eric yesterday.  I'm not really understanding Amazon's logic behind their random ad placement, once again.

"Yes, we know you're interested in gun cases but don't forget that somewhere out there, there's a baby that needs to be fed." - Amazon

Speaking of guns and Eric, Cosme and I went to an art market on Saturday.  I saw this print and thought it needed to be framed and hung above the bed in Eric's room.  So I got it.

They put this one in my bag as a bonus.

Don't be scared.

There was also a bakery booth at the market and I thought that it'd be very wrong of me to not sample their goods when there's a wedding coming up.  The more options, the better.  Since I'm picky when it comes to cake, I'm probably the best person for the job.

These cupcakes passed with flying colors.  I looked the bakery up to find out where they are (I10 at Bunker Hill) and I let Cosme know that if he ever felt like he needed to stop for anything on his way home, this place is fairly convenient.  I even announced that I'd like my next birthday cake to come from them.  I know, I know... 1) What about Moellers??? and 2) Why am I thinking about my next birthday cake when I just finished one off a week ago?  Not only do I love being prepared but I'm not against trying a new cake and if it flops, I'll demand a redo from Moellers.

I'm off to continue to TCB.  While cleaning the other day I started watching The Handmaids Tale on Hulu.  It's odd but the jury is still out.  I do have an issue to start off with though.  I remember a while back there was a group of women who showed up at the state Capitol to protest abortion laws and they were dressed as the characters from the book/tv show.  First of all, yes, I get it what they were trying to say (not that I'm for dressing up and protesting).  The show is about women not having any rights.  In the show (and I'm thinking the book too), these women are basically treated like nothing.  There are guards with guns everywhere to make sure they don't escape or talk or look the wrong way, whatever.  Let's take a step back though.  How did it come to this?  I don't really know where the Second Amendment was when this story took place but I'm pretty sure it was long gone.   Now, a better reason for these women to be dressing up as these characters would seem more fitting to stand up for the Second Amendment.  With the women being armed, they would have had less of a chance of this group/organization/government taking over and more of a chance at keeping a free state.  That being said, I understand that they saw it as "let's dress like women without any rights because that's how they're making us feel" but this story (from what I've seen only three episodes in) started with armed guards taking away that free state.  So really, I guess what I'm trying to say is, just leave the costumes at home.  If you want to dress up, save it for Comic Con.  Oh yeah, and if you really don't want to end up like them, stand up for your right to bear arms.  That's what it's for, after all.

Now I'm off to put on a red cloak and white cap and finish cleaning.  I'm joking.  It's way too hot for a cloak today.

I went out to Quintana

Beach County Park yesterday for portraits.  I hadn't been out there in a while and I was wondering if I took the right road.  Where did all this come from?

An overpass?  Another plant on the other side of the road?  For a second I looked at that overpass and wondered if I should've been on it.  It was all good though.  It was just to connect the existing plant to the new stuff that's shown up since I was last there.

It did make portraits a tiny bit harder.  There were more structures in the background we had to dodge but it was nothing major.

New structures and confusion aside, it felt wonderful out there.  I could've set up a lounge chair and chilled for the rest of the evening.  It was that awesome.  I think I might have to drag Cosme out there once we have a little time.  I'm definitely not saying I'm ready for 100+ degree temps that summer will bring but man, it sure felt nice out at the beach yesterday.

i went to the grocery

store Saturday morning and HAD to wear a coat.  I was shopping and somebody stopped me.  A button had fallen off and they picked it up and returned it.  Awesome.  That night we were going to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers and I would again need a coat.  I didn't want to wear my regular coat because not only was it now missing a button but it's wool (I guess) and I didn't want to end up having to send it to the cleaners this morning.  With my mind made up against it, I picked a coat that I've had for a few years.  I believe it's pleather so that would be perfect if anyone bumped into me with a drink.  I was water resistant for the most part.

Cosme and I decided we'd go to church before the concert.  This was all working out.  The church was only a couple of minutes away and we'd be out around 6:00, giving us plenty of time to meet up with the other couple before the show. 

After finally deciding what to wear, we left the house a few minutes after 4:00.  I found a parking spot on the street and got out to pay the meter.  I told Cosme to wait there for the ticket while I got my regular glasses out of the car.  I looked down in my seat and noticed there was black stuff EVERYWHERE.  What was that?  I looked at the back of my coat and saw my coat was flaking apart.  Wonderful.  The temp for the night was going to be right around freezing and my shirt while was a 3/4 quarter sleeve, was very thin.  I didn't have time to worry about it.  It was 5:00 and we had to get inside.

We walked into the very bright church with its (what I would assume) white marble floors.  We found a spot in one of the pews and I saw a trail of black following me down the aisle and into the pew.  I took the coat off, rolled it up inside out like a burrito and could only panic about what I would do next.  Once we left, I was finally able to hold the coat up for a full inspection and yeah, it looked pretty bad.  It was 6:00 and we had places to go and people to see.  My two options were to wear the coat or freeze.  I wore the coat.  We made it to their hotel and I took it off immediately.  The place was packed.  Not only was there a concert across the street but there was a Texans' game on and everybody was at this hotel bar to watch.  I had to laugh because the coat was THAT bad.  We joked that we couldn't get lost because I was leaving a trail of crumbs everywhere we went.  That was a plus.  Another plus was that no matter what was spilled on me, the coat would definitely end up in the garbage.  One other plus was alcohol.  The more I drank, the less I cared about the coat and actually, the less I even needed the coat. 

Everything was great.  The concert was a lot of fun and afterwards we went to The Continental Club for an Elvis/Bowie birthday celebration.  There was LOTS of singing and dancing.  We had so much fun.  There was so much fun being had Saturday night, we stayed in bed all day Sunday to make up for it.  The only problem with that is there was so much doing nothing yesterday, I've got tons to do today... like taking my coat out to the garbage.

Here's how the coat looks now, after its final wear.

The backside

I'll just make a note that I had NO idea the front was doing the same thing.

On that note, I'm taking the garbage out.

But first, a few pics from the fun times.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Dancing with Elvis and the crowd

 Okay, now I'm out of here.

friday was what

I'll call the beginning of my... project?  Self-given assignment?  I don't know what you'd call it.  I guess project fits best.  It's an idea I had and it's something I want to work on.  Anyway, Friday was the beginning.  From now on, I will try to carry my camera with me as much as possible.  I'm going to have to get used to carrying a bigger purse all the time but I'm really going to give it a shot.

Here's a picture from Friday.

It wasn't what I went for but it's similar and this one was down the road.  By the way, I learned a few new things about cattle and it was really interesting.  And also, I probably couldn't raise them to eat.  I could raise them for somebody else to eat and then, in return, maybe that person could raise a cow for me to eat.  You know, a cow I don't know or have a history with.

On that note, steak sure sounded good so we had dinner in Danbury Friday night.  The place is called Main Street Steakhouse & Bar.  I had a rib eye and Cosme had chicken fried steak.  They sat us at a table in a back room with two other occupied tables.  It was very quiet, close together, awkward and I couldn't take it.  We asked to be moved to the bar where there was more noise and people.  We went to the bar and had dinner.  By the way, they only offer wine and beer but you are welcome to BYOB.  I should also mention that while the restaurant closes around 9:00, there is an after hours menu for anyone sticking around for the nightly entertainment.

Watching Andy Griffith at the bar in Danbury.  That would've been perfect for my new project but guess who didn't have her camera after deciding that morning that she would start carrying her camera with her everywhere?  I will say what my new project is once I get more consistent with it.  I think I even have a name for it.

We both really liked my steak and Cosme's chicken fried steak was good but I would've had them cut the white gravy.  White gravy is definitely not one of my favorite things.  The spinach artichoke dip was good and so was the pecan cobbler, even though it wasn't homemade.

Thanks to that little briefing on Danbury's steakhouse, I'm starving.  I gotta find some breakfast.

over the weekend

we rode a few rides. First of all, as most know, I don't like rides. For some reason the roller coaster didn't look that bad when we got there so I bought a ticket. During the ride I quit screaming, clinched my teeth, endured all the banging around and swore I would never do it again. Eric likes rides as much as I do... yeah, we're tons of fun at amusement parks. Cosme, on the other hand, loves rides. This explains why he was the only one to get on the Drop Zone. See the pictures?
I'll let you figure out what happens next. Two seconds later he's back at our level and hanging on to his head. So, we headed over to the Cadillac Bar and had some fajitas. That was so much better than the roller coaster. See Eric in the next picture? I don't think he's fully recovered here. Three diet cokes and a serving of outside skirt later, he was much better.
Then we left.

the other night we

went here to see Adler's Appetite. It's a band with Steven Adler of Guns n Roses. Anyway, Eric really likes Guns n Roses and since they were playing all Guns n Roses, I thought it would be fun. The first band came on and they weren't anything great. They just roared and screamed... boring. The second band came on and they were pretty good. They're the Texas Hippie Coalition. They were a little raunchy and there were times when I wish I wasn't standing their with Eric but we did enjoy their music. It was fun. They're coming back to Houston in July and I know he wants to see them again.