Texas to Tennessee?

The older daughter and her fiance have started thinking about where to settle to start a family in the next couple years. We're glad they're considering the south/southeast instead of going too far afield. For the long holiday weekend, they trekked to Tennessee to take a look at one of their top contenders, Nashville. They invited the younger daughter to join them since she had never visited.

Honestly, it's a whole lot like their current city of Austin with the live music venues, good restaurants, and younger vibe. One big upside, in their opinion, is that Tennessee has the added bonus of four seasons. And who can argue with that if you've sweltered through the six months of summer we get in Texas every year?! Though summertime can get hot in the volunteer state, they enjoy a more distinct fall season. Here in Texas, we're often still wearing shorts and flip flops in November. 

Alas, we'll just have to hang on and see where these two settle so we can make a plan that allows us to see them on a regular basis, along with any future grandkids. Once the husband retires, all bets are off on where we'll live, in addition to any secondary homes we may need. The one thing I do know is that our primary residence needs lake or mountain views from the back porch. That's my idea of heaven, enjoying the beauty of God's creation over a cup of English breakfast tea while watching the sun rise on a cool fall morning as our Creator paints the scenery in golds, oranges and reds.

Let freedom ring

Yesterday felt like a Friday afternoon. Or maybe the day before Thanksgiving. So I woke up this morning thinking it's the weekend since the husband is home. Middle-aged mind tricks, y'all. Our law school daughter will be leaving for the airport shortly, flying to meet her CPA sister and the fiance in Nashville for the long holiday weekend. That means the husband and I are on Chorkie patrol again until late Sunday.

I braved quite a bit of road construction to pick up the granddog Tuesday. Texas is famous for years long road projects since we can't ever seem to stay on top of growth and the necessary repairs to thousands upon thousands of miles of highways running through the state. Upside to sitting in standstills is that I can check my phone and fiddle with my playlists.

Our little man Finn is always oh-so-happy to see his snarky frenemy Chorkie, who promptly made himself at home marking all over our patio and backyard. As in no porch post, backdoor mat or pool umbrella will remain pee-free while Chorkie is in residence at Nan & Da's Pet Resort. It's his thing.

This week we've spied some of our local armadillos rooting around in the side yard. Finn goes crazy trying to get at them, but more mature Pepper and Chorkie aren't too terribly interested. Oh sure, they all give it a bark. However, the dillo remains completely unfazed by the hubbub and just goes about his root and scoot business.

The husband and I may go see a movie to keep cool on this 4th of July since we're back to empty nesting for several days. I have zero interest in doing anything that forces me to be more than passably presentable in this heat, as evidenced below. I love how easy it is these days to go online to book us a couple recliners at our local theater to see that new Costner western we've seen advertised. As long as I can kick back to enjoy some buttered popcorn and a crisp Diet Dr Pepper, I'm happy as a clam.

I hope all of you enjoy a fun and safe celebration with your family and friends on this 248th anniversary of our country's founding. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and thank the Good Lord that we're blessed to live in a country where we acknowledge that all people are created equal, "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." May God bless America, today and always! 

 

Dallas dash

Last weekend I accompanied the law school daughter for a quick trip to the metroplex so she could check on her apartment in Dallas. We visited a couple stores for things like skincare products and room scents, but absolutely made time to sit down for a couple tasty meals along the way. Tex Mex is always a good idea, y'all. Plus we were able to visit a favorite local bakery for a sweet treat or two. Sugar continues to be my kryptonite. The best husband and dad in the world opted to stay home to mount TVs in our lovely guesthouse for his parent's impending move to live in our backyard, and our doggos kept him company. 

 

Summer menus

Since the younger daughter is living with us for her ten week internship, we've been cooking more meals. In addition to grilling, I've also whipped up some shrimp and crab gumbo. This week the lineup includes supreme pizza soup with Mimi's cheesy garlic bread that's sooooo good, plus some muffuletta sliders and chips. I've become quite the soup fan in the past decade or so, and I continue adding to my list of favorite recipes. And with our future lawyer baker home, there have definitely been some desserts thrown into the mix, too.

With our girls and future son-in-law headed to Nashville for the upcoming long holiday weekend, that means we'll be on Chorkie watch for about six days of dog wrangling. Our two terriers have finally gotten to the point where they mostly ignore the rotten little fella, though our one-year-old Finn hasn't given up on engaging Chorkie in play. Which I honestly believe Chorkie perceives as harassment more than anything else. However, that doesn't deter Finn's efforts to interact with their only fur baby. It definitely makes for an interesting time until little man Finn wears himself out.

Galas are a family affair

With the law school daughter in town for her 1L summer internship, we were able to include her when we attended a gala last month for the University Health System. The husband has been a foundation board member with them for several years now. It's always a wonderful evening that honors what the hospital accomplishes for some of the most needy in our local community.

This year we made ourselves presentable to hear about the hospital's life-saving response that focused on an elementary student who was seriously wounded in the Uvalde school shooting two years ago. This brave student and her entire family were in attendance and we got to learn about her life changing experience. It's a good thing there were packages of tissues placed on each table, because it was a touching tribute to their strength and faith. The medical professionals who rallied around this girl to help save her life were all seated at the table next to us, doctors, nurses, therapists and even the first responders who stabilized her for the ride to the hospital. What a blessing they all were to this family in their time of need.

Working the wedding to-do list

Our CPA daughter and her fiance had their engagement pictures taken this spring once she finished busy season. What a stunning couple, if I do say so, but I am a bit prejudiced. We're now less than five months out from their late fall wedding, but the detail wrangling isn't finished yet. The transportation has finally been sorted, which was more involved than I anticipated. We needed a combination of buses, vans, SUVs and one vintage car to get the bridal party and guests where they need to be in the greater Austin area. On a UT football home game day, mind you, but that's a whole other story. I continue to be so very glad we hired a wedding planner who utilizes spreadsheets and timelines to keep the process on track so I can ultimately enjoy their wedding day rather than being swamped in anxiety that everything is running as it should.

Marriage milestone

A couple days ago, the husband's parents celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. With almost 50% of marriages ending in divorce, this is an amazing accomplishment. Many marriages won't reach this milestone for a rather sad reason, that one or both of the partners dies. And this is usually tied to the fact that they didn't marry when they were younger. These two kids seen in the sweet pic below have been blessed with perseverance AND good health.

Nena and Poppy (as our daughters call them) married at the tender ages of 17 and 18. She had just graduated from high school and he had finished the year before her. It's something that's hard to fathom these days, though I'm sure it was much more common in the 1950s when they tied the knot. I got married at 25, and our older daughter will be 29 when she says I do this fall. That almost seems too young to me, but I guess that's probably just my age showing.

As the wedding verse from Matthew 19:6 used in marriage services admonishes us, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." When the Lord brings two people together to share their lives and put Him as their foundation, He blesses the union. That's why I've been praying for years for our Heavenly Father to send our girls their godly husband in His perfect timing. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, one that Nena and Poppy leaned into with a wealth of love and patience. Not giving up when the going got tough, but rather digging in and making that effort with the one God sent you. Forget Mr. Right Now and pray for guidance while you're waiting on Mr. Right. The Lord will send along your husband when you wait on His provision, just like He did for these two. Sometimes you meet him in elementary school. Sometimes it's after graduate degrees.