Our House Guests

So a couple nights ago I was in the bath. When I saw a little anole...or gecko...anywho a little house lizard hide behind the shampoo next to me. I yelled to Ryan and he came to look. He was about two inches long including his tail. I joked he wanted to go swimming with me. I picked up the shampoo and the lizard flew through the air into the tub! I squealed and squealed while Ryan couldn't quit laughing. He helped me up (I didn't want to step on the little guy) and we sorted through the bubbles to find him. I found him, got him into my hands and he flipped out jumping right back into the water. The next time I think he realized we were saving him...he stayed still long enough for me to put him on the ledge by the window. He stayed completely still. I bent back down and finished my bath as quickly as I could. When I stood up again...he was gone. Whoosh. So we have one freshly bathed anole...or gecko...or little house lizard running around the house smelling of coconut lime verbena.

A couple days later, it was almost bedtime and Ryan went out back to turn off the sprinkler. As he reached back to shut the sliding glass door he felt something latch onto his hand in three places. Panicked, he said he made a verbal (eeeaghyaaaaa) sound (think karate chop sound) and threw whatever had landed on him across the yard. Heart racing, he turned off the water and came back inside white as a ghost. You see, Squirt, the generic name for the almost dozen larger lizards (about six to eight inches including tails) we have seen out back, many nights will sit on the kitchen window or on the back sliding glass door and eat bugs (light from inside attracts them to the window creating a tiny feast for our little friends). This particular night, he just so happened had decided he wanted Ryan to give him a, uh...lift. To where...somewhere unknown in the yard. Have no fear...I've seen several back eating in the past couple of nights. So we have house guests. At least during the summer. And so long as they keep eating the spiders, that's okay by me.

On a side note, we had a trumpet vine volunteer itself on the trelis...it's been blooming this week. What a pleasant surprise!

NYLO and boys

We had a nice weekend. Last Friday night we went to the NYLO in Plano for my friend Melanie’s birthday. Ryan and I just about destroyed the surprise too. But, we ended up keeping her tricked until her husband Justin surprised her. The NYLO was really neat. Had a fantastic outdoor patio/lounging area. Big egg shaped chairs you could sit in, lots of benches, a really cool fireplace…just a neat place to hang out. We had a great time! Saturday morning we got a few things done around the house then went to lunch at Saltgrass. We had every intention of coming back home, dropping off our food and head back out to the grocery store, but instead got sucked into Man on Fire. What a good movie. I usually do not like violent films…but when it comes to hurting or endangering children…I guess it is easier for me to handle. As soon as it was over Ryan headed to Fort Worth to meet some friends to see G.I. Joe. I cleaned the bathrooms, dusted, vacuumed, did laundry, and headed to the grocery store. We were keeping the boys on Saturday night and I know they are allergic to stuff so I wanted to be sure I got the house somewhat cleared of anything that would bother them. I was just about finished filling my cart when Trisha called and said they were on their way. I bought the Gogurt, chocolate pudding, strawberry jello, strawberries, blueberries and a few other goodies then loaded the car. I bought some bottled waters and a packet of those crystal light singles. Wild strawberry. It just sounded good. I got home, got things put away and the laundry put up. One of the ladies in our office made a fruit dip the other day with light sour cream and powdered sugar and I gave it a try. Just whisk your powdered sugar into your sour cream until it is as sweet as you like it. I even added a little almond extract for flavor. I was impressed. Extremely easy and quick. I had just finished when the boys and Trisha arrived. She’d driven through and gotten us Subways for dinner. We ate and I made all the boys strawberry drinks with the Crystal Light. I thought I had been so smart to get them something sugar free…until after dinner when Trisha started looking at the box. “Huh? Crystal Light energy? Dayna do they put vitamins in it?” I was like I don’t know…until she saw it. “Contains Caffeine.” Oh no. I immediately let the guys know I would put the last of their drinks in the refrigerator and they could have the rest tomorrow. Trisha just giggled. The boys had brought a few of their Wii games and their Wii remotes. So after dinner, I connected their remotes to our Wii and let them start playing. They were having all sorts of fun. And everyone was really good at taking turns too. Ryan got home just as Trisha and Wesley were about to leave. We waved goodbye and started the slumber party. Mario Cart, some Smash Brothers Game, and a few Wii Sports games later, we turned off the Wii and got ready for bed. I made popcorn and turned on Ben 10 (which I think I was the only one who watched). All the boys are quite interested in everything Uncle Ryan does right now, so they were huddled around the computer with him looking up rides at Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor. I was asleep on the couch when all the guys came back into the living room. I woke up a bit and laid on the futon mattress with Quinton and Mathis (we’d pulled it into the living room for the slumber party). Harold still wasn’t in the mood to lay down so he kept hanging out with Uncle Ryan in the computer room. He finally came into lay down about ten till midnight. I had turned off the video and put in onto the Fox Soccer Channel. It was showing a game and I turned the volume almost completely off. He had been quiet for about thirty minutes when he quietly asked me, “Aunt Dayna, where is Uncle Ryan?.” I replied “Asleep in our bed Harold.” He said okay, then fell asleep :o) I woke up the next morning to the door closing. Uncle Ryan was going to get doughnuts! Mathis woke up too so he and I sat awake chatting and watching cartoons. Quinton wasn’t far behind us. We all laid there until Uncle Ryan got back. He had driven all the way up to the doughnut shop by our old apartment only to find it had closed. So he went to Krispy Kreme…but it had closed! So he ended up at the shop literally a quarter mile from the house after driving all over north Irving. He did notice that Las Colinas also has a NYLO on MacArthur though! We both were excited about that. We ate our doughnuts and finally got Harold up. After we got the futon/bed picked up, we started to play the Wii again. We played for about an hour then started packing up to head back to Arlington. We left our house a little after twelve. We asked the boys what they wanted for lunch. Mathis and Quinton wanted lunchables and Harold wanted a hot dog. So Ryan dropped the rest of us off at Matt and Trisha’s and headed to the grocery store. Trisha was at work and Matt was on his way home from a wedding in Louisiana. Mom had Wesley at her house taking a nap. All the boys and I were hanging out at the house. We played outside, played inside, watched a bit of Ranger baseball, and a couple of the guys even got some rest in. We had just a good time with all of them. Mom came over with Wesley around five and Ryan went and picked up some pizza. We all ate then were visiting when Trisha got home. It was about eight when we got back home. I vacuumed, Ryan swept, went over the bathrooms and mopped (I accidentally spilled strawberry milk on the kitchen floor while heating it up for Quinton the night before). Afterwards we sat in the living room and watched a couple episodes of Burn Notice…which we are about caught up on…which is quite unfortunate. All our tv shows are in transition right now…what are we going to watch! We had such a great weekend. Only wish it could’ve lasted a couple more days :o) Have a great week everyone! I think Ryan and I are planning on going to the Elephant Parade in Sundance Square tomorrow night at 7:30 if anyone is interested in joining us. Of course it will depend on what time we can leave work and such, but we both really want to watch the elephants snack on some watermelon!

Surprise!

We had a nice weekend last weekend. Friday night we shopped. Saturday we got the tires in the Nissan aired up (our tire pressure light came on 4th of July weekend…and since the tires have Nitrogen in them…we have to take it to the dealership), I got my hair cut (three inches!!!), laundry done, and headed over to mom’s to visit with everyone (Becky and the girls were in town so we all met at mom’s for dinner). Sunday after church I came home and baked and baked and baked. A double batch of peanut butter cookies (1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vanilla…bake at 350 until desired doneness) and a double batch of chocolate chip cookies. Which sounds somewhat easy, but when your oven is on the fritz, it can be challenging. We took party supplies and baked cookies to Trisha’s that afternoon then stopped by mom’s to visit with Becky and the girls before heading to the Ranger game. We had traded in several games earlier in the year and asked for the best seats we could get…we sat on the 2nd row in section 37. Not too shabby! Nice being so close to the field you really could see facial expressions the players made! Not to mention we got to see star minor league pitcher Neftali Feliz trot out of the dugout and head out to the bullpen wearing Derek Holland’s old pink princess backpack. Feliz is supposed to be the real deal. We even stuck around after the game and cheered for him as he walked past us…along with a good chunk of the fans. Anywho, it was a quick game by Scooter Feldman (the pitcher) and we were headed home by 9:30. We’ve recently started taking a different route home that shaves off a good twenty minutes. Take Legends up to the access road…take 30 to Beltline, then Beltline up to 183 and exit Story. Took us maybe fifteen minutes to get home. NICE! We might try the new 161 since it has opened one of these days, but I still have a feeling that we’ll like Beltline better.
Monday morning I woke up at 6 and was in the office by 7. I worked until 3 then headed for Irving. Stopped by the house and changed clothes, grabbed Ryan a change of clothes, our camera, and oh yeah, the car bill. No Snapfish albums yet. Drat. Becky would have to wait until next time to see the Hawaii pictures. I had ordered two dozen balloons from Party City so I laid down the seats in the Nissan and picked those up. Bright pink, purple, yellow and white. I was pleased. Then off to Olive Garden. Mom had placed the to go order and it was ready for me when I got there. Perfect! I loaded up the car and headed to Trisha’s. Mom didn’t expect anything when I walked in with a ton of balloons…after all…all seven of the kids love balloons! The kids were playing on the water slide in the backyard. Well, except little Quinton who was recovering from a little virus. He was inside napping. At 5:00 we went in and ate. Man, I could eat Olive Garden salad everyday and be a happy woman. So good! Maybe I just need to try to figure out their dressing recipe and start making it at home…hmm. We’ll see. After everyone ate mom and Becky opened their presents from the Otey’s and the Smith’s. That’s when my cousin Monica and her kids pulled up. Mom asked, did you know they were coming over? All of us just shook our heads and kept quiet. Monica and the kids came in and we all visited. I began tying balloon bunches all around the house. Trisha excused herself and began prepping the dining room. Becky kept mom distracted. Then Aunt Sheila, Uncle James and Granddad arrived…then Jill, Marshall, Sarah and Dylan…then Aunt Terri. Mom asked Becky and Jill. Are we having a party? It is only family right? Jill shook her head. About that time the doorbell rang. More and more people from school, lunch bunch, and just close friends started arriving. We had done it. Kept it a surprise. Even cooler, all the kids knew and not one of them said a word to her! In all reality, it was Harold’s idea after all. On his way home from my birthday he had asked Trisha why MeMaw never got a party on her birthday. What a thoughtful guy! Hanz had made cupcakes, cheesecakes from Sam’s, cookies, Rita’s cinnamon squares, Aunt Terri’s banana pudding, Uncle James’ pound cake, and Trisha made punch. It was a wonderful evening. Most of the kids played outside while adults chatted inside. Trisha made a scrapbook. She bought cards and had all the guests write their favorite memory or note about mom on them. Last night she pasted them all in her book along with the guest sign in, invitation, gift list, and eventually a snapfish picture album. After everyone had left, we all sat around and read the cards outloud. There were tears and laughter…especially at Marshall’s memory (ask me about it later). It was ten o’clock. Everyone was tired. But mom had told the kids they could do sand art (make necklaces and bracelets) earlier in the day. She made colored “sand” with ground up sidewalk chalk and salt. Sweet Lindsey just could not let it go. She had been asking Becky every fifteen minutes during the party when they were going to get to do the sand art. So at ten at night, we all sat around Trisha’s dining room table and made sand art necklaces. When we were finished, we loaded up Becky’s mini van with gifts, food, kids and balloons and waved goodbye. Ryan and I got home about 11:00 and I immediately got in the shower. I think my body was on autopilot because I barely remember climbing into bed. I remember Ryan giving me a few Neftali Feliz stats from his first major league outing then falling fast asleep.
Tuesday morning came fast. I woke up very pleased I had showered the night before, dressed and headed into the office. I felt as if I were drugged all day. Even contemplated going to nap in the Nissan…neigh, that might just make it worse. On the way home I stopped by Via Real for chips, salsa, queso and black bean soup. Got home, ate, turned on the water in the front, watered my plants in the back, then curled up on the loveseat. After Ryan got home and ate, we rented Revolutionary Road from our Fios thing. I really like Kate Winslet and we’d heard good things about the movie. But ya know, it really is a difficult movie to watch. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it, but Ryan and I neither one liked the two main characters. We had no idea what the message was supposed to be either. Was it marriage is hard work? Or marriage can be messy? Or don’t let go of your dreams? Don’t forget who you are? Don’t have kids before you are ready? Anyways…definitely won’t be buying it, but might watch it again if TBS puts it on TV. We got into bed about 9:30 and turned on the Ranger game. Saw a few pitches from Derek Holland before I fell asleep.

The Porch

So this past Sunday was John Willey’s birthday. We didn’t get to celebrate with him so we all went to dinner last night. He had heard good things about the restaurant called The Porch on Henderson. I have a feeling we will be returning there often! We started with the spinach dip. Best spinach dip ever. I kinda want to go there for lunch today and just eat that! After polishing it off, out came our food. Chicken Parmesan, Fried Shrimp, and Three Grilled Cheese. Our sides were fries, coleslaw, onion rings and of course the smoked ham mac and cheese. Wow. They need to have a side item plate like the Black-Eyed Pea! The mac and cheese was smoky and rich. More of a grown up style though…tasted nothing like your traditional box mix. Creamy cheese and chunks of smoked ham…mmmmm. Then the onion rings. Thick, steak cut onions perfect amount of breading and an awesome flavor. No dipping sauce necessary. The sea salted fries were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft inside. I had ordered the three grilled cheese. It was good. Port Salute, provolone, and cheddar with tomato. It was pretty tasty. The bread was a little more buttered than I care for, but then again, I don’t put any butter on my grilled cheese when I make them at home. Since I don’t care for shrimp or coleslaw, I don’t have anything to say about that. The chicken parm had grape tomatoes, little chunks of fresh mozzarella, and greens on top of it, and the marinara came on the side (so the chicken would not get soggy). It was really good. I really liked their marinara. It had thick cuts of tomato, spices, and roasted garlic. Definitely would order it again…at least after I tried a few of their other menu items. For dessert we split a strawberry shortcake. Perfectly toasted honey butter biscuit, freshly whipped cream, sliced strawberries with a few bits of chopped mint (very subtle). Wonderfully fresh and perfect for a summer day. I was so full I could only fit in a couple of bites though. When we arrived at 6:00, the restaurant was practically empty. By the time we left, it was packed and we were getting the stink eye from the waitress. So we left. By the hostess stand on the way out, instead of giving out mints, there was a huge bowl of starbursts!!! I took two orange and off we went. We crossed Henderson and found a table outside at a place called the Old Monk. A neat, but small little bar. It was a little humid and a little uncomfortable, but not too bad. We each had a drink and visited for a bit then decided to head home about 9. We had such a wonderful time! I think I have found a new favorite restaurant…which may end up costing us money and a few pounds! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Four Movies and a You Tube

This past weekend Ryan and I set a record for ourselves. We saw four movies in one weekend. First, The Hangover, then The Proposal, went home and rented He's Just Not That Into You, slept, visited my granddad then watched The Departed. All in all a nice lazy weekend. Makes me feel selfish.
Yes, The Hangover is as funny as everyone says it is. Has a few things in it that aren't exactly what I like to see or hear in film, but it was funny.
The Proposal was good. Sandra Bullock (who has the same birthday as John Willey I might add) is her usual self. I wouldn't see it again unless it was on TV I don't think though.
He's Just Not That Into You I thought was hilarious. So true in so many ways. Made me remember what it was like growing up and kinda giggle to myself a bit. I might buy this one, and I would definitely watch it again.
The Departed. If you can get through the language and the blood, I liked it. Star-studded cast for sure. All handsome men.
A couple other things of note. All of you need to go to YouTube and search for JK Wedding Dance (it's about five minutes long) and watch it. TOO CUTE! I made everyone at my Komen meeting watch it the other day. We also watched a couple of episodes of Whale Wars this weekend. Ask Ryan and I about that in person...too many thoughts to type in one blog. Yeesh.

And now deep thoughts

I love words. Indulge me. I think if I actually had the patience to write a book or screenplay or such, I would. Everyday on my way to work, I turn off the radio and have quiet time. By the time I get to work, I find myself humming a line from a song that seems appropriate. Tends to play intermittingly in my mind throughout the day. Most of the time it is something Walt or someone we know has written. If I could make a mixed tape still, it would include pieces of all these random lines floating around in my head. You know how there are books of quotes? I think I’m going to start a journal along the same lines. On the top of each page in the journal will be one of my daily lyrics. Ones I think are beautiful, funny or ironic. If I did actually do this…and decided to start today, here are the lines that would be a top the first pages.
-Just one thing is clear to me, there is always more than there appears to be, and when the light’s just right, I swear I see Poetry. –Walt Wilkins & Davis Raines
-Someday we may have a house up on hill, someday we may see the whole wide world, maybe we never will. Everyday I hold you on this circus ride, and it is one more thrill money could never buy. –Walt Wilkins
-There is space enough and time for your dreams to come true. –Walt Wilkins
-I give the Lord my soul to keep, but my heart belongs to you. –Walt Wilkins
-It’s not the destination, but the journey that I’ll treasure best. –Susan Gibson
-Two folks, livin’ together. He’s an oak, she’s a cedar. Over time they’ve intertwined. She tried to choke him out and now he needs her…they had sun, they had rain, and each other’s help to gain the strength enough to bend or else they’d break. They had room enough to grow and the courage to get too close, alone they won’t last long, Together Strong. Deep roots below the surface, it’s the only way they can survive. Without the roots, the branches are worthless. She could’ve killed him, now she keeps him alive. – Susan Gibson
-Everyone is at the mercy of another one’s dream. –Sam Baker
- Somebody made every natural thing from the soul inside out to Saturn's rings, how my baby smiles and how Sam Cooke sings, of course we were created. The clouds make rain, the ocean makes sand, the earth breathes fire, and lava makes land. Now that took a mighty hand and a wild imagination. –Walt Wilkins & Davis Raines
-Before the sun, before the heat. Before we untangle from our sheets, before the summer day unfurls…Pretty World. Before the paper is dropped at the gate, before our coffee, before we are late. Before dreams are lost like midnight pearls…Pretty World. –Sam Baker
-When tonight gives way to another brand new day, come what may. I’m up and on my way. – Walt Wilkins

Relax! (Duran Duran style)

The weather has been awesome! Saturday morning we slept in. HOW NICE! It was wonderful to not have to hurry to be anywhere or to get the house clean. We drove up to Chipotle and had lunch. I went home and showered then Ryan dropped me off at the Mokara Salon in Las Colinas for a facial (it was a birthday present). I had my first facial ever while in Cabo back in February, but I was really excited about this one. Called the Expertise/Oxygen facial, the chick analyzed my skin, then did stuff to it based on what my skin needed. I checked in at the front desk then was taken to the ladies locker room. I was given my very own locker, comfortable shoes, the best robe ever and a little bottle of Evian (which I didn’t drink). After I got changed I was told to go wait in the coed lounge area. A little room with soft lighting, spa smells, teas and fruit slices (not sure if for your eyes or for your tea), and soft music. I waited about thirty minutes reading Food & Wine and wishing I had brought a pen to jot down the Cuban beef recipe in it. When my lady came to get me I kinda felt like I was half asleep. She had me lay down on a neatly made table in a room about the size of our kitchen. Again, it was dimly lit and soft music playing. She washed my face first with a gentle cleanser then pulled out a magnifying glass to zoom in on my skin. After analyzing for about ten minutes, she gave me the update. Papaya peel then a cucumber peel first. They smelled awesome! The papaya one I wish I had at home. I would have come home and put it on Ryan so he could enjoy it too. Made your face feel so soft! All the time she had this little steaming arm that was blowing moisture onto my face (apparently my skin was quite dehydrated!). After the peels, she did an exfoliating mask, then an Oxygen treatment. Best was I can describe it is a nebulizer for your face…even had a little vitamin pack she attached to it. She kept talking about all the free radicals your face absorbs and how it needs the oxygen treatment to fill out the molecules and makes your face appear more plump and soft. Sounded good at least! She slowly pointed it all over my face and it made it feel all tingly! Afterward she put on an intensified moisture cream, covered my eyes with some cucumber smelling cotton stuff and a hot towel across my forehead. Then she took some rejuvenating serum and rubbed my hands and neck with it. It felt oily at first, but after my skin absorbed it, actually felt quite nice! She wiped off the moisturizer, then put the rejuvenating serum around my eyes and such. All the while giving me tid bits on what to do going forward, etc. She assured me she had written everything down and was giving me samples to try. Said if I followed the treatment I should be able to tell a difference within a few days. I got dressed and went back upstairs. Sure enough, she was there with little samples and a detailed sheet of what products she recommended for me. Talk about a relaxing afternoon! Ryan had dropped me off about 1:30 and it was 3:45. Time had flown! Ryan said he could tell a difference :o) My face did feel very soft! We went home, changed and headed off to the Ranger game. We bought seats on the 2nd level and went up and watched batting practice. It was wonderful out! Mid-80’s and a nice breeze. We watched the Rangers lose, but it was a wonderful night out.
Sunday morning after church we ate a quick lunch at Dos Amigos in Grapevine, ran a few errands then headed back to the house to do laundry and water. About seven o’clock we packed up our picnic basket with wine, fruit, cheese and crackers and headed out to Shakespeare and the Park with Melanie and Todd. Taming of the Shrew (Texas Style). The Texas style pertaining only to the clothes and set style. Again, it was an absolutely perfect night to be outside! Not to mention getting to have a dinner only of Boursin and fruit. The play started about 8:30 and we left the park about 10:30 or 11:00. We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. First time in a while I felt rested coming back to work!
Last night we went to the Rangers/Red Sox game. I was a little nervous. When we went to the Yankee games, the fans were obnoxious, drunk and annoying. Last night was a completely different experience. Fans cheered for their teams, but nothing outrageous. So there you go. Thank you Red Sox fans for being decent…now don’t go making me change my mind after Wednesday night’s game. Have a great week everyone. We love you all and even though we may not see you or talk to you, you are in our thoughts and prayers.