Vermont in Texas

2010-07-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Things are still going good. Florida was a blast. My friends Becca and Kelli were fun to travel with and we plan to do something together again, vacation-wise, next summer. We are thinking maybe a cruise.

I went to Port Aransas with Rodney and his entire family. There were 21 of us. It was fun. I had never been there before. We were grateful that Hurricane Alex went through that area before the holiday weekend. Turns out Houston got lots of rain while I was there, so I was glad to be out of town.

This past Saturday was the annual Baylor Big Cat Fishing trip. I took Kim's son, Jacob with me. My good friend, Kim Crider also went for her third time this year. I was the social one that took photos and chatted with the people. Kim and Jacob fished and did real well. Here is the link to the photos on Facebook photo album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189943&id=777557669&l=fba64ae3c9.

I am off to Vermont this Friday and am really looking forward to seeing Temple, Ramsey, Mom, Dad and Grandmother. Michael is going to be there for the first weekend I am home. Dittie and Anita are also coming for a short visit during the time I am there. I plan to spend one overnight with the girls at Meg and Jon's. I am going to have dinner with my good friend Marijane and hope to see Adam at some point during the time I am home. I will have to stop in at the SnapDragon Inn, which opens Sept. 1 and is taking reservations: http://snapdragoninn.com/, to see my Larson "family." I have yet to meet Lars and am really looking forward to that experience.

Well, that is about it for now. We are doing the July movie club tonight and I have chosen Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work for our viewing pleasure this evening. I am really looking forward to it.

I am really enjoying listening to Mumford and Sons as my music today. Till next month.

2010-06-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

With the invention of Facebook, I find myself updating here less and less. But I am going to get on here every now and then.

Things are good, hot and humid in Houston. Work is productive and my new place is coming together nicely.

We saw Sex & the City 2 for June 2010 movie club. Next month is my pick, I am not sure what I will choose yet.

I leave this weekend for a mini-vacation to Florida with some girlfriends. I will try and post some photos.

Check out all of the Fund for Teachers Fellows blogs I am following if you get a chance, they are doing amazing things this summer.

2009-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

The week after Greenday I went to Galveston with Rodney, Amanda and Chuck to see the latest Tuna show called, Tuna Does Vegas. We laughed so hard at times I know dogs everywhere were going crazy (that means I was laughing so hard no sound comes out). I grew up on these shows. I have been to see each one as often as possible. Joe Sears and Jaston Williams are incredible actors and great people. The set is very similar, almost exactly like, all the other Tuna shows except when they get to Vegas, the sign comes down. Wicked funny air plane scene with Aunt Pearl and Vera Carp, holy cow, I can't wait for everyone I know to see this show.

After each show I usually get a chance to see the guys. This time was no exception. Chuck, Amanda and Rodney (who had already met them once several years ago) got to see them as well. Amanda has been going to see the Tuna shows for years as well and she loved getting to meet the guys.

Me with Jaston.

Me with Joe. Joe told stories of what a cute baby I was. He also still have one of dad's Texas puzzles that he keeps in a display case in his home. I learned from him that back in the day he used to make ceramic hamburgers. An interesting choice and probably not easily forgettable.

2009-09-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and I went, August 8th to see Greenday. It was the best concert I have ever been to by far. The tickets were cheap, the seats were way up there but it was awesome. Incredible backdrops that changed constantly according to the music. He was engaging and interactive the whole 2 1/2 hrs. He let people go up on stage to sing and play the guitar, after of course, making them "Swear to God" that they knew all the words or chords to the song. He usually made the person with them also "swear to God." Pyrotechnics galore! I will admit that the body odor around us was pretty potent and I was hard of hearing for several days but I would do it again in a heartbeat. He did close with Good Riddance on his second encore, his fans would have been very disappointed had he not. What a song! I did record the whole thing but you can hear me singing along and it sounds horrible, so I am not going to post that one. I will post another one that was great because he lets the crowd sing along, then just gives them full reign. He did that a lot.

2009-08-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

I attended the annual Big Cat Fishing Trip again this year with the Baylor "B" Association (Letterman Association). They shortened the trip back down to the original 4 hr excursion versus the 8 hrs we did last year. 4 hrs. is better but you don't catch as good or big fish. Lots of shark this year. Kim Crider, a friend of mine, was able to go with me again this year. It was hot but the wind blowing as we hit those waves was awesome. On the way back we rode in front to catch the breeze. The captain was a talker and we learned some history about different things leaving and returning to the dock. This is Tammy Hardin. She is the planner, organizer and all around "run the show" woman for the B Association.

Kim and I at the lunch following the fishing excursion. We had Landry's cater this year. Normally Fred Miller's uncle provides some of the best BBQ ever. However, Fred played ball with Steve McNair and was attending his service so couldn't be at the fishing trip. He was missed.

Kim, enjoyed the breeze.

I got some sun.

I met another former trainer on this trip. Although we didn't overlap, there were people that we both new from our training days at BU. Cynthia was fun to talk with and swap stories. The other photo is me with Robin Jones, otherwise known as Big Cat. He is the host of this trip every year and what an awesome guy! No photos with Santana Dotson this year. He wasn't there. He too was missed. I can't wait for this trip to roll around again.

2009-08-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

I am a little behind. Dad came into Houston at the end of June so that we could drive to Perdido Key, FL and spend the 4th holiday with Lance and the kids. We had a lot of fun.
The girls and I went to see My Sister's Keeper, which we cried all the way through. Dad, Lance and Connor went out for steaks. The next day we split by gender again and we went to the mall while the boys went to the aviation museum on base.
The fire works were fun to watch from Lance's balcony. The view was incredible. The TV was indisposed during this visit and we had to really spend this time bonding. The morning Dad and I left to drive back, we all went to Whataburger for breakfast. Dad and Bubba (Lance) were glued to the TV like they had been deprived for months, but they had to get their Tiger updates.

I love this first picture of the three guys, my dad, my brother Lance and my nephew Connor. The view from the balcony was spectacular. Dad braved the water with Grace and learned a new card game called spoons. Grace doesn't like to loose so it was fun to watch "Coach" beat her. Connor just rolls with the punches.

My sister-in-law, Lorraine with Grace and me. Raine came by to visit with us for a while.

2009-07-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

I made a trip to San Antonio this weekend to see Michael, Marcia and Albert and my friends from college K'Lee and Jorgen. KK and Jorgen had a baby boy, Henrik, about 5 months ago and he is too cute. I love being Aunt Pancake. It was great to catch up with friends. Over all, a fantastic weekend.

2009-07-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Ramsey did his annual pilgrimage out to Seattle to pick up Mia Roof and return her to Vermont to spend the summer with Joyce and Carl. This year however they were able to make a pit stop in Houston on the way back. We had a blast. We went to see UP in 3-D, visited my relatives while swimming and toured Gruene, where Rams and I lived with the rest of the clan when we were little.

2009-07-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

I love my friends Brigette and Jennifer. We always have a blast together. On this particular evening in June, we attending the Houston Museum of Natural Science Mixer and Elixir night. Molly and the Ringwalds, our favorite Houston band, was preforming. It was a blast!

2009-06-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

I was in Atlanta this spring and met up with an old friend from middle school, Bailey Farlow. Man I remember how much we tortured Brig and Joel Carey. Bailey was in love with Joel and I with Brig. I think I still have one of the signs that we stenciled and taped to both of their lockers that said "Perrin Loves Brig and Bailey Loves Joel". Oh, middle school was fun!

Bailey looks GREAT!

2009-06-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

The Baylor Girls. Me with Paige Elizabeth Yartym. She is the daughter of my good friends Mallory and Matt Yartym an this is when she was a day old. She is almost a month now. She is too precious.

2009-06-09T13:44:00.001-07:00

This could totally be in Vermont.

2009-06-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

Last week was good. I got to visit Matt, Mallory and Paige in the hospital. I forgot how small newborns can be. I even changed Paige's diaper. I had my first experience with the "new" diapers that have a color strip on the booty. When number one has been completed there a blue line on the butt of the diaper to tell you it is wet. Amazing! It was fun and I enjoyed visiting with the Bell's and with Mallory's grandparents down from Arkansas.

Friday was the big move day for Sally Tarver. I worked over at the new place with Jennifer and Sally on Friday and then Tessa joined us Saturday and I left around 3 pm. The new place is nice. It is big and roomy. Please pray for a smooth transition. Although it was hard work I had a great time spending the days with Jennifer and Sally.

Sunday we celebrated Ann's birthday at Pat and Ann's. Kim, Stephen, Meghan and I went in together and bought her a new outdoor rocker. It is wicker and matches the other couch on the outdoor patio. The old rocker was shot. She was very surprised. We hung out and visited outside beside the pool while Evan, Taylor, Spencer and Karli swam. It was hot! The shade was tolerable. It is around this time of year that I start to wonder why I live here.

We booked Dad a flight to Houston today. He was going to drive to Pensacola and meet me there for the July 4th holiday. I talked him out of driving and into flying. This is a good thing. Now I can have him drive us to Pensacola and I won't have to drive. We all win in this deal. Mom is happy too!

All for now. Talk again later.

2009-06-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

I am back in the game. It has been so long that I had to reset my password because I couldn't remember what it was. I am not going to attempt to go back and catch up on lost time. That is what I attempted to do last year and it was overwhelming. I think that is why I didn't finish, too much!!!

So, let's just start with a quick listing of things that have been happening in my life:

I met Jim Belushi. He performed at the Fund for Teachers Evening in the Orchard fundraiser at the end of April. I will add a photo of that as proof.

My neice, Brittani graduated from high school and I will be traveling to Florida for the 4th of July weekend to visit with her, my brother Lance, Connor (my nephew) and Grace (my other niece). My dad will also be driving down from VT (home) to spend the weekend.

After years we finally get to spend time with my cousin's children, Rebecca and Jacob. It is a really long story and I won't go into details but I will say, God is Good and these kids are in a better place.

My friends Mallory and Matt welcomed their first child into the world yesterday and I am so excited for them.

This was the first year in a long time that my dad didn't come down to ride the MS150, and although I was very, very disappointed, it turned out to be a good thing because the ride got rained out.

Ramsey and Mia (the daughter and grand-daughter of our friends - The Roofs) are coming June 15-19 to visit me and I can't wait.

Temple is still in Boston and at the end of the summer will have his masters completed and three more years to finish his PsyD.

Grandmother has finished the last editing of her book. She has written about John Thomas Harrington, her grandfather, and we are hoping to get it published. If you have any connections let me know.

My good friend Brigette is engaged and getting married in November. She found herself a great guy and I am so happy for her.

My good friend Jennifer's mother is moving and I will be working this weekend on that transition with them.

That about sums up what is happening right now. I still need to get my car inspected, my laundry done and my library cataloged but those things will happen eventually.

Stay tuned for more.

2008-02-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

Uncle Pat and Aunt Ann with me at the Gala
The FFT staff at the Gala, (left to right) Susan, Theresa, Stephanie, me, Jenny, Stephanie, Candece, and Karen

2008-02-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

September 2007 --

This is a no picture month. My new friend Mallory from church celebrated her birthday this year by having a move in party at her house. Mallory and her fiance Matt are getting married November 17, my b-day, and have just purchased a new house. So I went over to help out as they moved things into the new house. There was a lot of yard work to do, not my strength so I stayed inside. Her sister-in-law did the painting and I ended up going with Mallory and her mom to get her wedding dress fitted. We had a blast. When we got back the furniture was there to unload. Once that was complete we washed some windows and unpacked some boxes. The evening ended with a Baylor football watching party. Baylor played TCU. Mallory and Matt are both Baylor Bears. We watched it at Mal's parents house. It was nice to be surrounded by fellows Bear supporters.

Rayna celebrated her birthday this month. I went over to her work with balloons and flowers for her because Andy was out of town for the night. We had a meal together and it was nice to spend some girl time together.

We had a guest speaker at Church this month, Billy Graham's daughter Ann Graham Lotz. She was kicking off a small group series initiated by the Church. I signed up to lead a small group for the young adults ministry. We met once a week for eight weeks every Wednesday night at Patricks house. It was my first opportunity to lead a small group series and it was really great.

Movie club this month was Once. This is now one of my all time favorite movies. An Irish Indie film (musical). If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you see it. It is not like any musical you have ever seen. Just a really fabulous movie. It also happened to be the last movie that I saw at this awesome theatre here in Houston. In January 08 this theatre closed.

2008-02-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

August 2007 --

As the end of the summer approaches things are about to really gets crazy. This month involved the first big Young Adults Ministry event, the Community project at the Wesley Community Center. We all gathered to paint, plant and sweat. This event is where I really go to know some of the young people from the Church. I got to know Patrick, now a good friend. My friends Matt, Mallory, Kelly were all working at this event as well. Kim, joined us to do some painting. It was hot but fun. We formed a cohesive group at this event that has grown and expanded over the months.

The big work event this month was the FFT staff retreat at Ucross, Wyoming. Karen hired an outside facilitator to work with us as a staff. We did the Myers-Briggs and an test that determines interperonsal skills called the FIRO-B. We also met Wyatt Webb, a psychotherapist that treats people while using a horse as treatment tool. It was an emotionally draining experience. It was also an eye opening experience. I was reminded of my weaknesses (those I try and forget) and my strengths were reinforced. I enjoyed the awesome environment at Shady Lane Ranch. Apache uses this place as a place for meetings and the like. It is beautiful, the food is incredible and the accomadations are exceptional.

The movie club movie this month was Death at Funeral. A dark comedy, that I enjoyed immensly.

2008-02-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

My friend Patrick painting the high places, us short people couldn't reach
Mallory and Lewis observing the new flower beds

Brandy and Kelli celebrating a job well done

2008-01-29T20:13:00.000-08:00

July 2007 --

This month started off with an awesome vacation to Vermont. My cousin Kim went with me. It was her visit to Vermont and she fell in love instantly. We landed in Boston, rented a car and then had a meal with Temple before heading to Vermont. We did lots while there. We rode over covered bridges, went to the Ben & Jerry's factory, visited with the Larsons, and spent the 4th of July with Meg, Jon and the kids in Montpelier. It was a nice week and Mom has already asked me when Kim is coming back. I loved being able to show off where I grew up.

I returned from Vermont to drive straight to Dallas for a three day training on how to be a better facilitator. Before going to the training, I spent the night with Jaime (my college roommate and good friend), Colin and the kids. Colin babysat while Jaime and I went out to dinner. It was really nice to get to see all of them, the kids are growing fast. The training was informative and I learned a lot. The leader of the training was knowledgable and yet funny and kep our attention. I will have a chance later in the year to put my new learning to good use.

Another exciting thing that happened this month is the meeting at church for the new young adults ministry. Patrick, a new church member, saw a need for this new ministry and has started to organize the effort. We are starting with a new Sunday school class, that we are calling The Breakfast Club. More to come on this....

I had a visit from my brother Lance's kids this month. I drove to Austin to pick them up at their great grandparent's house and I got to ride in the car with three kids for 2 and a half hours. It was great fun. Grace new every song on the Disney channel and the Hit's One channel. Brittani and I talked about school, boys and make-up and Connor played as many of the games on my blackberry he could master. They stayed for two days and I can't lie, they were a long three days, but I loved every minute of it. We went shopping at the Galleria. I let them get two bags of any candy they wanted from Dylan's Candy Store and Brittani purchased so much needed (said in ernest) make-up. We watched movies, played games and went swimming. They attended church with me and were so well behaved. Then Pat and Ann took us all to lunch. I later delivered to the airport for their flight back to Florida. One of my most favorite memories from this trip was Grace and I singing Rehab by Amy Winehouse in the long lines at the Airport to kill time. We got lots of funny looks but were entertained ourselves.

Movie Club was Jennifer's choice this month and we saw Hairspray. I loved it and added it to my list for Christmas.

2008-01-29T20:08:00.000-08:00

Me with the Baucum kids on our rode trip from Austin

After Ramsey took us to dinner he posed for some photos with us.
Look at the eyes, they are the same.

2008-01-29T19:57:00.000-08:00

Kim, my cousin, in Vermont with me at the covered bridge in Taftsville
Mom and Kim at the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury
The whole gane at 4th of July celebration in Vermont's capital, Montpelier

Me with my good friend Adam from high school.
He even took his hat off for me, he never does that.

2008-01-14T17:09:00.000-08:00

June 2007 --

June started with my registration for the Houston Half Marathon to take place in January of 2008. My friends Rodney and Mario run the full marathon and have challenged some of us to do the half. I have registered and training can begin.

I have the awesome privilege to welcome my mother, father and the Yoh Theatre SpeakChorus to Texas. They flew into Houston on Sunday, rented a van and then drove to San Antonio for the beginning of the week. They performed for several different organizations and groups of people arranged by Michael and his friend Mark. They came back to Houston on Thursday. The first thing that they did was perform for a Fund for Teachers donor, Apache Corporation. Apache's founder (also the founder of Fund for Teachers), the CEO and president of Apache, and many of Apache employees were in attendance for this performance. I have tried numerous times to explain SpeakChorus and nothing by the a live performance does it justice. Everyone was very, very impressed and lots of asked for them to come back. We left there and went out to see some local Houston sites. We had dinner at one of my favorite places, Pappa's Burgers, where my aunt and uncle joined us. We then went over to Russ's grandmother's house. Russ is one of the students and his grandmother lives about four blocks from me. She had games and cookies and ice cream. It was a nice closing to a great day. We housed the kids at four different homes around the city (all friends of mine). Friday was a good day with breakfast at IHOP and then went to see a house in Houston made out of beer cans. It is appropriately titled, "the beer can house." Then we went shopping. The Galleria (an enormous mall in Houston), Harwin (the Houston version of Canal Street) and Rice Village (a shopping area around Rice University). We finished the day off with a trip to Minute Maid park to see the Astros play. It was a good game and I think we won. The great thing about Friday night summer games is they after the game they open the roof and shoot off fireworks. It was great and the kids loved it. Saturday was another great day. We went to Galveston. The kids played in the water off the beach and then Dad took them to the large water park down there. Mom and I were exempt from this activity and we drove around and then shopped some. Saturday night we traveled back to Houston where my friend Rodney had a dinner party for all of us and invited my Houston friends to come and listen to the kids perform. It was incredible. Sunday they departed. It was a great visit and I can't wait till they come back. Every person that hosted the kids overnight said how great they were and how well behaved. It made Woodstock and Yoh look awesome.

I will also say that Father's day fell on when my dad was his with the kids and it was awesome to get to spend the holiday with him, I usually don't get that opportunity.

Another milestone this month was Grandmother's 91st birthday. She is another year older and just as strong as ever.

Movie club this month we saw Pirates of the Caribbean. I really liked the first movie but was not impressed with the second or third.

2008-01-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

Yoh Theatre SpeakChorus in front of a Texas classic, What A Burger

2008-01-07T19:03:00.000-08:00

May 2007--

A slower month. Thank goodness. Things begin to quiet down as the summer approaches. I started the month with a trip to Boston for their program orientation, where I got to visit some with Temple. We watched Lost together. We Worrells are all Lost fans. From Boston I flew to NYC for their second program orientation. I saw Deacon again for dinner.

Evan, the son of my cousin Kim, celebrated his 9th birthday this month. We had dinner, cake and just fun together at my aunt and uncle's house. Spencer and Kayla were there with taylor (my other cousin, his wife and son).

Movie Club this month was our newest members pick. My co-worker and friend Stephanie joined the group last month. She picked Avenue Montagne, a french film. It was a really good movie about life, love and music.

We ended the month on a holiday. Karen gave us an extra day off work so we actually had a four day weekend and it was much needed and appreicated. Didn't do much over the Memorial Weekend but hung out with friends, family and overall, just chilled.

2008-01-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

My cousin Kim and her son Evan. It was Evan's birthday and we were celebrating at Pat and Ann's (my uncle and aunt)

2008-01-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

April 2007--

Another busy month. It began with a visit from Temple. We had a blast. His friend Heather lived in Houston for a year and half completing the final steps in her Masters program.

Movie Club this month was obviously not my pick. We saw Blades of Glory. I was miserable. Temple got to go with us though and he enjoyed the movie. I love hearing Temple laugh, so that was the highlight of the movie for me.

Genoa turned 13 this month. I can't believe it.

Dad came in for a week to participate in his 3rd MS150. It was another long weekend but we had a good time. Brigette volunteered with me this year and it was nice to have someone to keep me company on the long drives. Dad did really well, again. We got to see Carlton Schwab (on old student of mom's and dad's from New Braunfels) and his family again this year. We stay the night with them between Sat. and Sunday and then stopped there again on the way back to Houston after the racce.

I traveled to NYC for the NY program orientation and spent some time with Deacon while there. We went to a bar that has "Lost" night where people go to watch Lost the TV show. People get hushed if they are still talking when the show starts. Everyone gets free shots when anyone in the show says the "the Others." It was an awesome experience.

I finished off the month with a great Astros game. Baker Botts, one of FFT's donors, invited us to an Astros game in their suite. Being the only major sports fan on staff I got both tickets and took Brigette. It was her first Astros game. Attending in a suite is so awesome that it is hard to go back to being a regular fan.

2008-01-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

The Worrell Brothers - Uncle 2E, Uncle Pat and Dad Temple visits and gets to see friend Heather and her roommate

Dad, Brigette and me at the end Dad's 3rd MS150
Dad crosses the finish line in Austin
Brigette attends her first Astros game. We got to watch from the Baker Botts Suite, rough. We beat the Cardinals that night 15-1.

2008-01-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

March 2007--

The month started off well and went down hill from there.

A group of us from Fund for Teachers helped out another cause and participated in the MDA Bowl-A-Thon. It is themed every year and there is always a costume contest. We at FFT take these contests seriously. We went as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. We won! The costume contest, we weren't so good at the bowling part.

I started the travel this month with a trip to Boston for their Selection Committee meeting. I then stayed the weekend in Vermont to help Temple celebrate his birthday. Michael and his friend Mark were also in town to see Mom's show. The Larson's were starting the planning for their migration back to VT and so I got see most of them as well.

I went to Denver for the Colorado program Selection Committee. From there I traveled to NYC for their selection Committee and then back to Boston to rent a car and drive to my next destination of Portland, Maine.

The Expeditionary Learning Schools National Conference was in Maine and I was excited to attend. I attend this conference every year and love the whole event. I was looking forward to getting the FFT Alumni together with the new class of 07 fellows just awarded. Mom and Dad wanted to learn more about the organization and so were traveling north to attend the conference as well. But all of this was not to be. Once I arrived in Portland my health took a turn for the worse. Mom and Dad traveled to Maine to have to turn around and drive back the next morning with me hallucinating in the passenger seat. I had a severe case of the flu and maintained a fever of 103 for 4 days. It was the sickest I have ever been. Mom and Dad were not spared. I ended up in VT for a whole week recovering and then taking care of Mom until she was better enough to take care of Dad. It was an experience that I hope not to repeat in the near future. It was nice to get to be pampered by the best parents and grandmother on earth.

I ended the month hoping that the next month was not as bad.

Movie Club this month we saw Amazing Grace. My pick. It was good but had some holes. Two thumbs up and one down.

2008-01-05T12:54:00.000-08:00

Part of the Larson crew with a couple Worrells sprinkled in

The Red Hot Chili Peppers
The HOTTEST pepper

2008-01-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

February 2007--

Still busy at work processing and preparing applications. Traveled to NYC to sit on the Selection Committee for our Expeditionary Learning Schools program. Then I got to stick around for the weekend.

We did a siblings weekend in the city. Meg and Temple came. We stayed at Meg's sister-in-law's apartment in Chinatown. We walked, socialized and had a general good time.

Fund for Teachers has their 2nd Annual Fund Run on the 10th. It was freezing but a great turn out and overall a total blast. The Apache team was there in full force. Temple's ex Heather also showed to run the was in most of the starting line photos.

Dad celebrated another birthday. He is still going strong.

For Movie Club we saw Notes on a Scandal. It was disturbing but a fantastic movie. This was given three thumbs up and rated a "Good Movie." This month was Jennifer's pick. I get next month and Dave picks the April movie.

2008-01-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Walking the Bridge with Temple, Deacon and Meg in NYC

A friend of Deacon's was having a big bash and so we got to go along a crash the party.

2008-01-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

Mario and Addison with the Birthday Cake
Me with TWC Circle Time kids--Caleb and Erin
Mario and Rodney after completing the Houston Marathon

2008-01-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

January 2007 --
I helped Mario celebrate his birthday along with all my friends at Tarton Way Court (The Circle Time crew). Mario ran in his second Houston Marathon and Rodney in his first. They both did amazing!

At work we accepted the next round of applications (1200 nation-wide) and began processing them for review. I traveled to New York and Boston for information sessions. I saw Temple while in Boston for the Celebration of the 2006 fellows and made my first trip to Chicago. Chicago was beautiful and a place I would love to visit on a personal trip.

Jennifer and I started a monthly movie club that meets the first Monday of every month. So far there are just three of us, Jennifer, our friend Dave and myself. We hope to add more as the club continues. Our moto is "it isn't a good movie until we say it is a good movie." The point of the club is to be more consistent with our movie going but to also step outside our box. Each month a new person picks the movie, so it might not be one you would normally want to see but you never know, you might like it. We meet for the first time next month.

I attended the awards luncheon for the 2006 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk to Cure Diabetes. I was given an individual donor award and also inducted into thier team captains club and given a special piece of artwork for my wall at work.

I have one more year at this point to getting my braces off. My teeth are looking fantastic and the pain is worth it.

A good start to a new year.

2007-12-02T22:02:00.000-08:00

It has been almost a full year since I have posted something on my blog. I apologize. I did not have a computer at home until this past week and it has been challening to find time at work to post.

So here is the deal. I will update my blog over the next two weeks with a year in review. Then I will hopefully, no I will, keep more regular posts coming through this up coming year. It will be one of my many new year resolutions.

Stay tuned.

2007-02-05T11:26:00.000-08:00

I was in Vermont for Christmas again this year and oh what a fun trip it was. Here is our Christmas tree. Isn't it beautiful? I will post more pictures later.

2007-02-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Better late than never, I am posting the pictures from my birthday party. Friends, family and I went to Bunker Hill Lanes to go bowling. It was a blast. I didn't even break a nail.
Spencer, my cousin, is a typical man and is not fond of losing to a girl. Here you see the score, I am the winner with 147 (he only has 129) and you below you can see that Spencer is upset with the outcome.

If you continue to scroll down you can see the different pictures that I took with Rayna, my new friend Brigette, Spencer, Kayla and Kim and then with Jennifer. It was an evening to remember.

2007-02-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

2006-11-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday,nahnahnanahnahna.

These are the awesome flowers I got from my co-workers, Stephanie, Stephanie, Candece, Karen and Jenny. So I took another pic with both sets of flowers.

2006-11-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

I have the most wonderful parents in the world. I received flowers today for my birthday and the card read:

-Pancake
Love,
Mom, Dad, the boys and Mookie

"The boys" refers to my parents dogs, Duncan and Jasper, not my brothers. Mookie is Ramsey's dog that my parents have now adopted.

2006-11-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

Here is the picture that Kristin took of all the pumpkins carved that night. Rodney did me the honor of putting naming rights to each pumpkin.

2006-11-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

The Saturday before Halloween, I attended Circle Time and carved pumpkins. What is Circle Time you ask? My friends Kristin and Steven, Rodney's brother and sister-in-law have a neighborhood gathering every weekend. They set up charis in a circle in the driveway and everyone comes over to eat, chat and sometimes play games. The kids play outside and then, play inside or watch movies. I took my new neighbor Brigette with me, she just moved here from New Jersey. We did pot luck and then pciked out our pumpkin carving design. The pumpkins came out great. But, since it was somewhat warm over the weekend, by Halloween night, they all looked like they’d seen better days.
Heather, one of the neighbors, had her mother (Joy) and friend (Sergio) in town for the event this year.
Sergio is Venezuelan, so we all experienced a new taste treat – Venezuelan hot dogs. They were really good. Start with mustard, ketchup, and mayo on the bun, add shredded cabbage, diced onion and tomato, and then add the hot dog. On top of that, you add shoestring potatoes (the kind from a can in the chip aisle) and you’re done. Sounds weird but it is surprisingly good. Since the hot dogs were so good, Keaton then tried a Venezuelan hamburger, it was just as good.

2006-10-30T15:33:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Oct. 14 was an eventful day. Not only did I lead the Apache team at the JDRF walk that morning but I participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk at the Houston Race Track. Kim (my cousin), and her kids Rebecca and Jacob accompanied me to the walk. It was a blast. I love this walk. Each person gets a lighted balloon and when they turn all the lights out then all you see are the lighted balloons. The team lead for this walk Cindy also participated in the JDRF walk that morning. There were a lot of Apachees that did both walks that day.

2006-10-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

A couple more pictures from the JDRF Walk.

2006-10-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

The Apache Walk Team T-shirt design (by Ann Worrell)

2006-10-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

The JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes took place on Saturday, October 14. It was a grand event. I want to thank all of you who donated to this worthy cause. It is a cause that is escpecially important to me and I thank you with all my heart. We had 40 walkers and 10 rest stop workers. Apache sponsored the first rest stop on the walk and we got some great visibility. We raised over $11,300 and Apache gave @10,000 to sponsor the rest stop. In total, Apache gave JDRF over $21, 300. Our goal was $17,000, so we exceeded our goal.

2006-10-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

My good friend Jennifer had a birthday recently. We all went out to Morton's Steakhouse to celebrate. It was some awesome food. Some of the best I have ever eaten. We had a blast and talked about Carpe Diem, seizing the day.

2006-10-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

As the evening wore on we looked less impressive. He is me with Adam and another one with me and Shawna.

2006-10-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

Adam's wedding was beautiful. It was short, quaint, simple and memorable. Adam is one of the only friends from high school with which I still maintain close contact. (The Larson's don't count, they are family). His bride, Shawna, is wonderful. I was blessed to be invited and wouldn't have missed it for the world. Since Adam hates to dance, I was really looking forward to that part of the evening. He was wonderful. I enjoyed meeting new people, and visiting with old friends. I adore Adam's parents and was glad to see them again as well. Adam's dad reminded me of the Halloween that Adam and Shaun made us watch Children of the Corn more than once (I got a bloody nose that night). Oh the memories.

2006-10-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

I was in Vermont in mid-September for Adam Kuiken's wedding (a good friend from high school). It was awesome to be there. The weather was cool and the leaves were already turning. One of the awesome points of the trip was actually getting to attend a WUHS football game played Friday night in Milton. We won, by quite a bit. I was told earlier in the day that the trainer wasn't going to be able to make it and so I was going to be trainer on duty. I didn't get to actually see much of the game. But it was a blast and I love watching dad and Ramsey do their thing. They are incredible coaches and I am proud to call them mine.

2006-10-06T09:06:00.000-07:00

I am a good aunt. Genoa got to watch all the TV she wanted. She folded out the couch and made herself comfortable. This is how she spent a lot of her spare time.

2006-10-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

While in San Antonio we went to see Marcia and Albert. We had a great lunch and then did what Marcia loves most, we went window shopping at new outdoor mall near where they live. It was a great time. Genoa didn't really remember Marcia. They had a lot in common and Marcia loved talking about the comic books with Gen.

2006-10-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is the day we spent at Sea World. Michael took us. We ended the day with a water ride. We were soaked. We rode the ride twice.

2006-10-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a while since I have written. Things have been progressing nicely here. The weather is slowly turning to fall. Really slowly, but at least it is turning.

I am going to start by posting the pictures from when Genoa was here visiting me. She was here for two weeks in August. We had a really good time. I will admit, it was a long two weeks. I am not used to having to be in a constant state of awareness. Although she is 12 and a great kid, there is still a permanent stress associated with taking care of your sister's child for two whole weeks. I suggested next year it be one week.

We did lots of fun things, like go to comic book stores, book stores, eat pizza and shop for jewelery. We went to San Antonio and went to Sea World. We attended church together and had lunch with Pat and Ann. My co-worker Stephanie made us lunch one day and we all ate together at my place. Genoa is smart, funny and a bottomless pit. She would eat everything on her plate and then finish off mine. I lost 4 pounds during the two weeks she was here.

It was a blast having her here. Oh, yeah, the biggest thing that we did was get her hair cut. When she arrived in Texas she had really long hair, halfway down her back. You will see in the pciutres that she got quite a bit cut off. I did have prior approval from Meg.

2006-08-31T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is the whole crew that attended the planning session and retreat. Nice shot with the mountains in the background. What you see here is some of the best and most influential in education reform in the nation.

2006-08-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

I want my Mom and Michael to apply to the Ucross Foundation for an artist in residence grant. I decided to smooze with the two ladies that run the foundation

2006-08-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

My friend and co-worker Stephanie. I just thought this was a great picuture.

2006-08-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

2006-08-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

The Fund for Teachers staff, along with all our partners nationwide, traveled to UCROSS, Wyoming for a planning session and retreat. It was incredible. The scenery was gorgeous, the food was amazing and the meetings thoughtful and rejuvenating. The season really kicks off now with a bang and we are gearing up for that to happen. I am going to just dump a bunch of pics on here for you to see.

A little history on Ucross. It was pretty old and dilapidated when Raymond Plank, founder of Fund for Teachers, came accross it. He has since restored many of the homes and is working to rebuild the environment. He also started another non-profit called The Ucross Foundation, an artist residency program. The next wave of artists started their residency the day we arrived. We got to tour their workshops and had a cocktail/dinner mixer with them later in the week. One of the residents went to Bennington College and knows Deacon, Lyz and Oona. What a small world.

Here are some more pictures. I can't wait to go back!

2006-08-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

I went to a Randy Rogers concert at the Houston Race Track last weekend with some friends. It was a blast. Randy Rogers is from the wonderful town of New Braunfels (where I was born). Free group picture was provided. I was truly amazed by the number of kids (early teens) in attendance at this late night drinking event. My friend Stephen commented that it is apparent that the kids are not being dropped off at malls on Friday nights anymore to hang out but rather at the Houston Race Track. Wowzers.

2006-08-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

My friend Caroline, who I met through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, turned thirty recently. To celebrate she had a "white" party, all attendees dressed in white. It was at a club in downtown Houston called Red Door. I didn't know anyone except my friend, so my cousing Kim attended with me. It was fun and the drinks were strong.

2006-08-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

In a previous post I mention that I had my picture taken with gold medalist, Chad Hedrick. Here we are. Chad is from Spring, TX (outside Houston) and won in speed skating.

2006-08-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

It was hard to get a good picture at the circus. We tried. Me and Jennifer, with her dad in the background. My favorite part of the circus was the elephants. Jennifer was disappointed that the clowns didn't perform the act where a ton of clowns climb out of a really tiny car (usually a volkswagen bug). Oh well.

2006-08-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

Jennifer's mom and dad went to the circus with us. Her dad was like a big kid, it was cute. What a couple!

2006-08-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

My friend Jennifer, seen here with her two nephews Zach and Zane, attending the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus in July. It was a blast. The boys had a really good time.

2006-07-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

The last day in FL, Lance took me on a tour of the base, then over to Perdido Key. It was very cool. Although I was only 8 hours from Houston, this was a whole new world. On the way home, we stopped at a small family owned place under the bridge to Perdido and picked up some fresh shrimp for dinner. The shrimp was awesome. Lance made potatoes and a salad and we ate dinner outside. The kids had just set the table and were ready to eat. Grace later ate a shrimp for $100. It was fun to watch, I didn't think she was going to keep it down. She surprised us all however and ate the whole thing with only a few gags in between.

2006-07-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Connor was never going to give up. Brittani would say, "Give up, Connor" and he would reply, "NEEEVVVVVEEERRRR!"

2006-07-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Brittani and Connor were wrestling for $50 of Grace's money. Brittani pretty much dominated the match, however, this is one time that Connor was in control. They ended up tying for the win, splitting the money down the middle.

2006-07-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

This is my nephew Connor. We are playing Guitar Hero. He is very competetive. He beat me the first game but I won the second. I will say that Grace was distracting him during the second game. He probably would have won otherwise.

2006-07-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

The first full day in FL, it was just me and the two girls, Grace and Brittani. The next fun girl day activity after make-up was hair! Here is what the two came up with. I didn't know my hair could do that.

2006-07-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

I traveled to Pensacola this past weekend to visit with Lance (my brother) and his three kids. This is me with my niece Grace. She wanted a mask. Then she asked to put make-up on me. Don't we just look marvelous?

2006-07-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

These are the guys that were at Baylor while I was there. Darrell Bush with his girlfriend Nicole. Then Luke Nichols and Joe Jackson. Joe caught a 3 foot shark as we were reeling in for the last time. What luck.

2006-07-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a great shot. I really did fish. I even baited my own hook a few times. No one really caught anything. Some people on the other side of the boat caught a ling, a couple of sharks, a stingray. One our side it seemed the only fish we could catch were the ones we had to put back, dogfish, hardhead catfish, and angel fish.

2006-07-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

I had my first fishing trip out of Galveston this past weekend. The Baylor Lettermen's Association invited anyone interested to ride out into the Gulf on a catamaran to go fishing. I took my friend Kim Crider with me and we had a blast. I saw a bunch of players I hadn't seen in a really long time. Fred Miller who currently plays for the Chicago Bears graduated in 95, my freshman year. This is a picture of Philip Kent, me and Fred Miller. Philip is now a preacher in Houston but was at Baylor while I was there.

2006-06-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know anything about Fund for Teachers, check out our Web site, www.fundforteachers.org.

2006-06-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a friend and she thought that I should post these two pictures. Fund for Teachers, the foundation for which I work, was recognized at an Aeros ice hockey game on April 1, 2006, that is the Houston team. While being interviewed on the radio the photgrapher got a couple of shots. It was amazing. I also got to meet Chad Hedrick, gold medalist in speed skating (from Spring, outside of Houston) before the game. As soon as I get the picutre I had taken with him I will post that as well. He is a total hottie.

2006-06-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Mom and I created a scrapbook with all the letters from Grandmother's friends and family. It was incredible to hear from people that have known her since she was just a girl, those that have just met her in the past couple of years and everyone in between. She has made an impact in so many lives. Here is a picture of Mom reading from the scrapbook. We did get teary at times, but it was over all, a glorious tribute to Grandmother.

2006-06-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Dad also made an awesome frame for the box on those occasions where Grandmother doesn't want to wear the necklace.

2006-06-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Grandmother loved her charm necklace. It was awesome to watch her open it. This may get lengthy but I feel it is important to explain about each charm.

The first being a Texas with a heart because Texas is home, and home is where the heart is.
Then a bear to represent Baylor
1313 to represent the Harrington House
A book with Lou engraved into it for her love of books and her childhood nickname
Little girl shoes with H and M engaved for Harriet and Margaret, her two daughters
A tractor to represent her farm life in Wimberley
A purse, for the Surrey Village Dress shop with Dixie
The Alamo, to represent Ramsey Yelvington and his play A Cloud of Witnesses
River Road, the Wimberley House
Special Teacher, because she was one
Very Special Grandmother, because she is one
805 to represent the house in Austin
A bouquet of Flowers, because she loves flowers
A suitcase, to show her love and life of travel
A teapot, to represent her love and dedication to antiques
GG, her name given by Genoa, Rina and Eme for Great-Grandmother
A snowflake for Vermont
Happy Birthday Cake with 90th and 2006 engraved on the back
Faith, Hope and Love - Her Core

2006-06-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

The second event that I attended was the 10 year reunion for the Class of 1996. I graduated in 95, a year early, but grew up in school with the class of 96. These are my friends and I had a blast seeing everyone again. It was a great turn out and amazing to realize that we are all adults now. There was adult conversation and recollecting of fond memories.

2006-06-20T08:38:00.000-07:00

I am back in Houston, but what a time I had in Vermont.

I attended the high school graduation for the class of 2006. Among the graduating seniors were two kids that I knew well, Rachel Kuiken and Zach Ralph. Rachel is the younger sister of Adam, a good friend of mine from high school. Zach is an amazing kid that I babysat all through high school (along with his three siblings), he was five when I started babysitting them.

This is a picture of the four Ralph children. What a great looking group of kids. I have many fond memories of these four.

2006-06-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

One of the surprises that mom and I have prepared for Grandmother, to celebrate her 90th birthday, is a scrapbook with letters from all her friends and family. We have contacted as many people as possible to write us something about what she means to them. Rayna (on the right) wrote a sweet note from their family and included this picture from her wedding four years ago. Isn't grandmother beautiful.

2006-06-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is my first post. Here it goes.

It is HOT, HOT, HOT here. So I am getting away for a couple of days. I am traveling to Vermont. While there, I will celebrate my grandmother's ninetieth birthday, attend the 10 Year Class Reunion for the class I was originally supposed to graduate with and attend the graduation for the Class of '06. It will be great to see my parents, brothers, grandmother and friends.

I will post pictures upon my return.

Until then.