The Red Round House

As I got to thinking about what my summer was missing, it occurred to me that I had not gone to the lake. Yes, swimming pools are great, but there's just something about going to the lake that completes summer time in Texas. As I was brainstorming where to get my lake "fix", I remembered that my grandma had an old run-down lake house that she and my aunt were remodeling to eventually sell.

My grandparents lived at Lake Nocona when I was very young, and I remember visiting them every summer. For hours, we would play hide-n-seek, try to catch minnows, ride in the paddle boat, and learn how to water ski. There was never a dull moment. Grandpa and grandma moved to Wichita Falls when I was in the second grade, so we never had a reason to go out to Lake Nocona after that.

Needless to say, when we decided to go back for the first time in about fifteen years, I was very excited to see how things had changed. Cliff, Jake, and I piled into the truck and headed to Nocona, Texas. I would be lying through my teeth if I said I recognized everything, because well...NOTHING looked the same. My grandparents' old house had been remodeled and the yard was a far cry from grandpa's high standards. So we drove on past to find the old Round House that was given to my grandma.

I had only seen the "before" pictures (in which the cabin was in VERY BAD shape), so I didn't set my hopes too high. But when we arrived at the "Red Round House" I was in awe. It was adorable! I had never been in a house that was round, so the pie-shaped rooms were a real surprise. It was located in a quiet cove just off the lake...in which Jake was more than happy to test out for us. The wood-burning fireplace in the middle of the house was perfect for a winter lake visit, the large windows in the back made for a great view of the cove, and the restored hardwood floors were beautiful.

Although the cabin was great, our trip to the lake ended up being more of an expedition through Lake Nocona properties. The cove where the cabin was located wasn't exactly "swimmable", so we drove around to find a public beach...but we were unsuccessful. Instead, we got yelled at by a woman in a golfcart for driving on her property...which was actually just a trailer park with OU flags (yuck) posted everywhere.

So to wrap up this post...we might have failed in our quest for a relaxing time at the lake...but I did enjoy remembering all the great times my cousins and I had as young guns roaming around grandma and grandpa's yard in our birthday suits.

For the cabin listing, click here: http://www.regencyonerealtors.com/viewproperty/1_1_47_59_114841/

Friendship in a Nut Shell...

It's simple. If you don't have friends, you're lonely.

Keeping up with friends is one of my top 10 goals in life. I never want to be somewhere down the road and have to sit and ask myself, "I wonder what she's doing these days?" A promise that I made to myself a few years ago, was to constantly keep in contact with friends...not only the ones near and dear, but also the ones I only meet up with once in a blue moon. My challenge was to call at least five friends a week and send at least one letter a week. (Now I will be the first to admit, sometimes that does not happen, BUT...I make up for it when I get into a "writing frenzy.")

To some, friendship is important, but not essential. Many people will go through life without friends. I could never be one of those people.

Have you ever had a dream where you were all alone in the world? I think everyone has. I see this dream as a reminder to ask yourself, "What would I do without them?"

I could go on and on about each and every person I call a "friend", but I will save that for another day. To me, with friendship comes...

Memories

Heart aches/tears

Secrets

Stories

Laughs

Connections

Relationships

Hugs

Faith

Unforgettable faces

Roadtrips

Family

"A Little Place Called Asssspen"

I love coffee.

The first cup of the day in particular is SO GOOD that I am almost afraid that I won't be able to function if I don't set the coffee pot, or run by Starbucks on the way to work. Therefore, if I do miss my morning fix, I go at lunch to make up for it. (Yeah, I know...its out of control.)

I was probably 10 when I was introduced to ritual of making coffee. In fact, my parents were happy enough about me fixing them coffee that they might have overlooked my first few clashes with brewing technology.

When I was in high school, all four members of the family were drinking approximately two mugs per morning, so coffee was crucial. We brewed a full pot of coffee every day at 6 a.m. to help us jump start our morning. Oh, and do I dare mention that the first Starbucks came to town during my senior year? It was during that time frame (four years) that I became hooked.

During my freshman year of college in 2005, I was delighted to discover a locally owned coffee shop not too far from where I lived. Anyone who has ever lived in Stillwater, Oklahoma should know what I'm talking about..."A little place called Asssspen" (thank you, Lloyd Christmas). At the time, I was focused more on the taste and less on the price. Aspen Coffee Company was like 'Cheers' for college students...everybody knew your name. There was the barista who knew exactly what I wanted everyday, the owner who asked how last week's test went, and the friend who was always saving a chair for me when every table was full (especially during finals week). Aspen was the place to be. Within weeks, I accepted the fact that, for the remainder of my time in Stillwater, a considerable portion of my income would end up at Aspen Coffee Company on Western Avenue.

I miss Aspen...the smell, the exact same "Aspen junkies" every day in their same seats, my daily ritual of "morning chai latte, afternoon sweet tea, and evening blended Bechtol", the free-WiFi, the old man who was constantly sitting out in front on the porch smoking and wearing a baret, and the ball-bearing bike headset toilet paper roll (see photo).

Wichita Falls doesn't have a place like Aspen. It has a Starbucks...but it's just not the same. I hope that some day, somewhere down the road, I find another coffee shop like Aspen Coffee. Who knows? Maybe my dream life in Denver will bring forth a few "home-brewed" hole-in-the-walls!

If you read this blog and have ever been to Aspen, please feel free to comment about your experience!

• http://aspencoffeecompany.com/



• http://www.starbucks.com/



• http://bikesandbeyond.ca/product/park-tool-toilet-paper-holder-20123-1.htm

Lady America's 234th Birthday

July 4th marked the 234th birthday of our country. Celebrating this day has always been extra special for my mother's side of the family because her father and two brothers served time in the United States military.

Our family's Independence Day celebration has increased in magnitude every year since I can remember. We started celebrating out at Lake Nocona at my grandparents cabin. I can't even remember there being any real fireworks besides sparklers, worms, and poppers. It was a family affair of roughly 15-20 people. I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade when my grandparents moved to Wichita Falls. The first few 4th of July parties at their house on Turkey Ranch Road were still family gatherings, with a few close friends here and there.

Then the grand kids grew up and one young man in particular became what we like to call "the family pyromaniac." My cousin Tyler is one of the most talented guys I know. He is smart, musically inclined, and a dual-sport collegiate athlete. Oh, one more thing...he LOVES to blow things up! Due to Tyler's increasing interest in fireworks, his assortment of explosives has grown from a couple hundred dollars to couple thousand dollars. Neighbors and people from around town used to line the street just to watch what was going on in our yard on the 4th of July. So for the last few years, we have opened up the celebration to anyone.

July 4th, 2010 marked the highest turnout with approximately 200 people. Everyone brings their own lawn chairs, as well as side dishes and beverages...while our family supplies the meats, venue, and entertainment. This year turned out to be a bit of a bummer for Tyler. Due to scattered thunderstorms and high winds, he had to cut his fireworks show in half. He was prepared to put on a 22 minute show, but it was cut down to about 8.5 minutes. Just like last year, the rain came down as soon as the show was over. Tyler's band, The Tyler Rushing Band (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tyler-Rushing-Band/128069730559278), had to cancel their outdoor show as well. I think a few of us have already started praying for NO RAIN next year!

Check out Tyler's youtube channel and watch his fireworks show from this year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy3Nrs076oc

A Quick Learner

The time has come. Jake learned his first "big boy" trick at three and a half months old. He has mastered balancing treats on his nose and catching them, only AFTER Cliff tells him to. Of course, he misses a few times here and there, and sometimes the treats fall off on their own, but he knows not to eat them if they do fall (such discipline!). Jake has been known to keep the treats on his nose for long periods of time. No, I do not mean ten seconds...I'm talking more like one to two minutes! I have missed some of the most fascinating moments on film...like the time Cliff walked around the house, or the time he went to the restroom and came back to Jake STILL balancing his treat! I have never seen a puppy so willing to please his owner. (I guess he has figured out that the frequent trips to Petco and PetSmart will continue as long as he is doing what we ask of him - so spoiled.)

Jake can also retrieve things in the water, dive off the dock/side of the pool, sit, stay, lay down, shake, and he understands "go to your kennel." Our most recent tasks are to keep him from chewing up his beds/blankets and teach him to come when he hears his name. He is fine in the house and in the backyard where nothing has him side-tracked, but after seeing how disobedient he was while chasing the neighbor's cat across two yards, we have decided it is time for him to understand when he hears his name, he better come running!

Besides learning new tricks and going to the store for new toys, Jake also loves watching television. Whether it's sports, the news, computer screen savers, or just YouTube videos of other dogs, he concentrates so hard on whatever he is watching. I personally believe this will help him learn new tricks...the "watch and learn" theory of dog training! (yes, of course I made that up, but I think I'm on to something)

Maturity/growth update: at four months old, Jake now weighs 42 pounds and is completely house broken...but he still wakes Cliff up at 5am to go outside :)

A True Re-Union

The month of July started off with a "bang"...and no, I'm not talking about the 4th of July. We had the pleasure of witnessing my uncle's wedding in Wichita Falls on July 3rd. The wedding was special in so many ways. Mark (my uncle) and Glenda (his new wife) were high school sweethearts. They both went their separate ways after high school, but found the road back to one another twenty-five years later.

Not only did all three of my mom's siblings come back to their hometown, but they brought my cousins too! Even though we all live in Texas, our busy schedules make it near impossible to see each other. It really was great seeing how tall and mature the little cousins have become. Also, thanks to Facebook, my grandma was able to reunite with old friends who she had lost contact with for over twenty years! They drove all the way from Sacremento, California for the festivities!

The wedding took place in the evening at The Wellington (one of the newest convention/banquet facilities). The time of day was perfect. The dinner reception was naturally lit by the open windows, and the sun went down just as the DJ started playing a mix of retro funk, country, and modern hits. My mom and her siblings owned the dancefloor the entire night...embarassing, but I'm glad they had fun! Nothing is better than seeing a reunion of family and friends!

• Photographer: http://www.debkdyerphoto.com/
• Caterer: http://www.lubyswf.com/
• Venue: http://www.wellingtonwf.com/

Wildcatter Ranch Date Night

After working in the yard all afternoon, Cliff and I decided to join our friends, Jason and Erin, for a last-minute double date in Graham, TX, where we ate dinner at The Wildcatter Ranch. I had visited once before for a wedding last summer, but actually experiencing the ranch was a treat!

The steakhouse served up a "Texas-sized" meal for us. We started off with "snake bites" (baby back ribs and smoked stuffed peppers). Entrees included chicken fried chicken, t-bone steak, and fillet, complimented by garlic potatoes, asparagus, and vegetables. We topped the meal off with home-made bread pudding and banana pudding (served in a mason jar). No, the tab wasn't cheap, but the atmosphere, the breath-taking view over the valley, the live band, and excellent guest services made it SO WORTH IT!

The Wildcatter Ranch is the perfect weekend getaway for families (dogs included), friends, or couples. They offer spa treatments, horseback riding, archery, cattle feeding, and much more! Although we did not actually stay, we had the chance to jump in the "infinity pool" and check out one of the guest cabins. I would suggest this place to anyone in the Wichita Falls or Dallas/Fort Worth area...trust me, the drive pays off once you arrive!

Some Say I Have A Green Thumb...

We had to come to a halt in the bamboo battle. BUT I am actually VERY excited about my newest project...and I'm sure Cliff appreciates the time away from allergy attacks and hive-covered arms (thank you bamboo). Cliff's house sits in one of the prettiest areasof town, the Country Club. Everyone is constantly changing out their seasonal flowers, remodeling landscapes, and keeping their yards in perfect condition. So...mynext project? FLOWER BEDS! When I lived in Dallas, I enjoyed going on walks/driving in neighborhoods around SMU and Dallas Country Club, just to see the wide variety of flowers, shrubs, and plant placement. Like HGTV says..."its all about curb appeal!"

So with that said, I am pleased to announce that Cliff (although he is a male and doesn't care about flowers) now has a lovely array of perennials and annuals, as well as groomed shrubs. The second we (my mom helped me) finished, Wichita Falls received a massive rainstorm. The flowers held up, and I am just hoping that the roots start getting strong and taking to their new home soil!

Thanks to my mom and Smith's Gardentown, the flower beds now consist of; maroon day lilies, mixed gazania, vodka begonias, white daisies red dianthus, monkey grass, youpons, holly bushes, and nandinas.

http://www.smithsgardentown.com/