A post for my homies

I know I keep saying this but I honestly decided I was done with this blog...mainly because I am so addicted to the computer. I even deactivated my FB acct and made it about 10 days before going back on 'to check'. I had people msg me to see if I was ok and found I hated not being able to chat with friends.  Of course then the first thing I see on fb is one of my dear friends is engaged and this just reenforced my dislike for internet. She couldn't call, email, or text me to share her news?? I find out on FB??!? AGH!  Communication has become so impersonal and detached and yet we are able to connect with friends and family we might not otherwise. Its a dilemma in my head and I don't have the solution other than to continue on.
Its been so long I don't know where to begin...Ok how about the La Quinta Art Exhibit at the museum. Very cool. They had an artists reception so most of the 31 artists were there. We could talk to people about our work or simply mingle. It was packed with so many people coming out in support, I was shocked! I had a few friends tell me they liked mine the best but that is what friends are for right?!! It is the most eclectic grouping of art ever and quite fun to see...well and be a part of. I have a name tag and it declares I am an artist!
J and I celebrated 32 yrs of wedded bliss the 24th and the next day he left for 8 days in MN. I am not sure who had a better time...I have not been alone in 2 years and he got to play with his BF in MN.
While he was gone Gracie and I drove to PHX to spend the night with Ky and experience his new life. Unfortunately the move to PHX has not gone as he hoped and I doubt if he stays long. I understand his unhappiness because I too have made moves and found it more lonely than I could stand. He remains a very upbeat positive person and hopefully something comes along that changes his journey.

Having an ASU brunch reunion at Ky's restaurant. It was delicious and fun!

There is this old house on Lake Carlos (our old town in MN) built in the 20s and on an acre of property. So on a day off of Halloween prep J and JB went to see it.  It has dropped 500,000 in price the family is so desperate to sell it. If I could win a lottery it would be my summer home tomorrow. Here is the view from the back porch...it comes furnished with a boat and a guest house on the water. I think the worse part is so many are buying these old classic lake homes and tearing them down. My heart belongs in a past generation where old is of value and cherished. Oh well. I do so enjoy my desert winters! Seriously tho couldn't you picture yourself having coffee here in the morning and then back again after a day on the water for your wine?! Yep me too.

Something new and wonderful in my life is I have begun taking yoga classes. Phewy! Please do not think its all about  crazy downward dog poses and namaste...we really get an awesome physical work out and I am loving it! I have been riding my bike there and back and now I even find myself standing straighter and walking differently. I bought a few cute outfits too so now I am really committed! lol

Another cool thing is we have finally begun our garden railway after years of talking about it. I think it is going to be awesome! Its also special because its a bit of a family effort to get it up and going. I got to trade in my scissors and sewing machine for an exacto knife and glue to build the sheriff's office. great fun!

There is my little sheriff building and this is a trestle Timothy built about 10 yrs ago. Finally found its place!

We have a long ways to go but at least we have begun....I am on the lookout for a bar car to brings drinks to whomever is sitting track side around the pool!

There is a local artist that does some fun pieces using paper mache and I noticed one in a house I took care of this summer. I was drawn to the closeness of the ladies because that is what best friends do..stand in each other's space.

So of course I had to do my version of this piece and I swear it was so much fun! Like playing paper
dolls again~isn't that sad they dont even exist now? I feel old!
 I wanted both of my ladies to have a glass of wine and to be tipping them as we do when we are happily talking to our bfs. I visualized a whole new market of bfs...two ladies holding golf clubs or tennis racquets, riding a tandem bike, etc. and coordinating hair colors....and then I remembered I really dont want to be that artist. I just want to have fun and do whatever comes into my head. Right now I have 4 projects going and  Christmas ideas beginning~feeling very ADD...remember Cher,  'finished is better than perfect!'

I will end this post with the highlight of my month...I flew to DFW 2 weeks ago to do a roadtrip with Gugi to the Hill Country of Texas. We have talked about doing this for a couple of years and finally were able to make it happen. G booked us a cute little BandB in Fredericksburg about 51/2 hrs from her home. This is an old german town and we had such a great time there. People were friendly and darling shops to poke around in...

 We drove the 2nd day about 3 hrs to La Grange TX to the Texas Quilt Museum. It was fascinating and they had such beautiful quilts from as old as 1846. Amazing the stitch work the ladies did then by hand...they change the quilts every few months to a different theme and it was so worth the drive. We also loved the town of La Grange...also an old German town with beautiful old buildings and history.

This was once the jail...

Beautiful old courthouse from the 1800s right in the center of town.

My sweet friend in front of the brewers home he built in 1800s for his 6 children. Simply amazing work still standing.

This is an old brewery built in 1850 by a man from Bremen...the stonework on his property was incredible.

We drove thru Smithville where the movie Hope Floats was filmed. This was Birdie's mama's house!

 Everywhere we stopped there were amazing antique stores...history galore! This was a doctor's buggy...

The drive was beautiful rolling green fields with huge old oak trees placed every so often. I had no idea how amazing this trip would be and could have continued on for another week.

The German culture and heritage is so strong here. The gentleman that began Austin wrote back to Germany telling everyone how this was the land of opportunity and they came. Over 1,000,000 Germans migrated to Texas in the 1800s and they actually refer to themselves as German Texans. We visited one small town after another with amazing old 1800 buildings still being used today. It was fascinating and I can't wait to do it again. Our final night we stopped in Luckenbach which is basically a post office, saloon and general store.

  "Everybody's Somebody in Luckenbach!" Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings sings a song about it and throws parties here for friends. I have never experienced a place like this and we had a blast! Everyone is singing along and doesnt matter where you are from you are part of the gang.

Anyone can join in singing or playing and its nothing for Willie N to drop by.

Me wishing I had my cowgirl boots and hat!

I think G and I smiled the entire time we were there! Great fun and definitely planning to return.
For me the best part of this road trip besides being with my BFF was the only planned part was our B and B. Everything we did was mutually spontaneous, free and so much fun....simply love being with that girl! I was sad to leave and go back to the routine of life but I smiled all the way home!
Thanks for dropping by...