The Ran and Papa Photo Shoot

The Ran and Papa

See, Mac and I are totally replacable........now, off to Tahiti....

Grey will smile, but he must cross his arms to maintain his cool factor.

Too cool for Sunday School.

Blonde, Brunette, and a Redhead

3 generations

The gang's all here.

The Ran And Papa Visit

Ran and Papa rolled in to town for a visit, recently. There was some eating, shopping, NASA visiting, church, some more shopping, and Astros-watching. And, of course, lots of laughing, 'cause, well, it's a requirement here on the Davis Farm.

Before we headed out to The Woodlands for some unsupervised shopping, Holland and Mac performed their latest song, "Blue Skies". She and Mac have been writing songs together. It's not always a pretty process, but they seem to come out with a song at the end of it.

Pink is not just a color, it's a way of life.

A hat can set the tone.

Also at NASA, besides the billion dollar space stuff, there was a Lucas Films exhibit. Different memorabilia from George Lucas' movies. It was pretty cool. They even had an Indiana Jones exhibit that the kids could climb and whatnot on. However, there were about 60 million people at the Space Center, (It felt like that many.) so the wait was over an hour and a half, and there was no Fast Pass option, so the kids settled for the 3 story indoor playground and everybody was happy.

Star Wars stuff

Me, Holland, George Lucas, Harrison Ford, and Stephen Spielberg

The kids and Mac did manage to get on the NASA simulator, probably because it wasn't free, but they really enjoyed it.

We watched a cool IMAX film about becoming an astronaut. I learned quite a bit and got to revisit 80's fashion all at the same time. I will say I don't know why we thought eyeglass frames the size of dinner plates were ever attractive, but I guess that's just hindsight talking.

Despite the crowd, we had a good time exploring the Space Center.

While the Menfolk went to watch the Astros beat the Cardinals, Ran, the kids, and myself went to go eat and the kids played in the fountain outside the restaurant. It just never seems to get old for them, or maybe I just need to get them out more.

Well, we had a lot of fun with Ran and Papa.

The time went by toooo fast.
Which means we'll just have to do it again, soon.

Teri and the Gang

My good friend, Teri, whom I've known since the 7th grade when I was at the peak of my awkward years and still she befriended me and also my college roomie and sorority sister, was visiting some friends in The Woodlands and drove over to see us and eat some lunch.

I always enjoy getting together with them. This time I got to meet Darby, the newest heir in the Smith Dynasty.

Teri, Darby, and Me.

Thanks for taking the picture, Dwayne.

(He's the only one we trusted to take a picture and not cut off our heads.)

BFF's in training
Abby, Kinsey, & Holland

Darby is a bit of a Native American Giver. She would hand me something......

....then take it right back. Fortunately, she was cute enough to pull it off.




I was able to introduce them to CiCi's Fine Dining.


Abby approved of the brownie selection they offered.

"Wonder Twin Powers Activate!"

Michael Jackson 1958- 2009

Mac is taking the news pretty hard.....

Camp 2009

We shipped the eldest Davis offspring off to church camp. He was happy about getting away with his friends, and Holland was happy he was just getting away.
(Of course, she'll be the first to tackle and bear hug him when he returns.)

Pictured above are Grey and some of his cabinmates. Fortunately, their counselor is the wife of a police officer so she has access to techniques to subdue suspects...I mean 4th graders. She might even have a taser. I sure wouldn't go in that cabin without some sort of self-defense plan in place, much less sleep with both eyes closed. She's a brave soul.

Got Digits?

What parent in their right mind would give a 9 year old a cell phone?

I think I have proven I am not always in my right mind and yes, I gave my 9 year old a cell phone.

An incident where he got lost riding his bike to meet Mac at the pool prompted it. It's about a 90 second bike ride that we have done 100s of times. Only this time, I think he was trying to race Mac, who drove. Grey missed his turn and ended up lost in the back of the neighborhood. Mac called me at the gym frantic. Our fear was that someone had grabbed him, because it was such a short ride and he knew the way, normally. But he eventually stopped and got help, and a lady let him follow her back to the pool and use her cellphone. Mac was giving his description to 911 when we finally all met up.

That incident took about 10 years off my life, and at my age, I don't have those kind of years to give.

So, we got the phone, free (thankyouverymuch) and a $10/month plan. Naturally, he thought he had just won the lottery and this was going to be his handheld social networking device....until I laid down the rules. Basically, he can only call home, my cell, Mac's cell, 2 emergency contacts (2 of my friends who happen to be in network), and 911. So he spends most of his time changing the ringtone and taking pictures with it which is fine by me.

So, if you want to reach Grey by phone, call the home line.

The 4th of July

We managed to celebrate the 4th of July without completely melting away, but it was touch and go. The kids and I went to the Neighborhood Celebration at the pool, because from 12-3, by law, in South Texas you have to be within 5 feet of a body of water. (Ok, that would be common sense law.)
Then Mac got back from working and we headed out to the local fireworks show. I didn't take any pictures there, because it was too hot to lift my arms. Sorry.

Sadly, they had to eat Texas brisket. But we were dreaming of Lil' Dooey's the whole time.

Pretend it's a pulled pork sandwhich with mild sauce lying beside a bed of waffle fries with a large sweet tea..........I'm holding back my tears.

Released Back Into The Wild

Well, I had my 3 month appointment with my surgeon today. I can't believe it's been 3 months. Time sure flies when you're not crumpled over in pain. I had some x-rays, and he said everything looked good. He asked me if I was glad I did the surgery. It was all I could do not to stand up and shout, "ABSOLUTELY! HALLELUJAH! AMEN, BROTHER SURGEON!"

However, the not-so-great news is that it is Degenerative Disc Disease. I guess that makes me a part of a statistic of some sort. (It's always nice to be included in a group setting.) Anyway, there is a 5-15% chance of a recurrence and if that happens, the odds go up even more for another recurrence. The thought of going through it again isn't a thought I go to in my happy place, but I'm not going to worry about it.

This was my "Before" MRI picture. It's not very clear, but you can see that there should be a space between my spine and that nerve, not a black blob. He should just snipped off that portion of the disc, and it was wonderful after that. However, the disc is no longer living. RIP.

So, I am now officially "released" back into the wild.

It sure is good to be back.

Summer POD Reunion

Any reason to get together with friends and eat cookie cake is good enough reason for me. This was actually an official POD reunion, summer style. Our POD coordinators Lance and Shannon hosted a POD fish fry, Mississippi fish, which is the only fish I'll eat (Lov ya', Magnolia State.) and other goodies.
It was held at their temporary rental POD digs because they are in the process of building a new house out in a beautiful area with lots of land, trees, privacy, etc. I'm lovingly referring to it as the future POD Compound. We may have to get matching T-shirts and membership cards.

Anyway, we had a great time, and I discovered a version of potato salad that I love.

(Miracles never cease.) POD coordinators, Lance and Shannon

The kids played nonstop on this water slide. Best part is that it could be hooked up to a generator if we lost power again. Granted the water might be yellow again, but that just helps the kids build up immunities.

Grey took one for the team.

Enjoying some fish or "chicken nuggets" as far as Holland knows.

POD people.

Faith in time out. Just because we are in POD mode doesn't mean anarchy, but it must have been in the water because Holland got a rare home-grown-wait-till-we-get-home spanking after the party for flagrant defiance. I'll give her credit, when she decided to be defiant she committed 100%. Unfortunately, for her, I was up to the challenge.

Our POD is #1.

The cookie doesn't lie.