PTA Moms Loose in Austin!

Yep, another year had gone by and it was time for the annual Texas PTA Summer Seminar in Austin. Since I will be the Treasurer this year, I felt it was definitely to my benefit to go. One of my good friends, Joni, went along again this year, and 3 "newbies" decided to brave the trip! It is always scary going along on a weekend trip with people you don't know. Well, after 3 minutes in the car with Kristi, Veronica and Maria, I knew there was nothing to be afraid of....and I was right! We all had a great time getting to know each other, laughing, goofing off....oh, and yeah, learning about our PTA jobs.

We arrived on Friday, and after checking in everywhere, we headed down to Cedar Street Courtyard again for dinner and to watch our favorite 80s rock band, LC Rocks! Dinner was an interesting experience for me as we chose to eat at Malaga Tapas Bar. I had never experienced tapas before, and it was suprisingly good! I really enjoyed the Portobellos Alinados , but everything we had was delicious! LC Rocks was AWESOME, as usual, and we danced the night away....maybe a little too much as Veronica ended up breaking her ankle (which we didn't find out until we got home on Sunday)!

On Saturday, after a day of classes, we made plans to watch the bats fly at dusk. So, we headed to Threadgills, a restaurant near where the bats fly. Dinner was really good Texas Home Cooking. We all opted for comfort food ranging from Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Broccoli & Rice Casserole, Carrots, Collard Greens and Texas Caviar. I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of this restaurant and hope to go back again someday!

And now, the bats....for those who don't know, there is a huge colony of bats that live under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Every night at dusk, the entire colony flies out from under the bridge and travels down the river to feed! I never, ever believed Joni when she told me about this. So, we decided to check it out. We did see bats! Unfortunately, they didn't feel like flying down the river, but I did get some great video of them circling under the bridge. Really cool...and so, now I half-way believe Joni! ;o)

But the night was still young after that experience, and the girls really wanted to visit 6th Street. I am soooo not a party person, but they lured me to 6th Street with the promise of a carriage ride! That was AWESOME! LOL!! After the ride down 6th Street in the carriage, we walked around a bit. We landed at a club called Latitude where we got to witness a very strange dancing waitress and a male diva "break" dancer! It was too much....why I didn't take video, I don't know. I will never get those images out of my head!

Sunday found us back in class and then back home. I had such a great time with my new pals....I miss them already! Can't wait to have a girl's night out with them soon! Here is a video that I put together of our trip. It is pretty long, but I feel it is worth the time to watch it all....of course, you may not appreciate all of it as much as the "fab five" will!! ;o)

Darlings Salon

making girls FABULOUS.....one tatoo at a time!! You gotta love the $1 spot at Target....sometimes they have just the right thing.....like Lisa Frank tatoos and nail art!!! Enjoy the movie....

Cap'n Jack a victim to high gas prices...

By Guest Blogger Bill Mullen

As gas prices rose to $4.00 per gallon and beyond, my daily commute got more expensive everyday. It got to the point that I would feel guilty every time I had to fill The Cap'n up, costing around $85 every week. I knew a change was needed, so I went to see my friends at Nissan of McKinney. They were so helpful! They took one look at The Cap'n and closed the doors. They said they would not take it if I gave it to them. You see, everyone else is aware gas prices are high too! Nobody goes in to a car dealer this summer and asks "Hey, you got any used Titans with a V8?". Everybody is trading their trucks in on the low mileage vehicles which is exactly what I needed to do. So I leave thinking I am out of luck. A few days pass and I see Bankston Nissan of Dallas has a few Versa's. Bankston is right down the road from where I work. The Versa is the best mileage car Nissan has, and we are a Nissan family. Even if my father-in-law recently bought a Toyota, I know where his allegiance truly lies. Anyway, I digress. I went to Bankston Nissan on Thursday the 3rd with every intention to get a Versa, and I was not leaving until I did.

Turns out, when you buy a truck in March, and then try to sell it in July, when gas prices have nearly doubled, you end up with NEGATIVE EQUITY. Oops. Turns out the bank won't loan me enough money to get a Versa and bring in the negative equity that I had in Cap'n Jack. But the finance guy, very slick he was, says the bank would give me more options if I get a little more expensive car. Turns out they got a brand new Sentra SL off the truck that day. It still had the protective covering all over it. My Salesman, Karl, said lets go look at it. Okay, I say, beats going back to work!

Before I tell you about the Sentra, I should mention what the Versa came equipped with. It had a sunroof, upgraded Stereo, black paint, alloy wheels, and beige cloth interior, but it was a sedan, and the hatchback gets better gas mileage, but I would have been happy with it getting about 30 mpg. So Karl takes me back to look at the Sentra, and sure enough, it still had the protective covering all over it. I did not even sit in it, or could I tell what color it was. Then, I look at the options. Sunroof, XM satellite radio, upgraded Rockford Fosgate Stereo, 6 disc changer, hands free bluetooth, intelligent key, and wait for it, LEATHER seats, and it gets nearly the same gas mileage as the Versa Sedan. I personally have never owned a car with leather seats. Steph had a Quest and now a Pathfinder with leather (told you we are a Nissan family). But all 3 Sentras and my Titan had cloth seats. So I tell Karl, let's do it. So we go in, sign all the papers, and voila. I am the proud owner of a 2008 Nissan Sentra SL. Yep. My fourth Sentra. I have owned a 94 E, a 96 GXE, and a 2006 Special Edition. This one beats the others hands down. I thought Boomer (my 06 Sentra) was awesome, but nothing can beat the intelligent key system, handsfree bluetooth, and saddle leather. The leather is called saddle, because it is kind of brownish and makes the interior look very expensive, I joked it looks very Italian. So I named it Leonardo, after my favorite painter, Leonardo Da Vinci. So I present to you, Leonardo, or Leo for short.

Our Louisiana Vacation - The Movie

Yes, we took tons more pictures than what was in the posts, so I thought I would make one of my "world-famous movies" to show them all off. So, here ya go, another SHE Production.....

Maggie's 1st Vacation

Maggie insists that she be able to tell you all about this trip in her own words. She has asked that I translate so that us humans can try to comprehend her language....LOL!

I am sitting in my dining room watching my mom pack suitcases. I wonder where she takes them, and why won't she ever take me, too? I will just sit here on top of the biggest one, maybe she won't notice.

My dad took that huge, black creature out of the house this morning. Perhaps it will be gone for good this time....the worst day of my life them bringing that beast into my home! Now it seems all of my humans along with their stuff are getting in the big, white machine. Well, except for my mom, who just shut the front door in my face. I really want to go with her this time, so how to get her attention....aw, yes, the bite mom on the leg trick. Works every time! Much better, she is carrying me through the house into the garage....wait, maybe I better rethink this plan. Do I really want to get inside that big, white machine? Nope, don't think so. Oh, bugger, I am in!

Now this machine is moving.....pretty quickly....yep, I am done. Thanks for the ride, you can let me out any time. Oooooh, that spot with the green, green grass looks great, just stop here and let me out. Seriously, aw, c'mon you passed it! Good help is sure hard to find. Oh, well, I guess I will just take a tour of this machine. Maybe it isn't all bad. At least all of my humans are here. Yawn, maybe a catnap is in order. Hey, this is a great spot in the floor, very relaxing, I'll just take little snooze right here.

Hey, what is going on now? Why are you rolling down your window? OMG, there is a person, please, don't give me to that person....it would be really bad for you if you try to hand me through your window to that person. I'm outta here! Whew, that disaster was averted....what's that I smell? Chicken? Oooh, I love chicken, but those humans never share their chicken with me. Oh, well, back to napping.

Okay, now what?!? Everytime I get good and comfy, we stop this machine. Oh, great a building, a door, a room. Yep, I am gonna hide. This place is nuts, and so not my house! My humans have left, I should probably investigate while they are gone. On second thought I have a really great hiding place, they'll never find me here. Oh, they are back and calling my name. Yep, I am not moving, they will never find me! Wait, what if they might have a treat for me....yep, there is my mom talking about treat, treats. I better see what is going on. Just let me peek my head out this little hole in the box springs, oh, I see her and the treat. Unfortunately, it was easier squeezing into this hole, than getting out. There's dad, too, oh, thank goodness he made the hole bigger, now I can get to my treat....awwwww bliss!

Well, I have spent a couple of days checking this place out, and it isn't so bad after all. There is a tall cabinet I can sit on to see all of my humans. There is a sink where I can beg to play in the water. There is a bathroom, just like at home where I can follow my mom. My laptop is here, so I can get warm. Yep, all the luxuries of home, except no tweet, tweets that I can see. There sure is a lot of banging going on around here. But I have my hiding place all staked out if some unsavory character tries to come inside this room! Yep, I am starting to think of this as my new home. It's not so bad really. If only they would take me outside for some of that yummy green grass I saw on the way, then I would be set!

Are you kidding me??? The suitcases again?!? What is up with you humans and these suitcases?!? Just don't even think about taking me with you this time. I love this room. I never want to leave this room. No, seriously.....oh, bugger it, I am back in the big, white machine. Maybe this time I can find a way out. Nope, just as secure as last time. Well, there is nothing that can be done about it. I'll just take a catnap.

Not now, mom, I am sleeping. No, leave me, don't take me out of here. I like it here......oh, wait, I see, it can't be, is it really.....my house, my kitchen floor.....aw, bliss! Thank you, thank you....I will never ask to go outside ever again!

Day 6 - On the Road Again

Tuesday, found us driving back home. Again Maggie freaked out....oops, that's all I better say about that! The car ride was good....again the girls made it through without the dvd player...yay, girls! And we found a shortcut that took an hour off our drive! Woohoo!

We did receive some GREAT news around noon that day....Bill's mom called to let us know that his brother Steve and his wife Keri had their baby boy, Gavin at 11:11 that morning! We were so excited for them!! We can't wait to make it up to Missouri to see them all! Congratulations!!!!

Day 5 - Gardening and Blue Dogs

Monday found Bill back at work. Unfortunately, it also meant us girls getting up early and driving him to work - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip. When we got back to the hotel, we decided to take one last dip in the pool. It was deserted when we got there, so that was nice. After about 1/2 an hour we headed outside to the sun deck to dry off. Then back to our room to get dressed and head back to Rip Van Winkle Gardens!!

We arrived at the gardens at 11, met the resident Great Dane Puppy named Peanut, paid the admission fees and headed to the cafe for lunch. I loved this cafe!! We got to sit on the sun porch and had an awesome view of Lake Peigneur! The food was good, too, so that was a bonus!! The trek through the gardens wasn't much to brag about. We saw some pretty plants in the beginning, a couple of fountains, Japanese Tea House. I was more concerned about getting to the Mansion for our tour!! I love touring old houses!

We made it to the house a little early for the tour, so we took advantage of the huge front porch with rockers and took a rest.....it was so hot and humid! Peanut paid a visit to us while we were waiting, which the girls thought was awesome!! The house was beautiful. They didn't allow pictures or video, though, so you will have to take my word for it....or go visit it yourself. We weren't allowed to go upstairs, either, which was pretty disappointing to me, but we did see 10 rooms including the kitchen that still had the original cast iron stove in it!

While touring the house, Bill called and was ready to be picked up from work. So, we quickly walked the rest of the gardens then headed back out to Krotz Springs to pick him up....whew, I felt like I had been driving for ages!

On the advice of my friend, Joni, we headed to the Blue Dog Cafe for dinner! I soooooo wish we had went here our first night.....I would have eaten here every night of our vacation....it was AWESOME!!!!! Definitely the best meal of our entire trip!! Although, Bill thought the Roasted Duck Quesadilla was too woodsy for his tastes. After dinner, it was back to the hotel so I could start packing....boo-hoo!