I got figs!

This is the moment i've been waiting for....I've got figs. Here's a picture of my very first one. I'm sure in a day or two, i will have about 1,000 more....it's a huge tree. Those birds better keep away! Now I need some good fig recipes....otherwise they will be blended up into my green smoothies. Yummmmmm

As you can see, Adam is up and around. Heather brought her and eric's 3 doggies over for a visit. Amazing how well they sit when there's a treat involved. He's still on pain meds, but each day he is feeling better. What a scare! So what did he learn, I asked him...."always put your knife away and never ever pull anything out that you've been stabbed with"

I've been on my treadmill everyday, and now have worked up to running. This morning I was feeling really good, i had just pasted the one mile mark of running continuous and my treadmill suddenly stopped. It died, just like that!!!!! It is so hot and humid outside, but it looks like I'll have to suffer with it until i find a new treadmill. So can anyone recommend a brand or style they like. I had a Trimline, which was great. Maybe if I'm lucky, it's just something loose and eddie can fix it.

Yesterday's update

Just a quick update on adam: he came home from the hospital today, still in lots of pain, but thank goodness, no surgery needed at this point. He is heavily drugged, but well equiped with homemade chicken soup. They did not sew up the cut, it needs to heal from the inside out. He is also suppose to use the leg, and not use crutches, however, he cannot even put any weight on it due to the pain. The doctor wants him to use the muscle so that it will heal. Hopefully in a day or two he can try to put pressure on it.

During yesterday's rain storm, we also lost a huge limb off of a pecan tree from our new house. Just when eddie had finally cleaned up all of the limbs that he had previously cut, now he has another big job to do. So he spent most of the day repairing yesterday's storm damage...rebuilding the fence, etc... It's rough having two houses!

Things happen in 3's

So here's how my day starts:

Adam, my son, calls us at 7:30 am. He went to galveston to go fishing, alone. Somehow, after leaving his filet knife on top of his net, he went to hand the net to someone and fell. Yep, you guessed it....he fell on the knife. Adam told us that it went into his ankle, about 2 inches. Said it wasn't bad, but he was at the ER. Adam doesn't watch the TV medical shows, so he didn't know that you don't pull a knife out, once you've been stabbed. Actually, he did know, but his first reaction was to pull it out. That's the Rambo in him. He had someone pull it out while at the pier. Apparently, none of the fishermen watch Gray's Anatomy, either! So about an hour later, the story changed a bit. They were now doing tests to see if he cut the main artery, and if so, he would need surgery. (he didn't) At that point, eddie and I jumped into the car to go to galveston. Once we arrived, we saw that the knife went completely through his calf, and out the other side. There was a pulse in his foot, but it was weaker then the other foot. Adam was admitted for observation overnight, in the event that it starts to bleed and surgery will be needed. Adam is presently high on pain killers, his foot is up on a pillow. Ileya, his fiancee (i love saying that) is with him. So far, so good, just alot of pain. They also have him pumped up on antibiotics...apparently an injury that involves sea water is high in bacteria. That's number one.

I get home and there had been a heavy rainstorm in sugar land. I see that some of my pots are overturned in the back yard. As i look closer, things don't look right. I go outside and a section of my fence is down, plants are broken, a huge jasmine on top of a trellis has been pulled off, and there's leaves and branches around the yard. After calling my neighbor, she tells me they think a mini tornado went through our yards. That's number two.

Number three is bad. Someone that I had been friends with when my kids were little, had a sudden heart attack and died. I hadn't seen her in many years, it's so shocking when someone our age dies. We will be going to the funeral and shiva in the next day or two.

Kiss your kids, your spouse, your family, your friends, and tell them you love them. You never know what the day will bring.

Something good for you and our planet

I buy cheap shampoo. I also buy cheap conditioner. Whatever is on sale is good enough. I've tried the expensive shampoos and conditioners and frankly, they all seem the same. Why spend the extra money. Lately, I've been trying to be even more environmentally correct. In addition to recycling cans, plastic, etc, we have now started to recycle all of our paper. It is amazing, we have hardly any garbage!!!! I've also been buying cleaning supplies at Whole Foods, or using natural cleaners. A few weeks ago I noticed the 365 brand of shampoo and conditioner. I bought it, not really looking at the price. It is so fantastic, so the next time i was at whole foods, i checked the price: it is only $1.99. I love the grapefruit scent. By the way, I've been buying the Whole Food's house brand "365" for years. All of the products are really good and very well priced. So i recommend a trip to whole foods, and buy something good for you and our planet.

just clowning around

Yep, that's us...Snuggles and Juggles

Me, and Tic Toc...

I am a clown, my name is Snuggles. In 2005, my husband, Juggles, and I went to clown school. It was 8 weeks of laughter, face painting, balloon animals, magic, skits, and much more. Once we graduated, and earned our degree in Clownology, we then had the priviledge of making others smile. Over the past few years, we've been volunteer clowns at Texas Children's Hospital. The past year, however, we took a break from the hospital, but have continued to clown for many other charities. Kathy, (tic toc) became a clown several years before me. She is the one who introduced us into the world of clowning. I've attached a picture of the two of us attending this year's clown school. No, we don't need to go to school again, graduate clowns get to come for fun and help out. You can also see some of my other clown friends, Tappy, Skooch, and Lady Sadie.

happy father's day

The Fab Four: grampa jules, zayde eddie, baby sophie, daddy philip

This zayde couldn't be happier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAD SAYS...Don't ask me, ask your mother.Were you raised in a barn? Close the door.You didn't beat me. I let you win.Big boys don't cry.Don't worry. It's only blood.Don't you know any normal boys?Coffee will stunt your growth.A little dirt never hurt anyone--just wipe it off..Get your elbows off the table.I told you, keep your eye on the ball.Who said life was supposed to be fair?

Always say please and thank you. That way, you get more.If you forget, you'll be grounded till the end of the world.You call that a haircut?"Hey" is for horses.This will hurt me a lot more than it hurts you.Turn off those lights. Do you think I am made of money?Don't give me any of your lip, young lady.You call that noise "music"?We're not lost. I'm just not sure where we are.No, we're not there yet....Ten more minutes.Shake it off. It's only pain.When I was your age ,I treated MY father with respect.As long as you live under my roof,you'll live by my rules.I'll tell you why. Because I said so. That's why.Do what I say, not what I do.Sit up straight, knucklehead!So you think you're smart, do you?What's so funny? Wipe that smile off your face.Young ladies perspire, they do not sweat.If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand timesYou want something to do? I'll give you something to do.You should visit more often. Your mother worries.This is your last warning..I'm not sleeping, I was watching that channel.What keeps those jeans of yours from falling off?I'm not just talking to hear my own voice!A little pain never hurt anybody.I knew how to cook when I was your age.Don't take yourself so seriously, take what you do seriously!Laugh at yourself first, you'll take the bite out of others doing so for you.You're always a winner if you lose with a smile.Go tell your mother she wants you.Any fights, I win!That's the best way I know to put out an eye!You could drive a wooden man nuts!In MY day......Eat it! It will grow hair on your chest!Don't forget to check your oil.Four things come not back: time past, the spoken word,the sped arrow and a missed opportunity.You can want in one hand and spit in the other and see which one fills up first.If your friend jumped off a bridge would you?If I didn't love you so much I wouldn't punish you...I would let you do whatever you wanted.Stop crying or I'll give you a reason to cry.You have things so easy!When I was your age I had to walk to school in 10 feet of snow up hill both ways!You're only young once.You're gonna like it, whether you like it or not!The early bird gets the worm. Rise and shine!Don't take any wooden nickels!Life is a journey and you've just reached one of many speed bumps to come.Don't look at me in that tone of voice!How many times do I have to pound that into your head?I'm not lost, it's just over the next hill!If you want to do something, do it because you want to. Don't do it because someone else did.As long as you tried your hardest, that's all that matters.What do you think this is, your birthday?Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.What do you think I am, a bank?What part of NO don't you understand?I don't care what other people are doing! I'm not everybody elses father!You're not leaving my house dressed like that!What will other parents think?Could those sleeves be any longer?You look like a bag lady!Headache remedy: Put your head through the window and the pain will be gone.Worrying about things you can't change is like a rocking chair...it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere.Hurt much? I didn't feel a thing.I feel for you, but I can't reach you from here.If you're gonna be dumb, you've gotta be tough.Didn't your teacher learn you anything?!You can marry a rich guy just as easily as you can a poor guy.It's hard to be good, and easy to be bad.If you're going to steal a car, at least make it a Cadillac(but don't call me asking for bail.)I got my tongue wrapped around my eye-tooth and couldn't see what I was saying.Men are like buses. Just wait on the corner and another one will come along.Don't tell on anybody unless you tell on yourself first.Hey, did you hear me talking to you?. I'm not watching television. I'm resting my eyes.Don't use that tone with me!Am I talking to a brick wall?If I catch you doing that one more time, I'll...Act your age.Two wrongs do not make a right.Wipe your feet!Enough is enough!Don't make me stop the car!What did I just get finished telling you?

how great is texas

HOW GREAT IS TEXAS ??!!!
Here is a list of actual places to travel in Texas. Enough said...

Need to be cheered up?
Happy, Texas 79042
Pep , Texas 79353
Smiley , Texas 78159
Paradise , Texas 76073
Rainbow , Texas 76077
Sweet Home , Texas 77987
Comfort , Texas 78013
Friendship, Texas 76530

Love the Sun?
Sun City , Texas 78628
Sunrise , Texas 76661
Sunset, Texas 76270
Sundown, Texas 79372
Sunray , Texas 79086
Sunny Side , Texas 77423

Want something to eat?
Bacon , Texas 76301
Noodle , Texas 79536
Oatmeal , Texas 78605
Turkey , Texas 79261
Trout , Texas 75789
Sugar Land , Texas 77479
Salty, Texas 76567
Rice , Texas 75155

And top it off with:Sweetwater , Texas 79556

Why travel to other cities?Texas has them all!
Detroit , Texas 75436
Colorado City , Texas 79512
Denver City , Texas 79323
Nevada , Texas 75173
Memphis , Texas 79245
Miami , Texas 79059
Boston , Texas 75570
Santa Fe , Texas 77517
Tennessee Colony , Texas 75861
Reno , Texas 75462

Feel like traveling outside the country?Don't bother buying a plane ticket!
Athens , Texas 75751
Canadian , Texas 79014
China , Texas 77613
Egypt , Texas 77436
Turkey , Texas 79261
London , Texas 76854
New London , Texas 75682
Paris , Texas 75460
Italy, Texas 76651

No need to travel to Washington D.C.... Whitehouse , Texas 75791

We even have a city named after our planet! Earth , Texas 79031

And a city named after our State! Texas City , Texas 77590

Exhausted? Energy , Texas 76452

Cold?
Blanket , Texas
Winters, Texas

And, for those who like a little heat...
Hell's Gate, Texas
Hell's Half Acre , Texas
Hell Roaring Creek , Texas

Like to read about History?
Santa Anna , Texas

Goliad , Texas

Alamo , Texas
Gun Barrel, Texas

Need Office Supplies? Staples , Texas 78670

Men are from Mars, woman are from... Venus , Texas 76084

You guessed it . . . it's on the state line . . . Texline , Texas 79087

For the kids . . .
Kermit , Texas 79745
Elmo , Texas 75118
Nemo , Texas 76070
Tarzan , Texas 79783
Winnie , Texas 77665
Sylvester , Texas 79560

Other city names in Texas , to make you smile . . .
Frognot , Texas 75424
Bigfoot , Texas 78005
Hogeye , Texas 75423
Cactus , Texas 79013
Notrees , Texas 79759
Best, Texas 76932
Veribest , Texas 76886
Kickapoo , Texas 75763
Dime Box, Texas
Telephone , Texas 75488
Telegraph , Texas 76883
Whiteface , Texas 79379
Twitty, Texas 79079

And last but not least. The Anti-Al Gore City
Kilgore , Texas 75662

Have a Good Day! P.S. Whoops, left out
Muleshoe, Cut 'n shoot, Hoop And Holler, Ding Dong, and don't forget . . . Farewell , Texas

i'm a big girl now

Sophie got her ears pierced yesterday. What a big girl....only she really didn't like the gold studs. Don't worry Soph., in 6 weeks, you'll be flashing diamonds.

No knead to worry

Now that school is out, i find myself not on any routine. It's so hard not to get lazy in the summer....stay up late at night, sleep late in the morning, read a book, go out to eat.....but NO!!!!! i'm back with my trainer and the routine must go on. My 3 month pity party is now over, my neck is healed from the accident and I can start back at the gym. No more margaritas, no more cakes and cookies: the exercise and eating right has once again started. Hopefully by the time school resumes, I will once again be on my way to slim and trim. Better look now, because in 3 months, if i turn sideways, you won't be able to see me. LOL

Summer is a perfect time to try out new recipes. Here's a copy of my latest and favorite bread that I've made twice now. It is sooooooo good and it makes one loaf. (and i am allowed whole wheat bread....no knead to worry)

Easy and Decadent No-Knead Wheat Bread!

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tablespoon salt

1 package dry yeast

1 teaspoon cinnamon (do not omit, this is the secret ingredient that makes this bread so fabulous)

1 2/3 cup warm water

2 tsp flax seeds

Raisins, nuts, etc. optional

Directions:Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the water last. You can use an electric mixer. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and smooth out the top. Cover the dough with a towel or greased plastic wrap and let it rise for about and hour (until its doubled in size). Bake in a 350° oven for about 45 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).

The magic school bus

Today was the big ending of school, and I promised to take my class to The Children's Museum in Sugar Land. More than 8,500 square feet is devoted to the Magic School Bus and the Berenstain Bears, in addition to attractions titled "Everyone Counts" and "Motion Commotion." This is just a temporary exhibit and I feel so fortunate that I was able to take the class. They had a ball, they loved every square inch of that place. One of the highlights for the students was seeing "mrs. Frizzel and Lizzie" (as in the picture). They also loved being able to paint their own faces. But the biggest and best part was driving the Magic School Bus. I highly recommend anyone with young children to visit this wonderful exhibit.

Wedding Bliss

Wow, it's so much fun to play dress up. This past weekend, the 6 of us (eddie and I, adam and ileya, philip and dana) went to Galveston for a wedding. The kid's friend, Jimmy, was married at the St. Mary's Catholic Church. That was a first for all of us, we never attended a Catholic Wedding before. Adam was a groomsman, so he saw first hand all of events. We were in the back, so it was a little harder to see and hear the wedding. One of the funnier moments was when the approx. 5 year old ring bearer fell off the stage. Once he was rescued and resumed position, then the little flower girl announced 3 times that someone farted. I hope they send it into America's Funniest Videos.

Pebbles Flinstone

I 've waited a long time to be able to play with a little girl's hair.....so Friday night I finally had my chance. I gave Sophie the "Pebbles Flinstone" hairdo. What do you think? Oh yea, Heather your hair is pretty too!