Birthdays and Texas

Went out to eat with the family tonight. It is Grandad's birthday today and we tried out the new restaurant inside the casino. It's Billy Sims BBQ and it wasn't all that bad. I'm not a fan of BBQ but I got the sliced brisket with no sauce. I enjoyed the brisket and everyone else enjoyed their dinners as well. I gambled a little bit and lost 60 bucks. Of course. I never go to the casino so I figured eh, what the heck. Last time we went out there for dinner, Dad wanted to gamble for a little bit and I didn't want to, so he bribed me with a $20 and I stuck it in the video poker and won about $150 so I gave him his $20 back and walked out with $130. No such luck this time. My aunt, however, put in 5 bucks tonight and walked out with almost $500! Bitch. lol No, I kid, I kid.

Hannah's [my niece] 3rd birthday is next week. Hard to believe she is 3 years old! Where does the time go? All she wants for her birthday is a "swingin set" so we've all decided to pitch in and buy her a "swingin set." She will absolutely love it. This girl never stops. She has more energy than anyone I've ever seen! The only time she actually stops going is when her parents make her go to bed! lol

Well, I'm headed to Texas (again) early tomorrow morning. I'm going to a small town called Gruene [pronounced Green] which is right next to New Braunfels. There are 14 of us going to float the Guadalupe River and I'm really looking forward to it! I've gone white water rafting in Colorado [loved it!] but I've never floated down a river. Should be fun! I'll definitely update you once I get home.

Hope you all have a great and safe weekend!!

XOXO~T

Turner Falls!

Today I went to Turner Falls which is located in Davis, Oklahoma about an hour east of Duncan. I went with my co-workers and we had such a blast! I came back with a nice little sunburn too. Splendid.


Turner Falls is the oldest park in Oklahoma. Many springs in the Arbuckle Mountains form Honey Creek which cascades down a 77 foot fall to a natural swimming pool. There is also another natural pool which features a slide and diving board. In between the pools and beyond, water rushes downstream and over rocks. Turner Falls sits on approximately 1500 acres which includes the campsites, picnic areas, caves, and nature trails as well.

http://www.turnerfallspark.com


The website doesn't say anything about it, but there's also an old castle built on the side of the mountain next to the water. A former professor at the University of Oklahoma built the castle in the 1930's and it is now owned by the city of Davis, OK as they also own and operate Turner Falls where the castle is located. Unfortunately, the city hasn't perserved any of the castle and it is deteriorating. There is also graffiti inside the castle. Such a shame that it hasn't been kept up over the years. There are also stories of it being haunted. Exciting! I love haunted places and I believe in spirits! I just love learning more about the history of old places and their stories. You can see more stairs towards the top left of the photo. Those stairs lead up to the stables of the castle.


That's just a little information and history about Turner Falls. It's a natural beautiful place.

There's also a place called Arbuckle Wilderness nearby. They have some fun rides like go karts and bumper cars among a few others, but the main attraction is the "wilderness!" It's basically a safari where they have exotic animals such as giraffes, rhinos, tigers, etc. and you can safari in your own car or in their safari buses. They also sell buckets of food which you can feed to some of the animals! I haven't been there in ages either! Oh my! We all decided we're going there next time.

www.arbucklewilderness.com

I remember going there as a child with my family. We always had so much fun. I can't believe I went so long without visiting!

We got there around noon and headed straight to the picnic area to cook out some declicious hamburgers and hot dogs. After eating, we went straight into the water! It was so stinking hot! We walked all around Turner Falls to all the different "swimming holes" and to the falls! So much fun! Warning, even though it's August and not quite 100 degrees outside, the water is still chilly! But once you get in and swim around a bit and stay in the sun, you're golden. In the water, there are rocks, some huge, some just little pebbles. Well the huge rocks are covered with moss from all the years of the water and it's so hard not to fall when you're walking on them! Oh my gosh! I fell right into this poor lady's lap! We just had a good laugh about it though. But hey, I'm the girl who can trip over her own two feet walking down a straight, dry sidwalk so it was only a matter of time until I fell!
That's pretty much how we spent our day. In the water. My upper body is burned, but my legs are still white as a ghost. lol Maybe I should think about hitting some tanning beds to even myself out? Oh well.

After playing in the water all day, everyone decided to hit up Pizza Hut for dinner. No where nice since we were all wet and nasty looking. I decided just to head on home and have dinner with my family instead. So I don't know what kind of trouble they all got into at dinner! There's no telling with those people I work with! ha! Love you guys!

So, maybe my day wasn't super exciting, but it was definitely fun. If you've never been and you're in the area, you should definitely go! Oh, and don't forget to call me so I can tag along! :)

XOXO~T

Yeeeeehaaaaw!

I'm back home, in my own bed, after a long, but exciting week in Texas and logging 1,050 miles on my poor car!

I set out last Tuesday-July 24th-for Ft. Worth. First stop-Brad and Steph's house!
They are cousins of mine and it was Steph's birthday that day, so we had a fun little celebration at their house. They invited a couple of friends over and we drank, talked, and played a little poker. It was a blast and I enjoyed meeting a few of their friends!

Wed. July 25th-Jeff and Heather's house.
I headed over to Jeff and Heather Crook's house and finally got to meet their new little man, Davis! He is so stinking adorable!!! And probably the best baby I have ever met! He rarely fusses, at all! I don't think I heard him scream or really cry at all. So good! Ahhhh, I just love him! Heather and I left Davis with her mom for a couple of hours while we went shopping. I bought a new dress, new shoes, new jewelry-for the wedding. And I got a few other things while we were out. We went home, made some yummy dinner and just sat around and chatted. Oh yeah, I tried to sneak away with Jeff's new iPhone, but he wouldn't let me outta his sight while I had it in my possession. Hmmmm, I wonder why? ;)

Thursday July 26
I had a few more shopping errands to run so I went out on my own while Heather stayed home to do some work. Then I went back to the house, gathered my things and left that afternoon/evening. It was so good catching up with her. I miss her tremendously!

I left for the big town *hint of sarcasm here* of Dawson, Texas that evening. It's about a 10 minute drive from Corsicana, about 2.5 hours south of Dallas/Ft. Worth. I have an aunt and uncle who live there and I was staying with them for the night. Another aunt and uncle from Duncan were down that night also. The drive was HORRIBLE! About halfway through, I finally had to pull over to the side of the road because it was raining so hard, I couldn't see anything at all! Not to mention I had started hydroplaning and that scared the living you know what right out me! I think I prayed continuously for at least 30 minutes! Anyway, once the rain had subsided somewhat, I started down the highway once again.
But before heading over to their house, I stopped in Corsicana to meet my cousin Kristy at her job and then we headed over to Chili's for some dinner. Afterwards we went to her parent's house (my aunt and uncle) and sat up talking for a couple of hours with the family.

Friday July 27-Conroe, Texas for my cousin Jenny Huff's wedding
I hung around my aunt and uncle's house until the afternoon, mainly by myself as they were all at work and my other aunt and uncle headed out that morning for Galveston. I think I left around 3 that afternoon on a 3 hour drive down to Conroe, a northern suburb of Houston. I do not recommend traveling on I-45 in Texas to anyone. It was the worst stretch of highway I have ever driven. I'm a pretty good driver, and I have driven from the West Coast, to the East Coast, and every where in between, but this 3 hour stretch of highway is the worst I have ever traveled. I don't ever recall being that scared anywhere else! The drivers are what made it so bad. Weaving in and out between lanes and other cars, bumper to bumper, no turn signals used, slow drivers in the passing lane. It was horrible. I was so glad when I finally got to my hotel in Conroe!!
But as I was driving along I saw a few interesting things: I saw some trucks carrying pieces of a space shuttle-very cool-; I saw Mexia-Anna Nicole Smith's hometown-;and I saw signs for Sam Houston State University near Huntsville. I wanted to go there and kick Rhett Bomar in his nuts. But I didn't. :)
As soon as I got to the hotel, I ran into my cousin Melanie that I hadn't seen in a couple of years. I checked in and got settled and then I saw some other family that were there for the rehearsal and dinner. I talked to them for a bit, then I went into Conroe to get a long overdue pedicure. I grabbed some dinner and headed back to the room where I sat around and watched TV and drank a few Vodka Tonic's. Relaxing and peaceful.

Saturday July 28
I woke up that morning and headed into Conroe again and went shopping at Ulta and visited with more family members who had just arrived that day, including my dad. Got ready and left for the wedding which started at 7.30 pm.
The wedding was absolutely beautiful! It was held at Burkshire Plantation and it was something out of a movie. A cross between My Best Friend's Wedding and Gone With the Wind. Jenny, in true Jenny fashion, smiled and laughed alot during the ceremony.

We were introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Plagens and as they walked the aisle as husband and wife, my cousin Kels sang "At Last" and he did a very fine job!
After the short, but sweet ceremony, we ate, drank, and danced the night away under a big white tent. I, being the social butterfly that I naturally am, made my rounds and talked to old and new friends and my family. I had an absolute blast! And I'm so happy that Jenny finally got her fairy tale Gone With the Wind wedding she has always wanted! Congratulations Michael and Jenny! I love you both!
After the wedding and reception, I helped clean up a few things that were Ginger's (Jenny's mom) and we all went back to the hotel. A few of us went back to Ginger's room and had a little 'after party.' It really only lasted about 20 minutes because we were all so very tired already, and Lacey (another cousin) and I were pretty much drunk. She went and passed completely out! lol

Sunday July 29
The morning came way too soon for me. After getting into bed around 2.30 a.m. I woke up at about 8 Sunday morning. All the Harper's were going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast before leaving Conroe. Jenny and Michael came and joined us as well and we all reminisced about the night before and how perfect it was. We also teased Michael that he didn't know what he was bargaining for by now joining the Harper family. He's a great guy though, and Jenny is so blessed to have him, as he is her. We all love him. After breakfast and some goodbyes, I went back to the hotel and got ready to head out on my last destination. Austin. I was extremely tired from the night before and thankful that I didn't have to make the 7 hour drive home that day but only a 3 hour drive to Jordan and Marisa Jackson's. I mapquested my entire trip and so far, so good. But I did get into a little pickle and spent about 30 minutes lost and trying to figure my way out of the jam, but I finally had to stop at a gas station and ask for help. I still don't even know how to explain what happened because that part of the directions were confusing! Anyway, I got it all straightened out and got to their house safe and sound. We sat around and chit chatted for awhile, then my friend Jennifer called me. She is a friend of mine from Up With People and had invited me over for dinner before I began my journey. She called and we made plans and she also invited Jordan and Marisa over as well, which was so kind and thoughtful! We made it to her house and met her husband and two beautiful and smart little boys. Such a gorgeous family! I'm sure Jordan and Marisa were bored as Jennifer and I caught up on each other's lives and swapped Up With People memories and stories. Ahhhh good times! Dinner was great, conversation was great, and Jordan ended up playing around and wrestling with the boys while the girls talked. Jennifer gave Jordan and Marisa her address and phone number and new friends have been made! Everyone was excited because both families are new to the Austin area and don't have friends. So glad I could be a part of helping out some friends! :)
Went back to the Jackson's after dinner, talked some more and went to bed. Got up the next morning and hung out with them for a few hours before I had to be on my way home. Unfortunately I didn't get to experience Austin this time, but I'm definitely going back to explore that quaint little city one day! I hear fabulous things about it all the time. I was dreading the 6 hour drive home for sure. I don't know about you, but for me, when a trip is over, I just want to push a button and be home already!
So I'm driving along and just about to enter Ft. Worth when I flip through the radio stations and come upon some guys talking. I decide to listen for a minute because I thought it might be a weather forecast (it rained on me every damn day!) but no, no weather warnings. It was a local DFW news station reporting on a high speed chase through DFW and it was headed my way! Oh my gosh! Scary! They didn't know why the guy was running from the law or anything about him so the unknown is always frightening. So I'm listening to this for like 15 minutes when they finally got the spike strips to blow out his tires. They apprehended him and the chase was over. Just as it was over, I was getting more and more into Ft. Worth and saw cops and sheriffs all over the interstate waiting for him to come their way. Whew! I dodged a scary scenario there! I watched the news tonight and they reported on the chase that took place. Apparently he was being pulled over for a routine traffic stop-probably speeding-and he kept running from the law. He said he was in a rush to get to the vet because he cat was dying and he couldn't waste any time. After the cops got him in cuffs and started to clean up the scene, his cat was in the front seat in its carrier and had already died. So sad, but so scary.

So that's the excitement of my exciting week in Texas. It's really the shortened version, although from the length of this blog, it doesn't appear that way. I had a great time with great people and so glad I did it. I've always been pretty independent and spontaneous and love doing things like this. Others couldn't believe I was doing this alone, but what do they know? Sometimes the best company is yourself ;)

XOXO~T