Its June 30 so its nice to look back at some cool things I've done so far this year:
The trip to Midland
Houston Marathon
Golf trip to South Carolina
College visits to Vanderbilt, Columbia and Princeton
Private show by Lady Antebellum in Nashville
Cap Tex Triathlon
Looking forward to next month - tomorrow. I've been working on getting ready for some vacation since its all coming in July. Sarah will be gone for 3 straight weeks from home and I've got a lot of time scheduled away.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Back from Kingsville
Tuesday I got up early to drive to San Antonio for court at 1:15. As I parked the car in downtown San Antonio, I noticed I had driven all the way there with an "I Love Justin Bieber" sticker on the back of Sarah's car. I felt like George Lopez in a TV show where he was driving his daughter's yellow Beetle with flowers on it when his car wouldn't start.
Court went quite smoothly. Speaking of "Quite" Sarah says that Mimi uses that word a lot. Like mother, like son.
I caught up with Susan and Sarah and we had a belated birthday dinner at Flemings, since I had a gift certificate "burning a hole in my pocket". Thereafter, Sarah drove me to Kingsville. I was pretty tired and when we got to the hotel, I got right in to bed.
Today, we had a nice time hanging out with Janet, Zach and Olivia. I took the kids to see Mr. Popper's Penguins and we all enjoyed it.
Court went quite smoothly. Speaking of "Quite" Sarah says that Mimi uses that word a lot. Like mother, like son.
I caught up with Susan and Sarah and we had a belated birthday dinner at Flemings, since I had a gift certificate "burning a hole in my pocket". Thereafter, Sarah drove me to Kingsville. I was pretty tired and when we got to the hotel, I got right in to bed.
Today, we had a nice time hanging out with Janet, Zach and Olivia. I took the kids to see Mr. Popper's Penguins and we all enjoyed it.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Someone to call
Maria who has been helping me at the office was diagnosed with cancer recently at had to have surgery. She was quite nervous and not only told me about it but also came by last Friday before she left for Galveston. She asked me to pray for her.
Good news is that her daughter called me today to tell me that she had a successful surgery. I thought it was pretty nice that Maria had put me on the Call List. I'll hope to talk to her soon.
Good news is that her daughter called me today to tell me that she had a successful surgery. I thought it was pretty nice that Maria had put me on the Call List. I'll hope to talk to her soon.
Spina Bifida 250 - Done!
On Friday, June 24 at 0600, 70 cyclists left the parking lot of Fred Loya Insurance in McAllen led by the Official Pace Van driven by me. I was driving the support van and leading the faster A Group. And fast they were. We left McAllen heading toward McCook making good time. I'd say that the group was riding 20 -21 mph the whole way.
From McCook we headed north and west to San Ysidro, a small ranch town where we stopped at the local church. Father Rene was generous with our use of the parish hall. From there we headed north on FM 1017 to Hebbronville. At the Border Patrol checkpoint, the guards asked me if anyone else was in the van with me. Just me!
Hebbronville meant that I needed to refill the water, ice and Gatorade. As we stopped I set up the tables for liquids and any snacks. These riders didn't need much food but they were thirsty. We continued after lunch toward Freer, another 40 miles. The riders were OK that first 95 miles but roundly complained of the bad chip seal road and the heat. They were proud to finish but knew they had done something special. Toward the end we stopped at a picnic area and everyone enjoyed lingering in the shade.
In Freer we staeyd in local motels and in the junior high gym. I got a space in a room with Oscar who was whipped from the ride. He slept quite soundly until it was time to get up at 0400. I shuttled riders back to the start line. They left again at 0600 and I continued the drive on Saturday.
There was no AC in the Sports Federation van that I drove but it was nice in the morning. Driving at 20 mph keeping the right distance in front is challenging. Plus there was passing traffic and oncoming traffic to look for. We stopped for lunch in Jourdanton about 11 and left at 12. We arrived at the end in the Medina River Natural Area about 4 p.m. Not without two flats within a mile of the end. Plus, to finish in the park, there was a large hill - quite unexpected.
There was a celebration planned with the Spina Bifida Texas association. THey had invited many of the local families affected by SB. Children with different wheelchairs, walkers, crutches were there. I took the opportunity to visit with them and they were regular folk but placed in extraordinary circumstances.
I was honored that the group recognized me for my contribution as a driver with a Cinemark gift card. But most importantly, I was asked to make the check presentation and was able to make a few remarks and then make the donation for the group of $10,000 to the director. He was quite surprised and emotional. Then the final highlight was our ride captain's daughter Suzannah who has SB and said "Thank you - this makes me happy"
From McCook we headed north and west to San Ysidro, a small ranch town where we stopped at the local church. Father Rene was generous with our use of the parish hall. From there we headed north on FM 1017 to Hebbronville. At the Border Patrol checkpoint, the guards asked me if anyone else was in the van with me. Just me!
Hebbronville meant that I needed to refill the water, ice and Gatorade. As we stopped I set up the tables for liquids and any snacks. These riders didn't need much food but they were thirsty. We continued after lunch toward Freer, another 40 miles. The riders were OK that first 95 miles but roundly complained of the bad chip seal road and the heat. They were proud to finish but knew they had done something special. Toward the end we stopped at a picnic area and everyone enjoyed lingering in the shade.
In Freer we staeyd in local motels and in the junior high gym. I got a space in a room with Oscar who was whipped from the ride. He slept quite soundly until it was time to get up at 0400. I shuttled riders back to the start line. They left again at 0600 and I continued the drive on Saturday.
There was no AC in the Sports Federation van that I drove but it was nice in the morning. Driving at 20 mph keeping the right distance in front is challenging. Plus there was passing traffic and oncoming traffic to look for. We stopped for lunch in Jourdanton about 11 and left at 12. We arrived at the end in the Medina River Natural Area about 4 p.m. Not without two flats within a mile of the end. Plus, to finish in the park, there was a large hill - quite unexpected.
There was a celebration planned with the Spina Bifida Texas association. THey had invited many of the local families affected by SB. Children with different wheelchairs, walkers, crutches were there. I took the opportunity to visit with them and they were regular folk but placed in extraordinary circumstances.
I was honored that the group recognized me for my contribution as a driver with a Cinemark gift card. But most importantly, I was asked to make the check presentation and was able to make a few remarks and then make the donation for the group of $10,000 to the director. He was quite surprised and emotional. Then the final highlight was our ride captain's daughter Suzannah who has SB and said "Thank you - this makes me happy"
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Solstice - June 21
Solstice, meaning the furthest point on the frequency curve. Can't really say the first day of summer since summer seemed to start last month here. According to our meteorologist, May had some seriously high temperatures, August-like. On the car thermometer it read 122 today. Couldn't have been over 96 though!
The week is going slowly but surely. I'm going to Kingsville tonight to drive the route of the SB 250 on Friday, then tomorrow, I've got a busy day. Everything happens on Wednesday this week: lunch appointment, court hearing and dinner date.
The week is going slowly but surely. I'm going to Kingsville tonight to drive the route of the SB 250 on Friday, then tomorrow, I've got a busy day. Everything happens on Wednesday this week: lunch appointment, court hearing and dinner date.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Funny How Time Slips Away
I stayed behind today while Susan and Sarah went to South Padre Island. The day went by very fast. I got up to go play golf. We were to play at 9:30 so I got there early. Then no one showed up. So I decided to join the 10:00 group. As we were going to tee off, I checked a message that my old group was going to play at 11. So I decided to go forward. There was a heat advisory today and I was a little worried about being out too long.
I hit the ball very well and played with Bob T who is a good player. He's 72 years old and reminded me of my grandfather Wilton the way he looks and swings. It was a pretty cool thing to realize.
I made a mess of 4 holes on the back side and shot+ 10 on those 4 holes and + 1 on the other 5 holes.
Afterwards, after lunch, a shower and a talk in the pro shop, I got together with the 11:00 group and had fun hanging with them.
Then I went to my SB 250 SAG meeting. I've now gone from "not sure" about the duty to being Second In Command. Yes I've been appointed the back up authority for the whole event. Needless to say I've got a lot more information.
To end the day I went to see the movie Super 8. I liked it, kind of reminded me of other good Speilberg movies. * * *
I hit the ball very well and played with Bob T who is a good player. He's 72 years old and reminded me of my grandfather Wilton the way he looks and swings. It was a pretty cool thing to realize.
I made a mess of 4 holes on the back side and shot+ 10 on those 4 holes and + 1 on the other 5 holes.
Afterwards, after lunch, a shower and a talk in the pro shop, I got together with the 11:00 group and had fun hanging with them.
Then I went to my SB 250 SAG meeting. I've now gone from "not sure" about the duty to being Second In Command. Yes I've been appointed the back up authority for the whole event. Needless to say I've got a lot more information.
To end the day I went to see the movie Super 8. I liked it, kind of reminded me of other good Speilberg movies. * * *
Friday, June 17, 2011
Places to Play
Here are the places on the list to go
Austin - Roy Kizer - built in the 90s- I've never even seen it. Right next to Jimmy Clay
Concan - golf course near Frio River
Fredricksburg - Boot Ranch - my friend Skip want to take me there
Midland - saw the Midland CC - must play it next time
Carlton Woods - Ed wants to go there. He's the straw that stirs the drink of going to many of these courses.
Austin - Roy Kizer - built in the 90s- I've never even seen it. Right next to Jimmy Clay
Concan - golf course near Frio River
Fredricksburg - Boot Ranch - my friend Skip want to take me there
Midland - saw the Midland CC - must play it next time
Carlton Woods - Ed wants to go there. He's the straw that stirs the drink of going to many of these courses.
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