Sometimes . . . You Get Lucky . . .

Especially if you take over 4,000 photos . . .

You Have To Ask Yourself . . . "Why?"

Peter Petrie makes separating eggs easy. Crack the egg gently into the top. His big nose blocks the yolk, but allows the whites to flow easily into your bowl. You get the job done-with a giggle! Stoneware is dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe. 6" diam. x 6" high.

Miss Julia Update . . .

She called me last night from Hawaii. She rehearsed yesterday with the honor choir (said it went fine), shopped with Mrs Hamilton (of course) and had beach time in the late afternoon. I've already had to put more money into her account (no surprise there, but she's still got Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon to go!) The sound of homesickness in her voice on her first day was nowhere to be found last night, which was a huge relief. I'll keep you posted!

Bush - Foreign Policy Skills

To the Prime Minister of Luxemborg, 2005:

I was going to say he's a piece of work, but that might not translate too well. Is that all right, if I call you a piece of work?

Our Girl Julia's Gone Native!!!!

She left this afternoon for Hawaii to join the USA Honor Choir week long extravaganza in Honolulu. She is gone for a whole week, and I thought I was going to be okay, until I got the Internet-Confirmation that her flight had left DFW (I had to leave her behind as the Security Checkpoint) . . . and I lost it. And I was so sure that taking her off to College was going to be a piece of cake . . . who am I kidding?

Another Show Choir Shot!!

She just had so much fun at the Spring Show . . . and it showed on her face in every number!

A Slice of Americana

The front porch of the Carlisle's farm, Sweethaven. It's like stepping back in time. We have breakfast every summer morning on their screened in back porch. The sound of the birds is amazing at all times of the day or night, and there are twinkling wind chimes and my mom's two turtle doves cooing. Deb said that the only time she ever saw me truly relaxed was when we visited Sweethaven, and I think she may have been right.

The Party's Over ! - By Eliza Gilkyson . . .

The Party’s Over
Lyrics and Music Eliza Gilkyson

The party’s over, we had us a time
Everybody got loaded, everybody looked fine
We emptied the coffers of water and wine

The party’s over
We had a good time
We danced on the tables midnight til dawn
Til all the time was up and the good stuff gone

The house is a shambles, broken glass in the streets
Guttering candles, blood on the sheets
We burned all the kindling, passed the bottle around
Watched the last coals dwindling
And the ice melting down

We danced on the tables midnight til dawn
Til all the time was up and the good stuff gone

The party’s over, we had a blast
Brought in the lawyers to cover our ass
Left a note for the children to clean up the mess
The party’s over . . . it was a big success!

We danced on the tables midnight til dawn
Til all the time was up and the good stuff gone

Julia Needs An Audition Song!

Dear Friends of the Hotel,

Julia will be auditioning for the Fall Musical the first week back from Summer Vacation, so she wants to select and practice her audition piece over the Summer.

The show is "Schoolhouse Rock Live!" and there are only three boys and three girls, so the Diva had better be good if she's going to snag a slot! The Friends of the Hotel, being highly insightful and opinionated individuals can surely make some suggestions as to what she should sing for this very important audition.

The Proprietor

Link to Autumn Leaves

Follow this link to YouTube! . . . where you can view Julia's performance of "Autumn Leaves" from the Lake Dallas Spotlight on Jazz! The clip starts with the tail end of the preceding number, which features Jessica in the front and center!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7ZX4ZFyuB4

Iowa Flood Waters!

Father's Day At Sweethaven!

Julia talked me into gathering the energy to make a trip to Missouri this weekend to surprise my foster parents with a pair of unexpected visitors (at 11:30 PM on Friday evening, no less). Julia rang my folks four (yes, four) times before Grandma answered the phone. "Grandma, it's me Julia" she said. "Is tomorrow's reunion open to the public?" "Well, yes," Grandma answered. To which Julia replied, "Then open the door and let us in!"

It was a wonderful weekend, and I snapped a few pics of Julia around the farm on Saturday morning. The day was beautiful, full of family and food and laughter. It was a perfect way to cap off a week away from the hassle of law firm life. I'll fill you all in on more details of my week off in the next few days, but for now, I wanted you to see my beautiful daughter enjoying the sunshine at Sweethaven, which is what my folks call their farm.

A Priceless Miss Manners!

Dear Miss Manners:

I am an average 14 year old girl who has a problem. My mom won't let me wear thong underwear and it is the kind I want to wear. My friends make fun of me for not wearing that type. Can you help me convince my mom and tell her it is all right to wear them?

Gentle Reader:

Of all the advice columnists in the world, you chose Miss Manners as the most likely one to support the cause of thong underwear? And you wonder why your mother questions your judgment?