Progression

Since the big ride last weekend, we've been busy catching up. The house is in pretty good order and we're figuring out new things for the upcoming baby. For example, I learned how to install the baby seat yesterday. Yvonne got a breast pump (TMI?). Things like that.

I came home from work on Friday to find a neighbor edging my lawn. I walked down and had a chat with him. Basically, he's bored and he's testing his new gas-powered edger. I asked if I should take the hint (I've been blowing off edging all season) and he said, "No, I'm just looking for things to do." He misses his wife.

So what could I do? I couldn't just leave him out there to tend to my yard. Instead, I plugged in my edger and joined him--meeting him in the middle like he suggested. It took less than 30 minutes. If I did it alone, it would have been an hour. His gas-powered edger dug about an inch deeper than my electric one.

Otherwise outside, our yard is going nicely. We don't have many new plants to baby. And the only new plants we really need to worry about are tough banana trees.

Our bean stalks are rising. Our Carolina jasmine is climbing. Our roses are blooming. Our cat is hunting.

Yesterday while working out there, I came across the above spider. The sunlight was pretty on his web, so I shot the photo.

Great PSA

I wish they made one for drivers on cell phones.

Tomorrow, we ride

I have people coming up from Austin today and tonight for the big Boneshaker & WNBC ride. We'll have 8 riders for the ride tomorrow. Combat and the boom boom bike will be there, complete with lighting effects. I'm looking forward to the good time.

Hopefully, my Wii bowling game will be up to snuff. I've dropped in average a little. I really want to play Texas Hold 'Em poker. I've been down-playing it with the group, especially the Austinites, in hopes to catch everyone off guard. I've been talking up Wii bowling, even though that's not my top game to exploit. I want their money! lol

I've been practicing poker on XBox Live (XBL) and I think I'm pretty average. I'm learning a lot about blinds and the dealer chip, but there's a lot more to learn. It's hard to learn on that game though because a lot of people don't know how to play and go all in a lot. That throws the game, especially when you can't look them in the eye and see they are full of shit.

I also played in Midland, but it wasn't Texas Hold 'Em. It was more a mix of traditional 5 card draw with some house rules and side bets. I held my own, but probably ended up losing some change. We only play with nickels, dimes and quarters there, which really takes the edge off. I'm hoping for a similar buy-in this weekend.

I'm also hoping that they guys down south are too busy today to read this entry. ;)

Need a rug

The nursery is finished and all we need now is a rug. Enjoy the photos.

Another bloom

Here's an azalea in our front yard. There are two that appear to be doing really well. And then there are about five that aren't doing so well.

They need lots of water and we planted them when we moved in, as well as the following year. We were and remain in a drought situation in North Texas, so we didn't really know what we were getting into. If we lose any more, we will replace them with something tougher.

Some of you have noticed the list of names has grown. I'm pretty sure this is the final list of names, but you never know. This list was narrowed down from an original list of about 150 names. list.

Wednesday Night Bike Club

This past week has been hectic. We went to Midland for the weekend, where of all places, we saw three inches of snow. Then, we got back Sunday and had our second Lamaze class last night. The class went well and afterwards we felt a nice strong bond with each other.

Meanwhile, back at the League of Justice, we are planning the second WNBC & Boneshaker collaborative ride on April 21. We plan to ride our bikes, drink beer, play Wii bowling, lose money at poker and enjoy the friendship. We did it last year with a much larger group. And, I don't know if I can do it next year with a one-year-old. This year, it sounds like three riders will travel north from their safety bubble and brave the crazy jungle that is Dallas.

Speaking of crazy jungle, picture me walking the dogs this morning and dialing 9-1-1.

It happened.

Someone left a stolen truck in front of our house last night. We noticed it when we got home around 10pm, but thought it was a neighbor's guest. This morning while I was walking the mutters, I noticed the broken driver side window and broken steering column. I've been around the block a few times to know what that means. Whatever THAT means, heh

So, right then and there, I pulled out the celly and called in the coppers. Yvonne said when she left a cop was checking out the truck and when I got home, it was gone.

Overall, the truck looked pretty in tact, so the owners will be pleased it wasn't damaged more. I doubt they'll get their Creedence tapes back though.

Finally, despite the snow storms of Texas (what?), our yard is blooming nicely. I'll try to feature some photos. Above is one of two Mountain Laurels we have in the back yard. We call this bed St. Francis' bed. Go fig.

First Lamaze class complete

It's been a rough day. It's late and I'm low at the moment.

So why not post a photo of Walker? He wieghed in on Friday at 83.6 pounds. He now knows how to sit and shake, and yearns eagerly to understand the command, "Roll Over." Darth Vader impersonations make him bark while any indication of food tends to make him silently attentive.

Yet, in the photo here, notice the ball is next to the cat. The tabby makes the rules.