Only in America

I saw this when I was standing in the checkout line at a store a few days ago and I couldn't help but wonder who buys this stuff?  If you are so addicted to caffeine that you have to have it in your GUM, does it even work?  Or at that point are you basically immune to the stimulating effects of caffeine?  

Met One of My Neighbors Today

They say everything is bigger in Texas...and they ain't kiddin'.  I came across one of these bad boys, or rather girls, I guess I should say, walking rather quickly along the stone ledge at the back of my property.  She was an inch to an inch a half long and as bright as the picture.  After jumping back a couple feet and trying not to scream like the big sissy I am, I watched her scurry along and finally go down the wall and disappear in the creek bed below.  Then I went inside (carefully closing the door behind me as I debated whether or not I needed to wedge a kleenex in the slight gap I have at the bottom of my back door) and immediately googled "bright red spider" to find out what kind of poisonous creature I was dealing with.  After several unsuccessful hits about a red spider mite (way too small), I broadened my search to "bright red bug."  And THAT is when I discovered that there is something called a Red Velvet Ant.  Only it's not an ant--it's a wasp, and the ones you can actually see are the wingless females.  They feed on other bees and wasps, so I guess I won't kill her if I run across her (unless she is actually in my house-then all bets are off).  Oh yeah, the best part?  Her nickname is the Cow Killer, b/c apparently her sting hurts so bad it could kill a cow.  How's that for a welcome to the neighborhood?

A Few More

Here are a few more pictures of my place as I've been uppacking.  the first is another view of the living room (which has the most furnishings), the second is of my office/craft room, and the 3rd is my bedroom.

Surprise!

I was unpacking some more things today and opened this drawer to discover this.  These are the kinds of things you find after your 2 year old niece visits.  It makes me wonder where else a stuffed animal might turn up...

First Houseguests!

Here are a few pics of our very first houseguests.  I'm watching my sister's dogs while they are out of town.  The moving in process is coming along slowly.  I got my stuff moved very quickly thanks to my brother-in-law and some of the guys from my lifegroup.  They did an awesome job.  The unpacking is taking a little longer, but it is coming along.

Birthday Greetings

Here is a photo my friend Keri made for me and sent along with my birthday card.  She did such a great job!  This is the face Lila made when told to "smile."  But Keri's interpretation is hilarious.   At least it made me laugh so I thought I'd post it.

Time to Move!

Here is a picture of my new home that I should close on by the 30th.  Which means I will be spending a lot of time packing and cleaning in the next 2 months.  

Birthday Fun

Lila's caterpillar cake for her 1 year birthday.

Engineering In Action

Look what fun you can have with a few powertools and some basic physics!

Another Scrapbooker in the Making!

Looks like I've got a little helper. She especially likes helping "hold" the paper!

Someone's ready for the beach!

Wasn't Toby a cute little puppy?