Oh no, no blogging and lots has happened

I made a trip to Utah, then back to Texas.
The boys came for my birthday on Aug 25, so much fun to have them.

I picked up Scott, then Jason and Justin at the airport. We drove to San Marcos to the Outlets, but because everyone was starving, we made our first Torchy's stop there. Scott was exhausted, having gotten up at 4:30am two mornings in a row, and this was after 8-9 days of 10 hour days. We stayed until 6 and then headed home. Chris and Alyona came over that night, and we "celebrated" my birthday, which I really wasn't acknowledging this year. Sixty just sounds too old and I can't be that!!

Fri Scott went running, and the rest of us went for a walk down by the creek and golf course. Perry's for porkchops at 1:15. That night Jason and Justin made their one and only Rudy's stop for dinner.

Sat was boating and jet skiing with everyone except Alyona, and meeting Chris and Alyona for another Torchy's for dinner, but this time on Burnet.  I think it was Shakes for a dessert.

Sun Jason and Justin went kayaking early in the morning, then for a brunch Alyona made some delish crepe like things (I don't know how to spell or say it in Russian). Super yummy.

Jason and Justin cleaning the kitchen after brunch

Scott and Chris playing, Rick and Zoya snoozing

Mon Jason and Justin to the airport, we left at 4:30am. Scott and I are going over to Pfizer to see Rick, and then he's off. And I'm sad. I told Scott I could start crying; he reminded me I will see him in just over a week, then some time in Utah while the guys go to Denver for their annual football game.

Kayaking

Since summer is winding down we are going out every Sat to either kayak or jet ski. This Sat was kayaking. Quite fun, we're amazed at how low the water is compared to back in June. Go Lake Travis tells us that we are only down 3 feet from full. We just went to the Riviera Marina and then back. We did go under the bridge but the water is way down there. Looks completely different from June and July. More stinky, so we didn't stay long.

Yesterday when Rick and I were walking on the trail between the houses we saw a small UPS package that looked weathered. Rick picked it up, looked at the name and address and today took it over to the owners, which was in a nice subdivision south off 620. Really not sure how it ended up on our trail, the date on the packing slip was July 21.

As we were driving back we saw a nice park called Trailhead Park. I looked it up online, people had good things to say about the walking/hiking so we decided to try it. Very fun. Began with a nice asphalt trail winding thro cedar trees and other green foliage, extremely pretty. After 1/2 mile, we came to a steep, rocky, slick downhill trail. After both of us slipped and almost fell, we turned around, but want to do it again when it hasn't just rained.

Busy-ness

Despite the fact that I don't have a job, I sure seem to keep busy.
Today I:

•  Walked Zoya at 7am, but I would have walked even without gdog sitting, then hurried home to get ready for my mammogram
• Went to mammo, which took 1 1/2 hr, including driving time
• Mailed birthday package to Hattie
• Picked up Chris' dry cleaning
• Picked up a few groceries at HEB (that is my fav store, hardly ever go to Walmart, and not in love with Randalls, I like old HEB best)
• Met Rick for lunch
• Went to Chris' house to drop off dry clean and sheets for the queen bed, pick up his mail, and just generally check on the house

It's hotter than blazes here. They say Aug is the hottest month in Austin and for this year, it seems to be holding true. The pool water is consistently 92*.

I'm tired. For some reason I haven't been sleeping well lately. Not sure why, I have never had a problem with sleeping until the last few years.

The boys come in 2 weeks, really looking forward to that. I have the time planned down to the minute. Not really, but it will be a busy Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon. Then Scott and I meet up in Phoenix Sept 8 for Austin's wedding; since I'm already that far out, I decided to go on up to Utah and see everybody for a few days. I need my ggrrl fix!! Plus I want to check out the should be newly finished basement. It always makes me sad to realize I won't see my mom.

Rick and I decided to go kayaking on Sat, since we took out the jet ski the last 2 Sats. I love to kayak.

Jet skiing

Rick and I took the jet ski out this morning; this time we went left around the island so we were headed down river. We went farther than we ever had before, lots and lots of marinas. Even tho we were on the lake early at 7:45 - still warmish. The water was warm as it sloshed up on us. Love being out that early when mostly it's only kayak fishermen.

So pretty, but pics can never caption the true beauty, calm and oneness I always feel with nature.

Sleepover with Chris

Rick went to Chicago yesterday, so I decided to spend the evening with Chris and possibly stay overnight. I arrived at his house about 6:45; he was just finishing dinner. We took Zoya for a walk but Chris was too tired to go to Walnut Creek or the dog park. Instead, we went to Walmart.

We got separated. When I finished with my shopping, I tried calling Chris on his phone - no answer. I went ahead and got in the check out line, but trying to keep my eye open for him. He came up, startling me. Chris never forgets his phone, he always has it. But this time he didn't.

Went home, decided to watch a movie, quite enjoyable, then to bad at 11pm. Zoya decided to sleep with me.

After a good night's sleep, woke up at 6:50, talked with Chris before he left, then took Zoya for a walk and came home.

So nice to have him here in Austin.