Day 31

Just when I thought the winter beach might be a tad boring. I see this old geezer walking briskly barechested in his swim trunks. Maybe he was practicing for the New Year's Day Splash in the Gulf. People do that chilly dip in the water on the first day of the year, you know. Other people. Not me.

Went to the tax assessor at the county courthouse today because my car registration expires tomorrow. I renewed it by mail back on Nov. 21st, but apparently the move had it returned to the courthouse and they did not forward it. So I paid $6 bucks to have it redone. No ticket for me. Ran errands and mailed my Art House Sketchbook with the theme, "Thinking of You" to Atlanta today. Stopped at dollar store, big lots, walmart...yep...all the biggies. Stopped to photograph my favorite sailboat in the mist. Came home and put up all the Christmas. Jeez, the house looks so much bigger.

Doug took me to Pho 20, A Vietnamese restaurant on Broadway for dinner. Loved the crunchy fat noodles. We have rented Angels and Demons and Bride Wars.....sounds like the same topic, huh? Oh.... Tim called to tell me that Mother took Daddy to the emergency room in Athens this afternoon. He was having trouble breathing. They are keeping him overnight for chest exams, etc. and he is on oxygen. I called all the siblings and we are keeping watch and in touch. Pray for this wonderful man that he rest easy. Let's bring in the new year with a happy heart and good health to all our family and friends! Happy 2010!

Days27thru30

I'm not slacking, really. I've been on a three day speedball through Texas. After feeding the seagulls, Seth and Amber and Kyla left for Austin. Then I drove Sterling to the airport on Sunday and headed to Dallas to have Christmas with Keith and Alison. Doug could not go for he had to work this week. Monday, I drove to Little Elm and visited with BF Johnette. We baked a Christmas Rum Cake and moved heavy red cedar logs from my car for her Oklahoma fireplace mantle and then tried to visit the Bowlegged Cowboy in Krum which was closed. Because of the snow and bad weather, I could not spend Monday night with her and headed on the my parent's ranch in East Texas by 9:30. Mom and Dad were happy to see me and we had a great time. I went with Dad to check out an opportunity to have a thoroughbred on Tuesday, but we decided against it. Then it was off to the hospital for dad's sonogram on his heart. He is having a few health problems. We discussed and cussed the Mike Leach situation for the next several hours. It is a no-win situation in every direction. Drove all day today home to Galveston arriving about 3 pm. Make French Onion Soup with Hot Bread and Jarsberg Cheese for supper. Can't really catch up like I want at this time. Regrouping for New Year's tomorrow. later,gator.ps..Kyla is showing off her pink minnetoka mocassins I bought her in Minnesota. They barely fit because she has big feet. Doc predicts that she is going to be 5 foot 10 or so.

Days 25 and 26

Alas, we did not see the White Christmas that North Texas did. But our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were so warm on the beach that we lost the ugly christmas sweaters and were in single long sleeves.

After baking a pecan and pumpkin pie in the morning, Doug, Sterling and I went to an afternoon matinee at the movies. We saw Invictus and thought the story was all about leadership qualities and perserverance. We joined Seth, Amber, Kyla, Amber's mom and boyfriend, Jim, Amber's aunt and uncle for evening dinner at Fisherman's Wharf on Pier 21 in Galveston. We just can't get enough of the Gulf Red Snapper! We came home and used markers to personalize our large paper stockings that I made. The traditional old stockings were hung on the wall for decor purposes only. Anyway, Sterling played Santa and we stuffed the stockings and turned in for a long winter's nap.

Stocking opened first. After eggs, hash browns and bacon, we took a walk to the water's edge. Then it was time to begin the fun of opening presents. Slowly...one at a time to see what each other was given. We stopped at 11:30 before opening all of Kyla's because we had company coming for Christmas lunch at 1 pm and we had not even cooked the potatoes, stuffing or sweet potatoes yet.

Susie, Brian, Chris, Jim arrived in time for Beach Golf. Doug, Sterling and Seth had 9 holes set up on the beach and the guys went at it immediately while we ladies prepared the meal. At 3 pm and only 8 holes finished, they came in for the delicious meal. Turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and giblet gravey, sweet potatoes with marshmellows, creamed asparagus, fresh salad and hot yeast rolls. We loaded up the plates and sat outside on the sunny deck. The hit for dessert was the peanut butter pie that Suzi had cooked. It was barely outdistanced by pecan, pumpkin and apple.

When the dark arrived and some had taken their leave, the core 5 of us played the boardgame Apples to Go. Of course, I was winning big at first and then the group attached my psyche and I didn't do so well....okay, I lost. Tried to blog online, but our AT&T connector was not cooperating.

Woke up late--8 am for us. Doug made blueberry pancakes from scratch. I made the sausage and we filled up. It was colder and darker today without the brilliant sunshine from yesterday. We decided to go into Galveston for a tour of the historic Moody Mansion. It was fabulous and most liked it better than the Bishop's Palace we toured a month ago. Then we dined nearly at the Original Mexican Restaurant which has been here since 1914. Guacamole was essential and then Doug and I shared a Vegetarian Fajita Meal. Go figure. yep...figure is what we were considering. it was the perfect meal after all those chips and picante we gourged on.

At home, Doug served us all with a Bailey's Coffee with real whip cream. I'm now blogging and about to sign off to play a board game called "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game." I hope I survive.

Days 23 and 24

Whirlwind...err....offshore winds and lightening. The past day and this morning are literally lightening fast and had real lightening. Yesterday, I picked up Sterling at Hobby and we drove to Sam's Club and bought the last of their 4 turkeys they had left. Also bought ham and a huge brisket for Saturday bbq.Stopped at the fish shack on the island and bought 6 pounds of fresh table shrimp extra large.

Showed him the beach house and then we were off to the Olympia Grill for Gyros. By the time we returned, Seth, Amber and beautiful Kyla were at the beach house. Fast afternoon on the beach and talking and when Doug came home from work, we had a shrimp boil. Stayed up jawing and planning.

Woke this morning at 4:30 to a rainstorm and lost electricity. Doug left for work and Seth left at dawn for surfing.Seth said he felt the house shaking. He had to drive to the seawall and jetties because the riptide is toooooo strong in front of our house to surf in. Sterling had to help me a few minutes ago because I installed updates to this laptop and it vanquished and vanished my canon driver so I couldn't download my pictures. anyway.....later, after Kyla wakes, I am baking a pecan and pumpkin pie and then making lunch. Seth and Amber are going into Seabrook to visit her aunt. Doug gets off work early and the three of us will go see Invictus. Then meeting the entire group at Fisherman's Wharf about 6:30 for Christmas Eve Meal. See ya tomorrow. Ho Ho Ho Oh, I forgot to mention Yellerdog came with them. Aeriel the princess cat is NOT happy.

Day 22

I love Christmas! Began baking today with homemade molasses oatmeal cookies, Kahlua laced caramel bars and chocolate chip cookies. Of course, I had a salad for supper!!!!!!!! After all that sugar, who noticed the wrinkled lettuce?

The beach started out warm and turned windy and nasty. I fear the sun won't shine for the next few days. Seth is going to teach me onshore and offshore winds when he gets here tomorrow. All I know is that it is blowing and there are 5 rows of waves out there. I did have lunch on the deck in the sun before the weather change. The photo was before the change when the waves were flat.

Day 21

What a beautiful day! Could it be the sun, surf and sand or just the fact that I'm out of school? There were 10 teenage boys playing football in the sand in front of my house this afternoon. They were having tons of fun. The adults were off to the side jabbering. Lots of activity on the beach today.

I ran errands in Galveston and met Doug for lunch at the Apache Cafe. Fabulous tortilla soup and enchiladas. Bought two flats of plants and filled in the 6 giant pots on the deck. Trimming the deck and checking my list twice. Buying the turkey on Wednesday after I pick up Sterling from the airport. Guess whose going to carry the turkey up the stairs? Ha!

Day 20

People used to call me the "File Queen." My new name is "Shell Queen." Today, I played the game of seeing how high I could stack the pink barnacles before they tumbled down. I have jars and jars of angel wings now. I'm trying to be more selective in what I collect from the beach. However, there are no rules to how many photos I take. I took 92 digital photos yesterday and today that number rose to 124. I'm getting obsessive and compulsive. Doug set the camera on the timer and put it on a crooked post for our Christmas card. Can you tell?

Mostly, I hung out and organized the house again today getting ready for Christmas company. I finished wrapping Seth's gift and have only one more to go. The only downer is that I have the sniffles. I think I got it from stirring up toooo much dust organizing. Maybe it will go away before Christmas. Lots of beachcombers walking the sand today. Big vacation party at the rental two lots down. Probably lots of holiday visitors to come. Hey, instead of the ghost of christmas future, we have the ghost of the beach future. Maybe not.

Day 19

I just can't sleep when the view outside is so beautiful! Started snapping shots every 15 minutes as the sun rose this morning. It's incredible how the view changes. I am trying to take the same angle most days to show the difference. But then another opportunity will catch my eye and off I go. I love to see the form of the seagulls in the sun and the reflection of color on the waves fading in.

Stayed home all day and arranged the guest bunkbedroom for our expected Christmas guests. The amount of coastal knickknacks that I have collected is obscene. Too cute. I should have been a buyer for some international firm. It is really fun to decorate and decide what looks best where. It's like I have mini still life arrangements all over my house.

My daily beach walk was concerned with collecting shells in order to spray them gold. Mostly ark shells because they won't break on the wreath. I added them to the fabulous red and gold Christmas arrangement that BF Johnette made for me last summer. Check out her new business at Oswigo.

We dined on Pier 21 tonight at Willie G's Restaurant. Stated with a Columbia River Riesling. Yes, my face went red within 15 minutes and I was a bit dizzy on ONE glass. Appetizer was crab and spinach manicotti and then a delicioso crab bisque soup. Main course was fresh redfish with artichoke and tomato in parmesan topping. Of course, we had a chocolate cake with blueberries and raspberries for dessert! Sorry, no pictures because I was feeding my face. Oh, did I mention buttered garlic bread?

Day 18

Didn't have a chance to journal on this Friday the 18th for the AT&T plug was not handy. But did take beautiful photos of the sun. Capture this shadow crossing our sandy drive.

Almost finished Christmas shopping. School released early today and I headed into Houston. Made it home in time to enjoy the beach. Doug was in awe of the sunset and grabbed the camera for the view west with our Christmas lights on and the house next door looking like a lion in silouette.

Day 17

I downloaded Christmas music today and printed sheet music. First, of course, I stuck to the classics...then I started searching for contemporary pop songs by Coldplay, John Mayer, etc. I printed sheet music so I can play songs on my marimba over the holidays to entertain. My music books are somewhere in storage. It's such a curse not to be able to play by ear. I have to read everything and concentrate and try to see the notes in my old age!!!!

Only 1/2 day to go until Christmas HOlidays. It was raining on the way home. I decided to take these photos of my communite on the Galveston seawall in the rain about 4:15. Oh, the Galveston Daily Newspaper, the oldest paper in the state, will not deliver our paper to our door because they are afraid they will get stuck in the sand. duh...we are on the beach.....compromise is to put a newpaper post at the end of the street. Like no one will take that. right.

Day16

The sun came out today for about 20 minutes. After school, I headed into Houston for some successful Christmas shopping. Strike down 4 more gifts. I made it home in time to turn on the Christmas lights and snap a low light picture of the cat trying to escape. I cooked a yummy steak and baked potato. I am woman. Hear me roar. Ha.

Doug is in the 2nd bedroom nailing up fishing wire so we can hang Seth's zillion surfboards from the ceiling. Oh, Yeah. Now we are putting holes in the wall where it's hard to see them.

Day 15

Just 10 more shopping days until Christmas. I tried at Macy's and Target today, but what I went for was not there. The Grinch was everywhere today...except at the beach. Returned home about dark to the sound of crashing waves. It transports one from reality.

Doug and I cooked beef straganoff in our beach house kitchen. The owners must have remodeled the kitchen after IKE. Marble counter tops and a nice counter/island/bar. Oh, the other good thing today is that one of my art students won 1st place in the Moody Garden Scene from A Christmas Carol art contest. Yippee.

Doug is really interested in people that walk by with dogs. We've started taking photos. Maybe a pattern of dog types or time of day, type of people, etc. Interesting.

Day14

I feel like singing the old Mama and the Papas song, "Monday, Monday." That was today except add a thick soup of fog. How many ways can you describe fog? Seafog is a special description and a whole different type than North Texas fog.

Coming home to Christmas lights out of the fog was a treat. So homey.

Day 13

There was an egret on the beach lot next to us today. Caught it about to take flight. We (loosely meaning me...mostly meaning Doug) put up the rest of the outdoor Christmas light today. The beach house is really shaping up now.

Day12

Beachcombing this saturday morning was abundant due to the high tide from last night. We picked up 5-6 inch angel wing shells along with some smaller cockles intact and tons of ark shells. We found a couple of sea beans, too. The neat part is being the only people on the beach.

I finished trimming the tree later and put on only the best ornaments along with those that had little portraits of the boys glued on them. The only choice to top the tree, of course, was a starfish. Douglous was busy installing cabinet shelves retrieved from discarded kitchen cabinets of the historic 1894 Opera House here in Galveston. I decided to cook a fabulous lunch today and made Bavarian Potato Dumplings with Sausage. It almost beats chili and crackers as my favorite cold weather food. Listening to "Sounds of Christmas with a Caribbean Beat" while organizing and unboxing the house. Went out on the deck and this formation of pelicans was in flight overhead. I love my camera.

Day 11

TGIF. After school, I took 9 artworks to Moody Gardens for their art contest of "A Scene from A Christmas Carol." We will see how the students compete against others. Cold, windy day and the tide is up. We have a Plus 3.8 tide alert which the county sheriff told Doug late this afternoon. Saturday, I'm sleeping in so I'm not moving the car. Doug parked his on the street behind us so he could get out in the morning.

I took photos of the beach house in peril from Ike and the view of it from our balconey. See also my "long road" home view down the sandy road to the beach house. Doesn't scare me one bit. I just go real fast and drive on water. Ha.

Day 10

The cords came out of the box. Got to wear them for the first time this season. It was just above freezing in Galveston. The sky was amazing about 7 am when I arrived at the school parking lot. Snap..snap. What a day! The entire Blocker Middle School went to the football field and lined into a USA formation for a group picture. The channel 13 news flew over in a helicopter and took a photo as well as two administrators who climbed on the roof of the gym for a group shot. I decided against climbing the ladder and leaping onto the roof, so I only took ground shots. We all held up either red, white or blue paper to form the flag colors in USA. Yes, it was cold....but fun.

Before meeting Doug after work, I visited the Jammin Surf Shop on the Strand and bought Seth's Christmas gift. Not telling. Then browsing in more shops I came across the very Ottmar Liebert's spanish Cd that I adore! I play it all the time. Discovered another Spanish artist new to me and bought the CD of Johannes Linsead. The shop said they sold so many of his CD's that the guy came over to Galveston a few years back and did a concert for them. The CD is entitled Kiss the Earth. It's contemporary flamenco music at its finest. yeah, baby.

Okay, we put some surplus cabinets in my car for the storage unit here at the beach. Then headed to Shrimp and Stuff, a local favorite for fish tacos. Later, I practiced my "putting holes in the wall" technique and hung the three boys stockings. Alright, I know they won't all be here for Christmas, but it's tradition!

Day 9

The life of a blogger. I just wrote two paragraphs and this laptop signed me off to update software. Screaming silently inside. No...really mad at myself for not stopping to take the most incredible photographs this morning at about 6:40 am. I was driving just past 7 mile beach access road and there is a small inlet of water between the road and the gulf. There were 3 palm trees silhouetted and their reflections were in the water. Behind was the pinkish hint of the sun trying to appear. Maybe it was because I was driving 60 with cars around me..or maybe it was the thought of becomming prey to thousands of mosquitoes or it could have been the eagerness of wanting to get to work....nay, that's not it. I'm just getting fat and lazy. Ha. I promise to do better next time and get out and sacrifice myself for my art!!!!!

Went to Sam's Club in Texas City today after work. I love that place. Bought what I always do.....Tilapia and Salmon and Picante and fruit. I wanted the sourdough bread and the bruseatta. Took beach pictures of the flat surf and did see a sprig of grass that I haven't noticed before on the beach. The track lines in the sand are from the city garbage collectors that empty the beach containers daily. Later, I didn't have my camera out when I noticed a blue suburban parked in the no parking area of the beach and a man in shorts(the weather is in the 50's) left his car door open and was on the beach taking photos of the yellow beach house damaged by IKE that is about to fall into the gulf. I'll post a photo of that later. That's it for excitement today folks.

Day 8

Driving along the seawall today was eerie. Just like a movie. You could see some white from the waves and then nothingness. No horizon line because the gulf swallowed up the view. Heavy, dark fog was everywhere. By the time I arrived at the beach house, the horizon was almost visible and things were brighter. The weather here changes every 15 minutes.

Doug took a photo of me and the renumbered mailbox. I painted it for the stilt house earlier this year with the most amazing paints that Seth bought. This California surfer Dude named Brophy has a whole line of products. These markers he uses on surfboards. They are water-base opaque paint in a marker called uni posca. LOVE using them!!!!

Day 7

The mail came! Yippee. After work, I returned home in the rain and checked the mailbox. About that time, a man in a beige truck came fast down our sandy road. The tide had been up and the sand was soggy. Yep, it was the mailman delivering more mail that he forgot the first time. Gotta love it.

Bad day at black rock today. Kids were unbelievably horrid. Brought grading home to finish. Doug made spagetti and I forgot to take a fresh photo of the beach. Well...it was raining and the skies were gray and there would not be any contrast in a photo. So I will post the best one from yesterday that I did not post.

Day 6

Very busy day unboxing and organizing. Watched the Cowboys lose. Doug hooked up the washer/dryer connection in the newly built storage downstairs. All the beach houses are on pilons and some are totally open underneath and others have storage areas. These storage areas will be underwater when a hurricane hits. This house had some damage by Ike last year and the storage unit was the last to be rebuilt.

About dark a light mist was coming down and the waves were huge. We sat on the deck under the awning and had a Bailey's Irish Coffee with real whipped creme and listened to the waves. It's a wonderful life with Doug.

Day 5

The sunrise was beautiful this morning. And what to my wondering eyes, but ice on the deck when I walked out barefoot to take a photo. Frostbite at the beach? It's possible. It's also amazing how my beach view totally changes every hour. This is my first day to just bum around the house and unpack and put nails in the wall. I believe there are few people that can put holes in the wall as fast as I can.

We took an early walk on the beach and the sun was bright and glorious. There was an abundance of pinkish barnacles washed up with the tide. I repainted the numbers on my waved decor mailbox. Picture will come later. Kitty kat, Ariel, timidly walked out on the deck a few times when the door was left open. She is attracted to the birds and the clink of the flag next door, but the sound of the ocean scares her.

This afternoon, we dressed in what Victorian costume we could create and attended "Dickens on the Square" in Galveston. What fun to be had. There were elephant rides, camel rides and Swedish gloss or spiced hot wine. We watched the costume contest and stroll the Strand with all manner of english gents and ladies. Vendors sold all times of ware and we also had spiced mull and hot peanuts and then bought fried rice and shrimp. We stayed until after dark and we were cold.

Day 4

Snow? What snow? Houston received a record snowfall today, but all I saw in Texas City and on the beach in Galveston was raining ice. Arrived home early about 3 pm and heavy wind and ice rain. Waves were 2-3 feet but not much. Hazy in distance. Warmed up with hot chocolate with whipped cream and watched the waves from my den. Yippee.

Day 3

Today's theme is groceries at the beach. Orange you glad I asked. Lettuce go on to the next writing. Took photos about 5 pm after work and Wally World Foodstuff of my groceries at the beach. The waves were totally flat today. It's the eve before the big proported snowstorm. Also, an interesting looking giant log had washed up on the beach for my camera.

Aerial the cat crept out onto the deck when I arrived home. She slinked around investigating. A side note-I can hear the waves through the closed doors in the house.