Dear Sue Chen and Lisa Delong,

Remember all of those high school summers when we spent our days at drill team practice? And how I lived closest to the school, so we would walk back to my house for lunch. And how I would get out my original Broadway cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Song and Dance. And how I would make you sit on the couch while I belted out all of my favorite songs for you. And how I would act them out too. Yeah ... Sorry about that.

Lunch dates with Daddy

We love those ...

Did the dog eat their homework?

Some little stinker set off the fire alarm at the middle school across the street today. Three fire engines with sirens blaring roared to a stop in front of our house. They all left after about a minute and a half, tooting their horns as they drove off. All of the kids started cheering. It was pretty darn cute.

The one about the time I was dissed by a pudgy balding former rock star

About 15 years ago, I was a sad little waitress who never knew where her next margarita was coming from. When my friend Shannon asked me to go to Party on the Plaza with her... and said that she knew someone, who knew someone, who could get us free drinks ... well, I was not about to say no. Party on the Plaza is a series of free concerts held in a downtown Houston park on Thursday afternoons. 

On this particular Thursday, Loverboy was the featured band. I was always more of a Duran Duran girl, but the lure of free drinks clouded my judgement, and downtown I went. We had been there about 10 minutes when Shannon asked me if I wanted to go backstage. Um ... yes please. Since we knew someone who knew someone, we were escorted right back. Right back to the other side of the string that separated "backstage" from the rest of the park. Hmmm ... not quite as big of a deal as I thought it would be. Oh well. Free drinks.

We sat on the edge of a planter and enjoyed the people watching while we waited for the band to begin. After a minute I heard Shannon say, "Is that him? Is ... that ... him ... ? No ... yes ... uh". I turned my head and saw a chunky balding guy in unfortunate leather pants staring at us. Mike Reno. Lead singer of Loverboy. Checking us out. Free drinks.

He sauntered over to us, paused dramatically, and took a big swig from his water bottle. Then he just stood there. And stood there. Looking at us. Not talking. "Um ... hi how are you?", we said. To which he replied, "Can't talk girls ... I'm saving my pipes". Then he turned on his heels and walked away to start the show. The free show. In a park. On a Thursday. Whatever. Free drinks.

PS: No joke, he rocked that park so hard. He sounded great. Am attaching video of a recent interview he did with a female reporter. He has his arm around her. He is leaning into her. He is whispering. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Mike Reno is still saving his pipes ... and hopefully giving that poor girl some free drinks.

Cats disguised as cat

Third in a series

I love ...

I have many fun and adventurous memories from my childhood, but they're not all like that. I was often scared as a child, and having an escape through music was what pulled me through many rough times. One of my favorite singers was Mr. Tom T. Hall. His voice was so soothing, and his words were so sweet and comforting. When he sings, " ... and I love you too " , I truly felt like he was saying it just to me.  Thank you Mr. Hall. I love you too.

Tom T Hall - I Love

photo via MTV

The view from our door

Tuesday at 7pm

Red shoes on Saturday

Memories ...

As newlyweds, my husband and I rented a fabulous craftsman bungalow not far from where we now live. We loved being there, and a big reason for that was our neighbors. Pete and Fernando. Oh how I miss the carefree days of living across the street from Pete & Fernando ... so many memories of them and their awesome house...

...like the time I popped over to their porch for a quick glass of wine while waiting for my husband to get home from work ... and then stumbled home at 4 the next morning...

...oh, the stories the lap pool in the side yard could tell...

...the beautiful Easter brunches in the dining room...

...the time I saw Pete naked in the bathroom...

...the time I saw Fernando naked in the office...

...the time I literally carried Fernando through that kitchen door, after a wild night of singing show tunes at Keys West...

...all memories of a time long ago but not quite forgotten...

If you would like to make some memories of your own in Pete & Fernando's house, you can ! It's for sale, and since we can't afford to buy it right now, you may as well .... info here.

Something you don't know about me

When I was a little girl, I was absolutely convinced that my dad looked exactly like Elvis. Exactly.

Just for good measure ... my favorite Elvis moment :

Freckles Switch-a-roo

One of the many pets I had as a child was my dog, Freckles. I loved that little doggie. She chased me around the yard and tried to steal my popcorn. We played together in the giant dog house my dad built for her. She was nice to my cat Heidi. Lots of fun memories.

Many years later, I was looking back at pictures from my childhood. I began to notice something unusual. The back of every photo of Freckles had things written on it like, "Freckles #1, and Freckles #2, and Other Freckles, and New Freckles" ... hmmmm ....

I asked my mom what all that was about. She got really quiet, and then proceeded to tell me that my dad had accidentally run over the original Freckles. He ran out and found a dog that kinda sort of looked like Freckles #1. Brought it home. They never said anything, and I never noticed. Even though Original Freckles was brown, and New Freckles was black and white ... I never noticed.

What I'm loving today

I know he isn't for everybody ... but I love Tom Waits. There are some days when he is the only thing I want to hear, and today is one of those days.

Tom Waits - Watch Her Disappear

Something else that is most definitely not for everyone ... The Tiger Lillies ... I love them so.

The Tiger Lillies - Souveniers

Getting to know you

Some fun facts about the husband that I learned/was reminded of this weekend ...

1. He (Scott) was named after his great grandmother, Sue Scott ... and my aunt has the same exact name.

2. He studied architectural history at University of Virginia, particularly architecture of the 18th century and the works of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. His nickname was Big Daddy Mount Vernon ... and I'm fairly certain that he is the only person in the history of time to be called that.

3. Family legend says that he is related to Sir Francis Drake, Ty Cobb, a horse theif, and a man convicted of practicing medicine without a license.

4. He wishes men still wore hats and three piece suits.

5. He had his hair cut next to Hal Holbrook, right here in our little neighborhood barber shop. Actually, the same barber shop that was featured in the movie Rushmore.

6. He took two tours of England as a change ringer (bell ringer). He rang in many, many ancient churches and cathedrals.

7. He is seriously awesome, and I am seriously lucky.

Minivan Confessions

I was so tired and distracted today, that I walked around with my shirt on inside out for 4 hours before I noticed.