Cheers

Cheers! Its Friday!! I'm pretty excited about this week coming to an end and starting my weekend. Next week is going to be cake...Monday is the Sinclair golf tournament (no, it doesn't matter that I have never even held a golf club), its all about being anywhere else other than my desk. I think there's a prize for the worst score, so I'm certainly a strong contender for that. Then Thursday, we're off to Ireland. I feel like I have so much to do before we leave, so one would think we would stay at home this weekend, packing, cleaning, trying to get ready to leave the house and dogs for over a week. Nope, we don't roll like that. We're going up to Park City tonight to stay for the weekend. Garrett and I seem to do better when we wait until the last minute to do things, it keeps us on our toes. Sometimes, I think we just deserve to have some fun. Responsibilities, who needs 'em?

Bambi

I took this picture from the driveway in Lakeway, TX. I love to see these guys wandering around the neighborhood...I think most of the residents could most certainly do without. One of Munch's greatest moments in life involved a deer, a golfcourse, and a tricky escape from the backyard while he was being dogsitted by his grandparents. A laugh was had by his grandparents, even to this day, but I think little Munchie got the last laugh. That deer, on the otherhand, was probably feeling pretty ridiculous, letting Munch chase him away. That Munch, he's very frightening.

Fabulous Flamingos

One of my favorite sights in Austin are the fabulous pink Flamingos on Bee Caves Road. They are very fun and festive and I crack a smile everytime I see them. How could you not? Here is the story of how they came to be:

Austin's famous flock of flamingoes has been brightening the intersection at Highway 360 and Bee Caves Road since 1989. The colorful gathering began when Pots and Plants owner Pat Swanson placed two birds on the grassy slope in front of his place and sold them before he could even get back inside. So more flamingoes were put out, followed by others, then still more…
When he was through, Pat had turned ordinary yard art into an Austin landmark.

Most people who drive past appreciate the sheer whimsy of the scene. Even President Bill Clinton had to buy a pair of birds when he was in town. However, there was a point in time when these faux flamingoes were an endangered species.

It could be said that the first battle to keep Austin Weird was fought over those gloriously goofy birds. It seems that at one point the "Fathers of Westlake" considered the birds a blight on the upscale community and sought to have them removed. Other Westlakers were up in arms over the prospect of losing the flock. The battle drew correspondents from AP, UPI, CNN and NPR, and even Jay Leno joked about the brouhaha on the Tonight Show. In the end, the pro-flamingo crowd won and the Pots and Plants lawn became a sanctuary for the beloved birds, reminding us that free spirits still prevail in Austin.

Bad Hair Days

Poor Mogs. Everyday is a bad hair day. After being back in Austin for the weekend, the land of humidity and frizz, I feel for him. Really, I do.

Dilemma

To Eat or Not To Eat...probably Munch's biggest and toughest decision of the day. That green fruit probably looks pretty irresistible to him, but at this point, even Munch knows that sooner or later it would likely end up as a pile of puke on the floor, one he will undoubtedly force himself to re-ingest.

Watch Out

WARNING: This picture is an accurate representation of what a person looks like when they have had about 12 TOO MANY vodka tonics. Its not pretty folks.

Who Needs a Plan?

Well, much to my surprise and Garrett's relief, we made it to and from Austin with absolutely no problems. The Buddy Passes worked like a charm. Garrett and I even got to sit next to each other on all 4 flights, which I was not expecting. AND, I got my new camera in time for the trip, yippee! Fedex delivered it around 7 pm Wednesday night...talk about waiting 'till the last minute.

We arrived in Austin Thursday around 6ish. Garrett's brother Wes picked us up from the airport and we went to Maudie's for dinner. I was pretty excited to get some real Tex-Mex and a REAL margarita. It was just like old times.

Chicken Fajitas for 2

Friday was a busy day. Garrett and I got up, checked out the new Galleria Mall in Bee Caves (I wasn't terribly impressed, I must say), took a boat out on Lake Travis with Brad, went to a rehearsal dinner at Z'Tejas in downtown Austin, followed by a drousy and tiring bar hop. I think I would have lasted slightly longer had I not been downing beer on the lake just hours earlier. Just a thought.

Lake Travis

Me and Garrett

Brad, Me and Garrett

Sunning

The Boat Captain...hot farmer's tan babe!

Brad

Me and my hubby at Z'Tejas

Garrett, me, Ann(the bride to be), Brad and Teel

Brad in his short pants

Brad and Teel

Saturday morning Garrett and I got up at the crack of dawn (actually, earlier than that) with very little sleep and drove to Bob's house for a little water skiing. I didn't actually ski but it was fun to watch Garrett.

We hung out at Bob's for a little while and then I finally got to go to Hula Hut for lunch. The palm tree hugger nachos were everything I remembered. I told myself I wouldn't drink until the wedding, but Garrett and I both agreed it was almost sacreligious to eat at Hula Hut and not get a SWIRL. After lunch, we headed back to the house for a much needed nap.

Welcome to Hula Hut...my all time favorite restaurant

Tubular Taco

Palm tree hugger Nachos

Then we were off to the wedding and reception. It was a lot of fun, too much fun. I drank entirely too many vodka tonics. This is what happens when there is an open bar, absolutely no self control. 3 hours after we got home from the wedding, it was back to the airport to begin our journey home.

Megan, Ty, Ann, Howard, Brad, Me and Garrett

Me and Brad

Us Again

Today, I am tired. Shocking.