So, my oldest daughter LOVES basketball. She plays fall ball, a full season at school and then AAU club ball in the off-season. We are basketball fools around here. Seriously! Now, with club ball comes the wallet drain. You know – a different hotel every week as you travel around to play tournaments with the best of the best around the state. Some of the hotels leave a lot to be desired. But some of them are really swank. I mean, great beds, great showers (you know those

I recently had the privilege of being the guest speaker at a Texas A&M Aggie Mom’s Club meeting. Even though I’m an Aggie, and a mom, I’m technically not a “mom of an Aggie”, so I’d never been to a meeting before. But since it was September, I imagined a room full of moms whose kid’s had recently left for college, similar to our “Life after Launch” group, and adapted my campus map talk to reach out to those who might have felt a little lost. I actually had a moment of panic

One day a few weeks back, I noticed a man walking around my neighborhood with a HUGE backpack on his back and a big walking stick. We don’t live near a campground and there aren’t any mountains to head up anywhere, so it was definitely out of place. Over the next few days, I noticed others out on the walking paths with the same get-ups and got a little concerned. So, I logged on to my trusty neighborhood Facebook page and, sure enough, there were other people who had notice

I grew up in the 70‘s & 80’s and most of my memories include songs from that era. We always had a radio on whether we were in the house, in the car or out in the yard. I love music! It is funny how words partnered with a tune can stay in your memory forever. “We Are Family” is the title of a song released in 1979. I grew up singing that song (at least the chorus “we are family, get up everybody and sing”). When my children were young I taught it to my family. We would often

Road signs, banners, and energetic coeds shouting “You’re with us!” directed our steps and welcomed our daughter as she first set foot onto her college campus. The next few days were all about game-day traditions, activity fairs, and introductions. Student leaders and organized events helped our daughter transition into an exciting new phase of life she knew nothing about, because no matter how much she had anticipated and planned, she had never lived it. But what about us

So just between us, I am heart-beat pounding, adrenaline pumping, sweaty palm afraid of flying. It’s embarrassing, and has been an issue most of my life. Once when we lived in Georgia, I flew to Houston for a fun weekend visit. I was on my way back to Houston Intercontinental Airport for my return flight home, but first had to return my rental car. I was alone, driving north on Hwy 59, when I was hijacked by purple and black storm clouds and hung a right on I-10 East. I

Summer is officially here – brimming with sweet tea and southern hospitality. It’s been several weeks now since you’ve welcomed me into your blog community, and I appreciate it so much. I love getting to know you and thanks for all your comments - please keep them coming. Our blog is all about connecting and letting you know we’re here for you! So here’s something you may not know about me… I watch way too much HGTV, especially the show “Fixer Upper”, and anything about C

Nothing says summer and carefree like a good old-fashioned road trip – and nothing says road trip like a giant Buc-ee’s. Part necessity and part destination, stopping at this roadside oasis is a non-negotiable. In case you aren’t shaking your head in agreement – here’s why. In addition to cheap gas, great snacks, and bathrooms as clean as the ones you left at home, there is something among the sprawling shopping displays you never knew you wanted but can’t leave without.

So, I have these two amazing, precious girls. One is about to turn 15 and the other is 11. They are creative, smart, and beautiful. But, let me tell ya, they don’t listen. Ever. I can ask them to do one thing – anything! – and it will go in one ear and out the other. When they were little, something we always said to them was “Listen with your ears, not your mouth”. They always had something to say and didn’t actually listen to what we were talking about. As we were tal

I have a confession to make. In the middle of the recent Powerball frenzy, I bought a ticket. Ok, I spent $20 on Powerball tickets. Ok, ok….I spent $20 on Powerball tickets twice. Whew, I feel better now. I never buy lottery tickets. Ever. But there was something about the frenzy of Powerball that brought those of us who never buy them straight out to our local convenience store with the hope that maybe, just maybe, we might be the lucky ones. Over the last few weeks I h