DON''T book a room @ the Baymont Inn & Suites in downtown Houston Texas!

I know its only the second week in July but it already has been a busy summer for me.  I moved to Tennessee mid May and was just getting settled in when Family Vacation Time hit... Galveston Island Texas, our destination - Beach House was ready for us... I left on the 20th of June and drove down to meet up with my kids at the Beach House we were renting.  I enjoyed the ride through the states, South Tennessee, the tip of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, till I got to Louisiana.  I had stopped in a Mc D's for an break and an ice cream cone in Mississippi only 6 miles from the Louisianan border.  Rested I proceeded to drive into Louisiana Planning to stop in New Orleans then on to Baton Rouge and on to Texas.  Well I had to cancel that thought pretty quickly!  As soon as I got into LA it started to Rain, a big downpour, I couldn't even see out my windshield and had to pull over to stop several times because the heavy downpour made driving impossible.  So I headed toward Baton Rouge, slowly and finally the rain stopped just before I got to my chosen stop for the night, a small town about 3/4 of the way thru the state.  I resumed my trip in the morning and headed towards Houston Tx were I planned to meet my daughter Nancy at a hotel.  That turned out to be a farce.  She had booked a room at the Baymont Inn & Suites in downtown Houston.  I arrived, got my room key and off the the room I went.  When I opened the door the odor of cleaning agents was VERY strong.  That should have been my hint to turn around and get out but I was to meet my daughter there!  So I gingerly went in and looked around all seemed ok at first glance.  I decided to turn on the TV and it wouldn't work so I looked for the phone to call the desk! no Phone!  I had to walk back out in the 96 degree heat to the desk and ask for help.  The attendant tried but could not get the TV to work but I did by plugging in a HDMI cable that was hooked in.  I started to settle in and get my CPAP plugged in and moved the little nightstand away from the wall to plug my machine in and what to my horror! I saw a large 1 1/2" Dead Roach lying on the floor by the bed.  Ewwwwww! that freaked me out the I took a closer look and saw an empty, torn candy wrapper under the bed.  I then looked more closely at the bathroom too.  there were dead bugs behind the toilet and a large long black hair stuck to the tile under the sink.  I called Nan to let her know about the room, fearing that she would be pulling into this hotel at midnight with the kids and baby Amelia.  I packed up my car and scooped up the dead bug a napkin and brought it to the desk and checked out!!!!! I was so mortified by the uncleanliness of the place I just wanted to throw up!  So if you are ever in Houston DON'T stay at the Baymont Inn & Suites in downtown Houston.

After spending the night in a cleaner hotel in Houston I met up with Nancy and we made our way into galveston which was only an hour away.  She showed us around town a bit, we took a ferry ride across the bay and then made our way to the beach house.... The week was perfect despite the rain, we were at the beach.  I enjoyed my weeks stay at the Beach House, did a little sight seeing and a lot of just hanging out on the deck or in the house relaxing while the kids did their own thing... the week went fast and before you knew it - it was time to head home.

The drive home was uneventful, I had decided to take the coastal route instead of going back up toward Houston and  except for the ferry ride.  I waited almost an hour to get on the busy ferry and when on the ferry broke down so all the cars, including me, had to back off and wait for another ferry taking another hour of waiting.  finally I was on my way.  the skies were clear with no hint of rain the entire trip home.  I ddn't make a lot of stops along the way because of the heat.  it was around 96 degrees out all the way home.  It took me two overnight stays before I arrived home in Newport TN around 10pm on Wed eve.  So glad to be home and the bonus was 78 degrees out.  how nice!  It was and adventure and I enjoyed it immense, so now back to the real world....  and a whole lot of summer fun to share with you. 

April Already?

Brrrr it sure doesn't feel like April, I do hope everyone had a lovely Easter, I enjoyed my Easter Day with Friends and Family.  Church with Breakfast before and then to dinner with my Family, Good Food, Great Company and Good conversation, who could beat a day like that.  It was so nice to see the Family and I enjoyed the Easter Celebrations all weekend.  I was up late both Friday and Saturday Eve and still made it to Easter Breakfast before Church.  All is Good,  I feel so blessed to have My Friends and Family in my life. 
Today is sunny but COLD out and I am not looking forward to going outside but I want to attend the 1st Tuesday meeting at my LQS "Sew Little Time" Quilt Shop here in downtown Hudson.  I am working on my MeadowLark Row Quilt top today so I do hope I will be ready to bring it with me for show and tell...
 
Blessings and Enjoy your Day, Diane S

I Had A Very Nice Saturday!

Today it was a rainy December day here in Wisconsin.  I was invited to breakfast at Perkin's for my daughter Nan's Birthday, went Christmas shopping afterwards with Nan and GD Zuri.  We had a nice time and I was able to complete my Christmas shopping, enjoyed Peppermint Latte's at Starbuck's, then returned home just in time for the 5 O'clock news.... It did seem a bit strange tho to be out and about in the rain in Mid December.  I enjoyed it tho - winter will be here full force soon enough.  I hope everyone had as nice a day.

Farewell to Christopher!!

Chris wearing the A lace Agate wrapped in sterling on Leather cording.

My Grandson Christopher is going to go to Army Boot Camp in two weeks, he has been visiting us Here in MN & Wisconsin for the past several weeks and it sure has been nice - we do miss him and his dad since they moved down to Fort Dodge Iowa several years ago.  I was thinking of some gifts I could give him that would remind him of all of us here that love him.  I am giving him a camping knife that his grandpa got from the "Marlboro" points that he had saved up.  I like that knife and I also am attaching a Minnesota Agate that his Aunt Marie polished from stones she had gathered from her  driveway in north Minnesota, I wrapped it with copper and attached it to the knife.  I also gave him another Minnesota Agate wrapped in Sterling on a leather necklace that  made to remind him of me. and then a pack of cards so he could keep himself busy in his down time.  Ha!  I really don't thing he will have much downtime tho... All my prayers will follow him as he goes forward as they have done so since his birth.  He is truly an answer to this grandmother's Prayers...long long story but I do know God is faithful.  It is proof every time I look into my children and grandchildren eyes.

My Birthday is Tomorrow ?

 Me Then

Me being sprayed with String

Fabulous!

Me In my Birthday Gear with my Sangria in hand...

Wow I guess Tomorrow I offically turn 70 years young...I am in total awe - Really - Me?  I don't feel a day over 55 - LOL - or maybe 39 :}  I had a wonderful fun weekend with family and friends.  Saturday morning I spent with my crafting friends having a pot luck brunch then I was all set to go to our planned yearly Family picnic down at my son Earls place.  Friday I went and shopped for my hamberger and brat - to take down to grill - got some gatorade and then fruit, cheese and crackers for my dish to share... Well!  Did I get the Surprize of my life - and I am still smiling about it on the inside.  I planned to ride down with my daughter Nan but at the last minuet she called and said that she would  be over by 1:30 & to have my door open...In walks Thomas "I'll drive you in your car - our car is full because Zuri's friend is going with us and there was no room for us all." he said.. Little did I know it was a ruse.  Nan sped off so Thomas and I put my things in the car and leisurly headed down to Earl's Place.. We get there - call Earl to meet us at the lobby door and he takes me to the party room" lets put your things in here 1st.  OK so he opens the door and I see this mob of people standing there "Family & Friends" Yelling "SURPRIZE!" - Then a storm of canned worms are being squirted on me...I could only stand there and laugh - laugh & laugh some more.  My Grandson George and Great Grandson William were jumping around me delighted in this actvity of all the canned spray worms,  they thought it was great.  Then They dress me in this birthday gear, a hat a purple lay a sign Oh MY!  I'm still laughing at this wonderful surprize.  I had no clue that they were planning this boy did I have no clue.  Guess you could say I was Clueless in Eagan, Mn that day.  well there were cards, and Cake and cupcakes and SANGRIA!  & presents and wine and liquor - wow.  I did have fun with my family and friends and was amazed that the kids put this on for me...without me even suspecting a thing....The last time I had been surprized like that was way back, and I mean way back - it was 1961 and I was going over my aunts house for some reason? can't remember why, but my then Fiance drove me over and it was a surprize Bridal Shower for me...My husband never can keep a secret - well he sure did on that day!  but never again LOL  - Then Sunday I had a pleasant day at church then over to Nan's for Tea and then over to my friend Phyllisis house to spend the day.  I was a fun weekend all around....