Waco these days is a happenin’ little town. We ‘discovered’ Waco about 9 years ago when our daughter took a job at Baylor University. We found it to have lots to offer – from it’s very own lake (Lake Waco) to several wonderful museums to a lovely zoo to lots of park space to a beautiful riverfront area. Lately it’s become more well known as the home to Chip and Joanna Gaines and their HGTV show, Fixer Upper. Ah, the shiplap that is yet to be discovered in this sweet little city! But what we really love to Waco are the people we’ve connected with. When the daughter said she was moving to Ohio, we were sad to loose that connection with folks we had come to love. Needless to say, when one of the sons said he wanted to move to Waco – well, that was just fine with us! Continue reading Wacotown Days
Tag Archives: Waco
My excuse – a WWW
I was doing pretty good with my self-imposed Post-A-Day goal for February (I had only missed Valentine’s Day and I actually had one ready – just forgot to hit the “Publish” button!) until this past weekend. Truthfully, some things are just more important than trying to figure out what to write on a blog.
Like this fellow –
and this little guy –
Among the highlights of our weekend –
- A visit to the Waco Mammoth National Monument with our newest Junior Ranger.
We learned a lot – especially just how really, really big those guys were!
This location is a very recent (July 2015) addition to our National Park system, and we were very glad we got to check it out!
- A haircut for me (and W also if you compare the first picture with the Junior Ranger picture)
One of my biggest short hair “fears” is the need to get a cut every 6-8 weeks and always having to find a new stylist. It was great to go to the same sweetie that did the first cut, and we went super short (for me) to try and delay the next trim. We’ll see how that goes! - A trip to the Verizon Store. That was such an adventure, that I’m saving it for another post.
- We brought Mr. Stanley along, but he didn’t get out too much. I’m pretty sure he still had a good time, though!
Yes, indeed – we had a Wonderful Waco Weekend with our Texas kiddos! It’s probably the last one for a season, so we truly relished each moment.
And had exactly Zero Moments to worry about blogging! Sorry – but it’s really how it should be!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Three Days and a Wake-up
So in three days and a wake-up, we’ll be wrapping up our time here in Waco and heading north to Ohio to celebrate Christmas with the rest of the kiddos and grands. And all I can say is WAIT -Â where did our Waco time go????? Has it really been two months since we arrived? Just what did we do all that time? (I obviously haven’t been doing a very good job with blogging!) Â Well, here are some of the highlights –
- We watched a 2 man crew from Window World replace 32 windows in about 12 hours. And do an excellent job to boot!
- We had a lovely Thanksgiving – getting to know some neighbors while we feasted outside on the deck!
- I made a quick trip east in early December to ‘crash’ the wedding of a dear SOWER friend.
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The wedding surprise was wonderful, and the fact that I also got to spend time with my sister, worked in a lunch with my college roommate and got to see several extended family members – well, it was a very special weekend indeed! - After Gary picked me up at the airport, we took a little mini-getaway and connected with some dear SOWER friends who were working nearby.
Here we are with the requisite group shot – complete with an elf photo-bomber! - Santa made an early delivery of a couple of boxes of wood and hardware that were destined to be a swing set.
Three days later, with three adults working on it –
sure enough! A swing set!!!
Merry Christmas, Waco littles! - We tackled painting the front porch. It had long needed a fresh coat of paint, but with the addition of those fancy new windows, it really seemed like the time had come.
Of course, now the house looks like it needs to be painted…… - We got to help when there was a small gas leak, and the gas was turned off (i.e. no heat or hot water). It took two days to solve the problem and mostly we just hung around waiting for the service guys to come and shared blankets, but Pops was able to help a little. =)
And the good news is that the problem was solved and the heat restored BEFORE the Polar Vortex hit (it was 23 this morning!). Phew, that was a close one! - But of course, for all the chores done and projects completed, the best moments were moments like these –
We’ve had a great two months here in Wacotown and can hardly believe that our time here is drawing to a close. We’ve gotten to know our sweet Texas grandboys better, and even had some quality time with the grown-ups! It’s never quite enough, though, is it? Â But time marches on!!
These last few days will go fast! Since we’re only taking the truck north to Ohio and then will be heading off to our January SOWER project right after we return to Waco, we need to not only pack for our time in the cold north (always a stretch when you’re used to bringing EVERYTHING you own with you), but we also need to get the house mostly ready to move. AND get it semi-winterized since we won’t be here to manage any cold snaps (like today!). Plus we need to squeeze in some final precious moments with the kids.
I bet you have a busy week ahead, too! So thanks for stopping by – and in case I don’t get back here before the end of the week – Â have a very Merry Christmas!!
Focus
Since it’s been a little quiet over here since those three posts in a row, I bet you’re thinking I’ve lost my focus.  Well, I don’t think it’s so much of a ‘lost’ focus situation as it has been a ‘shifting’ focus situation.  Somehow our focus took a (very appropriate, I think) shift from a travelogue catch-up to these two cuties –
This past week has been full of ups and downs for our Waco kids, and we’ve been so happy to be in the area to help and support and even play a bit.
So the ups –
Abigail and I spent some quality time with her new sewing machine!
I loved her enthusiasm, and by the end of the day each boy had a pretty sweet Halloween loot bag!
We had some very special times with the boys during the week.
and were really thankful we had the opportunity to help out with kid-care!
The big roller coaster ride this week though, was this little guy –
No need for details (since all is well now), but the week included two trips to the ER, more sleepless nights than any parent ever needs, and a crazy mixed up schedule all around.
The final diagnosis was ‘viral’ – but what a crazy time it was! We are so thankful that he’s “all better”, and also thankful that we were in the neighborhood to be a help (not to mention great neighbors who were really on top of lending a hand!). God is good!
And while we were busy with the kiddos, there were a few things going on in our lives as well!
We took care of some of our own (non-emergency) doctoring and I got a radical (for me anyway!) haircut!
It’s the shortest it’s been in…..I don’t know – forever? So far it’s gotten mostly thumbs up, and I must say I love how easy it is to care for.
We also did some up close and personal checking on some local campgrounds because we have to move from our current spot. We love where we are, but since it’s an Army Corp of Engineers campground, we can only stay for 2 weeks. And that will be up tomorrow. So while we’re not leaving Waco, we are packing up and heading down the road to a more traditional campground on the other side of town. But the good news is, we are signed up for the entire month of November. After that – we’ll see!
So don’t give up on the Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde and Petrified Forest stories. I’m still sorting through pictures as time permits, and maybe – just maybe – I’ll have another burst of posts later in the week.
Hope you had a good weekend – we sure did!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wow! Has a full week gone by since my last post? And here we are at Thanksgiving! It’s a beautiful day here in Waco, and even though our day will be a little un-traditional, I want to wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving! We had our little campground Thanksgiving dinner last evening, gathering around the table with Lara and her friend Michael and our friends Naomi & Jay who are camping here for a couple of days.
Not that I have any pictures of that, but trust me, it was a lovely evening and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening, sharing a meal with the twinkle lights illuminating evening! (For those of you who know Gary – he assured me those lights are NOT Christmas decorations!).
And check out the fancy table centerpiece –
thanks to the tree in the left side of the first picture!
Today, while most of you are sitting down to bountiful tables and enjoying time with friends and family, we’ll be having a nice quiet day at Lara’s house – probably catching up on the laundry. But believe me, we’re thankful for that washing machine, too! (Actually Gary will be working on one of his Waco Projects. No big surprise there, right?)
Then Friday we’ll be blessed to enjoy another Thanksgiving with some of Lara’s friends (and now our friends, too!). The rest of the holiday weekend will be spent hanging out with our friends and with Lara (and her friends!). All good!
We are grateful for many,many things, but for right now we’ll just leave it that we’re so thankful to be here in Waco, settled so nicely into our camping spot
and looking forward to our time here!
Better go get that laundry together! 🙂
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7