Field Trips & Friends

This week was a very busy one, but it seems that the busier I am, the happier I am. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself when I have free time, so I end up creating projects to take care of that free time!



Last Friday evening, Freddy and I attended the 6th Annual San Angelo Police Banquet. It was a really nice evening that honored the officers of the SAPD and the hard work that they have done throughout the previous year. The banquet was held at the San Angelo Convention Center and was a nice cool escape from the unbelievable heat that we had last Friday. We enjoyed the food that was catered by the always amazing Kenny Blanek, and visited with Freddy's parents (Fred, Sr. is a retired SAPD Lt.). I really enjoyed seeing all of the officers wives...seems we never get to spend much time with each other! Later...we all went out for some more visiting. Was a truly awesome evening!

Saturday found us taking a lazy drive to Mason, browsing in some shops there where I found the perfect Mother's Day gift for my mom's grave sight. We made our way through the beautiful countryside to Fredericksburg where we bought all the fixings for a fabulous cookout! Then it was on to the farm house!

Dad and KK were already at the house (they had gone ahead on Friday night), and had trimmed some of the live oaks that surround the farm house. Once we arrived, we immediately began the chore of cleaning up the yard and the washer pitching pit!

Friends began arriving, dad grilled the most wonderful T-Bone steaks I'd ever had, washer pitching was in full swing, and drinks were plentiful. KK and her friend Lisa entertained themselves by going down to the river, driving the go-cart, and playing pool in the game room! Freddy was in heaven because he got to play catch with Gary's son! I can tell that Freddy is going to be an awesome grandpa one day! But not too soon....

The Waring Fireman's Dance was later that evening in the quiet little village (no, really) of Waring. I was pleasantly surprised to see my mom's brothers & sisters and many of my cousins in attendance. I don't get to spend a lot of time with them anymore, but it is amazing to realize how much they are in my thoughts. I love to see all of the old families from the area and reminisce with them about people and days gone by!

Freddy paid entirely too much money for a locally crafted lamp table that he bought in the auction. He said he didn't mind because it benefited the fire boys and it was my present for Mother's Day! I love it, and it is on the entrance porch at the farm house.

Headed back to Angelo on Sunday where a hand made card was waiting for me from my daughter. Sounds cheap...but was priceless to me! Enjoyed supper with my mother-in-law.

Monday brought anxiety over a field trip that I had been planning for my History club and some select 7th graders. Due to the outbreak of swine flu, all field trips had been put on hold for a couple of weeks, but were reinstated just in the nick of time! We didn't have the final "go-ahead" until 2:00 on Tuesday afternoon, which meant that my friend and colleague, Mrs. Gully, and I had to scramble to make sure all the details were taken care of. We left for San Antonio at 5:05 a.m. with 49 middle school students.

The day included a visit to the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, lunch at the Rivercenter Mall, and then a tour of the Alamo. Memories of my own elementary/junior high days at these same sites flooded back through out the day, and tugged at my heart. I really enjoyed sharing these places and experiences with our students, and the teachers that went with us helped to make this trip very special for the kids, as well as myself.

It was nice to return back to Angelo at 9:30 p.m. and have the parents of ALL 49 kids pick up their children on time and quickly. After 6 years of doing field trips together, Mrs. Gully and I have never had parents that were as thoughtful as these. We were glad to be home.

The rest of the week went by in a blur, and here it is Saturday! I enjoyed the morning working in my garden (which is coming a long nicely...I think), taking breaks to sip my cup of coffee, and run some errands. Now...it's off to the farm house, once again. This visit is a work visit...the last time that I will be able to go down for a while. Therefore, I am going to change bedsheets, dust furniture, clean the refrigerator, etc.

Until we meet again...I hope you enjoy your own field trips and that lots of friends are involved! Go out and make some history today...