Cop Nod - NOT !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


The other day, we were returning from dining out and were stopped at a red light.  A cop pulled up beside us and gave me a big smile and nod.  I mentioned this to Kevin and he said this happened for the following reasons:

1. We were not speeding.
2. We have current vehicle insurance and outstanding warrants for arrest.
3. He was just saying hello.

The cop has a camera in his vehicle that takes pictures of the license plates.  Then, the plate is run through a database looking for current insurance, outstanding warrants, etc.  So, the smile and nod meant that we were good to go.

Apparently, 20% of Dallas residents do not have insurance on their vehicles.  That seems high!

Good to Go !!!

Water Restrictions & Energy Conservation !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


With the extreme heat, the City of Plano has put water restrictions in place:

• Only water 2 days per week.
• We are on the Monday & Thursday schedule (even house number).  Odd numbered houses are on Tuesday and Friday.
• Watering is prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• At least we are allowed to fill the pool at its normal level.

Also, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has requested that Dallas residents observe the following conservation tips:

• Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
• When at home, close blinds and drapes that get direct sun, set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, and use fans in occupied rooms to feel cooler.
• When away from home, set air conditioning thermostats to 85 degrees and turn all fans off before you leave. Block the sun by closing blinds or drapes on windows that will get direct sun.
• Do not use your dishwasher, laundry equipment, hair dryers, coffee makers, or other home appliances during the peak hours of 3 to 7 p.m.
• Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers more than necessary.
• Use microwaves for cooking instead of an electric range or oven.
• Set your pool pump to run in the early morning or evening instead of the afternoon.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible. Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing nonessential production processes.

There may also be rolling blackouts to conserve energy.

Should be "Peppers Network"

Our gas bill last month was... get this... $8.99 for the whole month!!!  Kevin says it's because I don't cook enough on the gas stove.  NOT!  In fact, it made us both laugh as we have never paid a gas bill that low!

Melt Down in Dallas...

Whether You Like It, or WEATHER You Don't !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


We experienced a Dallas melt down in August and September.  We even made record breaking heat temperatures.  One area in Dallas reported 110 F.


Back in 1980, Dallas reported a record of 42 consecutive days at 100 F. or above.  This year, we hit 40 consecutive days at 100 F. or above and missed breaking the record by two days.  Dallas residents were somewhat disappointed that they had to endure the heat only to miss breaking the record by two days.


The second record to break was recorded in 1980 with a total of 69 days for the year to have a record at 100 F. or above (not consecutive days).  As of September 12, 2011, we tied the record this year as we were at 69 Days with 100 F. or above.  As of September 13, we broke the record with 70 days at or above 100 F.  This is a new record for 2011.

With this extreme heat wave, there have been many fires in Northern Dallas and several communities have been evacuated.  We have been watching "live" footage and it has been devastating to watch the fires burning houses down to the ground... leaving families with no place to go and no return to their homes.


Can you imagine watching your house burn down to the ground on television???  We continue to have empathy for those families and hope that they will be in the care of loved ones.

Triple Digit Melt Down in Dallas...

Good Food - Bad Food !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


If you are really hungry, you'll eat anything.  However, I am spoiled by Kevin as he makes breakfast almost every Saturday and Sunday.  Bacon and eggs, orange juice, and coffee. It always tastes better if someone else makes it - right?

Yummy !!!

A while ago, we went out for a nice dinner to a restaurant called Steve Fields Steak & Lobster Lounge & Restaurant.  They have live entertainment in the Lounge or you could enjoy a quiet dinner in the restaurant.  The food was fabulous as was the ambiance.

As we worry about how Brandon is doing at home and whether or not he is eating properly, we need not worry.  Sometimes Brandon will send us a picture of his dinner that he prepared and we are thankful that it is not Kraft Dinner.  Here's one of his latest creations...

Good Job, Brandon !!!

There are times when you have lost your appetite before you even take a bite.  We visited a Chinese Food restaurant (Mr. Wok) a couple of times and the food was delicious.  However, Kevin ordered a medium Tilapia dish (offered as small, medium or large).  Unfortunately, it was not to his liking due to the appearance.  It looked something like the following except that it was standing up on its belly staring right at him.  Ugh!

What Not to Eat...

Family Heirloom

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


When we moved to Plano last year, I brought along a family heirloom.  These little fellows have been in the family since I was a kid.  They have seen some abuse over time, but managed to be glued back together.


I wonder who broke them?  I guess we will never know - right Chris?  Ha, ha.  I have no idea who broke them and put them back together and really don't care.


As much as everyone wanted these little guys, the fight was on and I won.  Aren't I lucky?  I think some day they will travel with us again and may very well end up in someone else's home.    Let this be a family warning!  Beware of these guys showing up in your home on display some day.


They are enjoying being in Plano.  Aren't they lovely!!!  I keep checking on them to make sure they have not wandered out to the pastures nearby.  Maybe it is their fault that we had so many dung beetles in our back yard this summer.

Just for You - Chris !!!

Arm-a-Who ???

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


As I have been driving around getting groceries, etc., I have actually passed three of these on the street.  Dead of course...  That's right - Armadillos!!!


Armadillo is a spanish word for "little armored one".  The Armadillo is the Texas state small mammal and it is observed on ground hog day the same way a ground hog is observed seeing its shadow.  The official Armadillo in Austin, Texas is called Bee Cave Bob.


Check it out!  Note the nine "bands" on his armored back (the lines of armor).  The "nine banded Armadillo" is native to Texas.  If you "click" or "double click" on the photo, it will enlarge and you will be able to see it better.  Use the "back button" to go back to posting/story.

Armed and Ready !!!

R.I.P. !!!

After seeing the Armadillo's on the road, we were fortunate to have a "baby" visitor on our front lawn.

Meet baby "Armando" the Armadillo !!!

Baby "Armando"... Watch Out For Cars !!!

Armadillo - ArMyGosh !!!

Wasps Anyone ???

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


In June, I showed Kevin the giant wasps that were flying around outside.  They are called Cicada Killers.  The males don’t sting, but the females do and we don’t want to try to figure out which is which.  They are about 1.5 inches long (sometimes bigger - the size of a man's thumb - a large thumb) and they eat Cicada bugs which are tree bugs that come out every 13 or 17 years.  Cicada bugs make a really loud sound and only hang out on trees until they finish mating and return to the ground where they stay for 13 or 17 years.  In some areas, the Cicada Killers and bugs come out every year.

The Cicada Killers catch the Cicada bug, inject their venom into the bug to paralyze them and then the Cicada Killers take the Cicada bug back to their own nest in the ground (nest is a hole 12-24 inches deep in the ground).  The Cicada Killers need 10-20 bugs in their nest to feed the newborn Cicada Killers.  GROSS!!!  Both Kevin and I had the heebie geebies all day.


Also, a red wasp got in the house and was sitting on the printer paper in the printer.  Kevin was at his desk and tried to print something.  Wondering why the printer was not printing, he looked up to see the red wasp about a foot away from him.  Thank goodness I have three heavy duty fly swatters which saved the day for Kevin!!!


So, the pest control company showed up to treat all 9 Cicada Killer nests and red ant hills in the back yard, plus two paper wasp nests in the front of the house.

Check out the links below:


Cicada Bug  ===>    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada


Cicada Bug Video  ===>    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mah26og11ms


Cicada Killer Wasp  ===>    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_cicada_killer

Cicada Killer Video ===>    http://www.veoh.com/watch/v15581392eErZSAbw

Cicada Killer Wasp

Bugged Out !!!