Why am I showing you my shoes and hat without me in them? Well, as I have looked back through my photos, I have discovered that the majority of my vacation pictures show me in these type of shoes. Yes, they are water shoes, instead of one of the many pairs of cute and fashionable heels that I own. Yes, water shoes! Now they may have been different colors over the years, as they tend to wear out pretty quickly, but they are still water shoes. You will note that they are very unglamorous water shoes at that! You see, most of our vacations involve water - ocean water, lake water, river water,
Schlitterbahn water, underground cave water and even Louisiana swamp water. There are probably more, but you get the idea.
These same vacation photos also show me in a variety of very unglamorous hats like the one shown below. I am also usually in some type of bathing suit cover up or a very large t-shirt, slathered in suntan lotions of various kinds. Are you getting the picture yet. There is an opening in the back of the below hat. My hair is usually in a pony tail, hanging out of the back opening. My bangs are also smashed flat by the bill of the hat. Not a very pretty sight!
Looking back at all of these pictures, I am always soaking wet, so the hat, shoes and shirt/cover up really look limp, baggy and generally very unfashionable, along with my hair, which may have even started out as a summery and cute "do".
I also have alot of pictures with "snorkel mask face". This is what happens when you push your snorkel mask up on to the top of your head and your husband takes a picture of you with a huge red ring around the upper part of your face. Oh yes, and your hair is also pushed up and stuck underneath the mask in a very unbecoming manner.
I even have a variety of pictures that show me in a tube floating down Hill Country rivers. No matter who you are, these are never flattering. I usually have on a cowgirl hat, much to my daughter's complete embarrassment.
Now I do have cute bathing suits and cover ups, but you can't wear them during our water activities. They just will not hold up to black tubes and river water or salt water. Also, one trip to Schlitterbahn leaves them in shreds.
As I sadly looked back over these photos the other day, I thought about what future generations would think of their great, great grandmother pictured in various forms of soggy attire. Sure there are family holiday pictures of me all dressed up, but there are many, many more of these soggy vacation pictures. They will think that I spent all of my spare time participating in some water activity. Then I realized something. Since the majority of these pictures show me happily involved in a water sport, my future heirs will think what a cool, athletic woman I was! They will say, "Wow, wasn't she something! She was a total water athlete and at her age, can you believe it. I bet that is why little Karen (named after me of course) is so athletic!!!" It made me smile. Those of you who know me well would never even think of using the word "athletic" in your description of me. So, I tucked all of those pictures back into their various boxes and albums, secure and happy in the knowledge that a whole new generation of relatives will think I was an ATHLETE!
Note to self: Delete this post when I get a little older so that future generations will not read this, which would totally spoil my athletic image!
The patio was expanded to include an area for my swing.
A new sitting area!
This was one of my old patio tables that was painted white. I just could not get rid of it as it has always been my favorite table. So, I painted it chocolate brown to match the new furniture. It really turned out well. I love Rustoleum spray paint!
Sonny says that these are not really "Before" pictures as we had already cleared off all of the old furniture and junk before we remembered to take pictures. For some reason, he refused to put it all back just for a picture!
This old patio served us well and there are lots of memories here, but it was time to update it. We spent alot of time trying to decide whether we should build a deck, tile it or go with concrete.
They really spoil you at this restaurant. Each of our menus were printed with our names and birth dates. They also served us this delicious dessert. 
If you look up into the left hand corner of the below picture, you can see that they had no regard for the golfers trying to finish their game. Why these guys would just walk across the green and give a dirty look to anyone who dared played while they were around. They held up many a game.
The really bad part is that they are not tax paying citizens, yet they seem to think that they run the golf course!
They are not very friendly either. I tried to take this guy's picture and he turned and just walked off. Also, you will notice that he is giving me the evil eye. 
This picture was taken when the golf course was closed for the day. Obviously, everyone is suppose to be off the course. However, these guys don't care. As a matter of fact, even more of their friends joined them. I tried to get a close up of the trespassers, but they would run as they obviously did not want their crime to be documented on film. We got out of our car to try to get a good shot, but they were not happy at all about that. They even posted lookouts to watch us. All I can say is that they better enjoy it now. November 1 might bring an end to their life of crime.
This is one of Sonny's favorite foods to order when we are there. I admit that even I like them and I am not a french fry girl.
We always enjoy the view of the water from our table.
And you cannot get much better than this as far as a sunset. Thank you God for blessing Texas with the Hill Country.
These same vacation photos also show me in a variety of very unglamorous hats like the one shown below. I am also usually in some type of bathing suit cover up or a very large t-shirt, slathered in suntan lotions of various kinds. Are you getting the picture yet. There is an opening in the back of the below hat. My hair is usually in a pony tail, hanging out of the back opening. My bangs are also smashed flat by the bill of the hat. Not a very pretty sight!
Looking back at all of these pictures, I am always soaking wet, so the hat, shoes and shirt/cover up really look limp, baggy and generally very unfashionable, along with my hair, which may have even started out as a summery and cute "do". 
Notice how when the door is opened, you see this! A neatly organized and creative space. Did my husband, father of Adam and Papaw of the 3 gorgeous grandchildren help with this project? No! Did he even show any interest in letting Adam teach him how to do this? No! Instead he was just very impressed and so proud that Adam and Carey created and completed this beautiful work space. 
Not that I am bitter about this in anyway. Carey sews alot of what the grandchildren wear, complete with elaborate costumes for school activities. She even recovered a couch in the blink of an eyes. I am constantly amazed. However, I do wish that my husband would also take an interest in home improvements like his son!! Hint! Hint!
OK, so I don't sew much anymore but I can still be jealous of this space. Dear husband, if you are reading this, maybe I would sew more if I had this space. Or maybe not! However, I do love organized and pretty spaces and who wouldn't love to open up a closet and see these beautiful color coordinated jars of ribbons and notions. It is definitely inspiring.
Adam and Carey, can you keep the talent a little more hidden? You are making the rest of us look very bad! Love you two!!!
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