General

A Weekend Trip From Austin To South Texas

From 2002 thru 2005, Fabgrandpa and I were managers of an RV resort in south Texas. This resort had 1188 spaces for RV’s, a ballroom, a dining room, a 9 hole golf course, a 10 room activities building, and a wood working shop for guests to use. The resort was located in Pharr, Texas, just eight miles from the Mexican border. Pharr is a four hour drive from Austin, which would make it a great place to go for a weekend trip. There is plenty to do in the area, or you can just relax.

Crossing the Mexican Border with friends in 2003

There was always something to do at the resort. you could take lessons for round dancing, square dancing, painting, wood working, and more. There were bingo games twice a week, dances every Saturday night, dinners, lunches, etc. The activity calendar included shuffleboard, tennis, bicycling, golf, swimming, water volleyball, baseball, and more. If you couldn’t find something you liked to do, you weren’t looking very hard.

Outside of the resort, there were many restaurants, from pizza joints, all the chain restaurants, and several very good local Mexican restaurants. We had our favorites, and went out to eat several times a week. Las Margaritas was our most favorite place. They had the best soups I have ever eaten. The Tlalpeno Soup is mad with chicken, rice, squash, carrots, potatoes, onion and celery. It is served with some queso in the bottom of the bowl, an adobo pepper, and some sliced avocado on top. The other soup I liked was their seafood soup. It had a tomato base, and was made with shrimp and white fish.

While we lived and worked in south Texas, we went on several trips. We went home to Georgia twice for a week each time. We headed west once all the way to San Diego, California for a week. A weekend trip to Austin to go to a concert was a lot of fun. We went to San Antonio for a few days once as well. I took a trip to Reno, Nevada with some of the guests at the resort. It was fun to play the slots and just hand out with the girls while I was away.

Shopping for fabric in Reynosa, Mexico in 2002.

Since the resort was only eight miles from Mexico, we went over the border as often as possible. I had a lot of dental work done in Progresso. Once you crossed the bridge over the Rio Grande, there were many shops that catered to Americans. You could buy prescription medications at a fraction of the cost of what they cost here. Liquor was a bargain that many of the Winter Texans took advantage of on their trips to Mexico. The streets were crowded with vendors selling Mexican wares such as tiles, mirrors, tinware, leather good, souvenirs, glassware, and more.

If you want to take a great day trip from Austin, it would be well worth the drive to go down to the border. There is lots to do on either side, and good food everywhere.

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4 Things To Do In Louisville, Kentucky Besides The Kentucky Derby

Karen · Leave a Comment

Want to spend a day in Louisville, Kentucky? It’s not the right time of year of the Kentucky Derby, but you can still find something fun and interesting to do there. Here are four things to do that you’ll love.

The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory

Every Little League baseball player knows the name Louisville Slugger. The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is 16,000 square feet of exhibition space with a section where you can learn about the production of bats. Located along “Museum Row” in downtown Louisville, it has many historical bats on display, including the one that Babe Ruth used to hit his last home run with the New York Yankees.

Take A River Cruise

The Belle of Louisville was built in 1914, by James Rees & Sons Company, Pittsburgh, PA, named Idlewild. It is the oldest steam powered paddle boat in the U.S. Two hour cruises are offered for sightseeing or buffet for brunch, lunch, dinner, Harbor History, Dance, Moonshine, Craft Beer and many more Special Events. Check the website for times and rates for tickets.

Go To The Zoo

The Louisville Zoo exhibits more than 1,100 animals on 134 acres of natural settings representing zoogeographical areas, specific habitat types or special education areas including: Glacier Run, Africa, Islands, New World Exhibits (North, Central and South America), Australian Outback, the HerpAquarium and the Metazoo Education Center. The Zoo’s award-winning Islands, Gorilla Forest and Glacier Run exhibits have been recognized by AZA for their excellence and innovation. You can see polar bears, or ride a camel!

Colonel Sanders Mini Museum

Located at 301 S 4th Street, this mini museum is dedicated to the man who started Kentucky Fried Chicken with his 11 secret herbs and spices. Take a selfie with a wax figure of Sanders, read a timeline of his life, and see some of the suits he wore. On display is one of his original pressure cookers, and some of the commercials for the company. What a fun place!

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Take A Road Trip To Big Spring, Texas

Karen · Leave a Comment

If you find yourself in Amarillo, Texas for a few days, you might consider taking a drive down to Big Spring. it’s about a two hour drive south from Amarillo. When you get there, there are lots of choices of things to do and see.

Big Spring State Park

Take in scenic views from the 200 foot bluff on the loop road. Walk or job on the loop, or plan a picnic lunch in the pavilion. Stop by the season interpretive center to view indian artifacts and fossils. If you are a bird watcher, you might check off a couple of species from your life list.

The Heritage Museum

This is where you will see items of cultural and historical significance to Big Spring and West Texas. Old phonographs, dolls, a medical exhibit, and a T&P Railroad exhibit are all part of the Heritage Museum.

Moss Creek Lake

Moss Creek Lake is 400 acres, and provides water to Howard County. It also provides locals and visitors with a recreational area for wet and wild fun. There are more than two dozen campsites and two pavilions available, as are a playground, paintball and dirt bike courses, and a beach swimming area.

Hangar 25 Air Museum

From the Hangar 25 Air Museum website:

Hangar 25 Air Museum is housed in a fully restored WWII era hangar. The mission of Hangar 25 Air Museum is to promote education through the collection, preservation and exhibition of the history of the Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier School and Webb Air Force Base while honoring all veterans, past and present. Often our museum is staffed by retired veterans and civil service employees who are ready to share their memories of the hangar when it was a hub of activity, first, during WWII as a part of the Big Spring Bombardier School and later as a part of Webb Air Force Base, supporting the training of over 10,000 pilots from 1952 to 1977.

World War II plane at Hangar 25 Air Museum

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Growing Up In Waynesboro, Georgia

Karen · Leave a Comment

When I was a very little girl, my family lived in Waynesboro, Georgia. My father had become ill, and had to stay in the hospital for two years in Milledgeville. My mother moved us to Waynesboro to be closer to him. Because I was only about three or four years old, I don’t remember very much about that time. My younger brother, Bobby, was born while we lived there.

Me in 1955, when we lived in Waynesboro.

There was a railroad track that went through the very back of our yard. It was an exciting thing for little kids to see the trains go by during the day. My older brother, Richard, and I always ran to the back of the yard to watch them. Some days, if we were lucky, the conductor would wave to us and throw us a pack of Juicy Fruit Gum.

Richard was somehow allowed to go with our babysitter’s family to pick cotton in the fields outside of town. He had his own cotton sack, which was huge for a little boy! Richard went with the workers every day for a week. His sack didn’t have nearly as much cotton in it as the older workers, but he was proud of the amount of cotton he picked. On Saturday, someone knocked on our door, and asked for Richard. The man was there to pay him for his work. After the cotton was weighed, Richard was paid with coins. I don’t remember how much he had made, but I do remember him running around the house, shaking those coins in his hands. He thought he was rich!

The last thing I remember is that our Aunt and Uncle lived in a mansion in town. We went to their house several times to play with cousins. This house was beautiful, and had stairs with wooden banisters going up to the second floor from the foyer. I got in so much trouble for sliding down those banisters!

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Tips To Get Started Tracing Your Family Tree

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People have been interested in finding out who their ancestors were for years. I remember way back in the 1970’s that my aunt hired a researcher to trace our family tree, all the way back to the 1600’s! We discovered that our ancestors came from Germany, to Ireland, to the United States. It was quite interesting to see the documents she was given by the genealogist who did the work of tracing your family tree.

If you are just now getting started on tracing your family tree, here are a few tips to get you started. Of course, the best place to start is with your immediate family.

Your Immediate Family

Your mother and father, their parents and siblings, and their children. With very basic information on each family member, such as date of birth, date of death if applicable, date of marriage, you can find other members of the family. Start with yourself and your siblings, then go backwards in time, adding in names and dates for aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great grandparents. If your aunts and uncles are still living, ask them to help you fill in names of your cousins, second cousins, great aunts and uncles, and so on.

Census Records

Census records can give you a lot of information. A Census is taken every 10 years in the United States. It is basically a record of all the people who live in the country at that time. The Census from 1930 listed all of my Mother’s living siblings by name and age, her mother and father, and an uncle that lived with them at the time the census was taken. It was very helpful to me to find that census, because I did not have the birthdates of my mother’s siblings.

Other Records

my paternal grandfather’s naturalization application

Ancestry.com has tons of records, all available online. You can print them for your records if you wish. I found a copy of a form that my paternal grandfather filled out indicating that he was a legal alien in this country. He was applying for Naturalization. The record showed where he emigrated from, where he was born, my paternal grandmother’s name, and where she was born. It also shows that at the time he filled out that application, he spelled his last name differently from the way my Mother always spelled it. That was a very important finding.

DNA Testing

Getting a DNA test done can help you find relatives, too. It is easy to get a DNA test done these days. They cost under a hundred dollars, and only take a few weeks to get the results back. I did two tests: One from Ancestry.com, and one from My Heritage. In both cases, I just swabbed my mouth with the provided q-tip, mailed it in, and received the results online. It was interesting to see that my DNA results showed what I had been told all my life: that one side came from Germany and Ireland, the other came from Russia and Austria.

There are so many places to check online if you are looking for relatives, or tracing your family tree. This article about tracing your family tree has lots of links for places to look for more information. What are you waiting for? Tracing your family tree is fun, and can help you find interesting facts about your ancestors.

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Finding the Perfect New Pad: Luxury Apartment Must-Haves

Karen · Leave a Comment

Are you in the market for a new luxury apartment? Finding the right place to live isn’t always easy. For starters, there are hundreds, if not, thousands of vacancies ready for grab. Pinpointing the ideal location really boils down to preferences. After factoring in your finances and other necessities, it’s about identifying an apartment that checks off all the boxes of your must-have list. Since you’re going to be shelling out a bit more cash for your digs, you might as well request top-notch amenities and perks. Not sure what things to look for in a luxury apartment? Here are some must-haves to add to your list.

Quality Architecture

When you’re paying for high-quality living, it’s only right that the design is to your standards. As you’re walking around looking at apartments pay attention to the space. Is it modern with fine, sharp lines or more vintage with curves and character? What building materials are used? For luxury apartments, you want to see marble countertops, ceramic tiles, and hardwood floors.

Fully Furnished

Of course, you want your apartment to look liveable. That’s why many renters looking for luxury apartments prefer those that come fully stocked. A move-in ready apartment is worth the investment. If it’s not completely furnished, at the very least you should opt for a residence that offers new, high-end, appliances including a stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and microwave.

Outdoor Living Space

You may not be able to have a huge backyard complete with a pool and deck, but a luxury apartment needs an outdoor living space. While some luxury apartments offer community areas for tenants, check to see if there is a patio or balcony area which is exclusively yours for use. It’s perfect for entertaining guests or simply lounging outdoors on a warm day.

Lots of Space

Today’s renters opt for apartments that provide a spacious layout. This provides you with enough room to fill the place up with your own personal belongings and style without feeling cluttered or closed-in. Look for open-concept kitchen, dining, and living room areas, large master bedrooms,and accommodating full bathrooms.

Plenty of Storage

It won’t be long before you’ve moved in and filled up every nook and cranny of your luxury apartment. From food and toiletries to linens and clothes, your luxury apartment should have plenty of storage space to accommodate your needs. Check closet sizes, cabinet space, the pantry, and other areas for storage.

Great View

You can’t say luxury apartments without talking about the view. When you walk into the apartment you should see plenty of sunlight (or moonlight) and a fantastic landscape be it a park, bridge, city, or mountaintop, out your windows.

High-Tech Features

Home automation has been taken to a whole new level thanks to modern technology. If you’re into smart home technology, search for luxury apartments that offer high-tech features. This could include lighting systems powered with a mobile app, remote control blinds, smart thermostat, smart kitchen appliances, and top-of-the-line security systems.

Pet-Friendly

Got a furry companion moving with you to your new luxury apartment? Whether you adopted your dog from Pet Conscious or took in a wounded stray, you love your pet and want them to feel at home too. Look for a facility that allows pets to live with you. Some luxury apartment complexes even have mini dog parks you can take advantage of.

On-Premises Luxuries

No luxury apartment is complete without on the premises services. Check for extras like laundry services, swimming pools, sports courts, and a gym. If you really like an apartment but the complex doesn’t offer these services, at the very least check to see if it’s located near facilities where you can acquire cheap gym memberships, have your laundry cleaned, and other services.

Searching for a place is never easy – especially when you’re looking for the best. Luxury apartments are plentiful and narrowing down your search means creating a list of must-haves. Then, start taking a look at apartments you’re interested in to see if they check all the boxes. Fill out the paperwork, provide a down payment, and you’re ready to go. It can still take some time, but it does make the process of finding the perfect luxury apartment a lot easier.

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How To Keep Your Kids Safe And Healthy

Karen · Leave a Comment

It’s only natural for a parent to be concerned about the safety and overall well-being of their children. You want nothing more than for them to have a positive upbringing and go on to be successful throughout adulthood. Increasing the chances of that happening means instilling morals and values, educating and protecting them, while also introducing healthy habits that will follow them throughout life.

keep your kids safe and healthy — Me, my daughter, and my grandson.

As their first teachers, doctors, and sources of protection, parents can do a lot to ensure that their children grow up safe and healthy. Take a look below to learn more.

Secure Your Home

A parent’s job is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for their children to live in. Taking the appropriate steps to protect your property keeps your loved ones safe from outside harm. You can start by installing a home security system with motion sensors, surveillance cameras, and security lights to keep intruders at bay. You might also invest in gate parts to provide a more solid perimeter around your property and keep unwanted guests out and provide a safe area outside where your kids can play.

Monitor Their Internet Activity

As cool as the internet can be to children it’s also a dangerous platform. It exposes users to the good and bad of the world in an instant. While eventually, your kids will learn all about the ups and downs of life, you don’t want them absorbing too much too soon – especially not from the right sources. Therefore, it is important to monitor their internet activity. They have apps and software for parents to do everything from block certain sites to getting notifications when certain inappropriate terms are searched or used in conversation.

Maintain Medical Visits

The doctor, dentist, and other medical professionals are there to help you keep your children safe and healthy. Making sure your children keep up with these visits is, therefore, imperative. Routine exams, screenings, cleanings, lab work, and other procedures are ideal for monitoring the current status of your child’s health. It provides experts with insight on how to prevent, treat, or soothe symptoms of common illnesses and diseases.

Serve Them Healthy Meals and Snacks

It would seem that when you’re young your digestive system can handle just about anything. Which is why many parents don’t realize the issue of constantly feeding their children fast food, microwavable meals, and junk. Unfortunately, however, without the daily nutrients, the body needs to function each day, it can hinder your children in more ways than one. Anything from childhood obesity to diabetes can develop lessening the quality of your child’s life.

Feeding your children healthy meals and snacks isn’t as challenging as you might think. There are quick, easy to prepare recipes online that children love. Not to mention there are tons of delicious alternatives for some of their favorite snacks. Swapping out candy for a honeycomb or sweet potato chips instead of traditional chips are just a few suggestions. Allow the children to cook with you and make some of their own healthy meal and snack choices to make the transition easier and a lot more fun.

Keep Them Active

The digital climate we live in today has everyone a bit more lazy than they should be. If your children are always glued to a screen, slouched on the couch, or cuddled up in the bed it could result in a ton of health issues. Keep your kids busy and active. You can enroll them in dance or karate classes, sign them up for a school or community sports team, or take time out of your day to do fun activities like nature walks, park days, or dates.

Be a Good Example

You can do all the talking and change you want for your children but if you’re not leading by example, it’s going to fail. If you want your kids to be safe and healthy, you have to walk the walk yourself. Make sure that you’re eating right, staying active, keeping up with medical appointments, and making safety a priority.

It’s a big world out there and as parents, you just want to make sure that your children can thrive in it. The best way to do this is to start early with ensuring their health and safety are a priority. Begin teaching them health and safety habits such as those listed above leading by example and watch that positive foundation manifest in their lives.

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Road Trip To Abilene, Texas

Karen · Leave a Comment

If you have recently retired and plan to take a rambling road trip, and that trip takes you through Texas, then stopping for a day or two in Abilene is definitely worth the time.

Abilene is on I-20, and is about 180 miles west of Dallas, and 450 miles east of El Paso. When my husband and I were travelling, we would rather stop at smaller towns than big ones. Abilene would have been one of the places we would have spent time in if we had travelled I-20 much.

So, what is there to do in Abilene? If you like zoos, they have one of those. There is a dog park, to take your four legged travel companions for a run. History buffs might like a walking tour of downtown to see the old buildings there and hear about their history. And don’t forget the song, “Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I’ve ever seen” written by Bob Gibson in 1956.

If you are like me and like to visit museums, then you will find several in Abilene. Frontier Texas! is one of only a few museums in the world to feature life-sized holographic figures. Experience the dramatic Texas frontier as the story comes to life in this multimedia history facility. The Grace, located in the heart of downtown in a historic building, is an AAM accredited museum. Changing exhibits feature the best of Texas art, past and present, within the context of American art. Experience World War II through the eyes of the 12th Armored Division ‘Hellcats’ as you explore the three floors of this remarkable museum. Artifacts, photographs, oral histories, weapons, uniforms, vehicles, dioramas and a Holocaust memorial bring the story to life and honors the sacrifice of the great men and women who comprised the 12th. The Taylor County History Center features Indian artifacts and a collection of frontier firearms.

Added to all that, you can choose from outdoor activities, night life, movies, and live theater, and much more. You might even want to make Abilene, Texas a destination on your next vacation just to have time to see it all!

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