Coco

Several weeks ago we tragically lost our sweet Angel. The accident happened in a flash and Angel never suffered, yet we suffered her loss terribly. We were devastated. We were struggling with our grief. We were barely able to stay at home without her.

Finally I had no choice. I started looking for another puppy...

and this photo caught my eye.

She was a liver pepper parti mini schnauzer, just like Angel, and she even looked a lot like Angel. Too much, perhaps?

We decided on her sister...


who was also beautiful but darker, with her own distinctive look.

After waiting a couple of weeks until she was weaned, I drove to a neighboring state to pick her up. As soon as I got there I excitedly scooped her up, so happy to finally hold another puppy of our own, and then I saw her sister. The one who reminded me of Angel.

It was sooo hard to leave one behind. I even called my husband to see if I could bring both of them home with me. He, however, was far away and somewhat objective so I reluctantly left with just one of them.

Meet Coco.

We're so thrilled to have her. She's sweet, playful, snuggly, and very good medicine for healing hearts. We will take the very best care of her that we can and we look forward to many, many happy years together.

I Mean...Really!

Collin can shoot basketballs all day long.

My Place

Whenever my husband visits my hometown, this is his go-to restaurant. Great food, great prices. It's been one of my favorites since I was a kid.

There used to be another barbecue place in town called Slick's, which gained some notoriety after a mention in Playboy back in the '70s. It was well-known for its food, but I was too afraid to go there because of all the Slick stories that circulated around town.

Once a friend tried to use a coupon with his meal and Slick didn't want to honor it so when my friend protested that the coupon hadn't expired yet, Slick quietly pulled a pistol out from behind the counter and laid it next to the cash register.

Not to mention that the waitstaff would swat flies with the same rags they cleaned the tables.

My Place has always been my favorite.

Criss Cross Applesauce

Cambryn has an interesting sleep position that people find hard to believe, so I took some photographic evidence. These were taken at the New Mexico cabin during a nap she took after a seven hour hike.


She's a young thing and didn't get all stiff from all that climbing, unlike others who will remain unmentioned.



If you want to try this at home, sit criss cross Indian style, fold your arms across your body, bend forward at the waist until your face rests comfortably on the bed, then sleep as long as possible.



As you can see, she also sits criss cross when she's awake. This was taken at the peak of our seven hour hike. I think she was bird-watching, hoping for a large eagle to swoop down and carry her to the bottom so she wouldn't have to hike one more blasted step.

That didn't happen so she deserved a good nap.

Out Back

We just got back from our annual Taos, NM, vacation, the mountain trip we take when the Oklahoma weather becomes unbearable.

It's always so pleasant to walk outside and not feel like you just got slapped in the face by a wall of fire.

When in Taos, one of the restaurants we always go to is Taos Pizza Out Back. It's our favorite pizza, plus we love the salad dressing (chefs have to sign a non-disclosure agreement) and the tiramisu, if we have any room left.

I'll admit the service is sometimes very laidback, but Taos time isn't quite the same as regular time. If you've been there you know what I mean.

That's Cambryn running toward the table.

"Out Back" has nothing to do with Australia. It refers to the restaurant's location, formerly a house, out back of the business near the street.

After being sued by that newer steak place, Outback Pizza changed their official name to Taos Pizza Out Back.

And finally, this didn't start out as a restaurant review. It's just, we don't take a ton of vacation pics so I'm trying to work with what I've got!

Random Quote

Collin: "I remember it just like it was yesterday. When I learned to snap my fingers, I was eating a piece of toast and one of our toilets was overflowing."

Sock Dance

The kids have been playing with my camera again. I discovered these pics when I uploaded it yesterday. [Note to self: potential blackmail material.]

Preacher's Kid

My dad is a minister. He's been a pastor, a military chaplain, a hospital chaplain, and now an interim preacher. That makes me a preacher's kid, something people find intriguing.

EXAMPLE 1.
Everyone: "What's it like having a dad who's a minister?
Leslie: What's it like having a dad who's not a minister?

EXAMPLE 2.
Almost Everyone: There are only two kinds of preacher's kids. Are you the really good kind or the really bad kind?"
Young Leslie: The really good kind.
(Older Leslie: None of your business.)

It also intimidates people. I once invited a college friend to go home with me for the weekend. She got all freaked out.

Friend: I can't go stay at your house!
Leslie: Why not?
Friend: Because I sin every five minutes!

Friends have often said they feel like my dad can see right through them. That's just a combination of their guilty consciences and my dad's propensity for looking people in the eyes and truly listening to what they say. There's no way he has x-ray vision or I wouldn't have survived my teen years.

Luckily for me, perfection wasn't part of the preacher's kid job description. My dad would assure you it wasn't part of his job description either, but I think he comes pretty close.

Father's Day

In honor of Father's Day, here's my dad.

Dad growing up, up, up.

Dad holding baby me.

Dad ready to escort me down the aisle.

Dad seeing Cambryn for the first time.

My dad has always been very proud of his family; there's never been any doubt about that. Likewise, I've always been very proud of my dad. He's my hero.

Dad, thank you for making me. I love you.

Older Now

I've aged a year since my last post. I figure it's better than the alternative.