Catishin'

David Anderson, James Garner and myself bought a guided catfishing trip in the Rocky Mountaion Elk Foundation auction a few months ago and Friday night we were finally able to take the trip. We had a BLAST!! The guide, The Catfish Consultant and Bait Boy did absolutely everything except reel the fish in. We actually did that. We left around 5 p.m. and didn't get home until almost 3 a.m., having spent 8-plus hours on the boat. This trip redefined how fishing should be done. Our Bait Boy - I still can't remember what his real name was - took care of rigging all the poles and even casting them out. All we had to do was sit around and wait for a fish to hit. Then whoever could grab the pole first got to bring the fish in. The two of us who id not get on the pole would just LOUDLY cheer the "fisherman" on. We are already planning our next trip and will be enjoying a good fish-fry on Sunday evening.

With our yellow cat. I get to claim it because I was the first to grab the pole when the fish hit. It is the biggest yellow that the guide has ever brought in.

David reeling. It looks like he has a big fish on but he was just caught on a log.

David at sunset.

Our haul!

My big blue cat.

Enjoying a good cigar at sunset.

James celebrating his first catch.

James and I enjoying our cigars. Waiting for a fish to hit. It was a tough job.

The fishermen.

David astonished by his big blue.

Fighting another big one.

James is working hard while David cheers him on. Everything is funnier and more fun if you are loud!

David is actually catching a fish here. It wasn't a log this time.

Garden Update

Well, we are officially into the growing season and my garden has really taken off. Those of you that know me pretty well know that I tend to get a little overzealous about things and go all out. Well ... I've done it again. I definitely planted too many plants in my garden. It is so grown up that you can't even seen the dirt anymore. 16 tomato plants, 11 squash and 3 cantalope plants take up a lot of room. Here are some pics of my first batch of vegetables. I have over 30 tomatoes on the vine as well as 20 squash. I planted the cantalope late so they are not anywhere near ready to produce. I can't wait to eat my first tomato!!

Its Official ...

I have passed in to middle age as I now have become a gardener. I built a 98 sq. ft. garden in my backyard that holds 16 tomato plants and 11 squash (green and yellow) plants. I am very excited. I plan on eating a tomato with every meal. I planted some "big boy", "celebrity" and "cherry" tomatoes. I really enjoy working in the yard. As you can see from the pics I have 8 trees that I have planted in the 5 years I have owned this house. I also built a shed and the covered deck that you see. This week I have also been working on transforming one corner of my yard in to a huge flower bed that houses a climbing terrace for a passion flower vine, some tulips that my grandma gave me that came directly out of her mother's garden. She has been keeping them alive ever since her mother passed away over 15 years ago. I also purchased a couple of large moss rocks and planted some bouganvillas, cactus, ice plant, hearty hibiscus and yellow mums. I think it is going to look really good when everything grows in. Also, notice my garden helpers. My plaster owl and rubber snake keep watch over my garden in order to keep the birds away. I have a BB gun for the ones that aren't scared off.

Wims Fun Run

This past weekend we participated in the Wims Fun Run on Saturday in League City at Clear Creek High School - where Brad used to be a teacher. Saturday was an amazing day that allowed us to offer emotional and financial support to Brad's family on Saturday morning by participating in the fun run before celebrating Brad's life at his memorial service in the afternoon. Brad was an amazing man and left behind a wonderful wife, two beautiful kids and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly. The 5K was a huge success as over 400 people turned out to raise money for the Brad Wims Memorial Fund that has been set up to for Zeke and Kaelyn's education.

Our gang following the run. Bryan, me, Josh, Sheridan, Allison, Scott, Lisa, Hogan, Lolly, Callie, Gates, Beck and Jack. The starting line.

Jenny and Zeke walking towards the finish line.

Bryan and Callie.

Gates and Hogan running the kids 1K.

Callie taking a break from running. She definitely ran more than any of us.

Beck and I starting strong.

Finishing the kids 1k Gates and Beck.

The kids with their ribbons.

He Finally Made It

My friend Brad Wims finally made it home to see his maker. Brad endured a long battle with cancer and fought valiantly, faithfully and with the upmost character. He was called home on Monday, March 2. The thought that keeps crossing my mind is Brad's love for singing and praising God in song and how has now joined the chorus of angels that surround our Lord with praise and awe!

I picked this pic of Brad because it shows me so much of how he lived his life. Brad was a servant that always picked people up and carried them. Giving them the strength and encouragment they so desperately needed. I love this pic because it is how Brad will be remembered. Strong, active, serving and full of life. Even carrying someone down the highest mountain in SE Asia - Mt. Kinabalu - brought a smile and joy to Brad's face.

Brad you made it home and you will be dearly missed. Your family will be in my prayers and will be taken care of until we can all meet with you again.

Latest News

Obviously I am not very good at updating my blog. I guess because I haven't had any super exciting adventures lately. Although I don't have any exotic or really adventurous pics to post, I do have some pics that are really exciting to me. Pics of Brianne and I. Since all my free time the past month has been spent with Brianne I figured I better post an update about her. I am sure she will really appreciate it! I have been dating Brianne Alexander for almost two months now. We have had a great time together. She lives in Dallas so we do not get to see each other every day but we definitely made the most of the time we have spent together. We have spent time in Corpus, Austin, College Station and Dallas doing a variety of different things. We hung out for a week in Corpus - her hometown - with Josh and Sheridan and her family. We spent a week in College Station - my home - as well as one week and several weekends in Dallas and a weekend in Austin for her brother's wedding. Our birthday's are three days apart so we had a fun weekend celebrating in Dallas in January. Anyway, I am not much of a writer so I will just post some pics. Enjoy! With my birthday present from Brianne.

Brianne with two of her best friends - Alicia and Lisa.

After my birthday dinner at Benihana's.

At the park by Brianne's apartment.

Brianne wearing the "Party Hat" for her birthday. We all had to wear it.

Brianne riding in the back of the truck at the beach in Corpus with the Leftwich family.

Theft, Friends and Fun

Well, obviously it has been quite a while since I last updated the reason being my computer was stolen several weeks ago and I just got my replacement the other day. I was having lunch with my brother at Chili's a couple of Sunday's ago in Robstown - just north of Corpus - and someone busted my window and stole my laptop and GPS. Plus I have been traveling around quite a bit the past month. So, here is what has been going on.

I spent about a week in Corpus staying with Josh, Sheridan and kids and hanging out with Brianne - the blonde in the pics below. I spent the week after Christmas down there and we had a great time. We went to the beach one day and flew kites and jumped off some sand dunes. It was really fun. Sheridan is a great photographer and really got some awesome pics. We also did a thing called "geocaching". It is a worldwide GPS scavenger hunt where you look up coordinates on the website - www.geocaching.com - and go out and try to find them. It is a lot of fun and there are "caches" hidden all over the world.

The rest of the time I have been spending time with Brianne when possible. She lives in Dallas so we have had to travel quite a bit to see each other but it has been a blast and she is great. We have spent a few days in Dallas -where we went to Six Flags - as well as College Station and even a weekend in Austin for her brother's wedding.

It has been a really fun month but it has not been without bad luck. Besides my truck getting broken in to, I got a speeding ticket on I35 in Austin and I lost my wallet. I had to replace all my credit cards and license as well as the wallet that I had just purchased. But what really stinks is I lost my Freebirds VIP card that allowed me to buy-one-get-one-free EVERYTIME I go. Now I am paying full price again for Freebirds.

Brianne and I at her brother's rehearsal dinner.

Gotta love the crosseyed pics! Always makes me laugh. My mom still tells me that my eyes are going to get stuck like this.

With Hogan and Josh at a burger joint in Corpus.

The Leftwich family at the site of our first "geocaching" find.

Gates and Elisabeth with the first "geocache".

Jumping the dunes at the beach.

More airtime!

Josh taking a leap!

Brianne swinging Beck around.

With two of my favorite kids - Beck and Gates.

Jumping with the Leftwich kids. I have so much fun with those kiddos.

Brianne entertaining the kids at Sheridan's brother's house.