Paradise Vacation

Sitting in Dallas at work, it's hard to believe that just a few days ago I was thick in the middle of arguably the best family vacation ever...

We took off last Thursday for Sanibel Island, Florida for 5 days of relaxing and celebration -- It was our 10-year anniversary! We hit the airport early and were in the air before the kids would have been in school on a normal day. We got to Tampa at around noon, ready to cruise along the coast for the 2 hour or so drive to Sanibel.

NOT SO FAST!! First there was the little issue of baggage -- like the kind they left on the runway back in Houston instead of sending along on our plane... We (especially Katie) were more than a little pissed off, especially since that was NOT the way we hoped to start the vacation, but after we agreed that a little swimsuit investment could cure the issue, we were back on track. The bags finally arrived after 1AM, but by then we had settled into island life for a few days.

That night we hit a restaurant that we enjoyed last time Katie and I were down there -- the Island Cow. They had a guitarist playing and singing on the back patio while we waited for our table, and the kids climbed around on the Banyon tree and the Tiki Bar. That's when the crash came: Porter was trying to get down from the Tiki Bar and face-planted directly into the concrete. Long-story short, he ended up with a huge knot on his forehead [about the size of a golfball], black and blue; scraped his chin and upper lip, just below the nose, and generally didn't like how he ended up feeling.

That was the worst of it, though, and for the rest of the trip, I couldn't have asked for a better time. We chartered a boat on Saturday that took us out of a marina on Captiva out to Cayo Costa, a fairly deserted island north of Sanibel/Captiva that was full of shells just for us. The boys loved the boat ride and once on the island had a great time just being free on the beach. We found tons of awesome shells and sand dollars that we brought home.

When we got back to the marina, Katie broke out the picnic lunch she packed up for us and we ate under the palapa dockside, watching manatees play in the shallow water around the piers. The boys had never seen a manatee so they got a real charge out of that -- and so did I.

The rest of the days were filled with bike riding along the trails throughout the island, seeing the sights (lighthouse at the end of the island), shopping, cooking out at the cabin, and watching the sun set each day.

The boys loved the pool and made friends with some girls just about their age or a little younger. Katie and I had a good time getting to know their parents, Chris and Natalie, and we remembered that one of the best parts of an island vacation is the people you meet.

Sunday we even dropped in on the Taste of the Island festival in the city park -- complete with live band and all. Monday we headed into Ft. Meyers to the Imaginarium [hands-on museum] and then back to Tampa for our flight home.

The rest of the week pales in comparison -- back to the daily routine of work and school and business travel. But that's what makes vacation time special -- the fact that each of us, kids included, earn it in our own way.

I want these types of memories forever.

Building a boat

Over the weekend, we spent some time at the lake with Mom and Row, and to pass the time, we built a boat. Or at least got a really good start at building it. There's still work left, but by the time I packed the boys into the car for the ride home, the boat had taken shape and really looked great.

We had gotten Row a boat kit a while back and he gathered all the rest of the materials so that we could get started right away on Saturday. That day was the hard part -- lots of prep work sanding and joining boards to make double-length pieces. We had 50 and 60 grit sandpaper and a circular sanding attachment for the drill, but it was slow going, and hard work. I'm still sore in the legs and back from bending over / squatting to work the sander. Next time, we'll use coarser paper!!

The boys 'helped' for a while, until they got bored. But they liked the sandpaper and the power tools. And they liked hanging out in the garage. When the real work started, though, I think they really didn't have much to do (I'm not going to let them use the drill, for instance...), so they hit the hot tub!

Sunday we got up and started putting the sides together and attaching the support rails / ribs that give the boat structure. Kenneth came in late Saturday night and he was a sure help in getting everything put together -- except for cutting into the side of the boat with a circular saw, of course! I saw it coming and couldn't stop him before it was too late... Oh, well, that's what patch work is for --

We're not done yet, though... Row is going to get the epoxy / sealant that will waterproof the boat and make it truly seaworthy. The plan is to have it ready to take out by Fathers' Day.

Keb Mo in Tulsa

Having the job I have certainly involves its drawbacks -- travel, stress, long hours -- but it has its great benefits, too, like this trip to Tulsa. I'm in town for a new engagement that kicked off today -- and I also had the chance since I was here anyway, to catch a show by one of my favorite blues artists, Keb Mo.

He was plaing at Cain's Ballroom last night and I figured that since luck was staring me right in the face, I should buy a ticket!! This is the second time I've caught a Keb Mo show while on a project -- the first was in LA at the House of Blues on Sunset. Last night's show was just as good as I remember the first one being -- Just Keb and his rythm man, Clayton, playing the blues and telling stories.

Cain's is a fairly intimate venue, about half again larger than Gruene Hall, and about the size of the little theater at the Hobby Center. But unlike the posh Hobby, it was more of the nature of Gruene -- a historic dancehall, first and foremost.

Show was great, although I could have done without the drunks next to me running back and forth to the bathroom/bar, etc. By the time it was over, I was glad I took the chance to go see the show --

My only regret was not having someone to share the music with -- I caught myself so many times thinking how much Katie would have liked a particular song, or story; or how Pid would have loved the show -- every ounce of it; or how I noticed that they sold earplugs for $1, that I surely would have gotten Jackson before the show went on. Any of them, or all of them, would have made the music mean that much more to me, but I enjoyed it every bit.

So with the good comes the just a bit less good -- great show, but want next time to share the experience and the memories. We'll see Keb again, though -- that's for sure.

Vomit, Puke, Spew

Today is the first Astros Buddies game, and we went to it -- but only for a few short minutes!! Just before game time, as we were getting ready to walk out the door, Porter said, "I feel like I need to throw up..."

And he did. All over the hall. Then again. Then I picked him up and got him to the toilet. And he spewed some more.

But after that, he said he wanted to go to the game! We got his teeth brushed and his clothes changed, and headed down to Minute Maid Park. But it was far from over...

Without the rest of the details, we got there, spent some time in the kids zone, but then realized that it was time to head home. We got the boys' Buddies loot -- a backpack bag and two toy cars each -- and our 'Believe' wristbands, though. As we were leaving, three different people asked, "Why are you leaving so soon?!?!" Sick kid...

So now it's hanging at home, soothing Pid's sore tummy, and listening to the game on the radio (no TV tonight...)

I'm sure Pid will be back to normal in the morning, of course, but we'll make sure he's comfortable tonight -- I know how that goes...

Another year; Significant Loss

Long, great weekend -- with significant loss for the world's faithful. Pope John Paul II died on Saturday afternoon around 2PM Houston time.

This past weekend was my birthday weekend -- I spent much of the day on Friday in meetings talking about business, but knew throughout the day that the pope was near the end of his time. I hoped he wouldn't die on my birthday.

That night Katie, the boys and I headed to the Armadillo Palace (the new Goode Co. place) for a beer and sodas, then over to the taqueria for dinner. The boys made me a cake (with Katie's help) and sang to me before we went out, and the cake was really good...

Saturday was a huge day, with Zoobilee (the members-only Zoo party), then the boys headed out to a friend's birthday party, then us out as a family to the Astros game. And of course, the Holy Father died in the afternoon.

Sunday was an 'around the house' day, which we needed -- lots of hanging out, playing in the yard, chalk on the sidewalk, running in the neighbor's sprinkler, jumping in the jumper... And a family ride in the Mini to Niko Niko's for lunch.

Well, I had a good weekend -- and recognized the blessings of life -- one that made for a bittersweet birthday, but one that I was glad to have spent just as I did.