George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Today I finally took the time to visit the number one of the top 10 things to do in College Station. The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum has a massive feel about it as you walk up to the entryway. Once inside, I was greeted with a big Texas A&M 'Howdy' by the sweetest, most energetic senior who possessed a huge, genuine smile. She is someone that no matter how your day is, you can't help but smile from the inside out in her presence.

The lobby is a wide open space but the rest of the building is jam-packed full of history, both personal and professional. There is so much to see, read and listen to that one could easily spend the better part of a day there. I really enjoyed the 18 minute film. Things that grabbed my attention: the plane hanging from the ceiling, an aircraft camera, and the large, model ships.

My best description of the inside would be to liken it to a walk-in life size pop-up book. Not to say it was childish, not at all, but there is so much to see in every direction, turn and twist. Outside it is beautiful and spacious. There are statues, a garden area, and a pond. The surprising part to me is that you can actually fish the pond; it is catch and release.

If you find yourself in or near College Station, TX, this is definitely worth the time.

Replaced HotPoint Microwave/Convection Oven

In the middle of fun filled Christmas cooking chaos our microwave/convection oven quit. There was no flash, pop or bang to let us know. The screen simply went black and it no longer would heat, although, the turntable would still spin. After trying to reset it, unplug and plug it back in to no avail, I went to Google and YouTube for answers. They had me fairly convinced that it might just be a blown fuse inside it. However, they also bestowed a fear of opening up a microwave without really knowing what you are doing.

At first, we were going to upgrade to a brand we knew and 'trusted' but that proved problematic as we shopped around. The main issue we had was finding a unit with the exact dimensions. Since neither of us are carpenters, and we really didn't want one smaller, we ended up just getting it replaced.

I am not a big fan of microwaves but I do like the convection part. Our stove and oven are not as large as their residential counterparts so if you like to cook and bake more that a couple of dishes at once, one of these units is helpful. What makes it go from helpful to needful is the fact that it is your exhaust vent and also the light directly above the stove. The vent being the most important. How do I know this? Ask me how many times one of us had to fan the smoke alarm because we forgot to open the door and ceiling vent fan... lol

Seemed easy enough: unplug it, remove the screws holding it up, take it down then install the new one. Honestly, it was just that easy...after I pulled out the original instructions to install it so we could begin in reverse without destroying our cupboard it was attached to.

With the help of a neighbor, the whole process of actually taking down the one and putting up the other probably only lasted about a half hour or so. We were so excited to be back in business I straight away put it to work by baking a batch of cookies. We do hope it lasts much longer than the first. If not, I foresee one of us gaining some useful carpentry skills.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

A beautiful t-shirt kind of weather happened upon us so we decided to go check out some mammoths. We had gone to the park a few months before but it was so crowded, there wasn't even a parking spot. Luck was with us this trip. Although there were a couple of school busses, the lot was virtually empty. It was midday and the kids were finishing up their Junior Ranger activities under the shelter of a tent. 

We went inside the gift shop and purchased our tickets. The tickets have recently been reduced from $7 to $5 and double as bookmarks. They have tours every 30 minutes and they last between 30-45 minutes. I suppose it depends on the amount of questions.

Brad and I were it for the 1:30 tour, although, we were joined by another couple part way into it. My personal opinion: if you go and can either catch up with a group or wait for the next, wait for the next. They really pack a lot into the relatively short tour and you will not want to miss any of it.

In the semi-active dig site you will be able to see the bones of mammoths, a camel and an alligator tortious. There are also unidentified rib bones and a tooth [replica - the real one is tucked away somewhere] of a Saber-toothed tiger. Pretty exciting to imagine those animals roaming the very earth you are currently standing on.

If you are ever in the area, don't miss out on this treasure. More information can be found at www.nps.gov

I Love Our Truck, But... Engine Light Ram 2500

Seriously, I love everything about our truck. Everything except the engine light that has been randomly coming on for short bits of time and then going off. I have taken it in and of course, since the light isn't on, they can't find anything wrong. I've been assured by 3 different dealerships and the manual, that as long as it isn't blinking it is fine to drive, but boy, if it blinks you better pull over quick and call the emergency number for a tow or you may do extensive damage to your engine.

The first time it happened was right after the first oil change. We had left the dealer and had driven about an hour and a half when it lit up. Scrolling through the screens we discovered our fuel filters were at 8% but nothing else alarming. I checked my email for more information but there was no warning email. Looking at the manual, I was relieved to see that as long as it wasn't blinking it was ok to drive.  About that time, our salesman called to ask if we were pleased with the service. Of course, the light was now off and he had no great words of wisdom and wasn't able to tell me anything I didn't already know.

The next time it came on I actually received an email stating ! POWERTRAIN...your vehicle needs servicing. I called the dealership nearest us and explained what had happened. The service manager laughed and said the light has nothing to do with the powertrain, it is most likely an emissions issue. He was more than happy to look at it but could not fit us in until the following Tuesday. Unfortunately, we were leaving the following Monday. He again assured me it was fine to drive as long as it wasn't blinking. I thanked him and made plans for the next town.

The young man I had set up the appointment with met me as I pulled in. I went over what was happening, gave him the email and also a new email I had just received that morning stating everything was good. He was friendly and confident but concerned that the light was not on. He had a service tech go over it both for the engine light and the email I received in regards to the powertrain. As we earlier concurred, they were unable to find anything wrong. Lamar told me to bring it back as soon as the light came on again. I agreed and a few days later, Thursday afternoon to be exact, I pulled back into service. He worked his magic and pulled the code from the system. Turns out the code referenced the air suspension. I had our dogs with me and it was late in the afternoon so I agreed to bring it back in the morning.

The next morning he let me know he had done some research on it and was pretty sure one of the modules was having a communication issue. He would have his tech dig into it. I caught the shuttle back to the hotel and the dogs and I had a mostly uneventful day. About 1 o'clock I called him to make sure he hadn't forgotten about me. Close to 5, I called him again but this time to let him know Brad would be there to pick it up. His crew would drive by the dealership on their way back to the hotel so it made sense to have him dropped off rather than me picked up. This is when he let me know there is another truck there having the same symptoms as ours. It has been in and out of there a few times. Apparently, a different service guy and tech have been working on it and now have a request out to Chrysler. He went on to say that instead of working on both trucks, they would continue to work on the first one until they have a solution and then have us bring ours back. I told him I much appreciated not being the guinea pig but hoped that a solution would be on the not so distant horizon. He seemed an optimistic fellow and that by Monday afternoon they should know how to proceed and what parts to order.

Monday has come and gone without a solution. Lamar has kept in touch with me and given updates on what they have done with the other truck. He still seems very optimistic...

UPDATE: FEB 5, 2017

A software update was done on our truck. It has been about 3 weeks without the light coming on.

I suppose you will now have to wait for Part 2...

Detox, Christmas and Lesson From an 8 Year Old

It has been quite an eventful December. There have been good times and bad, anger and tears washed away with joy and laughter. It is a month of celebration but this year was much different than all the others we've spent together.

In our early days and every year since, Christmas was spent with Brad's folks. My first one with his family found me in a home with Santa's displayed everywhere, a full, classic tree bursting with ornaments from the past and waiting for more from the future, with bags and bags of gifts crowded around the bottom. There were teenage grandsons putting up lights and one young great grandson enjoying the spoils of love. The smell of cornbread was everywhere. Pa was stuffing Cornish game hens with quartered lemons, garlic cloves and onions. Mimi was having a great time surrounded by family, her favorite Ramsey Lewis cd playing in the background. It was a joyous time.

Over the next several years our Christmas celebration evolved as the circle of life marched on. First, we lost Pa. In this month that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we found ourselves mourning the loss of our patriarch, celebrating his life, the love and wisdom he had bestowed on each of us. Most recently, we laid Mimi to rest. That phrase 'to rest' makes me smile. I just don't see her resting now that she is reunited with Pa and other loved ones. I don't know what they do in Heaven but I'm sure whatever it is, they are doing it with gusto.

Early in December we took a 5 hour road trip to pick up a loved one wanting help. In the past, we gave the pros money to walk it out with him but we couldn't do that this time. The best we had to offer was ourselves, our unprofessional, inadequate selves. 'You can stay with us and we will do the best we can together.' It has been a standing, largely ignored offer for several months. I tend to be a pick yourself up by your bootstraps kind of person. I don't have much patience for people that have the opportunity for change but don't take it. My heart can be small and void of true love. Yet, here as hours turned to days, I found myself face to face with a grown man who was reduced to tears and ready to give up. I would say things like...

You've made it 3 days, it will get better. You've made it 5 days, it is getting better. Go to the workout room and break a sweat. Take the dogs for a walk. Imagine yourself working, living in your own place, your car in the driveway and your kids around - keep that picture in front of you. You have purpose.

Somehow we made it through the tough days and things may not ever be easy but they are easier. We are proud of him. It has now been around 30 days and he has a job and place to live with friends.

This year we are finding our way, making some new traditions, squeezing in as much love as we can as we go. Sometimes love is easy, natural, without much effort. Sometimes it isn't. Jesus spoke about the woman who anointed his feet saying, "her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." I believe He was saying that this woman understood her need for forgiveness and having received it, her heart was so filled with love. If we could grasp the forgiveness we needed from others, [in essence, the hurt, pain, anger we caused], we would love them all the more for extending it to us.

Our grandson Trent was with us for just over a week to finish out the month with much laughter and fun. He is and always has been 100 mph none stop from the time he wakes until his head hits the pillow. This visit was no different. We packed our days full with the highlight being a trip to iFly. Even so, life has a way of hitting us all from time to time. One day he came into the Fox visibly upset. When I asked if he was ok he said no. So I asked him to let his memaw hold him. He might be 8 years old but he isn't too big for his memaw. In one motion he leapt into my lap balling himself up and resting his head under my chin. Then in a shaky voice full of emotion he says, 'I don't want to be mad at my dad!' Stop and think about that for a moment. I've been thinking about it on and off since he said it. Anger is a fact of life. For some more than others but still an emotion felt by all. Yet, in the midst of our anger have we ever thought with as deep and intense emotion 'I don't want to be mad at __________.'? My young grandson has a heart that is tender and large, full of hope, love and possibility. There is a lesson in there for his ol' memaw.

December is over and January is roaring on. May Love continue to expand our hearts as we roll through the new year.