Tuesday's Blog...

Jim talks...

...about tubing.

fireside chat w/marsha

there was a stranger in my bedroom.

Starring Marsha.  Produced and directed by Liz.  Taped in front of a live studio audience.

Family Involvement Blog

Alrighty Mason Family Bloggers and Blog Followers,

What are you most looking forward to doing on Mason Family Vacation, Tribesman 2009?

Mason Family Vacation 2009

In 5 weeks and 3 nights we will all be cozy in our Tribesman beds. It's okay to be excited.

Doug's birthday in Texas

The evening was filled with activities, laughter and fun!  Pool, grilling, s'mores all ending with a very competitive game of Settlers of Catan.  The only thing missing was Gene, but somehow we managed.

It all was great, but I must say it was the s'mores that this party animal enjoyed most.  It took a few minutes to decide if we were going to sit around the fire pit or roast marshmallows then retire to another area of the back yard...but Liz and Doug made the decision, the pit was the hot spot to be.  To be truthful I did not know that you had to be organized in making a s'more...but after 50 years I guess I was doing it all wrong...Liz and Doug came to my rescue and got me organized.  I could certainly tell right off the bat who belonged to me when Liz dropped her marshmallow on for ground and promptly got a new one.  Doug pickup the one on the ground and announce "well... I'll use the one that fell"...YUCK Doug!  

Once we had our marshmallows browned to perfection (Doug and mine would be considered blackened) we proceeded to the construction phase.  Now Doug insisted on the 2 marshmallow method, we all fell in line and did likewise, why wouldn't we they were there.  Anyway, once Doug got his  built he said "Oh I remember the greatness of double marshmallows, but the one I had in April was the best ever".  I am not sure which was funnier, the statement or the fact that he had melted marshmallow on the side of his face that made it look like he was foaming at the mouth.  We all were making fun of him when our attention moved to Liz who had her newly constructed master piece falling into her milk and stringing down the front of her.  Did I mention that Marsha was filming the above events?  I hope she posts her award winning video for our viewing pleasure.  

 We all were checking in ourselves for s'more  remnants.  Marsha was taking pictures of herself, then inspecting them to make sure her face was free of leftovers.  I know you must be wondering why I used the term leftovers.  Well it seem appropriate, considering when Doug was told he had chocolate on the bottom of his foot, he proceeded to lick it off, then say "yep it's chocolate alright"...YUCK Doug what if it had been something else!  Then when Marsha announced she had chocolate on her leg and Doug said "I'll take care of that". Sandy did you not teach him what a wash cloth was? 

The party then moved inside for a cut throat game of Settlers of Catan.   Marsha  engaged in table talk with Doug in an effort to block Liz's longest road and in hopes of preventing her from winning (she won anyway).  Willis I am not sure why they would not trade me with the promise of ore!  So what if I did not have a settlement anywhere near ore, I did not think I was being unreasonable.  What do you think?

Wishing the rest of the gang was here to party with us.

DON'T WEAR OUT YOUR WELCOME!

Greetings from Deep In The Heart of Texas! Of course, this is Doug's 30th birthday week long celebration and we just had to come and hang out with our Aunt Pam, Uncle Gene, and Cousin Liz. Not to mention being able to stay in wonderful accommodations, beautiful and quiet Texas country surroundings, a brand new pool!, pool basketball!, pool floating!, pool h-o-r-s-e!, and did I mention a brand new pool!. Staying at the Mason's in Texas, lap of luxury, right? Or, so you think....Marsha and I have now been on several trips to this house, and things may not be what they seem...

Okay, upon the initial first glimpse of the house, and when we first got out of our car EVERYTHING LOOKED OKAY. Then, we saw the pool. Is it bad when a swimming pool more resembles the watering and swimming hole for the cows behind the house I grew up in? See picture. Enough said.

We walked into the house where a smiling Liz and Pam greeted us warmly. We thought, okay no big deal, maybe we can't swim but we can sure do a lot of other fun things. I mean, this is family, right? That's as far as we got. The next moment, Gene flies into the room and tells us to "STOP USING WATER". I mean right now! Marsha was in the middle of making herself an ice water (shout out to Jimbo!), Gene jumps across the room and slams the faucet down saying, "WE HAVE TO CONSERVE WATER"! It seems that we have to conserve the water in the holding tank because all the water from the well is being diverted to trying to refill the pool. Okay, so no pool, can't drink ice water (shout out to Jimbo!), flush the toilet, or take a shower. Awesome.

Now, many of you that are familiar with Doug and Marsha know that we are pretty positive, optimistic people. So, we took the high road, and decided to make the most of it. We decided to then play a few races on the Wii MarioKart; it was fun, but here's the problem. WE GOT THIRSTY!!! This generally tends to happen to the human body after no water for 4-5 hours. Gene then decides we've got to have water and a place to go to the bathroom (at least a place where we can flush) so we decide to go out to eat. Gene decides to take us to Fort Worth to a place called Pappacito's because they have really good ice (inside story maybe for another blog). The ice WAS really good. Anyway, Fort Worth is an hour away, so after a great dinner with all utilities working, we get home about 10:30.

Now, for the kicker. Upon pulling into the driveway Gene gives us the option of getting out before he pulls into the garage or after we pull into the garage. We decide to get out after we get into the garage. Gene hits the garage door opener, he hits it again...and again. Hmmmm....what's wrong? It's not working.....we glance at the house as a whole, it seems to be dark...we look at the security light...dark. WOW. WE NOW HAVE NO ELECTRICITY!!! So, I end this blog with no water, no electricity (also no A/C), and no pool.

Now, a warning to all the Masons possibly considering a trip to the Texas Masons: DON'T WEAR OUT YOUR WELCOME! We may have gone to the well one too many times.

More from Doug's 30th birthday celebration week coming soon!

Love you guys!

Good News!

Well....

I started summer semester last night, and let me say WOW was I overwhelmed.  So much to do this week, and so little time to get it done.  I also found out that the professor that I had been looking forward to having in Group Counseling Methods will not be teaching the class this summer.  After looking at the syllabi for all 4 of the classes I was registered for, I decided to drop a class.  Which means.....

I am going on Mason Family Vacation 2009.

I will not be arriving late, I will not be faking swine flu, I will have no class that week!!

I am feeling SO good about my decision.  I still have A LOT of work to do, but it feels SO much more manageable.  I talked to my advisor this afternoon.  The class I dropped will be offered in the Fall, it will NOT overlap with the other classes I need, and the professor I want will be teaching it.  

priceless...