Author: dianegclark

I was privileged to get to horseback ride again yesterday. It’s been a bit. I love it so much. It’s so beautiful and peaceful out there. The horses have sweet and fun personalities. Yesterday I rode with my friend Becca, Karen who owns the ranch, and Allison and young Lexi, safety riders.

It was perfect weather. I rode Max who has one speed and is very safe and predictable other than not liking cows. I require steps to get up there and the straps on the shortest they can go which still leaves my toes in the stirrups.

The land is amazing. We wind through open grassy areas, woods, across and in creeks. We are accompanied by Harley, Ginger and Blue, ranch dogs who run out ahead and back to check on us, swim in the creeks, and attempt to chase cows. We chat some and also ride in silence, listening to the birds.

Yesterday we had a little excitement as the cows got out and into our path. The dogs got them riled up and a mama cow got protective. karen and Lexi had to ride ahead to try to round them up, leaving us to ride back with Allison. We were well into our ride and feeling confident so all went well. My muscles get a bit sore and my bum stays a bit sore after but not bad at all.

We end with helping take the saddles off and brushing down the horses and giving them treats. Horses get sweaty! They loved being brushed and treated. I think they enjoy the ride also.

I have worn the same brand bra for years. I bought them at the running store so they were probably sports bras but had skinny straps. They had pads removable pads. Since I can no longer pass the pencil test, I need more lift and separate. So I researched and started ordering bras. Whew! There are so many out there! It used to be when you needed new bras, you went down to Penney’s in the mall and some stranger would measure you and bring you a bunch of bras to try on. Now I do most my ordering online.

I tried, Truekind, eby, nuudii, boody, and underoutfit . I liked the boody bra but it isn’t very supportive. The honeylove and my undies are ok but not great. I like the eby bras and matching panties but they are see through and one doesn’t fit as well as the other even though they are the same style and size so it makes me scared to order another. The nuudii looked so amazing online, a sling for your boobs that you can do fun things with. But it is only a strap in the back which does not do well with back fat. Back fat is a fact of life.

I did find a bra at target that I liked, sort of a flimsy sports bra. I couldn’t find it again so grabbed a larger size at the Target in Denver.

I went to a women’s retreat last weekend and my roomie had the most comfie looking bra. Where did she get it? Walmart! Are you freaking kidding me? So I made a trip and purschased a Warner bra in blue. It fits perfect and it’s so comfy! 15 bucks! Who knew?

We didn’t get to be there in person but Facetimed and plan to go Memorial weekend. It is the first 1st birthday of a grandbaby I’ve missed.

June is so sweet. She has the funkiest crawl. She loves to wave at me. She has found her voice and expresses herself often, loudly. Her smile is earned. She wants to walk soon. She loves her Mama most and her daddy.

I love her and can’t wait to see her again soon. Hopefully she‘ll be healthy this time. Her family has had almost back to back illness her entire life.

I did a thing. I got the flier for this retreat and saw the Facebook post about it and I was tempted but decided not to go due to my bruised tailbone so I couldn’t ride and a work dinner Friday night. Then a slot already paid opened up and I went.

I loved it. The outdoors, the tents, the fellowship with other women, the ranch, the animals and nature. I think most people went for the actual content of the retreat, the worship and message. Not me. That’s not where I am in the spiritual walk right now.

I enjoyed the discussions, the connections. None of us have it figured out and we are all in very different places, personally, spiritually, making peace with ourselves, with our past, with God. And that’s ok. We all did our best to love and accept each other, to encourage and love each other. To connect. That blessed me.

And I loved the glamping, sleeping in tents, sitting by the camp fires in the evening and in the shade during the day. Even the barn was openish. I pet the horses and the dogs and listened to the birds, looked at the trees.

I’m glad I went.

We went to Newton yesterday after not seeing the grands for about 5 weeks—too long! When we pulled in the driveway I saw the back of Eleanor announcing our arrival to her mom, so excited. Henry ran and threw his little arms around me.

The kids loved their st Patrick’s day gifts, TY lambs named Mary for the boys and an Elsa for Eleanor. She loved it! She said Thank you, dammaw repeatedly, hugged Elsa and said, I love her. The boys discovered their lamb has the same birthday as Henry.

I played with Eleanor most of the day because Scott came along. We did slide down the nugget slide on the stairs and played a whole family game of monopoly discover. We piled in the cars to go bowling and ended up at Brahms having ice cream as there were no lanes available. Leah and I went shopping downtown just the two of us.

Eleanor and I played with the dollhouse, she had the rabbits talk to each other, put the baby in the mamas arms in the rocking chair, and set up a picnic for them in the front of the house. We changed her dress several times and danced to Let it Go. We also went for a little walk, just the two of us. She fell at one point and cried hard and let me hold her. I actually got a lot of little snuggles and hugs from both Eleanor and Henry. Eleanor said I love you to me repeatedly.

Henry cried when we were getting ready to leave and said he was sad grandma was leaving. I was feeling sad too. it’s so crazy to love people so so much.

Here is the only picture I took: Henry pretending to drive taken through the windshield.

I had a wild hair to go visit old friends Alexis and Jeff and I am so glad I did.

Left Manhappiness Thursday evening and spent the night on Joel and Kayla’s couch. They were on a trip. I accidentally stepped on the cat when I arrived so he left me alone. I woke up and left the house at 4am and drove to MCI (beautiful new airport! Must see!) and managed all the flight and airport stuff well, transfer Dallas to Houston.

Jeff picked my up in his giant truck and treated me like a queen. He is such a sweetheart. We went for an amazing brunch at a bougie private airport and watched the Bentley’s and jets and the little kids delight while eating yummy eggs, bacon, potatoes and English muffins with jam AND cinnamon roll French toast and sipping mimosas. I was soooo tired.

Jeff then gave me a driving tour of their housing development which I was very impressed with. Gorgeous houses of various reasonable price points set amongst trees and trails perfectly landscaped. There were several pools and play areas and a splash park, full gym and event space, outdoor yoga and gathering spaces and an outdoor theater.

Alexis and Jeff have a gorgeous, fancy yet comfortable home with a screened in porch, large fenced yard, luxury kitchen with a giant island, a spiral staircase, game room, theater, and luxury guest accommodations. Again, I was treated like a queen. I think the guest bed was more comfortable than mine at home. I slept and ate like a queen.

Friday night we went out to eat and I had a yummy steak and drink. A walk and bed early.

Saturday we went over Lake Conroe to a farmer’s market where I bought CBD for Scott and we walked over a cute pond. We went to the marina and fed giant catfish. Alexis and I laid out in the sun all afternoon at the pool. 81 degrees lovely. We ate pizza and had a driveway party. All the neighbors are close, the girls in a group text, and hang out every weekend on each other’s driveways, drinking and talking and watching the kids and dogs play. I loved it and their friends.

Sunday Alexis and I walked down and toured the model homes for decorating ideas. Fun. We then went for a massage (me, amazing) and Alexis (facial) at a nearby spa.

We drove all together over to the Woodlands to a downtown area that reminded me so much of the San Antonio Riverwalk. We ate at an Irish pub. It was chilly so we didn’t walk the riverwalk but it was beautiful.

The trip home was hurried as I made it just in time to see clients but the flights and drive home went off again without a hitch.

I am so happy for Alexis and Jeff and the life they’ve created. They are hopeful about having a baby after losing Avery. They like their jobs and love their home and neighborhood. This will be a regular place to visit. I am so glad I went.

Sunday, January 2, 2023, we had a birthday party to celebrate my amazing Mamacita turning 92 years young. All four nephews, including JC and Kristi from LA and all of their children, all 10 of them, came. Leah drove her 3 kids here. That made 13 kids under the age of 11 at our house.

I was absolutely thrilled with how it went. It was the first time Leah’s kids had met their second cousins. They hit it off so well, played together all day.

We all took photos and ate and had cake and ice cream. The kids made a video saying their ages, grades, parents and favorite things to do. It was so cut to see who was brave to speak up and who wasn’t. Even Eleanor stood up and spoke.

I turned 60 this year. It was a good year after a pile of years with so much loss. I did lose my Dad this year but he was so ready to go.

Emmet turned six, Henry 4 and Eleanor 2 this year. Mom turned 91.

Baby June was born. What a joy.

I qualified for and bought my own car this year, Lexi the Lexus.

Had covid a second time.

Started singing here and there again.

Chose friendships carefully and closed down my trust circle.

Ended a 10 year stint volunteering for Homestead.

Lost a dear friend to cancer.

Grew my therapy practice, hired my bestie Jamie and then three more therapists.

Finished Chauna’s clinical supervision and started with Jamie and Derek’s.

Learned a lot and grew as a therapist and a leader.

Settled into a good place with the coffee shop.

Set and lived by my personal values. Feeling healed and balanced.

38 years married and settled into a happy contentment.

2022 in the books.

The plan was for all the kids to come home after Christmas but Hannah had to work and I didn’t want to do Christmas without the kids so… we drove to Denver on Friday before Christmas and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas with Hannah, Kent and baby June then drove home on Monday.

The drive there was perfect. It had been crazy weather the day before and there were trucks all over the sides of the road in various wrecked states but it was sunny though cold for our drive. We listened to JD Robb again which is fun and I drove most of the way. Wilson is such a good car rider.

It was so amazing to see Junie. I love her so much. She’s 8 months old. She still mostly observes the world and looks in your eyes Ike she’s trying to read you. Food gets her excited but otherwise she’s content to squiggle in your arms and play with toys. She’s a snuggly baby, snuggles for naps. I took care of her both mornings while Hannah worked, one so Kent could go to the store and one so he could sleep in.

The kids made a fabulous meal and Scott helped. We had short ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, ricotta dip with brioche and a fancy salad. I made Christmas crack that we made ourselves sick on all weekend.

We did our gift exchange and drove to Lookout mountain and attempted to go to a light show that was sold out. I took Junie for a walk in her stroller along the creek. Otherwise we just visited and played with June. I loved every single minute of it.

The drive home went quickly as we finished our book and then sang karaoke the rest of the way. And Scott drove more.

Part Two

The next day, Joel and Kayla and Leah and her family came. What a whirlwind! The kids bring a noise and activity and mess level that is a lot but fills the house with joy. We did presents, so fun and the boys loved their scavenger hunt for their bikes then ate ham and scalloped potatoes and salad and rolls then played and played and watched Christmas movies. Elf of course.

Wednesday Leah and I took the kids to MHK Play Studio and they loved it. Larry and Jo came over and I took a 2 1/2 hour nap. We did stockings and the kids loved those things too. Joel and Kayla headed home. We let the kids sleep in Thursday morning and then they headed home.

A lovely holiday.

We went to KC Wednesday night to meet friends Eric and Vicky and watch the Eagles at Sprint Center. We drove into town and checked into the Hotel Phillips. It’s a beautiful, old hotel right downtown, surrounded by high rises. Joel met us in our room then walked us to the streetcar and joined us for dinner. We had yummy queso and tacos at KC Taco Company. Joel then walked us back to the streetcar and accompanied us to The Power and Light district. We got a kick out of him helping us old folks.

The concert was amazing. Our seats were way up in the nosebleed section but we could see the whole stage and all the screens. They played the entire Hotel California album then two more hours. Vince Gill is amazing. The harmonies, the guitars, the drums…. So impressive. And then….they were joined by a full orchestra and choir. There is nothing like singing along with 17,000 people.

After the concert, we met friends of Vicky and Eric’s and stayed out late. The hotel was lovely. We had breakfast and drove home. A lovely evening.