Nov 14, 2006

Well, I guess I have been a bit out of pocket for the last week or so now haven't I?? We decided last minute to take a trip to Balmorhea, TX to visit Eddie's Grandfather Daddy Jay. We have not been down to see him since Christmas of last year, can't believe it has been so long. He is 92 years old and still lives on his own in his own place. It is just amazing to me that he is still so self sufficient. Of course his age is catching up with him, and it is getting a bit difficult for him to get around. It is to be expected at his age though, we would all like to see him stay healthy and live forever, but unfortunately that can't happen. Eddie's cousin Cindy and her husband Marty were there this past weekend also so the five of us had a great visit. I woke up every morning to the smell of bacon being cooked...Cindy made breakfast every morning it was incredible. I could have gotten used to breakfast being made for me every morning!!
Balmorhea is in West TX, very, very close the Mexico border. The town is sooo small there isn't even a stop sign in the whole town..lol. I also think the local language is Spanish not English, being there can make you feel like a real minority in your own country. It takes about 7 and a half hours to get there and well in my condition with having to pee every 45 minutes of so, it took FOREVER to get there. My back was killing me also, of course, Eddie getting lost out side of Pecos did not help either. We were both about beat by the time we got there. The area reminds me of the real "wild west". Daddy Jay, Eddie's Uncle Charlie, are both real cowboys. Now, I'm not talking about people who think they are cowboys by dressing in boots and cowboy hats, I mean real ranching, sweating, cow herding, horse lassoing COWBOYS! These men really worked the ranch and Daddy Jay tells us stories of being 9 years old and running cattle over the Balmorhea mountains by himself. These guys don't go anywhere without thier cowboy hats, they are a part of their wardrobe, not just something to make them look good! Daddy Jay still owns a lot of land in Balmorhea and leases out the land to ranchers to run thier cattle on. The picutre above is of real Cattle running free around the lake in Balmorhea. I think Cindy said the cattle belonged to the McCoy ranch which is a really big ranch in TX, kind of like King Ranch. Daddy Jay sold a lot of his land to King Ranch who sold it to McCoy ranch. Eddie's Uncle Charlie has a farm and has wild mustangs that he herds... the whole area just amazes me. It is the only place in TX that I have been that actually has MOUNTAINS !! We went up to the Davis Mountains, in Fort Davis and took tons of pictures. It is just so beautiful... Of course, a few days in a row without modern civilization I am running and screaming back to Dallas...lol! I love to visit Balmorhea, but I also love coming home to what I consider "normal".
I have been feeling ok, I just can't beleive sometimes that I am already at 17 weeks! The 5th month has started I looked in the mirror this morning and still dont think I look pregnant. I mean I did not start this pregnancy out a "toothpick" so, the little weight I have gained only looks like I'm getting fat. Of course there is Eddie with his... "your not fat, your pregnant statement", but I guess what I am looking for the "bump", the pregnancy look , you know what I mean??!! I guess all in due time. My dr's appointment last week involved some more blood work for some more genetic testing, I got the results this afternoon and everything is fine! One more obstacle we have over come!