Just Vegging

It has been so long since I have written a blog I have almost forgotten what to do! However, Julie reminded me a glass of wine in one hand makes the words flow more easily!!

So since I last gave you an update of Houston life we a have entered World Cup fever and last weekend we spent the USA vs England game in a bar in Midtown - it was packed I mean so busy you were lucky if another person could have squeezed through the door. Amazingly they were still serving food through the mayhem! Anyway we all found a break away place to stand that was pleasant enough to comfortably watch the game and cheer for USA! As you will all remember it was a draw and both goals were pretty dismal. We ended up staying out for dinner getting to meet the cutest puppy every - just 10 weeks old (cant remember the breed - wheaten terrier perhaps?). Laura fell immediately in love with it and offered her dog sitting services anytime.

Sunday morning I rang Mum and Dad early as I had been told Mum was very sick. Fortunately she sounded better on the phone but the week has been pretty bad for both of them with chronic D&V ! No more details required, but I was pleased to hear they are both managing solids again.

Sundays cycle was an epic journey doing some 38 miles. Bill and Stuart had worked out the route earlier in the week and were pleased to share it with Amy and I (John is still off cycling after his op). Bill turned up to Amy and John's 30 minutes early thinking we were cycling at 0630 - however, he had actually written 0700 to the rest of us so he was a little upset when we eventually showed up - mind you Bill that is what comes with old age :) Amy got stung by a bee en route so it was a quick stop in Walgreen's to get her some antihistamine to stop the swelling before heading back in the heat. Let me tell you by 8am you can feel the heat and two little water bottles just don't cut it.

That evening we had the block party in the cul de sac the same as last year. It was much better knowing people this year and the mosquitoes stayed away - well at least from me, poor Stuart got attacked he obviously missed with the Avon Skin So Soft! Once again one of the neighbours cooked all the meat and we all brought side dishes. The mini toad in the holes went down well again, and Stuart made banana wrapped in bacon - which I think most people enjoyed once they got past the weirdness of it.

By Monday evening I had had it. We had a weekend of early mornings and late nights although I was mostly not drinking - Roger will be pleased to hear! By the time 7:30pm came and I was snoring on the sofa, and by nine I was actually in bed!! Not to mention I had the 5am swimming start.

I was pleased to get my extra long sleep although I mis-read the time at 0257 in the morning as 0457 and nearly got up to go to the gym! That would have been a bit stupid :) We did the most swimming I have done since going - 3000m in an hour. He only told us after but it did explain me panting with exhaustion and then the fact I could barely lift my hands above my head to wash my hair! The only good thing was I knew Thursday was going to be regular length because he is not that mean :)

Last night, Friday, we met up with Laura and Andy in Rice, and Laura and I specified no Gingerman pub we want a change! So we went next door :) On the way Stuart and I passed a lady in a big 4x4 who had driven straight into the concrete barrier on the edge of the freeway and it was sticking out at right angles to the road. Goodness only knows how it happened but even though the car was a write off it appeared she was OK. Laura took us to a french cafe in Rice for dinner and it was pretty good. The wine list was enormous but I was on water again (Roger please note!) and three of us had excellent salads whist Andy had a fine looking plate of lamb chops. We will go back as it makes a welcome change from the Istanbul Grill - although very good, you do always coming away thinking you are going to explode. So for those interested in the French number it is called Cafe Rabelais.

It was a 5:30am run again this morning and the humidity was reasonable so we set off for 7 miles with hills. I dont think I have mentioned we have been doing hill training - now anyone that knows Houston will understand how difficult this is! However, we have been running up a tarmacked ramp that goes up on to the edge of the reservoir in George Bush. It is not steep but long enough to a little lactic acid build up in the legs. Last week we did 4, but this week I convinced one of the other ladies to do 8 before she stopped. The run leader and I then decided to do one final one at speed - I think the rest of the group was shocked! It was a relatively quick turn around before I had to go out to meet Laura for boot camp training at her gym - god only knows why I agreed to it because I am now feeling stiff having done horrible arm and abs exercises - the leg bit was fine. However, we did not do it at a gym instead we did it under the Westpark tollway next to Bubba's Burgers shack. Everyone driving down the feeder was wondering what on earth we were doing I am actually surprised we didn't cause an accident! The best thing about it was that we had a Buffalo burger straight after! It is one of those places you wouldn't go to unless recommended as it is a shack and well hidden under the flyovers , but it had the best burger Stu and I have tasted in Houston - so another recommendation!

I had a cleaner come around to give me a quote for doing the house every second week as I am sick of all these wooden floors and the dust bunnies, as Stuart calls them, rolling around! We will see what she comes back with....

I am now suffering from a little sun burn after jumping in the pool when I got home, but apart from doing this blog it is going to be a quiet evening vegging in front of the TV. Cycling at 0630 with Bill tomorrow, no Amy or John as they are on vacation.

As you will see we found another cool insect to photo while in the pool!