Hayride anyone?

Today Otis and LaWanda bounced through the Oregon countryside on a hayride and perused the pumpkin patch for the perfect jack-o-lantern-to-be.  Have you ever been on a hayride?  I went on a very scary hayride once, after dark.  The wagon got "stuck" in  a mud puddle and guys in Jason masks ran at us from the darkness with chainsaws!  Later, down the road, a guy swung down at us from an overhanging tree branch!  At least we didn't go through a cornfield full of zombies or vampires.  I've never had sooo much fun....

Have a Spooky Howloween!

Hi Catgirl Emma, Ladybug Mya, and Zombie Otis!  If you send photos of yourselves at Halloween (past or present) to sharoncloninger1@gmail.com or tomcloninger1@gmail.com, we'll treat everyone to a blog update asap.  

We love you!

Papa/P. Tom's phone number

Guess what?  Papa/P. Tom has a cell phone now, for the very first time!  His cell phone number is (512) 350-8857.  He would love to hear from you.

And he has an IPod Touch.  He'll be sending photos and videos out soon.

Work, work, and more work

Papa/P. Tom found out he'll be moving to a new area of the Department of Public Safety within the month.  He's very excited and happy; he'll be using his teaching and accounting skills in his new position, more than he has in his current job.

Mia/Shanana plods along, writing three proposals for decision after hours and on weekends related to water rights on the South Concho River in the San Angelo area.  During regular working hours, I spent about 19 days hearing the Rockwall Honda dealership case.  I'm so hopeful that the parties in my CREZ (something I can't remember right now-Renewable-Energy-Zone) case will settle. Otherwise, I'll be in the CREZ hearing November 2-5 related to placement of transmission lines to carry power from the windmills in West Texas eastward, and writing the proposal for decision over Thanksgiving.  Other judges will be working then too.  I've offered to bring a smoked turkey to the office if other people will bring the sides.  Please send settlement vibes to the CREZ parties!

Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival

Okay, I had to add one last Ojo Caliente photo.  Adios, Ojo! 

A little lagniappe for us as we entered Albuquerque early Sunday a.m. to catch our flight back to Austin:  the hot air balloons had just launched!

Ojo Caliente Weekend

October 7-10:  My friend Cheryl and I made our annual "girls weekend" trip,  back to Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, for the fourth time.  In years prior, we visited Skyler in Prescott, Arizona, and traveled to Sedona and the Grand Canyon; and visited my brother Martin in Miami.  But there's something about soaking in hot springs in crisp October desert air....

Our trip started with adventure at the Austin Airport.  We missed our flight because Cheryl was one of the randomly-selected passengers for security check.  It took fooooreeeeveeer!  Luckily, good old Southwest Airlines had us on another flight to Albuquerque within an hour and our morning adventure was soon soaked away in mineral springs and drowned with glasses of natural lithium water from the rusty old pump....

Until next year!

Welcome River!

It's official!  River is on his way.  He should be arriving in New York City in March 2011.  We can't wait!

Emma is a finalist!

On Saturday Emma was posted as a finalist in the Heart O'Texas Academic Rodeo spelling bee to be held October 9.  She out-spelled other fifth and sixth graders who were vying for finalist spots.  She also placed second overall in the math competition.  Go Emma!  We're all rooting for you, as last year's champion speller, to protect your title this coming Saturday! 

Skyler is now an officially licensed tattoo artist!

Skyler completes one of 50 required practice tattoos during his apprenticeship

Meeting the midwife

Amon, Anjanette, Laura (Anjanette's Mom) and Shanana/Mia all met Debra on Tuesday, the midwife who will deliver Orion or Jade.  We'll find out soon!