The "Who Cares?" Stuff

In today's Houston Chronicle (not on the website, however), there's a little blurb and picture showing Jennifer Garner after "accidentally mentioning the gender of her baby." In the face of this and this and this, doesn't the Garner stupidity on the Leno show come under the "Who Cares?" department?

Rita's Saturday, 9/24

We were very lucky, and we are very aware that others weren't. Hurricane Rita kept veering east and north, and left us with just some wind and rain. Believe me, we're very conscious of how fortunate we are.

First picture shows Anne's cul-de-sac this morning, with only one house partially boarded up.

Second picture shows some leaves and branches in another neighbor's driveway and yard.

Third picture shows her house; everything's fine so far!

Rita

We're about as ready as we can be. The decision to stay here was actually made when we didn't leave for the interior of the state by Tuesday! Since then, the projected track of the center of the storm has shifted to the north and east, mostly east, which is slightly better for us in this part of the Houston area. These things are known to change quickly, though, so there's really not much to count on. But at least we'll all be together in one house for the duration.

Pray for us.

Tiring out the lively cat!

Playing with Indy each evening (and sometimes during the daytime) with her current feather is such fun ... I just HAD to capture the joy!

More trees, more trees!

I know I should be working on getting furniture for some of these rooms, but I just couldn't resist getting some trees and other plants in the front yard -- and as an added bonus, the lawn that was removed from the front was moved to the back yard, for a head-start on the little patch of lawn I would like to have back there eventually. I love the trees, and I have now added 9 to my yards -- 6 crape myrtles, 2 pines, and a live oak. Of course, those are in addition to the full-size trees that the builders managed to leave standing in my back yard -- one of the big attractions for buying this house in the first place!

Patriotic Week's Culmination

Yesterday was the Patriotic Parade at Kira's school, capping Patriotic Week. They decorated hats, paraded around the patio area, and stood all together to sing. It went by fast, but it was great fun to see all these little souls decked out in their red-white-and-blue best, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and singing songs for our country.

Little charmers!

It was hard to get a good picture of her in the group, though, because she was in the middle and because she prefers to be the social director for everyone else! This one's pretty good, though. She's right smack in the middle of all those hats and flags! It was a fun day for everyone.

Mix of emotions

Over the past week, we have all witnessed the terrible destruction and all the human misery and heroism brought on by Hurricane Katrina. We keep praying and donating.

However, our family had some happy celebrations, too! First of all, on Sept 1, Parker turned 10. His new Gameboy is testament to his joy!


On Sept 3, Kira helped her best friend Abbi celebrate her 5th birthday. The first part of the party took place at Libby Lu's, where each little girl could choose her own theme. Kira was turned into a rock star!














Finally it was Austen's turn -- officially becoming a teenager on Sept 4! In the picture below, he shows off his newest, most precious possession -- his TracPhone!


Happy birthday to all -- and again and again to Kira, who thinks that everyone's birthday is hers, too!