Lisa's Lounge

Just like her Aunt Lisa

2009-12-28T23:41:00.002-06:00

If you know me - you will really appreciate this photo. My niece is cut so close to my cloth that my brother calls her Lisa more often then her name, Krista. It's hilarious! We can't see them, but I can guarantee the socks are mis-matched.

Happy New Year Everyone!

And as I said on my FB page -

Happy New Year - may your blessings be plenty and your troubles be few... and may the Longhorns beat the hell outta 'Bama U!....

Vegas!

2009-11-06T08:08:00.003-06:00

Mike and I had a total blast in Vegas this past Halloween weekend. I saw lots of costumes. It was hard to take photos though - too many people!

In Millsison news... Ben is off to Louisiana this weekend (again - he was just there for Voodoo Fest at Halloween) for his "last" gig. Squint has found a permanent drummer. But he's going out with a bang! They are attending the Saints game Sunday evening.

Elway is doing well - kidney failure is still an issue, but the vet has him on some holistic medication that seems to really be helping. He has his moments, and he looks like a stiff little old man walking around, but still sweet as ever!

Edge - well, he's Edge. He is just now getting his voice back from his weekend of fun at Dog Boys. He also slept for 2 days. That means he had a great time!

Here are a few photos from the last couple of months...

In Mid-October we visited San Antonio and Sea World with Ryan and Laura Redfern and Kristin and Jef "Hahlwell". (Farwell and Hahl). Had a great time, and the weather was perfect!

SHAMU!
We visited Dallas in there somewhere with our precious little niece and her parents.
But those photos must be on my laptop cuz I can't find them.
We also had a huge family party in Hideaway with my family. Lots of birthdays to celebrate, especially Granddad's on the 25th of September.

And Vegas!

This was the view from our hotel room! Never hurts to ask for a free upgrade!

PING!

2009-09-24T22:05:00.001-05:00

Got my first taste of fall ball on the news tonight. Yipeeee! 5 more months to baseball!

The Night

2009-08-19T06:11:00.002-05:00

Well - it's official. Ben has resigned from the band, She Craves. He completely took me by surprise as I got home one evening and threw that sentence out there. "I resigned from the band tonight." Very simple...but the raw emotion was evident. The finale was at Emo's in Austin, and it was an awesome show. Tim was back on bass, so the original lineup played together to a packed house.

I can't let myself get too happy about this, because I know he'll be playing again. (I just hope the next time around is not as intense - 80 Kabillion shows in a year) But I'll enjoy the break! Wish me luck as the roller coaster ride goes on...

I had to use a flash to capture Ben, since the drummer is usually on the back of the stage in the dark! K got better photos of him. Probably here: . You can see them on Ben's Facebook page if you are on there.

Happy Birthday Elway!

2009-08-11T08:56:00.002-05:00

Our sweet boy is 14 today. Seems like yesterday he was running around like a mad man causing all kinds of trouble! :-)

Sigh... baseball memories

2009-07-23T07:56:00.003-05:00

Found this photo recently. It was taken in June, 1979. Greg Luzinski's nickname was "The Bull" and this photo shows why - he looks like a linebacker. A quote I found while searching the internet:
"At 225 pounds he (Greg Luzinski) is a doorway and a half. They could hold the Winter Olympics on his shoulders, balance Rhode Island on his knees, and plug up leaky dams with his feet." - Phil Elderkin of The Christian Science Monitor (1979)"

I'm pretty sure it was this game:

(other notables on this team - Schmidt, Rose... check out the Phillies pitcher: Tug McGraw! Yep, Tim's dad.)

So my dear friend Special K would have been but a couple of weeks old :-)

On the back of the photo I wrote - "Left Fld. Greg Luzinski, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astrodome, June 1979"

Not the beginning of my baseball love by any means - that started when I was about 5 and my brother was playing Little League at North Austin Optimist. I didn't want to go play on the monkey bars like all the other siblings, I wanted to watch the game. Back then they sold bags of candy to raise money for the league. David would send me door to door because he figured they couldn't resist a cute little 5 year old girl, selling candy so her " bid bwrudder" could play baseball. He eventually got in trouble when my mom found out. But not before more than 3/4 of his booty was sold!

Anyway, I love what this photo represents. It's hard to put it in words, but it just makes me smile. We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but my mother was a baseball fanatic. (go figure) Several times in the summer we would drive down to Houston, go to AstroWorld, and attend a couple of games. Oddly - we were not Astros Fans. We always rooted for the other team. Especially if it was the Cincinnati Reds. Huge Johnny Bench fans! If I remember correctly, these box seat tickets - that is actually how close we were behind the 3rd base dugout in the photo - were $4 each. But also, I was always the picture taker. Took me some time to learn technique, obviously, but I wish I could find all these old photos. I suppose they are lost - I have photo albums "somewhere". I moved about every 6 months in my 20's, so no telling. This photo was taken with a little 110 camera. The cartridges looked like this:

And my camera was very similar to this, complete with flash bulbs...

The Astrodome is long gone - at least as far as hosting Astros games. I've been to the new park once, and while it is nice, it didn't feel "real". I didn't hear anyone hawking "The Coldest Foam in the Dome".
I guess I am lamenting since UT Baseball has ended and I'm in that lull before Football begins. Seems to get me every year, so that explains the rambling.

Someone is 50 today!

2009-07-12T10:18:00.003-05:00

Happy birthday to my sister-in-law Anita!! Time flies when you are having fun I guess... I was 18 and she was 22 when she first dated my brother.
We had dinner at Razoo's - and Anita partook of the Gator Bowl. Well, she had a little help, but it is her birthday after all!

Afterwards we had an exciting Saturday night at the local IKEA with Cuzzin and her bf Alan.

Mockingbird Chronicles continued

2009-06-21T14:35:00.003-05:00

Sadly it looks like only one of the 4 eggs has survived to real birdie-hood. Mama Bird is very loud and flustered when we go out on the patio - or even if we just open the back door! Here she is all puffed up and squawking a couple of days ago:

Today I notice she enlisted help - there are two of them now, feeding the one little baby and squawking any time the back door is opened...

And here is what Mad Mama Bird is so fiercely protecting - a cute fuzzy little baby mockingbird!

MIlls Mockingbird Chronicles

2009-06-14T11:40:00.002-05:00

We have a nice hanging basket of flowers on the patio - well, used to be nice. About 2 days after we hung it up, a Mockingbird decided to build a nest in it. We discovered 4 little eggs - so we have been gentle when watering.

Today the Mama Mockingbird was really uneasy with the dogs and me being out there. She first flew off to this fence post -

Then braved the nearby roof - and finally just braved it and flew on in. You can just see her at the top center of the 2nd photo...

I went out to check the watering I was doing, and she was not there, nor did I see her anywhere. So I took a peek -

And now I know why she was so nervous! They look kinda gross, but it looks like they are still hatching, so hopefully they are okay.

More to come on the Mills' Mockingbird Chronicles...

(We'll have to keep an eye on a particular beagle)

Baseball... inning after inning after inning of baseball...

2009-06-01T23:04:00.003-05:00

As a fan of Texas Longhorn Baseball, I have already witnessed college baseball history several times. Saturday night, May 30, 2009, is now #2 in the greatest moments list. (#1 is of course being in Omaha in 2005, the last time Texas won the National Championship) I witnessed a 25 inning baseball game this past weekend. Thankfully, Texas won, because it would have really sucked walking out of Disch-Falk Field at 1:15am after watching just over 7 hours of baseball as the losers. This photo of the scoreboard shows the game to be in the 5th innning... but look at the time - that is 1:15AM - and that is the 25th inning.

I'd guess that 90% of the initial 7,000+ fans at the game stayed for the whole thing. The auxilary stands are shown here - so I know the main grandstand was full!

On the road to Omaha, we start with 64 teams that compete in 16 regional tournaments. Those 16 winners will now play in 8 super regional tournaments, for a best two out of three series. Those 8 winners advance to Omaha, Nebraska, for the NCAA Division I College World Series. Texas has had a dry spell - they have not been to Omaha since 2005. :-) I know I know... cry me a river. But it is a well known fact that University of Texas fans are spoiled.

Even though bronchitis tried to interfere with my fun - I did not go to work at all last week - I made it to all 3 games. That Saturday marathon about wiped me out!

I am looking forward to one more weekend at the Disch!

Brush with Fame

2009-05-18T08:04:00.003-05:00

We had a special guest at the UT baseball game yesterday (other than my new baseball buddy, Nicole...)

UNO!

Elway was visibly unimpressed... his response was "Uno Schmooono"

Edge was equally nonchalant...

Spring... Fleeting...

2009-05-13T08:09:00.002-05:00

Spring came and went already - we should be hitting the 100 degree mark soon. Or darn close to it anyway. It's hot!!

The University of Texas' baseball team won the "regular season" Big 12 Championship last weekend. The Big 12, for monetary reasons I'm sure, also has a Big 12 tournament. It's kind of silly. Doesn't REALLY matter who wins the tournament. Texas has lost the tournament before but still gone on to Omaha for the College World Series. The Longhorns will host a regional, and hopefully if they win that, a Super Regional. Across the country 64 teams play in a 4 team regional. Those 16 winners then compete in 8 Super Regionals. Those 8 winners go on to Omaha for the College World Series.

Too bad NCAA Football doesn't have a playoff system.

For clarity's sake, the below photo is not the Big 12 trophy, it is the "Lone Star Showdown" trophy that is traded each year between Aggy in Collie Station and Texas. It usually stays in Austin. I can't remember when Aggy won a series against Texas in baseball.

Nicole joined me for some sweaty baseball watchin' fun...

Ter Mater

2009-05-12T21:49:00.002-05:00

Looky! I've got termaters!

Why vacations are fun but then they suck...

2009-05-01T07:01:00.003-05:00

First, you have this...

Then you have to come home and go back to work.

We had a great time on the "Milburn" 2009 vacation!

Look at our cutie patootie niece!!!

2009-04-21T07:29:00.003-05:00

Malia shared these photos recently - Julia decided to check out Jake's bed. He's not so sure about it...

But Jules thinks it is hilarious!

Happy Birthday Julesy!

2009-04-14T21:52:00.002-05:00

Our baby niece is already a year old! She had her birthday party on Saturday, and unfortunately Uncle Ben and Aunt Lisa couldn't make. (Some deal about a Nooner reunion or some nonsense...)

So here she is with her crown! Love you Miss Julia!

What is up with this weather?

2009-03-28T08:20:00.007-05:00

It's freezing cold! Blizzards in West Texas? It's almost April.

I had a great time on my visit with Mike and our trip to Las Vegas. On Friday of my visit, Mike had something he had to get out at work, so I explored down town San Diego. After many instructions on how to ride the trolley, I of course still got on the wrong one... but it worked out! I realized it before it was too late, got off about a mile or so from where I meant to go, and walked along the PCH and Harbor Blvd back to where I was supposed to be. San Diego must be revitalizing down there - lots of cool stuff to see! I started down the "Greatest Generatioin Walk" on a gorgeous day...

Saw the USS MIDWAY museum, but didn't go in... it's on my to do list for the next visit.
Lots of Pearl Harbor and WWII memorials:

That famous photo is now a 20 foot statue:

There is a wonderful Bob Hope Tribute in bronze statues, called A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military - read about it at this web site.
Then I finally found my way to Seaport Village, a great shopping and dining area on the San Diego Bay.

San Diego is just plain gorgeous.

We had a lot of fun in Vegas, too. It was really cold there as well - and it even rained one day! We had a great view from our room at Bally's:
Our main event was to see the show Jersey Boys at the Palazzo, a new hotel by the Venetian. It was great! It is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It was one of those "Oh yeah, they sang that song..." things.
Mike managed to win some dough on a slot machine down town, so we had dinner at the Top of the Stratosphere. Food was okay, but the view is AWESOME!

Next up? K E Y W E S T ! ! !

Vacation Anticipation

2009-03-17T07:31:00.002-05:00

So we all know the mortgage business sucks right now. When it's busy and I'm making money, I don't have time to take off and have fun. Now it's slow, and I'm not, but hey - at least I can go somewhere and not be working the entire time! Pros and cons, pros and cons.

So first up, I'm headed to San Diego and Las Vegas this week. My seemingly annual trek to leave town during SXSW. Plenty has been said by me on that subject, so I'll leave it at that. I am looking forward to spending time with Mike!

Next - back to the scene of the crime!

Four years ago, on March 3, I was kidnapped by Ben and The Wilburns and taken to Key West. After a much told adventure of finally getting there - the weather was uncooperative - Ben and I got married in the Domestic Violence Room at the Monroe County Courthouse, very near Mile Marker ZERO. Shots and beer were all around... and my now infamous face plant on the sidewalk. Said face plant was a combo of no sleep, heat, a couple of beers, and well, the shock of being hitched! :-) After the face plant (no beer was harmed or lost in said accident) we found a hotel and it's restroom so that I could inspect and clean my wounds. That hotel was Island City House.

Guess where we are staying in April? Island City House! Now, some of the charm and coolness of that idea is a little dampened because Ben and his Bromantical Partner Jon stayed there a couple of years ago, but that's okay. We are all really looking forward to visiting Key West all together. And another Wilburn couple will be joining us to celebrate their honeymoon - a few months after their wedding. (Jon's brother Brent, who was also on the last cruise with us)

Woo Hoo! I love Vacation Anticipation!

Mother Nature

2009-03-04T21:47:00.002-06:00

can be so beautiful! These are straight outta the camera - auto settings. :-)

Living with The Edge

2009-03-01T08:02:00.002-06:00

I finally signed us up for school with Edge - only to realize the first class that is for the humans only is the night we return from Key West in April. I hope they will work with us - it's the last class of the spring. We don't want to school away his quirks - his bark does not bother me and the sock fetish is hilarious. But I do want the basics - sit, stay, come here dammit.... so he can have manners in public.

AAAAAHHHH.... Yes.

2009-02-21T22:39:00.002-06:00

Baseball is here! Didn't go to the opener yesterday, but there was a double-header today. It was Butt-Ass cold (to use a Benism) but fun! Texas played University of Illinois-Chicago. So far Tommy Harmon is undefeated as head coach. ;-) The stadium is all done and looks great - and the parking still stinks. The field has some new kind of FieldTurf - no dirt except for on the pitcher's mound. Very strange! (Check out the photos - looks like 60's shag carpet) Not many folks there today - Brown, Timothy joined me, and Alison, Alan, and David were all there. Good times are just beginning! And then I found out while watching the news that the UT Men's Basketball team achieved the impossible tonight - they BEAT OU!

HOOK 'EM!

Queso Bowl 2009

2009-02-09T07:46:00.003-06:00

We had the very distinct honor that many dream of but only few get to experience... Queso Bowl judges! I don't think I'm allowed to disclose the location - not yet anyway. Our friends the Hahlwells will be guest judges next weekend at a secret location, and then our two experiences will be up against each other, with the winner advancing to the next round.

Here's a blurb from the Queso Bowl My Space page:

"We love queso. Plain and simple. It's delicious. We are out to find what we consider to be the most bestest queso in all of Austin. We have selected 16 restaurants in Austin (many of which we have been to, but some we have not) that we think are contenders and created a set of NCAA-style brackets to help us work our way to the winner. We will be rating each queso on a scale of 1 to 10 in 4 categories. These categories are: 1 - Overall taste; 2 - Overall aesthetic of the queso and its presentation; 3 - Viscosity (Is it too thick? Too runny?); and 4 - Stamina/Longevity (how well does it hold up over the duration of the queso eating experience? Does it harden and become inedible if not eaten right away?) Will post our ratings for each establishment and blog about our experiences."

Last year Tim and Liz did all of the judging on their own. This year they have added guest judges to add more variety to the opinions. Which, ahem, was a very good idea. Considering who the 2008 winner was - I questioned their Tex-Mex taste-ability. I do feel somewhat superior, being a native and life-long resident of Tex-Mex land and all. But hey, it's their Queso Bowl. I am just a mere one time participant and full time observer.

Here's to Queso!

Winter doldrums

2009-02-09T07:38:00.003-06:00

Since this is normally a slow time of year at work, my brain tends to slow down as well. Been busy, enjoying movies and the warm winter weather...

Photos of the boys shopping for treats and also Super Bowl Party:

I was a little interested in the Super Bowl this year. Hate the Steelers (as all true Cowboys fans should) so I was for the Cardinals. But it was a pretty bad game... I think the Cardinals forgot they had a big game that day. So Kristin and I shoe shopped on line instead. :-) Here are some of the cool cats that came over to watch:

Golden Anniversary of my brother's birth

2009-01-17T23:15:00.003-06:00

Wow - He's always been my "older" brother but now he's just my OLD brother! David will be 50 tomorrow. He was born in Panama City, Florida - so NOT a native Texan. His wife and I mention that every chance we get - but truth be known he was back in Texas before either of us were born. In honor of his aged self, I'm digging up all the photos I can....

Yay for Chick Night!

2009-01-15T09:47:00.003-06:00

I am fortunate to have a great group of girlfriends to hang out with all those many times the Ben is on the road. Last Saturday my cousin (my top GF!) and Denise, the wife of the guitar player in Ben's band, came over. We hung out, drank wine, ate munchies from HEB's frozen section - and had a nice relaxing evening. We thought we'd complain about our men most of the time - but found that boring and solved the world's problems instead.

Last night I met up with Kristin and Liz - who I just don't get to see enough of any more - for sushi and wine downtown. The sushi was to die for, the wine excellent, and the girl time was AWESOME. :-) Thanks ladies! We started at Maiko's on 6th, then went next door to the Belmont and sat on their patio for some more vino. 10:30 rolled around and we had to get home, but I could have stayed much later, jabbering and catching up! I had agreed to Wednesday night because the band normally rehearses... turns out there was no rehearsal, so Ben and Tim (Lizzie's husband) decided a night at Bone Daddy's was in order.

I miss you guys! Here are some photos - the sushi pic does not seem to do it justice...

Special K