Goodbye Again

 

I have previously mentioned my last night in Houston proper, but I had one more stop before I left the Lone Star State for good. Instead of leaving my truck sitting idle for a long period of time at my apartment, my parents were generous enough to come down for my last supper (Tex-Mex, duh) and take the General back to Crockett for his own little summer vacation.

I see you trying to photo-bomb our picture, man in the back!

 

As is apt to happen before a flight out of George Bush International Airport, I stayed with my friend Mallory the night before so that she could take me to the airport.  But first I had to finalize some of my packing with a little help from my assistant.

I know you’d love to see your great godmother when I’m in Belgium, Paige, but I’m pretty sure that you’d show up on the x-ray screening

 

She even made time in her busy schedule to ride to the airport with Mal and me:

“NO PICTURES OF THE STARLET WITHOUT HER PERMISSION!!”

 

For some reason I didn’t get a picture with Mallory before I left and the next time I see her she will have had baby numero dos, Pressley!

And finally, for one more parting shot, I leave you with one of those cheesy sunset picture from the plane worthy of Senor Velveta himself:

 

Artist: Vertical Horizon/ Album: Go

‘Zat You, Santa Claus?

 

This morning (8:45 to be exact.. wah wah) I joined the Bell/Yartym clan for breakfast with Santa at the Aquarium restaurant!!!!!!  I had to explain to my friends at work that yes, there were children involved and I wasn’t going to, you know, meet Santa personally or anything.  I missed out on last year’s festivities so was happy when Mallory invited me to come along!

 

  

 

This is actually Paige’s second breakfast with the jolly one, but according to Greg, Mallory’s dad, at least she was awake for the whole thing this time.

Paige (looking as adorable as ever) and her cousin, Reagan (who is clearly not impressed). 

 

Paige Yartym: apparently throwing gang signs starts at an early age. YOU HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL!!

 

And just in case you thought that the restaurant was an aquarium in name only:

 

   

                           Is that David Sedaris in there?!?!                                    I’M STARTING TO WRINKLE!!!!!         

 

BUT THERE’S MORE! The Aquarium is more than just a restaurant… and an aquarium.  That’s right, folks, there are also carnival rides and Lady Paige was NOT getting away without a ride.  Some of you northerners may be thinking to yourself “But Joseph, it’s Winter!  Isn’t it too cold for outdoor joyification?”  And, of course, like most northerners, you would be WRONG!!!!  In true Texas fashion, Santa not only brought toys to all the boys and girls  but 70 degree weather as well.  TAKE THAT OZONE!

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y’ALL!!!

 

Seeing as how the holidays can be a taaaaad stressful for basically everyone involved over the age of 7, and, seeing how this post just happens to be about an aquarium, here is a fascinating video of the second largest aquarium IN THE WORLD. (That last bit was supposed to be read as if David Attenborough were saying it).  So take a chill pill—that would be a Xanex for my waspy housewife readers—and relax already!

 

Artist: Louis Armstrong/ Album: Christmas Through the Years

Sisters

 

My aunt Brynda was in The Woodlands yesterday, so I drove up north and my mom drove down south in order to meet up and make a day of it. I absolutely love my mother’s relationship with her sister… they get along just famously and talk to each other pretty much every day.  (My mother calls Brynda “siter girl,” which I love because I think sounds like it is right out of a Tennessee Williams play). Unfortunately I forgot to grab a picture of them together so I’ll post the only one I have! 

 

  At the Trevi fountain in Rome. 

 

Now, any trip to The Woodlands wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Mrs. Mallory and Ms. Paige Yartym.  Luckily we were able to have a lunch date once lil’ bit was done with school (I know, she’s got looks AND brains!)

 

Ummm, the mac and cheese goes in your mouth, not your hair :-/ I guess I take back the “brains” comment!

 

Artist: Irving Berlin/ Album: White Christmas

Don’t Rain on My Parade

Yeah yeah… I get it, it’s been a while since I’ve posted.  BUT, in the meantime I have found an apartment in Houston, started my job at the Pottery Barn Town and Country, had my first Sunday at my church job and even gone to an exhibit opening at an art gallery (more on that some other time).
Aaaaaaanyway, after I left Crockett I had the great pleasure of staying with my lovely lovely friend Mallory in The Woodlands, whom you might remember from her guest post while I was away in Europe this summer. She, her husband Matt and their buh-dorable daughter Paige were kind enough to play host to me while I looked for a place to live in the city.  I gotta stress the “kind enough” portion of that last sentence because the day before I got there they were having a new roof put on and a huge storm came up and caused quite a bit of water damage to their ceilings. Basically half of the upstairs and downstairs were cut off to workers for about 4 days.

“Why can’t I go into my play room!?!?!?!?”

Because of the water damage the workers had to repaint some of the walls, and Mallory decided a new paint color was in order and we spent one night painting the other walls that hadn’t been damaged.

4 EVAR!

   

In addition to the water damage, the delayed time for the roof to be fixed allowed a group of wasps decided to make their home in the attic, which Matt found later while putting something away.  Matt and I jumped into action with a can of wasp spray and had a great little extermination system going.  Unfortunately I didn't run and grab my camera (oh, don’t think it didn’t cross my mind) so I have taken a still shot from a Doctor Who episode as an appropriate likeness of the hunt:


And now for some obligatory cute pictures of Lady Paige!

Helping apartment hunt in the city!

  

In her pink shoes because, as Mallory said, it was probably the last day that her feet would fit into them.  They had small wooden heels and you could hear her clip-clopping along throughout the house all morning!

ROCKSTAR DISNEY PRINCESS DRIVER!

Vogue

A little while ago I got to spend the afternoon at a high fashion (or haute couture for you snoody snoots) photo shoot right here in our very own Ann Arbor.  As luck would have it, it was even the model's birthday and I snuck a couple of behind the scenes shots to share!

A girl's gotta maintain her figure

If the paparazzi show up, you might as well give 'em a show

Ugh... stage mothers:  "STAY ON YOUR MARK!!!!!!"

Setting the stage. Because the glamour doesn't just happen by its self, people

"Give me thoughtful reminiscence"

"Okay, now give me you've just met Joseph for the first time"

Body By Baby.  Jane Fonda better watch her articulately crafted behind out!!

"I'm ONE now... where's my driver's licence? Where's my MAC Viva Glam? And where in God's name is my diamond necklace?!?"

For a bit of full (and quite obvious) disclosure, these are from Alyssa Eder's first birthday portrait shoot.  So it's basically less Madison Avenue with Richard Avedon and more Sears at the southwest corner of Briarwood mall with some caffeine overdosed, hyper complimentary photographer in waiting... but honestly, isn't she just the CUTEST!  Alyssa is the daughter of my friend Kristin, whom you might remember as the Armide from the other cast of the winter opera.

In other celebratory first birthday news, my friend Mallory's daughter, Paige, also just celebrated her first birthday and is having a blow out party today in The Woodlands, Texas.  I WISH I COULD BE THERE!

Paige and I at Christmas.  Look how sunny it is in Texas in December!

I am so happy for the both of you and consider myself lucky to get to spend time with your beautiful young ladies!!!!!