Spooktacular!

I don't know about y'all, but we sure had some fun for Halloween!

Scary, isin't it?

This was the first time I'd dressed up in years- it was a blast! Big party, lots of barely recognizeable people, great costumes. Enrique made the final four in the contest, and had to participate in the dance off for first prize.

I'll post some of the girls in their outfits later, got some good shots of that.

Kudos again to Vince Young

and the Texas Longhorns who, upon rousing themselves after their first half nap, continued their storybook season by clubbing the Oklahoma State Cowboys into submission. Theirs is looking more and more like a team that has a rendezvous with destiny.

In the meantime, CNN reports that governor Rick Perry is dispatching the Texas National Guard to track down Texas A&M's defense. What the hell? Giving up over 40 points to Iowa State? Are you kidding me??

The Chicago White Sox tied Bobby Brown's record . . .

. . . by beating Houston four nights in a row!

So James,

What's the view like inside of your rectum?

Coopbros, Coopcuz, It's Time to Unite!!

OK Guys, time to rally! As you may know, McDonalds is having their Monopoly Promo. I have been eating there regularly for lunch collecting stamps, and I think I have maxed out the variety of stamps offered in Fort Worth.

...Now before you go nursing a mental picture that I have ballooned up to 400lbs eating nasty cheeseburgers and greasy fries, you should know that I have been eating healthy. Every lunch is the same: Classic Deluxe Grilled Chicken Sandwich, no Mayo, add Mustard, extra pickles, and a side salad with lite vinagrette, and a med diet coke. I've actually lost a pound or two because I have been working out.

Anyway, this gives me 4 stamps each. I lady told me that she used to work at a McDonalds and the only way to win anything is to go out of the district. So go patronize your local McDonalds and get those stamps! I need Short Line Rail Road to win the Dodge Viper. Who knows, maybe we can win something together...

C'mon, who's with me... WHO'S WITH ME!!

Resistance is futile... McDonalds WILL suck you in!

How's this for screwed up

Rob and Mark, I fucked up and double-committed the weekend of the Texans game. I just found out about it, too. I am really sorry but I can't go to the game. I have to be with Courtney for that weekend. I still think y'all should come, and I will leave you my truck in the airport parking lot and you both can stay at my apartment while here. I will leave you directions to the apartment as well as to Alltel Stadium in the truck, too.

Guys, I feel like shit about this. I am on the horns of a bad dilemma and I have to choose between letting you guys down or letting my daughter down. This is not a fun place to be, I can assure you.

I would call you but I lost my cell phone a few weeks ago and it had y'all's numbers stored on it. Please call me at my office at (904) XXX-XXXX or on my cell at (904) XXX-XXXX.

Checking in from Florida

Well, Wilma may be lashing our neighbors in Key West but it is beautiful here in Jax today.

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven’t posted anything recently. I have been really busy at work and have also been, for the past 4 days, taking a class at the local community college to get my Florida adjuster license. I mean, I’ve been working as an adjuster for the past 8 months so I just thought it was time I stopped tempting fate and “went legit.” I took my test today and am now legal.

Robbie, what a great post! Even with the rambling . . . hell, maybe because of it. I especially liked what you said about dad. You too, Mark. Like y’all, I miss him. I miss just talking to him. I miss sitting with him on his pool deck with a glass of whiskey and just being with him and shooting the shit with him. Dad being gone still hurts.

Rob I also agree with you about the Texans and the ‘Horns, too. I think this is their year and I think they’ll beat USC when they tee it up in the Rose Bowl. Back to the Texans though, you and Mark need to email me your travel plans again because I seem to have lost those emails. I have our box tickets and a parking pass so we’re set.

Sorry this isn’t more eloquent but after being in a class the past few days and up late studying every night, my brain is numb. TTYL.

P.S. Rob, go to the Blogger help page and look up “posting photos.” You’ll have to download a program called “Hello” (which blogger will direct you to). It’s real easy, even for an ape like you.

Longhorns Bump SoCal for #1 Spot in BCS

Hat's off to the horns. I aint mad at 'em! In fact I wouldn't care if they went 10-1 this year (the one L being to my Ole Army Ag's of COURSE!)

Jax Weekend Approaching

Hey Guys! Our weekend is fast approaching, I'm looking forward to it, assuming Wilma doesn't rip through there and tear the town up. James, how is it going over there? Hopefully this won't interrupt our football weekend.

I miss Dad too. It's the little things: the other day Lillian and I were sitting on a swing down the street. She kept getting on and off and just playing in the area. At that moment I pictured Dad sitting next to me saying with his big smile "Isn't she just lovely" and it really made me miss him (with tears). It was those down-times when we were all taking it easy that I miss the most. With kids and dogs running around. Sometimes, in those times, Dad would put "thoughts of the Empire" on hold and he would live in the moment.

I'm sure you all feel the same way.

I believe that your quote is from the hilarious Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore.

Howdy Coopbros and sis. Things here in H-town are going well. I am in the 4th quarter at work, and with only about 20% of my quota in so far, I'm in for a heck of a year end. The fortunate thing is that the business that I need is in my pipeline. Should make for a very high stress year end. Happy Holidays to me!!!!

I've decided to spend the next few lines rambling incoherently.

How bout them 'Stros!! We are about to have a world series game in Houston. Something that has never happened before.

How bout them Texans. They suck big green donkey dicks.

I think that I am going to sell the beach house. The market has gone up over 100% in the past 18 months, yet I feel exposed having a house so close to the gulf of Mexico, what with all of the hurricanes. I saw what just a glancing blow can do (destroyed our dune, sand all over the place) So, I think that I am going to quit while I'm ahead. Or, maybe I won't. Who knows.

I think that the last great sitcom was "Spin City". Not the later ones with Charlie Sheen. The original episodes with Micheal J. Fox, pre parkinsons.

UT is going to win their first National Championship since 1971.

There are fewer things in life more satisfying than good scotch and a fine cigar.

I miss Dad. It's weird. I'm normally not prone to outburst of emotion, but the other night, I had the strongest desire to talk with Dad. I missed him more in that moment than I have for the past year. I broke down.

Remember how he would call us and ask us what's going on in our lives, then pretend to listen until there was a pause in the conversation. Then he would start talking about Centex. God, I'd give anything to have another one of those talks. The man had charisma.

Jenn, great pictures. Would someone please teach me how to upload photos? Emily has lost one front tooth and has a cute lisp. Christian has his first drama club tournament this weekend. More to come

...Yawn

I probably check this blog at least once a day, and you people have nothing to say. In my dismay, I just may go make some things out of clay, or eat some hay. Then perhaps go lay out by the bay...

C'MON! Can anyone tell which movies I quoted from in the subject line of the blog, and on this post?

And for the love of Pete, James, tell me why Saddam is still alive? (Makes me long for the old Biblical days where evil was dealt with appropriately).

The girls

We only recently have become technologically advanced enough to post photos...

These were taken on Wednesday afternoon, in our backyard. It was Clarita's first school picture day.

She has a loose tooth! She'd tell you she has a looth tooth. Can you believe it!

Holiday plans

Hello Hello!

Our website is live, so won't you all please join me in welcoming our new baby to life by visiting skyshadesaustin.com.

This thing is like a third child. It absorbs tons of energy (of the human and the green varieties), it is constantly on my mind, and I feel so personally attached to it's performance that I can hardly separate myself from it's existance. But at least it's not nursing, hee hee, ouch!

I don't have Thanksgiving plans yet. I was hoping to be able to visit with some of you for that holiday. We can go to Houston, or anywhere really. I haven't made specific plans with my Dad on that front. I know my Mom will be here in Austin for Christmas, so that leaves Thanksgiving up to us...

I just got the memo and I do have that Thursday and Friday off, so it'd be nice to get out of town.

More later, out!

Thanksgiving

Hey everyone. What is everyone's plan for Turkey Day? I am going to have Courtney and we are going to go to Shiner to be with Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Bennie and her side of the Coops. She warned me that her family get togethers can sometimes get a bit, well, volatile what with plenty of Pearl Light flowing and two grown daughters and all. I told her not to worry, that that's half the reason why I want to be there. I also reassured her that if anyone threw food at her that I'd jump up and take it for her. "I'd take a turkey leg in the heart for you any day, Aunt Dorothy" I said.

Turkey leg in the heart. Hmm. You know, I would be willing to bet that in all of human history, no one EVER has uttered that sentence before.

Anyway, Mark, mom tells me that you, Nat and Lillianita will be coming down to Houston, or at least she hopes you do, in any event. Rob, how 'bout y'all? Will you stay in town or are you planning on going to Arkansas? Mikey, I assume you'll be back in town by then, right? Jen, how 'bout you and your crew? I would assume that you do the bird with Uncle Jack. What are y'all doing this year?

More Lillian Pictures... LOOKATTHEM!!

More Pictures from the North Texas Coopers... Couldn't resist!

Checking in from New Jersey

Hey everyone and hello from NJ. Im sitting here at my home away from home at the residence inn in Sommerset NJ. Tommorrow is the last day of the first week of training. Its been pretty intense so far but defantily manageable. Im looking forward to next weekend bc Molly's coming up and were going to be spending the weekend in NYC. So this phase of training lasts 2 more weeks, afterwhich Ill be in Miami for 2 days, shreveport for the remaining 2 weeks and finally back in NJ for about 2 weeks. All in all this is lasting 7 weeks so needless to say Ill be ready to get home but im making the most of it. Most of the people here are about the same as me, meaning mid to late 20's, early 30's, couple of yrs of sales exp. However J&J also likes to hire military, so there are a few marine officers and westpoint grads. We have our 1st exam tommorrow so ill keep yall up dated.

Jenn congrats on your business venture!!

Weekend Activities

Dudes and Dame,

On Friday the 14th we are heading to H-Town to drop off Lillian at Mom and Joes, then on Saturday we are going to College Station for the A&M vs OSU game, then back again. Rob, you think we'll get to see you guys at some point? Mike, I'm assuming you will still be in Jersey.

Jen,

What are you guys doing the weekend after that (the 21st)? We were hoping we could pop in on you guys and see your new house. By means of commenting to this weblog post, please indicate you response to me no later than 5:00 pm today central standard time.

Goodbye, and thank you for using CoopBros...

Checking in from the Werf

What's up, crew? Jen, your opportunity sounds great! I heard about it from your Mom and my Mom. I will pray that it takes off like gang-busters! It's good to hear that things are going well at Centex as well. At the end of the day, there will always be a need for that service.

Let's see. Not much going on up here. Natalie's 10 year reunion is this weekend. We went to a gathering for it last night and we're going to a dinner tonight. It's kind of cool getting all these new perspectives on Nat's earlier wilder days! What's weird is that it almost felt like we were back in high school at a party or something, and I don't even know these people (weird, huh?).

Welp, off to the golf course... (Hey, someones gotta do it)

More from the Girl

James I'm glad you liked it! And I'm not surprised at all that it turned out well. Rice pilafs are very similar, and you can put broccoli and carrots (steamed a bit), or just about anything in it, cut the tomato mixture and instead of finishing it on the stove top just put it in the oven (with a lid). Shredded cheese on the top for the last 4 or 5 minutes is always good.

My Dad came in yesterday, stayed the night. He says he misses you and he'd love to see you the very next chance possible- If you want I'll send you his email. He's of course just so great- this time we had some friends over, and he talked a lot. It was good. I always love listening to him talk.

Uh oh- I hope I haven't lost anyone talking about recipes and feelings... sorry. Let's see what would you all like to know about? Maybe SkyShades of Austin?

A quick catch-up for those who I haven't had the chance to sit with on this: We are working on building our own business as an independent distributor for SkyShades USA in Orlando (from Australia). Chris is doing this in St. Louis, too. Our website will soon be live: skyshadesaustin.com. We sell and install free-standing shade structures. It's an adventure every day- the whole thing.

So we've given out two proposals so far and we're waiting to hear back, I have one more to go deliver this week, so cross your fingers, ok? Getting the first job in the ground will be and is so critical for us. We need to know what the obstacles really are.

And Centex is fine. It's had a pretty good year so far. I really am amazed at how well the past year has gone- all things considered. That's a testament to Ben- his infrastructure has weathered the blow so far. And our competition has not necessarily weathered past year's sudden turn in the house-leveling market as well as we have. We are more of a key player in Austin now maybe than ever.

The production side of life is great- really busy. I'm doing fine there, and so is Enrique. We still feel a great responsibility to do our best, for you boys, and for Ben. Issues of communication and teamwork continue to pose challenges inside the office, but I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, not because I'm afraid of who reads this, but because the fact is we're doing good.

We are lovin Austin, and our girls are positively enchanting. Don't mind if I preach to the choir, right? Clarita is completely blossoming in school, and Carmen has finally decided to try words instead of hollering. Plus she's potty-trained which means we're a diaper free- household! WooHoooo!

Clarita says hello to you all and so do Enrique and Carmen. Today we're working on our raised beds for a vegetable garden in the spring. Yay! It's been a long time since I 've done that.

Cheers!

It worked!

Jennifer, the sopita de arroz came out really well. Not as good as yours, but not bad, either. Thank you again for the recipe.

Hope you guys are all well. I'm just working on this Saturday gettin' caught up on my mail.