Shout-out to M & J

At the request of our fabulous friends Mike and Jeff, I've decided to post pix of the newest member of the Bowen household. He's been here a few months, but we're just now getting used to him as he is to us. He's from a completely different side of the world and is barely surviving the 106 degree weather, likely due to his obesity. He weighs 200 pounds. Meet China-man:

This is how he came - in a crate shipped from Xian. K picked him up from the Dallas port near DFW. It only took him a month or so after our trip to arrive here in Texas.


He was packed in serious expandable foam. The kind of foam that has trash in it, such as Chinese DVD boxes, bottles, plastic bags, etc.


It took forever to pluck every piece of foam off. We questioned whether or not we should be wearing gas masks as I'm sure the foam had some type of poisoning in it given where it came from.


Our entire study was a mass of whiteness.


And finally - the finished product!!!


We really wanted a unique and authentic souvenir - something that will forever remind us of our travels. I think it's safe to say we accomplished that mission.


And finally - one of my all time favorite pictures from Hong Kong, courteousy of T.

Back in full force!

So I think I'm done with my blog hiatus. There hasn't been a specific reason for not writing recently, although I do recall that the posting sabbatical began around the time my precious Granny passed away.

She was my last living grandparent, which makes her death all the more difficult. For me, I came away with a sense of deep appreciation for the role that my grandparents played in my life, specifically throughout my childhood. We moved around a LOT when I was a kid, and their homes were the one constant, especially during the holidays. We'd pack up in our mini-van and make the 6 1/2 hour drive across Texas and through smelly Luling. I think one of the things I loved most about being with them is the games that we played. I LOVE GAMES!!! Like:

--BINGO! With all the old folks at the VFW? Seriously the best.
--Solitare and Zilch on a card table in the living room while watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.
--Kickball in the front yard. My cuz and I were Dottie and Kit and always played against my bro and other cuz, Babe and Mae. (League of their Own - great movie)
--Yahtzee, Uncle Wiggly, Skip-bo.

Needless to say, it's been great reflecting on the wonderful memories I have despite the sadness I feel knowing that the past is the past...

In other news:

--I had my 10 year high school reunion last month. 10 years. I still have not yet joined facebook, but thoroughly enjoyed the in-person reconnection experience. It was great catching up with old friends.
--My bro came to visit a couple weeks ago from Cali. Mom and Dad also came in town. We all went out on the boat, taught J how to wakeboard and surf, drank some Lone Star in this ridiculous Texas heat. It was greatness.
--I went to the Boyz II Men concert with my friend Mandy in Ft. Worth recently. It was seriously one of the best concerts I've ever been to. A big screen with old music videos playing in the background, throwing out roses during I'll Make Love to You, singing their hearts out to Motownphilly. I may or may not have requested the latter song to be played at several friends' weddings in the past. What a great dance song...
--I'm starting to jump on the organic bandwagon. Sort of. While I still love me some Taco Bueno, K and I have started eating my healthier recently. I think this has been spurred by 1) my parents bringing us home grown vegetables from their garden when they come to visit and 2) buying berries, green beans, squash and peaches at local farmers markets. Part of me secretly wants to learn how to can, but that seems to me like a very stay-at-home mom-ish kind of task. Not that 9-5 career ladies can't can. Let's just say it's something I'll perhaps revisit in a couple years.
--I got a pedometer and I love it. I wear it when we walk Abby at nights, and also when I walk at the mall during my lunch breaks. It even has software that you can hook up to the computer and monitor your monthly walking activity. I haven't quite gone that far yet...