Random Stuff from Jan - May 2026

We had another January freeze this year. Thankfully, I'm getting pretty good at draining pipes and insulating everything to avoid any expensive damage like I've had in the past. This year, I only had to replace a sediment filter at the dipping pool. Anyway, that's how the year started, and I've thrown in a bunch more random pictures from the first few months of 2026.

Lauren sent me this picture from her apartment of the Austin skyline (which I barely recognize anymore)

...and her dog Bailey - cute shoes!

My ring-cam at the ranch

Once the roads were clear, I headed up to the ranch to check on everything.

This is what the watering hole looked like two days after the freeze

Jacqui and Mimi at B.B. Italia

Jacqui and I tried a new place near us called Local Table

Yeah, you could say we go out to eat a lot - but we have a lot to celebrate!

Jacqui and I took the Jaguar for a drive to the local farmers market

Smile!

After a few drinks one night, Jacqui sent this picture to Austin...

...and he promptly replied.

OK, this is big deal. Lauren's friend Natalie is getting married this year. Lauren is one of her Bridesmaids and she's been attending all the parties and showers. I'm pretty sure these pictures are from her wedding shower which was at Sunset Beach in California. Natalie's wedding is going to be on the Amalfi Coast in Italy this summer, so Lauren and Trey are going to plan a two week European vacation around the event. While all that is pretty exciting, the BIG news is that - I have it on good authority - Lauren may be getting engaged over there. Yep, I've seen the ring.

Natalie is in the middle, Lauren is on the far right next to Bella and Maddie.
Lauren will have to tell you who everyone else is.

Bella, Lauren, ?? and Maddie

Bella, Natalie and Lauren - they've known each other since elementary school

Back in Texas, Julie, Mimi and Jacqui enjoy a night at the Sweetwater Country Club

Bill and I were both at our ranches on Mother's day, so we delegated the honor of visiting Nana to our second born,

Nana said "it was WONDERFUL" to visit with Blake and Austin

Lauren spent Easter with Trey's family

Austin gets dressed up for career day at A&M

I got a new (to me) truck!

I laughed when Lauren said "holy display!"

And look what else I got - a brand new pinball machine!

OMG - it was BY FAR the heaviest machine I've ever set up.

I had to use the jack from my truck to get the back legs on

Yeah, it was a little sketchy

But no worries - let's play!

It's a lot of fun - even Jacqui enjoys playing sometimes

Austin was jazzed when he got this goodie bag from Dashiell - his summer internship job

I was a very nice gesture

So proud of Austin - off on his 1st day of work at his electrical engineering internship.

And that's it for this update.
Y'all come back now!