3..2..1..Liftoff of STS-124 headed for the ISS

This is the crew that launched today to the International Space Station (minus the old, bald guy in the middle)

I was on the training team that helped train this crew for their work on the space station installing the Japanese Experiement Module (JEM). I worked mostly with Akihiko Hoshide (the Japanese astronaut on the far left of the picture), but worked with all of them more or less, particularly in the integrated simulations where they all practiced taking the JEM out of the space shuttle with the space station's robotic arm and connecting it to the space station using one of those attachment mechanisms I know quite a bit about. Being a member of the STS-124/1J Training Team I will be monitoring their progress pretty closely for the next two weeks. I guess you can say I'm pumped and excited about this flight and this crew. I'll post some of their mission photos and keep you all posted on progress.

Our Plants Are Bloomin'

Our daughter Cassie had a big hand in getting some our flowering plants and trees finally put in and growing. And some of them have been growing for a few years now. Cassie misses her plants and wanted us to put a post in our blog showing some of "her" plants. Only one of our crepe myrtles is currently blooming. The other seven ones she put in are still "fixin'" to bloom and will be out any day now. Anyway, for Cassie and for all to enjoy, here are some of our bloomin' plants.

The first is our backyard Mamosa tree.

We always love the fireworks of pink blossoms they put out.

Next you can see our frontyard Mamosa. Karen had to take a picture from the street so Cassie can see "how big it's gotten". Next is one of our many crepe myrtles. This is the only one that is currently in bloom. The others are, like is say, "fixin" to bloom any day now. The one by the back door is getting pretty big. Of course, since we cut the crepe myrtles way back every year how "big" they are is kind of a relative thing.

Last of all we have a picture of our newest additions. One of our hybiscus plants in front died so we replaced it with two smaller ones that we hope will grow up big to fill the space left by the one that died. Anyway, the two replacements are yellow, and they will be right next to the pink one that is bloomin' already.

Woman's Best Friend(s)

We decided the darling animals we found waiting for us on our return after a long day of playing are our favorite. They are perfect to take on a cruise where you do not have to worry about cooking ,cleaning, feeding anyone or thing....like pets!

We loved these little towel animals. We have more pictures of them that I will add when I receive Betty's pictures also.



We did not bring any of them home with us. We all already have pets and do not need more. Even if they are cute and cuddly like these. Plus, you have to pay for these if you take them off the ship.

Room E22

Here we are in our room. We did not spend much time in here, but we had fun while we were in there.

A picture of Bettty planning our day. She was really good at this because of her "experience" on cruises. This was her second. The rest of us, just our first.

Also, Betty and I are getting ready to leave the room to sit out by the pool. It was beautiful and a great place for people watching!!!

We Are Family.....

I got all my Sisters with me....and our MOM!! It was the weekend of Mother's Day and all we Mothers had a wonderful time.
Betty treated us all to some time in the Spa and some really relaxing spoiling.

On our way to dinner where we had delicious meals and better than *** desserts. We had the Chocolate Lava Cake nearly every night. I think Betty did have it every night.!!! Our servers were from Brazil and the Phillipines. We especially loved our server from Brazil. His name was Ronnie. I will post pictures of him later.

Four Days on Ecstasy

This is the story about 3 "not so little girls" who went on a Cruise with their Mother to Cozamel and had the time of their lives!!!
Can you see the happiness in our faces?
Betty came from California for our Cruise. With 1 Californian and 3 Texans....related....that ship did ROCK!!!

Did we hear someone yell BINGO? Count us in! Mom came within one number twice. Dang, we will just have to go again to see if her luck is better next time.


More pictures to follow. I have so many to share!