back to phoenix

I was back out to Phoenix for a work trip so I had a chance to visit with Joan and Connie (Uncle Greg was still in Alaska).  The work part of my trip was great…I even had a chance to see Bryan (my old boss).  Then I spent the rest of the weekend chillin’, eating, and knitting at Joan’s house.  We even had a chance to see the traveling Vietnam wall…very cool.  Always fun to hang out with them.   

IRS conference

So toward the end of August work sent me to San Antonio, TX for an IRS conference…funny thing about it; I was excited to attend an IRS tax focused conference.  Why you might ask?  For two reasons…1) because the conference was for those working in VITA sites or working with a low-income population (for those that don’t know all the government letters); and 2) because Mom was able to come down for the weekend and meet me in Texas. 

We got there on Saturday and stayed at the loveliest place…it was this very great small very personal historic hotel.  The service was amazing!  There was an awesome breakfast in the morning, then in the afternoon warm cookies, and at night a glass a wine…all complimentrery.    The Riverwalk Vista

That night we had great Tex-Mex from a favorite of the locals and walked the riverwalk.  On Sunday we did some wondering around the city: we walked the Mexican market, stopped at the Governor’s Mansion, bought cowboy boots, and then rested!  Mom had another full day of visits while I was at the conference however that night we had the best B-B-Q ever!!    So, like I’ve newly found the love for red meat I’m now even more in love with the perfect Texas BBQ…wow!!!  My favorite is baby back ribs (and yes, I’ll even take them off the bone).  Honestly, my mouth is watering as I just think about it.  So delicious.

Cardon’skis

Towards the beginning of August I had the most lovely visitors!    I’ve known the Cardon family since Mom started working at the Mt. Pleasant Health Department…I was 8.  Obviously we’ve all grown up together therefore it was delightful to be able to show them my new city life and have time to chill and chat. 

It started with meeting for lunch over on Capital Hill; they had just finished the tour through Dave Camp’s office (possibly the only Republican I’ve voted for).  As I came out of the metro I heard Carolyn question if it was really me or not…apparently she was looking for my deep dark brown hair (at that time I was very blonde)!   After lunch I took them on a very short tour of my office (short because it’s a small cubicle)…and thank goodness for Jimmy otherwise the whole lot of them might be still wondering around the depths of the metro. 

Then Friday night I crossed the river (very big deal) and ventured into the suburbs for a real family dinner.  It was amazing!    We ate, Aunt Susie made a pasta bar, and then laid around chatting for the rest of the night.  It was really nice to be able to catch up again as our lives have been so busy these past few years.  Bottom line, I don’t think this is the last we will ‘hear’ of the Cardon’skis as Aunt Susie is a scrapbooker and a good cook!

P.S. Carolyn…send pictures please.