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A Girls Weekend and more

Sunday, November 23, 2008


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Because our husbands are the best in the world....I was lucky enough to have Denise visit for the weekend.  Dave and Denise secretly planned this as a birthday surprise for me. Denise flew in Thursday night and we went out for a great dinner. I introduced her to a little bit of the local cuisine while we drank some wine and caught up.

Then on Friday, Dave took over kid duty (Denise's husband took care of her five children all weekend! Thank you Jeff). Denise and I shopped and ate and I showed her around Houston a little bit. In the afternoon, we checked into this FABULOUSLY unique boutique hotel.

We were greeted by a dozen valets and champagne upon arrival. We checked in and rushed off to the spa for a massage.  Then we relaxed in the steam room and got ready to go out to dinner. As we wandered through the hotel, we noticed some very provocative art work and photography.  It was very edgy!  We had so many good laughs over the decor and art.  I truly have never stayed anywhere like this before. It was a bit over the top. Denise scored us some more champagne and then we headed out to dinner.


Saturday morning we lounged around the hotel in our PJ's drinking coffee and talking for hours. Then we met a friend of mine for lunch at one of my favorite Houston restaurants, Ousie's. Saturday afternoon was spent shopping some more (I bought a GREAT rug for Dave's office). We wandered around antique stores and bought some hair clippies for Maggie. Saturday night we all (Denise and my family) went to a favorite local Mexican restaurant. Then Denise flew home this morning.  Her visit was exactly what I needed to get out of the little rut I was in! We had so much fun just talking and hanging out.  Denise and I could talk forever.  We have so much in common and I simply adore her.  Thank you Denise for flying in for some fun girl time!  You are a very special friend.  Stay Za Za!  Thank you so much Dave for arranging this to cheer me up.  I love you.

Here is a slide show.  The photos are not very sharp in the slideshow for some reason.






On another note, several people asked me why we moved here (and so quickly).  It is a long story but basically, my husband loves to move (this is our 5th house in 13 years of marriage). Whereas, I like to stay put.  He grew up moving from country to country as his Dad was in the oil business. Dave has both oil and moving in his blood. In fact,  moving to Virginia 4 years ago was completely his idea.  I did not want to go there. However, after designing and building our house from scratch, getting the kids into a great school, meeting friends and finding a good church, I finally felt settled there.  Not surprisingly, Dave was ready to move again.  He would broach the subject all the time and I always changed the subject. We really had no plans of leaving Virginia (at least I didn't). Then, he was suddenly offered a great career opportunity (oil) and it just seemed too good to turn down.  He was not loving his job in Virginia and he really wanted this.  So, I acquiesced. We did not have to move (as a few of you have asked) but my husband was not really happy where we were and I had been happy here before, so I figured it would all work out. This week, I have truly turned a corner. Showing Denise around Houston made me realize all the great things this city has to offer. I am also starting to like our house more and more....

We had a contract on our old house and it fell through this week. The buyers did not get their financing. We were lucky enough to have an immediate back up offer though...so keep your fingers crossed that it goes through! Also, the boys begin at a new school tomorrow.  If you could say a quick prayer that goes well...I would so appreciate it! Harry is doing MUCH better. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

42 comments:

  1. Hi Kim,
    I'm glad you had a good weekend with Denise. I know she was really excited to go down there and it really sounds like it was just what you needed.

    I hope the new school goes well adn they get great teachers. We move in 1 1/2 weeks and I am pretty stressed about getting everything done and hosting Thanksgiving!

    Rachel

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  2. I am so glad you girls had a great weekend and that you are perking up. Our family will be thinking about your boys tomorrow as they begin a new school. I am so glad to hear that Harry is doing better. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ps...The Lilly sale was last week. No size 6 shoe deals this time:( I was thinking you might need some more!

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  3. Yeah! I bet Denise flying in was just what the Dr. ordered... sounds your girl's weekend was awesome :)
    Hope your holidays in your new home make it feel that much more like 'home'!

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  4. Hi Kim,

    Looks like you girls had a FABULOUS time!! That hotel looked very posh...love all the pics!

    It really sounds like things are starting to come together for you.....I am so happy to hear the upbeat tone to your "voice"

    Sending good thought and prayers for the first day in the new school!!

    Have a great week!

    Lisa

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  5. What a great way to spend your birthday! It sounds like it is just what you needed! We will keep the boys in our thoughts as they start a new school!!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  6. I am so happy you had a great time!! You all were in my prayers. I am so happy they are starting tomorrow!! That is fantastic you were able to get all of the paper work complete in such a short time! As for me, hopefully just another week and a half to two weeks!! You are on the call list!

    Michelle P

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  7. Hi Kim,

    You are SOO nice to answer us nosy nellies!! You have to wonder sometimes!! We have moved 7 times since 1997 :) 3 times in the last 18 months!! But I have never loved any place as much as you have!

    What a fabulous weekend with Denise! I am so jealous!! I am also so very thankful that it helped you to turn a corner - I have been concerned for you!!

    Praying for the house & for school tomorrow!! I just know that things are starting to look up!

    p.s. I LOVE the picture of you & Scout. Our kids want a dog named Scout (unfortunately not after the literary character,m but rather short for "Scout Trooper". LOL!

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  8. Kim- I'm happy you had a good weekend and that you are turning the corner. You sound very upbeat in your post : ) I will pray that the boys love their new school. I take it the old school just didn't work out? I am happy that Harry is doing well...that is FANTASTIC news!!!! I will also say a prayer that your old house goes through and that you have an easy closing.

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  9. It really sounds as though you are liking your new home so much more. A visit from a friend surely helps! You guys look like you're having a blast!!! I am glad Harry is feeling better.

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  10. What a great gift and wonderful gesture from all three of them. I'm glad it sounds like things are starting to turn around (I hope?) and you're blogging is back to sounding more "you."

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  11. Hi Kim!

    Wow...what a fun week-end! I am so glad you had that special time with your dear friend...what a blessing! Love all of the pics!

    Have a great week!

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  12. i am so glad things are going better for you! good luck to boys in there new school. i hope it goes well!

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  13. Kim, what a great girl's weekend. BTW, Happy Birthday. I'm so glad you had a fabulous weekend. Praying for the boy's new school and the offer on your house). Have a great Thanksgiving and Stay Za Za!

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  14. Good luck at the new school. I know this is tough, but just take it day by day. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

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  15. It sounds like this weekend was just what you needed. I glad you are starting to feel better about the move. I hope the special memories that you and your family will create this holiday season will make it feel more like home for you too.

    Sheryl

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  16. Thanks again to you and Dave for a wonderful weekend. I love your new home and your new city. Maggie has to come so she and Kate can catch up too~

    Hugs~

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  17. Sometimes a GIRLS' WEEKEND is JUST what the doctor ordered!!!!
    What fun!
    I would love for you to do a post on the great resturaunts and things to do in Houston. We've lived in a suburb outside of Houston and wish I knew more of Houston and all it has to offer.
    Hope the boys first day of their new school goes wonderful!!! Glad you're settling back into Houston!

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  18. i am so happy to read this post, kim! you needed some girlfriend time and it sounds like it was a restoring weekend. i hope today goes well for the boys. school hunting is hard.

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  19. Fun weekend with the girls-- gotta love that!! Sounds like a wonderful time!!

    I think it is very hard when your hubby is unhappy in thier job because their job means so much to them. Anyway, Im glad you guys are getting settled and that Harry is doing better.

    Thinking of you!!

    Christy :)

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  20. Sounds like you had a GREAT weekend! Sometimes a little girl time can go a long way. How sweet of your husband to organize this for you!

    Glad to hear things are getting better in TX. Hope Will and Harry love their new schools :)

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

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  21. So happy that things are looking up and that you got some much needed girlfriend time. Y'all do have the best husbands. I can't imagine a better birthday present. Good luck to the boys in their new school

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  22. A visit with friends...a great b-day present. Looks like it was a lot of fun!

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  23. I am so glad that Denise came to see you & that you had a great weekend.

    I too have a hubby that loves to move. We have had 5 houses in 7 years and lived overseas for one of those years. His job moved us to Houston a few years ago and was NOT excited about moving there but once I got out and expored the city I LOVED IT!! We no longer live there (just moved in July) but I miss it terribly. Good luck with the boys school. I hope it goes well and that they like it.

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  24. It sounds just like the weekend you needed! Nothing makes more sense out of life than a good girlfriend to help pass some time.

    I'll be thinking of your boys as they begin a new school.

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  25. It sounds just like the weekend you needed! Nothing makes more sense out of life than a good girlfriend to help pass some time.

    I'll be thinking of your boys as they begin a new school.

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  26. So glad you had some GIRL time with your friend!!! Also glad to know that you have turned the corner and things are starting to look sunny side up! Hope all goes well with the new school and I am happy to hear that Harry is doing much better!!!

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  27. Kim,

    I am so glad that you and Denise had a wonderful chance to spend time with each other!

    I hope today went well for the boys! Your whole family continues to be in my prayers and I added in a special prayer for Harry at mass yesterday morning.

    Ashley

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  28. I am so gald that Denise came - That sounds just like what you needed! I love seeing a smile on your face :D

    I am so glad to hear the your moved the boys to a new school! We leave in the morning for the North - but I may try and squeeze in a call when we are driving in the morning and catch up!

    Ladybug hugs,
    ;D

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  29. Kim -- It looks like you had a great weekend with Denise. That hotel looks fabulous! Your husbands are saints!

    Hope the first day of the new school went great for the boys!

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  30. Kim, Happy belated birthday! What a wonderful husband you have...Denise's visit is just what you needed..and the hotel looked quite interesting, but very nice! Ahh and the spa treatments...ahhh my favorite!
    Your blog today has a very nice upbeat feeling to it...so you are in a much better place. Aren't Christian friends the best...they are, because God gave them to us!! I am praying that Harry had a great day today!
    Norah

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  31. I'm so glas you had a great weekend with your friend Denise!! I am also glad that you are liking Houston more too!!
    I have been praying for your son and will continue to!

    Debbie

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  32. I'm glad you had such a fabulous weekend, and I'm very glad that Harry is feeling better!

    Gin =)

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  33. Dave is Awesome!!!!
    Kim you look so happy. I'm glad your feeling better about everything. You have been up against so much in the first part of your move. I would have not handled it as well as you. Your such a strong women. I also have to say, I love the pictures of you and Scout. Too cute.

    Happy Days are here again, and that's always a good thing.

    Keeping your sweet and precious boys in prayer today as well. Let us know how their day goes.

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  34. Happy that you got some time away with a good friend to relax, reflect and enjoy yourselves. Good luck with the new school and with Harry's health. Can't wait to see pics of your new home!

    Wendy

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  35. I am so glad that you were able to have some girlfriend time. We all need it. I missed that the boys were changing schools, but that may be for the best.
    Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving my friend. And take care of you :)

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  36. kim, i am so glad that things are going a bit better! i have been thinking of you. it looks like dave did a great job for your birthday, congrats!! love, Clare

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  37. This weekend sounds absolutely fabulous! I had one similar to this last year this coming weekend. I met three other girls in downtown Chicago for an extended weekend of Christmas shopping and shows. It was wonderful - much needed therapy! I am so happy for you!

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  38. When I woke up this morning and foudn comments from YOU on my blog I was SO excited! My husband was looking over my shoulder and said who is Kim and I said "A friend! Duh!" and he said "How do you know her?!" and of course I answered the fun blog world! We looked through your old house pictures and my husband and I LOVED it. I am sure your new house will be just as beautiful. I am thinking of you. Now I understand why you spend so much time blogging...you are leaving notes of encouragement for others. :)
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Kim!

    Ally

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  39. So thankful you had such a fun weekend. Probably hard to let go of your old house until it is sold and gone:(

    I have never been to Virginia but we get to train as missionaries in Richmond and live there for two months. We are very excited! I pray you and your family have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

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  40. What a great weekend!! THat was so sweet of Dave to do that for you. I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope the kids love their new school!

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  41. This is so good Kim, I'm glad Denise was able to come down and that you all could get that special time together!! It sounds like a lot of fun memories were made...the start of great things in your new home! :)

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  42. Kim

    I have been right in these shoes I lived in 3 states in 14 months time! Might add with a two year old at that too! Also my husband travled, but we made it too!

    God was GOOD and GRACIOUS and WE amde it too!
    I feel for you in this way but we did make it!
    It is hard to move! Especailly on mom and the children!
    but we survivied!

    YUM YUM YUM! your dish looks so good!
    No you are NOT a terrible wife either!
    love ya!
    Cindy

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Thank you for your kindness.