The September Chronicles

Hello, world!

Today the boy and I had some company.  Our friend Justin came in for some shooting. Turns out I'm not too shabby at it. It was a nice, beautiful day. 

I actually did really good at this!

 Later we're heading up north a bit to check out some neighborhoods with exceptional Christmas lights.

9/3 - 9

My weekend of fun was not going to end with the last post, ladies and gents, because Monday, September 3rd was what we call LABOR DAY.  So Shelby and I packed up my car with drinks and chairs and towels, got in our sexy swimsuits and went to Lake Waco.  We stopped for Whataburger, parked the car at the park and got a sweet little spot right in front of the water, and did absolutely nothing else.  

It was such a nice day.  

  

  

And we'd definitely be grateful for this nice relaxing day once school really got under way.

~*~

The next week was pretty mundane…until Saturday.  Saturday was the second annual BUT OLYMPICS!!!  AAAHHHHHH!

So BUT Olympics (or Baylor University Theatre Olympics) is pretty much departmental Field Day.  It is pulled together by the Druids - the Executive Committee of the Baylor University Theatre Student Society.  Each class wears one of the four non-black olympic colors and we participate in four extreme games:  orange-passing, tug-o-war, hula hooping, and water balloon tossing (which is typically followed by a free-for-all water balloon fight).  Last year, my class (the sophomores) wrecked shop.  

Waddup, Juniors.

This year was our time to protect our title as Reigning Champs.  

Tug-o-war was not our best...

Ultimately, we got the job done.

But the most important thing was that the department had fun.

Yay!  Go Druids!

9/10 - 16

Friday was going to be my mom's birthday.  The past couple of years her birthday has fallen around Parent's Weekend at Baylor, so I've been able to celebrate with her.  This year unfortunately Parent's Weekend was scheduled for October.  I needed to be in Houston that morning for a Speaker's Committee event anyway, so I was able to come home Thursday night and be in early for the traditional 

RUNK BIRTHDAY MORNING

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Basically, the morning of someone's birthday, the rest of the family wakes up early to set up cake, cards, decorations, and presents.

Jay put the "3" of "53" on backwards… lol

After the celebrations I hit the road, driving from Bay City to Calder Road Elementary.

As I've mentioned before, I'm a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Speaker's Committee…kind of.  Currently, I'm too young to actually be a member, but give that 18 days and I'll be certified.  I'm sort of a provisional member for the time being.  A provisional rookie.

Well, rookies must observe a full day of school speeches before being let loose to give their own.  Even though I wouldn't be able to make any speeches until January, I figured I'd get my observation out of the way.

So from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. I was at Calder Road Elementary watching speeches and getting further educated about Texas Western Heritage.  

  

This was the nicest, most hospitable bathroom ever.

It was such a fun day.  I know that I definitely picked the right committee to go after.  Being able to take a day away from my typical schedule for a day and spend some time talking about the rodeo and western heritage and this great state of Texas…There's not much better than that.  And some of the speeches were just super entertaining.

One guy had a speech on the History of the Rodeo Clown.  By the end of his speech he had about six or seven kids up in front, putting on a little rodeo for the class.

The kids ate it up!  

The rest of the weekend was dedicated to getting Nevada ready for the Rice Festival Pageant on Sunday where he would be competing for Little Mister Rice Festival.  

Look at his snazzy white suit.

I had to go back to Waco before the pageant but pretty soon my mom texted me these photos.

  

HE WON!  This was huge, because my senior year of high school I was in the Rice Festival Queen's Pageant and I won as well.  So we're a bit of a royal family.

  

Rice Festival Royalty over here.  woot!

I'm so proud of that little man.  And he was so happy.

Well, I'm off to see the Christmas lights!  Sorry, friends, no CRAFT TIME today.

Until next week,

The FeltWoman

I Am The WoMAN From Nantucket, Part II

So I’m on my three (-ish) hour connection flight from Washington, D.C. to Houston, where I will then pick up my car and drive about two hours home.  It will be so worth it though.  And right now?  Right now I’m watching the Olympics on directv.  Watched my volleyball ladies beat Serbia (YEAHHHHHHHHHH).  Gosh, I love volleyball…  Anywho, I love these personal directv screens.  Especially during Olympics.  It’s made the first hour fly by.  I watched the NBC piece on the Magnificent Seven at the 1996 Olympics, which I was totally at.  I mean I can’t remember half of it because I was four but still...

Anywho did anyone else notice that when they were talking about the last vault and how Kerri ended her career with that they were playing the theme to Dead Island (the zombie video game).  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here.  The best part is actually watching the literal version.  And then chronological.  IT’S SO BAD IT’S GOOD.  Love the theme music though, seriously.

So I guess it’s time to wrap up my Nantucket trip.

I AM THE WOMAN FROM NANTUCKET

CONTINUED

Nantucket was once one of the biggest city’s in America.  It was the whaling capitol of the world--until that became illegal.  In the 1920's cranberry harvesting replaced whaling as the major industry on the island.  36% of the island is protected from building development and there's over 82 miles of beach, making it a beautiful place to visit in the summer months.  Cars weren't even allowed on the island until 1918.  They're super restricted on most things:  houses have to have cedar shingles on the sides unless you can prove that historically your house originally had wood planking and fast food chains aren't allowed on the island.  My Dad, Karen, and I have vacationed there for years, but I personally have not been on the island for the past two summers.  I was super anxious to get back.  My dad had warned me that a lot had changed, but still Nantucket is Nantucket and Nantucket is a world of it’s own.

I flew out of IAH Sunday at 7:30 AM…Yeah that means I left for the airport at 5:00 AM.  And I was not smart the night before.  I went out with ERad and Skyy and saw a movie.  Ended up okay though because my first flight (Houston to DC) was VERY empty and I had my row all to myself.  My parent’s are always really good about getting me aisle seats.  But when I’m alone?  I can sit anywhere and not get claustrophobic!  So I buckled loosely into the middle seat, leaned over and slept for the three (-ish) hour flight.  AWESOME RIGHT?  And of course I get window seat.  I say this because my besties and I are OBSESSED with Bridesmaids.  I like to say that our daily conversations are about 10% Easy A, 15% Mean Girls, and 75% Bridesmaids (quotes-wise).  So can you say “colonial women churning butter THERE’S SOMETHING THEY’RE NOT TELLING US!”?

So all this time, I’m expecting to have to pave my own way once I hit the island.  The ‘rents and my sisters were driving and although they drove through the nights from Minneapolis, they rented a car ferry for like 5:00 PM meaning they wouldn’t be on the island until 7:00 ish.  I was due at 2:30.  But when I arrived at Ronald Reagan (after exiting security, reentering and navigating the awfully confusing system of gate 5A…) I called my dad and they were already there.  They left the car in Hyannis to be brought over at 5:00 and just rode a different ferry themselves.  Awesome.

So I get on my next flight.  EMPTY AISLE.  I curl up next to the window and work on my speech for the Speaker’s Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo…for a little while.  I fall back asleep.  Boo on me.  I got in, called my family, called my guy, was picked up by my dad, found out that Nantucket has ZERO SERVICE ON AT&T.  Boo, this makes long distance relationships a little frustrating.  We’re good to go though, me and my guy.  After I had a little meltdown (I’m emotional, y’all).  Anyway, after hanging out for a while, Dad and I went to pick up the car, picked up STUBBY’S! and then went home.  Watched some Olympics, caught up, and I went to sleep.

Here’s the thing about this trip.  I couldn’t help but sleep in EVERY MORNING.  This morning was the earliest I woke up, because I needed to shower and do my hair for family photos.  Even then, it was like 9:30 AM.  Every other morning?  Like 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM… which translated to Central?  Y’all, I’m lazy…BUT IT’S VACATION TIME SO THAT’S FINE.   So anyway…

First day, I was lazy.  Super lazy.  Kinda sad considering it was such a pretty day.  Laid around all day, occasionally going through boxes and tubs to see if there were any hidden treasures that I wanted to keep when we sold the house.  I got Anthropologie bedding, trinkets and three books:  Nooks and Crannys of Old New England (from 1901), Gaultier’s Book of Ballads (from the 1800’s) and a book of Voltaire’s dramatic works.  These are the most gorgeous antique books.  I am one lucky girl.  So I claimed those, ran around the yard with the girls, then went to Met on Main which replaced the Even Keel (one of my favorite restaurants that closed…read my rant?)  It was fine, just not family friendly…  We then went to Aunt Leah’s Fudge.  Okay so get this, the place used to be open til like 11:00 PM.  We walked up at 9:34 PM and they were locking the door.  Wouldn’t let us in.  I was devastated.  Aunt Leah’s Peanut Butter fudge is what I live for.  Alas, I went home longing and depressed…

Second day was SHOPPING day.  It was also rain day.  I was hell bent on getting a sweater.  I have never had a Nantucket sweater and I have been coming here for years… I’ve evolved a lot since the last time I was on the island though…  I never really wanted one before.  But I knew exactly what I wanted this time.  So we went to the Salty Dog (again, read the blog) and it disappointed.  Then I GOT SOME FUDGE AJFDJAGKDHGKAJFLD;GYEAH!!!  As well as some décor for the bathroom of my new apartment.  BUT MOSTLY FUDGE!  Dad and I went to the library to use wifi on the rainy rainy day, then saw The Amazing Spider-Man (second time if you recall) at the Dreamland. 

Third Day was beach day.  It was supposed to be sun and shine all day long so we loaded the pups, the girls and our beach gear and we were off.  It was a beautiful day on Cisco Beach.  I had Nantucket Nectars Apple Juice and a yummy Lobster Roll.  Perfection.  And I definitely will be tanner after this…just after the sunburn goes away.  I typically don’t burn.  But when you fall asleep in the sun, all bets are off.  And I did that twice, so both sides are toasty.  After our  lovely day on Cisco beach we went to Cisco brewery for some R&R, but we forgot leashes for the pups so that was short-lived.  Like “pull up, park, get out, get in, drive away” short-lived.  That was fine though.  The girls were wet and tired and needing a nap, so much in fact that they fell asleep as soon as we left the brewery.  We went to Sayles, picked up some lobsters, mussels, and shrimp cocktail and headed home, giving the munchkins time to nap.  The night was pretty dull after that.  I watched women’s Beach Volleyball.  Misty Mae and Kerri!!!  Can’t wait for tomorrow.

So Fourth Day, Last Day.  Karen’s Birthday!  Originally weather reports said it was supposed to rain all day, but the thing is you can’t really predict how weather will hit Nantucket.  It’s in a weird place and it’s an ISLAND.  Well needless to say, weather was WRONG.  Sun and shine, ladies and gents.  We started with a girl’s day lunch at the Summerhouse in Sciasconset.  Super pretty, super atmosphere, super pricey.  From there we went to the Sconset Market, a cute little grocery store that sells Nantucket bike baskets.  And I got the CUTEST BIKE BASKET.  We went into town to get me a backpack because there was no way that all of my stuff was going to fit coming back.  Once we got home, Karen and I got ready and Dad drove us three to the Galley.  What a fine place to eat.  I’d only been there once before, but since then they’ve added a beach bar and beach seating.  Like TOES IN THE SAND Beach Seating.  It was a wonderful evening.  And beautiful, not rainy as originally predicted.  But I was beat by the time we got home so I hit the hay.  Which was good because…

TODAY I woke up early(er than usual) to get pretty.  We were taking our annual white beach photos.  We typically do a different beach each year, but since I wasn’t here last year we used the same beach twice.  And might I say it was BEAUTIFUL.  My favorite beach yet.  I want to go there all the time.  The water was clear, the sand was cool, the seaweed was soft.  And it wasn’t busy.  AKA:  A++.  But wrangling two two-year olds and a couple of headstrong dogs (one of whom kept swimming away…) takes a lot of time and soon we had to run home, change clothes and take me to ACK (Nantucket Airport). 

The trip was short and sweet, but I would have loved to stay longer.  I love Nantucket so much.  It’s so beautiful and relaxing and I can’t wait for next summer.  For now?  Well tomorrow I film my last scenes for ‘My Father Is A Tyrannosaurus Rex’ and the next day Mom, Nevada (my brother) and I head to Waco to move me in to my FIRST APARTMENT (well, first to have my name on the lease).

Until next time…

I am the WoMan from Nantucket!

Hello, dear reader,

Greetings from the cool-and-yet-rain-logged island of Nantucket!

My pretty yard

I swear, even if it's super rainy, I love this island.  I mean aside from the over-priced clothes, lack of cheap family-friendly dining, and parking issues.

Seriously, I can not afford a 320 dollar tunic shirt, or a awesome-looking yacht coat that I will only wear maybe once for 650!  This is a family vacation spot, shouldn't I be able to afford clothes?  Or is that just for all of the rich people not residing in Old Tom Nevers?

Also, they got rid of SIX OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS.  Okay, granted, I wasn't able to get out here for the past two summers so that's on me and I can only remember the names of four of them, but still.  I hop off that plane and I am craving some Even Keel.  And then, oh wait, sorry, CLOSED.  They had the best Lobster Benedict and was a great breakfast/lunch/dinner place, geared to families.  No biggie though, let's go to the Ropewalk for the best calamari you will ever have in your life.  Did I mention it's right on the dock so you have an awesome view.  NEGATIVE, CLOSED.  Well, at least you can count on some typical American cuisine from the Atlantic.  And the architecture and interior is fab.  FALSE, CLOSED.  Let's just grab a burger from the Rotary.  CLOSED.  Hey Victoria, you're finally old enough to appreciate the restaurant located in the cellar of the ol' Coffin House...CLOSED.  Well, the airport has that cute restaurant we spent our snowed-in winter at--CLOSED.

RIP:

The Ropewalk

The Atlantic

The Even Keel

We went to this joint that replaced the Atlantic that had pub food, the Sea Dog? and I was so ready to give them the benefit of the doubt...BUT they burnt our food, were overpriced, and even though we ordered my sister's food right as we sat down, it took them half an hour to get out a couple of burgers.  They even got our appetizers out before the girls' meals (which again, we ordered first).  Also, they charged for every refill.  Seriously?  $2.50 per soda?  Goodbye.  At least the Pharmacy is still open...for now.

Still waiting for food, coloring has lost its charm...

I'm just thankful that Aunt Leah's fudge is still around.  But even they've cut back business hours...  Best fudge in the WORLD I swear.  And that Peanut Butter fudge...I could eat it all day long.

It really is!

Get in my belly!

And well, parking has always been tight because they are the most precious cobblestone roads and everything is all antiquated and I LOVE IT.

So if you're coming for some down-time and are ready to cook yourself some meals for non-fancy situations, this is a great place.  Which is typically my family.

It's the first summer I've spent here with my little sisters, and our last summer in our personal summer residence (affectionately referred to by myself as "Huevos on Huevos"...it's a long story involving a Pat Green reference and some really politically incorrect jokes on a family member's part.  ha...).  My padre and myself are at the local library right now, mooching off internet, as our own personal wifi at the house is spotty and the girls are making a ruckus.  Dad's trying to do work, I'm trying to blog, so we escaped for a few hours.  Later we're going to see The Amazing Spider-man at the newly rebuilt Dreamland Theatre.  It looks gorgeous and I've been waiting to see the result of hard-work and fundraising.

The NEW Dreamland

The theatre has a lengthly history:

"Originally built in 1835 as a Quaker Meetinghouse located on Main Street near Fair Street, it was moved to Brant Point in 1883, where it became the center portion of the Nantucket Hotel.  When the hotel was sold in 1905, the meetinghouse portion of the building was purchased by the Improved Order of the Red Men.  It was disconnected, placed on a barge, and floated across the harbor where it was relocated to its present site, where it opened as Nantucket’s first vaudeville house.  In time, the first floor of the building functioned as a moving picture theater and the second floor was a lodge room and dance hall.  A large addition constructed in 1922 increased the theater’s seating capacity to 600.  The building functioned as a theater until 2005, and following several unsuccessful redevelopment schemes for the building, it was purchased by the Dreamland Foundation in 2007.  Following a lengthy study which deemed the building structurally unsound, the Foundation decided that renovating the existing building would be impractical.  Plans were put in motion to raise funds and construct a facility whose design would honor its heritage through the re-use of some of the old buildings parts as architectural features."

http://www.nantucketdreamland.org/593-593

Then

Now

So, yeah, so very excited to see a great movie like Spider-man again, this time in such a neat, historical building.  

And of course, in this awful weather, I'll be dressing up...not:

Just got this cute new sweater.  Haven't ever gotten one, in all my years visiting the island, so it's long overdue.  Fell in love with the color and text as soon as I saw it but they didn't have a small.  Boo.  :(  

That's okay, I like my sweaters 

BIG AND COMFY!!!

Tree of Life

So I'm sitting at Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. Mid flight to Nantucket. This of course makes it difficult to post anything (considering I'm not willing to pay to use their wifi). So I figured I'd do something simple.

I have gotten very addicted to ancestry.com lately. They do a fourteen day trial and after that point they charge you a year subscription to either the U.S. or World version. I went with U.S. because it was cheaper but I already wish I did World because so much of my family is overseas...

I was set on taking full advantage of my free trial period. My trial just ended and I have 81 members in my family tree so far and 6 hints to dissect once I get wifi.

 For those of you unfamiliar with ancestry.com, you type in whatever you know already about your family and the site double checks names against their own records. It's amazing. I get so giddy when I'm on it.

For instance:
I found out that my grandfather was born under the name of Feltmann before his father changed it to Felton to ensure job security post-WWI. See my great-grandpa was losing jobs due to anti-Semitic views during the depression, and changed it to sound less Jewish. Crazy right? I knew that story before but I didn't know my papa had to change his name too. I figured the name change happened before he was born...wow!

*The name Feltmann is actually where I got the title for this blog.*

 *I figure since we're the Feltmanns I might as well be the FeltWoman...Bad pun, I know...*

Anyway I ALSO found out that that same great-grandfather traveled with his first wife from Bermuda to New York. A cruise trip? Neat-o! I even got the name of the ship: the Fort St. George. And after I got that information I found pictures online!

Then I found out that my great uncle got a full ride to the University of Texas for football. Funny because that side of the family is full of Aggies!

Playing for the Palacios Sharks

Ancestry.com even has an iPhone app so you can discover as you go and share your discoveries more easily with friends and family around you.

 

Have I sold you on it yet?