Sudduth Lagoon is going in...

So as many of you know, the Sudduth posse is putting in a real live swimming pool, unlike the sub-par above ground pools of the last two summers that basically just killed the grass and created a nice mosquito breeding ground.  That's right, a beautiful body of water with which to cool one's person during the dreadful depths of Houston's summer.  And complete with a hot tub to boot, for the cool winter evenings!

Everything has gone extremely well and much quicker than I expected.  We broke ground on Wednesday, May 23rd and we are expecting to start tiling and coping next Monday.  July 4th is the first swim party date! Only a couple of problems thus far - within 20 minutes of starting to dig, we found our main gas line running straight across the backyard.  So we had to have the gas line re-routed.  And of course while re-routing the gas line, the guys accidentally sliced the electricity going to the garage, knocking out my refrigerator full of venison and other frozen goodies.  We re-located all the good stuff to our neighbor's freezer and moved on fervently.

This was the starting point!

The first dig...

Starting to take shape...

And then we found the gas line!

So much for keeping some of the grass!

Progress!

End of day 1 - the digging is done!

Day 2:  The re-bar guys get to work...

2 hours later, the re-bar is done!

End of day 2:  stub out is complete for plumbing

Day 3:  Gunnite time!

End of Day 3:  We have a gunnite pool!

This was yesterday...ready to keep moving forward!

So there's the photo re-cap.  Between the end of day 3 and yesterday, we've had much activity.  Electricians and plumbers have been in and out...along with plenty of city permit approval personnel.  All the equipment is in and there is more conduit and other stuff buried in my yard than I ever imagined!  All the while over the past 2 weeks, I've had to water the pool 3 times daily to help the gunnite cure properly.  Who knew that I would have homework whilst installing a pool! 

As you can see, we have a wonderfully designed tanning shelf complete with a hole for an umbrella in the pool!  I think that may be my favorite thing.  Yesterday Jen and I went to the rock quarry (no I didn't see Fred Flintstone!) and chose our flagstone for the coping (edge of the pool deck).  Still to come is the plaster, decking and of course landscaping.  I'll keep you posted on our progress.  And yes, there will be a sign up sheet for visitors.  The Sudduth Lagoon will be a family friendly environment with adult beverages a plenty!  I'll be starting a donation fund for my new Kegirator project if anyone would like to contribute.

Heavy D takes in some College Baseball...

So last night my wonderful son Daniel joined me for some college baseball.  About once or twice a year, my Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks come to town for a game.  We missed the game against the University of Houston, but caught the game at Rice University.  Unfortunately, Rice is ranked about 15th in the country and gave my visiting institution a good ole fashioned butt kikkin', blanking us for a 6-0 win.

Daniel and I made it through the 7th inning before taking our leave.  It is a school night after all!  But we did manage to enjoy ourselves with cheeseburgers and peanuts.  And ran into several folks I knew, including a couple of customers and a colleague I worked with years ago.  It just goes to show you can network just about anywhere!

Daniel said he had a great time and that's all that really matters to me.  It is so much fun watching him grow into a quality young man and enjoying a ballgame with his Dad.

A sign of the times...

I usually reserve this blog space for family events, trivial fashion nuggets, food ideas and other erstwhile readable drivel, but this picture I stole from a Facebook friend piqued my interest.  And it is fashion oriented!

I will be really pleased when this fad moves along much the way parachute pants, coaches shorts and other teenage fashion tidbits vanished.  Little do the kids today who don this irregular trouser position know that they will look back one day and say, "Holy Crap, what was I thinking?"  Now if we could just abolish fanny packs altogether I could sleep through the night!

Indians -Spring 2012

I just thought you kind folks out in the blogosphere might like to see what takes up a huge amount of my time...the Indians.  This great group of kids and coaches have truly been the highlight of my life for the past few months.  I can't tell you how much enjoyment I get out of being around these fine people and having the opportunity to watch each play, learn and grow in the enjoyment of baseball.  I'm honored to be their manager!

My wonderful son Daniel is top left in front of Yours Truly



Easter 2012...

I love Easter...not because we get Good Friday off from work, but because it's the day of celebration that Jesus has risen....and also because I can wear Seersucker again!!!  That's right folks, it's time to break out the cottons, linens and madras!  And the white bucks get to come out of storage as well!  Can you tell I'm excited?

OK.  Simma down now.  So back to Easter.  The Sudduth clan took their leave to Dallas this year for the Easter weekend.  My wonderful parents in law hosted us and as always created a memorable event for both adults and kids, which there were plenty of.

Houston - St. Luke's UMC Easter Egg Hunt

Daniel and his friend Grant and a whole load of eggs!

Easter Morning at First Methodist - Richardson (Dallas)

Me & Heavy D

MyKala (far right), Daniel and cousins Carlee & Emma

My Beautiful Bride & her Sister Allyson

The Easter Feast

Jen & her Dad - Don

And yes, I added a little flair to the seersucker.  Socks courtesy of Mr. R. Lauren

I hope everyone had a beautiful, wonderful Easter!  It truly is a day of celebration!

Fraternity Gear has gone Dandy...

So I was browsing through one of my Sigma Chi Alumni Magazines last evening and came across perhaps the coolest fraternity letter emblazoned item I've ever seen.  Now check this out!



The lining is over the top dandyrific!  Back in my college days, I would have appropriated every cent I had, save a few bucks for cheap beer, and bought a new one of these bad boys for the start of every semester.  Heck, we practically lived in our Blue Blazers.  Back in the day (that's the mid 1980's for you young readers), just about every event called for a college fraternity man to don his blue blazer, khaki's, starched white shirt, rep tie and his trusty, well worn blue blazer.  It was "The Uniform" for everything from Formal Parties to Class Presentations.

So how cool would I had felt to have a lining screaming blue and gold on the inside whilst maintaining the cool uniform blue on the outside.  I still may pick one of these up just to wear around the house!

Texas Gear @ Volunteer Traditions

I follow lots of blogs from around the country and many are from areas like Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, etc.  And they all reference from time to time a solemn faith in their preferred SEC University or State.  The blogs often specifically reference several clothing providers that specialize in state or college gear, which I think is very cool.  The other day I wandered upon a site that has picked up on something...Texans are pretty damn proud of our state as well.  So they've introduced a Texas line of cool preppy gear.

The company is called Volunteer Traditions - the name is obviously a direct salute to their proud Tennessee heritage.  When you visit their website, their offering completely covers the Southeast states reaching North to Virginia with a swing over to Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.  Click here to go to their website - Volunteer Traditions.

I really like the gear.  Nothing fancy, just simple, straight forward Texas stuff in a quality product.  Here's a sample of their offering:

T-shirts

Hats

Belts

Flags...yes, that's a Baylor Flag!

They call this a Keyfob...which I guess attaches to your keychain

Eyewear Croakies

Dog Collars

They've also got things like license plates, koozies and other random stuff that may fit your bill.  So next time you're looking for a cool birthday gift for a proud Texan, check out Volunteer Traditions.  I'd like to thank them for including little ole' Texas in their offering and for recognizing that we're just as proud as those Southeasterners of their state...perhaps even more proud!

Friday Fasion Faux Pas...

Now as most of you know, or have picked up by reading this blog, I am all about pushing the boundaries of fashion acceptance.  I enjoy the occasional wild, or so called "Go To He**" pants, on occasion, but a fashionisto must know some limitations.  The gentleman referenced below needs to re-read the rule book carefully, for he has stepped into no man's land.

His overpowering yellow pants paired with a t-shirt and sandals trend toward an odd, misplaced bohemian representation.  And from our vantage point, they actually looked like "Skinny" jeans, similar to the ones worn by my wonderful 15 year old daughter.  Now, had this person paired them with some Gucci Loafers sans socks, a crisp white OCBD and a Navy Blazer, this post would have been singing his praises instead of the reprimand he's receiving herein.  So here's the lesson:  if you're going to work the edge of the fashion rule book, go ahead but be cautious not to overstep.  There just might be someone, or someone's lovely wife, waiting to snap your picture and eternally commiting your fashion sin to the Internet Blogosphere!

002 Picks Up Coverage...

So without any prompting or notification, Houston's 002 Magazine did a nice blurb about little 'ole me and my clothing company!  How nice to see my name in print!

I know it's small, but my bit is in the left bottom corner of the page.

Blog Post Catch Up Series

So it's been awhile since my last post and thought I would play a little catch up by running through several events and pictures at one time.  Hope you enjoy!

Sigma Chi Bird Blast 2012...No I didn't shoot all these myself!

A night at Lexington Grille...Lamp Chops!

Brother TJ Yates speaking at the Sigma Chi Wild Game Dinner 2012

Yours Truly with TJ Yates, Quarterback of the Houston Texans

Daniel ready for church...is he my son or what?

Daniel with Birthday Lego's

Daniel's 7th Birthday Party

Daniel's 7th Birthday Party at Tia Maria's

Yours Truly with my Beautiful Bride at OFE Silent Auction 2012

Dinner with the Browns...Daniel enjoying some Hot Tub Time

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just thought I'd share a quick photo of my son Daniel and his Valentine's Day cards for school.  I'm so proud of him for choosing Football related Valentine's cards!  That's my boy!

I hope everyone has a special day today!  And to my dear beautiful wife...Happy Valentines Day Darling.

Hangin' in East Texas...

The time was right for a trip up to the family mansion (translated "Little Yellow House" on a "Little bit of acreage") in East Texas.  When the temperature is just right and being outside is a pleasant experience, it's time to go.  And this time we had the great privilege of including our dear friends Christian (heretofore known as Ish) and Todd Parsons, both accomplished outdoorsman and lovely to be with.

We made the trek on Friday afternoon arriving just in time for Ish/Todd to throw together a really nice Spaghetti & Meatball dinner, complete with appetizers and ice cream dessert with about 20 toppings to choose from.

A rare picture of children without electronics!

Saturday of course meant it was time to assist the anxious angler to the pond for some fishing.  Unfortunately, with the drought of the past year, it seems that about 1 fish survived...which we caught several times.  In fact, we named him Jimmy and chastised him for being dumb enough to latch on to yellow stink bait over and over again.  After some time, we actually began to assume that he was making a suicide attempt and would rather we not throw him back each time.  Sorry Jimmy!

Yours Truly with Daniel & Jimmy

Lunchtime arrived and we set out once again for the famous (since I blogged about this place last time) Sissy's Country Cafe for Chicken Fried Steaks, Hot Rolls and a wonderful assortment of other country cooked fatty foods.  After a nice hike through the woods and some John Deere tractor time for me and Heavy D, the afternoon found us relaxing and enjoying the cool air...with adult refreshments of course.  Saturday evening included a great steak dinner followed by a really groovy campfire complete with s'mores.

The afternoon hike...

Ish, Jen, Riley & Dobby

Yes, I sell custom clothing and drive a John Deere!

A little afternoon refreshment break.

Ish, Todd & Daniel preparing the evening's bonfire.

Heavy D freezing his butt off by the fire.  Bring on the s'mores!

Sunday morning found us on a small river type offshoot of Palestine Lake in the Parson's Canoe.  That's right...on occasion...the Sudduth's do canoe.  Unfortunately, one outing found Ish, MyKala and her friend Hannah in the drink.  Oddly, all parties seem to blame the other for the misfortune.  Nevertheless, it was a good time and a great water based experience.

How do you transport a canoe you ask?

Seaman 1st Class Daniel prepares to take to the water...

The first journey out...Jen was a little nervous!

At first, everything seemed just fine!

Then the unwanted canoe tumping practice occurred!

We took our leave on Sunday afternoon and headed back to H-Town.  Another wonderfully exciting experience in E. Texas complete.  A huge thanks to our fabulous friends Ish & Todd for joining us and adding to the memories.

Where is Jimmy?