Still in Texas right now working on another preliminary pipeline survey. I am right outside of Houston. Spending the winter here has been the experience of my life. I might have worn my coat 10 times and my closet is stuffed full of storing my cold weather gear. I look at my closet and wonder when I will wear that stuff again. I could get used to this.

Although, I hear lots of sweaty stories about being here in the summer. Bring it on. I am a tough one. Not scared of the weather. But I really don't like the snakes, wild hogs, fire ants, briars and swamps. This is new to me....and will remember this experience and chalk it up for another one. Life is still good.

I absolutley love Texas. Awesome food and people. Life is good right now. My life feels rich with experiences and I am happy.This is a picture of me with one of my crew and pretty much the most recent pic of me.

I am soo homesick though and need to get back to washington to see my family. Sometimes I lose sight of the most important things in my life. Things that aren't about me but more about the people I love and miss and who love me.

This work and lifestyle of traveling like I do, does have it's consequences.

"It's not the things I do or did in life that I regret...it's the things I didn't do." Quote by my Ma, who quoted it from my grandpa.

Update! I am home for the holidays. Then on back to Texas.

I started work in Texas at the end of October on a new preliminary pipeline survey. It definately beats Wyoming in the winter. The weather in Texas has been really warm. No arctic wear for me this winter!!!!!

I am hoping to get a new digital camera, as my last one (which was only a couple mos. old) disappeared from my motel room in Rock Springs. That bummed me out big time. I had some cool pics from that Wyoming job on it that hadn't been downloaded yet. Learned an expensive lesson.

So here I am for a whole week, spending it with my family here in Washington. How good it feels to be home. Me and my best buddy are making homemade Schnapps which has been a tradition for the last 4 yrs. I will take some back with me to Texas. I am in a dry town where it is impossible to buy beer or liquor.

Happy Holidays!

One last pic then off to work. This is part of the right of way crew, clearing out timber. Liked this pic so am posting.