Today marks the first candle on the cake that is our life in Texas.
Here is what I have learned in the last year.
There are two seasons in Texas. Hot "as blue blazes", as we say in North Carolina, and Cold. Not cold with snow, but cold, maybe with ice.
ergo....
Always dress in layers. Because you never know when you'll enter the Cowboys game in shorts in 80 degree weather, and come out in 35 degree weather 3 hours later. (The same applies over a course of a week).
"C's" are pronounced "QU" as in "Quler" (cooler) or "Quers" (Coors), or "Quers Lhyte" (Coors Light). So you really should put the Quers Lhyte in the Quler.
Accessories make every single outfit. This means the right bag, jewelry or shoes. See Sam Moon for more details. P.S. Don't be afraid of the prints, rhinestones, or the "bedazzler". They add just the rhyte touch.
Per Martin- Traffic sucks. His rush hour can be 45 minutes to an hour an a half.
Football is a big deal. And I mean BIG. Picture 2nd graders in pads; Friday Night Lights- For real, though.
Which leads me too.... the Dallas Cowboys are on the news or the Dallas Morning News front page literally EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR. In season, or out. Who's the coach, who's the manager, who they're recruiting, if the fields are wet, if they're dry, if they're building a stadium, if they're selling part of the old one... LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Being a family, is a big deal. The most important deal.
There's plenty to do. We're never bored.
You're either a Texas A&M fan, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, or a UT fan. Pick your colors.
It's not just a big dust bowl. It's pretty, and wow! Look at all the livestock and horses!
I just found out three days ago that we live only about an hour from Oklahoma. Okay, don't laugh because, I knew we were close, just didn't know how close.
You can take the girl out of Carolina, but you can't take the Carolina out of the girl.....
It's a great place for us to live. We're so glad God brought us here. Even if it's hard to hear about all of you getting tons of snow, while we see ice as our only "Winter Storm '09". That's okay, we're headed into 85 degrees again.
----- My disclaimer is that I truly love Texas, and I hope that all of my new Texas friends can forgive my observations (that may chafe a little) in order to see the charm of their state.
In the words of Mark Chesnutt... "Just had to see the sun set out in Frisco..."
Blame it on Texas
Dont blame it on me
I am who I am
And thats what Im gonna be
You can say what you wanna say
About my insanity
Blame it on Texas
Dont blame it on me
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Chipmunk Cheeks
My family has been pretty fortunate to avoid most of the winter season sickness junk that has been going around. However, Mason came home from school on Monday with a temperature, and complaining of a sore throat. The school nurse informed us that one of the kids in his class has had strep throat, and I knew we were in for it too, since he rarely complains about stuff like that. Problem was, this all came to a head too late on Monday afternoon to get to the Dr. right away. I knew we'd need to go on Tuesday morning, and they were calling for freezing temperatures and ice. Great. Yesterday turned out to be okay- the ice came later- but I did get him right over to the Dr's office, where they did indeed confirm that he has strep throat, and reminded us all to practice good hand washing, and to try to keep Mason away from everyone else as much as possible.
After a quick mental pat on the back for my Mommy Intuition actually being RIGHT for a change; I developed the twitch that accompanies the idea of being trapped at home with a sick kid and an ice storm on the way. The Dr. sent me on my way with an antibiotic, and happily said, "Let me know if you need anything else!" to which I replied that I would LOVE to have something to keep me from going stir crazy. He just laughed. I think he thought I was joking.
Mason took his role of quarantine very seriously, and was very mindful of heading straight to his bedroom to retire in style with pj's, coloring books, reading books, and a good ol' comfy down throw. I immediately went about the house with my carton of Clorox wipes, sanitizing the Wii controller, all computer keyboards, television remotes, door knobs, light switches and toilet handles- feeling a sense of victory as I wiped away the germs with every stroke.
It was just about dinner time, and I had successfully managed to keep the boys separated, sanitized, and hopefully in a germ-free fly zone. Martin came home from work early, because of the pending ice build up on the roads, and we began to prepare dinner. Suddenly, Mason shouted down that all-to-familiar "Mommmmmeeeee?????......" warning cry- the one that I know means Coen's doing something BAD. I ran up the stairs- and while headed up, Mason explained my worst fear.... "Coen's drinking out of my water bottle."
No. Way. I shrieked, and bounded across the room, snatching the water bottle from his mouth- only to see Coen guiltily look up at me like a chipmunk, with cheeks full of Mason's germy water.
And so, my friends, I'll keep you posted.
After a quick mental pat on the back for my Mommy Intuition actually being RIGHT for a change; I developed the twitch that accompanies the idea of being trapped at home with a sick kid and an ice storm on the way. The Dr. sent me on my way with an antibiotic, and happily said, "Let me know if you need anything else!" to which I replied that I would LOVE to have something to keep me from going stir crazy. He just laughed. I think he thought I was joking.
Mason took his role of quarantine very seriously, and was very mindful of heading straight to his bedroom to retire in style with pj's, coloring books, reading books, and a good ol' comfy down throw. I immediately went about the house with my carton of Clorox wipes, sanitizing the Wii controller, all computer keyboards, television remotes, door knobs, light switches and toilet handles- feeling a sense of victory as I wiped away the germs with every stroke.
It was just about dinner time, and I had successfully managed to keep the boys separated, sanitized, and hopefully in a germ-free fly zone. Martin came home from work early, because of the pending ice build up on the roads, and we began to prepare dinner. Suddenly, Mason shouted down that all-to-familiar "Mommmmmeeeee?????......" warning cry- the one that I know means Coen's doing something BAD. I ran up the stairs- and while headed up, Mason explained my worst fear.... "Coen's drinking out of my water bottle."
No. Way. I shrieked, and bounded across the room, snatching the water bottle from his mouth- only to see Coen guiltily look up at me like a chipmunk, with cheeks full of Mason's germy water.
And so, my friends, I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
PFC Phelps
I grew up next door to a family that very nearly mirrored our own. Five kids, but they have 3 girls and 2 boys, and we have 2 girls, 3 boys. We moved away when I was thirteen, but Alisa and I were the oldest, and bumped into each other again in college. I'm pretty sure we are friends for life, and we often joke that she's my "Oldest" friend, since we've known each other since we were one.
Her brother James (I know him as Jamie), is a US Marine (another similarity), and Jamie unfortunately experienced the ugliest side of the war in Iraq when his humvee was ambushed. Jamie was slightly injured, but lost one of his good friends, Chance Phelps, during the ambush. I remember when this all happened, as Alisa and I stayed in touch, and Mrs. Cooper has been in touch with my Mom, and they share stories about being a Marine Mom. I remember being so glad and thankful that Jamie was safe, but saddened by the loss of this Marine that I didn't even know.
Time went by, and I've followed Chance's story, as Alisa sent me links to the efforts Chance's Mother has made on his behalf. I remember her saying that one of the buildings on the Marine base in California was being named in his honor. I was further moved when I read the story/blog of the Marine that escorted Pfc. Phelps back to his hometown for burial. You can read his account (and not without a tear) at: http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/04/taking_chance.html .
Now, apparently, this story has been made into a movie for HBO. Alisa has kept me in the loop on this as well. If any of you have HBO, and can record it for me, I would be so grateful.
Here is the message Alisa sent me about the movie:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/12/25/sundance-movie-trailer-taking-chance/
This is the link to the film trailer of the movie "Taking Chance." It is based on PFC Chance Phelps who was killed in Iraq. Chance was the gunner in my brother's humvee when they were ambushed in Iraq on April 9, 2004.
The movie is set to air on HBO in February.
Her brother James (I know him as Jamie), is a US Marine (another similarity), and Jamie unfortunately experienced the ugliest side of the war in Iraq when his humvee was ambushed. Jamie was slightly injured, but lost one of his good friends, Chance Phelps, during the ambush. I remember when this all happened, as Alisa and I stayed in touch, and Mrs. Cooper has been in touch with my Mom, and they share stories about being a Marine Mom. I remember being so glad and thankful that Jamie was safe, but saddened by the loss of this Marine that I didn't even know.
Time went by, and I've followed Chance's story, as Alisa sent me links to the efforts Chance's Mother has made on his behalf. I remember her saying that one of the buildings on the Marine base in California was being named in his honor. I was further moved when I read the story/blog of the Marine that escorted Pfc. Phelps back to his hometown for burial. You can read his account (and not without a tear) at: http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/04/taking_chance.html .
Now, apparently, this story has been made into a movie for HBO. Alisa has kept me in the loop on this as well. If any of you have HBO, and can record it for me, I would be so grateful.
Here is the message Alisa sent me about the movie:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/12/25/sundance-movie-trailer-taking-chance/
This is the link to the film trailer of the movie "Taking Chance." It is based on PFC Chance Phelps who was killed in Iraq. Chance was the gunner in my brother's humvee when they were ambushed in Iraq on April 9, 2004.
The movie is set to air on HBO in February.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)