We're Back

You guys saw photos of the cottage we stayed in. It was adorable. Next time, though, we will be sure to get one with a standing shower, not a handheld shower. There IS a difference!

This first two photos were taken on the front porch of the cottage.

This is us with my old college roommate, the one who kept me in line while I was away from J for a year. If you're ever in San Marcos, Texas, you must stop at Grin's for a burger!

This is me with our high school band director. She taught me the love of music and was one of the best marching band directors in the south, I believe, probably the country. This picture was taken in historic Gruene, Texas. A visit to the Gristmill Restaurant on the Guadalupe River is an absolute must. I loved my Rainbow Trout!

J and I wish you a happy and healthy 2012!

We are off to the Hill Country for a few days! Nothing like reminiscing to lift the holiday blues!!! We are staying at a cottage in Gruene, Texas. Check it out!

I loved this game. I can still remember dropping the ball down the chimney and watching it roll down the staircase. I would drop it over and over and over again for what seemed like hours. What, did I think something different would happen? It could only go four ways.

I loved putting the board together. I remember once when I wasn't gentle enough, I tore the end of one of the panels. After that, I had to be careful attaching that panel to the board so it wouldn't rip any more. The things you remember as a child.

My Daughter, The Songtress

Here's a song K18 is planning to record with her BFF. Their duo is called Pink Lemonade. Take a listen. They have a FB page. K18 is on the left.

Four and a Half More Days

On Friday afternoon, I will be free until 2012! Look for a post on my Around and Around blog for an update. I am so ready for the Christmas season to be OVER!!!

Texans Game

In Public

J and I went to our first Houston Texans game today and it was great! She won the tickets at work; they were on field level. It was fantastic because the Texans won again; they are in first place for the first time in franchise history. But something else made the day even greater.

The seats were so close together that sitting in our seats with our hands in our laps was basically out of the question, so she spent most of the game with her arm around me - in public!!! You probably think nothing of this, but let me tell you that J NEVER shows public displays of affection - EVER!

While we were sitting there, I went back in time. In the 1980's, even if our seats had been so close together, she would have found a way to have not put her arm around me, even if it killed her. We were that scared to be found out. She would not have, like she did today, grabbed on to me in the crowd to keep us from getting separated. If she would have been caught doing either of the above, we would have been sent home from high school or possibly kicked out of the college dorm. It just wasn't acceptable.

Today, I looked at the people beside us and behind us, and they were all grinning. They were having a good time; they could have cared less that we were obviously a couple. I love living life with J in the year 2011!

What's New Pussycat?

Whoa whoa whoa... whoa.

I haven't really posted much about our lives lately. Here are ten things happening with us:

1. I am now down to one job (teaching) and consulting work (home education) as requested. I officially turned in my keys and security card to my old boss today. I am so glad that chapter of my life is over. J filled in at his office for three weeks until he hired a replacement for my replacement. Long story that I can't blog about. J is now working two contract jobs; one is from home.

2. I have been "in charge" of the upper elementary class this week while the lead teacher is out of the country training other Montessorians. Things are going really well. I actually feel more relaxed while she's away, I guess because I can do things my way - and they are working! Before she left, she gave me permission to try some new procedures to manage the class of thirty-five 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Not sure what's going to happen when she returns next week. Will she keep my changes or not? Our assistant says she will "back me up." We shall see. I'll keep you posted on that one.

3. J and I would like to visit Savannah, Georgia during the Christmas holidays. Anyone have suggestions about what to do there?

4. My girls were away for Thanksgiving to see the ex's family in Arkansas. Missed them so much. Not sure when I will see them again. Probaly at the hospital (see next item).

5. I am going to be an aunt one week from today! My first time ever, a baby girl. They are naming her Abigail - calling her Abbi.

6. The T.V. shows I have been watching are: Parenthood, Harry's Law (not my favorite), The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles, Chopped, Next Iron Chef, Survivor (barely getting through it), and, of course, The Amazing Race! We don't watch many shows at their appointed time. The DVR has become my best friend. I am really interested in watching Being Chaz and I am Jazz. They are taped for when time allows. I also have a Dr. Phil episode on cults taped. I have always found the subject of cults fascinating.

7. Did you ever notice that when you order an old sitcom from Netflix, it doesn't turn out to be as good as you thought it was the first time? Some clunkers have been: The Lucy Show, My Three Sons Season 1, Ellen Season 1, Love Boat, and Fantasy Island. I mean, how did we watch this garbage? We are going to try Ellen Season 2 next.

8. I worked on my novel a bit over the holidays. Thanks to my readers who joined my Facebook page for Reverse Skate. I appreciate the support.

9. My car will be one year old on December 30th. I am almost at 1,000 miles.

10. My paternal grandma turned 95 on November 1st, and my maternal grandmother will be turning 93 in March.

Well, it's time to get my creative writing lessons done for tomorrow. I hope all my American readers had a great Thanksgiving!

Please Throw Me Some Balls!

To the cashier at the grocery store yesterday: I got over the fact that you ripped the bottle of wine right out of my hand and exclaimed, "You can't buy that before noon!" And I am happy to say that none of my eggs were broken after you slammed the 6-pack of Cokes on top of them. Neener neener. Be glad I didn't report you.

I was so angry yesterday at the store, I had to call J and ask her to calm me down. The last time I remember being angry in public was at the same grocery chain, different location. The cashier thought J and I were trying to steal some 2-liter diet sodas and it was downhill after that. I know there is a blog post about this somewhere. We really should have reported the jerk. What keeps me from reporting people ? I always want to give people the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe they are having a bad day.

It's not like I don't have time to go to the manager, although my cold groceries might suffer. I simply do not like confrontations. Okay. Truth. I am AFRAID of confrontations. I think this is something I need to conquer. I am feeling the urge to write to the store after the fact. Will it do any good? Probably not, but I think it might make me feel better.

The only time I remember getting vocally angry in a store was when I was at Circuit City for the umpteenth time, trying to get them to help me with the piece of crap they sold me; they called it a computer. Me and a friend of mine stood at the entrance of customer service at the front of the store, and as people walked in, I said to them, "You don't want to buy anything here!!!" If my friend had not been with me, I wouldn't have done it. I need balls. How do I get them??

Today I was supposed to come in for an hour or so to train the replacement for my replacement (that's another blog entry altogether). The girl called in sick, and I ended up staying the whole day. This was supposed to be my vacation. I was supposed to have gone to get bloodwork today. And now I have been informed by my ex-boss that I need to come in tomorrow to train the girl. It's her fourth day of work and she has managed to be present 1 1/2 days so far. Why can't I just say to him, "You know, this is my vacation. I really hadn't planned to come in this week at all. If she had come in all three days last week like she was supposed to, she would have been almost completely trained by now." I need balls!

A Humble Plea to My Readers

I have started working on my novel again since I have some time off during the Thanksgiving holidays. I also have two weeks off for Christmas! This is a great time of year for me to write because most of the abuse happened during the holidays. Please take a moment and "like" my Facebook page for Reverse Skate. I could really use the encouragement right now. Feel free to pass the link along to anyone you know who might be interested in reading a story regarding sexual abuse and/or OCD. My goal is to complete the book in 2012. Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

San Antonio Trip 2011

J and I went to San Antonio this weekend for a nic getaway. We stayed at the Menger Hotel, the hotel where Teddy Roosevelt rounded up the Rough Riders. It is said to be haunted by many ghosts, his included. Didn't see any, but here are some photos I took along the way. We had a wonderful time together. Can't wait to go away on our next excursion, possibly to Austin.

The Menger Bar - one of the most popular historic bars in the U.S.

Beautiful Cherrywood!

The Menger as it looks today:

The Menger as it looked years ago:

Bug candy in the gift shop: larvae, crickets, and ants

Telephone booths
J and I at Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery



House Phones in the Lobby






The View from Our Balcony

Which way to Room 5125?

Me, anxiously waiting for J to say we are on our way to S.A.!!

Thank you, baby, for a wonderful trip I will always remember. Sorry I spilt Diet Dr. Pepper all over the place, including your shoes. The Menger Bar was wonderful and relaxing. The cab rides were fun. Thank you for going to the River Center Mall with me to Primarily Purple. I know it was torture for you. The trip to Gruene was short but sweet. Thank you for the earrings, the keyring and the new traveling hat you picked out especially for me. And, of course, thank you for stopping by San Marcos and Martindale, my favorite places in the entire world, even if they make me cry. I hope our retirement dream comes true one day!

Love,

~B~

P.S. You look beautiful in your purple polo!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday