Here are some cute pictures from our adventures:
And the volleyball tournament:
Showing posts with label Texas Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Life. Show all posts
Friday, January 3, 2014
Sporting Boys
We've done some new things with the boys this last week, we've seen a Texas A&M basketball game... and my niece play volleyball. The both of which we've never done, and with my two crazy boys -- both were slight risks. We tend to like to move around a LOT, and the basketball game luckily had very few people there because it was New Years Eve. That gave James a lot of freedom to be in constant motion, which worked well. The volleyball tournament was another opportunity to keep those two moving, but it was a bit confusing for them that they couldn't go talk to Brittany.
Here are some cute pictures from our adventures:
And the volleyball tournament:
Here are some cute pictures from our adventures:
And the volleyball tournament:
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Houston vs Memphis
Some of you have asked (a while back... but whatever) how I like living in the Memphis area. I can say with certainty that it is different... with both good and bad aspects. I'm not sure that it'll ever be "home" - but it is where we're hanging our hats these days.
The pace is absolutely slower here - in every sense of the expression. No one is in a hurry to do anything here. I'm used to the fast paced big city - I mean Houston is the 4th largest city in the country - so you drive fast, talk fast, hurry through everything, and juggle 50 things at a time. Here, everyone is really laid back and it can be frustrating when you're trying to get something done. It's the most frustrating when you're trying to get something important completed... like say the 2 hours it took to get my kids their well child visits yesterday.
The technology is a bit behind in a lot of ways too. Which is kind of cool and surreal at the same time. I told a friend recently that it's sort of like stepping back 20 years or so in time. True story. In Houston, I'm thinking they've had the emission filters on the gas pumps for at least 15 years or so... and here - they don't have them. Granted, I've only really gotten gas once or twice... and it's been at the Kroger store near my house... so it might be an isolated incident, but in TX it's a huge deal.
Memphis isn't quick to update things either - meaning that our Sonic stores here have the same signs that they've probably always had. I guess in Houston the vogue thing to do is to always have the latest and greatest... update and upgrade are the words of the day there. Here it's quieter and slower to move to the newer technologies and remodels. It's sort of quaint in a way for staying true to the original - I just think that it's a little surprising to me that it's the big national chains too.
My life here is different than it was in Houston. I mostly worked downtown and had a good hour long commute everyday. Today, I rarely leave the area within a 10-15 minute radius of my house. Seriously, between my house and the freeway is about the extent of my travels. The farthest I've driven since I've been here has been to the church where our MOPS group meets. Which is about 18 miles from the house. I will make that drive every other Wednesday - which is funny to me when I used to drive 25 miles to work one way every single day. It's great though that I have a HUGE Expedition - and I haven't filled it up in a month! True story.
It may be a LOT slower... but I think it's a great place to have these boys. Everyone here is charmed by them... and they interact with these sweet southern voices very well. I think the slower pace will help me be able to keep up with life while taking care of them.
For me the funniest part of this whole deal is that I moved 10 hours north... and I NOW live in the south. HA!
The pace is absolutely slower here - in every sense of the expression. No one is in a hurry to do anything here. I'm used to the fast paced big city - I mean Houston is the 4th largest city in the country - so you drive fast, talk fast, hurry through everything, and juggle 50 things at a time. Here, everyone is really laid back and it can be frustrating when you're trying to get something done. It's the most frustrating when you're trying to get something important completed... like say the 2 hours it took to get my kids their well child visits yesterday.
The technology is a bit behind in a lot of ways too. Which is kind of cool and surreal at the same time. I told a friend recently that it's sort of like stepping back 20 years or so in time. True story. In Houston, I'm thinking they've had the emission filters on the gas pumps for at least 15 years or so... and here - they don't have them. Granted, I've only really gotten gas once or twice... and it's been at the Kroger store near my house... so it might be an isolated incident, but in TX it's a huge deal.
Memphis isn't quick to update things either - meaning that our Sonic stores here have the same signs that they've probably always had. I guess in Houston the vogue thing to do is to always have the latest and greatest... update and upgrade are the words of the day there. Here it's quieter and slower to move to the newer technologies and remodels. It's sort of quaint in a way for staying true to the original - I just think that it's a little surprising to me that it's the big national chains too.
My life here is different than it was in Houston. I mostly worked downtown and had a good hour long commute everyday. Today, I rarely leave the area within a 10-15 minute radius of my house. Seriously, between my house and the freeway is about the extent of my travels. The farthest I've driven since I've been here has been to the church where our MOPS group meets. Which is about 18 miles from the house. I will make that drive every other Wednesday - which is funny to me when I used to drive 25 miles to work one way every single day. It's great though that I have a HUGE Expedition - and I haven't filled it up in a month! True story.
It may be a LOT slower... but I think it's a great place to have these boys. Everyone here is charmed by them... and they interact with these sweet southern voices very well. I think the slower pace will help me be able to keep up with life while taking care of them.
For me the funniest part of this whole deal is that I moved 10 hours north... and I NOW live in the south. HA!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Redefining the Funny Farm
I've had every intention of blogging for a few days now, but literally - for the last 8 days - I've been living in some sort of alternate universe. Would you like a run down of what that looks like? Ok, indulge me for a minute.
Saturday, May 28th: I went out with a few of my best gals here in Texas for the last time... Renee, Danielle & Jillian... I will TRULY miss these ladies so much... but on the upside - they are also the most likely to come visit us in TX. Anyway - we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and dessert. When I left that night I knew my dog, Maggie wasn't feeling well. She'd been sick for a couple of days, but she typically bounces back fairly quickly... this time though - it just kept getting worse. So when I got home, I knew it wasn't an illness she was going to come back from. I made the decision at 10:30 that night that we had to take her and put her to sleep. I'd lived with Maggie since she was 6 weeks old, and we had a great 13 years together. She stuck with me through some hard times and some great times... and just had the sweetest soul. I will miss her terribly, but I'm glad that she's not suffering anymore.
Sunday, May 29th: We had friends over to help us clean out our fridge. We grilled a bunch of meat and did some sort of Iron Chef/Chopped episode with a few items in the pantry. It turned out great, and gave us some time with a few more friends and some family.
Monday, May 30th: Was spent packing our travel bags, going through some last minute odds and ends... and just preparing for the move.
Tuesday, May 31st: The movers were supposed to come between 8 and 10... but then called to say they'd be there at 3... and then we didn't hear back from them again until after 5 when they told us they were still in Baton Rouge, LA... and certainly wouldn't make it to our house that day. So we gave up on them, met with the Realtors and called it a night.
Wednesday, June 1st: Finally, the movers showed up... although they were still an hour and a half later than they were expected. They had us packed up and ready to load the truck by 3PM... at midnight, we decided to stop and continue on the next day. John's Aunt passed away as well, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was such a wonderful woman, and will be deeply missed by all of us that had the pleasure of knowing her during her 72 years of life.
Thursday, June 2nd: The movers came back at 11AM... and it literally took them until 8PM to get finished. Craziness since they scheduled us for packing and loading the truck all in one day - and then it took them a full 2 days to get it done. UGH!
Friday, June 3rd: I met the cleaning crew over at the house, returned the cable boxes, and saw my friend Renee for one last quick visit. The left Cypress, Texas for the last time as a resident. It was certainly bittersweet to leave... not only the area that I loved living in, the friends, but also the home that we brought our boys home to. Saying goodbye to the room that we so lovingly made for them was certainly difficult, and literally brought both John and I to our knees.
John left for Memphis on Friday afternoon to get a few things done, only to return again for the funeral before we actually meet the movers again.
Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th: We've been hanging out playing and enjoying our last few days in Texas. The boys have adjusted amazingly well - much better than I would have expected... and I'm so grateful for that.
Today, we're getting ready for the beginings of Aunt Aster's funeral tonight - the boys will stay here with family and get some rest. Then tomorrow all four of us will go to the actual funeral, burial, and family reception... then John will drive us back to my Dad's and immediately head out with our dog, Missy, to Memphis. The movers are supposed to arrive on Wednesday to deliver all of our goods... and then the boys and I fly out on Thursday to start our new lives in Tennessee.
It's taking a lot of Starbucks... but I'm hanging in there alright. Can't wait to share pictures and things on the flip side.
Saturday, May 28th: I went out with a few of my best gals here in Texas for the last time... Renee, Danielle & Jillian... I will TRULY miss these ladies so much... but on the upside - they are also the most likely to come visit us in TX. Anyway - we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner and dessert. When I left that night I knew my dog, Maggie wasn't feeling well. She'd been sick for a couple of days, but she typically bounces back fairly quickly... this time though - it just kept getting worse. So when I got home, I knew it wasn't an illness she was going to come back from. I made the decision at 10:30 that night that we had to take her and put her to sleep. I'd lived with Maggie since she was 6 weeks old, and we had a great 13 years together. She stuck with me through some hard times and some great times... and just had the sweetest soul. I will miss her terribly, but I'm glad that she's not suffering anymore.
Sunday, May 29th: We had friends over to help us clean out our fridge. We grilled a bunch of meat and did some sort of Iron Chef/Chopped episode with a few items in the pantry. It turned out great, and gave us some time with a few more friends and some family.
Monday, May 30th: Was spent packing our travel bags, going through some last minute odds and ends... and just preparing for the move.
Tuesday, May 31st: The movers were supposed to come between 8 and 10... but then called to say they'd be there at 3... and then we didn't hear back from them again until after 5 when they told us they were still in Baton Rouge, LA... and certainly wouldn't make it to our house that day. So we gave up on them, met with the Realtors and called it a night.
Wednesday, June 1st: Finally, the movers showed up... although they were still an hour and a half later than they were expected. They had us packed up and ready to load the truck by 3PM... at midnight, we decided to stop and continue on the next day. John's Aunt passed away as well, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was such a wonderful woman, and will be deeply missed by all of us that had the pleasure of knowing her during her 72 years of life.
Thursday, June 2nd: The movers came back at 11AM... and it literally took them until 8PM to get finished. Craziness since they scheduled us for packing and loading the truck all in one day - and then it took them a full 2 days to get it done. UGH!
Friday, June 3rd: I met the cleaning crew over at the house, returned the cable boxes, and saw my friend Renee for one last quick visit. The left Cypress, Texas for the last time as a resident. It was certainly bittersweet to leave... not only the area that I loved living in, the friends, but also the home that we brought our boys home to. Saying goodbye to the room that we so lovingly made for them was certainly difficult, and literally brought both John and I to our knees.
John left for Memphis on Friday afternoon to get a few things done, only to return again for the funeral before we actually meet the movers again.
Saturday, June 4th - Sunday, June 5th: We've been hanging out playing and enjoying our last few days in Texas. The boys have adjusted amazingly well - much better than I would have expected... and I'm so grateful for that.
Today, we're getting ready for the beginings of Aunt Aster's funeral tonight - the boys will stay here with family and get some rest. Then tomorrow all four of us will go to the actual funeral, burial, and family reception... then John will drive us back to my Dad's and immediately head out with our dog, Missy, to Memphis. The movers are supposed to arrive on Wednesday to deliver all of our goods... and then the boys and I fly out on Thursday to start our new lives in Tennessee.
It's taking a lot of Starbucks... but I'm hanging in there alright. Can't wait to share pictures and things on the flip side.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Attack of the Little Brother
I've been playing referee lately with the boys... whether it's James crawling over Tyler or James stealing the toys right out of Ty's hands... Mommy has been having to come to the rescue. Well, something interesting happened the other day... Tyler finally got some revenge!
James was drinking his bottle, and Tyler rolled over next to him. He then started pulling James' hair and sticking his hands in his face. It was pretty funny to see the look on James' face - he was like "what the heck?!" - oh what a rude awakening is coming for the big brother VERY soon!
What's a Mama Hawk to do in such a situation? Take pictures, of course!
Tyler is starting to get ready for his crib which will be set up at the new house... and he's a funny little guy - sleeps "bottoms up" most of the time. Makes me laugh every time I see it.
And what happens while I sit down for 5 minutes to write a quick blog post? THIS!
I'm in big, BIG trouble ya'll!
James was drinking his bottle, and Tyler rolled over next to him. He then started pulling James' hair and sticking his hands in his face. It was pretty funny to see the look on James' face - he was like "what the heck?!" - oh what a rude awakening is coming for the big brother VERY soon!
What's a Mama Hawk to do in such a situation? Take pictures, of course!
Tyler is starting to get ready for his crib which will be set up at the new house... and he's a funny little guy - sleeps "bottoms up" most of the time. Makes me laugh every time I see it.
And what happens while I sit down for 5 minutes to write a quick blog post? THIS!
I'm in big, BIG trouble ya'll!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Memo to Me
Yesterday, yet again - we had another Houston snow/ice scare. I left work early because it was sleeting and snowing out by my house... and there were reports that the path between my office and the boys was having patches closed because of ice.
I did see the snow and some ice, but nothing that closed down any roads. It was about 29 degrees... which isn't earth shattering to a lot of you... but for Houston it's pretty cold... and what do you think I found when I got home?! No POWER! For realz?!
It took about 45 minutes for it to come back on, but it didn't go out any other time during the evening. Thank goodness for our house running on most things via natural gas... and an extra special shout out to our gas logs in the fireplace... that kept this Momma and my baby birds from becoming popsicles last night.
My evenings these days involve a healthy dose of time spent feeding Tyler... the kid is amazing. He eats like a small bird during the morning and early afternoon - and then something happens around 4PM that turns him into an eating machine. So he eats 4oz between 4 & 4:30... then he eats another 4 oz at 6... and at 8 he starts chugging a 6 ounce bottle with rice cereal in it. It's amazing. It does somehow seem to be helping him with sleeping though.
It's been a couple weeks or so since we've had a middle of the night feeding... but he goes down between 8:30 and 10... and then we get up to start over at 4:30...
That is until today... the one time I've forgotten to set the alarm - and Tyler decides he wants to sleep in! I woke up at 5:15... and had to do a mad dash to get 2 of us fed and changed... and one of us dressed... but we were all 3 in the car by 6 and off to the babysitter's house.
There certainly was some ice around this morning... but not much other than that...
I did see the snow and some ice, but nothing that closed down any roads. It was about 29 degrees... which isn't earth shattering to a lot of you... but for Houston it's pretty cold... and what do you think I found when I got home?! No POWER! For realz?!
It took about 45 minutes for it to come back on, but it didn't go out any other time during the evening. Thank goodness for our house running on most things via natural gas... and an extra special shout out to our gas logs in the fireplace... that kept this Momma and my baby birds from becoming popsicles last night.
My evenings these days involve a healthy dose of time spent feeding Tyler... the kid is amazing. He eats like a small bird during the morning and early afternoon - and then something happens around 4PM that turns him into an eating machine. So he eats 4oz between 4 & 4:30... then he eats another 4 oz at 6... and at 8 he starts chugging a 6 ounce bottle with rice cereal in it. It's amazing. It does somehow seem to be helping him with sleeping though.
It's been a couple weeks or so since we've had a middle of the night feeding... but he goes down between 8:30 and 10... and then we get up to start over at 4:30...
That is until today... the one time I've forgotten to set the alarm - and Tyler decides he wants to sleep in! I woke up at 5:15... and had to do a mad dash to get 2 of us fed and changed... and one of us dressed... but we were all 3 in the car by 6 and off to the babysitter's house.
There certainly was some ice around this morning... but not much other than that...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Giveaway Winner & Other News
Lets start off with the fun stuff... the Lovey Dovey Giveaway winner is... AMBER GI!! Amber - contact me via email (kbhawkins00 AT gmail DOT com) within the next 24 hours and I'll send you the discount code to use at CSN Stores.
In other news... those of us in the Houston area are bracing for 1-5 inches (INCHES!!!) of snow between noon today and noon tomorrow. I know for a lot of my friends up north... this isn't a big deal... but let me put this in perspective for you. In Houston, we deal with hurricanes, flooding, and 110+ degree temps in the summer... but the last time we've had any sort of MAJOR winter event was 1997.
We've had a snow flurry or two in the last couple of years... but nothing that shut down the city like this is. I remember the storm in 1997, very well. It was my second semester of college and I was transferring home from the University of Alabama... so I had just moved to College Station, TX - it literally was my second day there and my little Honda Civic was completely frozen to the ground... doors frozen shut... and no one was going anywhere. So I spent my first few days there stuck in my apartment not knowing anyone.
So this time - we're bracing for even worse... and it might even stick - which would be a little fun to see. I know that the area kids are excited - and schools are already closing and planning their early releases. It'll be the boys first snow - so I hope to be able to get them out for a minute to get a photo... but of course they won't be out long because God knows - I can't afford for anyone to get sick! Be sure though - if anything here turns white... I'll be documenting with the camera and will bring you updates.
No worries though - I have the essentials... formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, bottled water, dog food, hamburger helper, cokes, and other snacks! HAHAHA!
The airport here is shutting down operations at 3PM today... and we don't know what that means for John getting home from Memphis - but either way - he'll be here sometime soon. If they go ahead and cancel his flight - he's hopping in the car and driving home... so we'll see. He'll be here sometime within the next 24 hours.
***********
In other news... those of us in the Houston area are bracing for 1-5 inches (INCHES!!!) of snow between noon today and noon tomorrow. I know for a lot of my friends up north... this isn't a big deal... but let me put this in perspective for you. In Houston, we deal with hurricanes, flooding, and 110+ degree temps in the summer... but the last time we've had any sort of MAJOR winter event was 1997.
We've had a snow flurry or two in the last couple of years... but nothing that shut down the city like this is. I remember the storm in 1997, very well. It was my second semester of college and I was transferring home from the University of Alabama... so I had just moved to College Station, TX - it literally was my second day there and my little Honda Civic was completely frozen to the ground... doors frozen shut... and no one was going anywhere. So I spent my first few days there stuck in my apartment not knowing anyone.
So this time - we're bracing for even worse... and it might even stick - which would be a little fun to see. I know that the area kids are excited - and schools are already closing and planning their early releases. It'll be the boys first snow - so I hope to be able to get them out for a minute to get a photo... but of course they won't be out long because God knows - I can't afford for anyone to get sick! Be sure though - if anything here turns white... I'll be documenting with the camera and will bring you updates.
No worries though - I have the essentials... formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, bottled water, dog food, hamburger helper, cokes, and other snacks! HAHAHA!
The airport here is shutting down operations at 3PM today... and we don't know what that means for John getting home from Memphis - but either way - he'll be here sometime soon. If they go ahead and cancel his flight - he's hopping in the car and driving home... so we'll see. He'll be here sometime within the next 24 hours.
**********
Lastly for today... I have to leave you with this video. This song sums up my crazy life right now soooooo well... and it's just one of those songs that makes me smile. It's so happy and fun! I find myself tapping my foot and dancing around when I hear it... so hopefully it'll bring a little bit of sunshine to your day.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Confirmation
You guys want to know the exact moment that you realize that your decision to not get out in the flood is confirmed to be a brilliant move??
When you are driving to work the next day, and you see a car just like yours... and by that I mean it was a sedan with 4 doors (I know my knowledge of cars is astounding!)... sitting at an intersection you frequently take (for those in town - Jarvis & Huffmeister) - with flood water up over the doors!
We drove by this morning when the tow truck pulled in to get the car out, and both John and I couldn't believe it. I mean the rain water has been receding since yesterday - and it was still up over the doors of this car.
It just makes you wonder how high it was when the water was at its worst...
What happened to get this car stuck in that much water?
Is the driver alright?
I mean it's one thing to see water on the news flooding in some places up to 24' higher than normal... but it is something quite different to see it with your own eyes in a place that you've actually driven - while knowing that you went through there hours if not minutes before the flooding really got bad.
We too drove through some deep water on Monday night, but it pales in comparison to what we saw this morning.
Part of me wishes that I'd had my camera this morning to show you what we saw... but another part of me knows that pictures don't do it justice.
When you are driving to work the next day, and you see a car just like yours... and by that I mean it was a sedan with 4 doors (I know my knowledge of cars is astounding!)... sitting at an intersection you frequently take (for those in town - Jarvis & Huffmeister) - with flood water up over the doors!
We drove by this morning when the tow truck pulled in to get the car out, and both John and I couldn't believe it. I mean the rain water has been receding since yesterday - and it was still up over the doors of this car.
It just makes you wonder how high it was when the water was at its worst...
What happened to get this car stuck in that much water?
Is the driver alright?
I mean it's one thing to see water on the news flooding in some places up to 24' higher than normal... but it is something quite different to see it with your own eyes in a place that you've actually driven - while knowing that you went through there hours if not minutes before the flooding really got bad.
We too drove through some deep water on Monday night, but it pales in comparison to what we saw this morning.
Part of me wishes that I'd had my camera this morning to show you what we saw... but another part of me knows that pictures don't do it justice.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Stinking Hysterical
The one thing that says authentic Rodeo Trail Ride to me is the new pickup truck with the port-a-potty trailer on the back!! Oh man - I laughed out loud at that one!!
The second thing is the additional truck with the "roach coach" on it for food... aren't these people supposed to be experiencing what life was like back then?! Wouldn't cooking over a campfire add to that experience? Maybe they are only using it to keep the food cold?
The second thing is the additional truck with the "roach coach" on it for food... aren't these people supposed to be experiencing what life was like back then?! Wouldn't cooking over a campfire add to that experience? Maybe they are only using it to keep the food cold?
I'm Not Even Kidding
Of all the days to leave my camera at home!!
Ya'll my office is less than 10 miles from downtown Houston, and this... is in the field next to my building... (these are just some pics I could find on the internet for a little display of what it looks like)
Southwestern Trail Ride
Key Facts
Ya'll my office is less than 10 miles from downtown Houston, and this... is in the field next to my building... (these are just some pics I could find on the internet for a little display of what it looks like)
Southwestern Trail Ride
Key Facts
• No. of years group has participated in the Downtown Rodeo Parade: 30
• Established: November 1973
• Number of Riders: 450 (Yeah that's 450 horses in the field next door!)
• Number of Wagons: 13
• Starts: Feb. 23 in Sargent, Texas
• Distance: 110 miles (They've ridden that far in the last week!)
This is the group that is camped out there right now - I saw all 13 of the wagons - It sure doesn't look like 450 horses, but I'm sure that it is. It looks very different from the second floor window - so it's hard to judge. It's very cool to see a piece of Texas History being lived out in front of your office building.
I've always laughed at the fact that at some point during day before our big Rodeo Parade - they shut down I-10 for these guys to come into town and camp for the night, but I'd never actually seen it live... it's typically done in the middle of the morning - you know - when there isn't as much traffic... but it is certainly a sight!
I seriously wish I had my camera - I'd take my "lunch break" and go get some real shots for you guys to see what we're looking at... but oh well... there's always next year for the real live shots!
How fun would it be to go yell "Howdy Partner" across the street right now?! (Yeah - I don't have it in me to be that crazy... but I'd laugh if someone else did... or maybe I'd run and hide... who knows!)
Rodeo Time
Does every State have a GO Day?
We here have Go Texan Day, and I'm not sure if it's an entire statewide deal or if it's just a Houston thing... but it cracks me up every year.
We got this email at work the other day:
All NCI Staff:
Neighborhood Centers Inc. is pleased to announce that we will honor the city-wide tradition known as “Go Texan Day” and permit staff to wear western attire, including jeans, to work this Friday, February 27, 2009.
This celebration officially begins Rodeo season in our city, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo website describes “Go Texan Day” in the following way:
“It's been called a spirit. It's even been referred to as a fever. Very few individuals - if any - can explain it. People in Houston just know that there's something in the air, and they know that it arrives early in February and lasts about a month. They smell pit-smoked barbecue for miles. They see their friends wearing jeans and boots. And while driving to work, they pass hundreds of men and women on horseback, some even in wagons. Most Houstonians know exactly what's going on - they've been around it for many years…. It was in 1938 when the general manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce initiated a motion to immerse the city in excitement for the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. It wasn't, however, until the mid 1950s that the Go Texan movement was officially launched, as a result of an advertising agency promotion. In 1954, Archer Romero chaired the first Go Texan Committee, and members of the newly-established group encouraged everyone to wear Western clothes. They also distributed posters and other publicity material. This Go Texan spirit has expanded throughout the last four decades, partly due to the efforts of the Show's seven Go Texan committees. These committees help publicize the Show through numerous promotional events and Go Texan contests.”
I always love Go Texan Day... I don't know why - I don't go all out with it - I haven't even been to the rodeo in several years, but I love the excuse to wear jeans to the office and see what everyone else has chosen to wear. I laugh at those of us that don't really pull out the western wear - but get really tickled at those that do go all out. :-)
Happy Go Texan Day Ya'll!
We here have Go Texan Day, and I'm not sure if it's an entire statewide deal or if it's just a Houston thing... but it cracks me up every year.
We got this email at work the other day:
All NCI Staff:
Neighborhood Centers Inc. is pleased to announce that we will honor the city-wide tradition known as “Go Texan Day” and permit staff to wear western attire, including jeans, to work this Friday, February 27, 2009.
This celebration officially begins Rodeo season in our city, one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo website describes “Go Texan Day” in the following way:
“It's been called a spirit. It's even been referred to as a fever. Very few individuals - if any - can explain it. People in Houston just know that there's something in the air, and they know that it arrives early in February and lasts about a month. They smell pit-smoked barbecue for miles. They see their friends wearing jeans and boots. And while driving to work, they pass hundreds of men and women on horseback, some even in wagons. Most Houstonians know exactly what's going on - they've been around it for many years…. It was in 1938 when the general manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce initiated a motion to immerse the city in excitement for the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. It wasn't, however, until the mid 1950s that the Go Texan movement was officially launched, as a result of an advertising agency promotion. In 1954, Archer Romero chaired the first Go Texan Committee, and members of the newly-established group encouraged everyone to wear Western clothes. They also distributed posters and other publicity material. This Go Texan spirit has expanded throughout the last four decades, partly due to the efforts of the Show's seven Go Texan committees. These committees help publicize the Show through numerous promotional events and Go Texan contests.”
I always love Go Texan Day... I don't know why - I don't go all out with it - I haven't even been to the rodeo in several years, but I love the excuse to wear jeans to the office and see what everyone else has chosen to wear. I laugh at those of us that don't really pull out the western wear - but get really tickled at those that do go all out. :-)
Happy Go Texan Day Ya'll!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
When in Doubt
I've learned today that when you are down - you have to look for the small things in life that might bring a light to the tunnel. For me today, two such moments occurred.
1) It snowed - and is still snowing... In HOUSTON, TEXAS! This has only happened like one or two other times in my 30 years on this planet... granted it's not enough to really experience it - not enough for snowmen or snow-angels... but seeing one of God's wonders floating around in the sky was enough to bring a smile to my face this evening.
2) Little fun moments with my husband. Tonight I went by the store on my way home, and was convinced to bring with me a couple of Hersey's bars and a bag of marshmallows. John proceeded to make smores in the fireplace tonight - if that doesn't warm your soul - I don't know what would.
3) I ate a half of a smore, and was completely satisfied... again - amazing! A year and a half ago - I would have eaten 2-4 times as much and still not felt that it was too much sugar... hello? Can we say I was totally a diabetic in denial?
In other news, today was a big day in the world of figuring my life out - they really weren't kidding when they said that after having this surgery - you could wake up one day and not know who you are anymore. Ummm - that absolutely happened to me last Saturday...
Not only did I wake up and realize that I needed to work through some things, but I also knew that I couldn't live the rest of my life with all the unhealthy emotional issues that I've lived with for most of my life. Surely as I am typing this message - if I don't deal with all of this now - there will come another day when I begin eating my feelings again.
So today my friends, I wrote a "letter" (no one does that anymore - it was email) to my sisters - and I was shocked and amazed at the responses that I got. There is a lot to the story, but I never realized how things from our past effected them... we've missed out on a lot of years of being sisters in the real definition - but I think that today has really started us on a path of putting it all back together.
My parents split up when I was so incredibly young - and it was interesting to know that even my sisters who were in high school (I was 7-8) didn't see it coming either. I am really on the road to having a conversation sometime soon that has been 22 years in the making.
I've got some time to prepare for it emotionally, but I hope to be able to have it in person - rather than via letter/email. I don't know if I'll be able to do it - but one way or another - I hope to go into 2009 with a different perspective on events from my past. Once I know both sides of the story - then I can put it all behind me in a balanced way - and move on with my life... and with the relationships healthier.
1) It snowed - and is still snowing... In HOUSTON, TEXAS! This has only happened like one or two other times in my 30 years on this planet... granted it's not enough to really experience it - not enough for snowmen or snow-angels... but seeing one of God's wonders floating around in the sky was enough to bring a smile to my face this evening.
2) Little fun moments with my husband. Tonight I went by the store on my way home, and was convinced to bring with me a couple of Hersey's bars and a bag of marshmallows. John proceeded to make smores in the fireplace tonight - if that doesn't warm your soul - I don't know what would.
3) I ate a half of a smore, and was completely satisfied... again - amazing! A year and a half ago - I would have eaten 2-4 times as much and still not felt that it was too much sugar... hello? Can we say I was totally a diabetic in denial?
In other news, today was a big day in the world of figuring my life out - they really weren't kidding when they said that after having this surgery - you could wake up one day and not know who you are anymore. Ummm - that absolutely happened to me last Saturday...
Not only did I wake up and realize that I needed to work through some things, but I also knew that I couldn't live the rest of my life with all the unhealthy emotional issues that I've lived with for most of my life. Surely as I am typing this message - if I don't deal with all of this now - there will come another day when I begin eating my feelings again.
So today my friends, I wrote a "letter" (no one does that anymore - it was email) to my sisters - and I was shocked and amazed at the responses that I got. There is a lot to the story, but I never realized how things from our past effected them... we've missed out on a lot of years of being sisters in the real definition - but I think that today has really started us on a path of putting it all back together.
My parents split up when I was so incredibly young - and it was interesting to know that even my sisters who were in high school (I was 7-8) didn't see it coming either. I am really on the road to having a conversation sometime soon that has been 22 years in the making.
I've got some time to prepare for it emotionally, but I hope to be able to have it in person - rather than via letter/email. I don't know if I'll be able to do it - but one way or another - I hope to go into 2009 with a different perspective on events from my past. Once I know both sides of the story - then I can put it all behind me in a balanced way - and move on with my life... and with the relationships healthier.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bonfire Story
My friend, Jenn, said that she'd love to hear the bonfire story - so I thought that I'd share it with the blog world.
On November 18, 1999 things for the Aggie world changed forever. At about 2:30 AM one of the most beloved traditions on the A&M campus crashed down to the ground in a devastating pile of logs and bodies. I was still a student there at the time and remember vividly the day(s) surrounding that collapse. It was to be my last Bonfire as a student, and had always been a highlight of my Thanksgiving tradition... first with my family, then with my Aggie family.
For some during the days after the collapse - it seemed like such a silly tradition, but like they always say about A&M. "From the outside you can't understand it...from the inside looking out you can't explain it..."
Suddenly on that morning - A&M was the topic of every reporter and the messages being put out there weren't always correct or without personal opinion. That morning as I woke up - I found a link to a radio broadcast on the internet from Austin, TX. I can't remember the guy's name or the station in question, but at the time it was documented for anyone that wanted to respond. But, basically the guy was auditioning for a job and was making fun of A&M and what he called the idiot students. (refering to the students still trapped in the pile) He made a lot of very nasty comments about the situation, and I felt the need to write a letter to him and the station about my feelings on the subject.
At the time my main point was to explain that he had a responsibility to think about the entire audience that could potentially be listening to him that morning. Anyone could have been listening - a victim's family or friend... or just someone that was sensitive to the situation. Mainly I was appaulled that someone could talk that way about someone that was still missing and potentially dead - when that kid's mother or father could be listening. Can you imagine?
At any rate - the guy didn't get the job with the station because thousands of Aggie's had written or called to say similar things. I only know that he got fired because he emailed me really upset about having been "fired."
I never felt bad about my decision to write that morning because I felt like those kids needed more respect than that, and my community was going through a very scary ordeal - so we needed to know that we could take action wherever we could to at least feel like we were doing something to help. I think that I wrote letters all over the country in support or defense of the school that I love so deeply... not all were bad either... there were a few complimentary letters written thanking reporters for their balanced reporting.
Like I said, I will never forget that time in my life - At the time, I was the director for what would be the equivalent of a Prom for the senior class (it's called Ring Dance and is really 7 proms all in one event) so I felt a strong connection to other campus leaders - and desperately wanted to help in any way I could. I remember taking food and water to drop off locations for the volunteers working on pulling out survivors and bodies from the stack. I remember going to the vigil at Reed Arena and being surrounded by 15,000 others crying and looking for God to take away the pain. I remember flowers and funeral sprays covering the first floor of the MSC from all sorts of other colleges and friends of the university showing their support. I also remember the first time I walked out to the location of the collapse - there was heavy moving equipment all over and they were still removing all the logs and debris... and I just sobbed. I called John and just cried... I couldn't comprehend what had happened there.
On November 18, 1999 things for the Aggie world changed forever. At about 2:30 AM one of the most beloved traditions on the A&M campus crashed down to the ground in a devastating pile of logs and bodies. I was still a student there at the time and remember vividly the day(s) surrounding that collapse. It was to be my last Bonfire as a student, and had always been a highlight of my Thanksgiving tradition... first with my family, then with my Aggie family.
For some during the days after the collapse - it seemed like such a silly tradition, but like they always say about A&M. "From the outside you can't understand it...from the inside looking out you can't explain it..."
Suddenly on that morning - A&M was the topic of every reporter and the messages being put out there weren't always correct or without personal opinion. That morning as I woke up - I found a link to a radio broadcast on the internet from Austin, TX. I can't remember the guy's name or the station in question, but at the time it was documented for anyone that wanted to respond. But, basically the guy was auditioning for a job and was making fun of A&M and what he called the idiot students. (refering to the students still trapped in the pile) He made a lot of very nasty comments about the situation, and I felt the need to write a letter to him and the station about my feelings on the subject.
At the time my main point was to explain that he had a responsibility to think about the entire audience that could potentially be listening to him that morning. Anyone could have been listening - a victim's family or friend... or just someone that was sensitive to the situation. Mainly I was appaulled that someone could talk that way about someone that was still missing and potentially dead - when that kid's mother or father could be listening. Can you imagine?
At any rate - the guy didn't get the job with the station because thousands of Aggie's had written or called to say similar things. I only know that he got fired because he emailed me really upset about having been "fired."
I never felt bad about my decision to write that morning because I felt like those kids needed more respect than that, and my community was going through a very scary ordeal - so we needed to know that we could take action wherever we could to at least feel like we were doing something to help. I think that I wrote letters all over the country in support or defense of the school that I love so deeply... not all were bad either... there were a few complimentary letters written thanking reporters for their balanced reporting.
Like I said, I will never forget that time in my life - At the time, I was the director for what would be the equivalent of a Prom for the senior class (it's called Ring Dance and is really 7 proms all in one event) so I felt a strong connection to other campus leaders - and desperately wanted to help in any way I could. I remember taking food and water to drop off locations for the volunteers working on pulling out survivors and bodies from the stack. I remember going to the vigil at Reed Arena and being surrounded by 15,000 others crying and looking for God to take away the pain. I remember flowers and funeral sprays covering the first floor of the MSC from all sorts of other colleges and friends of the university showing their support. I also remember the first time I walked out to the location of the collapse - there was heavy moving equipment all over and they were still removing all the logs and debris... and I just sobbed. I called John and just cried... I couldn't comprehend what had happened there.
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