Planning Our Last Trip To California...

In planning our upcoming trip to California in October, I realize that this will most likely be our last trip out there, since Mr. Snoots dislikes it so much. However, our Snooty Daughter is planning her move back to Texas within the next year, and I thought we should take one more trip out to the West Coast before she does so.

This time, we're staying in Santa Monica, on the beach, rather than a hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Yes, it's costing more, but this will be our 32nd wedding anniversary AND my 57th birthday celebration. Gawd, I'm getting old. So, dues must be paid and Mr. Snooty has complied with and consented to, my planning of this trip. Like he had a choice.

On this trip, we are going to go to Disneyland in Anaheim, for one day. I've wanted to go there my whole life, so we're going. We're also going to drag our dear SD with us, since I know she'll love it too. Besides, I need someone to ride the roller coasters with.

We've been trying to decide on which restaurants to make reservations, but it's been difficult to make any firm decisions. There are so many excellent restaurants in Santa Monica that it would blow your mind. I don't even know where to begin.

I told Mr. Snoots that I wanted to rent bikes one day and ride up & down the boardwalk at Venice Beach and he looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. Okay, that's out. Fine. What about renting roller blades? Nope. That got an even worse scowl from the Mister. Hmmmm... Apparently, all Mr. Snooty wants to do is lie around the hotel room and plan where we're going to eat. Whatever! I want to get out and live a little! So, I guess I'll be doing all that living alone or with SD, when she can.

Does anyone have any grand suggestions?

On another note, my computer has been giving me all kinds of Hell. Our computer Guru says that the mother board is about to bite the dust and I'll probably lose all of my pictures. What?!?! All three million of them?!?! Crap... He's had the parts on order to build us a new computer system, but there's no telling how long that will take. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, that I might not be able to post to my blog or anything else at some point. This is not good for my online antiques & collectibles shop. But, what can I do? Mr. Snoots needs certain things on the computer for his business, so I'm stuck with whatever comes my way at this point.

On yet ANOTHER note, our son recently made the Dean's List at St. Edward's University and we're SO PROUD of him for all the hard work he has put into his studies. He says he'll be making the list for next semester as well. Way to go Mr. T! Life is GOOD!

I Think I'm About To Have A Nervous Breakdown...

I feel like I'm on the verge of having a total nervous breakdown.

Right at the time we are about to leave for Las Vegas our son decided to drop the Big Bomb on us. That bomb being his Pit Bull Terrier, Deja.

It seems that he's found a new apartment across from campus that is $200.00 cheaper per month, than where he is right now. Of course, that's a good thing…. he can walk to classes, which will save him even more in gas money.

The problem is that the apartment managers won't allow Pit Bulls. They allow all other kinds of dogs, just not Pit Bulls. Which means he needs to find a home for her here in our town, otherwise he's going to have to take her back to Austin and give her to the Austin Pit Bull Rescue people.

First, he asked if we would take her and both of us blurted out "NO!" in grand unison. We've been down that road before, with his last Pit Bull. No thanks. Also, our cat Trouble has already been traumatized enough by this dog being here. We just want our lives to return to normal once he and the dog go home.

We leave TOMORROW for Las Vegas and he wants to stay here while he tries to find a home for Deja. I know this is mean, but I just want him to go back home, before we leave. That way, we will come home to a clean house just as we always do. If he stays here, there's no telling what we'll come home to. Filthy house? Dead cat? No food? Also, I haven't even begun packing yet because I've been busy cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. This is making me crazy.

My brain is so scattered at the moment. And, I realize that I'm a terrible mother after all. So yes. I feel like I'm on the verge of having a full nervous breakdown.

I have to go pack now. Thanks for letting me rant, even though I don't feel any better.

The Bitch Is Back.... Hopefully

As difficult as the last few weeks have been for me, I have had an epiphany. I can live without the computer and life goes on. Who knew? I thought that perhaps this all happened to me for a reason. I was getting far too dependent on my computer and whatever the forces were, I was compelled to come to the realization that there is more to my life than hovering over my computer day after day. It doesn't rule me and I do still have a life in The Real World. Lesson learned.That said I'm damned glad to be back! I have missed everyone and although I may have learned a valuable lesson, I've also realized that all of you mean a great deal to me, but I have things here that I need to take care of as well. Time management is now one of my main objectives and it's probably something I should have incorporated into my everyday life long ago.

We went to Austin last weekend to meet up with the kids and had a wonderful time eating and drinking our way through our mini family reunion. Snooty Daughter flew in from L.A. for her birthday, so it was cause for celebration. Since our son's birthday is also this month, it was a double celebration.

When we left here, the winds from Hell were blowing, which made for a particularly difficult drive, so I was exhausted when we finally reached our hotel. The winds were blowing in Austin but not nearly like they were in West Texas. We didn't play golf this time because of the high winds, so our son drove us around his college campus one day (St. Edwards University), which is really beautiful.

There weren't as many Bluebonnets along the way this year, due to not enough rain in the fall months. However, there were other colors, although not near as plentiful as we've seen in the past. Austin is suffering from severe drought, as are most areas of Texas. We're used to it out here in West Texas (the desert), but Austin usually gets plenty of rain.

I wish I could say I've been busy moving, but things just don't work like that around here. Mr. Snoots is far too frugal to buy one house before selling the other. I'm sure we'll have to talk & think about it for a few years before we ever take the jump. Remember, we've been in this house for 23 years. We never just jump into anything. Ever.

We had several amazing meals while in Austin, but you'll have to refer to my cooking blog to read about those heady experiences. We did eat lunch at one of my favorite spots... Trudy's. It's nothing spectacular but they do have excellent Margaritas, Tex-Mex food and attentive servers. They also have a lovely outside eating area, so we sat outside as we drank our cocktails and feasted on a delicious lunch.

Today the winds from Hell are blowing again… up around 40-50 mph. I'm so glad that I didn't bother to clean anything up outside… It would have been a completely futile act.

We also ate lunch one day at Hut's Burgers which is another Austin favorite. They have amazingly delicious burgers. Unfortunately, I was so crammed in to a tiny booth that I was unable to reach my purse for my camera. Being close to the University of Texas and downtown Austin, it was literally packed for lunch.

Okay, I'm Ready To Get Back To The Empty Nest.... As Of Like Yesterday

Well, this has been the holiday season that just keeps on giving! First, our daughter came home from Los Angeles for the holidays with a broken bone and a blood clot in her leg. She was pretty much house bound for the nineteen (Yes, 19) days she was here, so we really got to see more of her than we'd ever hoped for. As much as I love that wonderful girl, I was ready for her to go home when the doctor finally allowed it. I mean reeeally ready. (I love you Honey! Really!) To SD's credit... She did clean out bags full of *stuff* from her bedroom and bathroom while she was here.

Can you tell I've adjusted beautifully to the *Empty Nest Syndrome*?

Our son was only here for a few days at Christmas but promised he'd be back in January. He came in from Austin last Wednesday and it's just so great to see him doing so well. However, he still hasn't started back to St. Edward's Univ. yet, so he had some spare time on his hands. He came in three days after our daughter left. He also brought his adorable 15 month old Pit Bull Terrier with him. Can you see me smiling through clenched teeth tears of joy? No, you can't. Yes you can.

He assured me that his precious little girl puppy was well behaved and would not do anything bad out in the yard................... Uh-Huh. She doesn't dig holes. Uh-Huh. She doesn't tear things up. Uh-Huh. She doesn't stand at the door and whine. Uh-Huh. Right. Gotcha. At this moment my backyard looks like it was hit by a hurricane. And a tornado. Simultaneously. And, they got into a brawl while in my backyard.

I have no earthly idea what his room looks like. The dog sleeps in there with him every night. I am so afraid to look, much less catch a whiff. However, I've decided not to look until he leaves Tuesday. Sterling idea, don't you think? I wouldn't want to have to hurt our son before he leaves. Honestly, I do want him to come back. Someday. Maybe. Just not too soon after I see the condition of his room.

I can't say any more about this without kind of going all nutsy. For right now at least. Just suffice it to say that I hope my grandchildren turn out to be better behaved than my grand-dog. Please God, hear my prayer. I'm down on my knees begging You.

Can you tell I've adjusted beautifully to the *Empty Nest Syndrome*?

Just six short years ago I cried when I left our daughter at college for her Freshman year. Guess What? Faded Memory. Just two short years ago I moved our daughter and her roomie out to California. I bawled like never before when I left her. Guess What? Another faded memory. She yelled at me in her car on the way to take me to the airport because she didn't want me to cry. She had a job interview..... So I began to weep openly in front of complete strangers as she peeled away from the curb with a screech. Guess What? Yup, another faded memory.

I cried every time our son left too. Guess what? More faded memories.

The last time I whined to a friend about how much I miss the kids, she said "Let me ask you this. Would you want them back home living with you again?" I answered "Good God, No!" She started laughing and said "Good. Then get over it!" I did just that.


I need my space back and I haven't even had time to put away the Christmas decorations yet. I've got piles and piles of laundry. Then there's the issue with the backyard. *SIGH*

Can you tell I've adjusted beautifully to the *Empty Nest Syndrome*?

Late Summer And The Ice Cream Man...

As a child growing up here I remember things like playing outside until dark, having Kool Aid stands, sleepovers with friends, playing Kick The Can, catching horned (horny) toads, swimming at The Elks Club, riding our bikes for hours on end, catching fireflies in a jar at night and waiting to hear the music of The Ice Cream Man as he neared our neighborhood on sweltering Summer afternoons.

All of these are memories I truly cherish, but the distant music from the Ice Cream Truck is the only memory that is still alive. Today I was in the kitchen working on my peach jam when I heard the Ice Cream Truck as it neared my house. I was suddenly struck by an uncontrollable urge to go racing out with my change bills in hand, so I went with it. I felt like a little kid again as I ran to the curb in front of my house and waited as the truck drew nearer.

Neighbors passed by and stared at me in shock or amusement as I stood there looking like a goofy little kid waiting for a hot Summer afternoon treat to cool me down. A couple of people I knew waved as they drove by and I was sure they were envious of such childish behavior. I loved every minute of it.

The truck crept along my street until it was at last stopping at my house, the music ending as it came to a halt. I leaned over to tell the man what I wanted through his passenger window and I almost couldn't speak. I'm pretty sure I mumbled something about a bullet, but thankfully he gave me the ice cream version. This was the seediest looking man I have ever in my entire life seen. I was immediately certain that I'd seen him on the Texas child molesters website. Or at least someone who looked very much like him. He definitely had the same look of the perverts I'd seen on the web site. Honestly, he looked that bad. His hair was all mussed up (not in a stylish way either) and he had a tooth or two missing. I thought he looked like someone who would have sent my own children screaming and crying, back to the house.

So, when did it become acceptable to have seedy looking characters driving the ice cream truck, serving ice cream to young children? Maybe this is just an isolated rant here, but I'm rather afraid for the neighborhood children. Granted, he might just be the nicest old boy in the state of Texas. Okay. If so, why can't he have a decent haircut and wear clean clothing? I guess I just remember the nice crisp uniforms they wore when I was a kid. For all I know they were the perverts. But they were at least clean perverts.

Soooooo... my questions for the owners of the ice cream trucks are: Do you own the business as a way of making some sort of profit? If so, do you not think the appearance of the ice cream man is of some importance in making said profit? Do you do your own hiring or is it handled by the Department of Corrections unemployment office? I did notice that your trucks are always shiny and clean. Should the drivers not be equally as clean? Or is it simply too much trouble to run the drivers themselves through the car wash?

I'm at a total loss for answers here people. Those guys scare the Hell out of me and I can't imagine parents letting their kids run to the truck for ice cream, unaware of the dangerous (looking) people who operate the trucks. It totally gives me the creeps. Clean those dudes up!

Okay, rant finished. Thank you.