Wow! It's really been a long time since my last post and so much has happened.
After over 6 years at Panera as the Catering Manager I have taken a new job with Mesquite ISD. My new career is a paraprofessional to the Kindergarten classes at Shaw Elementary. Those that know me, know my love for children and now I am back to working with them on a quest to better educate our little ones. This week has been full of hours worth of important information about how to best put our expertise to work. I was able to sit in on a lecture today devoted to Rachel's Challenge. Rachel was the first young girl killed in the Columbine tragedy and she wrote an essay days before her death asking people to be kind to one another and the impact it can have on one's life. It was very powerful and hit home for me.
When I returned home this afternoon I pulled up the website and had Kyle sit down and read about her so that he can be more aware of how he and his friends should treat people. In doing so, he may impact someone's life as well as his own, staying positive and knowing that he can do anything he wants to in life!
I'm really looking forward to my new journey with new friends and challenges of my own. This is also Kyle's senior year and we are preparing to apply for colleges and scholarships. His foot has healed and he will be the starting Center on the Varsity football team, hopefully helping the team make it all the way, this year, to State!
He just had his cap/gown picture taken yesterday for the yearbook and I began to tear up, but hid it so everyone in my presence didn't think I was "one of those mothers"! He's had a steady girlfriend now for a year so he's rarely home which I believe is God's way of preparing me for his college years!
Kyle and I are still working at the rodeo but the season is coming to an end in two weeks! Football games begin this Friday night in Frisco so I can't wait to be back in the stands with my decked out jersey on and all my bells and horn!
It's time to hit the bed now because I'm now working 8 hours a day compared to the 4-5 I've been used to. Coffee is definitely a must every morning! Nighty, Night! until tomorrow!
Homecoming 2010
Marina & Kyle
Mum Exchange
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Homecoming 2010
This week has been busy and tiring due to all the activities of Homecoming!
I guess it really began a few weeks ago when Kyle met a Varsity cheerleader named Marina and asked her to go to Homecoming with him. At first it was just a date and then it quickly became a girlfriend/boyfriend situation. This now meant I had to purchase a mum for him to give her and I decided to go with a "real" mum like I had when I went. These days everyone does the silk mum and I wanted Marina to have something different. So, I ordered it a couple of weeks ago and picked out all the ribbons and trinkets that go on it.
The Homecoming game against Red Oak was going to be an exciting one especially since the Pirates were now 3-0 after having at least three prior losing years. The new coach, Randy Jackson, has really brought this team into a new rhythm and made use of the talent that has been here all along. The unfortunate thing is that Kyle has been sidelined with a broken foot since the beginning of school and is dying to get in there and kick some ass too!
I got to meet Marina's family and am thrilled to say we all get along so well and seem to have a lot in common. Her mother and I love to talk and she even works for a company I deliver Panera to. Marina has three younger siblings that are adorable and love Kyle. The two boys play football too, so they really look up to him and think he's "cool"! He's been spending a lot of time going to their games and hanging out with them. They are a fun family so I understand why! Kyle and I went to their house to see the viewing of Marina's dress for the dance and ended up staying a couple of hours just talking!
Homecoming festivities began Thursday night with the "team dinner" then a quick trip to Marina's grandparents for the exchange of mums (hers ended up being a silk one because there was a problem with the mum crop this year) and pictures, Friday morning was the pep rally which was a lot of fun for everyone. I'm not certain there was much school work happening that day. The game was last night and man was it intense. At half-time we were losing 0-14 but the boys came back and ended up tying the game with 30 seconds left on the clock. Those boys were fighting for every yard and did it. Then in over-time Red Oak scored the first touch down but missed the field goal so then it was Poteet's turn. BANG, the touch down was made by a pass to Justin Valasquez (Homecoming King) and Stewert MacDonnell made the field goal making the score 21-20 Pirates! The entire stadium was on their feet practically the entire last quarter and when we won everyone erupted in cheers and some of us were in tears! It was so COOL especially to see some returning graduates so happy for the team. I ended up going up to the school after the game to continue congratulating the guys and when I arrived there were a slew of kids waiting too with their car stereo playing music and dancing so guess who got into the groove too? MEEE!!! Everyone's adrenaline was flowing and they all thought I was a cool mom! No one ended up going to sleep until early in the morning. Kyle had to be up early to be at workouts this morning and when he came home looked totally spent. We were still talking about the game and Kyle told me that Coach tells the boys to play each game as a dedication to someone and said that Rodney told him after the game that he dedicated the game last night to him because he knew that if there was anyone that wanted to be out there playing more than anyone, it was him. I almost cried thinking how wonderful and selfless that was to do for Kyle. Kyle is so lucky to have such a special group of friends! After relaxing for several hours it was time to iron Kyle's clothes for the dance and get myself dressed to help out with getting the kids into the dance. I left before Kyle so I didn't get to see him all dressed up but he and Marina went to her grandparent’s house for pictures and then made their arrival to the dance and were a sight to behold. I got to see all my sweet kids dressed up and enjoyed telling all of them how good they looked. I left at 9 and then went to Anna's for a bite to eat and a drink and am now home feeling exhausted waiting for Kyle to get home to ask how the night went!
Tomorrow should be a lazy day!
I guess it really began a few weeks ago when Kyle met a Varsity cheerleader named Marina and asked her to go to Homecoming with him. At first it was just a date and then it quickly became a girlfriend/boyfriend situation. This now meant I had to purchase a mum for him to give her and I decided to go with a "real" mum like I had when I went. These days everyone does the silk mum and I wanted Marina to have something different. So, I ordered it a couple of weeks ago and picked out all the ribbons and trinkets that go on it.
The Homecoming game against Red Oak was going to be an exciting one especially since the Pirates were now 3-0 after having at least three prior losing years. The new coach, Randy Jackson, has really brought this team into a new rhythm and made use of the talent that has been here all along. The unfortunate thing is that Kyle has been sidelined with a broken foot since the beginning of school and is dying to get in there and kick some ass too!
I got to meet Marina's family and am thrilled to say we all get along so well and seem to have a lot in common. Her mother and I love to talk and she even works for a company I deliver Panera to. Marina has three younger siblings that are adorable and love Kyle. The two boys play football too, so they really look up to him and think he's "cool"! He's been spending a lot of time going to their games and hanging out with them. They are a fun family so I understand why! Kyle and I went to their house to see the viewing of Marina's dress for the dance and ended up staying a couple of hours just talking!
Homecoming festivities began Thursday night with the "team dinner" then a quick trip to Marina's grandparents for the exchange of mums (hers ended up being a silk one because there was a problem with the mum crop this year) and pictures, Friday morning was the pep rally which was a lot of fun for everyone. I'm not certain there was much school work happening that day. The game was last night and man was it intense. At half-time we were losing 0-14 but the boys came back and ended up tying the game with 30 seconds left on the clock. Those boys were fighting for every yard and did it. Then in over-time Red Oak scored the first touch down but missed the field goal so then it was Poteet's turn. BANG, the touch down was made by a pass to Justin Valasquez (Homecoming King) and Stewert MacDonnell made the field goal making the score 21-20 Pirates! The entire stadium was on their feet practically the entire last quarter and when we won everyone erupted in cheers and some of us were in tears! It was so COOL especially to see some returning graduates so happy for the team. I ended up going up to the school after the game to continue congratulating the guys and when I arrived there were a slew of kids waiting too with their car stereo playing music and dancing so guess who got into the groove too? MEEE!!! Everyone's adrenaline was flowing and they all thought I was a cool mom! No one ended up going to sleep until early in the morning. Kyle had to be up early to be at workouts this morning and when he came home looked totally spent. We were still talking about the game and Kyle told me that Coach tells the boys to play each game as a dedication to someone and said that Rodney told him after the game that he dedicated the game last night to him because he knew that if there was anyone that wanted to be out there playing more than anyone, it was him. I almost cried thinking how wonderful and selfless that was to do for Kyle. Kyle is so lucky to have such a special group of friends! After relaxing for several hours it was time to iron Kyle's clothes for the dance and get myself dressed to help out with getting the kids into the dance. I left before Kyle so I didn't get to see him all dressed up but he and Marina went to her grandparent’s house for pictures and then made their arrival to the dance and were a sight to behold. I got to see all my sweet kids dressed up and enjoyed telling all of them how good they looked. I left at 9 and then went to Anna's for a bite to eat and a drink and am now home feeling exhausted waiting for Kyle to get home to ask how the night went!
Tomorrow should be a lazy day!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Grocery Shopping
This may sound ridiculous, but I enjoy my trips to the grocery store! I get in my own little world, do some people watching and am by myself. So, today while I was shopping I asked myself this question, "Why do entire families have to go to the store at the same time?”
Of course, I decided to venture out to Wal-Mart, the busiest damn store of all and it was crowded and the lines at the register were about a 20 minute wait. I usually go to my local Kroger where the employees are friendly and know me and I've found that the prices are slightly lower but for some reason the urge to roam a huge, get it all in one stop store, took over my, what is usually sensible, brain! It happened to me the other day too while driving through Seagoville on the way back to work after a delivery.
While in the Seagoville store (yes, Wal-Mart too) I observed a wide variety of people and noticed that most of them had teeth missing. I am not one to judge, but just wondered why so many people could walk around in public with missing teeth, especially in the front where they could be seen. I understand the state the economy is in and some people may be strapped for money to see a dentist, but for God's sake, put down the cases of beer and cigarettes and save that money for a tooth!
Now, back to today’s little adventure. I learned a long time ago that it is best to do my grocery shopping by myself because if I left it up to my husband he would buy the super large quantity items and if there is a sale on something, he'd buy as many as he could get. Yea, that makes sense if you have the room to store it plus there are only 3 of us in our house and it’s just not logical, to me that is. So, here I am maneuvering up and down the isles which are jammed with carts and entire households mulling over items, children running around your legs and climbing in and out of the baskets, parents thinking it's cute to let their kids push the basket, cranky seniors in motorized carts that can't drive, cranky, screaming kids that just want to be at home watching Barney and then to top it all off, the women with their huge notebook or box of coupons strategizing in the isle how they're going to save a buck! Oh, I forgot about the crazy guy, who I suspect had Turrets Syndrome, yelling obscenities throughout the store (always a great scene for the kiddos)!
Good grief, leave the kids at home with dad, cut and organize your coupons at home and learn to drive your cart! Do you realize how much easier shopping could be if this could happen? Wow, shopping would be a relaxing adventure for everyone. For me, it's a comedy in the making and I see humor up every isle!
This is just my opinion and when I got home I asked John why entire families had to go shopping together and he said, "Because they love each other". What? Let's see what happens next time I need to go and ask him and Kyle to come with me! Do you know how much more money I'll spend with the two of them at my heels?
Since I've been discussing the grocery store, here's a healthy recipe for you to try.
Veggies On Top
by Christine Spangler Bilas
1/4 cup Olive Oil
3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1 Lemon (juice)
Salt
Pepper
1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash
½ Red Onion
2 Carrots
5 Mushrooms
½ Broccoli head
1 Bell Pepper
¼ cup Red Wine
Parsley (handful, chopped)
4 cups Rice (prepared)
Slice all vegetables into nice big pieces and place all in a bowl. Add garlic, lemon, salt and pepper to taste and toss. Set aside.
Heat skillet with olive oil on medium and when pan and oil is hot place all the vegetables in skillet. After 5 minutes add wine and continue to sauté until vegetables are golden and soft yet still crunchy, about 10-15 minutes.
While vegetables are sautéing toss parsley in rice and distribute on 3 serving plates. Once veggies are done, remove from skillet and place on top of rice. Serves 3
You can also serve this dish with steak, chicken, pork or shrimp. Just prepare separately and then add to each plate.
Of course, I decided to venture out to Wal-Mart, the busiest damn store of all and it was crowded and the lines at the register were about a 20 minute wait. I usually go to my local Kroger where the employees are friendly and know me and I've found that the prices are slightly lower but for some reason the urge to roam a huge, get it all in one stop store, took over my, what is usually sensible, brain! It happened to me the other day too while driving through Seagoville on the way back to work after a delivery.
While in the Seagoville store (yes, Wal-Mart too) I observed a wide variety of people and noticed that most of them had teeth missing. I am not one to judge, but just wondered why so many people could walk around in public with missing teeth, especially in the front where they could be seen. I understand the state the economy is in and some people may be strapped for money to see a dentist, but for God's sake, put down the cases of beer and cigarettes and save that money for a tooth!
Now, back to today’s little adventure. I learned a long time ago that it is best to do my grocery shopping by myself because if I left it up to my husband he would buy the super large quantity items and if there is a sale on something, he'd buy as many as he could get. Yea, that makes sense if you have the room to store it plus there are only 3 of us in our house and it’s just not logical, to me that is. So, here I am maneuvering up and down the isles which are jammed with carts and entire households mulling over items, children running around your legs and climbing in and out of the baskets, parents thinking it's cute to let their kids push the basket, cranky seniors in motorized carts that can't drive, cranky, screaming kids that just want to be at home watching Barney and then to top it all off, the women with their huge notebook or box of coupons strategizing in the isle how they're going to save a buck! Oh, I forgot about the crazy guy, who I suspect had Turrets Syndrome, yelling obscenities throughout the store (always a great scene for the kiddos)!
Good grief, leave the kids at home with dad, cut and organize your coupons at home and learn to drive your cart! Do you realize how much easier shopping could be if this could happen? Wow, shopping would be a relaxing adventure for everyone. For me, it's a comedy in the making and I see humor up every isle!
This is just my opinion and when I got home I asked John why entire families had to go shopping together and he said, "Because they love each other". What? Let's see what happens next time I need to go and ask him and Kyle to come with me! Do you know how much more money I'll spend with the two of them at my heels?
Since I've been discussing the grocery store, here's a healthy recipe for you to try.
Veggies On Top
by Christine Spangler Bilas
1/4 cup Olive Oil
3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1 Lemon (juice)
Salt
Pepper
1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash
½ Red Onion
2 Carrots
5 Mushrooms
½ Broccoli head
1 Bell Pepper
¼ cup Red Wine
Parsley (handful, chopped)
4 cups Rice (prepared)
Slice all vegetables into nice big pieces and place all in a bowl. Add garlic, lemon, salt and pepper to taste and toss. Set aside.
Heat skillet with olive oil on medium and when pan and oil is hot place all the vegetables in skillet. After 5 minutes add wine and continue to sauté until vegetables are golden and soft yet still crunchy, about 10-15 minutes.
While vegetables are sautéing toss parsley in rice and distribute on 3 serving plates. Once veggies are done, remove from skillet and place on top of rice. Serves 3
You can also serve this dish with steak, chicken, pork or shrimp. Just prepare separately and then add to each plate.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Summer's End
August 24, 2010
Well, its been a while since I've written and now it is time to catch up on the end of summer's events.
At the end of July I finally took a week of vacation and thought I was going to get some rest before losing my favorite assistant and best friend Christa to nursing school, and maybe a little get-away to Houston but I decided to stay home and save the gas money. Good thing I did because it just so happened that Kyle decided to break his foot during spring training and John's 18-wheeler had to have some repairs done to it. So basically, I spent my days having to drive Kyle around (his foot was in a "boot") and toting John back and forth to the mechanics lot. Oh, I wasn't really off all week because I still worked at the rodeo on the weekend! When I did return to work (Panera) I had Christa for one week and then off she went and I was left alone to do all the catering and stress out over having to train a new guy that Jeff (GM) hired without any input from me.
Kyle wore the "boot" for a week and then slowly returned to normal workouts until two weeks ago when he began complaining that it was still hurting so off to Dr. Sterling we went. After x-rays, MRI and my panic attack over how I was going to pay for all this (luckily the school insurance helped) he has definitely broken his foot and now must be in the "boot" for 6-8 weeks and out of football games until the last 3-4 games. I feel so bad for him because he loves the game and works so hard and because of his horrible mother (yes, me) he is out for this long just because I didn't take him when it actually happened! This I learned from my mother, we just don't run to the doctor for every little thing! Hell, I had a concussion when I was a teen and she didn't take me to the doctor...maybe that's what’s wrong with me!!
Let's see, what else is going on? John had to sell our 1980 Corvette yesterday for half its worth because it blew a rod and it would cost too much to fix. Now I must wait to see what he'll get next! Scary! God forbid he put it towards bills! I've never had any expensive toys!
Several of my friends and co-workers are tired of working for someone else and want to have our own business so we are going to join forces and see what we can come up with! First we have to come up with a catchy name! Maybe if I have that to look forward to then going to my M-F job won't be so damn difficult!
School started yesterday and Kyle had a good day and seems pleased with his A day classes. One of them is pre-cal which I know nothing about and he tried showing me his text book from the class and all I could do is look at it with complete awe! I'm lucky I made it though algebra and geometry! Yuck, just the thought of it scares me! He still goes to all his workouts (he can do upper body weights) even with the "boot" and is a great cheerleader for the guys from the sideline. The Pirates won their scrimmage against Frisco last Friday and will be playing Royse City this Friday. He has even gained about 15 pounds to play on the line when he is healed so he will be fresh and ready to kick some butt when the time is right! I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments and the responsibility he displays thus far in his young life. I truly believe he will go far and do amazing things with his life. I can't wait to be a part of it and see what life has in store for him!
Well, that's it for now! Am going to work the concession stand at school for the Volleyball games and then have some huge-ass orders for tomorrow! I think my eye is beginning to hurt again...Ha! Ha! Ha!
Well, its been a while since I've written and now it is time to catch up on the end of summer's events.
At the end of July I finally took a week of vacation and thought I was going to get some rest before losing my favorite assistant and best friend Christa to nursing school, and maybe a little get-away to Houston but I decided to stay home and save the gas money. Good thing I did because it just so happened that Kyle decided to break his foot during spring training and John's 18-wheeler had to have some repairs done to it. So basically, I spent my days having to drive Kyle around (his foot was in a "boot") and toting John back and forth to the mechanics lot. Oh, I wasn't really off all week because I still worked at the rodeo on the weekend! When I did return to work (Panera) I had Christa for one week and then off she went and I was left alone to do all the catering and stress out over having to train a new guy that Jeff (GM) hired without any input from me.
Kyle wore the "boot" for a week and then slowly returned to normal workouts until two weeks ago when he began complaining that it was still hurting so off to Dr. Sterling we went. After x-rays, MRI and my panic attack over how I was going to pay for all this (luckily the school insurance helped) he has definitely broken his foot and now must be in the "boot" for 6-8 weeks and out of football games until the last 3-4 games. I feel so bad for him because he loves the game and works so hard and because of his horrible mother (yes, me) he is out for this long just because I didn't take him when it actually happened! This I learned from my mother, we just don't run to the doctor for every little thing! Hell, I had a concussion when I was a teen and she didn't take me to the doctor...maybe that's what’s wrong with me!!
Let's see, what else is going on? John had to sell our 1980 Corvette yesterday for half its worth because it blew a rod and it would cost too much to fix. Now I must wait to see what he'll get next! Scary! God forbid he put it towards bills! I've never had any expensive toys!
Several of my friends and co-workers are tired of working for someone else and want to have our own business so we are going to join forces and see what we can come up with! First we have to come up with a catchy name! Maybe if I have that to look forward to then going to my M-F job won't be so damn difficult!
School started yesterday and Kyle had a good day and seems pleased with his A day classes. One of them is pre-cal which I know nothing about and he tried showing me his text book from the class and all I could do is look at it with complete awe! I'm lucky I made it though algebra and geometry! Yuck, just the thought of it scares me! He still goes to all his workouts (he can do upper body weights) even with the "boot" and is a great cheerleader for the guys from the sideline. The Pirates won their scrimmage against Frisco last Friday and will be playing Royse City this Friday. He has even gained about 15 pounds to play on the line when he is healed so he will be fresh and ready to kick some butt when the time is right! I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments and the responsibility he displays thus far in his young life. I truly believe he will go far and do amazing things with his life. I can't wait to be a part of it and see what life has in store for him!
Well, that's it for now! Am going to work the concession stand at school for the Volleyball games and then have some huge-ass orders for tomorrow! I think my eye is beginning to hurt again...Ha! Ha! Ha!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Teen Drivers
How often do we stress (and STRESS OUT) to our new teen drivers to follow the "rules of the road", pay attention, no texting, no talking on phone, turn the radio down, look both ways, no goofing off? Apparently, I forgot to tell mine not to race his friends on the freeway at high rates of speed!
Last Friday night after my shift at the rodeo was over, one of the nice police officers I've known and worked with for over eight years approached me to discuss Kyle. Now, everyone who knows and works with me is aware of the shenanigans that go on between all of us at work so when this officer began to tell me that he pulled Kyle and his best friend Anthony over one day for racing I thought he was joking! Nope! Not joking! He caught Kyle and Anthony speeding up LBJ, he clocked Kyle at 86 and Ant faster and yes they were in their respective vehicles. What the hell were they thinking? Oh, they weren't thinking and that's the problem with teens, especially boys, in large, powerful hunks of metal with engines! I'm certain the look on my face was priceless and as I stood there in total embarrassment I began to make jokes as if it wasn’t a serious matter because I was in shock and disbelief.
Kyle has always been so good and hasn't ever been punished. I guess I always thought when he did do something wrong it would be drinking or staying out too late! I found myself thinking if this had anything to do with my lack of parenting or the fact that I was challenged by him and his friends to race up an "on-ramp" one night after work and agreed while beating both of them in my SUV (some role-model) or that I just like to drive fast myself (I have slowed down in the past several years) or was it because John would take him out in his corvette and drive the country roads fast? How about, he just wasn't thinking about the consequences that can happen in a split second?
I mentioned the information I'd received from the officer to Kyle and he just blew it off with, "I didn't get a ticket". No and he didn't go to jail either only because this officer is kind and did ME a favor! Well, the next morning I got to tell John about the matter. After I calmed him down we began discussing what needed to be done to ensure Kyle learned his lesson because he didn't seem to GET IT when I talked to him. Much to Kyle's dismay, John took his car away from him and made him drive his truck. He didn't like that at all and that was the topic at the rodeo that day. Unbeknownst to me, John took Kyle for a little ride Sunday and had a chit-chat! I hate not knowing what was discussed but it certainly made a point!
I felt so bad for having to come down on him and embarrass him, but a good parent won't just slap their child’s hand and say don't get caught again, but will make them realize their are consequences and responsibilities to their actions and until they learn that they have no privileges! Those are earned!!
Oh and I won’t be racing him or his friends anymore unless it’s around a race track!!!!
Last Friday night after my shift at the rodeo was over, one of the nice police officers I've known and worked with for over eight years approached me to discuss Kyle. Now, everyone who knows and works with me is aware of the shenanigans that go on between all of us at work so when this officer began to tell me that he pulled Kyle and his best friend Anthony over one day for racing I thought he was joking! Nope! Not joking! He caught Kyle and Anthony speeding up LBJ, he clocked Kyle at 86 and Ant faster and yes they were in their respective vehicles. What the hell were they thinking? Oh, they weren't thinking and that's the problem with teens, especially boys, in large, powerful hunks of metal with engines! I'm certain the look on my face was priceless and as I stood there in total embarrassment I began to make jokes as if it wasn’t a serious matter because I was in shock and disbelief.
Kyle has always been so good and hasn't ever been punished. I guess I always thought when he did do something wrong it would be drinking or staying out too late! I found myself thinking if this had anything to do with my lack of parenting or the fact that I was challenged by him and his friends to race up an "on-ramp" one night after work and agreed while beating both of them in my SUV (some role-model) or that I just like to drive fast myself (I have slowed down in the past several years) or was it because John would take him out in his corvette and drive the country roads fast? How about, he just wasn't thinking about the consequences that can happen in a split second?
I mentioned the information I'd received from the officer to Kyle and he just blew it off with, "I didn't get a ticket". No and he didn't go to jail either only because this officer is kind and did ME a favor! Well, the next morning I got to tell John about the matter. After I calmed him down we began discussing what needed to be done to ensure Kyle learned his lesson because he didn't seem to GET IT when I talked to him. Much to Kyle's dismay, John took his car away from him and made him drive his truck. He didn't like that at all and that was the topic at the rodeo that day. Unbeknownst to me, John took Kyle for a little ride Sunday and had a chit-chat! I hate not knowing what was discussed but it certainly made a point!
I felt so bad for having to come down on him and embarrass him, but a good parent won't just slap their child’s hand and say don't get caught again, but will make them realize their are consequences and responsibilities to their actions and until they learn that they have no privileges! Those are earned!!
Oh and I won’t be racing him or his friends anymore unless it’s around a race track!!!!
Tubing on the Guadalupe - Lodging on the otherhand???
Kyle and I recently went for a weekend in June to New Braunfels to go tubing on the Guadalupe and spend the weekend in a cabin (ha!) with my friend Christa and about 14 of her friends. Christa made all the arrangements at a location called Billy Goats Gruff and it only cost us $100/ea. I checked it out on their website and even though they didn't have a picture of the cabin (brand new) we'd be staying in there were photos of others and the campsite itself. It looked nice, clean, had a bar, tube rentals, shuttle service, river entrance, bathrooms and shower stalls.
So, our departure day (Friday, the weekend of Father's Day) arrived and we left after I finished working. Our drive was nice, we went through Austin and Kyle got to see the Longhorn's stadium and lots of traffic! It took us about 4 hours to finally get to River Rd. and what a scenic drive it was winding and following the path of the Guadalupe. We could see people in their tubes floating along and having a blast and we were getting anxious to get in the water ourselves.
Finally, we pulled into Billy Goats Gruff and proceeded to the check-in area (the bar). Christa and the other ladies had already arrived and out on the river so the manager pointed towards a building and told us to just go in, but if it was locked she'd let us in and we could park our car in front of the fence next to this building. I parked the car where I was told and tried the door to the building, which looked like a big storage shed, but it was locked. At this point, Kyle was telling me that couldn't be it and pointed to a really nice apartment-looking building just beyond the fence and said that had to be it. I was a little confused so I went back to the manager and told her the door was locked so to mine and Kyle's dismay she unlocked the door to the shed looking building. We stepped in and just stopped in the doorway, "Oh, my goodness! What have we gotten ourselves into?" Let me just say, we aren't snobby, but what we walked into wasn't what we'd even imagined. Here before us was a four-walled room, one tiny ceiling light, a small a/c window unit, four double bunk beds, a small college size refrigerator, ice chests and girls duffle bags, clothes, etc. strewn all over the place. Once we recovered from the shock and my overwhelming desire to pickup and organize the place, it was time for a drink and a dip in the river to await the arrival of the ladies from up river. Yes, it happened in that order!
After about an hour of socializing with fellow campers, Christa and the other's came floating up completely SMASHED! It was a funny scene especially helping them out of the river and trying to keep them standing up! We all headed back to the "cabin" and prepared dinner (oh, I made dinner) and as we approached our site I hear my name being called out and look up to see our neighbors daughter and her boyfriend camping in the space in front of the "cabin". Of all places to run into someone I know! Not only did I look like shit but I was with a bunch of wild and drunk girls and Kyle! Oh, well! I was there to have fun and relax! However, I was put at ease when I heard Christa and the others bitching about the accommodations too! I didn't complain, just simply told Kyle it was camping with the luxury of a bed and roof!
The evening was filled with lots more drinking (not by me! Kyle had a couple beers though), beer pong, loud music, dancing and finally vomit! I ended up sleeping maybe two hours and that was only after I went back outside and fell asleep in my chair under the stars!
We spent the entire next day (Saturday) floating up and down the river. It was so peaceful and full of groups of families and friends in their tubes hooked together with coolers or rafts just floating and having a good time! Kyle and I did get separated and he ended up with Christa and her group while I ended up with three of the other girls. We ended our tubing early and I waited in the river at our site for Kyle. While waiting I got to experience a game of "I'll throw you a jello shot if you show me your boobs, butt or penis"! Too bad Kyle missed out on this part of the trip! That evening we ate dinner and Kyle and I had to drive home because it was Father's Day the next day and we wanted to be home for John. Let me just say, "thank goodness Kyle can drive"! I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to depend on Kyle!
We all ended up having a great time, but the moral to this story: don't ever rent a "cabin" unseen and ask questions like are there actual rooms, bathroom, running water and maybe lets say, A KITCHEN?
Unfortunately or fortunately, I have to yet to figure out if I'd had enough to drink and if I had maybe the living quarters wouldn't have seemed so bad!!!
So, our departure day (Friday, the weekend of Father's Day) arrived and we left after I finished working. Our drive was nice, we went through Austin and Kyle got to see the Longhorn's stadium and lots of traffic! It took us about 4 hours to finally get to River Rd. and what a scenic drive it was winding and following the path of the Guadalupe. We could see people in their tubes floating along and having a blast and we were getting anxious to get in the water ourselves.
Finally, we pulled into Billy Goats Gruff and proceeded to the check-in area (the bar). Christa and the other ladies had already arrived and out on the river so the manager pointed towards a building and told us to just go in, but if it was locked she'd let us in and we could park our car in front of the fence next to this building. I parked the car where I was told and tried the door to the building, which looked like a big storage shed, but it was locked. At this point, Kyle was telling me that couldn't be it and pointed to a really nice apartment-looking building just beyond the fence and said that had to be it. I was a little confused so I went back to the manager and told her the door was locked so to mine and Kyle's dismay she unlocked the door to the shed looking building. We stepped in and just stopped in the doorway, "Oh, my goodness! What have we gotten ourselves into?" Let me just say, we aren't snobby, but what we walked into wasn't what we'd even imagined. Here before us was a four-walled room, one tiny ceiling light, a small a/c window unit, four double bunk beds, a small college size refrigerator, ice chests and girls duffle bags, clothes, etc. strewn all over the place. Once we recovered from the shock and my overwhelming desire to pickup and organize the place, it was time for a drink and a dip in the river to await the arrival of the ladies from up river. Yes, it happened in that order!
After about an hour of socializing with fellow campers, Christa and the other's came floating up completely SMASHED! It was a funny scene especially helping them out of the river and trying to keep them standing up! We all headed back to the "cabin" and prepared dinner (oh, I made dinner) and as we approached our site I hear my name being called out and look up to see our neighbors daughter and her boyfriend camping in the space in front of the "cabin". Of all places to run into someone I know! Not only did I look like shit but I was with a bunch of wild and drunk girls and Kyle! Oh, well! I was there to have fun and relax! However, I was put at ease when I heard Christa and the others bitching about the accommodations too! I didn't complain, just simply told Kyle it was camping with the luxury of a bed and roof!
The evening was filled with lots more drinking (not by me! Kyle had a couple beers though), beer pong, loud music, dancing and finally vomit! I ended up sleeping maybe two hours and that was only after I went back outside and fell asleep in my chair under the stars!
We spent the entire next day (Saturday) floating up and down the river. It was so peaceful and full of groups of families and friends in their tubes hooked together with coolers or rafts just floating and having a good time! Kyle and I did get separated and he ended up with Christa and her group while I ended up with three of the other girls. We ended our tubing early and I waited in the river at our site for Kyle. While waiting I got to experience a game of "I'll throw you a jello shot if you show me your boobs, butt or penis"! Too bad Kyle missed out on this part of the trip! That evening we ate dinner and Kyle and I had to drive home because it was Father's Day the next day and we wanted to be home for John. Let me just say, "thank goodness Kyle can drive"! I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to depend on Kyle!
We all ended up having a great time, but the moral to this story: don't ever rent a "cabin" unseen and ask questions like are there actual rooms, bathroom, running water and maybe lets say, A KITCHEN?
Unfortunately or fortunately, I have to yet to figure out if I'd had enough to drink and if I had maybe the living quarters wouldn't have seemed so bad!!!
Monday, June 14, 2010
My First Spray Tan
I just got home from having my first Airbrush Spray Tan and I must say, "What an experience”!
I'm not out in the sun like I was when I was younger nor do I really want to lay in a tanning bed and wait for a tan to develop or cancer and I'm done with the instant tan in a can (which, by the way, never work no matter how much a company tries to advertise their product really works). No more orange skin or zebra stripes! I came across a coupon for a new tanning salon in my area and jumped on the chance to get an airbrushed tan.
Now, before you get one there are some things you CAN'T do prior to the process: shave, lather up with lotion, have your nails done or wear makeup or jewelry. Luckily, I don't normally lather myself in lotion, wear makeup that often nor had I shaved in the last two days (I'm married so it doesn't matter people!!!).
When I have tanned in the past I go totally "commando" so if I wanted a nice even tan I was going to have to stand in front of a perfect stranger and let her spray my entire body from head to toe. So, I go into the room and here is this small, thin and petite woman who was so nice and made me feel comfortable about what I was about to do! Ladies, if you've had a baby and/or been to the OBGyn then there is really no reason you too can't stand and let a person spray you down for 20 minutes. Those of you who know me can only imagine the thoughts and comments that I could have let loose, but I did keep it toned down, only because this was our first meeting. Oh, there was a mirror in the room which frightened me more than standing buck naked because she told me to look at the difference in color. Hell no! I only looked at my legs and tried not to look at the roll I call my stomach or the 45 year old boobies hanging down. All I kept thinking was she'd probably seen worse.
I got through it and now I'm waiting to see the results when I wake up in the morning because it will take several hours for it to really develop. Let me tell you that if it looks as good as I feel it will, I will be going back! It is kind of freeing, in a weird way and the actual spray is cool and like a fan blowing on you so it was right up my alley!
You're probably wondering why I did this now...well, Kyle and I are going to New Braunfels this weekend and I don't want to blind anyone with my bright, white skin!!! Not only that, everyone there is in their early 20’s and will be running around in a bikini! Great for Kyle and I’ll just feel like the room mother! Not really, I fit right in!
Really, the things we will do for beauty!!! Why does a tan make us feel so much better?
I'm not out in the sun like I was when I was younger nor do I really want to lay in a tanning bed and wait for a tan to develop or cancer and I'm done with the instant tan in a can (which, by the way, never work no matter how much a company tries to advertise their product really works). No more orange skin or zebra stripes! I came across a coupon for a new tanning salon in my area and jumped on the chance to get an airbrushed tan.
Now, before you get one there are some things you CAN'T do prior to the process: shave, lather up with lotion, have your nails done or wear makeup or jewelry. Luckily, I don't normally lather myself in lotion, wear makeup that often nor had I shaved in the last two days (I'm married so it doesn't matter people!!!).
When I have tanned in the past I go totally "commando" so if I wanted a nice even tan I was going to have to stand in front of a perfect stranger and let her spray my entire body from head to toe. So, I go into the room and here is this small, thin and petite woman who was so nice and made me feel comfortable about what I was about to do! Ladies, if you've had a baby and/or been to the OBGyn then there is really no reason you too can't stand and let a person spray you down for 20 minutes. Those of you who know me can only imagine the thoughts and comments that I could have let loose, but I did keep it toned down, only because this was our first meeting. Oh, there was a mirror in the room which frightened me more than standing buck naked because she told me to look at the difference in color. Hell no! I only looked at my legs and tried not to look at the roll I call my stomach or the 45 year old boobies hanging down. All I kept thinking was she'd probably seen worse.
I got through it and now I'm waiting to see the results when I wake up in the morning because it will take several hours for it to really develop. Let me tell you that if it looks as good as I feel it will, I will be going back! It is kind of freeing, in a weird way and the actual spray is cool and like a fan blowing on you so it was right up my alley!
You're probably wondering why I did this now...well, Kyle and I are going to New Braunfels this weekend and I don't want to blind anyone with my bright, white skin!!! Not only that, everyone there is in their early 20’s and will be running around in a bikini! Great for Kyle and I’ll just feel like the room mother! Not really, I fit right in!
Really, the things we will do for beauty!!! Why does a tan make us feel so much better?
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