Over the River and Through the...

There were no woods on my trip to the Panhandle today. There were, lots and lots of highway patrol out. I didn't meet any of them up close and personally on this trip. Thank goodness.

It is very, very cold here. Okay. I realize that "very, very" is relative. It's mid-20s here and the wind is still blowing hard outside. I'm safe and sound inside, though. It was strange driving without the kitties this trip. I've left them home with a pet sitter because my cousin's hubby is really allergic (like the throat swelling, eyes swelling allergic) to them, so I volunteered to leave them home. I was fortunate to find someone I trust to keep them -- and it isn't costing nearly as much as it would have to board them or to hire a professional pet sitter. They'll be fine.

About three-quarters of the way here, I called my Gran and she said that Mom, Sis A, Miss A and Bennin all have a tummy bug. I will see them later in the week. There was no way I was going over there (as I'd planned) today. There is nothing in the world I hate worse than throwing up, so as much as I want to see them all, my desire for self-preservation is stronger than my desire to see them. I'll just have to wave from afar for a day or two.

Nothing much else going on. The Christmas food-fest has begun. I'm going to try to be good, but make no promises... especially Christmas day when I'll have dueling grandmothers making Christmas meals.

I'm home again

Well, the trip to Austin for the test wasn't all I wanted it to be.

I studied my study guide and felt good about my knowledge for the test. I woke up feeling awful on Saturday morning. No, let me rephrase that. I didn't sleep on Friday night because I felt awful AND I was nervous. I don't think the lack of sleep had any effect on my performance on the exam. The exam was the reason I think I didn't do so well on the exam. It wasn't what I expected and some of the questions were very poorly worded. Honestly, if I passed it, I'll be thrilled.

I had planned to hang around campus after I got finished taking the test and going to the LBJ Library and maybe going to the Capitol building. I was so frustrated and disappointed after the test, I just wanted to come home.

Now I wait for six weeks for my results.

Live from Austin

I woke up the morning with "allergies" (that's what I'm calling it until tomorrow afternoon) and so I don't feel exactly 100%, but I'll be fine. I slept in a little this morning for the extra rest and felt a little better when I got up again. I got stuff packed and the cats fed and a few little things done around the house. I didn't get on the road exactly when I wanted to, but was still able to avoid the worst of the traffic in both Fort Worth and Austin.

Anyway, I'm all checked into the hotel and settled into room #2. I came back from dinner only to hear how much my neighbors liked one another. I just asked to be moved. Now, I'm in pajamas, on the bed ready to do a little refreshing of my memory.

My text is at 9:00 in the morning. Well, I have to check in at 9:00. The test is 9:45 to 10:45. I'm nervous, but not overly so. A little nervous is good, I think. I have three alarms set for in the morning so I KNOW I won't oversleep!

So, off to refresh study...

Busy, busy week...

It's the last week of school and my written state exam is on Saturday in Austin. I'm nervous, but not overly so. But, because of the test, I'm not going to get weekly winners done for last week. I'm also not going to be able to get many (if any) pictures this week. So, I'm going to cheat a little and show off PJ's little guy and my Miss A and Little B for this upcoming Sunday's Weekly Winners. I promise, I got some really, really cute shots. :)

The visit in Dumas and Amarillo was fun and bittersweet all at once. Friday night, I stayed with Grandmother and Granddaddy B. I had a great visit with them, but also saw how confused and frail Granddaddy B has become. It is heartbreaking to think that the man I've always seen as so strong has become so... old. Grandmother, on the other hand, is feeling better and better with the pacemaker. She said she wants to start walking for exercise even.

Saturday I had breakfast with G&G B and then was off to Dumas to see PJ and A. He is a cutie. It was a good visit with her and her family. It is always surreal to go to her parents' (mom and step-dad) house where I spent so much time as a youngster. The neighborhood looks the same, sort of. The trees are bigger. Her dad and step-mom are still weird and act like I'm an imposition on them. Oh well. I don't have to see them very often.

When A went down for his nap, I headed to Sunray to see G&G B again. Grandmother wanted me to come to the house. She wanted to know the things I wanted from the house. She said things like, "when the house sells..." and "when we move..." which are things she's never said, to me at least. I know she has her hands full with Granddaddy and that the this would come, but it is the bittersweet part of the trip.

Sunday I spent with A&D and their kids. Sis A and I went shopping for an outfit for D's sister's wedding. We found an awesome dress and shoes -- ON SALE. You can't beat that! When Sis A went to handbell practice at church, Miss A and Little B and their daddy and I played at the playground for a while then went to have ice cream. I got to put them (or help put them) to bed. I even got to read Miss A a bedtime story.

Little B and I got to hang out at Gran and Grandaddy C's house while Sis A went to a meeting. We played and played and had a great time. After Miss A got out of school, Sis A, Little B, and I went to pick out Little B's Lighting McQueen cake for his third birthday. Then we went back to Gran and Grandaddy's and shortly thereafter I had to leave to come back home. The trip home was uneventful. I didn't have any unplanned stops this time. (It had been YEARS since my last 'unplanned stop' by the way.)

I so want to move back up that direction. I miss everyone and wish I cold spend more time with them -- especially the grandparents. Well, I guess the test this Saturday is one more step in that direction.

Road Trip!

I made it safely to Amarillo. I didn't expect otherwise, honestly.

There were a couple of planned stops and one very unplanned stop. It was one that involved flashing red lights and ended with a grumpy local sheriff telling me to "slow it down." *sigh* I hate it when that happens. I was going above the posted speed limit -- not flying by any means, but above 70. Evidently, Maxie didn't like the interruption in the trip because he hissed at the cop. I was trying not to giggle about it. I figured it might be bad to bust out laughing as the cop was writing me a ticket.

G&G B were at Uncle J's so I got to visit with them last night and again this morning. Later this morning, I'll be heading to Big D to meet up with PJ and her mom and Little A. I will come bearing gifts for the little guy, of course, like any good aunt should!

I will also have my camera, so this week's Weekly Winners won't just be the cats! Aren't y'all excited?

On the road again...

I'm off to Amarillo! I'm so excited to get to meet PJ's little guy that I had trouble sleeping last night.

Oh, okay, so not sleeping had little or nothing to do with my drive today, but it sounds better than I just am not sleeping much these days because I've got insomnia again. I got a good four and a half or five hours last night, so I'm not going to complain too much. It's better than the two and a half I got the night before!

Anyway, the cats and I are off. Hopefully, I'll see happy kitty faces or sleeping kitty faces in the rear view mirror and not have a car sick kitty in Maxie. Here's hoping!

Home Sweet Home

Well, I made it home without any major drama. There really wasn't much traffic today so the drive went really easily. The kitties cooperated (or were just ready to be home, too) and slept quietly the majority of the way. Occasionally there was a whimper of protest from the back seat, but for the most part, they're becoming hearty travelers.

It is so great to go visit family, but there is really no place like home.

Onward to New Years, I suppose. No plans as yet for that, but I hold out hope I'll be doing something besides moping on my couch.

Day 21: Over the river and throught the woods...

I'm posting early today because it is travel day! I think I have just about everything ready to go. I've got my list of things I can't forget for both me and the cats. I just have to say that I am in awe of people who travel with children. How on earth they get out the door with everything including the kids is beyond me.

I am off to the Houston area for the long weekend. I'm so excited to get to be with my family... a little sad that my brothers won't be there also, but it will be fun with just the girls. It's a dual celebration this year. Daddy is a turkey this year! (His birthday falls on Thanksgiving Day this year.) He's 59. Wow!

Anyway, there will be 9 of us at Moma's new house this year. We're having turkey and all the traditional trimmings. I predict lots of food and football for tomorrow. A good time will likely be had by all.

Hopefully, it will be an easy trip down there. I don't forsee any problems except heavier than normal trafic. I-35 is always busy on holidays!

So, for all those who are traveling to see friends and family this week, please be safe. I hope everyone enjoys visits with family and friends and stops to give thanks for blessings in life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S.: Happy Birthday, P!