Field Trip...Texas Style!!!

If there's one thing you learn living in Texas is that it's not unusual to drive an hour or more to reach a good barbecue place. And Oh Yeah!!! We found just the spot to hit the spot.

Black's Barbecue in Lockhart, Texas.



The biggest draw is their Brisket and Homemade Suasage Links. Filling up your plate is a new concept. You grab a tray and a plate. Side dishes are extra and you buy your meat by the pound. Sausage links are ordered by the link. Don picked up 2 lbs of brisket and 5 homemade sausages, 2 regular, 2 garlic and 1 jalapeno. So yummy!!!!

Much to my kids' dismay I've been enjoying the Brendan Fraser marathon of movies this past week. No...I didn't write a long e-mail to the station asking for all the Brendan Fraser they could give me.....3 movies in 2 days. SuhWeet!!! I enjoy action and comedy rolled into one. So...yeah...I love the Mummy movies and saw Journey to the Center of the Earth for the first time last night. I so needed to laugh...this not walking thing is going to send me over the edge!!!

Well, have a Rip Roarin' Day!!!!

Gimpalooski and Other Thoughts...

All right, so after meeting with my fabulously incredilbe doctor who has singlehandedly removed the horrid pain from my foot and replaced it with a healing pain, which I find frighteningly bearable I am doing fairly well. I still gimp around and resemble Sir Gimp-A-Lot, but whatever, the lack of pain I was used to is gone and that's all that matters.

School is going fairly well. I am frustrated in some classes but soaring in others. Who knew when you really care about going to school it could go so easily. I am in a huge battle with my oldest to graduate with a degree, albiet an Associate's Degree, but a degree nonetheless, before she receives her high schoo, diploma. I've got time as she is only a sophmore. Secretly, she told me she wants to be there at my graduation and if I graduate after she is off to college there's a chance she won't be there. So, that is why I push. I look forward to a summer without classes and enjoy some off time before picking up again in the fall. We shall see how it all goes. I will continue to push on the way I need to to amke it on through,but as long as I don't start some Charlie Sheen rants I am counting myself as all right.

Seriously, he has made my job as a parent easy.....See kids, this is what taking drugs does to you. After watching his tirades and pouting I feel sort of sorry for the guy. How could he have gotten THAT screwed up. He is one of our Father in Heaven's children after all. How could his friends and family let him get to that point without trying to intervene. Or perhaps they did, but couldn't succeed. It's a sad testament to the world. Satan is still out there...and he is real.

I am thrilled to announce all three of my kids are signed up to go to EFY this year together, but seperately. Does that even make sense? Anyway, they are going to be here in San Antonio, but simply have a week on their own in a wonderful program. They'll also each have a week of camp going on. For the girls...they'll be home a day and a half before heading off to camp. Now that'll be interesting....that's for sure. I think they'll have a great time and some great experiences this summer. Never dull I must say...never dull.

Other than that I am simply wasting my time online...annoying my friends on facebook . My only job right now is to take the kids to seminary. I enjoy it...though I ahve to peel myself out of bed so early....at least I can take a nap in the morning. it's a good thing. A very good thing methinks.

Have a great day everyone!!!

I Really Am Here!!!

Well, my life has slowed down for the moment. I find myself in a situation I'm not used to. I am off work for a minimum of 3 weeks, but find myself grateful I chose to have disability insurance both short term and long term. The Lord always knows what we need even when we don't. This foot situation is a long time coming. I've had a pain in my foot I've tried to ignore for over 5 years. Think of it as having a knife shove into your heel everytime you take a step. Uh...yeah....and I ignored it. Anyway, I FINALLY went under the knife today and I am on the road to the mend.

I'm also in the middle of my first semester back at school. I've found it a hard transition back. I'm not used to studying like I used to back in school. I'm doing very well in some classes and struggling in others. We shall see what happens there, but I will defintiely try not to be a stranger on this blog any longer.

Day 7....Check!!!

It was a busy week. My last day off was a week ago today and I finished the long week with a splash....more like a shiver.

I've had training all week and realized just how spoiled I was.

Point and Click!!!

That's all we do. Move the little arrow and click where we want to look at the screen. Brilliant right?!?!?

NO!!!!
Not when you have to go back to learning a DOS program....

Uh yeah!!! High tech job that I have leeaves me on 5 screens at once during the day. You'd think I'd know how to land a jumbo jet, but that perhaps is left for a later time....or the fact that I have no less than 12 login ids and 12 various passwords just to start work.

FABULOUS!!!!

The result?!?!? Happy people because i am now turned into a one stop shop for them. The cream of the crop of our guests call one number and get everything handled by one person...Me.

BTW.....Did you know Paris Hilton is a Marriott Rewards member?

No...I'm not lying!!!

Anyway, With training my days off got switched leaving me with 7 straight days of work. Ugh...really?!?! Do I have to?!?

So, I survived. I made it through my days and smiled the entire time. And now...I am in recovery for one day. Hubby will rub my feet, draw me a bath and even pour bath salts in ready to make me one happy woman.

Yeah, right!!!

Have a great day all!!!!

Dearest Friends & Strangers,

It's been a long time. The move went well and we are now completely settled...with the exception of the two giant boxes in my bedroom I refuse to unpack. I've now given up my "cushy" job of working at home and commute again back into work. My job is now about 17 miles away which means by bus it takes me no less than 2 1/2 hours to get to or from work...IF I catch all of my buses....a bit longer if I miss any connections. I missed seeing actual human beings who didn't start their life in my womb. Actual face to face conversation is worth a great deal to someone who succumbs easily to depression.

I sit here at my bus stop, nearly a mile walk from my front door, at 5 am waiting for my first of three buses to begin my daily epic trek to and from work. I spend about 6 hours a day either on a bus or waiting for a bus. The blessing...I get to stand on an incredible old bridge at the Riverwalk each day enjoying the sunrise in the city and soaking in the vibe there....I love it!!! All in all In walk 5 miles each day.

Work-wise I've kept busy. I've been in training one day with two more to go. I am learning the Marriott Rewards system in three days proving myself more valuable to the company. My group I am in...which has worked with Resorts for over a year and a half since I've been on the team. We're now taking care of Platinum guests...you know, the ones that spend 1/3 of the year under the roof of one of our hotels. They bring in the money for us. AND now I am doing Marriott Rewards itself. Our group is so specialized we are the only group in the world that is handling so much...OH! And we are also booking the entire Autograph Collection by Marriott....when you call the 800 number that is....and if you want to see some incredible properties check those puppies out!!!

And for some reason it wasn't enough on my plate. I'm also going back to school full time. Yup!!! Fulltime along with working full time. What was I thinking? I have no idea to be honest except I've got a Pell Grant which is paying for it so why not. in fact, my oldest and I are currently having a race to diplomas. Who will get theirs first? She is getting her high school diploma and me my Associates....I'll beat her by 3 weeks if all pans out correctly....We'll see.

My fabulous foot is still here...causing me pain with each step. it has been decided that I need surgery but being that it will cause me not to be paid for one week and paying $350 I've put it on the back burner until our taxes come in and we can afford to let me take a week off. until then...I smile and endure it.

Thankfully through all the craziness I call my life the kids are doing remarkably well. Ages 13,14 & 15 now they are keeping busy with school and church activities. With one car being used at all times I am thankful that their church leaders pick them up for mutual and activities since our car is always gone. The older two are also excited as their high School varisty football team is in the State semifinals playing at the Alamodome this Saturday. if they win the team will take the trek up to Dallas to play at the Dallas Cowboy's stadium. And in the land of "Friday night Lights" THAT's saying something.

In this crazy holiday season I call my life I wish you all the peace I feel in my heart when I think of the Savior. i wish you the happiness I feel in my heart when I see my children standing upright before the Lord. I wish you the knowledge to know that what you want is normally not what you need. And most of all I wish smiles and laughter for your family throughout the holidays.

Merry Christmas to All!!!