A travelogue in several parts

We took a little family trip down to the Hill Country over Memorial Day weekend, mainly to see Ryan play in the Kerrville Folk Festival, but also just to hang out together and make each other crazy for three days, because that's how we roll.

There was much eating, fighting amongst ourselves, sweat, and also many laughs. I had my trusty camera, so I thought I'd share a trip report over the next several days, or however long it takes me to get the pictures posted, depending on Blogger's mood. (She was not pms'ing tonight, and I uploaded 10 shots!!! Wowsers. That's a record.)

So, day one was a fun look at the "real" Texas. We live in fake Texas. In DFW, we are a pretty accurate microcosm of the rest of the world. Other parts, well, they're more Texas, if you know what I mean. If not, well, you've come to the right place.

The blue highways are long and winding, but there are lots of pretty wildflowers to entertain. And fence posts, and poles. (Click on pics to see full-size)

You might have heard we don't have hills in Texas. That is unequivocally untrue. See? Here's one:

And here's the backside:

I guess the Christians weren't too crazy about Cheap Charlies. He must have been a little too bizarre. (You have to click.)

In Texas, we even have outlet malls for RVs.

Nothing like downtown, Main Street Texas. Every business serves two purposes, at a minimum. The restaurant has its own ATM--they probably don't take credit cards.

All are welcome at the Koffee Kup. Bring your Harley, definitely.

Ribeye cookoff? I'm there. Oh, darn, it was LAST weekend. That's an awfully big sign to forget to take down, guys.

Little house on the prairie

We do deer meat? I'm not even going to ask.

Tomorrow, the great festival.

Nine

OnlyninemorenightsofdidyoudoyourhomeworkdidyouputupyourlaundrydidyoudothedishesdidyoubrushyourteethisyourswimsuitreadyisyourtowelreadydidyoupracticedoyouneedlunchmoneywhattimedoIneedtowakeyouupwhattimedoweneedtoleavearewetakinganyoneelsewhattimeshouldIpickyouuptomorrowdoyouhavesectionalsdoyouhavecolorguardpracticeareyoureallywearingthat?

And then I can go quietly insane on my own schedule for the summer.

Overheard in Podunk

I won't give the name of the town. That would be tacky.

Todd and I went to see Made of Honor tonight. I, personally, thought it was really cute and pretty dang funny. I laughed out loud a number of times, and that doesn't always happen. I didn't laugh nearly as much watching Baby Mama a few weeks ago, and the reviews for it were better. But, whatever. (And thanks, Gail, for the recommendation. Todd and I were going to save it for DVD, but I'm glad we went.) The on-location in Scotland scenes helped a wee bit, too.

Anyway ... this couple filed in after we were seated, leaving the requisite open seat between us. We always try to sit in the row with the railing in stadium seating theatres so we can prop our feet up. I know, I know, we are very uncouth. But, perhaps not as uncouth as ...

Right after Made of Honor scene where Tom (Patrick McDreamy Dempsey) has just been introduced to Hannah (Michelle Monaghan), and he says, "Hannah. That's a palindrome."

Podunk guy: What's a palindrome?
Podunk chick: I dunno.

I don't know why I thought this was so funny. But I did. Maybe it was because five minutes before the movie started, this couple sat down with the biggest bucket of popcorn I have ever seen in my life, a ginormous movie size soda, a couple packs of movie candy, and what looked like a 1.5 liter bottle of water. For some reason, I thought that was funny, too. I mean, how on earth do you eat and drink that much during a movie without having to ... excuse yourself?

My favorite line in the movie was "He has mad cow disease." You had to be there. And this isn't even my kind of movie humor usually, but I couldn't help it.

That is all.

Kids these days

It's been a while since I did a Kristen says, and I can't resist.

We have a policy in our house that if you want someone to sleep over, you have to clean your room before you receive permission. Otherwise, you can be a pig for as long as we can stand it. (I obviously never need to clean my room, because Todd lives here.)

Well, Kristen wanted to have a friend spend the night this weekend, so she called me on one of my numerous chauffeur runs this afternoon to ask. I reminded her she had to clean her room first. (Because, of course, they never remember the rules.) So, she called back about five minutes later to see if she could go play at a friend's house.

Me: Did you clean your room yet?
K: No, it won't take that long later.
Me: Hmm. I think you better decide now. Play now, no sleepover. Clean now, maybe play later, have sleepover.
K: Uh. Okay. I'm cleaning.

10 minutes later.

K: Can I go play now?
Me: Did you clean?
K: Yes.
Me: That wasn't very long ... are you sure? It's really clean? And the floor between your room and the stairs?
K: Yes! To my preference it is!
(You: HAHA!)
Me: You mean to your standards? How about mine?
K: I think so ...
Me: Okay, go play, we'll see when I get home.

3 hours later. Inspector Todd has ascended and removed wadded clothes and towels and papers and toys from strategic hiding places and deposited in the middle of floor. We go up to tuck Kristen in after having reminded her a couple of times to clean it up.

Me: I thought you said you cleaned!?!?!
K: I did, to my extent anyway.
(You: HAHAHA!)
Me: It's still a mess though.
K: Todd pulled all this stuff out!
Todd: But you said you cleaned it up again.
Kristen: (Pulls blanket over head.) I have no response.

That girl.

(I'm gonna cry when she turns 11. This age is freakin' hilarious. Of course, with her, I've been saying that every year.)

He shot the Tambourine Man

Well, it's offical (Edit: THAT was on purpose...click the link), old blue eyes, Jaston (EDIT! HAHA! JASTON!) Jason Castro, didn't make the last cut on AI. Finally. While I admit I was gaga over him for the first ten (??) weeks or so, it was definitely time. As proud as I am of our Texas folkie boy, he had reached his peak in AI territory.

I laughed tonight when he said he was relieved because he just wasn't sure how he was going to do three songs next week. He's nothing if not honest. And a little blonde, in spite of those brown dreds. I'm sure he will do well, nevertheless. (I love how that word just rolls off my tongue. What movie was it where the female character painted a thousand words with just that one?)

And not to worry -- David Cook has been my offical AI boyfriend for quite some time now. I'd be quite satisfied with him and Syesha as first and second place winners. David A just freaks me out for reasons I can't articulate, in spite of his oodles of 16-year-old talent. I'm just not a member of his adoring middle-aged mom and teenybopper fan base. (I have to go against the flow, do I not?)