Road Trip

I've just returned home from my latest trip to Montana. I flew up to Bozeman on Friday, where Kevin and I attended an art walk. Then, on Saturday we drove down to Denver for the night and on to Canyon, Texas on Sunday. We spent that evening with Kevin's daughter Katie and her boyfriend Tim. We returned home on Monday. It was a beautiful trip. Everything was green and the country side was in bloom. I failed to take any photos but I will on my next trip.

I leave on Thursday to visit my brother, Gary, in Phoenix. His band will be playing while I'm there, so that will be a ton of fun.

Today I am starting my training for the Susan G. Komen 3day walk. I'm excited about this journey. It will be one thing I can cross off my bucket list.

Texas Manicure

 

You've heard of the French and American, but the latest trend this spring in young women's nail fashion is the Texas Manicure as pictured above.

This week my ma and pa have taken some time out of their schedule to help me whip the old home place into shape; Since the house is on the market, I have employed the help of my folks. I've a blister and dirt under my nails despite the fact that I've been wearing these nitrile coated non-slip light-weight green and blue gardening gloves from Lowes. It's kind of like wearing those sweat wicking socks on your hands. This feeling is enhanced by the fact that after a good bout of digging and perspiring one takes off their gloves to wipe the sweat from their face and sip a cool refreshing glass of ice water, but as the offending hand enters the realm where your nose lives you're immediately struck by the stench of feet. I LOVE SPRING!

Quinta Zoe

For my upcoming trip to Mexico, I will be flying into Queretaro and staying the evening at, Quinta Zoe, a cute little place I found on Trip Advisor. The owners David and Zoe Sherill, my contact has been Zoe, have been extremely helpful. They have provided me with a wealth of information that has eased my mind and helped me plan accordingly for my upcoming trip. For example, Zoe informed me that Bank of America has a sister branch in Mexico, Santander, and there are no ATM fees when using your BofA card AND they have the best exchange rate.
At Quinta Zoe, I will be staying in the Tulipan, tulip, room. The bed is hand carved and in the bathroom the tiles are painted to reflect the room's tulip theme.

I am very excited about my trip most of my apprehension has fallen away.

No Shower Sunday

I love Sundays. I can do NOTHING and not feel bad about it. I woke up at 6:43 am feeling like a cat had shit in my mouth, head pounding and queasy stomach. In case you can't read between the lines, that means I hung out with Jodee Heimdal last night. We went to the ribbon cutting of Sunset Sports Bar. It's a great time to live in Aubrey, we now have a bar! A real bar with a gorgeous patio, food, beer and liquor. I was slightly upset that they didn't stock Stoli, but I got over it when I tasted the awesomeness known as a Wedding Cake Shot. I had given up shots, but had to slip back into those old familiar shoes just one time. It was a special occasion (And the morning was oddly guilt free) and 1100 Springs was playing. It was a good time, and even better only 5 minutes from la casa.
I digress, back to the unwashed truth of my Sunday. I managed to drag my sister's adorable Chinese pugs out of bed and outside for their morning ritual. These dogs don't have a clue how to behave on a leash. In my diminished capacity I almost killed myself while sleep walking these two when their running amok caused both of my legs to become entangled in their leashes. A crisis was averted, and we all went back to bed after some water and ibuprofen, both for me.
Later, when I actually woke up my intended blog experience happened.
I've converted yet another to the wonderful world of NO SHOWER SUNDAYS. I'm feeling benevolent today and decided to treat my 20 year old cousin, Megan, to lunch. She's just recently been fired from her job (for being too much like me when I was her age. Though I don't think that is quite how the boss put it. Something more along the lines of: Your fired for being late all the time).
She wanted to go home and shower, and that was the moment of conversion. Upon hearing blessings and freedoms bestowed upon those who join the no showering movement, she saw the light and good glory hallelujah is now a practicing member.
I'm off soon to break bread with my congregation, and to return shortly after to bask in the freedom of having no appointments, or responsibilities, except I should call my mother.

What Tomorrow Brings

As my last official day at ABC Childcare Center, tomorrow is the last day that I know what will happen. Everything, other than my San Miguel Trip, is a mystery even to me.
When I left my teaching job at McKinney ISD, I told people I was going back to school to make a career change. I think some of my co-workers assumed I was moving to Montana; I just let them think what they wanted because it doesn't really matter why. I just can't commit to going to college again. I'm still paying for the first time, and I just can't see how it will help me change my career. I am capable of learning on my own. I just don't know what it is that I may want to know.

I don't think I'll come back from Mexico with all the answers, but I do think I will come back recharged, hopefully speaking fluently in Spanish, and able to point myself down one path or the other.

Edith Wharton once said: "Beware of monotony; it's the mother of all the deadly sins." I'm breaking my cycle of monotony this summer, and I hope my future will not be monotonous, and if it is I won't worry about my sins because I'll already be living in HELL.

Casita Happy Horse

I found my San Miguel apartment through Vacation Rentals By Owner, or VRBO, and I think it's going to be great. The woman who owns the property seemed very laid back. I quoted her a price that was in my budget and she accepted. I found out later on the property management website that it rents for $300 more than what I'm paying. Whew, I'm glad I found that website.

When I saw the picture of the horse in the front, I knew that was the place for me. Granted it kind of looks a bit creepy with that grin, but comical all the same.

The Decision

How did I decide to up and go to Mexico for a month? It may seem kind of whimsical, but I was on a Frontier flight to Montana reading their Wild Blue Yonder magazine. The article "Mexico Unmasked" caught my eye, and upon reading it I thought: I could do that. I could go there by myself. I had been thinking for sometime that I wanted to go to Cozumel or Tulum, but I didn't think a beach vacation would be fun alone. I wanted to see something different, do something I hadn't done before. Since I "retired" from teaching, I had a bit of money that I pulled out of the Teacher's Retirement System and I wanted to spend it on myself, but I didn't want it to be on some vacation I wouldn't be able to distinguish from the other vacations I've taken in my life. So I decided without consulting friends or family that I was going. I made up my mind and started making the arrangements and then told everyone. I was afraid someone would try to talk me out of it, that seems to happen to me with things I think I want. I guess I don't really want them if I'm easily talked out of them, but I wanted this trip. Subconsciously I think the decision was made the moment I read that article.