Well Darling it was a week of Birthday’s going away parties and a tiny bit of travel. Miss Zoee turned 14 years old that went way to fast. I still remember picking her up from the hospital. Crazy.

When my dear friend Jordan had a birthday. And I made him a birthday cake. White cake with green swirl and buttercream. And then came tragedy. My buttercream always taste like homemade ice cream. I have not changed the recipe in geez 20 years! Ella said it was still better than store bought. I’m not sure what was wrong with it but it was not the same .

John left for Georgia then on to Washington D.C. , I did not attend the party like I thought I might. To much going on that day and not enough hours in the day . But I have his number if sure I will still here from him .

Some of us got our Favorite weather , RAIN ! Mother Nature is still off her rocker for this time of year.

But all too soon it will be 100 and everyone will complain.

Thursday he came home and we had nachos on the patio, where the moon was so pretty. And I decided to try to take a picture of the moon. Then 4am came and we headed to San Antonio. He was flying to New Hampshire to see his daughter. And he asked do you want to breakfast at Taco Garage we will have plenty of time. Yes, Yes I do! And do you know what the man did?

He stopped A CRACKER BARREL! My least favorite place next to IHOP. And I was polite I didn’t say a word. And after he ate the words. “We should have wait for Taco Garage.”  You think?  

Dropped him at the San Antonio airport and headed to the liquor store for a friend she has been looking for a Bacardi Strawberry Spritz. And I found Strawberry Kiwi, she was not happy about.She took it, But she certainly didn’t pay for it. So I’m not sure why she complained. Then I headed home I just wasn’t feeling it. I mean I have to go back on Saturday afternoon. So I can go shopping and kill time at the places I didn’t go to.

Such a strange weekend. The house was quiet nobody telling what to do or what I should do. But it was HOT and I made use of the pool.

My garden has to decided to give me more than I could ever dream of Squash and Zucchini, I have given it away and I think they all may get tired of it very soon. So I decided to find other ways to use it. I made oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Coconut cookies, There is more to come I know lots of things to do with it.

Poor Toby has been depressed. He misses his daddy.  Every day he smells his truck, smells for him, has carried around a dirty undershirt he took from the laundry pile.  Toby knows the days of the week. On a Friday he will either sit in the big dining window and watch or lay in the drive way and wait. He just knows. But soon Derek will return and it will be okay.

And that’s a wrap for the week. Next week will be quiet and back to San Antonio I go.

Until next week

Infinite X’s & O’s

The week  left much to be desired honestly.  Until Friday came.

I spend the week worrying about storms and thankfully they never came. You see the garage door broke. It went down just fine at lunch but when I came home it would not open. When Derek came home Wednesday I said “ fix it !” Come to find out the spring had broke . Ok FIX IT ! This is not rocket science .

To Lowe’s we went to get a spring and they didn’t have one. I called repair people and they worked me in on Friday afternoon. It was loud and come to found out eventually I will need a new door . But currently it’s back to going up and down. And Opal is in her safe place. And that’s what is important.

Comstock , TX a delightful little place said no one ever ! Derek walked In Friday night and said are you packed? Actually I was! And he didn’t tell me where I was going. So I was assured no proper foot attire if we ended up somewhere wacky. And what started out a normal route out of town. The we arrived in Sonora. “Well Huff it looks as though we have come to an empasse, ” No it’s more like a fork in the road . But okay . Do we go to the ranch stay the night and it’s free or do we drive to San Antonio and get a hotel ? “ Well is it our final destination ?  If you read the 1^st blog we all know that my answer was San Antonio. However he went to Comstock. We had the worst Mexican food we have ever had that night. At our favorite place in Del Rio. I’m thinking we will never again stop there. So after a quick stop at the liquor store. We headed to the ranch.  The only good I can say that came out of it there was the amount of fireflies, lighting bugs. They looked like something out of a dream. How I so wished I could have gotten a picture of them or video. But just a memory now.

5am came and we were back on the road headed to Corpus Christi , TX . He took the longest route to get there let me add . San Angelo to Corpus 5 hours. Comstock to Corpus 5 hours . All cause he didn’t want to pay for a hotel… Well if you are ever traveling from Comstock or DelRio to San Antonio you must stop at the Haby Bakery if anything to smell it. Otherwise buy a doughnut and get back on the road . There are some homely little characters in there . But the donuts are awesome and everything is so pretty .

11030 we roll into Corpus. Humid as ever . but is is acceptable since you are on the coast. 1st stop Ascuba Adventure to get tanks tested and filled next lunch at Moby Dicks . My mai tai was delightful not as good as a Maui but you really can’t compare. It would be rude. Unfortunatley the island of Port Aransas as not recovered from Hurricane Harvey 2 years ago. it’s slowly getting there. After a much needed nap . Drunkin Noodlez was on the menu it was close and we could get it to go . Full tummies and hot showers we were out and hard .

Sunday came much much to soon. Headed for the Sunday walk on the beach like we use to . Found some strange little sea life on the beach , took some pictures I’m sending them to the biology people on campus surely they know what it is.

The drive home was so much quicker ! Arrived home to find they had a little storm that morning. All and All I would say it was a great weekend. And for once the week turned around on a Friday .

And until next time

Infinite X’s and O’s

Mother nature decided to keeps us on our toes this past week . I think Monday we all took at little nap from 10pm til 12am and turned on the news to see if we were having a tornado again . It rained for 3 mins and then it was over.  And I believe every soul was tired that day . Not only physical but emotionally . They had hyped it up all day how bad weather was imminent . Well no , no it was not. I think the meteorologist had fun . They were giddy and hyper on every channel . I bet it was nice for a change instead of saying ” it’s going to be another hot one today ”

Wednesday Date Night arrived quickly . Derek arrived to find me mowing the yard. Derek does not mow. In 2 years he has mowed twice. Date night is not what you think it is . It is a lot simplier than the picture in your head. We go pick the garden . Pick up a bottle of Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita , call in a to go order of shredded chicken nachos with beans and split them And then it’s a picnic in the living room and attempt to watch tv with him . He watches weird stuff.

It was a long weekend with hopes of taking a trip and if you follow this blog you are a where how my travel plans go . They don’t . Thoughts were to go to corpus and get scuba gear checked, 2nd go to Scotts ,LA get my seasoning from a store. 3rd stay home and work on the pool house floor . NONE of that happened.

We stayed home . Moved the concrete table got it on the base . And I hung out in the pool. Made chicken piccata which was interesting . Pickled some Snow Peas. And the rest of the day was spent in the pool it was still a bit chilly but not terrible.

The only thing really accomplished was melting quite a few bottles. And I have one wine rack to make and a lamp in the coming weeks.

Yet another non eventfully week . I’m not so sure I should complain about it.

Until next time

Infinite X’s an O’s

The campus is dead quiet . Okay that’s a total lie . It’s loud on my side . There is jack hammer hammering a beeping and some machine dropping of concrete into a dumpster. FYI we are getting new sidewalks. And all to soon it will be Band Camp . I’m such a lucky girl .

The past week Mother Nature brought us some interesting weather . I was not home for it but apparently my house didn’t get much of anything but wind . Unfortunately some where not so lucky our little town had a two tornadoes . One was out in the county not to much damage. In town a area got a bunch of damage . Poor things lost their homes and cars. But small towns pull together and help out where they can . All well come out fine in the end once they recover. It will all take time and patience .

I met my sister in Kerrville for a night of Italian and apparently a lot of giggling. The girl steamed my face, vacuumed my face , put a peppermint mask . And then said ” you will thank me later for this . ” I do not look 10 years younger let me say . I’m not sure what I’m thanking her for, the torture ? But on the other hand I did buy a face steamer and face vacuum when I got home.

It was a rainy and gloomy day but we headed to Frederickburg Saturday morning to Trade Day . The old and the new , and it poured. And she was actually disappointed in the experience . She wasn’t sure what it was . But that’s not what she thought it was going to be apparently.

I bought plants and a new blouse , she bought lunch . And then there was a 20 min drive back to Kerrville . There I took her to Gibson’s. It’s an anything you could possibly need store. Need a bundt pan , Water hose, Pinwheel , A gun They have you covered How about a new outfit . There is almost nothing you can’t buy . But my Buckwheat found it . A muffin you cannot buy a muffin at Gibson’s . With her disappointment I took her back to the hotel and left her. And drove home.

And where I can report Sunday left much to be desired. There was a patio party I attended. But nobody to really talk to . So I went home. Anna came home from Ole Miss to attended the party and go to a graduation in Omaha. She looked thrilled. She informed we I was going to Oxford to take her senior pictures .

Next weeks looks to be a dud. But you never know what might happen.

Infinite X’s & O’s

What seems like a month of torture of not knowing who is going to be your new boss . When you just wants some hope. A light at the end of the tunnel. And did the one you want get picked. It’s not that hard to send an email . Is it?

I love music, that might be an understatement . It brings people together, it’s a conversation starter, you can dance in ones arms to it, you can slip on your ballet shoes and feel free. It can make you happy . But it can’t also make you wish you were dead. However people this week have just killed me. One I have had to listen to George Strait . Yes I live in Texas. Yes they call him King George. No not everyone in Texas listens to country music.  There is a time a place. But my office is not it and an old lady singing with it does not make it any better. Receiving thought they were funny and did send ear plugs. Not so sure I can get away with wearing them. Tempting. And then where was a wine maker thinking he would play Pink Floyd and try to explain the musician side of it.  He’s not a musician. I think he thinks he is. But No.

Wednesday morning after a really late night. We had a hell of a storm come through at 4:30am I was sleeping so well. And 4 inches of rain fell. I’m not complaining. I love rain and a thunderstorm. I do not love hail and tornadoes. The wind blew and the rain poured and Toby was left at home that day. He wasn’t really happy about it. But he survived. He went to Grans the next day and all was well.

Derek also made his trip Wednesday evening home to find the girls took over the kitchen. They made pizza, they had wine, chips, grapes . I needed to a cake for a birthday. The house has been so full of life, and laughter I’m going miss it. They did leave my kitchen in a disaster. I was not thrilled , but it also wasn’t the end of the world .

Thursday I had dinner with the parents and grand parnets . And I wasn’t real excited about the restaurant. It started out Cork and Pig which was a great choice. I would have talked Jordan into sharing a pizza with me. Then it changed to Zero One Ale House. Which I usually will just get fish tacos and only eat the fish. Such a waste. But they had a crab cake, just one with a salad. That was not the best choice either. But the company was great. Grandpa is adorable. Grandma was cute. She’s a lucky girl. It was a evening of laughter.

Her parnet’s kept telling stories of things she has done. And here I was convinced she is perfect. Her grandpa was telling me how sad I’m going to be when she’s gone and Mom was over there. “I’m crying cause she’s back in my house! “ I was asked several times if I was going to go to El Paso to see her.. I reply same and I have for other pumpkins. If she asks me to come. I will come. I have to travel to Oxford , MS this fall for another child.

Friday night came to soon . Nobody ever says that ! The family and Derek and I headed to the C J ballroom to watch pinning. It didn’t last very long. She had her grandmother who is a nurse pin her. I had a fun cake made just because and she thought it was so cute. We took our yearly selfie . Saturday morning we got up and got ready . May in Texas is warm to say the least . This year there was a cold front it was 45 that morning I kid you not. I think we got up to 58. This is not normal . The ceremony lasted a hour and half . We ran out headed home I changed clothes and then headed to meet all of her family for lunch . Derek said he had things to do. Angry Cactus had the reservation and I have never had any luck there. Third time is a charm they say . Nope cold food. But the company was good .

Sunday morning Mom and Dad , Grandma and Grandpa came over and packed the pumpkin up . She said DO NOT CRY ! I will be back in a couple of weeks for a wedding. we can cry then . And I didn’t cry I went to Lowes . I hate that place I could have cried cause I was there.

Mothers day was not that exciting luckily my mama and Derek’s mom aren’t to wrapped up in it. So it was quiet. We just delivered one Wine and the other flowers . Called it good.

And guess what ? I got a new boss. Dr. John E. Klingemann was named the Dean of College of Arts and Humanities.

The campus will be quiet for a while and so will my house. So we shall see what takes place . Hopefully something to type about. Until next time darlings.

Infinite X’s & O’s

It was so nice and gloomy. The only real compliant is the humidity was high and there was not much rain. But it finally came and it was AWESOME. It thundered and lighting. Pretty sure I had a death wish walking into work with a rod iron cross and scary lighting going across the sky. I mean there are some day’s where I think just put me out of my misery. To not have to see the Old Hag I work with and the old uncaring woman I work for. It would only be a blessing.  But the week gave me a good friend coming into town and I got yummy crab cakes at Miss Hattie’s . And that was a good time catching up. Wine and crab how could you go wrong?

My weekend was spent doing much of nothing other than picking the garden, I picked the girls up from a night out. And made a shrimp and lobster etouffee. Which I refer to as snot. Spicy yummy goodness. And for one person it was too spicy and in his defense it was my fault. I accidentally tapped the cayenne pepper and a large quantity fell in. Oooops .  Jordan and I added more  spice . And then for Jordan the boy I added more spice.

Next week I’m sure will so by so quickly . Last week of school for the college , 2 girls graduating , families coming in . It almost feels like a wedding. People to meet and lunches , dinners, pictures to take . Pinning Friday evening graduation on Saturday morning.

Well Darling sorry to cut this short . But really the week was a dud. Until Next week Darlings.

Infinite X’s and O’s

I am so sleepy.  The week the long and the weekend was fast and short.  Some of us anxiously await who the new Dean of College of Art and Humanities will be. It’s stressing some people out. And well some professors aren’t even waiting to see who it is they are applying for new jobs already so they can jump ship. Derek wants to me hurry up and finish my real estate, he wants me to quit so bad. And at this point there are reasons I would and reasons I would stay forever. Well until we move again that is.

The weekend consisted of picking bags upon bags of lettuce out of the garden. Had I had known it was going to do so well I would not have grown it. A trip to Midland which really cut into my day Saturday. Having to go home and do my hair, drive two hours to a dinner For the Permian Basin Oilmen’s Elk Foundation. Open bar but you had to buy a $40 glass to put it in. And then a 2 hour drive back home. With no music , who drives with no music? Derek that’s who . Opal’s screen was to bright for him .

Upon returning home we found Jordan sitting at the table making her flash cards. Poor girl that’s all she does is study and eat . Derek and I watched guy on You Tube and my goodness I have never laughed so hard. Which lead us to a his video on making a chocolate soufflé . And someone decided I should make one .

Sundays adventures sleeping in just a but not much since there was a call from the  The Cool and the Great Ivie Kate (this is what is titles herself as ) She had babysit on Saturday night and made homemade kahula and was on her way back home where she called to talk about her bother. Part of him is just being a typical college boy and the other well it is inconsiderate. And unfortunately he has big sister and mama in his business. Which is good and bad. I’ve learned Ivie and I have really high expectations of people in general and we greatly disappointed when people do not meet those.  Ivie is my niece my first pumpkin an amazing girl currently at Texas Tech getting her masters. She has always been such a confident girl and knows who she is and has never cared what anyone thought . Sets her mind to something and just does it. So respectful and incredibly independent and wants her bothers and sister to do the same. Which now I’m wondering if she ditched “The Boy” ? That was another part of the conversation I will not bore you with. Your Welcome.

There was some time spent laying out by the pool to help Jordan study . Derek agreed to cook some steaks Curtis had bought. So that’s where I decided Chocolate soufflé was for their dessert. And let’s just say it’s important to have eggs. I had just bought eggs. And where I needed 5 I only had 3. When I should have had 24 in the fridge. All I thought was this will have to do. Also it’s important to have 3 sets of hands when attempting to make this . However , It turned out. I didn’t eat it. But my mama inhaled it.  And there I was left to clean the kitchen all by myself. Derek went to bed at 8 and then got up and laid on the couch and crashed. Jordan had a friend over and a friend who came to stay for the week in the bedroom studying and that’s where Toby decided to go and get all kinds of love . He was a tired poochie. Later he came to our room  and crashed. I left Derek on the couch. And we do have a rule where we don’t leave each other on the couch. But I think it was better to leave him there.

I’m not sure what the next week holds except some rain hopefully , A friends wife is do all the cooking for the week so this should be entertaining. No spice and jalapenos for him . Sad week for the taste buds. There has been a request I make a cake . I suppose I can do that simple enough. Week after Jordan is pinned and graduated ! Until next time darlings .

Infinite X’s & O’s

What a week! It seemed long even though I only worked four days of it. We had a open forum for another candidate and it was interesting. The attendees where harsh. But the candidate stood strong and answered every question without hesitation. Proud mama moment, and job well done .There is one more on Monday. Cross your fingers, say a prayer, wish on a star.

Well Darling’s it finally happened. I got to leave town ! About time right ? It was Good Friday this was not a holiday this year for the college. Ella and I had decided to take a day trip to Fredericksburg and go to trade days . Sad thing she has never been to Fredericksburg. But moody children happen And we did not go . However Derek counter offered . We weren’t sure which city we were going to stop in but we headed south. He kept saying Sea World. And I honestly think it’s an over priced place . When you can go to the San Antonio zoo for $40 for 2 . So I mentioned the zoo and he seemed pretty happy with it. But then we thought maybe we should drive to corpus and hit the zoo coming home. But we landed in San Antonio and that is where we stayed.We headed to The Pearl to see what was going on . I how some vendor friends . We were so happy to see each other. Derek went for Maybelle’s ice cream. I hit the Southerleigh bar for an adult juice bag. We thought we should hit the liquor store to stock up while we were near a decent one. . He chose Lupe Tortilla for dinner and well that is not what I wanted at all. I really wanted Chinese. But since he took me somewhere the man can chose Lupe Tortilla.We did attempt Market Square it was a mad house. The entire month of April is Fiesta and we are nearing the end of it. No parking was found we moved on. Saturday breakfast was at Taco Garage , then to the zoo we went . There is a rule in going to the zoo. You must get there 30 min to an hour before it opens. You think I’m joking. I dare you to try it. I was lucky enough to hit the North Star Mall I totally okay with the Quarry but I will not complain .And then he had , had to eat Mama Margie’s for lunch before we left . This is my least favorite place they can mess up anything and the chicken is weird.

Easter Sunday Jordan returned from her clinical.And slept all day . Katie came by for her Birthday cake and gift . I made her a imitation Nothing Bundt . The Easter Bunny paid Jordan a visit . It was a very warm day . I headed to the pool to soak up a little sun . Derek attempted to smoke ribs. I hope one day he figures it out. … Soon.

Well Darling until next time .

Infinite X’s & O’s

So it was a long week . And I have this thing were I’m tired and achy. Well not tired . I’m exhausted really which is so unlike me that it is irritating.

Wednesday we met a with a Candidate that is in the running to be our new dean, my new boss. She would not be  my first choice but she would definitely give the old lady I work with a run for her money.

Thursday lead to a much needed mental health day. I did go to work but I left went to HEB, found some shoes for a wedding. Dropped some papers off at the mother in laws. That was a mistake on my part.   Then I headed home were I turned on Sisterhood of the traveling pants. And crashed. And I had no idea a school bus dropped off kids in the afternoon near my house. The things you learn.

Saturday morning a crazy short lived storm blew in. My pool was full of pecan blooms and it was green. Never see the pool green. The weather it did not stop the girls from coming to brunch.  We had farmers pie and sausage balls, fruit, cinnamon roll casserole, French toast and bacon. Ella had pancakes and milk.  Katie couldn’t go without pancake.I’m thinking Lunch next time . A fiesta ? If I did that though I certainly can’t break out the China , Crystal and silver.

Then came the wedding. It was semi- formal, it was 44 degrees outside. The wedding was outside. There was no tent. We were seated in between two types of grapes. With a large tree with a chandelier hanging it was pretty. But it was cold. Wine, Cheese and fruit and beer were served. Waiting on all the pictures to be taken. The DJ had a since of humor about the whole thing. Playing pieces of Ice Ice baby, baby its cold outside, it’s getting hot in here. It was comical. My jaw hurt from clenching it together to keep it from chattering. Some tables were moved to the other side of the building out of the wind. But my husband likes to be the last to eat. He waits and waits then there are no tables. So we must go into the wind. Heaters show up and nobody can seem to light them. But two people.  And once I found a heater I stayed put . Derek thought my hair was melting. The old ladies were a lot of fun to watch I was afraid they might break there hip or throw out their back . Dirty old woman. Derek and decided to call it a night . Thank goodness.  To home we went and no kidding crashed on the couch within 30 mins of being there. He woke me up . We moved to the bed. And for once we slept til 8:30 . This never happens. He did remind me I had left town . And didn’t spend it all in San Angelo .

Sunday was 80ish degrees I know our weather is going through menopause. And there is nothing we can do about it. Except go for a bike ride when it’s nice .

There is a trip planned for Easter so we shall see if it actually happens . Want place your bets ?

Infinite X’s and O’s

Weekends never seem to go as I want them to. Does that happen to you?  I was told I was taking a trip  San Antonio , Maybe Corpus Christi and if I didn’t make a decision I was to pack a back and it was a surprise and I was not to complain til Monday morning.

And you know where I ended up ? NOWHERE ! That’s right I have been told a story twice. He said maybe next weekend. ‘Um we have a wedding in Christoval at the vineyard. he said ” that’s right Christoval is not here ! ” if I roll my eyes any more they will be in China . Just so you know Christoval is 15 min drive from our house. It has no traffic light only a gas station , 2 restaurants and a post office and that’ s right a vineyard. I’m such a lucky girl .

But on the other hand it was Quinn’s 2nd birthday . And I got her a baby doll and we went to the town of Veribest . They only have a school and a church. So FYI this was not a trip either. Whitni asked me to bring my camera cause if your parnet as you know you either don’t get pictures cause your to busy , or your not even in them cause you were taking them OR you miss things taking care of your guests. So ask your friend who loves to play with her camera to take them. Quinn loved her baby doll . She has yet to put it down and it has travel everywhere with her. If even has a bottle and a magnetic pacifier.

I cooked absolutely nothing this weekend. Friday I can’t even remember I know I didn’t eat . Saturday Derek and I had lunch while we were out and about. And Jordan and him had dinner at Whinti’s house she served the birthday food of hotdogs and hamburgers… NO Thank you . Sunday he smoked some salmon and veggies. Wait I did cook I received the strangest request . Hamburger Helper . No joke.That was for dinner . Come to think of it I didn’t eat much of anything this weekend . Tonight I will grill some chicken . And walk my legs off. Jordan has sent we a activity challenge , and well I work for 8 hours she does not. And she just goes to the gym . And she’s winning so far .. I gotta give it a whirl tonight.

I poured concrete to make a pub style table , I planted watermelons , I picked and I picked lettuce and cilantro and spinach . There is so much of it. Sadly this was my weekend. But I was able to melt some glass a teal green coral bowl is coming !!

Until next time

Infinite X’s and O’s