Christmas Pix

Familiar to Me

This morning, driving down the high way I found myself stopped in front of a dead deer. Well sort of dead. The beautiful creature picked up his head as I towered above it in my Durango. It would have been OK if I wasn't watching the deer gasping for his last breaths. Deer are common animals found most everywhere but yesterday I saw a not-so-common animal also dieing along the highway. Once again I was stopped along the highway, staring down on a coyote watching his beautiful coat of hair moving in the wind. Coyotes aren't familiar sights everywhere around the country. Sometimes it's just the little things that make you feel at home, San Antonio is much like my hometown in that coyotes and deer are common. I'm not saying dead animals give me a warm and fuzzy feeling just that they are familiar scenes of the landscape.

Assembly Required

I bought Gus a kids play tunnel. After a couple hours of assembling poles and connectors, Gus easily explored the tunnels. Samantha, who helps me with Gus, has a little boy and I figured the two of them would get a kick out of playing together in the tunnels. Cotton has a similar pop up cube and I thought this would be as easy to assemble...it wasn't. Now that I've got it assembled I have no idea where I am going to put it. It's too big inside the house and It'll blow away outside. I might have to store pieces in Cotton's room and other pieces in the garage. If you click on the picture of the full play tunnels, you can see Gus at the center. The bottom picture is a quick video.

Other than entertaining Dog and Cat, I planted some container flowers and hung out at home. It's amazing how much my weekends have changed over the years.

Update 2

Don't know if I mentioned this but I caught a cold while I was travelling. I had one day off and my cold wasn't going to stop me. I went to Mount Vernon - George Washington's mansion; Old Town Alexandria and out to dinner with a co-worker. I shopped around the boutiques in Alexandra and eventually got tired of that so I stopped at an Aveda salon and got my hair cut and colored --very relaxing. I was intent on visiting George Washington's mansion because while I often scored an A in history, I'm a bit lacking in historical knowledge. I simply memorized my way through history classes. Recently, someone told me that history helps one understand the people around them. That really struck a chord for me and now I have a new interest.

While I was gone, Gus and Cotton were well taken care of by Samantha who walks Gus; Camp Bow Wow; Carrie our across the steet neighbor and of course Spud. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well it takes a village to help care for my dog and cat so for us it would take New York City to raise a child.

I know i've expressed this a million different ways but I LOVE SAN ANTONIO. I don't know who sings this country song but it is called "There's gotta be something more." When I left Georgia, I really identified with the song. I was very optimistic about our new life in San Antonio and apparently rightfully so. There are honestly moments in my day when I look upwards and quietly thank God for the life I've created. Next to landing the lottery I think I really found an ideal situation here in Texas. I've opened myself up to the possibility of us moving again BUT in the meantime, I am going to enjoy every moment here in SATX. Pessimistic me can't imagine many more cities offering me what San Antonio is able to.

On yet another note...Spud's birthday is coming up -- November 13th.

Travel update

Today the weather was the topic of conversation for everyone in Virgina because the temperature dropped and truly feels like fall- I love it.

Spud dropped gus off at Camp Bow Wow so he can have other dogs to play with for the next couple days. He'll have sleep-overs through Saturday. I'm sure he'll love it.

Saturday, I'll have my first official day off in what seems like forever so I think I'm going to go be a tourist.

Day 1 - In the big ATL

I finished my packing this morning as I was walking out the door leaving for Atlanta. I think my husband just figured out that I procrastinate in the luggage packing department. Not sure if or how he missed that fact, but I can even remember my grandfather bewildered at my procrastination. Needless to say when I arrived I drove myself to a Wal-Mart and bought all the things I didn't pack. I also realized that it might be a bit colder when I arrive later this week in D.C. versus here in Atlanta where I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I might need to pick up a sweater in D.C.

I rented a compact vehicle with a GPS Navigation system. Took me awhile to understand the directions so I ended up circling the airport at least 3 times.

I decided I wanted German food for dinner, so I relied on my trusty GPS and drove 18 miles one-way to the Petite Auberge Restaurant. The restaurant was exactly what I hoped for. White table clothes and people in suits celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and the like. I was completely under dressed for the dinner...and simply didn't care. The table next to me ordered Vichyssoise...YUCK - isn't that french anyways? My waiter served my entree of Bratwurst, Knackwurst and roast Pork with sides of Sauerkraut and German Dumplings. I'm a huge fan of sauerkraut and this kraut was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure how that is possible because I always thought kraut is kraut no matter where you eat kraut. Apparently I was wrong. The waiter wished me a Bon Appetite then later came back with apple strudel topped with vanilla bean ice cream. The service was impeccable. I think the cost of my dinner was my entire per Diem expense- well worth it.

Driving back the 18 miles from dinner I realized that I'm completely in love with skylines whether big city, remote desert or ocean views. Of all the views held in my memories, big cities are the most anticipated. As a kid, I can remember pressing my nose against the car's backseat window as we drove around the outskirts of downtown Seattle. Even in the daytime, the tall Seattle buildings mesmerized me. In recent years, I've had the absolute pleasure of seeing the New York and Boston downtown skylines displayed in both the day time and the night time. I'm fascinated by the New York nighttime skyline and truly appreciate Boston's Harbor views which seem to make the history of the city come alive. This evening, I was excited to know that I would be driving by downtown Atlanta and could take in the views of the tall ornate buildings, lit against the night sky. I've found, big city skylines to be a pleasure of mine that oddly evoke a sense of both calmness and excitement. The spectacular skyline views hold a special importance in my life that I can't best describe in words but rather only by the vivid memories held in my thoughts and dreams.

On The Move

This week I'm travelling for work. My first stop is Atlanta then I head to Burke, VA. Should be fun but it's hard for my to get psyched up to pack and get things organized to go.