HERE! May 16, 2008

So we are finally down in H-town for good (basically).  The drive was long and painful, but at least it is behind us.  And it could have been a lot worse - there was no traffic (everyone sped along at very high speeds, so we just followed suit) and little Ruby did not get sick at all!  She was great - such a trooper.  We did have torrential downpours for a few hours, but managed to get through it unscathed.

I am not officially back on the grid, as we don’t have internet at home yet (nor a washing machine) so am at Yarb’s doing both.  It seems like I have been out of touch for a long, LONG time, but really it has been less than a week.   Took some photos during the drive, and will post ‘em once we are up and running at home.

So how has it been?  Well, good - have seen Yarbs every day this week but Tuesday!  so that is great.  and different - not that many people have dogs, and the area is not all that dog friendly.  Perhaps it is just being in more of a neighborhood than we were before - in the Fan, there were trash cans all over the place, which was great to dispose of Ruby’s deuces.  Here, there are hardly any trash cans, so I have had to bring home some bags of goodies, that I am leaving inside the fence on the side of the house for Boom to deal with.

And it is hot.  and steamy.  And everyone tells me that “spring” down here has been very “mild”, so just wait for the real heat.  I am not accustomed to it at all.  But all in time, I suppose.

The house is completely empty.  We are really living it up ghetto style - 2 folding chairs, and folding card table we got at the Targ just the other day, and a faux aero bed.  I really can’t wait to get our stuff - not that it will fill up the house by any means, but to have dishes and plates and that stuff will be nice.  I did use the gas burner last night for the first time.  First time for me to cook with gas, as well!  Very odd - it heats up so quickly!  I have been setting up meetings with designers, so that should be interesting.  First one is tomorrow!

I did go to a Southside Place Women’s Civic club meeting earlier this week.  Got to meet some people in the neighborhood, so that was nice.  Kinda hard to explain, but Southside Place is it’s own city (within West U, which is it’s own city as well) with a mayor and city council people and police and fire dept.  We actually can’t vote for the Mayor of Houston, since we live in Southside Place.  Met a Korean gal, so I am assuming I doubled the Asian population of Southside Place.  She was very nice, and I think I may call her to get a yard care recommendation.

I am finding my Tomtom to be very helpful.  I can’t imagine life in a new, BIG city without it.  Lorraine always gets us to where we need to go, even if sometimes she seems half-drunk and slurring her words.  She can get a little pushy, though.

I got an iPhone (yay!) with a good 713 number, but then realized I got NO reception in the house so had to return it (BOO!).  Really stinks since the iPhone was such fun!  Tomorrow I will go to Verizon to get a Cra(kberry.  I have had great luck with Verizon since I started with them 5 years ago.  And I get good reception all over the house.

That is about it.  Hopefully this weekend we’ll get a washer and dryer.  Fun times.

 

Almost Time May 10, 2008

We are headed down to H-town tonight - gonna drive through the night.  Fun times.  So I will likely be radio silent for a few days, until we can get our wireless internet up and running.

Wish us luck!

The Real Reason Boom wants me down in H-town ASAP May 9, 2008

Boom’s other co-worked down in H-town is somewhat of a partier.  And Boom gets brought into all of his plans of going out.  Last night they went to Rich’s - the largest dance club inside the loop!  And were out until 3am!!!

Boom called me before they left the hotel - he thought that it might be a gay club (but I hadn’t heard of it from Yarbs) so he thought he might run into Yarbs and Josephine.  Turns out it is not a gay club, he thinks there were likely some gay men there, but there were also a lot of ladies and straight peeps as well.  He said it was packed.  and totally crazy.  So his new fav spot

So Boom is hurting this morning - in part of his moaning, he was all like, I can’t wait for you to get down here to save me from going out!  My body can’t handle it anymore!

Ha, so now I know the real reason he is so anxious to get me down… somehow I don’t think that he will be exempt from all forays into Houston nightlife, but definitely think the wife card can get him out of at least a few.  As long as he doesn’t try to drag me out with him and his partying co-worker…

The Other Gals May 8, 2008

Last night I had dinner with Gretty, Cubby, Court and Ali. It was really great to see them, and I am proud to report that I held it together. No tears, though I was close to turning on the waterworks a few times (not sure if anyone noticed or not - I am not usually as smooth as I might think that I am).

I think I have a kinda uncertain, worried, stressed out vibe going on right now, and I don’t like it. I hope the gals didn’t pick up on it too much. I tried to push it down and be just regular Tingaling, like I prefer to be.

It does make me happy that I will be seeing most of them in the next few months (like Gretty said “The Summer of Us!” )- San Diego trip for Gretty and Cubby, and then Court is coming down for the Red Sox - Astros series. And I’ll def be back up to get the house packed up and Kandy A and Stevie’s weddings this fall, so hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with them all in person then. And I am promoting January and February for H-town visits, as it is so nice during the winter.

Gretty and Ali - so cute!

Court, Cubby & I - cute cute cute!

When I think about it, I met all these great gals through Gretty. Boy, am I glad I was in push up position next to her at Seals that morning! And I am glad that I basically forced her to be friends with me - I really don’t think she was all that fond of me in the beginning. But my perseverance paid off - she is great as are all the others.

Oddly enough, Cubs and I became closer when Gretty was on her 2 month adventure last summer between jobs. I guess we were both missing her, so hung out together. Which was great - as Cubby is so awesome. Sometimes (most times) I can’t believe that she is younger than me (4 years! born in 1980!!!!) as I usually feel like she is more mature than I (guess that isn’t too hard). I also think that since she is a big sis and I am a little sis, that somehow plays into the dynamic (perhaps subconsciously).

Court is the founder of wine club and a rabid Red Sox / Patriots fan, like Boom. So it is great because she and Boom have a real connection as do she and I - I love it when that happens! (and yes, Boom has a connection with the others as well: Cubs - their shared love of music / same sense of humor and wittiness, Gretty - they are great buddies - always have something to talk about, and he - as well as I - loves all the members of her family!) and she’s always up for having a good time, which is great.

{BTW - Ruby is tooting! Audibly! That dog…}

And last but not least, Ali (and Chuck). She is so great b/c she is always smiling and laughing, and just a great, genuine person. She and Chuck are one of my fav couples I have met in RIC. So nice, too, ’cause Boom likes them both - which sometimes can be tricky if spouses don’t get along. I wish I had had more time to get to know Ali, but I am hopeful that we can stay in touch.

I am really gonna miss everyone. But I guess we have to leave to move onto the next adventure…

Week of Friends May 8, 2008

This week has been great as I’ve eaten most of my meals (not bfast) out and with friends. So glad to get to see folks “one last time” before we drive off into the sunset. I realize that I have a random group of friends, but I have always been like that and I really love having all different friends.

Monday night I got to have dindin with Gentz (+ hubby) and Poindexter, two of my very dear friends. Gentz and I went to undergrad together, but really became close post graduation. Poindexter and I met through the Junior League - and as I always say, the 2 best things that I got out of the Junior League was meeting Poindexter and Stevie (another great friend).

Sadly, I was so beat down and discombobulated from traveling that I forgot my camera. Would have loved to have captured those two cats on film, but another time. Goodness knows I have many photos of them, so that is good.

Poindexter just started her new job and it is great! Which totally rocks and I am so glad for her. She is such an awesome person - so upbeat and always positive and ready to be your cheerleader. When her father passed away a year or so ago, I didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t do much and I feel like I was a bad friend during that time. Which stinks, as that is when people need good friends the most. Anyway, I jut was an idiot and wish I had been a better friend.

Here is a photo from a dinner out with Poindexter and her cutie pie daughter back in Feb. I meant to do a little posting back then about them, but never seemed to get around to it.

G-money is rockin’ it with her fine stationary and gift store. That girl is a hard worker! We weren’t able to get together as much as I would have liked (esp. for living in the same city) - but life and busy-ness always seemed to get into the way.

Here’s a photo of the 4 of us from our going away fete.  Gentz is looking stylish and cute as ever! She is always put together and just looks great. Gives me something to aspire to (I finally washed my hair Wed - hadn’t touched it since Saturday night! That may be a new record for me - and I really shouldn’t be repeating that anytime soon).

Tuesday lunch I had with Tucker. She is great. I haven’t known her for that long (met her at the job I took in Jan ‘07, but she was on maternity leave when I started - so she probably started back in April of last year). I remember asking one of our co-workers (who had worked with her) before she came back if we would get along (I was a little apprehensive, as the chemistry seemed to be working out just fine the way it was). And D was all like, Oh yeah - you guys are totally going to be friends. And he was right! She was the one that opened my eyes to the blogging world! And the rest is history

I think when you are seeing someone everyday, and you actually get along with that person, you end up sharing a lot. And she was there and in the thick of things when everything went down. She is really empathetic, among other great qualities. And the situation at work was less than ideal, so I feel like we really bonded under those circumstances.

Luckily today I don’t have lunch plans as I have lots I need to get done!  Of course it is raining, though, which stinks for running errands.  Oh well, what can be done?  I do kinda feel like a post Seals nap - will have to force myself to push on through!

Whew! May 7, 2008

The last thing I needed to clean out / organize was the craft shelves in my little office nook.  And it was a daunting task:

Before

It didn’t even take that long, but I had to psych myself up to even begin the task.  Now the shelves are all tidy and fairly organized.

After

So that is it.  Everything and every room in the house is tidy and organized.  Just need someone to purch the house!  Not that being a dual home owner isn’t awesome, ’cause it totally is ;-)  But would be nice to get what little furniture we have down to H-town, so we are not living it up ghetto style for too long.

the gals May 7, 2008

Life has been weird lately. Monday night (first night back from trip to H-town), I couldn’t sleep. Rarely can I not sleep. Boom was all, You can ALWAYS sleep! You never have issues sleeping! I KNOW, which makes it that much worse when I can’t… and a couple nights ago I had a nightmare about Boom leaving me behind. Don’t remember exactly what it was about, but woke up telling him that I had had a nightmare and that he can’t leave me behind. Clearly the stress of the move is getting to me, even if I don’t realize it.

So last night I had dinner with KB, Jojo and Sam. The three ladies I moved to RIC with at the same time. I was over tired and had a glass of pink champagne, so maybe a bit emotional. Tears were shed. Like KB said, we all grew up once we were here in RIC. Our grown up lives started when we got here - which I totally agree with (marriage, house, all that good stuff!). and we’ve been through so much together. 6 kids and counting (Sam is preggers! with a BOY!!!!) and even when life got in the way, when we all go super busy, when I needed support / help / etc, they were there.

I think back to the tragedy, when I needed to be picked up, to have people rally around me, and they were there. With meals, books, care packages, and just to talk and to listen (which was so great as some of them had been through what I had been through, and they all were at a stage in their lives where they got how devastating it was). And I appreciate that more than I think they know. It means a lot to me to have friends that I can depend on, even if I can’t talk to them every day, or even every week

I guess I am a bit more apprehensive about moving than maybe I fully realize. Some people don’t need good girl friends, but I am not one of those folks. I love having good girl friends - gals to have fun with but also who really care and are there for me when I need it (and vice versa, of course).

Boom says I am crazy to worry, that I didn’t know that many folks when we moved to RIC, so of course I will be able to make good friends once we move. But I am still worried. I just seemed to have more energy 5 years ago… of course I’ll make the best of it and better yet, Yarbs will be there, in H-town which is definitely a good security blanket to have.

So that’s where they hang out… May 6, 2008

Saturday night, after dinner at Reef, we decided to check out what midtown had to offer in terms of bars. We asked our server and he recommended Pub Fiction (which Boom had been to on a Thursday night) and Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano bar. Since they are around the corner from each other, we thought it would a good area, ’cause if we didn’t like one, we could go to the other.

When Boom went to Pub Fiction last time, on a Thursday night, it was packed!  He said there was barely any room to even get a drink.  Well, I guess they start up a bit later than 9:15pm on Saturday nights, as it was empty!  We saw nary a soul on the patio nor in the bar itself.  So we headed over to Howl at the Moon…

The bouncer commented on Boom and I’s matching flip flops (Rainbows), there was a $7 cover (whatever) and when we walked in, it  was all ladies!  Boom and I looked at each other and were just laughing.  He was like, Is this a lesbian bar?  Literally, there were maybe 4 other men there besides Boom.  And there were at least 4 bachlorette parties there!  Finally, we’ve found the H-town bar where all the bachlorettes go!  HA!

We figured out it was not a lesbian bar, but just attracts lots of women, with the dueling pianos - and the duelers sing and entertain.  By the time we were finishing up our beers, there were more people and men there, and even more bachlorette parties.  It was very odd - we kind felt like we were in the Twilight Zone or Punk’d or something.

At least we can say we’ve checked it out (though I don’t think we should let many people know), and I don’t think we’ll be going back any time soon (but if you are a single male, that is where you would have some good odds).  At least not unless I am attending a bachlorette party…

Another Star Sighting May 5, 2008

After our run this morning in Memorial Park, when we were bringing our car up to the valets, there was a man standing there, whistling, loudly. So I looked to see who the loud whistler was, and I realized it was some TV person. I didn’t know his name, but knew that he was a TV personality. I whispered to Boom - That guy is someone on TV… someone famous. He knew who it was and it turns out it was this guy:

John Quinones, from ABC’s Primetime Live.

It looked like he was with his dad, or some older man related to him. I guess when anyone famous comes to H-town, they always hit the Four Seasons. Very random, since last visit I saw Kyle McLaughlin.  Too bad my high rolling ways are soon over (actually, it’ll be so great to be “home”!  Aero bed and not much else, but that is just part of the adventure).

High Roller May 3, 2008

As we headed to the hotel yesterday, I joked with Boom that the Four Seasons is my home away from home in H-town. And wondered if any of the hotel peeps would recognize me. Sure enough, as one of the valet guys opens my door, he is all like, Welcome to… (the recognition sets in), I mean, Welcome back to the Four Seasons. It was hilarious! Not that really expected them to remember me, though there was one day I got the car out of the garage no less than 3 times (so perhaps I am infamous).

The last time we were here, Boom got a really great room. It was HUGE! and I really enjoyed it - good old 1201. This time, he warned me, his new company had negotiated a new rate with the Four Seasons, so that I should expect a crappy room close to the elevators. I wanted Boom to ask to see if we could get the same room as last time, and he refused. So, when we were checking in, I decided to take matters into my own hands:

Do you think we can get the same room as last time? - me to the guy behind the counter

(Guy squints at his computer screen) No, you guys are in a better room - a suite! - at a better rate!

Hmmm - Ok great. - Me, thinking, I will be the judge if it is indeed a “better room”…

We are in a suite, and it is just fine, but I do think I liked room 1201 better. 1201 was just so large, and in a corner, and the bed was really far from the door. But it will do…

Anyway, we get a card slipped under our door, asking us to call this number for our “Private Service amenity” to be delivered to our room. Boom calls, and literally 20 seconds later there is a knock at the door. A lady comes in (I am in the bed, just resting) and sets up a bottle of water, towel, 2 apples and a flower with a note on our table. Totally random. And the note is from the Front Desk Manager, welcoming Boom back to the Four Seasons, and how it is difficult to be away from friends, family and the comforts of home for “long periods of time”, blah blah blah… I guess when you stay at the Four Seasons for 17 days over 4 weeks, you are a VIP!