Fabulous Army Life

I'm not a skier. In fact, if I ever decide to try this crazy sport again, I wish someone would lock me in the lodge with a margarita and not let me out. Yes, I've had lessons and yes, I know the basics, and no, I really don't care if I am able to make it to the bottom of a mountain intact. I've tested this particular skill more than once and have thus far ended up on the right side of fate but I think we can all agree there's no guarantee there. I wish I was all perky and fearless, swishing snappily down slopes, waving gaily at friends, breathing in the cold winter air and singing tra-la-la all the way down ... but this is just not me. I am scared. It is not fun for me. And no matter how many times I vault myself down a mountain on wooden slats, I cannot see myself enjoying this.  That is my story and I am sticking to it ... until maybe the next time my boys want me to try it and I probably will ... Until I figure out they're doing that just to see me f...

Photo:  The day after our snow storm, my oldest son stands with the remains of his snowman. There's nothing like Texas weather.  The famous saying is ... "If you don't like the weather in Texas, just wait a few hours.  It will change."   Being a native Texan -- only spending a few years out of Texas courtesy of the United States Army -- I can attest to the validity of that.  In Texas, you never pack away a wardrobe.  You're as likely to need shorts and flip-flops in December as any other month.  You only need sweaters a few days of the year and breaking out a heavy coat is an annual event at best. Besides the weather, there's a specific lingo in Texas that you should know about.  Here are my top five Texas words you need to know: Ya'll (plural = All Ya'll) Howdy Fixin' To I reckon Over Yonder For some more fun Texas Talk: Texas Slang Translation Texas Talk Enjoy, Ya'll!

As I write this, yesterday's snow is melting so fast in the 48 degree sunshine that it looks and sounds like it's raining outside. Add to that the artillery that is ba-bamooming out of Fort Hood and you'd think it was a regular thunderstorm ... until you look outside. After yesterday's grey, snowy day, it is bright and sunny today. Snow is melting fast and only one of our three snowmen still stands. The boys will be slushing around in the mud after school today looking for remnants of their frozen playland, but I fear all they'll find is a big mess. I'm amused by the amount of hot chocolate we went through yesterday ... as if trying to stuff an entire winter season into one twenty-four-hour-period. My boys and their dad spent a vast majority of the day outside in the snow, with me popping into and out of the scene, taking photos, replacing soaked winter gear, gathering snowman couture, and yes, making more hot chocolate. In a twist of humor, one of the funniest ...

The boys' wish came true today ... not that school was cancelled (although that would have avoided a lot of hassle) but that school was released early for SNOW! It hasn't snowed much here since that infamous snowy Easter several years ago (I did get some really great photos of bluebonnets -- the state flower of Texas that only blooms a few months each Spring -- covered in snow), so today was a truly special treat for us. We saw a little snow on Christmas Eve this year in Dallas, but here ... HERE it's a full day of snowman-building, snow-fort constructing, snowball fighting, sledding down driveways and lots of hot chocolate and snuggling in between. Enjoy the show! Thanks for stopping by to read. Hope you're all having a wonderful and warm Tuesday out there!