The Things You Forget..

So Anne came to visit me this weekend and once I get her pictures there will be a longer, more detailed post of what we did. But for now I feel the need to inform you all about one thing.

Anne and I did a lot of 'Remember when' this weekend. The things we came up with were hilarious. We talked about my dislike of being anywhere near a Talbots because we were made to spend what seemed like hours in that store (love you Mom!). We talked about how we remember our aunts and uncles at our ages and how we thought (and still think) they were so cool and old. There were also the conversations about what movies we used to think were hilarious and much talk of old Disney Channel shows.

My favorite thing we brought up was our weekly grocery store trips to H-E-B. I know I promised to give 'all things Texas' a rest for awhile but this one is too good not to discuss. Especially for people who can relate. Anne and I discussed how we used to love our weekly shopping trips with mom to buy our 2 baskets full of groceries (yep, once a week). We liked these trips so much because there was always the chance that we might be bought an ICEE from the machine in the deli section. This did not happen every week but the promise that there could be kept us all on our best behavior. I cannot imagine taking 5 small children into a crowded grocery store. Bless you, Mother.

Anne and I further discussed the things we used to have to do in the grocery store. And that is when I remembered.. Taco Cabana in Boerne used to be located INSIDE of H-E-B! You might be sitting there thinking 'so what?' and that is perfectly alright. These are the two places I seem to miss the most about Texas. And the fact that I had forgotten they used to be joined together blew my mind. I then remembered how it was my job to buy a regular Coke and 4 flour tortillas for us to split whenever we were shopping. I mean, seriously, Taco Cabana + H-E-B = the best combo of places ever. Trust me on this. It was awesome.

So there you. My filler post until I am finished catching up on all of the school work I threw into the corner for the weekend. Thank goodness for holidays. I am trying to enjoy this one because it is the last one before Spring Break. But that being said, I wouldn't mind a few snow days between now and then.

Hint, hint weather man..

Laaaaater 2010

2010 New Year's Eve was probably the best yet. And the funny thing was I spent it doing things I really don't ever do. I spent the night with my family Two Stepping in a dancehall located in the heart of small town Texas. Yep. There probably isn't anything more stereotypical that I could have done. I spent my whole life here in Boerne, TX and never really appeared in the dancehall scene. Part of me thinks I missed out on alot but the other part me tells me that I now get to appreciate it even more for what it is.

Growing up we have never really gone crazy about the New Year. We do all of the traditional things like eat tamales, toasts with Martinelli's, and black eye peas on occasion. This year my parents took a big leap and decided to something crazy. They bought tickets to a BBQ, live music, and dance in Sisterdale, TX. A few things you should know about Sisterdale. It is old, very old. It is out in the middle of nowhere, and it's population is about 13. The dancehall is one of about 4 building that makes up the 'town,' a winery, old cotton gin, bar, and dancehall. And it is absolutely gorgeous. The most involvement I have had with this lovely place was driving through on the way to somewhere or stopping at their small store to pick up ice on our way to a fishing adventure.

The dancehall in Sisterdale up until this past year was fairly rundown but still usable. It was recently sold and the couple who bought it fixed it up very nicely and have recently opened it again. So my parents bought tickets along with our friends Pete and Lori Johnson and their kids. We all dressed in our finest Texas attire (you know the stuff) and headed out for what promised to be a most interesting night.

I can't seem to find any pictures of the remodeled dancehall but I found a few of the old one and the landscape around the area:

Sisterdale Bar

winery! this is on my list of places to visit at some point

This is the old dancehall exterior

Here is the website to the dancehall if you are just super bored. haha

I have to say, it was one of the finest nights I have had in Texas since leaving for college in the mountains of North Carolina. The stars were bright, the music was loud, the food good, and the old people really drunk. All joking aside it is good to remember your roots every now and then. The band was actually pretty good and I polished up on my Texas Two Stepping skills once again. The BBQ was delicious and made me never want to touch any other again (that's right, you too NC). Succulent Texas smoked brisket, cream corn, green beans, and of course a loaf of white bread to go with it accompanied by an iced tea. Let's just say the servers in the buffet line and I became very very good friends.

After dinner the dancing began. People are always a little shy but once they have enjoyed a few longnecks and glasses of hill country wine the night begins. I was whirled and twirled around my the Johnson's son Dan. I even danced with my lovely Dad. The most dancing that I have done in a very long time. Made me wish I had someone to go dancing with more often.

After about 3 hours of that we decided to run across the street to the saloon to play darts and shuffle board while we waited for the midnight toast. That was a most wonderful experience. I miss drunk old men giving you advice on how to keep creepy men away and telling you that you are "damn good" at everything.

We then headed back to the dance hall for 1 more hour of dancing. Then toasts to the new year. But wait! There was more! Breakfast tacos and black eye peas for all!! It was hilarious to watch a bunch of drunk people fighting over bacon and egg breakfast tacos. 1am breakfast tacos never tasted so good.

This trip really has been good. Good to be with family and good to be here in Boerne, TX. For the first time I have truly appreciated where I grew up. I have spent the last 2.5 years trying to run from it. While I don't see myself moving back anytime soon I will continue to appreciate my visits.

One day more...then heading back to those western North Carolina mountains.

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends!"

-Robert Earl Keen

And now...I promise to be quiet about Texas :)

Detox

Christmas break finally came. After a semester of what felt like crawling and clawing myself to the finish line. Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad but it certainly felt like it.

Classes ended last Tuesday and I was scheduled to fly out Wednesday. Didn't make it. Weather in Atlanta had me worried so I stayed in Asheville an extra day. Worth it. Finally made it to Texas and have been in a whirlwind of family activities. Today has been the first day I haven't had an agenda. Kind of. At least, the first day I've had a few hours to myself. And I want more of that. Hopefully it will come.

I usually post some pictures right about now. And I would love to but there is a small problem. My camera finally broke. I've had a little boxy Sony camera for like 5 years. It has traveled around the world, been dropped like crazy, slammed around, and moved cross country. It finally decided it was finished working about two weeks ago. This means no Windy Gap pictures, no Boerne, TX pics. No pics of my adorable cousins or of our Christmas trip to Santa Fe. sigh...how depressing.

I should just go out and buy one. But I decided I need a new pair of running shoes instead. So it looks like I will be cameraless for a little while. I kind of feel lost without it. I carried that thing everywhere and documented alot of life with it.

For now, I'm just going to enjoy being. Literally just being. Being still, being around family, being free from school, and being able to rest.

Well, we are off the see the Christmas lights at the River Walk in San Antonio accompanied by a trip to Taco Cabana, of course!