Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Every 10 Years Forum Spring Break - 2006

Okay, so it wasn't as exciting as Thanksgiving, but here goes -

Well, I guess, technically, my Spring Break began a little earlier than most. A few weeks before Spring Break, I had requested taking half a day that Friday off. It was approved, so I planned on heading to Dallas for a concert. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) two weeks before Spring Break, I received an e-mail that totally scrambled my plans.

I had planned to drive to Dallas on the Friday before Spring Break to see Levi Kreis. But the e-mail I received stated that Levi was going to be in Houston the THURSDAY NIGHT before I was supposed to take off. So I begged my boss to let me take off a little early on Thursday. She agreed, and I flew home, showered, fed my two dogs and my parents’ dog (that I was dog-sitting), and headed out to Houston. I made remarkable time!!! It should have taken maybe two hours and 15 minutes to get to the club. I made it in just under two hours. That was after spending 15 minutes going a quarter of a mile on highway 10. But I suppose that, being in Houston, I shouldn’t complain.

The concert itself was absolutely FANTASTIC!! I picked up this kid’s cd over the Christmas holiday, and I’ve nearly worn it out. But as great as his cd is, he’s even that much better in person. I was able to actually talk to him. I found out he was thrilled to be touring with someone who made such an impression on his music. And he was happy to actually be touring and not currently waiting tables (but that could change soon – when he’s back waiting tables again). The kid’s got a remarkable voice!! But even more than that, he’s got such a way with words. So much a way with words that I wondered if I needed to file a restraining order on him as some of his songs hit entirely too close to home!! (And how can you NOT love a guy that quotes from “Sordid Lives”????) Yes, I got my cd autographed. And yes, I had an unbelievable time. It was SO worth draggin’ on Friday.

And just in case you missed it, here's what I really thought of Levi Kreis.

Well, the Friday before we were to start our Spring Break was a bit hectic at work, but with my high-octane coffee, I survived. I even met with my boss, and we (okay, okay, okay SHE) managed to get one of the new systems tested. We finished up around 2:00 or so on Friday afternoon. As SOON as I walked back to my desk, I was bombarded by people yelling at me because I was still there, and I should have taken off. *sigh* It’s nice to be wanted.

So I made it home on Friday afternoon, and just sorta drug around the house for a bit and even napped a while before padding off to bed.

Saturday found me and the dogs (all three of them) heading out to the country. Mom and Dad headed to Austin for a few days to go to the state basketball tournament. They enjoyed it. But I had them take a little detour to pick up Gabby. It was less out of the way for them to come out to the country than for them to come to Bryan, and I was going to the country anyway, so it was a win-win. Well, apparently Gabby had never been turned loose in such an open area before. When I let all three of the dogs out of the truck, they bounded off, and I headed inside – just to check on things. I came back outside a minute later, and Wes was sitting by the back door. But Shadow and Gabby had taken off. I figured they couldn’t have gotten far, and Shadow always comes back, but usually after I wind up calling for her. I had a pretty good idea where they went, so I walked out to the road and, sure enough, there they were, bounding through the cow pasture across the road. I saw two little black balls just having a great time, running around about three quarters of a mile away. I called ‘em back, and they came. Eventually.

Well, Mom and Dad showed up after a while and picked up Gabby. I think she was almost sorry to leave. I know Wes and Shadow actually missed her.

I made it back inside and did a little re-arranging inside the house. I debated on what to do next, and decided to head to the kitchen. As I turned around, I kicked my stereo. (No, my stereo was NOT something I’d moved!!!!) Leave it to me, but I broke the middle toe on my right foot. No, I didn’t say anything – I was too busy sucking in air and trying not to cry. I managed to hobble on to the kitchen after a bit, but somehow, I wasn’t quite so hungry anymore. So I made it back to a chair inside and cracked open a book that was given to me for Christmas. I started it a while back, but every time I would start reading it, I’d read two pages and crash. This time, I got about a third of the way through the book before I decided it was time to go home. It was MUCH better the second time around.

Saturday night, as I was pulling in the driveway, I received a phone call from my best friend. I was a little worried because it was 11:00pm – almost a little too late for him to be calling me. When I answered, though, I knew why he called – he was a bit smashed. We talked for about 15 minutes before we hung up. He called four other times until about 2:30 Sunday morning. And we had the same conversation each time. But it’s okay. After all, that’s what friends are for.

Sunday morning found me on the couch, and I eventually woke up and made it to church and Sunday School. The men in the class heckled me about the broken toe. Do you have ANY IDEA how humbling it is to be heckled by 80+ year old men???? I’m still tryin’ to get impeached from the presidency of that class. But I’ve been tryin’ for over a year, and it hasn’t happened yet.

Sunday afternoon found me on the way to Grandmother’s. I needed to see her for her birthday. We talked for a while. I had her debating on whether it was wise to claim me as her grandson. I told her about getting the couch stuck in the hallway out in the country. I think she honestly feels like I’m nuts, sometimes. But she still loves me. Did I mention I have the world’s best Grandmother????? I went back home, and debated on what to do next. While I was debating, I kind of drifted off for a three hour nap. I woke up and puttered around the house a bit, called Mike to make sure that he was okay, and that we were still on for Monday. Then I crawled in to bed with Wes and Shadow.

Monday morning, I was running a little later than I had hoped. But I still booted Wes and Shadow outside and made it out the door by 9:00, so I guess I shouldn’t complain TOO much. I made it to Mike’s shortly before 11:00, and we talked and cut up a bit until his conference call. (I love him, but he’s got no clue what “day off” means!!!!) While he was on his call, I kicked back and read a bit. But for some reason, I conked out after a chapter. I decided there was nothing better to do, so I didn’t worry about it. I woke up about 45 minutes later, and continued reading, nice and refreshed. I was QUITE proud of myself!! I got away with a nap. Errrrr …….. or so I thought. Mike hung up from his call and yelled at me, “HEY!! Did you enjoy your nap?” “Ummmmmm … yeah,” I replied, somewhat cautiously. “Good,” he shot back. “I heard you snoring all the way in here!!” *sigh* Some days.

Anyway, we made it out of the house, and hit a restaurant I’d never been to. They had an excellent Chicken Enchilada Soup. I need to see if I can find that recipe. Whuff. After eating, our tummies full, we decided to go to a movie. If you haven’t seen “UltraViolet” then do yourself a favor – DON’T. IT WAS HORRIBLE!!! I’ve seen lot’s of bad movies. This was the first one that Mike and I began skewering. Let’s face it, making fun of the movie was more entertaining than the movie. A three-year-old could have written better dialog. “What do you think you’re going to do?” “I’m going to kill you.” “Then what?” “You will die.” We left before it was over. It was the first time I ever left a movie with no intention of coming back.

We left the theatre and made it to Barnes and Noble. I picked up a couple of books, and Mike did a lot of just looking. Afterwards, we hit Best Buy. We talked about televisions, we looked at movies, and just did a lot of cutting up in Best Buy. From there, we went to Sam’s Warehouse. On the way, he told me he had some queen-sized beds he was selling – Stearns and Foster factory demos – for $200 each. I told him I’d consider it. I’ve got a king-sized bed that’s about a year over its useful life. We meandered around Sam’s, looking at all sorts of things, but nothing in particular. He did find a gas grill island he wanted me to buy for him. Yeah, $999 just because. After we finished up at Sam’s, we went to Lowes, where I got information on a new chain saw. I didn’t buy one, but I’m doing my research.

We finally ended up at a place called “The Walnut Café.” OH MY FREAKING WORD!!! If you’re EVER in the Woodlands area of Houston, you have GOT to try this place!!!!

I actually made it back home around 9:00 that night, and I was exhausted.

Tuesday morning, I woke up late (again on the couch), and decided I still had time to get my yard mowed before I met my parents for lunch. Well, I would have, but apparently the back yard grew more in a week than I though. It took 20 minutes to just mow the back yard. And no, it’s NOT that big!!! So I was a few minutes late meeting my parents for lunch, but we had a good time. I gave them a rundown of Monday and told them I was calling Mike so I could pick up the bed. Well, when I walked through the doors, Mike was calling my home phone, telling me to go to Brenham to pick up the bed. So we discussed things for a few minutes, and I got an address. I decided that with a chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, that I’d just head on down to Brenham and get my new bed. I managed to get it loaded in the back of the truck and began the 45 minute trek back, when I decided I wanted to stop by Windy Hill winery just outside of Brenham. That was SO MUCH FUN!!!! It’s a bit off the beaten path, but if you just follow the signs, you can find it. When you think you’ve gone too far, just go a little further. I showed up and there was a man and woman out in the yard. I asked if they were open, and the elderly gentleman said “Yes and no.” Perfect. I find a 60 year old comedian running the winery. It turns out they are only open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The only reason they were open was because of a tour coming through. I assured them I wasn’t part of the tour, but if they’d allow me, I’d love to see what they had. Well, the gentleman offered to pour me a taste of Brazos Red. I wasn’t expecting him to pour me a WHOLE GLASS!!! GOOD GRIEF, MAN!! I HAVE TO DRIVE HOME!!!!!!! But it was sooooooo good. I’ve only had wine that made me giggle once before. That was the Naughty Marietta that I picked up at the Nissley winery in Pennsylvania. I wound up picking up several bottles of wine. I made it home and it took me a minute to decide how on earth I was gonna swap beds. I took the king bed out and put the box springs in the garage, but I left the beat-up old mattress leaning against the wall. I’d figure it out later. I then hauled the queen sized box springs and INCREDIBLY FIRM mattress inside and left them in the hall. I had to go to Sam’s (in College Station, not Houston) to get a new bed frame as the old one was totally shot AND queen sheets. This new bed is gonna cost me a fortune!!!! But the Egyptian Cotton sheets are out of this world!! I think I’m in love!!! AND I figured out something to do with the other mattress, at least for the short term. I put it next to MY bed, and that’s what Wes and Shadow are sleeping on. Don’t worry, I’ll figure something else out.

Wednesday, I woke up and visited a friend’s new office. Wow!! THAT is an incredible office!!!! I also ran by Circuit City and rummaged around a bit. I picked up a cd that had a couple of songs on it that I liked - but it was for $5.99, so I didn't object too much. I also picked up "Frailty". (Levi Kreis is in the movie for maybe a minute and a half.) I had FINALLY killed enough time to go get my comics!!!!! I got the comics and came back home to do some serious reading!!!!! And again with the napping.

That night, I drank a bottle of Vampire wine - a pinot grigio, and watched "Frailty." What a truly disturbing movie. Not for the weak of heart (or stomach). But all told, I think it was fairly well done. And it accomplished what I believe Bill Paxton set out to do.

Thursday morning, I went back out to the country and piddled around out there. I also took an old computer out there that I loaded with Linux. I finally made it an electronic jukebox. But when I plugged in my monitor I had out in the country, I got some goofy message about the static being out of range. I have NO CLUE what that meant. But I had a hunch. And after working on the system for a while, I finally gave up and do something else. There are a few trees out there that HAVE to come down, and I’d rather they come down in a semi-controlled fashion than just whenever the weather decides to take ‘em down. So me, being the BIG he-man, decided *I* would take down a tree. Yes, this is one of the reasons I was looking at a chain saw. So I took a tree down that, if it fell just right, would take out the second bathroom. With an axe. Holy cow!! I am not in nearly as great shape as I pretend to be!!!! But that blasted hackberry tree came down. AND it came down where I wanted. So I was quite happy!!!! My happiness was short-lived when I realized I WAS SORE!! But Wes, Shadow and I managed to head home, and I slept VERY well that night.

Friday, met my parents at Tom Light Chevrolet, where Dad decided he needed a new truck. After spending an hour with them, looking at cars that are WAY out of my price range, I went BACK OUT to the country with Wes, Shadow, and my monitor I have here in Bryan.. I dropped the dogs off and the monitor and headed 30 minutes to the mall in Temple. I wandered around the mall and found a stand that was advertising high-speed internet access. I talked to Brian (the guy at the stand) and explained what was going on. He said to check back with him in two weeks and see where they were. They hadn’t quite made it out to where the “country estate” was, but they should make it out there VERY soon. I was happy and drove back to the country and worked on the newly felled tree a bit. I cleaned up a lot of the limbs and tossed ‘em on the brush pile. (I can’t wait until the burn ban is lifted and I can get rid of that thing!!!!!!!) After a while, I went back inside, got the computer up and running on the old monitor. I was able to adjust a few settings and rebooted, swapping monitors in the process. YAY ME!!! I now have the “jukebox” running in the country!!! So I kicked back with Levi and read a bit more. After a while, it cooled off a bit and I went outside and read for a while outside – UNTIL I heard the “boom-boom-boom” music coming from down the road. Ummmmmmm ……. I went to the country for some peace and quiet!! NOT to hear neighbors a quarter of a mile away play their blasted music!! So I went back inside and listened to something a bit more soothing – like more Levi.

Saturday, Mom’s side of the family got together for a non-birthday party. Grandmother celebrated her 91st birthday, and the family got tired of getting together of only getting together for funerals. We had a big party for Grandmother on her 90th birthday, so we thought we’d just get together for a great time again a year later. It was worth it. The family is brutal, but it’s always filled with love. It was probably the best 8 hours of my Spring Break.

There's just something about being around close family like that. Nobody was safe, but everything said and done was all done in fun.

And Sunday, I made it back to church and Sunday School, fooled around with the kids, and just kicked back, read, and was rather lazy. I finished up "One Dead Corpse" - a Tom and Scott mystery, and started on "File Under Dead." I don't know how the rest of the book is gonna go, but if the first three chapters are any indication, the rest of the book should be funny.

Yeah, I enjoyed my Spring Break.

Wow, you were busy. Sorry to hear about your toe. I dropped a hardwood drawer on my toe once and I still have flashbacks. :7

OUCH!!!

I think that would hurt worse than kickin' a stereo!!!

Allen, you did more on Spring Break than I do all year! Sounds like you had a great 10 days. Lots of good advice, too (Buy Levi Kreis, no go UltraViolet...).

For all that you do, you sure nap alot.

FC - I try to have fun when I can.
(GO LEVI!!!!!!)

And vu? I'm old. Of COURSE I nap a lot!!!

Wow... someone is channelling Austin (the cat)...

By the way, Allen dear... you DID realize that it's not called Spring Break because you're supposed to break something, right?

Or if it is, it's supposed to be springs ...

...not your toe.