a Cali girl trapped in Texan body

Sitting on a train from LA to San Diego(yep I'm hearing the toot toot now) and my mind is flooded with multiple memories that were made. I actually get to type my thoughts out because the train has an outlet plug-in so my laptop can be charged and therefore stay powered on. [Ok insert moment... flooding down the isle of a moving train is about thirty kids trying to find seats on this packed train. One little kid commented on not having a seat with ...” I want my tax dollars back!” gotta love third graders.] I arrived Sat night 6:22pm to LAX, coming down the escalator I am flooded with so many emotions of passed dreams, memories and love.
Knowing with anticipation that I am to be picked up by two of my most favorite LA friends Shalen and Jen P.. Shalen,the most generous hysterically funny quirky guy friend that is able to join our girls only club because having him not around is just not a memory worth making. And Jen, the beautiful inquisitive gem of a friend that challenges everything. On my descent down I have a sense of being home. Maybe it was a moment of realization, maybe one of divine inspiration, or maybe a result from a 6 day cleanse I've been on; never-the-less tears had formed in my eyes. I was home. I get a text Shalen says he's behind me I turn around. Nothing. I begin talking to myself knowing Mr. Hooch AKA shalen is nowhere to be seen. (we like to meet each other at the airport in baggage claim making lots of ruckus.. its what we do.) Finally, the almost recovered pathological liar appears in my view with the loveliest accomplice at his side. WE laugh we hug we unload the gushy love talk. We are happy, we are smiling, we are togetherness. In LA there's only one stop I have to descend upon when arriving to this glorious yet self-centered city. DOUGHBOYS. For example: The Red Velvet Cake, which happens to be the best in the world. This cake has complete substance infused with moisture within ever bite. It's topped with the most wonderfully creamy dreamy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. Yummy. You're mouths are watering I get it, its happens, its good that you are aware. I had a friend visit and had it one evening for dessert and came back the next day to have it for breakfast. We arrive on this blessed happening. We wait, cause when in moments we will have more fun crew arriving to form a greater togetherness. Characters coming into play are a fashianista, Kateigh, who is a far cry from a domestic suburbia dullsville but rather this under the radar trendsetter who embodies pure creative genius and loves so deeply and works insanely. She's the concept designer for Juicy couture. Kind of a big deal but its whatever... so she likes to say. Well, Kateigh was bringing her boyfriend Andy. I was finally going to meet this man, the one that finally caught the eye of my beloved Kateigh who wooed her enough to have her commit her heart. Poor guy lots of pressure, but there is nothing to get your panties in a wad about. I'm totally nice, intimidating by appearance only. I have a mean death glare. I'm digressing. Almost, on time but who's really counting I see the much anticipated couple walking down La Brea. I get up and run to them tackle over 5 ft nothing kateigh and giggle like a school girl. I politely introduce myself to Andy( not wanting to assume anything), he smiles and I immediately cross all boundaries and tell Andy to get in this armpit. He responds with as much enthusiasm as Mariah Carey with another mini. (to those that don't know what I'm talking about he loved the hug or at least acting like he did.) WE all laugh and headed back to the table. For the next 2 ½ hours we were all giggles. Stories were told, memories were made and at the back of my mind I thought does life get any better. I don't think so but then again it has to cause there was a time in meeting this friends that I thought that very same thing. To think this was just the first 5 hours of my 36 hour LA trip. AS time allows I will continue to relay the coming and goings of a Cali girl trapped in Texan body.

From Sunday to Sunday...

Its funny how looking back from last week to now, how one can gain so much perspective. IF you read my blog last Sunday you might have had a "Debbie downer" moment, i apologize, it's just how i roll.

Look how a week can change everything, I'm good way good. I'm hope-filled, and excited of what little adventures are ahead. Some of those adventures include a nice trip to California with some of my favorite people in this whole entire universe. I am stoked. Life give you lemons make lemonade. Life throws a curve ball don't swing, maybe it'll curve right around you. Life throws up in your face, wash your face and reapply makeup/ chapstick. (Sorry to digress.)

Point is...when you're having one of those days where the end looks bleak and void, think of Scarlett in Gone with the Wind and say to yourself... "Tomorrow is another day" Big climax music and curtains close.

July 4th fun?

So my family and I got together to celebrate the fourth of july. It all started on the long drive to dallas, my parents and I decide to met up in Katy. My poor dad, the young age of 55, was having serious back aches, so I took on the duty of driving at the halfway mark to Dallas... Centerville. Have you ever experienced Centerville? It's amazing. On arrival to the not so big yet eventful city of Centerville; we planned on mom and I running in, going to the restroom and daddy would park, come in, potty & then we would get back on the road. Well... 45 min later we had 3lbs of pork chops, 1lb of briskey, beans, pickles, ¼ lb of beef sweet & spicy jerky (yummy) and 2lbs of fudge. You put a Hilyard in a convenient store and what do you get, a big backside. HA!

With full bellys the hilyards got back on the rode to Dallas. I'm in the driver seat while my dad passes out next to me and I am trying to convince my mom to not fall asleep on me. So what do we talk about that gets her enough energy to stay awake?... past relationships which we've only talked about for the last 5 years. Why because “we think that now” we have another spin on the old situation. Did I mentioned that not only our we women but we are also sanguines (they like to repeat themselves). I think sugar could be the next vice to alcohol, it makes you extra chatty. We finally arrive to big D, with no pre-planned expectations, only that of togetherness. Loving each other, laughing at our quirks and living to kiss the face off my funny yet brilliant nephew Carson and beautiful almost 4 month old niece Madison Joy. When we finally arrive its after 11pm, the drive motivated us to quickly settle in, so we could fall asleep. Unfortunately around 4AM, I awake not only for the feeding of Madison Joy, but also because my brother Matt has a dysuntional air matress that likes to slowly leak air, but not slow enough that you won't find yourself on the floor with only 5 hours of sleep. Finally after feeding & deciding to sleep on couch I return to my zzzzz.

Good Morning Fourth of July...the breakfast bell is ringing. My mom, who is known for her amazing southern breakfast smörgåsbord, kicks it off with dutch babies and bacon. Are you're mouths watering yet?... or have you any idea of what i'm talking about?.. haha. Anyways, we do our typical family tradition and talk about what we are going to eat at the next meal while eating the present one. But the decision was easy today, Josh, my bro in law is a trainer for FC Dallas. So it was then our duty, as family, to support them and attend the game and post game events. We'd eat there, it was unanimous.

I hope this is somewhat interesting...

Anyway, my sister, nephew and folks decide to get there early so Carson can get his face painted. Matt and I stay behind so matt can have a mid-afternoon nap to compensate the lack of sleep from his deformed air mattress saga. We arrive at 6:35pm, game started at 6. We circle around the free parking for at least 20 min. when we realize that there is no legal parking available. Upon our frustration, we realize that we have no option until my mind triggers a memory; a memory of a certain handicap tag lying with in the borrowed car we were presently borrowing. I personally was thinking how we would justify such an act and repent later. There literally was 20 open handicap spots, and matt and I had not one single prospect of financial means to buy ourselves a spot to park our vehicle. We did however have an injured body present, I had spent the last day limping to every venue do to a serious cash of shin splints. There it was, our justification. We parked ran and hoped that we would not be caught in our little mischievous shenanigan. I hear all the air being sucked out of your lungs, but what we re we going to do, we felt helpless. We did have a good laugh, and I totally repented and no helpless man or woman were harmed in the taking of this parking spot. I pose this question to you, Why on God's green earth does our government mandate an ungodly number of handicap spots that our never in use? WHY? I know I shouldn't justify my action but can you at least empathize? Even a little? If not , pray for me? :) I realize later that I had totally cast a judgement on someone else about parking in a handicap spot and there I was doing the very thing i told that person not to do. Isn't that funny how we do that? It took a little time to realize this similarity in circumstances; and showed me to "never say never" and never try to fix people. Because in the end we are the ones that are really in need of the fixin'.

We finally did get to our seats and enjoyed the game with the family. We tied, and that was good enough for me.

OK, on a patriotic note we live in an amazing country. One that our courageous troops have fought to keep, protect and set free from any enemy that would steal or murder those very rights. Let us never forget what we have, and never let go of those beautiful freedoms. WE are free... let us pray we stay that way.

This will conclude Part 1 of my July 4th extravaganza weekend, stay tuned to the conclusion.our duty to support them and attend the game and post game events. We'd eat there, it was unanimous.

I hope this is somewhat interesting...

Anyway, my sister, nephew and folks decide to get there early so Carson can get his face painted. Matt and I stay behind so matt can have a mid-afternoon nap to compensate the lack of sleep from his deformed air mattress saga. We arrive at 6:35pm, game started at 6. We circle around the free parking for at least 20 min. when we realize that there is no legal parking available. Upon our frustration, we realize that we have no option until my mind triggers a memory; a memory of a certain handicap tag lying with in the borrowed car we were presently borrowing. I personally was thinking how we would justify such an act and repent later. There literally was 20 open handicap spots, and matt and I had not one single prospect of financial means to buy ourselves a spot to park our vehicle. We did however have an injured body present, I had spent the last day limping to every venue do to a serious cash of shin splints. There it was, our justification. We parked ran and hoped that we would not be caught in our little mischievous shenanigan. I hear all the air being sucked out of your lungs, but what we re we going to do, we felt helpless. We did have a good laugh, and I totally repented and no helpless man or woman were harmed in the taking of this parking spot. I pose this question to you, Why on God's green earth does our government mandate an ungodly number of handicap spots that our never in use? WHY? I know I shouldn't justify my action but can you at least empathize? Even a little? If not , pray for me? :) I realize later that I had totally cast a judgement on someone else about parking in a handicap spot and there I was doing the very thing i told that person not to do. Isn't that funny how we do that? It took a little time to realize this similarity in circumstances; and showed me to "never say never" and never try to fix people. Because in the end we are the ones that are really in need of the fixin'.

We finally did get to our seats and enjoyed the game with the family. We tied, and that was good enough for me.

OK, on a patriotic note we live in an amazing country. One that our courageous troops have fought to keep, protect and set free from any enemy that would steal or murder those very rights. Let us never forget what we have, and never let go of those beautiful freedoms. WE are free... let us pray we stay that way.

This will conclude Part 1 of my July 4th extravaganza weekend, stay tuned to the conclusion.

kiki, poppie & carson

uncle matt & carson

grammy & maddie