I'm Not Trying to Bring This Blog Down with Death AGAIN, but...

I love light rock. I love 70's light rock and folk. So, it is no surprise that I like Dan Fogelberg. I mean, "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne?" Well, people, he died this weekend. And, I just want to say that I'll miss him and his Same Old Lang Syne. This time of year, I just can't get enough.
Now, Charlie, I realize you don't like the Same Old, but can you at least just give it one listen since he DIED? Thank you.

In Loving Memory (2002-2007)

Roxy went to Doggie Heaven on Saturday, November 24th 2007. Although she fought hard, kidney failure could not be overcome. She was a great family pet and will be missed tremendously. She loved to eat, drink, play fetch, and get on the top step of the swimming pool. She enjoyed long walks, car rides and visiting her dog friends like Aggie, Pete and Wendy.

She leaves behind two pug brothers, Emmitt Merle (10) and Pudge Moochie (9); and her humans, Daddy Scott, Mommy Ro, Sister Scout, Grandpa Phil and grandparents G and Rich.

Roxy will always have a special place in our hearts. and I know the neighborhood has just lost one of it best four-legged friends.

A special thank you goes out to Grandpa Phil who loved and cared for Roxy when she was at her sickest.

Our Trip to the Texas Panhandle

Scott and I headed to West Texas this holiday weekend to witness our good friend, Dee Ann, get hitched. She and her new husband decided to get married in McLean, Texas which is essentially in the middle of nada. It was snowing when we rolled into town and checked into the Cactus Inn on Friday afternoon. Now, the photos here on the blog are ones with grass and leaves on trees. Our experience was of barren trees and snow covered ground.

The town is barely existent as there is ONE gas station (which doubles as the only place to get fast food), NO traffic lights, NO coffee shops, NO bars (dry county), and ONE teeny-tiny grocery shop. Scott was pretty shocked at the area. I'd been there before when Dee Ann lived there several years ago out on a ranch, so I knew what to expect. Still, I was pretty amazed at how desolate and depressing a town this was, yet people were living there and friendly. There is a high school (really tiny), three churches and a cemetery. Here are some photos of what we experienced:

Here is a photo of the Cactus Inn's old sign. It was a trip. I've not stayed in a motel such as this Route 66 classic ever in my travels. The people that owned it lived behind the little check in desk. They had a living room back there. I really wanted a tour of their digs, but I didn't ask. Instead, I just took our old school actual key and walked over to room 19 (out of 21). Luckily we got to stay in town close to the wedding location and dinner hall.

While I waited to go to the dinner and wedding, I cruised McLean, and I saw these "buildings" that used to probably be operational at one point.

Another old service station from the glory days of McLean.
This refurbished service station was right across the street from the church where Dee Ann got married. It was actually pretty cool.

I included this picture because Alanreed is actually a town in Texas. Weird name. We drove there on Friday night because the dinner/dance was BYOB, and McLean is dry. So, we had to pack it up and head out on I-40 to Alanreed, TX about 10 miles down the highway. Basically, the whole town is the beer store, which also serves as the post office, snack shop, souvenir shop, and laundry mat. Pretty awesome. It had a tee pee on top of the shop, but I didn't get a picture. Just imagine it by looking at the sign in front of the place.

Anyway, Dee Ann got married and the whole operation was very nice, and I was really happy for her. No, they aren't going to live in McLean; they just got married there. Long story. Anyway, man....there are some crazy old towns in Texas. They are full of history and stories that reel me in, but I wouldn't ever want to live in them.

Because You're Never Too Old to Buy a Jeep

Yes, we bought a Jeep. It is a 4-Door to accomodate the child. She likes being whipped by the wind in the back seat. I like feeling like driving is fun again. Scott likes driving the Tahoe. So, everyone is happy. The weather has been gorgeous lately, so we took advantage of the top down capabilities.
Today begins Thanksgiving Break, so I'm home and blogging. Sorry I've been absent so long, but geesh I've been busy and even sick. But, I'm back. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Higher Education?

I don't know if I told you blog readers, but I'm working on my edubication. Yes, I've got my sights set on a master's degree in admin. I should be finished in 17 more months, if I don't get kicked out. The entire deal is online. I'm loving that. It is sort of like blogging your way to a skin on the wall. Works for me. So, that previous post about moving to California, well that is what I now call my "2 year plan." I wouldn't want to move before I finish this deal here in the great state of Texas. Of course, just because I call it my 2 year plan doesn't mean it is a sure thing. Scott is against the move (which is sort of major), and well, my life's pretty good here, so I may just not be meant to move. We'll see what happens...in two years when my plan tries to go into motion.

California Dreamin' ?

View Larger Map
Since I've returned from my trip to Cali last week, I have been sifting through real estate on the web for evidence that a relocation is possible for me and mine. It is as expensive as shinola out there. I've found a couple of pockets of real estate that would be financially feasible. But, they are not in a city we'll say.

Let me just lay it out for you: to move to the part of California I want, we'd be talking trailer. There I said it. Here is an example: 1500 sq. feet for $250K That trailer is like many others listed for the town of Scott's Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 10 minutes from Santa Cruz which is a place I love. Also, Scott's Valley is only about 30 minutes from my lovely sister and the bustling work mecca of Silicon Valley.

Ok, so we are back to talking about the fact that me living in NorCal means me living in a trailer. Right. Awesome. Spectacular. No?

So, what do you think? Is the California dream of mountains, beaches, year-round cool breezes and sunshine worth trailer shame? I know North Texas is pretty awesome, but I've lived here for now a total of 23 years of my life. Let me know what you guys think.


A sunset picture from Santa Cruz.

real smooth

Tonight i went to take off my eye make up (yes i wear eye make up once a week) and I used rubbing alcohol on the cotton ball instead of make up remover. Yes, it burned severely.

I think I really need more sleep.

Decades of Dream Rides

Automobiles are just to get you from point A to point B. When I start to get greedy, I have to remember that. Because, I'd have 8 different cars/suvs/trucks if I could. I love them so much. You might be wondering why there is a Suzuki Samurai photo below. The reason for that is the Suzuki Samurai was my first dream car.

I think I was about 14 when I began dreaming about me cruising in the Samurai with the top down and my hair blowing in the wind. It was the 80's, and I figured at anytime I'd be moving to Southern California, so it would all be perfect. I actually would have given up a kidney for a Jeep Wrangler, but I knew that funds were tight in my family and know one was offering the kidney trade deal, so I thought the Samurai was a possibility since it was so much cheaper. Thus, I set my sites on the tiny little SUV from about '86-'90.



Of course, I never got the Samurai. And wouldn't you know it, my tastes changed as the end of the 80's rolled around. About 1991 I hit my sports car stage and moved the Nissan 300z and Mitsubishi Eclipse onto my pedestals. Pretty much this stage came about because there were some uber-cool kids at my high school that drove these cars. I supposed I knew cool when I saw it, and it was a two-seater sports car with power under the hood.

I'd hate to tell you the cars I actually drove during these times. Let's just say that they were what we call P.O.S.'s. ok? I went off to college in '92, and had to pretty much just leave my car in a small Arizona town because it was so pathetic. I spent my freshman year car-less. During that year, I revisited the visions of me in a Jeep or even a sports car. No cool car ever arrived in Arizona. Instead, I got a silly little 3-cylinder car that put-putted me through the college years.

I remember my senior year in college when I started thinking about getting a real job and a real paycheck. I was student teaching, and I saw the newest dream car addition. The Toyota 4Runner. I was in fantasyland. I knew that if I could get my poor hands on a magical cool-alert 4Runner that I would finally arrive in this life. But, you guessed it, I never got the cool mid-90's 4Runner.

However, I did get the Jeep. In 1997, after a few "real" paychecks, I went right up to the dealership and bought myself a brand new Wrangler. So, dreams do come true. First you have to dream it, then you have to work your butt off for it. Leave a comment noting your dream car if you care to share.

Another Reason The 80's Were Awesome

I LOVED Garbage Pail Kids! I just wanted to post a few "cards" here for some of you to remember the good times you had with these cards. I've always loved grossness, and these cards were a way to show it. My mom was always so disgusted when I showed her, like they were sacrilegious or something. If you didn't dig the GPKs, that's ok, we can still be friends.

Comfort Food

Yesterday, I decided to slow cook some pork ribs for Scott, since he loves ribs. I never cook them because I feel like good ribs are a lot of work. And, since I don't even like ribs, I don't want to put in all the work. Plus, I want a smoker for such a tast, but we don't have one.

Anywho, so I cooked ribs, taters, corn and even fried chicken. Now, I've never fried chicken before. This has been a sore spot with Scott because he LOVES fried chicken. I've always resisted because 1) didn't know how 2) too much work and 3) unhealthy - won't support that. But, I broke down and busted it out yesterday. And it was actually quite tasty. Plus, it wasn't that much work. Scott was really appreciative and proclaimed, "It took you 15 years to make me fried chicken!"

In summary, I just wanted to tell you people outside of Texas, that we were having some serious southern comfort food this weekend. Miss you all.

Here is a tribute to fried chicken:

Wow! If This Doesn't Inspire Teachers....

Helen Keller the Pug

I've told several of you how Pudge suddenly became blind and deaf. Well, here's the proof. I got this video this morning of him out of sorts in the living room. He mostly spends his days sleeping in his bed in our room. So, when he ventures out the results are often lots of Pudge pug crashes. I first discovered this issue when I found him tirelessly swimming around the pool after falling in. I now think he just walked right into it. I rescued him from the water, and after I brought him in the house he ran into the wall. That was when I started calling him dementia pug just to Scott because I didn't know what was going on with him except that he was out of it. He also pees and poops in the house now too. I've seen him just peeing in the hall or even taking a doo-doo in the living room. I guess he doesn't know really where to go scratch at the door anymore??? So, now I have to pick him up morning, noon, and night and place him in the grass to make sure he "empties" his business before he can't hold it anymore. Christy was calling him Old Man River 5 years ago because he went gray early and his demeanor was to chill. Who knew how appropriate that moniker would be?

Earthships

I wish I lived in an Earthship. I've seen them before always thinking they are cool. I realize most people (including Scott) think that only hippies and eco-zealots live in them, but I think when you are living self-sufficient then you are really living. No electric bill. No water bill. No gas bill. You can tell everyone to kiss off. I love the idea of depending on no one.

Last night I was re-inspired by watching the show Eco-Tech on the Science Channel. It is a series this week.

I'm ready to move to Jemez Springs, New Mexico and build my Earthship.

so lame i cannot use capital letters

i have not posted because i've had to go back to work this week. nothing interesting has occured unless you think me untangling computer cords is interesting.

Summer of '69

Scott and I finally watched Easy Rider, and I'm so glad we did. The best part about the DVD is the "documentary" which has candid commentary from Hopper, Fonda, and others involved. That gave insider information behind the motivations and goals of the film, not to mention it exposes some of the "flubs" of the movie. I recommend watching that if you've seen the movie. Of course, Scott and I both thought that Jack Nicholson made the movie. He was outstanding and that helmet! Awesome. Plus, I now know where Lisa gets that "knic-knic-knic-knic....Indians!!!" chicken-wing animated yelp when she ingests Mexican "syrup." Bonus.

Back to the movie...my favorite part of the movie was all the cool cinematic shots of the Southwest as they rode to New Orleans. Cool movie. Crazy times. Check.

Billy Bob Thornton in Concert

Happy 50th Gwynnie!

Gwynnie, Margaret, Erin, and RoRo

Gwynnie and Richie on her 50th Birthday at House of Blues

Billy Bob Thornton put on a concert for us there at House of Blues. He is tiny. He drank a long neck and smoked a cig while playing his short set. It was a very intertaining show though.

The Dog is Free!

"Viva la Mexico!" was Dog the Bounty Hunter's response when a Mexican judge ruled Monday that the statute of limitations had expired on the kidnapping charge he was facing stemming from his 2003 capture of convicted rapist Andrew Luster.

Judge Jose Alberto Montes of the First Criminal Court in Jalisco, Mexico, then dismissed the case against Chapman. State prosecutors immediately appealed the decision, but a ruling isn't expected for at least a few months. (eonline.com)
By the way, The Dog was on Larry King Live last night which reinforced how much I love Duane and Beth. If you want to see the interview, I think it is on Sunday, August 5th at 9pm EST. Set your TIVO's!

Red Are the States I've Visited

Goal: To See All 50

I'm a West Coast/Pacific NW snob, so it surprises myself that I haven't hit everything out there. I'm going to do a big West Coast road trip as soon as the child situation allows me to pack her in the car for days at a time. I'll knock out Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. There are places like The Salmon and Snake Rivers of Idaho , Crater Lake NP, OR and the Oregon Coast that I've always wanted to see, not to mention Zion NP in Utah.

As for the remaining states that I haven't visited, I don't have any specific goals there. I would say that on the East Coast my first choices would be Mass and Maine followed by South Carolina.

My dilemma often is balancing new versus already loved: I usually want to go back to my favs and even explore further, but then I also want to see new places. All of the states have cool stuff, and I want to experience it all one day. But, I'm not in a rush: I've got my whole life.

Tattoo Re-Do

I had to get another tiny tatoo today...another star! The original was missing one of the stars in the "handle" of the Big Dipper. So, I went back today and regulated on the guy. No, he was cool about it. I told him I didn't want any constellation know-it-all making fun of me, so he hooked me up. I feel complete now with the North Star leading the way.

Kat Von Who?

Who Isn't?

Beaver Lake, Arkansas

I don't mean to brag, but I have an awesome family. I'm not just talking about my immediate family of awesomeness. I'm talking about my extended family of Shook cousins. They are super cool for too many reasons to list. This weekend I drove up with Dianne to visit, Sunny & Bill, Suzy (and fam) and Mary Anne (and fam) and to see their digs at The Lake in NW Arkansas. They've got some sweet set ups. Possibly, they could be considered as "Living the Dream."

They live on this gorgeous lake that has a limestone bottom which keeps it very clear and looking a fantastic blue color from a distance. I spent the night sleeping on Suzy's deck under the bright stars, and that made my weekend right there. It is cool up there, even in the heart of July. I think it is the huge lake and the increased elevation (roughly 1500'). I never broke a sweat.

Suzy took me out for my birthday on the SeaDoos for a tour of the lake from the water. We had a blast. It was so fun that I pretty much realized that living on this lake makes her and her family really lucky. They fish and do water sports and don't have cable or satellite. I'm going to have to go back and visit much more to hang out with such cool cousins on such a sweet backdrop! Thanks to Scott for keeping Scout for the weekend, allowing me to live their dream!

Those Damn Tea Sippers

(no this is not a picture of some new age Eastern bong, freaks)

I'll admit it: I like tea. I've always been an iced tea drinker probably because tea is what we drank at my Grammer's house, and if there was any family event or get together, tea was served. C'mon, what is "Southern hospitality" if not sweet tea?

Now, hot tea is my newest conquest. Yes, conquest because you have to acquire the taste for hot tea like just like making yourself like beer or coffee. I've now conquered all three. Some try to eliminate their vices. I like to see if I can acquire new ones.

I think the concept of drinking hot tea first entered my mind when Charlie worked at " The Tea Factory " , which is what she referred to it as. I bought some of their products at our local supermarket and gave them a try. Hot tea wasn't a hit at first mostly because I didn't know which type to buy, but I've paced myself over the years. I've narrowed my faves down to the black spiced teas and the green teas. So, it was only a matter of time before I entered a tea specialty shop like the one Lisa and I hit today.

I don't want to brag, but I was able to procure a Super Cool Tea Maker today. Sorry if you are jealous. Be jealous of Lisa too then because she had it in her tiny British-and-Indian-loving-tea hands first.

After reading this post, you might be saying, "nerd alert." Well, let's see the vision of me in one month:
I will be happily steeping my Chai tea at my desk before school starts one morning while preparing for my lecture on Intro to Macromolecules and thinking of how I can incorporate my latest manipulative into my interactive notebook. Hmmm....yep....I'm a total nerd. Hot tea fits right in.

Thank You Ed Begley Jr.

Have you noticed the numbers underneath your plastics? I didn't pay much attention to them until I watched Living With Ed on HGTV which is an entertaining and inspiring show. There was one episode where Ed Begley Jr. energetically explains in detail each of the 7 numbers that plastics are supposed to have on them either on the bottom or on the side label. (Quick summary:) He's a total recycle nerd which drives his wife nuts and they butt heads. I like it all.

If you haven't paid attention to these symbols, start noticing because it is a useful tool to make you a better recycler. My community recycles numbers 1-5 and 7. #6 is basically what we refer to as Styrofoam. It isn't very recyclable. So, remember that when you are buying those Styrofoam plates or cups.

If you are interested in what each number indicates or wish you had heard Ed's soliloquy, I've put a list here:

1-PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate
Includes beverage bottles (like 2-liter pop bottles) and some microwave food trays.

2-HDPE: High Density Polyethylene
Includes milk jugs, trash bags, detergent bottles, bleach bottles, aspirin bottles.

3-V: Vinyl/Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Includes food wrap, vegetable oil bottles, and blister wrap.

4-LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene
Includes some grocery and department store shopping bags, produce and bread bags, and food wrap.

5-PP: Polypropylene
Includes some yogurt containers, some shampoo bottles, and some margarine tubs.

6-PS: Polystyrene
Includes hot beverage cups, clamshell containers for take-out food, egg cartons, and meat trays.

7-Other
Includes plastics other than the six most common, or containers made of multiple layered resins or blends. Includes water cooler bottles, snack bags, and condiment bottles.

So, find out which plastics your community picks up (or for some of you unfortunates, accepts at drop points) and start bagging them. C'mon, all the cool people are doing it.

Texas Food - Frito Pie

It took me a long time to summon the courage, but today I collected my ingredients and made Frito Pie . Now, my dad used to make Frito Pie for us back when I was a kid. However, secretly, I despised it. Fritos have always grossed me out and his chili was pretty hot, but I would trudge through it because we didn't have cuisine choices in my house. What was cooked is what you ate, or you just didn't eat. So, being that I was a total pig - I always ate.

Our friends left a bag of Fritos over here after our 4th of July party. I looked at the bag thinking, "ick, what will I do with those?" Of course I hate waste so I thought, "I bet I could make that old Frito Pie recipe and Scott would love it because it is total man food."

Today, I made my chili from ground turkey meat and served up Frito Pie. I loved it and so did Scott. It has taken me many years to appreciate that classic dish, and now I see it being served up in my house for years to come. I will pass on the tradition of the awe-inspiring dish that is Frito Pie.

Shameful

But, I'm just sayin' if you want to get this for me for my birthday: Dog Duane Chapman's Book
I wouldn't mind.

Crazy Rain

It has been raining in North Texas for about three weeks straight. Unbelievable. I think I'm the minority here, but I love it. It keeps the high temperatures at bay. We've been just chillin' in the 80's this summer. You can't beat that. Many people are sick of it, but it has run off our drought and brought the lakes up to normal and even a little above. Yay Rain!

Alaska

We made the trip by train from Anchorage, Alaska to Denali National Park and Wilderness Preserve then back to Anchorage over this weekend. The scenery is vast, amazing, and makes you just want to explore more. I can't wait to return and do at least a week of camping inside the park. On this trip, we actually didn't even get into the park. We stayed in a lodge overlooking the park and we walked around the outside, but to get in we needed more time. So, it was good too see what Denali is all about and how I will tackle it in the future. Fortunately, we were able to see and photograph Mt. McKinley which is a big deal because it is usually obscured by cloudes. My Uncle George got awesome pictures, so once I get some copies, I'll put up a few pictures. My photos of landscape don't do the land justice.

Denali National Park by Train

It Is Right What They Say About Pools....

Pretty much they are holes to throw money into. However this year, we actually have hired a service to clean and maintain our pool year-round. I've wanted to hire this service for years because the pool sucks so much time, energy and money from us. Now it will just suck money out of us. The best part about hiring the service is that when they came out to start up the pool for the summer with a thorough cleaning, they also made the pool light work! Scott and I were so pumped because we've had three different pool people tell us that it couldn't be fixed. Well, here's chlorine burns in your eye dudes! The light now works after being in this house eight years! Scott and I keep going out there after the sun sets and turning the light on and staring at it. I tell ya, it's the little things in life...

I took this picture today. You wouldn't know that last week it was green would ya?

Retro Flash Back

I was singing the Monchichi song today, and Natalie was like, "What are you singing!?" So, I thought I would find it and blog it. Now this commercial is for the puppet version of Monchichi, but I only knew about the doll version show in this picture. I just thought that Monchichis were awesome when I was a kid. I mean, monkey-like, could suck thumbs, and what a name!

"Monchichi, Monchichi, so soft and cuddly..."

Alaska, I'm Coming Back

Summer has begun. I am not working. This teacher thing has worked out for me. In about two weeks, I will be heading north to Alaska. I'll have a tiny passenger on my lap for the 8 hour plane ride, but who's keeping track? The important thing is that I am finally going to get to Denali. I've read, watched documentaries and heard stories of this park and mountain, but now I will get to see it with my own eyes.

Below (left) is a picture of the highest peak in North America: Denali (or Mt. McKinley as you silly lower 48'ers call it). Since I am an Alaskan poser, I like to stick to it's native name of Denali for "the high one."

Kamie, Jeremy (and his folks) and myself will be travelling by the train (right picture). I've ridden this train before, but to the south (Seward, AK). It was an awesome trip because of the views that the train can offer since it goes back where the roads often cannot.

I have an Alaskan obsession. I wish I could pack up and move there, but Scott has a "no-snow" clause in our marriage. Whatever. I can just visit during the summers...since I don't work then. I love it when a plan comes together.

Family Tradition

We packed up and drove down to San Antonio this weekend to see Jack play linebacker in the area all star game and to celebrate his high school graduation. We had some great food thanks to Tricia, and we saw a good game where Jack kicked butt every time he was on the field - including a sack and a blocked punt. We aren't sure where he's going to play his college ball at yet, but we'll be getting to see him play a few more games never the less.

Jack is the last of our cousin generation, but he's maintaining family tradition by playing college sports. Our grandfather lined up for some college snaps at Vanderbilt, and our grandfather's brother, our great-uncle Tom, played football at the University of North Carolina. Their nephew (my mom's cousin, Bobby) played football for Georgia Tech. So, that is 2 generations of college football players, and Jack will be the 3rd! Now with our generation of cousins, Jack joins myself, Jeremy and Matthew in continuing the tradition of college athletes in the Suddarth Family. Most of us have kids of our own, but it will still be many, many years until we discover if any will make their mark as a fourth generation college competitor. Remind that Ransom that it is football not futbol!