A Normal FB Post

I never used Facebook in AZ and was planning on deleting my account once I moved here. Don't know if I will keep it when I leave Texarkana, but for now, posts like this make me smile. Texarkana Arkansas is in Miller County. 

We Caved

Our money saving measure lasted until late last night. 

The heat is currently on. It is 34 degrees--at 2 in the afternoon. It is the warmest part of the day. My writer's meeting has been canceled tonight because of snow. 

Not sorry.

Keeping Warm

Cheaper to run this thing
than turn on the heater. 

It is 36 degrees outdoors. 

With Marty out of work, we've cut back here and there. Right now that means I'm not turning on the heat. You see, for whatever reason, our gas bill is always higher in the winter than our electric is in the summer. That is, it costs more to heat the house when it is cold outside than to cool the house when it is warm outside. As much as I would prefer a comfy 68 degrees inside, we have space heaters, blankets and sweatshirts. 

Looking at this week's forecast, I might change my mind about the heater. But so far, we are just bundling up.  

Thanksgiving Week

I am currently housesitting for my real estate pal and former boss, Tessa, who is on her way over the river and through the woods. As I write this, one of her puppies is jumping, trying to get my attention. After all, Mama is gone and I am to take pity on the poor pooch and shower her with all sorts of affection--the way I've done for the past several hours. It is nice to have a quiet place to sit and enjoy myself for a few days. I appreciate having this time to introvert. 

The reason I am housesitting is because Tessa's regular housesitter is Polly, who happens to be five states away right now, hanging out with Sherman's family. According to the text she deigned to send me, the Sherman's are all "nice." And she is having a "good time." Oh, and she isn't crazy about Birmingham Alabama, which is where they stopped at some point during their road trip for whatever reason--but they aren't there now. Nonetheless, I can tell she's happy. And that makes me happy.

All this is to say, we held our Thanksgiving this past Saturday before Polly and Sherman took off. The turkey was tasty. The deviled eggs did NOT have sweet pickle relish in them. And there was a lot of laughing and gratitude aplenty around the table. But inside, I was a teensy bit sad. This might be one of the last times I have both my children at home for a holiday meal for a long while. Please understand, I'm not making premature plans or expecting some grand announcement from Polly. Buck has his own designs on his next life steps as well. Both are ready to spread their wings in whatever direction life is sending them, as they should be at their ages. 

Yesterday, the Sunshines went over to the Church of Christ their annual Thanksgiving chili dinner and "devotional service." To be fair, we didn't attend the meal because it was free--though that was a nice perk (no jobs currently on the horizon). Buck, who has been diligently attending the Church of Christ for the past year, ate with his friends. Marty (who knows a few folks and has come on occasion) ate with me and several Coronas. And then Buck ducked out and avoided the entire "devotional service." 

Unfortunately, I didn't adequately prepare Marty for what a "devotional service" might include (because I didn't know). So, we hung out for an hour, letting our food digest while the members of the congregation sang about 487 a capella hymns. The odds of getting Marty to go to another Church of Christ event are probably low at this point, but even he agrees that these are some of the nicest and most positive folks he's ever met. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I'm going to leave Tessa's puppies for a while and head the three miles back to Arizona Avenue to hang with Marty and Buck. We'd bandied around the idea of splurging by going to the local IHOP for a holiday pancake meal. Marty and I also discussed taking Buck to Shreveport to an exceptional a really good a decent Mexican restaurant we'd discovered. However, in the end we decided we'd get a pizza, play cards, send weird texts to Polly, and be grateful our lives are good--after all, that's what the day is about. 

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. 

Even the Puppies

When taking my walk around Wake Village yesterday, I kept seeing tables in folks' front yards with food on them. When I say "food," I mean bags of pasta, cans of whatever, boxes of cereal, etc. I must have passed about six or seven before curiosity got the better of me. So, I stopped by one of these tables, to find a note which said, "If you need something, please help yourself."  

One of many I passed. 

And then I found this in someone's front yard.  

The Sun is Shining

For the second time in almost four years, Marty has a play date.  He's getting out of the house! He's hanging with someone. Alone. Without me. Without the young adults. He is making a friend! Or maybe two!

This friend is Corona Gail's husband, who is one of the most gregarious and friendly people I know. In better circumstances (like Marty wasn't in an oppressively horrible job), Marty's personality matches Mr. Gail's perfectly. That's probably why the two of them hit it off a while ago. When Marty lost his job, Mr. Gail reached out and invited him out to Whataburger. 

The day they got together, Marty was gone for hours. For days afterwards, he talked of nothing else but his breakfast with his new pal. The kids and I elbowed each other in disbelief. "Dad's smiling," one whispered to me. "I know!" I whispered back. The next time I saw Corona Gail I mentioned Marty had a blast. Turns out, Mr. Gail had a blast too. 

Today, the two are doing it again. This time, Marty reached out. They are meeting at the donut shop. Marty suggested Mr. Gail bring another friend along, who happens to be a mutual acquaintance of the Sunshine's. In honor of Marty's second play date, I made mini loaves of pumpkin bread this morning for him to bring to his pals. 

At the moment, I don't know who is more psyched. Me or him. 

I'm Bringing Guacamole and Chips

I got a text from Corona-Krissy this past Wednesday. "Mini Corona night Friday at Debs." Squee! Mini Corona code for "not everyone is invited" and to keep this bit o' news to myself. 

Here's how Mini night works: One approaches Deb, asks if she'd be willing to house a few Coronas. Deb says "pick the menu and the invite list" and Poof! A Mini Corona night is born. I've approached her myself a couple of times for a Mini night. I know others have as well. I also know I don't always make the cut when others ask for a Mini night. But I'm grateful when I'm invited. 

Mini nights came about because the Corona group now has 16 members. And with 16 women, personalities can be (ahem) diverse. Some in the group are super-competitive when it comes to card games and play by prison rules. Others are more docile and get their feelings hurt when they lose too much. And there are others who talk ALLTHETIME and throughout the game. 

And then there's the newest Corona who does not like me in the least. That's okay, I'm not a fan of hers either. But she's a close relative to another Corona. After selling real estate for a million years, I know how to be super polite to people who detest me. She'll either hang herself eventually or come around. Bless her heart. 

Anyway, Krissy is hosting a Mini night this week. I'm excited to be invited. I'm excited to get out of the house. It is fun to be around positive folks (and Little Miss Hatesme who will also be there). There's always laughter and great conversation.