Thursday, March 15, 2012

I'm Going to Mess with Texas

I know they tell you not to mess with Texas, but I'm going to do it again. Even though last time I tried, Texas kept my hot rollers and I had to wait until my aunt mailed them to me from Houston.
Here is what I love about Texas:

1. Delicious Mexican food.
Burritos that have not been microwaved and salsa recipes that were not created by someone named Chloe or Todd or Mildred.

2. Laid-back style
People don't seem quite as rushed or harried as they do in Virginia. They are mostly just more relaxed and they don't give you dirty looks if you wear flip flops.

3. Unapologetic Patriotism
I love seeing the US and Texan flags flying. When they said, "'Remember the Alamo!" they meant it.

Here is what I do not love about Texas:

1. Freakishly oppressive heat.
It gets hot in Virginia. In June. It gets hot in other places too. But Texas is so hot that it feels like you're trying to breathe through a wet towel in a sauna. This is why I limit my time to the outlet malls. Sometimes I think that even the devil must stay away from Texas because he says to himself, "Nope. It's just too hot."

2. The Frizz
This is related to the freakishly oppressive Texas heat. In all the years we've been travelling to Texas, I don't remember ever being there in March, so maybe this time by hair will be spared.

So...joking aside....

The reason I am going to Texas is because my grandfather (my dad's father, O'pa) passed away in January and the memorial service is this weekend. He was a Colonel in the Air Force, and I guess some paperwork had to be completed before the service could be scheduled for this weekend.

This turned out to be unfortunate because my grandmother (my mom's mother, Nannie) passed away last weekend and her funeral was in North Carolina last Wednesday.

When you are an adult and your grandparents get older (O'pa was 90 and Nannie would have been 101 in May), you prepare yourself for these things and know they are coming.

But it doesn't make saying "good-bye" any easier. Two funerals/memorials two weeks in a row is a lot to deal with emotionally. My family is doing fine, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt to lose two grandparents in so short a time. My girls have been asking all sorts of questions, so it's been a chance for me to talk to them a lot about family, love, God, and heaven...but it isn't easy.


The Weekend Bloggy Reading link party will go up tomorrow morning as scheduled, and I'll schedule a reminder post about linking up on Saturday, but I will probably just have to do one very large Highlighted Links post on Sunday rather than breaking them up into two posts. I need some time away this weekend, and I know you all will understand.

Here's the button code for the party if you want to get a head start! Recipes, crafts, home decor, book reviews, funny stories, you name it. Come prepared to showcase your blog and find some great weekend reads.
Weekend Bloggy Reading


Y'all wish me luck. I'll be flying out tonight with my mom and brother, and traveling with my mom sometimes makes me want to lay down in the middle of a crowded freeway and pray for the end to come quickly.

21 comments:

  1. Amanda, so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for safe travels for you and your family.

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  2. So sorry for your losses Hun!! It is hard to say goodbye to those who have been such an integral part of our lives.
    Gentle hugs
    SueAnn

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  3. I am sorry to hear of your loss but glad you are using this opportunity to share about God with your little one. It is perfectly understandable that you would need time off from the blog. Enjoy your time with family and I completely understand about the whole mother situation. Sometimes mine can be a little too much to handle also. Praying it goes well.

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  4. So sorry for your losses. Welcome to Texas! We have been unseasonably warm with lots of humidity so prepare for the frizz. It's so nice to hear kind words about Texas, my lifelong home. We are proud of all things Texan! BTW I think you might be right about the devil! :)

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  5. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish your visit to Texas had been one when you could see a little more of the state. We live in west Texas, Lubbock, and it has almost no humidity compared to Houston. It is dry and flat here but the hill country around north of San Antonio is so beautiful, especially when the wildflowers are in full bloom. Hope you get to come back and explore someday. :)

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  6. So sorry for your losses, Amanda. I have to go to a very difficult memorial service this weekend too. Hang in there, friend.

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  7. I can't stand the thought of losing my grandparents. I still have 3 out of 4 living, and I know the older they get the tougher it's going to be to prepare myself. I hope you have an okay trip there...I totally get the whole traveling with mom thing! Take lots of chocolate:) And good luck with your hair. I have a feeling you're not going to love the fact that the temps in the south are already in the 80's!

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  8. So sorry Amanda. Have a safe trip.

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  9. I hope your trip is good and that you'll be able to have a good time with family. It's sad that so many "family reunions" only occur because of a death, isn't it? Bless you as you try to comfort your family and deal with your own grief.

    Three of my close friends like in Houston; I honestly don't know how they handle the heat!

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  10. Oh you poor thing, I didn't know you were going to Texas for a memorial. I hope you have a safe trip & come away with peace in your heart. Let me know if I can do anything for you! :-)

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  11. So sorry for the loss of your grandparents Amanda!! Sending good wishes for your travel and safety!!!

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  12. I'm so sorry! I lost my grandmother last summer, and like you said, even though you know it's going to come at some point, it does not make it any easier. And two memorials in a row would be emotional overload. I'll keep you in my prayers. Best to you and your family!

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  13. I live near the top of Texas and we don't have the nasty heat and humidity- so it is perfect!! I do agree that the Southern part of the state isn't fun when it is hot.

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  14. Amanda, I'm so sorry.
    Safe travels.

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  15. I'm so sorry for your recent losses. Have a safe trip and hope you enjoy the Texas weather, right now it is about the best it can be

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  16. It's tough to have two losses so close together. I hope you have a safe trip.

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  17. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Amanda. Safe travels.
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

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  18. I am sorry to read of this news. I hope that things can settle back down for you and your family.

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  19. Aww Amanda, I'm so sorry for your loss. You're right that it doesn't matter how old you are or how much you know it could happen; it's still hard.

    On a side note--I noticed your new blog look a while ago but am just now getting around to saying that I think it looks fabulous. :)

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