If you are a Texan, you know all about Homecoming Mums, if you are not, or have never lived in Texas, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about!
October is month that high schools around this country are celebrating Homecoming. There are football games and dances and other events, all to celebrate the homecoming of previous graduates. Here in Texas, there is one tradition that has become, for lack of a better word, GINORMOUS. That is the Homecoming Mum. Watch this video and you might get a feel for what I’m talking about. Texans will find this to be hysterical!
I woke up today not overly enthused and really felt like staying in my pajamas the entire day. The only thing on my agenda was a follow up doctor’s appointment and that wasn’t until after lunch, so, I figured what the heck and sat down at the computer to do some sewing supply shopping. Oh what a happy day this turned out to be and for you guys who are reading this, equate this to something like finding the elusive but high quality Volvo Parts or something along those lines!
I have become completely hooked on Nancy Halverson’s designs. I am currently working on a block of the month quilt called “Beattitudes” and I also made the “Countdown to Christmas” which she designed. I recently purchased her latest book, “Cider Mill Road” and have several items I’d like to make. I’ve been purchasing fabric and have been hunting down the cutest buttons she uses in her designs. Noone around here seems to have them, so this morning I started looking online. I went to the website of the button manufacturer and clicked on a link that took me to retailers in my area and I couldn’t believe it, but there was a quilt shop I’d never seen or heard of and it was only 13 miles from my house!
Well, I have to tell you, I was so excited I hopped right into the shower and got myself spiffied up so that I could head out. I grabbed my GPS and headed on down the road. In about 25 minutes after leaving my house I was standing in the middle of fabric heaven, aka located in historic downtown Garland, TX.
This store was filled with so many fabrics it was difficult to contain myself! I loved all of the colors and selections, they even have one whole section dedicated to Civil War era fabrics and they are beautiful. They also had an entire section with nothing but sewing and quilting supplies, just about anything you could possibly need was there. I ran across a few fabrics I had been looking for from my Christmas collection and I did buy those as well as some quilt inspired notecards. Sadly, the buttons I was searching for they did not have so I will probably order them online tomorrow.
Besides all the fabrics and supplies, they have a full schedule of classes that they offer. I am currently considering one for next Saturday, but, as it turns out, my husband may need to have knee surgery next Friday, so my class may have to wait. I am certainly looking forward to the next time my Mom comes to visit as I know she will also enjoy this shop.
I had a bad feeling about relocating to Allen, Texas when, on the night we flew in for our original house hunting trip, there was an arrest taking place in the parking lot of our hotel. In the 4 days we were in town, we saw 2 more arrests taking place. I really took this as a bad sign.
After moving here (no, my husband didn’t listen to my bad vibes), we continued to see arrests on a pretty regular basis. My husband claimed that seeing arrests meant the police were doing their job. However, I feel like they are just doing their job. If they were doing a GOOD job, there wouldn’t be a need for so many arrests. Don’t get me wrong, we live in a fairly upscale white-collar, college educated area. This is by no means a ghetto. I think that’s why I’m even more surprised at the amount of police activity I’ve been witness to. Perhaps it is because of the area that people get lulled in to a false sense of security and make crime easier for the criminals? I really don’t know.
Crime has been committed against us as well since moving here. The first time, my husband had driven our van to the airport (DFW) and left it parked while he was on a business trip. We hadn’t been here long and still had our Illinois license plates on it. When he came home, the front plate, along with the brackets and license plate holder, were completely gone. Even the bolts that hold it onto the bumper were gone. I was thankful they had at least left us the rear plate!
Yesterday, my husband came home from work and casually informed me that when he came out of the office and got into the van, the oversized glove box in the center console was open and stuff was hanging out of it. He could tell someone had rifled through everything. Fortunately for us, there was nothing of any value in the van. They left us with a broken lock on the driver’s door and got nothing in return. Thanks.
And my husband wonders why I haven’t been happy since we moved. I realize it’s little stuff, but it makes it NOT feel like home.
I just want to go on record to say that I am completely disgusted. You see, we’ve been having a problem with these little bugs getting into our food that is in our pantry. These bugs are larger than a weevil, but I do believe they are more than likely related.
Two months ago, I completely emptied my pantry. I tossed any food that was in open packaging and discovered what I thought was the source, bags of chocolate chips. I then put anything that wasn’t all ready in Tupperware into containers or ziploc bags. Even boxed mixes that had never been opened I slipped inside a ziploc bag for protection.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, my husband found these little buggers in the container of bread crumbs. We promptly tossed it out and I went through the pantry again. I didn’t find anything else, so I thought maybe it was just something I had missed. Today told me I was wrong.
I found a ziploc bag, completely sealed with 2 never opened boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix inside the bag. Bugs everywhere inside the bag. I am pissed to say the least.
I proceeded to go through the entire pantry, again. I found the bugs in sealed bags of cereal and an open box of pasta. I have thrown it all out. Apparently, ziploc bags aren’t good enough for fighting these bugs. I prefer Tupperware, but since I can’t afford it right now, I’m heading to Target to get some Rubbermaid containers. I’m going to try to find a large square or rectangular container that I can set boxes of mixes inside of and then seal with a lid. I’m also going to get some containers for the cereal.
Food is just way to expensive to have to be throwing it out. In case you’re wondering, living in Texas, it’s routine to have your home exterminated on a regular basis. I have our house done every 3 months.
That’s it, we’re done. Our back to school clothes shopping is complete, right down to the outfit required for band.
This weekend was tax-free weekend here in Texas and we took advantage of the fact that we could buy clothes and not pay the 8.25% sales tax. The tax free advantage only applies to clothing and shoes and that works for us because that’s exactly what we were buying.
After hitting two malls, one on Friday and one this morning, and a few shops outside the mall, my daughter has all the clothes she needs to get her through 7th grade, unless she grows! We even managed to find the black pants, black shirt and black shoes she needs for band, and they’re even stylish! Adding it all up, we spent just under $300 and saved about $25 in sales tax. Out of that, one pair of shoes was for myself (hey, I did all the walking and paying, I deserved something!).
Now we have all of this week to relax and enjoy the final week of summer vacation.
