How Texas is WAY different than Califonia!!

Over the last 8 months or so that I have lived in Texas I have learned so much about the different cultures! And here is just a few of them!!

* Weather is unpredictable. "Wait 5 minutes and it will change"

* Southern Accents!!!!

*Firework or Snow Cone stands on every corner!

*Gas stations actually serve decent food, some even have great BBQ (go figure)

* Lightening storms are NO JOKE out in Texas

* Parking lots are made for trucks ( THANK GOD)

* Every high school as a FFA program ( at least in Wise County they do) 

* It doesn't cost an arm and leg to register your vehicle.

* TORNADOES!!!!!

* It doesn't drop below 70's on summer nights in Texas 

*Don't have to wear (4-H/FFA) uniforms to show at the county fairs

* Everything is meat and potatoes 

* NO TRI- TIP or LINGUICIA

* The town revolves around the town square and a court house is always in the center of the square. 

* The gas prices are AMAZING!!! ($3.23 for gas and $3.51 for diesel) 

* BIG hair and BIG jewelry is the norm 

* FISH FRY'S

* Cowboys are REAL!!! Not just weekend warriors like in the bay area lol!

* Someone either works in the oil fields or drives truck or knows someone who does. 

* Sports are a religion no matter what level ( t-ball to pros) 

* NO 4-H UNIFORMS

* Live music is a way of life out here. 

* The boys 2 step not line dance ( thank god)

* Brisket is a BBQ staple in Texas 

* No such thing as TOO MUCH bling

* Texas has their own pledge and anthem. 

* No food festivals the revolve around a growing season. ( Sadly no Garlic Festival here) 

* Catfish is considered a good eating fish (YUCK)

I know there is more to come but this is all I can think of as of now. 

Great minds think alike

Here is the cutest picture ever. On the left its me water the cement at my folks place in Willow Glen and on the right is my niece watering the same cement just about 29 years  after I did. And I think this is the only picture you will find with me doing the duck face.

Family

Family may not always be in the room with you or down the street or even in the same area code but they are always in your heart. I have learned that family also isn't always in the same family tree as you. Family can be that one friend that never lets you down or friends who welcome you as if they gave birth to you themselves. Now that I am so so far from home and family you start to learn a new definition of family. I like how Family can be that ever changing definition! I'm so grateful for my California Family as well as my Texas Family.

77 Date Night Ideas

1. Make chocolate covered strawberries

2. Paris night: get a baguette, French wine, and cheese!

3. Read Shakespeare to one another

4. Bake cookies together

5. Watch the sunrise, then make breakfast together

6. Attend a local soccer game

7. Watch an entire season of your fav TV show

8. Go for a long drive

9. Planetarium

10. Art gallery

11. Play board games

12. Movie

13. Visit garage sales

14. Do a volunteer activity

15. Go dancing

16. Go to the driving range

17. Build a snowman

18. Ride go-carts

19. Rent a movie

20. Have a carpet picnic

21. Go to an arcade

22. Play Frisbee

23. Go kayaking

24. Go ice skating

25. Visit the pumpkin farm

26. Go to a forest preserve

27. Go to ballet performance

28. Visit a place listed in an entertainment book

29. Bike riding

30. Volunteer at a homeless shelter

31. Bowling

32. Haunted house

33. Out for coffee

34. Visit a flea market

35. Play bingo

36. Go to an opera

37. Swing by a bookstore

38. Visit another city

39. Go hear jazz or reggae

40. See an NBA game

41. Play in the batting cages

42. Vegas anyone?

43. Piano bar

44. Visit a psychic

45. Have lunch at a trendy new restaurant

46. Grab a fish fry

47. Grab a pint at an Irish pub

48. Chinese food and DVDs – the perfect mix

49. Attend a poetry reading

50. Attend an author reading from their latest fiction work

51. Go antiquing

52. Go out for drinks

53. Visit a winery

54. Attend a painting class
55. Visit an animal shelter – you may come home with a new pet

56. Go for a carriage ride

57. Visit the tourist spots in your hometown

58. Take a trip to the hobby store – pick out a project to work on for the afternoon

59. Take a walk – around a lake, in the moonlight, by the river, on the beach

60. Go to an ethnic festival

62. Create a scrapbook61. Go to a shrimp boil

63. Attend a matinee

64. Visit the zoo

65. Go see a local band

66. Have lunch at a church festival

67. Go camping

68. Go hiking

69. Go rock climbing

70. Play croquet

71. Attend a farmer’s market

72. Have dinner at a new place

73. Try out a new cuisine

75. Take in a community theater performance

74. Go strawberry picking or visit an apple orchard

76. Attend a live, outdoor music night in your town

77. Go see fireworks

 

All the purple ones I've done lately, man do I have lots to do. 

On the Road again...............

Well today marks the count down til I step back on CA soil. (16 days and counting) I'm heading home for a few days to celebrate the birthday of my favorite twins with their parents (my favorite people as well) The best part about the trip is going to be able to see everyone. But I think I am most excited to surprise my Templets Thursday when I arrive. I worked it out with their mom to have her pick me up from the airport and then surprise the girls at school and take them out to lunch. They have NO idea and I'm super excited about that. I miss my TEAM TEMPLE!!! My mom rocks and she wants to have a BBQ when I am home so everyone can visit all one time. I'm hoping to get some Lambchop time in as well. I can't wait to help my bro celebrate his belated birthday and my mom/gram celebrate a belated Mother's day! Maybe we can just roll everything into one shot. Cause I won't be home for awhile after this visit until maybe October for one of my dear friend's wedding! I know the visit is going to be a whirlwind but worth it!! I miss and love my CA peeps!!!!