Boston

I'm watching an old Boston Legal DVD, and I realized something important. The theme song is fantastic ... if you only hear it once in one sitting. Maybe twice. The "fantastical" quality lessens if you, for example, put the DVD in the player but then maybe take a phone call for a few minutes. And you hear the theme played over and over again, but you can't go turn it off because you're charging your phone as you talk and need to stay near the wall socket. Or if you maybe fall asleep watching the DVD and you can't find the remote to turn it off, because it slid underneath your couch AND the batteries fell out, and you don't want to get off the couch to walk to the TV. That's when the theme song becomes a little problematic. 

But overall, I'm a fan. It has a certain Sanford and Son quality that can't be ignored. And if any of you now have either theme song stuck in your head then my job is done. Transference is complete.

Feels Like Home

If you've not yet voted, there's still time. Going to be an interesting night watching results. To quote Josh on The West Wing, "we're going to be up all night with these. It's going to be fun."

My dad and I talked a lot about the election when the campaigns got going in early 2007, and lately I've been a little overcome with the thought that I really wish my dad were here right now. He was so fascinated by what might happen. There are no words to convey how much I miss his presence.

Right now Sundays are my "back to reality" days after having a great weekend. Every Sunday I go to my dad's house (which has now been on the market for 14 months) and I check on the pool. The water level is usually low, so we have to keep refilling it. I've started using that time to also go for a walk around my dad's neighborhood. When I was there this Sunday, I was thinking about how we really need for the house to sell, and how maybe enough time has passed that it won't be as hard to say goodbye to that part of his life. I was thinking this while walking back from the park. As I got closer to my dad's house, I noticed that a car was out front, looking at my dad's house and picking up one of the fliers from the realtor. It suddenly hit me, maybe for the first time, that soon someone else will be living in my dad's house. And we'll no longer have that tangible place to go that makes us feel close to him. As I walked back to his home I started to cry.

I don't know why these thoughts are so prevalent right now, but they are. I suspect some of it is due to the start of November and knowing that in a few weeks we'll experience our second Thanksgiving without my dad. I think the holidays this year might be more difficult than I've been anticipating.

So I don't really know what to do about that anticipatory stress, other than just find ways to relax and keep from getting too worked up. Which is why I'm off to yoga (tonight). And Tampa (next week). And Vegas (in December).

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

1) When the dog bites (ouch)

2) When the bee stings (I'm allergic)

3) When I'm feeling sad (single tear)

I was highly aggravated today for some reason, but I've decided to turn aggravation on its ear and focus on things that make me happy. And each of these things (minus the Crossing Vineyard wine) can be found at the grocery store. I'm hoping if I mention these products enough some Web PR person from the company will send me a year's supply of free _____ (whatever the product is).

Here we go ...

If You're Gonna Play in Texas ...

Another October, another great weekend at the Little Red House.

Pretty much everyone is required to sing or play an instrument.

Fun times with my brother ...

Fun times with my cousins ...

Even more cousins ...

Ready for next October and LRH '09.

Falling Down

Another Thursday, another yoga class with Rrrrrrrramon. Tuesday night's class was ridiculously painful, but it was also delightfully funny. Our instructor made us do headstands in the middle of the room. Most of us can't do that yet, so it was funny to be upside down and hear loud thuds on the ground as people all around you kept falling over. You're of course not supposed to laugh, but there's just no helping it. Good times.

I'm excited for Race for the Cure on Saturday morning. I love Race for the Cure. If you're in Dallas you should do it -- it's always a great day. Plus it's gorgeous outside, so that's a big thumbs up.

Songs of the day: "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" by John Mayer and "Falling Down" by Bebo Norman.

If I Could

It's mid-October and you know what that means ... happy Spa Week, Dallas!

I love Spa Week. Two times a year (once in the fall and once in spring) different spas around town offer special services for about 1/3 of the normal price. I took a half day off of work today in honor of Spa Week. I'm not going to document the embarrassing thing that I said/did while at my appointment, but it's on par with the "Ooooh, does that feel knotty?" massage encounter.

If you miss Spa Week this month never fear because it should be back in April or May. 

Song of the day: "If I Could" by Blue Merle.

I'm A Little Bit Country ...

My past few weekends have felt very Texas-ish. The other weekend I watched my uncle and cousin perform at the Opry. They are precious, and I love listening to them sing together.

Sweetest family ever.

We're all ready for Katie to make it to Nashville. I know I'm biased, but you really would be blown away by her voice. She's fantastic.

This weekend Ale and I went to the Fair. I really think the last time I went I was in 4th grade. It exceeded my expectations, and I'll tell you why in a second.

But before I do, what's the first thing you think of when someone says "State Fair of Texas" ... is it the butter sculptures? Probably not.

Maybe it's Big Tex ...

Maybe it's the ferris wheel ...

But those answers are wrong. I'll tell you what I think of -- and what exceeded my expectations -- when I think of the State Fair. Obviously, I think of three little words. Bel ... Biv ... Devoe. 

I love the State Fair.