THIS POST IS INTENSE-LEE-LONG

Been in several travels as of late… really, really ready to have a relaxing weekend here in Dallas. As my girl Tryhn said today on her Facebook, “Going to love my weekend...I'm going nowhere, doing nothing, no plans and no planes to catch, yay” And, I couldn’t agree more… especially with the weather feeling as good as it has. Forecast should read, “Particularly breezy with hints of autumn feelings sweeping in.” Ahh yes, I can feel it’s going to be a good weekend.

Let’s backtrack though for a brief momento through the past few weeks that I have not written a ding dong dang thang… aaaaand there have been big BIG things going on too like…

MY GRANDMOTHER HIT THE BIG NINE ZERO
Did you say ninety?! Why, yes I did. And look at what a gorgeous gem she is!

And now, please allow me to share with you a few special treats about my grandmother… and that’s what I’ve always called her… grandmother (not treats).

-- Grandmother met my grandfather when they were both engaged to two different people. Then, within two weeks of meeting eachother decided, to heck with the other two, let’s break it off with them and get hitched ourselves. So they did! And it lasted! It lasted more than fifty years and until my grandfather passed away. Talk about love at first sight, or perhaps just knowing when something is suddenly right. I don’t quite think that’s the way my little love life is working out but I’m sure glad it happened for her.

-- Grandmother always remembered my birthday, sending me a card every time. Upon opening each card she would always write “Dear Christin,” before the body text of the actual card. I found this to be very unique and just “Grandmother”, if you will. Maybe someday when I am a grandmother I shall address my cards in the same way just to pass it along.

-- Grandmother used to be a greeter at the McDonalds at Wal-Mart! What?? I know, I know… she was that cute older person who would welcome all the crazy hoodrat kids in and then clean up all the busted ketchups on the tables once they left. Probably only a few people can handle this and I will never understand how she could have the patience to but I admire her for have such a sweet soul with the most chipper, joyful spirit when around others. It’s definitely worth gleaning from.

-- Grandmother used to work at the Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas. This year I jumped ship from lame-o Victory Park and moved to downtown into a building directly across the street from Neiman's. So on some days, I catch myself thinking what it must’ve looked like, sounded like, been like back in the day when she worked there during that era. Fashion indeed has changed, that's for sure.

So that’s a bit about my grandmother. For her birthday the whole family traveled down to Conroe to my Aunt and Uncle’s house to have her party. Everyone on that side of my family was there including one of my cousin’s whom I hadn’t seen in over five years or more. It reminded me of a family reunion of sorts.

Because...
Way back in the day we used to have these monster mega family reunion blowouts but then they kind of died out, like I imagine most do these days. Even though much smaller, this one was so good to have everyone back together and especially for grandmother’s 90th.


FINDING NEW THINGS IN DALLAS
Woot! My friend Miss Laura Stephens enlisted me on her “finding new and cool things” blogging adventure in Dallas. Read here about why the adventure is on like Donkey Kong and then come back here and finish reading the rest of this post.

Okay, you’re back now.
Good.
First place to discover was Mokah Coffee bar in Deep Ellum. I enjoyed this place a lot. The night we went (Tuesday) they had Open Mic night so we heard from many singer/songwriters. Also on some Tuedays they have poetry readings. Find out more about Mokah here on their website and MySpace page. I know, I’m not doing this little write-up justice AT ALL but my fingers are pretty much getting tired of typing soooo…. Go back to Laura’s write-up --> here.

And of course… pictures!... well, more like picture collage.

Last on the list (because this is getting intensely long):

IM GOING/GONE/WENT TO MIAMI
For work. We had a focus group in Fort Lauderdale and then traveled a short while to spend the rest of the week in Miami. It was so lovely to get away… but then NOT when American lost my luggage and didn’t return it until the following morning. Nevertheless, I was able to wake up to.... beach!! (such a great thing especially when we’re so landlocked here in Dallas aka “Concrete Jungle”.


SIGNED: DUDE, I NEED TO DRAW A PICTURE AND QUIT THIS TYPING/DESIGNING ON THE COMPUTER BIZ.