JUST STUFF

Hey, guys. Does anybody miss me when I'm not on? I haven't blogged in awhile. Sorry.....

I didn't get my Making a Happy Home Monday post up, nor did I connect to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday because my family and I were out of town one last time for the summer.

The trip was totally cool....not something that a majority of people get to do...well, not in the way we did, anyway.

My hubby is a pilot. You know that if you have read this blog for any length of time. He doesn't fly for a typical airline. He flies business jets....not for one particular person/business, but for the rich and famous who need to fly out to the Caribbean for the day or night or to North Hampton for lunch or what have you.

Whereas pilots for American get several one-way vouchers to share per year and get to fly immediate family for a nominal fee, my hubby's company allows its pilots to fly on their planes for free....wherever they may be going. AND, immediate family can join him....for free.

Some might think this isn't a very good trade off. I mean, you can't plan where you will go...you just go. You might have to rent a car back (which we did). But, we flew on a PRIVATE JET! It had first-class accommodations. It sat 8. It sat 8 VERY, VERY comfortably. Comfortable as in 4 of the seats faced the other 4. The seats can swivel out into the aisles, turn 360 degrees, and lay back (all the way). That flight, if we just bought tickets for the entire family through a similar private charter company, would have roughly cost $28,000. Not joking....we just looked. We got it for free.

THE PLANE


INSIDE THE PLANE

Some other benefits he gets are hotel points because he stays in hotels 10-16 nights per month. That works out nicely for us, as we haven't paid for a hotel for years. So this expensive trip really didn't cost us that much.

We had so much fun. It was a last minute flight. So last minute, in fact, that we only had 30 minutes to get ready and get to the airport. My hubby even forgot his clothes. LOL!

We didn't get to San Antonio until late. The next morning, we lazed around, then swam for awhile. We changed hotels and got on the Riverwalk. We did a boat tour, saw the Alamo, had a snack, then went for rest. After that, we went down to the Riverwalk and ate dinner. We swam for a little bit, then went to bed. The next morning (Monday morning) we went tubing down the Comal in New Braunfels. We went through Austin and saw some great friends. Had a few of their pretzels (YUM!), then ate at Hula Hut with Mommy Spice and Spicy Girl. (See Hunan Spice in my sidebar.

We got home LATE Monday night, or properly stated, early Tuesday morning....yesterday.

Yesterday was also the day we welcomed a new boy into our family. His name is Moose. He is really cute and has fit in nicely.

I have found out the teachers for my children and am thrilled that they will be working with my boys. I am going to be room mom for the kindergartner, but will help with my 3rd and 5th graders.

Other than that, we are slowly getting into a routine. School starts this Monday. I'm sad, but glad. I will be back in a few days. I have a lot to do. A lot to blog about. A lot of reminders about where we are in holiday planning. really, y'all....only a month before WalMart starts putting out their Christmas stuff!!! WOOHOO!!

MY LIFE OF CRIME

So, I have a half-brother. I consider myself an only child. I was raised and only child, but I actually have a half-brother. He lived in the same town. We knew who we were to each other....and I saw him only on Christmas day.

Only on Christmas day until I was a freshman in high school....he was a senior. I was excited to tell people he was my brother. Most of my friends knew him and knew who he was to me.

One day, during our health class, the students had been instructed to go to the track. Our health instructor was a coach. Being freshmen, the only way we had to get the 4 blocks was to walk. EXCEPT.......I had a brother with a truck.

I ran up to him, told him the situation, and asked to borrow the truck. He said he would, but he had locked the keys in and was waiting for an extra set, due to arrive during his lunch break. Bummed, I walked out to tell the group of friends who were waiting at the truck.

One "resourceful" student found a coat hanger and actually broke into the truck. Being responsible, and not wanting to miss class, we loaded up as many kids as we could into the back of the truck. I drove....minding the speed limit at all times....and hoping that the cops wouldn't see a truck full of kids being driven by a 15 year old.

We made it to the track, watched part of the meet, the headed back to the school. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, we all scattered like roaches in the night.

Being the good little sister, I returned the keys to my brother. He stared at me in disbelief. Looking back, I think he would NOT have let me take the truck. LOL. He had a good excuse....little did he know that I would break in and steal unlock and borrow his truck.

I got home at a normal time, sat at the normal table and had a normal meal with my family....until my mother said, "Did anyone see you?"

"Huh?"

"Did anyone see you?"

(daddy) "Did anyone see what?"

(me) "Uh.....what?"

(mother, turning to my dad) "Your daughter borrowed your son's truck and drove a bunch of students down to the track for a class."

(daddy) "REALLY? Did you get caught?"

(me...with a grin) "No, sir."

(daddy)"Well, I hope this doesn't happen again." *chuckle*

I then proceeded to tell them the story. They did laugh....and gave me the look that said I should be in trouble. I didn't get into trouble, but I don't know (still) how they found out.

My life of crime was short lived. The town I grew up in was too small to get away with anything.

HERE'S YOUR SIGN

It was sought after.


There were several in the county.


But, for awhile, only 1 with fewer than 2 bullet holes in it.


I don't remember who actually did the work for me. I know I didn't do it.


It fit perfectly in the back of my Celica.....she was a sweet ride, red...5-speed.


I found a companion piece.


Nothing vital.


Just red....to match my car....


...and go with the bright yellow and black of the other.


Heavy metal.


Sends a thrill up your spine.


Makes you feel cool.


Makes you feel like you are gonna puke....


.... especially when your dad wakes you up and says that cops are looking in your car.


It wasn't THAT illegal....was it?


The only escape....to return them.


Return them to a county official.


To return them to......


MY GRANDFATHER!