Kilgore...only good for mini-vacay

I have been on a press tour of sorts for the past week. Wedding to see college friends, then Dallas to spend time with sisters, lunch to catch up with a friend who just got married, on to Kilgore to see parents and friends with new babies, and a stop in Tyler to see another college friend's new place. Oklahoma is a fair bit of a drive so I figured if I was coming down I might as well cover all my bases. It's always nice to be back in Texas, no one stares at my Driver's License like it's a stinkin passport. I am currently in Kilgore and and every time I come home from wherever I might be doing my living the town seems to be getting smaller, not in size....just smaller. I did the "rounds" with my mother, she took me to all the little stores on Main Street in downtown. I was incredibly impressed with the the stuff my sleepy town had to offer since I'd been gone. Who couldn't love a shop who sold me the sparkliest beeswax candlesticks I have ever seen! They come complete with a pair of my husband's rolled eyes I'm sure. The thing I love most about visiting Kilgore is my parent's house, the best thing about it is the silence. The peacefulness is so intoxicating that I don't search for the remote, I rummage through my mom's book cases for a book to read and enjoy the sun pouring through her picture windows. But as much as I have respect for the people who enjoy this sweet town, the best thing about visiting Kilgore for me......is leaving it.

minority wife.......

Trying to make friends as a civilian military wife with no children isn't the easiest thing in the world to do because every woman in the military is either enlisted, has children, or both. I try my darndest to fit in with these ladies to aquire some girlfriends but I just can't come out looking anything but socially awkward. I try to relate to the moms with anything I can muster but usually just end up putting my foot in my mouth. And trying to follow the office antics and jargon of military personnel leaves me frustrated as my head tries to follow the conversation like the crowd at a tennis match. I miss my girlfriends who got my jokes, enjoyed a bottle of wine any day of the week, a pathetically sappy flick and a good shopping trip. But mostly I miss my girlfriends who got my jokes.

groceries and NSYNC

Colorado was your typical family vacation with the romantical perks of having my husband with me on this trip for the first time. I swiftly proceeded to get sick the day we left and have been on the couch for the past 2 days so now I am finally tackling vacation laundry, dishes and grocery shopping. I HATE grocery shopping because I despise lugging around the bags. I find myself quoting Monica Geller from the Thanksgiving episode every time I unload the car..."I'm a tiny little woman!" I thought the other day while watching some show on the E! network of a celebrity staying in a hotel suite entirely too extravagant for her one night stay, of what I would spend outrageous amounts of money on if I had the means to be so frivolous. It wouldn't be on fancy hotel rooms because quite frankly luxury hotels to me are ones that have granite counter tops in the bathroom and a well stocked mini bar. I'd spend money on flying in Taco Bueno if I happen to be somewhere so unfortunate not to have one. I would also drop every penny I have to reunite NSYNC and have them sing at my private party with myself as a back up dancer.....and of course someone to do my grocery shopping.