Game 7...Really?

Okay, Boston. Why are you doing this to me? I was the kid in high school that gave myself faux deadlines just so that I could avoid crunch time. I don't like last minute/final chance to win/go big or go home scenarios. Why are you taking your win to the last possible moment? This is my first time to actually watch the NBA playoffs and I feel like I should be eased into this experience with a little bit of molly coddling. You say the NBA Cares! Instead you are inflicting this stress on me? I am totally justified in taking this personally.

The Sacrificial Tree

This morning I awoke blissfully to the sound of chainsaws. There is one word in the previous statement that is patently untrue. I'll leave you to guess while I give some back story.

I have been sick with the flu for the past few days. On Wednesday night there was a big storm and within 5 minutes of the wind picking up the large tree in front of my house decided to sacrifice a piece of itself to the storm gods. This is not a first; rather it seems to be becoming a habit. Not that long ago...the last big storm actually... this same tree decided to sacrifice a huge branch onto the roof of my house. Luckily, no injuries other than the roof, eaves, and attic. This time another large branch did a storm swan dive. It fell away from the house (thank you) and took down power lines and took up half of the rather busy street on which I live.

This storm took out power for over 60,000 homes in SA, TX, so I was grateful my power stayed on. However, since there were live power lines and a huge tree blockade the police and fire engine parked with lights on right outside my window all night. "Trying to sleep in a disco," as my neighbor Sara so aptly put it. They also put up Crime Scene tape in my front yard...Double Awesome. Right after the tree event I tried (repeatedly) to call the electricity company but it was busy. Finally with my fever spiking and exhaustion setting in I told my neighbors to keep trying and then figured the police and firemen probably had a more direct line to the company...

All day Thursday, my day was interspersed with knocks on the door from guys with lawn agencies ready to chop up a tree that was still mingled with live wires and with sirens from police and fire trucks. I have a sneaky suspicion that no one in these agencies talks to each other. These officials would show up, look at crime scene tape, call back up (more sirens), wander around, set flares, and finally realize they couldn't do anything because of the live wires. That night I finally tried City Public Services (unfortunate acronym, I know) to check on the status of getting these wires cleared.

I explained the situation and that I knew someone else had already reported it, but that I wanted to know if there was any time line for when it would be cleared up... "Um, honey. No one else has reported anything on that street." What? All those sirens and nuthin'? Later that night, CPS did send out a truck and removed the wires. Which brings us to this morning's wake up call. I mean, I'm glad that the traffic will finally quit honking at each other trying to maneuver the tree, but c'mon!

Unfortunately the image at the top of the article is not entirely accurate. This tree still has two huge branches just waiting for the next storm. Will my landlord do something or just wait and see how the cookie (i.e. massive tree) crumbles? Only time will tell.

Create and Complete

A few weeks ago I took a sewing class with my co-worker Sarah. There is this wonderful little place called Sew Deluxe. Their tagline is "San Antonio's only alternative sewing lounge." How fantastic is that? They have the machines; you bring your own fabric and thread for a specific class (i.e. project). Sarah and I arrived with our knit fabric and matching thread only knowing we were making a boatneck tunic. In three hours we had a very cute (if I may say so myself) empire waist, cap-sleeve summer dress. The instructor did a great job of going step-by-step and offering variations by skill level. I had never had great success sewing on knit, but this class made it seem easy. [Of course having a professional mess with the tightness of thread to bobbin ratio is always helpful.]

I left the class at about 9:30PM elated and energized. It was so great to create and complete something in one evening. This made me realize just how much I thrive on feeling like I am creating something AND completing it. I love the feeling of job well done, let's move on to something new and different.

I will definitely take another class. What shall be my next project? Only time (and their website) will tell. Sew Deluxe also has some charity events (sewing for a cause) as well as girls' nights out. A hip little spot worth checking out if you are in the area. Let me know, maybe we can sew together!

Two Lovely Ladies

I am incredibly lucky to have such wonderful family. However, when they go I am left bittersweet and sleepless. In the last week and a half two amazing matriarchs in my family died. I just want to share a little snippet about each and then perhaps I will find a deep, dreamless sleep.

Bonnie was 80 and incredibly involved in her West Texas community. As one woman told me after her memorial service, "She ran out of bulletins. It's always good to have more friends than bulletins." In March, Marc and I made the trip to see all my West Texas cousins (and especially her as her time was counted in months, or weeks as it turned out). When I was making our travel plans Bonnie said, "You know it is a really long drive." My reply, "Yup, 5.5 hours, but you're totally worth it."

"Well, I *know* I'm worth it, I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into."

When we arrived we found out she had just had her first day of radiation. She was moving a little slower and definitely sipping her champagne a lot slower, but otherwise still the same wisecracker. Lots of questions and sly comments. A week ago Saturday Bonnie died. She was surrounded by her husband, kids, and grandkids.

My Nena passed this past Saturday. Nena was my grandma in everything but blood. I've been thinking about Nena stories and the one that keeps coming to the front of my mind is that she never learned to drive. Now, that is a feat in any city. However, Nena lived in Houston, TX without car or license. Houston is the capital of sprawl and 10 lane freeways. Even more amazing she didn't take buses and she most definitely did not stay home. She had an impressive network of friends who were constantly checking to see if she needed a ride to the grocery store, picking her up for lunch, taking her out for errands. Decades of living solo and having friends as her main means of transport. I think that is pretty telling of loyalty, stubbornness, and lovability.

I will miss both of them, but the love and joy they added to my life far outweighs the missing.

Confessions of the Newly Sporty

Many of you dear readers may have been shocked when I admitted to creating a [busted] bracket for this year's March Madness. (Well, surprised by the creating part, perhaps not the busted part.) The fever continues.

I am hooked into the Spurs playoffs. I've even found myself talking with the players (i.e. the TV). Luckily this newly acquired habit is socially acceptable. I have not yet graduated to yelling at the TV, but stranger things have happened. Such as the fact that I am still mad at the Mavs' Najera for his flagrant foul (neck grab) of Ginobili. Did anyone guess one year ago that that sentence would appear on Mermindia? Like I said, stranger things have happened.

The Plunge

My old computer died. Completamente.

I debated the great debate and decided to get a Mac. Yesterday at lunch I took the plunge and purchased my pretty, pequena Macbook.

Why do you care? Obviously, you need to know that I am typing on a pristine white keyboard. Also, I felt introductions are in order. A big Welcome to Mr. Mac ______________.

I am now faced with the important task of naming. Any suggestions are welcome and the winner will enjoy the fame and glory of Mermindia citation.

Note: There is no picture because I cannot right click to snag something. Hrrumph. I shall overcome and pictures will return to Mermindia.

Who knew?!

Well, this year was my introduction to March Madness. Who knew watching sports could be so much fun? Evidently a lot of people knew this, but it was news to me.
Still a little shocking (even to me) that I created a bracket (totally busted), that I am checking tip off times, and having so much fun doing it.

Just thinking about my first post of 2010 when I said I wanted to push myself to try new things. I think this counts in a big way.