I'M HERE FOR YOU!

A beautiful, sunny, cloudless day, with temperatures reaching the mid sixties, (or 18 for those who prefer the other scale,) is my kind of winter!  Martin Luther King Day meant a day off in mid January, and I was going for a long walk!  The walk was going to be interrupted by a little bit of shopping, but a long walk it would be!

Samantha left the dogs at home with Edward, and Dana had gone into work. I had started my day with the usual housework chores, and was almost ready by the time my ride appeared at my back door!  We set off and headed for New Braunfels, which is just a few miles past the mall, but is host to Buc-ees, and as mentioned in previous posts, 'Have Buc-ees, must go!'  As usual, the giant convenience store come gas station was very busy.  It is has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, and whilst I do not actually see the attraction, I did buy the boys a t-shirt from here before Christmas, because, 'Everyone needs something from Buc-ees'!

The mall was a little busier than I thought it might be, although the excess of cars could have been from employees, rather than shoppers.  The reason for the trip to the mall was to shop for us.  When first arriving in Austin, and on our trips before emigration, a six or seven hour stint at the mall was considered the norm.  Now we almost dread the thought, but I wanted to have a browse for me, and this seemed the perfect opportunity.  

"Where do you want to start?"  I asked my daughter.  "Your choice. After all, I am here for you!" she insisted.  We bypassed Abercrombie, and the kids shops on the north side of the double shopping center, and then spent a long time in a rather large store that promises enormous discounts.  I bought nothing, but Samantha found a couple of items.  Next stop was the obligatory hot chocolate!  Starbucks was busy as always, but our drinks did not warrant the complications that did so many others!  In and out we were in a very short time.  I was somewhat disappointed to come out of Victoria''s Secret without a bag.  It was, however, quite liberating to realise that I no longer wanted to display the word 'Pink' across my back, or down my side, much less across my chest, Although the prices are very different elsewhere in the world, the garments are no longer the mysteries of the Americas!  The only items I wear from the 'Secret' shop remain secret!

"Are you ready to cross over to the other side?" I asked, almost tongue in cheek.  "Your choice. After all, I am here for you!" repeated my daughter.  After much deliberation, we went into Hollister.  It was not as dark as the store in the ordinary mall, and we had made a decision not to go into any shops that we usually go into when shopping for others, but we broke our own code and entered.  I have noticed that my persona is split into three, or more! When it comes to attire, I am rather conflicted.  I strive to maintain a 'classic' appearance when at work, but often meander into a vague sense of rebellion with a little bit of cheeky thrown into the sophisticated look I attempt to achieve.  At the weekend, I throw 'caution to the wind', and go quite 'Western' in my appearance during the winter months, and very casual during the summer.  I long to capture the Audrey Hepburn look of stylish, but crave the outlandish.  Hence my purchase of a short sleeve jacket, come wrap, in an almost native American style and print was quite the challenge.  Should I, shouldn't I.  It was 'fun', and I hated to admit, but quite 'me'.  There were no condescending looks at the cash desk and the only conflict was with me and myself!  I am still very conscious of an 'age appropriate' look, but this item did not enter that category.  It was like a polo neck jumper.  Anyone could wear it!  It just wasn't what I 'long for', but more of what I 'crave'.  A little bit of what you fancy......!

"Your choice. After all, I am here for you!" I told my daughter when she asked if I wanted to go into the shoe shop.  I was having fun!  We had walked almost two miles, according to her wrist adornment, and we were only half way round!  

After spending a considerable time in another shop where boots (somewhat bizarre) were on sale for a very reasonable price, we headed back towards the highway, so we could cross over back to the section where the car was parked.  Although we were not laden down with bags, we had bought a few things, and were quite pleased with our finds.  It had been fun, just wandering, not having a list, and not having any deadlines!  I had bought some tops for Ollie in one shop, despite promising we would only shop for us, but somewhere along the way, I had lost the bag.  I think I was more upset at having lost the 'bargain' than the price paid, as I received a huge discount, due to the points I had obtained on my last shop.  We backtracked but did not find the bag.  I only hoped that whoever took it really needed it, and would enjoy the items.

Heading back towards Austin, we decided to make another stop, and check out the large stores that promise to dress us for less. They did.  The sophisticated 'Hepburn' styles were purchased and I felt redeemed.  "Your choice. After all, I am here for you!" I said, when Samantha asked if I was ready to go home.  My voice, however, did not reflect the offer.  It was six thirty by the time we arrived back at my house.  The trip was longer than the usual pre-Christmas run!  

I wore one of my 'new' dresses on Tuesday.  Kelly came into the office and remarked on it.  "Is that navy?" she asked.  I responded in the positive.  "Are your tights navy, or black?"  I responded that they were navy.  "Can you wear navy with black?" she asked.  I told her that there was no hard and fast rule, but No!  She laughed and I considered myself to be truly back on the 'sophisticated' track.

The trip across to Joe was quick on Wednesday morning, although the rain was pouring.  Gail was standing at a table by the roasters, sorting through beans.  It appeared that one of the guys had inadvertently forgotten to close the seal before adding the uncooked beans, and they had mixed with those already roasted.  As they caught it immediately, they emptied the roaster and were sorting through the contents, separating the cooked from those not.  I washed my hands and started to join in.  It was as good as building Lego, or doing a jigsaw puzzle.  Very therapeutic.  After an hour of chatting and sorting, I reluctantly left.  I had felt quite relaxed during the whole experience, and the lack of traffic on South Congress helped with the continuation of 'feeling fine'.  

Rain 'stopped play' at the overpass along the highway. I had exited as I usually do to go under the main road.  However, the traffic was at a standstill, and was not moving on the bridge, nor under it.  The only movement was on the inside lane, as the vehicles exited to another road.  I chose to turn off.  Obviously, it was a big mistake.  After driving swiftly through two sets of lights, I too was at a standstill!  Edging forward slowly, I begun to wonder why I had broken one of my golden rules, and taken the road I knew to be much slower, and always busy.  However, the previous events of the morning had caused me to feel so relaxed, I just thought, 'It is what it is', and continued to edge my way towards 'downtown'.  I was not driving a taxi in London, nor was I weaving my way through the local roads in Watford and the surrounds.  I was in Austin, and lacked the knowledge (both the Licensed London Cabbie test, and the basic Austin grid) to know what roads to take to 'twist and turn' my way back to the Expressway, that would take me back to the office.  However, I was on Lamar Boulevard, one of my 'safe places'.  I was heading towards downtown, and whilst I was unfamiliar with my surrounds, the giant Frost building was looming ahead, and as long as it stayed on my right, (or passenger side, being so directionally challenged) I would arrive somewhere familiar.  If it changed sides, I would just have to keep it in sight, and head towards it.  From the 'Frost', I could find my way back quite easily.  My phone 'pinged'.  "Where are you?" asked Samantha.  "Lost!" I replied.  The phone rang.  Up until this point, I had not panicked.  As I said, I was not 'lost' in the grand scheme of things, just in unfamiliar territory, but I noticed that my battery on my phone was very low, and realised that I had not put my spare charger back in my bag.  My car is so old, it still has a cigarette lighter!  Most have now been replaced with a charger socket.  "You were not there for me!" I told her, before announcing that I would have to go before my phone died.  I assured her that I really was okay, and would be back as soon as the traffic allowed.  I had been on the road for forty five minutes, and the line going down towards town was still solid.  

Eventually, I crossed over a bridge, and recognised the junction that was ahead.  I would be home soon.  "On sixth!" I punched into the messenger 'app', as I sat at the lights.  "On sixth!!" came back the response.  "Why?  What are you doing there?  Dana asked!"  I knew my husband would be shaking his head at my route, but I have never had occasion to really drive around downtown.  I made a mental note to check out the 'windings' off Lamar Boulevard when I got back to the office, should time permit.  It did not!

After nearly an hour and a half in the car, the therapeutic exercise of the early morning had all but been forgotten.  However, I refused to let the day get to me, and headed home early to prepare dinner.  The rain was still pouring and the traffic was still heavy.

"Do you think it's dangerous to cross a highway", came the strange question.  Samantha, Grant and Blake had been discussing a variety of topics.  They had moved from a conversation about being 'health conscious' and 'salt intake' to pedestrian safety.  "I think it's dangerous to walk in front of a truck!" I said, "But if there is no traffic, no, I do not think it's dangerous".  They all looked and then I added.  "It's not particularly healthy either!" Samantha started to chuckle. She knew I was about to get on my soapbox.  We had recently been introduced to a product that would help 'starving children', and one of the attributes about this particular 'healthy bar' was that it was low in calories so it helped with weight loss.  See the conflict?  I could not make the 'promoter' see my dilemma.  "Forget the health bars", I continued.  "I will tell you what is bad for your health.  Walking out in front of a semi!" (Using the Americanism for a lorry cab hauling a trailer.)  "What do you do to make sure you are living a healthy life style?  Why I don't cross roads when a large bus is coming along".  I gave quite a few examples.  Suddenly 'dangerous'  became 'unhealthy' and they continued to use my theories long after I had returned to my desk!

A short week it may have been, but we did not lack for work.  It appeared that no one else took the opportunity to go shopping and take advantage of a national holiday.  Although there was no incoming mail, the postman was picking up from the drop box on Monday, and came into the office to collect our donation.  Friday afternoon saw somewhat of a slowdown, but not much!

I had my list written for Saturday's grocery run, and Samantha had called me the previous evening to add some things that she needed.  "I am there for you!" I told her!  "Doesn't she have a list of her own?" asked Dana.  I laughed.  "What century are you in?" I joked. 
"She has a phone, a watch that makes a noise and vibrates, and a house that talks to her.  Why would she set pen to paper and write a  list?".  The answer, of course, was because she needed one!  "But why, when she has me!"  I told Dana that there is a man who shops in Costco who walks around with a list.  I could not say what he looks like, but we recognise each other as we are the only two who walk around with a pad and pen!  We smile knowingly, and move on!

"There she is!" said the young man in Walmart.  I turned around and the employee who always inquires as to my well being ("Great thanks.  Didn't get hit by a truck!") shouted across the aisles to me. He had found out from where his English aunt comes!  "Begins with 'B'", he said, looking pleased with himself, but then realised that was not really enough to narrow it down.  "Bedford!" he added after consulting his phone.  I explained that my last place of residence was not far, in the grand scheme of things. Probably about forty five minutes.  He was quite amazed, considering that he would have to travel longer than that to see her, on Sunday, when they were having a gathering for his grandma's birthday.  He would tell her that I came from.  We said our farewells and Samantha and I headed out.

Samantha took out her phone.  "I have to send Edward a picture", she said, when she found a 'dolly', the two wheeled cart that they wanted to move heavy boxes.  I stood by the 'dolly' and gave a demonstration. Opening it up to make a long cart, I hoisted one leg over the frame and pushed it forward.  "It can also be used as part of your exercise regime", I said, stretching my leg as far as it would go.   Of course I got stuck!  I would not say the video went 'viral', but every time we turned a corner, Samantha would comment on what 'someone' had said.  It appeared my extended family all received a message!

Wearing my jeans, boots and new native print 'cover', I felt quite 'in Texas vogue' when Dana and I ventured out for dinner.  There was no dress code.  I looked around just out of interest.  'Anything goes', and indeed it did!  The rain had returned, but had promised to disappear by the morning.  

With the temperatures rising to mid seventies this afternoon, I am actually going to venture to the pool.  I will not swim.  At least I do not think I will swim, but I have the urge to make the most of the sunshine.  After all, it may be gone by four o'clock!  This is Austin. If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes!

I have little on my agenda for next week, that does not involve the normal routine  Of course, that does not mean to say that something of great interest will not take place.  Of course, I shall put it all down in ............. another story!