Home > Wendy Does Waco > Archives > 2008 > November
November 2008
It’s a sickness. A gingerbread flavored, tinsel strung, carol singing sickness.
You know the house down the street that you roll your eyes at because its Christmas lights are up the day after Halloween? Or how about the stores with their red and green strewn about while you’re still in a tank top? Or the radio stations who devote their airwaves to the saccharin sweetness of Christmas music for a whole month?
Yep, I love all of that. I drank that koolaid (eggnogg?) decades ago. It’s a sickness, really. But if being Christmas crazy is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
I gorged on my love of the season last weekend, putting up my fake plastic pre-lit tree, throwing red and white toile over my dining table, wrapping presents in gold with real ribbon. The Homestead Heritage Fair added a certain festive touch as well, though all that dust riled up my allergies horribly. I watched seasonal movies and burned a new Christmas CD and on Sunday, there was the hanging of the greens at Dayspring Baptist, with wassail and cookies, a perfect way to end the weekend.
Again this year, because of my work schedule, I won’t get to be with family for Christmas. This sucks to an extent, but more and more, I’m really beleiving that Christmas is what you make of it. For me, it’s never been about one day with family, but rather a whole season of anticipation, of looking forward to, of preparing for. That’s what advent really is, right?
I’ll see my family when I can, I’ll talk to every one of them on Christmas day and I’ll still have a great holiday. Because regardless of where I am or who I’m with, it’s still the Christmas season, I might as well make the most of it.
And with that, I believe I’ll put my soapbox back in the closet and head off to bed. I’ll be needing plenty of sleep if I plan on keeping this merry crap up ;)
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I’ll fight you for that good deed
There was a single boxed, bagged turkey dinner on the table. And there were two of us eager to pick it up, finish packing it and set it aside for delivery. I eyed my competition, a young girl, also enthusiastic about her Thanksgiving Day volunteering at Friends for Life. She wore a sweet smile and the same plastic sanitary gloves as me, but I decided I could take her.
“I’ll fight you for it,” I told the girl. And she let me take the meal.
That was the scene Thursday morning at Friends for Life, an organization that addresses the needs of local seniors. Chris, Amie and I were out at FFL early, packing Thanksgiving lunches and then delivering them to old and/or disabled folks.
I had a great time, but I really feel like I didn’t do enough. There were SOOOOOO many volunteers there, that me and my crazy crew felt all competitive about helping. (Hence, the above-mentioned showdown at the good deed corral). I jokingly complained about people bringing their kids out to volunteer when they could be at home wasting their youth. But even I am able to recognize a “good problem to have” when I see one. I mean, too many volunteers, THAT’S AWESOME!
It seems that everyday, we all hear more bad news about this or that. So I’ve decided to start accentuating the positive (ok, those of you who know me need to quit laughing, get off the floor and clean up the milk you just shot through your nose when you read that). Seriously, there has to be some positive news out there and I’m going to find it. What a great way to start this endeavor, by telling you about TOO MANY people wanting to reach out to the old and disabled in our community on Thanksgiving Day!
(Ugh, that little bit of Pollyanna exhausted me. I really need to pace myself with this good cheer bit.)
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What about Waco?
There are a lot of people in this town who want to help others. They want to make a difference in the world. And more than wanting to, they are actually trying to make a difference in the world. For all of this, I applaud them. But then I ask, “What about Waco?”
I regularly get facebook invitations from Common Grounds for benefit shows, which is wonderful, but it seems like they are always benefitting some cause half way around the world. What about Waco?
There are countless organizations in Waco doing amazing things. They are often needing money and/or volunteers. I’ve been kicking myself recently because I have completely dropped my lunch hours that I was spending at Caritas. I’m trying to get back in the swing of things by rallying my friends to go in with me and adopt a family at Family Abuse Center.
There are so many ways to contribute to this town’s well-being, to help locals who are in need of help. I think we all need to be reminded of that sometimes, and reminded that charity starts at home. I bet there are some kids at Common Grounds who know more about Karama House than they do about Caritas. (disclaimer: Karama House is an awesome concept and I wish Larissa the best as she moves to Kenya)
I’m not saying, don’t reach out beyond Central Texas, that would be ridiculous. I’m just saying, that for every benefit show that’s played for clean well water in a third world nation, maybe we could also bring some cans of food for Caritas or blankets for the homeless.
I hope this doesn’t step on toes, though it very well may. I just love this town and would love to see it get the attention and help that some other causes get.
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Love and Rockets
(No, not the mid-80s Bauhaus spin-off. I’m more of a Peter Murphy girl anyway)
Rockets first: I want to know what is wrong with me that I am apparently the only person in this hemisphere who did not hear the rockets take off in McGregor Saturday night. I was outside at the time. There was no music on. And I had only had one glass of wine. Yet, I have no recollection of hearing this happening. What do you call the doctors who check your hearing? I think I need one of those.
Now, for the Love: I attended J.B> Smith’s wedding this weekend and it was wonderful. It perfectly fit the couple, which I think is probably the best compliment you can give any wedding.
I won’t share any details or the photos I took. I’ll leave that pleasure to the downtown man himself. But I will say that the union of J.B. and Bethany makes me hopeful. Maybe it is possible for someone my age to find love in Waco. It may not be as easy to find as it is for nubile young co-eds. But maybe, just maybe, a snarky narcoleptic redhead who needs to hit the gym more still stands a hope of a chance in this town. I won’t go studying the “10 Best Places for Singles to Live” list just yet.
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I need a keeper … and a pair of Uggs
I need a keeper. Or a personal assistant. Or a live-in mom. Or a brain. Yeah, if I had a brain, maybe it would occur to me to not wear a tank top in sub-Arctic temperatures.
Ok, so maybe it wasn’ sub-Arctic at the Baylor game Saturday, and no, I wasn’t actually brainless enough to wear a tank top. But, in classic Wendy style, I was dressed entirely inappropriately. And I was freezing.
But before I tell my sad tale of stupidity, I have to give props to Baylor. Way to sic ‘em, Bears! And I must apologize to my Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike, who were somewhere in the stadium, swathed in maroon, singing “Hullaballoo, kaneck, kaneck,” hoping their boys would win. You guys were probably on the sunny side of Floyd Casey. Be glad!
I sat in the shade, in jeans and a long sleeve, white, tissue T-shirt with a deep v-neck. Oh. My. God. I was cold. I tried to find solace in the fact that at least I didn’t wear flip-flops, but that thought was cold comfort (pun intended).
The hybrid Aggie/Bear, Hillsboro lawyer sitting next to me asked where my jacket was. “I have a pathological inability to dress appropriately for the weather,” I told him. The family man on the other side of me took pity on me toward the end of the second quarter and gave me his jacket to wear. He was bundled up well without it. I enjoyed the half time show and then the coat giver taketh-ed back. He and his family moved to go sit with friends. Shortly after that, I decided I’d had all the fun I could take, plus I had a roughly 17 mile walk to my car, so I thought I better get moving. Maybe that would return the feeling to my extremeties.
The whole experience made me A) wish I had good sense and, B) seriously consider something which I love to make fun of, but have secretly wanted for the last 3 years — Uggs. They seem like an exorbitant buy, but they also seem like they would be so warm and fuzzy that you could where them with a bathing suit in a snowstorm and be ok.
I may or may not get them. But if I do, I promise not to wear them with wind shorts ;)
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Feeling the crunch
My best friend in Greenville, SC called this morning to tell me she had just been laid off. She works in the automotive industry, so I guess it’s not so much of a shock. She said she’ll be making major changes to her spending, right after she buys a bottle of Tequila for the weekend ;)
I feel so lucky to be employed right now. But even with my steady paycheck, I’m trying to tighten things up and shrink my budget. I’m wondering whether we’ll get a bonus this year and whether I’ll get my annual raise in December.
I’m trying to spend less and put more into savings. It’s hard though, I’m not that big a spender in the first place. Truth be told, I can be a bit of a penny pincher. Other people dream of plasma TVs. I dream of having one year of my salary in savings.
So I’m trying to find expenses I can cut out or at least cut down on and trying to take advantage of coupons and good deals. A lot of you are probably doing the same, so I’d love it if you’d share with me how you’re dealing with the economy crunch.
Tell me, where is consistently the cheapest place to buy gas? Do you think those HEB meal deals are worth it, even if it’s stuff that’s not usually on your grocery list? Any cheap Christmas gift ideas? Have any tips on cutting corners? Please share with us! And if I have any good tips, I’ll share back.
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Book nerds rule
The Friends of The Waco McLennan County Library 46th Annual Book Sale is an amazing and exhausting thing. (and a really long title for a book sale, geesh!!)
The amazing thing is the people who come far and wide for the sale. The exhausting thing are the sheer amount of books there to peruse.
And — because I like to keep it real on this blog — another exhausting part of he sale is trying to maneuver around the people there just to buy books they can mark up three to four times and sell online.
I totally get it, you make a good living that way and I’m happy for you. Really. But while you’re camped out scanning a huge pile of books to see if they will make you enough money, I’m wanting to look at the books beneath those to see if I might find that cool unicorn book of my mom’s that I was in love with as a child. So, and I say this with a sweet Southern lilt, “Move!”
I’m going to exempt Donna Carroll from the book shark category because she is looking for books to put in Golden’s, which means she is looking for books for me. And I appreciate that. Donna, did you stumble on a Janet Evanovich “Two for the Dough”? I’m looking for it :)
I’m just a simple book geek and truth be told, I’m not a fan of pushy crowds, so opening day at one of the largest book sales in the southwest is easily somewhere I have no business being. But I was, and this was just my take. I did meet another very sweet book lover, #1 in line, Jennifer Cuttino, of Montgomery. It was great to meet you and your friends, Jennifer, and I hope you found plenty of books to feed your soul and spirit.
So, everybody, turn off the TV and get out to the booksale, even you sellers with your scanners. Because at the end of the day, all the money, no matter who it comes from or why, goes to a good cause.
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Randomlets
— If you’re a regular reader, you’ve heard me gush about my friend Jenn and her daughter Madison. Well, the latest update has me through-the-roof happy. Jenn got a clerkship for a judge in Tyler and will be moving there this weekend!!! That means I’ll get to hold her new baby Corbin, who popped out in September, I’ll get to tickle Noodle (aka Madison) and sit around dishing with Jenn. And Terry gets back from Iraq in March and has 3 months at Fort Hood before being out of the service for good, so he’ll get to be out in Tyler a lot too. (I’m sure Jenn just loves me divulging her entire life on my blog!) Anyway, all of this means, YAY!!!
— On another note… there’s a new menu at Crickets and I’m a little intrigued by it. It seems that the management? owners? have fallen in love with pulled pork. You don’t get a lot of pulled pork in these parts, so the fact that you can get it on darn near everything from fries to cake (jk) at Crickets is pretty unique. Yeah, unique, I said it, strong word, I know. If you’re on the inside at Crickets and know the story behind the addition of all the sweet pig, I’d love to hear it. (P.S. It’s pretty good)
— Shout out to my friends Vickie and Natalie who set me up with tickets for the Baylor game Saturday. Now I just have to find someone to go with me …
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The search for the silver spoon
No, this isn’t a Nancy Drew book. It’s the story of me trying to put together the perfect baby shower gift. It goes something like this …
My Brother, Roger’s, wife, Dinah, is pregnant with their first. They live in San Antonio, specifically in 78209. They, and all their friends, are 09ers**. So the perfect gift for my nephew-to-be was clearly an 09er starter kit.
I found a tiny Ralph Lauren newborn jumpsuit, with the polo guys all over it, at Marshall’s. All I needed now was a silver spoon (born with, in its mouth, get it?). But every spoon I found in Waco was wrong — too cute, too religious, too expensive. Then I walked in Lane’s on Austin Avenue. The ladies at Lane’s were helpful and sweet and I walked out with a Reed & Barton sterling silver spoon with a retro, curved handle and three little letter blocks on the neck (appropriate, coming from his aunt, the writer, don’t you think?).
Lane’s was truly my savior and I plan to go back when I have more time to look around. Their baby stufff is almost cute enough to make me want to have a child. I said almost. Anyway, stop in the shop on Austin Avenue and tell them I sent you.
Oh yeah, and if you’re having trouble coming up with gift ideas for someone, ask me, I have a gift for gift giving.
**09er, courtesy urbandictionary.com : Someone who grew up in Alamo Heights, TX, an inburb of San Antonio. The zip code is 78209. Average income in San Antonio, 30k, average income in Alamo Heights, 76k. Kids there grow up feeling entitled, and usually go to an Ivy League, Rice, SMU, Trinity, or another liberal arts school, and then move right back to Alamo Heights. Named as one of the best neighborhoods in the US in the infamous Preppy Handbook.
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Something to brighten a dreary Monday
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Have you seen this shoe?
My neighborhood may not be the best in Waco, but that hasn’t really been a problem for me in the year I’ve been here.
Until someone took my shoe.
The biggest problems I usually have with my hood are the window rattling bass that comes from cars across the street, the occassional drunken late night fight across the street or the brain-damaged, jacked-up cockadoodledoos from across the street (these unlovely sounds have prompted me to have dreams of going postal on poultry).
Then I walked out my door at 6:30 Saturday morning to find one of my New Balance tennis shoes missing. Now I’m rethinking my zipcode.
What bothers me is that they, whoever “they” are, only took one shoe. Had both shoes gone missing, I would have assumed someone who desperately needed shoes took them, and I’m ok with that. I’ve decided my Ryka sneakers fit way better and I’ve only been keeping the New Balance around as a back-up pair. So if some poor shoeless soul needed those extra tennies, by all means, take them.
But they only took one. Did they need it to throw over a power line? What kind of message does that send? “Health conscious yet fairly unathletic people who buy brand name walking shoes live here”? I would rather someone have come to me for help finding the right shoe to mark this territory. I bet I could have found a nice knock-off Air Jordan or Doc Marten at Goodwill. I’m just saying …
Taking one shoe, that somehow seems malicious. “Ha ha, let the person who lives here just try to ellipticize with one shoe. Won’t that be hilarious? Mwah-ha-ha (evil laugh)”
Yeah, I just don’t get it. One shoe. What’s next, someone breaking in during the day to unmake my bed? Stop up my toilet? Note to self: look for a place in a neighborhood where the thievery makes sense.
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Lo carb, high veggie, medium satisfaction
Ok, so I’m on a low-carb kick right now to try to break free of my sweet tooth. That probably doesn’t sound like a big deal to y’all, but let me explain — I’ve been known to say, out loud, things like, “Well, if you cut everything else out and only eat chocolate, would that really be that bad?”
So now you understand. I tell you, my bad cops, about my current gastronomical escapades with a bit of trepidation, I must admit. I wonder if I’ll hear “tsk, tsk, tsk” from a nearby diner if I put a Se Cocina chip in my mouth. Will I receive a gaze of judgement from a fellow shopper should I walk past HEB’s gourmet chocolate chip cookies (which are the freaking best, by the way. But not that I care anymore, because I don’t, ya know. Really.)?
Because my life now revolves around vegetables and lean protein and other kinds of annoyingly healthy crap, I’ll tell you my two new favorite things. The pho at Clay Pot and the Parrillada Flameada at Se Cocina.
I’m sure I’m the last person in Waco to get onto pho, so I probably don’t need to tell you much about that. Yes, I know it has rice noodles in it, which are a carb, but they’re so sweet and innocent and innocuous and the dish (from what I can find on the internet) seems to be so low in calories, that I’ll let these noodles slide. My sweet friend Amie eats so much pho, that I think her blood is like 3 percent pho broth by now, and she’s fabulous, so this soup just can’t be bad!
The other thing, the Se Cocina dish, is basically just their fajitas for two, but unlike the typical pepper and onion fajita fare, this dish is like a garden on a sizzling platter. Caitlin and I didn’t even get half way through this platter with beef, chicken, shrimp, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, onions and peppers, plus rice, beans, guac and pico. And it is only $16. We split it and I took home enough veggies and some chicken for another huge meal.
So go out, enjoy and top your meals off with something horrible and chocolate and think of me. I’ll be at home, eating sugar free jello, trying to convince myself that it really is dessert :)
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Robinson owes me a tire re-balance
I want to thank everyone I ran into at the polls on election day for being so kind to me. Thanks to those of you who shared your views — you had thoughtful and interesting things to say. And double thanks to those of you who said “no” to an interview for saying it so kindly. Man on the street interviews are never fun, but they are necessary on election day. So thanks y’all, for being so nice.
I hit a lot of polls in Hewitt and Robinson and I have to admit, that was my first time to really drive around Robinson. Lots of cute little houses with cute little yards set out in the country. But the roads, well that’s another topic altogether.
I mean, I thought Franklin Avenue was bumpy, but it rides like air compared to roads like Greig Road in Robinson. Ugh! I think my head is still rattling from all those bumps and patches.
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Grow up
I want to start this post by saying that if your candidate did not win, I’m sorry. I thought McCain gave a lovely and gracious concession speech.
And if your man won, then congratulations.
Either way, America made history last night and we did so without mass murders in the streets or martial law having to be instituted or any of the other atrocities that have accompanied elections around the world in the last year. And for that, I think we should all be proud. I certainly am.
I wondered last week how Waco would take the news of an Obama win. News reports talked about how places around the country were bracing for racial violence. I even discussed the issue with my editor. Is this something we should address here? But she and I sort of had the same feeling, that Waco does not seem to be just overwhelmed by racism like other places are. So we let it go.
I was a little surprised to hear this morning that there may or may not have been racial/political clashes at Baylor University last night. (Check it out at The Lariat website). Then my surprise just turned to disappointment.
I have lived through elections I was ecstatic about and others that made me want to leave the country. But I never had the desire to get into it with folks on the other side, or to burn things. Maybe I’m just a pacifist.
Anyway, for a school that thrives on a righteous and God-loving reputation, last night’s follies were unfortunate.
