Chuy's

I promised I would tell you all about Chuy's. It has to be my all time favorite Mexican food restaurant and believe me, I have tried more than I would like to say. Chuy's is not just about the Mexican food, it has ambiance. Ambiance being velvet Elvis paintings, hanging hubcaps from the ceiling, metal palm trees, old tables from the 50's, and those plastic covered booths. As you can see I am a girl who likes fancy atmosphere. We started going to the Chuy's that was just down the street from my kids school in Austin. Lots of students went there after school and between sporting events, so it was a fun hang-out. Then we started meeting friends there and pretty soon, it was our place. They knew our order before we sat down, we knew the wait staff, and we had bought just about every Chuy's t-shirt they sell. Chuy's became famous when one of the Bush daughter's was having a little too much fun while she was underage, so it got national press. Phil and I have even seen Sandra Bullock in our Chuy's. Yes, it is that good! We recently found they have one in Dallas on Knox Henderson Road. It is decorated the same and has the same great food. So, if you are ever in Austin or Dallas, go to Chuy's. Be sure to order the Creamy Jalepeno dip (it comes free and is better than their hot sauce). It is yummy with their chips. I always order either the appetizer plate or the Chicken Chuychanga with Deluxe Tomatillo sauce. We always bring back an order of dip with us to enjoy at home. It never lasts more than a few hours and we have been known to eat it on the way home. We are pitiful, but we love our Chuy's!

My Friend Tammy

Phil and I moved to Abilene Texas after living in Austin for 22 years three years ago. Austin is a wonderful town and we love so many people there. My best friend from Austin came in this Sunday to Abilene and brought her daughter to visit ACU (Abilene Christian University). Her daughter interviewed for a scholarship. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Anyway, Tammy has been my friend for soooo many years. We have laughed, cried, whined, giggled, complained, taught school and ate many a Mexican food meal at Chuy's together. (I will tell you about Chuy's in a later blog!) Tammy is one of those people you can be completely yourself with. She is laid back, fun, and has no expectations for you to entertain. She is just happy to be. I love that! She has this wonderful contagious laugh and is a person who really listens to you. So, Tammy thank you for being my friend through the years. I have learned so much from you. Life is so much easier when you have a Tammy in it. I hope all of you do!

Dad and me

Wow! I am so excited. Three people actually came to my blog. Of course, they are my best friends, so they really have to, but still three people!

Phil and I lived away from my parents most of our married life. They lived far away-Florida and us in Texas. You know when you are growing up you really don't know your parents. They are just your parents, not real people. When my parents moved to Abilene two years ago I wasn't sure how it would be. I mean-would they still tell me how to dress, who my friends could be, etc? However, I have found it to be a real blessing. They have made a new home for themselves, their own friends, and they let me wear whatever I want!
My dad and I have been doing Meals on Wheels together for about a month now. It has been such fun to be with my dad-grown-up to grown-up. We visit, take turns taking the meals to the door, discuss politics (although he and I are pretty much opposite ends of that subject so I steer away from it as much as possible) and then after our rounds we go get Ice-cream at Coldstone. This is our new tradition. (I know it is not on my diet, but that is all I eat that day for lunch--man, guilt can even get to you on a blog!) Anyway, we take turns paying and sit at the same little table and continue our conversation. It has been such a blessing to know my Dad this way. He loves taking the meals and has concern for the people we visit. Who knew you could be friends with your parents? Way cool!

Okay, my friends have been after me to start a blog, so here it is. The day at the Warehouse has been busy doing laundry, Heartlight, and even a few errands. We are also having our weekly steak night tonight. Thursday is usually our steak and Survivor night. Phil and I watch Survivor and the starving Survivor participants and we gorge on steak and baked potato. Seems like the Christian thing to do. There is something very satisfying about it. I don't know what that says about me, but I guess you should know from the outtake what kind of girl I am. I do understand tonight may be March Madness which "madness" is how I feel for missing Survivor and having to watch basketball, but at least I'll have my steak. Tomorrow back to Lean Cuisines and cereal. Yum!