One Life To Live

Hot Damn, what a whirlwind life has been!!! I am back from my trip to Texas and let me say it was FABULOUS!

Let me start by saying thank you for your condolences for my aunt's passing, she was a sweet and tender soul! Our trip to Texas was to pay our respects and attend her services. I traveled with my sister, aunt and cousin, all in all it was a great roadtrip!

I come from an extremely large family and have many family members who live 30minutes from the big city of Forth Worth, yet in all my visits to see them, I had never even been to Forth Worth. I went out and saw the town this time around. I know a few of my family members were a bit disappointed that I did not spend as much time with them, but I kept thinking to myself, I love to sit and visit, but I also want to go out and see as much as I can and that is exactly what I did. I have one life to live and I am going to live it up!!

I met some real cowboys while in Texas, they greet you by tipping their hat, a firm, yet gentle handshake and speak with a southern twang, "Howdy Ma'am" or "Nice to meet you Ma'am". Southern hospitality is interesting to say the least. These cowboys had a certain swagger to their step, almost a sense of confidence when they walked with their nicely fitted wrangler jeans(bow-chika-bow-wow), cowboy hats and boots. It is different when a city slicker (that is what they called me, that and Yankee) it is different to see the way they live life in Texas, it is much more calm and slower paced then here in the Windy City of Chicago. And the TEXAS PRIDE, is priceless; they call their state "God's Country" and everywhere you see the USA flag you will see the Texas flag flying proudly besides it. The weather was delish...warm and sunny during the day and brisk at night. So lets get to the goods...my cousin took me under his wing on the second day and showed me a good ol' time, Texas Style. He is a Field Superintendent for a gas pipeline company, so I went to work with him the next day and he showed me around town. He is the guy who is supervising that everyone else is "Getting R Done", we rode around checking on his crews and meeting with inspectors, etc. Mid Day we went to lunch at this neat place called the Fort Worth Stock Yards. Everyday at 11:30am, they have what they call a cattle drive, they bring out the Texas Longhorn(which are gigantic) and parade them down the main road for a few blocks. These are the same cattle that are used in rodeos. Take a look below.The Stock Yards were so much fun, that we returned later that evening, with my sister and cousin. It was a beautiful site at night and extremely lively, with saloons, gift shops, eateries all up and down the block. While in Texas for a short few days, I was a busy lady; I did some shopping, some drinking, found a gorgeous turquoise ring, almost bought some cowboy boots(they on my list to Santa), I had amazing southern food, was impressed by southern hospitality, spent time with amazing people(my family) and made many great memories. All this in six days!!

Lesson learned: YOU ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE, SO LIVE IT UP!!

Okay now its your turn, my Sassy Readers how have you been and what will you do to Live it up???

Smooches,
Sassy Chica