Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Resale Shops and Rodeo Gear

Every year, the San Antonio rodeo takes place in February. Every year, that means boots, jeans and a rodeo shirt are required items for my girls. And, every year, we wait until the weekend the rodeo starts to shop for the gear.

Guess what that means? Everyone in town is shopping for rodeo gear. And, the stores have figured this out so there are no real sales on rodeo gear.

Every year.

Every year.

But, low and behold, we had a free night tonight before the start of the rodeo (ok, like three or four days before) so we could stock up on the gear. And, this year, I reflected on the price of boots that are worn for one year (times two). I thought, the $70 price tag might be a bit too much for six-year-old girls. Actually, I'd spent that much each year for the past five years, so this year, I decided to be a bit more financially prudent -- maybe because I had already bought some boots for myself that were way more than $70 (but still half price with the starting price not being a necessary topic of conversation with my always financially prudent husband).

Off to a resale shop. After work. After homework. After getting the next day's lunches and outfits ready. All a part of effective fourth part achievement. ..... plans to be prepared and ready so that time for me happened.

We didn't find two pair of boots, but we did find one pair. $11.99. Yeah, that's right. A big 'ol savings. So, we knocked out a bit more purchasing at the resale shop. We found two Valentine's Day shirts that weren't officially Valentine's Day bout one had hearts on it and the other the word Love. Won that. We also bought a few other shirts and a skirt. Walked out paying only $50 for boots, one skirt and six shirts. Ain't I something, y'all. I'm getting in the rodeo mood.

Yes, we need to find another pair of boots. And, yes, we won't be able to go until Saturday when the rodeo starts and all of SA is out attempting to gear up for remodel festivities. But, we've got one pair done. I'll also do some planning to find another resale shop that has size 1 boots so we won't waste any precious weekend time hunting down boots.

The weekends, even opening weekend of rodeo, need fourth parts.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Pace and Fettuccine

When there are no basketball games to be coached and it's a Monday, G Adams arrives home before me and can start dinner. (We've got the tumbling for Camille .... Caroline and I watch that little bit flip around.) Tonight, he not only started dinner, he started, finished and well, yeah, made dinner. What. A. Gift.

His specialty and by request from the girls .... fettuccine. Recipe is as follows -- boil water, pop in the noode.s and cook for around eight minutes. While the noodles are cooking, open up the freshly made (packaged) fettuccine cream sauce and heat it up in a pan. Also, fry up some bacon. Mix the bacon with the cream sauce. Drain the noodles. Voila. Dinner is served.

The Adams girls picked up and put away their toys while I set the table. And, they also put on their nightgowns. I mean, I started to smell the fourth part coming along with the smoky bacon aroma coming from the kitchen.

While we are dinner, I thought about the evening. And, I reflected on the pace of the activities in our home. Tonight, we moved a little slower. No real reason as to why, but we just kind of let things fall into place. We put together backpacks and lunches in the midst of talking about the day. Teeth were brushed while I cleaned up the kitchen. We had a phone chat with Chris while getting settled to read.

It all just fit in.

Usually, I hit the ground running when I arrive home. No pausing to enjoy a story from the day. No deep breaths to relax. I have this idea that if I get everything done before dinner, life goes much smoother. Not true. Yes, I get everything done (sometimes people in this household have to move quickly out of my way) but at what cost? It's frenetic. And, no fun.

Fettuccine for dinner is fun. Sloppy noodles. Stories between slurps. The slower pace is nice. Smiles over sighs. And, fourth parts for everyone not just one.

Dinner tomorrow? Nah, not fettuccine. Plus, there's a basketball game. But maybe, just maybe, I'll try this relaxed pace. We'll see. The worst thing that can happen is we eat sandwiches or cereal for dinner.

And that ain't bad.