I’m sitting here on the couch right now and trying to keep myself from eating an entire bag of Lifesavers Gummie Sours. They are my kryptonite.
Actually, they’re only my kryptonite on occasion. I can go months without eating them and then all of a sudden I’m hit with a massive craving and then I’ll eat them until I can’t feel my tongue. I think this particular craving started when I took Caroline into Dylan’s Candy Bar in The Galleria last week and she got some of those rainbow sour belts.
And then I ate them all.
It’s the sour. I love the sour. She also got all manner of gummy alligators and sharks and bears. And I couldn’t care less about those. But the rainbow belts got me. And now I’m about to eat myself into a sugar coma.
Anyway, we had a great time in Houston. We spent the last day at The Galleria looking around but left with nothing but a couple of drinks from Starbucks even though the Starbucks in the middle of The Galleria is the slowest Starbucks that has ever been created and I vow every time that I’ll never stop there again.
And then we went and looked around Kuhl-Linscomb which may be my favorite store ever. If you’re ever in Houston you should check it out. They have everything from books to makeup to bedding that will make you want to hide out until they close just so you can sleep there like those kids did in The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Except that was in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York but whatever.
(Now I’m also thinking about the book Where the Heart Is when the girl spends every night in Walmart but none of this is important and I could follow this rabbit trail all the live long day.)
On Thursday morning we drove from Houston to Bryan in the middle of a torrential rain storm. It was that kind of rain where you can barely see the tail lights of the car in front of you and I told Caroline I needed her to be quiet so I could concentrate on driving. It didn’t really comfort me when she took that moment to ask if I had ever written out a will. What on earth? Like she was worried if she was going to get the house?
Fortunately the rain cleared up around Hempstead and we made it to Honey’s house just in time for a late lunch. The kids were glad to see each other and I was just glad to be out of the car and not discussing my last will and testament with my child.
And when we arrived I immediately got to hear about Nena’s hair. Gulley’s cousin was getting married on Saturday so Honey had made Nena an appointment to get her hair cut and styled on Thursday and Nena was not happy about this. She exclaimed, “THURSDAY? Oh, my hair will look like hell on Saturday. And you know I hate to use that word but I know my hair.”
Friday was Gulley’s birthday and her husband surprised us with a trip to the spa for massages and facials. Truthfully, I already knew about it but I’d been keeping it a secret for over a week which felt like an eternity because when Gulley and I were both talking about how much we needed a break it killed me not to blurt out “WE’RE GETTING MASSAGES TOMORROW. WITHOUT THE KIDS.”
So that was heavenly. And then we followed it up with a super classy birthday lunch at Wings-N-More because everyone knows a place called Wings-N-More is pretty much the same as a fancy tea room. Meanwhile, Gulley’s husband took the kids to eat lunch at The Dixie Chicken which is an Aggieland landmark for those of y’all who might not be familiar.
I think it’s safe to say the kids were thrilled by the whole experience. Especially because there’s a real live rattlesnake in a glass cage there and really what goes better with cheese fries than a rattlesnake viewing? J told us the kids said, “This place is COOL. The Moms would never take us here.”
Yes. Mainly because The Moms might have forgotten that the Chicken isn’t just a place to drink beer.
Later that night we all went to eat at Christopher’s for Gulley’s birthday dinner and it was just a great night. We warned the kids on the way over that this wasn’t the type of place where it was acceptable to play the “Who Ate The Burp?” game or to see how many times they could visit the restroom in one meal and they listened to us. For once. In fact, I feel like they embraced their fine dining experience.
It was a great meal and just a great night. Lots of love all around the table and thankfulness for years of family and friends.
Saturday morning Caroline and I drove back to San Antonio and I’ve been doing laundry ever since. Except for the two hours when I went to the grocery store to buy food.
And Lifesaver Gummie Sours.
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Be still my heart. Sour candy, college station, and wings n more. I have yet to find better fried pickles anywhere else! Don’t you love that porch at Christopher’s?
Your timing for getting out of Houston was perfect.. It took me 3 hours to find a way home during that storm due to flooding. I completely understand your need for quiet and Caroline’s need to ask you about a will. Ha!
What about Sour Patch Kids? And cherry sour balls? Man, I thought I put that phase of my life behind me, but thanks to you…the monkey is back!
I love that photo of you with Gulley so much! You both look beautiful…and so happy
First date with my man….Dixie Chicken 1978!
Loved the picture of you and Gulley. Beautiful!
Personally, I don’t like the sour.
You and Gulley are very blessed to have the friendship that you do. Thanks for sharing the recap and pics of her birthday celebrations!
Hope your post-sugar landing is a gentle one.
Love that Nena hates “that word “.
So much fun in one post, and I agree with everyone else, the picture of you and Gulley is beautiful!
I’m with you on the sours! Throw in some sour patch kids and sour patch watermelon slices–yum! Happy Birthday to Gully!
Yes, you and Gulley look so happy! And the photo of C and the Boys is wonderful — what a good lookin’ bunch of kids. Where’s the picture of Nena and her hair?
You and Gulley are just gorgeous!
Wow, Caroline is so lovely. The picture on the porch with the boys is so perfect.
You got to love the “will” comment. Hilarious.
I love, love, love sour gummies. YUMMY!!!! Haven’t had any in awhile but may have to run out and get some today!
Massages and facials, sounds wonderful. I know the two of you enjoyed that.
Love the pictures. Beautiful!
Sounds like everyone had a great time.
When I saw the pictures of the kids with food, my immediate thought was, “They serve food there? Who knew?” I don’t know if I ever ate a single fry there despite the MANY hours I spent there. Hmmmm…
You had me at The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Actually, you lost me there when I remembered reading that book in grade school.
Thanks for “getting” me.
Awwww, Gulley doesn’t look a day over 29! What a wonderful birthday celebration she had.
Oh, and, don’t like any of the sour gummies but love, love, love the chocolate covered gummy bears.
What a fun weekend! Love the pic of you and Gulley– so pretty!
It is the Lifesaver Sour Reds isn’t it? I LOVE those. All of them except the watermelon because I think watermelon is nasty. The only problem is that they are all too close the same color so you don’t know which ones are watermelon and which ones are strawberry so I end up putting the watermelon in my mouth, gagging, and then spitting it out. Other than that I love them.
Two Words: Jelly Bellies
Seriously. I never get them except when we go to my husband’s grandma’s. It’s traditional to eat at Cracker Barrel before getting on the interstate and buy a bag of them for the trip. I promise they are gone before we’ve gone 30 miles!!! We’ve learned to buy 2. One for the first 30 miles of the coming and the first 30 miles of the going.
That picture of you and Gulley-SOLID GOLD!! Seriously, any info on Gulley’s dress/ or shirt? It is adorable and she does not look at all like she is 40! Thanks for sharing your special friendship with us…it is inspiring!
I am so glad you got out of Dodge – I mean Houston – before ALL THE FLOODING. Really. Wading home is not fun.
Wait just a gol-durn minute here. Whose kids are those? Those are not your kid and Gulley’s kids. No way. You and Gulley have little dimple-cheeked babies.
Not these giants. (I mean they’re gorgeous and all…but they aren’t babies)
You better put out an APB and get to steppin’! Somebody has replaced your babies with teenagers!
What a great time away! And those Gummie Sours. I’m pretty certain they are laced with an addictive substance. Just sayin’!!
Happy birthday to Gulley! On my 39th birthday in April I started a blog that’s a one year countdown to the big 4-0 with the thought that it’ll be less traumatic to think about it in advance instead of totally melting down on the day of. Seems like Gulley handled it like a champ! iamhavingthisexperience.com
What a wonderful time with your family and Gulley! Impressive that the kidlets listened. Don’t you just wonder what their motivation was? Happy laundering!
My family LOVES Wings and More! We never step a foot in College Station that we don’t stop to have us some wings and more. Our daughter was recently down there spending some time at my sister’s and she should not wait to text us the picture of her eating at wings and more!!! Can we please bring that to Mississippi?! Glad ya’ll had a great trip!
Your Chicken picture made me misty eyed! I love CS, TX with all my heart.
melanie, you HAVE to try RIPS if you <3 sour candy!! I was addicted to them for all of 2011 ~ it was a bad scene. my friends / family knew that when I was traveling I either had to bring a few bags of RIPS w/me or find a place where i was visiting that sold them. LOL here in texas you can usually find them @ 7-11 (where they have the bagged candy) & sometimes you can find them @ Wal-greens. They are green/red little belts (like the rainbow sour belts) & they are oh-so-delicious. They tag them as licorice/sour belts but I don't get the licorice taste, it's all sour baby! Seriously, you'll <3 em!
i can't believe i just wrote a paragraph about candy … it's RIPS, yes i can. ha!
http://www.foreigncandy.com/rips.html
I have a friend who works at Kuhl Linscomb, who a few weeks ago personally helped Beyonce pick out bedding for baby Ivy’s room! You are among Houston’s rich and famous.
Gig em Ags