We were sitting around the breakfast table yesterday morning when I heard Will call to Gulley, “Mom? I need to show you something that’s an accident.”
I wasn’t really paying much attention because I was too busy looking at myself in the magnifying mirror.
I’m joking. I wasn’t really looking at myself in that mirror, but I totally wanted to be. I’ve had to let it go. Although Gulley and I took great comfort in knowing we aren’t alone in our eyebrow imperfections. It’s like a national epidemic that no one talks about in public. I wish I could offer a cure, but as one commenter named Samantha said, “They’re not twins. They’re sisters.” That’s some wisdom right there.
Anyway, I wasn’t concerned about Will’s “something that’s an accident” until I heard Gulley say, “Oh Will. What did you do? Those are Mel’s.”
Yes. Yes they were.
It was our first road-trip casualty.
Later in the day, Gulley let me borrow a pair of her sunglasses and we took the kids to swim at Adamson’s Lagoon which was a delight.
They were especially fond of the Lily Pad obstacle course that made them feel like contestants on “Wipeout”.
Gulley and I were fans because we saw an activity that was going to burn excessive energy. Energy that causes people to “accidentally” break some sunglasses using brute force.
We came home from swimming just in time to get ready to go out to eat Mexican food at Abuelo’s with Honey and Big. It had been five days since I’d had chips and salsa so I was in the midst of some serious withdrawal. After we’d all eaten way too much, we made our way outside to stand in the blazing heat and look at the fountain.
After standing there for a few seconds, they all decided to run around the entire thing about five times. I know there’s nothing I’d rather do after eating a plate of cheese enchiladas than run as fast as I can in 104 degree temperatures. It’s surprisingly refreshing.
So that was our day.
But y’all aren’t going to believe what happened.
A long time ago, I wrote this post about Gulley and I and our love for the Big Gulp in college. It was a general tale of rambling, but at the end of the story I talked about a cashier named Al at the Quikmart by our apartment who got Gulley’s phone number off a check she wrote for 99 cents to pay for a Big Gulp.
(Please keep in mind that this was when we were in college almost twenty years ago. Neither of us would ever write a check for 99 cents these days. We’d use a debit card.)
Last night before dinner, Gulley ran into a nearby convenience store on University Drive to buy some Visine for Jackson’s eyes while I waited in the car. She came back out, got in the car and said, “You aren’t going to believe who I just saw.”
“Who?” (Thinking maybe it was somebody like R.C. Slocum or another football coach that A&M still pays a lot of money for a vague job description.)
“Al.”
“Al who?”
“Al. AL FROM THE QUIKMART ON VILLA MARIA. HE REMEMBERED ME BY NAME.”
And she remembered him. Of course it helped that he was wearing a nametag that read “Al”.
Seriously. What are the odds?
I realize none of you may find this as fascinating as we found it, but it made our whole night. I mean, it wasn’t better than examining your face at length in a magnifying mirror, but it was a close second.
Later today we’ll load up the kids for the last time and head home to San Antonio. The kids are already talking about how sad they are that it’s all over, but we’ve assured them a new tradition has been born. In fact, next year we may rent a Winnebago and stay on the road for about two weeks.
Not really on the Winnebago. I can barely park a car.
But the two week part? That’s for real.
Also, on a completely unrelated note, several of you asked about the orange skirt I was wearing earlier in the week. I’m sad to report that I bought it at Gap about two summers ago, but pleased to let you know I got it on sale for $8.00. It may be the best $8.00 I’ve ever spent.
Anyway, this one from Gap is fairly similar to it and so is this one from Old Navy.
Y’all have a good Friday.
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Oh YAY! A WipeOut reference! My husband tells me that I have to go on that show. Obviously this is the man who stifles a laugh at the first yelp of a stubbed toe or one of my klutzy ankle rolls while walking into church.
Sounds like you had a fabulous trip…..and even better with your long lost reunion with Al.
Have a great weekend!
The big gulp story is totally something that would happen to me and my BFF so I onderstand how crazy that is!!!
I’ve loved following your trip!
Thanks for the “Al” story. Loved it! Reminds me of the 80′s and my desire for a Big Gulp.
Glad you had a great trip. I’m headed to the heat wave of Okla next week. Wish me luck to survive!
I hope that Gulley didn’t writa another check…. Sorry about the Jackie O sunglasses, but totally LOVE that you did a Stealth Fashion Friday with the skirt links! Yay!!! Have a great weekend!
The Al thing is fantastic! It means that despite the eye brow issues, Gulley still looks enough like she did in college to be recognized. THAT is a good feeling!
i used to write a check to bojangles for $1.50 for a thigh and a bisquit…
Wow about Al. Wonder who you’ll see next year! Thanks for the skirt links – I like the Gap one. Happy trails home.
Oh, thank goodness; I feel much better. Several familiar landmark references…Adamason’s Lagoon and Villa Maria.
A little covert mention of University or North Gate or Post Oak Mall would have been good as well.
All kidding aside, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your road trip and my morning coffee and your blog. Thanks!
I mourn with you for your sunglasses! I have a reputation for not being able to keep a pair in tact. My current pair has a windshield type crack right in the middle of one lens. I am going to keep wearing them till the inevitable though.
I am thrilled you had a great trip, Al and all! : )
1. I love the yellow bow (or flower?) that Caroline had in her hair looking at the fountain…so pretty!
2. I love regular Coke, but I don’t think I could handle a Big Gulp. Wouldn’t it get flat?
3. Don’t feel bad about the 13. I regularly scored numbers like 34, 29, 47 in high school chemistry. Not sure how I got into college.
4. I need one of those pool obstacle courses in my backyard. Of course, a pool would be nice too.
5. The story of Gulley and Al is one for the history books. I had to go back and read the first part of the story, and couldn’t believe he still remembered her. She’s “the one that got away, huh?”
Seriously, how could Al forget his first love?
Thanks for sharing your great trip with us! How fun and two weeks, all of you would love it, minus your sunglasses being broken!:(
Take care and have a great weekend,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
All I can say is that it kills me that you were right here and I didn’t run into you! I ate a Abuelo’s last night!! Last week I took my nephews to swim at Adamson’s Lagoon. My husband is a master at the lilly pad obstacle course. Ha! No Shakes on the trip? That is serious will power!
The Al story is now a true epic. I can’t believe they both knew each other! He knew her name! A) Gully must still look like she is 20, B) Al must really love her, C) Big Gulps bring people together!
AWWW, I am sad that you went to Adamson’s Lagoon without me! Seriously, I am more sad that you ate mexican food without me! LOL Glad you had fun in my world!
That AL story makes me think of my BFF and our days in the early 80′s – good times! It would’ve been cool to get Gulley’s photo with Al for eternity!
Al clearly has made his way around the convenience store circuit! Too funny.
Suzanne
Oh you so know I love a B/CS story! No Shipley’s? Adamsom Lagoon is our summertime hangout when we go. We were just there last week.
Sounds like you guys had a blast! Have a safe trip back home.
Did you go in and see Al too? Did you sneak a picture with your camera phone? That is so funny!
Al is giving me the super creeps! Tell Gulley to watch her back. Any guy that remembers her name from over a decade ago after one meeting and he STILL works in a service station is crazy weird!
I love the expression on the dog’s faces in the picture (kind of a mixture of HELP! and PLEASE GO EAT MEXICAN FOOD AND LEAVE US IN PEACE!) and I love small world stories like meeting Al–even in big, ol’, hot Texas where summer is a survival sport all its own.
I do believe there is a special bond between Gulley and Al. And, it just makes me smile to think about running into him all those years later. She should have written a check to seal the deal.
Happy Summer!
Wipeout is only hilarious when they get to the big ball section!! Looks like you had a pretty good vacation!
I found your blog through other blogs and have been a follower for several months. It is such a small world though:). We are living in Fort Campbell, KY because of the Army but we’re Texans & Aggies! I have enjoyed the Texan and Aggies references sprinkled throughout your posts but I got simply giddy when you began to talk about Villa Maria! My husband and I were married in college and we lived for 3 years in an apartment on Villa Maria. Anyway, I hope you had a delightful time on your road trip. We have a 7 month old son that has yet to make his first Aggie pilgrimage:).
I feel strangely happy about the whole Al thing . . . what a fun coincidence
and I havent had chips and salsa in, oh, 3 weeks or so — I feel as though I might die from lack of Mexican goodness . . .
Too funny! A parent thought of those lily pads.
Hey, I was just down the road from you yesterday at Starbucks on University. I wish I could have met you. When my kids were little, they loved Adamson’s lagoon. Hope you come back soon…
Wipeout is our new summer fav. We laugh ourselves silly. Couples Wipeout did not disappoint.
You so make me want to move to Tx, you guys have the best food!
Oh man! So you were here in the big city of CS! We’ll be having my daughter’s party at Adamson Lagoon in a few weeks.
I love, love your blog and loved the pics of BCS – we live here and frequent both Adamson and the fountain at restaurant row. We are also moving to San Antonio in August – can’ wait to see Fiesta!
I’m glad someone else needs a chips and salsa fix at least every 5 days.
I used to work at the coffee shop in that shopping center, so after seeing your picture I’m having It’s A Grind withdrawals too.
i do love GAP, it is my favorite store at the moment. i haven’t shopped there in years but after finding several 8.00 items the other day, that actually fit! i am now a huge fan. i have enjoyed following your road trip travels.
The only thing that could’ve made this better would be a picture of Al. Of course, there’s no way to have pulled that off. But still….
And Gulley has obviously found the fountain of youth, so we’ll all be waiting to hear her secrets!
The fact that Caroline is wearing a maxi dress just about made my morning.
No way! That’s so awesome!
“Iiit’s a small world aaaafter all… iiit’s a small world aaaafter all.”
That’s awesome…
I have been reading your blog for awhile and today just had to tell you that I think you are such a hoot! You make me laugh every day, and YES you need to write a book girl! I live in Oregon, so will have to wait until we both reside in heaven to sit and talk to you and laugh, laugh, laugh. Keep writing and may the Lord continue to bless you! You are a delight.
I am SO GLAD you will be staying for two weeks next summer. It gives more time for some Nena Stories.
I LOVE NENA!
Big Mama,
You and Gulley so remind me of myself and a friend with our kids twenty years ago!Makes me smile.
You couldn’t resist throwing in a little Fashion Friday could you?
The thing with Al is that, 20 years later, it’s a little creepy, honestly. I’m just sayin’.
And you know you want to take a Winnebago on the next trip. Just think of the memories and the bonding! Maybe the neighbors across the street from you will let you borrow theirs to get it out of the neighborhood? You could accidentally leave it in the RV park or something.
Another brilliant post! The tales of the last few days have been especially interesting to me because I have lived in or have great knowledge about the places you have visited. My hubby’s second job in TV was in Bryan/CS (he was a sports reporter at the CBS affilate there). So we went from graduating from Baylor to living in the land of the Ags to moving to Austin (his 3rd job) back to our hometown.
Yay that y’all ran into Al. I appreciate a good story like that. It is funny how things like that just happen in life. A flash from the past.
I’ve had good luck with getting sunglasses at Target. I will never buy expensive sunglasses because I’m too hard on them.
Hop on in the Winnebago next year and come to Virginia to visit. Y’all would have a blast. I can see Caroline and the boys loving Colonial Williamsburg and the cute outfits they have for kids. Great place to just let them run and have fun.
Um, Big Mama? What did Al say to Gulley?????
i love how you practically went shopping for me!! i love that in a blog!! thanks for the fashion tip!! love it!!
I’m still scratching my head that Al still works at a convenience store. Twenty years? Really? Is that horrible that I’m thinking this??
I must tell you that I am pouting a bit because I am DYING for the beach, a getaway. ANYTHING! It’s coming. Maybe Labor Day, but it’s coming. Still. Pout. Pout. For now, I’ll read about yours and other bloggers trips and just pout.
The pouting may also have to do with the fact that I am in need of some good Mexican. Like La Carreta’s chipotle shrimp. All I have is some leftover chips my daughter brought home from Fernando’s last night. WITHOUT queso! CAN YOU BELIEVE? She ordered them too late and they refused to make the queso. I’m through with you, Fernandos!
I think I’ll go pluck my eyebrows now.
I enjoyed the visit so much…. can’t wait for the next one! The dogs are wiped out but still circle the house looking for the kids. They look in each room and when they can’t find them, the plop down on the bed with a great big sigh (and so do I)!!! Big took me to Christophers tonight and said that he wants to take you and A next time you come. Sounds fun doesn’t it!!! Have a great weekend and come back soon!
The Wipeout like pads across the pool are way cool!
i think you should take reservations and allow your blogfans to follow your trip with you…LOL
on the winnebago…get one and a towbar and tow the car behind you…leave the winnie @ the rv park and drive the car on the mini adventures
I can’t believe I read a blog where someone mentions Villa Maria…I lived in an apartment off of it my senior year in college.
My son loves that show Wipe Out…
I always have many laughs when I read your blog. It’s just too fun.
Well we were in College Station on Friday and I kept saying to my friend and my husband “I wonder if we’ll run into Big Mama, Gulley and Co.” they kept saying “who”. Anyways it was so hot, my son actually cooked for us Fri night and had several of his friends over, we went out to eat Sat night to the Chicken Oil Company, I kept asking if they used chicken oil to cook their stuff in, they didn’t think it was funny but we did. So Al is still at a convenience store, a career choice I suppose. A bunch of people are going to be looking in on Al now and he’s going to wonder why.
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