Thunderstorms

It's that time again for Texas thunderstorms-my favorite time of year. And as the rain falls I think of a song that states you are the Mother Earth..the mother of your baby child...the one to whom you gave life. When I was younger, and now still, I love to watch thunderstorms. I sit outside and stare in amazement as lightning pierces the darkened sky. The wind and mist from the falling rain kiss my face. But most of all, I love to watch, because I feel at peace.
There is something special about thunderstorms. The awesomeness of it all reminds me of someone greater than myself. Lightning has the opportunity to create raw energy or destroy. It represents a delicate balance from which I have become aware.

In my line of work, I am reminded on a daily basis the preciousness of life--the extreme delicate balance between life and death--the thin line people walk on everyday, and often times don't even realize it. In an instant, your life can be taken without foresight or forewarning. In all honesty, it scares me, but I take it as an opportunity to appreciate life and the time given to me with that life.

The lightning strikes fast and with a flash of light. This light reminds me of the light to which I was born into and the light to which I will leave this Earth.

It's that time again for Texas thunderstorms-my favorite time of year. And as the rain falls I think of a psalm: Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Turkey Meat Mix Up

I pack my lunch everyday. I place my carefully chosen snacks, in carefully zipped baggies, inside a carefully chosen walmart bag.

I was running late to work (and by late I mean 5 minutes after my projected "leave time" which is usually an hour before work-- which, in reality is plenty of time). But that is neither here nor there... I was running late in my perception of time.

I grabbed my self made walmart lunch pail and hurried out the door.

I went to work and worked up an appetite. My tummy began to rumble, so I went to the break room and grabbed my lunch. I found a nice place to sit down and enjoy my meal. I could almost taste my perfectly layered sandwich, fresh fruit, veggies and Greek yogurt dip, and my delicious, ice-cold Dr. Pepper.

I opened the bag and to my surprise there was no perfectly layered sandwich, no fresh fruit or veggies, and certainly no Dr.Pepper. Sadly, the only thing staring back at me was 2 lbs of raw ground turkey. In all honesty, I thought about eating it, because I was so damn hungry, but there wasn't much I could do considering it was raw. People eat raw meat all the time, I thought to myself. People eat steak "rare" which is basically raw.. right? Sushi! Yes, sushi is raw AND delicious. NO, no sushi is prepared by extremely trained individuals. They don't just slap a spoon in some raw ground turkey meat and call it a day!

My turkey meat mix up never hurt so much. My tummy had to pay the price. I thought of all the possible GI upsets I would/could endure by letting millions of microbes in. Benefit vs Risk? A good 5 minutes passed before I put the raw meat back into the fridge.

I headed back to work with my head held a little lower than before.

The Park

Sunshine

I borrowed sunshine from the Maker.
Grace upon me as I take her
The rays outline and warm my soul
I grabbed the tailspin and lost control
Humbled by the power of such Greatness
Seek the light and watch it tunnel through darkness
Watch as the most beautiful flowers grow from such fortuitous light
Absorbed in a trance-you will lose sight
Surrender to the path from where they take her
I borrowed sunshine from the Maker.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

My daughter has her own Christmas tree this year. It stands a little under 3 feet- and is small and precious, (just like my daughter). This year she wanted to go all out. I bought a "Tinkerbell" ornament kit, which she colored and painted each cardboard ornament with dedicated focus. She adorned the tree with these Tinkerbell ornaments yet, this was not enough for her tree. She had to make it even more beautiful. She said, "wait mommy" as she ran off and came back with a smile and toilet paper..

She embellished the tree with a few squares of toilet paper. "There!". I told her that was a nice touch, but she wasn't finished yet.  She ran to her toy box, searched to the bottom, and pulled out one of her dress-up high heel slippers. You would have thought she found the holy grail, "Wow!, here it is!", she exclaimed. She ran back to her tree and gently placed the glass slipper atop the tree. She took a step back to review her work. "It's done", she said. 

What a perfect Christmas tree!

*please note: toilet paper and glass slipper.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit, gay and bright,
There's only splendor for the sight.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !" 

Early Bird Gets the Worm, Sleepy Bird Gets the Pie!

Thanksgiving was delightful.

There was plenty of food: mom's famous stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, rolls, pies, casseroles, and everything in between. I ate a hearty meal and gladly helped myself to a nap.

In the midst of my dreaming, and coming in and out of consciousness, I faintly heard people leaving. I heard my sister ask if she could take home left-overs. I too got up and made myself a plate of left-overs to take home. Or so I thought! No, it was a dream!!

I woke up and everyone was gone, as well as ALL the stuffing, mashed potatoes, and white meat of the turkey. HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN?!?!?! My precious stuffing, gone.

I didn't get upset. I got even. Check out the big a** piece of pie I took home.

Revenge is *Sweet.

-Moral of the story: Don't fall asleep after Thanksgiving dinner if you want left-overs.

*sweet apple pie!

Arlington Foodie: Atomic Subs & Wings

We decided to eat lunch at a "hole-in-the-wall" sub shop: Atomic Subs & Wings. It is located in central Arlington, near UTA, across from the baseball fields.

The look of the restaurant reminded me of something I would see on the Food Network show, Diners-Drive Ins- and Dives. I suppose this would be classified as a Diner-?

 There is a 50" flat screen on one side of the restaurant and a 60" big screen on the opposite side. A few booths outline the parameters of the diner with tables and chairs filling in the middle area. There are a few tables and chairs for outside dining- a bit too chilly today!

We were seated (me + 1 adult + toddler) and greeted by a college-aged, friendly, server who told us about the specials. This is a full-service restaurant. I found this out when I began to walk towards the soda fountain and the server graciously grabbed my glass and urged me to have a seat.

My husband decided on wings: 12 pieces for $8.99. He chose two flavors: "rockstar"- original buffalo hot flavor with Parmesan and "twisted rockstar"- original buffalo hot with lemon pepper. He opted for "atomic fries" which are the house fries tossed in the original buffalo sauce and served somewhat like a Cole-slaw side.

The other wing flavors are: BBQ, Cajun BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Salt and Pepper, Original, Atomic, and HELLFIRE!!! <--- warning: menu states that "hellfire" will melt your face off. If you complete this daunting task and eat the hellfire wings successfully, you will be plaqued onto the "Colon Pow! Wall" of fame. I love dislike being reminded of colons, while I eat.

50 wings for $29.99 is offered daily, call-in orders are accepted.


For me? I am cheap, thus I chose the lunch special: 1/2 sub sandwich (6 inches, but mine was definately 7), fries and a drink for $6.95. I decided on the "Garden Grazer" sub with house fries and a Texas favorite, Dr. Pepper. My sub came out on a toasted wheat sub bun with grilled portabella mushrooms, atop alfalfa sprouts, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, and sub dressing (a buttery cream sauce). There was a layer of cream cheese spread which also added a nice surprise. The fries were sprinkled with season salt.

Atomic Subs & Wings is locally owned and operated. I would recommend this venue for a date-night or a friendly gathering. Nothing fancy, just a fun, friendly atmosphere- with yummy food. We met the owner, and he said it is currently BYOB, but they are awaiting the license from Austin, and should be beer-operating by this weekend. They offer 49 cent wings on Sundays.

Go try it! http://www.atomicsubsandwings.com/



*support local businesses*