LISSA: Christmas Gifts

This is a quick list of gifts we got for Christmas:

Melissa:
Lucille Ball barbie
Santa Ricky
celebrate disco barbie
Enya cd - And Winter Came
Xbox 360
Tomb raider underworld for xbox360
beautiful katamari for xbox360
sunbeam fleece electric warm throw
2 fairytopia magic of the rainbow dolls
Indian doll
pink scarf
mardi gras scarf
2 i love lucy porcelain babies

Bill:
star trek pez collection
battlestar galactica season 3 dvd
survivor all stars dvd
new get smart dvd
heroes season 2 dvd
hellraiser collector's edition dvd
iron man dvd
Batman: The Dark Knight dvd
thrive mix cd
star trek ship book
2 hallmark star trek ornaments
star trek the complete animated series dvd


both:
hp printer w/paper
hd stereo
bamboo plant
2 Chinese decorative tiles

"Winter Wonderland: Houston Style", by Moondog

Gone away are the shootin days

here to stay, the boot scottin ways

The cowboys still wear hats

they seldom wear their chaps

livin in the houston wonderland

You're not likely to see many cattle drives

but the highways are like bee hives

in pickups they're shootin around

buzzin all about the town

livin in the houston wonderland

Along the boulevards you all will find a party

don't act like some northern smarty

just join in the fun, line dance on the run

pop a nice cold beer, or just join in the cheer

dancin in the houston wonderland..

LISSA: R.I.P. SKYEYE and Crew

This is such a sad shock. This is my favortie news channel and cast. I tear up everytime I hear it..... This is a tribute to them.... We will always love you SKYEYE and Crew! ~ Melissa and Bill

By Gene Apodaca

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Two people were killed when SkyEye HD crashed in a wooded area of Montgomery County.

SkyEye 13 pilot John Downhower and photographer Dave Garrett were killed when our helicopter crashed on its way to a breaking news scene. SkyEye HD crashed in a wooded area near the intersection of FM 1488 and Peoples Road.

We have confirmed through Hooks Airport that no distress call was issued prior to the crash, a crash that apparently happened very quickly.

..

"The helicopter blades, and just, 'boom' -- it stopped," said witness Harold Robinson.

It was just after 11am when Robinson heard the crash.

"I didn't feel anything," he recalled. "I just knew it was an explosion, and in my mind, I knew somebody got killed."

Soon after, Robinson drove to the crash site in the wooded area, about a quarter mile behind his home, and his suspicions were confirmed.

"I seen no fire, just smoke," he said. "I did not see the helicopter at any time."

SkyEye, which is owned by Helicopters Inc. and leased to Metro, had been covering a shoot-out in southwest Montgomery County. The last images fed in to Channel 13 before the crash show the landing skid as the helicopter banked hard to the right.

Witness Riley Swanson saw it all from his backyard.

He said, "He just cleared the back side of our subdivision when I noticed his chopper made a sharp right-hand -- down, straight down into the ground -- turn."

Swanson also said it looked like the pilot was flying low.

"It looks like the helicopter impacted ground at a very steep angle," said Kenneth Hiebert with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been called in to investigate. The extent of the damage will be an issue, as authorities try to figure out exactly what happened.

Hiebert explained, "He gouged a decent-sized hole in the ground, and once it did that, it broke apart  from hitting the ground and also from going through the trees."

Metcalf Funeral Home will be handling the bodies. An official with the FAA was on the scene investigating the cause of the crash Monday afternoon.

KTRK spokesperson Tom Ash released the following statement:

"All of us at KTRK-TV are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving SkyEye13 and our hearts go out to the families of the pilot and the photographer."

LISSA’S: Catching you up!

This is for our friends that actually care... LOL!

YES! We're finally here and settled in.. snug as a bug in a rug! We have our tiny little one bedroom apartment on NASA Pkwy in Webster now, and I'm so high on life! Life, it's so wonderful.. I never knew it could be so worth living. In fact, we hardly ever stay home anymore. I've had people in the past say they don't watch much tv, and I never understood that, seeing how that's all I had to do in Texoma. Now that I have a million and one things to do all around me, I can't even find time to watch our regular programs recorded on our DVR anymore. It constantly stays 90 to 98% full.

I've done so much, and there's plenty more to do and see. My FAVORITE hobby is now clubbing! There is an awesome club just a block away from home called Eden... (they are in the top of my friends' list if you wanna check it out.) There is only one thing I don't really like there... the smoking. Everyone smokes inside, and me being a non-smoker, it's really hard to breathe. Other than that, it's really great! They have what's called Friday night "suds", where the dance floor is covered (floor to almost ceiling) in sud bubbles. I've never seen anything like it.. so clever. I've only got to go to this club once, but I am DYING to go back!!

Another club that is friggin' awesome is called South Beach (again, you can find it in my top friends' list). It's located downtown. Luckily it's a non-smoking club, so it's so much easier to breathe. On their dancefloor, there is a strong fog machine that blows out so much COLD fog, the temperature drops at least 20 (or more) degrees and you cannot see anything! Not even your hand in front of your face! The music is so awesome and loud!

Another thing that I am so thankful for down here is my in-laws. I never thought I could be so close to them. Mom and Dad Hill have really opened up to us, and my sis-in-law Jenny has really included me into her life and family.. like I was a real blood sister. I couldn't ask for anything more. Her husband Ray is a whole other story... GOOD story. He has really helped me open up and not be so afraid of life. He introduced us to the clubs and entertainment around here and Houston. He is so playful, sweet and caring. I've adopted him as my "real" brother.. not bro-in-law. Sadly, his work calls him off to Egypt for about 5 weeks at a time, so I don't get to see him as often.

For those of you that know my phobia... I've forced myself to drive around this CROWDED place. I think I do pretty damn good for someone that has that phobia! LOL!!!!

The apartments that we live in are pretty decent. Yeah, you got some people that are kinda questionable, but overall they leave you alone. It's kinda sad though... I wish we could get together more often with our direct neighbors, Mirissa and Petrina. We did find their MySpace page and added them! YAY! Sadly we've only said 'hi' in passing with everyone's busy lives. They are moving next month and I hate that we could never get together to know each other better. If Mirissa or Petrina is reading this, maybe we could all 4 get together and hang out sometime at South Beach or Eden?

That's about it... you can check out all the pictures in our "Hangin' Out At Home" album on MySpace. (Nice) comments welcomed!

"Thoughts on moving to Houston" by Moondog

Give me an H,,,,,,,,,,,,,,H,,,,
give me an O,,,,,,,,,,,,,, O,,,,,
give me a U,,,,,,,,,,,,,U,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
give me an S,,,,,,,,,,,, SSSSSSSSSSS,,,
give me a T,,,,,,,,,,,,, TATATA
give me an O,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH,,,,,,,,,,,,
givame an N,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, NNa NNa NNa NNa NNa NNa,,,,,

what does that spelll ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, escape,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I
can't hear you,,,,ESCAPE,,,,
who is number one,,,,, our family,,,,,,,,,
I can't hear you OUR FAMILY,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Got to move on BABY,, yeah,,,, Got to move on Baby,, yeah,,, get down
get down the road,,, yeah,,,,,
headin to the coast
sorry I got to boast
got to not feel like a piece of toast
treated like a roast
so babay,,, babay set me free set me free can't you see,, set me
free,,,,

LISSA’S: A Houston News Article ~ SMART Shopping

I love HOUSTON for many reasons. Check out this story I found from chron.com (Houston's online newspaper). I don't see anywhere in Texoma doing something like this... again, why would they?? Texomites LIVE in Wal-Mart!!! ~ Melissa (a Houstonian in 2 weeks!!)

Shoppers buying peace of mind
Co-op caters to consumers who have a bone to pick with big retailers

2008 Houston Chronicle

No longer does Jennifer Stelly push a metal shopping cart down supermarket aisles. Instead, she carries a reusable bag to pick out produce — all grown organically by local farmers — in the three rows at the Central City Co-Op in Montrose.

"Generally speaking, I absolutely refuse to shop at Wal-Mart and I always try to go just as local as possible. ... I try to stay away from corporate America as much as possible," said Stelly, who quit her engineering job four years ago to open an energy-medicine business.

Stelly said she prefers family-owned businesses to chain stores. She and friends purchase wholesale natural and organic products from a buying club that provides free shipping if they purchase more than $250 worth.

She is one of a growing number of consumers who have altered their shopping habits on the basis of their politics, moral and ethical beliefs, as well as concerns about human-rights or free-trade grounds.

Known commonly as moral purchasing or ethical consumerism, the practice involves buying things that are made without harm or exploitation of animals, laborers or the environment.

Jennifer Stelly, left, lifts a carton of organically grown tomatoes for Kerry Smith at the Central City Co-Op in Houston. The co-op caters to a growing trend of people exercising ethical consumerism.

Voting with their feet

Some, like Stelly, prefer to shop at area businesses not only to support the local economy, but also to avoid the costs and effects of the fuel used to transport products to Houston.

It is not a new idea. Consumers always have voted with their feet, shopping at retailers that offered the best price or the best service.

So-called "socially responsible" mutual funds that allow people to make investments that exclude certain kinds of companies, such as cigarette manufacturers, or firms that do not follow one's religious beliefs, have been popular for years.

And national exhortations to avoid certain products, from table grapes to products tested on animals, come and go.

Over the years, people have expanded their concerns by refusing to shop at companies and their suppliers that have poor records of protecting the environment, that purchase goods from foreign countries or that do not use Fair Trade-certified products.

Even illegal immigration has been raised as a reason to avoid a particular retailer. Last month's raid and roundup of illegal immigrants at a Shipley Do-Nuts office warehouse in near-north Houston prompted several commenters on the Houston Chronicle's Web site to say they would stop visiting the popular bakery.

Similarly, negative news about products made in China — including lead-tainted toys, melamine-tainted pet food, and toothpaste laced with antifreeze — have some shoppers leery of that country's merchandise.

Liana Winkler, visiting the Taft Street location of the Central City Co-Op for the first time last week, said she does not buy food grown in China and other countries.

"When I look at all the frozen food, it says 'Made in China,' " she said. "And I don't want to eat food where I don't know what they are fertilized with. I don't know where they are grown. I don't know whether they are made with slave labor."

Green initiatives

The moral-purchasing debate is widely discussed on Internet sites such as www.walmartwatch.com, a group devoted mainly to forcing the world's largest retailer to provide better wages and benefits for its employees.

"The bigger the company you are, probably the bigger the target you have on your back," said Scott Krugman, a spokesman with the Washington-based National Retail Federation, which represents 1.6 million retailers nationwide. "You can let other people tell your story for you, or you can take the responsibility to tell that story yourself. And that's what companies should be doing."

Wal-Mart, he said, is one of the pioneers in green initiatives with its efforts to assure that stores and their suppliers are environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

Wal-Mart officials did not return several phone calls for comment.

Bad publicity is costly

Meanwhile, Starbucks has had to defend itself against accusations that it does not buy "fair-trade" coffee. The movement is an organized effort to ensure that small growers in other countries are paid enough for their products to provide a decent living.

A Starbucks spokesman denied the charge and issued a statement saying the company "has a longstanding commitment of conducting business in an ethical and responsible manner."

Krugman said it is difficult to put a dollar amount on how much companies lose from bad publicity.

Al Norman, founder of www.sprawl-busters.com, a nationwide movement to stop construction of big-box stores such as Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Kohl's, Target and Lowe's Home Improvement, said the impact of citizens not shopping at stores is small compared to the legal fees incurred when groups tie up store construction in courts or in planning hearings.

"Building a store four or five times the size of a football field ruins the neighborhood feel for many people who aren't interested in cheap underwear," he said. "A small-town quality of life is not sold at any Wal-Mart. And once they take it away from you, they can't sell it back at any price."

Jill Sundie, an assistant professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business, said consumers pay attention when there is negative news about a company, including the use of child labor or the abuse of its own employees.

"Certainly," she said, "you see consumers responding in terms of not shopping at certain outlets, not buying certain types of products or hiring people for services if they have violated some moral or ethical guidelines."

Food is locally grown

However, Sundie said, not all consumers can afford to adjust their shopping habits because the alternative could force them to pay more for products. Some will continue to shop at stores, she said, regardless of the companies' reputations.

Stelly said she spends less now. She said she volunteers at the co-op, which allows her to get some of her fruits and vegetables free. Items at the buying club — where she gets organic, sustainable or fair-trade dry foods, household products and health-care items — are sold at wholesale prices.

At the Central City Co-Op on Taft Street, some shoppers said they participate because the food is locally grown, organic and healthier.

Victoria Lugwin, who shops there every week, said she tries not to patronize stores that have what she considers ethical problems. Also, she tries to buy seafood that comes from the United States because she said this country takes better care of its waters.

"I think that not only supporting local agriculture, but also eating local agriculture is good for the farmers and good for the people eating the food," she said.

BILL'S: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

A guy walks into a biker meeting and calls everyone "wusses" and then goes on to ask them for money.

As much as this sounds like a line from a joke, it isn't. This is the attitude of Texoma. A worker from Wal-Mart went into the local Harley-Davidson shop where they were having their monthly Harley Owners Group (HOG) meeting. Being that the meeting was being held right after work, and most people in the group lived several miles away, they went straight there from their workplaces. When the worker saw most of the people drove their cars to their meeting instead of going home, changing clothes, and coming back to Sherman on their motorcycles in a time of over $3.00 gas, he called everyone in the meeting "wusses" for not driving their motorcycles. The reason he was there? He was arranging a charity event for Children's Miracle Network. The charity event, called a "poker run", is something real popular with motorcyclist and boaters. So, it was only natural to include the local motorcycle groups. It is just the beginning which was more to be desired. Now with the Wal-Mart "Poker Run" coming quickly, the HOG group has posted another event on the same day. Not trying to downgrade the charity, but to show people that there is better ways to ask for donations.

This attitude is only a scratch on the surface in the area. One of the hardest things to find in this area is a smile. I remember one of the local McDonald's had an item on the menu: "Smiles Are Free." Never once did I receive one of those free smiles. And when someone asked for one, all you would get is a sarcastic grin. Just yesterday, Lissa and I went to Cold Stone Creamery. As we exited the door, a lady came over and stood their waiting for us to get in the car. She stood their with a huge scowl on her face, never once lightening up.

As a Wal-Mart employee, I get yelled at and demanded all the time. One of the most impressive moments I have had was when this young boy came up to me and said, "Pardon me, sir, could I get a game?" I was bowled over. I couldn't believe I was hearing this from a young person from this area. As I went up to the kid's parents, I engaged in my usually chat trying to answer questions and make sure everyone was getting everything they asked for. I couldn't get over the family's accent, and asked where they were from. Visitors from Canada. Yes, I should have known. Asking for politeness in this area is asking too much.

It brings to mind one of the best examples a person can make. One night there was a line at the Kodak Picture Makers. These machines are clearly labeled for their times of operation. The workers in the One Hour Photo were on a timeline to get the lab closed down, the outside machines down, everything cleaned, and off the clock before their scheduled time to leave. To help, I got at the end of the line, and as people finished, I would turn off the Kodak machine. I was down to the last machine, it was 20 minutes past the time for the machines to be shut off, and the couple working on it had just finished. Right then, a group of ladies came around the corner and started yelling, "Don't turn it off!" They came up and demanded that I get out of the way so they could make a couple of pictures. I told them that it was too late, and we had to shut down the machines. I made reference to the posted times. They began cussing me out. Yelling at me. "How long will it take just to make a couple of pictures?" They asked. I am sorry, I have a job to do. Wal-Mart employees can be terminated for going over their designated times. To me it comes down to what is more important, these strangers who are yelling cuss words at me to make a couple of pictures or being able to feed my family. I am sorry, my job is more important, and I stand my ground. So, they yell one more time at me, "I need this for my f*cking Sunday School class in the morning, how in the hell are you helping my f*cking church?" That made up my mind, and I flipped the switch. This person cussing me out is a Sunday School teacher. Now I am glad my family doesn't go to any of the local churches.

In our travels to Houston, it is like traveling to another country. I have often made a unique connection. While traveling down I-45, halfway between Sherman and Houston you cross a place called Bliss Creek. To the south of this creek, slowly, the grass gets greener, the trees get taller, and after a time, more tropical. It is like climbing the Stairway to Heaven. To the north of Bliss Creek, grass starts dying, turning brown, trees have almost disappeared. Landscape goes to industrial, with huge plots of land with only storage units. The attitude changes. From Bliss Creek north, rudeness takes over as you travel further and further. Truly the Highway to Hell.... Texoma Hell.

In my experience, in Houston, everyone is so polite, I almost don't know how to handle it. Just checking into a motel, I get maps, coupons, advice. Going to a local vender, I tell them we are getting ready to move into the area and I get all kinds of welcomes and advice of where to look for homes. Everyone welcomes you so open armed. Even in moments of stupidity: As I was driving from Clear Lake to Galveston, a couple in a car nearby started switching lanes without looking. They came very close to hitting us. I had to swerve quickly to avoid them. I honked my horn as I swerved. Everyone in the car looked at us and apologized profusely. At that point in time, I let it go, they were genuinely sorry.

Same events for Texoma. A lady driving a small white car almost runs me off the road. As I brake hard to avoid her, I honk my horn. I get a long line of obscene gestures from the lady driver. And it doesn't just stop here. For the next three miles, she attacks us with violent car movements and gestures. When she comes to her turnoff, she speeds up, rolls down her windown, and then slows down to let me catch up as she yells something out the window as I pass by.

Where do you want to live? A place where everyone is rude and hateful, or a place that is very welcoming? A place with community pride, or a place that could care less? Community Pride is something missing around here. And as an update to my blog about the guy who illegally dumped, to date, no one has investigated, no one has cared. I have even expanded my complaints to KTEN news, Info Magazine and Texoma Living Magazine. No one has cared. Great examples of community pride for this area. Someone does something wrong and let's look the other way.

But I know what you are going to say. There is too much crime in Houston! Although there was a carjacking in the Sherman Wal-Mart parking lot yesterday. They have hurricanes in Houston! A big, slow moving storm that gives you days of notice before striking. Nothing like the freak storm which hit this area last week, dropping tornadoes, flash floods, and winds which damaged millions of dollars of property. My only notice was waking up to the house shaking, and the warning of a tornado three miles away from my house.

Maybe it is just one man's thought of the area? Well, I looked around. I am including some more examples that aren't from me or my family. You don't have to believe me. But I guess asking people to open their eyes and decide for yourself is asking too much as well.

---

Yolanda Adams, Entertainer, Grammy winner

Growing up in Houston was exciting and fun for me and my family. We had so many places to go and so much to do.

When I get home off the road, I usually run to Whole Foods to stock up on groceries and then I head home to relax and unwind. Of course, spa treatments are always in order. The Root of You and Persona Day Spa are my favorites because they offer a variety of services.

There are many words that describe Houston, but all encompassing would be the most adequate. There are great museums—our cultural arts centers are bar none. Our sports arenas are awesome, and we love great restaurants. Whether single or family oriented, we have appropriate activities for all.

I have so many fond memories of Houston events. One of my favorites has to be the lighting of the Christmas tree at City Hall. The event is always festive and alive!

Favorite places to eat?

• Italian - Michelangelo's
• New Orleans Style - Bistro Calais
• Steakhouse - Ruth's Chris
• American - Tony's
• Seafood - Pesce
• Pizza - Collina's
• Fast & Best Salads - Ruggles Bakery & Cafe
  

Houston has the best people, restaurants and entertainment around. Trust me, I've been everywhere and still would live in no other city but Houston. I Love You, Houston!

---

Leven Rambin, Actress, All My Children

I have absolutely great memories of growing up in Houston. I lived in Memorial and felt such a sense of community through my friends and neighborhood, St. Francis Episcopal Day School and all my teachers (like 2nd parents!) and pastor, Jim Jackson at Chapelwood Methodist Church.

When I come home to Houston, I always visit The Galleria, Houston Country Club, Ruggles and La Madeleine for that tomato soup and caeser salad! I go around Memorial Park at least once every day when I am home.

When describing Houston to friends in New York, I tell them about the ample amount of space. I like those big back yards especially now since I don't have one. I tell them about Goode Company and Otto's BBQ, big cars, bayous and some hot weather.

My favorite time to come back is Christmas time.

I love the Verizon Wireless Theater. If there is someone there that I want to see perform, I like that venue, just the right size. Also, I know that Houston had its first Fashion Week. I definitely want to come back for that next year!

My favorite Houston memories....Being a kid, involved in sports, having good friends my age, my school and having a teacher pull my first tooth (not a great time when it happend but a great memory now). Oh, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...those rides!

I love to shop at Out of the Box on Woodway. In fact I was in there when I got the call that I was chosen for the part on All My Children - I went crying right to Billie Sue. After shopping I go right next door to Smoothie Island. I like Escalante's Mexican food. Encore on San Felipe has tons of very gently worn designer clothes at great prices, so I go there, too.

The people in Houston are friendly, warm and charitable. I get homesick sometimes and realize what a special place it was to grow up there. Houston is a family friendly place.

Houston and New York are similiar in that both are big cities, have lots to offer anyone and I find both to be friendly and welcoming. Houston and NYC both have incredible restaurants! Did I mention that Houston has lots of room and big back yards? I got nada in NYC! Taxis, subways and walking are the main forms transportation in NYC. Both are wonderful experiences.

---

Beyonce Knowles, Entertainer

Growing up in Houston was fun. We always had a huge backyard to play in. My mom allowed my friends to come over all the time; it was like a continuous slumber party at our house. I spent my summers going to AstroWorld, SplashTown, Ms. Darlett's dance class & showcases. I had a great childhood in Houston!

When I come home to Houston, I go straight to my mom’s house to eat some home cooked food. I love to go to my church St. John's on West Gray and go up to my management company Music World Entertainment.

When I describe Houston to friends who have never been here, I first have to tell them, no, it's not like the country films you see on TV! I like to describe Houston as a great place to raise a family.

You get nice southern people with a city atmosphere. You can buy a great home in a price range to fit your income. The great thing is, whether you or your children are into arts, sports, music, business, etc., there is a place for you to grow into and learn all of those things right here in Houston.

I always come back during Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Houston Rodeo. Also, now that I have a nephew, I come back home for all of his birthdays.

I would have to say some of my favorite memories of Houston are performing at my mother’s hair salon and the music showcases we entered trying to get discovered. I can recall how hard my mother and father worked scheduling rehearsals, designing costumes and booking shows. Houston is where my stage presence and confidence was developed.

My favorite places to eat are Frenchy's Chicken, This Is It and Pappadeaux. I shop at The Galleria.

I love Houston. Some of the best moments of my life took place there. This will always be home to me!

---

Haylie Duff, Entertainer

Houston is a place where the people are real. Growing up, there was a real sense of family, and the neighborhood had a cool feeling of cohesiveness. When I come home, I always visit The Galleria. I love to shop at Tootsies. I love the spring, with the bluebonnets along the highways, and the weather is awesome. I never want to miss the Houston Rodeo.I love the food and the people. I think that Houston is a special American city, and everyone should come for a visit.

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Hilary Duff, Entertainer

Growing up in Houston was amazing! I love the bluebonnets along the highway. I remember the rainstorms and thunderstorms. I loved spending my summers in the swimming pools. To this day, I think that Houston has the best food anywhere in the world!

I tell people who have never been to Houston that it is a great city to visit for a day to shop and eat and meet nice people. Houston is a special city which attracts tourists from all over the world.

I always like to go to Neiman's for lunch and shopping. I love the monkey bread and the strawberry butter. The salads are wonderful, too. I also go to my Aunt Roz's house to see my niece, Haylie.

My favorite time is in the fall because the leaves fall off of the trees, and the weather is cool and breezy. I love to go to the Houston Rodeo. It is a time to celebrate being a true American and enjoying life with family and friends. The Houston Rodeo has been a longtime tradition for my family over many decades.

One of my favorite Houston memories would be when I visited the Butterfly Museum [at the Houston Museum of Natural Science]. I remember the butterflies would come right up and land on your shoulders. I also liked to go to the Children’s Museum. They had cool interactive areas, and we had Haylie’s 6th birthday party there. We had everyone dress up like the '50s - we had a wonderful time.

I LOVE to eat at James Coney Island and eat chili dogs and frito pies. I love Shipley's donuts—they have Kolaches, and they are to die for! I love Mexican food at Escalante's. I like to shop at the Galleria, particularly Neiman's and the David Yurman store.

I will always love Houston. It is a great place to live and raise a family.

---

George Foreman, Boxer, Olympic Gold Medalist, Entertainer

Houston's home. Just like a homing pigeon, no matter how far I go, nature always pulls me back.

The city's best kept secret is that it's the home of great food. My favorite places to eat are Pappadeaux, Ruth's Chris and, of course, Vic & Anthony's.

Houston is a BIG city, and because it's so big, the opportunities are unlimited. There's something for everyone. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from.

If I had one wish for Houston, I hope it never changes.

Click here to watch One Day in Houston, a 12-minute documentary on Houston, narrated by George Foreman.

---

A.J. Foyt, Auto Racing Legend

Houston is where I was born and raised. It’s where my kids were born and raised—it’s home. I have traveled all over the country—to Europe, Australia and Asia—but I love coming home to Houston. It’s where I belong—it’s where my heart is.

It’s a clean city; there’s a lot to do whether it’s going to an Astros or Texans game or the Houston Rodeo, which is one of the biggest in the country.

Houston has concerts and shows and a lot of great restaurants. My favorite restaurants are Taste of Texas for steaks, Carrabba’s for Italian food and Molina’s for Mexican food.

I don’t shop that much but my wife does. You can find whatever you want at The Galleria and Town & Country Village.

My most memorable experience in Houston would have to be driving a copy of the GT car that I won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with. In the early 70’s, I drove it over 200 mph on the 610 freeway. There weren’t nearly as many cars on the road back then.

BILL'S: Disposable Love, Disposable Life, Another WIHAT

Years ago, the things you bought had meaning. They had value. Now for convenience, we buy things without meaning, everything is disposable, and we now live in a disposable society. But the more I look at it, it is not just the way we live, but the way we run our lives. Everything is disposable and we don't care. And from what I have seen, people in Texoma take disposable to all new levels.


To start my story off, let me start with a friend of mine. One of my closest friends. This is a guy who will do anything for a friend. Just with me, he has helped me when my times were extremely tough. If it weren't for him, my family wouldn't have had a Thanksgiving or a Christmas this year. He has tried to help me better myself for my family. And this is just me. I can't imagine how he is with friends he has known longer. All I know is that this is the type of person I would have been honored to serve with during my term in the Army. The one thing I don't understand, all the women in his life have claimed their undying love, but this is a story only in Texoma. Recently, he met "the one" and she said that she felt the same. They worked through many problems, mainly regarding her ex-husband, who she was still sharing a house with. But they swore they wanted to be together, and she told him that he was the one she wanted. The times they were together was magical. They made plans to just pack up and move away to Austin together, to start a family, get married and live together happily ever after. Almost a fairy tale. But then again, this is Texoma, and happy endings are not allowed. Less than 24 hours after making their blissful arrangements, my friend goes over to her house to pick her up. Low and behold, she is in bed with her ex-husband. She tells my friend that she decided to go back with him. Both families were in shock. No warning, and many questions left unanswered. Did she ever really mean it, or was she just using him for thrills? How could someone throw away "the love of a lifetime"? All I know, this just shows how people live and love in a disposable society. It is only useful until you can toss it aside. No care what anyone else thinks, or feels. And this is just one story in a forest of tales. He is not the only one. I have heard story after story after story about how the women up here throw their marriage vows to the wind, until they need to act good. Then they put on the veil of good behavior until they can throw away their vows to play with the next guy's emotions.


Of course, it doesn't stop there. I have heard stories of women in the surrounding area which have had to give up their jobs, which they have become successful in, just to move away because their husband was having an affair. In this area, affairs are more of a hobby. It isn't who is having an affair, it is who isn't. People act like the heart is something you go into Wal-Mart to buy. You can pick up a couple over in Health and Beauty Aids, just because you know they are going to break. And while you are there, why not run over to toys and pick up a new collection of feelings. It just doesn't make sense. Is everyone here just so insensitive that they are just immune to matters of the heart?


But to continue on with a matter closer to my heart. If you follow our blog, I am sure you read Lissa's story "After 31+ years, ..." A controversy within her own family which started with one picture.



A picture which I found a little humorous. But apparently this area has their Bible Belt too tight around their waist. Her family found no humor in it, and called her atheist for sending this out. To me, religion doesn't have to be so stiff that a person cannot joke or to have fun. What is life without just a bit of humor or fun. I don't find the need to be rigid about a King James idyllic version of Jesus in a Village People routine. Are we supposed to be that tight lipped? I am a religious person, but I grew up in a religion that was a bit more fun, and made learning about the life of Christ an interesting and enjoyable endeavor. But here, the tight lipped people have no room to laugh. At first I assumed it was because of the fact that most of the people on Lissa's father's side of the family are ministers. Okay, maybe they are more strict. They work at churches, write Christian music. Okay, maybe they have a place to complain. The most recent person to become an ordained minister in this family is Jason. He has gone on Missionary missions, written original Christian music, and has his own congregation. Impressive person. He just got married, came back from his honeymoon, and posted pictures on his Myspace account.





I can see where this minister would be held in higher regards than his own cousin, my wife. I can see why Lissa's aunts and uncles put her down and this guy does no wrong. Everyone in her family says they don't judge, and they are the last to judge, but then again, Jason the minister told everyone to be ware of the "whale over his shoulder" in this picture. I guess it is a minister's way of showing "love thy neighbor."



Yes, this is the attitude of people up here. It doesn't just end with customers, people on the street, or idiots driving down the road, no it goes with family as well. Even they consider family disposable. Just because Lissa's grandmother didn't like her mother. Now the family prejudices have carried on even over 11 years after the grandmother's death. But fortunately, they "don't judge." Even Jason's sister, who has had 2 children by "immaculate conception", if you ask the family. In a quote, when the question about race on one of these miracle babies was raised, the answer was "they are Elms." But yet, Lissa has never been accepted as a legitimate member of the family. Again, Wal-Mart must sell family loyalties. It is sad how easily you can throw away even family.

Final case in point. We live just outside of Whitesboro in a small residential area. The house next door to us has been foreclosed on. We watched as they came out and changed the locks, so we expected people to be out working on the house. A couple of days later, a truck came to the house and got stuck in the yard. We took pictures of the truck stuck in the yard and the damage it was doing.





I went to work and came back that night realizing that there was a pile of trash in the neighbors yard. I went out and looked through the pile and was able to match up the trash to the items in the back of the truck.





So, this goes to prove that everything is so disposable, people are willing to dump their trash in a neighbor's lawn. But think this is where the story ends? No, it still goes on. I took this story of this truck dumping his trash in the lawn to Environmental Protection Officer of Grayson County, Jim White; Grayson County Commissioner Precinct 3, Honorable Jacki Crisp; Grayson County Constable Precinct 3, Todd Booher; Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Mike Reeves; Grayson County Clerk Aimee McAdoo; Grayson County Director of Planning, Jim White; Commissioner Precinct 1, Honorable Johhny Waldrip; Constable Precinct 1, CC “Buddy” Wade; Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Honorable Gregory J. Middents; Grayson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy, Ron Brown; Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce; Janis Crawley, Director, WIDCO/WEDCO; Charlie Haldeman, KXII News Director; KXII Newsroom. Out of all of these people, I figured someone would do something. To date, not a single person has contacted me, not a single person has replied, not a single call returned, no one has come out, and no one has even cared. That is Texoma. A place where you can dispose of your trash anywhere you want, and no one cares.

In my last trip to Houston, I made a realization. Almost halfway between here and Houston you cross over Bliss Creek. Aptly named. Everything South is almost like climbing the stairway to heaven. But crossing to the north puts you on the Escalator to Hell..... Find me someone with community pride. Find me someone who cares. Find me someone who still has morals. To me, no pride, not caring and no morals is hell.

I prefer the real life. Where illegal activities are still persecuted by law. Where people still know the meaning of love. And where there is still humor and no judgements. Maybe I am going to hell, but at least I know it is still a step above North Texas. I will be bettering myself. And I will be in great company. Side by side with my loving wife who I support completely, my sons who I have instilled by same sense of humor, my caring parents who taught me to be the person I am, and the teams at Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, SciFi Channel, and the cast and crew of Battlestar Galactica. Amen.

LISSA’S: ...and now that I’ve calmed down somewhat...

Okay now that I've calmed down quite a bit.. I'll write another blog of current issues on my mind.

I'm sorry about the last blog I posted where every other word was F*ck.  But this is the state of mind I have been driven to living here in Texoma.  I will be the first to admit in a psychiatric office that I DO have a problem.  I've had a problem building now for about 3 years.  I've wanted out of Texoma for that long and it's so frustrating when you know that you are stuck.  We've tried selling our places now for many years.... yes.. YEARS.  Having to live in a region where you do is nothing but hate does get to a person.  I know I am much better than the region will let me be.

Since we've lived in Texoma, I've learned the true stupidity of humans.  Funny thing is, only the people that are not from here, or that has seen better places, know exactly what I am talking about.  Most everyone here thinks there is no problems, no crime and it's all happy-go lucky land of wealth.  Sadly, this is not the case.  This region has more problems than it can begin to see.  The landscapes, properties and people are in poverty.  Most no one is willing to get out and clean up the area.. starting with their own homes.  98% of homes and properties you drive by has trash of some kind sitting in the lawns and front porches.  Their vehicles are in so much better condition than their houses.  The houses are leaning, about to fall in, paint looks so old that you can't tell what color it used to be (well the paint chips that haven't fallen off of the houses that is).  But at least their car has a brand spanking new paint job, rad lighting system and one kick-ass stereo and speaker system!

People around here say.."Poverty?  What poverty?  Not here!  There are many wonderful jobs and opportunities here!".. Okay, let me analyze this...  from the eyes of a former Texomite!  A guy that is from this region has recently moved to Houston where his wife's family is from.  He used to work at Sign Warehouse in Denison, Texas with my father.  He still keeps in touch with my father.  He has even told my dad that Houston is SO much better than all of Texoma put together.  That he didn't realize how much he was suffering in Texoma until he actually got out.  He says he no longer struggles paycheck to paycheck now and that he has money and opportunities to do whatever he wants.  See, the only jobs that are available are restaurant and retail.  Guaranteed minimum wage.  And you might as well forget having a life, as you are guaranteed working nights and weekends.  Hmm, a life where my job pays me minimum wadge and takes away my life... yeah, this is the kind of job and life I want (sarcasm)!

Texoma has successfully wrecked my credit.  I had A+ credit, and now that I made the HUGE HUGE mistake of buying a home in Texoma, I've had to let it go back because no sensible person wants to buy our place... even though the price was the lowest in town... LITERALLY!  I mean where in Texas (or USA for that matter) can you find 5 acres of land and a 4 year old home (3/2 w/office & dining room) for $70,000??  No where but ours.  Part of our problem: Location Location Location.  Texoma sucks and no one wanted to live here.  Also I know a lot of our problem was the Realtors... which again brings me back to the Texomite theory.  None of the Texoma Realtors knew what they were doing, or they just didn't care... like a majority of Texomites.  So needless to say my credit is shot (thanks Texoma) and I will probably have a very hard time getting a home in Houston.  But I will tell you this.  I am all for living in our car, or even on the streets if I have to.  Anything.....ANYTHING to get out of Texoma.

Grayson County has a major problem and thinks that it is located in Oklahoma.  Everything up here is Oklahoma... even the news.  Like my parents have said.. I'm ready to move to Houston so that I can live in Texas!

Texoma is scared of Houston.  All of the crime is located there.  But there is no such thing as crime in Texoma... according to Texomites.  I've seen many many crimes here.  But in Texoma, it's something to be proud of.. since the youth is taught at an early age to steal, do drugs and play mailbox baseball.  It seems like the mailboxes here get destroyed weekly.  We've called the Grayson County Sheriff, but they could care less... AS USUAL.  Our neighbors sit out in their front lawn in a circle passing a joint around... but the Grayson County Sheriff don't care.... AS USUAL.  Our neighbors are property tax evaders.. but the Grayson County Sheriff and Grayson County Tax Assessor John Ramsey don't care.... AS USUAL  Cars are getting broken into and vandalized daily...but the Grayson County Sheriff don't care..AS USUAL.  Murders and assaults are constantly happening around the region.. but the Grayson County Sheriff doesn't care...AS USUAL.  Oh, but all of the crime is in Houston.. not here, right?  If there is no crime here, then I must be called to jury duty for a time waster, right?

Another "according to Texoma": Something else that constantly happens in Houston is really bad weather.  "There is so much flooding, daily hurricanes.. Oh Lord how can anyone possibly live down there.  When you can live in Texoma and it's beautiful, sunny and a pleasant 74 degrees 24/7?"  Another Texomite denial:  constant grass fires, tornadoes, occasional flooding and yes, even an occasional earthquake.  Oh but none of this has ever happened in Texoma, right?  Tell me one thing.  If the weather is perfect here 24/7, then why do Texomites flood stores and shop like it's doomsday when a simple shower crosses this region??  Also, if there is a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico that is slated to head to Texas, why do Texomites act like it's about to land in Texoma first and destroy everything?  Are you people (?) afraid that much of a little rain?  Is it because you're afraid that something in this awful region might get washed??

Another issue boggling my mind is this whole presidential fiasco.  All of the mud slinging the Democrats are doing to each other. 

Barack Obama.. well first of all I have a major problem with him.  He is running nothing but a popularity contest (which is not surprisingly fueled by Oprah Winfrey).  All of these issues he says he will do when he gets elected.  I think it's all pep talk just to get him elected.  I can almost see it when he does get elected president.  He will sit back and not know what to do, but still wear that phony smile he smiles, and the American public won't know what hit them.  Oh America will (and is) going to shit... but we have a black man that has huge white teeth that can give one hell of a fake smile.  Secondly I can't understand WHY WHY WHY America would choose a leader that has a Muslim name... and one that is so close to the Muslim that caused 9/11???  I dunno folks, I see a MAJOR problem with that.  Alright everyone, buy your copy of the Koran today and be prepared because once Barack gets elected, freedom of religion will only be a page in history books and Muslim will be the next big, cool and happening thing in America, because hey, Barack Obama does it, so it must be right and okay....... right?!?

Hillary Clinton... oh Lord.  She is trying too hard for her race.  The latest thing she has done is a cheap scare tactic using kids... and oh the Obama supporters are all over it.  But she is trying everything she can because Obama has pretty much brainwashed America... walking around like zombies with a glazed look in their eye, chanting "Yes We Can!".   Yes We Can... what??  You say you can.....WHAT??  Barack has no experience in the White House.  He just reminds me of some pop icon that tries to see how popular he can get.. Hillary has actually been in the White House and has experience.  Yeah, her cheating husband Bill couldn't keep his "cigar" in his pants, but Hillary was about business.

Republicans...  well growing up I was Republican because my parents are strong Republicans.  As I grew up I realized how ridiculous politics are.  So as a late teen to mid 20's I wasn't anything.  I was one of those that refuse to vote because voting will get you shit with salt, or shit with pepper.  A big part of me still believes that.  But now that I've lived through two terms of George W., I have decided I like the Democratic thinking.  I hate Bush and his way.  I know I am not alone and I know he is responsible for turning some Republicans to the Democratic party.

Okay, well I wasn't going to vote this time around either... that is until I see Barack starting to win the Democratic race.  This has pushed me and my husband to vote this year.  If Barack wins the Democratic side, then Bill (a very strong believing Democrat) and I will be voting Republican.  That way when the shit does hit the fan with Obama in office, we can sit back and say, "Hey, we told you so.. don't look at us for America's problems!".

Okay... I vented, and without using "f*ck"!  Yay!

LISSA’S: Moving out of the entertainment Stone Age...

This is just a bit more proof that Texoma has NOTHING to offer the human race.. at least human beings that are still wanting to live and experience life and not ready to just die. True, all there is to do is go to Wal-Mart and blow your money, but when you go home and turn on the TV, this is the only source for "local" television that you get. Now keep in mind that KXII 12 and KTEN 10 only report on Oklahoma news and hardly ever Texas news. FOX (KXIID) and the PBS channel doesn't have any news what-so-ever. If you wonder what happens in Dallas, you might as well forget it. Dallas doesn't exist to Texoma. If it didn't happen in Oklahoma, then you will never hear about it.

Here is the options directly off of the Dish Network website. Just the cold, hard, sad facts:

Texoma choices:

..> ..>

Sherman,TX and Ada, OK $3.99 Locals Package - $5.99 per month
Station	Local Channel Number	Dish Channel Number
SHERMAN CBS-KXII	12	7521
SHERMAN FOX - KXIID	20	7523
SHERMAN NBC-KTEN	10	7522
SHERMAN-ADA PBS-PBS-S	60	7526

We will be moving to civilazation soon. I will be glad to finally live in a place that has REAL local channels that actually shows news where I live for a change! Just compare the difference!

Houston choices:

..> ..>

Houston, TX Locals Package - $5.99 per month
Station	Local Channel Number	Dish Channel Number
HOUSTON ABC-KTRK	13	8370
HOUSTON ABC-KTRK IN HD	13	6389
HOUSTON CBS-KHOU	11	8371
HOUSTON CBS-KHOU IN HD	11	6390
HOUSTON CW-KHCW	39	8374
HOUSTON FOX-KRIV	26	8373
HOUSTON FOX-KRIV IN HD	26	6392
HOUSTON IND-KAZH	57	8381
HOUSTON IND-KNWS	51	8377
HOUSTON IND-KTBU	55	8382
HOUSTON IND-KZJL	61	8384
HOUSTON MNT-KTXH	20	8375
HOUSTON NBC-KPRC	2	8372
HOUSTON NBC-KPRC IN HD	2	6391
HOUSTON PBS-KUHT	8	8376
HOUSTON TELEF-KFTH	67	8380
HOUSTON TMNDO-KTMD	47	8379
HOUSTON UNVSN-KXLN	45	8378

...... IN A NUTSHELL? TEXOMA SUCKS ALL THE WAY AROUND!!

LISSA’S: How much longer can I make it?

Homesick... Yes I am. It's no secret that I hate the Texoma region. We have been planning to move to Houson and Galveston areas for 3 years now.. of course you already know the story as to why we haven't been able to move. I am missing what is soon to be my life... that's the reason for our current profile picture (as of 1/28/08).

Yes.. homesick. I can feel my soul die here in Texoma. I feel moments of life again when I watch videos and look at pictures of Houston and Galveston!

Click on Pictures to see whole picture.


"Moving across the state is a lot of hard work, but it's well worth it! The farther away from Texoma we get, the better off we will be!"





I imagine all the time our final trip down there... the trip where we will never come back to Texoma!




I know when I do get there, my life will actually start.









"I belong in Houston!! There is so much to do, see and experience there!!"

Another place I really feel alive is Galveston! I am so happy there! I've taken an interests in palm trees now!







It is like a whole other world there! The local people are so nice! The historic flavor is so appealing.







Everytime we are there, I take in the wonderful weather...





...the beautiful scenery....







...and the relaxing oceans!







Even the seagulls love it here!







In Galveston, we have found a local Gem! It's called 'THE SPOT'. It is located right across the street from the Seawall (the beach)!







The Spot has the best cheeseburgers and fries! Their onion rings aren't half bad either!







My whole family loves this place! Anytime anyone mentions The Spot, everyone gets hungry!







This restaurant is so classy, it has a WEBCAM so you can see their patio dinning overlooking the beach! Now that's my kind of dinning!!







So our eyes are all on the not to distant plans to our new life.

LISSA’S: Just look at what you can do!!

People often wonder what it is about Houston and Galveston that we love so much. Well thanks to Galveston.com, they have now created a You Tube page. These are my favorite videos. This shows just some of what all there is to do in Galveston. Just look at what all you can do here, that you can't in Texoma!



....and this is just Galveston!




Downtown Galveston





Mardi Gras! 2008





Have a life in Galveston!





Galveston Beaches





Galveston Overview





The SPOT... our favorite place!





...and of course, don't forget this!

LISSA’S: You Know You’re From Houston....

My mother-in-law sent me this. All of my AWESOME in-laws live in Houston, and they love it! I cannot wait to become a Houstonian.. Houston is calling my heart..... *SIGH*

You know you're from Houston when...

You can leave your house, head out of town, and an hour later you still haven't left the city limits. (During rush hour, you haven't left your neighborhood.)

Spring is not the season, Katy is not the lady, and 1960 is not the year.

The "farm-to-market" roads have seven lanes.

If you want to be a snob about your grocery shopping, you can go to Randall's Flagship, Rice Epicurean Market or a Kroger's Signature.

You have to turn on the air conditioning in January, two days after a low of 29 degrees.

When you see your neighbor dancing around the front yard, you know he just stepped in a fire ant bed.

You know that the Astrodome will always be the Eighth Wonder of the World.

You come to work in short-sleeves and walk out at noon to find that a cold front has blown through, and the temperature has dropped 40 degrees in a matter of minutes.

You wander into a section of town where you can't read the street signs but you don't care because you can get great prices on fake designer merchandise there.

You go to an art festival on Westheimer and you're almost run down by two cross-dressers on roller blades, holding hands.

You hear everything but English spoken when you go to the Galleria to window-shop.

You know that "Dad gummit" has nothing to do with your father's failure to practice good dental hygiene.

You think "Y'all" is perfectly good usage if you're referring to more than one person.

You've never seen I-45 in any condition other than under-construction --and you've lived here for 20-30 years.

If the humidity is below 90 percent, it's a good hair day.

The only real Mexican food is Tex-Mex.

You know that while saving you money, "Mattress Mac" has amassed more than the U.S. Treasury has.

You see nothing unusual about an 80-something former sheriff's deputy who wears a white toupee and blue sunglasses, mispronounces names, allows televising of his frequent plastic surgeries, seems unnaturally obsessed with slime in the ice machine, and screams, "MAR-VIN ZIND-ler, EYE-witness news" into a television camera every night.

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Houston

BILL's: The Gulf of Sherman and the shores of Texoma

I don't know what to think of people in this area. Just today, I am driving out of our neighborhood. Our street dead ends into State Highway 56. At this point, Highway 56 is only two lanes, but it is still a State Highway. My little "lane and a half" road joins this right outside of downtown Whitesboro. I am sitting here at my stop sign, waiting patiently for the cars to clear out so I can make a left turn and get up to speed on the highway. But this elderly lady comes down the highway, and wants to turn on my street. Usually this is no problem, but for this lady life came to an end. She stopped in the middle of the highway and started flagging me out to go ahead and make my turn. This is with other cars barreling down on her at 55 mph around an almost blind turn. There was plenty of room for her to get off the road, but she was afraid to make the turn with another car at the same intersection.

The mentality of almost reminded me of another event which almost destroyed the area. Everyone around here remembers the dreaded Hurricane Rita. In September 2005, Hurricane Rita came up the Gulf of Mexico and attacked the coasts of Louisiana, Texas, and the coast of Texoma. I know you heard the story. Hurricane Katrina formed just a month earlier and decimated New Orleans. The evacuees were shipped to surrounding areas like Houston. Then Hurricane Rita formed and came straight for Houston. This created a mass exodus out of Houston up to the north. Shelters were set up from Dallas to Sherman/Denison to not only house the Katrina refugees, but also the evacuees from Houston. A state of panic covered the area. Hurricane Rita was on the way.

In the days of preparation, I spent time helping run radio communications between shelters, organizing with the Red Cross to situate families, and I worked for Dr. Pepper of Texas during the day. Hurricane Rita had built up to a Category 5 Hurricane, at one time was measured with wind gusts of up to 235 mph, and was listed by Lt. Col. Warren Madden as the "strongest storm that I've ever been in." We were in full force on shelters. Almost every one of the shelters had reached it's maximum capacity. Then came the dreaded day. The day I will never forget. To this day the trauma it has caused still has me waking up in cold sweats.

On September 24, around 3pm, as Hurricane Rita was making landfall just a mere 361 miles away in Galveston, I was finishing my work at the Sherman, TX Wal-Mart. One of the things we must do by the rules established by this Wal-Mart is to take our empty hulls the bottles come in and put them in a secured cage against the back wall attached to the outside of the building. Now granted, a small miracle had occurred and the "Dreaded Rita" had been downgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane, but that didn't stop the sweat running down my face. I went up to a member of management and asked politely to have the back door opened so I could take out the empty hulls. I was told that I was crazy. There is a Hurricane coming, no, I would have to store the empty hulls on my trailer. This is one of those semi trailers that you see parked outside of Wal-Marts docks without any trucks on the front end to pull them. They are just there on stilts. I guess Wal-Mart knows best, and a small semi trailer parked on the side of the store with no wind protection would be a safer spot than the cage attached to the backside of the building which is actually built into the ground.

It did make me feel better for all those people who were right in the middle of Rita, getting pelted by the winds and rain, because I knew that all they had to do was to find an empty semi trailer and those 100+ winds would stand no chance against those trailer walls and the stability of the trailer. And being a highway, I know there must be hundreds of those trailers everywhere.

After landfall, it really got scary. Yes, the hurricane lost it's hurricane status within hours of being on shore, but we knew what was next. That storm was going to make it over Dallas, and to the hot waters of the Gulf of Sherman. Here it would start to gain power again. It would develop back to the Category 5 hurricane it was before and possibly worse. And then it would crash head on into Sherman, TX and destroy the whole town, decimating the Wal-Mart and leaving the town in complete anarchy. But I was ready. I had my family ready to run to Wal-Mart and get on my empty trailer. The only thing that stood between us and the end of Texoma.

But then someone looked down on Texoma and flushed his toilet, because just as some stupid renegade weather man predicted, a stray cold front came out of nowhere and took the storm away from us and the Gulf of Sherman. We celebrated for what I swear had to be 21 seconds. Because I knew in my heart that the management of this store was correct in the end of the world coming under the name of Rita.

I still haven't found the Gulf of Sherman. I have spent some time trying to find it so I can lay down on it's sandy beaches as the waves caress my body, and thank God for saving us during those terrifying 50 hours that we were in hiding from the coming storm with no time to escape. 50 hours is not enough time to move hulls out of an attached cage and back to the plant which was a complete block away. I just never could figure out how all those people came all the way from Houston to Sherman in less time. I can only imagine that they had the devil as their co-pilot driving down the interstate.

I have found more hope for my quest for the Gulf of Sherman, though. A few months ago I found out that Royal Caribbean is sending one of it's biggest ships, The Voyager of the Seas, to the area. There is a local vacation planner who placed a full one-page ad in the local paper. It talks of this massive four-story behemoth of a ship and how it will be boarding here in Sherman, and they are selling tickets on to the ship. My search is going to come to an end. All I have to do is wait for that day.... The day I can follow the smoke as the ship comes into port.... I wonder if I will be able to see it from the Wal-Mart parking lot.... *sigh*

LISSA’S: November heat wave....

Does anyone feel the way I do??? Here it is 80 degrees and it is November 19th! This is unbelieveable!! You know it's SAD when Houston temperatures are cooler than North Texas (Texoma) temperatures. People (in Texoma) have told me that it is hotter in Houston. Those people need to pay more attention to the weather segment on the news. Usually it is a couple of degrees cooler down there because of the cool ocean breeze. What do you have up here in Texoma? Well that would be concrete and cow shit. The only time it does get cooler in Texoma is when there is a powerful cold front that slides through. Several days after it does slide through, the temps begin to climb again. Well I guess it's always hot in hell!

Luckily there is some relief coming on Wednesday. A cold front is coming through the area and is supposed to turn temperatures into the 40's and 50's. I wonder how long this cold front will last. The last 2 or 3 "cold fronts" that came through only took the temperatures down to 60 and was warming up again in the 70's and 80's in just 1-2 days. I guess we'll have to wait and see.