Earmuffs, Hand Dryers, a Set Up, and a Koozie

Today, I finished my weekend class.  Newsflash: I totally know how to communicate.  Apparently, I'm very expressive with my words.  I know.  I was just as surprised as you were...but here's the thing.  I wasn't always like that, or at least I don't think so.  When I was younger, I was a bottler.  I still am.  I bottle up emotion and stress until I can't take anymore, and then I melt down...usually in a pretty epic fashion.  I like to "go big or go home" I guess. 

That's not entirely true, though.  I've always been really good at expressing myself through words, whether they be on paper or via email or some other mode of expression.  Speaking and communicating?  Not so much.  I tend to speak before I think things through, something I can avoid when writing my thoughts.  It's a shame that letter writing is almost a lost art.  Taking the time to write a letter or a note, even if it's short, by hand?  It shows you actually care enough about someone to put in some time and effort.  Anyone can write an email.  It doesn't take a lot of effort, and minimal time.  Writing a letter takes dedication.  I wrote one this week, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

ANYWAY, after my class was over, I picked up my B and we headed south to Houston.  It was approximately 30 degrees cooler in Dallas today than it was in Houston, so as neared our destination, I had to fight the urge to stop and change out of the long sleeve shirt I had opted for this morning.  Sidenote: On my way to class this morning, I was driving along and glanced at the car next to me.  Then, I did a double take.  It was approximately 53 degrees this morning, and it was a perfect fall morning.  Perfect for a nice, cozy latte or something of that sort...NOT perfect for earmuffs.  Seriously, y'all.  She. Was. Wearing. Earmuffs.  I looked for the third time, figuring my eyes must be trying to wake up (as it was just barely 8:00 on Saturday morning) and she caught me looking.  I couldn't help it.  I burst out laughing, and she got ridiculously angry.  She was shaking her fist and making mad faces, which only made me laugh harder.  Oh, Texans...you crack me up.  I'm proud to be one of you.  I'm also proud to say that I refuse to wear a coat.  It just doesn't get cold enough here.  Give me snow, and I'll give you a coat...unbuttoned/unzipped. 

Our trip to Houston was full of hilarity: B couldn't get the hand dryer to work when we stopped for a potty break, so he stuck his face under it, right when it came on full blast.  It makes me laugh, now, just thinking about his cheeks blowing out in an unnatural way.  He decided to take off his hoodie while we were on the road, and got his arms (fully extended) and head stuck, requiring me to pull him out of it.  Once we hit the beltway, I was belting out some Journey (Don't Stop Believin') when I hear this little voice totally rocking out in the backseat.  He had taken one of his earbuds out, paused Rush Hour 2, and was singing all the words right along with me.  It was precious.

Once we arrived and were sufficiently welcomed by my dad and sister (we're attempting to have my dad's new house fully unpacked and decorated before Thanksgiving), B asked if we could go to the playground for a little bit.  We all agreed, so we went and let him blow off some steam.  My dad and I came back first, and B walked back with my sister.  Before we went to the park, the three grown-ups set up a media cabinet in what is deemed "the boys' room", and it came in a huge boss.  My sister and B collaborated to "scare" me when I walked around the corner, and (since I was forewarned) I reacted to B jumping out of the box appropriately.  Fast forward to B walking in the door after walking home from the playground.  My dad gave me our signal, right as he walked past the box...and I jumped up, yelling.  That kid jumped 6 inches in the air, shrieked, and hit the floor.  I almost fell out of the box, I was laughing so hard.  He had to check to make sure he hadn't wet his pants.  The best part was that he had actually picked a flower for me, and then refused to give it to me after I scared the crap out of him.  He eventually relented, but he was so mad.  And it was so worth it.

                                                                           (The box)
Lastly, I got a text from a super-great friend of mine today, saying "What would you think about being set up with someone?"  Sigh.  I promptly called her to find out what she was talking about, because (no lie) I had just thought to myself, "It's kinda been a while since anyone has tried to set me up..."  That was stupid.  It's so easy to think of reasons to decline, and extremely hard to think about why that would even be a good idea.  Do I want to go out with someone to help him open up, because he's very quiet and I'm very...me?  I see one person who would potentially benefit from that, but it's not me.  While I'm not completely against entertaining the idea, it doesn't mean I want to...but I guess I should start dating again.  Maybe.  It's been a ridiculously long time.

But for now, I'm just going to be me, and entertain myself.  I do that pretty well on my own...like this afternoon, I laughed for 20 minutes.  Over a koozie.  Seriously.                                  

Aubs

                                                            How can this not be funny?