where did the marfalous go??

I love living in Midland. It gets me close to the west Texas mountains, has cool nights even when the days are hot, and is infused with the west Texas spirit, friendship, and qualities of life. I moved here hoping it would let me get away to Marfa as often as I pleased - it's close enough to head to the little town I love for even just one night. Heck, I could get up early and come home late if i just had one day free! And, since August, I have only been one time to Marfa. What the heck?? This is unacceptable.

I have a lot of reasons why, I guess. Let's see if they justify my absence. 1) I got a new job that does not leave me completely spent at the end of the week. It is much more interesting, positive, and flexible than the previous job. 2) The holidays hit right after my last trip to Marfa in November - Thanksgiving, family cruise, Christmas, New Years. 3) After all those weekends away, I needed to stick around and enjoy my new house, boyfriend, and church group that I have grown to anticipate attending every week. 4) I have been taking some online classes this semester. This not only takes up time after work during the week but most of my weekends require me to spend time on the classes as well. Let's just say, this is my first and last semester of this...at least for now. Much more of a c

ommitment than I had anticipated.

All this to say, I guess I have had enough stuff going on in my life to justify my absence both from Marfa and my blog spot here. The sad thing is that I have plenty of down time to watch TV shows

(The Voice, anyone??), read, and now take care of my new rescue puppy. Her name is RJ after RJ Machinery where Travis' dad found her. It's not the spiffiest of names but she seems to respond to it (assuming I call her the right name...) and it certainly is unique. All in all, she is sweet, playful, and joined me in a jog yesterday. I don't know which one of us was closer to collapsing from the very short distance we went! What a refreshing change to have company on my afternoon jogs.

As the school semester comes to a close in the near future, I have already

been planning weekends in the little town that stole my heart. The Paisano's patio and Padre's are calling my name. I am so ready to see, hug, and love on all my people out there. It has been far too long to be separated and I truly feel the distance on my heart and mind. Marfa refreshes my spirit, brightens my eyes, and revitalizes me for the next marfa-less stretch. The friendships, ambiance, culture, and food in that town have established a home for me. In just a few weeks, I will be dancing back into town ready for porch time at the house, a margarita at Jett's and fellowship with my sweet friends. My friends here in Midland won't know what happened to the marfa-less Abby when I get back, refreshed and Marfalous once again.

Just FYI, today is Thursday...this means tomorrow begins the weekend. Everyone hoot and holler over that great news!

xox,

ac.