take me out to the ball game...

Did you know that they have a minor league baseball team out here? Well, SURE DO! Alpine (about 25 miles from Marfa and a notch up the scale of town sizes) is home to the Big Bend Cowboys - a team that is back after a couple decades' hiatus. There is a BEAUTIFUL stadium in Alpine that overlooks the West Texas mountains and makes for a lovely sight during the evening games. Hannah and I went to town on Friday to catch a few innings and were there right when sunset occurred. We raced to the car so that we could drive part of the way home into the sunset - purples, pinks, oranges. There's nothing like an evening out west. 

Along with "watching baseball" and experiencing God's glorious sunset, we managed to focus mainly on the actual baseball players. These guys are from all over - some from as far north as New York, as far south as Latin America, and everywhere between. After seeing only the men who come in and out of the hotel and Paul, the guy I work with, it was nice to set my eyes on a young, fresh crowd...especially the Latinos :) For only five bucks, we had the best seats in town: backless benches separated only by a chain link fence from the team's dug out. In other words, prime viewing of the Cowboys. My man is number 25 and Hannah's is 5. How sad is it that I could immediately tell which one she would take a liking to? Before she even sat down with me (a phone call hindered her entrance into baseball glory), I could tell who she would prefer and, of course, who I preferred. Though we didn't stay the entire game (our early bedtime we are now accustomed to called our names), we plan on seeing those boys again. There's a street dance festival in Alpine this Friday so perhaps we will see them there? Hopefully they will wear their jerseys so we are able to distinguish them!

Saturday was a delightfully productive day. After both of us got our own workouts in for the day, we decided to do some chores around the house. We had friends (Sam and Sarah) coming in for the night so that inspired us to...well, be very married like I guess. Hannah took the man's role and rearranged patio furniture, mowed the lawn, and cut the watermelon for supper. I swept out the house, baked a cake, and made some yummy Texas Caviar for our staple - Fritos. It was such a successful morning that we both needed a laying out break - we set up camp next to our purple kiddie pool for refreshing ourselves and lounged about on the old cots we used to sleep on. Our Sita would be so proud to know that we reused those cots after so many years! After so much activity and the sun draining us of what was left, we had just enough energy to shower and take much needed naps. I LOVE afternoon naps. It was pretty warm out too so I quite literally passed out. When I woke up, it took a good 10 minutes to clear my head and make sense of reality. I think I nap better then when I sleep at night!

Enough with the nap...Sam and Sarah (both of the Means family but 2nd cousins...Hannah and Sarah are bff and Sam is, well, he's Sam!) came over to cook supper and just hang out. I went down to the hotel to return "Giant" (everyone must see it. The cast - Rock Hudson, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor - all stayed at the Hotel while they filmed) and ran into a few friends. Between chatting with them on the patio and chatting with my friends at the front desk, my little walk to drop the movie off turned into quite an event! I love going places in town and knowing people. That's something I have always waited for in this town and it's finally working out for me! Back at the house, Sam had made some mouth-watering brisket, yummy homemade biscuits, and later we had my chocolate cake. If the food is that great, you KNOW the night was a good one :) And that it was. I love getting to sit around and chat with old friends. You know it's good when you don't have to do too much catching up - things just fall right back into place. That's how it is with my west Texas folks...and I love it.

On Sunday morning, Hannah and I decided it was time to try out a church in town. We used to always go to the Baptist church when the whole "Camp Marfa" gang was in town. We walked the 2 blocks, more than doubled the congregation, and always, without a doubt, had to perform. Yes, that's right - perform. Normally this consisted of Hannah and I playing a piano duet, Naomi playing a piano song, and Zac/Kate doing a sweet little VBS song for all to see. They were the babies, and still are, of the crowd and everyone loved seeing them - Zac with his white blond curls and Kate doting on him. They were a precious pair. I distinctly remember the year they sang "The Gospel Fuzzies" - a musical version of the gospel bracelets only you have a glove with the colored fuzzies on each finger. The Baptists of Marfa sure seemed to enjoy that one! Well, Hannah and I opted to bypass the "oh, you're Mary Helm's family?!" moments and try a new church. I ran past a quaint rock church the other day and noticed that their service was not until 10am - perfect time for church. So, that's where we went and believe me, I will be back every Sunday I am out here! The two of us were the youngest by about 40 years and seemed to be quite the novelty. Everyone greeted us, they had us introduce ourselves during the sermon, and a few even said to call them if we needed anything. If only I could remember their names I would TOTALLY take them up on that offer. It was the Presbyterian church (a shame to my Baptist and Methodist grandmothers, I'm sure) so new to me. But I just loved the small congregation, the familial atmosphere, and the knowledge that all was well within those walls. It was a surprising delight, not just a dreary church service to check off of my list of things to do. I will be going back on Sunday with my heart ready and my voice ready to bellow out the beloved hymns of years past.

Here begins my third week in the town I love so much. It's amazing to think that I have actually gotten to spend this much consecutive time out here! Except for a desire to shop at Target and see a few of my peeps/family, I have absolutely no need or want to leave. I am enjoying each and every morning at work, walk to the Hotel, lazy evening, and sunset from the porch. I can only hope that those who read this are enjoying their summer as much as I am. Even if you are stuck in the city or in a cubicle job, just remember that days are limited and we must embrace every moment with those we love. Enjoy your week of summer bliss. I will share a hot dog at the next baseball game in memory of all those following my life. Love and hugs and kisses!

P.S. this was what I found on my kitchen floor one night!

here begins another week :)

Though nothing terribly exciting happened, this was a delightful weekend. My aunt Joni, Kate, and Hannah were here until Saturday when AJoni and Kate headed home to the big city and hannah stayed for a few weeks out here. I love my family. Being with them is lovely even when we bug each other. I didnt appreciate my family (extended and immediate) until a few years ago and missed out on a lot of fun I'm sure. Unfortunately, I was one of those teenage girls whose friends are the center of her world and life revolves around ME. The good thing now is that having had that attitude makes me better appreciate those friends who are still around despite college and moving away but also my family. So, hear it loud and clear: I LOVE MY FAMILY :)

Let's see - this weekend included much laziness on my part (and Hannah's too!). Friday, I worked at the hotel, a job I am loving more and more each day. It really is a dream internship. I got to help put wedding favors in the guests' rooms for this weekend's wedding. I trimmed the geraniums, was treated to a yummy pizza lunch, had chat time with my lovely coworkers, Paul and Jeanne. Basically, I am very happy. For those of you who worried that I would be (silly yall!), go ahead and know that I am good to go. Friday evening was followed with me helping Lisa at the Austin Street Café. She did the rehearsal dinner for the wedding party there and I was the chosen helper. Now, just in case my hotel job isn't good enough, God let me stumble in the path of Lisa and Jack. We chat and laugh, taste the food that is being served, have non-alcoholic beers, eat any leftovers for supper, and I get paid to have all this fun! Lisa is the best teacher too. She took me out into her very expansive garden to teach me a bit about different herbs like lemon verbana, various mints, and basil. I am now bound and determined to start up an herb garden - cross your fingers there. I feel I just need a bit of experience, some failed plants, and then some successes to truly have a green thumb. We shall see...

Well, as if Friday night wasn't enough fun helping out Lisa and Jack, I got home and AJoni and I decided that I looked too cute to NOT go out to my friend's ranch for their party weekend. I gathered up the courage to head on out (I do NOT like to do things like that without my wingman...) and ended up having a very good time. I got to see my old friend, Clay, and visit with some new people. I was the "score keeper" of the ping pong games, although I doubt I did any good seeing how I don't know how to play or what counts as a score. All in all, Friday was a good day/night. And whoever thought I'd be BORED out here?!

The rest of the weekend was delightful but lazy as they get. Hannah and I allowed ourselves to get sucked into the thrills of Dawson's Creek - the 6th season. It is my FAVORITE series by far - I love the dramatic nature and am in love with Pacey Whitter. Anyways, we did manage to go on a walk or two, make dinner both nights, and get a few chores done in between episodes. A few productive things we did? We made ourselves lovely dinner lovely suppers both nights: Saturday was yummy pasta and a summery salad topped with a cocktail of capri-sun - very big girl drink and Sunday was Pasta Primavera with grilled chicken. Here's a picture of our first supper together and then one of Hannah's expertise in mowing the lawn:

Along with laundry, visiting with Clay in town, making supper and cookies, and (of course) finished the season of Dawson's Creek, we have CLEARLY been two very busy girls. It's almost like we need a weekend to rest from all the excitement...Nah, we need the week to start so we can get back to work. I like having a job to get up for in the morning, to pick an outfit for, and to get paid for. Makes a girl feel kinda grown up!

This week on the agenda: I will be starting to see the housekeeping side of a hotel. Today I work the evening shift so I can see what evening housekeeping is like as well as the front desk's evening duties - mostly checking people in and preparing the books for the next morning. I will be cleaning some toilets I'm sure as no good manager can tell their employees to do something that they have never had to do. I might be co-helping with a mini event at the hotel as well. Nothing fancy just another thing to add to my experience :) There is a band coming to town on Saturday and some home baseball games this week in Alpine - between that, working, and porch time I am sure to be a busy girl! Keep posted for more on my life.

a slow paced life is a happy life for me.

I was informed today by a friend that there had been no update in about 5 days - that is just unacceptable! It isn't a lack of time that's for sure. More of a lack of things to share. I have been waiting to post until I had some great story or moment to put into words here and, well, today I got one. I have been working now for 4 days in the morning shift at the hotel. It is a slow week for us - I guess not many wanted to experience the culture of a west Texas summer - so I have learned much but there isnt enough happening to keep us busy. I have become friends with Jeanne and Paul, the other two front desk clerks with me, and look forward to chatting with them more. I have gotten some yummy food provided by the cook's experiments and get there at 7 am to help open up which means I fully experience a morning here :) I really do love my job. And I get paid to hang out in a hotel, meet customers and hear about their trips, and share my love and knowledge of the great West! It was a match made in Heaven.

Anyways, so yesterday an older man come into the hotel to pick something up. He was a flirty man which means easy to talk to and nice enough. Naturally, I chatted with him while the others looked for his item to be picked up. We talked about how "busy" our job is - how terribly difficult it is to stand at a counter, leaning against it, and chat until a customer comes by. "Yes, yes, it is really hard work" we discussed, very sarcastic of course. I asked if he had been to Padre's, the new bar/hang out around here, and he sure enough hadn't but thought it sounded interesting. Anyways, we said our goodbyes and that was that...until this afternoon. I got a phone call on the Paisano's phone...very odd, they asked for Abby. Jeanne brought me the phone and looked kinda confused but said that the call was for me. Well, I answered and asked who was speaking. He said "This is Dougie. Are you leaning on the counter pretending not to be bored again?" WEll, naturally I thought that someone was watching me and trying to trick me! So, I confusedly looked around the hotel for someone on a phone because I WAS leaning on the counter and pretending to not be bored! How strange! I kind of laughed and said "Yes, who is this again? Do I know you?" Well, he refreshed my memory that we had chatted the day before about leaning on the counter and such...he then proceeds to ask me if I wanted to go out to Padres the next night with him! I said "oh, Friday night? Like tomorrow?" only struggling to think of some answer to get me out of a DATE at a BAR with an old man! "yeah", he said, "would you like to go try it out with me tomorrow night?" Thank goodness I am working tomorrow night! So I politely told him that I have a catering gig and wouldn't be done until late...He said, "well another time then" and that was that... WEIRD! Haha, Jeanne felt so terrible after she realized what that conversation was. Especially for leaving me alone with him for a brief moment the day before! If only he was about 40 years younger - guys these days should be more forward and open to asking girls out! But yuck...I am a no go there ha!

Well, aside from that, my life is pretty slow and stable right now. I love it that way. Hannah, Aunt Joni, and Kate came in last night - Hannah for June to teach art classes and Aunt Joni and Kate just until Saturday. I don't have to sleep alone anymore!

weekend roundup.

Well, here we are at the end of a lovely Sunday afternoon and a delightful weekend. Sunday's are both a blessing and a curse, as we all know: we rest from a fun weekend but also to ready ourselves for another week. As much of a bummer as it is that we must buck up and go back to work or school the next morning, Sunday's also mean that we are given yet another week of life and experiences. Lucky us for making it this far!

This weekend was 

going to be my weekend to rest up, enjoy having NOTHING to do, and let myself get absolutely bored with having nothing to do so that by Monday morning, I would be ready to start working. Well, so much for boring myself out! Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to help my friend Lisa in her cafe, the Austin Street Café. She had a private brunch and let me help serve waffles, toast bagels, and clear tables. Yes, I do enjoy this kind of thing - crazy, I know! 

After waking up at 6:30, jogging for the first time in a few days, and then being on my feet and moving around for a good 5 hours, I was POOPED! My legs were to the point of tired that no position was a good position. I was hungry but not hungry enough to fix anything. I tried to nap but my mind had too much going on to let that happen. Yet, I LOVED my yesterday! It was an accomplished feeling at the end of the day. I worked out, worked in an environment that I could easily get used to, was thought to be much older than I am (yay!), and then had plenty of time to relax. I ended the day by making yummy spaghetti for myself and my friend (yes, I do have a few out here) and watching "All the Pretty Horses." Such a beautiful film. Go watch it. So, Saturday quickly went from a day of "nothing planned" to plenty to do, places to be, and meeting new people. That's never a bad thing!

Rather than pay me for helping yesterday, Lisa let me come over today and bake with her. Now, most college students would gladly take money over working in a warm kitchen for 5 hours but I know the knowledge and experience that Lisa has. I want, nay I NEED to learn from her! A woman from Santa Fe, Lisa used to do catering and then moved to Marfa for a relaxing life...only she opened what turned out to be a VERY successful café which then lead to catering and wedding cakes! Anyone who knows me is aware of my LOVE for both cakes and weddings. I don't experience much with recipes - I know what I like and what others like to eat and that's what I stick to. And if I could get my hands on a job that let me meddle in the wedding business, I would be okay with life (just bring me a good, God-fearing cowboy and no one gets hurt!). So, the opportunity to help Lisa with a WEDDING CAKE and learn her recipes, gain some of her experienced knowledge, and establish a friendship with such an intriguing person definitely grabbed my attention. We spent much time flipping through wedding cake books and found that, for the most part, we think the same in that area. Forget flippin fondant - give me a moist slice of cake with little adoration and a not-too-sweet buttercream frosting! Mmm... Anyways, she made me an extra strong cappaccino, much to my liking, I tied on an apron, and we got to working. In the midst of teaching me some never-to-be-forgotten recipes, she allowed me to not only watch and assist but to actually make the sweet frosting and cake. What a lovely time we had! I might even help her with another party on Friday - more experience and cold hard cash :)

After leaving the café on my bicycle (p.s. talk about a workout! especially because the house is uphill!) with my basket laden with bagels, potato salad, and popcorn kernels (she swears it's the ONLY way to make popcorn), I made it home in time to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and the clouds rolling on in. I love being here. I haven't gotten the chance to get bored but that's okay - I am ready to begin my week and thus my summer. I have already learned so much - how much more will I learn working in a hotel?!

today.

Today was my first full day as a summer resident in Marfa. My morning began at a ridiculous hour - 6:30 am when I was awoken by the birds chirping and the trains chugging along by the house. I like sleeping with my windows open out here because the breeze feels oh so good but the "city" noise just really messes with my sleeping schedule :) So, since I had some extra time after waking up so early, I went for a jog - I figured I would get my workout over with so I wouldn't have to come up with an excuse later haha. While jogging, I realized that, at least in West Texas, 6:30 am is really not an "unGodly hour". It is only at this point in the morning that one is able to experience a West Texas sunrise. I rarely see this because I normally sleep until the risen sun awakes me. But alas, today I had one of those breathtaking moments...and not just because my out of shape self was jogging along! The sky was truly stunning - purples and pinks in every shade just took over the sky and the mountains were a dark blue. Such beauty this world possesses! Thank God, for real, that there are moments like those. I found myself purposefully running up the hill - something I avoid at ALL costs - in order to see the multicolored sky for a moment longer. It was amazing.

Thinking about this made me also ponder the incredible genius that God is. He provides us with the day time hours of sunshine when we (at least most people) work and socialize. Then we have the night time, a few hours where the world becomes quiet, the lights are shut off, and we are allowed to rest and rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits. How reassuring it is to know that, in the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "tomorrow is another day" - another opportunity to experience life and build relationships. I love that God gave us day and night, a time to "live" and a time to rest. What an extremely vivid example of His Grace - we live life and then sleep only to awake to the glorious Light and eternal life. Mmm, God is good and I see it so much more clearly from the porch of our little adobe house. On my perch, I begin the day with a quiet time to rejuvenate and remember, then work my way throughout the day with the town's sounds as my soundtrack, and end the evening with a gorgeous sunset and the quietening of streets and homes. I love it. Just another way to show that God knows our needs (to have a quiet time after a long day) and consistently reveals himself through daily activities (remember that our full circle of day and night reflects the full circle of a life in Jesus).

Ok, well, I have activities of the day to report but I will save that for another time. This gal is HUNGRY and must rummage around for something to eat. Hmmm, I'm feeling spaghetti tonight :)

home sweet home

As anyone who knows me would attest to, I have a loud speaking voice. It's probably about 1 or 3 decibals above a "normal" volume to speak at. I don't MEAN to be loud but it just happens. My sister says it's my need for constant attention, I think I am just deafening at a young age. In elementary school, I often got in trouble for talking - it wasnt that I was the ONLY one talking, they just didnt hear the others. So unfair! In high school, they teased me by saying i have a voice modulation disorder, or something like that... Whatever the reason, I speak loudly - supposedly people can recognize my voice from quite a good distance.

So, as you can imagine, those situations where talking is acceptable as long as it is your "inside voice", whatever the heck that means! Today I encountered such a situation. On my way home (aka to Marfa where I now sit tying away on the porch), I had some intense hunger pains. Rather than brave the sketchy McDonald's or use the nasty outside Sonic bathrooms, I sprung for some real food - Pappy's BBQ in Monahans. I dont really like to do things alone but I dont have any problem with picking up something to go and eating it in my car like a true loser. So, after having two very attractive and older men open the doors for me (sadly, they were both wearing wedding bands...), I entered the local joint. I immediately got nervous - NO ONE was talking! Wait, let me rephrase this: no one was talking above what I consider to be a whisper! It was weird! I had to order my meal in an uncomfortably quieter voice - such a foreign experience from the hustle and bustle you find in Dallas or Lubbock...or anywhere for that matter! I mean, good thing I planned on leaving from the beginning - the noise around my car was louder than the voices in that building! I did realize what the issue was: the customers were 90% men, they were all the rancher type, and they clearly had one thing and one thing only on their minds...FOOD. After a long morning on the ranch, I guess I can't blame them. But still, I had to rethink the situation: Am I really THAT used to talking at a normal level or was it just a weird place? Who knows...

So, as I drove the last 2 hours of my trip to Marfa, I had that to consider. Of course, I got tired of thinking about my flawed decibel of talking and turned on my newest book on tape: Harry Potter #5 - The Order of the Phoenix. For anyone who is unaware, I am a Harry Potter fanatic! I am now listening to the last three on tape so I can be better prepared for the upcoming movie in July. As I drove down I-20, I constantly had to turn up the volume...more than halfway of the alotted volume "dashes" appeared! So, maybe I really am deafening myself? Oh well, at least you all hear me coming.

P.S. it's fixin to rain here :)