Things Forgotten

I am finding it interesting all the things that I have forgotten over the years not living in Texas.  Things that I very clearly made fun of my Colorado friends in college over and then just other things.

I am finding myself saying "cokes" again for generalizing soda instead of "sodas"  Every single time I say soda to someone here it is met with "What?"
For example conversations my go like this:

"I don't have any sodas how about tea?"
"What?"
"I don't have coke how about some tea?"
"Oh, tea is fine."

"Do you want to go to Sonic and get a soda?"
"What?"
"Do you want to go get a coke somewhere?"
"Yes"

"Can you please tell me where the soda aisle is?"
"What?"
"The cokes, where are they?"
"Oh, aisle 10."

etc....

I pay attention because it always happens.  So if you can't beat them then you return to your roots and once again sodas become cokes.

The weather is also a mystery to me.  If we were in Colorado then you can expect snow.  Snow on the ground, snow in the sky, snow in your house, frost on everything, fridged cold air in the mornings and in the evenings and always long sleeves and ALWAYS a jacket.  Here we have been as warm as 78 degrees and as low as 42 degrees as highs in 3 weeks time.  It is wear a long sleeve and winter coat to short sleeves and shorts some days.  That kind of weather doesn't work into my changing the clothes out system for my kids.  So now we have all clothes for all kids and all seasons out and I watch the nightly weather regularly.  Now don't get me wrong.....I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WARMTH FROM ALL THE SUNSHINE WE GET......I just think it is extreme to go from a blistering 78 degrees one day to 50 the next....that's all.  It also has me a little worried about summer time here.  We might just melt away like snowmen....:)

Zach said he has noticed, also, that people he deals with almost always end their conversations with "God bless you."  He said especially among the Hispanic community.  I asked him what he thought of that and he said he kind of likes it.  It got me to thinking....how many people have I asked God to bless today?  I am kind of like, whatever, when it just becomes part of your speech.  I don't think it is something to say lightly, but he feels they are pretty sincere and appreciates it. So it is something for me to ponder and think about.  Along those lines is the courtesies down here.  People being friendly and polite.  It is so great!!  BUT, once again there are those that are bleeding "fake" and it is a pet peeve of mine.  Overall, I like the "hand-shake makes a deal(and is honored)" mentality of people in this part of Texas.

To switch gears a bit......
We were surprised with a box full of Valentines Day gifts in it yesterday from our much missed Ms. Roxanne and Mr. Bob.  The kids were delighted to get new fun stuff and I got my camera out for the occasion.  So enjoy the pictures.