Where Did All of This Traffic Come From?

I had to chuckle on Friday. There was a Facebook comment from my cousin in New York about how she hated the traffic in NYC. I commented she would not like it here in Dallas, either. NYC has the famous bridges to negotiate; we have toll roads galore with a really weird pricing system, I still can't figure out.  If you travel this stretch of toll road, you pay seventy five cents, but if you travel it only this far you pay thirty cents. There are cameras that monitor you, but I find myself mentally calculating...how much do I owe now?

And don't get me started on the construction. The suburb I live in is north of Dallas; the two main arteries being I -35E or I 35W. Yup! Both are under construction and are a nightmare to negotiate. I don't have a toll tag, so I relegate my driving to the service roads which I hate to say, move faster than the toll roads.

Weekends? It's best to stay home. There is a bigger town to the north of us Denton. Denton hosts two major college campuses; TWU and UNT. It is truly a college town with lots of fun things to do. However, traffic there is a total nightmare because it has grown to big for its britches. There is an aging mall there that they are trying to revive and a lot of retail stores are closing their doors in Flower Mound and Lewisville and moving them to Denton.

Point one. I love Panera Bread. When I lived in Pennsylvania, there was a Panera Bread minutes from our house. Here in Texas, I couldn't find a Panera Bread nearby. There was one in Southlake which I didn't even bother to try. Southlake is a very expensive and prestigious place to live and once again, traffic is a nightmare. Then the two main arteries for them, 121 and 114 underwent MAJOR reconstruction for FIVE years and is now complete. Still, for a ten mile drive, it takes me forty-five minutes.

Then I looked and found one in Denton. Nine miles away. Fifty freaking minutes on a weekday and an hour on the weekend. Really?

Point two. Same with Sports Authority. There used to be one around us but lo and behold. It closed and now is in Denton. Right across the street from Panera Bread. Really? Someone is trying to make me crazy.

I guess that's God's way of telling me to stay home and write! No shopping or restaurants!!!

Kudos to Nice People!

As a writer, I do have an active imagination. I am working on my next book, currently untitled, and have so much to put into words but I haven't had the time. It is so frustrating! Everyday this week, something has come up for me to tend to first and by that time, it's time for dinner.

My husband believes in together time and likes me to sit with him to watch some evening shows. Not always but the majority of the time. I can't argue with him there. I enjoy his company.  I would love to lock myself in a room for at least five hours to get everything in my head on paper. Or on my saved file on my laptop. But, careful what you wish for, right?

I've also learned I need to toughen up. I let too many selfish people get to me. I need to realize I can't let them get me down. For the unselfish population; a very big thank you!

Finally, a Relaxing Weekend!

It has been an interesting week; lots of ups and downs. I guess I just don't understand people anymore. I don't understand why they are friendly one moment and not friendly the next? It's like I don't know how to approach them when I see them again. Are they going to talk to me or just wave me off?

I think that is why writing and reading agree with me. I get along with all of my characters. They are nice to me and I know what to expect of them...sometimes they will throw me for a loop, but all in all, we have a good relationship. Then, there is nothing but pleasure to lose myself in a good read as well.

However, the good moments have been time spent with my family. This week, we've all gotten along with lots of laughter in the house. The weather finally cooled down and we were able to take outside walks. We have a weekend where no yard work has to be done and we actually went out to lunch, something we haven't done in a long time.

This morning, we don't have to rush to the sports bar to watch our NFL games. We play in the late afternoon, so it's been a lovely morning of homemade waffles; reading the Sunday paper and doing the puzzles, all in our pajamas. Love the lazy mornings!

Trying to find balance in life...

Yes! My next book, For the Love of  Par has been accepted!

In other news, I have run myself into the ground. I know last week, I wrote about our friend and our whirlwind trip to Chicago over the weekend. It gets even busier. My trusted treadmill, which I've had for eleven years died. I literally ran it into the ground because I do an hour or more every day on it.

After I wrote my blog on Sunday, I ran to the sporting goods store and ordered a new treadmill. Also, I finally got the PDF file for Not Just an Act to review for any changes I wanted to make, so I worked on that.

Monday, I had a mammogram. Also on Monday, my daughter had a hearing with the unemployment board about why they denied her claim. I know, she's old enough to fight her own battles, but still when you see where someone is wronged by manipulative people, you want to join in. It was hard for me to sit on my hands. Still don't know the outcome of that....

On Wednesday, my new treadmill was delivered, however, I started to feel really tired. I knew I was coming down with something...

Thursday, I cleaned my house only because of the dust balls from my old treadmill being carried downstairs to the curb for garbage pickup and the packaging droppings from the new one. Afterwards, I couldn't move a muscle. Yup! I got sick with a really bad cold.

My nose is red and I am in a daze even though the label on the OTC package says non-drowsy. I hate to think what would happen if I took the heavy stuff!

So, lots of Vitamin C and plenty of rest for the weekend....and there's still lots to do....I am not a good patient at all!