64. Go to a rodeo

The biggest, most loaded baked potato ever!


Texas Longhorn... he was a little scary...


Mutton Bustin'. Funniest thing ever!


The hat, the belt buckle, the Texas painted horse... I was ready to roll.


Let the Houston Rodeo begin!


Wranglin' some cattle!


Sugarland... so good...

So, yes, I did slightly set myself up for this one, but going to a rodeo has been a life ambition for quite some time.

The Houston Rodeo is a month-long extravaganza that really can not be put into words. Hot men in tight jeans and cowboy hats, ropin' steers and making all the girls swoon, was only the beginning. First of all, the Houston Rodeo is not an event, it is a way of life. The people, the animals, the games, the food, the competition, it truly is it's own culture.

47. Visit K. and D. in Houston

So I finally did it... did a little jet setting and stole away for a few days on a much needed vacation. The flight seemed to take forever, and a layover in Chicago didn't help that aspect much but there were no smelly people or screaming children so the trip was overall satisfactory. This also gave me a chance to finally use the posh luggage I bought myself as a graduation present a couple years ago. It had been used but never been airborne so I'm sure it was as excited as I was about the trip.

My Beautiful Christian Friend and The Wonderful Husband were there to greet me when I arrived at Hobby Airport. After a few days I realized Houston was not at all what I had expected. It was not a city populated by the Bush family, but a New York City of sorts that just happened to be in the midwest.

It was great to spend time with My Beautiful Christian Friend and The Wonderful Husband and their too-cute-for-his-own-good puppy, Spencer. It was great to get away and enjoy a change of scenery and some warmer weather. I also got the chance to check off yet another task on the 101 list!

I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

And I'd like to say I don't know when I'll be back again. But, unfortunately, I will only be away for five days. However, while I am gone I will be completing at least two tasks off my 101 list, woohoo!

Somehow it has all come together that I will be visiting K. and D. in Houston this coming week, and really, it could not have come at a better time. I have started dreaming about new ways to arrange the Juvenile Literacy area (which is telling me it is time to step away from the library) and my misunderstanding of men has come to a whole new level (which tells me that a different time zone is just what the doctor ordered).

And in steps Houston to rescue me! Houston, with your cowboys and rodeos, 70 degree temperatures and lack of humidity, best friends and non-English speaking neighbors, I can't wait!

For all of you out there in blog-land, never fear, for I will return soon. With many pictures and stories and hopefully a few things checked off the 101 list.