Grandma and Grandpa’s

I made the trek up to Montana to visit my grandparents last week. It’s amazing how quickly time gets away from you, isn’t it? The last time I had been to see them was in September of 2006, almost two years ago. I can assure you that time moves as quickly on the other side of the planet as it does here.

Their house hasn’t changed much over the years.

Since my grandpa hasn’t been able to keep the garden, my grandma has taught herself the basics and keeps one for herself now. I am so proud of her! Once she figured out I was taking pictures, she nearly sprayed me with the hose.

Flowers from the garden

Me and grandpa enjoying a beautiful morning

Me and grandma the same day

An old friend

Erik and I had lunch with an old (as in “from years past” not elderly — you’re welcome) friend at a fantastic pizza place called Goomba’s. I’ve been meaning to email him for a few weeks and finally did one morning as I had a nagging feeling in my soul that I needed to contact him. Ten minutes after sending that email, I got a call with his familiar voice on the other end mimicking an Indian accent.

The timing of our visit with him was perfect for me. I’ve been wringing my hands in angst waiting for us to find good jobs and get settled down again. Many of my closest friends and of course my mother have been telling me to just relax, you haven’t been home that long, it’s going to take time, a job will come. Sometimes it takes an objective, trustworthy, kindred spirit to speak truth into your life. My lunch at Goomba’s with my friend blessed me with calming truth articulated in such a way that I think it stuck — finally.

Here’s to letting my bloody feet heal and learning to leave those silly goads alone. Thank you, dear friend.

Washing our new car

One major difference between India and the U.S. — if you want a clean car, you have to do it yourself or pay a whole heck of a lot more than 100 rupees a month (for a daily wash). It gives me something to do and I’ve grown accustom to having a perfectly clean, spot free car during the last year. When I decide San Antonio needs some rain, I wash the car.

Our new car — 2006 Acura RSX

Spa Day

Oh, what a glorious day! Barbara and I decided to treat ourselves to a spa day at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort’s Wildflower Spa about 15 minutes from the house. It’s torture some days to realize that a peaceful paradise is only a few miles away. We both had one hour massages, Barbara just because and me for my birthday.

Robes at spas swallow me whole and always make me laugh. Laughing is great therapy and laughing at yourself keeps you humble. How’s that for a proverb?

My favorite place at the Wildflower Spa is the pool. Most visits I get at least half an hour alone there. When can I move in?

Coming Home

We were welcomed properly with a sign by Barbara and Larry, Erik’s parents. Both of us are thankful for a place to stay as we get ready to land on our feet again.

June happens to be Erik’s parent’s anniversary and his dad’s birthday month. We celebrated both at a seafood place called Joe’s Crabshack. Loving the seafood these days. Eating my fair share of sushi, too.

Blueberry Goodness

A picture of my favorite delight: blueberry smoothie. Here’s the recipe, too. So easy and oh, so good!

1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup soy milk

Blend and gulp.

My first blueberry smoothie in over a year!

Last Pics from India

This hysterical collection could teach us all a few things on how to load a bicycle. I imagine that these guys didn’t want to make more than one trip much like us in the U.S. when we try to make it in from the car in one trip after a major stop at the local grocery store. That’s how I will eventually lose both of my arms. It’s going to be a painful day when they fall from their sockets with plastic bags full of produce (including blueberries, of course), soy milk, and canned tomatoes.

I took all of these from the backseat of our car on our last trip through Old Delhi.

This guy is hauling massive tractor tires.

We also happened to find the tire market. I guess this is where you go to buy used tyres (as they spell it), new tyres, shredded tyres, clean tyres, dirty tyres — you get the picture.

Blogathon

I can’t sleep tonight which, much to my relief, isn’t as common of an issue as it used to be in my dear old Delhi. That’s when I would blog. I know. It’s still no excuse to neglect my duties as devoted blogger. I’ll be better — I promise. Hold onto your hats, fix a nice cup of joe, and settle in for a while. We’ve got some catching up to do.