Bluebonnet Get-a-Way... A LONG Story

I LOVE Thursday nights. I try to get the kids to bed on time, then settle in (glass of wine in hand) for some serious television. Namely, "Grey's Anatomy" followed by "Private Practice." I think these shows transport me back to my working days at Madigan Army Medical Center, in Washington. I feel like I am still part of the medical world. A fly on the wall, observing everything and telling Jason things like, "yup, that really happens" or "no-way! Malpractice suit coming!" He kindly puts up with it.

So, last Thursday, I settle down on the couch with a glass of "Mad Housewife" white wine (a gift from Jason) and tune in to "Private Practice." Beautiful Dr. Addison Montgomery is examining a high-risk, pre-term pregnant patient at home. ("Yeah, right," I tell Jason.) The patient is nervous as she has never carried a baby to term.

"You're 2 centimeters dilated with a bulging bag," the beautiful Dr. Addison tells the tearful patient.

I didn't hear anything else. Jason was already running to shut the television off. (Even though the remote was right beside him!) I've heard those words before, and I start to feel ill. My palms get sweaty. And I am transported back in time to when my friend, Cassie tried to calmly tell me that, "You are 5 cm dilated with a bulging bag."

I go to bed early and am plagued with nightmares.

Poor Jason comes home the next afternoon...

"We're going on a trip to see bluebonnets!" I tell him. "A spontaneous trip!" (Except I already have a map of bluebonnet trails where I want to go, a loose itinerary of what I want to see, and am minutes away from confirming our hotel reservations. I don't think there is anything remotely spontaneous about me.) Jason, sensing that I need to get away, gamely plays along.

The trip to bluebonnet country was wonderful. The drive was so picturesque, I felt like I was part of a living postcard. We traveled to the St. Clare Monastery to look at miniature horses; The Lavender Hill Farm for lavender jelly, soaps, balm, even coffee! , Pleasant Hill Winery for my drug of choice; and of course, the fields of bluebonnets. Seeing how happy and excited the girls were really lifted my spirits. I'll have to write more about their antics later. For now, I leave you with a few shots of our weekend adventure.

Carpe Diem!