Sky Watch Over Irving (Tx)

I took this as we were starting to approach Dallas Love Field Airport in Irving, Texas. I really liked the cloudy, dark sky. Plus I noticed the wing was really, really clean. Almost new looking. And it made me feel good. :)

Cadillac Ranch - Irving, TX

Since my trips lately have only been to Irving, there's not much new stuff to share. :) Besides, I am mostly working except at dinner time! I love food! I went with friends to Cadillac Ranch again because it's convenient and pretty good. After a rough day, I decided that I should try something new, just because it's always good to do that I think. Sure, I was leaning towards the oven-baked fried chicken (again) but I forced myself to try the quail. Boy, was it great! And so cute too. Look at those little legs! I am now a fan. Poor little, delicious quails. My sides included asparagus and grits. Yes, grits! It was delicous too!

Sky Watch in Navasota

Recently we traveled to Navasota, Texas and I found it to be gorgeous country out there! I really enjoyed our visit. I am not sure what I expected but I don't think it was rolling hills filled with lovely wildflowers....so what a pleasant surprise. Everything was really green too since they get enough rain. This is a huge field of Bluebonnets that we saw along the highway in Navasota. I loved roaming around that field!

We were only there a few hours but we did drive through town...not much going on though there were some interesting looking old buildings along the main street. I guess that would be the historic area. I'm not sure what else you do in Navasota but if I do go back, it would be to take pictures of the picturesque countryside and cool-looking longhorns.

I'm sneaking in a second shot of another field we found! :)



Check out other wonderful sky shots this week at the Sky Watch!

Hyatt Place Las Colinas (Irving, Texas)

This past week, I went back up to Irving and rather than stay at the Hyatt Summerfield, I thought I'd try the Hyatt Place....love it! It was much newer, having been renovated when the Hyatt bought it. I believe it use to be AmeriSuites or something like that. The company rate we got was about $89 per night, which beat the $111 we paid at the Summerfield.



My favorite thing about this hotel...the sectional sofa! :) It was a great place to relax at the end of the day. Much nicer than sitting at the desk or on the bed and it goes a long way in making me feel as if I'm at home, or at least at a friend's house. No full kitchen but there was a bar with a little refrigerator. Worked fine for me. I think I have found a new home away from home when I go to Irving.



Oh, and the HD TV doesn't hurt either. It swivels so you can watch from the sofa or bed. The only thing I didn't like too much was the small closet door. Made getting the big suitcase in there challenging so I skipped that.

Driving-to-Irving Survival Guide

Lately we have been driving between San Antonio and Irving (Texas) when we need to go to Corporate. This saves the company money and we're all about that so there are no complaints from us. Plus it's a great trip when you are with someone you enjoy -- constant talk and jamming music makes the four hour drive fly by really. Once we're up there, we also opt for the two-bedroom suite ($125 per night) versus getting our own room ($111). If you like to have a little company (like we do), the suite is a great bargain. The rooms are great at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites.

Here are some of the things we enjoy on our drive:

1. Great company
2. Lots of talking (about work but also about life)
3. Lots of laughing (lots)
4. At least one stop at a Starbucks
5. Where to eat once we're there discussions
6. Snacks (Funions, Cheetos, an occasional banana and apple for me, pistachios)
7. Texting and calling our family and friends to update them on our adventures

Packing

(What you don't see in the picture are two small stacks of the clothes I brought with me to Dallas.)

Some people find packing for a trip the worst part of the experience. It can be, true. Especially if you waited until the last possible moment to do it. Once upon a time, I was the type of person who started packing about a week before the trip. And if it was a trip I was REALLY looking forward to, then I may open up a suitcase to start throwing in items about two weeks prior to take-off. Less pressure. You think of something you want to take; you walk by and toss it in the open suitcase; you don't worry about having to remember it...because it's in there already.

Alas, somewhere in the last six years or so, I became a person that packs at the last minute. Maybe a day or two before the trip. And now?? I pack the night before mostly!! LOL, funny how you change.

One thing that doesn't change is the sense of accomplishment I feel when I take the things in the above picture and get them neatly into my luggage so that I see something like the photo below. It feels good. You feel like you fooled the luggage. You know...as if the suitcase, yeah right, you're not getting ALL of that in ME!! And then you do and it's a good feeling. I love packing. I do not like unpacking. That's totally different.

Irving, Texas

Last week I finally took a trip for work up to Irving...it's been a while! We stayed at the Hyatt Homewood Suites Los Colinas since it was near the office. That place was really nice and offers singles, two- and three-bedroom suites. Very nice if you really get along with someone, want a roommate and don't mind sharing a living room. You still get your own room and bath so it's nice to have company to chill out with and unwind. I shared a suite with a coworker in FL last year and we had a great time. Made being away from home for work seem like a little mini-vacation.

We also ate at Cadillac Ranch which I understand is franchised. I loved it! The atmosphere was very nice; lots of professionals for dinner (many from our company I noticed). The food was great. I had the oven-baked fried chicken with potatoes and corn. Very nice so I highly recommend it. This restaurant is in a little mall across the street from the hotel. It was all very convenient for us.