Joe T. Garcia - A Ft. Worth Institution

No trip to Ft. Worth is really complete, especially during TCU Parents Weekend, unless it includes dinner at the Ft. Worth landmark restaurant Joe T. Garcias. It is truly one of my all-time favorite dining experiences, we've been going there for over 20 years.

I call it an experience because there is no other restaurant this unique. It is huge. The dining is mainly outside on the expansive array of patios with fountains, foliage, arbors and traditional Mexican decor.

Last night, we had a group of 23, so we were able to make reservations and avoid the hour long wait. Reservations are only accepted for inside and for parties of over 20. It was perfect, having just spent the afternoon in the heat at the TCU football game.

The most unique thing about Joe T's is the menu. There isn't one. There is a choice of two entrees, the cheese enchiladas, which is really a combo Mexican plate with a nacho, taco and guacomole or Fajitas. Served family style and so much food we always share. The margaritas are fantastic too, even the skinny!

One thing you have to remember Joe T's is cash only, yes there is an ATM in the restaurant.

Purple Rain - TCU Parents Weekend

I am waking up to Hampton Inn hot coffee, bright and early because our busy day begins in a few hours, breakfast with our youngest, Macy and concludes late after a dinner at Joe T Garcia's tonight.

We will walk many times across the TCU campus today, wearing purple, happily following our precious little girl around. First to breakfast, then her dorm, then probably a friends dorm, then her sorority tailgate party, the Horn Frog game, back to her dorm, the trek to get our car. It's exhausting and the Texas heat promises to be near 93 today but we wouldn't miss it for the world.

In fact, PHT and I are up right now, 6:15 am, excitedly anticipating the upcoming events of the day, spending in Macy's world. Nothing better!

Of course, we will all be wearing purple, glad it's a color thats in for fall, because there's a great selection of options for us, Macy and I. PHT has an assortment of TCU shirts. "Everyone wears purple all day" -Macy's last words to us last night.

Go Horned Frogs!

The Yellow School Bus

I am a real estate investor. Well, I am trying to become one. Tom and I have done well buying and selling our own personal homes-location, location, location. We have a profit from our last home which we want to invest in a rehab, foreclosure property to use as a rental property/flip. I am one of the mulitutde of interesting people who goes to the courthouse steps the first Tuesday of the month hoping to buy a property for an unbelievable price. However, when it comes down to actually raising my hand to place the bid I freeze, So, this month, I've decided, I would really be prepared to place a bid. I've done extensive research online.

Today, I set out to the suburbs to view the houses meeting my criteria, Wow! Oh, how the memories of living in these wonderful neighborhoods, near elementary, middle and high schools, flooded my mind with the greatest memories! The neighborhood pools and playgrounds, tears. I had to pull into a Walgreens after I passed the football stadium to gather my wits and composure.

Funny, I didn't even raise my kids in this suburb, city or even this part of Texas but I could just visualize the routines of each of these neighborhoods families and fondly remember those days. Then, I saw a school bus, I had to head back to my inner city downsized empty nest pad. The yellow school bus gets me every time!