West Texas Mama

No one warned me that I would need to retain a lawyer in order to raise my children.  First, a little background:  Jake and I have an arrangement.  He receives one quarter for every "O" (Outstanding) he gets on his six-week report card.  The first report card I had to pay out close to $4.  This last one cost me over $10.  This kid likes money - he can be bribed to do much for a quarter.  And, he counts it up and makes sure I don't forget.  If I don't have it handy, he will meet me at the door of the daycare with his hand held out awaiting payment. More background:  Jake's school has a discipline system.  He can lose a "blurt" if he blurts out answers or talks without permission.  He can lose an "out of seat" for, well, being out of his seat.  (I know, you pretty much had that one figured.)  Three blurts can mean the loss of a ticket.  Three out of seats means the loss of a ticket.  Really egregious offenses w...

In 2011, Lubbock was listed sixth on Forbe's Most Dangerous Cities list.  I have absolutely no problem believing this little nugget of truth.  I do not, however, think it has a single thing to do with the violent crimes per capita that they claim to use as the basis for this list.  Granted, I've witnessed several interesting things since moving here:  a cop with gun drawn in one hand and hauling a suspect through a no-tell hotel window with the other, a prostitute soliciting a john in the Walmart parking lot, etc.  (And those were just during my lunch hour - I can't help it that I work near a rougher neighborhood.)  I've been the victim of crime - you must recall the Great Coupon Binder Robbery of 2011.  (See earlier blog posts)  No, I believe Lubbock is dangerous due to it's repeated attempts to kill me via asphyxiation.  This past week alone, there have been three "brownouts".  A brownout is when the wind kicks up all the dust and ...