why do I even bother

pulling the nut grass from the flower bed?  I took this picture the day after I pulled it all.

Yeah, I know you have to get it by the root and sometimes I do but there has to be a way to kill this stuff.  I did a little research and one article said when it's in your lawn, you can pour sugar on it.  I was tempted to try it for a minute but that would take a lot of sugar and would I rather have nut grass or ants?

I finally made the banana bread this morning.  I didn't feel like it yesterday but today the bananas would definitely have to end up in the garbage.  Speaking of the bananas, this is what I have them in.

I bought it in San Antonio at the market.  On the walk over from the hotel, I told Cosme he was going to have to hold me back because I knew I'd want so much stuff.  It'll be a while before I go back to a Mexican market, if ever, so the market in San Antonio is the closest I can get.  Speaking from experience, when I do go to a Mexican market, I want EVERYTHING.  I saw that wooden bowl dish and knew I needed it.  I bought other things too, including this baby dress.

Once I got it home and checked it out, I questioned the head hole.  Let's hope it fits.  We used to wear the Mexican dresses all the time in the 80's and I thought they were great.  I knew I had to buy that dress as soon as I saw it... and two shirts for myself.  I also ended up having to buy a bag to carry my stuff in.  I'm not big on shopping but I can seriously get busy in a mercado like that.

Anybody need to go to San Antonio for shirts?  I'll gladly tag along.

i started a post for yesterday but

I got sidetracked with everything else on my to-do list.

We made it to San Antonio and back and now the vacation I wanted/needed is over and I need another one to catch up on rest.  One of the awesome things about the hotel we stayed in was that it was downtown and walking distance from several things I wanted to see/do.  This is probably why I'm so tired now.  We walked a lot.

But first, the room:

Our room at The St. Anthony was at the dead end of the hall.  You can't tell from this picture but the chandeliers were really pretty.

I liked that the room had a foyer.  I accidentally deleted the picture but this is another looking into the foyer from the bedroom.  The door was to the right.

The minibar in the foyer.  Slide those little booze bottles back and there were soft drinks.  Those would be the only two Cokes I would see until Sunday.

Stir sticks because why not...

I really liked the bench in the foyer.

Looking into the bedroom from the foyer.

The bathroom.

THE SOAP.  I LOVE THIS SOAP.  I used bar soap AND shower gel just because it smelled that good.  It's citrusy with maybe a drop of vanilla and it just smells clean.  While it does smell like a woman would have no problem using it, it smells masculine too.  I decided I wanted to buy some so I googled it.  I found the brand's website but not this scent.  They have other scents but I decided I won't be buying any.  Why buy a bottle of hand soap for $65 when I can get Soft Soap for less than $2?  I did stick the hand lotion in my bag before we left though.  Oh, I also went to the bathroom before we left and all the soap was gone.  I asked Cosme about it and he had put the rest in his bag.

They say the hotel is haunted and I believe it.  We had a few odd things happen, mainly with the lights.  I already posted most of it on fb.

The weekend started with dinner.  Remember that non-haunted hotel I wanted to stay in originally, Hotel Havana?  They have a Cuban restaurant, Ocho, and I knew I wanted to eat there.  We had mojitos and appetizers of artichoke dip and empañadas.  Having two appetizers, we decided we'd share the 12 oz ribeye instead of getting one each.  It was good.  We shared flan for dessert with a cup of "Cuban" coffee.  The bartender googled it and said it was espresso poured over a sugar cube.  That might not be how I had it in Miami but it was still good.

We walked back to the hotel and hung out at the pool before going back to the room to rest up for the next item up on Friday's to-do list.  We started our walk over to the Alamo around 9:30 because I wanted to get a picture of it at night.  I got a few and I hope they turned out but I don't know because
I still haven't taken the card out of my camera.  Actually, those are the only pictures I got with my camera.  On our walk over, San Antonio seemed like a familiar place.  Once we got closer to the Alamo, I realized that SA reminds me of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  It was just the vibe it gave off, I guess.  I got my picture and we headed back to the hotel.

The next morning I woke up pretty early and just laid there and chilled on my iPad but decided to wake Cosme up when the bathroom light came on.  We got ready and went for breakfast at The Original Blanco Cafe. Or is it just the original Blanco Cafe?  Whatever.

I had migas.  They were fine but I like Cosme's better.  They did have homemade corn tortillas and that is something I don't get regularly ever.

I was wearing my "Tacos y Texas" t-shirt.  I felt like their sign was trying to one up me.

We walked back to the hotel to wait for the market to open and then started that walk around 10:00.

We stopped at the San Fernando Cathedral.  I took a picture but my phone didn't save it.  (That's a problem I have with that phone.)  I did get these two pictures that I thought was really cool.

We finished our walk over to the market and I bought stuff.  We were going to grab a bite to eat there but it was a long wait.   We headed back to the hotel after shopping and walking to cool off and rest for a minute.  My toes and legs were hurting and Cosme was just sleepy.  We were trying to think of somewhere to have a late lunch/early dinner.  That was hard.  We didn't want to wait until 5:00 and we didn't want to eat at a chain that we could have in Houston.  We decided to walk a couple of blocks over to the Riverwalk and find something.

We found a restaurant that was packed.  We thought the food must be good.  Wrong.  The sangria was good.  I originally wanted a Bulleit and Coke but I enjoyed the sangria while a case of Pepsi glared at me.

The jalapeño corn dip would have been good if it had less jalapeño so I could actually taste something else.  The beef fajitas were not what we're used to so I'm glad we only shared a plate for one.  We're picky when it comes to fajitas, very picky.  These did not meet our standards.  I always heard San Antonio was supposed to have awesome food but in our whole weekend, Ocho was my favorite.  I will point out two things though: 1. We were downtown near the Riverwalk and that whole area is a tourist section.  So I guess if someone is there from some other state who might not be familiar with TexMex, that food might be okay.  2. Like Lauren pointed out, why would I think the food in San Antonio would be any better than other Texas towns...

We figured San Antonio is a Pepsi town.  Even our hotel had Pepsi on the menu so I can't understand why they had two cans of Coke in the minibar.  I don't understand it but totally appreciated it.

So we had our food and drinks and I could have passed out right there.  I guess walking all day in the heat and then topping it all off with cold sangria will do that.  We went back to the hotel to cool off and rest again and shower.  We didn't make it out again after that and ended up ordering burgers from room service.  Our bathroom ghost must have known we were exhausted and not in the mood for shenanigans because after being on all day, we turned the bathroom light off and it didn't come back on.

We checked out the next morning and stopped at Lulu's Bakery for breakfast and a 3 pound cinnamon roll to-go.  (We heard about in on Man vs Food years ago.)  We have a whole 12 oz cup full of icing that we distribute as needed.

It's good.  We really didn't see much difference between it and Mrs. Baird's.  They should really add more cinnamon filling with all that bread though.

So we made it back home and here I am.  I actually woke up this morning not feeling exhausted.  If I don't go let the dogs out though, my to-do list will grow with a mess to clean up.

let's rewind to when I ordered

the new rug.  A few days later, I went to Walmart to buy a little fluffy rug for the cats.  We decided to get that to maybe keep them off of the new rug so much and let them still enjoy the fluffiness.

It started raining the other day and Strat took to the rug.

Sometimes they both get on but usually, it's only one.  The rug reminds me of the piece of boat scrap from the end of Titanic. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio both could have fit but sticking with the plot, he had to die.  Oh yeah, spoiler.  It really seems like the prop crew would have made a smaller piece of scrap.  Anyway, the rug is our Titanic scrap.

Yes, he knows you're there, Lucille. He just doesn't care.

I heard a joke the other day.  What do you get when you cross the Atlantic with the Titanic?  Halfway.

Okay.  On a similar but more serious note, ever since before the wedding I've been making comments about needing to take a vacation.  I don't need anything major.  I don't need a week in Scotland or anything, just a little road trip.  One place I've always wanted to go is San Antonio.  I've driven through and made a few stops but never spent the weekend.  Cosme and Eric always do their convention every year but because of the animals, I never go.  We finally looked over the calendar at the upcoming months and picked the best weekend.  I knew of a hotel I wanted to stay in that I read about a few years ago.  After doing my trip research, I decided I might not want to stay there.  We decided to leave it up to Priceline.  (We all know I love to name my price and gamble a little.)  We did it.  We booked a 5-star hotel.  How can you go wrong with a 5-star hotel?  Let me tell you.  You start reading reviews and find FREAKING GHOST STORIES.  I asked Cosme if I dare search The St. Anthony being haunted.  I knew I shouldn't but he said to go for it.  I enter "haunted st anth" and the first option I'm given is "haunted st anthony hotel san antonio".  Awesome.  I click on that option and there it is, listed in the top five most haunted places in San Antonio.  Actually, those weren't the exact words but the exact words included the word "evil" and I'm trying to stay positive here.  I'd normally feel really awesome about a 5-star hotel for less than $200 a night but right now I'm feeling like Priceline screwed me over.  Yes, I went on to read the ghost stories.  I also went on to search videos.  I also searched how to keep ghosts away from you.  I'm trying to look on the bright side and came up with a few things:

 ONE.  Cosme said ghosts and things never come around him.  (Whatever, we've both seen an orb float through our room and although asleep, he was still there the night I woke up to our bedroom door opening and then closing.)

TWO.  I've researched and know where the most activity is so maybe we can request to not be put near the fifth or tenth floors... and especially not room 536.

THREE.  I've done more research and already have two bottles of holy water on hand.  I also know where I can get more.  I will be prepared.

Those are the only definite points I have right now but I'm still working on it.  I'll be prepared and if it gets to be too much, we'll come home.  So while I'm preparing myself to ward off spirits, I'm also reminding myself of the people who leave with no ghost stories.  I'm hoping to be added to that list.

last week was

beach week and I'm still on island time.  I'm worn out.  Everything is unpacked for the most part but there are still those little things here and there.  Oh, there's also sand that seems to keep popping up in places.  Really though, I just want to stay in bed and I have zero motivation to get up and do anything.  I'm dragging.

The beach was fun though and I can't wait for next year.  I got some sun, got lots of rest, got to visit but didn't get many pictures.  I didn't even take my camera.  I did have my phone so was able to get a few sunrises along with a picture of this guy on this thing.

 I felt like a dork at first, snapping all the pics with my phone thinking that it probably seems like I don't get out much.  Then I stopped to see everyone else staring and getting pics.

Looks like I'm not the only dork who doesn't get out much.

A few days later we had the threat of a tropical storm.  Luckily for us, it hit around the Texas/Louisiana border.  The tide was so high and the storm clouds in the distance were pretty so I got a picture of that.

Looking off towards the east.

The tide was really high for a couple of days.  The road and our regular sitting spots weren't available.

One of the neighbors decided to sit in the dunes.  I almost stopped to tell her she should probably rethink that or at least pay attention to her surroundings and not that book.  Or maybe she's a snake whisperer and doesn't care.

We only got a little rain but it wasn't enough to bother us any.

Is it time to go back yet?

sorry but I got a little

distracted there.

So our first day at the Miami Open was a full day.  We started by walking over to the Marriott, where we bought our shuttle passes the day before, and caught the shuttle.  It was a short shuttle ride and we made it to the tennis park before 11:00.  The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the drink cart and the big Pepsi logo.  Ugh... This stadium was a Pepsi venue.  Strike one.  We headed into a souvenir shop for t-shirts and a cap for Cosme.  None of the food stands opened until 11:00 so we walked around to check the place out.  Oh, did I mention this was a Friday during Lent so that meant no meat?  Yeah, strike two goes to the food choices.  We found a Bacardi tent and sat in there looking over their menu.  Since Cosme eats fish, he had a fish something while I had a spinach empanada.  He had a mojito and I had something else with Bacardi.  Breakfast was served.

I don't even remember what was in the third Bacardi cup with the brown liquid.  Who knows...

We sat around snacking on plantain chips and rum, waiting for the 1:00 match.  We eventually left the Bacardi tent and did more walking around.  We found a cart and I didn't want anymore of whatever that drink I had was so I ordered a Grey Goose and cranberry.  Last I checked, cranberry juice is pink.  My drink was clear.  I'm pretty sure it was just Grey Goose and water.  Once 1:00 rolled around, we watched the Nadal vs Fognini match.  When that was over we decided it'd be easier to stay at the tournament instead of catching the shuttle and coming back for the 7:00 match.  We walked around and found a table in the shade.  Cosme went to get a beer and I stayed at the table to save our spot.  I asked for a Bacardi and diet Pepsi because I was tired of all the other stuff I'd tried.  (While that doesn't sound at all good, I can do diet Pepsi better than Pepsi, not that I enjoy diet Pepsi AT ALL.)  So Cosme came back to the table with my Bacardi and regular Pepsi... It was as bad as it sounds.  He went to get himself some sushi and one of the most awesome things I'd ever heard of for me.

Go away, Pepsi logo!  I get it!  You're all there is!

 

We were both getting tired... Pepsi, no meat and all day at a tennis tournament will do that to you.  We found a spot under a tree and stretched out.

Once the Federer/Kyrgios match was about to start, we found our seats.  I told Cosme that a nighttime tennis crowd is way different.  Strike three.  You know how the crowd at Walmart in the middle of the night is different from the morning crowd?  Same goes for tennis.  These people were mean, rowdy and disrespectful (unless you were a Roger Federer fan).  I immediately knew I was for the underdog.  Go Kyrgios.  That was annoying me.  Oh, then there was this guy.

We were already close but he really didn't need to put his arms over the back of the chair and make it worse.  As the night wore on, I just got more irritated.

My next move was to ask if he just wanted to go ahead and put his head in my lap.

The match finally ended and we waited for the shuttle to take us back to the hotel.  Once we were back, close to midnight with the restaurant closed, we ordered delivery from New York Roma Pizza, with extra cans of Coke.  At that point I was thankful for many things: bed, food, Coke and no tennis scheduled for the next day.  To prove how worn out I was, this early bird finally got out of bed around 10:00 the next morning.

That wore me out just writing about it.  I'll talk about our other day of tennis tomorrow.  (I'll try not to get distracted this time.)

our first day in

Miami was a tennis free day and I knew I wanted to go to the pool.  Before putting on our swimsuits though, we headed down the street for lunch.  The night clerk had recommended Greenstreet Cafe.  We walked over and sat outside because the weather was awesome.  The food there was so good.  I had an omelette with spinach, ham and feta.  I don't even remember what Cosme had other than Tabasco.  Their potatoes were so good too.  I couldn't finish it all.

While we sat there finishing our mimosas, I got this picture of the street corner.

We went back to the hotel and let our food settle some, keeping an eye on the chairs down at the pool.  When the one I thought I wanted cleared out, we headed down.  We ended up getting a couple of chairs next to an umbrella so we'd have some shade but I didn't need much time down there.  It felt nice and breezy but that sun was HOT.  We headed back to the room to clean up, cool off and get some more rest before heading out for dinner.  Dinner was at Farinelli 1937.  It was okay.  I didn't get pictures.  Enough said.

Instead of discussing our trip in chronological order, I'll just stay on the topic of food.

On our next tennis free day, Saturday, we took an Uber to Little Havana for lunch and shopping.  We had lunch at Old's Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina.  That place was also so good.

My Cuba Libre.  She first put my glass down, which was 3/4 full of ice and clear liquid.  After an experience I'd had at the tennis tournament, I wondered if she messed up my order.  Then she put a little bottle of Coke down and topped off my rum.

I don't know what happened to the picture of my sandwich but I ordered El Guapo, a regular Cuban sandwich.  Here's Cosme's flat iron steak.  It was awesome.

Flan.

Tres Leches.  Similar to what they serve at Ninfa's on Navigation, I'm drooling just thinking about it.

It was all awesome.

After finishing up our shopping, we headed back to the hotel to check on the pool.  It was packed so we decided to lie around for a bit.  Let me make a note that while it sounds from this post like we did a whole lot of resting, we did a WHOLE lot to need resting.  First there was all the walking we did.  We walked EVERYWHERE.  Then there was being out in the sun to wear us out... like spending the entire day at the tennis tournament on Friday.  That was exhausting.  I woke up sore on Saturday.

Anyway, the food at Old's Havana was really good but knowing we would be back at the tournament on Sunday morning and how draining the walking and sun would be, we stayed in and went down to the hotel's restaurant for dinner.  Panorama had some good food but I didn't get pictures because we sat outside and it was a little dark.

We started off with tempura shrimp (YUM) and Cosme had a salad while I had corn soup (that breeze made it chilly enough for soup).  He tried their flat iron steak while I just stuck with a burger.  For dessert we had key lime parfait.  We were stuffed after that and went back upstairs to get ready for Sunday.

I know I already talked about the matches but I'll talk more about our day at the stadium tomorrow.  Going in order is so overrated.

so our flight was

scheduled to leave for Miami at 1:10 last Wednesday.  I guess I didn't do my calculations very well because when we arrived at 12:19 it was too late to check our luggage in.  The funny thing was there was a guy in front of us who arrived at the same time to catch the same flight and was in the same situation.  We moved to the 7:30 flight and hung out at IAH for that entire time. 

So what happens when you miss your flight and have to wait for 6 hours?

You go to Landry's and have a shrimp cocktail

and french fries

and several drinks.

Then you sit and take pictures while trying not to look creepy.

You also look at the schedule and see that 1:10 flight didn't actually take off until 3:40 because of weather.  So after the few seconds you're irritated because you COULD HAVE made that first flight, you realize that you would've been MORE irritated having to wait to be cleared for take off.  At least this way the weather had time to clear up and we still had our set time.

 7:30 rolled around and I wasn't able to catch an awesome sunset but at least we were on our way.

Once we arrived in Miami, we just took an Uber to the hotel.  We arrived at the hotel around midnight and then found out we didn't have an actual room with the hotel but a private unit.  GRRRR... Luckily for us we had enough toiletries to get by and enough towels to make it the 5 nights without having to do laundry.

We passed out and when I woke up the next morning, I popped out of bed so I could check out our view.  I wasn't disappointed.

I sat on the balcony and enjoyed it until I got tired of sitting and wanted to lie back down.  Then I went inside and enjoyed the view from the bed until we felt like going for breakfast.

 I'll pick up there tomorrow. 

I haven't been around much

lately.  Actually, I was M.I.A. because we flew into MIA last week.  We went to watch the semifinals and finals of the Miami Open.  I'm not a tennis fan but Cosme is.

The first match we watched was Rafael Nadal vs Fabio Fognini.  I didn't really care who won but I'd heard a lot about Nadal so I knew who he was and decided I'd cheer for him.

I'll put it out there in layman's terms because that's all I know.  This is the final serve of the match because this serve won it for Nadal after Fognini couldn't return it.  I impressed myself because I knew that was the situation and had my camera ready to capture it.

Shh.  Everybody be quiet.

And that did it.  He won the match.

 While I was busy taking pictures, Cosme was hoping to catch one of the balls he hit into the stands.

That evening we watched Roger Federer vs Nick Kyrgios.  It was crazy.  The crowd was out of control and disrespectful.  They were really horrible to Kyrgios.  I had already decided I'd cheer for Kyrgios since he was kind of the underdog.  Listening to the Federer fans being so obnoxious really irritated me.  I didn't even want to be there anymore.  I took a couple of pictures but I was fed up and done.  After three sets, each ending with a tie break, Federer won.

That meant the final was going to be Nadal and Federer.  This was a no brainer.  I would be cheering for Nadal since I was officially a fan after the semifinals... and definitely wasn't a fan of Federer and wasn't about to be one of his rude fans.

I was rooting for Nadal but it's not like I was about to cover myself in body paint like I was the Spanish flag.  (Although I did jokingly suggest something similar to Cosme)

Federer won again.  We didn't stick around for the speeches.  We headed to our shuttle bus and that was that.

More on Miami later.