On Hiatis... Back in October 2012

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,

The Rath of Dallas, TX will be on hiatus until October 2012.

Try not to miss it too much.  The Blogger software has been changed a little so I am trying to learn the new changes.

                                  Hang in There !!!

Men's Warehouse in Plano

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,

Kevin mentioned that he needed to buy some new work clothes and was thinking about buying Dockers - yuck!!!   Dockers are really not suitable for professional office attire (in my opinion).

So, while out running errands, I popped into the Men's Warehouse here in Plano to check out the goods.   Lucky for me, all men's suits, shirts, pants, etc. were on sale - two for the price of one.  How can you pass up a deal like that?

While chatting with the store clerk, I mentioned that Kevin will be in the same week to take advantage of the sale.   I also mentioned that she should NOT allow him to buy Dockers.   She promised me that he would not leave the store with Dockers.   I am glad because I would not let him in the house with them either.

Of course, I mentioned this all to Kevin, so when he went in the store, he had fun with the store clerk.   "I want Dockers and nothing else!!!"  She caught on right away and tried to dissuade him and presented the dress pants, etc.   Finally, Kevin could not keep the charade going any longer and they both had a good laugh about the situation.

Your choice? Dockers or Dress Pants?

Dockers ???

Dress Pants !!!

A motto that I have is that it is not how much you spend as it is in how much you save while you are spending!

Happy Shopping !!!

One Year Mark... Guys Weekend !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,

Can you believe that on September 19, 2011, we have been in Dallas for one year? We have actually lived in the rental house in Plano since October 6, 2011 and have experienced all of the seasons in Dallas. Believe it or not, but people here are wearing parkas from November through March. Weenies!!!

I am looking forward to Spring when the leaves will be back on the trees and flowers in bloom. The grass gets quite brown through the dormant Winter season as well, so it will be nice to have it green again.

The only problem with being anxious for Spring is that the bugs will be back. Hoish!!!

Kevin's five brothers were here at the end of September 2011 for a "guys weekend" filled with football, hockey, and baseball not to mention some R&R by the pool. It was really fun to have the house filled with laughter and then silent while they were at the games.

I hope they come back this fall of 2012 for another "guys weekend". The Rath clan are always fun to be around.

Recognize Any of These Guys ???

While the guys were here, Kevin managed to pull a muscle cleaning the pool.  How embarrassing!!!  Pool cleaning exercises are a must at his age!

Also, Ken, with all his wisdom, decided that it was a necessity to have two TVs set up in the great room for Sunday football all day.  A challenge it was and a feat to conquer. Check it out!!!

Divide and Conquer !!!

Happiness on a Sunday Afternoon !!!

Here's to Guys Weekend 2012 !!!

1895 HP Sauce (House of Parliment)... Anyone ???

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,

If you love BBQ Steak, you'll love left-over BBQ Steak!!!

Most of the men in my family love left-over BBQ Steak with HP Sauce... I think.

In any case, Kevin loves it.  However, HP Sauce is hard to find here.  I searched and searched and searched, and then, I FOUND IT!!!   I did not buy it as I thought I would come back later to get it. NOT!!!

I started the search all over again...  Tom Thumb, Folgers???, and other authentic grocery stores.   Not to be found anywhere.  Unlike Kevin (and any other man on the planet earth who will refuse to ask for directions), I ask a store clerk. NO IDEA what I am talking about... "Specialty Aisle" ???... this... that... yadda, yadda.  I finally found it in the "import aisle" and purchased two bottles of the House of Parliament Sauce made in Holland.

Check out this Historical link in Wikipedia ===> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Sauce

HP Anyone ???

Happy New Year - 2012 !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,

I must say the latter part of 2011 was quite busy and I was negligent in writing to you all. My apologies.  I am going to try to post some of the last part of the year to get back in the Blog Biz.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.  We had an awesome Christmas with family and friends back in Calgary.  It was a mad dash to get there, a mad rush to prepare for Christmas, but it was a lot of fun.

Take a look at my Christmas Tree!  Much easier than setting one up and decorating just to take it down before we left on the 28th.

Merry Ho Ho !!!

Happy New Year!!!  Any New Year's resolutions?  I am just hoping I can maintain all of my friendships from afar and that I can be a good person despite my flaws.

I shared this very touching video with most, but I loved it so much that I decided to post it to this blog in case some of you did not have a chance to see it.

Click Here ==>  Change for a Dollar

One more thought for everyone... only 358 days until Christmas 2012!!!  Ha, Ha.

Have an Awesome 2012 !!!

Cop Nod - NOT !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


The other day, we were returning from dining out and were stopped at a red light.  A cop pulled up beside us and gave me a big smile and nod.  I mentioned this to Kevin and he said this happened for the following reasons:

1. We were not speeding.
2. We have current vehicle insurance and outstanding warrants for arrest.
3. He was just saying hello.

The cop has a camera in his vehicle that takes pictures of the license plates.  Then, the plate is run through a database looking for current insurance, outstanding warrants, etc.  So, the smile and nod meant that we were good to go.

Apparently, 20% of Dallas residents do not have insurance on their vehicles.  That seems high!

Good to Go !!!

Water Restrictions & Energy Conservation !!!

Dear Fellow Blog Followers,


With the extreme heat, the City of Plano has put water restrictions in place:

• Only water 2 days per week.
• We are on the Monday & Thursday schedule (even house number).  Odd numbered houses are on Tuesday and Friday.
• Watering is prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• At least we are allowed to fill the pool at its normal level.

Also, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has requested that Dallas residents observe the following conservation tips:

• Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
• When at home, close blinds and drapes that get direct sun, set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, and use fans in occupied rooms to feel cooler.
• When away from home, set air conditioning thermostats to 85 degrees and turn all fans off before you leave. Block the sun by closing blinds or drapes on windows that will get direct sun.
• Do not use your dishwasher, laundry equipment, hair dryers, coffee makers, or other home appliances during the peak hours of 3 to 7 p.m.
• Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers more than necessary.
• Use microwaves for cooking instead of an electric range or oven.
• Set your pool pump to run in the early morning or evening instead of the afternoon.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible. Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing nonessential production processes.

There may also be rolling blackouts to conserve energy.

Should be "Peppers Network"

Our gas bill last month was... get this... $8.99 for the whole month!!!  Kevin says it's because I don't cook enough on the gas stove.  NOT!  In fact, it made us both laugh as we have never paid a gas bill that low!

Melt Down in Dallas...