Hopefully the ride home tomorrow will go just as well!
It should.
Have the correct Departure frequency, 123.80, set in the standby slot, then once you are 1500 FT AGL, flip flop it to active and call them up to request flight following. When they respond or when they ask, let them know you've departed West Houston, what heading you're on, what current altitude, what destination, and your desired cruise altitude. They will respond with the transponder code, then once identified on the scope, radar contact.
There is also a sign at the end of the runway with the Clearance Delivery Frequency, 121.15 . You might be able to use that to ask for Flight Following. The transmissions should go like...
"Houston TRACON, Bugmasher 123AB at West Houston"
"Bugmasher 123AB, Houston TRACON, go ahead"
"TRACON, Bugmasher 123AB is at Runway 15 (or 33) and would like to request Flight Following to Podunk, altitude _____"
"Bugmasher 123AB, squawk 2345. Fly runway heading until XX altitude, Contact Departure on 123.8, remain VFR."
Then after you take off, follow their directions for what heading you were to fly, and at 1000 to 1500 feet or so AGL, switch to 123.8,
"Houston Departure, Bugmasher 123AB, just departed West Houston, Runway heading, climbing one thousand five hundred for XXXX"
Shortly afterwards, you'll get "Radar Contact" and vectoring toward your departure.