It may be early, early Friday morning in Dallas but it's still Thursday in Alaska!
1. It's been a week of long days at work, but I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to do one plus jobs since one year ago today I didn't have a job.
2. It's been a fun week reliving memories of the trip posting pictures on fb and the family blog.
3. Facetime with Emma yesterday. She was eating hotdogs and 'matoes for lunch. She wasn't about to share her 'matoes with me.
4. Wednesday night we got in the spa to cool off after a walk around the neighborhood. All of a sudden we smelled skunk--very fresh skunk. You've never seen two middle-aged overweight women crawl out of the spa and get in the house faster!!! Thankful the smell stayed outside.
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Thankful Thursday 7/17/14
1. Alaska.
2. Two people at work did so much to cover me that catching up was not as major of a deal as I expected.
3. My old boss was in the office today. It was great to see him. He was an encouraging leader exactly at the time I needed that.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Thankful Thursday 6/19/14
1. A wonderful, wonderful trip to SC for Father's Day Weekend.
2. Eventually getting there safely after boarding three planes, two of which had "maintenance issues."
3. Parents who are willing to be at the airport at 2:00 a.m. to pick me up.
4. Getting to see two siblings, two in-laws, and four nieces and nephews.
5. Finding blackberry bushes on a Sunday evening walk with my mother. We went back and picked eight cups. She made a batch of blackberry jelly on Monday.
6. The local berry farm still had fresh strawberries. I got my first fresh strawberries of the season Monday morning. The ones in the grocery store don't come close!!!
7. New job is going well for what I'm doing of it. It's very, very busy trying to do my old job until it is filled while learning the new job.
8. Got in the pool last night for awhile after a hot day. It makes sleeping so nice.
2. Eventually getting there safely after boarding three planes, two of which had "maintenance issues."
3. Parents who are willing to be at the airport at 2:00 a.m. to pick me up.
4. Getting to see two siblings, two in-laws, and four nieces and nephews.
5. Finding blackberry bushes on a Sunday evening walk with my mother. We went back and picked eight cups. She made a batch of blackberry jelly on Monday.
6. The local berry farm still had fresh strawberries. I got my first fresh strawberries of the season Monday morning. The ones in the grocery store don't come close!!!
7. New job is going well for what I'm doing of it. It's very, very busy trying to do my old job until it is filled while learning the new job.
8. Got in the pool last night for awhile after a hot day. It makes sleeping so nice.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Day 2 of Being Iced In
Well since I'm now on Day 2 of being iced in, I have time to post although rather late.
A few thoughts from my Thanksgiving trip:
1. The morning news on the day left said that I would be 1 of 39 million people who were travelling more than 50 miles from home for the holiday. Well they didn't say "I" would be, but they gave that statistic.
2. At times it seemed as if most of those 39 million were driving between Dallas and Little Rock.
3. I am much more brand aware of Motel 6. I drove the same route in July and never noticed that there is a Motel 6 at almost every exit between Dallas and Memphis apparently.
4. It was interesting driving through Memphis while listening to the new John Grisham book on CD since he focuses many of his stories in north Mississippi with many references to people from or going to Memphis.
5. It was incredible to see so many stars in the late evening sky on the drive.
6. It was strange driving through Decatur when that had been my destination for 40+ years.
A few thoughts from my Thanksgiving trip:
1. The morning news on the day left said that I would be 1 of 39 million people who were travelling more than 50 miles from home for the holiday. Well they didn't say "I" would be, but they gave that statistic.
2. At times it seemed as if most of those 39 million were driving between Dallas and Little Rock.
3. I am much more brand aware of Motel 6. I drove the same route in July and never noticed that there is a Motel 6 at almost every exit between Dallas and Memphis apparently.
4. It was interesting driving through Memphis while listening to the new John Grisham book on CD since he focuses many of his stories in north Mississippi with many references to people from or going to Memphis.
5. It was incredible to see so many stars in the late evening sky on the drive.
6. It was strange driving through Decatur when that had been my destination for 40+ years.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Weekend Trip
Friday I left work to pick up two friends, Jayne and Renae, to make a weekend trip to the Creation Museum. Thanks to Mom and Dad's membership and generosity for sharing passes.
We joked about being "Friends of Lynn" throughout the day since it said we were his guest on the back of the passes.
The museum is very interesting and very well done. We also great enjoyed seeing one of my very special friend's portray Anna in a Christmas Town drama.
Another highlight was seeing her daughter and her family and going out to eat with them. So hard to believe that the sweet little junior in high school when I first met her is now the amazing mother of 3 children. Just because it was so cute I asked him to tell his joke several times:
How do you keep a spider to keep from stop (sic) smelling?'
He then sweetly plugged his nose and said, "Hold his nose."
If you are in the Cincinnati area in the near future and eat at LaRosa's I highly recommend the Montgomery Inn pulled pork pizza. Mmmmm, very good.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
August 28
August 28, twenty something years ago, my niece was born. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAIMIE. I still am planning on a bow fishing expedition!
August 28, 2004 a rental truck pulled out of my driveway, a good friend Lynn came over to help do a final clean up, I stopped by the gym for a few goodbyes at a volleyball match, and I headed out to Michigan. I pulled into town on a dreary rainy day and the trees lining the street were already turning colors. I could only think "What have I done?" But it's been a very good move. I was given a box of Schwan's Gold 'n Nugit bars as a gift!
August 28, 2006 I bought my Honda Fit. It was a great car as it had an amazing amount of room and could haul anything!!!
51 weeks ago today, August 28, I left on a 16-day trip to Israel/Jordan/Egypt--an unbelievable trip of a lifetime. To celebrate I drank a glass of Squencher, an electrolyte replacement drink.
August 28, 2004 a rental truck pulled out of my driveway, a good friend Lynn came over to help do a final clean up, I stopped by the gym for a few goodbyes at a volleyball match, and I headed out to Michigan. I pulled into town on a dreary rainy day and the trees lining the street were already turning colors. I could only think "What have I done?" But it's been a very good move. I was given a box of Schwan's Gold 'n Nugit bars as a gift!
August 28, 2006 I bought my Honda Fit. It was a great car as it had an amazing amount of room and could haul anything!!!
51 weeks ago today, August 28, I left on a 16-day trip to Israel/Jordan/Egypt--an unbelievable trip of a lifetime. To celebrate I drank a glass of Squencher, an electrolyte replacement drink.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A Weekend Birthday Getaway
What a great weekend. I psuedo surprised my sister for her 50th birthday. Saturday morning my job was to occupy her while her husband and daughter's put together a surprise pancake breakfast. Mary and I went to Chik-fil-A for a chicken biscuit and then off to a manicure. Thankfully the plan worked well for us to stop at the clubhouse to "pick up some tableclothes to take back to WalMart." She followed me in and was surprised as she was expecting a potato bar lunch at 1:30. Her husband did a great job of getting someone for almost every phase of her life there. An aunt and uncle from IL drove down, and other guests included a childhood friend we grew up with, a couple from the church in which we grew up, a missionary friend from Antigua, previous work friends, family, and church friends.
I also got to meet my first great niece. Emma, you are so sweet and I loved you sleeping on me Saturday afternoon. I think you found the Alabama sweatshirt to be quite comfortable.
Despite the awful outcome it was great to watch the AL/LSU game with people who cared about the game. Sunday was back at CBC. It was great to see Dad leading the singing with Greg at the piano. Then we had a great lunch with Duttons. I think I'll buy a boston butt pork roast and try some hints Dusty gave me, but I'm not buying a Green Egg to do so.
Had a nice quiet evening with Joey and Mary who graciously watched "the trip" pictures and asked a lot of questions. Monday morning was back to MI.
I also got to meet my first great niece. Emma, you are so sweet and I loved you sleeping on me Saturday afternoon. I think you found the Alabama sweatshirt to be quite comfortable.
Despite the awful outcome it was great to watch the AL/LSU game with people who cared about the game. Sunday was back at CBC. It was great to see Dad leading the singing with Greg at the piano. Then we had a great lunch with Duttons. I think I'll buy a boston butt pork roast and try some hints Dusty gave me, but I'm not buying a Green Egg to do so.
Had a nice quiet evening with Joey and Mary who graciously watched "the trip" pictures and asked a lot of questions. Monday morning was back to MI.
Meeting Emma
Making Morton Pumpkin Festival pumpkin pancakes
Aunt and two nieces
A childhood friend--everyone looks so innocent!
Great grandmother, GrandMom holding Emma, and Great Grandpa
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Vacation Recap
I had a wonderful couple weeks of vacation separated by two days of work. There is really too much to recap, but there are a few things that stood out to me.
It's been a long time since I took a really relaxing vacation. Typically I visit family and try to get in as much as I can to see as many of them as I can. As a result I often think "I need to get back to work to get some rest" even though I absolutely love seeing everyone. Aruba was so relaxing and I really came back changed. It was a great reminder of the need for Sabbath or a sanctuary.
Aruba is very deserty once you get away from the beach. And it's windy too.
I think tourist guides in Aruba are told to say the last place the AL girl was seen was at a hotel rather than to answer where she was supposedly left.
I'm not an iguana fan, but it was kind of cool how many were there. They have iguana road kill like we have deer or possum road kill. I wonder if Aruban rednecks have a roadkill cookbook?
My parents new town needs some good west Michigan greenhouses for flowers!
I never feel like cattle more than checking in for a flight or going through airport security.
While in line on Sunday a.m. at security in HSV the big screen showed a news report of tornadoes in the midwest that would eventually hit Joplin. There was a collective gasp among the people in line, and it was obvious that the reality of devastating tornadoes was a very fresh memory.
One of the funniest things I saw last week was a child about 2 or 3 years old walking in front of his home following his mother. The only things he had on were a pull-up and a motorcycle helmet that was much too big for him.
I got Chik-fil-A two days in a row!!!
Except for Christmas (and not always then), it is rare that I get to see every family member on one of my trips south. This time the only person I missed was my brother-in-law.
My nephew is cute even with an almost buzz cut.
Sunday night I slept for 10 hours and it felt very, very good.
It's been a long time since I took a really relaxing vacation. Typically I visit family and try to get in as much as I can to see as many of them as I can. As a result I often think "I need to get back to work to get some rest" even though I absolutely love seeing everyone. Aruba was so relaxing and I really came back changed. It was a great reminder of the need for Sabbath or a sanctuary.
Aruba is very deserty once you get away from the beach. And it's windy too.
I think tourist guides in Aruba are told to say the last place the AL girl was seen was at a hotel rather than to answer where she was supposedly left.
I'm not an iguana fan, but it was kind of cool how many were there. They have iguana road kill like we have deer or possum road kill. I wonder if Aruban rednecks have a roadkill cookbook?
My parents new town needs some good west Michigan greenhouses for flowers!
I never feel like cattle more than checking in for a flight or going through airport security.
While in line on Sunday a.m. at security in HSV the big screen showed a news report of tornadoes in the midwest that would eventually hit Joplin. There was a collective gasp among the people in line, and it was obvious that the reality of devastating tornadoes was a very fresh memory.
One of the funniest things I saw last week was a child about 2 or 3 years old walking in front of his home following his mother. The only things he had on were a pull-up and a motorcycle helmet that was much too big for him.
I got Chik-fil-A two days in a row!!!
Except for Christmas (and not always then), it is rare that I get to see every family member on one of my trips south. This time the only person I missed was my brother-in-law.
My nephew is cute even with an almost buzz cut.
Sunday night I slept for 10 hours and it felt very, very good.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Trip to SC
Today I'm back to reality after my "mission trip" to SC to help my parents get settled. I can say that because my dad said it first!
A few pictures from the drive back. Renae and I visited "My Old Kentucky Home" State Park to tour the house Stephen Foster wrote about in his song that became the KY state song, the Abe Lincoln Childhood Home and Birthplace (the birthplace had a good film but if you want to learn about Lincoln go to Springfield, IL), and Churchill Downs.
I'm not a big horse person or racing fan, but it was interesting to see the place I watch once a year and understand a bit more about it. I will say the tour guides are very serious about the Derby and the horses. One cried through the new Secretariat movie so she had to go back again. She almost cried talking about the size of his heart. Another tour guide couldn't think of anything else the rest of the day 2 years ago when Eight Belles finished in second and then broke both front ankles and had to be euthanized on the track. The first one cried and cried the day they had to put down Barbaro.
We found it interesting how outdated and rough the jockey quarters are, but the jockeys are so superstitious that they don't want anything changed.
Jockeys dressing room:
Renae riding a racing game:
The track from millionaire's row:
The winner's circle used only for the Derby:
In front of Secretariat statue with statue of Pat Day in the back left:
A few pictures from the drive back. Renae and I visited "My Old Kentucky Home" State Park to tour the house Stephen Foster wrote about in his song that became the KY state song, the Abe Lincoln Childhood Home and Birthplace (the birthplace had a good film but if you want to learn about Lincoln go to Springfield, IL), and Churchill Downs.
I'm not a big horse person or racing fan, but it was interesting to see the place I watch once a year and understand a bit more about it. I will say the tour guides are very serious about the Derby and the horses. One cried through the new Secretariat movie so she had to go back again. She almost cried talking about the size of his heart. Another tour guide couldn't think of anything else the rest of the day 2 years ago when Eight Belles finished in second and then broke both front ankles and had to be euthanized on the track. The first one cried and cried the day they had to put down Barbaro.
We found it interesting how outdated and rough the jockey quarters are, but the jockeys are so superstitious that they don't want anything changed.
Jockeys dressing room:
Monday, October 25, 2010
Texas Rangers
In March 2009 I spent several days in Dallas, TX. In addition to Six Flags, the Textbook Depository, and Fort Worth stockyards, I did a tour of The Ballpark at Arlington, the home of the Texas Rangers.
The tour guide was a little old lady in her late 80s I think. She had been a Rangers fan since they were a minor league team. She knew the players, the stats, and she knew the ballpark. During the season she worked in concessions and souvenirs, and when the team wasn't in town and in the off season she did ballpark tours. She was so proud of the stadium. She literally beamed talking about various players lockers. She thought it was very strategic that the Rangers had better batting cages under the seating than the opponent. It crushed her that the team was putting up advertising in front of the the bullpen. And she giggled when she talked about the Rangers bullpen being air conditioned but the opponents wasn't.
So somewhere in Arlington, TX, a little old lady is finally seeing her dream come true this week: the Rangers in the World Series.
Side story about the Rangers. Josh Hamilton, Rangers outfielder, almost blew his career away due to a drug and alcohol abuse problem. Josh used his strong faith to lead him back to a sober life and his career took off. To respect his alcohol abuse issue, the team sprayed each other with ginger ale rather than champagne when the team won the American League championship Friday night. That says a lot of the respect the team has for him.
The tour guide was a little old lady in her late 80s I think. She had been a Rangers fan since they were a minor league team. She knew the players, the stats, and she knew the ballpark. During the season she worked in concessions and souvenirs, and when the team wasn't in town and in the off season she did ballpark tours. She was so proud of the stadium. She literally beamed talking about various players lockers. She thought it was very strategic that the Rangers had better batting cages under the seating than the opponent. It crushed her that the team was putting up advertising in front of the the bullpen. And she giggled when she talked about the Rangers bullpen being air conditioned but the opponents wasn't.
So somewhere in Arlington, TX, a little old lady is finally seeing her dream come true this week: the Rangers in the World Series.
Side story about the Rangers. Josh Hamilton, Rangers outfielder, almost blew his career away due to a drug and alcohol abuse problem. Josh used his strong faith to lead him back to a sober life and his career took off. To respect his alcohol abuse issue, the team sprayed each other with ginger ale rather than champagne when the team won the American League championship Friday night. That says a lot of the respect the team has for him.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Discount Airline Travel
Apparently discount airlines means a website that doesn't work for pre-check in, no leg room, and unfriendly flight attendants. However, on all four legs of my trip we left on time, arrived early, and my luggage was on every leg.
On Tuesday returning I was near the back of the plane from Huntsville to Baltimore so I was one of the last ones off. I had exactly 35 minutes to take off for my connection. I walked off the jetway and heard the gate agent say, "We will begin boarding for Grand Rapids in just a couple of minutes. . ." My first flight arrived at the gate I would be departing from on the same plane with same crew. The flight attendants were unfriendly and rather rude. However, the pilot played the harmonica as he made his announcements on both flights. Also when he was talking about flying into Grand Rapids he said, "Home of President Gerald R. Ford, home of Herman Miller." I clapped. Then he added "Home of Steelcase." I booed.
On Tuesday returning I was near the back of the plane from Huntsville to Baltimore so I was one of the last ones off. I had exactly 35 minutes to take off for my connection. I walked off the jetway and heard the gate agent say, "We will begin boarding for Grand Rapids in just a couple of minutes. . ." My first flight arrived at the gate I would be departing from on the same plane with same crew. The flight attendants were unfriendly and rather rude. However, the pilot played the harmonica as he made his announcements on both flights. Also when he was talking about flying into Grand Rapids he said, "Home of President Gerald R. Ford, home of Herman Miller." I clapped. Then he added "Home of Steelcase." I booed.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Day 2 Fishing
The fish woke me up early calling my name softly and gently, "Rhoda, Rhoda, we're out here waiting for you to catch us."
I woke Renae up 30 minutes early and we headed out.
Those big fish were just teasing me.
Not that we are competing but someone is up 5 to 1!
I woke Renae up 30 minutes early and we headed out.
Those big fish were just teasing me.
Not that we are competing but someone is up 5 to 1!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
In Michigan No More
One way I know I'm not in Michigan anymore:
Walking into a home everyone keeps their shoes on. There's no big pile up of shoes just inside the front door.
Walking into a home everyone keeps their shoes on. There's no big pile up of shoes just inside the front door.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Air Tran
I may hopefully finally be getting some relief from this problem.
AirTran recently started service in GR and starts service in Huntsville on May 27!
AirTran recently started service in GR and starts service in Huntsville on May 27!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Same Song Just Another Verse
Yesterday my flight was scheduled to leave at 7:00 a.m. That meant up at 4:30 which ended up being 4:39 since I didn't hear my alarm clock, and out the door at 5:30. I was at the airport in plenty of time. We boarded the plane pretty early, about 6:30 and then waited and waited. Finally the pilot came on that a mechanic was on his way. Twenty minutes or so later he said the mechanic had signed off and everything was good to go. Another five minutes later we pushed back from the gate and there was an awful grinding noise that kept going and going. We sat like that for about another five minutes and the taxied out and took off. We left closer to 8:00 than 7:00.
My connection in Detroit was to leave at 8:35 and I walked off the plane at 8:30. The agent at the gate said I'd missed the connection, but I hurried off to B1 from the end of terminal A. I ran up about 8:45 and while the door was closed the board didn't say the flight had left. The agent at that gate asked, "Huntsville?" When I affirmed that she said she was hoping I'd still make the flight. There was no pilot for the flight so they were waiting. She said he was delayed from another flight. I boarded and sat and sat. About 15 minutes later the co-pilot got on and said that they had called to make sure there was someone for the flight, and that pilot was in the airport on his way. All the paperwork was done so as soon as the pilot got there we could leave. About 15 minutes later the pilot came on board, stowed some gear at the back of the plane and went into the cockpit. About 5 minutes later he came on and said his original flight was cancelled so he was available for this one so as soon as they checked the weather and did the pre-flight work, we'd be ready to go. This certainly seemed contradictory to the other pilot's message. Twenty minutes later we pushed back from the gate. Sat for 5-10 minutes and then finally left.
Original arrival time was 9:24 a.m. and we landed at 10:20.
Yes, I was an hour late but I had luggage since I carried everything on and I am here for a big 80th birthday party tonight.
I wonder it's like to fly without any issues.
My connection in Detroit was to leave at 8:35 and I walked off the plane at 8:30. The agent at the gate said I'd missed the connection, but I hurried off to B1 from the end of terminal A. I ran up about 8:45 and while the door was closed the board didn't say the flight had left. The agent at that gate asked, "Huntsville?" When I affirmed that she said she was hoping I'd still make the flight. There was no pilot for the flight so they were waiting. She said he was delayed from another flight. I boarded and sat and sat. About 15 minutes later the co-pilot got on and said that they had called to make sure there was someone for the flight, and that pilot was in the airport on his way. All the paperwork was done so as soon as the pilot got there we could leave. About 15 minutes later the pilot came on board, stowed some gear at the back of the plane and went into the cockpit. About 5 minutes later he came on and said his original flight was cancelled so he was available for this one so as soon as they checked the weather and did the pre-flight work, we'd be ready to go. This certainly seemed contradictory to the other pilot's message. Twenty minutes later we pushed back from the gate. Sat for 5-10 minutes and then finally left.
Original arrival time was 9:24 a.m. and we landed at 10:20.
Yes, I was an hour late but I had luggage since I carried everything on and I am here for a big 80th birthday party tonight.
I wonder it's like to fly without any issues.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Post-Vacation
Lunches after vacation are good, very good. Yesterday was a Chick-Fil-A sandwich and today was a philly cheesesteak from Penn Station. Both were purchased on the drive back and kept in the cooler.
But the very, very best is breakfast: my mom's coffeecake!!!
But the very, very best is breakfast: my mom's coffeecake!!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday
I'm baaaaaaacccccccccckkkkkkk!!!
Thankfully I could get to work later this morning allowing me to sleep longer although it means I'll work later tonight. I've come back to one of the busiest days I've had in awhile--3 meetings plus Thursdays are just busier.
In fact, I have 15 minutes to get to another facility for my next meeting. . .
Thankfully I could get to work later this morning allowing me to sleep longer although it means I'll work later tonight. I've come back to one of the busiest days I've had in awhile--3 meetings plus Thursdays are just busier.
In fact, I have 15 minutes to get to another facility for my next meeting. . .
Monday, September 14, 2009
Vacation Day 9
This is vacation??? Today included 3 trips to Wal-Mart, 2 trips to Lowe's, a trip to Publix (a wwwoooonnnnnddddderful grocery store or so I was told 10 years ago), a trip to Big Bob Gibson's for lunch, a trip to Old Time Pottery, putting up 12 trellises along a fence, deadheading several daisy bushes, and replanting a lily.
Obviously some of those were more pleasant than others, but no wonder I'm tired tonight!!!
Obviously some of those were more pleasant than others, but no wonder I'm tired tonight!!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Vacation Day Four
Yesterday was a true vacation day except for having to get up at 6:45 to take Renae to work. However, following breakfast at IHOP and dropping her off I went back to the hotel and promptly fell asleep until 10:30!!! I had to get up to get ready for lunch as I was meeting a lady who I work with who is based here. We had a nice time and then I returned to the hotel to sit by the pool and read for the afternoon. Then it was get Renae, shop, eat, and visit with Molly and the three oldest children.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)