Crazy flight and we're only half way there!

Evan and I are on a spur of the moment trip to Fort Lauderdale to pick up a jeep we purchased. The flight has been rough to say the least. We just made an emergency medical landing in New Orleans. After a scary and very, very turbulent first half of the flight (a lot of Hail Mary's and I'm sorry Lord were being shouted throughout the cabin) we finally settled down. It was short lived because the next thing we see were multiple people running up the aisle towards the front. One of the passengers had a seizure and they decided to land us for medical care. I'm positive that we did a nose dive as we were descending. We've safely landed are waiting to take off again. We're stuck on the plan for a length of time and while the attendants handle the medical stuff Evan is taking care of the passengers by handing out peanuts and beverages to anyone who visits the bathroom (he had to ride fourth). People are walking by me with handfuls of goods. Hopefully my next post will be pictures of the jeep. Wish us luck!

Family Meals Blog

Check out Cheryl James new blog called: Sitting Down with the Family. It's geared towards families who want to put good home cooked meals on the table but are short on time. She would love to hear from you. If you have any recipes to share, please feel free to send them to Cheryl.

Sitting Down with the Family

Back into the groove

I think we’ve finally settled back into a routine in our house. This is my first full week back at work and it sucks. I’m still in vacation mode.

We went back home a few days after Christmas because Evan had to work Christmas Eve and neither one of us wanted to fly standby with the holiday crowds. It worked out really well. We ended up driving home, which worked out really well.

Evan made the mistake of telling me that we would be going by Lambert’s Café in Sikeston, MO – “The Only Home of Throwed Rolls”. I’ve been hearing about this place for years and was dying to go; it did not disappoint. The waiter tossed me a fresh hot roll from the oven as we were walking to our table. It was LOVE almost instantly. This is definitely not a good place for a carb addict like me. The place was packed and the service was fantastic. I took some shots of our meals with my phone, so the pictures might not be great, but believe me the food was yummy!

From there we headed to Newton for a week of relaxation. We got the privilege of attending Holly and Chad’s Euchre Tournament. We’re never home when they have it but this year we were. I didn’t play because I had just learned and they had plenty of players. I had a great team of teachers, though and I’m ready for next year’s tournament. Congratulations to Kent Schafer and Jeff Zumbahlen, the winner of this year’s tournament.

I’ve posted lots of pictures below from Lambert’s, New Year’s and the Euchre Tournament.

Those yummy rolls!

Giant sized drinks to help wash down the rolls

Fried okra...yummy!

Chicken fried steak with all the fixins!

The night begins with a delicious bowl of tortilla chips in the car on the way to the party

Nice dashboard skills Shane!

The newly engaged couple

We're a VERY close group

Pam and Caleb

I think it's love

All I can think of when I see this picture is "Schwing"

The euchre gathering

Will's getting excited just thinking about winning this year's tournament

There was a lot of smack talking at this table

Holly looks good in anything, including this hat

Just in case you wanted to see the gum I was chewing

Sarah wears it best

The euchre winners

Chad extremely intoxicated. If you were there you know what I'm talking about.

A lonely Christmas Eve; a blistery winter mix; a bottle of Holly’s Reserve and 24 hours of a Christmas Story = a very thankful girl.

Yesterday was 70 and humid with tornado watches. Today is 29 with sleet, snow and 25 mph winds (white out conditions)! I chose the latter; it must be the Midwestern girl in me! It feels so much more like Christmas with those types of conditions outside.

Evan has to work a double shift today so I am here all by my lonesome. It’s part of the job that I will never get used to. I know he’s bummed he has to be at work instead of at home with me. He does, however, have off tomorrow – Christmas Day.

Tonight was spent Skyping with Dave and Lisa. I got to watch my nieces and nephew open their gifts. It was like I was right there with them. It almost brought tears to my eyes. Thank goodness for technology!!!

Tomorrow we will spend the day with our friends, Carl and Diana (they introduced us). It’s as close as home gets and we’re thankful they are willing to have us over. It should involve lots of good food, entertainment and drinks.

Even though I’m alone tonight when many are with family and friends, I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, food on the table, presents under the tree and a fire in the fireplace.

Here’s hoping all of you have a wonderful Christmas. Remember everything you have to be thankful for; there are so many less fortunate. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Three years of wedded bliss!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband! I can't believe three years have gone by already. I wish I could go back and relive some of the fun we had that week in Cancun. It was one of the most memorable times in our lives.

Long time no post

I can’t believe my last post was way back in August. School started and I guess time got away from me. Not only that, but we’ve been back and forth several times to Omaha and St. Louis to visit family and friends. Time flies when you’re having fun.

The weekend of October 10th I flew to St. Louis and ran in the DaVita Kidney Awareness 5k. My flight to St. Louis was anything but pleasant. Right after takeoff my stomach turned sour. Let’s just say that I am very aware of wear the barf bags are, and I now know the lavatory features inside and out on Southwest’s 737’s. To top it off we had a nice dose of turbulence. I fly this route very often and there’s never turbulence. I guess it just wasn’t my flight.

Anyway, back to the 5k. It was a lot of fun and very chilly. I think the temperature hovered right around the 41 degree mark. It took me until mile two before I warmed up. I even had my very own cheering squad there to support me - thanks Mel, Mike and TT!

Heading to the race

Some light stretching

Off we go!

Victory is mine!

Then this past weekend we headed back to St. Louis for Holly and Chad’s anniversary weekend. The day started off with lunch with a girlfriend of mine that I had not seen in years. We ate, drank and laughed for almost five hours.

That evening, Holly, Chad, Evan and I stayed downtown and had dinner at the Morgan Street Brewery. Saturday we switched hotels, had lunch and headed out to the wineries for the rest of the day. It was a spectacular weekend. We had such a great time with Holly and Chad. My only wish is that we could do it more often.

That sums things up for now.

Valerie and I

View from our hotel. Our camera did not do this view justice. Time for a new camera!

Morgan Street Brewery

Mt. Pleasant Winery

Holly & I

Chad & Evan

Us at Montelle Winery - love this place!

Scenic views from Montelle