Notes From My Trip

Monday night DH called and asked how my trip was going thus far. I told him that we were hanging out and playing Wii and he laughed and asked me just how old we were. Secretly I think he was jealous that I was playing my air guitar and bowling while he was at home with the kids. But hey, I deserve a few days away, don't I? I would post pictures of Jamie, Mark and myself playing the guitar but they are pretty scary and I would hate to terrify the younger ones that may read my blog.

Hannah rocking out while we played Guitar Hero.
Jamie and I hanging out like old times. (Well except we never wore PJs)
Hannah and I.

Tuesday and today I spent the morning and part of the afternoon at Cat. It was a very good visit. I managed to sit in on some meetings, got another plant tour, caught up with the team that I work with, and most importantly walked out of there with alot of work. A-lot. I won't think about that too much because it will stress me out right now and I am trying to relax and enjoy the rest of my visit.

Last night I caught up with a few people and then Jamie and I went to see August Rush. Very good movie, however I do have to warn you it is definitely a romantic movie and with that comes alot of cheese. But who can dislike a movie with Keri Russel and rugged sexy men with Irish accents?

Tonight Val and I met for supper and then we went on the town's holiday walk through town. It was so cool to be back to Val and my "restaurant" for supper. I wish Robbie's delivered to NC. Maybe I can look into some type of real estate franchise for them.
Me and Val in front of Robbie's. We would look cuter, however the frigid weather made us bundle up like snowmen.

Then afterwards we met Heather and Val's mom for the holiday walk. We went into just about every store downtown and got some yummy treats, good wine and great buys.

Val and Heather inside Giggles retail store.

Speaking of good buys... I am so excited about two purchases I made on this trip. First is this Nine West bag. And those who know me, know that a) This is a very nontraditional type of purse for me. I mean come on it will not match everything and it isn't black or brown. And b) I no where paid regular price. In fact I paid $12. Man am I good.

My cool new purse.

And my second buy is this mug. I saw it tonight and just had to buy it for myself. It will look so cool sitting on my desk while I am knee deep in writing about poultry vaccinations or large mining trucks. I am a huge tea drinker so I think it fits nicely.


Tomorrow I am going to go to breakfast at Cracker Barrel and finish up some Christmas shopping. Then Val and I are heading to Bloomington to do some gabbing and drinking Starbucks before I have to catch my flight back home.

It has been a great visit. I am already counting down the days until I get to come back again. Thanks for an awesome visit everyone!

Whirlwind Midwest Tour Week One

We made it safely last Sunday from North Carolina to Illinois and now we are in Ohio. Can I say boy am I tired. Not sleep tired, just exhausted tired.

It was such an awesome past week getting to spend time with many people we haven't seen in almost a year. Gymnastics practice, lunches, dinners, walks to DQ, the zoo, lots of wine, overnights and even a trip to Six Flags in St. Louis. (Don't worry I have lots of pictures to share once I upload my photos.)

The 6 days went by fast... too fast. And yes I left in lots of tears (as did Emily and Sam). Will we ever move back to Decatur? Most likely not. But if it is one thing this past week proved, it is that you do not need to live in the same town to be friends. In many ways it was like we never left. Emily jumped right into practice with her old gym friends and then bounced from house to house giggling with all her friends. Chris spent the night with his friend Austin and fought with Ashley just like he had never been away for a year. Sam played with Hannah and held hands with Noah like it was just yesterday when they last saw each other. And of course I drank cosmos and ate yummy food with Val, gossiped with Tina, and fell into my old routine with Jamie like it was nothing.

Hopefully I will be flying back to Decatur this fall for a few contract projects I am working on. So until next time my Decatur pals, thank you for such an awesome week. I can't wait to come back and do it again soon. Miss you guys already!!

So now we are in Ohio visiting family and then going away for a kidless weekend with college friends. I am really looking forward to another wonderful week. So stay tuned. I am sure this week will prove to be full of laughs, tears and fun as well.

On The Road–– Yes Again

Sunday morning we are leaving with the chickens to go back to our old stomping grounds. We are going to Illinois for 6 days then back to Ohio for 9 days to visit our family and go to Put-In-Bay with a group of college friends.

I went back to Illinois for a few days for work back in February but this will be the first time Emily will be back (besides a 1 day deal last November) since the big move last August. It seems like just yesterday we were packing up the moving truck and making our way tearfully to NC. I could tell today Emily was starting to get upset about having to go and then leave again. But it is my guess in the end she will realize that things aren't all that bad here.

I am excited to get to go back and visit for an extended period of time and see everyone, but it is also gets stressful trying to get everything done that we want to do. I have to fit in a visit to the office for where I do freelance work, 2 gymnastics practices for Emily, and seeing everyone. It also is hard because I know I will have to leave and most likely not see many of these people for another year **sniff sniff**. And probably the worst part is I know Emily will cry and I hate it when my kids are hurting and I can't fix it.

Of course I will post lots of pictures along our Midwest journey. Until then, I will leave you with some parting memories from our move a year ago.

Val and I at our hangout "Robbies".
Leesha and Sami at our goodbye dinner.
Tina and Carla being goofy as usual.
Kleenex and wine... the staple of Summer of 2006.
Emily and the girls TPing their coach's house.
Emily and some of the team on her last day.
Sam and Noah didn't know what to think.
Sam, Hannah and Ashley in the empty family room.

Emily and Maia.
I don't know why, but I love this picture. I wonder what thoughts were running through Chris's head as they drove the semi away. (This couch got to go live at Jamie's house)
Jamie, Val and my last picture together **sniff sniff**
The end of a 4 year journey. Our last family picture at Cedar Hill Drive.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

It seems that Mother Nature really wanted to show me what I am missing since moving South. We are now under a snow advisory and they are calling for about 5 inches total for today. What a difference between here and North Carolina. Schools are still in session, stores are full of people and the streets are full.

While I hate snow with a passion, I have to admit it is pretty to look at.

Matt and Chris a week ago when we had school cancelled for a "snow day".
Our yard in NC on the "snow day".

Merchant Street in Decatur as the snow began to really fall.
Nelson Park in Decatur. (Now I have to admit this is pretty)
Lake Decatur where we took our boat out.

Our old house in Decatur.

Sending Prayers to Our Old Town

Unless you live in a bubble, you know about the ice/winter storm that tore through the Midwest last week. Decatur, Illinois was slammed by the storm and the area is so bad that the National Guard has been called in to help. We have several friends who are still without power. Over half of the city is still powerless. I can't even begin to imagine.

Val and Neil have been living in ADM temporary housing since their house was damaged and left powerless early Friday morning. Their animals have been dispatched to relatives, while they and little Noah and Maia have been staying elsewhere. I know they are going stir crazy. Imagine living in a tiny apartment with none of your belongings while it is too dangerous to venture outside in fear of stepping on power lines or trying to drive where there is no traffic lights through a city of 94,000 people. She has been tracking her story on her blog. I encourage you to go check it out.

Jamie and Mark are still powerless as well. Luckily Sunday Mark's parent's power was restored so Mark and the girls have been staying there. However Jamie is bunkered down at the house with a kerosene heater trying to keep the dogs and cats alive. Poor Pebbles (their kitten) had to be taken to the vet as he has a respiratory infection. Matt is worried at the safety of Jamie staying at the house with the heater. Jamie is more worried that the three stations in town that carry kerosene will run out. (or that she will beat up some idiot in the kerosene line)

Our friends from the gym, Carla and Luis, are also still powerless. They have been staying with family. Their cat and dog are still at the house.

They are staying it could be next week before power is restored. It's winter. It's cold. Tomorrow is is supposed to be a high of 18 degrees. The National Guard has been called in to try to help. Tension is high everywhere.

So tonight when you are sitting in your warm house mad because some petty little thing has gone wrong, think about those who are living where we just lived 4 months ago. Their lives have been ripped apart with just one visit from Mother Nature.

To all my Decatur friends, stay safe. We are praying for you.