Our trip!

Well, we had a great time on our trip. We were very busy and are still very tired. I'm so glad we decided to take this Monday off to get caught up before plunging back in to the workday.

I could give you ascerbic commentary on events that happened on our trip, but I've been told I complain too much, so I will skip that for now. Later I will post a montage of our photos that I took, and also I'll upload a few videos.

We left Sacramento airport at 12:15 in the morning, and arrived in Chicago about 10:10am after a brief layover in Houston. We picked up our rental car, which turned out to be a minivan, and drove into Joliet and checked into our motel. We took a nap and got a phone call from Alamo saying that we had left a bag behind at the rental counter! Dang it! So we had to drive all the way back to O'Hare and pick it up. We got back in time to see the last half of Marie's game, but I forgot the camera! I couldn't believe it. She had another game on Friday evening, but it was cancelled due to bad weather. The only game photos I got were from Shane's game Saturday morning.

Anyway, after the game we were exhausted so we went back to the hotel. The next day was Wednesday, and we went over to Bill's dad's and visitied with him, and had lunch with him. We also took him to the bank and to Barnes & Noble. We left in the early afternoon and drove out to Bill's sister Nancy's house, which was about 45 minutes away. We decided to go to the cemetary and visit Bill's mom's grave. I got some pictures out there. We went back to Nancy's and visited with her, and then we were supposed to pick up Bill's dad that evening to go out to dinner at Outback for Bill's birthday. We were late leaving and got caught in rush hour traffic, and were half an hour late picking him up. Unfortunately Bill's dad had forgotten we were coming and had gone down and had eaten dinner! But he came with us anyway. Nancy and her husband and oldest son came, as did Jennie and her husband and the kids. It was a large group and we had a lot of fun.

The next day was Thursday, and Bill and I drove into Chicago to spend the afternoon. I know now why people take public transportation in Chicago, because driving it was crazy! First we went to Harpo Studios and Bill and I took some great pictures. We went into the Oprah Store and Bill spoiled me rotten with a lot of stuff! I got a t-shirt, a really soft hooded, zipped sweatshirt, a hat, a water bottle, a coffee cup and a beautiful bookmark with my birthstone on it. What a haul! I had so much fun.

Then we decided to take one of the cruises that leave from Navy Pier. In trying to find Navy Pier, we took a wrong turn down a one way street! Now THAT is scary. Bill had the quick reflexes to turn into a parking garage, and we paid through the nose to park there, but it was a great solution to a REALLY huge problem. We walked the mile or so to Navy Pier and took a half hour cruise on a boat that gave us great views of the skyline. Then we walked back to the car and came back to Joliet.

Friday, Jennie and the kids and I went to the Brookfield Zoo, which Dawn talks about in her blog, Because I Said So. It is about half an hour from Jennie's house. We had a great time seeing the monkeys, and the penguins, and a great dolphin show. It's a HUGE zoo!! We had to leave by 3:00, because Marie had a baseball game at 5pm. We all went out for dinner early before the game, and then rushed over there at 5:30 only to find out that big fat raindrops were falling, there was thunder and lightening, and so they decided to cancel the game. We'd gotten rained on at the zoo, but just briefly.

Saturday morning, we got up and packed and checked out of our hotel. We made it out to Shane's baseball game only half an hour late. It was cloudy again, and they got probably 2/3rds of the way through the game before they called it. It had started raining, and I went and sat in the van because I was getting wet. Eventually Bill came over and pulled the van around so we could watch the game from the car. When we were driving back to Jennie's, we stopped off at the UPS store and mailed a box of things that Bill had gotten from their folks's house in Arizona. Lots of old pictures and letters, things like that. It really poured there for awhile, but by the time we got to the UPS Store, the sun had come out! We spent the afternoon at Jennie's, where we spent time visiting. Nancy and Paul, and Paul Jr. were there, as were Bill's dad, of course Jennie and Rick and the kids, and Bill's childhood friend Galen came with his 28-year-old son. How did we get so old?!? Bill said last time he saw Philip, he was only 2!! Time really flies. They were all sitting out on the deck, and I got too hot right in the sun, so I came inside for awhile and watched the kids play Wii, which I have some video of. Even Bill and I played Wii, and Bill and Jennie played Wii tennis. It is really fun!!

We left for Chicago about 6:30 and turned in our rental car. Then we took the shuttle to the Hilton and we were exhausted! We didn't get to bed until 9pm, and we had to be up by 3am! I tossed and turned a lot, as did Bill, so neither of us got much sleep. We got up and checked our luggage and waited for our flight to be called. We had an uneventful flight to Houston, a brief layover and then into Sacramento about 11am. We picked up the car and drove home. We were exhausted! We took naps, and unpacked, and went to bed early! Today we're just doing a few things around the house. Bill is cleaning out our storage so we can get rid of that. What a huge chore!

Well, it's back to work tomorrow. I'll post the montage of our photos later after all the pictures upload. I'll also post the videos I took at the zoo and of Bill's nephew and his friend playing Wii.

Have a great week!

We made it . . .

Well, we made it to Chicago O'Hare this morning, even a little ahead of schedule. No time for a long post, because we've been up since 5:30am Monday morning, and right now it is 9:30pm Tuesday evening Chicago time. We only had catnaps on the plane (which is a whole nother blog post!) and an hour or so nap here at the hotel, so we are BEAT! But we are alive and made it all the way here with no airline or airplane glitches.

More to come, with pics! Bye for now. We desperately need some Zzzzzzzzzs!!!

Vacation time!!

Well, we had a really nice weekend. Why? Because our neighbors were gone!!! It was soooo nice and quiet. The problem is, they just walked in and it reminds me of how noisy it is having someone walking on my head! The nice thing about them being gone is it is such a wonderful relief. The bad thing is that it is sooo hard to get used to again. I can hear them clomping around already. *sigh*

But we did have a nice weekend. Especially because I don't have to be back at work until the 24th!! Woot!! Bill and I are taking off for Chicago early Tuesday morning (I mean EARLY!). Our flight leaves at 12:15 a.m. That's AM, like a quarter after midnight! Whew! Scott will be staying at the apartment and keeping and eye on things while we're gone. We'll be back on Sunday afternoon. Bill doesn't have tomorrow off work, but I went ahead and took tomorrow off so I could get everything ready for the trip.

In preparation for being gone, this weekend I did laundry and cleaned house. I always clean house right before we're going to be gone, because I like coming back to a clean house. Well, Scott will be here, so that may not happen! LOL

Today we went swimming and laid out in the sun. The water was kind of chilly when you first got in, but after you got used to it, it was nice for swimming. I stayed in the water about half an hour or so. There were quite a few people at the pool.

Well, I am enjoying relaxing this evening. It's nice to know that I don't have to get up and go to work tomorrow. The problem is that it is hard for me to not think about work when I'm on vacation. I will try, though! The good news is that I got everything done before I left on Friday, so I am not all that concerned. I've got a lot to do tomorrow to get ready. I have some errands to run, and last minute laundry and packing to do. Since our plane leaves in the middle of the night, I have LOTS of time to do it. I have to go to Costco, so I plan to get up in time to get over there right when they open so I can get in and out without fighting a big crowd. I plan to get gas while I'm there, too.

Well, I need to get off of here now. I'm not sure we're taking the laptop on the trip, so if I don't get a chance, I may not post again until we return. I'll take lots of pictures.

They talk funny here!

Missed a post for yesterday and the day before, but here I am, sitting in the Scott County Library in Waldron, Arkansas checking email. My parents don't stay here enough to have a computer or internet service at home, so I didn't even bring my laptop. But it's nice that their library has these nice computers for us to use! Mom is checking her email, and I just checked mine, and thought I'd take the opportunity to do a quick blog before we move on.

I went down to Sacramento Tuesday night and spent the night at the Host Hotel at the airport. My flight left at 7am so I still had to get up at 4:30 Wednesday morning in order to catch the flight. The entrance to the Host Hotel is just past the terminals, so you have to circle around in order to park in the terminal parking. I cricled once, and missed the turn, so I had to circle around again, finally got a good spot in the covered parking garage. The Host would have kept my car while I was gone, but it cost the same as the parking garage, and the parking at the host isn't covered.

Anyway, after my circling, I was getting a little concerned because it was about 5:50am by then, and you're supposed to check in at least an hour before your flight. I was afraid if I checked in too late, they'd not let me on the plane. But I got down the elevator and over to the Southwest check in, and fortunately there was no line. I checked my bags, and went upstairs to stand in line for security.

The line for security was ridiculously long, but fortunately they had all their stations open and it moved really quickly. I had wondered if a midweek flight in February would generate many passengers, but apparently a 7am flight is appealing to a lot of people, including people who commute. But the line moved quickly, and I was through security by about 6:10am. I got some breakfast and ate it at the gate. They boarded us about 6:40, and the flight wasn't full! This leg of the flight went from Sacramento to Kansas City, MO, then I was to change planes and fly from KC to Tulsa. With Southwest's new seating deal, you get a number when you check in online, and I was probably the 10th one on the plane, and I didn't have to stand in line at the A gate for an hour beforehand! That was really nice. I got a exit row seat, so I had tons of leg room! It was great. The flight was maybe half full, and no one else sat in my row! So it was great -- I had TONS of room, and since it was a two and a half hour flight! I sat in the window seat, since I didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone, should I need to use the bathroom, so I ate and drank sodas with impungity sp?). I read my book napped a bit -- fabulous flight.

We landed in KC and there was snow on the ground! I'll post pics when I get back. We didn't have to go outside at all, of course. But it was sure pretty. I had two and a half hours between flights, so I got some lunch and then read at the gate.

The flight from KC to Tulsa was only about half full, also. I had an exit row seat there, also -- fabulous!! These were the best flights I'd ever had. The row I was in only had one other guy - on the aisle, so there was an empty seat between us. It was great. I wish I could fly like that all the time. When the flights are full, it really makes it uncomfortable. Especially when you have to go to the bathroom, and they no longer let you line up, so as soon as someone exits the bathroom, you have to like jump up and run and hope no one else gets up in front of you. Geesh. What a bad system. The plane was a little late leaving KC (maybe 15 minutes) but it was a short hop to Tulsa. I think it was 55 minutes gate-to-gate, so I doubt we even reached cruising altitude before descending into Tulsa. My cold really gave me fits with the landings, especially, but the take-offs, too. I had to chew a lot of gum, pop my ears alot, and took the nose drops that my doctor suggested. It helped and my ears aren't plugged, but it was difficult.

My parents met me at the gate, and we drove home to Waldron. It takes about three hours. We ate dinner, visited for a bit, and then fell into bed. I was exhausted! Their house in Waldron is really nice. I'll post pics when I get home. Today, we're running a few errands, and then we'll go out to the family farm this afternoon in Cauthron, where my dad grew up, and where my aunt and uncle now live. Then tomorrow I'm not sure what we'll be doing. Saturday, we're going to meet my cousins, my other aunt and uncle at a restaurant near Ft. Smith for lunch. Then we're attending a Big Brothers/Big Sister banquet Saturday night. Then Sunday, we'll have to leave about noon so I can make my 5:30 plane. Should be a fun time!

Very relaxing, but the two hour time difference makes me feel a little jet-lagged. It will be fun to see my relatives I haven't seen in 12 years.

B. had his sleep study last night, for his snoring and possible sleep apnea. He said it wasn't TOO bad, but it definitely wasn't fun. He slept better than he thought he would. His dr. will have the results in 7 to 10 days. I hope they can come up with a solution to help him sleep better. He's exhausted all the time during the day, and that can't feel good.

Well, I need to get going. We're going to go to my cousin's store, poke around a bit downtown, and then go to the farm. TTYL!

11 Days!!

I don't have to be back to work for 11 more days!!!!

I am SO excited. I am taking the rest of the year off!! Whew! It feels SOOOOO good. I so need this time off work just to rest and relax and recharge my batteries.

We had a nice day at work today. It was hard to get any work done. Lots of the departments had food, so people would wander in and out all day, munching. And of course all of it was SO good for you (NOT!). Lots of cookies, breads, candy, fudge -- all kinds of goodies. YUM!

But I did get some stuff done, mainly just getting ready for being gone for a week and a half. But you know, I actually will only be away from work for three days, because the offices will be closed next Monday and Tuesday, and the following Monday and Tuesday. I'm hoping that will mean that the work won't pile up as much as if I'd been gone from work for seven actual working days. Because that's always the bummer, is coming back to work and having a crapload of work to do.

But I don't have to go back to work for 11 days (including weekends)!!!!
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!

I got some nice gifts from people at work. A 2 lb. box of candy (like I need that, but I LOVE chocolate!), some body butter from Costco that smells SOOOO heavenly, a Dilbert desktop calendar, and some homemade blackberry jam! I also got several nice Christmas cards. Fun!

Well, I need to get off here and get to some serious relaxation! My parents are coming into town on Sunday night, and spending the night, and we will exchange gifts with them then. They will be on their way to my brother's.

Scott is moving into an apartment with some buddies on Monday! I'm very excited for him (and for us!). Mark and Candice are coming over on Christmas eve, and we plan on watching a movie and having pizza. Then Scott, Mark and Candice will come over on Christmas morning, and we'll open gifts, then have brunch before Scott goes to work. I'll probably fix bacon and eggs, and french toast or something. Fun!

Well, Bill wants to go to dinner. It's Friday, and we usually go out to eat on Fridays, which I really look forward to. I'm not sure where we'll go, probably somewhere like Denny's or something simple and relatively inexpensive.

Bye for now!

Back to work tomorrow!

Well, it's back to work tomorrow. After all the work of the past week and a half, I need to go back to work just to rest! We finished up at the old house (well almost -- I have to mop the floors, but I don't want to do that until absolute last). The carpet cleaners are coming tomorrow, so I will mop after they are gone. Then we are DONE. At least I hope so. The property management company is going to do a pre-walk through, and if anything needs to be cleaned, then they'll let us know. If it's only minor stuff, we may just leave it for them to do, and have it deducted from our deposit. I didn't clean all the windows completely, and I really don't care!! I absolutely HATE washing windows. Bleah! I did the inside of the windows, but I am not going to do the outside. Fuggetaboutit!!!

Not much else to report! We didn't do much today -- I took Scott to work at 10:00, and Bill went over and got the rest of the stuff out of the garage and took it to storage. He also de-cobwebbed in the garage and that was it! Then we went out to brunch and came home and picked up a cabinet I am giving my friend Tracey who is setting up her own place after separating from her husband. We loaded it up in the truck and took it over to her about 1:00. While we were there, Richard and Suzie, two other co-workers, came by with a queen size mattress and box springs that they are giving Tracey. Bill helped them carry it up the stairs, and when Tracey said she didn't have a bedframe, Bill said he would go to storage at get her one of ours. We have THREE of 'em in storage right now! So I stayed and chatted with Tracey while he went over and got it for her. Then he set it up for her, and put the leg back on a wine chiller that she had. He is so sweet and so good to her! I so appreciated his doing that for her, after all the work we'd done this week. He is such a good guy.

We are thinking about planning a trip back to Chicago in September to see Bill's parents and sisters. We were hoping to wait for Christmas, but not sure we can wait that long. Bill's mother's health is not that good. We'll see. I checked airfare online and it's not too bad on Southwest, if we fly mid-week. United is about $800 and Southwest is about $500. Big difference!! We'll see. It would be nice to see Chicago during nice weather, since the last time we were there was in November.

Well, time for bed! Hope everyone has a great week.