Iowa - Our Liberties We Prize...

"I'm from Iowa, we don't know what cool is!" Ashton Kutcher

After a last minute change of training plans, I ended up spending last week in Iowa rather than Montgomery, Alabama. I had already mentally prepared myself for a week in the sweltering heat of the South - I just had to do a quick readjustment and ask myself "What the heck am I going to do for a week in Iowa?!" Then - I had the most amazing thing come to mind - Brenda lives in Iowa! Yes - it's a big state with miles and miles of cornfields but as fate would have it, my long lost basic training buddy lives 30 minutes from the lovely Fairfield Inn in Ankeny, Iowa!

My perception could be totally off but it is my viewpoint - therefore my truth of what I learned about Iowa in a week is this:

They have good, cheap food.
They have lots of corn.
They are really, really nice.
They are patient.
It's impossible to get lost.
And, they speed in parking lots.

We learned about the good, cheap food quickly. My traveling buddy was Molly and together we hit a few local eateries featured on Food Network to include the Highlife Lounge (thehighlifelounge.com) where for under $10 we had an entree size plate of homemade mac n' cheese that really hit the spot, the best fried chicken I've ever had and a drink. We loved Cactus Bob's BBQ Corral (www.cactusbobs.com) where I tried sauces like "Rattlesnake Venom" and "Blackbart's Desert Death" that I thought was going to burn a hole through my tongue. Our new friend, Gina (a local) and Molly were smart and stuck to the original sauce.

There were lots of cornfields. I took pictures, Molly took pictures, and then Molly broke out with a crazy rash from rubbing up on the corn. Who knew?

It really is impossible to get lost. I had printed out directions from the airport to my hotel but probably could have made it without them. I didn't use a GPS or my cell all week to get to from point A to point B. And aside from them speeding like crazy people in parking lots, the traffic is light. If you happen to be late for training one morning, do not try the line "Traffic was bad." This is not going to work in Iowa. So - perhaps next time - "I was helping farmer Joe slaughter a pig?"

And - they are really, really nice. I reunited with Brenda and ended up meeting her whole family who made me feel right at home. I guess I made them feel right at home, too, as "Aunt Mary" felt comfortable enough to ask if Brenda and I had any pictures of "when we were skinny". It was hysterical to me. Not so much for Brenda and the rest of the family who all echoed "I can't believe she said that!" It was funny.

And it's true. Brenda and I used to be really skinny. And tan. And in fabulous shape. We were tough little blondes. So - now we're not so skinny, definitely not tan, healthy but not buff, but much tougher than most probably know except for those closest to us.

I knew I was excited to see Brenda but I didn't expect to have my eyes fill up with tears and my heart overflow when I saw her sitting at that Olive Garden table Tuesday night.

We went through a lot together along with the other incredible girls I met in Alabama that summer. Slowly but surely we all changed and grew as individuals and friends that time and distance will never separate.

So - next time I'll make it a point to see Cari-Lynn (a Stafford native), try Jethro's BBQ and maybe even go try to find some of those covered bridges on the backroads.

"Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain."

Thanks for a lovely week, Iowa. I bloom where I am planted. Even in places where the heat index is 114 degrees.

Darn you, Facebook!

I was sucked in. Just like a late night infomercial. Or the informercial I first viewed in San Diego - the one when Tanika and I wanted to buy that chicken cooker thingy that Mr. T was selling. Facebook got me. Since "joining" the rage of the social network machine that some believe make the world go 'round I quit blogging. Just like that. Quit. Quitting is not easy for me. I'm stubborn. I'm commited to my "work ethic". I am the daughter of a coal miner. I don't quit.

So - guess who's back? It's not Shady.

I can't believe how much my boys have grown since my last post and how much I've "matured" as everyday I climb a few steps closer to 40 (and "I still remember when 30 was old"...) and make peace with the fact that I'm always going to be "Hair Flying Everywhere", will never accomplish the perfect hairstyle, and that driving a mini-van isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I've missed on sharing my thoughts through my "online diary". I have really missed it! If for no one else's reading pleasure - for mine! I've missed you, blog!

Please forgive me while I take some time to update our pics, our stories and reconnect.

Fall Updates

I know. I'm a "bad" blogger. No posts since August. The shame! As with a young family - time flies. Days become weeks, weeks become months. And no blog entries. Sorry! I'd like to do better this year! Especially since there are so many blogs of friends and family that I enjoy following. I have been recruited by friends into what could be a deep pit - Facebook. I do not update my status every 30 minutes like some folks (sorry if you're one of them!) and enjoy it mainly to keep up with friends and family that I don't get to see often. Knowing what the family down the street is having for breakfast just does not excite me.

Since August, school has been off to a good start. Luke has a first year teacher who is wonderful and Blake continues at Ms. Marie's. Both played fall sports. Luke played flag football at the fieldhouse and Blake played soccer. Luke has shown an interest in ice hockey and we're working out the details for that. Blake is devoted to playing soccer at this time. Both still like to talk (a lot!) and Blake continues to have the loudest voices of almost any kid I know. We are sure he is a future rock star. LOL.

Justin has gone to midnight shift and is lovin' it. My work has become a little stressful as upper management is worried about budgets. The stress has trickled down. Just like most families, the price of gas killed us this summer and although groceries, daycare, etc costs continue to rise, my salary has remained the same. Justin has been fortunate to see some pay raises. So like many of you, we try to do more with less. One thing I have discovered is how to take almost nothing from the pantry and somehow make a meal. I've found some cool blogs to follow by moms for recipes. It's a shame that eating healthy costs more than eating junk food. And anyone who tells you otherwise is crazy. The cost of fresh fruits, veggies and meat is unreal.

Winter is here and I try to fake that I'm ok with that. I meet the challenge of cold weather with my collection of cold weather gear, almost none of which matches. I have been spotted in the grocery store by co-workers who said they almost didn't recognize me. I'm sure it will embarrass my kids as they get older but I really don't care. I've found that I can deal much better with the season if I'm warm. The biggest challenge is it's so much harder to make sure the kids get quality time outside. It's almost dark when they get home from school and they can only play for so long in the cold. They are playing outside right now with the dollar store "guns" that was part of their Christmas which is why I'm finding time to blog right now.

Other big news - we have a new nephew in NC - Levi. My mother-in-law calls him "Nebbie" which I'm sure Becky is praying won't stick.

We continue to pass the cold season with soup, hockey games and good books. Keep me posted on how you thrive (not just survive) the winter season with two energetic kids.

Summer News

Wow! Where has the time gone? This has been a busy, fun summer with only a few weeks left before school and work resumes. We're having a beautiful day here today, Justin is off and we are going to introduce the boys to canoeing a little later as we just can't let this beautiful day to by without being outside.

Here's a sampling of some of the news from our summer. Enjoy!

"A Little Place Called Shamokin!" Our first trip of the summer was a weekend adventure to Pennsylvania to the Knoebel's campground and amusement park. The boys love the loft sleeping cabins and the classic amusement park is easy on the wallet and a lot of family fun. Blake rode his first really big roller coaster - the Phoenix! It was hilarious. We didn't have to do much to talk him into riding but once we headed down that first hill, he looked so shocked! The wide was blowing his face tight and he was holding on for dear life. Luke said "No way!" and waited with friends while we rode. Blake is a wild man. The adults headed out the last night for some time on bumper cars that was voted America's best. They are brutal. And fun. We were all cracking up. It was great stress relief. One of the girls with us is a county bus driver and said they should add bumper cars to the personnel program for stress relief. LOL.

For the 4th of July, Luke was selected to ride in the parade with "George Washington".

Later in July, we headed to Edisto Beach. Lots of great family beach time. One of the highlights was seeing three little loggerheads make their way from their nest for their first swim. Beautiful.

I also volunteered as a camp counselor at a camp on the eastern shore of Maryland. Some newer friends forget that I was in the Army and can hang tough when needed so Justin got lots of questions about "how I was doing". Well - I slept in a pretty rustic cabin with no air conditioning, swam in a pond with leeches, got flipped in a canoe and overall had a great week. The message for the week was that God created the world with "enough" for everyone. We should only take what we need and share.

The boys spent a week with MeeMee and Poppy making some special summer time memories and we visted my folks for a few days. We hiked to an old coal mining site and waterfalls. We also went night fishing which Blake thought needed a little more excitement so he let out his big battle cry for everyone to enjoy. It woke those old men up. They didn't catch anything but did see a 20 pound catfish reeled in. No joke. 20 pounds. We were in the shack when they weighed it.

Luke has been swimming like a fish and jumped off the diving board yesterday for the first time. We are SO proud of his courage. Go little man!

So - the leaves are already starting to turn but it's not over yet. Get out there and soak up some sun!

A Sampling of Spring Pics

A sampling of our spring - playing in boxes, going to a family wedding and picking dandelions - it's definitely spring!

Meet Leroy!

As you know and can see from our previous post, our old kitty, Cleo passed away earlier this spring. I've had cats my whole life. Although my first pets were dogs, I have the most memories of the many cats I've loved through the years and don't want my children to grow up without a feline in the home. No one will ever convince me that dogs are smarter than cats. Yes - Rocky sits on command, walks on a leash and of course, there's always the working dogs - police dogs, search dogs, etc. Yes - they're amazing. Dogs can be trained. Cats have a personality of their own and a strong will to be their own person. You can't really change them. They are who they are. And I have to admit that I've never really trusted people who declare they don't like cats. And I've met quite a few. When someone tells me they don't like cats - this tells me that they're intimidated by them. You can't "control" a cat like a dog. So - yes - I've loved my kitties. From the ones I remember playing with early in life at my grandmother's old garage to Prince, Nash, Cupcake, Gizmo, Tuffy and Buffy, and Cleo.

And now Leroy.

We found Leroy at our local SPCA. I had visited once without Justin and Leroy was in my top 3. When Justin returned, Leroy was his pick. And Leroy LOVES Justin! Leroy was brought into the shelter on our anniversary in March and was sick for most of April. They thought he had a heart murmur but our vet gave him an all clear and said it was probably due to his severe April cold. He's a very friendly cat and only his cold probably prevented him from being adopted earlier. So - we're so glad we found him!

He sleeps in our bed and the only "problem" is that he can get frisky and attack our feet under the covers. He sometimes sleeps between Justin's legs. He plays with Rocky and shows attention to the whole family, even Blake, our loud one who can honestly scare some animals. You can't really see in the pics but he has some orange blended in that gives him a tiger look. They believe he's a couple years old. He's a long cat and I know couldn't stretch out in the small quarters he had at the shelter so you can frequently find him stretched out in his full length.

Welcome, Leroy! We're glad you've joined our family!

Happy Face Toast

The perfect morning start - scrambled eggs and wheat toast, coffee, sitting on the porch listening to the birds sing and finding a smiley face in your toast! LOL! Thought I'd share this funny pic of our smiley face toast. Luke and Blake thought this was pretty funny. Also - check out Rocky in the pic with Blake. He looks like he really wants some scrambled eggs, too! I know I haven't posted in a while. It's that time of year. I hope to post some spring pics today. Although there's been a few little downs we've mostly had a great spring. Rocky's wild side has emerged and we've added a new cat, Leroy, to our family. I'll post some about him soon! Enjoy your day and enjoy the sunshine!

I have a busy week and a half ahead of me with several end of school year events. So - today Blake and I are off to have lunch with a friend and her son at a local, city style park across from the local farmer's market while a local music group performs. I really have grown to love this town.