A Little Bit Of South

 Last week was an odd one for me. Usually, with Big Boss in the back of the airplane, we fly six, seven, even ten times a day. Long, hard days, starting very early in the morning and ending very early in the morning the next day. So last week, he only flew once or twice a day. It threw me off my game! I still waited for him all day at the airport, since he didn't tell us when we would be leaving. It's much better to be safe than sorry with this guy. I finished one book and started another on my Kindle Fire. I'm so glad I have books to keep me busy when I don't know where or when we're headed next!

We left Sunday night for Austin, Texas. I hate working on Sunday, but especially when it is the most anticipated day of the year...the Annual Family Christmas Snack Table. I got called just a few hours into the shindig, and I must say I was just a little disappointed that I was going to miss the festivities with my family. I called Big Boss to see if we could bump it back to the next morning. He couldn't since an early meeting was scheduled, but he let me bump our departure back an hour so I could stay a little longer at the party. I was still pretty bummed.

We arrived in Austin around 11:30 PM local time. Luckily, the hotel was close. I was beat! 

The next day, after grabbing a quick bite at a Mexican restaurant, we waited at airplane alllllllll day until Big Boss finally announced that he was ten minutes away. And that we were headed to New Orleans.

I haven't been to New Orleans since my Hubby and I left for our honeymoon cruise from its port. How fun to come back! It was more fun with Hubby sitting next to me...three years ago!

After a lunch at a seafood place (I had a Caesar salad while my partner-in-crime at an entire Swamp Platter), we waited again all day to find out when and where we would be heading next. When we finally heard, it wasn't good news. Since the weather was terrible in Houston, and the instrument landing system was broken and prevented us from getting low enough below the clouds to land, that evening meant a detour to Shreveport, Louisiana instead. The weather was nice enough to let us find the runway. Luckily, we didn't get yelled at. I hate being held responsible for the weather! Also, luckily for us, Cracker Barrel was still open and fed us dinner. I love eating breakfast for dinner!

We left for Sugarland, Texas just outside of Houston the next day around 1:00 PM. He said we might stay the night here or leave that evening. So again, a day of camping out by the airplane to hear what was in store for us. While we waited, we ate some delicious BBQ just a mile away from the FBO. I love trying a variety of foods on the road each week, and BBQ is one of my favorites! Then I almost finished my second book while we waited on Big Boss.

He called that night to say he wanted to fly to San Antonio. I scrambled to find hotels this late, and went through five hotels before finally being able to find us some rooms.

On Thursday, we decided to try Beto's Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio (Tig, try it out...it is delicious!). It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri, so we figured we couldn't go wrong. It was so good, and I don't even like empanadas all that much!

We were surprised to get a call shortly after we ordered our food. We were leaving in forty minutes...heading back to Phoenix! It's very rare to land here in daylight hours with Big Boss on board. What a treat.

The whole flight back, I had a dear friend on the radios the entire flight and didn't even know it. Shari, let's fly like that again some time! And I promise not to take SJN next time!

I'm just hoping the call for work never comes this week so I can prepare for Christmas. This is certainly my favorite time of year!

Phoenix - Austin - New Orleans - Shreveport - Sugarland - San Antonio - Phoenix

My First Race

So I done did it. This morning. I ran my first official race ever. And we can just ignore that small children ran the race faster than me. I'm so tickled that I did it, but even more elated about training for the whole event! I've really worked hard these past thirteen weeks preparing for my first 5K, and other than the time that I had to work, I was in the gym every single day. 

By the way, running outside is easier. It seemed much faster than running on a treadmill. I kept busy trying not to fall on rocks and such, which made the time just fly by.

Speaking of time, I met my goal! I wanted to be under forty minutes (I know, I know. You official runners are choking on your granola as you read that petty goal. But it was a big one for me!). I actually came in with a time of 38:57. Yippeeee!

Luckily, I had company for the race. Our original team of twelve got widdled down to me, my sister, and my sister-in-law (six months pregnant, too!). And my sister only agreed to it this past week, so it was looking pretty scarce for a while there! It was so neat to have my own little cheering squad and support group. I ran ahead of them, but they finished just eight minutes after I crossed the line.

For those of you who couldn't make it, you were missed. Maybe next year?

While I was afraid these past few weeks that I would cry at the end, I only teared up when Megan and T'liese came around the corner. Luckily, they were giving out bananas, so that stifled the tears until I could wade through the crowd to greet them.

The best part? I'm going to keep training and do some more races this coming few months. They may make a runner out of me yet.

It feels great, and I am very proud of this accomplishment. Yes, I kept my race number. And yes, I very well may frame it and add it to a wall somewhere! What of it!

Micah running at all IS quite an accomplishment!

Gallery Goodness

Being on the road sure makes blogging difficult!

Last week, I headed to my sister's house to help her finish a project she's been wanting for months. It helps that she has an adorable family and is one pretty lady herself. They had professional family pictures taken a few months ago. When the prints finally arrived, she knew that she needed them on the wall. 

Enter Gallery Wall, stage left.

I don't know why she called me over to help, but I'm flattered. And Micah Math didn't interfere except for the very last measurement that she left me to make alone while she fed almost-two Evan.

But we fixed it. And I think it looks great!

We began by playing with several layouts on the carpet before finding one that we both loved. All of the space was filled, and there was a nice balance between vertical and horizontal pictures! We were ready to hang! And by ready to hang, I mean ready to draw them all onto a template of butcher paper. We wanted to get it right first by knowing exactly where to pound the nails before we pounded the nails. Not a bad idea, and other than my slight miscalculation when left to my own devices, the entire process went smoothly.

It looks great! Our next move is to design some simple yet personal "filler" for the three empty frames. Probably the letter "F" in one, printed on burlap. We are still trying to decide on the other two but want them to remain simple so the family pictures get the most attention.

We could be professionals. We practically are professionals! At least, we have a nice time making our homes feel more homey. Way to go, T'liese. Your wall is gawrgeous!

And thanks for looking the other way when we both realize I can't count past three.