And They Walk Among Us

While on vacation last week, I experienced several "Twilight Zone" moments. You know, those moments when you witness people doing asinine things or acting in bizarre ways or saying wacko things...etc...These are all eye-witness events. No exaggerations, no kidding.

1. On the way to Tennessee, we noticed a large pick-up truck weaving about erratically. Upon closer investigation, the driver of the truck had both hands on his cell phone busily texting, his head was looking straight down, and the wheel was not being manned by any part of his body...knee, leg, elbow, nothing. I guess he had auto-pilot installed on this particular vehicle. Crazy.

2. One evening at the hotel, I was sitting downstairs using the business center to do some emailing and such and I was dressed in raggedy shorts, flip flops, t-shirt, hair in a lop-sided ponytail and was make-up free. I was busily blogging when a couple of young girls (20ish) came into the room and said, "Uh, okay, are you like the concierge, or something? Like, we need a concierge (they pronounced it "consherge") 'cause we want to, like, find a Starbucks, you know?" I wanted to say, "Well, uh, I AM the consherge but it's my break and I am like chillin' ya know, so come back later, you know, like when I'm not on my break." I wanted to say that, but I didn't.
The funny thing is...there was a Starbucks IN the hotel...literally around the corner from the business center. Oh my.

3. On Friday evening, it began to pour down rain in downtown Chattanooga. There was lightning, thunder, etc. There was this girl walking in the pouring down rain with her flip-flops on heading towards a cupcake shop. The cupcake shop was 5 blocks from the hotel. She hit a slick spot on the sidewalk and fell to her knees and was visibly hurt. Do you think she turned around and went back to the hotel to get medical attention? Noooo...she continued towards the cupcake shop. It appeared as though she was on a mission to get the world's most delicious cupcake that a friend may have recommended that she purchase. When she emerged with a cupcake sized white box, she walked 5 more blocks in the pouring rain back to the hotel. As she entered the lobby, she slipped and fell again! Who wears flip flops in the rain? Talk about a nut job.

4. When Chris and I visited the Ruby Falls cave in Chattanooga, we witnessed...

a lady walking in the dark, slick, cave wearing very fashionable high heels
a lady carrying a newborn baby into the depths of the cave
a teenage girl complaining non-stop about how she had NO cell phone service down in the cave
people tossing coins into the pools of water (of which we were told specifically not to do since it disrupts the chemical balance of the cave environment)
2 boys repeatedly belch as we enjoyed the natural beauty and wonderment

Wow!

Yes, these folks walk among us. Crazy people, I tell you. If ignorance was bliss, they'd be blisters!

Well, I better not pick on them too much 'cause

the cupcake girl...you know the dummy who walked in the pouring rain for a baked good...

was me.

And tune in tomorrow for a FULL REPORT of the deliciousness of the cupcake. It will knock your socks off, curl your toes, and kiss your grits.

Nine - Nueve - Neuf

Nine years ago today I walked down the aisle and pledged my love to my dear hubby. NINE YEARS ago.

We have had our ups and downs. We have experienced great triumphs and devastating defeat. We have cried on each others' shoulders and have laughed so hard, we nearly passed out.

We have survived 2 car wrecks.

We have white-water rafted down the Wenatchee River.

We have ridden thousands of miles on a motorcycle.

We have flown down Pike's Peak on a mountain bike.

We have swum with stingrays and sharks.

I have put Chris through school and he has in return put me through school.

We have visited just about every waterfall in Oregon.

He has stood up and cheered while I sang karaoke very badly.

We have had really bad fights.

We have had really fantastic dates.

He never left my side for a second when I was in labor. The sweetest sound I've ever heard is Chris praying in a whispered tone as each contraction came on fast and furious. I will never forget his voice during that time.

Life at full speed sums up the last 9 years. And just as I was blogging away, there was a knock at the door, and this arrived. Quite a shocker for me...This is not my husband's normal behavior...which made it even more special.

Quite possibly my favorite wedding photo. Chris is cracking a joke about "lighting a fire" and I am trying not to bust out laughing like a hyena. He's even got the groomsmen chuckling.

Typical Chris. Gotta love 'em.

I know I do.

To Swim or Not To Swim

This week, I had planned to post a few Tennessee pictures each day and tell funny/interesting/crazy stories about our vacation. Today, I divert from that plan for cathartic reasons. Tomorrow I will continue the vacation recap...but for now, indulge me.

Sydney began swimming lessons yesterday. She LOVES the water. Bath time makes her squeal with glee. She has been enjoying a hot tub since the early age of 3 months and has ALWAYS been a water bug. I could not think of anything more fun to do this summer than to participate in a water babies style swimming class for little tots. I have been counting down the days in anticipation.

Our lesson yesterday did not go smoothly. The moment we hit the water she wanted out of my arms. She splashed for a couple minutes, laughed when we jumped up and down, and then it was all down hill from there. She screeched in my ear off and on till the end of the lesson when we all piled in the hot tub. She calmed down and played with water toys then, and I was relieved. When hot tub time was over, she resumed wailing.

I told myself, "She'll do better tomorrow."

Well, tomorrow (today) was no better. In fact, the screeching started the second we hit the water. I sang. I hummed. I soothed. I comforted. I bragged. I smiled huge smiles. I called her name with my sweetest mommy voice. I did everything I could humanly do. I could not even hear the instructor because my ears were ringing from the sheer volume. The high-pitched screeching continued through out the lesson (stopped for a few moments in the hot tub) and resumed while getting dressed, all the way home, and then progressively got more obnoxious and annoying once we got home. The kid cried from 6:00 till 7:18...almost nonstop.

She had a nap today. Oh, yes she did.
She ate well. She played well. She is not sick or in pain. She has had sufficient rest at night.

I have beating myself up about this. What in tarnation am I doing wrong?

My husband found the whole thing comical as he watched from the pool side. I wanted to blow in his face and dunk his head under the water, but I restrained myself.

The synopsis from everyone is, "She is normal. She is just upset about not getting her way. She is used to doing what she wants to do in the water."

Uh, okay. I can buy that. There's got to be more than the fact that she is a water brat, though.

I'm afraid the Lord is using this experience to teach me something. Oh, goody...this is gonna be a hard life lesson. Pray I have the wisdom to learn what He wants me to learn, patience with my child, stick-to-it-ness that keeps me going to the lessons, and strength in the process.

My, oh my.

Tennessee Aquarium Part I

 

 A very unique building

 

 Clownfish - "Nemo"

 Moorish Idol - "Gil"

 Yellow Tang - "Bubbles"

 

We visited the amazing Tennessee Aquarium during our trip to Chattanooga. All I can say is...WOW...

I say wow for 2 reasons. The first reason is because I was amazed at the beautiful architecture and lay out of the aquariums.. There were 2 large buildings (several stories). The first building was dedicated to fresh water animals and the second building featured salt water creatures. I can't decide which one I liked best, because they were both unreal.

The second reason I say "WOW" is because it never ceases to blow my mind at how my husband can take such wonderful pictures through 5 inch glass, in the dark, dodging glare and moving animals. Enjoy the gorgeous shots he got! I've included the "Finding Nemo" references due to the education I received from the many children identifying each fish by the "official" names.

Tennessee Road Trip Day 3

The WELCOME Banner

An enjoyable 10 minute ride

CHOO! CHOO!

Yeah, I know Day 2 is missing but I'll have to post about it later when I have a chance to download my pics, cause you HAVE to see the fantastic pictures my husband got at the aquarium. How DOES he do it?

Today we rode a train and a bike, so I guess I only need to ride a bus and a car and I will cover all major modes of transportation. The above pics are of the train at the Tennessee Train Station. Very cool, very historical, and very interesting to history buffs. Unfortunately, I'm not a history buff, but I am a very good sport and my dear hubby was enjoying it immensely.

Speaking of the dear hubby...

My brave and heroic husband helped pull a lady out of a ditch today when she took a curve too sharply and wrecked her bike and herself. It was like watching an episode of "Rescue 911." He jumped off the bike, grabbed his first-aid kit and RAN down the road to assist. He examined her, bandaged her up, and they took her off to the hospital. I don't do blood, but he took charge and everyone was in amazement. He is my hero! What a guy.

For some unknown reason I am having difficulty uploading the rest of my pictures, so you'll just have to check back later for my vacation photo gallery.

It's hard to believe it has been 4 days since I've seen my baby girl.

I am homesick for her, but so glad we got away, just the 2 of us.

If you are a parent and you have never been away from your child for atleast 2 consecutive nights....

you REALLY need to do so. You will have fun and your child will be fine. Just do it.

It's Official

Nothing says you are actually participating in a  "motorcycle rally" more than an official ride bracelet and a sunburned hand.

THIS is what makes it real, people.

Tennessee Road Trip - Day 2

We arrived in Chattanooga LATE last night. We were tired. We were exhausted. Oh, and we were completely pooped.

That about covers it.

We rode 14 hours through 5 thunderstorms and a variety of other road hazards that I do not care to mention out of respect to my loved ones and parents. The point is, we ARRIVED safely although a little windburned. We won't discuss the incident in the parking garage involving my husband dropping his bike. No, we won't talk about it. The wound is still raw...physically and emotionally! Just glad I wasn't ON the bike...

This morning we slept in till 9:30, had breakfast delivered, and now in the words of Franc

(Father of the Bride 2) we are

refreshed, relaxed, and R-R-R-raring to go!!