Winter's Last Stand

Spring has arrived! The sky is blue, the clouds are full and fluffy...and the wind is whipping around this office with a vengeance!

Let me tell you - I took a few more pictures this week...but with a new phone (which I love, please don't doubt that for a minute) comes the realization that for some crazy reason the app I used long ago to upload photos to my blog apparently doesn't exist anymore! I realize that is a first world problem and I need to get it together...but man, that thing was convenient! Oh well - I'll stop whining now and actually write (type) about more important (at least to me) things.

My week (last week...obviously) began a world away in Mississippi. Seriously, sometimes Mississippi does feel like a whole different world from Virginia...that is neither bad nor good...just how it is. We helped my little sister finishing packing up for her trip to Texas and had some BBQ for lunch at one of those hole in the wall, side of the road places...and it was fine. Nothing outstanding but also not terrible and since it was after 1 before we ate, it was food and I was pleased with that. We all parted ways and Lindsey headed for Texas, while we headed for the Birmingham airport.

Now - if you don't yet know this about me - I am (in my family) the genetic anomaly. I'll call it that instead of saying I'm the black sheep...because my Mom doesn't like that term. My family is plane crazy (you can take that both literally and figuratively) and I am plainly not so crazy about planes...because if I don't have a dose of Ativan before climbing on-board a plane, I'll lose my mind. Our flight on Monday evening got delayed...and delayed...and then delayed just a bit more while the flight crew decided to get dinner at the only sit down restaurant in the Birmingham airport. Thanks guys! Once our flight was off and running (flying???) things seemed well enough...until we cruised over a spot of weather and bounced around and I almost broke my Mom's hand with the death grip I was working on it...

True story - this was me on the inside. 

Once we landed, my Dad assured me it wasn't "that bad"...but yea...I'm still not buying it. I always assume when turbulence occurs that we are literally one swift bounce from total cataclysmic death. What can I say - I'm dramatic. It makes life interesting...and that can be both a good thing and a bad thing.

The best part of returning home was going to pick up Watson from the kennel. Judging by the pictures that they posted while we were away, he had a grand time frolicking in the big open yard and he seems to charm everyone he meets, so I'm sure he made plenty of (human) friends...but I was thrilled to go get him on Tuesday morning. He was likewise thrilled to see me, running in circles around the room and hopping around...which certainly makes my heart happy. In his excitement he did almost tangle himself completely around the legs of the sweet girl he brought him out to me...but we avoided catastrophe and made it home in one piece. 

He's probably wondering "where are you taking me now?"

The birthday boy and his goods!

One of the sweetest faces...in my humble opinion.

Tuesday was Watson's eighth birthday and so I rewarded him with some delicious treats and a new harness...which won't snap around his muscular chest. So...oh well for that one. He spent most of the week being impossibly adorable but that's really nothing new, it was just extra endearing to me since I'd been parted from him for a few days. The weather all week was pretty glorious and wonderfully warm; I was able to wear sandals all week long and really, that's a win for me because I love (and own) way too many pair of sandals, so I need as long as possible to have the rotation in effect.

The warmer weather - I have discovered - in Virginia brings out something in me that Mississippi Springs never quite did. It would seem that this climate causes me to have allergies aplenty and this new(ish) development sent me in search of something that I could take to alleviate the pressure in my forehead. The kindly Target pharmacist was ever so helpful, handed over the good stuff and all I had to do was sign some thing saying I wouldn't go home and made meth with the meds. I think we're safe on that count - so to that I say, hallelujah for relief!

I feel your pain little guy....

Sometimes Thursdays are just really hard and you need to sit with your Momma.

The rest of the week was uneventful - except for when I looked at the weather and saw that snow was forecast for Sunday. What a horror that was. I just can't have the first day of Spring being marred with snowfall... But I'm getting ahead of myself. I passed a chunk of Friday night with my friend Katie and her two adorable weenie dogs, Lola and Cooper...we watched a movie and YouTube videos and drank wine and just had a generally splendid time. Her sweet little weenie dogs begged for bites of supper...just like Watson does, but Lola might have had a better sad puppy face. They snuggled a little with me on the couch too and were just generally precious.

A poor sad weenie dog....ha-ha!

Another little weenie dog...just laying around in my lap on Friday night...

Saturday morning - the struggle is real...

The weather adjusted itself a little bit and Saturday morning dawned gray and chilly...and rainy! I was thinking we'd maybe made it out of the woods and wouldn't be dealing with any snowfall but around eleven the rain changed over to snow...and it was thick, heavy and wet. Gross. My Mom and I made a quick trip to Walgreen's and Lantz's Pharmacy in the wintry mix of nastiness and later in the day we all made a Wal-Mart run but for the most part, we hunkered down for the day - nothing actually stuck to the roads (thank goodness) but the snow was such a mess and definitely not the kind of light and fluffy stuff that is fun to be out in! Sometimes you just need lazy weekends though...so I was fine and dandy with just putting on cozy pants, a snuggly sweatshirt and socks and joining my parents as they finished season four of House of Cards.

Winter is making sure to get in it's final farewell in style...

Seriously - talk about a grand finale!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland....hopefully for the last time...

I know what he's thinking...and it's "I thought we had packed my Winter coat up for the season..."

I also ventured a try at Starbuck's Cherry Blossom Frappucino on Saturday - riveting news I know - and also, who doesn't love a cold drink when it's snowing? The irony of the Cherry Blossom frappucino is that it's actually made with strawberry sauce...so I don't even know about all that. However, what I do know is that it was so sweet it made my teeth ache. Yikes.

Pink & Green & sweet as liquid sugar. Whoa.

Sunday was blustery and gray and ended up being another lazy day. Two weeks ago my Dad and I had gone on an expedition in the basement to find my box of Spring/Summer clothes so I could swap out my closet...but we'd had no luck finding them. My Dad was of the mind that things get put in the basement and disappear and while I was inclined to believe him (about some things at least...) I knew they had to be somewhere. Of course, on Sunday afternoon I opened up the closet in the guest bedroom and noticed the large box in the corner of the closet...that happened to be my Spring/Summer clothes. Exactly where we put them last September. Oops. Oh well, at least it allowed me to change out my closet...realize I had way more Fall/Winter clothes than Spring/Summer and also allowed me to liberate quite a few hangars in the process. I figured since Winter had made it's final stand on Saturday, Sunday afternoon was as good a time as any to update the closet - if only because in my mind I'm telling Winter it has to go!

Baths are really stressful and require being wrapped in a blankie like a baby to recover....

I closed out my weekend with pizza, puppy dog snuggles, a bubble bath and reading in my delightfully cozy bed. All wonderful things and a lovely way to end a lazy and restful weekend. 

I'm already looking forward to next weekend - which will be a long weekend since Easter is this weekend! I can't even believe it's so soon this year! I must say though; I'm looking forward to a four day work week, a long weekend filled with friends and plans and of course, hopefully some sleeping late somewhere in there! 

Please - Just Stop Talking

Or..another way I could phrase that title...what NOT to say to your friend who is single. Let me level with you for starters: I'm thirty-one and I'm single. Nine days out of ten, I don't dwell on that too much but that tenth day...that tenth day is where I struggle.

I can get pretty down and out, many a tear has been shed over this circumstance and sometimes (more often than not) it's not just a tear being shed...it's a full on ugly cry....sometimes there is snot involved. I'm being so "real" right now.

The joy (read: I'm being 100% sarcastic right now) of being thirty-one and single is that everyone has something to say about it and usually 95% of it makes me feel like this:

In the spirit of hilarity...and brutal honesty....I thought I'd share with you some of the things I've been asked/told about being single. And why if you know someone who is single...maybe don't ask/say these things to them. Unless you'd really like to run the risk of being smacked. 

I'm kidding.

Or am I?

Be Warned: Sarcasm Ahead. If You Can't Laugh - Don't Keep Reading

1) I don't know why you're single - you're so cute/kind/wonderful/have the best personality...

-- I don't know either. Ha-ha! Most days I'd totally agree with that assessment: I think I am cute, kind, wonderful and have a great personality (sometimes my self esteem is top notch y'all...) so when someone says this, it translates as: there is obviously some fatal flaw in the design since you have so much going for you and you still don't have a man. This kind of statement is commonly referred to as a backhanded compliment...and I've heard it so many times, it honestly feels like I'm being backhanded. So - I guess it fits, right? This type of comment also definitely plants that idea that somehow I'm falling short somewhere...

2) I promise - as soon as you stop looking, it will happen.

-- Will it now? When I hear this, it immediately conjures up this vision of me, in a deerstalker hat having a bloodhound sniff some random fabric that is labeled "scent of a Godly, gainfully employed single man with a good personality and a cute face...etc...". I mean - what do you people think I spend my free time doing? Actively hunting men? It's not a recreational sport or something. The fact is; I don't actually know where one would go to "look" for men. So it's not something I'm actively doing. And yet - "IT" hasn't happened. Which leads me to number three...

3) I stopped looking and within three months, I'd met the one!

-- Really? Well I haven't been "looking" for years now and I haven't met "the one"...heck, I haven't met a single one. At all. I'm glad your lack of searching ended so fruitfully. Mine however...I got nothing.

4) I WISH I were still single! 

-- Well, that's nice for you. However it does nothing to make me feel better because what you're wishing you could get back...I'm wishing and actively praying to not be! Don't wish away a blessing you already have because I can promise you - there is someone who is hoping with all their heart for that very same thing...and getting the answer "wait...wait...wait" over and over again.

5) You're really not missing anything. Honestly.

-- Well then, why are you married? Again - please reference the answer to number four. Shaking my head at you.

Fun fact - Part of the territory of being over thirty, still single and childless also leads to a whole other level of questions/statements and advice. 

I don't know about you but I'm old fashioned in that I'm really down with the whole: first comes love, then come marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage aspect of things. That's MY plan for how to do things and everyone does things differently: You do you, boo boo. 

Another fun fact - I've said the above (you do you, boo boo) to my Mom so many times she has threatened physical violence. To her threats I say: You do you...boo boo. ;)

6) You're not married and don't have kids - aren't you worried you're running out of time?

-- And your casual reminder about that is neither needed nor appreciated. If you think I haven't read about/heard about/seen things about "advanced" maternal age or worried that I might never get married...you'd be wrong. A lot of the ugly crying that happens is directly related to this and when you think that casually asking me if I'm worried about being single and childless indefinitely is a worry.... Well - you just hush.

7) You must have dust "in there".

-- You read that right. And I've had more than one person say that to me. Please just don't. Really...really don't worry yourself with anything involving my "in there". It is none of your business and you should definitely not be saying what you just said out loud. 

8) I can't imagine being thirty and single...I'd just die.

--Well, I'm sorry you have little to no imagination. That's really a shame because seeing as I AM over thirty and single, there are a lot of things I've had to imagine. And I do just fine. Apparently imagination dies when you get married? Is this a real thing? It's not?? Then why can't you imagine being thirty and single? I suppose this works in the same way that I can't imagine being so stupid as to say something like that to someone is who over thirty and single? Okay - well good, then I get it.

And - that's about the best I've heard. Or at least, the best I've heard that merit repeating and can be shared in an open forum such as this. I don't want to shock you all too much. 

Honestly, I'm being really open here because I struggle with this SO frequently and sometimes the only thing you can do is laugh about it to keep from crying. I'm a firm believer that the Lord has a plan in place for my life and as it unfolds, it will be more than I'm able to imagine. I'm also firmly a human being who lives in a society that relies heavily on instant gratification...I want something and I think it should be mine. The desire to have the fulfillment I believe marriage will offer me is a big want and I want it right NOW.

Obviously the Lord doesn't think I need it right now though - which is why I'm still single. As a sinner saved by the Grace of God, I have to work and pray daily to align my wants with the Lord's will for my life and that is a prayer that I have to pray on a daily basis. It's hard to see others getting the things I want so badly but I have to tell myself it will all work out the way it's meant to...in the time it's meant to. 

And when that day comes - I'll be doing this right here:

Five on Friday

Oh boy - I'm glad Friday has arrived. Granted, I don't know if a Friday has ever arrived that I wasn't happy to see - and I'm sure everyone can agree on that. I'm linking up with April and Christina today for Five on Friday...so here are some things on my mind this Friday.

One. Spring = Snow...Yes, you're reading that right. March 20th (this Sunday) is the official first day of Spring and if the weather unfolds the way it's forecast right now...we'll be celebrating the arrival of Spring with 1-2 inches of snow! I'm thinking it will be awfully hard to find the flowers, greenery and all other manner of Spring "things" underneath a blanket of snow...but perhaps, just maybe, this snow will finally be the last for the year?

This cat is currently my spirit animal - it's face = mine when I think about snow.

Two. Spring Training Game(s) are on TV; they've actually been on TV since last Thursday, but I was in Mississippi and they don't have MASN. Sad, right? There is a Spring Training game on TV tomorrow afternoon and I can't wait to be able to see my Nationals in action again! So far, they are doing pretty awesome in Spring Training games and I'm hoping it's a sign of a good season to come! And while we're at it...only 16 days till Opening Day and 22 days till I'm FINALLY back at Nationals Park for a baseball game! Can't wait!

Nationals for the win in the Grapefruit League!

Three. Target Finds...because Target will "get" me every time. Especially when I am having a not so stellar day and I decide to make a Target run on my lunch break. I tell you though - when they have shoes for Buy One/Get One 50% off, how can you not take part in that deal? I'd been eyeing the navy, silver and tan sandals for the past few weeks but hadn't taken the bait...and then I stumbled on the red shoes and had visions of really cute baseball game outfits with those red sandals and then...then I saw the sign and realized it was basically like a sign from Heaven. I needed those shoes! Ha-ha! I know - I'm crazy. But I sure do love my new shoes.

Four. Jelly Beans are my weakness y'all. And not just any jelly beans will do...they need to be Starburst jelly beans. When I rolled back into the office from Target yesterday, I announced that I made myself feel a little bit better by buying shoes and jelly beans. Ha! I have a cute little candy jar on my desk and since all the Easter candy has been out, it's been filled with jelly beans. Granted...I need jelly beans like I need a hole in my head...which leads into point five on this list....

Thank goodness these are only prevalent around Easter...

Five. Fitness Friday is not completely a failure this week...but it isn't exactly a win! I got out and walked on Wednesday and it felt wonderful but then Thursday was a crummy day and all I wanted to do when I got home was a whole lot of nothing! I know I won't be out walking this evening but I'm hoping I can make up some ground tomorrow. Sunday though...it's supposed to snow, remember? It's not supposed to last long though, so I'll be back at it on Monday...

This is so mean - but it cracked me up. *sigh*

That's all I've got for this Friday. What is on your mind this Friday? If you've got a blog, feel free to link up and share what you've got on your mind this Friday! 

Mission Cute: February

I am way behind on this post - it's already almost mid-March (what in the world - time?!?) and I'm just now getting to this post! I'm fairly certain my March Mission Cute box might be arriving today....ha-ha!

The February Mission Cute box seemed to arrive a bit later than the boxes normally arrive...which perhaps serves as a little bit of an excuse as to why I'm only just now getting around to writing up my post on it?

This month's box supported the Naked Heart Foundation - a foundation that has the welfare and happiness of children at it's heart - which is something I absolutely love! Naked Heart Foundation is based in Russia, where child abandonment and the stigma against children born with disabilities is high. The foundation works to insure that all children are loved and well cared for by helping support funds for vulnerable families, creating networks that provide support for families with disabled children and working to change the view of all people with disabilities. It sounds like the Naked Heart Foundation is working toward some really amazing things in Russia - and 50% of all proceeds from this box go to help them with those amazing things!

The nonprofit for the month of February.

Of course - since this box was for the month of February, some of the items had a decidedly "lovey" flair to them. It's to be expected, right?

An amazing gold cuff - can't wait to wear this! 

Gold Lace Cuff - I think this will end up being my favorite thing from the February box! I used to hate gold jewelry but in the past few months, I've really gotten on a kick where I absolutely love the stuff! This cuff is so cute and would look great dressed up or down. I can't wait to throw it on with something as an accessory!

Heart shaped muffin "tins"

Heart Muffin Cups - Here is one of the "love" themed items, but it couldn't be a more fun love themed item, if you ask me! Six silicone muffin cups that would be perfect for baking some delicious Valentine's muffins...or maybe just making yourself some heart-shaped cupcakes to eat in celebration of Single's Awareness Day. If you're like me that is. I haven't tried them out yet...hopefully they'll hold up well over time!

The Dive in Deck - Cards for Conversation

Dive In Deck - Can I just tell you...I'm still not entirely sure what to make of this one. I see the merits of this deck of cards; 33 to be exact, that each offer conversation prompts or "deep" thoughts in an effort to facilitate meaningful conversation and connection. At first I thought that the premise seemed intriguing...but then I started shuffling through the cards and well...maybe I'm not "crunchy" enough for these cards, ha-ha! An example: How do you achieve a deeper understanding of your true self?

Um...okay...

Recipe Cards!

Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Cards - I have a recipe card box (packed deep in the boxes that hold my life) but I'm fresh out of recipe cards and I'm always on the look out for some that look similar enough to "match" my recipe card box. These are such adorable cards and with the cream color and the pastel accents, they will match my box perfectly! I can think of plenty of recipes that I need to get written down...not sure when I'll actually get around to it though, ha-ha!

The Print for February - You're A Gem

You're A Gem Print - Every month's box includes a 5x7 print and so far, I've loved them all. This month's print was a miss for me though. I'm not a huge fan of pink and I don't see myself ever wanting to put this one in a frame and display it anywhere. The sentiment is nice enough but I just don't care for it as a whole. Oh well - you can't win them all.

Sweethearts - Yum!

Sweethearts - Because it was the month of February...obviously! 

So - that was the Mission Cute box for the month of February and while it had some nice things (I really do love that gold cuff), all in all I'd say this box was probably the least impressive to me. 

I love the mission of Mission Cute and I love getting a surprise in the mail but I decided with my March box that I'd change my subscription up and instead of getting a Deluxe Box, I'd get the Mini Box. Instead of receiving 4-5 things in each box, I'll now only receive 2-3 and of course, the cost will be less. I found that after only four months of receiving the boxes, the things I don't really have much of a use for just tend to take up space... and for now...at least until September, space is something I don't have a lot of.

If you'd like to sign up for Mission Cute - follow this link and see what it's all about. I can't wait to see how the Mini Box compares when my March box arrives soon! 

Watson Wednesday

Eight years - that's how old my sweet pup was yesterday! At least...I think that's about how old her is. You see, I came home from a weekend in Chattanooga seven years ago to find a little pup sitting alongside my car in the sunshine...

The little fellow had been wearing a harness for so long that he'd developed sores under his arms and his ribs were showing. A pitiful sight to be sure. Yet - in spite of all this, he was happy as a lark...and what's more, he was thrilled to see us. People he'd never met before in his life! I immediately went to work fattening him up and putting some medicine on his sores...all while begging to keep him; he was obviously meant to be mine since he just showed up that way - right?

I posted signs around town and after six weeks - in which I'd become crazy attached to the sweet little stinker I was calling Watson - no one had claimed him. I went around from store to store snatching down the signs and happily claimed him as mine! 

Watson - Day 1

He's been the best dog ever - there's no denying that. He's a little possessive and he sometimes nibbles on furniture when he's anxious (sorry parents...) but in all honesty, I don't think you could find a better pup if you tried. 

He came into my life seven years ago and at his first vet visit, I was told he was about a year old. Since I have no clue where he came from (oh wait - he came from Heaven - duh) or when he was born, his birthday is really more of a celebration of when he came into my life. So, March 15th it is. Happy "Eighth" Birthday to my favorite furball!

Watson - Day 2,920

I Fell Off the Face of the Earth....

Well - I know - I posted on Wednesday morning and then just kind of - fell off the face of the Earth! Actually, I rose above the surface of the Earth on Thursday...but that's getting ahead of myself.

Last week was dominated by our trip to Mississippi for my sister's graduation from pilot training. That's right, we have a real life, living, breathing, actual pilot in our family and long ago I promised I'd fly in a plane she was piloting. I guess I'll have to honor that promise at some point - I'm assuming a simulator "flight" doesn't count, right?

The tickets to Nationals games have started rolling in...

My favorite part of the House of Cards intro - I know, I have problems. 

The beginning of the week seemed like it flew by...it also seemed so hectic. Now, it wasn't actually hectic but I got it in my head that I was bound and determined to finish the fourth season of House of Cards before we left on Thursday morning and I knew Wednesday night wasn't an option, so I tried to cram in five episodes in between cooking supper/getting my hair done/packing/walking the dog (multiple times, obviously) and of course, going to work each day! I managed to finish the fourth season....and get all those other things done too, ha-ha! You know, the actual things of importance. 

Trying to revel in the Spring temperatures while still being "in" the office!

Spring arrived last week; the temperatures hovered around the mid-60's and lower-70's, I dug out all my sandals and decided regardless of the weather I'd wear my sandals and just deal with it, ha-ha! The sun shone, the breeze was pleasantly warm and the skies were an indescribable blue...which made it hard to sit in an office without starting longingly out the window... 

After work on Wednesday I raced home and grabbed Watson up and took him over to Cavalier Kennels - it has become his "home" away from home whenever I travel...he gets excited when we drive up and is always happy to see the girls (and guys) that work there. Granted, he usually thinks he's going to follow me right back out the door when I leave...but he always does great...at least, that's what they tell me!

Reagan Airport in the early morning sunshine!

The only people on the whole plane....

The view(s) from above the Earth...

We went into DC on Wednesday night and stayed at a hotel that offered parking and a shuttle to Reagan; the thought of battling DC traffic can be a headache most any day, but on a week day during the morning commute? No thanks! Our flight left around 9(ish) on Thursday morning and because my Mom is still recovering from a broken foot, we were able to be taken out to the plane first...we actually rode out to the plane with the flight crew and we were well settled in before everyone else boarded! 

The flight was only about half full, so once everyone was on the plane...I scooted across the aisle and had two seats to myself. I passed the hour and forty five minute flight with some music, a crossword puzzle and finishing up a book I'd been reading and we were touching down in Birmingham before I knew it! We met a long time friend for lunch at the Cajun Steamer and I had some absolutely delicious red beans and rice, fried okra, fried green tomatoes and macaroni and cheese! Between the abundance of fried food and the torrential thunderstorm that started shortly after we rolled across the state line into Mississippi...I felt well and truly welcomed back to the Deep South.

Fried food & flood water (not really)

We settled in at Lindsey's house on Thursday afternoon amid some pretty impressive torrential rain...I remember weather like this being pretty normal for good ol Mississippi, but I hadn't heard thunder/seen lightning this impressive in at least two years. Craziness! We had supper at the Mexican restaurant and tried to relax a bit ahead of Friday...a day that was no doubt bound to be hectic with breakfast, graduation, lunch with extended family, squadron activities and a formal dinner...whoosh. I was so happy to crawl into bed on Thursday night and honestly I was wishing I could sleep late on Friday but because of that pesky time difference, I woke up at 5:30 in the morning! My sister was awake also (nerves I'm sure because of the day's activities...) and so with some coffee to bolster me, the morning began. 

Cookies for the "party" - Wings & the state of Nevada! 

Having graduation breakfast with the almost pilot...

The morning started with breakfast at the Columbus Club and of course, there was small talk involved. As there always is when you're seated with random people you've never met before...our only common denominator being that we both had "almost" pilots. The food was fine and I'll confess, I played Candy Crush while a few presentations were made (oops) and after that, it was off to the auditorium for the graduation ceremony itself!

The graduation was short and sweet - those are usually good things in any ceremonial type thing - right? The speaker was excellent and offered words of advice on the future and then one by one, each graduate paraded across the stage and had their shiny silver wings placed on their chest. A dream come true moment for Lindsey, no doubt about it! Once the graduates led us in a rousing verse of the Air Force song, we watched each of the new pilots take part in the breaking of the wings. That's right - they took those shiny new wings and snapped them in two. A tradition that stated a pilot's first pair of wings should be broken in two and one half given to a family member or friend for safe-keeping and the pieces should not be brought back together again until the end of the pilot's life. 

Congratulations...have these shiny wings...you're a pilot!

Now take those shiny new wings....& snap them in half! 

After a quick lunch of sandwiches, chips and cookies with waters and sodas and plenty of hugs from family, we all changed clothes and most of the family headed out. The four of us, joined by my Uncle Greg, my Aunt J'Nett and our family friend Hope joined Lindsey for some squadron activites that included a chance to fly the simulator, look at all the planes Lindsey had done her flying in and tour the squadron. I took so many pictures and there are all below...ha-ha!

Also - I was given a chance to "fly" the simulator alongside Lindsey and they assured me over and over that the thing doesn't actually move...but you could have fooled me! Now, in case you don't know this about me already...I take prescription medication to fly. If I didn't, I'd be the insane person on your flight that yelped, squealed and had a panic attack every time the plane turned...because yes...all of the genes related to the love of all things flying went to ONLY ONE CHILD...and that is not me. Flying the simulator was interesting...terrifying...altogether slightly unsettling...and reaffirmed to me that I did not miss my calling in life. So - there's that. 

Cruising over the Vegas Strip - Captain Natalie at the helm....

Hooray - I didn't crash us!

Proudly posing outside the simulator - I survived! 

What are those things?!? Wings!?!

One of the planes that Lindsey flew in for training...we just casually crawled up on the wing...

Sister Shot! :)

Family photo with the new pilot!

After a brief afternoon nap (I was feeling not so hot) and a quick run to the BX (that's Base Exchange for all you non-military brats, ha!) to get Cold and Flu meds (remember...not feeling hot)...we all had to get fancy for the formal dinner at the Club. So, I curled my hair and then within fifteen minutes of finishing the job remembered why my hair and MS weather do not get along. *sigh* 

I will share a slightly embarrassing tale - in which I took cold and flu medication and then had ONE drink and felt a little...unhinged. Ha! The box said no more than three alcoholic beverages and I'm not one to drink multiple drinks at a time, so I got my Sex on the Beach (ha) and drank it and then we were seated for dinner and I felt...well...a little dizzy. Needless to say, I passed on the glass of chardonnay that was offered because I was not going to be the idiot that fell out of her chair at the fancy graduation formal dinner. Y'all - the food though - so yummy! And our table mates were lovely and the whole thing was just delightful. Especially once some of the food soaked up some of the alcohol/drugs in my system.

I know - I sound like a drunk. I'm sorry. I promise I'm not.

Cheesecake...and tea...and wine (that I didn't drink)

Sister Selfie! 

A toast to the class of 16-06 - new pilots!

The family - all fancy for the formal dinner.

And let me honest with you - the rest of the weekend passed so quickly! It rained almost all weekend and so we were truly pretty lazy on Saturday. The only thing(s) we did on Saturday that didn't involve sitting in the house were getting new phones (yahoo!) at AT&T, making a quick shopping trip into the BX and getting supper at Harvey's - delicious as always! 

We joined Lindsey for Sunday School on Sunday morning and had an absolutely delicious brunch at the Lion Hills Country Club after - the food was wonderful and funnily enough, even armed with a brand new phone, it would seem I took almost no pictures of anything. At all. Like - the first picture I took with my new phone was one I took of Watson...today...which is Tuesday. 

Monday morning we packed Lindsey up for a month long stay in Texas for training, we all grabbed some BBQ together and then Lindsey headed for Texas and we headed for the airport...where our flight was delayed and delayed and delayed. Blegh. Once we finally left Birmingham at almost 8:30, I'd never been more thrilled to finally be on a plane. Granted, that thrill turned into something else when we encountered some turbulence over Tennessee and I was in full on panic mode. I was so glad to see DC...even if it was almost midnight...and I have never been so happy to crawl into my bed...

And - that's all I've got for now! I'll check back in tomorrow with your weekly dose of Watson cuteness! 

Watson Wednesday

Way Back Wednesday - Watson Style. He's got skills....