Day 2

We had a great day yesterday! After breakfast we drove around for a bit, trying to plan out our visit. I've always felt I should have been a realtor and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to look at houses, especially ones that are different than what I am used to. I'm sure people that actually live there hate it when people like me just drive around in their neighborhoods for no reason other than to look at their homes. I'm a voyeur.
After that, we drove down to the main strip, parked, and visited the many shops lining the street. We had a yummy flank steak pannini for lunch. (Yes, we are the cheap people who split meals at restaurants. After 4 kids and lots of expenses you learn to cut corners where you can AND it cuts back on the calories.)
We came back to the hotel where I took an hour long nap and hubby researched nearby hiking trails.
We drove to a BEAUTIFUL area and headed out towards Cathedral Rock. I cannot explain to you how absolutely gorgeous the world is out here. We hiked a total of 2 1/2 hours and stopped just short of Cathedral Rock. It was just too steep for me. My husband could have made it but he didn't want to leave me waiting for him. Personally, I wouldn't have minded sitting there on the edge of a rock and staring at that vista for a while longer. I thought of Cheesecake Maven, who often blogs about her hikes in NE Iowa, and wondered if she had ever been in this part of the world.
We took a ton of pictures but forgot to bring the cord that we need to transfer the photos onto the computer.
We returned to the hotel and freshened up a bit and headed for dinner. We ate at Wildflower Bread Company and had some great sandwiches. (We didn't split this time!!)
As if we hadn't had enough food, we went out for ice cream. I had butter pecan and white chocolate coffee. Bob had butter pecan and vanilla bean. I think I will have chocolate something tomorrow.
I do have to say and I know no one will feel sorry for me but it was cold here yesterday. It was in the low 60s and was quite windy. I think today will be cool too.
Today we plan to find a biking trail and possibly do some more hiking.
Until tomorrow...

Day 1

Well, we made it safely to Sedona. Interestingly enough, as we were boarding the plane in Cedar Rapids, we realized we were flying with two sons of some dear friends of ours. We were close enough to see each other and wave but far enough away that we couldn't talk. When we got off the plane in Phoenix, our friends were there to greet their sons. Our friends had rented a house and had been there 2 weeks vacationing. Funny! We ate dinner at our oldest son's favorite restaurant, Chipotle, (sorry Lucas) and headed to our destination.
Our rental car is a Prius which is a hybrid. It, so far, has gotten nearly 48 miles per gallon. It doesn't even sound like its running most of the time. Way cool!
It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona which landed us here after dark. There is a 2 hour time difference and even that little bit messed me up. I couldn't understand why my eyes were so itchy and tired at 6:30, which, in realty, is when I'm wanting to go to bed. So, of course, it was to be expected that I rolled over this morning at 3 something, ready to get up and go. I "forced" :) myself to go back to sleep. We just came back from breakfast and will drive into town to decide what this day will hold for us. Until tomorrow.....

Here we sit

at the Eastern Iowa Airport waiting for our flight to Phoenix. I'm starting to relax and look forward to this adventure finally. Its always hard to leave the kids but I know they are in good hands. I told Emmy that when she sees the moon to know that I'm seeing the same one and she can call me and we will talk about it. I have left notes in strategic places for each of them. I miss 'em already.
Two years ago today I had an interesting experience. I was walking back to my office from a meeting at another building when I was hit by a school bus, a big, yellow school bus. It hit me in the back of my right leg and ran over my toes. Thankfully, a few of my co-workers witnessed it and it happened to occur right next to the police department so one of them immediatly got my husband.
As it turned out, I didn't break any bones but I have been having trouble with my knee ever since. I am no longer able to run which is a great disappointment. At the time of this injury I had hoped to start training to run 5Ks, as this was on my bucket list. So I vacilate between being so thankful that my injuries weren't any worse but being hugely frustrated with the limitations I now have.
At least now I have something to offer when I am at a get-together and we go around the room and say something that is unique about each of us!! Can anyone beat that????

Why is going on vacation so much work?

Bob and I are leaving on Saturday morning and catching a flight to Phoenix. From there we will drive to Sedona to enjoy a few days of rest and fun. Can't say I'm looking forward to it at this point cuz there is too much to do to get ready for the trip.
There is a wonderful woman from our church who has "adopted" our family as her own and vice versa. She is 78 years old and is best friends with my 6 year old. She has agreed to take on our kids while we are gone.
These last few days before we leave are full of laundry, making/freezing meals, grocery shopping, and writing out a schedule of who needs to be where when. I am happy to report I am able to fit into most of my summer things. I hope the glare from my white, Norwegian skin doesn't blind any one. I better whip out the sunless tanning lotion.
I will try to post a day by day, play by play of our trip to, first of all, give Brenda something to do while she's having her coffee, and to let the kids know what we are up to.

I'm Psyched!!

I am waiting patiently for a visit from my friend, Brenda, of "This Too Shall Pass" fame. She had posted that she was coming to Waterloo today so I emailed her to see if she could fit me into her visit. I have successfully intercepted her and she should be ringing my doorbell at any moment. I'm so excited. It has literally been YEARS since we have had a good sit down talk.
On another, completely unrelated note, my mother died nearly 9 years ago. My sisters and I now have joint custody of her wedding ring. We each will have it for 6 months and then pass it on to the next sister. My sister, Lois, and her family are visiting Disney this week so she gave me mom's ring for safe keeping. It is beautiful and fits perfectly. I never really noticed how beautiful it was until now and it means SO much to have it here.
It seems there is a cute story behind this ring and I encourge my little brother to make any necessary corrections. My dad told my mom he wasn't going to buy her an engagement ring until he sold a certain tractor (or some other type of farm machinery). One day my mom was walking down the street and dad drove by slowly and said coyly, "I sold the tractor." and then drove off.
When my dad did go to the jewelery he looked around at the different rings. When he showed the jeweler the $ he wanted to spend, it seems the jeweler closed up his shop and took dad downstairs to where he kept his good stuff. Dad chose this ring and he did a lovely job.
I will try to post a picture of it soon although I'm challeneged that way you know.

Early Morning Sputters

Gosh I'm tired this morning. Its been a busy few weeks and doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon.
Yesterday I worked all day, had to take daughter #1 to the orthodontist (from whom she received a parole!!), then on to the grocery store. When we finally arrived home dinner went into the oven. After dinner we promptly left to deliver children to their respective venues, one to the concert she was playing in and the next one to his play practice which was supposed to run from 6:30-9:30. On the way in the power steering in our not-that-long-ago-purchased new van went out, forcing my hubby to nearly stand up every time he had to turn a corner. We managed to get everyone where they were going then had an hour before we had to be at the concert. We drove to the nearest auto parts store where hubby bought some power steering fluid (is that what its called?) and put it in the empty resevoir. He said the van was driving better as we headed to Panera for a quick cup of coffee. Leaving there we headed for the concert and planted ourselves on the hard, wooden bleachers in the gym since the auditorium is being remodeled. Just as we were cozying in hubby's cell phone rings. Its not quite 7:30 and our son is done with play practice. Hubby leaves the concert to get him, returns with him and we sit for an hour listening to some great band music.
We drive home and hubby adds another quart of power steering fluid to the resevoir, hears a gurgle and looks underneath the van only to find the fluid running out as quickly as he is pouring it in. One more thing to do tomorrow.
We finally climb into bed and the last time I see on the clock is 10:10 which is late for me. Around 1:15 I think I'm hearing my youngest cry. Sure enough, "My ear hurts." One more thing to do tomorrow.
I'm a little concerned about her because as we were at Panera, I noticed a rash of sorts developing right around where her glasses sit. It was raised up like when you get into itch weed. It turned red and was itchy and within 2 hours it had completely disappeared. When hubby tucked her into bed she complained about how hot she was. She only wanted the sheet on and the fan blowing right on her. Weird, as I thought it was cool in the house.
So I lie awake in bed again wondering where we will fit in a trip to the car dealership and the doctor in our busy day tomorrow.
I woke up on my own at 4:08 which is common for me and now let the race begin with a meeting with the treadmill to start things off right. We will get a brief and much needed trip from all this at the end of March when hubby and I are going for a 5 day trip to Sedona AZ for some fun and rest. It can't get here soon enough.

Assistance from Decorah people requested

My hubby and I are looking for a panoramic picture of the Decorah area; something a couple feet long to hang above our couch. We will be in Decorah on Saturday and are wondering if anyone would have an idea of a store we may be able to find one in.
Thanks in advance.