A post for April!?

What do I write! I've got 52 minutes left to post...I'm SO TIRED....AND? I have a shot at being in bed before 11:30....I'm taking it. I was sent a "Flat Stanley" this month....and I was so worried that I'd let this girl down, as I did the last "Flat People", though....we redeemed ourselves....and by "WE"? I mean Momma Bear did! And then....LOST them in some church in Austria!? At least they are to a good home....we hope! So, I color copied him, laminated him, and have taken more than a hundred pictures of him! So....he's had some adventures...and no lie...I might miss him. Did I go overboard on pictures? Did I make him into a story book because she deserves the world? Yes...yes I did! Will I do that again? Doubt it....so moms...dads...don't get any ideas...unless you think I really love you. Which, I probably do, but how about...lower the expectations, as I've set my own bar too high!

Love to all! Extra to Julia for giving me her Flat Stanley!

True Story...

Turns out...I over use the phrase..."True Story"....also turns out...I don't care....I like it. So...here's a TRUE STORY for you....my mom is the best. She's Momma Bear to me....sometimes "Gayle"...."Gayley" to others, "Whence" to Fitzy, "Jefita" to Schmols....and when all is said and done...she's my mom, she's Curt's mom (and I, am still the favorite!) Today, was/is her birthday, and I'm away working, and my brother and his wife don't live in the same state, AND? My rad cupcake flowers that I ordered for her? Couldn't be delivered for whatever reason! BOO! And I ordered very much on time, so I'm a little mad! All that to say...she wasn't showered with birthday today, nor was she last year, I am SO SORRY ABOUT THAT!!! I hope that we make up for it by sending you to Cali to see "Dancing with the Stars!"

Since it's about my mum, I have to say that she's awesome for loads of reasons, and she spoils me rotten. Like COUNTLESS way too early or way too late rides to the airport...though, crabby as I sometimes am, so early, I always love the time spent. She's crazy patient with me, and she takes too good of care of me....what would I do without her? I don't rightly know. Sure, I'd manage, but it wouldn't be pretty. She's patient, she's kind, she's damn funny....and if you know her, you know she doesn't curse, would hate that I did, but somehow, the "d-word" when done right, evokes a smile. She's a hoot....seriously...if you've read any of my other posts of stories....and she keeps me updated on current events, and they are ALWAYS relevant! Like the other night, when the moon was so bright in DC? I just thought full moon. There were TONS of people with tri-pods out at the WWII memorial...way more than normal....at that point? I got a random text from my mom that said "The moon is the closest to earth than it has been in 18 years". BRILLIANT! Any important deaths, she lets me know. Bronx Cobra found!? TEXT! (Mind you, she didn't let me know it was missing because she knows I NEVER GO THERE! Turns out...that week....we did! LOL)

Anyway, my mom is awesome, and she is amazing, and she is FILLED with love, and she loves Jesus, and I know she prays for me, and I could only hope and pray to be such a woman as she, let alone a mom that she's been! Happy Birthday Mom!! I love you Momma Bear! MORE!

Shuttle Launch....3.2.1

The launch of the shuttle "Discovery". Can I really blog about it? Can I really put it into words!? Answer. No. HOWEVER!? For you, my 3 readers...I'll try. (Photo....structure just left of what looks like a mountain...Discovery...and all her shuttle glory!) I'm 12 miles away...so gimme a break! :-)

Who? What? Why? Where? When? How? Is the best format I can come up with, lest I get all my wordy self and lose you!

WHO!?

ME! Yes, I went by myself, but what else was I supposed to do!? NOT go because I didn't have a crony to go with? NO! I mean, rarely do I have cronies to do things with, so, yes, I went with just me. That said? I did stay with some ROCKIN' peeps in St. Augustine! The Blacks were more than kind in opening there home, and SWEET Murphy bed to me! PLUS...hang time with Ella and Kate...whom I like very much, and I'm quite picky about my babies! I also was able to be a total tourist in St. Augustine, and while riding the trolley around town, I realized that I am a total tour nerd...and I'm okay with that. I also got to re-connect with a friend I went to high school with, and meet his wife, and his new baby! Now, that, in and of itself was cool, but cooler? My small world connection. His wife, and the Blacks were in the same pre-natal yoga! And then? His mom, teaches at the same day care that Ella goes to! CRAZY RIGHT!? So...I may have been alone for the launch, but that was all! (And by alone...I mean with hundreds of my closest friends....that picture is my walkway to my chair...right up front!)

What?
The shuttle launch. I've always wanted to see one....would secretly like to go up IN one...love the idea of space, it just seems cool. So, I figured "someday" I'd see one...well, the end to the space program was enough of a kick in the pants to GO see one! So, the "Discovery" launched into space...at 4:50pm and 27 seconds...on February 24, 2011

Why?
I wanted to. I could. I'd always wanted to. NASA gave me an ultimatum. I don't have a husband, or babies, so doing what I want, when I want, because I can? Is my green grass.

Where?
The ultimate question. I didn't know where was best, where had parking, where trees were in the way, where it would be too small....yaddey yaddey yada! SO, my friend Karl-Dad Scherm did a little recon (when I was down visiting, and finally meeting baby Petra, keeping my face in Lars and Stina's brain as favorite Aunt Carrie, AND bringing down the "Cars" cake pan for birthday number 3 in April!) And he came up confirming what I'd read about Titusville, FL. So, I watched the launch from "Spaceview Park"...12 miles away, so, my eyebrows weren't singed, and I didn't fall over from the noise, but I was moved to tears...true story. (A GIANT thank you to my friends that gave suggestions, sent pictures, and tidbits of how to make it great, how to avoid traffic, and to remember my SPF 50!! Mr. Westervelt, so great at sending me info and pictures....THANK YOU! )

When?
Well, I left the house in St. Augustine at like 7:30...I arrived in the 9:15 family...and honestly...any later? Who knows! I scored a great parking spot near the exit of the lot, easy out, and managed to squeak in a good sitting spot too. Any earlier...may not have mattered...as the first two rows...came the night before...chained their chairs down, and slept in their cars...so I couldn't have beat them! I had to be strategic about where I put my stuff...knowing that when push came to shove, I had to stake out a safe place where I wouldn't be pushed into oblivion and see nothing! So, I found a sweet spot, and? The lady next to me had an awning on her chair...so I hid from the sun in that! GLORIOUS SUN! I've been in SNOW, and COLD for too long. I THAWED! GLORIOUS! So...when push came to shove, I was all set with my tri-pod. 4:50pm 27 seconds.....lift-off.

How?
I flew into Jacksonville...sweet Apryl and her ROCKIN' mini scooped me up....which, she let me borrow to drive to the launch. HELLO! Launch AND a convertible mini!? BEST EVER!! Spoiled Rotten I am! Then I drove down in the morning, and drove home in the evening, somehow escaping the atrocious traffic that I've heard about. Ah. Maze. Ing!

Overview?
I've said BEST THING EVER...over and over again...but I mean it. You can't prepare for the COOL factor...in my opinion! It was overwhelming. I mean...I'm trying to film it, my camera on my tripod, but I couldn't zoom it out in time...and I'm trying to capture it with my big camera, but I also want to SEE it with my eyeballs, and FEEL it (40 seconds later when the sound hits us)....it was all so so overwhelming...and really..."out of this world", and then? In the end? I'm CRYING!!! I'm not a big cryer...but I couldn't help it. It's totally AWEsome...in the truest sense of the world. And seriously....it was an emotion I couldn't help. And this...I'm sure is to no scale of what it will be like in heaven....but I couldn't help but think about that too. I mean, when I was little, I was worried that I wouldn't fall to my knees, would I remember, would I be distracted, etc....and of course you'll fall to your knees to worship Him, and really, the shuttle was like this minute reminder that when things truly AWE you, you have no control...I'm grateful for that. I wish I could describe to you the glow of that fire, but there are no words for that...and it was launched, up, and GONE! Out of sight...only remaining was this cloud of smoke following it! And that, friends, is life. We are here for just a time, a "vapor" the bible says. I mean I was overwhelmed with 2 cameras, and trying to experience it, in the 2 minutes I got to see it...that, is our life, so it's what we do in those 2 minutes that matter. So...really...boiling down the shuttle launch...what am I doing with those 2 minutes...?

Shuttle Launch. Best. Thing. Ever.

It was....the best thing ever. Top 10? Try TOP 5! Or top 1 right now! I'm too tired for the whole saga right now...but the short version is that if you "youtube" shuttle launch videos? The crowd acts all "oooh....ahhh..." and REALLY WOWWED!? And you think....why do you act like a 4 year old with sparkly things...is it really THAT cool? Well friends....yes. YES IT IS. Perhaps the those that have seen it on a daily basis (my exaggerated way of saying "once before") think it's "neat"...but it took my breath away, I mean, I'm snapping pictures one minute, and CRYING THE NEXT! Maybe I didn't know I was that excited to have seen it? Ah. MAZE. ing. Seriously...lived up to every drop....and SURPASSED! It was too busy...too short of a span! I didn't have time to watch, film, take pictures, AND absorb the sound! Just...WOW! Here is a video...until it lifts off the screen...but alas...

Sweat the Small Things!

In life...sometimes it IS the small things! You know that book/cult...."Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff"? I get it...pick your battles, and CHILLAX! BUT, sometimes it's the "small stuff" that makes your day! AND LET IT! I walked into the Sheraton on my last tour, into my bedroom, and there it was...a MINI SPONGE! I don't travel with mesh sponges....I don't know people that do...and I might be inclined to make fun if I did! (That said-there may be excusable circumstances....) I also don't use them at home, because they idea of it sitting in the shower, never fully drying...? Is not appealing to me! BUT...if I could have one NEW every day? I'd be in! So, this little guy? PERFECT! 3 nights with me, and then he's trash! It was a treat to use a sponge, and more of a treat to use one on a TOUR! Dear Sheraton....THANK YOU! (And the rest of the stay was also enjoyable, minus the little rug rats from the Mt. Laurel Hockey team, whose parents thought it best to have them run up and down the hallways screaming whilst they talked loudly in their rooms with the doors open...that is, IF they weren't at the bar. IS THE ART OF PARENTING DEAD!? YOU ARE CREATING MONSTERS!!!!!! That, is a prime example of "not sweating the small stuff" I think!) I say, revel in the small stuff, if it's a mini mesh sponge in your hotel room!

Clay High School 2011

A great trip to DC!

6 degrees of our small world!

There IS just ONE moon, and just ONE golden SUN! And a smile DOES bring friendship to EVERYONE! Though the mountains divide-And the oceans are wide-It's a small small world!!!

It's a song for a reason! Wow. I seriously can't get over it! Just today, on the precious world of Facebook...a friend that has been in my life since I was born-and I love her dearly, she's been my mom's besty since they were 11! ELEVEN! Well, we have a mutual friend, that we never knew about! NOR WOULD WE HAVE! Thank you FB! When I did my two week training for one of the companies I work for....I met this fabulous lady...and we don't work full time with the company we trained with anymore, and our paths NEVER cross, and I haven't seen her since that one time meeting of 2 weeks in a row...but FB has kept us in touch?! Well, turns out SHE met my mom's childhood friend back in the 80's they were neighbors then....in Missouri, and then AGAIN in the 90's in Hawaii! Already they shared a small world...and then? ENTER ME! Well, I'd been entered I guess....but it's really incredible. God keeps us small huh!? Granted, what I do for a living, makes my world smaller...I mean I run into people in the strangest of places because of what I do...but this...wow!

And for fun!? Well, last fall, I ran into a friend at the Eiffel Tower that I'd met in San Diego 2008, then I ran into him in NYC last April, WITH....another girl I didn't know he knew, that I'd met in LA in November of 2007....amazing, but that's touring. That...friends...is the norm!!

What's not NOT normal? In 2006? I think?! I went to Budapest...read prior blog, I mentioned it in there I think. Anyway, not really a planned trip, then we randomly decided to head to Slovenija with my friend Jana, we spent 2 nights...got in late, spent the night, TOURED for one day, spent the night, then I headed back up to Budapest? In that ONE day of touring? We were productive...and went out the Postojna Caves? We did other things too...and ended our day with a visit to her mum in the country side, and dinner in Bled! Amazing, by the way, amazing. ANYWAY, we're at these caves, and waiting for our tour, so we hop into the gift shop, and I hear English...but American English, and it's weird to hear familiar, when in foreign...more so in some places than others. I mean Slovenija isn't this huge country, and certainly this little place isn't riddled with American tourists...I look up, and low and behold? I KNOW THE GIRL! She's Lisa, from my gym! (Yes, when I HAD a gym, and when I would actually go, duh, this is so not now! lol) Anyway, small SMALL world...and I do NOT believe in coincidence! She was just finishing the tour we were waiting on! Amazing!!!

And most recently? I was in Paris this October, and it's departure day...I'm taking my gaggle to the airport, and we are leaving the hotel....or TRYING! And this van is parked and blocking us....my driver is NOT happy about this! So, we finally escape, to be cut off by a taxi, and then? The local bus headed to the airport is parked crooked so that we don't fit to pass....my driver is now LESS happy! And then? He taps me...and points...and people are FRANTICALLY WAVING AT US!! And well!? It's friends from a trip that I did in June to LA! AMAZING! They were on vacay, staying at a hotel in the neighborhood of mine! And were just headed out for the day, and he saw the bus, and saw ME! And since we were stuck we had the time to recognize, open the door, hug, and say TEXT ME! Amazing amazing amazing!!!

It's encouraging to see love on the road! To see people that you've met, in parts of your life, and to see them and you, out of your normal element! Unexpected bursts of happiness is what that is!!!!! That said....be nice to people...especially strangers! YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOUR PATHS WILL CROSS! Once, I had a customer come into the store, we had a conversation, he was memorable....low and behold, the next day, he's on my flight to Miami! I was headed off to Peru...him to visit his folks, I think...anyway, he was sitting 2 rows in front of me! And, I saw him a year later at a Thai restaurant-that's another story. lol. But that KICKER of him, is that he's not from around here...he lives in WYOMING! So....be nice to strangers, love on God's people. And from the lesson side of things? If you ever get annoyed with that other driver? Be assured they'll park next to you, or go to your church. Or if you are in an airport? Guaranteed they will be sitting next to you!

Love on all...that's your lesson! And Love on our small world! God is so big, and so orchestrating the small things!