Fall Trip 2008

Joshua and I just got back from a whirlwind trip visiting family back in North Carolina and Tennessee. Our visits are always so short but since they're free (airline travel anyway) we try to do as much as possible and see as many loved ones as possible, in a short amount of time.

We visited Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, TN with Justin, Betsy and the kids, and Betsy's whole family. Our group of about 17 adults and 10 children, explored these cool caves, saw blind-albino crawfish that live in an underground pool of water, and tried not to giggle through the light show near the end.

At the bottom of the cavern, they have the "undergound ballroom" where they perform bluegrass concerts. There was a very "Phantom of the Opera" type pipe-organ likeness (hooked to electronic sound equipment) and a chandelier suspended 60 feet from the caver floor. Imagine your senior prom at the bottom of a cave.

Joshua even found a little cave-imp in our explorations. We called him Seth.

We also visited with Joshua's parents, playing Dr. Suess fruit bocci-ball while we waited for them to finish their missionary duties for the day. Have you ever see a mock orange? They smell like lemon cake. Very strange.

We fed the ducks and geese at the park as well. I never knew ducks and geese like Cheesy Puffs.

This was Mr. T duck..."I pitty da fool who eat my bread crumbs!"

This was Don King Duck..."If you cast your bread upon the water and you have faith, you'll get back cash. If you don't have faith, you'll get soggy bread."

And here's a new idea for your Thanksgiving feast...I give you Durkey.

Oh how I miss the aweful-waffle! Joshua had his first Waffle House experience on this trip. You have to love a pecan waffle with hasbrowns smothered or covered and folks with southern accents as thick as the grits they serve!

We enjoyed some yummy southern barbeque and even visited a pumpkin patch in the afternoon.

Then we were off to Charlotte for little Maxwell Moore's blessing. Congratulations April and James, you have another beautiful member of the family to be proud of. We wished we could have spent more time in Charlotte witht April, James, and the little people, but alas...the dwindling seat availability on our flights beckoned and off we flew.

Despite the few naps we took along the way

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This was how we felt when it was all said and done. We hope to visit all y'all again soon.

HOV Getaway 2008--San Antonio

I know that most of the people who check my blog were on the HOV trip, but for those that weren't there, don't you wish you were?
May I just say: Cave exploring, chocolate cake, diet coke, the Alamo, mexican food, birthday gifts, chick-flicks, M&Ms, window shopping, giggling, french toast, and great girl friends!



We missed the rest of the HOV. Can't wait for next year.

Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation

After a trip to Costco, navigating the Salt Lake City and Atlanta Airports, and flying for 3 hours in an airtight metal tube in the past 72 hours, I've decided that people--all of 'em--need an annually recurrent training in manners.

I understand that jumbo TVs and cereal boxes can be distracting. If you're going to meander, leave your ego at the door. You are not the most important person there. Your agenda is not more important than everyone else's. You will have opportunity to try the chicken pot pie sample another time. May I please pass?

I know that dealing with parking, hauling luggage that can break your back and dealing with the TSA can be tiresome, but most people in the airport are not there for a leisurely stroll. When you stop in the middle of the concourse to take in the sights, please be aware that the people tripping over your luggage while rushing to make their very tight connections are not loathsome creatures who deserve your contempt.

When the baggage in the overhead bin shifts (as the flight attendants advise on EVERY flight) do not tug someones computer case half way out so it teeters precariously over someones head. Do not yell at the person, in front of all creation, who rescues said bag because it shifted in flight and smashed your jacket that you shoved in the dirty overhead bin without a second thought.

Seriously. I don't know what goes through peoples minds when the act the way they do sometimes. No, I'm not perfect, but I do think I generally act right and can handle being let out in public--unsupervised. But for those who could use some gentle encouragement in the direction of civility...a 16 year old George Washington (what a stud!) offered the following:

There are 110 "rules" but these were my favorites.

1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

2d When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.

7th Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest.

12th Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.

13th Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.

23d When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

54th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

60th Be not immodest in urging your Friends to Discover a Secret.

73d Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

90th Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.

97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

108th When you Speak of God or his Attributes, let it be Seriously & wt. Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor.

110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.

Happy Birthday to Heather

So according to Joshua, I just turned....30 something! 30 was bad enough, but 30 something must be just aweful! Oh well. What are ya gonna do? Either way there are presents involved, so it can't be all bad.

Joshua got me an awesome attachement to by Bosch mixer. Behold...the food processor. It slices, it dices, it makes julienne fries and can still cut a cow in half.

Then I treated myself to a Heather day. I took the day off work and was determined not to be in a hurry all day. I took my time getting ready for the day, got a hair cut and a pedicure. My good friends Stephanie and Sherrie treated me to the Pedi and for once, I didn't go with the conservative French tips, instead...Big Apple Red baby! Aren't my toes sexy?

By then I was simply exhausted (arm strewn dramatically across my forehead) so I took a nap, read a bit, and then had a wonderful dinner with Joshua. Sigh...I guess if I have to be 30 something, this is the way to do it.