Hawaii - I Never Finished

I realized I never finished blogging about my trip to Hawaii. So I'm throwing in all the days in Maui into this post.

We had to cancel our helicopter tour because of weather but that's ok. I just spent more time relaxing listening to crashing waves. I highly recommend that!

Sunsets were gorgeous from our lanai

We drove halfway up to the volcano and this was our view down

We heard people talking and couldn't figure out where they were. Look up!

More sunsets (couldn't get enough of these)

We drove the Road to Hana. Its an all-day trip with hundreds of hairpin turns. At the end the road is a National Park that is gorgeous. We didn't get to spend a lot of time there because we had to drive back the whole way. Got home in the dark but it was worth it.

I definitely recommend Maui as a spot to visit (over Honolulu). I would stay at the same place we did before also.

Merry Christmas Hodgepodge

I can't believe Joyce had time to write this week's questions. Her daughter is getting married in less than three weeks and Christmas is next week. Super impressed.


1. Time magazine has selected The Ebola Fighters as their person of the year for 2014. Do you agree, and if so who would you say is a close second? If you disagree with their choice, who do you think should have been chosen?

Is it wrong of me to think that Time Magazine is from a by-gone era and it really doesn't matter what they write about? Its like they put a bunch of choices into a hat and draw one out.

2. This question comes to you courtesy of Susan who blogs over at Stew Mama Says. She knows we have a wedding happening any minute now, and she asks, 'What's your favorite-something old? something new? something borrowed? something blue in your home? Be sure you hop over and say hi to Susan today!

Something old - a mantle clock
Something new - my new dining room table
Something borrowed - I really don't borrow anything
Something blue - My Snow Miser bobblehead

3. Fudge-yay or nay? Your favorite flavor? Do you make it yourself? With nuts or without?

I'm not a fudge fan. It is always too sweet for me.

4. December 17th is Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the first successful flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. How old were you when you made your first flight? Do you like to fly? Have you ever been to Kitty Hawk or other parts of the North Carolina Outer Banks?

I believe the first time I flew was when I was 13 and moving from Wisconsin to Florida. I've flown a whole lot more since then. I really like to fly and am an expert at navigating an airport by myself. Last flight was delayed in San Diego and I just sat at a bar and ended up talking to someone else who had been at my conference. It didn't bother me at all to be delayed (not really anything I could do about it). I've never been to the Outer Banks although I would like to some day.

5. Do the people in your family tend to follow a particular career path, and if so what's the path?

There is not a pattern of career path in my family. And Whitney isn't going into any field that either Dan or myself are in.

6. What is one thing you absolutely, positively must accomplish today?

Go grocery shopping. I'm out of stuff for lunches and I really don't want to eat out the next two days.

7. This Christmas I hope___________________________________.

To enjoy the season at a relaxed pace.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Whitney comes home tomorrow for winter break. She'll be home for about three weeks before she starts her last semester of college!

The Weekend that I met Olaf

As I mentioned on Friday, our church was holding its Christmas Spectacular this weekend. One of the special things they had was Elsa and Olaf along with pretend snowballs and the movie Frozen playing constantly. I kept trying to get my picture taken and either the line was long and I didn't have time to wait or they were on break. Finally during the last show I caught them right before a break. I told Elsa that I really only wanted my picture with Olaf and she was very nice and moved to the side.

And then Olaf gave me a hug. I was a very happy girl after that!

Friday Fragments - I'm Alive!

Believe me the last few weeks have had me swamped at work with little time to think so I haven't be able to blog. I even had a whole week where I couldn't read anyone else's blogs I was so busy. But I'm taking a breather this morning to participate in Mrs. 4444 Friday Fragments.

So what have I been doing the last few weeks? Two people's jobs that's what. My assistant took another job a month ago so I've been trying to parcel out her work to others in my office which requires extra supervision. Because I could do it but then I would be violating separation of duties and I can't have that. Good news is I've hired a new person but she isn't starting until we get back from our winter break. 

The other reason I was so busy was we had a site visit from our major sponsor get thrown at us right before Thanksgiving. For last week. So I spent the week entertaining them, planning the visit and all around drop dead tired activities. I wasn't home until 10 pm for several nights. I don't do well in that kind of environment. I needed a break.

Last Friday I took Whitney to see Justin Timberlake in concert. It was a good concert and he is a great entertainer. At one point there was part of the stage that moved over the floor all the way to the other side (much closer to us).

Our view of the stage

After the stage moved closer to us

It seems to me that we have a few houses in our neighborhood that are trying to out Griswold each other. We've always had one but a couple more joined the party. I need to take photos to do them justice.

This weekend is our church's Christmas Spectacular. I can't wait to see what they do this year. Every year is different and it is always entertaining. We'll be attending tonight with both grandmas and Whitney coming down from school. She still has finals next week so she won't be home officially until next Thursday.

I'm going to miss the Mom's weekend at her college tomorrow. Just didn't seem like a reason to go this year since we wouldn't be attending any of the shows they are doing. So she had better get my ornament that they give out. I need it for my collection.

Just a few things but I needed to prove I'm still alive and kicking. I seem to be able to post more on twitter so you can always follow me there!

Winter Book Reading Challenge

Rebecca Jo challenged us to cuddle up and read this winter. Here's the books that have kept me company since November 11 when she started. I got all of these free on my kindle app (I am so happy I found out how to do this).



You can see from my list I seem to go for romance novels and nothing too taxing on the brain.



The Trouble with Holly by Bonnie Blythe

Choices by Marie Ferrarella

The Daddy Pact by Kristy James

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

You Had Me at Merlot by Marley Gibson

Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

Winter Interlude by Sandy Loyd

Moonbeams by Joann Bergen

Don't Break My Heart by Laurie Kellogg

Maybe next month my choices will expand outside of cheap romances but I doubt it. I need my escapism where I can get it.

Thanksgiving Hodgepodge

Made it to answer Joyce's questions this week. I give thanks that every week she comes up with them and lets us play along.

1. Besides U.S. Thanksgiving, it's also National Game and Puzzle Week...what game have you played most recently, and who were you with? Have you worked a puzzle of any kind in the past week?

This is the puzzle I finished this weekend. I play Frozen on my ipad all the time (rather obsessively).

2. What is one place you were thankful for this year?
Maui. You can't argue with sunsets like these.

3. Take a nap, watch football, go for an after dinner walk, or hit the stores...which ONE is on your must-do list for Thanksgiving day? For those of you playing along who aren't in the US, answer as it relates to any big holiday meal.

I'm going for a before dinner walk by doing a 5K Thanksgiving morning.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite home cooked meal?

Ham with broccoli and scalloped potatoes.

5. What product from an infomercial would you most like to own?

Well I did own a topsy turvy tomato grower. It worked for awhile until I overwatered it. But it sure was heavy with all the dirt in it. You would never be able to just hang it from any overhang like in the infomercial.

6. Christmas shopping? Have you begun? Finished? Will you shop on Black Friday? How do you feel about stores opening on Thanksgiving Day? What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?

I've started all online. I've also bough the foster kids gifts that we adopt every year by going to a store. I avoid the Black Friday shopping or anything similar to it. Too many people. There is no need to open early because sales start way earlier than Thanksgiving now. I think it is just a sport to some people.

7. What are you most grateful for that adds beauty to your everyday life?

My hair. That sounds funny but coming from a family where the women have thinning hair when they get to be my age I don't take my full head for granted.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I hope to have all my decorating done by being off work for four days. I won't have any time for fun stuff for awhile so I must get it done.

A Cold Hodgepodge

Joyce was off last week moving her daughter back home before she goes and gets married and moves all the way across the country. She deserved a break. But she came back this week with more questions.

1. We celebrate Veteran's Day in the US of A on November 11th. When did you last interact with a member of the armed forces (either currently serving or retired)? Have you ever written a letter to a soldier, bought a meal or coffee for a solider, said an unprompted thank you to a soldier you encountered out and about somewhere? If you're not in the US, comment on a similar holiday in your own country.

I work with a few retired veterans but I never think of them that way. I appreciate what they've done for our country but I've never done anything like those listed.

2. You can have fifty pounds of anything at all (except money)...what would you choose?

I won a 10 pound chocolate bar once and that was way too much chocolate. Maybe 50 pounds of wine? I wouldn't need to buy any wine for at least a year.

3. When did you last receive an invitation in the 'real' mail? What was it for and did you attend? When it comes to RSVP-ing, are you an 'early responder' or a 'last minute, barely-under-the-wire' kind of guest?

I got a wedding invitation this summer. I don't like to wait until the last minute to RSVP. I should be able to make up my mind quickly if I can go to something or not.

4. What's something you really don't like to waste?

I hate to waste anything I paid for. LOL

5. Cheers, Friends, MASH, Seinfeld...of the ones listed, your favorite long-running sitcom?

Of those I was a huge MASH fan. It was a family event to watch it. I remember the final episode still (the highest rated single show ever). You know...before you could DVR it and watch on your own schedule.

6. What decision are you glad you made?

Going back and getting my masters degree. It definitely has propelled by career and helped expand my mind.

7. In this month of 'Thanksgiving' what is one thing that's different today than it was a year ago that you're grateful for?

I'm thankful that there is only one more time to pay tuition! Whitney's last semester starts next January and then she'll be a college graduate.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm joining up with Rebecca Jo on her winter reading challenge. I probably read 4-5 books a week on my kindle app so this will be great. Go check it out!

Friday Fragments

Time to join Mrs. 4444 for Friday Fragments.

This weekend is homecoming at Whitney's college and they are doing parent's day at her sorority. She's in charge so we'll be going up to see her. Plus we need to take her winter coat to her since next week the cold air is coming. She hoped she could wait until Thanksgiving for it but Mother Nature had other plans.

We will be stopping by the Christmas store on our way home to get some extra poinsettia flowers for our tree. We got them last year and need some more and that's the only place that had these specific ones. I'm also on the hunt for a new tree topper after our fiasco of last year and not having one at all the year before.

Today is my assistant's last day. The good news is I got my hiring freeze approved one week earlier than I thought so maybe I can get someone to start working in December. With the winter holiday here I thought it might be January before I could hire someone. Crossing my fingers.

I still haven't cooked my spaghetti or acorn squash. I keep meaning to and it just is too late when I get home. Last weekend didn't work because we had company. Good thing they last a long time.

Since when did tv series have fall finales? All the shows I'm watching are doing this. Is it another way to get people excited to wait over a month for a new show?

Stupid criminal was a guy who got arrested for burglary. It wasn't the fact he did it, it was the shirt he was wearing. A monopoly shirt with Go Directly to Jail all over the front of it. The police had to do what the shirt said, right?

Hawaii - Part 4

Boy my blogging about Hawaii is taking longer than the actual trip.

We left for Maui and it was quite an adventure. We took Island Air because their flights were cheapest. It was a propeller plane! And they were very serious about the weight of both your checked bag and carryon roller bag. After much moving of stuff we finally got the two bags right (we had to check both of them). Then getting a car turned out to be a production. We upgraded when we got there and had to have a car switched out. Just when I thought we were set, the helicopter place called and our flight was cancelled due to weather. We rescheduled for a couple of days later.

Driving to our condo was easy (it's an island after all). We were able to check in a little bit early and then get a late lunch. I was starving at that point so happy to find a little sandwich shop right at the condo. That place was so friendly. You could tell the locals liked to go to the bar there. A big group was watching Thursday night football which starts at 3 in Hawaii! Our condo was so nice. The view from the lanai was out of this world.

After unloading our luggage we decided to go grocery shopping. Boy are things more expensive there. But definitely cheaper than eating out all our meals. We got our first load in the elevator and that's when things went bad. We got stuck in the elevator! Like really stuck. We had to use the call button and then the power went out and we had no lights. No cell phone coverage. We were on the first floor so we didn't worry about the elevator dropping but it was hot. Like dripping water off of us. After 20 minutes someone came and started to try and open the doors but he didn't know how to do it. The maintenance guy was going to be another 45 minutes away. We were way to hot for this so I told them to call 911 and get the fire department to come. That took another 15 minutes. They were able to get the door open a bit and at least get some air circulating. They could squeeze a couple of water bottles through the door also. After 45 minutes stuck in the elevator, they were talked through how to cut the power to the door and it opened. Phew. Unfortunately we had missed sunset. They fire department was nice enough to help us carry up our groceries four flights. They checked Dan out because he was sweating so much but he was fine. By this time we were ready for a break so we just hung out in the condo the rest of the night.

More adventures to come!

Quick Catch Up

Just a quick little catch up on a rainy election day.

I voted on my way to work and there was a line. Normally the only time there is a line is for Presidential elections. So it was nice to see people there. I had done my research so was in and out in 10 minutes.

This weekend we took my mom out to brunch for her birthday on Sunday. It was very nice (lobster benedict for me) and then we went back to her apartment to move some furniture and Dan installed a towel bar. Simple things but when you are older you need some help.

Saturday we had company for the OU game. My friend brought chips and ranch dip. Oh my, I hadn't had that for a long time. I just kept standing in the kitchen eating chip after chip. I was glad when the first bag was empty...it made me stop.

Fall showed up finally. No more air conditioning!

I made the mistake of going grocery shopping later on Sunday. The lines were crazy. I came to find out while I was checking out that it was food stamp day and everyone who got it had huge baskets. I'll remember not to do that again.

Friday Fragments - Boo Edition

Some kind of record for me. Four straight days of blogging. Love Fridays for Mrs. 4444 edition of Friday Fragments.

I'm a little out of sorts this morning. Our power went out last night for about two hours. This never happens. I can count on my hand the number of times it has gone out for that long in the 20 years we've lived in the house. No answer as to what happened but I figured out I need a new battery for my alarm clock. One good thing came out of it.

Stupid criminals this week are a pair of robbers who robbed a house. They were doing fine until they accidentally butt dialed the police and started talking about the robbery. 45 minutes later the police were able to track the gps coordinates of the phone and arrest them.

Fall has arrived today with a freeze warning out for tonight. Last weekend I had the air conditioner on all weekend. Quite a change.

Tomorrow is the National Weather Festival at work. I went last year but will skip it this year. After all I work with these people and really can't learn anything. I know I should volunteer to help out but I just don't want to. Plus the football game is right in the middle of it and we have people coming over. It probably is better to use that reasoning.

In our quest to eat more vegetables, I bought two different types of squash. I plan on making the spaghetti squash this weekend but I'm not sure what to do with the acorn squash I bought. Any ideas?

I'm about to have to adjust my drive home from work. They are building a Walmart Neighborhood Market (that we don't need) right on a terrible turn on my way home. The traffic is going to be horrendous so I think I'll need to adjust the drive home. One of my alternate routes has major road construction on it so that's out and the other one goes straight through campus. I'm not excited about any of these. After years of only taking 10-15 minutes to get home I think I'm about to get a rude awakening.

Hawaii - Part 3

I'm going to do it. I promise I will finish blogging all about my Hawaii trip by the end of next week.

Today I'll finish up my trip to Honolulu.

After we went to Pearl Harbor it was time for two days of meetings. We were picked up at our hotel and taken to the University of Hawaii's campus. We met at a lovely building called the East-West Center. Behind the meeting room was a large grassy area with a koi pond. We took a group photo out there.

Aren't we a great looking group?

On our second day we toured the NOAA facility on Ford Island. They took two of the hangars from World War II and built new buildings inside them. So the historic outside is full of beautiful new workspace.

They were so nice to welcome us.

Big mural inside the new atrium

One of the NOAA ships

We were limited in our photos outside of the building because it is an active navy base. They train Navy Seals there and also repair the submarines and we were told not to take any pictures in those directions.

I finally made it to the beach our last day in Honolulu. A quick walk down Waikiki Beach and I realized I didn't miss anything.

It was then time to pack up and get ready for Maui and the real vacation.

Hodgepodge

I'm going to get to do a hodgepodge this week. It's almost like I've forgotten how to join.

1. Joyce's hubs spent last weekend pheasant hunting. Are there hunters in your family? If so, what do they hunt? Which of the following have you tasted-pheasant, rabbit, venison, duck, goose? Which of those would you most like to taste, or be mostwilling to taste?

Vegetarians keep calm and Hodgepodge on.

No hunters in the family and I'm glad. I've had venison and duck and haven't cared for either of them. I don't think I want to try anything else.

2. What high spot have you visited that gave you a wonderful 'bird's eye view' of something below?

We made it halfway up the volcano on Maui and looked down towards our condo. Puts things in perspective.

3. Do you have any birds in your home? These could be either real live pets or decorative, as in bird prints, knickknacks, fabric or pottery.

I used to have some ducks that were my fathers that I got when he passed away. I think they are in the attic now. I have a bird book if that counts.

4. Tell about a time you 'killed two birds with one stone'?

Vacation and work trip all in one...Hawaii

5. Your favorite song with a bird in it's title?

I had to look up lists of songs with birds in the title to figure this out. Best I can do is Fly Like an Eagle by Seal.

6. What most recently gave you goose bumps?

Wow, I haven't had any lately. Maybe last time I got really cold for no reason?

7. Halloween is this Friday...any plans? Did you trick or treat as a child? Carve pumpkins? Share your most memorable costume.

One time (I think 3rd or 4th grade) my mom made me a Statue of Liberty costume out of gray trash bags. It was so awesome. And it was the one year our little town didn't have the Halloween costume parade. Trick or treat is for elementary age kids or younger. I'm pretty adamant about that. I never liked touching the inside of a pumpkin. So we really didn't do a lot for Halloween as Whitney grew up. I reused costumes for a few years and we attempted to carve.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We had suitcase Sunday at church. Basically we collected new and gently used small suitcases for foster kids in the state of Oklahoma.

This cage was full after the last service. I don't know how many they collected but I hope that all kids are able to get one. They also had different organizations that help out foster kids there. And a touching video from a couple of church members who do both foster kids and have adopted kids out of foster care.

Hawaii Part 2

I'm finally getting back to blogging about Hawaii. Life just keeps getting in my way.

Our second full day we spent at Pearl Harbor. I had purchased tickets in advance and gotten us the audio tour. I highly recommend both. There is a very nice museum, a movie and then you take a boat out to USS Arizona memorial.

View of memorial from land

When you get off the boat this is what you see

I found that both the museum and movie were extremely well done. We ended up spending hours here. The security is very tight and you are not allowed any kind of bag (not even a purse). I've never been somewhere that is that tight on security.

Gun turret #3 from USS Arizona

There are only a few spots that are above the water line. The rest is still laying beneath the water.

The ship is still leaking oil

These are all the men who lost their life on the USS Arizona

I had a great uncle who was at Pearl Harbor on December 7. His ship was not hit but it took several days before my mom's family heard if he was ok. They have a list of all the ships that were in port and a big map so I could point out to my mom where he was. It really helped understand that day better.

My relative was on the Patterson

The memorial area also has two other ships that are privately maintained that you can tour. The USS Missouri and the USS Bowfin are both there. We chose not to do either of them as we had to make our last shuttle back to the hotel.

If you are in Honolulu, I highly recommend going to this historic site.

Friday Fragments

I finally caught up on a week's worth of blog posts and figured I'd better add something. So I'm joining Mrs. 4444 for a quick brain dump.

I spent the week in San Diego and am glad to be home. Of course Dan turned around and left six hours after I got back to visit his cousin. So I have the house to myself this weekend. 

My flight was delayed out of San Diego so I got to spend a couple of hours at the PGA grill talking to someone else who was at the same conference as I was. It was a lovely conversation and the bonus was they had my favorite wine by the glass. Made the time fly by.

And with that delay I got to run through the Dallas airport to catch my connection. I made it with 6 minutes to spare...enough time for a bathroom break. I made it home but my luggage did not. It was on the last flight out of Dallas and made it to my home mid-morning the next day. So I stayed home waiting for it.

And then I came back to so much work I can't think straight. I'm definitely glad it is Friday.

Friday Fragments

Mrs. 4444 is recovering nicely from rotator cuff surgery. If you know anyone who is about to do it, she had a great post on what to expect. I highly recommend it.

Friday Friday Friday! I'm so happy it's Friday!

I'm leaving town Sunday for a few days in San Diego for the Society of Research Administrators annual meeting. I know you are all wishing you could go listen to talks on cost-sharing, patents, intellectual property, F&A rates, clinical trials and so much more. I actually do enjoy listening to some of this stuff and glean a few nuggets of information to help me in my job. Plus it is at the Hotel del Coronado which is gorgeous. I'll probably get lost in it.

Just look at this place

Stupid criminal this week was a guy who tried to shoplift a bottle of wine from a store. He was a little drunk and while running out of the store he ran into a display and knocked himself out. Since he didn't get out of the store he couldn't be charged with shoplifting. No word on how many other charges he did receive.

Whitney comes home for fall break tomorrow. We are going for sushi (so happy she likes this now) and some shopping. I've got to spend my Kohl's cash before I leave town. In the three and half days she is home she has to get her oil changed, go to the doctor, get a haircut, study for a test, do a bunch of work and relax. She also wants to bake pumpkin bread.

I made homemade marinana sauce last weekend and we finally had it last night. I'm not sure why we don't do this more often. It is so much better than a jar. We got a couple of sausages and put it all on a bit of pasta. Yummy.

While we were at our meeting in Honolulu, the group provided us with lunch. A traditional bento box lunch. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen.

And I leave you with my attempt at a panoramic shot from my phone in Hawaii. We were at the edge of the ocean and I just had to try it.

Hawaii - Part One

We arrived in Honolulu late afternoon so we didn't have time to do much. After checking into our hotel (Hawaii Prince Waikiki) and having to get our room changed, it was time for sunset. We were on the 15th floor and the great thing about the room was you could slide the windows open for an unobstructed view. Great picture taking!

Our first sunset in Hawaii

A quick trip across the street to McDonald's and the ABC store for water and it was bed time. A five hour time difference does that to you plus we wanted to get up early the next day. 

On Sunday we rented a car for the day to drive around Oahu. Our first stop was DiamondHead. It was crazy hot that day and they warn you to bring water. Many did not head the directions.

The view from up top toward Waikiki

When we made it back down there were several fire trucks and a helicopter landing and taking off. Rumor was that someone couldn't make it down from dehydration or fell off the path. I'm not sure what happened but it was exciting.

We drove around the east shore of Oahu before heading back to town. We ended our day walking around the 'Iolani Palace. It was closed on Sunday but it was nice to be someplace that there were not a lot of people. Honolulu and especially Waikiki Beach is crazy crowded.

The crazy banyan tree

Another early night after dropping the car off. Still trying to catch up on the sleep and on Monday we were going to go to Pearl Harbor. Which is where I will leave you.

Hodgepodge - Back to Normal

I'm going to make it to Joyce's party today! Finally a little back to normal for me.




1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?

I like around 10am-noon. This is my most productive time of the day. I'm awake, everyone seems happy, and it means that lunch is just around the corner.

2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house?

I just got a new mixer so that definitely isn't it. I don't own a coffee maker or blender. My waffle iron and toaster don't get much use. So I really don't need any of them. I could use some new silverware though.

3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?

People who don't return my emails or phone calls.

4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?

I've been to Canada several times and have enjoyed it. From this list I've been to Vancouver, Quebec City, Victoria, and Whistler. That's pretty good for being from Oklahoma. I enjoyed all of them for different reasons. Quebec City (especially the old town) was like being in Europe so I would highly recommend that. I would like to see Niagara Falls (either side).

5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?

Ham and watergate salad. Those were always special meals. And I still like them and make them for special meals.

6. Do you cry easily?

Depends on the situation but as I get older I cry much easier.

7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?

No shopping and I haven't even thought of ideas although Dan has a list of options. I went to Lowe's Sunday and I couldn't believe all the Christmas decorations they had out. Right behind the Halloween ones. That was quite a sight.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Just a hint of the Hawaii recap here. I still need to get my pictures on this computer so I can blog with them.

Sunset from our condo on Maui. I could definitely get used to this every night.

Friday Fragments

Just a quick dump of a few things for Mrs. 4444 Friday Fragments. Just getting back from 10 days away from work has left me super behind.

My vacation was awesome. I can't wait to blog about it and show lots of pictures.

But when we came back I immediately had to find a new auto/home insurance company. Right before we left town we got a letter that cancelled our current policy the day after we got back. Seems when I switched companies the inspection showed ONE missing shingle. And for that they cancelled. No chance to get it fixed. Just boom go away. So I have spent lots of spare time (which I don't really have) finding a new insurance company. Thanks to some friends, I finally got a good deal. Just in time too.

By the way, red eye flights are horrible. Especially when the plane only has tv sets down the middle row of the plane and has ONE movie...for an eight hour flight. American really should get its act together better.

Saturday is the Red River Rivalry game. After last week's loss, the Sooners need to play better to beat the Texas team (although they aren't very good). School is cancelled today since it seems like half the student body would skip school to drive to Dallas. But that doesn't mean work is cancelled. Nope, I'm here playing catch up.

Our building hosts a Bevo BBQ the Thursday before the game. Its always a good time to eat some beef brisket and watch highlights from old games. But this year's crowd was definitely smaller than normal. It was a good deal for $6 to get two BBQ sandwiches, chips and a cupcake.

I hope that next week I can blog some more.