Dad-burned excerise

So, along with about probably 90% of America, I thought I'd start out the new year by getting into shape.

Let me just tell you, it's not easy! Going to the gym in sub-zero weather is not fun. It's gotten way better since it's been so hot (and I use that term way loosely as it's been mainly in the 40s-50s!). Tonight I had to stay up so I can sleep for work tomorrow and I decided to go to the gym.

Of course I procrastinated so long that I only gave myself about 45 minutes to do anything (which I did last night too...yeah, I know...). Tonight I decided I would do the weight machines since there are sidewalks I can use for cardio. I was all excited because I got my weight stuff done and then I was going to run a mile in our neighborhood. I even drove my route to make sure it was a mile.

Yeah, what I didn't take into account was the blasted wind that is always blowing in North Dakota (it didn't help we had a rainstorm moving in)!! If it's to your back, you've got it made. Any other way and it's like fighting an uphill battle.

So I set out, all gung-ho. Readers, not a quarter of a mile into it I feel like my legs are frozen and I'm breathing like a Kentucky Derby winner who just gave it their all. It was not a pretty sight by any means.

I just want to know, why is it I can run for a solid 15 minutes on a treadmill with an uphill grade of 2 but I can't run into the wind?! UGH.

This 'healthy' stuff is way overrated!!

Congratulations Blair

For the past five weeks Blair has been ALS (Airman Leadership School). It's a school for Airmen to learn, well, how to be leaders. It's something they have to do so they can make rank also. This allows Airmen to become NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers). Last May, Blair tested for his Staff Sergeant and this class is kind of like a prerequisite to putting that extra stripe on.

Anyway, Blair and I have never been to a "formal" Air Force event, so I was a bit nervous. We got there super early, of course. Because of that, I had about thirty minutes to stew and fret as to who of Blair's bosses would be there and are they nice? What if I screw something up and embarass Blair? Argh! However, I was very, very pleasantly surprised. We had in support of Blair Chief Jones, Major Vattioni, and Lt. Colonel Mongeon (who just happened to be a woman, thank God!). They were all super nice! I definitely breathed a huge sigh of relief. Major Vattioni was the one seated closest to me and he asked me at the very beginning if I'd ever been to 'one of these things.' To which, I said no. He promptly told me not to worry, he'd let me know what to do, which ended up not being too much, thankfully.

We had a very nice dinner and pleasant conversation. Shortly after dinner, they called out the nominees for the Leadership Award. Blair was one of these nominees. However, sadly, he did not get the award. I think, though that its an honor to be nominated! (The guy that actually got the award is someone I like so it's ok.) Next came the guest speaker. He was a retired Chief who graduated from a high school in Columbus, GA (where my dad is from). When he got done, the graduates did their 'walk.' The people that handed Blair his 'diploma' were really great about family and pictures. They are the commanders of the base and were super nice. If they thought the family member didn't get a good picture, they made the graduate stop, come back, and let the person take a good picture. It was hilarious. But it let me get a couple good pictures, so thanks, guys!! Haha.

*Oh, I forgot to tell you about 'roll call.' The emcee called out all the shops in attendance. Major Vattioni shouted out MUNS and Blair, the Chief, the Lt. Col., and I yelled FIREPOWER! It was pretty cool.*

After the graduates walked, it was pretty much over. All the graduates got together for pictures and I got a good one of Blair with his class.

All in all it was a really good night. And not just because I got to buy a new dress and pair of shoes for the event!!

I have now been initiated into an Air Force formal. Go me.

Here are a few pictures of the night...

This is the emcee and the Legacy (something the class leaves behind) that Blair designed.

Blair with the base commanders

Blair saluting the base commander.

Lt. Col. Mongeon, Blair, Chief Jones, Maj. Vattioni

Blair with his graduating class.

Blair and me

**Congratulations Blair! I love you!

Going Green

Finally, we are getting a little color around this place! Don't get to excited, it's just a little. First, the snow ran away. Then, the ground appeared. Next, color started to show up. In the beginning, it was just a small amount of green then...an explosion! All the yards are green and the trees have decided to wake up from their winter nap. NO. MORE. BROWN. Finally!!

I don't know that everyone appreciates the eccentricity of North Dakota weather. For example. Blair mowed the yard for the first time of the season last Saturday. Yep, but it was snowing when he was mowing! Can you believe it?! It's MAY, y'all! I can't believe that it's May and it's cold enough to snow! This is retarded! This morning it was 33 degrees and by Tuesday it's supposed to be in the 90s! Lord a-Mercy guys, it's crazy.

Here's a little glimpse of the beginnings of the green in motion.

We went from this...

And this...

TO THIS!!

Green with Envy

I hate to even be admitting to this, but yes, folks, I have been envious. Namely of my sis and Martha. Why? you ask? Well, they had a toy I wanted. Most of you know that I love to take pictures. Not just any pictures but pictures of very random things (i.e. the mold that grew on our forgotten leftovers, if you'll remember!). Now, when my good friend Martha got a nice new camera and lenses I didn't really think much except, "Good for you." However, when Ash started ranting and raving about how cool it was and how she wanted one...I started thinking...do I want one too? Well, I didn't dwell on it...until Ash got one for CHRISTMAS!!!! Then I started seeing all these sights on the way to and from work that would be such great pictures...if I had a camera like theirs. Now, I knew better than to mention to Blair that I wanted this camera because he likes to spoil me and he'd either buy it for me or force (haha) me into getting it. Well, one day it came out that I wanted it and low and behold, he did exactly what I thought he would (do I know my man or what?)...he told me to 'Just buy it, Laura.' No matter that it is over a grand, just get it. Ha! Anyone that knows me at all, knows that I'm a tightwad with money. Well, he finally convinced me to get it and I did get a really good deal on ebay (thank you God, for the internet!) but it still took me ten minutes (literally) to click the buy button. I kept thinking of all the stuff we could get with a thousand dollars! But in the end, my greed won out and I bought it. And haven't looked back since!! I love, love, love this camera. I ended up not getting the exact same one as Ash and Martha, but its the same concept. (They got a Cannon 50D and I got a Nikon D90, just FYI.) I have been taking random pictures with it around the house but have been itching to go out into the wild blue yonder and take some photos. Finally the opportunity presented itself. A girl at work has the same "addiction" with picture taking as I do and we were going to meet up and take pictures around her little town (bout an hour away called, oddly enough, Towner). However, we didn't get the chance because her little girl got sick and she's more important than me and pictures. But, since I was in photo mode, I decided to go it on my own. (I know, how brave of me right?) Well, I just started driving and here is what I found. Let me know what you think...but only if its good thoughts!! ;)

This is a cute little church that I can just see the steeple on the way to work. I finally got to find it and take its picture!!

I don't know why, but I love run-down buildings. Here is exhibit A.

Here is the town of Minot from a lookout point by the airport.

Exhibit B of rundown buildings! Cool, huh?

I love trains, so imagine my glee when this beauty whizzed past!

Just trying to make a grain elevator glamorous.

** Correction--this is a grain bin, not an elevator. My bad.

This little house was actually really far away...but I have a big zoom!!

I didn't really mean to get the sign, but it looks cool anyway, I thought!

This is one of my favorite "picture opportunities." It looks so pretty with the sun behind it.

This was the huge drift that was in our backyard until about two weeks ago. Crazy weather!

More braggin'...

Ok, so y'all probably get tired of hearing about how great my husband is, but, well, your about to hear more. This past weekend I worked 12 hour shifts. (I have just gotten off of a seven day stretch of working, not all 12 hours shifts, though, thank goodness!) Anyway, I always have a n on-going grocery list (because if I don't write it down when I think of it, I'll forget!). Blair occasionally will write down some 'special' request and I'll get it when I go to the commissary. This is what I saw when I came downstairs on Friday...

(**It's like Where's Waldo. Can you find the hidden message?)

Ok, so the point I made earlier about my busy weekend was to say that Blair was great this weekend. When I got up on Friday, he 'cooked' dinner (aka, got pizza). That way neither one of us had to stress what to make and just got to be together. On Saturday, he took the list above and went to the commissary and bx for me! And he for real cooked and made an awesome dinner for us to enjoy! Not only did he do that, he did laundry!! Yes, he did! And I didn't even have to ask!!! Then on Sunday, it was all folded! *GASP!!* Oh, my gosh! (Now, don't think anything of it being a day later, cause sometimes I leave laundry for days!!) I came downstairs and it was all folded neatly in the basket. I was so proud of him! He is the best hubby ever!! Thank you, God, for the man You've blessed me with.

Trip Pictures

~~Here is the picture update that I promised forever long ago...Enjoy!

A picture from the plane on my way to Ft. Wayne, IN!

The bride and groom at the start of the wedding.

The beautiful ceiling of the church! Even the speakers were painted to match!

Katie and Paul saying their vows. You could feel their happiness!

The new Mr. & Mrs. Kuch!

Apparently the wedding took place in Michigan's state capital, Lansing. So between the wedding and reception, we went to see the capital building!

The bride and groom in front of their 'party' table.

My wonderful in-laws!

My sweet bro-in-law and his wonderful girlfriend!

The cool Italian dance. They're moving so fast, everyone is blurry!

The gang (Dennis, Kate, Ben, me, and Teri).

I took a picture with the beautiful people...

On the flight home (we couldn't take off until daylight b/c a strobe light was broken, it did not inspire confidence!).

~~Hope you enjoyed a quick look into my weekend!

Leavin' on a jet plane...

Oh, my, word! Flying is awesome! What have I been doing the past 25 years of my life!?! Torturing myself with agonizingly long, monotonous trips that take upward of 8 hours! No more my friends! I have decided flying is the way to go! Of course, that is only when the funds are available! Why do I mention this you ask? Because last weekend I had my first experience flying. Yes, first. At 25. This puppy ain't too old to learn new tricks! The occasion was Blair's cousin was getting married. So Friday afternoon I set out on my adventure, by myself. Yes, I do feel super brave and like I can take anything now. Well, maybe not anything...but definitely flying alone! I was nervous of course, but if I wasn't I would've probably been sick. One of my 'worries' was navigating the Minneapolis airport, but, y'all, that was a cinch! Oh my goodness, they had the concourses clearly marked and signs everywhere. They also had these awesome little conveyor belts that you walk on...so cool. I would step on them and walk and felt like I was walking outside. My hair was blowing like I was in a wind tunnel! Neat-o!

I arrived into Ft. Wayne, IN around 10:30 p.m. I was so excited to see my in-laws when I got off the plane! Everyone probably thought my MIL (mother-in-law) and I were crazy...when we saw each other, we squealed, ran to each other and jumped up and down hugging! Oh, good times. After our squeal fest (which would have totally embarassed my husband) we set out for the in-laws house (45 minutes away). We talked non-stop the entire way home. Then, when we got there, I changed into comfortable clothes and went back for more! We finally went to bed around 1:30 a.m., I think, and only then because we had to get up early to get ready for the wedding!

On Saturday, I got up at around 8 a.m. I decided to get partially ready before going out to start the day. By the time I'd done this, my MIL had coffee made for us! Yippee! We share a passion for coffee (I tell you sometimes it's scary how much we're alike!). We visited in the living room for a while, until we got hungry. Then my FIL (father-in-law) made us breakfast. It was a Mexican breakfast with eggs, toasted tortillas, cheese, and sausage. I am about to butcher the name of it here, but it's something along the line of Meegas (that's how it sounds, at least!). Anyway, after I scarfed down two helpings ( I know, I know, my diet is ruined!) I went to get ready. Shortly thereafter, we headed out on our two hour drive to Lansing, MI. Again, we talked the entire way there. It was so great to catch up with my in-laws. I say all the time, I am one of the few people that was blessed enough to love my in-laws!

The wedding itself was absolutely beautiful. The church, the attendants, the bride. Katie, you were remarkable! I got to see almost all of Blair's side of the family, and it was awesome! I especially enjoyed seeing Blair's youngest brother, Ben and his girlfriend, Kate. Ben is so much like Blair and Kate and I get along really well! It's a treat anytime we get to be together. We even talked about them coming to visit us this summer! Hopefully it will work out!

The reception was super fun! We had food, cake and talking! What more could a Southern girl want!? It was such fun! The grooms' family is as big as Blair's and the combination made for a fun-filled time! They are Italian and did the traditional Italian dance...where the bride, groom, and their parents get encircled by family and friends and dance around. Think My Big Fat Greek (but really Italian, in this case) Wedding. It was so neat. I think I stood there with my mouth agape for a bit! This is stuff that I've only seen on TV!! Then, the grooms family has a tradition...The bride stood behind the groom and used her hands for a blindfold. A few guys from his side came in carrying an ark-like container. I was not in position to see what they were doing till it was done, but they had a massive ball and chain and they attatched it to the grooms leg! Oh, my! It was great! Then, the DJ played a song and the bride danced around the groom with the key and the groom kept trying to get the key. To get the key the crowd (aka, us) started chanting sing! sing! So he sang! It was so funny! Thats a good tradition!

We had to leave before all the good dances started (aka, the line dances) since we had a two hour drive home and my flight was at 7:15 the next morning! After getting home, we talked for a bit and decided to hit the sack. Boy, I was whipped. After what felt like 30 minutes of sleep, I got up and got ready for my return trip. Again, my FIL made me breakfast. This time it was an egg & bacon bagel! Yum yum! He's a great cook! (Oh, that reminds me! I told them that I'd been craving the strawberry shortcake they made for us when we were there in July, and he made it for me after we got home from the wedding! How sweet!)

The return home was mostly uneventful, except that right before we were about to land the pilot had to abort the landing. Supposedly, the day before, Minot had a lot of fog and no planes could land and had to be taken back to Minneapolis. I was scared that we would be rerouted back to Minneapolis, but we got to land on the second try! Thank God! I did not want to sent back to Minneapolis! I was so excited to see Blair again! We went to eat lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings as soon as we left the airport. On the way home, we noticed the fog had rolled in once again and we both remarked on how great it was that I got home when I did! Any later and I would've been back to Minneapolis in a flash! Thank God for small blessings!

**I don't have pictures right now, as I'm at work posting this. I will return to post pictures of my fun-filled weekend!! Love to you all!!