Have/Have Not

Did you ever play that game with the Sweet 'n Low packets at a restaurant? It was one of my favorites while in high school and college. Anytime a group of us went out to eat we'd evenly split the packets and take turns asking questions.

"I have gone skydiving. Have you?"

For everyone that had, they threw a sugar packet into the center. The first person out of packets won the game.

Why am I telling you this?

Ummmm.....

Oh yes!

I've been tagged by my amazing friend and fellow Angel, Renee to play the virtual game of Have/Have not. In hers she bolded the things that she had done with no explanations. I'm just too much of a loud mouth to not explain at least a few of them! I'll be putting asterisks next to the things I've done.

So bear with me. Here we go!


*1. Started your own blog-never thought I would!

*2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band-and I'm sure there are many people who are so glad I haven't!

4. Visited Hawaii-would love to. Who wants to take me?

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

*7. Been to Disneyworld-three times...this summer was the best one though!!!

*8. Climbed a mountain-Pikes Peak and Mt. Hood-I just love hiking!

9. Held a praying mantis-no plans to either!

*10. Sang a solo-once. I sang one for a contest. Barely made it through before I cried! I made a 2. Never did it again. Don't tell McKinley though, she has her first contest the 14th.

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris-again, would love to. Who wants to take me?

*13. Watched a lightning storm-lightning excites me! I love to watch and listen.

*14. Taught yourself an art from scratch-basketweaving

15. Adopted a child-no, but I've watched adoption tear my family apart.

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables-herbs....

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France-you could be the one to take me while we're in Paris!

20. Slept on an overnight train

*21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked-never!

*23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill-sick week

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

*26. Gone skinny dipping-well, I do own a pool!

*27. Run a Marathon (or HALF!)-two and a half weeks ago! Next one is 11 1/2 weeks away.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

*29. Seen a total eclipse-in 3rd grade. The entire school watched.

*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run-nope, but the Yankees are scouting me.

32. Been on a cruise-would love to go on one! Anyone?

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

*34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors-yep, Ford, Kansas. Woo-Hoo.

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-I would love for this to happen

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

*39. Gone rock climbing-yep, and rappelled back down!

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David-does my Uncle David count?

41. Sung karaoke-NEVER!!

*42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt-several times!

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa-don't ever want to. Please don't anyone volunteer to take me.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

*46. Been transported in an ambulance-following a freak rodeo accident

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing-pretty sure I don't have enough upper body strength...to touch the bait!

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris-again, anyone?

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

*52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

*54. Gone to a drive-in theater-finally! After I was 30 though. With three children with us there wasn't much making out:)

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China-no desire

57. Started a business

*58. Taken a martial arts class-the instructor hit me so many times because he was mad at me that I never went back!

59. Visited Russia-no desire!

60. Served at a soup kitchen-nope. Freaked out at a homeless shelter once though.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies-ate plenty though!

62. Gone whale watching

*63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma-NEVER!!!!!! Unless they come up with some way to get it out besides needles.

*65. Gone sky diving-YES!! And my chute didn't open:)

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp-not exactly my idea of a vacation.

*67. Bounced a check

*68. Flown in a helicopter-on a date. I was so excited when I didn't throw up!

*69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial-would love to!

71. Eaten Caviar-never have, never will

72. Pieced a quilt-nope. But bought everything to start one and then sold it at a garage sale...untouched.

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

*77. Broken a bone-about 23 toes...a finger...five ribs...and an arm. Good grief.

*78. Been on a speeding motorcycle-and lived to tell!

*79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person-for 20 whole minutes.

80. Published a book-no, but will someday.

81. Visited the Vatican

*82. Bought a brand new car-well, watched Shawn do it

83. Walked in Jerusalem

*84. Had your picture in the newspaper-many times. First time was when I wrote a letter to President Reagan in 5th grade and got a reply!

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve-ewwww

86. Visited the White House-will someday!

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating-oooh, no!

*88. Had chickenpox-first one in 1st grade to get it. When I got back to school there were only 5 people there out of 40!

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury-I think you have to be registered to vote to be chosen. So never have, never will!

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club-no. Can't find one that reads books I like!

*93. Lost a loved one-too many

*94. Had a baby-3!!

*95. Seen the Alamo in person-yes...it's nothing special

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

*97. Been involved in a law suit-been asked to testify at a child abuse hearing

*98. Owned a cell phone-have one now that I want to kiss on a daily basis:)

*99. Been stung by a bee

*100-Gotten married-to my best friend. The best thing I've ever done:)

Now to tag 3 of my fellow bloggers...I know Robin hates these things so I won't:)

So...

*Carrie
*Melissa
*Lori

Can't wait to hear about them!

And can't wait to go out and eat again...I'm feeling the need to pass out some sweetener packets!

The last of it, I promise!

As I came to the end of my last Day in Phoenix post I realized I had some pictures that didn't fit in anywhere. So, lucky you, I'm putting them on today.

No explanations...just pictures.

Just let your mind wander!







Well, this one has to be explained! A group of us were sitting around the pool the last day when one of the Angels asked if anyone had a camera. She took it, got up, slowly walked a little bit, turned and took a picture. We all couldn't figure out what she was doing. When she sat back down we started passing the camera around. We one by one erupted in laughter! Poor guy!
But the most interesting part? The Angel that took the picture is legally blind! I have no idea how she saw this...but I'm sooo glad she did!

Don't I Have The Best Friends?

In my journey with TNT, LLS, and all things half marathon I have been amazed at the generosity of friends, family, and even strangers! I wanted to share with you some of the sweet comments that I've had on my blog.

*It was great to see the completion of a project. Great job!-vgsmom

*Great job girl! You must remember... how many women in America can say they have finished a half marathon. You are in a small percentage. This was your first one of many and you trained in some less than ideal conditions. I want to hear more much earned pride in your next post. You did it! By the way, thanks for sharing it with us. Keep up the training.
*I am praying you through. What an honorable thing to do. You are going to do great. I can't wait to here your story.
*I am so proud of what you have done.*-Debbie S.

*Oh Steph I have tears in my eyes reading this post and looking at the photos. Your writing comes straight from your heart. And yes I am on the edge of my seat waiting for your next installment. You have made many life long friends and helped raise much needed funding in finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. You are my hero Steph.
*This event must be a life changing event for you Steph. You as such an inspiration, all the ladies who participated are amazing women. You all deserve all the accolades that were bestowed upon you.
*There was never a doubt in my mind Steph that you would complete it. What an achievement. Mitch must have been smiling.
*What an amazing journey indeed Steph.-Peggy

*You really are an amazing group!-Becky

*What a bunch of smokin' hot mamas! What a fun thing to do for such a great cause!-Beth M

*Hope it went great! Congrats as I am sure you did great.
*Congrats! That is awesome and quite an accomplishment.-Coachdad

*I thinking and praying for you!!!-Kelly

*Congrats! Can't wait to see pictures!-Jean

Aren't they precious? Thanks to everyone who commented, prayed, or just thought of me! I'm amazed at my new and old friends!

Ice/Sleet/Freezing Rain Storm

It started Monday afternoon. Looking out the window I couldn't tell that anything had fallen. But then I drove on it...yes, it was ice.

By the time we woke up Tuesday it looked like this.

(Why is there always an orange extension cord in my backyard?)

Moving on.

I had to go see exactly what it was.

When I stepped outside it was falling.
It was piling up in my front flower beds.
It's not snow....it's...wish I knew. Little balls of ice?
It had been freezing rain at some time based on the layer of ice build up on my rose tree.
Since there was no school it was only a matter of time before the girls headed out to play.
Imagine their surprise when a frozen, dead bird fell out of the tree!
You know, that's probably still there...SHAWN!!

As we headed out of town Wednesday morning the roads were awful but we survived and made it to Tulsa.

As I was driving Reagan to Gogo's house I had to stop and take some pictures. Get ready...and I apologize if you have dial-up!
Look how much it had piled up on the grass!
Every blade!
Even the chain link fences had ice build up.
Once I wasn't driving in it I could recognize how beautiful it was.

But ONLY after I wasn't in my car!
Only in

Phoenix-Day 5

The adventure was coming to an end...it was time to leave Phoenix. I thought I'd enjoy my last free morning by sleeping in but as had been the case the whole trip, I woke up early.

Why does that happen on vacation but not when I'm home and have three hungry children waiting for me to wake up?

Go figure.

I slowly packed my bags and headed down to the lobby.

The majority of the Angels all live in the same town but there were some that were from out of state. Only one of the out-of-staters stayed the extra day. She took pictures with just about everyone before we headed to the airport. She is the mom of the Cute California/now Ohio Boys that spend some quality time in our pool every summer. Which makes my girls realllllly happy.

Since we had stayed the extra day we didn't have a ride available to get back to the airport. We could take taxis but with 17 of us, plus all the luggage girls need to travel with, it would have taken forever to get enough cabs. Katie (in the picture above) had flown in before the TNT buses were available and had ridden a bus that took her to the tram that dropped her a few blocks from the hotel. She convinced all but two Angels that we should go that way to the airport. I was of course convinced when I found out a taxi cost $20 and the tram $1.50.

Sign me up.

We had to look hilarious. 14 women, all dressed alike, all wearing medals around our necks, all pulling luggage, headed down the street. We got to the tram ticket kiosk and money started flying.

We finally all had a ticket and were waiting for the tram.

It finally came
and we loaded up and headed down the track.

At our stop we got could see the airport bus across the street. We all started waving at the driver to wait for us and luckily he did! I personally would have run away from a group like ours!

We of course had to take pictures as we were so proud of ourselves for our thrifty and adventurous trip.
We tipped the driver, there was no charge otherwise, and headed to check in.

After many hugs with Katie before she headed to a different terminal, we found ours and settled in.

I was still freaked out by flying but was calmed down by my friend Beth and started taking pictures.
Such a beautiful place! I would really like to go back some day and enjoy more of it. Oh, and not run 13.1 miles while I'm there.

The adventure was over. I was relieved and let-down at the same time.

But then I got to the airport and saw a really good looking guy and three beautiful girls waiting for me. I was even happier after the drove me to Braum's to get a burger and french fries and my first Diet Dr Pepper in almost 6 days.

It was good to be home!!