Sleepin' Sexxxy

I met with Dr. I today to discuss the results of my last sleep study. He said my daytime sleepiness is caused by sleep apnea, pure and simple. No narcolepsy, just obstructive sleep apnea. When I had the nose mask on a low airflow (6) I had about 10 disturbances per hour with snoring. When I had a full face mask on medium airflow (9) I had only 2 disturbances over several hours with no snoring. He said if I stick with this mask with a chinstrap, I should have marked improvement in a few weeks. So now I get to put on this lovely mask along with my bedtime attire. Sexy, eh?

Return to me

Taylor has been in Montreal for the last few days, due to some administrative red tape his airline threw at him. Since we've been in Atlanta, his flight schedule has been pretty sparse, and I've gotten used to him being around all the time. He finally returns home this afternoon, only to be thrown into another trip tomorrow. He'll be home about 14 hours, 5-7 of which weI'll be asleep. I know I've got it great compared to some other pilot wives/gfs...those whose men regularly are gone on long-hauls. I guess that's one of the perks of the regionals. All I know is I've really missed him, am sick of only talking to him on Skype, and can't wait for him to come home so I can attack him with kisses.

Please forgive the post spamming

I know that I'm getting fairly close to 500 lifetime blog posts. All of my stuff from 2004-2005 was published from Livejournal and Myspace, and I stuck them in lumps of posts. Feel free to peruse, or to ignore my old stuff...I just want a more accurate record. 500 will be big!

(ps Maybe your Google Reader didn't get spammed after all. Mine didn't. After fixing the formatting and reposting, I went from 427 posts to 481. Look for a mid-April 500th post)

Two Urban Licks

Tonight was my monthly Girls Night Out with some of my friends. This month's dinner was at a yummy place called Two Urban Licks.

When you arrive at the restaurant, you think you're at the wrong place. You valet park on a loading dock after driving through a very sketchy back alley parking lot.

Once you drop off your car, you see the TWO sign to know you're in the right place

This was a pretty great place to eat. The ambiance was great, and our server was very good. The restaurant was pretty noisy (dozens and dozens of people chatting plus a live band). We shared bites (two urban licks?) of our food with each other. I shared my dish with Sarah: shrimp, andouille sausage, okra, potatoes, corn, and citrus in a delicious broth with a side of ciabatta bread. Desert was a brownie banana split. The restaurant was a little pricier than I usually go for, but I think its definitely worth a try.

I Blew It!

Today started out with the best of intentions. I had my favorite meal replacement bar (Oh Yeah Creamy Vanilla and Caramel) for breakfast, then worked out. Then I went to the pharmacy to pick up Rosie's medicine, and as I waited for it to be filled I was smack dab in front of the Easter candy section. I couldn't resist. I got Peeps, Cadbury creme eggs, and Russell Stover Strawberry creme eggs. Then as we were shopping later, a grilled cheese sandwich was calling my name. I indulged. And we stopped at the German bakery so Rosie could get a cookie...and I got one too. Tonight I'm eating at Two Urban Licks for my girls night out. I guess if I'm going to blow it today, I might as well blow it in style and get dessert too.

Parental Pics

When I went to SLC back in Jaunary, my family took this picture together. We haven't had a family picture of the 6 of us in years...and my dad just emailed me a bunch of recent pics. My mom has been telling me on the phone how much weight she's lost...but I didn't realize she'd look so different!

This picture of my dad makes me laugh...because he's SO not a beard man!

And here's my mom. Can you believe how much different she looks in just the last two months?

My mom has dealt with chronic pain which has left her bedridden for much of the last decade. Lately, she has recently been feeling healthy and strong, and I'm so proud of the efforts she's making to live her life and be happy!

What do you think?

10 Years Ago

Much of my blog is based around my dear husband Taylor. Sometimes I mention him ad nauseum. He's honestly the best thing to ever happen to me. But did you know I had a life before Taylor? Did you know that in my first semester at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, I met a boy, fell in love, and became Mrs. Perry? It's true, and it happened on March 26, 1999 - 10 years ago today.

This is me in December 1998. My first semester of college. I was a humanities major at Ricks College. I attended on a merit scholarship, involved myself in drama and French club, was involved with Lambda Delta Sigma sorority, attended dances often, went to the devotionals, played in the Rickstix drum line and loved college life. I was the alto section leader in the Ricks College Choir.

I recall my time at Ricks College with great fondness...for unforgettable memories and dear friends.

How did we meet? At a choir retreat at the Teton Lodge, I started flirting with a boy named Steve. He had caught my eye a time or two in choir (always late to class, but dressed sharp) We cheated to be on the same team for activities, and on the van ride home from the lodge he held my hand. We went to a dance on campus that night...and afterwards a snow wrestling match turned into our first kiss. This picture is from the night of the Cabaret dance where we said our first "I love you's."

Three weeks after we met, he came home to Salt Lake with me to meet my family. Christmas Eve, he proposed to me. We excitedly planned our wedding in the Salt Lake Temple for March 26, 1999.
We were married until 2003, when we divorced for a variety of reasons. Out of respect to him, I will not go in to those reasons for our separation. We had some good times, we had some great time, but we also had many horrible times.

Some may call my speedy courtship and marriage a mistake. Some may call it a "starter marriage." My time with him is part of who I am today. I became an adult much more quickly than I had intended, but I have loved the roles as a wife and mother that I have assumed. As I looked through the boxes in my home in Georgia, I could only find these few pictures from this period in my life. My old wedding pictures are stored deep away in California, and it really feels like a chapter of my life I no longer need to dwell on . I will always be grateful to him for bringing Rosie into the world.

Queen Shellie

Everyone likes to think that their high school was the best. I'm pretty sure mine was...because Murray High School students were awesome enough my senior year to nominate Shellie, a wonderful girl with down syndrome, as our homecoming queen. Almost 12 years later, she is being honored again ...check out her story here.

CCCC March Madness Current Standings

For those participating in my CCCC March Madness contest, here are the current comment standings as of 1:00 pm EST. We're into the sweet sixteen!

Quixotic Healer 7

Lia 7

Lori 6

Kemi 4

Laree 3

Devri 3

Misty 3

Erin 2

Tripacerchick 2

(Those with one comment: Janelle, KC Mom, M-Jed, Elsja, Jennifer V, Hizzeather, Liberal Mormon, PartnerOfAPilot)

The Medical Profession Speaks out on the Financial Bail-Out Package

The Medical Profession Speaks out on the Financial Bail-Out Package

The allergists voted to scratch it,
and the dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
The gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it,
but the neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve,
and the obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.
The ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted;
the pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!"
while the pediatricians said, 'Oh, Grow up!'
The psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness,
the radiologists could see right through it,
and the surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
The internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow,
and the plastic surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."
The podiatrists thought it was a step forward,
but the urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.
The anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas;
and the cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
In the end, the proctologists left the decision up to the a__holes in Washington.

(Snagged here)

Indiana with Julie

Last week I talked about how I really wanted to get out of town for the weekend. I had hoped for Orlando, but it wasn't in the cards for the weekend. LAX, SLC, CVG, DTW, PDX and other locations I typically visit were booked solid. I put out a message on Pilot Wives Club to see if anyone wanted to get together for the weekend. Julie in Indiana was more than happy to have me visit while her husband was on a weekend trip. We had a phone number miscommunique Friday night, but we talked on the phone for an hour and decided that I should try to fly out Saturday morning on the first flight.
Julie picked me up from SBN around noon on Saturday. First we went to Michigan City, IN to the Lighthouse Factory Stores. I scored some cute yoga pants at the Old Navy Outlet, and a little hunk of maple fudge from the dessert shop. Next we went to Mt. Baldy and the beach of Lake Michigan.
We had to climb the crest of Mt. Baldy around through some sand dunes to finally see the lake. When we made it to the top, the view was beautiful!

Here's me above the beach!

Julie and I took a few pictures, but I think the better ones are on her camera. I kept having issues with my zoom, and ended up with a bunch of closeups.

Two adventurous pilot wives = Fun!

Mount Baldy is actually a big sand dune next to the lake. It was deceptively further to the beach than we anticipated. Luckily, we got a lot of excercise in the process, and proceded to blow our efforts at a little pub in town.

We had to do a lot of driving on rural roads. Here is Fail Road. Awesome.

Our next stop was back in South Bend at the Notre Dame campus. I decided I'm an absolute college campus junkie. I love the vibrant spirit of the students, the mix of historical and modern achitecture, the abundant walkways, and the beautiful cathedrals.

This was my favorite shot on campus.

We ran into Bagpipe Band practice, and listened for a few minutes.

Jesus statue

"Touchdown Jesus"

After Notre Dame, we saw "Revolutionary Road" at the dollar theater. On the way back to her home, I saw a DEL TACO and made her practically swerve across lanes to be able to turn right to get to it. I got my two 99-cent chicken soft tacos that I've been craving for months. When we got back to her house, we logged into the Pilot Wives Club chat for an hour or so. We tried to start a movie, but both of us were dozing within 15 minutes. And because my flight departed at 5:50, and we had to be up at 4:00...we tucked in at 12:30. What a weekend!

Please pass the Benadryl

Allergy season is here...and I'm broken out in hives. At least the dogwood trees that are in bloom are beautiful. After five years of allergy shots in Utah, I'm a little disappointed that it's already so bad for me. I am told that Atlanta will shortly have a green layer of pollen all over everything. Joy.

Like a Sun with Perfect Light

This morning on my way back from South Bend, I decided to listen to a little Mormon Tabernacle Choir to get into the Sunday spirit. The flight departed at 5:50 am, and the I watched out the window for a good part of the flight. The sunlight was peaking over the horizon and looked spectacular.

I was listening to Mo-Tab's "Love is Spoken Here" album, and was lulled into a drowse. The familiar strains of Hymn 113, "Our Savior's Love" began, and the my eyelids felt ablaze. I looked out the window as the words "Our Savior's love shines like a sun with perfect light:" sounded, and the sun rose above the horizon. It was the most beautiful sunrises I've seen in a long time. I immediately was embraced by a feeling of peace and love. I knew that it was a direct manifestation of my Jesus Christ's love for me. I've been struggling with a variety of trials that has been affecting my happiness greatly. In that moment I felt that all was alright with the universe. His love shines like a sun with perfect light.

Our Savior's love shines like a sun with perfect light
As from above, it breaks through clouds of strife
Lighting our way, it leads us back into his sight
Where we may stay to share eternal life

The Spirit's voice of goodness whispers to our hearts
A better choice than evil's anguished cries
Loud may the sound of hope ring till all doubt departs
And we are bound to him by loving ties

Our Father, God of all creation hear us pray
In rev'rence awed by thy Son's sacrifice
Praises we sing, we love thy law we will obey
Our Heav'nly King, in thee our hearts rejoice

Airplane/Economy Metaphor

Taylor just forwarded this link to me:

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Even though he was almost a member of the new Obama administration, New Hampshire Republican Judd Gregg Sunday slammed President Obama’s approach to handling the country’s fiscal outlook.

“The practical implications of this is bankruptcy for the United States,” Gregg said of the Obama’s administration’s recently released budget blueprint. “There’s no other way around it. If we maintain the proposals that are in this budget over the ten-year period that this budget covers, this country will go bankrupt. People will not buy our debt, our dollar will become devalued. It is a very severe situation.”

Gregg, known as one of the keenest fiscal minds on Capitol Hill, also told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King that he thought it was “almost unconscionable” for the White House to continue with its planned course on fiscal matters with unprecedented actual and projected budget deficits in the coming years.

“It is as if you were flying an airplane and the gas light came on and it said ‘you 15 minutes of gas left’ and the pilot said ‘we’re not going to worry about that, we’re going to fly for another two hours.’ Well, the plane crashes and our country will crash and we’ll pass on to our kids a country that’s not affordable.”

Thoughts?

NKOTB concert photo megapost

Mariesa and Rosie with the banner

We roadtripped to Greenville, SC from Atlanta...all for the love of Jon, Jordan, Joe, Danny, and Donnie. It was fun to share it with my daughter, but just as fun to share it with someone who remembered NKOTB back in the day.

The opening scene

"Baby when you're single, single...."

Mariesa and Rosie

The band did a set toward the back of the arena right by us. We held our banner high, and got a wave from Jon! Unfortunately, the lady in front of us compained to the usher, and we were asked to put it down.

Raising the hydraulics

Pianotop dance contest

Mother Daughter Concert Love

Shirtless Jordan singing "Baby I Believe in You"

I'll Be Loving You Forever

Click Click Click

At the end of Click Click Click, they took this awesome still shot, which they laughed and joked about for about 5 minute. The Knight brothers are on the left.

Summertime

"It's been a few years and I can't deny...the thought of you still makes me crazy"

Step by Step

"Step 5 - Don't you know that the time has arrived....HUHH"

Awesome logo during Hangin' Tough

A view of our location without any zoom

Finale

Encore!