Leaving on a Jet Plane and a Weekend Recap

Well, this weekend was a great one. The past few weekends Scott and I have really gotten spoiled with just being able to spend lots of time together and relax. To say it has been nice is an understatement.

Friday night we shopped (I am looking for the perfect flats and have come up empty handed-boo). Then we came home, popped in a California Pizza Kitchen pizza and watched basketball. Last year, I did a bracket with the men on Scott's side of the family. I am not trying to brag, but I basically dominated. This year, we decided to extend it to the men on my side of the family. Basically our brackets are all messed up due to the crazy wins (Need I say more?). Anyway, despite a few missteps and the fact that I did not win a billion dollars, I have been holding my own in a bracket group full of men. I currently stand in second place, however, if Florida takes it all, I think I will too. Basically, every time one of my teams win, I just look at Scott and say, "And boom goes the dynamite." We'll call it my way of rubbing it in...

Saturday Scott went to fulfill his civic duty of block walking to Keep Texas Red. I was supposed to go with him, but I begged my way out of it and in turn, paid my civic duty to the economy and went shopping. (remember said quest for the perfect flat? Nordstroms, Dillards, and all other 50 stores I tried turned up short as well, and now I am depressed). Anyway, we met up that afternoon back at the house for lunch and just hung out until church. Yes, that's right, you heard it, church on a SATURDAY!!!!

Our church is in the process of building a new building, but in the meantime, there is a shortage of parking and seating on Sunday morning. So, we decided to do our civic duty and attend and serve on Saturday night. (Did I mention Scott is a greeter? He pretty much rocks at it). Anyway, at first, Saturday night was difficult for two people who grew up going to church on Sunday, but it took all of two weeks where we got to sleep in on Sunday and we are LOVING it. Saturdays have become so busy these days with Scott's events, weddings, baby showers, etc. that Saturdays pretty much seem like an extension of the week. However, now that we attend church on Saturday night, that frees up SO much time on Sunday. And we get to treat it like an actual Sabbath. It is heavenly. If you are looking for a church in the Keller area, come visit Milestone! And if you come on Saturday night, you just might be greeted by a super friendly face!

So, what did we do today on our Sabbath? Well, we stopped by Subway and headed to the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth. It was a BEAUTIFUL day. We had a picnic, played some Rummikub and then walked around for a bit. It was the perfect little afternoon date. So much fun. We are really looking forward to summertime and concerts in the garden. Can't wait! :)

This leads to the last point of this blog: tomorrow I'm leaving on a jet plane. Isn't there a song about that? I think the words go something like, "I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again…" Those are my sentiments exactly! And here's why. Ever since I started this job, I started traveling quite a bit, sometimes as much as 1-2 weeks out of a month. Ever since then, my travel anxiety has gotten exponentially worse. As in I didn't have it before and now I do. You see, before, I loved traveling because it was a relatively rare occasion. There was something exciting, fresh, and adventurous about it. For the most part, the newness has worn off. However, I suppose the "adventure" aspect of it has not. And by that, I mean going through security is an adventure in and of itself. That combined with the alerts every ten seconds warning us what color the terror alert is on and "please do not leave bags unattended." One time recently, as I was going through security, the security lady YELLED (I mean yelled) at the top of her lungs, "Everybody get down!" I literally almost died of a heart attack right there. And thought a gunman had come in to take my life. Basically, I had a quick come to Jesus meeting right there on the airport security floor. (the cleanliness of my soul was much more important at that point than the uncleanliness of that sick airport floor). After a solid two hours (okay maybe ten seconds) she relayed that it was simply a drill. SERIOUSLY!?!?! Are you smoking crack??? Is this April fools??? Could you not yell, "This is a drill!" first???? I mean seriously. We already have alerts every ten seconds warning us of how dangerous things are and you make us basically get undressed and step into an x-ray machine where we are exposed to all kinds of radiation. I know it's for our safety. I get it. And I agree. But for the love of any little bit of sanity and peace we have left in traveling, just let us know it's a drill! And I am pretty sure that was the day my travel anxiety started…and I fear it isn't going anywhere soon…..

As if the security shenanigans don't create enough anxiety, there is the whole actually getting on a plane and going 35,000 feet into the air part. With the increased travel frequency, I feel as though my chances of being on a highjacked or malfunctioning plane has gone up, hence the (slightly irrational) anxiety. It was even so bad at one point that I literally leaned across the counter, told the ticket lady that the bag (and perhaps the man) that was in front of me was suspicious (I mean he had a black duffle bag and the guy wouldn't hold his bag. He shuffled it with his feet as if he wanted to keep some distance from it, so clearly there was some sort of shenanigan going on there) (I should also mention this was the day after the Boston bombing, which already had my antennas WAY up and didn't those guys have a black duffle bag of some sort???). Anyway, the lady assured me that it goes through three stages of security and screening once it gets checked and that it was all going to be okay. And then I am pretty sure she flagged my ticket with "crazy lady coming through-BEWARE!" Needless to say, as of late, flying+Amy=lots of stress and crazy stories. I really wish I could say here that I'm exaggerating to make a good story better, but I'm afraid its all true (and I didn't even tell the worst stories mostly due to lack of time, space, and political correctness). Yup, it's that bad…..

Anyway, I have not had to travel since November. So, things have been pretty calm. Until Malaysian Flight 370. Kill me now. I cannot even handle this. 9-11, heightened security, drills, unattended bags, and the color wheel of safety was bad enough, but now a huge jet 777 has disappeared into nothingness never to be found again?!?!? How do you lose something that big!?!? I don't even understand. So now, not only do my flight thoughts go places they shouldn't regarding terrorism and malfunctioning wings and the pilot forgetting to put down the wheels (did I mention irrational anxiety and perhaps too much Fox News), I now have to worry that my flight might literally disappear off the radar never to be seen again. And needless to say, I am beside myself. Can't even handle this. I am going to need some serious Xanax tomorrow. Or sedatives. Or something. Anything. Anybody? Okay, maybe it's just me…..

So, tomorrow I will leave on a jet plane. I am supposed to be back Friday, but if I don't, please know that the song "Oceans" has been playing on repeat on my iTunes. It is my happy place. So, if the plane does disappear into nothingness, you all know what I was listening to when I disappeared or went down or whatever happened….and that song just took on a whole new meaning….

Okay, that's enough shenanigans for today. I hope everyone has a great week.

I'm leaving on a jet plane……..and I WILL be back Friday…….

Until next time, be blessed…..

Happy Spring and Some Random Things I'm Diggin…..

Greetings to all. All my teacher friends are on spring break. And since spring break was SO much more fun when I was in school, I had to do something to bring some spring cheer! Below are a few things that I have been totally digging (aka: obsessed) with lately. And even though I may not have much of a break around here, I am SO glad it is finally starting to feel like SPRING!

1) THIS SONG is ROCKIN ME. Every.single.time. He's never failed and He won't stop now…..

2) THIS TALK. And then THIS TALK. My husband has recently become obsessed with Ted Talks. And by obsessed, I mean he listens to one nearly every night before bed. Clearly, I am probably behind the curveball on this one, but a friend told me about Brene Brown's talks. So naturally, I went home and listened to them before bed. Because apparently that's when you listen to Ted Talks. These were both short talks that I found so interesting. I am looking forward to finding some more talks on Brene. It is almost like free therapy from my computer screen. Side note: apologies in advance for any language.

3) THIS SITE. Okay, so I have a slight obsession with Pick Your Plum. In fact, I am borderline needing an intervention. But those deals that occur on a daily basis are just too hard to pass up! All you do is sign up for the daily emails and you will get two deals sent to your inbox daily. Enjoy, but beware-it is slightly addicting! 

4) THIS BOOK, Oh this book….I ordered this book online because I COULDN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE IN STOCK IN STORES!!! Like not a single copy at not a single store for many, many weeks. I got so fed up, I finally sucked it up, paid for shipping, and ordered it online. (for those of you thinking I am behind the times and need to get on the Kindle bandwagon and have it delivered to my iPad, I am and I do…but sometimes I just can't knock the desire for an actual book in my hands-this was one of those moments and it was out of stock...). Anyway, now, I know why it was out of stock EVERYWHERE (did I mention it was out of stock?). I digress….I started this book as soon as I got it and have not wanted to put it down since. I was reading it last night on the couch while Scott was sitting next to me doing some work, and I literally was laughing out loud-at one point I was in tears I was laughing so hard. Scott asked what was up and so I then had to read it out loud to him. HYSTERICAL. I totally relate with SO many of her hilarious stories. This is a must read. The author's blog is pretty great too. Go buy it. Then read it. And prepare to laugh your head off. 

5) THIS BLOG. I cannot get enough of this blog. This is Sean's (The Bachelor) sister, Shay, and I have fallen in love with her! Like I want to be her friend. Her faith, her fashion (totally went out and got myself a military jacket…), and her food (spicy spinach artichoke dip to die for). I love it all. I could go on for days, but I'll stop there. Become a follower and a fan. You will look better from all her great fashion advice and feel better from all her tasty (and SUPER simple I might add) recipes. 

Until next time…be blessed and Happy Spring (Break)!!!!