The Calm Before Sandy

Before we get punched in the face by Sandy I thought I would share some pictures and fun times from last weekend. 

Here in the Northeast people are majorly obsessed with dying tree leaves, aka 'Fall Foliage'. So, we locked poor Miss Sophie Jean in her crate and jumped in Raymond the RAV to see these leaves in all their glory.

The first colors of orange were less than impressive.

 Oh wait, those are construction signs.

 We looped by Giants Stadium (MetLife) 

 

Then headed toward the G.W. Bridge area...

A little further North and we stopped at an awesome lookout point with pretty trees!

 And great views of NYC!

 GWB with Manhattan in the distance

 Mr. E checking out the views

 North of Manahttan

 A little closer view of Manhattan

 Only 25 cents!

I think that these things are cool, not sure why.

 Checkin out the view myself. Photo taken by Mr. E

One last look before heading on our way

 Driving on Palisades Interstate Parkway

 Stopping at our 2nd lookout park

 Red/Orange trees

 I have an affinity for old slightly rusty signs

 The rocky cliffs on the Palisades!

 Continuing on a little further North

 We made it all the way to New York State!

And then it was too dark to take any more pictures.

Overall, the leaves are nice to look at and I will probably go again, but I hear that since the Summer was really warm the leaves were not up to their normal amount of amazing. 

We are prepared for Sandy. Candles, flashlights, battery operated radio, and massive amounts of Ramen noodles have been purchased. Thanks for all the emails, facebook posts, text messages and prayers for our safety. 

We have a land line that will be used to keep our family informed, if you need the number let me know. I think that we are in an area that will weather the storm well...just hope we keep all of our windows and our cars aren't damaged! 

 

Homeland

Wednesday

I arrived at the Tulsa 'International' Airport Wednesday evening and was greeted by two pretty smiling faces! My parents went the extra mile to meet me inside! How special am I?



I am one happy Okie!



We hugged and such while we waited for my bag. When it arrived on the belt, upside down, I played the Dad card for some help...he nearly fell and/or lost an arm, but my luggage was properly retrieved.

The short drive home was overwhelmed with orange barrels, cones, and detour signs. Seriously?! What's up Tulsa?!

On the way through Catoosa we had to make a special stop -

Yes, at 10:45pm I ordered a delicious Number 6 (Beef Mucho Nachos, Taco, and Diet Coke) and I ate every single yummy bite.

Thursday

I was able to sleep in a bit while my parents went to work. After a few errands I met up with my Mom, Dad, and Shalise for lunch. I just realized that we didn't get a picture *vacation fail*. Shalise had just finished a Chemo treatment and apparently you can get 'chemo brain', this is new to me! Either way it made for an interesting lunch at Dex's Mexican Grill. Yes, I had Mexican food twice within an 18 hour period. I have no shame.

Mama and I quickly did some shopping before I headed off for a manicure and dinner with Chandra! Again, no photo...what is with me?! It was so nice to get caught up in person, so much better than facebook, text, and phone! Chandra - can't wait to see you, Ryan, and Caden in December ... I assume that Caden will probably be taller than me by then, too.

Next on the agenda was tailgating and the TU game! Ran into a few friendly faces here and there and had a special visit from Mrs. Melissa (McLean) Peterson!



Family of TU fans!

UTEP 11 - Tulsa 33!!! GO CANE!

Friday
Dad and I got up for a morning, slightly rainy, slow run ... our last before the big race!

I took a long drive on the Creek Turnpike to meet up with my lovely massage therapist. Darlene is easily one of the sweetest people on earth and I've missed seeing her on a regular basis. Just like most everything on this trip the time seemed to fly by, but I'm so glad we were able to catch up! Tulsa Friends - If you're in need of a quality LMT let me know!

I spent Friday afternoon at TU borrowing Mama's computer to keep up with my job, a few short hours later I said my goodbyes to the lovely ladies of HR. Miss you all! I appreciate all the prayers and well wishes!!

That evening we went to dinner at one of my favorites, the location of my first job ever! MOLLY'S! We had a wonderful evening catching up with Linda and Russ, eating a perfectly cooked steak, and even doing a little bit of shopping.

Brother and I headed downtown for a few drinks and his roomie Nate joined us. Yep, that's right I hit the town with two guys named Nate...sounds like a great TV show. Beers for me, manly drinks for brother, and girly drinks for Nate...all made for a fine evening!




I enjoy anything served in a Copper Mug

Saturday

Early in the AM we headed to Kansas to see two of the four people I would nominate for the greatest Grandparents of all time. (hint: the other two art my late grandparents, I'm just that lucky)

Emma was our navigator

I walked in the door to smiling faces and big big hugs!

I never get tired of these hugs

 Oh - and a special treat :)



mmmm.....

Rockey Mountain Oyster Sammich! Yep, judge if you must.

We ate our food, chatted for a while and then Dad and I loaded up to make the journey from Fredonia to Wichita.

Rural Kansas

Sweet artwork in near Derby, Kansas

We arrived, picked up our packets, and had some dinner with our Cousin Jerry. I recently signed up for Ancestry.com and I may or may not be completely sucked into it. So, we spent the majority of the evening reviewing family information and adding it to our growing tree! So interesting!!

We were able to get bed fairly early in prepration of our run.


Sunday

We ran many miles in preperation, picked our clothes carefully, and tied our shoelaces just right...and then someone drank too much coffee and we nearly missed the race! Note to self - lines for the bathroom will never be longer than they are prior to a long distance run.

We crossed the starting line with 30 second to spare an dour 13.1 mile journey had begun! Our pace was solid through the first few miles and only slowed slightly when we hit a couple of hills. We walked a few water stations and somewhere near mile 8 my toe thought it would be great time to cramp up, we walked a bit and then pushed through the pain!

I have to say that mile 9 and mile 12 were probably the most difficult, but we finished! WHOOP!

WE DID IT!

We celebrated with a drive back to Fredonia and they were so proud of us that they endured our stink for a hug!

Runners with Grandpa - look! no shirt!

 

Runners with Grandma!

Then I got a big plate of these...okay...I had two.

hello yummy.

Thanks Grandma for making my tummy happy! I had dreamed of biscuits and gravy for MONTHS!

We said our goodbyes and headed to my Dad's hometown, Neodesha, to catch up with our cousins ... yes, I have a TON of cousins!

Emma enjoyed the ride

On our way out of town we stopped by my Granpa's old shop - Dad painted that many many years ago!

Marrs name still holding strong!

And we were on our way back to Oklahoma!!

Tulsa in the distance!

My favorite skyline

Hello Boston Avenue!

We visited Brother's house before heading back to Verdigris...

Sister and Brother



Me, Mom, Emma, Nate



Me, Dad, Emma, Nate

And then it was over, another trip to Taco Bueno, bed and the airport.

Counting the days until I can step onto that beautiful red dirt.

On a side note - I'm full on sucked into Homeland, watch it.





I'm Goin ... Home.

That's right. I'm goin' home, at least for a little bit.

I know I know...I've lived in Jersey for almost a year now, but I honestly think that Oklahoma will always feel like home.

That isn't just because it's basically in the name, but because it's so much a part of me.

A number of years ago we took my Grandma to Maryland. As we walked down the road to the house where she was born she said, "It's been so many years since I left, but it still feels like home." Now, that's been a long time ago so don't literally quote me on it, but I totally understand what she was saying. It's backwards for her, she left Maryland for Kansas...I left Oklahoma for Jersey. 

So, in about 24 hours I'll board a plane and when I land I'll be in a place where biscuits come with too much gravy, ya'll is a proper noun, and someones heart is always being blessed.

Believe it - if you have never been you're missing out.

The Great Disappointment and Other Thoughts

Things have actually slowed down over the past couple of weeks.

We have mostly been working and running. I have to be prepared for the half marathon! So, we have been doing 3 runs a week of 3 to 4 miles and a long run on the weekend. 7 and 8 miles over he past two weeks. This weekend I'll do another long run and then take it easy in the last few days before the race. You ready for this DAD?!


Let's see - since I last wrote we have found a church! YAY! Maybe this isn't an important subject to some people, but we have been trying to find a church home for a number of months. Grace Episcopal Church in Rutherford, NJ is the place to be y'all!

Fun Fact - After we decided to visit this church we learned that my husband's Uncle Bob was married there! And he was the ring barrier! cray!

And now - for the Great Disappointment of 2012

After our first visit to Grace Church my stomach was screaming for some biscuits and gravy, loudly. We opted to try the local IHOP to see if they could accomodate a rather Southern request. This is what I recieved...

I had to request more gravy three times before I could eat these tiny things. All in all it just made me miss Grandma's homemade version at least 300 times more than I was already. Fire up the skillet Grandma! I'll be there in 9 days!!!

We have also located a Cracker Barrel just a short 35 miles away should the craving for biscuits and gravy hit again ... or I feel the need to purchase mountains of candy and a candle.

Happy October!