SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM TO FIND YOUR PEACE

Well, let’s see… where to start. Where to start! This past weekend, Rose and I headed to Houston to meet with my cousin (Ben)/architect on our house plans. I felt that things just were not progressing via fax and email, so the easiest way to get my house ideas on paper was a quick trip to Houston. As far as the purpose of the trip goes (the house planning) – It was a total success. We spent about 7-9 hours working on it. We moved columns, and roof lines, and sketched the front. I am getting very excited now as I can see this is really happening!!!!

On another note, I was also very excited to spend a weekend with Rose in Houston. I had researched all the things to do – the Zoo, the Aquarium, the Children’s Museum, the Splash Pads, and the Galleria Shopping mall. There was TONS to do – TONS to keep us moving and busy! I promised Rose we would see the new baby elephant, and ride the train thru the shark tank, and go up on the Ferris wheel. I had Big Plans for our Mother/Daughter weekend! Big Plans!

Rose and Otis

So… things started out wonderfully! We sat next to Otis Day (from Otis Day and the Knights) on the plane. That was cool! He was such a nice man! I honestly would not have recognized him except that he performed in Jackson the night before and was on the front page of the paper. The lady next to me on the plane had the paper – we put two and two together pretty quickly! Rose did amazing on the plane rides – both going and coming. She never once winced at the turbulence, take off, or landing. The only time she ever showed fear was leaving Houston to fly back home, we had to walk outside to get on the plane, and I put her down to attempt a picture in front of the HUGE PLANE and she was not letting go of her momma! She was definitely intrigued at the big plane, just not so sure she would venture off and smile for the camera!

We got to Houston, and I felt really good about our trip! I mean, things were going perfectly…. Right up until I was informed my driver’s license was expired and Thrifty refused to rent me a car. WHAT??? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!! So I attempted Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis… Apparently, that is policy – to only rent cars to persons with valid driver’s license! So this totally bombed my entire weekend plans….. “it’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok”… I’m telling myself… I’ll call a cab, they can take us to the zoo, Ill rent a locker and put all of our stuff in there… It will be fine…
Um…. Not even close to fine! We walked outside to the POURING DOWN RAIN! I’m not talking about a little drizzle or it may pass over – I’m talking – black skies, can’t see 5 feet in front of you kind of rain. At this point I told Rose the elephants had to go inside and didn’t like the rain and we couldn’t go see the elephants today…. Wowsiers….. I know she could care less about the elephants and she doesn’t know what I’m telling her, but I felt like a terrible mother who couldn’t keep her promises… So I decided to take the Taxi to Ben’s house and just hang out on his front porch until he is done with work to meet us. I think he really felt bad for us, and took the afternoon off work to come let us in. It turned out fine and we got a head start on the house planning anyway. Rose, my angel child, was as sweet as could be. She entertained herself and played, and watched Mickey – nothing ever seemed to bother her.

Saturday – the next day – we woke up, ate a Grand Breakfast at the coolest little café and got Ben to drop us off at the aquarium. Let me note that I did leave my luggage at his house but I am still toting Rose, the stroller, AND the car seat. The plan was for him to drop us off, and then Rachael to pick us up. The weather was beautiful. I bought the full day pass with unlimited amounts of rides. We were finally going to enjoy our day. Well, So much for my parental planning. 10% chance of Rain my behind!!! It POURED. AGAIN.  Out of nowhere!!! Rose and I hovered under an umbrella in the concession stand part – and the stroller. And you ask – why not go inside? There was no room in the small space which merely consisted of a few fish and a gift shop – the rest was outdoors – so needless to say, the Aquarium pretty much shut down. We were stranded in the rain. We waited it out for an hour and the skies were still black and it was still raining, so I called yet, another, cab. We went back to Ben’s and camped out until the weather cleared and Rachael picked us up. In the cab, Rose gently reached over and patted my knee, as if to say “its alright momma.” What a bust – and I have nobody to blame but myself for this stupid mistake of not getting my driver’s license renewed!!! Not that it would have changed the weather, but we would have at least had shelter!!!! I spent more on Taxi rides than I would have renting the car. I was unbelievably frustrated. Rose, on the other hand, was laid back about the entire ordeal. She was just glad to be with her momma. She loved on me, hugged me, gave me a million kisses, and never complained about being soaking wet with nowhere to go. At that moment I realized that my little Rose was the calm in my storm. Her little smile let me know that even in the middle of what felt like a hurricane, I was with the only thing that mattered. The rest of the trip seems a blur – a little shopping, some good food, a hot bath…. Everything turned out fine, just not how I had originally planned. I have now Re-Promised Rose for a fun day soon! I’ll have to come up with whatever “fun” we can do. I haven’t gotten that far yet. I’m still resting from this weekend. Rose was not any trouble – NONE. She was an angel. Its just all the stuff that goes with Rose that gets tiring – like the stroller, and the car seat, and the doll, and the passy, and the IPad, and the sippie cup, etc… the keeping up with half of it and carrying the other half. I’m just one tired momma, but I sure do love my Peaceful Child. What a blessing she was to travel as my carry-on!

Ben, Kristina, and Rose

Rose is not quite sure about that Parrot

Loving the Aquarium - before the bottom fell out of the skies and it got too crowded inside to enjoy

Playing Peep-eye with the girl sitting behind her

Waiting out Airport Delays

A LITTLE BIT OF FAMILY TIME

And OH HOW I LOVE FALL

Just a few pictures from the last few weekends. I know I have been MIA on the blog lately. We have just been on the move. Every weekend it is something... always something going on. Work has been crazy busy as well, so I haven't had as much free time to update the blog here and there. (If it hadn't been for a farmer canceling his crown this morning due to the lack of much planned for rain yesterday then you might not be getting this little post). Enjoy the pictures... Time is sure flying by with these little ones... I still cant get over how old they all look in the pictures (starting with Uncle Jeff.. ha ha - just teasing!)

UNDER QUARANTINE

IT WAS HORRIBLE....

Honestly, having the chicken pox at age 30 really wasn't that bad. However, being on house arrest was a very painful experience. I mean, who gets the chicken pox more than once... uh.. me.... I obviously had some immunity seeing as to how I barely ran fever, and I barely had a headache. The only symptoms I really had were a TERRIBLE rash that covered my entire body and weakness. I didn't have the energy to walk across the house much less chase Roo. I was under quarantine from last Wednesday afternoon through yesterday. I am back at work today, and I am so glad! Stay at home mom life is not for me. I love Rose more than anything in the world, but I am a better mother because I work. I think she was just as tired of being locked in that house for 5 straight days as I was. I mean there is only so many puzzles, coloring books, reading books, movies, strolls to the park, gymnastics, cheerleader poses, chasing darly, swinging on the front porch, cleaning up the house, repainting, etc... one person can do ... without absolutely losing their mind. We had to get out of that house. I was told about my 5th trip to the park that I was "not understanding the gravity of chicken pox in an adult, and I needed to go home." So much for the park - our only saving grace. I love my Fridays with Rose. We play all morning, and cook a late breakfast, and then we go... like shopping, or walmart, or Greenwood, or Jackson, or get our nails done, or go to the gym, or SOMETHING... ANYTHING... We do not stay home - so this was a learning curve for us. A curve we did not like might I add.

Cheering on the Bulldogs by our self ....
No football games for us this weekend ....

Even under quarantine she's still the cutest little cheerleader I have ever seen!



HAIL STATE!



 

By Sunday, Rose had enough of the house and she was letting me know. If I folded it, she unfolded it. If I swept it up, she dumped it out. She poured out water, and dumped dirt out of flower pots, and poured out the dog food, and threw all my glass teacup sets on the floor, and destroyed her room, and pooped on her bedroom floor, and spilt apple juice on the sofa, and dumped out a bag of cheese nips, and I mean.... never in my life.... has Rose been this way... never... and I was in no shape to chase her. I spent all day cleaning up her messes. She was fighting mad and so was I. She even stomped her foot and told Darly NO! I'm pretty sure we had our first mother/daughter fight yesterday. When I finally got her down for a nap I informed my granddad that something was going to have to give. I am healed... I am well... I have never manipulated anything so hard in my life... PLEASE LET ME OUT OF THIS HOUSE.....

I mean in my opinion, I have already exposed everyone from California to Mississippi.  I have treated the pox as an irritation to the water in SF, as the Bed Bugs, and then the chiggers....  I was 4 days into the rash before I was informed it was the chicken pox anyway... ugh....  



That park sure knows how to wear out a cheerleader... and a momma....

 Rose had the Chicken Pox Vaccination in May...  So we are all hoping with fingers crossed that she is immune...  I don't think I can handle another quarantine... and I don't think she can either.

Her daddy says MA-ROON is not her color... We are currently having a dispute on how to raise our daughter... :)

BRING ON THE WINE

SONOMA, NAPA VALLEY, AND SAN FRANCISCO

I definitely wasn't in Mississippi Anymore.....

Where do I start....  This might actually be my longest most detailed blog post to date.  There are so many stories, and so many ways to describe what I thought about San Francisco, Sonoma, and Napa Valley.  I guess I'll just start at the beginning.... 
Rachael got engaged after Christmas, and I immediately starting dreaming of the perfect get-a-way before she tied the knot.  Bachelorette parties seem so cliche when your 30.  I was in no mood to party and stay out until 3am at some sleezy bar wearing a bachelorette sash and forcing Rachael into a tiara with a fake veil draping down the back covered in manly parts... just not my idea of fun anymore.  And, I can assure you, it was not Rachael's either - so we opted for the "over 30, working moms with money, go big or go home"  route.  And, what better place to eat, drink, and be merry than the WINE COUNTRY ????  Every Single Person Was 100% game ...  so right then and there... the planning began.  We rented a house in Sonoma before February I think, our flights were booked long before summer, and as the saying goes... "that's all she wrote"
We definitely went all out!!!  From hot air balloon rides, to horseback riding, to renting our own private driver, to a 3 bedroom cottage with a jacuzzi and a game room, to a fully loaded Suburban, to not waking up before 10am (their time might I add - noon here in MS - except for the Balloon Ride day), and last but not least - to drinking wine all day long!  I mean, it could not have been a more perfect vacation!!!!

Sausalito

After arriving in San Francisco and meeting up with everyone at the airport - we were Sonoma bound!  We took the scenic route thru the city to view Presidio and get the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge.  A-MAZ-ING might I add.  To be honest, I just loved the Bay.  Sailboats were everywhere.  Alcatraz stood tall and firm in the distance.  The fog moved in and out as quickly as the tide can change.  Dragon Boats raced,  paddle boards are the new rave, and sea lions bopped up and down only letting you catch glimpses of their faces every now and then.  After we crossed the GGB out of SF we entered the most quaint "doll house" kind of town - Sausalito.  If I lived in San Fran this is where I'd want to be.  The weather was beautiful.  The people were so extremely nice.  The food was fantastic.  From what I hear this is definitely the nicer side to SF - where all the big people have houses - like Clint Eastwood and Robin Williams.  I can see that... Who would want to leave that view?  The bay on one side - the Pacific on the other....  ?  Nobody.  Nobody. Nobody. 



My view from my first California Dinner!



Hot Air Balloon:

By Far, my favorite adventure.  Hands down.  You could see the entire valley from the top.  At one point even the Pacific was visible!  Our pilot was very knowledgeable and I truly enjoyed every minute of our flight.  When else do you get to see the sunrise from the sky???  Feel the fog on your face, and watch as God unveils the vineyards and grapevines in them - row by row with the sun?  Absolutely Breathtaking. 

A view from the top at sunrise

The fog is moving out

Marijuana garden

The Wine Tours:

We rented JIM, the driver for the day.  He took us to 3 different wineries in Napa Valley.  Each one had it own charm and personality.  Each one was totally different.  Each one possessed a Pizzaz about it, that left you wanting to know more about them. 

Artessa: 

This one was more modern.  The views from the top were magnificent.  The front of the winery sat on top of one of the highest hills in Napa.  The entire front of the winery was covered in Infinity Pools that looked out over their vineyards.  At one spot the pools edge touched the view to the Pacific Ocean and it appeared the water went on forever - a sight I will never forget.

Wow! What a view!

Del Dotto:

This one was my FAVORITE!!!  If I ever get the chance to go back to Napa, this will be at the top of my list to go back to.  The winery itself was in the side of a mountain and the majority of it was all enclosed in caves - lit only by candlelight.  The lobby was made of marble and had paintings on the ceilings and walls.  At first the sight was screaming "Italian Catholic" to me, but the aire about the vineyard and its winery ended up being my top pick by a long shot!  The experience was indescribable.  The wine tastings here were done straight from the barrel in the caves.  It ended with food parings of different meats, cheeses, and pizza.  We also treated ourselves to Port wine with chocolate dessert.  I mean? Seriously??  Such a unique experience.     

I really hate that these are blurry ...  it was very hard to get a picture that captures the setting of the caves

The caves were only lit by candle-light - which really threw off the flash on my camera...  ugh..

Our wine tasting group

V. Sattui:

This one was more family oriented.  It was 4th generation grandson owned.  It had its own deli and an enormous food selection.  Picnic tables engrossed its own park and rest area.  The barrels here were enormous compared to the small barrels at Del Dotto.  I loved their Wine Cellars.  Its charm was relaxing and peaceful.  This was definitely the more casual of the three. 

A wine tasting room

cheese anyone???

With this much wine... you gotta have the right cheese ...

The Town of Sonoma:

The people were lovely.  I took an oath to only tell people it was horrible, the food was terrible, it was crowded and unclean.  I think it is just a tourist trap now and sometimes the people just want to relax in their quaint little town without all of the hustle and bustle.  But, contrary to what I promised to portray of the town - it was lovely.  I loved the village and the town square. 

The Amadora House (the house we rented) was covered in fruit trees.  We had fresh apples, oranges, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, table grapes, grapefruits, strawberries, limes, etc... every morning.  What a fun experience - to wake up and walk outside to pick your breakfast???



Dianne picking her apple of the day



Horseback Riding:

ha ha ha ha....  oh geez...  well I got thrown off...   not on purpose; however, I don't think anybody intentionally gets thrown off a horse.  What I mean, is that my horse did not intend to throw me off.  I think something was really wrong with my horse.  He kept tripping and falling down...  I informed our guide multiple times about the condition of my horse, merely to learn "that I was just an inexperienced rider and needed to sit back in my saddle more."  well...  I may not be experienced but I am also no idiot either.  I did have horses in my orchard when I was little.  I actually have ridden before - and although I'm not a horse expert by any means - I also know it is not normal for a horse to collapse on all four feet and fall down.  Its a horse for crying out loud.  The animal acted like he had narcolepsy or something.  I really felt bad for the poor thing.  Yes, I'm all bruised up, but that is nothing in comparison to how bad I feel for the horse.  Something is bad wrong with him.  I really thought he broke his legs and they were going to have to euthanize him right then and there and I would have to watch and I could not handle that....  The guide was like "no your horse is fine".... I'm sorry, did you not just see my horse lying on the ground????  The only thing that caught his fall was a giant redwood tree.  Oh well, that was its on adventure!  We rode all thought the Jack London state park.  I got to see a few Redwoods

Meeting Maxx - before I knew he had something wrong with him

Off to a great start .... yikes ...

Poor Maxx - I really did feel bad for him...

The Process:

We visited all kinds of different vineyards in Sonoma as well.  We even did a few wine tastings at some shops downtown.  I have learned so much about Wine and the process of making it.  I am no connoisseur by any means, but I at least know a few things now.  I have had lots of practice!!! :)



Step one - grow the grapes



Step two - make the wine

Step three - bottle the wine

Step four - Taste the wine

 

The City of San Francisco:

Busy Busy Busy....  I would not live there if you paid me to.  The houses are stacked one on top of the other - straight up a mountain.  Foundation problems I'm sure?  It makes our Delta Soil not look so bad after all.  Lots of Asian influence, which was not a bad thing, just much different that the Mexican influence we experience in the south.  I very rarely saw an obese person.  The food was much more healthy.  The people were nice, but I could not tell between tourist and citizens of the town - unless they too were snapping photographs like me.  It was very interesting, but not somewhere I would ever want to live or raise my kids.  It made me miss home.  It made me proud to build a house with land and a front yard.  I think I would get claustrophobic if I stayed there very long at one time.  I did witness a man get hit by a car and thrown into the air.  Rachael's brother had to give a police statement.  That was horrific.  I wont forget that either.

Alcatraz



Sea Lions enjoying some San Francisco Sunshine!



 

Wow what a trip!!!