Save Second Base

A couple of photos from my "hard day" at work yesterday. Spreading REI cheer at the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Snowshoe Series.

The weather forecast for Saturday was 29 degrees and snowing. Hmm....

Homeland Tour, Stop #4

Scribner/Wayne, NE

Feb. 16th-18th

Last, but not least, our final stop was Wayne. On Tuesday night, we made a pit stop at the family farm in Scribner on the way to celebrate some very important birthdays-- my mom turned 60 on Jan. 21st, her dad turned 90 on Jan. 28th and I turned 30 on Feb. 15th.

My aunt Becky cooked up a great meal for us and Kevin even drove in from Lincoln. This might not seem like a major feat, but Nebraska has seen so much snow and wind lately that some of the highways between Omaha and Wayne were still one-way in parts because of huge drifts. Crazy.

The biggest surprise of the whole trip? My dad actually got our snowmobile running. Our 35 year-old, been wrecked by Craig, snowmobile. We had an awesome time tearing it up with my dad.

We also got to see Karen and Tony and Adam and Natalie. When we go home to Nebraska, I get my money's worth.

The Homeland Tour was a great success. I'll admit, it was A LOT of traveling-- six flights and around 14 hours in the car-- but it was just what we needed. We love Portland and all, but when we go home, to both of our homes, we feel right in place like we never left. Homeland, we heart you.

Homeland Tour, Stop #3

Omaha, NE

Feb. 15th-16th

There is a peculiar phenomenon that happens to Wayne High School students. For some reason, and I can't really put my finger on it, we all stay incredibly close with our high school friends. Not just one or two, but all of them. It's fantastic. And, it's what makes Omaha so dang fun to visit. Well, that and the fact that my college friends live there too. You might say it's an all-in-one package. I say that it's just what this newly crowned 30 year-old needed.

Dinner with my best girls and their husbands.

If I'm going to be brutally honest, I was having a pretty difficult time with the whole "30" thing. I suddenly become acutely aware of the march of time. Yeah, yeah, I may be getting older, but everyone else is too. And that is what I am having a hard time with.

Luckily, if one was going to be "down" about anything, the best place to be is in the company of good friends. We met Liz, Tom and adorable Abigail for lunch and then while B spent the afternoon with Tom introducing Abbie to the wonders of Scheels Sporting Goods, I hung out with Mindy and adorable baby Hudson. Then, we all reconvened for dinner and plenty of wine. I ended the first day of my 30th year listening to my friends laugh, tell stories, tease each other and hug. Time may be marching on, but we're all in it together.

Abbie up to no good wandering around Liz's classroom.

Lisa shows off adorable baby Skyler.

Adorable baby Hudson.

Homeland Tour, Stop #2

Tomball, TX

Feb. 11th-14th

Stop #2 on our tour was to visit B's mom Flora and her husband Mark in Tomball, northwest of Houston. B's aunt Linda drove in for the weekend from Dallas with her dog DJ and when we added in Flora and Mark's pups, Randy and Tippy, we had quite the full house.

We did even more relaxing in Houston as the gosh darn thermometer just wasn't working in our favor. The last time we were in Houston? We drove down to Galveston to walk along the sunny, sandy beach. This time, we opted for a much different excursion and headed west to Brenham to meet Mark's niece, Teddy. After lunch, we spent the afternoon strolling about the antique stores, one of our favorite activities. What is it with us and old stuff?

Saturday was more of the same as Flora, B and I scampered about in Houston, strolling through shops, hunting down some tennis rackets and soaking up the sun that finally decided to show its face. We then retired back to the house for a grilled shrimp feast and some rousing games of Wii Tennis. And, if you thought B was obsessed with "real" tennis...

Out and about in Houston.

B and Mark peel a couple of pounds of shrimp. They were promptly wrapped in bacon and devoured.

Randy watches the Wii tennis match with great interest.

We flew out for Omaha on Sunday night, but not without some "real" tennis and a long walk with the dogs. Thanks Flora and Mark, we had such a great time!

Homeland Tour, Stop #1

Murchison, TX.

Feb. 9th-11th

The first stop on our mid-winter Homeland Tour was to see B's dad and his family in Murchison. We drove up from Houston and were greeted with temps in the 30's. The 30's! We bundled up and headed out to the farmhouse to visit Sonny and Granny.

We spent our two days in Murchison chatting, cooking, taking walks, watching the birds, keeping the fire going and more than anything, relaxing. Sonny catches B up on all the family goings-on and Granny oh-so-gently mentions how many people are having babies. (hint, hint.)

Here, B shows Granny some of his handiwork from our trip to the Redwoods.

I also got schooled in the proper way to play dominos from B's uncle Stan and aunt Sarah. B's grandaddy taught him many years ago, but since there was always a lot of "table-talk" going on, he didn't really know exactly how to play. Well, now we do. Sort of.

We ended our time in Murchison with dinner at the local Beans 'n' Burgers restaurant with Stan and Sarah's family-- Sandee, Rusty, BreeAnna, Britton, Scott, Amy, Tucker and Hunter. Of-course, there wasn't a single silent moment and we soaked up every second. Families are so much fun.

Thursday morning, we woke up to an inch of snow on the ground with more on the way. (Again, 30's in Texas? Snow? What?) We hightailed it back to Houston with hope of warmer temps.

The Big 3-0

As I mourn my 20's today, here is a look back. (Big thanks to Dena for the idea.)

During my 20's, I...

graduated from college,

lived in three different states, at 10 addresses with 17 roommates,

was a bridesmaid six times and attended 25+ weddings,

learned to ski, snowboard, rock climb, kayak and cook.

I spent ( ) of the decade ( )...

4% living in a dorm room.

34% living in Lincoln.

5% living in Minnesota.

61% living in Portland.

50-ish% living with girls.

55-ish% living with boys.

60% working at REI.

40% working at seven other jobs.

61% single.

6% engaged.

33% married!

Bring on the 30's! I'm ready. (I think.)

We'll be right back.