Snow or Dandruff?

I was thinking that today was the 24th of April. It is in fact the 24th. So why are we in the middle of a blizzard of heavy snow?

It snowed when I picked up the 2:30 run and my kids came home. Then it really snowed for the 3:30 run. Saratoga Shores had 2 inches of snow on the ground!! That is not beautiful, that is cold!! At least for the nice spring day it should have been. The flakes were large and heavy and quite wet too.

The kids were having a bit of fun and were amused by the sudden spring storm, but the adults were wondering if someone had missed doing their April fools prank on the first and decided to play a joke on us at this time. It was not funny!

Thank heavens everything melted by dark and even though the weatherman is predicting 30 degrees for the morning low, I hope the weekend will be nicer. I don't dare put in the garden yet and the longer we wait, the harder it is to get going.

Tomorrow is Friday and hopefully Saturday will be really nice weather and we can work outside.

Silly Distractions with Shari - Genetics

So while we were on our road trip (see Muskegon Vacation), we had to do some things to keep us happy, busy and distracted. So, learning to whistle loudly was out because my cheeks were getting sore and nobody could stand the squeaky blowing noises that were being made!

So we decided to do some tongue training. PilotBoy, Angel and I laughed so much we had headaches. Angel had just done a genetics assignment and so we were going over what we had learned.

I have never been able to roll my tongue. I thought it was a done deal, if you couldn't do it you just plain couldn't do it. But we learned that at least for myself and Angel, that with practice we could do it. We are not fluent like PilotBoy and HubbbyDad, but with time we might be a bit more fluent. We spent a good couple of hours practicing in the mirror on the visor and a little purse mirror and laughed so much our sides hurt. It wasn't that funny, it was just funny.

Then we tackled the Vulcan Greeting. Angel could not do the greeting and after lots of practice she could do one hand. Now she can do both. PilotBoy is doing good too. It was so much fun to do this together. Thank Heavens HubbyDad could do all of it, because he was driving and we wanted his attention on the road.

We are all now Vulcans with tongue rolling welcomes! or really just normal happy people who found real fun in goofing off while cramped in a beautiful ride!!





Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life

Home At Last.... Are we there Yet?

We woke up in Rock Springs expecting snow, but it was clear and nice, though a bit chilly. We headed for Green River, WY for some breakfast and fuel. The winds were very light and it was sunny. We ate and then we went and got fuel. $50.00 for Diesel at a pump costing $4.119, which was the lowest we had found in Rock Springs too. And then we found a Maverick where diesel was $3.999 a gallon, so we finished filling the tank there. Playing the 'Find the Cheapest Pump' game was not fun, it was very frustrating.

But finally we had enough fuel to get us to Heber City and complete our delivery. The winds picked up just out of Green River and Hubby drove and I felt safe and secure. They weren't too bad, but I also know we were blessed.

We had such a good time together and even though the trip was fast, it was almost completely paid for. We also were blessed to be able to use Dr DM's truck, which was awesome. Then we were able to haul his new trailer home without any incident and deliver it to him. I will always be grateful to my Heavenly Father for protecting us on the trip and for Dr D for allowing us to go and pick up his new toy. It is a trip we will not forget. Thanks!!

We met Dr. D at his home and turned over his things to him. It was a nice haul. I am happy that he has the means to provide such a treat for his family. We are all blessed in life for our abilities and what we do them and he has worked extremely hard with his abilities and I am glad to see him reap the rewards they choose. We can all have our dreams fulfilled, we just need to identify our dreams and then do whatever it takes to achieve them. It takes time and hard work, but the end is worth it.

We then headed home in our beautiful Ford Expedition and our trip was over. Six states in six days, a total of 3,209 miles. What an experience. The kids were better than me. I lost my temper several times and I was a grump off and on. But Hubby and the Kids were awesome!!!!

Let's do it again!!!!!




Our Vacation to Muskegon, MI over Spring Break
... Six days - 3,209 miles ...
Monday - Lets Go On Vacation....TODAY!
Tuesday AM - Good Day Nebraska!
Thursday - Heading for Home Already?
Friday - Raining in Iowa
Saturday - Saturday Already? How Far Have We Come?
Sunday - Home at Last or Are We There Yet?
Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life

Saturday Already? How far have we come?

Happy Birthday Gpa A!!!

So far we have gone 1,595 miles from Home to Muskegon, MI and have returned 1405 miles at Rock Springs.

Today we went from North Platte to Rock Springs (477 Miles). Again not too far. But we had been experience head winds most of the way home and so we seemed to be getting nowhere fast.

We spent about an hour or more visiting the BEST Family. L,D,S and T were there and so we visited with them. This was my second time in their home and I am so glad that I finally have had the chance to visit them in their own home. I love them very much and miss them all the time. L is my best friend (he is my brother) and I respect him very much. I love the advice that both L and D give me. They are very special. L had also taken the time to solder my computer's broken solder joint and now it works like a charm. Thanks.

We thought about driving all the way home, but then since Hubby had to go to work 5pm on Sunday, we decided to stop and sleep and then get home in time to drop off the truck and trailer to Dr. DM and then get home and send Hubby off to work. Timing was not going to be good for Hubby no matter what we did.

So we found a Motel 6 and it cost us $71.00 and it had no pool. We couldn't find anything lower cost in town. However, the room was very nice, it had hardwood floors and felt cleaner than most rooms with carpet. The room was roasting though and we had to get a fan from the office at 2am just to be able to continue to sleep. I felt as though I were sleeping in my old dorm room in Hawaii. I should have daydreamed that one up, maybe I could have spent several hours there!


Our Vacation to Muskegon, MI over Spring Break
... Six days - 3,209 miles ...
Monday - Lets Go On Vacation....TODAY!
Tuesday AM - Good Day Nebraska!
Thursday - Heading for Home Already?
Friday - Raining in Iowa
Saturday - Saturday Already? How Far Have We Come?
Sunday - Home at Last or Are We There Yet?
Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life

Raining in Iowa

Well the good weather finally flew the coop. It rained all night in Davenport and all day in Iowa. When we crossed the border into Nebraska, the rain stopped and we were back into sunny skies and warmer (not hot) air.

We only went a short bit (580 miles) and found a hotel in North Platte for $45.00 with a pool and clean rooms. The kids spent 3 hours or so in the pool as it was open until midnight. That is a story in and of itself- the people who were at the pool. Maybe someday......

We all slept very good. That all night drive, was catching up to me at least and the pool made the kids tired and so we all slept. We didn't want to get up for breakfast, but since it was part of the room we did get something. Then it was time to head back out.

Our Vacation to Muskegon, MI over Spring Break
... Six days - 3,209 miles ...
Monday - Lets Go On Vacation....TODAY!
Tuesday AM - Good Day Nebraska!
Thursday - Heading for Home Already?
Friday - Raining in Iowa
Saturday - Saturday Already? How Far Have We Come?
Sunday - Home at Last or Are We There Yet?
Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life

Heading for Home.....Already!?

Yes, it seemed that we had just arrived and then we were on our way home.

We said our Good-byes to Gpa and Gma A, gave hugs and then we piled back into the Bright Red, Candy Apple Red, Truck to begin our journey back to Utah.

I took over driving later in the day, and it was fantastic! What had I been scared of? I'm not sure because I had hauled trailers and boats before. But none as long as this puppy. So that was probably my fear, it's length. But it was really a fantastic tow. I felt very comfortable behind the wheel of the truck and seemed to have a great instinct on the towing part. I never had a problem changing lanes or passing slower trucks. The wind was not too bad, so over all I had a great time.

Hubby did most of the driving and I am glad. But it was fun to drive, I just ultimately like to be chauffeured. He likes to drive so it works out for us. Diesel was not our friend, though. We paid $3.999 a gallon at some places and the highest we saw was $4.339. The cost went up about Thursday and we probably paid an average of $4.099 per gallon. It was crazy. But then our fuel mileage was pretty good at first. Without the trailer we were getting about 18.9 mpg and with the trailer we got 9.4 mpg. That is quite a dip. But we put the vehicle in TOW/Haul mode and it seemed to eat more fuel. (The owner asked us to do that, so we followed his instructions.)

We only drove to Davenport, Iowa on Thursday. We were tired and we had promised the kids a motel room with a pool when we got our load picked up. So we stopped at a newly remodeled Days Inn with new owners and everything was grand. The cost was $53.00 and the kids had the pool to themselves and our room was nice with two cozy beds.

227 miles, but we were still so tired from our big push on Tues-Weds and the weather was rainy, cold and what a head wind.


Our Vacation to Muskegon, MI over Spring Break
... Six days - 3,209 miles ...
Monday - Lets Go On Vacation....TODAY!
Tuesday AM - Good Day Nebraska!
Thursday - Heading for Home Already?
Friday - Raining in Iowa
Saturday - Saturday Already? How Far Have We Come?
Sunday - Home at Last or Are We There Yet?
Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life

Good Day Nebraska

This morning we awoke to a beautiful day with sunshine and expected warmth. We spent the night in Ogallala, Nebraska. The motel was not great, maybe not even good, but it was clean. We will look harder next time for a better deal. We are still novices and slow learners when it comes to Rooms.

We started driving and made quite a few pit stops for both Diesel, food, snacks and potty breaks. But when it came to evening, we were all ready to keep going. So we did.

We had our own distractions too. See Genetics practice here.

We stopped in Des Moines to visit Hubbys Step-Dad and his wife. It was a nice visit. Grandpa D had met Pilot boy when he was 14 months old and had not seen him since. So both PilotBoy and Angel were able to meet Grandpa D and his new wife. The kids were happy to have finally met him. They were thrilled with the pocket knives GpaD gave them. They are pretty knives.

After our stop in Des Moines, we started to drive again. And we drove and we didn't stop (except for breaks) until we hit Muskegon, Michigan. We figure it was a good 24 hours of driving. But it put us a day ahead. Angel and I slept pretty good in the Truck and Hubby drove most of the way. PilotBoy decided to stay awake with his dad and only knocked off for a half hour. I would say our new teenager did very well. He kept his dad awake and we were all safe.

Anyone reading this and wondering why drive all night? Well, hubby works nights and so he was really driving during his normal up time and it worked out really well for us. I could drive in the day and he could do the night drive and the kids could sleep in their seats. Saves money and time.

At two thirty in the morning, we were at the largest truck stop in America, the IW80 or something like that, and a young man of college age couldn't get his car started. We were able to use the jumper cables and get his car started so that he could get home. He had over 100 miles to go. I was glad we could help him. He said he had asked 4 other people and 2 ignored him and the others said no, they couldn't help. He was quite discouraged and we seemed to be able to brighten his way. Good lesson for the kids on helping people. We also talked of stranger danger and ways to ensure your personal safety at times like that. You have to be able to trust in your instincts and listen for the Holy Ghosts promptings, too.

After we picked up the beautiful Outback 31ft trailer, we made a quick stop and took about a 3 hour nap. Then we headed for Elkhart, Indiana.

We met Aunt Sue at a McDonald's for ice cream. It was fun trying to find parking for our monster, but Hubby did such a wonderful job. It sure is nice that he can drive, park, haul the big things. He is excellent in the backing up too. I never had to back it and I am glad I didn't have too. Driving it was really fun and I didn't have any trouble at all. But I never went in the tight places.

Then we went to visit Grandma D. (Mom) The kids were so glad to be able to see her again so soon. It was a wonderful visit and so much more comfortable this time for all of us. It didn't see to me to have been 6 months since our last visit, but it had been. Thanks for the visit Mom. Farley was so excited to have the kids there to play with. He whined when Angel went out to the truck, he sure likes her. He loves to play tug of war with his toys. I sure hope he wasn't too sad when we left.

After that we headed for Nappannee for Gpa and Gma A's. It was sure good to see them again. We got to visit with them this time and even camp out at their place. (Thanks for the other offers for a place to stay, but this worked out best for us.) We all slept well, and I for one was glad to be near the Train tracks and the comforting train whistles. We had a wonderful breakfast at a restaurant with service and some cooking I imagine from some of the Amish. They are such a nice friendly people. The food was too filling and delicious, I thought. I really like the more relaxed atmosphere in Nappannee, it is very comfortable.

Travel for Tuesday to Wednesday 1,091 miles. Too much at one sitting. But better in the long run.


Our Vacation to Muskegon, MI over Spring Break
... Six days - 3,209 miles ...
Monday - Lets Go On Vacation....TODAY!
Tuesday AM - Good Day Nebraska!
Thursday - Heading for Home Already?
Friday - Raining in Iowa
Saturday - Saturday Already? How Far Have We Come?
Sunday - Home at Last or Are We There Yet?
Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life

Let's Go on Vacation..... Today!!!

.....OK, it was a surprise but not totally. We didn't know if we were going or not, but we did know that the possibility was there.
.....However, when I learned that it was a go-- I was not ready. And so we threw the trip together in a few hours and had a wonderful time.
.....We made some mistakes and could have done things differently to even have made it better, but we had a great time. We came home and checked our experience and know where to make adjustments if the opportunity comes along again.
.....I love the Plan, Do, Check and Adjust method for learning from our experiences. Thanks to Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady and The Team Leadership Development Service Provider for teaching us such useful and life changing skills. The Team is Awesome!!!



The News Is - We are going!

Dear Hubby finally got confirmation that yes we were going to Muskegon, MI. He texted me at 10:45pm Sunday night. I was in bed, trying to sleep. The kids were on spring break as of Monday morning and I was trying to keep our night routines normal and not let them stay up all night just cuz school was out.

We were headed for Muskegon to pick up a brand new travel trailer for a friend of Hubbys. We had to use his truck too, ours was not heavy enough and his needed electric breaks installed and an equalizer hitch. So soon we would be embarking on a very fast mission to Michigan and back. But we were up to the challenge, and excited to go.

So having finally received the news that the trip was a go, I just rolled over and went to sleep. I'd get everything ready in the morning, while Dear Hubby slept. It sort of worked that way. He slept for about 3 hours, I should say napped. Then PilotBoy and Hubby went to trade vehicles.

They met at Dr DM's work. They left our Expedition and came back in a beautiful 2007 Red Dodge Diesel, extended cab, four doors. My son will tell you I have my facts wrong, but it really doesn't matter, the truck is beautiful!!!

I packed for anyone who needed my help. I had made sure the laundry was done so that everyone would have what they needed. We packed, grabbed the snacks I had gathered and off we went. Boy is the truck great. It is so smooth and luxurious. It would be nice to have one like it someday. I am glad Dr. D has this for his family.

We headed up Provo Canyon and out of Utah into Wyoming. We stopped to visit my brother, the LD BEST family. Everyone was home, which they should have been since it was 9:40pm at night, a school night for them. Even E was there, she knew we were coming and wanted to stay and get hugs. And B and his lovely wife, L came. It was so fun to see everyone, in their own home, hometown. We visited for a long while, too long for them since it was so late, but not long enough for me, 'cause I never get to spend much time with them, and then we headed out for more miles.

In Ogallala we called the day over and slept. 635 miles.



Our Vacation to Muskegon, MI over Spring Break
... Six days - 3,209 miles ...
Monday - Lets Go On Vacation....TODAY!
Tuesday AM - Good Day Nebraska!
Thursday - Heading for Home Already?
Friday - Raining in Iowa
Saturday - Saturday Already? How Far Have We Come?
Sunday - Home at Last or Are We There Yet?
Back to Blog Home - Practically Perfect Life