Look where Flat Stanley has been!!!

Helping with Laundry. What a good little helper!!!

Fighting Ryan for the last yummy bread at Outback

Eating breakfast at the hotel in Norman, Oklahoma.



Flat Stanly has had some adventures!! He has been in several states!! He didn't make it to the zoo, but after the hail storm, I was so glad he didn't!!

It was so much fun having him tag along with me on my trip!!

BTW- Stacey's daughter, Sophie, made this Flat Stanley and shipped him to me in OK. It was so funny seeing the faces on people as I was trying to prop him up to take the pics! haha

Thanks Sophie!! I had fun with Stanley!!

I am home!!

This is what I looked at everyday while I was on the road.......

Look who I had my lunch break with!!!

I got home at almost 9pm Friday night. It was a looonnggg day!! Started out pretty good. Got up, had breakfast downstairs (eggs & cinnamon roll). My stomach was a little queasy, so I took my time getting ready while watching the movie "Taken". Then got on the road. In the afternoon I saw a sign that showed I was only 20 miles from Live Oak. So I called Amanda, cause her sister lives there and I thought I could say a quick hi. Well she said her sister was probably sleeping since she works nights, but that her mom was working, and I forgot that her parents live there too!!! So she directed me while on the phone how to get there. She works at the "General Store" at a camp ground. So I went inside and surprised her! It was so much fun!! You should have seen her face!!! She did a triple take!! And then she called Amanda's dad to get him to the store and I surprised him too! So since it was lunch time for me, I had my snack while they showed me around. Had such a nice visit!! They even talked me into coming up in the fall for a camping trip! (can you believe it Amanda???)

But then, a few minutes after I left, she called cause I had brought their only employee bathroom key with me!! hahahah So I had to turn around and bring it back......

So on my way home, I picked up Five Guys for dinner. It was so nice to see mom and dad!

Then Saturday I went by the store to say Hi to Mari and check out the changes there! The store looks great! I can't wait to get back in the swing of things!

I am very torn about being home though......happy to see everyone, but so very sad to leave Ryan........Hopefully we will get to see each other again soon!

Back in Florida.......

Well I made it to Crestview, FL by 7pm (still central time though). Had a pretty good drive today. Stopped at a Prime Outlet Mall for my light lunch and went in a cool store! I was in purse heaven!! I will post pics later......Then I went through Mobile, AL during rush hour. Right before the tunnel, traffic was at a stop! So I got off and called Ryan (in case I have not said it recently, I had the best husband!!) and he guided me through downtown and got to go through an even longer tunnel!!! I hate merging onto a highway, and I hate bridges, so what did I get to do?? Merge onto a bridge!! I tell you what, I am having to many adventures on this trip!!

So I got to the hotel at 7pm. Beautiful brand new Holiday Inn Express!! Love it!! And walked to the Cracker Barrel for a fabulous dinner! (hamburger steak, mac & cheese, backed pot, biscuits and raspberry lemonade)

I am sure I am missing something, but Naureen kept me on the phone so long...hahah (and I loved it!!) that I am too tired to keep thinking for typing. So shower and bed I am heading....

Just 400 more miles tomorrow and I am home....bitter sweet. Want to see everyone, but dont' want to be that far away from Ryan......miss you!

This Hotel stinks!!

Literally........The whole hotel, including the sheets, smell like bleach!!! I had such a had time getting to sleep!! So I see there is a table outside the restaurant, so I ask to sit out there to eat breakfast. Well I guess out of sight, out of mind, cause it took 30 minutes to get my food!!!!!! I was so mad!! But it was a free hot breakfast. You got to choose 4 items from a big list!! So I got eggs, bacon, hash browns and french toast sticks. It was all SOOOO good!!! And while I was I was sitting there a nice man came to drink his coffee and read the paper. So we chatted a little. He started smoking, but he kept it far enough away from me....so that was better then bleach smell!!
So I am going to try and rent a movie for my itouch right now (I forgot to mention that I was able to LISTEN to Sweet Home Alabama yesterday! That really helped my drive...) So I want to get another one today, since I feel today will be a long one......

Day 1- Heading Home......

My last couple minutes with Ryan.......

This is how I feel about leaving him. Hey do you like my shirt???

Where I stopped for my light lunch.

My room tonight.

This was my club sandwich for dinner!!

Well my first day driving home is done. It was an ok day. I drove approx. 400 miles. But in the am I was driving through small towns, so had to keep slowing down. Then after lunch went through a construction zone and was only going 20-30 MPH. And then it rained the whole way to the hotel from 3pm on!! So I didn't get to the hotel till 7:30pm. Was hoping to be done driving by 6pm, but I already had my reservation, so I had to keep on till I got here.....

My 2pm lunch was fun! I just ate my snacks I brought, but I had stopped at this cracker barrel like travel stop in Texas. It had a barb-a-que restaurant and sonic inside, plus tons of gifty things, plus a gas station with the usual snacks and drinks. It had it all!!! So I spent the whole hour there just shopping around! Got Amanda something cool (can you guess???) hahahaah

So I am now at a very pretty Holiday Inn in Opelousas, LA ( I have no idea how to say that). They have a restaurant in the hotel, so that is where I got my HUGE club sandwich!! I was sooo hungry, but still could not finish it!! With awesome fries (like steak n shake) But I wanted to just sit there and relax, well they were treating the pool (oh I want to tell a funny story about that!!) so the hallway smelled AWFUL of chlorine. And you know how I can't handle smells. I immediately got a headache and eyes burning.....plus there were a few guests and employees in the restaurant talking so loudly and cursing....I couldn't' take it, I asked to get mine to go. And they gave it all to me in the regular plates, including my drink in a glass!! Plus I had got dessert, so you should have seen me trying to carry all of that and open the door to my room!!! I thought for sure I would be wearing my Sprite!! But I made it....hahah And then my Sprite was awful!!! So I had to drink my own bottle of Sprite I had with no ice, which those of you who know me, I NEED ice with soda......ok, now I am just complaining, but I am so tired.....hahah

Oh yah, the funny pool story!! So I get here and the line to check in is long, so I just walked around to see the restaurant and such. Well they have an indoor pool (very cool) and a bunch of people are standing outside the doors all wet and some employees are inside. So I look in and there is a BIG SNAKE in the pool room!!! It was behind a plant. Think one! With brown stripes. So one of the employees grabs the big metal chair and beats the crap out of it!! hahahah I had to walk away at that point, but it was so funny!!! All I could think picture was Ryan being in the pool.....relaxing....then looking over and seeing the snake....and jumping out of the pool in seconds!!!! hahah (sorry baby...)

Ahhh......anyway, so I just watched America Idol Finale. Just saw the last 2 minutes. And now am watching Transformers (my fav) So soon I will take my shower and try and unwind.

Leaving tomorrow......

We had a really nice day Sunday. Meeting at 9:30am (wayyy too early but such a good meeting!!) Then lunch at wendy's and some shopping. Then back to the room where we just sat on the couch and relaxed. Sooo nice!! Then from 6-10:30pm watched Lost!!

Monday I brought Denny's for lunch to Ryan's work and then did some last minute shopping. Then when Ryan got home, he installed the webcams we bought here. That way we can see each other when I am home. It worked out well that I brought my laptop cause I could have never done it on my own!!

I am leaving tomorrow.... :( It will be a sad day, but I have had such a nice visit!! Relaxed alot, went out of town alot.....Spent some good quality time with Ryan, good talks, good cuddling.....all the stuff that is needed!! Thank you Stacey again for giving me an extra week!! It was well needed!!

So today I am just packing and such....Going to leave soon for a great lunch with Ryan!

The Italian Festival

We went to the Italian Festival here in Mcalester today! They had a full blown Ryan had a booth raising money for a women's shelter. So we got there at 2pm, ate corn dogs (foot long ones!!!) and he got a funnel cake (I tried it for the first time) and I got a snow cone. mmmmm
Then he had to get to his booth. I got to walk around and buy a few things.....But it was sooo hot outside! And the inside was not air conditioned, so we were dying!! Still even now my body is so burning up! And Ryan is feeling yucky. I just can't take the heat!! But we had some fun. :) I was bad though and didn't take any good pics. Was just too hot that I forgot!!

Look what I got!!!

Ok, so probably only scrappers can appreciate this.......But look what I got!! We were at Wal-mart last night and I saw this laptop bag. I always check them out cause I have been looking for a bag with a cushion to carry my 12x12 glass mat. I have been looking for at least 2 years and they are always too small. But this one looked pretty close. So I bought it, brought it home (well the hotel) and it fits!! AND it was only $20!!! I am so excited!! And it has a perfect spot for my AWESOME circle cutter by EK success. It has a shoulder strap and all!! I am so excited! haha

Check me out now!!!

So how do I look now??? Thanks Amanda!! She is always there when I need techie help!

I have not updated in a while cause nothing is going on......

We got back to Mcalester Tue lunch time. Ryan went to work and I just got settled back in to the room. Then Wed was laundry day, which takes so long since I have to go to Ryan's hotel and go up and down the steps.....Also went to wal-mart for groceries. That was about it......

Today I have just chatted with Amanda and then just got done making Ryan lunch and cleaning up the kitchen. So now I hope to do some scrappin!!!

Oh and I know I said this on Facebook, but thanks to my great boss, I get to stay an extra week!! So instead of leaving either today or tomorrow, I am leaving next Wed. I am soooo happy and so was Ryan. :) We have some neat plans for this weekend, but I will let you know later....(see I am sneaky....now you HAVE to come back to my blog....haha)

Our weekend in Oklahoma City

At the OK City Zoo

Huddled in the Rhino exhibit.......

All of that is Hail!!! Some golf ball size!!

All that white stuff is hail!

My car is all full of dings from the hail! See that one????

Hail stuck in my car!

Our yummy dinner!!!

At the restaurant



So here was our exciting day! We left the hotel in Tulsa at noon, drove to Oklahoma City right to the zoo. Only $7 to get in. Nice place although we are spoiled living in Orlando.....

The weather was nice, not too hot....UNTIL a bad storm came! We saw it coming but didn't get out of the zoo on time. So they made us all go in the rhino exhibit. STINKY! We got in there just in time and then it let loose! Pouring and then huge hail!! It was unbelievable! I started to panic a little with the smell and no air and so many people.....but then the lady said there was not very many people in the middle of the building, so we went there and it actually was cooler and less crowded. We were there for around 30 minutes, then we just walked really fast to the entrance. But I stopped by the gift shop on my way out, of course....haha

We got to the car and saw that I had dings all over it from the hail!!

We went to the hotel, very nice!!! And their is a restaurant next to it called Salt Grass Steakhouse. The best meal ever!! We got cheese fries and bread, then we each got a steak and salad, I got sweet potato and he got mac & cheese. Sooo flippin good!!! We had the best server EVER!! I mean it...I have never had someone so attentive! But not annoying, you know?? We also got dessert to go, which we just ate. Me Key lime pie, Ryan cheesecake. Crazy good!

So the day started out annoying, got exciting, then ended yummy......

So tomorrow Ryan has his GM meeting and I am just hanging at the hotel. Even though I wish Ryan was with me, I am looking forward to the day alone.

Not a good way to start our day......

We had a really good burger last night! Got take out from the restaurant in the hotel. Fun just to walk downstairs and pick it up. haha

Then the fire alarm goes off at 5am!!! So we get up, get dressed, Ryan grabs my laptop, I get my purse and my new jewelry and we walk out the door. No one out there. Just one woman peeking out her door. Then the alarm stops. So he just tells me to go back in and he will go downstairs (poor guy, taking the stairs from the 3rd floor). So I got ahead and get back into my jammies and put a movie in (since I have to try and fall back asleep). He comes back up and there had been some smoke in the kitchen, but no big deal....So I watch Finding Nemo until I fall back asleep.

Then just woke up at 9:30am, went to get my applesauce that I just bought from wal-mart in ryan's town, and it is expired!!!! I always check that, I dont' know how I missed it!! Soooo....Ryan is going to a convenient store to try and get me a banana......I sure hope the rest of the day gets better.....

We are heading to Oklahoma City this morning and hopefully the zoo if the weather is ok.

Our day in Tulsa

I was dying for a smoothie, so look where we ended up......haha

Breakfast this morning.....the cook grabbed it with his hands to put it on my plate...so nope, wasn't going to eat that part......

Yummy late lunch

So we ate an awesome breakfast at the buffet in the hotel. Then his mom and step dad came to the hotel and we sat in the lobby chatting. We all then went to a nearby mall (really nice!!) and Ryan got me a beautiful bracelet from Dillards!! (since we had some extra gift card money) I love it!! Then off to the Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch. They had never been there before! His mom thought it just had cheesecakes. haha

They headed home and we drove around for a bit to see what was nearby. And I had been craving a smoothie!! We had it all planned at lunch to split something and then us both get dessert. He was going to get a cheesecake and me their Peach Smoothie!! But then after, we STILL were full!! Gesh!! We were both so disappointed! So we ended up finding a Panera and I got my old standby....(mango smoothie)

So now we are back at the hotel. Ryan is taking a little cat nap and we are waiting to be hungry for dinner. haha We are planning on just going downstairs and eating in the restaurant, but we will see if we even want dinner at all.....

We left Mcalester around 5pm, drove to Muskogee where Ryan had a surprise for me! He gave me a gift card so I could pick out whatever I wanted!!! So much fun! Will post pics of what I got later.....

Then we drove to Tulsa and checked into a beautiful Hilton Garden Inn. Then walked across the street for a late dinner at the Holiday Inn. (that is where the pics are from) Really good!! I got a philly cheesesteak, Ryan, country fried steak and we shared a yummy cake for dessert. Then came back to our room. Oh and the exciting thing is we got checked into a room that was already occupied!! hahah We walked in and saw the TV on and then luggage on the floor and said "is that someone's bag?" and then looked at each other and walked backwards out of the room. All I could picture is someone walking out of the bathroom naked! I couldn't stop laughing!!! I am still laughing!!

So anyway, I am off to shower and then bed. Tomorrow we are just relaxing in the room except for a late lunch at the mall with his mom and step dad. It is suppose to rain all day, so perfect for just lounging at the hotel......

This was "outside" at the mall...see below.....

At the Aquarium....doesn't it look like the water is goin on Ryan's head?? haha

On our way to meeting. Look how we match!

Sorry I have not updated this since I got here!! But I have just been either busy or sleeping. hahah

So I got here last Wed and then Friday after work, Ryan and I drove to Durant, OK so I can meet his buddy Mat. Yahhh!! We ate dinner with him and then spent the night. (awesome hotel) Then got up Saturday and drove to Dallas! The weather was actually chilly! I had to wear my new denim jacket the whole weekend (I was happy haha)

Driving downtown Dallas was awesome! We went right to the Aquarium. Nice, but not the best. But still had fun. Then we checked into the hotel. (didn't like) And I was really disappointed, I wanted to go to a restaurant downtown and then walk around. But there was no pretty place to walk, so we just went to a mall (really nice!!!) and ate at the food court. We got a REALLY good sandwich!! And they had this section of the food court where you were outside! It had 4 glass walls to seal it off and then there was no ceiling, it was all outside. And the weather was beautiful, so it was so nice and peaceful.....And Ryan gave me one of my presents, a really pretty heart necklace! Then we just walked around the mall for a while and went back to the hotel.

Sunday got up and drove to Sherman TX (right on the border of OK) and ate at a Cracker Barrel (sooo good!!) Went to Kohl's where Ryan got me a beautiful watch! Then watched Iron Man 2. Loved it! Then drove home to Mcalester.

Then all week I have just been resting. Can't get enough sleep!! Yesterday I finally got some scrapping done! I am halfway through season 1 of Ally Mcbeal (thanks Amanda!!) Today I just got some laundry done and ummm...yah that's about it. haha

Looks like Ryan will be working late, so I am going to make my dinner (grilled cheese) and get ready for meeting.

Tomorrow or maybe Saturday we will be going out of town again. Tulsa, Oklahoma City and some surrounding cities. So hopefully I can upload pics and tell you all about it while I am there!

All and all having a nice time. Sure is nice just hanging out with Ryan. I don't know how I am going to be able to leave him next week......

These pics are totally out of order!! But here are the cookies he got for me!!

The table in the room with roses and cookies and yes, that is a Jewlery box!

Look how beautiful the room is with rose petals and everything!

As soon as I got there!

Going 80 the last half hour cause I was so excited to see him!

A scary gas station I stopped at! But had no choice! Was in the middle of NOWHERE! And very low on gas, even though I had just a half hour to go......

At the Texas Visitor center!

Beautiful country road in.....Arkansas, I think....haha

Beginning of day 3. (Stacey and Mari, notice the shirt I am wearing???)

Well I made it here!!! Drove 511 miles and for 8 hours! Through 4 states! (LA, Arkansas, TX and OK) What a long 3 days but so worth it when I saw Ryan! I had such butterflies anxious to see him and then when I pulled into his hotel and saw him standing there, they all melted away to happiness! I just put the car in park, threw open my door and ran to him! I can't believe how much I missed him!! It is like the rest of me is back.

So we right away went to Chili's next door. The best fries I have ever had there! Then went to his hotel so he could show me around and then up to our room. And did you see how awesome the room looked?? He made it so romantic!! Roses and the cookies and yes, that was a jewlery box on the table! Beautiful braclet with the "Love never fails" scripture on it that is special to us. :)

So today I just got Denny's Grandslam for breakfast. YYUUMMYY And then just resting today and tomorrow. So that hopefully we can go to Dallas this weekend!!!

Oh and tonight is my first meeting at the Kingdom Hall here, so I am excited to meet everyone!

I will keep updating this while I am here if you want to see what we are up to. I am planning on starting my scrapping marathon Monday. :)

Again, thanks to everyone for their encouraging words and well wishes! You don't know how it helped me get through the big drive!

This bridge made me think of the move Godzilla!!

The tunnel!! Scary but cool!

This morning in Pensecola Comfort Suites.

I went 325 miles-6 hours. Ending in Lafayette, LA

Ok, where do I begin......Stacey, forget what I said....I never want to make this trip again!! LA has way to many rivers and lakes!! So, I don't like highways and I even like LESS bridges and I have had to travel on a highway that is ALSO a bridge!!! hahahah No, I have done really well. But just a rough afternoon. Ok, so I left the hotel in Pensacola at 10am and in like 10 minutes I was in Alabama!! hahah

Then an hour later I was in Mississippi!! And then in an hour I was in Louisiana!! I have been in 4 states today! Crazy!

I went through a Tunnel!! So scary and cool!! Then I took a nice long lunch at a shopping center like The Loop. Ate a very small lunch at Target and walked around Kohl's. Bought my Anniversary present (thanks Ryan!!) So all that was great...then the afternoon hit! I went through Baton Rouge at rush hour!! Nightmare! AND went on the biggest bridge EVER, during rush hour!! I was talking myself through it, outloud, and I made it!! Then another really long bridge over a swamp!

I wanted to stop around 6pm, so I called Ryan and we just could not find a hotel that I could get his discount AND have a good dinner nearby. Soooo.....I had seen (don't know if that is proper english, but I am too tired to care) a Cracker Barrel when I was going back and forth on the highway and a hotel next to it. So I just got off on that exit and had to pay $50 more at a Drury Hotel, but it is worth it!! I was able to walk to Cracker Barrel and then go to my room! And the hotel is beautiful! Oh but I didn't see a fridge in it, so unloaded my cooler, went up and down the elevator to get ice and repack the cooler. Then I was checking out the cabinets in the TV stand, and what do you think I saw??? A Fridge!!! hahahaahahah Just not my day!

But I am all settled for the night.....I want to thank you all for your well wishes and calls to check on me.....I feel so loved! AND I do not feel alone on this trip!! It is like you are all in the car with me!! But be glad you are not, cause I talk to myself and sing ALOT! hahah (big shock, right Joyce??)

I can't believe I get to look in Ryan's eyes tomorrow!!! I am so excited! But I can't think about it or I will never sleep!! So I will write about my 3rd day tomorrow (or maybe Thur, I might be busy...) :)