TODAY IS MY D DAY

 Okay, today is the day. Today is my D-Day. No, in my case the D stands for DRIVE. I will be doing a lot of driving over the next 84 hours. A TON OF DRIVING. Jared (my best friend who has been living with us for the past 3.5 months) is currently at the grocery store getting all the food. Then around 3pm I will be picking up the rental car and getting it packed up & and ready to go for Hil's arrival home. WOW WOW WOW!!! I am really crazy excited about doing this. I am also a little nervous as well.

To be perfectly honest, I almost pulled the plug yesterday. This is what happened. . . .

I wake up to Hilary being right next to the bed saying, "hey I need to tell you something, but I don't know if you are ready to hear it." That's never good. Also, know something about me. I am kind of a tight-wad. I don't really like spending money when I don't have to. I mean I give generously, but spending things on little stuff isn't really important to me. Also, we recently had to fix the tire & other stupid expenses. Life stuff. Also, I just paid a bunch of money, so all our funds are currently accounted for. Also, last month we paid off a big cruise that we've been wanting to go on for years. . . . Are you up to pace? Back to me waking up. . . .

So I say to Hilary, "what is it?" She says, "Well, I forgot about the check for $550 we wrote to Young Life to send that kid to camp. . . . I thought it had already been taken out, but it just came out today. We have like $150 in checking." Now, at this point, I am thinking about how the monies we have are already accounted for, and I am kind of freaking out. To make a long story short, I did let it slip that I have been planning something for Her, for our anniversary, and I was planning on using that money. So, she knows something is up, but no idea that we are going to the Grand Canyon, and especially not the SPECIAL THING I have planned. I am a responsible adult, and I figure You Only Live Once. Especially living once without children. So the plans are still a go!!! We rock out today as soon as Hilary get's home. I am super excited to spend the next 3.5 days with my beautiful wife. And I love her so much, it is going to be epic. And they money part is not a big deal. I just hate not being super prepared financially. But we both get paid 4 more times this month, including 2 that are coming in tomorrow. We will be just fine. I just inherited that from my dad. Not a bad trait, but just a trait I have.

Interesting day yesterday

Right now I'm sitting in the Mazda 6, at Shillito Park in Lexington, very close to the mall. I just got the tire repaired and the rest of them re-balanced. You might have several questions, first, let's start with the car.

Yesterday after work, Hilary and I were to drive to Cincinnati. And it is the owner of Netherland rubbers wife's 70th birthday party celebration. However, leaving Lexington was wrought with struggle. Hilary had trouble getting back in town from Louisville, work stuff, and more. THEN, we needed to get air in the tires. We only had credit cards to pay with, no cash, no quarters. So we had to use those little automatic fill-up stations that take your card. . . . . We tried 3 different locations, and 3 different cards at each one. NOTHING!!! None would accept our cards!!! Finally we get to a marathon in Georgetown, and Hil just said, "Screw it, go to the ATM and get a 20 so we can get quarters." I did, and when I was finally ready to fill up the tire, the valve stem broke off. The tire was completely flat in like 8 seconds. It was crazy. Then, to make matters worse, I was missing a component for my jack. I was having to use brute strength to get the tire up so I could change it. It was not working to say the least. I asked three different gentleman at the gas station if they could help, and all three said they were too busy and left. But a good Samaritan came to our rescue a man in a very big truck who works for Catapillar not only changed our tire, but would not except cash for helping. It was amazing. I guess God had a much bigger plan than us just being frustrated. Perhaps he protected us from getting a flat on the highway going 80, perhaps he wanted us to see his people still love genuinely, who knows?

I felt blessed even though we missed a great party, I'm sure.

However, when we were finally ready to go to bed Hillery told me she was really sad because she really wanted to spend some one on one time with me. She said, "ya know, it's been so long since it's just been you and me. I really want just us to hang out." Of course, I played it off like it's just hard for that to happen right now.  .  .  .  .  Bla bla. Little does she know, we will be spending a lot of one on one time together in the very near future.

:-)

Oh, and by the way I'm in the park because I'm waiting to meet at the Apple store to see about getting my email fixed. It's only been not working properly for a year and a half. Isn't that exciting?

That was a close one

Hilary and I had a great weekend. It was great because my parents came down from Fort Wayne to our house in Lexington. They got here on Friday, and left this morning (Monday, August, 3). It was a fun weekend because we had tickets to the Red's VS. Pittsburgh game on Saturday. Beautiful weather, great crowd, and a very very fun time. However, it was a very long drive up there because we ran into some crazy traffic on our way up I-75N . . . . . 

(CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR FULL PANO VIEW)

So, as we are sitting in traffic, my parents start talking about this & that. One thing leads to another, and my mom says, "Remember when you had that BLOG?" My response, "Yea, of course I remember." My mom then says, "Well I used to really enjoy that BLOG, you wrote in it almost every day, it was great." At this point I am frantically searching my brain for a way to lead the conversation away from talking about my BLOG. The last thing I want Hilary thinking about is my BLOG. . . because what if she decides to go and take a peek at it, ya know, to read through some of my old posts?!?!?!? If she checks the BLOG, the element of surprise for this trip is RUINED!!! It's silent for a moment, and then Hilary says to me, "Ya know, you should start blogging again." I quickly, and passively acknowledged her comment, and moved the conversation in a different direction. . . .

*** UPDATE *** Hilary has scheduled herself to work on Friday, August 14th all morning & early afternoon. I got in touch with her supervisor, and I am fairly certain that Amy G is going to get it all taken care of. I should know more towards the end of the week. I have gotten a great price for a rental car, and everything is set for a August 13 departure date. HERE WE GO!!!!

I feel like a double agent

Okay, so currently Hil and I have been watching ALIAS. Remember that action packed T.V. show from the early 2000's? It starred Jennifer Garner, and Bradley Cooper was in it for a while?

In case you are not familiar with the show, I will give you a "READERS DIGEST SYNOPSIS." Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) plays an elite C.I.A. Agent that started her career as a double agent. It's a crazy show that is either extremely predictable, or the polar opposite. Some of it is cheezy, but you appreciate the excitement. As portrayed in the image above, she plays different characters often in order to catch the "bad guys."

Well, last Friday Hilary had a picnic at Lexington's local baseball team, THE LEGENDS! They aren't very good, but it was sorta fun. Here is the thing, both of Hil's bosses, and several co-workers were there. . . . I have been in communication with all of them about this big trip. So, for instance when I "met her V.R. boss Amy M. for the first time," it wasn't really the first time. When Hil turned her back, Amy & I both winked at each other, because we both know what's up and Hilary has NO CLUE!!!

So, I just want to preface what I am bout to say by acknowledging that I am 100% going to follow through with the plan. . . . however, I often ask myself, "What the heck am I thinking?" Am I really going to drive 3,600 miles in a matter of only 96 hours?!?!?!? The answer, of course, is yes. But I guess the adult in me is just trying to come out. . . . . Good thing my ADHD has the natural tendency to ignore the adult in me. Right?

Little things can make a BIG difference

So, I am trying to figure the most efficient way to travel to the Grand Canyon. Ya know, a few miles per hour can end up making a big difference. For instance traveling 1,900 (one-way to Grand Canyon) miles at a constant speed of 70MPH will take roughly 27 hours. Now, rarely does anyone actually cruise at 70MPH, unless you are an old woman. HOWEVER, you don't want to press your luck either. So, I figure 77MPH is a fairly safe average highway speed. But one might ask himself, "How big of a difference can it really make?" Let's do the math. 1,900/77= 24.5 hours!! So, increasing the speed I travel by just 7MPH can shave off 2.5 hours!!! That's pretty incredible. And let's be real, I know I'm going to be going way faster when I am driving through New Mexico. It's as flat and as boring as can be, and there ain't no cops gonna sneak up on you there. . . . (KNOCK ON WOOD). 

Anyways, for that secret component that I was talking about. Well, the deed has been done. That's all I will say. DEED HAS BEEN DONE!

Weekend & Continued Planning

It was a pretty good weekend. Got the house ready for when Grandma Karen (Hilary's grandma) and her friend Carol come to town for 3 days. House is crazy clean, and ready to host our lovely guests. . . .

My best friend Jared is living with Hil & I currently, and ever since he moved down to Lexington, we have been wanting to go and visit Jim Varney's grave. He is buried here in Lexington next to his parents.

R.I.P James Albert "Jim" Varney, Jr. 6/15/1949 - 2/10/2000

A.K.A. Earnest P. Worrell

You may remember him from such classic movies as Toy Story, Earnest Goes to Camp, Earnest Saves Christmas, Earnest Goes to Jail, & Earnest Scared Stupid. Jared and I grew up on these movies, so we decided to go and pay our respects. People were putting pennies and coins on his head store for some reason, so we followed in-step. 

 So, I took Jackson (dog) and Jared (best friend) and we went to the Lexington Cemetery. BEAUTIFUL CEMETERY by the way. I would love to be buried here some day. It is super huge, but there are still plenty of open real estate locations. . . . 

PLANNING UPDATE

I found a good half-way point for the trip. We will be able to take a shower, before going on the second half of this epic trip. The more the days go by, the crazier I realize what I am going to be trying to attempt. HOWEVER, I am only 28 years old. And I know for a fact that once Hil & I have children, I will not be trying to pull stunts like this, maybe. SO, I am totally going for it. This is happening!!!

The Planning Continues

Wow, this feels good. Just like back in the old days. . . . 

Okay, so this is what I did today. I contacted Hil's coworker Amy at her job with Vocational Rehabilitation. She has been great, she is excited to help, and I am excited to let her. She is going to make it so that Hilary can take the time off AND so the scheduling won't conflict. 

I am also in communication with her coworker at her other job with Sorenson. Her name is Heather. Heather is great. She gave me another idea as to how I can make this even more special. I am a little hesitant to even write it on this BLOG, because it is such an amazing idea. In fact, I think I will just wait on that one. This trip, and adventure is going to be absolutely EPIC!! It will be something our kids will talk about, and maybe even our grandchildren some day. 

I am so friggin excited!!! It feels a little bit strange to break out of the ordinary hum-drum of life. I feel like I need to ask for someone's permission to go on an action adventure like this. But then I remember these two very simple truths. . . . . . 

&

So, with that being said. I am totally ready to continue to plan this totally amazing trip & secret surprise. My goals = 1.) Great conversation in the car. 2.) See half of the United States. 3.) Be spontaneous & fun. 3.) Remind Hilary how special and amazing she is to me. 4.) KNOCK HER OFF HER FEET WITH MY "special surprise!!" 

Ohh yea, I forgot. I got glasses yesterday. Check it out. 

Well, that's all I have for now. I'll continue to update as life progresses.

Long time, no type.

Wow, it has been so long since my last post. So much to tell!! Quick update, I'm almost 4 years married to my wonderful wife Hilary. We moved to Lexington, KY. I am not with Young Life anymore. I work in Industrial Sales for a company called Netherland Rubber, and I love my job so so so much. Life, marriage, God, work, friends are all amazing. 

Okay, that's all I have time to tell about right now. 

I am trying to plan something special for Hilary. 

A surprise trip to the Grand Canyon!! She has no clue. The first step I took today was to take very intentional names and numbers out of her cell phone, I did this while she was still groggy in bed this morning. The Grand Canyon is amazing, everyone needs to see it, and I want to create some spur of the moment memories that will last forever. That's the kind of husband I want to continue to be. So, I got her boss, & some of her coworkers to help collaborate with me in this process. I sent a text to one of her coworkers at VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) to see if she is willing to help me plan something. 

Ohhh, by the way. I want to do this in like 4 weeks. Ohh yeah, I also want to pull this off in a 2.5 day time-frame. 24 hours driving there, 5 hours to enjoy getting a glimpse at the GC, & then 24 hours driving back. My plan is to rent a small, fuel efficient vehicle to make the trek in. 

I'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED AS THINGS PROGRESS!!!!!