Geo: 37.209, -93.2916Summer for us was the longest 127 days you can imagine....because that's how long it took for our log home to sell. 127 days of checking on an empty house, paying two utility bills and two mortgages, and not knowing if our home would sell in 127 days or 1,027 days. We were prepared financially to be patient. We were not prepared mentally. No vacation, buyers asking strange questions, the house being empty was freaky, etc. We said our prayers daily from April through Labor Day ~ when our house was under contract, finally. We are leaving for St Louis tomorrow and I'm outta my mind excited tonight!! Yay!!! I've been working extra all year building-up my time and Kamie always has plenty of extra time so this is not just a journey to ... read more

Geo: 41.8861, -87.6364Today was such a fun day! We woke-up extra early, showered, and we easily caught the 6:30am hotel airport shuttle. KC airport aka MCI is tiny. I was surprised. Security only had one slow-moving line. We were checked-in and had an hour so I got some Starbucks and they had some Starbucks Christmas ornaments that made my entire morning happy! Little glass cups that are Christmas ornaments. I. LUV. The barista at the counter was extra friendly, too.As I sat admiring my new purchase, it was time to board the plane. So, we got on the plane with lots of crying babies and families and we were all buckled-in when they announced that it was snowing in Chicago so all incoming flights were grounded. They announced the flight was not cancelled but delayed about ... read more

Geo: 37.1489, -93.2614Hello! We are taking a week off work. That's the important news. The other news is questionable weather - floods, snow, ice, etc.. So, with rain flooding I-65 North so bad that our four-lane highway turned into a 2-way highway for about 1/4 a mile, and rain turning to big snow flakes and finally back to rain, we made it to Springfield easily today but carefully. No problems whatsoever. We had a nice, slow time packing and Simon allowed both of us to give him multiple goodbyes and kisses today. He followed me around as I packed and then just before we left I told him to hop on the bed so I could give him goodbye kisses... and he did! So, now that everyone is sick of reading about my dog, I'll move ... read more

Geo: 41.766, -124.217Kamie & I woke-up before 7am to foggy skies, cold weather, and a rather rocking boat. We've had beautiful weather this entire cruise and today it looks like it is going to pour rain any minute. I had just put my contacts this morning on when Kamie was out on the balcony and he yells "whale!" and I go outside and lo and behold… there is the spray again. It wasn't even 7:30am yet! What a great way to start the day. Later in the day, around 2pm, I was again on my way to the balcony and he was on the balcony and he yells “whale!” I grab the camera and we hear our neighbors get up and go look – and then we saw an entire pod – well, at least 5 ... read more