Happenings UP north!

Last week Chris was in San Diego for a conference. While he was there, a few things happened -- you might call it a banner week for yours truly.

• I won a hunting rifle! Yep, pregnant women in the UP win hunting rifles. :-)   It's a Savage Axis .308 complete with scope. We took it to the range on Saturday to get it sighted. Although it was pretty windy, it worked our decently.
  
  Backstory --- I purchased a raffle ticket last month supporting a local American Legion post. I figured it was a good donation of $5. I received a call last Thursday from Northwoods (Freeman's) and initially thought, "What did Chris order now?" Well, the message went on to inform me that I had indeed won the grand prize! Pretty awesome, indeed. Now I just need to take it hunting. Imagine this ..... a 7-month+ pregnant women stomping through the woods with her new rifle. Hmmm ......, perhaps a new pair of cute boots might be in order!  :-)
    
  
• Chris actually made it home on Friday ... and I made him an apple pie. OK, banner-week worthy? Well, I think so!
   
  
• I good friend of mine met me at a quilt shop and had me pick out a design and fabrics for a homemade baby quilt! I must admit, the design is cool and the fabrics we picked kick-ass! There will be NO other quilt like it in the world. It is SO going to rock. Thanks, Kristen!
   
  
• Our 15th wedding anniversary was Wednesday. I was the recipient of a free lunch at work - - courtesy of a meeting about GRE/TOEFL testing standards. Lasagne and salad was had by all. So, if forced to be without your husband on your anniversary, look into attending an ETS testing update meeting. Things could be worse!
    
  
• Chris brought back Godiva chocolate for me from San Diego. Ask any pregnant woman .... this is a sign of TRUE love!
    
  
• I also was the recipient of a BE-A-UUU-TIFUL ring enhancer that fits perfectly around my engagement ring. Chris presented it to me in a very romantic and sentimental way. He asked me to marry him. At first I was a bit thrown. Of course I said yes! Then I realized that there was something additional being placed on my finger. He's a smooth, smoothy, he is! I will treasure it and, more importantly, him ALWAYS.
  I'm a very lucky woman. :-)   I need to find a camera and post some photos.
    
  
• I was also surprised with an impromptu viewing of our wedding video -- once he located the VCR (you do remember what those are, yes?) Man, we looked so very young. We also looked happy. We had no idea back then, did we? I envy our younger selves the youth, but wouldn't go back. Life makes you stronger and helps you appreciate all you have ... even if you don't really realize just how much you DO have.
  
  Of course, there was a bit of sadness ... seeing the faces of all those we've lost since then. Desperately wanting the camera to move back in another direction so we can see more of a particular loved one .... knowing that it can't and those moments were so very fleeting -- at the time, thinking you had eternity. Sad for the loss of those gone on ahead and sad for the loss of those who weren't yet here to meet them ... those who will never meet them in this life.

Great times, sad times ... all part of the same package. What can you do? Roll with the waves the best you can and take the time to look at the scenery ... even when, especially when, the schedule calls for a scenery-free trip. That's when there's the most to see.