Driving Mr. and Mrs. Daisy

This past week, I went home to help out my mom and dad while they got back on their feet after surgery. It's nice to be needed and to have something to do. It's good to have a reason to get up. I called it my time of 'driving Mr. & Mrs. Daisy'. I think I may start a new service in NE Ohio called Driving Ms. Daisy and just drive 'old people' around to appointments and such! *wink*

It was nice to be back and see everyone. I saw my cousins and their kiddos, saw Kate, ate at Quatro's, Cool Spoons and Lynda's, made a new friend (Miss Clo-Clo), spent time with my mom & dad, my lil bro and his new wife, my in-laws (mom, dad, sis, bro, aunt, uncle, cousin), and I learned a new way to get there and back (no, it isn't any quicker, but a little more scenic!). While I was there I discovered that there are some things that I miss and a few that I don't. Here goes...

I miss...
-spending time with my family and Ronnie's family (Blake, that includes you!)
-date nights with Crys x 2
-Quatro's
-Lynda's Family Diner (people and food)

I DON'T miss:
-driving 5 million miles to get anywhere
-Southern IL humidity (bleh!)

Things you should know:
-I gained 5 lbs this week! Nope, not kidding.
-I'm jumping on the Lose It! wagon with my sis-in-law (and my mother-in-law, but she cheats!). After much discussion with Crys, a 5 lb weight gain (too much good food), and realizing that I need to just be consistent with movement (that's where I'm starting), I am committing to an exercise program of sorts. Week 1 (starts today): I am committing to at least 4 days of intentional exercise. I'll report back later.

Niagara Falls

So. Much. Fun.

My mom and dad started out their family vacation in North Carolina with several of my aunts and uncles. They were on motorcycles. They did this last year only they rode out west. Some of them went back home after North Carolina. The rest headed to Niagara Falls where I met them.

I can't even begin to explain how breathtaking the falls are. It's amazing to stand there and see God's handiwork.  If you ever get the chance, you should totally go!

Here's my trip in pictures:

My Dad-in the US

My Dad - in Canada

My Mom

American Falls

American Falls

 

Maid of the Mist in front of Horseshoe Falls

Niagara Falls

My Mom and Dad - Love them!

Me by the rapids just above the falls

Rainbow Falls

Horseshoe Falls

No, we didn't stay for Nik Wallenda - they were expecting over 200,000 people. Not my idea of a fun time. However, we watched them string the lines for his act. A helicopter was used. Here area  few pictures of what we saw:

 

  

 

Things I Forgot...and the Rest of the Trip

Our apartment is like across the road and a couple of blocks down from Lebron James' house. WHAT? Not kidding. Here's his gate:

And check out that beautiful sky! This was Thursday. It was an exploration day for Precious and I. We ate lunch at Blake's (that wonderful place I told you about earlier), scouted some grocery stores, found 2 comic shops, a vintage toy shop, went to Archiver's, and scoped out the arts district (Highland Square).

We found the Firefly Music School. I talked to the owner. They basically offer tons of lessons to kids after school in one general place. It reminds me of something that should be in NYC. Loved it! They even have an instructor that teaches bagpipe! :-)

While in Highland Square we found a coffee shop (that does their own roasting) and I went to the bathroom. THIS is what I found on the wall:

Today, we left and headed to Cleveland. Precious wanted to check out a comic shop and Casey wanted us to try out a place call MELT. They have grilled cheese galore!

Their menus are on the back of old record sleeves.

Precious had the Gyro Melt.

I had the Cleveland Cheesesteak Melt.

Now we're waiting at the airport for our flight. Be back in Illinois soon! Thanks for all of the prayers. It's been a great trip. Keep 'em coming. Right now it looks like we'll have to move the weekend before the wedding. EEK!

Phoodos

My Precious and I went to St. Louis. We visited his lil bro and went to a Regional Barista Competition where our friend Joe Marrocco was competing. I just found out that he won! YAY! He will be competing at the Nationals in Houston. Exciting, right?

So, St. Louis...
Friday night we ate at Lotawata. Oh my...the food...so massive...so good! Fried Banana Pudding. YUM! (Casey is going to figure out how to make it.)

Timmy's Dinner

My Dinner

Ronnie's Dinner

A LOTAWATA FOOD!

Heaven - Fried Banana Pudding

Saturday we had breakfast with lil bro at IHOP, attended the barista competition, went to Kaldi's in Clayton for more coffee (we may have a problem), and shopped at The Loop (although I don't think either of us bought anything...perhaps we walked and looked at The Loop would be more accurate). We had a good time and it really was nice to just get away.