Am I There Yet?!

I was looking forward to a relaxing Sunday night to have a glass of wine, pack for Vietnam and watch Downton Abbey. Unfortunately my night was far from relaxing. The news predicted an "epic" blizzard to hit the entire northeast coast Monday- Wednesday effecting 6 million people. I was one of those 6 million. I was scheduled for a seven hour layover in JFK Airport and the idea of that turning into a two day layover got me on the phone with our travel company. We had booked our flights to Africa through OneTravel with no issues so Ben booked my flight through them. The travel agency provides cheaper rates by thinking outside of the box. The itineraries they come up with may have you switching airports in Tokyo or a number of other major inconvienences. I realized they also have cheaper rates because they skimp on customer service. While I was on hold most of five hours, I searched online for alternative routes. Seeing that most of these routes would land me with an eight hour layover in Qatar (and I don't own a burkah) only increased my frustration. Eventually I told OneTravel to refund my flights and booked them myself. The only flight with a reasonable price left seven hours from when I booked it. Ironically, reasonable was the last thing I felt booking a last minute flight for halfway around the world.

From Fort Myers I had a 3 hour flight to Dallas. Dallas to Hong Kong was 16 hours and 40 minutes. How do you sit for that long? Well, I slep 4 hours and watched 5 movies. That's right. FIVE. The only one of which I recommend is A Hundred Foot Journey. I also started listening to the audiobook Dad is Fat, but it was so funny I couldn't help laughing outloud. Since no one else on the flight was having that much fun I felt it would be considerate to turn it off.

Now I'm enjoying a 14 hour layover in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong airport is very nice. It's busy, yet quiet. There is a lounge where you can pay for a shower or by the hour for a sleeping room. I'm not naturally talented at very many things, but sleeping is one of my talents. I decided to forgo the lounge and camp out on a bench. It wouldn't have been bad but for whatever reason the airport is freezing (it could be that the last 3 weeks in Florida has deconditioned my tolerance). I slept with all three of my long sleeved items on, used a dress as a blanket, wore Bose earphones like earmuffs, and wore a pair of socks on my hands. I'm sure I looked ridiculous but I managed to sleep 5 hours- waking up each hour to add something to my ensemble. Now I'm going to treat myself to some hot green tea! I don't even like tea but I figure "when in Rome" and anything hot sounds great. While I've been at the airport I've finished reading Snowflower and the Secret Fan (loved it) and One Last Thing Before I Go (hated it).  In one short hour I will board my final plane to Ho Chi Mihn City. I'm so excited to see Ben! And to be there!!

(Sorry I didn't include any pictures. It's challenging enough typing on a Chinese keyboard, I definitely can't figure out how to upload pictures.)

Happy, Happy

Being that I'm spending three weeks in Florida and fairly "unplugged", I set a lot of goals for myself. Realistically I knew I couldn't train for a marathon, learn a second language and get a masters in Biblical studies while I'm here,  but I was hoping to get close. Last week I realized trying to get anything done with Scarlett around is nearly impossible. After getting frustrated with her and myself I revamped my goals. I now have one goal: enjoy our daughter.

Playing with Scarlett all week was a ton of fun! Everyday I took her somewhere new (which is much harder than you would think being that I'm in retirementville). There is nothing better than making her smile. All week she said "happy, happy" which actually sounds more like "hoppEE, hoppEE". :)

We went to story time at the largest Barnes & Noble I had ever seen. The theme was hugs. Scarlett listened quite attentively to the story Hugmachine, gave me tons of hugs while they sang "If You're Happy and You Know it Give a Hug" and when she recognized the book Hugmachine on the way out she grabbed it and gave it to me. My heart melted and I almost bought it for her. I mean look at her...

Last week we also went to...

the beach...

the pool...

and the Children's museum 

Ben turned 31 on Sunday. I bought a red cupcake for Scarlett to have in celebration since red cake is a Granzow family tradition.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to Ben and he and Scarlett blew out the candles. Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of us, which meant we had cupcakes for breakfast. Ben thought it was better for Scarlett to have that much sugar in the morning then for her to eat it before going to bed. I'm glad he approved of my parenting decision. Not everyone would approve of cupcakes for breakfast. Ben had spent the weekend in the southern part of Vietnam. While there he went on a 42 mile scenic bike ride that dropped 3,000 feet.

Singing happy birthday to Ben over Tango

Despite an otherwise happy week, Scarlett bit her tongue at the play ground. Actually she almost bit it off. She slipped going up a ladder, and although I caught her, she managed to bump her chin which sent her sharp little fangs through her tongue. There was blood everywhere. While other parents were freaking out my nursing career has trained me to remain calm. This was not a big deal. I've seen big deals. Despite this being my baby, it was still not a big deal. I remember learning in college that tongues heal remarkably fast, not from anatomy class but from a girl on my dorm floor who took her tongue ring out and it healed up in an hour. Scarlett also didn't think it was a big deal. Within 2 minutes she was on the playground again. Within 20 minutes she was loving Chik-fil-a. Since Scarlett was a little out of sorts I skipped movie night with my mom. She and a friend went to see Foxcatcher and really enjoyed it. She tried to make my dad and I go see it this weekend but it was already out of the theater.

Three days after. Healing really well!

My Florida sunshine

The Retired Life

Last Monday my parents, Scarlett and I flew to Naples just before the cold weather hit the midwest. Despite it being a direct flight and the 3:1 adult to child ratio, I was exhausted.  Scarlett was a party that did not stop. She decided to skip both of her naps. It was a 3 person job to channel her enthusiasm for life on a plane.

Arriving at Heritage Bay was wonderful! I can see why so many retired people winter in Florida. Actually, I'm beginning to wonder why everyone doesn't live in Florida. The weather is warm (or at least mild this week) which brings people out to be active and social. Scarlett has been enjoying lots of walks and pool time. She loves to yell "nigh night" to all the people laying out. She has a good heart wishing them a nice rest, but she actually just wakes them up.

In December I started my dream job of being a stay at home mom. In Florida I'm not a SAHM, I'm truly retired. Everyday my dad makes coffee with Scarlett and pumpkin waffles. My mom has done all my laundry and cooking. My parents love playing with Scarlett, so I have tons of time to relax. I've been able to talk with Ben almost everyday using Tango. He seems to be enjoying Vietnam.  My mom and I went to Big Eyes at a luxury theater. Tickets are only $6 on Tuesdays, so we're going to make it a weekly tradition. (Even paradise needs some structure.) I managed to call into my committee meeting last week for my Bible study and have already enjoyed completing my first book: Orphan Train. I could get use to retirement!

Home :)

 

Looking for alligators. Haven't seen any so far. There is enough action on the golf course to keep Scarlett entertained.

Bringing a feminine touch to the sandbox- carrying a pail like a purse. 

Lobster quesadillas on the boardwalk and a stroll on the white sand beach afterwards.

Thursday evening my good friend Heather came to visit. We had a great time catching up, enjoying the weather and seafood.

My ginger loving ginger :)

Heather discovered a cucumber ginger martini when we were out for seafood at Roy's. Pretty sure we could have ordered anything on the menu and amazed, but I love how elated she was over the ginger stir stick that came with her martini. After our dinner on the we went next door to Alto for wine and live jazz. Such a fun evening on the bayfront!

At my mom's suggestion, we went to the Ritz Carlton for lunch. We had a seamless encounter with valet parking because of Heather's quick googling skills. It was as we were driving in that I realized I had never been the driver when using valet parking and needed to brush up on my etiquette. We enjoyed Lobster quesadillas on the boardwalk and a stroll on the white sand beach afterwards

A Florida snowball

Heather and I stopped at a coffee shop while we were out shopping and figured we should have a little snow while we are in Florida. Needless to say, snowballs don't last long here. Delicious! 

Another Year, Another Adventure

We enjoyed New Year's Eve at home. A place we rarely are. Ben got done with work early so we took Scarlett to Bounce World and out for ice cream. In the evening we had Chinese and wine, finished packing for our travels, watched The Giver and (my favorite hobby) looked at pictures of how Scarlett has grown over 2014.

On New Years Day we dropped Ben off at the airport in Rochester.  It took Ben 24 hours to get to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He will be teaching anesthesia at the orthopedic hospital this month. His fellowship is co-sponsored through The Society for Education in Anesthesia and Health Volunteers Overseas. It's very difficult to get credit for a rotation internationally, but Ben found a way to do it. He is one of nine anesthesia residents in the nation offered a fellowship with SEA-HOV. He was relieved to arrive without any issues. This weekend we have talked several times via Tango. He has been adjusting to the time change (13 hours ahead) and exploring the city. 

 Dropping dad off at the airport. 

Earlier in the week my parents came up to Rochester to help spruce up our house so we can put it on the market soon. They worked like dogs (or farmers) cleaning, repairing, and painting. Our house is now too clean to live in, especially with a 15 month old. So Scarlett and I headed down to Iowa bright an early Friday morning. Actually it wasn't bright until we arrived in Iowa. We had left at 5:30 in the morning. I wanted to see my brother Adam and sister-in-law Lindsey before they left on there month long road trip. Adam and Lindsey made it to Park City, Utah by Saturday evening.

Scarlett enjoyed the weekend in Iowa:

Great Grandma Shorty made some cream puff dessert for this little cream puff.

Scarlett and her Great Grandpa Dean on the newly restored Model A. My Great Great Grandpa Lester bought this tractor when my Great Grandpa Owen started farming with him since Owen refused to use horses.

The battle continues: Green vs Red. My dad farms with John Deere tractors but his twin brother farms with the other guys. Take note that Marcia has lured Scarlett on to the red tractor with cookies. Don't worry, I'll make sure she knows tractors are green.

Grandma Helen and Aunt Marcia enjoying coffee and M&M cookies. Scarlett isn't much for coffee yet, probably because both hands are full with cookies.

You may have noticed a theme with the pictures. Scarlett loves stuffing her face. She is my daughter after all.