Pan-a-cookin'!

Up here in Minnesota, I had been begging my friend, Andrea, to take me to an "authentic, local flavor" restaurant. Being as scandanavian as it is up here, she came up with. Pannekoeken Huis. Sounds like Pan-a-cookin'. When they bring the dish out, they call out, "Pan-a-cookin!" and serve it to you hot.

Don't we look lovely? Just call us Vana!

I had ordered the pot pie pannekoeken and Andrea had the vegetable and meat pannekoeken. It's basically like an oversized, thicker crepe filled with whatever we had ordered.

The dinner was good, but the desserts were amazing!

Andrea had the silk chocolate mouse banana pannekoekin and I had the original Dutch pannekoeken. Wow. I had no idea! Thoses scandanavians have got something good going on!

This last picture is at Sioux Falls in South Dakota. They are actual falls there. Who knew? The baby is my friend from elementary school's daughter. 7 months old and absolutely adorable! We spent most of the day just staring at her and watching her scoot around the floor. I don't know how they get anything else ever done since she is soooo cute to watch!

It really is good to be me, and I am having soooo much fun.

A little more Texas, Ft. Worth style

The world's largest Honkey Tonk, complete with saddle disco ball. Only in Texas!

Before and after shots of the "all you can eat" beef ribs.

How you like them horns?

Yee-ha, y'all!

This blog finds me deep in the heart of Texas. I am visiting my friends, Janitha and Josh, who I have known for years. Josh and I went to highschool together, and when he was still dating her, Janitha and I became friends. I was in their wedding, but I will spare her having more pictures of her put up on the internet. You are welcome, Janitha!

We goofed off downtown Dallas, and headed over to Fort Worth and had fun making fun of the cowboys and girls and trying on the hats. No, we didn't buy any of them! Next up will be St. Paul in Minnesota. I can't wait!

Jet Setting

So it wasn't prom, but it sure felt like it! Getting dressed up and taking pictures at the house, then taking a taxi to a "fancy restaurant" and then for a night out dancing, what fun! I had 1 night off and some of my friends were in Las Vegas, begging me to join them. So I did! I was there a full 14 hours! It was great! I flew in with my dress and shoes on a hanger, my purse filled with lipstick, a compact, keys, ID, credit card, some cash, contact case and glasses, and a pair of flipflops and shorts and a tank top. That's it! Checking in was a breeze and I was on the plane in no time.

You simply must take any opportunity to pose with a dead deer head. These were my cohorts, Noah on the left and Donovan on the right. If you haven't seen the movie "Swingers," you may not understand half the references I am about to make, but don't they look money?

Of course, we had to pose and take way too many pictures. Danielle is the other beautiful baby in the picture.

This was before we stepped out on the town in Vegas, baby. Vegas!

I simply love Mermaids and the club we went into had this painted on the wall.

Dinner was at Rio's VooDoo Lounge and Steak House. The food was amazing! The view was amazing! You can see Vegas behind us. The company was pretty good too! We had filet mignon, rack of lamb, and a porterhouse steak and pretty much all shared trying each others dishes. They were all fantastic!

After our wonderfully drawn out dinner, we headed up to the rooftop club for some dancing under the stars. Again, the view was sureal, the temperature was perfect, and the company was great!

About half way through dancing, my right shoe strap broke! No biggie, I headed over to the VIP section and the bouncer let me go in so I could sit down and try to fix my shoe. Being the resourseful gal that I am, I pulled out the Mardi Gras beads I had obtained in the lounge and tied it around the shoe, securing it to my foot. Then I did the same to the other just so it would match a little better. AND THEN, after a little more dancing, my dress strap broke! Being the resourseful gal that I am, I pulled up the "hanger strap" and pulled it on. It worked. You can see in the picture on the left that the strap has been broken, but the new one was working quite well.

The story gets worse! Later, the second shoe broke! Good thing I had already tied it up! It still looked good.

It really is good to be me! I had a really good time and got back to the airport at 4:30 in the morning so I could fly back, go to sleep, and go to work that night! Good times, good friends, and good views. What more can a girl ask for?

Happy Birthday to Me Part 2! Or...Thank God I'm still alive~

I did it! I finally went sky diving and I'm alive to tell you about it and it was GREAT!!!
You can see the plane wing in the background...



I was strapped in and had a blast!

It really does feel like you are flying...

And then suddenly, they pull the cord! Thank God 'cause I would have forgotten since I was having soooo much fun!

Coming back down to the ground is such a peaceful, incredible feeling. I envy the birds of the air.

Luckily, the cameraman did not catch the following 3 seconds after this picture was taken! I had my feet up, like he told me to, until the last moment, thinking we were on the ground. He wasn't! I ended up on my knees and then my face! Not too bad though, just a little bruise and a scrape. I'm always getting into scrapes though!

Speaking of which, after the jump, I went shopping for a bit, and when I came out to my car, the battery was stone dead! Luckily the security guy was able to help me out and then gave me a ride over to where I decided to take myself out for dinner. Nice hat, eh Mom?

At dinner, they brought me a "Birthday Tiramisu," which was very nice of them. A very nice waiter guy then sang Happy Birthday to me with his spectacular voice. (Kicking myself for not having video taped it) I hated to tell them I really do not enjoy Tiramisu. The manager came over and, noticing I had not eaten any of my tiramisu, save a bite, she asked if anything was wrong with it. I admitted that I did not like Tiramisu (I think I am the only person in the world who does not...) and she was so sweet as to bring me a raspberry and lemon italian ice cream!

So all in all, it was a very, very nice birthday. Thank you to everyone who called, wrote, texted, and sent their best wishes for my birthday. They came true, and it was a truly unforgettable day.

Happy 29th Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to Me!!! (Part 1)

Happy Birthday to Me!!!! I am having a fabulous day so far! So many cards!
I got all dressed up and went out for Birthday Crepes at Bodgies (although I like to pronounce it "Boogies" since that is one of my many nicnames). I had a Scotish crepe with smoked salmon, brie, and capers as well as a Nutella crepe. Yum! Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of those. They were delicious!

I sat outside eating and talking to my friend Valerie, a fellow traveler who is currently in Florida. Next, I got to talk to my grandparents and got sung to!

These are my promised pictures of the ring I bought myself in Estes Park at an antique jewelry shop last weekend as an early birthdat present to myself. Inside is etched "Bob to Polly 8-16-26." The pattern is worn down, but is titled Orange Blossom, which happens to be the same pattern as my Grandpa Spriggs! His is so worn down though that you cannot tell that there ever was a pattern!

This will be my very first time turning 29! How exciting!

Taking Lovella's sugestion, I decided to do EVERYTHING!!!!

I went whitewater rafting,

to a rodeo,

got a massage,

went camping,

did a dance (so what if I didn't have a partner!)

bought myself a ring,

and finally, today I am going skydiving! That's why this is part 1. I hope I am alive to post my part 2! So keep an eye out! I'll be posting pictures!

It really is good to be me!