Mom's Visit (November 6-12)

I'm back....after what can only be described as the world's longest blogging hiatus....ok....not the longest, but still, it's been awhile. Let's recap the mad-life that's been Janell's life for the last 6 weeks or so....

My mom came to visit Phoenix November 6-12. The fact that she flew out here is an amazing testament to the power of.........A FREE TICKET! No, her love for me would not make her fly out here, however, when her boss gave her a free, roundtrip ticket, she could not refuse - Thanks Dale!

The last time my mom flew was 5 years ago to visit Josh and I in New Mexico. She has TMJ and experienced such excruciating pain that she said she would never fly again...hence, why she didn't visit us in New Zealand last year. Well, a free ticket and a direct flight from Tulsa to Phoenix convinced her to come out west.

As her smile indicates, she flew pain free and we all were very happy about that! It means there is hope for her to visit us again in the future! We shared the strangest interaction in the elevator in the parking deck. I was speaking to my mom and she was just staring at me like she couldn't hear me. We'd only not seen each other for 3.5 months but it was like she was seeing me for the first time.

After dinner at Carrabba's were I splashed some sauce on my white shirt bought in China (thank goodness for Tide sticks) we just spent that night at home and on Friday, Josh and I had to go to work. That meant mom got to enjoy our house by herself. She turned the fountain on, watched the golfers, ironed her clothes, and took it easy. We'd built in this "do nothing" day so that if she did experience pain flying, she would have a day to recover. Friday after work (I got off a little bit early) I drove back home to pick up my mom (wow, the house seemed so alive even just having one other person in it), called the Yard House to put our name on the list, and drove to "Tailgators" to pick Josh up from his Happy Hour event.

Good thing we'd called ahead for the Yard House, too. When we showed up, the line was out the door and there was a wait of over an hour! We were like VIPs as we walked up and were immediately seated. It was so crowded because there was a Carrie Underwood concert going on that night in Jobing Arena which is part of the whole Westgate complex.

Dinner was good but my mom had a killer migraine for most of the meal. She felt better after dinner and it was so funny to watch her beckon the stilt walker guy over to her by curling her index finger in a come hither movement. Too funny!

After people watching for awhile (there was some karaoke going on) we headed home. The next morning, we were up and heading North to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Josh wasn't paying attention while he was driving and he missed the Sedona exit. It took awhile to find an (illegal) place to turn around. Fortunately, our turn around site didn't have a cop in it....that would have been bad!

Onto Sedona, but first we pulled off the road to view the Red Rocks. This place was AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL and easily accessible. My mom bought a couple of souvenirs and she bought me something that I would not buy myself because I don't usually buy "things." It is a leaf that has been covered in clay and cooked in a kiln and glazed. It's turquoise blue. I love it. Plus, we decided that if she bought it for me, it would have more significance. My mom and I talked to the cashier lady. I love my mom.

Next, we went to find some lunch. It was at this point Josh and I my mom began to make fun of the "planner" in me because both my number 1 and number 2 choices for restaurants in Sedona were only open for dinner. Nice. So, as we head into town, we see this cute cafe, Cafe Jose, and we decide to check it out.

The food was GREAT! We all had burgers and fries. Okay, my burger could have had a bit more seasoning if it was going to be perfect, BUT, nevertheless, the food was really good and affordable. Oh my goodness, this might be a "you had to be there story," but as we were all talking about how good everything was, my mom said, "You know the only thing that would make this place better was if I wasn't distracted by that guy cooking outside."

We were like, "What, who's cooking outside?" and we looked out the window that my mom was looking out of. Turns out, she was watching the guys in the kitchen being REFLECTED in the restaurant window and thought that there were people cooking outside :) Oh my gosh...that story CRACKS ME UP! I wish I had a picture of the reflection but the laptop that I uploaded those photos to is currently DEAD :(

We left lunch in a hurry to make it to the Grand Canyon in time for sunset. We made a few stops for pictures as we headed north. We did make it to the Grand Canyon in time to catch the sunset...but not before I asked the park ranger at the entrance about this "secret best place" to view the sunset I'd read about online. The park ranger was like, why don't you just go where everybody else is going? And again, my travel notes were scoffed at!

Nevertheless, we found a pretty quiet and isolated place to view the sunset...and we must have looked like we knew where we were going because one guy was following my mom and I until we told him we didn't know where we were going. Here are some pictures from sunset.
I never liked the Grand Canyon the two other times I visited. Once was to the North Rim and once was to the South Rim. This time was better because it wasn't quite as cold on the South Rim as last time. Plus, it was nice to share it with my mom as it was her first time to visit.

After the Grand Canyon, we went to check in at the Holiday Express in town. If you don't already know, I am VERY PICKY about which hotel room I stay in. I want to be on the top floor, away from the elevator and street noise....basically, I'm noise adverse. I figure, you're paying the same price for the room no matter what, you might as well get the best room you can.

We booked two rooms at the Holiday Inn. One for my mom and one for Josh and I. The hotel had no occupancy either. The first room (my mom's) was uber nice and had been remodeled. The (first) room they gave to Josh and I was located next to the Housekeeping Laundry Room and it STUNK!

That would not cut it. So, back downstairs I went to change the room. The second room still wasn't remodeled like my mom's room, however, at least it didn't smell bad. In a way, I felt bad because it seems kinda bitchy, but at the same time why not?

So, rooms settled (I would be staying with my mom that night because her two queen beds were pillowtop, unlike the other room) it was time to figure out dinner. We decided we wanted to stay in rather than going out to eat. We had heard that the Pizza Hut in town wasn't good (perhaps a ploy from the front desk staff to support the local pizzeria rather than the chain....but it worked). That meant we were going to eat at the local place called "We Cook Pizza."

Josh and I called ahead, however, we still waited over 20 minutes before I went up to the girl and asked about our food. She found it (and that it had been sitting there for about 20 minutes as well). I asked if there was a manager because we had to wait when our food was already done and they gave us a free salad for our trouble. I must admit it was pretty cool waiting around in the pizza place though because it was such an international hang out. So many different nationalities were there to visit the Grand Canyon...too cool.

The pizza was really good and after we had dinner it was off to bed because we were going to get an early start the next day to catch the sunrise. Here's my thought on getting up for sunrise at the world's best known touristy locations.....it's ALWAYS worth it. No matter what.

Yes, it's early. Yes, it goes against my everyday rule that getting up while it's still DARK is just wrong. However, I've never been disappointed when I've awoken before dawn to see the sunrise whether it was over the temples at Angkor Wat or at the Grand Canyon. Of all the pictures that I've taken all over the world, quite possibly my favorite are those below of my mom and I watching the Grand Canyon sunrise (thanks to Josh for catching it on film). My mom was so cute wearing her flip flops and my borrowed coat in the cold.

After sunrise (which turned out to be the brightest part of the morning as the rest of the day was gray and cloudy), we tried to leave the park but got turned around and ended up finding where they house all the mules for those rides down into the canyon. I got a hoot out of seeing the mules tied up next to the vehicles (so much so that my mom and Josh were waiting in the car for about 10-15 minutes while I found the perfect shot).

We returned to the hotel to eat breakfast (really good food but very crowded breakfast room). After breakfast, we loaded up and headed out to Vegas. 4 hours later we arrived at our destination and parked the car at the Flamingo Hotel. The line for check in was short (miracle) but the first two rooms they gave us (while conveniently located) were not properly cleaned. Another episode of Janell-as-the-never-satisfied-hotel-guest ensued and we were given two new rooms in the boonies.

Well, we had tickets to watch Cirque's "O" that night, so Josh and I ran over to the Bellagio to pick up the tickets from Will Call. When we returned to the hotel, we decided to eat at the Flamingo Buffet since each room came with at $30 credit for booking through orbitz.

The buffet was average and although we tried to tell my mom about making a small plate with lots of different samples on it....her eyes were bigger than her stomach for her first plate. Our favorite buffet is the Wynn buffet (and that's where we were slated to eat the following evening). Oh, I must note that the waitress first tried to seat us by the kitchen (hello, does she know who she's dealing with) but that ultimately, we ended up with seats facing the waterfall, flamingos, and ducks.

After dinner, my mom and I headed out before Josh so we could stop at Bill's Gamblin Hall and Saloon next door to the Flamingo. My mom bought a $3 bottle of water (outrageous) before proceeding to win $8 on her first slot machine....lucky girl.

Onto watching "O." I know I don't have kids and don't plan to, however, watching my mom experience "O" might be the closest thing I ever experience that is like having a child. Just watching her reaction to the show and being able to share that with her was so cool! I felt bad that it was my fourth Cirque show in less than a year and while everyone says "O" is the best Cirque show, it might very well be my least favorite. I'll never forget my mom leaning over as the curtain went up and her saying, "Awesome."

After the show, we walked around the Bellagio and viewed the Conservatory.

That night I suffered my "pains." I've felt these EXCRUCIATING pains off and on for the last 4 years or so. It's like an alien is eating through my middle abdomen. The last time I felt it on a severe level was in Hong Kong last November during our Asia travels. This night, I could hardly sleep due to the pain and contemplated a visit to the E.R. but I didn't want anything to detract from my mom's visit and when I don't feel the pain (which comes in waves) I'm fine.

The next day, I called my brother who has had an ulcer before to see if my symptoms match his. His response, "I'm not a doctor. Ask a doctor." True, so I bought some Tums and tried to make due. I wondered if it's my gall bladder because my mom had her's removed in her early 30's.

I was mostly fine throughout the day as we visited various sites on the Strip. Josh and I were a little out-of-sync today and I don't know why. We got back on track in time to eat dinner (at lunch prices) at the Wynn buffet. Because of my intense pains earlier in the day (which sporadically hit me) I didn't get to enjoy dinner at the Wynn as much as I'd like. I did eat shrimp, sushi, and 8 creme brulees as per usual though. It was wonderful to share GREAT food with my mom.

After dinner at the Wynn, it was onto Phantom of the Opera at the Venitian. Great show although I agree with the tripadvisor reviews that say the speed of the songs was a bit hyped up as compared to the original. My mom, who's never seen the show before, had no complaints.

We departed the following day, and I didn't want to leave. In part, I didn't want to leave Vegas and in part, I think I knew it meant the end of my mom's visit and the end of my vacation and a return to work. Before we left though, we went to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. Our waitress was awesome (it was her first day) and she gave us all hugs when we left.

We made the 5 hour drive back to Phoenix and my mom washed clothes before packing up for the return trip home. The following morning, Josh and I showed my mom around the West campus before Josh took her to the airport that morning. Ugh....I was sooooooooo bummed out that she left!!!!

She made the flight back to Oklahoma without pain....we're a go on future plane rides I think. The only bad thing was that she had a lot of turbulance on that flight. Man, I miss my mom.

Halloween and Camping

So, I've been away for awhile...with good reason! In addition to work keeping us super busy, our social calendar has also been full. I'll start with the weekend of Halloween, October 31-November 2. I dressed up in a 80's prom dress I'd got at a Fayetteville yard sale...one trash bag full of clothes for $5...this dress included....a wild deal! I always wanted to wear it but never had the occasion...Halloween was the perfect excuse and I got to wear my dress at work all day. I loved that!

After work that night, Josh and I went to Walmart to buy Halloween candy. Josh said that people in his office said that they always had tons of trick-or-treaters, so we had better be prepared. Well, this was our first Halloween as homeowners and we went all out. We figured what we didn't hand out, we could return to Walmart.

Around 7, the doorbell rang and I gave a little ninja boy 3 pieces of candy (he was probably 2 or 3 years old, he didn't say a word, and his mom was at the end of the driveway trying to prompt him to say, "Trick or Treat." He opened his pillowcase for the candy and left as I waved to his mom.

About 15 minutes later, we could hear people outside, so Josh opened the door and no one was there but we could see kids walking down the street. The kids went to other houses but not ours. I said Josh must have scared the kids away! That, or because our house wasn't decorated people didn't come by...we did have our lights on though.

Later that night, on the local news, we heard pedophiles/registered sex offenders are not allowed to decorate their houses for Halloween....uh, next year we WILL be decorating and hoping for more kiddos to drop by...we still haven't got around to returning ALL the Halloween candy yet either.

We also started loading up the car on Halloween night, because we were driving to Joshua Tree National Park the following day to go camping with Ryan and Lisa. Ryan is our friend from high school who currently lives in San Diego with Lisa, his girlfriend of two years.

On Saturday morning, Josh and I finished loading up the car and we were headed out by 9:30. It was about a 5 hour drive to Joshua Tree...or so we thought. As it turned out, when we reached the park, and went into the information center to see where the campsite that Ryan and Lisa had reserved for us was located, it was an additional 2 hour drive north!!!

You should have seen Josh interacting with the park ranger as she took out the park map to explain our location to us. The first time she told Josh that our campsite was 2 hours away, he was like, "2 hours?!?!" Yes. Then, as we were leaving, Josh asked if it was a 2 hour drive to the campsite. I told him, no matter how many times you ask, it will still be 2 hours away!

We drove through the park, driving past some large boulders that reminded me of the Flintstones as there were RVs parked next to the rocks.

We finally reached the campsite and met with Ryan and Lisa. It was my first time in seeing Ryan since our wedding 4 years ago and my first time to meet Lisa. Everything was easy going and not awkward. I really love when that happens with people. It's just natural and not weird.

We set up our tent and ate some snacks before realizing we'd need more firewood and items for making smores. As I mentioned on facebook, Ryan and Lisa don't shop at Walmart, so when Lisa and I made a run for supplies, we stopped at a small Mexican grocery store to get firewood, marshmellows, and graham crackers.

Personally, I cannot understand the concept of not shopping at Walmart because it has questionable employment practices and uses outsourcing. I mean, who's to say that the mom and pop store you're shopping at doesn't use similar tactics in order to save money? But, I still shopped at the local store. It begs the question though, when one is in a similar situation, who should bend to accomodate the other person? Why was I willing to go to the local shop but Lisa didn't go to Walmart? Was it determined by the driver, who, in this case was Lisa? Just a thought.

After the shopping excursion, we roasted hot dogs and the infamous smores were not that great and went mostly uneaten. The hot dogs, however, were fabulous. We played Whoonu and Taboo in our tent. Oh my goodness, I had some BIG BELLY LAUGHS that night. It was so much fun and I hope we can make some Phoenix friends in order to play games and laugh like that again.

Just to remember, and some of you may find this totally inappropriate, but man I laughed so hard I just don't want to forget. Throughout the night the wind had blown so hard (and even rained lightly) that Ryan and Lisa had accidently knocked over two cans of soda in the tent at different times...getting our pillow soaking wet and the blankets wet, etc. The second time it happened, as I put the used, wet towel to dry on the picnic table outside the tent, I could hear Lisa saying, oh, I'm so sorry you guys, etc. I popped my head into the tent and said, "That's okay, I just took a dump in your tent, so we're even."

To end the night, we played Taboo. Ryan and I were on a team. We were down by 10 points, or 5 cards, and we had to get all the points to win.

The first word for the final round that Ryan pulled up was "Mistake." Ryan gave me the clue, "We cannot make a ...." AND HE GOT BUZZED by Josh for using the word "MAKE." It was just a pefect way to end a losing game! I hope the funniness of that story translates in the blog and it's not one of those, "you had to be there" moments.

Despite my fears of staying in a campsite that was so close to other sites (I hate noise), I think we ended up being the last to go to bed that night around 1:30 or 2 am. You should have seen the stars that night. The stars were amazing in their clarity even though we weren't too far from a town (one of the plusses-firewood and supplies-and minuses-it felt like we were cheating "camping" so close to civilization). The only time stars were clearer was when we camped in the Australian Outback....I don't even think the stars in Palmerston North were as abundant as we were right in the middle of town there.

As Josh and I lay in the tent, I was very snug and comfortable laying on the air mattress in my sleeping bag, the wind began to kick up even more. I could not sleep with the flapping noises of the tent, so eventually, I went to sleep in the car, sleeping on the driver's side because the seat leaned back further. A couple of hours later, Josh joined me and made me scooch over to the passenger's side....thanks!

Around 8 am, everyone was awake and although we'd brought things to make breakfast, we just took down camp and drove into town to eat at a restaurant there. The food took forever to arrive but we had a good chat and when we did eat our food, it was great.

When we left, Ryan gave us a great compliment by saying that we were still the same down-to-earth people he remembered and Lisa said that we were the best of Ryan's friends that she's met. I did my happy dance in the middle of the parking lot when I heard that :)

As we left Joshua Tree a different way than we arrived, we saw some awesome mountains and it all made sense why it had been so freaking windy at night as we saw the massive windmills generating energy. The final picture below is of a mountain we saw during our long drive back home. Just to end - I love Phoenix.