Day 1

Hola! We made it down to Cancun yesterday morning about 9 a.m. after a VERY long morning. I got home from work at about 11:45 Thursday night, finished the last min. packing, took a shower and literally took a 2 hour nap. We left the house around 3:30 a.m. The flight was pretty smooth, which I appreciated, and for the very first time I was actually able to sleep on the plane for about an hour. They woke everyone up about an hour before the plane landed to fill out our customs forms and what not and seeing as though I was so tired my brain wasn't exactly functioning properly. It took me 3 sheets to finally fill it out correctly. :) Oh well. So we got to the hotel about 10 a.m. and I can't even describe to you how AMAZING this place is. There is marble everywhere and their attention to detail is incredible. They said that our room wouldn't be available until 3, and at that point I didn't know whether to laugh or cry because I was so tired, all I wanted was a bed. I did niether however. So we went to breakfast, explored around the hotel, played some games on the computer, and took a nap on the couch in the lobby. Okay, so maybe I was the only 1 that slept in the lobby. We finally got into our room and I was completely blown away. This place is beyond belief. I wish I would have packed the usb cord for the camera so I could show everyone some pictures, but unfortunately that was 1 of a few things I forgot. As soon as we laid down in bed Jason crashed. He was out for a good 4-5 hours. I, on the other hand, only slept about 2 hours and managed to straighten my hair, put make up on, and watch the sunset before Jason finally decided to get up. So obviously we had a late dinner. We ate at the steak house here at the hotel and oh my goodness was it awesome food. My steak was cooked perfectly and their mashed potatoes were so creamy they melted in your mouth. I really have to kick my diet into high gear when we get home. This morning we woke up and had breakfast in the room and proceeded out to the pool area. We found beach chairs in the pool right next to the bar. :-D Perfect. We sat by some of the most obnoxious people, however, so thanks to them we only sat out there for about 1 1/2 hours. That was enough though, because the top of my chest is already toasted. I am very thankful that I have been tanning though, because if it wasn't for the base color I already have I fear I would have toasted even more. We went to Rain Forest Cafe for lunch and my food was less than stellar but you pretty much just go there for the atmosphere anyway, so it was ok. They had coke from the glass bottles though, so that was really cool. Yet another picture I can't show you. Mandy and Steve just called, they just got in about 5:30 p.m. We made reservations for the Hibbachi grill tonight. I am looking forward to that, I love hibbachi food. It's always a good time. Well, I should probably start getting ready for dinner. I am hoping to update throughout the trip, but I won't make any promises. Until next time...

Off

This has been a very off week for me and it isn't even over yet. I worked Sunday-Wednesday and I have today and tomorrow off. Then I get to work Saturday-Thursday all nights. Lovely. It's a good thing I leave on vacation on Friday, because they wouldn't want me to come back after 6 days of nights.

We finally have city water! It's weird how you start to appreciate things once you no longer have them. At my parents we always had city water. You could take a shower and actually feel clean, do laundry and not worry about staining your clothes, and you could drink a glass of water out of the sink anytime you wanted. Moving in with Jason changed all that. It took me twice as long to take a shower because I couldn't tell if all the conditioner was rinsed out or not. And I cannot count the numerous times Jason questioned my domestic abilities when his shirts come out of the laundry with brown stains on them. Come on now, I may not be able to cook but I can clean and do laundry with the best of them. I'm just glad it's finally over and we don't have to deal with Mr. Plumber anymore. They were a joke. End of story.

We leave for Cancun in 8 days. Halleluiah! The weather looks like it's going to about 85 degrees every day and mostly sunny. I couldn't ask for more perfect weather. The cruise was a nice get away, but it didn't really allow us to relax. Cancun is going to be our time to relax. I need that time. Jason needs that time. It's going to be great.

I learned that i have very expensive taste today. Haha. I went to Harold Jaffee Jewelers today to have my ring cleaned because it needed it BAD. Well of course while I was waiting I had to look around. You can't go into a jewelry store and not look around. So I looked at a pair of emerald earrings because my mom wants a pair to match her ring for her birthday. They were outragous. Then I slowly moved over to the rings. :-P Couldn't help myself. I found one that was absolutely gorgeous, with a not so gorgeous price tag. We won't go into how much it was, but lets just say I should keep dreaming. I also saw the cutest engagement/wedding band set. The two rings were sort of slanted, 1 had the diamond and the other was a diamond band and they slid into each other. It was awesome. I guess I have a while until I have to worry about that though.

Well I guess that's all I have to update every on. Until next time my lovlies...

Hello, Boy

Well, it's been a year today since you left us, and as you know there is still a bad taste in most of our mouths. It feels like yesterday you walked into Mamaw's house, with your long hair in a pony tail that Mamaw hated, and we all sat down, talking or planning about going to a race. It still seems so unreal that you won't be there for another race, won't be there to see any of us get married and have kids (you were always great with kids), won't be there to play another game of basketball with us, you just won't be coming around anymore. It's still painful. I know we'll never fully understand why you did what you did, but I think this year has taught me a lot and slowly, you're helping us all understand. I got off work last night, thinking about you and how hard today was going to be, and I turned on the radio and the song that was playing was "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. I admit, I started crying. I know that that was you coming through telling me that you were okay, you were safe, and most of all you were happy. You were where you belonged. That really helped. I can't say that I don't still hurt, that's going to take more time, but I know that you don't want any of us to cry anymore. All of us still talk about "the good times" and we can't help but smile. I remember my freshman year of high school you came to almost every 1 of my basketball game, and I never told you how grateful I was for that. I remember you were living with Mamaw and Papaw at that time and we bought you the basketball hoop for your birthday that year. I believe you turned 34 that year. Wow, that seems so long ago. You played with me every time I came out there, and you made me a better player. No one could help me with my temper that season though. LoL. I remember going down to Eldora and camping with you, Papaw, Cassie, Amber, and my 2 sisters. I know when Jason and I go down there this summer that you'll be sleeping outside our tent to make sure no drunk idiot gets to close to any of us. That always made me laugh. I remember arguing with you countless times about how Mark Keegan was not a good driver/person and I would continue to boo him. We're still waiting for him to retire, but I won't boo him anymore. So many things have happened since you've been gone, you missed the birth of your first grandchild. Riley is so adorable and I know you are very proud of Cassie. Amber is going to go so far with her creativity. She blows me away every time I see her, she is mature beyond her years. And I know if you were here you would be on top of Allison telling her to get her shit straight. LoL. Caitlin is excelling at school and finally broadening her social horizons. As for me, I'm doing ok right now. I hope you're rocking out in heaven in your big yellow truck, listening to Linkin Park like we always did. By the way, Papaw let me and Caitlin drive that finally, only a couple of times, but don't worry we took extra good care of her. Please continue to be with all of us, we love and miss you more every day. You know I think about you every day. Until I see you again...



R.I.P. Uncle Russ a.k.a. "The Boy" 3.4.68-4.1.07