Friday, November 5, 2010

She's Engaged!!!

So I can finally talk about this, because the ring is actually on Heather's finger. Meet Jared, the love of her life. I can't wait to meet him myself! They are coming for Christmas, and he gets to meet the whole crazy family. I think Heather has properly informed him about us, and since they live all the way across the country, I don't think he cares!!! Just kidding, sorta. It's always a little scary to meet the family of someone you care deeply about, but other than David taking him out shooting, it should be a nice casual week.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Ohio from the Alleghany and Monongahela

I'm back from Pittsburgh! It was a great trip, Heather had a 5 star hotel already booked, since she was there for work. We just changed it to a double queen- it was a fabulous room at the Omni William Penn Hotel, right downtown. It had a sitting room with 2 cushy chairs, a love seat, entertainment center; also had a work desk, which was good, because Heather was working and needed it!

I got to sleep in, watch TV and eat bon-bons! Well, snacks anyhow, if not actually bon-bons. When her classes were over, we went shopping. There's a mall north of Pittsburgh, and we took a taxi there. Our first taxi driver was in shorts, short sleeve shirt and had the AC on, while we were dressed in coats, boots and gloves. He raved on an on about how the Ohio river starts from the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers; technically the Ohio should be called the Alleghany, since it is the strongest river of the two. And... the Ohio dumps into the Mississippi as the strongest river, so actually the Mississippi should be called the Ohio, IF the powers that named them had followed protocol! Really- that took most of the 20 minute trip...

Pittsburgh proper is mostly vertical, which triggers my claustrophobia something fierce. I walked out of the hotel the first time, looked up into the forest of skyscrapers and nearly had a panic attack. I focused on watching the building doors and windows, and didn't look up much after that. There's a reason I live in small towns or in the country- downtowns make me crazy! But it was an interesting place. There was a little 7-11 right downtown that we picked up a couple gallons of water, because I am a water snob. We found a chinese food place not too far away, and enjoyed eating out a few days. We ate lunch at the hotel the 1st day, and paid $15 each! Once was enough, so I started asking for places to eat, and people were very friendly and nice about helping us out.

There were still fall colors there, and it was beautiful! I brought my camera, and when I first took a picture, I realized that I left the camera card in my computer at home, so no pics of this trip. duh!

Click picture below to see album!

Christmas 2008

Carthage Jail & Nauvoo Temple