Spent a week in 'bama

What can I say, there are other places I would have rather been "vacationing" with my husband.  Pure Michigan maybe? But, the AF decided Dave was going to spend his summer in the South, and I just wanted to be wherever he was.

All I was really focusing on before the trip was seeing Dave & friends, so I wasn't expecting the whirlwind of emotions that came with being around so many friends (all still in the AF), all of his classmates (obviously all in the AF), and.....I'm not sure if I talked to one person who wasn't in the AF for those 9 days.  I can confess to my blog here that I felt really lonely and isolated.  SOS this, SOS that.  Meanwhile, I did not get any studying done for my certification like I planned.  My fault.  I just wanted to spend as much time with all of our friends as possible, yet it was a constant reminder that led me to the realization that I miss the AF, in general.  It's upsetting that my experience led me to the decision that it did (to leave), but the fact is that it did.  One of my worst fears felt like it was coming true- regret. But I left for good reasons, and those reasons still hold true.  So, forget regret.

We spent our time working out (did arms in the weightroom but haven't done them since I've been back home....waste!), maybe drinking a little bit of wine, and hanging out with friends. The trip started with the coincidence of me being on the same flight as our friend Lindsay going to visit our friend (her husband:) Adam for the weekend.  He is an instructor at the base where Dave is doing his training/school.  I used to work with him here at McConnell.  Confused? Sometimes it's all confusing even to me.

Friday:  Adam and Dave picked us up from ATL and we all got to catch up! The Pahls are fun. 

Saturday: Dave and I went out to dinner at Bonefish with my old college roomie Shannon and our friend (her husband....seriously everyone is friends and everyone is married) Kayu and their adorable little princess Charlotte.  It was great catching up and we had the best waiter.....

Sunday: We got to see Kelly and James. Win!  No Andy :-/  Off playing Army.

Monday:  I worked out while Dave was at class.  Should have consulted Kelly on how to actually row the right way.  I got a little bit of a workout but don't think it was quite right.  Remembered that I tried rowing for a week my freshmen year of college and decided it would be too much with ROTC.  TOTALLY regret that decision.  But I digress.  Anyway I think that workout is about all I accomplished.  Then we got some Reeeeed Robin.  YUM.

Red Robin...

YUM

Tuesday:  Went for a run before Dave had to be at class.  I made a last-minute hair appointment to get my hair colored because it was turning weird colors.  I managed to find an Aveda salon even though the first thing that came up when I googled "hair salons montgomery al" was "Montgomery Black hair salons."  Ate some lunch and then did a Commissary run to get stuff to make dinner at Kelly's.  It was fun using someone else's kitchen, not sure why :)  We ate dinner and had another nice visit.

Love

Wednesday, Happy 4th!:  Got up early and left for FL to spend the 4th with Shannon, Kayu, Charlotte, Tomo, Abby and Cooper.  Didn't make good time but had a little time at the Eglin AFB beach when we got there.  Then it was a rainy afternoon that led to a dance party to the college party mixed CDs.  Turns out some of the "missing" CDs in the collection are with Abby :) Tomo made an excellent dinner....cilantro rice, beans, shrimp, fish....yum.  Then we went to the fireworks.

Mango salsa & guac...heaven.

 

 

 

Thursday:  Went to Destin for lunch to meet up with one of Shannon's hs friends.  Was like a classier version of Panama City :) Pretty views from Harry T's.  Drove back to Montgomery.

Smothering the kids.

View from Harry T's

Checking out the big Pirate ship-looking boat!

Photo booth....saved $5 by taking my own picture

Friday:  Got to babysit Coop-man while Abby went running with her flight and played FLEX (this little AF game is similar to dodgeball but with "special" tactics and strategy).  Watched Dave play, then Kayu and Abby.  Cooper got smashed with a ball but survived.  We worked out and went to Kelly's for dinner.  Kabobs and really yummy corn.  Then we watched......you guessed it- Dateline! Enjoyed some vanilla ice cream with strawberries and blueberries (I KNOW Dave was wondering why I don't provide simple, semi-healthy desserts like that instead of crazy chocolate cakes and such) and wine and murder stories.  Perfect.

Dave...FLEXing

Saturday:  Dave and Breanne day.  Slept in, worked out (we tried a kickboxing video at the gym....yikes am I uncoordinated), went to the local flea market with Kelly and James.  Got recommendation to try Chris' Hot Dogs, local place that's been around 95 years.  They had just gotten Oskar Blues Beer in and this guy was giving me the history.  Read here:

http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/07/alabama_brothers_award-winning.html

It was super good!  Then we took Kelly's recommendation and ate at The Olive Room, a local place downtown offereing fine cuisine for a special night out.  Got Grouper with an amazing side dish and I don't even know what it was....why do I do that?? Why don't I ask? I want it again! Tasted like grits or potatoes....oh I don't know.  Mouth is watering thinking about it though.

Sneaking pictures of James in the car.  Sweet.

Dale's Pale Ale

100x better in a glass!

Chris' Hot Dog WAS really yummy

Date night- The Olive Room

Maxwell AFB

Alabama

Sunday:  Ate at the Egg and I (oh yeah we did that Saturday too) and then crashed Kelly and James' day again :)  Then it was time to pack up and hit Hotlanta.

Saw lots of cute kids and good friends...

Ate lots of good food...

Saw some shnazzy fireworks...

Stayed active enough to not COMPLETELY screw up the marathon training...

Spent 9 days with my husband.

All in all, a win.  Unlike the day that followed.....TBC.