Reporting Live From Omaha!

We've made it, folks! The Smoochy family has landed in Omaha. We flew in Wednesday and have been enjoying life at the Hilton ever since. Smoochy has started work..and is working hard on day two!!!! The baby and I have done some house hunting with our friendly neighborhood Realtor. So far, all I can tell you about Omaha is that their Hilton has softer towels than the D. C. Marriott; the down town area is very historic and cool; and the population is obviously friendly and intelligent as every single person we meet stops to lavish Normy with adoration. I think I'm going to like it here!

What is that...velvet?

Everything has gone smoothly with our move so far...with the exception of one little glitch...


Yikes! I was inside when the ramp dropped away from our car leaving the tires spinning and the poor moving guy with a load in his pants. So I missed all the excitement. Smoochy said he laughed the whole thing off; of course the moving company will cover any damage. Ha! But, this sure did make quite a sight.

Anyway, now we're here and doing the best we can to get settled in. Don't you think we'll be living in the lap of luxury for the next month or so while we buy a house; the whole while contributing significantly to the Hilton Family "Clean Up Paris' Image Fund". The truth is, Sunday we'll be taking possession of a small furnished apartment. Not exactly swanky stuff. Picture mismatched furniture, stained beige carpet, and wallpaper from 1985. At least it seemed clean enough. The best part is that we'll be able to start grocery shopping and cooking our own meals again. Living off restaurant fare and hotel breakfast buffets, though extremely enjoyable, is also wrecking havoc on our arteries and waist lines. We're still both slimish folks, but Smoochy and I have each gained at LEAST 10 pounds this month! Hello oatmeal, salads, and turkey sandwiches! Here we come! Next week... ;-)

Normy checks out corporate housing

Well, that's it for now, I haven't been taking a lot of pictures lately...but here's the latest Norm for you. He's enjoying his first taste of she-crab soup! Check out that tooth!

Where in the World is Normy?

Napping on the go.

The National Gallery

Normy loves traveling!

The Washington Monument

Dinner at Hard Rock (We miss you, Zach!)

Back to the hotel via the Metro.

Here is just the overview of our next crazy week or so:

We flew to D.C. on Sunday from Kansas so Smoochy can "in-process" with the company he will be working for. (Their home office is in Omaha, but Smooch was hired on with the Federal Branch, but will be working in Omaha- get it?) ;-)

We'll be here until Thursday when we fly back to Tampa where we will spend the night with my sister and pick up our car. Friday we drive south to Naples for a weekend with my folks and my 10 year high school reunion.

Sunday we'll drive BACK to Tampa for the moving company to come get our stuff out of my sister's garage. From there we'll ship our car. By mid-week the three of us will jump on a flight for Omaha were we'll live happily ever after...or at least a year or so.

SO, if I don't blog much you know why. Wish us luck. It's about to get crazy!

Well I'm off to check out Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier today!

Holy Moly

I cannot believe that THIS was a year ago!

Happy Birthday Normy! The party has only just begun!

Week in review. Hello June!

Okay, before things get too crazy let me post as brief run down of our past week. It’s been a fun one!

Last weekend we had our last HURRA in Florida. My little family, along with my parents, made the two and a half hour drive north to Tampa to visit my sister, Kate and her husband, Chuck. We gathered for a two fold mission; to celebrate Normy’s birthday and to go to the Kenny Chesney concert. Both were a complete blast.

The cake that didn't make it.

The cake that did.

Happy Birthday Normy!

Normy's new friend.

Crazy Party People

On our way to the show.

Tailgating before Kenny.

Sisters enjoying adult beverages.

As you can see, our last days in Florida were delightful. I highly recommend checking out Kenny's summer tour if he makes it to your neck of the woods. It was one of the best shows I have EVER seen. I couldn't believe how many hits he has; or how song after song the whole stadium sang along. Even when it started raining people stayed and sang!

In other exciting news: My brother Zachary is engaged!!! He proposed to my darling sister-in-law-to-be in New York City this past weekend and she said YES!!! I am so happy for them and I can hardly believe my little brother will be getting married!!! Congratulations Zach and Cathy!!! I love you guys, this is great news!

Love Birds

Well, the morning after the Kenny Chesney show the Smoochy family boarded a plane to visit our relatives in Kansas. Actually, Normy and I got on a flight to Kansas while Smoochy caught a flight to Washington D. C. for yet another exciting round of interviews.

The big news is:

HE GOT THE JOB!

We finally know where we are headed and it is so very exciting! Let's play a fun game. I'll give you hints and we'll see if anyone can guess the city we are moving to. It's not fair if you already know!

1) It is in the same time zone as Smoochy's home town.

2) The city has a Counting Crow's song named after it.

3) The City considers itself "The Gateway to the West."

4) Marlon Brando is a native of this city.

5) So is Warren Buffet.

6) It is the largest city in its state.

Did I make it too easy? I'll give you the answer soon!

Anyway, once we got to Kansas the birthday celebration continued. Check out these fun pictures from the party!

It's Daddy's Birthday Too!

The Gang

MONKEY!!!

Sheesh. There's been no end to the excitement. I've got one more thing to share. Yesterday Normy got his first haircut! Smoochy's Grandpa was barber in the Navy where he served the country one high n' tight at a time! He's made a living cutting hair full time, and now part time for pleasure, the last 50 years. With eight kids, at least 25 (26? 27?) grand-kids, and two great grandchildren it is quite a tradition to get your first cut from Grandpa. Normy looks pretty sharp with his new buzz! We spent the day yesterday with Grandpa and Grandma. If Grandpa is known for his patriotism and his killer haircuts, Grandma is known for her coookin'. Yesterday we had chicken breast sandwiches, coleslaw, hashbrown casserole, and the best chocolate cake you've ever eaten. Life is good in the Heartland. We left their house felling loved, stuffed, and recharged.

Baby Smoochy's First Cut

Look, same chair!

My little boy; we shaved off all the baby.