Girls Trip to Indiana!

November 15, 2014 ~ So by now y'all know I love a good adventure so I grabbed my bestie and my momma jumped a plane and headed for Hammond, Indiana via Chicago! What the heck would we be doing in Hammond, Indiana one might ask? Well Misty Lynn's favorite movie of all time is "A Christmas Story" and well if you didn't know Jean Shepherd narrated and co-wrote this story (then movie) which was based on his childhood growing up in Hammond.

In honor of Jean, the Indiana Welcome Center hosts "A Christmas Story Comes Home" exhibit every November and December and you guessed it.... I wanted to take her on an adventure to see this exhibit and maybe a little junkin'! 

We made it! 

Indiana Welcome Center

Hammond, Indiana

Let's head inside.....

When you walked in there were 50-ish Christmas trees decorated in different themes for different organizations and/or businesses. It was really cool to see some of the designs and they asked everyone to vote on their favorite one before you left.

Of course we all voted for this one....

"Gold Star Mothers"

We present to you the famous leg lamp! 

Now for the exhibit.....

Misty was in heaven! She loved the exhibit and loved visiting this place but as we all know.... Michele doesn't sit still very long so it's time to head to the next stop on our adventure! 

I had to take Misty to Gary, Indiana to see the childhood home of pop star, Michael Jackson! 

We didn't stay very long but she was happy she got to see this place! 

Now it's time for some junkin'! 

Hey sugars, what do you want for lunch?

We've got Martha ready to roll you out some fresh biscuits!

(Misty wasn't going to play along ....) 

Martha: "Oh look girls... it's Missouri Tigers"

Misty: "That ain't Missouri Tigers that's Michigan"

{Martha looking again}

Martha: "Well it's got the big M for Mizzou and it's black and gold"

{Misty and Michele laughing} 

Michele: "Martha... it's blue and yellow"

Martha: "Oh well.... we ready to go yet?"

Bahahahaha! 

 We loved this little shop and they had some awesome things in the store. 

Everyone who knows me knows that Grandma Ruby loved hummingbirds and every time I see one I think of her. Mom saw this and thought I needed it... I absolutely love it! Around the side of this piece it says "Don't get your feathers ruffled over little things. Just wing it. - Anonymous"

In case you are wondering what these are and who makes them here's the information....

http://www.houstonllew.com/#!

(I really want "Saddle Up" and "In Tune")

Probably my most favorite thing in this store was the back wall! Totally made of random doors in different colors, textures and designs.... Crazy yes but I do love stuff like this! 

There was a fun little store next door that we enjoyed too!
(Seriously I don't think Indiana knew we were coming!)

Next stop was Valparaiso, Indiana to see our buddy Orville Redenbacher!

I think he was happy to see us!

It was time to get serious about junkin'....
We stumbled upon a 3-story antique mall...
Sa-weet!!!!

I found an old scale at a smoking deal so I had to have it!

Even found an old typewriter too!
(no worries y'all... I would resort to hand writing things before using this)

The best part is I spotted Ralphie in the front window at the antique mall... I was so slick that Misty didn't even notice it was gone and I gave it to her at the FedEx store when we were shipping the first round of stuff home! She LOVED him!

So the next morning we had a little time to kill before the antique shops opened and what else is there to do other than have a little fun with the things around this town!

 I mean it's not everyday you see a tank...

So we might or might not have drove through a jail parking lot to get around to this sign because pulling over on the side of the road was too dangerous! Oh my goodness... Hot Mess!

Oh you know... just hanging with a big dog!

So we have heard about this place by several people when asking what we should see and do (and even had a coupon) so we figured we better check it out!
http://www.albanesecandy.com/factory-tours/

 Look at all this yummy-ness!
(and you get to try samples of anything... gummy bears are awesome!)

I know it's hard to see but this is a 50' chocolate fountain!

These cutie pa-tooties reminded me of Misty and I!

Michele's got a squeeze box and no one can sleep at night!

Look y'all... I found me in a previous life!

Ain't he a cute little feller?!?!

Oh snap! Martha's found a new hat!

This was a cool antique shop and I loved their front counter!

The two Leo's!

 Sadly, our fun adventure is coming to an end....
 What a fun trip with two amazing ladies whom I do love!
Until the next trip....

Central Missouri Honor Flight # 31!

November 10, 2015 ~ We are ready to embark on the last Central Missouri Honor Flight of 2014! What an incredible program for our veterans and many thanks to those that have donated, sponsored and/or volunteered and made trips like these possible.... it couldn't have been done without your help!

I had the honor of being a guardian for 3 wonderful Vietnam Veterans. I can't tell you how proud it makes me to be able to be among men and women that have fought for our country and give back to them by treating them like VIP's during this fast-paced 24 hour trip.

These guys were a hoot! 

They had no clue that after this trip we would practically be like family!

(Once my heart gets attached it's hard to let go)

Up until this point we were all trying to wake up and prepare for what we would experience. It was happy, sad, exciting and yet nervous but I think you could tell from the looks on their face that they were ready to see their memorials! Next stop... Baltimore, Maryland! 

The guys at the World War II Memorial

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial it's always interesting to see what has been left behind by others. We have seen letters from school children, flowers, shell casings, pictures and flags. This trip was special because tomorrow is Tuesday, November 11th otherwise known as Veterans Day. 

(This was the only picture that was taken of one of my veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with photo credit going to Art Smith Photography)

 One of the things I had the honor of doing while at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is to taking etchings. (A special thanks to Bill Jones for purchasing and providing a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Directory of Names book for the Central Missouri Honor Flight so that it makes it so much easier to look up names on the wall for our veterans.) I have had several people ask me about these etchings including what they are and why do I do them. The answer is pretty simple.... 

When a Vietnam Veteran goes to "The Wall" there are so many thoughts running through their head and it's a very emotional experience. If I can make this a little easier by allowing them to go to this memorial to reflect and process their thoughts without thinking about the etchings then it allows Central Missouri Honor Flight to give back to them by presenting them with a piece of their past to take home. Of course I do encourage them to do their own etching as I feel this is a way to connect with their brother and/or sister that never came home. I know this particular part of our trip is one they don't necessarily look forward to because of the emotional ties but once they leave this memorial they are glad they came. You almost see a sense of calmness come over them which makes my heart happy. After all they also signed a blank check to our United States for up to and including their own life. 

Once I got done with the etchings I took a cab over to Arlington National Cemetery to meet back up with everyone. They were witnessing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider so I decided to check out the visitors center. 

I loved reading about all the things they had in there and it's filled with so much history. 

If I come back to Washington, D.C. on a non-honor flight I would love to spend a lot of time here.

Our Marines at the Marine Corps Memorial Iwo Jima

Happy 239th Birthday Marine! 

 Air Force Memorial 

As we were sitting at the airport getting ready to fly home VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald with the Department of Veteran's Affairs coined each of the Central Missouri Honor Flight Veterans! This is a really cool thing to see and really awesome that he took time to come to the airport to genuinely interact and listen to each of the veterans really meant a lot to everyone.

If you have a moment I encourage you to watch a wonderful video that was created during the Central Missouri Honor Flight's visit to Washington, D.C. by clicking on this link. This video was created by the VA Digital News and Secretary Robert McDonald..... Thank you!

http://youtu.be/aKGGvW8vGLM

This picture pretty much sums up our trip! It was incredible, fast-paced and we covered a lot of ground but we made it! We all may be a little tired but we are all really happy! It is so emotional to watch these guys come off the buses and reunite with their families and you see that they hug a little tighter, kiss a little longer and they have a glimmer in their eyes that is just a little brighter. Truly amazing trip and I know I will be in touch with these guys soon but until then.... 

Happy Veterans Day!