College Visit

This is Minnesota Private Colleges week and I offered to take Sassy to two colleges of her choice for visits. She's thinking she will likely attend the big university, but I wanted her to see what else was out there. She decided to check out my current grad school which of course I'm partial to, but I suspect she did so just to appease me. We sat through an info session, asked questions of a student/faculty panel and toured the campus, including a dorm room. It's an all girl school and it was clear that weighed heavy on a lot of girls' minds. I find it appealing actually - not because I'm a prude, but because I went to an all girl high school and had an awesome experience. Well, the last two years anyway. We learned that all girl college students are more likely to graduate in four years, more likely to attend graduate school and more likely to have leadership roles in their careers. Turns out Sassy loved it! I'm having a minor coronary over the $30,000+ a year tuition, but nothing says love like saddling your child with debt as they head into the big, wide world. She has aspirations of being a pre-med major, but I know the vast majority of those who declare pre-med don't go on to become MDs. St. Kate's has two unique degrees in Healthcare Sales and Orthoptics - these may be right up Sassy's alley and I saw her write these down on her note card. We visit the "U" next month and it will be interesting to see what she thinks of it in comparison to being a Katie.

Dads Rock

Hubby is getting this shirt (with Sassy & Chunkys' names of course) along with a celebratory dinner - our famous kabobs and angel food cake + fruit topping - for Father's Day.

Hats off to all great dads - those with us as well as those who have gone before.

Savannah

I'm in a southern state of mind lately. I read this post yesterday and could immediately relate. Savannah, Georgia is one of my most favorite places on earth - granted I'm not a world traveler so my experience is somewhat limited - but of the places I've been, Savannah is in my top 5. It oozes southern charm and evokes a simpler time. My first visit was in 2004 with my mom and the kids. I went back with my BFF four years ago to celebrate our monumental birthdays. I want to go back again ... soon!

I love cemeteries and Savannah does not disappoint -


This is one of my favorite photos of Sassy taken outside Juliette Gordon Low's home (founder of the Girl Scouts of America) -

The Lady & Sons restaurant - I can still taste the amazing ho cakes - Yum!

My mom and kids in front of the Gryphon Tea Room - beautiful inside and out!

Tybee Island -

Definitely add Savannah to your travel bucket list!

Alabama

Some interesting facts about the fair state -

• Alabama introduced the Mardi Gras to the western world.
• Alabama workers built the first rocket to put humans on the moon.
• Alabama is the only state with all major natural resources needed to make iron and steel. It is also the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products.
• Montgomery is the capital and the birthplace of the Confederate States of America.
• The Confederate flag was designed and first flown in Alabama in 1861.
• Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819.
• Baseball player Henry Louis (Hank) Aaron was born in Mobile in 1934.
• Baseball player Willie Howard Mays was born in Westfield in 1931.
• Huntsville is known as the rocket capital of the World.
• In 1902 Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill performed the first open heart surgery in the Western Hemisphere by suturing a stab wound in a young boy's heart. The surgery occurred in Montgomery.
• Hitler's typewriter survived from his mountain retreat and is exhibited at the Hall of History in Bessemer.
• The pecan is the official nut.
• People from Alabama are called Alabamians.
• On January 11, 1861 Alabama becomes the fourth state to secede from the Union.
• Tallulah Bankhead was born in Huntsville in 1902 and died in 1968.
• Singer and entertainer Nathaniel Adams (Nat King) Cole was born in Montgomery in 1919 and died in 1965.
• The Birmingham Airport opened in 1931. At the time of the opening a Birmingham to Los Angeles flight took 19 hours.
• General Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Indians in 1814. Following the event the Native Americans ceded nearly half the present state land to the United States.
• At the Battle of Mobile Bay Admiral David Farragut issued his famous command, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead." The event occurred on August 5, 1864.

New Word Wednesday #21

Antebellum
[an-tee-bel-uhm] – adjective
– before or existing before the war, especially the American civil war

In honor of my being in Birmingham, Alabama today and tomorrow (work trip).

Ya'll come back now, hear?

Saints

No, this isn't a post about Christian holy people. It's about our local minor league baseball team. The coach of Chunky's team arranged a great experience last night - not only did we attend a Saints game, but Chunky's team got to meet the players, warm up with them AND have their names announced while they ran onto the field with the player in their respective positions. Chunky was waaaaaay out in the outfield, but I could tell he was super psyched to be on an official league ball field singing our national anthem. The experience cost me a small fortune between the foam finger, hat, brat, cheese curds, soda and coffee (it was chilly here), but it was a lot of fun. The Saints played a good game against the Lincoln, NE Saltdogs though we left at the middle of the 7th inning because it was 9:30pm and mama needs her beauty rest. Bad!

National Pastime

I spend a lot of time at baseball fields these days. Unfortunately I am not a huge fan. I should be - I need to work on that. Chunky is doing well - he's a great hitter - outfield could use a little work.

To prove I am not known for my photography skills, here is a photo of Chunky running into home (to the left of #14) -


My kid is an amazon at age 11 (#7) -


More extreme temps as it barely got above 60 degrees two days after we had a record high and hubby was in full hoodie mode -