Celebration of Life

Mrs. Jean Armstrong passed away and today was her funeral.  Her girls are super supportive and have been by her side since her husband, Bob, passed just a few months ago.  Today, was a celebration of her life, but it was still hard.  So much life that can be lived no matter how many years God gives us.  We are to live them out as each will be our last.  What a different perspective we would have if we truly did this?

When we left the celebration, we were asked to take one of Jean's coloring pages.  She loved to color.  I did not know this about her.  The day she got diagnosed with the cancer, we were having a ladies luncheon over at Clara's.  I remember her calling to tell us that she was very sorry but she just wasn't feeling up to it right now.  We all totally understood.  What a blessing her life has been to so many, such an inspiration!  What a true testimony of God!

Beautiful clouds over our hay field reminded me of God's Glorious Presence is all around us, all of the time.  Taking the time to see the beauty in these things is something I am learning to appreciate.

These words are so familiar as Connie and I did the Beth Moore
Quest Bible study together last fall.  I have these words posted
around my house:  ASK, SEEK, KNOCK.  SO MUCH MORE!

This really struck me today while reading,
so I put it up on my prayer
wall as a reminder.

Day #10: Friday ~ Graduation Day!

GOOD morning with Jesus as I spent time in His Word laying in bed relaxing.  I grabbed my tea and brought it to bed with me.  I didn't want to wake up my mama who was asleep on the couch in the living room.  I told her that we could get her some Dunkin' Donut coffee on the way to my last day (and graduation) from Camp Colon.  She was super excited about this!

Fresh, Fresh, Fresh breakfast!  So blessed!

Mama and I had a great morning and took our time getting ready and then walking to the Clinic, showing her all the cute things I have found along this path.  As promised, I walked us right by Dunkin' Donuts so that we could get her a good coffee.  She really likes that kind!  I actually had my first cup of coffee with my mama today when I ordered a small hazelnut coffee with honey and milk (NOT the same as Mo's and not very good), but fun to share a conversation over coffee while sitting outside at Mayo Clinic.

Arriving early, I showed her around a little bit.  She even played the piano!  It was fun to show her all that Mayo is to make it come to life!  We know so much about it via online, but being here is a whole different experience.  It is an amazing destination medical center!

Another grand piano right outside of the patient cafeteria!

I also walked her around 'the Subway' and she was lured in by yummy smells coming from the Cinnabon cinnamon roll place that I have been drooling over all week.  I haven't allowed myself to indulge and here's why:  they had several sizes and that was the problem.  When eating by yourself, you have to think about the size.  The tiny ones were way too small and had absolutely no middle, the middle sized ones were still too small to have that good ooey gooey inside, and the big one was was just that, waaaay too big for one person....BUT whilst splitting, the BIG one was perfect!  We both got to taste that ooey, gooey center and didn't overeat!  It was wonderful!  So glad we did it!

Time for my last appointment with Ms. Rose!  Such mixed feelings about today!  It seems as though these two weeks went both super fast and super slow.  It's been forever since I have been home with Heath but yet it doesn't feel like I could possible be done with this two week program I had been waiting for for so long.  While waiting, Mama and I noticed our shoes are both very similar!  How fun!

Great minds think alike!

After introducing my mama to Ms. Rose, she handed me some paperwork to fill out.  It was the same questionnaire that she had given me upon my arrival the first day.  After I finished it, she did some calculations and gave me the results.  She said that my numbers definitely show improvements and she is super happy with that and I should be too!  Again, she reiterated that everything we had done in the class, I was able to do.  Everything on my take home, 'home program' she reminded me that I could do and had already done successfully in class.  She warned me of setbacks upon arriving home, but that is totally normal.  Do not get discouraged and don't give up.  It is not an overnight fix but yet a marathon of diligence and sacrifice to complete the 'home program' successfully.  It doesn't end after the three month take home program, but she has given me skills for life and especially after big changes happen in life:  new job, big move, new baby, etc.  She totally recommended for me to purchase the biofeedback meter so that I could retest my muscle tightness at any time.  I got that ordered yesterday and had it shipped to our home in Nebraska.

Mama was super impressed with Rose and we had a great farewell.  Rose gave me her cell phone and asked me to keep in touch.  If I ever had any questions to not hesitate to reach out to her via the Mayo Clinic portal, it is safe and secure and she is very quick to respond.  She told me the only thing left to do to pass Camp Colon was to take my mama to Flapdoodle's for ice cream!  WILL DO on our way out!  Looking forward to it!  THANK YOU for everything Rose!~

My graduation gift from Rose.  A princess pen

complete in rose gold and blue.

LUNCH:  Fresh homemade salad for two
before Flapdoodle's ICE CREAM!!!!

So true!

So, I tried probably 4 different types of ice cream including:

1. S'mores - graham cracker chunks, chocolate, and marshmallow
2. Very Berry Sorbet - fresh fruit (waaay too healthy tasting - like a smoothie for this occasion -- I can make a smoothie when I get home)
3. Pralines and Cream - a traditional favorite
4. Banana Creme Pie - graham cracker crust pieces floating around in it
5. Cookie Monster - complete with pieces of homemade oatmeal raisin cookies

....so maybe I tried 5 -- but whose counting anyway?!  It's a celebration!  Funny part of this story is that I went back to my new Flapdoodle favorite of Birthday Cake ice cream in a dark chocolate dipped waffle cone with sprinkles on top!

Our drive home was absolutely lovely.  We had a beautiful day in front of us with some pretty country to cover between here and there.  We had the best conversations that stemmed from my Mayo experiences.  We worked through the first chapter in my new OCD workbook and dove right into past childhood experiences and things that my have shaped me into the way I am.  It was fun looking back into my childhood from a different angle and having my mama there to remind me of some of the things that I had forgotten.  It was so fragile yet freeing to have this discussion with her.  I AM GRATEFUL!

We made it home in time to visit with Dennis and Koren who are staying with us for Garry and Barb's 50th wedding celebration tomorrow.  BOY WAS IT GOOD TO SEE HEATH and to be in his arms again.  BLESSED!  The dogs greeted me and so did the song of the crickets.  I AM HOME!

Day #9: Thursday

I must really like food!!  And these dishes are so fun!
All different colors!

I'm beginning to feel some pressure, some fear of the known.  What will it be like when I return home and back into my wonderful life back in Nebraska?  How will I continue doing all my pelvic floor therapy sessions?  How will I work them into my daily routine?  Am I going to be able to practice these wonderfully helpful relaxation techniques at home?  Will I be able control my obsessions, compulsions, my busyness?  Will I be able to do all this while maintaining a home, a job, a farm, and loving my husband?

Reminded of scripture this morning:  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

~Philippians 4:6~

Yes, God!

Baked some of my Farmer's Market asparagus this morning!

I had two PT sessions with Rose today and sort of getting nostalgic and not ready for this 'camp' to be over yet.  I feel like I have learned a ton but still have so much more to learn.  I know my mama is flying in this afternoon and then tomorrow will be my last day and we will drive home together, for which I am grateful.

I reviewed all the literature given to me
by Mayo in each division I attended.

Mayo has given me so many resources, folders and folders full, to use once I return home.  Things that I may have forgotten or just need to freshen up on.  These are great resources to also share with others that may have questions.  I am blessed and so grateful for this experience.

So many fun places that I have
had the chance to experience their food!

Woah, soreness today!  I totally was right that I would be sore.  @not in high school anymore...lol!  It was totally worth it though!  Ever since I went to that Tai Chi Chih class, I had been contemplating treating myself to a manicure and pedicure.  The teacher had a french done on her nails and they looked so nice!  With Garry and Barb's 50th wedding celebration immediately upon my return home, I thought it would be fun to surprise Heath and be all girly!  Mama's flight was scheduled to get into Minneapolis midafternoon and then she still had to take the shuttle to my house, so I had just the right amount of time built into my afternoon for this little treat!

So glad I did it!  It was a LOVELY treat!

The timing couldn't have worked out better!  As soon as my nails had dried, I headed home just in the nick of time.  Mama was just a few minutes away from the house!  Perfect!  Thank you Lord for getting my mama here safely.  So excited for our evening tonight, tour of Mayo, and drive home together tomorrow!

Both of us were super hungry, so first order of business was taking her to Forager's.  We were delighted in our walk to the restaurant because it was a beautiful evening and Mama got to see the neat little neighborhoods and cute homes!

We split Pad Thai and Nachos (above).  Both great choices!

Twins?!

After dinner, we were even more happy that we walked in order to 'walk off' some of our supper!  My plan was to take her to Flapdoodle's for ice cream, but we decided that would have to wait until tomorrow, we were stuffed!  We chatted late into the night!

Day #6: Monday

(Homemade) Sausage seasoned deer with roasted
peppers, goat cheese, a farm fresh egg, sunflower
and mixed lettuce microgreens, and honey/Amish
buttered sprouted Ezekiel toast.  Complete with

English Breakfast tea and honey.

Culinary AMAZINGNESS!

Just getting started today for my first
appointment.  Prayed "Surprise Me God"
prayer this morning.

When I pray this prayer, why am I surprised when I am surprised!?!  After all, that is what I asked for, right!?!

My first appointment today was with a psychologist on the 11th floor.  (P.S.  It was a challenge to find this floor because the regular elevators skip this floor, so it was kind of fun....I like scavenger hunts!)  Anyway, I have noticed an unhealthy relationship with food beginning to form.  When I feel bad after I eat, I naturally do not want to eat the offending food again anytime soon.  This is increasingly frustrating to me and Heath as my list keeps growing and changing daily.  It is about to drive my everloving, precious, patient husband crazy.  Me too, to be fair.  I don't want to be changing, restricting, over indulging, avoiding certain foods and/or food groups, thinking constantly about meals and what I can and cannot eat, should and should not eat but my mind is now involved with the physical symptoms of my stomach caused by the pelvic floor dysfunction.  My body is just trying to do what's best, but it really doesn't know what to do....that is why I am here to help the muscles and to learn to relax and retrain the brain to work with those muscles hence "biofeedback."

After spending about an hour with the nurse visiting about some of my symptoms, we came up with quite a surprising fit to the symptoms I have been experiencing most of my life.  Looking back, I can see this trending throughout various seasons.....crazy that at 32, I am just now identifying the struggle.  After years of trying to understand my frustrating behaviors (yes, I not only frustrate others, but myself too).  One of my famous lines to Heath is, "You should try being in my head."  This is used on days he really wants me to relax and I just don't know how because I am all over the place and anywhere but in the present moment.

We wrapped the session up with the nurse and the psychologist who sent me with some tools to take  home.  They recommended a book that another person had told me about as well and encouraged seeking counseling back home.  I have a wonderful counselor back home that I have used alot before!  Thankful for great resources both here and back home.

Whew, when I got out of this heavy appointment and exited the elevator, I was greeted with the peregrine falcon demonstration.  This was totally by accident happening upon it at this moment, but something I was wanting to experience.  I stayed and listened and learned for a while.  It was fun and something to divert my brain off of myself and on to something else.  Thank you God for your impeccable timing, all the time!

Peregrine Falcons at Mayo
(Click to learn more.)

My next mission was to get that book....it became some crazy person mission to get this recommended book before my next PT session - oh, AND I went to People's Coop to get groceries TOO.  Why I thought all this had to be done right now, is beyond me.  Crazy person mode hit.  I walked rapidly back to the house and was visiting with Heath while I was trying to unlock my door.  I suddenly couldn't hear him because he was breaking up and then I just hung up after frantically telling him that I was on my way to get this book.  All I remember, through the breaking up/crackling on the other end, was him telling me not to kill myself that I could always get it later....ahhhh the voice of reason.  Reason to someone, but that someone wasn't me at this moment.  I was after that book.  I didn't want to go after my afternoon session because then there would be 5 o'clock traffic and I haven't driving much here this week and definitely didn't want to start with 5 o'clock traffic.

I made it to Barnes and Noble after I called to have the book reserved and waiting for me upon arrival.  I had no time to waste with the cheaper, Amazon Prime 2-day delivery, I just had to get started.  When I arrived, the checker lady was like, "Oh, what does OCD mean?" ever-so-loudly as she read the title of my new workbook.  I briefly explained what I had learned this morning and she said that she obsessively counts her steps in her house she has lived in for over 40 years....sigh......

On my walk back to the Clinic for my first round of PT for the day, I humbled myself and called Heath back to apologize for the hasty hangup and that crazy person that he spoke with earlier.....the thing is, I don't even think he had noticed....is that a bad thing?!  Do I act this way all of the time....LOL!  All good, good PT session and then a Breathing and Relaxation class at the Cancer Education Center followed by Caring Canines and the introduction to "Kelso."

Meet "Kelso"

Got to keep that smile going!  A little late lunch and learn and some fresh air and this girl was ready for the second PT session.  DON'T QUIT trying and learning!

Just keep sMiLIn'!

Late ~ Yummy ~ Lunch and Learn

Homemade granola and beet chips!

When I got home I decided to make homemade granola with my new ingredients and also cook my red beets and then add some rosemary and transform them into beet chips.  While I was baking, my Air B&B host's hubby came to mow the yard.  She had told me that she would like to send some samples, with her hubby, of the Monat haircare products for me to try.  So, I went out and met her hubby.  Super nice!  Great conversation that somehow I had committed to myself (and him) that I would be running to Flapdoodle's for another round of ice cream!  LOL, so with that light accountability, I did!  I ate a few handfuls of the new granola hot out of the oven and then headed out for my run/ice cream.  Nice trail/path all the way there with parts of it along the Zumbro River.

I absolutely *love* all the peonies, ferns, and hostas which all remind me of Grandpa Wilson and Grandma June.

Upon my arrival, I called Heath and Lexi.  Heath went to pick Lexi up in Colorado from her church camp so they were on their roadtrip home.  When I got there, I told them that I didn't feel like eating any ice cream...the granola hadn't settled too well.  Heath said that I absolutely did not run all the way there to go home without ice cream.  Sigh....I mentioned this before, he is ALWAYS right, if I would just listen the first time.  So, I did!  I went in and tried my three different samples but went back to my favorite from my prior visit:  BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH SPRINKLES IN A DARK-CHOCOLATE DIPPED WAFFLE CONE!  When I told the guy that I had just run there, he had the audacity to ask me if I wanted a small scoop....I was like....was he not listening....I just ran here, I want the REAL DEAL...LOL!  :)  This is part of enjoying life.

I decided to take a different way home, just for something different.  I started walking and enjoying my ice cream.  I was doing well until the sidewalk ended and I was on a frontage road.  Now who thought it would be a good idea to send a walker/runner on a frontage road without a sidewalk (thank you phone maps).  For real Thank You people who had grass along the road and for letting me walk on it!!  I was then dumped onto a trail/path, finally.  I had a great run home and actually my stomach felt waaaay better running home on ice cream than with granola on the way there.

NOTE TO SELF:  new pre-race - Birthday Cake Ice Cream with Sprinkles in a Dark-Chocolate Dipped Waffle Cone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stopped to look for 4-leafed clovers!
Lexi informed me I had to find 5!!

Great devotion to end the day!
*ASK*SEEK*KNOCK*

Check out the growth on these pea shoots from morning until night.
They are definitely reaching for the sun coming through the window!

Day #5: Friday

NEXT ~ Party of 1
They are not talking to me are they?

Ok, ok, same thing God's got this!
WOAH ~ is there another Kinsey
Senkel out here?!  I think this is
for you, not me!

I will leave you with this thought....and
there was a balloon and dental floss....

Yes, that part is true about the balloon and dental floss, but it really wasn't nearly as bad as I thought.  Actually didn't have much time to think about it as I just checked in like every other appointment when I was greeted with this lovely, not-so-inviting chair....and then she told me it was for me!  OH GOODY!  Flashbacks of the tears shed during diagnosis week back in February came up.  I lost it in February, but I didn't know exactly what it would entail this time and once I found out, there was no need for tears.  And, just in case you were wondering, I WON against the balloon this time!

Rose told me that she doesn't tell her patients when this part of the program will begin and she now starts all of her patients on Friday instead of the second Monday of the treatment.  She has had patients literally give themselves panic attacks over the balloon therapy.  She sure does know how to treat her patience with the best care.  She is wonderful!  We just visit like normal while I do my thing and she does her's....no biggie....see the beautiful pictures she has on the wall?  They all have a great story and memories to go along with them.....all the pink on Rose's desk, she loves pink!  See that beautiful view of the city from the 14th floor (below)?  Rose is the only nurse with a window and I got to be her patient = AWESOME!!

It is through this window that Rose has shown me all the cool spots to hit
between appointments and we have watched the falcons flying and
landing on the buildings!

They had a Stress and Relaxation Education class on my schedule.  (Remember the one I rearranged from yesterday?)  It was really, really good!  Turns out I was the only one scheduled for it, so I got my own private class!  I visited with a lady who's background was in wellness.  We talked about some of the resources available to me to work on the relaxation piece of this therapy/all-life program.  This is all about a change in lifestyle and not just a one-time fix for all.  By incorporating the tips and tricks that work best for me into my life, I will greatly benefit and see improvements.  All of the sessions, PT, and counseling that I have attended all relate back to stress and learning how to rest and relax.  This is something that is relevant for everyone in all walks of life.  We push ourselves to the max and then expect our bodies, minds, and attitudes to be healthy, to keep up, and to stay positive.  We need self care such as a wholesome diet that will fuel our bodies, restful deep sleep, and a healthy dose of movement....movement looks different to everyone!  Find something you love and do it!  Stick to it!  Try some new things.  Go out and take the dog for a walk or a hike.  Go to the lake, go camping, go for a run, go for a bike ride, go for a swim, go for a yoga or pilates class, or even go for an outdoor scavenger hunt.  *Grab your spouse and walk to the top of the hill to look at the stars at night.*  Go for a moonlit walk after supper.  Get up from your desk every hour and walk to the bathroom, water fountain, or water cooler.  Hydrate yourself for your skin, organs, joints, and so much more!  It is amazing that by just going back to the basics, we can learn so much and make valuable strides in our health and well being.  Find something you love and JUST DO IT as Nike would say!

Love this saying!
I have been wearing this shirt Heath gave me!
Great reminder.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I went on Rose's scavenger hunt down in the "subway."  She told me to go downstairs and find the "Subway Lady."  She gave me the following clues:

• She doesn't talk.
• She doesn't leave the "subway" willingly.
• Ask anyone down there and they will know her.

Well, I did ask when I went down for my education class and I had two people wrapped up in this  whole scavenger hunt and these clues of mine.  They looked at me like I was crazy and then they got totally interested.  When I left, we hadn't figured it out yet, so I told them once I found out more information I'd be back to let them know.....soooo, I did.

Turns out this particular store wasn't open when I went down the first time and the lady in the store led me straight to the "Subway Lady" and began telling me the Lady's story in full storytelling mode.  It was awesome!  When I told her that my nurse sent me, she immediately replied, "Rose?"  WOW, out of 66,000 employees that Mayo has and she knew MY nurse!  Cool!

Carved from a single piece of wood.  Details are
incredible!  She looks like a sassy ole' woman!
I like it!

Another yummy lunch out on the veranda when the other woman in my program found me and joined me.  We visited and she said that she was able to move out of her hotel and into an Air B&B just like I had suggested and helped her with during our first visit earlier this week.  That was awesome as she said that she was much  more comfortable now and she was close to a shuttle.  Amazing how you can connect people just by sharing your story.  I told her I was in an awesome Air B&B with an amazing host and she sounded interested so I helped her with the app and submitting a request.  It sounded like it all worked out for her!  She said that her hubby would be joining her this weekend, so she was glad for that!

Lunch on the Mayo veranda.

I wanted to hurry along and eat my lunch to get back inside because there were a bunch of kids from probably 6-12ish years old taking turns playing the piano.  It was 100% jaw-dropping.  I couldn't believe my ears and was just mesmerized and drawn in by the sounds coming from the piano.  When one child would finish their song, another would sit down and begin playing.  They even turned the pages of the music for each other.  As they were packing up to leave, a patient went up and thanked them and I got to overhear the conversation as I thanked them and encouraged them as well.  She asked them if they are practicing performing in front of others and they said they just do this for fun as a way to serve.  Right about this moment a lady walked through the atrium with a tiny, small little service dog.  Yep, that's when I lost it.  The tears came out, real tears.  It was just such a tender moment with the music and these kids just playing to be nice for the sick people and then the service dog!  I suddenly became aware of missing our farm and my life with Heath.

At this point, I was exhausted.  Preparing to head back up for PT, I remembered a first come, first served Caring Hands massage that I read about being offered at the Cancer Education Center.  I went in just to see if they happened to have any availability.  I wasn't about to take a spot if someone else was waiting, but the massage lady was just cleaning up and said that she'd be glad to take me.  She was hoping someone would come because she had time for one more.  Wow, awesome timing.  She was super nice and works a completely different job and does this for one hour every Friday to serve the patients of Mayo.  Yet again, I'm humbled.  This is real stuff and a great reminder that there are  good people out there.  The more grateful I am, the more opportunities I tend to find that I see kind, caring, loving, good-hearted people.  When I'm always in a rush, I pass right by these opportunities.  Again, a life lesson for me.  Thank You God for allowing me to slow down and appreciate the things in life that so often I pass right on by.

When I got home, I was about to crash for a nap when I remembered I needed to call the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center to schedule some more classes that Rose recommended.  Turns out I called the wrong area of the building and they would transfer me to the correct area.  A nice lady named Andrea answered the phone and I told her that I was in a two week pelvic floor therapy program and she about jumped through the phone.  "What, there is really a thing like that?!  I need that!  I have had 3 babies and I am a runner!"  I told her that my muscles were super tight but it might work for the opposite too.  I didn't know, so I gave her Rose's department phone number.  Amazing how, yet again, a simple phone call/interaction turned into a connection.  Hopefully, that will help Andrea in some way, shape, or form!

Wonderful cereal Tiny surprised me with
from Texas!

Big ole' bowl of cereal before I went down for my NAP ~ WOW, exhaustion!  You were right Rose, learning this whole relaxation thing really must be strenuous, seriously!  This evening, I had plans to meet my Air B&B host Kristi and her kids at a homemade ice cream place called Flapdoodles.  I have been looking forward to ice cream all week and to Flapdoodles since she messaged me about it yesterday!  A great way to celebrate my progress during my first week of therapy.  P.S.  They rotate their ice cream daily between their 80 different flavors!  They update their menu on the website so you can decide whether the North store or the South store has your favorite!

HUGE ice cream cone in the driveway.
This place has to be good!

Yep, it was excellent!  With multiple samples including puppy chow, pralines and cream, and birthday cake with sprinkles in the ice cream, I ended up with the sprinkled birthday cake.  Not normally a fan of sprinkles, but boy tonight they sure tasted good in that dark chocolate dipped waffle cone with good company.  Kristi and her kids were super sweet and we had a nice visit!  (I told her if we sit there much longer, I'd have to help myself to seconds!)

A very nice note I received from
Kristi.

Life's Adventures!

Hi Daddy,

Thank you for calling me tonight! I hope that I didn't sound short with you. LOL, I was amidst a chicken crisis in the kitchen. She was frozen solid and her head/neck still in cavity....when Heath got home from work. My goal was to have her in the oven baking so it would smell good when he arrived. FAIL....but lesson learned and it was a funny one! She's cookin' now for tomorrow night! Heath had his favorite brats and baked beans and I had baked beans and your famous corn chips! Oh, the young married days! We have come so far in our marriage yet I still have so much to learn. It is super fun to be married to a wonderful, loving, steadfast man! I am very blessed! 

I just got out of the bath and am relaxing on the couch in my camo sweatpants. I plan to work from home ALL day tomorrow and hopefully Thursday morning.

Love you,

~Kinsey

Last Day in Denver

(I am backdating alot of blogs right now as I play catch up from my awesome summer!  Right now, you are reading at the end of April.)

Heath, trying to make me feel better and cheer up, took me to a beautiful greenhouse in Denver.  As you can see, he is standing next to an absolutely *HUGE* hanging basket!

*BEAUTIFUL*

Hibiscus

There's a sMiLE!

I am so blessed to call this man my HUSBAND!

He wanted me to try on underwear....of
course you can't do that....so I
embarrassed him and
tried it on right
then and
there!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Happy Birthday to this lovely lady I am *proud* to call MY Mama!

Heath got up and went to get his blood drawn in Longmont and let me stay in bed to rest.  He had a wonderful day planned and wanted me feeling better!  I just laid there and relaxed.  Then, I couldn't rest anymore because I wanted to get up, get dressed, and try to make the best of it!  I had fun getting ready to CMT (country music television) and singing my heart out by myself in the hotel room!

I laid out my outfit for our dinner reservations at The Fort for tonight.  Bill, Heath's brother, got the recommendation from a friend.

My dress for tonight with a view of the park from
our window.

Firehouse Subs ~ Heath's FAvOriTE!

We started our day out of the hotel with some Firehouse Subs, one of Heath's favorites!

What a wonderful trip this is, I just wish I was feeling better.  My mouth feels like acid is burning all of the way up my esophagus into my mouth and over my tongue.  I have no idea what is causing it.  (Not super nice details, but WOAH does it NOT feel good!)

Heath took me to get some ice cream to help
with the burning.  He is *SO* sweet!

Then, he took me shopping.  (I ended up with this dress!)

This one was a close second, but I ended up
with the next one!

#2!

When we finished our day out-and-about, we ended back up at the hotel where we got ready for supper.  We decided it would be fun to dress up and so I brought the dress Heath picked out for me last year!  It was really fun to wear it out on the town.  *I even wore heels, carried a purse, curled my hair, and wore makeup!*  ~This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it is fun!

Leaving the hotel for our supper.

Fun pictures in the parking lot!

Funny Faces!

Selfie ~ clouds rolling in made it a bit chilly.

Someone graciously took this awesome photo with The Fort
in the background.

Kinsey:  Quail, vanilla mint peas, and mashed potatoes
with rosemary.

Heath:  Triple crown:  buffalo, elk, and quail with vanilla
mint peas, and mashed potatoes with rosemary.

What a lovely day!  Thank you Honey!  Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings!