Author: Angie

 

I’m coming to you “live” from flight 242 out of Detroit, MI en route to Amsterdam, Netherlands. It’s been an uneventful flight, except for the sore bum and back. There isn’t much leg room in this row, and there is a HUGE gap near the window where I’m sitting, so I have to prop my tote bag on the arm rest and use that as a pillow holder-upper. Wheeee!! Isn’t this fun so far?

We boarded our flight less than an hour after we left our home cities. Dad, Leslie, and I all walked to our gate at almost the same exact time! I heard my Dad whistle my Angie whistle and I knew he was close by. I can’t really explain it other than to say, he whistles the syllables of my name. He does it with my Sister too, since we were little girls. I love that sound, it means my Daddy is here!!

This is a pretty big plane. We are in the first section behind the hoity-toity passengers, or as I like to call it, first class. Dad and I are on the right side of the plane in two seats, and Leslie is in the middle on the end in the same row as us. For such a large plane, the seat feels smaller to me than the small commuter plane I flew out of Dallas.
The bathrooms/lavatory on the plane is actually bigger than I expected it to be. Or maybe I’m smaller than I thought I was. In my mind, I was a large woman trying to fit into a small space just to pee. I don’t know if this happens to you, but I’ve had to go at least 5 times since I left Dallas. I didn’t think my bladder could hold that much!
OK, enough with the TMI.

We had a snack and beverage first, then about an hour later, we were served dinner. Our choice was chicken or pasta. It came with a pre-dinner appetizer of a cheese snack and two crackers, followed by a small green salad with 2 cucumber slices and a radish slice. A roll with butter, and stuffed pastas with marinara sauce was the main course. For dessert we had a blondie bar, it was soo good, and only 3 pts! I don’t know how many points the rest of the meal was, but it couldn’t have been more than 11 total. That’s my guess anyway.

After dinner we rested for a bit. I tried to watch the movie “When in Rome” and I couldn’t keep my eyes open. So I snoozed for a while until we hit some turbulence and I was wide awake for the next 20 minutes or so. Exciting stuff here people!!

We’re about 1.5 hours to our destination, and they’re supposed to be starting the breakfast service soon. I’m getting a little hungry. All this sitting makes your bum hurt and your tummy hungry.

Speaking of tummies. Both flights have been encouraging to my weight loss efforts because 20 lbs. really does make a difference in how you not only feel about your body, but how well your body feels out in the world. New clothes are an obvious bonus, but I haven’t flown much in the last 10 year. I can tell you this backside has been squished and pinched all to accommodate the person sitting next to me, so I am not busting in on their personal space with my behind hangover. I’m typing this with the tray table down and that has never happened before. Now I can’t wait to go ride a go cart without getting stuck. That happened once, I couldn’t lift myself out of the go-cart because I had no upper body strength and a big butt. Wow, enough about that too. I didn’t realize I was so into talking about my butt. LOL

Here comes the breakfast cart! That means we’re almost there!! Yippee!!

More adventures from the Harms Family Globetrotters coming soon!

Molto Amore,

Angie the World Traveler

I am a little. I keep talking about my trip to Europe here and here.  I’m sort of tired of talking about it…nah, not really! I’m excited and I can see it more and more in my minds eye because I’m ticking off the To-Do’s on my lists!

Here are a few of my favorite finds! Everything I am purchasing for this trip can be mixed and matched with what I already have. Most important was finding a good pair of shoes to walk around in that looked cute with all my clothes! You know how I love me some shoes. A girl has to have priorities!

Sweater on clearance at Old Navy- good for air conditioned chilly spots and cute with my new skirt.

 

 

Cute ruffle front top and tiered skirt
pair really well with my new comfy shoes.

I was actually thinking about jazzing this skirt up with some embroidery floss and a little swirly action. What do you think? I can’t find any examples anywhere. These things are all in my mind…it’s a jumbled up place to live folks!

 

I think these have got to be the most comfortable shoes 
I’ve owned in a really long time. My only problem with them: 
they turn my toes black from the dye in the leather. Oh well, happy feet
seem to be the priority! 

 

What will I carry these lovely gems in you ask?

I found a great bargain at Sears for this American Tourister luggage set. Originally $119.00, Sears had them on sale for $49.99!! Saaahweet! The tote doesn’t have much structure, but I can still use it to carry my computer and all my purse guts for on the plane. I’m a happy girl!

 

There are still a few things left on my list of must haves, like noise reducing headphones and a camera. I have the incidentals already, like a pillow, travel blanket, and even a travel make-up bag. Only 23 days left! Seems like far away, yet I know it’s only around the corner!

A bonus visit from my Sister over Memorial Day weekend is icing on the cake!   I told her I needed her help figuring out what to pack, but really I want her to be able to spend some time with the kids before this summer is over. We’re going to have to squeeze in a lot of fun in just a few short days, so we’ve got to make it count!

I’ve got a list of fun things I want to do with her when she gets here. I love lists you know, weather I complete them or not! :o) I’ll spare you another trip post and list all the fun things we can do in four days! Stay tuned…

 

 

You heard that right! 27 days until I board a plane for Detroit and then me and my two adventure buddies head out over the big blue Atlantic to beautiful Amsterdam.

 

 

Guess what?! I’m excited! I’m scared! I’m making a hundred different lists that need to be checked off and then executed before I even leave for the airport!! Someone give me a valium, please!

 

My mind is swirling with things that need/have to be done in those 27 days so that I can leave for 2 1/2 weeks and know that my family is taken care of in my absence. Not that my husband isn’t capable, but I would like to leave him with a plan and a sense of peace, not chaos and lots of fast food runs! And besides, I’m kind of a control freak. What? Don’t laugh, you know it’s true.

 

Some of my lists include:

Meal plans for Jon with recipes

Chore suggestions to keep the house running smoothly and stress free

Packing- this is a MUST, but I’m working on what I need to supplement to my wardrobe because I am still in the process of losing weight and and unsure of my clothing sizing. This is a GOOD thing and a BAD thing, all at the same time!

Checking off lists of doctors to see, medications to make sure are up to date, and making sure my insurance is accessible overseas.

A must- Checking with ATT about my phone/internet coverage for my iPhone while I’m over there. I must find out if I can add to my plan so I can call my babies and wake them up in the morning or heck, even call my Dad in the other part of the hotel if need be.

Planning what I’ll want to pack in my carry on bag for the flights and making sure my iPhone doesn’t crap out on me in the middle of the flight. That would stink!

 

Overall, I’m excited and anxious to just go already, but I know preparation is the key, so I’m making my lists. I’m checking them like an OCD mad woman, but a list maker and worry wart has to do what she has to do!  

One thing I get to cross off my list is my passport! I got it in the mail about 3 weeks ago and I’m pretty jazzed about it! I sure can tell though I’ve lost 15 lbs since that picture was taken. I hope they recognize me when I go through customs! What do you think? Can you tell a difference?

 

How could I have forgotten the most important thing?! My plane tickets! Maybe they weren’t on my list because I didn’t have to book them! My Dad went through all the frustration and elation of getting out tickets to both Amsterdam and Florence. At one point, he was sure he was going to have to fly home by himself though Paris because all the seats on our plane were full! I almost told him to send me home through Paris so I could spend the 14 hour layover exploring the airport, so I could say I’ve been to Paris too! But…I changed my mind when I realized it would take me over 31 hours to get home. No thanks.

Passport: CHECK 

Plane Tickets: CHECK

So far so good!

 

All in all, I’m really looking forward to hitting the town and shopping around for everyday souvenirs for Jon and the kids. Wouldn’t it be cool if I could find some Pokémon cards in Dutch for the boys or some fun bracelets for the girls at the local drug store? I think so, I hope the kids would like that too!

Last year, Dad and Leslie had to go to the drug store for supplies.   What they were looking for and what they found were very different to a couple of Americans! A search for band-aids resulted in 4 inch long bandages that wrapped around Dad’s finger. Vinger Pliesters is what they were called in my phonetic Dutch. I can’t find an example on the net because I think I need to speak Dutch to understand all the websites, but you get the idea.

I searched through a lot of their web albums today and revisited all the places they went. I tried to picture myself there, but my minds eye couldn’t do it. I guess I’ll just have to go and experience the real thing!! I think I can handle that.

 

IN OTHER NEWS… How about bullet form? Shall we?

• Daniel played Daniel Boone tonight in the 5th grade Wax Museum at school. He was nervous and stumbled some of his lines, but after the parental units left, I’m sure he did great!
• Lauren is preparing for a choir banquet that is happening in a couple of weeks. They’re not performing, but get to go to a formal dance as an end of the year party.  I think we’ll be shopping for a new dress this weekend and scheduling a hair cut soon. She is excited and so am I! I get to dress her up like a doll and she’s even going to let me do her hair!! Squeeeee!! Maybe she’ll let me do her make-up too??
• Brenna is rehearsing for a big Spring Pop Choir concert with no less than 7 dances. They’ll be performing music from Glee and other pop hits. She is excited but loaded down with end of the year projects and tests to prepare for. She’ll do fine, but you know how it is when you get near to the end of school! Summer fever is in full swing.

• Michael Jon is going to sing with the Praise Kids choir at church this Sunday. He is over the moon because he gets to “dress up”. Meaning, he wants to wear his suit that he got for Christmas from Grampa Mike. I told him we should get him a new tie. He’s down with that!!
  I just realized something…
  I sense a running theme here. My kids like to perform in front of people, musically. Hmm… maybe I should have named after the Von Trapp’s and they could have had a shot in show business?! Oh btw-I have NO idea where they get the need to be in the spotlight. I’m just sayin’.

Jon is recovering from a slight knee injury. He was so excited to start Weight Watchers and working out that he tweaked his knee and had to go back to the approach of being kind and tender to his body. His knee is thanking him and he’s back on track to someday run that 5K he training for. He’s lost just over 10 lbs. I’m so proud of him!

I’ve stalled as far as Weight Watchers is concerned. I’ve allowed some stress to lure me off track and I haven’t been writing down my meals in over a week. I feel like I’ve got the points thing down to some degree, but obviously, I lost 0.0 lbs this last week, so what I’m doing is clearly not working for me. I really just need to get off my “stress-me-go-round” and walk it out on the treadmill. It always makes me feel better and more focused on tracking my food intake. I’m gonna just “DO IT!”

 

So, that’s the latest NEWS from the Bippy household. We’re all just chugging along, preparing for the next big thing and counting down the days until my vacation. Wheee!!!

• I like to eat with big spoons. You know those little teaspoons that you use to stir coffee with or give to the kids? Yeah well, I hate ‘em. I like the big spoons cuz you can get more on it! Cereal takes forever to eat with the tiny spoons. If forced to, I will use a small spoon to eat yogurt, but that’s about it.
• In the utensil category, I also HATE salad forks. Those handles are so short, they drive me mad when I have to use one. I like the larger forks and I will actually judge a restaurant on their fork size. I know it’s not the size that matters, but for me, the bigger the fork, the better. (Ha! get your mind out of the gutter…teehee) Oh and if someone at home tries to give me a small fork at dinner I go and get the right one. They don’t so much do that anymore though, I guess I’ve taught them well.
• I have a very specific bed time routine. It’s not always at the same time every night, but the ritual is the same. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and take my medicine. Then I plug my phone in. I fluff my pillows, and pull back the covers. I get all snug and cozy. While I wait for my sleeping pill to kick in, I read Facebook, Twitter, and play ONE game of Scrabble against the computer (I always win) and then I turn the light out. I turn over to the other side and go to sleep. Now, don’t you feel better knowing that? I sure do.
• I have a hard time finishing projects. Cases in point: The kitchen, still needs base moulding and the ceiling painted. I have at least 10 sewing projects still waiting to be finished (started really because I bought the fabric, but haven’t done anything with it yet- I have plans though!!) and I have a dozen painting projects that need to be done so the house will finally look put together. Why do I wait?? Well, the weather has been a big factor for the painting, but the others? Well, I think I’m just an idea person and not so much a follow through-er.
• If you ask me to work on something for you, most likely I’ll say yes, and then forget to do it. I guess the bottom line is, don’t ask me so you won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t get done OR expect that I’ll forget and forgive me in advance! LOL

 

That’s all I can think of for now… I think you probably know almost all there is to know about me, so this list is short!

 

I’ll update you on the Italy planning: I am this close —- to getting my passport!! I had to send away for my birth cert. because the card I tried to use from Alaska didn’t work. I’ll be sending it to South Carolina tomorrow and hopefully, I’ll be getting it in the next couple of weeks!! I’m so excited!!!

Our travel dates have changed too, we’ll be leaving a week earlier because we’ll be working a trade show with my Sister! I can’t wait for that either. It will be so much fun to work with her and explore Amsterdam that week.

 

Sorry I’ve been MIA…just haven’t felt much like blogging. You know how it goes? I’ve been living life and working on my health. That takes up  lot of time and the rewards are so sweet!!

 

So until next time…I’m going to go get started on that bedtime routine! Night!!

See that list over there? To the right…yeah that one.

 

Um……

 

I’m not doing so well at  crossing those things off the list.

I have had a date night with hubby, kept up with birthdays (so far)…and that’s about it. I’m not sure if sleeping a lot is doing something nice for myself.

 

I have to remind myself that it’s only a list and although I REALLY want to get a lot of those things done, I’m only human…of flesh and blood…a man. Wait. I guess that song doesn’t really apply. Surry.

Moving on….

 

What have I been doing you ask??

 

I’ve been trying to get over being sick. Sick with mysterious “allergies” that feel like a sinus infection, but don’t present like one. Sick with a tight burning chest and a cough that isn’t really responding to the nebulizer treatments.

I’ve missed the last 4 Sundays at church, either because I was sick or one or more of the kids were sick.

 

Being sick sure does take up a lot of time and energy. Ask my Sister, she knows all too well. I don’t know how she does it. All. The. Time.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I’ve been enjoying watching the Winter Olympics! They are probably the only sports I enjoy watching.

Some of my favorites to watch:

Short Track Speed Skating

Ski Jump

Curling

Moguls

Half Pipe

I think the only thing we haven’t watched is Ice Hockey. I like to watch that in person, but not so much on TV.

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

I’m super excited to be preparing for a trip to Europe this summer with my Dad. My Sister  and Dad went last year after a business conference and Dad promised he’d take me there one day. This year is my year!

Who wouldn’t want to go here?

 

I have mixed feelings. I have always dreamed of traveling but because of my severe motion sickness, it’s sort of been just that; a dream. After I discovered a patch to wear behind my ear, I am able to fly without puking and I’m sure go on a train as well.

We’ll be meeting my Sister in Amsterdam at the end of her conference, and then see my friend Nanci, that I’ve known since the 4th grade. She lives there with her sweet little family of 3. After our visit, it’s on to Italy!! I am just along for the ride, and Dad is making all the plans, but I KNOW it’ll be an experience I’ll never forget.

I’m mostly looking forward to experiencing Italy with my Dad. When you don’t know how long you have to spend with someone, every second is precious!

Besides, we have such a good time when we’re together, who wouldn’t want to spend 10 days with these guys??

 

So…the first thing that should be on my To Do List, is get a passport! I’ll be working on that, and my diet. I have a personal goal to lose 20 lbs. by June 1st. We’ll see how that goes, but I have a really good feeling about it.

 

 

Dear Jon,

     This Sunday is Valentines Day. In the spirit of love and all that gushy mushy stuff, I wanted to let the world know how much I love and admire you.

I want the world to know that in my imperfection, I say harsh things to you that you don’t deserve. In my sinful nature, I scold and berate you for things you can’t control. In my selfishness, I condemn and criticize instead of build you up and honor you.

I want the world to know that through all my faults, you love me; warts and all.

I want the world to know that when my Dad got cancer, you cried with me. That you held me in your arms and let me weep. When you didn’t know how to help or what to say, you did the only thing you knew how. You supported me when I quit my job and spent the next 8 out of 12 weeks away from our family taking care of my Dad.

I want the world to know that you do a LOT of laundry. That you always do the dishes after I cook. Actually, you do more than most husbands. That during American Idol season, you lend a helping hand do most of the cleaning and get the house ready for me before all my friends come over. That last year, when I couldn’t be there for the finale, in my honor you wore my Party T-shirt and hung out with my best friends.

I want the world to know that you nursed me to health over and over again through 6 surgeries over the last 16 years and through the 4 births of our children. That at a moments notice, you will get in the car and go to the store for me and get my medicine (or cookies which really can be medicine in emergency situations). That when one of our children is sick, you will leave at 1 o’clock in the morning and take them to the emergency room and give them tender loving support while they get x-rays, and CT scans, only to come home hours later and get little sleep.

I want the world to know that you love LOST. I mean LOVE L O V E it. That I love it too, but not like you do. I want the world to know that I haven’t been very supportive of your favorite hobby. That I’m selfish when it comes to sharing you with the world. I want you to know that I’m sorry I’ve been a pouty, guilt inducing, pain in the ass about it sometimes all the time. I want the world to know that I’m learning to love and cherish all the things that make you, you. I want the world to know that when I saw you do a video interview (that you wanted me to be a part of, but I refused – *see above about being an ass) tonight, even though I laughed at you and thought it was going to be silly, I had a revelation that you were filled with joy like a school boy getting a shiny new toy. Seeing you like that made me happy. It filled me with the same joy that you felt.

I think I’m ready to share you with the world, knowing that you love me and care for me unlike anyone I’ve ever known.

I want the world to know that…

 
You are my best friend.

Your kisses make me weak in the knees.

I love you.

Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart.

 

-Angie