Two Hundred and Thirty Nine

After today's game Kyle and I decide to branch out and explore a little. I was ready for a new scene after getting settled in our new place, Kyle was mostly ready for food...and ghosts!

The wonderful thing about being in Savannah is, really, being in Savannah. Living in civilization again, with perks like coffee, yoga, fro yo, and most importantly, Groupon. Yesterday, I found a "Savannah Ghost Tour," deal lead by a renowned ghoul investigator and tale collector. He's even published his interviews and stories in a popular book amongst the chasers of poltergeists'.

First things first, we enjoyed a fine meal of appetizers (we just couldn't decide) at our new favorite restaurant, Cotton Exchange. On the menu for tonight: alligator tail, crab stuffed mushrooms and Savannah's most popular crab dip. NUM! It was the first time eating alligator for the both of us. And it does taste like chicken! But better.

Afterwards we moseyed down river street enjoying the sunset and taking in the creations of local artists. Once the night began to settle we quickly made our way to Wright Square for the beginning of our haunted tour. The historic district of Savannah is very different from Las Vegas, but they' do have one thing in common. Open containers on the street are allowed; only plastic cups. One of our first stops was to a haunted bar where everyone grabbed a cup. We continued on to several squares, a slave quarters, a quarantined hospital and two grace yards. All dating back to the 18th and 19th century. The guide shared tales and true accounts of ghostly presences and happenings along the way. It was a ghastly good blast!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Three

I am happy to announce that the official wedding website is now up and running! 

Check, check, check it out: 

http://www.theknot.com/wedding/Susan-and-Kyle

In other wedding news, Kyle patiently sat in a teeny tiny boutique in downtown Burlington while I modeled my favorite rehearsal dinner dresses. Good news is I made my final decision and now have two gorgeous white dresses sitting in the closet. 

We celebrated with gluten free chocolate chip cookies.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Three

When it comes to manly tasks, I certainly dominate the majority of those put before me. It's gotta be a farm-girl-raised-independent-woman-traveling-baseball-wifey thing. Check out my steak shish-ka-bobs, accompanied with grilled garlic asparagus for dinner this evening. We were in need of some paleo love after a starchy and dairy filled vacation! Kyle even jumped at the Bob's Red Mill gluten free chocolate chip cookie mix on clearance at the store today. We shamelessly tossed four bags of it in the cart and two bags of gluten free flour. It's back to the grind!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty Two

Planning a wedding from half way across the country has been a little tricky at times, and down right stressful at others. Today I'm just incredibly thankful for the wonderful people who have been tirelessly helping with this big fat wedding. It's not Greek folks, but it is going to be big. My sister-in-law to be found our invitations, which I of course have left to the last minute, and ordered them with out a second thought so I could enjoy my Chicago break. Did I also mention she's planning my honeymoon?! And thank the good lord Jordan was in Burlington when my dress arrived. That's fate, and a smidge of karma right? And not to forget my awesome main gal of honor, Kendall, has been so on her game and helping me decide of the perfect minor league baseball gift registry. More to come on that sitch later. My mom, my auntie, my sister, my Momma Jody and Kyle's mom have been an incredible help with loose odds and ends. A big thanks to my Daddy who doesn't roll his eyes at the price of some of this wedding craziness. My brother, who pretends to be interested in sparkles and frills after his long days in the field. Not to mention Kyle's aunt who has been supportive at every turn and Kyle's grandmother, who sifted through piles of ties and vests with me to find the perfect combo! And my special gals Sam, Lauryn and Michelle are planning my Washington/Idaho bachelorette party. Which means I got a mysterious call today about selecting my favorite colored tank tops. I'm super blessed to have you all and I sure love you!

PS: Shout out to my amazing Kendall girl, who became an auntie for the second this evening! Welcome to the world Bearett!

Day Two Hundred and Thirty One

Rehearsal dress shopping and baseball with my girl, Jo. We found a wonderful little boutique in downtown Burlington and were inspired to find more wedding apparel after the arrival of my wedding dress! Finally! It's here, eeeep! And it's more beautiful than I could have imagined. This wedding thing is finally getting real and I'm so incredibly excited.

Day Two Hundred and Thirty

I'm absolutely ecstatic today, not because our vacation is over, but because one of my sweetest friends is joining me in the Midwest! Jordan's boyfriend played with Kyle at WSU and we've been close since our wee baseball dating days...which is quickly approaching four years now. She is so wonderful, and is actually one of my bridesmaids for the big day! Today we laid out at the water park and got our tan and catch up on. Baseball bliss baby.

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Seven

Chicago Cruising

The official start of our All-Star break, landed us in the gorgeous and historical downtown Chicago Congress hotel. Day one of our vacation was packed with Starbucks, sunshine and fun times. 

Today included: Chicago's Navy Pier. An architectural boat ride down the Chicago river featuring the impressive buildings through out Chicago. An All American Chicago hot dog. Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville margaritas. The Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. The Crystal Gardens atrium, filled with funky water features and palm trees. The Gateway Park. The Magnificent Mile, a mile long shopping district in Chicago including Saks 5th Ave and Tiffany & Co. Dinner at Harey Carey's, an uptown steak house owned by the prior Cub's announcer himself (the pricey meals are well worth the money). Andy's Jazz club, a local joint featuring fine wine and incredibly talented local jazz musicians. 

Ahhhhhhhh. 

 

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Six

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Four

Yet another incredible birthday gift! Thank you Jay and Barbara!! 

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Three

I saw my very first fireflies today! And contrary to my previous belief, the light on the bugs isn't constant. They flicker! I discovered these little buggers on my way home from Burlington's very own steam boat days. Specializing in bringing Hinder live, to my back yard at 11 pm. 

Day Two Hundred and Twenty Two

 Wedding Planning and Work Break

I live a rough life when the boys are on the road. Zen Tazo tea, rocking step momma books, and a healthy amount of icey hot to keep the gnats at bay.

Book Credit: My (Not-So) Glamorous Transition From Single Gal to Instant Mom

Day Two Hundred and Twenty One

Pirates on Parade

Steam boat days, a renowned Midwest concert festival, has arrived in Burlington! Part of the party? A pirate ship on the Mississippi! 

Day Two Hundred and Twenty

Baseball Birthday Goodies

I'm still receiving birthday love, and I can't complain. This is the sorta stuff that long distance relationships are made of. Your card put a huge smile on my face and I love the MLB shirt! Love and miss you Michelle!!

Day Two Hundred and Nineteen

Bark in the Park

Today was "Bark in the Park" at Community Field! Which means the Humane Society was handing out the most adorable puppies, for free. I'm such a sucker, it's a miracle I walked away from there with out a fur baby. Several of the other baseball girls were in town today, which makes sitting through a double header much more entertaining. I absolutely adore the majority of the ladies I've met here, it's incredible how baseball draws out such strong-willed, independent and surprisingly easy going gals. I guess it makes sense though, you have to be able to handle the road trips, the constant changing schedules, the ups and downs, and have a good time with it while it happens.

On the topic of good times, we Skyped with Addie this evening for the first time since we left. It was tough not being able to see her through the conversation, but it was wonderful to hear her voice; and although the conversation was short lived (she's three and a half, don't forget) it was relieving to finally catch up with her. There's been a lot going on that front recently. Addie's mom wants to move to Moscow, but she can't do so with out Kyle's agreement. Which has equated to a rapid settle of the custody issues in the past week, the same issues that were all slated for court in the fall. We're still negotiating the last pieces before her move this weekend, everything will be finalized before then. I really can't wait for it to be over, and to see our monkey again.

"When you do nothing you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better" - Maya Angelou

Day Two Hundred and Eighteen

Kenny Ken Ken Birthday Goodies

I seriously am so spoiled by some of the most wonderful people in this world. Today, a mysterious little package showed up on my porch. I only say mysterious because I've ordered Kyle's Father's Day gifts and have been keeping a sharp eye out for them. I opened this delightful little package to discover a new Under Armour outfit from Adam and Kendall! They are endorsed by Under Armour, one of the few non-problems with our mutual baseball styles, and they spread a little of the love my way. My outfit matches one of Kendall's and of course the top is her favorite color! Thank you guys, I was definitely needing more Under Armour in my life! Kenny, maybe we can wear the matchy outfit for the wedding rehearsal dinner?!

The game tonight at Community Field was a fundraising event for the local Relay for Life efforts. As a result, the Bee's rocked purple jerseys to be auctioned off after the event. I was able to get the first bid in on Kyle's jersey and after some competition I prevailed! Let the record show this is the first item I've bid on besides livestock and Ebay fancies. Plus Kyle hit his second homer of the season while wearing the jersey so there was no way I could let it go easily.

Day Two Hundred and Seventeen

Lucky Lulu

Birthday Lulu arrived. I'm a size down from last year so new tops were desperately needed. Can I get a "sweating for the dress" cheer?! Excuse my while I do my thing! 

Day Two Hundred and Sixteen

I cashed in on the spa day Kyle got me for my birthday today! After my killer boot camp class I literally dragged myself to the spa salon and up onto the massage table. Ahhhhhh....My fiancé knows me way too well. I gave up on my shellac finger nails after leaving my amazing nail lady in Coeur d'Alene, and I've been trying hard to conceal my disappointment. And wouldn't you know it?! My so sweet man included a gel mani and pedi in my relaxing day. How did I get so lucky? Confession: my shellac pedi from early April was still rocking! We also received disappointing news today, managers selected only pitchers from the Bee's team for the All Star game. Meaning Kyle was not picked despite his impressive stats (leading the league in steals, second highest on base percentage in the MidWest and in the top ten batting leaders in the league). He was disappointed but he has already started planning a fun three day vacation in the Ozarks or in Chicago instead. Baseball life, right?! And because we were in need of some comfort food, we indulged in Culver's famous cheese curds for the first time. Delicious!!

Day Two Hundred and Fifteen

Off days are so awesome. We filled our seemingly endless free time with a tough work out, delicious lunch at Boogaloo, putt putt golf, THREE red boxes, Ben and Jerry's, homemade lasagna and Moroccan mint tea. No other words needed!

Day Two Hundred and Fourteen

 

Mississippi View

Tonight, I walked down to the Mississippi while listening to Kyle's game. Um, how crazy is that?! Less than eight weeks ago I would walk down to the Spokane River in Post Falls, Idaho. Now I walk down to the grand ol' Mississippi that's about a mile and a half from our home, the long way. It isn't anything like the Spokane River but it's beautiful in it's own grungy, industrial way.

Day Two Hundred and Thirteen

Burlington Coffee and Moves

I enjoyed my first cup of Iowa coffee and desperately yearned for a Coeur d'Alene coffee stand brew every sip of the way. I can't wait for North Idaho coffee, friends, yoga and lakes again! Highlight of today, packing Kyle's roomies bag up! He was moved up to California this morning to join the high A team. Unfortunately the boys are away for a road series so the Angels put him on the plane with just his travel bag! Another reminder how fast paced this lifestyle is. So today I gathered up all his things and packed them up to give to the clubbie when the boys return from Clinton. Another day in the minor league baseball life!