Wildflowers, Schlitz, and Possibilities

This month has been filled with trips...ok, well only 2. This is quite a different development considering I spent 4 months on my back in pain. The one visual I kept in my foresight was a spring trip to Austin. Visions of hanging with Ms. AP in the sun or visiting boutiques, enjoying REAL Mexican food with J, potentially renting a car to visit one of my bff's and her newborn in Houston, and showing off one of my favorite cities to my husband kept me focused on what was important through the pain.

Its been 10 years since another one of my bff's and he-who-shall-not-be-named rented a Geo and drove from New Orleans to Austin on spring break. It was kind of like National Lampoon's Vacation. We showed up to Six Flags in Houston only to find it was closed. We drove to Austin and spent one day hanging out by the University and hanging in awesome clubs only to retire early because we were tired. We then drove to NASA's command central near Houston to tour space shuttles, attempt a simulation of landing a shuttle (I totally was the best even though I still crashed the sucker), and find out how fast we could get a sunburn on other planets as well as our relative weight. One of my best memories was pulling over the car to frolic in the wild flowers on the side of the highway. We even took photos.

I doubt J and I will have photos of us frolicking in wild flowers on the side of the road, however I am hoping to capture his very first horseback ride on film. I can't believe my husband grew up in Utah and has never rode a horse in his whole 34 years on earth. The whole purpose of this trip is to "attend a conference." The conference is on death and dying. Not very uplifting, but I need the continuing education units and he has to attend so its a double tax ride off. Believe me, I'd rather be going to eat Texadelphia sandwiches and laying by the pool. But I should attend a few sessions if even just to network.

I haven't seen Ms. AP since 2006. My Ya Ya's mean the world to me and I am in serious withdrawal from their influence. All of them are strong willed, beautiful, professional, witty, and absolutely the most amazing women I know.

The first trip I took this month was to balmy Milwaukee in late February. I know, I know, hold back your jealousy that I visited the capital of old school breweries like Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, and Pabst. And, no, I did not see Laverne or Shirley or even the Fonz. However I did see a sausage making factory. I also visited some fabulous boutiques in the Third Ward District. The lake is beautiful and if I liked it this much in the dead of winter I'm guessing my appreciation will multiply in the spring, summer, and fall. Its a good thing because its on our radar of a potential relocation. Yes, relocation.

As J's fellowship winds down, the job hunt rev's up. I knew when I was dating him that I would be putting my career secondary...Milwaukee isn't the center for healthcare organizational consulting but it may be just the amazing experience for us. There are other locations on the radar as well like staying here in Boston. The one thing about limbo is that it can make you completely overwhelmed by the lack of anchors and yet it can be so inspiring as anything is possible.