Apr 24, 2026

Traveling as Two - Home at Last

Things went pretty smoothly. We checked out of our hotel and took an Uber to the airport. 


Unfortunately, we weren't sitting by each other, but the flight was fine until we were circling Salt Lake. My stomach was not happy. That is the worst I have felt on an airplane in a very long time.

But back to my real life. I don't think I told you about Little Miracles. They are an amazing service group that works really hard to help people who have lost a spouse. When they first approached me, they made it sound like some weeding and a bit of cleaning. Somewhere along the line. It became SO much more!!

They are doing a mini-flip of my house. Seriously, we are at an AirB&B while they have full run of my house until Saturday afternoon. Then I will share lots of amazing pics, but for now, you get to see where we are staying.

We really enjoyed the hot tub.


This is the bed Scout and I are sharing.


All the other kids are staying in the loft. 


The room is only about 4 1/2 feet high, so that is a little rough for my tall guys. They offered to find us a different place, but we are enjoying the adventure. This is how they get up to their room.


But this light is really cool.


So much excitement!





Apr 22, 2026

Traveling as Two - More Reno

The main part of the tournament was rough for our girls. They had a bye going into the final games which meant they really only got one match. After they lost, the tournament was over.

Unfortunately, we still had a few challenges to overcome. The worst was first...

I accidentally booked Baby Doll to fly home on Sunday and I was booked for Monday. Same time. Same flight. I discovered the problem when I got notifications that it was time for her to board. Freaking out, of course, I tried to get hold of Delta, but with over a thousand people on their phones in the Convention Center, I couldn't get through. The flight was set to leave in 25 minutes!

I was at a loss. I didn't know what to do. So I said a little prayer. Then my phone rang from an unknown number.

It was Delta!!

She assured me everything would be ok and she urged me to call a certain number. They helped me change the flight without a surcharge. It was amazing.

2nd big problem - the first night we were there, Baby Doll realized she forgot to pack silverware, and we ate our Cup-a-Noodles with our fingers. So after Baby Doll ate all of her Lay's Stacks, I made a spoon for her.

I might have meant it as a joke, but she actually used it to eat her applesauce.

Even though we lost, it was still a good day. 


Apr 19, 2026

Traveling as Two - Reno

Baby Doll and I have been having so much fun together in Reno. Our friends, T & B have been graciously shuttling us all over because we don't have a car with us. On Saturday, they offered to take us with them to Lake Tahoe since they had never been there and our games didn't start until 4:00.

We got on the road early, before 9:00, and our first stop was Tunnel Creek Station for breakfast. (The 8000+ altitude meant a little oxygen was necessary for these bad lungs.)


The food was amazing, even the eggs, and you know how I feel about eggs.

The scenery was beautiful.




I thought it might be fun to stop by the little cabin we stayed in 2 years ago. It took us a few minutes, but we finally found it.

Baby Doll & B wandered into the water of Lake Tahoe even though it was very cold.

I think they lasted less than a minute!!

We got back just in time for a quick nap before the team lunch and subsequent games.




Baby Doll was amazing!! I even made a couple of videos for you.

They won all three matches!! Now for the final single elimination tournament tomorrow.

State Sterling Scholar

On Thursday, Curly,  Hailey, and I drove to Bountiful for State Sterling Scholar. Unfortunately, Curly didn't win. But we still had a good time.

After it was over, we grabbed some sandwiches at Firehouse Sub. The kids took me to the airport where I climbed onto a flight to Reno. Baby Doll rode down with a friend for the volleyball tournamentl but joined me Friday morning.

It's a very busy weekend...