Come fly with me

My mother in law is the youngest of three girls.  Her older sister Mary Lou, the middle daughter (who sadly passed away this last year) was married to Bill "Alex" Alexander.  He and Mary Lou used to travel the US in their motor home with a little VW bug in tow behind and a tiny Yorkie named Offenheimer ("Offie" for short) sitting at the helm.  I loved their visits. Mary Lou raised four boys, was kind and sweet, neat as a pin, fabulous sense of humor and shared her husbands passion for all things adventurous. And Alex, well I've always felt like we were kindred spirits.  First of all we share the same last name, my maiden name is Alexander. Then you add to that fact that he has a biting wit, can be completely sarcastic (sarcasm is like air to me, lol) yet always has an adorable smile that makes you laugh.  Yep, visits with Alex and Mary Lou were always fun!

  Although Alex and his four boys live only about 6 hours south of us we rarely see him anymore.  He quit driving the motor home years ago and well.....you know how it goes, we all get caught up with taking care of the everyday things, work, kids, blah, blah, blah, and the next thing you know too much time has gone by and we haven't seen each other in years.  So the other day my brother in law, who is a pilot and has access to a couple of very nice private planes, offered to fly the family down for the day for a quick visit.  I LOVE to fly so it didn't take me long to grab my bag and sunglasses!

 

 Two extra seats! Wanna come along?  My brother in law is an excellent pilot, it's sure to be a lovely flight. 

 

The Pilot makes a few adjustments before take off.  When I said I love to fly what I meant to say is I love to ride along, lol.  Just looking at all those gauges made my head hurt. Where's the flight attendant? A glass of wine of would be nice. 

 The Cowboy checks out the ground below.  We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather.

 We take a quick run over the ranch. The Sr. Cowboy wasn't feeling up to making the trip so as we flew over I called him and the Pilot tipped the wings to wave as we went over.

 My mother in law rode shotgun which was only fitting since she too is a pilot!  I know! It was really touching to listen to the two of them "talk shop", her asking questions about this specific plane, the two of them comparing notes about things I couldn't even understand yet it was so sweet to listen to and to watch moments like this where she would look over to him and nod her head in agreement. It made me wonder....how many other pilots out there have mothers who fly and get moments like this?

 She definitely takes after her big sister.  Daphne raised 2 boys, helped put the Sr. Cowboy through dental school, ran the front office of his practice single handedly,  played tennis regularly for 40 years,  helped work their ranch and stood by and watched her sons through rodeos, truck rolls, car wrecks and a bar fight or two (Ahem, ALL when they much younger let me say). All with grace, humor and always a magnificent smile every time you see her.  And when Sr. Cowboy decided to get his pilots license years ago, she decided to get hers too.  Say it with me girls.  WHAT A WOMAN!

 

The Cowboy and I found this little sign hysterical.  Cigars only and wouldn't you know we didn't have a one between us. LOL!

 

Ok, is anyone else here hearing the theme song from "Weeds" here?

Every time I looked down I kept hearing, "Little houses, little houses, ticky tacky little houses".....lol

 After lunch Alex wanted to check out the sweet ride before we headed back.

 If any of you lived in Los Angeles in the '50's you may have eaten at Alex's place.  It was on Pico blvd.  Daphne, being the little sister worked there in trade for food.  Boy labor laws have changed, haven't they? lol

Group shot before we head for home.  Alex on the left and his oldest son Chris on the right.  

After a wonderful day of visiting and a lovely lunch, it's time to board and head home.

 Gliding along at 11,000 feet, 200 mph it's like ice skating on a cloud.  We head towards the sunset and home, only an hour away by air.

Pressurized cabin, air conditioning, top notch pilot and co-pilot, a good magazine, flying towards the sunset....Puuuuure luxury!

Where on earth is that flight attendant with those cool beverages?!

Home safe and sound after a fabulous day with family!

Ok, I don't want to brag, (actually I do) but with a Pilot as detailed at this is it any wonder we have no worries in the air?

 

 

What's that Mr. Ed?

My daughter has been letting her horse roam the property lately.  It makes him happy and it's keeping the grass down which makes us happy.  Yesterday she had her bedroom doors open and while grazing near her room he decided to pop in and chat with her and our grandson.  She moved back home a little over a month ago and the horse came with her of course.  But because he was lonely we now have also acquired two small goats (Winston and Beauregard) to keep him company.

The Cowboy snapped this picture with his camera phone.  When he showed me this picture he said "The only thing that would have made it better is if Winston and Beauregard were in there with him!"

Seriously!?

Hold your horses! (pun totally intended)

I am definitely the Zsa Zsa to his Edie Albert.  

Um, no. He'd better teach that horse to talk and tell those goats to stay outside.  He only needs to learn one word.  BBQ.

I'm a front row kind of gal

(Photo: Grace Robertson)

 Months ago I found this picture online with the caption "You can live your life with the joy and excitement of the women in the first row or the attitude of the women in the 3rd row"

I was immediately drawn to it. The picture itself is not only adorable  but says so much about how we choose to make the most of each moment.  Emphasis on the word "choose".  

4th row, they're not even paying attention, they're missing the whole point of the ride.

3rd row, they're in the moment but not really appreciating the opportunity.

2nd row, these girls are having fun. Yes for the most part they've got it.

But,

1st row.......That's the row I want to be in!  These girls know how to have fun. These girls aren't upset that their dresses are flying up revealing their stockings and slips! They understand that's part of the ride, the reckless abandon of skirts flying high and hair in the wind knowing they look ridiculiously silly and stand the chance of losing a good hat in the process, they don't care.  They are choosing to enjoy the moment, encouraging each other with their roaring laughter to let it all go and just create a wonderful memory that they will share for years to come.

 They are all on the same ride, going the same speed,  seeing the same sight, but each one is making a choice as to what type of experience and memory they are going to have.

Do you remember that feeling you had the last time you laughed so hard you couldn't breath? Couldn't speak? Peed your pants? No? Then you are really missing out.  Some of my best memories have included one or all three of those moments and have all been with people I love the most.

Yes, I am most definitely and grateful to be a front row kind of gal.