Columbus, Ohio

I'm having a great time at my new job going places and having tons of fun. Although me and Dean don't get to fly together yet because we are based in different cities, we do however get to rendvouz for special private time layovers every chance we get.

I had a long layover in Columbus, so Dean flew in so we could be together. The weather was beautiful and the food divine.

We ate at Schmidt's German resturant and it was divine. We were going to share the german chocolate cake, but it was so divine, we had to order a second peice.

London, England

Had a great time in London. The weather was perfect and it was fun to see the city in the daylight. Last time I was here with Dean, we were in and out in one evening and saw everything in the dark.

Of course a visit to London wouldn't be complete without a pop-in to Harrod's. Of course got me a teddy-bear.

Natural History Museum

The garden at the Albert & Victoria Museum

Seattle, Washington

Had a nice, and long layover in Seattle, Washington. My Mom, who lived in Seattle forty years ago, and had not been back since moving to Utah, met up with me to share my first layover there with me. We had the most fun and she was amazed how much the city had changed in forty years.

Pike's Market

Delicous fresh fish and food.

We took a ferry across the Puget Sound and it was georgous.

I'm so glad my Mom could be with me and she loves her new travel perks too.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Had a great trip to Sao Paulo. I got assigned this trip on my "on-call" days so that made it extra special. (because usually I get Omaha, Nebraska for assignments on my "on-call" days.)

My hotel was beautiful, modern and very cozy.

I spent the day with one of my Brazilian crew members who was from Sao Paulo. We jumped on a train and bus and he took us into the heart of the city to this famous market. It was so colorful and beautiful.

How could I pass up a bowl of fresh strawberries and banana's covered in dark chocolate?

Over all the trip was great, until the parasite I got from that delicious bowl of chocolate covered fruit that had been washed with ameba infested water....made me sick. And of course it hit me while working my flight back to New York. Luckily for me, I had a few days off after the trip and my Doctor put me on antibiotics to kill the bug. I'm back to normal now...lesson learned. Don't eat the local strawberries.

We went on a visit to Grandpa's grave site this evening.  

The kids told their favorite memories of him and talked about how much they miss him.

It was a beautiful day.

Brian's Reunion

The Brian's had a little family reunion a couple weekends ago. We had the most fun together. All of the children loved being together. We all laughed our guts out watching them interact. Slumber parties at Grandma and Grandpa's house and an everybody birthday party that I think should be a tradition from now on. These pictures didn't turn out too shabby either. Thanks for a wonderful weekend. Hope we can do it again soon!

Mom/Grandma's

Hip Recovery Update

The new and improved titanium hip.

Mom/Grandma is totally recovering from her broken hip fiasco. Her month in rehab was very productive and the staff and care she got at the rehab center was amazing. They worked her hard and she was a trooper with a great attitude and determination to get well and get her independence back. The staff that she met were TOTALLY amazed at how well she did and couldn't believe she is 84 years old. Her roomate at rehad who is 10 years younger had broken the same hip, on the same day, got a new replacement exactly like mom's, by the same surgeon...and she is still in rehab and barely walking.

She has been home almost three weeks and is up and running almost stronger than she was before she broke the hip. Her in-house physical therapist who comes three times a week said that she can use her cane in the house now with no need for the walker. Which is great news, as earlier in her recovery they said she would never be able to use a cane again (walker or wheelchair only). So she is better than those "practicing medicine" had hoped she would.

Marje came down from Iowa and arrived when Mom was released from rehab to help her full-time with her recovery transition to coming home. Marje has been a WONDERFUL help and been great company for Mom. Marje will go back home the first week of July and by then Mom will be totally independent again with her new hip....which will "shoot-her-through" another ten years.

Prague, Czech Republic

17 June 2011
My first international working trip to Prague was so exciting. The city is so beautiful, charming and romantic. I only wished that Dean could have been with me. Working the flight was really hard...couldn't believe that Dean said international flying was so easy compared to domestic flying....I worked my guts out and don't know what he is talking about. But it was worth it to see this beautiful city.

Beautiful city. That is Charles Bridge in the background.

Had to take this picture for Dean. His guy on a horse.

This is on the Charles Bridge....where John Voight's character in the movie Mission Impossible is shot and thrown over.

Our first working rendezvous.

We both had in between flight layovers in

Atlanta, so we met up for dinner and

had a fun time running into each other.

We are loving this job. Stay tuned for

Maria's photographs from her first international

trip to Prague, Czech Republic she flies in two weeks.

Mom is doing excellent on her recovery at the rehab center.

I am breaking her out of here on Monday, 30 May. She is getting

around all by herself, performing excellent in her physical

therapy and is ready to take on the world with her new hip.

All mobility will be with a walker or wheelchair for the

duration, but we are so blest that her recovery will allow

her to have her freedom and independence back. Marjorie, her neice,

will arrive on 1June to spend the month with her helping her

adjust and get around at the house.

Happy Birthday!

To the greatest mom in the world. Thank you so much for our sweet life, for always being so kind and considerate. We love you so much!

Maria graduates after seven long and grueling weeks.....

CONGRATULATIONS.

May 13, 2011

Dean and Maria.....living the dream.....making a memory, together, all over the world...while getting paid.
She is based in New York City and flies her first

trip on May 20. She is very excited and will be

the best super-stew Delta ever had.