St. Louis

It's a pretty city. If it wasn't warmer and more humid, I probably wouldn't mind living there. Found the cutest little colonial house by our hotel that was for sale. I was almost literally drooling over it, it was so stinking cute.

I busted my azz off but it was worth it for the trip - when else would I get to go to St. Louis? I had lots of amazing (and unhealthy) food and drinks, and generally had a good time. I was really tired, though, having to get up at 4:30 Monday morning, going to bed @ 1:30 and up at 4:45 Tuesday morning, going to bed at about 11:30. Kelly let me sleep in Wednesday, and told me I didn't have to come until about 9 this morning, but I came in at 8 like usual. We stayed at a Hilton, and it was super nice. I loved the St. Louis office, and I already thought that ours was pretty darned cool. But the meeting went off without a hitch, and we heard lots of compliments about how many people liked it. Kelly said it's the most positive feedback that she's ever heard about one of those meetings. I worked on a survey to send out to everyone today and handed it to Pete before he left. I have so much to do still!

I was feeling pretty philosophical yesterday as my flight was about to take off. I said a quick, heartfelt prayer about how I hope that my plane would land safely because I wasn't ready to go without seeing my husband whom I love so much one more time, and all of my family and friends, too. As we were taxiing off, watching the wings bounce around was somewhat disenheartening, but all of the smaller planes do that. It's incredible how low the clouds actually are, but when you're staring up at them they seem so far away. Lifting up through the puffy clouds (they reminded me a lot of cotton candy) was so neat, looking down below and seeing the Mississippi shrinking, and the sun reflecting off of all of the silos and other shiny metal things far down below. Finally we got above the clouds and I saw the shadow of our plane on the clouds, with a rainbow circle wrapping around it. Right then I relaxed, because I knew my prayer had been heard and that everything would be ok. I sound like such a first time flyer, but this was only my third round trip ever. Dusk was gorgeous. I have never seen it replicated as accurately as I viewed the real thing last night... wish I had, though because I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Anyway, I hope you all are taking care and I hope to talk to you soon. :)