The Best Kind of Crazy

This has been one of the craziest, most fun weeks of my life.  My head is still reeling from all that has happened.  Last I left off, I was about to leave on a short little trip with my beloved husband.  But let's back up a sec:

The night before we left, we had a holiday party to attend for one of the local hospitals.  I loved my dress (that I fretted about unnecessarily) and we ended up having a GREAT time.  Maybe too good of a time, considering we had to get up at 4am to catch a cab to the airport.  We didn't know anyone there for the first hour or two (??) so naturally we started drinking and eating maple-glazed bacon.  Of course.

 Anywhoo, I made lots of new friends and lots of promises to get together that I excitedly remembered the next day.  (What?  We're going to the zoo with all our kids?  Wait, whose number is this?)

We made our flight a few hours later - surprisingly.  A big winter storm hit JUST after we left.  It was close though, and we left on time despite freezing rain.  My mood perked up considerably when we landed here:

 My husband did a great job of keeping this trip top secret from me - only to have it spoiled by some strangers in the airport!  I witnessed a really bizarre interaction between a guy and a girl...he was staring at her t-shirt and finally after setting off my internal Creeper Alert! asked her "Are you going on the Matchbox 20 Cruise?"  OMG.  I about died when it hit me -- THAT IS WHAT we were doing!!

My husband knows my undying love for MB20 and all things Rob Thomas.  So, we boarded the U.S.S. Cougar (did you know 90% of Matchbox 20 fans are Cougars?  True Story.  Myself not included...I'm at the very least a young Puma.  Maybe a Lynx.  But not a Cougar.)  Some of these women were certifiable.  For real.

Anyway, the trip?  It. Was. AMAZING.  We got to see several concerts, attend a few "Storytellers" sessions and a few Q&A sessions.  And we were able to get pretty close, there really wasn't a bad seat or place to stand on board.

Rob greeted me (OK, OK, and the other 2,000 passsengers on this boat, but whatever) as soon as we got there.  He is the funniest celebrity I know.  Seriously, the man is hilarious.

Here he is telling me us he loves me us, but if the ship goes down, he WILL run us OVER to escape.

The Goo Goo Dolls were also on this cruise.  All I will say about them is they need to lay off the drugs.  It's time, fellas.  Drugs are bad.

Oh, yes!  I have a husband!  That's right!   The very best.

 We sailed to the Bahamas and hung out on the beach, swam with the Sting Rays, and drank fruity beverages.  I also ate a lot of chicken strips on this trip.  I stick to what I like and the cruise food was ...eh...not the most impressive.  But we weren't there for the food...

And yes, my husband wore a t-shirt that says "I'm on a Boat!"  Hilarious that one.

 We actually were kept pretty busy with all the band events going on.  It was so much fun!

Mommy and Daddy get all hussied up to go out.  This is the only picture I got that night.

The entire trip was catapulted to a whole other level when we got to do a photo session/meet & greet.  Yes, they greeted ALL 2,000 passengers.  I GOT TO HUG ROB (and all the other guys).  I hugged him twice for good measure.  And not a wimpy, "we're strangers" kind of hug either!  I hugged like I meant it!  I tried to think of something original to say to him, but my inner 13-year old could barely screech out "You're AWWWWWSUUUUMMMMM!" (Nice, Tammy)  I then babbled something about being so excited to hug him and he said something like "Me too.  I've waited my whole life, Baby."  At least that's how I remember it.  And I'm pretty sure he said it to everyone.  Anyway, if you stop reading my blog I'll totally understand.  I'm fully aware of how ridiculous I sound.

Anyway, where was I?  We also got our picture taken with them and I somehow finagled my way to stand next to him.  Of course they didn't allow cell phones or private pics, you have to buy them when the tour company emails them to you.  Which better be soon!  Clearly this is the most exciting thing to happen to this SAHM since the birth of my last child.  Trump that, Rob Thomas!

Q&A session out on the deck

 We returned home to full on WINTER and my two precious monkeys.  Morgan got sick while we were away and I felt SO terrible that it happened AGAIN.  She must be allergic to me leaving.  My sister was a saint to stay with my kids, plus bring her 4-month old baby along for the crazy.

Jimmy the Elf was up to his usual shenanigans:

Oh, and in the airport while waiting for our connecting flight home from Atlanta?  We found out we bought a house.  So, we're moving!  That's a WHOLE OTHER blog post all of its own!