A Happy Diversion

Here's a little quiz for you:
What would make me leave my nice, warm house with a fever and a sore throat and two kids who also have the same fever and sore throat? What would make me leave a crazy busy desk and postpone finishing my project for one more day? What could possibly have happened to make me drop everything and head out the door today????

If you said go to the doctor, you'd be wrong. If you said the house was on fire, you'd be wrong. If you said the family was out of milk, well, you're probably right, but that's not it either.

Need a hint?
Nope it's not the guy with the spiffy, yellow earmuffs...it's the plane.

That's right Blue Angel number 7 was in town today. My husband called me shortly after lunch with the news that one of the Blue Angels was in town today doing some "touch and go's" and scoping out our airport for their upcoming visit to Idaho Falls this summer. I'm just giddy about that. I LOVE the Blue Angels. I very much enjoy the Thunderbirds, but I LOVE the Blue Angels. It's been more than 5 years since I have seen them and I can't wait. But today after my husband's call, we hopped into the car and headed to the airport. I'm more than certain I am now on the terrorist watch list because my car was seen slowly cruising around the perimeter of the airport gates looking for the best vantage point. I knew when I found it too because there were several other fans (mostly retired military men, they just had that look about them) parked and visiting outside their cars. We waited for about 15 minutes and then in true Blue Angel style, there he was, out of nowhere. He buzzed the runway and did a hard turn and passed right over our car. Happy day! He then did a quick turn around and landed right in front of us.
OK, I'm sure that many of you are shaking your heads wondering why in the world I am so into the Blue Angels and would drop everything to have one fly over my car. Two reasons. One: They are just too cool! And two (and the best one probably): Because of this guy.
That is my brother, Brent. He is a pilot for the USAF. C-130's. And I love this guy. When he was very young, he fell in love with planes and set his sights on flying them. Everything he did was somehow helping to land him in the pilot's seat. And so, each and every time we went to Utah, we had to stop at the Hill AFB museum. Our whole family had the dang thing memorized and we would just sort of roll our eyes whenever we had to go, but you know what, I learned to love the place. Maybe because Brent loved it so much or maybe the planes, I don't know but it is pretty cool to me now. I have even dragged my kids to it a time or two. The last time the Blue Angels were here was the last airshow I have been able to go to with Brent. And we had quite an adventure. Fruit salad and all (long, gross story). He is stationed halfway across the country and spends quite a bit of time in Iraq. But guess what? He just got home from a deployment and is taking leave next week. That means he will be here in Idaho in just a few short days! Wahoo! He is too much fun! By the way, Brent is an awesome photographer and he took both of the Blue Angel pictures in this post. I know, they rock!

So basically, what I am trying to say, is that there will not be a project posted here today either. I really just HAD to go have #7 buzz my car today instead. It's been a good day.