Grande Needs a New Ride

My husband, thought to be the world's tallest Olympic pole vaulter in history, needs a new ride!  Jeremy, nicknamed El Grande because of 6'9" frame, has been driving the same red Ford Taurus since 1997.  The car, after driving to many competitions across the country, now has over 277,000 miles on it!  And while the miles keep racking up, the paint keeps coming off.  The car now has several beautiful bald and rusty spots that are the envy of the neighborhood.

Driver seat

The Taurus has been through many major/minor repairs over the years, but it just keeps ticking.  It's been good to Jeremy over the years, but its time seems to be nearing its end.  For over a year the air conditioning did not work, leaving Jeremy driving around north east Arkansas in 100 degree temperatures (sometimes with our toddler in the backseat) with no relief.  There were many days where Jeremy would work out and practice at Bell Athletics (where he is every single day, all day) in an un-air-conditioned building, to then get in a un-air-conditioned car to drive 30 minutes home.

Interior console

We finally got the A/C repaired (hooray!) but currently the windshield wipers do not work.  Leaving him stranded at work on a rainy day, Jeremy once drove home from work with his windshield wipers tied to a rope so he could manually move the wipers back-and-forth out the driver side window.  Not only is this redneck (I can see Jeff Foxworthy handing us our sign now), but it's extremely unsafe.



What Jeremy needs is a reliable automobile that can accommodate his rather long legs.  Transportation that is air-conditioned and has working windshield wipers!  He needs a car that he can strap 18' long pole vault poles to the roof and drive comfortably and safely to his competitions; a car that I feel comfortable letting our toddler ride in.

Our family with baby #2 on the way

My husband would never ask for a new car.  He actually loves the Taurus and "jokes" that it will be Cam's first car when he turns 16.  (Over my dead body.)  The reality is we have needed to replace this car for a long time and have not be able to do so financially.  But Jeremy really does deserve a car that is safe and reliable to help him continue to do the things he loves. He is a hard-working, dedicated athlete, father and husband and I am so proud of him.

AP credit-Jeremy Scott competing at the 2012 Olympic Games

Gluten Free Sausage Balls

I have had a lot of interest in my gluten-free sausage balls.  My family asks for these regularly and they never stick around long.  Simple to make, they are an easy appetizer if you are eating gluten-free or know someone who is.

Ingredients, pre-mixing

What you'll need:
1 1/4 cups gluten free Bisquik
1 8oz package of cream cheese (room temp--or, because I am impatient, I just zap mine in the microwave for 30-45 seconds)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb hot sausage, uncooked (check your ingredients to ensure you have a gluten free sausage--I prefer Jimmy Dean)

While gathering your ingredients, preheat oven to 400F.

Mix all of your ingredients together in one bowl.  Forget utensils, they don't work.  Use your hands!!  I keep a box of latex gloves in the house specifically for the purpose of making sausage balls. A pair of gloves will prevent getting all the soon-to-be-yumminess under your fingernails (yuck!).

I was out of gloves this day, a plastic baggy was a compromise. 

After all of your ingredients are thoroughly blended, roll the mixture into balls (about silver-dollar size).  My mother's are usually perfectly rounded.  Again, since I am impatient, mine usually look more like amoebas and less like balls, but are tasty none-the-less!

Finished product!

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400F.  I check the bottom of the sausage balls for a nice brown color to know they are done.  After cooking, remove sausage balls with a spatula and place on paper towel lined plate or bowl.  Let cool for 10 minutes and enjoy!!  I guarantee these will go quickly!

Is a Gluten-free Diet an Obsession?

I had a friend on a recent girls' trip ask me if food has become an obsession of mine since going gluten free.  I have been thinking about this question for months now, not knowing exactly how to answer that question.  Now, this is a wonderful, dear friend of mine who asked.  She meant no malice by the question but was rather really curious about my gluten-free life.  I was not prepared, however, to answer that question---it's not an easy question to answer.  But I think it's something important to address.

I am not gluten free because I choose to be.  I am gluten free because I was sick.  I have celiac disease for which there is no cure.  The only acceptable treatment for celiac disease is a life-long, strict, gluten-free diet.  Not adhering to that diet can lead to a multitude of health problems including malnutrition, osteoporosis, cancer, lactose intolerance, neurological and psychiatric complications (such as depression, anxiety, ataxia, balance problems, neuropathy, seizures and headaches), and miscarriage and congenital malformation (neural tube defects in unborn children).  The scary part is it may not take much exposure to start a snow-ball effect.

Whether a person with celiac disease feels bad or not after eating gluten (as there are varying degrees of severity), gluten is still hurting them!  Gluten is still causing internal chaos whether an individual "feels" sick or not.  So, cheating is not an option.  I have had individuals, including close friends, encourage me to "cheat." Again, I assume no malice on their part, but questions like, "Oh, can't you just have one bite?" or "What's the worse that can happen if you were to try it?" are not exactly supportive.  It's not a diet where I can have a piece of cake every now and then and feel guilty about it the morning.   It's a lifestyle change where strict adherence is mandatory-it's not an option.

So, when think about an obsession as something that dominates one's thoughts or feelings, then yes, perhaps living a gluten free life is an obsession.  But it's an obsession by necessity.  Do I think it qualifies me for the reality show, My Strange Obsession? Absolutely not.  Do I think that it is a prevailing theme in my life?  Yes, I do.

My son and I are both gluten free for medical reasons, therefore, eating out in restaurants, traveling and holidays do become very tricky.  There is much planning involved any time a meal is eaten outside the home.  But, let me tell you something, if this obsession keeps me and, especially, my son healthy, then so be it. I would not be able to forgive myself if something I ate while pregnant or something I gave my son to eat caused him pain and discomfort at best, or more serious complications at worst.  I will do everything in my power to keep him healthy and happy and this is just one way I am doing just that.  We have to be our own health advocates and we have to be the advocates for our children.

The sad part to me is that I have never heard someone ask a diabetic if they are "obsessed" with watching what they eat.  Are you obsessed with checking your blood sugar?  No, it's not an obsession, it's a medical necessity.  So, why is my lifestyle any different?

Perhaps I do get really excited when I find places, towns, or restaurants that are gluten-free friendly.  I live in a place where gluten-free is difficult to find, so traveling for me provides an opportunity to try new things, and I value those opportunities.  So, while I may be obsessed with my gluten-free lifestyle, is not an obsession I embraced easily or eagerly.  I went kicking and screaming and complained about it every single day (still do), but I do it because I have to---for my sake and my son's.

Gluten Free Asheville

Recently I was visiting Asheville, NC for my college roommate's bachelorette trip.  One of the most anxiety-driven moments of travel for me is, always, what am I going to eat?  Those of you with celiac disease or any other dietary restriction understand, it is not always easy to find food you can eat (much less enjoy).  From what I had heard about Asheville, I was not too worried, but like always I did a little reconnaissance before the trip to know what options were available.  I was thrilled with the options! I am going to share my gluten-free Asheville trip with you (pardon the quality of my photos, they were all taken on my phone!).

The first night our group ate at Tupelo Honey Cafe. It was awesome!  They had a separate gluten free menu which made ordering easy--even if the decision was not! 

Tupelo Honey's Gluten Free Menu

I decided on the Charleston Chicken Sandwich and a cup of the ToMAYto-ToMAHto Soup.  It was perfect on that chilly night to have a warm sandwich and hot cup of soup.  Although they don't take reservations, we called ahead and had to wait only a few minutes upon arrival (for a group of 11).  The place was packed, but I can see why--the food was great.  I heard not one complaint and everyone, gluten-eating and non, enjoyed their meal!  

Tupelo Honey's Charleston Chicken Sandwich and ToMAYto-ToMAHto Soup

On our second day in Asheville we toured the Biltmore House and decided to eat lunch while on the property.  Being a touristy-type of place I was not overly optimistic, but was pleasantly surprised!  We ate at Cedric's Tavern and although they do not have a specific gluten free menu, the waiter was well-versed in the available options.  They also carry gluten free bread and buns so you can order any of their sandwiches gluten free.  I ordered Chef Mark’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Ashe County cheddar, house-made boursin, Cabot white cheddar, crispy bacon and tomato) with a side of mashed potatoes.  The grilled cheese was creamy and cheesy and definitely hit the spot!  The also have amazing homemade pickles to snack on while waiting for your meal.  

Cedric's Tavern Chef Mark's Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Cedric's Tavern Homemade Pickles

Our final dinner in Asheville was at a place I have been wanting to go for several years now, Posana Cafe--- an entirely, 100% gluten free restaurant.  I was like a kid in a candy shop!  It's a wonderful feeling to be able to walk into a restaurant and order ANYTHING on the menu.  I didn't have to speak to a chef or manager, or ask for a special menu, or get a confusing list of allergen information someone just printed off the Internet.  Their dinner menu looked exciting and I was not entirely sure what to order until the waitress told us about the daily specials.  I ordered a pork tenderloin with gnocchi.  It was fabulous!  

Posana Cafe's Pork Tenderloin and Gnocchi

Several people ordered the fried chicken appetizer and it got mixed reviews from the gluten eaters of the group.  It's not your typical flour-dredged fried chicken, so if that's what you are wanting/expecting it might be surprising. 

Posana Cafe's Fried Chicken Appetizer

I think overall, most of us were extremely satisfied with our dinner.  I also ordered dessert, a trio of pumpkin desserts--mousse, mini-cupcake and profiterole.  I basically licked my plate and didn't offer to share.  

Enjoying my gluten free desserts and brew!

Posana also has an impressive list of gluten free beers.  I tried two, 1) Brunehaut Blond Ale and 2) Bard's.  Although I stilled haven't found a gluten free beer I "love," I am thrilled to get to try so many new types.  

Posana Cafe's Gluten Free Beer Selection

The weekend was not about the food, however, it was about spending an amazing weekend with my dear friends whom I don't get to see often enough.  But I was excited to get to eat out with my friends without always ordering a salad or a burger without a bun.  I appreciate my friends being willing to try places they might not otherwise, or finding restaurants safe for me to eat.  I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of friends.  

Good friends make for great memories!

Ode to a Mazda

For those of you who know me, you have inevitably known me while I have owned my Mazda 626.  I have owned this car since December 2001.  We purchased this car out of necessity.  My previous car "blew up" while at home for Christmas break (who knew cars needed oil?) and I needed a car to get back to school.  It's now 2012 and I am finally getting a new car.

The infamous Mazda 626

This past week, as I cleaned out the car, I found little tokens of a previous life.  I decided to share my walk down memory lane with you all.  Here are some of my favorite (or perhaps just most memorable) moments from my 11 years(!!!!) in my Mazda 626.

12- This is a reoccurring memory of driving for my sorority.  I drove pledges to new-member events.  I drove sisters to sister-retreats.  I drove as a DD once a semester every year while at UNCW.  If I were to recount every memory I have related to this car and driving around my sisters, I would need much more blog space.  But suffice to say, I cherish those moments--it seems like a lifetime ago.

Phi Mu's at Graduation, 2003

11- I drove this car to many-a-Panther's game in Charlotte, NC.  I remember one time in particular with my mom and two girlfriends, Bridget and Kat.  We had a reserved parking space, but our space was already surrounded by other cars and tailgaters, making it virtually impossible to park the car.  After several failed attempts, and on the verge of tears, a nice tailgating gentleman offered to park my car for me.  He parked the car and, literally, had to crawl out of the sunroof to get out of the car because the space was so tight.  Yes, that actually happened.

Add caption

10- I drove this car to pick up my new Yorkie puppy, Sarge with my good friend Marisa.  We drove about an hour from Charlotte to pick up my new puppy.  He slept in Marisa's lap on the way home.  He was so tiny I was afraid I would lose him in my apartment, so I purchased a cat collar for him (with a bell).

Sarge asleep as a puppy in the cup holder of my car

9- I drove this car to Top Sail Island, NC to meet some of Jeremy's college friends for the first time.  When we arrived to the house in Top Sail I was greeted by a balcony full of rambunctious bachelor's launching water balloons into my car through the open sun roof.  I almost didn't get out of the car!  Luckily I did, because now one of these "bachelor's" is marrying my cousin.

This is where the water balloon assault began

8- I drove this car up to Virginia Beach to visit my dearest friend, Kristin.  It was late and I was tired and I got pulled over for speeding.  The friendly officer let me off with a warning since it was my BIRTHDAY!  I never once got a speeding ticket in that car.

Visiting Petri in VB

7- I drove this car to uptown Charlotte for the Gravedigger's Ball, Halloween 2005.  I had to work closing shift, so I would be the last to get uptown.  I went with some of my besties from high school, Erin, Laura and Marisa.  At the end of the evening Erin drove my car while I navigated from the passenger seat while the two who knew there way around Charlotte (Laura and Marisa) fell asleep in the backseat. 

6-  I remember test driving this car with my dad.  I drove it around Salisbury and remember thinking the most impressive thing about the car was the oscillating vents.  Years later my friend, Brittany would call them collating vents, but she is clearly incorrect.

5-  I drove this car on Halloween of 2002, when on the way home from downtown Wilmington we (Kristin, Laura and others) could not identify the source of a horrible stench in my car.  We realized that one of the passengers in our car had a Halloween costume of which part was a toilet seat.  It was his own, used toilet seat, and after a night of sweating and dancing, smelled like that for which is is named--a toilet seat.  We stopped, put the toilet seat in the trunk of the car and proceeded home sans toilet smell.

4- I drove this car from Charlotte, NC to Wilmington NC with my good friend, Leigh-Ann to go to an NSYNC concert.  I wasn't even a fan, but she was!  She was convinced the first (however many) people in line when the doors opened got to meet the band, so we arrived RIDICULOUSLY early  to the Charlotte coliseum.  We never did get to meet the band, but for awhile after the concert we told everyone we did!

3-  I drove this car on my 21st birthday when my crazy and passionate roommate, Katherine, planned a day-long scavenger hunt for me.  Every stop had a clue to my next destination and to the theme and location of my 21st birthday party.  I went all over Wilmington finding gifts and clues that led me to my surprise birthday party at Grasshopper's, downtown Wilmington.  I did not, however, drive that car home that night!

2- I drove this car from Charlotte, NC to Jonesboro, AR with my mom in September 2006.  I had previously moved all of my belongings, so it was just my mom and I driving to Arkansas for me to begin a new chapter of my life.  Jeremy was in Europe competing and I was scheduled to begin training for my new job.  We followed MapQuest through the backwoods of Arkansas (prior to Garmin and GPS days) and as the theme song to Deliverance played in my head, I was convinced my mom was not going to leave me in Arkansas.  Luckily the next day I took her around Jonesboro and showed her that not all of Arkansas looked like the Deliverance country we experienced the day prior.

Our home in Arkansas, 2005

And I have two #1's because they are both really memorable, but for very different reasons.

1- I drove this car the night Jeremy said goodbye to me for the first time.  We met in June of 2002 and spent several days together in Wilmington, NC that weekend.  I drove my car to the beach that weekend to watch Jeremy compete in the beach vault--my first (but definitely not my last) pole vault competition.  The night we said goodbye I was optimistic but unsure if I would ever see this man again.  Luckily--I did!

The weekend Jeremy and I met in Wilmington, NC 2002

1- One of my top memories in this car, however, is one of panic!  I was sitting at a stop light in southern Charlotte with one of my best girlfriends, Brittany.  We were on our way to orientation for graduate school at UNCC on a Saturday morning.  It all happened very fast but we heard someone screaming in a language we did not know.  Looking to our right we saw a man running toward our car screaming.  Then he began screaming, "gun, gun."  He grabbed the passenger door (which was unlocked) and tried to get in my car!  Brittany was, literally, playing tug of war with this guy trying to shut the door and lock this guy out!  After successfully shutting this guy out of the car we realized he was running from an armed robbery happening inside the gas station on the corner.  We called 911 and luckily a police officer pulled up to the stop light opposite us as the whole thing was going down.  The light then turned green and traffic began moving.  Everyone continued on like nothing had happened.  Welcome to Charlotte! 

Delta's Done it Again

I am disappointed today because as my husband is being honored in a parade in his hometown and receiving a key to the city (Norfolk, Nebraska) I am sitting at home, wishing I could be there.

(Link to the Norfolk Daily News article about Jeremy being honored in his hometown)

Jeremy and Cam drove up to Neb. yesterday and I was scheduled to fly into Omaha last night so I would not have to miss any work.  My flight was scheduled to leave Memphis at 5:30pm.  We boarded normally and pulled away from the gate on-time.  We then sat on the tarmac, in the airplane, until 7:10pm (CT) because of a mechanical issue with one of the gauges on the plane.  I was scheduled to fly through Atlanta because the only direct flights to Omaha were earlier in the day.

My flight from Atlanta to Omaha left at 8:40pm (ET) while I was in the air on the way to Atlanta.  I called Delta service while were still on the ground in Memphis to rebook my flight, but there were no more flights to Omaha nor Lincoln that evening.

By the time I arrived in Atlanta my flight was already gone.  I asked about rebooking and the next available flight to Omaha or Lincoln would not arrive into Nebraska until after the parade and key ceremony.  Since I was scheduled to come home Sunday morning anyhow, going to Nebraska for a few hours did not make much sense.

I saw as I got off the plane in Atlanta that there was one last flight back to Memphis that was currently boarding in another terminal. It was my last chance to get on a flight that night without spending the night in the Atlanta airport hotel.  Jeremy called customer service while I sprinted to the next terminal.  I arrived at the gate while the last 5 or 6 people were boarding and got a seat on the plane.  I was in the Atlanta airport for less than 45 minutes.

The plane home was scheduled to leave Atlanta at 10:02pm (ET) and yet we sat, at the gate, on the plane until 10:45pm due to the flight crew looking for a animal that was supposed to be on our flight that was "missing."  About 10:45pm they announced that the missing dog was actually already in Memphis and we were going to push back.  After pushing back from the gate we had another delay to get approval for position in take-off.

I am not even sure what time I got into Memphis because I was so tired and disoriented.  I got back home to Jonesboro about 1:30am (CT).

I was a little angry, but mostly just disappointed and sad.  Many times when Jeremy travels for "work" I don't get to go for a variety of reasons.  This time I was going and I was so excited to share in this experience and honor with him.

Jeremy with Cam on the Norfolk Daily News truck

I hate to say it, but Delta has let me down again.  They are refunding us the SkyMiles used to purchase the ticket and giving us 5,000 extra miles for the inconvenience, however, this wasn't just an inconvenience, it was missed experiences and missed opportunities to create family memories. 

Olympian Returns Home Empty Handed

My husband, Olympian Jeremy Scott, came home to hugs and tears yesterday afternoon.  Jeremy had been home for only a few days since the Olympic Trials in mid-June.  He, immediately after the Olympics, competed in several meets in Germany before returning home.  And while Jeremy returned to an enthusiastic 21 month-old and teary eyed wife, he did not return to the USA with his pole vault poles.

Yesterday, Sunday, August 26th Jeremy checked in at the Delta desk in Dusseldorf, Germany for his flight home as he has done countless times before.  He was told repeatedly and vehemently that his poles would not be allowed on the plane.  After many questions and repeated assurances from Jeremy that his poles indeed have flown many times before without incident, the Delta representative flat out denied Jeremy's pleas.  The options were simple--stay or leave the poles behind.

Jeremy had been promising me (his wife) and Cam (his son) for weeks that he would be home on the 26th.  Cameron had a countdown calendar of how many days until daddy got home posted in his bedroom and on this particular day knew daddy was coming home "today!"  Jeremy did not want to disappoint his family and chose to fly without his poles.

As it currently stands, his pole vault poles (the livelihood of his profession) are still in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Delta cited changes in policy and safety issues as primary reasons for not putting his pole on-board.

This is not the first time Delta has screwed up when it comes to handling baggage--this YouTube clip details Delta charging US returning troops out of their own pockets for military issued bags.

If you think Delta should hear about this, here is their customer service information:
Jeremy Scott's flight was Delta Flight #25.

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Customer Care
P.O. Box 20980
Department 980
Atlanta, GA 30320-2980

Phone: 1-404-773-0305
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm ET (except on U.S. holidays)

Or email them here.

Or Tweet Delta @DeltaAssist

Other ways to contact Delta:  Below is the email address and mailing address for the President of Delta Airlines, along with the phone number for the corporate offices. 

edward.bastian@delta.com

Mr. Edward Bastian, President

Delta Air Lines Inc.

P.O. Box 20706

Atlanta, GA 30320.

Delta Corporate offices--(404) 715-2600