Off to the Races

This year for Christmas we decided to give our parents a trip to Hot Springs and a day at the races. I grew up around Oaklawn and even worked there as a teenager selling popcorn and ice cream, but this was the first visit for Aaron and my in-laws. 

 Every time we travel to Hot Springs we always have to stop at Burl's Smokehouse.  It has been there as long as I can remember.  We always get some beef jerky and smoked beef sticks.  Disclaimer:  The beef jerky is not as good as Aaron's, but still pretty good.  What I really love about the place is the antiques and Native American artifacts.  The owner has everything from an old photo booth

to a stuffed deer in hunting gear

 

and even an old Arkansas outhouse (unused)!

 

After our quick pit stop we finally made it to Oaklawn in time for the 2nd race.  Most people know that I love to watch the horses run, study the stats, and pick a winner, but I am very cheap when it comes to the actual betting.  So I was more than happy to give everyone my tips and let them make the bets.  Apparently I should not quit my day job to start predicting horse race because I am the only person who did not pick a winner!

 

We watched the majority of the races from the inside seats where it was nice and warm, but I was able to talk them into going outside for the last race.  While everyone else was placing their bets we were able to grab a spot and take some pictures by the Finish Line

 

 

It was worth being out in the cold to get up and close to the race.  I love when they play the bugle for post time and to watch the horse load up into the starting gate.

 

 

The real exciting of the day is when the announcer yells "AND THEY ARE OFF!"  I learned from my mother that is when you are suppose to start jumping up and down and yelling.  According to her it helps make the horses run faster! 

 

 

We finished the night by hitting the casino.  I left with an additional $10 in my pocket and enjoyed all the free diet cokes I wanted while we were there.  I was in heaven!  Of course we could not leave Hot Springs without a stop at our favorite breakfast location on Sunday morning.

 

 

The funny thing is that I did not go to the Pancake Shop much when I lived in Hot Springs, but I always make sure to go when I visit.  Everyone had the blueberry pancakes and we all shared a ham steak.  You are missing out if you have not had one of their ham steaks.  Just remember they only take cash.  You don't want to have to do dishes to pay your bill!

 

 

We had a great time in Hot Springs hanging with family and making memories that will last a lifetime. 

 



Happy Hearts!

It has been a rough few weeks at the Mohn household. First I came down with type A flu. I was one of those people that went in to the Dr office and informed her that I had bad allergies. Who needs medical school when I have WebMD! After she stuck that large Q-Tip into my nose she very nicely informed me that I did have the flu. So I was homebound and quarantined in the master bedroom. At least I had all my crafting supplies and TV to keep me company. I also got to witness first hand what the dogs do all day in the backyard: run around in circles, stand on top of the dog houses and bark at invisible intruders! No wonder they are exhausted when they come in at night. I was tired just watching them.

The week after I had the flu mom had heart surgery to upgrade her defibrillator. More about that in a little bit. While mom was in the hospital Aaron came down with a sinus infection and ended up being homebound for the week. When it rains it pours!

I did have some time to craft. It is such a relaxing activity for me to do when I am stressed. I made these Valentine's Day cards and envelopes using my Silhouette Cameo. I got the idea from a stamp I used during our wedding and I just loved the pink plaid paper.

 

I think it is fitting to discuss mom's heart surgery and the American Heart Walk on Valentine's Day.  My spunky mother discovered around 3 years ago that she was in heart failure and her heart would stop and start again randomly.  Her grandmother suffered from the same thing and her heart stopped and never started again after she had a minor surgery.  My mother is lucky to live in an age where medical technology was able to give her a defibrillator to prolong her life.  We found out a few weeks ago that her heart was getting weaker and she would need to have another surgery to upgrade her defibrillator.  She had the surgery last Thursday.  There were some minor complications, but thanks to the amazing Doctors at the Walker Heart Clinic she was able to get her new defibrillator which should give her more energy and ability to breathe better.  Until 3 years ago, I had no idea that heart disease ran in my family.  Nor did I realize that:

Heart disease is the No 1 killer in women and more deadly than all forms of cancer. 

An estimated 43 million women in the US are affected by heart disease.

Heart Disease kills approximately one woman every minute

Thank you Stephanie Chism for these stats!

Aaron and I were just starting to date when my mom had her first surgery and while we were discussing it, I found out that heart disease runs in Aaron's family as well.  We wanted to make a difference and we felt the first step was to sign up for the American Heart Walk and help raise funds for the American Heart Association.  The first year we raised $200 to donate and walked in honor of Aaron's family and my mother.

 

Last year my mother decided to participate in the walk.  Together we raised over $500 as a family. Mom was so excited to wear her survivor hat and she especially loved getting all the free goodies at the vendor booths. 

 

 



  Once again it is that time of year to reach out to our friends and family and help us raise money for the American Heart Associate in honor of our loved ones.  If you are interested in helping, you can make a donation at our website http://heartwalk.kintera.org/fayettevillear/mohnfamily

Hope you have a great Valentine's Day!!