Wisconsin Trip Recap

Morning Friends!

As this post goes up today, I will be on a flight to Phoenix.  I'm returning home from Wisconsin after my Mom's heart surgery.  I have been gone two weeks and need to return to work and finish physical therapy.  I have an Orthopedic appointment next week to check my foot injury. 

Here's a few highlights from the trip. 

It started off on the wrong foot with Delta.  I purchased a first class seat, but was informed when I got to the airport that I had a coach seat due to a plane change.  I purchased my ticket last-minute for my Mom's open heart surgery so of course it was expensive.  First class was just as expensive as coach so I bought it to be comfortable with my foot.  Apparently when you buy a first class ticket there's no guarantee though.  The airlines have stellar service.

I looked crazy at the Phoenix airport with my wool coat.  I am going to look even crazier today when I return.  It's supposed to be 100 in Phoenix.

It was a big weather change.  Two days later it was 50 degrees and people were wearing shorts and flip-flops in Wisconsin and grilling out.  I guess when it's been this cold 50 feels like summer.  Lol...

My healthy travel snacks.

I traveled in my boot.  I knew with traveling and caring for my Mom I would to be on my feet so I wanted to protect my foot as much as possible.  I'm so glad I did too.  Like my Mom, my foot is finally turning a corner.  It could be my imagination or all the stress from my Mom's surgery, but my foot has been feeling A LOT better.  Although I continued to workout while I was in Wisconsin, the rest of the time I was sitting in a hospital room with my Mom which probably allowed my foot to rest more than at home. 

Maybe Mom's surgery was meant to be, a way for me to get off my feet and allow things to heal.  I will be interested to see how it progresses as I return to my normal routine.  Isn't it strange how things work out sometimes?

I lost my Fitbit in Minneapolis on my layover.  🙁

Amazon Prime to the rescue!  I had a new Fitbit delivered to my parents house two days later with free shipping.

Tractors in the Green Bay airport.  That's how they roll in farm country.

Apparently it was so cold in Wisconsin that people still had their Christmas decorations up.  I saw many houses like this one and last I checked it's April.

Snow remnants.  The locals say it was a long, cold winter.

At the grocery store, they had a Brat Fry (whatever that is).  Things get a little crazy when it's 50 degrees outside.

Cheese curds (i.e. rubber cheese).  A staple in Wisconsin along with brats and beer.

A drive by my school - St. Norbert College.  My parents live just a few miles away.

I couldn't believe how much it's grown up.  Me too for that matter.  It seems like just yesterday I was walking across this campus.  How time flies.  Now years later I'm back for the first time.  Wish I had had  more time to wander around.  

Roundabouts.  Ugh they are everywhere.  They weren't here when I moved away 13 years ago.  I don't understand their purpose. They confuse people.  I don't like them.

Gorgeous flowers for my Mom delivered from my Director. 

He even sent my Dad chocolate chip cookies. 

They are his favorite and the only cookie he will eat.  They remind me of my Grandma.

Fruit platter delivered to our house by my Mom's best friend.  This was a life saver for me with all the pre-cut fruit.

The Rola-Rena that I went to as a kid.  I couldn't believe it was still there.  Do kids still roller skate?

Mom and Dad sleeping at the hospital.  We were all very tired.

Mom's heart pillow.  Heart patients are given a heart pillow to hold to their chest when standing up/down.  After heart surgery, you can't use your arms to assist yourself for 8 weeks.  Is this not adorable?

My first trail walk on the Fox River Trail since my foot injury.  It's near my parents house.  I wish I had one of these near my house.  So gorgeous.

View of the Green Bay Packer stadium from the trail.  I didn't realize until I inserted these pics how gloomy it is here compared to Phoenix.  I'm sure spoiled.

 Mom knows how much I love to cook so she told me I needed to check out Cooks Corner on my way to the hospital.  It's the Nation's Largest Kitchen Store in case you didn't know it's in Wisconsin.

This place was amazing!  They had everything kitchen and more even a plethora of popcorn flavors.  They also offer cooking classes.

I could have spent all day exploring this store.  They had everything from kitchen utensils, pots and pans, kitchen linens, teas & coffees, unique baking extracts and flours and every gadget you could imagine.  No nut butter though! 

They also have a house of candy.  They make their own fudge where you can taste samples.

I managed to escape the store with only two things.  My mind was on my Mom which is good because otherwise I would have needed another suitcase.  Of course what I bought was pink.  Would you expect anything else from me?

The night I took Mom home from the hospital.  She was excited to leave after 14 days.  When we got her home in bed, she cried.  She never thought she would see home again.  She was so happy. 

I don't want to go home and leave her today, but I have to.  She didn't want me to leave either.  It hurts so much I can hardly breathe.  I have to have faith everything will be ok. 

Love you more Mom.

Have you been to Wisconsin?  Have you tried cheese curds before?  What would you buy at a large kitchen store?  Have you ever had to care for a sick parent?

Linking up with Amanada @ Running with Spoons 

Linking up with Jill at Fitness,Health and Happiness too!

Find me in these places!
E-mail — skinnyfitalicious@hotmail.com
Twitter — Skinny Fitalicious
Facebook — Skinny Fitalicious
Pinterest — Skinny Fitalicious
Instagram —Skinny Fitalicious

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.