Happy ST. Patrick's Day

A little green for the day.

And so did the peace lily

The Violet Really Caught My Eye

Flowers

This is an odd one but the timing seems to work right... When my father died everyone sent me plants. And during the Spring when I anxiously tried to keep myself busy I managed to replant most of them. And some have continued to survive. And I'd say it may be about time to re-pot them again. But in the interim...

Sandy Hook

This weekend we were hit with more rain. It wasn't too bad weather wise in NJ. My mom and her friends went to Sandy Hook...

If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser:http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=hyy5ha3.8z05z3ib&x=0&h=1&y=v0mrnr&localeid=en_US

Is it Spring already?

A week after the snow, we had record high temperatures. And we were all in the mood to take advantage of the nice weather and Kerry & Neals' backyard/hospitality...

Florida 2009

It took some time get these pics from my mom...
How in the world can you take over 200 pictures of a place you have been to time and again.
Well she has... and there are some fun shots in there...
Of course I like the Disney and NASA shots the best.

If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser:http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=hyy5ha3.76qwludf&x=0&h=1&y=p2g4me&localeid=en_US

Plus it took her some time to get home with all the snow...

Kerry's Birthday

In sticking with my usual approach to things these pictures are here and not on FB. It was a good night. You always have to be careful about those Mexican themed parties and the tequila and sombreros!!!!

There were a few more pics. I deleted some, cropped some, renamed others. I guess I could upload that album and post it...
But right now gotta go pic up my car...

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=684640008&k=5YEYZ2RSUW2M5GFGSB65SU

Philadelphia Flower Show

Upon her return from Florida my mom headed right back out and made her way to the Philadelphia Flower Show.

She gives the caveat that some pics are blurry but you get the idea...

If you can't see the pictures in this email, click here to see it in a web browser:http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hyy5ha3.2ojysyvn&x=1&h=1&y=wruwuv&localeid=en_US

Snowy Day...

So we had a late in the season snow storm last evening... And in preparation of all my mom's great pics from her trip to FL I figured why not post some pics of the reality of winter... So when the snow started to accumulate the little guy and I ventured outside... Our only little snow casualty was my lone daffodil. The first Fall in my house my mom, dad, Bacchus and I planted ALOT of bulbs. This is the only one that consistently comes up and blooms. Marking the onset of Spring. I meant to take a picture of it while it was in bloom. Ooops. And on up the street... And we ventured around to the backyard. That's where the lightpost that generally lights my bedroom and bathroom every night and can be annoying caught my attention. Perhaps it reminded me of the lightpost in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I am not sure. I just liked it. And the tree basking in the light in the night. Ahhh daybreak...

February 20, 2009

Well that thrill is gone. That airport bit. I have spent the better part of the month - from the last post to one day next week - on the road.
I spent the better part of a week in Mississippi. I forget until I get there that I always want to make plans to stay longer. I want to extend the work trip for a true holiday. I want to spend extra time in Greenwood to check out the antique shops, The Alluvian, Giardina's, Viking cooking school, the spa and other local flavor. Or head to Vicksburg for some Civil War history. Or Natchez to see some antibellum homes. But I always forget and see clients and what not. It always gives me a better appreciation for what I do etc etc... No really it does.
From there I went to Atlanta. Again a great place to visit. I even have friends there. However this time I just wasn't feeling all that social. So I went to work and thought about how and when I could plan to visit and go to the aquarium.
Next week is a road trip. And then there will be some home time.
So where does celebrating all 12 months come into play here? Well unfortunately it is that list of things I would have liked to have done instead of the things I did do.
I will help a friend celebrate her birthday tomorrow. Fiesta theme - if only I have time to make a pinata. If only there was still time...
I did take the time to appreciate the daffodils blooming in my front yard. And am gearing up for spring and gardening.
I spent time with the little guy. He loves the bathrobe I got for Christmas - preferable when I am not in the bathrobe when it is on the floor.
And we spent time missing my dad - this month marked 3 years since I saw him last. I could get into that but that is truly a buzz kill.
And my mom is in Florida. She was in Downtown Disney yesterday. I am jealous. She is spending time with family this weekend. And then on to some other part of Florida next week. I am on a NASA watch for a potential Space Shuttle launch while she is there - which kind of magnifies that previous little blip.
March will bring other introspective/reflective thoughts... And I thought maybe just to get away from them for a little bit I would check out Vegas - but still on the fence on that one.

January 20, 2009

SNOW DAY!

It snowed on this day in Charlotte. And as I sat on the airplane for 90 minutes waiting for it be de-iced I gave some thought to the year. Inevitably I would miss the big news of this day. I would be in flight as the new president was sworn into office. And I would be visiting clients - so the new goal of celebrating each month would start off a little differently than planned but 12 months is a lot of time to fill. So I took pleasure in the plane ride. I do love flying so it was a nice way to spend a few hours. I love the thrill of the airport and the people watching. And the driving for 2 hours over a normal 45 minute drive because of the snow was OK too.
I suppose the celebration for January could be that I had a nice dinner and nice conversation with clients that evening.
But I may hold off on that being the celebration. Maybe instead I will do something this weekend that will qualify. However as it looks right now - that is going to be the gym, laundry, house cleaning, and work. So I am not 100% sure on that.

Happy New Year!... January

So let's just summarize this month. OK - I know it is only the 12th but we can afford to jump ahead... New Years was fun - but we showed our aging by not making it to midnight. Post-season football was not fun - we showed our age by yelling at the tv and pouting. Milwaukee - well that hasn't happened yet - but how can it be anything other than cold. THANK goodness for my new very nice winter coat. Maybe I will bring my camera to get some pics of the tundra.

Wedgewood ... sad day...

So as I rave about the Wedgewood on display at the Mint Museum... it turns out they too are being negatively effected by today's economy (as well as the society's love for eating out over the traditional home cooked meal served on nice china)... as of yesterday they filed for bankruptcy... How sad...
http://www.waterfordwedgewood.com/investor.asp
They do have an office in my hometown... Let's hope it doesn't get closed in the re-org process.
But hey if it does, can someone try to snag that amazing Waterford chandelier in their foyer?

January 4th

Today would have been my dad's 72nd birthday.

An old friend I came across on Facebook sent me some pictures over the holidays of my dad. I had mentioned I didn't have any of him in his uniform. So she sent me a few. I like this one. I think it must have been from those early Polaroid days.

Mint Museum

I took a few more days off before the end of the year. I had some vacation time left as previously mentioned.

For New Year's Eve day we didn't do much. Originally I had wanted to go to the whitewater center. But I had been waking up with a sore throat and sore face for a few days at that point. So we laid low. We went to the Mint Museum instead. We had thought we'd squeeze in Discovery Place as well but I didn't want to deal with the New Year's Eve road closures.

The exhibit I wanted to see was the Andy Warhol exhibit. I had seen one of the Marilyn's and a Soup Can at the MOMA years before but wanted to see more. I can't complain.... they had a good sampling of his work. Much to my surprise they also had a few colaboration pieces with Keith Haring on display. I was very happy to see those. Those quasi stick figure men he draws always seem so happy. No really....

They also had a haute couture exhibit. The classic Chanel suit - still a classic.

And there permanent exhibit of china... Who knew there were that many variations of Wedgewood?! I really like that little room. I look forward to the day when they display some of the old discontinued patterns of Portmeirion.

For New Year's Eve we went to Robert & Catherine's. We had some good food, good punch (thanks Susan) and played Scene It. It was a good evening. Nothing too crazy. I did not make it to midnight and I am quite OK with that.

Christmas Dinner

We had Christmas dinner at my house again this year. It was fun. The boys played with various trucks and games and watched some movies. The adults - as always - seem to hang out in the kitchen and gab.

It was a nice afternoon/evening.

Progressive Dinner

My friends coordinated a progressive dinner to celebrate the holidays. So we all gathered at one house around 4:30 on Saturday and started with some cocktails, stuffed mushrooms, and brie. All very tasty food. And what a great way to gather with friends.
From there we went across the street for dinner - lasagna, salad, garlic bread... There was an all veggie lasagna that was Great! I will have to keep that in mind for the future.
And speaking of great food --- at the next house there was this death by chocolate trifle thing. I don't know all that was in it - chocolate cake, whipped cream, heath bar??? I had a few servings...
Overall a good night.
As with Christmastown. There are pictures but they need downloading and editing....

Christmastown, USA

So my mom arrived on Friday. That evening I left work right on time and we turned around and got in the car headed for McAdenville. It didn't take too long to get there. I was concerned about the evening traffic and then the McAdenville traffic but it was all OK. I took some pictures - I need to not only download them but edit them. Maybe over the next few days I can get that done and post them.

Leaving for Cancun in 3 days

Hear all about it... here....
www.icancuncanyou.blogspot.com

Happy Thanksgiving

I have one picture that I know of from Thanksgiving. It is from a few years ago. I think it is from when I first moved in. Or maybe the second year. I am standing by the sink. My dad is at the island carving the turkey. I always think I should scan this. But then I always get distracted with - why did we not take more pics of Thanksgiving? I should remember to take pics this year. Gosh I miss my dad. And then the whole idea of scanning goes out the window.
This year, the same as last I went to my friends house for dinner. There were 5 adults, 4 kids and way too much food. We had a fire outside afterwards with the intent on sitting around the fire, having some drinks and I think there were marshmallows. But the whole thing didn't take off that much. Personally I was freezing.
My mom went to my aunt's house and saw some of the family there.
And Bacchus well he just hung out here. He did have leftover turkey this evening and is very thankful for Neil having sent it his way.

TWENTY - FIVE!?

Where did that time go?
I remember my 25th birthday like it was yesterday. Well it was a good birthday celebration - Ed brought some amazing beef dish, Chuck brought free-range chickens, I don't know if we made any food, there was wine, there was cognac, I went to the Stone Pony at the end of the night... It was a good time...
So where did that time go that now Ty is turning 25? That just seems unreasonable. I suppose it would make sense however given I was a freshman in high school when he was born. Wow...

Scarowinds

We went to the Halloween version of Carowinds last week. Yes - I know - what was I thinking of all people... I was going for that - when was the last time you did something for the first time - again. I ended up not doing anything too adventuresome. I stood in line with friends for a good 20 minutes or so for a haunted carnival clown maze. While we were waiting in line an Armand-esque (Antonio Banderas in Interview with a Vampire for all you non Anne Rice fans) vampire walked by. Now I am all about Lestat, Louis et al. But on paper (OK Brad Pitt in person wouldn't be bad or that once rumoured Sting as Louis story line -I digress). I did OK when he walked by but about 5 minutes later I came to my senses. I had to get out of the line. I just couldn't do it. So I rode 2 rollercoasters, saw some scary creechers, dealt with ridiculous crowds and that was that.
I will probably avoid said event next year.

Happy 20th

Happy birthday - Lauren, Kelly, Cat, Carla, Mike, Nick, Anne, Fernando, Wayne and Alfred....
How crazy is that? How many people do you know with your birthday?
I think Mickey Mantle and David Lee Roth are with present company too.
A good day.

Happy Birthday Bacchus!

I can't beleive that he and I have been hanging out now for 8 years. Wow...
In some irony of my calendar I ended up traveling north of the city today for work.
It was odd in that it reminded me of the times I would drive up to China Grove to see Bacchus as a puppy before he could come home. He was so tiny. He was so cute. And it was so exciting. He's not as tiny anymore. He's still pretty darned cute. And when he gets all excited in the morning when he first sees me coming down the stairs or he's waiting at the back door when I come home from work - I would say it's still exciting as well.
What a great little guy.

Ramblin' Rose

Sunday was the culmination of all that training... well I possibly could have done more...
And off KP and I went even earlier Sunday morning to Huntersville for the Ramblin' Rose triathlon.
www.anewtriangle.blogspot.com

Race for the Cure

Mom and Andrea came to visit this past weekend.
We all got up real early on Saturday morning, headed into town, and hoofed it for 5k for the Race for the Cure. It was a good time.
That afternoon we helped Lily celebrate her 5th birthday!