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!

We're Home

Downloaded pics and commentary - as usual...
I hope you enjoy...
http://downtheshore-exit98.blogspot.com/

In NJ

Well of course my mom is always in NJ. But this week Bacchus and I are in NJ. We arrived yesterday evening after an 11 hour drive. We unpacked, stretched our legs by playing in the grass a bit, took a little drive to find dog treats, and unwound for a bit.
Today is a work from home day - kind of.
Then to the airport to pick up Deb. She and I will be playing tourist for the remainder of the weekend. Will post more...

More Gettysburg Pics

http://www.kodakgallery.com/SlideshowEnd.jsp?&collid_list=39118512315.46044520715.1219658942363:&img_size=5&trans_delay=3000&trans_enabled=true&conn_speed=1&mode=fromshare&collid=39118512315.46044520715.1219658942363&Upost_signin_override_collid=39118512315.46044520715&UV=223137150265_84425530715&Upost_signin_override_collid=39118512315.46044520715&UV=223137150265_84425530715

Congrats Michelle & Brian

Welcome to this world Miss Claire...

Gettysburg

This month my mom and aunt are in Gettysburg. I think there is more to the trip than that but that's what I know so far.
Over the weekend they "met Abe Lincoln". They said the guy had an uncanny resemblence to him. That would have freaked me out - reminded me of the story of me in the Hall of Presidents as a child... I don't remember it myself but supposedly when Abe stood up to talk - I lost it.
Last night they were watching the first part of Gettysburg. Nothing like a little dose of the Sheen family to brighten a vacation. In the process I also found that Gettysburg is a pretty hot topic on youtube. Who knew.
I will post pics when I get any...
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=hyy5ha3.bk0iw63&x=0&h=1&y=-pgqdln&localeid=en_US

Baby Corbin has arrived!

Congrats on the arrival of your new baby boy!!!

We're Off to Carowinds

http://www.carowinds.com/

Here are some pics...
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=oe1f59m.3u0apzpm&x=0&h=1&y=32pmc9&localeid=en_US

Big Birthday WeeK!

Yesterday was Spencer's 40th!!!
And today is KP's birthday!!!
Woo - hoo!!!
Happy birthday.... I hope you enjoy your celebrations.

Got new glasses

Yup - started the month off with excitement and now get to finish it off with some excitement... I can now see the outline of leaves in the distance again. I guess those other ones were a bit old... Now to see how they work after a day in front of the computer tomorrow.

Pictures from CT....

I would write more - but I wasn't there... PLUS we are in the midst of a thunder storm... The first rain Bacchus and I have seen in weeks....
http://www.kodakgallery.com/SlideshowEnd.jsp?&collid_list=39118512315.85461055615.1216860208075:&img_size=5&trans_delay=3000&trans_enabled=true&conn_speed=1&mode=fromshare&collid=39118512315.85461055615.1216860208075&Upost_signin_override_collid=39118512315.85461055615&UV=56205667933_28493255615&Upost_signin_override_collid=39118512315.85461055615&UV=56205667933_28493255615

Mystic, CT

My mom and aunt are off to Mystic, CT next weekend. I hope they have a good time. It has been ages since I have been in that part of the country. I hope they take lots of pics.

Charleston

OK - I just say that to make you all jealous. In reality I stayed in North Charleston - where I have to say it was more hot and humid than my entire week in Bermuda. And I spent my days in Moncks Corner - about 30 minutes into the middle of nowhere from Charleston. And that time - 5:30am to 8pm was spent in the cafeteria of a plant of a client. So no real reason to be jealous - except for maybe the scratch made biscuits but then again maybe not.
As is tradition - when I leave the facility on the last day I do a drive to the ocean. It's an easy drive on 526 around to Mount Pleasant - and I get to see the container boat ports while I am at it. The most familiar being Oriet Overseas - I figure it is a Bermuda thing? Anywasy, the weather was a bit tumultuous this time so I didn't go all the way to Sullivan's Island to stick my toes in the Atlantic. But as always I did go over THE BRIDGE http://www.cooperriverbridge.org/ My dad was pretty obsessed with the construction of this bridge. It is pretty breathtaking to see. And from there I came home...

Congratulations Lesley and Chris

For 9 days between June and July I went to Bermuda to help my friend Lesley celebrate her marriage to Chris. There were lots of wedding festivities and I was able to scoot around the island and see lots of sites. I also had an opportunity to catch up with other friends along the way.
As with the trip to Belize - I am trying to create a Bermuda based page. We shall see how well that goes...

http://bermudafuldream.blogspot.com/