Snow

February has brought lots of snow for my little part of NC and a whole lot of other places.  I have taken some pictures in the quiet hours of the morning of the snow undisturbed.  Of course I need to download the pics and add them here...  Maybe over the weekend.
I thought I would find something other than the snow to speak about for the month of February but it is looking like that is not the case.  Well I could talk about work but that will just stress me out...  And that already happened once today... I realised I had 2 appts yesterday, and I will have one a day every day from tomorrow through next Thursday.  Then I get a break for Friday and I am back in the mix of meetings for the following week.  Enough to make you a wee bit mad.  It's not the meetings that are bad it's that there is no time available for prep work.  So it's fine for the people scheduling.  They get breaks but when it is all filtered through to me I get no breaks.  So that's why I didn't want to think/talk about work.
So the snow.  The snow has kind of played on my memory banks...  Where to begin...
Well Valentines Day weekend always reminds me of my dad.  If you were to round out weeks and days etc, you could say that Valentines Day weekend is the last time I saw him alive.  I was in NYC for business and extended the trip to see him.  It was a Friday morning when I arrived into the city.  A car picked me up at LaGuardia and took me to a meeting in White Plains.  While in the meeting everyone spoke about the approaching storm.  I really didn't beleive that there was a big storm approaching.
At the end of the day another driver took me and our client back into the city.  To this day we talk about that man's crazy driving.  He dropped me off at Penn Station so I could catch the train to Shore Points.  I think that was the last time I was in the city.  I like trips like that.  They are on someone else's dime and they make the city seem so user friendly.  When you know those drivers etc cost and arm and a leg.  From there I lugged myself through the station to wait for my train.  Come to think of it that station holds lots of great memories as well....  LOOKOUT I am about to digress...
I remember taking the train into the city to go to a car show.  I don't think that was the first time but it is my first recollection.  My mom, dad and Terry went on that trip.  And then I fast forward to all the concerts in MSG.  Those were always fun times.  OH I lied - I was last in the city for The Police concert.  I remember calling BDA from the station to say I passed the Series 7.  I remember the time I met Lesley and Milton and Chrissy in the station for a few days in the city.  Some great memories.  This time it was just about getting the train home.
Deb called me while I was on the train.  We had a good chat.  She is always a good listener.  And helped me put things into perspective on going to see my dad.  In retrospect I can't lie that I wasn't nervous to see him.  And I think Stacey picked me up in Red Bank.  I think that was that trip.
The story of the snow was becoming more ominous by that point.  And I wasn't settled in at my parents home for very long before it was decided that I should rearrange my flight or risk being stuck in NJ for a whole lot longer than planned.
So the very next day my mom drove me and my dad up to the airport to drop me off.  And that was that.  I got on the plane having spent less than 24 hours with them and headed back to NC.  I remember every single step and every single thought from that mini-van to inside the building but I reserve them for myself.  So snow in February that's what I think of.
Let's hope March comes in like a lion and quickly turns to a lamb.  I could use some sunshine.

congrats mom

making the ride out of lorton and away from the snow to florida without the auto-train
i knew you could do it
yay warmth!

Observations from the road - second hand

My mom is on her way to Florida.  She made plans to take the auto-train a while back and she is supposed to leave tomorrow.  As we all know there has been a snow storm in the NJ to DC area.  She has been watching it for the better part of the week and had plans to stay just north of Baltimore in an attempt to get a little head start on the storm.  That was up until yesterday morning.  Yesterday the media went really above and beyond with the hype (rightfully so I think).  And Amtrak cancelled some routes.  So she did whatever it was she did and got herself to a hotel near the train station.  She arrived in good time yesterday before most of the storm hit.  And now she is on night 2 at the hotel.
Ever since my dad passed away I have encouraged her to write things down memories, current events, just stuff.  I find it to be a nice release (hence this blog) and I thought she might get something out of the task as well.  So I asked her has she been writing all this down.  She said - not really - just her woes....  So here is my interpretation of the situation...
She had her car packed ahead of time.  This is nothing new.  The packing routine in my mom's world is a project.  And I dont think this is a new routine.  I think it has always been this way as I know I have a few (just a few) of the same tendencies with packing. 
I would say that the alarm was set.  But in reality she was probably awake before the alarm.  She still gets excited for trips like little kids get excited for Christmas.  I am envious of her that she still has this enthusiasm.  I think with all my travel for work I have lost a bit of that.
And she had her hotel provisions - water bottles, snacks, etc.
The drive itself is not a new one so there wasn't much preparation in that.  Just get on the road and make sure you know where you are staying at the other end.  And for that I believe Amtrak connected her to the convenient hotel.  Not the marginally convenient but very comfy bed Hampton Inn I lined up for her last year.  (Last year there was a snow storm on her way home and she got delayed in VA).  And unlike myself - she still has a deal with Sirius radio she was all set for trekking down the road.
And now she is just hanging out at the hotel.  I think this is where I find more humor than the woes.  Imagine all these people stuck in the hotel just waiting for the train to leave.  As of yesterday, her train was still all set for tomorrow.  As I write this that is no longer the case.  She is now on Tuesday's train.
So in the world of the imagination - I suppose the people hunkered down in the snow at the hotel could take a Shining/Agatha Christie spin...  but in reality it seems far more comical than that...  For some reason people always talk to my mom - well let's be honest she does a good job of always talking to them too.
There is some man that seems to be hanging out in the lobby and commenting to people who pass. 
There are the people who think the complimentary buffett at breakfast is more of an all you can eat feeding frenzy.
The woman coordianting people to clean off cars and the parking lot.
I can just iamgine what an exercise in people watching it would be.  If I was there I would so be in the lobby sitting in a corner writing writing writing down all that I observed. 
Instead I am writing just a blip from the comfort of my couch.  Got my hair cut today.  Had a nice lunch with a friend I havent seen in a while.  Did some grocery shopping.  And now am attempting to make a white bean and spinach soup.  I am very curious to hear how the next few days of hanging out at the hotel are. 

Observations from the road

I am not one to talk too much about work or too much about politics.  I don't talk about work because ultimately someone thinks I can give them a stock tip or help them time the market.  Not really my approach to things.  Or I can bore them to tears.  I don't talk much about politics because I feel that instead of talking about the government and what they should be doing, we should take that time to do something ourselves - we may find we are more productive...  But this week work and politics overlapped to make me reflective.
I did not watch the Presidents address the other night.  For one reason I find his delivery - no matter what the message - annoys me.  I find myself thinking - dont' they give classes on public speaking, surely someone could train/coach/teach him to refine his delivery?  And then I start thinking - Sam Seaborn and Aaron Sorkin could write a better speech, maybe they should be added as speech czars to Mr. Obamas staff.  The other reason - that really warrants more importance... I need to get up early on Thursday to go see a client.  By early I mean, the alarm went of at 4:45am and I was on the road in a rental car by 6am.
Ad that's where it all overlaps...
I was on my way to see one of the longest clients I have dealt with for my company.  When I interviewed this was the company they used as an example to discuss what my job would look like.  Funny - I was truly naive as to the client's industry before that time - call it a girl thing.  I was going to their plant.  Yes, a manufacturing plant...  At least 6 times a year, if not more, I find myself spending a day or 2 on-site in manufacturing plants that are still here in the US.  You think that is a novelty...?  You don't think the people I meet with don't understand what a novelty it is as well.  So off I go (leaving sick dog behind) and 3 hours later I arrive at their doorstep. 
And I am always awestruck by the experience...  I have been going to this location for years now so I go unescorted through the back door and into the plant.  It is a big building and there are shelves of stuff running down aisles after aisles all the way to the ceiling.  There are products for distribution.  There are parts for production.  There ARE areas that sit empty that used to hold products and/or people for a line that is no longer here in the US.  And I find myself in a back room with an internet connection to my laptop and a poor cell signal.  Today we are going to talk about the importance of saving and some other basics.  By the end of the day I will have heard amazing stories from everyday Americans.  I will saddened to hear some of them have family members on their way to war overseas.  Others have stories of volunteer work that make my donations of cash to the foodbank seem lazy.  There are young people eager to learn about this thing called planning.  There are older people thinking this is the year they will retire.  All of them have a sense of pride for who they are and what they do.  Most of them work hard for the money they make.  And I feel blessed that I have a job where I can try to help them put some of those pieces together for their future.
I never expected that to be the case when I took this job.  There are other aspects of this job that I thought were so interesting when I started.  Would really challenge the mind.  Really force me outside my area of knowledge.  I never thought that the days on the road talking to stranger after stranger would bring the best satisfaction.  If only everyone had the opportunity to spend some time with everyday America.  Then maybe we wouldn't focus so much on DC but maybe on our own backyard.

Snow Day

I guess I should document that we did in fact have some sort of wintry mix this month.  I have to say I was quite surprised at the results.  They said a storm would be moving in Friday night - around 6pm.  I took that as a valid excuse to forgo swimming.  Around 4:30pm yesterday someone commented that it was already snowing.  I had to laugh - I saw maybe 2 or 3 flakes after truly straining my vision out the office window.  My co-worker from Boston and I had a good laugh.  And then some 15 minutes later he came by my office to say it was in fact snowing.  Sure enough - there were more flakes coming down.  So I packed up my desk and along with everyone else the hit the roads right at 5:00.  I could have screamed once I was out on the road from the parking deck....  There were so many cars.  I seriously think everyone saw that first flake and ran for their car.  It was quite beautiful the snow coming down... and it was beginning to accumulate along the landscaping.  Would you beleive by the time I made it to the second Target - not too sure on the mileage there - we'll say 20 minutes down the road at tops - the roads were ecompletely dry.  And as far as I could tell, no precipitation started around my house until the early morning hours.  So now there is some sort of frozen tundra outside my back door.  The roads are frozen, the car is frozen shut as is the garbage can, and the little guy and I struggled to maintain our footing on his potty runs... but I am not sure if it is an accumulation of snow with sleet on top or if it is just an accumulation of sleet.
I took some pictures.  I will download them shortly.
Other than that we have stayed in today.  Oh and fretted over his ear infection and potential other ailments.  And eventually hung some red neck curtains (that would be make shift curtains push-pinned over the windows to keep the cold out) as it is supposed to get down to 13F tonight.
A fun way to end January I suppose.  We were supposed to go out for dinner - restaurant week in Charlotte - but the drive just isn't worth it.  Some are walking to the Mexican restaurant.  I am making lentils and some butternut squash soup.

Haiti

I figure if I am going to chronicle the year I suppose I need to note the earthquake in Haiti. I have been sucked into the news on Haiti both Wednesday and Thursday night. It just sucks me in.
I had a work associate that did some ministry work in Haiti a few years back. I was familiar with state of their nation as a result of his preparation to go there. But it wasn't until the other day's news that I learned it is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere. Most citizens were struggling to provide for themselves in the first place. How sad.
The cynic of politics and media has many thoughts on the subject but I will leave it at just the shock of it all right now.

Something new for the new year

Here's one that comes as a surprise but then again maybe not. FrAngie have invited me to a republican dinner this evening. And I am going. I try not to get too involved in politics. I find the act of politicking in todays media driven environment to be disappointing and more about fame than about governing. So I usually lay low. But then there is that side of me that some may recall (Dave, when you read this Deb will confirm this to be true) that I took a whole bunch of poli-sci classes in university. And I even did an intern through the state government. So there is a part of government that does interest me. So I decided to embrace that long lost interest and go to this dinner. As for the republican aspect? Well we all know I am not a democrat even if I am not a card carrying flag waving member of the republican party. I am looking forward to this evening. Definitely something new for the new year.

Happy New Year Happy New Decade

Wow, think about it... There is so much that has happened over the past year. Well that was my goal - to do a bunch of cool things in my 40th year. And I think I did OK. Didn't do all the things I was hoping to do but I did enough.
Highlights of the year?
That snow storm way at the beginning of the year when I had to be to the airport to go to Wisconsin. That was memorable. I generally don't go too far from home when the weather acts up down here. But there was no way we could use a stranded excuse for a client in Wisconsin.
The trip to Myrtle Beach was a pleasant surprise as well. I was trying to go somewhere convenient. I didn't think it would be all the exciting but it was nice.
Walking to Cooper River Bridge ranked up there.
When my mom visited over the Spring we did a lot of local sight-seeing that I hadn't done before. Brattonsville and those shoal lily?
The two races I competed in. watch out for 2010...
There may be more but that is what comes to mind so that must be the best.

Happy Holidays

Can you believe we are at the end of the year already? And the holidays are right around the corner. Today is my last day of work before the Christmas holiday begins. I have lots to do and hope I can get through it all. It should be a somewhat quiet day so I hope that I do.
I was hoping to take some time at the gym tomorrow. You will have to check that other blog to see if that really happens.
Will try to post some holiday pics sooner than later.
Merry Christmas everyone!

The Bahamas

I have finally added my pics to the "Beach" blog from the trip to the Bahamas.
www.to-the-beach-2009.blogspot.com

Cairo

I checked out the ironclad that was reconstructed.

Vicksburg Military Park

I have a picture somewhere of my dad walking in what I thought was a cemetery. I knew it had something to do with the Civil War. And I remember my mom telling me it was a national park. It wasn't until I was driving through here that I realised this must be where the picture was taken. Now if only I could find it in all those boxes of pics.

I took some more pics but narrowed down the options.

There were quaint buildings here and there that displayed the history and age of the city through its architecture.

The hotel I stayed at had a casino - which had to be "on the river". And that building had a river boat motif.

I did not walk the river walk mural wall. I did drive by it a few times. If it had been nicer I think I would have added that to my things to do but spent most of the days walking in the military park.

I did the driving tour as well. The one building on the route that prompted me to get out of the car - the old court house. Impressive from the outside. The inside - reminded me of some of the antique shops in downtown Waxhaw - lots of junk. The courtroom was upstairs and has some history to the Civil War.

Other landmarks in Vicksburg

I wrote some about Cedar Grove from my phone. Here are a few pics of the house from the outside. I wonder what the gardens and pool are like in the summer time.

Ah Vicksburg Pictures

The night I stayed in Vicksburg the news was broadcasting storm warnings - strong winds potential hurricanes. I always get nervous when I travel because I know the city I am in but most alerts are noted by county. I usually don't know county. The rain passed by the next day.

I have to say the bridges over the Mississippi were impressive. And to think I have been on bridges over the Mississippi at the other end of the state when I was in Memphis. I know Memphis is not in Mississippi but Tennessee is at the other end of MS.

Picture download

I need to edit and post the pics I took in Vicksburg. That is kind of my intention for the weekend. We shall see how that goes.
I have pics from my birthday and pics from the Bahamas as well. So I guess I need to get on that. I was thinking for 2010 I would make more of an effort to get some news out here. Especially now that I am trying out the concept of a laptop at home. We shall see how that goes as well.

Vicksburg National Military Park

I keep calling it the battlefield, which it it, but above is the official name. It is the main reason I extended my business trip and came out this way. I don't know what I expected but I am pretty sure what I found wasn't what I had in mind.
At the entrance of the park - like all National Parks - there is a welcome center with information on the site, a gift shop and a movie. The movie helped. Unlike others in my family I am not well versed on the battles of the war. The movie explained how Grant and Sherman moved in, the reasoning to their tactics, the decisions made by the Confederacy and how some of it is still studied today by the military.
And then off I went for a 16 mile drive or so. I need to do some research on how the park came about. To state that there are multiple monuments throughout the park would be an understatement. I am curious as to how they all came about.
The path of the park takes you first along Union lines. There are markers and points of interest along the way. Then you meander back along Confederate lines. To think of the time spent and the lives lost makes it all very sobering.
It made for an interesting day.

Next time - I am staying for a cooking class for sure!

Driving Tour

Besides picking Shannon's brain I also requested some info from the Vicksburg CVB. The booklet and map they sent ahead of time was helpful. It gave me a good idea of what else was there and the lay of the land. A big piece that seemed to be highlighted was a driving tour of the city. There were 2 routes. Originally I thought - driving around the city is surely a waste of time. But when the day turned out gray and blustery I decided to give it a try. It was worth it. A lot of the streets are steeped in history but don't necessarily require walking all around.
So I left Cedar Grove and meandered one way on the blue trail (also in search of gas) then headed back on the red trail towards the battlefield.
Overlooking the Mississippi was probably the most impressive.
Various historical markers along random streets marking battle was also unqiue. Helps you realise why it is so hard to forget for the people who live there day in and day out.
The only stop I made on the drive was the Old Court House. There were all sorts of pieces on display from all eras. I avoided the clothing room - it so gives me the heebie jeebies. But the room with all the china was neat. Some of the silver was beautiful. I can only imagine what it looked like all polished and on display in the homes.
Upstairs was the court room. The 24 foot ceilings - WOW!
And the fact I learned in that leg - Jefferson Davis I'd from Vicksburg. And here I always thought he was from SC - don't know why.

Cedar Grove

To start my day of site-seeing I headed over to Cedar Grove Mansion. It is a B+B so I hoped I could get some breakfast. Shannon has been telling me about this for years... There is still damage to the house from the Civil War.
So I found my way there. It was a chilly cloudy day that unfortunately accentuated the gloom and not the beauty of the old buildings (and city). I walked around back past this quaint pool and through the back door. This part of the house was definitely modernized for travelers. After discussion of the cost of breakfast (since I wasn't staying at the home) I was seated in a dinner room that looked like it could have been a porch at some point. And breakfast was wonderful - blueberry pancakes with whipped cream, bacon, eggs, coffee. Truth be told it kept me going all day.
After breakfast I tool a self guided walking tour of the home. The gaping hole in the front door and palor floor from Union cannonballs definitely makes you think. And they had a bunch of other original pieces in the house as well. The story goes Grant stayed in the house after the seige of Vicksburg so it wasn't destroyed. I walked around the gardens as well. Oh to have such a yard - gardens, fountains, fish ponds, statues (huh-kinda sounds like my parents yard - theirs had a more Jersey feel to it however).
I am glad I made my way over there.

casino night

Those of you who follow along know casinos aren't my thing. We have casino nights for work and I don't participate. Somewhere in my planning I decided I would go to Vicksburg. Its a parental civil war thing. In making my reservations I decided I would stay at a casino. Because you know I would never step into one off the street for the heck of it. And the hotel rate was WAY reasonable. Let's just say it is like an out of body experience. For $40 a night the room is actually quite nice. The casino - which technically is on the water - is sensory overload.
For $2 I have had 2 beers. I am sitting at the bar watching the crowd. It is loud. It is flashy (literally). The Tarheels are the tele. And there are some people. I don't know what I expected. I think this was close.
This is a part of Americana. Something you don't really get to experience elsewhere. I won't gamble - I spent all day discussing the importance of saving money. It goes against my grain. But I watch it all in awe.
Similar to amusement parks I can understand how this could be another reason why other countries hate us. What an incredible waste of time and space.
And I will sit through my second beer and continue to take it all in.

olive garden

The next night I had a quick dinner at the olive garden. Did not get the same response.
Who woulds thunk that - lol

birthday

The actual day was spent traveling to Mississippi. Truth be told - I don't know how or why we decided that would be a good time for me to go. But off I went. I was excited as I knew I could grab dinner at Giadinas for my birthday. Wasn't sure if I would have company but new I would enjoy myself none the less. That is probably an understatement.
I envisioned myself sitting at the bar having some dinner doing some people watching. On a Tuesday night I suspected the people watching would be limited. I was wrong. A dinner party had reserved the dining room for the evening. And the people for dinner were quite entertaining.
I spoke for some time to a couple from MI. They were nice and interesting people. We discussed what brought us to MS. Their story was more interesting than mine. They were there on a mystery tour me work. When they went on for dinner I sat by myself for a while.
Ahhh and this sounds vane but... When in a small town that employees mostly men for 2 large manufacturing companies - single blonde girl (I suppose at 40 I can't be considered girl) doesn't go unnoticed for very long. I ended up having a very random course of conversations with one of the locals. Well he was a transplant but more local than me. I have to say it was rather fun - we talked work, sports, kids (his obviously) and how Yankees find themselves in the Delta. I liked the fact there was no pressure to promote my turning 40. I liked the annonymity. I liked that I knew I would wake up the next day and spend it with some of the nicest people around.
So it may have been mostly strangers and stuff but I enjoyed it.
Next time I will stay longer.

catching up

Well the party was 2 weekends ago and there is lots I could post about that. And I need to. But right now I am more about right now.

birthday celebration

Well the invites and emails have been sent. Happy hour on Friday. That's a way to get out a bit. I suppose I could have picked a more hoppin venue to entertain Deb and my mom... But I think PJ will do.
I still need to work on the menu - food, drink and music that is. Will try to do some of that today.
And I think that should be underway. My early birthday presents to myself - my new car and patio - are looking great back here behind the house. Now if I could only get that 9 year old present to stop wondering off as I sit here relaxing. He is intent on finding food scraps - you would be surprised how many people do leave remnant food just out on their patios etc. Better go track him down.

September in Milwaukee

I had a good idea this evening when chatting with a friend. Perhaps I can coordinate going to a baseball game when I am in MKE. That would be that new stadium where the crane collapsed and those workers died. Well I won't dwell on that.
But I will headed there later this month.
I am looking forward to seeing some old friends. I know they are work related but I consider them friends none the less.

And lastly in multiple postings...

the Splash & Dash was yesterday... you need to check out the tri pages to see more on all that...
and with that, can you believe it is almost the end of the summer? wow that just flew by...

Jetta

And the car purchase definitely has had an impact on my thoughts about travel. I dropped some $$ on a downpayment for a new car. So that definitely takes presidence (or is that precedence) on the cash flow aspect. And I am loving my new car. Have only had it for a week. And am barely driving it. But love it all the same. I need to take some pics of my fun new ride.

August is Kentucky

I am going to Kentucky for work this month. I was thinking I would stay a little longer while I was there to check out the sites. There is a horse farm thing that I wanted to check out. And then there is all this bourbon stuff. See how technical I am on all this. Given my minimal knowledge and obvious minimal interest I decided coming home for the weekend would be better than sticking around out there.

July's trip was supposed to be Savannah

But July came and went and I never really got around to making final plans.
I got so into the training for the Splash & Dash and some other things going away just didn't happen.
Maybe I will add Savannah to the fall or winter time frame. We shall see.

pics pf france

my mom took close to 1,000 pictures of her french holiday
she has sent some out but not all of them...
i thought i would pic and choose some for out here... but figure if you got an email from her you saw some and i just don't have the desire to whittle down the selection even further