Kathy's Singing Debut...

Gosh, I sure love my wife for being such a good sport!

The other day I heard some cute clatter
So I rose from my couch to see what was the matter.

When I peaked through the door just what did I see?
My cute little wife - singing with glee!

So I got out the video and started to record
Hoping that my batteries would last ... to capture the reward.

I got a few minutes of Kathy singing a song
and now it's here, so watch it and sing along!

New York City October 2010

Well, of course, our timing was all off, yet again.  This is the 3rd trip we have made in the fall to various parts of the country to "see the fall foliage".  Not gonna' happen.  This time, we "Jet Blue'd" up to The Big Apple................yeah!!  Oh wait, the leaves aren't going to change for another 10 days or so!!  Anyway, we got some great pictures and saw lots of things we'd missed when we went there three years ago for Christmas.  We'd forgotten just how darn expensive that city is!  Our hotel room was so small there wasn't even room for a chair, nor a suitcase and it didn't even have a closet.  So, we upgraded there.  Got a great place at 59th and Lexington.............about a block from Bloomingdale's.  Saw a purse I liked there, but it was $600.00 so frugal little me, walked out!!  But at least I've been to Bloomie's now. 

We bought unlimited Subway passes because we really do like the Subway!  We took it all the way out to Coney Island on Sunday so Steve could get his Nathan's Hot Dog!  Turns out he likes his hot dogs at home on his own grill.  So do I.  Coney Island was desolate and deserted, but I guess it's a hot spot in the summer. 

We also did a lower Manhattan Island boat cruise.  (the boat cruise and the Subway passes were the best deals we found!)  We took lots and lots of pictures, they are in the slideshow below.  The day for the cruise was absolutely gorgeous and it the boat was nearly empty so it was a great photo op day. 

We also visited Ground Zero again.  Last time we were here, it was basically a huge hole in the ground.  Now you can see the construction going on.  Also, St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel is directly across from Ground Zero and we went in to see the memorials of 9/11.  It is pretty humbling to see the pictures and the patches from the NYPD and NYFD stations who worked, lived, and sadly, died in the attacks. 

We did Times Square (again)...................so many people, so little space. 

Central Park was beautiful even if I only spotted a few trees with some color.  Maybe next time.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I didn't put all of them in the slideshow because I didn't want to bore anyone to death!

We got home last night at about midnight and are still so tired that we need a long long rest.................

Cheers to all!

Fostering Dogs

Kathy and I have taken up fostering dogs from the Jacksonville Humane Society for a couple of reasons.

2. We felt that by helping the dogs recover from surgery, or just provide them a quiet and safe place to be for a week would help the dog get through the process of finding a “Forever Home” with a new family here in Jacksonville.

So this week we are taking care of a 5 year old Collie mix named “Eddie” that is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever seen.  He was found as a stray dog and turned over to the Center in July 2010. 

A health inspection showed that he had heart worms, and a huge kidney stone.  So the dear dog not only had to get neutered, he also had to under go treatment for heart worm and kidney stones as well!

Well… he made it!  So we are fostering Eddie for 7 days at our home to help him recuperate.  There’s a picture of Eddie below!

Eddie needs a home ASAP!  Please visit www.jaxhumane.org for details.

Technorati Tags: Dogs,fostered dogs

Newport Tennessee With Justin, Family and Friends

Just one week today that our Elvis has left us and we just didn't know what to do with ourselves.  Turned out that finding something constructive was just up the road  in Newport, TN!  Justin had just finished moving into his cabin so we drove up to "see what we could do".  Or, "how can Mom rearrange all my stuff!" 

Steve got him a charcoal grill, and we grilled for a couple of nights...great salads, steak, wings Yum!!!  We tried to not overstay our welcome, so we came home yesterday.  Still so sad to not have to stop and pick up Elvis from Doggie (Grandma) Day Care, but we are ok, and so is our dog, who is not in pain anymore. 

Elvis having a drink :)

So, I hope you take a look at the slide show.  His cabin is really cool, on a lake, big porches and he has wonderful friends that live right up the road.  We also went to his new job, it's really a great place to eat!  Angelo's, At The Point, in a little town called Dandridge, TN.  Beautiful restaurant; it's a big tourist place, plus banquets, etc.  I ate WAY too many oysters but they were great!  They were big and fat and plump and from the Gulf and I was so glad to know our seafood industry isn't totally hosed..................ok, enough from me!  Take care all!  Also, a link below to Angelo's...what a find!!  Good job Justin!! 

Here's where Justin works now: http://www.thepointresorttn.com

Elvis Is Leaving The Building

I'm writing this morning, as I know I will not be able to think about doing it later today. Steve and I have decided that today is the day we need to say good bye to our best little buddy, Elvis. He has had another stroke, and the medicine he is on is not working. He can barely walk and doesn't really know where he is. Steve has to lift him off the tile floor because he can't get up. We will miss him so much and the thought of waking up tomorrow without him is breaking my heart. He's going to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for us. We love you Elvis!!!  Below is the most beautiful poem I found at the Jax Humane Society Cemetary last week while I was walking dogs.  It says it all.  Our little buddy will be there waiting for us and I hope he finds Raider and Katie, the dogs he grew up with.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

Family Visit Jacksonville August 2010

Great time had by all.............my husband the chef was the star of the evening!!

Kathy & Marge's Bahama Cruise May 2010

So, the day finally came and off Marge (my sister) and I went to the Bahamas.  We took a 5 day cruise from Jax to the Bahamas & treated ourselves to a suite.  What a way to go!  Our own personal cabin steward (Harry, from Indonesia) was practically at our beck and call & he made the trip outstanding!  That, and fabulous weather - and some great shopping in Nassau made for a most wonderful trip,  and a birthday trip for Marge.  Steve stayed home and had his own little "vacation" - just him, Elvis and lots of steak and lamb chops!  So, back to Jax we go and I am looking forward to my trip to Vegas to meet up with one of my dearest friends in the world.  We were tied at the hip all thru High School, and then lost track of each other over the years, well, you know how it goes, but we are going on a girls trip at the Venetian.  Sorry Steve, but you did get to go to Savannah!  Pics below; hope you enjoy them!  Cheers to all!!!!

Savannah Georgia April 2010

Priceline really rocked this time!  Bid at the last minute on a 4 or 5 Star hotel and we got a GREAT suite for 1/2 price one block off Bay Street.  We of course, went to "Lady and Sons" Restaurant....Paula Deen's place.  It was just ok.  But, we were in the tourista mode so off we went.  Got a great pic of a nightclub called "The Velvet Elvis Lounge"............we could see if from our balcony.  The second day we found the new Segway rental shop in Savannah!!  We'd been wanting to ride the Segway's forever, and we took a private one hour tour.  Private, because there was no one else to go with us and our guide.  She (Tess) is a Savannah native and she whipped us all over Savannah on those rides!!!  They were great...........from now on, in whatever city we go to, we will definitely take a Segway tour.  Oh, wait, maybe not San Francisco.......too many hills.  Anyway, great to get away and by treating my husband to a great hotel and good food, I got my bathroom painted today!  Yeah!!  It's been really tough not doing as many things as we want to a house, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that "it's a rental"!  Ok, I'll stop blabbing now.  Hope everyone is well.  Cheers!!!