Got Our Girl

Since this is the last weekend Hollywood can use her "ac" days this year (2 extra days awarded for good behavior - sounds like jail doesn't it?), I went today to pick her up. The weather was gorgeous so I didn't mind the 500 mile drive except when we neared home and sat in traffic on I-64 - you know the usual spots - Ft. Eustis, Busch Gardens, the last 5 miles before in the 2-laner before the breakout into the 4-laner in Newport News. But we made it home safe and sound - Ms. Hollywood was no worse for the wear. I'm sure it had a little to do with her typical "powernap" stance she assumes whenever she travels any distance with me.

I took her by hubby's work where her car stays and we all grabbed a quick bite to eat before she had to home and buckle down on homework. That was the deal - she could miss class on Monday and Tuesday but she had to get ahead of the homework. You can't tell by this picture but her hair has finally grown out just enough so she can pull it back into a ponytail or make that a pony"stub". You might wonder why she is still in her greyblouse at this point. They aren't allowed to have civvies at school and I hadn't brought any with me. She rode most of the way home in her t-shirt and spandex shorts. Not really appropriate for Big Dad's work - well at least not for a few more weeks until the tourists come in their interesting bathing attire.

It is great to have her back, even for a short time.

List of Accomplishments

So I've been concerned that I might not be able to quantify what I accomplish everyday while on my LOA. So I plan to make a list each day so I can see at the end of the day how productive I've been. Today was okay and my list went like this: Make the bed, call Wachovia about a change to my credit card, call on an old bill to see if it had been paid (it had), make the bed, fold towels, do a load of laundry, clean out the car, do some office filing, go to the post office to get taxes mailed, send card to Hollywood, make airline reservations for quick trip, spent one hour helping sister with her business, posted this blog, now going to exercise. Not too bad - I don't feel so guilty about watching Regis & Kelly this morning.

Pandora Radio

This is neat. GMan set me up with my own radio station on Pandora Radio. Just go to Pandora.com and set up your station. Right now I'm listening to the Dave Matthews Band. Great background music. I also have a Motown station featuring Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell music. Very cool. Give it a try.

Okay, so I've been slackin'

Yes, indeed I have been slacking as it pertains to making blog entries. And its not as if I haven't had things to blog about. Fact is, since the last time I wrote, Hollywood has been home on her Spring Furlough and GMan was here for the week of his Spring Break. It seems I got out of the habit of taking my camera places with me. But going forward I should be able to do better because.....drumroll please!!!! OMG I am on an official extended Leave of Absence!!!!!!! Beginning tomorrow. I requested and was granted this time away and I am crazy with anticipation of what I am going to be able to get done. I made a list a mile long including (you can skip over this part if you want) Getting Hollywood into the Summer Language Institute in Morocco (done!), getting GMan registered for an SAT subject test, college visits with GMan (we've done UVA, W&L, W&M - next couple of weeks will visit UF & FSU), scrapbook our Europe trip, scrapbook Hollywood's rat year, register GMan for RCIA at church, clean office, get taxes together and done, paint GMan's room, finish re-doing master bedroom, college applicatons including essays, scores and transcripts, visit Dad (and Joe and Jeannie) in San Antonio, visit Memphis, hang out with kids, get everyone's passports renewed, get stuff out of storage, get safe deposit box, go by social security office, help sister with business, meet with GMan's counselor, book Hollywood's flights for ALI, pick up greeting cards, scrub the shower stall, change out mirrors in master bath, paint the 3rd floor bathroom, reconfigure mancave and so on. This is just a start. It is amazing to me how much gets put off because you work full time. Oh, I forgot to mention getting ahead of the laundry for once in my life. I can usually get everything washed and dried, but the folding and putting away part sometimes gets away from me.

So I am on LOA until October 12th from Wachovia/Wells Fargo. I have worked for this bank for 24.5 years. I was just a baby (dumb, stupid, naive baby) when I started working for the Bank of Virginia right out of college. We later changed our name to Signet Bank and we were subsequently bought by First Union National Bank. First Union later merged with Wachovia and then after the tumultuous events of this past summer, Wachovia was bought by Wells Fargo. Even though I've worked under 5 different bank names, I've always showed up to the same place all these years. The time just feels right to be away for a bit. Big Dad is a little nervous that I would take time off with the economy as it is but I'm not worried at all. I really appreciate his support.

I'm going to do a better job in posting in the future but right now I need to jump in the shower to be ready to hunker down in exactly 1 hour for my all-time favorite show, The Amazing Race. Bye y'all.

Sisters Cruise

My sister and I just returned from a 4-night cruise to Mexico. Very relaxing. We enjoy cruising and this was my 6th one - she has been with me on all the others with the exception of the time her flight was delayed and she arrived in Ft. Lauderdale just in time to fly over the cruise ship leaving the port. Lesson learned. Anyway, we don't necessarily go crazy over the ports we visit but rather we enjoy the ship experience. We love to relax by the pool, use the spa, exercise, play bingo, play trivia, play blackjack and slots in the casino, see the shows, dance on the deck, get a pedicure, meet new people - you get the point. Here are a few photos.

This is Day 1 after leaving Ft. Lauderdale and passing by Miami. We saw a gorgeous sunset and was able to capture a photo or two.

Our stateroom attendant had quite a talent for making animals out of our washclothes and handtowels.

Did not want to miss the scrapping class!

Day 1 rescue drill - mandatory.

My first time with a balcony. I can never go back to anything less!

Solarium action - adults only!

Chilaxin'

And what did YOU do over the weekend?

Later in the Day

This is a picture of Hollywood with one of her BRs. Looks like this was taken after breakout, after a shower!

This is a photo of Hollywood with her dyke (big sister). Her dyke is a senior who has provided her guidance along the way. She has been so blessed with having HG as her mentor. I am very fond of HG and appreciate everything she has done for our girl (and it has been a lot).

Breakout Photos

Here are a few photos of Hollywood with her BRs during breakout. She says it was the worst and the best day of her life.