On Hiatus

Going on hiatus from blogging - actually already been there. Lots going on and I'm not feeling the need to be organized enough to post new entries on a regular basis. Hollywood comes back from FL today and leaves on Wednesday for Morocco for 40 days. When she returns she has to head out to San Diego for training. I am heading to FL on Thursday to do more college visits with GMan. Hubby very busy at work. I am trying to make the most of my LOA - trying to run on a regular basis and get some projects done at home. So far pretty good. Everyone have a great summer!!!

A few beginning summer photos:

Host and hostess - thanks for a great dinner Shar and EM!

Gene and BarbMe and hubby
The gang

Garden looking good:

Jax trip

Thursday Highlights

I visited the Heritage Store to get a peanut butter smoothie - they use all natural ingredients so your smoothie doesn't taste overly sweet. This one happened to have a carrot-flavored aftertaste - maybe they used the same blender after juicing a carrot? And while you are in there waiting for your food, you can browse through the shop. It is quite interesting - all kinds of spiritual types - I think I saw a swami and I definitely saw mother earth.

I actually like looking around the crystal shop and have become intrigued with these fairy thingees. They look like pewter but the fairy wings are made of some type of polished stone.

Afterwards I decided it was high time to get my car washed. The pollen has been so thick but I also have a great deal of bug guts on the front of my car and the windshield after the recent trip to the Shenandoah Valley. I go to AutoBell carwash and think it is a real bargain to pay $6.95 for an exterior wash and a $3 tip. Ten bucks and the car looks great!

Long Day on Tuesday

I took Ms. Keydet back to school yesterday - up and back on the same day. We had a minor glitch about 40 miles from Charlottesville. I was just cruising along and noticed my dash indicated low air pressure in my back right tire. I can't say enough about my Honda Pilot. I really love it. I felt fortunate to get this warning. So I pulled off the next exit and thank goodness there was a gas station there with free air. I pull up to put some air in the tire and heard some serious hissing. Yes, I had run over something and punctured the tire. Well ole' Ms. Keydet jumps out of the car and says no worries - Dad showed her how to change a tire. And before you know it, between me reading the manual and her handling the manual labor (remember I said I love teenagers?), we had the spare filled with air and on the car. About the time we were wrapping up, a guy offered to help - not needed but thanks anyway! We drove the 40 miles to Charlottesville at 50 mph with the flashers on. We were seriously blessed when we found Tuffy's in Charlottesville. If you ever need your car fixed or tire repaired and you live in Charlottesville, Virginia, I highly recommend Tuffy's. As soon as I had stepped up to the counter the mechanic took my key, grabbed the tire, pulled out the metal slug, patched the tire, replaced the tire and returned the spare. All within a 15 minute window - I promise. Then he walked up to me and said "you are all set." I asked what I owed and he said no charge! I was floored and felt very lucky.

We got back on the road and when I glanced over, Hollywood was back in the familiar - getting a quick snooze in before we returned to post. She's quite good at this - she can pop up in a second. She honed this skill when I used to drive her to high school. She would sleep until I took that last turn and somehow miraculously she would wake up at that precise moment each time. It was so great having her home for several days. We all easily fall back into our old routine when she is here and then reality sets back in as the time to go nears. And so it was time to say goodbye. It has gotten so much easier. The first time I had to drop her off after our first visit back in September, we were both "emo" but time and routine has helped tremendously. As does the fact that classes are over at the end of April! See you soon Snookie!

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.

Breakout!

My daughter Hollywood sent me an email telling me their ratline PT is over! At dinner tonight they will have their belts removed and will "release their strain." Straining is what they have had to do since matriculation back in August. When in barracks they must hold their head, neck and shoulders in an awkward position known as straining. It is also referred to as the amount of exercise they are made to do. Today is the day they have all been looking forward to - breakout. After a lot of grueling physical challenges today, they are "breaking out of the ratline." They are no longer rats and have become part of the Corps. Hubby and I will be leaving at 5 a.m. to drive up and spend the day with her tomorrow. It has been a struggle and we are all relieved and grateful.

Hollywood Will Never Forget This Day

Today was a very big day for my oldest child and only daughter. She had the privilege of marching with the VMI Corps of Cadets in the Presidential Inauguration parade today. The conditions were very cold and the parade was delayed by several hours. I am sure she froze her buns off. But....I was able to see them live on C-Span - let me add that I was bawling as I watched it. See if you can spot her - she is somewhere in the sea of 1200 young fresh faces. She is the short one with the short brown hair. She's wearing the uniform with the white belt crossed in front with the red shawl. Oh and she's wearing a hat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07dI-6OO6ho

Mature?

Yesterday was my 24th anniversary at the bank. I've actually worked for 5 different banks but I've always reported to the same place. That's what happens in this industry where mergers and buyouts are commonplace. Never burn any bridges, because you will surely end up working with some of the same folks again. Its been fun but its sobering to realize that I've worked at the bank longer than I haven't. I'm feeling mature so I thought I'd share a not so mature video. Hope you like it. Its called pole dancing.

Its a New Year (thank goodness)

New Year's Eve is always a party and this year was no exception. I actually shed a little tear of relief as the clock struck midnight. We all had a great time, no one got particularly sloshed or embarrassed themselves so I would say it was a grand success. Dr. Pat (in the black dress) got the party started early by bringing cosmo drinks with her. You can see Barb has her drink in hand - the rest of us had already finished ours. Here's the whole group minus myself and Mr. B. We also caught up with some other friends at the party. It was such a nice evening. We all got together for brunch the next day and the following Sunday evening one of the guys cooked a gourmet dinner - seriously gourmet for us. Now that's a really good way to ring in the new year.

Party fools enjoying the band. You can tell it was early in the evening as no one had the 2009 balloons around their head or waist. That came later.

The Best of Times

Did You Notice?

G-Man Before:

G-Man after:

It really doesn't take a lot to make me happy and he has always had a knack for saying and doing just the right thing at the right moment. Moms know what I mean - gets you right through the heart. He has always been able to do that. He knows I love him with a nice hair cut and clean-shaven so, no biggie to him, he was happy to do it.