Wordless Wednesday - A Taste of Edenton

 

 

Is There a Lifeguard in the House?

No more amateur on-line poker playing for Nick, thanks to the Federal Government crackdown and arrests of many of the CEOs whose methods were apparently a bit shady. He suddenly found himself unemployed.

So, guess who just completed his certification as a lifeguard? If you happen to be swimming in Hasentree or Heritage, you might just catch a glimpse of this guy! Who else finds a way to get paid for spending time in the sun staying tan? Congrats Nick and keep a good eye out for all those little ones swimming in pools!

Thankful Thursday - Time With My Mom

On this day last year, EZ posted a picture of me all dressed up in my sanitized garb about to administer one of many Neupogen shots to his abdomen in preparation for his stem cell transplant. Not much fun!

This year, I am having alot more fun, in historic Edenton, NC for two days with my mother...just the two of us. You see, today, August 11th, marks my father's birthday. He would have been 82. It will always be a difficult day for us, and one most of our family will forever remember. You see my Dad made sure everyone had August 11th permanently sealed in their memory. He quizzed us about it all the time..."Now when is my birthday?" It was a standing joke in the family and the grandkids would often miss out on treats if they couldn't tell Grandpa when his birthday was!

Mom and I decided to get away to a place the two of them had always hoped to visit and just never got the chance. We are staying in a bed and breakfast, touring the town, getting a lesson on how to cook ribs, going to see "The Help" and just reminiscing about their 60 years together. Check back next week for some pictures of our special time together. Happy Birthday Dad! We miss you...
 

Wordless Wednesday - No More Hospital Bed!

Beginning April 29th, 2010

As of July, 2011:

Pop-Pop - The Father of Invention

EZ's dad is smart as the dickens! Even at 88, his mind is always going...planning his days and weeks, researching, working on his computer, solving problems and so much more. When faced with a problem, or in this case, ailment, he often "invents" his own remedy or solution. I guess that is why he had so many patents during his years as an engineer with GE!

Recently he faced alot of back pain and frustration because he wasn't remembering to stand up as straight as he should. So...he invented his own back straightener! Nathan and Natalie noticed it right away and asked why Pop-Pop was wearing a "backpack". He tweaked it a few times while we were visiting, and seemed to feel that it was really helping. Here it is...the Lewin T. Baker Back Straightener:

So, if you find yourself slouching and no longer holding your shoulders back, fear not. Pop-Pop has the fix, and he may even make one just for you! Have a great weekend and remember to stand up straight!

Thankful Thursday - Chocolate and Caramel!

When I was with IBM in 1988, I was working on a project in England that allowed me to take my whole family with me for a three month assignment. During that time we enjoyed many activities and items that were solely British. One of them was Cadbury chocolate. It is a rich milk chocolate that when paired with caramel......oh boy!

The Hershey Company has licensed the Cadbury Carmello bar for sales in the USA:

It is good.  R.E.A.L.L.Y  G.O.O.D.    However, the original is even better:

The US version costs about $1.00 and the English version about $4.00 (if you can find them). If you are a chocolate and caramel combo lover like Linda and I are, we heartily encourage you to buy a couple of Carmellos; one to enjoy, and another one to mail to us, especially if you live in the UK (they really do taste better!).

P.S. What candy bar are you thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday - Energy?

Moving On

My father passed away two years ago and we still think about him just about every day. His quick wit and humorous expressions, facial and verbal, still make us laugh when we are reminded of them in our goings and comings. It was great fun to play cards with him, and many of us have come close to wetting our pants from laughing so hard. He loved to twirl a good yo-yo, fiddle with things in his garage, enjoy a big bowl of ice cream or eat cheese puffs in his recliner, cheer for FSU and be with his family...especially grandchildren and great grandchildren! Leah always had an extra special place in his heart!

"Muscle man" on cruise to Cozumel with the family to celebrate 60 years of marriage

Baby Seminoles Nathan and Natalie

Grandpa with Leah, Kyle, and Grandma on cruise

My mother has been living with us for about a year now, and has decided it is time to move forward in the process of selling their home of 13 years...no easy task to be sure. It is filled with memories as you might imagine. However, as we have begun to go through things in an effort to decide what she wants to keep, sell, donate or give away, there has been joy. It means alot to my mom to give certain items to family members that need or want them, knowing that more memories will be made with them in a new home.

My parents home of 13 years in Wake Forest

My neice Sarah, her husband David, and daughter Addyson, have relocated from Florida to North Carolina and this past weekend they came to visit and transport some of "Grandma's" furniture to their new home. They will now enjoy a dining room set, bedroom set for Addyson, futon, dishes, glassware, linens, and other kitchen items that were once "Grandma and Grandpa's". We have all been given things that will forever hold a special place in our hearts and remind us of the family we love and the Dad, Grandpa, and Gramps that we miss so much. We had such a great time watching the little ones play together and I know it blesses my Mom's heart to have more family closeby.

U-Haul all loaded up for the trip to Charlotte

A very grateful Sarah (due in 5 weeks with Jaxon), Grandma, David and Addyson

1st cousins Tara and Sarah

David introducing us to the "double down" with Nathan's hotdogs

2nd cousins Natalie and Addyson

Samuel and Samantha peeking in the "fort" at the big kids

Nathan in "fort"

New best friends - Nathan, Addyson and Natalie

Nick and Ernie were fast asleep after the move, while the kids watched a movie

We look forward to getting my Mom's sweet house on the market and moving on with more memorable weekends with family as they come to visit. So proud of how strong she has been in the process.