Matthew Is Coming To Town

Well, you would have to live under a rock to miss the news coverage and  information on Hurricane Matthew.  I read somewhere that this is the biggest storm the south has had in awhile.  

Tony brought the generator into the lanai in case power goes out and he told me that people at the grocery store were making a run on water and bread.  He also moved the furniture to the center of the lanai so it may get wet, but it won't go anywhere.

 

I will be at the hospital all weekend.  We are on lockdown from Friday at 7:00 p.m. until whenever on Sunday.  That means I get to sleep and shower there, oh boy!!  But, the money is good and the building is strong so it will be OK.  The other ladies I will be working with are calling it a big pajama party!

 

We were at the beach this week and took Dixie.  The first time we took her to the ocean, she was afraid of the noise and the waves.  This time she had a blast.  I think she was still afraid of the waves, but she loved chasing the birds and getting petted by kids on the beach. 

 

We also discovered a new winery.  Only service dogs were allowed in, but since we were the only people there, Dixie got to visit the indoor waterfall.  It was fun and we will be going back again. 

 

Here are some highlights:

 

Our first stop, big surprise

 

The sign says, only service dogs with papers were

allowed in....they didn't count on Dixie visiting!

Nice wall decorations

Dixie stating her case to be let inside...."see how cute I am?"

 

If these dogs could come in, so could Dixie!!

Chard on the patio

The indoor waterfall

 

THE BEACH!!!

Our first attempt at reintroducing Dixie to the waves

She's thinking...

 

 

And then meets a friend on her level...

And another one...furry, this time

A bird spies Dixie....

 

And she spies the bird!

Getting lunch

Checking the weather

Matthew is "graying" up the day

Dixie tells Daddy, "I'm a beach dog, not a bitch!"  She'll be back

 

 

 

 

Up and Coming!

It's been awhile since I blogged...in part, because Jenna changed her blog page and took off other blogs (including ours) and I had to figure out how to access it without just clicking on us from her page.  But, I was able to figure it out  (OK, it took me awhile) and here I am.

 

In general news, Tony and I went to see the movie, "Sully," the true story of the "miracle" on the Hudson River, staring Tom Hanks.  What a great movie!!  I remember the real incident and being glad about the outcome, but this movie really grabbed me.  I sobbed in some parts and chuckled too, because while I  knew the outcome of the flight, the mastery of the movie made me forget it and, in that moment in time,  I was afraid for the passengers.  It's not a long movie, but definitely, a gripping one. 

 

As of today, THE wedding is 20 days away.  We went to Tampa a few weeks ago and visited Brenda's parents, talked wedding with "the kids"  and spent some quality time with David and Brenda.  This is, in my opinion, a real "power couple."  They have a life plan, career plans and they are the real example of a couple.  The other's happiness is top of mind and it is wonderful to see.

 

Another big event is Anthony's 2nd birthday party on October 1.  Tony and I did another Snapfish book--this one being an alphabet book that I hope Anthony enjoys.  Tony did the illustrations and I did the words and coordinated the "real life" pictures of the family.  I think it turned out well and I hope Tony gets to read it to Anthony while he is in Charlotte for the birthday party.  (Big surprise, I'm working!)

 

I am getting older by the minute--I have Rheumatoid arthritis in my left knee.  I could hardly walk after the 9 hour drive to Tampa, but, I am slowly trying go build up strength in my knee so I can walk and slow down the progression.  Walking is good--sitting for hours at a time is really, really not good.

 

We had tons of rain today...hurricane Michael?   Not sure, but I am sure of the rain.  I didn't drive to work today, I hydroplaned!  Fun, but a bit dicey!

 

Dixie and I are on our own while Tony is in Charlotte.  Two bitches in the house...oh geez, what will we get into? 

 

I am on official wedding countdown and look forward to pointing at Brenda Ramirez Swegle and saying, "see that high powered, attractive, well spoken young woman?  Well, that's our daughter in law and we are proud that she is in our family."

 

I hope that everyone we love is feeling loved today and is at peace with the world. 

 

 

 

The Fountain of Youth

Let's face it...at our respective ages, we're tired.  We can't party like we used to, stay up until all hours, eat whatever we want and not gain an ounce or not get out of bed without some twinge of pain.  Joey's father used to call doing that, "making my father's noise."

 

But that all changes when kids are in the house.  This past weekend, we had Tony, Marie, Coleton and Anthony stay over.  The kids were a blast.  We found energy we didn't know we had and played like kids in pre-school.  Hugging them was like jumping into the fountain of youth.

 

Unfortunately, I worked a lot while they were here, but Tuesday, I had the day off and was able to sleep in...sort of!

 

As I was laying in bed, in that nether world of sleep and distant awareness, I heard Coleton, who was two feet away from me, yelling to Marie who was in the kitchen, "Maw-Mee, Momo is still sleeping."  Um, at that point--no I wasn't!

 

So, I rolled out of bed and Coleton immediately handed me three pictures of airplanes that he and Tony worked on.  Tony did the design and Coleton did the coloring.  I wonder how NASA and the Department of Defense would feel about blue, yellow and pink war machines!

 

But, I did think they were beautiful--and so before my first cup of coffee and with only one eye open, we hung them on the refrigerator.  They look wonderful and it was certainly worth getting out of bed to hang them.

 

And then there was Anthony--or Mr. Smiley, as we call him.  He is getting to be so big.  And, he has found his voice.   He can say, "NO" and "NOT NOW," really well.  When you take his picture, he squeezes his eyes shut so he doesn't see the flash...so here you have this cute little man saying,"cheeeeeese," with a nice smile on his face and eyes scrunched tight and closed. 

 

They went to our pool and to the beach with Mommy and Daddy and they all went by the battleship, "The North Carolina," which, Coleton informed me, does not move anymore but used to have airplanes on it. 

 

All of the Swegle men even spent time in the kitchen (I would say, "where they belong," but I'm afraid Tony would stop cooking for me and I would starve!)

The days went quickly by and soon they were in the backseat of their car, yelling, "Bye, Papa, Bye Momo, we love you."

What a nice visit. 

We are off tomorrow to Tampa to see David and Brenda and get some wedding updates.  I'm so excited to see them. 

I'm off work until September 15!  YIPPEE!

My beautiful fridge--A Purdum Calendar and artwork by Coleton

A Pink Airplane...well, why not?

Yellow, maybe it makes the plane invisible!

 

The blue Enterprise

One of my birthday presents from Coleton

Anthony and Coleton--Coleton decided to get into the closing your eyes for photos game

Anthony and his pretty Mama

Anthony and Anthony

Momo, Papa and Anthony

 

Making cheese pizza

A job well done

 

Dinner's Ready!!

 

At the beach

 

New Stuff

David and Brenda's wedding draws closer and closer and we are getting so excited...OK, I'm getting excited, Tony is happy in a reserved, guy,  kind of way.  I love Brenda's dress and shoes and I know the venue is going to be great.    We will be going to Florida next week for a "meet the parents" moment.  The movie keeps running through my mind.   I keep wondering if we are the Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman or Blythe Danner and Robert DeNiro characters.  If you recall from the "Meet the Parents" movie, Barbra and Dustin were the groom's parents...free spirits, enjoying life (and sex) and really cool people.  Geez, I hope that's Tony and me!!!  We have seen pictures of Brenda's parents and they look like really nice people.  I know one thing for sure, they have raised a wonderful daughter that we are thrilled to be adding to our family. 

 

I have been working a lot again.  We are still in need of people because of maternity leave, vacations or long term disability.  I worked part of the day today and then went to a doctor's appointment.  I was hoping for another cortisone shot, but had to settle to a topical skin cream and a prescription for my knee, which is arthritic. 

 

Tonight, it's pizza and rain.  The pizza is a Friday night staple, but the rain, holy cow....this is remnants of the hurricane and it is massive.  I was at work by 6:30 a.m. today and didn't register a patient until 9:15 a.m.   It was that bad.  No one wanted to venture out in the rain and high winds.  What we did get, for once,  were true emergencies. 

 

Offices all over were closing early and it looks like the same for tomorrow.  I work 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. tomorrow and I'm guessing we won't be busy--unless of course, we get a ton of car accidents. 

 

Tony, Marie and the kids were planning to come up this weekend, but now, with the weather, I'm not sure what is going on.  Tyson, Tony's boxer, is as old as Ben.  I have a picture of Jenna holding Tyson and Tony Jr. holding Ben when they were both so, so little.  It's cute.  I hope Tyson is around for a long time.  He is a good dog and very loyal to his family--especially the kids!

 

We took pictures of the rain and a video....I know I can upload the pictures, but I never have much luck with the video.  If I fail again, just look at the still photos and make rain and storm noises...you'll get the drift!!

 

 

Puddles around the front yard....

Water getting higher near the lanai

Rain, Rain, Rain

 

Rain water gushing from the down spout....

 

 

I hope Dixie can cross her legs and hold on....this storm is going to be around for awhile and she hates going out in the rain!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is What 64 Looks Like

I am officially in my mid 60's...yuck.  But,  I just don't feel 64.  OK, I've had my share of old people's health issues but I still like to dance, I enjoy traveling and having date night with Tony is the best.  Who has date night at 64?  I do!! 

But, I must admit, this was one of my best birthdays.  We started out by visiting Donna and Bob in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Donna and Bob also have August birthdays, so we celebrated together.  Chris, Shannon and Emma were also there.  Emma had a blast in the pool.  She is only 4, but swims really well.  She was diving for plastic Olympic rings, holding her breath under water and learning new swimming strokes.  She's a fish!  This year, since my skin is somewhat under control, I actually wore a bathing suit and dangled my feet/legs in the water.  Emma swam up to me and said, "Come in, Aunt Jan, I won't splash you."  I told her that I couldn't swim and that I was cool and enjoyed watching her swim.  She was amazed that I couldn't swim, because it came so easily to her.  "I can teach you," she said.  I passed on her offer, but I'm sure she could.

Emma is also turning out to be a great shopper, just like her mom, Nana and me.   While the guys played golf, Donna, Shannon, Emma and I massaged the South Carolina economy.  It's safe to say that South Carolina will not be going bankrupt any time soon. 

We took Dixie on the trip with us and she had a great time running through the house with Emma.  At one point, landscapers came to mow and were dumping dead leaves and tree limbs from the roof.  Dixie recognized the sounds of their equipment and was not happy.  She usually runs and hides in Tony's closet when our landscapers come.  This time, Emma sat with her, petting her softly and saying, "Don't be afraid, Dixie, they won't hurt you.  I will take care of you."  It was cute.  They sat in front of the window watching the guys work and Dixie felt secure. 

We went to dinner to celebrate our collective birthdays and had great food and a fun time. 

Tony and I left on Friday and on Saturday, we went to Southport to one of my favorite restaurants, Oliver's.  It's right on the water.  We shopped at the boutiques and Tony bought me a Brighton bracelet, which I love.  He also got me a necklace and another bracelet to add to my "coastal" jewelry collection.  We had a great time.  After that, it was music and lights on the lanai before watching, "Fools Rush In," a favorite movie of mine.  It was my day and it was a good one!

I also received cards from family and friends, gift cards, text messages, a video of Coleton and Anthony singing "Happy Birthday" to me (my birthday card had balloons drawn by Coleton--very nice!)  Anthony didn't do a lot of singing, but Coleton did a great job.  Coleton and Anthony remind me so much of Ben and Sam.  Coleton is all legs and rib bones just like Ben.  Anthony is solid and compact, just like Sam. 

And speaking of Ben and Sam, I got to talk to Ben, Sam, Ellie and Zach for my birthday.  Jenna dialed the phone and when I answered, they all sang, "Happy Birthday" to me.  What a great gift that was.  Ben told me he will be 10 in 9 days--wow, double digits!  He told me he grew, which is a joke between us.  I told him never to grow and stay a baby for his whole life.  When he sees us, the first thing he tells, me is, "Momo, I grew."  And, at that point, I tickle him.  Sam, joined in the fun and told me that he, too, grew...I guess he is in for tickles too.   Ellie announced that she was 5 years old.  I told her that I saw her doing gymnastics, I meant that I saw the video that Jenna posted on her blog, but Ellie said, "You did?  Were you there?"  How cute.  Zach is a doll.  He told me about their dog, Charlie, and how he likes to play outside.   

 

Today, we will be face timing with David and Brenda--I can't wait to show off my bracelet and hear wedding news. 

All in all, turning 64 wasn't bad....I am not, however, looking forward to getting any older!

 

 At Olivers, with my bling!  This is what 64 looks like!

 

Ignore the scars, check out the bracelet!

 

 

 

 

 

The Czaplinski Crew:  Bob, Donna, Chris, Emma and Shannon; Dixie photo bombed!

 

The Golf Guys

 

The Economy Savers!

 

 

 

Check out the Goggles!!

 

Uncle Tony splashing Emma

 

This is what 69 looks like, pretty good, huh?

 

Emma's Papa always had a big smile on his face when she was around!

 

 

Papa, Just Relaxing

 

Emma, diving over her Papa

 

Diving for Rings...what a great swimmer she is!

 

 

 

Next up, our Tampa trip to see David and Brenda!

 

 

 

Starting in July

It's been awhile between blogs so I will start in July...other than working, working, working, we managed to get to Gallery Walk in downtown Wilmington.  It was nice to get out and see what the galleries had to offer.  We found 2 new places, which is always fun.  I think the one that had the most impact was a place called 216.  It was a gallery, but not like most.  This is a theme gallery and the theme happened to be ecology and what we are doing to our environment.  I learned about the floating "garbage island," that is half the size of Texas and is floating off of the west coast.  It's made up of stuff we have thrown away that isn't breaking down, like plastic bottles.

 

We also saw how plastic is affecting wildlife.  Large, dead birds who died because of what they ate were cut open and more plastic bottles and other man made things fell out of them.  Fish were caught in the plastic thing that holds six cans/bottles (of soft drinks or water)  together and seals and sea lions were caught in fishing line.  It was eye opening. 

 

On a happier note, we did see some great artwork and I continue to hope that one day, we will be going to a Swegle showing.  Tony has a few of his paintings hanging in the Wellness Center and has received really good feedback on them.

 

We are going to Hilton Head for a few days next week as we have done the past few years.  Donna/Bob/Chris/Shannon and Emma will be there for a week.  Donna, Bob and I share August birthday's so we will be going out for a joint birthday dinner.  Should be fun.

 

A month after that, we are going to Tampa.  We finally got David and Brenda's wedding invitation and I just love it.  It's clean and classy, which describes both of them.  

 

It's fun to hear about the planning and the progress they are making getting their new life started.

 

I'm also going back to the rheumatologist in September.  My skin has stayed clear and I am thrilled.  I have large, purple spots on my legs where the open wounds used to be, but, to me that is head and shoulders above where I was. 

 

When I talk about September, I can't believe we are on the downside of 2016.  I will turn 64 this year...can you believe it?  I sure can't.  It really makes my day when someone at the hospital who is checking in says, "wait till you get to be my age, dear...."   And I find that I was "their age" 10 years ago.  YIPPEE....shallow, I know, but YIPPEE.   Hopefully, retirement is somewhere in my future.

 

Well, we are headed to the beach this afternoon before I start my six day straight work shift,  tomorrow.  The beach always relaxes me.  Too bad Dixie is afraid of the waves.  She has to stay home in the air conditioning, lounging on Tony's reclining chair, eating the steak bites we saved her from dinner.  Hmmm....what's wrong with that picture? 

Dixie says....."hurry up and leave, I've got the bitches and studs coming over for steak dinner..."

 

 

 

 

 

Short and Sweet

I met a young girl named Mia the other night.  I was asking her mother for some information and Mia told me that she liked to dance.  "Show me your moves,"  I said.  And she did. 

Mia told me that she was three.  She reminded me of Ellie.  She had beautiful skin and fly away straight hair. 

"Three," I said.  "Wow, you don't look a day over two and a half," I said.  "What do you put on your skin to make it so pretty?"  I asked. 

Mia thought for a minute and said, "Black.  I put black on my skin,"   as she put her hand on her face....  "And I put it on my arms too,"  she said, holding out her arms.

How sweet she was.  She let me put her on my lap and sing, "Itsy Bitsy Spider," with her. 

It reminded me that I wish I could see Ellie more.