The Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Yesterday, we went to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, near Fort Bragg.  Donna and I were prepared for the museum to be small, old and musty, but, since both Tony and Bob were in the  military, we decided to fore go boutique shopping for a day and do this with them.  

WOW....were we wrong!  The museum is fascinating.  It's big, bright and filled with memorabilia and artifacts from every modern day conflict in which the United States participated.  Plus, there was a special exhibit because this is the 100th anniversary of  the end of World War 1.  

You enter the museum by passing a statue of an American soldier named, "Iron Mike."  Iron Mike was commissioned in 1960 and finished and dedicated in 1961.  He is 15 feet tall and weighs over 3,000 pounds.  His look and size reminded me of an art class that I took years ago.   I learned that Kings and Emperors used to have statues made in their images, but they had the artist significantly inflate the image so they appeared to be huge and powerful.  The statues were displayed far and wide to people who never saw the ruler in person.  They were made to instill fear in the people so they would not revolt.  Any country who got a look at Iron Mike would think twice about taking on America.  

You can't help but be proud as you are walking through the exhibits.  America declared "total war."  War efforts were not just the job of soldiers.  If you were a good and true American, you did something to help win the war.  And, no job was too small.  The political posters were really historical pieces of art that captured the feeling of a nation.  

In addition to the exhibits, there was a movie about World War II, we saw when the American and allied forces took back Burma, landed at Normandy and jointly fought in Europe.   It was loud, proud and dramatic.  When you saw how far across Europe the German marched and dominated and then looked at where the Japanese took hold, it's hard to image that the allied forces could win.  

There were various exhibits about certain military missions and special forces.  I have a whole new respect for people who parachute out of a plane into enemy territory and I can't even image the fear they must feel as they step up to the open door and step out into a sky filled with bursts of light from gun fire.  

Tom Brokaw talked about the people in the war effort of World War II, he called them the "greatest generation," and after seeing this museum, there is no doubt that they were. 

The "soldiers" on display were amazing in the detail that went into making them, especially on their hands.  You could see veins, wrinkles and finger nails.  It was almost spooky to stand so close to them and look into their eyes.  I half expected someone to break their pose and say, "boo!" to me as I examined their uniforms and equipment.  

We spent some time in the Viet Nam conflict section.  How odd to see the "conflict" from this side instead of what was on the news.  Oh...that must be where the term, "fake news" came from.  

After almost two hours, we headed out to lunch and back to the Cape Fear Winery.  Unfortunately, the winery wasn't open, but we did get to see some peacocks.  We'll be back.  

It was a wonderful day and a real learning experience.  I wish our fathers could have been there with us. 

Here are some memories:

This is all 15 feet of Iron Mike

I wish you could see the detail on his face.  

It was every one's responsibility to win the war

This war poster talks about liberty, civilization and humanity

If you couldn't fight in the war, it was your 

responsibility to buy war bonds and fund it

This was outside of the World War 1 exhibit

Examples of World War 1 uniforms

You decide....life like or creepy?

Tony hunkers down with some troops looking for an ambush

"Over there," he says "I see something!"

And what did he see?  A soldier in the bushes with a

 gun trained on his position

Here is the soldier that is hiding....we've spotted him now...

Gliders and planes hung from the ceilings...threatening and proud

 Tony points out Okinawa (where he was stationed overseas) to Donna, and Bob scopes out the German occupation in Europe

Donna, Bob and Tony sit in jump seats ready to jump 

out of the plane and activate their parachutes....I'm glad I'm the photographer!

Images of a soldier and an aid from Viet Nam

Only the peacocks were at the winery

As evidenced by peacock poop on the tables!!

The wise vineyard frog says, "Come back soon!"

Owen Is One

We had another milestone this weekend, Owen turned 1.  Sunday, David, Tony and I went to Charlotte for a post-party celebration.  

Owen is turning into quite the character.  He doesn't say much, but his facial expressions speak volumes!  He loves to play with his older brothers and still loves food--any kind of food!

Owen, like his brothers, is the image of Tony Jr when he was young.  Watching  all of them interact reminded me of watching David and Tony Jr when they were little; especially when they were playing table soccer.  I think we had a game like this years ago.  Tony Jr has been teaching Coleton and Anthony how to play and during our visit, he took on David.  It was like stepping back in time, 30 years ago.  There they sat, cross-legged on the floor, arms moving, laughing and groaning when the other scored a goal.    They may be in their mid-30's, with families of their own, but at that point, they were just "brudders" playing a game together and having a blast. 

We got on the road after dinner and cake and are looking forward to our upcoming Fayetteville trip with Donna and Bob.

See the highlights of Sunday's Charlotte visit:

The competition moved from the golf course to the corn hole game

with Tony Sr and David

Oh look, we have room for more grandchildren 

Tony took the first match, but David came back

 to win the after dinner game

A roaring fire in the chiminea while the clambake took shape

The clambake, clams, chicken, corn and potatoes

Owen, the birthday boy

Anthony, my "Sunny Boy"

The "loot" from Owen's party on Saturday

Anthony and Papa

"Brudders" playing table soccer.  "Daddy" is still there to

 keep the peace, just like he was 30 years ago!  Thankfully, neither

 of the boys had a melt down when they lost the game

Hello Family

We are right in the middle of Donna and Bob's visit.  In 3 weeks they go back to Cleveland.  I feel like we haven't done everything we wanted to, but we have packed in a lot of fun during the time they have been here. 

David was able to come up for a few days to play golf with Tony and Bob and to go with us to Charlotte for Owen's first birthday.  

As always, when two Swegle's are playing golf, the "3 Men and a Bond" trophy is up for grabs.  It has been with us for quite some time and I would be very disappointed to be looking at an empty space  near the fireplace if Tony lost it to David.  

Happily, experience, skill and perseverance won the day and by one stroke, the trophy is still with us.  

While "the guys" are on the links, Donna and I continue to massage the economy.  We found a boutique called "Mermaid's Cove," and bought a few "necessities!"  We met a salesperson named Jessica and were talking to her about tourists and how people often don't realize how what they are wearing makes them look.  Naturally, the conversation drifted to Wal-Mart and the crazy get-ups people have been seen in while shopping there.    I told her that I used to work in an Emergency Room and some of the outfits I saw there were outrageous as well.  She said, "how funny," my father works in an Emergency Room.  Earlier in the conversation, she told us that she used to work at Compass Pointe as a sales assistant.  Suddenly, it clicked.  Jessica is the daughter of my favorite Novant charge nurse, Richard.  He told me once that his daughter worked at Compass Pointe when he found out we lived here, but I didn't realize she had moved to another job.  Jessica, Donna and I laughed about the coincidence and I wrote him a quick, "luv you/miss you" note.  

Donna and I started the day at my breathing test doctor's appointment.  Quite a  few blogs ago, I described what a breathing test is, but I had forgotten how much it takes out of you.  It makes me breathe even harder after it's over and just makes me tired in general.  I go back on Monday for results.  I still feel like I am in "explore" mode when it comes to all of this health stuff.  We have made some discoveries, but no one is sayings, "OK, here are next steps."   It is, indeed, frustrating. 

After a quick lunch and more boutiquing, we met the guys at Latitudes (the golf course restaurant) for dinner.  What fun we had listening the the details of the golf match and sharing our shopping stories.  Hey, when you buy something at 60% off, you brag about it!!

Coming up, Charlotte tomorrow for Owen's birthday, a trip to Fayetteville to see a military museum, Valentine's Day at the Inlet Restaurant and a trip to Cloud 9--a rooftop bar that gives you an incredible view of the city.  

David took over cooking duty and made us "Blackbeard's Petticoat," 

a crab, vegetable and pasta dish.  YUM

Tony chows down on BBQ at a "food truck"

Tony tees off on the last hole--getting ready to re-claim the trophy

Bob, Tony and David

Tony wears his, "3 Men and a Bond" golf shirt presented by David for

 Christmas and proudly holds the trophy--it's coming back to our living room!

New!

It's always fun to get something new!  As I have been saying in previous blogs, we've been spending more time on the lanai since we had it enclosed.  The only problem with that was the furniture we had wasn't comfortable.  

Yesterday, our new lanai chairs were delivered and they are beautiful.  Tony spent most of the day putting them together and I'm sure he has sore muscles today.  

We are 99% finished with "the look."  I kept my red chair out there because it rocks and is so comfortable.  We also have red accents, so for now, it stays.  We have to move a few things around but it is head and shoulders above what it was.  I see a lot more time out there in our future.

Check out "the look."

Tony had some fun with the box and Dixie!

The first chair!!

All done!

Ta Da!  "The look!"

It's All About The Bows

It's no surprise that women like to look good.  It makes them feel better about themselves.  It increases their self confidence.  So, we take Dixie to the "spa" once a month for a haircut, eyelash cut, tail trim, coat conditioner and in general beauty treatment.  

Yesterday was a busy day for all of us.  Tony and Bob went golfing, Donna and I went shopping in Southport and Dixie had her spa day.  

Donna and I had lunch in Leland and then picked Dixie up.  She was SO cute.  They put red bows in her hair with little paws on them.  She always looks 5 pounds lighter after the spa.

Donna and Bob often shake their heads about Dixie and Tony.  When we lived in Strongsville, they had dogs and Tony was typically ambivalent about them.  "They are dogs," he would say.  Donna and her sister, Rose, called Tony, "The Tin Man," because he would not fawn over their dogs or show them lots of love.  He would pet them, but that's about it.  Seeing Tony now, with Dixie, they just don't get the about face.  I often say that during the Strongsville days, he was protecting my allergies to dogs when he interacted with their dogs.  Most dogs make me sneeze and "clog" up and when we went to see our sister in law in Florida who raises at least 5 Goldens at a time, I went into anaphylactic shock.  No fun.  But, Tony loves Dixie and after the spa treatment, who wouldn't?  The Tin Man has retired!

  Enjoy the "spa-d" Dixie:

Her head always looks so big after Spa day!

Red Paw Bows....how cute

"I'm ready for my close up...."

And....she's FLUFFY!!!

We all did have a fun day.  The guys played a round of golf, even though it was chilly.   Donna and I did our thing and found some good, "in between seasons" bargains.  

We also found a nice Italian restaurant just outside of Southport that had very good food. 

Southport is a favorite of mine.  It's a water/tourist town.  It's right on the water, has all kinds of trendy boutiques and cheesy tourist "tee shirt" places.  Some of my most fun memories are of being in Southport.  Of course, it's a zoo during the tourist season, but we enjoy it.  They, too, have an art walk, just like Wilmington, and one of our neighbors has exhibited her work in the museum there.  

My skin treatments continue and I will be seeing a new doctor in February--a Pulmonologist to determine why my body is not making enough red blood cells to assist with regular breathing.  And, of course, there is yet another CAT scan in my future.  It's nice to know that I am keeping the medical profession in North Carolina alive!

David will be coming up in February to get in a round of golf with Tony and Bob and then the three of us are going to Charlotte for Owen's first birthday.  

I am so glad Donna and Bob are back.  We will be celebrating Tony's 72nd birthday in February.  Geez, he really did rob the cradle!!

It's always fun to be with Donna and Bob

As always, time is going quickly by.  There are days when I want to stop time and just enjoy the same moment over and over again.  It's usually when Tony, Dixie and I are on the lanai.  That has become my sanctuary, my place of peace and I love being there.  

More Charlotte Christmas

I had some problems uploading pictures from Christmas that seem to  have cleared up, so I am adding a "part 2" to our Charlotte Christmas blog. 

I can't say often enough what a fun time we had.  Having three active boys in the house is loud and fast moving.  Don't expect them to hold still for a hug or to sit on your lap for very long.  They have things to do and places to go.  They like to play tricks, giggle, jump on the couch and watch football.  

Tony can still entertain them with his non-sense stories and Coleton is starting to make up his own.  Just like Ben and Sam at that age, they still laugh when someone says, "butt," and laugh even more when they say it.  

And, just like Alex, Owen can hold his own with Coleton and Anthony.  He may be small, but he has a mind of his own.  He knows which toys are his and likes the ones that make the most noise.  Yep, he's a Swegle boy!

So, enjoy more photos of our time in Charlotte:

Papa tells Anthony and Coleton his newest non-sense story

Owen--not happy at this point

Dixie, lounging on the window sill watching for squirrels

Christmas in Charlotte

After our quiet Christmas, we went to Charlotte to see Tony, Marie and the kids.   Our visit was anything  but quiet and we enjoyed every minute of it!

We got some great gifts, had fantastic food and spent quality time with the kids.  Tony and Marie got us a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast in Beaufort, South Carolina, so we will be able to connect with my cousin, Dale Diane and her husband Gary, as that is where they live.  I am looking forward to that. 

We got Anthony some building blocks and they were the hit of the visit.  We all took turns building castles and towers but the most fun was when Anthony and Coleton would knock mine over.  They promised me over and over that they wouldn't, but then had me close my eyes.  As soon as I did--BOOM, the towers came down and you could hear high pitched giggles all over the house.   

We watched Coleton ride his bike with  no training wheels and fed Owen, who will probably be a chef when he grows up.   He eats with a passion, swinging his arms over his head and opens his mouth as soon as it is empty looking to refill whatever he is having.   And, while he is doing all of this, he is making humming, happy noises.  He is not happy when the food is gone and lets you know in no uncertain terms that he wants more.  

Each boy has his own personality, and they are all strong and smart and happy.  They look alike, but yet, different and I can see them being a close group of brothers, just like their father and Uncle, David.  

We did a fun thing--Tony Jr ordered food from "Nothing But Noodles," and we took the food to the Charlotte airport in the observation area.  We watching planes depart and just like Papa, the boys had their eyes in the skies and jumped up and down and waved as the planes thundered by.  There is aviation in their genes and you can see it when they hear the sound of an airplane in the sky.  They all stop--Tony, Tony Jr, Coleton and Anthony and look to the sky to see what type of airplane is moving across the sky.  Tony used to tell the kids that he could see the color of the pilot's eyes and they believed him.  Tony is so connected to aviation, I actually believe that he could.  

Dixie also enjoyed our visit.  She spent a lot of time sitting on the window sill in the family room watching for squirrels.  She harassed Tyson and chewed on Owen's teething toys whenever she could grab one.  

Tony and Marie had another beautiful tree this year.  It was 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide with huge ornaments and pretty blue Poinsettia like paper flowers.  It had to be tethered to the windows and covered part of the fireplace.  

It was a nice visit and it was nice to see our children happy and healthy.

Enjoy some of our highlights:

In front of the huge tree..Owen, Tony, 

Coleton, Anthony, Me, Dixie

Anthony playing with the blocks we 

got him...I mean, Santa got him

Mr. Coleton with cool glasses and me

Owen, showing leg with me, 

Coleton and Tyson...12 years old.

Me and little guy, Owen at the airport, 

watching planes land