The Eyes of Imagination

 

 

There is  nothing like spending time with grandchildren.  They find joy in the most odd places and explore the world with such an open mind that it's almost a shame that they have to grow up  and deal with "reality."  Every day is an imagination in progress and every night is a negotiation to keep the day alive.

 

When we spend time with Coleton and Anthony, I am so reminded of Ben and Sam at their age.  Both older brothers being a head taller than the younger one.  One being all skin and bones and the other being solid.    The younger brother wanting to do everything his older brother does; the older brother keeping an eye on the younger one to make sure the division of toys, love and goodies are equal. 

 

We went to Charlotte this weekend to share Christmas--a bit late, but with my work schedule, Tony working at the golf course and Tony and Marie's work travel schedule, a simple get together takes a ton of coordination. 

 

It was a short trip for me--both ways!  I sat in the back seat so Dixie, aka, the princess, could be in the front near the air conditioning. It was nice to stretch out and read in the back, but with the sun shining on me, it wasn't long before I was asleep.  I woke up 4 miles from Tony and Marie's house.  On the way back, I did the same, this time waking up as we were turning into Compass Pointe. 

 

While we were there, we exchanged gifts, played games, ate good food and enjoyed being with everyone.  We taught Anthony to say, "Dixie-Pixie," which was really cute and we went to swim class with Coleton. 

 

All in all a good trip that ended too early. We hope to see them in February when our old guy turns 70!

 

Our trip in pictures:

 

 

 

Coleton is quickly becoming a fish!

 

 

 

He listens to his teacher explain the backstroke

He masters kicking

Time to go home!

 

Christmas presents!!!

Mr. Smiley!

Ready to unwrap...

Dixie often perched on the back of the couch or the steps

 where she could see what was going on but was out of the chaos!

Playing the "Dory" game....Oh Boy, I won!

Artistic moments

Gotta wear the smock....

Papa helps

 

Tray and Deuce?  Oh, Anthony and Anthony

Coleton's masterpiece

Anthony is more of a minimalist...

 

I Don't Have Time in a Bottle

There is a song that I really like.  The lyrics are something like this:

"If I could save time in a bottle

The first thing that I'd like to do

Is to save every day till eternity ends

and then..."

Now, the rest of the line is, "I would  spend them with you..." but, my sense is that the person who wrote that didn't have a job in an Emergency Room.

 

Based on the hospital ER volume of the past 3 days, this is how I would finish that sentence, "I would sleep for a week." 

 

I'm not exactly sure why, but it's been raining sick people. Normal volume for this time of year is to see around 60 people in a day.   A few days ago, we saw 102.  We call that summer volume because of all of the tourists that come down when their kids are on summer vacation and step on various things on the beach and have to be treated for cuts or falls,  sting ray bites or whatever.   At the end of each day, my fingers hurt from typing in demographic and diagnostic information. 

 

But, there is light at the end of this long, tunnel.  Tony and Bob are golfing on Saturday, which means that Donna and I will be doing our favorite thing--shopping!!

 

They are staying over and we are going to a new, favorite hang-out, Flight, for heavy  appetizers.  Sunday, is football day so we ladies may watch or go to the Wellness Center to work out. 

 

In other news, David and Brenda were in last week (as were their dogs, Bernie and his new sister, Betty!!)   Tony, David and Bob played at our Compass Pointe golf course and I am happy to report that the Swegle golf trophy is staying in Leland!   David came in a distant second to Tony, but to be fair,  this was his first time playing our course. 

 

David and Brenda treated us all to dinner at Oliver's and then headed up to Charlotte to spend some time with  Tony, Marie and the kids.

 

And so, I don't have time in a bottle, but the time we spent with our family was a treasure in itself. 

 

 

The golf warriors--getting ready to go on the hunt for birdies!

 

End of the day, end of the game, end of David's hope to capture the trophy!!

 

 

 

The champion golfer....home ....right where he belongs!!

 

 

 

A fun dinner at Oliver's with a fun group

 

  

Boys in the hood!

Dog of the Day

I love watching Miss America, Miss Universe, America's Next Top Model, anything that selects the best...Ok, best according to someone's idea--maybe not mine.  Well, yesterday, we had quite an honor.  It was Dixie's 4th birthday.  Tony took her to the Gourmet Pet Treat store.  When they found out that it was her birthday, they named her, "Dog of the Day", and took her picture for their webpage.  Wow...our dog is now titled.     We may have to build her a wing on the house to befit her new status!

But, in all honesty...Dixie is always dog of the day here.  She is funny, smart (I always say it only took her a month to train two adult humans...!), stubborn, loving and part of the family. 

I'm not sure how we got along without her....just think, no one to give belly rubs to, no one to sit in 3/4 of our chair, no one to share our steak dinners.  We just couldn't get along without her.

On every birthday, I recall the first time we saw her and the day we brought her home.  Each event makes me smile.  

Happy Birthday, Dixie chick.  We love you!!

Relax...For Now!

Since Christmas Eve, it's literally been raining people in the Emergency Room.  I joked that on Christmas Eve we saw every person in North Carolina, on Christmas we saw everyone in South Carolina and after that, we saw everyone in Georgia and Florida.  Wait times were over 2 hours, which is rare for us and each night, I crawled home, more tired than the day before.  But, Tony got me a spa day for Christmas and I can't wait to go and pamper myself. 

 

But, I have two days off now and I am relaxing.  We are slowing "de-Christmasing" the house and are ready to move into 2017.  Donna and Bob will be down for two months starting in January and David and Brenda will be visiting around the Martin Luther King holiday.  It will be good to see everyone again. 

 

We did sort of a special Christmas gift for David and Brenda--Tony painted a picture of the two of them and we created a small book with pictures detailing parts of their relationship, engagement and wedding.  It was fun to do and very well received.  I can't wait to see what Tony's next project is.

 

Things are moving along with going full time at work.  I can officially s**t-can my Obamacare insurance and go with more affordable insurance from work.  Also, I was asked to be on a new committee that reviews Emergency Room procedures and practices and determines where we can make the process better and more efficient.  Tony said it is right up my alley and I agree.  It will be nice to do something that requires thought and not just do the same thing over and over again. 

 

We have a big event coming up--Dixie will turn 4 on January 6.  I'm sure Tony will want to rent a hall and have a big blow out birthday party for her!  She has given us both much happiness and laughter.  I still miss Jack and always will, but she is fun to be around. 

 

As a matter of fact, Dixie is a master at relaxing.  She twists her body and gets into the smallest space she find and falls asleep.  Or, she sits with one of us while we watch TV...she gets most of the room, of course, but it's hard to move her when she is so cute, sleeping.  

 

Our weather has been nice of late--in the high '60's or low '70's.   I hope it stays this way.

 

2016 is on the way out to make room for a new year and new memories.  We hope you all enjoy a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

 

 

Here's the cover of the book we did for David and Brenda

 

 

Tony used this picture and took out the tree!  TA DA!

 

This is Dixie, "relaxing!"  She takes over the foot stool part of Tony's reclining chair.  Hanging her head off of the end of the stool must be really comfortable

because she does it so often!

As always, Tony adapts!

 

 

 

It's Christmas!!

Ho, Ho, Ho!!!  Another Christmas!  And how nice it was.  We spent the holiday by ourselves, happy in the knowledge that all of our children were with people they loved.  We talked about the vision at the Purdum house of the kids unwrapping gifts and wrapping paper flying all over.  We are going to Facetime with David and Brenda and hopefully, will get time with Tony and Marie to see what Santa brought for Coleton and Anthony. 

 

Dixie got a new chew toy and Tony and I got exactly what we wanted--time to enjoy the holiday together before I head off to work. 

 

It's a beautiful day and is turning out to be a wonderful Christmas. 

 

Just ask Dixie.....

"I love the chew toy....I hate the hat."

 

"Ok, now I know how the other kids felt....sit, here, look over here,

smile...when does it end?"

"Oh wow....a new chew toy....you know this will be destroyed by the

 end of the day, don't you?

"OK, ....here I go!"

 

Tony gave me an early Christmas gift.  We used to have blue lights hanging up that reminded me of stars.  They burned out, so Tony got new ones and lit up the Lanai for me.

 

All is calm....all is bright

Really bright!!

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.  

 



 

Go Figure!

 

If there is anyone out there who has been following the blog since we moved, you know that finding a job down here has been difficult at best.  It took me 18 months to find a part time job at Novant in the Emergency Room.

 

Now, fast forward...I'm comfortable working in the Emergency Room part time and have changed my life to accommodate my work schedule.  I'm on the verge of being able to retire and lose the costly insurance I have been paying for 3+ years....and when an opening in the ER came up,  I decided to post for a full time job.  Hmmm....wonder why? 

 

And, go figure, I got it.  I will be working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., in the Emergency Room.  My full time status starts on Christmas Day. 

 

The best thing about having a full time job is that I no longer need Obamacare...which translates into not paying $550.00 a month for health insurance.  I have in essence, given myself a $6,000 raise!!  Oh!!  That's why I applied!!

 

So, here I go again...another new job...new being sort of NOT, but  you get my drift. 

 

In 231 days (starting on January 1), I will be 65, who knew, I would also be starting a full time job.  Yet another chapter in my accidental career.

 

Go figure!

Christmas Picnic

Tony told me that Cleveland was at 14 degrees when he got up this morning....BRRRRR....I don't miss that!!  But, while it was 39 down here, it felt like a lot colder...maybe because we went on a picnic.

 

Oh, we didn't brave the woods or wild, overgrown areas that North Carolina has to offer.  We didn't even go near the wetlands...we went to the Grand Lanai...but it was still cold!!  If it was 39 outside, it felt like 30 inside!!

 

One of the things I enjoy most about Compass Pointe is the Grand Lanai.  We don't go to a lot of scripted events or parties there, but we go when we can sit back and enjoy it by ourselves...and that was today.

 

Tony got already-made sandwiches, potato salad and wine, plus, Jan and Stu (well, probably Jan) made chocolate chip cookies and gave us some, so we enjoyed those too!  It wasn't one of those dress up pretty dates, or even here's a card to celebrate a special occasion date, it was a fun thing that we both enjoy doing.  We were all by ourselves in the Lanai and talked about things that are only important to us.   It was a husband/wife get away for an hour and those are good times, all of the time.

 

After our picnic, we went to the Wellness Center and checked out Tony's pictures.  Call me crazy, but I thought his were totally the best of all of the pictures that were hanging there. 

 

Tonight, it's salmon and a quiet evening before I go back to work for a string of days in a row.  How I love picnics and what a wonderful time I had.

 

 

 

A pic-A-nik basket, wine and the photo bomb photo...what fun!

A white table cloth, a white candle, red placemats and tropical wine glasses--definitely spells out a holiday picnic!!

Tony pours....

...and then it's my turn....

We decided to see how much of Compass Pointe is developed.  See the red part on the lower right hand side?  That's where we are.  See the area way, way to the left, and a bit up with red circles?  That's the golf course...All of the green is undeveloped land owned by Bobby Harrelson, our developer. 

Palm trees and Christmas lights..yep, a Carolina Christmas

The huge fireplace and TV draped by Christmas flowers and presents!!

The Wellness Center..home of the art of Tony Swegle

 

 

Coming soon....a lazy river and indoor pool

 

A blue Christmas tree in the Wellness Center

 

Our Presidents

My favorite!