NC Waterfall Trip - Day 2

Today we continued our adventure in Transylvania NC. We started our day at 6:45 AM with breakfast at the hotel and then make the trek to meet our guide at 8 am. Our guide was Craig Miller and though he was a little bit late for our 8 am meeting he did a great job. We saw between 5 and 8 waterfalls (I'll have to go count later) and all of them were spectacular. Furthermore they were off of the beaten path away from the tourist areas that most people go to see the falls so it was great. Several of them were on private property and we would never have seen them without him.

He was a little chatty so if you don't like he chummy chatty type avoid him, but otherwise I would highly recommend him for anyone coming in to the area wanting to see some falls off the beaten path.

After we left him we went into Brevard NC and wondered around a little bit while heading to lunch. We ate at Dugan's Pub which was recommended by Craig. It was really good even if we did have to hike out of town, down a mountain, to get to it. They had recently moved and we decided to walk... yea not the best idea. That being said at least we got to walk off our heavy food. We both had the bacon cheeseburger and Onion rings -> It was huge and very good.

After dinner we wandered around Brevard a bit more (I bought a picture frame) and then we headed out to Dupont State Park. I can't mention how sleepy I was by this time... My head was falling forward often. We walked down to a waterfall but it wasn't really able to be photographed due to the amount of people swimming underneath it. I really wished i had brought my swimsuit over with me, they looked like they were having fun. By this time it was close to 4 PM and I really needed a potty break - out in the middle of the woods, that isn't too easy to come by. Thus we decided to head back to the hotel and relax a bit ...

We came back and took a nap; which was really needed. We then got up at 7:30 and went to eat Mexican, which was not good at all. We weren't ready to come back to the hotel so we drove around and enjoyed the scenery for an hour or so. The scenery around here is nice and peaceful; beautiful blue mountains, peaceful valleys... We then drove 14 miles to get DQ Ice Cream and came back to the hotel.

So far it is a nice peaceful trip; I'm loving it.

NC Waterfall Trip - Day 1

Today is the first day of our waterfall adventure. That is to say; today is the day we drove to NC. We got to leave a little early because my office closed so we got to avoid most of the traffic :) So we got up here around 6:30 pm and checked in. The hotel is really nice and clean; very nice for the money.

After getting settled we drove down to Hendersonville and looked around the town for food. Most of the restaurants down town seemed expensive and the menu's not too exciting so we decided to be boring and ate at Outback. It was really good :) and much cheaper than Outback in the ATL which was surprising.

After dinner we came back to the hotel and relaxed. It was almost 10 pm and we have a very early day tomorrow. We are going on a private tour to see waterfalls on private land in the area :) I'll let you know how it goes - you know I always do :)

Life Is Life

Life is life there is no real rhyme or reason to why it happens the way it does. Why some people sail and others doggy paddle through it... the reason is unknown. Do I believe that as people we make our lives what it is? Yes, to a degree we can and do choose our own path. However, we don't often times get to choose the roadblocks that we run across along the way. They are put there in my opinion to challenge us, to make us stop and think, to make us grow. Why some peoples roadblocks are harder than others - I don't know. Why some people have mountains to climb and others a pebble to step over I don't know.

What I do know without a doubt is that one person's mountain is another's pebble and one person's pebble is another person's mountain. How a person choose to handle the roadblock often determines if it is a mountain or a pebble. The choice is theirs - let them make it.

On another yet similar note: I can't judge whether another person's life has been hard or easy - life is life! One person may be rich due to inheriting millions, what we may not know is the violence they endured growing up. One person may have very little money yet enjoy a quality of life few of us will ever have. We just don't know. To try and judge a person's life and say "oh they have never endured nothing" or "they have had it easy" is wrong and insulting to the person you are doing it to. You don't know their mind or their hearts or what goes on behind closed doors.

Currently in my life I have drama arising on all sides both in my own home, in my family and in my work environment. Some of it I can control, some of it I have to watch and hear unfold and other parts I can only pray for those enduring it. There is a part of me a very large part that wants to just reach out and fix it but A) I can't and B) If I could those individuals would learn nothing. So I sit and watch and try to keep my mouth shut. It's hard because I disagree with much that is being said and done. In my mind and in my soul I just simply disagree - Biting my tongue has never been my strong suit. I'm trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, but I am trying to stay out of much of it and keep my mouth shut.

10 Years - High School Reunion

Just getting home from my 10 year reunion. I'd have to say it was nice to see everyone... even though the event itself was not what I expected. You walked in and there were dining tables set up to eat at, which is cool. However, there was no alcohol. Mingling generally requires alcohol for many people, especially me. Plus the way it was set up every one seem to come in find a table and sit. Some people were socially comfortable enough to get up and mingle, but most just talked to those at there table.

Some of us went out into the parking lot for some liquid courage, but having not expected to have to do so my hot mixed drink wasn't exactly tasty (we had brought alcohol knowing we were going to a party at a friends afterwards).

So overall it was nice to see everyone, but I wish the setup would have been a bit different; something to encourage mingling. I didn't even really feel comfortable taking pictures -> and you know that's not me!

Picaboo Photo Books - A Review

I'm wanting to get photo books to memorialize our various trips. A way to take the gazillion pictures I take and make them a quick, easy, viewable, life time memory. I found a service by the name of Picaboo that had a pretty easy to use tool and so I decided to turn our AK trip into a book.

I love my ideas, I love the way the layouts look - > the quality of the book is horrible. The pages are super thin, the colors on some of the pages are not solid (can see white shining through the background), and the binding is insanely crappy. These books wouldn't last 6 months much less a lifetime. Also, one of the covers came damaged. One book having issues, but both book having two distinctly different issues - that tells me something about the company.

So I sent them both an online inquiry last night about returning the books due to poor quality. When I didn't get a response acknowledging my inquiry I also sent an email. So today I get a response. I just love this response that I got from TWO PEOPLE one from the email and one from the online posting:

I'm terribly sorry that your photo book arrived in such poor condition. This is extremely uncommon, and I will report this to our production manager right away.

If possible, please take a few digital photographs of the quality issue to verify the nature of the defect, as well as help train our production team for quality assurance purposes.

When you have done this, please attach these images to your reply to this email. As soon as we receive your reply, we will provide you with further information regarding a reprint.

Again, we apologize for your books arriving in such poor quality. We want you to be happy with the products you receive from us and we take full responsibility for the poor quality of this order.

I await your reply containing these photos and sincerely appreciate your patience.

You did notice the "this is extremely uncommon" comment right - If it's so uncommon why do they have canned wording to respond to it. My response is below.

-The pictures are attached. As you can see on the one book there is a noticeable white line around the page that is completely unsatisfactory and the other book’s cover is obviously damaged. I’ve also noticed that on the book that has the cover damage that the glue holding it to the backing is already starting to give way in areas.

- I’m not in interested in a reprint. I want to send them both back to you and get a full refund. I am totally dissatisfied with the condition the books were received in, the quality of the paper they were printed on and the binding method used. These books wouldn’t last a year much less the lifetime I want them to last for my family.

- I’m also very upset at the canned response I received. As I told you in the email below I had also submitted this complaint online. I find it odd that “if this is extremely uncommon” that you and Grace would respond with the exact same email ((I gave ticket #). If it’s so uncommon why develop can wording to respond to it?

Please let me know ASAP what I need to do to facilitate a refund.

Maybe I was too harsh but I don't think so given the price I paid and the quality of these books. Its nutz! Don't use Picaboo! I'm going to try Smilebooks next; have read some pretty good reviews and I like their tool. We shall see.

I struggle

It's 4 am and I'm awake. I should have been asleep hours ago but here I sit, reflecting. My 10 year high school reunion is coming up on Saturday. 10 years - Part of me wonders "has it really been that long" other parts ask "really, it's only been 10 years"

Tonight I pulled out the year books and begin looking at how my life progressed from elementary school thru my senior year. It was an interesting trek down memory lane. As I reviewed the pictures and read the comments that people so willingly make in your annual it caused me to speculate. What choices did I make to get here?

In reading the comments, especially those in the high school year books, I can't help but wonder... Would that person be proud of who I am today? Would they be surprised? Did I live up to their expectations? The answer is grey for most, for some a timid yes and for others a resounding no. In school, at least up until my Senior year, I was super religious. I walked the walk, talked the talk and believed everything I was saying. Fact is I still do believe it (most of it) - just less vocally.

I still wonder though - Did I make a difference? Do I make a difference now? Is the direction my life is going now where I want it to be going? In retrospect, I can say my life now is happy - it's family, pictures and knowing I love and that I am loved! All of which are wonderful things. It's also bills, a seemingly dead end job, desire to make an impact somewhere despite the fact I have no impact left in me to make and the conviction that I should be doing something more.

Where is that conviction stemming from? Is it coming from my boredom at work? My comfy home life ? The fact that things are too good? Or is it God talking to me - telling me that I'm not where I need to be with him. That I'm putting my desires, my wants, my hobbies, my family, ME in front of him.

Matthew says " Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

And thus I struggle. I struggle with the war between living and living in God. They are two very distinct things. I am living! I am experiencing a life that is full of joy, hope and yes worry and disappointments. I know that turning to God and giving my life over to him completely is the way to go, or at least part of me does, the other part struggles with past issues.

All to often we look at our church as a pillar of strength. We view it as unbreakable - my experience tells me differently. I know in my head that a church is made up of people and that people, even good Godly people, make mistakes. I know that emotion is a part of any experience in life and that as people we can let it run us over. I know that a good portion of my last year at my previous church, or maybe even the last two years, was emotion as much as it was real. I know this and yet I struggle to learn from it and forget it. I struggle to walk back into a church without the doubtful thoughts - are they serious, do they believe it or is a show, is she raising her hand in praise or because the others are raising their hand? - going through my head. I know they are people with the same issues that I face every day. I know they have decided, or most of them, to follow God as best they can regardless of their personal issues. Yet still I struggle...

I've decided in the past that I could keep my walk with God and not have a church family to lean on. I've learned I can't. I need the support structure, I need the weekly or bi weekly services to help me stay focused. I can't seem to force myself to find it.

But the other side of me, (And yes I know the dedicated Christians reading this will say "that's the devil trying to confirm your doubts" ) the side that is living in the now says... what do you do that is so wrong? How is your life different now than it was when you were a sophomore in High School? Ok, so you drink every now and then (which by the way no matter how I go I do not believe is wrong as long as it is not done in excess, which I do not do anyway), you cuss (more than I should), you don't go to church and you're not on the best terms with some of your family. You still don't smoke, don't get drunk or even high on a regular basis, you are happily married and faithful, you work every day, you don't gamble and overall you live a safe - legal - pleasing life. Yep that's the other part of me.

I'm not sure which side will win. At this moment I'd love to say "I'm going to try a church on Sunday", but I know when Sunday roles around I'll sleep late and be lazy. I know there is a happy medium between the two lives, one that is both pleasing to God and to myself. I know if I walk in him, all things are possible. I know and yet I struggle.

Alaska Day 8 - Trip Home - ICK

Day 8 – May 29, 2009

We woke up (early cause Mama called thinking we were running late, grrr) and got dressed. They brought us a continental breakfast - not allowed any hot room service on your last day. We ate and headed down to our assigned area to get off the boat. Our flight was at 12 noon and it was 8:35. The Celebrity staff had been paid to see we got to the airport on time, with our luggage. So are in our assigned meeting area and they tell us it’s our turn to leave.

We stand up and get in line and then realize the line to get off the boat is about ½ the length of the ship – why did they tell us to stand up so we could wait in line? Someone please explain this to me?

So we get off the ship and expect to get on a bus that has our luggage already preloaded on it… NO that is not what happened. We get onto the pier and there is the luggage from the entire ship – we are told to find ours! Ok, if you can imagine hundreds of people trying to find their luggage which really isn’t in any order at all and me having problems with crowds on top of all of this? And we have a 12 o’clock flight to catch. I was not happy!

Luckily we found it all and a nice porter did come up and get our bags to the bus for us – if it would have not been for him I’m not sure what we would have done.

So then we get on the bus and the driver is outside making sure everything gets on properly – then we wait to get out of the parking area … which is a nightmare. Then the train stops us. By this time it’s getting close to 10 and I’m freaking.

We get to the airport at 10:05ish and are told we have to wait on the bus while they get the luggage off. As you can imagine that went over like a ton of bricks, but we waited. We finally got off around 10:20 grabbed our bags and rushed to the baggage check in. You’d think since I had my boarding pass already and had already paid the $100 extra bag fee we could just zip up and go. No, they aren’t as organized as Hartsfield and we waited in line for 40 minutes to check our bags. When we got up there 2 were over weight… they only charged us for 1 but that was $90. Overall we paid $290 in baggage fees for the trip – is that not insane?

Anyway we got our bags checked, it was 11:15 and we still had to go thru security. I’m panicking and we are running thru the airport to get to security. The line is long and we wait some more. Luckily it moved quickly and we got to the gate about 11:35 just as they called our zone to board. It was insane and all Celebrity’s fault. There ability to get people in and off that boat is insane. I could not believe the inability to organize and the way we were just basically dumped off of the boat and said here ya go – figure it out!

I would never cruise again anyway as it is simply too relaxed for me. I want to go see the stuff, not drive by it. However, if I did want to cruise again – this disembarkation would have cemented that it would not have been with Celebrity! I have serious panic attacks in crowds and they caused me to have 1 when we got off at Juneau and came close to causing me to have a second when we came home. Not a great way to end a trip – that was for sure. But we got home and are here safe and sound. It was good to get away and even better to see my house and my kitties.

Alaska Day 7

Day 7 – May 28, 2009

We slept extremely late this am getting up around Noon. It is now 1 PM and we are packing the suitcases to put out by the door tonight. We are supposed to arrive at Victoria, British Columbia at 4 pm and are going on one of the excursions. This time tomorrow we will be on a plane.

Our visit to Victoria was really nice. We were given a bus tour of the city and the driver gave us some of the local color as we drove. The town was beautiful – it reminded me of St. Simon’s Georgia. The weather was great and the general atmosphere was just nice. We went and saw Craigdarroch Castle. The woodwork was amazing and it was HUGE! The stain glass was also beautiful… though I’d hate to have been the maid. I can’t imagine cleaning that thing.

On our way back to the ship we passed the museum and the legislative buildings – they were also gorgeous. I wish we would have had more time in port as I would have loved to explore this town some more. But we did not so we went back to the ship and got ready for dinner. It was our last dinner in the dining room and we ate with a nice couple that was too late to eat at their assigned early seating. They were from MS and were really nice although eating w/ strangers did make me a bit nervous. We then went to see the final variety show which was ok … and last but not least we went to bed.

One thing I will say about Celebrity – they treat you pretty good while on board but once it’s time for you to go they are kicking you off the boat w/ no niceness what so ever. They already had robes in the closet for the next guest and sheets sitting out in our room to replace ours the next AM. Our fruit bowl, which I was still eating from, was taken away when he did his evening cleaning. We just felt, or at least I felt rushed. I really came close to putting on the robes just to piss them off.

Alaska Day 6

Day 6 – May 27, 2009

We slept late this AM and didn’t get up until 11 AM. We have just gotten dressed and are now heading out to find some lunch. Hopefully something exciting will happen….

Day 6 – May 27, 2009 Continued

We ate lunch – we had the buffet and after the panic attack I had yesterday getting off the boat (way too many people) the people going each and every direction got to me quickly. Jack ended up getting me a hamburger that I ate part of.

We came back to the room after lunch and read/slept the rest of the day. We got up around 5 PM and went to listen to the band we like on board. Afterwards we came back and visited with Mama for a bit before dinner. All three of us then went to listen to a bit more music and to dinner in the formal dining room. It was formal night and was full of pomp and circumstance – we had a good time, but as always Mama seemed uncomfortable with all the pomp. Maybe it was my imagination… After dinner she went back to the room and Jack and I listened to the band and danced until around midnight. It was a relaxing and slightly boring day.

Alaska Day 5

Day 5 – May 26, 2009

This day started with breakfast in our room as we watched the ship pull into Juneau AK. The town itself was really nothing spectacular (that we saw); just a bunch of tourist shops. The fact it was nestled right between the mountains and the sea was interesting. However, our excursion for the day did not keep us in Juneau. We left the town on bus and drove to a trail that walked you up to a viewing spot for the Mendhall Glacier. We were not as close to it as we were the Hubbard, but it was still neat to see. We of course took lots of pictures and the trail up was relaxing.

Afterwards we boarded the bus and drove down to a pier. Where we boarded what appeared to be a life raft. J Seriously this thing was aluminum and was surrounded by blue inflatable stuff – however we quickly learned it was perfect for what we were doing. We drove out to the middle of the bay and were surrounded by Whales of all types. The sides of the boat unzipped and we were in picture taking heaven. I haven’t looked at any of my shots and we didn’t see any Whales jump out of the water, but they were there making noise and coming up for air. It was pretty cool. We also saw some seals and eagles. It wasn’t the excursion I thought it would be but it was certainly enjoyable.

After 2 hours on the boat we drove back to the dock and headed back into town. We meet a mother and her daughter on the trip. They are from MS but she came up to AK to teach in a rural town for the year. The daughter reminded me of Zoey from Eureka and they were really neat to talk to. We learned a little about their village and how AK life really is for the native Eskimos.

Once back in town we headed to a local restaurant for lunch. Mama had her first crab cake and I had shrimp. It was expensive but pretty good… We then hit a tourist shop for some postcards and headed back to the ship for a nap. You apparently take a lot of those when on a cruise – you would die of boredom otherwise.

We woke up and went to the magician show. I’ve enjoyed all the shows on the boat thus far, but he was corny and not very good. We then were going to go to dinner but no one was really hungry. Mama went to the Casino and Jack and I headed back to the room. We had room service about 2 hours later and went to sleep. Overall a boring evening of sitting and looking at this damn room – yes I’m getting sick of this room. I don’t think cruising is for me… not enough to do! I want to go and see new things on my trip not sit in my room and look outside or go shopping.

Alaska Day 4

Day 4 – May 25, 2009

This morning we got up early and had breakfast in the room. The view was astonishing with the snow capped mountains appearing to float on clouds – I got some shots, but I think they will be washed out w/ the lighting. But I took them. Afterwards we got dressed and explored the ship a bit looking for a good spot to look off the front and/or back of the boat. We found one but man it was freezing with the wind blowing so we didn’t stay long.

We then came back to the room and at this point I will admit the boredom is setting in. I’m used to vacations where you go, go, go and this relaxing while watching the scenery going by is driving me crazy. You can only take so many pictures of mountains. I sit here now and watch the snow capped mountains as we drive by them and can appreciate their beauty – they are impressive – rising out of the sea majestically, but I want to be exploring. The events on the ship are numerous but … I don’t want to play bingo or go to another ballroom class so Jack and I can get mad at each other. I have books and Jack is enjoying his, but the desire to read is non-existent. I want to be going… exploring … seeing something new all the time. Don’t get me wrong – I love the view – it’s amazing! I just want to be more up close and personal. Maybe the glacier viewing this afternoon will cure me of this sudden melancholy.

Off to drum up something to do – chat with you later.

Day 4 – May 25, 2009 Continued

Ok, boredom gone – OMG! We saw Hubbard glacier today and would never have seen it if not on a cruise. We got within one Nautical mile and were near it for a good hour to an hour and ½ of picture taking. The site is breathless! Not to mention the fact our ship was surrounded by chunks of ice – it was actually a little scary. No idea how many pictures I took – hundreds I would imagine. As we drive out of the glacier area now I sit awe struck by the view outside… if you want to feel small and realize the grandness of our earth this is the place to be! Just OMG WOW - This is the definition of majestic.

Just as a side note – Mama and I went to play word trivia earlier – we did pretty well. It was something to do J Time now for rest – I want to dance tonight – Jack get ready for some tequila, hee.

After our nap we went down to see the show with the dancers and singers. It was 50 and 60’s music compiled into a show and it was entertaining. Afterwards Jack and I went to dinner and dancing. We had a good time and got to use some of our ballroom dancing classes. We then called it a night.

Alaska Day 3

Day 3 – 5/24/09

This morning began with breakfast in our room! I love room service – Man I could get used to it!

After Breakfast we disembarked from the Infinity in Ketchikan AK. The town is only accessible by Ship / Rail and its tourist industry was obvious. We did an excursion – Lighthouse, Totems and Eagles. I have to say the money was worth it! I’ll tell you more about it later, but right now I have to get ready for dinner…

Day 3 – 5/24/09 Continued

On the excursion we took a bus to a dock about 30 minutes outside of town. The road to the dock was down a dirt road and I heard several people talk about the fact it needed to be paved. However, in looking around it appears dirt roads are common around here – just goes to show how people constantly want to change things to make it more convenient for them vs. just adapting to what the area already has… the price of progress is steep. But I digress – the bus driver was humorous and had some political commentary that was interesting. Apparently groceries are expensive on the island due to the fact they have to be shipped in… However he said the fish is shipped a total of 2 blocks and its expensive too so I don’t think they can blame it all on shipping cost. It was funnier when he said it I know but since this is for my memory as much as sharing with you … you get the lame jokes along w/ the days events.

Once we got to the dock we boarded a small boat (2 decks) and went out in the water to see some Eagles Nest, Totem Poles and the Lighthouse. I have to say that the excursion wouldn’t have been no where as neat if it wasn’t for the crew of the ship! They really made it. The Captain, Captain Bob, was funny and made the trip interesting. The guy in the galley was nice as you could imagine and had the best eyes – eyes that looked at you and twinkled in delight. I felt welcomed and comfortable the instance I was on board.

We saw 10 Eagle Nest and several bald eagles. At that time I really, really wish I had a 600 MM Lens with a Tripod, but my 300 was able to at least catch the fact that a bald eagle was there. The shots are horrible, but when cropped you can see the bird – however crappy the quality it may be. You do what you can with what you have. There were two ladies on board with a 400 MM ProLine Canon lens – OH MAN I had lens envy…

The Captain told us about houses on the land we were passing and gave us some local color which was nice. We also saw the lighthouse and heard of their plans to turn it into a museum. Ketchikan is also the Totem capital in the world (along with the Salmon) and we got to see several of the totems on the shore and heard some of the stories they told. It was neat, though I kind of wish we would have chosen a tour that would have got us up close and personal… ah well!

One more note about the ship – you got free refreshments and they had this Salmon dip that was out of this world good. I got the recipe and OMG I can’t wait to make it! I’ll eat it all in one sitting, it was great!

After the excursion we were driven back to Ketchikan and walked around the town a bit before we had to be back on board The Infinity. We bought most of the gifts we needed to buy and headed back to the ship. I also got me a few things…spent too much money, but I’m only in Alaska once so screw it.

Once aboard the Infinity we took a long nap and then went to see the Ventriloquist show. He was super funny – I really thought it would be lame, but Mama wanted to go. Looking back I’m very glad we did as he was super entertaining.

After the show Mama went off to explore and Jack and I headed to dinner. We were by ourselves and the appetizers were great. Then the incident happened! I had ordered stuffed flounder… it was garnished with a crawfish. You think … ok … so what. Well the crawfish still had eyes and instantly my appetite was gone. Jack had them take it away and the waiter as nice as he was tried to give me a salmon but I was so done. I think the waiter was laughing at me a little bit… ah well – I can’t eat food that is looking back at me, sorry. We left shortly afterwards and went to roam the nightclubs of the ship.

They have a really good dance band onboard and Jack had a drink so that he would feel comfortable dancing - it instantly went to head which was cute. Unfortunately, by time we got their and Jack had a drink there was only time for 1 dance before they were done… We then meandered and heard some accapella singing and ended up in the Disco area. Some people were dancing, but I was ready to call it a night so we headed back to our room and turned in for the evening.

Alaska Day 2

Day 2 – 5/23/09

We slept till 7:30 AM PST (11:30 EST) and had breakfast in the room, what a treat. The view off the balcony is peaceful with Snow Capped Mountains in the distance. The room itself is roomier than I imagined we would have and we’ve found a spot to put everything; the bed is super comfy! So far we’ve done nothing except participate in the mandatory abandon ship drill, but we are about to go to the Cha-Cha class J See you in a bit!

Well we went to dance Cha-Cha and it was fun/ frustrating. Having taken lessons for a year now it was odd to not be in frame and to not have Jack really leading the dance. I was glad when it was over to be honest. Then we meandered around a bit. We went to the top side and Jack thought I had gotten blown overboard because he turned around and I had walked away – pretty funny! The wind was really brutal. Overall the temperature is colder than I anticipated – they said 50-60 degrees but damn that isn’t what it feels like.

We then ate lunch in the dining room - it was good and fancy, which was a nice change of pace. We ate with 8 other people (Mama was napping) and it was interesting. I’m not typically comfortable with a bunch of strangers but we did alright … they all seemed to be nice people. Especially the lady to my right- she ordered a tea and I a coke… Getting drinks around here that aren’t water or alcohol is a pain. I mean we bought those $30 passes for unlimited soft drinks but getting them at a meal takes an act of Congress. That is really my only complaint about the cruise line thus far…

After lunch we attempted to take a photo editing class, but they wanted Money for it and I can’t see me getting that much out of it so we decided to skip. We walked around a bit and then came back to the hotel to rest before dinner.

Dinner was formal and I wore my black and white ball gown. It was really fun and the food was pretty good – walking down the stairs into the dining area I felt like I was some rich princess in a grand ship; it was surreal and entirely pampering! I loved it. They had several courses and we tried them all – the sherbet to cleanse your pallet would have to be the funniest – man it was bad. Mama and I were having a good time making fun of the pomp and circumstance – while I must say I enjoyed every minute of it.

After dinner Mama went to the room and Jack and I decided to try out the evening show. It was a tribute to Broadway and the theater was beautiful. The performers were very talented – not knowing Broadway we didn’t really get it but it was obvious they were extremely talented, maybe we will enjoy the next show more… By then it was late and while we popped our head into the dance club we ended up coming back to the room and crashing. Overall it was a good relaxing day!

Alaska Day 1

See Mylerna.com Later in the week for pictures!

Below is my journal from our trip. Hope you enjoy!

Day 1 – 5/22/09

Yesterday was a long day. We got up at 5:00 AM EST to catch our early morning flight to Seattle WA. Our flight was good w/ no issues at the airport, but 5 hours in a plane can really take it out of you. Especially when you are stuck in the middle on coach and were tired before you started. To say the least I was a little crumpy.

We arrived in Seattle at 11:30 PST and were met by our Celebrity Staff. I felt a little rushed with the baggage, but we managed to get it handed off to them and loaded onto the bus that would take us to Pier 66. Once we arrived we ate lunch at a restaurant on the pier, fried salmon – YUMMM then checked in for our cruise. We have a concierge class cabin and boy was I grateful, the line to check in for everyone else was a mile long, but we were whisked away to a “special line” and were done in little to no time.

Once done with that we had several hours before the ship would arrive and we could board so we decided, as tired as we were to see the Space Needle. I mean how can you go to Seattle and not see the Space Needle? I’d say we were about a mile from it and we walked to it (uphill). I enjoyed seeing Seattle and love the layout of the city, but we should have taken advantage of their public transportation – live and learn. Anyway, Mama and I went up in the Needle – Jack being afraid of heights stayed on the ground and enjoyed his book. It was neat to see Seattle from that height and worth the walk. We only had a day or really less than that to see this great city so I couldn’t have thought of a better way to do it!

We came down, bought some souvenirs and began our walk back. They had a festival going on so the atmosphere of the area was contagious. It was a happy - no stress time that was enjoyed by all. However, all of us, especially Mama were tired by this point and just wanted to get back to the VIP room and sit down while we waited for the ship.

We strolled back and went to the VIP room where we sat and waited for the Infinity to arrive. It arrived a couple hours later and boy was it huge! I mean WOW a small city.

Once it docked we were allowed to board early due to the Concierge Class and thank the Lord because we were tired. We came to our room and then went to the buffet dinner. We were done eating and people were still boarding – felt sorry for them. Afterwards we came back and crashed! Tiring start to the trip but we got to see Seattle and now have a day of rest.

Charlotte - Day 2

Wow, today has been a long day. It actually makes yesterday look short. I think it's the sleep or lack their of catching up with me. Last night I went to bed at 12:30 and got up at 6:30 with some mild interruptions there in. That put together with 8 hours in a class room and another 2.5 having dinner with company people = one long ass day!

Tomorrow luckily training is only 1/2 a day and then we head back to Atlanta. Hopefully with all luggage in tow (sorry Steve just had to :) ). I'm hoping we are back in town by 6 (maybe earlier) which will be nice. I have some stuff still to do before we leave Friday + American Idol is recorded and waiting for me to watch :) I CAN'T WAIT. I'm so addicted.

Time for sleep, yes I'm old - it's only 10pm! Good night blogland.

Crazy Week - One Day Closer to Alaska

This week is going to be a little nutz. I worked today, had a big client meeting at 2pm and left immediately after for a training class in Charlotte NC. We get back into Atlanta Wednesday evening... I work Thursday and we fly out for our Alaskan cruise on Friday Morning at 8:45... Yep an insane week!

The good news is I'm pretty much packed for Alaska. A few odds and ends, but pretty much it's a go. Which is good cause there is no way I could pull it together Wed and Thur night - I would be insane! Man I can't wait! We are actually going to get to see Seattle a bit on Friday too which is cool.

But until Friday it is a work week and so far it's going well. My friend Steve and I both are in the class so we got to commute together which was fun. A 4 hour drive (well 6 if you count the leaving luggage mishap) doesn't seem so long when you've got good conversation going! Now I'm sitting here in Charlotte staring at the hotel room my company has provided. It's actually pretty nice considering. The bed is super comfy and it has a nice work area + a kitchen. Not that I'll be cooking but still... It's nice. Plus it's clean which is a big plus!

However, it's midnight and I must get some sleep (didn't get to sleep last night till 3 am) so I'm pretty beat and tomorrow is going to be a long day! Have a good one blogland.

Too Many Fracking Pictures

I have come to the realization that I take too many fracking pictures. I was sorting thru and rating my pictures from our Savannah trip and it just hit me. Do I need 5 shots of the same thing, I mean seriously?

The photographer in me shouts:

"HELL YES you need them. You take 100 to get that one perfect shot"

but then the pragmatist in me says:

"yes, you would need them if you changed the angle or messed with the settings on the camera or did anything different between the shots but you take at least two "just to be safe"! You have a digital camera idiot - look at it. "

So I'm going to try and begin to really think about the quality of the shot vs. just shooting multiple times and hoping for a victory. I know I know - it's not why I shoot. I shoot to have fun and to find that perfect picture thru my viewfinder, but the chance of me finding it will increase if I don't spend 2 hours going thru 400 pictures for a 1.5 day trip. That being said... Alaska is coming up - no telling how many pictures that will end up with.

Life is Life

Life is life, you either love it and deal with it or you just deal with. Right now I'm at dealing.

Mastectomy Law Change

I'm not normally an "involved person", but I can't sit back and watch insurance companies try to dictate patient care; especially in the case of women having a Mastectomy - Out Patient Care, are you kidding? Please sign the petition today. See the email I received below:

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Mastectomy Law Change

(written by a surgeon);

I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the
insurance companies.

So there I sat with my patient giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank you' they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an
outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

This Mastectomy Bill is in Congress now. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it really quick! The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is important legislation for all women.


There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a
few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support.. Last year over half the House
signed on. PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

Savannah - Wrap Up

Well, we are now home from our trip to Savannah and I must say it is nice to be here. That being said we did have a nice, relaxing time. I think Hapaw really enjoyed it as well; which was the entire point.

We stared the day at the Continental Breakfast - which was pretty good for free :) I still stand by my earlier blog on the hotel; it was really a nice hotel and the bed rocked. OMG I want that mattress in my home! But I digress; after breakfast we ran by KMart so I could buy a sweater; with the wind it was pretty chilly. Instead I bought me a nice coat that I'll wear a bunch :) Then we went to the visitors center in Savannah.

We walked from the Visitors Center down to Colonial Cemetery which is several blocks away. We stopped at St. Michael's (or Johns) Cathedral on the way. It was so pretty on the inside; I really hope my pictures turned out well. We then continued our leisurely walk down to the cemetery. Once we go there we realized it wasn't the one Hapaw had wanted to see so we walked around a bit more and then headed out for food.

We walked several blocks to Mellow Mushroom and had lunch. The walk was leisurely and I of course took tons of pictures. After lunch we headed back to the visitors center and took a drive out to Bonaventure Cemetery. Hapaw wanted to see it and I have to admit it was beautiful and eerie. With the old oak trees with the moss hanging out of them + the old tombstones.... It is certainly something worth seeing. We took some more pictures and then headed back to Atlanta.

It wasn't a long trip and we certainly didn't even begin to see Savannah, but it was what she wanted and we enjoyed it. In the end that is all that counts, right?

Till next time - Have a blessed evening blogland!

Savannah - Evening 1

Well, I''m here sitting in my comfy hotel room relaxing ... We went to dinner at Bernie's down on the Savannah riverfront. Not one I recommend... our food was good, but not good enough to match the prices. $14 shrimp basket I expect alot of shrimp and I expect them be killer; instead we got some shrimp that are pretty good and fries that tasted like they were poured out of the frozen food bag. The atmosphere was loud and barish (not good when w/ older people who can't hear well); but it was food and I was hungry.

I could have walked on the river front for a while after dinner and enjoyed the atmosphere, but the temperature dropped drastically when it got dark and none of us were dressed for it so we came back to the hotel. However, when we were helping Hapaw in the car a man made and gave her one of the straw roses. He spoke very nicely about her being blessed to live so long and that she was a rose. I'm not really doing it justice here, but it was sweet, well spoken and she loved it. Probably made her day! I know it would have mine.

Now we are back at the hotel and I'm telling you about our adventure thus far. It is probably a good thing we are at the hotel - we need to get some rest anyway - Hapaw gets tired easy and I want her to enjoy exploring tomorrow. We brought her wheel chair so that should help some.

We are only staying the one night so tomorrow I will be blogging the rest of the trip from my own home. You know I love to travel... If I had my dream job it would be a nature photographer for the National Geographic, but this weekend I really wouldn't mind being at home playing Evercrack II. Horrible I know -- Tomorrow will be fun though; if not I'll fake it till it is :) Fake it till you make it!

Good Night Blogland

Savannah - We are Here

We decided to take a weekend stroll to Savannah with Mama and Jack's grandmother, Hapaw. We arrived at the hotel about an 20 minutes ago and are 'resting' before going out to dinner. When traveling w/ the elderly resting is a requirement. Unfortunately it also equals sitting in a hotel room board and facebook is apparently down - so you all get to hear me ramble on about nothing.

We are staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites. I'm not sure I've ever stayed at one before and I must say I'm impressed thus far. It wasn't expensive and the rooms are clean, spacious and bright! All good signs, plus the bed seems really comfy!

On a completely different topic we are having dinner next week with an friend of mine from high school. I haven't seen him in ... well at least 11 years, maybe 12. I'm looking forward to it and my brief conversation with him today reminded me of why we were friends, but at the same time I'm nervous.... People change alot in 11 years. Lord knows I have - Man 11 year's ago I was the super "Christian" Girl at school. The one nobody really cared for cause I was so vocal in my beliefs and well let's face it I was never "popular material", now I'm ... I'm just me. The girl who cusses worse than most sailors; has a drink when she feels like it and generally just lives her life. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a christian and I still try to live my life with a certain degree of responsibility, but the fanatic is gone and Thank the Lord for that.

Will he like the me that exist now? Will we still have things in common, will the conversation flow or be full of awkward silences? You know general worries that will disappear the minute we start talking.

I'll let you know how it goes. For now I'm signing off - dinner awaits. Have a great weekend blogland.

Mood

I'm in a mood! Not sure what it is; melancholy, irritable, reflective, combination thereof? Who knows... Here are my symptoms (cause I know your dying to know):

• Little things are irritating me royally! I mean little things like Jack chewing too loud, telling me where to go inside the EQII game and well generally everything.
• I want to stay home and not go anywhere while at the same time I want to be out having a nice dinner and dancing...
• I am reflective - Find myself reading old blogs, thinking on my life and how I got here, etc...
  

Anyone have a diagnosis? I'm thinking I'm just crazy... yep that sums it up; Mylerna the crazy.

On another note I was reading a comment from my blog in 2007 from a friend from high school and my response. She works for a non-profit relief organization now and is spreading the Word of Christ around the world. I can't say how proud I am of her for making a difference and how honored I am of any minute impact I may have made. I need to start living my life in such a way that I can once again say I stand for something! So that I am not just meandering thru this existence with no real purpose in life. What will the world remember about me when I am gone? What will I have done to make an impact? Is what I am doing pleasing to the one that created me? These are the big questions and while I don't know the answers I'm closer to wanting to figure it out.

Knowing

We just got back from the movie "Knowing" and while I can't say it's my favorite movie of all time it did cause me to think. To think about what will happen when the "end" comes. Where will I be? What will I be doing? Will I be right with my maker? You know the big questions...

The movie itself was suspenseful, scary at times and well done. It's not one of those movies you watch more than once and it's not a movie you watch when you want to be in a happy mood but it was good.

Recommend it on a reflective night!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Hooked on Idol

Ok, yes I'm hooked on Idol - sad, I know but still.. I'm hooked.

Here's my ranking thus far :)

1) ADAM - OMG. He is beyond original. Last week... I agreed with the new judge. It left me "confused but happy". This week it was just stunningly great! Dear Lord, boy got some vocals. As good as Melinda Doolittle's "Funny Valentine"

2) ALLISON - Girl got some serious chops! I love her gravel. Just love her sound; girl has some serious chops.

3) DANNY - Man is all heart and it shows... His voice is incredible and his presence is infectious.

4) LIL - She has one of the most powerful voices. Not her strongest performance, but she will be around a while. Love her personality.

5) KRIS - Has a good voice and is interesting. He's not my favorite but he has career no doubt.

6) ANOOP - Has really grown on me. His voice is pure... the man has some serious vocals.

7) MATT - He sounds good... has a bluesy sound but not my favorite. Just don't like his stage presence very much.

8) MICHAEL - Forgettable, but good. Love his comebacks to Simon. Want him to stay around if for nothing more than that.

9) SCOTT - Yes, he is blind and yes he is sweet. I think he has some talent, but he isn't the next Idol.

10) MEGAN - Please go home... I wanted her gone weeks ago! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GO AWAY.

House Projects Suck

Yep, we had our list. Lord knows I hate home projects... read about the horror below. I'm telling you I don't think the #1 cause of most marital fights is money - I think it's home projects....

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This Weekend - Get Ready For Inspector (we are refinancing our home, interest rate almost a full point lower)!

Mama's Apartment

1. Rug/Tile Join - Fix (Jack) - Jack did this but hated it. Screws wouldn't go into concrete; he finally got it done but he was pissed before it was over.
   
2. Shampoo Carpet (Jack) - No Clue if he's done this or not... Afraid to ask.
   
3. Trim in Kitchen (Jack) - He's working on it now...
   

Main Floor

1. Fill in nail holes from previous owners (Mylerna) - DONE
   
2. Touch up paint (Mylerna) - Not done, can't find matches... Yep the paint in the garage has broken down and is no longer the same color so I have white patches everywhere and no paint to cover it up with. Took a piece off of wall to Lowe's but nooo it wasn't big enough to match so we came home and got a bigger piece. Haven't taken it up there yet... Very irritating. Furthermore, when I was stirring one of the cans of paint a hole was punched in bottom so our garage floor has paint all over.
   
3. Kilz Ceiling & Paint (Mylerna) - Don't have heart to try this yet. I could Kilz it but then what if the paint doesn't match... how do a I cut a hole in the ceiling to get a paint sample? grr.
   

Upstairs

1. Clean, Clean, Clean -Yea, right...
   
2. Finish Decor in Master Bedroom (Mylerna) - Was I joking?
   
3. Clean Some More - Seriously what was I thinking?
   
4. Change Lightbulb in Bathroom - Let it stay blowed, who gives a crap?
   
5. Put Media Center Back together (Jack) - Yea... he might beat it with a hammer at this rate.
   

Shopping

Lowes - DONE

• Foot Sliders for Barstools - DONE
• Door Stop for Back Door - DONE
• Trim For Mama's Kitchen - ADDED - DONE
  
• Joiner for Mama's Carpet ADDED - DONE
  

Grocery Shopping - We will just have to starve

General Items around House

1. Stand up Smoker Stand -LOL, yea it will be there in 2015
   
2. Fix Outside Bricks - They are find laying on ground, who cares?
   

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Later Items - will probably never happen... I just don't care anymore.

1. Paint Around Front Door Handle/Fix Front Door Handle (Jack)
2. Clean up Garage
   
3. Finish Red Room
4. Finish Yellow Room
5. Wash Base Boards - Before May is my goal
6. Wash Windows - Before May is my goal
7. Mop - Soon
8. Buy Stand Up Freezer - DONE
   
9. Go Shopping at Meat Market
10. Talk Mama in to growing some veggies
11. Finish Budget / Spend Less

List Progress

It's Saturday.. I'm supposed to be working on my list... yep supposed to be chugging away. Progress is slow, see below for details (I know it's sad).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Weekend - Get Ready For Inspector (we are refinancing our home, interest rate almost a full point lower)!

Mama's Apartment

1. Rug/Tile Join - Fix (Jack)
2. Shampoo Carpet (Jack)
3. Trim in Kitchen (Jack)

Main Floor

1. Fill in nail holes from previous owners (Mylerna)
   
2. Touch up paint (Mylerna)
3. Kilz Ceiling & Paint (Mylerna)

Upstairs

1. Clean, Clean, Clean
2. Finish Decor in Master Bedroom (Mylerna)
   
3. Clean Some More
4. Change Lightbulb in Bathroom
5. Put Media Center Back together (Jack)

Shopping

Lowes - DONE

• Foot Sliders for Barstools - DONE
• Door Stop for Back Door - DONE
• Trim For Mama's Kitchen - ADDED - DONE
  
• Joiner for Mama's Carpet ADDED - DONE
  

Grocery Shopping

General Items around House

1. Stand up Smoker Stand
2. Fix Outside Bricks

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Later Items:

1. Paint Around Front Door Handle/Fix Front Door Handle (Jack)
2. Clean up Garage
   
3. Finish Red Room
4. Finish Yellow Room
5. Wash Base Boards - Before May is my goal
6. Wash Windows - Before May is my goal
7. Mop - Soon
8. Buy Stand Up Freezer - DONE
   
9. Go Shopping at Meat Market
10. Talk Mama in to growing some veggies
11. Finish Budget / Spend Less

Tax Return

Ok, so when is the last time you read something good about the IRS? Well here goes... We filed our taxes less than a week ago and our return is sitting in our account! I mean... do you remember the days of 8 to 10 weeks and you get your may get your check in the mail??? Not anymore... less than a week!

Yea I know technology has come along way, but geesh! Go IRS! Love you for about 10 seconds... or until I see the next deduction in my paycheck.

List / Lots of List

I sit here tonight with list on my mind, list of what I need to do, what I need to buy, what I need to budget for... etc... Maybe it is the new weather, the birds singing or the fact that the sun is up past 5 pm, but I'm in the mood to make my list and get them done. So here is what I have so far.

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This Weekend - Get Ready For Inspector (we are refinancing our home, interest rate almost a full point lower)!

Mama's Apartment

1. Rug/Tile Join - Fix (Jack)
2. Shampoo Carpet (Jack)
3. Trim in Kitchen (Jack)

Main Floor

1. Fill in nail holes from previous owners (Mylerna)
   
2. Touch up paint (Mylerna)
3. Kilz Ceiling & Paint (Mylerna)

Upstairs

1. Clean, Clean, Clean
2. Finish Decor in Master Bedroom (Mylerna)
   
3. Clean Some More
4. Change Lightbulb in Bathroom
5. Put Media Center Back together (Jack)

Shopping

Lowes

• Foot Sliders for Barstools
• Door Stop for Back Door

Grocery Shopping

General Items around House

1. Stand up Smoker Stand
2. Fix Outside Bricks

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Later Items:

1. Paint Around Front Door Handle/Fix Front Door Handle (Jack)
2. Clean up Garage
   
3. Finish Red Room
4. Finish Yellow Room
5. Wash Base Boards - Before May is my goal
6. Wash Windows - Before May is my goal
7. Mop - Soon
8. Buy Stand Up Freezer
9. Go Shopping at Meat Market
10. Talk Mama in to growing some veggies
11. Finish Budget / Spend Less

So that is my list to date... Feels good to have a list. What I do with it is another question :)

Pensacola - Continued 2-13-09

Ok, so now to finish giving a summary of our Vacation day in Pensacola - 2/13/09

We woke up in our cheap, Ramada, hotel room and were happy. I slept like a brick... we then ate the free breakfast which was nothing to write home about, but hey it was free! Then we set off to explore more of Pensacola.

First we went onto the Navy Base and set about to explore the several tourist items available. First was the Aviation Museum. Planes, planes and more planes. We took a trolley ride back behind the building and saw all the large planes and several retired blue angel planes. There were planes taking off and boy were they loud! It was quite fun; our tour guide was an overly opinionated retired man who used to drive the Goodyear blimp. After our trolley ride we began to walk thru the museum; it was pretty interesting. I watched a Bob Hope USO video which was funny and Jack took a ride in a flight simulator. He seemed to really enjoy it.

We then ate a cheap lunch at the museum and left to see the light house. It is an active light house that was neat to look at; I of course took lots of pictures. We then proceeded to Fort Barrancas, which is also on the base. It was neat to explore; of course when you've seen one fort you've seen them all but it was a fun outing. One thing I noticed that was pretty neat were the arches in the fort along the wall. It was pretty cool. The fort also had a fairly interesting history with several flags flying over it through the course of history. I made a crappy joke about wondering if the fort had figured out it's nationality yet... The guy at the gift shop of the fort was really nice and we talked about photography and the sunlight on the base.

Once we left the fort we went to the Historic Pensacola Village which was ok. It was neat to see the old buildings and the church was beautiful! We only went into a few of the buildings; the commerce museum was the coolest. The inside of the commerce museum was an old street scene with stores set up like they would be in the late 1800's thru the 1920's. It was pretty cool. We then went to the Museum of Industry which archived the history of Pensacola's industry with brick making, lumber yards and fishing. It was pretty cool what they have done and the houses in the area were beautiful.

We then headed back to the hotel. We stopped at Krispy Cream for a relaxing desert and coffee. The doughnuts were good; the coffee not so great, but I'm fairly picky about my coffee. After we ate are doughnuts we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the evening. We chilled for a bit and then got dressed. We went to eat at Skopelos it was really really good! The food was delicious, the atmosphere relaxing while still being romantic. I had the crab cake and lobster tail. The crab cake was great though I have had better and the lobster was good. It was my first time having lobster so I have nothing to compare it to but it was good. The steak Jack had was OMG good! I can't even begin to describe it to you; lets just say that I wish I would have gone for the beef. We then had fudge brownie pie and ice cream; which was great.

After eating dinner we headed back to the hotel for a romantic evening. Tomorrow we head home.

Pensacola - Our Journey 2-11-09 Thru 2-13-09

Attendees: Jack & Lisa

General:

We took this trip to get away; to escape our everyday life if only for a few days. It was as much an escape as it was a celebration of Valentine's Day and our Anniversary (4 Years Aug 2009).

2/11/09
We left home and traveled down. It was an uneventful trip with only a few spurts of conversation here and their. We arrived at the Crown Plaza around 1 am. The hotel was exceptionally nice, but expensive $145 a night. When booking it I expected a view; we found it to be between 2 interstates w/ a brief glimpse of the bay. The bed however was heaven; like laying in a cloud... OMG it felt so good after the long drive. We slept like a dream; well except for the trains that came thru on multiple occasions. Apparently part of the hotel used to be an old train depot and trains still run. A tidbit I did not notice when booking the room.

2/12/09
We woke up after a fairly decent night sleep and laid around a bit. I got a nice hot bath while Jack surfed the net and generally relaxed. We looked at other hotels in the area and decided to move to the Ramada which was only $70 a night and also did not have a view. So we packed up and check out. Good bye luxury. We ate breakfast at the Waffle House where everyone was really nice and seemed to know each other. Then we headed out to explore.

We drove a bit and got a sense of the place and then we stopped at the Visitors Center. It was right on the water with a trail for bird watching. Several pelicans were hanging out and we enjoyed watching them dive bomb for food. The day could not have been prettier with it's blue skies! We then drove down to the Pensacola beach and the National Seashore. The sand was so white it looked like snow. We saw crabs of various sizes in the wild, fishes jumping out of the water to grab the insects on tip and of course birds. There was one stork in particular that was enjoying standing and looking out over the water. We laid on the sand beach on the bay side (the ocean side was within walking distance and we did walk it a bit as well) and enjoyed the sun on our face and the quietly lapping water hitting the shore. I almost fell asleep it was so peaceful. We then ate lunch at Hemingway's. A very nice restaurant with a great view. It was expensive but luckily they had a lunch menu; Jack had ribs which were apparently good and and I had shrimp Alfredo dish that was great! We then shared a key lime pie; me not a big fan of key lime pie but Jack seemed to think it was heavenly.

We then took the scenic drive up to the Ramada Hotel and checked in. It certainly isn't the luxury of the Crown, but the room seemed clean and he staff were only semi incompetent. We checked in and I took a much needed nap. Well 1/2 of a nap - couldn't really get to sleep. Jack watched tv and surfed the net. We then decided to go grab some dinner to end our day. We decided to go to Flounders, but on our way out the door Jack checked and email from work that caused a little bit of stress; well alot. So the real world invaded our cocoon and the evening seemed to have a shadow on it for the rest of it....

On the way out to dinner we stopped at a park that has a board walk down to the beach. It was dusky and generally a relaxing walk... or would have been otherwise. We then drove to Flounders for dinner... The food was ok, the service ok - the food expensive. We spent roughly $50 and I didn't eat 2/3 of my plate; it just wasn't that great... Live and learn. We then came back to the hotel and called it a good day!

2/13/09 - Will update this later as I've got to get ready for my V-Day Dinner; Here comes Sexy Lisa :) HEE

25 Random Things

From Facebook - 25 Random Facts about me.

1) I love tv/movies /etc... any good story and I can escape my life for a short period of time. Love IT

2) I get easily addicted to games like EQII - I'm playing again now, but I'm guarding my life from EQ II addiction though by limiting our playing time.

3) I'm not a primpy person...I hate spending time on my apperance, but love looking good -Go figure

4) I'm not dedicated to any hobby. Several things I enjoy but there is no passion to learn/expand/etc..

5) Photography is one of my biggest hobbies. I don't research how do to it better and have no desire to learn how to do the light tricks etc... but enjoy finding the perfect shot and taking it. I take tons of pictures,800 in one day while I was in Scotland. Over 80 GB of pictures on my hard drive.

6) I love to travel, but hate to read about where I'm going,etc... I just want to go see and explore.

7) I can't multi task very well...

8) I have an MBA and am generally a smart person, but I don't care to learn... I am thinking about going back for my law degree, but I'm not sure I have the dedication for 3 more years. I'd be going for the degree / money it would bring only, not the knowledge - is that the right reason to go?

9) I plan everything - My vacations are generally mapped out 2 years in advance. May is Alaska, Grand Canyon is October, Washington DC and maybe Niagara Falls are 2010, Europe in 2011.

10) My husband is 100 times smarter than me - I do my best to keep up and seem intelligent but... most the time I fail and he has to teach me and/or do it for me. It frustrates him I don't get it as quickly, though he won't admit it.

11) If I had to do over again I would have explored my career options more.

12) I have no real favorite food - I like strawberry shortcake (especially from Maggianos), I like cabbage (cooked), fried okra and Olive Garden's shrimp dish, but I have no OMG that's just my favorite.

13) I generally am not passionate about everything but put off the illusion of being passionate about lots of things, how I don't know... I guess my opinions come out in a passionate nature.

14) I love my kittes and wouldn't trade them for anything.

15) I'm very silly when it's just Jack and Me. I'm really 3 people: Lisa at work, Lisa around friends/family and Lisa at home with Jack. I don't know why but they are distinctly different - just ask Jack.

16) My husband and my Ex husband were once friends.

17) I want to have a child and home school my children - I don't want to work for a living, but I'm not sure we will ever be financially stable enough for me to do that.

18) I'm generally lonely - I wish I was one of those people surrounded by friends, but well I'm not. I can't generate the BS conversation required to get to know people so developing friendships is hard. Plus I'm not one of those people that draw people to me... Neither is my hubby. We have a few good solid friends and are appreciative of them...

19) I am generally pessimistic...

20) Save the Last Dance is my favorite Move

21) Nora Roberts is my favorite author.

22) My mother is my best friend.

23) I like to play board/card games.. wish I had some more people to play with

24) I take alot of things personally I shouldn't. I get defensive quick.... I hate that about myself.

25) I am competitive in nature.

Good Bye 2008 - Hello 2009

2009 is officially here! It is 2:32 am and I sit here looking at pictures and reflecting on past years. What we did, why and etc... So how did 08 go?

2008 – What can I say! It was a year challenge and a year of great change.

First of all we can’t ignore the fact that the country spiraled into a recession the likes of which I have never seen. A mortgage crisis has hit the nation like a tidal wave with hundreds of thousands losing their jobs and home. And gas prices soared to over $4 a gallon.

On a more personal level Jack and I had a good year in our marriage, but it was a challenging year. One where we fought and made up, where we compromised and learned, one where I believe ultimately we grew as a couple. It was also the year we bought a house with a basement apartment for my mother and moved to Mableton. Having her live with us is something I'm glad we did and I love it - however, it has been an adjustment. One we will continue to make in 2009 I'm sure.

Professional it has been tough. The company I work for was on the verge of bankruptcy and was eventually acquired by another larger company. Staffing has been difficult and management has been worse. It may be time for a change - only time can tell.

2008 - Overall a good year, but challenging to say the least. Here's hoping 2009 is better.

Christmas Eve 2008

Its Christmas Eve 2008. Another year is almost over and its time to begin reflecting. Jack and I have family plans with his family tomorrow and my family and I are on ... well we still speaking to a degree. By family I do not include my mother who I have a great relationship with, but rather my brothers who are... my brothers.

What does that say? That on Christmas I can't set aside the anger and be with family? What does it say that Jack and I decided not to exchange gifts and on Christmas eve we sit here and mess around on computers while not acknowledging that it's a special night and we should be celebrating it.

I don't know what it says but I'm going to reflect and figure it out. In the meantime I wish you and yours a great holiday! Merry Christmas, may God bless you in the upcoming year.

Time Flies

Wow, time flies whether you want it to or not. Just yesterday I feel like I graduated High School and began this roll-a-coaster called 'adult life'. Now my 10 year reunion is coming up and I'm wondering where it all went.

I signed up for Facebook the other day. A cool site I recommend to anyone, but I digress... I signed up and was reminded that I haven't blogged in oh, forever! Do you miss me? Probably not, but that's ok. I miss you... I miss my random thoughts going out into the cyber void to be archived for the world to see. I miss the sharing of my life. So why not blog you ask??? Well, the truth is I have no life. I come home, I go to work, I eat with Mama/Jack, I go dancing, I come home, I have dinner with Hapaw, etc... Nothing exciting, no earth shattering discoveries, no moments of clarity - Just the mundane task that make up my life. Pleasant for me, yes - but entertaining for blogland - probably not.

Thus, I will write occasionally as thoughts pop into my head but for the most part I will exist and try to be happy that I do .

More Pictures to come to www.mylerna.com soon.

Love you - I'll be in touch - Eventually.

Where Have I Been

I changed my reading of blogs and now have "google reader" or my homepage. However, I realize now that by doing that I no longer go to my own blog to see my fav blogs and therefore haven't updated my own. I would think about it occasionally but never did it. Go figure - have you missed me?

Probably not... But that's ok. I still love you.

What is going on here??? Let me see

1. Work
2. Work
3. Work
4. Jack - Love of my Life
5. Ballroom Dancing
6. Still Boxes to be unpacked- they mock me daily... I just turn the other cheek
7. Tons of household projects.
8. Work

Yep that about sums it up. More to follow later... will try to post more and will log on soon to give a more in depth review of Mylerna's world.

Hickory, NC

We are on our way back from Hickory NC. We drove up there with Steve and Leo to purchase some furniture. The word on the street is that the furniture is extremely affordable.

Here is what my thoughts are on the subject:

- We got everything we wanted and just went a little over our budget. The prices were lower than some retailers, but not as low as I thought they would be given the reputation the place has.

- We bought all of our furniture at the Catawba Mall vs. the Furniture Mart. The Furniture Mart was very overpriced! I take that back, we did buy one piece in the clearance store of Boyles, but it has scratches which was the only reason it was affordable.

- The people in the stores appear to be paid an hourly salary vs. commission. Which is normally a good thing because you don't get high pressure salesmen. However, in this instance we found that we got mediocre service... There were some exceptions, and we bought our furniture from those exceptions, but I didn't get the feeling that the malls really wanted or needed our business. Let me give you some examples:

• The Catawba Mall is owned all by one company, except for Ashley Furniture. Steve and Leo purchased a bedroom suite from one lady at Flexsteel, and she was very sweet. She told them that if they bought any other piece in the mall they could just add it to the account they had set up. The went to the Kathy Ireland Store, owned by the same company, and wanted a mirror. The store manager called the lady at Flexsteel (I was sitting at Flexsteel making a purchase) and had a fit because the mirror wasn't enough money and she was mad because she had to write up a ticket on it. The mirror cost over $250... I mean come on, it's 1/2 a sheet of paper.
  
• I had a problem with the same lady at Kathy Ireland. Yesterday she was super sweet because I was looking at several pieces. However, I found some more I liked better. Thus, today when I went to make the purchase I only purchased the entertainment center and the dining room set. A purchase of over $2,000. The minute she found out I wasn't buying all the pieces she showed me, which only included 2 additional items, she got pissy. Then when I informed her we would let Ashley Furniture's 3rd party handle the shipping she really go bitchy. Keep in mind that this is a 3rd party shipper, they all use 3rd party shippers, and nothing off her bottom line. Instead of saying thank you for your business I was almost upset I gave her my money.
• Yesterday we went to Ashley Furniture and Jack was taking a picture of a chair. We took pictures in all the stores because we were seeing so much that it is hard to remember from one to the next. Some little shitty salesman came over and got on to him and we left. We came very close to not coming back. The only reason we did is because they were open earlier than the other stores today and because we reasoned that it was just him. Granted today we got excellent service in that store... better than the other stores combined. I made sure to tell the manager about my service yesterday and to tell her what a good job the lady did today. But it's just one more issue that we had...
• We went to the Furniture Mart yesterday and walked thru the entire thing. I went upstairs and was looking at a trundle bed and asked the price. At these malls you can haggle a bit and get the pricing down. I told her that JC Penny had a bed very similar that was less and asked her if she could meet the price. JC Penny did have a bed we really liked - she got bitchy with me for telling her that her pricing wasn't low enough. COME ON its your job. WTF!

Overall though we are very happy with our purchases and the cost. I got most of my stuff at the Ashley Store and I believe we are going to love it. Glad we went back in.

We stayed at The Jamison hotel and the price was reasonable and it was clean. However, we booked it thru Expedia. When we first got there the stupid woman, who was apparently the assistant manager, and she couldn't figure out why we only had two reservations vs. three. It was extremely annoying. Glad Leo handled it vs. me = Super Bitch would have emerged.

Then this morning, check out was at 11. We get a call at 10:15 wanting to know if we had checked out yet. It was almost like we wer getting chased out of the room... I felt it to be very rude and I won't go back. So if you go to Hickory don't go to the Jamison

Just wanted to give you guys a review in case you want to go get some furniture. Have a good night guy!