Speech

At work we are moving to a new system, our entire command will be changing over. I am one of the trainers to help train approximately 150 people. TodayI find out I must attend all these "Train the Trainer" classes. Which will entail traveling to Charleston two weeks in July...whhhhooooo it will be hot then! But the best part was they told me I must take a two day class next week and I have to give a 5 minute presentation! OH MY GOSH...five minutes in front of about 20-25 people! I am so nervous...already! Apparently the man, Dale, that teaches this class is great and everyone says you will feel more comfortable once you take his class. But standing up and talking...ouch...can I do it? Well yes I have too! Just that standing there and seeing all those eyes looking back at you....40 eyes...remember the old saying...imagine them in their underwear...well I will have to find the best looking man in the group and then imagine him in his underwear..:) then I really will get my thoughts all messed up! I don't have any trouble sitting at a table or in a room and telling people what to do. That's me, tell people what to do! But standing up in front of everyone...I am scared! So on my way home I started thinking about what I would talk about ...see I have been thinking about it all day! Many things came to mind, basket weaving, REACH (literacy program), PTA, Navy Wife, Breast Cancer and about 10 other things. I think at the moment REACH will be my topic. "I have been volunteering with REACH for over 10 years"...see that is how my presentation will start. OK, now take a deep breath and one more.....OK, I'm better now. I'll keep you posted on the speech and say a little prayer that I don't faint! :)

Oh by the way...how do you like my new hair cut???

Trip to California

I promised pictures from California, so here you go......

Looking down the street on the way to the Anaheim Convention Center

This is a shot off the top of the Convention Center(above)
Bird of Paradise...isn't it beautiful!!! (below)

Granddog-Leo

An update on the cutest Granddog ever! Leo...now weighing in at a whopping 4 lbs. He is a complete wild and crazy dog. He terrorizes Jackson, our 12 lb. black Lab. Leo runs around the house, the yard, Jackson and everywhere! Little dog high on something? Life? He is just the cutest. I (we, hubby and I) have fallen in love with this cute little ball of fur. I love being a Grandma to the four legged breed!

This is how most of my pictures turned out...Leo running away!

Our beautiful daughter #1 with her four legged baby! Aren't they beautiful?

Motorcycling

One of my most favorite things to do with the hubby is to ride on the motorcycle. Since we met hubby has owned a bike. Over our 30 years together, he's had many, many bikes. Right now we have two. Yes, two. We have a Harley that I will not ride on (it's old and has a very, very little seat, I think my behind is too big! ) and a BMW that has a wonderful back seat for me. And yes BMW does make motorcycles! We get that question at many a stop light. We love to take the bike anywhere for a weekend. It is so refreshing to ride with the wind in your face and the only thing you hear is the wind rushing by! On Saturday we went to the Outer Banks of NC, it was the annual Bike Week (or Weekend) not sure which. Anyway, we rode out on Saturday with our friends and had a great time. The weather was absolutely beautiful. We stopped at a few places here and there and checked out bikes and bikes and more bikes. Everyone from young to old was out riding and enjoying the day. We had such a nice time. After about 7 hours we returned home and I was tired, mainly from the sun, but it was a good tired. I know I should have been home working in the garden, yard or house, but you know those things will still be there...you just don't always have a great day like Saturday! Hope you had a great Saturday too!

My view from the back seat going over the bridge

Looking off the bridge

Look at all those bikes!

My Garden-Flowers

The spring has brought out the most beautiful flowers...my azaleas. They are absolutely the most beautiful thing right now. I love this time of the year. Everything is blooming...although my allergies are kicking into high gear too. That's the price you pay for beauty! Thought you would enjoy a picture, I am playing with my camera again. :)

Trip to California

I have been out of touch for the last week, was in California for a work conference. I flew out last Sunday. The flight was good, not too much drama, until I got to CA and went to pick up my bag...no bag...I waited to report it and guess what my bag went to Salt Lake City...without me! The Delta rep. assured me that my bag would be on the next flight to CA and would be delivered to my hotel. I prayed that she was right! I told my male co-workers that they would be taking me shopping for make up and conference clothes if not. You know you think about all the stuff that you take with you, make up, work clothes, heels, play clothes, contact cleanser and such. If I didn't get my bag, well I guess I would be spending a lot of money to replace everything. So in the mean time, we picked up our rental car, went to dinner, checked in the hotel, took a test drive to the conference and still no bag. I decided to go to my room and wait it out. About 9 pm on Sunday night the bellman arrived with my bag...I could have kissed him! If he was Toby Keith or Jon Bon Jovi or maybe Johnny from General Hospital, I might have! :) I was never so glad to see my beat up, black, zippered suitcase. The rest of the week was pretty uneventful. We worked during the day and went out a few of the nights. Ate at a couple of really great places...Villa Nova Italian, in Newport Beach...excellent! And Las Casa Garcia Mexican in Anaheim, also wonderful. Then it was time to come home....not too bad...other than a little turbulence and me grabbing the sleeping man next to me, scared him awake!! When I got off the plane and walked down the runway it was very nice to see my sweet hubby there waiting for me. After all these years, he still makes my heart jump when I see him!!! Love you hubby! For those 22 years of dropping him off and picking him up at Navy ships and airports, turn around is fair play!! Oh and yes my luggage made it home too!

My Toes....

Ok isn't it the best when you have that first of the season pedicure? On Saturday I treated myself to the "Get Rid of Them Winter Feet Pedicure". The ladies at the salon are so sweet and they take such great care with my feet and did I mention the lower leg massage she gave me???? Wooooohhhooooo, I was in heaven. I picked out the reddest red I could find and I love it! Anytime you want to brighten your day, go take a few minutes to sit relax and get your toes done. PS..to Lorie, feet, feet, feet...I love having my feet touched!!! (Lorie has a foot thing, she hates to have anyone touch her feet:)

Happy Easter

The Big Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter to you all. Today was a great day spent with family. Each year we have a wonderful dinner at my parents' home, after dinner the big egg hunt takes place. We have had this egg hunt for as long as I can remember. When I was little my Mom would hide the eggs inside or out it didn't matter and we kids would run around like wild kids grabbing the first egg we could find. As the grandchildren have come along, the tradition continues. And this year was no different. 195 eggs were hidden, 192 were found...there are still 3 out there...my Dad will find them in the next few months while in the yard and garden. Great food, Great fun, Great family...what a great Easter...Happy Easter to all and God Bless.

My Dad and Nephews looking for eggs.

Anniversary's

April 3rd was my 27th wedding anniversary. Wow 27 years...I cannot believe it's been that long. I remember when we were married and moved to Beeville, TX with the Navy. (Story for another day!) And now it's been 27 years....The hubby and I exchanged gifts...I got him tickets to a see Bill Engvall in May and he got me a Wii. The Wii has been so much fun..now I know why the kids love to play video games. We had a really nice dinner at a local restaurant The Raven and then went for a nice long walk along the boardwalk of the Oceanfront. It was really a nice night together. Normally we will have just a nice dinner and this year for some reason we both decided on gifts. It's funny that way, some years we only go with cards and dinner and some years gifts. Not sure how we decide...it just happens. I have to say I have the best hubby...that's why I have kept him for all these years.
Thank you God for the man in my life!! Happy 27 yrs Mr. Hubby, I love you!!

My Garden

This is going to be the year of a real garden for me! Yes, over the years I have tried a few plants here and a few plants there, never with much success. I have terrible dirt..it's like concrete here in my yard. But this year it's going to be different. I was in the book store recently and came across the book "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Barthomew. It makes perfect sense, his gardening explanations. So I am trying it out. A couple of weeks ago the hubby and friend built me the gardening box out of scrap material. Hubby asked, "How many boxes do you want?" "One" was my reply. I want to see if I am as interested through out the summer as I am right now. If I do good, next year hubby can build more boxes for me. I have purchased my "dirt", a "Mel's Mix" 3 part mix. The picture you see is of the beginnings. I will keep you updated on my progress. As long as I can remember my Mom and Dad have had a garden. Daddy doesn't plant until after the last threat of frost, so I am putting off my planting for a week or so. I'll keep you updated!!! I can taste those tomatoes now! Mmmmmmm....