Best/Worse &What did I learnt today/Chat with Friends #99

Gillian how nice of you to attend the conference with Keith..did you get to see the family? Which hotel did you stay at...

You are always sooo busy...any flooding going on? perhaps the weather temps will improve ever so slightly and you'll not have a major flood this year..do remember the photo's we saw last year, quite a mess...has Keith signed up for next year or have you been looking for alternate location..know last year you thought you'd give it another year and then bring the family closer to both families...am sure grandparents are missing their growing up...little different now days though, with labtec camera's, internet, all can keep in touch more easily..

Have you been crafting?

I just got back from lunch against my will too, it's about 62 right now, nice nice nice!

We booked with Carnival Cruises, 5 day leave May 16th out of New Orleans at 4pm, May 17th is at sea, May 18th is at Progreso Mexico, not good reviews so we decided we'll get off the boat just long enough to buy a couple bottles of booze (much cheaper than on the ship) and I'm going to get a massage and tan all day. May 19th is at Cozumel, Mexico. We're going to actually get off the ship and do things there, Dave's been there before on cruises. May 20th is Dave's 48th birthday and we'll be at sea that day, so there's no telling what will happen that day. We get back to New Orleans on May 21st. I can't wait, I just have to remember to take my Dramamine.

Gillibean! Its the busy time of year, at least for me too. Glad you got to go to the conference, how fun!

Good Morning Betty
I guess I should have explained myself ......better...I was speaking of coins......and at first I was wondering why was the USA was comemorating Puerto Rico.....Of course I' m still not sure I know but was surprised....I mean it took the government 1/2 a century to make a quarter representing each state. ....Some more of the (no purpose trivia floating around in my head) LOL.....
I grew up on a farm in central Missouri now I'm stuck in the middle of Oklahoma city and yearning for the country life...Now I hang out here on DG web site and get my fix vicariously thru you all .....LOL

Karen

Hey Betty, no that is all the swaps going on for now, that I know of! Glad you joined the apron, and PJ swap!
Betty, you know we are still waiting to hear about your trip, and see some of the pictures?
We all know your busy, but we are just the curious type...
Crissy, glad to hear you got the cruise booked. I heard they are giving nice discounts for them! Hope you got a good price.
Gil, glad to see you posting. You too have been so busy. Traveling, babysitting... Hope it warms up for you soon.

LK

Price including taxes and insurance came to $1066.

I just took tomorrow off. Woo Hoo!

Crissy, is that each or for 2...even for 1 it's reasonable....only time I've been on a cruise ship was from Miami to Bahama`s....few times I took the seniors group from here on a vacation..enjoyed it, didn`t get ill so that was a plus..make sure you`ve something to take just incase...

What a burn you could get today..should bring a folding chair and spend my lunches sitting, getting a few tanning rays...


Karen on my way to Texas I visited Tulsa, had an uncle who lived there (now deceased) really enjoyed it...let`s hope you find your way back to the country..are you a coin collector..

LindaKay, was waiting for Kyle to get me my photo`s but maybe I can tell you a little about it then post the photo`s...

Just finishing my turkey dinner here then will be back..

That is a nice price for two cruise tickets. Nice job!

Now you have a 3 day week-end!!! Party time!!!

LK

Crissy lucky you..I can`t very well take Friday off when I`ve had Monday and Tuesday off..lol..but, we`re off at 3 tomorrow..won`t see much of outside though, got to lay that floor...

Speaking of flooring, a man tried to pick me up at the flooring store..had to pick up another 20`roll as I couldn`t take it all at once, he offered to drive it to my home (ok I live 45 miles N. of Barrie) lol...said he would do it after work if I wanted...then as I walked through the store there he was, asking me if I found everything I needed..yep...then the man at the till said `see you tomorrow for your last roll`this man pipes up and says, ``maybe I`ll see you tomorrow and help you`` nieces here at the office asked me how old..I said most likely in his 60`s (old guy) so funny, probably younger than I....missed my chance...

Betty, I meant to tell you early. You asked about Dad. He made the trip OK, and we had a great time. But we found out that his heart is giving out. Dr. wants to put a pace maker in, but Dad is refusing it. So we go see the Dr. tomorrow for a consultation, to see what the options are! Not an easy thing to live with, but all the kids agree, to make his wishes come true, and if that means no pace maker, we will not force him to get one! We all think he just wants to join Mom in Heaven! I can't blame him, he has been through so much, with all his strokes, and everything.
I need to go see the lawyer, and make sure all the paper work is up todate, so hopefully when that time comes, no one can argue over anything.

OMG LindaKay, sorry you are going through this..he`s not very old, could have many more years if he had it done, but then if he`s had strokes perhaps that`s why he`s considering the `quality of life`he`d have...

Are you from a large family...always some bickering after a loss of someone regardless of how well things have been written up...as he lives with you, are you the one that has to deal with everything....

Let`s hope although his health is on a downslide, you`ll have a lot more time with him..sometimes when they miss their respective partner they just give up..knew a few who died shortly after their mates did..sad though..

Betty price is for both of us, comes out to a little over $500 each.

I'm a nerd ya'll! My anniversary is next Wednesday, but since it's in the middle of the week he's not taking the night off and Thursday and Friday is our huge conference for my work so I can't take it off anyway. I think he's trying to plan our anniversary but not telling me. It took this long to figure it out lol!

Linda that's just heartbreaking that he won't help himself, I'm so sorry hun. My grandfather had congestive heart failure and wouldn't do anything about it. What was bad is we needed him to take care of my grandmother who had Alzheimers, and he knew it and loved taking care of his wife and didn't want to die, guess just too frightened, I don't know.

Sure is a bargain Crissy..now don`t you go spoil DH`s surprise... practice being in awe...

Thanks everyone.
I have one older Sister, and two younger brothers. I don't think there will any fighting. There is not much to distribute, after he leaves. Mostly knives, and a few guns. Most of the stuff was divided up, when Mom passed a few years ago.
When the time comes, I need to take care of the cremation, and fly him home to be next to Mom! That will be pretty easy!
LK

Where is your mom buried LindaKay...the boys will probably like a gun in rememberance of their dad...

When my father died a few years ago, imagine this, he was leaving me all his good tool equipment..he and I would do woodworking together, the boys had all their tools so didn`t need any..as to not make my step-mother feel as though any of us were pushing for things my dad owned, we told her that only when she was ready would we come and help her clean out some of dad`s things, just for her to call us...

Make long story short, she called her nephew and gave him everything..never did get anything..and some of his computerized equipment went byebye..only have the memories and an old birdhouse he gave me asking me to paint it for him..so it`s out in the yard, not in good condition but will always remain in the garden..


Greg just dropped into the office, went to pick up my dining room window and the other roll of linoleum...boys, telling me how the roads are rough and the way it had to fit in truck it will be lucky to make it home in one piece...lordy, probably why I now have the start of a migraine...

They already have the guns. What I have here will be mine. Mom is buried i n Michigan, she did not want to be cremated. So there is a plot, all paid for, when it is Dad's time. We will dig a small hole, and place him next to Mom! $800.00 for a cremation, is a lot cheaper than the $12,000.00 funeral we paid for Mom!

Sorry you did not get your Dads tools, I know they meant a lot to you. Don't know why some people just throw things out, instead of giving them to the family members.

Take some of your migraine tablets now, before it gets any worse.

LK

Just took 2...can`t get a headache now, I`ve promised to work as late as I can at Suzanne`s..drats...

My name and birth date in on the tombstone with Roger`s, not sure what the boys will do with me, cremate or funeral..either way I`m ok with it...coward, don`t want to make the choice while I`m alive..big expense is the tombstone so that`s been taken care of..

Of course when your loved one dies you want the best for them, bought an imported stone, carved area for a cross, quite tall..impressive, the best I could do for him...when time came to put it in the graveyard the board told me there was bylaw for how high they could be...dah, who would have thought it, so I had to have a little over 2 ft. taken off of it..now why would they have such a bylaw..beats me...

Some of the graveyards have restrictions about having plants..shrubs..etc. luckily ours does not..odd, when you pass it in the evening the entire graveyard is lit up..everyone has solar lights...we`ve 1 on each side of the monument...

The local graveyard here does not allow any above the ground stones. They must be flat and level with the ground. They say it takes too much for the grounds keeper to edge around all the stones, it is much easier to just mow over it! Pretty sad!

Is sad, know the graveyard where dad and grandparents are buried you aren't allowed flowers/shrubs, anything..two days before Mother's Day and Father's Day you can bring flowers..then they are cleared, not even floral arrangement for on-top of the monument..sometimes it's what gives us solace, remembering the dead..luckily I can do all these things year round at Roger's...

Sitting waiting for Suzanne to call, she's on her way from the city then I'm off with my tools..lol..

Headache still there, must take another pill..

My best today...a couple of things..
. got all my supplies for a few more impovement projects home

. got home and what did I find..Earthly Angel Cathy was here again, all the leaves are burnt..

Don't know what I'll do with her..she's always up to something here and won't take $$$ for payment...

Worse...headache

What did I learn today...brother Bernie is negotiating with insurance company..won't get total asking for unless he wants to wait for court date, but will get enough to get his life back...so that also is good news...

Suzanne just called...time to run..

Waving Hello!
OMG, Glad you all enjoyed that tea on the deck, and thank you it is such a lovely place to sit and think or watch the business of my yard.
With my windchimes all hung in place is sound so pretty too.

OK, so I got this call from my sis on Friday night asked if I could go after her in Indiana, should she need a ride.
Um, well Steve had to work but I would see if I could scrounge a ride from a friend. Well, my friend didn't offer and I didn't think it was right to ask her to drive to Indiana...So I sort of hoped Honee wouldn't need the ride but on Tuesday evening she called and asked if i could come get her...hmmm, real dilema as she and everyone knows I don't do expressways and now your asking me to drive the freaking SKYWAY!! Yikes. After pacing and wondering if I should call my friend, Lets see Wednesday Julia has 2 classes, so that means Anothony, (her BF) would be just playing video games or lounging around watching tv...So, in my sweet as moms can be voice, I asked if he could help me out and drive to Indiana, sweetheart that he is, said yes no problem. The ride is only an 1.5 hours away so we would be back in great time for him to relax before they had to go to work! Well, He was sweet and took all the back roads so we would only have to be on the skyway for maybe 15 minutes or so...So we get to the skyway and the road was closed for bridge work. So we had to take all the regular streets...He was telling me of the cabin on the metal bridge and it was to be a pretty cool picture. So, I brought my camera and he pulled over in to this parking lot and I got out and took a picture, grr, just then my batteries died. Oh well, maybe another time...So we are following the mapquest directions that had us going in circles! I would not have minded however the circles were running through some not so pleasant neighborhoods. It was actually quite the eye opener for me that some people have to live in those condiditons, I am talking run down places, broken windows , debris everywhere many houses abandoned and burned or just plain trashed...I know places like that exist in the city, but never thought I would see it, let alone be in it,. Needless to say i was quite scared and cringed we would travel though there again...So we continue on trying to figure out where we were going finally, find the right road. By this time I had to use a bathroom...We stop at Walgreens very close to where my sister was. The rest of the ride was smooth. We get there and i go to Txt. Steve to let him know we arrived and NO PHONE!!! So, we were going to stop at the walgreens to see if dropped it there, nope somehow we ended up not backtracking and couldn't find the dang walgreens. So now I'm flipping out, thinking maaan he is going to kill me!(not that bad but I always think the worst first,LOL) So some how we ended up almost to the next City in indiana head south and not North, yikes and yow. I am so lost and turned around i can't even think straight...And i don't have my phone to even call Steve for help.
So after I am practically crying We stop at a gas station, Anthony askes for directions back to the street the Walgreens was on and guess what, We ended up having to get on the Expressway!! He says don't worry, its only for a little ride, Well, that little ride was almost 45 minutes back to the City, my City and at the start of the Indiana border! Soo, I said man it is too late to go all the way back to the Walgreens...But just then i remebered we stopped at the the house on the bridge, so lets stop there...Turned to my sister now in the back seat asked if she had a camera, lol...no she didn't. Well I was praying the the whole time let my phone be there so we didn't have to go all the way though horrific parts of town...We arrive and Yep, There it was lying on unharmed (meaning not smashed to smitherine)...Woohoo! Thought well I can take a picture with my phone. So we pull up and Anthony jumped out to retrieve it and we drove away, so I still didn't get a picture of the house on the bridge.LOL...We were just thrilled and turned around speed and came on home, lol was in time to go pick up Sabrina! And all-in-all, Anthony and I got a little alone time. he is a real nice young man and we had just a real nice time driving and chatting, so getting my sister back to Glenview, finding my phone and Chatting with Anothony for that time was well worth it...AND, I have to admit, I was very much at ease with his driving, even on the expressway.
LOL, Betty I sure wished I had Thelma!

Whew, Anyways, i did make a post the other night but it went to cyberworld.
Betty, Iwas so very sorry to hear of Noahs fall. I hope that he is healing well and those aches and pains subside.
How is doing today?

Your trip sounds like it was wonderful, I do have re-read some as I have lots of catching up top do...
Also, oh your Bear is so adorable!!

Froggie, beautiful photos and I love your Beaded froggie blouse, so pretty!

Carol, nice to see you, did you get your trellis all fixed up?...woohoo, thought of you! Guess whats coming up?? heheh,my Oriental Lily broke ground..happy dance here, lol my sister had to giggle over how excited I got.

Gillian great to see you too! So glad you got to go on your trip.Sounded busy and fun. I hope you will get some free time soon.

So today was kind of a wasted day, Honee and i visited until very late and then today more visiting and just lounging. We don't get much time just her and I, so this trip was although very unexected also a wonderful chance for the two of us. Took her to the train at 2:30 and just been relaxing on the deck reading. Was a glorious sunny day. So I guess i will go putz around in the yard...

Oh, plus, i have been back to a regualr sleeping pattern..so thats coolbeans!

See you in a bit.
Hope you are all doing well too.

OMG...Forgot to tell you the BEST of the BEST of my news!

Julia recieved a letter from her College inviting her to take College Honors courses in the next semester!!!

Yep, thats my girl.

Hi All Just funny for you All

Four Worms and a Lesson to be learned!



A minister decided that a visual
Demonstration would add emphasis
To his Sunday sermon.

Four worms were placed into
Four separate jars.

The first worm was put into a container
Of alcohol.

The second worm was put into a container
Of cigarette smoke.

The third worm was put into a container of
Chocolate syrup.

The fourth worm was put into a container of
Good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the
Minister reported the following results:

The first worm in alcohol - Dead.

The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead



The Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead



Fourth worm in good clean soil -Alive.

So the Minister asked the congregation
What did you learn from this demonstration?

Maxine was sitting in the back,
Quickly raised her hand and said,


'As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate,
you won't have worms!'

That pretty much ended the service.

wow Judy you sure can get yourself into pickles.....yep a Thelma is in order, you should have asked for one for your 24th anniversary but Mother's Day is coming up..gentle hints to Anthony..maybe he wants to make brownie points with you and will after his experience today let them know how handy Thelma would be...lol

Drats, rushed over to Suzanne's, took my good dremmel scroll saw for some fancy cutting...we got all the tools needed and the project was underway..did you ever take on a project that things just go (using Roger's famous saying) tickitiboo...well tonight it was...until of course we got to closet door..Suzanne and I both asked Lenny before he left for work to take the trim off the closet and bedroom door..you need room to lift the floor panels to click into the next, no can do with the trim ..well guess you can but it would be a sloppy job..I wanted to take the trim off, Suzanne thought because large nails were used (not brad nailed) that we might break the trim and oh/oh when Lenny got home..so we were at a standstill..

I got her to call Lenny, really probably not more than $15.00 worth of trim but no, he said wait and he'd do it tomorrow while we are at work, could have almost finished the room tonight had it not been for that..shaking my head here..

In fact I said to Suzanne, 'aren't things going so smoothly - could it be because it's you and I working and not having Lenny around' men can make it more than the job it is at time, all agree? SORRY Tubby, know it's not you I'm talking about..so, home I came..
My window made it in one piece, another guy making more of the project than he should...lol Greg my son...

So all is well in my world tonight..take a bath, early to bed and finish the flooring tomorrow...

Spoke with Darlene from Suzanne's, she's dropping in tomorrow, checking out the flooring and she'll pick up a few gallons of paint for me...then, talked to Diane, Saturday morning we'll head out to Barrie to class registration, there and back and then start painting...

There goes Fri.Sat. and Sunday...

Judy, as for Noah Greg said that his face is pretty battered, looks as though he was in a fight..just finished calling Noah and he said he was glad it didn't happen before our trip...

Kyle said he's putting photo's on a cd and will drop it over tomorrow or Saturday morning, then my photo's and stories begin...

LOL not running down men but lordy some are (*&^^%^....
Lenny painted the bedroom blue, did a great job, took the trim off and didn't go far enough down so that when the trim goes back on touch up's will have to be done..would have been easier as there was no flooring down to go right to the floor... hmmmm

Just makes more work...

Here's as far as we got tonight...

Judy forgot to ask, how's your sister? is she staying with you?

Tubby, thanks for the laugh...

Remeber, I don't laugh at you, just with you

Night/night

hi betty so nice to hear from u, i do try and post from time to time but the thread just rushes here and there and i get lost in the noise. feel free to dmail me.
liz keeps up with me that way too....

your all so busy.....
no plague but just annoying pests! workman everywhere, family memebers sleeping on floors and naughty puppies... ughhh

keep well

Judy you do get yourself in a fix occasionally don't you?? But all is well that ends well, right?

Betty I know exactly what Noah looks like.....one of the girls that works with Bill rides her bike to work every day. Last week he passed her on the way to work....when he got to the shop he had a call to see if he could pick her up and take her to the clinic.....light changed, she hit the front brakes too hard and landed face first in the street....face scraped up, several stitches in her upper lip, sprained wrist.....not a pretty sight.

Hi Laura, they do move along awfully fast on here don't they.....hope all is going well.

Laura sweetie, you don't have to play catch up, just join in and let us know how you are doing, what's new in your life..must be very difficult with such a full house, thank goodness you've got that little puppy to love you up..please say you are doing something for yourself...

And Liz, you are busy creating for the craft show, now when is the first one to be..are you anxious...how are your flowers doing?

Meant to tell you all, while travelling in Pennsylvania, up in the mountains (foothills) there were so many dear along the side of the highway that had been hit...think we counted 32 at one point..must be an infestation of deer ..hate to be gardening in that neck of the woods..

That's about what he looks like Trisha, when I spoke with him last night I forgot (bad me) to ask about his arm, if it's in a sling and if he had to go back to the hospital for x-rays, am sure if he did he would he told me..

Friday, week of rest now the work begins...so much to do this weekend and wouldn't you know, the weather will be A+..I'll have to take mini breaks and get some rays..

No flowers as yet, but a lot of green is coming through so that's good news..noticed a lot of the shrubs I bought last year didn't make the winter but then maybe they don't do well until later in the spring so musn't pull them out now right?


Time to feed the animals, make my bed, sweep the floor and head out...do hope a few of you can drop in and keep me awake today...

Pictures of your gardens please.....

Morning All I've been busy in garden..Tilling , cleaning & putting in rail road tie for fence post..Wheee they are heavy..I drilled hole last fall. When I had boss's Bob Cat.with post hole digger..I used it to dig hole for pier's for porch & deck..Want to get some stuff planted today, Radish,Onion..Shirley planted peas Wed..

SMILE
>>> PECANS IN THE CEMETERY>>> On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.>>> >>> 'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me,' said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.>>> >>> Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, 'One for you, one for me. One for you,one for me.'>>> He just knew what it was.
He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.>>> >>> 'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls.'>>> >>> The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.' When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.>>> >>> Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me.One for you, one for me.'>>> >>> The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord.'>>> >>> Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence
tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.>>> At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me. That's all.Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done.'>>> >>> They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.>>> SMILE, God Loves You!

Tubby you're priceless!!!! I loved it..Thanks

Breakfast is ready"almost"..One last funny.."for now"
Then off to the sunshine..I hope!!!!!


This is worrying

Beer contains female hormones
Last month, Wits University and RAU scientists released the results of a
Recent analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer.
Men should take a concerned look at their beer consumption.
The theory is that beer contains female hormones (hops contain
Phytoestrogens) and that by drinking enough beer, men turn into women .
To test the theory, 100 men drank 8 pints of beer each within a 1 hour
Period.


It was then observed that 100% of the test subjects :
1) Argued over nothing.
2) Refused to apologize when obviously wrong.
3) Gained weight.
4) Talked excessively without making sense.

5) Became overly emotional

6) Couldn't drive.

7) Failed to think rationally.

8) Had to sit down while urinating.

No further testing was considered necessary.
Send this to the men you know to warn them about drinking too much beer!

morning all,

betty, flowers are coming up among weeds galore! ahhhh
dh finally felt sorry for me and got some new gardners to work on the frount and maintain it hope they come this weekend lol
craft show is going to be in the town of lodi, the first weekend in october so im kinda excited but scared to will be a learning experience for me weather or not to do it again lol
and i opened my big mouth to a customer she is doing a breast cancer show wants to know if i could have a dozen peices to sell at her home.
all proceeds will go to the cause, i think i'll donate them to her and she can price them, i cant go and sit all day geezzz i'll never get things done!
ahhhh warming up expect to reach the 80's better get that spf8 out!

judy, lol i love the story actually its better to hear it in person im still laughing nice as always to yap with you and you better hurry and dig up those plants next door lol

laura, yep yep will keep you updated, how is that puppy behaving?

off to work everyone have a good day

This message was edited Apr 17, 2009 6:10 AM

Liz are you working a different schedule? wonder how Vicki is doing with her new hours?

How nice of you to want to donate a few pieces for your co-workers' sale for Breast Cancer..couldn't donate to a better cause could you..

Judy, in all my rambling I forgot to say congratulations to Julia..you have every cause to be thrilled..

Wonder how Mary is doing on her vacation? enjoying sunshine I would imagine..

Morning Barb, what do you have planned on this glorious sunshine day...a Friday no less...something exciting?

Driving in this morning and yes daydreaming about all I have to do there were 2 police cruisers, one waved me in while the other waved in a few other vehicles, thought he waved me to go but I wasn't about to leave and have them chase me, so just sat waiting..then with almost an annoyed wave of the hand he waved me on...seatbelt blitz going on..thought to myself, knowing Suzanne was in the office early this am perhaps I should call the girls, forgot the telephone...

About 10 after 9 got an e-mail via blackberry saying they were stopped..yep LeeAnn got a $110. ticket...

Quiet here today, not for everyone but for me...thinking of all I could get done if i were at home..wall prep for painting...but no, just have to look outside and long to leave at 3...


Tubby, you gave me a couple of laughs...sounds as though you are busy in the gardens..are you all set the the strawbailling? Wish I had a pole digger, think you could rent something on a small scale right Tubby..need it for fencing ...was talking to Greg last night and Jeff this morning..for Mother's Day I want 4 panels of fencing from Home Depot and also them installing the poles for it...let's see now if they follow through... when I told Jeff this morning about what I wanted for Mothers Day he started to panick, thought I meant it was this weekend...nope, lots of time for them to bring me to pick up the fence panels..lol...they shake their head, always say that most mothers want personal gifts and their mother gets excited over tools and wood ..

lol no not on new hours, i goof off in the morning so then i run late l

Oh My I am sooooooooo glad I took the day off, it's going to be 70 degrees and 1 to 2 mph breezes! It's supposed to storm tonight, tomorrow, and rain into Sunday so I am very very happy with my decision.

Dave just went to HD to get a wheel borrow, boards for a form, and cement to build a bed in front of my computer room window. Here's what it looks like right now:

I think it will look so much better!

Didn't want to bore you all with my trip BUT several have asked me to write a bit of what we explored..

Did post a photo taken of the 5 of us leaving Toronto..omg almost had a baby join us..now wouldn't that have been a treat...

The 4 boys were geared with as much technology as a space ship I'm sure...Kyle sat in front the entire trip..re air bag regulations so grandma thought he should be in charge of giving directions as per GPS and also taking photo's which I might add he took very seriously...

No problems at the border crossing as Jeff and Greg had provided all the notes pertaining to my trip, hotels, duration, photo's of the children, my I.D. so off we went...

Debbie reminded me that after my Buffalo stay in the Howard Johnson and no heat or hot water that I best pass that hotel off my 'stay' list..I did enjoy my stay with mom at another hotel but I noticed the grand opening of I think it was Motel8 so we all decided that would be our home for the night...of course there was a Taco Bell, pizza place and various restaurants that took the children's fancy..no sooner were we out of the car did Kyle go and position himself to take the best photo he could, the other 3 were responsible for luggage...this old gal went to bed while the children played with their electronic games and watched t.v. - I understand that it was after 12 before they called it a night...

Grandma was up at her usual 5a.m. - a simple 'time to get up and at it' had them on their feet, bags packed, light breakfast in the hotel and off we went..

I did know it was off route to visit Hershey, Pennsylvania but thought what's a hundred miles or so, it's a 'grandson' trip, should be what they are interested in...

I made sure that I stopped frequently so that they could move around, 3 growing boys in the back of an Aveo is a bit confining...they didn't seem to mind...

We arrived in Hershey around 3pm and prior to entering the town we saw Cave tours were available but 5 miles from where we were, didn't take long for Kyle to find the route..we had a 15 minute wait..so funny, Caleb is the youngest and sometimes I forget that as the older children are more mature, well he had his wallet out looking for goodies to buy, one being a sling shot or a play gun, silly putty etc....grandma said nope, must save their money for trinkets in Washington...

We were in awe at the beauty of the caverns...total tour was 1 hr. and $92.00 later...traffic was quite heavy but we managed to find the Hershey Factory..so much to do there but by now it was getting late, grandma wanted to make Washington so we did the tour, boys got to work in the factory type set-up..lol only $10.95 each, included a hat, an employee neck I.D. and a plastic container full of chocolate kisses... it's a gimmic but hey, that's what all these little side trips are...took lots of photo's, got a few treats which they ate so now the sugar surge begins...

It was but 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. away from Gettysburg, really wanted to see it and walk the Civil War field..it was getting dark by then so we read some of the info, walked some of the land, didn't stay long because again we wanted to check in for the night...

By 11pm or so we were in Washington D.C. all excited but behaving..thought even though we'd had treats we should really have something more substantial before calling it a night...stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken..how would I know that Caleb truly believes the chickens used are raised in the sewers..have no clue who told him that but you should have seen him trying to pick a bit of white meat off the bones , having but a taste, making the most ungodly face so let him eat fries and salads...Kyle kept trying to get through to him that inspectors are always at these establishments and in no way would the chicken be sewer meat, couldn't convince him though...

Now at the beginning of the week, trying to pass the time of day I went on to the hotel sites, keyed in the hotel we were staying in and there were 25 reviews, non of which were very good..panic state..now what..couldn't find a hotel that would accommodate 5 in one room .. the hotel I had booked was a suite...later that night I called the hotel twice..one to check up on cleanliness the other of safety, they must have thought I was an idiot..finally she said their rooms were clean, safe area, all that one would want out of accommodations...by Thurs. morning I had gone on a site that you can view and walk the streets with a little person icon..and it looked fine, area had a few buildings that could be improved on but hey, wasn't buying the hotel..was just staying for a few nights...

Going for pizza, be back with the rest of the story..lol

Betty, so far it sounds like you all had a great trip! Will be waiting for "the rest of the story".

LK

And now for the rest of the story....lol....thanks LindaKay

We arrive at the hotel, me not knowing what to expect and it's as seen on my 3'd viewing of the street, yes there were one or two buildings that no longer were in use, street was busy, well lit, train route in back of building, but hey, don't run on weekends and as I said, we'd only spend sleeping hours there...

In the lobby was some of the nicest hotel staff I've ever had the opportunity to meet...the lobby was to die for..in my view...so now upstairs we go, what will we find, dirty bedding?

OMG the bedroom was tripple the size of mine, more than a king size bed, not sure what they call it, hotel said they were specially made..new carpets, all new furniture...flat screen t.v.

Living room had chesterfield that opened into a bed, they had per my request a cot which was more like a double bed, another flat screen t.v...washroom had just been redone..marble floors, black modern storage area.., small sitting area...just beautiful, couldn't ask for more...could have brought more people with me had they fit in the car...so all was well in my world..

Didn't take long for grandma to fall asleep, again the boys stayed up to enjoy each others company...

6am came and again without any trouble I simply said it was time to start our day...almost forgot about the breakfast room in the hotel, saw it just in time..filled our tummy's and off we went..

Knew I wanted to purchase DC Duck tour tickets and knew the pick up point was Union Station..off we went to find it...

the children saw Capital Bldg...not much action on the streets so I was able to drive right to it..a police car sat at the gate, I asked where I could park and he said right where I was, you can park anywhere on the weekend and holidays..goodie/goodie...off we went to take photo's..a guard stood watch, now people were arriving in masses..officer said that you needed tickets for the tour and they were very hard to come by..had to contact the Canadian Embassy or for those in USA their state representatives...BUT I could get in the line-up, go inside and see if there was any cancellations..asked the boys what they thought about waiting in line and they were all for it...all were searched before entering..I virtually ran to the line-up to get ahead of 200 people..lol...only 1 in a party could wait in the line-up so the boys walked the hallways and Kyle took pictures..a young woman came to give us instructions, another lady in front of me asked what our chances were and she said that in her opinion based on the weeks bookings we might have to wait a few hours but we'd get in..again I hailed the boys asked their thoughts on it and yes they wanted to stay...it was no more than 10 minutes or so a lady arrived with mega tickets..apparently 2 tour buses were unable to make their 9am tour, so within minutes the boys and I were in the line-up ready for the 9am tour..again no charge for the tour...how exciting that was...

Of course you know I was recreation co-ordinator for over 20 years, always organizing something or other so I had virtually planned the entire trip, time lines and all to get the most out of it...lots of research..
so we were not going afrom a to z and back to a again..knew where we were heading as soon as the tour ended...

Now the street were crowded, I knew if I moved my vehicle I'd never find a place to park and we'd be calling a cab or using public transportation...just walking out another guard when asked pointed to a few streets directly in front of us..again our lucky day...by now it was lightly misting but nothing that would stop us from walking...

Union Station was amazing, the architecture, marble, the design itself, so regal that even the boys commented..

Just outside sat a DC Duck, had hoped we could take the tour but it was full so in to purchase our tickets..after seeing the Duck the boys were so excited that they would be on this tour...the earliest tickets we could get was for after lunch, still a few hours away..

Didn't want to stray too far from Union Station just incase we didn't make it back..on the side street was the U.S.A. Post Office Museum, celebrating 150 year anniversary...well we could walk the museum..had in my mind, what would young boys want to spend time in a postal museum..well didn't take long to see them smilling and laughing..

Here we were, going through time, from horse and man delivering the mail, to wagons, to planes, to trucks, to new mail service vehicles, lots to do, lots to try..they even got to make and print out post cards, type a message and mail..which they did..again, no fee for the experience...

Now we were nearing lunch..every type of food was found in Union Station lower level..gave all the boys $$$ so each could purchase their meal...think we all had something different to eat...

While sitting and talking some eating, some not hungry a man not badly dressed was sitting at a table/stool location next to our table, he'd look over and smile .. thought perhaps he was enjoying our chitter chatter...
Braedon might not have had more than 2 bites and he wasn't hungry..I said 'surely Braedon you can eat more than 2 bites and if not we'll have to throw this food away?' within second over comes the man and asks if he could possibly have Braedon's food IF we were throwing it away..

Not only did he get Braedon's meal, but the boys gave him their fries, chicken piece etc. I sent Kyle over to get a pop and a coffee..the man was thankful..the couple of men I stood in line with to get Duck tickets were at the far end and saw the children providing food so they came over and gave him a few $$$....you know it's the right thing to do when they don't ask for $$$ and are willing to eat off the plate of another...

On our way upstairs there was a donation box to feed the poor, I can tell you without hesitating Caleb started by opening his wallet and donating..proud of those boys...

so now come the Duck..the time we had spend in Union Station it had rained hard, we were given plastic raincoats, the duck did have a top but it was cold and damp and windy..thank goodness for the raincoats...

Such an interesting tour, boys were a little disappointed though that you were about a block away from the White House and the masses of people kept you from seeing much of it...went through Washington seeing the buildings from afar, crossing over into Virginia to a marina and drove from the road into the lake..also much history about a plane that had crashed at the bridge, boys were interested in that...

The Tour guide offered each of them to drive the Duck, talk about excited..they are used to driving the Foxy Lady but this is a war duck..lots of history..when the tour guide asked if there was any questions Caleb, youngest said he really/really had to go to the washroom...well it would be a long time yet..he was so uncomfortable..

While going into the Potamac River the tour guide had a box which he passed around..duck quackers...told him just what I needed 4 boys for 3 more days with mouth duck quackers..now on our way back to Union Station all were suppose to 'quack' cute, my boys sure took advantage of being allowed to 'quack' lol...

Tour guide asked if anyone had questions, yep, Caleb asked where he was suppose to go to the washroom....no place until Union Station so he sat moving back and forth really needing to go...when we got off, Braedon asked me to wait for him as he had taken his bottle of pop, drank it, lifted his raincoat and well the rest is history..had to dispose of the pop bottle..boys....

So from Union Station we picked up the car, drove over to Virginia again and went to Arlington Cemetary..here I thought I'd lose their interest, but NO, they were overwhelmed by the acres of mini white crosses from the 1800-now..monuments...Kyle took many photo's of John Kennedy's eternal flame and then Robert Kennedy's grave site..then came the walk to the site which was known as the Unknown Soldiers, now name something else, forgot what...we were just in time to watch the formal changing of the guards..they soooo loved watching this...lots of questions, little Caleb had to be told that licking his sucker and doing the duck call was not acceptable...into the garbage went the sucker and into my pocket went the duck call...he asked me if he EVER would get it back..yep, once we are of the burial grounds...no charge to enter...

Then to the Pentagon (operates 24/7) so we had mega time to visit the memorial..now I have to tell you, this caught their attention..no tour guide was onsite, but an employee was taking his parents on a tour of the site and we asked if we could walk alongside of them and listen..all did very carefully...

it was amazing, not sure who designed this memorial but what an impact..will show you photo's..must tell Kyle to send me a few until photo cd is made...

The Pentagon was white but now slightly faded, so it did not take us long to see where the plane had hit, several shadesof white lighter than the building...just off from the building is the memorial, it's angled in the same direction that the plane would have come in..it's size is the span of the plane-wing expansion...the rows are narrow, each #'d by year of those who died, i.e. 1962 might have 4 or 5 pieces of memorial to represent those who were born that year...also if right, was told that the slate that is ontop of these art pieces represent how tall each individual was..just below the art arm is water with a plaque and their names..few children there, my boys were overwhelmed by that...

Something we didn't catch on our own, was that these art pieces which almost looked like an angled flame out of bronze/brass then tiled in marble had some going one way and some the other way...

We were told that all that were facing away from the building represented those who died in the building, those who were facing towards the building were on the plane...very emotional...something to be proud of how it was designed...

So now we are nearing 7:30...I had read about a fireworks display that would be done as a close to the CherryBlossom festival week so off we went in search of it....told the boys we might have to watch from afar because there would be no parking anywhere down in the historic part of Washington..said we'd take a cab...

While trying to find a parking lot to get a cab or shuttle to get to the Washington Monument, wouldn't you know not more than 20 cars away from it sat a little space just big enough for my little Aveo..happy was I..I sat and talked to tourists while the boys ran through the grass parket, loved standing at the bottom of the TALL building, they got a kick out of me, could never remember the name and all through town when trying to get my bearings I'd say 'the TALL building'...lol

better press send before I lose this..