Animal Angel Trees

This year, my humane association opted to have their wine tasting in the spring. So, that left us scrambling to come up with a fall fundraiser. After mulling over several different ideas and running short on time, we finally decided on animal angel trees. Several businesses around town agreed to sponsor us. We have a tree at the city's festival of trees, a tree at Lowe's, one at the local vocational school, and one at Bi-Lo. Actually, I'm in charge of setting up and decorating the tree at Bi-Lo. We have made it easy for people to donate to us. They may donate any items they want, but we also have tags that say things like: $10 for flea treatment, $5.00 for treats, $20.00 for spay/neuter, and things of that nature. For my tree, I've made a lot of the ornaments. I really wanted it to have an animal/pet theme. I made ornaments out of colored dog biscuits, and I painted regular round ornaments with pawprints, cat faces, our humane association name, and meows and woofs! Another lady is bringing little balls of yarn to hang as well. I've also made a tree topper out of a big rawhide bone. I just hope it's as cute, as I've imagined. We are only putting up a little 5 ft. tree, because of the limited space we have. I'll be sure to get lots of pictures to post tomorrow. So, I'm off to be the decorating elf! Everyone wish me luck.....

No McCartney In China??

This morning, as I was getting ready for work, I partially heard a little blurb about Paul McCartney NEVER playing a show in China again. Then I also heard tacked on...."because of cat and dog fur". Anyway, I just HAD to investigate. It seems that Sir Paul did indeed say that he would never play a show in China again. Apparently he'd seen secret video footage of dogs and cats being killed for their fur. For the whole story click HERE.

I have to admire Mr. McCartney for his willingness to stand up on the animal's behalf, and I do not question his intentions in the least. BUT, I am also a little leary of the ethics of this "secret" video tape. Now, you all know that I'll do anything for an animal, but sometimes PETA's radical tatics really concern me. I'm not afraid to say that I'm a bit a fence rider, when it comes to PETA. I'm so glad that Mr. McCartney is using his influence for a good cause, but I'm not sure that boycotting the entire country is the right way to go about it. I don't know what might work better, but I feel that he may be alienating good, concerned animals lovers in China. I mean, look at how the boycott of Cuba has worked out. Seems to be nothing but a stalemate huh? Anyway, I don't want to get into politics at all. That's not what this blog is about. BUT, I do want to think carefully about this and get all the facts, BEFORE I jump to a conclusion. I'm just as concerned at how our livestock is slaughtered in this country as well. Again, I'm so glad that he's that interested, concerned, and not disconnected (as he very well could be in his position). The whole thing just troubles me. What do you guys think?

Holiday Weekend Recap

I had a FABULOUS Thanksgiving, and I hope that everyone else did too! Casey and I had a bigger Thanksgiving than ever. Even though we ate at Pope's Cafe for lunch on Thanksgiving, nobody would let me out of my traditional Thanksgiving breakfast: Sausage, Egg, and Cheese casserole, and Cheese Grit Casserole. Since we were eating lunch rather early, we decided to wait and have the breakfast on Friday morning. The sausage casserole require refridgeration overnight so I was up early on Thursday whipping everything together, before we left for lunch. I knew that I would be a lump that afternoon, so it was best to get it over with. We met my mom and brother at Pope's. Lunch was fantastic! I had turkey and dressing, ham, fried corn, green beans, macoroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, and deviled eggs. And that was just the vegetables off of the menu I picked! They had several more that you could choose from. The best part was you could have all the veggies you wanted. Dinner was finished off by fresh peach cobbler and ice cream straight from the oven. We all had a great lunch and headed home none too comfortable. Afterwards, Casey and I headed straight for the couch!

We napped a little while, before going to Thanksgiving dinner with Casey's family. Casey's Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Billy were there, along with his cousin Allision (who was hosting), and 2 other cousins and their families were there. It had been too long, since we visited with them, and we had a great time. We ate dinner around 4:30 p.m., and Casey and I didn't get home until nearly 10:00 p.m. We've decided to get together with them more often, especially since all of us live less than a mile from one another. Oh, and did I mention MORE food!! By the end of the evening, all of us had decided that we'd never eat again.

The rest of the vacation went so well. Casey and I decided to do absolutely nothing!! And let me tell you, it felt really good. We just lounged and watched movies. I didn't leave the house again, until Saturday afternoon. I managed to drag myself up and out to get the Christmas tree. My brother and I went and got both of our trees. It's been a tradition of ours for years. Casey stayed home and made the traditional tree decorating dinner of spaghetti for us. By around 11:30 Saturday night, everything was finished. I'm fully prepared for the holidays now.

Yesterday was just more lounging. (I think the dogs were secretly drugging us, so we'd stay home and lounge with them.) We watched a couple more movies. Yesterday afternoon, I went over to help my brother decorate the outside of my mom's house. She now has icicle lights across the eaves, wreaths on each window, bannisters and shrubs with colored lights, and a big light up wreath in the middle. She and her neighbors (she lives in a duplex)went in together this year to decorate. I'll hopefully have all the decoration pictures made by this weekend. It's supposed to rain today, so it's a no go.

I've gotta get moving. I've got lots to catch up on. I hope everyone has a fantastic day! Also, let me know what you guys think about the new holiday blog look!

New Cool Blog Site

I've added a new UBER COOL blog to my blog roll. It's called Melanie Phillips: Portrait Artist. Melanie is a professional pet portrait artist and is from West Wales. In her blog, she discusses her works in progress, her business, and her furry friends. She even posts photos of paintings in progress! Her portraits are absolutely beautiful. She's new to blogging, so hop on over, give her a visit, and tell her Cheryl sent ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Well, it's that time folks! It's time for us to start the holiday season! I'll be wrapping up work today, and I'll be off to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. We are having lunch with my mom and my brother. We are going to this little local cafe called Pope's Cafe. It's on our square, and it opened in 1945. It's recently been taken over by new owners, and let me tell you, the food is FANTASTIC!! It's the closest thing to my mama's own home cooking, that I've ever had out. They are serving ham, turkey, 8-10 different vegetables, breads, desserts, and drinks! We are all going to just kick back and enjoy. In the afternoon, we are going over to visit Casey's family and eat dinner. So, it's the biggest Thanksgiving celebration that we've had in several years. I'm sure that someone will have to roll us home, after all of that eating. Because of Casey's past job, he never had holidays off. So this is the first year, since we've been married, that we will get to spend the holidays together. And let me tell you, I'm excited!

And now for my list:

Things I'm Thankful For

1. My family.

2. My friends.

3. My pets.

4. My home.

5. Enough money to pay the bills.

6. My job.

7. My health.

8. My happiness.

9. My hobbies that make me happy.

10. All of the small blessings that God sends to me every day!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

More Good News for Tennessee Animal Friendly Tags

For anyone that has the Tennessee Animal Friendly License plates, this comes as exceptionally good news. From a news release from the ASPCA today:

GOT YOUR ANIMAL-FRIENDLY LICENSE PLATE YET, TENNESSEE RESIDENTS?

Tennessee’s animal-friendly license plate program just got a little friendlier, now that PetSmart Charities has partnered with the state’s Department of Agriculture and the Companion Animal Initiative in Tennessee to expand low-cost spay/neuter services. PetSmart will match up to $100,000 of funds generated above total plate sales for the prior fiscal year.

“The grant from PetSmart Charities is an opportunity to better serve more communities throughout the state,” says Dr. Ron Wilson, Tennessee State Veterinarian. “I encourage people who are interested in responsible pet ownership to buy the animal-friendly license plates. This grant will essentially double the money that goes into the spay/neuter program for each plate sold.”

The specialty plate costs $35 in addition to county fees. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, Big Bend State animal lovers, please visit Tennessee.gov for more information or contact your local county clerk’s office to purchase a plate. ...

Click the link above or the picture to find out how to purchase yours! Makes me proud to drive around with one on my car. A couple years ago, my humane association was awarded a special spay/neuter grant with the proceeds from these tags. So, I can assure you that they money goes into a very good cause. With this grant, our humane association was able to spay/neuter dogs and cats for many that had no funds to do so. We helped these families and over 200 animals. I can't help but think of all the future unwanted pets that we prevented as well.

A Moment for Sam

Sam, one of the ugliest dogs around, crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Friday. He had been suffering from heart failure. It just goes to prove that love knows no stereotype. Let's take a minute to remember Sam and his family.

A DOG'S PRAYER

By Beth Norman Harris

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest--and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

Lots Accomplished

I feel really good about this past weekend. I felt much better than I did last weekend too. On Saturday after work and a great dinner, Casey and I went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I really did enjoy it. I could definitely tell that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were growing up as well as the plot line. It was darker and definitely more adult. I could almost feel Hermione's first bouts with PMS! Even though the movie left so much out, it was still an entertaining night out at the movies. Afterwards, we just came on home, and I did a little reading.

Sunday was the most productive day. Casey and I both got up really early for some reason. So, we spent the early morning watching DVDs. Casey whipped up some great teriyaki chicken for lunch. Afterwards, I began the Christmas wrath on the house. I like to decorate in small bouts. That way, I don't feel so overwhelmed. I always start just a few days before Thanksgiving. For the past several years, I've been off my schedule and very stressed. This year, I was determined to, "stay on target!". I'm happy to report that I'm not only on schedule, but ahead a little bit. I want the house to look especially beautiful this year, because Melissa is coming to spend a few days with us before Christmas. Casey and I have a secret plot to make her miss home so much, that she'll move back to Tennessee (yes, I know it sounds selfish, but it's only because we miss and love her so much!). Anyway, I got the outside decorations all finished. I just can't believe it. It was a nice day and not too cold. I usually wait until an artic front comes through, and the temp drops a good 40 degrees to do this. I also got the inside garlands rewrapped with new, colored lights and hung. The mantel is done as well. I changed it again this year. Last year, I had garland and the white poinsettias.

Last year.

This year, I've decided to enjoy my snowmen in December and January. I still have the green garland (now with colored lights) and the stockings. Across the top, I have part of my snowman collection. Some are antique, some aren't. Some light up, and some don't. Some are wood, and some are stuffed. I have white lights underneath the snow, and little evergreen trees scattered around them. I'll get a picture and post it soon. Anyway I don't lack much, except placing little knick knacks around the kitchen and putting the tree up. I'm thinking the tree will be in a different spot this year, because of the 2 new sofas. I want to keep the room as open as possible, so I may move the tree....we'll see. Hopefully, I'll get to enjoy Christmas this year, instead of just feeling the stress.

This week is a short week. When I drove onto campus this morning, I noticed that a lot of students have already left for the holiday. Their numbers will dwindle after today. So, it should be pretty smooth sailing. I hope everyone has a great day!

Countdown to the Holidays

I guess that, as of this weekend, the official countdown to the holidays have begun. It's usually this time of year that stress hits me upside the head. This year is a little different though. Casey and I have decided to really enjoy the season for what it is this year, instead of mostly just commercialism. Instead of exchanging gifts with his family this year (his side of the family is quite large), we've all decided to just enjoy being together. His family also thought that was a great idea too! See, half the stress gone...just like that...POOF! We are still exchanging with my mom and brother, but that will basically be it. So I guess that I can say, I will not dread Thanskgiving and the Friday after sales this year. I just won't have to do it. This year, I'll get to actually kick back and enjoy my family, instead of hyperventilating that I haven't gotten everything done. This Thanksgiving, I'll really have a lot to be thankful for.

Today has been typical. I'm just trying to get a few extra things done, since next week is a short week. I think that Casey and I are planning on going to the movies tonight. We want to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, of course. It's playing both at our local theatre and the drive-in. It's been really cold at night, so I'm not sure which place we'll end up. We also want to see Walk the Line, which is also at the drive-in. I guess that we'll suprise ourselves. Sunday, I'm going to try and get the outside Christmas lights up and working. I'd rather do it in the mild weather, rather than freeze to death. My brother and Casey said that they both would help me. With that much help, it should only take and hour or so. I also want to give all the dogs a bath this weekend, before Thanksgiving. Time to get squeaky clean for the holidays. It's a major task with 4 of them. I certainly have grand plans for this short weekend, don't I? I'll be able to take Bear and Fergie to the kennel with me on Monday, so that will ease the job a bit. We'll see who gets wetter, me or the dogs.... I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Preparation

Nothing monumental to report, I'm afraid. I am finally feeling better. I just still get tired at night. I've spent the better part of today making a blog template for the holiday season. It's totally different from anything that I've ever done. I'm just now able to read and understand enough html to make these kinds of changes. So, I hope that you guys like it. I'll be unveiling it the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Casey and I are going to have a really greasy, calorie infested, yummy supper tonight. We are going to a little local place called Pawbowski's Dog House. I'd give a link, but I've either misspelled the name OR they don't have a website yet. They pride themselves on serving the best chilli dogs, corn dogs, and Chicago dogs in the area. Since I've been really good with my eating this week, I feel that I'm entitled. We may or may not do a little shopping. We at least have to go back and swap Casey's cell phone out. We both got new phones a couple of weeks ago. Casey's model is so new, that it keeps having problems. We've gone through 2 in 2 weeks, so far. Gotta run.

Fruit of the Vine

It's the beginning of the holiday season. Are you looking for a special gift for family and friends? The ASPCA and Windsor Vineyards have teamed up with an extra special holiday gift idea. You can feature your pet, right on the label!

Such cute labels!! LOOK! They even used a schipperke!!!

With your purchase, Windsor Vineyards will donate 5% of the sale to the ASPCA. A perfect gift for wine lovers. Here's what they are offering:

Only $199/case

Private Reserve Assortment includes two bottles of each:

· 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

· 2002 Merlot, North Coast

· 2003 Petite Sirah, North Coast

· 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey County

· 2002 Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, Murphy Ranch

· 2004 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

So, hop on over and start your holiday gift buying. For more information, click the picture above or click HERE

Oh, Yuck!!

I woke up Sunday morning with a really nasty stomach bug!! So, I've been out of commission for the last 3 days!! I'm finally starting to feel better, but I'm still not quite feeling myself. I don't feel creative in the least today, so I'll just leave you all with a post of a few of my favorite pictures from the past 2 years of the Richardson critters....

Fergie

Shiloh and Bear

Tangie Jean (tangerine leopard gecko)

Rose(Bearded Dragon)

Nala

Family nap: Shiloh, Mr. Perkins, and Fergie.

Looking Back

It's been a fairly relaxed day today. Not much going on. I've been working on a few projects, and trying to make progress to finish big ones before the holidays. For some reason, I've been thinking a lot about Christmas today. So much so, that I actually listened to a couple of Christmas tunes. I was also fondly remembering my family gathering from last year. Many of you know, that I received one of my best presents EVER last year (flashback from HERE):

I got, what I consider, the best gift this Christmas. My cousin, Ruth, gave me a picture of my grandmother, when she was a young girl. I'm the product of older parents, so I'd NEVER seen a picture of my grandmother at such a young age. Not many of my family had either. So, imagine my suprise when she brought that wonderful, antique picture in and then bequeathed it to me!! The picture was taken around 1910 or so, and it is absolutely lovely! I just cried when I finally figured out that she'd given it to me!! It's one of the best presents that I've ever received.

It has taken me quite a while, but I've finally managed to get that picture in digital format to share with you all. Here it is:

My mother's mother, Allie Elsie Nichols Baucom

After looking at it for the past year, I'm awfully proud to say that I actually DO see some resemblance. My mother is nearly a perfect carbon copy of my grandmother. I especially resemble them both through my nose and mouth. It still just amazes me that I am a direct decendant of such a past. As I said earlier my parents were older, when I came along. So, my grandmother was old enough to be my great grandmother. It still boggles my mind that she was born in 1894. She is around 16 years of age in that picture. It was probably made shortly before, or just shortly after she married my grandfather. It really is one of my most cherished heirlooms. This morning, I ordered copies of the photo to give back to my cousin Ruth, who gave the picture to me. I had enough made for all of the cousins in the family too. I just hope that they like it as much as I do.

Everyone have a great weekend!

On The Radio

I had read about this over on the Doggy Woggy Photoblog last week. I finally got the chance to check it out this morning. Dogcatradio.com is a station that broadcasts especially for pets and their people. It's a pretty cool little site. It's apparently getting A LOT of national attention. It has news updates, links to cool dog/cat items, pictures, Petfinder.com links, and most of all music! There's also a link where you can buy pet cds. Pretty neat little site, overall, for pet lovers. Now, go...sit...listen!!

Another Busy Day

It seems that my posts are happening later these days. Casey and I had a wonderful dinner with our friend last night. The parade details are coming together nicely. Seems we will probably have a group of 15 or more to march. Our friend is planning on riding his horse in full stormtrooper armor. Now, if only the horse will be tolerant of the costume and not spook. He's going out to the barn this weekend, to give the costume/horse thing a trial in a controlled environment. They're thinking of putting me in a Princess Leia Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope outfit. It'll be complete with the cinnamon bun hairdo and everything! It seems that Casey and I will be the only 2 spotters there. So if we wear costumes, we need our faces free to see the kids for them. I don't know...we may opt for just our jeans and sweatshirts, depending on the weather. After a rather lengthy dinner, we made our way back to the house. A good thing too. We had a really nasty storm blow up about then. I got a couple loads of laundry done and called it a night.

We have nothing big planned for tonight. I think Casey is feeling well enough, that he wants to cook dinner. I'll admit, I'm ready for some of his home cooking. I count myself a very lucky girl. I hate to cook, except during the holidays. Casey loves it, so it works out. Other than that, I think we are just going to kick back and watch a movie or something. Oh well, I guess a little boredom is good to rest the weary bones.

Dashing Out the Door

I can't believe that I nearly forgot to blog today. This past week has been a bit busy. Casey is feeling better today. He's still not feeling quite himself but he is feeling much better. I think that I've been experiencing a bit of let down this week. I'm at the end of all of my fall happenings. It has been an incredible past 2 months!! I should feel better by tonight, though. We are meeting one of our friends, who is a member of the 501st Legion to make plans for our local Christmas parade. A group of us are marching to collect donations for the Toys for Tots campaign. Originally, Casey and I were just going to walk along as "spotters". It's really hard for the guys in costume to see below eye level, so "spotters" go along to help them spot the little kids. That way, everyone gets candy. Now, our friend wants to put us both in costume as well. I guess we'll see. Maybe I'll be an X-Wing pilot or something. I'll have more details tomorrow. Stay tuned.

A Quick Check In

This past weekend kind of pales in comparison to last week's. Casey and I managed to keep the excitement down to a dull roar. We really needed to rest after last week's events. I spent most of the weekend really doing the pre-holiday deep clean. The rest was spent nursing Casey. He started feeling yucky on Saturday, and it's only gone from bad to worse. He felt so bad by yesterday, that he rode along to the doctor's with me and Mom. Yesterday was Mom's 3 month checkup and my yearly physical. They did manage to work him in. He was diagnosed with a sinus and ear infection. They gave him some meds, so hopefully, he'll be on the mend soon. He had a really horrible night last night, with very little sleep. He's been coughing every breath as well. I hope that he feels a little better tonight. So, I guess you could say, that we are the Borey McBorington's this week. Hopefully, I'll have good health and something more exciting to up date you all on tomorrow.

Doris Day Lends A Hand

I've spent all day trying to get this blasted Blogger to work. Before I head out for my weekend, I just wanted to share this interesting story that I was e-mailed. I get e-mail from the Doris Day Animal League. This organization was founded by movie and song star, Doris Day. They specialize in spay/neuter education. It seems that Ms. Day was so moved by the plight of the animal victims of Katrina, that she stepped up to help. Her action has been dubbed Operation Just Paws. She and the agency footed the bill to have 130 dogs airlifted from Louisiana to California, when she heard they were in danger of being put to sleep. The dogs were in overcrowded shelters with no one to claim them. That's when she was moved to take action. This amounts to her agency donating approximately $20,000. What a wonderful thing to do! A big KUDOS to Doris. To read all about the transport and the Doris Day Animal League click the links.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Hitting the Wall

Boy, I'm really feeling it today. The exhaustion is finally catching up with me. I don't know why I thought that I could keep that many late nights and get away with it. I guess it comes with getting older. It's the little things that you start to notice. It's like, "hey, I can't stay up until 3:30 a.m. and still go to work!" My mother warned me that days like this were coming. But at the time, all I thought was, "that's SO many years down the road." Apparently, I'm starting to hit the intersection of life. I've noticed that I do get tired now. At the end of an exciting day, I look forward to my pajamas, a good book, and bed. I have more nostalgic moments now. Don't get me wrong. I've had them for a long time, but now those moments are coming closer and closer together. When I turned 30, I realized that my life was nothing like I'd pictured it would be when I was younger. I spent way too much time worrying about what hadn't been, instead of making the time I have now count. That's not to say that I haven't enjoyed my 30's at all. I'm a lot more comfortable in my own skin now, than I ever have been. I know what I want, and I'm not afraid to make it happen. Most of the crippling fears of early adulthood have vanished, leaving me at my most confident. Earlier this year, I promised myself that I was going to do my best to make the most of everything I did and the best of every situation. Because of this promise, the past 6-8 months have been some of the most fulfilling of my life. I've been able to reconnect with old friends, make a lot of new friends, and fill my life with wonderful opportunities. In a couple of months, I will officially hit my mid 30's. This coming birthday will not devastate me as 30 did. I'm ready to welcome my late 30's and early 40's. I'm looking forward to all of the opportunities that life has to offer. Casey and I were had a conversation with his aunt, Louanne, once. We were telling her how much we enjoyed the freedoms that our 30's had brought us. That's when she really let us in on much better news. She said, "if you think you're enjoying your 30's, just wait until you get into your 40's." I'll have to say, I'm looking a might forward to it. Hey, it certainly beats the alternative! Now, I'll just have to remember that tonight, when I'm trying to deny wearing my pj's at 7:30!!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

I have had more than several of those this past week! Everyone have a great evening!

Star Wars Magic

So much happened during my time off, that I'm reporting in 2 different posts. After we got home from Cincinnati, Star Wars mania took hold of me. Tuesday was the official release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on DVD. And being the Star Wars nerd that I am, I enjoyed every minute of it. Casey and I had gone to the Montana Drive-In on Halloween night to see a double feature. After the movies, we drove on to several Wal-Marts looking for special figures that we knew were being released with the DVD. It just so happened that we were at one of these Wal-Marts at 12:01 a.m. to claim our DVD. There was a small group eagerly waiting with us. With the DVD in one hand and one of the special DVD action figure packs in the other, we made our way back toward home. I think that I actually got to bed around 3 a.m. that morning. When we got up later in the morning, Casey made one of his fabulous breakfasts. So while we munched on toast, homemade preserves, pepper bacon, and eggs, we watched our brand new purchase. I needed to get revved up for that night's DVD release party at the Cool Springs Toys R Us. One of the 501st Legion members had arranged for the release party to kick off the Toys For Tots drive. For a donation, kids (or big kids like me) could have their pictures made with the characters of Star Wars. It was a grand success, and they had a huge turnout. Casey and I were able to meet many people that we had only corresponded with previously and visit with friends. The kids there were all so excited. One costumer drove in from Clarksville, I believe, with a fantastic Chewbacca costume. He completely stole the show. He even had the Chewie growl down perfectly. It was such fun to be in the middle of so much excitement. Casey and I also scored a much sought after piece of memorabilia, while we were there. An excellent night of fun! We finally dragged into the house around 10:30. We were so bone tired yesterday. Maybe by the weekend, we'll get caught up on our sleep. I've posted some of the pictures from the event below. To see the whole album, click HERE. Everyone have a great day!

501st Member vehicle.

What a crowd!

With the kids.

Wandering Stormtrooper.

Group photo of the participants.

Goofing off with the participants.

This photo puts into perspective how good the costume of Chewbacca really was.

Weekend In Cincy

What an incredible weekend and extended break I've had. I just had too much fun for one individual! It was so good to see Melissa. We enjoy each other's company so much. It's a shame that we don't live closer to one another. After a rather late start on Friday, (I forgot the Moodies tickets and had to travel 30 miles back home to get them!! AAAAACK!!)we had a fairly uneventful drive up. We went out to a fabulous italian dinner at a restaurant named Bravo's (or I think that's the name of it). We were all so stuffed afterwards. Then we went to this little German pub. I'd tell you all the name of it, if I could spell or remember how to say it. Since Casey and I were tired from the drive, we headed back to Melissa's place.

On Saturday, we went to Findlay Market. Casey just loved it. We brought some scrumptious treats back with us. For lunch we had Cincinnati's famous Skyline Chilli. In the afternoon we headed over to Mt. Adams and went to the Krohn Conservatory. It was such a beautiful place with lovely flowers and gardens. Here's some pictures of Mt. Adams and Krohn's Conservatory we made.

Me and Melissa.

Me and Casey

KROHN CONSERVATORY

After we finished at the Conservatory, we headed back toward town and stopped at Graeter's Ice Cream. Talk about some good stuff!! Sure wish I'd brought some of that back with me. Then, it was back to Melissa's to get ready for the Moody Blues concert.

The Moodies show was excellent, as usual. They sounded really good and also had added a really neat video show as a backdrop. The video show was of performance pictures and graphics through all the years. After the show, Melissa, Casey, and I met up with Andrea and her sister. We were lucky enough to meet the Moodie's drummer, Graeme Edge, and their backup singers and musicians at the hotel lounge afterwards. What a night!

Debby, Graeme Edge, Bernie Barlow, Andrea, Norda Mullen, and Me.

On Sunday, we sadly headed back home. It was a TERRIFIC weekend. Tomorrow, I'll tell you all what fun I've had, since I've gotten back home! Have a great evening!