Spring Break 2009

As my best friend and I decided to take a trip to get away from Western New York we thought what better way than to travel with my nephew and her two children (seen here). As we pondered where to go; we finally decided on Myrtle Beach. The last time we were in MB, we were playing softball for the Tonawanda Warriors, and we were interested to see what it looked like ten years later. The drive down was exhausting, but the reward was finally seeing the beach. It was windy and cold the first day we were there. Austin went into the ocean for the very first time, and gosh was it cold! Our hotel had all the ammenities, an indoor and outdoor pool, full size kitchen, view of



the beach, and of course a bar. Austin was all smiles at the indoor pool as we were nearly exhausted from the 14 hour car ride. The kids swam most of the day, and my friend Kristin and I rested most of the night. Pictured below is the indoor pool right outside out hotel. We had a great time. It rained one night, and was beautiful the rest. We did a something fun every night; putt putt golf, Medival times dinner, Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, and catching the sun rise and sun sets off the beach. We had a great time and was sad to leave. But, maybe next year for Spring Break 2010. Only next year, We fly!

72 Hours in the Nations Capitol

It has been and still is for that matter, a very gray, gloomy cold winter/almost spring. I think we all have been dreaming of warmer sunnier days! Much to my surprise, my daughters gave me a trip to Washington DC to be part of the spring ritual known as Cherry Blossom time in DC. So last Friday we sped down to the Capitol to enjoy "spring".

This picture needs no intro, and how beautiful is this! The blue sky, the cherry blossoms, and of course the famous residence, known as 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

This was the view out of our Hotel room, we stayed at the Hilton. It was a 9$ cab ride to the Lincoln Memorial, and a 15$ to Union Station. You could see the Washington Monument pretty clear, but not in this picture. Our cab rides were always very interesting, our assorted drivers came from all corners of the world, got us where we needed to be in one piece I may add, and manuvered the busy crowded streets like a Nascar driver! Impressive!

We took the open top bus tour, pretty good deal, 2 days 35$, 30 stops and you could hop off and on as many times as you wish. The down side, it was very very windy on Saturday, and with the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in full gear, we did not see a bus for 2 hours, which prompted our 10 mile walk from the White House to Dupont Circle. Cookie and I were trying to avoid low branches. Funny story on the bus, it was very windy and a family of 6 was visiting from Cincinnati, the wife opened the folder that the husband had so tenderly taken care of and immediately a gust of wind took their 140$ worth of tickets somewhere up 17th street. For the next 10 blocks the wife argued relentlessy for replacement tickets!

This photo is from Ford's Theater.

One of the most riveting programs was the tour guide that went over the days events that culminated with the Assasination of Abraham Lincoln. This of course is the presidential box, re-created to resemble that night, the picture along the bunting is however the original picture that has always hung there since the theater opened it is of George Washington, in a gold guilded frame.

At night, the lights are soft and low at the Lincoln Memorial and when you are climbing the granite steps, you can almost imagine Mr Lincoln, standing and speaking to the throngs of people that are always there. The picture does not depict the enormity of Lincoln, nor how life like this sculpture is..

Quiz? Who carved the Statue of Lincoln?

While touring we saw all of these people??? MMM what were they in line for, a museum, an exhibit, The Smithsonian? Nope, none of the above, it was for the subway! For the record there was the same amount of people on the other side of this picture.

This is the fountain at the WWII memorial. We threw a wheaty penny in it for Grampa! This is an interesting memorial, the tour guide told us the designer's theme was a dinner party. The design shape is oval, like a dinner table, the "main guest" is a wall of 4000 gold stars that represent the 400,000 soldiers that gave their life. To the right of that is the first state that ratified the constitutions, Delaware, on the other side, the second state, Pennsylvania and so on and so forth. Another must see when you go to DC!

Of course the economy is tough for everyone. Even this Federal City is feeling the pinch!

A sad sad sign of the times for us good Republicans! But bargains none the less.

I think you would be hard pressed to find a more spectacular building than the Capitol! No matter where you were, nor how you were looking at it, it is awe inspiring!

Quiz? Who designed the Capitol?

Of course this was all about the Cherry Blossoms! Take note of all the people! More than a Bills game, I think..

This was a whirlwind 72 hours, filled with the sights, the sounds and the smells of history! Thank you Thank you Thank you to my beautiful daughters, for this most wonderful gift. I can now cross this off my bucket list. Next on my list?????

It Be A Lot Funnier If It Could Be Read

A baseblog opinion
by
JT Pilaf

and you're going and you're going and you're going and .. PUERTO RICO!

AP, UC and I took a little trip to Puerto Rico last week. We had many adventures and many, many laughs. One of the hardest parts was getting directions to different places on the islands. Most people we asked gave some variation on the title above ... and you're going and you're going and you're going and you're there! All about process I guess -- forget those pesky details like right and left turns.

Along the way we sampled the local food.....

And the local drink of course ....

We climbed a mountain in a rainforest in ... of all things! a driving rainstorm....

We did all sorts of wonderful things ... except use the hot tub!

Chuck Norris Facts

Chuck Norris Facts

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.

There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.

When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.

Chuck Norris does'nt wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost

Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV.

Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.

If you have five dollars and Chuck Norris has five dollars, Chuck Norris has more money than you.

There is no 'ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.

Apple pays Chuck Norris 99 cents every time he listens to a song.

Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open.

Chuck Norris can eat just one Lay's potato chip.

Chuck Norris is suing Myspace for taking the name of what he calls everything around you.

Chuck Norris destroyed the periodic table, because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Arizona...

Look who we ran into at the Chicago Airport..it's always good to see a familiar face.

Unkie had made reservations at this charming, yet rustic villa.

Antie was having no part of it and this is where we ended up staying. A real "step down" as far as Unkie was concerned. Get it? Step down? I crack myself up sometimes.

Sedona, on the other hand, was a step up-way up. See Unkie pointing? He's a little acrophobic which he blames on the years he spent on ladders and on top of roofs.

Antie kept driving and we were rewarded by this view. Where does someone get enough money to buy a whole mountain and build a mansion on it? Thus destroying an otherwise natural vista and changing the ecological balance! Not to mention blocking the view of lovely Sedona. Didn't mean to sound bitter.

Antie climbed all those stairs just because Unkie insisted, and you know how he gets when he's being insistent, that we follow in the footsteps of the honorable John McCain and Sarah Pallin (John and Sarah who?) and eat in the same restaurant they ate in when they were campaigning. Unkie even ordered the same lunch that John ate. Want to know what it was? Yeah, me neither.

Then Antie had to climb all the way back down. (This place was an insane assylum at one time and a bit creepy not to mention a mile above sea level. huff, huff, pant pant.)



Antie took this picture from the patio of "our" condo. At this point Unkie was getting a bit demanding and Antie was kept busy throwing him beer to keep him happy. Oh Yeah, Unkie insists on mentioning that this was his 131st consecutive month of golfing. Do you care? Yeah, me neither!

Taking advantage of the zero degree weather

A Sledding Blog
by JT Pilaf
Zach and Emma love to sled and I love taking them. The sun was out, there was very little wind (unlike the day before), and the hill was in peak condition for sledding ready to be matted down by our inflatable vessels of doom.

The walk back up was a bit tiring, maybe my ol' body is telling me it's time for gardening.

From the safety and warmth of the truck Sandra was there to lend ummmm... hmmmmm... I'm not sure she gave us anything. But it was nice to have her around. Is that a McDonald's bag? I don't remember going there before sledding.

Zach with his 11 year old reckless abandon attitude would fly down the hill and then lean as hard as he could to wipe out. I can do that without leaning.

And then the sun fell to end our time out on the hill until another day.