Jetty Park - Port Canaveral

My Florida family loves to drive a half hour to Port Canaveral, have a drink at the martini bar and watch the cruise ships sail out on Saturday afternoons. This past Saturday, most of our fellow cruisers gathered at Jetty Park and watched the GLORY set sail one last time - before she comes back and picks us up on Saturday!!!!!

Here she comes.....

On Saturday, we'll be the ones standing on the Lido Deck waving to all the people on the shore.

... and there she goes. Have a safe sailing GLORY - we'll see you in a few days.

After 15 Months.....

....we're only a week away. We fly out at 7:10 a.m. next Friday morning. By 10:30, we'll be in Florida. My little brother will be waiting to escort back to his house where we'll relax and get ourselves ready to cruise the next day. After nearly a year and a half of planning, it's almost here - and we're MORE than ready. Bob's been through so much stress in the past two months - with the selling of one company and trying to learn the methods of the new company. It will be nice to see him relax for ten days. And the Western Caribbean is just the place for a little relaxation.

Rocker Boys Keep Rockin'.....

My rocker boys ROCKED the house last night on American Idol. I loved seeing Michael Johns step out of his comfort zone and really showcase his talent with Queen. And then David Cook blew us away with Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. Who would have guessed this song could "rock" like that? Whoooooo!!!! I'm hoping these two make it to the final four - and my prediction is that David will take it all. (Of course, I thought the same thing about Chris Daughtry two years ago and he finished 4th. But then he's probably laughing all the way to the bank on that decision).

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I Know I'm a Handful.....

Little Anna is always the center of attention when it comes to family events - and Easter was no different. Of course, Nolan and Grace think that they are the "cousins in charge". (Jack and Ben could care less about her). OK - so let's get situated here and pose for a photo. You got me cuz?? Let me get comfy here...

So.....mom, where am I supposed to look and smile??

...and now there's this pink thing that somebody laid in my lap. OK - let me see if I can figure out how to get it from lap into my mouth.....

....there we go - pink plastic in the mouth - nothing quite like the flavor. OK cuz, I think I've had enough of you. I'm ready to be man-handled by the next one.

Oh great! I't you. My nemesis - Grace. How are you supposed to hold onto ME and pose for photos at the same time? (She's such a camera hog!!)

So, hey - let me ask you something. Do you think I'll ever have beautiful hair like you? I need some help here in the hair department cuz!!!

OK - OK - forget the hair. Just give me back my pink plastic thing. Yeah, yeah I know - I'm just sooooooooo kissable.

Finally!!! I've escaped the grip of my cousins and I'm free to explore on my own. Come on pink plastic thingy - I've almost gotcha!!!!

...that is, if I could just get my hands and my knees to cooperate and work in unison.

Two More Weeks.....

....and I'll get to see this face. My little brother Frank. He was such a thorn in my side growing up. I mean - I was in high school and I had this little brother in my stuff, bugging my boyfriends, etc. Now, we're all grown up and he lives toooooooooooo far away and I only get to see him a couple times a year.

So it's just two weeks now. He'll be waiting at Orlando airport ready to transport all of us and our expanse of luggage to his home in Melbourne - where we'll relax and drink some beer and get ourselves psyched up for our cruise. (Like we're not psyched already!!) Can't wait little brother!

The Best View on the Ship.....

You gotta stand on the ship's butt (aft) to get this camera shot - but oh my, this is worth it!! Just two more weeks and I'll be meandering my little butt to the Glory's butt for this view.

But first, I have to deal with the threat of SNOW for tomorrow, Easter gifts for grandchildren, packing, our High School Athletic Booster Vegas Night, a gig for "ROCK STAR", more packing, a manicure and a pedicure, even more packing, Kelli's first game, and setting down some MAJOR rules for Kelli and Kevin - before I ever set foot on a flight to Florida.

Five Years....

Sometimes it's hard to comprehend "time". When you're a child, even an hour seems like forever. Think how long a minute seems when you're in the final stages of labor. I heard a news reporter yesterday say that it's been five years since the War in Iraq started. Five years. Was it really that long ago that we stood huddled together as a family - holding on to Bobby and not wanting to let him go. Five years since I heard his voice on the other end of a phone telling me that "this will be the last time you'll hear from me for awhile" - the day they left Camp Pendleton and boarded a flight to Kuwait. Five years since I waited by the mailbox day after day in hopes of a letter that was written weeks earlier or prayed for that phone call at 2:00 in the morning - knowing it would be coming from a satellite phone on the other side of the world. Five years since he stepped off that bus and back into our arms. We are one of the lucky families - our soldier came home to us. We are blessed. Our prayers continue daily for those still serving our country and those families who wait for a letter or a phone call.

This was a photo of Bobby (left) and his best friend Nick - taken somewhere in the desert of Iraq, outside of Baghdad - in March of 2003. We actually received this photo when he sent home some rolls of film and we developed them.

This photo was taken as they were flying home - during a layover in Amsterdam. Bobby said it was the first green grass they'd seen in six months. (The little things we take for granted). Bobby is on the left.

...and finally this photo, taken during happier times. The Marine Corp Birthday Ball - five months after they had come home. The medals earned during their service at war, worn proudly on their chests. (Bobby is in the center).

Sure Signs of Spring....

We had a nice little taste of spring over the weekend. My tulips are peaking up through the dirt under the bird bath and the last remnants of "dirty snow" continue to melt.

Here's our little Anna, modeling the latest in pink hats, with the matching jacket and pacifier.

Yesterday afternoon, the Urbanski granchildren invaded and decided to hamper grandpa's efforts to rake the front yard. The wiffle ball and the frisbee came out and the laughter of children rang loud and clear along Sandybrook Drive.

Three Weeks and Counting.....

We planned our trip so long ago and now it's just around the corner. My guest room has become the "staging area". Suitcases are out, stacks of summer clothes are ready, and a very long and detailed packing list has begun. I know I probably won't even use half the stuff I'm packing - but I'm the ultimate "planner" and I have to be prepared - just in case. I mean, who really thinks that they need bug spray on a cruise ship? There's no bugs in the middle of the ocean!! Yeah - but we're doing a river tubing excursion in Belize and we have to hike through the jungle for 45 minutes to get to the river, so.......bug spray.

The real issue is SHOES! If I were just going to Florida for a week with my family, I'd spend the entire week in flip-flops. On a cruise ship, we have formal nights and evening meals and flip flops don't quite cut it with my "little black dress". So I've packed the black heels and the three pair of flip flops (which color coordinate with my outfits), and another pair of sandals to go with my sundress, and the water shoes for the river tubing and I'll wear my crocs on the plane. Can you see my predicament here?

OK - so all this talk of packing is stressing me out. I just want to get on the plane in Chicago and step off in Orlando and hug my little brother!

Three more weeks......

Finally.....

.....spring is in the air. Three consecutive days of temps in the upper 40's - almost 50. The sun has been shining. Those awful mounds of dirty snow, scraped to the sides of parking lots are diminishing. Life is good!

Monday night, Kelli came home from softball practice with a big smile on her face and clutching her new varsity uniform. The reason for the smile? She managed to snag her favorite - good old number 7. All of her siblings wore this number throughout the years. It's become a family tradition and she wanted to keep it going.

OK - so it's the night before the first "real" practice and I understand you're excited, but know this. After tonight, this bat bag and it's contents will NOT be allowed in my kitchen. It will be full of mud and dirt and sunflower seeds.

I stopped to pick her up yesterday after work. Luckily they were practicing outside and I was able to snap a couple of photos from the car window. Of course, it didn't take long for this group to notice me with my camera. Now, what happens when teenage girls see a camera? They POSE!

American Idol - Top 12

The top 12 contestants performed last night - and one will go home tonight. Who will it be? Hmmmmm - maybe Kristy Lee Cook or David Hernandez? It was Lennon/McCartney night and us Beatle fans were ready for a show.

Of course, as far as Kelli's concerned - there's only one favorite and that's Jason Castro. Now if you know Kelli, you know that she is a HUGE Beatle fan and the song that Jason sang (If I Fell) is like NUMERO UNO on her all time list!!!

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Kelli and I agreed on this one - David Cook rocked it out on Eleanor Rigby.

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Brooke White's performance of Let It Be was beautiful!!! She's growing on me.

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...but my favorite is still the Aussie - Michael Johns. This guy was born to sing the Beatles and Queen!

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Retro Girls

The girls at Salon Fusion shot a commercial for FOX 28 News on Monday. They went for a 40's retro look - and just look at how cute they turned out for the photo shoot. The third one from the left is mine.

Play Ball and Sister Act

A couple of layouts that I completed over the weekend....

The Weekend....

We survived - but it was a busy one!

After five straight days of try-outs, Kelli succeeded in her year long goal - she made the Varsity softball team. Thirty girls tried out and six were brought up to the varsity level. Her next goal - trying to earn one of those two open starting positions.

Saturday morning moved from the gym straight to the bed and breakfast where Kelli works to host a bridal shower for Chrissie's friend Brianne. Our location was beautiful, the food was yummy and the shower was a great success.

The Secret is OUT....

So...............we have another grandbaby on the way. This will make 6.

Any guesses out there???

UPDATE:

OK - so the answer is......

The Ground Has Been Broke....

...and we're getting a SONIC Drive-In just down the road. OK - so this is NOT good! You see, I'm going to have to drive by this place every day. Can't get to work without going past it. Can't get to church without going past it. Can't get to the grocery store without going past it. NOT GOOD!!! I'll need to wear blinders like one of those old carriage horses in Central Park.

I'll never be able to resist! Imagine trying to calculate "points" when I've got this staring me in the face!!!

...and then there's these awesome slushies!!! OK - so I'm going to be in some major trouble.

Let's Hear It For the Boys....

It seems like every year I'm drawn to the "boys" side of things on American Idol. Now don't get me wrong, there are some very talented young women this season - but the boys are gettin' it done for me (and Kelli).

Don't know if it's the rocker thing or that Aussie accent, but WHOA - Michael Johns is at the top of my list. Tuesday night was 80's night and Michael performed Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds.

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Another rocker that's moved into contention on my list is David Cook. Here was Tuesday night's 80's performance of Hello by Lionel Richie.

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And then there's Kelli's favorite since day one - Jason Castro. He won me over with this rendition of a favorite of mine - Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah.

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And finally, there's this little sweetie who will probably win the whole thing. Seventeen years old and an awesome voice - David Archuleta singing Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins. Even though I go more for the rocker boys, I just wanna squeeze this one!!

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All I can say is that the girls have their work cut out for them tonight, after last night's performances by the guys. Last year, I had a clear cut favorite from the very first night. This year, it's tougher - just a great variety of talent.

State of Grace.....

So, I've been hired by a client to complete four years of her daughter's high school life by way of photographs and memories in a scrapbook. I've completed the freshman and sophomore years and am well underway with the junior year. Her mom will deliver all of the senior year stuff after we return from our cruise - which will give me about six weeks to get it finished before she graduates. My evenings are consumed with this project. I come home from work, grab a quick bite, throw some laundry into the washer and head to my studio. Amidst reruns of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Entertainment Tonight" - I plug away. This morning, I decided to squeeze in one of my own layouts for my family album. I'm currently running about 9 months behind and I refuse to let myself fall more than a year behind. So, I reached in my sorted box and pulled out a pre-planned layout I had of our grandaughter Grace. An hour later, here it is....

Reality Check....

After over 400 days - we are now just a month away from our cruise. It seems "real" now because our tickets have been issued and our electronic documents printed. Our boarding passes, luggage tags, etc., are now sitting in my ever ready little hands!!! One month from today, we fly out of Chicago and a month from tomorrow we'll be sailing out of Port Canaveral Florida en route to Cozumel, Belize and Nassau at the end of the week. In between our ports of call, we'll enjoy three glorious days "at sea" - early mornings, a good book, plenty of sunscreen, some "foo foo" drinks and a lounge chair on the Lido Deck.

Our ship, the Carnival Glory is one of the ships from the Conquest Class. It holds nearly 3,000 passengers and a crew of over 1100. There are 13 decks, a show lounge, two formal dining rooms (with two evening seatings), a casino, a dance club, a piano bar, a jazz bar, a library, a teen club, a sports bar, a coffee bar, a sushi bar, an internet cafe, the Red Sail Restaurant (buffet), a Dinner Club (which we have reservations at on Wednesday night), AND a pizza parlor, a fish and chips restaurant, a New York Deli and a hamburger joint. (Somebody had better remind me WHY I've lost weight to do this???)

Our room is on the Empress Deck. Four of us have balcony rooms all in a row. Our plan is to have our room steward remove the balcony dividers so that we have one LONG balcony. The other thing I LOVE about these rooms is being able to prop our balcony door open at night and listen to the sound of the ocean as you fall asleep.

It Starts Again....

For as long as I can remember, our lives as parents have been consumed with girl's softball. Carrie, Katie, Colleen, and Chrissie - Little League, Grade School, High School, Travel Teams and College Softball. More years than I can even attempt to calculate. The summers of road trips, hotels and living out of coolers. Those were some of the best summers of our lives and we made friendships that will last a lifetime. So....we're on the home stretch now. One last daughter - Kelli. It was inevitable that she'd play softball. I think it's in her blood. Maybe the fact that she spent her early years following after her sisters, dreaming of the day it would be her turn.

Tonight - tryouts begin for her high school team. She's been conditioning for months and now it's time to show what they've got (or don't have). She's excited! Ready to get to work and play ball - hopefully in about three weeks if the weather cooperates. As for me, I'm working on a purple and gold afghan to wrap myself in during those early season games.

Time For Me To Fly....

Bob and I spent Friday night at the Morris Performing Arts Center (along with a packed house) to enjoy the music of REO Speedwagon. Baby Boomers were dancing in the aisles to the music we enjoyed in the 80's. Their hair may be gray, but the boys from Champaign, Illinois can still ROCK!!!




Our seats were in the balcony - dead center. We had a perfect view - but of course it looks even better with a great zoom on the digital camera!