Edward & Me

I had my first job as Granny Nanny for Edward recently and it was so much fun. Mom Sarah was scheduled to have her gall bladder removed and I was on first shift. Donny planned to arrive a few days later after getting his major Bayside tasks accomplished. And Sarah's folks were picking up the second half of Sarah's no lifting for one week recovery period.

I arrived in Durham Wednesday evening and got instructions on Edward's eating schedule and menu. Stephen & Sarah were due at the patient center by 8AM. They said Edward would be up around 6:30 or 7 and they would get his breakfast going and I could finish up.

The next morning I let them have their last family moments before popping into the kitchen to take over. Edward was in the midst of breakfast and I eased into position to continue. As they were leaving the house Stephen told me this was the first time both of them had left Edward at the same time. I felt very honored to be a part of this rite of passage. Edward, with a little help from me, finished up his breakfast of cottage cheese and applesauce with a few Rice Chex for munching.

Edward loves his food and it was gone in a flash. We tidied up and checked out the toys. It was a beautiful sunny day and we wandered onto the deck. He loved this. I adjusted the plant containers so they formed a barrier between him and the rail and also provided great hand holds for this almost solo walking boy. He played and played and played. Walking from one end of his 'garden' to the other. He tried a dirt sample but found it to be lacking. He weeded and tilled and weeded some more. He moved handfuls of dirt from one pot to the next and back again. I did some yoga poses, push ups, V-sits and crunches.

Then it was time for morning nap. We washed up, fixed a bottle and headed to the glider in his room. We snuggled in and before long one tired boy was out like a light. I couldn't put him down he was snuggled so deep in my arm (well I could but I did not want to). So we glided and drifted for about an hour. Then the phone rang and he popped awake but he was probably ready anyway. Sarah said he was phasing out his morning nap.

We were having a marathon practice walking session in the hallway when Grandpa McKay popped in to check on us. We assured him that we were fine and he left to help out a neighbor.

We played some more on the deck and then it was time for lunch. Stephen had said he would be home by lunch but left instructions just in case. Sarah had prepared Edward's most favorite of all, Indian food, and so we were fine. After lunch we tooled around toyland and practiced walking some more. Stephen called to report on Sarah and check on us. Completely fine we assured him.

Before long it was time for afternoon nap. I had no instructions here so we started with a water bottle but it was not well received, so we mixed a small amount of formula and settled into our glider. Soon sweet Edward was again drifting off snuggled in the crook of my arm. I really wanted to keep holding him again but knew the afternoon nap was more important and he needed to stretch out. Just as I was putting him into his crib, Stephen came in. But Edward only stirred, he slumbered on. Later after she got home Sarah told me that I was lucky to get a slumbering moment with Mr Edward. She said he never fell asleep when anyone was holding him.

And thus ended my first Granny Nanny moments with the real sparkling Edward.

Weston & Okemo

Okemo from Vermont 100
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Tuesday February 10, 2009

Lewis has a private lesson this morning with more lessons later so Donny & I decide to play tourist. We get our mega coffee from Dunkin' Donuts at the Shell gas stop and take Vermont 100 to the tiny village of Weston about 10 miles down the road.

We stop at the Weston Village Store in the middle of this tiny town. It is exactly what you would imagine from a country store that has seemingly endless rooms up and down steps and stairs. We are the only folks visiting and we take our time looking at everything. We select a case of Vermont maple syrup in really cool bottles corked with a wax seal to bring home for family and friends. The shop clerk is a typical Vermont gent, short on conversation but long on manners.

Now we drive a few yards down the road and turn into the parking lot of the Vermont Country Store. It is located in the back of this famous country store such that from the road it looks like there is no parking. This is the same store that sends those small black and white catalogs full of items all over the country. It is a big operation. Lots of people are shopping here. We browse and sample cheeses and jams. It too rambles endlessly.

We go next door to the Bryant House for lunch. The food is down home and great. I have an Apple Pie apertif. It is hot cider with butterscotch schnapps and whipped cream. We both have clam chowder. Donny get home made peppermint ice cream for dessert and I gingerbread with more whipped cream.

We head back to our favorite skiing mountain and stop in the Base Lodge store so that I can get some Okemo clothing. My badge of slope conquering.

We see the Snow Stars coming in for the day from their various lessons and try to spot Lewis but all the instructors are dressed alike and we are not sure. It is fun to see the kids doing their death wedge down the slopes.

We go home and begin packing for our trip back to the humid sub-tropics tomorrow. We want to leave when the kids go to work and so need to have everything packed and out the door by 8AM.

Tonight is Wallyball at the gym and we are going to watch. Feeney plans to get in some swimming time to keep up her skills for this summer. We try to get a quick bite to eat at DJ's before the game but the waitress tells us there are no seats at the bar and that we cannot order off of the bar menu in the dining room. There are plenty of empty adjacent seats near the bar but we do not argue with her. We go to Wicked Good and get a slice of pizza. This is a quick stop and we have time to spare. We stop in at Killarney's to say hi to whoever is there which is most of the ski patrol gang. We have a quick drink, say our farewells to everyone and then it is Wallyball time.

Wallyball is a blast to watch and surely play. Lewis' team is clearly superior but it is all in fun and they switch the teams around after a while. The challenge is the Base Lodge Snow Stars instructors take on Jackson Gore Snow Stars instructors. Each week pretty much there is a different challenge. Last week was broom ball on the ice.

After the game ends, we head back to DJ's for more food. Now the kitchen is closed, we move on to the Loft, same story. We try the Burger Joint and again kitchen closed. We give up and go home and forage and do final packing.

Au Revoir Ludlow and Okemo!

Okemo Summit

A few feet of snow in Ludlow
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Monday February 9, 2009

I awake before the guys and decide to wander around town taking pictures as it is a bright sunny day. When I get back they are up and Donny announces that he is going to stay in and work on Bayside orders.

Lewis and I gather our gear and head for the mountain base. Today we can park in the upper lot. We start with the Snow Stars office to get verification for my lift ticket. I meet Liz who gives Lewis a fan letter from a young student that also contains a nice tip from the student's dad.

We put on our ski boots and leave our Uggs in Lewis' locker. We get my ticket and head to the bunny slope. It is a quieter day on the mountain, Donny would have had more fun today.

Lewis tells me to bring along my poles. At the top of the slope he shows me how to hold the poles and then tells me not to use them for stopping. I have a great vision of this now. I tell him that I will use them for stopping and maybe I am not ready for poles just yet. He takes my poles and tells me to follow his tracks in wedge turns.

I am certain I will careen into something but manage to do a few turns before I use the wrong leg and fall. My knee takes a twisting and is very thankful for breakaway skis. A few more falls like that impress upon me that it is easier to do the turns right than feel the pain of twisted knee.

While practicing on the bunny slope I notice a woman at the top just standing, and standing, and standing. I know how she feels, gathering courage can take time.

After a few more runs on the bunny slope, we decide it will be a good time to pay a visit to the summit and our patrol friends. We take a short lift that has a completely different procedure but again not complicated.

As we exit, Lewis tells me to ski down a slope to the left. I tell him I thought we were going visiting. He says that we are but we need to ski to the next lift. And so we do. It is here that I take the most knee wrenching fall and determine not to do that any more.

The next lift is long and the view stunning. We can see Mt Washington behind us in the distance. When Lewis suggested that Donny & I come to Vermont and experience the mountain I guess I expected just plain snow slopes having only seen skiing competitions on television. But Okemo sports clear well groomed runs with stretches of woods separating them. It really is quite tranquil and picturesque.

As we approach the top Lewis tells me to get ready to stand up when my skis touch the mat. I am slow to do this and almost get that ride down the mountain then and there.

We shuffle ski to the patrol shack, drop our skis and go inside. Feeney is on a wreck, JJ is doing a mock wreck drill and Jim is off somewhere. We chat with the guys eating their lunch and then decide to leave since we know Feeney will be a while getting back.

Outside we consider our options. The runs look really steep although Sunburst is a green. I do not think I can do it. I not too seriously suggest that we could drink hot chocolate in the Summit Lodge until Feeney gets back. Neither of us wants to really do that. I tell Lewis sliding down on my butt would be my first choice but that cannot happen on a public mountain with lots of activity so I decide that I can ski down. Lewis asks if I am sure. I nod yes. I am so far out of my comfort zone I cannot even see it. I think I spy it over on Jackson Gore. Doesn't it know that I'm here on Okemo needing help. Guess I will have to forge ahead without it, after all my turns have improved.

We approach the drop and Lewis offers salvation. He will ski backwards like we have done on the bunny slope and I will hold his ski pole. We will wedge turn together. We commence and are making good progress on the nice pristine corduroy when a ski patrol guy asks if we are okay. I guess not many truly novice skiers land at the top of the mountain. We assure him that we are very fine and not fatigued at all as he seems to think. He says he can get a snowmobile but we are really fine. A snowmobile ride for fun is one thing, but because someone thinks you are fatigued? No thank you. He says he will check back shortly to see if we need help.

We continue. We reach a milder incline and Lewis tells me to follow his tracks on my own. I do and soon we reach the Mountain Road. This is also a nice gentle incline but there is a fair amount of traffic both experienced and learner. The road is also narrower. We need to keep to one side and watch out for skiers and snowboarders. We reach an intersection with Lower Arrow. It is a blue square but will be shorter and get us out of traffic.

We pair ski this to Homeward Bound, the last slope. Lewis tells me to go. He has such confidence in my skiing and lo and behold here's my comfort zone not on Jackson Gore at all but hanging out at the bottom of the mountain. Jerk wad. I take off and actually ski around a few stopped skiers and reach the bottom uneventfully. We have missed Feeney on her way back up by about a minute. I tell Lewis I could use some water and send him to meet Feeney and do some skiing while I head for the Base Lodge.

When he gets back he asks me if I skied any while he was gone. I really might have but I did not feel like getting the boots back together or dealing with falling down and trying to get up.

It's been a good day. I'm done. We head home to get ready for 25 cent wing night at Killarney's. Also I need to make banana pudding. The new house rule is that anyone who stays more than three days is required to make something to eat. I am assigned banana pudding, a great choice. I make a double batch after sending Lewis to the store for more bananas.

Later after excellent hot wings and brew at Killarney's the gang gathers at the house for pudding. It is delicious!! Jim tells me he is sorry we missed everyone today and to come back tomorrow for a ride down the mountain. I do believe him but Lewis has lessons tomorrow and I am not quite ready for soloing just yet.

Okemo

Sunday February 8, 2009

We get up early and dress for the mountain. Katelyn's friend Claire who flew in from Charlottesville for the weekend to go snowboarding is riding with us to the base. Feeney is coming along for our first stop, breakfast at Cafe DeLight and then headed back home to catch up on her day off sleeping.

Blueberry pancakes, with pure maple syrup naturally, scrambled eggs and coffee fill us up. We say good bye to Lauren and stuff ourselves into one car. We only have a short drive up to the base and we, along with all our equipment, fit well enough. We just miss being able to park in the lot adjacent to the base and so have to park in a lower lot and ride the bus. Before we board the bus, Lewis suggests that we put on our ski boots so we won't have to rent a locker for our gear. Walking in ski boots is quite the experience, but one quickly adapts. There are racks on the side of the bus for skis and snowboards but the driver tells us to bring ours on board since they are small. The trip is only a few minutes at most.

We unload and hoist our gear for a short walk to the lift ticket office. First we help Claire find Katelyn who is at work but gets a break since they are not busy grooming the courses at the moment. Lewis got comp tickets for working over Christmas and uses them for our day on the slopes or more correctly bunny hill.

We tag ourselves with our tickets and it is time for our lesson to begin. Lewis shows us how to get into the skis and walk with them on. He puts our (gasp) poles aside saying those will come in later. Okay so the walking stuff is not too bad, but when he tries to get us to snowplow, or pizza wedge as it is now called, we both fail miserably. My wedge is the stingiest slice of pizza ever and Lewis says that really doesn't matter it's the ski edges I need to engage. Edges engage. I send this message to my legs and feet but not much happens, I continue to slide forward. We at this point are at the base of the bunny slope so sliding is pretty minimal but still I cannot stop the motion. Donny does a bit better but we are going to need practice to master this technique.

Finally Lewis decides that we are okay enough to go up the bunny slope. This means getting on the magic carpet and off again. For those of you not in the know, it is like those moving walkways in big airports, but it goes uphill and you have to shuffle your skis on while it is moving, of course. The idea is to shuffle onto the moving part while leaning forward so you won't fall over. There is an operator to help you but kids are hopping on like nothing and you do feel pretty silly needing a hand. So going solo I get onto the carpet okay enough and immediately begin to worry about getting off. Lewis has told us to slide off at the end onto the slight decline of ice and then shuffle forward so the line does not get bogged down. I am in the lead and manage the off process without mishap.

Magic carpet update, Donny just reminded me about one of the more exciting parts of mastering the magic carpet, the unexpected stop. You are patting yourself on the back for not falling as your get on and it is actually a nice slow ride up a small slope. Then with no warning the carpet stops. Welcome to the magic carpet says Lewis from behind me. He is playing Donald Ball, he has forgotten to warn us about unscheduled stops. So now it is no longer a completely pleasant interlude. One must constantly be at the ready for a stop. Oh well, good core training.

Now we are at the top of the bunny slope. It is a Sunday and parents with kids are everywhere, as well as beginner skiers and snowboarders. But everyone is watchful of everyone. Lewis takes us one at a time. While he executes the pizza wedge backwards letting us hold onto his ski pole he is holding parallel to the ground at waist level, he has us wedge ski forward partway down the slope. Then he leaves whichever of us he is working with stationed in a holding wedge while he retrieves the uphill parent. In this manner he gets us down the slope with us doing a small bit of skiing. Donny falls once and cannot get up without Lewis' help. It looks easy enough until I take a fall and cannot get up either. Later at home I find I can hop up easy enough so I am not sure what part of the procedure is just not working on skis. We take the carpet ride up again and this time things are a bit smoother all around but at the bottom Donny has had enough partly because he is overdressed and not comfortable at all.

I wait while Lewis skis with him to the base lodge just a few yards away. When he gets back, Lewis says that was Donny's best skiing so far. While waiting for Lewis to get back I remember that wedge stopping was never any good for me with ice skates either and tell him this. We decide to see what my hockey stop looks like. It's better but needs work. I always did a circle stop when skating, sometimes a hockey stop. We go to the top of the bunny slope and I practice down hill wedge turns. When I remember to press with the correct leg it works well.

Lewis decides it is time for the chair lift. We shuffle ski to the lift and he tells me what to do. It really is simple but all so new! We take a short lift to a slope top pretty much just above and to the side of the bunny slope. We do the wedge ski thing with Lewis backwards guiding me and then he wants me to do some turns. I am constantly forgetting to use the correct leg and everything gets our of line and I fall usually losing a ski. Lewis tell me that I am leaning uphill too much in addition to using the wrong leg and that is causing me to fall. I am slowly getting the idea but when everything is in motion there is no time to think which is probably good but it is still comforting to hear him calling out instructions.

It is a short run to the bottom even with falls. We go into the lodge which is directly ahead and find Donny. Feeney has checked in and wants to know if it is too late to join us. She is finishing up some baking. We decide to meet her at the house. Lewis says a day with us is far easier than a day with kids. I think both are probably a lot of work. We send him out to take a run on his own and we gather our stuff to go look for his arrival. Before long we spy him gliding down the slope effortlessly.

It's been a good introductory lesson. Donny is glad to have survived the mountain. I am thinking about tomorrow.

Back on Pleasant Street, we tidy up and decide to go tour the Long Trail Brewing Company a few miles down the road. It is a small operation that will be 20 years old this May. The tour is self guided and nothing is running when we are there but it is still very interesting.

We can eat there but decide to go to Cappuccino's in town for dinner. It is a small Colington Cafe type place and the food is really good. Back home we run into JJ and fellow ski patrol buddy, Jim. Feeney learns that she was supposed to work today and is completely chagrined as she has never been scheduled for Sundays. She'll go in tomorrow even though it is now supposed to be her day off. No worries. Next week they are all due in an hour early and who knows what else as it is President's Day week and schools are out so the slopes will be busy.

Jim tells Lewis to bring me to the top of the mountain tomorrow and someone will give me a snowmobile or toboggan ride to the bottom, or I can ride the lift down. Failing any of that I can ski down the country road easy enough. Sounds like fun!

North to Vermont

Fireplace room
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Friday February 6, 2009

It was an easy enough trip but long and our upgrade to the fireplace room was a welcome sight. We arrive around 9pm Friday evening after leaving home at about the same time in the am. Lewis has just gotten in from work at Wicked Good. We meet JJ (housemate) & Squeaks. They both work ski patrol with Lauren and also at Wicked Good. Squeaks (Justin) is delivery guy.

Saturday morning sees us sleeping in until around 10 and then heading to town for lunch and a look around. Ludlow proper is two main streets, one with homes and one with small town businesses, that are perpendicular to the mountain, the money business of Ludlow. Three cross streets and that's it. Railroad tracks and a stream bracket the two streets, Main and Pleasant. Actually the stream bisects the two streets. It is very pretty and the town had quaint walking bridges where needed.

Lewis and the gals live on Pleasant Street near Elm and it is a quick walk to Main and the influx of small businesses. Katelyn tells us to try American Pie for good pizza, even though Wicked Good is just across the street. The consensus among the gang is that WG is good but AP is the best.

We wander in to AP and order, taking time to get to know the owner and his wife. Nine years next Wednesday they have been putting pies on the plates of hungry customers. They never borrowed a dime to start the shop but relied on give aways for the decor and starting small. They cook the pizzas in a beautiful wood fired brick oven. Yum indeed.

We wander down Main St and get some coffee from Dunkin' Donuts inside the Mobile gas station. Several rows of convenience items sit idle while customers, skiers and locals, are lined up almost out the door for donuts and coffee. Donny figures someone miscalculated the popularity of the coffee & donuts.

Back home we get more settled in and Lewis arrives from work. We discuss dinner and decide on taco soup at home since he has made fresh sour dough bread as well as guacamole. We need a few things for the soup and a lime for the guacamole plus we decide that getting our equipment now will make more sense than tomorrow, so we head out.

It is cold but we know and understand not really that cold for Vermont in February. We are pretty glad for the forecast heatwave coming along in the next few days.

Dinner is perfect after which Lewis reviews our borrowed ski clothing and with a few additions from him deems it acceptable for our first time ever skiing. Feeney is on her way back from her grandfather's funeral in upper state NY and we manage to stay awake until she gets in, not really that late at all.

Extended Christmas 2008

The table
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

The babies (and their parents) arrived Christmas Eve and we were ummm..sort of ready. Well, always ready for a visit but only sort of ready for Christmas. The tree was procured three days earlier on a balmy Sunday, then the nor'east wind kicked up and we did not want to open the tree inloading door on that side of the porch and opted for the promised finer weather. Which finally occurred Christmas Eve. What with last minute shopping and visits from neighbors (never too busy for a glass of eggnog) we had just pretty much installed the tree when in came family one, followed shortly by family two. Baby's First Christmas was officially underway!

Tuckered out from the trip with a reluctant long distance rider, the guys nevertheless helped get the lights on the tree and the scaffolding in place for the...ta da...Decoration Busters aka Mariah, Jess & Evan to arrive. I use that term literally as a few decorations hit the attrition pile but the gals did a fine job of ornamenting our tree at the eleventh hour and we were very grateful.

Everyone was in bed by 9 except Donny & myself who had drawn the midnight shift at the elf factory and thus had to go to work. I later told him we never had it this easy getting kids to bed and we did not even have to say a word.

Christmas morning, I heard rumblings early but knowing the babies were oblivious to what day it was and the adults would not mind waiting, I rolled over and went back to sleep.

At a more gentile hour we settled into opening gifts. Andrew was appointed to distribute presents being the youngest child in attendance. He did not have a Santa hat but he did his job well.

Donald called to report lumps of coal in his stocking in the form of no electricity for morning coffee in Columbia SC. Now I know he is a good child so the coal must have been a mistake, but nevertheless they had no coffee, harsh.

We that were here had a wonderful traditional Christmas dinner and even cut the coconut cake, knowing Donald & Terri would not be much later getting in. Before they could arrive, Lewis did via ichat and opened his present from AJ while Andrew watched. D&T arrived around 9 and we played a few rounds of their new game, Dominion, while we enjoyed more, I must admit, fabulous coconut cake.

I told you this was extended Christmas because you see, we are not through yet. While we were opening presents the following morning with D&T, Emily called to say she had a change of plans and thought she would be able to get to the OBX today (if you got lost we are on Friday). But, after her new plans were formed glitches appeared everywhere. Marty had a mystery rash he was having checked, Lydia had a bad cough they were also checking on. She would call back. Later after it was verified that Marty's rash, identified as highly contagious shingles, (thus no OBX Christmas for him) and Lydia's non-contagious cough would do no harm to the babies, Em and her two began their trip.

They arrived around 9 (a recurring theme) and finally we were as all together as it was going to get.

Saturday morning we had one more Christmas and topped of Martin's perfect Christmas with a much coveted Bionicle. Lydia got more stuffed animals than Emily cares to think about but she knows when she is outnumbered.

We had rib roast for mid-day meal and everyone dispersed in waves throughout the afternoon starting with the babies who, if asked, would say they had the most miles to go.

We did have the D family until the next afternoon but by this time we were all pretty much just sitting around looking at each other, company enough without words.

Merry Christmas belated!! This set of pictures is similar to but not the same as those on Facebook.

A Celebration

Grands in a Row
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

It was definitely a party. Just the way she would have liked it. She being Mary Elizabeth Bessinger Gooch better known to some as Mom, others as Grandma, others as GG, others as Mary Beth, others as Mary, others as Mrs Gooch. I could go on and on because she knew everyone and each had a special name for her depending on the relationship of the two.

I called her Mom just like my Mom because when I married her oldest son, I gained another Mom and a stellar one at that. From my point of view she was great at everything she put her mind to do. She was the queen of music, the queen of thrifty shopping and she was the queen of mothering. She raised her five children to be best friends and as diverse as their lives have become they are just that--best friends.

She nurtured seventeen grandchildren and at her celebration service on Saturday January 3rd the six girl granddaughters prior to their collective reading spontaneously formed a club they call The Heartstrings Club, grandma's favorite endearment for each and every one of them. They have firmly put the next generation on the best friends trail. Surely the greats will do no less. Already there are eighteen to carry the banner with more to come.

At the service the grand girls read, the grand boys (sans Donald & Lewis) were pall bearers and the five siblings eulogized their mother with tender and touching stories. Oldest granddaughter Liza led the way with her introduction to the reading which was first on the program. She commented about how they as adult women were grown and scattered with varying lifestyles but their common bond was grandma. How she rocked them and sang to them, how they played make-up games throughout her house and how she always had the best treats like Pecan Sandies in her cupboard just for them.

Liza set the pace for a truly loving celebration and the rest followed just as eloquently. This family service was a tender act of love, filled to the brim with such just like mom wanted.

It was not until later Saturday evening that Donny & Bethie were chatting and Donny mentioned that surprisingly none of them had touched on a topic which was a constant thread in mom's life; her love of emphasizing the point and underlining choice words on a birthday, Christmas or other occasion card. There was always an on-going friendly competition in our household regarding the amount of underlines one received from grandma. The money in the card was appreciated for sure but it was mere icing on the cake. The underlines were the thing.

At the graveside Kenneth closed the short and sweet service with a prayer. But before anyone could rise Donny raised his voice and said, "Let's let the last thing be the Doxology." And thus we sang to Mom one more time.

Godspeed, Mom, Grandma and GG. We all love you!!

Edward Spends a Day at the Beach

Happy Mr E
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

The day after Thanksgiving was Edward's first full day at the beach. Well not technically since he was here in October for D&T's wedding. But he & parents slept next door and so that only half counts. After a breakfast or two and a nap in between we all took a walk to the toy beach. Stephen was sad to see only the light house remaining of the old playground toys but as fun as they were, those icons of Colington Harbor childhood were really not that safe with sharp corners and so on, although the structures were fine.

Next S&S&E and I explored life by the dock of the bay while Donny went shopping. Mr E really really wanted to get in the water. He is going to be some water baby!

Donny came home with a shiny new PS3 and a copy of Wall-E for our evening entertainment. S&S had not yet seen it and upon Stephen's recommendation Donny got the PS3 so we could watch in movie quality Blu-Ray.

Before retiring for bed (after 3 day naps) Edward showed off his page turning skills with Mom's help and then his kicking skills using his new beach entertainment center which turned out to be exactly the same one he has at home! He also explored some of the vintage Ball baby toys and found them rather intriguing and worthy of his attention.

All in all a well balanced and fun day!

Thanksgiving

Mr E
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Stephen, Sarah & Edward joined us for Thanksgiving weekend and it was a lot of fun! They arrived Thursday afternoon in plenty of time for a dusk dinner. Earlier in the week I baked an Alton Brown coconut cake that turned out so well, plus a pumpkin pie, cherry pie and lemon chess pie.

Thanksgiving Day Donny roasted the turkey on the Primo grill. I made Mother Leigh rolls, fresh cranberry jelly (which we forgot to put out), Cook's Illustrated garlic & butter steamed green beans, and another Cook's recipe of baked brown sugar glazed sweet potatoes. To this we added our traditionals; home made Pepperidge Farms stuffing, mashed potatoes, and Donald's turkey drippings gravy.

We toasted with bubbly, dined with a fine Chardonnay and started our desserts with Neige, a French dessert cider. Jess was going to eat with us but ended up stopping by for a quick after dinner hello instead.

Edward was awake for dinner and after his much eying of the food Stephen offered him a green bean to suck on which was well received and then a sweet potato slice to taste which was also well received. His first food at his first Thanksgiving.

Lewis called to report that his dinner was a resounding success. He was Top Chef and the gals filled the gaps.

We all retired early, after a very fun and full filling day!

Mr Benjamin

Mr B
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

We had a great sleep and awoke to find that Benjamin did too. He slept straight through until 6, his first all nighter. Lots of company will do that to just about anyone, but especially Mr Social Butterfly.

Andrew, Benjamin and I chatted for awhile and then Mr B was tuckered out and decided to take a nap. Donny got up and we had coffee and fruit while B Boy dozed. He woke after a short nap and Donny got his play time in, that is after Benjamin had 2nd breakfast.

Then it was again nap time and time for us to head home after a great vacation and marathon experience.

Scarecrow Town

Spectators
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Wednesday morning we had a leisure breakfast with Bud & Amy and loaded the car for the short trip to Greenville SC. Crisp fall was in the air and traffic was obedient on all roads. We elected to follow Garmily and traveled merrily along country roads to hook up with I-85. Suddenly I spied a row of scarecrows lining a fence watching a scarecrow (or dummy I thought at first until I saw a Got Scarecrows sign) football game complete with referees, cheerleaders and spectators in a small stand. We were intrigued. Donny stopped while I snapped pictures noticing that each scarecrow had a tag with Guiness World record and a number.

Back on the road we we pondered the set up. Probably a football game inspiration we reasoned. A few miles down the road we entered a small rural town to find MORE scarecrows. In every direction. One riding a scarecrow horse, mechanics working on a car, an angel choir, a gingerbread family. We took more pictures and finally moved on.

I googled scarecrows and got the answer. The small town of Hoschton, Georgia population 1,700 decided to enter the Guiness Book of World Records for the most scarecrows in one location for their fall festival in September. These were some of the still standing entries. The town made 5,441 scarecrows trying to beat Cincinnati's record of 3,331. No word yet on whether they won. But I read that it did not pay to try and thwart the project. Vandals that were caught knocking down scarecrows (one rule was that each scarecrow must be standing) were sentenced to make 25 scarecrows.

When we got to Grandma's and told Beth about this, she was ready then and there to go see for herself. They really are something if you happen to be in the area.

We had a nice visit with Mom and then headed to Raleigh where AJB waited with dinner. SSE came over but Edward needed to go home before we got there.

Benjamin was still up and greeted us with his ever present smiles!

Traveling

High Museum
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

We get an early start from the Big Easy Tuesday morning but we do take time to walk four blocks to Cafe du Monde, a 24 hour coffee shop on the corner of Jackson Square, that has real coffee and sweet beignets. We get ours to go and head east.

We are intrigued by the miles and miles of bridge systems over the bayous all along the way through Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Seems like the proposed Pea Island bridge project is nothing compared to these.

When we stop for coffee in Mississippi I am starving for protein and we find amazing burgers at a take-out called Steak Out. They charbroil your burgers to order. The cashier has a voice just like Tara's in True Blood. We ARE in the deep south!

We reach Atlanta in time for our tour of the First Emperor's Terracotta warrior exhibit. It is impressive. There are over 600 pits of which this exhibit has articles from two. Over 7000 warriors were created, to date 1000 have been unearthed. And the first warrior was discovered only 34 years ago in 1974 by a farmer plowing his field. I can see how Qin Shihuangdi rose to be First Emperor. Among many dictates, he demanded that every item, even parts of items, made be signed by the worker so blame, or praise, could be assigned if needed.

We meet John & Donna at Ted's Montana Grill after an anxious moment when they are late and I begin to doubt myself as to whether I have remembered the plan correctly. They have been in a traffic snarl. John recommends the entire menu but says the bison is wonderful and it is.

We bid farewells and head to Conyers where Bud & Amy await in their charming cozy home. We chat for a long time, have a nice lemon dessert and turn in for some delightful sleep.

The Big Easy

Hotel le Richlieu
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Monday morning we get on the road a bit later than planned after trying for breakfast at the exceedingly popular Gunther House a few blocks away amid the really huge houses in King William District. It is too crowded and we opt for our favorite coffee house only to find it closed and so we elect to eat one more time at the Hatters. Their food is great, the coffee is less but we endure.

500 miles later we are in New Orleans at the hotel we have booked a room in, the only hotel in the French Quarter that has free self parking. It is older and quaint. Our desk clerk gives us directions to Coops a few blocks away for some real creole food. It is marvelous. A fun casual hot spot. After filling up, we wander over to Bourbon Street and try to find Preservation Hall. We have a map but keep walking by where it should be. It is either give up, ask, or go back to our hotel and look up more details online. We opt for asking and soon discover our problem. Amid all the bustle of Bourbon Street it is exactly where the map states but is so subtle as to be easily overlooked. And it is not on Bourbon Street but just off on St Peter St.

We are in time for the last set tonight featuring Willie Smith on trumpet and Marie Watanabe on piano. There are enough folks to make it seem real but not so many to crowd us out. We have a few minutes before the start. The house cat makes friends with us and ends up siting on my lap until half way through the set. How homey is that. Perfect legendary New Orleans jazz with a purring cat on your lap.

We head home and gather the camera for a few shots of this charming town. And then it's back to our hotel with a real room door key that you turn in when you leave and pick up from the desk clerk when you return. I love every quaint little quirk of New Orleans!

San Antonio

Alamo chapel
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Saturday is tour San Antonio day. First we checked out the path to get us to the shuttle bus so we won't be wandering around at 6AM. Next we walked through the quaint neighborhood next to the Alamodome where the original train station which has been refurbished into a restaurant and shops is located.

From that it was a quick walk to the Alamo. Yes, it is tiny but that is only the mission chapel we learn. The entire Alamo that was defended is huge. Most of it today is under streets and buildings. There were survivors of that fateful day in 1836, March 6, but they were women and children; all the men perished.

Next we strolled along Riverwalk home. This amazing project, a series of paths, steps and bridges along the river that goes right through town, was started in the 1920's and today is truly worth all the work, time and money. Someone had a great vision and followed it through. The Riverwalk meanders only two blocks from our apartment. Once out of the downtown area the complexion changes into wide landscapes and tranquil vistas. In the heart of the city it is bustling with cafes, shops and many walkers.

We have pasta dinner at an Italian restaurant a few blocks from home and then it is bed time. We agonized over the 31 degree weather for the start but our only choice is to plan clothing accordingly.

Race day dawns with the promised cold but it does not feel too bad. We end up in a monster shuttle line that is still huge by race start! We get on the first add on bus which happens to be a cushy upgrade from the city buses.

They are on corral 16 when I get to the start, good enough for me. Donny shoved me on wanting to adjust his shoes. He dropped into corral 21. In comparing our times later we paced each other perfectly.

Along the marathon way after we split from the half marathon at mile 10, we run out Mission Road. It is very tranquil and nice. We pass Mission San Jose, Stinson Airport and run alongside and back and forth across the San Antonio River coming back. I did great until mile 21 when everything fell apart. I felt bad and so wanted to quit and definitely wanted the race to be over. I spied a girl who was doing well but she kept stopping to stretch more and more often. Finally I turned back to where she was and asked her if her calves were bothering her. She said it was her hamstrings. I told her to come along, we could do this. I had no doubt that she would finish but I was thinking it was going to take her a really long time. And so we walked those last five miles in shared agony. We listened to our own music until mile 26 and then chatted. She is finishing up law school at UT in Austin and is headed to LA to practice. This is her first, and last marathon! We walked across the finish line together. She could not even sprint and I was okay with a slower time of 7 hours flat.

I so wanted to get my shoes off but first I had to walk the mile home. And then finally there it was with Donny, who completed his race successfully, waiting with a tub of hot water and fresh pecan pie. He had been tracking me online. Bless his sweetness.

We tried for a Tostada burger recommended by Donald but the place that offers them is closed on Sunday so we had a burger at the Hatters and free beer from Lone Star who had brewed a batch and shared a keg with the restaurant.

Texas

Full Texas moon
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

An all-nighter from Nashville with lots of ground fog brought us well into Texas in time for breakfast. Following our Garmin on a coffee trail proved fruitless but landed us in Italy at a small town diner. The waitress told us that Dale Evans grew up here and gave us diner t-shirts. Texas is a friendly state.

Moving on, we arrived in San Antonio in the early afternoon, unloaded the car into our great apartment in the King William district (which we have learned is the favorite location with old restored homes, comfy restaurants and shops), showered and immediately crashed.

Friday morning much refreshed we had breakfast around the corner at the Mad Hatters and it is true Tex-Mex here is completely different from any other.

We took the trolley into town and got our packets from the Alamodome. After cruising the expo we took our bus tour of the course. The bus was freezing and we felt like we had been in a marathon by finish, prepping us for the freezing weather predicted for Sunday morning no doubt!

We walked home popping into a cool coffee shop for coffee and dessert and then a charming art shop with an awesome Day of the Dead alter arrangement in the upstairs gallery.

Upon request our course tour guide suggested Rosario's for dinner and we were excited to discover this wildly popular and economical spot located a mere two blocks from our Texas home.

I had a legendary Margarita even with a race two days away.

Visiting Benjamin on the Way to San Antonio

Mr B
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

On our way to San Antonio we stopped to check in on Benjamin. And we found him just getting up from his morning nap and ready to visit. He demonstrated his soccer kick exercises and showed off his baby talking. Andrew said it is really hard to catch him smiling with a digital camera and so I felt happy to get this start to a smile. Mr B worked on his laugh playing a flying fingers game with me. I think we wore him out because he was not fussy but definitely ready for a nap when it was time for us to get back on the road.

I was so involved in getting past the OBX Marathon that I did not think to get up with Sarah to see if she could bring Edward over. We had talked to Andrew on his birthday and that was as far as I got making family contacts prior to the race.

Donald will attest to this as he chided me with a chuckle about giving him relatively no head's up about stopping for dinner with them. Even at that he had delicious cookies ready for the balance of our road trip and we did have a nice dinner with Lorrie Bradley joining in.

Then it was back on the road to Texas for us.

OBX Marathon 2008

Here it is the LAST 2008 OBX full marathon medal (until they make more for the true stragglers) and I got it race day. That was fun although less time on the course would have been even better.

I did something funky to my back Tuesday afternoon of race week and I truly thought I would not even be able to walk the course much less run. Donny & I worked on it relentlessly over the next days and by Friday I could see hope. And I really could only roll out of bed with great pain, do no body twisting at all or get out of the car with any ease for days!

Still Sunday needed to be the perfect weather day it was for me to take on the challenge because any less and I would have been struggling too much. I did get to run the first 13 miles with minor walk breaks. I was on my usual pace which I was pleased and surprised about because my back still hurt.

I passed a lot of people in the woods and last year at that point I was already doing too much walking. This year around mile 15 the back said enough and I found myself power walking instead of running taking the biggest strides I could. I felt fine, the back was just the issue and then the pain moved to the front on both sides somewhere along mile 17. Last year I sadly noted that the entrance to the woods is slightly uphill and it defeated me. I never notice these things when we are on shorter runs.

This year I was ready for the woods and zipped through. This year it was the causeway with its gradual uphill climb I have never noticed that got me. It actually is not much of an uphill at all including the bridge except when you are fatigued from pain.

I did run the entire downhill side even through the pain, I cannot waste a good downhill. If I had been able to stay on pace I would have gotten back under 6 hours but it was not to be this time.

I always am but for this race in particular, I am ever grateful for good friends along the way that perked me up at key moments. It really does make a difference! Nancy Atkinson in her adorable fat lady ballerina costume ran me through mile 7 shouting, "Here is our own rock star, Sandy Ball."

I came upon Laurie Donlan and family cheering midway through the woods and she ran with me for a bit telling me a funny story about a guy that passed them and snatched up a bloody Mary thinking it was power drink. She thinks he probably did not finish the race.

Gail Hutchison made me feel humble as I passed her at about mile 17.5 marshaling with a cast on her leg.

Robert Trivette my lawyer friend cracked me up in his prison garb at mile 18.

It is always good to see Rick Gray at mile 25.5+ because it is Rick and it is mile 25.5+.

Bobbie Murray was a beacon at mile 26 and ran with me until the finish was in sight.

I did do my power sprint the last 100 meters and there was Donny, Amy, Robyn, Millie, John, Merry & Bob (who posted a fun picture of D & me on Facebook) all waiting for the last runners, me included. One fun thing about finishing after the pack, you definitely get a star finish because it's just you!

Finish time = 6:34. Surprisingly the back is better now, so perhaps it was anxiety or a cold. Anyway we'll see how this Sunday works out in San Antonio.

OBX Halloween

IMG_2466
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Since the grands are rather spread out to visit on one night not to mention that the two youngest are too fresh to even consider Halloween anyway it's time to post a HOWL O SCREAM from the big grands to the little grands.

So these not so haunted but rather silly spooky sightings are for Martin, Lydia, Edward (with the sniffles) and Benjamin.

Love, OBX Grandma & Grandpa

Just a Few More

IMG_2358
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

Here are a few more celebration photos. I also added these pictures into the original set linked in the prior post but figured I would go for redundancy and put them into their own separate entry.

These are from Emily's camera and point of view to include the long table, the celebration and me.

It truly was a cherished day.

Let's Party Donald & Terri style

THE cake
Originally uploaded by wellingtonrabbit

One wedding = one celebration party. Lewis pulled an all nighter on Thursday getting the cake (vanilla with strawberry filling, chocolate with chocolate filling, lemon with lemon filling) just right for the Saturday bash. When I got up at 4:30AM to go running he was putting the finishing touches on the top layer.

Dana, Joe & Luke made it after a blow out on the road and a never ending wait to get new tires put on and balanced. Granne made it thanks to Marty riding his bike leaving a space in the car for her. Emily and the kids planned to meet Julie and Mom in Yorktown for the transfer but got stalled in Northern Virginia traffic and found themselves hours late. Not to worry , Mom & Julie took the time to shop at Costco. Andrew, Jenn & Benjamin had an uneventful trip from Raleigh Friday evening as did Stephen, Sarah & Edward from Durham. And thus the families were assembled.

Saturday brought breakfast brunch compliments of Becki; buckets of dazzling fall flowers at every turn thanks to good friend Dorothy Morris and her amazing Blooms to Your Door; a photo session with photographer guru J Aaron Trotman aka Jim; a celebration ceremony (photos of that to come) complete with Lydia as flower girl wearing a dress her great-great grandmother made and carrying a handmade willow basket our neighbor made decorated with ribbons from Donald's bassinet (which also decorated the cake knife), Martin as ring bearer, Becki as impromptu pianist providing a traditional processional & recessional & Dana as impromptu maid of honor; a sit down dinner for twenty-six at the long, long table with good eats by Food Dudes, Donny & Bill, and Kelly's; and a quality sing-a-long to round out one full delightful day.

Babies were passed from willing arms to more willing arms throughout the weekend, the trampoline got a good workout, the porch riding circuit was in full swing and Rock Band II in the new pub room a smash hit.

Congrats Donald & Terri!!!