Life Enjoyed To The Fullest: January 2011

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Joe Horne Belated 58th--2011 (1-20) Milledgeville

Joe Horne and I share a common date--our birthday is on January 19th--he was born in 1953 and I in 1951. As has been the tradition for a few years, Carol (Joe's sister) has always baked Joe a chocolate pound cake--without frosting--just as their mother made growing up.

So, today Carol and I drove the Lariat (no rain in the forecast) down to Joe's marina in Milledgeville on Lake Sinclair and presented him with his annual pound cake! As for years past, Joe was delighted--as much to see his sister or as much as to get the pound cake--only Joe would know!

Having said that, I took the liberty to take a few photos of Carol, Joe, Brooks, and myself along with the marina. Here they are. Postscript--JoNell had the day off.

Carol & Joe

John & Joe--the birthday boys

John with the forklift

Boats in storage

Boat docked

Joes' motel next door

Carol wishing she had brought a light coat

Good looking boat

The dock in the distance

Advertising sign

Boats in storage at a different angle

Brooks on the Forklift

"Trouble" the yard cat

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

60th Birthday--The Best Yet--Thanks to Carol!!!

My 60th birthday arrived whether I was ready or not! As I have always said, getting older is better than the alternative.

To recap this most wonderful day and probably the best birthday ever--thanks to my dear wife--I first opened a beautiful card with the best love expressions known to me! Next, I opened my presents--a beautiful Mahogany cuff link display/collection case with new cuff links Carol really put some thought into which included: Stars and Strips; GOP Elephant; Guns; Hammer & Saw; Cameras; and Guitars! These were so me!! Also, Carol gave me the book I wanted titled: "Winners Never Cheat" by Jon Huntsman. All this in addition to the GPS Nuvii 1450T and case Carol gave me back in Boise during Christmas when we celebrated Derek and Maya's birthdays. Also, Carol paid for my massage last night with Tiffany--who extended from 1 hour to 1 and half hours!

After opening my unexpected gifts, we drove to Macon where we had lunch at Long Horn. The waitress Christi recognized me when I use to stop here almost weekly when travelling on Allstate business. She shared with the manager that it was my 60th birthday and I was a great customer--he brought our lunch--what a great guy. Carol had her usual shrimp and baked potato, I had my chicken fingers with rice and steamed veggies--all was great!

From there, my surprise was a tour of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. This was great and something I had wanted to do for years but just never did! We spent at least 2 hours there and brought a charm, couple of tack pins, and a long sleeve tee for me.

On our way home, we stopped at the large Belk Department store at the new mall on SR 23--I found the black belt I had been looking for.

We arrived home around 5:30. Carol fixed me a great salad. I have received calls from the kids and Kaye. Plus, I received some 160 "Happy Birthdays" on Face Book.

What a great 60th Birthday. I must say, one of the best yet!

Cuff Link Case made of Mahogany

New cuff links along with Nuvii 1450T

New cuff links and some I already had!

The Happy Birthday boy!

A kiss from my lovely wife!

Even Mattie gives me a kiss!

At Long Horn in Macon

My chicken fingers with rice and vegies

Tutz in front of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame

John in front of Hall of Fame

Here are two very interesting instruments

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Last Day as 59 Years Young

Today was my 60th Birthday Eve--Jan 18th, 2011. I had a wonderful time with my sweetie who has made this milestone so very special. After a quick stop by the Post Office and local BB&T Bank, we ate lunch in Conyers at Appleby's next to Belk. Tutz had her usual--the lunch combo of soup and a shrimp salad. I had the grilled chicken oriental salad.

We had a few extra minutes, so we browsed at the Belk next door where Carol found some great deals.

Next, we went to the 1:00 showing of "The Fockers" at the Carmike Theatre. The movie was as we expected, a great comedy and the third in the "Meet The Parents" series with Robert DiNero and Ben Stiller along with Owen Wilson.

We arrived home around 3:30 to find several packages delivered by the USPS. Afterwards, we took showers and Tiffany McMichael, our Massage Therapist, arrived as planned at 5:00--she comes over every other Tuesday. Carol and I both look forward to the hour long massage she gives to us both--Carol gets the deep tissue and I more of a combination of Swedish and deep tissue. Today was special for two reasons, Carol paid for my massage as part of my birthday, and Tiffany extended from the usual 1 hour to 1 and half hours--she is so sweet! Plus, I had Carol take a few photos of Tiffany and I since I did not have any of us together where as I did with Carol's birthday.

Afterwards, we ate dinner and watched TV. What a grand day and I still have tomorrow--my official birthday-to go!!!

John with Tiffany

Ditto

John with his GT Cap

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Christmas 2010--SLC and Boise

We spent the 2010 Christmas season away from Georgia--first time ever! We flew into Salt Lake City on Friday December 17Th, and returned home on the 29Th!

This was by far one of the best-- if not the very best trips-- we have ever made. It was so delightful to spend the time with Derek, Lori, Maya, Kyle and Avery in Meridian--just a few minutes from Boise, Idaho!

On Friday the 17Th, as planned, Aaron arrived at Little Falls around 8:30am and took us to the Atlanta airport.

The photos below are just some of the highlights of this wonderful trip. The Christmas lights on Temple Square were phenomenal and were also a highlight of the trip.

I might add here that this was the first flight for our 6 year old, 6 pound Yorkie, Mattie. After much drugging (prescribed tranquilizers and Valium--as instructed by our vet), she only whimpered a little on the flight out, and completely slept on the trip back. She had to be confined in a pet carrier (red Vera Bradley) and sit at Carol's feet under the seat. Pets are not allowed out of their carrier during flights--per Delta.

We spent Friday and Saturday nights in Salt Lake City--just 3 blocks from Temple Square at a Marriott Residence Inn. On Sunday--19Th, we drove to Boise arriving early afternoon. After checking into the downtown Boise Residence Inn just across from Boise State University--we visited Derek and family.

Each day, we let Mattie stay at the one and only Pet Smart Hotel in the area--she got use to Bud, Meagan, Charlie, and other staff members. While we rented the Residence for the week--we did spend Christmas Eve at Derek and Lori's so we could watch the faces of the kids on Christmas Day.

Derek, Lori and family have some great traditions for this special Christmas season. These include: opening only 1 gift on Christmas eve; driving through the neighborhoods and looking at Christmas lights (local neighbors had synchronized their lights with local radio station--that was awesome); reading the scriptures about the birth of our Savior and why we celebrate the season; and dinner is always fondue with chicken, steak, and shrimp. Last two traditions are to monitor Santa through NASA and to also leave Santa chocolate chip cookies, milk and a note!

Christmas Day was very special as there are two traditions. Kids do not come downstairs until everyone is up and parents say OK. Secondly, only one person opens one present at a time so all can enjoy! This year, Mimi and Papa brought one tradition with them--everyone got a red and checkered pair of PJs to wear Christmas Eve and Day.

One last special event occurred on this Christmas Day. Aaron and Amanda announced to all siblings that they are expecting this July--their first! This was the highlight of our Christmas Day!

During our visit, we did quite a lot that included: to movies to see Yogi; fun at "Jump and Trampoline"; made a Ginger Bread House; ate at Costa Veda, Cafe Rio, and Baha Fresh; attended church; shopping; watched a couple of Blu Ray movies including Percy Jackson and How To Train your Dragon; and played many different Wii games including Harry Potter Leg, Just Dance 2, and bowling. We also spent time at the neighborhood park on a very cool day.

While we were here in Boise, we also decided to celebrate Lori's (March) and the three January birthdays. We did with a large cookie and gifts that included: Derek got scarf, gloves and BSU cap; Maya got a Jewelry cabinet; Lori and Derek got a Food Saver vacuum sealer; and Tutz gave me a Nuvii 1450T with case!

We were a little disappointed that it did not snow on Christmas Day--even though it did back home in Georgia. We did get some snow in Boise --but not much.

Speaking of snow, the roads were snowy in the high altitudes on our way back to Salt Lake City on Tuesday the 28Th--where we checked into the Holiday Inn Express at the airport. We were told that a major snow storm was coming on the day of our flight home--we missed it by an hour so!

Upon arrival in Atlanta around 8:00 EST, Aaron was there to help with baggage and take us home. We were very fortunate as all was well at Little Falls Farm!

As a final note, now that we both are retired, our plans for all future Christmas seasons are to take turns traveling to, and visiting with, all grand kids--present and future--albeit in Kansas, Arlington, Boise, Marietta, and parts beyond. This is fair warning to you all--LOL!