Random pictures of NYC

A discount store for millionaires? Hmmm...........I wonder if Donald Trump shops there?

Back from the Big Apple NYC!

Part of Times Square

The lights, the people, the taxi's! The street vendors, the cops, the city noise, it was all so exciting!!

Ahhh! New York City and the Statue of Liberty! That's me with the "Lady".......it was a beautiful! marvelous 3 days in the big apple! Arrived there Wednesday, after stopping by a friends house (Jane) in New York. Cher and I had a great time visiting with Jane and the kids, Michael, Andrew and Mia. Jane then directed us to the train station (we followed her) and took the train (Hudson River route) into Grand Central Station in NYC. The train trip was about 45 min. to an hour and very scenic. Stopping along to the way into NYC to pick up passengers.
Got into Grand Central Station and walked up to Times Square, our hotel room was only a block from Times Square.

50 Years of Cher!!

Here she is.............the 50 girl! Cher turned 50 on May 2nd (remember I just turned 50 myself!) The beautiful roses are from one of Cher's bestest! friends in New York, her name is Jane and they were nurses together way back when.

Now that we are both the big 50, Cher and I are off to New York City for a few days of fun, a show and who knows what else we may find (or get into :) )

So tada! the 50 Girls are making their way to the Big Apple today..................pictures to follow.........when we return..................:)

50 in the Big Apple

Well it is off to the Big Apple today to do the "tourist" thing and take in the Broadway Production of Mama Mia! Cher and I will be stopping by a friends house in NY, then taking the train into Grand Central Station. We will be staying at the Edision Hotel a block from Times Square. Last time we were there (approx. 4 years ago) we had stopped by the Edision Bar/Pub which is connected to the hotel to have a drink and listen to live piano music. Well come to find out, most of the people that go there are actors/actresses, singers, etc. from Off Broadway and they were wonderful!! Totally professional. We met Bob the owner of the hotel and bar, and he and I got to talking about the military (he being retired Army and having been stationed at some of the same places that my Dad (being military in the Army) and I as a military wife (years ago!).......we had a great conversation and he was so nice. I told him if I ever got back to NYC I would come to his hotel and stay there and look him up! So I am gonna! When I had gotten back to Virginia, I mailed him a postcard from Williamsburg, VA. to thank him for his friendliness and conversation. So I am excited to see him again! Cher and I can't wait to be in the Big Apple again, and hope to see Diane Sawyer (Cher's idol) and catch all the excitement, sounds and everything NYC has to offer!
Lovely Amanda (Cher's niece) will be staying at the house to take care of the kittys. And by the way............SHE WAS ACCEPTED TO NURSING SCHOOL!!!!! She deserves it, she has worked so hard to get there, and with the person that she is, she will be a wonderful, compassionate, caring, loving, thoughtful ( I could go on and on, she is a great kid!) nurse to patients and the patient's families. Doctors will be glad to have her on thier team!

Well gotta go get packed for NYC!! Be back in town Friday..........see ya!

Easter Bunny Cake

Here are the Wagner girls with their traditional Easter Bunny Cake. They have made it every year since they were little. You have Julia in the pink, Ms. Emily in the blue, Mrs. Wagner and Cher. The cake was yummy! and we look forward to it every Easter!!

Kitty Cards

I got the most wonderful kitty cards from my kittys! for my 50th Birthday...........the one on the left is from Felix.....he LOVES his Mommy! The picture looks just like him! He thanked me for loving him and taking care of him his whole life. I watched him being born with his brother and sister (who were given to loving families) and even had to bottle feed him the second 3 weeks of his life, as his sweet mother passed away. So I had 3 kittens to feed with little baby bottles and kitten formula that I picked up at Walmart.
The 2nd card is from my Cleo.................the card looks just like her! She is such a Diva and a Queen. I picked her out at the local animal shelter in Springfield 2 years ago. She had been there for over a month and no one wanted a white long haired kitty. I did! I saw her and just knew I had to bring her home. She loves her Mommy Cher and is spoiled rotten like Felix. Believe me, they both have the life! I LOVE!! the cards......................Cleo thanked me for picking her from all the other kittys in the shelter and playing with her every night (we have this ritual) she jumps on her favorite chair and I have this fuzzy tail that she loves to attack. We have a fun time, she is so cute with her eyes all "wild".

A Half a Century of Me!!

Can you believe it??!! Yep, I have been on God's earth now for 50 years!! I think it is amazing! great! fantastic! 50 is such a cool number! It does sound weird though when I say it to my self............50.................50 years....................50 years old. I think about it and can't really believe it yet. (Probably in the morning when I get up and my bones are a crackin' I will believe it better then) What happens when one turns 50. Will my hot flashes finally go away? What about the "new" chin I have grown...........it wobbles like a turkey gobblers neck! My eyes seem to have gotten smaller too...........ah.....it is the "droopy lid" syndrome I have heard about. I am getting "bumps" on my legs, arms, face, on my head in my hair!!,..........I went to the dermatologist and he said "it is just age" AGGG!!! and I thought I was developing cancer or something by the growths (my regular doctor was worried and said I should have them checked right away!)..........just age he says. Whew! I feel better about that!!
I can't see as well anymore, but in a way that is good, I can't see the gobbler chin as well, or all the age bumps. I can't see the new lines that are developing on my face, or the skin that now sags ..................ah 50 is great! I don't see the strands of hair everyday getting grayer (Clairol helps believe you me!).........but what I do see when I look in the mirror in the morning is my MOTHER!! I believe this new decade is going to be great........what you can't see won't bother you, and what does you can just rack it up to growing older!! Hey you can have it both ways now in this new decade of mine. I think I am gonna like it. I have to look at my Mom and my grandmother...........both 77 and 96. My other grandmother lived til 98 and her mother my great-grandmother Nana.............was 103 when she passed. So statistically I have only lived half my age! The next 50 should be an adventure.......come to think of it I still wanna go para-gliding :)

Happy Birthday to Me!! The BIG 50!!

Happy Birthday to me............Happy Birthday to me...................Happy Birthday to me.............

Flowers and a Gold Watch

Look at those Roses will ya!! They came from my son Joey , he is so thoughtful!! for the Big 50! that I turned today. and see what is on the roses?! A BEAUTIFUL gold watch!! A birthday present from Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, Cher's parents........they love me! It is really cool, it is a new technology watch, it doesn't have a battery, it is charged by the sun. Click on the picture for a better view!!

Birthday Cake!!

Yum!! Just look at my Birthday Cake! a chocolate and vanilla ice cream cake!! I am a happy, happy girl!!

Beautiful 50th Birthday Flowers!I

Here I am admiring the beautiful flowers I recieved for my birthday...........Roses from my son, and a beautiful spring boquet from my best friend Cher.

50 Years Young!

And so it begins........................................................................................................................................BEAUTIFUL! Roses from my son Joey!! Wishing me a Happy 50th Birthday!!!
Well it had to happen people................I turned the BIG 50!! Surprised? Me too!
My Mom called me to wish me happy birthday and we got to reminising about the day I was born. My Mom and Dad were playing cards with a few friends one evening, and the guests all left early that night (April 16th, 1956) because the next day was work. My Mom said that she hadn't even gotten to get in the bed when I decided to enter into this world. Water break!!
My Dad rushed my Mom and Cheine(prnounced She - en) (French for DOG) to the hospital at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Got my Mom settled in at the hospital and my Dad and the dog had to leave. Back in those days (50 years ago remember) the men weren't allowed to stay-that's the military for you, couldn't even wait around in the hallway for goodness sakes to see his baby girl! So my Dad left with the dog and went home. My Mom said some where in the wee hours of the morning (now it is April 17th, 1956) I was born - Patricia Ann Carlisle, little bit of a thing, 5 pounds , something ounces (can't tell now can ya!)..........blue eyes and NO HAIR. My Dad ended up knick naming me "Blueberry Muffin" cause I looked like one..........2 blue eyes and a muffin head with no hair.
Any who.............I was born, the first grandchild on both sides and the pride and utmost JOY! of the Carlisle and Galligan families. Ah! to be the first!

Bub's BarBQ Place

Cher and I went to a little place in Hadley near the University of Massachusetts for Bub's famous Bar-B-Q. It was great! I had the Bar-B-Q chicken with collard greens (they were ok, but I could tell they were not fresh as like I got down south) some cole slaw, potato salad and real brewed ice tea. Cher had the pulled pork with all the fixins too. It was a cute quaint little place, rustic, with picnic tables, paper towels for napkins, old doors, floors, etc. They have great food! Actually the man "Bub" as he is called who owns the place, did it quite accidentally. I was reading all about it as I ate. On the walls in there they have interesting news articles about the place, and people who have stopped to eat there, famous baseball players and movie stars.
Anyway..............back to Bub. Seems he was a pro golfer and the manager of a golf resort down in Florida. He had an accident (the article didn't say what kind of accident) and he had a back injury. He couldn't play golf anymore or work. The resturant (that is now Bubs) decided to let Bub buy it (guess it wasn't doing to good) anyway..........he bought it and started making his "secret"sauce that he had gotten from an inmate who he had employed when he was the manager at the resort. Well the sauce was a hit! He smokes all his meats, chicken, pork, steak, fish, even alligator tail and slops plenty of his secret barB-Q sauce on it. People started coming from everywhere (heard how wonderful it was by word of mouth) and he was doing a booming business. Through the years as time has gone on he has opened 2 franchises down in Orlando Florida that his grown son runs. His wife is from Georgia and she makes all the homemade desserts.......but I didn't have any, I was to full! Maybe next time.

Well if ya ever get to Hadley stop by Bub's Bar-B-Q, and as the sign says "Pig out in Style", you won't regret it! and they even let you eat with your fingers there and smack your lips! and actually they encourage it!!
Yum!

Me and my bike

Presenting the leopard basket! I actually bought the basket at Walmart for like $3.99. It had all those funky pink and purple plastic flowers on it (got it in the girls bike section, apparently they don't have any for adult bikes, thinking that adults don't use baskets???).........any who.........I ripped the pink and purple puff flowers off and had some leopard material (surprised?) so I made and edge around the top and bottom of the basket for my personal touch. Also lined the inside of the basket with the leopard material. Waa Laa! Now it is mine :) It holds my keys and camera and anything else that I might need on my journey. Click on the picture for a better view. Now that the weather is nicer I plan to try and ride it just about everyday when the weather permits.
Here I am, my bike and I. It was a great day for a bike ride...........around 65 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze. Cher and I went down the street into the new subdivision. It was great!

Another "barn" picture

Here is yet another "barn" office picture. We were all having a farewell lunch for one of the nurses that is leaving Valley Medical Group........but as you can see in the background is the red barn, my future work space!

Hi! I am an Alpaca!

Hi, I am an Alpaca, aren't I just the most adorable thing you have ever seen! My fur is so soft, and I have big brown eyes.........I am very gentle and love attention!

What is an Alpaca?

These creatures were first bred by the ancient Incans over 5000 years ago in the Andean Mountains. Centuries of selective breeding resulted in the finest of natural fibers. Their intelligence and quite, gentle demeanor is captivating. Today, alpacas have bencome an increasingly popular alternate livestock in New England as well as other parts of the country.

Alpacas are environmentally friendly having soft-padded feet and only a set of bottom grazing teeth (great environmental friendly lawn mowers)........they don't "pull" up the grass, they just cut it. Alpacas weigh an average of 160 lbs., so the flake of hay and cup of grain they eat makes them economical to feed. Clean-up is made easy by their use of a communal pile. They only have one birth a year with a gestation averaging eleven months. (whew!).





Their incredible warm fleece takes them through the winter and they are shorn in the spring before the heat of summer. Their wool is used to make a variety of garments, sweaters, hats, gloves, etc. Very warm and soft to the touch.
Aren't they adorable!

Craft Fair and Alpacas

Today Cher and I took her Mom over to Big E in Springfield to the Craft Fair, it was nice , lots of crafty stuff! and I got a leopard walking stick with a built in bubble maker (more about this later and I will post a picture!)

After we left there we noticed at the Big E they were having an Alpaca show. We just had to go!
The Alpacas in the field were actually taken on our way to Cher's Moms house, there is an Alpaca Farm along the way. They are so cute! I just had to get some pictures.

Leopard mania

Look at this! Another wonderful Leopard gift from Cher! It is also by the designer Toni Cioto and you can check other stuff out on her website that I mentioned with my night light!!

Always on a quest for the ultimate leopard findings:) That's Cher :)

Leopard Night Light

Look at this! Cher got it for me for my bedroom. There was a lady that came by her work who has her own Decoupage company. Her name is Toni Cioto and her website is www.decoupagedesignsbytoni.com She makes some awsome stuff! Of course Cher couldn't resist on getting me this cute night light! Hey............I just turn it on and stare at the "glow" in the dark :)

The BARN office

Well, here ya go, here is the "barn" the Behavioral Health Dept. is going to.......right across from the building I work at now. Actually the red barn part will just be for storage, see where there is white siding on the side of the building? That is actually where the offices are going. There will be 5 offices for the practitioners, a small lobby for the patients, a bathroom, a small kitchenette and of course the reception office where I and Cheri my coworker will be. I haven't been over there in over a week with all the construction and everything going on........so I have something to look forward to since I haven't "peeked" in a while. See where all that dirt is in the picture? That is where a sidewalk will be layed once the cement places open up around here. I found out that they don't open up til after April 15th because of the "potential" for April snow storms and the ground still being frozen. We will be moving in Friday, April 7th. Valley Medical Group has hired professional movers for all the big stuff (desks, chairs, file cabinets,etc) We are just responsible for packing our desk stuff and personal items. There is LOTS of paperwork that Cheri and I have to pack up too. I will probably end up going to work on Saturday to get my work station set up before we open up on Monday, April 10th. Monday's are usually a very busy day and even with the move there is no exception. So busy we will be! We have been trying to let all our patients know by mailing out letters, handing out letters, word of mouth, and signs.

I will take a front view of the building when I can get around there..........to much dirt to walk through right now.

Til then.................:)

Inside Thornes Market

The picture is kinda dark, but I was trying to take a picture inside Thornes Market in downtown Northampton, that place is great! All kinds of funky shops and "people watching" is very entertaining.

California Dogs

Aren't they the cutest?! They were spotted in California on a recent business trip that Cher had to take.

Leopard legs!

Of course I think leopard is the way to go...................but I don't think Joey is into it that much. Here is sweet Erin styling my leopard PJ pants that I offered to her when her luggage didn't arrive (lost at the airport.......surprised?)..........Joey didn't exactly go for it though, and Erin had to pick out something else................I gave her some pink ones.

The life

Yes, Felix has the life, can't you tell? He "hangs" all over the furniture like this. What happened to a kitty curling up kitty style? He likes to live on the edge :)

Spring is coming?

I sure hope so, it was nice here today, with the promise of it being in the 60's and maybe up to 70 by the weekend! YaY! I don't want to see any MORE SNOW! Around the holidays it is nice...........but after that, it just needs to get out of here! This southern girl will just never get used to it I don't think, it is the plowing and the cleaning off (finding) the car, the salt, the sand that ruins underneath your car....Ugh! Last year I had to get a catalitic converter and a new muffler..........can anyone say $1000.00!! There went my winnings that I had won while down in Miami on a Casino Cruise.......someone was watching over me, knowing I was gonna need that money when I got back up north to COLD country!

Anyway, things have been fine, really busy at work as it always is. The Behavior Health Dept. (where I work) is moving to a new building. The workers are still working on it. Actually (now don't laugh) the building we are moving into was a barn. Yep, I said a BARN. They gutted it, and now we are going to have 5 offices, a kitchenette, a bathroom, file room and of course the office where I will be spending most of my 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday. I will have to get some pictures of it soon. They are also residing the barn with white siding, it won't be red anymore.

Also I have been talking to my son Allen just about every night. He is back living with his Dad now in Triangle VA and looking for a job. He seems to be doing better mentally since he has been on his meds for a while, but does have a ways to go. Have sent him 2 boxes of clothes that he needed, as when he was in the homeless shelter they were all given away.

Talked with Joey last week and things are coming along for the wedding........he is a planner that one. I get excited when I think of the date ( July 22nd) getting closer and closer! I can't wait!

Cher and I went over to her Mom's house yesterday and had a Birthday dinner get together for her brother Kenny (he is a firefighter) he turned 48. Guess who is going to be 50! in a few weeks! I just can't believe it! Me?............I don't feel it, but then again what is 50 suppose to feel like? I just think it is a neat age, half a century, think of that :)

Saturday Cher and I went to Rhode Island again to see my Mom and Grandmother......they are doing the same........fine for their ages and ailments, 77 and 96 years old. We ordered Chinese delivery (my Nanny loves Chinese) and we had a nice visit with them.

Well, that is about all for now, I will try and do better with my blogging, not really a whole lot going on........just work, and the dreary days of winter are finally coming to an end! I can't wait to get my bike out and hit some great bike trails they have around here.

Until next time............................:)

Can you say "Leopard Shoe"?

Just look at these cool shoes! They were in a store window at Thornes Market in Northampton, MA. I wonder if they are comfortable (sure look it )..............I just love 'em!
Now these are what I call the most desirable and ultimate in lepard!
Hmmm................I can actually see my future grand children in leopard! :)

What could they be?? Attack of the Buckets!

What is this strange phenomenom going on in New England? Buckets attaching them selves to trees? No...................... Trees sprouting buckets??? Nooo..................................................
It's MAPLE SYRUP time in New England!! Looks like with the cold nights and warmer days, buckets are sprouting themselves everywhere in the Sugar Maple trees around here. That is just something you don't see in the South! Had to stop the car and get some pictures of this, no one down south would ever believe me if I told them I saw buckets stuck to trees. So here's the proof! The sap starts to flow from the Sugar Maple trees and the buckets catch the stuff. There is a hollow spike driven into the tree that then acts like a spout to drain into the buckets. All this will be processed to make Maple Syrup. MMMmmm! Good! There is a very short time span apparently, 6 weeks that the sap runs, so ya gotta get the Sugar Maple sap quick!

Where the Maple Syrup is made and sold

The Hadley Sugar Shack where you can buy the BEST (straight from the Sugar Maple tree) syrup!!

Northampton

If you ever get the chance to get to Northampton Massachusetts you gotta go to Thorne's Market Place, inside is 30 shoppes, all kinds, funky, jewelry, a kitchen gadget store (which Cher just loves!) and little boutiques with just about everything in there. Cher and I had a nice lunch of roast beef sandwich, turkey sandwich and homemade soups!
After the Flower exhibit, we decided to walk into Northampton to see the sights and to see what was happening. This is one of the beautiful churches that are in the center of Northampton.

Spring will be coming to New England

Today Cher and I decided to get out of the house a little bit and do something different..
We went over to Smith College to see the flower and bulb exhibit........everything was beautiful! as you can see by all the pretty flowers and plants. This is a sure sign that Spring is on it's way. These are all in hothouses to force the bulbs and flowers to bloom. Aren't they pretty??

Cher trying to get some work done

As you can see my friend Cher is trying to get some work done on the computer, but little Ms. Cleo wants her Mommy's attention, so she is sitting on top of the mouse where Cher can't get to it! Isn't she something :) 

Cher and

 

Felix the Cat

Here is my baby boy.......see that glow in his right eye? He has a small kitty cataract!! I hope it doesn't get worse or later in his kitty life he will have to get kitty cataract surgery! My poor Boy! 

ZZZZZ...zzzzz

What could she be dreaming about??? 

Cleo sleeping....shhhh...

My little girl sleeping away in the bathroom window, with not a care in the world. 

Right after the Engagement

This is the first official picture taken of the most adorable couple in the world after their engagement. They are so cute!!

It's OFFICIAL!!

The most adorable couple in the world are now engaged!! My son Joey gave his love Erin the most BEAUTFUL! engagement ring on January 1, 2006. What a way to start out the New Year!

He really planned this for months on how exactly to "ask the question". Of course he spoke with her Father first and got Dad's ok. Joey was so cute, he told me that he was nervous talking with Erin's Father.

They both had a whirl wind holiday, first Joey coming to see me on Dec. 23rd, then Erin flew up from Virginia on Dec. 27th. On the 28th we all went to R.I. to visit my mother (Joey's grandmother) and my grandmother (Joey's great-grandmother). We all had a great time.
Next day, Joey and Erin went to Boston for the day, and then the next day they left for 2 days in NYC, seeing the Broadway musical "Wicked" and a day of touring NYC.

They left NYC January 1, 2006 and they were both so tired and excited after their fun filled Christmas vacation............little did Erin know, the excitement was not over yet! They landed in Greensboro, NC and drove to Roanoke, VA. where Erin lives. I think she thought "whew I am finally home and can relax" Ha! what she didn't know...........:)

The PROPOSAL! the Family and Friends! all there to surprise her and share in the celebration of the engagement. Joey had it all planned with Erin's best friend Betsy, who Erin lives with. Joey had some of Erin's college friends fly in from other states, and some drove from other states.........all to share this with her. I am so HAPPY! for them! Joey and Erin called me later that evening and I got to congratulate them. Now I am just waiting to get a good picture of the "rock" on Erin's hand, and to find out the plans for the wedding. Looks like I will be going back to Virginia soon!!!!