Brianna Week 1

Just a quick update to what we are doing with the end of week 1 with Brianna. We went to the USA vs. Chinese Taipei team last night at the Durham Bulls stadium. Had a blast. I don't think theres anything the girls DIDNT eat. Oh wait... I dont think they got a sno-cone. ha ha. We even saw Wool E Bull leaving and got a quick pic with him.

Thursday night I had signed Allison and I up for a card making class at Archivers. I went to sign Brianna up and the class was full so I gave my spot to Brianna. They had a blast and finished before about 8 other adults. Brianna said she had a blast and wished she could be here to take more of the classes.

We are running errands this am and stopping by Rex to drop off drinks and stuff for the Sunshine Committee and probably to the pool. Will update more later!

VIR with #69

So we hit the road midday to Virginia International Raceway. Its a track about 45 minutes north of Durham. Its great because its the closest track to us, so the kids love it. Brianna and her son Jayden beat us there on Friday. The weather was great all weekend. There was a track day on Friday that Chris didn't participate in, so we had the day to 'set up camp' and wait on Pam, Jon and Brianna to get there. I thought Jon got off work later but he ended up getting out early and they arrived around4p, which was great, because it let me see Brianna for a longer period of time! Allisons 12th birthday was Friday, and since we stopped by the post office to pick up a package from Grumpa and Mimi on the way out, Allison couldn't wait to open it.

We unloaded Chris' trailer first and then got started on our tents. We looked like we had our own cult going. It was awesome though, Chris picked out a beautiful piece of land with a water view from the master suite. It was fun. The grill, the coolers, the beer, the FOOD~ I guess we pretty much had everything. Even a birthday cake and CUPCAKES from the Spring Hill Pastry Shop. Need I say more? After we got everyone showered and ready for bed Friday night, the bellowing out of 'Good night John Boy" from our next door neighbors, had me laughing so hard. It took more than 20 minutes to get everyone settled down.

Saturday, we were up early. Chris had 2 practice sessions, even though he only went out for one, and then raced in the afternoon. He wasn't too happy after the race on Saturday. Saturday was ok, that was probably my fault. Dealing with Mr. Cleaver can do that to you. But Chris and I talked and Sunday was a great day. Chris went out for the only practice session of the day and his race was after lunch. He did GREAT! Even though my pics didn't turn out like I am used to, we are working on that. Jon and Pam had a blast, and I think even both Brianna's did. It was so good that we talked Jon and Pam into letting Brianna come back to Raleigh for a few weeks. Im so excited. So back to Raleigh we headed AFTER loading everything up and packing up the mobile homes!

Thanks to Selena and Phillip for making my 'surprise' for Chris totally AWESOME! I had Selena come up with Chris' number in a box and had shirts made for all of us! They were a great hit! So much so, I have to order more BEFORE the next race!

In all the years I have gone to races with everyone from Raleigh, years ago, I had the most fun Ive ever had. I absolutely love being with Chris. Having Jon and Pam there made it that much better. I am hoping Jon comes up with something for the September race so that the family reunion he goes to is in Danville, VA. Hint Hint!

Hope everyone enjoys the pictures!

Ode to Misery.....

Well... I used to think I LOVED working with Misery...but this am that ALL changed. I have had my Jr. High School yearbooks for years and could have brought them in anytime for everyone to see Michau...but did I? NO! But today I walk in and Misery says 'I saw your Jr. High School picture!". Like there is only one person who could have that other than me... I couldn't stand Michau before that....now I **** him! ( I hate using that word). So now Misery isn't going to be in the cool boat.. hey maybe Brownie and I won't include you in the pool... So when we are all basking in our private island in the South Pacific, there won't be a lot for YOU! You and you know who can work work work! That was SO NOT COOL!

Other than that..I am searching for the photo of lovely you know who to put up here...so stay tuned. In the mean time..enjoy the pics! Some of these MD's I love!!!! The others..well big, fat L!

Race for the Cure!

Early we all rose today to run/walk for the Race for the Cure at Meredith College. We left around 0730 to meet up with the ER crew around 0800. I got several calls on the way b/c there were thousands trying to get to the free parking at the RBC Center to shuttle over to Meredith. Luckily, I had Chris drop us off almost right in front of Meredith. Hillsborough Street was shut down at 0500 and cars were parked along each side of the road and in the medians. By the time we got to our meeting place, the humidity was high and someone sure turned up the heat. Karen, Darci, Lois, Abe, Christine, Jennifer, Anna, Shae, Emily, Shaes mom, Debra, Allison, Lauren, Kim, Elizabeth and me all turned out. I hope I didn't forget anyone. The girls went around to all the vendors and got tons off free stuff and we all won some free stuff by answering questions about breast cancer and breast cancer awareness. We headed down to the start line and all you could see was thousands of people moving down Hillsborough Street. About a mile in Allison said her legs were hurting, but she made it the whole 3.1 miles! I am so proud of her. I hope Allison and Lauren go with me every year. I think less than a mile in, Debra figured out we weren't doing the fun run/walk and that it was over 3 miles, and Debra turned around. We lost Elizabeth somewhere enroute and Jen-Jen got taken to the ER for heat exposure. Christine not only ran in the competitive race at 0700, she ran with us in the open 5K. WOW~~ Kim said next year she would run the competitive race with me, so Im going to hold her to that. I got Lois, Abe and Lauren a rickshaw ride. So they were pulled in 'chariots' like all princesses should be. Lois sure deserves it. A 9-month survivor! Hope everyone enjoys the pics!

The girls are getting packed to head to Greensboro tonight with their Dad. Their Uncle Jeff is in town for the week and I think the girls will be back Wed night so we can get ready for VIR next weekend. Wow, what a busy track-out month!

Allison off to Sunrise Pediatrics!

So we got up today to take Allison to her 12 year check up. She was not happy because at the last check up Dr. Fennell told her she wouldn't get anymore shots until she was 12. So after going over all the vaccines that she is going to need in the next few years, we determined that there weren't any that HAD to be taken today. So Allison knows that at her 13 and 14 year check ups that she will most DEFINATELY be getting shots! After she figured out that she wasn't getting any today, her whole attitude turned around! We ran by REX for me to sign all my education hours this week, and then to ARCHIVERS where, if you bought anything today you got a FREE paper pack...so hello.... another excuse to go to Archivers.

Chris told me that his mom like her album I put together of our trip to Savannah! Even though his 'constipated' picture is in her book and not his. I definately need to add that one. Chris' album is acrylic, which the more I do, I really like. You can do so much with it and every single one you do is totally different. Im working on one for my sister but I can't write what it is now in case she reads this blog. So after she gets it, Ill let everyone else in on it! ha ha.

We have the Race for the Cure tomm morning and then I get to babysit Kennedy for a few hours! Yippee! The girls are leaving for Greensboro for 3-4 days tomm when their dad picks them up. Allison has all of her Fathers Day stuff together, Lauren of course, signed her cards and other than that, is in her own little world. She, at the moment, is trying to clean her room. But everyone who knows Lauren knows what that is like! UGGHHH!

Savannah,here we come!

So, we headed out Thursday night to Savannah for Track Day with Chris! We arrived around 0330am, checked in the hotel and got back up at 0630 and headed 10 minutes to Roebling Road Raceway! It was hot, but not as hot as Raleigh from what the IPhone said. Friday was a track day, so it was more for Chris to tune in the bike before VIR in 2 weeks. After two practice sessions he figured out that the back wheel is bent, making for a nasty shake coming out of the last turn onto the straight-a-way!

We left everything at the track and headed back to the hotel and everyone (except me) got in the pool for over an hour! I was too busy falling asleep sitting straight up in the chair. We headed in and slept for a few hours and then headed to the Riverfront to "A Lady & Sons" to eat. We had put our name on the list for the only opening they had for dinner. But when Lauren found out it was Paula Deens original restaurant, there was no way that I would have turned down ANY time slot they had available. We went to the Paula Deen Store first so Lauren could get ANYTHING with Paula Deen on it. And then we had the most wonderful dinner. The staff was great! Lauren chose the buffet and the rest of chose Chicken-Pot-Pie. Can we just say WOW! The Chicken Pot Pies were unbelievable! Even the couple eating beside us looked at our food with the weirdest faces! But oh the taste! It was the best Chicken Pot Pie I have EVER tasted. The sauce was UNBELIEVABLE! So much so that I told Lauren that she may turn me into a Paula Deen fan! I would definately make it a point if you are EVER in Savannah to go to A Lady & Sons and eat there! With our stomachs full and Lauren in heaven there was no time before we were all asleep

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We got up early today to head back to Raleigh and aside from all the people who couldn't drive, we found out that the temperature got hotter the more North we drove and the gas was at $3.71 in SC. And of course we had to stop at South of the Border!

Over the weekend!

Allison had an awards ceremony today. She was unsure as to what award she would get, but she ended up with GPA over 3.5 for the year and also the academic excellence award in social studies. I am so proud of her. Here she is with Mr. Pharr the 6th grade administrator, her best friend Kayla and her with her 2 awards!



Saturday we had the yard sale. Sold about $300. It was ok... hoped for more sales but it was HOT! Chris, my mother and my sister and niece came down to help and sell some of their stuff. As you can see Chris was a big help! and check out the man my neighbor Kelly was selling. I was going to buy him for my nephew, Parker, but I went out to get breakfast and came back and he was sold!!!!!