Busy as a Bee....

LP put together a 'night out' for the ER.  It was a great turnout.  We showed up after work at the Busy Bee, downtown Raleigh.  Pretty cool bar/restaurant.  Ended up being around 40 people that showed up.  Great to see everyone outside of work!  Thanks for my drink Arun (my Coke with alot of ice).  Notice Evan in his new figure-he's building up his muscles!

LP and Rob.  LP always takes a great picture!  And of course, Rob came right after work, even though it took him 10 minutes to park his truck! ha ha...

Nancy is always entertaining, no matter what the occasion.  The creator of the READY BED!  Everyone LOVES Nancy!

Mindy and Mark!  Rumor has it by the end of the night, Mark was dancing in 4-inch heels!  I haven't seen pics yet, but can't wait!

Decisions, decisions......

The newest Team Leader Mark!  He's going to to great!  And, again, its great to get out outside of work!

My fav APP!  EMS peeps showed up too!  We really do need to plan more of these monthly!  You can actually have a conversation about stuff OTHER than work!

Haugan and me!  Charul went part-time so I don't see her as much anymore.  I did get to see Paul (her hubby) that I haven't seen in a looooong time.  It was great!

Wiener Dog Races, Chili Cook-off and more....

Saturday we got up and headed to Stonewall Jackson Middle School (it was a High School when I was there), for the Wiener Dog Races.  Woot Woot!  Never attended a Wiener Dog Race! This should be interesting. 

They even had a costume contest first!  That was interesting to say the least!  Princess Beatrice here was actually a boy.  So Im not sure if the dog took the female or the male prize! ha ha

There were numerous races and each 'heat' was very funny!  Some dogs took off like a rocket, while others just attacked the dog in the next lane!  Very amusing!

This school was the High School that my Mom and Dad both attended and when I was in high school, they were a huge rilvalry in basketball.  But now its a middle school!

We didn't stay for all the races, but we did want to go to the Chili Cook-off downtown on the Levee!  So we headed there next!  They have really done alot to the riverfront.  There is a space, like an ampitheater with cover and a stage over the water.  Its beautiful.  Im sure there are alot of great shows that play down here.

There were three huge rows of tents set up with chili everywhere.  There were chili cookers from everywhere!

This guy stopped me and wanted a picture!  And I even ended up with a boa!  Interesting!

Im sure theres roadkill in this chili, but Im not telling!

Parker was enjoying himself, can't you tell!

And Parker loves ice-cream!  Me too.  He didn't share much though!  We are having a great weekend!

We sat down for awhile and listened to the band.  Parker even got up and danced too!

This guy wouldn't let me take a picture unless I took one with him but he made me cook the chili!  I never found out if it was any good or not!

And Parker made me take a picture with the Pirate that never wears his eye-patch!  Parker even asked him to put it on, he wouldn't!

We had a blast.  A fun filled Saturday.  It sprinkled for a bit but not bad enough for us to get wet.  This is a great weekend!

Time to go....

Sunday came way too fast.  Time to get packed and head home.  Cathy and I had decided to meet for breakfast Sunday morning.  I had to run Parker home so we met in St. Albans.  Its probably been 20 years.  But it seemed like no time had passed at all.  She looks great!

Todd looks great too!  And it seems as no one has changed.  Its amazing how 20 plus years have passed and we are all still the same!  What a great weekend!  I hate that I have to go!

Spring Hill Pastry Shop- H E A V E N

If theres one thing that I have to have when going home is a cupcake from the Spring Hill Bakery.  I grew up living a block away.  There is no other cakes in the world that taste like the Spring Hill Bakery.  Every year, Allison & Lauren's bday cakes come from here.  When I got in Thursday, I picked up Mom and headed to the bakery.  No white cupcakes left.  I think it was Mike's fault.  He said it was too late in the day.  He was right.  I did get a chocolate one, but never ate it.  White vs chocolate, no comparison.  Im sure the chocolate is good, but the white is wicked!  We did get some cookies and then I placed an order to pick up today, Saturday so that I would be sure to be able to take cupcakes home with me.

So Parker and I headed back today to pick up my order and pick up a ton of other things.  Pecan rolls, honeybuns, hotdogs, sugar cookies, star cookies, a green dinosaur cookie and whatever else looked good.

I think everyone in the bakery was laughing at me!  But they don't know how good they have it!  It is truly heaven!  I really wish they delivered.  Or better yet, branch out.  But I guess you can't clone perfection.  Once you taste one, you will understand what I mean!  Totally awesome!

We picked everything up and then headed back to Moms.  I wanted to get Gino's pizza before I left too.  We got Mom and then headed for pizza and then to Boone County to visit DeeDee and Aunt Lil.

Ginos was as good as I remember.  I used to come to the same Gino's when Matt and I were dating.  Although it doesn't seem as big as it did then, the pizza is still good.  I think Mom and I had 2 pieces and Parker ate 4! ha ha ha.....

We headed and spent a few hours in Boone County.  Haven't seen DeeDee in awhile and my Aunt Lil isn't doing so good.  Of course, she was trying to fix me up with everyone she could think of.  Then there was the comment about Mike being Jewish, then German.  That was a funny conversation.

Then lo and behold after I got back to Moms that night, Lars had posted on FB: 

My Cuz Michelle French, my little cousin Parker and Michelles mom Darlene came to visit today. If your single and 30 something and live in charlotte, Michelle is a nurse, drives an audi, makes good money and has her own teeth. Shes taking boyfriend apps, but you have to work. none of this "I'm finding myself" bs for her.

You, Jason Hall, Nikki Schrader Hall and 7 others like this..


Michele Paul Howard: My sister would kill me if I did something like that about her on FB!


.Lawrence Keeney: well, shes working all the time, he doesnt have time to hunt for a good man..and apparently all the single doctors her age are likely gay..8-)

.Michele Paul Howard: How funny but probably true.


Lawrence Keeney: Its a nice audi too..its black and it's fast..whoo wee


Greg Lay: Oh well missed out again. My socks are 30 something!!!

Michelle Franklin French: Im in Raleigh, NOT Charlotte, but Im going to kill you!


Mark Ferrell: Husband shopping in Boone County - Ive heard it all now, Lars! Michelle just hang around through the Coal Festival - there will be a veritable smorgasbord of humanity in various stages of development and retardation to pick through!


Shelly Dickens: LoL!!!!!


Lawrence Keeney: she doesnt live here though. shes on staff at a big hospital in charlotte.


Lawrence Keeney: well? someones gotta take the bull by the horns. 8-)


Mark Ferrell: Raleigh!

Michelle Franklin French: Thanks Mark! Someones paying attention here!


.Lawrence Keeney: I left my glasses in the car.

Myra Elaine: This is a no brainer, fix her up with Ron Stollings.

Lawrence Keeney: thats a good idea...honest to Krom, it never even occured to me.

So, yeah, thats how it went!  Good to know that peeps are looking out for me.  Unfortunately, theres one man out there for me!  I just hope he realizes it!

Take me out to the ballgame...and the Toast Man...

We headed out again to the WV Power baseball game.  This time, it was Mom, Parker and me.  Matt was supposed to meet us there.  Mom HAD to sit where the Toast Man was.  I wasn't quite sure what the story behind the Toast Man, but I had a feeling that I was about to find out.  Mom informed me that she had the sign placed above the section where the Toast Man sits.  Which, by the way, just happened to be right behind home plate.

Now Parker knew all about the Toast Man and proceeded to tell me the entire history of Toast Man.  I found out you can actually 'Google" him and find links to the Toast Man.  Interesting.....

His own outlet, his own toaster, I mean, really, what is a Toast Man WITHOUT a toaster, right?  He knows every stat, every player for BOTH teams.  He heckles, he yells, he gets the crowd into it, and when some gets 'toasted', burnt toast flies into the stands....and peopls actually stand up, yell and encourage him to throw them the burnt toast!  Parker said he wants his job.

Parker of course, got some toast!  I mean, Parker wasn't sitting here for nothing.  And after educating me, he deserved a piece.  Probably a more burnt piece than that, but a piece of toast is a piece of toast.

Matt showed up and we caught up.  Its crazy that we haven't seen each other in many years.  We talk and text alot but haven't seen each other.

Matt ended up leaving before the end of the game.I went back and Parker had ice-cream.  WITHOUT ME! Whats up with that?  When the game ended, I had to have a pic with the official Toast Man!

Parker is such a great kid.  I love him so much.  He is always so courteous and just is wonderful to be around.  I am so proud to be his Aunt and we are having so much fun!

Mom and me!  Ive been in Charleston for a few days and she isn't getting on my nerves yet!  ha ha.  We are having a great weekend!

Pimpin' with Parker

Wanted to get by to see Brianna before she headed to Cincinnati and, of course, to pick up Parker for the weekend.  Of course Parker and I were 'pimping' in my new ride.  He liked it to say the least.

I love Parker.  I was so excited to get to spend time with him for 2 1/2 days.  We had all kinds of things planned and Im sure we were going to get into some kind of trouble!

Again, I sure wished they lived in Raleigh!  I really miss them and cherish the time I get to spend with them. I only wish Brianna wasn't leaving for softball games!  Busy busy busy!

Kingdom Hall

Nathans wedding day!  I can't believe it!  I have never met his wife before, well, now I have!  They are headed to Cancun tomorrow, however, I told him I had him on the schedule for Wednesday, so he better be there! ha ha ha.  It was beautiful, he looked awesome in his tails.  Very nice!

The GPS had us going through the 'not so nice' section of Durham, nevertheless, we made it to the Kingdom Hall, through the ceremony and out, without anything happening to the car! ha ha....  And Karen didn't mind riding with the top down.

Susan G Komen-Race for the Cure

Every year, this day brings out so many emotions.  It doesn't seem that many years ago that Lois had done this as her '1st' year as a Survivor.  Little did we know that she wouldn't walk another one.  I always think of her on this day and every year it brings goose bumps and tears to my eyes.

I also think of my grandmother "Chubby" (my Dads mom).  She went so long with breast cancer and never told anyone.  Breast cancer is probably the worst diagnosis for women.  So many women are affected by this horrible disease every year.  However, seeing the Survivors and seeing some of them battle through a reoccurance and every year, just make it one more year is totally amazing.

This year, Lauren was excited.  We got up early and headed out, however when we got there, I knew we had gotten an earlier start last year, because we had to park further away.

We made a round through all the vendors and picked a spot to wait on Renee and Marianne!  We always love looking at all the team shirts.  I think we have decided to design our own 'ER' shirts next year!

Renee and Marianne showed up around the same time with the kids.  The kids always make it fun!  And since Renee's girls love me, they had to come!

And of course, you couldn't have a race without medical staff actually working.  We passed some of my favorite paramedics on the way to the start line!

Lauren was giving me a hard time at 1 mile in, Renee was hanging in there.  Last year, I was told I walked too fast.  However the kids were able to keep up, but this year, even at Mile #2, Renee was hanging with me!  Yeah!

Done, done and done!  Right outside the entrance to Meredith College, we were done!  Hot, sweaty but definately feeling good.  And Lauren was still really excited to be a part.  We did find out that the UNC/Rex Healthcare team was the biggest team out of 480 teams and over 25,000 participants!

Ecuador Team 2-we are ready to go

The date of Ecuador keeps getting closer.  We had a meeting last night to break down into teams and go through a run-down of our week.  Allison didn't start off looking too happy but she ended up smiling.    Brad is our Team Leader and we are looking forward to an exciting week.  We did found out that Monday we are going to a remote island that is a 2-hour boat ride.  We all agreed that we would buy our own life-vests at Wal-Mart prior to leaving.  Then Tuesday we are going to "Tent City" which is where Cherines group went last year that ended up being a lengthy day.  We are all getting excited and Im sure July 16 will be here very soon!

Save-the-Date....Bridesmaids never looked so good!

 Work, work, work.  Seems like thats what occupies all of our time.  When the trailer came out for a movie called 'Bridesmaids', I thought that we should all go see it and dress up like 'Bridesmaids', of course.

So I set up an "Event" on Facebook and sent it out.  Huge hit!  So when Saturday rolled around, it was perfect.  Michelle Campos came up from Charleston.  We had not seen each other since graduating high school in 1986.  25 years had passed.  It really was going to be a perfect weekend. 

Then came the task of finding a bridesmaids dress.  I had everyone looking at thrift shops around several counties.  Of course, when you want one, there is none to be found.  Mary ended up bringing me in three dresses and luckily one was a hit.

 Diane had brought out the derby hat.  Everyone looked great.  We ended up hanging out in front of the Raleigh Grande for about 20 minutes waiting on everyone else to get there.

 I forgot that Cherine was even coming~!  Yippee!  We kept laughing as each person showed up.  Karen had a bag of extras just in case, anyone needed anything.  Even a wand.

 Notice the Chuck Taylors?  Yep, everyone else wore bridesmaids shoes....not me.  They were pink though.  That should count for something!

 Diane, of course, won the contest for most beautiful feel!  Pedi was wicked!  And the shoes...oh the shoes.  Diane is the shoe queen of Raleigh, ya know. 

Then it came time for tickets.  As we strolled up to the window the lady said 'let me guess.... youre here to see Bridesmaids?'.  Did you have to ask?  It was all good until Jennifer got to the window.....Jennifer had on a nice skirt and top but obviously not 'Bridesmaids' attire, at least per the lady at the window.  So she told Jennifer she couldn't sell her a ticket since she was dressed appropriately.

 But actually we let her in with us...no one knows.  We do look like a pretty group, don't we?

We ended up taking up an entire row.  Most other people in the theater were over the age of 60.  This ought to be interesting.  Karen and I had our bucket o' popcorn and a BIG drink!

And then of course, the two Michelle's.  Yep, after 25 years....NOTHING has changed.  Are you sure its 2011?

Afterwards, we got another pic of all of us.  Em, of course, had the REAL bouquet of flowers.  I would expect nothing less.

Next stop, Carolina Ale House at Briercreek!  We had a blast.  Not to mention the gentleman buying Karen a drink.  It really had something to do with that "virgin" name tag she had on.  We ended up staying till 0000 and then everyone kind of filtered out.  Scott even showed up after his Hangover 2.

Not a bad group of ER peeps, huh?  We really did have a great time and it was nice to get out.  Karen reminded me that she hadn't been out since my birthday in 2007.  So we are definately setting something else up, we cannot go another 4 years without having fun again~!

And of course, I had to get my signature shot.  Even though we missed a ton of 'feet', it was who made it to the end.