Catching up....

Well, I know it's been a while and I need to catch up. Though there has been some knittin' going on I don't have any pics yet...some are gifts so I can't "show" them yet. Let's see...where did I leave off?

Oh yeah--the 2nd beach trip...

THIS is one of my favorite sights, I can't take enough pictures.
Every morning was even more beautiful than the last.



Well, the reason for this trip was my 2nd half marathon. This year I chose the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon, I wanted to do this one last year but I had already chosen Richmond and knew there was no way I could do 2 in a month. Since becoming a runner I've found that I'm ALL ABOUT the finishers medals!! 

This one was one I REALLY wanted...and it's HUGE!

An 8" long surfboard that doubles as a bottle opener (and a fridge magnet...I guess there are 3 uses)!! I had a good finish, expected a little better but with only a 1/2 mile left to finish I started to cramp up. The after race party made me feel better! I even met a new running friend while there...I hope to get to Nashville to run the RocknRoll Half Marathon with her very soon.

Can't wait to get back to the beach now...is it Spring yet?

The BOYZ even had a BLAST!!

Earlier this month we had our own Oyster Festival here in the Valley. Hubby is from a town that has an Oyster Festival the first weekend of November every year for the past 54 years, so 2 of his brothers came in with the "goods"! Oh what fun! Sorry no pics...I was so busy cooking and entertaining I never picked up my camera. We had lots of good food & good company that made the evening a complete success!

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Since the last 2 years involved us traveling this year we got to stay home. Son #2 and I ran the Drumstick Dash...his first 5K EVER--and we finished side by side! I'm so proud of him and hope that I've spurred on some interest to do more in the future!

Pre-race pic...not as cold as in previous years and the race continues to grow! It started 6 years go with only 2000 runners & walkers--this year there were 14,000+!!!!!!! Their motto--"Move your feet so others can eat"!


Then on this past Saturday Son #1------GOT MARRIED!!!!!! They eloped but I'm so pleased...I have a new daughter and 2 new step-grandaughters out of the deal! Hmmm....well, I guess that's all I have right now.
Guess I'd better get back to my Christmas knitting! Are you ready for Christmas?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

.....and "Re-Entry"

.....is VERY difficult!

The beach was great...the weather not so great but we did get a good bit of sunshine, just storms in the evenings. I got to see my friend Anita...toes in the water and a$$ in the sand...play golf...and knit.

Working on Highlander has been fun--that is if the dogs would let me!


...not a great pic--taken with the cellphone!

We are still unpacking and washing clothes, I had to return to work today but it's not all that bad. I happen to enjoy my job at the Y--and it's really nice being missed by co-workers and members! Well...I guess I'd better get back at it...more later!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Beach Bound...

California....I mean....Myrtle Beach Dreamin'!




Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

It's Not Even Winter Yet......

.....IT'S FRIGID.....

And I wanna go back here~~



Call me "Dorothy" cause I'm clickin' my heels!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinniin'!!

Gone-gone-Gone...

Well...FINALLY the time has come! I hope to have pics and maybe even a video from our trip.



Anita.....Anita.....Hurricane Robin's coming to town!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Serenity Now....

(Sunrise @ Newfound Gap)

My birthday trip was a MUCH NEEDED break from all the crap I've been dealing with lately, so as promised pictures from our trip:

I've been traveling to the Gatlinburg, TN/Cherokee, NC/Great Smoky Mountains since I was very young. My Grandparents used to take me there just about every summer since I was 3 years old...I love that area and could live there in a heartbeat. Well, with the exception of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area--it's WAY too crowded for me now, though there is the Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Trail, I think I'd like that area okay. That's really where I spend all my "shopping" time while others are at the tourist traps in town and in Pigeon Forge.
We didn't make the hour drive through the Great Smoky Mountain NP to Cherokee...as much as I love that place it's very hard for me to see it with the casino in place now. I know, I know...it's a revenue for the Cherokee people but it has it's pitfalls to it too. Just like with Gatlinburg I take the good with the bad.

Cable Mill @ Cades Cove








We found a river cairn someone had left behind...I would have added to it but I didn't want to knock it over...



...and of course, Rudy had a blast!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Dogs on Thursday

I know...I know, I should have posted something by now! Thanks for the birthday wishes, I truly do appreciate all your well wishes. We had a great time in Gatlinburg, (more pics to come...just too tired to do all the editing!)

...and so did Rudy!!



Sportin' his new hat! Besides my shopping experience, Rudy found that he had a store to visit! We found that lots of places in the area were pet friendly, allowing Rudy to "strut" through like he owned the place.

Is it hot where you are? I really hope it cools off some by Saturday morning...I have a race to run.
Speaking of which, recently I spoke about the Richmond race which I will run in honor of my uncle, who needs a lung transplant. We got word yesterday that he's been placed on the transplant list---Hallelujah! they've been at the Univ of Pittsburg for 2 1/2 weeks waiting for all the test results to be completed. Please keep him and my family in your prayers. In light of that, I decided to up the ante...I changed the race in November...I won't be running the 8K (4.97 miles)---I'm running the Half Marathon!!! YEP...13.1 miles!!! Let the training begin!!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Dogs on Thursday

(sorry for the poor quality pics...phone camera just isn't the same)



Last week there were 2 very happy dogs in the house. They practically played NONSTOP for 8 days, both were so tired but had a blast with each other...the next photo will show you just how sad Rudy was when Milo left.



Isn't that the saddest thing you've ever seen??


This morning we are leaving for a weekend trip...BOY do we ever need this!! Hope you all have a great weekend, stay cool and...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'------and Rudy says....

"Are We There Yet?"

Music Monday

Well...it's Monday again! Where does the weekend go? For me--it was yet another very busy weekend. Project after project has kept me busy and my mind off of the things that make me sad. I don't know about you but when I'm upset or have a lot on my mind I clean and/or organize....what do you do? Just curious...

Because I'm in serious need of a change in lattitude and our annual beach trip is still 6 weeks away. I was trying to think of a song that would fit...so, I love me some Buffett!!



This coming weekend Hubby is taking me away for my Birthday...we're going a little south in latitude, but I'm still anxious to hit the sand and sun of Myrtle Beach! Boy, would I love to run away to Key West or the Carribean...I wonder if I'd be missed?!

Stay tuned...tomorrow I have a FO to show off!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Dogs on Thursday

Get your tissues out cause I'm gonna make you cry, but first I have to share pics of my Rudy!!


Rudy at Sunrise...he LOVED the beach!


Obviously, Rudy & Milo totally enjoyed the sand...we didn't get a picture of Rudy's tunnel. Fred & Ellie were hard to get pictures of on the beach, lets just say there were WILD!!


...now, did you get your hankies? I promise you you're gonna need them...but it's worth EVERY tear. I LOVE this dog and his story.




Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Dogs on Thursday

Hi everbodeeee, Wudy here.

Wemember back in the spring when Momma said I wuz goin' someplace called "camping"--and that I was really going to wike it...and I did, I weally, weally did.

Well, now Momma sez I'm goin someplace called "the beach"--and that I'm gonna WUV it.

I'll wet you know in a week~~

Can I ask you a couple questions?

Does this shurt make my butt wook big?



...and

What's a speedo?

I hearw them tawkin' aww the time.

Tonight is gwaduation night too!