Friday, March 28, 2008

Happy Friday!



It was a BEAUTIFUL week in Savannah this week!
Monday I taught my pre-op total joint class, and that went well.
Tuesday I spent the majority of my birthday sitting thru boring meetings. But, they pay me for it, so I will stop complaining! Then John, Judy and I went out to eat. We went to one of my favorite seafood restaurants. As always, the food was yummy, and I ate way too much!
Wednesday was ME day. I slept in, and then did things that make me happy.
The first thing I did was take my camera to Bonaventure Cemetery. I know, cemeteries gross out a lot of people, but I love walking around them. Especially this graveyard. It has really cool statues, and lots of history. The azaleas were at peak bloom, and the cemetery is full of their bright pink blooms!
I had a revelation while walking thru the graveyard. John and I have talked about our final wishes, and what we want to do. I have always been a firm believer in burial, and having someplace standing, forever, marking my time on this planet. But, then I saw something Wednesday that changed all of that. I witnessed an old man, cleaning off the gravestone of his wife. And it tore my heart apart! This frail, old man, probably left here on earth alone, dealing with life's issues all by himself. He looked so alone. He kept his head held low as he swept dead leaves from his wife's headstone. Then replaced the faded silk flowers from a basket with new flowers. Then, he sat, and just stared at that marker. I stood watching him for what seemed like forever. I wondered what his circumstance was, how long ago since she left him, what he does with himself since she left. Slowly, he gathered his things, then got into an older model Buick, and slowly drove away. There stood her headstone, alone, like it was before he got there. The flowers exposed to the sun, they will fade again, just like the first batch. The dead leaves will gather on her grave, just like before. And until someone else comes to look at her headstone, she lays there, ..alone.
I don't want to put John thru that. I cannot imagine him tending my grave. Replacing the flowers, sweeping away dead leaves. Life goes on after death, but I can't imagine a life like that.
So, cremation seems the only logical decision. My ashes can be sprinkled somewhere lovely, or somewhere that I haven't been able to see while alive.
Ok, enough morbid talk.
After the graveyard, I went to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, and watched the alligators. Not very many active gators, mostly little ones, swimming. I don't know where the BIG ones were, but I am sure they were there!



Today, John took me out to the country to learn to drive a "stick". It will come in handy when I get my birthday gift on April 27th! :-)
Tomorrow is back to work. BLECK! Anybody care to fill in for me? I secretly hope it rains, so that I am not wasting a beautiful weekend cooped up inside of the hospital!
I hope everyone out there has a wonderful weekend! Get out there, and enjoy spring. She'll be gone way too fast!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

My Birthday Surprise

So, Tuesday is my birthday, and it's bad enough I have to go to work that day, but I ended up being sick yesterday, and not getting to go to my Birthday Adventure! Can you believe my luck? I caught some stomach bug, and spent most of yesterday sleeping. I was able to eat today, but I think I overdid it a bit, and now my belly is retaliating by making nasty noises. So, the surprise ended up being on my precious husband, when he couldn't take me on the trip! Hopefully they let him reschedule, otherwise, I am going to be VERY upset!
Do I reveal the surprise now, or wait?.......I think I will wait and see if we can reschedule. I can say it's a BIG surprise, and I am going to be majorly pissed off if I can't do it!
More later...
Penny

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Yea!!!!! It's Officially Spring!

I am sooo excited!
Spring to me means nice weather, flowers blooming, the start of baseball season. Walking barefoot on fresh mowed grass.
Playing in my rose garden.
Walking around Lake Mayer, feeding the ducks.
Watching the alligators at the Savannah Wildlife Refuge.
Flying kites on Tybee beach.
Going for a night trip to the beach. Sitting on the swings, watching the waves crashing.

Saturday John is taking me for my birthday suprise.
I have my ideas of what he has planned, but he denies it all. Anybody got any ideas what it is? I'd post my assumptions, but I don't want to spoil the suprise.

I want to wish everybody a Happy Easter. I hope everyone can spend time with their family and friends.
Thanks for reading
Penny

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Raise Your Hand...............



If you are sick of winter!
Yup......just what I thought!
LOL!

Spring has sprung here in Savannah! And not a moment too soon! Can I just go on the record to say that I am READY for spring?! I know, compared to you guys up north, I have nothing to complain about. But seriously, we have had some really cold days and nights, and I am more than ready for it to stop. Now that the time has changed, it's staying light longer, and spring is making her appearance known. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing.....then for the icky stuff....the pollen is thick in the air, the gnats are biting my head.....but, it could be worse....it could be SNOWING! LOL!

Seriously, it's approaching my favorite time of the year down here. The flowers are just starting to bloom, the trees are starting to get green. By the first of April, spring will be in high gear. I better go to Sam's and buy the economy size bottle of Zyrtec! LOL

Driving home from work today got my spring fever into high gear!
So, to commemorate spring in Savannah, I thought I would share some pictures of spring. Hope you guys from the Frozen Tundra enjoy!





Tomorrow is the BIG St Patty's Day Parade here in Savannah. This year, they are doing it early, as next week is Holy week. So, the drinkin' and the partying will be beginning this evening I guess. The parade is tomorrow, then the flocks of drunks, I mean party goers head down to River Street to do whatever they do down there. Personally, I think they are all NUTS! It's a mass of human bodies, which when you consider it's going to be 80 degrees, and these people have been drinking for several hours, some throwing up on themselves, you KNOW they reek of cigarette smoke, alcohol, and body odor! You can't walk for the crowds, people blowing cigarette smoke in your face, the cussing, the public nudity, oh yea..sign me up. NOT! I guess you can say I am no longer 20, because none of that appeals to me! Instead, I will be working tomorrow, and the weekend I will be staying far, far away from downtown!
For the Irish folks out there....Happy St Patrick's Day! For me, I am waiting for Easter, then my birthday on the 25th. John is planning something, but I have no idea what. If you know....let me in on the secret, it's killing me!

Monday, March 3, 2008

Home Sweet Home

We arrived back home at 6:30 this evening. Traffic was very light the last 2 days, and the weather perfect. We made excellant time, and arrived without incident.
Everyone is exhausted, and Jingles is VERY happy his family made it home ok.
John & I are trying to relax by watching mindless tv. Then it's a hot shower, something to drink to induce relaxation, and then nighty-night in our own bed! I can't wait!
It's nice to go on vacation, but even nicer to come home afterwards!
Don't worry, there will be more snow pictures posted! I guarantee.
Penny & John

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Last Day In Stowe

That's right, today was our final day of vacation. Boy, that week just flew right by!
John is going thru his post-vacation depression. He said he's just now starting to unwind, and now it's time to pack up, and shove out of here in the morning. I am not ready to get back to the real world, but I'm definately ready to get into MY bed, with MY pillow, and see my Jingle Bells! His baby sitter tells me he doesn't like for them to leave after visiting with him. He tries to grab their feet and keep them from leaving him alone! Poor baby! I'm curious to see if he'll give us the cold shoulder treatment, or not let us out of his sight!
Today John and I did some snowshoeing. We drove up to a pretty covered bridge, and snowshoed along the Stowe Recreational Path. It was snowing like crazy! Not too cold. I actually worked up a sweat!
Well, enjoy the photos. I'll post some more when we get back, so keep an eye out for more.
Penny & John




What Did YOU Do On Leap Day?

We awoke on Leap Day to subzero temps! Don't believe me? This picture was taken at almost 9 am! That's right, 9 o'clock in the morning! Can you SEE the temperature?

When we first got up, the Weather Channel was saying -24! BRRRRRR! I haven't seen those kind of temps since......well, probably the last time we came to Stowe! John's truck must have been all frozen up! The display was saying that 3 tires were low, doors were open, windows were open, ect! Once it "thawed out", things got back to normal.
We spent the day with John's cousin Jimmy and his wife Irene. The cold didn't stop us from having a good time. Ever eat ice cream at -14? NO?! Why the heck not?! LOL! When you go to Ben & Jerry's for a tour, you HAVE to have some of their ice cream! YUMMY!
Below are more pictures from our sub zero day. That sun is VERY misleading, let me tell you, it was BITTERLY COLD! The kind of cold that freezes the inside of your nose as soon as you step outside! BBBRRRR!!! I envy Jingle Bells and his FUR coat!