The rest of the trip north

We got to spend some GREAT time with our Paige (as well as Pat and Beth). Is she just the most precious baby girl - I had the honor of getting a bow to stay put in her hair - I think the key was to distract her while I put it there and she seemed to have no clue it existed, never mind that it adorned her beautiness. I wish I was still the "craft queen" I was in a previous life - our girl would have gorgeous hair bows by the dozens!

Seriously, just look at her all cuddled in under that incredibly awesome soft warm blanket. Bethie you just have the best taste and I am certain that every home needs a few of them - and I suspect Snoopy would second that!

Grampa got to spend some fun time with our princess as well - wasn't that nice of me to share! Look at those little Muffin toes there - I think Gramp even sang her a song about "piggy toes"

After nap time we got to have a cheese sandwich in bite sized tiny pieces ~ bow still in place! I really really had a difficult time leaving knowing that we are not planning on being back in New England for at least a year and a half and more likely two years. It was a "blessing in disguise" I think that Paige was still sleeping the morning we left. Her Uncle Tim was there to play with her for the morning while Bethie accompanied Patrick to have his wisdom teeth (plus a "bonus" wisdom tooth) pulled - UGH I can't imagine... but Pat was a trooper and it all worked out swell for him.

Our return flight was through BWI where we had a two hour layover, which can often, for Rick and I, be about 1 1/2 hours too long but that was NOT the case this trip.

Our arriving flight was three gates from our departing flight so we headed to find food. As we were headed to one of the restaurants in our terminal we heard all this clapping and yee hawing. Well of course our thoughts were it was a returning military flight. So of course we went to join in the celebration.

OMG - this is what we saw.

Come to find out this was an Honor Flight coming in from Missouri on, who else, Southwest Airlines (one more reason they are my favorite airline).

PLEASE go to the link to learn about these Honor Flights. It was such a touching, emotional moment for us. These were World War II vets headed for a day in Washington, the highlight of which will be a trip to their memorial as well as the other war memorials, and as we all know there are too damned many of them ... They will also visit the National Cemetery, have lunch and return to their own beds that night! These trips are totally paid for through our donations - these vets do not pay for any of this trip (other than souvenirs they may want to purchase).

Also, there are "guardians" (who pay their own way) for these veterans - I believe one guardian for every six or eight vets (I can't remember the exact number). Keep in mind these vets are likely in their 80's - what an HONOR it was for Rick and I to have been there as this flight landed and was greeted for their day in DC. To say that it took me quite some time to emotionally regroup after this event is an understatement.

Another thing that surprised me is just how honored these vets were to be there and how humbled they were to receive the welcoming they did ....

Timing is everything as they say, and our timing could not have been better that day.

TAH DAH ~ the new Mr. and Mrs. Lovett

Let's start with the rehearsal (YOU thought I was going to sing a Julie Andrews song didn't you!).

The priest that married "the kids" was just a terrific man - with an even more terrific sense of humor ~ truly just what a nervous bride and groom need. I am not sure, however, that this particular bride and groom were (or would admit to being) particularly nervous. I wish the priest had been able to attend the rehearsal dinner as I'd invited - he would have been a delightful addition to the group. Unfortunately, he had a first communion class and a christening group he had to join after the Lovett/Sullo rehearsal!

Anyway, the first photo is the priest entertaining Chad with some funny comment! The photo below - is the the practice of the flower girl (Gabrielle), the junior usher (Antonio - and I believe his title was junior usher, but I am not certain), and the ring bearer (Connor). Well that was the plan anyway ~ complete story later in this post. Isn't that just a precious photo - one of my favorites.

Below Chad is entertaining Gabrielle and Brayden. Brayden is the son of Chad's cousin Owen (who was one of the ushers) and Gabbie is the daughter of Amy's sister Jenn and her husband Kevin (confused yet with all these names?) Antonio, in the photo above is the son of Amy's sister Nicole. This photo was taken at the rehearsal dinner at Jeveli's where we had a great meal and terrific service (I thought ~ then again that is surely a biased opinion isn't it!)

Okay, end of the rehearsal chapter and on to the ceremony etc.

Below is Master Connor, the ring bearer, having a debate with himself. Now part of me wants to make a stupid joke that if anyone has a debate with themselves on their wedding day that perhaps it would be the bride or groom, but to the best of my knowledge neither of them did. With all that said, Connor felt he needed to debate - "go down the aisle with the pillow that Grammie made, don't go down the aisle with the pillow that Grammie made, go down, don't go down .... alright I guess I won't go down" .... and so it went, but he was so darned cute with that tux on Grammie's heart just melted to see him.

Meanwhile, his father waited at the side of the church for the bride to come down the aisle and be greeted mid way by her groom ....

It didn't dawn on this marble head when I loaded pictures for this post that I took (or even better loaded) the same shot at the rehearsal and the ceremony! Cool beans huh - below here they are at the beginning of the ceremony.

And after for "formal" photos ... minus Gabbie - (that just dawned on me also)
First dance as Mr. and Mrs. Lovett .....

Joshua (the best man and my older son) giving his toast. Unfortunately in the chaos of getting he and Connor dressed and the two of them as well as Trish to the event that Joshua forgot his speech and had to "ad lib" it - Great job he did .... very touching (especially from the standpoint of the Mom who raised the two of them and witnessed first hand the tales Joshua spoke of during his toast!)

Below, Rick is sharing a moment with the happy couple ~
as well as with yours truly ~

Another great shot - the cake and the cupcakes surrounding it - oh were they outstandingly yummy. Made by Ann Tracie Design - with yummy creamy raspberry or caramel centers to the cupcakes - oh I'd like six of each right now please ... (btw Amy did the web design for Ann Tracie)

Some family fun ... younger sister Kimberly and her beloved Jack below ~ unfortunately Kimberly's left hand is below the table, but she is sporting some new bling there (another wedding in the making).

Kimberly and yours truly to right in the photo below doing my favorite ~ aka the chicken dance! Seems Kim had never done the chicken dance - seriously, how is that possible? Well she has now!

Brother Jon and wife Shirley (as well as Joshua and Connor behind them)

And hopefully we all had a great time - I know I did.

We are now in St. George, SC and unfortunately leaving this beautiful small and peaceful campground in the morning to head to an Elks Lodge in NC then on to a National Forest area a couple days later. That stop will bring us down the road from Connor, Joshua and Trisha. We'll probably be in the area for four or so days then who knows what. We will be in limbo for a few days as we have Freightliner maintenance scheduled (as well as chassis school for Rick) in northern SC mid May then the plan is off to Washington state and Oregon ....

Connor the maestro and master of wii as well!

So I need someone to 'splain it to me ("'splain it to me Wally" ... yes indeed I am dating myself with that line aren't I!!)...

WHAT is it with this wii game thing that can elicit such intense concentration from a five year old (although my observation during this photo session indicates it is NOT solely the five year old that has this concentration level, or the need to beat the opponent!!! Just an observation mind you). Furthermore, the tongue out while concentrating on whatever task is at hand ... um another generation of the Peck family with that "gene"! I LOVE IT!

After several wii challenges Master Connor moves on to become Maestro Connor! Hmm, he does have a guitar and maybe drums at home, does he need a keyboard of one sort or another as well?

These photos were taken at Chad and Amy's house the day we arrived (as well as Joshua, Trisha and Connor) in MA for "the big event". It was a terrific, laid back fun time. We did go to Whitman so Joshua could have his "fix" of the local bar pizza he's been craving for years since he left MA. Nice greasy bar pizza! Good thing Rick and I waited a couple days afterwards to have our lab work done!

That's all for this brief post - I will now go into iphoto and upload photos for the next post - which just might be THE wedding!!! Although my wedding photos are not great - long story, but I broke yet another camera at the rehearsal dinner ...

a post in reverse

Trying to back up and fill in since the last "real" post!

Easter Sunday we needed to just get out - I'd been sick once again with the ongoing stomach issue and the walls were truly closing in - even if I felt awful I needed to get the heck out and I think Rick and Sir did as well.

We decided to head to the Olustee Battlefield historic site about 25 miles west of here. We thought also that perhaps Sir could run around and get some much needed exercise. The battle here started February 20, 1864 eventually the Confederates won and succeeded in pushing the Yankees (aka at that point, as the "Federal Troops") back to Jacksonville - about 55 miles to the east.

There is a reenactment here every February - even I would like to attend that! Go figure.

As most of you probably know, King Richard is a history "buff" (me, well not so much). Rick enjoyed touring the site and reading about the battle while Sir and I walked down one of the many dirt roads. However, Sir was much more concerned about where Rick was so we didn't walk far nor did we get the exercise we'd hoped for.

As it happened, there was a family having a reunion celebration there. What a wonderful time they looked to be having. In speaking with one of them (who came over to admire Sir himself!), she told me there were four generations in attendance that day and they'd been having their reunion every Easter for sixty years! I've never had a family reunion as such (although the Peck Family Christmas aka Peck Family Christmas Bar-B-Que comes darned close, just no cousins etc.). This family get together even included an Easter egg hunt for the young'ons! They were so much fun to watch!

And, as you can see from the photo above, it was a lovely location! This was an azalea and wisteria in bloom as you entered the caretakers residence. It was quite warm - 85'ish - that day.

Stay tuned ~ I promise to get up to date as soon as possible - so much has been going on it will take a few posts!

yup we're still around

It's been a whirlwind of a couple weeks. Been to MA for THIS glorious event. Got back to FL yesterday and our niece is here with us for a few days. When life gets back to "normal" I will do a proper post of our trip north - lots of great photos.

The ying and the yang of a day ...

Trying to post a peaceful sunset photo and even that doesn't want to cooperate!

So the day starts off with yet another issue with our "mail forwarding service" this morning. Yup, I'd handed over any and all dealings with them to King Richard after the last fiasco with them ~ in a long stream of costly fiascos - ugh, before I even get coffee into my system this morning they rear their ugly flippin' heads again.

The day ends with the wrong pizza ....

major stuff right (she types with what should be a smirk, but I can't even do the smirk right now after this festering crap, but I do appreciate the insignificance of it in the whole scope of a lifetime BUT) - I give up with it ... it's been a beauty of foolishness in immeasurable proportions today for sure.

The positive in it is ~ I FINISHED AMY'S VEIL TODAY and it will be on its way to MA in the morning .... now for the ultimate therapy - I am headed to work on a quilt - which absorbs tears along with creating something - guess that's a double positive (???).

Word has it there is some sort of benefit here at the Macclenny Moose Lodge tomorrow - can't get any info on it, but perhaps (hopefully) a volunteer opportunity - I sure need that kind of diversion ..

G'night all ....

a whole lot of chillin' goin' on

On Tuesday we left the Elks Lodge in Jacksonville that we'd been at for a week and came to Macclenny to the local Moose Lodge - just down the street from our Chester. Nice rv facilities they have here - friendly (but way too smokey) lodge as well.

We got the bikes out yesterday ~ yup, even mine came out ~ and went for a ride we've done often from here over to Lake City about 40 miles west.

The main reason we headed over there was to see yet another Moose Lodge that has rv facilities.

The Elks have a great group of books that show all the Lodges throughout the country, listed by state with a map of each state indicating where the lodges are. The books also indicate the ones that have facilities and lists what type of hook ups they have.

The Moose (as well as the American Legion), unfortunately, don't have this great resource available to their members. It is often very challenging (and quite often happens by accident) to find what Moose Lodges and Legion Posts have facilities and what those facilities entail.

Alas, I digress (once again). When Rick posted our datastorm location the other day when we arrived here in Macclenny he also went to the map that shows fellow datastormers in the area and saw that one was at the Lake City Moose Lodge so that was our plan for yesterday - to explore that Lodge.

The photos in this post were all (and about 40 others!!) taken there. Isn't it lovely and peaceful?

The down side (if there is one) is that if we were there Sir would be beside himself to get into that lake (Watertown Lake). THAT would not be good - there are gators in that there lake!

We had a great ride, met friendly people at the Lodge and certainly appreciated another option of a place to be!