And the Winner is................Jake, our new "son"!

More information to follow when we know each other better. So far all is good. He is about 3 years old and easy to have around. That could change as he gets comfortable...but I am happy! And he and Socks fell in love right away. Kisses, hugs and lots of chasing around the living room. Fun!

The Expectant Parents

Do you think we are excited about getting a dog? You are right, we are! Well, I am beside myself and Kirby is looking forward to having a dog. He has humored me and agreed to this. But I know he will enjoy the companionship as much or more than I will.

So, we are pretty much ready. We have a nice crate with a new soft pad for a dog who has lived outdoors for a year. (Silly us) We have a brush and shampoo for a dog who hasn't been bathed in a year, a bag of Iams dry food, a leash and a collar and a large bag of leather chews. Oh, and beautiful designer bowls for water and food - for a dog who has lived outdoors in the elements for a year!

So excited!!!

Update: Nov 13 - Tomorrow the nice lady from the shelter is coming with 2 of our favorite dogs. They will get to meet our granddog Socks and we will see how they get along. Then the hard part...chosing which dog. One is yellow and the other is black and I just can't choose. The black one is Zoe with blue eyes and the yellow one is Jake. They are the top two in the pictures below.

New Family Member

We have finally decided to open our home to a new family member. We are going to adopt a dog. We have been searching for about a month now and are getting quite close to a decision. Of course, no dog will ever replace our wonderful Holly, whom we still miss but know she is happy with her new mommy and daddy. We are sure that Holly would approve of our decision. So, here are some of the dogs that we are thinking about....this is not a contest, so I don't expect you to tell me who you are voting for...I am just very excited!

Birthdays Day

Christie's birthday was Monday and mine yesterday. I decided to take the day off from work and Christie planned a perfect day for us. We started with a rich cup of very decadent coffee at Biggby Coffee - our favorite coffee house. I had some really fattening thing with caramel and whipped cream - oh, yum! And then it was off to the club and the steam room. We had packed all our creams and potions and fancy duds. We had the steam room all to ourselves and stayed as long as we could. I think we were both afraid to say anything about feeling roasted for a while. Finally I said - I'm DONE! And Christie scrambled out almost faster than I could! Oh, it was wonderful. My skin is so soft still. I need to do that daily!

In the picture, you have to notice our necklaces. We bought them for each other as gifts - not knowing what the other was doing. Pretty cool, eh?

We did all our hair and make-up right there and it reminded me of my days on the boat and using public showers. But this was much nicer than any public shower I ever used! And then it was off to downtown Charleston.

We first visited the Nathaniel Russell House which was first completed in 1808. It is a lovely home with a great history. After our tour it was lunchtime so we found our way to "Slighty North of Broad" or S.N.O.B. as they like to say. It was a fantastic lunch at one of Charleston's most popular places. Christie had the (raw) tuna and I had Southern Shrimp and Grits which will forever remain in my memory! It was to die for, trust me! Grits don't have to be yukky!

After lunch we found the Aiken-Rhett House and had a tour of it also. This one was built in 1818 and was just huge. It went on forever, had slaves quarters and a stable. It was fun imagining the lovely parties on the beautiful verandas!

On the way home we stopped by the fish market and picked up a few pounds of fresh shrimp for a wholloping $5/pound. One of our favorite family dinners is Peel and East Shrimp and Caesar Salad. So, we stuffed ourselves just a little bit more. It was an absolutely PERFECT Birthday Day with my wonderful Daughter. We have decided it will be an annual event!

Two Bootaful!

Two Bootaful as in Too Beautiful!! Got it?? Just check out the footwear. Yep. We are both wearing designer boots. Both Casey and I have problems right now and found ourselves wearing identical orthopedic boots. Casey has a stress fracture and his grammy has some sort of tennis elbow of the ankle. We did not plan this! But it IS very Bootaful!

Pictures and more pictures........

I guess you can tell that it is all about the pictures for me. I am not a writer and I just love pictures. Photo journalism would be right up my alley. So, while I am here - a few more pictures! And here is Granddog Socks on Halloween.

Pictures from Christie and Family

Here is the romantic couple out to dinner for Christie's birthday. And here are my boys - Casey and Brendan.

More Pictures from Christie's Birthday

After work we went over to the Shumbie's to help Christie celebrate her birthday. We ended up going to Brixx for a Pizza Party. Brendan had soccer practice so wasn't able to join us. Here are some pictures...........

Happy Birthday, Christie!

My firstborn had her ____ birthday today. Christie, you are more beautiful than ever and you are also the most wonderful person I know! I love you! And I can't wait until Friday when we get our day on the town together! Love you - MOM

Coastal Carolina Fair - Ah, the Colors!

Kirby and I went to the Coastal Carolina Fair this afternoon. It was a feast for the eyes with all of the wonderful colors! Between the colors and the people watching - wow, it was great. And we also had plenty to eat. I headed right to the corn dogs - something I NEVER eat but used to all the time - about 100 years ago.
There was one "booth" that was nothing but candy - what would have been called "Penny Candy" years ago. Do you remember those Candy Cigarettes? I thought they were illegal today!

We didn't go on ANY rides this year because last year I learned that I have reached the age where they are no longer fun - they are painful! So we ate, walked, sat, walked, ate and had a great time!