I've been tagged...but this one is short & sweet....

Thank you Nan, I love some of the memes going around and this one is no different.

The rules/commands are as follows:
1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer, where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain that picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same.

OK - this sounds easy...let's just see what picture is in that locale.....



Well, some people might have beautiful landscapes or possibly a sentimental reminder in their picture folder, but this is definitely different.

This is from my folder "Boston 2004", which may be appropriate, as I just returned from my annual visit. This would be an angel yard ornament, for lack of a better description. One that has individual arms, legs, body, etc., and can be placed in various forms. Since I have this impish, sometimes bizarre sense of humor, I decided to turn the cherub into a contortionist.

Now, you will see the painted ceramic dog with sunglasses, sitting atop the angel - yep...another perverse idea of mine. This little ceramic dog, was our "travelocity gnome" of sorts. Wherever my late friend and I travelled, we took pictures of the dog in all kinds of weird sites and positions. I succeeded quite well on this I do believe.

Although, it is not required in this meme, I think I will now add a few pics that I DID take of our travelling DOG.

Travelling Dog - watching his morning cartoons on our Caribbean cruise.

Travelling Dog all ready for his breakfast on balcony of our ship.

Can you find Travelling Dog hiding with the M&M's????


Travelling Dog has no ID - but wants a drink at the ship's poolside bar....duh!?!?


Travelling Dog...spying on us from the safety of a small palm tree.


I know the meme only required the one picture...but consider yourself lucky to have viewed Travelling Dog having the time of his life.

I now tag the following:

Evil Twin's Wife at Glamorous Life of a Hausfrau
Freida Bee, as she has a super sense of humor.
Mnmom at Happy to be From Iowa, because it is cold in Minnesota and she needs something to do...haha!
Wits and Wiggles, just for shits and giggles!!!

I hope you enjoy...I had a blast!! Later...............

...and it was an EVENTFUL beginning!

Well, this is not the best picture in the world - as are most of the ones from this trip. I had major camera malfunctions and missettings (is that a word?) and so we deal with what we have!
This picture is for the introduction to our vacation. We arrived at the Bahia Mar Beach Resort and Yachting Center in Ft. Lauderdale, and upon arrival, they stuck us in an outer building and when we went to the room - another couple was in the room - deciding that they didn't like it either. So off we trek back to the main building and the reservations desk. We then got a room in the main building on the seventh floor. We lounged around for awhile then went downstairs for dinner and then sat outside watching all the Mercedes, Jaguars, BMW'S, Lexus' and even a Bentley roll up. There are several events going on at any given time at this hotel.

We probably went back to the room around 9 pm, watching TV, till 12:01 am and BOOM - all the power went out. No TV, no lights (very dim) and NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!! Then an announcement comes over the PA system - "Ignore the alarm that will go off, this is a false alarm!" Then it began, the piercing blare of the alarm - which did not cease till 1:51 am. Almost two solid hours. Now mind you, when the alarms are activated the elevators do not operate. I called down to the main desk several times, and it would ring non-stop then disconnect. At 1:41 am I got thru to the front desk, to be given a "stock" answer that it was only a false alarm due to a power surge. Although it is hard to see in the picture, that is a firetruck (one of three that showed up, only 2 staying for almost 2 hours) as we look directly down from our window. (We had a small step-out ledge and banister.) Strange as it sounds, we did have power and lights in our bathroom. We watched the firemen go to their trucks carrying a long bar, which they use to pull down ceilings. I went to get us a pop at the vending machine - which didn't work because of no power and the smell of burning wires was awful. Since this is a distinct smell, I knew it had to be more than a "power surge."

We could get NO answers and here we are stuck on the 7th floor. We could have gone down the 7 flights of steps, but certainly would never have made it back up. Again, I kept calling the front desk and did not get them to answer again till 4:01 am. There was nothing they could do about the power. Hahahaha!! I think we managed a couple of hours sleep, but when we went down for breakfast, I stopped at the desk and asked for the manager, and the young man in charge says, "there was NO fire", when I said I smelled the wiring and the firemen were highly active. He then said "can you prove there was a fire?" WRONG!!!!! I am much smarter than him on his best day - don't test me!

That was not even the point - I wanted a complete refund for the lodging because if I want to camp out I am certainly not going to pay $150. This young man told me that "they" would be having a meeting on Monday to decide what to do - and that wasn't good enough for me. I called Orbitz (booked through) and explained the entire situation (making sure she was writing it all down) and she told me to hold, she was calling this young man - it wasn't 6 or 8 minutes she came back on the line and said the entire amount had been credited back to my credit card. I WAS IMPRESSED. Then from that point on, we told EVERYONE - don't settle for less than 100% refund. Some were getting 25 - 50%. I felt much better then. We couldn't even get a hot breakfast, as there was no power there either.

It was eventful to say the least. Going back to my blog from June of last year, there was a fire next door to the hotel where I stayed before leaving on my cruise. Now that is kind of eerie!! I guess everyone needs a little excitement now and then.

Gonna play with the grandson - so take care and TTFN!

...it's over ...can't wait for next one!!!

The vacation is over, but knowing there will be another makes me happy!! Got home, unpacked a little, enjoyed the grandson...and all is well with the world. Got up this morning and had an email from a very nice couple I met on the cruise from London. She (Pam) must have headed directly to her computer after her loooong flight. (It was timed at 5:03 am this morning). Tom (her husband) is a London cab driver, but unlike those in America, there are stages or levels of expertise. He had to memorize something like 22,000 streets, know where the locations were of several thousand pubs and meeting centers. Amazing - could you see New York cabbies doing that? It is a very well paying job and as he well has earned - very high status and respect through his job.

More later, much to do and contacts to be made. Will have pics from cruise and especially thegrandson and his first trophy. TTFN.

Finally below 600 days....

Please note the Bush countdown clock - finally below 600 days - but still waaaaay too many days left for him to f**k everything up!!! I'm still a big fan of impeachment. Now he is trying to "flip-flop" and get on the "green wagon." Too little - too late!! Can you tell I despise the man?

Theson is in Red Deer, Canada and from his blog - totally exhausted. Poor baby. He is constantly having to sync his body clock, with all the different time zones and work shifts. But he seems to handle it pretty well.

Today is the day to finally start packing - I HAVE A CHECKLIST!!! Scary thought. I constantly spend more time worrying that I have forgotten to put something ON the list. Actually, there is very little you need on a cruise. I don't tour so I really don't need too many casual clothes. Just swimsuits and something to wear to dinner. (2 formal nights - but we don't go overboard on that one either.) Oh well, it always comes together - no matter what - if I forget something I will just buy the item.

EVERYONE STAY HEALTHY AND WELL WHILE I AM GONE AND I WILL CHECK BACK AS SOON AS I RETURN.

I can check my email and things on the ship but the service is snail slow as the connection is by satellite. So rather than check blogs I stick to email. I have cruised enough -all my internet time is free. Yippee for me!!

TTFN AND SEE Y'ALL SOON!

IT'S OFFICIAL...70 days from now...

We will be sailing into the beautiful Caribbean. Booked the cruise today for June 3rd -10th. As usual we will go to Ft. Lauderdale the day ahead and relax at a hotel before embarking for the deep blue sea.

As of late, there have been several articles and news reports about people "falling" overboard. I actually find this ludicrous, as all the bannisters or railings are positioned high enough, one cannot just FALL OVERBOARD. Todays report lists a 20 yr old girl and 21 yr old guy falling off the Grand Princess (the first ship I cruised with the Princess line). Last week, another young man fell overboard from the Carnival Glory. I can sum this up quite succinctly - SPRING BREAK!!! Alcohol and the "I am invulnerable" attitude these kids have make for a volatile combination.

Twenty some years ago, it seems like I managed to schedule my Cancun vacation during Spring Break and saw some pretty unique acts by these young kids. It is like their first adventure away from home and parents and they are masters of their universe. (And that was a time before Cancun became a hot spot for spring breakers.)

Be that as it may, I don't drink and realize I am NOT invulnerable, and feel quite safe on a cruise ship. So I plan on having another relaxing vacation, soaking up the sunshine.

Theson has been in Bristol since last Tuesday for Race Week, and have not heard from him much - therefore assume he is having a wonderful time. He should be home tomorrow. And Tuesday he is leaving for Ireland to visit thegirlfriend Jules. Must be nice.

Gonna go for now - everyone stay healthy and TTFN. Hope Rich Championable fared well in Atlanta.

I am on Cloud 9....

Well, Mom2 has said she will go on a cruise with me - I am tickled to death. We will get a supply of bubble wrap and insulate her against any falls (and black eyes.) I will see that she causes no harm to herself - or others for that matter. She can be nasty when intoxicated!!! Just kidding. We don't need alcohol to judge those around us when we are together. We have never lacked for conversation since we have known each other.

Just a prequel to our friendship - we have known each other since our boys started Kindergarten together, yet we never really socialized. But when my son was leaving for college (our boys went to different schools, her son to Ohio State and mine to Case Western), I meandered up to her house and we sat on the front porch commiserating. Since that point in time, we have become like sisters. We travel to visit her family in Boston, we get together with her remaining family for holidays, etc. In the last 11 years, we have seen our families dwindle pathetically, and the passing of our loved ones has been tough, but we have always been there for each other. Hell, if she has a heart attack, I have to have one so she will not best me. (and vice versa!!) She had a triple bypass - ha! I had one a year later. I sure hope she doesn't decide to walk in front of a semi or anything - I do have my limits.

Anyway, she hasn't cruised since 2004, as she had a spinal cord injury a month before our scheduled cruise in 2005. She still has some lingering effects, but pshaw - we won't let that bother us. I went ahead without her on the cruise, with our friends in 2005 and last year - no one wanted to play with me - so I cruised solo. It was great, but having someone to share the chuckles and fun with is so much better.

Well, back to the drudge for now - but I will be surfing the net for good prices for the cruise (airfare and hotels.)

Everyone stay healthy. TTFN.