Good Friends!!

The Pedro Rodriquez family arrived for their visit in the mountains Friday night! I think Pedro might have been pretty surprised by many of the improvements we've made ... especially the floors it seemed. I liked watching his face and eyes as he went through the house making his assessment. Always thinking!! What a delightful weekend it was seeing our friends and sharing our new world with them. I think the drives we have to go any place seemed like a very long trip to them. It isn't the same travel on I-4 as it is across and around mountains! Unfortunately, their visit to Grandfather Mountain on Saturday was riddled with chill bumps and 40 - 50 mph wind gusts, but they got to see our little bit of heaven in its true form! While Saturday was still a bit chilly (47 degrees on the mountain, 54 degrees at home) Sunday turned out to be high 60's and was just great! We went to Valle Crucis, which is the wonderful little valley where Paul & I stayed last summer for our indoctrination to the area. We visited the general store (where Pedro & Janet did their best to buy out the place!) while Paul & Pedro Ignacio played outside near the river and park. It was a Winnie the Pooh and Piglet kind of nice day! But they had to get packed and on their way to the airport by 5pm. Paul led them out to the main highway, and apparently found a softball game to join on his way back. I figured he'd just taken them all the way to Charlotte, but he showed up covered in grass stains and a little winded, so he must've had a grand time running, jumping, throwing and all those things boys like to do!!! I think he felt like one of the "locals" when he drove up to the field and knew 2 out of 9 people!! It's a smaller world here than in most places ... Anyway, it was wonderful to see Pedro and his family again. And the big news is that they've put a contract on a house in Orlando, so everyone is moving along with their dreams and aspirations! We are so excited for them and wish them the very best of luck with EVERYTHING to come.

Paul is putting a new carburetor on the Saab (as I type) and hopefully that will take care of all the little idiosyncrasies on that front. I go back to the Real Estate office on Wed. for some work time ... and Jenn & Christian are coming up Friday for a visit!!! I can't wait to see them. Jenn hasn't been here since December, so the changes will be huge for her. We haven't seen Christian in what seems like forever, so it'll be great to visit w/ him again! His mom says he gets to stay for as long as he can hang ... as long as it isn't over a week ... so we're going to have BIG FUN!!! On Friday morning he has a "tricathon" at school to see how many laps he can ride His tricycle for a fund raiser for St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Atlanta! I can't wait to hear how that goes ... and what proud sponsors we will be!

The dancers at The Dancer's Pointe competed this past weekend at A.D.A. I understand that everyone danced really well and although I haven't heard about late Sunday's performances, everything before that sounded great. So, another big CONGRATULATIONS to all those beautiful dancers and their teachers and families. Way to GO!!! The adult clogging team at the studio where I teach now also competed. Poor Stefanie (the owner) ended up with a terrible bout of the stomach flu, but in spite of that, they placed 2nd and had a really nice score sheet and huge trophy to show for it! And the costumes I was busy making were just fine for their dance (thank goodness!) so all went well with them too. Congratulations, Fusion!

I'm feeling very blessed and lucky. We have a wonderful life and are lucky enough to get to share it with each other. We have our health, as do our children (one of who is a real miracle) and are truly in a bliss we cannot even describe. It's different here, it's a simple life ... back to the basics. It feels good. It feels like a comfortable old shoe. How lucky!! We hope all of you out there (not in Mayberry) are filled with happy, healthy, and blessed lives. Paul & Cheri

Random

Just a few things ...

• GOOD LUCK to all the Dancer's Pointe dancers who are competing in this weekend's ADA competition!!!!! We will be sending you great gobs of good thoughts and wishes, as always!
• Snowball's name turns out to be Thunder! He is 16 years old! He is a full blooded, registered dog ... but the lady forgot what breed. He was very happy to see the children arrive to pick him up ... so it looks like we get the visitation rights! The cats are thrilled - they can enter the den once again with total abandon ~ they don't even have to stick to the perimeter of the room to get to the couch!
• Paul's Saab decided to NOT start this morning so he spent the better part of today rebuilding the carburetor. Can't say I know how many times he took the carburetor out of the car, worked on it, and returned it, but it was a few!! The car is now running again! There was a lot of "gunk" in the carburetor ... that's a fact!
• I teach 6 - three year olds on Monday ... 4 out of 6 arrived crying (2 were screaming) ... all of them left with smiles and had a good class. Ms. Cheri left EXHAUSTED!
• It was another beautiful day - makes you want to dance naked with your hair on fire! At least, that's what I hear ...
• I'm still sewing costumes ... will have to light my hair afire later on ...

Until next time .... take good care! Paul & Cheri

Home, Sweet, Home!

It was one of those days today ... the kind where the sky is so blue it's enough to make you believe in fairy tales! The air was so clear and smelled so sweet and the temperature was just perfect. We are so lucky! Paul & I took Snowball for a walk around the neighborhood and found so many treasures to behold. I can't understand how we can be living in absolute bliss at the same time those precious people involved in the Virginia Tech massacre saga are in an absolute hell. These are questions I try to give up to the universe, but honestly they do haunt me. We offer our hearts and most sincere condolences and best wishes for a full and whole recovery to all involved and effected by the events of that tragedy.

Our weekend has been filled with working pleasures, and lots of forward accomplishments. You know that 2 steps forward, 1 step back thing ... well, we must be experiencing the forward momentum and it's GREAT! We got up Saturday morning, and I started sewing costumes (that time of year again!) ... and Paul started dusting off the Saab!!!!! We both worked diligently all day Saturday on our individual projects, and at last ... I heard the Saab fire up with its own special vigor ... and I have to admit, it comes with a big sense of pride, for Paul, me & the Saab! :-) I, on the other hand, am still sewing ... not as "neat" of a project as his getting the Saab running, I'm afraid! I'm making really cute tops for a group of woman cloggers who have a competition next weekend. It's a bit of a "crunch" ... and women seem to change measurements from one week to the next, so it's a real interesting project! Anyway, Paul & I took a trip to the Walmart Superstore in Elizabethon, TN ... and went to eat at Fatz and ended up at an antique car show on the strip in Elizabethon. It was fun ... there were some gorgeous old cars there! Our hardware store owner friend, Steve Brinkley had his classic 56 or 57 Thunderbird on display. (One of his 3, that is) There was a HUGE variety of cars, both things I'd seen and never seen before. Maybe Paul will get the opportunity to display his Saab before the end of the summer. It could be fun?!?!

Today (Sunday) we got up to more of the same projects. There was an issue with the Saab's carburetor, which apparently healed itself overnight! He drove the Saab to the workshop this morning, picked up the work truck, brought home our claw foot tub, went back to the workshop and drove the Saab home ... via the falls, and was so excited with the way it's running and being in the driver's seat once again! It's pretty cool to see the Saab running, I have to confess! And he looks so darn cute driving it ;-).

Again, my costume sewing was just an ongoing drudgery. WHY, oh WHY do I volunteer for these things!?!?!?!? It's was GORGEOUS outside ... anyway ... about 2pm Paul began the tin back splash install behind the kitchen sink and stove. Isn't is GREAT!?!? I'm so excited with the way it turned out and totally impressed that he can do these things! It's so nice to have a resident genius around! I took the costumes up to the studio for fittings ... much more work to make them all look good ... and fit!

Looks like the next project for the house is the claw foot tub. So for now it's on the front porch (can you say Deliverance???) and we will begin the sanding and painting project for an installation HOPEFULLY next weekend. We'll see about that. But you can imagine my being anxious to get it off of the front porch. And as much as that thing weighs, I don't think we'll be moving it around too much! So, that story is to be continued. I guess I can always just get it right side up and take my baths out there when it gets warm enough! Ye haw!

Paul is x-boxing now (well deserved R&R) and I'm going to clean the kitchen and get to bed so I can continue the costume making tomorrow. We're hoping for Pedro and his family to be here on Saturday so I'd like to get the house cleaned up before they arrive! That means the costumes have to get finished! Wouldn't be April without costume crunches now, would it??

We're in hopes that all of you are well, and enjoying the spring time with all of your hearts. Until next time, Paul & Cheri

p.s. Please keep good thoughts for those folks from Va Tech who are trying to piece their lives back together.

Meet Snowball!

Last Thursday when the doorbell rang and the 3 little children from next door were standing there wanting to talk to Paul, it wasn't that big of a surprise. They often come over to rouse him out of house and engage him in a game of catch or "watch me!" things. But this time, they asked if he would make sure their dog had water for the next several days as they were off to Florida for spring break! Well! No problem ...

They left on Friday, so Paul went over on Saturday to "water the dog" ... but when he got there he was sadly aghast at the situation with the dog. He was out in the elements (and according to the neighborhood, has NEVER been any place besides chained to the front porch - in his 13 or so years of life!) ... remember, it snows here all the time. So, Paul, being the fixer of broken spirits, brought our little neighbor dog home. He bathed him, groomed him (including cutting out millions of wads of matting from his hair on his body and around his face) and gave him back some dignity, as well as making him smell a big bunch better! We dried him off (no simple feat here in wet world) and put him on our front porch with the shelter of Paul's truck camper to get under. Unfortunately, this little guy is decrepit from arthritis and just can't crawl under things ... not to mention, I'm sure he's frozen from years in the snow and lying on the concrete. Poor little fella is even missing half his nose, and he is most definitely deaf. (huh?) So we just brought him inside, gave him his own personal space heater, and have showered him with love and affection since then. Paul walks him around the lower 40 everyday after work and they've really got a bond going on! Snowball is slowly becoming relaxed and is now eating like a horse and is probably warm for the first time in years. We don't know what his name is, so I've affectionately labeled him Snowball ... seemed appropriate since it snowed like crazy here on Sunday and he just melted right into the snow when he went out for his duties... So, we don't know when the family is coming home from the spring break ... but I think we might be requesting visitation rights ... from them to come and visit Snowball here. Should be an interesting tale to tell when all is said and done! Our kitties have still not figured out just WHAT he is ... and Spartacus has decided when I'm in the den w/ the dog, he can come in. But Artemis won't get within 20 feet of him ... no matter WHO is beside him! They've never seen any other animal besides humans and cats, so I guess it's normal for them to be skeptical!! Just wait until they see that that neighborhood goat comes around!! HA!!!

Last weekend was a definite stay inside weekend, and Paul did some brilliant woodwork for me. He made cornices for the bedroom windows and for over the bed ... and he also hung about a million more pictures, the flag pole bracket and worked a little bit on the Saab. It was just too cold for him to be in the garage/basement though, so that project got pushed back until this weekend when it's supposed to be in the high 60s, low 70s. A M E N !!!!! When I get all the drapes up and the trim in place, etc., I'll post pics of his beautiful handiwork. Before it's all over, we will probably have attempted most EVERYTHING a home owner can find to try!

We are anxious to see Pedro, Janet and Pedrito who are supposed to be coming for a visit around the 28th of this month! Finally, friends!!! I hope mother nature manages a warm visit for them! Being from Cuba originally, and then Orlando, I don't want them to freeze!!!!! So, I've ordered 65 and above ... hope that all works out!

Right now I'm making costumes for the clogging team, so ta-ta for now! Happy trails and hope all is right with every one of you!!! Paul & Cheri

The most exquisite wedding ever!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MANDY AND ZEUS!!!!! I simply apologize for the quality of these pictures ... had to use a disposable camera and they are just NOT the same when you upload them! Anyway, it doesn't matter because the wedding was so beautiful, it would look good no matter HOW the pictures were taken. I've just included some random shots ... enough so you can get the idea that the venue was EXQUISITE and the bride was BEYOND beautiful. The wedding ceremony was very elegant, set in the courtyard overlooking the ocean. Mandy and Zeus were absolutely stunning as they exchanged their vows and rings, and the entire wedding party was just so involved in the moment. The parents were very proud and happy, it was such a wonderful wedding. Just what one should be! Mandy and Zeus had such tremendous support for the beginning of their lives as husband and wife. It was a very sweet and incredible way for them to begin.

The three amigos (Susi, Kelly & I) had the opportunity to visit again ... which was simply delightful from my stand point. Remember, I was off the mountain for a couple of days ... YIPPEE!!!! Paul was a REAL trooper, drove all the way down on Friday and most of the way back on Sunday. On Saturday he was content to read a book while Kelly and I went off and ran errands and drank coffee!!!! There was a Starbucks on every corner - it was GREAT!! Anyway, the last picture here is what we came home to ... while we were in Ponte Vedra Beach soaking up the heat waves (which were really only about 60 degrees), it was dumping snow on our house in NC!!! About 8 inches worth of snow ... but it was gone by Sunday night. The lady who watched the kitties said they were always huddled in front of the space heater when she arrived! They think they're sitting in front of the fire ...

Anyways, many many best wishes to Mandy and Zeus in their marriage and hoping they're having lots of R&R as they are on their honeymoon in Aruba!!!! How nice! And, while I'm at it, happy birthday to Cheryl Nyberg on Friday (the 13th!!!! ) Happy Trails, Paul & Cheri

Sweet Easter Wishes to ALL!!!

From our house to your house, Sweet Easter wishes to one and all and wishes for a delightful and colorful spring! Aren't the cherry blossoms exquisite? The trees are just popping daily with blossoms of all kinds. Between the azaleas, the pear trees and the cherry trees, it's a beautiful variation of colored blossoms all across the mountain ranges. The maple trees have some reddish buds just beginning to open to go along with all the blossoms. And the bright yellows from the forsythia round out the color scheme! Certainly a wonder to behold! We haven't seen a spring like this in years, as Florida is sort of in a perpetual green state. And although the azaleas bloom there, it's usually in January! I was never ready for them! Being where there are seasons that change is such a treat!!!!! We remain in a constant state of awe ...
We have had a most interesting week and it's only Wednesday! Sunday was filled with home improvements, of course. Paul spent the day Saturday putting chair railing up in the master bedroom. Then Sunday he put shelves in the closet and some other odds and ends we needed done. Then we took our trip to Lowe's for more wood for cornices for that room. While we were at it, we went out to eat! We don't do that too much any more and it was a REAL treat ... and we got to relax as a bonus!!! YIPPEE!!!!
Monday appeared to be a normal day, but the full moon in Libra had surprising plans. Paul had an unfortunate auto accident in which his faithful pick up truck of 12 years was demolished. THANKFULLY he came away from it with only a sore nose (although he does have a broken heart over his truck being taken out of commission) and the 3 fellas that were in the other pick up involved were also NOT INJURED! All in all, the fact that no one was injured (beyond say, bruised ego) was a complete miracle for which we are still saying grace! And now we get to find Paul a new "companion" ... although he's not ready to give in to that yet. I think he'll have to get over the mourning period first!
On the subject of cars, I took my car in to the mechanic Tuesday to find out about getting the oil pan fixed. The mechanic said, "it's killed" ... which in English means, beyond repair. So ... a new oil pan for the Volvo, a few hours of labor, some plugs and wires, and she'll be good as new ... or mostly. Since we are now a one car family (until the Saab gets out of the garage and dusted off, that is) it's important to have the Volvo in tip top shape ... so, that's what is happening today, and hopefully will be finished by the time we need to travel on Friday!
Also, yesterday morning I stopped by the real estate office to say hi, and have "secured" a part time position working in the office 2 days per week until Memorial Day, then 3 days/week. Thank goodness! I'll have a nice job, air conditioning in the summer, heat in the colder air, with nice people and it's in Banner Elk (same town where Paul works) so it's nice and close to home. I'll still be teaching on Monday and Tuesdays at the studio! So, I will officially be ending my sabbatical and getting back in to the work force. Which means, the painting, wall papering and dry walling are almost over!!! I am so close to finished with the upstairs painting .. and then it's all trim work in the down stairs. That can be done on certain weekend days (the ones we aren't hiking, kayaking and camping on, I guess!) and we will have come to the first break in our "renovation" phase I. Whew! Wild ride, Mr. Toad!
I would like to wish Jennifer a very happy 31st birthday (Good grief, how old that must make me!) and ... also wish Kenric (Ms. Christy's little boy) a very happy birthday! (on the 5th?). There are so many events happening in April that they're hard to keep up with. But I hope to cover as many as I can manage to remember. Oh, and my friend, Pennisu's mom, Lois is doing just great! She had her heart cath and all is well. So, thank goodness for those kinds of miracles!! My mosaic mentor, Chrissie Grace, has begun writing her 2nd book and is working on a bunch of other projects, one of which includes a retail line! So, congrats to Chrissie! And time is closing in on Mandy ... only 4 more days of single living, girl!!!!! And Samantha (Marozzi), CONGRATULATIONS on being accepted into The Boone Magnet program! YEAH!!!! :-)
With happy hearts, and great wishes for a wonderful spring, we wish you all a lovely Easter and will send our pictures of this luscious land frequently! Although, did I mention it's supposed to be about 20 degrees this weekend? Snow fliurries tonight ... real snow Friday night and Saturday! We'll be missing this one! :-) Anyway, HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!!! And we hope you get all the Easter eggs you can handle! Paul & Cheri