Grandies High School Award Ceremony

The Grand Hyatt knows how to really make its' associates feel special! Instead simply having an Associate Recognition Ceremony, they went all out to put on a skit, complete with the principal, Homecoming Queen & King, football players, cheer leaders, debate team, wood shop & chorus.

Robert was part of the wood shop portion of the skit (hence the plaid shirt I bought the day before because he didn't own one) and remembered all of his lines... ha-ha! We dressed up in the garb of our high school days, hence the long hair and outfit... And to top all of this off - a real marching band in the ball room after the skit. What a fun night!

All of this just goes to prove the point that if you take care of your associates, they will take care of your customers. (for those of you who have visited the Hyatt, you know what I am talking about!)

Little Reminders

can come in any form; a picture, a spoken or written word, even a glimpse of fragrance at the most unexpected time.

Today as I opened up an email advertisement, I saw this and thought to myself.
"Good Morning Mom, I love you."

Moments that really matter...

are the ones that are spent with friends and family,
enjoying each others company,
indulging in good food and
allowing music to fill your very being.


The commodity is the emotion these moments envoke,
images that fill our memory in the most poetic style.
Hellos and goodbyes are fleeting,
yet leave a permanent impression
on our heart, mind and soul.


Life is not a dress rehersal.





















Sheri and Kathy dine at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, and are priviledged to meet Chef Pope




















Kathy & Sheri meet the Indian at Crystal's on the Square
(BTW - if you are ever in town, you simply must visit the Indian as he sees it all!)















Sheri & Kathy are guarding the refrigerator; lest anyone abscond with the beverages...














Sheri and Granny had a great time at Premonition band practice.....
(Granny is 92 years young, doesn't she look great?)

Congratulations Jonathan & Angela!

This weekend found Robert & I celebrating with our friends Jonathan & Angela at their housewarming party. We met them when their band Totally Savage was playing Crystals on the Square, and subsequently at local blues jams they hosted. We try to catch their performances whenever we can and they have also come out to support our guys, Premonition.

The Premonition guys joined in with Jonathan & Linda to break in the basement with a jam. A good time was had by all!

Watch out Mighty Mouse - there's a new drummer in town. ;-0

NOTE: This Saturday, January 27th will find Totally Savage playing at Crystal's on the Square, and Linda playing with Bob Margolin at Blind Willie's.

Weekend with Kenui & Makalani

This weekend was spent with good friends, music and food as usual. Friday night found us at Doc's dancing to the music of The Larry Griffith Band.

We couldn't get enough good music, so we continued on Saturday with Premonition practice. The music was great, food was plenty and conversation side splitting funny.







Sunday found me taking engagement pix of Sarah & Heath, as well as Kenui battling the mighty catfish that inhabit the lake in back of the house. (No worries, he is strictly a catch and release kind of guy.


































What could be in store for this week? Check back to see......

Photoshop

is just about the coolest tool ever!

I had a Premonition

that all of our friends and family came to the Langford Sound and Stage for a live recording/video session with our very own band, "Premonition"!

But you already knew that!

Robert and the guys, Bobby, John, Rick & Ryan, have been practicing every week and are ready to get out of the garage! Meet us at 4pm next Sunday, January 7th to get your New Year off to a great start! And to make this invitation even more enticing..... admission is FREE! This venue, Langford Sound and Stage, is conveniently located in Roswell and you can even find the directions on their site (link above).


Kids are welcome, but please remember the music will be pretty loud and also that this will be a live recording session. Refreshments are available in the lobby, as well as his and hers powder rooms. This place has it all - good friends, good music and good food!

BTW - I will have my camera ready to document this day in the chronicles of Premonition's humble beginnings....... Say cheese!

We'll see you there! Got questions? Email the band (link on site).

Brothers....

Nathan says, "Uh-oh, little brother Elijah is not happy."

"It'll be OK."

"Yeah Elijah! Now smile for the camera" says big brother Nathan.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas wishes to all of our friends and family! Our day will be quiet and cozy - spent calling our parents, children and grandchildren....





A fine finish to the day will include enjoying his and her movies, together that is!

For me - Dream Girls
For him - Casino Royale

Here's to the magical moments of Christmas!

Santa Claus is coming......

to a mail box near you! You have been good haven't you? Last time we saw him he was driving a FEDEX truck and headed straight your way. Go on - go wait for him - he promised an early delivery just for you!

Brayden has been really good, as well as Nathan & Elijah!

(will post their pix as soon as we get them)

Inspirational Quotes

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf!

Every day I receive an email with an inspirational quote. This one really is relevant and it just so happens that this picture of our neice Kilihea is the perfect complement to it!

Sundays are for....

time with good friends, enjoying good food and good music! Check out Premonition & friends!

Premonition Debuts!

Well folks, the long awaited debut of Premonition is almost here! Ring in the New Year with us at The Langford Sound Stage in Roswell, Georgia on January 7, 2007 from 4pm until 8pm.

Check out the latest news and photos of the Premonition guys here!

Can't wait to see you there!

The first man in my life

is my wonderful Father....

Relaxing on a Sunday Morning....

Sleeping in late after a wonderful evening with friends, and waking to freshly ground Kona coffee is the start of a very relaxing Sunday. The coming week is filled with alot of activity such as band practice, work, Dad & Mary coming to visit and moving too - so today we will rest........

Pet Peeve

Here's a quick random rant. Unfortunately my pet peeve appears every day, but in a short two weeks I will not see it quite as frequently.


The apartment complex that we live in has handicap parking spaces sporadically placed throughout this sprawling set of parking lots. I am amazed and subsequently disgusted at the fact that seemingly able bodied persons with no handicap parking stickers consistently park in these spots, regardless of the availability of alternate spots.



The management staff is as poor about addressing this as some of the other on-going maintenance items. The on-site officer has, to the best of my knowledge, only issued one parking ticket to violators during the four and a half years we have been here.


Why will it end in two weeks? Not because people will change their ways, but that we are moving into a house! I'd love to make a set of signs to post during our last couple of weeks saying, "Your ignorance and inconsiderateness are handicaps - guess you should be parking here afterall!"

Laughter

"At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a
kaleidoscope of new possibilities."

                        --Jean Houston

When I read this quote, I immediately thought of Angela 
telling me how much she loves it when Nathan laughs so 
hard he can barely catch his breath.

Look at Brayden grow!

Hard to believe that Brayden is already five months old! He is making many strides.



Halloween at Buffalo Wild Wings where Mommy Noe works...












Swimming lessons!











Watch out! I'm going places!

Forward this to 10 of your friends immediately - or...

you'll turn into a frog! Every day I am part of the group of 10 people that one of the ominous emails are forwarded to, and every once in awhile I even perpetuate the madness. I can tell you from experience that none of the bad, or good for that matter, strokes of promised luck come true. (not that I don't make the wishes anyway)

So today, I get one this one that is really good and welcomed today. Soooo.... I am forwarding this to all of you! No threats of bad luck - just a wonderful message.

1. Try everything twice! Madam (of Whelan's & Madam) wanted this epitaph on her tombstone. "Tried everything twice - liked it both times"
2. Keep only cheerful friends, as the grouches pull you down (keep this in mind if you are one of the grouches)
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain go idle. An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
4. Enjoy the simple things
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. If you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with them.
6. Tears happen; endure, grieve and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourself. Live while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, pictures, music, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health; if it is good - preserve it, poor - improve it, beyond what you can control - get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the country or even the next country. but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell people that you love them at every opportunity.
11. Forgive those who made you cry, you may not get a second chance.

Lost time can never be found - make the most of it!

Random Musings

It's been awhile since we have updated y'all - not necessarily because we are so busy, but more so that we have been distracted.....

So as you may already know, both Robert and I have begun new jobs in the past couple of weeks. Robert got a promotion to Executive Sous Chef at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. Two weeks in and he likes it alot, but is working many extended hours. (Hmmm... guess that goes along with the territory) And guess what?! He has his very own 'assigned' parking spot!

And me, back at The Home Depot in the Learning Department. This position is very cool because of the direct contact I have with the field (aka stores). An important lesson learned through out this experience for me is to always be ready for the unexpected. The only thing constant is change.

"Uno-dos-tres-quatro-cinco!" is the latest word from Nathan, one of our three wonderful grandsons. Elijah is cooing and smiling more - and I have received promises of pix really soon! (I just may have to go to Florida to take them;-0)

Brayden, who is now five months old is taking swimming lessons! Is he a fish or just a Hawaiin baby?

Robert's family in Hawaii is fine after the earthquake, but it sure was a scary experience.

We'll be moving in a couple of weeks, and still have LOTS of packing to do...... Any and all offers to help are graciously being accepted! (just joking!)

I am hooked on HGTV and TLC! Yikes!

We had the opportunity to go out with our friends this weekend, and guess what?! That Indian seems to be following us around!



















Did you know that you can get unlimited car (truck) washes for only $29.99 a month?! What a deal! I think we have the cleanest truck in town!

Trader Joe's opened in Atlanta.

There is a family of otters living in the 'lake' in back of the house we are moving into!

We're married and he STILL brings me beautiful flowers!

Anne Taylor Loft has the most fabulous fitting slacks ever! (for the ladies, that is!)

I have stuffed pink flamingos and purple hippos in the trunk of my car. (don't ask!)

The Larry Griffith band is playing at Doc's on November 11th! I promise you will really like these guys!

Oh and BTW - even Chefs like home cookin'!

The Saints are 5 and 2, that's something to cheer about since it hasn't happened in like, forever! (And yes, Robert wears his Reggie Bush jersey every Sunday!)

Did you know that a music stand also doubles as a TV tray?