Abandoned

I often go to Savers (second hand store) to purchase things for my charity packages and if you might remember I bought the little quilt and then couldn't give it away..................


Look what I found this time

This is a crib size cross stitched blanket and only God knows how many hours it took to make.

Here is a close up of just one of the larger hearts
I guess if you have never hand made something you wouldn't have any idea of the hours and hours that goes into it but I just can't imagine anyone discarding this treasure. It does have a Happy ending

A one nighter

Hubby and I took another little jaunt last week-end right smack in the middle of downtown Phoenix. It is amazing what you can find it you just look for it. The San Carlos Hotel was built in the early 1900's as noted by the cars in this picture

and is still in business today.

Before checking in we had a nice lunch and a made a trip to the Phoenix Police Museum which was a short distance from the hotel.......and...... took a ride on the Phoenix light rail. This happened to be around 4:00 p.m. and it was amazing to see how many people were utilizing this new mode of travel that eliminates the problem of limited parking down town.

Every floor of the hotel had wonderful old pictures like this and memorabilia from the early days of the hotel. We made dinner reservations at the Italian Restaurant that was on the premises and although we were pretty much the only people there ........... It was absolutely delicious! We sat at a table that looked out to the street and watched as three or four people gathered to offer rides in those bicycle carts. There was a Irish Pub next door that had a fun loving group kicking up their heels and although we were sitting in a very quiet space enjoying a bottle of wine, it felt like we were a part of it all.

The next morning we walked a couple of blocks to a "First Watch" restaurant and had a great little breakfast. The thing that was so amazing is how quiet it was. I guess few people live down town and only go there on the week days for business or work. I noted the rooftop of the hotel as we walked back because they were to have a swimming pool on the roof. As it turned out what I saw was the penthouse that was being remodeled and the pool was actually on the roof of the Irish Pub next door but what a pretty sight!

I almost wished I would have brought my too tight swim suit!

The most amazing thing happened as we stood in front of the hotel waiting for our car to be brought around.....

From somewhere.....The Westminster chimes played and chimed the hour.......

It's the little things that stick with you, don't you know.......... Love our little jaunts.

Words

Words

Exasperate.........To make frustrated or angry.

Deteriorate.....To worsen; to depreciate.

Legislate....To make laws.

Intimidate....to discourage or suppress

Disgrace.....The state of having lost grace, favor, respect or honor.

Dismantle....Tear down.

Illogical....Not observing the principals of logic.

Control............govern, regulate, rule, command, dominate, direct, manage, check, repress, curb, mastery, direction, restraint, superintend.

Devastate........to destroy; to ruin; to overwhelm, to overpower.

Approval of Congress has dipped below 20% for only the fourth time in Gallup history

I have discovered that knowing words and experiencing words are two very different things.

The Rolling Memorial

Where there is a will.....there is a way
Thank you, John Holmgren

I received this info from my son-in-law via email. I couldn't get the pictures any larger so it doesn't do it justice but you can go to the web site. John Homgren a trucker was inspired by Darryl Worley's song, "Have you forgotten" and has created this rolling memorial of 9/11.

Eerie Similarities

We have had two Presidents that were assassinated while in office

Abraham Lincoln

John F. Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F, Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

The names of Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both were shot in the head.

Lincoln's secretary was Named Kennedy.
Kennedy's secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.

Both successors were named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names comprise fifteen letters.

Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse.
Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were both assassinated before their trials.

Location, location, location

Indeed, location makes a difference. Last year the Colt convention was held in Houston and the hotel was not very good and was located in a poor area of the city right after the hurricane. They did not even try to add more help with all the added people to serve so needless to say....there was no service and only one little restaurant and bar......this year....................JACKPOT!!

The convention was held in Concord, N.C. at the Embassy suites and it was not only beautiful Glass elevator to the rooms that circled the atrium

or the winding stairs if you preferred but very accommodating with a complimentary breakfast, held behind the stairs and not just donuts but a full breakfast but also a nightly complementary two drinks popcorn/nuts managers reception. It needs to be repeated.....there is nothing like southern hospitality. The service was impeccable and they even made it possible to order a box lunch from the convention area and have it delivered so you didn't have to leave your table.....but the best part of all? The rooms...two bedroom suite with the best bed and pillows you could ask for. What a concept huh? So many times we can't wait to get back home to our own bed/pillow because the hotels are so uncomfortable. Well, needless to say, I shall consider staying at Embassy Suites again in the future.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Colt Conventions, they are held once a year the first week-end of Oct. at a different location in the USA each year. Only colt and colt products are displayed and sold at this show and there are some very unusual, high dollar items to be found here. There are many gun shows around the country but this is one I try not to miss because you see.....there is also a focus for the women. Every year they ask that you bring an item for the baskets they raffle and with the proceeds they pay for a woman's breakfast. They also build a special woman's gun and raffle it each year and the proceeds for that goes to youth organizations that help children to learn proper gun handling and etc. There are also special tours available that you pay to go on and I have to say that I have never been disappointed even when I thought I might...like this year. The tour I was able to go on was a wine tour and I have already been to many different wineries so figured it would be a little disappointing.....wrong! This was not just any old winery, it was the most beautiful place I have ever been. I truly believe it would be the same as what you would see in Italy. Even the behind the scenes had pieces of art and statues that just took your breath. Here are a few pictures snapped in the women's bathroom!

Can you see me?

The Richard Childress Vineyard (that name ought to ring a bell to NASCAR fans) encompasses 30 acres and it was harvest time. Pictures just don't do it justice but I tried....

The entrance and notice the hanging lamps on each side?

Up close and don't you love the flagstone?

Notice how they had decorated for fall

A spot in the atrium

After the behind the scenes tour we had a scrumptious lunch on this deck overlooking the vineyards

and then it was wine tasting time:) I didn't find anything I couldn't live without here but did find a few treasures in the gift shop like this pretty little serving dish and another cookbook!!!!! Oh, this one is different, everything is cooked with beer:)

Well, it was a great trip and we did good at the show this year, didn't need an extra suitcase to bring home the money but didn't have to hock one either.

Next year the convention is going to be held in Tulsa, Okla. and they have asked me to speak on my book at the women's breakfast; I consider that an honor.