Living quarters

 A circus?  This is the area called The Boardwalk. (below)  The Aqua Theater is shown but from this vantage point it looks morphed.

 Lifeboats.   (check)  

One of these lifeboats will hold a little over 300 passengers.  I did the check in my head to make sure we all would have a seat!  (just in case)

 Closet?  Nope -  Room for the week.  Had to get this shot in before it became a disaster or drop zone.  This was the only 'small' part of the ship.  In actuality it wasn't really that bad because when Im on vacation I don't like to spend too much time in the room.  Comfortable?  You bet.  I need to check out what mattress this was!

Bathroom!  

In all it's glory.  

Sink.

Counter (eight inches wide)

shower

Growing excitement

 Follow the signs......

Room 9443?  

Hungry?   Of course!!!! 

Size matters!  No other ship could match our length or width.  Just how do these cities stay afloat?!  What will be the next draw?  Maybe a rollercoaster  my daughter suggests....  I like this picture that show people measured to the ship, vehicles sized up and of course another ship that's almost half its size!  

 Ain't no ship ship tall enough.  Ain't no ship wide enough.  

Of course on the back of your mind you may think -- The Titantic also made these claims......

Oasis of the Seas

It's ship time!

We cruised from Feb12 - Feb 19, 2011 on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.

It was a great week filled with relaxation, fun, and choices.  Yes choices.  The ship had an endless supply of ways to spend your time.  I suppose I'm getting old and appreciate the chair in the corner for quiet time.  Prior to the cruise we drove from Pennsylvania with stops in Savannah, Ga and Orlando, FL and onto friends in Lake Worth, FL to spend the night before the cruise.  Just the days prior to getting to the ship was a welcome vacation and we hadn't even began our 'official' vacation yet!  I took way too many pictures to fill this blog for some time to come.  Over the top?  Of course!  Back at the end of last year I hit a lull in blogging but we all need to find 'something' to give us a boost and snapping away on vacation gave me an uplift.  After switching to a new Apple Pro Mac computer and an upgraded version of Photoshop, I've been behind the eightball so to speak and now I suppose is make up time.  (sorry)  Anyways, I've already covered our first stop in Nassau Bahamas and I'm now going to the ship.  Oh what a ship........        stay tuned!

Ft. Lauderdale, FL Goodbye land!

 Yacht haven.  

 Wait for us!  It's 5:00 somewhere!  Time to leave the port and head to sea.  We weren't alone but once out in the deep blue sea we were nothing but a speck.

 Oh what a house>>>

Do I like the house or the pool better?  

Well they do come together so I suppose I'll have to take both!

 Wait!  Maybe I'll take house #2 instead.  Oh the decisions you can make when you're dreaming!  This one comes with it's own Flow Rider (to the right of the house).

 House #3.  Oh the decision process is getting harder.  Maybe I'll go back and choose a yacht instead...

Catching the waves at sunset.  What waves you may ask?  The ones created by the massive cruise ships!

Nassau, Bahamas

-The Atlantis 

 Color Color Color

Imagine the colors of the Bahamas in a North East city in the United States.  How about a small mid-west state?  Somehow these colors fit perfectly in a port town or country anywhere in the Caribbean.

Nassau, Bahamas Lighthouse on Hog Island (now Paradise Island)

The first and last sight of Nassau, Bahamas.  The lighthouse was built around 1817 and still stands today.  Originally this island was named Hog Island but to keep up with the times ( and money...) it was renamed a more appealing name of Paradise Island.  The hugely successfully Atlantis Hotel sits in the background and the cruise docks sit on the right.  The picture of sereneness......

Bay Street - Nassau, Bahamas

 Parliament Square

  Several of these old buildings were destroyed by a massive fire the day after this picture was taken.  Most will be torn down.  Click   'HERE'  to read the article.  Yes they were very old buildings but their history was very colorful (and not the hue!)  and no doubt filled with pirate stories and all....  

I had very little time to enjoy Nassau.  Our cruise ship arrived at 8:00 a.m. and we had to be back on board by 1:30 p.m. at the very latest.  We had to get back to the port even earlier due to the very long lines going through security.  We opted not to scurry off to a beach but to enjoy Bay Street and do a little shopping.  Of course I had a 'snappin' time!  Now that I'm home I keep thinking of the shots that were missed.  There were several places I know we didn't get to because of other circumstances which means one thing......I need to go back.  I was glad that I got a the second shot in today's post after reading about the fire the following day.  Of course it sounds like some conspiracy could be involved.  Pirates maybe?

Ft. Lauderdale, FL Goodbye land!

Last look at land.

Not a bad 'last look'!   Sailing out of Ft. Everglades pier in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.  provided enough scenery for a week and we weren't into the cruise for 15 minutes yet.  This was the beginning and ending scenes of the week.  Upon leaving these scenes make you forget the chaos, rush and fury of getting to the port and it also prepares you for the chaos, rush and fury of leaving the port.  We sailed on the Oasis of the Seas (the largest ship in the ocean) and had a great time.  I suppose it makes working worth it.  

Savannah light

Savannah, Georgia 

Southern charm and delights are abundant.

2011 Winter Ball

       My darling daughter ready for the Winter Ball at High School.  It was a great evening except for the icy roads.  The after party consisted of the traditional kitchen floor sitting while eating Whales and giggling and of course sleeping in the closet.     ----Oh to be young again!

Alfred Victorian's Middletown, PA

It's all in the details...

Alfred Victorians is quite the charmer.  It's now a restaurant but it was a home at one time.  Walk inside for more delights that meet the eyes along as the taste buds!

The Churchtown Barn

On a snowy Winter day...

Can you find 'The Churchtown Barn" on a website?  Not that I know!  Daily I pass by this barn to and from work.   There once stood an old and decrepit barn but over the period of many months it was torn down and replaced.  At first I along with others contemplated that someone was going to make a home out of the structure but as construction progressed it developed into another barn.  I haven't seen any livestock yet and I haven't noticed that is was being used for hay storage.  Just what is in store for this barn?  The landscape around the barn is becoming an item of interest in itself.  I do hope that something grand is planned!  I may never know all the answers but as I pass by it has been fun contemplating and scheming in my own mind.  It makes the drive to and from work just a little more interesting.  

The Barn is the STAR

Out and about today on the way to pick up my husband at the airpot, I couldn't help making a detour to see the 'Star' along the highway....   It appears that this was manipulated into a black and white - but - check out the billboard in the left corner.  It was snowing and the sky didn't have a trace of color.  It was just a black and white kind of day.  Anybody wanting to document the sights of Central Pennsylvania have found themselves in the driveway of the Dayspring church getting a few shots of this famous barn. There has been numerous shots from every angle.  Today I chose to capture the out buildings in addition to the barn itself.  All the buildings are in various stages of deterioration.  The 'fix-up' of the barn brings many different opinions depending on how close you live to this gem.  Anybody willing to donate towards the owners plight to restore this to it's original glory?  

PX PX PX

Here's a story of a lovely work family.

Waaayyyy back in 1996 the four of us were thrown together into a project referred to as MFCS (Material Financial Control System).  There were several branches of the project and our little part was called PX02/04 or 'PX' for short.  Marge and Bill came from Philadelphia and Susan and I came from Mechanicsburg in Pennsylvania.  We started out shy and business like until we were flown off to Boston, MA every week Monday thru Friday for the next several months.  We worked with a contractor to develop, code, test, recode, redevelop, retest and finally implement a major accounting system.  There were laughs and tears and pain and success.   We became like family and relied on one another while being away from our own families back in PA.  We worked some very long days and got to know one another more than we wanted...  Yes we worked hard and pulled our hair out at times but we did get to experience Boston in some unique ways.  We were regulars on the 'T' (subway), got to shop at Fielene's bargain basement, sat out next to the Green Wall in Fenway Park, strolled down Newberry St, had some drinks at Cheers (where everyone did NOT know our names), explored Fenuiel Hall,  climbed the Hancock building (during 70 mph winds), snuck inside the Trinity Church and ate our way through every major neighborhood.  We enjoyed time in Cambridge and stayed near MIT and Harvard and once over by Boston College.  Needless to say none of the knowledge from these esteemed places rubbed off on us.  All of these events occurred after work so we didn't get to experience daytime in Boston.  Our first weeks were filled with three fire alarms in the middle of the night at the hotel.  The major concern then was 'what do I wear during a fire with people I hardly know'!!  Thankfully there wasn't a real fire and after seeing each other with our hair matted to our heads we quickly learned to get along and survive together.  There were several others with us but we were the representatives from the organization that had to 'use' this system.  We've become lasting friends and still rely on one another with our work related duties.  It's been a blessing and God knew what he was doing when we were brought together.   Being away from home so often was hard and we cried on each other shoulders and turned around and had some of the best laughs.  The years have been filled with good memories.  We don't get to see each other much but we know we're all just a phone call away when a problem arrises.  Recently we were lucky to be together all at once for a retirement party and took a few shots in the office.  For us humor has been the backbone of our times together.  Thanks for the memories and here's to many more happy blessed years!!!! 

Christmas 2010

It's been very hard lately to find the time to sit quietly and get any creative thoughts.  Of course it's that time of the year when we're all busy and trying to do a little of everything, and instead we get nothing accomplished.  Maybe I shouldn't say nothing but we feel that way at the end of the day.  Looking for the bright side of this season I got to spend a lot of time with my family.  Who could ask for more.  I hate to see this season end but time moves on.  We have a clean slate with a New Year upon us so I must step forward and wait for special moments.  Those moments are there but sometimes we fail to notice them or appreciate them.  My resolutions?  Ha!  Yes I'm old enough to know Im not perfect and can't live up to all I say or wish but I can make a small resolution  that I can keep trying to accomplish everyday.  That would be kindness to others.  Can I do it?  It's worth a try isn't it?  When I fail I'll hopefully attempt it again and again.  My wish for all of you this year is happiness, contentment, to be healthy, and to recognize your blessings and appreciate them in the moment.

The Picture:

They are some of my biggest blessings.  My Children.  

God Bless You 

and

Happy New Year!!

Faaaaarrrrmmm Livin is the place for me

Sure I want to see as much as the world as possible.  Sure I have dreams of living in a New York City Penthouse.  Sure I could be a beach bum.  Sure I could hunker down in a mountain cabin. 

But.

I love Country livin down by the farm.

Silo duty

Just a little ole silo still doing its job after many many years.  

Sweet 16

Well we finally made it to Sweet 16!

The countdown started a year ago at Thanksgiving.  I do believe I've heard the count every day for the last year.  On Thanksgiving day my daughter turned 16.  Of course EVERYONE was quite aware of that fact if you've spent any given amount of time near her recently.  We had the usual celebration of Thanksgiving/Birthday with our families (blessed) then we had to wait a week to have the smashing party full of friends and other sixteeners or soon to be sixteeners.  It wat great hearing the house full of a good time.  What was I thinking have 25 teenagers at one time!  She started out in the world five weeks early but has been a blessing to us all every minute along the way.  I think I was just as excited as her for this day to get here.  Happy Birthday and many more happy blessed and healthy years ahead!

Katrina....

To many (including myself from time to time) hear the name Katrina and have horrid memories.  I now hear the name Katrina and think kindness, beauty, gentleness, and every 'describing word' of niceness.  It's funny how memories or events alter your thoughts.  I came across the book called Katrina at one of my favorite hangouts lately and instead of thinking of floods and debris and damage I thought of laughter, thoughtfulness and an English Empress.  (Engligh as in grammer...)  What thoughts are provoked when people hear your name?

Muddled Puddles

It was a quacky day in every way.

Charles St. Ave.

Get off the tracks, here comes the trolley.

  Since 1835 these street cars have provided a transportation need for New Oleans. 

Shot Gun Houses

New Orleans has unusual sightings.  On a drive by - down historic Charles St. we passed this little shotgun house. (through the front door then one room leading into another without a hallway all the way to the back door) These homes lie all over the greater New Orleans area.  The other description is if you shoot a bullet in the front door is goes through every room and out the back door.  They are often the most colorfuly pieces of art in the city.  Many were destroyed by Katrina.  Many have historic roots.  It's a fun day just looking for these special homes.

Little Squirt

Meet Little Squirt.

Little Squirt has graced the window over the kitchen sink at my Grandparents house as long as I've been aroud plus an additional many more years.  As I was walking down a street in New Orleans Little Squirt was directing us to the nights dinner special at a little pub.  I of course had to stop and admire him.  I've spent alot of time in that kitchen at my Grandparents.  It was always filled with many good memories and even more delicious smells from something just baked.  Like many homes the kitchen was the main meeting room in the house.  With 22 grandchildren there was always someone that was hungry.  It was a blessing to have been able to share these years with my relatives.  With all the hardness of the world today I know we all forget to cherish the things we love the most.  So look around for the little things that bring back a flash of happy times and hold onto those thoughts and be thankful.

Especially designed for the old folks in Florida!

Just for Anita and Rick! 

Don't forget I want a ride in that 'new' Mercedes Rick!!  --The one I saw pictures of!

Déjà Vu

In the movie Déjà Vu Denzel Washington drove across this bridge backwards!  I haven't been able to drive across it going forwards   -- yet.   God willing and the creek don't rise  -  (the Mississippi doesn't rise), I plan on crossing the great Mississippi into another connection of New Orleans.  This bridge is the last bridge spanning the Mississippi before it spills into The Gulf of Mexico.  Do you think the nifty webcam in the upper left will film me?

NOLA NOLA NOLA

Getting ready to head to the Big Easy.

Getting ready to head to The Crescent City.

Getting ready to head to the Vieux Carre' 

Trekking the mountain

Any way you can get there....