Fat Dog in a Little Car

So it was too humorous I had to share it. This morning I took Cooke to his Doggie Accommodations for the holiday...the catch was I had Gordon's 1970 MGB to do so. Cooke is not the best in the car anyway...not like barking and puking wise, but just he is clumsy and big, so reduce the Pumpkin Chariot's (my car) cabin space by about 4 and that gives you an idea of our ride across Hampton Roads. In the 15 mile-ish voyage Cooke tried to turn around about 5 times, misjudged the windshield location about 7 times, knocked the car out of gear once (but it was because minivan mama cut us off), tried to lay on my lap 3 times and moved the rear view mirror about 5,729 times...all in all a pretty uneventful trip! But he made it safe and sound. The Hunt Club Kennel is the only place in the area that Cooke seems to enjoy going and he doesn't come back with an ailment, injury or severe constipation. But I have caught on to their game...

They like to decorate the lobby with trinkets and pet toys for sale, precariously placed within tail and mouth reach. We have had a couple of close calls, but no impulse purchases made yet (from Cooke's end not mine) But that dog in a stocking ornament almost met it's maker this morning!

Pets, what would we do without them!?! Don't answer that.

2008 in Brief Review

Sorry it has been so long. Without pictures the blogs aren't terribly exciting and I know this...

The above picture represents my new job (where I actually have my own office), my new name, and if you look closely at the bottom you can see the braille type (of my name) that represents my advocacy work for people with disabilities. Funny that it seems a lot like the braille type posted in the bathroom for "toilet paper" but I will give them the benefit of the doubt!

2008 New Years Resolution?: Become involved in more community activities

Succeed?: Ran the Shamrock Race in March, Started Working at an Advocacy Organization for People with Disabilities in September, and Donated a soccer ball for Toys for Tots in December...so I guess, yes

Wedding: Had a great time in the Keys where we got married on May 24, 2008 in a garden in Key West, FL. Complete with Family, Friends, Ghosts, Fish, Rum, Reggae, Sun and Fun

Other Events: Gordon is still flying freight for a Fed Ex Carrier and I have started working as a DD Waiver Case Manager (I help people who receive the Medicaid Waiver obtain services they need by meeting with them, sending documentation to DMAS and facilitating the services with the service providers).

Our nephew Brakston celebrated his 1st birthday with us in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. We ate dinner at Macaroni Grill and kinda like after school special junkies, we gave him the first taste of a pure sugar rush with his dirt pudding and gummy work cupcake (see Taylor Trio blog for pics). Oh yeah, and Boomer and Heidi were there too ;P How could I forget the boxes (which many are still sitting in the living room might I add). This is a picture of Brakston and his cousin Grant from October

Cooke just recently celebrated his 5th birthday on December 11th. He received a giraffe with a noise making belly that has quickly become his new favorite toy and object to plop on my stomach in the middle of the night. Below is a picture of Cooke at Halloween with his Reptilian costume I found at the thrift store for 45cents...well worth it

Gordon is in the midst of rebuilding his 1970 MGB. He purchased it shortly after the wedding and has enjoyed putting around town in it (especially when it is warm and not raining).

We have joined the Blocker Family YMCA this year. If I remember correctly it is the 2nd largest Y. It is 4 stories of gym and then another floor or two of meeting rooms and offices. Lots of new equipment and nice people...definitely a good investment. And I am sure our downstairs neighbors appreciate me not using our treadmill on the 100 year old wood floors anymore!

Other than that we wish you all a great Christmas and a wonderful new year!! Safe travels and warm wishes,

The Kings (of Norfolk)

Joi-sey bound

Sorry for the lack of posts...our camera had to be sent off to the techy gods to be fixed. So we have not been taking too many pictures recently.

Lets see, lets see, since the last post...



Gordon has broken 100 hours in his job so he is finally off of "High Mins" (flight restriction). Along with that he has been on Reserve from home a lot as well as floating to different lines. He has flown out of Kinston, Greensboro and coming soon he will be do the Newark to Baltimore run for a couple weeks this month. If any of you know Gordon you know his feelings on Jersey and the New England area for that matter...but it is money in the bank and flight time so he is willing to sacrifice.



I officially put in my notice to Hope House on Thursday. My last day will be September 18th. I then start my new job as a Case Manager for an advocacy group for people with varying disabilities. That is unless i get offered a position I interviewed for with the city of Norfolk in the mean time. I am nervous and excited because it is a step up in my career and will be a challenge...Without breaking confidentiality all I can say is it is time for me to get the heck out of Dodge...for numerous reasons!



But on a funnier subject: I was going through some of the pics on our computer and found this...

I believe it was from my Birthday in when we lived in Indiana...Check out the Spock ears and the Michael Jackson post 1990 nose...gotta love it

STUFF!!

After 3 years and 3 moves Gordon and I (but mostly Gordon) were reunited with our long lost stuff. Most of our non-essential belongings were being stored in my mom's garage while we moved around the eastern sea board. Thanks to Boomer and Heidi (and Brakston) I now have my 11 series of Simpson figures and environments as well as my retro Incredible Hulk lunchbox back in my loving arms :P Gordon has his tiki's and paper products...lots and lots of paper products, just ask all of us that carried it down the street and up 3 flights of stairs!

But even more exciting than our hoarders dream come true, we got to spend Brakston's first birthday with him at Macaroni Grill. If our camera wasn't currently broken I would show you his delight in the free ice cream sundae and Dirt Worm Cupcake but I will leave that up to Heidi when she gets home...check out their blog for the visual...till next time

Break from the Thank You Cards

Been a pretty busy month so far. First a big cook out at our Navy friend's house. They are on deployment at the present. Last weekend was Gordon's last 30 something birthday. We had a get together over here with about 10-12 people. Gordon insisted on cooking for everyone and I believe everyone was grateful for it (I know I was)! Then we spent the next night with some good friends at the N'telos Pavilion across the water in Portsmouth. We got to see The Alarm, The Fixx and The English Beat (80s bands if you are wondering). The Alarm sounded awesome, the Fixx sounded as cheesy as I remember and the English Beat were a lot of fun. All in all a good show!! When we got home though it wasn't as enjoyable. I was up most of the night with what I am guessing was food poisoning. I am still not sure if it was from the Panaang Curry at dinner, The red velvet birthday cake I made Gordon or some other contaminant...but it sucked!! I have experienced food poisoning one other time in college...just FYI don't eat mayonnaise from IHOP at 230 am, especially if they have to go "out to the cooler" to get it.

But I digress... currently Gordon is in Greensboro flying the run to Wilmington and I am yet again filling in for our short staffed team at my job. Because as most of you know, Gordon and I have ample experience moving, I was designated the emergency packer for some clients yesterday. They are having major renovations done to their homes FOR FREE and have until Saturday to pack all of their belongings in boxes and check in to a hotel until the renovations are complete...I with their assistance was able to pack 98% of a two bedroom home up in a 6 hour shift and still have time to do documentation and drive to and from their house. Where's Guinness World Records when you need 'em!!

Also, when Gordon does the Greensboro line, we swap vehicles. Since I don't have my motorcycle endorsement (yet) I can't ride the Vespa, so I've gotten to putt around in the MG or what I have dubbed British Water Torture as I discovered all of the leaks in the 38 year old top yesterday during the deluge. How I was getting my left shin wet I still don't know, but I was assured new seals for the new top would be installed rapidly upon Gordon's return. Here are some pics of the car from our friends who borrowed it for their wedding, since I have yet to upload our own pics of it...

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Sorry for the lack of posts...both of us have been pretty busy. Gordon bought a 1970 MGB that he has been doing some mechanical work to with a friend who works in a body shop in exchange for his infamous steaks. He has also been working, hanging out and getting back in shape with our new YMCA membership.

I have been working like usual and carrying my teams emergency pager since my team lead was on a 2 week vacation. I also helped a client get his music together so he could DJ the Hope House Foundation's 30th annual dinner this past Thursday. It was quite an event with peons like myself, people we support and big wigs all in the mix. Over 400 people attended and it seemed to go well. I also have been making use of the new Y membership by using their indoor pool on a regular basis...I haven't forgotten that Gordon still owes me a 25 yard pool of my own, but that can wait for the time being.

The two of us have also been going to Busch Gardens since Virginia residents pay for a day and can go back all summer. If any of you live in the area or are planning to visit I highly recommend the Griffon!On another note, now that we have most of the pictures from the wedding we began piecing together a slideshow disc for everyone...so we haven't forgotten about you! You should expect those within the next 2 weeks (I hope). Pictures are to follow, really!

snorkeling pics

Still haven't gathered all of the wedding photos that we want but in the mean time here are some of the pics from our snorkeling adventure and our stop at South of the Border on the way down.

Couldn't pass up an opportunity to capture Gordon 'really' being henpecked!

Someone honestly had this on both rear windows in their SUV...I tried to get the shot with the Star Wars bumpersticker, but it was harder than I thought at 75 mph. Above: On the way out to the patch reef Below: A rare Erin fish

Great shot of a 2 1/2 foot long Parrot Fish...more photos to come I am sure