My Old Man

Yesterday was Gordon's birthday. The Big 4-0!! I tried to get some elaborate plans concocted, but due to the nature of Gordon's schedule and this being a busy time of year for everyone, I could not get commitment from many people as to if they could help us celebrate. And Gordon was not much help either. I threw out tons of ideas to the birthday boy...but nothing really came back with undying enthusiasm...so I told him that if nothing manifested it was not my doing...

But it turned out to be a good birthday weekend for him after all. I guess it just shows that the less you plan the less can go wrong! Leading up to his birthday the phrase that stands out to me the most was "I'm turning 40 not 4!" So instead he had a very distinguished birthday chalked full of blueberry picking, body surfing, free slurpees, confetti, toy airplanes, and hanging out with a 7 year old (among others)...just goes to show you are only as old as you feel inside! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORDON!!!

Happy Dog, Happy Plants, Happy Birthday America!!

As usual things are busy around here! Summer is in full effect and that is fine by me! I only wish my office was more like summer and less like Antarctica. I think the busy period for my caseload is over for the year (knock on wood). I still have an intermittent Plan Renewal to look forward to and of course we can't forget the "he can't do that but I want my kid to be independent parents" that bring the usual dilemma's to the table. But for the most part it should be pretty evenly spread for the next while. My newest task my supervisor has dubbed me with is doing Initial Intake Meetings with people and their families to get them on the DD Waiver Waitlist...basically I fill out tons of paperwork and gather all kinds of information about the person with the disability from what kind of primary insurance he has to what kind of food he likes. Then I go back to the office and type up 3 separate documents that get submitted to DMAS (Dept of Medical Assistance Services) and wait for the confirmation that they are on the Waitlist...It's not too bad and it gets me out of the office, but my boss just told me that we will have about 20 more come through in the next month or so...damn me for being efficient!!

On a less dry and boring note, Cooke (our dog, duh) is enjoying the new pad. Below are some pics of him in the back yard a couple hours ago. He is 5 1/2 years old but still acts like he did when he was wee poo hound most of the time...and just as clumsy (but I guess I would be too if I had giant baseball mits for paws).

I was trying to get more of Cooke and less of me, but Cooke was being a primadonna!
Above: Happy Dog!!

Below: Standing on his hind legs trying to get closer to his Snau-some

Winded and a bit confused after chasing the red ball in circle

Our Plants are doing quite well too! Especially the Aloe, Jalapenos, Cayennes, and Caribbean Hots. We also have some Basil, Habaneros, Tabasco, Serranos, Rosemary and Thyme. Below are some pics of the Aloe, Jalapenos (which are almost ready to be picked) and the Caribbean Hots (that are well on their way to spicy greatness)!!In case I don't post again till after Saturday...Have a Fun and Safe 4th of July...HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

2 days in a row!!

I finally got around to taking some pics of the new place. The first is from the front. Second is the back deck area. You can tell the yard needs some work. But if we plant grass and everything the landlord will reimburse us. That is the plan, just haven't gotten around to it yet. The third pic is the side with our various hot peppers, fourth is a shot from the living room through into the office area and last is a shot of the bedroom. The 2nd bedroom and kitchen are still not in the best shape so I held off on posting them. Gordon and I also attended the 10th Annual Blackbeard Festival in Hampton, VA yesterday. We went in 2007 as new Virginians and not surprisingly, it hasn't changed a whole lot other than somewhere along the line people started pretending that Blackbeard had something to do with Celtic heritage. Either way it is a wondrous event to see kids having fun and creepy adults that have an opportunity to stop playing D&D for the weekend and traipse around downtown Hampton barefoot with swords and bandannas...scary and amusing all at the same time! They do have some cool Tall Ships that come into the harbor for the event, so it's not all disturbing. Here are some of the pics Gordon took.

HELLO-O-o-o

Hey everyone! Sorry it has been so long. Once you get out of the habit the next thing you realize is 6 months have gone by. Some fairly noteworthy events have happened in the King household since the last update. Over Christmas break we had a nice visit with Gordon's folks in Chapel Hill, Gordon's "fun" classmates from high school had an impromptu class reunion at the Carolina Brewery, where Gordon used to run the kitchen, and we took a mini trip t Charleston, SC where we were treated to a great room by my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Steve. Below are some of the pics from Charleston:

In March Gordon had a 2 week run in Newark. Rather than flying home for 36 hours or so his company let him keep the hotel over the weekend instead of buying him a plane ticket. So I came to visit him and we spent the day in the city. We walked about 15 miles, saw Central Park, Rockefeller Center, WTC site, Battery Park, a homeless guy with no pants on the subway, FAO Schwartz, The MET, the village, etc. Lots of fun and here are some pics:

For our 1 year anniversary (aka Memorial Day Weekend) Gordon and I went up to DC to watch our beloved DC United play against Real Salt Lake. They tied, again!, 0-0 but we don't hold that against them. We also made a trip to the WWII Memorial and caught a drink and a bite with my step sister, Erin and her fiance, Andrew. Here are some pics of the excursion:

Sorry for the funky layouts!
















Besides the mini trips we have gotten to take, Gordon and I finally decided enough was enough and moved out of the "Chateau Ghetto" and moved into a little 2 bedroom house in the Ocean View area of Norfolk at the beginning of May. Haven't had a chance to take any good pics of the place, but it has come together quite nicely. The landlord is cool with us fixing the place up in return for reduced rent. Back yard needs some work, but it is WAY better than the Ghent apartment. Hopefully I will get some more good pics and keep up with this blog...Gordon and I are planning on hitting the 10th Annual Blackbeard festival this afternoon so maybe that will lend itself to some interesting images!! Till Next Time...

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