Deposition

Work Life For Paul

Part of my job that puts a little pressure on me is that from time to time I must give a deposition or be deposed about an enforcement action I took. Recently I went to Charlotte for just such a purpose which was followed by court ordered mediation- another day's definition. Needless to say we have lots of fun in that line of work (sarcasm here). Details are of course confidential until the case is settled and this one is far from over. This is just last week's work life for Paul. In the future, I will try to blog something that is more interesting or that illustrates a more fun part of my job.




Driving south into Charlotte on North Tryon St indicates an incredible and still growing skyline - very very different from my younger years of the same trip down the same street under the same RR bridge into the City.




Under the canopy of tall buildings, I understand there is a great assortment of interesting restaurants and other evening offerings NONE OF WHICH WE HAD TIME TO EVEN CHECK OUT. We spent time, as in lots and lots of time, in a conference room, a small conference room with men and women in suits, serious expressions on our faces, and humor in short supply.





We probably will be back for loads of more fun.

looks like a good place for a party

We are going to be having a party with Stephen and Jen, and this is where it will be. It promises to be a grand occasion and the location is a bit special too. The Welcome is genuine and we are excited and the time is close. It will be fun too.




There is a a terrific few from the deck




serving line for food ( a place for drinks too)




and places to sit




and when the ships com through, you have a pretty good view too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA

This is one of my favorite pictures of Laura with a lap full of little girls, our granddaughters, Julianna and Lydia. In 1977 at Memorial Hospital on May 24, Laura was born. Patt's first cousin, one of the twins, Jane, from just down the road assisted in her birth, - so Laura's small town orientation or small world exposures started early. As Patt and Laura stayed in the hospital a week, I got to spend a lot of time in the nursery rocking and holding and feeding Laura so we got off to a great father daughter start and she remains special to me yet.

Laura has in turn with Matt had two beautiful and fun daughters which delight their grandparents (on both sides so very very much)



and an exceptionally handsome grandson, Isaac, who helps make for a very full apartment. He too delights his grandparents!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA ELIZABETH !! WE LOVE YOU VERY VERY MUCH

Happy Birthday Janet --- We celebrated cousin Janet's birthday yesterday at her home with Kelly and Beth preparing a middle eastern dinner on the grill. The company was wonderful, food great and celebrating on into the evening. Janet's backyard garden of flowers and decorative plants really is a beautiful sight and her yard is a nice place of rest and relaxation.

The dinner was followed by a special cake from Barbara that made reference to the landmark date that the birthday was and was a delightful way to end the evening.




being sure Pop Pop is close by when the crowd arrives




getting Grandmother a little wore down as the day goes on (some just seem to have more than a normal allotment of energy)



enjoying a visit and spring late afternoon in North Carolina



showing off the beautiful backyard




and Janet celebrated further by opening a few presents



yes, it was a good day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANET

a few more pictures from the trip

Lydia,




Julianna,




and the sisters check on brother (and Mom) --

these are a few more of the photos Patt brought home from her trip. Jet lag has been tough but she has worked all day each day, going to be early, and of course getting up early. Patt continues to tell stories of how nice it was to be visiting and how much fun the kids were to be with. Matt and Laura were too. and Patt really enjoyed how easy a baby Isaac was/is.




Some girls, Lydia for one, enjoy jewelry, and look good wearing it too




Julianna with Isaac, I think helping with the pacifier





yes the two sisters are two good looking little girls and learning to play a little ball

Faster than a Monkey

Introducing, our Granddog, Deuce,--- Stephen and Jen's brand new low maintenance family addition. Deuce is also known as Faster-than-a-Monkey, -- a description/name from Julianna. Deuce, as we understand it, is prone to grow and enjoy being around people, especially Jen.-- Stephen, not so much. --- Well, just not as much as Jen. In addition to liking Jen, Duece




enjoys a walk in the garden




taking time to smell the flowers,




learning with Stephen how to drink properly




riding and sticking her head out the window




and waiting on dinner, ---you'd think Stephen and Jen would have set the table

In Case you ever wondered why

I know you knew, but want to share with you why we really like going so far to see our daughter and her family. The ride is well worth the trip!! Patt had a grand time and these are just a few of the favorites of the last on the camera. There are more to download from the flash drive and more to share from this first batch, but this is a start.




seeing Julianna entertain herself with her favorite little brother



seeing Isaac up close and personal and Patt is not sure who he looks like.



princess says it all



reading a favorite



reading another favorite to a disinterested doll



Isaac with Bei Bei (tiger)





earning a jelly bean the hard way (getting finger nails cut) and looking wistful and worried too




no question about it -- we like to go to the far far east, and look forward to going agin -- the reasons are obvious. and you know what -- we also really really like going to Panama too -- and will be on our way there real soon!!

Happy Birthday Patt

Happy Birthday Patt!! my goodness but my wife knows how to celebrate a birthday, hold granddaughters, and meet a grandson!! Talk about having a great birthday! Her husband, that would be me, is so glad that Patt can do this and spend this time with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. Happy Birthday favorite wife. I love you and miss you Have a great day and buy the grandkids some ice cream or candy or banana chips for me. Have a grand and Happy Birthday.










and of course Patt gets to play Grandmama and do a lot of reading and have a lap full of granddaughters, which is a wonderful way to spend a birthday - or most any day.










One of the special things Patt gets to do is go with the grandkids to special activities like amusement like parks where the kids get to ride rides, play with friends and in general look really really cute which they are so good at. (their Mom and Uncle Stephen were too)

YES WE HAVE HAND LOTION

In packing for a trip halfway around the world, there is a lot to consider when packing. Obviously Patt has packed plenty of hand lotion. The idea that a young girl should have soft and sweet smelling hands was not lost on Julianna and Lydia. The idea that hand lotion can be used sparingly is however a difficult concept and one that Patt was enjoying letting Laura teach later. Lydia carried around a bottle (jar?) of hand lotion for a significant part of the time we were there, .. (really they do not need toys either) ... The fortunate thing was that soft, sweet smelling well lubricated little hands can not open a bottle (jar?) of hand lotion. It is a complete task just to hold on to the top.












Less than a week from now, Patt will be sitting again right there in the midst of granddaughters and holding a grandson too.-- She is, as is appropriate, very very excited. I am, as is appropriate very very thankful that she can go. ( and a little jealous), but I reckon I will just have to try to avoid having play the suffering soul to much.---- well perhaps I will play it some!! -- Patt says I am such a trooper when I am sick, - me being a stoic and all. Since I will be here in Raleigh , yes right here in Raleigh while Patt will be there in the midst of grandkids. and me --- nooo not me.










aren't these pictures so sweet.

It was bingo and Methodists

yes Methodists play bingo -- Family Council of which I am a member sponsored a family bingo night to support area food missions, we had a spagegiti dinner followed by bingo with prizes for the kids. Such fierce competition, you would not believe



















































and when you have bifocals, reading the number to make the "call" is a bear. Yep, I was the caller, and the pressure was on , with a little coaching from some of the kids, I figured it out and had a good time.---- Hand some one a microphone and you know the rest....