Spring Training

After years of promising ourselves to do this, Joe and I FINALLY got involved in Spring Training in Florida. It is called, appropriately, the "Grapefruit League." There are a bunch of major league teams that come to different venues in Florida and play each other. We went to four games in four different locations. We saw the Atlanta Braves vs the New York Yankees at Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando, the Yankees vs the Toronto Blue Jays in Tampa, The Tampa Bay Rays vs the Pittsburgh Pirates in Port Charlotte, and the Blue Jays vs the Rays in Dunedin. The stadium at Disney is beautiful and clean, as you would expect from Disney. George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is, by my guess, a miniature Yankees Stadium. This stadium had all the atmosphere of a major league ball park, complete with the beer vendors in the stands, hawking "cold beer here," at the top of their voices. The Rays new stadium in Port Charlotte was a bit of a drive for us (about an hour and a half), but it was nice and intimate even though it got our vote for the worst hothogs! The drive to Dunedin, which is considered to be in the Tampa metro area, was horrible. We just should have gone to Port Charlotte again, to see our Rays. Not to mention, we were hot as hell and left in the fifth inning.
But, we did Spring Training and hope to do more games next Spring. It's a wonderful way to spend the month of March in Florida!

A Day at Tampa Bay Downs

The Thoroughbred is an awesome animal. Please enjoy my pictures of these race horses taken at Tampa Bay Downs.

17 random things about me

Here are a few things about me to start of the New Year....

1. I am basically a shy person. I have become more self-assured as I have aged, though. But, maybe that is part of getting old….

2. I enjoy being at home. This is a good thing considering that I own two of them! I hate crowds and love curling up with my laptop or a good book at home. I love just being home with my husband, Joe.

3. I love cooking, especially baking cookies and cakes. A 20-pound weight gain since 1999 attests to this!

4. I love hiking or walking outside with my husband, Joe and dog, Ivy. I never listen to the I pod outside as I would miss hearing the enchanting sounds of nature.

5. I am a keen animal lover, especially dogs, most especially my own beautiful Lab, Ivy. Horses are a close second and I am warming up to cats.

6. I am fascinated by digital photography. I use my digital camera just about every day. I especially enjoy taking pictures of Ivy and I am proud to say I have over 1000 pictures of her!

7. I am an optimist and rarely see the dark side of anything. I believe in the inherent goodness of people.

8. I love to sing but cannot read a note of music. And while I may not have a beautiful voice, I can make a joyful noise unto the Lord! And I do!

9. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church (yes, the Roman Catholic one although I still have a lot of questions about it, but I love the bells and smells), the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. I believe in Hope. And I believe that dogs go to Heaven.

10. I don’t understand what the fuss is all about regarding Gay marriage. Why can’t Gays/Lesbians get married? Two people who love each other should be able to get married and have a family with all the rights and benefits that come with it. Why all the hate? It’s time to stop hating and focus on loving.

11. Wine, wine, wine. I have it every night. I want it, need it. White is preferred, but red will work.

12. The gym. I need to go more. I hate the treadmill. Thank you, Mac, for the I pod! I will go more this year, I promise.

13. The computer. I am an addict. No cure in sight! I have online friends that I know personally and many more that I have never met (Cheri). I have actually met one of those: Chelise, a dog lover like me. I have found old friends that I thought I had lost (Kristie, Don, and Patty). I have gotten to know some friends better (Wendy, my Lexulous buddy), and I keep in touch with my family, extended family and old friends on Facebook (Mary Kay, Lucy, Pete, Joey, Joanie, Jack, Madonna, etc.).

14. I have 2 stepchildren, Joanie and Drew. They came with the Joe Monahan package that I received in 1974. We raised them together and equally with our own two children, Pete and Joey. I refer to them as stepchildren purely for identification purposes. Growing up, we never used the word “stepchild” with Joanie and Drew. I am blessed to have 4 wonderful children and I adore them. They have all matured into educated, successful, loving, sensitive adults.

15. I am a mother lioness when it comes to my children and my grandchildren. I am fiercely protective and would give my life to save theirs. I brag about them incessantly and to anyone who will listen. Hear me roar!

16. The Chesapeake Bay and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed captivate me. I have been fortunate to have lived within minutes of this treasure most of my adult life. I have walked miles of her shoreline, fished her waters, tanned on her beaches, and yes, even participated in a bit of skinny-dipping. I have watched a parade of Tall Ships, a pod of dolphins, and the Fourth of July fireworks ….ooooo….ahhh. And I have thrown tennis balls into the surf for more than a few Retrievers. I belong to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and I am committed to saving the Bay. I guess that makes me somewhat of a “tree hugger.”

17. I love Joe Monahan. He makes my life complete. He is the most intelligent person I have ever met. But more importantly, he is caring, loving, sensitive, passionate, and generous. He mixes me a cocktail every evening and opens my wine. He shares in all the things I love. He has a great sense of humor and makes me laugh. He is my friend, teacher, and confidant. Joe is my partner and soul mate…he is the love of my life.

My solo trip to San Diego to see my long lost friend

My solo trip to San Diego was a huge step for me. I had not done something like this on my own for....God knows how long!! I am not a huge fan of flying and this flight was from Virginia (Atlantic coast) to California (Pacific coast), to see a long lost friend. But I made it and spent several wonderful days with Kristie, my very best friend in high school. Kristie and I were inseparable when my family lived in Helena, Montana in the mid 1960s. We were huge Beatles fans and founded the Montana Beatles Fan Club. Then, my dad took a new job in Virginia in 1966 and when we left Helena, I was heartbroken to leave my best friend. I was 15 years old at the time. We corresponded for a time but lost track during our college years. Then, early in 2008, I searched for Kristie on the Internet and found her on classmates.com. It was amazing how easy that was! She answered my email the same day. We had not been in touch for over 40 years! I wanted desperately to see her, so I cashed in some award miles and flew to San Diego a few months later. Of course, we had exchanged pictures, but I recognized her right away at the airport. We had four wonderful days talking, touring beautiful San Diego, walking the beach, eating, and drinking. She was the perfect hostess and tour guide. She is an animal lover like me and has 3 very cool cats. I am so very fortunate to have my best friend back in my life.

TGIO-The 2008 Presidential Election

Thank God It's Over!! The Presidential election that is! No more TV ads and the cardboard is disappearing. I really did not have a candidate, but.....I did vote for John McCain. Conservatism won out for me, in my "golden years." Blame the Banker, but this former hippie has assets to protect and conserve. Since I ditched my political party affiliation earlier this year, I am officially an INDEPENDENT Florida voter. What does it mean? I voted for "the Man." Simply put, I thought John McCain was the better man. But, I stand behind Barack Obama now and celebrate with the rest of my country, his amazing accomplishment. I do, however, have a very low tolerance for the Bush bashing that has all too soon started cropping up. Come on people.......President Bush will be out of office and writing his memoirs in a couple of months. I want him out of there too and pray that our new leader is up to the daunting task ahead of him. I sure hope he finds some good, honest, God believing folks to help him because he is sure going to need it.

Florida

Florida is the Sunshine State!! I have been back at my Tampa house just visiting my stuff for a week now. I drank out of my favorite Waterford double old fashioned glass. I drank morning coffee on the lanai by the pool. I swam in the pool. I listened to the breeze in the palm trees. I laughed at the Sandhill cranes. I enjoyed wining and dining with old friends. I loved sleeping late every day with my husband. I played at the beach with my dog. I went shopping with my son to stock his refrigerator. It was a good time.

the Tall Ships

These photos were taken from Ft. Moultrie on Sullivans Island, SC. The Tall Ships were in Charleston Harbor for their annual Harborfest. Although there were only four of them, they were truly magnificent, as they sailed through the mist in the Parade of Sail. The ship Amistad (the last ship pictured with sails folded) is a replica of an old slave trader ship. These ships brought slaves from Africa to the New World, with most of them chained below deck. The slaves on the Amistad mutinied against their inhumane treatment in 1839. The other ships pictured are the Corwith Cramer, the Spirit of South Carolina, and the Virginia.

The last day of being 56

It's finally here; the last day of 56! Yippee! WhoooHooo!
A ton of stuff happened this year and now it is on to another year in the life of thebankerswife! Lots of picture taking and writing crap in the blog. Going to do some traveling and wine drinking. Not as much eating, but hey...that's ok. I am just going to be more particular of the stuff that goes into this old, er, middle aged body. More fruits and yes, more veggies! Less beef and more seafood. I am really going to TRY to drive the boat more and maybe learn to dock it this summer. More reading of books, perhaps some of the classics I missed in high school and college. I just finished a book, just a mindless "chick book," but a book, nonetheless! I am DEFINITELY planning on spending more time with the grandkids and more quality time with Joe, now that he is retiring again. And more walks with Ivy. Plus, more walks outdoors. I have gotten spoiled with roaming the beach at Sullivans Island everyday, but who wouldn't? It is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen (see pic above). I am realizing that you just have to stop and smell the roses, or at least wiggle your bare feet in the sand every once in a while. My feet both have bunions (thanks, Mom), so flip flops are great! Enough rambling from this 56 year old bankers wife and on to number 57!! Cheers!

Boone Hall Plantation-Grounds and Gardens

Please enjoy my slideshow of Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC. And remember to stop and smell the flowers along the way.......

Eight Belles

Godspeed, Eight Belles. Your race into history is not the one I had hoped for. You are in greener pastures now and running free with a good horse named Barbaro......

More Gardens of Charleston

The gardens in the ancient homes in the downtown Charleston are are just amazing. You could, and I have, spend hours just wandering around. Just lose yourself in the magic gardens.....

Tennis

OMG.....I spend the day at a major Pro tennis event, then I write about it........Am I supposed to go back to playing the game? Is this a sign from God? We are planning on joining Greenbrier CC in Chesapeake when we go back in June....guess I need to get out my racquet!! O...WAIT ! I don't have one!! GEESH!! How much are they now? I am a Prince gal.......Do I even have any pics of me playing tennis? BRB........

Serena Williams

Venus and Serena Williams were both entered in the Family Circle Cup, but Venus withdrew because of injury. Serena was easily the crowd favorite all week. She is much "leaner" in person and is a fantastic athlete.

Ave Maria (Sharapova)

I took these at the WTA Family Circle Cup in Charleston. Maria Sharapova is a beautiful young woman from Russia. She is very young, turning 21, and very tall 6'2". Oh.....she plays awesome tennis! Sorry, no action shots.....battery worn down from pics of Serena Williams. Don't forget to check her out also!

Our Day at the Masters-A Photo Story

Marine Corps Recruit Depot-Parris Island, SC

The Marine Corps is still attracting more than a few good men. On a recent trip to Parris Island with my brother-in-law Tony Matzen, a former Marine, and my sister, Mindy, we toured the base and watched the young recruits march and drill. It was VERY IMPRESSIVE! That particular day was graduation day for several platoons of new Marines, so the base was swarming with their families. Most of these Marines will see action in Iraq. God bless them....Semper Fidelis!

 

 

 

 

Charleston, South Carolina - Gardens

We did a self guided walking tour of "Old Charleston" over Easter weekend and were able to peek into some of the beautiful gardens. Smell the flowers and enjoy the tour!

An afternoon walk on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina

Sullivan's Island is a wonderful beach community about a 7 minute drive from our rental house in Mt. Pleasant. I love walking the beach around Ft. Moultrie. Edgar Allen Poe served in the US Army there and I am enthralled with the idea that I am walking where he walked as a young man. Chief Osceola, the revered Seminole Indian Chief is also buried on the grounds of the fort. The Catholic Church we are attending is across the street from the fort and is also "ancient," as is the Pastor! The church survived Hurricane Hugo and has a plaque at the high water mark to prove it. The beach is awesome and is at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Below are photographs taken on an afternoon walk.

Joe on the beautiful beach (doesn't he look great?!)


Cannons of Ft Moultrie (Ft Sumter in background)


Cannon at Ft Moultrie (I love these big guns!)


Behind Ft Moultrie Visitor Center (Ravenel Bridge-Route 17
in the background)


Stella Maris Catholic Church (shame that the pastor is a bit cranky)


Fisherman (sigh)


A beach pic


Cruise ship out of Charleston Harbor


Wish I lived here

Today I am packing for the move to Charleston, SC. My husband Joe, accepted a temporary job there, coming out of retirement, for this project. We have rented a small, fully furnished, 4 bedroom house in Mt Pleasant. Ivy, our yellow Lab, will, more than likely be undergoing major surgery to repair her CCL in her back, left knee, while we are there. I am pretty nervous about this surgery, as it is very invasive, the rehab is about 4 months, and very, VERY restrictive.
I will miss my kids here, especially my grandkids and my sister, who has cancer. Thankfully, she is winning the battle and is pretty healthy, at this writing. She and her husband plan on coming to visit us in Charleston.
But, I enjoy change, and Charleston is supposed to be one of most most amazing cities in the South. There is a wine and food festival coming up the end of February ( I would HATE to go to that!) and a major womens tennis tournament in April (I love tennis).
Charleston, Charleston, made in Carolina!

Dad

Dad, you would have been 87 years old today, November 16, 2007. A lot has happened since you left us. Pete has now had 2 children! Can you believe it? And Joey has had 2 jobs!! The Red Sox won the series again.....unbelievable!! Mindy has cancer, which she is beating. We are so close; she is my best friend and shopping buddy. And my wine buddy. Joe is my other wine buddy. We are trying to sell our house in Florida and get back to Virginia, but the market is very bad....you would hate it.
So, perhaps not that much has happened, but the things that have occurred have been huge! We are all happy, though, which is what you wanted for us.
Oh, we are having that Whitney Thanksgiving this year at Mindy's. I recall how much you enjoyed those........especially when Mom burned the pumpkin pie!
I miss you, Dad.....yeah REALLY.

You Stink!

You stink! You smokers that are my family or friends, you really stink. Your hair, your breath, your clothes, your skin, and especially your overall attitude about smoking, stinks. Some of you have already lost loved ones to smoking and yet, you still puff away. You, especially, really stink. You are young, some of you, so you are also stupid in addition to stinking. Haven't you heard that smoking can kill you? Oh wait, those of you in my age group are stupid too, for smoking all these years. You super stink. You have to go outside to smoke to avoid offending everybody else inside with your stinking second hand smoke. Then you come inside and think that everyone is ok with your stinking, but, I can tell you that they are not! Your stinking follows you like a cloud of smoke. It is in your car and in your office. Maybe you think it is not in your home, but you are wrong. Ever wonder why no one wants you to drive or why there are no meetings in your office? Or why those invitations for dinner at your home are turned down? Because you stink. Some of you are dealing with spouses or children with life threatening illnesses. You are the most selfish of the stinkers. Some of you have already had medical problems because of your stinking smoking habit. You have had heart attacks, pneumonia, high blood pressure, dental issues, and yes, even sexual problems because of your stinking habit. Some of you have already been diagnosed with emphysema and COPD and you are still stinking up our world. Are you completely crazy? Or just suicidal? Got a death wish? It could be granted, you STINKER!

Ivy at Wythe County, VA

Photobucket Album

College football revisited

OK. I am watching college football again as a casual observer only. No passion. Hope this helps me.......

I have had it with college football. I am done....FINISHED! No more. My teams just keep losing. First it was my beloved Seminoles. Then, my new team, the University of South Florida Bulls lost to Rutgers and last night, the Hokies (Virginia Tech) lost in the last 4 minutes to that damn Boston College. I have folded up my flags and and put away my t shirts. Until tomorrow, when I will sneak at peek at the FSU/Duke game. But, just a peek.

USS Wisconsin

Photobucket Album: See all of my USS Wisconsin pics here!!

Surfin' USA (SC)

Photobucket Album: Surfing in Pawleys Island, SC. Just so you know, I do not know these people.