I probably won't have time to blog tomorrow night because I'll be packing.

We leave Saturday for our annual trip to Maine.

Miss me :o)

Antiques, Cars, Cats, Crafts, and Crashes

Well, it didn't quite happen in that sequence. Our plans were to attend two events that were taking place in Marietta. First, it was off to Marietta Square for an antique fair and car show, but before we got there.... We were sitting at a light in front of the Gone with the Wind Museum, and *BAM* were hit from behind. Hubby got out to assess any damage while I fumbled for something to write with. He and the other driver walked around and looked at the back of our car, exchanged names & phone numbers, and we left.

I have to tell you, I was shaking and really thought my husband might lose it. You see, he takes VERY good care of his vehicles, I mean maticulous care inside & out and mechanically. I thought, "This guy is toast if there is even a SCRATCH on our car," but there was no damage that he could see.

It wasn't until later that I thought, "I should have taken a picture with my cell phone camera. What if he contacts the police and says WE hit him?!" Sorry, can't help it -- that's the non-trusting side of me (translation: the New Yorker in me). But, then again, he could be sitting home worried that we're going to sue him for some trumped-up injuries.

The rest of the day was uneventful (thank goodness). We walked around the square in the center of Marietta and checked out the antiques. The antique car show was really lame -- maybe a total of 10 cars. I think the storms over the past couple days kept alot of owners from bringing their cars out, even though weather reports said it would clear up and be a fabulous weekend. And today was just that - fabulous - no humidty and a nice, cool breeze.

Then we headed to an arts & crafts and car show. Lots of jewelry booths and a number of holiday-themed craft booths. I didn't purchase anything, but sure was tempted!! There were more cars at this car show - maybe 25.

On our way home, we made an impromptu stop at the animal control center. It's been over a year since our dog passed (July 19 '06) and hubby wants another pet. I'm kind of still heartbroken. Hey, it's been 9 years since my cat died and I haven't had the heart to get another one yet! (I guess I'm a little crazy?) I think I'm leaning towards getting a cat this time around. I think it's time now.

It was really tough walking around all the cages and seeing all those eyes looking up at us. How can you take just one (or two) and leave all the rest behind??? I've thought about volunteering and taking dogs out for walks, but not stop there. I would want to take them to the park and have some kind of advertisement that the animals are available for adoption. But, again, how could I bring them back and leave them in those cages?

Now it's time to check the hummingbird feeder, which I'm sure is bone dry. They (at least 10 immature males) are emptying it every four hours!

P.S. I think I have a cavity ... but, I've never had one before so I really don't know what it feels like.....

NEVER FORGET

received via e-mail. origin unknown.

Greeting from New York .... again!

Back in NY for another weekend. This time, I went to the Rockland County Fireman's parade (yesterday). I miss this stuff. The tradition, the respect paid to the volunteer firemen, the music (pipes & drums, brass, fifes & drums), the small towns nestled along the Hudson.

It was fun, but it was hot and humid. I tried to drink enough water, but still felt exhausted.

I'm sorry to say, I failed to bring my camera. I'm not sure what other parts of the country do, if anything, when it comes to their volunteer fire departments. Some towns hold a week-long carnival. It was just a lot of fun as a kid getting to hang out at the carnival all night because it was safe and everyone knew everyone. Then, when older, marching in the parades either with a band or organization.

There is nothing like that in Atlanta. Too big of a city for such things! Plus, the fire depts. are not volunteers!

Hubby is actually in CT right now. It was an unexpected trip back home for him to say good-bye to a very good friend who passed from a heart attach while mountain biking. He was only 43. We will miss him very much.

Spitting mad

Have you ever gotten so mad that your voice shakes? I hardly ever get that way, but it has happened from time to time I'm embarrassed to say. My blood reaches a boil, thanks to my Italian heritage :o)

Now I feel bad because I told the guy off. Okay, maybe I should start from the beginning....

I purchased tickets for the Atlanta Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" that was held on December 7, 2006.

Since then, the Atlanta Ballet has been soliciting sales for upcoming performances. I receive e-mails quite frequently along with material in the mail. They also started calling me on my cell phone, which is the phone number I provided when I made my original purchase.

THEN, I started receiving calls on our home phone -- which is really my husband's business line. I finally realized someone looked up our published phone number online in an attempt to reach me.

So, just a little while ago, the home phone rings and my husband's answering machine kicks in with his business message. The individual hung up. Immediately afterwards, my cell phone rang.

When I answered, the individual identified himself -- you guessed it, calling on behalf of the Atlanta Ballet. I asked if he just called the other number and hung up. He admitted he did.

I lost it. I told him this is borderline harrassment. I was most angry about his calling the one number, hanging up and calling the second number. I told him our home number is on the do not call list and my cell number should be the only one in their file. I told him I didn't appreciate someone looking up another phone number in an attempt to reach me. I told him I get frequent calls and e-mails. He said he would revise my file to read "do not call." I made it quite clear that I'll order online if and when I'm ready. I think at this point he was visualizing my head spinning!

As it so happens, there is a flyer from them in TODAY's mail. I forgot to mention that to him, but it probably wasn't necessary. I think he got the point.

I'm no longer shaking and should probably delete this but, to keep it real, I'm going to keep the post. Hey, it's only fair to show the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Labor Day/Anniversary weekend

Well it took 4 years, but we finally got up to the No. Georgia mountains... and loved it! I guess, being New Englanders, I shouldn't be surprised that we enjoyed it so.

We rented a cabin for the Labor Day weekend and left when I got home from work Friday night. The first night was spent at a cabin along the river at the base of the mountain. We weren't too thrilled at this, but that was our only option other than to cancel our weekend plans altogether. You see, the cabin we rented had an issue with the well, so we were divereted to this other cabin.

Fortunately, we received a call Saturday morning advising our original cabin was now available. They discovered the well needed a new pump, which got replaced. A much better scenario than the well being dry!

So, we packed up and headed for the mountains for the remainder of our stay. We fell in love with the place instantly, as we walked in the front door. So cozy and warm and inviting. Nicely decorated and homey. It had a wrap-around porch with the back portion screened-in and housing a hot tub.

It was just so calming and serene. We relaxed the rest of the day, drank wine and had ribs for dinner. The first time in many years that hubby had to grill with charcoal! He grilled expertly, and I wasn't the least bit concerned about how anything would turn out!

We woke up Sunday, our 18th wedding anniversary, and headed to the National Forest. We hiked the Flat Creek Loop, a total of 8 miles. Afterwards, we stopped at an orchard and loaded up on apple cider, a small loaf of cinnamon bread, and an apple and cherry turnover. The hot tub did wonders for my aching muscles that evening!!!!!

My (bad) luck with my cameras continues. The battery is dead, therefore, no pics. However, I am able to include pics of the cabin from the website where the cabin rentals are posted...