Better version of our Winefest Weekend in Charlotte

This is a better written article of what took place last weekend, Perhaps, I killed a few brain cells, & could'nt recall ALL the details... However, Nothing is wrong with sugar in your Grits!!!!


My View from 30,000 Feet: <s>Winefest</s> Weekend in Charlotte

Black Monday....

Okay, Maybe I'm being a bit Dramatic...

When my alarm went off at Ohhhhhh Dark Thirty, I walked into my kitchen, clicked my favorite appliance to "ON", Took the Izzy Girl out for her morning ritual.. came back into the house waiting for the smell of freshly brewed coffee to hit me in the face...

NOTHING... Hmmmm?

Back into the kitchen, trying to focus.. click click click, NOTHING..
Is it plugged in? Yes? Do I have power? Yes.. I can hear CNN..

The Coffee Machine, She izza broken,,, Under normal conditions this would not be a good way to start any morning...This was not UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS...
This was a Monday, after a "Girls Weekend"...

A packed 48 hours of sheer Girl Fun! NO Boyz allowed!
Which included but not limited too:

-Happy Hour upon arrival
-Catching Up (Gossip)
-Dinner with Drinks
-After dinner drinks
-SLEEP
-Hotel Breakfast
-Make-Up tips
-Prepare for Mall Outing
-Shopping, Shopping & Shopping
-Lunch with drinks
-Shopping, Shopping & Shopping

-Got Matchy ~ Matchy Little Black Dresses
-Mall refreshments (aka wine)
-More Shopping
-COFFEE
-Aqua Massage
-More Shopping
-Phone Mastercard to see how much more I could spend.
-What do you mean the Mall is closing?
-What do you mean we missed Happy Hour?
-PreDinner Wine, Dinner with Wine
-Chick Flick with umm,, you guessed it Wine!!
-0430 Bedtime!!
-Morning coffee (I can't believe we slept thru breakfast)
-Brunch @ Cracker Barrel (Yummy) *Hello Brady*
-Shopping
-Time to go home!

This was our 1st stateside "Girls Weekend", I think all in all it went
very well.. Where will our next adventure be? (I'm pushing for Italy)

-Thanks for the memories "Nett"
**We didn't get in trouble with customs (London) .. We didn't aquire any wine pitchers (Paris).. we didn't have to worry about a Radio Taxi (Argentina)!!

The newest members of our Family! ! ! !

You may think being a Flight Attendant, we're all taken to a secret back room during training to learn to pack the "ultimate suitcase"... Truth be told, We're NOT!!

My education was basically Trial & Error.... If it fits keep it... If it doesn't, Toss it...& you have to be prepared... you NEVER know where you will end up.. Say you are on reserve in January...all you have in your rollerboard are sweaters and long johns, because you have been flying to Canada & the North East.. Yet, On your last day you end up in Miami & it's 85 degrees.. A seasoned Flight attendant would have a swimsuit packed.... RIGHT? It's amazing what a flight attendant can pack in a 21 inch rollerboard. After a year of living out of a Suit Case ,, You some how "Get it".

I tell you that, to tell you this:

This logic has worked pretty well throughout the years... Until..our last cruise. On the shuttle to our hotel we ran into a couple going on the same cruise as us.. the driver hopped out to pull our luggage out of the back, The Better Half and I were amiss... when the driver pulled out 2 tiny suitcases & off the other couple went to check in, then Mr. Driver pulled out our 2 (30 Inch) suitcases, 2 (21 inch) rollerboards & 2 totes... The other couple said "Is that all yours?" Well, YES!! We replied.. & with an inqusitive look on our faces,, We asked "Where is the rest of your luggage?" This is all we brought they said: WOW.. How'd they do that? Understand this was only a 7 day cruise,,,

Time to Down Size: Out with the "30Inch best that Wal-Mart could buy suitcase" & In with the (Drum Roll Please) NEW 26 Incher.. I know what you're thinking... It's only 4 inches? So, does size matter?
Sure it does .. when you're the one who is schelping your suitcase, it is!

In December TBH & I depart for Sydney, Austrilia, with our new 26inchers in tow, We'll be packing for 21 days...Now, just to let you know the way we pack: I "Bundle" & TBH is a "Roller" & if it does'nt fit it Ain't Goin!!!!

Whaaaaaa,,, Don't pack your pants???

see more pwn and owned pictures">

"Princess"... Me? No our Cruise Ship

To Friends & Family: Above you can click on the photo to see the recent cruise to New England & Canada. We hope you enjoy!

I want to be a part of it,,,,

NEW YORK ~ NEW YORK....

What is the quickest way from Columbia, SC to New York City?

Plan A: Drive to Columbia airport, (CAE) No No,,, My airport is closed due to a Lear Jet Crash

Plan B: Drive to Charlotte (CLT) jump on American Eagle & Buzz up there.. No No

Plan C: In CLT, Jump on the US Air flight with the other 21 NonRev's and 16 seats avail.No NoPlan D: Greensboro/Spartenburg (GSO) has flights,,, but if you don't get out you are stuck,,,You are pretty much stuck in GSO..

Plan E: Drive 4 hours to Atlanta (ATL) and fly AA to LGA flight is WIDE OPEN... Rightttt

the flight WAS wide open till the 9:40 flight was cancelled. Okay, Plan E it is,

We hop in the car & 4 hours later PRESTO we are in ATL, 1 hour and 42 minutes later we are in New York! Easy!!!!!

As a NonRev, you are nothing if not creative and flexible! & again, it never hurts to have your bud @ mission control giving you a play by play on were you are on the stand by list!!

This is just New York, wait till December, when are trying to get to Sydney, Australia
You will have to wait for that on a later Blog,,,,

I decided to be brave on this trip to New York and do something I have never done in the

2 years I have been based here.. Well, that and my better half was here to protect me!

Number 1: Ride Subway (That was a hoot) The subways in the UK, Paris or even Germany don't scare me but I've always had this fear of New York City,,,, Everyone, was so helpful & great tour guides,,, "Just take the "N" up two stops & you are there",,, Not one person, not two people, but about 4 times, people standing near could hear our conversation as they solicited advise on how to get to our destinations,,,, Thank Goodness, because as the train zipped past our stop I was a bit confused as to why it didn't stop,,,, "well it is express time, they only stop at every 5th stop, Hop off, Lincoln Plaza & go back to Toidy-doid (33rd)"... Whaaa????? No fear, there was a New Yorker near to help us out!! THANK YOU ,,,NEW YORKERS!!

Number 2: Find & Eat a Black & White Cookie, Which doesn't taste like a cookie at all, more like a soft muffin top, with Black & White Icing,,,, Yum Yum...

Number 3: Eat at the Carnegie Deli:

In the words of Rachael Ray "YUMM-O",,,

Okay, I have to go pack now, we must find our ship,,, More later...Ya'll!!

LiL Ms Diva

I've never met a dog that will pose .... So you can take her photo.... What a little cutie!

MILITARY PERSONNEL SURVIVAL KIT

• LIFESAVER - To remind you that's what you are


• MOUNDS - To remind you of the mound of love & support you have from friends & family


• GUM - To help your unit stick together


• COTTON BALL - To help cushion the rough road


• PIECE OF STRING - When you have come to the end of your rope


• PAPERCLIP - To hold it all together


• HUG - To let you know there is always someone on your side


• KISS - So you will always remember we all love you


• MINT - To remind you that you are worth a mint


• CANDLE - Top light up the darkness


• TOOTSIE ROLL - To help you roll with the punches


• JOLLY RANCHER - To remind you to laugh


• SHINY PENNY - To remind you we each shine in our own way

http://www.bluestarmotherssc.com/

I had the pleasure this weekend to see off some of our Soldiers & Sailors that are being deployed, shake their hand & tell them Thank You, Doesn't seem like enough.. I always feel like I should do more... but what?? I wished the war was over, it isn't... so we drive on...

The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc is a group that every 3 weeks, see off these Soldiers & Sailors with a small, thoughtful bag of goodies called the "Military Survival Kit". . How cute & thoughtful is this gesture.. I just had to blog it!!

Thank You ... Blue Star Mothers, for all you do, I know it means so much too so many folks!

How long can you hold your breath???????

HOW Long can you hold your breath??? ME? NOT VERY LONG...I found out last weekend, when I was strapped to a kayak!!! The instructor asks, "Who wants to learn to ROLL first?" Whaaaaaaaaaa???????? ROLL?? I don't remember seeing anything about being flipped over, while strapped to a little plastic boat....in the brochure....

We reached over and pushed my son Tucker's kayak towards the instructor..."You go 1st Show us how it is done",,, Good thing, he learned to roll, Cuz, spent a good portion of his time in the inverted position... His 1st roll, he pops up coughing up 1/2 the lake,,,

OH Great, I think, there is NO freakin way I'm going to be able to do this,,,

Tucker, did great!!, His Mom, not so much,,, I did ROLL, I did cuss, I mean Cough!!

Then the instructor says "Okay, now I am going to roll you over, I want you to spend some time under the water to get your bearings, when you are ready to come back up, tap the side of the boat & I'll roll you back up",,,,,

Whaaaaaaaaaaa, You want me to what???? Bearing.. Smearings,,, That's okay,I'm good in the upright position...!

The US National Whitewater Center is a fantastic place to spend the day,,, Or the weekend.. It is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

http://www.usnwc.org/

I'll need to go back for a few more classes ... needless to say!

Once you get good, they actually let you out of the kiddie pool ,, where you get to play in the White Water... & ride up on the conveyor belt & do to it all over again... I never got out of the kiddie pool. We had a terrific time, and I actually didn't embarrass myself to much, I really can't wait to go back!

If Kayaking is not your thing, You can Whitewater Raft or Rock Climb, Bike, Hike or just relax and watch the other folks Rooooooooooolllllll

The next day was Carowinds!!

Nothing to top your day, like the NIGHTHAWK Roller coaster...Okay, Picture this you're laying down, going backwards & you're flipped upside down...

Can you say Chiropractor...?

My son and I are usually in different states, he lives in Colorado Springs, today was a fun day to be in different states with him, while he was in North Carolina, I was in the South....

Weekend Warrior my A** !!!!!!!!

I've been on Active Duty now for the past 2 years.... It was supposed to be a 12 month mobilization, When I got my orders ,, it said 545 days... Today, I am officially at my 2 year point & I still have 6 more months to go. . . .

I am what is called a "Weekend Warrior".. That means I serve in the United States Army Reserve.... Reservist work one weekend a month, (That is just a commercial, I work way more than that!!) I am not sure where this term originated from .. I believe it came from the Active Duty side of the house and the term is usually not spoken with the best of intentions.

I love weekend warriors my Daddy is a Weekend Warrior!

I started a new job a few weeks ago when my old job was replaced by a civilian.. I now work in a new office, with new soldiers who are way younger me, I out rank them by a few rockers !!! I was listening (okay eavesdropping) to my new soldiers the other day,,,, as I heard them "Weekend Warrior Bashing",,, I thought it was cute, You know you can gather a lot of information if you just keep your mouth shut, for those of you know me, know this is almost impossible for me to do. I let them go on for awhile so they could dig themselves in a little bit deeper before I decided to inform them their new NCOIC (Noncommissioned Officer In Charge) was indeed a Weekend Warrior............ wished I would of had a camera .. I added a picture that was sort of close to what I saw in their faces!!!!

I have nothing against Active Duty soldiers, I married one, I give Active Duty soldiers all the Kudo's in the world they DESERVE IT!!!!

(Insert National Anthem here)

I too was once an Active Duty Soldier, In my 16 years of military service, 7 of those years have been on Active Duty. Most Active Duty soldiers seem to feel that Weekend Warriors don't pull their fair share ....! I find this can be true with anyone in any field... not just Weekend Warriors!

I schooched my chair into the middle of the room, where I could have a full view of all my brand new baby soldiers... ( I say this because they are younger than my son) When I decided to give them a few facts about their new BOSS, I started off with, Guess what, Ya'll, I'm a Weekend Warrior.... and I am pretty darn proud of it,, The way I see it is,, I have two jobs to fulfill ... One as a Soldier in this fine Army & the other as a Flight Attendant which I adore, I wear 2 uniforms & I wear them both proudly... As a weekend warrior I have to be prepared at any given time to drop what I am doing & go serve our country!! All active duty soldierS have to do is one job, I mean how hard can ONE job be? (Just Kidding)

Being in the Army is not easy, No matter if you are Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard, it is actually hard work...To me being a weekend warrior is even harder, you have to be disciplined all while wearing two hats!
I salute all that wear a uniform & I thank you for all you do!

Love, Your Weekend Warrior

Decisions, Decisions,,,

What to do? .. What to do?... It is time for a Mini-Holiday...

We have decided on the area: New England / Canada

We have decided on the month: September 08

Now we have to decide: Cruise or Drive

My time here in the Army is finally becoming "SHORT" by short I mean .. about 6 months left ..

I actually counted up 93 work days remaining: In the Army you get 2.5 days of vacation a month and you must use them wisely or you have to sell then when you leave, I am not going to SELL MY DAYS OFF! I'm going to take them ... Alot of folks I work with have 30, 40 even 70 days, I can't wrap my head around that,, Why would you not take your leave? There are cruises to be sailed, Safari's to be safaried, Roads to be traveled,,,,

I've found 3 great cruises, 2 on Princess Cruise Lines & one on NCL, I'm leaning towards Princess because it is cheaper & does basically the same cruise as NCL.

OR Do you just fly up, rent a car & drive! My Better half & I love to drive!! Once in Ireland the better half & I had a great itinerary planned, HA HA, that went out the window on day 2... We got in the car that morning, started driving south, In the next city (18 miles away) we decided this is where we were going to spend the night, it was such a lovely town! (Cobh, Ireland)

Anyone, have any advice??

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

No, I'm not talking about a Clint Eastwood movie, I'm talking about Flights, Airline Flights & the stories that Flight Attendants tell ... Now, keep in mind these stores are not made up, They are based on facts... On almost a daily basis some of the strangest things can happen on a flight at any given moment... Some are good, Some are bad & some are just down right Ugly!

Flight Attendants love to tell their stores, usually to other Flight Attendants because we can relate and get an even bigger laugh I mean what else are we going to do on the jump seat... Somethings only flight attendants can find humor in...like hearing a chime and looking at the ceiling, Even if they are not on a plane ..Only another flight attendant can laugh at that. Sort of like Pavlov's rule, we are programmed like that:
Hear a chime & look up..

I was working a flight a few years back, when we had FOOD... We pulled the cart up and started our service at the bulk head in coach, I get to the second row, set down the snack box on each tray table, asked for beverage preference...The gentleman at the window asks for a hot tea, it is easier now to go to the business class galley to get the hot water, rather than all the way back to the coach galley, So off I go, when I return, the passenger in the isle she asks me for a hot tea as well, I turn on my heels and more hot water I get, I return ... when she informs me I didn't give her a snack box, Now I know I did!! I look at the passenger at the window holding his box, I ask didn't I set both boxes down, He says,, "yes you did" and then does the "She is crazy" in sign language ..ya know the index finger going round in circles pointing at his temple.... Ahhhhhhh, now I'm with you..... as he informs me in a bold voice .. I AM NOT WITH HER! I get a few rows down and the flight attendant call light goes off, Guess which seat it is? I go up to her seat & inquire,, "Yes Ma'am what can I do for you",,, She informs me I didn't give her a drink... "Ma'am I gave you a hot tea, do you want something else?"
She swears up and down I missed her, Ok... Let's keep it simple, I missed her,, It has been a long day, It would not be the first time I had missed an entire row or even a passenger, I'm only human right?

What would you like to drink Ma'am?...
What do you have................she asks! (EYE ROLL)


We have Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi,Sprite, Diet Sprite,
"I'll have a coke",,

I'm not done..

I want her to have the entire menu,,,, Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper, Cranberry apple juice, orange juice, tomato juice,,,



I hand her a cup of ice & a coke.... and quickly retreat..


We finish the rest of coach and start with the trash pick up, I get to her row...I pick up all of her trash, (From both snack boxes) and move out quickly... 15 minutes later "BOING".....
( I look at the ceiling) Her call light goes off, I look at another Flight Attendant and say it is your turn....She became very busy! Off I go, When Ms. Isle Passenger informs me I DIDN'T GIVE HER ... HER COKE..... I walk to the business class galley, got a glass of water, set it on her tray table ... She looks at me and she said ,, "I didn't ask for that",,, I said "Yes, you did, Don't you remember ? You said you had to take your medicine?"

Momma is always right ! !

Your mother is always right, (My Mom is laughing right now) when she told you to always wear clean panties!!??!! Why you ask.. Okay I'll tell ya, At 2:15pm this afternoon I was taken to the emergency room.. Yes Yes, I'm okay. I had a small minor glitch from my Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication.. I found myself not being able to breath correctly this afternoon, due to a gas bubble the size of a cantaloupe pressing against my lung and forcing me to fight for every breath! Freaked me out a bit...The doctor wanted me to "Burp" something that people with the Nissen just can't do!! Here were my choices..A hose down my nose to my stomach or some kind Mack Daddy Mylanta drug,

Not to hard to figure out which one I picked..

I tell you that story to tell you this one...

It was 8 weeks ago yesterday since my Nissen surgery,, I am HAPPY to report that my "Purple Pills" are collecting dust, & I've had ZERO Heartburn.. Happy Happy Joy Joy

I digress, Last night I was showing off the scars to the Better Half, When, in his infinite wisdom he pulled out a Sharpie permanent marker and began to connect the dots (aka scars) He drew a chicken.. IN RED~!

As the picture shows, that permanent marker is not so permanent, above are my 600 thread count sheets I woke up to this morning..

Well, I did my best to wash my chicken off..AND the chicken was still there!! ARGH, I didn't have alot of time this morning as it was 0445 ...so I threw on my clean undies & off to work I went, Can you guess where the rest of the chicken ended up? ON MY PANTIES! Here I sit in the emergency room trying to force air into my lungs, in pain, scared & here sits the emergency room doctor trying not to let me see the tears in his eyes from laughter!

Ode to a friend...

Think about this for a minute...

If I happened to show up on your door step crying,Would you Care?

If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened,Would you come?

If I had one day left, to live my life;Would you be part of That last day?

If I needed a shoulder to cry on,Would you give me Yours?

Your aspiration is your motivation, your motivation is your belief,Your belief is your peace, your peace is your target,Your target is heaven, and life is like hell without FRIENDS.

Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth...AMEN..!!

I was sent this in an email the other day: It got me to thinking ... Am I a good friend? I don't actually have that many friends, So I'd like to think if and when a friend needed me, Would I be there for them? I got a chance to find out.. One of my bestests friends called me the other day.. She and I don't get to see each other very often... Yet, we share mostly everything.. Usually over a Gaiii ~ normous glass of wine and a pretty lengthy phone call...

We were starting our second glass that evening, when she shared with me something that shook me to the core...she found a lump.....

As I heard the words leave her mouth, I felt my heart stop for a second... My first instinct was to get on a plane and go put my arms around her. . . I let her talk as I gathered my thoughts ...only thing out of my mouth when I could speak was "WELL THIS JUST SUCKS!!" her laugh let me know she and I were on the same wave length.

:Understand this is my friend and all friends handle

LOVE, LAUGHTER, STRESS, HAPPINESS & DEATH

in their own way . . . . THIS IS OURS:

She and I began to plot her final voyage ... "Where should we go?"I say

"It has to have wine" She says!... (DUH)

"United States or International" I say

"Italy" She says!

"I'm scared my hair is going to fall out" She says

"Then we will both buy wigs" I say

"I don't remember my real hair color" She says!..

I laugh. . . . . . .

Trust me when I say, I am not making light of death ... We are all going to die of something someday... This is my friend & This is how we are going to deal with it..

My friend went to the Doctor, Everything is fine!! I hope my friend knows I will always be there for her when she needs me!

Izzy takes a Holiday! !

Even your four legged furry family members need a holiday too... Right?

Over the 4th of July, Izzy was the guest of Camp Bow Wow Columbia SC http://www.campbowwow.com/us/sc/columbia

We have searched for a long time to find a place that I would not feel guilty for boarding my loved one (yes I know she is a dog) but she is my Baby!! And, At Camp BowWow they understand this!!!!

Nine out of ten times.... when we go anywhere,

We fly Izzy to Granny & Grampy's house!

Nothing can come close to having your baby with her

Grandparents (so they can spoil her) while you are off gallivanting around the country...

However, We have found a home away from home for Izzy..

At Camp Bow Wow they just know what it is that Mom's and Dad's

yearn for, for their pets... This is truly where a Dog can be a Dog...

you are free to sneak a peak at your baby via the web cam during playtime..

(Picture below: Via web cam "Izzy & a few friends")

(Yes, my baby is in that group, being bossy I'm sure)

We got to set up her own area.. When I had questions about how she was doing, an Email was never far behind, Telling me about her day and who she was playing with.

Who would not love this? I knew she was in good hands.. and that makes me happy!

Miss Independent heading to the play ground, That is okay, there is a Web

cam out there too...

Coffee, Tea...?? No, No ..Beer or Wine...

Okay,,We can honestly say we had a "Taste" of Canada, Eh,, "This is okay, what else ya got??"

This was my Favorite... "Steam Whistle" made in Toronto, Canada (YUM)

Favorite Wine: Sawmill Creek "Shiraz/Cabernet" Niagara Falls Region

Two new items we tried @ Greektown.

Taramosalata: A spread of red caviar, extra virgin Olive oil & lemon.

Tirokafteri: Spicy crumbled feta spread.

JB's favorite was Alexander Keith's Beer from Nova Scotia Canada!

Happy 4th of July...Ehh!!

A Co-Worker of mine asked:

" Why are you going to Canada for the 4th of July..?, They don't have a 4th of July there" Sure Canadians have a 4th, and a 5th and a 6th!!...


There are currently six proposals for towers whose final heights are to exceed the CN Tower's,[15] four of which are currently under construction. At the forefront is the Burj Dubai which surpassed the CN Tower in height in September 2007. The developers of Burj Dubai have kept the final planned height and number of stories a secret, but they have announced that it would stop somewhere above 2,684 feet (818.1 m). In North America, the Chicago Spire's height is currently planned to exceed CN Tower's height, currently planned at 2,000 feet (609.6 m).[16] The Freedom Tower, which is under construction in New York City, is expected to be 12 m (39 ft) shorter in order to make the tower 1776 feet tall (1776 being the year that the United States declared independence).
Two other structures, the Russia Tower being built in Moscow, Russia, and the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower, being built in Guangzhou, China, are also expected to be taller that the CN Tower when completed, with the structures having expected final heights of 612 m (2,008 ft) and 610 m (2,001 ft), respectively.




Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is the World's Tallest Building and Free-Standing Structure, an important telecommunications hub, and the centre of tourism in Toronto. Each year, approximately 2 million people visit the World's Tallest Building to take in the breathtaking view and enjoy all of the attractions the CN Tower has to offer.





























JB, Loved his "View from UP here" Planning his approach on that Airport below him!




















Hard to tell, but I'm on a GLASS Floor, 147 stories up... I figure if I fell, I'd have what.. 30 or 40 seconds to live.... The gentleman standing next to me laughed and said, "Nope, I'm guessing about 10 seconds till your heart gives out",, I think he is right!!!!!

New To Me...

I've never seen this before, The hotel we are staying in Recycles!!

Mother Earth. . . Just has to love this I know I do!

Toronto or BUST...!.!.!

There you are...You sneak out of work just a little bit early....So you can begin your 4 day pass over the 4th of July weekend,,, Karma man Karma...

It was supposed to be a relatively short trip..

Charlotte (CLT) to Chicago (ORD)..1:47 minutes

Chicago (ORD) to Toronto, Canada (YYZ)..1:10 Minutes..

YEAH RIGHT...

We boarded in CLT ..got comfy .. left the gate "early"..started meandering through the traffic heading towards the runway....

In the corner of my eye, I saw a bunch of planes lined up in what we call "TIME OUT",, never a good sign, usually means weather somewhere...I laughed and said "poor babies".... then you hear IT..... Engines OFF....

Insert CUSS WORD HERE____________!!!!! Then the proverbial...

(Note: if you are a FA or a Frequent Flier, You know what I am about to say):

"""Uhhhhhhhhh,,,,,folks ....This is your Captain speaking....Uhhhhh we are gonna have to sit here for UUUhhhhh a bit...and wait for the uhhhh weather to clear in Uhhhhh Chicago, Sorry about the Uhhhh Delay".. blah blah blah.....

WE WAIT our 60 minutes... THEN..."Well, uhhhhhhhhh folks,,,, This is your captain again......Uhhhhhhhhhh we have just been informed by FAA, They just closed CHICAGO (how can you close Chicago?) Uhhhhhhhhhh we are going to have to return to the gate (insert another cuss word here) ...... 35 minutes later we were on our way..... Chicago, there it is... We didn't miss our flight to YYZ, because it to was delayed 900pm to 930pm to 949pm to 1000 to 1024.. okay, late but we board,,, FIRST CLASS thank you very much.. nice treat at the end of our long day..... 1:10 flight.. Up and Down, Easy Peasie....Yup indeedy.... NOT.... You can guess what happens now, the same storm that had CLOSED ORD, just closed YYZ.... We get to the hotel @ 0347... 12 hours LATER!!!

Don't want to serve your country....... DO NOT JOIN!!!

Opinions mixed about soldier's refusal to report

FORT JACKSON, SC (WIS) - For some, joining the military is not only a contract with the government, but a contract with honor.
Sgt. Matthis Chiroux was to report the Individual Ready Reserve last Sunday at Fort Jackson, but he refused. It's a decision that has made headlines around the world, and a decision that has sparked the opinions of many of his fellow soldiers.

Master Sgt. Gary has been vocal about what he thinks.:

"My father always taught me that a handshake was a man's honor and signing on the dotted line is equivalent to a hand shake and so if they made the commitment, I believe they should honor it and if they didn't, quite frankly I question them as a man," MSG Gary said.
When it comes to a soldier who doesn't complete a military contract, MSG Gary disagrees with Chiroux's choice.
"I really think that they're subject to the punishment that the military law stipulates because they signed a contract," MSG Gary said.
Other reservists, like Specialist Joshua Nole, don't agree with Chiroux's decision, but he understands.
"Up until a couple of years ago, military really never used IRR and told you when you sign a contract, don't really worry about it, you're not going to get called up," Nolze said. "Nowadays, it's a different story, different world. You're getting called up and it's something you've got to think about before you sign up."

As a soldier, you always sign at least an eight year contract. Most spend at least two of those years serving active duty with the remainder of the contract spent in some form of the reserves - mostly the IRR.

*********************************************************************************

Here are my comments:

Mr. Chiroux…

You are a sad piece of work & little boy with No honor. Let me guess.. You graduated High School & you wanted to go to college, you needed money, you thought to yourself…I will let Uncle Sam pay for my way thru college…. When you VOLUNTEERED for the military, did you not think,,, you’d be called upon to serve your country??? I wished spineless folks like you could be deported.. Or at least loose your US Citizenship.

You are going to Washington to solicit support from Congress? Why should they help you? That same war that you are claiming is illegal occupation, THIS CONGRESS voted on & approved! Maybe Mr. Obama can help you, since he is so patriotic.

When you signed on the dotted line, you sign on for an 8 year commitment, This applies to every soul that VOLUNTEERS to come in the military. Hence NO DRAFT! Nobody
forced you… Please don’t come to Fort Jackson…. I want you to receive an
DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE.. You deserve that!!!

For all of you who agree with this fool, Think about this… He could of stayed in Alabama, NOT Joined the Military…and lived his life in peace in this great country
Worked his 9 to 5 job, gotten married had his 2.5 kids. Mr. Chiroux is a coward
and looking for publicity and sympathy… None of which he will get here at
Fort Jackson… Home of PROUD SOLDIERS!!!!!!

** Don’t want to serve your country… Here is a clue… DO NOT JOIN!!!!!**

Sergeant First Class US Army

SEX PACKAGE ! !! !??! !!

You just can't make this stuff up....

In our search for a Hotel Package over the 4th of July weekend, Off to the Internet we go.. We found some spectacular packages ranging from the normal....

Spa, Zoo, & the ubiquitous Bed & Breakfast Packages.

However, this one caught our eye a (Drum Roll please) A "SEX" Package!!!!!!!

Well, sign us up!!!! Come to think of it, We'll take 2....

Next time you are in Toronto, Canada

Stay at the Old Mill Inn & Spa http://www.oldmilltoronto.com/

Disclaimer: The Old Mill Inn is celebrating romance with a complimentary upgrade! Enjoy a romantic evening of dinner and dancing, then wake up to a cozy breakfast in bed. Includes choice of chocolate dipped strawberries, Belgian chocolates, rose petals or spa gift.

Okay, so it is just normal romance package, but it got your attention ,,,HUH??