IT'S A BOY (Number 1.....Number 2 still on the way)

He is here....and I am one happy Nanny!

This week on Wednesday morning, very, very early, James Clifford Barrow made his appearance a full 4 weeks early....weighing in at 7 pounds, 1.5 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long, he is a healthy, beautiful child. Both Mom and Baby are doing great and are now at home.

I have come to stay with them to see if I can help out for a few days....and to get some special time with my newest grandson.

The next grandson is due on November 30. Wonder if he will be this early too? Maybe he'll be here in time for Thanksgiving Turkey? (Reminds me of an old joke...."What's Brown?" ............Roasted Turkey) LOL

This is such a wonderful life.......ain't Life Grand?

Hot fun in the Summertime!

I don't know where YOU might be, but rest assured, in the deep south it has been H-O-T for the past few weeks.


But we don't let that stop us from still having summertime fun. At least 3-4 times a weeks we head out on the power boat for a ritual "creek cruise" with Maggie. We frequent the Tiki Bar whenever we can stand the heat....or can't...LOL. We have ridden our motorcycles more this summer than ever. And the topper thus far....................this week I got a Dyson14 Animal vacuum cleaner!!!!!!!!


I tell you, it is disgusting to see just how much that thing can pick up in your home. I knew we had lots of pet hair around, but not to this extent. After just the first trip around the house there was at LEAST 1/2 an animal in the canister. If you haven't tried one, be warned "they ain't cheap", but I am sold, thus far.


Jenny and David had to postpone their trip here due to some work conflicts. But, we are still looking forward to seeing them in a couple of weeks. Jenny seems to be progressing well with her pregnancy and is getting just as cute and chunky as ever. . . take a look!





Chris and Kerry and family all seem to be back on the road to getting better, after Alexis went thru a terrible reaction to some medication. And poor Chris, he had to go on a company seminar all the was to Hawaii, poor guy. But he is back home and safe now.


The next few months should be wild.....Kerry due in early September and Jenny in late November...can you tell I am preoccupied?




Well, gotta' run, I think Maggie just got up off the carpet and I need to vacuum.....................

WOW, was that a B-L-A-S-T!!!

As planned, we took our trip "up north".... on the bikes!

As usual, Donald had everything planned to a "T"... always the nicest and sweetest places to visit and stay.

Day 1, we made it into Williamsburg, VA in spite of the traffic. We stayed at the Williamsburg Hospitality House in the heart of the old area and had delightfully relaxing dinner at the bar in their dining room. The room was cool, big, and very clean! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Day 2, up and out by 9:00'ish and we arrived at David and Jenny's around 1:00....out for a quick bite to eat, then back to get ready for the BBQ. The guests began arriving shortly after 4 p.m. and it was so much fun getting to meet David's mom, sister, aunt and uncle finally. His dad was working so he missed the fun. Jenny prepared some great dishes and David really knows how to cook on a grill! Everyone seemed to have a good time. After everyone left we set up until midnite just chatting...then off to bed in the newly remodeled guest room.

Day 3, left Jenny and David's around noon and headed up to Annapolis, MD. It was hot as snot! We walked around the waterfront area to a restaurant on the other side of the harbor, had a great lunch and beer....walked back and headed out on the bikes. We rode down the eastern shore area just past the little town of St. Michaels. A quaint little warf down a long one lane path, with about 8 rooms and a cute tiki bar was our next stop. We checked into our room, hung out a the tiki bar for awhile enjoying the view over the water and listening to the one man band, then back on the bikes and into St. Michaels for dinner. We found an outdoor restaurant on the waterfront, and ate at their tiki bar...quite good. Back on the bikes and back to the motel.

Day 4, I was beginning to get "bikers butt" and really was about ready to head home, so we did. From about 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. is a bit long for me to be riding. We did stop frequently for gas, water, and stretching...AND I rode thru the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.....but it was a long day.......and I would do it again tomorrow!!!!!

What a wonderful trip....seeing things, riding on the road, and oh that tunnel! Now, if I could just get over the biker's butt and throttle wrist...."Donald, will you get me a glass of wine and 2 Advil?"

Life is STILL Grand!

At the INSTISTANCE of my daughter, I am bloggin' again!

There are so many cool things going on.

Chris, Kerry, Kyle and Alexis came down for a visit a few weeks ago. While it was a short stay, we had a great time...mostly just visiting and enjoying the children.

The next week, Kyle came back for a week long stay. He arrived by train and seemed to have weathered his first REAL solo trip just fine. He had just received a new cell phone from his dad in England and enjoyed having this to travel with....and make a few "check in" calls to his mom.We enjoyed our week together, especially going to see the new Batman movie! (I highly recommend it.) Each afternoon we either went for a boat ride or to the pool. Maggie really had fun playing with Kyle.....and misses him a lot. At the end of the week I took him back to the train and safely got him off. Oh yea, did I mention I forgot to give him his ticket when he boarded! When I got to my car, I noticed it still had it in my hand. I quickly ran back in and told the ticket agent. He took the ticket, assured me it would be OK, and that he would give it to the conductor the next day when the train came back thru. I called Kyle on his new cell phone to let him know what had happened....and after a few conversations with the conductor....we got it all straight.
Kyle arrived home to find his birthday present from me......a new pool for him. Not all that big, but he called and said he really liked it. Sure hope he enjoys it this summer. Also, Alexis will have a birthday soon too......they are growing up toooooooo fast.

Speaking of children, both of my 2 soon to be grandchildren seem to be coming along nicely. The latest reports from Jenny and Kerry indicate they are doing well and the pregnancies are progressing as scheduled. How lucky can I be.....2 new ones just a few months apart.
Donald and I are planning a trip to see David and Jenny for their upcoming BBQ. We will be riding our bikes up and then traveling on to Annapolis, MD, down the coast and the Outer Banks and them home. Should spend about 2-3 nites on the road. It will be a blast!!!!!! Reports to follow.................

Life is GRAND

Well, my first post....or blog....or whatever I am supposed to call this. My technically excellent daughter and her husband started doing this "blogging" thing, and my technically excellent son does who knows what all day long on a computer....so I thought it was time for me to spread out and try this too!

I must say, there cannot be a happier person in the entire world right now. . . . aside from winning the lottery, everything (and I mean everything) in my life is going GRAND!

In the past 8 months I have:

1. moved into a wonderful house on the water in Oriental.......akin to dying and going to heaven
2. share this lovely home with the most wonderful man in the world and a loving kitty and very active black lab
3. learned I would be a "nanny" again in early September (having already been blessed with 2 other lovely grandchildren....Kyle and Alexis)
4. learned I would be a "nanny" AGAIN in late November
5. FINALLY got my newest addition.....a new son-in-law.....I couldn't have asked for a better one, either

Summer is coming up and I am hoping to spend lots of time enjoying my new house, my man, my children, and my grandchildren. Now I ask you, "Isn't life GRAND?"