Pat's Birthday Weekend

The first fete was a delicious Mexican meal at Jennifer's house. Pat recieved a beautiful birthday bouquet and....

.........the "Star" treatment........

Ian and Megan were our host and hostess for the evening and even helped their Mom cook the meal. Thanks you guys....it was perfect!

The Second Birthday Bash....

On Monday night Heather planned a surprise birthday party at the Olive Garden complete with table decor and blowie thingies! Here is the gang that was able to attend.

........the light from the candles was BLINDING!!! .....but the staff quickly sang Happy Birthday...........

..........and Pat was able to extinguish the flames before anybody was injured!!

Community Roots

.......yes.....this is where we live! Life on Pleasant Chapel is actually just down the road from Claylick which is around the corner from Chickenville (woops.....no "e" !) -Hill. These historic photos were provided to me from John Allee, a professional photographer who is part of our now fast developing Licking Valley Heritage Society on which I serve as a trustee. How neat to see these pictures which depict things as I remember them when we first moved here.

This was the last building left standing in Claylick. The sheep belonged to Marie Hickey who donated over 600 acres of ground to what became Black Hand Gorge Nature Preserve. The old lumber mill building stood at the west entrance of what is now the bike trail.

I used to have children attend Toboso from this house at the corner of Rt 668 and Claylick Rd.

........and this gentelman whose name escapes me for the moment could be seen farming his and Marie's land spring, summer and fall. Pat and I attended a meeting yesterday morning that served to kick off the society and lay out plans for a Licking Valley Heritage Learning Center. We feel good to be a part of an effort to preserve and educate people about the rich heritage of our community.

Once Upon A Time In Longaberger Land......

......there was a fair maiden......Salle was her name. She did event planning such as Car Shows, Bridal Shows and then one day.....a Lumberjack Show. One of the lumberjacks who was a world class pole climber fell in love with the fair maiden. After a time of courting he asked me for her hand in marriage and I reluctantly gave him permission. He wisked her off to Mexico for the ceremony and of course Pat and I had to attend to "give her away." While we were there we bought a time share from which we just returned. After marrying her he wisked her away to the Wisconsin north woods where he has kept her in hiding ever since. They had a cute dimpled child and he finally gave in to letting her come back to the place of their meeting to reunite with her friends.

Salle's and my former "boss" joined us for the reuniting......

..........as well as Nancy.....our comrad in arms. All in all we enjoyed reminiscing about the "Good ol days."

....in the parking lot sun you see a boy who looks like his Dad.....but got the dimples of his Mom....

...........and finally.......caused by several communication snaffus.......Kirby arrives.....to reunite with fellow members of the Longaberger Edutainment Department........

.........here..........just as in days of yore.....Salle instructs Kirby on the latest technological development called a cell phone........

..........and also as in days of yore.......side splitting laughter pervades the relationship. Salle points out that the company actually PAID us to carry out Dave's philosophy that "25% of your day should be fun."

A Few Shots Of Our Surroundings....

Our room is the top brown balcony to the left of the top porpoise....

Pat caught these bird shots while relaxing at the beach..

this may be a frigate bird.....

Bare Chest Warning to Beth B and Wes H....

One of the highlights around the pool and playing right into my highly competitive nature was a bool volleyball match......
This should earn me points in the Y fitness challenge!

......yes.....WE WON!

and finally.......

..........here is where this has all eminated from......my little blogging hasienda under the thatched roof pavilion......

............and a parting shot as we prepare to check out and come home to a windchill advisory of MINUS 15 DEGREES.......UUUGGGGHHHH!

Snorkling Today.....

First forgive the fact I had to stoop to the internet for these shots but I didn't take my camera with me. While Pat enjoyed the beach the pool and a massage, I went to Akumal (shown above). I was actually RIGHT HERE...and swam to the reef's in this bay. ....omnly to see sights like these........

...... .....I actually saw fish these colors.....and sea ferns and coral.....(ok.....maybe not a sea horse...but I did see 5 squid!) It is scenes like these that bring me back again and again! As I swim.....I sing.....in my head.....
"Oh Lord my God...do I in AWSOME WONDER.........consider ....ALL....the the WORLDS thy hands have made..."
It's great to snorkle and CONSIDER...this....one of His most awsome and colorful creations!
THEN SINGS MY SOUL.....HOW GREAT THOU ART!!

Our Visit To Chichen Itza

What an eye popping mind extending day this was. We visited an ancient Mayan ruins left from a very complex and highly organized society. I mean....these people could build.....and count. They were mathematical genuses! For example they created a calendar based on 365 day year and were very into the cycles of the moon etc.

.......the main "Pyramid" of the site is built with 4 sets of 91 steps each plus the throne in the top makes 365. Twice a year on the days of the the spring and fall equinox a shadow is cast on this building so that over 20 minutes a snake shadow appears moving from the top to the bottom of the structure. I saw a picture but today was not the day!

......they built comlex buildings, a ball field and recorded their life in petroglyphs all over the place......

............an interesting day to say the least.

Vegetation Here Is Lush And Lovely....