Family Visit-Expect the Unexpected with Us!!!

Wow I am behind in my posts to say the least. We arrived in Hendersonville, NC early Tuesday afternoon-to my cousin Patricia's (and husband Steve's) home where my aunt Kay lives. Of course the minute she heard the rig turn the corner she was out waving on the lawn. That first hug felt like a warm soft homemade quilt and was so full of love and emotion. Today she turns 85 years old, she sure doesn't look or act it. 

Aunt Kay and I

To just offer a wee bit of history-she is my dad's sister (he passed suddenly at the age of 57) had only one brother (my dad who was the oldest of the family) and she had 7 younger sisters. And my gram passed away suddenly when she was 13 and my dad was 14. My gram was also 8 months pregnant at the time. She is the only surviving Aunt-the others are all gone. She met me when I was very little but I have no recollection of ever meeting her-so this was one very special visit in my heart. Needless to say I had a lot of historical questions and she had all the answers. I would just sit and drink her in at times. The visit was a great success and it was hard to leave. I had never met her children-and Patricia is a darling as is her husband-and I met their daughter and grandchildren also.

Aunt Kay and her beautiful daughter Pat

Aunt Kay and her great grandson Samuel

Alicia (Pat's daughter) with her daughter Ameila

Darling Ameila

Handsome Samuel

While in the area we visited the Biltmore Estate..what a place that was. 

Very very interesting estate...a lot of History there for sure. The Vanderbilts sure knew how to build a home. We got to tour the total inside which was very very interesting. At one time they had upwards of 40 servants who were treated very well.
On Friday:
We said our sad goodbyes to Aunt Kay and Family, and motored onto Shelby NC to visit with friends Cathy and Brent. We have been having a blast ever since. They hosted a party on Saturday evening and it was great fun. What a great bunch of people-I think I got to bed at 3:30am. Sunday morning we had a big breakfast with C&B and another friend who spent the night ..Gary. Gary is a corporate pilot for a big corporation. He took us on a tour of the hangers and planes that he flies. Rick was mighty impressed..we then all went to Gary's for a wonderful supper.

Global by Bombardier-Gary and Rick

Nice private Plane

Checking things out under the plane

A sofa in the plane-makes into a bed

Co-Pilot

Pilot :)

Gary and Rick

Look Honey a sofa in case I have too many cocktails

Needless to say we were quite impressed! Gary has a wonderful life/Job and has travelled the globe. Tomorrow he leaves for Germany. Now thats the way to live.


Hey folks meet McDuff-when I was in the breeding showing and raising of golden retrievers McDuff is from two of my special show stock. Josie and Mac..McDuff lives with our friends Cathy and Brent in NC-he will be 14 this Nov.10th. What a boy-he has been everything from a hospital sitter, and a certified therapy dog to a teacher. He helped children who were at risk of failing the grade 1 school year due to the lack of reading skills-he performed a one on one in a non judgemental environment with each child to help build confidence. What an amazing boy and how proud he has made us his breeders, and Cathy and Brent his owners, and he has proven to us what a wonderful blood line we produced and perfected. Mind you he has had very special owners, who worked with him and trained him.

Mr. Wonderful-McDuff

So as you can all see we have been busy. It has been a wonderful past few months of travelling and visiting. I have been staying in touch with you all reading your blogs. Some of you are home, some are on their way home and some are packing up to get ready to head home. We will be doing the same. We plan to be home in NB by the 3rd week in April.


Thanks for stopping by, I know this has been a long blog-but I had quite a bit to cram into it-and for that I apologize. 


Be safe out there and remember


"Home is where you Park it"