Work, Work, Work (8.31.11)

Now, this is work as we know it.  Can you understand why we can't say no?  Seriously, we teach tomorrow, but, today, we needed to get acclimated to the climate.

True Blue (8.31.11)

After sleeping in (well, sort of) and catching up with old friends at breakfast (all the Visiting Professors here have overlapped at one time or another), we headed for True Blue, the St. George's Medical School campus.  The old and familiar, mixed in with the new, makes for a great reunion for Lloyd.  And, maybe something for his children to aspire to.

Grenada Bound (8.30.11)

Unlike most of our travels, we did not have to wake up (as the kids say) "in the middle of the night" in order to catch our 10:30 AM flight.  By giving us a few hours extra sleep at night, however, we had to sacrifice any lay over time in each airport (including time to find lunch and dinner).  Good thing we had Starbucks for breakfast.  The kids were fantastic, given the circumstances, taking each step as experts.  We flew Memphis to Dallas; Dallas to San Juan; and San Juan to Grenada.  No lost luggage this time, but, the immigration officer made sure we were the last ones off our flight to enter the country.  Geez.

Poor Pepper (August 2011)

You may be wondering what we do to pass the time.  With a new kitten at home, life is exciting.  Especially for Pepper.

Animal Planet (August 2011)

Here's the current count (just because I know you're wondering)...

Let's see, we have 2 dogs (Sadie and Deacon)
2 cats (Rufus and Porter)
1 guinea pig (Pepper)
3 Red Eared Sliders (those are turtles for you non-reptile people) (named Lincoln, he's the boy, Earnestine, and Hazel (the girls))
2 Eastern box turtles (Rosie + if you can count Pete, who was last spotted in the neighbors swimming pool)
1 lizard (Lizardo deVinci... who, we are going to release soon)
Assorted crickets and worms to feed the above,

and, introducing.... Maximus (Max for short)

Someone call Animal Control..........PLEASE! 

CTF Regional Sparring Champion (August 2011)

Grayson had to compete against the reigning National Sparring Champion at the Regional Taekwondo tournament this fall.  Not only did she beat her once, but, she had to win twice in order to take home the current title.  Apparently, according to the defeated girl's father, Grayson is the only gal who's beaten her in the past 2 years! 

BFF (June 2011)

Leigh Anne and her family came to see us at the lake this summer.  It's hard to believe that we've known each other for almost 20 years.   

 I hope Grayson and Maddie know each other even longer.  

Willhite-Watson Family Reunion (6.22.11)

I don't recall ever a year where it rained both Saturday and Sunday of our family reunion, but, it did this year (with the exception of when this picture was taken).  For me, it was not a big disappointment because luckily we had Grayson's sewing machine with us.  I enlisted Jane to help coach me on making curtains for the master bedroom at the lake house.  Additionally, Adelia, Barb, and I must have made 20 headbands for all the girls who didn't have the patience to do it themselves.   Oh, and for those of you with feathers in your hair, mine has lasted for months!  I hear Steve and Phillip took theirs out, but, I hope the rest have remained.   

Grayson's birthday (6.7.11)

Grayson's birthday was spent at the Rhodes pool with just a handful of friends.  Orange sunkist, orange cookies, with an orange sun in the sky. 

Homebound (6.5.11)

Bahamas Air travel may never be the same.  You'd think we were famous, but, I think it was the novelty of a bunch of white guys playin' music in the waiting area before boarding.    

Sittin on the Dock of the Bay (6.5.11)

Sittin' in the mornin' sun

I'll be sittin' when the evening comes...

Our Last Night (6.4.11)

The most beautiful sunset of all was saved for our final night in the Bahamas.  

Friends (6.4.11)

Fowl Cay (6.4.11)

Our neighbor Mark is the C.F.O. for Cummins MidSouth. They make engines. Big ones.  Just around 4pm we made it to Fowl Cay, where we snorkeled around protected reef.   We weren't out long, but, when we returned, our port side  engine (made by Cummins) would not start.  If we were in a sailboat, it might not have been a big deal, but, a power cat with no engine is not going far. Furthermore, we had anchored, and with 150 feet of chain out, hundreds of pounds were holding us to the very spot.  Did I mention that you may not stay overnight on Fowl Cay, or you will pay a $15K fine?  With it only getting later by the minute, the Moorings had to send a few staff to our rescue (who eventually got us up and running).   If only Lloyd could have reached Mark by telephone.   Believe me, he tried!

The Queen (6.4.11)

We snorkeled off the north end of Munjack and found two beautiful queen conchs.  We did not have the heart to do what harvesters had before us, and we left them alive and well.  Other finds included sea urchins, whelk, and starfish.  We thought we might see a sting ray pair, but, not this time.