Off We Go!

We are in our way to New Jersey! First leg, a 40 minute

drive to Hollis where we will catch the ferry.

Next, a 3 hour boat ride to Ketchikan...

Walking to the mall in KTN for some McDonalds!

Lovin' our Happy Meals!

Waiting for the bus to take us to the airport because

the whiny babies won't walk it with me!

Another boat ride!

This one only takes about 3 minutes. We have to get

over to Gravina Island where the airport is located.

(This is the site of one of the 'bridges to nowhere'.)

Ketchikan International Airport! Big, huh?!

Our plane arrives!!

We are loaded up for the 90 minute flight to Seattle.

Resting up at the hotel before heading back to SeaTac!

4 1/2 hour flight to Newark...getting excited!!

Flying during the day when the weather is decent

allows for some cool views of our country!

We think this is Lake Superior...we are probably wrong!

Beautiful countryside...

Fuel Tanks & smoke stacks...must be getting close!!

A bridge...Goethels, I think...!!

Lower Manhattan!!

35 hours after we left home...

NONNA!!!!

Resting up at a scenic overlook in the Garden State!

So good to be back...

Five Months, Still Painful

Any time now, the ache will start to ease...right?!

How can I miss a damn dog so much?

There Be Whales Here, Captain

The absolute best part of my fishing trip was getting pictures of whales. Here are my best shots:

I hate to brag but, WOW!!

I Caught My First Fish!

For my birthday, my friends Nani & Scott invited me out to their fishing lodge, El Capitan Lodge, for a day of fun-filled fishing! I have lived on this island for 14 years and have never been out fishing. Apparently, that is a degree of sin! I had a fantastic time and, if you like fishing, I recommend you check out their website and come on up!! http://elcapitanlodge.com/index.html

As you can see by the smile on my face, I have no

clue how tiring it is to spend 8 hours on a boat!

Of course, we had gorgeous weather for our expedition...NOT!

(To be honest, it cleared up at noon but that's not as good for the story!)

I can't even begin to tell you how exciting it is to
stand in the back of a boat and wait for a fish!

I am luckier than most, I have a way cute fishing buddy

(who hardly got aggravated with me at all!).

I caught my first fish!! It wasn't an edible fish,

but I was still very proud!

I caught 3 of these blackies and we had them for

dinner on my birthday. They were yummy!!

Beautiful, Stylish Girls!

Yesterday I thought my girls were as beautiful as they could be...boy, was I wrong! They both got haircuts today and they are even more gorgeous than they were before!

I need to say a quick thanks to Debra for being so patient with my camera and my attempts at humor...she was a great sport and still managed to give them beautiful cuts!

Savana's Haircut

Brynna's Haircut

I Miss My Dog!

My silly dog has been gone 4 months today and I still glance around looking for her daily. I miss her most after dinner when it is time to do the dishes...she was the best pre-washer ever. There was barely any enamel left on the plates when she was done cleaning them!

Here she is doing her absolute favorite thing in the whole world, riding in the boat with the ocean spray hitting her in the face...

I truly miss you, co-yo :(

God's Gift To Us Last Tuesday!

Sometimes the view out my window takes my breath away...it's a nice departure from the wind and rain that usually takes my breath away!

Times, They Are A' Changing!

Any of you recognize this kid?

No?

Me neither!

My Brynna would not step within 5 yards of a fish shop, much less stick her fingers inside a fish to see what's going on in there! She is growing up on us, that's for sure. Now if I could just get her to look at the camera!!

Holding the egg sac:

Look, an icky treasure!

Happy St. Pat's

Two men were sitting next to each other at a bar. After a while, one guy looks at the other and says, "I can't help but think, from listening to you, that you're from Ireland .

"The other guy responds proudly, "Yes, that I am!"

The first guy says, "So am I! And where about from Ireland might you be?"

The other guy answers, "I'm from Dublin, I am."

The first guy responds, "Sure and begorrah, and so am I! And what street did you live on in Dublin?"

The other guy says, "A lovely little area it was. I lived on McCleary Street in the old central part of town."

The first guy says, "Faith & it's a small world, so did I! So did I!! And to what school would you have been going?"

The other guy answers, "Well now, I went to St. Mary's of course."

The first guy gets really excited and says, "And so did I. Tell me, what year did you graduate?"

The other guy answers, "Well, now, let's see, I graduated in 1964."

The first guy exclaims, "The Good Lord must be smiling down upon us! I can hardly believe our good luck at winding up in the same bar tonight. Can you believe it, I graduated from St. Mary's in 1964 my own self."

About this time, Tom walks into the bar, sits down, and orders a beer. Brian, the bartender, walks over to Tom, shakes his head & mutters, "It's going to be a long night tonight!!!!"

Tom asks, "Why do you say that, Brian?"

"The Murphy twins are drunk again."

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY! :-)

Are You Kidding Me?!

Today, for the 1st time in my entire life, I am embarrassed to be from Ohio! What were my people thinking? Come on, Buckeyes ... she's icky!

In Loving Memory - Coti

Today I lost the truest & dearest friend I've ever had...Coti, thank you for 15 years and 3 months of joy and love...I will feel your presence and your absence forever!