Some like it HOT!

I just got back from traveling too much for work! But both were great trips, actually. The first was an internal event in Charleston, SC we have been planning since April--at least. It was a trip for about 70 of the employees (located on the east coast) and their families. We had about 130 people there. I must have some kind of sickness, because as stressful as these things are, I still love watching it all come together.
It was also fun to see everyone outside of the normal office setting--with their kids, and to meet some folks I had only emailed with. Everyone seemed to have fun-- but it was HOT in Charleston, even moreso than usual. It was a good thing we had a pool there...

Right before everything got started in Charleston, the first night, I realized I had about an hour. My hair has been driving me crazy (as it does always) and I called the concierge and asked if they could recommend somewhere super close that wouldn't ruin my hair. (I haven't had time to get my hair cut!) Long story short...I got the best haircut I have had in forever. The guy gave me a heart attack because he literally whacked more than a few inches without asking. (he said if he had asked I would have said no, and he knew what was best). Anyway, I am love it--and I always hate my hair. I may have to drive to Charleston every month to get him to cut it...but I can always find a reason to go to Charleston....
I got back late Saturday night and then only a few short hours later, I flew to Phoenix for a tradeshow. With one of my former companies, we used to do a lot of golf events in Phoenix, and I had forgotten how great the resort hotels are there. The one we stayed in-- and where the show took place--put them all to shame. It was unbelievable. AND, it had a Kinkos and a Starbucks INSIDE the hotel, a marketing person's dream!
Seeing the landscape in Phoenix always reminds me of my first trip across the country, when I was moving from Atlanta to California...really starting my career. My favorite part of the drive was through Arizona, the sunsets took my breath away!
All is well here--Baxter had to go to the vet today, but he was great-- he charmed everyone. Our new vet, the nicest man, was cradling Baxter like a baby and cooing at him. Needless to say, Baxter thought this whole vet thing was great! (he didn't even seem to mind his shots). I will post some new pictures of him tomorrow.

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Longing for Paris

I always think about Paris, about being there, but sometimes, I think when I am having stressful days at work, or whatever...I really long to be there more than other times.

I know others feel this way about Paris. For me, the first time I went there, I expected to have the typical tourist's experience, I was very excited. I actually planned the trip a bit last minute, I found myself with vacation time, and an abundance of frequent flyer miles and hotel points. The whole trip was free. I stayed at the Hilton at the base of the Eiffel Tower (literally).

I can't explain it any other way, except to say, it felt like home. It was strange and surprising to me. I felt this connection there...I never planned or thought about that happening. I am a pretty experienced traveler, but even so, I hopped on the subway there with an almost immediate ease, everything was perfect.

Before I left, everyone warned me about the rude Parisians--I never had that experience. Everyone, without exception, from waitstaff to museum staff to strangers I met and asked advice or directions from was lovely to me. One thing that I loved, and was constantly surprised by, was that other tourists kept coming up to me, thinking I was a local and asking for help or directions. It was hilarious to then see their faces when a southern accent popped out! It may have been just since I was traveling alone, I don't know, but it was funny to me even more since I felt so at home. I also had worried because I didn't and don't speak French, but it was never a concern. Everyone speaks English there, and contrary to warnings, no one was angry with me for not speaking French, or for mangling the French I attempted. I do want to learn French, taking a class is on my New Year's resolution list this year. (I am running out of time!)

I can remember so vividly walking the streets feeling as though I had been there before, always somehow. I can't explain. And no, I don't believe in any of that past lives stuff. There is just some connection there. I did make another trip that same year at Christmas, and wondered if it had been just a "first trip" thing. It was not. Christmas was just as magical as May had been.

So, anyway, I long to be there. I have posted a few of my favorite pictures from my trip. (This was back in 2000). I have included some more in the Slide on the right.

Someday...I hope my address reads "Paris, France".

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A Loss for Words

I am sure most of you have heard about the tragedy in Connecticut a little over a week ago. What's so sad, is that since then, it seems that tragedy after tragedy has been on the news every time I turn on the television. The horrible bridge collapse in Minnesota, and a school shooting in NJ this afternoon.

But back to the Connecticut case. If you didn't hear about this, please take a moment to read this article and a little more about what happened. First, to educate yourself about why we need to pass laws to be tougher on repeat offenders (these horrible men had a long criminal history--I have read different numbers, but one of them alone had 26 prior convictions).

Secondly, no matter where you live, I know this sounds simple, and maybe stupid, but lock your doors, and if you have one, USE your alarm. I keep thinking...this family would be alive if they had done either one or both. The criminals entered through an open cellar door.

These two men broke into this home, beat the father (a prominent doctor) unconscious, raped the two daughters, (one 17, one 11), kidnapped the mother, took her to the bank, had her cash a check for $15,000, brought her back home, strangled the mother, left the daughters tied to their beds, and set the house on fire. The girls died of smoke inhalation. The father awoke and was able to escape.

This is so heartbreaking. Keep your loved ones safe.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/28/national/main3107386.shtml

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Home Sweet (new) Home

Well, the big move is over. I have said this to several people...with as many times as I have moved, you would think I would be an expert by now. But somehow, I am getting progressively worse at the whole process. This time was horrible. I was exhausted from traveling with work, I had hurt my back in Chicago, it was all a bit of a nightmare. But, it is finally over and we are slowly settling in.

I love the new place, my stuff looks great-- and this is a great neighborhood. Lilly came out of her carrier growling and hissing and spitting--which I expected, and this time, I was amused. She walked in the kitchen, took a look around-- "spit". Then, onto the dining area--"spit". Into the den--"spit"....and so on and so on. This usually goes on for a week at least, and I am happy to say that she is already calming down. Baxter and Lucy loved it here from the start. But, both Lucy and Lilly have been harder on Baxter since we got here. Baxter is fine, but I hope it all calms down.

I have posted a pic of my new place (more to come) and the cutest picture of Baxter in his new favorite spot--under my big eiffel tower wire sculpture in the den. He actually climbs it-- which is SO cute, but I can never catch him with the camera. I have to before he gets too big!

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Baxter's World

Baxter is growing so fast. These aren't great pictures...I cannot emphasize enough what a little rascal he is and that he is in CONSTANT motion.
His favorite pastimes are:

~Trying (desperately) to catch and destroy the evil ceiling fan. This includes jumping wildly into the air (from the floor) and swatting, hissing and spitting in the general direction of the whirling ceiling fan.

~Playing with the little ball hanging down from the carpet covered cat "tree" (see photo). He LOVES this.

~Attacking Lilly at any and all opportunities. Sometimes the results are good and Lilly joins in, sometimes the results are not as good, and Lilly gets mad. Baxter's reaction is the same either way...POUNCE! (I have included a picture of Lilly on her "roost" where she debates whether to play with Baxter or not).

I have reassured Lilly that she is still my favorite and my baby, and she is doing well. Lucy has been a little grumpy lately, but I think it has more to do with all the traveling I have been doing lately. She has a hard time with that.

The big move is Monday-- and of course, I am nowhere near ready. I hate PACKING and all this crud. But, I had better get back to it.

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The Elephant Sanctuary

Many of you may have seen me forward emails or information in the past about this wonderful place, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. This is a non-profit organization that rescues elephants that have suffered abuse in circuses, zoos, or captivity of some sort. I found out about this group once when I was channel surfing and saw a story about two elephants reunited here--after about 20 years apart (they had once been in a circus together) and they remembered each other!! For anyone that might doubt what they just read, if you see the video, you won't. The staff at the Sanctuary had no idea what was happening--only that the animals knew each other somehow...and then they were able to research and find out their history. It was an incredibly touching video--watching these animals cry out and touch each other. I cried, of course. But the show also highlighted the work that this organization does. Basically, once these elephants are rescued, they get to live free on all this land in Tennessee. It's not a public place, it's all about them. The work they do is wonderful, and the more you read about how some of these animals have suffered, it is horrible.
Their website is below, check it out, they are a fantastic organization!

www.elephants.com

Also, vote for The Elephant Sanctuary on ReZoom:

Final Weeks To Vote!
Rezoom.com's national competition for "A Better World" continues, and if The Elephant Sanctuary can tally the most votes by August 10, we could come away with a valuable $100,000 donation. But we need your help to get there.

Please don't forget to help us compete for this national prize by voting for The Elephant Sanctuary once a day, every day, until the end of the contest. Click here to cast your vote! (Be sure to "log in" in the upper right hand corner of the page, first.) Invite your friends, colleagues and family to join in, too, and help us make it "A Better World" for the elephants!

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