Facebook has replaced my blog????

Hello friends!

When I first started blogging, I was not on FB.  Now it seems that it has taken the place of it, which I find sad in a way.  I just noticed that it has been a long, long, time since I posted anything, so just a quick update!  We are back in Brentwood, Tn. for our holiday time of year.  I have to admit that the weather is a bit dreary quite often!  So I am going to post one picture of a happy activity here in TN.

Cancun Mexico

Barb and I met in college as newly weds and have been friends ever since.

Ray and Richard, two long time buddies.

The Royal Mayan is a beautiful resort. We love to stay here.

Our good friends Barb and Rich have shared their place with us for years.

Amazing sunset at LaHabuchuela Restaurant where we had dinner outside and watched the sun go down. Aaaahhhhh!

Had a wonderful trip to Cancun for two weeks with our dear friends, Barb and Rich.

Hey Friends! Where've you been? Where've I been? It's been a fairly quiet winter here in Tenn. and we have been staying busy catching up with friends and family. All has been well. We went to visit Barb and Rich in Michigan and they had a BLIZZARD while we were there!!! They just had a new baby by the way. Well Justin and Jamie did, it's grandparent time again for Barb and Rich. Can they handle two???? I think not. but we'll see! ha. Liam Drake was born Friday, March 25, 2011. I'm uploading a couple pics to show you what I mean about the Michigan weather. Barb is the beautiful blonde in the pic and Nancy is a beautiful brunette.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Happy New Year everybody! Here we are about to leave for our New Year's Eve celebration at the grand reopening of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center as guest of Alan and Cathy Umstead. The symphony center sustained 42 million dollars worth of damage by the 1000 year flood that hit TN this summer, but looked beautiful after the renovation! Our favorite thing of the evening was hearing Itzhak Perlman, a world famous violinist for which the score of "Shindler's List" was written. He was amazingly wonderful and has performed for the Queen and at the Inauguration of President Obama. And we got to hear him!! At the conclusion of the evening we were served champaign and desert to ring in the new year.

Cathy, Lili and me toasting the new year! Happy 2011!!

Ray, Alan Umstead, Lili's husband and son!

Having camera troubles because I couldn't see the settings...(left my glasses at home) It's hard to believe how rainy and windy it was, but doesn't show up in the pic.

Let's have a fireside chat

Ok, here's the deal....it's COLD in Tennessee!!! But it is fun to sit by the fire and dream of Hawaii and the sunsets, walks on the beach, riding in the jeep, dinner and fun with good friends, and playing in the water, reading good books...oh, I can do that here...the part about reading good books. So it is fun to have the best of both! Just found out that Rush and Sheenu will be moving to New York next year, so gone will be our stopover, but lots of fun in store visiting them there!

Oh the memories when these guys were little!!!! Pictured are Rush, Daniel Askew, Jay Freeman, Me, Colin Martin, Scott Finley, Daniel Askew, and Chad.

Rush turned 30 this year and we celebrated with a surprise party at Kobe Steaks with 17 friends. Great time....all his childhood buddies came! Plus Carol and David Wood. We had a fantastic time.

Hello Everybody!!!! We've been home awhile now and thought I'd post a couple pictures. Maybe even a video. The boys have been home for Thanksgiving and Sheenu joined us this year to make it a real treat! Ahhhhh to have another woman in the house! We celebrated with good food and lots of fires and of course, football! So here's a couple pics to see what's been going on.

Time to PACK

Ray says I've bought too much.

This ONE time he could be right...

I have purchased a couple things.

But some of it was for him.

I'm calling this his!!!

Horsing around after dinner with Ray's cigar. Mama would not like this!

Ready for dinner, Italian, of course!

Taking a cigar break in Waikiki.

Getting mail! Thanks Jules!!
I think Ray is lookin' good with his new haircut which has been growning for 3 weeks!

Ray's haircut

Ray can't be trusted to go for a haircut alone. He told me he didn't want me to tag along like his mom, so I said, "o...kay...
I had to laugh so hard, because I know he likes his hair quite a bit longer. He looks ready for the military. Now you may be thinking, it looks good, but it has been growing out for 3 weeks and we had to put sunscreen on his neck. It's the back that is so short! I told him he'd been acting "mean" since his new cut!! That's what he gets for making fun of Steve, my former stylist who is now working at Home Depot!

City happenings!

Living in the city is so much fun and sooooo entertaining! While sitting on the couch reading a book, I happened to glance up and see this guy. And I'm afraid to stand near the rail of our balcony!!!!

So you think your job is stressful???

A couple weeks ago we saw some unusual activity near us on the beach! No, he is not here because Ray is wearing a Speedo! We were very curious about what was in the container, as believe it or not, I was not paying attention and missed the most interesting part...where the object was actually loaded in the drum!!!

Anyway, here they go and you could tell it was very heavy by the way they were struggling with it.

They sure had a lot of protective gear on!!!

I looked on line for the news and there was something about a dead sea turtle. So maybe that's what it was. We didn't smell anything though!

Come back Jules!!!!

We were at a beach near filming of Pirates of the Carribean and thought we'd ride over to take a look! It's such a cool thing to see!! Johnny Dep had been there to film a night scene and was going to be there later this evening, but they were very vague as to the time.

Amazing amount of equipment around the ship!

At this point we were some distance away. See the ship in the background.

Staff standing guard so no one gets too close!

We walked over to the pier to get a really close shot. It's a HUGE ship that is over some sort of naval vessel and is towed into position.

Sorry we didn't see Johnny Dep! Maybe next time! :)

ISLAND HAPPENINGS

Fun happening all over the island.... We have made so many great new friends and everyday is a blast..Been busy of late so I thought I would post a few photos...We are looking forward to Betsy visiting next month.....aloha

Ray continues his calendar interviews!
Notice his new tattoo!

Ray insists on this new look. We think he looks too much like a notable island personality. What do you think? Yes or No??? Beth has been calling looking for her dog!

Jack Sparrow and the Pirates of the Caribbean (4)

Ray interviewing for his calendar. He thinks this would be a good candidate for Ms. January.

Getting ready for a shoot. This is the same beach on which "From Here to Eternity" was filmed. This was before Ms. Bates, Ms. Alexander, Ms. Carter, and Ms. Davidson arrived. Oops! Ray also surfed to shore. He was a little late because he was interviewing for his calendar.

Equipment for the movie set. The cranes held the equipment for making "rain." Tents are for actors and crew. The road was partially blocked and a staging area was nearby.

Look who's on the Hawaiian movie set! Do you see Johnny Depp?