Winter in the Smokies

 A couple pictures of our trip to the Smokies . . .

Time for a Change Again

I took this New Years Day while out Geocaching with John. It was raining and I took this with a slower shutter speed so you can see the rain falling. Anyway, Nancy asked for a change--so here it is.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

May this New Year, fill your heart with new hopes,

open up new horizons and bring for you promises of brighter tomorrows.

Wishing everyone a great New Year.

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a day full of blessings.

Time for Another Change!

John and I saw this on the side of the road up in the Poconos. I love snow and ice. I hate the cold, but I really love the snow and ice. It makes beautiful scenery and fabulous photo ops.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Nancy, you asked for it, you got it.

Nothing new here, just changing things up for Nancy. I must say I agree with her. I hate having to scroll so far down. I wanted to change it before but everyone was writing. I didn't want someone's comment to go unnoticed.

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

You asked for it, you got it!

Where is Everyone?

Happy Halloween everyone! I decided to carve my own pumpkin last night so I could take a picture. We are having our Halloween Party in the neighborhood tomorrow. I knew I should have gone to the meeting. They are encouraging the kids to trick or treat tomorrow as well so that means we will have trick or treaters for 2 nights. Idiots.

We need a change!

Ok--I'm changing the picture because no one seems to be coming to the blog. Where is everyone? This is John at one of the restaurants in Decatur. He is practicing for Germany. This is das boot. Das is german- boot is english. It is a glass boot they fill and pass around.

Meet Diddley

John just got a new hunting dog. Mr. Bo Jangles is getting old so John thought it was time to start training a new dog and of course a companion for Bo. Now He just has to call Bo Diddley and they both will come running

IN REMEMBRANCE

joey & coach Carter!!

I dthis was SO exciting!!!on't even know who he was, but I was impressed anyway!! And when I got home, Scott was really excited since he's always been a huge Mets fan!!

August 2010 G&B Excellent Adventures

We arrived in Cades Cove Tuesday afternoon and had lunch in the park.  After lunch we took the loop and saw 2 black bear.  We then came across Batista (black bear #3).
Wednesday was an eleven mile early morning bike ride through Cades Cove.  We parked at the picnic area because the other parking was full.  As we were coming out of the picnic area we saw another black bear.  The bike ride was a little more strenuous then I had anticipated.  We saw another black bear at the end of the bike ride at the bike bear jam.  We then had lunch and did a 5 mile hike to Abrams Falls.  Definitely an aggressive day for two out of shape people.  We saw two more black bear on the way out of the park.  That is 7 if you are counting Batista.
Thursday morning we did Chimney Tops hike which was unbelievably hard on my lungs.  At one point I think I had to stop about every 3 yards to catch my breath.  Another strenuous 4 mile hike straight up the mountain.   We then drove over to New Found Gap - hiked the Appalachian Trail and headed over to see if we could see some Elk.  No Elk - they were in the middle of construction on a new welcome center.  But they had an Ole' working farm homestead which was interesting to walk through.  Then over to Sugarlands for another short hike.
Friday we stayed at a B&B in Weaverville just outside of Asheville, NC.  We walked around downtown Asheville, the Biltmore Village and through several Antique Stores.  We enjoyed the B&B and will definitely do that again.  It would be great to have a group of the Braun's all stay at the same time and over take a B&B.
We arrived at Rick & Cherie's Saturday afternoon to Rick grilling a feast.  Cherie had to close that night, but Jennifer & Adam came for dinner and we had a great time with good food, nice talk & great company.  We went to see Jen & Adam's place Sunday morning and then to the Fair Grounds where I bought an old fashion hand water pump.  Then back to Rick & Cherie's for another fabulous dinner.  Tomorrow we head out to Charleston for a couple of days.
That's all for know.  Here is a link to some pictures.  http://picasaweb.google.com/braun.barbara/August2010GBExcellentAdventures?authkey=Gv1sRgCN73wN3e9Zq9pwE&feat=directlink

What Fun!!

A Day in Atlanta

First Kelly went in . . .

Then Johnny went in . . .

Next thing you know, Kathy is in the picture.

We all had a great time!

i figured it out

We have watched dolphins swimming along the beach last night and all day today!!! It's been completely amazing! I LOVE dolphins!! And we've been to costco and publix a dozen times! Cooking, and having a glass of wine, laughing, and taking loads of pictures and videos!! I'm gonna make a cool vacation video!! I hate that you guys had a flat tire, how'd you finally get it fixed?? what time'd you get there? what r u doing now??

come ON Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All right, what the hell is everyone doing????

I think my cleaning girl is a kleptomaniac. I am letting her go. Things keep going missing, things I had my hands on, and now are gone and makes no sense. I am NOT going crazy!!! And I cant trust her, so I have to tell her before Monday. Think I'll have to change our locks too, Pete's gonna love this.!!!

Pete's in London, Hayle and I are home alone, so we went out to dinner. Went to Jamie Oliver's, was really good. And I had to go buy s a couple things that have 'gone missing'.

Had to clean a massive bird crap off our bedroom window. it was DISGUSTING!!!

We are so excited to come to Florida!!!!! ok, I am going to bed.........

More Fun

Having Fun with the Biasotti's! We are never bored. The saying for this summer appears to be to 'Love Yourself'. So, we are going to love ourselves today and go back to the mall, oh yeah, and the gym this morning. Hayle's going to really love herself and take 1/2 day off school. Then we're all going out for Indian food tonight!! Mmmmmmmm!!

Summer fun

I told Gma that I'd post an entry about what I've been doing for summer, so here it goes.

I went to Pensacola Beach for Memorial Day weekend with 8 of my friends (yes, before BP destroyed the coastline). We had an absolute blast. Spent lots of time on the beach and hosted a party (over 250 people showed up). It was ridiculously fun.

This is where we stayed. We were on the 16th floor of the tower on the far right.

Came back to work for 2 days and then headed to Furman University in Greenville, SC for a workshop. What a beautiful campus they have their. Met several great people in my field. Always good to expand my network. After the workshop, I returned home and was invited to attend our Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting (I applied to fill an open position). It was really nerve-wrecking talking about myself and why I should be sitting at the table with CEO's and entrepreneurs of great businesses, but I managed to pull it off and edge out some other applicants. They voted unanimously to grant me Director-at-large status. Hopefully, I'll prove myself over the next 3 years and get an officer position.

This weekend, I went to visit a historic cemetery in Atlanta and took some great pictures of the city with my friends new 4/3 slr camera. We had a great time running around in the dreadful Atlanta heat before heading back to my car to notice that someone broke into the one next to mine. So glad my friend decided to go back to the car and grab his iPhone off the front seat. Could've been my car that had a window smashed in (you can see the pic on facebook).

Next week, I'm headed off to Salt Lake City for another work conference. This one is all about Student Conduct on college campuses. Should be interesting. We had a crazy semester here at school with alcohol, drugs, and immigration issues. Maybe I'll learn something new. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer.

Tony's New Puppy

I just thought it was time for a change. Meet Tony's puppy, Otis. He is a 7 month old Pit Bull that he found on the street all beat up--probably from a fight. I know you are all probably thinking, "Oh no, not a Pit Bull." Remember even Pit Bulls need some love. Otis is not aggressive. He has been attacked by Jen's dog many times and he just backs off. He has been attacked by the cat and he keeps his distance but he seems determined to be the cat's friend. He keeps his butt up in the air, wagging his tail with his front paws flat on the ground and his head down tipping his head side to side--all in front of the cat. All the while the cat is hissing at him. I have been watching him for a week and have grown attached to him, but Tony is coming to get him today. All in all I will be relieved because puppies take up too much time. I have not been able to get anything done.