Out With the Old, In With the New!

Well new to me that is. Last night Pat and I made our first big purchase together. I got a new car!!

That's right, no more little coupe. Now I am driving a wagon! It's a Subaru Outback.

Before I went to the dealership I took a few minutes to reflect with my trusty car that had been with me through so much. A lot has happened in the last 5 and 1/2 years that I have had that car and I am proud to say that, this time, it's demise wasn't because I ran it into the back of something!

Goodbye Mercedes...

Hello Station Wagon...

I know I'm a dork with all of the pictures (honestly I can't believe Pat agreed on that last one!) but one day I will want proof that I used to be cool...well at least I had a cool car! Watch out mountains, here we come!



Happy Birthday Grandpa!

This day 89 years ago my grandfather was born, September 25, 1922.

He is one of 12 children. He quit school at 12 years old to start working and help his family. And he continued to do the same until a few years ago.

When I think of Grandpa I think of a strong and loving man. As a child I remember his large, rough hands. He would come in for meals and wash up; I remember his hands being stained from oil or grease or whatever he was working on. He worked from the time he got up in the morning until dinner in the evening. He could fix anything, build anything and as far as our family is concerned, he could do anything. I am so thankful when I think of all of the lasting memories that my Grandpa has made. Every time we visit Pennsylvania we stay in the house that he made additions to and remodeled and go to the church that he help to build.

One of my favorite stories to tell is about a door knob... When my grandparents used to come visit, my Grandpa was his usual self always working or fixing something. And which hardware store was he most likely to go to??? Stier Supply Company! When Grandpa first met Pat he told him that "years ago" (at least 15) he had purchased a door handle set that was on sale from Stier. At the time it was still hanging in the garage but a few visits later and after we were engaged he had installed the door handle. So now there is a piece of Stier in the house that I grew up in and has been in our family for generations!

I am so glad that Grandpa has had an opprotunity to meet and get to know Pat and I can't help but think that it must make him happy that I married someone that is in the building supply business! Unfortunatley, Pat never had the chance to know his grandfathers so he has really enjoyed the opprotunity to "have a Grandpa" as he would say.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We love you!

The Early Bird Does NOT Get the Worm!

This morning I left for work a few minutes early because it was raining I knew my commute would take a little longer than usual. As I turned onto the on ramp I noticed that traffic was at a dead stop. I contemplated reversing but it was too late. After 15 minutes of sitting in the same spot I figured I wouldn't be arriving at work on time. Boy, that was an understatement!!

I couldn't help but document what my car was reading...

I ONLY went 2 miles in 55 minutes, with an average speed of 3 mph! On a "normal" day my commute is less than 15 minutes! By the time I reached the accident, it was cleared from the road and traffic was moving as usual. I pulled into the parking lot at work...

1 hour and 8 minutes from the time I left the house!!

What a way to start your day?!

Bachelorette & BBQ...Perfect Combo!

Our Labor Day weekend was packed to the max! I hitched a ride to Charleston with Pat to meet my next chauffeur, Jenny, to take us to our final destination, Myrtle Beach to for Haley's bachelorette party!! This is also the weekend of the Bluegrass and BBQ festival that Pat has entered the last few years. This means we had A LOT of stuff to pack.

Bachelorette party on the left, BBQ competition on the right!

After what seemed like hours of sitting in traffic Jenny and I made it to Myrtle Beach just in time to jump in the limo for dinner and our night out on Broadway at the Beach.

(oops, sorry Lynne)

We had a great time celebrating, relaxing, catching up and of course eating! We also showered Haley with 'unmentionalables' for her new role as wife!!

Here comes the BRIDE!

Before we knew it Sunday had arrived and it was time to leave. We packed up, gave our thanks and hugs and Jenny and I headed to Charleston, straight to Boone Hall Plantation for the BBQ competition.

After team Stier Supply BBQ (Members being: Pat, his/Ryan's friend Vince and his cousin, Michael) had made their last entry they could relax and enjoy the festivities. Everyone who came out to support the team were thanked with and abundance of BBQ, the BEST I've ever had! Judges, Smudges who cares what they say!

The view from "our spot"...

The cooks hard at work...

Waiting on the results...

Becky and I are Big on the Pig!

This was quote, "...the best $22 I have ever spent!" -Pat

I'm not sure which Pat enjoyed most...

Sam Bush concert or his light saber &bubble maker?

What a great way to wrap up the summer!