Those of you that know Sandra know of her love for four legged children, especially her own. Ever since July 1, 1990 (yes she knows the date) she has had a West Highland Terrier. Her first was Frosty who watched over her for 14 years and she now has Maddy who has been with her for the past 7 years. She now, through marriage has another called Shelby who is a yellow lab mix that is as high maintence as they come. She has treated these pups as her own children, even going as far as relegating adults to the back seat so Frosty could sit in the front, having a doggie seat belt for him, dressing them up in rain boots whe she took him outside in the rain, and giving them the run of the house and furniture. The latter was a point of contention for us when we first got together but she house broke me and of course I gave in. Her love for animals in many ways is the way that she lives her life, with the thought that when you do for others, love will return in some form or another. I have learned through this unconditional love from my wife, and the dogs, and it has helped make me see love in a much different light. Therefore, Day 22, our run of collages continues since we are still on vacation. A 22 picture collage of the three pups was presented to this wonderful, caring woman and in typical fashion, she couldn't stop looking at it and didn't put it down for a while. I will add the picture when we get home as for some reason I don't have it with me like the others.
Day 22: Sandra's Kids
July 28, 2009
18 to go..........
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Day 21: Take Me Out....
......to the ball game. For those of you that know my wife you also know her love of minor league baseball. When watching either professional or minors, there isn't a game that goes by that she doesn't say to me, "Do you know where he use to play?" She use to bring her radio to listen to the game broadcast, a team mascot, and a scorebook to hundreds of Salem games so she could follow the game. It was neat when we got married to look back in some of her scorebooks to see players such as 
Matt Holiday in the lineup at a AA baseball game. Just in the time that we have been together, we have been to minor/major league parks in Salem, Lynchburg, New York City, Daytona, Memphis, Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, Winston-Salem, Pulaski, and now Syracuse.
Knowing all of this and also being out of town I really had to stretch to have something for Day 21. I decided to go with the fact that it was the 27th of July and thought that baseball has 27 outs per team during a game. Therefore, I decided that on Monday, July 27, 2009 that for Day 21 I would take her to her first minor league game in Syracuse to watch the AAA Chiefs play the Louisville Bats. The great thing about this game is that the tickets were free if you took in your church program from the day before, so off to the game went my Dad, Will, Sandra, and I. Being the father of course, Dad bought us all a drink and some nachos and we enjoyed a great game, saw a grand slam, had a beautiful evening, and saw a Chiefs 8-5 victory.
Day 21: Take Me Out.....
July 27, 2009
19 More to Go.............
Matt Holiday in the lineup at a AA baseball game. Just in the time that we have been together, we have been to minor/major league parks in Salem, Lynchburg, New York City, Daytona, Memphis, Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, Winston-Salem, Pulaski, and now Syracuse.Knowing all of this and also being out of town I really had to stretch to have something for Day 21. I decided to go with the fact that it was the 27th of July and thought that baseball has 27 outs per team during a game. Therefore, I decided that on Monday, July 27, 2009 that for Day 21 I would take her to her first minor league game in Syracuse to watch the AAA Chiefs play the Louisville Bats. The great thing about this game is that the tickets were free if you took in your church program from the day before, so off to the game went my Dad, Will, Sandra, and I. Being the father of course, Dad bought us all a drink and some nachos and we enjoyed a great game, saw a grand slam, had a beautiful evening, and saw a Chiefs 8-5 victory.
Day 21: Take Me Out.....
July 27, 2009
19 More to Go.............
Monday, July 27, 2009
Day 20: Hotlanta Version 1
As we were sitting in church this morning I thought as I always do how in some way the message that is being delivered relates in someway to what is going on in my life and I often wonder if it is the same for others. As the message was about how all people are accepted regardless of their "brokenness" and that the only perfect person was Jesus who accepted all then who are we to pass judgements on others, regardless of what they do or have done. It made me think of the whole reason that I started this 40 Days Before 40 for my wife and on the halfway day it reminded me again. Her unselfishness towards others and her wanting to help all really came into my mind while listening to the scripture reading of Luke 6: 37, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measuer, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." If you think about it that is a lot to take in and when I look at Sandra I see of lot of what that scripture was about. She is a model to be followed by many.
Of our many trips to Atlanta together, the first one was probably the most memorable. With myself being a big New York Mets fan and her an Atlanta Braves fan it was just a matter of time before we would go and see them play in Atlanta. We had a weekend the first weekend in September of 2007 in which we would be able to see them on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
In viewing the first game we met two gentleman that were in our section that we immediately had a great time with, and with whom I was having fun bantering with as the Mets were winning for the second straight night against their Braves. After the
Mets victory the four of us went to a place called Jocks and Jills to have dinner and they were wondering why I hadn't married this lady yet. I told them if I could do it today but sarcastically said that there wasn't a Tiffany's around. They proceeded to take me to a Tiffany's (I thought the only one was in NYC) in a mall fairly close to where we were. Thankfully on the wallet, they were closed as Sandra knocked on the window to see if anyone was there. She even had a friend on the phone who was an ordained minister to see if it could be done over the phone. While this was all done in jest, I think that it was a good sign of things to come.
After the failed nuptials, we ended up just walking around the city and sitting on a curb for a while that evening and had one of our many great conversations about our past, present, and future. The next day we woke to go see another game before making the depressing ride home on Sunday evening. It was another wonderful experience that we had and while having pictures of it, they were buried on a hard drive. Therefore, Day 20, hump day, is a 20 picture collage of the first time that we spent together in Atlanta.
Day 20: Hotlanta Version 1
July 26, 2009
Half way there............
Of our many trips to Atlanta together, the first one was probably the most memorable. With myself being a big New York Mets fan and her an Atlanta Braves fan it was just a matter of time before we would go and see them play in Atlanta. We had a weekend the first weekend in September of 2007 in which we would be able to see them on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
In viewing the first game we met two gentleman that were in our section that we immediately had a great time with, and with whom I was having fun bantering with as the Mets were winning for the second straight night against their Braves. After the
Mets victory the four of us went to a place called Jocks and Jills to have dinner and they were wondering why I hadn't married this lady yet. I told them if I could do it today but sarcastically said that there wasn't a Tiffany's around. They proceeded to take me to a Tiffany's (I thought the only one was in NYC) in a mall fairly close to where we were. Thankfully on the wallet, they were closed as Sandra knocked on the window to see if anyone was there. She even had a friend on the phone who was an ordained minister to see if it could be done over the phone. While this was all done in jest, I think that it was a good sign of things to come.After the failed nuptials, we ended up just walking around the city and sitting on a curb for a while that evening and had one of our many great conversations about our past, present, and future. The next day we woke to go see another game before making the depressing ride home on Sunday evening. It was another wonderful experience that we had and while having pictures of it, they were buried on a hard drive. Therefore, Day 20, hump day, is a 20 picture collage of the first time that we spent together in Atlanta.
Day 20: Hotlanta Version 1
July 26, 2009
Half way there............
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Day 19: The Start of It All
March 25, 2007 was a day that was not only the inaugural trip for the camper with my beautiful bride but was also the inaugural day for us as well. We got a late start on that Saturday to head down to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Sunday race, as I had to work a game that afternoon. When Sandra, Will and I arrived at the campground we were directed to our campsite for me to back the camper for the first time. I am not exaggerating when I say that I had about a foot on each side between two trees, I had a huge ditch in front of me to "cut" the truck for the turn, and I had to push it up a significant hill. Needless to say that being one of the last campers to arrive there were numerous people to help direct me, which wasn't a very good thing as they had been partaking in the spirits all day. After a few attempts we finally got it into place and started to set it up.
If you read the post a few days ago, I mentioned how we set it up all wrong and had the wheels WAY off the ground and we were looking down quite a significant hill. It took four of us taking turns cranking the scissor jacks to be able to level it and in looking back on it now, realizing how lucky we were. Being the first time I had ever used it I even had to ask my "neighbor" how to work a few things in it. We finally got to relax the rest of the evening and enjoyed a nice morning the next morning as there ended up being about 15 people that arrived for race day.
After making a long, hilly, walk to the track and once we got in our seats Will and Sandra were both interviewed by the track reporter and had the interviews projected up on the huge screen on top of the scoring tower, that can be seen by the 160,000 people that were in attendance. Also after that Will, who had made friends with the on track security guard, and Sandra went out on the track to watch driver introductions before we ended up watching the race in what turned out to be a beautiful day.
Afterwards many of us stayed as the traffic leaving Bristol can be very bad. As the night wore on I ran into Sandra near the back of the camper and she made the statement to me, "What is going on with us? Are we going to be together or are we just going to be friends?" Rather caught of guard, and not wanting to lose this beautiful woman with whom I have had so much in common with, I told her that I would love to be together with her and that I looked forward to many more opportunities to spend together. The rest was history........ As the evening closed there ended up being about 9 people that stayed in the camper and I went outside underneath to my air mattress to think about what a great weekend it was, and the wonderful future that lied ahead of us!!!
The correlation to day 19........July 25, 2009 my wife received a collage for March 25, 2007, in which our life together began!!
Day 19: The Start of It All
July 25, 2009
Almost half way there..........
Friday, July 24, 2009
Day 18: Impromptu Memory
As I mentioned in the post with the Watkins Glen collage we took a week long trip to New York in August of 2007. We left to go up there on Sunday, August 5th we had no plans other than going to visit family and take the kids to New York City 
later in the week for their first time. As we got into Pennsylvania we started talking about our trip to Pocono Raceway earlier in the summer in which we camped up there for the 1st race weekend of the two that they have.
As we got closer to Interstate 80 it was very early afternoon. I looked at her and said, "You know, we are only about an hour from the speedway and the race starts at 2:00." She looked at me like I was crazy but like we always do we decided to live for the moment and listen to how excited the kids were when we told them. We got there just a few laps after the race started and after a stressful time of getting to our seats, then changing seats, we were able to relax and watch a great race and gave the kids their first experience at Pocono Raceway. An 18 picture collage of our time there is the gift that represents Day 18.
DAY 18: Impromptu Memory
July 24, 2009
22 More to go.....
later in the week for their first time. As we got into Pennsylvania we started talking about our trip to Pocono Raceway earlier in the summer in which we camped up there for the 1st race weekend of the two that they have.As we got closer to Interstate 80 it was very early afternoon. I looked at her and said, "You know, we are only about an hour from the speedway and the race starts at 2:00." She looked at me like I was crazy but like we always do we decided to live for the moment and listen to how excited the kids were when we told them. We got there just a few laps after the race started and after a stressful time of getting to our seats, then changing seats, we were able to relax and watch a great race and gave the kids their first experience at Pocono Raceway. An 18 picture collage of our time there is the gift that represents Day 18.
DAY 18: Impromptu Memory
July 24, 2009
22 More to go.....
Day 17: Would You Like a Seat?
On December 23, 2005 my really good friend from college Jonathan and I were hanging out at 419 restaurant on Friday night while watching some basketball. We had just ordered a pizza when these two women came walking over from the bar and sat at our table facing away from us. Of course me being the shy and quiet one said, "Excuse Me....Would you like to have a seat?" Little did I know that was just their way of trying to start up a conversation. We did allow them to remain but I did tell them
that the pizza was off limits!! Sandra and I immediately started talking and hit it off very well, while Beth and Jonathan chatted also. However, when I told her that I had kids she stated that she doesn't date people with kids. I told her that it was nice talking with her and good luck in her search as I joined into the entire table conversation. Sandra and I did however, continue to talk and for some reason she lowered her standards and gave me her number by the end of the night.
The reason that the story of her picking me up in a bar is relevant is because Day 17 was on the 23rd of the month and the number 17 is significant because that was the day of our wedding. I felt that it was appropriate Day 17 to go back to where it all began, sit at the same table, in the same chairs, and order the same pizza that we did that night almost 4 years ago. And just like 4 years ago, we had a great conversation in which we talked about
families, friends, and basically how much we enjoy the life that we are currently living. There was one thing however that was very different than our initial meeting as I did let her have some pizza this time. The picture unfortunately, is not good at all as we are using camera phones since our camera broke a few days ago.
From there we went by Metro as there was a purse giveaway that her radio group was hosting and she wanted to stop by to see how it was going as well as see some of her friends that were there. We stayed for a while, did a little socializing, and enjoyed the rest of our relaxing, nostalgic evening.
DAY 17: Would You Like a Seat?
July 23, 2009
23 to go..........
that the pizza was off limits!! Sandra and I immediately started talking and hit it off very well, while Beth and Jonathan chatted also. However, when I told her that I had kids she stated that she doesn't date people with kids. I told her that it was nice talking with her and good luck in her search as I joined into the entire table conversation. Sandra and I did however, continue to talk and for some reason she lowered her standards and gave me her number by the end of the night.The reason that the story of her picking me up in a bar is relevant is because Day 17 was on the 23rd of the month and the number 17 is significant because that was the day of our wedding. I felt that it was appropriate Day 17 to go back to where it all began, sit at the same table, in the same chairs, and order the same pizza that we did that night almost 4 years ago. And just like 4 years ago, we had a great conversation in which we talked about
families, friends, and basically how much we enjoy the life that we are currently living. There was one thing however that was very different than our initial meeting as I did let her have some pizza this time. The picture unfortunately, is not good at all as we are using camera phones since our camera broke a few days ago.
From there we went by Metro as there was a purse giveaway that her radio group was hosting and she wanted to stop by to see how it was going as well as see some of her friends that were there. We stayed for a while, did a little socializing, and enjoyed the rest of our relaxing, nostalgic evening.
DAY 17: Would You Like a Seat?
July 23, 2009
23 to go..........
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Day 16: Rockin' and Rollin' and What Not
As Day 16 came and went we had a nice evening reminiscing about what has pretty much become a Memorial Day tradition for us, the Coca Cola 600 in Charlotte, NC. For the past three years we have gone to Winner's Circle campground to camp for anywhere from 3-5 days and also watch the race that is run on Sunday night. As we looked over the 16 picture collage we realized that 2007 was particularly memorable as we learned A LOT about the camper as well as were joined by about 16 others on the day of the race.
Sandra, Will, and I went down for this weekend on Friday night and didn't have to set up the camper as we had done it the previous weekend at the All-Star race and just left it there. When we arrived we set up and played the tailgating games that
we have, cooked dinner, and just hung out around the campfire. Saturday morning Will and I went for our traditional race run while my bride did her yoga in the camper. Later that morning we walked around the track to visit all the vendors as well as souvenir trailers. In the early afternoon our race buddies, Tim and Aimee Foutz arrived as well as Brian Hubbard, Aaron Conner and a few others that I knew from my high school athletic training days. I have gone to races with them for years and are great people to be around!
After going to the Busch race the previous evening it was "race day" and a very hot one at that!! A number of others started showing up including my brother and two nephews who arrived late in the morning, and friends that generally stop by to tailgate before the races. As always we decided to do a race pool and when we were getting it together everyone seemed to gather in the camper as the AC gave reprieve from the 100 degree temps. All of a sudden, the camper rocked one way, then back the other way before it fell to a bang. While everyone filed out fairly quickly people had no idea what had happened. It turned out that my uneducated self didn't realize that the jacks on the sides of the camper were simply to stabilize it, not to hoist it in the air. I had the tires about 2 feet in the air and I now know that there needs to be boards under them to take the weight. The irony here is that 2 months prior, we did the same thing at Bristol on a huge hill and were fortunate that it didn't happen there, as we would have rolled down the hill. It was also a good thing that it happened in the day, because as Sandra and I were not married at the time, I slept under the camper on an air mattress because Will was with us for the weekend. We got it fairly straight before we all went into the race and thought about how sometimes it takes experience to learn even the simple things. Needless to say, it was a funny weekend to look back on and another one in which I was able to get away with my bride and have a wonderful time.
Day 16: Rockin' and Rollin' and What Not
July 22, 2009
24 to go........
Sandra, Will, and I went down for this weekend on Friday night and didn't have to set up the camper as we had done it the previous weekend at the All-Star race and just left it there. When we arrived we set up and played the tailgating games that
we have, cooked dinner, and just hung out around the campfire. Saturday morning Will and I went for our traditional race run while my bride did her yoga in the camper. Later that morning we walked around the track to visit all the vendors as well as souvenir trailers. In the early afternoon our race buddies, Tim and Aimee Foutz arrived as well as Brian Hubbard, Aaron Conner and a few others that I knew from my high school athletic training days. I have gone to races with them for years and are great people to be around!After going to the Busch race the previous evening it was "race day" and a very hot one at that!! A number of others started showing up including my brother and two nephews who arrived late in the morning, and friends that generally stop by to tailgate before the races. As always we decided to do a race pool and when we were getting it together everyone seemed to gather in the camper as the AC gave reprieve from the 100 degree temps. All of a sudden, the camper rocked one way, then back the other way before it fell to a bang. While everyone filed out fairly quickly people had no idea what had happened. It turned out that my uneducated self didn't realize that the jacks on the sides of the camper were simply to stabilize it, not to hoist it in the air. I had the tires about 2 feet in the air and I now know that there needs to be boards under them to take the weight. The irony here is that 2 months prior, we did the same thing at Bristol on a huge hill and were fortunate that it didn't happen there, as we would have rolled down the hill. It was also a good thing that it happened in the day, because as Sandra and I were not married at the time, I slept under the camper on an air mattress because Will was with us for the weekend. We got it fairly straight before we all went into the race and thought about how sometimes it takes experience to learn even the simple things. Needless to say, it was a funny weekend to look back on and another one in which I was able to get away with my bride and have a wonderful time.
Day 16: Rockin' and Rollin' and What Not
July 22, 2009
24 to go........
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Day 15: 15 Minutes x 2
Day 15 was quite simply, two 15 minute massages to be used by the end of the evening. She cashed one in around 9:00PM for a magical lotioned foot massage as she enjoyed a small bowl of vanilla yogurt with caramel syrup. However, she brought up the point that because I didn't give her the daily slip with what the day was about until the evening, then she should get an extension on the second massage. Of course I agreed because as everyone realizes, this whole 40 days is about her. New deadline.....August 15, 2009.Simple day = simple posting and the magic massaging fingers feel quite smooth.
Day 15: 15 Minutes x 2
July 21, 2009
25 to go......
Monday, July 20, 2009
Day 14: 14 Carrots
Well, this is the day that I have been looking forward to because it sums up my personality about being corny and trying to have people figure out what I am really up to. Five days ago I left a bag from Kay Jewelers on my beautiful wife's dresser before I went out with some friends. Later that evening when my bride arrived home from an event that she was at, she sent me a text letting me know that the same person that was leaving random roses on her car in the morning left her a bag on her dresser. I told her that he was a smart man as he realizes true beauty when he sees it. As the weekend went on I kept seeing my very inquisitive and cute wife checking that bag that was on her dresser to see if anything arrived in it.
Yesterday it really came to light as it was the third day that she kept looking in there and wondering if something would arrive. About mid-afternoon I took the bag and placed a box inside of it and knocked it over so it looked different than what it did earlier. After being outside I came in to see my beautiful wife standing at the bar with her leg twitching with excitement telling me that the bag was a little heavier. I told her that it was nothing but as an excited woman she went ahead to look inside to see that the box was empty. Deep inside I felt a little bad but I loved setting up Day 14 and seeing that excited look on my baby's face!!!
As the day went on I went with her checking the bag and actually added the box inside the outside box. Again, she saw the bag tipped over and after I came back in from across the street she let me know that it was different again and that it weighed a little more. I told her that it was nothing and again she proceed to open the box inside the box to find nothing. She knew that she was getting closer but was still perplexed. When we went to bed around midnight she pulled back the covers to.................
Freak out.....I had placed a carrot there with a message on it that stated "Keep me with you throughout the day" but she didn't realize what it was in the night light. When she realized that it was something that I put there she read it with a perplexed look on her face and placed it on her nightstand then we went to bed. When the alarm went off I presented her with a second carrot and told her "Good morning, It's Day 14". We got up and did our normal morning routine and as I took her things to her car I placed another carrot in her lunch box as well as on her dash board. When she got to her car she texted me stating, "what is the deal with the carrots?"
After she left, I left to go and get Will and catch a quick work out before we went over to her old house to do some landscaping, as we are trying to sell it. On the way Will and I stopped by her work and dropped of six carrots for her colleagues to give to her throughout the day. We left there to leave another carrot in her car while she was getting her mani and pedi from Day 10. At this point, by the end of her work day she had received 11 carrots throughout
the day. She had sent me a text that said that Bugs Bunny was rampant and kept leaving carrots for her throughout the day. I told her that Elmer Fudd would be around during the day.
When she arrived home Jordan and Will each took another carrot up to her and then I followed with the 14th carrot placed inside the Kay Jewelers bag. She told me that she isn't looking any further as she had looked twice to find an empty box. When she took the carrot out of the bag I told her to count up all the carrots that she had received throughout the day and then decide whether she wanted to look.
When she counted 14 carrots (karats)
she looked at me with that youthful excitement again and tore into the bag to open the box. When she did, she found Pearl Earrings that were not quite as beautiful as she was. I told her that since she didn't wear gold I still wanted to present her with 14 Karats as well as give her something almost as beautiful as she was.
Day 14: 14 Carrots
July 20, 2009
26 to go......
Yesterday it really came to light as it was the third day that she kept looking in there and wondering if something would arrive. About mid-afternoon I took the bag and placed a box inside of it and knocked it over so it looked different than what it did earlier. After being outside I came in to see my beautiful wife standing at the bar with her leg twitching with excitement telling me that the bag was a little heavier. I told her that it was nothing but as an excited woman she went ahead to look inside to see that the box was empty. Deep inside I felt a little bad but I loved setting up Day 14 and seeing that excited look on my baby's face!!!
As the day went on I went with her checking the bag and actually added the box inside the outside box. Again, she saw the bag tipped over and after I came back in from across the street she let me know that it was different again and that it weighed a little more. I told her that it was nothing and again she proceed to open the box inside the box to find nothing. She knew that she was getting closer but was still perplexed. When we went to bed around midnight she pulled back the covers to.................
Freak out.....I had placed a carrot there with a message on it that stated "Keep me with you throughout the day" but she didn't realize what it was in the night light. When she realized that it was something that I put there she read it with a perplexed look on her face and placed it on her nightstand then we went to bed. When the alarm went off I presented her with a second carrot and told her "Good morning, It's Day 14". We got up and did our normal morning routine and as I took her things to her car I placed another carrot in her lunch box as well as on her dash board. When she got to her car she texted me stating, "what is the deal with the carrots?"
After she left, I left to go and get Will and catch a quick work out before we went over to her old house to do some landscaping, as we are trying to sell it. On the way Will and I stopped by her work and dropped of six carrots for her colleagues to give to her throughout the day. We left there to leave another carrot in her car while she was getting her mani and pedi from Day 10. At this point, by the end of her work day she had received 11 carrots throughout
the day. She had sent me a text that said that Bugs Bunny was rampant and kept leaving carrots for her throughout the day. I told her that Elmer Fudd would be around during the day.When she arrived home Jordan and Will each took another carrot up to her and then I followed with the 14th carrot placed inside the Kay Jewelers bag. She told me that she isn't looking any further as she had looked twice to find an empty box. When she took the carrot out of the bag I told her to count up all the carrots that she had received throughout the day and then decide whether she wanted to look.
When she counted 14 carrots (karats)
she looked at me with that youthful excitement again and tore into the bag to open the box. When she did, she found Pearl Earrings that were not quite as beautiful as she was. I told her that since she didn't wear gold I still wanted to present her with 14 Karats as well as give her something almost as beautiful as she was.Day 14: 14 Carrots
July 20, 2009
26 to go......
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Day 13: The Weekend I Knew
I have always heard that there was a point in time in every relationship in which you know that you are going to spend the rest of your life with someone and until May 13, 2007 I had never realized what that feeling was like. My lovely wife and I had known each other for about a year and a half before we took a weekend trip to Darlington, South Carolina to watch the NASCAR race. It was Thursday night when we had planned on leaving and with the race being Saturday night it would give us all day on Sunday to travel back. While it would have been ideal to leave right after work for the 5 hour drive, one of her best friends Monica was having her graduation party from dental hygiene school and we didn't want to miss that. We actually ended up leaving Roanoke about 10:30PM and set out for our destination. Even though it was late it was actually a great trip down there as we laughed pretty much the whole time about stupid stuff. The only problem was after driving almost 5 hours we were within a few miles of the campground when we had to stop for a train. Little did we know that this train was loading at a plant and it was going to have the road blocked for the next hour. Everytime we thought it was leaving it was just pulling forward to fill another car. Needless to say it was quite frustrating. When we finally arrived to the campground it was about 4:30am we just stayed at the front and slept for about 2 hours as we didn't know where our spot was. When we finally got to our spot we set everything up then went inside and took a nap.
For those of you that have never been to a NASCAR race, the major part of the experience is the tailgaiting before or for us, camping for the weekend. We meet great people from all walks of life and have a great time regardless of who we are ne
xt to. When we got up around noon, like we always do, we walked around to see all of the vendors and just get a "lay of the land". By necessity we had to purchase an outdoor rug as we learned all about red ants as they were rampant there in the sandy soil in which we were camped on and loved to bite. That evening we went to the Busch race at what was one of NASCAR's toughest track. We met a father that was taking his son to his first race and we let him use one of our scanners so he could here the drivers talk with their crew. It was just great to see his face light up as he could not only watch but also hear what they were saying.Saturday morning was race day and after going for a run in the morning we hung around the camper all day and chatted with our neighbors. I was having an absolutely wonderful time with this woman and was amazed about how well we were together and at ease we were with one another. I started thinking that things could be much more than what they were. As race time drew closer I got a call from Steve who is a friend that I worked with. Steve is also an avid race fan and we often had met up at races but he was staying with a buddy of his in Myrtle Beach and he wanted to meet up for a little bit just before the race started. Just before we were going to go in the skies got really dark and we decided to wait to see what it was going to do. Then the rains came!!! and came!!!! and came!!! I drove down to the track to pick up Steve and brought him back to the campsite in which we started a great night. Under the camper awning the "neighbors" brought over a guitar and we just sat outside and enjoyed a few drinks while listening to music as the rains continued and the night went on. They ran the race the next day and as we watched truck after truck and camper after camper get buried trying to get out of there we were pretty much stuck to where we weren't able to leave until the next day. Believe it or not I was thrilled as that was just another night I could spend away with the woman that I knew was someone special!!!
While it is so hard to put into words, it was a weekend in which I look back on and know that is when I truly fell in love with this amazing woman!!! The collage for her on Day 13 highlights this weekend of May 13, 2007 which was turned out to be the first of the rest of our lives!!
DAY 13: THE WEEKEND I KNEW
July 19, 2009
27 to go.....
DAY 12: 12 TASTES TO A MIRACLE
The great thing about Day 12 is how it just basically evolved as we went along. I had sat down on Friday and spent about an hour planning out a wine tasting route from Massanutten, VA and then down Rt. 29 to Lynchburg, VA. Since we had one of those "free weekend" offers at Massanutten we had to go and tour the facility and listen to the pitch about buying a time share, even knowing that it wasn't going to happen. We did get a free weekend out of it to use within a year and a $125 Visa gift card just for going. Since the meeting was at 10:00 I had hoped to start on the wine trail by 1:00. The plan was to taste at least 12 different wines at approximately 7 different wineries that were doing tastings and then go the the Lynchburg Hillcats baseball game and see her long time friend Ronnie Roberts (Assistant GM for the Hillcats) later that evening.
Of course, things rarely go according to plan. We didn't get started on the wine trail until about 3:00 so we had to eliminate some of them from our plans as most of them closed at 5 or 6 PM. Why during the summer they don't stay open later on a
Saturday I do not know. For the sake of not boring you to death I won't get into all the wines that we tasted but I will just give you the highlights. We started out at CrossKeys Vineyard which was absolutely beautiful. They were setting up to film a commercial while we were there but I think that we left just before they started. They were also setting up for wedding that was happening there later in the evening. While there we sampled 7 different wines and as usual we have such different tastes for wine, as I am more on the sweet side and she leans more towards the chardonnays and the table wines. We left with a bottle of CrossKeys Joy which is a their white table wine but little did she know, I already had my joy, just by watching my baby
over half way to the day 12 minimum. From there we drove about 45 minutes to Afton Mountain Vineyards this is located of the top of Afton Mountain a short drive down Rt. 6. When we walked in it was a popular place with about ten others that were there sampling as well. While we were there Jennifer (who was absolutely wonderful and quite the Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson admirer) showed us four selections of their whites, 3 of their reds, and 3 of their sweeter wines. We also tasted some of the warm homemade bread which complimented the wines very well. At this point it was just a little after 5:00 and Jennifer was quite helpful in helping us decided that the only other winery that we had a chance to get to was Flying Fox Vineyard that was about 15 
minutes down the road. However, when we left we saw a sign for Veirtas Winery that was only about a mile away. When I planned this trip this wasn't one of them on the list because Google said that it was a good 20 miles from Afton Mountain Meadows and that was too far out of the way for me. We knew that they stopped the tasting at 5PM and it was 5:15 but we decided to give it a try anyways. When we arrived we saw that they were setting up for a wedding in what was a beautiful night at an amazing location. We went in and they were quite adamant about how they had to end at 5 as there was an event that evening. My thoughts immediately thought about crashing the wedding as I think they were having crab cakes; however, we still had one more winery to go and a baseball game to get to. We proceeded about 15 minutes down the road to Flying Fox and arrived to find that we had the place to ourselves
and admired the logo on the bottles that have a fox flying in an old airplane. While there we both really enjoyed their 2008 Fox White and learned that it is great for Sangria and both of us surprisingly enjoyed the Petit Verdot as it was excellent with chocolate. When we left a little before 6 to the baseball game we realized after seeing another wedding that the third weekend in July is tops for weddings at wineries and how much we just really enjoyed a relaxing day seeing some of Virginia's beautiful countryside. Of course it was better for me because it was just a backdrop to my beautiful wife. We also talked about getting some people together on a random Saturday and doing another one of Virginia's numerous wine trails. Anyone game?
We arrived at the baseball game in the top of the third inning to find that Salem Red Sox were winning 3-0. As an avid baseball fan Sandra loves minor league games and really enjoys watching both of these teams play. Since we were in Lynchburg she was cheering for the Hillcats but was still torn with them playing her home team. We were sitting right behind the Lynchburg dugout and had a wonderful time in what turned out to be a 4-2 Red Sox win but that wasn't the end of out time there. It was fireworks night and they let you go out in the outfield to sit and watch the fireworks. We went out and picked our
seats right behind where the second baseman plays and proceed to see an amazing fireworks display. It really surprised me because there wasn't a special occasion for it and I didn't think that anything else could light up the night they way that Sandra had. With the exception of the July race at Daytona it was probably one of the top fireworks display that I have seen as it lasted what seemed to be over ten minutes. However, that still wasn't the highlight of the evening.
Less than a year ago the head groundskeeper for the Hillcats, Darren Johnson and his
wife Suzanne found out that their 5 year old (I think) daughter Hannah was diagnosed with cancer. As all of you that know Sandra and as I stated in earlier blogs, her passion is trying to help people and families in situations such as these and to try and increase their awareness about all the assistance that is out there for them. This was even more touching to her as she has known Ronnie for years and Darren and Ronnie have worked side by side for over 20 years together. Typical, after all the fans had left, she proceeded to head out to the pitchers' mound, where Darren was working as he was talking with his wife, to talk to them about what her role is with 
Children's Miracle Network (she sits on the board) and the assistance that is out there for them. Hannah was also there and that was the first time that Sandra had met her. You could see her face light up and see what was a beautiful little girl as she gave her a big hug. Hannah couldn't stay long as she had to get to home plate to help stomp the dirt down. It touches me to watch my wife have such a passion and life long dedication to helping others that it truly makes me want to be a better person. This is the perfect example why I am doing this 40 Days Before 40 for her. As we left I just watched how Hanna went around the stadium like she owned the place and thinking about why organizations such as the Children's Miracle Network are so important and why everyone should take some time in some way to help or give, if not just a little, as it is so easy to overlook the things that we are blessed with on a daily basis. (There is a link attached at the bottom of this blog to the website to see how you can help). As we got in our car I couldn't help but think, on a day that was suppose to be for her, she has not only touched me again, but others as well. I sat there for a second and thought about her walking out to the pitchers mound, I sent her good friend Erin Hildreth (Director of Community Services at CMN) a text message that read, "Girl, you should be here because again, Sandra is making Miracles happen!!" Her response..."As Always!"
DAY 12: 12 TASTES TO A MIRACLE
July 18, 2009
28 to go...............
Of course, things rarely go according to plan. We didn't get started on the wine trail until about 3:00 so we had to eliminate some of them from our plans as most of them closed at 5 or 6 PM. Why during the summer they don't stay open later on a
Saturday I do not know. For the sake of not boring you to death I won't get into all the wines that we tasted but I will just give you the highlights. We started out at CrossKeys Vineyard which was absolutely beautiful. They were setting up to film a commercial while we were there but I think that we left just before they started. They were also setting up for wedding that was happening there later in the evening. While there we sampled 7 different wines and as usual we have such different tastes for wine, as I am more on the sweet side and she leans more towards the chardonnays and the table wines. We left with a bottle of CrossKeys Joy which is a their white table wine but little did she know, I already had my joy, just by watching my baby
over half way to the day 12 minimum. From there we drove about 45 minutes to Afton Mountain Vineyards this is located of the top of Afton Mountain a short drive down Rt. 6. When we walked in it was a popular place with about ten others that were there sampling as well. While we were there Jennifer (who was absolutely wonderful and quite the Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson admirer) showed us four selections of their whites, 3 of their reds, and 3 of their sweeter wines. We also tasted some of the warm homemade bread which complimented the wines very well. At this point it was just a little after 5:00 and Jennifer was quite helpful in helping us decided that the only other winery that we had a chance to get to was Flying Fox Vineyard that was about 15 
minutes down the road. However, when we left we saw a sign for Veirtas Winery that was only about a mile away. When I planned this trip this wasn't one of them on the list because Google said that it was a good 20 miles from Afton Mountain Meadows and that was too far out of the way for me. We knew that they stopped the tasting at 5PM and it was 5:15 but we decided to give it a try anyways. When we arrived we saw that they were setting up for a wedding in what was a beautiful night at an amazing location. We went in and they were quite adamant about how they had to end at 5 as there was an event that evening. My thoughts immediately thought about crashing the wedding as I think they were having crab cakes; however, we still had one more winery to go and a baseball game to get to. We proceeded about 15 minutes down the road to Flying Fox and arrived to find that we had the place to ourselves
and admired the logo on the bottles that have a fox flying in an old airplane. While there we both really enjoyed their 2008 Fox White and learned that it is great for Sangria and both of us surprisingly enjoyed the Petit Verdot as it was excellent with chocolate. When we left a little before 6 to the baseball game we realized after seeing another wedding that the third weekend in July is tops for weddings at wineries and how much we just really enjoyed a relaxing day seeing some of Virginia's beautiful countryside. Of course it was better for me because it was just a backdrop to my beautiful wife. We also talked about getting some people together on a random Saturday and doing another one of Virginia's numerous wine trails. Anyone game?
We arrived at the baseball game in the top of the third inning to find that Salem Red Sox were winning 3-0. As an avid baseball fan Sandra loves minor league games and really enjoys watching both of these teams play. Since we were in Lynchburg she was cheering for the Hillcats but was still torn with them playing her home team. We were sitting right behind the Lynchburg dugout and had a wonderful time in what turned out to be a 4-2 Red Sox win but that wasn't the end of out time there. It was fireworks night and they let you go out in the outfield to sit and watch the fireworks. We went out and picked our
seats right behind where the second baseman plays and proceed to see an amazing fireworks display. It really surprised me because there wasn't a special occasion for it and I didn't think that anything else could light up the night they way that Sandra had. With the exception of the July race at Daytona it was probably one of the top fireworks display that I have seen as it lasted what seemed to be over ten minutes. However, that still wasn't the highlight of the evening.Less than a year ago the head groundskeeper for the Hillcats, Darren Johnson and his
wife Suzanne found out that their 5 year old (I think) daughter Hannah was diagnosed with cancer. As all of you that know Sandra and as I stated in earlier blogs, her passion is trying to help people and families in situations such as these and to try and increase their awareness about all the assistance that is out there for them. This was even more touching to her as she has known Ronnie for years and Darren and Ronnie have worked side by side for over 20 years together. Typical, after all the fans had left, she proceeded to head out to the pitchers' mound, where Darren was working as he was talking with his wife, to talk to them about what her role is with 
Children's Miracle Network (she sits on the board) and the assistance that is out there for them. Hannah was also there and that was the first time that Sandra had met her. You could see her face light up and see what was a beautiful little girl as she gave her a big hug. Hannah couldn't stay long as she had to get to home plate to help stomp the dirt down. It touches me to watch my wife have such a passion and life long dedication to helping others that it truly makes me want to be a better person. This is the perfect example why I am doing this 40 Days Before 40 for her. As we left I just watched how Hanna went around the stadium like she owned the place and thinking about why organizations such as the Children's Miracle Network are so important and why everyone should take some time in some way to help or give, if not just a little, as it is so easy to overlook the things that we are blessed with on a daily basis. (There is a link attached at the bottom of this blog to the website to see how you can help). As we got in our car I couldn't help but think, on a day that was suppose to be for her, she has not only touched me again, but others as well. I sat there for a second and thought about her walking out to the pitchers mound, I sent her good friend Erin Hildreth (Director of Community Services at CMN) a text message that read, "Girl, you should be here because again, Sandra is making Miracles happen!!" Her response..."As Always!"DAY 12: 12 TASTES TO A MIRACLE
July 18, 2009
28 to go...............
Friday, July 17, 2009
DAY 11: 11 HOUR ROAD COURSE DRIVE
Before reading about Day 11 please check out the contest that is now posted to the right!!!
Day 11 takes another trip back to memory lane as we were in New York for our annual summer visit to the family. We went up on Sunday, August 5th and spent a few days in Syracuse. We enjoyed some family time at Oneida lake and in the pool at my parents' house. As to our original plan we left on Thursday morning to go to to New York City to see the Braves play the Mets at Shea stadium. It was the first trip to the city for the kids. After the game we checked into the Wolcott hotel which is a great hotel for the money in NYC. We took the kids to the revolving top of the Marriot Marquis and got some dinner at ESPN Zone in Time Square. Later that evening we took the kids to the top of the Empire State Building and it was great to see their amazement in overlooking a crystal clear night in what we think is one of the greatest cities ever.
The next day was December in August in NYC. It was a cold rain which really put a damper on the kids first full day in the city. They could barely see the Statue of Liberty, but did get a chance to visit Ground Zero, as well as other tourist 
attractions that the city has to offer. The next day we had planned to do the whole 5th Avenue thing in which I freaked her out and took her to the third floor at Tiffany's. Of course she tried on rings and Will almost fell over when he asked me, "Does that really cost over $100,000." And we definitely had to visit FAO Schwartz when I got to see my baby turn into a little girl again and start playing with everything, especially all the Harry Potter stuff. The original plan was to head back to Roanoke after the day on Saturday to be able to have Sunday to relax before work on Monday. However, things did not turn out that way. My lovely wife had mentioned to my father that one of our goals was to go to every race track on the NASCAR circuit and Watkins Glen was Sunday, August 12th. My dad called on Friday when we were in NY and said that he had gotten 5 tickets to the race on Sunday at Watkins Glen. Therefore, after the day in NYC on Saturday we drove the five hours back upstate to Syracuse.
attractions that the city has to offer. The next day we had planned to do the whole 5th Avenue thing in which I freaked her out and took her to the third floor at Tiffany's. Of course she tried on rings and Will almost fell over when he asked me, "Does that really cost over $100,000." And we definitely had to visit FAO Schwartz when I got to see my baby turn into a little girl again and start playing with everything, especially all the Harry Potter stuff. The original plan was to head back to Roanoke after the day on Saturday to be able to have Sunday to relax before work on Monday. However, things did not turn out that way. My lovely wife had mentioned to my father that one of our goals was to go to every race track on the NASCAR circuit and Watkins Glen was Sunday, August 12th. My dad called on Friday when we were in NY and said that he had gotten 5 tickets to the race on Sunday at Watkins Glen. Therefore, after the day in NYC on Saturday we drove the five hours back upstate to Syracuse. On Sunday the 12th, her birthday, we left around 9AM for the less than 2 hour drive to Watkins Glen International Raceway. We had a small tailgate then went in to 
watch her first road course race. Thank goodness for the FanView and the large screen across from the track because at a road course you can see the cars for just a little bit of each lap before they are gone for a little bit. We saw a great race in which Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya got out of their cars to have a little altercation (Will is a Harvick fan!!), then we got to see my driver Jeff Gordon dominate the race only to spin out by himself on the last lap to end up finishing close to 11th. While that was great, we got caught in race traffic leaving, had to take a detour and ended up having an 11 hour drive home to arrive in Roanoke at 5AM. Just in time for an hour nap to get up and go to work!!
watch her first road course race. Thank goodness for the FanView and the large screen across from the track because at a road course you can see the cars for just a little bit of each lap before they are gone for a little bit. We saw a great race in which Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya got out of their cars to have a little altercation (Will is a Harvick fan!!), then we got to see my driver Jeff Gordon dominate the race only to spin out by himself on the last lap to end up finishing close to 11th. While that was great, we got caught in race traffic leaving, had to take a detour and ended up having an 11 hour drive home to arrive in Roanoke at 5AM. Just in time for an hour nap to get up and go to work!!The whole point of the story is that on Day 11, my youthful bride was presented with an 11 picture collage of our day at her first NASCAR road course race. It was fun to think back to that day and a great trip with my unbelievable wife and family!!!
DAY 11: 11 HOUR ROAD COURSE DRIVE
JULY 17, 2009
29 MORE TO GO!!!!
Day 10: Ten Fingers & Ten Toes
Before reading about Day 10 please check out the contest that is now posted to the right!!!
The number 10. There were a number of thoughts that went through my mind as there have been a numerous associations with this number. I thought about a "perfect 10" but Bo Derek wasn't available, and really, who would that have been a gift for? Ten Little Indians would have been wonderful and while they could have helped with the garden, the dogs might have been really freaked out, and where would they stay? As a big Atlanta Braves fan #10 Chipper Jones, who
has been eye candy to her for years, would have also been great, but he was too busy hitting a game winning single against my Mets last night, and seriously, why would I present eye candy to my wife? I decided to go with something almost every women loves.I needed an hour out of her schedule but her day was completely packed with a kick off event for the Children's Miracle Network LemonAid promotion, March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction, and Virginia Amateur Sports kick off to the Coventry Commonwealth Games. Like we all know, philanthropy is very important to her and there was no way that I would be able to get her for an hour. I was still able to present her with the Day 10 gift for her to use at her convenience. Therefore when she does use it I will return to this post and show the pictures of the event.
Around 11:00 I hopped in my 1994 beat up Mazda and joined her at Ukrops for the LemonAid promotion and she was dressed in a cute little skirt and a lemonade color sweater. On a number 10 envelope I wrote: "DAY 10..........What do you have two sets of that needs more maintenance than the Mazda?". I presented her with this envelope when I saw her at the promotion. She wanted to open it right away but I informed her that she couldn't until she figured out the stupid little riddle that I came up with. After a few incorrect guesses she hit the "nail" right on the head. Inside the envelope she had a gift certificate for a 10 finger manicure and a 10 toe pedicure that she would be able to use at her convenience. I actually had to talk her out of going to get one earlier in the week. I believe that she might be able to enjoy it today as she does have a little time in her schedule around lunch time in which she can go visit her man Long at Southwest Nails and take some relaxing time for herself.
DAY 10: TEN FINGERS AND TEN TOES
July 16, 2009
10 Down, 30 to go................
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day 9: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Premier
Before reading about Day 9 please check out the contest that is now posted to the right!!
I tried and tried in so many ways to connect Day 9 on July 15th to this movie in someway. I thought that since the local theater was doing all 5 previous Harry Potter movies on the 14th starting at 9:00 AM that we could go for 15 hours before the premier of the 6th. I also thought that since this was the 6th Harry Potter movie that the date (15th) minus the day (9) equals six. However, the more that I thought about it the more I realized, who cares, she loves Harry Potter, has read all the books, and since this is her celebration then she should go to the premier of the movie. What made it even better was when I went last week with the kids to buy tickets they were excited that they could go to a premier showing at midnight, as they are fans of Harry Potter as well. Jordan was beside herself when I told her that she would be one of the first people in the whole country to see the new Harry Potter movie. She even started to formulate a plan as to how she was going to rest before so she could stay awake for the whole movie.
I had to let my beautiful bride know about Day 9 during the Day 8 celebration as I figured that we needed to cut Day 8 short to be able to arrive in time so we could get four seats together for the movie. She received the daily Day 9 note shortly after she received that for Day 8. She immediately turned into a 12 year old and put her hands together while standing and did little hops in a half circle to turn to me and say "Are we going? Do you already have tickets?" After answering yes to both questions we decided the best time to leave for the theater would be about 10:30 so we would be there a little before 11:00. We put Jordan to bed a little before 9 and Will decided that he would be a trooper and just stay up.
When we arrived at the theater at 10:45 the parking lot was already full and with my beautiful UNC bride with her PJ's, blankets, and popcorn bucket, we took our place in line that 9 minutes after we got there was already half way across the parking lot. Typical, of long lines my patience was tested when people in front of us were holding spots for 9 other friends or people were walking in the exit door to blend in the line just before they were taking tickets. While part of me wanted to do the same thing as the rude teenagers, I thought back to how I was in my youth and decided to be a better example with the kids right there. We ended up being there early enough and to Carmike's credit, with
the exception of the people going in the out door, they did a great job of managing everyone to get in to see the movie and the theater that we ended up in.......you guessed it........Theater 9!!!!!!
While waiting in line we made a plan that right after we got our seats Will and I would go and get the popcorn bucket filled and get our drinks. After going through our first bucket of popcorn and drinks while just waiting for the previews to start, and my cute as hell wife eager with anticipation,
Will and I got back in the long line to refill just before the movie began. I will give credit to both Will and Jordan during the movie as Will was awake through the whole thing and Jordan lasted longer than I did. While I couldn't sustain the sleeping excellence the way she did, I did manage to understand most of what was a wonderful movie. Sandra absolutely loved in and immediately started comparing it to the books and wondering when we can see it again. She makes me feel 12 when I see her excitement and anticipation about such things. It most certainly made a 3:00 morning well worth while!!!!
STAY TUNED AS TOMORROW THERE WILL BE A CONTEST FOR VIEWERS!!!
Day 9: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Premier
July 15, 2009
31 More to go..........
I tried and tried in so many ways to connect Day 9 on July 15th to this movie in someway. I thought that since the local theater was doing all 5 previous Harry Potter movies on the 14th starting at 9:00 AM that we could go for 15 hours before the premier of the 6th. I also thought that since this was the 6th Harry Potter movie that the date (15th) minus the day (9) equals six. However, the more that I thought about it the more I realized, who cares, she loves Harry Potter, has read all the books, and since this is her celebration then she should go to the premier of the movie. What made it even better was when I went last week with the kids to buy tickets they were excited that they could go to a premier showing at midnight, as they are fans of Harry Potter as well. Jordan was beside herself when I told her that she would be one of the first people in the whole country to see the new Harry Potter movie. She even started to formulate a plan as to how she was going to rest before so she could stay awake for the whole movie.
I had to let my beautiful bride know about Day 9 during the Day 8 celebration as I figured that we needed to cut Day 8 short to be able to arrive in time so we could get four seats together for the movie. She received the daily Day 9 note shortly after she received that for Day 8. She immediately turned into a 12 year old and put her hands together while standing and did little hops in a half circle to turn to me and say "Are we going? Do you already have tickets?" After answering yes to both questions we decided the best time to leave for the theater would be about 10:30 so we would be there a little before 11:00. We put Jordan to bed a little before 9 and Will decided that he would be a trooper and just stay up.
When we arrived at the theater at 10:45 the parking lot was already full and with my beautiful UNC bride with her PJ's, blankets, and popcorn bucket, we took our place in line that 9 minutes after we got there was already half way across the parking lot. Typical, of long lines my patience was tested when people in front of us were holding spots for 9 other friends or people were walking in the exit door to blend in the line just before they were taking tickets. While part of me wanted to do the same thing as the rude teenagers, I thought back to how I was in my youth and decided to be a better example with the kids right there. We ended up being there early enough and to Carmike's credit, with
the exception of the people going in the out door, they did a great job of managing everyone to get in to see the movie and the theater that we ended up in.......you guessed it........Theater 9!!!!!! While waiting in line we made a plan that right after we got our seats Will and I would go and get the popcorn bucket filled and get our drinks. After going through our first bucket of popcorn and drinks while just waiting for the previews to start, and my cute as hell wife eager with anticipation,
Will and I got back in the long line to refill just before the movie began. I will give credit to both Will and Jordan during the movie as Will was awake through the whole thing and Jordan lasted longer than I did. While I couldn't sustain the sleeping excellence the way she did, I did manage to understand most of what was a wonderful movie. Sandra absolutely loved in and immediately started comparing it to the books and wondering when we can see it again. She makes me feel 12 when I see her excitement and anticipation about such things. It most certainly made a 3:00 morning well worth while!!!!STAY TUNED AS TOMORROW THERE WILL BE A CONTEST FOR VIEWERS!!!
Day 9: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Premier
July 15, 2009
31 More to go..........
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Day 8: 8 Games, Tradition, and Baseball
Just so all the men out there can be envious of me and the woman that I married, she loves sports just as much if not more than I do. I came the ultimate realization of this when she called me at the beginning of last baseball season and let me know that she ordered the MLB package so we can watch sporting events and mainly baseball on all three TV's that we have in our living room. There are plenty of times that I fall in love with her all over again but this one was one that will always be in my memory. It is her love of sports and mainly the University of North Carolina basketball that inspired Day 8.We have a tradition in our house that whenever one of our teams wins a title or championship,
we frame and hang the Sports Illustrated cover along the wall downstairs.
I have held off with the UNC title for a while and I thought that since we had seen them play 8 different games this year then Day 8 would be the appropriate time for her to 
raise her framed cover to its place on the living room wall (yes, the same one that the Syracuse jerseys are hanging). She was very surprised by this and then stated, "I was wondering why this hasn't been put up there yet?" She also was surprised because I had taken that particular issue before she had even seen it so it was brand new to her.
The night continued with the 80th Annual MLB All-Star Game. In honor of my beautiful wife's love for baseball I decided that 
I will fix her some ballpark food. She had returned from a business after hours with her friend Beth and both were starving as there was not any food there. The evening started with some nachos with chili, cheese, and jalapenos. It took no time for them to disappear between the three of us. After that we grilled out some Gwaltney Big 8 hot dogs. I originally wanted Ball Park Franks but in honor of the day I went with the Big 8's!! After a chili dog or two we really got in the baseball swing with some peanuts and cracker jacks while we enjoyed a pleasant evening of baseball.
I will fix her some ballpark food. She had returned from a business after hours with her friend Beth and both were starving as there was not any food there. The evening started with some nachos with chili, cheese, and jalapenos. It took no time for them to disappear between the three of us. After that we grilled out some Gwaltney Big 8 hot dogs. I originally wanted Ball Park Franks but in honor of the day I went with the Big 8's!! After a chili dog or two we really got in the baseball swing with some peanuts and cracker jacks while we enjoyed a pleasant evening of baseball.Day 8: 8 Games, Tradition, and Baseball
July 14th, 2009
32 more to go..........
Day 7: Seven Pounds!!
While Day 7 brought us the beginning of another week it also created a great opportunity to paint a picture of the kind of woman that my wife is. I have already mentioned before that she would use her gift certificates to purchase things for others, she volunteers for many organizations on a constant basis, she is always the one to be there for others and put their needs before hers, regardless of who it is. Day 7 became clear to me as to what I would do when I thought back to about a month ago when I saw the movie Seven Pounds. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, it is a must, for those of you that have then you know where I am going with this.
In the movie Seven Pounds, Will Smith plays a character that, in a nutshell, views a car accident that he was in, as his fault. In this accident seven people, including his soon to be wife, die. He spends the rest of the movie, and ultimately his life, giving life in one way or another to seven people that wouldn't have survived without what he did for them. Maybe not quite that dramatic yet, this is what my lovely wife does for people all the time. She is devoting her life in helping look for ways in which people can do better, become healthier, overcome life obstacles, or increase moral and spirit when fighting such things as cancer, leukemia, autism, spina bifida, and the list goes on. It becomes so easy for her to get caught up in what she is doing she often doesn't realize all that she is doing for other people and the difference that she has made in the lives of countless others. She has been my angel and I know she has been for others as well.
While I didn't think a movie alone would be sufficient enough for Day 7 the kids and
I decided on planning a seven course meal (another seven pounds!!). When we arrived home Sandra was already home on the swing in the back having a beer and getting ready to watch the home run derby. The beer didn't fit in the plan of a nice seven course dinner but we rolled with it as it was about 6:30 and the dinner wasn't going to start until 7. At seven her little Westie dog Maddie delivered her the Day 7 note that told her of the plans for the evening. Closely behind Maddie with the first course was Will with a cheese and crackers plate and I delivered her a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. We sat on the patio and enjoyed catching up on our day.
The second course as a homemade salad that mostly came from the garden that we have out back behind the house. I went down earlier and pulled out some lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, and hit the fridge for some bacon, mushrooms, feta cheese and onions. We pre-made the salads and had them waiting in the fridge so we could just pull them out when the time was upon us!! She topped it of with a Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing and was still trying to guess what might be next.
The third course was a HUGE hit with Jordan as she couldn't we were going to have ice cream before actually eating our dinner. It turned out to be Sherbet and of course the children added a little extra to their bowls. Jordan delivered Sandra's dish to her and told her that she was giving her a "little something to cleanse the palliate." We were about a third of the way through the movie at this point and we continued to try to remember all seven of the life altering things that took place within the movie. Of course with the terrible memory that I have she was able to get all seven correct first.
The fourth course was simply one of our favorites, steamed shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning. Of course the glass of wine was refreshed before this course of great shrimp and she was wondering how we were going to pull off three more courses after this. The plan was still in place but the stomachs were getting a little full. And yes those are two autographed jersey's from the 2003 NCAA basketball champions behind her !!! Glad I'm not a VT fan...empty walls...
Having put a major punishing on the pound and a half of shrimp it was a good thing that the items on the grill needed a little more time to be ready as it gave us a chance to breath for a minute as well as get some water to offset the after shock of the spicy shrimp. Shortly, after I went out and brought in for my lovely bride some Grilled Atlantic Salmon offset by some Asparagus spears that were grilled with some olive oil and sea salt (Cookbook should be coming out soon). Pajama time came very soon after this course!
With about 15 minutes left in the movie and 30 minutes after course 5, Jordan went upstairs to prepare the 6th course for this wonderful evening. She scooped out a bowl of ice cream for all four of us. When she had asked me how much to fix I told her one scoop, but what 8 year old only wants to do one scoop. We all soon got our FULL bowls of ice cream and Sandra's was topped with the always popular caramel sauce while the rest of us went with the traditional hot fudge. After eating only half a bowl she asked about course 7 and stated that there wasn't any possible way. We all echoed her thoughts and decided that the bag of popcorn that we were planning to have while watching the home run derby would be wasted more than eaten so we decided to pass on it. While I was a little disappointed in not having 7 courses for her I decided to count the hops and barley that she had in the beer when she got home. Done!!! Seven Pounds movie, Seven Course meal, and Seven Pounds gain!!! Perfect night for my beautiful wife!!! I think the only ones happier than her were the dogs who got an abundance of plates to lick throughout the evening.
July 13, 2009
Day 7: Seven Pounds
33 More to go.................
In the movie Seven Pounds, Will Smith plays a character that, in a nutshell, views a car accident that he was in, as his fault. In this accident seven people, including his soon to be wife, die. He spends the rest of the movie, and ultimately his life, giving life in one way or another to seven people that wouldn't have survived without what he did for them. Maybe not quite that dramatic yet, this is what my lovely wife does for people all the time. She is devoting her life in helping look for ways in which people can do better, become healthier, overcome life obstacles, or increase moral and spirit when fighting such things as cancer, leukemia, autism, spina bifida, and the list goes on. It becomes so easy for her to get caught up in what she is doing she often doesn't realize all that she is doing for other people and the difference that she has made in the lives of countless others. She has been my angel and I know she has been for others as well.
While I didn't think a movie alone would be sufficient enough for Day 7 the kids and
I decided on planning a seven course meal (another seven pounds!!). When we arrived home Sandra was already home on the swing in the back having a beer and getting ready to watch the home run derby. The beer didn't fit in the plan of a nice seven course dinner but we rolled with it as it was about 6:30 and the dinner wasn't going to start until 7. At seven her little Westie dog Maddie delivered her the Day 7 note that told her of the plans for the evening. Closely behind Maddie with the first course was Will with a cheese and crackers plate and I delivered her a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. We sat on the patio and enjoyed catching up on our day.
The second course as a homemade salad that mostly came from the garden that we have out back behind the house. I went down earlier and pulled out some lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, and hit the fridge for some bacon, mushrooms, feta cheese and onions. We pre-made the salads and had them waiting in the fridge so we could just pull them out when the time was upon us!! She topped it of with a Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing and was still trying to guess what might be next.
The third course was a HUGE hit with Jordan as she couldn't we were going to have ice cream before actually eating our dinner. It turned out to be Sherbet and of course the children added a little extra to their bowls. Jordan delivered Sandra's dish to her and told her that she was giving her a "little something to cleanse the palliate." We were about a third of the way through the movie at this point and we continued to try to remember all seven of the life altering things that took place within the movie. Of course with the terrible memory that I have she was able to get all seven correct first.
The fourth course was simply one of our favorites, steamed shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning. Of course the glass of wine was refreshed before this course of great shrimp and she was wondering how we were going to pull off three more courses after this. The plan was still in place but the stomachs were getting a little full. And yes those are two autographed jersey's from the 2003 NCAA basketball champions behind her !!! Glad I'm not a VT fan...empty walls...
Having put a major punishing on the pound and a half of shrimp it was a good thing that the items on the grill needed a little more time to be ready as it gave us a chance to breath for a minute as well as get some water to offset the after shock of the spicy shrimp. Shortly, after I went out and brought in for my lovely bride some Grilled Atlantic Salmon offset by some Asparagus spears that were grilled with some olive oil and sea salt (Cookbook should be coming out soon). Pajama time came very soon after this course!
With about 15 minutes left in the movie and 30 minutes after course 5, Jordan went upstairs to prepare the 6th course for this wonderful evening. She scooped out a bowl of ice cream for all four of us. When she had asked me how much to fix I told her one scoop, but what 8 year old only wants to do one scoop. We all soon got our FULL bowls of ice cream and Sandra's was topped with the always popular caramel sauce while the rest of us went with the traditional hot fudge. After eating only half a bowl she asked about course 7 and stated that there wasn't any possible way. We all echoed her thoughts and decided that the bag of popcorn that we were planning to have while watching the home run derby would be wasted more than eaten so we decided to pass on it. While I was a little disappointed in not having 7 courses for her I decided to count the hops and barley that she had in the beer when she got home. Done!!! Seven Pounds movie, Seven Course meal, and Seven Pounds gain!!! Perfect night for my beautiful wife!!! I think the only ones happier than her were the dogs who got an abundance of plates to lick throughout the evening.
July 13, 2009
Day 7: Seven Pounds
33 More to go.................
Monday, July 13, 2009
Day 6: Lake, 6-pack, and Memory Lane
One of the biggest things that bothers Sandra with technological advances is with digital photography you are not able to have the photos for viewing in which you are able to look at them without having a computer. It also has to be a specific computer unless you are posting them on to a social networking site which neither one of us are big on. Specific ones are ok but often times not all pictures are appropriate to be advertised on the internet, especially when employers and business are checking those now. Needless to say I decided for Day 6 I would take a her on a trip down memory lane to May 6th, 2007.
Today was also a day when the four of us were going to the lake but I couldn't think of a tie in with Day 6 with us being on the lake until we were there and Will took off his shirt and displayed his "6 pack". We had a wonderful time and found a place in a cove that had boat slips that were just build and unused. We docked the boat and spread out a picnic lunch while we just relaxed and caught up on some reading. The picture is a little dark but now for some reason the LCD screen on the camera is just white and won't display any images so picture taking is now done blind.
We stayed out on the lake for about 6 hours and returned back home in the evening. While at home we presented Sandra with her evening favorite, a scoop of
vanilla yogurt topped with caramel and her Day 6 surprise which was a photo collage from a NASCAR race we went to in Richmond on May 6th, 2007. We were joined there by her great friend in college, Bradley Keith as well as Bill and Beth Cross, and our racing buddies Timmy and Ammie Foutz. Even though it was surprisingly cold we had a wonderful time and she even made Mint Juleps for us as we watched the Kentucky Derby before we went it. The race ended up raining out that night and they didn't actually run it until the next day but we had a great time and got to reminisce as we went through the pictures.
Overall, Day 6 was very relaxing, and while not quite as dramatic as the others, it was enjoyed with my beautiful wife and the children which made it great for me!!!
July 12, 2009
Day 6: Lake, 6-pack, and Memory Lane
34 To Go...........
Today was also a day when the four of us were going to the lake but I couldn't think of a tie in with Day 6 with us being on the lake until we were there and Will took off his shirt and displayed his "6 pack". We had a wonderful time and found a place in a cove that had boat slips that were just build and unused. We docked the boat and spread out a picnic lunch while we just relaxed and caught up on some reading. The picture is a little dark but now for some reason the LCD screen on the camera is just white and won't display any images so picture taking is now done blind.We stayed out on the lake for about 6 hours and returned back home in the evening. While at home we presented Sandra with her evening favorite, a scoop of
vanilla yogurt topped with caramel and her Day 6 surprise which was a photo collage from a NASCAR race we went to in Richmond on May 6th, 2007. We were joined there by her great friend in college, Bradley Keith as well as Bill and Beth Cross, and our racing buddies Timmy and Ammie Foutz. Even though it was surprisingly cold we had a wonderful time and she even made Mint Juleps for us as we watched the Kentucky Derby before we went it. The race ended up raining out that night and they didn't actually run it until the next day but we had a great time and got to reminisce as we went through the pictures.Overall, Day 6 was very relaxing, and while not quite as dramatic as the others, it was enjoyed with my beautiful wife and the children which made it great for me!!!
July 12, 2009
Day 6: Lake, 6-pack, and Memory Lane
34 To Go...........
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Day 5: Blue 5, Fine Wine, and Fine Whine
If anyone that is reading this has seen the movie Hitch, and understands what it is like to be around children when you have something wonderful planned, then you will understand where I am coming from in this posting!!!! Just keep in mind as you read this, the original plan for Day 5 on a Saturday was:1. Wake up and fix a nice pancake breakfast.
2. Go to the gym and try to look as good as my wife.
3. Take the family to lunch at Blue 5 for Day 5.
4. Go to the Amrhein's for the wine festival to watch Key West.
5. Enjoy the race with my beautiful wife sitting on the sofa!!!
FIVE ITEMS FOR DAY 5!!!!!
Now lets talk about reality.................. When Hitch took Sara Melas to Ellis Island on the first date to see where her ancestors signed the book to enter into America, he thought that she would just melt into his arms and the rest would be history!! For all of those who have seen the movie you realize that it turned into a disaster. The premise of the movie is basically how you need to have a plan for something to turn out right. However, just like the movie turns out, plans account for nothing!!! Here is how the day really went!!!
1. I slept in to wake up and realize that my baby was already up fixing bacon and
had all the breakfast goods out. I was able to make the pancakes which I tried to incorporate Day 5 right away. 0-12. I never went to the gym as I stay home with and decided to upgrade a few things on the boat, which is named after my lovely wife, and fix a pop up canopy tent that broke last weekend. 0-2
3. In talking to Sandra about downtown business I found out that Blue 5 is not open for lunch on the weekend so I was all of a sudden trying to rearrange the day so we would be able to have dinner there. 0-3
4. We ended up going to the wine festival at Amrheins around 4 in the afternoon only
to be there for about 20 minutes before the skys opened up and starting pouring. It was the perfect opportunity to put up the pop up tent that I had used the weekend before, however, I realized that morning that it was beyond repair and we had to
tuck under a make shift tent that they had set up there. It stopped raining long enough for Key West to get back on stage and for us to enjoy a bottle of wine and a little dancing before, again the skys opened up and dropped a huge shower upon us. We were proactive and already had the chairs in the car and decided when it let up that we were going to move on. She still didn't know that dinner at Blue 5 was her Day 5 surprise. After coming off the
mountain we made our way to Blue 5 in which I was looking forward to a wonderful dinner while listening to a great band that was playing there. The hostess informed us that all of the tables were reserved because of the band however with a little coercion and informing her that it was Day 5 she gave us a table in which the people were quite late for. We did have a wonderful surprise when Sandra's good friend Kim (Day 3) and her man Chris stopped by to surprise us and chat for a minute as they knew that we were there for Day 5. At that point we had a tired little girl on our hands
and if any of you have had a tired little girl then you know what I am referring to. There was not a kids menu which made things difficult from the start, then the sugar packets wouldn't fit back into the holder in just the right order and just the right way, then the soup wasn't the right soup that she wanted. Needless to say, while our dinner was wonderful............. 0-4!!!!
5. While I was feeling like a baseball player that has struck out every at bat during the game I just wanted to get home and sit down with my lovely bride and son and watch the race which we have set the DVR for. It was mentioned how great it would be if Mark Martin (#5 and her favorite driver) would win the race tonight. The race DVR is standard at our house as we love to do so much during the wonderful summer days that we enjoy coming home in the evening and watching the race, which usually takes place during the day.
Frustration had already set in while trying to get a tired little girl to bed, I told her that I wasn't going to even write this blog and that she could write about Day 5. We were so excited to relax and watch the race I knew that I could at least go 1-5 and try to salvage a day which I had thought was going to be so great. I decided to write a few quick thoughts about at least spending the day with my three favorite people and then go and spend some quality time on the couch with my beautiful wife to wrap up Day 5.
Need I say more????? She does look so at peace and so wonderful however.......
0-5
July 11, 2009
DAY 5: BLUE 5, FINE WINE, AND FINE WHINE!!!
35 TO GO!!!
Just saw the end of a great race that my beautiful bride will see in the morning and love!!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
