Day 40: Celebration Time

Well, the day is finally here and I woke to it with mixed emotions. I have had so much fun doing this for my wonderful bride I almost don't want it to end. She was excited as the day started and her friend Monica, who came in from Richmond was there for the weekend and her day had finally arrived. I fixed them some waffles and bacon for breakfast and they spent most of the morning just catching up on things that have been going on in their lives. As we spent the early afternoon getting ready for the party some of her other girlfriends (Beth, Jamie, Lauren) showed up around 3:00 as they were all going to get manicures and pedicures. I drove them to the nail salon with some bottles of champagne where they also met up with her other friends Aly and Kim. Seven ladies in all had a wonderful time catching up and getting pampered. I on the other hand went to Back Creek Grill to pick up the food for the party. Back Creek is the same place that we had our wedding reception and it is a wonderful place that we love to visit!!!

About 6:30 the limousine showed up to take them for a ride and bring them to the party. (This was a surprise for Sandra but she figured it out when no one had a car at the nail salon. She was also with me when I won a free limo ride about 3 months earlier). The ladies had a wonderful time on the ride to our place for the party. By the time that they arrived they had already stopped to refill the champagne supply and were quite happy when they got there. The party wasn't a huge one but very quaint. David Page and his wife Michelle were there along with Bob Patrick and his wife Dre. We had neighbors that also stopped by and various other people that visited throughout the night. The ladies had their own little dance floor out on the patio and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.

I end this 40 Days journey with a number of thoughts. First I would love to thank all of the people that have helped me in making this a memorable experience for Sandra. From all of her friends who helped on various days to all of the people that we met in place along the way. It was a wonderful time and we love everyone that was involved. Secondly, to those of you that have kept up with this it is great for me to see the large amount of people that have read this on a daily basis. I can see how many people read this and where they are from and it has been incredible. People from all across the country have followed as well as in Africa, Argentina, Australia, the Middle East, Japan, China just to name a few. Every continent has been represented and it is just nice to know that maybe in an indirect way that my wife may have had an effect on even more people than she already does. Lastly, to my beautiful bride! I love you more than you can imagine and this has been just a small something that I feel indebted to you for everything that you have brought into my life. You are my rock, foundation, and soul mate in which I look forward to spending the next 40 years of your life with. The impact that you have on myself and countless others is so much more than you can imagine and I am so proud to see that everyday. You are an amazing person that I am so fortunate to be able to call my wife!! I LOVE YOU!! HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!!

Day 40: Celebration Time

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

40 Days of Memories!!!

Day 39: Blue Heaven

With only two days to go I decided to give her a gift that I/we have been working on since the end of February. When I decided that I would be taking her to Carolina's tournament games I purchased her a Tyler Hansboro jersey that I figured that we would take with us to get the players to sign it. We were successful in get a large number of the starters and the players that would be going to the NBA. Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson, Danny Green, were the main ones and even Roy Williams was gracious enough to sign it when he was in the hotel lobby after they lost to Florida State in the ACC tournament. Throughout the tournament I gained a lot of respect for

Roy Williams as a person as there was never a person that he wouldn't speak to and was always around for pictures or autographs with the fans. The one that we really needed was Tyler Hansboro as it was his jersey.

Probably the most notable person that was always around was Tyler's dad but never Tyler. We had our chance when we were sitting having a drink in the lobby at the Peabody in Memphis. It was the Saturday between games and I noticed that there was Roy Williams and a few players that were starting to come down the elevator. I told Sandra that I bet that they were going to a shoot around at the arena to prepare for Sunday's game. While she was too star struck (I couldn't believe it either) I walked up to Hansboro to ask him if he could sign it for my wife's 40th

birthday. He gave me a "pfffft" and kept on walking. I informed him that next year he will be begging for people to be asking for his autograph and that he wasn't even the best player on his own team. What made it worse is that a mother asked him to take his picture with her 4 year old son and he stood there with a look of disgust as she took the picture before he went and sat on the bus for 15 minutes. Wow, what a great guy!!! At that point I told her that I was done trying to get him to sign it. For Day 39 I presented the jersey inside a case that I had made and with mixed emotions made her a place on the wall for her Carolina things.

We also celebrated Day 39 last night with our annual fantasy football draft at the house. Her friend Monica worked the draft board and we had a living room full of people, laptop cords, finger foods, and strategy sheets. My bride even had a player agent on the phone as every time it was her time to pick she was whispering in the corner on the phone with who knows trying to figure out who to take. It turned out to be great for everyone else as she took Vick in the 10th round as well as Ricky Williams in the 8th. We had a great time and ended Day 39 in great fashion. Tomorrow is the big day and the end of the journey, but is the start of the best years of her life!!

Day 39: Blue Heaven

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Tomorrow is it...........

Day 38: Our History

Even though Sandra and I met just 4 years ago it seems like I have know her my whole life and we rarely miss an opportunity to take an adventure together. As I was putting the other collages together I came across a number of pictures of the two of us and thought that it would be great to put every adventure in one place. Day 38 is the last collage of the two of us in numerous places that we have been. I hope to have a hundred more of these throughout my wonderful life with her. And yes, wall space clearing has begun to make room for all the collages.

Only two more days and as I sit back and think back to day one when we went to her office to give her a rose and took her for one pair of shoes, it seems like forever ago. It also makes me think about the relationship that we have in which, while we appreciate and respect the past, we don't dwell on it, rather we look forward to each and every day that we have together and make new memories in the process.

Day 38: Our History

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Only 2 left:(.......

Day 37: Birthday and Frankie's

Let me start off today by wishing my beautiful wife a happy 40th birthday. August 12th is her birthday but the 40 days is going until her party on Saturday! Of course she had to stop by the American Red Cross in the afternoon to donate blood as she is very ritualistic about that. For me, today was simple. I decided to be cliche and just simply give my bride a choice of where she wanted to go for a very nice birthday dinner. Since I had never been to Frankie Rowland's in downtown Roanoke and her great friend Mike took her there for her birthday last year she wanted to go there.

We started the evening with a cocktail in the front bar area which was very nice and then proceed to our table around 8:30. A caesar salad, fillet, cream spinach, and mushrooms was a delightful meal which was followed by a complimentary chocolate dessert for her birthday. We had a great time talking about this 40 day journey throughout the evening and a little after 10:00 we headed home so she could watch a movie before we went to bed.

Probably the thing that amazed me the most was the amount of cards that Sandra has received throughout the last few days and the number of people with whom love and respect her. One that really stood out to me was one that her colleague Lynda gave to her that I was given permission to share....

Sandra,

What an inspiring example you set of someone who is in perfect alignment with their deepest and most fundamental values. So many people spend their lives knowing they could do more to help others and you show them that they can! The support and love that you give to so many charitable leaders and the people they serve in our community is extraordinary. May your heart continue to expand and know that you are a beautiful servant to others and make a profound difference to us all. Wishing you a fantastic day and year. - Lynda

This is the reason that I am proud to be her husband.

Day 37: 40th Birthday and Frankie's

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

3 Days Left........

Day 36: Suite, First Pitch, and Bungee!!!

Sandra had known what Day 36 was a while ago as her friend Ronnie, who is the Assistant GM of the Lynchburg Hillcats had told her that he had a suite for her the night before her birthday. Well, if you have been reading, you already know my bride's love for minor league baseball so off we went. She had also in the time that she knew about the suite, negotiated trowing out the first pitch as well as getting both of us in a between innings contest that happens at minor league games.

We arrive about 6:30 for the 7:00 game and she was very excited and a touch nervous about throwing out the first pitch. I told her that Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, and John Smoltz both pitched way into their 40's, so she shouldn't have any problem getting the ball over the plate without bouncing it. She went out there to a round of applause as it was announced that it was her 40th birthday. Sandra wound up to throw, and like she always does, stepped with the wrong foot, and threw the ball directly across the plate like she had been doing it for years!!! The catcher jogged out to give her the ball and I was hoping not a pat on the rear for a good pitch.

After that we walked up to our suite and had a baseball buffet. Hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn as well as beverages to wash it all down. It was at the beginning of the 5th inning that we were summoned to go to the field for a contest at the end of the inning in which we would be competing against each other. We started out back to back with a bungee cord tied to us and we had to run in opposite directions to see who could place 3 rubber chickens, one at a time, into a basket first. Of course she took off and pulled me backwards as I have learned that the saying "Hell hath no furry as a woman who turns 40" (or is it scorned?:)). Regardless she won the contest as I could only manage to pull her enough to get one of my chickens in the basket.

After enjoying the rest of the game we visited with Ronnie a bit and then we hit the road for the drive back home, thinking about what a great night that we had.............. If it had been true.............

That was the plan, however, Ronnie had called Sandra about 5:15 and told her that there was a good possibility that the game might be cancelled due to the weather that was there and on the way. Rather than make the hour drive for a rain out she decided that I should come meet her and some of her colleagues for happy hour. I agreed but my real issue was what was going to be done for Day 36?

Good thing that I had a stand by for this whole experience. Ever since Day 1 I have had something that I could use as a fill in. Sort of like the un-tagged gift that you wrap at Christmas to give to someone whom you didn't expect to give you a present. I met her downtown and presented her with a frame that had all of the North Carolina tournament tickets from 2009 in which we had attended. It included the ACC Tournament, First rounds in Greensboro, Sweet 16 in Memphis, and of course the Final Four in Detroit. She loved it and thought that it was the plan all along. Let's hope nothing else goes wrong in the next 4 days as I'm out of backups!!

Day 36: Suite, First Pitch, and Bungee!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Only 4 left and tomorrow is her actual 40th!!!

Day 35: 35 Hours to a UNC Title

A couple years ago Sandra and I were talking about my trip to New Orleans for the Final Four when Syracuse won the National Championship in basketball. I had promised her that I would take her to a Final Four when North Carolina went because it was just a wonderful experience. Little did I know that they would make the Final Four in 2007-2008 in San Antonio. We both have always wanted to go there but with our schedules and the cost of airfare it was just impossible to make that trip work. It worked out well because my bride wasn't happy sitting at home watching UNC get spanked by Kansas in the semi-finals so I'm glad we weren't there!!! I told her that if they made it the next year we would go to Detroit to watch them as it was within driving distance. I was actually thinking that most of their players would go to the NBA and not come back to UNC, but when they did I knew that it was very much a possibility. Little did I know what was going to happen and that we would drive 35 ONE WAY hours over a 4 weekend stretch in the process.

Tournament time started when our neighbor offered us tickets to the ACC tournament in Atlanta. We made the drive on Friday to watch UNC beat VA Tech in the quarterfinals then saw them lose to Florida State in the semis. My bride was so upset that we didn't even go to the finals, giving our tickets to some man and his little boy. On the way back we stopped for dinner to watch the selection show for the NCAA tournament. As the teams came up I looked at her and said, "You realize that UNC and Syracuse are in the same bracket and might face each other in Memphis for the right to go to the Final Four." We agreed then that if they both made it past the first two rounds we would go.

The next weekend we went to Greensboro to meet my brother and see the opening games of the tournament, and watch Carolina take their first steps to Detroit. As the weekend went on both UNC and Syracuse won their games so we realized that we were Memphis bound the next weekend. We were happy to find that they were playing on Friday/Sunday rather than Thursday/Saturday as we would be able to leave Thursday evening. We did realize however, that it would make for a long trip back on Sunday.

Memphis was great. She was all decked out in some light blue color and I was sporting the Syracuse orange. Before the first games, SU vs Oklahoma and UNC vs Gonzaga, we went to Beale Street which is like a mini Bourbon Street. The place was packed and a blast. It was awesome to see how much Orange and Carolina blue was on the street and how many couples were a "house divided" between Carolina and Syracuse. Everything was set for the two teams to play each other on Sunday as all the fans seemed as though they were from those two schools. One problem, Syracuse lost and UNC won. UNC ended up winning again on Sunday and we left about 7:30PM for our 10-11 hour trip home so we could be at work Monday morning. What made the trip even longer for me was knowing that I needed to keep my promise to my bride and take her to the booming city of Detroit in 6 days.

We left Friday night to head up to Detroit and stay with her cousin John just north of the city. It was amazing for me to see what once looked like such a great city was now so empty as you left the downtown area. It was obvious how much the recession has hurt Detroit but the positive for the city was that Michican State was in the Final Four and the city started to rally behind them. We met up with the "Carolina Crowd" before the games on Saturday and had a great time before watching both Michigan State and UNC win to set up a Monday meeting for the title. Sunday we just relaxed, hung out with her cousin, and then went to the river walk to see a free concert with Fergie as well as some other artists. When game time closed in on Monday night it was absolutely amazing for me to see the people in green for Michigan St. and how the city came alive. Parking garages were full of just people in green and I wondered how they would react if Michigan State were to win or even lose a close game. Carolina took care of that, blowing them out and doing it early in the game. We did have great seats for the finals sitting amongst a large number of Division 1 coaches and I did get a chance for a photo with Jim Boeheim. I hopped in our car with a very happy woman and for another long trip home but with memories that will last a lifetime!!!

Day 35 gift.............Another (lol) collage with pictures from every city on our 4 weekend journey!!

Day 35: 35 Hours to a UNC Title

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

5 More!!!!!!!!

Day 34: 34 Victories

If one was to walk into the rec room of our house you would realize that we are quite the die hard sports fans (one of the reasons I fell in love with her). When she moved in she was able to see all of the memorabilia for my teams when they have won titles. The room started as Syracuse, Chicago Bulls, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Mets but slowly there has been an infusion of the Atlanta Braves, Miami Dolphins (well, not yet as they haven't won since she's been a fan), but mainly the North Carolina Tarheels. We even have a napkin holder with Syracuse on one side and North Carolina on the other that gets turned to the side of which ever team wins most recently. There has been some tense moments in regards to that but it is much fun.

For those of you that have been following the 40 days you saw Sandra raise the framed Sports Illustrated cover on our National Champions wall on Day 8 as we were at 8 games last season when UNC won it all. For Day 34 I commemorated the Tar Heels 34 wins in 2008-09 with the Sports Illustrated Commemorative Edition National Championship cover that she will finally be able to hang beside the Syracuse one! While it won't look as good, it will make her feel good that it is hanging there.

What made Day 34 even better for her was a visit from her family as we spent the day just relaxing around the house and enjoying great food and great company!!! I think that she enjoyed her Day 34 surprise even more with her father there as he is a rather big Duke fan!!

Day 34: 34 Victories

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Only 6 left!!!!!!!!

Day 33: Black Dogs and Confusion

After Day 32, with us old people feeling the effects of riding roller coasters all day and getting home at 2:00 AM a late morning wake up and the Black Dog Wine and Jazz Festival was in order. I also had another collage (I know, another collage) for her from one of our trips to Bristol however, when I gave it to her I realized that it was the wrong one. Back on Day 25 there was also a Bristol collage that took place on the 25th of August in 2007. That was the one that was suppose to be given for Day 33 as it had 33 pictures. Oh well, she now has both collages even though they were given on the wrong day.


We left for the festival a little after 1:00 and ventured on the little over an hour ride to Chateau Morrisette Winery. After stopping to grab a bite to eat we arrived about 2:45. We ran into a few people that we know and while having our complimentary tastings we caught up on the goings on in our lives. While Sandra and I are almost on opposite spectrums of the wine scale we decided on a bottle of their "Independence", because we both thought it was pretty good as well as a portion of the proceeds goes to the Service Dogs of Virginia and Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation. We laid our blanket down and had a very relaxing afternoon while listening to some good jazz music. While sitting there we received a visit from one of the black dogs who enjoyed some of the water from our wine bucket.

Day 33: Black Dogs and Confusion

Saturday, August 8, 2009

7 More to Go......

Day 32: Adventure x 32

As these days have gone on, especially while all the collages were being given, I thought that things got a little boring and predictable. While we were on vacation it was tough to be creative so I wanted to spice things up a little bit. Day 32 was the perfect opportunity. I asked her to take the day off without providing any details as to what we were doing. After breakfast we started our day to conquer 32 different adventures. Kings Dominion was the perfect place!!!

We couldn't have asked for a better day as the skys were mostly overcast, temps in the low 80's, and the park wasn't very crowded at all. I didn't inform her of my plan of 32 adventures right away as I thought that it would be tough to accomplish
in less than ten hours. The day started out perfect for her as immediately when we walked in she saw her true love, and had to get her picture taken with him. While a little soggy about it, Sponge Bob graciously obliged. From there we started hitting the rides and with my phone, I took a picture of every one for documentation if everything worked out. It was looking sort of grim when we walked back out to our car to have a picnic lunch around 2:30 and only had 9 adventures under our belt. I was thinking, how can we possible get in 23 more. It was then that I told her of the plan to accomplish 32 Adventures for Day 32 and that I wasn't sure it was going to work out.

After lunch we came back on a mission!!!! We worked the park like a single man works a dance club, circling to check out everything. Around 8:05 we were both starving and we had 25 adventures in the book. All I could think of is how we were going to get 7 more adventures in and have dinner in 115 minutes. We actually did enjoy our pizza but I also let her know when we were almost finished, that a 40 year old woman wouldn't walk out of the park without completing the task. In her youthful spunk she perked up and said, "lets go, we can do it!!!"

We hit the bumper cars and wouldn't you know it, the line was moving slowly. We finally made it, I got rocked, and we moved on. 26 down...... Quickly, we moved to the Drop Tower again so we could experience it at night (completely different experience). 27 down..... While waiting at the Drop Tower we decided to visit one of her favorite rides, The Richoet. The line wasn't bad, however, time wasn't on our side. 4 to go and only 30 minutes....... We were going to save the Ferris Wheel for last to close our our great day while looking over the neon lit park, but since it was on our way we jumped on for Adventure 29. Unfortunately, we waited for 15 minutes to do it, 3 more and 15 minutes.......We brisked over to the Shockwave which had no line so we still had a shot, 10 minutes, 2 more........ I told her that she could still do it at 40 and we power walked/slight jog over to the Dominator roller coaster. There was a line but we made it in before they closed the gate for the evening. We finished on the ride exactly at closing!!! 31 down.....She thought we ended up one short, however, every great day with my wife ends with a good bowl of ice cream. While unintended, it was an adventure to try and find an open ice cream stand, but with aching feet and tired legs we were determined. A bowl of swirl was found and we had accomplished Adventure 32!!!!

Day 32: Adventure x 32

Friday, August 7, 2009

Only 8 left!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 31: Marker 31 For My Girl('s)

So like Day 30, Day 31 went nothing as planned. My plan was to go bowling on lane 31 with my bride and the kids however, Vinton Bowling Center only has 24 lanes and rather than going to Salem to bowl we decided to take advantage of the beautiful evening and hop on the boat to go to marker 31 at Smith Mountain Lake!!!

On our ride down to Mango's Will decided to do some wakeboarding on the water. When we arrived we realized that it was karaoke night there. For those of you that know our daughter Jordan, you realize that this was the perfect evening for her, however, while quite the performer at home, she has always been shy with others around. As we ordered our dinner, Sandra and Jordan went and entered Jordan's name in the hat to perform. While we eating our appetizer, the moment of truth arrive. With about 100 people around Jordan, meagerly walked up on the stage to sing "Our Song" by Taylor Swift. SHE WAS AWESOME!!! Everyone in the place was clapping and just watching her sing the entire song with "attitude" and without the lyrics.

As the evening went on we had a wonderful time with our outside dinner at Marker 31 as well as watch little Ms. Jordan take to the stage again to sing another Taylor Swift song, "Love Story", this time to about 200 people that were at tables and on the balconies. Again, she eluded all her shyness and had great stage presence during the song, however, it was after that she was great. She paused to let everyone finishing cheering to say "I would like to give a shout out to my Stepmom Sandra who is turning 40!!!" When she came off the stage she went running right to my beautiful wife's arms only for me to realize with a tear in my eye........What more could I want? It gets no better than this!!!!

Day 31: Marker 31 For My Girl('s)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

9 Mas!!!!

Day 30: 30% Is Better.....

Day 30 was a simple day as it started out!!! The kids and I were going to cook dinner for Sandra and give her a night of relaxation from the time she got home. However, we realized that we were only going to be 30% effective!!!

After finding out that she had a meeting at 6PM and that she wasn't going to be home until about 8PM, we realized that our plan for dinner was done. We rocked it out like single Dad's do and grilled up some steaks. We also went to the garden to grab some corn on the cob which is amazing by the way!! When Ms Sandra's arrival time was delayed due to bad storms in the area we decided that any form of dinner was shot (even though she already ate). Jordan was asleep in the bed and Will and I just waited until she got settled in. At that point we started the movie 13 Going on 30 and popped some popcorn to go along with some chips and salsa.

We had a great time watching the movie and we even stopped to show Will the Thriller video (his first time) on YouTube. We had a great night and when life throws obstacles in your way it is sometimes better to realize that being able to accomplish 30% of your plans is better than being able to complete 29% of them!!!!

Day 30: 30% Is Better....

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

10 More!!!!

29 Again? (and again... and again... and again...)

Greetings family, friends, and random strangers reading my 40th birthday blog!

I have been waiting for the right time to write one of these and DAY 29 has given me that opportunity. I must warn you that if you do NOT like sweet, sappy, mushy, lovey-dovey... then this one might make you a bit queasy. Just when I thought it wasn't possible, my wonderful, thoughtful, adoring husband really outdid himself yesterday.

Our evening started off exactly the way we like it... a cocktail after work (well right now only one of us is working, though I am enjoying have a house-husband) catching up on our day. We had already decided to stay home, grill out and watch a few movies. A quick trip to the movie store yielded an unusual mix - "Some Like It Hot" (Marilyn Monroe) and "The Haunting in Connecticut". Since we needed to wait for darkness to fall before watching the scary thriller we started with Some Like It Hot. I highly recommend this classic that ranks 22 (not 29) on American Film Institute's Top 100 movies. I did find out today (while researching for the blog) it was released on March 29 - a perfect choice even though it was accidental! Also for all the history buffs, today marks the 47th anniversary of Marilyn's death in 1962.

While watching the first movie I was instructed NOT to go into our bedroom until told I could do so. Of course at this point I knew Bill had something up his sleeve. I was waiting patiently to receive my daily slip of paper that denotes what the day is about but alas could wait no longer to use the bathroom which had to be accessed through the bedroom. When I opened the door the intoxicating scent of roses rushed at me. There at my feet lay a stem with four baby red roses! Then a few feet ahead of that, another one... then another one... making a trail to the master bathroom where yet another one lay on top of my bathrobe. I was trying to figure out the 29 connection by counting the number of baby roses but they didn't add up? I donned my robe (my UNC robe) realizing that a trip to our much used hot tub must be the next step on the trail. On my way through the laundry room to outside I found... wait for it (just for you Erin)... another trail of roses all the way out the back door. Waiting outside for me was my husband with more roses in hand! The end of the trail led to the hot tub with a chilled bottle of champagne (it wasn't even Champagne Thursday) and strawberries (Richard Gere was right - it does bring out the flavor) waiting along with the glasses we used when we made our first toast as Mr. and Mrs. William Pratt. I was so overwhelmed by his thoughfulness and how special I felt I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. How did I get so lucky?

We've had some of deepest, most thought provoking conversations in the hot tub and Day 29 was no different. The hot tub adventure almost didn't happen. Murphy's Law has set up permanent residence at the Pratt household lately. Bill drained the hot tub before we left for our vacation to clean it with plans to refill upon our return. The day before i.e. Day 28 he filled it then turned on the jets and heater... nothing. He goes over to check the breaker (which just happens to be positioned right about our fish pond - water + electricity = bad) and with one flipped of the switch - sizzle, crackle - burnt wires and a cold "hot" tub. My ever resourceful husband made his third possibly fourth trip to Lowe's for the week, got a new breaker and fixed it right up with frying himself or the koi in our pond. Ladies, he is very useful and sometimes can be "loaned" out for household projects. He is even pretty good with flowers as he arranged my 29 beautiful red roses in a vase with baby's breath.

Just like Marilyn did in Some Like It Hot, I got the sweet end of the lollipop.... on Day 29!

Day 28: 1st Date Revisited

It was December 28, 2006 when my beautiful bride and I decided to meet up for our first date at the Brambleton Deli. I was excited because it is not that expensive and if the date didn't go well I wouldn't be out that much. Of course I arrived on time, and in time enough to look through the City magazine, Bella magazine, and all of the articles that they had posted on the wall.....twice.

When my date showed up it was well worth the wait. Of course I gave her a hard time for her lack of promptness as we were being seated at a table near the bar area. Strike two on her when she took the chair that was able to see everything that was going on and then I had to sit with my back to everything. It turned out to be well worth it because we sat there for over three hours and were never at a lack for anything to say, and it was amazing about all of the things that we had in common. We ended with a hug in the parking lot and actually got together again the next night!

Every year since, on December 28th, we go back to Brambleton Deli and wait until that table comes open to enjoy a dinner and reminisce about our wonderful first evening together. Last night on Day 28 I thought it would be appropriate to take my beautiful wife back to where we first dined together on the night of the 28th.

Sorry but there aren't any pictures as the camera is still in the infirmary and the phone didn't get the job done....... Maybe some nights are meant to be left private!!!

Day 28: 1st Date Revisited

Monday, August 3, 2009

12 More to Go!!!!!!!!

Day 27: 27 Dresses

We FINALLY arrived back home after ten days on the road visiting family in New York and in West Virginia and I knew that Day 27 needed to be a relaxing one as we would be wore out. I decided to go with the movie 27 Dresses as I had never seen it and what woman doesn't love a watching a chick flick with her man. That way she can let her man know the things that are done right or need to be done better and use the movie as the reason that she is dropping those subtle statements. Actually, I enjoy them as well because I can defend the man and will do so regardless of the circumstance. We have had some great moments because of this!!

We didn't get the movie started until about 8:30 but were able to manage to stay awake, with the assistance of popcorn and cake. It turn out, although predicitable, to be a good movie. It actually reminded me in a way of when I first started dating my wife. I had pushed her away a couple of times, but all along what was perfect for me and what I really wanted and needed was right there in front of my face. I thank her daily for her persistance and am loving every minute of it!!

Day 27: 27 Dresses

August 2, 2009

13 to go.....

Day 26: A First With The Pep Boys

One of the things that Sandra and I have always wanted to do but never have was to go to a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Late last year we decided that we had a weekend in which we could do so and with our friend Steve went down the road for the October 26, 2008 Pep Boys 500 race in Atlanta. Day 26 entails the last in our series of collages with photos from our trip.

I was shocked the week before when I found at hotel suite for under $40 that was only a few miles from the track on race weekend, however, when we arrived late that Friday night we knew why. We had to have a security guard let us in the room, which was an outside door, because we arrived so late. After walking into two rooms at 2AM that were occupied we finally got settled into our room and chained/dead bolted/ and put a chair in front of our door before we went to bed. The next day we found out the motel was state funded housing for those who couldn't afford their own. Oh well, just another weekend with the Pratt's and it looked just like the Hilton when I closed my eyes!!!

We spent Saturday just hanging around the room and a local sports bar watching college football and the truck race that they were running. The next morning we headed to the track a few hours before the race as we have yet to acquire tickets. After finding tickets for about $20 a piece we headed into the track, in which my bride decided to spend some time with the Pep Boys. Before heading to our seats I wanted to walk up at the start/finish line to see the track from the front stretch and to my surprise there were numerous empty seats right there. We parked ourselves there on a beautiful fall day and we got to see our first race at Atlanta side by side!!

Day 26: A First With The Pep Boys

August 1, 2009

14 To Go..............

Day 25: Start to Finish

On August 25, 2007 we went to another of our 12 Nascar races during the year. This one was on Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, which is one of the best events of the year. We arrived there on Friday afternoon in time to get to the Busch race that Friday night. It turned out to be one of the best races that I have seen as they spent most of the night banging on each other side by side for hundreds of laps.

Saturday was typical Bristol as there ended up being about 10-15 people that showed up throughout the day before we went into the track. As has become tradition, Will brought the track security officer some water and he let Sandra and him down on the track for driver introductions. Sandra obtained a Sharpie marker and walked over to the Start/Finish line and wrote all of our names on it.

It was another great night at the race track and even better, the opportunity to hang out with my lovely wife, and son at an event where we are all rooting against each others driver yet having a blast at the same time!!!

Day 25: Start to Finish

July 31, 2009

15 and counting!!!!

Day 24: Blame It On The Rain

Day 24 continues our collage theme at Lowes Motor Speedway with our most recent race trip. It was for a Sunday, May 24, 2009 race date that my bride and I set sail, literally, for the Coca Cola 600 in Concord, North Carolina. We pulled the camper down on a Thursday night to arrive late enough to set up and then head to bed. The following morning was the only morning/midday in which we had decent weather so we took off on our bikes and went for a ride to check out all that was in the area. It turned out that we were smart in going when we did because when we were riding back it started raining, and then continued, and continued, and continued throughout the weekend.

The rain cancelled the Busch race on Saturday and then let up enough for everyone to think that they were going to run the big race on Sunday night. We debated on going into the track as the skys didn't look good at all. We made the decision to head into the track which didn't turn out to be a good one. When we got there they weren't even doing pre-race stuff as they knew the rain was coming again. When it did, we waited under the grand stands for a couple of hours before heading back to the camper during a lull. We learned that the rain had postponed the race until the next day which was Memorial day.

We woke up to a beautiful morning and packed up the camper to take off after the race ended. When we got to the track we were able to see that the skys were darkening up again. The did get the race started before another 2 hour rain delay. Once they got it restarted again it turned out only to be for another hour and, go figure, the rain came again. We decided to just leave rather than wait another two hours. Turned out to be a good move as we were half way home when we heard they only ran ten more laps before it was rained out for the last time. Fun, relaxing weekend but also very frustrating.

Day 24: Blame It On The Rain

July 30, 2009

16 More......................

Day 23: Parking Lot Camping

For those of you that have been following I want to apologize for falling behind as we have spent the last five days at a family reunion in the West Virginia mountains, therefore, no internet. That also posed a challenge in wondering how to tie in five days away into the 40 days. In thinking about that I decided to continue the path down memory lane and bring out past trips back to light.

September 23, 2007 was a day in which my bride and the kids took advantage of some free VIP tickets to the NASCAR race in Dover, Deleware. We left on that Saturday with the kids and packed up the tent in the back of the truck. When we arrived, the camping spots were all filled up so we pulled into a shopping center lot and pitched the tent on a grass patch next to a sidewalk. We continued to redneck it up by pulling out the burn barrel and put it in the parking spot next to us and had a campfire that night. We had a great night and some great pictures of my beautiful wife and children. We woke up the next morning to spend some time in the hospitality village eating and sat under a crystal clear sky watching the Sunday race. It was a late night getting back that evening but in looking back at the pictures it was once again, all worth it!!!

Day 23: Parking Lot Camping

July 29, 2009

17 To Go.........