Supper on the Patio

Well, I didn't get to be at Chris and Amy's with all the family tonight. But I did have a new friend, Laura, over for supper. It had cooled off enough that we were able to eat on the patio. But I hadn't counted on the grill heating up the patio. Once I finished grilling, it cooled off comfortably and we were able to enjoy the evening eating outside.

I loved being able to eat outside, but it probably was no where near as exciting as riding around in the trailer behind the tractor or riding the four wheeler all over Chris and Amy's place.

Picnic in the Rain

Yesterday our "Group" at the office had a picnic, but because it rained so hard, we ate inside. I took a few pictures so you could meet some of the people with whom I work.

Terri, on the far right was our hostess. She is one of the ladies that brings order to the claim files and identifies and marks the exhibits. Natalie (standing next to her) orders evidence that we need and mails the decisions out. She is newer to the office than I am - she moved here from Greenville, SC. Robbie is the supervisor of all the employees in our "Group." That is his wife and one of his three daughters in the picture.






This is Natalie's little girl. She was enjoying that cupcake.











This is Dawn and her husband Pablo. Dawn is an attorney. She writes the decisions.













Jeanne, on the far right, schedules all the hearings. Myra, in the red, has the same job as Terri. MaryLeigh (with her daughter beside her) is the Lead Legal Assistant. She does the same as Myra and Terri, except that she does extra things - like mentor and training and direct the work of Jeanne and Natalie.

All of the people in our group have been great. There were a few of the other writers that were unable to make it and the other two judges in our group were not there. But I had a good time.

Bay Bears

I went to a Mobile Bay Bears game this afternoon at the Hank Aaron Stadium, affectionately just refered to as "The Hank." Apparently Hank Aaron was originally from Mobile. The Bay Bears were playing the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Bay Bears won 7-0. It was a fun game, but it was hot. Fortunately the stadium was designed with all the seating facing east - so the sun was not beating down on us. It was hot, but not as bad as if we were in the direct sun. Had we been in the direct sun, I don't think I could have lasted two innings! It was over 100 degrees with quite a bit of humidity.

New Furniture

I have been looking for some dining room furniture. I have never had a dining room furniture set. I finally found a set yesterday that I really liked. I bought it with six side chairs and two captain's chairs for a total of eight chairs. I hope I have plenty of "dinner parties" to justify the purchase. I will attach a few pictures.

Bugs, Mosquitos and Spiders

Last week on two occasions "flying Asian cockroaches" otherwise known as "Palmetto Bugs" were found in the office at work. One was in the office right next door to me and the other was in the office just across the hall from me. I saw the one in the office across the hall from me when the lady came running out of her office screaming. I dared to glance in her office and saw it on the wall. It was at least two inches long! When it took off to fly, I didn't stick around! I have been very freaked out about them ever since. I think they are going to spray the office this week! It can't be too soon for me.

I have been plagued by mosquitos since I moved here. My arms and face are most affected because they will get me at night when I sleep. But I picked up quite a few mosquito bites on my legs over this past weekend as well. So I have been trying to stay ahead of them whenever I come in and out of my door. At night, before I go to bed, I try to find any stray mosquitos on the walls or ceilings to swat them with my fly swatter. With my ceiling fan on low and my nightly mosquito search and destroy, I have begun to feel like I am turning a corner on my battle with the mosquitos.

But now it is spiders. I am attaching a picture of a spider that has built a huge web on my patio. Fortunately I don't have to walk through the web on my way to and from the carport. This spider is fairly big. I had already killed one like this by my outdoor faucet, because I needed to turn on the faucet. I don't like spiders at all, but when they are big like this, I can at least see them. I am going to have to find out something more about these. I am hopeful that maybe he and I have a common goal in doing in mosquitos. If we do, then I will tolerate him and let him live on my patio. If not, he will probably join his brother. Because I am very uncomfortable around him.

Happy Fourth of July!

I spent the afternoon sitting on the front porch at Betty Jean's house! There were about twelve or so of her neighbors there. We made ice cream (with an electric mixer) and just visited and talked. It was a great way to spend an afternoon. Later I went to the fireworks over on the bay. The people in the car on the left of me had a 13 year old son that is an absolute avid Boston Red Sox fan - so we had quite a conversation! His mother was a medical transcriptionist and her father-in-law had a stroke that impacted his right side about 9 years ago, the little girl's name was Haley. We certainly had a lot to talk about. The people in the car on the right of me had three very little boys, Oliver, Ryan and Charles. The little boys' mother is from Bedford, Massachusetts and her husband is an officer in the air force. So we had quite a bit to talk about as well. So over all, I had a great time. Oh, I forgot to mention, one of the people from the front porch crowd is related to Elvis Presley. Her grandmother was a first cousin to Elvis' mother (their fathers were brothers).

I am including a few pictures here that I have in my album. I did not take any of these today.



Fireworks at Camden Yards in Baltimore.













Flags hanging at Union Station in Washington, DC.















Flags hanging at the New York Stock Exchange.