Rue, Sue...Sue, Rue...Sue, Sue...Sue, Sue...

See ladies? From the chin up only!

..and why? These two girls are just plain purty.

Really purty. Seriously. I'm just sayin'...

...Rue, Sue...Sue, Sue...Rue, Sue...Sue, Rue...and that is how they all met. Okay, So we all actually met online in this crazy, wonderful world of blog. But yesterday we got to meet, yes meet. In person, in full living color. I know many of you know Rue...and if you don't, why the heck not? Hmm...but Sue is newer to blogging so DO go over and introduce yourself. Just click on a name here in the first paragraph and you will hop on over to see these two remarkable ladies.

I knew they would be fun, gosh. I KNEW it. Was I mistaken? Not on your life baby.

We hugged, we laughed, we talked, OH how we talked...we ate, we smiled, we just plain had a good time. And I will tell you somethin' that neither one of them will tell you...lean in...ssh...come closer...closer still...they are both G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. Uh huh. *I* felt like fatty mcfat fat schlumpo next to them but yet they allowed me to hang with 'em anyhoo. See how nice they are? Told ya!

I picked up Sue (Who we discovered lives about a whole 4 miles from moi) and we headed North to Urbana, Ohio. We had spoken to one another by telephone so meeting her was just like meeting someone I had known for awhile. We laughed all the way...especially when my retired Naval navigator husband's directions proved to be WRONG! ACK. Thank goodness for cell phones and Sue's GPS. So we get there and there was Rue...and then it was Sue, Sue and Rue. Or was it Rue, Sue and Sue? Or, Sue, Rue and Sue?

We began our adventure at Rothschild's Farm and Market. Oh the goodies, oh the free samples..oh the tasting... Click on the Farm name and you will be whisked to their online site. Mail order ladies! How about this wine? Cincinnati Reds players past and present...Homer Bailey, Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr. immortalized as wines...Reds and Chardonnays...what's your pleasure? The tasting and sampling didn't fill us up so we headed over to Robert's On Miami for lunch. Click on the name and you can visit this sweet place for yourself! Greeting us at the entry...dear Luella the hostess with the mostess. I thought I looked a lot like old Lu here with a couple dozen more pounds of course. Lu agreed... How about this ceiling? I want one like it in my house! Love it! Wouldn't you guess that the group chubbo would choose THIS for lunch? Hey. I had had no breakfast and was famished. Really. I was...sheesh. And it was good. Uh huh. And the restaurant staff probably wondered about that table of ladies who kept taking pictures of the food...no worries people. I swear we aren't from the Department of Health. Really! Just crazy bloggers... The girls in front of the restaurant...chins up only! But I am tellin' ya'll. These ladies are P.U.R.T.Y. Oh yeah...silly, purty and fun. A peek at a couple of shops on the town square...

Sweet Annie's

Another cute restaurant...

A cute arrangement inside the Country Gentleman...

The pretty town square...and the blasted traffic circle...

It was a fun day, a sweet day, a great day. And we got there and back even WITH Bill's bad directions. (Did I mention enough times that he was a NAVIGATOR?) Thank you to two special ladies. Let's do it again real soon okay?

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Soothing Your Taxing Woes...

...why yes! I am full of wonderful ideas to rid yourself of the tax time twitters. And here is just one more! Hop on over sweet bunnies...hop as fast as you can, to visit with Sara! She has the most beautiful photos on her blog! I was lucky enough to meet with Sara a few weeks ago. We had lunch and talked and had the best time. I look forward to meeting up with her again soon and heading out for a day of photography! I borrowed one of Sara's recent images so you could see how beautiful her work is. Do yourself a favor and pay her a call! Just click on her name in this post and poof! Away you will sail...

Now. Why don't I have any pictures of the day we met? Seems these two photo taking ladies did not bring their cameras! *grin* We took the afternoon off!

Thank you for meeting me Sara. Knowing you is such a treat!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Taxes? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Taxes...

...okay. OKAY! So we DO need taxes but gee. It still hurt this year! In an effort to alleviate the painful pinch I will look back at some sweeter moments from Easter! Ah...that helps...

Beautiful music from the church choir... Mom, Bill and Grace in front of the church...

Grace tucks into the basket from Grandma!

I have NO pictures of her finding the basket here at home! yes, it's true!

I forgot to get out the camera. And NO one reminded me...*sniff*

But she looks so happy in THESE pictures right?

We headed to brunch at the Yankee Trace Country Club

The traditional ice rabbit...

Hey Boo! What's in YOUR baskets?

He quickly went to work discovering each fun thing...

...with a big smile on his face!

Grace really enjoys her brunch! A girl after my own heart!

No more pictures Auntie Sue!!

Boo lookin' cool in Daddy's shades...

Mom, Bill, Grace, Lisa, Jim and Brady...me behind the camera and Dan? Poor Dan was sick as that poor proverbial dog the night before and had slept in. He was down for the count all day. Fever, chills and so much more..ah what joys the flu had in store! No worries, he was himself (for better and worse!) by Tuesday when HE tucked into HIS chocolate rabbits and jelly beans! Well fed, our group heads off for the rest of our day...

Bye Gram...

Bye Aunt Sue...

Now, what did we do with the rest of our day?

To be continued...

Sweet Days...

Ahem. Just because you are older than me brother dear, don't think

you can tell ME how to color MY eggs! Hmpf.

The first batch is done!

The artist at work...

Well, Easter has come and gone once again! Time flies so fast and sometimes I wish I could just pull a Superman feat: spin this big 'ol world in the other direction and start again! The sweet times seem to fly by so fast so we just have to savor each second...Sunday was such a good day, such a sweet day. The sun was bright and the it just felt so good to be out in the world.

Here is one very special picture I want to share. I did not *stage* this. We were waiting to be seated for brunch and I looked over at "the girls". There they were, looking at Mom's cards. Two *think pink* ladies just enjoying the moment! I am so glad my camera, "Leo", is always at the ready!

I will add some more pictures later today...Bill has to drive down to Florida for a conference

in a few hours . I need a little sleep so I can see him off. I hate it when he has to drive down, attend a conference and head back in less than 3 full days. I worry about him and I know it is tiring. Could you all keep him in your prayers please?

I do hope that, no matter the weather, your week has been sweet so far. Each one of you makes MY life so much richer and filled with sunshine! Yep, I know I am a big sap but it is true!

Till later...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Sweet Easter Blessings

Wishing each one of you an Easter day kissed by the sun, filled

with the bright beauty of Spring flowers and the sweet joy of

heart that this special season can bring.

Much love and many

hugs to you all,

Susie Q

Spring Break = Party Time, Excellent!

So it's Spring Break and all your travel plans went bust...what to do, what to do...

Ah ha! You have lots of fun anyhoo! Grace went with her BFF and her family to Great Wolf Lodge near Cincinnati for 2 days. They had an absolute blast! Later in the week, Bill was able to get a much deserved day off (One WHOLE day! Whoo hoo! Um, did that sound sarcastic? Sorry!) so we headed to Cincinnati with Grace, Miss K and Miss K's Mom and brother! Our destination? The Newport Aquarium just over the bridge from Cincy.

We got a very early start and were

there when they opened the doors...

Let's head inside...

The girls meet up with Carrie...Carrie looks a little non plussed about it all.

I got such a giggle out of Carrie's little wagon...it's called the Penguin Mobile.

You are a cutie Carrie!

2 lovely ladies

Here we are in the Lorikeet zone. You get your little cup of nectar, hold it up

and voila! You are feeding the birds! Gosh are these little guys bee-yoo-tee-ful!

Grace LOVED this...I didn't think she would ever leave...well. That is until one of the those pesky birds had had quite enough of the nectar and felt the call of old Ma Nature. Uh huh. Let go right on the girls. That was it! They were more than happy to leave then!

This is Miss K's very pretty Mom!

Mr. Bill petting a shark. yes. That is what I said. Petting a *shark*.

Miss K petted a shark. Her brother petted a shark. Grace petted a shark. Did *I* pet a shark? Me? Are you kidding? Penguins I pet. Lorikeets I pet. Stingrays, maybe. Dolphins I hug.

Why I even petted a very dapper tree toad.

Sharks? Um, no.

By mid afternoon we were all famished. and headed into downtown Cincinnati for lunch.

My oh so generous brother and sis in law had given us certificates for a place we had yet to try.

Delicious food, a wonderful waiter, lots of laughs and good conversation.

Here is Grace with Miss K and her so, so cute brother posing in front of the mechanical bull. I think the kids were a teensy bit disappointed that only those over 18 could take a ride. I offered to represent our group and saddle up but, after looking me over, the bull up and went on strike. Sad.

The view of Cincinnati from Newport on the Levee, an area filled with shops, restaurants and

entertainment venues..it is also home to the Aquarium. The next day we had an all girls trip to The Greene, a shopping and foodie paradise not too far from Rabbit Run.

Miss K, her Mom, my Mom and I had a wonderful afternoon!

Here are the girls chatting up one Mr. Easter Bunny.

Lunch was at Brio...I had their shrimp risotto ...oooh. To die for!

And then we headed for the shop to end all shops, well, at least that is how two BFFs describe Justice! the aptly subtitled, The Store For Girls, is always a big hit for Grace and Miss K! Both had birthday monies burning proverbial holes in their pockets and they wanted to check out the newly arrived Summer merchandise. Whew! After all of that trying on and deciding and spending money, the girls

were ready for a treat! Off to Coldstone Creamery!

The ice cream was on Grandma (No, not literally you sillies!) and the smiles were

on the faces of the two happy, silly Spring breakers!

I do hope your week has been a good one.Ours started off cold, rainy and yes. Oh so snowy on Tuesday. But it has still been a good few days. Tuesday I had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory with two dear friends, Wednesday afternoon I had lunch at Christopher's with two more of my closest, most special friends and my Mom! Days spent with such people are always blessings!

Last evening, Bill and I had Mom and another special friend over for dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs and lots of laughs. No silly! They weren't laughing AT my spaghetti! Okay, maybe they WERE but we had fun anyway!

And yes. I KNOW I am lucky! These friends (and Mom too of course!) have all known me since I was a rug rat, seen me through every moment of my life, good and not so, and STILL like me! Hard to believe but oh so sweet. I count those blessings every day!

And when I count those blessings, each one of YOU is on that list too.

You are all so, so important to me.

Yesterday was sunny, warmer and very pretty. Today is to be the same...ahhh.

Well, I am off to pick up my nephew, run some errands and give a little tender, loving

care to my much neglected cottage!

Happy Thursday!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q