Pittsburgh: Day One

And you thought I had completely forgotten about Day One. Hmpf. I am just way behind as usual. Isn't there a saying that goes, The busier I am, the behind-er I get? Well, maybe not but there SHOULD be for me!

With all there is to do, add the must dos and want to dos during the holiday season and POOF! Online time flies right out of the window! I know you all understand as it happens to is all right?

To play a bit of catch up...we were in Pittsburgh during the weekend before last. Had a wonderful time! Now, phooey on those folks who have said to me, "Pittsburgh??? Why??" Heck, why not? It is a lovely city with so much to do. In fact, we are planning to meet our friends there next Summer! Only 4 1/2 hours from our doorstep to hotel lobby, a lot to do, especially for the girls and really friendly people. We met with the family who adopted Grace's orphanage bunk mate. Both girls were 6 1/2 and had been in the the facility for 3 1/2 years. We quickly became friends with the other Mom and Dad (They live in upstate NY) and really enjoy their company. They also have another daughter whom they adopted in China as an infant. She is a year older than Grace. All 3 get along so well and have a lot of fun together. We always have side by side rooms and rarely have the connecting door shut. The girls have one big *sleep over* and spend the nights giggling and pillow fighting. We really liked the hotel and found it to be very user friendly for the parents and the girls alike. Great indoor pool, delicious complimentary breakfasts and a lovely on site restaurant. Each year we meet in November, somewhere fun, for a long weekend. This year's choice, Pittsburgh, had so many things that looked like fun things for the girls AND the parents alike and it was about the same distance for each family to drive. We had a great time and look forward to returning!

The view of the hotel restaurant from our room.

Near the lobby... Yes, the fish WERE that big! And spoiled. This one was practically out of the water beggig for food!

We met a new friend, Maggie, at the hotel. Shh! Don't tell Kipper that dogs WERE allowed!

The girls watching the hotel's fish...

At the National Aviary....these fish nibbled our fingers after we fed them. The girls LOVED this.

Grace's favorite birds...pink of course! Is there really any other color?

Just how tall are we this year?

Isn't he beautiful?

As is he!

And you too Javier!

Aren't they gorgeous creatures?

As was this Sea Eagle.

Just outside the Aviary...

Downtown, outside Heinz Stadium, the Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Incline

The Carnegie Science Center. We spent 7 hours there and had a wonderful time! Such a great place for families to spend a day, especially when it is gray, cold and rainy outside.

3 sweet girls...Pretty in Pittsburgh!

Ah...now I am back on schedule! Okay, so I am still behind but I am trying! I swear, I am trying!

Last night was Grace's first experience playing in a concert. the 4Th and 5Th grade strings, from all the local elementary schools, played as a collective group. yes, I DO have some pictures...as if you thought I wouldn't!

I hope all is well with each one of you. Thanksgiving is fast approaching...where did the Autumn go? Blew away on an icy wind...more soon.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

And So The Week Begins...

Hi there all you sweet, oh so dear people...gosh but I think you all are so special. I often think how lucky I am to have had the privilege of getting to know each of you over the last 2 years. And, how wonderful

it is to meet so many new blogging friends recently. What a blessing you all are to me.

The way I added pictures in the last post might have been a bit confusing to many of you! The farm images are from our Sunday afternoon...part of the last weekend before school begins. I should have specified that! I also failed to mention that the little boy at the pool was my nephew Brady (Or my Boo as I call him!) and Grace is pictured with her BFF, the adorable Miss K. That would have been helpful to any new readers! D'uh Susie Q!

Today was a fun day for Grace. Her beloved "Aunt" M, one of my dearest friends in the world, took her out for a *Girl's Day Out*. They shopped till they dropped, had lunch and well,

enjoyed a lot of girlie talk. Oh how Grace adores M. We all do!

I got many errands done, grabbed a quick lunch with my Mom and then picked up Grace for her late afternoon tutoring session. This was her last one for the Summer and what a delight it was for all of us to get to know Mrs. B. Grace loved being with her and really dug right in worked hard at her reading. Mrs. B teaches 4th grade at the same school where my buddy T is a 5th grade educator. She was fantastic for Grace and has helped rekindle a love of reading in our girl. Mrs. B always met us at Mom's as that was easier for her...a sort of *halfway* point between her home and ours.

Bill and Dan arrived just as the session ended and we all had a delicious dinner that Mom prepared. Isn't fresh sweet corn one of this season's most yummy delights? Add in some juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, fresh half runner green beans and baby. Wow. You've got yourself a great meal!

Tomorrow Grace and I are having lunch, just the two of us. She gets to pick the spot so we will see where we end up!

Thank you for all your sweet wishes to Grace on her upcoming school year. I think she is really getting excited about it all. That is always a good thing right? *smile*

I hope your Tuesday is a good one...be good to yourselves!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Minnesota Summer...

We got in last night...or this morning I guess I should say. I finally got to bed at 2:30 am, tired and happy. We had a wonderful trip, my Mom had a fantastic visit with her friend, we enjoyed the wedding festivities, Minnesota and just being away again. But gosh is it good to sleep in my own bed (even if it is only for a few hours!) and see the fur babies! Oh how we missed them and they, us. Thank you to my brother who made sure they were waiting here at home for us! Such a sweet greeting! I will have lots of photos and stories to share soon but, for now, the laundry awaits! No, it calls...er...SCREAMS at me! Wendy? Your box will be sent this week....sorry to be so slow! I received a magical box of irish delights from Pat in Brooklyn last week. I will try to get a photo up this week. Pat is so dear and generous. It was like Christmas morning here! Our Deb and Kate just ordered their tickets to see my beloved, Brian Dennehy, on stage in Stratford. They will see him in All's Well That Ends Well. I have turned the most stunning shade of puce green you will ever see! But I am thrilled for them! The reviews for all his Stratford work this Summer have been top notch. Have a wonderful time dear Deb and Kate and please tell me EVERYTHING! Until later tomorrow...I send hugs, much love and happy thoughts to you all.

To enlarge each photo, just point and click !

Me, Mary and Minneapolis Minneapolis Intersection Midwest Sunset

Lake Pepin, Minnesota

May your week be full of smiles!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q