The Adventures of Abby's Flat Stanley

We have been doing lots of fun stuff with Flat Stanley. We went to Borders the other day and he looked up on the computer where all his books are. He then went to look for some of them.

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Carol and I were having coffee near the magazines when I heard Stanley calling for me. Apparently he was looking at magazines - dreaming about visiting Rome - when someone came by and thought he was a book mark. They stuck him in the magazine even before he would explain that he was a flat Stanley. I rescued him - after that he went to look at the "Muscle Magazines." I think he is sort of tired of being flat.

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Stanley went off and found some play people - I am not sure what their names are. He asked me to take some pictures of him with his new friends.

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I have seen this person before but I forget his name. Stanley really liked him as he had cookies.

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He spend a lot of the day looking at books written about his brothers. There sure are a lot of flat Stanleys in the world, I was suprised how many books there are about their travels.

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Carol and I took Flat Stanley with us to Panama City, Florida from Clarksville, Tennessee. We took him to the beach to show him the ocean. He then asked if he could go look at the sea shells. We told him he could.

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He did not come back for awhile so I went to look for him. I found him playing with one of the beach animals. They were having a jolly time. However, I convinced him that he should come back and eat his lunch as it looked like his playmate was getting hungry.

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There are many of these little beach animals in Florida. Carol and I generally do not play with them though. However Flat Stanley seemed to have a great time with little Crockey.

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On the way to Florida we stopped at the Cracker Barrel where Flat Stanley and Carol took a rock in the chairs out front. It was a pretty day for a drive.

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We stopped for coffee at a restaurant called the Tennessean. They had lots of old car license plates on the wall. We took a picture of him near one of the pretty plates with a bird on it. He really does seem to like the wildlife and other animals. Every time we see something new he wants to stop and look at them closely.

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Panama City, Florida: Another Honeymoon with my Honey

Carol and I decided to go to Panama City during Erica's Spring Break. Michael is at Officer's School for 9-weeks, Myra & Jodie visited Clarksville (we missed seeing your two!) but we are having a lovely time together at the Home of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches. (I did not make that up - it says so on the sign above - the verbiage is buried in the bushes.)

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Alas, the Honeymoon is over. It was great to have a week with my wife and no other distractions. I took her to the airport yesterday, now the weather is sympathetic to my plight. No wife, no more honeymoon, might as well rain...

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We went to a Par 3 and had a great time. Carol asked me to pose in front of this tree because she loved the colors of it. I did not think much of it as my ball was nearby and it cost me a stroke to move it away from this lovely, colorful tree.

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We took a picture at the golf course. Carol had a good round, so did I except for the last hole. It was 145 yards with a 10-15 mph wind straight in our face. I tried to really hit my longest club hard - an 8-iron - and it went a mile into the air and landed short of the lake about halfway to the hole. Carol got a kick out of my worst hole - 7 on a par 3. Ouch...

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Of course we went to Captain Anderson's. Great meal - bit spendy but not too bad. They had a great wine list and Carol picked out a couple of glasses of California wines for us. We had a very pleasant dinner watching the charter fish boats come in and land the fish of the day. For some reason, we do not have any burning desire to go fishing - I think it is the smell... ha

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A picture in front of one of the Capt Anderson's boats. They have quite a few. Their restaurant has grown over the years - they can now feed up to 800 people at once. That be big...

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We brought Abby's Flat Stanley so we stopped a few times to show him the places that Doug frequents on his many trips south on I65. Here we are at the Tennesseean Restaurant. They make a great cheese & bacon omelet.

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I do not usually stop at the Cracker Barrel but we did for a change of pace. Carol managed to beat the Peg game down to two pegs. I could not do any better than four so I took her picture. She is an amazing woman. I cannot get over how amazing she is. I marvel at my amazement.

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The Cracker Barrel is always good for a little rock - Carol and Flat Stanley enjoyed it.

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A pretty little heart shaped shell of some sort Carol found on the beach.

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What can I say - two weathered, happy old faces found on the beach together. This is my new favorite picture!!

Another Visit to Chunky Cheese

First time that Amaya went on the Merry-Go-Round without an escort. Of course, Panama was not riding the horse during the ride, but getting off the horse, gathering hay from the pastures next to the track, feeding the horse and scooping the poop off of the rail car.

Holy Cow, that girl has some spunk...

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OK Grampa, one more warning, you keep taking pictures while I am on the horse ride here and you are going into time out. What you say? You are the boss? We will see about that!!

One more chance Grampa and that is it!!!

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Ok Grampa, this time out is not exactly cool... there are kids watching... I am wanting to do a little bit of socializing, smoozzing... and here I am stuck in time out. Lets talk about this Gramps, I think we can probably work something out... Nana! Nana! Hey Nana, how bout some help here ol girl...

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Nana and Grampa have a wonderful time with you two!!!

We love you both. Some days more than others but always at least some.

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Amaya Has Been Walking Since Her Birthday - Check This Out

It's Official: The August 1st RT Cruise from Seattle to Alaska is On! Tell Your Friends - the More the Merrier. Call us for a Contact Number.

Launched: 2003 Passengers: 1,848 Registry: Netherlands Tonnage: 82,000 Crew: 815 Decks: 11 Oosterdam Holland America's second Vista Class ship ms Oosterdam joins her sister ship ms Zuiderdam in the summer of 2003. On board, l,848 pampered guests will enjoy unsurpassed space per person ratio by any other ship. On board, 1,848 pampered guests will in a fleet already known for its stylish, spacious comfort. Plus, more outside staterooms with ocean views and private verandahs. More convenience, including Internet/E-mail data ports in every stateroom, expanded spa facilities, and three sparkling pools. The ms Oosterdam is a creative blend of charm and modern amenities, affording all guests the comfort and convenience they expect on board a Holland America ship. Officially christened in 2003 by Her Dutch Royal Highness, Princess Margriet of The Netherlands, the ms Oosterdam is the second in our series of Vista-class ships. As on all Vista-class ships, Holland America Line embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies such as her use of a full-scale diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion system that maximizes maneuverability. Symbolic of Holland America Line's more than 130-year history of circumnavigating the globe, the centerpiece of the ms Oosterdam is a magnificent Waterford crystal globe, prominently displayed in a three-story atrium. First-time cruisers aboard this ship will quickly recognize the traditional touches that make Holland America cruisers regulars; a warm palette of colors accentuating an extensive use of crystal, marble, inlaid woods and brass, lovely flower arrangements, priceless artwork and antiques, and a full wraparound teak promenade deck with padded deck chairs. All Signature of Excellence enhancements to her public rooms will be complete in Fall 2006. Activities If you're looking for the ultimate cruising experience that you'll remember for a lifetime, you've come aboard the right ship. The ship of Holland America's Oosterdam is well equip to accommodate all of your activity possibilities. From the moment you embark this vessel to the second before you disembark, you're guaranteed to become so occupied that it will be virtually impossible to keep track of the days nor the hour. Club HAL, dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 to 12 The Loft, designed exclusively for teens to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age The Greenhouse Spa & Salon features thermal suites, a hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool, heated ceramic lounges and more Lido Pool: Warm days with light, salty breezes are made for lounging poolside with an icy beverage in one hand and an epic novel in the other. Does this count as doing something or doing nothing? You'll soon know... Concierge Lounge Shore Excursions Explorer's Lounge: Make yourself comfortable. The Explorer's Lounge is your space -- an inviting arena of rich hues and warm smiles -- in which to relax with a cookie or a cocktail. Dining World-renowned master chef Reiner Greubel leads our award-winning culinary staff in providing extensive dining options, including "light & healthy" items, continental and ethnic cuisines, and vegetarian dishes. All are available in a range of dining venues. Vista Lounge: Smart and sophisticated, the Vista Lounge whispers excitement long before the curtain rises. Watch a dazzling off-Broadway show and, in a blaze of light and color, you are instantly transported into another world. The Lido Restaurant offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties The intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience and features premium hand-selected cuts of Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines rated "Excellent" by Wine Spectator - as well as distinctive Bvlgari china, Riedel stemware and Frette linens Entertainment Close your eyes and imagine the most thrill seeking entertainment options that surpasses any and all entertainment that you will ever experience. What you're imagining right now would be the vessel of Holland America's Oosterdam. This ship has more to offer than just the superb view of the open seas. No matter how you plan on spending your nights here, you'll become well entertained. Piano Bar: The sleek and futuristic Piano Bar is a study of form and function, texture and taste. Soak it all in as a talented musican nimbly tickles the ivories. Ocean Bar: Stylish, jaunty tones and maritime motifs bring seasoned seafarers to the Ocean Bar. Rub shoulders with other "old salts" as you swap tales of journeys past. Neptune Lounge: At your service is the Neptune Lounge's Concierge, exclusively available to Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Suite guests. Relax here over breakfast pastries with your favorite newspaper, or gather for evening hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in this timeless, genteel setting. Explorer's Lounge: Contemporary furnishings and a relaxed atmosphere -- these are the essential ingredients for the understated elegance of the Explorer's Lounge. This meeting place for friends old and new offers intimate seating for small gatherings. Cigar Room: Reminiscent of a Victorian society club, the Cigar Room is where a post-prandial Macanudo or Arturo cigar and a fine cognac are vices not only permitted, but encouraged. A humidor keeps the former in perfect condition, while the latter is hand-selected by the on-board sommelier and ranges from VS to XO.

Carol is on Another Mission - This Time to Colorado

Those of you that follow this blog know that Carol went to Africa this year to fulfill her life long dream of participating in a medical mission. Well, by golly apparentely she has gotten into a good habit. She told me, just the other day, as I was contracting for a 16-hour-a-day job in the deep south, that she and Linda have lined up her "2nd Mission". She was very short on the details but I am supposing that the mission revolves around treating the poor in the high mountain villages of Colorado. Carol let on that the snow is deep there in the villages, that they will probably have to wear skis to get to the people that need their generous services. She maintains that Linda has pretty much set up the mission, that she will do as Linda has committed. I know that Linda has a pure white soul so I am very comfortable with the mission. Stay warm ladies in those desperate high, snow covered villages ladies. (In fact, I felt so strongly about this wonderful act that I donated $500 for medicine and other medical supplies. Carol was grateful, she said that I have a big naive heart - I think that was a compliment.)