A 9/11 REMEMBRANCE AT NIXON LIBRARY

Today I went to the Nixon Library.  They have a week long remembrance of 9/11 going on.

Outside, in the parking lot they had a 16 Ton piece of steel that was once part of the outer frame of one of the buildings at The World Trade Center. 

As I stood near this piece of steel I knew it was so much more then just another piece of steel.

This piece of steel helped to form the building that so many people went to work at ever day.  It was also a piece that once was part of the wall that held the windows. 

I couldn't help but wonder if this held one of the windows that someone jumped out of. 

This piece of steel represents that fateful day when a group of men with evil in their hearts decided to change the world. 

This piece of steal also represents the 2753 men and women who died that day. 

It represents the countless people who lost their loved ones.

It represents the 343 brave Firemen who died Heroes.

This big piece of steel represents how Americans came together.  How even though it was one of the worst days in American history, Americans became stronger. 

We have all learned of bad things that happened through history books, movies and TV.  Yet, we who were alive 9/11/01 became part of history. 

We saw how the world has changed.  How we now can no longer just hop on a plane to go on vacation like we used to.  How we must wait in long lines to have our purses checked just to go to Disneyland and other amusement parks.  How, laws have changed.  How more cameras have been installed to watch our every move in public.

Some say it's gone to far and has become an invasion of their privacy.  I say it's helping us to stay safe and catch those still out there that want to hurt us.

No, I did not just see this as a big piece of steel at all.

I wondered if anyone died under this piece of steel.  I prayed they didn't. 

This fire truck was also there.  It did not get crushed by the buildings because it came afterwards. 
I admit, at first I wondered why this truck was important enough to travel from New York to CA.  Then it hit me.

This truck was at Ground Zero helping to put out fires that were still burning even though the build had collapsed. 

It shows how the heat was so strong that parts of the truck was damaged.
It held heroes, men who came to save others.

Some believe that all the firemen were just "doing their jobs" that day.  Sure, that's true.  However, I don't think anyone would have thought anything less of these men if they chose to save their own lives and get out of the buildings when they knew it was ready to come down.

Yet, they didn't.  They kept going up higher and higher.  Stopping to help anyone and everyone they saw. 

There are many stories of people who came across these brave men and how they willing gave their life.  Not because it was their job to do so.  But, because these men are HEROES.  Men who put others before themselves. 

You can read about this important truck by clicking on the above photo.

We then went inside the building to hear a true life hero speak to us.

I was very happy to see so many people there on a weekday. 

This man is a Los Angeles Fireman.  He was one of the first to get out to New York to offer help.  He told stories of the destruction, pain and loss.  He also told stories of the brave men and women and dogs who spent countless hours searching, helping and doing what they could to find survivors and sadly bodies to return to their loved ones.

My heart broke when he could no longer hold back the tears.

Even though we watched it all unfold on TV we will never fully understand what those who were there lived through.  My heart aches for them as I'm sure those sights, sounds and smells will be forever etched into their minds.

My prayers are that 9/11/01 is the last time Americans are ever attacked.  My fears are, it's not.

THE MANY COLORS OF THE 2010 BALL IN NEW YORK

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It's now 2010! Can you believe it? Where does the time go?


Many people brought the New Year in while watching the ball drop in Times Square.

Those New York people sure do know how to throw a party! They host one of the biggest New Years bashes in the world.


For many people, it is a tradition to watch the ball in New York slowly drop as everyone counts down from 10, 9, 8... all the way to HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Even those, unable to attend the event in person, can watch it on tv.


This year, New York got a new ball. Boy is it a beauty!

All the photos in this post are of the new ball.

It's made out of Waterford crystal and the colors are done with the lights inside.

Through the magic of color, the ball is able to look like many different balls. Each as lovely as the next.

I happen to be one of those who faithfully watch the ball drop, on New Years, from my tv.

This year was extra exciting for me as I was able to go to New York earlier this year. I stayed at the Marriott Marquis, which is in the heart of Times Square, and my room was on the 42nd floor.

When I looked out my window the New Year's ball was directly across from my room. Of course it was the 2009 ball though.

I didn't even know they kept it up all year. I thought it was up only for New Years Eve and then they took it down.

As I watched the celebrations, taking place in New York, I was flooded with the wonderful memories of my trip.

Getting to see all the places right where I stayed was so fun. It was almost as if I was there again.

It made me wish I really was there.

I made myself another New Years resolution as I was watching the ball drop. It was to return to New York again this year.

There is something about that state that speaks to my heart. I've always wanted to live there. I think if my family wasn't here in CA, or if I wasn't so close to them, I would have moved there a long time ago.

But, my family is here and I would never move away from them. So, I shall stay here in CA and go to visit New York as often as I can.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year and 2010 brings everyone happiness and good health.

THINK OF ME

Well, I'm off to New York. Then on Thursday I'll be on the ship and for 10 days will be cruising the New England States and into Canada.



I hear Hurricane Bill is waiting for me. He is off the East Coast waiting to cause problems. Just like a man! LOL



Well, think of me while I'm gone and say a prayer that Bill gets out of our way soon. I'm hoping that by the time I'm there he will have blown away leaving us clear skies.


I don't mind some rocking and rolling of the ship. In fact, I enjoy it. Puts me to sleep at night. I just don't want to get flipped over while at sea.



No matter what happens, weather wise, I'm going to have a great time. I'll make the most of it.



I went on a cruise one time and got caught in a hurricane. We ended up missing all but two ports. One stop we couldn't really do anything because the island was so badly damaged and almost everything was closed.

The other stop was Key West and I fell in love with that place.



I'm really looking forward to this trip so I hope all goes well.

I'll be back in two weeks and I'm sure full of great tales. Could be stories of history, shopping, ghost hunting, witch trials and beauty or could be full of how everyone was sick on the ship and things got blown over as we were tossed about like a rag doll on the big seas.



So I guess what I'm saying is, come back in two weeks to read the end of the Vacation Mystery story.



Bye for now!

I GOT ONE! I GOT ONE!

I'm so excited! I finally got an email saying I got one! I feel like I won the lottery.

What am I so excited about, you ask? What did I get?


I got my very own Big Apple Greeter. I had heard about this wonderful program where you can sign up to request a BAG.

What? You have never heard of them.

Well, it is a wonderful group of people who live in New York and volunteer to take visitors around to their favorite spots. They meet up with you and will spend up to 6hours showing you around all the places the locals know about.

They will take you anywhere you want to go. Show you how to take the subways, let you know the best places to eat and take you to places most tourist don't know about.

You have to request one months in advance and even then they don't guarantee you will have someone.

They do this all for free. No charge at all. You can't even tip your greeter. You can pay for their meal, if you have one. You can also donate to the Big Apple Greeter program. But, you don't have to if you don't want to.

I feel so blessed and honored to know that some stranger is willing to take time out of his day to show me around and make me feel welcomed.

I already called my greeter. His name is Martin and he is so nice. We will be meeting up at 10:30am this coming Monday. He told me to be ready to walk a lot.

Of course, that thrilled me. It fits right in with my plans to walk a lot and lose weight on this trip.

I can't wait! In just a few days I'll be in NEW YORK!

I'VE BEEN SO BUSY

Sorry I have not been blogging as I should be. I've been so busy trying to get everything ready before I leave for New York and then on my cruise.

Not only are we still putting the finishing touches on our bathrooms, we have now decided that we are going to get hard wood floors put through out the house.

This is going to start two days after I get home from being gone for two weeks. YIKES!

We have to pack up everything so only the furniture is left for the guys to move from room to room.

What a pain this is! It's almost like moving. Heck, I thought it was hard having the bathrooms redone. That was nothing!

Today I got the whole office (except my desk) packed up. That was a big job because we have been using this room as a storage room as well as an office and it's been a mess.

We are also going to get my bedroom and the office painted as well as the floors put down. So I'll finally get my room and office finished.

I want to get as much done before I leave as I can. This means all the closets and pantry too! Oh my, I'm so tired just thinking about it.

I'll try to post as often as I can but if you don't see me every day you will know why.

NEW YORK AND A CRUISE!!!

I am so excited. I have not only reserved, but, have paid for my trip this coming August! So it's become a reality rather then just a dream.

I'm going to fly to New York and spend five days in the big city! I can hardly wait.


I'm going to stay at the New York Marriott Marquis. It's right on Broadway. My room will over look Time Square.

I have been wanting to go back to New York for years. I have my whole trip planned out already.

I'm going to go on a few tours, go to see Ground Zero, go to Coney Island, Ellis Island, go to a play and of course enjoy some wonderful New York pizza and cheesecake! Yum.

I was a little scared about going there alone. I didn't want to get lost.

Then I found out, there is a group of volunteers that will meet up with you and spend a few hours showing you around. They show you how to use the subways, take you to places you really want to see, give you tips and hints on little places that are less known to the tourists. They spend around 4 hours with you and best of all it's FREE!

Plus I'm hoping I get to meet up with Pat from Mille Fiori Favoriti while I'm there.

My last day in New York I will board Holland America's Eurodam and cruise to the New England states and into Canada.

My first stop will be in Boston and Donna from An Enchanted Cottage is going to meet me and spend the day.

This will be my first cruise with a balcony. My room will look like this picture.

I can hardly wait. New York, a cruise and meeting up with two fellow bloggers. What a wonderful vacation this will be.