RALLY FOR THE CURE

Over the last several months, I worked with my dear friend Betty and many other dedicated souls to organize and host a "Rally For The Cure" October 27 at Forsyth Country Club. As co-chairs, Betty and I coordinated the nine hole ladies Captain's Choice golf tournament followed by a Silent Auction and luncheon. A record breaking 120 women shared a day of love, friendship and hope for the vision of the Susan G. Komen Foundation-a world without breast cancer. The community support of sponsors and donors allowed our Rally committee to donate all monies raised directly to the Komen and its local Triad affiliate. We were so proud to triple the monies raised in past events for a total of $ 21,000 for breast cancer awareness and prevention. This experience showed the true power of combining creativity, vision and lots of time and hard work from a group of dedicated friends to achieve a worthwhile goal. This was my "aha" moment for the year !

CRUISING HAWAII !

Duncan and I left September 10th for a Hawaiian free style cruise on Norwiegian Cruise Line's "Pride of America". Before sailing on the 12th we were joined by friends and business associates (this was the 15th annual Pinnacle Benefits Group incentive trip for partners and agents). So a little bit of business and a lot of pleasure as we helped host a week of cruising the Hawaiian Islands. While on Honolulu we celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary at "La Mer"-my new most favorite restuarant. If ever on Oahu, don't miss it-especially the lililoku souffle (passion fruit)! We spent a somber day at Pearl Harbor, made more poignant by visiting on September 11th.; four surviving veterans of the 1941 attack were there that day to share stories and photos.

WE SAIL ! After a round of golf Saturday morning at the Hawaiian Prince Golf Club with our friends, Lynne & David-we were off to the ship. We boarded to settle into an elegant cabin for the crusie-very spacious with a lovely balcony. I loved the week on board-more food than one should actually need-the posted sign stating that the average weight gain on board is 5 to 10 pounds did not stop the afternoon ritual of chocolate milkshakes! Free style cruising gives you dining options and we were able to have dinner with friends at every venue during the week. The Jefferson Bistro (pictured with friends Lynne, David, Janis & Jerry) was my favorite. Each night we sailed and by morning were docked at a different Island. We played many rounds of golf: Wailea Emerald Course and The Dunes on Kahului, Maui.....Mauna Lani North Course on Kona, Hawaii....Poipu Bay Golf Course on Kauai. All courses were spectacular in their own way but my favorite was the golfing "experience" at Mauna Lani-built on volcanic rock so there were fairways bordered by volcanic rock throughout the course. Just amazing! While docked in Hilo, Hawaii our group visited the Volcanoes National Park that was spectaculor. And then there was dancing-the ship had a great nightclub "Mardi Gras" that provided several evenings of dancing fun. A great whirlwind of activities and fun on land and sea!

SUMMERTIME FUN !

Can it already be mid-August? Turning 60 seems to have put time on "fast forward". Leslie and Blake were home for visits in mid-July which was great; Leslie will be leaving for Jordan at the end of the year-her year in D.C. has gone by too quickly for me. It was family time at the beach in late July with my mom, aunts, cousins, sister-in-law....lots of fun! Off to mountains with my girlfriends Betty, Darlene and Nan for golf and fun. Once home have been consumed with organizing a "Rally For The Cure" golf tournament (co-chairing with my friend, Betty). The actual event is not until October but we are working at it every day. Off to beach again for two weeks in late August/early September. Some "me" time before Duncan and friends join me. Summer is almost over....best to enjoy while I can.

It's All Relative !

Summer has arrived and the travel is now limited to North Carolina and the South Carolina beaches-at least for NOW ! Dancing with friends (Linda & Travis), visits home and my constant summer companion, Kayla (grandog is visiting for summer vacation) are featured in the picture montage. I am enjoying the downtime to catch up on projects and am trying to work to improve my golf game (I even had a lesson). My new addiction is Zumba-exercise to Latin music-it is great fun. In the coming months am looking forward to a visit from Leslie and a family getaway to beach with my mom, aunts, cousins, etc. Will keep you posted !

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND "The Adventure Capitol of the World"

Queenstown, New Zealand was true to its tag line...adventure at every turn!

We traveled with Mutual of Omaha (an incentive trip) in early May and spent a week enjoying the country's quaint surroundings and peoples. Our home base was The Millbrook Resort just outside of Queenstown. Although we arrived in late fall it was more like early winter with snow most every day. We spent our days busily traversing the countryside via paddleboat, river cruiser, jet boat, four wheel drive, helicopter and small prop plane. A four wheel drive trip took us through the Mount Aspiring National Park-location for "The Lord of the Rings", "Wolverine" and many commercials including Colorado Coors? A jet boat sped us down the Dart River and through the valley with Mount Chaos and Mount Head rising on either side. We helicoptered to the Walter Peak Station-a sheep ranch and flew by prop plane to the Tasman Sea to cruise Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park. The 100 year old paddleboat cruised Lake Wakatipu and then there were the evenings filled with great food, dancing and entertainment. In addition we attended an inspiring breakfast that featured Peter Hillary who had grand stories of his explorations. I am an amateur photographer-at best-but I hope you enjoy the pictures of this spectacular country.

"Training" to D.C.

In late April I took my mom by train to D.C. to spend a long weekend with Leslie. I loved the train-I am now trying to think of somewhere to travel by rail again. Anyway, we had a grand time together visiting gardens, museums, dining out and in, shopping and just spending the time together. My mom (88) kept up with us even with a marathon shopping trip to Loehman's-there had to be at least 50 wardrobe changes. We had a great time even if we did slog through a lot of rain.

MAC-MAR Invitational....Girlfriends, Golf & Great Times

In the spring of each year my friend, Betty Martin, and I host at least a dozen of our friends at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for four days of golf, gossip and good times with girlfriends. 2009 was our seventh year and tradition holds that we elect a Ms. Flamingo (our recurring theme). Pictured left to right are Betty, Emelda Lawing (Ms. Flamingo 2009) and myself-celebrating in style with a hat made by our friends. I am already looking forward to 2010!