Wheeling Trip part 3

The drive to Wheeling was quite easy. It's about 3 highways, two of which that feed into one another. Incredibly easy! However, I may never complain about Dallas drivers again! Good Granny! Some of those people (several of which were in great big rigs) would have no problem running you right off the road. It was crazy! There are even signs that warn you about erratic drivers!

But the scenery is beautiful!

The drive from Pittsburgh, Penn to Wheeling, West Virginia is one of the most gorgeous drives out there, in my humble opinion. There's something very clannish about the boroughs and townships.

At 2:18pm I pulled into my grandparents' drive. I had a happy reunion with my Grandma and Grandpa, as well as 2 of "The Aunts"; my Aunt Norma and my Aunt Patty. And, not surprisingly, almost immediately, I was sitting at the table with a bowl of soup, a Sloppy Joe and a whole chicken in front of me, courtesy of Grandma.

This was the outcome of the following conversation, literally, 2 minutes after I walked through the door-

Grandma- You hungry? Didju eat?

Taylor- Yeah, I'm a little hungry.

Yeah.... there was ton of food in front of me in record time with the instructions to eat up. I ate the soup and half of the Sloppy Joe.

As I ate, I chatted away & minutes later, yet another one of the aunts made her appearance. Aunt Maryanne came laden down with wallpaper books. Grandma is redecorating her kitchen & her children are helping.

Soon, the conversation turned to me and my little life. I was forced to break out the picture album and let them all get a good look at Mr. Darcy. (Yeah, they found out about him & wanted to see him. And Grandma made me get it to show others a couple of other times during the week) And I am proud to say that, unanimously, my Mr. Darcy was pronounced quite handsome.

Later, after a nap and a dinner of Pizza Hut pizza, of which Grandma had a major hissy when she realized there was a delivery charge & complained about it all week, Grandma and Aunt Patty busted out the dice and I found it necessary to escape... I mean join Grandpa in the living room!

My grandpa, Norman Pentino, is an Italian from the island of Sicily. He and his parents came to America when he was 9 years old. He's also a WW2 veteran. And he's really into his "tapes." For the purpose of this blog, the "tapes" includes the following: cd's, dvd's, videos, and cassette tapes. It's all a "tape" to him.

So, we watched tapes all night long! Specifically, concerts of Andre Reiu, The Highwaymen, Tammy Wynette, and Bobby Vinton. Every so often, one of the aunts or Grandma would wander in and complain that all Grandpa watches is those tapes and that I don't want to watch them. I jumped in every time and proclaimed that I did want to watch them. It was fun & I liked doing something with my Grandpa.... especially something that he enjoys so much.

Oh, by the way, a wonderful cd that Grandpa and I listened to was Patrizio, the Italian. He's a young guy who sings old Italian love songs. It's very Dean Martin feeling. I loved it so much that I bought my own copy! Some of the songs are in English, some in Italian and some are both! I highly recommend this cd!

Links & Viva Las Vegas!

I finally learned how to add links to this blog! My eternal thanks to Mr. Darcy for that. And it should be said that he told me how to do it within hours of getting his own blog... and it took me how long??

Anyway-

Take a look at not only my list of drunken' monkeys, but also my list of my favorite things. And yes, there are two different links to sites pertaining to Las Vegas. As many will attest (because they've listened to me espouse the wonders of this magical city) it's one of my favorite places to go. For me, it's the happiest place on earth! I love all the lights and the sounds and the way the city never sleeps and how you can get a steak dinner for under $10 after 2 in the morning!

The best place to stay is the Las Vegas Hilton. It's off the Strip,but with the monorail, that's no problem. The 'rail takes you right down to the hotels on the Strip. That 'rail is a great thing! Let me tell you. Anyway, because I've gone to the Star Trek Convention in Vegas, I've stayed at the Hilton... the Convention is always at the Hilton, so it's rather convenient! And the Star Trek Experience is located there. Note to all Trek Geeks: That's the coolest thing ever. Did you know you could get married on the bridge of the Enterprise D? Well, you can!

I've been to Vegas every year for the past three years for The Official Star Trek Convention, but this year (to my utter despair) I will not be able to go. This saddens me to no end. Those blasted credit card companies wanting money! Poo! But, hopefully, next year I'll be able to go.

Until next time!
Viva Las Vegas!

Oh, Happy Day!

All is right in the 'verse once more!

The news came down today! Are you ready for this, oh faithful readers?

My Beloved Richard Dean Anderson is returning to the Stargate Playground this coming season!!!

I'm doing the happy dance here!!

I needed some good news today & I'd say it came through in spades!

RDA is coming back for 4 or 5 episodes for the 10th season of Stargate SG1! And, yippee, those appearances won't be the "blink and you'll miss him" cameos he had earlier in the 9th season. They will have some substance. And hopefully, he won't look completely stoned... The Lord of War and the Elfin Princess and I discussed how he looked like something wasn't quite right with him in one cameo... He's also scheduled to film some Stargate Atlantis episodes, as well.

Finally, I can watch SG1 without wanting to kill myself with a dull instrument! As I have said before, there's only so much I can take of Daniel Junior and Dominatrix Spice... especially since Dominatrix is to a regular in the 10th season. But, I'd say that TPTB are forgiven with this news today!

Check out the links for more info! Until later!

Richard Dean Anderson's Official Site
Stargate Solutions (SG1 and Atlantis)
Gateworld (SG1 and Atlantis)

Just a little update...

Just thought I would announce right here that I have landed a part in an upcoming play!

Yes, that's right Gentle Readers- The prodigal daughter is once more returning to the wonderful land of OZ. Otherwise known as what was once my home away from home, the live stage.

The Saga of the Golden Horseshoe...or, That Was No Lady, That was My Filly

Yes, that's the name of the show! It's a Word of Mouth production.

Just thought I would share the happy, happy news! For those following the Wheeling Trip Saga, more will be forthcoming soon. This weary world traveler has been to West Virginia, then turned right around and left for a retreat just a few hours later & then just returned from a weekend visit with Mr. Darcy's parents up at their estate in Oklahoma. All that in about 2ish weeks! And I auditioned for a show. I'm exhausted!

Till later!

Wheeling Trip, Part 2

***This picks up right after part 1***

I awoke slightly more refrshed around 9:30 to find that my window (did I mention I had a window seat?) had been closed. I suspect the lady next to me of the action... she kept glaring at me all through the flight.Weird...

But, hey, the refreshment trolly was coming! Things were looking up. All I wanted at that moment was a chilled can of Dr. Pepper. That's what I get every time I fly... a bit of a tradition, if you will. Well, I got a Dr. Pepper... however, it wasn't a can and glass of ice that I recieved. Instead, all they gave me was a little midget cup that was more ice than precious nectar of the Gods. A wee bit of a jip if you ask me, but whatever...

I got in some reading!!!! Yea!!! I started T.D. Jakes', Naked and Not Ashamed. So far, a very good read! And I listened to my IPOD. Have I mentioned how much I love that amazing piece of technology? That baby can hold up to 5,000 songs!! Gotta love it! But, I digress...

Moving on....

Actually, not by much. I soon started to feel the sweet song of Morpheus luring me into dreamland and I slipped into sleep once more.

We got about 600 miles out of Pittsburgh and hit some serious turbulance. The landing, to say the least, was bumpy. What a fun rollercoaster ride that was.

(For the record, I lover rollercoaster rides... but not when I'm that far off the ground without a parachut!)

But, I am happy to report that many pasty white faces later, we landed and disembarked. PIT is fairly easy to navigate. I love signage and there was some to spare at that airport. I got to ride a moving sidewalk (another thing I love) and a tram on my way to collect my barely legal suitcase.

Then, the moment of truth!

Time to get my rental car.

All I can say is, oh the joys of 'free upgrades.' Don't you just love it when the rental company has to upgrade you for free because they don't have what whey are supposed to? I was supposed to get a full sized car.

But...

One pretty blue, brand new, PT Cruiser later, I was rolling out of the airport and embarking on the final leg of my journey.

And let me just say, I loved driving that vehicle!

To Be Continued...

Wheeling Trip part 1

Well, I thought I would give one and all a little glimpse into my Monday of last. For all those who do not know, I began my trip to Wheeling, West Virginia to see my beloved Grandpa and Grandma.

My day started early- 4:30 am. What makes that truly amazing is that I didn't get to sleep until almost 2 am! But, I was up before the sun that morning.

I made my tea and plugged in my curling iron. The next order of business was the brushing of teeth and the putting in of contacts. My poor eyeballs staged a mini-rebellion for that, let me tell you! However, I got curled and coifed, dressed and fully packed. My Gram was bid adieu as well as my sweet Chester.

It should be stated now that I borrowed my mother's big suitcase so I could pack my bulkier winter clothing. We make it all the way to the garage on our way to the car and Mom just happens to mention the weight restriction on baggage. Well, as I have never checked a large bag, I have never had to worry about weight restrictions... Let's just say that trying to weight a suitcase, crammed to the max on a set of bathroom scales is not only impossible... but more than a tad bit ridiculous.

Do you realize how many people are up and driving at 6 in the morning?

Strange...

Anyway, we get to the airport and wouldn't you know it... my suitcase is 6lbs. over the limit... Figures... So, there was lovely trailer trash moment of opening my case & pulling out some stuff for Mom to take back home with her. Eesh... Then, as luck would have it, I couldn't check in at the outside curb. No, I had to check my bag and get my ticket upstairs in what is commonly known as Airport Purgatory... the dreaded ticket counter. Fortunately, the line for tickets and the security check line was light. Whoo-hooo.

Once I got into the main part of the DFW International Airport, I had one objective.

Misson: Caffeine Up the Taylor!!!

Since I am a very good girl, the Coffee Gods smiled upon me! The coffee shop stood all of just 10 feet away from the Security check point!

Oh, Happy Day!

One medium coffee with cream and sugar later, I was trucking to B.F.E. in D.F.W. It's really not all that surprising that my gate would be 600000 miles away from the entry point, is it? However,I had coffee and I didn't care.

My flight was "scheduled" to leave at 7:40am... Yeah, right...

We didn't get on the plane until 8:30am.

And I was asleep before the plane took off!

*Tune in later for more from my trip!!! Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!*

The Master List

So, I'm preparing to 'go over the river and through the woods' to my grandparents' house in Wheeling, West Virginia. Eeesh... it is times like this, when I am preparing for a trip, that I am forced to admit that I am a hopeless list-maker. I just cannot seem to travel (or do anything else) without my beloved to-do lists.

For example, I have a list on what I am packing in my 'check bag', my carry-on bag and my purse. I'm compiling my list for the books I want to take (on an index card, thank you very much) and for the dvd's I'm planning to take. I also have a to-do list for all that I have to get accomplished before Sunday night roles around... If you were wondering, making those other lists was on my "Master List."

But, as I have been compiling my lists, another thought has come to me... What else should be on my daily 'to-do' list every day? More to the point, does my daily 'to-do' list reflect the real 'Master List?'

By that, I mean THE Master's List...

Now,I'm not saying that God is sitting up in heaven with a great big ol spiral writing down all the things that I should or should not be doing... what I am saying is that there are certain things that He says that I am to do every day... things that should never, ever be off of my to-do list...

Spending time in the Word... something that I never do enough of. Another item on the list, spending time every day in prayer... I am so guilty of not. That leads me to another; taking all my worries and fears... all my insecurities, as well as all my hopes and joys to my Father.

That makes me think of the way I treat other people... I'm told in the Living Word of my Lord, that I am to love and forgive people. I'm told to watch my mouth and my heart... I'm told to do good to and for others........ something I admit my failing at, particularly when I feel hurt.

Another number on the list: Being good steward of my time, my money and my talents.... ick.... that just smarts to think about. This, in particular, I'd love to cross off my list- permanently. That, alas.... is because of how mightily I struggle with it. But... that leads me to....

Trusting the Lord with all my heart and not leaning on my own understanding. In ALL my ways, acknowledging Him & He promises to make my paths straight.

Just something I was thinking about... not rocket science or anything and (most likely) highly redundant for peeps who are reading. But, hey, it struck me mightily and I thought I'd share. And, now, I am off to work on my lists.... creating and doing!

My New Favorite...

My new favorite movie of the year....

Pride and Prejudice!

Among the movies that came out in 2005, there were really only three that had to duke it out for that coveted title of favorite; Walk the Line, the film about the love story of the late Johnny and June Carter Cash; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; and Pride and Prejudice.

I loved all three of these cinematic jewels and, for a while, my choice was Walk the Line. I love Johnny Cash and, especially, June Carter Cash. I went and saw this one with Mr. Darcy and he implied that I was rather like June Carter... at least Reese Witherspoon's take on her. Since I'm a big fan of Mrs. Cash, I took that as the highest of compliments!

BUT! We saw Pride and Prejudice at the Dollar Movie!

I love Jane Austen; always have and always will. Two of my favorite books are Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. I was thrilled several years ago with the great Emma Thompson's version of Sense. I adore that movie. AH! My favorite character, hands down, being Colonel Brandon. But, oh... Pride and Prejudice... Is there any girl that, upon reading that masterpiece, doesn't fancy herself a little like Lizzie Bennet? Is there any girl that doesn't look to the horizon for her Mr. Darcy?

I adored this movie from the opening sequence to the very end. How amazing that a film that was slightly over two hours seemed to fly by in scant minutes! That is the essence of being entertained! Keira Knightly was enchanting as Lizzie. I loved every moment of her performance. And the young man who played Mr. Darcy... oh, my goodness! He was absolutely superb!

The supporting characters were wonderful as well. The young woman who portrayed Jane was excellent. As well was the little man who played the highly irritating, yet hysterically amusing Mr. Collins. Jena Malone was great in her role as the insipid Lydia. And I loved the casting of Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn as Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. In my opinion, both were well suited to the roles. And then, of course, Dame Judi Dench as the highly stuck up Lady Catherine. Does it get any better than Dame Judi?

This movie was sexy and beautiful... all without being even the slightest bit inappropriate for audiences. This film is proof that one doesn't have to go for raunch to entertain... in fact, one should never.

I highly recommend P & P to all. It's out on dvd now. Go rent it and love it!