Happy Birthday, Rebecca

Although your name has changed over the years---Becky Leigh, Becky, Reebs, Becca, Rebecca--- a lot hasn't changed.
You still like music. . .
Frolicking in the pool. . .
Cleaning. . .
Wrestling the laundry. . .
Eating good food. . .
Playing games. . .
And snuggling. . .
Just, don't get TOO frisky on your birthday! We love you Rebecca Leigh Morgan Lewis!

Roman's Visit

Roman came to visit for a few days without his Mom and Dad. We went to Vlasis Park. . .

Where he quickly found other kids to play with.

The next day we went to the St. Louis Zoo where he petted stingrays and goats.
And, enjoyed "cleaning the pens".
He and I rode bikes several times---here he is at the end of our soon to be replaced cul-de-sac. . .
Until he was distracted and chased a bunny round and round the tree.
He played a little Wii. . .
Cleaned my kitchen counters. . .

And, the next day we went to Ballwin North Pointe Pool where he frolicked in three pools and the lazy river.
He also played with Zooey (Zoe?) who is the daughter of his mom's high school friend Robyn.

We, then, rode our bikes to Henry School. . .
Where I finally got to see his monkey bar expertise! See below for some extra biking time! We had a great visit but he was sure happy to see Mom and Dad when we met in Columbia!

7 Things

My daughter Rachel tagged me on her blog. So, here are the rules:
1) thank and talk about whoever gave you the award
So, Thanks, Rachel, for selecting me. In the spirit of the blog, I decided I would upload the first photo I found of you---here it is! Eating lunch at one of the restaurants in Brookside (Kansas City) last year. Rachel is my middle daughter---tall (for us), hilarious, artistic, a great mom and helpful daughter (she loves to re-arrange/re-decorate my house even when I do NOT ask her to----like the time she decided my wallpaper was "tired" and she started ripping it off days before her sister's graduation party. . .but I digress).

2) share 7 facts about yourself

1. I used to have a phobia for palm trees---I think I had a bad experience with one in another life time.
2. I can NOT just listen to music. Music is for dancing to, swaying to, tapping a pencil to, but not sitting still and listening----listening to music in the car drives me C-R-A-Z-Y.
3. I have problems with foods which stick to the roof of my mouth---bananas, peanut butter sandwiches.
4. I do NOT like extremists---I am very much a centrist---I no longer respond to people's extreme view because they are usually way too close minded to even have a discussion.
5. The only alcohol I drink is/are beer and wine---I'm not even tempted to drink anything else.
6. I'm a little on the hyper side and don't understand how people can teach while sitting at a desk.
7. I'd rather work outside than inside---my house may have dust but you won't find many weeds in my beds.

3) give the award to 7 other bloggers who rock!

My daughters Rebecca and Leah; my nieces Lynn and Christi---DANG, I don't know 7 bloggers!

Blackwater and Arrow Rock

In Mid-Missouri not too far from I-70 are a pair of towns that "time has forgotten": Blackwater and Arrow Rock. Our first stop was Black Water which was an old railroad town.
In the building above is a museum of telephony with all sorts of old switchboards.
Behind this building is the jail. . .
An iron two prisoner cell.
There are, of course, quaint shops including Imogene, the Pie Lady.
A small pocket garden where an abandoned building was. . .
And, a beautifully restored old hotel---Iron Horse.
Which had a beautiful garden and patio area in the back.
Then, we were off to Arrow Rock which is a National Historic Site with one of the oldest continuously run tavern (since 1834). . .
Of course we had lunch there, but. . .
There were also historical rooms.
Although the limestone gutters are interesting, they make crossing the street a bit hazardous.
There are other shops and historical buildings including this old court house.
It was featured in several of George Caleb Bingham's art. If you click on the link you'll see my favorite of his paintings which has Daniel Boone with a party of settlers which reportedly included one of my Maupin relatives. I think this is another sketch of him.
He's just identified as a pioneer here, but he bears resemblance to the man at Boone's left.
We also went to see "My Fair Lady" which was being performed at the theater there, an old Baptist Church which has a beautiful theater added to the back (handicap accessibility is to the side).
We enjoyed the play---a very professional production in mid-Missouri!

Constellation Celebrity

We started and ended our cruise at the terminal in Amsterdam.
The terminal was very convenient to Amsterdam's train station, canal boat rides and many tourist attractions. We had heard the ship would leave late due to the thorough cleaning to rid the ship of the Noro Virus.
Once we were on-board, there were several signs that they'd had two infected trips before ours.
And, the library remained close for the 12 days we were on board---hard to disinfect every page in a book, I guess.
We also could not touch anything in the buffet or dining room which meant that we would get our eggs, cereal but have to wait until someone came around to put salt or sugar on our food. We acquired packets with room service which I kept in my purse to use before our food got cold.
Everything was cleaned continuously with a bleach solution---unfortunately many, including my brother had ruined clothes when seating too quickly in the chairs in the buffet. Although we've cruised on Princess, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean, Celebrity was a little better in several areas. Their buffet had excellent food---breakfasts were better than than the dining room.
The art was fabulous---Dale Chihuly and mosaic floors in the spa?
Each floor had ceramic pieces like this on the landings of each stairway.
Even the pool had several pieces of art.
This was a beautiful mosaic in one of the public areas.
The "grand stair case" was more subtle and elegant than on the other cruise ships---yes the steps are lit from beneath.

Our room was small be we had art in it also and the mirrors on the wall made it feel more spacious.
Of course, we loved our balcony and even had . . .
Wonderful neighbors who shared Girl Scout cookies (my brother Jim).
The food and dining companions were wonderful---Jackie and Bryan from California were like having having our kids with us.
And, of course my brother and his wife Debbie!
Eddie, our waiter is showing off the baked Alaska.
Our last evening, we ate at the Tuscan Grill, one of the specialty restaurants.

All in all, it was a great cruise, but next time I think I'll ask someone to take OUR photos on our camera so I don't have to resort to so many mirror shots!