Hyderanga

In it's third season, the hyderanga has bloomed. This was the plant my Nena Lulu gave me from Papa's passing in March of 2006. I planted it out back and although it got bigger last year it did not bloom, but this year it is even bigger and has one big bloom and it is beautiful. Each time I see it (blooming or not), I think of my dear Papa Gilbert.

Here is it's progression....

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Papa G...

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Raleigh- 4th of July

Frist, sorry for the hiatus for those faithful checkers--pls see our first post on "setting expectations"--haha : ) Obviously, I have a bit of time to catch up on.....

Starting w the most recent, here are some pics from our time in Raleigh for the 4th. We headed down Thursday night after work and met up with Jordan, Kerry and Jason and had dinner at Jibarra- modern Mexican cuisine- highly recommend this place- a great experience in both food and atmosphere. Saturday I spent some time w Casey. Checked out her boutique- Gigi's- what a great shop! I can't wait to wear my 2 dresses and 2 tops I picked up. We had a great time catching up. Wish I got to see you more, Case!

Saturday night, Jordan, Kerry, Jason, Ryan, and I went to a Carolina Mudcats game.

Jordan and Kerry have adopted the team as their own, and here they are showing their support in their Mudcats hats.

Jordan was kind enough to go get ice cream for us. About this same time, we were kicked out of our really good seats right at the top of the stadium directly behind homeplate. We were originally sitting out beside right field, but noticed some available seats and we then moved around about 3 times as people came to their seats. It was worth it.

There was a great fireworks show after the game.

Boys being boys.

Jordan and Kerry Engaged!

Ah, the newly engaged Gordon and Karen.

He wasn't kissing her, folks. He was just checking to see if she had washed her hair.




And the verdict is in. She did wash her hair!

And yes, they are still getting married.

Congratulations guys! Just don't develop it into a reality show and you'll be fine.

More Birthdays Calls for More Cakes

A cake for everyone! The Butterfly's were orginally for Brandon, but he said, "I've moved on from that. I'm now in love with rainbows and Transformers." So we gave it to Ashtyn. My cake was the best of course, the chocolate one. Brandon seemed content with his, Tranformers. Next year, we'll be getting him a Hot Wheels cake!

Cathy and Brandon sharing the love of Optimus Prime.

Nena Susie with Ashytn lighting Nena Susie's cake. That's right. Four cakes for Four Birthdays on one day! I think next year should be all 20 birthdays with one cake on one day. All of those in favor say I, "I".

Myself blowing out my cake for the second time. The first round got mixed up with Nena Susie's, so we tried mine again. When the candles went out, so did the power, and everyone went to bed and lived happily ever after.

I think this was for Nena Susie. Ashtyn with her huge frame, blew out all the candles with one blow. "And I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down."

Ashtyn with her new pink softball glove from Mimi and Papa Ra. Hay Hay Hay! You Go Girlfriend! Maria later assisted her to paint her fingernails to match the glove and she proclaimed them to be "beautiful and dramatic!"

Surprise! It's Mema Cooke's Birthday

Mema Cooke gettin some sugar from Nate on her surprise Birthday Party at The Depot in Dobson. "Just don't call me boosie," Nate said.





Mema's cake courtesy of Ketchie Creek. I heard it was some kind of good.

At least that's what Mema said, after she devoured the whole thing in one bite!




Mema Cooke, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Next American Idol!

Happy Birthday Nathan and Barry!

Here's Nate blowing out the candles for his Big 2! He's already 6ft. 2in. and still growing.





"Like my bibs?" Nate said, before picking up a banjo and picking some Foggy Mountain Breakdown!




Maria with her arms full of Grace, Anna Grace that is.

Working with Uncle Rick

A perfect example of how to create a crown molding masterpiece. Uncle Rick and I (Ryan) spent the day finishing the bathroom of his new house. Carpentry is Poetry!

Tagged

Erica tagged me, so I'm to fill out the below. Here are my responses.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Current- Global Sourcing Manager- C9 mens and boys athleticwear- go buy it at Target- seriously- you know your man needs some new workout and lounge wear.
2. Receptionist at a hair salon
3. Real Estate Call Receiver- I don't remember the exact name of this job, it's somewhat blocked from my memory because this is the only job I was ever FIRED from- I know that is hard to believe. I still don't know why- why would anyone fire me? : )
4. Lawn Care- mowing, weedeating, picking up trash, mulching, etc for the family business from a single digit age until leaving for college pretty much. Hard core, Cook family style work : )

Four movies I've watched more than once:
I have to admit there are many- I live with a movie fanatic. So to make it interesting, I will list trilogies I've watched more than once. I have to admit, I really love them all myself.
1. Lord of the Rings
2. Bourne
3. Matrix
4. Spiderman
Bonus: Star Wars

Four T.V. Shows that I watch:
1. Biggest Loser- love it!
2. American Idol- I told myself I wouldn't watch it this year, but then Ryan started working for FOX and he was watching it, and I do it only out of support for my husband- ha! Plus, it's a guaranteed conversation piece with about anybody.
3. 24- Too bad it was cancelled this season. Get well Kiefer!
4. Friday Night Lights- Too bad it's not coming back until Jan 2009 unless I change to Direct TV to the exclusive showings thru them- that's not happening.

Four places I have been:
1. Almost all of North America- 48 US states (Alaska and Hawaii included, Canada, Mexico--only missing North Dakota and Wisconsin I believe)
2. Turkey
3. Nicaragua
4. Philippines

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
Not many other than my work, I feel sad. Email me people!
1. Ryan
2. Mom
3. Kelly, my sis-in-law- recently we have been regularly emailing and encouraging one another in our goals to get fit, eat healthier, and count those points!
4. Target, Sephora, Pottery Barn, Gap

Four of my favorite foods:
In light of the aforementioned quest to eat healthier.....
1. Kashi Cookies- specifically oatmeal w dark chocolate chips
2. Veggie Eggrolls- baked not fried
3. Smart One Cookie Dough Sundae
4. Veggie Chicken Stirfry

Four Places I would like to visit:
Four? I can think of a thousand!
1. Somewhere in Africa
2. Australia
3. Singapore
4. Wisconsin and North Dakota- so I can say I've been to every state!

Things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. Making over my bedroom
2. Grilling out
3. Warm weather
4. Summer hours!-Friday's off for eight weeks

I'm not officially tagging anyone, but everyone is welcome to respond!

Look Mom! It Bloomed!

My mom and I have this joke that only under my Nena Lulu's care can an African Violet bloom. Nena has given me 3 or 4 of these thru the years from her collection and finally, one has bloomed! The curse is broken! I think it must be the type of light it is getting thru this bathroom window--I really dislike this type of window so I am encouraged to know it is now serving a purpose. I think I'll move my other one here and see if it will bloom too. Isn't it pretty......

Cook's hit the Big Apple

As we mentioned in our last post, we took my (Maria's) mom to NYC for her 60th birthday. We packed in alot of activity for only 3 days and 2 nights. We had a 6am flight out of RDU Friday 2/29 and arrived at JFK to soon find our limo driver outside (who was supposed to by at baggage claim w mom's name on a sign....). Though delayed slightly, mom was thrilled to enjoy her first limo ride....







We barely had time to run into the hotel before jumping back in the limo to head "uptown" to the Oscar Blandi salon where mom was to have her hair done. Here is a shot of the bustling salon--Kelly and I had fun people watching and seeing this place surprisingly function despite the mass amount of people and activity. We quickly learned that all we needed were tall boots and a huge handbag in order to fit in : )



BEFORE. With colorist Nicole.....



And AFTER, with stylist Kerin. And a shout out of thanks to my coworker Robert for personally recommending Kerin's work--thanks Robert!



We then went to Sephora to have mini makeovers--I LOVE this place. Then to the famous "Intimacy Bra" as seen on Oprah for a bra fitting- boy was I in shock....I won't say why......tmi. Then back to the hotel to meet the guys for dinner and a quick walk back to the hotel in the SNOW. I should mention that it was freezing cold the whole time we were there. Thank the Lord for Cuddleduds.

The original Cook family- me, mom, dad, bran.



Mom and dad-sweet as ever, arm in arm.






Ry- cool, calm, and collected.

The subway station at ground zero....

Saturday we had a great brunch at a great place called "Flamingo's"- thinking it was going to be not so great at first, we were all pleasantly surprised- it was wonderful food, and a great deal. Then there was a NC State ballgame on that could not be missed so after that we headed to Battery Park to catch the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty which happened to already be closed for the day, so we just went on up to Broadway to catch a show- saw Legally Blonde- it was quirky, witty, and fabulous. I loved it.

Bran and Kelly- trying to stay warm.

Sunday we went to a little French place for brunch- Chez Laurence- another good find. Then to the Statue. Pics from the ferry and then on Liberty Island...

On the ferry....

Ah, lady liberty....beautiful...

After that, we somehow did alot of walking to find this .99 cent pizza place, which was great- we ate on the street and then found ourselves trekking it to the airport for our 9:45pm flight home, arriving back in raleigh, and then driving back to winston....

It was a great trip. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday, Saturday 2/16, we spent the day in Mt. Airy- first to my mom's for the big reveal that we're taking her to the Big Apple for the weekend for her double thirtieth birthday. Brandon, Kelly, and Ashtyn, who were on their way to Disney World, crossed paths with dad, who was coming back from Tampa, all called in together so we could all break the news. Can't wait! We're leaving 2/29. Here's the best shot of shock:

Then on to Ryan's dad's birthday shindig- a taco party of normal Jessup proportions--ginormous--cooked with love by the birthday boy himself.

Then there was Mema's millionaire pie, with a singing "1" candle--because "those are the only ones that sing".

Ryan wrote a special poem for his dad, which he of course loved.