The "Dirty" Store

I (B) spent part of Sunday doing one of my least favorite chores - grocery shopping. To fully understand the experience of the International Store, which is a love-hate relationship for me, you really need all five of your senses:

• Smell: To enjoy the lovely odor of fish


• Taste: To taste that lovely odor of fish


• Touch: To get your game-face on and gently "body-check" those who run you over


• Hear: To listen to "American Boy" play in the background.....in another language


• See: To watch out for the other carts that are about to run you down

I just wanted to take a minute to share a [cell] picture and a story from yesterday for those who haven't experienced the "Dirty" Store:

I was patiently waiting to get around a group of people (patients run very short there) when I looked over at a little Spanish boy in a cart. He picked up a lemon and began licking it like it was a delish lolipop. GROSS! It's hard to know the magnitude of grossness unless you've experienced a trip to the "Dirty" store. Here's a picture (unfortunately, not of the boy and lemon):

Light the Night

Every year a group of friends and family of Abigail Shanley gather to commemorate her and other patients who lost the battle to blood cancer, as well as thousands of patients currently undergoing the challenge. This year Beth is finally able to participate in the Light the Night walk on October 4th! If you'd like to donate to the cause, visit her donation page. You'll see that a little goes a long way. Stay tuned for pictures of the walk....

Labor Day in Derry

We spent Labor Day weekend in Derry, PA, visiting family and friends. It was a beautiful weekend, so we spent it with the top off of the Jeep. Here's a picture on one of our rides through the "country-side" at sunset. Beth forgot her camera, so this one's from the cell....

September House Update

Here's the latest.....

B in The Big Easy

Beth was in New Orleans this week for work. She had a great time with the HBI Safety Board, as always! In addition to working on safety stuff, we celebrated Safety Sam's retirement. Here are a few of her "take-aways":

• Mother's fried chicken is AMAZING (even though, to our dismay, we ate amidst Mother's mice....luckily that was on our last day)
• The bread pudding is also delish!
• I must have gained at least 2 or 3 lbs while in the Big Easy (obviously due to the fried chicken and bread pudding!)
• Bourbon Street is not her thing
• Watch where you step while on Bourbon Street...or wear closed-toe shoes!
• It was a ghost town on Thursday....people were evacuating in prep for Gustav....we hope they are spared this time around
• It's stinky there.....

Bourbon St:

Mother's infamous bread pudding:















The French Quarter:






































New Orleans skyline from hotel:

B's New Hobby

I finished my first sewing class last week! I learned the basics by making a tote and a pair of PJs. I loved the class and can't wait to make more stuff! Now I just need to buy a machine of my own :-)

Andy in Switzerland

Andy was in Switzerland last week for work. He flew into Zurich and stayed in Bern, the capitol. He really enjoyed his time there. Here are a few of his "take-aways":

• You don't need a car (train system goes everywhere)
• The people were very friendly....and his clients were among the smartest he's taught yet
• Guiness was much better there....like drinking a milkshake!
• The chocolate is AMAZING
• The Marlboro cigarettes are gross, but everyone smokes!
• Everything is more expensive
• Dinner is a much slower, social experience

The Roof Is On!

We stopped by the house today after another week of building. Progress continues!

OBX - Avon from the Upper Deck

OBX - Oats on the Dune