We are LIVE in New Bern, NC for the Giants victory!!!

I never, ever surprise my brother.

Until today. :)

He had no idea I was coming down until he opened the door!

More to come; time now for the coin toss, followed by the biggest upset in NFL history!!! :)

GO G-MEN!!

Well, what they do now will stay where they are, I guess.....

....that's what I've always heard, at least.

Bonnie and Rachel touched down in Las Vegas about 115pm ET, or 1015am PT.

Rachel described her first flight from New Bern to Charlotte as "magnificent", which surprised me. They were on one of those SMALL planes, and I thought it may scare her (it would me!)

After the flight from Charlotte to Vegas, the pilot let her come in, sit down and get a picture taken. WOW! What a day for Rachel, and she hadn't even left the tarmac yet!

They've called to say they are in their hotel, where the bariatric conference began today; Bonnie's met people who've lost over 200 pounds thanks to the Lap Band.

Oh, and Rachel reports there's an aquarium, and a white bengal tiger....INSIDE THE LOBBY.

I asked if the tiger helped carry bags to her room. She snickered. Guess not. :)

-------------------------------------

So, I'm grateful to God for a safe journey for them, look forward to hearing "The Rachel Reports", and until their return.....

It's THE GUYS AND THE ANIMALS!!!!!!

Rob, Robbie, Cody, Zoe, Harry J, Chloe, the fish and the itty bitty frog sharing the fish tank with the fish.


.....wonder if I should call the ladies tomorrow at 8am when I'm getting ready to leave for work. Yeah, I know, it'll be 5am there, but what's a few hours among family members? Hee hee.....

An Easter to remember, for good and bad reasons....

We spent Easter in North Carolina. We enjoyed a wonderful service at my brother's church, where he's currently filling in while the search for a Pastor continues. The Easter sermon--as Dick Vitale would say, "Awesome baby! With a capital "A"!!"

On the way to church, a different story. As we come to a "T" (our road ends at another), we begin to see unfold in front of us the results of a four-car accident that had obviously just happened. One car heading north with its front end completely crinkled in with someone trapped inside. A second car now in the deep ditch on the other side of the road, damaged. A third car hit, and now on the grass at the southwest corner, with a lady injured, down on the ground and in shock, and, honestly, I can't remember where car #4 was.

I was among the first to call 911; we stayed a few minutes to see rescue personnel begin to arrive, as did a few others who had come up on the scene. It was horrible; people on their way to Easter Services (you could tell by their clothing) and now this; probably the worst accident I've seen.

And if you have a problem digging there's a God, believe this. We were to leave my brother's house for church at 10:30 and my wife had decided to put her makeup on in the van to keep us from being later. Then, a change of mind just before leaving. That puts us in the van at 10:32.

Two minutes? It can make a huge difference.

I've checked all the news sources I know of in New Bern and have not seen any coverage, so I'm hoping that is good news and there were no serious injuries. If there weren't, it is nothing short of an Easter miracle.

Tammy tells us of another way to the church, and we get there to find out several of the rescue workers worship there, so when the page went out, beepers went off everywhere with people racing out of the church.

One thing I thought that was pretty cool was that first response volunteer workers, some of them, arrived in what looked like their own vehicles, which also contained all the equipment and apparently markings, so that you'd know it was rescue if it came up behind you on the road; I don't remember for sure about the markings. We explained to Rachel that Craven County is different from Henrico County, in that Henrico has more money (close to city, more population) and has more "rescue vehicles", where there they used other means.

God bless those willing to sacrifice their Easter Sunday service for those whose Easter went very wrong.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The rest of the day went well. There is a decent Golden Corral in the world (it's NOT in Richmond!). The New Bern location, and the Smithfield location, are the two I will frequent. Moms and kids went to the movies and do a "Flat Stanley" tour of downtown New Bern, while bro and I chilled, watched some hockey, some Masters.....

...and I was very happy to see Zack Johnson win. What a great story.

And, the trip home went well, too. One quick note; we stop in Tarboro to gas up, and after paying at the pump, I went in to buy a Coke. The lady there was unbelievably nice; showing me where the soft drinks were (on the opposite side of the store than the beer, et al, which was unusual), and asking me if I was on my way home. I whispered, "yes, ma'am."

"Have a safe trip", she replied, in the nicest manner possible.

I love North Carolina. You'd think I was born there or lived there for years. I've not lived one day as a "resident" of North Carolina...but thanks to all my family ties, I'll do what they do for famous people when they come speak at college commencements....

I'll make myself a "honorary" citizen! How I know I deserve this? I killed (gulp) an entire pint of Smithfield BBQ at work for "brunch" today.

BBQ...pig out...what symmetry. :)

Birthdays, church, NASCAR, Hams, and rain.....

In a nutshell, there's our Sunday in New Bern, NC, as we count down until the time we must depart to get the family home for their Monday of school and job (and my day of sleep!!! And I think I'll work on this blog, too.)

It was good to be in church today!!! We were at Uncle Frank's church, where he has been filling in as "interim minister" during their ministerial search. He did a fantastic job as he threw down the gauntlet of confession to God from Daniel in Daniel 9. Good stuff!

Then, an overflow Golden Corral lost our business (just no room!) and we went to Ham's. First time at a Ham's, and I enjoyed very much. Good food, good service, and Mountain Dew. That's all I need. Pictures and pictures of the family to celebrate Papa's 75th and Rachel's 10th birthdays. I especially enjoyed taking photos of Rachel eating just as the fork hit the mouth. :)

Now, lots of rain falling (but no storms!!!) as we prepare to go. An all-too-quick but very enjoyable visit to Witham Nation South.

Now I can listen again to an awesome radio station going home (100.7 The River) out of Raleigh (a Clear Channel station!).....why can't we have a station this good back home???

All Things Witham---On The Road For The First Time EVER!!!

Welcome to my first blog post outside of Virginia!!

We're live tonight in New Bern, North Carolina, as we traveled here earlier this evening to celebrate two milestone birthdays!

On Monday, our wonderful daughter, Rachel, turns the big 10!! I'm still trying to figure out where in the world those ten years disappeared to!!!!

Then, the person she shares that birthday with, her Papa (my Dad), turns the big 75! So, at the risk of letting a big day go by, we came down to celebrate both birthdays tomorrow, since we have to be back home at this time tomorrow night so the kids can get to school Monday.

I, on the other hand, had at least some foresight and am taking Monday off to snooze. :)

There is a chance of some storms tomorrow PM, so I'm hoping they will either not develop or we can dodge the bullet.

---------------------------------------------------------

Quick, few, end-of-week musings:

1) Lots and lots on my mind right now, about things happening, things that may happen, things that may not. I'm very happy that, in spite of all that rambling through my mind at warp speed, I still made the trip here to NC. But, let it be said, next week could turn out to be extremely pivotal. Plus, my jury duty "on-call period" will be done soon, and that will make me happy, no matter what other emotions come my way.

2) NC State.....will they ever be able to recruit with UNC and Duke at their side door? They used to......hopefully Sidney Lowe can, because Lord knows we need some players. The poor guys there now, when you run only seven players, you run out of steam. I don't look forward to seeing their "March legs". They'll probably be tired. I hope at least an NIT bid, so the guys, and the coach, can play some March tournament basketball. All experience is a positive right now.

3) The Taco Bell gutted by fire next to work last Thanksgiving has been open a few weeks now. No word as to whether they plan to add rats as their latest attraction, a la NYC.

Good night from North Carolina!! Happy birthday Papa and Rachel! February 26, 1932 and February 26, 1997. :)

What a week......:) :)

This has been a great week for moi. Through no actions of my own, mind you. Others' plans motivate me to things not done in years, I'm reminded of the importance of communication in any way you need to (nothing illegal of course!!), and I see the aftereffects of the breakthrough over this weekend.

It begins Wednesday one week ago (Jan 17) when I received a forwarded email from my niece, announcing to us she was to be wed in one week. After reconnecting my jaw with the face, I talked with my wife via phone. Funny....looking back now this sure sounds like how wifey & I took the plunge.

Circumstances began to develop at the office Tuesday afternoon where I began to flirt with the idea of going to North Carolina the next day....for two reasons. One, to visit a relative, and two, get to the wedding. By late Tuesday, my mind was made up. So I worked ahead as much as I could, told two co-workers about my absence, and headed home.

Please note that I slept that night four hours straight, which is highly unusual (I usually don't go more than three without waking up), so I was getting rest and not becoming nervous.

Let me clue many of you in on the following fact: January 24th marked the 1,333rd day since I last left the Commonwealth of Virginia. This issue has been one of the MAJOR stumbling blocks in my comeback battle against depression. My last visit to N.C., in 2003, was a disasterous weekend which only left me dying to get home. I never wanted to be too far from home.

I made it to Virginia Beach once, and Skyline Drive once, and Charlottesville once between June 1, 2003 and last Wednesday, but never could cross a state line. In past attempts to go south, I would back out the morning of.....the last attempt I got as far as the Burger King drive-thru next to the interstate where I boldly told my wife to take me home.

I know the entire situation has been very negative on my wife and especially my kids, plus my relatives in North Carolina (brother, sis in law, niece, and Dad) would be continually disappointed that I didn't come with the rest of the family.

From the moment I woke up Wednesday morning, I had an absolutely different feeling. NO NERVOUSNESS at all concerning the impending trip. I left around 9:15 and headed south on I-95.

I did not know how I would react when I got to the Virginia/North Carolina border, but I did know that I was getting more excited as the miles past, whereas anytime in the past 3 1/2 years I would have been getting closer and closer to throwing up, most likely.

At exactly 11am, the van crossed the border into North Carolina, my eyes full of tears, my heart filled with joy. And looking back, I think going alone was the way I had to do this. It was me, CD's, the radio, and God, for four hours down, four hours back.

Proving I hadn't been in NC in a long time, I took US 264 East rather than US 64 to head to New Bern, and ended up in Greenville....panicking. The wedding started at two. Time was running out. Yikes!!

About a half-dozen cell phone calls to my brother later, I'd finally gotten back on track. He told me to meet him in a parking area where workers at a plant park their cars, then head over to work. I almost past the road he referenced without realizing where I was; it came together, and I slammed on brakes to turn into the "parking area", which I should have known, was an area of dirt and sand with several strategically-positioned ruts. After all, I am back in North Carolina. You don't need asphalt to create parking there! :)

I followed him to the church and arrived at 1:59pm. I was greatful to find out the wedding would start late, and NOT because of me. In fact, the bride (my niece) pulled in the church lot (which is paved) right behind me. My appearance was not revealed to her, so she met me at the van and gave me a big hug.

I went in the church, met people and figured out how to photograph this event, well, kinda. No one ever nominated me for "photographer of the month", but I ended up doing pretty good.

There weren't more than 20 people at the wedding, which was a very close-knit affair. I'd never seen a service like this before and probably never will. No one sat down. No one. The family and friends gathered all stood behind and around the happy couple. It wasn't crowded....my bro had proper room to give her away and step back, etc......it was the most intimate wedding scene I've ever seen and you could feel the joy of the couple, and of everyone else in the sanctuary.

Simply put, it was cool. My niece whispered her vows (did she really say them, Pastor?? j/k) and it only took a few minutes. Then it was done, and the avalanche of picture-taking began. There had to be a half-dozen cameras in action before, during, and especially after the ceremony. So, after lots of photo ops with the stars and supporting cast, we headed to the fellowship hall to enjoy the reception. I need to remind myself to post a picture of the cake, because I cannot describe the "bride/groom" topper....you just need to see it.

I was MADE to get in one big "family" photo (I told bro afterwards there wasn't to be any physical evidence that I was there...ha!), which I hesitated because, well, I wore a golf shirt and.....ah.....shorts. I didn't expect the affair to be quite as fancy as it turned out to be (my bad!)

Then we cleaned up and went back to Uncle Frank's house, where the bridge/groom eventually arrived. I enjoyed conversing with the groom's dad and sister from Iowa, and about 7pm, I realized I had to get on the road. So, I made one of the two trips I'd planned. I should've known my original itinerary was too much.

The four hour drive home felt like it took 90 minutes. It was the nicest trip home from NC I have had in years and years. What a day.

472.6 miles driven...left 915am, arrived home 1109pm. Richmond to New Bern to Richmond.

As I told my wife, as for the "ball and chain" of being petrified of being far from home, not only did I unlock the chain and walked away from that stupid ball.....I took the key, unlocked the chain, took it off my ankle, then lifted the ball with my good arm (hee) and proceeded to slam the ball into the ground, smashing it to bits.

That part of the depression recovery is DONE!!! And I made sure to take my niece aside and personally thank her for being the one responsible for this all happening. :)

There was only ONE disappointing event of the day, other than not making all hoped-for stops.

I didn't get to Smithfield BBQ (see a few posts down). But it was much more important to get to know new family members than eat hush puppies. I'll get them soon. :)

So, to Daniel and his new "Marine wife", my niece, Krista...congratulations and all the best. And lots of prayers for protection for Daniel, who returns to Al-Sadr, Iraq for another tour in February.

Then Friday night I was reminded that the best way to handle concerns, problems and insecurities was to talk about them (especially since the person involved gave me that good advice!), and it relieved worry and restored peace.

Then I woke up at 1130am Saturday and didn't have to go back to bed just hours later.

Then I slept in today to 230pm (didn't mean to sleep THAT late), then worked/enjoyed the rest of the day.

For those of you who have battled/are battling depression, you know where I've been, and some of you know where I am now. And I pray all of us, together, will, in our own journeys, be able to take off those chains and smash the balls into bits, getting another step closer to the man I'm supposed to be, and the person you're supposed to be.

1,333 days. It's over. Let's move forward. :)