Crazy Dog Lady

It's finally happened. I always knew I would be, "The Crazy Lady" and I've finally found my specialty. Introducing: The Crazy Dog Lady (formerly known as Kate). This is Hamilton: latest addition to the Brickley household of 302 N. Cleveland St.:


Hamilton is a 2 yr. old mutt (vet thinks Catahoula Leopard dog or Rhodesian Ridgeback). He is a 65lb lap-dog who loves to go on long walks and give tons and tons of kisses. I can't wait for everyone to meet him! He and Sugar get along splendidly, and I believe both like eachother more than they'd ever admit. I've caught them spooning once, and they like to give eachother quick kisses in passing.

OK, so before I get going about Hamilton (which as Dad knows can lead to some pretty extensive conversations about normal dog behavior...) MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope everyone is getting excited for the holiday. Bummy, don't get too excited, because as I was typing that I realized I haven't mailed your gift yet....I'm sorry! I got so self satisfied for having gotten in a month in advance that I forgot that tiny detail. I'll put it in the mail tomorrow....

I'm getting excited for Christmas, and plans are constantly evolving. They will involve a stint in Richmond with Paul's family, a visit up to Ashburn that may or may not include a trip to Christopher's Dad's house, and a trip to the Outer Banks to a friend's beach house for Paul's birthday on the 28th. See a picture of my Christmas tree below:




More later, Sugar is dribbling on the floor as I type....

Love to everyone and Merry Christmas!!!!

xoxox
Kate

HE HAD WATER IN HIS GLASS???

Bobby....enjoyed the pictures, looking forward to seeing some more. It looks pretty flat out there. Is that considered prairie land?

More Hunting Pictures

The ground that we hunted was mostly CRP (Conservation Relocation Program) land. Geared to help pheasants and migratory birds have habitat. The farmers are paid to leave the ground alone. It's less that they could make farming it, but they generally put in land that has lower production value (hills, holds rainwater, etc.) The first picure you see was inside the grocery store we visited. It had about 6 aisles, each about 10 feet long or less. A couple were only 3 feet long! Very small town with one main street and two residential streets.

Everyone was very nice. Of course, they need the hunters so are nice to them. Grampy and Woody have been going for 15 years now, so everyone knows them anyway. The family of one guy we hunted with farmed over 35, 000 acres! That's alot of ground. We met another guy who farmed over 40,000 acres. They both owned about 75%, and leased the rest. Wow. That;s miles of ground.

Hunting Trip

Rusty and I met Grampy and Woody in South Dakota for the great Pheasant Hunt. Fun was had by all and we met some very interesting people. The hunting involved alot of walking, next year I need to get in better shape. Some of the grass we walked through was over my head. We stayed in a basement apartment which was very nice. In the picture you can see the chair that Grampy tried to kill himself with. It was broken and when he sat down and leaned back he went over backwards! But don't worry, he didn't spill his glass of water!

More pictures to follow. I can't get it to take any more right now. Operator error I think.

Weddings and jobs and apartments--oh MY!

The Brickley girls are busy here in Richmond!
Kristin is working through the last of the wedding plans and we go for our last fittings tomorrow! We have a planning session on schedule for tomorrow during a drive.

I got news on Tuesday that I will be officially offerred a full-time position here within the next 2 weeks! yay! Hopefully with the increased time I will be given increased responsibilities.

The last bit of big news is that I moved into my apartment last weekend with the help of Kristin and Mike. I rented a moving truck down in Williamsburg (driven expertly by Mike) and we unloaded everything from the storage unit. It was so nice to see all my stuff again! We caravaned up to Richmond, and unloaded everything into 302 N. Cleveland St., Apt. 1! When it was all said and done, it was only about 12:15pm--we were speed movers!

Kristin and I unpacked by flashlight (because I was silly and didn't call the power people in time to get my electricity started until the following Monday...oops). Granny and Granddaddy were driving through and stopped to have a very primitive dinner. We propped the table up and found and unpacked enough dishes for the BBQ Kristin and I picked up and we ate in the dark (with our coats on, because I didn't have heat either!). Not exactly the way I had pictured my first dinner party going, but that's ok, it was fun!

I have taken a bunch of pictures with the plan of putting them on the blog today, but don't have the right cord to connect my camera....when I find it (in one of my many boxes) I will put up the pics.

I can't wait to have a big dinner for everyone the weekend of the wedding!
less than a month away...wooo!!!!!

love to all,
kab

here comes the bride

The days are flying by! Can't wait to start on my trip to Virginia. Is everybody getting as anxious as I am? Kristin, I know you and Mike are.
I have been enjoying all the pictures and blogs you all have written even tho I haven't been doing any blogging myself.

Inaugural Whistle Stop Tour

My days at work lately have been long and busy as I've helped prepare for the inaugural run of a new, state-sponsored Amtrak route connecting DC and Lynchburg. The event was October 1st, and it went off without a hitch! I was shocked and pleased :) There was TONS of media coverage and Dad, you've now got competition on celebrity status (after your audio at OshKosh)!

Dad's Birthday

Upon arriving home from the cabin I found birthday gifts awaiting me. So with a little canine help I opened them. Kristin and Kate gave me a power supply and antenna extension for the Sirius radio. Now we can listen in the house from any room (vs only in the kitchen). I also get to go to Amazon and get a book (I'm thinking gun book). What a surprise! They will all be enjoyed.

Kate's Cabin Crash

Kate visited the Cabin in Harriman for Dad's birthday. Unfortunately, Lisa was not able to be there. The visit was enjoyed though. Lots of relaxing happened, a little hiking (mostly walking to find the trail!), and some enjoyable eating since we can't visit without eating. We didn't have any fires, though Kate tried hard to roast marshmallows. Next cabin visit we will try to get everyone there. The setting can't be beat!

Introducing: Dixie

Here are some pictures of the newest addition to our family. She really looks like a young Jettie. So far, except some chewing, she has been very good. She is crate trained. Her crate is where she spends most of her time. We let her out to "run" the house with us, and then go outside hourly. So far no accidents. She is somewhere between 4-6 months old depending on what you look at as far as her paperwork.

She is a shepherd mix.. Don't know with what. maybe Border Collie, maybe pointer (colored feet and she points when she stretches).

Wedding Bells Are Ringing!

I'm really getting excited as my wedding date gets closer! It's starting to feel more and more real. I got to try on my wedding band on Friday, and seeing it on my hand made it feel even more real!
The bridesmaid dresses have been ordered and should arrive sometime in October for the girls to get them fitted. I chose this dress in a dark chocolate brown color. The dress is really cute and has tulle that holds the skirt out. I can't wait to see my bridesmaids wearing this! We also recently went to David's bridal to pick out tuxes for Mike and his groomsmen. Mike chose a classic tux with a brown vest and tie. Dad has already gotten fitted for his and says it looks good! Now, I just need to find a flower girl dress for sweet Charlotte.

Kate, my lifesaving wedding planner tells me it's also time to start addressing envelopes for the invitations. I might need to practice my handwriting first! It never was my best subject and has only gone downhill since I was taught cursive in the third grade. Yikes!

Until the invitations come out, the place with all the important details is the wedding web site I created. Check it out at http://www.ewedding.com/sites/mikeandkristin2009

I can't wait for the big day!

Video

The Oshkosh video shows the VFR arrival into OSH for the convention. When the aircraft is told to monitor the tower can hear Bob in the background (the controller). Gives you an idea what goes on there, at least with arrivals.

OSH

Flying to Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2008, FISK VFR arrival from Troy on Vimeo.

Congrats Kate!!

I hope you enjoyed your graduation weekend! Despite the rain it was a great day and so wonderful to get to see you march across that stage :D

Honors Convocation 5/16/09

Picnic to celebrate graduation, mother's day and Chris and Kristin's birthdays 5/16/09

Graduation Barbeque 5/17/09

Graduation!!!!

Kate has done it! Graduated cum laude. What a feat. Watch out Kristin, here comes your competition. A very enjoyable week for a really exciting event. We truly enjoyed watching Kate being honored at PLP, and Honors events. We are very proud. Now it's the big move.......

Back at home

Kate, I wish we didn't all come together for surgery, but it sure was great to get to see everyone...I just wish you could have enjoyed it more. I hope that you are feeling better and better every day :)

Here are some of the pictures that I got while we were together.